Hola, amigos. I know it's been a long time since I
rapped at ya.
(Ten points for anyone who catches the cultural
reference there...)

Anyway, it's been quiet in the courtyard, so I thought
I'd pipe up. Last weekend I went to Seattle for a
40th anniversary party/ recommitment ceremony with my
former neighbors and good friends John and Sally.

They are the coolest neighbors anyone could have, and
a loving, thoughtful, fun pair of humans. They had a
celebration with family and close friends. I got to
DJ, and had a blast. The night before, I played "Since
I still tell you my Every Day," for them because it
just seemed to fit.

Even before that, I'd listen to the album several
times. During one listening, that very song just
grabbed my attention and qualified as an instant
classic. There are countless songs about the glory of
new love, or its wild, passionate side, but I liked
how "Since" reflects the everyday, but constant
connection between two friends that grows over time.

Right now I don't have a copy of We Walked in Song,
because I decided to leave it with them. It seemed
like a fitting gift. Although I'll have to get another
copy, that's OK. I won that copy from the good folks
at Lunapark6, so I got to pass forward the gift.
Thanks, Universe.

And now, in case Karen, Don, and Mike are Courtyard
subscribers, here is my shameless appeal:
=====================================

Dear Karen, Don, and Mike,

I've enjoyed your music for well over a decade now,
but the timing has never worked out to see you
perform. I came THAT close to meeting you in the
studio when you were creating Glow, because my
co-worker John Burton worked on that project at Bad
Animals in Seattle. Only I didn't find out until you
had flown home. *sigh.*

Now, I know you are all quite busy, and this can be a
wacky time of year. Myself, I'm flying back east in a
few weeks to see the family, hoping that there are no
blizzards in Denver before Christmas, or ice storms in
Chicago after New Years. If you could spare just one
little ol' evening to pull up some chairs and play
some tunes somewhere in the mid-Atlantic region, that
would be one of the nicest presents I can imagine,
outside of seeing my family.

And if you don't feel like traveling, then perhaps you
could rent an Elks Club or such in Lancaster or York,
and I'll beg, borrow, or bus my way up there from
Maryland. And so will a lot of other great folks.
(right, Rocco?)

Money can't buy you happiness, but it can purchase the
gas money and tickets to experience good music.

Best Wishes,
Erik

(p.s., even if y'all can't make it, we love you
anyway. But there's only so many times one can watch
"It's a Wonderful Life.")



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