Summer 1997
Driving across Eastern Washington to visit friends between shows my journey slows down as I wait for a ferry on a warm Sunday morning. I get out with my notebook to sit in the quiet air and write down the first thing I see, a sign that reads: “You are leaving Lincoln County”. This causes big chunks of song to come tumbling out of me and as I write, the trip across the lake on the ferry intermingles with my sadness over the news that my favorite uncle has …

We return to the East Bay, where Celebrating Songwriters originated over 10 years ago. The folks at The Left Coast Concert Series have generously opened their doors to us and will be hosting the show on a monthly basis. It’s a wonderful venue at the foot of the landmark Claremont Hotel. As always I will act as MC and I try to write a new song for every show. Could be I’ll be bringing in some songs on my slide guitar…

Kinda brings new meaning to “Small but mighty”…

“Brawling in the aisles with roller derby queen, Toughie Brasuhn..” From my song, “Ride” written for my biker pal Donny’s 60th birthday. His mom was a big roller derby fan and Toughie came over the railing after her (likely after being provoked). Apparently it was a pretty even fight. I did some browsing and found her! Her full name was Midge “Toughie” Brasuhn and she was apparently a real brawler. That’s her below collaring an unidentified opponent. Go Toughie!!