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Dear Friends in Music,

I am traveling coast to coast in the next 5 weeks, from Philly to New York State to New England; and then back down through PA, down to Texas, and on to Washington State. I am looking forward to a great run of concerts including one in Seattle with my dear friend and sister in song, Deidre McCalla. And a good reconnect with many people along the way. Please see the graphic above and the Tour Dates calendar on the website for more details.

Highlights this weekend include two shows at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY - this Saturday, May 9th! A Little Folks show at 3 PM ET on Saturday afternoon, and a full concert at 8 PM on Saturday evening. Both concerts will also be broadcast/ live streamed. More info on the Caffe Lena website.

Full concert listings can be found on the Tour page of my site: https://joejencks.com/calendar.

Additional tour dates are being added regularly - so please check back frequently.

No essay this month, but a few thoughts. And a request for your thoughts.

I happened on a couple quotes in the last week that really spoke to me. Both from guys named Thomas. Both were pretty deep thinkers and both had a rich and vast sense of our purpose as humans in the world.

“My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.” ~ Thomas Paine

“Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody's business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.” ~ Thomas Merton

A dear friend is likely in his final days. I was able to sit bedside with him over a couple of days earlier this week. Speaking kindly to him (though he was largely non-responsive), playing for him, and singing for him was the only grace I could bring into the moment. Over the course of two long visits, I was able to choose a host of songs that honored his life, work, values, and ideals. And to express my gratitude for over 30 years of friendship, and the many gifts he has given me in that time.

Both of these quotes make me think of my friend. His love spanned all manner of community service, social justice engagement, and a lifetime of multi-faceted commitment to other working people, and indeed anyone in need. I am grateful for his kindness and his generosity in so many ways as a true working class hero.

What do the words of Thomas Paine and Thomas Merton say to you?

Feel free to write back, I am genuinely curious.

Thanks, as always for your support of live music, and the people who make it.

In Gratitude & Song,

~ Joe Jencks

For the people hear us singing, Bread and Roses, Bread and Roses. Photo by Joe Jencks