March Greetings Everyone,
I can’t launch into my monthly email to you all without saying that my heart is with the people of Ukraine. The news, the images… hard to read, watch, listen. For me, when unfathomable hurt is inflicted, it can be helpful to re-visit the words of MLK:
“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
And... I do have a little news…
—
CONTENTS of This Newsletter
1. July Songwriting Retreat on Crete now taking reservations
2. Ireland ’22 trip sold out... and ’23 trip now taking reservations
3. In-person shows booked for Tupelo and Nashville
4. Dana Cooper’s new album, single and video…
…features our song “I’m a Bluebird”
5. Sherpas: quick album project update
6. TK Poem of the Month: “The Litter Box”
—
1. July Songwriting Retreat on Crete, now taking reservations
Talented Swedish singer-writer Eva Hilleredhas invited me once more to teach songwriting with her on Crete, and she’s now taking reservations for our week-long workshop/retreat, “Writing from the Inside Out.”
The web page for our workshop and retreat is HERE.
…and the website for the new retreat center is HERE.
In a nutshell:
*Monday, July 11—Sunday, July 17, 2022
Writing from the Inside Out
—A Unique Songwriting Workshop-Retreat with Tom Kimmel and Eva Hillered
Lendas, Crete (Greece)
—For much more info, click HERE
*including arrival and departure days
*Participants can arrange for earlier arrival.
I have LOVED the previous retreats in Lendas I’ve been part of, and Eva and her husband Peter Ostman have created a lovely new residential retreat center there called Lendas East Hill. I can’t wait!
—
2. Ireland ’22 trip sold out, and ’23 trip taking reservations
a. My Ireland 2022 tour to Counties Mayo, Galway and Clare…
…is sold out, but should a party cancel, we do have a very short wait list. If you’d like to be on it, please email vicki(at)inishfreetours.com... and copy me at ireland(at)tomkimmel.com.
b. My Ireland 2023 tour to Counties Dublin, Waterford and Clare…
…is taking reservations NOW.
I LOVE hosting these small scenic musical tours for Inishfree Tours.
2023 in a nutshell:
Saturday, July 23—Monday, August 1, 2023
Tour Counties Dublin, Waterford and Clare…
…with Tom Kimmel for Inishfree Tours
For info on travel, lodging, cost, how to make reservations, and more:
—Visit my website’s updated Ireland page HERE.
—Visit the Inishfree Tours 2023 Schedule page HERE.
...and click the ENQUIRE button there for my tour (which is will be the very first tour of next season) and submit the brief form that'll let the tour company know of your interest.)
—For more general info on Inishfree's tours, click HERE.
—To contact me directly with a question, email me at ireland(at)tomkimmel(dot)com...and I'll reply asap.
—
3. I’m playing live shows again! Had the sweetest night performing down in Hattiesburg last weekend. Good for my SOUL.
Now on the Calendar:
Tupelo (next Friday) and Nashville (in May)…
Friday, March 18, 2022 7:30pm
The Link Centre Presents Tom Kimmel
—solo performance—
1800 West Main Street
Tupelo, MS 38801
—for more info click HERE
—for reservations or more info: 662.690.4011
Wednesday, May 11, 2022 9:00pm
(ITR w/Michael Lille, Don Henry, Dana Cooper & Tom Kimmel)
Bluebird Cafe
4104 Hillsboro Pike
Nashville, TN 37215
—For more info click HERE
—
4. Dana Cooper’s new album, single and video…
…features our song “I’m a Bluebird”
At long last Dana Cooper’s excellent new album I Can Face the Truth is OUT, and it features the single “Bluebird,” which Dana and I wrote and perform together...
...AND now there’s a seriously cool VIDEO for the single featuring the two of us... that you can WATCH it right HERE.
...PLUS Dana has put together a page with ALL the links you need to download and/or stream the album and individual tracks, and it’s right… HERE!
…AND of course you can visit Dana’s website HERE.
—
5. Sherpas quick album project update
A few days ago Michael and Tom got together in TPR’s Maryland studio and added a few brush strokes to our new record. Getting closer! I'm looking forward to heading up there soon to work on it a bit more with them.
—
6. TK Poem of the Month
The Litter Box
Who enjoys cleaning one?
No one, possibly, except me.
Of course in a perfect world
it would not be necessary,
yet under certain circumstances
—the possession of an indoor cat,
for example—it can’t be avoided
and so I approach the task
with the zeal of an archaeologist
digging earnestly for evidence
of lost civilizations.
Oh look! The foundation of a wall
protecting a vibrant city, And here,
shards of what were perhaps
objects of art—trinkets,
clay vessels and other lost treasures.
Another level down
I’m overjoyed to find
the Roman Colosseum
of litter box discoveries
—and yet it encloses the remains
of a paltry crowd:
early arrivals, perhaps, or late departers
before or after a clash of gladiators.
And what’s this now?
Signs of an underground river!
But how long since it flowed freely?
And who were the souls
who once lined its shores?
—
Till next time, Maximum Peace, Love and Understanding,
TK
—
top banner photo: Adarryll Jackson