December 2009

It has been brought to my attention that if you type into Google this phrase: “the most influential man in music” (no quotes), and you hit the “I’m feeling lucky” button, you are delivered directly to my website. I have tried it out and it seems to be true. If I could mail a thank you letter to the nerds in Palo Alto, I would.

Take that Paul McCartney. Take that Bob Dylan. Take that Prine and Petty and Newman and Waits.  Eat your heart out Timberlake. Hey Kanye, take a seat.

Grant Dawson is the most influential man in music.

I’m still laughing.

I think the reason that this has happened is that I wrote a cheeky blog entry about being named the 50th most influential man of the last year (which, of course, I wasn’t). I’m not even the most influential male in my house (Barabbas the Cat wins that honor). I guess the Google crawlers picked up on that and somehow seem to be under the impression that I’m influential. How mistaken can they be?

–Grant Dawson

Thanks to everyone who braved the winter weather to see the show at the 331 Club last night. It was a fun night. I’m in the beginning stages of planning out my 2010 performance calendar, which I can promise will include more live performances in many more locations. Keep your eyes on the website for those shows to be posted.

Have a wonderful holiday and I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.

Nearest To You
Here in the evening with the lights turned low,
I can see through my window the prairies of snow.
The wintry drifts are piled up high,
And fade into charcoal where they meet with the sky.
The snow glows in the moonlight pale as grace,
And curves with the earth in its infinite space.
When the wind kicks up, it sprays in a mist
And tickles the weather vane light as a kiss.
I can see past the pasture to the graveyard in town,
Where they carved in the earth and laid you down.
The snow has covered you up past your stone,
And I imagine it is hushed under there all alone.
A quiet cathedral, the darkness complete,
Under a broad, unbroken, comforting sheet
Of glistening, perfect, crystalline white,
Drifting from heaven in mourning tonight.
The snow at its base, nearest to you, is blue -
-    as blue as your birthstone – and I am too.
Here in the evening with the lights turned low,
I can see through my window the prairies of snow.

–Grant Dawson

What a pleasant surprise to wake up this morning to find “Holding Up The Wall” as the featured song on Redfizz.com.  So far the reviews have been great! Thanks Redfizz!

–Grant Dawson

Wanted to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season. Hopefully this silly little movie says it all. Cheers.

–Grant Dawson

Finally, after two weeks of headaches, a drippy nose, a queasy stomach and a canceled show, I am returning to the land of the living. I actually feel pretty good. I’m not ready to climb Kilimanjaro, or tightrope-walk the Grand Canyon, but I was well enough to take a trip to my neighborhood Walmart today. That must say something.

I took a slow lap around the store, not looking for anything in particular. I knew going in I wanted to spend less than $20.00. I had no further ambition. (Actually I’d be willing to bet that most people in a Walmart on a Monday afternoon don’t have a lot of ambition).  Almost immediately, I picked up a DVD copy of Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray ($7.50) in the Electronics section. I wandered from there into Toys and Games. Nerf guns are evidently still as popular as they were years ago. I got around to the Outdoor section, and snagged a set of insulated travel mugs (also $7.50). Office Supplies came next, and I picked up two notebooks ($1.08 each) and a three-ring binder ($1.98). I headed for the counter. The total, with tax, came to slightly less than $20.00. Success.

After I checked out, I passed by the Salvation Army station and very nearly dropped the leftover change into the can, but I didn’t. I’ve felt guilty all afternoon.

Speaking of guilt and the Salvation Army man, here is Edwin Arlington Robinson’s wonderful poem, Karma, for your reading pleasure.

Karma
Edwin Arlington Robinson