The News From The Winter Of 2003/2004

I completed several creative projects last winter. In January, I finished designing a new brochure to give to venues and the press. Since I'm an amateur graphics artist, it was a lot like when I created this web site, a great deal of trial and error and a whole lot of time. But it was fun too... kind of like coloring for grownups. Then in March I designed the artwork for my boyfriend Jimmy's new "Boogie Woogie Gospel II" CD. It was fun doing a retro-styled project for him. You can see it if you search Jimmy Maddox on www.cdbaby.com.

My next venture was to work in iMovie, a software that has allowed me to edit some footage from a performance at the San Mateo Fair into a video, and also Quicktime movie for this web site. (Click on the theater icon on the home page to see a video of "I Don't Need A Man".) I hope to have a lot of short videos on this site soon.

I spent a lot of time during the first half of the year renovating my first house, which I had turned into a rental property. I did most of the work myself, and it was hard physical labor. Of course it was rewarding to see the changes I envisioned become reality, but I'm thrilled to finally have it finished and sold so that I can get back to creative projects that aren't so hard on my knuckles! I completely redid this house inside and out, and I'm now really good at things I hope I never have to do again!

My Favorite Gigs In 2003

I had some really great times performing this year. In February, I did a gig with some old friends. Chuck McCabe, Kacey Jones, Leroy Cheney and I got back together for a night of song swapping at the Bluebird. I met them all in Los Gatos, California, many years ago when I first started playing music for a living. Singing with them again was sort of like the Eagles Reunion Tour without the money. In August, Chuck and I reunited to perform with Steve Kritzer at Espresso Gardens in San Jose.

I also played the Monterey County Fair while I was out there, and a night at B.T's in my hometown of Elk Grove, as well as the Hotel Utah in San Francisco. I always have a great time performing in California. It is such a joy to see so many old friends.

Another favorite gig of mine was a performance in Savannah, Georgia last May. I was part of the Savannah First Friday of Folk series. I'm crazy about that town. My boyfriend Jimmy Maddox is from there, and I went back down in November to perform, and to also watch Jimmy with a band he was in 20 years ago called the "JoJa Band". It was a thrill to see the audience give his band a standing ovation, before they ever played a note! I also got to hang with some of Jimmy's friends and family, and have his mom whip me at scrabble for the billionth time.

In July I took my band up to Indiana to play the Monroe County Fair, and returned to the same neck of the woods when the leaves began changing to perform at the Little Nashville Opry in Nashville, Indiana. It's a great venue with a huge stage and wonderful audience. It's a quaint little town too, with lots of boutique style shops to wander around in.

In Memory While 2003 was a great year, it was not without it's losses. In May, my friend Chris Ramey, died unexpectedly and far too young. Chris was one of the greatest finger pickers I've ever heard, and although he lived a life on the edge, it was a terrible shock to lose him. It was a little less shocking, but no less painful, a few weeks later when I got a call from friends on Cape Cod telling me that I had lost one of the bestfriends I ever had. Born in Boston to Irish immigrants in the 1920s, John Walsh had the ability to convince me that I was clever and witty. He also seemed to look right past my clumsy humanity and recognize the best qualities of my spirit. In his presence I felt like I was a fresh ocean breeze. Of all the men I have known in my life, including my dad, I don't believe I have ever known a man who celebrated my existence like John did. Or one who celebrated life like he did. I first met him when I was 23, and he taught me the joys of a Molson Ale, a bucket of little necks, and Cape Cod Bay. But he taught me far more than that. He taught me to savor every home grown tomato that crosses my lips, and every sunset that throws its rosy glow accross my face. To say I will never forget him is a huge understatement. Our tradition was to head down to the Yardarm in Orleans and watch the game while dining on the culinary delights of Cod Cheeks. When the Sox won the series I wanted to call him up in heaven and tell him all about it. Instead I did what I always do, I wrote him a song about it. Hopefully it will be on one of my CDs some day.