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<div class="MsoNormal">Hello friends,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Do you believe in coincidences?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Here’s what. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">I was invited to contribute an essay to a journal called
IMAGE on the word “human.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">(If you’re curious you can read the essay here:)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">http://imagejournal.org/page/journal/articles/issue-75/human</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">(And a follow up interview with readers here:)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://imagejournal.org/page/news/ask-linford-detweiler?comment=14691">http://imagejournal.org/page/news/ask-linford-detweiler?comment=14691</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">I didn’t really know where to begin, so I just told the
story of Karin and I making our first tentative songs in the neighborhood of
Over-the-Rhine in Cincinnati, and then eventually moving East of the city to an
old pre-Civil War brick farmhouse. We had found the house in the bend of a back
road one day as we were driving around trying to finish a song. There was a For
Sale By Owner sign posted in the front yard, and we found ourselves sitting
down at a bank signing some papers not long after. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">The move was a big change for us, and has had a lot to do
with both Karin and I becoming more human I hope – growing more in tune with
our past, getting our hands into the earth a bit and trying to learn the names
of the many birds, trees and weeds that surround us. We call the place Nowhere
Farm, and we mostly grow songs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">When my father first saw the new/old place, he encouraged us
to “leave the edges wild.” And we have tried to do just that. (The songbirds
have repaid us by returning year after year to nest and raise young and praise
each new day as only they can.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Well, one woman who read the essay in Macon, Georgia, was
curious, because she had family roots in Highland County, Ohio, and wondered if
we lived anywhere near there. Since she was very interested in genealogy and
history, she did some research, consulted some public records and so forth and
felt all the breath leave her body when she learned that we were living in her
great-great-grandparents’ house!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Now Karin and I have lived here for eight years, and from
day one we have been saying we need to do some research and learn more about
the history of this place we’ve come to call home. It’s something we’ve talked
a lot about, but our touring schedule keeps us coming and going, and our
writing is an ongoing commitment, and by the time we take care of three big
dogs, and get a vegetable garden in, and keep up a house built in the 1830s –
well, doing the research is just something we never got crossed off the list.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">So imagine our surprise and disbelief when we opened a
package from someone named Judy in Georgia, and read Judy’s long letter and
began going through the documents and photos that she had enclosed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">First was a certified copy of a land grant, signed by
President John Quincy Adams, awarding the land we live on to the family of a
Revolutionary War soldier who had died in the war. (The original document was
framed and passed down through the generations and would have hung on our walls
at one time.) The soldier’s only son, James, claimed the grant, and James’ son,
Robert, built this house in 1833. He and his wife Emily had 9 children, and
they walked and played and cried and laughed in these rooms – this very room –
where I am writing these words. (Judy’s grandmother used to come here to visit
the house as a child, and in fact she enclosed a picture of the front of our
house taken in the 1950s.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">When Karin and I pick up our guitars in these rooms, or sit
at the piano and play our songs on these wide plank wood floors hammered
together with square nails, we often feel like the house is thirsty to soak up
the music. We’ve always wondered about the people that walked through these
rooms 100 years ago, 150 years ago. Who were they? What happened? I wrote about
this curious sensation in the essay. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Now I’m holding a 100+ year-old photograph in my hand, and I
see the faces of Robert’s son Joseph, his wife Mary, their daughter Della Jane,
and so on and so forth…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Now I can sit in these rooms, and be quiet and listen, and
look at this photograph and write a song called Della Jane. Now we have faces.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">I just had to let you know.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">There’s one more layer. IMAGE journal has been good to Karin
and I over the years, inviting us to Santa Fe to lead workshops, and inviting
me from time to time to contribute pieces of writing for publication. The
editor of IMAGE (Gregory Wolfe) has never been shy about the fact that they
consider Flannery O’Connor to be the patron saint of the journal. Well, it just
so happens, Judy’s husband (Judy mailed us the package, remember) works at
Andalusia, Flannery O’Connor’s old farm near Milledgeville, Georgia, the place
where she lived and wrote (now a historical site that welcomes visitors). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">(And Judy – not previously familiar with our music – also
mentioned that in the office at Andalusia, there hangs a framed poster from
Vanderbilt University for an event that was called “The Enduring Chill:
Remembering Flannery O’Connor”. It was a two-day affair that featured
performances by Over the Rhine, Mary Gauthier, Julie Lee and others. In
addition to the concert, we all had a moderated panel discussion at Vanderbilt
about Flannery’s writing that was quite lively...)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Well, my oh my. I don’t quite know what to make of all these
connections. I don’t know if they feel as significant to you as they do to
Karin and I, or not.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">(And I won’t mention that the day after receiving Judy’s
package I turned on “This American Life” and the theme of the entire show was
“coincidences…” Great btw, highly recommend looking up the podcast.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">I must admit there have been more than a few moments like
this in my life – my own story seems so very full of foreshadowing: I was often
given hints of things to come in such profoundly evocative ways. I’m not sure
whether to see these “coincidences” as God-infused (that is my tendency and
instinct) or whether this infinite universe is just full of surprises, and how
could it be otherwise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">So what do you think? Just wanted to share this unexpected
gift of provenance. Maybe you’ve had some coincidences of your own? Let us
know: otrhine@aol.com</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">And, I guess before this all gets away from me, I better
pass along the news regarding all things Over the Rhine. There is a lot to
report. Hope to see you all soon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Peace like a river, love like an ocean,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Linford (and Karin)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">+++</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Memorial Day Weekend Concerts at Nowhere Farm: May 25 &
26</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">We are adding a second concert here at Nowhere Farm this
Memorial Day Weekend. (May 25 is sold out.) This is part of our ongoing
fundraiser as Karin and I prepare to record and release not one, but two (!)
new projects this year. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Come on out and see the place that John Quincy Adams gave to
the family of a Revolutionary War soldier – this old house that we’ve called
home for the last 8 years. Meet Minnie Pearl, our 130-pound Great Dane puppy,
Shakey, our Weimaraner and Frisbee expert, and Porter, our stray cattle dog mix
that we took in on a cold night. We’ll play simple, back porch versions of our
new songs for you on the very soil that they grew out of. And, weather permitting
we’ll watch the (super) full moon rise out here on our little farm on the edge
of the world. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">If you’d like to read all about this collaboration with our
extended musical family, please visit overtherhine.com and click on Let’s Make
A Record. Your participation can be as simple as pre-ordering the CDs. Or as
significant as arranging for a private house concert: Karin and I will show up
with our guitars and perform for you and your friends in your living room. (We
have space left for just a few more of these.) And if you’ve already
contributed, but would like to upgrade your contribution to be able to attend
the farm concert (Barn Dance) please email: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Chip@portmerch.com">Chip@portmerch.com</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">We must admit that hosting these concerts has really gotten
us dreaming about what the next chapter (Third Act?) of Over the Rhine could
look like. We may have the biggest announcement of our career regarding this
soon. Fasten your seatbelts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">APRIL Over the Rhine CONCERTS:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Later this month, Karin and I will be heading out to South
Pasadena to work with producer Joe Henry and a lovely cast of players once
again to record the songs for – working title – The Farm. (!!!) Immediately
following the sessions, we are going to take a swing through the Southeast.
Fresh out of the studio, I’m sure we’ll be more than a little anxious to share
more of these new songs that have arrived on the scene as well as some old
familiars. Join us! We’ll try to help usher in a little springtime.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Grande";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Lucida Grande";color:#262626">April 5 (Friday) Franklin
Theater, Franklin, TN*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Grande";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Lucida Grande";color:#262626">April 6 (Saturday) Workplay
Theater, Birmingham, AL*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Grande";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Lucida Grande";color:#262626">April 8 (Monday) Melting
Point, Athens, GA*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Grande";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Lucida Grande";color:#262626">April 9 (Tuesday) The Grey
Eagle, Asheville, NC<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Grande";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Lucida Grande";color:#262626">April 10, (Wednesday)
Fletcher Opera Theater, Raleigh, NC*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Grande";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Lucida Grande";color:#262626">April 12, (Friday)
Jefferson Theater, Charlottesville, VA*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Grande";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Lucida Grande";color:#262626">April 13, (Saturday) Rams
Head Onstage, Annapolis, MD*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Grande";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Lucida Grande";color:#262626">April 14, (Sunday) Ephrata
Main Theater, Ephrata, PA*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Grande";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Lucida Grande";color:#262626">*with very special guest
Ben Sollee<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Grande";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Lucida Grande";color:#262626"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151478613265890&set=a.107827625889.94864.9762850889&type=1&relevant_count=1"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#344884;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none"><o:p></o:p></span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none">Check out overtherhine.com for more dates…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none">GOOD DOG BAD DOG – LIMITED EDITION HARDBOUND LYRIC BOOK
ILLUSTRATED BY AMERICAN ARTIST BARRY MOSER<b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Lucida Grande";mso-bidi-font-family:"Lucida Grande";color:#344884"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Finally, our dear friend Barry Moser illustrated a hardbound
book (limited edition) of the lyrics from Good Dog Bad Dog. Barry is a National
Book Award winning illustrator, who has illustrated Moby Dick, Alice in
Wonderland, the KJV Bible, and hundreds of other fine books. This labor of love
contains engravings of some of the dogs we’ve loved over the years, and
celebrates not only our friendship with Barry, but the survival of these songs
that we recorded over 15 years ago. You can pick up a copy here:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">http://overtherhine.portmerch.com/stores/product.php?productid=18614&cat=329&page=1</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">+++</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">Well, I think that’s enough to chew on for now folks. Four
pages is usually about where I leave it. Feel free to share this email with
loved ones over coffee, pass it around during happy hour, slip it in the cereal
box for breakfast reading, or cut up a little fresh ginger and add it along
with a spoonful of raw organic honey (or guava nectar) to a cup of late winter
herbal tea, and perhaps these words can serve as a placemat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">xo,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">L&K</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div>
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