I am sorry for the blank post, people. I was set to try to write something and wound up just feeling empty and too sad to find any words. While staring at the blank screen, I, somehow, clicked submit. I loved the man. I wish we'd lived closer. Of all the songs I sang, Craig's caught the spirit of the that place and the those people so absolutely thoroughly--and perfectly... The U.P. of Michigan is a magical landscape and I found Craig Johnson and his thaumaturgic songs about the place at exactly the same moment in my life when good Yoopers were hiring me to come up there and sing at the North Country Folk Festival plus other places.

--- I got a wonderful e-mail from Craig a couple of weeks ago. It was so Craig---all of it! The humor of the man--always the humor that was made profound by the intellect... Damn, I will miss this fine man.

Well, it does seem that I have found some few words to indicate some of the depth of loss I am feeling. Brenda and everyone, please know that so many of us share your anguish tonight. Love to you all. Thank you for sharing Craig with us.

Love, Art