Concert, Aberdeen, Jan. 26

Hello music lovers,

Well, the first month of 2008 has nearly escaped me. All my good intentions have not been realized but thanks to the drop in temperature, I have made good on the end of year paperwork glut, the snow has hidden the yard work, and the blood work is scheduled. At the risk of sounding maudlin, all of us of a certain age must keep up with certain indignities regarding our personal longevity. You know who you are. Don’t put it off any longer. I want to see you out and about for a long time to come.

Back to the future. As I have often mentioned here, Sustainable Sandhills executive director Jon Parsons loomed large in getting music going here in LA. He continues to advise and you can see him regularly behind the sound board. The Parsons will continue to have the post Christmas gig for as long as I am the rooster’s wife. Jake does not read email so I am not too worried about any ideas this might engender.

Email excepted, I favor the old fashioned as well. The Parsons blew in from their cozy nest in Cumberland County to fill us with good cheer. Mixing originals with traditional favorites, the group held court and rapt attention and totally entertained us. Caroline’s new song “Damn the Man” deserves a wider audience. It gives a strong and accurate message about who carries the burden of others’ decisions. If you were here, urge her to send it out into the musical galaxy. If you weren’t here, encourage her to upload the song to www.theparsons.info so you can hear it. The group introduced their newest member, Ashley Davis, on the fiddle, and a fine addition she is. They were as busy as bees in a jam jar, ducking in and out around the microphone as everybody took their turn. It was a night of good old time fun.

A quarter century ago, President Ronald Reagan opposed legislation creating a federal holiday in honor of Martin Luther King. Back in those good old days, the vote of 338 representatives and 78 senators made presidential veto an impossibility. The bill was signed in the rose garden and honored Dr. King’s message of social change accomplished through non-violent political activism. His philosophy was grounded in the Sermon on the Mount, one of the strangest, most impossible , and beautiful instructions ever given “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.” Now that is one radical idea.

I am weary of the political sparring and constant media attention with its growing list of superlatives (tsunami Tuesday ? !) for this never ending campaign for leader of the free world. So when MLK’s birthday rolls around annually, it is a nice break from the bleak news to a discussion of the meaning of non violent protest, and the importance of service to others. After all, Congress called on Americans back in 1994 to make the holiday an opportunity to serve. Many describe it not as a day off, but as a day on, on to make our world better.

On this day of remembrance for a man that touted radical concepts, I see the change that has evolved in my lifetime as a result of the civil rights movement. Looking at the field of candidates of both major parties, included are a woman, a black man, a Baptist minister, a Mormon, just to name a few. From where I sit, these race horses don’t seem to be winning because of these descriptions, but more importantly, they don’t seem to be losing votes because of them either. If in the twenty five years since the holiday’s inception we have grown to the point of voting on points more important than race or gender, I say well done Dr. King; we did hear you, it is a little better in the world.

And I must add the world is always better with live music. Be here at the corner of Blue and High for the concert Sat. night. Bill Hicks, Mike Craver, and Jim Watson, three of the original Red Clay Ramblers, will be joined by Joe Newberry for a terrific show. They will play favorites from the Rambler repertoire along with selections from their prodigious output as individuals.

Don’t miss it. (910)944-7502 or theroosterwife@yahoo.com to save your seat.