April 18, 2006
Pages
From The Muse
Articles
Inspired by Blue Knight "Happenings"
This Month:
"Blue Knight: EVOLUTION "
By James Gilchrist
News York City, NY ----- Hi there, web site visitor/Blue Knight Friend. Thanks for stopping by! I've got my hand out for you to shake at the moment but, alas, you can't see it. Since you're here I'll assume you're interested in knowing what it is that warrants me posting an update on our home page with the enigmatic title, "Blue Knight: EVOLUTION." That being said, I'd like to mention that lots of people like you haven't been asking what's going on with the band in the past few weeks because I haven't sent out announcements or updated our Shows page since March 25th. On that evening we did a wonderful house/surprise-birthday-party-concert in Morristown, NJ for a good friend of ours, Joey Lynn Z. (The show wasn't listed on our web site because it was a surprise; sneaky, eh?) And by the time you read this, the information about the "bazillion" shows we did in March will be gone and in its place will be stuff about April. Better late than never, and I hope I'll be forgiven for the lapse. Which brings me back to why I'm writing this update, and what I mean when I say, "EVOLUTION."
Blue Knight as an idea has been trucking along and building momentum since the name first came up in an email between me and then members Kyle Sanna, Tyler Azelton, Carol Crittenden and Bethany Burgess-Smith back in 2002. It's amazing to me that this spark of a dream has turned into a torch and then a campfire that has provided light and warmth to myself and a wonderful group of musicians/friends for so long. If not for the unique contributions of love, talent and inspiration made by all those who have been a part of Blue Knight, I probably wouldn't be writing these words. But it's been said by wiser people than me that, "Life is about change" - and right now, the spiritual/musical vessel that is Share the Light Productions is reeling from some serious storms of life.
For those of you who have followed the wonderful progress the group has made in the last several years, the idea of personnel changes is nothing new. Eric (our illustrious bass player) has even coined a name we've often thought might be an appropriate one for the band: "James Gilchrist & the Revolving Singers!" But there are always growing pains associated with our closest friends moving on, following paths that take them in different directions and leaving me asking the question "what next?" of the universe. That said, it is with regret mingled with gratitude and hope that I announce that both Celeste Ray and Andrew Potenza are disembarking from the Blue Knight ship. I regret that I won't be sharing the stage with them; I'm grateful for the tremendous positive contributions they've made over the years; and I'm hopeful that the paths they travel on will always bring them joy...they have certainly left much joy in their wake. We wish them clear skies and smooth sailing wherever their journeys take them and we will miss them fiercely.
For those of us continuing to share the light that has been this unique ensemble's trademark, the answer to the question, "What next?" is only as far away as the next horizon. A lovely star rising on that horizon can be recognized in the stellar talent of SARAH LOVELAND, an accomplished musician who will be sharing her many musical gifts with the band in the weeks to come. Listen for the voice of the gypsy in her fiddle, the call of the swan in her oboe, look for mischief in her merry eyes and in the sounds of her Irish whistle...welcome Sarah, from all of us in Blue Knight! We look forward to setting our new course with you onboard.
And what of the storms of life I mentioned? Serious enough they have been to make me stop in my tracks, shed a tear or two and ask myself the simple but often difficult to answer questions: Why am I here? Where is my home? Where am I going? What am I doing? The answers I've learned recently have been illuminating to say the least - as they have changed, so have I. So to end this update which has spoken of life's changes and the continuing evolution of the Blue Knight band let me simply say this, "I would welcome the chance to shake your hand and buy you a cup of coffee. We could share perspectives, compare notes on our respective journeys and sing a song or two. Until that day comes,
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand."
Love and Light,
James Gilchrist
Performing Songwriter and Band "Captain"
April 18th, 2006
