The Kitchen Musician ~ January 2026
Hello Friends,
These days, I am taking my job as a mosquito a little more seriously, and inviting you to do the same. Join me in the kitchen and I will explain.
Index
NEWS:
THIS MONTH’S MUSIC: “One by One”
UPCOMING SHOWS
FEATURED NON-PROFIT: American Civil Liberties Union
Tom at the I.C.E. Detention Center, Burlington, MA
Photo: © 2025 Marilyn Humphries
News:
We had a wonderful holiday break highlighted by an extended visit from our daughter Mally and her partner, Evan and several great meals hosted by our other daughter Heather and her husband Doug. Yum!
This month I am looking forward to participating in a 4-week online songwriting workshop taught by my good friend Cosy Sheridan. This is not my first session with Cosy, and she consistently inspires my creativity. If you are a songwriter, I suggest you get on Cosy’s email list to be informed of future workshops and concerts.
Upcoming Shows
March 8, Sunday, Westford, MA, 8:00 pm: I will perform the half hour feature set at the Parish Center for the Arts open mic, hosted by my good friend, John Ferullo. If you would like to perform at the open mic, contact John for a spot, or arrive before 6:30 to sign up.
I will also sing my original songs at a couple private events this month.
I am currently booking for winter and spring. Would you like to host me at your house for a living room concert? I love house concerts, and will travel most anywhere in southern New England. Drop me a line!
All show details can be found at upcoming shows.
This Month’s Music: “One by One”
℗© 2026 Tom Smith (ASCAP)
The world seems to be crumbling in so many ways simultaneously that it is impossible to know which crack is most important to patch first. Sometimes I feel paralyzed – unable to do anything positive. That is how I was feeling when my friend Aaron Tornberg told me about the Bearing Witness weekly rallies at the Burlington I.C.E. Detention Center (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). I have read some of the stories of legal US residents with no criminal records being detained in horrible conditions there. Aaron had been singing songs of protest at these rallies, and he asked if I would join him that week. I did; and it felt good to do something, even if the benefit was intangible.
Over the last couple of months, my guitar and I have become semi-regular participants at the Bearing Witness Wednesday events. The group has grown from a few dozen last spring to sometimes greater than 700! A few folks from the Greater Assabet Indivisible Network (GAIN) have also started Justice 4 All Thursdays to standout at the same I.C.E. facility, and I have been joining them as well. Even though the weather has been brutal recently, this week we reach 38 consecutive Wednesdays and 18 consecutive Thursdays where immigrant detainees and their families see hundreds standing in solidarity. They can also obtain free food and clothes, and make connections with those who can provide legal advice. These rallies include some “speechifying” (as Pete Seeger called it), with guest appearances by several major political figures, including federal and state representatives; but I have been most moved by heart-breaking stories from the immigrant community as read by the rally organizers.
The songs I sing at these rallies are mostly uplifting singalong versions of songs from the pro-union rallies and Civil Rights era of the last century with new words that reference current events of course; but a couple weeks ago I wrote a new song, “One by One”, inspired by the growing number of ordinary citizens taking time to bear witness to the cruel and illegal mission of I.C.E. In keeping with the tradition of timely protest songs, I sang it for the rally the same day I wrote it. Greg (one of the organizers) suggested the name for this untitled song, and he thought we should use it for a video to promote our events and share with other organizations who are doing similar work. I recorded the song in my home studio, and yesterday I made a video performing it at the I.C.E. facility. It was sub-freezing temperature, so holding a guitar pick and chording the strings was difficult. Thank goodness for hand warmers between takes.
Please feel free to share this song with others around the nation who are appalled by the cruelty our government is inflicting on our immigrant friends and neighbors. When working for social justice, it helps to know that you are not alone in the struggle.
When I express my doubt of the value of my small actions for social justice, friends often share with me the famous quote by Margaret Meade – “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” However, these days I am drawn even more to a folksy quote from The Dalai Lama – “Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference has never tried to fall asleep with a mosquito in the room.”
Be a mosquito!
Tom
(If so inclined, I invite you to leave a comment by scrolling to the end of this page.)
Featured Non-profit: The ACLU
The American Civil Liberties Union works tirelessly in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the Constitution’s promise of liberty for everyone in our country. Their work is more important than ever.
“Defend the rights of all people nationwide. With immigrant rights, trans justice, reproductive freedom, and more at risk, we’re in courts and communities across the country to protect everyone’s rights — and we need you with us.”
Please join me in supporting the ACLU.
Tom Smith
January 6, 2026One by One
© 2026 Tom Smith (ASCAP)
Every week we gather one by one
Every week we gather one by one
We will keep returning here until the job is done
Every week we gather one by one
Every week we gather two by two
Every week we gather two by two
If they can kidnap immigrants, they can kidnap me and you
Every week we gather two by two
Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh …
Every week we gather four by four
Every week we gather four by four
Due process is for everyone who’s landed on our shore
Every week we gather four by four
Every week we gather eight by eight
Every week we gather eight by eight
To bear witness to the actions taken in the name of hate
Every week we gather eight by eight
Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh …
Every week we gather ten times ten
Every week we gather ten times ten
They count us now by hundreds, next week we grow again
Every week we gather ten times ten
Every week we gather one by one
Every week we gather one by one
We will keep returning here until the job is done
Every week we gather one by one
Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh …
Bill Schofield
January 7, 2026Hey Tom, you inspire me to write more, think more deeply and make more waves. Keep up the good work, the great music, and stay well….Bill
Tom Smith
January 7, 2026Thank you for this, Bill. Steady on!
Stuart Stotts
January 7, 2026This is a really good song Tom. Thanks for sharing it.
Tom Smith
January 7, 2026Thanks Stuart. Coming from you, I call that a big plus.
Lisa
January 7, 2026Another beauty Tom!
Tom Smith
January 7, 2026Thank you, Lisa! One step in front of the other.
Stew Brown
January 7, 2026keep it up ! we need all the resistance we can muster …..
Tom Smith
January 7, 2026Thank you Stew. Hopefully we can recruit more mosquitoes. 🙂
Jan Luby
January 7, 2026Thanks for the beautiful song, Tom! And yes, no matter how crazy and scary things get, everything we do makes a difference. We can’t give up.
“Everything we do means something
No matter how small you feel
The tiniest of creatures
Adds their weight to the wheel…”
Tom Smith
January 7, 2026Thank you Jan. I confess I am not aware of that quote. Is it yours? Well said.
Celene Lyon
January 7, 2026I am so proud of your work and all the work by the protester at the Burlington ICE facility. The video is wonderful! Thank you! Celene
Tom Smith
January 7, 2026Thanks Celene. I’m just a singer who tags along at these things. The real credit goes to the organizers who created something from nothing. Am I am grateful for the work you do to support of immigrant neighbors. I know that it is not easy sometimes… or perhaps never easy. We do the best we can, I guess.
Pat Buckna
January 7, 2026Love this tune Tom. Even though I’m Canadian I’ve already added it to my repertoire. Reminds me of a Pete Seeger rally tune.
Tom Smith
January 7, 2026Thanks Pat. The fact that it can be picked up quickly means it is a success. Three chords and the truth, as they say.
Pat Buckna
January 7, 2026pbuckna@telus.net
Annette
January 7, 2026Thank you for sharing. Reach out when you have some time.
Tom Smith
January 7, 2026Thanks Annette. Look for an email.
Lindra
January 7, 2026Your song is very moving, and I am so moved. Thank you for sharing it in such a kind way, bringing hope to the many who are held against their will and don’t have any way out…YET! Keep going, we’re all behind you!!
Tom Smith
January 7, 2026Thank you Lindra. We are living in very difficult times. Thank you for the encouragement.
Geri Blitzman
January 7, 2026Love your song. Love your spirit.
I am part of Bvocal. We met at Burlington ICE and before that at a Waltham protest.
Thank you!!!
Tom Smith
January 7, 2026Hi Geri. Yes, I remember meeting. Thank you for your kind comment. Keep singing!
Roger Williams
January 7, 2026Thank you, Tom, and keep it up. It is inspirational, needed, and a great model for all of us.
Tom Smith
January 7, 2026Thanks for listening, Roger. Good to hear from you. Are you still making music?
Edy Rees
January 7, 2026Yes! We the peaceful simple souls must stand together, gather together to protest and bear witness. Thank you for this.
Tom Smith
January 7, 2026Thank you, Edy. I am a card-carrying member of the “Simple Souls”. Good to hear from you. Keep singing!
Cyndi G
January 7, 2026Thank you Tom, for your commitment to helping to make the world a better place. You always seem to follow the right path, even when it is not easy. You continue to inspire those around you, and I am so pleased to count you as a friend. I hope to be able to stand in solidarity along side you one of these days, but also hope the need to do so vanishes soon. I love your new song!
Tom Smith
January 7, 2026Hi Cyndi. Thank you for your very kind words. Not sure I always live up to them. Kind of a work in progress.
Memories of working on the same team as you live in a special place in my heart. We had a good team.Hugs to you and the family.
Cosy
January 7, 2026Bravo Tom! This song will stick in my head!
Tom Smith
January 7, 2026Thanks Cosy. Can’t get too much simpler than three chords and lyrics meant to be easy to sing along with. Looking forward to working with you on a new song this month.
Rob Laurens
January 8, 2026Hey Tom,
Great song! And great recording! Excelsior!
Rob
Tom Smith
January 8, 2026Thanks Rob. Great praise from a great songwriter. Amazing what one can do with 3 chords.
Rick Cooper
January 9, 2026Sorry but I really don’t think it’s about hate
Tom Smith
January 10, 2026Hi Rick. Responding privately.
Janet Wishnetsky
January 10, 2026I love your song, Tom. The lyrics, the melody, and the message. Especially important is that you take time out of your daily life to go to the ICE detention center to protest peacefully, with music. Thanks.
Tom Smith
January 11, 2026Thank you Janet. We each do what we can.
Virginia Amsker
January 12, 2026Thank you Tom for bringing us together one by one, ten by ten
Tom Smith
January 12, 2026Thank you Virginia. Hoping all is well on yur beautiful island!