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Hello Friends,

 

I was down in the woods below our house yesterday and heard frogs for the first time this year and realized how the year is turning.  On Sunday I was at Mt. Baker with my son, Orion, and I realized there is still winter to be enjoyed.  In this transition, I'm reflecting on the last few months and an amazing adventure. 

 

Gentri and I began our Winter tour at the Green Frog in Bellingham, WA on the last day of January. We had such a great turnout and such a warm response - we felt so blessed that it made it hard to imagine that our trip could get any better before we even left town.  We jumped on a plane the next morning and flew to Las Vegas, my dear friend and brother, Dave Spillman picked us up at the N. Vegas airport and flew us in his little sexy Comanche Twin to Flagstaff.  We played Flagstaff Brewing Company that night to a crowd of Grand Canyon river runners and old friends.  Again, blessed and so grateful for all the support and love.  The following night we headed down to Skull Valley with no idea what we we're getting into or how many people would show up to a show in the desert middle of nowhere AZ.  Again, blessing and probably the most intimate evening we've played so far.  Then we were off to Kanab, Utah.  That show will remain for me one of the more profound experiences I've had in my life.  I've been playing my music in my river community for so long around the fire and on the beach along the Colorado River, and at the back of the boat; to be on a stage was uncomfortable in its formality and incredibly gratifying in the same breath.  From there, Gentri and I parted.  She headed back to AZ to spend some time with her dad and lead a Yoga course on Lake Powel, and I headed to finish off the tour with Katherine Beck in Oregon.  We had two shows in Portland – one at Pints Urban Taproom and the other at Shaker and Vine.  Both shows were a blast in very different ways, and again, so many friends and family showed up in support.

 

Among the tour days, Maketa and I have been playing shows in Minnesota and Tacoma, Washington, continuing our ever expanding journey to connect music with social justice and education.  We are headed to Portland tomorrow to work with a group of high school students at Oregon Episcopal School.

 

We’re back in Oregon next week.  Gentri, Katherine, our good friend Stephan Connella, and I have a radio show in Eugene on Tues. March 13, a show at Axe and Fiddle in Cottage Grove that night at 8, a show at a so far unidentified location on Thursday night, a show with the Portland Music Collective on Friday night, and Tim’s Tavern in Seattle on Saturday night.  Events are posted on Facebook at

 

http://www.facebook.com/events/414806121945812/

http://www.facebook.com/events/337269439718806/

http://www.facebook.com/events/156947757793212/

 

Come on out if you are in the Eugene, Portland, or Seattle area.  If you’re not, as always we appreciate it if you let your people know about them.

 

I really want to thank all the people who have offered us support and incredible hospitality – from media and promotion to guest rooms and in the case of Dave Spillman – private plane transportation, driving,  and 4 star accommodations – and (we must include Stephen Connella) undeserved rodie services. 

 

Thank you and deep, deep, heartfelt gratitude to Dave and Katherine Spillman, Kelly Grey and Richard, Marty and Sara Mathis, Art Thevenin, Jessie Rey, Joy Lawrence, Stephen Connella, Susan Hand, Allan Gillman, Desert Dog Productions, the City of Kanab, Grand Canyon Expeditions, AZRA, Colorado River and Trial, Western River Expeditions, Peak Audio, Briddick Webb, and Christian Martin!!!!!!

 

In closing, this is a hard game with two kids at home and thank you to my beautiful wife, Naomi.  It was a hard road to get the “Secrets Like Bones” album out.  It’s an even harder thing to get it out there.  There has been a part of me that hoped that touring would be a flop and I could just give up the dream.  Well, you all are making quitting very difficult and I thank you for that.  I don’t know where the hell this is all going but I’ve been feeling a spirit on stage I haven’t felt in the last 10 years of playing music on the road.  I’m not ready to give up.  I want to continue giving this gift in support of justice, harmony, sustainability, and community.  Keep in touch and I will continue to get closer to your town or rural community!

 

Benjie

 

 

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