Ashokan Day 1

Having arrived late last night, I woke after an implausibly good night's sleep on a bunk bed. It was lovely to be already here, and therefore in time for breakfast and the staff meeting. This is the ritual that begins the week here for the staff, and it is our chance to reconnect after not seeing each other for many months. The Ashokan faculty are all wonderful musicians and wonderful folks to spend time with. That's part of what makes this week my favorite gig in the year. That, and the opportunity to stretch and grow as a musician and as a person. We're all on different journeys through our lives, but once a year we come together, thanks to Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, and catch up. It's a nonstop work week of playing and teaching music, and it is as sweet as honey on a spoon. I am reminded by an almost-giddy joy of why I started to sing in the first place. Let me set the scene: woods, humidity, bunk beds, a simple suspension bridge (the "Wiggly Bridge", not to be confused with the bridges of songs, even though performances of them can get pretty wiggly), and so far today, a spider rapelling down the microphone as I was singing Imagination. I tell ya, man, he was swingin'!

Out of time now - every night we have dancing under the stars to live music, and I ampart of that live music, so off I go. More tomorrow.

The renowned Wiggly Bridge