As I browse through my photos of my summer experiences, fond memories fill my mind. I have been home for just a few days and miss the island terribly. On my last evening on Kauai we had a traditional going away party, typical of how I conclude each of the workshops that I facilitate. Or so I thought it would be typical!

Island Energy

What a way to end the Advanced Shamanic Training workshop!

We started off at the octagon, which is in the Kahuna Valley. The energy in the valley is potent. It is at the base of the Makaleha Mountains, and from the valley you can see thousand-foot waterfalls pouring down the sides of the steep cliffs above. It is like being guarded on all sides by old wise warriors. The feeling of safety and ancient wisdom fills the air.

After taking in some much-appreciated beach time, we met back at the house to prepare for the going away party. Thanks to the women staying with me, the house was clean! In a matter of moments, salads were prepared, and what is known as “Toby’s juicy chicken” was on the barbecue along with a couple of racks of ribs.

As usual, the fun began right away as the additional participants arrived. I was quite thankful to have John Dumas and his beautiful wife Kana there. We also had the pleasure that evening of having the kava master of the island attend: my friend Gary Mack showed up with a cooler full of kava, so we indulged in this traditional Polynesian drink as the food was cooking.

Polynesian Beverage Kava

Toby and Gary drinking kava.

Kava is a traditional Polynesian drink. What we were drinking that night came from the island of Vanuwatu. It’s an interesting drink, coming from a plant related to the pepper family. It has a sedative and anesthetic property. With a rich, earthy flavor, what you drink is made from the roots of the plant. The kava we were drinking that night was prepared on the island, then sun-dried untill it became a powder. This powder was then mixed with water, producing a wonderful-tasting kava drink straight from the land of its origin.

Great thanks to Gary for bringing this wonderful beverage to all of our gatherings, and for providing me with a personal supply that I am now enjoying very much in Park City!

Spirit of the Aloha

After the kava, the food was consumed vigorously. Once it was gone, the drums came out! John manned his didgeridoo and flutes, giving us a powerful healing melody. The drums followed this melody to create a magical effect in the room. As the drums echoed off the walls, those who were listening could not help but start moving. And as John wandered through the room, connecting with each person by vibrating the drone of his didgeridoo into each one’s heart, the joy of the island expanded (a result of this can easily be seen on the faces of Danny and Tanis in the photo as they hijacked the cacao while we were playing).

Danny and Tanis pre-sampling the dessert!

All in all, it was a wonderful evening. Everyone was sent home with the magic of the island in their hearts, the rhythm of the drum resonating in their souls, with the beautiful drone of the didgeridoo grounding them firmly with indigenous energy, and the beautiful melodies of the flute inspiring their joy.

It was wonderful experience for all, made more profound than ever by my dear friends who brought the spirit of aloha in the authentic Hawaiian way.

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!

My time on the island of Kauai has been beyond amazing. The students that have come for the workshops have been a tremendous blessing. To know that there are now many new “healers” in the world bringing the vibration of peace makes my heart sing.

One of the highlights of last month was a wonderful full moon ceremony that was hosted by my dear friend and ohana brother, Danny Hashimoto. We all gathered at one of the local beaches, drums in hand, ready to honor this beautiful night.

Group Drumming

Full Moon Fire

As the darkness fell upon us, the moon began to rise through the clouds, shedding a mystical color of light all around us. After some conversation and socializing, we had a wonderful potluck meal followed by Danny’s world famous cacao mousse and other delectable treats he had concocted. Then I, along with three of the students that remained from the sound healing workshop, began to drum. Many island people brought their drums as well and began to play along. As the rhythms echoed across the beach, people began to gather around.

Suddenly, I realized that there was a woman sitting close to the drummers who needed a bit of healing. I didn’t know what it was, I just had a strong sense that the vibration of the drum would be very helpful for her. As I kept drumming, I manipulated the towel laying flat on the sand with my feet, and whispered in her ear that if she would like to be drummed on to please lie down on the towel.

Healing Vibrations of the Drum

As the woman took her position on the towel, she settled into the warm sand beneath her. She began to relax as the vibration of the group drumming flowed through her. Then I gently stepped over her, my feet approximately at her hips, facing the direction of her feet, allowing the bell of the drum to hang over her heart. I began to drum.

The healing energy began to flow more intensely through her as her body twitched and maneuvered itself to take in the wonderful energy of the drum. I drummed for three or four minutes, feeling the expansion of energy and the completeness of that session, and gently stepped away from her allowing her to rise with a large smile on her face and a beautiful open heart.

Individual Healing Sessions & the Full Moon

Healing Drum at Full Moon Fire

Before I knew it, another person had taken her spot down on the towel. So as the group drumming kept rolling, I concentrated my drumming over this person as well. What happened was individual after individual kept taking the spot on the towel and I kept drumming over them, offering powerful healing energies.

It ended up being a wonderful night of taking in the beauty of the full moon as well as doing some individual healing sessions. This was a totally spontaneous situation that erupted through the rhythm of the drum.

You never know what’s going to happen when the magic of the drum begins to dance through community. You never know what miracles will emerge from the rhythm!

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.

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 month I would like to focus attention on healing the Earth. Watching the devastation of the Gulf Coast here in the US brings strong awareness that as inhabitance of this planet we need to rally our forces and bring healing to the other beings that share this great earth with us. I hear all kinds of blame and see lots of finger pointing. OK already, lets find a solution! I have been drumming each day asking for the Ancestors to intervene in this dilemma. Please join me in this endeavor.

The thing I realized as I began the healing process is that the maladies that inhabit the Earth are often the maladies that inhabit our lives personally and culturally. If we look at the Gulf Coast  situation, we might ask ourselves, “What is leaking poison into my life that is hidden deep in the darkness of my ocean?” Even more specifically, where have I allowed greed (as we see with the oil companies) to override my integrity? My Core Values? Do you even have an idea of what your core values are? These are very important questions. I hope we are all headed for a revival of core values of love, honesty, integrity and impeccability. Not just talking, but acting in accordance with these values. There are many “spiritual leaders” or mentors that scream integrity and impeccability but are running their organizations contrary to what they teach. Walk your talk or change it. As we walk with true integrity and in alignment with our message we will experience great empowerment in all areas of our lives. The more focused and undisrupted our intentions are, the more powerfully we will experience what we desire to create in our lives. Be clear, Live clear, Create clear.

An exciting aspect of our Hawaii trip this September because in addition to earth healing we will experience the blessings of the ocean and the energies that reside there. You can find out more about this shamanic adventure at

Be well and remember to send healing to the Earth and focus this month on the Gulf Coast! Here are a couple of photos that help to make clear the situation

here is a diver from BP in the gulf verifying that there is indeed a problem.

Blesssings,

Toby

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

This is my favorite song my World Unity CD. It is dedicated to the peace makers. So enjoy the sounds and think of ways you can bring more peace and harmony to the world! As a famous musician once said, Give Peace a chance!

While on Kauai last month I had the pleasure of attending the Kauai Wellness Expo. What a great event! I was in some great energy and met a bunch of people who are committed to making the world a better place. One such person and one of my favorite people in the world is Danny Hoshimoto. Danny is kind, loving and the true embodiment of Aloha. He is also a master raw dessert maker! I enjoyed many of his amazing creations while at the expo. Below are Danny and I posing while I take the shot! and Danny creating his favorite Coconut Cream Ambrosia. It is the most delightful food I have ever tasted!!!

Another aspect of the expo are the celebrities that hang out incognito. You never know who you will run into. I have seen music great Taj Mahal, actors Jeff Bridges and Pierce Brosnan, Bill Kreutzmann from the Grateful Dead and many others. While walking about I ran into a friend who I just came to know is a world famous Qigong Master, Francesco Garripoli. This guy is amazing. Each morning he leads the people at the expo through a Qigong routine. Here is a little scoop on him from a website I found.  Francesco Garri Garripoli is the Chairman of the Board of the Qigong Institute and enjoys being an author, television producer, Qigong practitioner and wellness advocate. He began his formal training in Eastern healing in Hawaii in 1977 after leaving a full medical school scholarship. His documentary Qigong: Ancient Chinese Healing for the 21st Century, airs on PBS Television, where he has produced programs for 20 years. Francesco teaches Qigong workshops around the world and through www.wujiproductions.com and is a past Chairman of the National Qigong Association. Author of Qigong Essence of the Healing Dance and Tao of the Ride, Francesco currently resides on Kauai, Hawaii at the non-profit Kahuna Valley Retreat facility www.kahunavalley.com . Here I am with Francesco, he is also a prolific song writer and guitar player.

I also ran into this person who requested to stay anonymous. Any ideas????

We shared some of Danny’s raw chocolate delight and then it was time for me to hit the beach. Thats the report from the Kauai Wellness Expo 2010. ALOHA!

Well I just retuned from my annual winter trek to Kauai. Here is a rainbow that appeared while we drummed on the beach one evening.

It was my best trip yet! I spent lots of time on the beach, climbed Sleeping Giant a bunch, worked with my good friend Kirk on the new HealingDrummer website and reunited with my friends. As always, I spent plenty of time at Larry’s Music with my friend Sam. here we are jamming on the ukuleles. Check out YouTube video for Sam’s “I’ll Be There”.

Kirk in addition to being a masterful creator on the web, allowed his tribal drummer self to emerge! Here he is whipping out a heavy Fire Rhythm during a 5 Element Drum Workshop I held on the beach in Kapaa.

Keep your eyes on the HealingDrummer schedule for the workshops I’ll be hosting in 2011!

That’s it for now! Aloha!

Here is your music clip for the month of January.

As many of you have read on the blog, I reunited with some old friends this past year who I used to play music with.

This clip is a remix of track 1 of my Four Doors Open CD. Terry Kingen has laid some beautiful guitar over the drums to balance the intensity of the drum with the melodic flow of the guitar.

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.