Newsletter - May 07'

Today is my 45th birthday, and I feel very lucky to have such a nice life. I always like to believe I get to make people happy for a living. Of course, I tend to piss people off at every gig, it seems - since everyone loves to hear what they love to hear, musically, and I can only play so many songs (and dislike a bunch more!). But, quite often, lately, folks come up to me and tell me how much fun they had at the Caterie when they were 18, or Calendar’s, or any other of the places I’ve played over my close-to-20-year career as a soloist. Nothing is as nice to hear as knowing my time on stage was part of some sort of memory or mile marker in someone’s life.

I quit working at Amoco (my last real day job) in 1987, and got in a band, that subsequently failed. I’d have to look up some dates, but I began playing acoustic solo within a year of that. I guess it’s been about 19 years since I got a Tuesday night at the Caterie, which slowly became every Tuesday, which eventually got me many gigs, and it’s never stopped. I’m so lucky that people still call me to come play, and want to pay me. I’ve made so many good friends and contacts while singing. I have my days free to do what most folks have to do after they get home from work. I feel blessed with all my parents gave me, including my health.

There’s never enough time to give to you all, it seems, but please know that I am so grateful for the years and years of coming to hear me play mostly the same songs! Hehe.... I have always tried to keep the show fresh with a new song or two, but for the most part, what I am asked to play never changes that much. And, I keep meeting new folks who enjoy listening and hanging out at one of my gigs. Thanks to you new friends - I hope to get to know you all better. My memory of names is weak, but I’ll keep trying to at least remember what you like to hear.

So, Happy Birthday to me makes me want to say thank you today.

As always, I love to tell you about anything fun going on, each month. I have a new show on the Roux House patio this month - two Thursdays from 5-9pm. I also start back for a summer run in St. Francisville at Fat Mama’s Tamales, on their patio. Other gigs are as usual, but the last Sunday at Spanky’s should be very fun, with Memorial Day on the following Monday. Speaking of Memorial Day, check out this link for a sweet YouTube video - Remember Me by Lizzie Palmer. I know Memorial Day is for those soldiers that have been lost in battle, but don’t forget the many that are there today. No politics are necessary to understand they are brave folks, doing what we, as a nation, asked them to do.

Last year, I went to the Beale Street Music Festival, and missed JazzFest in New Orleans. I hope to make JazzFest this year. The lineup is amazing, and the food is probably my favorite part. I also hope to make it to Lakeview for the Greek Festival, again. Nice homey cultural event - www.greekfestnola.com. The Jambalaya Festival is going on, in my little town of Gonzales - www.jambalayafestival.org, along with the Swamp Pop Music Festival. If you are into food and wine, check out the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience - www.nowfe.com. That one looks expensive!

Political: Pat Tillman, the NFL player/Army Ranger, who was killed in action, was apparently killed by friendly fire. It seems it was known early on, but not reported to his family for many weeks after his memorial service. His body armor was burned, and information was sealed, in an apparent attempt to keep the friendly fire accident a secret - but the truth came out. Rightly so, nothing was changed to his honors or Purple Heart. This is sad, though. I don’t think we need to be lied to to support our soldiers, or this war effort. We will each believe what we will believe and either support military action, or deny it’s necessity. I don’t believe I was lied to by our government about WMD’s in Iraq (even if it was incorrect), but it is dismaying to hear that these facts about an honorable man like Tillman were hidden. Maybe it took that long for all the facts to come out, but it is highly suspicious. I like George Bush because he has always seemed, to me anyway, to say exactly what he believes and hasn’t wavered from his truth. From many Presidential candidates, I hear different accents and opinions with each new audience. I don’t believe a word they say. I also understand war is a highly gray area - there are awful things that must be done, secrets that must be kept, and controversial events that we would all struggle with. Mostly, it’s sad to have suspicion, politics, and lies surround Pat Tillman, or any honorable military person.

Well, I’m sure someone can tell me an opposite point of view - that’s why it’s a great country.

It’s officially hot and summertime - my truck AC bit the dust today! Damn, just when I paid it off! Now, that is typical, and not unexpected. At least I get a free meal today.

Kirk