Amy, reading you is like sitting in front of a warm fire under an afghan sipping my favorite warming beverage while a storm rages outside. Just beautiful. Thank you.
Lovely story. I thought covering the 30A festival would be an interesting change of pace for me. I contacted the publicist who sent out the press release. They [he/she/they] said they'd pass it on to the person doing the press verification, but they were skeptical about my "brand" or whatever. I said I needed a press pass and nothing else, because I'm 74 and like any male my age, nature requires proximity to bathrooms, and not port-a-pottie lines. I thought I might have some cred after doing this for more than 50 years. They never got back to me, which I took as a "no." But that is a mighty powerful message from the festival, Amy.
Thank you Wayne! I'm sorry they didn't get back to you-I'm sure it was no reflection on your cred! One thing I will say, the audience is really respectful.
Hey there beauty. Thank you for this one. I want to wish you a happy birthday. I am also letting you know that my magnificent mom has passed away, and this Harmony and Memory has resonated with me today. Here is her obit 💐
Jenny, your mother's obituary brought me to tears. What a remarkable woman and a beautiful tribute, thank you so much for sharing with me. I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom but what a life! Magnifique.
Amy, as you know, the older you get the more inevitable it is that you'll experience the deaths of people close to you, both long expected and sudden. I don't think anyone in their right mind would think of you as a harbinger of doom; you just happened to be in that circle on that day and of course it's something that would leave a lasting impression. Ultimately, if you're lucky, I think, you begin to see yourself as part of a continuum: the wheel of life, the Great Tapestry, the circle game, whatever you want to call it. There are going to be great artists later on in the 21st century who haven't been born yet, or who are small children now -- we just don't know who they are or what they're going to do and they probably don't even know it themselves. We only have 20/20 hindsight and can't see the whole picture, and I don't think we're supposed to know the whole picture, anyway. So we appreciate what we have and who's still with us, and keep going. And it helps to have a brilliant sense of humor about everything, too, doesn't it!
Thanks Wes - it can be hard to worry about the artists yet to come while trying to cultivate whatever legacy we hope to leave, yep sort of blinkered I guess. But maybe not, cause like you say they don't even know who they are yet so nothing we can do about them except hopefully leave the world at least a little intact! Larry David would say it's too late to wish you Happy New Year so just - hope you're doing well.
Thank you for this. Hearing that song when you were there yourself must be a singular experience. Perhaps similar to when I read White Noise (which used to be one of my favorite songs) after having evacuated for Katrina. The story about evacuating in the novel is very different for me now.
Peter, Paul, & Mary's Greatest Hits has been a favorite album since I was 5! I had that, John Denver's Back Home Again, an Anne Murray album, and the Grease soundtrack. In high school chorus, one year for the final exam, we had to sing a solo song in front of the class. I sang 500 Miles--I don't think anyone in that class in 1989 were familiar with it.
Thank you and Don for being there Marti. Maybe because of the pandemic and all that came with it and those lost years it still feels pretty raw. Lots of love to you.
I've been thinking about you, and this, every time I see somebody mention 30A. And the last time I saw you was at that Olney memorial. Peter was hurting bad that night. We all were but not all in the same way of course.
Four years and yet it's all right there with me. I could feel my chest tighten as I read. I'll never forget Ernie waking me and giving me the news. Your words are beautiful as always.
So sorry Cynthia! I hesitate to even talk about because of how hard, but then think it's okay cause we want to remember him too. Lots of love to you and Ernie.
Just saw that Jo-El Sonnier passed away between his gig and signing stuff for fans. Maybe a little less traumatic, glad his wife was with him, just like Olney's Gine was, even though it was so hard to see her going through that. But imagining and wishing you could've been there would be worse.
Amy, reading you is like sitting in front of a warm fire under an afghan sipping my favorite warming beverage while a storm rages outside. Just beautiful. Thank you.
That is so sweet, thank you Barbara.
Lovely story. I thought covering the 30A festival would be an interesting change of pace for me. I contacted the publicist who sent out the press release. They [he/she/they] said they'd pass it on to the person doing the press verification, but they were skeptical about my "brand" or whatever. I said I needed a press pass and nothing else, because I'm 74 and like any male my age, nature requires proximity to bathrooms, and not port-a-pottie lines. I thought I might have some cred after doing this for more than 50 years. They never got back to me, which I took as a "no." But that is a mighty powerful message from the festival, Amy.
Thank you Wayne! I'm sorry they didn't get back to you-I'm sure it was no reflection on your cred! One thing I will say, the audience is really respectful.
Hey there beauty. Thank you for this one. I want to wish you a happy birthday. I am also letting you know that my magnificent mom has passed away, and this Harmony and Memory has resonated with me today. Here is her obit 💐
https://www.lifecelebration.com/obituary/michelle-juristo
Jenny, your mother's obituary brought me to tears. What a remarkable woman and a beautiful tribute, thank you so much for sharing with me. I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom but what a life! Magnifique.
I thank you completely Amy 🌹
Amy, as you know, the older you get the more inevitable it is that you'll experience the deaths of people close to you, both long expected and sudden. I don't think anyone in their right mind would think of you as a harbinger of doom; you just happened to be in that circle on that day and of course it's something that would leave a lasting impression. Ultimately, if you're lucky, I think, you begin to see yourself as part of a continuum: the wheel of life, the Great Tapestry, the circle game, whatever you want to call it. There are going to be great artists later on in the 21st century who haven't been born yet, or who are small children now -- we just don't know who they are or what they're going to do and they probably don't even know it themselves. We only have 20/20 hindsight and can't see the whole picture, and I don't think we're supposed to know the whole picture, anyway. So we appreciate what we have and who's still with us, and keep going. And it helps to have a brilliant sense of humor about everything, too, doesn't it!
Thanks Wes - it can be hard to worry about the artists yet to come while trying to cultivate whatever legacy we hope to leave, yep sort of blinkered I guess. But maybe not, cause like you say they don't even know who they are yet so nothing we can do about them except hopefully leave the world at least a little intact! Larry David would say it's too late to wish you Happy New Year so just - hope you're doing well.
Onward thru the fog Amy <3
Very moving, Amy. Gee. :(
Thanks for reading Patti.
Thank you for this. Hearing that song when you were there yourself must be a singular experience. Perhaps similar to when I read White Noise (which used to be one of my favorite songs) after having evacuated for Katrina. The story about evacuating in the novel is very different for me now.
Peter, Paul, & Mary's Greatest Hits has been a favorite album since I was 5! I had that, John Denver's Back Home Again, an Anne Murray album, and the Grease soundtrack. In high school chorus, one year for the final exam, we had to sing a solo song in front of the class. I sang 500 Miles--I don't think anyone in that class in 1989 were familiar with it.
That sounds so poignant a song to sing Monica - what a great choice. Thanks for reading and I still need to read White Noise!
Oh, Amy. What a sad and rainy night it was. I'm sorry that happened to everyone, especially you.
Thank you and Don for being there Marti. Maybe because of the pandemic and all that came with it and those lost years it still feels pretty raw. Lots of love to you.
Beautifully said.
Thanks Eline. I do hope you're feeling better!
I've been thinking about you, and this, every time I see somebody mention 30A. And the last time I saw you was at that Olney memorial. Peter was hurting bad that night. We all were but not all in the same way of course.
Four years and yet it's all right there with me. I could feel my chest tighten as I read. I'll never forget Ernie waking me and giving me the news. Your words are beautiful as always.
So sorry Cynthia! I hesitate to even talk about because of how hard, but then think it's okay cause we want to remember him too. Lots of love to you and Ernie.
Oh yes, I’m glad you wrote about it. ❤️
So beautiful, thank you!
Thank you Laura!
Long time reader, first time commenter. =)
Thanks so much for sharing, Amy. Sending hugs.
Hope to see you live the next time you pass through Toronto. x
Thank you Sarah - I really loved playing in Toronto in November, definitely don't want to wait another twenty years or so to come back.
I’ve met you a couple of times at shows and have long loved your music. This is beautifully written and soulful, Amy, thanks for sharing it.
Thanks so much Mark.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Angie.
temps are about to plummet at that fest, again!! yipe! we should all be so lucky to go out onstage - traumatic for others, but... hey. hay!!
Just saw that Jo-El Sonnier passed away between his gig and signing stuff for fans. Maybe a little less traumatic, glad his wife was with him, just like Olney's Gine was, even though it was so hard to see her going through that. But imagining and wishing you could've been there would be worse.
there ain't no 'good ways', i reckon. did not know about jo-el, RIP!!
It is 2:42 pm on Monday. As I am reading, “On the Barricade” comes over the airwaves courtesy of Mr. Joe Belock of WFMU. COINCIDENCE???
i'm there, too!!! sounds GREAT!
Thanks Clarke - Joe's show is the best, why aren't I listening?!
because you are working on your album!!! ; ]
Amazing, that Joe is a gem!