Great Loss

As of 11:18am I just found out that Dan Fogelberg died yesterday at his home in Maine of Cancer at the age of 56. I guess it's a bit of dejavu that I was stuck in Portland, Maine yesterday in horrible weather that canceled a concert I was to perform in and left my wife and I in a hotel a day longer than usual. For some odd reason I had a horrible day yesterday and was completely out of sorts. I'm sure this was coincidental, but....

I have to say Dan F. was influential in a large part of my young life. His music, especially lyrics, hit such a chord with me growing up. I own every album, have sang along with every song, and I have used his gift to council my grieve and pain for a very large part of my life. I saw him perform live in the very early 90's, which was an amazing treat. His best music was never heard by the masses and boy...what you have missed. His first album came out in 1972 "Home Free" and is still not dated in my view. His songs span time never seeming dated. His genre was pop and would now be considered Country. Listen to "The River" which is probably my favorite song of his. This song is on the first album "Home Free". Listen to his next album "Souvenirs" and the next "Captured Angel". My favorite album would have to be "Netherlands" from 1977. These albums all came out before any hits really got notice, yet I consider this his finest work.

I don't know how else to thank him and morn his passing except with tears and gratitude. He was an environmentalist before there was a name for it as was John Denver, another musical icon who influenced my ability to be alone and find sanctuary in our undeveloped grazing areas across this country. They both loved the wild and beautiful American landscape more than we will ever appreciate.

We will miss you Dan! Cheers!

The River

I was born by a river
Rolling past a town
Given no direction
Just told to keep my head down.

As I took my position
A man fired a gun
I was so steeped in tradition
That I could not run.

I was raised by a river
Weaned upon the sky
And in the mirror of the waters
I saw myself learn to cry.

As my tears hit the surface
I saw what had been done.
I gave feet to my freedom
And I did run.

Someday later
I saw the writing in the dust
It told me how I should travel
It told me who I was.

I ran far from the river
Far as I could see
And as the sun hit my shoulders
I felt it burning me.

How I longed for the waters
As the fire raged
How I longed for the river
As I aged.

I will die by a river
As it rolls away
Bury me in the nighttime
Do not waste the day.
\
High above the waters
That roll on to the sea.
All the angels in heaven will
Laugh at me.
They will laugh at me.

My life was naught but a river
Rolling through my brain
Made of so many teardrops
Made of so much pain.