Thoughts....
July 5, 2011
Yeah, I know...6 months since the last entry. Been a whirlwind of a year. Budget cuts to NY schools (thanks Governor Cuomo!) and cuts to school music programs have been keeping all of us on edge. Came close to being on the unemployed list (after 16 years of dedicated teaching). Hey, the way things seem to be going, there's always next year. Taking the summer to recharge. Had a super weekend to start it off with my sister's wedding. She married a great guy and we had a blast celebrating. My cousin Tim Veeder brought up his musical comrade Cindy Bradley who was gracious enough to give me a copy of her new CD (that Tim is on by the way and plays his tail off!) and I'm slowly digesting it. She is a great trumpet player with a superb tone and was an absolute joy to hang with. Check her stuff out. She's got a great thing going on. Found out that we actually spent time playing with the same band (she started a year after I left the group). What a small world!
Going to make a concerted effort to finish "Life Stories" this summer. Been too long on the shelf. I feel as if a lifetime has passed since it was started. Looking for a chance to complete it before the race starts again in September. Of course, you never know, it may be longer.
Tim's brother Matt was over from Oregon for the wedding as well and it was great to see him after a few years. He is still playing drums and I was floored by his playing on his the demo for his group, "The Upstate Trio", which also features two other former students of mine, Jay Waylett and Justin Alric. They are a tight unit and they deserve a look. Great funky groovy stuff.
It does my heart some good to see the guys I had the pleasure of working with as kids make good for themselves. I'm proud of their accomplishments and to have had a small part in their musical journey.
Hoping to get things rolling in the right direction. Lots to do as always. Hoping to do more work with "Out of the Box" this summer. Great group and lots of fun to work with.
All the best to everyone in the coming summer months. Be safe!
Till Next Time,
John