I want to commend you all on a remarkably stress free Summer. Plans were changed, calls were made and it all went as smoothly as any I can remember. Thank you very much.

But don’t let up now. We have the start of school, Fall sports and lots of holidays looming. If you need to change your time, call me yesterday. OK, I know schedules are in flux or not even available yet but do the best you can. You can do it. Here’s to a productive and successful school year so we’ll deserve our vacations when next Summer rolls around.

I try to observe my students closely and pay attention to their interests. I then come home and puzzle over why they don’t show much interest in performing or at least getting together with others and playing.

It is apparent from our conversations that most of them don’t witness music being played live all that often, if at all. A musician needs stage time and what better example than to see other musicians doing it live. I have spent countless hours watching other people play music. Every time I do I learn something new. Seeing it on TV doesn’t count. We all know that’s not real. They need to see actual live people performing for an audience to get that it is a real possibility for them. As a bonus they get to see the nuts and bolts of production that are usually hidden to the TV camera. This is how it’s done— observe and learn.

Be on the lookout for opportunities to take the kids to live shows. I know it’s a hassle and expense but well worth it. Fairs are a family friendly place to see diverse entertainment fairly cheap. There are a couple of days left of the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe. (www.evergreenfair.org) Coming soon, the Puyallup Fair. (www.thefair.com) While you’re there you might even catch some rodeo! Oh yeah and don’t forget your binoculars and ear plugs. Even outdoor music can be loud.

“Big Fix 2006” is available on DVD at the Histiocytosis Association of America eStore: www.histio.org. This is a film about a cross country bike ride to raise awareness of and money for histiocytosis, a rare blood condition affecting children. I contributed a track, "Give It Up", from my forthcoming CD and recorded a song, "Fix It", written by the producer, Kevin Lynch. Get your copy ASAP.