The Kitchen Musician ~ August 2017

Hello friends,

Do you need an attitude adjustment? I do. Join me in the kitchen for “It’s a Grand New Day!”

Index
  News:
  This Month’s Music: “It’s a Grand New Day!”
  Upcoming Shows
  Featured Non-Profit: Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests

Photo: © 2016 Dan Tappan Photography

News

Ah! It’s August!

This is the time when Margo and I follow a more simple lifestyle in our rustic cabin in southern New Hampshire. It is a great place to exercise my creative self or simply to rest and restore ourselves – mostly avoiding the distractions of our usual urban lifestyle in the Boston area. You can catch a glimpse of our cabin in this month’s music video.

I have lots of great shows coming up. Most especially, later this month on August 25 I have the great honor to open for Brother Sun in their final appearance in New England. Joining me will be my talented musical friend, Charlie Ortolani. This will be a great show! Scroll down for details.

This Month’s Music
It’s a Grand New Day!

It’s a Grand New Day!
© 2017 Tom Smith (ASCAP)

When the primary window through which we see the world is our social media newsfeed, the front page news, and cable TV news, it is easy to just curl up into a ball and hide in a dark corner. Yes, social media has connected me with great people, events and articles. I am grateful for them, but more often than not I find myself feeling discouraged by truly horrifying news. And I am increasingly worn out by trying to figure out what is factual and what is not. Frankly, I can’t continue this way.

In my song “Phil’s Guitar”, I have a line that says “It’s like a golden rule to live by – what we sing is what we are.” So this month I take my own advice and offer “It’s a Grand New Day”. Quite honestly, I feel great when I sing it. Perhaps it really is true – what we sing is what we are!

“Wake up! It’s a grand new day!”

Tom

P.S. Thanks to Jorge Vega for the loan of his #MakeThingsBetter hashtag!

(If so inclined, I invite you to leave a comment by scrolling to the end of this page.)

Upcoming Shows

August 25, 2017 @ 7:00 pm: Opening for Brother Sun, Dedham, MA
Opening for Brother Sun, nationally known trio consisting of Greg Greenway, Pat Wictor, and Joe Jencks – praised for soaring harmonies, masterful storytelling and dynamic musicianship. It is an honor to open for this magnificent trio. I will be joined by my musical colleague, Charlie Ortolani.

September 2, 2017 @ 4:30 pm: Club Passim, Cambridge, MA
Returning to the Campfire Festival at this wonderful old Cambridge folk club. The Campfire Festival runs from Friday through Monday of Labor Day weekend. I will be in the round with Chris Capaldi and Carl Cacho.

September 23, 2017 @ 7:30 pm: Javawocky Coffeehouse, Brockton, MA
Splitting the evening with Tom Irving at the Javawocky Coffeehouse at the Unitarian Church in Brockton, MA.

September 30, 2017 @ 7:00 pm: No Place Special, Mashpee, MA
Splitting the evening with Martin Swinger and Amy Kucharik at this great house concert series on Cape Cod. Join us! Suggested donation $15.

November 4, 2017 @ 8:00 pm: Arts at the Armory, Somerville, MA
Joining the Songwriter Showcase at the Somerville Armory, with Kirsten Manville and Joanne Lurgio.

November 5, 2017 @ 1:00 pm: Narrows Center for the Arts, Fall River, MA
Joining some great artists to pay tribute to Michael Troy, a good friend and one of the world’s great songwriters. He is sadly missed.

November 9-12, 2017: Northeast Regional Folk Alliance, Stamford, CT
My first time at this conference of musicians, venue operators, and publicity folks. I hear that there is not much time for sleep at this four-day “hotel festival”.

November 18, 2017 @ 7:00 pm: Not Just Another Coffeehouse, Sharon, MA
I will be joined by my very talented collaborator Seth Connelly at the Unitarian Church of Sharon, MA. Great venue to listen to acoustic music!

Click to view details for these and all upcoming shows.

Featured Non-profit: Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests

“Founded by a handful of concerned citizens in 1901, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is now one of the country’s most effective statewide land conservation organizations. As a non-profit membership organization, the Forest Society is dedicated to protecting the state’s most important landscapes while promoting the wise use of its renewable natural resources.”

The society is instrumental in protecting the forests near my little New Hampshire cabin, and throughout the rest of the state. Please join me in supporting the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.