Well, I'm really looking forward to a weekend of music. Gonna play alot of my own songs. "Crazy on the Same Day", "One Word"... and, some James Taylor, Rob Thomas, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Eagles. But today, I'm gonna meet with a great guy who runs one of the finest concert venues here in New York City, about the concert we're putting together to help the innocent civilians... the mothers and fathers and children... children... whose lives are being torn apart in Iraq. (I'm really excited about being able to help a remarkable group of people to do the work that they do.)

Me and my friends? We're just here to help-them-help-them. More about that in a minute.

But first, well quickly...

It's a rainy day here in New York City.

Yeah... tonight's installment of the "Sunset Concert Series" on Pier 45 has been officially "rained out". But, I'll be there next Friday night, okay?

I personally think I'll be heading out to Central Park tomorrow for sure. Got a feeling the weather's gonna be perfect. I know I could use a lazy summer afternoon with a guitar on my shoulder in your company. If you're not doing anything else, why doncha head on out and join me. I'm gonna do some new songs I've written over the winter that aren't on any of the CDs, yet. "Reality TV", "I Love the Company", "I Was You"...

And, on Sunday afternoon I'll be playing and singing in Riverside Park. Gonna be a fun weekend of music and laughs... like always.

Click on this update from July 3rd for a MAP and info about the concerts in Riverside Park.

So listen, though, about that benefit concert.

No matter what we wind up doing, I want you all to be aware of the work that is being done on the ground in Iraq by some amazingly wonderful people... people who are helping repair the injury, as well as calming the anger and hatred in that part of the world. (Doncha feel like it's gotta be just a litle bit harder to hate the people responsible for killing your family or blowing your arms and legs off, if some of the same people are bandaging your child's head, giving you your eyesight back, or fitting you for a new leg?)

Anyway, there are people doing exactly that. This woman is one of them.

Elissa Montanti

But, she's doing it on a shoestring and a series of perfectly practical, explainable miracles... and, she's doing it one broken life at a time. It's truly amazing.

Y'know, recently in my life, an incredible circle of wonderful people has been coming together. Y'know? I finally got to meet our friend, Gordon, in Central Park last weekend. He's back from spending over a year in Iraq and Afghanistan. Then, I'll be in Washington in two weeks with Elissa Montanti and Mimi Evans, to meet with people from a certain Senator's office, and the people at CIVIC. (The group that Marla Ruzicka started.) My good, good friend and honorary grandfather, Sid Bernstein, is on board with all of this. All kinds of wonderful, good-hearted, spirited, committed people are joining hands in this. Dennis, James, Sue, Beth... it's very... very... good.

Y'know what? If you feel like it, right now go visit:

...this website to find out about Elissa's work.

Really look around that website. Read a few of the articles. You'll see what has me so anxious to help. Maybe you'll wanna help, too! Um... here. There was even a fine article about her in People Magazine recently.

People

Anyway, that's what I'm up to today on this rainy day in New York City. All in all, not a bad way to spend a day in a life.

Y'know, I'm not about politics. I'm about people. I'm about music. It's what I do. I'm a music man. And, this concert we're planning is NOT ABOUT POLITICS... it's about people, about helping and about music.

Anyway, that's all from me right now. EXCEPT!

I guess we'll just let the American "news" media report... uh... I mean repeat the same non-information over and over and over again about the bombings in London, and all the speculation about who might be responsible for them. I've only got one thing to say to the American people who supported George Bush and his war in Iraq.

Somebody better check out that other globally infamous man right away! Because these attacks have all the ear marks of another operation that... um... uh... Saddam Hussein had something to do with. Or, maybe... hmmm... wait a minute... no... Kim Jong-il! Yeah, I think we'd better invade North Korea as soon as possible, don't you? Let's go pick someone to BOMB, dammit! It's easy! Just follow the same logic and wisdom that got half the country convinced we should invade Iraq when we did! Piece of cake! (Of course, um... gotta scare 'em real good, first.)
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That's all I have to say about that, today.

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(sigh)

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Maybe I'll stop in the "Forum" (message board) later today after I meet with this guy downtown.

You're all welcome to jump into the "Forum" and talk about whatever you want.... music, movies, Love, sex, world events... each other... whatever.

I know there are people reading this website all across the country and in different parts of the world. If you're new here, take a look around. Browse through the "Archives". Jump into the message board and say "Hi".

And, whatever you are doing today, hope you make it worthwhile.

Thanks again.