Dear Friends,
I haven’t put out an update in quite some time. There have been some big changes in the world of Clan Dyken that have rearranged priorities. We haven’t done many shows this year, but we have a few coming up that we would really like to see you at.
Somer Moon will host an album release party on June 2 at Alchemy in Murphys to celebrate the release of her new album. It’s available now at www.clandyken.com.
The big change is Bear’s daughter Rose was diagnosed in December with astrocytomas, an aggressive form of brain cancer. She underwent surgery to have the cancerous tumor removed. The surgery was successful and the doctors recommended radiation and chemotherapy. Rose has opted for natural remedies. Six months on she is doing well, but has a long way to go. She has no insurance and no way to earn income , so much support is needed.
During this time Laura and I have been guardians of Rose’s daughter, Bella. She also needs a great deal of support. It’s been a life changing set of experiences, leaving a lot less time for music.
So after years of doing benefits for many causes near and far, Clan Dyken is throwing one for the family.
On June 8 a one day music festival and camp out will be held at the Horse and Barrel Ranch in Murphys to aid in the battle against brain cancer being waged by Rose.
The lineup will feature Casey Chisolm, The Hot Dark, Dyemusica, Somer Moon, Clan Dyken and Alice DiMecele. There will be a silent auction with services and items donated by supporters. Food and drink will also be available.
The family friendly event will also feature a bounce house for kids. The Horse and Barrel is on Nickerson Lane off French Gulch Road in Murphys.
This will be a great show and for those of you from out of the area a chance to see some of the hot talent from our area and our good friend Alice DiMicele will travel down from Oregon to complete the line up. It’s a great place to camp out and visit the foothill town of Murphys-home of 18 wineries, great dining, biking, sights to see and experience the mellow foothill lifestyle. Maybe you’d rather stay in the Murphys Hotel an historic building with stories in every room. There are many reasons to visit and I hope one of them motivates you to turn out for our first show of the summer.
A couple weeks later, on June 22nd we’ll be part of a show to benefit the community radio station I’ve been working on building for the last six years. Blue Mountain Radio, KQBM is now streaming on the internet, check it out at www.kqbm.org and listen in. I do a show on Wednesday nights called Heart and Soul from 6-9 pm pacific time. Every week I pick a theme and play music, spoken word and stories around the theme.
We are a few thousand dollars from being able to put the signal on the airwaves at 90.7 FM. This show is a free concert on the grounds of the Blue Mountain Coalition for Youth and Families in downtown West Point, which also houses KQBM. We’ll be part of a line up that will feature Megan O’Keefe, Dyemusica, The Broken Jug Band, Swing Gitane, The Tahoe Fire Dancers and Wiggle Woggle Circus and some street theater by Sony Castoe. There will be buffalo burgers, veggie burgers, beer from Lauginitas and local wines. You can check out the studio and record a top of the hour call. The energy and funds raised will go to putting another community radio station on the air. It all starts at 2:00 PM and promises to be a fine time.
Thanks for being part of our extended family, we hope to see you soon.
Peace,
Mark