So a few days before I left for Memphis, my beloved 10-year-old Legends of the Fall 20th anniversary edition koa Taylor (my #1 and only guitar) developed a crack across the top from bridge to lower bout.  To say I was horrified is putting it mildly.

This was obviously a humidification problem--moving from Seattle (90% humidity) to Tucson (/-10% humidity) plus the cold super-dry spell we had right then  (single digit temps and I had heat blasting 24/7). It happened virtually overnight--I left it out of the case for a few days, which i dont usually do. :(   

An outpouring of sympathy on Facebook was comforting, and my friend Roy Schneider who was also going to Memphis offered me one of his Martin Guitars. An interesting conversation about how most players seem to gravitate to either one or the other (Taylor or Martin) ensued; I won't detail it here.  But it does seem to be true--and I am definitely a Taylor girl. (My very first decent guitar was a Taylor, and I've had half a dozen since about 2000; always eventually moved on from all of them except for this koa baby I've loved for a decade.)  

I was grateful for any loaner, but missed my Taylor.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Guitars in Tucson took my poor dry koa girl and humidified/rehabbed/repaired it. (I got it back after the conference and it is actually fine, miraculously. You can barely see where the crack was and it sounds just like it did before. WHEW!  A scary and expensive lesson. Needless to say, I am now the zealous owner/user of an Oasis humidifier and hygrometer.)

Making a long story short, I was encouraged to pursue help from Taylor, and the Taylor folks exhibiting at the conference so very kindly gave me a loaner (which I got to pick from the two dozen or so Taylors they had on display there). Predictably, I fell in love with it, and it suited my music eerily (everyone who heard me play it said, "You have to have that guitar" to which I snorted "Yeah right, like I can afford a $3000 guitar.")  

But, at the end of the conference, I became a "Taylor artist!" I was offered sponsorship--and got to keep the Gs5 ("symphony" model, cedar top, African mahogany back/sides) for, well, a song.  

I'm no Taylor Swift, but I hope to do Taylor Guitars proud!    

The company had my loyalty before this, but their care and support of me at Folk Alliance sealed the deal a few times over for life. They know how to treat artists!

There are some songs in this new beauty for sure, and I plan to get some of them out this year. :)

 I guess I always got the impression that the International Folk Alliance was enormous and overwhelming and therefore stressful and frenetic.  I'm sure i got that idea from somewhere. ;) But I wasn't going to turn down an opportunity to perform in a juried Performance Alley showcase, which I was very grateful to have received the first time I applied!  So I went, even though I'd just moved to a new state and really, really didn't want to leave my beloved and recently-uprooted dog with a stranger.

Boy am I glad I did.

My dog was fine, and I had a blast.  Friendships old and new, connections, contacts. Tons of workshops that really were valuable and educational (the one led by Mary Gauthier, Eliza Gilkyson, Sue Casey and Val Denn was alone worth the entire cost of the event for me). Performing, and seeing/hearing great performances. Inspiration, ideas, creative stirrings.  And--this is a credit to our community and makes me proud to be a part of it--kindness, friendliness, warmth. When an event comprised of over 1,500 people feels intimate, you know someone is doing something right. Maybe we all are.

It's also possible that I went at the right time, waiting until I was ready.

At any rate, I am very glad that I was able to go, that I am part of the Folk Alliance community, and that it all went so smoothly. It was "work," but it didn't feel like it. I have enjoyed the regional FAs I've attended, but wasn't sure the International was going to be my speed. I'm delighted to be looking forward to the next one. It's valuable. And I left feeling full of love and gratitude.

And I want to see more of Memphis next time!  Not leaving extra space for that is my only regret.

Thanks to Folk Alliance for pulling off a herculean feat in producing a diverse and immense event that really does feel like a family gathering.

hello, friends!

Much to tell in this fledgling new year.  I am here in my "new" town, and it feels beautiful.  I'm loving Tucson as much as I knew I would and I feel so at home, as I always have.  Warmth and sun are simple joys for me, and I have the robust outdoor life I deeply wanted, as well as a cute home in desert mountains, nice pals, and a dynamic music community. 

After a busy October and November musically (throughout the Northwest and Northeast), i took off a few months to make this long-awaited move.  I'll be playing a bit here and there through spring as I settle in; my schedule will ramp up again through summer and fall.

I will not dwell here on Tucson's heartbreaking recent events except to say that through the intense heartache and loss, I only feel closer to my community and more proud to be Tucsonan. In my struggle to make meaning of it personally, I will no doubt turn to music eventually.

Sticking to musical and happy subjects, I play my first show of the year (and first Tucson show as a Tucsonan!) on Saturday, January 29 and you are warmly invited to come, enjoy and celebrate my arrival!  The show will be at the home of Bobby Kimmel and I am sharing the bill with his locally beloved band BK Special. I will open the show at 7:30 p.m. and Bobby will join me on a few tunes!  

Reservations are required so please do RSVP to HIM at his email address  (it's bobbykimmel10@gmail.com) and please do let him know you are responding to my newsletter.

I will keep you posted on my musical news as it unfolds this year--writing, recording, playing and whatever else!  

My big February news I'll be attending my first International Folk Alliance conference in Memphis,  as I was awarded an official showcase.   I'm humbled to have been selected, among the likes of Mary Gauthier, Carrie Rodriguez, Eliza Gilkyson, Suzy Bogguss, James Keelaghan, Caroline Herring, Diana Jones...too many more to mention (there are about 200, many friends too).  I look forward to seeing old buddies and meeting new ones as I always do. 

Hope to see you in a couple weeks! 

Always grateful for your support,

Robyn

Dear friends and music followers,

After a busy October and November full of music (excellent house concerts in the NW and at FAR-West in October, then sharing stages in the Northeast with Ellis Paul, Liz Longley and David Glaser--great times all!), I took some time off to make a long-dreamed-of move to the Southwest!

 I've settled in a sweet spot in the mountains just outside Tucson, Arizona, where my hankering for a warmer drier climate and an active outdoor life are being joyfully met.  I've spent some time here every year for the last seven, and I've been grateful for the support and assistance of friends and family with this move, and the warm welcome I've received here.  

My solstice this year was spent high up on a hiking trail with clear skies, warm breezes, murmuring critters, and a ginormous full moon morphing into a coppery eclipse! Now this is what I'm talking about!

With all the packing and moving, plus the holidays, music and work has taken a bit of a back seat.   (I do have one house concert scheduled for January 29, sharing the bill with some of Tucson's finest and most beloved musicians--Stefan George and Bobby Kimmel--details on the web soon). But right now i wanted to take this time to stop in the cyber way, wish you a truly happy holiday, and thank you for your tremendous support over this last year and all the way along.

In the spirit of giving and the season, i'm offering a demo recording for anyone who would like a taste of something new that I've been up to.  "Knitting" is one of the newer songs I've written in 2010 and the only one I've recorded in 2010.  It'll be more polished later but this naked version is available for free download here (just click on LISTEN in my navigation menu and then on "Knitting.")

This was a pretty full year musically. I played shows in the Northeast, the West, Southwest and Nashville (including my first time at The Bluebird cafe), solo and with band.  I was a finalist in the Great American Song contest, the USA Songwriting Contest (alongside such respected finalists as Edie Carey, Madison Violet and Liz Longley), the Great Lakes Songwriting contest, and Susquehanna Art & Music Festival Songwriting Contest--bringing the # of such recognitions since 2005 to well over 50.

I was a Premiere Showcase artist at Folk Alliance Region West conference.  I played some of the best, most fun and sold-out house concerts of my career.  Shared some shows/stages and accompaniment with great musicians and friends old & new. I also just found out I was awarded a Performance Alley showcase at the International Folk Alliance conference this February 2011.

Most of all, I met wonderful people everywhere I went--generous audiences and inspiring musicians, hardworking venue operators and DJs.   The number and quality of connections I make through music humbles and delights me.

One of my 2011 goals is to play more house concerts--they are by far the most rewarding and rich performing experience in every possible way. I also want to play in regions and states I haven't played in before.  If you are interested in hosting a house concert, contact me. If you don't know, I'll coach you in how it's done.  You can also check out http://concertsinyourhome.com/

I look forward to a new year of writing and co-writing, recording, playing and most of all sharing my music with you.    I wish you a year of creativity and fulfillment as well, as a warm, safe holiday season.

Sincerely and with heartfelt gratitude,

Robyn

P.S. - My first CD "Love and Other Words" and newest CD "Many Moons" are both on sale at CD Baby till the end of the month.   The older one is only $5 and the newer is $10.   Maybe a little late for Xmas, should've told you sooner, but still--if you're wanting to give or get extra copies, now's the time.  Go here.

Happy autumn everyone,

Is it a sign of being a grown-up that when Thanksgiving and Christmas are imminent, it seems like it was about two months ago that they last happened? Was 2010 was the fastest-zooming year ever?  It truly seems surreal that it is November already.

My October shows were a blast--a great big thank you to everyone who came, and those new to this list who signed up (thank you!), to my outstanding band, and to the wonderful venues that hosted me.  I had a very special time, too, at my first Folk Alliance Region West  (FAR-West) conference, where I met some fantastic new folks, saw old friends, heard fine music, and connected with some of my favorite DJs.  October was also one of my busiest months, taking me to Olympia, Portland, California, Nashville and Tucson!

Speaking of the latter, I'm making the migration south a little more permanent after  many years of traveling to the desert and flirting with a real move. I found a beautiful and inspiring living space, and I'll be heading down mid-December!  I'll still be traveling, and visiting the Northwest often since my roots here are long and deep. But home now will be in the heart of my beloved Sonoran desert, warm and dry and sunny and surrounded by trees, cacti, birds, flowers, and that earthy magical glow that makes me so happy. I'm very, very excited! :)

My last set of shows in 2010 is this month (see below for schedule), and then I'll be off for a bit, getting settled in my new home. The November gigs are in the Northeast, a mix of opener/co-bills and solo, and should be really fun.  So if you're thereabouts, I hope you'll come out and see me! And bring friends!  I've got some new songs to run by you, and am sharing the stage with some topnotch folks. 

Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement this year.  It was an incredible year of new friendships I cherish, new music I love, new writing alliances, and new travels. I look forward to sharing more music in more places next year!

Have a safe and peaceful holiday season!

Robyn

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18  8 p.m.
Kennett Flash
Kennett Square, PA
Co-bill with Liz Longley (one of the best young singer-songwriters on the planet)
$12 in advance, $15 at door
www.kennettflash.org/tickets.html 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 8 p.m.
The Barrington Coffeehouse
Barrington, NJ
1 hour Solo (with guitarist Nick Stevens) - Set shared with Anj Granieri
$10
www.barringtoncoffeehouse.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 7:30 p.m.
Concerts at the Crossing
Titusville, NJ
Opening for Ellis Paul (how cool is that?) 
$23.50 in advance or at the door
www.concertsatthecrossing.com
 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21 6:30 p.m.
Mike Jones House Concerts
Arnold, MD
Co-bill with David Glaser (superb songwriter who will also accompany me on multiple instruments!)
$20 

Email mjones2@aahs.org or call 410-647-6549 (address with reservation).

Please see my website for more details on these shows, links and more!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8 @ 6:30 p.m.
BLUEBIRD CAFE
My first time at this legendary venue!  In The Round with Louise Mosrie, Roy Schneider, Donna Ulisse.  This visit to Nashville I hope to write some stuff with Louise, a fantastic songsmith and Kerrville New Folk Winner 2009, and David Llewellyn, my amazing songwriter friend with whom I wrote "Losing Sleep" (on Many Moons).

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15 @ 8 p.m.
Soul Food Books and Music
Redmond, WA
This will be my second time at this lovely warm venue I recently discovered, with a great stage and sound system. If you feel like some primo coffee and tea, a browse through some cool books and spiritual/health items, and an evening of good tunes, venture on over to the East Side!
$5-10 suggested cover


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16 @ 7:30 p.m.
Olympia Acoustic Music
418 Washington St SE
Olympia, WA
Musicians are grateful to see a venue blossoming in Olympia, as in the past there's been rather a gap down that way when it comes to acoustic music. Mark Kaufman has developed a thriving nonprofit volunteer-run series has already hosted the likes of Cheryl Wheeler and Buddy Mondlock, so I'm very honored to be included in this season's lineup.  Again a full band show featuring Paul, Cary and Charles!
$15
Reservations Required
http://home.comcast.net/~olymusic/site/


Thursday, October 21 - Saturday, October 24
Folk Alliance Region West (FAR-West) Conference
San Jose, CA
Unless you're a fellow folk musician, you probably won't be attending these shows, but I'm pleased that I was offered a juried Premiere Showcase this year at the conference, sharing that honor with a roster of some extremely fine musicians.  This is a place where performing songwriters go to get heard by those who book music--and to see friends and attend seminars and jam in the hallways till the wee hours.  I'll be playing a handful of informal showcases as well.

And then it will be time to rest!

Coming up in November:  I'll be traveling back east again for a few excellent shows, including an opener for Ellis Paul at Concerts at the Crossing in New Jersey; a NYC house concert; and one with David Glaser in Baltimore.  Check the calendar for those shows and more.

I hope you stay warm and cozy as we transition into the autumn season...
Thanks for your support as always.

Download the song here on the site on my music page:   Please make a donation to PAWS at their website in the song's name if you download the song!

More to come soon...some lovely collaborations and fun shows coming up later in the year. Spring is here and summer's coming fast, so dig in to the deep sweet heart of the year and enjoy!

Vote every day, tell your friends, and enjoy a FREE DOWNLOAD of "Paul's Song" from now through April 26 as a thank-you and to share with friends. Just go to my music page on this site!

  (VOTE FOR "PAUL'S SONG" HERE!)

A few day later, "Paul's Song" (co-written with Seattle songwriter Larry Murante) was named a finalist in the Great American Song Contest, which received over 1500 entries this year!