Isn’t it great when you finally get everything you thought you wanted?
Great friends, great music, great gigs to see, great clubs to play, great
musicians to play with.

Then it doesn’t take long to start complaining, like I’m about to do, but not quite yet...

But 1st,
Bret Jensen’s Death Valley Jubilee had a wonderful time at our gig @ Pig N Whistle
last Friday. Thank you Pig N Whistle (Mike Giangreco) & thank you to the appreciative
folks that came out, found & paid for parking, paid the $9.00 cover and bought expensive
Hollywood style drinks. Thank you to my fellow Jubilee members for lifting me up again and again.

I’m glad that I get to play with The Psychedelic Cowboys this Sunday at the Cinema Bar.
I’m glad I get to see & hear and share the bill with Mike Stinson at the same gig.
I’m glad, John Hensley, is making a documentary on the local roots music scene.
I’m glad for a slew of more personal things I am thankful for but will not share here.
Friends, health, family, "love that makes you mad & love that has to teach you"*...

Now here’s the complaining,,,,
I will miss Dave Gleason and Dukes of Sunset tonight @ Cinema Bar,
Chris Laterzo @ 14 Below on Sunday with Leroy, on Thursday I will miss either
The Neighborhood Bullys w/ Lisa Douglass or I will miss Big Head Todd & The Monsters
(tour buddies from before the days of Dave Matthews).
But I will be grateful for whichever band I do get to see on Thursday....old friends or new ones.

Then there are the exciting times ahead, on the road, where you miss your friends and family back home but along the way come across the kindness of strangers. Some of these strangers have been around so long they are now more than strangers or fans. They are the friends and family of the road. Offering "sweet relief"** from the boredom, loneliness and adrenaline excitement see saw that is the road.

No matter, it’s all there to be thankful for. To be blessed with the gift of life flowing through music. To be blessed with the sounds of the birds chirping as I drive down this crowded LA street.
To have things you love enough to miss when they are gone. So, I want to encourage everyone to get out, take a bite out of life, share it and experience it with others. You are not alone, we are not alone. Let your voice be heard and remember sometimes the best thing to say (other than thank you) is nothing at all.

Have a great 1st week of April.

Love,
Bret "Nevada" Jensen



* quote from Victoria Williams song "Frying Pan"
** Victoria Williams