My Country 'Tis of Thee...

One of our elected representatives asked me this question, "What should we celebrate on our 250th?" 

"What do you love about America that is worth celebrating?"

Here was my answer: 

We are a country of immigrants. Our diversity should be celebrated. 

More than anything, we should celebrate our First Amendment. Our freedom to speak truth to the people we have placed in seats of power to represent US.

Second question: 

"What does the nation’s anniversary mean to you?"  

My answer: 

Our nation's anniversary is a time of reflection. (Ironically, a person that too many people voted for has literally created the swamp he promised to drain.) Our 250th anniversary is an opportunity to look back at what we have done that is worth celebrating, worth preserving and worth continuing, and what needs improving. We have much work to do. There are some systems in place that serve the people. We need to protect and defend our Constitution. 

And there are some people and systems that work against the greater good. 

They need to go.

Father's Day Vibes, Making Fun Memories

It's been a full weekend! 

Father's Day was fun. 

I shared (what I thought was)  a short, funny story about my dad on social media, then we had brunch with the "kids" and Gkids, and then Josh took us on an adventure to a park wiyh a great view in the East Bay before we went to see "Disclosure Day." Not Spielberg's best, but there were some cool special effects until it got a bit preachy, but maybe the messages will reach someone who needs them. I don't know, seems folks learn best from personal experience. 

In other news, Arne is mixing a project from the very first artist he ever signed to a production deal (about fifty years ago!) so I've been hearing some really catchy tunes as I work on clearing clutter of the internal and external kind. I'm doing a graphics project for a nonprofit org and learning some new tunes for something else. 

We've got a Saloon gig coming up in a few weeks, and Richard is elsewhere for that one, so I'm deciding whether to hire a sub keyboard player, or go in another direction. Doing my best to look at it as an adventure instead of a panic this time around... have to keep reminding myself that we always give it our all and it's always fun...the power lies within. 

Marin folks: we will be at the Sausalito Cruising Club gig on July 18th. Come on over! 

Music helps us through these strange times. Stay focused, and be kind. Sending love. 

Ox, 

Mari 

A Celebration of Freedom, Integrity and Communication.

Did you catch any of the Obama Presidential Center celebration on June 18th? 

I'm guessing most of my NY folks will watch the recordings, as the Knicks championship  celebration was going on about the same time. 

We watched some of it in real time until we had to get on with our day, then rewatched some and replayed other bits on You Tube after we got back home. Jennifer Hudson brought me to tears during the theme from "Man of LaMancha" -- not only for the beauty of her rendition and the lyrics of the song, but it brought me back to the days when my mom would dance to the radio as she carried the laundry to the clothesline out back.  

The idea to open the Obama Center to the public on Juneteenth is so appropriate, as both events commemorate freedom; one more private than the other. The Obamas have done their time, "in The Crucible." Time for more of us to step up. With freedom comes responsibility to be informed before you vote. 

I hope and pray that we all free ourselves of the prejudices, internal and external, that hold us back from realizing our fullest potential -- individually and as a nation. The first step to becoming free is the realization that you are free, and we have laws to protect those freedoms.  Our laws must be upheld, or we will lose those freedoms. 

Ok, enough rambling. Hope you have the best possible day. 

Keep your chin up and enjoy each moment, because moments become years, and they go by so quickly. 

Ox, 

Mari 

A Correction and a Reminder

The opening of the Obama library begins today, Thursday, June 18th. Tomorrow, we celebrate Juneteeth, a federal holiday that commemorates "the effective end of slavery" in the United States: June 19th, 1865. 

 We all get a reminder of what it felt like to have a POTUS for the people, a person who spoke with eloquence and hope, who still believes in the promise of America. What a promise means to one person, can.mean something completely different to another. 

Obama.org

Gigs: 

Correction: lineup for July 11th will not include Richard Wood on keys. Lineup will include Myself, Arne on bass, Dave on guitar, and Roy Blumenfeld on the drum throne

Gig Recap and Save the Dates

We had a great gig on Saturday, which made up for last week's session, which was more emotional than great, for several reasons. Sometimes the two (emotion and music) combine, sometimes they don't. The best part was sharing in that moment, with family and friends. I will keep some of those moments with me for a long time.  

Harry Nillson was born on this day, in 1941. 

That said, besides having people sing along with tunes I've written, I can't think of anything I've ever done that comes close to the way I feel when I go for a note and it hits. I'd like to share that, so if you know anyone needing a vocal coach, please send them my way. 

Upcoming gigs: 

July 11th at The Saloon 4 - 8 

July 18th at the Sausalito Cruising Club 6:30 - 9:00 

August 7th  - Lucca in Benicia 

August 8th - The Saloon 

Stay hydrated and get some rest when you can. Be kind to yourself by being kind to everyone else. 

Ox,

Mari 

p,s. Every time I use the vacuum, I think of this song and video: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4Mc-NYPHaQ

Saturday!

Saturday. 6/13.

See you at The Saloon 

Bittersweet Beats

Hey Everybody! 

Hope you are having the best possible day (or night depending upon when you are reading this.) Come to think of it, night is part of every day...but I digress... 

We ventured back into the old Sausalito studio yesterday (6/7) which happened to be Prince's birthday. The studio is currently operating as 2200 Studios. I have to admit, it felt strange, but it felt really good to be able to record some of the tunes that have been sitting in demo form for what seems like the longest time, so hopefully, this will help get us some of what I call "originals gigs." We recorded live in front of a very small, private audience. It was a very emotional experience. 

Anyway, as previously shared, our dedicated drummer for the past five years or so, Martin Cunningham, is moving to NH at the end of the month, so we are saying a fond farewell this coming Saturday, June 13th, at The Saloon. Downbeat is 4:00 pm, and we may have some special guests, or not! 

Hope you can join us. We will give it our all, as we always do. 

Wishing you peace in your soul, love in your heart, and beautiful human music. 

Oh, and speaking of beautiful music, Questlove has blessed us with a new music documentary, this one about Earth, Wind and Fire. It's showing on HBO Max, so...

Ox, 

Mari 

Election Day - Please Vote!

 Hey Everybody! 

Mari here. Excited to be working on some new tunes. We are taking the band of kings into the studio to record. 

Please vote as your conscience tells you to do. I used CalMatters.org for guidance. You do you. 

Happy Pride to everyone who believes in personal freedom as long as you aren't hurting anyone else. And if you are hurt by someone else's choices, maybe consider concentrating more on the things and people you love. 

See you on the second Saturday afternoon. 

This Sunday, I may try to do a live. Not sure. But stay tuned. 

Ox, 

Mari