Many of you know that I have done extensive training with Malidoma Somé and in my work with him have learned a lot about creating a space of fun and welcoming for the ancestors. When we do ritual, it’s usually in a very festive atmosphere. Good beverages, oftentimes a cigar, and always drumming!

I recently read an interview with Malidoma where he talks about spirituality and seriousness. Here is a small excerpt from the interview that I thought was very interesting, and definitely worth putting some thought into. Needless to say, these words of wisdom from Malidoma can come in handy in each of our lives!

Playful Spirits

Interviewer: Some people make an assumption, often unconsciously, that any spiritual practice worthwhile needs to be serious and somber. Can you speak to the role of play and fun and spontaneity in ritual work?

Malidoma: You must understand that the other world doesn’t know anything about seriousness. The issue at hand is that anytime I’ve had an encounter with the other world, and I mean that literally—we have little people in my culture that we call Kontomblé—every time you meet them, they’re playing around. They look like irresponsible people jumping around, finding you rather funny looking and serious. So it has led me to wonder: where do we inherit this solemn attitude, in fact, associated with the word “serious?” I tried to understand it by way of trying to find out whether there is an equivalent in Dagara of the word “serious”—there is none. There’s no word for “serious!” The closest word to it is literally translated as “red eye!” It’s funny! But this is as serious as it gets! Because “red eye” means you can’t close your eye, you’ve gotta keep it open, because you might miss out on something! So there is a direct connection between ritual and fun and also play. Where does it come from? We can see it in children whose world is all about play and the choreography of it. Why do we grow up and find this rather childish, as if childish is less important than solemn and serious? I really would try to do be more playful just to see whether in fact there is a greater chance of success than this seriousness.

The bottom line is the further away from the sacred a culture grows, the more serious and solemn they become. That simply suggests that the closer a community or a people get to the sacred, the more access to joy, playfulness, and a lot of laughter! So it’s up to us to choose. Modern culture seems to understand that. Even the corporate world understands that. That’s why they have such a time as “Happy Hour!” Every time, everyday between four and five is a happy hour where the drinks are cheaper, but it’s only between four and five. After that everybody’s back to seriousness—I’ve got a problem with that! The playfulness associated with work has been shrunk so much down to an artificial happy hour that you cannot even be playful or come close to happiness without the help of a couple of glasses of heavy duty liquors! That means the genies of laughter and happiness are becoming really thin, and we’re approaching the idea of laughter and joy from a serious deficit and that’s why we need the substitute of liquor in order to make that happen.

That being said, the fundamental piece is for us to look at ourselves from the perspective of the amount of joy that we’re willing to bring into our lives—how much of that is in there—and to raise the question that puts a balance between what we are able to achieve and the amount of joy that accompanies the initiative towards that achievement. Are our failures due to a rather pathologically seriousness given to life? Or are the things we fail to achieve associated with a deficit in joy due to too many repressions and repressed things within us that are blocking the channel of joy? These are pertinent questions that we should ask ourselves. We just can’t make a laconic statement saying, “Well there’s not enough joy; there’s not enough laughter; there’s not enough playfulness!” We have to associate that with our productivity, with our capacity to muster healing and transformation in our culture and see whether it is not the reason why we have an industry called “entertainment.” In other words, in order for you to laugh, somebody must be over there making a fool of himself so that you can giggle a couple of times! The point is that it’s revelatory of a deep apology that is keeping us away from each other, keeping us away from the healing power of joy and laughter. Anyway, I don’t want to be too serious about it! (laughs)

The Benefits of Random Laughter

Interviewer: Malidoma, as we come to the conclusion of our interview, is there anything you would like to share about what’s bringing you joy or passion or excitement currently in your work with spirit and with your teachings?

Malidoma: What I do brings me a deep sense of peace inside. The core of what I understand as joy is a deep inner peace, the kind that is really hard to put in words. It has less to do with random laughter and superficial socialization; it has to do with a deep sense of joy experienced whenever change in the right direction is seen in a person in whose life I have intervened. The truth is I derive tremendous pleasure in it, and I think that this is something that everybody should be entitled to. This is radically different from entertainment—I’m not entertained by that, I’m overjoyed by it! At the same time, I can sense the pull to grief and I take that as a sign that my heart is not closed, and that I derive joy! It is the contribution to the sense of peace, which for me is authentic.

I stay in this work, regardless of its turmoil and the fact that, as I said in the beginning of this session—that I hear more bad news than good news—but I stay in it simply because one healing at a time is proportional to a massive influx of joy and peace inside of me. This is something that I see being needed by most everybody in this field who end up taking what they’re doing too seriously and as such become a prisoner of very bad weather that they’ve chosen to lock themselves into. People say my lectures are too funny; that whenever I start teaching something, every minute I’ve got to add a little joke in it—I can’t help it! Just don’t take things too seriously! It is true we’re all in pain, but sometimes you laugh at pain, and pain gets panicked! You start looking at pain with the strange eye of the clown and the pain says, “Usually this is not how these people behave!” And then the pain wants to go somewhere else!

It is important to realize the healing aspect of this whole thing. For me, after gauntlets of 15 years in this work, I realize the best healing for me is humor, to stay within the field of humor. I think this is something that people should entertain. Let’s get together and crack ourselves up with all kinds of things, because in the end, it is this inexplicable sound coming out of our throat chakras that sends a message to all—that which wants us to look so weighed down by the bad news, that it can then enjoy watching us. The minute we’re cracking up in front of it, then we start creating tremendous discomfort in it. And that’s a show of our capacity to heal each other, as opposed to waiting for some kind of salvation agent to come down with a basket full of it to toss around—that doesn’t work. Or if it works, only a few benefit from it and the rest are left even hungrier than before. So for me this is what I’ve ended up embracing because my own salvation, my own well-being rests on that. And I hope it can expand sufficiently to affect as many people as possible. Contagious laughter is healthy!

Thank you, Malidoma, for your words of wisdom!

I love the comments that I received from my first posting about our full moon fire ceremony that took place this past July. Since then I have had the opportunity to do several sessions on those who were present for that electric experience. It is amazing to me even after all these years how powerful and transformative the drum is.

Healing the Ohana

Toby rips it up on a full moon!

There were several people that night that laid under the drum for a few moments of healing. And as each of them came forth, it was clear that the intention of the full moon was to heal the family—or ohana as we say in Hawaii. The other drummers that were present did a great job in holding a container for the people who needed healing.

If you look to the right side of the picture there’s a gentleman with a pair of jeans on a grayish blue shirt. This is Chris Hayden. He is the anchor here on the island for 5 element drumming. Chris took an interest  in this work after seeing me at an expo here on Kauai a few years ago. Since then, every Friday night he and many of his friends gather to practice the 5 element rhythms. It is my intention this year to have them as my backup band for my appearance at the expo.

Joined by Sound Healing Students

Toby drumming with sound healers Tibo, Lisa, and Debbie.

One of the awesome aspects of this particular night is that in front of the fire with their drums resting on the blankets were 3 attendees of my sound healing workshop. Immediately to my left, in the gold colored shirt, is a wonderful man from France named Tibo. It was a pleasant surprise when I found out the amazing synchronicity that he and I shared. He is involved in a long-term study with my dear friend and brother Malidoma Somé. This event is hosted by a couple of my friends that I met at the 4 Winds Society. His wife is attending a graduate school that I worked with many years ago. And Tibo, in addition to being a very proficient drummer, is also a great  didgeridoo and flute player. In fact, his teacher is good friends with my friend John Dumas. It is a very small world!

In the middle of the three, wearing the purple top, is Lisa from Cincinnati. She came into profound power during the workshop that allowed her to step aggressively and confidently into the drumming we did the evening of the full moon ceremony. I met her some time ago during one of my journeys to Cincinnati, and look forward to seeing her again as I visit there more often.

On the far right, with a bunch of orbs coming out of her head, is Debbie. She is from the Chicago area, and with her husband, Marty, owns one of the premier labyrinth building companies in the world. Debbie is already an experienced healer with other disciplines, but after our time together in Tucson, Arizona for the Earth Walk event, she decided to take the sound healing course.

Rhythm & Unity

The sound healers putting their skills to work.

I was not sure how things would go at the full moon ceremony when almost everyone who showed up had a drum or an instrument of some sort. Although people come with good intentions, sometimes it can be challenging over the wind and the fire to hear each other and stay connected. That was certainly not the case that night. Once the rhythm started, the students got their groove on and the whole group unified and created an amazing place for healing transformation.

It was also interesting to watch the way the fire held the energy of the group. When the rhythm would increase in intensity, the fire would rage, pop, and expand. As the energy would cool down, the fire would be more subdued. It was an evening of connecting to the community, connecting to the planet, and experiencing the dance between the sound of the drum and the rhythms of nature.

Everybody did a great job. I’m very proud of you all! And thanks to the ohana for welcoming us mainlanders by helping us feel so welcome and included in your community.

As I look at the calendar I sadly realize I have fewer and fewer days left on the island. The last month has passed in the wink of an eye. Instead of wondering how I’m going to spend all my time here in paradise, I’m left wondering how I’m going to get everything done that I would like to do before I leave!

Connecting with Flutist John Dumas

John Dumas plays the flute at our sound healing event In Hawaii.

One of my greatest pleasures on this trip has been a connection to a man of tremendous integrity, inspiration, and enthusiasm: my friend John Dumas. Not only has John been an inspiration to me as I learn to play the flute more proficiently, but I am also in the process of learning how to play the didgeridoo thanks to his encouragement! Boy, that’s sure funny! I have been blessed to experience public performances with John as well as some spontaneous healing events that have occurred at social get-togethers here at the house in Kapaa.

I met John about 10 years ago in Sedona. We made a good connection at an evening event where I drummed and talked a bit about the shamanic work that I do. We didn’t connect again until last year at the Kauai Wellness Expo, even though we have traveled in the same circles and many of our friends know both of us. I am profoundly grateful to have met John! In addition to being an amazing flutist, John can drum like a madman!

Spontaneous Send-Off Ceremony

One event that John and I did together that was entirely spontaneous and on-the-fly was a ceremony to send off a friend back to her home in Japan. I received a call from John asking if we could connect and do some sound healing at a gathering that was forming spontaneouly. Those of you who know me know that I’m pretty good on the fly! So, of course, when it comes to having fun, drumming, and playing music, my answer is almost always, “Yes!”

John Dumas and I drumming in the jungle!

I headed off to John’s house, where we left and drove deep into the jungle to a beautiful little hideaway where the event was taking place. After driving through the jungle for a time, we ended up in a cavelike structure in the middle of a bamboo forest. These photos are a bit dark, but they show the feeling of the beautiful evening as we shifted between drums, didgeridoo, and flute.

It was kind of wild, because the room was very small and crowded. Many unexpected friends were there, so the vibe was very family-oriented. As we started to drum, people began to dance,  and as the dancing elevated in its intensity, the send-off party commenced.The energy of the group continued to build and it was clear that the young lady heading off to Japan was going to miss her island very much.

Energetic Community Celebration

John Dumas working his magic.

To keep the vibe of the party powerfully etched in her memory, John and I laid her on the floor. As I stood over her and started to drum, John took his didgeridoo and followed the lines of her body, infusing her energy system with the beautiful melodic and rhythmic drone of the didge.

It was definitely a night we will never forget, powerful with community, energy, friendship, and love. And as always, the drum jam continued until our hands were sore and no one could continue to play.

We ended the evening with hugs to the young lady heading back to Japan, trekked out of the jungle, and then made our way home. What a fantastic night!

Elijah Ray, Toby Christensen, Hazar Courson, Tiffany Tatum and John Dumas

Greetings from the island of Kauai!

I’m having an awesome time here on the island. One of the treasures of Kauai is the number of healers and spiritually-connected people that live here. It seems everywhere you go, you meet open hearts, smiles, and hear “Aloha!”

The vibe of the island is old and sacred. Last week I had the pleasure of doing a concert with some of the amazing beings on the assignment. All of us are dedicated to the practice of sound healing. It was truly a night of miracles, healing, and tremendous spiritual expansion. My co-conspirators were Elijah Ray, Tiffany Tatum, Hazar Courson, and John Dumas. I have played with Elijah before but never the other three. What a pleasure!

As we began, Hazar lead the group in an exercise helping them to connect to their own ability to create sound and open their energy. As she finished her exercise, John took over with his flute and didgeridoo and brought the crowd to an all-new height. This led Tiffany into a beautiful chant, and other percussive instruments to rally the energy of Elijah, who in turn did a beautiful job of looping track after track after track, creating a choir-like angelic feeling to the room. He got a rhythm going and gave me the nod, prompting me to get the djembe started. And for the next hour the room was rock steady: each person shining their light in the world, being featured doing vocal solos, didgeridoo solos, flute solos, and Elijah rocked it out on the djembe with me. What an amazing time!

Hazar and Tiffany do some beautiful toning while the guys lay down the rhythm track!

As you can see in the picture, the drumming was strenuous. My shirt is completely soaked! What a time! We had the place rock’n and rolling: people were dancing, laying down on the floor, and receiving healings. Danny Hashimoto came in and was delivering his magic cacao! It was truly an evening of magic. I have never worked with such skilled vocalists.

It was amazing to hear the variety of sounds that came from these women. The beautiful angelic soft multi-harmony tones, combined with piercing sounds that were definitely “otherworldly.” Hazar is on the left and Tiffany on the right with the painted face. There was a girl by the name of Rose in the audience who is a masterful body painter. So Tiffany—along with many of the other participants in the audience—had beautifully painted faces and images painted on their bodies. It was quite amazing. Everybody brings their gift in a different way, and it is all very valuable.

John Dumas with Elijah Ray in the background

At one time, some of our setup crew had to remove chairs to make enough room for everyone to dance. There was one moment when John, Elijah, and I were playing so vigorously, I thought we might set off a fire alarm! Then the energy would settle down and these beautiful tones would float through the air supported by the rhythm of the drum and the drone of the didgeridoo. It was as though we all had a conductor that was leading the orchestra, yet every moment was free-flowing magic.

Sometimes John plays the flute, and sometimes the didgeridoo. He also happens to be a very accomplished percussionist. The melodies of the flute were haunting. The drone of the digital was powerful and earthy. It was a night of great beauty.

Stay tuned for more information about this concert and other events I experience here on the island. I want to thank my colleagues for joining me on the stage this beautiful night. Thank you for bringing your gifts to the world and I look forward to playing with you all again!

Terry Kingen and Toy Christensen in Hawaii

It was so fun watching Guy and Terry jam on those old dusty acoustic guitars. We started teasing Guy about how he emulates Jimi Hendrix so well and how I want to learn how to play the Guy Johnson “Monkey Finger” lead guitar. Guy informed us that for him to really cut loose would require the electric guitars. So he broke his Stratocaster out of the case and handed Terry a beautiful Gibson SG, and the following video emerged.

Although Guy’s voice is completely trashed, you will get the Jimi Hendrix-like flair that he has. And Terry’s no slouch either! This particular kind of music is not his preferred style. In the future, I will post some videos of Terry playing his rockabilly music ,which is his featured spotlight!

We have this fantasy looming in the world of “possibilities”: that I will move to Seattle and we will start a blues band. Who knows?

Here is the video that occurred when the acoustic guitars got put away and we turned on the amplifiers and pulled out the electric guitars.

As you watch the video, you’ll notice that in the middle of a guitar solo, Guy decides he needs to adjust his amplifier. So while playing the guitar one-handed, he gets up out of his chair walks over to the amp, and never missing a lick, makes the adjustment and comes back and sits down just in time to sing the next phrase of the song. You’ll notice towards the end of the video that he does it again standing and moving over to adjust Terry’s amplifier.

Everyone Has a Light to Shine on The World

Guy Johnson

I really want to drive home the point that any time we create an environment of joy, celebration, encouragement, and support, we are shining a light in the world. I would love to have all of my friends gathered in this basement on this night to feel the magic that was flowing in the air. It didn’t matter that we were not in front of a crowd. It only mattered that we were together: friends sharing who we were (and are) at our core, being with each other. This brought such joy and happiness to each of us, I continue to lie in the beauty and powerful energy of that evening.

So shine your light! Let the world hear you, whether it’s in your shower, your basement, or in your car. Sing, dance, play an instrument, drum, be poetic . . . Whatever it is that brings joy to your heart, take time each day to do it. Share it where ever you can, and realize that it is bringing the energy to the world. That is the important part, not how many people see or hear us.

Begin to create vortexes of joy everywhere you go, and please share your stories.

Three friends 30 years later!

As I travel around and talk to people, my primary messages is about people shining the light in the world. Most of the time people hear me talk about this, but think about me standing up on stage in front of a large group of people teaching or playing my drum. But on my recent trip to  Seattle, something occurred to me. We can shine our light in the world where ever we are and through whatever it is we are doing.

The story goes like this: a couple years ago I reunited with some old friends. They were friends that I had played music with back when I was nine years old. We played together all the way through our high school years. I moved to California right after high school and lost track of my friends. Then, 40 years later . . . okay, that’s just not right! 30 years later we reunited in the most fantastic way. Every time I go to Seattle, I get together with my friends Terry Kingen and Guy Johnson. They are both phenomenal guitar players, and they are both uniquely different. It is an absolute joy to play with them because they both bring such tremendous talent to the world in their own unique styles.

Guy Johnson

Guy Johnson

At 10 years old, Guy Johnson had an old Fender Stratocaster. He was a tall, lanky kid with fingers about a foot long that could move like lightning. Guy had a profound love: Jimi Hendrix. And at 10 years old, Guy could play a lick-for-lick and note-for-note any Jimi Hendrix tune.

I remember when the Led Zeppelin II  album was released. On one of the songs was a very fast and technical guitar solo done by Jimmy Page. I remember little Guy Johnson putting the album on the turntable, putting the needle on the album, and then by hand turning the record slightly slower than 33 RPMs. Each note of the guitar solo was very apparent at the slower speed, and after listening to it three or four times, Guy turned the stereo off, picked up his guitar, and played the solo note for note. It was absolutely unbelievable.

At that time I didn’t know anything about “channeling.” But now I realize that Guy had the ability to tap in to certain energies and literally channel them through his guitar. He really used to piss everybody off because if he heard it, he could play it! Anything!

Terry Kingen

While the rest of the world was listening to Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and the Beatles, there was Terry  Kingen. While we were in the garage jamming out blues licks, bending strings within the blues box, and trying our best to be rock ‘n roll stars, Terry was studying with the most masterful teachers in the Seattle area. He was listening to the great jazz maestros. He was emulating Frank Zappa, John Cole Train, Capt. Beefheart, John McLaughlin and the Maha Vishnu Orchestra.

Terry Kingen

Terry was on the outer stratosphere of another galaxy compared to all of us. The difference between Terry and Guy was that Guy could play it, and Terry could tell you every single note of it and how it relates to every other  note and how that related to the chord progression that was holding the space for the solo to occur.

Simply said, Terry was, and is, a musical genius! He is my guitar teacher and mentor. His gift is that he can take his complex knowledge of music and put it into very simple terms, so that even a guy like me can understand.

Discovering Joy in Guy’s Basement

I’m so grateful to have these men in my life. Terry, Guy and I had a wonderful, spontaneous experience on my last trip to Seattle. Terry and I went over to Guy’s house, picked him up, and went out for a burger. After dinner, we went back to Guy’s and slid down the stairs to the music room where Terry and I picked up a couple of old, dusty acoustic guitars. That’s when we went into an amazing blues jam.

Me, being the newcomer at the guitar and not being in the same league as those two, chose to pull out my iPhone and take footage of this masterful, spontaneous combustion of music. And it occurred to me as I was listening with a feeling the joy that filled the room as this great talent was expressed that we bring our light to the world whenever we shine, wherever that is. I realized that in the basement of Guy Johnson’s house was a vortex of great joy created by three friends getting together and sharing their gifts. No spectators, no recording. Just three open hearts connecting in a beautiful way to bring the gift of music to the world.

Setting an Example for Shining Light Into the World

Every time we open our hearts and step into the place of joy and passion, we are shining a light in the world. We are creating a vortex of joy that brings good energy to the planet.

I hope as you watch this video that you’re able to feel the fun that we had that night. Guy had sung for hours the night before and his voice was trashed, but it didn’t prevent him from shouting out the lyrics as best he could!

As you get caught up in the playful energy of this evening, please remember to bring your gift to the world. Shine your light into the world as often as you can! I hope you enjoy.

Toby and Guy Hanging Out After a Gig

In previous postings I’ve talked about the amazing joy that I have experienced reuniting with some old childhood friends with whom I used to play music. One of these friends is Guy Johnson. On my last trip to Seattle, I was able to spend quite a bit of time with Guy. He is a kindhearted person who takes good care of his family, works hard, and is one amazing guitar player! On a video posted at my website www.healingdrummer.com I show a video of Terry King, Guy Johnson and I in Guy’s basement, jamming on acoustic guitars and having an amazing time.

This kind of joy of spontaneous music is what has been such a wonderful element throughout my life. It occurred to me that afternoon that joy, connection, and creativity is not just a good thing when it is presented on a stage or before a large group of people. I thought driving home from that afternoon that if this was the last experience that I had in my life, it would be a great one.

Shining Your Light in Public or with Friends is all Good

The night after our informal basement jam, Guy was performing at a benefit concert to help a friend raise money for medical bills. The video below is one of my favorite songs of Guy’s. He has an uncanny ability to channel Jimi Hendrix—he has since he was about nine years old. It was so interesting to watch Guy as a young child listen to Hendrix play, pick up an old Stratocaster, and play note-for-note what he heard Jimi playing. Well, some things never change. Guy, in this video, shows his amazing talent and doing it for the good of the community that he is part of.

Spontaneous Footage

I was sitting at a table in the restaurant where the fundraiser was being held, and Guy begin the first few notes. I knew the song he was going to play and fired up my iPhone. Although it is not a professional film quality, I think you get the idea of how amazing it is to be in the presence of this gifted musician. You’ll notice that at one part of his solo in the middle of the song, he goes out into the audience where he plays his guitar with his teeth, a spoon from the table, and some mysterious object handed to him by one of the men at the table. Either way, Guy Johnson is a consummate performer and amazing entertainer. He knows how to win the hearts of the people he plays for.

Whether it is in the basement playing an old beat-up acoustic guitar, or on stage with a crowd of people, Guy always comes from the heart. It is my pleasure to share with you this video of my good friend. Please check out other videos of Guy Johnson on YouTube and, of course, at TobyChristensen.com.

Reflecting on Warmer Times

Today as the temperature drops and the rain begins to fall, soon followed by snow, I think back on the summer where I spent two months on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. It was a magical time of climbing the mountains on the island, walking the pristine beaches, absorbing the most amazing sun and experiencing one of the greatest highlights… Playing as the drummer for the Kauai Vibe Tribe. The Kauai Vibe Tribe is a group of local musicians headed by Francesco Garripoli who sings and plays guitar,  Master Will Lydgate on bass, the talented and lovely Ms.Elle on backup vocals and ukulele, and yours truly on djembe.

Therapeutic Rock and Roll

In most of my travels I play on my own primarily any therapeutic manner so to jam with these guys and play this fun music was a real thrill. The first time Francesco came over for us to rehearse was a great experience. He is a prolific songwriter, and really comes from the heart as he plays his beautiful Taylor guitar, (or Fender Strat if he’s in an electric mood) and sings with passion. As I entered in with the drum a beautiful smile came on Francesco’s face and it was clear that there was a merging of souls as well as music. The first time the group got together to practice  it was clear that the same connection existed between Will and myself. As Francesco began to play his first song I could feel the  funky vibe laid down by the bass guitar. Without looking, I began to lay down a beat complementary to the bass line I was hearing. The  groove got tighter and I looked up to see a huge smile on  Will’s face as our rhythms merged to create a beautiful foundation for Francescos song. All in all it was a fantastic experience.

Practice Pays Off

We performed at the Trees Lounge  in Kapaa. The place was jammed and we rocked the house all night long. One of the funny stories involves Francesco and one of the residence on the island. One of the songs that we did, I think it was the only cover, I take that back it was one of two covers that we did, is a song called  “ Wooden Ships” by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. It just so happens that Graham Nash lives on the island and from time to time will pop in to local bar to check out the music. It suddenly hit Francesco’s awareness that Graham could very possibly come to Trees that night to hear us play. So in a respectful and somewhat intimidated voice Francesco says “if Graham is there, I am not singing Wooden Ships”. Will playfully responded “come on Francesco, Graham is a really nice guy and would be honored to hear you sing his song”. Well Graham never showed up and we did a great job on the song and believe it or not I’m actually going back for an encore.

Come and Join Us This January

You have nothing more important to do in the month of January 2011. On January 22,2011 the Kauai Vibe Tribe will be making another appearance on the island. This time in addition to the rocking band that we  had we will be featuring the amazing Mr. Terry Kingen on lead guitar. This will be an amazing show. January is a beautiful time to go to the island. The whales are jumping all over the place, breaching I guess is the correct term. The Kauai Vibe Tribe will be playing at some local venue, to be announced, And the following weekend will be the Kauai Wellness Expo! So there are all kinds of wonderful reasons to head to the island in January. And for those of you looking forward to a summer vacation, I will be facilitating three workshops this coming summer on the island so stay tuned for more information.

Please Check Back

Well I guess it’s time to do a little work, make a drumming video, and handle some paperwork. Thanks for sharing this delightful memory with me I look forward to reading your comments!

Finding Cool Information

I was Surfing the web and avoiding more important things when I stumbled upon this interesting article which is an interview with Malidoma. I’m good looking forward to co-facilitating some workshops with him in 2011 so I thought I would pass this along. I hope you enjoy.

An interview with Malidoma Some

In the Dagara tribe of West Africa, the name Malidoma means “He who makes friends with the stranger/enemy.” One wonders if the parents of Malidoma Patrice Some sensed that the name they gave their son would portend so much of his life.

Rising out of his spiritually rich, yet materially impoverished village in Dano, Burkina Faso, West Africa, Malidoma has become a world wide friend, teacher, public speaker, and author of three books: Of Water and The Spirit (his autobiography), The Healing Wisdom of Africa, and Ritual: Power Healing and Community. With the permission of the Dagara tribal elders, Malidoma is now sharing the indigenous wisdom of Africa with the West. This amazing man from humble origin has earned three masters degrees and two doctoral degrees – the first from the Sorbonne (in Paris) and the second from Brandeis University. In a remarkable way, Malidoma bridges cultures like no one else I know.

As Malidoma speaks, his voice carries the excitement, passion, and palpable spiritual quality that befit a gifted medicine man. Only the most accomplished Diviners, Gate Keepers, Shamans, and spiritual leaders are invited into a special “Elder” initiation in the Dagara tribe. Due to Malidoma’s accomplishments and importance to his community, he became, at the age of 42, the youngest ever to become an Elder; not to mention the first with a full Western education. He possesses a unique understanding of how psychological disciplines and spiritual rituals can be utilized together in assisting individual personal growth.

“Ritual is the most functional means by which archetypal energies are dealt dealt with,” Malidoma began. “Indigenous people have been aware of that for eons. In the modern era, we focus too much on psychological counseling, he noted. There is a tendency for people to ‘linger endlessly’ in therapy for without receiving significant help. The “shadow” parts of our lives “keep coming back.” Malidoma believes that dealing with “the things we cannot escape” is best accomplished within the sacred space of ritual.

“Ritual facilitates and provides us with a unique channel to access higher power,” he said. “Certain issues don’t want to be resolved mechanistically. We don’t have to know how the power works; we just have to show up and let the higher forces deal with the issues. The trap we feel inside ourselves is removed once we enter into sacred space. The energies know how to push obstacles out.”

Malidoma said we tend to “project a godly power” onto human beings with a resulting dependency on others. It is in the nature of humans to project, he added. The question is, where do we direct the projections?

“Humans can not become god,” he intoned. “So we have to step away from that for a moment and remember the only place where we are authorized to project is in sacred space. If it is divine, then we are healed; if we project onto humans, we are deeply pushed into turmoil.”

Malidoma suggested that men should learn to trust their own ability to create sacred space, where they can be “vulnerable in a sacred fashion and allow themselves to be dismantled so that the rebuilding can produce a lasting result. The sacred space to initiate men is not necessarily a physical place, but an energetic place.

“It’s very hard to do this as an individual thing,” he said. “This kind of healing requires community – men with men. The healing begins with the destabilization of a man’s energy. When he starts to feel unstable, it is best put in that place where other men or humans are. And eventually he will let go.”

Men usually fool themselves into “serving the big dragon,” Malidoma stated. However, with the help of other men observing from the outside, an initiate will begin to see his own dragon. The collapse of the traditional internal structure can then begin, and the “great opportunity of rebuilding the self occurs.”

“That idea is a hard-sell in this culture because men like to stay in control,” he continued. “Men have no room for a place of risk. In the business of healing, more often than not, we paint over the problems. This danger place that we are obligated to move into is a sacred danger because it endangers the very problems we deal with; and when it endangers them, we feel it endangers us too.”

Modern men identify too closely with their problems, he added, “and we become the problems, not the solutions.”

Malidoma said he believes men use the need for “safety as a condition of healing” as an excuse not to deal with the problem.

“We must endanger the problem by confronting it,” Malidoma instructed. “It is to be dug out of its hiding and exposed to the air. It cannot breathe oxygen. The light of day is lethal to it. That’s why the dragon tells us that we should be safe, because the dragon wants to be safe. We end up actually serving the very thing we want to be rid of.

The creative process is essential in coping with dragons, the Elder noted. “In talking about expression, we have to visualize it as more than speaking English,” he said. “Creativity includes non-verbal expression and the ability to use the entire body as a means of discourse.”

Malidoma said the dragon wants us to be introverted.

“Expression rips open the hidden cages and blind boxes, thereby releasing all the information hiding in there unbeknownst us to us and others,” he said. “To speak constantly into sacred space is to give oneself the opportunity of transcending … taking our lethal pain and diluting it into the ether.”

Malidoma experienced pain early in life when he was abducted from his tribe by Catholic priests and forced into a foreign Western culture. After a number of years, he escaped and returned home, where he was initiated into his indigenous community.

“Ritual or initiation provides a safe place for the soul and body to affirm life over death,” he declared, “to affirm continuity over discontinuity.”

The author said he has found “hope and dignity” through the daily practice of his tribe’s ancient rituals. He prays at the shrine of his ancestors, offering them water or libation, and asking the spirit of nature to walk with him throughout the day.

“After 30 some odd years, everywhere I am, I don’t feel alone,” he said. “I feel like a patrol of powerful spirits surround me. They give me a certain sense of reassurance and pride, so I can walk in the middle of adversity really knowing that in order for the adversity to get to me it will have to get through all these forces. It’s quite reassuring.”

Men don’t need a “sophisticated construction” to participate in ritual. Malidoma recommends we “look up at a tree” or “go to a creek and see the flow of water.”

“There may be some powerful genie dwelling in the water,” he said. “Talk to him like we talk to each other.”

The response may not be the loudest one we hear, but if we’re willing to listen carefully, we can hear the “big noise or echo” of nature tell us that “we’re right and to go on and walk proudly.”

In Malidoma’s village, the men are the spiritual leaders.

“Why? Because this is the kind of power, this is the responsibility every male is born with, and when assumed properly, it becomes authentic,” he said. “Women and children find themselves reassured by the men’s true power. It is when we pretend to assume the power that in fact we are derogatory and chaos is created. True male power is very healing for everybody. And so, if a man is not a self-centered control freak, he is one that will be serving, protecting, and holding the sacred space …. holding the space for everything and everybody to live.”

So, what keeps Western modern man from being the spiritual leaders in their own homes? “Men get caught up in the socio-economic nightmare of giving away most of their time in order to survive,” he answered. “We didn’t come into this world to give all our energy to stay alive, we came here to live. The biggest dragon is the one that tells us we have to work eight hours a day … and we end up being so tired that the very thing our soul is yearning for we don’t have time for. We have to tell each other to take time, and we need to hold hands with each other. Men have to be willing to come together to express what they feel to each other as the first step toward moving into that sacred space so they can heal enough to assume true responsibility in their own household. If we find a little moment to get together to pound on this problem, then we can go back to our respective homes and our partners and children … and they can see us shining in our true glory.”

“Community” is a strong recurring theme in much of Malidoma’s work. He defines it as a “bunch of people willing to come together in a circle in which they are conscious enough to invoke the sacred, the divine … to be with each other so they can express their authentic self to one another.”

“If men are willing to come together and be with each other, knowing they need supervision of the divine in order that their being together is not limited to talking about current events and drinking beer, then they have become a community.”

The community is strengthened by “invoking the sacred,” he added, but not by making themselves exclusive.

“Once we start attacking and excluding other communities then we have become a club,” Malidoma explained, “and then we have taken the ideas of society into our club, and the dragon prospers in us as a community.”

People sitting around and talking about the faults of other people are not a true community.

Malidoma expresses his own sense of community and his personal spiritual creative process this way: “I draw from bone energy and the memories that come from the bone. I allow myself to surrender to the higher forces with the clear intention that I want to be as clear and precise as possible. What comes out is something almost independent of me. There’s something quite militant in it, because when I express myself, and not after heavy duty preparation, I know that spirit is speaking through me. When I feel that intensity coming out, when I feel it, I know someone else will feel it. Every time I have attached my own emotion or capacity, I have to stand back and get out of my way so higher forces can speak. That has been transforming. I like to call that spirit. Spirit expresses itself in a way we cannot map, cannot tell ahead of time, and has its own plan – a plan not known to us. To know it, we have to surrender to it. It’s a risky thing. And risk-taking in the business of feeling, is worth doing. Check out www.malidoma.com/Malidoma

Have you ever wanted something so badly you dare not even think about it for fear the imposibility of it happening would be so devastating you don’t even want to imagine it? Have you ever lost some one so important to you that to think of their re-entry into your life seems like opening your self to the biggest potential disappointment you could ever experience? I know this is a mouthful and a bit complicated but it is what I have been experiencing for the last nine years when My beloved friend and I went our separate ways.

For nine years I thought of him and the amazing way he had inspired me. In front of thousands of people I have declared the single most powerful influence that has brought me to the place I am now is Malidoma Some’.  I’m not sure what happened but over the years my students were his students and so on and so forth. Our paths came close to crossing, but never intersected until last January when we intersected and reunited for a very short period of time. Well Last week I got to spend three full days with my African Brother and we caught up and laughed, and cried, and celebrated in grand fashion. I met his wonderful wife who is as charming as she is beautiful. We spent the weekend at an Ifa celebration steeped in Nigerian culture. We danced together,and at the end of the celebration as the drummers drummed and the dancers danced we looked at each other and as if time had not occurred, and it was yesterday when we were last together, we grabbed a couple of djembes and began to drum together.

You see about 19 years ago I met Malidoma and reluctantly  attended a mens retreat that he was facilitating. It was at that retreat were I reconnected to my soul. I reconnected to my music. And I connected to the djembe drum, and my life has been forever transformed and brightened.

I cannot express the gratitude I have for the ancestors bringing us back together. I cannot express the gratitude for the tenacity of my heart to stay open to the possibility of this reunion. I have learned a valuable lesson. NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!!! You have no idea what your crew on the “other side” are up to. Here we are drumming together! Malidoma’s wife in the foreground.  I never truly believed this could happen, but it did. And even more amazing, we will be facilitating a workshop together at the end of April in the Dc area! Stay tuned for more!!

This August 17-27, I will be hosting a Hawaiian adventure. This exclusive trip is for a very limited number of people who feel called to swim with Dolphins and the Sea Turtles; those who want to enjoy the sun and hike the sacred mountains of Kauai, Hawaii. We will drum at sunset and perhaps even enjoy some Hawaiian music played by yours truly!! Actually I think we can find some better music than I can offer

Please contact me if you are interested. It will be a very informal setting with several people sharing a house. Camping style sleeping arrangements although there are two bedrooms available for those who require additional privacy. It will be tons of fun in the sun and the places we will go are amazing! So shoot me an email to toby@healingdrummer.com and I’ll give you the details. Base rate is $1,000 for the 10 days and includes breakfast every day and great adventures! I look forward to hearing from you! Toby

I was recently in Calgary Canada teaching at the World Unity Shamanic Training Institute. I had a bunch of fun with the gang and started a second round of teachings for a new group. We did a fire ceremony in the snow and offered to the Ancestors the dreams we desire to live in the coming year!!  Here I am bundled up with my “took” on (that is Canadian for stocking cap) I have been practicing my Canadian by watching Doug & Bob McKinsey videos on youtube. So far they do not seem to appreciate my efforts.

After we froze half to death, I got the gang to pose by the fire as we warmed up. This is a great bunch and I am grateful to be able to contribute to their lives. The thing that they have taught me most is when you have the courage to follow your passion, the opportunities come to nurture and support that choice and others with that same resolve find you and join you on your journey!!

Corrina Rasmussen – Founder/Dean/Shamanic Practitioner
corrina@worldunityshamanictraininginstitute.com
(403) 617-9956
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Yesterday I received a call that my friend Carol passed away. She called me a couple months ago and said she wanted a drum. “My cancer is back and I think I am going to die, I want to learn to drum before I go.” I sent her my HealingDrum I have used for the past two years. A week or so ago she emailed me and said she had been playing her drum. She said her dog really liked her drumming. I have a plan to go to Phoenix in a week I had two extra days to drum with Carol. I will drum for her in the other world and miss her very much. Today I received the email below.

Wednesday 24th March, 2010 was a very sad day for all of us. Carol decided that it was time to leave us all and passed on at about 11:45 AM. Carol left us, the way she lived her life – with such grace and style. Carol spent that morning with her loving friends Heather Jachowski and John Villinski at her side. A hospice nurse had just arrived at Carol’s home and within a very short time Carol died the way she really wanted to, at home in her bed. She put up a huge fight against oral cancer enduring the maximum doses of chemotherapy and radiation, and she soldiered on with incredible wit and style.

As little as 6 days ago, Carol was driving and choosing a new faucet for her kitchen, in addition to the granite counter tops that I helped her pick out just a week before. Her body became very frail during the last few days, but even so, the quickened pace of her fragility and her ultimate death was a shock to all of us caring for her. Carol died surrounded by loving friends. Thank you to all who supported her in this battle and thanks to those who did come here to visit Carol in Tucson.

My condolences to all of her family and friends at this difficult time.

With warm regards,

John Faux

One of the kindest and most amazing people on the planet is Sam Bonanno at Larry’s Music in Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii. I met Sam a couple of years ago while visiting the island. Although a drummer by trade, I have had a passion for guitars and was feeling the call of the ukulele. When I walked into Sam’s store, the energy of Aloha was present–the energy of unconditional love, welcoming, and home. We talked and fooled around with some ukes. It was awesome. Sam’s enthusiasm and knowledge was infectious. I walked out of the store with a very nice instrument.

I visited the store several more times that trip and was blessed with Sam’s willingness to sit with me and teach me how to play! What a guy! I visit Same several times on each visit to Kauai. What a joy!

I am now the proud owner of a beautiful Kamaka Ukulele and I play it every day that I am home. While jamming with Sam one afternoon, he began to play a beautiful rendition of “I’ll Be There” by Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5. I’d like to share it with you. And if you ever go to Kauai, Larry’s Music is a MUST!!! Go meet Sam and buy a uke! In the words of George Harrison, “Everybody should have a uke. You cannot play the ukulele and not be happy.” So ENJOY!

The story I am about to convey is a story I never dreamed would actually happen, although I have asked for the Ancestors to make it so for many years. There is a man that I met in early recovery, 1992 to be exact, who through his wisdom, kindness, and understanding saved my life. He showed me how to find my place in the world and how to see things from a completely different perspective. Although his skin is a different color than mine, he refers to me as his brother. I had the pleasure to visit his village in West Africa and meet his mother and father. I was named “The African stuck in the white skin” by his elders and participated in many rituals and ceremonies with his tribe.

I will be forever grateful for Malidoma Some’. As students with their teachers and family members often do, Malidoma and I fell out of communication. I longed for him often, and remembered the gifts he had given me: the very gift that I bring to the world. You see, Malidoma is the one who introduced me to the Djembe, the Healing Drum.

So here is what happened. I was on my way to Hawaii last month and had a layover in San Francisco. A friend of mine was having a reading with Malidoma that day. It is an interesting “coincidence” that although he lives in Florida and I live in Utah, we were both in San Francisco on the same day. I agreed to meet my friend at the hotel where they were meeting Malidoma, never imagining it would be possible to see my long lost friend. It was a very odd feeling to know that we would be in such close proximity. Well, without boring you with the details, while on the way to meet up with my friend, my phone rang.

“Room 117,” said my friend.
“What?” I replied.
“Come to room 117. Malidoma wants to see you!”

At that moment, the capacity of my heart could not contain the joy flowing in and my eyes began to pour with tears of joy. As I entered the hotel, my heart was racing. As I approached the door I realized that only a few inches away was the fulfillment of a dream. Malidoma opened the door and we fell into each others arms, greeting one another as though time had never passed.

My heart sings with joy for the reconnection with my soul brother. Here is a video that sums up what I have learned from my African brother. I am so thankful for our AMAZING REUNION!!

I have been to Hawaii many times and have come to love the island of Kauai most of all. It is a place where wild nature abounds AND you can still find a good burger! This trip was no exception. I was on Kauai a few weeks ago hanging with my friend Surf, making music and getting tan. While there I had the good fortune to visit my favorite beaches and spend time with my friends Danny Hashimoto. Naoka the Dolphin Diva, Sam the Ukulele man and many others.

Here is Danny preparing his famous Cocoanut Cream Ambrosia

and Naoka dancing to the Drum

Here I am with Sam the ukulele  man, owner of Larry’s Music one of the most famous places on the islands

As I talked to my friends everyone was talking about the dolphins and the rich and magical energy they experienced while swimming with them. Well I have to confess I was a bit cynical. I have been to the dolphin beach at least 10 times and I have never seen a dolphin close in. So one night Surf and I were at a party on the beach,

and he started talking about going to the dolphin beach. He kept saying, “I know they will be there, and they will be there for YOU Toby!” Well I was stuck in the old story of “I’ll never experience anything that magical, blah, blah”. And as the night went on Surf and I kept jamming!

So after much debate we decided to go to the dolphin beach first thing in the morning. We went home from the beach, had a nice swim in the pool and hit the hay. The next morning I was still not convinced I would encounter the allusive dolphins but was willing to give it a go. We drive to the beach, hiked down the hill and I set out on the mile long trek to the beach were the magical dolphins reside. Having never seen them I had no idea what to expect and boy did I get a surprise. I hauled down the beach so if I did not get to see the dolphins I would at least get a good workout. As you can see, I was still not convinced. Even though Surf insisted they would be there.

When I arrived at the beach I was shocked beyond all belief when not one, not two, but three pods of dolphins just off shore and when I turned to watch them they began slapping their fins on the water and jumping wildly. Surf and his partner arrive 15 minutes later to find me sitting on the beach watching the dolphins with a HUGE smile on my face. “I told you they would be here for you. Are you ready to meet them in the water” Surf said kindly. Well to make a long story short, we entered the water     and to my surprise, these beautiful and amazing beings  did not run off.

They got closer and closer and closer still. I could feel the most amazing energy as they came closer and closer. There was no fear only trust and oneness. on their final pass I could almost reach out and touch them

This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I will never forget it.

I have been engaging in the appreciation of those who have positively influenced my life. Of these people there is no one more noble, kind, and compassionate than Joel Bisset.

I don’t ever remember not knowing Joel. I have no idea how or where we met. I just remember that he is in every memory of my younger days. Joel and his family lived close to mine, and we were inseparable. Joel was and continues to be, the support person for the ones who stand in the spotlight. In doing so (to my great joy), Joel has been brought into a spotlight of his own. Joel was always the one who would come to band practice even if he was not in the band. When we needed something or we were hauling equipment to a gig…Joel was always there to lend a hand. A great musician in his own right, Joel taught me tons on the guitar. Second only to Paul McCartney, Joel plays Blackbird like it is nobody’s business.

I just got a great Idea. I am going to publicly ask Joel to play this song for us and I’ll post the video on this blog!! WHAT DO YOU THINK JOEL?? WILL YOU PLLLLEEEEAAASSSSEEE??????

OK, so, when I reconnected with Terry and Guy, of course I asked if anyone had heard about Joel. Of course Joel will always be a part of our lives! I have come to know he is a father, with very successful kids, a husband with a loving and delightful wife, and most of all, Joel is a kind man of impeccable character, true to his core values, and still willing to go to any length to lend a hand. Joel is the example I use when I define the word “friend”.

My favorite story with Joel is the day we were playing drums at his house and his mother came into the living room and looked at me and said, “You can’t play drums like that, you are white. White people don’t have rhythm like that.” Then laughed cheerfully and went about her business. 20 some years later when I was in Africa, an elder of the Dagara Tribe said, “What dye did you use on your skin to make you look like a European? White people don’t play the drum like that. I know you are really African”. Here I am standing in the southern part of the Sahara Desert thousands of miles from home and who do I think of? Joel Bisset’s mom. She has passed into the world of the Ancestors and it saddens me that I was not able to tell her this story. You never know how a  statement you make or an action you take will affect a person’s life.

I am pleased to see that Joel has become an accomplished drummer and plays regularly at his church. I got a chance to jam with Joel when I was in Seattle on my last trip. He is a KICK ASS drummer. He holds the beat like a mountain! ROCK STEADY!!! We did a couple of percussion solos at the gig and really rocked the house. All I did was show Joel the beat I was doing on my djembe and he got on the kit like a jockey on a race horse.

Joel, I am so glad to be back in touch with you. My heart is filled with joy as I reflect on the great nobility, trustworthiness, and trueness of heart  you bring to the world. THANK YOU!

…and I’m waiting impatiently for a video of you playing Blackbird on your guitar!

Another member of the gang is named Guy Johnson. All I can say about Guy it that he is an enigma. Now some of you are saying, “Isn’t that some new age musical group?” Well, that is not what I’m talking about. By definition an enigma is, One that is puzzling, ambiguous, or inexplicable. This fits Guy to a tee. And it is because of this he is loved so much. I met him when he was 10 or so and when he found out I was a drummer he said, Lets get together and play! By saying yes, I had no idea what I was in for. Guy was not just a kid guitar player. He was able, at 10 years old, to match the skill of Jimmy Page, Lesley West, and Joe Walsh, note for note on the Strat.

BUT Guy’s claim to fame was his ability to imitate the greatest of all, Jimi Hendrix, note for note, fret for fret, and at 10 years of age! When he played it was not only deafening in volume but entrancing how THAT music could be coming from that skinny little kid!

The other thing about Guy is that he had zest for life. He is the one human being in the world who has done more drugs and drank more alcohol than anyone I know. His wild antics combined with his sweet smile made you love him and hate him simultaneously.

As a child, I had a deep love for Guy and admiration for his talent. I still do. I tried over the years to find him but was never able. Then it happened. A friend who you will meet on a future entry called me out of the blue. As we talked, I asked if he had any idea where Guy Johnson was. Or if he was even alive! “Yes, he plays in a band here in town once in a while,” my friend replied. I happened to be in Seattle at the time and when I looked up Guy, there he was AND he was playing that night just a few miles away. When I saw him I could not believe my eyes. He still maintained that same high energy and looked amazingly healthy. I found out later that Guy has been clean and sober for 16 years. I’m proud of you, Guy! That is a HUGE accomplishment. 

The other thing I realized as we got together a few days later to jam, is that Guy’s love and passion for music has not diminished one bit. I was honored to play with he and Terry and another member of the gang, Joel Bisset, one night in Guy’s basement. It was like when we were still in grade school or junior high.

Guy was so on top of things that he even set up lights for us! I felt like I was back on stage.

Guy Johnson has become a man of great character, conviction, and intention. He cares for his mother and girlfriend and plays music as much as possible. He is bright and uplifting to be around and is still having the boys over to jam. When I saw Guy’s mom it was like going back in time 35 years. Or more. She remembered that as kids we LOVED peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and yes, that night after an amazing dinner (thank you so much, Mrs. Johnson) we polished off a tray of PBJ’s for dessert!

I see in this picture of Guy a man full of dreams and ambition. I wish for Guy that they all come true. I’m so glad to be reconnected!

Thank you, Guy!

Amazing Reunion is a series of stories that honor old friends that have profoundly affected my life. It is a series that acknowledges the influence of those who have helped me become who I am today. I am grateful for these people and want them to know. 

Have you ever thought about old friends? Have you ever wondered… where is _______________(fill in the blank)? Well I have. In my youth there was a group of guys who were like me. We were boys who connected to our gifts early. While our other friends were playing kickball, soccer, or tag, we were in my parents basement or in Guy’s garage ( you will learn more about the amazing Guy Johnson in my next entry) playing Jimi Hendrix, Mountain, Led Zeppelin, and James Gang. I loved these guys with all my heart. In many many ways we were the “odd balls” and in another way we carried a sort of celebrity status. In the next few entries I would like to pay tribute to my old, new friends. I hope this inspires you to reconnect as well. We are not always aware of the impact we have had  on others and reconnecting with these amazing men that has helped me realize that even the simplest acts of kindness or spontaneous moments can have an unbelievable impact and inspiration on those around us. 

I searched for them from time to time but with no luck. For decades I thought about them. One of my favorite musical artists is the great Frank Zappa. My friend Terry Kingen and I used to go to his concerts when he came to Seattle. Sometimes waiting 6 or 7 hours at the door of the Paramount Theater to be the first ones in! Every time I hear a Frank Zappa song I think of Terry. I have since I was 14 years old.  I searched his name and was never able to find him. Then through a series of phone calls and synchronistic occurrences, which I will get to in future entries, I reconnected to Terry Kingen. Even though it had been 30 some years since we had seen each other, when I saw his trade mark Terry Kingen smile and heard his cheerful voice, it was as though no time had passed at all.  

Although back in the day, he had long dark hair, which has been replaced by short grey hair, the youthful and mischievous sparkle in his eyes has not dimmed. Terry was always the best musician of us all. While we were playing blues riffs and figuring out what the heck chords were in a song, Terry was taking lessons and practicing his Mixolydian Modes, Phrygian Scales, and his Dominant flatted 2nd what-evers! 

Over the years, he has developed into one of the greatest guitar players I have ever heard and has become a prolific songwriter whose style is somewhere between Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash. Whether he is on his pink paisley Telecaster or his deep rich acoustic guitar, Terry plays with a driving rhythm and sings with a soulful tone. His music reaches deep into you and gently extracts the goodness of life that sometimes hides beneath the rough waves and tumultuous currents of the everyday goings on; sometimes with a hint of mischievous sarcasm. 

But this is not all that makes Terry Kingen great. What to me makes him a very amazing human being is his humility, willingness to help a friend in need, and his complete lack of judgement. Terry is an example of finding the best in each person he meets. He is quick to set aside differences to find the common ground of connection. When you have a conversation with him you can feel the authentic interest he has in knowing who you really are and hearing what you have to say.

I am so fortunate to have re-connected with Terry. Sometimes it seems that life passes us by and the rich joy of the past is all we have to hold onto. I am here to say that sometimes that rich joy of the past comes around and makes another pass through life. 

Thank you, Terry.

Here we have Terry Kingen on the guitar Joel Bisset on the kit and I am on the djembe 

Joel Bisset laying down the steady beat!

I was just in Seattle and met up with a group of guys I have not seen for 30 years. I went to Elementary, Junior High, and High school with these gentlemen. As kids we played music together. We would spend hours in my parents’ basement playing Jimi Hendrix, Led Zepplin, The Beatles, Rolling Stones and who ever else was on the charts at that time. Guy Johnson was and is today one of the most talented and skilled rock guitar players on the planet. Terry Kingon is a masterful wizard on the guitar masterfully maneuvering his way through any style of music from rockabilly to Frank Zappa! Clearly, Terry is the most musically educated and diverse of the gang. Joel Bissett is one of those guys who is the embodiment of kindness and a true gentleman. He was always ready to help those of us who were up on stage, always picking up tips on playing the drums and guitar. He was never in the spotlight back then but he has become a fine drummer and excellent man on the guitar. And of course I cannot help but mention Paul Dragoo, Paul and I did not meet till High School but became close friends, as we played in bands together during that time in my life. It was through Paul’s continued connection with the other three men that ultimately lead to our reunion.

 
Reconnecting to these men is one of the greatest joys I have experienced in a very long time. Our hair is a little grayer; we all have a bit of age on our bellies. But jamming with these guys made my heart sing. After all these years, we have each held music as our love and passion. I had the opportunity to be on stage with two of them. Joel and Terry. Joel was on the drum kit and Terry was man handling a pink paisley Telecaster. And I was bringing the HealingDrum to a bar in Renton Washington! 

It was such a joy to play with these guys Terry and I could not do anything but SMILE