Saturday December 5, 2015
Woodstock, IL
Just passing through town, grabbing a cup of coffee and donut on the square. Love this town. I've had some great shows here over the years, including the wonderful Woodstock Folk Festival and the historic Opera House.

Today I'm heading up to Sheboygan, Wisconsin for a performance tomorrow. This will be the second time I've been there this year. It's great to be welcomed back like that. And last night, another great time at the Two Way Street in Downers Grove, IL. I've been there a lot over the years. They're celebrating their 50th year of concerts and I'm happy to be included in their celebatory season. It's just a small little club that reminds me of the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. After this tour, I'm home until January. Looking forward to some studio time, recording and also editing a new video I hope to release in January.

Thursday November 12, 2015
Colorado Springs, CO
I'm excited to be on the list of potential Grammy nominees for my new CD "Beep Beep"! I'll find out if I'm an official nominee in early December. Keeping my fingers crossed.

The concerts have been going really well. Today I'm in Colorado Springs for a couple of days talking about Beads on One String with over 500 school counselors from all over the state. Counselors love using the book in their schools as a fun and meaningful way to introduce anti-bullying education. I was here last year too, and it's nice to reconnect with these dedicated folk. Cori Notestine, whom I had supper with here last year, went on to be named the National School Counselor of the Year, celebrating with the Obama's at the white house. Pretty cool to talk with him again and to hear his stories.

Wednesday October 21, 2015
Clearwater, MN
Well, plans change, right? I was scheduled to spend most of October in Nepal. I've never been there and looked forward to the challenges there, especially since the big earthquake and subsequent major aftershocks these last few months. But one of our traveling companions had a major family health crisis that needed attention. We will reschedule.

So Tammy and I were faced with 3+ weeks off with nothing to do. Hmmm.... so we cleaned the garage. Exciting, right? It was quite extraordinary to find several boxes of my old school papers. Artwork suitable for refrigerators. Report cards that reinforced my feeling that teachers just didn't appreciate my abstract, random thinking and desire to have fun. Check out my facebook page to see one of the report cards from Kindergarten!

I even found a slide rule in one of the boxes. Not a clue how to use that now. Did I ever?

Anyway, I picked up a couple of last minute school programs with Beads on One String, so the fall tour begins tommorow. I can't wait to get back on the road, and not just because I've spent the last week looking through old, dusty boxes of prized school work. I love the concerts. In the next month I'll be in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Colorado.

Thursday September 3, 2015
Lake Mille Lacs, MN
Sailing. My passion since being a teenager, when my Uncle Jim and Aunt Helen gave me a ride on their 27 foot Cal on the Columbia River near Portland, OR.

So I'm out about 5-6 miles off shore on my Catalina sailboat yesterday and I get stung by a bumble bee. Who gets stung by a bee that far out on the water? I couldn't find a hive or a nest anywhere. And a bumble bee! Not exactly known to be aggressive unless provoked. Maybe she was getting sea sick and ready to go home?

Anyway, though it was warm (90 and very humid) it was a great day of sailing. Minnesota Twins on the radio. At one point I anchored in about 28 feet of water and jumped in to cool off before resuming my journey. In all, I sailed about 25 miles, making it to the marina just before sunset.

Here's a photo:

Wednesday August 19, 2015
Owatonna, MN
It's 11pm and we're all packed up after an interesting show at the Steele County Fair. If you're bundled up at a summer concert in Minnesota, it's most likely because the mosquitoes arrived after dark. But tonight, as the show concluded, we were at 58 degrees with a pretty stiff north wind. The wind chill had to be in the 40's. DK took the brunt of it at stage left, the north side. Fortunately, the rain held off long enough to get our concert in. Fans from Iowa, Wisconsin and Oklahoma made the drive and huddled together with the Minnesotans, conserving body heat. Truly a "beads on one string" moment!

A huge "Thank You" to the brave and dedicated fans. You have no idea what it means to us watching people sit through miserable conditions to hear us play. We gave it our best and hope you felt the love returned.

Friday July 24, 2015
Cloquet, MN
We had an amazing time last night in Cloquet, Minnesota with a concert at the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. Dan Neale joined me on guitar. This was a split concert with my friend Alice Peacock, whom I've known for quite some time. It was nice to once again share the stage with her. They said it was the largest crowd they've had for the outdoor concert series. Love the covered amphitheater! This was our second time there and we've already been invited back. Can't wait!

Tuesday June 16, 2015
Lincoln City, OR
With an anxious heart, I walked the Lincoln City beach. This was one of my Mom's favorites. Her Mom and Dad had retired here, though the town was then known as Ocean Lake, Oregon. When my Mom passed away last fall, I captured a rose from her casket and kept it at my house. This morning, with Tammy at my side, those petals fell gently into the waining Pacific tide. Symbolically, Mom had returned home to Oregon. She loved this state. So do I.

Wednesday June 10, 2015
Victoria, BC, Canada
Saw a whole bunch (two pods) of Orca Whales today. That was fun! On the ferry now, heading back to the U.S. and Port Angeles, Washington. Always love coming to Canada. Great people.

Wednesday June 4, 2015
Zimmerman, MN
Waiting to take the stage at the Zimmerman High School graduation ceremony. The senior class invited me to sing "Beads on One String" tonight. When they were in 4th grade, I performed at their school and they've never forgotten me! They still know the song and talk about the message. These kids have truly honored me. The NBC affiliate KARE TV is here and we just completed an interview. So cool!

Someone suggested I may be the only folk singer in the world asked to sing at a high school graduation ceremony!

Sunday May 3, 2015
Brainerd, MN
YES! It's time. The new CD, Beep Beep is out and already getting some great comments. This is my 10th album, but first official kids project since Beads on One String came out 10 years ago. I didn't want to make a normal "kids" CD, with cutesy repetitive songs that drive parents crazy. When I grew up, we didn't have that. We listened to Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor and John Denver. So Beep Beep is my way of connecting with kids. A couple of songs that I grew up with, many that friends and colleagues have written and even a couple of my own. I never had a good studio version of Beads on One String and the Biscuit Man. This was a perfect opportunity to do that.

Click on the music page and give it a listen. Your support means so much. Thank you.

So I'm in Brainerd meeting with school counselors from Minnesota at their annual conference. Beads on One String continues to grow wings.

Saturday April 11, 2015
Wautoma, WI
I'm so excited to be back with the Blackhawk Folk Society tonight. We've had some great gigs in the past. They always treat me right. And it's a beautiful spring day in Wisconsin! I've some good gigs this week, at the Plymouth Creek Center and LeRoy Community Center, both in Minnesota. After this concert tonight, I'll head to Des Moines for the very first Owls Head House Concert. I'm honored to have been the inaugural performer at several house concerts that have started up across the country. Very cool!

Just a heads up, the new CD is scheduled for release May 1st. So excited.

Tuesday March 24, 2015
Wisconsin Dells, WI
After a couple of performances in eastern Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan, here I am at a conference talking with school librarians about Beads on One String. A fun group of people!

Saturday February 21, 2015
Kansas City, MO
Yep. Kansas City for the Folk Alliance International conference. I try to make this every year as it gives me a chance to reconnect with lots of friends, see the new talent in folk music and also to perform for potential concert hosts. This year I'm doing four showcases.

Tuesday January 20, 2015
Omaha, NE
After several concerts in Kansas, here I am in Omaha with my good buddy Clete Baker. He owns Studio B and I've commissioned him to help me do the final mix on the new CD. Clete has worked with many of the greats, including John Denver, America and Mannheim Steamroller. I'm learning a lot. The new album should be out this spring, probably May. Yeah!