This is the view of the waterfront at Ear Falls where the Trout Forest Music Festival is held. I have been going to this area for years and recently started programming a music festival there. I love northwestern Ontario, the vistas are so picturesque and postcard like. Here we are overlooking the majestic English River as it winds its way to a hydro dam. The early morning mist (barely visible) is rising from the water and the loons are trumpeting in the background.

Sadly I didn't get as much done this weekend as I had hoped. I did however get to spend some quality time with my guitar. I managed to learn two old gospel numbers that I then performed at my church. The songs were Precious Lord, Take My Hand and The Lighthouse. My irony muscle was giggling away at the thought that both these songs were originally banned by the leaders of the early Baptist church and here we were using them to worship in the Baptist church today. After this summer I have a new appreciation of gospel music. I had the good fortune of hosting three gospel workshops this summer and at each one I learned something special and unique about the music and the practioners of this form.

I have been busy creating a catalogue of gospel tunes that I want to use in a concert sometime this fall/winter. My idea is to gather 5 or 6 voices together and perform gospel tunes and blues in a sanctuary or theatre with minimal accompaniment. Perhaps just a guitar, organ and bass. The program will be put together in partnership with my friend and pastor Greg Glatz and will be a revival show concentrating on music. Of course once we have the show together we will absolutely be recording it. And all of you will be invited to be in the audience so long as you don't mind voicing your joy and enthusiasm throughout the recording process. Keep your eye on this space for details regarding this project.

I will leave this posting with this message...my new credo of life;
"Keep no debt outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another."
Peace. Hal