Tucson Folk Festival Post Script

Well, it was a great festival – and bitter-sweet for me as it was my last, at least with my Trio. But, all good things must come to and end, or so they say. My thanks to Michael Parker who has drummed for me for 14 years, and to Matt Bruner whose diligence on Bass has enriched our sound for the past 4 years. Here is a photo of us that my bride took of The Darrell Elmer Rodgers Trio:

The Festival line-up this year, at least those portions I got to see, were wonderful. This Festival attracts some top-notch talent. It humbles me to have been selected again this year (even though we did rock the street last year if I do say so myself!).

The true highlight of the weekend for me was my opportunity to stay with friends who also hosted several other “out of town” musicians, making it possible for me to get to know some mighty fine people.

Chris Baron, who emceed my stage last year after having won the Annual Stefan George Songwriting Competition, and like me, has not had a haircut since, returned, this time with his “muscle” side musicians Debbie (on Cello) and Paul (on upright Bass), billed as “Chris Baron And Two Secrets“, to absolutely Blow Us Away on the Court Street Stage. I so enjoyed getting to know them (and Paul’s partner Kathy) each evening at “home”. They all hail from Portland, OR.

And another delightful duo with whom we stayed is called “Admiral Radio“. They’re from Columbia SC, and This year THEY won the songwriting contest. More importantly, not only do they, Becca and Coty, harmonize like sweet blended honey, they are really nice folks. I enjoyed their company immensely.

And I cannot leave this note with a tip-o-the-hat to a few of the wonderful Tucson-based performers who had a special impact on me this year. KUDOS to:

The Arnold/Klingenfus Ensemble – Dick Arnold and Jim Klingenfus, along with bassist Bob Benedon always entertain – particularly for those of us not born yesterday. They’ve been playing together for forty years! Loved their set.

Liz & Pete’s Sparrows & The Last Train, and Don Armstrong and the Whiskeypalians whose back-to-back sets were a true delight. Such excellence! Don is part of Liz & Pete’s group and Liz and Pete are part of the Whiskeypalians. Made for a quick set change.

Eric Schaffer & The Other Troublemakers – This band is rockin-good. And they just keep getting better. What a professional set!

One other thing: I had worried a few years ago that the Tucson Folk Festival might fade away as all of the founding members and long-time participants age into history. Lord knows we’ve said good-bye to quite a number of them these past few years. But this year, I was impressed by the number of younger musicians who have risen to take on the weight of this wonderful event. And here’s an image that reminds me that here in the desert, as the old growth fades to bones, new strong growth replaces it, and the desert lives on. Yeah, there’s a song in there somewhere.

///Darrell

Darrell Elmer Rodgers

Singer, Songwriter, Performer, Humorist

http://darrellsongs.com

Tucson Folk Festival – Our LAST Trio Performance

We’ve decided to disband after this last show at the 2024 Tucson Folk Festival.
It’s bittersweet. After 15 years, it’s hard to let go. But let go we must.

But not before Letting Loose!!! Come see us!

///Darrell

Darrell Elmer Rodgers

Singer, Songwriter, Performer, Humorist

http://darrellsongs.com

“Dang Fool” – song for Valentine’s Day 2024

Well, it’s time once again for a Valentine’s Day song. I wasn’t sure I could get it done, but I actually completed it a week early.

So, here’s my 2024 Valentine’s Day song for my dear Bride. As we age, things change: higher pain, greater sacrifice, deeper love. We lean on each other, and every day is Valentine’s Day.

It’s a “back-handed compliment” I’m told, but she appreciates the sentiment. Particularly the part that says “It takes all our working parts to make one good body!”

I played this for a small audience last week and I think they all, being mostly older folks, really appreciated that line.

Be it on-going relationship or memories, I hope your Valentine’s Day is gentle on your heart.

///Darrell

Darrell Elmer Rodgers

Singer, Songwriter, Performer, Humorist

http://darrellsongs.com

Post Thanksgiving Report

We’re back home now and in the rhythm of “normal” day-to-day activities, but let me tell you, a 4,224 mile round trip was enough to wear me out. We started out about noon on Thursday, November 16 and arrived in Harper’s Ferry WV on Monday the 20th.

On the way, we stayed in Tucumcari, NM, Okemah OK, Brownsville TN, and Oak Ridge TN where we stayed with my old friend Don McKay. Don and I worked together for around 20 years I think, but hadn’t seen each other in 7 years. He and his wife Julie recently built a new house in Oak Ridge and moved there in preparation for retirement. They graciously opened their door to us and it was a great reunion.

We tried to “take it easy” by limiting our days to about 6-7 hours of driving, and making short little stops along the way. I stopped in Erick, OK just to check out a curio shop there whose proprietor I admire (he’s a guitar player). Unfortunately, the shop was closed when we came through, but I took a photo just to share with you:

Lots of cool memorabilia outside, Just wish I could have met the folks and seen the inside.

While in Okemah (oh-KEE-mah), I just had to visit the site that pays homage to their favorite son, Woody Guthrie.

The day after we arrived at my sister’s house in Harper’s ferry, we all took my mother to lunch to celebrate her 98th Birthday. She’s amazing. I hope I have more of her genes than my dads (he passed away at 63 years old).

And then, it was time for Thanksgiving Dinner together at my brother Pat’s house. His wife Jody is a fantastic cook and really puts on a feed! And Pat deep-fries the turkey every year. Deeeelicious. But even more delightful was being together with my family including both daughters and both granddaughters who travelled even farther than we did to make this a special Thanksgiving.

We took only 4 days to return, and this time, elected to drive the southern route from Little Rock AR, through Abilene TX, to Las Cruces. Longer days behind the wheel, but we were ready to get back to the warmer corner of the country.

I really can’t thank my family enough for this memory.

///Darrell

Darrell Elmer Rodgers

Singer, Songwriter, Performer, Humorist

http://darrellsongs.com

The Big Seven-Oh.. no

Here I stand, approaching in only 10 more days, the end of my seventieth trip around the sun as a free-standing physical being on this planet. It’s a bit surreal.

Until now, I never really considered myself “old”. But things have happened during these past few years, the aggregate of which, have caused me to rethink my self-assessment.

Mortality now seems like a timely subject for thought.  Several friends have passed away during the past couple years and their departures have impacted my assumed security.  I mean, if THEY can succumb, can I be far behind?

My own father died at age 63. I successfully crossed that mile marker 7 years ago. My paternal grandfather died at age 72. That milestone is not far off now.

I had a strange feeling when my dad died. (By the way, I bear his name with a “Jr” tacked on.)  I thought to myself “there, I’ve passed the point of dad’s example. What track can I run on now?”

It was a fair question. My father’s conduct through his life conveyed to me the lessons of what it meant to be and adult, a father, a leader.  Now suddenly, there were no more examples to study.  I was on my own.

Things I love to do, now take more effort and in some cases even cause a bit of pain. Arthritis in my hands requires that I perform stretching exercises before I even pick up a guitar, and there’s a variable limit to how long I can play without pain.  Quality of Life eroding.

So, I look for ways to ward off the onslaught of deterioration. More exercise, less of certain foods, but these efforts, admittedly, should have been started 30 years ago.

Consequently, I find myself hoping for a genetic miracle – hoping there are more of my mother’s genes in me than my father’s.  She turns 98 a month from now.  She still lives independently (to a large degree) and walks a mile or two every day.   It occurs to me that 98 was the age at which her own mother passed away.  I’ll have to ask her if she’s thought about passing that milestone as I did with dad. It’s likely not anywhere near the same since her mother was not independent and dementia had taken her mind by then.  Mom says she wonders how much longer she’ll be around, even though a year ago she surmised she might even make 110. The past year has been tough on her and lessened her optimism.

We’re planning a trip to celebrate her birthday, and Thanksgiving, with her and the available family. That should offer some soul-revival that only family love and laughter can provide.  It will help me as well, I’m sure.

///Darrell

Darrell Elmer Rodgers

Singer, Songwriter, Performer, Humorist

http://darrellsongs.com