| Wednesday, December 31, 2014 The Waning Year 2014 has been an incredible one! My thoughts are wrapped with the great joy and gratitude for all the glorious opportunities that came our way. From Glasgow to Krakow, new friends to new records, festivals and fabulous moments... Castle Wall CD Release Party My CD release party, held at Soul Food CoffeeHouse on Nov 22, 2014, was a glorious success. We had such a beautiful evening of music with a fabulous turn out. Looking back, I am so humbled by how many local friends and fans that we have. I am very grateful to those who took time out of their busy lives to come to the show and share their support. I am so fortunate. The night started off with Orville Murphy and Jerry Middaugh. These two gentlemen won the hearts of everyone in that room. Their blend of stories and old time songs warms the soul. It was a true honour to have them open the night. My band, that evening, consisted of Ron Allen, Clint McCune, Joel Gamble, Michael Falcone, and Captain Chambers. We rocked the house. I enjoyed what I was hearing so much that, at times, I was so immersed that I had to remind myself to change chords. Powerful instrumentation from everyone involved. The fiddle swirling out into the audience, the primordial power of the drum, the licks of lightning from the guitar, the twinkle of starfall from the piano, the rumble in the heart from the bass... and a voice soaring above it all. It was rather moving and, I have to admit, I felt just a little bit like a rockstar. I can honestly say that it was one of those nights that I will never forget. Moving Right Along... As some of you may have noticed, we've had a bit of a lineup change recently. It is all good and we are all friends, just the path has moved into two. Our great friend Kelly Blanchard is working hard with his amazing band Blue Star Creeper. They have a new album called White Hot Starlight that is wonderful and big things are on the horizon for them. I cannot express enough how much I love this band. If you haven't heard them, you must! I have a great respect for Kelly and am incredibly grateful for his part in SeaStar. I know that our musical friendship will still exist in the future, but right now, I wish him every success that he deserves with his talent and his beautiful music! Thanks Kelly! from the bottom of my heart! Ron Allen, the fella who recorded Castle Walls and mixed our North Winds album, has taken on the role of second guitar. Ron, who is also the guitarist in Wynne C Blue and the Troublefakers, has a great ear for the Celtic world and we have had a great time over the last few weeks experimenting with different Celtic and folk styles. I hope that you will enjoy what he brings to the band. We've got some great new songs to bring to you! Three Rivers Show in Pasco, WA SeaStar headed back to Eastern Washington to play in Pasco for the Three Rivers Folk Society, the folks who put on the Tumbleweed Music Festival. It was a super fun adventure! We drove through a winter wonderland, saw the glorious full moon dancing on the Columbia, put on a grand show at the Community Unitarian Universalist Church to a lovely full audience, and even saw Santa and his minions of cheer! We had a great adventure! Thanks Three Rivers! The Rest of the Month The following weekend brought my winter recital from my studio. It was incredible! 18 students performed and a guitar ensemble too! Super proud. This December was the first time in ages that I had the Christmas spirit in full force. My Fa la la la lah meter was off the charts. This was primarily because of Audra, the tallest Christmas elf you'd ever meet. The month ended with Christmas in Tulsa with Mom, sister, and my in-law family. I had my final show of the year at the Gypsy Coffeehouse, the place where I met Adam so long ago. It was a great night of old and new friends. Thanks to all the folks who came out! And dear thanks to the Gypsy! And as I type this, the temperature is dropping. The year is over in mere hours. I sit, awaiting a plane ride back to Seattle, with a full thankful heart. I have so much gratitude for all the incredible things that happened. If I could write down all the adventures that took place in 2014, it would fill a full manuscript. Such a grand life. Thank you! London/Paris on the horizon.... Scotland later in the year... more music, more dreams, more living to be had. I encourage you to live louder. Push the bar. Laugh more and spend less on social vampires and material things. Get outside more and connect with folks. A smile can change the world. I believe that. With a peaceful and thankful heart, Biglove and hugs,
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