Farewell Faroes

At the studio in Torshavn

With a successful recording session, a well-attended music business seminar, and two great live shows under our belts, we departed the Faroes on September 2. I haven’t had a teary goodbye in years, but the whole family was emotional when it came time to get on the plane. I can honestly say this is the best overseas trip I’ve ever made, and we all look forward to returning soon.

The Faroese people made all the difference. It was a delight to spend time in a country where life is a little slower and perhaps more enjoyed. Our kids ran free, even into the night, without worry of harm coming to them. The kids in the high school that our children visited all came out to hug them the last day we were there – even the teachers.

We were flown to Copenhagen by Olaf, senior pilot for Atlantic Airways, who was a guest in our house twenty years ago when he was receiving flight training in the states. He changed his schedule to be our pilot that day, and I got to ride the whole flight in the cockpit jump seat

After a evening poking around Copenhagen’s Tivoli amusement park and a decent sleep in a too-expensive room, we traveled for 24 hours from Copenhagen to Los Angeles without incident. We landed at 4:00, but it was 6:30 before we got home because – you guessed it – traffic was bumper-to-bumper. Welcome home…

More Faroe Islands

Well, the jet lag has just about worn off, and we are enjoying a completely different way of life here in the Faroes. This is a beautiful place – quite laid back and relaxed. The people here have such an affinity for this place, and it shows. Lauri and I both noticed that as the plane was making its final approach, the passengers all came alive with excitement as the islands came into view. There was a noticeable change in the whole atmosphere in the plane from quiet boredom as we flew over the water from Copenhagen to excited anticipation as we neared the Faroe Islands airport. I can’t say I’ve ever experienced anything even close to that flying in to LAX:)

Tomorrow, the musicians arrive from Nashville. They’ll have a day on Monday to sightsee, and we all go to work on Tuesday. There are sessions scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, then a Music Business Seminar on Thursday. Friday we rehearse for the concert, and Saturday is the performance. I’m told we are close to selling out.

I tasted whale blubber for the first time in my life…..I can honestly say that it’s doubtful I will put that on my list of favorite foods, but it was interesting. We also had some dried fish last night that was pretty good. One of the things that my kids and I enjoy a lot is that it’s OK to have a thin wafer of chocolate on your breakfast roll. Yes!

The Faroe Islands

In 1989, I got a call from a guy with a distinct european accent, who said his name was “Jacob,” and he wanted to produce a country album in Nashville, using real Nashville session musicians. He asked if I would help him put that together, and of course, I said “yes!” (You never turn work down, right?)  And that phone call was the beginning of a twenty-year friendship and business association with Jakup Zachariassen, and a chance to meet and work with some of the most talented and nicest people on the planet – all from the Faroe Islands. In 1989, I had never even heard of the Faroe Islands – most folks from the USA are not aware they exist. In fact I have a small speech memorized when someone asks me about the Faroes:

“They are a group of 18 Islands, 17 of which are inhabited, and there are about 50,000 people total that live there. They are north of Scotland, west of Ireland, and east of Norway. They are ruled by Denmark, but whatever you do, don’t speak Danish there “

Now my family and I have the opportunity to travel there and participate in a celebration of that twenty-year association. We leave August 19 and return on September 3. Also joining me there will be some of the best county musicians on the planet – from Nashville, of course. John Hobbs, Paul Franklin, Brent Mason, Brian Sutton, Paul Leim, and David Hungate will be arriving in the Faroes soon to record some tracks with a Faroese Artist. Then all of us will be delivering a Music Business Seminar on August 27. On Saturday, August 29, these musicians will be the all-star band that will be backing many of the artists that I have helped produce over the last twenty years. I am so looking forward to this time!

If you can read Faroese, you can find out more about this event by going here:

http://nashville.fo/

Route 66

My daughter Hannah and I arrived in Ludington, MI Saturday, June 27. We had a long, hot drive from California in our 1963 Dodge Dart GT convertible with no A/C. There was, of course, a heat wave over much of the South, but despite the heat in Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri, we had a great time. We traveled along the old Route 66, using the “EZ 66 Guide for Travelers” as our map. Most of the old route runs parallel to the Interstate, and during those times we kept to the big road. But there were many occasions when the old route (or “Mother Road” as it is affectionately called) veered off through unknown countryside and towns, and in those instances, we usually veered as well. The experience was truly wonderful for me, although the 12-year-old couldn’t have cared less about old gas stations and one-horse towns. But she went along with my agenda so long as I kept her in hamburgers and cream soda as we traveled.

There are many valid arguments in favor of bypassing the small towns that dot the old Route 66, but many of these communities – that had no other real economic base other than tourism – became ghost towns when the interstate system replaced the old highway. There were countless abandoned motels, restaurants, gas stations, and other storefronts along the Mother Road. These artifacts were fascinating to see, but I wondered if something of value was lost as a result of America’s push for speed and productivity. Again, I am not arguing the efficiency of the Interstate system, nor the need for it. But something was compromised in that transaction: The heart and soul of small town life, and the human connection that is unavoidable as one passes through. At times it made me well up as I observed a way of life that is seemingly lost and unrecoverable.

As a nation, we depend on the expediency of our Interstate system to move people, goods, and services and provide an infrastructure for the self-defense of the nation. And that is well and good. But I feel a real sadness as community is often sacrificed for commerce. This is especially evident where we live in Los Angeles where things are always moving close to the speed of light. Life is so urgent, so stringent. I miss walking down Gaylord Avenue and stopping to chat with neighbors sitting on their front porch. I miss pulling into the Pure Oil station on North Main in Scottville and having Don Butler ask, “Check the oil?”  Thoughts and feelings that have been rattling around in my heart for a while now were exacerbated by the experience on Route 66. As my family and I navigate life, I wonder if we should be paying more attention to quality, community, and calmness, and less attention to commerce?

2009 Miss America Pageant

Scheduled to air  January 24 on TLC (The Learning Channel), you will hear a good bit of my music interspersed with familiar pop pieces. I’m working like mad right now to get it all finished on time. Some of the cues have to be stretched to 7 or 8 minutes to cover each event in the pageant, and the opening segment (The Parade of States) is almost 12 minutes long! That’s a lot of music! And no, I won’t be attending the show. Phooey. Everything is prerecorded.

2008 American Music Awards

For the past few days, I’ve been at rehearsals for the 2008 American Music Awards. It’s my fourth year to be Music Director for this special on ABC, and there is always something on the show that gets my attention. This year, it would have to be the duet between Sarah McLaughlin and Pink. One piano, two voices. Amazing.

Secret Talents of the Stars

I’m having a ball music directing an episode of a new show that features familiar stars competing with each other. So what’s the big deal? Well, the stars are doing things we never knew they could do. For example, Clint Black will be doing stand-up comedy. I’m working with George Takei, who played Sulu on Star Trek, but I don’t want to give the show away, so you’ll have to watch! We are live on April 8.

Malibu Performing Arts Center w/ Rick Vito

I performed the other day with old pal, Rick Vito. He’s enjoyed a stellar career as a guitarist with Jackson Browne, Bob Seger, Dolly Parton, Fleetwood Mac, Bonnie Raitt and others. When I think of rock guitar, I think of him. He’s also a solo artist, with some great CDs to his credit. Check out his website at rickvito.com. Also performing with Rick was Dan Duehren (californiavintageguitarandamp.com) on bass, and Joe Yuele (John Mayall) on Drums. I go way back with these guys, and it was a real hoot to perform with them once again.

Edgar Struble & Friends Christmas Show

We’ll be performing at West Shore Community College near my hometown of Scottville, MI, on December 1st, 2007. My dear friends Tony King (singer/guitarist for Brooks & Dunn) and Regina Leigh King (former singer for Reba) will be helping out, along with a cast of wonderful musicians from the area. We’d love to see you there! Call 231-845-6211 for details.

2007 American Music Awards

Today was the first day of rehearsals for the AMA show. This year the show will be broadcast from the brand new Nokia Theater, and it is a beautiful venue. Along with the new venue, we have a new look, with a completely redesigned set. This marks my 3rd year as Music Director / Composer for the American Music Awards. Watch us this Sunday, November 18th, on ABC TV.