I must say that last year was a very good year personally and musically, and when I look ahead to 2025, I just can’t see it getting better than that.
It’s that time of year to set intentions for the year ahead, and I must admit I’m finding it rather difficult to muster any new goals beyond those I’ve already achieved.
Yes, I have a new album in the works, but I don’t feel in a hurry to complete it. Does the world really need another album?
I’m reminded of that song by the band Cracker, “Teen Angst”: "What the world needs now is another folksinger, like I need a hole in my head."
There’s too much noise out there, too much happening. It's like shouting in a hurricane. When I post an event on Facebook, it feels like I’m just adding to the cacophony. It doesn’t feel right. Instead, I feel like being quiet—settling down on the porch, playing the guitar with the breeze and the birds in the trees. Seriously, that’s the gig I want. I want to lift my voice in an empty church.
It’s not that I’m burned out or anything. I think it’s just the winter season—a time to rest and be still. That’s my real intention right now.
(I know nobody comes here to read these postings, but they serve an archival purpose. Writing for a public audience is something I never really cut my teeth on, but it’s a practice I enjoy.)
Okay, here are a few things I want to do:
Musically, I have things to get done. I wrote four new songs in December, and I think they’re pretty good. I need to organize and sort through my archive of demos and scratch tracks. I have a couple of “home recording” projects in mind. The new album is probably 70% done. Plus, there’s an old project I did with Bill Taylor that I might revisit and release as singles or something.
I want to improve my skills on guitar, banjo, and harmonica. I want to learn some new songs and old ballads.
I want to collaborate with people who challenge me and make me a better musician. I want the time to practice and improve. I want to be the kind of person who enhances other people’s music.
I’d also like to figure out what I can do on YouTube without feeling like I’m adding to the noise. Maybe I can create an archive?
Anyway, those are my thoughts for the January blog and some intentions for the new year.