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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. 7^th 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 1^st 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.

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Finding the Updraft....

Being a working musician is not the same at working a being a musician. You do the gigs, do the time, do the practice, do the social media thing and at the end of the proverbial day you pay your dues and bills with money you’ve made trading your talent and time for money. That is the simplicity of it. The complexity of making that happen takes nerves of titanium and a resolve not even Sisyphus had rolling that rock up the hill. I heard an interview today with Stewart Copleland where he said before he drummed with the Police he would write letters after every show in different handwriting saying how awesome the drummer Steward Copeland was at last night’s show. I can relate.  

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In the past 30 days my music has taken me to Milwaukee, Dallas, Austin, Boerne, Chicago and points in between. Driving through west Texas I saw the Buzzards, AKA, Turkey Vultures cleaning up the road kill the TDOT never picks up, ever. Driving the 12 hours to Austin or Dallas I see the Buzzards riding the thermals, what I call the updrafts. It is so serene, effortless, and efficient. Craning my neck to admire them with their featherless heads and huge wingspan I think how perfectly their gliding accompanies Native American flute music, or vice versa. Then I remember they are Carrion, feeding on decay and death. Usually around then I think of my enemies hovering around me waiting for the same. I’d rather not think on my enemies but as Sun-Tzu said in “The Art of War” keep them closer than your friends. Recent events have reminded me of the pettiness and viciousness in the music business. Hey, it’s the same in any endeavor where you don’t share the self-imposed limitations and comfort zones of those around you—but this is not about my enemies, it is about me. The thing about ART is it needs a creator and an observer. A performer needs an audience whether it is watching you on YouTube, on their iPod or hearing you live. The exchange and communication is essential otherwise you are creating in a vacuum.

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Somewhere along the way I learned the freedom of knowing that everyone and everything in my experience is of my own creation. Not in a narcissistic way but rather in what I need to learn that I missed the previous time it happened. The freedom to not be a victim of anything is liberating but comes with an enormous responsibility that “I” did this. So as I watched events unfold I imagined I was in a theater watching a movie. In this movie the haters were navigating a maze where my success and talent was a dead end so they blamed me and I took the time to indulge their delusion. Nothing is personal as Don Miguel Ruiz reiterates in his book, “The Four Agreements,” absolutely nothing. In Milwaukee my album, A Place Called Peace, won the Indian Summer Music Award in the Flute category. What rocks is that it was a blind judging where the judges had no idea who the artist was therefore judging it on things like musicianship and how the music made them feel. How wonderful is that not to have to beg and deluge your fans, friends and family to “vote for me” in this popularity contest that has nothing to do with music. Something I was reminded of when my name was inadvertently left off a Native American awards ballot recently and the organizers were so hostile to my fans (fans of Native American music I will add) that they have lost credibility. Or how a Facebook friend (let's hope no longer) reported that I was badmouthing a flute maker whose name I never mentioned. Wow, talk about circling Vultures, though vultures don’t deserve to be maligned that way.

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See there I go back into being the victim I said I didn’t want to be. Ain’t easy is it? But I know that I and only I brought the bad and the good into my life. How? I was not impeccable with my word, #1 of the Four Agreements. Turns out, as I’ve said before, I’m human and in need of constant readjustment. I’m in the real world playing to audiences who sometimes know nothing about me and are paying $20 a head. I’m on YouTube, where I don’t delete comments, being called everything from God to fag, daily. I read reviews from Switzerland, get emails from Australia to Russia people saying how much they hate or love me. My online sales surprise even me, yet I panic at every new sound my car makes.  I don’t take any of it personally, hate or the praise. At an open mic recently a fantastic poet and teacher at NMSU said to me afterwards, “Dang every month I come ready to give it to the man and rip the shit out of everything wrong in this world with my poetry and then you play. All that anger just leaves me and I forget what I was so pissed off about.” How cool is that? I am grateful that I no longer struggle with musical insecurity and questions of self worth. A calm assertiveness (as the Dog Whisperer always says) is in me that radiates. I know that there will never be a shortage of inspiration, confidence, determination, talent and skill. My best work hasn’t even been recorded. I know these things, I don’t have to will them, just make them happen, fearlessly, regardless of circumstance or health. I wish that same contentment to all my fans and friends. Just find the updraft and ride it.

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Here is a video from a recent performance in Dallas, Texas of my soon to be recorded song, “Hello Daddy.”

Randy

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HELLO DADDY

http://vimeo.com/6700920

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I hope the Dog Days of summer find you all well, rested and creating wonderful memories. Here in the Mesilla Valley on the Rio Grande River the Green Chile harvest season is well underway. All around the valley harvest and wine festivals abound. The smell of roasting chiles is strong and people are lined up with their burlap bags to get their supply into the freezer—a ritual in New Mexico. I played for the fifth year at the Franciscan Festival of Fine Arts in Mesilla Park, NM. This is an arts festival which resurrected (no pun intended) six-years ago after a two decade hiatus. The setting is a retreat center that which lends itself to my music. This summer also saw a return to the World of Faeries Festival in South Elgin, IL as well as performances in the Santa Fe area with poets Wayne Crawford and Wendy-Brown Baez and at the Sum Arts Festival, a co-host BlogCast on BlogTV.com with Rod Krug. You can see some of the recorded broadcast at http://www.blogtv.com/People/didgerod ,   and so many more exciting opportunities.

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Right now I’m in route to perform at the Indian Summer Music Festival in Milwaukee, WI where I’m nominated for “Best Flutist” for my CD A Place Called Peace and am looking forward to hearing some great music. I take the Miller Stage at 12:30PM, Sat., Sept. 12th.  September is full of performances with other musicians, something that is always a treat for me.  Please check my website calendar for details on the upcoming shows at randygranger.net/calendar.html. Here is a list.

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Sept. 17th, 8PM-Irie Bean Coffee Bar Austin, TX. 2310 South Lamar, Suite 102, Austin, TX 78704 Randy in a solo performance in the courtyard. Also that night buy a $12 bottle of wine and get complimentary massages from 7-9PM. http://www.iriebean.com/

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Sept. 19th, Equinox Concert in the Cave Without a Name, 7-9PM 325 Kreutzberg Rd, Boerne, TX. Tickets and more info at: http://www.sacredinspiration.com/event.html

with Sound Healer and Tibetan Singing Bowl player Jodi Roberts as well as Native American flutist Virgie Ravenhawk.

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Sept. 26th, Move Studios , 7:30PM Randy Granger with World Flutist Cornell Kinderknect and percussionist Martin McCall.  17062 Preston Rd, suite 108, Dallas TX, 75248 There is limited seating. For ticket info go to http://www.movestudio.com/ there click on Workshops Series and Events on the left hand side. Click concerts for mine and Cornell’s concert. Click the purchase link. You will be asked to register and pay online if you like or you can call 972-732-0206 during business hours to do the same.

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Sept. 27th, Randy Granger and Cornell Kinderknect perform Special Music 10AM at Unity Church Arlington, 3525 S. Bowen Rd., Arlington, TX www.unityarlingtontx.org.

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The Concert in the Cave will be something really special both acoustically and musically. Jodi Roberts is a wonderful sound healer and dear friend. Cornell and I have played together a few times at festivals and had an instant musical connection and friendship as well. What a joy these shows will be. I hope you can make some of them or maybe forward the info to friends and flute people you know in these areas. One of the truly awesome things about making music is how in the moment it is at the same time it is ephemeral. Those sounds that are vibration and rhythm will never happen again. Live music is like transforming sound molecules into emotions. It is something I try to never take for granted and feels so fortunate to be able to do what I do.  It is interesting that the instruments I use, the voice, the hang drum, the guitar and native American flutes are all exposed  and do best when played in a direct, emotive and from the heart way.  Enjoy these Dog Days of summer. Fall is seeping in slowly but surely.

Randy

My most recent road trip/tour was a journey I’ve made several times to the upper Midwest, specifically Illinois. This time I made sure to book a couple of free days in Chicago as down time.  Booking a hotel downtown Chicago on Hotwire I wasn’t sure what I’d get but it turned out to be an absolutely perfect set up. I was right downtown between Rush St. and Michigan Ave at the older Tremont Hotel with its rickety old wooden elevator, Mike Ditka steakhouse, right across the street from Starbucks and an “old school” staff.  On the ninth floor I could see the condos next door, the foot traffic on Rush Street and so much more. The shower even had a thermostat that told you the temp of the water. That impressed me, as a practical yet luxurious touch.  The simplest amenities seem to impress me.

Driving up NM hwy 185 along the Robledo mountains I crossed the Rio Grande and reflected that I would cross the Missouri, Mississippi and play at a festival right on the Fox river. I liked that thought.  In St. Louis I was out late at night trying to find a place to eat that didn’t have the words Bell, Del, Kentucky or Burger in its name. I stopped to get gas and noticed a guy looking at me and my car. He said, “You look you’re living out of your car these days. Get kicked out?” I laughed and said I was a musician and he nodded knowingly. After explaining what instruments I play and the style of music (something I rehearse on long trips) he thought I was just passing through but I said I was actually looking for in interesting, reasonable place to eat other than those week-old hot dogs in the store. So he says, “Hey you like Sushi?” I say sure and he gets his iPhone from his car and speaks “Sushi” in the phone and spends about ten minutes looking up places nearby to eat and so friendly and helpful, even rubbing my neck a little—in a completely innocent way—asks  for my website etc. He sends me downtown St. Louis to Wasabi which I eventually find after walking a few blocks but it is closed on Monday’s. Sigh. I approach to guys walking up the street and ask their advice so they say yeah there is an Irish like pub up the street, but they warm me there is some really loud Karaoke. I’m starving at that point so walk in and there is an older gentleman and woman with a suitcase full of CD’s and they are just howling away. I sit at the bar only to find out the kitchen closed about 15 minutes before. I had to laugh.

I decide to take some shots of the Gateway Arch and stop and the Mississippi River to pay tribute to the late singer Jeff Buckley. Just as drive through downtown a late Cardinals game gets out and thousands of people dressed in Red are streaming out onto the streets. The Arch is beautiful at night reflecting the skyline and casting shadows on the clouds. I ended up stopping at the quick mart next to my hotel and actually bought one of those mystery-meat hot links that spin on those rollers took one bite and threw it away. Ate some MORE tropical trail mix—oh yum, and went to bed.

Driving through the Midwest plains reminds me so much of the Llano Estacado where I grew up in southeastern New Mexico, except it is green in the Midwest.  The Missouri Breaks are beautiful and the hills of western Kansas are inspiring. As I drove through the part of Iowa where the Bridges of Madison County are I couldn’t help feel nostalgic for the times my family would pile into the car and take the long road trips through seemingly endless country. My brother, sister and I would sing all the current hits of the day to alleviate the boredom.  Passing car after car stuffed to the gills and families watching DVD’s I thought how technology is just another distraction to do the same thing. Of course my crazy GPS unit named “Susan” kept me company often yelling at me to turn around when possible. I swear she gets more assertive each time she repeats.

I had spent time in Chicago but never more than a day and not in downtown. When I found a hotel in the near north area that was affordable I was excited. Chicago is such a beautiful city and the air is kept clean by the massive Lake Michigan. There are so many things to do free there if you don’t mind paying for parking that is somewhere between $35 and $50 a day.  There were small parks on either side of the block where I was staying. I took my Native Flutes and played right in the middle of those awesome skyscrapers. It just rang out and soon people would bring their dogs next to me to do their business (shows what they thought of my music) ha-ha, as an excuse to listen. It was magical. The food was amazing, plentiful and the choices up and down Rush Street were overwhelming. I found a cool happy hour right across my hotel with a bar menu of Tapas to drool over. I met such friendly people who would welcome me to their city.  It is funny that when you say you are from New Mexico this glazed look comes to their faces—almost like a reverence. I did get that comment of, “Wow we whites really screwed your people didn’t we?” when they find out my Native ancestry and say something like, “That’s okay the casino slot machines only pay out to Indians” to make them laugh. I walked about 15 miles up and down the Loop stopping at Tribune Plaza, Starbucks, the Chicago River, the Modern Art museum, Starbucks, Pritzker Center, the Jelly Bean sculpture, Chicago Institute of Art, Starbucks, World Plaza, Oak Street Beach, Fullerton Beach, (where I entertained beach goers with my Hang) Lincoln Park, the Dog Beach, Starbucks, Crowne Fountain and ended up at the Starbucks across the street from the hotel.

I did play some along the way as well but the destination was the 2009 World of Faeries Festival in South Elgin. We had rain, wind and cold on and off the first day which made for a long day. We all hung in there though and I performed several times and met some beautiful people. The woman in the booth next to mine found out I was Mestizo like herself and we just got all Mexican….. Too funny. Now get this, we got to talking food—no surprise if you know anything about me—and she said I’m going to bring you some home cooking tomorrow. And she did!  She made Chicken Mole with Spanish rice and packed in a Tupperware bowl. Wow! It was delicious when I finally got to eat it 15 hours later in the Quad cities. The second day was beautiful and being in the Oak trees along the Fox River is just magical and a perfect setting.  I actually sold some flutes too. I was so happy about that. I’m now distributing Coyote Oldman flutes at festivals and concerts and it is a huge honor.  It was reported to me that during my first set on Saturday an Eagle suddenly appeared and circled above the Park. Things like that happen so often to me that I almost expect it. Kudos to the Fairy Fest organizers Dave, Gloria and the volunteers for their work, passion and dedication. This year was just about seamless and that is saying a lot—even with the rain.

I’ll be performing in the Santa Fe area this weekend with performance poets Wayne Crawford and Wendy Baez-Brown. Check my calendar for more info: http://randygranger.net/calender.html. Also I'll be performing at the Indian Summer Music Awards in Milwaukee this September where I'm also nominated in the flute category.

Thank you for reading these blogs I hope they are interesting and entertaining.

Randy

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Summertime is the time for festivals and what a better way to spend a day. I’ve played quite a few festivals this year and always enjoy myself and the exhaustion after a long day is strangely rewarding. Next weekend I’ll be performing at the World of Faeries Festival in South Elgin, IL doing a couple of private shows along the way. The 1460 mile drive (one way) is a haul but it is what I do and what musicians before me have done. You go to where the people are. This festival is a wonderful collage of part Renaissance Festival and Lord of the Rings paying homage to the little Fairy that lives in all of us—the part that still believes in magic. Music, dancing, vendors, food, fantasy and fun are what this is all about. The festival is set in a beautiful private park of massive Oak trees right on the tranquil Fox River. I am so giddy about performing my Native American flute music and ethereal Hang drum. It rings out to the trees and I could swear last year I heard them singing back. The organizers of this festival are people who volunteer to make this a top notch festival and are genuine, hard-working and passionate about all things fairy. If you have ever organized a festival you know the minutiae involved. Kudos. Check their website for the most current schedule of events and performers.

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After that I will be rushing back to New Mexico to do some more performances with two amazing poets, Wayne Crawford and Wendy Baez-Brown, in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico. My travels will take me to the San Antonio, Dallas, Florida and more this fall including a showcase performance at this year’s Indian Summer Music Awards in Milwaukee. I mentioned in my last blog that I am nominated for a ISMA in the “Flute” category. I now sell premium Native American flutes as well as hand-made Jewelry, my CD’s and Aromatherapy Massage Oil a craft I learned being a licensed Massage Therapist for 18 years now.

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I am fortunate that my music receives favorable reviews. Being a professional for all this time I’ve learned to not necessarily believe my own press. In other words whether it is a good or bad review you need to detach and not take anything personally regardless. You realize the reviewer is writing for his or her audience, doesn’t know you and is reviewing their response to your music, not you. That being said I did get a review this week that really moved me from Bill Binkelman on NewAgeReporter.com. Bill is the most sought after reviewer in this genre and consequently receives hundreds and hundreds CD’s a week. He is a long-time music critic who writes for numerous venues but his reviews on NewAgeReporter.com is something every one of us recording artists works towards and treasures. You can read the full review by clicking here. In referring to my CD, A Place Called Peace, he said; “Randy Granger's name deserves to be listed with other renowned Native American flute players, both Native and Anglo, because he obviously has both the chops and the artistry to warrant it. A Place Called Peace illustrates that he is not just a gifted multi-instrumentalist but that he "feels" the music with a sincerity and emotional honesty which can't be faked.” That alone humbles me. It is one thing for a critic to say your music is pretty, etc., but when they recognize your musicianship it almost makes the years and years of sacrifice and dedication seem worth it. Of course it is though, regardless and I know it. I’m exaggerating but anyone who pursues a dream dependent on bearing your heart in public then have people review it—well you know what I mean.

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I appreciate your comments, criticisms, kudos and your friendships cyber they may be. Here is a video made last year by Moonface Media Farm’s Michael Volkening another volunteer who lends his expertise in video production to this festival.

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See you down the trail.

Randy

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ZA ZEE ZA ZU ZING

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I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer. Here in southwestern New Mexico it has been dry and just a little under normal for temperatures. We are grateful for this. Now that the Monsoon rains have begun the humidity makes every living thing here droop a bit. I’ve been busy with performing and recording a new project.

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I am honored to share that my CD, “A Place Called Peace” is nominated for an Indian Summer Music Award in the category of Flute along with musicians like Mary Youngblood and Jan Michael Looking Wolf. This is a prestigious award and the nomination is something I’m proud to have. As I watched Federer accept his trophy for winning a record 15 Grand Slams the interviewer kept asking him how it felt to win this record and Wimbledon. Federer said that the record was never his goal. Instead his goal was to play as well and as hard as he could. I respect that. As a working musician I occasionally seek out awards more for a means to an end than self validation. See it is my experience that awards mean more to people hiring you or reviewing your music than to the actual musician. Awards are mileposts saying people in your industry recognize that you did something meaningful, a document· When I’m busking for bucks at the Farmer’s Market or playing in a bookstore to a crowd of 20 or so what matters, what keeps people listening, is the heart, skill and attention I am giving to my music in that moment. I know that. Making a living as I do with my music I want to get paid fairly for my effort and sale music. Nominations and awards carry some clout in that respect but you still need to give listeners and fans a reason to pop your CD in more than once or put you on their IPod.

Most times I forget to apply to awards and miss the deadlines. That is something that a record company usually does for an artist. A reporter asked me who played the various instruments on my CD she was reviewing. She mentioned that it wasn’t listed nor was the producer. I sheepishly admitted it was me playing all the instruments as well as engineering and producing. I said I was embarrassed to list that because I thought it would make me seem like an egotistical control freak. Imagine what I feel about awards. I really have those cringe moments when I’m waiting off stage and the MC is going on and on about this award or that nomination. That said I am really humbled by the company I’m in for the nominations some are Grammy winners. You can check them out at the ISMA website. http://www.indiansummer.org/entertainment/isma.html

I’m fortunate to be able to receive these nominations and to produce what is in my heart onto a recording. When you accept the muse it stays right there with you and when you slack off it is like splinters in your soul. I’m really grateful for every single download, sale and audience member. Really. Thank you for your support and whomever wins the ISMA award I’m elated to be a part.

Randy

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Here is a video of what I call my Americana Medley from a recent performance.

One thing you learn quickly about being a musician in the west is that gigs can be far, sometimes 14hours to the next gig town. In places like the east coast or west coast places to play are nearer and you can even play in the same city the next day. Last week I had a show in Tucson and left much earlier than I would have liked to get to a rehearsal. I arrive and my host says, “Ah you are early.” I didn’t know what he was talking about until I realized Arizona is an hour behind New Mexico as they don’t observe Daylight Savings Time. It was one of those D’Oh! moments when I thought dang I could have slept another hour?...... I was playing with some other musicians I had met through performing at festivals and randomly. We were billed as Corona Trio though it ended up being a quartet as Martin invited a wonderful drummer, Heidi, also from New Mexico to join us. Her cute daughter Moyisha joined us for a dance on dun dun drum that was a real hit and hard to follow. Though doing a duet on the blazing Double-Barrel Train Wreck with Stephen Cumberworth redeemed us well. Overall we had a great time in an intimate setting called the Ranch. It was an actual working Ranch complete with horses and mice. The seating capacity was 30 and we had about 26 people there so it felt well attended. We traded drumming, fluting, hang playing, singing and group numbers that were exciting and fun. The second song we did was Za Zee Za Zu Zing from my CD A Place Called Peace and we had the whole audience singing along! To play with such seasoned musicians like Martin Klabunde, Stephen Cumberworth and Heidi Alina is more than a treat it is something more than the sum of us. All that energy, passion, vibrations and intention to celebrate music really made for some magic. It is good for me, I feel, to help others shine by being part of an ensemble and a support instrument. Normally I do solo shows. For the most part the musicians in Tucson kept egos in check. I’ve learned, and have tried to communicate to other musicians I work with, that it is always about the audience. Martin and I knew to watch the body language and change pace, improvise and be flexible enough to remain engaging and entertaining. One of the attendees graciously posted a review on the Flute Portal here it is: http://forums.fluteportal.com/index.php?showtopic=1943

 

“I attended a really great concert by "Trio Corona" last night in Tucson. Trio Corona is composed of Martin Klabunde, Randy Granger and Stephen Cumberworth (Karnalis) performing original music using native American flute, the hang drum, harmonica(!), kalimba, Djembe and other world percussion. You may have heard Randy and Stephen perform individually at a number of flute festivals in the past. They had an additional world percussionist sitting in on several numbers -- she was also outstanding but I've spaced out her name (sorry).

Randy and Stephen were passing through town on their way to the Zion Festival and had set up this small (25-30 people) concert with outstanding local African-drum performer/instructor/guide Martin Klabunde.

Each selection was unique with a different mix of instruments, beat, and style. I really liked the overall vibe of this concert. There wasn't a headliner dominating the group, they all seemed like equals, great performers seamlessly sharing the performance space. The audience was very much engaged and in the space, but you could tell the performers would have also been having a blast if it was just them playing alone.

I hope they do more as a Trio (or better yet, Quartet) and eventually put out a CD (they all have individual CDs, but the Trio is new). I'd certainly recommend seeing/hearing them if you have a chance to in the future.”

We stayed up late talking music and I slept about an hour which was an hour less than the night before. I slogged on to St. George, UT for the next venue the Zion Flute and Drum Festival. The drive is beautiful and I listen to free podcasts I download on iTunes. It helps me stay awake listening to news and commentary as opposed to music. I followed Yahoo maps and went through Las Vegas. That was a mistake as it added two extra hours to my 10 hour drive. Ugh. Driving over the Hoover Dam was pretty cool though and Las Vegas during the day is like a bar with the lights on. St. George was hot and dry this year with temps already in the upper 90’s. The sun feels like an iron on your skin. It was so awesome to see friends again. This year I was the Emcee for the Day Stage so was able to hear everyone play, sit in with some and make things look professional. The location was remote and a park outside of town and the crowds seemed a little sparse to me. There weren’t any bio information on the performers on the website or at the festival. I read an interview in the St. George paper where the reporter asked about the diversity of musicians on the Day Stage and the interviewee mentioned the evening stage performers only. None of which were on the Day Stage. That was disappointing. Even so many of us were veterans and made that stage work. I decided to interview every performer to get their bio info. I already knew most of them so that helped and I hope it made them feel welcome. The audience seemed to enjoy the music and diversity. I was glad when the shade tents finally showed up. Otherwise we’d have fried audience members. Sometimes I wonder why I go to these festivals. When you don’t sell flutes it can be a challenge to make enough money to justify the trip. I decided to just give of myself both as a volunteer MC and playing with other musicians when they asked. There is pressure to get you out there in hopes of being noticed enough to get better paying or higher exposure gigs. I played with Cornell Kinderknect, Joe Young, Rod Krug, Stephen Cumberworth and an impromptu duet with Scott August on Anasazi flute and Hang drum. That was magical I thought. I met wonderful new friends and players as MC and that is the reward in itself. I did sell enough CD’s and got paid enough to cover expenses and more so I am grateful! I had some run-ins with some egoistic people trying to bully me into getting their friends on stage threatening to talk to the director personally, which some did. My thought was go ahead who else will they get to keep this stage on time, professional and engaging enough so that the audience stays all day—which they did? They couldn’t exactly fire me…LOL The sound guy’s (TK who was great!) shade tent leapt into the air by a gust of wind and headed towards stage right but changed its mind and came right at me. People screamed and yelled and gasped and I stood calmly until it came right at me so I stepped back a few feet. It would have impaled me. I’m used to things blowing around being from Southern New Mexico so I wasn’t worried. The impression I got of this year’s festival was that it was put together in a hurry. I understand how much work it takes to pull these off and applaud the organizers. At the same time many of us felt the flute makers were the focus of this festival and the location remote. That is not so much a complaint as it is a consideration of how to invest our time as musicians. In many ways it felt like beginning all over again but without the grass-roots enthusiasm.

 

The best memories of these festivals always happen away from it. I had invited Cornell and Stephen to play with me during my set. As we had never performed together before and knowing how different their styles are we decided to rehearse some after an amazing Thai meal at Benda’s in St. George. We went to a park on Main St. The classical architecture, expansive lawns, fountains and small town feel was otherworldly, something out of a Hollywood back lot set. I expected to see Ben Franklin standing in the Library window. We couldn’t think of any parks where we would hang around at night where we all live. It is really nice and I see why people live there for sure. We set up on a concrete half-moon bench and began to play. Soon a crowd gathered and parents gave their kids money to put in our instrument cases. Too funny. One little girl said it was here ice cream money. A couple of guys put in dollar bills and parked there challenging us to play something really impressive for them… Yikes. It was fun though and we all knew that this is what festivals are about: bringing your music to strangers and sharing what you do. None of them knew about the festival unfortunately except for the fruit smoothie guy who just happened to be a vendor, at the park with his kids and a really nice and happy guy.

 

The next day we performed during my set to rave reviews and applause. At least 30 people, including the sound guy, asked us if were on the evening stage. We had a great time and I hope to post videos soon. On the drive back I camped out at the Homolovi Ruins State Park http://azstateparks.com/Parks/HORU/index.html under billions and billions of stars I played my flute before just absolutely crashing in my tent. Boy was I tired. I drove home through the White Mountains in Eastern Arizona; very pretty but some windy, switch back roads that took a while to get through. Experiences are what you make them to be based on your intention. I set out with not much more expectations than to share my music with people, make new friends and fans and touch others through the gift of music that I have.  I’d say over all it was a success.