Autumn Greetings!
It’s a beautiful fall day here in Memphis. I love Memphis. I was born here, have always had family here. And right now Memphis is one of five special cities occupied by federal special forces. I don't like it! I won't go on about it here, but when you scroll down, check out the sign a friend's daughter was holding at a gathering here last weekend. It sums it all up for me.
And it is indeed a beautiful fall day here. I'm looking out the window at the old fountain in the backyard, the sunlight filtering through the trees. Clothes hanging on the back porch. (We like the fresh smell.)
OK! I have a little news, a new poem-of-the-month, a unique song-of-the-month, and a couple of quotes for our time.
—-
Contents of This Newsletter
1. Unusual Waymores sighting
2. Crete retreat this coming June (2026)
3. Ireland 2026 & 2027 updates
4. Song of the Month: Eighty
5 Poem of the Month: James Bond's Prostate
6. Wisdom for our time: Everett Dirksen & Bob McDill on money
—
1. Waymores sighting
I don't usually report on past concerts, but thanks to Sarge Waymore, last month Don Henry, Sally Barris and I performed a private concert in a studio at the Grand Ole Opry. We loved making it past all the security up the tunnel through the artist entry. What a smooth operation! Top notch sound, great crew, our meals served to us in our deluxe green room. Hope we’ll be playing around Nashville again before too long.
---
2. Join me on Crete next June
When: June 14–21, 2026
Where: Lendas, Crete (Greece)
For the scoop: email me at: ptclear(at)yahoo(dot)com
Or my teaching partner (and our retreat host) Swedish artist Eva Hillered at: info(at)evahillered(dot)com
I'm excited to be returning to Crete to teach and write at another special retreat next June. And a writing retreat overlooking the Mediterranean sounds appealing, it’s also easy to plan a Greek vacation around our Crete treat—as I did on my last trip over.
And for more on Eva, the recording artist, visit: evahillered(dot)se
—
3. Brief Ireland update
My 2026 tour is sold out…
…but if you’re interested in joining me in 2027, save these dates: July 18-27, 2027
We’ll be exploring Counties Donegal, Mayo & Galway.
To get a feel for the tours, visit my website Ireland page here:
https://tomkimmel(dot)com/
—
4. Song-of-the-Month: “Eighty”
I've been featuring a song-of-the-month for the last few months, and I've been choosing songs from one of my albums or one of the trio albums, but I'd like to start sharing some tracks you will not have heard: demos, work tapes, songs left off albums.
Most of you know that over the years I've covered a lot of musical ground with my writing. And I still love stretching out stylistically.
I wrote Eighty as a surprise for a dear friend on his 80th birthday, and I slapped down a quick rock'n'roll demo in my small backyard studio. I really had fun writing and recording it. I hope you'll enjoy it.
To listen, visit my website…
BTW you can download it for free, and feel free to share as you like. And FYI, it’s won’t be streaming and is not on any album.
—
5. Poem-of-the-Month: Jame’s Bond’s Prostate
James Bond's Prostate
He stands at the urinal
Stares straight ahead
As young 00's come and go
Now Gemtesa each morning
Flomax at night
Depends to catch those drips and drabs
Vesper calls from the bed
Must you get up so often
You're keeping me up baby love
His doctor says listen
There's a little procedure
That helps many men of your age
The shame and the worry
For if this gets out
It's 007 so long
—
6. Wisdom from Everett Dirksen and Bob McDill
There’s an awful lot of talk about dollars these days.
“A billion here, a billion there. Pretty soon you're talking real money."
Everett Dirksen (1896-1969) , US Congressman (R) from Illinois
“That which you own, owns you.”
Bob McDill (b. 1944), American Songwriter
(Photo by Jackie Chancey)
—
Till next month, Maximum Peace, Love, and Understanding,
TK
PS Thanks always to the folks at Elixir Strings for keeping me playing the world's best strings for over 25 years.
©2025 Point Clear Records & Press