I thought I should pop in and let you know that our Marion arrived safe and sound in Kalamazoo (birthplace of the Gibson instrument line and the adjustable truss rod), Michigan yesterday about 12:30 PM. I picked her up, and she filled me in on all the wonderful hospitality she has received. I must tell you that it is great to see her again. We have crossed paths in the Toronto area on 4 or 5 occasions over the last few years, including a night that she joined us around the table in Paul Mills backyard. She did several songs that knocked me out then. I think my fellow Beef Brother Jed and I both became enamored of her singing that night. Since she arrived yesterday we had to go and visit my sound guy in a physical rehab facility. Over the Easter weekend he was assaulted and suffered a closed head injury, and is there for rehab. He is also the fiance of Natalie who plays fiddle in my band. So Marion and I grabbed her fiddle and my guitar and headed to the hospital. Marion and Natalie alternated on the fiddle and I backed them, as well as sang a few songs. Then Marion and I headed home, had some time with my family, and then promptly adjourned to the living room and played songs back and forth until midnight.

Hopefully today I am going to convince her to head to Lansing with me to visit Elderly Instrumments. I don't think she believes that there is any shop as good as the 12th Fret in Toronto. I agree that the 12th Fret is one of those special shops, but there is only one Elderly .... :^) HEY ... it's my bias, leave me alone, willya!!!

She has sang a number of her own compositions for me, and I must tell you that I am very impressed with where this wonderful woman has gotten to, instrumentally as well as with her songwriting. I think she will be around this Folk movement a long time, and given the interesting life she is living, we will hear many fine songs from this wonderful person. She seems to have just the right combination of curiosity, empathy, and downright niceness. Mix that up with the ability to write a lyric and turn a phrase, well the outcome is obvious. Stay tuned.

All the best,

Mick