Having a deep conversation with a drummer

On Wednesday we played in Toronto with the Jim McCarty Band. Here Larry and I spend a quiet moment before soundcheck discussing the finer points of rock music.

John Hawken

(LtoR) John Hawken, RK, Larry Crowe, Jim McCarty, Goerge Koller, Jean-Michel Kajdan

As always on Jim's tours with the Yardbirds he likes to spend some down time in his favorite North American city.
Jim recorded his album Sitting On The Top Of Time in Toronto and this past trip it was a chance to play some of the material with a full band as well as invite his friend pianist John Hawken. John played in the Nashville Teens, Renaissance (with Jim) and The Strawbs in the early days of the rock and roll scene in London. It was the first time in 30 odd years Jim and John had played together. In this shot the band is playing at This Ain't Hollywood in Hamilton. Jean -Michel came from Paris to participate in the gigs.

Monty Hall's 90th birthday party

Here is a shot taken at Monty Hall's 90th birthday party at the residence of the Consulate General in Los Angeles. photo  The organizers put me up at The Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. That day I had to get up early and take a propeller prop plane from Eureka to San Francisco and then to LAX. Shortly after I arrived at the hotel I was picked up and taken to the residence to run through the songs with the band.
The whole event was an incredible variety show hosted by Peter Marshall with entertainers like Gloria Loring, Norm Crosby, Nita Whittaker and Jack Jones. Paul Anka and David Foster both gave birthday salutations via video. My whole contribtuion was two songs Cuchulainn and a brand new piece called Cantata.




Monty Hall, his wife Marilyn, R K and Canada's Ambassador in Washington D.C. His Excellency Gary Doer.



Saturday Night at the Flute Festival in Oakhurst

One of the participants was kind enough to take Ron on a tour through the park and seeing the giant Sequoia trees. It is really a thrill to experience such incredible nature.

That night Ron headlined a concert with two other acts at the Sierra Sky Ranch. Halfway through his show he was joined by native musician Randy Granger on the halo drum. For his encore Ron was joined by the two other performers Rona Yellow Robe and Rafael Bejarano. The following morning Ron gave a class on breathing and tone production.


 

Yosemite Flute Festival

Got a ride from Los Angeles to Yosemite Flute Festival with Scott August who is a prominent flutist in the Native Flute genre. His albums are featured in all the American National Parks gift stores. The lovely organizers of the festival Rick and Linda Dunlap provided a beautiful ranch style house for the artist outside of Oakhurst where the festival is held. Really enjoyed hearing the other musicians and what they have created using the Native Flute.