Individual Artist Project Grant

I am inspired to record and release this new material in hopes others will feel a personal connectedness through the music and lyrics regarding my relationship with the Sparhawk family. This project continues my desire to create works of art that combine a personal life event with local and world community in mind. Mimi's musical talent touched the world over. Most deeply perhaps in our own community where she lived and raised a family. The world knew her has a great artist but we in Duluth know her as an engaging member of the Twin Ports as well. Her humor, in particular, will be missed. I am thankful that I can express feelings and stories through song. My aspiration is that others will be able to hear these songs and find comfort and meaning in the music. This is a musical opportunity to express my gratitude to Mimi and Alan for all their years of artistry and friendship. The live performance of this music will be free to the public but there will be a suggested donation to CHUM, a faith based organization that Mimi and Alan support.With these new songs I am trying to comfort myself and others with feelings of thankfulness and sorrow over the loss of Mimi Parker. Her music and friendship meant much to the world but perhaps most significantly in our own community, her home as well. There is also a musical message to Alan saying that I, and this town, will always be here for him. I have known Alan and Mimi for over 30 years. Like most of us, I have received only love and encouragement from them. With 'Eulogy' my desire is to celebrate Mimi and Alan with personal stories, melodies and orchestration. I plan to perform this music publicly for the first time at Sacred Heart Music Center November 2023. I will also release the songs digitally leading up to this event. The concert and album will be free for the public. I have been recording and releasing albums of original music for over thirty years. My lyric writing has changed since 2020 to incorporate more personal events of my life and how they have had real world consequences. In 2021 I released 'Keile' which told the story of my Great Grandmother surviving the Triangle Shirt Waist Factory Fire of 1911. The laws that were enacted due to that tragedy still effect workers and unions today. Earlier this year I released the Glitteratti album 'A Delicate Ballast', an album I made with Ryan Young at his Minneapolis studio last Winter. Mr. Young is as nimble at the mixing board as he is on the fiddle and we look forward to completing this next project together. I believe I can complete this project by the specified release date. November will mark the one year anniversary of Mimi's passing and Sacred Heart has this date available and desire to host the event.Once I have recorded the specific ten songs with Ryan Young this Spring 2023 and performed/released the music Fall 2023 at Sacred Heart I will consider this project a success.