Oh my... December 2005 and I'm finally updating my last entry, a mere 16 months ago...wha' happened? Lots of stuff, to lots of people...as we've been doing all we can to recover from the powerful and devastating forces of nature down south and around the world this year, I'm still somehow thankful that there IS beauty in the world, even when the earth erupts, water falls, winds blow, and leaders of many countries all over our globe doggedly continue to exert violent and divisive will on citizens of all cultures. I believe it's time for all countries to re-dedicate resources, energies, and efforts to humanitarian needs in our fragile global community.

What we were able to do locally on Cape Cod was organize a concert in my home town of Orleans, MA called "Orleans for New Orleans" on October 1st, 2005. Friends Sloan Wainwright, Greg Greenway, and many others donated their music, time, and efforts (a local Episcopal church also donated the use of their Parish Hall for the 200 folks who attended - full house!), and ALL proceeds went to America's Second Harvest's "Katrina Relief Fund" where 100% of the $3,502 we collected goes DIRECTLY to those in need, with NO administrative costs (that's why I chose this organization ~ www.secondharvest.org ~ check 'em out!).

As some of you know, in April of 2003 I traveled to Northeim, Germany, invited to record a dozen of my songs for the the European Stockfisch label (www.stockfisch-records.de), and it was a great experience. Producer Gunter Pauler, bassist/engineer Hans-Jorg Maucksch, and guitarist Chris Jones were my Dream Team, and we recorded for 4 days - one of the most intense and beautiful 100 hours of my life. I'm very sad to report that Chris passed away from lung cancer on 9/13 in Germany. We've lost an incredible musician that not many folks here in the States knew of (he lived in Germany for the last 25 years). Please visit the Stockfisch website and check out his solo albums, as well as the work he did with many lucky, lucky songwriters like me. Our first collaboration "Pearl Diver" has been out (on CD AND LP) and was singer-songwriter "Audiophile CD of the Month" in a few German music magazines last year. If you're interested in a contemplative collection of a dozen of my earlier works including Rising in Love, That Kind of Grace (new verses), Lullaby, Before I Die, John & Josie, Some Kind of Hero, plus "Vincent" by Don McLean, give a shout. I can also recommend "These Days" by Paul Stephenson, the Tiptons (for horn fans), Mike Silver, and anything by Sara K, and of course, Chris. In June of 2005 I made my second trip to Northeim, recording "More Pearls" with Chris for Stockfisch, covering some favorite writers who inspired/inspire, including Seeger, Dylan, Paxton, Lightfoot, Lennon/McCartney, Phil Ochs, Steve Goodman, Michael Smith, Ralph McTell, Carole King, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Peter, Paul & Mary, and Paul Simon...due out in early 2006.

Other news - one of the songs from my 2004 double CD THINK TWICE - "Catherine & Georgia" is included on "Before Their Time", the 3rd in a series of compilation CDs to help survivors of loved ones lost prematurely, and which benefits the National Hospice Foundation and suicide prevention organizations. This is a great honor and as much a reason as any that I'm involved in songmaking. More info on the web at www.beforetheirtime.com. "Little Christmas Song" is included in the 2-disk compilation "Holiday Heart" (www.hohohospice.com) which also raises awareness for hospice. And the Hadley School for the Blind in Illinois is using 3 of my tunes in their updated "Social Skills" course, provided free to students worldwide. Again, honored.

Still reading? I also wanted to tell you what I was recently privileged to witness on Friday night 12/9/05...let me preface the latter by saying that while I was riding on a bus from Cape Cod to NYC that day, a freak 45-minute squall with hurricane-force winds hit Cape Cod in the late afternoon. So, what started out as a sunny and ordinary Friday morning on the Cape resulted in more than 150,000 people losing electricity, heat, and water for 1-3 days (some needed a week to get it back), and scores of trees of all shapes and sizes being uprooted and tossed about, downing power lines, crushing cars, you get the idea...my wife Tricia said that looking out the window was like being in Dorothy's house when it got transported to Oz. And me on a bus to NYC...

...to attend the Peter, Paul, & Mary concert at Carnegie Hall! As many of you may know, in November of 2004 Mary was suddenly diagnosed with leukemia and plunked in the 30% chance-of-survival category. A year, chemotherapy, thousands of get-well cards from all around the world (including mine) and bone marrow transplant surgery later, she walked out on stage in a gorgeous tie-dye gown with an elegant cane for the group's first concert in 13 months to a rousing standing ovation that lasted five solid minutes. The New York Chorale Society and their orchestra were onstage, hundreds strong, and thus began an evening to remember for the rest of our lives...Christmas, Hanukkah, and PPM music for two magical hours in the most beautiful concert hall in the world...they were among those who completely captured my attention as a boy in suburban Chicago (via my sister's record collection) and to see them all these years later, to feel the impact of what they've done for 4 decades with the power of song, and to be in their presence was truly unforgettable and affirming. The sold-out audience of several thousand included John Kerry (how'd HE get a ticket??) who I just missed in the wee hours at Peter Yarrow's apartment at one of the post-concert parties.

I also had dinner with old pal Christine Lavin before the show, whose been producing and taping singer-songwriter music shows for XM Radio. Chris has been a tireless advocate for other songwriters for as long as I've known here (we go back more than 20 years), and is a self-less as they come. A rare gem. You can find out more about her at www.christinelavin.com. Last year she re-released the fine 1991 compilation "On a Winter's Night" on Rounder Records...included on this updated disk with yours truly are Judy Collins, Patty Larkin, David Wilcox, Cliff Eberhardt, Cheryl Wheeler, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, David Mallett, and others...perfect for ... WINTER!

My dear friend Penny Nichols is winning her battle with breast cancer, and I also want to mention her wonderful songwriting camps, which you can find out more about at www.summersongs.com. They have become a huge and fulfilling part of my life since they began in 1999. If you've ever thought about writing songs or getting more music back into your life (at any level whatsoever), join our tribe...there are no strangers, only friends you haven't met yet.

Songbook nearly done! 26 pieces plucked from my first 6 CDs...check home page for announcment in a few weeks.

More than enough for now (and sorry for the gap!) but suffice it to say that life is full of changes these days. Perhaps biggest on my plate this moment is a speedbump known as thyroid surgery...we are addressing it all with appropriate and complete measures this month, and I look forward to a New Year of renewed health, new perspectives, much music, and coming to a neighborhood near you.

My very best wishes to you, yours, and EVERYONE'S, as always.

     -David