Hi Everybody!

Welcome to the second edition of my newsletter “The Flutopia Press”.

Sorry for the delay in getting issue two out but we’ve had some technical problems for the past couple of months that have been mostly dealt with at this point by my trusty web master Obi Wan Gamache. My undying thanks to him for successfully battling the Dark Side of the Cyber Universe…

I am very happy to say that I am going to be getting out on the road a lot more this Summer and Fall. I have some really cool gigs coming up that have been confirmed at this point. I have just blogged a bit about a couple of them but also have some unconfirmed ones that I am waiting just a bit longer before talking about. Some will involve teaching and some are playing gigs ranging from the east coast to the mid west , the west coast and up in Seattle. I have been asked about playing in one of the most famous venues in our country and I’m DYING to talk about it but not until it’s confirmed. How’s THAT for a teaser…???

I know we are all caught up in the on going race for the White House and the current economic conditions as well. I have to admit that orders for instruments has been VERY slow for me and I’m sure it’s the same with other makers as well. I saw the same type of climate at the close of the Clinton Presidency so I am hoping that there will be the same pick up after this election as there was then. I will say that if you have been thinking about ordering something from your favorite maker (whomever that may be) this would be a good time to do it. Probably a fast turn around time and you will be helping to keep traditions (and flute makers!) alive by doing it. I just had a client contact me and order a fife for her daughter by using her tax rebate check. She said she was “ doing her part to get the economy going” by doing so. I told her “what could possibly be more patriotic than ordering a fife! The very instrument that sounded our call to freedom!”

The American fife and drum season is just getting under way now and I am looking forward to playing in a few events with my long time corps “The Ancient Mariners” who are based in Connecticut. Quite a rowdy lot I must say and this year will be even better as my long time friend and fellow Healy Cartel member Marc Bernier has now joined the corps as a “pollywog”. That’s the term the Mariners use for someone in their first year in the Corps. Marc is a seasoned veteran of the fife and drum scene and a welcome addition to the group for sure. You should all check out his web site as well. It is www.marcbernier.com. Marc is a singer of all types of trad music with a fine traditional style of singing. He is also a maker of great old style bodhrans so do check out his drums and cd’s too!

I am in Orlando Florida at the moment where I have been doing a bit of fife playing for Mr. Disney and dodging the usual wild fires that are a seasonal hazard down here. Most have been set by a pretty skeevey looking dude that has been caught by the local constabulary, GOOD JOB by them! At the moment we have some much needed rain pounding down so Mother Nature is doing her bit to help out. Things seem to be coming under control at last…

Well, that’s about it from my side of the looking glass. I hope all is well with all of you! I wish you all great tunes, fine wines and beers and good health until next time.

All the best,

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