We are finishing the first full week of May and Spring is finally in full bloom. I can tell this partially because of the green layer of pollen all over my black Honda Civic, fondly named The Music Machine, and partly because I am no longer waking up to temperatures in the low '30's. May also marks the 50th anniversary of my very first radio show on KCGN radio back in my Viet-Nam days. Can it be really half a century ago, time really does fly by quickly. Some of the things that I am looking forward to this Spring are the release of a new book series by Stephen Lawhead called "Irelandia". The first book in this new trilogy comes out on May 15th and is called "In The Region Of The Summer Stars". Also coming out this month is a new project of old gospel blues tunes by Ry Cooder entitled "The Prodigal Son" as well as a new release from my favorite band Glass Hammer. There are just too many amazing literary conferences and music & art festivals to consider making them all, although I would love to try. Over The Rhine is once again hosting the Nowhere Else Festival over Memorial Day Weekend out in Ohio with an absolutely spectacular line-up including Red Dirt Boys and Phil Madeira. In August I'll be teaching a seminar on the convergence of art, faith and imagination st Soulfest up in New Hampshire and getting a chance to hang out with some of my favorite artists around. Folks such as Jim Trick, Rachel Taylor, Courtney Reid, Michael Pritzl and Dan Russell. As usual my radio show will be giving away tickets for "Splish Splash Water Park on Long Island beginning Memorial Day Weekend. Check it out every Friday at 9pn & Sunday at 5pm on 88.1fm & WCWP.org, those by the way are NY times in case you didn't know. Be sure to listen for the best rock n roll on the radio!!!