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Fall came overnight here in southern New Mexico’s Mesilla
Valley along the Rio Grande. Then almost 80 degree days meant lots of yard work
for the industrious. Our 14 Pecan trees require lots of love and soon they will
freeze the husks and be ready for harvesting. That is a serious task that
usually means lot of hot baths and Aleve. A Harvest Full-Moon this week was
astonishing and beautiful. I find myself
busy as ever managing my career and time. I had a couple of weeks off preceeded
by shows in a Cave in Boerne, TX, Austin, Dallas, Arlington and back again. I
played this week for the Hospice Candlelight Memorial and it was as moving as
ever and the most people they’ve had. For the first time it was in their
expanded facility and I’m very proud of them for the work they’ve done and the
$6million they raised for the expansion.
Full Moon Rising
over the Organ Mountains in southern New Mexico. November 2
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Saturday Nov. 7th I’ll return to the Dona Ana
Arts Council’s Renaissance ArtFaire. I’m really glad. Wasn’t sure if they were
going to include me due to mid-stream staff changes, but I talked them into it.
I always enjoy it and the 30,000 people who attend do as well. We are so lucky
to have the best November weather. It is always deep blue skies, dry air and in
the mid 70’s. They put a dragon in the moat and have giant smoked turkey
drumsticks, the best pastrami and kosher dills this side of New Jersey and lots
of entertainment. I will be on the Rio Grande stage Saturday at 11:30 and 3:30
playing my Native flutes, Hang drum and singing up a storm. I’ve invited a
dancer, Terry Alvarez, and a cellist from la Cella Bella, Allison Reynolds, to
sit in with me should be fun. Here is a link to some press about the RenFaire
as well call it http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-sunlife/ci_13680330
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A Place
Called Peace continues to receive great reviews and of course winning the Indian Summer Music
Awards in the Flute category is something I am so proud of because it was a
blind judging and not a popularity contest. Beating out a Grammy® and several
NAMA winners really didn’t mean much other than it validated that if you
express yourself from the heart 100% and have faith in your music you will be
recognized and heard. A music journalist who is the most sought after critic in
the New Age genre said “there is deep feeling here, and that is something you
can’t fake” as Bill Binkleman said in a review on NewAgeReporter.com. You can
read the full review here: www.randygranger.net/REVIEWS.html
I found out this week that I’ve been invited
to perform and conduct a flute playing workshop at the 2010 International
Native American and World Flute Association’s conference in Eu Claire,
Wisconsin and am delighted and happy about it. Learn more about the conference
at http://www.worldflutes.org/
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Sunday I am on my way to Florida, Melbourne specifically
for the 1st Native
Rhythms Festival November 13-15. This
is a new festival put together by the Indian River Flute Circle, a whole host
of passionate volunteers and sponsors. I
will be performing solo as well as with Michael Graham Allen, aka Coyote Oldman. Mark Holland and N.
Scott Robinson, Jonny Lipford, Jan Sieden, Clint Goss, Doc Green and other
musicians will be there along with Native American Flute makers and other
crafts people. I am excited also because a few NASA launches are scheduled
while I’m there and Cape Canaveral is just miles from Melbourne. I love Florida’s
people and food. I will be travelling through San Antonio, New Orleans, Tampa, Savannah,
Macon and hopefully Arkansas depending on the weather. Originally the Poet Wayne Crawford would be
travelling with me and we scheduled performances from our collaborative CD “Oasis Bound” however, his duties as
poetry editor, Arts Council work and more piled up so I’ll be driving alone and
may or may not book a gig in your town… Of course, if you have a flute circle
or would like a house concert get in touch with me. My Hang drums are always a
real hit especially when people hear them for the first time. I always look
forward to bringing my unique Native American flute music from a trained
musician, healer and native New Mexican perspective. My own ancestry is so rich
with peoples who journeyed far, held rituals, were seers and resilient. I’d
like to think they all meet in my Heart—and that is where the music is made.
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Randy
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Here is a video of
the Police song Every Breath You Take on Native flute and Hang drum. Enjoy.