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!

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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/