Surprises
The Joe Crookston concert happened as planned on Saturday, January 23rd. Sandy and I figured out how to pack 34 chairs into our house so that everyone could see and hear well. The event sold out pretty easily with people who follow the music Andrew and I play.
Andrew and I opened the show and played for about 25 minutes. Then, Joe Crookston got up and played for over two hours. It was typical Joe. Stomping…Picking…Singing… The music was great. Joe brought an accompanist named Peter Glanville who added energy and texture with his tenor guitar play and harmonies. Joe, Peter, Ernie and Andy played three songs together. Everyone had a good time. It was hard to believe that the International Folk Alliance album of the year award winner was playing in our living room.
People hung around and talked after the show. We had enough refreshments for an army. Joe and Peter were here chatting with people and selling CDs until 11:30 PM. Joe was impressed with the full house and the attentive audience. He is definitely up for coming back again in the future. It would be nice if we could grow the thing and hold it in a little bigger venue next time.
Joe was particularly smitten by the passion young Ian Peterson had for the music. Ian is a vocal and guitar student I worked with for some months. He is a good player who loves his music. I turned him loose as a student a couple of months ago as he has enough tools to work with for now. The Ernie and Andy schedule for February will follow, but pay attention to Saturday, February 6th. Andrew and I will be playing at Muddy Waters Coffeehouse on Main Street in Geneseo. Ian will play a couple of songs after each of our set breaks. You should come out to hear how he interprets his music and to listen to how his songwriting craft is developing.
So…Why did I title this newsletter “Surprises?” I guess I never expected that I would still be playing music in my late 50’s, especially after the more than thirty years I was away from it. I never expected that I would get to know and play music with people at the top of the folk industry like Joe Crookston. I never expected that I would be in a position to help a young musician like Ian Peterson develop his own voice in music. Life can be tough now and then, but it can sometimes be very kind. I never expected that I would be playing music with my son, enjoying myself and strengthening family at the same time.