November 4th I played a set at the Towne Crier Cafe, opening for Dar Williams.  So many great things happened this night that it's hard to say which is the coolest.  I love playing the Towne Crier.  It's a great room, with a great history steeped in a great tradition.  Phil Ciganer, its owner, has been featuring the finest folk, world, and jazz music there for 35 years.  He has also been promoting and supporting regional and up-and-coming musicians.  It's always an honor for me to plant my feet on that stage, where so many great musicians have walked before me. 

Ably and beautifully assisted by my sister Rebecca on vocals and Ms. Lily McCabe on violin, I played one of my best sets ever to an engaged audience full of new listeners.  Many of our friends and families came out to support us as well (and as they are all Dar Williams fans, it was double the enjoyment for them!). 

Dar heard us rehearsing in the green room, and after listening for a few minutes asked us if we'd like to join her on her song "Iowa".  And so, 1/2 hour to showtime, we found ourselves sitting peacefully in a small room with her harmonizing to a song which I've known and loved for 11 years. 

Later on, she invited us to the stage and we played the Iowa Extended Remix (no techno beat, but with more vocals, fingerpicked guitar, fiddle, and plenty of clever and funny stage banter by Dar, naturally).  We were all very happy to be up there with her.  Dar Williams is as kind and supportive behind the scenes as she seems on stage, and it was a pleasure to meet and speak with her, as well as share the stage for a while.   She performed a stellar set with her usual intensity and sharp sense of humor.

I look forward to more shows like this one.

Jude