Hello everyone,
I've been procrastinating about this months "notes" not knowing quite what to write about. I've been so consumed by the details and the day-to-day maintenance of this touring business that I lose track of how to be creative and inspired.

I'm sitting in a cheesy motel room in Lafayette, Indiana. I've been on tour for two weeks, and I've been feeling worn out until about an hour ago when I picked up an e-mail from my friend Patti Casey in Vermont who has informed me that the Kerrville Festival has accepted me into the New Folk Competition. Well that's a pretty picture and a nice surge of adrenaline! Looks like I know where I'll be from May 26th through June 6th. Kerrville here I come!

The past two weeks have actually been pretty nice. Lui Collins and I drove out from Massachusetts in tandem for concerts in St. Paul, MN then in Fort Atkinson, WI near Madison where we were totally snowed out. Snowed out in April! We did a show for a half dozen of Wisconsin's heartiest and had a good time. The following week I spent in Chicago in gorgeous springtime weather. The fruit trees are in full blossom and Cubs games are on the radio. It must be spring. It was great getting to know Chicago some too. I took the El from the suburbs into downtown, and lost myself in the canyons of skyscrapers. Drove down Division in search of the Inner Town Pub for an open mic. Had a fabulous meal at Leo's Diner on Division: blackened catfish on a bed of sweet potatoes and collard greens. The whole ever changing menu is exceptional. Pay 'em a visit when you come to Chicago. Tell Sheila I sent you.

So, today I'm on my way back up to Chicago to play at Northwestern College in Evanston. After the gig I'll just get in my van and start driving home. Home by Wednesday night. Thursday I'll be inspecting the what I hope will be the final version of the CD artwork for The Trade. I'll also receive the master CD in the mail from Nashville by Friday. Then we'll be in business to send the lot off for manufacturing. The tentative release date is now May 18th. A month from today! I'll have them at Kerrville with me. That's a good feeling.

With this thought I'll leave you now: As always, drop me a line in the guestbook. Let me know what you think of the website, and where I should come and tour. This is grassroots, folks. I couldn't do it without you.

Kind Regards,
Dana