"Everything Is Free" - Gillian Welch and David Rawlings (2004)

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are coming to Charlotte in a few weeks. They will be playing at the Neighborhood Theater in NoDa, just north of Uptown, on April 25th. It's a very pleasing venue with about 600 seats in all. And that's the best way to see these two extraordinary artists; in as small a venue as possible.

The beauty of watching them perform their magic lies in the fact that they are partners in life as well as music. Mr. Rawlings obvious command of his instrument melds seamlessly with Ms. Welch's singing and her playing.

Songs like this are easily learned. Capo on the 5th fret; Am C G D with a few minor variations and you've got it. But songs like this are also a lifetime in the making. Though I have been fans of these two remarkable artists for several years now this is the first chance I will have had to see them. You can bet that if I had the extra cash I would be going to this show. For now though, I'll just play along....

"Winters Come and Gone" - Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

The music of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings always makes me feel warm. And this song is perfect for the dead of winter. With storm after storm dumping on half of the country, even people unaffected by the storms can get a bit antsy from waiting for spring.

In this beautiful ballad Ms. Welch, along with some help from longtime partner David Rawlings, takes on the woes of winter. With her beautifully nuanced voice, along with David Rawlings poignant guitar work, she coaxes on the arrival of spring while melting away the frigid weather. It’s an art.

Oh little red bird

Come to my window sill

Been so lonesome

Shaking that morning chill

Oh little red bird

Open your mouth and sing

Been so lonesome

Just about flown away

So long now I've been out

In the rain and snow

But winter's come and gone

A little bird told me so

Oh little blue bird

Pearly feather breast

Five cold nickels all I got left

Oh little blue bird

What am I gonna do

Five cold nickels

Ain't gonna see me through

So long now I've been out

In the rain and snow

But winter's come and gone

A little bird told me so

Oh little black bird

On my wire line

Dark as trouble

In this heart of mine

Poor little black bird

Sings a worried song

Dark as trouble 

'Til winter's come and gone 

So long now I've been out

In the rain and snow

But winter's come and gone

A little bird told me so

So long now I've been out

In the rain and snow

But winter's come and gone

A little bird told me so

Note: There was no live video of this song by the artists, just cover versions by other performers.

Happy Birthday Sue!

This is one of my favorite pictures of my wife, Sue. It was taken by someone while on a field trip for a class on something about the environment in Chesapeake Bay. The photo captures her joy, as well as her interest in almost anything. It also shows her as the tower of strength which she is. I can’t imagine living my life without her.

Today is her birthday; and this is my very public way of letting her know how much I still love her. There isn’t a day that passes in which I wonder why she chose to spend her life with me. I’m just glad that she did. Happy Birthday Sue, I love you more with each passing year.