Hello friends! Hard to believe it’s been 4 months since last official newsletter! It’s been an odd but excellent kind of busyness: I last checked in from Pennsylvania in July where I did gigs in New Wilmington, Sharon, & Mount Lebanon. From there I scooted to Walnut Creek, CA, then on to Greenville, SC for gigs at Furman & Clemson University groups. It had been awhile since I’d played for college-aged folks and it was cool to find I could still connect Next stops were in TX in Abalene where, for the 2nd time I my life, I got hit by a truck. Wasn’t really hurt but did get knocked down into a rain gutter which was annoying. Up to Fort Worth the next night for what turned out o be a great youth night. Then it was time for a giant trip to Des Moines, IA where I did a big cancer center event, a TV interview, and a breast cancer event at a church appropriately named Hope. After that it was up the road o Ankeney IA to another church and a house concert At is point in the journey of 2009, after being back on the road for 9 months, and being mostly chemo-free for 3 months, I was feeling pretty good and the gigs were going OK, but still didn’t quite feel like they used to. It’s hard to explain, but it felt like each show was held together by big bulky ropes instead of a tapestry of delicate threads. Each night was another chance to iron stuff out and try to get it right and now and then I noticed new puzzle pieces finding their way into the picture. After Iowa, it was on up to Michigan for a night at Alma College where I also got a chance to teach a one day class in creative writing. Professor Bailey had a blast. Then it was back down to my annual gig in Troy. The next week found me in the little town of Statesville, NC where something magical happened; something I didn’t realize I’d been waiting for until it took place. Right in the middle of a song in the middle of the set in the middle of the night I realized it – the rope was gone, the threads were back - and I wasn’t forcing it or over-working the words. They just flowed like they were supposed to. I was exactly where I wanted to be and had arrived there smoothly and gently. It was a silent private epiphany that felt like a trillion fireworks exploding in my heart. I think that’s what happens when Hope stops thinking and starts smiling. It was unforgettable. The next weekend was a whirlwind: a private high-school in Newtown PA, (where I also taught a couple classes in music composition); A way-cool church in Bound Brook NJ, and my regular brain tumor event in Buffalo NY Nothing like 3 radically different audiences in 3 states in 3 nights to keep things fresh and challenging. I loved it. Last week, the fall tour ended with a trip to Canada. It was my third Canadian gig and first in Toronto where I played for the very fine Pencer Bain Tumor Center at Princess Margaret Hospital (that’s the queen’s sister ) It was a super excursion. With the unfortunate cancellation of My November gigs in Alabama, I now find myself with a quiet month ahead of me – which is an OK thing - I am still in the middle of several unfinished recording projects, a book, and working to fill the tour schedule for 2010. Right now, the schedule is looking pretty darn empty, which happens about once a year. I start getting nervous, then usually I get a ton of invites all together and it fills up – all of which is to say if you’ve been considering booking something for next year, now is a fine time to reserve a date J Current gigs are below. In other news, I have a very special unique CD project that will be released any day – when it is, you will be the first to know! Til then, thanks to all for your amazing suppor t over the years and in particular this past challenging year. It’s been fun to discover that most of what I’ve been saying for years is true: The message of hope never grows old and behind every shadow there’s a light. Shine on! david. www.davidmbailey.com Slim SKED 12-06 Mayfield, NY 12-11 Ruckersville, VA 01-22 Tampa FL 01-24 Winter Garden FL -- Change your info? Stop the emails? Easy! Just click this link