April 30, 2005
John's Memorial
Today at 10:30 am is John's memorial. I put on some Sister Rosetta Tharpe - currently playing is Ain't Gonna Study War No More.
One of John's favourite songs was Old Chunk of Coal.
Old Chunk of Coal
Hey I'm just an old chunk of coal but I'm gonna be a diamond some day
I'm gonna grow and glow till I'm so blue pure perfect
I'm gonna put a smile on everybody's face
I'm gonna kneel and pray every day lest I should become vain along the way
I'm just an old chunk of coal now Lord but I'm gonna be a diamond some day
I'm gonna learn the best way to walk gonna search and find a better way to talk
I'm gonna spit and polish my old rough edged self till I get rid of every single flaw
I'm gonna be the world's best friend gonna go round shaking everybody's hand
I'm gonna be the cotton pickin' rage of the age I'm gonna be a diamond some day
It's sad saying goodbye. John - take care of yourself wherever you are.
Posted by songdawg at 07:49 AM | My Life
April 20, 2005
Lesson with Russell Jackson
It's been a hard week and it will probably be a difficult weekend - Marshall and I are both feeling low and slowly processing that John is gone. Every time I think of him I send him as much love & kindness as I can. Hard to believe he is gone. His death is a reminder to live your life with as much love as you can and with as much intention and awareness as you can.
One thing in my life that I am discovering is that I love to play music - especially with the wonderful people that I have met in the last few years. With that in mund I hooked up with Russell Jackson for an acoustic bass lesson today. Russell Jackson is a phenomenal teacher and bass player. The lesson was inspiring - lots of great advice, practice ideas and feedback on improving my technique. Russell has such great discipline and it is contagious. I invited my bass buddy Al to come but he was down and out with a cold. Poor guy.
Busy weekend coming up - want to catch Russell Jackson at Blues On Whyte and maybe Penny Lang on Saturday. As well I have a couple of gigs with the wonderful folks I mentioned before:
April 22, 2005, 6:30 pm
Woodbend Bluegrass Band
Hotel MacDonald Mezzanine Room
Marilyn Armstrong's Tranquility Collection
April 23, 2005, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Wildwood Flower
Rosslyn Place
10915 - 134 Avenue
April 24, 2005, 6:00 pm
Woodbend Bluegrass Band playing at
Singing the Gospels
Spruce Grove Alliance Church
Posted by songdawg at 09:06 PM | Music
April 18, 2005
John Wilds
Marshall was at the Homestead Studio this weekend recording his new acoustic blues CD with John Wilds on harmonica and Russell Jackson on bass. Sam Stevens was also there helping out and lending support. Marshall and John have been gearing up to this weekend for awhile now - honing their material and becoming great friends.
Unfortunately on Saturday during the recording session, John Wilds suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. He will be greatly missed and always in our prayers.
For information on his memorial service please contact the Lendrum Mennonite Church at (780) 989-5358.
UPDATE: John's memorial will at the Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church
at 11210 59 Ave., Edmonton, AB, T6H 1G3 on Saturday, April 30th, 2005.
Sam wrote about the day he passed away - thanks Sam for helping him and us.
Posted by songdawg at 07:27 PM | Comments (0) | My Life
New camera lens
I bought a telephoto camera lens for my digital camera and wanted to test it out as soon as I got to my car. These seagulls were across a parking lot. Feels like summer is coming. Funny that there are seagulls in a land locked city.
Posted by songdawg at 07:17 PM | My Life
Buddha for our house
Posted by songdawg at 07:08 PM | My Life
April 10, 2005
Woodbend site
Should have been practising but instead was puttering on the Woodbend website. www.woodbendbluegrass.com is coming soon.
Next weekend Sam Stevens and Russell Jackson are coming in to help record Marshall's newest CD which is jammed packed with originals. Should be a great weekend.
Posted by songdawg at 11:59 AM | My Life
April 02, 2005
Maurice Hackman
Message from Novayana:
Maurice Hackman passed away last night, Monday, March 28, at 10:55 p.m.
He looked peaceful and serene, his eyes were half open looking up and the staff told me he was alert and lucid all evening. I spent an hour with him before he was taken away. From what I was told by the nurse, it happened very quietly and peacefully.
Please say prayers for him.
Metta,
Don Mackenzie
There will be a Chenrezig Puja dedicated to Maurice on April 3, 2005 held at the Sinclair Residence (10819-52 Ave.) at 10:30 AM. Novayana invites all who are interested to attend.