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JOHN'S JOURNAL |
November
29, 05
 Well, I alluded to it in the last installment of this diary. Here's the big news: I'm running for Congress. That's right, your friend the strat-playing, ski-instructing, songwriting, county-legislating environmental activist has filed with the Federal Election Commission as a candidate in New York's 19th Congressional District.
Why, you might ask, would I do such a thing? Well, the easiest way to find out is to go to my campaign website www.Johnhallforcongress.com. Suffice it to say that these are difficult and important times in our nation's history, and I'd like to contribute my ideas and energy to the debate. Our children and their children will have to live with the world we leave them, and I want to do what I can to make that a better world. Please send me your thoughts and prayers for guidance.
John
October
7, 05
Well, it's taken me long enough to write this. I've just been too busy to write a diary until now, but I'll try to make a good start.
Orleans this Saturday does our last gig of the year at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, their allumni weekend. Too bad it's not open to the public; it should be a great gig, with Ceili Rain opening, and joining us on 'Banks of the Hudson'. This will mark the first time Orleans has played that song from my Banks of the Hudson CD, also the first time it will have fiddle and accordian on it. Banks always struck me as such a traditional song, with an Irish or Scotch waltz-time sea chanty feel to it, that it was crying out for some of those traditional instruments. At last I'll get to hear what that sounds like.
On October 15, I'm playing with the Gulf Stream Night band at the Towne Crier in Pawling, NY, a gig that started out as a regular show and turned into a benefit for New Orleans musicians. Bernard Purdie (legendary New York session drummer) and Jimmy Vivino (Late Show guitarist) were talking to the Towne Crier's owner, Phil Ciganer, about the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic. I called a couple of days later wanting to turn the show into a benefit, and Phil passed the info on to me. I checked their web site, talked to them on the phone to make sure they were functioning and ready to receive and distribute contributions, and made the decision. The Kennedys eagerly signed on, and we should have a great evening. Musical instrument donations are requested, and will be sent via the American Jazz Foundation who are facilitating for NOMC.
As you're probably noticed, there's a lack of gigs after October 15th. I'm on the horns of a big decision, which I'll let you know about as soon as possible. Thanks for listening, reading, caring...
peace,
John |
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