Shine

There is a light...a special light. It will never dim, but shine on and on. There is a place...a special place. A place where that light is bright for all to feel and see when they visit. I go there each day...I drink coffee there...I work there...I meet friends there, old and new....I write there....I sing and play there....I love it there. And I feel that light shinning through me....moving me....leading me.
Ther is a light....a special light. And She will never dim, but shine on and on.

THIS IS A WHAT I WROTE FOR MY NEWSPAPER COLUMN:

WHERE THE MUSIC PLAYS
By David Parker


This week has found me feeling a bit numb. I realized over the weekend that, during all of the turmoil of this past weeks tragedy of losing a dear friend, I had not talked to any musicians, or been to see any perform, or anything of the sort. So now what do I do? Before, when I had trouble with my ideas, I called on my mentor, and she would set me on a path that would open my mind and the ideas would just flow from my fingertips. But now…, it’s a different story, she’s not here to call on. So, as I said before…, now what? Well then there now,…..lets just see where the spirit of music takes us.

It’s a new year….and a new song plays. So I’ve decided to incorporate some newness in this corner of the paper.
I have told you in the past about several local musicians, and some that are not so local. All different, but the thing they all had in common was love and passion of music. And believe me when I say, you truly have to love being a musician to do it, because surviving the art of starving is a hard passion. So many musicians go unnoticed for so long because they have no place to bring their talent to the public. They spend all their time honing their craft in their living rooms…, on their back porches..,or, in their showers, and still, no one is their to hear what they have done. Its time these talented people have their spot light. That light started shining a few years ago in Buffalo, thanks to the person I referred to earlier as my mentor. When Glenn and Laura St. John started having open mic nights at The Horses Mouth Bookstore/Coffee Shop, they opened the door for local talent to entertain, to be seen and heard. It has been growing with each new month, and it has been awesome. People have told me, they are so glad there is a place doing this, that they love being able to go enjoy live music of such diversity, in a smoke free and alcohol free environment. A place the entire family can go together and have a nice evening of music and entertainment.
Now I am sure most of you know about the passing of Laura, my mentor and dear friend (as she was to so many). And I am sure many of you have wondered what will become of The Horses Mouth. Well, rest assured, Laura’s dream will live on through Captain Glenn. The open mic nights will continue, since Laura was such a lover of music, and she gave me the job of music director at THM, but changed the title to “music man”, because, as she put it, “music director just sounds too stuffy!” I think from here on out the open mics will all be in memory of her….maybe titled, ‘THM Open Mic Night: Live For Laura’. What do you think?
So I ask you, please support the local music, go where you know it’s going to be. Listen close and let it take you away….to where the music plays.

A LIGHT IN THE DARK (the toughest blog Ive ever written)

You may have noticed, if you have read any of my past blogs...., I mention a place called THM ( The Horses Mouth), and a name that is associated with it, Laura. Well, THM and Laura have been a a big part of my life. Laura has been my inspiration ..., my mentor..., my guru...,my coach..., my friend..., my Sis. She helped me pull myself together when I was in a major state of a 6 month depression, she shined light into my darkness and helped me to see. Through her help, I began playing guitar and singing again...,she told me that I should start giving guitar lessons....,that I should start writing a blog....,that I should grab my dreams and run with them...,don't wait to see if they will come true, MAKE them come true. With THM, she gave me the title of THM's MUSIC MAN,(she said Music Director sounded too stuffy), my thing was and is, Hosting Open Mic Nights, and booking acoustic concerts.
Laura and I had many conversations with topics ranging from music, art, travel, religion, nature, just to name a few...there was nothing we didn't talk about. She wanted input on her ideas, to make things happen. She would always ask me, "Dave, what do ya think about this....." And I would always give her my thoughts. I could always go to her with my ideas and she would tell me what she thought too. When I would miss a few days writing my blog..as I often do..she would always call me on it...telling me, "whats the hold up...your readers are waiting!" She would light the fire I needed to get myself to thinking and it was always instantly, I would have a subject. I'm telling you, shes inspirational to me. The last conversation I had with Laura was over my usual double latte at THM on Monday morning Jan.3rd, 2011. She was telling me she hadn't gotten her column submitted to the newspaper yet. And I told her, I didn't even have one for this week...that I sent the editor an email that I wouldn't have one in. Well, that did not set well with Laura at all. She dropped what she was doing and spun around, giving me her total attention and said, "WHAT?! Dave, you cant do that! You have devoted readers that look forward to your music column every week. You have to turn in something!!" I told her, "But its too late." And she said to me, "NO its not. I haven't turned mine in yet....we have to figure something out for you!!!"
So, after a little banter, and discussion, we struck a chord and I had a topic to write about....and she could then go back to finishing her column. I left to go let Mac the editor know I DID have column to turn in but I needed about 30 minutes. It was a go, and all was good. I just wish I would have went back by THM to let her know it was done, and to thank her once again for all she had done for me. Little did I know, that would be the last time I would see her alive. Just a few hours later that afternoon, Laura was killed in a one car accident.
Now, physically, my mentor, friend, inspiration, guru, sister in spirit....is gone from this earth.....I cant go see her at THM anymore....I cant talk to her...cant hear the laugh or see the smile. But, I can feel her.....she moved through me when I sang at her funeral,I felt her arm on my shoulder, I could hear her singing with me.
I have been at THM assisting Glenn through this. I'm even learning the art of making lattes. Glenn told me He is not going to stop doing what Laura started, it was her dream to have this Bookstore/coffee shop....and he plans on keeping it going at all cost...for as long as he can. She would want that.

In spirit,Laura is still my guiding light...she will always be everything to me that she was to me in life. I will truly and deeply miss her. But I know she will be waiting to talk to me when its my turn to go.....and if they didn't have lattes in heaven before.....I bet they do now. LAURA LYNN COX St.JOHN....Dec.23,1965-Jan.3,2011.....May you make your latte art in the clouds for all to see. Love ya sis!!!

~~~~Dave~~~~

FROGGY

For the past 2 weeks now Ive been fighting with my voice. Its been a nightmare since I love to sing. So Ive been playing my guitar and trying my best to save my voice and not sing......man!!! Thats hard for me to do...I get so stressed..lol. Ive been doing the home remedy gargles and drinking ginger tea....its helping. I just have to be patient and let it run its course and stop trying to force my vocals cords. Anyone how loves to sing...., or loves to talk, will understand..., its not easy to be patient. So...., Ill continue to play my six-string, and write new lyrics...amd try....TRY....to shut up for awhile and wait for my voice to return......and hopefully return, better than before!!!