Greeting again from southern New Mexico where temps are climbing and the mesquite shrubs have finally put on their spring greens. I use them as a barometer for when to plant tomatoes and herbs. We are still under a shelter in place order. Shopping still feels like going in to combat. I always say a mantra and behave as calm and cool as I can in the stores. I bless everyone with a spirit of joy and calm. Yet, I observe people with am almost competitive style, pushing their carts fast and looking side to side like predators.
I hope you are all well and those your care about are healthy, safe and have all they need. What, I hope; we have all realized our actual needs during this Covid-19 pandemic. Needs and wants are completely different things. If there is one driving force for Americans, I have found, it is the right of consumption. In this pandemic where oil, travel, sports, music, arts etc. are all but stopped, we are forced to think on what is really important. I find that connection is actually what most of us miss, want and need. Connection with others is really what we are here on this beautiful planet, at this time. Viruses have been with us since our time as hominids. They are far older than we are and ingeniously evolved. They are also, unknowingly, our teacher.
As a musician, I know about connection. Through my music I seek to connect with listeners and audiences. Together we create a special moment and energy that will never happen again. It is spiritual and life giving. This Sunday I am a virtual guest musician for the First Unitarian church in Albuquerque and the University Presbyterian church in San Antonio TX. The Albuquerque church is at 11am MST. The San Antonio church service is at 11am CST. Both are fantastic and broad-minded houses of workshop where I’ve been a guest in the past. I am so grateful for their support and in hiring me. Please tune in.
Next weekend I deliver the message/sermon at Unity Las Cruces and Center for Spiritual Living Las Cruces in a prerecorded format. I will post the information when I receive it. I am always grateful to be working during a time when all of my gigs have been cancelled through June so far. In the meantime I have set up a donation paypal button my website and appreciate the generous support I have already received and yours too. I am not asking for handouts, I prefer to be working. I did not qualify for any unemployment and have not received a stimulus payment of any sort. Thank you all for your support now and over the many years I have been a professional artist. I do work occasionally as minister but can’t travel anywhere to do that with the current shut down. I am a licensed massage therapist, but that work is completely shut down currently.
I hope my music can offer you some peace, some calm, some comfort and especially some connection during this pandemic shutdown. Here is one of the videos I recorded for Sunday’s music. It is my song “Heart Song” from my album Strong Medicine.
Blessings and please stay healthy.
Much love,
Randy