For me, May is full of feelings of joy and rebirth mixed with the sweet sadness of remembering lost loved ones. This month I share a song that perfectly pairs these two emotions, born from the story of how women kept the (mostly male) dancing tradition alive in England while men served in France during the first world war. Join me in my kitchen. I take honey with my tea. How about you?

(more…)

It is spring here in New England. Perhaps that is why I have given in to the sillies. In this issue of The Kitchen Musician, I play a little Beethoven on my do-it-yourself Krummy Horn. I also have some great musical news and terrific upcoming shows to tell you about. Join me in the kitchen!

(more…)

I love it when people sing along with my songs. This month I share an old hymn that I reworked a bit and sang at Ellen Schmidt’s open mike last week. It is a great song to end an evening of shared music and poetry. Join us, and we’ll sing it together in the kitchen!

(more…)

Last month I returned to the Vanilla Bean Cafe Songwriters Sessions and got a great new song from the writing assignment. I share it with you in this month’s Kitchen Musician, along with news about upcoming shows and a project I am supporting to create a documentary film about The Knox Mine Disaster – an event that is important to my personal history. Come join me in the kitchen!

(more…)

For me, 2011 was a great year – lots of music, a professional adjustment that gives me more time for personal interests, a new studio album and the love of a wonderful family and community of friends. This month’s song is in praise of the open mic community and self-made music. Support live local music!

(more…)

I am still glowing from the great response to the release of my new CD Journey Home last month. I am blessed with the encouragement and support of family and many friends. December gets me back on track with a new song that I wrote to honor the life of Bill Morrissey, a New Hampshire based songwriter who could tell stories like no other. Join me in the kitchen. Time for a little tea… mine with honey.

(more…)

My kitchen is humming with activity as we attend to the final details to celebrate the release of my new CD Journey Home on Sunday Nov. 6th at 3:00 pm at Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham, MA. I also wrote a song that speaks to current events reflected in the Occupy Wall Street movement. With our first big snow of the season falling around us here in New England, take that cup down from the shelf. I choose the Mango Ceylon tea with honey. What can I get for you?

(more…)

Big musical news this month. Announcing Journey Home, my first studio album of original songs, to be distributed by Birch Beer Records. And several big shows coming up, including my first feature show at Club Passim on Oct 16th, my CD release celebration at Amazing Things Arts Center on Nov 6th, and the launch of my kickstarter campaign to support the new CD. Come into the kitchen, and I’ll fill you in on all of the exciting details!

(more…)

This month the kitchen moves to Jaffrey, NH where I am taking some time off to decompress from a busy work schedule. Pour yourself some iced tea and I’ll sing you a new song in praise of simple pleasures. I also have some exciting news to share about my forthcoming CD!

(more…)

Join me in the Jaffrey kitchen as I break out the home made old time fretless banjo to share a traditional song. Time for a little iced tea and a breath of fresh New Hampshire air.

(more…)

In Ms. Willig’s first grade classroom, a sign reads “OUR RULES: 1. Be nice. 2. Listen to each other. 3. Have fun.” - a worthy set of rules for all of us to live by. Mally Smith and I certainly followed rule #3 as we shared some music and activities with the first graders last Friday. You can join in the fun too. Its time to slow down, fix some tea and have a seat at the kitchen table.

(more…)

Have you noticed gas prices are rising through the roof? I am very happy to announce that I have a solution to the energy crisis, revealed in this month’s award-winning song. Plus an added bonus… a rare cameo of me as the joker to encourage the summer to come. Welcome to my kitchen!

(more…)