Then Dave Chatel played.  He  came from Mobile Alabama to play Language of the Heart on the guitar while we  sang it together. When I first put the “Play with Dave onstage”, it was just a fun notion,  and now it is real.  Years ago when I was learning Joni Mitchell guitar parts  exactly right, I would imagine that someday I would get to play for Joni as she  sang.  It was a way for me to focus my intent, and also to send my gratitude  back to the music that moved me. Lately I have realized that my songs have been  there for other guitar players in the same way.  And when I invited people on Facebook to  send their YouTube videos of songs that they wanted to play, there were lots of  responses.  Dave Chatel is a whoop-ass guitar player who listened to my stuff  twenty years ago and it was one of his influences.  He writes most of his songs  in DADGAD tuning but he plays it out of different tonal centers and has taken it  in his own direction.  It was great hearing his songs backstage, and our duet on  Language of the Heart went great.  

I loved singing with Nance.  We  did IF IT WASN’T FOR THE NIGHT and it sounded so good to hear our harmonies on  that great sound system.  I played old stuff and new stuff and heartfelt stuff  and funny stuff, and it all fit together in a good balance.   I loved telling  the story around the new song Dynamite in the Distance, and it came out better  than ever.  Luckily Michael Murphy recorded the whole night.  I loved Chris  Rosser’s new song.  Wow.  It set the tone for the night, honest and real.  And  it was so good for my heart to hear Annie and Joe sing together.  Annie Lalley  and Joe Ebel are so beautiful together.  And Billy Jonas did a new song that got  everyone singing and brought us home.  That was the encore.  But just before  that, we sang my favorite perennial Billy Jonas song: Pissin’ Outside.  Ah, the  simple joys.  In between the guests I played lots of songs that most moved me,  and the only one I wish I had thought of to play was IT’LL WORK ON YOU.  I love  singing that one.  But we only had a limited time and we made good choices.  I  guess that’s what I hope to say about my whole life.  And the choices made last  night were about celebrating community and the stuff that matters.  I said to  everyone as I took my bow that I am grateful to be able to sing for you tonight  and to be a part of this community.  Thank you for giving us a  home.