12/1/24

With John Legend before singing at a Get Out the Vote event

Hi Friends,

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

I continue to be humbled by the incredible teachers I find among many of the incarcerated and returning citizens I work with in New Beginnings and Next Step. Gratitude for simple things seems to be a way of seeing the world for many of our guys. Take this text message I received from someone who was released from prison back in September:

"Good afternoon John I just wanted to share my joy with you I'm cutting green beans, prepped the turkey, and gave my little guy his dog treat and tears are running down my face cause this time last year I was getting ready to serve a bunch of guys in white, man this is such a great feeling ... I need to share this cause it's too exciting (sic) not to but for two I have to give thanks to God, you and new beginnings for this joy THANK YOU"

God bless all the folks whose donations make it possible for me to devote so much time to my work with NB-NS. As Greg Boyle contiually points out, we go to the margins, not to change the people we meet there, but to be changed by them. I can attest to this.

As for Beth and me, we got together with about sixty family members (the first time since the pandemic) and had a blast catching up, meeting the newest members of the clan, eating, and singing the old songs. It's no secret that my political leanings don't match up with most of my extended tribe, but none of that mattered a lick, as we just basked in the glow of something much. much deeper. It was a joy!

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..

.

As many of my friends predicted, I couldn't help but write something to mark the passing of my old friend and hero Kris Kristofferson. The new song is called "Kris's Rules”, and its chorus quotes Kris from a magazine interview I read many years ago.

I originally showed the new lyrics to Kris's wife Lisa to make sure it was ok to quote him in my song. Lisa not only graciously permitted this but suggested that I list Kris as a co-writer (I had intended to attribute the lines as "used by permission"). Adding Kris's name as a co-writer to a song of mine is truly one of the biggest honors of my songwriting career. Here are the lyrics:

KRIS’S RULES by John Flynn and Kris Kristofferson

JUST A COUPLE DAYS AGO I HEARD YOU’D SLIPPED AWAY
NO ONE BUT MY OLD GUITAR TO CRY WITH SO I PLAYED
ALL THOSE SONGS YOU WROTE AND AFTER I’D SUNG EACH ONE THROUGH
A VOICE INSIDE ME SEEMED TO SAY “BOY, NOW IT’S UP TO YOU”
WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN I ASKED TO NO ONE THERE
THE SADNESS LIKE MY QUESTION SEEMED TO HANG IN EMPTY AIR
BUT THEN AS IF YOUR SPIRIT STOOD THERE WITH ME IN THE ROOM
I COULD HEAR YOU TELLING ME JUST WHAT I HAD TO DO

TELL THE TRUTH SING WITH PASSION
WORK WITH LAUGHTER LOVE WITH HEART
TELL THE TRUTH SING WITH PASSION
WORK WITH LAUGHTER LOVE WITH HEART

YOU USED TO REMIND US ALL WHAT WILLIAM BLAKE HAD SAID
THAT SORROW AND CONFUSION HAUNT THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
SHOULD THEY TURN THEIR BACKS UPON THE LIVES THEY’VE BEEN CALLED TO
FOR POETS, SAINTS, AND FOOLS LIKE ME THE WAY TO HONOR YOU IS

TELL THE TRUTH SING WITH PASSION
WORK WITH LAUGHTER LOVE WITH HEART
TELL THE TRUTH SING WITH PASSION
WORK WITH LAUGHTER LOVE WITH HEART

I HAVE NO PLACE TO LAY THIS HEARTACHE OR MY GRATITUDE
SO I’LL JUST KEEP ON DOING WHAT I THINK I’M CALLED TO DO
BLESSED BECAUSE I CAME TO KNOW A HERO AS A FRIEND
WHO TRIED TO HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT MATTERS IN THE END

TELL THE TRUTH SING WITH PASSION
WORK WITH LAUGHTER LOVE WITH HEART
TELL THE TRUTH SING WITH PASSION
WORK WITH LAUGHTER LOVE WITH HEART

JUST A COUPLE DAYS AGO I HEARD YOU’D SLIPPED AWAY

"Kris's Rules" will be included on my next album, but for those who'd like to hear it sooner, here's a link to an early cell phone video –
https://youtu.be/JtFSJRuwdxo?si=x5hXJD1Uzl9Y4Pwy

I'll kick off the Christmas season with two special shows this weekend. On Friday December 6th, I'll be in Kennett Square, PA doing my annual fundraising concert for Camp Dreamcatcher.
https://kennettflash.org/event/john-flynn-2/kennett-flash/kennett-square-pennsylvania/


On Saturday December 7th, I'll be doing a special holiday show at the Passage Theater in Trenton, NJ. (https://www.passagetheatre.org/).

In January I'll be heading to Texas for shows in Austin, Houston and Bonham; also, Fulton, MD, Philadelphia, PA, Newark, DE. Info on these and other performances will be listed at https://johnflynn.net/shows.html .

Also, look for my B.A.D. (Busk After Dusk) shows on most Friday night's at 7PM under the Events tab on my Facebook "Band" page (https://www.facebook.com/singwriter), or on my YouTube channel at (https://youtube.com/@singwriter272?si=a7eS8rJAgVBBkDwN).

Please spread the word!


Peace,

John

---

10/13/24

Hi Friends,

Just a quick note to share some thoughts and a new song.

News of the loss of Kris Kristofferson hit many of us hard. It was no secret that Kris was a hero and a friend.
One of those who reached out to me after hearing the news was my friend Greg Boyle at Homeboy Industries. Father G is fond of saying, "death is a punk". I always liked that line a lot. To me it means that death thinks it takes everything. But it's wrong because it can't touch the gratitude, and it sure as hell can't take the love.

I won't try to sum up what Kris meant to me in this note, but he and his amazing wife Lisa have been incredibly generous to me for going on twenty-five years.

It had been a while since I last saw my old friend. Attached is a photo from that visit on his bus after a show in Glenside, PA.



I'll always feel very blessed by Kris's friendship and faith in me. There simply was nobody better to have in your corner. My thoughts and prayers remain with his family and friends.

If you'd like to hear some of my favorite Kristofferson tunes as well as a few stories about Kris, here's a link to a special online event I did. I'll warn you; it gets a bit emotional at one point:

https://youtu.be/Xeil6nO9OqU?si=3g4r8RSyuvqRW4us

Over the years, Kris was kind enough to sing on many of my recordings. One of them, "Malala" was about the youngest person to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Given the unparalleled stakes of the upcoming election, I decided to rewrite the lyrics to "Malala" and re-sing the song (of course minus my old friend's wonderful harmonies).

Here's a link to the new video of "Kamala". (I assure you that this will be the first and last time you will get to see me dance!) Please check out and share:

https://youtu.be/VomSgtB1YNw?si=wFln2cQLlafLFHln

And, of course, vote!!

Peace,

---

9/15/24

Closing the 61st Philadelphia Folk Festival

Hi Friends,

Hope this note finds you well!

I had a blast at this year’s Philadelphia Folk Festival where I got to MC the Friday and Saturday evening Main Stage, and then close out the fest on Sunday night.

My Sunday night set was special to me since one of my younger brothers attended (the first time any of my siblings came to one of my performances in many years). I don't think it betrays any confidences or makes my extended family special to admit that we don't always agree on things these days. That's the main reason why I included a new song in my set that night.

I shared the lyrics of "What Would My Brother Do" in my last post card. Here's a link to my performance of this song on the Martin Guitar Stage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7ItDX_RgOU

If you'd like to check out my whole PFF set you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5yVGtVyDuw&t=2s

Hanging with some new friends at Camp Dreamcatcher

And now for a change! With this note I'm temporarily putting aside my near-constant efforts to raise money for New Beginnings-Next Step in order to... you guessed it... raise money for another cause that is very dear to my heart. Camp Dreamcatcher is a therapeutic summer camp for children whose lives have been infected or affected by AIDS/HIV. I've been involved with Dreamcatcher for twenty-eight years, both as a fundraiser as well as singing for the kids at camp each summer.

Going "Over the Edge" for Camp Dreamcatcher

At 1PM on September 28, I will once more attempt to rappel down the side of an eight-story building in Kennett Square, PA in an effort to raise $1000 for Camp. (At this writing I'm $150 short of my goal, but neither Camp nor I would mind exceeding the $1k goal.)

Those who follow this page may remember my admitted discomfort with heights. (OK, fear, alright? There I said it! Let's call it what it is! Fear of heights!) Anyway, my rappelling experience last year led me to the write the song "I'd Rather Die While I'm Alive". God knows what this year holds in store. I hope you will consider supporting this very worthy cause and donating to my fundraising page: (https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/5623307)

After my (now annual) afternoon bullfight with gravity on 9/28, I will be heading to Villanova, PA to perform that evening at my favorite house concert, Musical Lairs. I've probably been playing ML for as long as I've been working with Dreamcatcher. It's always a special show with a wonderful audience. I'm looking forward to seeing lots of old friends! Here's a link for info: http://www.musicallairs.org/

In the meantime, this coming Saturday, September 21st, I will be appearing in a free 6PM concert at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doylestown, PA. (https://www.olguadalupe.org/events)

On October 11 I'll be in Leola, PA. https://www.musicatmapleandmain.com


My work in the prisons goes well. The men in our newest support group at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Institution continue to astonish me with their courage and willingness to invest deeply in the idea that there is not only a better way to live, but that together we can help each other find that way. As one young man said in group last week. "I've never been where I'm trying to go".

Welcome to the journey, brother!

Peace,






ps. I'm currently slotted for a couple shows in Texas in early January. The problem is that I currently don't have quite enough on my dance card to offset the costs involved (air-fare, car rental, motel). If you have any leads on a house concert down there please give them (or me) a shout.

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 can’t 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
There’s prob’ly better ways to make a living
But there’s 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 you’d be wrong to think his heart ain’t good or kind or true
That’s 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 he’d reach out his hand to you
That’s why I often ask myself what would my brother do

God knows that I don’t 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 don’t 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 I’d have his back and he would have mine too
That’s why I often ask myself what would my brother do

God knows that we don’t 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 don’t 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
That’s 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! We’re 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 we’ve 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 men’s 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

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, I’ll be doing a house concert in Flourtown PA at Another Chance Café 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 wasn’t complicated and it wasn’t 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 you’re only dreaming John and now it’s 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

There’s a simple song of peace in each and every thing
Rocks and birds and trees and waters if we’re listening
We’re 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 he’d 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:


I’D RATHER DIE WHILE I’M ALIVE

MY NEIGHBOR HAROLD’S 93 HE’S SUCH A HAPPY DUDE
SAYS EVERY DAY ABOVE THE GROUND’S A GIFT
HE’S HAD HIS SHARE OF TOUGH BREAKS BUT HE’S FILLED WITH GRATITUDE
SAYS JOHN THAT’S THE WAY I GOT TO LIVE IF

I’M GONNA DIE WHILE I’M ALIVE
I WANT TO LIVE NOT JUST SURVIVE
WE GET TO MAKE A CHOICE AND I’D
RATHER DIE WHILE I’M 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 THAT’S THE PRICE FOR LOVING TREES HE SAID

I’D RATHER DIE WHILE I’M ALIVE
I WANT TO LIVE NOT JUST SURVIVE
WE GET TO MAKE A CHOICE AND I’D
RATHER DIE WHILE I’M 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 WE’D JUST ALL BEGIN TO FADE AWAY

MY NEIGHBOR HAROLD’S 93 HE’S SUCH A HAPPY GUY
SAYS EVERY DAY ABOVE THE GROUND’S A CHANCE
TO READ A BOOK OR CRACK A JOKE OR LOOK UP AT THE SKY
THERE AIN’T NO WAY HE’S SITTING OUT THE DANCE

HE’D RATHER DIE WHILE HE'S ALIVE
HE WANTS TO LIVE NOT JUST SURVIVE
SAYS WE ALL GET A CHOICE AND I’D
RATHER DIE WHILE I’M ALIVE

WE GET TO MAKE A CHOICE AND I’D
RATHER TO DIE WHILE I’M 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, I’ll 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 Delaware’s 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 who’ve 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 ain’t 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 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 didn’t 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. She’s 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 won’t 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 you’ll look in and continue to support this increasingly global yet authentically Philadelphian musical experience.

Tickets are available here:
https://folkfest.org/59½-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
 

This week’s 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 night’s BAD show, I’ll also be appearing with Faith Nolan and Crys Matthews on the Peoples’ Voice Café, 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,

December 10, 20202

This week’s 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

John’s Facebook “Band Page”:
https://www.facebook.com/197531470267589/posts/3654864444534257/





Check out this short documentary by filmmaker Peter Safran of John’s 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. We’ve 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 night’s show, now you know why.) Fortunately, our patient seems to be recovering just fine as we wait out our mandatory quarantine. Although I’m grateful that we’ve 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 we’re now witnessing each day–especially given the prevalence of mental instability and despair in this country. Perhaps that’s 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 congregation’s Christmas service. Brian explained that the song’s origins–of 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 Dog’s rendering in an old Muppet’s holiday special.) I’ve since learned that the song’s words were written by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Christmas day in 1863 as he contemplated the incongruity of the season’s message of peace in the midst of a time in which our land knew so much bitterness and blood. None of the versions I’d ever heard of the song included Longfellow’s 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 author’s 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 song’s 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 week’s B.A.D. (Busk At Dusk) links for Friday November 27th:

On YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=v1nzs1quEh8&fbclid=IwAR0mTH0308HzIpGzNg51zSCw33NMsV6J85e9f7bnj8WgF8ROuUX0RKcOIvI
or

John’s Facebook “Band Page”:
https://www.facebook.com/197531470267589/posts/3614222095265159/




Hi friends,

As I write on this Thanksgiving Eve, I’m 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 aren’t being discovered through one of those genetic testing services (which only told me what I already knew – that I’m 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.

There’s never been more work to do. So many walls to tear down. So many bridges to build. It’s truly ‘all hands on deck’ time. So, whatever you bring with you, whether it’s 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.

I’m truly grateful to all of you for all the support you’ve 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 6^th, 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 13^th.