The Kitchen Musician ~ October 2025
Hello Friends,
Musical instruments are much more than objects we use to make sounds. If we are lucky, some become members of our family, like the guitar that has lived and traveled with my friend Ken for sixty years! I sing about it in the October edition of The Kitchen Musician.
Index
NEWS:
THIS MONTH’S MUSIC: “I Love My D-18”
UPCOMING SHOWS
FEATURED NON-PROFIT: The Bob Woodruff Foundation
News:
I am working hard to remain positive in the shadow of terrible national and international news. As Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) advised, I am grateful for the helpers I see as I travel about. And following Robert Hubbell‘s advice, I am doing small things that are within my power to help move the needle a little closer towards justice. This Saturday, Oct 11th, I will be sharing some songs at the growing rally at the ICE Detention Center in Burlington, MA.
Upcoming Shows
October 17, Friday, West Roxbury, MA : 7:00 PM: Joining a collection of folks in support of Musicians for the Greater Good relief efforts to raise funds for food for Gaza.
October 18, Saturday, Monterey, MA : 7:00 PM: Fundraiser for the Monterey Meeting House.
November 21, Friday, Dedham, MA, 8:00: Cosy Sheridan and I return to the Third Friday Coffeehouse series at First Church Unitarian in Dedham – joined by Charlie Koch and Seth Connelly. Don’t miss this one!
All show details can be found at upcoming shows.
This Month’s Music: “I Love My D-18”
℗© 2025 Tom Smith (ASCAP) & Ken Hasselbrack
This past summer, I spent a lovely day with my open mic friend, Ken Hasselbrack. Ken has been playing acoustic guitar and singing ever since he was a young man; and for both of us, Martin acoustic guitars are our go-to instruments. Sadly, Ken is having some health problems that prevent him from playing his guitars. We arranged to meet up at his home in New Hampshire, so that I could give his guitars some exercise. Ken has a very nice Martin M-36 very much like the guitar I play on a regular basis. But his real treasure is an old Martin D-18 which has been his true companion through “thick and thin” since 1964.
Martin D-18 guitars are the brand’s low-end dreadnaught size guitar. While it is a very good guitar, well made of quality spruce and mahogany wood, it lacks the adornments and rare woods of their more expensive models, like their D-28, D-35, D-42 etc. Still, D-18 guitars made prior to 1970 are highly sought after for their well-balanced sound and playability. Ken says that when the big country singers go on stage they take their D-35 and D-42 guitars, which show off a lot of fancy inlays and trim; but when they go into the studio to record, they use their old D-18 guitars because of their beautiful sound.
I have known Ken for years, but nearly all of that was via meet-ups at open mics, which are not great places to get into deep conversations. So I really enjoyed hearing Ken tell me a bit about his history – his time in the Navy during the Viet Nam War, his various jobs throughout his life; the history of his close relationship with his D-18, and his current health challenges, some stemming from his exposure to agent orange during the war. With Ken’s permission, I combined elements of our conversation into this month’s song, “I Love My D-18.”
Ken tells me that October is Agent Orange Awareness Month, which makes this song that much more worth sharing with others. Thank you for your service, Ken – and for the service of all vets. Veterans deserve much better treatment than they are getting back here at home.
What a gift it is to have a life-long relationship with a special musical instrument!
“It’s not how many notes you play.
It’s the love that’s in the sound!”
Tom
P.S. By the way, the guitar I am playing in this video is a D-18 (1973) which I inherited. John Mull was the bother of my good friend Alison Connolly. When John died, he left this instrument without a home. Alison just wanted it to land in familiar hands where it would make some music that she could enjoy from time to time. It definitely has that familiar D-18 sound.
… and a big “thank you!” to Charlie Koch for giving me some pointers on the chords for the bridge.
(If so inclined, I invite you to leave a comment by scrolling to the end of this page.)
Featured Non-profit: The Bob Woodruff Foundation
“We recognize the challenges that veterans and service members face from reintegration into civilian life to managing the physical, emotional, or mental toll of service – a toll that can also affect family members.”
“Through collaboration with veteran service organizations nationwide, we implement targeted strategies that provide meaningful solutions. Our approach is rooted in empathy and understanding, ensuring we address these challenges with precision and care.”
Join me in supporting the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
Tom Smith
October 8, 2025I Love My D-18
© 2025 Tom Smith & Ken Hasselbrack
I recall the day she found me
It was 1964
I didn’t plan to take her home
I only knew four chords
But when I held her in my arms
And she sat upon my knee
I played one chord, and then one more
And the rest is history
CHORUS:
This guitar may not seem special
From others that you’ve seen
But close your eyes you’ll realize
Why I love my D-18
Before long I got pretty good
I’d be lost for hours
Hypnotized by strings and wood
And songs like ‘Wildwood Flower’
As each callus on my fingertips
Grew thicker by the day
The callousness around my heart
Just melted away
CHORUS
BRIDGE:
The Navy tried to split us up
When they shipped me off to war
But when they were not lookin’
I snuck her on board
The weather, the salt spray
Took away her shine
Like Viet Nam and agent orange took mine
I consider myself lucky
To count the blessings and the scars
On my lungs, on my heart
And scratched on this guitar
They’re in the music that we make
Though the years have slowed us down
But it’s not how many notes you play
It’s the love that’s in the sound
CHORUS
TAG:
How I love my D-18
Cali Bartholomew
October 9, 2025I love this song and the story behind it! I’m so sorry that Ken has serious consequences of Agent orange. My husband, also a Vietnam Vet, has the same issues. It’s way more than Agent Orange issues affecting health, but affecting those things that are “therapy”. For my husband , it’s his Harley Trike, which is becoming too difficult to ride, so I understand. Thank you for the lovely tribute Tom! Play on!
Tom Smith
October 9, 2025Thank you for listening, Cali. My heart goes out to good folks like your husband, whose service should be rewarded with much better treatment – both for healthcare and simple respect.
Neal E. Braverman
October 9, 2025Dearest Ton, thanks so much for your Always Amazing version of this month’s Kitchen Musician! I Love ❤️ your comments about your long relationship with Ken, your memorable donation of your guitar from John! I so look 👀 forward to being with you next week in West Roxbury! My Love to You , Margo and All in your Family!! Neal :)) 🎤💕🎸🎆🙏👍🌈🖖☮️
Tom Smith
October 9, 2025Thanks for listening, Neal. See you at the show in West Roxbury!
Nancy Roberts
October 9, 2025I have had similar feelings towards the guitars that have made my life more meaningful. They have cemented friendships, made teaching easier and made many tri-lingual gatherings sparkle. Thanks for reminding me of those times.
Tom Smith
October 9, 2025Hi Nancy. Great to hear from you. I am aware of your broad career and world traveling, but didn’t know that you were a guitar enthusiast. 🙂 Thanks for being a good friend and supporter.
Thomas Batt
October 9, 2025What a beautiful story, and I feel so proud to have been able to share many hours of Ken and his guitar over in Vietnam and I testify to how wonderful it was to get away from the world of Nam from time to time. Thanks Ken, we’ll talk soon, Tom Batt
Tom Smith
October 9, 2025Hi Tom. Thank you for your comment and introducing yourself as a fellow serviceman who served with Ken. I was amazed when Ken told me that he took his guitar onboard ship – and even more amazed that it made through all the events that could have destroyed it. Thank you for your service… and grateful that your friendship with Ken continues.
Cosy Sheridan
October 10, 2025This is a wonderful song!!
Tom Smith
October 10, 2025Thanks Cosy. Grateful for your inspiration and mentoring. <3
Stuart Stotts
October 10, 2025I have a couple of guitars I feel this way about. it’s a special relationship. and a good new guitar ups your playing…love it.
Tom Smith
October 13, 2025Thank you Stuart. Indeed!