Remember UA

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February 24, 2022: Russia invades Ukraine. It's 4 years on and we are mindful of the date. Today, just before noon, we write to our friend Igor in Kharkiv:

Hi Igor, on this the anniversary of Putin's invasion I wanted to let you know that we remember. Many remember. And we, and Canada, will do what we can. It's been a cruel criminal injustice. We remember; on Feb 28, 2022 you first let us know:

"Today, residential areas of my hometown Kharkiv (Ukraine) have been barbarously bombarded with banned cluster munitions. The world needs to know about this terrible war crime of Putin's army. This Hitler of the 21st century must be stopped before he unleashes the Third World War.

I ask you to distribute links to these shocking shots among your friends as much as possible.

Rocket attacks and bombing of residential areas began tonight and continue till now!"

I'm sure it's been a long cold winter, as it has been here, but the sun will shine again.

Praying for EU and NATO solidarity, praying for you. Slava Ukraini; Heroyam Slava!

With affection and respect. Kate & Reg

Igor responds not 30 minutes later:

Dear Kate and Reg!

So nice to hear from you again!

The thought that even across the oceans there are people who remember us warms my heart.

Yes, today we are again remembering the beginning of this terrible war.

Many people thought that we wouldn't last even three days but we have been resisting aggression for 4 years.

And, I am sure, we will win!

Sincerely yours,

Igor

And I reply to Igor:

I am sure you will win; we are just so saddened by the senseless lost lives. Wishing we could do so much more than just "warm your heart".

Ps. we see UA was able to have an Olympic team in spite of it all. Well done!

And he replies

In our situation, "warming the heart" is a very important deal :)

Thank you! 

Feedback From Faraway Friends

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This week's Austin Chronicle (February 13, 2026) has a letter from us in the "Feedback" section. It reads:

Feedback From Faraway Friends

Dear Editor,

A year ago, we wrote a “Letter From a Friend” that you posted online and in your print edition (letter received Feb 10, 2025). We were alarmed by the first few weeks of the 47th administration and saddened every day during our long stay as things went from bad to worse. Much has happened since then and none of it is good – what we see from this side of the world’s longest unprotected border is appalling. How can the country we have loved so much sink so low?

We would love to return to Austin this winter, but we are boycotting the U.S. – not because of the tariffs but rather to show our disapproval of the current autocratic regime. Besides, ICE and CBP would undoubtedly not like “our kind” and might well “lock us up.” We see the cruelty and injustice that continues in Minneapolis and across your country. We are fearful what might befall we longtime Canadian visitors.

Your president has unleashed the chaos we warned you about and it’s worse than expected. International laws, rules, conventions, treaties and alliances carry no weight. Kindness and empathy are seen as weaknesses; belligerence and bullying are seen as strength. Canada will never be a 51st state, nor will Greenland, Panama, or Venezuela. And NATO will not bow to the Lyin’ King. The recent Davos meeting of the WEF showed the world who the adults are in the room. Much shame on your babbling 47th president. Isn’t it about time to impeach and convict?

You are rapidly losing your democracy and the rule of law. It will be hard to get that back. Repairing the damage done to your education, health care, environment, justice, infrastructure, international relations, etc. will not be easy – even with the expected changes in the coming midterms. But, you put a man on the moon, so surely getting rid of a dangerously demented president cannot be that difficult! You need to do it, and you need to do it soon. People all over the world will support you – but only Americans can solve this American problem.

We want to return to Austin. We miss our friends. We miss the music! But only you can stop Donald Trump. Until you do, we’re staying away.

Reg Quinton & Kate Graham

See also our Letter From a Friend of February 13, 2025.

"Big Cheese"

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Thursday evening, January 22, the local Stonetown Beefsteak and Burgundy wine club held it's regular January dinner and tasting event at the Flour Mill here in St Marys. The picture at left shows Derek, our wine tasting champ (the "Big Cheese" for 2026), along with our wine steward Jere and member Dwayne joining in on the laughs. I shared the table with them.

The January tasting has become a regular yearly event for our club -- we call it the "Wine Tasting Challenge". This year Derek (who hosted our summer event on his Thamesview Farm) was the "Big Cheese" winner of the challenge. I seem to recall that it was Mark who started the "Big Cheese" designation. Richard, who was at the table with me, is excellent at identifying white wines and has sometimes won the challenge. For me? Meh! I always lose.

Jere, who picked the wines for the challenge, had us try to identify wines in two tasting flights — first four whites, then four reds. To make it easier (it's never easy, trust me) he had prepared a tasting sheet which listed out the characteristics of about 8 different wines which might appear in each tasting. You know the kind of wine descriptions: flinty, floral, robust, long finish, chocolate and pencil shavings, a wine for laying down and avoiding, bouquet like an aborigine's armpit, etc. (See Monty Python skit). Over the years I've been to lots of tastings at BS&B wine clubs here and in Australia. It's very difficult for me and most people to identify wines with any accuracy. I'm pretty good at being able to say, that's a red or that's a white but only if I can see the wine and beyond that I do very poorly; as do most people. I'm luckily one of those guys who likes all wines that are put in front of me.

For our apertif, while getting settled in and greeting one another, we shared a sparkling wine, Wolfberger Brut Crémant d'Alsace (a pleasant blend of several whites) from France. 

The whites, in the tasting challenge, were in the $20-$25 range. If correctly identified:

• Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio (2019) from Italy;
• Reif Reserve Gewürztraminer (2023) from Ontario  
• Tawse Quarry Road Organic Riesling (NV) from Ontario
• Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc (NV) from New Zealand

The reds, in the tasting challenge, were in the $16-$25 range. If correctly identified:

• Clos Baltasar Granacha (2021) from Spain 
• Boccantino Primitivo/Susumaniello (NV) from Italy
• Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (NV) from Chile
• Quarisa Mrs Q McLaren Vale Shiraz (NV) from Australia

For the dinner we shared a Michele Chiarlo Palas Barolo (Nebbiolo) from Italy. That's a very big wine in the $40 range. All of the wines Jere selected, apart from the Sauvignon Blanc and the Barolo, were recent "Vintages Listings" from the Ontario LCBO. I was especially fond of the Sauvignon Blanc, the Primitivo and (of course) the Barolo.

Ps. I've written NV for the vintage not because the wine didn't have a vintage, more that it wasn't recorded by me or in Jere's notes.

The Flour Mill catered this event last year. Unfortunately, we were travelling and missed it. However, Kate and I sometimes go there for the Sunday brunch and we had them cater our wedding anniversary last summer. Their food is really excellent, chef quality. The dinner tonight was to die for:

• Foccacia and Marinated Olives
• Organic Greens with Fennel and Citrus
• Pasta Rotolo with Prosciutto, Cheese and Spinach in Bechamel and Sugo
• Torta Caprese — Italian Flourless Cake with Cream

Many thanks to Claire and the BS&B executive for arranging this event, thanks to Jere for the wine selection and tasting challenge, and many thanks to the Flour Mill. They are kind and patient souls to put up with this rowdy bunch. I look forward to dining here again — with Kate at Sunday brunch and hopefully next January when this event is repeated.

I understand the "Big Cheese" will be responsible for the wine selections at next year's January dinner and tasting event. If nothing else, this blog documents that fact for those who will surely forget.

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I have been a member of this BS&B wine club for many years — actually too many to recall. I have made some good friends, had some fun and tasted a lot of wine. I was also the president for a couple of years around 2016/17 (after Dwayne, before Harald).

Russell & Nellie Dixon

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Our cousin Dianne, she lives nearby in Stratford, brought to our attention a recent posting in the Markdale Standard Memories Facebook group by Helen Ward. We both follow the group but not faithfully. It's a newspaper article from the Owen Sound Sun Times, dated December 18, 1963, on my maternal grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. 

The caption under the newspaper photo reads:

"MARKDALE COUPLE CELEBRATE — Reeve Russell Dixon and Mrs. Dixon of Markdale, pictured with their golden wedding anniversary cake. Reeve Dixon has been active on Township and County Boards for many years and is now retired after being in business in Markdale for years. A reception, family dinner and presentations marked the event. (Sun-Times Staff Photo)"

The body of the article reads as follows (with my insertion/corrections in [brackets]):

"MARKDALE Reeve Russell Dixon and Mrs. Dixon [nee Nellie MacKay see below] celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Tuesday December 17th at their home on Main Street.

On Sunday members of the family presented their parents with a large oil painting, by Mrs. Bruce Peebles of Markdale. On Tuesday evening Mr. and Mrs. Dixon entertained members of their family to dinner at the Barhead Lodge Hotel. The head table was centered with a three tier anniversary cake, flanked with gold candles. The flowers were keeping with the golden anni-versary motif. Their son in-aw Maurice Quinton [my father] was the master of ceremonies and a toast to the bride and groom was given by their son Mac Dixon [Dianne's father]. 

Mr. Dixon is the present reeve of Markdale, now serving in his 11th year. He has been in municipal office for past 28 years, serving 14 years in the Holland Township council, has served on many local Boards and committees and been chairman for many municipal events also serving on official boards in the County. Mr. Dixon farmed the Dixon homestead on the 10th line of Holland township until 1930 when he purchased a garage business in Walter's Falls from William Rennie. He also did custom-threshing for many years. In 1941 Mr. and Mrs Dixon moved to Markdale, Mr. Dixon becoming the superintendent of the Grey County Home. Three years later he purchased the feed mill property on Toronto Street, North Markdale from the late A. W. Caswell. In 1945 when his son Mac returned from overseas he joined his father in the business. Later they bought the Barrhead feed mill from the late Fred Peters. In 1962 Mr Dixon sold his interest in both mills to his son and is now retired. Mr. Dixon was born in Holland Township near Walter's Falls and is the son of the late William Dixon and Eliza Seabrook. Mrs Dixon the former Nellie McKay is a daughter of the late Robert McKay and Eileen Taylor and was also born in Holland Township. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dixon were married December 17 at St. Paul's Rectory Chatsworth by Rev. W. G Reilly. "It was a beautiful autumn" said Mrs. Dixon, "no snow of any асcount. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon had six of a family: Grace, Mrs. Carson Wheildon, Holland Centre: Margaret, Mrs. Maurice Quinton, Walters Falls. William (Mac) Dixon, Markdale; Iva Mrs. E. Genoe, Flesherton. One daughter Edna, Mrs. U. Sutcliffe and a son lt. Sgt. Walter Divon are deceased. There are 17 grandchildren and one great. grandson. 

Open house was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dixon. Their granddaughters Nancy Dixon and Jane Genoe were in charge of the guest book and welcoming the guests. Mrs. Mac Dixon. Mrs. Sam Caswell and Mrs. Roy Rae assisted the daughters in serving the guests. On Monday evening following the final council meeting for 1963 the town officials and their wives gathered at the home of the clerk JA. Dunlop, and Mrs. Dunlop to honor the Reeve and Mrs. Dixon. Councillor D. McGee read an address of good wishes and Councillor Norman Burritt presented Mr. and Mrs. Dixon with and electric coffee pot and a lamp. Mrs. Bruce Peebles presented a bouquet of red roses to Mrs. Dixon. Mrs. Dunlop served a buffet supper.

Many gifts, telegrams and cards of congratulations were also received by the honored and esteemed couple."

Many thanks to Helen Ward for sharing this bit of history.

I have written before on this anniversary event using an article from the Markdale Standard and will not repeat myself. See Russell & Nellie Dixon (2022) in this blog.

Christmas for Kate

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For many years now I've made an Xmas playlist and CD (it used to be a C90) for Kate — truth be told, it's as much for me. The idea is to remember the year that was, the places and events we've been to, and the memories we ought to squirrel away.

Kate still has a CD player in her car and we still play CD's in the house but, more often these days, we play music from iTunes over Bluetooth (in the car or to a sound bar in the house). These playlists are available off my YouTube channel and on my iTunes page. If you click on the image at left you'll get to the YouTube version. Not everyone has iTunes.

This year we did manage to travel to Austin for our winter escape and again there are quite a few tunes from that trip. We crossed into the US the day the Philanderer and Thief (aka Agent Kraznov) was crowned King DJT and every day since has been one WTF moment after another. So, some of the music on this playlist, is dominated by protest songs; I really wish there were more. Somehow that man has to be stopped!

There were some trips to other places as as well: we were to England, Germany and Scotland in May/June; Victoria, BC, in July; music in Toronto; a visit to Winnipeg; and a trip to Mexico. But only some of them have a music reference.

Again, as in recent years, several of our heros are no more — Todd Snider and Raul Malo (the voice of the Mavericks) are in the list; Joe Ely, I cannot say enough about how great he was, passed after the list was created. Anyways, as What Wave Dave would say, enough jabbering, here's the list.

1. If The Loneliness Don't Kill Me, Whitehorse. We saw this Canadian duo (Luke Doucet and his wife Melissa McClelland) with Gord and Leslie a few years ago (2022 on Prince Edward County). This song from 2022 is pretty classic country. It's a hard drinking story: "If the loneliness don't kill me, then the good times surely will".
2. Born in San Antone, Garret T. Capps. We saw GTC at the Red Bird Listening Room in New Braunfels. We had seen him years before in Austin opening for Sarah Shook (2019). There's a very funny song he does, "Remember the Alamo Dome", which hasn't been published (as yet). He's a character and loves San Antone.
3. Pinocchio in Vegas, James McMurtry. When in Austin we like to see James play solo at the Continental Club Gallery (2025 my birthday). A funny song from his most recent album. We also so him on tour with a full band at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto (September at the Horseshoe)
4. Just A Step, The Resentments. The Resentments have a long standing residency at the Saxon Pub in Austin. John Chipman, the drummer, also plays with the Purgatory Players on Sunday mornings at the El Mercado — this is John's song. It's from a long out of print CD: Switcheroo (2008); I managed to find a copy on EBay.
5. Already Gone, Slaid Cleaves. If anything, this is just a song about growing up and aging. It has a nice tune with well crafted lyrics. John Chipman is on drums, Scrappy Jud Newcomb on guitar — another gang of Austin regulars and the Purgatory Players. 
6. Sarah Gordon, Grievous Angels. From One Job Town (2008). We were in Glasgow this year for Kate's KBS 2025 conference and worked on this song with our friend Sam but didn't get a chance to sing it.
7. I Wish I Was In Glasgow, Billy Connolly. Another song for Glasgow that we rehearsed. We were introduced to a version of this song by Jim McGinley of London, Ontario and have it on CD. The McGinley version is polished. We're surprised how our Glasgow friends don't know this song!
8. Another War, Carsie Blanton. With the genocide in Gaza, the Russian invasion of Ukraine since 2014, and the sabre rattling by Don the Mucillini explains the droll lyric: "I can't wait to see what we're fight for". This has only been published as a Facebook Short (it's too good and needs to be published in more places).
9. War Isn't Murder, Jesse Welles. This artist has been much on my mind. He's been lauded as the "New Dylan" and there definitely are parallels. Again this points to the genocide in Gaza and ends with a pointed remark about "have a nice trip" when visiting after the Trump plan is implemented.
10. Join ICE, Jesse Welles. The internal war in the US against anyone of color who might be an immigrant w/o proper papers has me in tears. Jesse Welles does a great job of calling out those who would join in and "just follow orders". A continuing day-to-day WTF moment.
11. Good People (Thank Me), Hayes Carll. Well, in spite of all that, the world is full of nice people who do nice things. I saw Hayes Carll at the Horseshoe this year (September at Horseshoe),
12. We're Only Human, Hayes Carll. Hey, we're only human. We make mistakes, we hurt the ones we love, but get up, get over it, get on with life and be a nice person.
13. There Goes My Heart, The Mavericks. Raul Malo (1965-2025) was the voice of the Mavericks. We saw him a couple of times at Austin awards events. Their music is an incredible blend of influences and a lot of fun!
14. Single Wide Dreamer, Aaron Raitiere. Aaron is a well received Nashville writer. We saw him open for Hayes Carll in September.
15. Nose On The Grindstone, Tyler Childers. We saw Tyler several years ago at the Cactus Cafe in Austin and have been following him ever since. His music is bluegrass tinged country. From Snipe Hunter (2024).
16. I Am Joan, Kate Howard. Kate is an Austin regular we've seen many times playing when she can around town. Often as a guest with the Purgatory Players on Sunday mornings at the El Mercado. We see that the El Mercado has changed hands and, for the moment, it's under renovation. Lets hope that the Back Stage reopens and continues to host the events we've loved so much over the years.
17. It's Christmastime (Let’s Just Survive), Kathleen Edwards. We saw her play at the 04 Center (on Lamar in Austin very near our long stay) this year. A bit of humor to match the Kate Howard tune. Kathleen is Canadian and has been playing for years (since at least the album "Failer", 2003) with a hiatus 2014-2022 to run a coffee house.
18. Running with You, Rich Brotherton. Rich is one of the Purgatory Players, as well as Ulla (Sunday's at the Saxon). He's a guitar legend, toured with Robert Earl Keen for many yars and a producer of many great albums. He's been recently diagnosed with ALS. The song was written by Sarah Elizabeth Campbell. This video is from a recording of the Monday Night Social Club at the El Mercado. 
19. Moon Dawg's Tavern, Todd Snider. Todd (1996-2024) was cut from the same crazy cloth as Jerry Jeff. We never saw him perform; apparently he was a great story teller. This song tells the drinking story of a a guy who the lyrics say: "got kicked out of so many bars, so he built one in his own backyard, only been kicked out once so far and his tab is always paid."

That was some of the music of 2025. There's another compilation CD for our 45th Wedding Anniversary. I'm working on writing something to explain the songs there.

45 Years

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This Christmas I prepared another Xmas for Kate CD (a playlist on Youtube and iTunes). Over the summer we celebrated our 45th Wedding Anniversary (see August Blog). For that occasion we spent some time together working on music that we might sing together, or as a tribute to one another, or just as memories of our time together these last 45 years.

Music has always been a big part of my life, Kate's too, the intersection is a happy merger ... so long as I don't play anything before noon! Thank god for earbuds, head phones and solitary drives.

If you're interested in our anniversary music click on the image at left for the YouTube playlist. Or, if you're really brave check the many playlists on my YouTube channel.

Some of the tunes will be obvious, e.g. 45 Years, by Stan Rogers. Others not so obvious. Most are tunes we selected together, some that I picked as a surprise. In any case, here's the playlist and a bit on why the tunes were selected:

1. You Got Gold, John Prine. From "The Missing Years" (1991). We saw John at Mariposa around the time of this album. This is a love song set to a jaunty little tune.
2. In Spite of Ourselves, John Prine. A silly little love song from the 1999 album of the same name. The duet is with Iris Dement. Together, Kate and I butchered this song at the anniversary party.
3. Dear Abby, John Prine. From "Sweet Revenge" (1973). This song is BK (before Kate) but we both loved the humor of it all. We sang it at our wedding reception — see August 1980.
4. I'll Be Your San Antone Rose, Jerry Jeff Walker. Again this is BK, but only barely. From "Too Old to Change" (1979). Words and music by Susanna Clark. We both love JJW and started going to Texas because of him. See our 2025 visit to his grave. Will we ever return to Austin?
5. I Remember Everything, John Prine. The heart breaking last tune by John, a reflection on a long life.
6. Passing Through London, 1972, Leonard Cohen. We both loved Leonard's music. I recall learning this tune with Kate back in 1980. We sang this on the train returning from Connie's wedding in June of 1980; other passengers were not too happy with us.
7. One of Us Cannot Be Wrong, Leonard Cohen. From "The Songs of Leonard Cohen" (1967). Definitely BK! Another song I learned with Kate back in the day. "I lit a thin green candle, to make you jealous of me". Kate busked with this on the streets of Ottawa (BR) and managed to raise 60cents.
8. 45 Years, Stan Rogers. From "Home in Halifax" (1993). A song about a young man imagining being together for 45 years. "I want to see your smiling face 45 years from now". It came true for us, not so for him. We saw Stan several times at the London Home County Folk Festival; there's a big hole in Canadian folk music when he died so young (1949-1983). We sang this, with Danny's help, at our anniversary.
9. Wilder Than Her, Fred Eaglesmith. From "Drive-in Movie" (1996). I sang this for Kate at our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Our No. 1 son Chris accompanied me on guitar. It got a lot of laughs. I think we might have done it again at this years annivesary.
10. B-Grade Affair, Audrey Auld. From "Losing Faith" (2003). This is a duet with Fred Eaglesmith. I think we first bumped into Audrey at one of Fred's picnic. It's another funny country song, one that again Kate and rehearsed for the party.
11. Marilyn and Joe, Kinky Friedman. From "Under the Double Ego" (1983). Another sappy little love song. The theme song for our 20th anniversary. I've been singing this acapella for years. We got to see Kinky a couple of times (1944-2024) and have even had him sing this for us on the Outlaw Country Cruise (2018).
12. I Couldn't Be Me Without You, Edie Brickell. From "Live Forever: A Tribute to Billy Joe Shaver" (2022). I like this version, learned it, and sang it to Kate at our anniversary. We saw Billy Joe Shaver (1939-2020) only a few times over the years; but he was a really important writer of Americana. See my blog of November 2020 on his passing.
13. A Rainy Night In Soho, The Pogues. This came out around the time of  "Rum, Sodomy and the Lash" (1985) but I recall it on an EP. The Pogues were a great band. Wild, drunken but such great tunes. This is a great love song tinged with regret. "I've been loving you a long time".
14. Yes I Guess They Oughta Name A Drink After You, Tyler Childers. From "Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows: Songs Of John Prine, Vol. 2" (2021). Another from the John Prine catalogue. A drunken bar tune, "I get drunk most every night, seems like all we do is fight". 
15. Bad Girls, Steve Earle & Reckless Kelly. A 2025 single. A bar room lament, "Where have all the bad girls gone?" Kate was a bit of wild one, still is. But you'll find us in bars listening to music in the afternoon. Our drunken ways are over.
16. That's The Way Love Goes, Hayes Carll & Allison Moorer. From a 2020 Single. Another love song. Classic country, originally by Lefty Frizzell. Hayes and Allison are a couple, she used to be married to Steve Earle.
17. You Get It All, Hayes Carll. From 2020 album of the same name. Another love song, a devotion to her — "I knew the night we met, you get it all". 
18. Another Like You, Hayes Carll. From "KMAGO YOYO (& other American Stories" (2011). This is a "Bad Girl" story, very ribald, very funny. No mush here, just drunken lust. "Let's get another round, It's lookin' like we're trouble bound. I have never seen another like you!". And I've never seen another like Kate.
19. Love Minus Zero/No Limit, Bob Dylan. From "Bringing It All Back Home" (1965). Kate and I are both Dylan fans. Last year there was a movie released, "A Complete Unknown" (2024). Great movie, lovely song. "My love she’s like some raven, At my window with a broken wing"
20. Song For The Life (Live), Jerry Jeff Walker. From "A Man Must Carry On: Vol One" (1977). Another BK, this was written by Rodney Crowell and his version closes with "There's a song for the friend I have found, you know she keeps my feet on the ground." She may be wilder than me, but she keeps my feet on the ground.

Looking this over I have to say that the above is the briefest of snapshots of our musical history. We are obviously big on Folk, Country and especially Americana. There are a ton of songs within those and other genres that we might have included. But again, for our history, check this blog and the many playlists on my YouTube channel.

Joe Ely

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Monday, it's all over Facebook, Joe Ely has passed away -- February 9, 1947 - December 15, 2025. 

From this blog April 12, 2013, many years ago, on seeing The Flatlanders at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto I wrote ...

"The photo is Joe Ely who is probably the more famous of the trio -- certainly the most prolific with an extensive catalogue of music to explore. While Butch Hancock is perhaps the most prolific writer of the three (they all write) and Jimmie Dale Gilmore has the signature voice I've come to appreciate even more the music that Joe Ely writes and performs. He sang a song I had not heard before, "Not That Much Has Changed" from his last album "Satisfied at Last" (2011), that brought me to tears. It's a sentimental story of returning to your home town where not that much has changed -- "the grass is a little drier, the trees are a little higher.... the drug store is still for sale, they still sell cotton by the bale." A simple story, with well worn lines but moving none the less. You could easily imagine a prodigal son returning to the small town of his child hood in the flat lands of the West Texas where nothing much has changed.. That's where it began -- West Texas and the fertile grounds of Lubbock where, by happy coincidence, a motley crew gathered in the early 1970's to found a new kind of country music."

Yet another sad passing. Not that much has changed...

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For more of our stories and memories search this blog; explore the Joe Ely Youtube Channel.