I'm changing gears, as I put it in a Facebook update. I spent the past week in West Virginia, and now I'm in Seattle, where I'm going to spend a couple of days meeting with technology and newspaper people. I did end up doing some work while in West Virginia -- had one conference call where I was wondering if the harmony singing class behind me and the Cajun fiddler practicing on the plaza were coming through -- but it's all good. If I can maintain a good musical life and a good consulting job at the same time, then that's a good life.

West Virginia was great. The music was wonderful; the photo is of Courtney Granger, Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz leading a jam one night on the porch of Halliehurst. When I have more time I will post some audio and hopefully some video as well.

I'll be spending more time in West Virginia this summer; I decided this week that I will finally get around to attending the Clifftop Applachian String Band Festival and from there I will go back to Augusta for a week of old-time music and singing.

( West Virginia and Appalachia )

Great music tends to come from crossroads like New York City and New Orleans and Chicago. Appalachia has been a crossroads for cultures and people since before Europeans came to this country, and it's got the music to prove it. And it's a beautiful place. I love New York City, I am happy I'm from here and I'll never move away. But I look forward to returning to West Virginia next month.