Let that Light SHINE

Wow - what a whirlwind the last few weeks have been. First let me say - to the folks who donated to the album campaign - to the folks who have come out to shows - to the folks who have listened to, enjoyed, and connected with me through and about the music - Thank You. You light up the path in front of me and make me see what is important and how to drive forward. You are my powerful 1950's highbeams in this Mustang of my life - and I thank you.

Now what's going on you ask? Well we got to 46% of the the fundraising goal - which means all of the players get paid, the record gets recorded, engineered, produced, mastered, and the album art gets done. It also means that the $$ I'm trying to earn to beef up some of the marketing plans via the three jobs has been shifted to pay for vinyl and CD production. Trying to find some extra gigs and work to keep those marketing plans in place. But I have a few months for that and I'm hopeful and excited. I've met with the production folks for the record and everyone is just SO EXCITED - me included. Preliminary feedback from the musicians is that the album is 'soaring and dark' - a sentiment that I wholeheartedly endorse. I've also met with the designer for the album and the work is in progress - again - SO EXCITED! Right now we're on track for songs to be mixed and sent off to production on March 15. All this and they haven't even been recorded yet. Yipes!

With all of what's happened this year - losing so many amazing musicians, our political / cultural shift, so much war and tragedy, so many friends lost too soon, it's easy to second guess making art and wondering if such pursuits are frivolous. I think though - there is no time so important for art, for music, for poetry, for dance, for film... These are the things that bring us back to ourselves, to beauty, to living with eyes wide open. So this year again I dedicate myself to living as honestly as I can within this music. To honor it. To perform it. To let the light shine as hard, as bright, and as clearly as I can.

To that end also - I'm investing in myself and my art. By making healthy choices, going to the gym, walking more, but also - getting the gear I need. Enter this little bit of amazing (see pic below):

One of the best presents of today has been watching the online progression of my new guitar strap from my old friend My Graveyard Jaw / Michael James and his new business Chubbs Made - we met back in 2005 when I was on the road w/ @rustbeltjessie - then again in 2011 when I was in New Orleans for my birthday and we talked for hours after his show of art, music, passion, process - how cool, how sacred, how just awesome is it to me now to see him learning a new process, carving art out of leather to help me and my music happen, I’m just honored to be a part of watching the magick happen. If you need amazing leatherwork - he is SO your guy! (Photos posted by him online - project still in process and yet already so goooooooooood)

So friends - thanks for being here. I'll be at the Uptown in Oakland with Kim Lembo on Jan 3 if you want to come by and wish a happy 2017. Keep the faith and let your light shine!