In what feels like a dream scenario, The Cedar Cultural Center just announced Kelley Smith’s album release show for “Flowers” with the Mike Munson Trio as the opener. Since my teenage years I have attended concerts at The Cedar that have changed my understanding of music and the global community- Happy Apple, Tinariwen, Mavis Staples and so many more. World renowned artists choose this Minneapolis stage to share their work. How remarkable to find myself a co-worker with multiple esteemed artists who will fill that same stage with their music. Please join us on Friday, January 8 for a celebratory night of song. **Get your ticket here** and make sure to come visit me at the merch table!
“Flowers” will be officially released next Friday, November 6! I’m listening to it once again this afternoon, not in an effort to craft language to promote it, but simply because I love this album. I just teared up for the hundredth time listening to “Down By The Water” and wholeheartedly assure you that Kelley Smith is a master of her instrument, a poet and a brilliant songsmith. But, as we celebrate the release of this record and the positive attention it is receiving across the region, I revel in the fact that she has become a friend- there is no greater success than finding another friend in the world! Have you ordered “Flowers” yet?! Bandcamp makes it easy- click here!
October included 12 days on the road with Mike through North Carolina. In addition to basic tour management, I was able to make connections on behalf of Liatris Records that were exciting. Luna Music in Indianapolis made bulk purchases of vinyl records by both Mike and Kelley to include in their music subscription service. I also reconnected with Will from Pisgah Banjo Company (based in Asheville, NC) who had been selling instruments at Boats and Bluegrass in Winona last month. At the end of our winding conversation he mentioned that “someone named Kelley from Minnesota” had been doing the company plenty of favors by talking up their banjos. It didn’t take long to make arrangements to add Kelley to their roster of “featured artists.”
I am looking ahead to a number of interesting projects in the coming months- a digital, instrumental release by Pat Keen, Joe Westerlund and Mike Munson; winter/spring booking for Mike and Kelley (including more co-billed shows); and working with Simon Cropp on a possible recording project as well as helping him suss out some short and long term goals and how to move toward them in his work as a full-time musician.
The artists I am most drawn to are made of lofty dreams and fierce determination. These are the traits I aim to mimic both in my life and in my efforts to support others’ artistic pursuits. Out the windows of my third floor office space in downtown Winona, I look at the bluffs that frame both sides of the Mississippi River. The majestic view is a reminder of the tracks we all leave as we carve our way through this world. Here’s to more ideas, more experiments, more MUSIC!
gratefully,
diane
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