Raison D'Etre: What's up

--Simon and Garfunkel

It’s high summer in Kentucky. The bugs are in a frenzy, the gardens are in a tangle, and the kids are getting ready to go back to school. Everybody knows that the lazy,hazy,crazy days are winding down to Labor Day fireworks and getting back to business.

But if you’re itching to play a bit more before the seasons change, we hope you’ll come on down to Cincinnati’s Piatt Park on your lunch break for Cincinnati Park Board/LPK Acoustic Lunch. Raison D’Etre will be there providing the tunes(weather permitting) from 11:45am-1:45pm on August 26. You bring the sandwich!

We’ve had a record summer playing Sister Acts and Swing Canaries shows for some of the best audiences in the world. And Roberta has been plenty busy presenting her solo program, “The Story Behind the Song” as well as performing with the song writers of the Ceilidh Group featured on “Isn’t it a Wonder.” If you’re looking for a great gift for a new mother or your favorite niece, nephew, grandchild,child or child-at-heart, proceeds from this delightful CD go to several children’s programs in Greater Cincinnati. Check out the website at:

http://www.ceilidhgroup.org

If you’re thinking of doing some early online holiday shopping, Raison D’Etre will send you a free “Isn’t it a Wonder” CD for every Raison D’Etre CD you buy at CDBaby in September and October. Just go to:

http://www.cdbaby.com/all/berta

Offer ends October 31, so you have plenty of time to shop! FREE STUFF! Who can resist that? And it’s for a very good cause. You will be so happy with your braver self when you hear “Isn’t it a Wonder”-- because it is.

Even with the busy summer we’ve had, Raison D’Etre has logged several studio sessions on our upcoming recording tentatively entitled, “Braver Self.” We have seven new originals recorded already and are working on at least two more for the project. There will probably be at least one swing tune from our Swing Canaries set and maybe even a cowgirl song. We’ve had a lot of fun doing this one at Group Effort. In fact, one of the tracks is already getting some airplay on Women of Substance Radio.

Check them out at:

http://www.live365.com/stations/breenoble

You’ll be listening for “Another Train” by Vickie and “Broken Radio” by Roberta. But the rest of what they play is awesome, so you can’t lose.

Raise on, dear friends!
And don’t defer those dreams...

Next month marks the end of the Simon and Garfunkel lyric adventure.

And give no warning to her flight.”--Simon and Garfunkel

July is flying by for sure! I keep saying things like, “we just had this really great house concert featuring Anita Camarella and Davide Facchini” or “the wine festival was just last week,” only to realize that weeks have passed since then. So, before July completely flies, I just wanted to tell you about a couple of public shows for Raison D’Etre.

On July 24th we are returning to the unique concert experience that is Live@ the Lodge in Clifton Reserve, OH. Concerts take place in a Greene County Park lodge next to a stream, but weather is usually not a problem since the concerts are inside the comfy lodge. Doors open at 7 and music starts at 7:30 pm. Check out the series website at:

http://www.co.greene.oh.us/parks/events-live-at-the-lodge.htm


July 25th takes us back to Cincinnati’s best coffee house venue(according to CityBeat, 2008), College Hill Coffee Company and Casual Gourmet. There’s never a cover charge, but the staff encourages filling the performer tip jar which they display quite prominently and elegantly. We always have a good time at this beautiful, friendly establishment.

For more on their music line-up(updated to this weekend,) see:

http://www.collegehillcoffeeco.com

We are still recording basic tracks for our upcoming CD, “Braver Self,” at Group Effort Sound Studio and will post a few of the rough mixes up on myspace for you to enjoy soon. For now, you can hear a few tunes from “Hearts Content” and very rough drafts of the newer songs at:

http://www.myspace.com/raison3

Hope your summer is filled with fun and a few cool breezes.

Raise on,
And don’t defer those midsummer dreams!

Roberta of the Raison

In restless walks, she'll prowl the night."--Simon & Garfunkel

Still quotin' the song. Remember, you'll have all the lyrics by September.

June's tunes are changing plenty for Raison D'Etre. We have a bunch of bookings for our Sister Acts shows(harmony sister groups from the Andrews Sisters to the McGuire Sisters to the Webster Sisters.) And we're doing two more weekends at the Old West Festival in Brown County as The Golden Girls of the West where we do an entire set of cowboy era music. The Festival is a real blast! Check it out at:

http://www.oldwestfestival.com

And if it isn't enough trying to keep up with those two very different sets, we'll be doing our Swing Canaries show for the 1940s Weekend at Cincinnati Museum Center on June 21 at 1 and 3pm. On some days, when I wake up I have to ask myself, "who are we today?"

At least we get to be ourselves, Raison D'Etre, with our very own swinging country folk for two very delightful June events:

Acoustic Thursdays on Fountain Square, June 12 from noon-1 pm and The 2nd Annual Summer Wine Festival at Lakeside Vineyards in Felicity, OH on June 27 from 5:30-7:30 pm.

And, if you feel like a real change in tune, join us for a House Concert in Wilder, KY when we host the fabulous Italian duo, Anita Camarella & Davide Facchini for some 4os era Italian swing. He's a smokin' guitarist who has played with the likes of Tommy Emmanuel and she has the voice of an angel! They're passing through our area between their All Star Guitar appearance at the Ryman in Nashville and their adventure in Kansas and Colorado. If you'd like to sample some of their music, check out their Myspace page:

http://www.myspace.com/anitacamarelladavidefacchiniduo

We're taking reservations for the House Concert by e-mail:

roberta@raison3.com

Have a great month, June bugs!
And don't defer those crazy dreams.

Roberta, Violet Rae, and Vickie

resting in my arms again."--Simon and Garfunkel

Here's the next line of the song. Just wanted to get some news up here pretty fast. Violet Rae and Vickie just received "Honorable Mentions" in the West Coast Songwriters 2008 Competition for their new songs "Legacy" and "Another Train." The website is

http://www.westcoastsongwriters.org/contest_winnerinfo.htm

but they listed the song credits incorrectly. Gotta give the girls their props!

We just returned from Door County, Wisconsin which is a beautiful place on both Green Bay and Lake Michigan. We played for a Cross Stitcher's Retreat on Sturgeon Bay. And you would think that would be a sedate bunch of ladies, but you would be wrong. Many of them came to the concert in feather boas to whistle and sing along.

After the concert, we drove up the peninsula to join the retreat members at Square Riggers for an authentic Door County fish boil. Randy Turner, the retreat organizer, assured us that we would not want to miss this spectacle of local color. He is never wrong about that, so we went.

Out behind the rustic lodge restaurant everyone gathered around a huge metal cauldren that was heated by pine logs stacked vertically. The Square Rigger's owner told us about the fish boil technique and tradition. Whitefish steaks(from the very bay in front of us), potatoes, parsnips, carrots, and onions were rising to a boil in the cauldren as he spoke. Once the "stew" came to a rolling boil, the gentleman threw in a little kerosene and a column of flame three feet wide shot up from the cauldren at least twenty feet into the air. Everyone gasped and applauded as our dinner was also our fireworks display. It seems this pyrotechnic display boils off the excess fish oil and makes the steaks less "fishy" tasting.

Back inside the restaurant, the wait staff came around to assist us in removing the fish bones as we dined on the tasty whitefish and veggies served with some great tasting Door County Wine. Another great road gig with fun people.

Raise on,
And don't defer those
roadside attraction dreams!

Roberta

P.S. The baby redbirds hatched and flew off in 10 days!

When streams are ripe and swept with rain."--Simon and Garfunkel

For the next several months, I’m quoting the Simon and Garfunkel song as my monthly quote. By September, you will have the entire song lyrics. But if you need instant gratification, here’s a lovely version of the song by a fantastic South Koren singer on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro4F6Iic5L0

Raison D’Etre only played two formal gigs in April, which is also National Poetry Month, the cruellest month, and the anniversary of Kurt Vonnegut’s death, depending on which media sources or very old books you regularly consult. But since spring is real evidence of rebirth every year, it’s hard to be completely sad in April even after taxes or without Kurt. Something about the fact that a redbird is sitting on her nest this very minute inside my front porch light helps me take heart. If she can manage to “keep on keeping on” in that precarious position just to bring her babies to the world, who am I to despair? Large, scary beings pass by her nest making her fly to the nearest bush at irregular intervals, and still she sits and waits. Strange shadows leer at her from a window, but she fixes a steady eye on the voyeurs as she holds her all important stance. She’s got serious business to conduct here called LIFE. That, of course, brings me back to Kurt Vonnegut(anyone trying to follow the logic in this, I’m sorry. There are circles inside circles in my head.)

Kurt Vonnegut said that the purpose of life is “to help each other through this whatever it is.” So, I’m beginning with the redbird outside my door. I have her back(or her side as it turns out) for the duration of her brooding. If anyone comes to visit the Schultz family, please use the side door for the next few weeks.

April took Raison D’Etre to the Richwood Flea Market for two sets on their food court stage. Then we were off to a three-day song writing/arranging retreat at Prairie Pond Woods in Adams County, Ohio where we worked on three songs for our recording session April 20 at Group Effort Sound Studios. We finished out April at Kentucky Haus Artisan Center in Newport. Several folks who are “helping us through this whatever it is” deserve our heart-felt thanks:

Mike--thanks for the lunch and the invite to play the Flea!
Cindy--thanks for the beautiful creative space that is Prairie Pond Woods!
Dan--thanks for your mellow demeanor that makes recording so easy.
Bev--thanks for having us at your shop and for keeping me from losing it after the wreck.
Bev’s mom is the door woman extraordinaire. Thanks to Audrey for all her help.
Tony and Nilsa--thanks for coming out to see us at Rabbit Hash and Kentucky Haus. The video is really good. I hope to post clips from it it on our myspace site and youtube very soon.
Don--great to see you in Newport and Covington. Thanks for your continued support.
Dottie--what a surprise to see you this month! Hope all is well with the Rizzo Family. Thanks for buying our CD!
And special thanks to the gals who met Becky for lunch and stayed for our concert.

I have to go check on the redbird because any day now, I expect to see babies...

Raise on, dear friends...
And don’t defer your dreams of rebirth.
I’ll just bet that somebody has your back(or side, as the case may be.)

Roberta of the Raison

“There you stood on the edge of your feather...”Neil Young

That’s what the first recording session always feels like for me--diving off a cliff into nowhere with a feather(if you’re lucky, you have at least one fragile hope to buoy you along on this journey that truly is a leap of faith.) How will it sound? Will anybody like it? Will I like it? A wise engineer/accordion player/producer once said to me, “Well, a recording is just another kind of performance. You do it, and then it’s over.” Except for how often you can go back to listen and say, “Why did I do it that way? Why is my voice shaking? Why couldn’t I clear my throat before the first note?”

So, ignoring that voice in our heads and heeding the advice of the accordion player, Raison D’Etre is venturing forth to produce our 6th recording. It is going to be a CD even though the “industry” is inching away from that format. We’re hoping that some of you will like it, but we’d probably do it anyway because we have to. You know that old saying, “don’t give me people who want to dance, give me people who MUST dance.” When your name is Raison D’Etre, you have to go off that cliff once in a while.

Neil’s song goes on to say, “as I laughed, I wondered whether
I could wave goodbye..”

Well, just until next time. We’ll keep you posted on our progress. So far, we have two basic tracks down and another session scheduled for right after our April retreat. Hope to have more to share with you then.

Raise on!
And don’t defer those feathered hopes. Some of them will probably fly.

www.last.fm/music/Neil+Young/_/Expecting+to+fly

Roberta, Violet Rae, and Vickie

“What if I can’t find my raison d'être, and nobody cares?”--Joe Newman, Simon Kenton grad

At least once a month someone asks us where we came up with our name(which we share with projects by the dark ambient Swedish artist also known as Peter Andersson and with a beer by Dogfish Head.) Well, our name came from the source of many a literary and musical inspiration: the Simon Kenton High School teachers’ lounge.

I, Roberta, taught high school English, Humanities, Reading and Journalism at SK from 1985-1996, a storied time for Simon Kenton when the Men’s Faculty Association was still the source of many a folk tale, song, and legend, the Bleacher Teachers flanked the home bench at all basketball and football games and the great Joe Stark walked the earth. My tenure at SK included at least one trip to the basketball state tournament, several road trips to Memphis with other Bleacher Teachers, and one very embarrassing(but fun) victory lap around Boyd County’s stadium when the heretofore hapless SK football team made it to the second round of the playoffs. Luckily, the students were all in a heap in the middle of the field and did not see three of their Bleacher Teachers running around the track, screaming, with tiny white footballs held aloft.

The teachers’ lounge at SK had a peeling painting of "Custer’s Last Stand" hung in the only specially designated faculty restroom extant at that time. Therefore, everyone eventually passed through the lounge for one purpose or other during the day. Besides the restroom, there was a microwave, the coffee, a little half-refrigerator, one table, and several chairs lining the walls of the narrow room. And yes, two more attractions for the lounge: it was the only other room air-conditioned in the building besides the principal’s office, and it was a smoking lounge.

Each period, a specific set of teachers wandered in to eat lunch, smoke, use the restroom, or just take a break from the whirling cyclone that is adolescence. Our principal hated the lounge, calling any of us who went there “lounge lizards.” I guess he imagined we were following the Lakota and Cheyenne examples posted in the restroom by planning some kind of coups. Actually, we were saving our lives by finding like-minded beings who understand the isolation of an adult in a classroom of teenagers. It is from the SK lounge that I learned my daily mantra from Zen Master, Ron Wells: "help me, Jesus!"

So, one day while I was listening to Mike and Dwight sing a song about the ticket crisis at the historic Simon Kenton State Basketball Tournament(the one they won...think Hoosiers,) one of our new, younger teachers wandered in to use the restroom. While she waited, she sat down next to me to tell me how her 4th Period class was handling her lessons on etiquette for the upcoming prom. This ever-industrious, positive-thinking young woman felt that the cultural chasm of eating at a large hotel restaurant was going to be a little wide for some of her charges to cross. So, she had decided to have the students submit their questions about proper etiquette. She was holding one of those questions in her shaking hand because she had never expected anything like it. Joe Newman, a student with waist-length hair and a ready smile, always wanted his teachers to think he was the dimmest bulb in the pack. I know this because his sister was one of the editors of my student newspaper, THE FRONTIER TIMES. Joe figured that if he played dim no one could expect much from him, and he could just breeze through high school unencumbered. I guess he was tired of holding back that day because on the slip of paper was written the philosophical inspiration for our name: “What if I can’t find my raison d'être, and nobody cares?”

Violet Rae, Vickie and I were headed for our first radio appearance that weekend and we still didn’t have a name. Performing under the name "The Blue Kentucky Girls" which our band director, Dan Daniels, kept announcing as "The Kentucky Blue Gills," we knew we needed something different. And while it’s not exactly user-friendly, the name has double meaning for us. We think that music is a wonderful reason for being, and my memories of Simon Kenton High School just continue to make me smile. So, now you know.

Roberta

“I’ve got the heart to see it through
I’ve got the heart for loving you.”--Violet Rae Downey

Well, the “Hello, Kitty” calendar on my wall tells us that it’s the month of the heart motif, as in the Valentine-type heart. And Raison D’Etre is experiencing a little heart’s content over the way so many of you welcomed us into your hearts during the the cold, cold month of January 2008. Here are just a few of our heartwarming experiences this month:

January 5th we returned to College Hill Coffee Company where we were able to perform our newest songs(still with music stands, I hate to say, but we’re getting there.) It was great to see Bob & Kat, Harold & his cousin from Funke’s Greenhouses, Nancy and April, Rita, the local gang--including Anne, and of course Erin, her mom and friends. It was a good evening all around although we didn’t get to talk to everyone as long as we’d like. College Hill Coffee Company just celebrated their 2nd year of music in January with Chris Collier and Tracy Walker doing the anniversary concerts. If you’d like to check out this wonderful gathering place in College Hill, here is a link to their web site:

http://www.collegehillcoffeeco.com

The Raison D’Etre family gals all celebrated Violet Rae’s January birthday at Newport on the Levee this year with lunch at Mitchell’s Fish Market, browsing and buying at Barnes and Noble and then a quick shopping trip to the GW Boutique in Bellevue where Roberta buys most of her performance clothes. Hey, Feist has nothing on Roberta (when it comes to thrift shopping.) Now if Roberta only had that Grammy outfit shopping dilemma that Feist has, well...

From January 14-25 Roberta was artist in residence at Our Lady of the Mountains School in Paintsville, KY. Preschool through 8th grade studied elements of music through listening, performing and song writing. All this was possible through a Teacher Incentive Program grant from the Kentucky Arts Council written by parents and teachers at the school. While at OLM, Roberta offered an after school professional development on integrating music into the curriculum by using KET’s Arts Toolkit for Music. She also addressed the January PTO Meeting about how parents can encourage interest in the arts at home. Students prepared a concert in the third floor ballroom for their parents and members of the Paintsville community which included percussion, singing, songs written by Roberta and the students, and a rousing group sing of “Amazing Grace.” A good time was had by all. Thanks so much to all the teachers and students at OLM for making Roberta feel so much a part of your family. And extra thanks to the Perrins(Clare, Frank, and Zack) for taking Roberta into your home for the residency.

Our Lady of the Mountains is a wonderful school in Paintsville, KY housed in the Mayo Mansion, a historic landmark. See what they are up to at:

http://home.catholicweb.com/OurLadySchool/index.cfm

So many mansions, so little time! Our last performance in January took us to the fabulous Troy-Hayner Cultural Center in Troy, OH. As program coordinator, Kim Clifton, gave us our orientation tour, she called the mansion “the house that whiskey built,” since the Hayners were distributors in the area. They even have a lovely exhibit of the Hayner products! We were amazed at the great acoustics in the third floor ballroom where our concert took place to a packed house. This community truly supports this unique cultural center. Our encore involved a group sing of “Amazing Grace” at this concert, too, but this time there were four distinct vocal parts in the audience. For more about Troy-Hayner’s upcoming schedule:

http://www.troyhayner.org
In February we are playing at several venues near and dear to our hearts:

Fine Arts Fund Sampler Weekend is February 9&10, so we’ll be at Mary Ann Mongan Library on Covington as the Swing Canaries on Saturday and at Grailville in Loveland(yeah, more heart metaphor), we’ll be ourselves on Sunday. See our calendar page for details.

February 15th it’s back to Playhouse in the Park, February 16, we’ll leave our hearts in Mariemont at the Dilly Deli...and on February 24 we are pleased as punch to return to the loving community of Rabbit Hash, KY for Concerts by the Stove in the Rabbit Hash General Store.

Raise on, dear Valentines,
and don’t defer those brave heart dreams!

Roberta, Violet and Vickie

“I search for seed to feed my need for singing.”--The Redbird Song

January 2008 Update from Raison D’Etre

1. A look back in photos
2. Looking forward with songs, new recording project, new programs and DVD
3. Roberta solo

According to Miss Manners, it’s OK to wish people a happy New Year until the holiday decorations start to be annoying. It occurs to me that figuring out exactly when “annoying” happens for everybody could be very tricky. For example, I’m sure that my old neighbors in Ft. Thomas have already tossed out their tree as they have done every season since they were married over 20 years ago. So, would they be annoyed if I gave them an additional holiday greeting? However, some really fun people in a tiny cottage just around the bend from the possibly annoyed neighbors will most likely leave their house festooned with lights until February. We actually had an unofficial contest in my old neighborhood to see who had the guts to leave their lights on the longest. I can remember one especially snowy February when two houses were lit up nightly--ours and theirs. So, knowing that about me, “Happy New Year” from someone you would probably classify as “the other weird neighbor.”

Violet Rae and Vickie are ever tasteful in their attire and decor, so don’t blame them.

Looking Back at 2007

I’m not doing a year-end list like I did last year, but instead, I posted some photos on our website of key performances this year where Vickie remembered to bring the camera or for which I had a poster. It was a very enjoyable inventory exercise. I’ve noticed a few things about Raison D’Etre’s year. We’ve started having a lot more fun wherever we travel to sing our three-part harmony shows. That’s probably because we’ve met so many good people who share the simple joy of living. Thank you for that! So, if you want to see a quick review of our 2007 season, it’s posted in photos at

http://www.raison3.com/photos.html

Looking Forward to 2008

New Songs--

Since I received a Kentucky Foundation for Women grant last year for songwriting, the whole trio went into a songwriting frenzy. We attended several retreats in Kentucky and Tennessee where we focused on our individual writing first, then arranging for trio second. This concentrated attention to our songs brought us some awards at the Mountain Valley Arts Council’s Songwriting Festival in Guntersville, AL. So, our next move for 2008 will be recording our 6th project.

New Acts--

Thoughout 2007, we began playing our Swing Canaries program for Creative Aging member retirement communities in Cincinnati. We’ve been doing that program since the 50th Anniversary of D-Day, so we pretty much thought its audience was dwindling. What we’ve found is a whole new intergenerational interest in the Swing Era singers, especially groups like the Andrews Sisters. So, we’re constantly developing a new program called “Sister Acts.” Once people realize that it’s not about the Whoopi Goldberg movie, they are thrilled to hear the blends of sibling singers like the McGuire, Pointer, and Clooney Sisters performed with commentary by the Webster Sisters plus Vickie.

New DVD--

OK, so we don’t have an old DVD. But we do have a NEW one! Because a very gracious film maker produces concerts for his company twice a year, Raison D’Etre was invited to perform at Java 5, a unique video production/performance venue in Mobile, Alabama. Past performers at this venue include The Kingston Trio, The Limelighters, and Roy Bookbinder. Mudbrick Media produced a DVD of that concert. So, if you don’t feel like getting out much this winter, but really want to experience our current concert set in the comfort of your own home, just drop us an e-mail, and we’ll send you our two- set concert (with several new songs included) for only $15.00(postage included.)

You can get the DVD FREE as a bonus by buying any of our CDs during the month of January at CD Baby or by reviewing one of our CDs on CD Baby during January 2008. I monitor the site daily, so be sure to include your mailing address when you purchase a CD online, and I will send you the DVD during February. Offer ends January 31st at midnight.

http://www.raison3.com/products.html

Roberta’s Residency--

I will be a teaching artist in residence at Our Lady of the Mountains School in Paintsville, KY from January 14-25. I’m very excited to be working with the whole school on “Harmonies Through the Ages,” which will be a survey of Western vocal music periods, music elements particular to each period and application of those elements to songwriting. We’re starting out with Gregorian Chant, so I know it’s gonna be fun.

Raise on, dear friends,
And don’t defer those resolute dreams!

Roberta
Official Scribe for Raison D’Etre

Over the River...

November has been a beautiful month for meeting new folks and for playing really interesting venues. We started off the month at College Hill Coffee Co. and Gourmet which is a feast for the eyes as well as the tummy. Tina Stoeberl has created an inviting and warm environment for coffee lovers, laptop users, and those who just like to gather as a community. The entire shop seems to shimmer with brilliant earth tones. And we were delighted to run into Nancy, Diana, Ann--who guided us to College Hill Coffee in the first place-, Bob and “Cat.”

If you’d like to check out all that the shop offers, here’s a link to their new website:

http://www.collegehillcoffeeco.com

We’re returning December 15th for “Java, Jive, and Joy” when we’ll add a few holiday tunes to the mix.

Through the woods...

The next day, we ventured out to Rabbit Hash, KY for the Center of the Universe Tour, what loving organizers titled the two-day Benefit for Richard Young event at Rabbit Hash. 25 music groups donated their time, Mayor, Junior the Dog, had a kissing booth, and hundreds of volunteers worked to raise over $40,000 for stone carver Richard Young’s medical treatments. To read all about the ongoing efforts-- and to do some Christmas shopping that will actually help someone--go to the Rabbit Hash General Store’s website and prepared to be amazed at human goodness in action. Some people still really get that “love thy neighbor” thing. Order a “Center of the Universe Tour” tee-shirt for someone you love. Thanks to Jan Perry, Rick Bird, Sandy Megowen, Pat Crowley, and Nancy James for your part in getting the word out about this event. And big thanks to Donnie Clare for the reflection afterwards. It was really great catching up with Donnie after our set behind the stove at the Rabbit Hash General Store. We’re going back for a few sets in February.

But the bigger thanks goes to people like Bobbi Kayser, David Rhodes Brown, and all their friends around Rabbit Hash who put this work of heart together.

http://www.rabbithash.com

Back over the river...

Still amazed at the wealth of community present in Rabbit Hash, we took our rejuvenated selves back to Ohio that evening for a set at the Leo Coffee House. There we were entertained by the riches of open mic talent and the wizardry and knowledge of Bob Lotz on harmonica. As always, the Leo volunteers provided a comfortable and inviting stage for the folk music lovers of our area. Papa Joe emceed while Al and Jim insured quality sound. And while we were a little punchie from the day’s activities, we had a very good time performing for this receptive audience.

To find out who’s next at the Leo, go to

http://www.qcballadeers.org

Still over the river, but definitely through some woods...

On November 5th, Roberta traveled with Omope Carter Daboiku to Kenyon College for a performance of “Mountain Women Rising.” Once we arrived in Gambier, OH, we met up with Meredith Dean and Edna Gulley of the Appalachian Women’s Alliance for a day-long rehearsal. Our performance that evening was for the Crozier Center, a women’s studies organization with a history of presenting programs about women’s issues and social justice. Our student hosts were delightful and had many good questions for us after the performance. They also came by the Kenyon Inn afterwards to present us with tee-shirts celebrating “Love Your Body Day.” I feel better about the future of women everywhere just knowing that groups like the Crozier Center are actively addressing the issues of positive self-image and equality. For more information about “Mountain Women Rising” performances, check the Appalachian Women’s Alliance website:

http://www.appalachianwomen.org

Over the river and up the hill...

The First Friday Niters are an active group of seniors who meet monthly for dinner and a program at the Hyde Park Methodist Church. While their programs range from historical lectures to madrigal performances, they always emphasize life-long learning and fellowship. We were pleased to be invited as one of their musical programs on November 9. Dr. Phillip Crabtree, Professor Emeritus of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, extended an invitation for us to perform our Swing Canaries set. We even ran into some childhood friends of our mother, Louise.

And then, way down I-65...

In perhaps one of the most interesting bookings ever in our history, Raison D’Etre traveled to Mobile, Alabama on November 16 to play at Java 5, a unique venue designed for video production. Java 5 is the brainchild of Denny Wilkins, CEO of Mudbrick Media, a company that produces science films and educational stock footage. Denny invited us to play one of their twice-a-year concerts for his employees and their families. But these aren’t just any old “company dinner/entertainment” functions. Java 5 is a state-of the-art performance and video venue. And each concert serves as a learning experience for the staff members as they take turns producing, recording, and engineering the concerts. Before us, Java 5 produced concerts and made videos of The Kingston Trio, The Limelighters, Roy Bookbinder, and several other folk and instrumental legends. For each concert, the staff created posters for the venue and videos of the performances. We were amazed to enter the lobby of Java 5 for our sound check and to see beautifully done posters for every concert--including ours--framed on the lobby walls.

Denny Wilkins also crafted a six-string banjo accompaniment to our version of “Java Jive,” and joined us on stage during our first set. We met most of his friendly family, several of the staff and their families, and had an absolutely wonderful evening. All Violet and Vickie kept saying back at the hotel was, “wow, that was a blessing!”

And then, far, far into the woods...

Without even a chance to catch a breath, much less a full night's sleep, Roberta headed through the woods to the Kentucky Arts Council's Arts in Education Artist Gathering at "Faubush." There she met up with friends on the roster, presented her Chants and Ballads lesson to fellow artists, and took part in the "Goodbye to John Benjamin" festivities. John is really retiring this April, so this was his last Faubush for a while. It was a really emotional couple of days, but somehow, I know he won't be able to stay away. Thanks for everything, John. Your artists love you!

And, so it was a month of blessings...

Raise on, dear friends!
And don’t defer those dreams...
Because always we are truly blessed
And sometimes, thankfully, we notice it.

(Thanks to Ray Bradbury for giving my favorite time of year a name!)

Raison D’Etre had a very eventful September, and October is promising to be just as interesting. At last writing I told you about our upcoming jaunt back to MOVA, the songwriting festival and competition of the Mountain Valley Arts Council in Guntersville, AL.
Well, our big news is that Violet Rae took FIRST PLACE in her category(Children’s/Holiday/Humor) with her song, “Legacy.” We pretty much knew she did OK when all of the judges in the final round burst into simultaneous laughter. My song(Roberta), “This Kind of Rain,” made it to the finals and came in third in Folk/Bluegrass behind some pretty awesome songs, so I’m happy. All three of us had songs in the semi-finals, so we really feel good about that. We posted several photos(by Vickie, mostly) on the PHOTOS page if you’d like to have a look.

Judges and results at:

http://mountainvalleyartscouncil.org

We also became our “braver selves” by applying to showcase at Midpoint Music Festival in Cincinnati. Honestly, we were a little timid about that whole thing since bands(yes, we mean BANDS) from all over the world came to Cincy to showcase in 17 different venues. Most of them were much younger than our folk trio(another intimidating factor in our society, sadly,) but somehow, out of 900 applicants we made the 300 cut. We had a lovely time playing at Arnold’s for the appreciative crowd. And we have some really cool t-shirts, too. Big thanks to the Midpoint folks for being so inclusive. And thanks to Kathy for the wonderful quote!

In October, so far we’ve been to Tennessee for the Ironweed Gathering of the Appalachian Women’s Alliance, to Newport, KY for a Swing Canaries show at the Salvation Army, To SEM Haven in Milford for our ever-evolving Sister Act presentation, and to Barnes and Noble on the Levee for a fundraiser for Campbell County Family Literacy. Dixie Hoffman dropped by to make some valuable puchases toward the fundraiser and to lend some moral support to the Raisons. We love ya, Dixie! Of course, Mom, Bob and Rosanne did not pass up the opportunity to shop for literacy. All you have to say around my family is “bookstore” or “GW Boutique” and we are so there.

Coming up in October...

We’re going to hang out at the Richwood Flea Market to play at the food court, attend OAPN with Rita Becker to check out the workshops, showcases and work the exhibit hall, do our Sister Act at McAuley Convent and Lincoln Senior Center(Violet keeps telling me to leave the word “Senior” out of that, but hey, I’m nothing if not honest.) and then we’re finishing up the month by playing our favorite dining gig, Dilly Deli, and by performing “Harmonies through the Ages” for some educators at Covington’s Drees Pavilion.

Tis the season to make Halloween cookies, so maybe Leona can make it over to Wilder, I have black plates, now, Lee...ya gotta come! And Bryce Warren beat me in the "who sent the first Halloween card race" again. Thanks, Bryce.

In November, we are excited to be playing for the Rabbit Hash Fundraiser for Richard Young. See the website for details:

http://www.myspace.com/rabbithashky

And we’re going to Mobile, Alabama for a concert at Mudbrick Media...more about that next month...

Raise on, dear goblins,
And don’t defer those October Country dreams...
Roberta

"See you in September...
See you when the summer’s through."

Wow, August was some hot month...and I don’t mean good lookin’. Even though the temps soared into the 100s and we didn’t see much rain in this part of the world, Raison D’Etre still managed to play a few outdoor venues including one all-day women’s music festival.

On August 5th we played our “Sister Acts” program for Green Township Senior Center. This performance featured songs from the McGuire Sisters, Andrews Sisters, Dinning Sisters and the Webster Sisters(that would be Raison D’Etre originals.) Happily, many of the luncheon guests told us that they enjoyed our songs as much as the other sister tunes. We are working to include Kentucky’s own Clooney Sisters, the Boswell Sisters and Pointer Sisters in this hour-long program.

While working up our harmony sisters repertoire, we have discovered many acts around the world--some on major labels like the Puppini Sisters--who love the music of the 30s and 40s and work up arrangements to keep it alive. The Puppini Sisters apply their 40s arrangements to all of their covers including “I Will Survive,” the disco anthem. The result is fresh and sassy. And we like that!

On August 6, we took part in Rivertown Music Club’s “Summer Songwriter Series” at the Goose Girl Fountain in Covington, KY. We were so looking forward to playing by the fountain, but the temperatures were high and thunderstorms were predicted(but never came,) so for safety’s sake we played indoors at the Cock and Bull Pub. Thanks to Kelly Thomas, Heather of Tupelo Honey, and Kathy for supporting us and the other musicians for the evening. Lots going on around the tri-state musically thanks to Kelly.

When the mercury rose to 103, Fountain Square decided to cancel our August 9th appearance for Acoustic Thursdays on the Square. While we were really looking forward to sharing the bill with the Roanoke Ramblers, we know that it was just too hot to expect a crowd. Thanks to Pru Hunt for all her work in scheduling these performances. And to Zach Holman for our many tech conferences via e-mail.

When a “cold front” brought the temps down into the 90s again, we played at Dilly Deli in Mariemont on August 11 for the al fresco crowd. Always a pleasure to share tunes with this friendly outdoor group of diners. Then the weather broke for one beautiful day on August 18 for Tri-State Womonfest in Mt. Airy Forest. Raison D’Etre shared the Garden Stage with RJ Cowdery(finalist in Mountain Stage’s “New Song” contest,) Robin Stone of Cleveland, and Dayton’s Jayne Sachs. The Patio Stage opened with Kelly Thomas, Sharon Udoh and Jenn Wheatley delivering some beautiful arrangements of Kelly’s tunes for piano and cello which also featured vocal harmonies by Sharon. Then came some spirited rock from Louisville’s Blue Umbrellas, folk/rock from Frozen Feet, bluegrass from Katie Laur, Ma Crow and Friends, country originals from Tracy Rice, bluesy, jazzy folk from Cincinnati’s own Tracy Walker, comedy and excellent songs from Jamie Anderson and Phyllis Free, plus the beautiful harmonies of Shelley Graff and Friends. The final act of the evening was from dance diva, Taborah who got the crowd dancing to her soaring vocals.

Raison D’Etre finished out the month by traveling around the tri-state to three of their favorite locations: Owenton, Berea and downtown Cincinnati. Since it was deemed too hot for the patio at Elk Creek Vineyards(wise deeming, we think,) we played inside the tasting room which is beautiful and has excellent acoustics. Some friendly folks from Campbell County stayed around for the music after their tasting and tours. After our sets, we learned that they lived right down the road from me(Roberta, Wilder, KY!) We also want to thank Patti Catton and her sister for coming out to hear us at Elk Creek.

At the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea, KY, the staff made us feel right at home(thanks, Pearl!) and Gwen Heffner gave us the usual photo and video treatment. I’ve posted some of her great shots on the photo page, front page, and the video clip is up on our myspace page.

http://www.myspace.com/raison3

We love the Artisan Center, their great staff(thanks for everything, Victoria,) and the marvelous work of Kentucky Artisans you can view and purchase there. I came home with a new gourd drum from Drumzrguruven.

Our last stop in August was the LPK Acoustic Lunch in beautiful Piatt Park, Cincinnati. Johnny Schott keeps this event perking with the help of LPK, the Cincinnati Park Board, WNKU 89.7, and the Business Courier. A lovely group of lunchtime friends dropped in to hear our two sets. We were especially honored that Katie Laur and Bev Bowers came by to support us. Thanks, ladies.

Roberta journeyed down to Danville on August 30th to showcase with other artists from the Kentucky Arts in Education Roster in Danville High School’s professional level auditorium. It was great to share the stage with the likes of Mitch Barrett, Yolantha Pace, Susan Mullins, Susan Pope, Kathi Ellis, Suzanne Davis, Alfredo Escobar and Cheryl Pan as they showed Kentucky teachers what they can do to promote the arts in the classroom.

We’re heading down the road to Alabama September 14 to perform 4 of our songs in the MOVA Songwriting Festival.

Raise on, and let us know what you are up to!

Vickie, Violet Rae, and Roberta

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer...

I can still hear Nat King Cole singing that little ditty over the “green and gold” radio we used to have in the kitchen of our tiny frame “ranch house” home in Grant’s Lick, KY. That song meant the beginning of many treks through Ed Yelton’s field with flashlights to watch what passed for our big community event in Southern Campbell County: nightly softball leagues at Vater’s Ballpark. There was plenty to attract three little girls to that ballpark. Two softball games a night(men and women’s leagues--all our neighbors from 10 miles around), the backroom behind the snackbar with it’s very hip jukebox, teenage dancers, card games, and ever-popular bowling machine, the playground with swing sets and teeter totters, the horseshoe pits where all the dads and grandpas(and an occasional athletic mom and grandma) hung out with their Burger and Wiedemann beers, and the snack bar itself, festooned with gooey fly strips to assure us that no flies were making it into the hotdog rotisserie. It’s hard for me to think of summer without somehow conjuring up George Sexton announcing the games, or Mary Vater raffling off a large can of Husman’s Potato Chips, or the jukebox blaring “You Can’t Do That” by the Beatles while Kathy Owens taught us all how to Watusi. On 4th of July, Vic Vater set off an array of fireworks right in the middle of short centerfield. We knew it wasn’t the biggest display in the world, but we “ooed” and “aahed” at every firing.

They say you are pretty much shaped as a person by what your world was like when you were 10 years old. Well, if that’s true, I was shaped by the sights and sounds of Vater’s ballpark in summer. To this day, I can’t watch a ballgame on TV. The crowd noise lulls me to sleep because I require the sights and sounds of a community drawn together for a night of their many pursuits of happiness, whether it be horseshoes, dancing, playing on swings, playing ball, or watching the game. Nothing has ever come close to taking me back to Vater’s until Raison D’Etre sang the National Anthem for the Florence Freedom on July 20th. The Freedom ballpark truly has that small community feel--even though 2000 folks came out to enjoy the double header with Slippery Rock. As I looked around, I saw kids running happily wild over the two outfield playgrounds while parents watched from picnic tables. Fans of the Freedom spoke to each other like old friends, not like disgruntled major league ticket holders who paid way too much for hotdogs and beer to have a good time. The snackbar was transformed for a late evening bluegrass concert, and they had fireworks just because it was Friday. Congratulations to the owners of the Freedom who understand that people still want to get together and have a good time while a ballgame is going on. And that it might not always be about the ballgame, but about the getting together. Huzzah, Freedom!(Apologies to Jake Speed who is ever the baseball historian!)

So what have the women of Raison D’Etre been up to this July? Well, we started out by setting up our family craft and music booth at Lakeside Vineyards' first-ever Summer Wine Festival in Felicity, OH. Saw Steve and Cindy Collins there, met some of the local folks(Randy--who lives”right across that field”-- was our guide to who’s who) and enjoyed the wine tastings. Roberta spent a week at Kentucky Arts Council’s Artist Gathering and PD Sessions for Teachers at Faubush, KY. Highlights of her week included playing gourd drum in the multicultural jam band on the porch from 7-midnight on Monday, learning some Tai Chi from Hong Shao’s mom, and staying up late with Susan Mullins just talking on the last night. Just as soon as Roberta returned to Northern KY, Raison D’Etre hit the local road for Sawyer Point and the 80th Celebration of the Recreation Commission. Later that day we sang the National Anthem at the Freedom game in Florence. This past week, we sang and played our Swing Canaries set for the happy hour at Western Hills Retirement Community, played a full concert for Live @ the Lodge in beautiful Clifton Reserve, OH, then played on a stellar bill for Queen City Balladeers’ final night of Edensong. Let’s see: Jake Speed & the Freddies, Rob Fetters, and Changling. Yeah, we like that company! Thanks to all of you who came up and talked to us and wished us well at MOVA.

We're going back to Lake Guntersville in September to compete in the Humor and Folk/Bluegrass categories with four of our newest songs.

Raise on!
And don't defer those lazy,hazy,crazy dreams...

“I only know there ain’t no love at all
without a song.”--Youmans/Eliscu/Rose


Lots of love this month as Raison D’Etre(and Roberta with “Mountain Women Rising”) traveled Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia and Georgia debuting new songs, performing old favorites for several reunion groups, and showcasing the writings of The Appalachian Women’s Journal through performances at the Just Connections Conference at Ferrum College and the United States Social Forum in Atlanta. Lots of songs for bending the roads, mending the hearts and telling the stories.

We started out with our annual trek to Summerfair and the Vocal Arts Gazebo where we nervously performed three new original songs in our set to a very accepting audience of arts lovers, venders and friends. Steve Collins--Roberta’s bandmate from Joshua Outlaw days--had the quote of the day:

“Yeah, Roberta. You really should know ‘I Will Always Love You’ by now since you’ve been playing it for over thirty years!”

Next, Roberta set out for the Blue Ridge Mountains to rehearse a day with Meredith Dean, Edna Gulley, and Rema Keen for a performance of “Mountain Women Rising” at Just Connections Conference, Ferrum College Virginia. The troupe decided to use two of Roberta’s songs in that performance, “Mountain Women Rising”--hmmm, wonder why they chose that one???--and “Be True.” It was an honor for Roberta to appear with this group as they presented the voices of women who write their stories for The Appalachian Women’s Journal. The program weaves stories about sense of place, environmentalism, acceptance, social responsibility and equality with music composed by respected activist women such as Sue Massek, Jean Ritchie, and Holly Near. Quote on the back of the Appalachian Women’s Alliance Tee-shirt:

“A voice to be reckoned with!”

One of the high points for Roberta was rehearsing on Meredith’s front porch while actually facing some of the most beautiful mountains in the world.

From June 14-June 23, Raison D’Etre played seven exciting events. We started out as the Swing Canaries with a luncheon at the Owensville Fairgrounds for Union Township Senior Center and the Sheriff’s Office, then got up bright and early on June 15 to sing for
a WWII Paratroopers’ Reunion Breakfast at the Drawbridge Estates. The highlight of this reunion was when the surviving paratroopers related their stories for posterity as their families videotaped them. Saturday of that week took us back to Dilly Deli for a wonderful night playing all three of our sets out on the patio. Lots of rehearsal for those new songs!

On June 17th--Father’s Day--Pastor Mike said his farewell to the New Hope Campus of Immanuel Methodist Church. Raison D’Etre sang “How Great Thou Art” for the service and joined in the hymn sing after lunch. We wish Pastor Mike and his family all the best in their new church community of Williamsburg, KY.

We took a short breath before piling into the car to head for Willard, OH and their “Concerts in the Park Series.” The drive was serene and beautiful up Route 61 through farmers’ fields. After the well-attended concert--we could see people all over the park, having picnics while a few hundred patrons set up chairs in front of the stage to listen--we went back to our hotel, the Country Hearth, to eat at the Box Car Cafe. As we enjoyed all the railroad photos on the wall and savored short order grill food, we finally realized that a steady stream of CSX employees were coming in for the night to rest. Quote of the day by Violet Rae:

“It’s raining men! Hallelujah!”

June 21st took us back to the Drawbridge Estates for a PT Boat Reunion Banquet in Stuart Hall. This bunch of distinguished sailors and their families were ready to sing and clap along with our 40s songs and stayed long after the banquet to talk to each other and us.

On Saturday the 23rd, we played three sets at the fabulous Elk Creek Vineyards in Owenton, KY. The winery itself is gorgeous and would make an excellent day trip for anyone in the Greater Cincinnati area who wants to enjoy wine, music, good food and beautiful scenery. We ran into poet, Pauletta Hansel and her husband, Owen as they were leaving to have dinner at another winery down the road. Then we were pleasantly surprised when Steven De Penning and his friend, Mike showed up during our last set.

Quote of the day belongs to Roberta:

“I think Pauletta is on our karma team since we run into her everywhere.”

Just finished out the performance month with Roberta’s trip to Atlanta with Mountain Women Rising. The troupe for Atlanta was Omope Daboiku, Tinu Daboiku on drums, Edna Gulley, Meredith Dean and Roberta(on guitar and native drum.) The United States Social Forum met in Atlanta this year from June 27-July 1 to share ideas and energy for a better U.S. Activist, environmental, and social justice groups from all over the U.S. and the world gathered in the streets of Atlanta and at various venues throughout the city. Mountain Women Rising performed on the Cultural Stage at the Civic Center at 11:00 am and again at Trinity Methodist Church where many of the workshops were held. We met a lovely group of young women from a performance group called “We’ve Got Issues.” These women also do performances of women’s writing, largely about women’s issues.

Quote of the day by Chelsea of “We’ve Got Issues.”

“I think we need to organize a bus tour of our two groups.”

Sorry for the long entry. Once in awhile, I have to write some of this stuff down before I forget.

Raise on, dear friends!

And don’t defer those dreams.

“I have dreamed on this mountain
Since first I was my mother’s daughter
And you can't just take my dreams away.”--Holly Near

won’t you stay inside me, month of May?
and hold on to me golden day--
slippin’ away.”--james taylor

Hey, I know I used this quote before when I first started this site, but I need it again. May is flying by faster than I can breathe it in. Every spring I sing this fragment from JT over and over again in my head. Something primal about spring coming again...and then leaving so soon. Rebirth...and speaking of BIRTH, let me take this opportunity to get back at Dixie Hoffman for the birthday card about hair color by publicly wishing her...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DIXIE, YOU “MAY BABY!”

Of course, I don’t know the exact day of her birthday, but I definitely know it’s this month because Gary, Dixie and I went to a John Gorka concert in May a few years back, and as I recall, it was pretty close to her birthday. So, Dixie, if you read this, this is me making good on my threat. Yeah, I know how scary I am.

Raison D’Etre has been busy with a few projects this month. We traveled down to Frankfort for the Governor’s Derby Breakfast again. This time they put us on a giant stage left over from the gala. It was our honor to follow some lovely children’s ballet company with their hundreds of parents and grandparents in tow. By the time we got to the stage and the children hit the breakfast tent, our audience was a bit smaller, but no less enthusiastic. After our set, we rushed out to the breakfast tent for the cheese grits and country breakfast. Doesn’t take much to make us happy.

I(Roberta) went over to Group Effort Sound Studio in early May to add a vocal track to Pru Hunt’s ever-evolving CD project. She had Dan Murphy play me one of the songs she just laid down with the Sweeneys called “The Cadillac Song.” Pretty cool tune. I told her that it will be her hit on the CD.

And since Hopscotch House, Raison D’Etre has been diligently trying to get some of our songs from the March retreat to performance level. To that end, we are arranging a few of them and recording them live to submit to MOVA. We even gave a fine young radio talent, Mr. Andy Ellis of WVXU, an interview that aired on Mother’s Day in which we discussed our song project...

Then came the Appalachian Festival where we played in our tent for three days while also hawking our CDs, Bruce Ellis’(Vickie’s husband) tongue drums, and Rosanne’s(Violet Rae’s and my sister) hand quilted and crocheted items. The whole weekend became a family affair which made it much more meaningful and easier when it came to taking down the tent. Andy(Vickie’s son) made good on his promise to continue the traditional Mother’s Day Webster-Ellis Jam by stopping by to play impressive guitar riffs with us for a whole set. Andy’s in a duo now with his buddy, Ian. We are so going to embarrass him by showing up at the Olde Fort Pub on June 1!

And last, but not least, we just played for Joan Kaup’s Kick-off Celebration at Nicholson’s in downtown Cincinnati. Joan was introduced by fellow Charterites and supporters, Roxanne Qualls and Jim Tarbell after which she gave a succinct speech outlining her vision for Cincinnati. Sure wish we could vote over there. If you can, please listen to what Joan has to say about an inclusive, green, creative and profitable city. “Be part of the solution.”

Raise on, dear friends!
And don’t defer those dreams. May is moving so fast!

Because we see the annual signs of rebirth pounded by hail stones?
Because “The Year of Kurt Vonnegut” also includes his exit?
Because we put all of our most wintry clothes in the back of the closet just as the furnace goes out? And then the mercury refuses to inch above 45 degrees for several days in a row?

Take your pick. But I posted the T.S. Eliot quote because it is National Poetry Month, leaving you to ponder the random cruelty of nature or the random nature of cruelty or the inevitability of taxes all in your own “reader response” time.

I once took an entire week off graduate school to hole up in my apartment with every book Kurt Vonnegut had written up until then. I have also had the honor and privilege of infecting many high school students with “Vonnegutitis”--a disease that presents with a contagious belly laugh and results in an insatiable thirst to read everything Mr. Funnygut(as one of my students dubbed him) ever wrote. Reading all the articles about Kurt Vonnegut’s life and watching every news byte I could gobble since April 11 led me to savoring several of his quotes(and those of his relatives.) His son, Mark, who wrote his own book about mental illness and who is now a doctor, once told his father that our purpose here was to help each other through this, whatever it is. I see that more and more as the only “purpose” worth discussing. So, yeah, we have to pay taxes and die, but in the mean time we can “help each other through this, whatever it is.”

I had the honor of hearing Vonnegut speak at NKU in the 1980s. Leona and I stood in line to get his autograph on one of our "bookclub" editions of his work. He treated us like owners of "first editions." My copy of JAILBIRD is about to fall apart from all the times I showed students Kurt's distinctive signature containing the asymmetrical asterisk that all readers of BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS understand. Check our photo page for the signature, and use your imagination. If that doesn't work, read BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS. Belly laughs are hard to come by.

And how better to celebrate poetry, rebirth, and helping each other through this than the publication of poet, Judy Sizemore's ASYMMETRY, a gorgeous volume about love, loss, and the pure "lucky ducky" nature of a life lived deeply. For information about the book and upcoming signings see Motes Books at

http://motesbooks.com

Raison D’Etre will emerge from our two-week break to play a few home town venues this April: Campbell County Library, Newport Branch on April 19, The Marquis Ballroom in Wilder, KY on April 26 and Dilly Deli in Mariemont, OH on April 28. We really hope that April decides to be kind on the 28th so that we can enjoy the outdoor ambience of Dilly Deli’s patio.

So it goes...


Raise on, dear ones. Let’s help each through this, whatever it is.
And don’t defer those dreams.

Roberta

Women’s History Month on the Road

We’re taking a breath of spring air to look back at some fun times on the road. Raison D’Etre started out March by heading to Louisville’s Expo Center for the 25th Kentucky Crafted: the Market. We did a set at the Kentucky Arts Council Booth following Kyle Meadows who was kind enough to stop for a few of our songs before he headed out with his family to explore the incredible arts, crafts and food. During our set, Jennifer Rose Escobar and her wonderful family dropped by to chat, listen and actually participate in our music as the Escobar girls are excellent dancers and drummers! It’s great to see all that artistic talent continuing in the next generation.

After our set, we talked with John Benjamin for a few minutes and then headed out to see some of the art and grab some food. After circling the booths a few rounds and actually purchasing dulcimers, we listened to some of Carla Van Hoose’s set, ran into Bev and Peggie from Kentucky Haus, and then heard Greg Schaber play some blues. Even the wholesale days are fun at the Market!

March 4 brought us to Richmond, KY for our concert at Richmond Area Art Council’s “Stained Glass Series.” Director, Anne Deck and crew treated us to the excellent acoustics of their venue and to some RAAC tee-shirts! It’s always a joy to perform for RAAC’s great audiences.

March 10-12 took us to Hopscotch House for our song writing retreat. What a fabulous experience to dedicate a whole weekend to the creative process! Raison D’Etre workshopped eleven songs during the weekend that we will refine in our upcoming rehearsals. We’re hoping to break out a few of the new tunes by Dilly Deli on April 28. Thanks again to the Kentucky Foundation for Women for providing such a needed getaway for women in the arts.

On March 14 and 22, we were the Swing Canaries for a couple of programs near home: a USO Heritage Tour at the Cincinnati Museum Center and a luncheon honoring the Retired Senior Volunteer Program at Twin Oaks Country Club. Then, off on the road again...

Our Central Ohio Mini-Tour(as we dubbed it) took us to Lithopolis Area Fine Arts Association’s great series in the Wagnalls Memorial. I’ve included a few photos on the photo page and also on the home page so you can get an idea of the wonderful legacy the
Wagnalls family left to their community. Not only does the Memorial include a 300+ seat auditorium, but it also houses a library and banquet hall--all done in rich woodwork and Tudor style. Thanks to Miriam, Margaret, and Virginia for having us as part of their 33rd season. We spent the night in Lithopolis, then headed down the road to Lancaster for another Swing Canaries set at the Fairfield County Library. Our performance preceded the award ceremony for an art show, so we got yet another chance to take in some wonderful works. Thanks to Linda for being our gracious host and to the library volunteers for packing us some excellent cookies for our trip!

We were so sure we could easily find Newark from Lancaster--I mean, it’s only 30 minutes on Route 37, that we could not believe it when we had been traveling for one hour and still didn’t see a sign for 16 or 79. The countryside was lovely, we were enjoying the good weather, when suddenly Vickie noticed a sign that said “To 93.”

“To 93! That goes to Hocking Hills,” muttered Vic.
“$2.93,” echoed Violet Rae from the backseat, misunderstanding Vic’s remarks, "gas is that high at home, too!”

We were so punchy by then--and so far from where we thought we were going--that all we could do was have a laughing fit. We continued laughing until we saw a sign for Malta. So, we went to Newark by way of Zanesville which is a very scenic, but long way to get there.

Always happy to arrive in Newark, this time we were ecstatic! We checked into Place off the Square and settled in for a comfy evening which included swimming, wine and cookies. Next night was a special Stagedoor Cabaret at the Midland Theatre for The Ohio County Home Association, a great bunch of people who work with elder care in Ohio. As always, Jeff and his sound crew made it easy to sing while Mike Morris and staff took care of us. The Midland is a model for what communities can do with their revamped movie theaters. The Midland continues to serve as a concert hall for the likes of Keb Mo(who was in town for a concert the next day), Emmylou Harris, and Kathy Mattea as well as classic acts like the Ink Spots, the Lettermen, and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. And the stage of the Midland presents acts like Raison D’Etre, Kathy Wade, and Scott Ainslie in a cabaret setting. Since the dressing room was already set up with a “Keb Mo” sign, Vickie couldn’t resist calling her son, Andy, to report that we were indeed in Keb Mo’s dressing room.

We’re back home now for a few weeks of rehearsals and rest. Hope your Women’s History Month was eventful and satisfying.

Raise on, and remember to ask for directions.

I can’t think of a song for March. Perhaps I should search for songs with a “fish” theme since at least part of this month is in the astrological sign of Pisces, my very own birth sign. Instead, I’ve been thumbing through Kurt Vonnegut’s A MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY again, alternately laughing and crying....my typical response to literature. All the while I am reading quotes aloud to Gary who is looking out the window commenting on the wildlife present. Of course, I am required to jump up and look at the lone wild turkey making her way up the hill from the lake and the red squirrel scavenging the picnic table for bits of acorn. Gary is always very excited over red squirrels--a fascination I do not share because I saw them everywhere while growing up in Grant’s Lick. Now, those big fat gray squirrels warrant my attention, since they are my rarity. I never saw anything like them until I moved in to the “city.”

Part of the Vonnegut passage worth crying over--or laughing over, depending wholly on your perspective--is the assertion made by his Uncle Alex that people so seldom seem to know when they are happy. As I read the words and noticed what Gary and I were both doing, I had to laugh and cry...my response to the truth. How happy it is to just be sitting here sharing Vonnegut ‘s Uncle Alex and red squirrels. If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.

I think I will remember to notice that in the busy month ahead. March is taking Raison D’Etre to Louisville, Richmond, and Prospect in Kentucky then home to the greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area for a couple of luncheon concerts, then back on the road to Lithopolis, Lancaster and Newark in Ohio.

Nice to be making music. Nice to be traveling to some new places. Nice to be noticing the squirrels and turkeys.

Raise on, fellow travelers, and don’t defer those dreams.

Roberta

“Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly,
is to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake.
Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories.
Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem.
Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get
an enormous reward. You will have created
something.” --Kurt Vonnegut

Time to update this journal part of the website. Since Raison D’Etre is so involved this month with the Fine Arts Fund Sampler Weekend and various corporate kick-off events, I just felt the need to share Kurt Vonnegut’s take on the arts. I’m leaving out some of the funnier stuff, but you can get the full blast from reading his just released paperback edition of A MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY. Supposedly Vonnegut declared himself finished with writing after TIMEQUAKE. But those of us who have loved him for years kinda had the feeling he was not yet finished with having opinions. And his hometown, Indianapolis, has declared 2007 “The Year of Kurt Vonnegut,” so of course we're going to hear more from him. Must make him giggle a little, but he’s going along with it handsomely by agreeing to lecture at the festivities sometime in April in the name of "advancing literacy."

Vonnegut also has this to say about the arts: “they are a very human way of making life more bearable.” So, this trio of women goes about singing our three-part harmonies and writing our little songs with that in mind. While I don’t think Fine Arts Fund will be latching onto Vonnegut’s words as a “brand” anytime soon, I think I will. So many of my former high school students were lured into reading because of Vonnegut’s signature little drawings that I just have to believe that ole Kurt is on to something. He has certainly made life more bearable for me by “advancing literacy.” So what if a 17-year-old boy is tricked into reading an entire book because it appears to have cartoons? All it takes is one good book slurped down easy to create a maddening thirst for another.

So, for February and beyond, Raison D’Etre will continue our quest to make life more bearable through music. Even though--as Vonnegut says, “the arts are not a way to make a living.” He got more than a giggle from me with that line!

Raise on, good friends, and don’t defer those works-in-progress. We can all use a little soul growth.

Roberta

...we can learn to leave the past behind
One day at a time, we can look the future in the eye
One day at a time, we can learn how to live"--Yusuf Islam

Wow! Been listening to AN OTHER CUP by Yusuf(the prophet formerly known as Cat Stevens), and I gotta tell ya, it really takes me back even though that is not what Yusuf would advise. I never really saw his walking down a spiritual path as a real "turnabout." I mean, "Peace Train," "The Road to Find Out," "Moon Shadow," and even songs like "Bitter Blue" were already so much about the nature of suffering and seeking. Anyway, I missed him. People with gifts should keep on sharing them. Even with us stupid Americans who occasionally have their sweet and humble selves put on "terrorist" lists. Right now I think my favorite "Christmas" song is going to be the beautiful "The Beloved" which is so universal in it's message that any of us would feel good singing about the potential that love offers humanity.

Here's hoping your holidays are filled with that kind of love.

Top Ten List of Why 2006 Did Not Suck(you'll get plenty of the other stories on the news!)

10. Raison D'Etre went back to Guntersville, AL to play their "Concerts at Lakeside" Series. Nice people, excellent tomatoes, sweet ride(we had to rent a PT Cruiser when the Jeep broke down.)

9. SouthernArtistry.org compiled their first Sampler CD for Performing Arts Exchange in Baltimore and "Be True" was chosen for the disc.

8. SOLATIDO Song Writer's Retreat at Wild Acres(New Switzerland, NC) gave Roberta lots of time to do some song writing and editing. Pierce Pettis led a workshop and gave an awesome evening performance where he "channeled" Bob Dylan for his final number. This is an excellent retreat because Georgann Eubanks and Donna Campbell of Minnow Media work to keep it balanced and personal. Roberta wants the whole trio to go next year!

7. We were glad to be able to offer our services to raise a little money for Judy Sizemore's treatment and for Cincinnati Arts Association. Normandi Ellis, Jennifer Rose, Alfredo Escobar, and Melissa English rock for all they do to help their communities.

6. The first-ever "You-Me Unity" Folklife Festival in London, KY was truly awesome. We were honored to be invited.

5. And wasn't it a treat to host the Coffee Cup Concert Series for a 6th season, mingling with the likes of Roger Drawdy, Zoe Speaks, The James Family Band, Jake Speed & the Freddies, Kentucky Reign and the Sweeneys(who guest-hosted for us on our night?) And doing spots about the series on Insight Channel 6 with Nancy James, Sandy Megowen, and Patrick Crowley was a blast.

4. Silas House, Silas House, Doolittles, Silas House!

3. The Lakeside Tour! How fun was it to tell everyone that Raison D'Etre had a tour organized by the word "Lakeside"! Lakeside Association's Concert Series at Hoover Auditorium on the shores of Lake Erie was the first leg of the tour. Then "Concerts at Lakeside" in Alabama. And finally, we wound up close to home at Lakeside Presbyterian for our "Music with a Cause" concert.

2. Kentucky Foundation for Women awarded Roberta an Artist Enrichment Grant for songwriting! She will use the money to return to SOLATIDO and to write songs about how girls and women face aging.

Raison D'Etre has also been awarded a weekend at Hopscotch House--a service of KFW--to work on their collective songwriting and arranging! For years we have been promising ourselves a weekend away to really "woodshed" the songs. And now, thanks to KFW, that will happen in March 2007.

1. And the number one reason that 2006 did not suck is that so many of you told us that our music connects with you in some way. In a year containing several big disappointments, you cannot imagine how much your comments kept us going.

Happy New Year,
Beloveds!

Violet Rae, Vickie and Roberta