The travel aspect of this summer came about with two road trips. The first was to Orcas Island off the coast of Washington State for Kindlings Fest. More a literary conference that a traditional festival, to me at least, it was four days with some of the most brilliant and artistically inclined people that I have met in recent years. Folks like Luci Shaw, her husband John Hoyte, Dick Staub, David Dark and his wife Sarah Masen fed my spirit and my imagination in a veritable feast. Getting the opportunity to hang out with others like Jeff Keuss, my old friends Jeff Johnson and Steve Taylor and new friends like Jerry Root and poet Scott Cairns was just icing on the cake. And the books that I picked up there will keep me occupied for months to come. Musically, meeting Dennis Hendricksen and getting a copy of his album called "Dreams And Visions" was just amazing as well as the two "Prayerbook" CD's by Brian Moss. By the way Orcas Island is a very cool place to hang out and "The Island Skillet" serves an outstanding breakfast selection. Very delicious chocolate chip pancakes to die for. The only down part of the whole experience was having to sleep two nights on a bench at the Seattle Airport. Not a very comfortable way to spend a long night. The web site for the "KIndlings Muse is www.thekindlings.com.
The second road trip was my annual excursion up to Gilford, New Hampshire for Soulfest. For just about the past eight years I have had the privilege of teaching a seminar on art, faith and imagination in its various aspects at this very exciting and well put together music festival held at the "Gunstock Mountain Resort". The festival grounds include five stages, including a small intimate space called "The Back Room" as well as many excellent food vendors and merchandise booths. Although the bigger bands play on the "Revival" or main stage, to me at my age,65 by the way, the magic happens on the smaller stages. Acts and artists such as Rachel Taylor, Courtney Reid, Jim Trick, Steve Taylor & the Perfect Foil, The Violet Burning, Christopher Williams and Justin McRoberts are people who keep me coming back year after year. These folks are releasing some of the best music that I have ever heard and I have been listening to rock n roll for close to 60 years and playing it on the radio for over 47 of those years. A word of total respect to festival founder Dan Russell and his crack team of experts who put this thing on year after year, a job well done. Check out the web site at www.thesoulfest.com for info as to times and acts for next August as the time draws closer.
