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With John Legend before singing at a Get Out the Vote event |
I hadn't met my little cousin before, but music changes everything. After we got done all the after dinner singing and put away the guitars, he toddled over and climbed on up.. |
Closing the 61st Philadelphia Folk Festival |
Hanging with some new friends at Camp Dreamcatcher |
Going "Over the Edge" for Camp Dreamcatcher |
6/21/24
At the Kerrville Folk Festival
Hi Friends,
Hope this note finds you well!
My recent shows in Texas and Oklahoma
went great! It was wonderful catching up
with old friends and making a few new
ones.
With alt-country music legend Ray Wylie
Hubbard
As I came off stage at Kerrville I ran
into Ray Wylie Hubbard. Ray seemed to
think I needed to be playing more shows
in Texas and we traded cell numbers in
order to kick around some ideas.
It was only a few days after I got back
to Delaware that this swap of contact
info inspired a new lyric:
______________________________________________
Butt Dialed
I got butt dialed by Ray Wylie Hubbard
I got liner notes by Kris Kristofferson
I rode upon the City of New Orleans
With Arlo and the whole dang Guthrie
clan
I have shared the mic with Willie Nelson
Backed up old Pete Seger on harpoon
I got butt dialed by Ray Wylie Hubbard
Guess folk music is bound to pay off
soon
When my son was just thirteen or
fourteen
He kidded me about my career goals
Said dad the antithesis of a rock star
Must surely be a folk music black hole
And though from time to time there have
been moments
When I admit I thought the kid was right
Something in my pocket just vibrated
And I cant second guess my life tonight
I got butt dialed by Ray Wylie Hubbard
I got liner notes by Kris Kristofferson
I rode upon the City of New Orleans
With Arlo and the whole dang Guthrie
clan
I have shared the mic with Willie Nelson
Backed up old Pete Seger on harpoon
I got butt dialed by Ray Wylie Hubbard
Guess folk music is bound to pay off
soon
I get a chance to sing and speak out
boldy
To say things that I think need to be
said
I get to exorcise the ghosts and demons
That otherwise would haunt my heart and
head
I get to sleep on all manner of couches
And make all kinds of friends across
this land
Theres probly better ways to make a
living
But theres no better way to live my
friends
Than get butt dialed by Ray Wylie
Hubbard
And get liner notes by Kris
Kristofferson
And ride upon the City of New Orleans
With Arlo and the whole dang Guthrie
clan
I have shared the mic with Willie Nelson
Hung out with Ramblin Jack in old
saloons
I got butt dialed by Ray Wylie Hubbard
Guess folk music is bound to pay off
soon
This folk music is bound to pay off soon
John Flynn's lyrics 2024 Flying Stone Music
______________________________________________
In other news, I'm delighted to announce
that I'm now being represented by the
Gary Good Entertainment and Speakers
Bureau
(https://www.garygood.com/). As
an agent and promoter Gary Good has
worked some of the most successful
artists in the business. He's a great
guy and I'm really excited about some of
the ideas he has for getting me back out
on the road a bit more than I have been
these past few years.
New Beginnings-Next Step is also
breaking new ground. We are now running
support groups in yet another level five
prison. Last week we held our first New
Beginnings meeting inside the James T.
Vaughn Correctional Facility in Smyrna,
Delaware.
While I'm very grateful that the
Delaware Bureau of Prisons has allowed
us this wonderful opportunity to begin
building relationships with some of the
men inside Vaughn, what I'm most excited
about is that they have approved two of
our phenomenal returning citizens as
volunteers to accompany me inside the
facility for this weekly group.
With Ty Mathis and Anthony Jackson after
our inaugural New Beginnings
meeting at
the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center
(Photo by NB volunteer Cruce Stark)
The Vaughn facility is unlike Gander
Hill prison in that many of the men we
will work with will not be leaving
prison soon (or possibly ever). Since
our focus has traditionally been on men
who were "short" (nearing the ends of
their sentences), I consulted with our
Next Step members to see if they thought
we could bring anything of value to
those who may still facing lengthy
periods of incarceration. I was assured
by our returning citizens that freedom
begins interiorly and that weekly New
Beginnings groups could be of great help
to those still facing a lot of time
These longer sentences notwithstanding,
between Howard R. Young, the Plummer
Center and James T. Vaughn, we are
already seeing an increase in the number
of weekly bus passes and grocery store
gift cards that we distribute to our
returning citizen members. To date,
almost all the money that NB-NS raises
comes from my friends and fans. If you
are one of our regular donors, you have
my deepest gratitude. If not, please
consider going to our web site at
www.NewBeginnings-Next Step.org
and
donating. We are a registered 501(c)(3)
and your donation would be completely
tax deductible. Feel free to write me
for more information. Or call 1-877 I
GOT OUT. You can also visit our web site
at
www.newbeginnings-nextstep.org.
I have some exciting shows coming up.
Friday night, June 28th, I will be
sharing a co-bill with my friend Craig
Bickhardt at a free outdoor concert in
Bryn Mawr, PA. (www.brynmawrtwilightconcerts.com)
This summer will also find me performing
in Wilmington, Delaware; Chester
Springs, Pennsylvania; Middleberg, New
York; The Omega Institute in Rhine Beck,
New York; and at the highly anticipated
return of the mighty Philadelphia Folk
Festival (www.folkfest.org).
Please visit my web site for updates on
these performances.
(www.johnflynn.net/shows)
I'll leave you with another new lyric.
This one has been kicking around in me
for a while. The seed for this song was
planted during a Zoom conversation I had
with folksinger/activist Charlie King
after a podcast he and I did with John
McCutcheon. (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nerfa).
I haven't recorded this one yet but am
thinking about it since it seems we
could all use a little reminder to look
deeper than the labels we too often
mistakenly slap on each other.
Much love,
______________________________________________
What Would My Brother Do
My brother watches Fox News and hates
MSNBC
He calls liberals commies ain't much on
which we agree
But youd be wrong to think his heart
aint good or kind or true
Thats why I often ask myself what would
my brother do
People get worked up about all kinds of
stuff these days
Because of things the pundits and the
politicians say
But if he saw you hurting hed reach out
his hand to you
Thats why I often ask myself what would
my brother do
God knows that I dont have all the
answers
But I get a little smarter when I try
Remembering that there is more to people
Than stuff on which we dont see eye to
eye
Branches from the same tree do not all
point the same way
Looking for the light they grow apart
more every day
Push come to shove Id have his back and
he would have mine too
Thats why I often ask myself what would
my brother do
God knows that we dont have all the
answers
But we get a little smarter when we try
Remembering that there is more to people
Than stuff on which we dont see eye to
eye
My brother watches Fox News and hates
MSNBC
He "owns the libs" and shakes his head
at old hippies like me
But men with hearts as big as his are
far apart and few
Thats why I often ask myself what would
my brother do
Sometimes I wonder if it would surprise
him if he knew
That I often ask myself what would my
brother do
John Flynn's lyrics
2024 Flying Stone
Music
April 8, 2024
John with Quincey Thomas and Corie Priest
Hi Friends,
The photo above captured a very proud
moment outside a courtroom in Dover,
Delaware as my friend Quincey Thomas has
just been recommended for a pardon. It
was an absolute honor to be invited to
stand with Q before the Pardon Board.
I first got to know Quincey fourteen
years ago in my New Beginnings group in
the Howard R. Young Correctional
Institution. It has been one of the
great privileges of my life to walk with
him as he's rebuilt his life in the
decade since he left prison. Not only is
Quincey a current member of the New
Beginnings-Next Step Board of Directors
(one of two Returning Citizens on our
board), but he is one of our new
volunteer prison group facilitators as
well. Q continues to show me the meaning
of words like courage and resilience.
The paperwork for his pardon is now
going before the Governor for signature.
Congratulations, Q! Were proud of you!
I've got some exciting shows coming up!
I'll be performing this Saturday, April
13, at the
Friends Quaker
Meeting House in Fallsington, PA at
3PM.My special guest will be
singer/songwriter Amy Duckett Wagner.
You can get more information at
www.fallsingtonmeeting.org.
Next month I'll be in Guthrie, Oklahoma
as well as Kerrville, Texas where I'm
not only performing, but I get the honor
of emceeing the opening weekend of the
Kerrville Folk Festival's annual New
Folk Competition for Emerging
Songwriters. (This competition is so
prestigious that they didn't even accept
ME as a contestant back when I was just
starting out! So it feels especially
sweet to be asked to be part of it now.)
I had an amazing time performing with Christine Lavin and Emily Drinker last month at the Colonial Theater in Phoenixville, PA as we remembered our old friend gene Shay and raised over $30,000 for the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Speaking of which, I'm excited to announce that I'll be appearing at the Philly Folk Fest this summer. This festival is a treasure. I hope my friends in the Philly region will come out and see me.
My streaming shows continue online
(about) every other Friday night. You
can tune into "MY B.A.D." (Busk After
Dusk) on April 19 and May 3rd at 7PM on
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/singwriter)
or YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@singwriter272).
Peace and good on you,
January 16, 2024
The guys loved the new NB-NS hoodies
we gave out for Christmas...
Proud to know each of these men
(including our beloved webslinger and
New Beginnings-Next Step group
facilitator Rotten Dan who's also
sporting our official logo ballcap)
Hi Friends!
Hope 2024 is off to a great start for
you. It's shaping up to be very busy for
me.
I've got some exciting shows coming up
this year, both locally and nationally.
I'll be telling you more about these in
coming weeks and months. But for now, I
hope my friends in Maryland will come
out and see me this weekend. I'll be in
Aberdeen this Saturday night, January
20th.
(https://www.eventbrite.com/e/heart-soul-concert-series-tickets-616081756117?aff=erellivmlt&fbclid=IwAR23QIS48mE-Mq_mXs4d9_incmEJV_vomagNN_KZaI5iWsv0pTEcdIuJSM4)
Then, I'll be returning to one of my
favorite house concerts in the whole
country the following day when I visit
Rockville, MD on January 21st to perform
in the Folk 'N Great Music series.
Reservations can be made through this
link:
https://www.folkngreatmusic.org/reservations-info/?fbclid=IwAR1c_cafUu-2TGpTafpMSGiujEglMK9UxoymMJewZEJJJH0qyZjyvNwujkk
I sure hope to see you.
In other news , we're wrapping up the
recording of (I think) my fourteenth
album. I truly believe it contains some
of the best songs I've ever written, and
my friend Harvey has once again blown me
away with his production. I can't wait
for folks to hear this one. Stay tuned!
I'd like to take this opportunity to
thank all of you who donated to my
non-profit New Beginnings-Next Step in
2023! Your ongoing support is making a
real difference in the lives of the men
we work with. In the past year, New
Beginnings-Next Step has had some
exciting developments, including:
The formation of a second weekly peer
support group at the Howard
R. Young Correctional Institution. This
group is run by an entirely new
volunteer team (in 20 years, this is the
first time weve sponsored a group in
which I am not directly involved. I
realized that we needed to move beyond
my personal participation in every group
if we are to meet future challenges).
The introduction of a new group
facilitator who himself was a former New
Beginnings member and did thirteen years
in prison. He now goes back inside with
us each week to help men prepare for the
challenges of freedom. This man is a
hero and powerful symbol of hope to our
incarcerated members. (I hope someday to
have many more returning citizens on our
volunteer teams. This represented a big
change in DOC policy which took me years
of lobbying to bring about.)
The approval by the new warden
in Georgetown, DE to begin a New
Beginnings group at the Sussex
Correctional Institution.
Also, recently three
returning citizens who had each just
competed extremely long prison sentences
were recently flowed down or
fast-tracked for
early completion of probation. When
asked why, their Probation
Officers sited weekly attendance at our
Next Step meetings as indication of the
mens serious intent to make a fresh
start. Word about us is evidently
getting around.
Your donations helped us provide weekly
bus passes and grocery store gift-cards,
as well as other special-needs items, to
our returning citizen members. I hope
you will continue to follow and support
the work of New Beginnings-Next Step as
we continue our fight against recidivism
by accompanying men from incarceration
to freedom. We believe people change
because of relationships. You help us
make these relationships possible.
Much love,
November 30, 2023
Hi Friends,
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
My annual holiday show to benefit Camp
Dreamcatcher will take place on Saturday
December 9th at the Kennett Flash in Kennett
Square, PA. They tell me I've been doing
these shows for something like 27 years now,
so I guess this definitely qualifies as a
tradition. I hope you'll come out and help
support this very special therapeutic summer
camp for kids dealing with AIDS/HIV. There's
more information here:
https://www.kennettflash.org/event/john-flynns-annual-holiday-concert-to-benefit-camp-dreamcatcher/kennett-flash/kennett-square-pennsylvania/
On Thursday December 14th, I'll be
performing a few songs at the screening of a
very special documentary called "The Long
Journey Home" that deals with the challenges
combat veterans faced as they returned from
Vietnam. The film will be shown at Jamey's
House of Music in. Lansdowne, PA. You can
find out more here:
https://www.jameyshouseofmusic.com/
There's a lot happening with New
Beginnings-Next Step these days. There's
been so much interest in the peer support
groups we run for incarcerated and returning
citizens that we've added a second weekly
meeting at the Howard R. Young Correctional
Institution. We're also continuing in the
Plummer Community Correctional Facility, and
starting in January, we've been approved to
begin weekly New Beginnings meetings at the
Sussex County Correctional Institution down
in Georgetown, Delaware.
These new groups will mean more guys to help
with weekly bus passes and grocery store
gift cards in the new year. I always try to
do an annual fundraising concert for NBNS,
but a variety of reasons made that
impossible this year, so I will be
performing a special "MY B.A.D." (Busk After
Dusk) on Friday night, December 15th, at 7PM
for NBNS. You can watch the show on Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/singwriter)
or YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@singwriter272).
And I hope you will consider making a
tax-deductible donation to the work of our
non-profit New Beginnings-Next Step Inc.
through this Paypal link:
October 9, 2023
Hi All,
Just a quick note to tell you I survived
my fundraising adventure with Camp
Dreamcatcher where I managed to face up
to my discomfort with heights by
rappelling down the side of an
eight-story building in Kennett Square,
PA. It was truly an amazing experience.
I was especially gratified to exceed my
fundraising goal for Camp, and would
like to thank all of you who donated so
generously!
I had a blast opening for my longtime
friend Dar Williams last Friday at the
Arden Gild Hall in Wilmington. Dar is a
deeply committed and extremely generous
artist. I really enjoyed getting to hear
her again, as well as share some of my
songs and stories with her audience. I
was especially heartened by the
enthusiastic response to the three brand
new tunes I included in my set.
In other news, New Beginnings-Next Step
is proud to be taking part in Delaware
Peace Week, nine days of free statewide
events to promote community solutions
that will bring Delawareans more
peace. Please join me at the Episcopal
Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew on
Wednesday night October 11th (and yeah,
I know there's a Phillies game!), where
several of our returning citizen members
and volunteers will speak about creating
hope and building resilience through the
power of relationship. The church is at
719 Shipley St, Wilmington, Delaware,
19801. I'm deeply proud to be friends
with all the folks who will be speaking.
I anticipate a very special evening and
I hope you'll think about joining us.
https://www.peaceweekdelaware.org/events/peer-support-for-returning-citizens/?fbclid=IwAR05MOofIPQiEAOFxcVJmKsoBjq80UpULEfPJNp6AA9PqtTUcpR0zG5QGmo
Finally, Ill be doing a house concert
in Flourtown PA at Another Chance Caf
on October 28th. Reservations are
required. For more info simply email
concert hosts Eric & Jenny at:
anotherchancecafe22@gmail.com with
subject line reading "John Flynn House
Concert at Another Chance Cafe.
Below, I'll leave you with the lyrics to
another new song. Thanks for your
continued support of my work.
Peace,
A Simple Song of Peace
A couple nights ago I dreamt I wrote a
special song
It wasnt complicated and it wasnt very
long
I took my old guitar and went and played
it in the streets
And people gathered round to hear a
simple song of peace
What started as a tiny crowd would soon
become a throng
And everyone who heard me sing began to
sing along
Their voices then were lifted up and
carried on the breeze
Til all across the land was heard a
simple song of peace
From East and West from North and South
I heard a single choir
The singing seemed to take away our fear
though times were dire
Then news came from around the world
that war and violence ceased
As love at last was set free by a simple
song of peace
I shook my head remembering the long and
lonely years
When every song I wrote would seem to
fall upon deaf ears
Yet all those moments of self-doubt had
somehow lead to these
Tears filled my eyes then as I sang that
simple song of peace
A child in the crowd came up and tugged
upon my sleeve
He said youre only dreaming John and
now its time to leave
And just before I woke I whispered to
myself oh please
When you wake do not forget the simple
song of peace
I woke and lay in darkness in those
hours before the dawn
Anguished to discover that the song of
peace was gone
'Til birds outside my window started
singing in the trees
And I smiled to hear again a simple song
of peace
Theres a simple song of peace in each
and every thing
Rocks and birds and trees and waters if
were listening
Were all radios tuned in to quantum
frequencies
The universe is singing us a simple song
of peace
(c) 2023 Flying Stone Music
September 23, 2023
Hi Friends,
A while back I wrote a song called
"Trust the Rope". Now, it looks like I'm
going to have a chance to put my money
(or at least my body) where my mouth is.
On Friday morning, September 29th, I
will attempt to rappel down the side of
an eight story building in Kennett
Square, PA to raise $1000 for Camp
Dreamcatcher.
Those of you who have followed my music
know that I've been involved with
Dreamcatcher, a therapeutic summer camp
for kids dealing with AIDS/HIV, from
their start 27 years ago, doing annual
summer concerts and winter fund-raisers
for their kids. The courage of the young
people I've met at Camp over the years
has never failed to inspire me. Indeed,
that's partly why I'm doing this. You
see, I'm not real crazy about heights.
About a year before he passed away, I
met Bruce Utah Philips, who invited me
to his home and showed me an immense
tree house he was having built in a
redwood that towered above his backyard.
He explained that hed always had a
terrible fear of heights, and knew he
was running out of time to do something
about it.
I'll be thinking of Bruce Friday morning
as I lean back and... step off. I hope
you'll consider supporting my little
waltz with gravity by making a donation
here:
https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/DREAMOTE/JohnFlynn?fbclid=IwAR22A5qw-m_E-P59SFjRid_TwHttwXBHP6SlTu3sVRR4CBqx5Jpyri3zLYg
Honestly, the whole thing has been
weighing on me a bit. We Irish
appreciate a bit of dark irony, and at
one point I laughed out loud when it
occurred to me that, should anything go
wrong, at least I'd die while I was
alive. Of course, I can't let the idea
for a good song title go to waste. This
is one of two lyrics that followed:
ID RATHER DIE WHILE IM ALIVE
MY NEIGHBOR HAROLDS 93 HES SUCH A
HAPPY DUDE
SAYS EVERY DAY ABOVE THE GROUNDS A GIFT
HES HAD HIS SHARE OF TOUGH BREAKS BUT
HES FILLED WITH GRATITUDE
SAYS JOHN THATS THE WAY I GOT TO LIVE
IF
IM GONNA DIE WHILE IM ALIVE
I WANT TO LIVE NOT JUST SURVIVE
WE GET TO MAKE A CHOICE AND ID
RATHER DIE WHILE IM ALIVE
ONCE A GIANT OAK TREE FELL DEMOLISHING
HIS HOUSE
THE ROOF WENT CRASHING DOWN UPON HIS
HEAD
I RAN INSIDE THE RUBBLE FOUND HIM
LAUGHING ON HIS COUCH
IF THATS THE PRICE FOR LOVING TREES HE
SAID
ID RATHER DIE WHILE IM ALIVE
I WANT TO LIVE NOT JUST SURVIVE
WE GET TO MAKE A CHOICE AND ID
RATHER DIE WHILE IM ALIVE
YOU CAN CALL GOD HIM OR HER, HE DOESN'T
GIVE A DAMN
UNIVERSE OR HIGHER POWER EVEN SON OF MAN
HAROLD SAYS LOVE BROUGHT US HERE AND
LOVE IS WHY WE STAY
AND WITHOUT LOVE WED JUST ALL BEGIN TO
FADE AWAY
MY NEIGHBOR HAROLDS 93 HES SUCH A
HAPPY GUY
SAYS EVERY DAY ABOVE THE GROUNDS A
CHANCE
TO READ A BOOK OR CRACK A JOKE OR LOOK
UP AT THE SKY
THERE AINT NO WAY HES SITTING OUT THE
DANCE
HED RATHER DIE WHILE HE'S ALIVE
HE WANTS TO LIVE NOT JUST SURVIVE
SAYS WE ALL GET A CHOICE AND ID
RATHER DIE WHILE IM ALIVE
WE GET TO MAKE A CHOICE AND ID
RATHER TO DIE WHILE IM ALIVE
On Friday night at 7PM, you can tune
into MY B.A.D (Busk At Dusk) concert on
my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/singwriter/)
or YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@singwriter272)
to hear how it all went down.
In other news, Ill be part of the
Greenwich Village Folk Festival this
Sunday, October 1st. Here's a link to
the online show:
https://greenwichvillagefolkfestival.org/live-stream.php
I'm also looking forward to opening for
my old friend Dar Williams at Delawares
Arden Gild Hall on October 6th-
https://ardenclub.org/
See you soon (I hope)!
Peace and good on you,
(c) Flying Stone Music
August 4, 2023
John will be at Jamey's House of Music in Lansdowne, PA on August 11th.
John after debuting his song "Deeper Family" in Washington, DC in 2022.
John will be appearing at the National
Convention of Vietnam Veterans of
America this week in Orlando, Florida.
Hi Friends,
Just a quick note to let you know I've
got a couple appearances I'm really
looking forward to coming up this week.
On Thursday, August 10th I'll be in
Orlando, FL for the opening of the 21st
biennial national convention of Vietnam
Veterans of America. The following
evening I'll be doing a show closer to
home at my new favorite venue, Jamey's
House of Music in Lansdowne, PA (https://www.jameyshouseofmusic.com/).
Other upcoming gigs include my annual
concert for the kids at Camp
Dreamcatcher, a therapeutic summer camp
for kids dealing with AIDS/HIV (http://Campdreamcatcher.org),
and a performance at the annual gala for
the Delaware Innocence Mission (https://www.innocencede.org/).
You can keep up these and other upcoming
events through the shows link on my web
site.
Here's a link to a recent interview I
did with Philly Folk Scene
https://www.mixcloud.com/RustyAndJan/philly-folk-scene-august-3-2023-featuring-john-flynn/?fbclid=IwAR3epKQ1a3uOzdX3bs4GbSEEMi_9pXbm42zdBNziFa44iWSvmCRr5Wdm5tM
Hope to see you soon.
Peace and good on you,
June 9, 2023
Hi Friends,
I'll be doing a concert this week at Delaware's beautiful Bellevue State Park. (https://destateparks.com/Concerts/Bellevue).
_____________________________________
Finishing the Rock Hall Triathlon
on the eastern shore of the
Chesapeake Bay a few days after my 66th
birthday
_________________________________
Last week, I received a photo on my
phone. I haven't reposted it because I
don't want to violate anyone's privacy,
but it was a beautiful picture of two
men shaking hands.
One of the men in the picture is a good friend, a New Beginnings-Next Step alum who I'd met in prison seven or eight years ago. Although this gentleman moved out of state shortly after prison, he has continued to be an integral part of our returning citizens community and is a regular attender of our Next Step zoom meetings.
My friend has also been very successful.
He started with a job flipping burgers
and has parlayed hard work and
incredible perseverance into a regional
manager position for a well-known
chicken chain where mentors and impacts
the lives of the many young people he
hires. He often shares his personal
history with these kids so that they
will know that today's story doesn't
always have to be tomorrow's. Anyway,
this evening my friend sent me the
picture of a man he'd met who was living
on the street.
My friend notices the world and will not
simply step over someone down on their
luck. He remembers too well what it
means to be in that situation himself.
The homeless man was beaming and wearing
the uniform of an employee. He was
shaking my friend's hand, having just
started his new job. The caption beneath
the photo read 'this is how we save
lives'.
I've met so many men that the world has
at one point judged to be disposable. In
New Beginnings- Next Step we reject that
label. And we send each other pictures
as proof.
On the day before my 66th birthday, a
relative of mine asked me how I could
possibly choose to have gray whiskers on
my face' especially since my hair color
hasn't really changed too noticeably
yet. I wasn't sure if he was suggesting
I color my beard or shave it off, but he
simply couldn't understand how I could
opt to look so' old.
Birthday candles can always be a cause
for some reflection and this question
certainly contributed to that impulse.
What does it mean to be old' Beyond the
date on your drivers license I mean. How
does it affect your life' What is, as
William James would say, the cash value'
I know that's a big question and one
that would change from person to person.
So far, my family and I have been very
lucky with health stuff, so that lets me
focus on other aspects of aging.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that,
at this time in my life, I believe I'm
writing better, worrying less, and
loving more deeply. I'm experiencing
more awe and gratitude each day than at
any time in my life since I was a boy'
I'm enjoying knowing my kids as adults
and cheering them on as they embark of
their own journeys, and oh yeah,
moreover I'm a freakin' grandpa, which
is one of the best gigs in the world.
And, just my opinion here, if there's
one thing this society could use it's
more folks who embrace rather than avoid
the role of elder. I think it's
something that our young people both
long for and need. So, there's a reason
to do this aging thing as well as we
can.
Of course, it takes longer to do some
stuff. And I do find the occasional line
to my song playing hide and seek with my
memory as I'm performing. Also, and this
is hard, at this age you've begun to
lose folks. Friends. Relatives. The
world is diminished with these losses.
And I realize the goodbyes will only
continue and grow more frequent with
time.
But that's kind of the deal, right' You
hit the lottery and beat the four
hundred trillion-to-one odds against you
ever drawing breath in this universe,
and you have to accept at some point
that there will come a time to pony up.
And strange as it seems, even this can
make this whole ride more precious. More
sacred. Also (I know this isn't for
everyone but) I've got a faith, maybe
more of a trust, that even death doesn't
get the final word.
So, I guess, at least for the time
being, I'll keep the beard (but without
the shoe polish).
________________________________
I'm really excited about how the next
album is shaping up. Below are the
lyrics of a couple of my newest songs.
One was inspired by an anonymous prayer
I received from my friend Greg Boyle at
Homeboy Industries. The other came from
an article in the New York Times last
week about the commissioning of a new
ferry up in New York. They named the
vessel after a hero of mine.
SIGHT (FOR SORE EYES)
I HAVE NOT COME TO
SAVE YOU
FOR WHEN I LOOK AT YOU
I DO NOT SEE A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS
I HAVE NOT COME TO CHANGE YOU
YOUR DESPARADO SOUL
IS PERFECT AS IT IS THOUGH I CONFESS
YOU SAY I'M A
SIGHT FOR SORE EYES
BUT I THINK YOU AND ME ARE BOTH HALF
BLIND
YOU CAN'T SEE THE GOODNESS THAT'S INSIDE
YOU
I CAN'T SEE QUITTING ON A FRIEND OF MINE
I HAVE NOT COME TO
HEAL YOU
YOU DON'T NEED TO BE CURED
THE SCARS WE BEAR ARE HOLIER THAN
SHRINES
IF TEARS CAN TEACH OUR EYES TO
SEE WITH TENDERNESS
THE WOUNDS THAT WE'VE BEEN TEMPTED TO
DESPISE
YOU SAY I'M A
SIGHT FOR SORE EYES
BUT I THINK YOU AND ME ARE BOTH HALF
BLIND
YOU CAN'T SEE THE GOODNESS THAT'S INSIDE
YOU
I CAN'T SEE QUITTING ON A FRIEND OF MINE
MAYBE LOVE AIN'T
NOTHING BUT A MIRROR
ONE THAT SHOWS YOU WHO YOU REALLY ARE
MAYBE MINE CAN SHOW YOU SOMEONE
YOU HAVE BEEN A STRANGER TO SO FAR
I HAVE NOT COME TO
FIX YOU
FOR I KNOW DEEP INSIDE
YOU'RE NOT AND NEVER HAVE BEEN
POWERLESS
BUT I WILL SHARE THE DARKNESS
THAT YOU ARE WALKING THROUGH
UNTIL YOU FIND THE LIGHT THAT YOU
POSSESS
YOU SAY I'M A
SIGHT FOR SORE EYES
BUT I THINK YOU AND ME ARE BOTH HALF
BLIND
YOU CAN'T SEE THE GOODNESS THAT'S INSIDE
YOU
I CAN'T SEE QUITTING ON A FRIEND OF MINE
NO I AIN'T QUITTING ON A FRIEND OF MINE
' 2023 Flying Stone Music
THE GOOD SHIP DOROTHY DAY
FOR ALL WHOSE
LABORS CARRY THEM FROM STATEN ISLAND'S
BRIM
ALL DAY AND NIGHT SHE LEAVES SAINT
GEORGE FOR LOWER MANHATTAN
TO DOCK AT WHITEHALL TERMINAL ACROSS THE
NEW YORK BAY
SHE'LL TAKE YOU THERE AND BACK AGAIN THE
GOOD SHIP DOROTHY DAY
YOU'LL HEAR A
MIGHTY GROANING AS SHE CASTS OFF ALL HER
LINES
AND MAKES WAY PAST THE ISLAND WHERE THE
LADY'S TORCH STILL SHINES
FOUR THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED SOULS
SHE'LL CARRY ON HER WAY
THERE'S NEVER BEEN A FERRY LIKE
THE GOOD SHIP DOROTHY DAY
NAMED FOR A WOMAN
WHO REFUSED
TO LET THE WORLD IGNORE
THE RIGHTS OF WORKERS, THE CRIES OF THE
HUNGRY AND THE POOR
IN A WORLD SICK WITH FEAR
SHE TAUGHT THAT LOVE'S THE ONLY CURE
THE ONLY CURE
TASTE THE SALTY
SPRAY AND WATCH THE FREIGHTERS GLIDING
BY
HEAR GULLS LAUGH AS STEEL AND GLASS FILL
UP THE GOTHAM SKY
NOT A PENNY FOR YOUR PASSAGE WILL YOU
EVER PAY
WHEN YOU BOARD THE GOOD SHIP DOROTHY DAY
SHE STOOD OUT AT
THE MARGINS WITH THE LOST AND WITH THE
LEAST
SHE WENT TO JAIL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS SHE
WENT TO JAIL FOR PEACE
THEY CALLED HER SAINT BUT SHE SAID I'LL
NOT BE DISMISSED THAT WAY
THAT'S WHY THEY NAMED THE GOOD SHIP
DOROTHY DAY
SHE WAS A WOMAN
WHO REFUSED
TO LET THE WORLD IGNORE
THE RIGHTS OF WORKERS, THE CRIES OF THE
HUNGRY AND THE POOR
IN A WORLD SICK WITH FEAR
SHE TAUGHT THAT LOVE'S THE ONLY CURE
THE ONLY CURE
BREATHE THE AIR AND FEEL THE ROLLING
BENEATH YOUR FEET
REST YOURSELF AND LET THE CROSSING BE A
BRIEF RETREAT
FROM YOUR CARES AS YOU RECALL THE WOMAN
FOR WHOM THEY
NAMED THIS CRAFT THE GOOD SHIP DOROTHY
DAY
AN ANARCHIST, AN
ACTIVIST, A CONVERT TO A CREED,
THE FOUNDER OF A MOVEMENT WHO TOOK CARE
OF THOSE IN NEED
A SEEKER FOR THE BETTER WHO WOULD LEAVE
THE WORLD THAT WAY
IN SERVICE LIKE THE GOOD SHIP DOROTHY
DAY
IN SERVICE LIKE THE GOOD SHIP DOROTHY
DAY
' 2023 Flying Stone Music
Also included on the album will be "Deeper Family", the song I wrote for Vietnam veterans. I've been asked to perform this song in August at the opening of Vietnam Veterans of America convention in Orlando.
Peace and good on
you,
John
Look for John's new singles "Here Be
Dragons" and "Slaughter of the
Innocents" wherever digital music is
offered.
April 15, 2023
Hi Everybody!
Hope you're all doing well! We're having
a beautiful spring here in the Mid
Atlantic and I'm busier than have been
for quite a while. I'll singing up in
New England next weekend (info below)
and I'm releasing two singles in advance
of the road trip. Both songs speak
directly to urgent issues that confront
us. "Slaughter of the Innocents" wasn't
originally a planned release. I wrote
the song last year after Uvalde, but
hesitated to share it. Afterall, I
already put a song out a song after
Sandy Hook just over ten years ago
called "You Can't Tell". I would have
never envisioned the need to write and
record a second song about the massacre
of school children in my country.
(Tragically naive, huh') Anyway, I had
to get it out there.
The release of "Here Be Dragons", my new
song about global warming, was however
planned to come out now in time for
Earth Day. You can check them out here:
https://soundcloud.com/john-flynn-39/john-flynn-slaughter-of-the-innocents-master-10'si=147e0b1e3561499fbf184b7786186e29&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
https://soundcloud.com/john-flynn-39/john-flynn-here-be-dragons-master-10'si=ae91362b501a40cb954d84bb6f82504b&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
We've recently started two additional
weekly groups for men in reentry. One at
the Plummer Correctional Center (where
we had been for many years before the
pandemic) and one at Project New Start
on the campus of Widener Law School.
Project New Start provides classes for
returning citizens, primarily to help
them find and hold jobs upon release
from prison. I've always been a big fan
of theirs and was delighted to find that
they were interested in integrating
weekly New Beginnings meetings for their
pupils.
Another new development - which for me
is very exciting... Recently, a dear
friend of mine became the first
returning citizen to begin working with
me as a weekly New Beginnings volunteer
inside a prison.
Including returning citizen volunteers
in our work inside the penitentiaries
has been a dream of mine for many years.
But a couple things always stood in the
way of it becoming a reality. The first
was the Department Of Corrections'
policy prohibiting the
formerly-incarcerated from volunteering
inside prison for at least seven years
after the completion of their release.
While many of our Next Step members
remain close, a lot of life happens in
seven years and very few men remain
active in our program for that length of
time. Families and jobs, all the things
that constitute successful reentry,
intervene and responsibilities increase
to the point that they simply don't have
the time - or the urgent need - for
weekly involvement. They are not
returning citizens. They are not
returned citizens. They are just
citizens. And this is as it should be.
Just prior to the pandemic I sat with
the Commissioner of Corrections and the
Chief of the Bureau of Prisons and
explained that, as good a job as I felt
my teams were doing, volunteers who had
been through and overcome the challenges
of incarceration and reentry would raise
our game immeasurably. My example of AA
meetings being run by folks who had
never taken a drink seemed to resonate
and I was eventually told that the
number of post-prison years would be
reduced to three.
My next obstacle was one I didn't really
anticipate. I have worked with hundreds
of incarcerated and retuning citizens
over the years and they are truly some
of the most courageous people it has
ever been my privilege to know. But when
I approached several about going back
into prison as weekly volunteers, they
all said no. Some balked at the
intrusive paperwork needed to obtain
security clearances. Some simply said
they'd never go inside a place like that
again.
One of our guys, Greg, did agree to go
back inside as a guest speaker. Although
the policy had been altered, real change
often happens slowly, and the warden
would only grant him one-time access.
Greg's talk and subsequent Q&A in the
prison chapel drew a huge crowd
(including the warden). He spoke
eloquently of his time in the prison, of
what our program had been to him ' how
he had found some peace for the first
time in his life ' and how he had
navigated the many pitfalls that awaited
him and threatened his recovery when he
got out. The reception he got from the
offenders present was incredible and,
afterwards, men in DOC whites closed in
around him like he was a rockstar. He
was a symbol of hope, and there may be
nothing more powerful to a man in
prison. Greg's talk only strengthened my
resolve that we needed returning
citizens as facilitators.
Six months ago, I approached my friend
Ty about joining our Tuesday night team
at Gander Hill. Like Greg, Ty is one of
my heroes. He's been out about four
years now and has been unwavering in his
commitment to staying out of prison. 'Up
To Staying Free' as our T-shirts say. Ty
immediately shot down my request. 'No
offense, John. But no way', he said.
Seven or eight weeks later I ran into Ty
on the street and as we were catching up
he said, 'By the way' Yes.' I instantly
knew what he was talking about. He said
the idea had taken root in his heart and
he wanted to go back inside with us.
When Ty got cleared and finally walked
with us through the long bleak hallways
and sally ports of Gander Hill, I
watched him carefully. He was clearly
anxious. His eyes went everywhere.
Especially to the faces of the men.
Whenever we'd pass a line of offenders,
Ty would say, 'What's up, fellas' (About
this he later said, 'I had to speak to
them. Those men were me').
Ty's presence in group was powerful.
Relaxed but with the low voltage hum of
electricity. He spoke in open,
unguarded, and deeply truthful ways.
Word of his presence had preceded him,
and we had our biggest post-pandemic
attendance so far.
I've been running these groups in prison
for almost eighteen years and never once
had a man say as Ty did, 'You all know
what I'm talking about. You all know
what it's like when they turn the lights
off at night and you turn to the wall in
your bunk while tears roll down your
face.' At these words each man in the
room lowered his gaze and nodded
silently.
As the men pressed in around Ty at the
end of last night's group, one older
African American gentleman who'd been
"down for a minute' (which in the
understated language of prison means had
served a significant amount of time)
declared it the best group he'd ever
been to. I thought of Steven Stills'
words. Something's happening here. And I
can't wait to see where it takes us.
Welcome to the team, Ty!
In other news I was honored to be asked
to take part in a recent "Wisdom of the
Elders" podcast for the Northeast
Regional Folk Alliance. The other guys
on the panel were my friends John
McCutcheon and Charlie King. I found it
to be a genuine and surprisingly
emotional conversation. I'm including a
link:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nerfa-podcast/id1634641892
Below are a few upcoming appearances. I
hope to see you soon.
Love,
Friday April 21, Roots and Wings
Coffeehouse, Norwich, VT
http://uucuv.org/2023/03/23/john-flynn-concert-april-17-730-pm/
Saturday April 22, Maple Street
Coffeehouse, Danvers, MA
https://www.sneucc.org/eventdetail/17350615
January 30, 2023
Proud parents Beth and I on our
son Cole's wedding day.
Welcome to the family, Amanda!
Photo by Dan Rottenberk
Hello Friends,
I wanted to pass on some lines recently
sent to me by my friend Father Greg
Boyle, the founder of Homeboy Industries
and author of the best-selling book
"Tattoos on the Heart". I had written to
Father G seeking his advice as I second
guessed some recent decisions regarding
one of our returning citizens who was
slipping quickly back into a devastating
opiate addiction. Father pointed out to
me that I was making the situation too
much about myself (this is a lesson I
seem to have to learn repeatedly). His
(very) early morning email from Los
Angeles gently reminded me that in
dealing with our brothers and sisters,
especially those whom our society has
casually disdained or demonized, heroes
are rarely required. He went on to
assure me that our shared humanity does
assign to us a humbler but far more
essential role. A role beautifully
illustrated by these simple words:
An unnamed medicine woman writes this
prayer.
"I will not rescue you,
For you are not powerless.
I will not fix you,
For you are not broken.
I will not heal you,
For I see you in your wholeness.
I will walk with you through the
darkness,
As you remember your light."
As Father G wrote, "I'll have what she's
having".
Below are a few upcoming appearances. I
hope to see you soon.
Love,
Friday, February 3, Lansdowne, PA
Jamey's House of Music,
http://www.jameyshouseofmusic.com/
Sunday, February 5, Online
Greenwich Village Folk Festival
https://greenwichvillagefolkfestival.org/live-stream.php
FEATURED PERFORMERS AND EMCEES:
Vance Gilbert Walter Parks Guy
Davis Lea Morris John Flynn Josh
White Jr. Bob Bossin Mad Agnes
Trio John Forster Steve
Eriksson Ron Olesko - Emcee Sonny
Ochs - Emcee
Friday, February 10, Tuckerton, NJ
Lizzie Rose Music Room
https://www.lizzierosemusic.com/
11/23/22
Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!
This will be a short note as I'm only
temporarily settled into a comfortable
chair after a day of chores as Beth and
I get set to host our kids and grandkids
for the big feast tomorrow. The day will
include the usual wonderful food and the
now traditional post-meal visit by one
of Santa's helpers for a family
singalong.
This rig came with a big bushy beard but
my grandkids yanked it off as they saw
almost immediately through my charade.
Fortunately, my natural whiskers are now
approaching the appropriate snowiness.
In response to some requests to resume
my online shows, I will be doing a Busk
After Dusk this Friday, November 25th at
7PM. The show will stream live on the
links below '
Facebook:
https://fb.me/e/239dUdrYi
YouTube:
https://youtu.be/q9wCziDsSNQ
Twitter:
@singwriter
I also wanted to let folks know that my
annual Holiday Concert Benefiting Camp
Dreamcatcher, a therapeutic summer camp
for kids dealing with AIDS/HIV, will
take place Friday December 9th at
Kelly's Music Center in Havertown, PA.:
https://kellycenter.ticketleap.com/john-flynn---benefit-concert-for-camp-dreamcatcher/'fbclid=IwAR19dRiGSHTkE9bEOvNa79Z02cbuSFJ5dmRLKcW8eTCyMylDRbsoEzLExTQ
I'm deeply grateful for many things this
year, not least among them are the many
amazing people that I've met through
music. Thank you for your continued
support and spirit. I hope you have a
wonderful holiday, and that I'll see you
soon.
Much love,
John
Delaware News Journal Cover Story
Hi Friends,
I hope this note finds you well.
Things here definitely haven't been dull
as Beth and I are recovering from our
first bouts of COVID. Fortunately, we
were both fully boosted and came through
just fine (although more than a week
after quarantine I'm still quite a bit
slower on my morning trail runs).
I truly enjoyed working with the
wonderful Christine Lavin as a co-emcee
of this year's 60th Annual Philadelphia
Folk Festival. Among the highlights for
me was getting to introduce the amazing
Livingston Taylor who had given me some
VERY honest feedback on my fledgling
efforts as a songwriter some forty years
ago. Rather than take the easy way out
and offering some (at that point)
probably unmerited praise of my early
efforts, Livingston took the time to
listen thoroughly and then challenged me
to work harder and aim higher; to study
the greats and go more deeply into my
craft . I took his words seriously, and
rather than latch on to some obvious
potential for discouragement, I
internalized and took up his challenge.
I always felt Livingston helped me
become a better songwriter and always
wanted to tell him this. So, it was a
real gift to get the opportunity to
acknowledge this debt publicly and thank
him for this songwriter version of tough
love. I also told the crowd during my
introduction of Livingston at Philly
that I had always tried to take a lesson
from him and pay it forward' so rather
than merely offer easy and perhaps
insincere praise to young writers who
had sought out my opinion over the
years, I also had tried to be as gently
honest as I could with them about their
work. Livingston got a good laugh out of
my admission that this approach had
certainly pissed a lot of people off.
With the great Livingston Taylor
I wanted to take this
opportunity to share something I was
recently privileged to witness. A dear
friend of mine's daughter is currently
in the hospital. She is struggling to
recover after being critically injured
by three stray bullets on the streets of
Wilmington. He is a long-time member of
New Beginnings-Next Step and, on a
particularly difficult day for him
personally, he joined us via zoom at one
of our returning citizens meetings.
When we asked how he was holding up he
said, "Honestly, not good' You know, you
just do what you have to do. You keep
going. "
Then someone asked if they were any
closer to finding his daughter's shooter
(the incident had also claimed a
16-year-old boy's life). My friend said,
"I don't think so, and I really don't
even want to go there. I pray for him
whoever he is because I know what he's
going through. When you do something
like this, it's a terrible thing to
carry. It affects you and your whole
family. He's suffering, I can promise
you that. I've been there. You can
pretend you're as tough as you want but
you have to do a lot to yourself to get
to place where you won't feel that kind
of pain.
So, yeah, I don't even go there. I mean
if he gets picked up and spends his life
in jail it will just tear up his family
the way we all tore up our families when
we went inside. Just more pain, more
suffering. I don't know how that solves
anything. There was a time, you know,
when I'd have been all about settling
the score. But all I want to do now is
stay here and love my daughter. It took
me a long time to get to this place, to
get some wisdom, but I finally
understand."
We all sat in stunned silence, humbled
by what we had heard, and because no
words would come, the silence became a
period of wordless prayer as we remained
together in that circle and sent love to
our brother and his wounded child.
I've heard many preachers, poets, and
therapists speak of the path my friend
is now walking. But I'd never spoken to
someone who was at that very moment
clinging to that path with every fiber
of their being while being buffeted by
the howling winds of a hurricane. I've
often said that many of my spiritual
teachers had been behind bars. Now you
know why.
Below are some upcoming shows. I hope to
see you out there soon.
Much love,
John
Saturday, September 17
Columbia, MD
World Coffeehouse
https://uucolumbia.net/event-category/concerts/coffeehouse/
Saturday, September 24
Pittsburgh, PA
Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
https://www.first-unitarian-pgh.org/events/songspace-presents-john-flynn/
Friday, October 7
Ann Arbor, MI
Greenwood Coffeehouse
http://greenwoodcoffeehouse.org/
Saturday, October 8
Spring Lake, MI
Spring Lake Presbyterian Church,
https://www.facebook.com/events/426166559578438'ref=newsfeed
Sunday, October 9
Hudson, MI
Hudson Music Series
http://www.celebratehudson.com/
Wednesday, October 19
ACLU of Delaware
Kandler Awards Celebration
https://www.aclu-de.org/en/events/2022-kandler-awards-celebration
June 29, 2022
Sailing to Philadelphia...
Hi friends!
Just wanted to let you know about my
annual benefit concert for my non-profit
New Beginnings-Next Step. It will take
place on July 27th at the beautiful and
historic Hedgerow Theater in Media, PA.
New Beginnings-Next Step helps
incarcerated and returning citizens
prepare for and deal with the challenges
of reentry after prison by fostering
relationships of deep community and
trust. Our members often refer to us as
family. I was just reminded that this is
no mere hyperbole or metaphor when a
recently hospitalized returning citizen
told me he'd listed me as his next of
kin on his admission forms.
The evening will feature three of our
members as guest speakers. I know each
man well and am deeply proud that they
will be there to share their stories
with the audience. There will also be a
wine, cheese, and confection reception
prior to the concert. Donations for the
show are $35 and you should act quickly
if you're interested in attending as
half the tickets sold out the day the
show went online. Here's a link'
https://www.hedgerowtheatre.org/john-flynn-benefit-concert'fbclid=IwAR0Kh7G2U2XwH2m17IB3WPxZW9Fi_GS9bNVKw6RcgFuaIVmMGftsq8j5XQ8
As pandemic restrictions have ebbed and
evolved, New Beginnings-Next Step has
finally been resumed face-to-face groups
both inside and outside Northern
Delaware prisons. This year we have been
asked to expand our footprint to other
facilities within the state. I deeply
appreciate your continuing support and
faith with all of this. It allows me to
continue work that has grown very dear
to my heart and it has made qualitative
differences in the lives of some of the
most vulnerable and marginalized members
of our society by helping us say that no
human being is disposable.
In other happy news, I've been asked to
take part of this year's 60th Annual
Philadelphia Folk Festival on August
20th and 21st. I'm really looking
forward to what will feel like a very
large family reunion. Hope you can make
it!
Peace,
John
May 4, 2022
Moments after finishing the 2022 Delaware Marathon
Hi Friends,
Just a quick note to remind you that
I'll be at the Kelly Music Center in
Havertown, PA this Saturday, May 7th (https://patch.com/pennsylvania/haverford/calendar/event/20220507/1818356/kelly-center-presents-john-flynn).
Last week's concert down at Sussex
Correctional Institution went great! I
even got to introduce a brand-new song
that the guys seemed to love. Here are
the lyrics:
PROPHET'S SONG BY JOHN FLYNN
PROPHET'S SONG
BY JOHN FLYNN
CALL ME JONAH FOR I TOO HAVE BEEN
SWALLOWED BY A WHALE
THEY THINK THEY OWN YA WHEN THEY GOT YOU
LOCKED INSIDE THEIR JAIL
WHEN THIS WORLD SEES YOU ONLY FOR THE
WORST THINGS YOU HAVE DONE
IT GOES AND FEEDS YOU TO THE MONSTER
CALLED LEVIATHAN
LEVIATHAN, THIS WAYWARD PROPHET'S SONG
AT LEAST
WILL RISE AGAIN FROM THE BELLY OF THE
BEAST
I FELL WHEN MY CREW GAVE ME TO KEEP FROM
GOING DOWN
AND THAT'S WHEN I KNEW I WOULD HAVE TO
LEARN TO SWIM OR DROWN
YOU TURN TO STONE WHEN YOU ARE ROBBED OF
EVERY DREAM AND WISH
THERE'S NO ATONEMENT IN THE RANCID
GULLET OF A FISH
LEVIATHAN, THIS WAYWARD PROPHET'S SONG
AT LEAST
WILL RISE AGAIN FROM THE BELLY OF THE
BEAST
RESURRECTION MEANS YOU MAKE ANOTHER
CHOICE
TELL CORRECTIONS THIS WORLD'S GONNA HEAR
MY VOICE
LIKE A COMET I WILL STREAK ACROSS THE
FIRMAMENT
THE STATE WILL VOMIT AND I WILL BE
SPEWED OUT ON THE CEMENT
WHERE NO SHADOWS GIVE ME ANY SHELTER
FROM THE HEAT
IN SECONDHAND CLOTHES I WILL SHOUT MY
LYRICS IN THE STREET
LEVIATHAN, THIS WAYWARD PROPHET'S SONG
AT LEAST
WILL RISE AGAIN FROM THE BELLY OF THE
BEAST
LEVIATHAN, THE PROPHET'S SONG HAS NEVER
CEASED
TO RISE AGAIN FROM THE BELLY OF THE
BEAST
CALL ME JONAH I TOO HAVE BEEN SWALLOWED
BY A WHALE
'
2022 FLYING STONE MUSIC
The SCI concert was an effort to
introduce myself to offenders in a new
prison where we will soon begin a weekly
New Beginnings peer support group. From
all indications, it was a success as the
event seemed to garner a lot of
interest. A reporter and videographer
from the Delaware News Journal covered
the show. The paper is doing a story an
in-depth look at reentry and has already
interviewed me and several of my guys
for the piece (all these interviews went
well over ninety minutes!) I'm looking
forward to seeing what comes of all this
and will share it with you on this page
when it comes out.
At long last, the phone is beginning to
ring again for bookings. That's why I'm
excited to announce my association with
Lydaco Music and Bookings, who will now
be handling that stuff for me. if you're
interested in having me come play in
your area, please give my new agent
Vicki a call (https://lydacomusic.com/).
I'll be closing the Heritage Festival on
June 5th. (https://haverfordhistoricalsociety.org/heritage-festival/)
For info on other upcoming shows, check
out my gig calendar here:
https://www.johnflynn.net/shows.html
Pray for peace,
John
March 23, 2022
Hi Friends,
Just a quick note to let you know that
I'll be removing MY B.A.D. (Busk At
Dusk) streaming concerts from Facebook
for the time being. You can still watch
them at my YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=QzqtSD0gC5o)
or live on Twitter (@singwriter).
See you online Friday night at 7PM.
Thanks so much for all your support!
Peace,
John
March 15, 2022
Playing at the United for Ukraine
rally in Havertown, PA
Hi friends,
I hope this finds you well after so much
time. Things are finally picking up
around these parts. And quickly.
I'm excited to be back running
peer-support groups at the Howard R.
Young Correctional Institution here in
Delaware. It's been wonderful to
reconnect with some of the men whose
incarceration has stretched through
these past two difficult years. I've
also been asked begin groups at several
other prisons and I'm currently working
to set up an introductory concert down
at Sussex Correctional Institution in
order to introduce myself and our
non-profit, New Beginnings-Next Step, to
the offenders downstate in Georgetown.
Of course, NB-NS has continued working
with our returning citizen members
during the pandemic, if mostly via zoom,
but I've found that each aspect of this
work enriches the other. It was long ago
decided by our members that although
what is said in a meeting is treated as
confidential, all New Beginnings and
Next Step groups are considered to be
part of the same circle of trust. Thus,
the connection with our incarcerated
members, their stories, and their
challenges, resonates strongly with the
guys whove come home. And vice versa.
Thanks to those of you who've continued
to support my work with incarcerated and
returning citizens. I've seen the
difference these groups have made in so
many lives and am anxious to continue
this journey I set out on when I began
volunteering at Gander Hill Prison
seventeen years ago. Here's a short
video that combines some of my concert
work with a few thoughts from some of
our guys:
https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=tIC-PAPq9I8&t=9s
I was recently honored to be asked by
the Vietnam Veterans of America to write
and perform a song at the Vietnam War
Memorial on National Vietnam War
Veterans Day. Here's the video for the
song I composed. It's called "Deeper
Family" and has recently come out as a
digital single. Here's the video:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=F4xDagi4MOU).
You'll be able to stream the ceremony
and my performance live from The Wall at
1PM on March 29th:
www.facebook.com/vietnamveteransmemorialfund,
or
www.honorvietnamveterans.org
In other news, I'm excited to announce that my bookings will now be handled by the Lydaco Talent Agency (https://lydacomusic.com/). Give them a shout if you'd like to explore getting this old man and his guitar out to your neck of the woods this year.
In the meantime, I'll be back on the road this weekend!
- Friday Night, March 18th, I'll be in New London, CT (www.fridaynightfolk.org)
- Saturday night, the 19th, I'll be in Brockton, MA (www.javawockyuu.com)
- Sunday, March 20th, I'll be at the Public Library in Middleburgh, NY. For info on this show call (518) 827 4953.
Although I'll be in Connecticut this
week, you can catch me online most
Friday nights for my Weekly B.A.D. (Busk
At Dusk). These are viewer-supported
shows streamed from my home here in The
First State. They've been a wonderful
way to stay in touch with many of you
during the past couple years (not to
mention keeping my voice, fingers, and
memory in semi-decent shape... well
maybe not the memory so much). You can
find these shows, old and new, on
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/singwriter)
or on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY27wosWHjiq89WV5P0Y03Q)
Upcoming, I'll be in Catonsville, MD on April 7th (http://uptownconcerts.com/) and in May I'll be returning to the Kelly Center for Music in Delaware County, PA.
Hope to see you soon. Take care of yourselves and each other.
Pray for peace,
John
December 1, 2021
I was
running down the road trying to loosen
my load... and
took a first place medal in WXPN's
Musicians On Call 5k in the
over 60 age group.
Hi friends,
Hope this note
finds you well and that you had a great
Thanksgiving! I was blessed to spend it
with Beth, our kids and our grandkids.
Even got to do a post-dinner zoom with
some of the extended clan -with whom we
usually gather- for some after dinner
picking and singing. The world aint
back to where it was but in many
important ways it never really changed
all that much. Love is still love. Maybe
more so.
Not too much news. We had a bit of a
plumbing event when a pipe in the
ceiling burst during a nor'easter that
brought several inches of rain to
Wilmington. The timing led me to
initially misdiagnose the cause of the
water pouring through the ceiling of our
den and saw me trying to put a tarp over
our second story ridge vent at 10
o'clock at night in the middle of the
storm. I took a bit of a tumble but came
away with nothing more than a gashed arm
and a slightly diminished fondness for
ladders. My thanks to the Mr. Mullins of
Mullins Builders for showing up the next
morning to help me figure out what why
my walls were gently weeping and to my
buddy Bill Hartnett for the quick
plumbing fix, Thanks also to Beth for
her proficiency with butterfly bandages
and materials and logistics management
and my buddy Rotten Dan and his neighbor
Al for showing up with all manner of
power tools and goodwill. The
reconstruction of the room is proceeding
nicely. I've even been allowed to help.
Among my early assignments was the
reapplication of insulation to the
ruined walls a task which only saw me
stapling my leather work glove to my
hand once. Thank God for good and
talented friends! Here's Dan and I
installing the new tin ceiling-
I'll be doing a show in front of an
actual three-dimensional audience at the
Kennett Flash on Saturday December 11th.
(https://www.facebook.com/events/243852204405499/'ref=newsfeed).
Half my proceeds from the evening will
go to Camp Dreamcatcher, a therapeutic
summer camp for kids whose lives have
been affected by AIDS/HIV. (https://campdreamcatcher.org/).
I'm continuing to stream my B.A.D. (Busk
After Dusk) shows on Facebook and
YouTube every Friday night at 7PM EST.
These shows are live but (most) can also
be viewed at a later date. They are
viewer supported. Donations can be made
via
paypal.me/singwriter or mailed to me
at P.O Box 8273, Wilmington DE, 19803.
Thanks to all who've generously
supported my B.A.D.s over the last year
or so.
Take care of yourselves... and
each other.
Much love,
John
October 7, 2021
Here's a link to a video for my new
single "Girl with the Blue Transistor":
https://youtu.be/O6T70zB6Ie4
Hi friends,
My new single "Girl with the Blue Transistor" is a song about a young girl from South Philadelphia whose life was transformed by the ubiquitous, newly-portable radio that served as a musical lifeline for the teens and tweens of the early Sixties. Even though "the Boss Jocks said no girls", Helen Leicht never gave up on her childhood dream of being a DJ. Never quite the same once the music kissed her, she went on to become a trusted tastemaker and beloved broadcasting legend on Philadelphia's storied FM landscape. Artist-writer John Flynn credits Leicht with being one of the first to play his music on the radio. He and producer Harvey transcend Flynn's folk and Americana roots to indulge their mutual love of music from the period in order to create a jangly, joyful power-pop canvas.
Girl with the Blue Transistor comes out officially on October 8th. You can stream or purchase the track at all the usual digital providers. Due to the fair shake they give artists, my current favorite is Bandcamp:
https://johnflynn1.bandcamp.com/track/girl-with-the-blue-transistor'fbclid=IwAR2CW5Eh1F-Ks2kmNmuDAZo5o4Flc6p875Dej7sFSwoLFkLgL7zO-EHZiR0
Speaking of Helen, I will be running for "Team Helen" on Sunday October 17th at WXPN's Musicians On Call 5K. You can sign up to support this great cause here:
https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Philadelphia/WXPN5krun
I had a great time as we remembered the amazing Phil Ochs during last week's Greenwich Village Folk Festival. The show included a whole bunch of great artists including Holly Near, Christine Lavin, Rod MacDonald, Tom Paxton and Reggie Harris. Former music critic for New York Post, Ira Mayer, posted a nice reaction on FB mentioning what a treat it was to be introduced to "... John Flynn in particular". You can stream the show here:
https://fb.watch/8uQMTxW6mJ/
Don't forget to check out my B.A.D. (Busk At Dusk) which streams every Friday at 7PM. These shows are always on my Facebook "Band" Page Follow me there (https://www.facebook.com/singwriter) for weekly reminders. We also stream on YouTube. Here's a link for this week: https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=S2anypNxbWk
My new CD is back in stock and for sale on our Merch Page.
My Musical Lairs concert in Villanova was just rescheduled (again) for January 22, 2022. Perhaps the third time will be the charm.
Take care of each other.
Much love,
J
September 9, 2021
Sometimes you just have to work a little bit to get things pointed back in the right direction...
Hi everybody,
Just a
reminder that this week's B.A.D. (Busk
At Dusk) will stream on Friday
September 10th at 7PM. Hoping you'll
tune in through my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/singwriter)
or on YouTube at:
https://youtu.be/xYwWT-Hdyn8
Thanks to all the interest in the new
CD, Wild Beat the Wings,
we are temporarily out of stock. A new
shipment is on order. In the meantime,
the album remains available digitally
at:
https://johnflynn1.bandcamp.com//releases
On October 2nd I'll be performing
outdoors at the Delmarva Folk Festival.
https://www.delfolk.org/folkfest-2020
(And yes, that's the right link...)
October 3rd I'll be joining
Holly Near, Greg Greenway, Colleen
Kattau, Reggie Harris, Tom Paxton, Zach
Stevenson, Emma's Revolution, Sonia
(disappear fear) and Martyn Joseph (from
Wales), Sonny Ochs, Christine Lavin and
Ron Olesko
online to
remember the great Phil Ochs.
Here are links to view (greenwichvillagefolkfestival.org)
or to listen (http://folkmusicnotebook.com)
Take care of
each other.
Peace,
John
August 30, 2021
After my annual concert I had requests
for elbow bumps from some
of the kids of Camp Dreamcatcher, a
Therapeutic summer camp for
kids whose lives have been affected by
HIV/AIDS. You can see the
smile right through my mask.
Hi friends,
I had a wonderful time playing and
helping to host this year's Philadelphia
Folk Festival. And true to form the day
after fest found me back at Camp
Dreamcatcher for my annual concert.
During the performance we were of course
socially distanced, but very much heart
to heart. I've been playing at Camp ever
since it began 25 years ago. Many of the
amazing young volunteer counselors are
former camp attendees themselves and
have therefore known my songs since they
were little kids.
It always feels like coming home when I
get to Dreamcatcher. After my show last
week, I was talking to Camp founder,
Patty Hillkirk, about my first
appearance there. Even though a lot had
been learned about AIDS in 1996, I admit
to being a bit anxious as I stood with
my guitar at the front of that raucous
mess hall on that muggy, rainy night.
That slowly changed however as, during
the show, a frail looking little girl
sporting cornrows and one of the
brightest smiles I had ever seen was
signing something to me as I sang. Her
tiny hands were so expressive, and I was
of course curious to know what she was
saying. After the show I went down and
introduced myself. Through her counselor
she told me her name was Danielle. She
then asked me to kneel down, which I
did, and she threw her arms around my
neck and imparted one of the best hugs
I've ever received. I asked her
counselor what Danielle had been saying
to me for the entire hour I'd been
singing. She's been saying "I love you',
he told me. Sometimes you don't know
something inside you was broken until
the moment it gets fixed. I've been
going back to Camp Dreamcatcher for
repairs ever since.
They tell me Danielle never actually
"heard" me sing or play that night a
quarter of a century ago. AIDS had
claimed her hearing. Of course, I can't
say one way or the other, but she
certainly felt the music and maybe
that's more important. I do know that
she would "feel" it again some years
later.
When Danielle was a teenager a series of
devastating strokes almost took her
life. She was hospitalized and the word
we got was that she was completely
non-responsive. Still, when Patty
Hillkirk and I went to visit her,
something inside told me to take my
guitar. When I arrived at the hospital,
I was assured by the staff that I was
wasting my time. I opened my guitar case
anyway and sat close enough to Danielle
to be able to lay her slender arm across
the face of my Martin as I strummed it
softly and sang for her. It didnt take
long, and I still get goosebumps
thinking about it. Her eyes never opened
but as I played, Danielle began to
smile. Her smile quickly became a soft
chuckle. Finally, she began to laugh out
loud. The harder I strummed the guitar,
the louder Danielle laughed. As I
continued to play and sing, Patty yelled
for the docs and nurses. The hospital
staff came running in. They were at a
loss to explain what was happening. The
damage done by the stroke was supposed
to be permanent. This shouldn't be
happening they assured us, and it
probably didn't mean what we thought it
meant. All I knew was that I was
involved in the communication of joy
(and maybe that's always part miracle!)
I finished my little concert and kissed
Danielle's forehead telling her that I
loved her. The next day, we received
word that Danielle was sitting up,
awake, and communicative. Shes doing
well to this day.
The new CD Wild Beat the Wings has been
getting some great response. It is
currently in the Top Ten of current folk
releases on Kansas Public Radio, and
Folk Music Notebook's Ron Olesko calls
the album "Powerful... an extraordinary
album from one of the folk music
community's most beloved performers". I
got to sit down (on zoom) with Ron for
an extensive conversation about the
album last week. Here's a link to that
interview:
https://soundcloud.com/wfdu-ron-olesko/john-flynn-on-traditions-82921'fbclid=IwAR3qZs0NyNTqkJXGGKGTProAY-ZQURjAmKeFcWM7s5Q6_ItKXDYlHDFm3HQ
Wild Beat the Wings is available for
purchase here on our
merch page,
or for download at this link:
https://johnflynn1.bandcamp.com//releases
I'll be resuming my Friday night Busk At
Dusk performances on September 3rd at
7PM. Hoping you'll tune in through my
Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/singwriter)
or on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=Q6HMY_pA77c
I'm scheduled to do an outdoor show here
in Wilmington, DE this coming Thursday
evening, September 2nd, at Bellevue
State Park (https://www.destateparks.com/Concerts/Bellevue).
This is a make-up date from an earlier
show that was rained out. Fingers
crossed.
Hoping our paths will cross again soon.
Peace,
John
August 18, 2021
"The first time I touched the tiller was like the first time I picked up a guitar. I had no idea what I was doing but I knew I didn't want to let go." -JF
Hi friends,
Due to last week's understandable
decision to move to an entirely digital
venue, I wont be hosting the
Philadelphia Folk Festival as previously
announced. I am, however, delighted to
have been asked to perform a one hour
set on the PFF virtual Martin Stage this
weekend. Hope youll look in and
continue to support this increasingly
global yet authentically Philadelphian
musical experience.
Tickets are available here:
https://folkfest.org/59-annual-pocket-sized-philadelphia-folk-festival-digital-tix/
My new CD Wild Beat the Wings debuted at
#20 on the Folk Charts this month.
The album is available for purchase here
on our merch page,
or for download at this link:
https://johnflynn1.bandcamp.com//releases
My thanks to the Philadelphia Phillies
for again hosting New Beginnings-Next
Step at Citizens Bank Park a couple
weeks ago. Our returning citizens and
their guests had a great time rooting
the Phils on to a dramatic
come-from-behind walk-off win, and the
ballclub even let me sing in the seventh
inning stretch. This continues a stretch
of appearances (Vet Stadium, CBP) for my
favorite team that goes back over a
quarter of a century, although this was
my first time performing on ukulele.
My version of "Take Me Out to the
Ballgame" was even credited with lifting
the mood of the crowd by NBC
Philadelphia sportswriter Jim Salisbury
In other news, I've decided to resume my
weekly B.A.D. (Busk At Dusk) shows
starting Friday, September 3rd at 7PM.
You can email song requests to me
through this page. Check here or on my
Facebook or YouTube pages for
streaming links.
I really appreciate the emails I've
received from folks inquiring about me
coming back to do shows in their area.
As you've probably surmised, I've never
been good at the gig booking part of
this job. If we can find a way to string
together a few appearances in your
region of the country, I'm in.
Thanks for your continued support of my
work. I hope our paths will cross again
soon.
Peace,
John
July 1, 2021
Big News: John will be hosting the 2021 Philadelphia Folk Festival
Hi friends,
I hope this note finds you well. A
lot has happened since I last wrote.
Here's a quick update
My new CD Wild Beat the Wings will
be released this week and is
currently available for purchase
here on our merch page, or for
download at this link:
https://johnflynn1.bandcamp.com//releases
You can check out the new video to
the album's first single "Circle of
Love" here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=cSemsrA25bw
I'll be celebrating the release of
Wild Beat the Wings here in
Wilmington by kicking off the
Bellevue State Park's Summer Concert
Series at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday July
8th. (https://destateparks.com/Concerts/Bellevue).
It will be the park's first concert
since 2019, and my first time on
front of a live audience since my
concert at the Sussex Correctional
Institution in March of 2020.
I'm honored to have been chosen to
host this year's Philadelphia Folk
Festival, filling a role that was
long played by my dear old friend,
festival founder Gene Shay. This
will be an emotional event for me on
a lot of levels. I'm really looking
forward to this chance to listen to
(and play) some music as I reconnect
face to face with a lot of old
friends. To paraphrase the great
Jerry Lee Louis, there'll be a whole
lot of huggin' going on...
Speaking of friends, thanks to all
of you who supported my online shows
last year. The Friday B.A.D. (Busk
At Dusk) series not only brought in
some much appreciated weekly bread
during a time when all my live shows
vanished, but it kept me in
reasonably good performing shape, as
well as in touch with what turned
into a great little online
community. We went through a lot
together last year; a deadly
pandemic, an existential election,
an insurrection... Somehow it helped
just having some friends drop by on
Friday nights and say hi. Although
I'll be taking the summer off from
these online shows (with the
exception of some zoom concerts
which you can read about on my
schedule page:
https://www.johnflynn.net/shows.html)
I plan to resume them in some form
come September. More to come on
this...
As I was getting ready to write to
you today my cell phone rang. It was
a guy I'd worked with in prison a
decade ago. I had been able to help
him get a housekeeping job at a
local hospital when he got out, and
he quickly became one of their most
beloved employees. He worked there a
couple years before addiction got
the better of him and, after some
stints in rehab, he lost his job and
relocated to Florida where he
continued alternating between
recovery and relapse.
Hes now living in Texas and has
been clean for four years. Hes
attending an online college and has
a 4.0 GPA. Hes been working at a
cash register at a Dollar Store for
several years. (I remember when he
applied for this position. We had a
long talk on the phone one night
where he confessed to me that he had
great misgivings about it since it
entailed counting money with people
staring at him.) He was just made
assistant manager of his store! He
was so proud and it filled me with
joy to hear it in his voice.
He gave our little non-profit New
Beginnings-Next Step much of the
credit for his success and thanked
all of our volunteers for never
letting him give up on himself. NBNS
has taken some hard hits recently.
The streets - as well as the
pandemic - have taken a great deal
from us. Its important to remember
that- no matter what any given page
reveals- there are often many more
chapters to be written in a lifes
story. Yeah. I think I needed that.
I've included some information about
the new album below. I hope to see
you soon.
Peace,
John
JOHN FLYNN- WILD BEAT THE WINGS
John Flynns thirteenth solo album,
Wild Beat the Wings, is some of his
strongest and most adventurous work
in an award-winning career spanning
four decades. The new album features
Flynns trademark heart and lyrical
artistry juxtaposed against a
background of bolder production and
harmonic choices as the life-long
marathon runner belies his 64 years
by arguably singing better and
stronger than ever.
Like so much new music these days,
Wild Beat the Wings is the byproduct
of months of the found, focused time
imposed by the COVID restrictions,
which Flynn addresses in the
country-rock offering Space
Station. Even the cover art for
Wild Beat the Wings can be traced to
Flynns enforced status as a
homebody as he rediscovered his
drawing pad and inked the stark but
lovely cover image of his wife Beth
rescuing a mourning dove on their
Northern Delaware back porch. The
title song of the album recounts the
story of the doves escape from a
swooping raptor by crashing through
a screened- porch door. Disoriented
and terrified, the trembling bird
failed to relocate the open door and
required tender human hands to help
it return to the sky. The song is a
metaphor for all loving
relationships as it pertains to the
need to create paths to greater
freedom. Unsurprisingly to anyone
familiar with Flynn's canon,
restorative justice themes are
explored on Wild Beat the Wings as
he follows up his 2020 BLM hip-hop
single How Many Bodies. Circle of
Love challenges those of all
political and cultural stripes to
enter into relationship (Its the
circle of love... may it grow ever
wide until no one is standing
outside) . An American Cage
mourns this countrys callous
disregard of the ideals nobly
expressed in the Emma Lazarus poem
enshrined on the Statue of Liberty.
Stranger in a Strange Land is an
elegiac reflection on the toxic
polarization so deeply dividing our
country.
Flynn's writing has always mined the light as well as the shadow and Wild Beat the Wings includes some lighthearted offerings in Stayin Young (Is Sure Gettin Old) about the unending and futile attempt to stave off the inevitable, The Song of My Becoming, a quasi-Buddhist meditation on unitive consciousness written for Flynns first grandchild, and Everybody Needs a Friend, the true story of an elephant who was rescued by singer Cher from a desolate and solitary existence in a Pakistani zoo. Flynns roots as a former Nashville staff writer are evident in "The Eyes of Marie".
The album extols young passion in the love song It Dont Get No Better (Than This), even as Flynn admits the error of the songs foundational assumption (But I was wrong... love grows old... love grows strong). Wild Beat the Wings heads for the barn with the rollicking anthem Folk Me, which reveals a tongue-in-cheek Flynn at his rambunctious best as he celebrates his love for his chosen musical genre (Just need to let something earnest get under my epidermis).
Continuing his successful musical
partnership with Harvey as producer
and house band (Harvey provides
all the instrumentation other than
Flynns acoustic guitars and
harmonica), Wild Beat the Wings is
recently preceded by a 2020 album of
cover tunes called Take Cover that
the two friends put out under the
band named Hondo Jenkins (an alias
Flynn once played bars under). Take
Cover required Flynn a
self-professed technical Luddite
to learn the basics of rudimentary
home recording while challenging him
to develop previously unsuspected
vocal chops. (Contravening the old
saw do not attempt this at home
Flynn found summiting, for example,
Brian Wilsons high harmonies to be
easier in the privacy of ones
domicile think singing in the
shower but with ProTools!) In fact,
unlike most preceding albums, Flynn
provides a lion's share of
background vocals on this record).
The unpretentious joy of the Take
Cover project is continued on Wild
Beat the Wings with an audacious
interpretation of the John
Lennon/Beatles classic And Your
Bird Can Sing.
In recent years Flynn has split his time between music and New Beginnings-Next Step, a non-profit he created in order to help incarcerated and returning citizens avoid recidivism in the State of Delaware. This work garnered him the prestigious Phil Ochs Award as well as a Champion of Justice/ Humanitarian Award from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (former recipients include Stevie Wonder, Julian Bond and Sister Helen Prejean).
Far from diluting his musical game, Flynn's years of re-entry work with those whom our society deems the most disposable has only sharpened his considerable tools, and Wild Beat the Wings is evidence of this honing. It is beautiful, meaningful work by a master craftsman who has lived up to his gift and stayed true to his calling.
April 27, 2021
Birds of the air nesting in your
hair is a sign you must be right
with the world."
- Br. David Schlatter, Franciscan
Friar
Hi friends,
Spending time outdoors has always
been an important part of my life.
It seems to have a beneficial effect
on me physically, mentally and
spiritually. As you know I'm a
life-long runner, but I have serious
doubts that I'd have stayed with it
this long if it didn't get me out
under the sky for an hour each day.
(I'm not a big treadmill fan.)
Although each season has its own
charms, this spring has been
especially welcome here in Northern
Delaware and I've taken my daily
meditations out beneath the trees in
my backyard whenever possible. There
the birds and squirrels (along with
occasional foxes and deer) keep me
company as they await my daily
refilling of the birdfeeder that I
bought for Beth as an anniversary
present last summer.
That's where I surreptitiously
grabbed the above photos. I had been
sitting for about twenty minutes
when I heard something moving at my
shoulder. I slid my phone out of the
pocket in my jeans, opened the
camera app, and found our lovely
little sister sitting quietly on the
back of my chair. She seemed to be
studying me with great intensity. I
guess I passed muster because
moments later she surprised me by
alighting on me and gently beginning
to explore my mane as a possible
nesting site. I must say I've seldom
felt quite so honored, although I
suppose it could simply be an
indication that I need haircut.
In other news, I, along with all of
my New Beginnings volunteers, have
received our second vaccinations and
are awaiting clearance to return to
our work in the prisons. The
Commissioner of Corrections informs
me that this is imminent. I look
forward to reconnecting with so many
men who've endured an incredibly
difficult and dangerous year inside
the walls and taking up again the
important work of helping them
prepare for real and lasting freedom
upon release.
Thank you for supporting my weekly
online shows, The Friday B.A.D.
(Busk At Dusk) over the past eight
months. Your donations have played a
role in insuring that NB-NS remains
ready to jump back into the fray in
the fight against recidivism here in
Delaware. I never imagined I'd have
so much support for these shows or
envisioned my little series lasting
this long. I've also enjoyed the
opportunity to share some of the
music that shaped my own writing.
Songs by Kris Kristofferson, George
Harrison, Jackson Browne, Cat
Stevens, John Prine, Bob Dylan and
so many others have made these
weekly concerts a joy for me (as
well as an occasional adventure!)
Speaking of the online shows, this
week's B.A.D. (April 30) will not be
seen due to a family obligation. We
will resume our "regularly scheduled
programming" next week and plan to
continue through the month of May,
or until the new album is released.
I and am deeply grateful to all
those who have contributed to make
it possible for me to keep
performing during these difficult
times. See you on May 7th.
In the meantime, mask up, vax up,
pray up, and keep your heart open.
Much love,
John
February 9, 2021
Hunt Magazine Article About John
This weeks B.A.D. (Busk At Dusk) links for Friday February 12, 2021:
On Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/singwriter/posts/3818343038186396
On YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=UWgzWE7lfHA
Next week, along with Friday nights BAD
show, Ill also be appearing
with Faith Nolan and Crys
Matthews
on the Peoples Voice Caf, Justice and
Civil Rights - Livestream Concert:
https://www.peoplesvoicecafe.org/
I hope to see you soon. Mask up. Vax up
if you can. And keep your heart open.
Much love,
John
December 10, 20202
This weeks B.A.D. (Busk At Dusk) links
for Friday December 11th:
On YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=tZqQ49iR0pk&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR1OuSs8EFaFtgio8S_zOqEMln8OvBx1D-u3Q2WzVtYxmbeV2Y8a-aOERuE
or
Johns Facebook Band Page:
https://www.facebook.com/197531470267589/posts/3654864444534257/
Check out this short documentary by
filmmaker Peter Safran of Johns 2019
benefit concert for New Beginnings-Next
Step:
https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=tIC-PAPq9I8&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR2j5d65zChesJH2ISBKVwDPOAyFjkhIocZRc-
Hi friends,
Hoping this note finds you safe and in
good health. Weve had a bit of a close
encounter with the vid here as a
family member became feverish and tested
positive last week. (If I seem
distracted during last Friday nights
show, now you know why.) Fortunately,
our patient seems to be recovering just
fine as we wait out our mandatory
quarantine. Although Im grateful that
weve so far been spared some of the
truly dire aspects of this illness, it
has become clear to me in a whole new
way that we are all truly in this
together. And if any good can come of
this awful year, perhaps it will be a
deeper solidarity born of this
increasingly inescapable realization.
I know that times may seem especially
bleak right now. Our nation is stalked,
not only plague and hunger, but by an
almost living enmity. Not since the
Civil War have we been so widely driven
by anything approaching this level of
contempt for each other. I pray that
what is being willfully unleashed by the
faithless and cowardly men who are
trying to tear this country apart right
now will not manifest itself in
violence. But I admit that prayers alone
may be no match for the relentless and
unparalleled intensity of the
disinformation and hate mongering were
now witnessing each dayespecially given
the prevalence of mental instability and
despair in this country. Perhaps thats
where the message of Christmas comes in'
My friend, Pastor Brian Joyce, wrote to
me asking if I would record a version of
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day for
his congregations Christmas service.
Brian explained that the songs
originsof which I was unaware made it
a special favorite of his.
I must confess that I never paid much
attention to this particular carol. I
only knew the Bing Crosby-era versions,
and had little attachment to them beyond
their genial conjuring of some
sentimental childhood memories. (I do
have a strong fondness for Ralph the
Dogs rendering in an old Muppets
holiday special.) Ive since learned
that the songs words were written by
American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
on Christmas day in 1863 as he
contemplated the incongruity of the
seasons message of peace in the midst
of a time in which our land knew so much
bitterness and blood. None of the
versions Id ever heard of the song
included Longfellows fourth and fifth
stanzas:
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
The final section of the song becomes so
much more powerful when preceded by
these verses. Surely we can now even
more immediately identify with the
authors anguish in verse six:
And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Hate does indeed seem strong these days.
And it only invites and encourages that
which feeds it. Which is why the message
of this songs final verse has taken
such a hold on me this season:
Then pealed the bells more loud and
deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."
The days will soon begin to grow longer
again. As they do, let our hope be
renewed. May this season mark a new
re-turning from the current darkness
of our path.
May love guide us,
John
11/25/20
John's weekly online concert from his
home in Northern Delaware. All those
inspired to make a contribution can do
so online at
paypal.me/singwriter, or by check
mailed to John at PO Box 8273,
Wilmington, DE 19803. John will donate
ten percent of what he receives from
this series to fighting recidivism
through his non-profit, New
Beginnings-Next Step, Inc.
This weeks B.A.D. (Busk At
Dusk) links for Friday November 27th:
On YouTube:
Johns Facebook Band Page:
https://www.facebook.com/
Hi friends,
As I write on this Thanksgiving Eve, Im
humbled by the many blessings in my
life. Not the least of these is the
constantly growing circle of my
extended and extending family.
These new ties of kinship arent being
discovered through one of those genetic
testing services (which only told me
what I already knew that Im about 80%
Irish). Rather, they are revealed in
relationships made sacred by the gift of
trust constantly bestowed upon me in my
work with the systemically marginalized;
those whom our society often regards as
disposable. In these relationships each
small offering of my time or presence is
rewarded disproportionately with
gratitude, tenderness, and for me a
real sense of a deeper belonging. As
Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries
wrote to me recently, In the end we
all have the same last name Love.
During this holiday of plenty, may we
continue to work and pray for truer
understandings of these extended family
ties, especially with the estimated
fifty million of our brothers and
sisters in this country who are having
difficulty securing enough food right
now.
Theres never been more work to do. So
many walls to tear down. So many bridges
to build. Its truly all hands on deck
time. So, whatever you bring with you,
whether its a strong back or a calm
voice, a big checkbook or a small
prayer, know that you are welcome and
very much needed at the family table.
Im truly grateful to all of you for all the support youve given me in my work this year. I hope you have a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving.
Much love,
John
A little program note:
I'll be taking a break from my B.A.D.
shows. On Friday November 6th,
I'll be streaming live from the stage at
the Sellersville Theater's as part of
their new series called Soundbooth
Sessions. (https://theater.st94.com/)
I'm really looking forward to this show.
Not only do we artists have to find a
way to keep going through these
difficult times, but the venues we've
relied upon to support us all these
years do as well. Plus, it will be good
to stand on a stage again even if it's
in an empty theater. (Of course, I
didn't always draw that well in
Sellersville, so I've had some
experience at this!) Anyway, come hell,
highwater, or both next week, whether it
is for existential solace or ecstatic
celebration, I hope you'll join me. I'll
resume my weekly Busk At Dusk shows on
November 13th.
With Harvey at
the Sellersville Theater, where John will
return November 6th
B.A.D. (Busk At Dusk) links for
Friday October 30th:
On YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=9gliOlA6DMc
or
John's
Facebook 'Band Page':
https://www.facebook.com/197531470267589/posts/3540870849266951/
10/29/20
Hi all,
Just a reminder to tune in to my B.A.D (Busk
At Dusk) livestream show at 7PM on Friday
October 30th. I've got admit I
had some real reservations about taking this
weekly gig on; number one being the
unforgiving little counter at the bottom of
the Facebook videos that show you how many
people are watching. I've been very grateful
that so many folks have loylally supported
this series and have regularly reached out
to let me know how much they've appreciated
a chance for us to all get together each
week.
One amazing note I just received at my PO
Box this week said'
'You're BAD concerts have been such a
wonderful replacement for a live concert
face to face, You bring such joy' songs
that amuse me, make me think, tear at my
heart, impel me to go out into the world and
do good. We love you, John. Keep it up.'
I mean, what more could any singwriter
ever need or want'
See you online!
Much love,
John
September 15, 2020
Just out' Cover photo by the great Jim
Grahamm
Hi Friends,
What kind of a world do we live in where
folk singers are becoming are on your
screens more than your local weather
forecasters'
Just a quick note to remind you that I'll be
doing another online show this Friday
evening at 7PM (EDT). I've decided to call
this little weekly concert series 'John
Flynn's Busk At Dusk (B.A.D)' because that's
kind of how I'm thinking of these shows.
Just imagine that at the end of a long hard
week you find me strumming some tunes out
front of your abode, just camped out there
on of your digital sidewalk, with some
neighbors gathering round.
We had a great time last week. It turned out
to be fun seeing all the comments stream in
during the show, like a little party'
reconnecting with old friends, singing old
favorites and trying out some new stuff.
I've received lots of song requests which
I'm still going through. I'm planning to
pick one or two for this week, and then put
the rest in an old top hat. Each Friday I'll
draw out a new request during the show
(which will give me seven whole days to
relearn it!) If you have anything you'd like
to hear, just email it to me or send it as a
comment during the show.
If you missed last week's inaugural B.A.D.,
you can find it here:
https://www.facebook.com/singwriter/videos/644330343155027/UzpfSTY3MDUyNjk3NDoxMDE1NzMyMjYzNDAyMTk3NQ/'fref=search&__tn__=,d,P-R&eid=ARA4AMvry1-FXiX1Mxvl2P-snQ7QhN5PGVfwXAdwarFjiROYqam-1GnhisVRVf2Zvg-eStcM8hwUpVDc
Several people told me they don't much like
using Facebook, so from now on I'll also be
streaming all my shows simultaneously on
YouTube. You can find the concerts at these
links:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/singwriter/live/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY27wosWHjiq89WV5P0Y03Q'view_as=subscriber
Like I said last week, this show is free.
Everyone's invited and there is no charge
for viewing. But, like any good busker, I'll
have my guitar case open on the sidewalk
next to me to catch any spare pocket change
or crumpled bills. So, if you'd like to stop
by the 'digital tip jar' just google me at:
http://paypal.me/singwriter Ten percent
of the proceeds will be donated to New
Beginnings-Next Step.
In other doings, I'm attaching a link to a
video of a new song that I plan to release
as a single next week. 'How Many Bodies' was
a completely unguarded response to what
we've all been witnessing and (in my case)
remaining silent about for far too long. My
thanks to my musical partner Harvey for the
amazing production and video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=KSl_D_KFMiw&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR0OxIf8H05zUZmTUjB7Z9hBviGvjlm9l0asuUGhA7lyHvH0Z-9KRivw_bc
Finally, I've been asked to participate in
an observance of this year's United Nations
International Day of Peace. The program will
be virtual ' starting at 3pm EDT on Sunday
September 20. To reserve your free ticket,
go to IDPBoston2020.Eventbrite.com or
you can livestream it on the Cooperative
Metropolitan Ministries Facebook page.
Please visit
www.idpboston.org for more information.
Hope to see you soon. Stay safe.
One of my first streaming concerts for my
friends at Focus Music' Even cats dig me!
Hi Folks,
Due to some persistent friends, fans' and,
yes, persistent bills, I've decided to take
the plunge into the new and exciting world
of live streaming concerts. (You have no
idea how big a step this is for a guy who
can barely do more than send emails on a
computer.) I'll be 'attempting' my first
weekly foray into this arena this coming
Friday night, September 11, at 7PM EDT. You
can watch all the fun here:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/'v=644330343155027&extid=MFSLmcMhJbSMiM5C
Friday night's show will feature songs of
hope, including my old song, "I Will Not
Fear" as we again mark this special date in
our collective history. There will be no
admission price asked or expected for
streaming the show, however, donations will
be gratefully accepted through PayPal (pay
to john@johnflynn.net) or by mailed check
(John Flynn, P.O. Box 8273, Wilmington, DE
19803).
Along with a few special songs I'll pick out
for you each week, I will also plan to work
up a request or two, so if you have
something of mine ' or even someone else's-
that you'd like to hear, send me an email
and I'll see what I can do.
By the way, I really mean it when I say no
admission price is needed. A friend wrote to
me recently that she wouldn't be attending
these shows because 'since the virus came
along' things had become very difficult for
her money-wise. I told her what I'll tell
you all ' you're already on the guest list.
Us 'singwriter' types have had to deal with
the economic challenges of this period same
as lots of other folks. Mostly, however, I
just need to start singing to some friends
again on a regular basis. So, if you're a
little squeezed right now, don't feel
lonesome. Tune in to the show Friday and
we'll ride this out together for a little
while.
I'll be donating a small portion of the
proceeds from these Friday night shows each
week to New Beginnings-Next Step. It won't
be a lot, but your donations to NBNS at my
concerts accounted for a hefty percentage of
our fundraising, and I haven't been able to
do any live shows for going on six months'
so every little bit help can help.
Speaking of NBNS, the International
Leadership Association recently asked me to
write an article about the confluence of my
music and my work with incarcerated and
returning citizens. The article I submitted
was called 'The Song I Didn't Play'. It's
about a concert I did last year at the
Howard R. Young Correctional Institution,
and they liked it so much that the ILA is
including it in their 2021 publication, A
Grassroots Leadership & Arts for Social
Change Primer for Educators, Organizers,
Activists & Rabble-Rousers. If you're
interested, you can read my article here:
https://intersections.ilamembers.org/member-benefit-access/interface/grassroots-leadership/the-song-i-didnt-play-john-flynn929
I hope I'll see hope online Friday evening,
and in person real soon!
Much love,
John
August 10, 2020
March 17, 2020
March 11, 2020
Probably the last show for a while'
Sussex Correctional Institution, Georgetown,
DE
Hi Friends,
So quite a bit has happened since I last
checked in. I pray you guys are all well and
taking care of yourselves. As for me, life's
going on pretty much the same with a few
minor adjustments here and there. Of course,
any shows I've written to you of have been
postponed.
Our Next Step returning citizens support
group meetings are on hiatus since we didn't
want to risk either the health of our
volunteers (who are even older than me), or
that of our economically vulnerable members
who can ill-afford any wage loss due to
prolonged illness. We are reaching out to
the guys by phone each week and making our
weekly bus passes and grocery store gift
cards available through the mail. As things
evolve, we will certainly try to help when
we can 'and as we can 'with the resources
you've kindly made available to me through
your donations at my concerts and PayPal
offerings at NewBeginnings-NextStep.org.
(Please don't see this as a solicitation
right now. I know many have been adversely
affected by the economic implications of the
virus. Just know that I'm grateful for your
support!) As far as the prisons, although
they have been closed to all visitors in
Delaware, they have remained open to New
Beginnings, and I will continue to run
groups for as long as I'm permitted inside.
Offenders are incredibly worried about
Coivd-19; some because they're trapped in a
problematic (in the best of times)
healthcare situation, some because they're
seriously immune-compromised, many because
their loved ones are among the most
vulnerable, and a few because they bear the
weight of the nascent stages of spiritual
awakening to the point that they fear being
deprived of the chance to go home and try to
make amends to those whose lives they have
wounded. (This last fear seems to be the
worst and was shared with tears last week by
one of the toughest looking men I've ever
seen.)
I know this social distancing stuff 'and
what looks to me like an impending and
inevitable national lockdown 'has a lot of
folks freaked out, especially those who live
alone. A long time ago the good sisters
taught us about 'the mystical body of
Christ' and what they called 'the communion
of saints'. My Buddhist friends use
different language but talk about the same
kind of thing. Quantum physics now tells us
this real and vital interrelationship of all
things goes beyond mere space and time,
beyond religious dogma, and certainly beyond
temporary shelter-in-place policies. We are
ALL connected. No one is alone. Not really.
Feel me'
When I got home from prison the other day, I
wrote to New Beginnings founder, Brother
David Schlatter OFM, and asked him to point
me to something in scripture I could take
back into my guys. Brother David sent me a
couple things which I'll copy below. People
read the bible in different ways and at many
levels. Some literal. Some symbolic. I don't
wish to get into a hermeneutical discussion
here. I simply offer these ancient and
inspired words in the hope that taking them
into the silence of your heart and mediating
on them brings some comfort in these trying
days:
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most
High,
who abide in the shade of the Almighty,
Say to the LORD, 'My refuge and fortress,
my God in whom I trust.'
He will rescue you from the fowler's snare,
from the destroying plague,
He will shelter you with his pinions,
and under his wings you may take refuge;
his faithfulness is a protecting shield.
You shall not fear the terror of the night
nor the arrow that flies by day,
Nor the pestilence that roams in darkness,
nor the plague that ravages at noon.
Though a thousand fall at your side
ten thousand at your right hand,
near you it shall not come.
You need simply watch;
the punishment of the wicked you will see.
Because you have the LORD for your refuge
and have made the Most High your stronghold,
No evil shall befall you,
no affliction come near your tent.
For he commands his angels with regard to
you,
to guard you wherever you go.
With their hands they shall support you,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
You can tread upon the asp and the viper,
trample the lion and the dragon.
-Psalm 91
and...
But now, thus says the LORD,
who created you, Jacob, and formed you,
Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name: you are mine.
When you pass through waters, I will be with
you;
through rivers, you shall not be swept away.
When you walk through fire, you shall not be
burned,
nor will flames consume you.
For I, the LORD, am your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your savior...
- Isaiah 43:1-3.
I hope to see you soon.
Peace.
And much love,
John
May 16, 2020
After a while in lock-down, my own
grandkids were asking, 'Who is this old
man''
Hi Friends,
I hope this note finds you well. We're all
hanging on for all we're worth out here in
little old Delaware.
First the news: I'll be doing a digital
concert for the Philadelphia Folk Song
Society on Sunday afternoon, May 17th '
https://folksongsociety.wufoo.com/forms/pfs-presents-john-flynn-517-at-3pm-edt/
My concert will be live on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/233186384616328/
New Beginnings-Next Step is forging ahead as
best we can. Although we still haven't been
able to get them up and running inside the
prisons, our returning citizen zoom meetings
seem to be of some value to our members in
their re-entry journeys. Recently my board
of directors charged me with asking our guys
is they'd be willing to speak on the record
about the value of our groups and the men
have been very generous in their willingness
to do so. Here's a link to a very short clip
from a recent meeting in which my friend
Nick does just this:
https://www.facebook.com/john.flynn.771/videos/10223002645473802/
Knowing and working with men like Nick is an
honor. They often carry burdens that would
have buried me many times over, and yet they
keep going and keep striving for a better
way. I think if there's any credit for their
success it remains entirely with them, so
I'm not always sure how much help we really
are. What I do know is they continually
renew my hope and spirit. Thank you for your
ongoing support of this work.
I can't remember a time since my teens when
I've turned to my guitar for as much solace
as I have in the past couple months.
(Perhaps my love of music began as a way of
rebelling against being sent to my room as a
kid' And, in a way, isn't that what we've
all experienced to some degree recently')
Since I didn't have a lot of original
material ready to finish my current record,
my producer Harvey and I have been working
on an album of cover tunes which we'll be
releasing soon under the name Hondo Jenkins.
We've had a blast and got some great takes
on songs by Tom Petty, U2, John Prine,
George Harrison, The Animals, The Four Tops,
The Monkees, The Bee Gees'. We even give
Kenny Rogers and the First Edition a go with
a revamped version of the again famous
(thanks to The Big Lebowski) 'Just Dropped
In (To See What Condition my Condition Was
In)'.
The cover story for the new band goes like
this: Hondo Jenkins is the recently formed
duo of Ellsworth Hondo and Vance Parnell
Jenkins; childhood friends who grew up on
the road, traveling across the country as
their respective parents sought ever-elusive
stardom while touring with the vaunted 'Up
With People' road show.
Their ecstatic musical pairing is the fruit
of a (dubious) midlife attempt to overcome
the bitterness and soul-crushing cynicism
that their parents bequeathed them as they
endeavor to fill interminable hours
presented by the current Corona virus
lockdown.
Hondo Jenkins spans the Mason-Dixon Line
both musically and geographically.
Ellsworth recently left a position as the
assistant manager of a popular Fishtown, PA
bowling alley due to his long-held suspicion
that the music business could provide a more
accommodating lifestyle than that heretofore
conferred by professionally sanitized rented
footwear.
Until March of 2020, Vance P. was the head
salesclerk at a music store in Smyrna,
Delaware. Upon the store's unceremonious
shuttering under the designation
'non-essential business', Vance took it
upon himself to 'borrow' some moderately
expensive recording equipment for the
duration of the work stoppage.
File swapping and musical hi-jinx ensued.
The scamps are currently hard at work
completing their soon to be released
shelter-in-place album called, Take Cover.
The real story is:
Like many of us these days, John Flynn and
Harvey have too much time on their hands.
Hondo Jenkins is a name that John
occasionally used to play regional cover
bars when he was contractually prohibited
from appearing under his own name. With the
exception of the Flynn-penned 'Space
Station', Take Cover is a collection of
cover tunes that John and Harvey are having
a lot of fun putting together as Harvey
patiently coaches John (a true techy-Luddite)
through the intricacies of remote recording
on Pro Tools like one of those movies where
the guy in the control tower talks a
civilian through the steps of landing a
aircraft. ('Pull back! Pull back! You're
coming in too hot!') On some level the songs
all seem to speak to our shared moment.
Here's a peek at a rough mix by this new
folk-rock super group. I picked this
particular song to honor my old friend,
legendary folk DJ, Gene Shay, who we lost
recently to COVID-19:
https://soundcloud.com/john-flynn-39/papa-genes-blues
Speaking of Gene, his passing hit our local
music community very hard. He had always
believed in me and seemed determined to use
any device at his disposal to get me more
exposure. Somehow he continues to accomplish
this even now, as CBS News's lovely tribute
to him featured footage of the two of us
working together. First time I was ever on
network TV! I mean out of hundreds
(thousands') of hours of video of this guy
on stage, they picked him working with me' I
don't know how, but I know he had something
to do with it. I'll sure miss him.
I was honored to have been asked to write
something about Gene's passing for the
Philadelphia Folk Song Society, which I'll
post below.
Hope to see you online tomorrow and in
person real soon. Please take care of
yourselves and stay well.
Much love,
John
This One Stings (Some Thoughts on the Loss
of Gene Shay)
by John Flynn
I've lost friends before. We all have. So
why did the death of my old buddy Gene Shay
from complications brought on by COVID-19
hit me so hard' Why did this sting a little
deeper' Why was this pain sharp enough to
cause that involuntary gasp during these
interminable, mind-numbing weeks of
collective national breath-holding' Maybe it
was our shared history. Gene and I had been
down a long road together.
So many shows. So many festivals, and
conventions. I guess many of us in the folk
community share that sense of deep time
connection with him. Gene was a locus, a
trans-generational touchstone. Listening to
Ian Zolitor's moving tribute to Gene on the
Folk Show, the Sunday night following his
death, made that abundantly clear. Hearing
Tom Rush's guitar doing 'Mole's Moan' during
the intro brought that clenched feeling back
to your throat all over again because you
knew Gene's friendly voice wouldn't be
breaking in at any moment to welcome us all
around the crackling tribal campfire of a
radio program that we've all warmed our
hearts by for so many decades. So, yeah,
history was part of it.
But more than that, Gene was like family. My
kids had grown up around him. When they were
little they'd crowd around the radio in our
dining room to hear him occasionally play
one of my songs. The whole family had once
spent a day mugging for his film crew at the
Philadelphia Zoo for a commercial he was
producing for the local tourism board. Sean
and Sarah had even done his radio show at
WXPN a couple times with me. Yep, Gene was
like family. But even that didn't quite
explain what I was feeling. Maybe there was
a selfish aspect'
Gene always believed in me. Indeed, I
remember thinking after the premature report
of Gene's passing (Arlo texted me that he
had laughed when he'd found out that Gene
had actually outlived his own obituary. I
texted back that only Gene could pull it
off...) that after my grandmother died, I
had a sense that there would never be
another person in this world who thought
quite so highly of me. When it came to my
music, Gene was that person for me.
When I was just starting out, Gene had given
me my first radio exposure by inviting me on
his show. (That is, if you don't count
playing into a telephone receiver on Don
Cannon's morning show on WIBG when I was in
high school!) In those years the experience
was always a bit daunting. I loved
performing live' a staple on Gene's
programs' but I must admit that I always
felt kind of vulnerable at the end of the
song' just as that final guitar chord faded
to silence. There'd always be this moment of
wondering. Would Gene like the song' And if
so, what adjectives of praise might ensue
from that authoritative and storied voice'
What quotable gems for your press kit might
you catch as they spilled forth into a
microphone that might shape the perceptions
of the entire folk community' But praise
wasn't really what Gene was about. I
realized years later that he wouldn't have
had you on the show in the first place if
you weren't any good. That was already
understood. So, mostly Gene's response to
your composition would be something along
the lines of, 'Ehh' new song, huh''
Oh, the excruciating agony of a public
damning by faint chronology! Yes, it was
new! C'mon dude! Throw the kid a bone here!
Did you like it' But nothing ever came back
then except' the best possible thing. 'Let's
hear another', he'd say.
I always wondered about this reaction. That
is until I first heard a replay of Gene
interviewing Joni Mitchell in which Joni
plays the (then) three-day-old masterpiece,
'Clouds' for the first time ' live on the
radio. You hear that last exquisite guitar
chord decay and you sit, stunned by the
craft, the beauty, the sheer brilliance! And
then Gene responds (I kid you not!), 'Ehh'
new song, huh'' WOW! Gene treated us all as
equals! No big stars, no local schlubs, just
songwriters.
His egalitarian approach to the artist would
become even more evident later on. In the
mid-90s, Gene paid me the honor of asking me
to do a series of songwriting workshops with
him throughout the tri-state area. This was
a big deal for me as I was only beginning to
become known for my own stuff. Having been
judged too much of a 'folkie' for Nashville,
I'd built my living' and a good-sized
following' on the Philly and Jersey shore
cover bar circuit.
Gene led the workshops and would open
them by speaking knowledgeably about what
made a good song. He would then use my
material to illustrate his points, asking me
to perform live and then questioning me
about the choices I had made in a particular
construction, lyric or melody. (I never
admitted to either him or the audience that
I felt like anything I'd done right was
purely accidental.) I must confess that I
learned a lot about the craft of
songwriting' and even about my own songs'
from doing these workshops with him. I was,
and remain to this day, a rather intuitive
writer and Gene helped me understand some
things in new ways. He was a great teacher.
At the end of our workshops Gene would
encourage the audience' who generally came
armed with guitars, banjos or some other
'implements of distraction'' to share their
latest compositions. As you might expect,
the songs they regaled us with were of
varying quality. Some were pretty good.
Others were clearly written by folks just
starting out. Some were' well' bad. Back
then, my mind would almost always hear these
new songs from a critical perspective. I
remember Arlo's great story about Steve
Goodman bribing him with a beer to get him
to listen to 'City of New Orleans'.
According to the story, AG had initially
declined Steve's request to listen, saying,
'Songs' I hate songs!' That always made me
laugh and there were more than a few moments
back in those days where I'm embarrassed to
admit that I related to the sentiment.
Not that I would necessarily share my
negative reactions. But my first instinct
was generally to notice what was 'wrong'
with what I was hearing. My thoughts would
automatically race to how the song could be
improved. It was a problem-solving
mentality. Gene's response, however, was
always completely different. It was a
celebration mentality. It always began with
delight.
The first thing Gene would notice and
respond to about your song in these settings
was what was good about it. He'd point out
what you had done well. The songs
originality, evocation, enthusiasm, or even
the spirit behind the attempt were of just
as much interest to Gene as the final
execution of the piece. And he was genuinely
excited that you had decided to join the
family of artists and composers that kept
our music community alive. This wasn't to
say that Gene wouldn't give you constructive
criticism. After he had bestowed some of the
biggest smiles I had ever seen on the faces
of our fledgling writers, Gene would gently
lead the composers into a discussion about
how to improve their work. His suggestions
were always valid and right on the money.
Gene's approach to songs mirrored his
approach to everything. He could say 'no' if
he had to, but his instinct was to begin
with 'yes'. It's a lesson I still try draw
upon. Not that Gene didn't also have a very
funny as hell edge. Once, when I thanked
Gene at a folk music convention for asking
me to run a high-profile workshop called
'Secrets of the Emerging Artist', he said,
'John, no one's been emerging longer than
you.'
Sometime after the songwriting workshop
period, Gene signed me to my first recording
contract on Sliced Bread Records, a label he
and his friend Carl Apter had started.
That's when I first encountered Gene's
indefatigable sense of optimism. It was back
in the late 90s. Gene was tasked with lining
up the producer for my project. I was
excited about his suggestion that we use Ben
Wisch, who had received a Grammy for his
work on Marc Cohn's recent album. Gene told
me that Ben was up for producing me,
providing he and I hit it off personally,
and he advised me to drive up to New York
City and hang out with Ben. The next night I
was standing with my guitar case in the
lobby of Red House Music.
Ben was clearly at a loss to see me and
explained uncomfortably that he had actually
declined Gene's offer to produce my record.
After some really awkward silence, I asked
him why he'd said no. Ben responded that,
though he liked my singing, he didn't feel
the material on the demo cassette Gene had
sent him was strong enough. A couple hours
later I had played Ben a batch of new songs
and he had signed on as my new producer.
When I called Gene at home the next day, he
explained that that was exactly what he had
envisioned happening. He said he had known I
was better live than on my demos, and that
if Ben got to know me and hear my stuff in
person, he'd change his mind. Gene also knew
me well enough to strongly suspect that if
I'd had a chance to stew on Ben's initial
rejection, I would have never gone along
with the plan. Gene was definitely an
optimist. Plus, I remember thinking, that
was some serious Jedi-level mind stuff going
on there. 'This is not the droid whose
recording project you declined''
Throughout my career Gene was probably my
biggest, most consistent supporter.
Sometimes I think he even believed in me
more than I did. So, yeah. That would
account for some of the sadness I was
experiencing. But there was more to it.
There was just a plain old sense of loss.
There was the loss of all that voluminous
knowledge and (to me anyway) old school
savoir-faire. I'm not exaggerating when I
say that I was never in Gene's company that
I didn't learn something. And not only was
his grasp of music and culture encyclopedic,
it was always conveyed in a way that could
make even a sometimes incurious and often
self-involved student like me want to know
more. Kris Kristofferson once joked that no
one could hold you completely spellbound' on
a topic on which you had no interest
whatsoever' like Ramblin' Jack Elliott.
(This is true. I once listened fascinated as
Jack talked about his new sleeping bag for
forty-five minutes!) Well, just imagine
Jack's preternatural ability as a raconteur
rolled into a guy who held forth on subjects
you really cared about! Plus, I honestly
don't think I ever knew anyone as
sophisticated as Gene who had managed to so
completely avoid the joyless tinge of
cynicism. It's what made being around him so
much fun.
But beyond all of this, beyond the sense of
kin and kindred, beyond the generous career
cheerleader and Sherpa, and beyond the
bottomless font of musical and cultural
erudition, my world had lost something even
more precious. It had lost a source of
sweetness.
Gene almost always exuded a simple and
effortless cheerfulness; a natural
good-heartedness. And that dependable source
of agenda less affability was now gone. When
my mind searches to find archetypes to
compare, a few imprecise examples flash
unbidden: Fred Rogers, ET, the Dalai Lama,
Winnie-the-Pooh. None of these are exactly
right of course. Gene was far hipper than
these iconic figures (although the image of
Pooh wearing Dennis Rodman style wrap-around
sunglasses did bring a smile to my face.)
Still, my friend Gene shared with them that
same simple quality of unpretentious
kindness. I'll miss that the most.
So, for these and many other reasons, this
one stings, and will go on stinging for a
while. But scribbling out these thoughts
today helped me realize that the sadness
isn't near as big as the gratitude I feel
for the chance to have called Gene a friend.
And it is certainly nowhere near as deep as
the affection for him that remains and will
abide. So, we'll continue to remember our
friend Gene Shay in our ways. We'll make and
love music. We'll look out for and take care
of each other. We'll hold each other in our
hearts until we can once again hold each
other in our arms. We'll laugh at (or in
spite of) awful jokes. And we'll raise
glasses to our absent friend.
I'll end with some lyrics from the song
'Standing Ovation' which I wrote for Gene's
80th birthday:
You stood with me in the driving rain
In the howling wind and the hurricane
And your soul was kind and your heart was
true
And you stood with me now I stand with you
You stood with me when few others did
Back when I was not much more than a kid
You showed me faith I had never known
And I knew that I'd never stand alone
When my hammer rang on that hard cement
You showed me what standing for something
meant
When I'd hear your voice on the laughing
wind
I would smile knowing I had a friend
Who stood with me when the battles raged
When the lines were drawn from another age
And our songs would try to say something
true
You stood with me
Now I stand with you
As your hammer rings on this hard cement
When they ask where standing for something
went
I will hear your voice laughing on the wind
And I will smile knowing I have a friend
I'll stand with you in the driving rain
In the howling wind and the hurricane
For your soul is kind and your heart is true
And you stood with me
Now I stand for you
' 2015 Flying Stone Music
March 17, 2020
March 11, 2020
Probably the last show for a while'
Sussex Correctional Institution, Georgetown,
DE
Hi Friends,
So quite a bit has happened since I last
checked in. I pray you guys are all well and
taking care of yourselves. As for me, life's
going on pretty much the same with a few
minor adjustments here and there. Of course,
any shows I've written to you of have been
postponed.
Our Next Step returning citizens support
group meetings are on hiatus since we didn't
want to risk either the health of our
volunteers (who are even older than me), or
that of our economically vulnerable members
who can ill-afford any wage loss due to
prolonged illness. We are reaching out to
the guys by phone each week and making our
weekly bus passes and grocery store gift
cards available through the mail. As things
evolve, we will certainly try to help when
we can 'and as we can 'with the resources
you've kindly made available to me through
your donations at my concerts and PayPal
offerings at NewBeginnings-NextStep.org.
(Please don't see this as a solicitation
right now. I know many have been adversely
affected by the economic implications of the
virus. Just know that I'm grateful for your
support!) As far as the prisons, although
they have been closed to all visitors in
Delaware, they have remained open to New
Beginnings, and I will continue to run
groups for as long as I'm permitted inside.
Offenders are incredibly worried about
Coivd-19; some because they're trapped in a
problematic (in the best of times)
healthcare situation, some because they're
seriously immune-compromised, many because
their loved ones are among the most
vulnerable, and a few because they bear the
weight of the nascent stages of spiritual
awakening to the point that they fear being
deprived of the chance to go home and try to
make amends to those whose lives they have
wounded. (This last fear seems to be the
worst and was shared with tears last week by
one of the toughest looking men I've ever
seen.)
I know this social distancing stuff 'and
what looks to me like an impending and
inevitable national lockdown 'has a lot of
folks freaked out, especially those who live
alone. A long time ago the good sisters
taught us about 'the mystical body of
Christ' and what they called 'the communion
of saints'. My Buddhist friends use
different language but talk about the same
kind of thing. Quantum physics now tells us
this real and vital interrelationship of all
things goes beyond mere space and time,
beyond religious dogma, and certainly beyond
temporary shelter-in-place policies. We are
ALL connected. No one is alone. Not really.
Feel me'
When I got home from prison the other day, I
wrote to New Beginnings founder, Brother
David Schlatter OFM, and asked him to point
me to something in scripture I could take
back into my guys. Brother David sent me a
couple things which I'll copy below. People
read the bible in different ways and at many
levels. Some literal. Some symbolic. I don't
wish to get into a hermeneutical discussion
here. I simply offer these ancient and
inspired words in the hope that taking them
into the silence of your heart and mediating
on them brings some comfort in these trying
days:
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most
High,
who abide in the shade of the Almighty,
Say to the LORD, 'My refuge and fortress,
my God in whom I trust.'
He will rescue you from the fowler's snare,
from the destroying plague,
He will shelter you with his pinions,
and under his wings you may take refuge;
his faithfulness is a protecting shield.
You shall not fear the terror of the night
nor the arrow that flies by day,
Nor the pestilence that roams in darkness,
nor the plague that ravages at noon.
Though a thousand fall at your side
ten thousand at your right hand,
near you it shall not come.
You need simply watch;
the punishment of the wicked you will see.
Because you have the LORD for your refuge
and have made the Most High your stronghold,
No evil shall befall you,
no affliction come near your tent.
For he commands his angels with regard to
you,
to guard you wherever you go.
With their hands they shall support you,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
You can tread upon the asp and the viper,
trample the lion and the dragon.
-Psalm 91
and...
But now, thus says the LORD,
who created you, Jacob, and formed you,
Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name: you are mine.
When you pass through waters, I will be with
you;
through rivers, you shall not be swept away.
When you walk through fire, you shall not be
burned,
nor will flames consume you.
For I, the LORD, am your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your savior...
- Isaiah 43:1-3.
I hope to see you soon.
Peace.
And much love,
John
1/16/20
My kids joined me on stage to help with
vocals at our
Camp Dreamcatcher benefit concert
Hi Friends,
We had a great time raising money for Camp
Dreamcatcher at The Kennett Flash last
month. Thanks to all who came out to support
this annual event, especially my kids and my
special guests Harvey, Ken Ulansey and
surprise guest, the amazing Phyllis Chapell.
This is always a special show and I hope
that, if you're in the area, you'll plan to
make it part of your holiday plans next
year.
Some big news! I recently met with my
state's new Commissioner of Corrections,
Claire DeMatteis and the Chief of the Bureau
of Prisons, Shane Troxler. They have
approved my request to begin to introduce
New Beginnings into Delaware's remaining two
level-five prisons. (Up until now we've been
confined to correctional and work-release
facilities in Northern Delaware only.) They
have also expressed a willingness to allow
me to use some of my formerly incarcerated
guys as group facilitators in the new
prisons. This has long been a dream of mine
and has met with resistance from the DOC for
years. I believe it will allow our little
program to grow beyond my limited time,
experience, and abilities. Although I've
been visiting prisons for fifteen years and
gotten to know and care for hundreds of
inmates and returning citizens, I remain
clear on the fact that I still have no real
idea what it's like to be incarcerated or
understand at a gut level the lethal sense
of hopelessness with which so many of our
members have had to live. (As I put it to
the Commissioner, which AA meeting would you
rather attend 'the one being led by folks in
recovery, or the one being run by a bunch of
well-meaning people who've never had a
drink') I think this new development could
eventually change the power and scope of
NBNS in profound ways!
In a few weeks I'll be meeting with the
warden of the Sussex Correctional
Institution to schedule a concert at his
prison which will allow me to introduce
myself ' and our New Beginnings program- to
the inmates down in Georgetown. This will
likely mean an even greater investment of my
time in NBNS, but I honestly feel it's where
I'm called to put my energy these days as we
try grow this program up to a place where it
no longer relies so heavily on me and our
small, God-sent core of dedicated
volunteers.
The new downstate prison groups will
eventually present even greater financial
challenges for us as well, since at some
point, we'll begin to face the prospect of
providing weekly Next Step meetings and
transitional assistance for the men who are
released from these facilities. I know I
just have to trust that the answers will
become evident as I go. As my friend NBNS
volunteer and board member Sandy Stefanowicz
is fond of saying, 'Jump off the cliff and
build your wings on the way down.' I'll
check in from time to time and let you know
how the pinion construction is going.
I get to restring my guitar next week for a
show at a new venue in Havertown, PA. On
Friday, January 24th, I'll be performing at
the Kelly Center (https://kellycenter.ticketleap.com/john-flynn-012420/).
On Saturday, February 1st, I head north for
a show in Bridgewater, MA (http://www.offthecommon.org/).
And the following day, I get to visit my
dear friend Sonny Ochs in Middlburg, NY
where I'll do a concert at the public
library at 4PM. For info call (518)
827-4953. Then on February 9th I'll be
returning to Bel Air, MD (https://liriodendron.com/category/music-at-the-mansion/).
Hope to see you soon. Thanks for always
having my back.
Peace,
John
Biggest crowd ever for this year's annual
New Beginnings - Next Step Thanksgiving
feast!
Hi Friends,
I'm typing quick as we just got a surprise
visit from the grandkids! More reasons to be
thankful as we head into my favorite
holiday.
I had a great time out in the Midwest last
month. Just missed the snow and didn't (I
don't think) show too much rust for spending
more time in prisons than on stages this
past year. One of the best parts of the trip
for me was trying out a new song. The
wonderful audience reaction inspired me to
record 'The Circle of Love' and we just
finished vocals last night. I plan to
release the track as a digital single for
the new year.
Lyrics included below.
My gratitude seems to increase as the years
go by, in no small part due to the
extraordinary people I've been blessed to
get to know through my work. I'm including a
little story that illustrates my point. This
tale has a happy ending as the individual in
question is doing well in a shelter that our
NBNS board member was able to get him
admitted to. More than this however, the
extraordinary kindness of our returning
citizen members in opening up their very
crowded house to a homeless stranger on the
strength of his association with NBNS is
something I won't soon forget. (And this was
not the only time our guys have stepped up
this way.) It fills me with awe how the
folks with the least in this world are often
the ones willing to give the most.
Here's what happened '
He called me late Wednesday night to say
that the prison had discharged him six
months early without so much as a dollar in
his pocket or a place to lay his head. He
told me he knew of a couch he could stay on
for the evening but he was going to take me
up on my promise that no New Beginnings
member would have to sleep on the street
when they came out of prison. I told him I
would meet up with him the next day and help
him come up with a plan.
When we met, he looked like hell frozen
over. It was 30 degrees and he'd been
outside all night. Apparently the 'friend'
he'd planned to stay with had other people
crashing there as well. When these folks
began drinking and smoking crack, he knew
that his recovery- let alone his probation-
was in real jeopardy, so he left and walked
the streets of Wilmington in the bitter
cold. (I later asked him why he didn't call
me and he said, 'John, you have a family and
I didn't want to bother you in the middle of
the night.' These are the kind of men in
work with.)
Little did he know that I hadn't slept very
well anyway, as I was tossing and turning
trying to think of place for him to stay.
Now that the weather is turning colder, the
shelters are full. Our go-to shelter last
year, the RVRC, has been closed for months,
and we learned just last week that the YMCA
was not taking in any more men.
I took him out for some food and used my New
Beginnings-Next Step debit card to get him
some underwear and socks and a bath towel.
He was wearing a coat that he had pulled out
of a trashcan during the night-and it
smelled like it-so I gave him one of mine
that I had tossed in the car just in case. I
have been making calls all morning and had
not made much progress. But, by end of day,
one of the members of my Board of Directors
was able to come up with a bed that might
become available next week at a shelter she
was associated with down in Bear, Delaware.
This man's recovery was on my mind and I
didn't want to place him in a motel by
himself just now, so I called one of our
Next Step members who owns a small house in
Wilmington and has several fellow returning
citizens as housemates to help with
expenses. Our Next Step homeowner agreed
with me that putting our brother in a motel
might not be the best move for his sobriety.
He told me that, although he had no empty
rooms or beds, if I could come up with an
air mattress, he would make a place on the
floor for our homeless brother. My daughter
donated the inflatable along with a quilt
and some sheets, and I dropped our newest
Next Step member off at a warm house where
men who have struggled with exactly the type
of challenges he's facing now live together,
successfully facing life on life's terms.
One of them whispered to me that, although
the initial offer was for a couple nights, I
shouldn't worry because as long as he
remained clean, the new guy could stay until
he found something else. One of the guys
will even drive him to Bear on Monday
morning for his intake interview.
I saw our new brother at the Next Step
meeting this afternoon, where he spoke of
the things he saw as walked alone on the
streets his first night home. 'That was MY
neighborhood, he said. I walked right
through the jungle. Lots of people
recognized me and offered me drugs. They
called my name from porches and corners.
They were high. They were stoned. With snot
running down their faces. No coats.
Freezing. Living in 'abandominiums'. Dying
and not even knowing it.' His eyes filled
with tears. 'That's what I always went back
to. That's why I've let so many people down
so many times. Not this time', he said. 'Not
this time.'
Not this time, indeed!
No one can make it alone in this world. I'm
so thankful to be part of a small but
growing family that is willing to be the
difference between healing or breaking;
standing or falling.
In other news'
Just a reminder that I'm doing my annual
benefit concert for Camp Dreamcatcher in on
December 13th. We're in Dreamcatcher's
backyard this year as the show moves to
Kennett Square, PA. You can save a bit by
buying these tickets early. Please come out
and support this special show:
Here's the new lyric:
The Circle of Love by John Flynn
CHORUS:
Ain't no love without freedom
Ain't no freedom without justice
Ain't no justice without mercy
Ain't no mercy without love
Fat man talking about bootstraps
While he's hitting out of sand traps
Thin man scrounging round for food scraps
While the car he's sleeping in's
Leaking oil from its valve seals
As the banker's doing cartwheels
And the DA's scoring plea deals
As the choir sings Amen! chorus
Politicians flash incisors
As the cops pull down their visors
And we're sadder but no wiser
As the world we're watching burn
Will growing harder just to live in
And to find a damn to give in
'Til we wake up to what we've been
Taking much too long to learn chorus
BRIDGE
It's the circle of love, may it grow ever
wide
Until no one is standing outside
There won't be no either or then
We'll say both and maybe more when
What was lost has been restored when
What is torn has been made whole
I can feel it every day in
My old bones and my archaic
Deoxyribonucleic
Yeah, I know it in my soul chorus
' 2019 Flying Stone Music
I hope you're Thanksgiving is filled with
the warmth of love.
Peace,
John
The best part of my job as Executive
Director of New Beginnings-Next Step is
welcoming home men I've worked with while
they were in prison and watching them set
sail into their new lives. These two are
ready for whatever the voyage holds.
Welcome home, Mike and Alphonso!
Hi Friends,
I've been so blessed in my life -- with family, friends, and work I care about -- that I didn't know I could feel more grateful. But the deep community I've stumbled into helping create simply by continuing to show up for a volunteer gig I had no business doing (and no apparent aptitude for) has changed my life in profound ways.
The lesson that keeps coming home again and again is one that Greg Boyle at Homeboy Industries imparted to me some years ago when I wrote to him seeking advice about helping one of my returning citizens who seemed to be slipping back into old patterns and placing his freedom in jeopardy. Father G, as the homies refer to him, assured me that I'm not here to fix or save anyone. I'm just here to be the tender glance of God. And that by creating the context for the expression of that tenderness'by continuing to show up and stand with the marginalized- THEY would fix and save ME.
I'm not sure
I'm either fixed or saved. But I know for
sure that I continue to get more than I
give. Let me provide a couple examples of
the kind of psychic/spiritual remuneration
I've been receiving recently' First, a
letter that was forwarded to me by the
warden's secretary from a currently
incarcerated New Beginnings member --
September 9, 2019
After attending several months of group settings in the New Beginnings group, I can without reservations state that the overall impact of the program is one of healing. On numerous occasions I have witnessed men confronting their own past behaviors and the behaviors of others and eventually arriving at a place of peace.
Truth, compassion and understanding are the hallmarks of the program and more importantly the volunteers who show up without fail. The volunteers never seem to judge program participants but do provide frank and thoughtful feedback.
One of the most amazing aspects of the program is how gradually every participant lowers their 'protective wall' and allows themselves to be vulnerable. Opening up to what amounts to a room full of strangers is not an easy exercise, but because care and concern are espoused by the staff members from day 1, every participant I've known has eventually gotten 'gut level' honest and shared true feelings. On many occasions there is not a dry eye in the room. Please understand that the tears are not only part of the process as the staff and participants lift up and support everyone in the room.
In this concrete and steel fortress of destroyed and interrupted lives, New Beginnings is an oasis of peace. Every time I leave to return to my housing unit I am uplifted and inspired.
Looking at what New Beginnings and Next Step actually accomplishes is more impactful than what is seen at first glance. While the group meetings refresh and inspire those of us who participate, the tangible benefits are even greater. Many of us take what we experience and learn in our group sessions and transmit it to other inmates and our family members. I call this the spider web effect. Twice weekly, we absorb positive thoughts and emotionally charged support and it carries us through the entire week.
Respectfully,
Eric Harris
Howard R. Young Correctional Institution
Pretty amazing, right' And no sooner had I
caught my breath for Eric's beautiful
letter, a second wave of gratitude knocked
me off my feet.
A few days ago I went to the NBNS post
office box and picked up the mail. Among the
envelopes waiting for me were two that had
been sent from the state prison containing
$75 in checks drawn on the account of an
incarcerated man named Michael who's been
attending New Beginnings groups for about a
year. Michael has very little money, and, if
and when he can get a prison job, he earns
approximately 30 cents an hour with which he
can pay for phone calls and his commissary '
which I won't say is expensive, but, trust
me, the same economic principle that allows
vendors to charge $10 for a hotdog at major
league baseball game is not altogether
absent in prisons. I was absolutely stunned
to see these checks.
Before depositing them in the bank, I
contacted the prison since there are strict
rules against any kind of extra-curricular
relationships between prison volunteers and
offenders. No contact ' visits, mail, etc.-
is permitted whatsoever, and any
transgression could result in the loss of
your security clearance. In effect, ending
my ability to do what I've been doing for
the last fifteen years, and possibly ending
the ability of our other volunteers to
continue as well.
The checks were not addressed to me, I
explained to the volunteer coordinator when
she picked up the phone. They were written
and mailed to my non-profit, which is a 501
C3 and recognized as a legitimate charity by
the IRS. She too was amazed at my story and
told me that there were no rules covering my
situation since it had never occurred
before. I told her that I believed it was
important for my organization to accept this
generous gift, and that to decline it could
possibly be seen as a slight by our
incarcerated benefactor. Part of what we do
is try to help men come to see how good they
actually are. How can we then go and deny
the expression of that goodness'
I deposited the checks and thanked Michael
in group yesterday. He explained that, when
he can, he tries to send some money to those
less fortunate. He mentioned St. Jude's
Hospital as a charity he also supports when
he can. He told me that weekly bus passes
and grocery assistance we give to returning
citizens could mean the difference between
their success and their failure when they
finally leave prison, and that he believed
in what we trying to do. Then he sheepishly
added, 'Besides, I might need you guys to
help me when I get out'.
My sincere thanks to Michael and Eric, and
all who support my work, music and
otherwise.
Speaking of music, I'll be heading to the
Midwest next week for a few shows:
On Friday, November 8th I'll be in
Ferdinand, Indiana--
https://www.facebook.com/events/412897796060964/
And I'll be doing house concerts in Chicago
on Saturday and Sunday. Email
rebekahlevin1@gmail.com for reservation
information.
Hope to see you soon!
Peace,
John
9/30/19
That's
me sitting behind Emmylou Harris and Kris
Kristofferson a few years ago at the tribute
to Emmylou in DC. Watching Ken Burns Country
Music documentary this week has left me
feeling deeply blessed by the folks I've met
and the places I've been. (Kind of like the
Forrest Gump of folk music). Of course, the
bulk of these opportunities came from Kris,
whose faith in me and my music was almost as
stubborn as my own. It got me through some
tough times and was the kind of validation
I'd never known. I'll never be able to repay
him.
Hi Friends,
Some very special shows this weekend!
This Friday night, October 4th, I hope my Delco, Pennsylvania peeps will come out and support my annual concert to raise money for my non-profit, New Beginnings-Next Step. Several of our returning citizens will speak about what this work has meant to their journeys both during and after prison. This year our guys will say thanks to Ridley High School for allowing us to use their auditorium for the event by visiting with the students a few days early for some workshops dealing with a wide gamut of topics including the dangers of toxic culture, peer pressure, addiction, and the power of early choices. I'm very excited about this chance for our guys to work with some young people. I'll let you know how it goes!
Then this Saturday night, October 5th, I'll be doing a multi-artist event in Ewing, NJ as part of the Concerts Across America to End Gun Violence series. Hoping my Garden State fans will come out and support this important show.
Work in the prisons and with our returning citizens has been going well and, recently, it seems we're welcoming a new member of the NB-NS family home every few weeks.
One of the special groups we've been asked to work with over the past year is composed of men who've been providing information to the state concerning the prison riot, hostage taking, and murder of a correctional officer in Smyrna a couple years back. I never mentioned this particular group before because these men are potentially under threat for their cooperation and therefore are being held in administrative segregation. Any thought of confidentiality regarding their location vanished as their residence was made public by some recent high-profile newspaper articles. (See several front-page stories in the Delaware papers last week.)
New Beginnings was originally intended to be a group to help folks transition from incarceration to freedom, but, when the warden asked me to take on this new group, it quickly became clear to me that some of these men might never even leave prison. As I often do, I went to my guys, both incarcerated and recently home, for advice. I asked if they believed New Beginnings could provide anything of value for a man facing a long - or even life - sentence. (I've always told then it was 'their' group, so I generally try to approach big decisions only after I understand them from perspectives to which I simply can't presume access.
The guys told me that there are different kinds of freedom. There's the 'walking around, go anywhere, eat at McDonalds anytime you want' kind that you dream of when you're incarcerated. And then there's the inside kind. Freedom in the heart, mind, and spirit. Of the two kinds, they told me, this 'inside freedom' is the more important. The guys believed strongly that New Beginnings was a great vehicle for achieving some measure of this kind of freedom, and in a dark place, any taste of freedom could be a priceless gift. I told the warden 'yes' ' but only if we could meet with the men without correctional officers being present. (One of New Beginnings very few non-negotiable conditions is the ability to meet in privacy.) To my surprise, the warden consented, and I've never regretted the decision for a moment. I've simply never worked with men who were more grateful just to be listened to deeply, and to be seen, not for the worst things they've done, but for the awe-inspiring humility, compassion and courage they possess. Please keep these, and all incarcerated and returning citizens in your prayers.
I'll be playing in Ferdinand, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois next month. Hope to see you soon.
Peace,
John
Join us for a special benefit concert on October 4th @ 6:50
Ridley High School. For more info click the poster below
NEWS: John Honored By Nation's Criminal Defense Bar:
https://www.nacdl.org/newsrelease/John-Flynn-Champion-of-Justice-Humanitarian-Award
John's Re-Entry Work Is Recognized By The State Of Delaware:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php'fbid=10220077544108096&set=a.1162046130541&type=3&theater
8/8/19
Hi friends,
I hope this note finds you and your loved ones safe and well in the midst of all this week's heart-break. My friend Kim Harris recently posted a quote from the Talmud which I pass on here in the hopes that it will help you as much as it's helped me:
"Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.'
These words resonate very strongly in me and remind me of how Gandhi once counseled that although whatever we do may seem insignificant, it is very important that WE do it.'
It may (and probably will) get worse before it gets better, but, if we stand with each other, it WILL get better. How's that old song go' 'Deep in my heart, I do believe''
One of the best things for me to do in times like these is play, so I feel very fortunate to have some gigs coming up.
Thursday evening, August 15th, I'll be doing an outdoor concert at Bellevue State Park.
https://www.delawarescene.com/event/24543/
And on Saturday evening, August 17th, I'll be at the One World Coffeehouse in Columbia, MD.
https://uucolumbia.net/events/coffeehouse-john-flynn/
I was honored to be receive some very generous and very public pats on the back recently (links above); first by The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and, then, by my home state of Delaware. Every NBNS volunteer will back me up when I say that we all feel we get much more than we can ever give in our work with incarcerated and returning citizens. There are truly so many people, without whom, I couldn't do of this; my volunteers, my board, my fans and friends, who donate from the kindness of their hearts to support our work, even the prison staffs have been a part of an important team that seems to be making a real difference.
With Deputy Warden Karl Sturgill and Warden Kolawole Akinbayo after John's recent concert at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution. Photo by Tycolia Robinson
Most especially, I need to thank my best friend and wife of 35 years, Beth, for being my 'peer support group' through so many ups and downs on this journey.
With Beth at the Franklin Institute after the
National Foundation for Criminal Justice Awards Gala.
In other news, my new single 'An American Cage' has just been released digitally on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify etc. Here's a link to one of the song's two YouTube videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=59fnuuQNwgE
I'd really like this song to be heard, so hope you will not only share, but urge others to do the same.
I had a great time singing at the ballpark last week when we got to take a bus load of our returning citizens and their guests to Citizens Bank Park to see the Phillies take on the San Francisco Giants.
New Beginnings-Next Step is in the house!
My thanks to the Phillies for continuing this special tradition with us, as well as for allowing me to sing.
Leading the crowd in 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' during the seventh inning stretch.
My two annual benefit concerts this year are still a ways off, but I figure it's never too early to mark your calendars. On October 4th, I'll be raising money for New Beginnings-Next Step with a concert at Ridley High School, in Folsom, PA, and on December 13th, I'll be doing my annual (23 years') holiday fundraiser for Camp Dreamcatcher. This year we're moving the Dreamcatcher benefit onto their home turf, and will be holding the show at the Kennett Flash in Kennett Square, PA.
Believe it or not, there's more news to tell, but I think I'll leave some for next time.
Stay strong.
Peace,
John
Oh yeah' Ps., New Beginnings-Next Step hats with our official 'broken handcuffs' logo are now for sale. All profits go to support the work of NBNS. Here's a link:
http://newbeginnings-nextstep.org/support.html
May 30, 2019
Hi Friends,
I'm writing on the morning of my 62nd birthday. That plus the fact that I haven't written in a while has provided me with an opportunity to step back and reflect a bit. Mostly at this stage of the game, I guess the main thing I feel is gratitude.
I've been so lucky to earn a living doing things I care about, and so blessed to have four great kids and a woman I'm crazy about by my side. And now, on top of everything else, grandkids are starting to arrive. Honestly, if I'd known how much fun being a grandpop was, I'd have gotten older sooner!
with 'the kid' at Pop-pop's house
I continue having fun making new friends and hanging with old ones.
with Kris K. on the bus
I enjoyed catching up with my buddy Kris Kristofferson recently. Kris is touring with Merle Haggard's old band, The Strangers, and continues to inspire me as I contemplate continuing to strive in the pursuit of a creative and honest life.
A few weeks back I (almost) passed an old timer named Ronnie Wong at the 21-mile mark of the Delaware Marathon.
with Ronnie W. at the finish line
I had seen this little guy up ahead of me all morning but had been unable to close the gap. I had run a pretty conservative (for once) race so I'd have a little gas in the tank during the final miles for a change. At the 20-mile mark I decided to pick up the pace a bit. When I finally reeled the old fella in, I gasped, 'I'm glad I'm not the only crazy old timer out here today!' The elderly runner cheerfully informed me that his name was Ronnie Wong, his age was 72, and that he was famous for having completed over 300 marathons. (This gave him ten years and at least 270 marathons on me!)
I quickly discovered that Ronnie is supernaturally affable and a natural and gifted raconteur. Since I had no PR (personal record) on the line, I decided to throttle back and spend a few miles letting him regale me with stories from a lifetime of running. Actually, I don't think anyone passed us during these miles since the conversation took our minds off our mutual and growing fatigue, and we actually began to pick up the pace slightly.
The stories were interspersed with sage advice and hard-earned wisdom of the road. At one point, Ronnie asked me where I was looking. 'Looking'' I asked. 'What do you mean' 'With your eyes', he replied, 'Where are you looking with your eyes' 'Down the road', I said. 'Big mistake', he chided. 'Look down at the road right in front of you. The marathon is a game of the mind. You get discouraged thinking how far you have left to run. But you can always take a few more steps, so just concentrate on the next few yards or so. The rest will take care of itself.' Great advice, huh' I've begun to use it in my prison work.
When the headwind picked up, Ronnie ducked in behind me and began to draft, explaining that at 115 pounds he was likely to get blown away. "Damn," I exclaimed, "I've got 45 pounds on you! No wonder I'm so much more tired". He laughed and said, "You should run more! You wouldn't be so fat ANY more!" That's when I decided to leave him in my dust. (But he drafted behind me all the way to the finish line.)
Work in the prisons and with our returning citizens continues to go well. We are all instructed to love our neighbors. And of course, this doesn't mean just the folks who think and look like we do (which can be something akin to admiring our own reflections in a mirror). But how do we love the OTHER' The immigrant, the marginalized' The people who are different and may even challenge our assumptions about our world' Is this kind of love of neighbor just something you do with your mind' A feeling that you cultivate in your heart' I think we are, for our own sakes, called to let it be more than this. I am increasingly aware that New Beginnings-Next Step actually provides me with a context for this 'more'. It allows me to be IN relationship with incredibly courageous, diverse, and inspiring men and women whom I would never otherwise have known. To come to see as brothers and sisters, folks who've led lives and endured things I'm not sure I personally would have had the strength to survive. These folks change, and perhaps in a very real sense, SAVE my life.
I spent a good deal of time with one of them last week.
A devout Muslim brother of ours who has spent most of his adult life in prison for a series of very serious crimes that began at a young age when, with his father locked up, his grandmother rescued him from foster care and explained to him that his biological mother didn't want him. Most of this man's life has been driven by the pain of that revelation. Indeed, he's only now beginning to struggle to let go of the rage and self-hatred caused by his inability to understand or deal with the foundational wound it inflicted. He spoke last night of what I've come to know as the 'hour of the wolf'. That time between 3 and 5 AM when our minds and spirits are prey to our darkest fears and deepest doubts. It is during this time each night, he told us, when he slides from his bunk to his knees and 'tears fall on my prayer rug'. He looked me straight in the eye and asked me to help him. I probably said many things in the final
minutes of group. About how honored I was by his trust, about how proud I was of his courage, about my strong belief that real freedom lay on the difficult path of self-discovery and vulnerability he had undertaken. And about my personal understanding of a God called by many names, who suffers WITH us in a kind of radical solidarity. I'm honestly not sure if any of it helped, but I do know that everything I said essentially boiled down to me telling him that I loved him. I'm spending today in prayer for our brother. If you have a moment today, please say one as well. For all the wounded ones.
I'm heading to Chicago for a live concert on WFMT FM's Folk Stage at 8PM Saturday, June 1st. I'll also be doing a house concert in Oak Park, IL on June 2nd. I believe these shows are sold out but you can email me through my web page to be placed on a waiting list in case there are any cancellations.
I'm looking forward to getting up north next month when I return to the Guthrie Center in Great Barrington, MA (June 14) and the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY (June 15). Other than that, I've got an easy performance schedule this summer. I was honored to be asked to perform for the Foundation for Criminal Justice's annual fundraiser in Philadelphia on August 2nd. And I'll be in Columbia, MD at the One World Coffeehouse on August 17th.
I'm not sure what this next lap around the sun will bring, but I'm very glad to be given the chance and grateful to have your support and friendship on the journey.
Peace,
John
2/15/19
WHAT FREEDOM LOOKS LIKE
Hi Friends,
Someone recently asked another successful returning citizen why he kept coming to our weekly New Beginnings-Next Step meetings after four years out of prison. His response was to ask, 'Why would you not go home to your mom's for Sunday dinner''
What a perfect answer! I couldn't have put it better myself! That sense of family, of community, is probably the most important part of what we try to provide with NB-NS. Forming trust relationships that allow us the freedom to be ourselves and risk being truly vulnerable. And I've come to understand that this vulnerability is the first step on the road to the healing we all need in order to grow and evolve in productive and creative ways.
WITH THE LEGENDARY DICK KNISS AT A HOUSE CONCERT IN HIS HOME
Speaking of creative vulnerability, my old friend Dick Kniss once told me it was a big responsibility being in John Denver's band because John would try out material on you and gauge your initial response when deciding whether or not to share the new song with the rest of the world. Anything less than an extremely enthusiastic response could effectively doom a composition to oblivion. This always endeared John Denver to me. For
though he was one of the most successful recording artists in the world, he still struggled with the same doubts and insecurities we all do when it comes to artistic and self expression. I can completely identify with that sense of vulnerability, especially during the final stage of the creative process. It also illustrates how important it is to trust the first ears (and hearts) you share your song with. That's why I'm debuting a new one (lyrics below) next Thursday night, March 21st, at Baldwin's Station in Sykesville, MD. I started writing 'The Song of my Becoming' for my year-old granddaughter Taylor, but it kind of ended up being for me as well.
I love trying out new stuff on audiences and have come to really trust those experiences and the feedback I get. So if next week's crowd likes 'The Song of my Becoming', the rest of you will probably get a chance to hear it sometime down the road. To be part of the "jury" call (410) 795-1041 for tickets.
I'm looking forward to getting back to the Michigan in early April when I'll
be in Hudson and Ann Arbor. Information on these and other upcoming
shows can be found on my web site at johnflyn.net
Much love,
John
The Song of my Becoming
By John Flynn
I am barrels of monkeys
Bevies of larks
Kindles of kittens and
And gams of sharks and
Every kind of people
Every kind of people
I am pods of dolphins
Gaggles of geese
Prides of lions
And along with these I'm
Every kind of people
Every kind of people
(Chorus)
Like some Buddhist hot dog vendor
This old tune I'm strumming
Makes me one with everything
The universe is humming
The song of my becoming
Convocations of eagles
Charms of magpies
Tentacled rallies
of octopi and
Every kind of people
Every kind of people
I am caravans of camels
Schools of fish
Murders of crows
And along with all this I am
Every kind of people
Every kind of people
(Chorus)
Like some Buddhist hot dog vendor
This old tune I'm strumming
Makes me one with everything
The universe is humming
The song of my becoming
(Bridge)
Rocks and flowers
Wind and water
Galaxies at play
Boundless incarnations live
Inside my DNA
I am quivers of cobras
Parliaments of owls
Zeals of zebras
And wolf packs that howl and I'm
Every kind of people
Every kind of people
I'm unkindnesses of ravens
Gazes of raccoons
Wisdoms of wombats
Asylums of loons yeah and
Every kind of people
Every kind of people
Every kind of people
Every kind of people
In the world
(c) 2019 Flying Stone Music
2/13/2019
Greg became the first one of my guys to return to prison
through the FRONT door when he visited Gander Hill
as a guest speaker for New Beginnings - Next Step!
Hi everybody'
I've run somewhere in the neighborhood of thirty marathons over the years and I can attest to the fact that those 26.2 mile races can seem to be only half over at the twenty mile mark. That's how challenging the final six miles can be. The streets of those races are often filled with spectators who cheer you on and tell you how great you're doing. In the early parts of the race, their support really carries you along. But in the final stages, when the pain and exhaustion set in, when you hit what runners call 'the wall', and the voices of self doubt begin to gnaw at your will and confidence, it isn't the well meaning folks shouting from the sidewalks that get you through. It's the voices of those who run beside you. Those are the voices that carry the most weight. When the man or woman running next to you says 'Don't give up! We can do this!', you tend to believe them because you know they've come down that same long road with you. You know that THEY know how you feel.
This understanding has always informed how I've viewed my role facilitating our New Beginnings support groups in the prisons. For, when it comes down to it, I'm really just a well meaning spectator, braving the elements, handing out some power bars or Gatorade, at times hollering myself hoarse, maybe even playing the Rocky theme on my boom box. And although I know the guys I've worked with over the years, both in prison and afterwards, have truly appreciated what I've tried to do, in the end, it's what they say to each other that really makes the difference. That's where the real heavy lifting occurs! That's when the magic happens!
That's why this week was such a special one for us at New Beginnings - Next Step. Greg, the young man pictured above, is someone I met when he was serving a six year sentence in the state prison. His nickname inside was Superman, mainly given to him by inmates who thought he resembled Clark Kent. (He has since abandoned his trademark the plastic frames.) Greg has been out three and a half years now, and in that time he has done amazing things with his life. He started from scratch, having never so much as put together a resume, let alone fill out a W2. He started small by chasing hours with landscape and construction companies, but, a lifelong car nut, he decided to be near his passion and applied for a job detailing automobiles at a large local dealership. He parlayed that interview into an entry level sales job and a couple years and a lot of hard work later, he is now the manager of that entire dealership!
Greg accompanied me back into Gander Hill yesterday to share his remarkable story, so that other men might begin to hope and plan for their own future success!
To have one of my guys go back inside with me has long been a dream of mine, for no one can speak to the experiences of an incarcerated or returning citizen like someone who's looked into and wrestled with those particular demons, with those sometimes overpowering moments of fear, shame and despair. Therefore NO ONE can bring more hope!
This kind of thing was never permitted before and I'm deeply grateful to Warden Akinbayo for the chance to bring a former prisoner back inside with me. Greg spoke eloquently and powerfully about his decision - made early in his incarceration - not to waste the experience. He vowed not to leave prison the same man he had been when he entered. And he dedicated himself to his own transformation. It was a privilege to accompany him on a small part of that journey.
Greg addressed a large and rapt group of our New Beginnings members, as well as - for this special occasion and by invitation from our guys- prison staff including Warden AK himself.
It took an enormous amount of courage for Greg to go back there this week. (Other men have turned me down when I approached them about this.) What he shared touched many and will truly help prepare men for the hard work that lies ahead when they're released. The response to his testimony was tremendous! He was treated like a rockstar after group was over, with men pressing in to thank him and shake his hand. Lunch afterward at Panera didn't even begin to pay the debt I owe him.
I guess you've noticed that most of my posts spend more time talking about my reentry work than my music these days. I suppose this is partly due to the fact that my time is increasingly taken up with my duties for New Beginnings-Next Step.
The ironic part of this however is that the majority of the funding for the transitional assistance (weekly bus passes and grocery store gift cards, transitional housing assistance, etc.) that we give to our members when they're released from prison comes from the folks who support my music and attend my shows.
That's why I'm even more excited than usual to have a few special performances coming up next week.
I'll be in Sykesville, MD on Thursday February 21st at Baldwins Station:
https://uptownconcerts.com/
At Musical Lairs
in Villanova, PA on Saturday February 23rd:
And in Bel Air, MD on Sunday afternoon February 24th:
In April I'll be returning to Hudson and Ann Arbor Michigan. Info on these and other shows can be found on my website at www.johnflynn.net
As I wrote last time, our NewBeginnings-NextStep.org website now has a link to PayPal through which you can donate directly to our nonprofit. Some of you wrote to me following that news and explained that you are more comfortable sending something through the mail. If that's the case you can send checks made out to New Beginnings-Next Step. Our mailing address is PO Box 7211, Wilmington, DE 19803. A receipt with our EIN will be furnished.
We are also now participating in the Amazon Smile program by which you can designate New Beginnings-Next Step Inc as your charity. That way we will receive a a small percentage of each of your Amazon Smile purchases. The link is: https://smile.amazon.com/
I hope to see you soon!
12/4/18
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM NEW BEGINNINGS-NEXT STEP!
Hi Friends,
As the year draws quickly to its close I'm filled with a sense of gratitude for the opportunities I continue to receive to both touch and be touched by the lives of so many inspiring and courageous people. As a wise young man I worked with for several years both during and after his incarceration said to me recently, the question we need to ask each other isn't, 'what's wrong with you'' It's 'what happened to you'' He is of course absolutely right. It's our stories that connect us. Our stories that create communion and understanding. I'm so blessed and honored to be continually entrusted with these stories, to carry and share them, both on the dark prison tier and the bright stage. Here's an example of one such story.
In group we often talk about what it means to be free. Not just released from the penitentiary or the often overbearing strictures of probation, but really free in our hearts, minds and spirits. Often this means going inward to the place of that original wound. There and only there can the long process of healing begin to take place. It's often hard and scary work. Recently in our Next Step (after prison) group a man talked of living in such extreme poverty that, as a little boy, the entire school bus would laugh when he got dropped o. in front of his family's shabby house. He spoke of how he felt when the prettiest girl in the third grade laughed at his dirty coat. He traced the choices he made that eventually took him to prison directly back to the burning shame that little boy swore never to feel again. A shame that lay dormant but was rediscovered decades later in a prison cell. He's been out a few years now, is working a good job (saying with a huge smile, 'I have BENEFITS!') rebuilding his life and helping his four kids attend college. I'm so inspired, not only by the resilience he has shown in so successfully moving on in life , but by the incredible courage he has exhibited in going back and wrestling with his own foundational wounded-ness. I'm so proud of the good man he is and always was. And I'm honored to know yet another human being committed to being truly free.
As NB-NS finishes its first year as a registered 501 C3 non-profit, we are confronted with some important choices about how to grow our efforts to reach out to the most vulnerable members of our community. If you'd like to support our work to help the incarcerated and returning citizen discover hope and dignity, please consider making a donation to us via paypal. You can find a link on our homepage at NewBeginnings-NextStep.org.
Now some music news. My new CD, VINTAGE, has been receiving an unprecedented (for me) amount of airplay from Folk DJs across the company. I was their third most played artist in October and 'She Persisted' was actually the number one song for that entire month. Although, like Stevie said, 'the landslide (of new music) brings you down', we've been out over nine weeks and the CD is still hanging in at 12th on their airplay chart. You can find VINTAGE on all major digital distribution services. Or if you'd like to see your favorite neighborhood folksinger receive even more than the .0036 cents that Spotify will generously pay him if you stream all all twelve songs, you can purchase an actual physical CD at www.johnflynn.net.
My producer Harvey recently surprised me with a video of a song we released a few years back. The video includes some great cell phone footage captured by Lisa Kristofferson as Kris and I rehearsed my song 'Malala ' backstage at the Birchmere in Virginia. You can check out 'Malala' here: https://m.youtube.com/watch'reload=9&v=vIhuCxJMY_U
I'll be doing my annual holiday benefit concert for Camp Dreamcatcher, a therapeutic summer camp for kids dealing with AIDS/HIV on Wednesday, December 12th. The show will feature my friends Harvey and Reggie Harris , along with my kids, and will take place again this year at the beautiful Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, PA. Here's a link for info and tickets- https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/6910467/john-flynn-family-friends-holiday-concert-sellersville-sellersville-theater-1894'language=en&country=US&cobrand=sellersville&searchType=organization&
A wonderful show to put on your radar for the start of 2019 will take place in Silver Spring, MD on January 18th. I'll be part of the third annual UnNaugural Concert, Playing it Forward, Voices for Social Justice. Info here: https://www.unnaugural.org
Hope to see you out there!
Peace,
John
October 30, 2018
On stage with my producer Harvey at the CD release concert at the Kennett Flash... Thanks to everyone who came out!
10/15/18
NEWS: John's new CD VINTAGE
was The Midnight Special's CD of the week!!!
Cell phone pic from the road:
Don Quixote, aluminum statue by
Anna Hyatt Huntington, Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells, Inlet, SC '
Can't put my finger on it but something about this guy seems so familiar! -JF
Hi friends!
I hope this note finds you safe and well, especially my Florida and Georgia pals. Beth and I got to ride out the big blow in Myrtle Beach (Thanks Rob!) and luckily missed most of the bad stuff down there. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who were affected by Hurricane Michael.
A few upcoming shows--
I'm doing a special gig this Saturday, October 20th, called 'Released To ' From ' For' at 7PM at The 1867 Sanctuary, 101 Scotch Road, Ewing NJ. I will be appearing in concert with poets Luis Angel Mercado & Justice from 360 Poetry Night (and other poets). Admission is free (unlike over two million of our fellow citizens!)
Also, just a quick reminder that our CD release concert for VINTAGE will take place this Friday, October 19th at the Kennett Flash in Kennett Square, PA. My good buddy and longtime producer, Harvey (In the Morning) will be backing me up for several songs. Info here:
https://www.kennettflash.org/event/1710359-john-flynn-vintage-album-kennett-square/
My thanks to Helen Leicht and all my friends at WXPN for supporting this show (and playing the album!) Thanks also to the Folk DJs around the country who have given it such a warm response!
I'll be at Evergreen House Concerts in Plainfield, NJ on October 28th:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/john-flynn-at-evergreen-house-tickets-50980819002
And in Sterling, VA at Focus on Sunday, November 3rd:
http://www.focusmusic.org/concert-s
I've been on the road quite a bit these past weeks, so its always good to hear from our guys. I was particularly delighted to see this recent FB post from 'Big Mike' Watkins' (pictured below)
'IT WILL BE 1YR OUT OF PRISON ON THE 29TH FEELS GOOD TOBE A FREE MAN THAT HAS A CAREER AND IS HEALTHY I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO MY GROUP NEWBEGINNINGS AND NEXTSTEP THANK YOU YALL FOR BEING IN MY LIFE AND THE STORYS THAT WAS TOLD I HELD ON TO IT IN MY HEART THANKS JOHN , SANDY JULEY FOR HELPING ME GROW AS A PERSON MUCH LOVE KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK HUMBLE AND INTEGRITY AND REMAIN FOCUS AND FREE GOD BLESS TILL WE MEET AGAIN PROSPER IS ALL I KNOW AND THANKS TO ALL FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR THE POSITIVE FEEDBACK ON BETTERING MY SELF IN LIFE AND MOST OF ALL MY MOTHER DESERIE WATKINS THAT TOOK ME IN HER HOUSE AND SAID SON YOU CAN DO IT IT TAKES ONEDAY AT A TIME BUT ITS NOT GOING TO BE EASY LOVE YOU MOM. R I P HOWIE MY BIG BRO I LOVE YOU THIS IS ALL FOR YOU I KNOW YOU ARE WITH ME I CAN FEEL YOU WALKING EVERY STEP OF THE WAY WITH ME SMILING DOWN SAY BRO GO HARD OR GO HOME MISS YOU BRO. IF I CAN DO IT WITH A FELONY ANYBODY CAN DO IT WITH A FELONY PLEASE DONT LET A CHARGE HENDER YOU IN LIFE WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES JUST DONT FALL BACK IN THE TRAP AND MOST OF ALL PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS NEGITIVITY RUN AWAY FROM IT AND MAY GOD BLESS DO THE RIGHT THINGS BECAUSE ITS THE RIGHT THING TODO. 110%' -MW
Thank you for your continued support of New Beginnings-Next Step and all my musical (and otherwise) windmill tilting! I hope to see you soon.
Peace,
John
NEWS:
John receives the 2018 Phil Ochs Award 'in recognition of his music and activism for social and political justice in the spirit of Phil Ochs'!
John's new CD, VINTAGE, will be released on October 5th. CD Release Concert at The Kennett Flash on Friday, October 19th!
With Sonny Ochs, after receiving this year's Phil Ochs Award
during the annual Power of Song Concert
10/02/18
Hi friends,
Hope this note finds you well!
My deep thanks to the arts and culture organization, A Still Small Voice and Sonny Ochs for the incredible surprise they presented me with after the intermission at my concert last Sunday in Schenectady. Receiving an award with a lifelong hero's name on it, indeed seeing your own name written there as well, is a profoundly humbling experience. I will do my best to live up to it.
The new CD is finally here! In terms of writing, performance I believe it's my best work to date. (Certainly my harmony singing has improved!) The album was produced by my long time studio pal Harvey (aka to Philly old heads like me as Harvey in the Morning) and I think we've really hit our stride with this project. Don't be shy about calling your local radio station and requesting they play a cut. Thanks to Helen Leicht at WXPN, 88.5 FM in Philadelphia for being the first to air the title track. The video for that song is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=lCmbV_EHwMw&feature=youtu.be
The new album will be available at my shows and website as well as digitally through ITunes, Amazon, Spotify etc. The official release concert will take place at The Kennett Flash on Friday, October 19th- Tickets are going fast!
https://www.kennettflash.org/event/1710359-john-flynn-vintage-album-kennett-square/
Some other upcoming shows include:
Saturday, October 6th, West Chester, PA, Private Event
Sunday, October 7th, Lawrenceville, NJ, WorldWind House Concerts, 5PM, for info or to rsvp email: worldwind.house.concerts@gmail.com
Sunday, October 28th, Plainfield, NJ, Evergreen House Concerts, https://www.facebook.com/events/856312944527910/
Saturday, November 3rd, Sterling, VA, Focus
http://www.focusmusic.org/concert-s
phone: (301) 461-3600
Thanks for your continuing support of my work. Hope to see you very soon!
Peace,
John
9/11/18
Great time performing with my buddy, Josh White Jr., at Uncle Calvin's
in Dallas last week!
Hi friends,
As I type the date, I can't believe it's been 17 years. Let our thoughts today be with those who still struggle with the life changing losses and wounds they sustained on that terrible morning. When the Philadelphia Phillies resumed play a week later they asked me to sing 'God Bless America' at Veterans Stadium during the seventh inning stretch of their game with the Atlanta Braves. The sound- the spirit- of 40,000 people singing along with me under the open sky lifted my heart and gave me the first glimpse of something that could reasonably called healing. It had to do with the sense of courage I felt in the presence of my neighbors that night. I'm not sure this country held on to that spirit in the months and years that followed. But here's a song that moment inspired: https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=g0tSC8x3V9E&feature=youtu.be
I had an amazing time at the Global Homeboy Network out in Los Angeles a couple weeks ago. Close to 400 people, from all over the world, came together to share their ideas and experiences in helping folks reintegrate into society and rebuild their lives after incarceration and gang involvement. I was especially honored to attend the conference with a friend and hero of mine, New Beginnings-Next Step participant and (now) advisor, Quincey Thomas. I met Q when he was serving time in Gander Hill Prison and have been so proud of the successful life he's built since his release three plus years ago.
With the author of 'Tatoos on the Heart', Father Greg Boyle
of Homeboy Industries, and Quincey Thomas
On the flight back from L.A. Quincey reflected on all the wonderful people and organizations we'd encountered at the conference. We were both deeply affected by the hundreds of people from across the planet, all of whom were dedicated to striking some kind of a meaningful blow for restorative justice. Somewhere over Arizona Q said, 'You know, Mr. John (personal note: I will never get this man to call me just plain John! Believe me I've tried!) All those people, Homeboy Industries included, are doing great stuff! But no one is doing what New Beginnings does. (Except for some gospel sharing ministries') no one is really going INTO the prisons where the need is the greatest. New Beginnings-Next Step is really doing something special!' I had to agree with Q and it strengthened my resolve to continue and grow this effort.
Of course the LA trip wasn't all business!
I'm heading to New England this weekend'
I'll be doing a house concert in East Bridgewater, MA on Saturday night, September 15th. Email Jeff at i42golf3@yahoo.com, or call (508) 345-3682 for information.
I'll also be playing the Joe Davies Folk Festival in Middleborough, MA on Sunday afternoon, September 16th. Here's a link: http://www.soulehomestead.com/upcoming-events/joe-davies-folk-festival/
I'm doing a private event in West Chester, PA on September 23rd, and then I'll close out the month in Schenectady, New York doing a concert for my dear friend Sonny Ochs: on September 30th: http://schenectadyhistorical.org/upcoming-events/'mc_id=1174
Final bit of news' my new CD, Vintage, will be out on October 5th! The local release concert will take place in Kennett Square, PA at the Flash later that month.
Hope to see you soon.
Peace,
John
August 19, 2018
John Flynn is as close as we come these days to a live Phil Ochs!
' Vic Heyman, SingOut Magazine
Closing the New Beginnings-Next Step Benefit Concert with some of my guys...
Hi friends,
We had an amazing time and turnout at the NB-NS benefit concert this year! I was so proud of the four returning citizens who got up and spoke about the work we do. I know I surprised a lot of the guys in attendance by inviting them all on stage to close the show, but, as I'm sure anyone who was in the auditorium will attest, it was a moving and powerful experience hearing them sing the spontaneously rewritten third verse of my song 'Benediction' with the words, 'May your days bring you freedom and peace'. (There's some video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=KAUkGo1EqZs&feature=youtu.be
My thanks to NB-NS board member, volunteer facilitator and chief meditation instructor, Sandy Stefanowicz, for helping produce the concert. And a big thanks to my alma mater, Ridley High School for welcoming me home and hosting the event.
The prison work grows and I've been asked to start yet another 'inside' group in a new part of a prison. After I explained that New Beginnings would need to hold to our foundational principle that participation could not be induced or mandated, I met with the offenders on the new tier last week and explained what we are and what we do. I spent about a half hour with the men and told them that if this was to work it had to be THEIR decision and THEIR group. I departed after telling them I would leave it to them to decide whether I show up next Thursday morning at 10AM. I'll let you know how the vote comes out...
This past week I was also allowed to do a concert inside Gander Hill Prison. I joked with members of the audience that I was honored to be there because no one had ever paid so much to see one of my shows before. The reactions of the men to my songs were some of the most powerful I've experienced in going on four decades of sharing my music. My song, 'Just Like Merle Haggard Said (Sing Me Back Home)', contains the lines 'Please sing me back to a place in the sun, where men can be more than the worst things they've done...' At hearing those words, a man in the audience left his seat, turned his back to the stage and disappeared completely from my view. I later learned that he had dropped to his knees and buried his face in his hands for the duration of the song. Sandy Stefanowicz was in attendance and seated nearby. She wrote on Facebook afterwards that, 'One of our guys fell to his knees crying and praying... The next night at our Thursday meeting in the prison, one of the men told John that the words to his songs expressed everything he has ever felt and experienced in prison'.
I'm sure you'll believe me when I write that no award or review from a professional critic could ever mean as much to a performer or songwriter.
Thank you all for your support and prayers as I continue to be uplifted and astonished to encounter brothers and sisters, beautiful children of God, and indeed, our Lord himself, in the faces of strangers who have often endured things I fear I may never have had the strength to survive personally. At least not intact.
I'm increasingly certain that we can all experience these (for me) life changing recognitions if we give ourselves the chance to create a context in which they can occur. As far as I can tell, for a person comfortably ensconced in what our society thinks of as the middle class, this often requires moving dramatically beyond our respective comfort zones. I guess that's often to a place they call the "margins". I doubt I would have had the courage to do this personally unless I was asked. I'll always be grateful for this invitation. At first, I believed that Brother David, the Franciscan friar who stared New Beginnings, had seen something in me that I didn't see in myself. Now I'm coming to understand that everyone in possession of a beating heart ' hence, a heart that can be broken- is not only able to make this journey, but is perhaps duty bound!
I was on a panel with my friend Mary Gauthier at a conference in Kansas City last year and we were addressing this very idea. A man in the audience asked how to begin and Mary said, 'Go TOWARDS what breaks your heart.' Best advice I ever heard.
I had a great time seeing and hearing friends at the Philadelphia Folk Festival this past weekend. The best part was getting to introduce my granddaughter to everybody. There's a wonderful new book called "Smiling Banjo" about the festival which includes amazing photos of folks who've performed there over the years. (There are even two shots of my kids!) In the back of the book is a list of all the performers who've played there and the years they appeared. It blew me away to see that in the past 25 years I've played PFF thirteen times! I'll never be able to thank the Folk Song Society (and head honcho, Andy Braunfeld) enough for all their support has meant to me.
Hanging with Gramps backstage at the Philadelphia Folk Festival
I'll be doing a house concert in Culver City this weekend (Aug 25th). For info send an email to:
JohnFlynnHouseLA@aol.com
I don't get to California that often so I hope if you're a west coaster you'll try and come over and say hi.
The traveling doesn't end with LA. In the next few weeks I'll be in Tulsa:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1984351118283119/'ti=icl
in Dallas:
http://www.unclecalvins.org
And in Houston:
http://www.houstonfolkmusic.org/secsat.html
I know there's a lot going on (and wrong) out there these days. But there are good people everywhere and so many reasons to stay hopeful. Hang on tight and keep the faith!
Peace,
John
"John Flynn isn't the only artist I admire that my kids discovered on their own. But there are similarities between him and the others. Two of the best writers I ever knew - Roger Miller and Shel Silverstein - had, in common with John, fertile imaginations, a Shakespearean love of words, and the ability to see funny things with a child's eyes. Their art, like John Prine's, is a wonderful combination of humor and heart that can move kids and grownups to laughter, tears, or both... The truth is in the details; the gifts are an ear for accurate dialogue, an eye for powerful imagery and anything funny, and a heart open to surprises and the possibilities of moving the emotions. John Flynn is one of a special breed of good-hearted artists whose reaction to the Human Condition finds kind, humorous expression. God bless them.' - Kris Kristofferson
May 25, 2018
Prior to singing the National Anthem at Citizens Bank Park , Philadelphia
photo: Beth Flynn
Hi friends
I hope this note finds you well. I'm sorry I haven't written in a while but things have been conspiring to keep me from the keyboard recently.
My summer chore list included a lot of firewood to split and stack
A lot going on'. I finally finished up what will be my next CD, Vintage. I'm anxious for you to hear the songs which include 10 new compositions and two older ones. One of the new songs, Sing Me on my Way, includes vocals by heroes, friends and loved ones including my kids, my brother Michael, Arlo Guthrie, Kris Kristofferson, Kathy Mattea, Billy Swan, and many others. It is very special to have so many voices from my musical journey brought together in one place. I'll let you know when the CD is to be released, but I'm shooting for sometime this fall.
Our New Beginnings-Next Step Picnic was a great success!
John talks more about New Beginnings-Next Step here:
https://goodmenproject.
My continued thanks to those who support New Beginnings-Next Step, Inc through donations at my shows and in the mail. As Executive Director my time and efforts have been increasingly monopolized by this work but in a very real way I feel it is exactly what I've been doing all along with my music. I know that as a young parent when one of my kids was sick, though I loved all my children equally, my ear was always turned to the cry of that sick child. There were nights where Beth or I slept by that ailing child's door, or held it in our arms. I often feel that the Lord is like a young parent and I feel God most keenly in the presence of those who are asked to suffer greatly, as in the case of our incarcerated brothers and sisters.
Or with returning citizens as they summon the courage to take on the enormous challenges of starting a new life - often without a dollar in their pocket or a possession to their name.
Rather than cost my music, I believe this experience over the past thirteen years has profoundly enriched it. And I will continue to try to share what I learn in my songs and stories.
I'll get to sing some of those songs in Great Barrington, Massachusetts on Saturday, July 14th, at The Guthrie Center. The 14th is Woody's birthday and it is no small honor to have been selected to appear on this particular evening in this particular place. I will be of course including a few of my favorite Woody songs in the show--
https://guthriecenter.org/troubadour-series/
I will also be performing a show Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania on July 26, and I'll be back in Wilmington, Delaware at Bellevue State Park on August 2.
My annual benefit concert for New Beginnings Next Step will take place at my Alma Mater, Ridley High School in Folsom, Pennsylvania on August 10th.
Later that month I will be flying out to California for a house concert in Culver City as well as attending the Homeboy Global Network Conference in L.A. Father Greg Boyle, author of Tattoos on the Heart, calls this conference a 'finishing school for compassion'. I'll be taking one of our NBNS returning citizens along with me on this trip to speak about the work we're doing here in Wilmington, Delaware.
Stay strong,
John
April 10, 2018
"John's songs reach deep and he has a way of touching an audience in ways that few can match. Reviewers often write that Flynn 'follows in the footsteps of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger,' yet John's work for justice and fairness is something he weaves seamlessly into his concerts. He truly inspires his audience. His most recent concert here ranks among our favorites and we look forward to the next time."
'-Russ & Julie
Russ & Julie's House Concerts, Los Angeles, CA
Mike is one of many New Beginnings members making good in the world! He is the manager of a KFC and writes that New Beginnings 'kept me humble and grounded. The next step here! Integrity is number one (in) my rehabilitation!... Thanks for believing in me... no looking back... Love freedom!'
Hi Friends,
I hope this note finds you well! I'm packing for a couple shows in Florida this weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing some old friends and- after a long snowy winter her in the midatlantic- having a chance to get out and run in the warm sunshine. Links and information regarding upcoming shows are below.
The new album is going great! Last night we finished cutting vocals on a song called Sing Me on my Way which features the voices of family, friends and heroes I've worked with throughout my career. Singing on the track are folks like Kris Kristofferson, Arlo Guthrie, Kathy Mattea, and Billy Swan, Jane Kelly Williams, Lizanne Knott, and Ben Wisch. Even my kids and my brother Mike (my first singing partner) join me at the microphone. I can't wait for you to hear it!
The work in prison and with returning citizens continues to teach and amaze me. An example:
Someone in one of our men's prison groups recently complained about a new transgender inmate named Wheeler. (Not using real names here.) Although Wheeler identified as a woman, DOC classifies people solely on the basis of anatomy. Being new to prison, Wheeler was - quite understandably -having a difficult time adjusting. And she wasn't the only one.
'I ain't looking for trouble, but that stuff really freaks me out.' Martinez said with almost practiced disgust. Plus, if you're SEEN with people like that, then other people start wondering about YOU! All I know is he... she... IT... better steer clear of me.'
Before I could say a word, another member of our circle came back at him hard. 'Knock off the bull!' he said. 'Don't use that kind of language here. You're talking about another human being! What about what we talk about in New Beginnings' What about working on your own shit and not judging other people' None of us in here is perfect or has all the answers. If you think you do, maybe this isn't the group for you.'
The room was momentarily filled with a charged tension but the disagreement that ensued was talked out and worked through-as is our way- with measured and respectful words. I saw each man, guided by his brothers in the circle, really attempt to listen to the other. And within minutes a truly amazing discussion evolved. By the time we began our closing meditation ninety minutes later, the group was in general agreement on several points.
One: Though part of Martinez's discomfort grew from simply not knowing what to say (and then covering his embarrassment), people can usually tell what's in your heart. Even a dog knows the difference between being accidentally stepped on and being kicked. So we should just do our best but not worry so much about slipping up and saying the wrong thing occasionally. We're all trying to figure this stuff out at some level. If there's no malice in your intent there will seldom be a real problem in using the wrong words. Especially if you bring to the moment an open heart. So if you don't know how a person prefers to be referred to or addressed, just ask them. (Regarding misgenedering, I've since been challenged on this point, but although I realize context isn't a magic wand, I remain comfortable with my position.)
Two: Prison is a place that, by its very nature, deprives an individual of a large measure of their dignity.
Three: Prison can be, for the toughest, but especially for newcomer, a very lonely and frightening place. (So how much more so for a new transgender individual!)
And finally: Regardless of whether or not you're comfortable with another inmate's sexual preferences or identification, a subversive way to fight for your own (probably) damaged sense of self-worth might be to do what you can to let each and every person you come into contact with (correctional officers included) know that you recognize them as being possessors of basic and inherent dignity as human beings. It may be something as simple as saying hello.
I walked out that evening both marveling at the arc and honesty of the guys' discussion and wondering if anything would come of it.
A week later I found out that Martinez had, a few days later, invited Wheeler to join his afternoon card game. I simply can not express how profound a gesture this was. Such a simple thing. And yet so very powerful. And what inherent risk it entailed for someone who has struggled with what others might think of him. I told Martinez how proud I was of him and asked if he'd received any blow-back. 'Hell yeah!' he said. 'There are always gonna be haters. Jokers call you 'faggot' and shit! I don't care. I thought about what we talked about and decided that no one gets to tell me who I can and can't hang around with."
"Besides', he added, 'she's a good dude!'
She's a good dude! Talk about getting to the heart of things!
But the story doesn't end there.
Several weeks later, Wheeler was actually invited to join our New Beginnings group. Although she didn't say much during her first meeting with us, afterwards, before going back to her pod, she said something to one of my volunteers that I will never forget. She said 'Thank you for making eye contact with me.' I don't think I had ever truly considered a world where this simple acknowledgment of your very EXISTENCE was something to take notice of and be grateful for.
If you want to have your faith in the human heart restored, simply stand for a while with the ones whose hearts have been broken.
Peace,
John
Upcoming Appearances:
April 14th,
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
House Concert,, (SOLD OUT)
April 15th
Vero Beach, FL
Indian River House Concerts
April 27th
Newtown Square, PA
Burlap and Bean
http://www.burlapandbean.com/
May 25th
Philadelphia, PA
Citizens Bank Park
John will perform the U.S. and Canadian national anthems prior to Phillies game with the Toronto Blue Jays
"John Flynn's songwriting carries a wide open heart 'they are both fierce and tender. Think Cat Stevens... with a bit more folk rock and edge.'
' Mary Sue Twohy, SiriusXM
Andrea and Sylvester, two of the wonderful volunteers who help with our weekly New Beginnings-Next Step Community Clothing Closet
February 6, 2018
Hi friends,
I realize that my notes deal more with my prison work than my music these days. Please don't take that as a sign that I'm sticking my guitar case in the closet. Aside from releasing several digital singles in 2017 (These were topical songs which probably comes as a surprise to no one), I've been writing and recording material for an album that I'm planning to bring out by late summer. One track- a new song which I've taken to closing my shows with these days is called Sing Me on my Way and features an entire choir of old friends, including Kris Kristofferson, Arlo Guthrie and Billy Swan. (The list is still growing!) So don't count me out you guys. I've got some more songs in me. I'm gonna keep singing them and will be relying on you to help me spread the word.
I'm excited to be heading to Kansas City next week to perform an official showcase at the International Folk Alliance. The list of showcase artists draws from all over the world and is actually quite impressive. (http://www.folk.org/news/372317/Announcing-2018-Official-Showcase-Artists.htm) I'm proud to be on it.
On the summer horizon, I was recently honored to be booked by the Guthrie Center in Great Barrington, MA to do a show on July 14, 2018 for Woody's birthday celebration! Of all the artists they had at their disposal, I was very touched to have bee selected for this special performance. And yes, you'll be hearing me sing some Woody that night!
In the mean time there's a gig this coming weekend I'm hoping to get a few of you in the DC area out to. On Sunday, February 11th, I'll be in Alexandria VA doing a show with the wonderful Anne Hills at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial'
http://www.focusmusic.org/hills-and-flynn.
Although I haven't been performing as much as I'd like these past few months, I've been kept incredibly busy with my prison and returning citizen work. Yesterday we actually held our second weekly New Beginning's group at Baylor Women's Correctional Institution. This is the sixth group I've taken on (with the help of a great team of volunteers! It's also my first in a women's prison. We have about 20 women in the new group and their appreciation and level of participation has been very moving. (It literally took me years to reach this level of openness and courage with the men's group!) Although I went into this situation knowing that I'd be dealing with some new and different dynamics and issues, my sense that we're not there to solve or fix each other, but simply stand with and listen deeply to one another seems to be being borne out. I'm grateful that I have a terrific group of female volunteers who accompany me into Baylor as the talk is- just as with the men's prison- open and frank. (I think yesterday was the first time I ever blushed in a prison.)
Sex remains such a huge stumbling block for us as a society. My friends Donald and Barbara Olsen, counselors from the Locus of Hope addiction treatment center, recently gave a wonderful workshop on sexual addiction to our Returning Citizen group. They helped us find language and begin to openly address the underlying reasons for which sex and sexuality can be misused and are often so deeply misunderstood. Seeing how our guys responded, both their reticence to speak and their hunger for the information being shared made me more aware of how we so often live as strangers to ourselves, let alone other people.
It also reinforced for me the value of what we do in trying to provide a circle of trust and compassion where we can begin to risk opening up to other human beings.
Someone in one of our men's prison groups recently complained about a new transgender inmate named Wheeler. (Not using real names here.) Although Wheeler identified as a woman, DOC classifies people solely on the basis of anatomy. Being new to prison, Wheeler was- quite understandably-having a difficult time adjusting. And she wasn't the only one.
'I ain't looking for trouble, but that stuff really freaks me out.' Martinez said with almost practiced disdain. Plus, if you're SEEN with people like that, then other people start wondering about YOU! All I know is he... she... IT... better steer clear of me.'
Before I could say a word, another member of our circle came back at him hard. 'Knock off the 'it' crap! Don't use that kind of language here. You're talking about another human being! What about what we talk about in New Beginnings' What about working on your own shit and not judging other people' None of us in here is perfect or has all the answers. If you think you do, maybe this isn't the group for you.'
The room was momentarily filled with a charged tension but the disagreement that ensued was talked out and worked through-as is our way- with measured and respectful words. I saw each man, guided by his brothers in the circle, really attempt to listen to the other. And within minutes a truly amazing discussion evolved. By the time we began our closing meditation ninety minutes later, the group was in general agreement on several points.
One- Though part of Martinez's discomfort grew from simply not knowing what to say (and then covering his embarrassment), people can usually tell what's in your heart. Even a dog knows the difference between being accidentally stepped on and kicked. So we should just do our best but not worry so much about slipping up and saying the wrong thing occasionally. We're all trying to figure this stuff out at some level. If there's no malice in your intent there will seldom be a real problem in using the wrong words. Especially if you express an openness to learning. So if you don't know how a person prefers to be referred to or addressed, just ask them.
Two- Prison is a place that, by its very nature, deprives an individual of a large measure of their dignity.
Three- Prison can be, for the toughest, but especially for newcomer, a very lonely and frightening place. (So how much more so for a new transgender individual!)
And finally- regardless of whether or not you're comfortable with another inmate's sexual preferences or identification- a subversive way to buttress and fight for your own (probably) damaged sense of self worth might be to do what you can to let each and every person you come into contact with (Correctional Officers included) know that you recognize them as being possessors of basic and inherent dignity as human beings. It may be something as simple as saying hello.
I walked out that evening both marveling at the arc and honesty of the guys' discussion and wondering if anything would come of it.
A week later I found out that a few days later Martinez had invited Wheeler to join his afternoon card game.
I simply can not express how profound a gesture this was.
Such a simple thing. And yet so very powerful. And what inherent risk it entailed for someone who has struggled with what others might think of him.
I told Martinez how proud I was of him and asked if he'd received any blowback. 'Hell yeah!' he said. 'There are always gonna be haters. Folks call you 'faggott' and shit! I don't care. I thought about what we talked about and decided that no one gets to tell me who I can and can't hang around with... Besides', he added, 'she's a good dude!'
If you want to have your faith in the human heart restored, simply stand with the ones whose hearts have been broken. It works every time!
Peace,
John
www.johnflynn.net
Follow John on Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/john.flynn.771
or on Twitter-
@singwriter
(c)
Flying
Stone
Music
'John
Flynn's
songwriting
carries
a wide
open
heart '
they are
both
fierce
and
tender.
Think
Cat
Stevens...
with a
bit more
folk
rock and
edge.'
' Mary
Sue
Twohy,
SiriusXM
Sellersville
Theater
with
Harvey...Thanks
to all
who came
out for
our
annual
holiday
benefit
for Camp
Dreamcatcher!
January
3, 2018
Happy
New Year
Friends!
I went
over to
the
Brandywine
YMCA to
swim
some
laps
this
morning
(you can
only run
so far
when its
8
degrees
outside)
and I
noticed
a sign
on the
wall
that
read 'Be
Awesome
Today!'
It
occurred
to me
that
better
advice
might
actually
be 'SEE
Awesome
Today!'
I know lots of stuff sucks in our country these days. (I think I'm safe with this statement no matter which side of the political spectrum you call home!) I've shared quite a few songs documenting my personal takes on much of what transpired in 2017. But despite the disagreeable trolls, bots and seemingly ceaseless fusilade of outrageous, often alarming tweets and soul-concussing news, I am more and more knocked out by the spirit of the people I see around me each and every day.
As Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries and author of 'Tatoos on the Heart' points out, we should stand in awe that the poor and marginalized manage to carry the burdens they do, rather than stand in judgment of how they carry them. This is a lesson brought home again and again in my work with New Beginnings and New Beginning-Next Step.
Just a small illustration. Elliott* (*not real name), a long time member of our Gander Hill Prison group, is being transferred to another facility this week. In his final session with New Beginnings he looked across the circle at a man named Claude* who'd only been attending our meetings for a few months. Claude had come to us with more than the normal share of inmate challenges (and I remember wondering if we'd be able to help him much) but week by week, we'd seen him grow in confidence and self awareness. He was visibly buoyed by the trust and affection he experienced in group, and instead of continuing to be held captive by a long list of anxieties about the future, Claude had begun to 'eat the elephant one bite at a time'', breaking down big, seemingly insurmountable problems into smaller, more manageable portions. Each week, Claude would confide in the group, discussing troubling issues, weighing advice, and ultimately making simple, reasonable decisions. As a result of this Claude was seeing, maybe be for the first time in his life, some things starting to turn around and go his way. He was experiencing what psychologists call agency; the realization that he had the power to affect his own life in positive productive ways.
Elliott addressed Claude saying, 'Brother, before I leave here I want you to know how proud I am of you, and how far I've watched you come in a short time. I know you have many doubts about yourself, but I've been privileged to see you grow so much!' At this point Elliott unstrapped a large rugged black digital watch from his wrist. (Being paid 32 cents an hour, if they're fortunate enough to have jobs, very few inmates can save enough money to purchase watches from the prison commissary.) Elliott presented the watch to Claude and said, 'I want you to have this. You told me once how much you admired it. So please accept it as a gift from me, and every time you look at it, remember how much I believe in you". Claude's eyes brimmed with tears as he struggled to find and give voice to words of the most profound gratitude you can imagine. Other guys in the group saw him losing the fight for composure and said, "It's ok, man... tears are ok.... let 'em come.' They did. (I personally hadn't waited for permission.)
In a place where men have next to nothing, I witnessed one of the most beautiful acts of kindness I've ever seen.
So bring on the nightly news, I can handle it! I saw a hell of a lot of awesome today!
I'll be
in New
York
this
month
for a
few
shows:
Friday,
January
12, I'll
be at 6
On The
Square
in
Oxford,
NY.
http://www.6onthesquare.org/
Saturday,
January
13, I'll
be with
my good
friend
Reggie
Harris
at
Walkabout
Clearwater
Coffeehouse
in White
Plains,
NY.
And
Sunday,
January
14, I'll
be doing
a 4PM
show at
the
Public
Library
in
Middleburgh,
NY. My
dear pal
Sonny
Ochs
will be
hosting
this
show.
Stay
warm and
keep
your
heart
and
spirit!
Peace,
John
www.johnflynn.net
Follow John on Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/john.flynn.771
or on Twitter-
@singwriter
(c)
Flying Stone Music
'John
Flynn's
songwriting
carries
a wide
open
heart '
they are
both
fierce
and
tender.
Think
Cat
Stevens
' with a
bit more
folk
rock and
edge.'
' Mary
Sue
Twohy,
SiriusXM
New
Beginnings-Next
Step
member
Curtis
Reed
receives
a
standing
ovation
after
addressing
the
audience
about
the
program
at this
year's
benefit
concert
November,
2017
Hi
Friends,
Hope
this
note
finds
you all
well!
A few upcoming shows I wanted to put on your radar'
Thursday,
November
16th
I'll be
back in
Sykesville
MD at
Baldwins
Station
(http://www.baldwinsstation.
And
Wednesday
December
13th
will be
my 21st
Annual
Holiday
Benefit
Concert
for Camp
Dreamcatcher,
a
therapeutic
summer
camp for
kids
dealing
with
HIV/Aids.
The show
will
take
place at
the
Sellersville
Theater
and will
feature
friends
and
special
guests
Lizanne
Knott,
Michael
Braunfeld,
and
Harvey
(In the
Morning).
(https://www.st94.com/event/
I'll be
back in
New York
for some
shows in
January
and
performing
an
official
showcase
at the
International
Folk
Alliance
Convention
in
Kansas
City in
February.
Look for
info on
my web
site. (https://www.johnflynn.net/
My
little
west
coast
tour
last
month
was a
blast.
Beth
and I
had a
great
time
connecting
with old
friends
and '
since
more and
more of
my days
have
been
getting
taken up
with my
guys
here in
Delaware
-- I
really
enjoyed
getting
out and
doing
some
back to
back
shows.
(By the
third
night I
wasn't
even
forgetting
the
lyrics
to my
songs!)
Before
heading
home,
Beth and
I took a
little
side
trip out
to
Joshua
Tree and
got to
do some
hiking
in the
desert--
Skull
Rock,
Joshua
Tree
National
Park
Cap
Rock,
Joshua
Tree
National
Park
In other
news'
I'm
proud to
announce
that I
have
assembled
the
inaugural
Board of
Directors
for New
Beginnings-Next
Step,
Inc. I'm
very
grateful
that
these
amazing,
talented
and
caring
folks
have
agreed
to have
my back
as we
move
forward
in
growing
our work
both
inside
and
outside
of
Delaware's
prisons.
Stay
tuned,
'cause
something
tells me
this is
only the
beginning!
Our
Board Of
Directors
is:
Frank
Hoffmann
Owner,
Hoffmann
&
Associates
LLC.
Former
New
Beginnings
volunteer
Robert
Fox
Adjunct
Professor
of
Taxation,
Wilmington
Collegee
Glenn
Pfeil
President
,
21st-Century
Insurance
Cathy
Weaver
Senior
Vice
President
for
Mission
Integration,
Mercy
Healthcare
System
Sandy
Stefanowicz
Professional
Development
Coordinator/
Acting
Teacher/
Career
Consultant,
Voice
Box LLC.
New
Beginnings
and Next
Step
volunteer
Ashley
Biden
Executive
Director,
Delaware
Center
for
Justice
I'll
keep you
updated
on all
the
exciting
goings
on in
the
coming
months.
Thanks
for your
continued
support
of my
music
and my
work!
Peace,
John