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May 2006

Hi everyone-- My youngest child's softball game just got rained out so I have a minute to catch up on the mail--I am in a perpetual state of chagrin over responding to things that are 6 months to a year old. I have enjoyed meeting some of you on the road--thanks to Mark Gilman for giving me the royal treatment in Flint, Michigan and telling me a hilarious Rich Mullins story that I will repeat--repeatedly. Thanks to Tim, Harry, Bill and all the cast and crew on the Morrocan trip--what a wild and wonderful place! I think my favorite thing was during my set--looking out over the people into the Medina--the old city within the wall--as the sun was setting--just spectacular. I sent Rose some pics for the site. We are finishing up the new record--I thought it was done and then wrote a couple of new songs. I'm hoping to have it up and running by July--there will be a notice for pre-orders from the site thanks to Vicki who runs all the merchandise. I know that many people have inquired about tracks on previous records and I hope to get that up and running as soon as the record's done. I'm curious as to whether there is any interest in sheet music--I've found a guy who does a beautiful, simple job of it. Drop a line if that's something you would be interested in. I want to thank Lani Savage for including "Don't Let Me Fall" in her video on skydiving--that is as close as I'll ever get to jumping into the wild blue but I love what you're doing Lani and I enjoyed meeting you in Redlands. On to the mail: Ginny Smartt--I hope I got your last name right--I hadn't thought about Alan Lee for the longest time--thanks for reminding me of Chantilly's--one of the first clubs foolish enough to hire me and give me the opportunity to play my five Neil Young songs over and over again (they were all I knew at the time). Bobby's sister Martha is married to my cousin and I have thought of him many times over the years. I hope you are well and that one day our paths cross again. John Pepsin--I'm not sure if you're talking about Second Skin or Men and Angels Say but it seems to me I did autograph a number of copies of both those records for promotional stuff--one must have found it's way into a store--glad you like it--maybe your band can cover one or two numbers. Bill Jacobsen--thanks for taking the time to drive to Portage--I love the Ray Davies record--I listened to it again today. Richard Smith--hope you found the old Martin. I have a D-35 that was made in 1965 and is the guitar I use on my records. I would go to Gruhn's personally. George Speer--thank you for such an encouraging message--hope to play in Virginia soon--it's been awhile. Bryan Steelman--don't think there's another tour w/ Bruce and Bob in the works this fall but I enjoyed the one last fall--they are both great artists. Thanks for making the effort to get to the Charlotte show--we needed you!! Scott Ractliffe--always so great to see you guys at our shows--I think the next one is at 3rd and Lindsley on July 15th--hopefully I'll have a new record for you by then. meanwhile Lightning 100 is playing Higher Ground. Diane Woodring--how's that beautiful daughter of yours? I got your message about helping us with merch at the last show--thanks for your ongoing generosity--I decided not to fool with it but I so appreciate your willingness--hello to Brian. Bill the Viet Nam vet.--thanks so much for writing, your note really touched me and no, Kenny ain't bad on the guitar! Richard Martin--thanks for sending me Richie Furay's record--I love the sound of his voice! We're looking forward to the Healing Waters show w/ Phil--there will be jamming I'm sure. Lisa Johnson--thanks so much for writing--I did that song w/ Mac quite some time ago for another project--they must have re-released it on a Third Day record. Hope you make it to Winder this weekend. Alyson Young (or is it Dyoung? I'm guessing) Thanks so much for writing to me--I love those two records and the struggle they represent. My husband and I just celebrated our 15th anniversary so don't give up girl--the Lord will take you to places you can't imagine. Ok--I'm looking forward to riding to Winder, Georgia with my favorite curmudgeon, Michael Card on his tour bus this weekend and also playing an addiction conference in Florida. Hope to see some of you this summer--take care. AC posted: 05.16.2006 | 16:50:54 | post number: 11

February 19th 2006

Hi everyone, We actually have snow on the ground in the guitar town--the sledding is a bit, er, bumpy but that won't stop us from trying--again and again. We had a tremendous time on the cruise with ideal weather and fairly smooth seas. I loved sleeping on the ship--it was like tucking into a large cradle. Hello to all the people we met who were so warm and gracious to us. I'm looking forward to playing an addiction conference in Los Angeles this coming week. Patrick Carnes is the keynote speaker and the author of my favorite 12 step workbook--A Gentle Path Through The 12 Steps. I recommend it highly to anyone working a recovery program. He is best known for his pioneering work in sex addiction but he has been a force in addressing all addiction and I'm looking forward to meeting him. I am trying to keep in step with the mail this year so I'll get on to answering some. The crocus are peeking out--spring is in sight! Scott Hoffman-so sorry for not giving credit where credit was due regarding the Gimme Shelter recording but thank you--that experience was a great push for my career and absolutely unexpected (inconceivable even!) Hope Word uses Kenny on your project--he's not really a favorite in the Christian industry but thanks for thinking of him and using my arrangements in your worship. Take care. Rose--no current plans for Washington but there's a possible festival in the works this summer for Vancouver BC. Maybe that will be close. Cindy Young--thanks for the lovely letter--I really enjoyed the show at Pavillion. All the best to you. Dave Draeger--small world huh? I hope your daughter got as much out of that conference as I did--thanks for the photo and all the best. Mary Warner, Reed Potecha (check out Don Finto's "Your People Shall Be My People"), Dubie (Joni Mitchell was a huge influence for me--I am familiar with that recording), John Yeschick, Andy Wilson and Roseann Hutchings: thanks so much for writing to me; one of the things I loved most about the cruise was the responsiveness and enthusiasm of all the people participating--it really was something special. Virginia Bousquet--hey girl, how are you? Here are some recent reads that I loved: The Kite Runner, Don't Lets Go To The Dogs Tonight, The Curious Incident Of The Dog At Night. Hello to Brant--Don't Lets Go... is a memoir of a girl who grew up in Africa, it's written by Alexandra Fuller and it is stunning. Martin Minor--thank you for the beautiful, beautiful letter. I believe I heard from your pastor not too long ago--if I'm thinking of the right person he is a man with a passion to help addicts find freedom in Jesus. I hope your experience with Teen Challenge is foundational for you--I have heard wonderful things about that program. You said that singing in the choir was beyond your wildest dreams and I want to tell you that in surrendering drugs and alcohol the Lord has given me an entire life that is not only beyond my wildest dreams but beyond anything that I would have had the courage to dream of in the first place because it is based in freedom and love--two things I knew very little about. Many blessings to you Martin--one precious day at a time. Thanks for the birthday wishes--Fred Morgan, Cindy, Skeeter, dj (Happy Birthday to you too--no immediate plans for St. Louis but I hope so--it's one of my favorite cities), BC Self and Brother Paul (would love to play at the Indy 500--just need an invitation) Lee--saw your note from the myspace site (Rose forwarded them). Hope your aunt recovers in every way! We are neophyte cruisers but recent converts to the beauty of it. Hope to see you soon. Take care David Taylor--I remember the show at the Horseshoe in Toronto--great club, great city--we had several memorable visits there. I don't come to Canada any more--don't know why but I expect that will change sooner or later. Thanks for checking back in. Bill Jacobsen--I'm playing in Nashville myself on the 14th--bummer--I have really enjoyed the cd you gave me--thanks Don Heist--thanks so much for playing Lesson Of Love on Winds of Praise--I wish that record was still in print--I like the recording of the song Lesson Of Love in particular and am pleased it still has a life on radio in Oregon! Thanks again Bro. Boog--haven't wanted to do an all acoustic record at this point but never say never. I think that I do want to make another hymn record down the line because there are hymns that I love and did not include on the current record. We'll see. Thanks for the idea and the background vocal offer! Jeff Bjorck--yes--I did get the sermon tape and cd--thank you--I enjoyed both a great deal and am just not as consistent in my replies as I'd like. Hope you and Sharon are doing well. Paul Landkamer--Larry Norman was the only Christian artist I listened to for many years--I have his first five or six records. I loved the photo you sent to Rose for the contest and I really love the idea of having a fan that drives a library delivery van--being the devout reader that I am. Thanks Paul--your photo made my day. Miss Mississippi--hope your music and reign (?) are going well. I listened to your cd and got a huge kick out of the song about the fat girl who could cook--sorry, my memory lapses are constant. Hope to see you again down the line Kristian, take care O.k.--For those of you that have visited the my space site--thank you for your notes and interest. I think Rose did a beautiful job putting it together and we all know that, left up to me, it would not exist. For those of you that are cyber-savvy and have a daily relationship with the computer bear in mind that, I'm not and I don't. You would think that I would find it inspiring and want to learn--like my husband, for instance who loves it--but I'm a content cyber-idiot and very grateful for people like Kenny and Rose and (sadly enough) my children who help me navigate. posted: 02.19.2006 | 09:42:33 | post number: 10

January 24, 2006

Hello everyone-- I hope your year is off to a good start; I'm reveling in the fact that Kenny is older than me (our birthdays are a couple of months apart) for another few days. I have had a good month so far--big shout out to the great state of South Carolina--home of my mother's people--I so enjoyed the shows @1st Baptist in Spartanburg and Pavillion Coffeehouse in Columbia. The Politics and Spirituality conference was inspired for me. If you haven't read Jim Wallis' "God's Politics" or any of Richard Rohr's stuff (he can be found in book stores and @ CACradicalgrace.org)I would highly recommend them both. I am not one for neat definitions but I would say that "spiritual progessive" best defines my outlook: conservative theology and socially radical. These people really speak to those of us that have that perspective--Jim is more socially/politically focused and Richard (a Franciscan priest) is more contemplative. Anne Lamott is, of course, a satellite with an orbit all her own. She was a fantastic addition to the event--absolutely hilarious. She said she was working on a new essay: The Top Ten People I Hate, A Christian Perspective. Her honesty and transparency are simultaneously comforting and unnerving. I've got a couple of Nashville shows coming up for those of you that are local and wonder when I'll play in town: A double bill with Fortunate Sons at Third and Lindsley on February 17th. This is another show with Michael and Chad; we're also adding Reese Winans, the fabulous b-3 player. On March 14th I'm doing an In The Round at the Bluebird with Mary Gauthier, whose latest record was a top pick for 2005 by the LA Times and the New York Times, Darrell Scott, an incredible singer/songwriter/guitar player--he is without a doubt one the best in town and Pat McLaughlin, also one of the best and a long time personal favorite of mine. Pat wrote "Better You Get Ready" and co-wrote "Could Be Talkin" and "What It Takes" from Second Skin. He's got a cut on Bonnie Raitt's new record: "Two Lights In The Nighttime". Showtime for both of these shows is 9:00p.m.. I've got a bit of mail to answer: Terri Hearne--I do remember you--the guitar straps are so lovely. Glad that Keilah is moving forward; you can send the c.d. to p.o. box 50181, Nashville, TN 37205 Stephen Spontak--I am who you think I am (I sound like Popeye)--I particularly loved the Chicago show with Jars--glad you did too. Tracy Tice--cd's are in the mail--thanks for the airplay in Chico! Bill Jacobsen--such a loss to hear of Pilgrim Baptist and the fire. I feel so fortunate to have Mr. Dorsey's music written in my soul where it will live forever! O.k.--next week we are playing the KT cruise--a first in every way for us. I used to be something of a hot shot water skier but that's as much cruising as I've ever done. I don't know what I find more threatening--being out at sea or a 24 hour buffet... Take Care. posted: 01.24.2006 | 05:16:04 | post number: 9