Summer 2017

           What a year I've had!  And more important, what a great summer I am having.  I raised children from age 22 until age 60 without a break, my own and others.  These last three years I've had the opportunity to regroup and pursue a life beyond child-rearing.  It took a year to figure out what that meant, another year to come up with a plan and now this year has been the start of implementing that plan.  

              In the past three years, I've put out a solo CD and a compilation of old recordings from my rock band (General Eclectic) gotten some music videos up, am working on another and am in the planning stages of a children's CD to be recorded this fall.  I've done lots of gigs of all different types (for adults and kids) and have been writing a lot of new songs.  I'm hosting a monthly music jam and a songwriter's group and am growing as an instrumentalist and songwriter, now that I have the time to put into it.

          I just got back from a week at Summersongs, a music camp for songwriters.  I first went in 2003 then got consumed with children again and never made it back until last year for only 3 days.  That was just a tease, and I decided I needed to do the full week this year.  I'm so glad I did!  Now I'm packing to go to the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival for 4 days.  I love immersing myself in music, and I love sharing that with all of you.

            I've also loved telling my stories.  About 5 years ago, I joined a memoir group, and that has inspired me to write more and more.  It's also helped me remember details I thought were forgotten.  I find that the more I write, the more I remember.  It's a lovely phenomenon.  I've been lucky enough to find places to perform where I can combine songs with stories and have discovered, much to my delight, that people want to hear these stories from my wild and impetuous youth and beyond.  I'm very much looking forward to my next adult show where I will share the bill with my grandson, Taran Shaefer, as the legacy continues.  That show will be at the Eden Cafe in Loudonville, NY on September 23rd.  Check the calendar page for details.