Albany New York, July 26th 2010

Two men speak about coffee and beer, at a decibel level that exceeds most bands, in a small coffee shop in Albany, New York. It’s crazy to look back at how many coffee shops across the US I have holed up in to get some “work” done. Today I find myself at The Daily Grind on Lark Street with the aroma of fresh ground coffee permeating the air with people bustling about on their lunch breaks.

This day is especially great because I am waist deep in recording my album with a big move from Salt Lake City to Austin Texas only a few weeks away. Maybe it isn’t a big move since I sold everything to accommodate the relocation with only a trunk full of clothes and the pups in tow, but none the less, a big change. I am moving to a house I have never seen, that I have been renting for 2 months and subletting to a yoga student, with no furniture and only shadows of a life left behind. There is something amazing about wiping the slate clean to rebuild from the foundation, not a remodel or a restoration, but a total rebuild.

Over the last year I have discovered my purpose and have clarity to the path I have yet to travel. More importantly, I have learned opportunity is always in front of us but rarely are we prepared for it. Even in the last year and a half of continual growth and preparation I was limited by my knowledge of chords and progressions but that didn’t make me less of a musician. Finally, I am able to release my songs to the care of my good friend Jed Davis, whom I trust to arrange and build the songs while pushing me to another level. Normally, I would have been horrified to let go of my songs into someone else’s hands in fear they would be altered and veer away from the place in me that created them, but not this time. I have sculpted the piece and now require an artisan painter to add detail and depth with an experienced hand to cradle them.

My experiences have taught me the only thing worth carrying heavily is: never forget to love, to live, to laugh, to smile, and to be grateful. If you learn gratitude then you will never be poor or alone and you will know happiness. I feel blessed to have the support of so many people that have been in my life over the years and can not wait to see what beauty will manifest itself moving forward.

Love you all with all of my heart and hope to see you at my final show in Utah at the Acoustic All Stars Aug 8th at the Star Bar in Park City, Utah. Next Stop, who knows…..but I can NOT wait to find out.

www.kolemusic.com