Hi I just got a question about whether I was going to put on a St Patrick's Day concert like I have so many other years at the OTCA in Cottonwood, AZ. I was not asked to do so this year for whatever reasons I was not told. I did put on a great concert there on Oct. 2, 2022, of Animal Totems. But it's all good because I could not even prepare to do so anyway. I did go to Florida for concerts in Mt Dora which were mainstay Celtic/Indian performances and today I leave to Casa Grande for a private show at the Fair Grounds. But finding real musicians and rehearsing for an all Celtic show for St Paddy's would be too much.
Since last I posted I have left my relationship and musical parring with Keleah LaRoche. It will be a year coming up on April 20, 2021. It was heartbreaking and sad for the loss of music and our dreams but it was not about that in the end. It was about learning some deep, hard lessons about love, shadows, bubbles, blind spots, suicide, and being true to myself.
I did land on my feet and in a new relationship with a wonderful person named Karen Reedstrom, whom I had become friends with in 2018 when she moved to Cottonwood from Michigan. We had become good friends and shared hosting of a Native Flute circle, drum circle, and supportive chats when I was trying to find direction. I also reminded her of her own father: a tenderhearted man of artistic brilliance, a fun-loving, kind and generous.
My life finally went from drama to smooth sailing with only a few choppy waves at infrequent times. I am also teaching grade school children how to play the violin. Actually, I told them in the beginning, "I'm not here to teach you how the play the violin, I'm here to show you what and how to practice the violin so you can learn to play it yourself."
I'm very happy now with my relationship but things are never going to be the same musically. I wasn't sure if I wanted to get back in the music business game. It is more than one person can handle on their own. I've already scaled back but cannot handle all the "leads" that are coming in nor keep up this website and publicity. I'll do what I can, but right now I'm not inspired to create any new music as I work to release the last vestiges of anger
and resentment from my heart so I can move on. That's my mission now for the moment. Bless you all for believing in me and wanting to stay in touch. I hope to get back on my game or wherever my Higher Soul sends me.
Love to self, the community, and Planet Earth,
Arvel Bird