Renton, WA: Sartori Education Center

A little forum on songwriting for Sartori's Creative Writing Class, taught by a former guitar student. Came in ready to play a bunch of examples to illustrate various ideas, comparisons, etc., but was pleased to forgo such a performance-heavy approach in favor of honest discussion. Also enjoyed sharing my own notes from a songwriting master class with Texas legend Eric Taylor (so accomplished that he can get away with being a Texas songwriter and only having two names), lending my voice to his thoughts and observations as they resonated with me. Hope I get to see/hear some of the songs the class produces!

Leavenworth, WA: Icicle Arts Festival

As I told the audience at the performance where I served as a judge, I'm of two minds regarding songwriting contests: I appreciate and understand their role in the celebration of original music and as a means for some of gaining traction in the industry...but, at the same time, the very idea of comparing and rating songs along one particular continuum is tough to digest. So congrats to *all* Icicle Prize finalists for this accomplishment and for keeping at it: Ben Bonnema; Michael Carlos; Chelsey Craven; Michael Dickes (whose song has been most stuck in my head since); Rachel Lippert; Hannah Loeffelbein; Brian McMahon (2nd Place); Margee Peterson (Audience Choice); Andrew Thompson; Nadine Van Ness; Sandy Vaughn (3rd Place); and Beth Whitney (1st Place)--and student finalists: Marija Bosnar (1st); Chloe Grace Caemmerer (2nd); and Claire Seaman (3rd).

Also charged with sorting out this madness were my other co-judges: Dan Maher; Linda Waterfall; Andre Feriante; Andrew T. Miller; and Aimee Mell. Most of us gave workshops the day previous at the stunning Barn Beach Reserve, and all were treated splendidly by the Icicle Arts folk, who pulled of the whole thing smashingly. Indeed, anyone who wants to put me up on the Sleeping Lady grounds (even feeding me occasionally) is more than welcome to do so!

Richland, WA: Tumbleweed Music Festival

Over the years (this is #8) I've likely exhausted available positive adjectives for describing just how pleasant this event is, yet extreme pleasantness is what I have to report yet again. Fun as always to see friends old and new, roast fellow songwriters while emceeing the contest (and presenting the handmade-by-yours-truly trophy: congrats to Tracy Spring!), play a set of my own (that was a lot of folk assembled to hear it!), and hang by the river. And I modeled this years theme of "Paying Forward - Giving Back" with a stint on local TV ... and a performance of "Thanks to the Many" in the Sunday Evening Concert. Same time next year...?

A Little of This, A Little of That...

Big Rapids, MI: Jensen Family Reunion

The Big Rapids Jensens are second cousins of mine (with varying degrees of removal), and two years ago one asked me if I would pen a tune about the family farm outside of town as a gift to the clan. No one lives on the property presently, and those who did (a long generation older than me) remember very tough times, but a spirit of 'this place won't go to seed on my watch' persists, and the 120 acres have thus become a wonderful play-spot for the youngest generation of Jensens (et al - for a delightfully loose criteria for 'family' also pervades). I sifted through various cousins' journals and thoughts on the place and emerged with "On My Watch," which I recorded on "By the Side of the Lake." Playing it on-site was, in a word, special.

Mercer Island, WA: Youth Theatre Northwest

For the past many years, one of my regular side-gigs has been sound design (and occasional music-direction...when the serious musicians won't touch a show) at Youth Theatre Northwest on Mercer Island, a wonderful outfit that gets remarkable results from the kids it casts in its shows (and it casts only kids). Kinda fun, then, to spend an evening with the other artists and designers showing said kids and their families what our 'other lives' look like at this Faculty Showcase.

Redmond, WA: Swedenborg Church of Puget Sound

Must've passed my Super Bowl Sunday audition 'cause I'm back--nice, welcoming feel and pace to these services, and very appreciative of and eager for the music. Also neat that the guest speaker is an eloquent and sharp member of the Baha'i faith, brought in to share views and start discussions--a fine way to do things in my humblish opinion.