December 2023: Moments from 2023

All the wood in Seattle is wet, but the fire burns on. Thank you all for your support. Here are some moments that meant the world to me this year: 

My Grandmother was a pianist, and I got to jam with her one last time in October. Our family gathered and we played one of her favorites, the Tennessee Waltz. She wasn't talking or opening her eyes and her light seemed to be flickering on and off, but we watched as she lifted her arms and moved her fingers into what looked like piano chords. 
 
For 8 weeks this fall I got to teach a songwriting course at Path With Art – a non-profit in Seattle that provides healing-centered art classes for low- to no-income adults in active recovery from domestic abuse, homelessness, substance use disorder, mental health challenges, and other traumas. There were countless life affirming moments, like the week when the 28-year-old veteran spontaneously went around and gave everyone goodbye hugs, or the older lady who was struggling to find her footing until she ad libbed an inspired tune called "Wild Child: Full of Piss and Vinegar." Or the woman who wanted to finish a song that her love had began writing for her weeks before dying unexpectedly. Together, we helped her break through her blocks and write a chorus and a few more verses, and in our final sharing session we got to watch her perform the song with trembling hands. There was not a dry eye in the room.

And all the other 100+ songs of every shape and size that began in our many songwriting workshops this year! The "I can't write a song" barriers broken down, the lovely times we surprised ourselves.

The mother and 12-year-old daughter slow dancing to our encore of John Prine's "You've Got Gold" in front of a packed house in Tacoma. And the general outpouring of support and ticket sales for both the Paul Simon and John Prine cover projects. 

All the times I got to get in a kayak in my backyard on Bainbridge Island and paddle out a half mile to listen to Porpoises breathe.

Getting to hear my niece say my name for the first time, "Ge."

To name a few :)

Thank you all for your many kindnesses this year,

Ge...

P.S. In 2023 we (The Thumb Records):
–Released "The Other Planet I'm From (B-Sides)" in January
–Released "Tooth" in April
–Recorded "The Moon That Moves The Sea" in May (the full album will drop on February 23rd).  
–Wrote you 9 newsletters :)

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Brian Doyle. My artist of the year in 2023. I read three of his books and loved every one. 

The Holdovers. I watched this movie over the holidays. It's a winning combo of humor, sad, smart, and heart. Check it out!