Happy Birthday to 'Follow The Voices'🥳

At Gabe’s in Iowa City Photo: Ross Christopher — At Gabe’s in Iowa City
Photo: Ross Christopher

I wrote some words underneath these 2 announcements which unpack my experience during a tumultuous time for both me and the country, inside and out.

1. Give it a spin on it's birthday

World-class production by Ross Christopher, who joined me on a Midwest tour and CD release show at St. Louis' Old Rock House♥️ Were you there? What's your favorite song off the record?

2. While you listen - read a review of 'Follow The Voices' by Aarik Danielsen of the Columbia Tribune

That tour was at an odd confluence in history. We had the honor to record a Daytrotter Session, and had a day off spent at The Field of Dreams. Both rare and magical highs. But this was all around the time Mike Brown was shot and killed by a cop in Ferguson, North St. Louis. Sparking massive protests and unrest not just in St. Louis but across the United States. By the time we got to St. Louis (1st hometown) for the CD release show the unrest was exploding. I was scheduled to go on the air on local StL television the morning of the show - and about 20 minutes before we went live they announced the police officer's name involved in this, and 100% of the media coverage pivoted to that.

The juxtaposition and pendulum high and low swings on this tour were unusually difficult to hang in there with. Keeping one ear on the unfolding news and one eye on the road. Unattached to the unrest surrounded by fields of Midwest space, dark bars and sweaty microphones - but at the same time being unable to escape it as an American. What was happening to my home was happening all around us.

In regards to where we are today in America, this is what I believe: there are many problems that you didn't create, that I didn't create, that this batch of people on the earth right now did not create. BUT I believe it is every generation's responsibility to solve them. It's an obligation. Passing generational trauma after trauma down to the next generation is child abuse. Call a thing by it's right name.

I wish Mike Brown were here. I wish it didn't go down like that. I want you to know you are loved. And I want you to tell yourself that you love you. And I want you to tell someone else that you love them. Do something about it.♥️

Happy Birthday to Follow The Voices