Summer of Love 50th Anniversary
Something's Happening Here Since late spring of this year, I've been hearing about the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love. So, I was compelled to explore and write about it this month. In the mid to late 60's, I was a teenager growing up in the Midwest. At that...
Artist Spotlight: Jesse Colin Young
Jesse live at the State Theatre Last weekend, I went to hear Jesse Colin Young in concert up in the Gold Country foothills at the State Theatre in Auburn. I was accompanied by a good friend, who is also a guitar player and fellow songwriter. Great place to see and...
June is Bustin’ Out All Over…
Sometimes, Life Feels Like a Musical For me, June is bustin' out all over. I woke up in a good mood one morning this week, remembering an experience from my early adolescent years. Now, it's become a precious memory for me. One glorious Indiana day in June, either in...
Song Spotlight: Bohemian Rhapsody
Is This the Real Life? Over time, the classic rock song, Bohemian Rhapsody (performed by Queen), has continued to gain fans and musical appreciators. At the same time, it still lives on in the hearts of Queen fans who first heard it back in 1975. The memorable opening...
The Brand New Cosmic Hokey Pokey
What if the Hokey Pokey Really is What It's All About? Dena and I have spirit-sized many songs over time, some of them secular and some old time gospel tunes. One of my favorites is one we've played with our Souls Journey collective at local kiirtan gatherings. At...
Laurel and Hardy Dance to Santana
Laurel and Hardy Dance to Santana I love this YouTube video mashup as Laurel and Hardy dance to Santana's catchy tune, Oye Como Va. When I'm taking life way too seriously, I can watch this to put a smile on my face and feel light-hearted. When I watched it for the...
Song Spotlight: While My Guitar Gently Weeps by George Harrison
This week, I'm writing about one of my all time favorite George Harrison songs, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." It's been covered by various artists and in different contexts over the years since being recorded and released on The Beatles' White Album in 1968. It's...
Local Artist Spotlight: Jon Merriman
ThisineIt's time to shine the friendly Meadowlark spotlight on one of my favorite local Sacramento artists. This week, I present to you the one and only, Jon Merriman. Jon Merriman Trio I met Jon way back in the mid 1980's through another good friend and musician,...
Riding the Rails: A Train Ride to the Bay
Going for a Train Ride Last weekend, I took a train ride over to the San Francisco Bay Area. It was my first train ride in Northern California. I was headed towards my final destination of Jack London Square in Oakland to meet with a friend and look for an outdoor...
One and Many
Artist Spotlight: Noel Paul Stookey Noel Sings One and many - Noel Paul Stookey was one third of the very popular folk trio, Peter, Paul and Mary (PP&M) back in the 60's. From what I've read, the trio decided to use Noel's middle name, Paul, for a stronger group...
Life Purpose
Making a Difference Life Purpose... I was very idealistic as a teenager. For better or worse, I grew up in the 60's which was a very tumultuous and exciting time for all who were there for it. As informed by the youth culture of the day, I really dug into and clung to...
Demos in the Studio
Studio Update Demos I worked with Ed in the studio last weekend to create some booking demo songs. All the demos were taken from songs that will appear on my forthcoming album, In This Circle. Also, the songs consist of two tracks with me singing and playing guitar....