family on the road

home again after 9 days on the road.

i only had to be apart from asa and lichey 2 days at most,

for costa mesa last weekend and for our show in oshkosh wisconsin.

otherwise we were together in old LA,

catching up with friends and family and chilling in the warm weather.

but 2 days is long enough for me. he changes perceptibly even in that time.

he expands like his own little universe.

his new squirming body. and his awareness.

i have realized my main mission in life is to keep him smiling.

nothing takes me higher than to see joy emanating from his little face.

so you see, it is quite a selfish mission. i want to feel good.

and his happiness makes me feel really good. thank you, littlest of maties ...

costa mesa revisited was a pleasure.

a funny little stage in place of the grand old gazebo.

but great sound for us, which makes the playing easy.

and dalbo got to use his own kit, big woody, which doesn't happen often.
drewski continues to expand his world and his sound,
and so the celtic tribal 3 piece comes more and more into its own.

i was touched by all the feedback from new and old fans.

this thing called BROTHER has evolved so much over the years.

- out of necessity with departing brothers and changing circumstances,

and because all things change with time.

but people seemed to like what they were hearing.

many hadn't seen us in a decade or more.

i picture the strapping young kilted man,

now in a pipe band and playing several instruments, including didge,

because he heard us at costa mesa a generation ago.

stories like this make me glad i've found a way to keep doing what i do.

take me outside my own perspective of it all ...

revisiting waterfest in oshkosh,
one of those midwest festivals by a river on a perfect summer evening.
dare i say idyllic? and a wonderful welcome after 3 years away.
thinking about a followup show there sometime soon if we can swing it ...

aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and grandfather
on lichey's side were introduced to asa in his first few weeks,
visiting us here in the mountains for some truly special time.
almost all my family is on the other side of the world. 

not the easiest commute.
i'm happy to say asa has now also met the first of his family on my side.
a delightful afternoon with my brother jack and family whilst in LA.
makes me realize i want more family time, 

especially for him, as time rolls on.
after years of growing up in each others' pockets,
on the farm, in the city, on the road,
gradually the distances between
- sometimes literal, sometimes figurative - grew.
often it seems that's the way with family.
and of course there's always reasons for being apart.
then of course there's always reasons to come together too.
seems like a we have good reason ...

we now have a good number of 'BROTHER looks' photos
from down the years. can you believe there's been 19 of them? years, that is.

soon i will show the best of the rest we've received and the winner.

yes, i believe we may have the one. prepare thyselves ...

angus