The Kitchen Musician ~ June 2014
Hello Friends,
You can call me strange, but I have always felt a special kinship with trees. This month I draw upon the talent of my poet friend Trisha Knudsen to expand upon this. Please join us in the kitchen. I like honey with my tea. How about you?
Index
News:
This Month’s Music: I Am a Tree
Upcoming Shows
Featured Non-Profit: Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests
Photo: Dan Tappan, taken at Acton Jazz Cafe. Seth Connelly accompanying
News
I just received word that the American Songwriter magazine contest named my song “To a Songwriter” as an honorable mention in their forthcoming July/August issue. Huzzah!
On Sunday July 13 from 3:00 – 6:00 pm I will facilitate a three hour songwriting workshop. When Amy Conley approached me about doing this, I had two distinct reactions. First, “Of course I will facilitate a songwriting workshop.” I have done this several times in the past, and enjoyed each one immensely. But there was also a hesitation. “Are you sure you don’t want to ask one of these other great folks?” I know so many wonderful songwriters and songwriting teachers. It seemed a little presumptuous of me to take this on.
The hesitation quickly receded and I accepted the challenge, and the more I think about it the more excited I am for the opportunity to refine my thinking about the process of songwriting. After more than 35 years of teaching, I can say with great conviction that the old adage is true – you never truly understand anything until you try to teach it to someone else. This is a great opportunity for me to improve my craft by teaching it.
I believe that anyone can write a song, and anyone who has written a song can write a better one. If you would like to join me and others in Milford, New Hampshire (one hour north of Boston) for a three hour songwriting workshop, please click here for the details.
This Month’s Music
I Am a Tree
By Trisha Knudsen, Music by Tom Smith
Performed at my Jaffrey, NH cabin on a misty May morning in 2014
See the Poem in the comments section below.
When I was a young man growing up in rural Northeastern Pennsylvania, I was often called a “loner”. Some of this was because my family lived in an isolated area. However, I am basically an introvert, so the “loner” moniker was a fare one. I would walk the local woodlands, spending dreamy hours observing the changing sky, the creatures, the peaceful sound of the brook that ran down the edge of our property, and generally becoming part of the beautiful landscape of the northern end of the Allegheny Mountains.
As a ten year old, my favorite tree was an old Macintosh apple tree on the hill overlooking the farmhouse we rented. I stashed a rope in the hollow of a branch about ten feet from the ground. On sunny afternoons, I would uncoil this rope and weave a hammock between two nearly parallel horizontal branches. Lying in that hammock I would spend hours thinking, listening, smelling, and watching.
So I was particularly pleased last month when I was asked to participate in our Earth Day celebration at the school where I work, the theme of which was “trees”. Our students had planted hundreds of trees, some local and some on other continents. Simultaneous with this invitation I heard my friend Trisha Knudsen read her recently written poem “I Am a Tree” at Amazing Things Arts Center. It was destined to become part of our Earth Day celebration. With Trisha’s kind permission, I worked up a simple musical setting and performed this poem for our students the following week.
I love Trisha’s poetry. This one especially spoke to me the first time I heard it. After working with it repeatedly to fit verses to guitar chords and finger patterns, my appreciation has only increased. This is typical of my experience with many of Trisha’s poems – the more I read or hear them, the more they reveal themselves to me.
I am blessed to be part of a wonderful community of artists. I hope that you have or will find the same.
– Tom
(If so inclined, I invite you to leave a comment by scrolling to the end of this page.)
Upcoming Shows
Saturday, July 12, 2014: Dedham, MA
Two full sets at the Saint Susanna’s summer coffeehouse series – from 8:00 – 10:00 pm. Free to all, and refreshments will be served. I am there!
Sunday, July 13, 2014: Milford, NH
Songwriting workshop at Amy Conley Music Studios, from 3:00 – 6:00 PM. I am really looking forward to sharpening my teaching chops, and helping participants to write better songs. Stick around after for optional pizza and song circle. Click for a full description. Space is limited so please contact Amy Conley to reserve a spot.
Friday, July 18, 2014: Groton, MA
I will feature at the Acoustic Cafe Open Mic, joined by Mally Smith. Main Street Cafe, 159 Main Street, Groton, MA. Doors open 6:30. We start at about 8:00. BYO beer or wine when you order a dinner from their great menu. I love this open mic. Great positive energy.
Click to view details for all upcoming shows.
Featured Non-profit: Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests
“Founded by a handful of concerned citizens in 1901, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is now one of the country’s most effective statewide land conservation organizations. As a non-profit membership organization, the Forest Society is dedicated to protecting the state’s most important landscapes while promoting the wise use of its renewable natural resources.”
The society is instrumental in protecting the forests near my little New Hampshire cabin, and throughout the rest of the state. Please join me in supporting the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.
Tom
May 30, 2014I Am a Tree
© 2014 Trisha Knudsen
Music by Tom Smith
I am a tree
with roots both shallow and deep.
Taproots, for the things of the body;
water and nourishment from the deep places,
and ground roots pushed up above the earth,
for seeking a taste of mottled sunlight
sifted through a bright green cloak of leaves
to feed my ancient soul.
I have branches too, and twigs,
all held up by this sturdy trunk with its rough
bark and boles, its nests and holes.
I house mosses and mice and fungi at my toes.
Squirrel’s nests, chirplings, beetles and ants,
Tent Caterpillars, a Downey Woodpecker,
a Great Horned Owl and the occasional
hawk sitter in my hair. What a bountiful affair!
My leaves are my glory and crown.
Winsome red buds appear in Spring,
waiting to unfurl into the vibrant yellows
and greens of Summer. Jewels of orange
and gold and crimson burst the chilly
covers of night to reveal themselves
in Autumn’s early dew. Some fly away early.
drained and dull, browning and crisping
before falling at my feet as Winter’s
hoary breath starts to freeze my sap,
the blood of my solid and hollow places.
And, if I am a tree, Friend,
then you are the water and the food
that sustain me. You are the soil
that I procure and inhabit, my solid place
on this earth. You are the sun
and the wind that brings joyful life to my leaves,
blowing through them to revive me
when my resolve to thrive begins to falter.
Without your gifts, there is no tree.
Without you, there is no me.
Robert Lerch
June 1, 2014I think Trisha Knudsen’s poem is a master work, and you have done it justice with your thoughtful, gentle musical setting. You and Trisha both have my gratitude for bringing us this gift. Ahh…trees. Friends.
(From Tom)
Thank you for your kind words, Robert. Looks like we have a mutual kinship with trees. – Tom
Joe Fredette
June 2, 2014A gorgeous poem beautifully set to song in a perfect setting. Thank you Tom and Trish for sharing your inspirational art and your love for trees.
Trisha Knudsen
June 3, 2014Thank you Robert and Joe for your kind comments. Tom’s musical additions to my poem are just lovely. Thomas, from one tree lover to another, thank you – I am honored. xo
Neal Braverman
September 16, 2014My thanks to both you Trisha & Tom,
You are poetic lover’s of tree’s whose ever presence may well be one as a loner but OH the Joy any one and any thing can bring to all of us who at our own very special times are all inclusive loner’s in the Forest of our never ending thoughts & minds. Peace.