I decided recently that the best way to get involved in my local music community... is to get involved in my local music community! I know, not exactly Rocket Science, but a powerful insight nonetheless.
Home recording is not my strong suit, and my little EP of new stuff is turning into a much more involved project than I anticipated. So as I'm puttering away on that front, shopping for a new, smaller guitar to play, and taking some classes at PSU, I'm going to be doing time as a volunteer at some local music events!
Artichoke Music is hosting their Folk Festival on June 26-27. I saw my first concert at their Backgate Stage this past weekend and was charmed by their cozy, welcoming listening room set-up.
And I'm really excited to be helping out with this year's
Pickathon on July 31-Aug 2! The local Indie Roots Music Fest is getting bigger and better every year, and it's only 20 minutes from the city!
Lastly, I won't be volunteering, but I'm excited to return as a full-fledged participant (as well as audience member) at the
Song School, and the following 3 day
Rocky Mountain Folks Fest in Lyons, CO. It's been a couple of years since I've touched down in that community of great players and I'm looking forward to honing my songwriting skills and re-connecting with other creative folks.
On another note:
Over the past few months I had the great honor to write a song for a couple of very special people.
John and Grace Kidwell are my in-laws, who were married for just shy of 60 years. When Grace passed away from Alzheimer's earlier this year, John wondered if I would compose an uplifting song for Grace that would honor her life. I told him I would, and got to work on it.
The melody and song structure came quickly and easily, and I invited John to send me some ideas and words to use, to really make the song his. I was letting these things marinate a bit, and in April got the news that John's leukemia, which had been in remission for the last 2 years, had returned with a vengeance. He was given about a month or so to say his goodbyes...
Suddenly, this assignment took on a much deeper meaning, with an irrevocable and looming deadline. I finished the song, which was written from his perspective, using his words, and sang it for him just a few short weeks ago. His tears were the very best reception my work has ever received.
John died this past week...
"Like a river to the sea,
time will deliver me
into the Mystery
And we will move on, move on, move on"