Bugs, Dancing Kids, Va Tech, Writing, Writing and Arithmatic (sp)

It goes down in my Top 10 experiences onstage to perform with the band at the 19th Annual Sudflood at Va Tech within two weeks of the massacre. The 4th song in, Tom, who's with us playing some keys on the last few tours, was off to the side of the stage sitting the song out while Carter soloed, sitting there all scratchy eyed. "Tom you're drunk" i shouted. After the show we compared notes and he said it was hard, those first four songs of the set (changeless, wae, comfort, opo) were hard getting through with all the viscery going about the place. I agreed and told him the sunglasses helped. But even after awhile, it's time to take the sunglasses off and look people in the eye. A show like that.

I find myself mostly thinking of the parents in the aftermath, and all of the gorgeous spring days that were unfolding from that windy, snowy day. And how those beautiful days of spring would now become a part of their annual grieving cycle. I can hear them whispering to themselves, 'so close...so close...'.

The only thing linear about life is the time itself. Everything else is a chaotic mess...or beauty. I watched an interview the day after the massacre and Larry King asked a parent, who was lending himself to interviews there on campus within 36 hours of his daughter's untimely death, why he was there doing these interviews, and the parent's simple reply was, "I am here as an advocate for my daughter." What a powerful message; to displace your grief long enough to be an ambassador for someone. To make sure their spirit is exalted amidst the chaos, and transitioned with grace. Backbone and Grace. What a true example of a selfless father. This example would typify the Tech community in the days and weeks to come.

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The shows, all of them, have been very rewarding for us this Winter and Spring. It was nice to eat a bug or two at Friday Cheers as Spring slobbers all over everything. It's nice to have the soundman's kids jump onstage with an unplugged microphone and display their fearless skilz. Nice to see people out in general and giving up their time, money and options to be a part of our thing.

Now the focus is on writing and there's alot going on. It was a year ago now when we were writing and recording LLHR. I think everyone is enjoying spending some time back in VA to focus on the fun, joy, excitement of writing and not really stressing about tours and album cycles and singles and 'getting it done' under time and under budget etc. It's really about getting back to hearing our voices bouncing around the room again, so to speak. We're very excited for the new cd, whenever that's released. It won't be released until she's done.

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So we're doing some creative Arithmetic in the meantime, staying off the road except for some select shows, so catch em while you can. Spread the word to your friends and get the music around. Check back with us on our sites each week, as things heat up, we will post stuff for you to see and hear on our STUDIO page (in the 'extras' tab of our carbonleaf.com site

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Have a nice time then,
barry

Comments

[Pam]

that was really nicely written, barry. great blog.

[Cindy]

I really wish I could have gone to the show in Blacksburg, but it was 21+ sadly. Please come back and do a show for everyone!!! Thanks for the kind words for the community here. Can't wait for yet another record from you guys!