Hi again, my friends! As the new year progresses, I continue to figure out ways to make my musical impact on the world. I've always said I want to be unpredictable and surprising in my career, and that means following the muse wherever it will take me. I'm excited about what lies ahead. First of all, I've posted a new song (actually it's older, but I've never posted it before) and made it available as a FREE download. It's a song about oil spills called "Black on Blue." I rarely set out to write topical songs, but this one, co-written by myself and Ted Moniak, emerged after watching one too many news stories about the ghastly effects of oil spills on the environment. I even posted the lyrics, something I don't do very often. I'd like to NOT have to mention this song in conjunction with any future calamities, but we all know that spills on the ocean are common, and there are sure to be more of them. In other news, I continue to get strong feedback on my new "Clear the Way" CD, and I recently had the privilege of playing songs from the disc at St. Louis' best record store VINTAGE VINYL (the retailer is carrying my CD). I also did a radio interview with Jackson, Tennessee's Steve Bowers, whose "Blue Suede Forever" show is carried on WTJK 105.3 FM. That was big fun! Thanks to Sandy Hardin of Redstarr Entertainment for arranging this. You can hear the archived interview here: https://www.facebook.com/bluesuedeforever/videos/1164025320394905/?fref=mentions Currently, I am hard at work on an ambient album with Walter Whitney called, we think, "Lost in Familiar Territory." It might seem perplexing to some of you that I would follow-up an introspective song cycle with an all-instrumental album like this, but to me it's the most natural thing in the world. I love ambient music, and this project came about in the most organic way possible. It strikes me as being a meditation on being "lost in nature," but you can judge for yourself when it comes out in May. As far as live appearances, here is what's on my upcoming calendar: Feb. 10: I'm part of SPARK: Ignite Your Creative Magic, a themed production sponsored by the FLOW Literary Arts Center in STL. 7 pm at The Chapel. Feb. 24: Shakey Deal: A Tribute to Neil Young performs at the Imperial Club in Granite City, IL. Show starts at 7:30 pm. Feb. 28: Kevin & Denise (Chappell) perform at Piccione Pastries in the Loop, STL. March 23: Kevin & Denise at Stone Spiral Coffee in Maplewood, MO. March 24: Shakey Deal at the Pub House in St. James, MO, 6-9 pm. I'm also going to be teaching a 6-week Songwriting course for FLOW starting in April; if you are in the St. Louis area and want to sign up, go here for more info: https://www.facebook.com/flowstlouis/ Finally, I am starting to write a book about my life, my career and the way that music creates instant and lasting communities. I am looking for some people to contribute little stories or commentaries about any of my songs that have especially moved you. Or maybe how you seek listening experiences outside of the normal channels and somehow ended up learning about me. Just send me a message if you have something to say, and there's a good chance you will be included in the book. I guess that's all until my next update, folks. Remember to be kind to your friends and families, and don't be afraid to take chances in your life. That's how magic can happen! Thanks for listening, and caring! Hugs, Kevin