On Sunday, Nov. 22, at 11am, I'm leading a rap songwriting workshop at The Roxy Theater's annual children's festival HOOTENANNY.  I heard that 20 very enthusiastic children have already signed up.  Should be groovy, baby.

Tickets for all the other Hoots HERE (movies, bands, improv and animation workshops, ninja training, etc.).

I love my theater.

Sandman's Somber, Sweet & Surreal Annual Report:

I've been a single dad for over a year now.  Hana and I separated sixteen months ago and divorced on February 4th of this year.  Lack of romance won't keep us from being friends, though, and our beautiful tow-headed daughter will always be a reminder of our connection.

See any similarities 'tween this pic and the banner above?

On the job front, I went from Coordinator of Missoula's historic Roxy Theater in 2013 to Roxy Night Manager in 2014, and finally, so I could parent more easily, to theater janitor this year.  I find it comforting and meditative to sweep, vacuum, mop, scrub and restock this little art-house triplex that I helped to reboot three years ago.  Less hours now, but more time for Stevie and personal rejuvenation.

Musically speaking, my wellspring of creativity is flowing:  I'm writing songs steadily . . . working on three full-length CDs . . . in the early stages of penning a travelogue . . . and, surreally, America's Got Talent wants me on their 11th season (I have to pass the auditions first).

AGT's kind and helpful associate producer, Alden Harbi, wrote this in a longer email last month:

"I am so happy I came across your YouTube page!  After watching you in the zone, I am HOOKED!  I very rarely see such a beautiful fusion of originality, talent, and passion!"  

American dream or night terror?

I'll let you know what happens with that.

Financially, I'm barely getting by.  Each month I earn just enough to cover rent and pay for Stevie's Waldorf schooling and other general bills, and to buy food.  In October I spent all my meager savings so I could begin creating a children's album--GIDDYUP!  I then sold my Bose p.a. system so I could complete production on my new 22-song joint AMERICAN ROAD TRIP.  I'd like to start recording my third new record--HARD LESSONS--this winter.  Without a healthy infusion of money, these three apples will positively wither on the branch.

The time is ripe to launch a crowdfund campaign.  I've never done one--just supported friends' projects.  My goal is to kick it off December 1st and end on New Year's Eve.  Now the fun part to figure out: REWARDS.

I used to blog daily.  Now I don't, 'cause that's what happens when you have a child.  Stevie has become my daily song.

I promised a picture of her over a year ago, so here she is, this summer, on a slide, staticized.

Many thanks to Aaron Jennings and Justin Phillips for getting my website--which mysteriously disappeared from the face of Earth last May--back up and running!  I'm relieved.  Some of the song links are missing, but hopefully all glitches will get fixed and improved upon soon.