Werth Good Links

The nonprofit service organization, Danny's Team, was founded by some dear friends of mine many years ago and I have been a supporter from the beginning. The integrity and generosity of the founders, the board of directors, and the rest of the volunteers is of rare quality and beauty. They make the gift of service accessible to us all. Take a look at what they do...

ArtsCanCircle is a wonderful organization serving first nation people in northern Canada. Please read about their work. World-reknowned harmonica player, my friend, Mike Stevens, is a founder of this amazing effort bringing music and spirit where it is so desperately needed. They are most deserving of our support.

Prior to coming to my senses and becoming a full-time musician (say what?...), I worked for TRIO programs at the University of New Hampshire for more than 26 years (mostly here). TRIO is a national program of educational opportunity. I owe much of my professional development and, indeed, my sense of self, to the founders, supporters, staff and students of these programs. Amazing people with giant hearts and minds applying them to the best of their ability for a great cause.

Singer-songwriter/publisher Deidre Randall's brain and heart-child, Writers In the Round is a concept, a radio show, a performance, a community, a journey... I've participated in the first three WITR retreats on Star Island off NH's coast and in multiple WITR shows. The retreats and the people assembled for them have had a lifelong impact on my writing and boosted my friend holdings by a heartload. If you're a writer or even a "would-be," (which makes you a "could be" in my book) take a look...

Guy Capecelatro III -- ever-understated, I think you'd have to find him on MySpace in the web domain, but it's worth the hunt. Guy is a genius in the loveliest of ways. I enjoy every rare minute I'm around him. The most prolific writer I've ever met. At the writers' retreats we'd all measure our new song output in a ratio to Guy's. If you had a 2:7 day (you:Guy), you were kickin' ass. Guy's first 7 were all written between breakfast and lunch however. Sadly, they were all great.

Now who is this again?... oh yeah... David Francey. He and his wife/partner Beth have changed my life in wonderfully potent ways and I am forever grateful. David is one of the finest songwriters the world has ever heard (yes... the world has ever heard...) and I'm proud to be his pal and associate. Here he is on the big screen accepting his third Juno Award, in 2008 -- this one for the album I had the honor of co-producing with him and Ken Friesen -- "Right of Passage."

Allison dazzles with voice, flute, and heart. There is a lightness and calm in her playing and singing that soothes the spirit. "Where Swallows Fly" is a gorgeous recording with great band mates including her brilliant husband, Geoff Somers, who was one of the early accompanists for David Francey. They've both become great pals to both Liz and me.

Cynthia Chatis is a virtuoso flautist with a beautiful, rich singing voice as well. She plays all things wind near as I can tell. And she can squeeze the shruti box with the best of 'em (she let us borrow hers for David's "Right of Passage" CD). We've collaborated on a number of projects to my great delight - many of them weddings. Don't get married without her! Cynthia's CD "Wind" is filled with peace and light -- just lovely. She's a masterful teacher, soloist, accompanist and dear friend.

I haven't met an instrument my friend Kate couldn't play... magnificently. This "Irishy Girl" can rattle off in fluent Gaelic and then sing and play to melt your heart -- piano, harp, whistles, bodhran, doozlekranger (I made that up, but I bet she could play it). Great sense of humor and insight. Beautiful recordings.

Harvey Reid and Joyce Andersen, have far too many credits to do justice to them here (including son, Otto and "the new one"). Both are world-class musicians. They collaborated on a book project that amazes me. "Song Train" is filled with over 50, 2-chord songs in the form of written word, chord positions, and 4 full CD recordings of their own performances of them. Their mission is to get people playing and singing great songs, even those who have little or no experience doing so. It's instructional, historical, enlightening, joyful... Ask for it at your bookstore and check it out on their website.

Tannis Slimmon. Lucky Blue. An album I can have on repeat for 8 or 9 days straight. She and husband Lewis - both gems in person - are masters of potent subtlety. One of our favorite listens on the tour, with a production value worthy of study and emulation.

The Good Lovelies. Bright, funny, jazzy, edgy in a sweet way. Met them for the first time at the Atlin festival and was instantly smitten with their innocent charm... oh and their talent.. yes their great talent... Sunshine in a package of three.

Well, Paul's not a musician per se (well, not a pro musician), but he's a wonderful and fascinating man and a long-time friend. He, like me, left a comfortable university job to pursue a dream with courage and conviction (and support from his own saintly wife, Jen). He's doing it... entertaining, and also supporting and enriching lives through the art of hypnosis.

MORE TO COME...