In The Encyclopedia

Today I looked through a copy of "The Encyclopedia of Native Music"...2005 edition...by Brian Wright McLeod... "More than a Century of Recordings from Wax Cylinder to the Internet"...and found in there a profile of myself...and a list of some of my albums. Gives you a strange feeling reading about your work as an artist through someone else's eyes. On the one hand...it's great that they took the time to do some research...and flattering that they included you in such a core document...especially when you have never had a publicist working on your behalf. On the other hand...through no fault of the author...you know...such mention of your work...does not tell the deepest and widest part of your journey as an artist...your real...long...life as an artist...which is the result of many decisions made along the way...to keep working on the things you create...and to live your life with dignity...staying away from engaging in undignified and opportunistic actions. Of course...encyclopedia...never claim to cover such territory...so...you're fortunate if they include anything about you. Part of the strange feeling you experience reading about yourself...also...is that "this is the word" about your artist's life...in other words...a lifetime of artist's work is being summed up in a few paragraphs...in other's eyes "your die has been cast"...you are no longer the eager eyed beginner...who...early on...had no such thing to reflect on. Anyway...I actually have no complaints about what was written...understanding what the territory encyclopedia cover...is. I am happy too...although I've written and recorded songs for a long time...I somehow managed to escape the "wax cylinder" listings. Anyway...being mentioned...beats the "ocean of indifference' artists are usually surrounded by...and for that...I am thankful......................Quester.