Robin and Linda Williams: May's News

Dear Friends,
It's been sunny here on the Outer Banks of North Carolina where we are enjoying a few days by the ocean. Talk about the good life. There's nothing like the ocean to ease the stress and tension of life in Middlebrook, VA. This excursion to the beach c omes at the conclusion of several busy months. We were away from home half of the months of February, March and April touring. As well, we recorded a new CD, we booked a music festival, we lined up a cruise for 2012 - plus, we got our garden started.

As we write all has been completed for the release of our 21st recording, "Stonewall Country." Many thanks to the Fine Group, Jim Watson, Jimmy Gaudreau and Chris Brashear who all played great and to John Jennings who produced it. The exact release date has not been determined but it will be in June sometime.

We're all set for this year's Fortune Williams Music Festival. This is such a great event and it has come to mean so much to us. It's hard to believe that this will be our ninth year. Our headline artist this year will be Suzy Bogguss who will close out a day of performances on Saturday. Also performing on Saturday will be Laurie Lewis and her band, The Right Hands, and Bruce Molsky. Friday night's songwriters show will include Gail Davies and Dean Dillon. As usual our pal Jimmy Fortune and we will perform both Friday and Saturday. Patti Simmons, our web mistress will be updating the web site soon. We hope you'll put September 23 and 24th on your calendars and consider attending this year's festival.

For the last few years we've been part of Garrison Keillor's wonderful cruises and they have been great experiences for us. But, until recently it never crossed our minds to spearhead a cruise of our own. Lynette Miller at Traveling Troubadour, LLC recently approached us about doing a cruise and, after much consideration, we've decided to head to Alaska with as many of you that want to come along. The dates will be July 1- 8, 2012 and we'll cruise on the Holland American Line. We look at this as an opportunity to see some great country and to be with and get to know those of you who have supported us for so long. All we know right now is that we'll be doing a few concerts and some workshops along with all the sightseeing we can work in, but we'll keep you posted on things as plans become more finalized. You can go to www.travelingtroubadour.com for information.

Bumper Sticker Of TheMonth: If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Oh, yeah. Bob Dylan will be 70 soon and Red House Records is releasing a compilation of 16 Dylan songs called "Nod To Bob 2." We'repleased to be included and singing "Walking Down The Line." The release date is May 17 and you can go to www.redhouserecords.com for information.

We have no TV here so we're busy listening to the radio and checking the internet about the news concerning Osama Bin Laden. Short term, who knows what will happen? But we're taking a long range view of today's events and are hoping that his death will lead us all into a lessening of tension throughout the world and certainly in Pakistan and Afghanistan. We're probably being naive but it doesn't hurt to hope.

And speaking of hope, we hope this finds you all well and happy and that we'll see you at one of our stops along the way. Go out and see some live music soon.

We hope to see you at one of our shows if we're coming close to you.

Your friends,
Robin and Linda

BOOKINGS:
George Balderose, Music Tree Productions
(412) 323-2707
tradfolk@music-tree.com