Terry Lee Hale's official website

Postcards archive

June Postcard, 2008

Well, sitting here on a rainy Paris morning listening to Al DeLoner's first solo CD, the great “The Mess Age Is Joy” seems the perfect soundtrack to begin writing this latest postcard. We've yet to see summer here this late June date (although the rain is warmer), the French football team crashed and burned through their Euro-cup games like a Ford Pinto, the Chinese are getting ready to parade the Olympic torch through Llasa this coming Saturday, gasoline tops 1.60€ a liter (6.04€ a gallon. 6.04€=$8.94,Berlusconi-Putin-Mugabi-Bush/Cheney-Sarkozy handlers and slipper-licks smile and open back door for the till-robbers, the polar ice caps will be gone in 10 years, the Mississippi floods her banks & huge swaths of much needed food producing land rendered useless (Jr. will fly over today to show his support) AND the water has yet to reach New Orleans.

For the music: nothing-to-say folk-singers proliferating like cockroaches, SonicBids-the new monolith (and officially sanctioned way to rip musicians off) arrives, first there was karaoke and now it's the DJ subculture to emasculate the scene even more, MySpace (don't quite your day job amigo) clogs up my ‘pewter, reality TV shows (Star Academy etc.) are the most watched programs world-wide, cover (now called “tribute”) bands proliferate, more live venues close and (oh God) Alanis Morrisette is back.

Last week I bought a Roland SP-404 sampler.

Terry Lee Hale

Paris, France

June 19, 2008

PS- I'll post dates soon for late summer and the fall: Norway Spain, France, USA, Germany, Belgium, Slovenia, and Croatia. (still working on confirming everything though).

April News

Hi Everyone -

I've just returned from a week of touring Ireland and Northern Ireland after being away from there for more than 2 years. It was good to get back even if just for the 5 shows I did in Wexford, Belfast, Mullingar, Dublin and Lismore. (A big thanks to all those who helped organize and book the shows BTW!). Although it started very slow, the last 2 shows were pretty good. For Dublin, long time promoter, and booking agent Paul Lee has found and built up a very nice upstairs music room at the Cherrytree just on the outskirts of the city. You can see from the picture that's a cozy, low slung room and, when dimly lit, it's just the perfect vibe for the international and Irish music shows he hosts. It's a real listening venue with a great sound system (and operators!) and much appreciated by all those who visit and play there. (My middle set was between the duo of Tony McManus and Maeve Donnelly AND Clive Barnes!). My final (and best!) show of the tour though was in the little town of Lismore, located south of Dublin in Country Waterford. Once a month or so John Cullimore and friends host a concert in the back room at Rose's West End Bar. 50+ or so dedicated and wildly enthusiastic music lovers pile in and have given this artist a much-needed boost in a tough country to get a musical leg-up in.

If all my shows could be so fun and good… Thanks everyone!

Now I'm off to Germany at the end of this week. Some more dates but this time with band Fingerbones & Gatorbag (bass and drums) in tow. We've had only a couple gigs so far with our most recent being a long trip over to Quimbra, Portugal for one night, which we shared with The Legendary Tiger Man. I have heard a bootleg of our set that night it sounded pretty good. I'm confident these coming German dates will see the band in better form and if you get the chance to come out we'd of course love to see you. I know there are lots of bands out on the road this time of year but please come by our show if you can! I'll be playing a revved up acoustic 6 and 12-string guitar and there will be some new songs to share as well.

Flying Guitar Player Airline Blues -

Ok, maybe I shouldn't complain but I'm damn sure that I'm not the only musician singing these blues! Here's the deal: you know all the cheap-seat airfares right? I don't know about where YOU live but from here in Paris, I can fly pretty much anywhere in continental Europe for less then 150€ (and return) and often times much cheaper (i.e. Paris-Stuttgart is maybe 40€ return! Etc.). These are great deals for business people but I have to tell you - for guitar players anyway - there is a big and very expensive catch. It's the one piece of luggage allowed for check-in “rule”. Usually 15 kilos (33 lbs.) are allowed for one-piece checked luggage, plus you get one carry-on AND a purse/shoulder bag/computer etc. For that piece of extra checked luggage, or in my case one 10K guitar (my guitar inside a heavy Calton flight case) the charges can be more expensive then the ticket itself. For example (and this all just happened to me recently BTW!): TAP (national airline of Portugal) charges 65€ per 5K overage! So my guitar (remember it's 10K) costs 130€ each way! Air France charges 150€ flat fee each way(!)for that extra piece. Doesn't matter how much it weighs (less then 20K that is. So much for the cheap tickets right? What the hell is a guitar player supposed to do? The other part of this rant is that it's often difficult to figure out from the airline websites exactly what are the actual allowable luggage rules and regulation (although they are sure as hell clear about what you can or cannot carry on!). On the Air France site for example - if you get the site in English - they assume you're coming from America and they say you are allowed 2 pieces at 23K each. I was trying to figure out what was the baggage allowance from Paris to Dublin. I guess they figure that anyone who is flying inside continental Europe can all speak French and can find the information they need on the French language page. The things is, my wife who is French went on the their site and it was very, very vague about exactly what the limits were.

So, yes these are cheap flights that benefit the business classes but I do have to say that it us working musicians who are paying to help keep those seats cheap. Unfair and I protest. Try telling that to the check-in person! Grrrrrrrr…

The work-around of course is that, for the time being anyway, I must travel with just one guitar, which I put into a gig bag and carry onto the plane with me. My suitcase is checked through and, with a shoulder bag, I'm at my allowed luggage limit. It's a drag though… I'm carrying a very expensive guitar in a soft case and it's not really how it should be. Buy hey, I played the shows and made it home ok, both me AND my guitar. The other option of course is to buy an extra seat on the airline for your guitar. BUT you can't do that online either.

And another thing about airlines: For many airlines, before I am allowed to check my guitar through, I am requested (or told actually) to sign a disclaimer which states “said Airline Company is not responsible if they break or damage your instrument”. If you don't sign this little waiver then of course you are not allowed to check your instrument though. Nothing you can do. Of course I sign when I must but I always write “in protest”. Not that it does or would do me any good. And there are many, many horror stories out there about the abuse guitars suffer at the hands of baggage personal. It's not a wonder with this kind freedom from responsibility they have. To be clear though, my Froggy Bottom guitar travels in a Calton case AND I have full insurance on all of my instruments. Now if I could only afford 3 more Calton's for my other guitars! Then there is the issue of being able to afford to fly with them. Ouch!!!

I feel better now and thanks! Smooth sailing amigos!

Portugal Postcard

02/23/08 (Saturday)

Hey everyone. I'm sitting here in Porto, Portugal at a nice little beach side bar at the edge of the city, just putting the finishing touches on this postcard. I'm here this weekend to play as a solo act for the Festival Para Gente Sentada in Santa Maria de Feira, (appx. 30K outside Porto. I had my own 45 minutes there last night along with Nina Nastasia (USA), Sean Riley and the Slow Riders and tonight it was supposed to be Norberto Lobo (acoustic guitarist-P), Joe Henry + Band (USA) and Richard Hawley (England) but Mr. Henry had to cancel because of illness.

Nina Nastasia, friend Kennan & TLH

A medium size auditorium for a sit-down concert of dedicated listeners was a real treat (300-400 people?) and I played a pretty good set. The focus here is on songwriters and folks tell me that this kind of “festival” is not at all that common in Portugal. People come from all over Portugal to participate and it's a wonderful supportive and creative atmosphere for performer and audience alike. Past acts have included Davendra Banhart, Robert Fisher, Rosie Thomas, Woven Hand, Sparklehorse, Sufjan Stevens, Fink to name just a few.

Anyway, I had some time off today so I got a ride into Porto to check out this ancient port city. I played here once (at a jazz club) a few years back but I never had the time to do any sightseeing. Festival manager Jose Rodrigues kindly wrote up a short list of suggestions for me to do for the 6+ hours I'd have in the city before I had to catch a ride back to see tonight's show. I had a very nice time and it was great to be able to get the inside scoop. Highlights included:

Lunch at Mercearia Restaurant which was reached by taking the funicular (basically a street car that runs up and down the side of a steep mountain) down from the castle which overlooks the river which is where this restaurant was located.

View from my table

The place itself was in kind of a touristy area but it was cool too as it was right at the river. The day was kinda overcast so there were not a lot of people. I had an excellent lunch of Robalinno Ao Sal (white fish with sea salt and boiled baby potatoes) and an extra fine and perfectly chosen bottle of chilled Vinho Verde (a slightly dry ‘whitish' white wine) and a nice local pudding for desert.

After that a slow walk along the river and back up the mountain to take an old electric street car to a pretty square (Praga dos Ledes) where I had some more beer at a popular hangout Café Piolho. A 15-minute cab ride (6€!) took me out to the ocean to a popular restaurant and ocean side bar at Foz (Café Praia Da Luz) where I am now writing this postcard. One lone surfer riding the high storm tossed surf and there are a few of us in here sipping beers. A great way end to a long day of walking, picture taking, window shopping and sightseeing. Super friendly people, a pretty city along with good (and inexpensive, especially compared to France!) food and drink make this city a great visit for anyone.

Church done in tile

02/24/07 (Sunday)- Now I'm just waiting for my ride back to the airport and the short 2 hour flight to Paris. Last nights show was a bit anti-climatic for me I guess. I was disappointed at not getting to see Joe Henry who is a writer I've long admired. Richard Hawley and his band were good as well as Norberto Lobo & JP Simons who preceeded him. Mostly though I just hung out in the foyer drinking beer and talking with folks. It was fun, loose and friendly.

Certainly I have to say one of the very best parts of my work is having the chance to visit such nice places as this. Thanks to everyone here who helped make my stay such a pleasure.

Muito obrigado

Best Of 2007:

(a note: outside of "In Rainbows", the list below is not in any particular order. I included the movie and live shows because they were indeed some of my favorite musical experiences of the past year).

#1- Radiohead, "in Rainbows" - produced by Nigel Godrich and without a doubt my favorite. This record from beginning to end inspires, charges the batteries and gives hope for the future. Great songs, musicianship, and the production is superb!! Probably not for everyone's taste but a wonderful record nevertheless. (I also loved their courage in posting this music for
sale on their own site on a pay as you can/want basis).

Charlotte Gainsbourgh, "5.55" - produced by Nigel Godrich & Air. Lovely songs, production and quite addicting.

The Shins, "Wincing The Night Away". The best road music in the world last year. Fun rock and roll. Play Loud!!

Vic Chesnutt, "North Star Deserter" Vic has hit a home run with this CD.
Every song is spot on and he still can make you laugh! Another great collection of mix and match music from a master songster.

CirKus, "Laylow". Nenah Cherry and mixed cast of 3 other European hipsters make a totally cool and groovy record. Intelligent music with teeth! Our house favorite of the year!

Arcade Fire, "Neon Bible", This band just gets better and better. A careening explosion of darkness, defiance and optimism. A remarkable band!

"Once" written and directed by John Carney. Featuring Glen Hansard (The Frames) as a street busker in Dublin who meets fellow street person/musician Marketa Anglova. The movie is the short story of the guy and girl coming together and the making of a demo of Glens new songs. A totally cool and fun movie with an amazing singer that I knew nothing about before seeing this flick. Wonderful musical performances!

Any Chris and Carla live show (I saw 4 in Spain). Magical evenings of songs and music by 25 year musical partners. One electric and one acoustic guitar, 2 vocals and a set list of great songs performed with remarkable skill and grace!

(Song of The Year: Chris & Carla, "Twilights Last Gleaming" from '07 release of "Fly High Brave Dreamers")

Richard Shindell - a live concert I saw in October at the Pomme d'Eve - Paris, France. A wonderful and inspiring performance by a great songwriter and guitarist.

Holiday message December 2007

Hello everyone and happy we’re here to celebrate another!

It’s the Christmas holiday season again and the time to perhaps recap the past year, count our blessings and turn our attentions and energies towards the New Year. I know you all have your own stories - some good and some hard - so I can only hope you’re weathering your storms well and are surrounded with the love and support you need at all levels!

For me it’s been a roller coaster of a ride I must say. Maybe that’s the way it always is although this past years highs and lows have seemed to be more extreme. My marriage to long time girlfriend Katy (actually in December of 2006) was the biggest change as we just celebrated our one-year anniversary a few days ago! It was a great and auspicious way to begin 2007! The release of “Shotgun Pillowcase” on Borderdreams Records in February was the other major accomplishment. The record has been received with much praise and that has been gratifying. Sales have been lower then anyone wanted though but I guess that very same story has spread itself through all of music-land. It was a lot of work and I really felt lucky to have been able to get the record out into the world. There is a lot of music out here right now. Like white noise I think.
What else in ‘07? How about: meeting and touring with bassist Nicolas Chelly (Fingerbones), 3 trips to Spain (one time of which were shared gigs with Chris and Carla!), a long summer visit to Seattle and the gigs shared there with Carla Torgerson and Rusty Willoughby as well as 4 East coast shows and songs w/ Joseph Parsons and Todd Thibaud, meeting a brother I never knew I had, wonderful stand-up applause concerts in Germany and Holland, a quick visit (3 nights) to San Francisco in September, flying down to Bolzano, Italy to do one show and getting to hang out with friend Stefano for 24 hours and blasting down the highway listening to music and, finally of course the continued love and support of many dear and valued friends.

And speaking of music: I think it’s been the best “new music year” I’ve seen in a long time don’t you? Some great concerts as well but I’ll post my “top 10” list here at the end of this month.

For 2008 we are adding a drummer to Fingerbones and we’re already looking at shows back in Germany for late April as well as shows elsewhere in Europe. This is not going to be a big-kit drummer but more like percussionist/drummer. I’m keeping the music on the acoustic side of the sonic scale. It’s going to be great though and I am very excited about this new addition. I’m also going to come back to America to play some solo dates but its such a big place where the hell does one start? I’m committed to doing this though so please stay tuned here for further details and dates.

Ok friends, old and new, young and old, man and woman. Whoever you are, wherever you are, please accept my best wishes for you and for yours in 2008 and beyond! An extra big thanks here to webmaster Stefano Dainese for his invaluable help in maintaining this very cool site and of course to my wonderful wife Katy for all her “everything’s”!! Happy New Year’s everybody!!

Your friend in music,

Terry Lee Hale
December 19th,
Paris, France

October 23, 2007

Hi Everyone -

Well, it’s almost November and here I am again with another postcard. Nicolas Chelly (Fingerbones) and I have been rehearsing the past couple of weeks and today will be the last one of those before we leave for some weeks of touring in Holland, Italy and Germany. As is usually the case I’m more then ready to climb back on stage and sing before a live audience. Slightly nervous as well but that’s just normal for me. I do have some brand new songs ready for this tour and I’m quite happy about them. Working song titles are: “Born Lucky”, “Dreams”, “17”, “The Sable Venus” and my first (and probably last) Christmas song ever, “Christmas In The Chapel”. Hmm… actually that song has been around for a few years but I’ve never played it live before. ‘Tis the season to be jolly ha-ha. Anyway… I hadn’t been doing a lot of writing since Shotgun Pillowcase came out and I was beginning to worry a bit about that state of affairs. Although I am not the most prolific song writer around I do keep up a fairly even flow of new material and I was thinking that perhaps I’d run into the proverbial ‘writers block’ one hears so much about. It doesn’t feel like any kind of ‘block’ though. Mostly like I’d just been too busy doing and thinking about other things to write songs. When I actually cleared my desk and dedicated some time the songs came fairly easily. It’s easy to get caught up in the outside world, as you probably know.

For now though I’m focusing on this tour, these new songs and the chance to get out of Dodge for a while. For the web page now I’ve just completed a new article about my use of open guitar tunings. Hopefully you guitar players will find some information inside that you can use and perhaps inspire you in your own songwriting and playing endeavors. Writing this piece has inspired me to start a series in which I’ll post a song every month (bi-weekly?) with chording positions, lyrics and perhaps a small story about the writing or inspiration of the song. The goal would be to share the basic guitar playing information with you and perhaps even collect all of those songs together into a book of some sort at some later date. I’d have to find some better guitar program to present the information in though. As you can see from this current article, I’ve had to take photographs of my chording notes and this is obviously not the best method. (If anyone has some information on where I can find something better would you please send it to me? I’m not interested in tablature but in the basic fingerboard diagram-like in my photographs - in which I could present the guitar tuning and enter finger positions etc.).

Picture: Rafael Garcia

Ok - I guess that’s it for now. This past week I’ve dug out from the back of the closet my heavy coat, scarves and gloves as winter has apparently arrived at last. It was down to zero last night here in Paris and that’s not warm. I trust you all have your firewood cut and stored, your antifreeze checked and your own warm clothes cleaned and readied? Ok then. Hopefully if we are passing close to your city you’ll be able to come out and see the show. If you are new here to the site, please sign up for our mailing list where we’ll keep you posted of touring dates and such. I do enjoy hearing from you so drop us a note if you want. It’s always a pleasure. That’s it for now and thanks again for stopping by!

Your friend in music,

Terry Lee Hale
October 23, 2007
Paris, France

USA Summer visit 2007

Where to begin? How about right now while I am sitting in the Philadelphia airport awaiting my return flight to my home in France? This seems a good time to begin this letter anyway. I've been stateside for 6 weeks which were spilt evenly between west and east coasts. It had been almost 3 years since I last visited Seattle so the trip was necessary and important for me. I couldn't be happier now, at the end of it all, with how it all came together for me. I visited with the all those family members that needed seeing, saw lots of good and dear friends, met a brother I didn't even know I had until this past November (!), took care of some long overdue taxes and business and of course played some music and introduced my American audience to my new CD “Shotgun Pillowcase”.

West Coast - June 4 th - 25 th .

Seattle seemed much the same to me although, as written in the previous postcard, there was lots of growth and activity in the City. It felt good to be back after such a long time away. I really enjoy myself here. I think I will always feel that Seattle is “home” for me no matter how many miles away I roam! The Northwest is still a beautiful part of the world. Towering mountains, beautiful skies and the waters of Puget Sound sparkling on a blue-sky, clear day is hard to beat. Europe for sure has its charms and beauty but there is certainly something “fresh” and “healthy” out here that is refreshing and important to me. I spent my time visiting family and catching up with what was new in the lives of as many of my friends as I possibly could. One common denominator that ran through it all though was the realization that we were all getting older. People were married now, had kids (who had children even!), lives, jobs, responsibilities, divorces and yes, even a few deaths. I moved here in January of 1984 so you can add the numbers and of course this old world keeps moving along. When you are away from a place for a long stretch I think you feel the press of time more then when you're around day after day. This was how it was for me anyway. What was cool though was that those friendships that were made so long ago still felt vital and important! Isn't' that the definition of friend?

Music - I didn't see as much live music this time as I normally do although Seattle and Portland are still loaded with bands. Don't label them grunge either. The styles are numerous and beyond counting. There is a healthy club scene in both cities and plenty of bands vying for spots 7 nights a week. I did manage to see great performances by old friends Swallow and Sky Cries Mary. Good friend and former band-mate Jack Endino was laying down killer (and loud!) guitar riffs in one of his bands called Slippage. I also shared the stage on different nights with songwriters Rusty Willoughby, Jared Clifton, and Carla Torgerson & Jed Ward. 2 shows, one at Conor Byrne's Tavern in Ballard (a north Seattle neighborhood) and the other at The Buzz Coffee Shop in Sequim, WA. were especially satisfying with great turnouts and warm and responsive audiences.

I was only able to take my 6-sring Froggy Bottom guitar though so I was a bit bummed by that. Much of what I do as a musician is connected to the different kinds of guitars I play (6 and 12 sting, Dobro, classical). I did go ahead and play many of the new songs from Shotgun Pillowcase but, for example playing “Evergreen” on the 6-string acoustic sounds (and feels!) much, much different then the Dobro which is where the song truly belongs (for me anyway). I'm going to have to find a way to travel with more then one guitar because I just not satisfied with such a compromise. (… Just pay the extra baggage right?).

East Coast- June 26 th - July 13th

Steamy and hot was the word for pretty much my whole stay here. While Seattle had been pleasant at 25 C (80 F) I felt like I ‘d entered a sauna when I stepped outside the airport in Philadelphia. Temperatures upward of degrees 30 C (90 F) and more almost daily and it's a real humid (80%), oppressive type heat as well. The land was cooking for sure. Good friend Joseph Parsons generously hosted me in his Philadelphia (air conditioned!) row house (see picture above). I did spend a short week with my daughter and her family (see picture below) in New Haven, CT. I met for the first time my grandson and of course got to know my granddaughter better.

Music - Joseph and friend Todd Thibaud had arranged 4 shows for us to do as the trio Parsons, Thibaud & Hale. This was a boon for me as Todd and Joseph have been working the eastern seaboard for years and years and have developed a good audience who I hoped would like my songs and music. So not only were these shows a great chance to play music with some fine musicians and friends but it was a real opportunity to introduce myself to a new audience. And that's just what happened. I arrived on a Monday evening, Todd arrived the next day to begin rehearsals. Our first show would be Thursday June 28 th at The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ. Todd, Joseph and I worked up a very nice mix of old and new songs for our 90-minute show and that also included a 2-song mini solo set for each of us in the middle. Here is what the set list looked liked:

Accidents (Parsons)

Big Sigh (Hale)

Simple Man (Thibaud)

Carry Us Away (Parsons)

Black Cloud (Hale)

Bury An Angel (Thibaud)

-solo sets-

Blue Bonnets Of Texas (Hale)

Hurricane Song (Parsons)

Long Champlain (Thibaud)

Watershed (Hale)

I Go On (Thibaud)

No Disguise (Parsons)

Tucson Sky (Thibaud, Parsons, Hale)

Left to right: Todd, Terry, Joseph.

All the shows went well although I had a case of the jitters for the first couple of nights. I was trying to remember guitars parts that I had written 5 years ago and it wasn't always easy. I did have chord charts that I'd written back then and those helped immensely. It did feel wonderful to be playing music with Todd and Joseph again and really reminded me of how very special those 2 songwriters are AND how magical it is when we all share music together! Anyway, by the 4 th show we were all playing better for sure and the songs were really starting to come together. A few more weeks of that would have been no problem for me! An extra thanks to both Todd and Joseph for their patience with my blunders and bloops and for their kind and generous hospitality as well!

Summary - Folks here in Europe often ask me if I ever miss living back in the States and my answer is always the same: no. Although I will always be an American citizen I have no wish to live there anymore. I do get homesick but that is different. Standard of life is much, much higher here. People in Europe might not have as many “things” in their homes or as many choices in the stores but that is just materialism. As a rule I would say that the chance to live peacefully and in good physical and mental health that most Europeans enjoy certainly outweighs any amount of electric can openers or big cars (for example) that Americans seem to treasure. Health and happiness is priceless. Living without fear is priceless. There seems to be lots of misery and confusion now in the states and a real sense of helplessness and alienation in the air. Perhaps with a presidential election coming a leader will step forward with a vision for the future that offers hope. In my opinion, it is desperately needed and long overdue! America used to be about hope and dreams. There are many of us out here in the world that wish for that helpful friend and good neighbor to return. Let us pray that it becomes so!

I'll close this letter now. Please don't forget to sign up for our mailing list. Mostly this is just to be able to send out touring information. We'll not bug you with weekly mails or anything. AND I hope (as always) that you've had a chance to have a vacation of sorts this summer and the opportunity to do something good for yourself. Summers don't last forever.

Terry Lee

July 30 th
Paris, France

Seattle postcard, june 2007

Hi Everyone

Well, first time in almost 3 years since I've been back home here. Needless to say it feels a bit strange. Seattle is in the midst of a very busy and ambitious construction phase. A new (their first!) "light rail" (read: metro) system is being built that will connect the downtown with the airport to the south (12 miles) and that will be great addition to this perpetually gridlocked town. Seattle is landlocked city between a large lake on the east and Elliot Bay (salt water) on the west and traffic here is consistently bad.

Also, land is extremely valuable here which makes rentals and buying homes, very, very expensive. A small studio apartment I hear is now renting for more than $1,000 per month! There are construction cranes everywhere though and it's been difficult for me to recognize any of my favorite landmarks in this changing environment. The economy (for the majority anyway) is good or at least so it seems. Anchored by Boeing (airplanes) and Microsoft (software) it feels is if there is a lot of money floating around. Big cars, construction, lots to choose from in the stores and all the subsequent hustle and bustle of any boom town certainly leads one to believe that all is well in the Emerald City. Of course that's just Seattle and I have yet to visit many places outside of here. Anyway, it's
been good to catch up with friends, family and, indeed, the city itself.

I've played one show in a small city (Sequim) which is located on the Olympic Peninsula a couple hours northwest of Seattle. 40 people crowded into a small coffeehouse and we all had a very good time I think. It'd been a long, long time since I'd played my songs to a mostly English audience.
It felt very good and I think most folks enjoyed the concert. Tomorrow night Carla Torgerson and I will share a co-bill at a small venue here in Seattle of which I am very much looking forward to. As I've said before, it's been a long, long time!

I'll write more soon!

May Postcard

Hello friends,

I just wanted to send a little note to everyone who came out to the venues to see us this past May. All of us, both Nicolas and myself and I know I can also speak for the club owners and music buyers, very much appreciate your support and participation. As I always say, live is still the best kind of music. It's the sharing experience that raises us as human beings and makes us more then just alone. The magic of that sharing though the music will and does change our very molecules, charges the cells and reinvents us at all levels. Please accept my most sincere thanks and know my gratitude for having the opportunity. We drove almost exactly 5,000 kilometers these past 3 weeks and without exception each night of the 17 shows was special and important. It was all of us - you, Fingerbones and myself - that made it happen like that and so we take the bow but please, pat yourselves on the back for it is your accolades that are sung as well.

Yours truly,

Terry Lee

Previous posts:

Springtime 2007 postcard

Hi Everyone,

Well, spring has sprung here in Europe. Although it has cooled off for now, all last week was generally 13+ (C) higher temperatures than normal. Forecast for the summer is for the “hottest on record”. Not surprising considering the state of the rest of the world. I know I am not alone in urging all our respective governments to further their efforts to bring down levels of carbon emissions and all pollutants in general. And I mean start leaning hard. Car companies would be a great place to start! Better (and more affordable!) public transportation is #2!

For the music:

Shotgun Pillowcase continues to be released worldwide. In America it will be distributed via BongoBeat Records <www.bongobeat.com> and you can buy it at:

Bongo Beat Records -

$15 US (includes postage) for USA/Canada

paypal to: <Ralph@bongobeat.com>

or international money orders to:

Bongo Beat Records

Box 93627

Vancouver, BC

Canada, V6E 4L7

It is my understanding that it will be available at Amazon.com next month as well. Retail stores interested in carrying the record can order from Burnside Distribution in Portland (they do not do mail order). I will try and keep you posted in regards all the outlets. We encourage you (once again) to support your local retail stores if possible for the obvious reasons. Ask them for the CD if they don't have it. Being in the store and on the shelves certainly gives the record a chance to be seen and heard by folks who might not follow the Internet like you do.

As far as I know the only places now that we don't have distribution are in Belgium, Holland, Luxemburg and France. We are working on making it happen though and I hope to have positive news soon! The record has been getting good to great reviews actually. I'm hoping the Americans and Canadians will “get it” as well!

Picture: Yannick Perrin

German tour dates are coming up real soon and I'm quite ready to be back on the road. Farris Smith Jr. left Fingerbones for greener pastures and I wish him the best of luck. Basque musician Nikolas Chelly has replaced him. Nikolas is a talented and sensitive professional who lives in Paris and is well versed in many styles of music. I'm thinking this pairing is going to produce some very groovy and far-reaching sounds. I'm serious about that too! It's been a long time since I've been this excited about making music with another musician!

I will be back in the States for the first time in more than 2 years this coming June and July. First I'll be in the Pacific Northwest for most of June and then on to the east coast until mid July. I'm looking forward to my return I must admit. Mostly I think for the chance to reconnect with my roots, my family and of course as many friends as I can manage to hook up with. I will be playing as much as I can but I booked this return rather late and so it's been difficult to find shows. If anyone has some ideas for gigs, please let me know. It's probably too late now for anything to get set up but I am making plans for a return stateside in October. For that time period I need some help. If you've some gigs or ideas of, please let me know. My return as a working musician is only going to work if I have some help. That means YOU! I've decided to try once again to find my audience there. That's not going to happen if I stay over here in 'safe' Europe. One step at a time but I believe for this to it will need to be a community effort.

Anyway, I guess but that's the story for now. This particular postcard turned out to be like a business report or something. I guess that's because I've been laying low for more than one year and now it's the springtime. Time to shed that winter skin and take flight! I feel good!

Take care of your love ones my friends and give yourself a big ole hug! We all need it in these crazy, bloody and sometimes lonesome days!

Still with mega-love from your friend in music,

Terry Lee

February Postcard

Hi Everyone

Break out the champagne! SHOTGUN PILLOWCASE is here! Well, almost…

February 15 saw the release of Shotgun Pillowcase in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain. There are some obvious omissions but I am hopeful that before very long I will be able to offer positive updates. If not now then very shortly (at least in the countries named above) you will be able to buy the CD in all your local and regional outlets. Online digital download stores plus the other dot-com on-line retail stores will soon follow. Like always, I urge you to support your local music outlets as I know they very much appreciate your business!

If you don't live in any of those territories and absolutely can't wait and you need your record today, you can order it through mail-order stores at Borderdreams (Spain) the German stores at Glitterhouse and Blue Rose. The links are on our Friends & Links page (link on the left).

I am not a store (nor do I want to be!) but if you have my personal email address (and you want the record now) then you can email me and I'll give you instructions on how to receive a copy from me directly. For the rest of you, please have patience, as I know that negotiations are currently taking place even as I write this postcard.

Other news

Please see the tour schedule for Spain and Germany (+1 CH date) for this spring. If all goes according to plans (ha!) then Fingerbones and I will be out in the rest of Europe in the autumn for more fun and adventures in sound. I'll also be in the States come June and July so if anyone wants my company, musical or otherwise please send word. I pretty much "gave up" on the States a few ago friends but I'd sure like to turn that around and get my little toes wet over there again. I could sure use your help though and if you've any ideas then please, let's talk!

As mentioned, we will keep you posted right here with the latest news and especially about where you can get your own copy of Shotgun Pillowcase!

One thing I can promise you is that Borderdreams and I have made a firm commitment to get this record into the stores at a very fair price. If you find that the price where you shop is excessive please do drop us a note and let us know the specifics. It means someone in the chain is taking advantage and I want to know about it.

We hope you like the record amigos. It's a good one!

Terry Lee Hale

December 5th postcard

"Shotgun Pillowcase" Update and Christmas greetings

Hey gals and pals

Season's greetings and all such happy ho-ho friends! Spending so much time here in Europe like I do, it's easy to kinda miss the whole holiday craze. Stateside of course it's a different matter. From Thanksgiving (last Thursday in November) on it's sell/buy, sell/buy, sell/buy. Well, they don't have Thanksgiving here so already things are delayed. It does get cranked up though but, generally speaking it's a much more low-key affair. I do like holiday celebrations though. It's fun for all the friends and family visits, the good cheer and food. Also I usually end up back in Concarneau (Bretagne) for a few days sometime between Christmas and New Years. Recently I've heard from Alain that the original Blind Doctors (including singer Tonio!) will be playing a one-time show December 29th at La Chappell. The support act will be an "air guitar" contest. Should be a sweat-soaked rock and roll extravaganza indeed!

Well, it's official. "Shotgun Pillowcase" will be released on Borderdreams Records worldwide February 15th. Contract negations took a bit longer then anticipated but everything now is finished and indeed the first promo copies of the CD are being pressed even as I write this. I'll say it again friends, this is a great record. It's quite a bit different than stuff I've done in the past but that was the intention. Read the included press release from Borderdreams. You know, it was one year ago this December that Chris Eckman and I went into the studio down in Ljubljana to begin the recordings. I can tell you truthfully that it has been a long, long wait for both of us to get this record into the world. I am absolutely tickled pink that "Shotgun" has found such a fine home as Borderdreams. I'm excited and more than ready to be able to share this new music with you. We will be able to put a song online soon directly from the album. Probably we'll do that through the myspace site but stay tuned for details.

September 1st postcard

Hey everybody- it's been too long since I've written but I'm back. I normally like to stay plugged in more than has been shown here lately but hey, it's been a dry spell you might say. I'm coming out of it now and perhaps that's a fitting place to be at the end of the summer. I am going to keep this mail as short as possible but I think that more than a few of you are probably wondering about where this mysterious recording of mine is!

Ok - the story: we finished the recording at the end of December, mixed at the end of February and the mastering was completed by end of April. Since then (yes, 4 months now!) I've been mailing this puppy around and looking for a recording contract. There have been (and still are) some little nibbles but so far nothing and no one label has committed. I am still discovering new labels by the day and I'm very active with talking to folks, mailing out promos and all the rest. You would not believe just how many record labels there are in the world!

It's also true that there are lots and lot's of musicians just like myself out there doing the same damn thing. The mails are full of unsolicited demos and much of it very good music too! I understand that recording labels have neither the time nor resources to devote to the deluge of demos they must receive daily. Some labels are super cool about the process (the best I think being FatCat Records from the UK. Check this link out for a super friendly and community oriented site:
http://fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/contact.php?id=3.
If you look elsewhere on that site there is lots of information for DIY - do it yourself - folks who release music on their own small labels).
FatCat and a few others have actually taken the time to write me back to politely decline my newest. Mostly though it's just the vacuum of silence. You don't know if anyone heard it, if they hated it, liked it or what? It's a frustrating situation for both sides I think.

It's also been difficult for me emotionally as you probably can imagine. I have recorded what I think is my best work to date and so far no one "gets it". Well, I should qualify who this "no one" is as being record labels and their representatives. For the rest of the world (or those few that I've sent it out to anyway) the response for "Shotgun Pillowcase" has been overwhelmingly positive and, dare I say, even glowing.

So that's been the basic story around here for the past 4 months. No booking, not much songwriting or even playing for that matter. Mostly just concentrating on one thing. Trying to get this record sold! Now in retrospect I can see that the summer of 2006 probably was the very worse possible time to be shopping for deal. The World Cup football of June and July (although wonderfully entertaining!) was terribly distracting, a very hot month in July made thinking about any future difficult and then of course here in Europe most folks take long summer vacations.

So - to answer your unspoken question about what's happening? Basically I'm kind of stuck in the mud but the wait is almost over. In two weeks I will either have (or be close to) a recording deal or I will commit myself to a DIY project. That means starting our own label here and handling the release of "Shotgun Pillowcase". Glorytone Records anyone?

I want to do a release (one way of the other) very early in 2007. A full European tour will follow and I will tour with a new band of sorts. (I have more news about what's happening with this but I'm going to save that for a later mail for you). Currently I am back to playing music everyday and writing again. I'm feeling strong, ready for the world and really looking forward to getting back on stage. "Shotgun Pillowcase" is ready to go with 11 songs, 44 minutes of music; lyric sheet and a wonderful cover picture by the wonderful American painter James Michalopoulos. I trust you'll find the music worth the wait!

Hi everyone… I'm currently writing this from Bourg en Bresse that is located down by Lyon in the middle eastern part off France. Actually you might have heard something about this area during one of your evening news programs. It is around this part of France that they have started killing 10's of thousands of birds because of the the "bird flu" which they found in one turkey just a few kilometers from where I'm staying. It seems poultry farms are a very important source of rural income in this corner of the world. Around this area where I'm staying all the farm poultry are required to be inside as well as are the cats. Dogs seem to be exempt from this rule for some reason. Even the hay and feed that is usually stored outside must be covered. Apparently what happened with the turkey is that, even though they were all inside a barn, some wild ducks got into the hay that was stored outside and so the germ was transported in the feed into the barn and thus the contamination. That's why you see them spraying disinfectants and the like on truck tires leaving those farms. They are really trying to contain the virus as well they should I suppose. The other thing that is worrisome is the fact that they want to start feeding antibiotics to the thousands of birds so as to inoculate them against catching the flu. Hey, I take a flu shot every year now. If you eat chicken or any kind of poultry though it is now something to consider. Too many chemicals are not good for anyone…

I'm down here doing a couple weeks of shows. It's been good to be back on stage. Small venues but I'm having a good time. Folks are buying Cd's which is a good sign that I'm playing good anyway. I've some new songs that need playing and that's fun for me. I've not been playing any of the new songs from "Shotgun Pillowcase" either. Instead I'm saving those songs for next fall and the touring then.

"Shotgun Pillowcase". Yup, that's the name. You might wonder what the hell does that mean? I'll just say that those 2 words were lifted from the lyrics of one of the included songs and that you'll have to buy the Cd to figure the rest out. It's not tricky or anything. Just a title that steps outside of the normal and, along with the music help identify a new musical chapter of TLH music. I think it's going to be great I might add. Right now though I'm just waiting for Chris Eckman to finish one of his productions as he will be sitting in on the mastering sessions which will happen in Slovenia before the end of this month. Tucker Martine did indeed mix the sessions in Seattle and they are sounding really, really great. He did a wonderful job. All the sounds are distinct, clear and rich. Those are just words I know but I think you will agree with me when you hear "Shotgun Pillowcase" that this is some of my best recorded work in years.

What's next? Not much to report I'm afraid. I'd like to be working more than I am but I've not been doing much booking as I've been waiting on the new Cd. I have been actively looking for a residency in Paris and I've found a couple of nice places that just might work out. By residency I mean a place where I can play one night a week for a month or 2. I need the activity to be honest and Paris is a very tough place to get a gig. Although I can always find a gig I just figure the best thing for me to do while I have all this time on my hands is to find a little music bar that has some slow nights (Tuesday, Wednesday i.e.) and set up shop for a couple of months. Good for me to work on new songs, invite some guests in, build up the business for the club and just play music. It's not always about the money you know… I've also recently purchased a mBox and the Protools software that goes with it. This little bit of gear is the basically the last step in the chain that I need to complete my home recording "system". It will take me awhile to figure the thing out and it won't be easy but I'm hopeful and excited. My first goal and project will be an instrumental only project that I've been thinking about for years and years. Seems strange to even be talking about another Cd project especially when the new one isn't even completed yet. Still, that's the way it is. There are always new songs to write and sing and now, to be recorded as well. I like it!

That's the story from here. The weather has been cold and everyone is wishing the winter would go away. Me too! It has been a long one. All the best,

Terry Lee

New recording to begin! Yes, at last. I've not been saying anything about it for a couple of reasons. Mostly because I haven't exactly been sure in which direction this was going to go until quite recently. Everything has been decided though and set into motion. Producer/musician, coconspirator and friend Chris Eckman (Walkabouts, Chris and Carla, The Strange) and I will enter the studio on December 5th down in Ljubljana, Slovenia to begin the recording. We have booked some days more than 2 weeks to record and then we'll send it out to be mixed. (This part we're still working on but we do know who we want and we're keeping our fingers crossed that this wish come true!). I've written 6 brand new songs this past month plus we're adding 2 songs from the unrecorded TLH 'archive'. Also for the first time I'll be covering 2 songs written by other artists. Chris will be handling the engineering (we're using his studio gear in an empty room somewhere is my understanding) as well as adding effects and will, I'm sure be playing as well. The only other musician I'm sure of at this point will be Al DeLoner (Midnight Choir, Hoest) but I'm confident there will be other guests as well.

That's about all I can say right now mostly because this will spin off into its own direction once we get going and I'm not going be responsible for any misdirection's here in this postcard. I am working like a madman finishing
some of the lyrics and just doing the "tighten up" on all the songs in general. I'm nervous, excited, happy and supremely thankful to be in this place where I am now. I really do love to make records! I have so much respect for Chris as a musician, songwriter and producer and I'm very lucky to be heading into this project with him as a partner. That's the short story folks. I will keep a studio diary again and hopefully have a chance to post it. If not while the recording is happening than we'll save it for
later reading.

The only other thing right now is that I'm booking a few shows for Holland and Belgium for late Jan. and early Feb and should be able to post those dates shortly. I already have 4 dates confirmed so please stay tuned for that information.

That's about it friends. I'm sure most of you are very much aware of the fact that cold weather is on the way. Of course some good friends of mine just moved to Malta so not everybody is digging out their scarves and gloves. They say that it's going to be a hard winter in the Northlands.
After the crazy spring and summer the world has seen I won't be surprised at all. Gotta go now.
I hope each and every one of you is doing well. Take care of the drinking and driving ok? We want you all around and in good health when we come play music in your town in future. All the best and, oh yeah, Happy Holidays!!

Hi Everybody-

well, I’m late again here with news from TLH central. I don’t know what happened to the summer but already it’s the last week of September. Actually the rain just arrived today after almost 3 glorious weeks of sunshine and it’s been a beautiful fall here in France. Elsewhere of course they have not been so lucky. Today though the rain has driven me indoors and to my friendly little Mac here at the desk. What’s up with me? Read on…

One word about covers it all: songwriting. I am in the midst of preparing new songs to record in a hoped for new record later this year. Whether the recording sessions will even happen or not depends on if I have enough good material. Simple huh? Well, so far (and it’s October 2!) I have 3 that are considered “on the list”. Just songwriting?

Ok, I’m always writing songs. I mean it’s an ongoing process. There are always 10-20 songs in various stages of undress floating around here. I pull them out periodically and if nothing is happening with them they end up back on the shelf until the next occasion. I’ve got time to do all right? What is different about now is that I’m NOT putting those “best” ideas away. I’ve made lists of all those “best” ideas and I’m consciously and methodically working through to completion of each one of them. Finishing the song is the goal. For me the process and journey of the writing itself is as important as the finished piece.

I have the 2 6-strings, the 12, Dobro and nylon string guitars all within easy reach of the desk here. When I run into a writing wall with any one song I still will put it aside for a short period and reach for guitar number 2 and so on and so on but I will be back. Each guitar is in a different tuning. I accept no excuses from myself either. Some days it’s just one sentence or even a word per song. It’s hard work believe me. Although these days I believe I do have more “skill” with word usage and song structure and all of that, songwriting for me is still as much of a challenge as it always has been. You still have to have something to say and you have to be able to write it honestly (even if it’s just a “story”!). Something new but also never heard before if that makes sense. So I work.

The other notable difference for this 2005 autumn period is that I’m not out on the road somewhere, which has been the way of things these past 10 years. In fact I think this is the first autumn in a long, long time where touring hasn’t been the main focus. (Ok, I am doing a few shows in France and Spain - please see touring dates for that info - but just a handful and these were gigs that were set in motion last spring). There were a few factors involved in the decision not to tour but the main reason for this change of pace was for me to try and minimize distractions and focus on just the writing. Believe me, touring is one hell of a distraction.

Everything that I do is changed by the fact of my playing live. I play the guitar differently for one thing. Other changes touring puts me through are the fact that my attention is turned outward vs. inward. There are always lots of phone calls to make, computer time to log in, and equipment to get ready ECT. The writing time that I do have is equally divided between the new songs I’m writing or trying to finish up (for the tour perhaps - always a great place to “test” new songs) and also having to relearn and practice the older tunes that will make up much of my touring set-list.
We’re talking about something like 30 songs that I like to have available if I need them. So, quite simply put, I want the best possible collection possible of new material for this next project and the best way to get that happen is to apply my attention to songwriting and nothing else. So I work at home with this purpose in mind.

There are still distractions of course. Life just doesn’t stop happening because someone (me!) wants to write some songs. The lawn has to be mowed, the plumbing needs fixing, the garage needs converting to an office (!), food must be bought, friends come visit, junk needs to be sold at a flea market, relaxation is a must, lovers need to be loved and one must be available to be loved in return. Life right? And it is indeed happening to me most certainly.

Kinda on this same wavelength, friend Chris Eckman has loaned me the use of a digital recorder that he wasn’t currently using. I have supplemented this unit (basically a self contained digital recording station with 4 direct inputs, some basic effects, simple drum machine, ect.) with the purchase of some headphones, a good microphone and mic pre-amp, compressor, monitors and amplifier). AND then I’ve been learning how to use all this gear. It’s been work and certainly not as easy as I initially thought it might be.

As I’ve been moving through the various songs within these songwriting days I’ve been recording them digitally as well. Good sounding demos are something that I’ve always lacked and when given the opportunity to do something to change that I jumped. This digital recording can also be shared via mail, which is a plus (you burn a CD in other words!) I was also fortunate to have the offer from Chris AND some money in the bank! There is such a wealth of gear out in the world these days and so much information on “how to” that it really makes sense (if you can do it) to be able to at least record yourself at home. It was Chris’ idea (and generosity) that set this all in motion. Plus with a good microphone and some good gear (and recording technique!) you might actually record some good sounding and usable music in your home that might be hypothetically usable for a Cd.

I say hypothetically because getting good, high quality performances with equipment is a science and those skills must be applied in the recording of sound waves. AND you have to get a good performance all the while paying attention to the off/on button ECT. Not an easy thing. It is no accident that all those records you love so much sound so good. I’ve started to learn about this now and with varying degrees of success. It is a great and exciting challenge for me though and maybe in a few years perhaps I might even be able to do a TLH CD from beginning to end. Ultimately though that is not the goal.

I am a songwriter and a recording artist and that’s what I love to do and should be doing. I’m not interested in learning to be an engineer. If I can learn how to use these tools so that they help in better documenting my music that’s great and important. Learning how to navigate my way around a studio in a more professional and skilled way helps further my songwriting and creation endeavors and I am a better musician. Even now, after this little bit of time I’ve put into this new learning I feel better able to at least communicate to sound engineers in a clearer and more precise way which will help both of us both make better records. So I work.

That’s what I’m doing now my friends. Where this will end up or what the next one will sound like I haven’t a clue. Even when it will happen I still don’t know. To be honest I’m a long way from having the songs I need and want. I wanted to record this Nov./Dec but I’m really not sure it will happen then. I can promise you that it will be the most interesting, far-reaching and best work to date. But until those songs are written, recorded and agreed upon by more than just myself I will stay home and work.

PS: just a short word of thanks that all my friends, family and fellow musicians that I know and love down in Texas and the gulf States are doing “ok”. Some have been displaced and no one has been unaffected but those that are connected to me personally are all ok. They are the lucky ones. Many lost everything if not their lives. It is certainly not lost upon me (and most of the rest of the world) that the death and destruction visited upon America, the worlds largest polluter and consumer of energy, comes shortly at the heals of the current governments refusal to even recognize that global warming is world wide phenomena and a very real and manmade assisted catastrophe!

That the poor people of America have born the brunt of nature’s wrath only compounds the political and economic signature of an administration that seems intent upon further lining the pockets of the very rich at the expensive of us all. Surely it is not those people that directly feel the effects of displacement, hunger or shortage. All of us in the world reap the policies of their callousness, avarice and greed. The scary part is that it is that, even in the face of all the scientific evidence to the contrary, this administration continues in their policies of denial, obfuscation and lies for the sole purpose of enriching those very same companies that are actually in the forefront of helping to cause the destruction currently unleashed in the Gulf states. Cynical of me you ask? Without a doubt! Think about it!

Paris postcard

Hey everybody. I'm more than a little tardy with greetings and news for you. No real excuses except just plain laziness I guess. And now I'm heading off for a few weeks of well-earned vacation time. I'll make a deal with you- if you check back here at the end of August I'll review some of the recent spring touring for you, have some news about my future plans (recording and touring) and perhaps an article or two about some stuff I've been thinking about lately. To be honest, right now I just want to forget about everything but some good old-fashioned songwriting and the relaxation that comes with that. Wish me luck :)

Otherwise I'm feeling “fit as a fiddle” and hope to soak up some good vitamins on a beach somewhere sunny and warm. I hope you all get the same chance! With love and best wishes,

Terry Lee Hale
Paris, France
July 14, 2005

Welcome 2005!

Hi everyone! Thanks for checking in! Did the "holidays" seem extra long this year or what? Guess it probably depends on your circumstances. I for one was happy to say goodbye to 2004. America and the American election seemed to suck up lots of energy and stink up the world everywhere. Remember that I was in Seattle during this past Sept. and Oct. and it was scary there believe me. America is a mess right now and that's no lie. I've never seen so many homeless, jobless and depressed people as there are now. The war in Iraq, a whole level of general paranoia fueled by persistent and shameless American politicians, unrelenting natural disasters, worsening economic news worldwide and, and, and… it was difficult for me to feel nostalgic about saying goodbye to the year. The tsunami the day after Christmas seemed to just sum it all up. Horrible.
Now it's the middle of January and today I'm feeling good.

Actually looking forward to the year now, to new adventures and just life in general. I'm leaving to go to the "plant" store in a few moments so that gives you a good example of my optimism level here in early winter. Today I bought a used (Americans say 'pre-owned') Skill circular saw and a rake!! I've got all 5 guitars out of their cases and on music stands within easy reach. 4 in my office (2 6's, my new 12 and the Dobro) and the nylon string downstairs in the living room. I've got an American map, a full European one and a close up of Germany (I'm starting springtime bookings) on the wall. My little Mac/ Pismo G3 is humming along nicely (thank-you thank-you!). I've taken measurements of all my favorites posters and pictures and I want to get them in some nice frames even! The sun is shining, ok no birds but the house is warm and quiet, I'm safe and dry AND probably going to get a nice back rub tonight to! Really, a man can't ask for much more than that. Or can he?

Just recently I've started to get more serious about documenting all of my guitar tunings along with the finger and chord positions. Each open tuning (34 of them!) requires unique chord positions that I have to "invent" and, with so many of them now, I'm starting to forget some. My fingers always kind of remember which way to go (in a "ghost" sort of way) but I've noticed lately that sometimes I'll just run into a blank wall and can't remember how to play what I should play. Usually it will come back to me but it often takes a fair amount of effort. Over the years I've worked out this notational system that's not too hard for me to understand and I've kept haphazard notes scattered here and there. Basically they just show chord fingering and fret positions. Mostly I'm making and keeping these notes for myself. Without actually writing musical notes (which I don't) it's difficult to translate music into a language that others can read. I will try and post a song here though sometime soon and perhaps get some feedback if someone else is interested and wants to try. Any requests for songs please just ask. No promises this will work for you though.

And for the rest it's ok. I've been turning my thoughts to a new recording and I actually have a very good idea of what I want to do for the next one. I cannot speak of it just yet though I am actively working on it. I've also begun booking for spring so, and once again, if anyone has an idea for me about where to play please don't forget to send word. I'm looking at the usual European countries and I'm especially interested in summer work ok? I do have some more to share with you including some cool music that I've listening to but now it's time to close this little letter. Be good to yourselves and remember who loves you!

Your friend in music,

Terry Lee Hale
Paris, France
January 11, 2005

I'm just getting ready to leave for gigs south and wanted to just send a little hello before I left. That I survived the rigors of driving from Paris-Stockholm-Oslo (and beyond) and then back again is of course evidenced by the fact of this mail. I just beat the snow up there as I just got a mail from a friend of mine who got snowed in driving up to Trondheim. A 7-hour drive took them 17 but they had to get pulled from a ditch somewhere.
I can say that while I was there it rained a lot, was dark as hell, cold and just plain old miserable most of the time although when I was south of Oslo (Larvik, Skien) it was rather nice for a couple of days but still below 0 at night. The colors in Norway are really striking I must say. They truly remind me of the Pacific Northwest and it's not hard to see why so many Norwegians settled up there. It's exactly like home. Really though, one of these days I must take the fjord boat trip up the coast. It's quite a remarkable land to be sure. Thanks to all my friends and fans up there who made the trip the success it was.
I know I'm not such a big name and folks don't take so many chances these days on music they don't know but still, for those folks who did come out, I played well I think and I'd like to believe most everyone had a good musical evening.

Well, as you know, since the last time I wrote the election has been and gone and of course we all know the outcome. I just read tonight that John Kerry is thinking about running again in 4 years? I'm sure Jeb Bush or Arnold is hoping the same thing. Come on America! Can't we be a bit more creative and bold in our choices? But don't get me started. 4 years from now is a very long time and we all must get to that finish line before making plans. I will say to all of you who feel so dishearten, alienated and disgruntled - all things must pass and this will too. There are a lot of people looking very, very closely at what Jr. is doing and believe me, those folks are not without a voice or power of their own.

Yes, I am sorry that Bush is back in office but I refuse to cower in my home or disown my country because 48% of the electorate chose to believe lies. That we are in for a prolonged period of assaults on our personal liberties is a surety. That the whole world must face up to the power of might over right is a reality. But I believe that America must stand for more than what the neo-conservative - Christian fundamentalist - bigoted - pea - brainers push for and indeed vote for. We have a voice brothers and sisters! It is important for us to exercise that voice. And by "voice" I mean not only the power of the vote, but by where we spend our time and money. It's a powerful tool friends and it is the bottom line. Not only for the whole world but, indeed, for our own personal health! "It can't happen here"is not true anymore. It is very real and certainly a possibility. And so I close this little postcard.

Thanks again so much for tuning in. It is almost 7AM here now and I finish writing this with cup of coffee in hand. All my clothes and gear is laid out by the front door. The car is gassed up, new tires shining, snow chains safely stashed and she's ready to go. I must do one more Mappy .com and then I'm outa here. Looking forward to playing songs and music again as always. See ya out there friends!

Terry Lee Hale
November 19 Paris, France

PS: Happy Holidaze I guess I should say? Let it be so!!

October 2004

Hey Everybody- Well, I've been here 6 weeks now and I'm really ready to get out. 2 more weeks to wait though. The presidential elections are in full swing. It's hard to believe that America would even contemplate 4 more years of the current administration but as I write this little note here the race is pretty much a dead heat. The "dumming" of America. Ask no questions, believe what your told on the television and march lock-step in motion. Have we seen this somewhere before friends?
There ARE many, many people here who are opposed to what is happening and I don't want you to think otherwise. Whether these folks are in the majority I don't honestly know. And the really sad and scarry part is that even IF we are in the majority, it does not mean we can change the president. As we all know, Al Gore won the election 4 years ago and look what happened. It certainly can happen again. Already, lawyers from both parties are lining up and getting ready to contest in the courts every single vote. On the positive side though, people in record numbers have signed up to vote for this election. Everyone on both sides understands just how important this all is. Whether all of these new voters will make a difference or not no one knows. Jeb Bush, governor of Florida, was heard to say that "we will find the votes in Florida to get him (Jr.) re-elected".

Wish I could feel more positive friends... as I write this even Mt. St. Helens, our volcano here in Washington state, is rumbling and shaking. I'm just hoping it all holds together until I can get away. My friends here keep telling me to be positive and BELIEVE... We are all so tired of having the "fear flag" waved at us. Go John Kerry... a new direction for America indeed!

Terry Lee
October 13,
Seattle, Washington

July 2004

Hey everybody

sorry I've been so late in my update here. I know it's been some time and there is a lot to catch up on. To be honest I've not had much energy for this page though as I've been dealing with some post touring "blues" I guess you could call them. Nothing life threatening but it's been difficult to see beyond my immediateness as it were. Last night though I happened to be reading over some notes I had made during the April Czech dates and I was reminded just how much fun I was having at the time and so that got me thinking about the overall picture and …, well here I am. A bit slimy you might say but freshly crawled out of my hole nevertheless. And I might add that it's not easy to feel so blue while staring out my back door here in Monche Breton on this lovely Sunday morning.

Certainly the birds are all proclaiming my ignorance!

As usually happens when I'm "down" I picked up some germ somewhere and so I've been laying around, blowing my nose, with a little pokey fever and not much energy. I've been up here a week already and was beginning to wonder just how long this "bug" was going to last. I have not felt much like doing anything but reading and playing computer chess. My Internet connection up here has been screwed up so I haven't even been able to keep up with business either. (Here is the appropriately place to hang the sign: "no whining allowed"but hey, this is MY space). To top it all off, all of my 3 regular guitars have remained in their cases. No inspiration. Arrghh…… And so, arriving at the bottom, my favorite dumb-log pastime finds me staring at the television screen, guitar in hand (my "other" guitar that is - the classical) watching the opening Euro-cup football game. What I like to do in such doldrums is pluck along making football (basketball, baseball, and bicycling ect.) soundtrack music (?), kinda half-in, half-out of both worlds and, believe it or not, what often happens is some musical idea comes along. The trick of course is to get to the end of the game (if it's a good one of course and this one was! BTW-Greece 2, Portugal 1) without forgetting the good musical parts.
Anyway, the game finished, I got it recorded and documented and, as is usually the case with me, new music has therapeutic and rejuvenate properties. Voila! A long story to get me in front of this computer screen and both of us to this Sunday morning. Now guess what? The washing finished and time to be hung up, it's lunch time and I do believe I'm gonna see if any of my shoes and clothes still fit (it's been jogging pants, t-shirts and sandals this past week!). I'm gonna see if see if these shaky legs of mine still work. It's a good time for a walk I think. Stay tuned… :}

18H00 Yes thank-you, the walk was lovely.

I've got some binoculars here and I enjoy spying on the birds and cows and such. There are no neighbors to look at anyway - I know what you're thinking though! I am feeling better. Some fresh air has helped for sure. How simple it all was… I even had a few moments with the guitar afterwards and the song from last night's football game has held up reasonably well which is good…
So, what about these blues? To some extent or another I usually have them a bit immediately following any tour. Let's face it. Touring is a dream world. Travel, hotels, gigs, restaurants, friends and fans and yes, we even get paid for it at the end of most days! Also I had the pleasure of traveling and sharing all of this with 2 friends and fellow musicians. Who wouldn't want to do this longer?

I for one wouldn't mind working a couple hundred such gigs a year. I come nowhere close to that either and it IS a letdown faced with the blank pages of the calendar. To be honest though, this particular lack of work ahead is partly my own doing but not all of course. As most working musicians would tell you, at least in Europe anyway, gigs are tougher to find these days. Less and less audience for the clubs, fewer clubs even and not so much money in people's pockets (thank you M. Euro!) for entertainment. All of which combine for a tight market for live acts like myself. On top of all of this though, I marked off a couple of my usual touring months as "down time".

I'll be visiting the States and Seattle in particular this coming September and October. There are a few different things happening here. One is that I've been feeling a need to kick back a little bit from the pressure of having to find work every spring and fall and, as crazy as that might sound to a gig starved musician living in Anytown, USA, it's true. Yes there is work here but you have to roll up your sleeves and go find it. Phone calls, agents, planning, organizing… I just have had no energy to wrestle with that "pig" this spring season for the work next fall.

Second thing is that I've been feeling a need to step away from Europe for a bit and this coming fall seemed the perfect opportunity. Those 2 things coupled with that fact that I've been wondering lately just exactly how my songs and music would fare in America these days? I guess that's natural enough. Folks often seem a little surprised when I tell them that I have nothing going on for me in the States (music wise that is) and of course that sticks in your head. Don't forget that I basically gave up trying to find outlets there (meaning gigs and/or a record company) for my songs and music back in 1993, which was when I got my "deal" over in Europe. Subsequent touring and the "move" here basically sealed that as a life style change for me and my attentions have remained pretty much directed over here since then.

Perhaps it's a good time to have a guitar in hand over there as well? As "f#^ked up as America is politically these days it's also a good time for "folk" singers. If you'll remember your history, a lot of America's best folk music was born as a result of the very conservative 50's and then the Reagan years saw the birth of "loud" folk and a resurgence of acoustic music. Maybe that's happening again? One certainly wouldn't hear about it from the radio or press though.

Maybe I'm a bit homesick too and why not? Grass is always greener and all of that. Of course I haven't forgotten the reasons I jumped at the chance to live in Europe are still very much present. Quality of life, a slower pace, less "pressure", paid musicians, pretty and "mannered" people and all the rest that makes Europe so livable. I'm sure to be reminded very fast about all of that by being away from it. BUT…

I guess the last thing that's part of all these "blues"(pile on) is that I no longer live in Concarneau and I miss living there and I miss my friends. It was a warm and friendly haven for me here in France. I miss the ocean and all her colors and moods and of course the summertime (I'm writing this in June) is the best time of all. It becomes quite addicting to see the ocean every day believe me. Forgive the pun but it's a big hole to fill in my life right now.

I'm quite fortunate to be where I am up here in the beautiful countryside of Pas de Calais but it's not the same. No friends up here either but of course there is hardly people up here. Also folks up here are not so used to strangers as they are in Bretegne. I'm not saying they are not friendly or anything because they are (especially in this little village here where I am) but there is just an ease and confidence about them there in CC that made Bretagne a very special and magical place for me. (Another big arghhhh here…)

So - thanks for reading this far. Now that I've had the chance to write all this out I no longer feel so bad. Of course. YOU are my psychiatrist today! It's par for the course that if you have the chance to write things out, think about it all, then things are not as "bad" as one thinks. And thanks again!

It's a few days later now than when I first began this letter and I'm back in Paris visiting for a long weekend. Tonight there is a kind of festival that I'm playing at (6 minutes!) sponsored by the "Alt-Country" magazine Crossroads. Lots of interesting names (Elliot Murphy Band, Gary Louris, Neal Casal, Jason Ringenberg, Mary Lee Corvette, Phil May, Arthur Brown, Vanilla Fudge, ect. Ect…) and this is all taking place at one of the most storied and famous venues in Paris, The Olympia. For that reason alone I said yes but of course the chance to meet a lot of these folks is not to be missed. 6 minutes though? I'm supposed to play 2 songs during this time slot but I've tried and tried and there is just no combination of 2 songs that I have that equal 6 minutes. That I want to play anyway. I usually come up with between 7-8 minutes. Anyway, I'm going to play a new song called "3 Days" which clocks in at something over 5:30. Hope that keeps them happy.

And so - I must close this letter now as it's just going on and on. Oh yeah, the show was fine. My little spot went well I guess, folks said they liked the song. You know me, I'm hardly ever happy about my own performances and this night was no different. It wasn't bad as I'm hardly ever "bad" anymore but I forgot some words and I messed up some chords and it all went by so fast I couldn't even catch my breath. I can only imagine what a live national television broadcast must be like? Anyway…

For those of you wondering when I'll be playing again it's all the way until next October. I'm working on tours in Scandinavia, France and Italy for late this year. After Christmas there will be more but I'll be back here with another letter long before then to give an update. I hope YOU are well where ever you are right now. I hope you all get to have some vacation time this summer and that it's some good quality time. I promise to not be so late in writing here again and please stay tuned, as I want to change a few things on the site. Some new downloads for sure, pictures from the spring touring and some more features. Czech tour diary to follow very soon. All the best,

Much love, Terry Lee

HI Everyone
Spring there where you are yet? It's slowly coming here in Paris and, as always, much anticipated. It was a very gray and long winter this past but not especially harsh. I just saw some American friends who were playing last night in Paris (The Ben Arnold Band) and they told me it had snowed in Philadelphia just before they left. Brrr…. It's not that bad here but still I'm waiting for that first really warm 'bring out the flowers' day.

I did want to just send you all a little postcard before I leave on my spring tour. As you probably know , the new CD is released in Germany by now and the other countries will soon follow. I am looking for distribution deals in Norway, France, Croatia, Slovenia and Portugal. If you can't find "Celebration What For" in those places you'd best look online at http://www.bluerose.com and order it by mail. Even if I do find outlets in those mentioned countries it will probably take until next fall to get the CD's in the stores. To far the reaction to the "Celebration" has been positive. I think folks are kinda surprised by how it sounds compared to what I have been releasing. For myself, I feel like it's a step forward and in a "new" direction. I'm not there all the way yet but it's what I want and where I'm moving. I'm glad that I went to Croatia to record it as well. Not only were the players great there but I think this CD definitely has a European "vibe" (smell?) and that's as it should be. Check it out…

So spring touring is upon us. It's a long one for me. I think it's something like 6000 miles (9000k+) in 45 days. Joseph Parsons will be coming over to play bass for the second half starting at the Prague show. I'm looking forward to that and if we can get him to be able to sing and play bass at the same time it will be fun to have the harmonies. I must admit though that I was overly optimistic about how much I could work in all of the countries. When I was looking at the blank pages of my calendar late in 2003 and deciding how much time to gig in each country I certainly overreached. With a majestic wave of my arm I assigned 1 week to Austria one week to Belgium, Holland and France respectively. Score from the lot? 2 shows. That taught me for sure. Mighty Germany and Go Ahead Tours stepped up to the plate though and provides us with the bulk of our gigs. Even at this late date we're working on adding shows in those countries so please stay tuned to the tour schedule for new additions. And in another but much more modest wave of this mighty arm, I am planning gigs for next November in Norway, Sweden, France and Italy.

I guess that's the short of it friends. For the future I can say that Hardpan and I are all on the same page about wanting to record another album but first Chris and Kelly Burroughs have to take time off to have a baby (June?). Congratulations to them for sure! They'll be great parents I know. For myself, I am making plans to return to the States in September and October this year. I will be taking a much-needed break, touching bases with family and friends and just being there will be good for me. To be quiet honest too, I need to reconnect with the American music public. I am finding that Europe is a small "country" and I can't continue to tour ever spring and fall in the same places. Terry Lee Hale again? I want to "plug" into some gigs over there and start working them. With the Internet now and cheap airline seats, it should be doable. After the lessons I've learned about the demand for TLH music over here it's clear that I need a larger world. I do think though that I'm playing, singing and writing better than I ever have. If I can just get my ego in control now…

See ya at the shows music lovers. Wish us luck and thanks for checking in!

Terry Lee Hale
Paris France
April 1, 2004

Much love, Terry Lee

2004 at last, back where I want to be and ready to do it!!

I'm sitting now at Schiphol airport just outside of Amsterdam and waiting for my train down to Paris. Tired but as always relieved to be on the ground again. For some reason the plane ride here (vs. Europe to US) always seems shorter. Lucky me. I had a great time in the States this past month. I saw a good amount of friends (not all I wanted BTW), ate and drank well, got lot's of rest, watched a good amount of television (mostly B-ball and American football) and just generally relaxed and had a good time. I didn't see as much music as I usually do but for those interested I did see Danny Barnes (ex- Bad Livers) and band again, John Doe (X), and some R&R bands I can't remember anything about other than loud and average. Seattle got a pretty good snow storm right in the middle of my visit so that put a crimp on things for a few nights. In general though I had a good time. I'm glad to be back here I must admit. The whole political and social atmosphere over there I don't understand very well anymore and I must admit to feeling much more comfortable over here. Again, lucky me…

So… right now I'm looking forward with great anticipation to these next months. For the immediate future I'm going to get the chance to do some writing of new songs (I hope!). Much overdue and needed! I'm feeling a whole lot of stuff swirling inside, plugged up but alive, vital and longing for the light of day. Overdue. Beginning in March I'll start touring again (see tentative schedule below). The new CD is at last finished and we're just now deciding on the finishing touches of artwork and CD design. It's a good CD and those that have heard it so far (not too many to be honest) have all had encouraging words. A new record company to work with, a new band to tour with and just a nice looking future on the horizon. All in all I'm feeling positive, full of life, and ready and willing to partake. Guess this little visit to the States was good for me huh! More soon and much love,

August, 20th:

The Heat

Yeah, it's been hot. Boiling, cooking, steaming, unremittingly hot.
Everybody's been suffering. I saw a sparrow yesterday in the Jarden Tuileries with its tongue hanging out. 300 pigeons today on a rooftop parking lot that would burn bare feet to walk upon, all lapping up puddled water leaking from an overworked air conditioning unit feeding its anti-lettuce wilting waves into the Casino shopping market below. Cat's flopped out. Hell, every fucking sidewalk shitting poodle and mutt in the neighborhoods sporting new doo's and shit eating grins. They are happy as clams. Yeah, it's been hot. I'm not sure I've ever seen leaves dropping like the autumn time, not because of colden nights but just dying the slow death from not enough water. Too much heat. Parisian flora and fauna.
Yeah, it's been hot. Stinking and silent subways. Overly displayed American butts and worse, all of them blithely ignorant of the looks and sad shaking of heads. Disgusting really but hey, what do I know?

But you know why I'm writing this? I was sitting here with the windows open wide. 1 AM. A nice breeze blowing the white lacy curtains to 45 degrees and I'm thinking "shit man, it's nice right now". Late dinners and one last shower. Coolness. All day long was worth this sweetness. Mornings 3 weeks ago with temps hitting 25 would have elicited moans, and god damming but you know what? This morning up until 11H00 I was thinking, "shit, this is nice. I don't remember it ever being this nice lately."
Know why? It's the heat. It changes things. It moves your internal thermostat which is connected to the odometer, which is directly connected to the chronometer and so on and so forth until what once important no longer matters. Hey, one's got to survive right? Ya gotta move things in this stuff. Duh. Obvious you say? I'm not so sure. Most folks just fight it. Complain, whine, moan, mope. Desultory gropings or nothing at all. Giving up.

Know what? Most people in the world live within 3 or 4 thousands miles of the equator. Wonder why? Maybe it's the sweet nights, the life that starts after 10. The sweet relief. The fucking with water pooling in your belly button splashing. The RICHNESS of it all made alive by, yes, the heat. Of course the truth is that any one of them would probably jump at the chance for a vacation in Finland in August right?

But of course I'm lucky now. I remember Texas and working out in this shit.
Never have forgotten that part. Nor should I really. I still remember driving off to work every morning, 85 degrees or more and happy for it cause it was going to go up from there. Don't remember overly complaining so much. I do remember how great the beer tasted afterwards. The life giving properties of a shower, tortillas, outdoor music and friends. Yeah, it was hot. But I also am quite aware that absence makes the hard grow harder and all of that. One tends to forget the pain and start romanticizing the good. $4 dollars an hour. Don't forget that and the rest would come back quickly if ya had to do it again.

But know what? All of that discomfort I was feeling today quickly evaporated tonight with the cool breeze. Open to the sky, the moon shining boldly and me open and happy to see it. Mars. Not closed up and hidden behind quilted curtains with door mufflers blocking out any chance of air.
Not wrapped up and hidden within from what was happening without. Directly connected. No clothes man. Naked except for the just barely socially acceptable boxer shorts and thongs. Cool enough. How hot can I take it?
More for sure. The sweetness of the night tonight. The freshness of tomorrows 6 AM air made that much more fresh only because of what was surely coming. How much I have been enjoying the respite. Every morning was nicer than the one before, the comfort zone lengthening. Yeah, it was gonna get hot today but what would I be like with another month of this? I'd just be a little thinner I'll bet, a little bit slower and probably a whole lot more friendly. No, I wouldn't trade any one of these scorchers for one hour of the misery of hiding behind clothes, plugged in automobiles, gloved, mufflered, hatted hiding of winter. Give me the heat boys, frees my soul!

Sanary, France
July, 26th:

So what's going on with me ? Not a whole hell of a lot to be honest. Not much work this summer as per usual. I had a good spell of songwriting early in June but since then if feels mostly just like treading water. Trying to figure out how to work with my new Mac computer has been challenging to say the least. Working on bookings for the fall and my normal guitar practice schedule basically fills my days. I did do the Orange Blossom Special festival in Beverungen in June. It was a great time with hot weather, one required rain storm of 2 hours duration on the last day, great live music, good friends, very late nights and a rather shaky 35 minute early Sunday set by yours truly! It was a too short set though as I was just getting warmed up when it was time to quit. Happy to be there and with the chance to play in any case! I played 6 new dobro songs which was cool and much needed and exactly 35 minutes on the dot. All in all the weekend was a great time and it's a wonderful little festival that's highly recommended. Be forewarned though: tickets are very difficult to come by. There are only 1500 available and they do sell out rapidly when they go on line (the only way to buy them BTW). I think they cost something like 28 euro's for the 3 days. Most people camp or hotel it although getting home late nights can be a problem (although taxis are available and were used!). Germany is not like France when it comes to drinking and driving! Have your fun but do not drink and drive!!!

It looks like I will soon be soon moving away from Concarneu of which I have mixed feelings. The woman that owns the house where I live has decided to use this home as a summer rental and even into the fall and springtime if she can do it. As she needs the income it's a good solution for her. Bad for me perhaps but only in so far as the inconvenience of moving. Usually how these kinds of changes effect me though is that although I hate like hell to have to pack up and look for somewhere new, in the long run it ends up benefiting me for all kinds of reasons. As much as I love living near the ocean, Concarenau is very far from everywhere, it's difficult and expensive to get to gigs and the rest. With that said I can honestly say that I would love to own a little farm inland a ways from CC. There are some wonderful old farms that can be had for fair prices in the area. CC itself is way too expensive for a struggling musician. I have been so fortunate to have landed here though and it will hurt to leave. I will miss my friends the most of course but there are new ones to made to.

Speaking of Concarneau I will be back there next wkd to play a small festival that my friend and ex-Blind Dr. Alain is organizing. One of my favorite French musicians Rudolph Burger will be playing with his "other" band "The Meteor Show". Also on the bill are 2 other favorites of mine. Beverly Jo Scott, an American living in Brussels now for many years and her band. A fine and expressive singer and very good songwriter and with a band which is one of the best live rocking bands you'll ever see. Also a favorite on the bill is Frandal with his new band who used to front the now defunct Roadrunners. Singing in French now and a wonderfully wild and crazy rock and roller. Should be a long and crazy weekend for sure. I can only hope that all this hot weather we have been having since my stay here in Paris holds at least through my upcoming week there.

I am happy a to report that I will be going into the studio this coming October to record the next CD!! I have decided to go down to Zagreb, Croatia and use 10 days there to put it all together. I'll use local musicians as I need them. I'm thinking of acoustic bass, cello, drummer/percussionist basically and various "others" depending on who's around. My good friend Dalibar from the Bambi Molesters has helped organize this for me. I'm very excited to be taking this step. Basically I decided to step out a little bit and go somewhere new. Challenge myself and the songs with a new environment, players and vibe. I'll certainly keep you informed of developments. I'm hoping that the release will be early 2004 but that's TBC (to be confirmed).

Please also look over the new tour dates for the fall. It looks to be busy for a couple of months anyway and I'm hopeful for more. I must go back to America for a visit before Christmas if at all possible. This time to Seattle to see friends and family, take care of taxes and all the rest of the things that don't get done during my long absences from there. What else am I forgetting? Can't think right now but I'm sure tomorrow morning there will be something. Please keep your cards and letters coming as I dearly love hearing from you. If you get any ideas about places for me to come and play don't forget to send word. I'm always looking for new places to pull out my guitar. Even now I'm talking with agents and making plans for the next year and for a musicians it's really now so far off. Like always I hope your well, having fun, using protection when you must and getting some satisfaction from your efforts. Until next time I remain your friend in music,

July, 10th:
The Wedding and USA

As you may or may not know, my daughter had her wedding this past April in New Haven, Connecticut and I of course was there. Her husband and his family are Italian immigrated from around Napoli and so the wedding was a real co-mingling of cultures (among other things !). I was a little nervous about the whole thing but as it turned out, I ended up having a great time.
My role was to just be the father and that was easy enough. I walked Liza down the church isle and delivered her to her husband to be at the altar.
Quite easy really and I even read a little piece from the apostle Paul during the ceremony itself. Liza was beautiful in her long white dress and in fact we all looked pretty good if I do say so myself!! I bought a new white shirt and had fun picking out the first tie I'd worn in 30 years!
The weather had been spring like during the week before the wedding and indeed the day afterwards the sun came out again but on that Saturday it was raining and raining hard! Good luck for the bride and groom they say and I hope it's true. The reception, dinner and dancing were held afterwards in a lovely old wood mansion overlooking one of the oceans bays just outside New Haven. I guess there were about 80 people. Great food and drink, tons of kids running around, teenagers giggling, grandparents and relatives from both sides of the family. Just a typical big ole shindig American style.
John and Liza were great hosts, rotating around the room and everyone had a very good time as the pictures proved afterwards. A fine day and ceremony to recognize their love before God and the world. I was certainly glad, honored and fortunate to be there and be a part of it all!

July, 10th:
NYC and Gigs

Although I was staying in New Haven, New York city is just 90 minutes away by train and I took the opportunity on my days off to visit. I had been there before but that was almost 30 years ago and I remember little about those visits now except how overwhelming it all seemed and how rude most people were to me.
I wasn't exactly sure what to expect this time but I was really surprised.
I found the people to be generally quite friendly and open. The city itself is indeed big but it's really fascinating, beautiful and engaging. I was lucky enough to be there in the spring when all the trees and flowers were in bloom. I can see now why NYC is a vacation spot in and of itself. I was there for just 3 different days and only had time to see a few parts of Manhatten Island but it was really worth the effort. Mostly I just picked an area that I wanted to explore, took the subway from Grand Central Station and then just walked. New York really is a visual treat. From the people on the ground to the buildings overhead there is a never ending parade. I ended up loving it and I definitely want to go back for more. Like most big cities worldwide, NYC is expensive. My understanding is that hotel rooms go from $100 and upwards. Food, drinks, entertainment, taxi's, the whole lot of it will put a dent in the family budget for sure. The one break though for Europeans now is that the euro is trading so strong against the dollar that it's a great time to visit. Also flights from major Europeans cities to NYC is probably the cheapest US destination you'll find.
Everyone here in Europe is quite interested to hear about how things have changed since 9/11. I can say that security and survelence are definitely present and visible. There are police and security at all public facilities, very visible and they are not just there for show. They are checking people out. To be honest though it's not much more than I've been used to seeing in Paris or Rome or other large capital cities. I was never stopped or hassled but then again I'm a white male with a guitar. Make no mistake about it though. Where as in Europe the police mostly seem to be making a visible show of force machine guns and all, in the States they seem to be actively looking. In other words they will get in your face if they see something they don't like. Color of your skin? America has always been racist and it's worse now. Passport control is very thorough these days so make sure you have your story together along with all documents!
I also went down to Philadelphia and spent a few days with fellow Hardpanner and friend Joseph Parsons. Philly is his city and it's always fun to hang with him there. He had organized 3 shows for me and also one in Hoboken, NJ. It wasn't so much for the money but mostly I just wanted to pull my guitar out of the case and see how it felt to play in the states again. The East Coast is quite a different scene than the West and I was very interested to "taste" the difference. What's the report?
One thing for sure is that there are tens of thousands of "singer-songwriters" looking for gigs. They are like cockroaches and are everywhere ! I don't know quite how this happened either but a couple of guesses : 1) this is the 3rd generation since the 60's and everyone knows how to strum a guitar by now and 2) music is a respectable business now.
Agents, lawers, managers ect. are all available to help "guide" that promising young artist to the top. There are lot's of places to play too.
I can only imagine what the booking agents have to suffer sorting through all the different acts. A lot of the clubs there will run 5 or 6 or even 7 acts a night. Can you imagine? To be honest I felt a little guilty being a part of such a herd. I played a place in Chapel Hill at 7pm BEFORE the open mic started. Not one person showed up except my friend that organized the spot for me, the amatures with their guitars at 8 looking for their 10 minute open mic spot. Even the bartender was not interested and in fact left in the middle of my set because his shift was over and he didn't stay 5 minutes longer than he had to. Who could blame him? It's my understand that in this bar this kinda scene (namely people like me) happen every night there. Yuk. It was all actually demoralizing as hell. Well, like I said, I wanted to find out what it was like in the states didn't I?
Certainly I came to appreciate how very fortunate I have been in my professional life. Would I be interested in gigging in America? Certainly. Would I be interested in moving back there and making the effort? Not a chance.
I should also qualify the above with the statement that there are a lot of very talented songwriters and musicians in the states. We would be so lucky in Europe to have as many venues. Confusing aren't I…………

April, 30th:
Happy Spring Everyone!

And a lovely one it is too. Hopefully yours has begun where ever you may be right now! I'm in Paris and getting ready now to leave for my 3 week trip to America. As you may or may not know, my daughter Liza is getting married next weekend and I will of course be present. It's going to be one of those old fashioned weddings of which we are all so very fond of ;) I am preparing myself too as yesterday I bought a new and shiny white shirt which is something I haven't owned in 4O years! I hope I remember to tie the tie she wants me to wear!I'm gonna take some pictures and will hopefully have a few to share with you about the festivities so stay tuned. Liza did call and ask my opinion about what song she should choose for that most important moment of any wedding : "The Dance Of The Father And The Bride". My first thought was "When A Man Loves A Woman" but after more carefull consideration I have offered up Soloman Burke's version of Tom Waits' song "Always Keep A Diamond In Your Mind" which was off Burke's most excellent "Don't Give Up On Me" CD. It's also the best expression of what I would wish for both her and John. Liza had never heard of the the man or the song so I'm waiting to hear her verdict. Story to be continued……… (I am very happy for another reason too – not only am I gaining a son-in-law but I will legally become part of a very large and very Italian family and by extension have more of a connection to that country in Europe that I love the best! Bello!!)

Also while visiting the states I've got 4 little gigs that I'm quite excited about. My friend Joseph Parsons arranged 3 shows in Phillalephia for me to do and one in particular that will be cool as I'll be opening for his "other" band 4 Way Street for 2 sold out shows in Philly's premier acoustic venue The Tin Angel. Joseph and I will also be playing a songwriters showcase in Hoboken, N.J. and then on Tuesday May 6th I'll travel down to Chapel Hill, N.C. to play a little underground club there called The Cave. This gig came about through the recommendation and help of old time Seattle cohort, friend and music journalist Peter Blackstock. I have long had a fascination to see North Carolina and knowing that Peter had moved to the area helped set a long held wish in motion. Also while in the States I'll be looking to buy a new (used) 12-string guitar plus I'll be stocking up on all those items that are either too expensive or difficult to find in Europe (i.e. blue jeans, bulk guitar strings, vitamins, guitar accessories, harmonica's, good t-shirts, ect.). The 3 weeks will go fast though for sure. To be quite honest I'm more than a little bit nervous about being in America during these crazy and violent days. Not only is there my usual flying paranoia to deal with but with so many more people now commited to the death and destruction of America, the SARS epidemic and the rest, well I'm just gonna pray and hope I can return safely to Europe without getting caught up in an more disasters there in the states. I've heard from all fronts that there is absolutely no tolerence for desent in America regarding that countries stance on war, Muslims, France, unilateralism and all the rest. Either your for Bush OR you support Saddam and the terrorists. Hello??

Perhaps my music is needed there now more than ever ? Still, lots of fine songwriters living there certainly haven't been able to put any kind of a brake on Bush's ambitions have they?! I would love to be able to have a touring schedule there in the states but jeez………… at what price ? This time period is also the eve of my 50th birthday (May 12) and I have mixed feelings about it. I wish I could say that those feelings were all positive but to be honest I'm looking down a road that is not so bright and shiny as it once was. Is this normal? Probably at 50 yes. My health is still good, I'm playing and writing better now than I ever have, my personal life is fairly stable although my home life not. I am doing the work that I want and was born to do yet I am frustrated in that work. I live in a beautiful and friendly corner of the world but still don't speak the language well. I am blessed with dear friends and am loved and supported by many, many others yet I am a foreigner where ever I go. More successful on the international stage? Probably. In my own country? Nah (although I'm still working !). All of that and more yet………….. this little niggly little worm of doubt about the future. For at 20 it was is all laid out before you, sparkling with possiblity, ready and waiting for the taking. At 30 the power and lust and greed to DO, to experience, to ENJOY. 40 brought with it the confidence, control, the peace and the ability to wield or apply at will. To reap what was needed or wanted.

The knowledge and skill to use what had been learned, to effect with the soft touch. Also the joys and strengths of tolerance. At 50 I find myself looking into the shadows more. More forgetful I think with all the corners full. Scornfull of the surpurfulous, the insincere, the liars, the selfish. Less needfull of food and drink perhaps yet hungrier and thirstier. Suffering worse than ever the cold, the outside. But also having the confidence and skill that comes of long usuage and familiararity. The faith that all roads lead outward. The firm grasp and calloused hand of the journeyman. As ever the striver, the searcher, the deep sea diver yet, yet……… perhaps also more unforgiving, jaundiced and cruel. The shadows, the weeds, the clouds and broken stings. The disjointed couplings. Autumn? Ah, what talk is this? It is the first day of spring! Not a time for such rumminations. My dreams last night were of myself with a 3 foot long cock, hard as a skillet handle, plowing the world and 3 women PLUS snapping a cool rhythm with brushes on the conga drum! Such talk this talk of 50 shadowed with drab colors and the murmurings of fish. What talk this whining and disgruntlement? What use this doubt ? I will write up 50 in 10 years when I know something of which to speak. Eat, drink, sleep, work. LOVE. Live. Give thanks!! Anyway- this certainly is enough for now. I had a real good time in my most recent travels in Norway, Sweden and Spain and stories to tell about all. Plus a real important directional change in the business world but…………..

There really is no time for I must now pack my suitcase, take the strings off the guitar so she will be airworthy, say my prayers and try and rest tonight. Your gonna have to wait a little bit more. If ya happen to think about it though, please light a candle or incense for me a time of two in the next 3 weeks. I can always use those boosts and prayers are, as ever, greatly appreciated. My heartfelt best wishes to each and every one of you. Thanks again for all of your support! I send out to you all support and encouragement for your spring undertakings and into the "new" year. Sow well my friends, sow deeply and well! Peace

Hello Friends,

I think I almost didn't make this letter in time this year. I don't know why but I seem to have been having a difficult time in getting «on top» of things this past half year. Seems like I'm always running to catch up. Never the less....... here I am. I do hope you are all well and have your Christmas plans made, tickets bought, extra beds prepared, presents bought, food and drink stored? It can be a real hectic time for sure. I know for many of us Christmas can also be a stressful time. Missed loved ones, screwed up families, obligations, weather, long trips, memories and on and on... I must admit to being one of those persons that isn't a real 'Christmassy' kind of guy. I suppose it was different when Liza was small but that was long ago now. I kinda just like to hang low and hang out. Sometimes the dinners and gatherings are fun but the commercial side of it all really bums me out. Of course it is what you put into it and I know many, many people that really like. Don't mind me and whatever your taste and temperament, please accept my most heartfelt wishes for a warm and friendly week.

Please- perhaps light a candle this week. With the threat of another American led war on the horizon I think we all need to think about this and send some "peace" energy out into the ethers. Isn't that what Christmas was originally about? I will write another letter soon with a recap of this past year and about plans and such for 2003. Have a safe and happy New Years Eve. For myself I will be walking to a nearby restaurant and bar where I will eat, drink and dance the night away. Please don't drink and drive!! We need each and every one of you.

That's it for now.Thanks for all your attentions and support in 2002. A special thanks to our Webmaster Stefano Dainese for taking care of this cool site. All the best to each and everyone of you.

Hello Everyone-

I have just enough time to send out greetings to you all before I leave once again for more touring. The Hardpan tour is at last finished. I'm happy to report that for the most part everything went very well indeed. Thanks go out to all of you that came out to see the show.
I believe I can speak for the everyone in the band when I say that it was a lot of fun to play music together. We traveled a lot of kilometers, played in front of a good bunch of folks and even got to put a little money in our pockets at the end of it all. I was successfull given all of that. I won't take the time here to go into detail but I'm happy it went so well.

I promise to write in more detail about the Hardpan tour later but for now I must turn my attention to more touring only this time solo. It's going to be a bit strange I think to be alone again. I'm looking forward to the call though and it will be great to dust off the songs I haven't been playing in a few months. Right now I'm almost finished writing a new song for Chris Eckmans and Anda Beers wedding which will take place in Ljubljana this coming October 24th. I only started writing it yesterday too! Song ideas have been "perking" though for the past month or