|
Monday, August 9, 2004
Well, the tour is over. I'm grateful for all I've seen and done, for the opportunity to share my music with so
many kind people. I'm working on scheduling some shows for the fall . . . and starting to sketch out a timeline
for recording a new album. Many songs came together on this tour in ways that surprised me, and I'm excited to
get some new things recorded in the near future. Until then . . .
 Annemarie
Saturday, August 7, 2004
Tonight is the last official evening concert I'm doing on this tour and I feel both sad that it will soon be over
and also relieved. I'm exhausted . . . ready to sleep well, to get life back to normal, and yet I've loved these
days on the road. I have met so many wonderful people and it's been amazing to see how music grows and changes when
you play it night after night. I've written a few new songs--and have a journal full of other ideas for songs not
yet written. Mostly I've walked wide eyed through the last week, constantly stunned and amazed by the landscape of
Washington, Oregon and California. It's been the perfect combination--several small road trips during the day and
shows at night. I couldn't ask for anything better.
Annemarie
Thursday, August 5, 2004
Five shows are done. It's time to rest and take a day off before I drive to California for the last three shows.
One of the things that has constantly surprised me about this tour is how thoughtful and present the audiences have been.
As I share my songs and look out at folks listening, I am honored to have such captive listeners who seem to be graciously
reflecting on my music. It makes my job as musician so much easier. I'm off to get some rest . . . I'm exhausted.
Annemarie
Monday, August 2, 2004
It's been a great tour so far--three successful shows with wonderful, enthusiastic audiences in attendance.
We're headed to a coffee house in Bend, Oregon tomorrow night where we'll pull out guitars again and
entertain folks with original songs, harmonies, rhythms and the wonderful sounds of Jeremy's tin whistle.
If you can make any of the upcoming shows, do it. In the mean time, check out some of the pictures from
the past three shows on my photos page.
Annemarie
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
We never know what to expect from life, which the past week has illustrated clearly. Doug Haub, who was
supposed to be touring with me, has had an unexpected change of plans due to circumstances beyond his control,
and now I am pleased to be playing with Florida musician Jeremy Varo-Haub for the Washington and Oregon shows, and
Alan Rogstad for the California shows. All three of these guys are incredible musicians AND very dear
friends, so I am pleased that despite the last minute changes, I'll be playing with really talented people.
I'll try to write some notes from the road over the next week or two . . . try to be aware of what I'm learning
and how the shows go. I'm excited for the tour to start . . . and ready to quit planning and actually start
playing, which is what I love the most about being a musician.
So to those of you who are planning on attending one of my shows, I'll look forward to seeing you. It will be a great
pleasure to share my music. Until then . . . .
Annemarie
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Well, tour planning is taking up much of my time these days. If you haven’t seen the dates
for my July and August tour, check out my shows page. I’m really looking forward to touring.
I have the honor of playing with Los Angeles-area musician Douglas Haub, who incidentally was also
very instrumental in me developing my skills and confidence as a guitar player back in college.
Doug is a tremendous lead guitar player, and also sings great back up and plays a mean djembe,
all of which he’ll be doing while touring with me.
I also had a great show earlier this month with two women from the
Rose Street House of Music in Berkeley, CA.
Irina Rivkin, the founder of Rose Street, and San Diego musician Lisa Sanders
came through on their “Rose Street on the Road Tour” and we played a show together at Café Paradiso
here in Eugene. Those of you who live in California should look up these two women and check them
out when they’re playing in your area next. They’re both amazing songwriters and great performers
as well.
I just finished a song about relationships called “Whirlwind Ride.” It’s about the bumps that
come our way in this life and what it takes to see them through. The final line of the chorus
kind of sums it up: “It’s a long haul, dig-down-deep-and-hold-on kind of thing.” Nothing in life
comes easy--everything takes work, and relationships especially seem to ask for the very best we
can give. I say we ought to give all we have--for what we do in our primary relationships spill
out into how we love each other and care for our world. We must start somewhere!
Happy Summer . . . sunshine, brown lawns, light evenings, the fragrance of lavender, the shouts of
children, and lazy days meant for savoring. And peace.
Annemarie
Monday, May 3, 2004
The 80 degree sunshine warms my bones and I pause from endless books to read and papers to write to
say hello and let you know that I have begun booking my summer tour dates. I just changed my tour
route and will start in the Seattle area and play shows down to San Francisco. The dates are
posted on my shows page so if you live on the West Coast, take a look.
I just got my Oregon primary election ballot in the mail today and it reminded me how important
our right to vote is--especially in these crazy times when the people in power seem to care little
for the real needs of the people. If you need something to do this Spring, consider
making your voice heard. Write a letter. Join a picket line. Make sure you are
registered to vote so that in November you can help decide where our country is headed.
There's a line in a Carrie Newcomer song that gets stuck in my head and stays there for days sometimes: "It's
not the things I've gone and done I will regret or be ashamed, but the things I did not say or do just
because I was afraid." As we go about our daily lives, let's put our fear aside and fight to ensure
that all people have food to eat, good health care, a place to live, and access to education.
If we all do something small, it will amount to something quite significant in the end.
Annemarie
Friday, April 10, 2004
Well I survived a crazy concert tour to the east coast and really enjoyed it. Thanks to all the folks
who came to my shows and enthusiastically supported my music. Since returning to the side of the country
where the trees are blooming and the air is clean (and you wonder why the northwest is my home?),
I've posted some photos from the three concerts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey which are on my photos page.
I hope you enjoy them.
In addition to starting spring quarter of graduate school, I've been busy booking some shows
for the next several months. I'm still looking for venues in Southern California so if you live down
in those parts and want to host a house concert or know of a good place to do a show, please
do let me know.
In this season of Easter and spring, I hope you all take time to find a sense of renewal and peace amidst
the busy rush of the world we live in. I have been trying sit still for just a few minutes every day.
The flowers are lovely. Music moves me. Poetry makes me want to dance. But our lives are so busy that I
fear we forget to sit still and look around us. I hope you find some time for that this spring.
Annemarie
Wednesday, March 16, 2004
I'm packing my bags and heading to the east coast tomorrow for a three-concert tour (sounds like Gilligan's
"three-hour tour"), entrusting my prize Larrive to Continental Airlines (gulp). Those of you who have done
any traveling with instruments that have to be checked know the tightening of your stomach when you hand off
your precious item to an airline attendant. I'm sure it'll make it, but all the same, I'm nervous.
The new album is selling well . . . thanks to all of you who have bought a copy. I've got several shows booked
for the next few months, including some in California, so if you're interested in hearing some of the new
songs live, you should check out my shows page.
I'm sure I'll have some good stories and photos when I return from this trip. Check back soon for the
juicy details.
Annemarie
|
