In the process...

It's been a while. I'm in Philly ending a week long stay to promote my new release, The Ledge. (goto sidebar to check it out on cdbaby.com) It's been a good. HOT trip and I have made many connections and learned a lot along the way. This time around I felt like I was doing a lot of the connecting work. Next time it will be even better.

I met a lot of great people, sold some CD's, spoken to people about some collaborations that I hope to make happen and I performed in some great venues in Philly and NYC.

NYC was HOT...Like, hotter than I can even begin to explain and I had no escape so I just had to deal. Saw the movie Hustle & Flow while I was there and it was better than I had expected. Also played at Asford & Simpson's, Sugar Bar. It was this great little spot in Manhattan and they had incredible sound. ! I played with Gabrielle & Tangible Truth and my friend Rhapsody. The crowd was great and so were all the other performers. I would love to go back and do it all again....without the heat.

Was also on a couple radio stations - Temple University's Radio station in Philly 90.3 fm / and 88.1 fm on Tracee Lynn's show, Writer Blocks. It was great to have the chance to be on Philly radio. Much props to my girls Deirdre & Rhapsody for really making it all happen. Booking, flights, travel and all that including friendship! They went the extra mile to help me out and I am grateful to have people who care so much.

I leave for Minneapolis this coming evening. I wish I could stay longer but I have a feeling I will be back soon.

I Can't Believe it!

FROM SLY & ROBBIE AND ZLINK ENTERTAINMENT:

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 'PRINCESS OF THE POEM' DESDAMONA FOR YOUR STELLAR ALBUM 'THE LEDGE' AND FOR YOUR THREE...YES, THREE MINNESOTA MUSIC AWARD NOMINATIONS!! NOT BAD FOR A POET, HUH? :)

LET'S ALL GET OUR VOTES IN FOR OUR FAVORITE MN MUSICIANS http://minnesotamusicacademy.org/pdf/MMA_BALLOT_05.pdf
Desdamona was nominated for:

* BEST SPOKEN WORD ARTIST
* BEST HIP HOP RECORDING
* ARTIST OF THE YEAR

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, DES!

Another One from my Dad

Confession



I killed them…both of them. It was a cold blooded methodical murder. I shot the first one over and over until it fell to the ground and then I did the same to the other one. I left them dead in the gutter and walked home. I am not proud of this and have regretted it for years. I shouldn’t have done it but it can’t be undone now.



When I first got my gun my parents gave me clear directions about its appropriate use. Don’t shoot people, houses, windows or anything that would break. They did give me limited permission to shoot birds…sparrows and starlings, and never could I shoot a robin. They didn’t say anything about doves.



So, in a short time, all of the birds in the neighborhood were wise to me and flew away quickly if they saw me with the B-B gun. That is when I spotted the pair of Mourning Doves on the telephone wires at the corner of Madison and White. I walked to the corner and stood under them and pumped B-Bs into each one until they fell to the ground. I was puzzled that they didn’t try to fly away even after I started shooting them. After the first one was killed the second one stayed on the wire until I had completed the dirty deed. The Guide to North American Birds says that doves are a solitary bird that sometimes feed in flocks. I don’t believe it. This was a pair and I have seen them in pairs in my yard many times.



When the neighbor on the corner reported to my mother what I had done she was heartbroken. She was so upset that she didn’t or couldn’t say much to me but I knew what I had done was terribly wrong. My father’s only comment was something like, “You give a boy a B-B gun and he’ll shoot anything.” I wasn’t punished but felt like I should have been.



I have heard people say and have said myself that having a dove visit you is a sign of good luck. Several pairs have nested and raised their young in our yard each year. They seem to use our deck as a play pen for their immature young. It is fenced in for the most part and safe from cats. The adults usually stand watch on one of the posts. These doves act as though they know me and are a reminder of my childhood foolishness. They don’t seem to fear me at all and I can pass within a few feet of them without them even acting nervous. I think doves are a sign of good luck and, maybe, even forgiveness. I hope so!