Thousands march through Amsterdam to protest racism and fascism www.dutchnews.nl?p=249432

Checking out "The Know Better Do Better Project" which seeks to encourage conversation and awareness of songs that have played a role in sustaining systemic racism, and the writing of new alternative songs.

www.knowbetterdobetterproject.com/about

“Peterborough is being targeted because we have ordinances like the one on the screen,” said Select Board Chair Tyler Ward. “I don’t know any details. I didn’t call ICE or DEA. We’re in a crazy time right now.”

For those who are participating in Lent, here is a traditional Lenten prayer from the Eastern Orthodox tradition called "The Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian" that I merged with a praise chorus called "Sing Hallelujah," written by Linda Stassen in 1974. (Text below video.)
youtu.be/gSukqkrP5pk?...

Trump didn't win 50% of the popular vote.

The GOP has slim margins in both the House and Senate.

His approval ratings are tanking.

He does not have a mandate.

Do not let him gaslight you into believing he is all powerful.

He's not.

Trump's "golden age of America" so far...

-Inflation ⬆️
-Stock market ⬇️
-Thousands of layoffs
-Consumer & worker protections gutted
-Diseases spreading
-Federal funding illegally frozen
-$10 million+ spent on golf
-An unelected billionaire lining his pockets at our expense

A few months after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, folksingers / songwriters John McCutcheon and Tom Paxton wrote “Ukrainian Now. “ In response, Noel Paul Stookey created this video back then featuring numerous musicians... it's even more appropriate now.

vimeo.com/704755828?sh...

We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say, 'It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.' Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes. — Fred “Mr.” Rogers

I've been enjoying this new release by Tom Pirozzoli. It a very intimate recording, just guitar and voice, with some vivid poetic lyrics. It's an album filled with love...for his wife, for life, even for his old truck! Check it out. The download is free!

tompirozzoli.bandcamp.com/album/21

publicorthodoxy.org/2025/02/12/t...

The Nettle Dress is a quiet, meditative film about a young English widower who processes his grief by foraging nettles, turning them into fiber, spinning the fiber, weaving it into fabric and then sewing a dress. The film took 7 years to make. It's well worth watching.

www.nettledress.org/home

Heading back into the studio tomorrow to continue work on my children's album. We'll be adding percussion to three of my peppier songs: "Cars," "The Truck Song," and "Motor Boats." We are nearing the end of this project. It's been fun working with Ben Rogers at Loud Sun Studio. Photo from last week.

I was invited last minute to feature at Sunapee Community Coffeehouse last night and had a delightful time singing oldies and originals with the folks there. What a great bunch of people who came to listen and sing along. (Photo is from a gig in December.)

I'll be hosting an evening of "The Music of Peter, Paul, and Mary" on Saturday, Feb. 22, starting at 6pm. It will be held at the DubHub - the Dublin (NH) Community Center. Snow date is Sunday, Feb. 23 at 3pm. Performers include Decatur Creek, Kota, Fortune's Favor, Off the Cuff duo, & Scott Heron.

One of the great songs by Peter Yarrow, performed here by Peter, Paul, and Mary and friends .
youtu.be/zBsrk2gW6mQ?...

We have snow on the ground in New Hampshire. It made me think of a song by Bob Devlin called "Snow," that I recorded last year (with a few minor changes). This one is for the kids!

youtu.be/Q042bxtgjcU?...

One of the musical hats I wear is "Opa Volkert" writing and singing songs for children. In addition, throughout my songwriting career (starting at age 15), I've enjoyed setting poems to music. This is a poem by Robert Frost that I set to music last year.

youtu.be/oVjELeqPLxk

Here's my first bluesky post. Last week I arranged "The Lord is my Shepherd" (Psalm 23) to go with the melody for "The Star of County Down." I thought someone might enjoy it.

youtu.be/Q9UZERnSioE