The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #117284 Message #2525743
Posted By: Stewart
27-Dec-08 - 05:03 PM
Thread Name: homage to Rise Up Singing
Subject: RE: homage to Rise Up Singing
I met my friend Jim at the Seattle Song Circle some years ago. At first he would just pass. He seemed very shy, and he was. Sometimes he would request a song for others to sing, but that was all. A while later I befriended him and encouraged him in his music.
He later came to Rainy Camp (a Seattle Song Circle weekend retreat) and I heard him sing a song. He amazed me as he did quite well. I then brought him with me to the Victory Music open mic, which he seemed to enjoy.
After much persuasion I finally got him to perform at the open mic. Since then he has just blossomed, and is now doing his own gigs. Later this spring he will open for Hank Cramer at the Haller Lake Community Center (north Seattle) where I produce concerts for the Haller Lake Arts Council.
The point is, he began by coming to a song circle, but used that experience to grow musically.
I've never seen him use the RUS book. Maybe it's because he is totally blind. But Jim doesn't give up, he just decides what he wants to do, and does it.
Cheers, S. in Seattle