.Kelly Carlin, just wanted to let you know that I am playing a 2 p.m. outdoor show with my friend Mike Compton in Topanga on April 28. Send me a message if you want details. Hope you are well!

Some days, playing Connections is like using a keyboard made of barbed wire... Hard and sharp-edged. Other days, like today, I get the categories as quickly as I can type, and the keys are gossamer. Either way, it is good exercise for my old brain...

Coffee Diem.

On this day in 1998, Dr. Thomas D'Amico, along with his surgical team and a crew of skilled nurses at Duke University Medical Center, saved my life. I was suffering from a raging pleural infection that had brought me close to the end of my born days. I am glad to still be here.

For my fellow Missourians.

Coffee Diem.

Thinking about my dear friend Cathy Barton Para, gone five years today. She was one of the greatest people I have ever known, and oh, what a natural born musician. We had known each other since high school. Here we are at Midwest Banjo Camp in 2017. (Photo - Shari Ballard)

California friends, Mr. Compton and I will be out your way starting next week... You can find hotlinks to the locations by going to facebook.com/newberryjoe

A reminder about my solo show on Friday, April 19, at the First Moravian Church, in Greensboro, N.C., with special guest Doug Baker. If you are in the Triad, please join us. We will play unplugged, in a beautiful space just made for acoustic music!

Coffee Diem.

My friend Dwane Powell has been gone 5 years. Our lives moved in separate, but close orbits for years, but when our paths finally crossed, we were the fastest of friends. One of the high honors of my life was to be a subject of a Powell drawing. May he continue to Rest in Peace.

Tunnel. Traffic. Singing.

.Hughie McFadden, good afternoon!

Coffee Diem.

Saturday Lullaby... 'Lazy John.' I love playing this with Mr. Compton. youtu.be/8qIpRpGbXJo?si…

Lyrics revision in honor of the season... Pollen. Pretty Pollen. Come go along with me.

Walkabout.

Get outside. It is good for your insides.

Looking forward to this unplugged show next Friday in Greensboro, N.C., with special guest Doug Baker! Although, I guess this technically counts as a plug. Aw, you know what I mean... See you there.

Nicole Brown Simpson. Ron Goldman. May they now be able to Rest in Peace.

Coffee Diem.