![]() I am forever grateful for the encouragement that I have received in my life. Again and Again I'm chirping in interviews and in shows, "encourage people when they are starting something, even if they have a long way to go, because you never know where they might end up." I'm a good example of this, because when I first took a serious notion to learn to play fiddle (and a bunch of other string-ed things), I had no aspirations to go anywhere with music except my own living room. I was content to sing away boredom from the saddle of a lawnmower. But I kept at it because I enjoyed it, and it brought my ADHD and Depression pressured brain some simple peace and joy. I also kept at it because kind soul after kind soul kept encouraging me. Kind soul after kind soul opened doors for me, or showed me a "lick" on an instrument, or connected me with someone who would change my life. This morning I was surprised to learn that a picture of me (heck a picture I took) was in Rolling Stone Magazine in a little article about ballad singing and climate change. Just a few days ago I was in Raleigh in a big theatre opening for iconic and grammy award winning Cajun band BeauSoleil (Thanks PineCone! Links Below). All this was on the heels of going up to Montreal with a few wonderful ladies to sing ballads from our neck of the woods. Fifteen or so years ago, if you'd told me I would be doing things like that, I would have rolled my eyes and laughed. (Actually I think that's still how I react.) None of that would be going on without encouragement, and generosity, and also a little bit of stick-to-it-ness. It absolutely wouldn't be happening without community. To have people that advocate for you and want to see you succeed is a very precious thing--never take that for granted no matter what kind of skill or talent you might have (and I don't claim to have either in great measure.) Here's my little mini set at PineCone this weekend. I hope it, and especially the song at the end, give you some encouragement. You can do this--we can do this. Give you friends and neighbors a lift. We'll land on the shore.
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