The Kitchen Musician ~ June 2019

Hello friends,

In this issue of “The Kitchen Musician” I feature a tribute to my brother-in-law Rob Ayres, whom we lost suddenly and unexpectedly last month. Rob’s death has left a gaping hole in my universe. Among his many interests was music, and so I send him off with song. Come into the kitchen – I’ll share a new song of mine, and one of Rob’s.


Index
  NEWS:
  THIS MONTH’S MUSIC: “Love Is”
  UPCOMING SHOWS
  FEATURED NON-PROFIT: Pan-Mass Challenge

Rob Ayres ~ Photo: Dan Tappan


NEWS

Next month is the twelfth anniversary of “The Kitchen Musician“! I’ll be sharing some fun archival video and songs as we take a trip in the “way back machine!”

Coming up on Sunday, June 23 at 3:30 pm I have an intimate house concert in Boxborough, MA when I will be joined by my talented wing man, Seth Connelly. Contact me if you’d like to know the details.


THIS MONTH’S MUSIC
“Love Is”


“Love Is”, © 2019 Tom Smith (ASCAP)

On the morning after April 30th, my wife Margo and I received a terrible pre-dawn phone call to inform us of the sudden and unexpected death of Margo’s brother, Rob Ayres. We are heart broken. Fortunately, we have a large family and many friends on whom to lean. Even through our sadness, this experience has exposed a kind of beauty.

One of the things Rob and I had in common is a love of music-making. Rob frequently showed up at local open mikes singing well chosen cover songs and a growing repertoire of originals. He even started recording an album, which he had hoped to complete by the end of the year. Rob had a great sense of humor, as those who have experienced his version of “Freight Train” sung in the voice of the Swedish Chef can attest. I miss him dearly.

Songwriters sometimes link their songs to important events in their lives. For example, the first song written after a broken relationship, or the birth of a child. For me, “Love Is” will forever be tagged as the song reflecting on the love that has converged on Margo, me and on Rob’s family and friends in the wake of our profound loss.

Usually I write songs that tell a story, paint a picture or portrait. Instead, I approached this song as a kind of sculptor – each line chipping away at the stone to eventually reveal its heart.

MORE MUSIC
“Dog Song” (by Rob Ayres)


“Dog Song”, © 2019 Rob Ayres

Rob intended to include this song on his studio album. His recording engineer, Seth Connelly kindly sent me the demo track he recorded. When I asked Seth for the name of the song, he said that Rob hadn’t settled on a title yet. Rob told Seth to simply file it as “Dog Song”.

Rob’s dog Ralph may have been the only dog to get expelled from the Concord Doggy School. Ralph had a great personality, but sometimes it got him into “trouble” – but all in good fun. I always thought that Ralph was Rob’s alter-ego, as he would quietly cheer on Ralph for doing all of the things that Rob would have loved to do himself.

Thinking about this song and Rob’s special relationship with Ralph, Rob’s daughter Meryl shared this poem via Instagram:

Percy and Books (Eight), by Mary Oliver

Percy does not like it when I read a book.
He puts his face over the top of it and moans.
He rolls his eyes, sometimes he sneezes.
The sun is up, he says, and the wind is down.
The tide is out and the neighbor’s dogs are playing.
But Percy, I say, Ideas! The elegance of language!
The insights, the funniness, the beautiful stories
that rise and fall and turn into strength, or courage.
Books? says Percy. I ate one once, and it was enough. Let’s go.

Sing your songs, love radically and be more like Ralph,

Tom

(If so inclined, I invite you to leave a comment by scrolling to the end of this page.)


UPCOMING SHOWS:
Click this link to view upcoming shows


FEATURED NON-PROFIT: Pan-Mass Challenge

The Pan-Mass Challenge “raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through an annual bike-a-thon that crosses Massachusetts. Since its founding in 1980, the PMC has successfully melded support from committed cyclists, volunteers, corporate sponsors and individual contributors. Our hope and aspiration is to provide Dana-Farber’s doctors and researchers with the necessary resources to discover cures for all cancers.”

My brother-in-law Rob Ayres was a strong supporter of Pan-Mass Challenge, and at the time of his death he was training to cycle in this his fifth event – from the west end of Massachusetts to the eastern tip of Cape Cod.

Please join me in supporting Pan-Mass Challenge. When you do, click “Find a rider” and enter “Ayres” to honor Rob, who was training to ride this year.

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20 Comments
  • Tom
    June 1, 2019

    Love Is
    © 2019 Tom Smith (ASCAP)

    Love is a flower in May
    A yellow trumpet announcing the day
    Calling all children to play
    Love is a flower in May

    Love is a banjo in June
    It’s the struggle to play it in tune
    It’s the patience of listeners too
    Love is a banjo in June

    Bridge:
         Love is a storm in July
         It’s the hand on my back when I cry
         What I’ll take with me when I die

    Love is a harvest in fall
    The fruit of our care over all
    Of the creatures, the great and the small
    Love is a harvest in fall

    Bridge2:
         When darkness tries to take hold
         It’s the fire we share in the cold
         Some things get stronger as they grow old

    Love is a harvest in fall
    Love is a storm in July
    Love is a banjo in June
    Love is a flower in May

    Love is a flower in May

  • Tom
    June 1, 2019

    Dog Song
    © 2019 Rob Ayres

    Me ‘n my dog walk every night
    He’s thinkin’ ‘bout squirrels I’m thinkin’ ‘bout life
    He just wants to pee on a tree
    A tug on the leash is fine by me
       He always makes a big deal when I get home
       He jumps, wags his tail, I’m never alone

    He hasn’t read any Kirkeguard
    He’s fine chasin’ tennis balls round the yard
    No Shakespeare, Burns, Shelly or Keats
    But he can play dead for doggie treats
       I know his years are goin’ faster than mine
       But dogs don’t care about time

          Deep soul brave heart, that’s my dog
          Fun and mystery
          He will always stand beside me
          Mutual company
          He’s my dog. He’s my dog… forever

    Out in the woods he runs like the wind
    Finds the water and crashes in
    Turns around to see if I’m still there
    A simple life without a care
       Sometimes he runs away just to roam
       Call from the police “come drive him home”

    He knows more than he’s lettin’ on
    What’ll I do after he’s gone
    We sit on the porch looking up at the stars
    He picks out the orange one, must be mars
       He’s loyal, brave, trustworthy and true
       But he’ll steal your chicken sandwich away from you

          Deep soul brave heart, that’s my dog
          Fun and mystery
          He will always stand beside me
          Mutual company
          He’s my dog. He’s my dog… forever

    We’ve been together for many years
    Through joy, trouble and some tears
    Seems to know just what to do
    If you’re feeling down he’s next to you
       He always makes a big deal when I get home
       Jumps, wags his tail, I’m never alone

          He lies peaceful in warm sunshine
          Smilin’ at passers by
          Sittin’ in the front seat, head out the window
          Sniffin’ the world driftin’ by
          He’s my dog. He’s my dog… forever

  • Lynn Feingold
    June 6, 2019

    What a wonderful reflection in this song – thank you for sharing it.

    • Tom
      June 6, 2019

      Thank you Lynn! Am grateful for every song.

  • elpolvo
    June 6, 2019

    Tom- Beautiful song… “Love Is”… telling us what the meaning of love is. I can’t help but think that Rob is writing the parody right NOW, telling us what the meaning of “Is Is”.

    Is is a prankster in June…

    Thanks for the explanation on the title of “Dog Song”. It made too much sense to be a real title.

    Kudos to Meryl for sharing the delicious “Percy and Books” poem.

    I loved the photos, songs and tributes to Rob this month. As Demi said, “He leaves a gaping hole in our hearts but our memories are bursting with laughter.”

    Love,

    Is

    • Tom
      June 6, 2019

      Thank you for the kind comment, Dusty. I keep expecting to turn my head and see Rob behind me. Take care!

  • Cooper
    June 6, 2019

    Okay, Tom, the dog song made me cry. I hope you’re happy

    • Tom
      June 9, 2019

      Rob would have certainly call that a success! Thanks Coop.

  • William Thibodeau
    June 6, 2019

    Hello Tom,
    Thank you for this song — we should all have someone write such a one for us at our time…

    • Tom
      June 6, 2019

      Thank you, Bill. We carry on.

  • Nancy
    June 7, 2019

    Tom, Listening to your song “Love Is” on the porch at 89 McCoy Rd. I am here alone
    , the flag is waving and the sun is warm and it is a beautiful Jaffrey day!! Thank you for your words, your songs and your love!! Missing Rob but feeling so grateful!! xoxo

    • Tom
      June 9, 2019

      Kind and warm thoughts. Thank you. We carry on.

  • Nancy
    June 7, 2019

    Tom, Listening to your song “Love Is” on the porch at 89 McCoy Rd.
    I am here alone, the flag is waving , the sun is warm and it is a beautiful Jaffrey day!! Thank you for your words, your songs and your love!! Missing Rob but feeling so grateful!! xoxo

    • Tom
      June 7, 2019

      You paint a lovely picture of Jaffrey, a place that meant so much to Rob. Soak it all in!

  • Steve Rollind
    June 8, 2019

    I’ve enjoyed Rob’s playing many a time. Very sorry to hear. Best to you and your wife.

    • Tom
      June 9, 2019

      Thanks Steve. Keep singing.

  • Nancy Nephew
    June 19, 2019

    Tom,
    What a gift – songs that we can play anytime with thoughts of all of you and especially Rob!!
    Also, many thanks for the reminder about PMC- a way to honor Rob’s memory!
    Sorry to miss you on Sunday but we’ll catch up during the summer!
    Nancy and Bob

    • Tom
      June 26, 2019

      Thank you for the kind words, Nancy. Looking forward to the next meetup!

  • John Flaherty
    June 26, 2019

    I’m sure Rob would be proud.
    I knew a dog named Ralph back in the 70s. Not a common name for a dog, but it totally suites this afghan hound.

    • Tom
      June 26, 2019

      Thank you John. Ralph was a hoot. So many great family stories with him at the center.