Who do you love? 

Lately, my heart has grown hard. I feel anger and frustration. Anger at the violence and ignorance. Furious at the cowardice of our lawmakers. Frustrated doesn't come close to naming the fury I feel, being unable to change the course this country is taking. I need to cultivate courage, patience and hope because I love this damn world too much to let go. Maybe this hardness I feel in my chest is just the beginning of gaining a bit of the Love that bears all things. The heart is soft but it is strong, too…

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Big sky, big talent, big hearts 

My head and heart are just now starting to settle back down after spinning in a world of stellar songwriters with great chops and generosity to match. Every September, the Southwest Folk Alliance (also known as SWRFA) meets in Austin, Texas. I was told by a songwriting friend it was her favorite of the Folk Alliance Regionals. (There is the Southeast, Northeast, Far West and Farm in the middle of the country.) Now I understand why. It is a welcoming world, not too big or small, just chuck full of great…

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MilkBoy ArtHouse Songwriter Series supports songwriters and community 

Hello all,

In February of this year, I, in partnership with The Clarice of the U of MD,  launched the new songwriter series, Songwriter Sundays at MilkBoy ArtHouse in College Park, Md. Every third Sunday of the month, we feature the 2 of our best local songwriters and 1 touring songwriter in a two set format. I begin the evening with a song or two then introduce the night's artsists with 3 mini sets each followed by a round-robin set with all three performers sharing the stage. MilkBoy ArtHouse opened…

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Roses & Rye...who? 

"Rye and roses," he said. I said, "But that'll sound like 'Ryan Rosen' or something."

Immediately he said, "Roses and rye." "Damn, that's pretty good!" says I.

Rye & Roses are Kevin Dudley, Lynn Hollyfield, Nicole Belanus and me. We're songwriters, we work hard, we are going to sing our stuff for you. Soon, very soon.

Riverdale Rail Concert Series 

Last fall, Bob Harper messaged me asking if I would like to play at his bookstore, Robert Harper Books in Riverdale...for tips. My first impulse was to say, "Thanks but no thanks," but instead I got some good advice from a resourceful friend who suggested I make him an offer. I asked him if I could come by the store to meet him and check out his store. Bob is a tall, good-natured guy and full of enthusiasm for books and music. His shop is located in a quaint row of shops across from the railroad tracks…

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2017 Late winter snow, spinning plates updates 

I'm running this new brainchild of mine, the Riverdale Rail Concert Series, hosting and playing Zed's monthly showcase, other misc. gigs, Songwriters' Circle at Airshow, working up tunes with the new band, Roses & Rye, going down to SERFA, wondering if I can afford to renew my massage therapy office lease (long story) and keeping a roof over my head and cat hair at bay...oh and I've got about 5 songs started and that's the easy part. Getting ready to go into the recording studio, too. Feeling my way into…

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Some thoughts on the close of 2015... 

Some thoughts at the close of 2015...

"As I look over this year, I am a little stunned at the progress I've made and the blessings I've had. There is nothing quite as thrilling as doing the work and seeing the fruits of the labor: first, getting my website up and running; second, the release of my debut CD, Songs from the Talking House, and its sold-out, standing room only release concert with a dynamite band of DC musicians; playing a local and national festival or two; cultivating a popular gig… Read more

Looking back over this year... 

As I look over this year, I am a little stunned at the progress I've made and the blessings I've had. There is nothing quite as thrilling as doing the work and seeing the fruits of the labor: first, getting my website up and running; second, the release of my debut CD, Songs from the Talking House, and its sold-out, standing room only release concert with a dynamite band of DC musicians; playing a local and national festival or two; cultivating a popular gig with award-winning songwriter Kevin Dudley and…

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BON APPETIT 

From the outside, the life of a musician, or artist of any kind, can look easy and even glamorous. But for every set played on stage there has been hours and years of preparation. In my world, preparation and incubation. I think of my music as a slow cooking stew that's now ready to be offered up to a larger share of the family. But it can be daunting. There's a zillion good singer songwriters out there trying to get heard. If I focus on that, I'm screwed and the stew's all burnt. So what if there's a…

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Holy cow! I think I'm getting the hang of some of this! 

Hi folks and welcome! It's weird writing to who knows who, but I guess it's no different than writing a song at my kitchen table at 2:00 am.

By FAR the hardest part of getting out and about again has been dealing with all the technology it's entailed.

I've been a massage therapist for the last decade and I have managed to stay pretty low tech through the years

so getting my CD recorded and getting this website up is just huge for me.

It's emboldening to accomplish just a little bit of something that felt…

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