I don’t know about you, but musicians have profoundly affected my artwork just as much, if not more than visual artists have. There are a number of them that I have followed since right out of college and graduate school. What has impressed me is the ones that have just simply plugged away making quality work, regardless of current trends. Perhaps that’s the hope I have for myself as an artist as well. I admire them greatly.
Groups such as Innocence Mission, and Over the Rhine have amazed me with their consistency and pluck, and individuals such as Eddie Reader, Richard Shindell, Luka Bloom, Patty Griffin and Julie and Buddy Miller, don’t cease to make music that shows skill of heart, lyric, and musicianship. I ran onto this video of Over The Rhine performing at a venue in Memphis that I enjoyed, thought you might as well. Good art is a very good thing no matter what art form it may be.
My Scotty dog Bonny, with the last and now empty box of books.
So, about a year ago 500 “A Bigger World Yet….” books were picked up on a rainy day from a local printer, each with 100,074 words. Now, almost a year to date those 500 books and all of those words, are out there in the world hopefully being helpful to those who have read them. As of now, the plan is not to print any more hard copies of the book. We’re hoping a larger publisher will capture the vision of friendship and community the book speaks of, and be interested in publishing the book. Keep sending out those warm thoughts and prayers in that direction.
Meanwhile, the book in some ways is going to be more available. It’s going digital. Right now it available directly through “Smash Words” : http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/140172 for $8.99. You can even read the introduction and part of the 1st chapter as well for free on line (what a bargain). Soon enough you should be able to get it through the kindle store, I-book and all of those as well. I’ll keep you updated.
So I was interviewed for a podcast as of late by Nate Larkin the founder of a wonderful group of men out of Nashville called “Samson Society.” The thought behind their name is that David in the Old Testament had Nathan to call him on his stuff, while Samson didn’t have any brothers holding him accountable, and look what happened to him!
It’s a great group of guys, being real and supporting one another. Below is the link to their website. Scroll down, to the “Pirate Monk Podcast” window. And within that window you’ll find the link to my talk with them. The interview with me is Episode 79, with the title of the book “A Bigger World Yet…” as the tag.
