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Tom Kimmel's Holiday/Year End Newsletter

Contents

1. Season's Greetings!
2. News
3. Drawing Board
4. Perspective

1. Happy Holidays!

As the holidays draw nigh and the New Year approaches I want to say to you all that I know how fortunate and blessed I am that as I 'mature' I am able to make my living sharing songs and music, and I am grateful to all of you. You give me a great gift, and I am aware of the blessing.

2. News

Year's End:

I'm not too big on "year-in-review" news. Generally speaking, I think old news is, well, out-of-date news, but I do want to say that, musically speaking, it's been an incredible year. Several of my songs have been recorded by other artists, and I've had the opportunity to play in many new venues around the country -- and, for the first time, performing solo in England! In the process I've connected with a great many new fans and friends. For this I am truly grateful.

Book:

Amazingly, my book ("The Sweetest & the Meanest") is ready for press, and everything's on track for it to be available sometime in late January.

[Note that I have a January 25 book release show at the Bluebird Caf in Nashville to benefit Alive Hospice. A wider promotion may follow a little later, but first things first!]

Personal news:

As I write this, three out-of-town singer/songwriter houseguests are making various musical noises in my vicinity, and I'm very thankful to have a house that can accommodate them. My wife Robin and daughter Ellen and I are so happy to be settled in -- and WARM -- as the holidays arrive. As I have noted, it's been a year of big CHANGE, adjusting to marriage and parenthood amidst the sale of two houses, three moves, a year-long renovation, and an expanding tour schedule.

Music News:

Hayley Westenra's "Odyssey" album (which features "Never Saw Blue Like That") continues to do well, and I just learned that she'll be opening the 2006 world tour for Il Divo, which will expose her to a world of new fans. My co-writers (Jeff Franzel & Mark Luna) and I wish Hayley the best.

For more on Hayley, check out www.hayleywestenra.com There you can hear a clip of Hayley's "Never Saw Blue."

3. Drawing board

Once the poetry book is running on its own steam, I plan to direct my focus to:

a) making some kind of 'work recordings' of over 50 new songs I've accumulated since my "Light of Day" album;

b) finding someone to present those songs to other artists, producers, film music supervisors etc. I've discovered that although I am capable of wearing several hats it's impossible to cover all the bases all the time, and my commitment to touring in the singer/songwriter world is a continuing priority.

And finally,

c) it's time to record a new album in 2006(!)

4. Perspective

a) I heard a minister recently speak of the danger of "Katrina Fatigue," and I know what he means. Other things happen to get our attention, and the bad news gets so tiresome! But so much still needs to be done for our brothers and sisters in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

If you don't have a non-profit you're fond of for a year-end gift, consider the Bush-Clinton Fund: www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org

Also, tsunami healing is a very long term process. On that front I recommend a great organization called PRASAD:

www.prasad.org or go directly to: http://www2.prasad.org/donate_tsunami.asp

b) On a personal note, as the year draws to a close it is sobering to acknowledge that several of my family members and friends are suffering from forms of cancer, and one dear cousin lost an infant boy last week. Although they know that our thoughts and prayers are with them each day, we are all keenly aware of the transitory nature of this life and of valuing the sacred in this world, in this body.

It's so easy to forget, so we must cultivate practices and relationships that remind us. I'm so grateful to have that kind of support in my deep friendships, in my family, in the music community, in my church, and in the Siddha Yoga community

Love & Peace,
Tom