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Author: | Doug |
E-mail: | not available |
Date: | 2/17/2007 2:06:31 AM |
Subject: | Re: Autograph |
Message: | First, my respect for the Newbury family. I want to say some things, and I may not be brief. Forgive me, Jimmie Mac. :-) I used to come here every day, at least to the back porch. I've asked myself why I visit less now. What has transpired? One hunch is that in my delight in finding these porches, I may have over-posted. Hints were given. I made a decision to step back. Those who know me a little know that I take the daily struggles of the world seriously. I've kept a commitment to social justice. The guidelines against politics and religion being subjects for comment here were intended to keep us civil. I work to abide. Yet, given what is going on around us, not being able to discuss issues relating to these subjects feels a bit dishonest. I use meetings, mail, e-mail and telephone to communicate with many of you. I see this forum as balancing the public and personal. If the goal is keeping Mickey's music alive, I wonder if we get too personal, such that new visitors to the site may feel unwelcomed. That said, I enjoy the banter and humour. Some things enrich and entertain me, some bore me. Only the mediocre are always at their best. I love the threads that are about Mickey, his and others' music, about any number of things which keep the greater purpose in mind. I didn't know Mickey. The story I have to tell is how his inspiration was part of what brought me back to writing songs. My songs are my story. The myspace site was started by a member of Mickey's Oregon family. My efforts there are to keep it lively, draw people to Mickey's music. In helping with that site, I've received some personal attacks in anonymous messages. I know now who sent them. I hold no grudge. The Gatherings are crucial to this project we are involved in here. They have taken root in Austin. For the greater good, I support them. My faith is in kindness. These porches and the gatherings are a kindness, the result of our collective generosity of spirit. With the blessing of Mickey's surviving family, we have honoured him. Let's forgive our missteps, acknowledge what's been accomplished. Joe wrote a book. Ron made an audio biography. Cowboy, Toni Jolene and Kacey have released tribute albums. Those are kindnesses. The Newbury family has attended four gatherings since Mickey died. Laura, Susie, Leah and Chris have sung at those gatherings. Kindnesses. Mickey's family has embraced his friends. His friends have embraced those who never met him. Fans of his music have introduced others to it. People have come from all over the world to pay tribute to Mickey. Some have sung his songs, others have written songs about him. Others have come because they have a feeling for Mickey's music, and just wanted to be near others who felt the same way. Some of us have died. Bear with me, Jimmie. Some of us have neared death and recovered. Some of us have simply gone away. Some of us have come back to read the porches. Some of us post once in a while, or often. Some of us wish we could shake that rusty chain. Some of us are ill right now. Some of us need to forgive, be forgiven. All of us need to learn to whistle. "Mocking died thinkin' his friend done him wrong / And little blue robin never found Mocking's song / When somebody's wrong, boys, somebody must pay / That's why the little red robin is blue to this day..." He made such beautiful music. I still listen. I know him in my own humble way, as each of you do, be you family, friend, or fan. It's how this all began. How it can begin again. There are seasons. We're wintering now. I just peeked out and saw my shadow. DL |
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Autograph by Jackie ![]() |
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