An update to the Idaho trip on July 31. Henry and I will also be performing at the Moscow Farmer’s Market July 31 from 11:45am to 1pm. That should get us warmed up nicely for Saturday night at Sage. (see calendar)

July 8, 2010

Summer finally arrived with the 4th of July. It was the big Bluegrass Festival weekend here in Fossil, Oregon. Great bands, well attended, and big change in population for this sleepy, little town.  I hosted a great jam session with friends from Bend and here in Fossil. Despite being rained ‘out’ of the garden and into the house - we had a wonderful time. Good tunes - good people! Thanks everyone for coming.

The best thing about the festival is to walk around town when all the scheduled performances are done for the day.  Floating on the still, dark air you can hear notes from banjos, guitars, harps, dobros and fiddles drifting from backyards, campers, porches and open windows. The stars are out. The town is quiet. The music permeates the night.

I don’t like to toot my own horn but for those of you that are interested - I did win the song writing contest again this year. One of the criteria for the contest is that the lyrics must have something to do with this area, a person or event that takes place here.  Since I am captured by this sense of place, the lyrics flowed quite readily from thought to music . The song is entitled, ‘Calling Me Home’ . It was inspired by me moving here to Fossil last summer for the second time. I indeed feel a connection to this place and the people here.

I have some upcoming performances here in Oregon and also a reunion with the Zugunrue band in Idaho. We’ll be playing at Sage Bakery in Lewiston on July 31st. Check the calendar page for the details. I hope to see you there or here.

Slainte,

Kelly

June 20, 2010

Summer Solstice tomorrow - I’m anticipating the return of the sun in celebration of the longest day of the year. Here in north central Oregon, we’ve been having very April-like showers, thunder storms, mudslides, the John Day above flood stage and SLUGS in my pea patch. It’s a bit too lush and green, a bit too much of that coastal feel.

But then…..the good list……. - a plethora of wildflowers in the canyons, deserts, fields and mountains, the John Day flowing above flood stage,  gin and tonic parties in a thunder storm and all that GREEN.

Summer is just around the corner, time to get out and play some tunes.  Check the calendar for upcoming events. I’ll be headed up to Idaho the end of July for a performance at Sage Bakery in Lewiston. I always look forward to playing for the ‘home’ crowd.

See you on the road.

Slainte,

Kelly

January 7, 2010

I’ll soon be ‘gettin’ outta Dodge’ , escaping Fossil for a bit, on a road trip to Idaho. Whenever I schedule time in Moscow, along with visits to family and friends, I hope for a little tune-time with Henry, Doug and other music pals.  This morning I sent the e-mail announcing my upcoming appearance and now, just a few hours later - my drummer friend, Bennett,  has lined up a Saturday night gig for us.  It is an honor and a privilege for me to have musical friends and supporters in several communities. It is a good reminder how we are so easily, and happily connected by music.

I’ll be in the talented company of Doug Park (bass/mandolin), Paul Anders (mando, fiddle, harp, banjo), Bennett Barr (djembe) and hopefully, Henry C. Willard (electric lead guitar, dobro). At this writing, Henry has not confirmed but then, it has only been a few hours since this event transpired.

So please come on out for another Zugunrue and friends music night. We’ll be performing at The Red Door (215 Main Street, Moscow, Idaho) on Saturday, January 16 at 9:30pm.  (yes, it’s late, Take a Nap, and get on down there!)

I’m anticipating another wonderful reunion.  Thanks Bennett, for jumpin’ on this one.

Slainte,

Kelly

December 1, 2009

Today the fog hangs like blankets on the bluffs above my little town of Fossil, Oregon.  It is winter creeping in -  cold and gray slipping silently under the covers to chill to the bone.  What better time to embrace the opportunity for live music to warm the soul.  I am hosting the first (of many, I hope) house concerts. The idea of house concerts appeals to me as a musician and as a listener. From the coziness of  ‘ ‘The Attic’ in Moscow, Idaho, to the Richmond Ghost town Church,  to the backyard of a guestranch, to a suburban living room in the city of Bend - the concept is the same. The performer and the audience share the intimacy of a smaller space. There is a sense of ease, a sense of belonging.  As a mucisian I am close enough to hear the voices, see the tears, watch the faces for expressions that the words and the stories become too familiar.  There are moments of understanding and reflection. There are moments when the pain, the joy and the words are spread around the room with a sense of knowing. Most of all there are moments, inspired by the music and the sense of place, that will help take the chill out of winter. So don your mittens, mufflers, and wooly warmers and come join us for an evening of music and good cheer.

The Gypsy Road - near Mitchell, Oregon

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