Pure Magic

Good morning, I'm a little late in the coming here... much to tell about our musical venue Sunday, with Mr. Danny Schmidt. So much to say about that, but I do no want to take anything away from the pure magic of the experience with too many words,so- my overall impression was this:

I am so proud of my community. Folks turned out and into a little cafe that they had never heard of before to see a musical storyteller that they hadn't known much about and gathered in such a way that standing room only, pressed up against folks they had never been entwined with before- meant still a comfortable place completely out of perceived comfort zones

Why???

Heck if I know, I only know it all came together in such a beautiful way led by a bright spirit who soothed the aches and tickled the fancy of each soul there in that little eatery.

And I got to watch it all unfold.

But the best part of the whole deal? My children were there, fully and observant, supportive and encouraging in a way I had never seen before. Folk music is not the four letter word they had envisioned, no... they were mesmerized, harmonized and completely mystified.

Emma did mass quantities of dishes...just because, and then joked all through the greasy entanglements. My my my how her light shined! Mathew, big old brutish, sweet beautiful boy/man- was charming, was introspective, was tender, was full of questions...and Miss Lily, grace flowing under pressure- smiles, and sweetness and pure Lily.

At intermission, Jill Manning and Jaigh Lauder blew us all away with their music, (and their music just has to be experienced)...Jill, cafe owner, brilliant songstress- can I just say how proud I am of this woman? She rocks the boat. She swells with spirit and doles it out like the great and wonderful cook she is- in heaping helpings of...well- soul, big soul. Jaigh's guitar melodies ring out from the plucks of nimble fingers that your eyes don't actually see moving...it's as if he tells the guitar, before the music ever starts- "Say something." And it speaks through his strums.

I was part of something big and intimate all at the same time, I knew it to be remarkable...it could not have been any better. How often does one get to realize such things? I'm still scratching my head...and ever so thankful.

Be well, take care-

fine tuning the mess-Danny Schmidt

Danny Schmidt...just who is this guy?! Well, I'll tell you what I know and why he is ending up here on my blog.

Danny is a musician, a poet, a songwriter, a singer and first class human being. He is from Austin Texas- but I get the feeling that everywhere is home to him. He is on his Super Huge World Tour right now, and he is making a stop in Williamsville Illinois at the BluCat Cafe this Sunday. We will be opening our home to him and feeding him some good old Midwestern cuisine. I met Danny last fall in Rockford, and-as the title to his website implies- I was blown away. Not by his enormity of talent so much- but by his intimate way. He quietly speaks his heart and spirit and mind. I saw a rare authentic soul who shed as much light as a July sunrise. This kind of light is eternal- some know they have it and render it through song, verse, paintings, through good works. Others, misguided I would say- use it to keep others in check, to make lots of money- they, in short- sell their soul to the highest bidder. And then there are some like Danny- who find in themselves this light and use it like a thread to stitch all the fray together. To give a certain peace, in a timeless segment- through a song- they give this golden strand a voice. These individuals are ever evolving, while so many others twist and toil and turn away from change- folks like Danny, Dylan, the Rachel Carson's of the world- dive in and become the more they intended to be. The commentary of individuals such as these is ever flowing, changing, fine tuning the mess for all the rest of us to be able to better perceive the ongoing melody.

As you can probably tell, I am honored to be able to bring about this stop on Danny's tour. I think he has something to say, something worth hearing, yes- something eternally significant. Perhaps others may not perceive such depth in this young man...perhaps others may simply want to enjoy some authentic story telling with some sincerely wrought lyrics from a really sweet guy who just happens to have a voice that could melt an iceberg. Either way- the opportunity to see him locally is at

The BluCat Cafe on Sunday-March 1st.

And please if you will- do take my word for it- Danny Schmidt is for our tumultuous time- a voice that truly has something more to offer. So- do check out his website and take a listen to some of his music and if you're of a mind to- buy a CD. Little Grey Sheep is a keeper, and he has a new CD coming out in a couple of weeks.

http://www.dannyschmidt.com

I hope to interview him while he's around. Some really deep philosophical questions...over a beer. I'll let you know what transpires. Be well, take care-

(Email me for more info if need be.)

tells a story

".....though the night

around me

is falling..."

~In the Garden, hymn

in our midst

"Danny Schmidt is a singing poet in the tradition of Townes Van Zandt and Leonard Cohen - a righteous artist dealing in the rough, beautiful truth. If you love a good song, he's a major find."


Hey you all...we will have a wonderful singer songwriter in our midst come April. His name is Danny Schmidt, his newest CD Little Grey Sheep hit number one on the folk charts and he is coming to Illinois! Anyone I can encourage to attend, I will...and take them with me to see Danny in Rockford Illinois on April 6th, Sunday. I'll list a few venue dates here and also his lyrics to Company of Friends, a wonderful song I can abscribe to. Couldn't be, wouldn't be worth much to myself or others if I didn't know the friends I do- with love and encouragement that fills my tank full. Yep.

COMPANY OF FRIENDS

When I die, let them judge me by my company of friends
Let them know me as the footprints that I left upon the sand
Let them laugh for all the laughter
Let them cry for laughter’s end
But when I die, let them judge me by my company of friends

When I die, let them toast to all the things that I believe
Let them raise a glass to consciousness
And not spill a drop for grief
Let the bubbles rise at midnight
Let their tongues get light as thieves
And when I die, let them toast to all the things that I believe

I believe in restless hunger
I believe in red balloons
I believe in private thunder
In the end I do believe

I believe in inspiration
I believe in lightning bugs
I believe in slow creation
In the end I do believe

I believe in ink on paper
I believe in lips on ears
I believe what's shared is savored
In the end I do believe

I believe in work on Sundays
I believe in raising barns
I believe in wasting Mondays
In the end I do believe

I believe in intuition
I believe in being wrong
I believe in contradiction
In the end I do believe

I believe in living smitten
I believe all hearts will mend
I believe our book is written
By our company of friends
Copyright 2007. Words and music by Danny Schmidt.

Thur 4/3 - Chicago, IL
On the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology
At The Bog in the basement of The Hub
Free Concert sponsored by IIT, starts at 9pm
http://bog.iit.edu

Sat 4/5 - Wilmette, IL
Lilfest Concert Series
Show starts at 7pm
link

Sun 4/6 - Rockford, IL
Charlotte's Web Concert Series
in the Just Goods Listening Room
Afternoon concert - starts at 2pm
http://www.charlotteswebconcerts.com

Have a good one, take care-