Greetings from Baby Land!
Somehow my freshly-minted daughter is two months old. Needless to say, she's a glorious spirit, and we're still agog. BTW I'm getting good at changing diapers, but I have a lot to learn in other departments.
And Lord have mercy, as crazy hot and swamp-ish it's been here, I know that's also true for many of you. I pray we're all bearing up.
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Contents of This Newsletter
1. Super brief Ireland report (& link for all the info)
2. Three more new stories posted to Substack, including John Prine: Our Intimate Relationship
3. Song for this Swampy Month: Wo' Down
4. Wisdom for our challenging times from British children's author Charlie Macksey, Irish poet and theologian Pádraig Ó Tuama & my man Dave Chappelle
1. Ireland 2027 (& 2028)
My 2027 tour to Counties Donegal, Mayo and Galway is full at the moment, but we've started a short waiting list. To add your name, visit Inishfree Tours' 2027 Schedule page at...
https://www.inishfreetours.
...and click ENQUIRE by my tour.
AND you can find all the info both my 2027 and 2028 tours at the Ireland page at my website:
https://tomkimmel.com/ireland
photo: Patti Freeman
2. Three more new stories posted to Substack
Since my last newsletter, I've finished more stories and posted to Substack:
—John Prine: Our intimate relationship
—Harmony & Sour Notes: Monkey mind in the studio
—Why I Love Ireland: It may not be what you think
To read (for free) any/all of my stories, visit:
Note: There are free and paid subscription options, but if you just want to read without subscribing to one more thing, no worries. Click "No thanks" and you're in.
(I hope you'll find the stories worth reading.)
3. Song of the Month: Wo' Down
I forgot about this song for a few years, and it was a joy to run across it. It's a bluesy thing—I love the feel—and it seems a good time to share it. (Walked our little dog at midnight and humidity was 90%.)
I wrote this one with Art Hays, and this recording was one of the first times I gave myself enough rope to hang myself in the attempt to sing and play all the parts (except drums.)
BTW the guitar on the track is the cheap lavender Dan Electro I'm holding in this photo. Once, when I was really broke, I tried selling it on eBay for $100—and got no offers!
To listen/download/share mp3 or link however you like for free), just go to https://tomkimmel.com/and scroll down.
(But please don't add to YouTube Music etc.)
4. Wisdom we sorely need for right now
"Nothing beats kindness. It sits quietly beyond all things.
—Charles Macksey (b. 1962), British artist, illustrator, and author
“While one person wonders whether they'll survive the day, another is wondering what color they'll paint the kitchen.”
—Pádraig Ó Tuama (b. 1975), Irish poet & theolgian
"We can do better."
—In the words of Dave Chappelle, comedian extraordinaire
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 30 years.
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