I have been puttin in time in the shed and puttin beans on the table. Luckily I work with a lot of people who have kept me in the volunteering activities. Sometimes for a friend who is distraught sometimes for an organization that works with the larger community. Once in a while when a friend stumbles and needs help righting themselves as they start to walk again.

My mind has been organizing gatherings here at the house and new venues for me to volunteer at.

I have reached out to one network of hospice care facilities and put in my application. Here in California it is necessary to fill out apps and go through some extensive background checking. All to the good if we are creating an environment more safe for the community we serve.  But it slows things down.

I have often contacted a live in community in other states on the same day that I showed up and volunteered at their site. So i am continuing to do both and developing a larger network of locales where we can volunteer.

This past weekend I helped out donating time to engineer sound at a release party for a friend. I visited with family and recorded a soundtrack.  I am excited to put these activities together as I build a community around music and giving.

Stay tuned. As I begin to play at the newest live-in communities I have found I hope to have some exciting events to report on in the coming weeks and months.

Thank you to Earthworks High Definition Microphones for the vocal mic in the second pic.

I have just returned from my 3 month tour. Whew! It was a ton of work and a ton of fun!

I was so lucky to meet some more musicians who want to join forces for the benefit of those in live in communities.

I am looking forward to playing some MusiciansVolunteerArmy gigs here in LA this week!!

Stay tuned!

Dedication in the act ... if you play an instrument bring it along and you'll be doubly gifted with appreciation and inspiration

The people who run the VA Hospital, the parts that I know in bldg 30 and 60, in Tucson, AZ are lovely people. I have met a few of them now but the attitude has been the same from everyone and their dedication to caring for the vets who are there temporarily or long term is lovely.  At the most recent show on March 25th 2015 one of the directors stopped in to say hello and shake our hands.

I am inspired and feel I have a front row seat to some very important loving acts of caring and kindness in these encounters and it is a gift to be able to witness it all.

Other volunteers arrive and go to work bringing joy to the environment. One great example was the music therapist who came in just as I was finishing up and handed out percussion instruments and launched into song as soon as I was done.

The new employees and full time workers I meet give so much and inspire myself and the folks who help me arrange and play these shows.

If you ever get a chance go by and see what I mean. And if you play an instrument bring it along and you'll be doubly gifted with appreciation and inspiration.