I love how live music brings people together. For those of you who feel the same, we know the challenge that most of 2020 brought to all of us. The pandemic affected our lives in so many annoying ways but, a little bit of thinking outside the box and our need for some sense of normalcy brought about some opportunities that made us realize that we could safely take the matters of music, into our own hands. It was a call from my friend Cat, asking me to come play for her neighborhood, because quote, “We need live music”, that I performed my first of what I called, Neighborhood Social Distancing Concerts, during the early stages of the pandemic.

If it weren’t for the pandemic, would I have taken the time to pack my sound equipment into my SUV, drive to someone’s neighborhood, set up and perform a concert, without any money guarantee? Just a tip jar and the faith that people would find value in an experience that would give them a reason to step outside their front door and into their community, all at the same time. Maybe? Let me check my schedule. LOL. But once I did the first one and then the second, I noticed something was uniquely different from any of the past performances I had done in my 20+ years as a touring singer/songwriter. A real sense of community. This was the beginning of a series of life-changing experiences for me.

Neighborhood front yards, driveways, or cul-de-sacs were the settings. Residents had vantage points from their properties or a closer, comfortably placed lawn chair and cooler. Dog walkers were standing on the sidewalk. Bike riders stopped and straddled their crossbars. Couch Potatoes had their windows, eyes, ears open and were looking outwards. Even the older lady, who historically called the cops when anyone had a party with live music, was out on her front porch tapping her foot. Neighbors were officially meeting other neighbors, for the very first time, and they had lived just down the street from each other for many years! Whether it was 5:30pm to 7pm on a M, T, W, TH or the weekend, everyone seemed less annoyed by the fact that they’ve been repeatedly told to stay at home. At these times, they were more than happy to be at home. All they had to do to experience live entertainment, was to step outside their front door. All ages and smiles all around. Life is good.

Throughout the 50 or so of these summer of 2020 pop-up performances, all without any police presence or residential complaints, I began to realize that my calling as a traveling troubadour, truly has a greater purpose. Being of service. And one of my platforms, as I call them now, are these UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY CONCERTS! The good vibes and synergy is unparalleled to anything we could ever experience in any public venue, bar, or restaurant. It’s even different than the house concert vibe, which I absolutely adore. This is because it includes EVERYONE in the vicinity, on their own terms. It’s out in the open for all to see. Nobody is wondering what’s going on back there or inside the house. They can see what they hear, as well as witness the positive interaction that is happening around them. Flyers have been placed on doorsteps a week, or even just days, in advance. It states that it’s not an all day/night event, just a couple of hours. No surprises. It’s the perfect break from our routines and a priceless opportunity to be, well…neighborly.

Going forward in my chosen profession, it’s a no brainer that I’m compelled to continue to nurture such a beautiful, yet simple way of bringing us coexisting human beings together through live music, pandemic or no pandemic. From the summer of 2021 up to the present day, I have taken the Unity In The Community Concerts that began in my hometown of San Diego, CA, and sprinkled them into my tour schedule all across the country in states like AZ, UT, ID, IN, KS, PA,  TX, NE, IA, WI and FL, so far.

All I need is a driveway, front yard or cul-de-sac, a place to rest my head for the night, an extension cord to plug into and my tip jar. I’m not asking my host(s) to hire me or for any money upfront, for that matter. I let each individual of the community decide what it’s worth to them personally, and the sum of that collectively, is what ultimately ends up in the tip jar.

Here's a few pics and a sample flyer to give you an idea of what the new norm can be, as far as I can see. Unity In The Community! 

If you're interested in taking a leap of faith with me sometime, click this email link, and tell me where you're at.

Love, Music & Unity 
- CD