Auditions for the Tucson Folk Music Festival

My friend Rick Heyman is a fantastic musician.  I just had the pleasure of recording his Bass accompaniment to three of my songs we will submit to the selection committee for the annual Tucson Folk Music Festival.  Rick and his wife Holly moved to Tucson only recently from the frozen northeast.  It is fortuitous that our paths crossed at the Tucson Baha’i Center.  He was playing electric bass for “In The Spirit”, a local Baha’i gospel group.  When he first mentioned that he was purchasing an acoustic upright bass, the wheels started turning in my head about the Folk Festival.  An upright bass always makes a strong impression on a folk-music crowd!  So I suggested that we team up and enter the Festival as a duo. 

It looks now like that was a GREAT idea.  I’m so very pleased with the sound of our demo that now I must have Rick play bass for my new album.  If you are in Tucson this coming May 2nd and 3rd, be sure to attend the festival.  Last year was such fun I wouldn’t want to miss it this year even if I don’t get selected.  My bride says “don’t worry about that, you’ll get on stage”.  I hope she’s right.  This demo turned out very well for such a quick project.  It includes my latest “war protest” song - Tucson to Tehran – on which I play slide guitar. 

By the way, I plan to enter the songwriter’s contest this year as well, so pray for my success.  That would be a nice accolade to add to my resume’.  Now, I just have to decide which of my songs to submit.  There are dozens.

///Darrell

Darrell Rodgers                                             

Singer, Songwriter, Performer, Humorist

http://darrellsongs.com  

GOD BLESS AMERICA

I wasn’t going to write anything about the inauguration.

I am ever wary of sounding partisan.  So let me tell you something right up front.  I’m not a Democrat.  I’m not a Republican either.  I am an independent voter.  I am unfettered by political affiliation.

But I have to say something about this upcoming Inauguration Day. 

This is going to be the biggest event our Nation’s Capitol has ever seen.  I grew up in the DC area and I certainly have not seen anything this big.  I remember JFK’s inauguration and his funeral.  I was 15 in 1968 when a quarter-million people marched on Washington and heard the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King deliver his famous address.

This is so much bigger – and not just in attendance.

This is a milestone.  This marks the moment in history when The United States of America has actually become more united than it has ever been.  And it feels good.

Don’t think for a moment that it is Barack Obama’s milestone.  No, he IS the milestone.  The achievement of this day belongs to Americans of every ethnicity and creed. Americans have proven that they have not only the power, but the WILL to change their national attitude about their country, their race, their political affiliation, and the meaning of “being American”.

Dr. King’s dream is still not complete.  We all know that.  It is a shame that there still exists bigotry and racial hatred in this country.  But today is the day when we can stand proudly and say: the racists here are now the minority.

On a very personal level, I can’t tell you how good it feels to see the look on my dear bride’s face.  Growing up as an impoverished black female in rural Alabama has given her stories that bring tears to my eyes.  But today’s tears are healing medicine.  It’s by no means the end of the road.  But we have certainly turned a corner.

I want to leave you with this prayer by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who visited this country in 1912.

PRAYER FOR AMERICA

O Thou kind Lord! This gathering is turning to Thee. These hearts are radiant with Thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of Thy glad-tidings. O God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees, and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world. O God! This American nation is worthy of Thy favors and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it precious and near to Thee through Thy bounty and bestowal.

- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

  (Baha’i Prayers, p. 24)

Enjoy the festivities.  And let’s resolve to work on Unity.

///Darrell

 

Darrell Rodgers                                             

Singer, Songwriter, Performer, Humorist

http://darrellsongs.com  

Book Barn and Bum Steer

I performed twice this week in two completely different venues.  I received a call from my dear friend Brian Taraz (aka NAHuM) telling me about a local blues band wanting to start an “early” (5PM) open mic/ jam session at the “Bum Steer”- a local bar/restaurant in Tucson.  The Bum Steer has a rough reputation.  It had been closed down years ago after a shooting.  But its new owner wants to change its image (and escape the past).  That’s going to be difficult.  But I checked out the blues band, The Bryan Dean Trio, on their My-space page.  The samples there blew me away!  Bryan Dean is good!  So I sent him an email and he responded encouraging me to play as well.  Here is a photo of me and Bryan Dean and another of me performing at the Bum Steer.  I may go play there again one day, but I’ll take an electric guitar so I can “jam” with the Bryan Dean Trio.  Please check out their website.  I bought their recent CD “Pink Elephant” and it’s a joy.

 

My bride Deb is with the Friends of the Pima County Library and they are currently running one of their famous used book sales at the “Book Barn” – their warehouse near Campbell Ave and Grant Road.  Thursday night was “members” night and they wanted to find someone to entertain the shopping members.  Guess who got volunteered.

Well It’s a good thing because it was relaxed and relatively quiet so although there was no PA, everyone seemed to hear me just fine.  Perhaps after I produce my next “secular” CD, I will perform there again and sell some merchandise.  I’m going to ask my buddies at the TKMA (Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association) if any of them would like to be next.

 ///Darrell 

Darrell Rodgers                                             

Singer, Songwriter, Performer, Humorist

http://darrellsongs.com  

New Look for the New Year

As you see, I’ve changed the look of the website.  I went for something brighter, hoping it would be easy on the eye.  I also changed the way I present my CDs, now throu a “My CDs” page.  The links there take you to my “store” pages where you can hear samples of my latest CD.

///Darrell

 

Darrell Rodgers                                             

Singer, Songwriter, Performer, Humorist

http://darrellsongs.com