Come out and celebrate!
May 26, 2009
the 2010 Official State Musician of Texas! Whoo-hoo! I need me some
friends and family so we can rock the capitol with laughter and love!!!
Thank you! Bless you!
An excited and humbled Sara
If you can't come out, you should be able to watch it all unfold at this link:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us
On the right-hand side under "Legislative Activity" you'll see "video broadcasts" -
just click on "House" and you can see a live broadcast from the House chamber
(where we will be for the resolution).
posted by Sara Hickman at 07:49 am
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Weird and, yet, still wonderful
May 19, 2009
where she has moved him to...so, I would like to ask those of you in my sphere
to pray that: 1) my dad's health improves 2) my dad's wife will have a change
of heart and decide to share and 3) that we all just stay calm
during this weird time in life.
Sunday I went and saw Aubrey, one of the Super Pal Universe
band members, perform with her band, The Creepy Uncles,
at Saxon. I was so proud to see her up there, singing her own songs,
playing guitar (she's fingering barre chords, now, too!) and she even
took a solo, but dang! no volume pedal or anyone at the board to
raise her solo, so I struggled to hear it. The band was great...men
with tattoos next to 15 year old smooth skinned Aubrey in her
blue and black plaid jumper dress! I still think the vocals should
be over the music, but I guess not eveyone agrees with me.
Too bad. I really wanted to, still, hear what she had to sing
about with her lyrics!
Super Pal Universe opened, and they sounded stellar. I could
really hear the gel in their vibe, and see the growth in their
musicianship (as well as height!) I got a lot of flack when I suggested
the kids learn "End of The World As We Know It' by R.E.M., but
I was dead on RIGHT cuz it is really, really cool to hear Aubrey
belting out the words. Evan's mic wasn't hot enough, so couldn't hear
his backing vox, but I could hear Livvy, who has grown ever more
confident in her playing. Rush was slamming on the drums, right in
the pocket. He's always had it, from day one. Evan's lead playing
was sure footed, too, and he's grown into himself, although he
has always been a delight to work with. Cool and confident.
Jacob has finally caught up with the other kids---he used to
be the shortest, but now they are all eye level. He's born to
be an entertainer. It's in his blood. My heart hurt a little with
an ache for things that could have expanded with that group,
but, overall, I was just a proud mamasita watching her brood
jam out the jams! Aubrey sounded REALLY confident in SPU,
her vocals now memorized, a part of her physicalality. It takes
a while to "own" a song, to make it your own. I could see
that is what has happened with the entire group.
It' s nice to be in the Saxon with no smoke.
Then went and heard Cary Cooper at the Journey Church up
north. Wow oh wow. Loved her songwriting, loved seeing
how her brain works, loved the timbre and quality of her
voice---nothing fancy, just right to the point with a hint
of smoke (not the kind that used to be at the Saxon, mind you.
Watching her perform with her husband, Tom, was very gratifying
and not silly or sexy or nutty. Just sure and loving. Cool place, too.
Looking forward to singing there. Saw Kristin, she was shining, as
ever, and sat in with Cary and Tom and it sounded magical,
full....
Came home to the family. Wanting to be with them more than
ever these days.
I sing at Nutty Brown tonight. Hope there will be some families there....
posted by Sara Hickman at 10:45 am
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An idea to support Folk Music
May 16, 2009
has reached out to the music community, asking us what the administration can do better to help serve
our field...:
I agree that to be a part of the dialogue, one has to approach this opening with care and finesse. If I may suggest an idea,
it would be astounding if, once a month, a different artist was allowed to present music for 30 minutes for a concert
on the White House lawn, or inside. Old Town School of Music, in conjunction with the International Folk Alliance,
could be the presenters, and this would build relationships and greater understanding of what folk music is and how
it sustains and endures people, not only in the United States, but around the world. PBS could be involved,
or a cable show, to share the music that the president/staff/guests are being treated to,
and it helps expose different artists to a greater audience. I think to build a relationship,
the music has to be present. Nothing speaks louder than the art itself, and what greater
gift to give to the nation, and it's leader, than the very heartbeat of human creativity---
the human voice? Thank you for providing a format to discuss ideas.
Sara Hickman
posted by Sara Hickman at 06:10 am
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Update on my Dad
May 12, 2009
I stopped in La Grangeto have coffee with Mike and Ginger, at their ranch,
where I was blessed to have the first sign of the morning---a brand new
purple martin home that Mike had just put up the day before...and as I
popped out of my car, Mike excitedly said, "Look!" and up a-top of
the three story home, perched in the sky on a long, skinny pole, there
sat a beautiful, proud purple martin, warbling away.
"Welcome! This is your home!" Mike exclaimed. He then turned and
said, "You brought him with you...it's our first one! I can't believe
he found us!" and then he smiled and talked about the purple martin
house that Holly and Julie want to install in honor of my dad. I felt
very elated to see the purple martin, his new home, my friend, Mike,
happy as a clam, the song of the martin filling the air. A good sign,
indeed!
After a blessed time of conversation and hugs, and little Tinker,
the fluffy, sweet dog sitting by my side, we said our goodbyes
and I got into my car to head off down the road.
As I was leaving the property, I pulled over off
the freeway, almost immediately!.
I saw a gigantic turtle about to make a ba-a-a-d decision.
Sitting at the edge of the freeway, considering a pass at
crossing across...
He was a heavy bloke, and although he was kicking frantically, I managed to
carry him across the busy road and into a reedy, wet swampy area.
"Good day, sir!" I said as I plopped him down, gently. "You are my second
sign!"
There were some phone calls as I drove, updates on my dad and how
he might be moved from the facility he is currently at...This is all
very complicated and family related, so I won't say more here. Just know
that I was trying to drive the way of the turtle---steady and calm,
knowing I would arrive just when I should. Listening to "Purple Martin"
by Brian Cutain, who had just handed me the song on Friday, also in
honor of my dad. And what a gorgeous, lilting, lovely song it is.
I was surrounded, in my car, by nature's spirit.
I arrived to find my mom waiting for me in the reception area, and we
hugged and gathered ourselves and went up to see Dad.
Well, he was very bright eyed, and just since Saturday, he seems to
be more responsive, and my mom was surprised at how
healthy he looked. He seemed to follow my mom with his eyes around
the room, and that was very good news! I was able to talk with
one of his doctors, the head nurse, to talk with the COO, and that gave
us more information on my dad's status. I was able to sit with him
for lengths at a time, just holding his hand, just talking about
art or life or helping the nurses with the variety of things they
have to do...letting dad know what was about to be injected or
helping him to relax.
This is all very nebulous, I know. It is for our family, too. I am trying
to walk the thin line of sharing information about my father, and
keeping his level of privacy, as well.
He is no longer on life support, but still being assisted and unable
to care for himself. I am hoping that he will continue to strengthen.
As my mom said in a beautiful prayerful email she sent this morning,
"Perhaps he will someday be able to paint, again..." That is his
life long passion, and I know if he is able to hold a paint brush again,
someday, that is what will happen. Art. And it will be astounding,
at that.
I have no doubt all the prayers on behalf of my dad are helping.
Thank you for keeping good thoughts of David in your mind
as you walk through your day. And hug/love/honor/celebrate those
you love as you see them/think of them...let them know they matter
to you. Help them to gather memories being made that they can treasure...
In gratitude,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 07:35 am
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My friend, Mike McGee: Vote for his art!
so let's support him in this endeavor! GoooOOOOooo, Mike!
I've submitted some photos to Jones Soda to see if one of them might end up being on one
of their labels. Some of what I submitted is artwork, some actual photographic images.
Here is my "page" (3 total):
http://www.jonessoda.com/gallery/index.php?search[text]=Mike%20McGee&offset=1
If you could, please take the time to go here and vote on a photo or two that might make a good soda label.
You know what I win if my image gets picked? Nothing!
I help advertise a corporation's wares for free.
So there's no reason not to do it, right?
posted by Sara Hickman at 07:31 am
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