As an economist, I am intimately familiar with man's depravity... I study it professionally and such is the dismal reality of my science. Reading through Ecclesiastes with a friend, he made the astute observation that music might be the one area of my life in which I am not heavily opressed by the realization that "the more knowledge, the more grief." While investing in music may arguably be to walk the same path of meaninglessness that Solomon laments, it sure seems less obvious when I'm in the middle of it.

I've played with Skye for a few years now and while we are continuing with a recording project we are no longer performing. I have a few things going on here and there but until this guy below is ready to keep me busy musically, I'm open to developing new projects. (Call me.)

upcoming...

21 March, Borders Eugene Promo, (with Eliot Grasso)
4 April, Ceili, Salem, OR
9 May, Private engagement
21 May, Private engagement
11 June, Private engagement
6 August, Music in the Park, Monmouth, OR, 7p (with Eliot Grasso)

in the studio...

Of course, just one of the many joys of acoustic music is bringing life to what were once raw and unrefined materials. So carefully crafted by folk from around the world, quality acoustic instruments are a real pleasure to experience... to see, to touch, to hear. I've collected a few pictures below.

Lowden guitars are made in Northern Ireland under the leadrship of George Lowden. I keep a Lowden O-12 in DADGAD.

  

Jean Larrivee began building guitars in 1968 from a one-man workshop in Toronto. I'm loving both of these guitars as they continue to mature. I play an L-05 in standard and dropped-D tunings. The D-03R is Iain's future guitar, but I also grab it for over-populated sessions and the like. (It plays well in the studio though, so tends to show up there too.)

  

Davy Stuart is a Scottish luthier now living in New Zealand. He makes wonderful instruments, with his acclaim still increasing. I play what one of his octave mandolins.

Hamish Moore Scottish smallpipes (Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland) - turned ebony with silver ferrules and cocobolo mounts.

Below are my Jack Dunbar African blackwood pipes. Jack first apprenticed with Peter Henderson back in 1934 and, other than having the projecting mounts custom turned to replicate the MacDougall pipes of the early 20th century, the set continues the fine Henderson tradition.