Enjoy Every (F**king) Sandwich!

In memory of my dear brother Don and on this Memorial Day, to all who have given their lives to serve their country. There is no such thing as an unwounded soldier and the blood of heroes never dies. "Enjoy Every Sandwich" has become my new mantra after reading a book of the same name on a flight from NYC to Hamburg this past March 13th.

I am reflecting on Lee Lipsenthal's book "Enjoy Every Sandwich" now as I lay sleepless in Norway. My body is insisting that it's only 9pm when in European reality, it is in fact 3am. That, plus the heavy heart that comes from today being a year to the day that my beautiful brother Don lost his life to cancer. His last words to me were that he "just wanted to sleep for a while." That he did.

A gal named Amy Lipsenthal, who's been coming to my shows for a while, approached me after a recent show to say she had been moved by the stories of the loss of my sister and brother. She went on to tell me that she'd just lost her brother to cancer as well. She also told me that her brother, Lee Lipsenthal, had written a book during his final short fight. Lee was given a 10% chance to live just one year and he made it two years. Amy then gave me her brother's book and I promised to read it. Even though my carry on bag was way overloaded, I had to honor my promise and in the last moment before my airport taxi came, I jammed the book into my carry on. I spent the 9 hour flight immersed in this book laughing, crying, cheering and jotting down (as Lee suggests,) 3 to 5 things I am grateful for. A well-known and prestigious doctor, Lee shares his fate without sentimentality but with an emboldened look at death and how meaningful it is for life. He talks about taking his son on college interviews (days after getting the news with his son unaware,) realizing he won't likely see him graduate. He cries watching his daughter with her fiancée, knowing he won't meet his grandchildren. On a daily basis, he rejects his wife's recommended soup diet and her push for him to stop living in order to avoid dying. Prior to Lee's diagnoses he was a healer himself and used meditation and compassion as his premise for helping others as a medical doctor. When faced with his own mortality he accepts his fate. Not without grief, but certainly without a lot of fear, thanks to his practice of mediation on wisdom and compassion - what Buddhists call the 'two wings of the bird.'

Lee reminds us through every chapter to "enjoy every sandwich" and to be grateful for 3 things a day. I had to laugh because it is that simple - until someone cuts you off in a line, steals your parking space, etc. And it's that simple until someone you love is dying. However, it still IS that simple. A great teacher once said "change your mind you change your world." Ha! (ok, easier said than done.) I have had incredible adventures touring all over Europe and the US this past year and while I still carry a heavy heart for my brother Don's recent passing, I am always reminded of his and my sister Donna's dream of a career in music and am then washed over with gratitude that because of all of you, I get to keep living this shared dream. It's not the glamorous career I fantasized about when I was a little girl, but rather a life of sleepless nights, insane travel, bad hotels, friends moving on, missing out on family gatherings, crying often, eating too little, and rarely ever getting a "sick day!" But then there's YOU and the inspiration you give, the energy I feed off of, and the creation of music inside our own little "Church of Love," where we celebrate peace and joy and stomp and sweat together every night for a couple of hours!

In these hours, I am fortunate enough to meet people like Amy Lipsenthal, who gave me the gift of her brother's powerful book. I get to meet people whom I would have otherwise probably never known, and this alone has been a powerful game changer for me and my outlook on life and more importantly, death. All of you are what keeps me rollin' on. We will all die. We will all lose someone we love. Why not just enjoy every sandwich now? (Ok, tomorrow f*ck the salad, I'm going for a decadent panini!) :-) I am so grateful to all of you for welcoming me into your worlds, your hearts, your cultures and for sharing your personal experiences with me, often times after the show when I am supposed to just sign CD's and my tour manager wants to kill me! :-) You guys are My Sandwich! So let's rock and roll and bite the shit out of each other! Tomorrow, I have another day off and am going horseback riding through the Swedish forest with Piero, Walter and Jon. Then I will see my friends in Oslo for our SOLD OUT show! Now, these are some damn tasty sandwiches to enjoy and I look forward to sharing them with all of you as we meet along the road of our lives. Again, thank you for your powerful and profound support this past year. With Love, Hugs, Kisses and Big Big Bites! Dana

P.S. As I write tonight from Sweden, I am reminded to include an apropos poem. "In the middle of life, it so happens that death comes and measures a man. That visit is soon forgotten and life goes on, but the suit continues to be quietly sown." -Tomas Tranströmer Swedish Poet from his book "17 Poems" written in 1954

DANA FUCHS @ HIGHLINE BALLROOM THIS FRIDAY NIGHT!

I'M SO EXCITED FOR FRIDAY'S SHOW AT HIGHLINE BALLROOM! That's Tomorrow!

This is the last chance to pre-order tickets to one of the most special DFB concerts ever, TOMORROW, Friday May 18th, at HIGHLINE BALLROOM in NYC. There are only a few tickets left so don't be left out!! We have friends from all over the US, as well as, Denmark and Norway flying in. Wow. Tomorrow night, I'm pulling out all the stops with a 10 piece band behind me for a live show and concert film experience that I hope will be iconic!

If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, you still can now by clicking here. Doors are at 6pm and because we're filming the show, I will start PROMPTLY at 8pm sharp! So get in early and get settled before the show! I'll be debuting some new tracks and braving a couple of cover songs I've never done before. I had a blast last night working out some serious gospel, soul and rock harmonies with my AMAZING background singers, Diva Express, who are: Vivian Sessoms & Karen J. These girls are deep.

I'll also be joined by: Jon Diamond (Guitar, Harmonica) Matt Beck (Guitar, Lap Steel, Mandolin, Dobro) Ben Stivers (Keys) Brett Bass (Bass) Rich Monica (Drums) Aaron Heick (on Sax with his hand-picked horn section) Come put your face and voice on the next Dana Fuchs Band live concert film and CD. Thanks & Love to You All, -Dana

TONIGHT, TOMORROW & NEXT FRIDAY!

Tickets are going fast for our May 18th Highline Ballroom show! We are calling all fans to rally for what will be our next full length concert film and live album! We wan to capture your faces, your energy and if you want to say something on camera our crew will find you! It will be a very special night with quite an amazing cast of characters on stage with me!

Get your tickets for May 18th @ Highline Ballroom here and now! Hello Collinsville Connecticut! I look forward to seeing you TONIGHT at one of my favorite venues - Bridge Street Live! We have the full band tonight with Ben Stivers on keys. Then tomorrow night, both Ben and world class guitarist Matt Beck will join me for my first show On Stage One at the Fairfield Theater Company in Fairfield CT.

Can't wait to see you all tonight, tomorrow and next Friday!

Love, Dana

NYC SHOW ANNOUNCED @ HIGHLINE BALLROOM ON MAY 18 FOR A NEW CONCERT DVD/LIVE CD!

Hi All,

Please join me for my first hometown FULL BAND show of 2012 in NYC at Highline Ballroom on May 18th @ 8pm.

When I say full band, I mean FULL BAND!   I have a really special night of music planned with special guest performers and I'll debut some new songs too for the exclusive one night only filming and recording of my next new Concert DVD and Live CD.












 
I haven't even come up with a title for the DVD & CD yet, so please feel free to chime in here with suggestions!

Playing Highline Ballroom is always an extraordinary night for me and I plan to go all out to deliver my hometown crowd the best show I possibly can so that I can release it as a concert film and CD to share with the rest of my friends around the globe!

Who knows, maybe some of my European friends will even fly in for the show. (hint!)


I'm really excited for all of you to be involved in this show with me so please get your tickets here as they always seem to go fast!


Here's looking forward to being back home together with you all this May 18th.

Love,
Dana

April Showers Bring May Flowers, Upcoming Shows & Good News!

First off, I'm excited to see our friends in Ephrata, PA this Friday the 13th at the Ephrata Main Theatre.   It's such a great music room and we'll be joined by the great Tim Luntzel (Rosanne Cash) on bass guitar for this one.  Tim's a wild man on and off the stage so Lord only knows what will go down - but it will be jaw-dropping no doubt.   

THEN….

…Sunday I head to the UK for 5 duo shows with Jon Diamond in support of the UK Release of Love To Beg.  We'll be sharing the bill with our Ruf Records label-mate, the young brilliant (and gorgeous) Oli Brown.  

Kicking off on 4-17 @ Newcastle O2 Academy.   

Then it's off to Italy and Holland for some festivals and club shows.   

To see all the dates click here:  

SO, WHAT ARE THE CRITICS  SAYING ABOUT Love To Beg?

Well, the reviews are in and they’re stellar!  (even the harsh UK critics are diggin' it)

Relix Magazine calls Love To Beg“ a must-buy … sparkling and lovingly crafted.”  

Downbeat says, “Fuchs sings up a storm on her second studio album.”  

And Classic Rock Magazine, UK writes, “…juke-joint dirty and illicit, evoking Joplin, Jagger, and a fag butt bobbing in a glass of bourbon …” (that one's my fave.)  ;-) 

Simply head over to our Newly Updated Press Page to read all the full reviews AND THEN head over to our New Updated Music Page to listen to Love To Beg in it’s entirety!   

You can also get the full streaming Albums Lonely For A Lifetime and Live In NYC.  

Listen to everything and share with your friends via Soundcloud!

CALLING ALL FANS TO BE A PART OF DFB HISTORY AND SHOW YOUR FACE IN OUR UPCOMING CONCERT FILM @  THE HIGHLINE BALLROOM, NYC SHOW  MAY 18 - 8PM SHARP!  

I hope you'll come join me and this RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING band for the exclusive filming and taping of our new Live DVD and CD.   

It's our first and only NYC show for 2012 at:
THE HIGHLINE BALLROOM ! 

Get tickets now before the show sells out! TICKETS

The lineup will include world class, world traveling musicians, with whom I am honored to make music.

Here's who's gonna rock your world on May 18:

Yours Truly on vox -  of course.

Jon Diamond on Guitar - of course.

Matt Beck on Guitar (Matchbox 20, Joss Stone, Rod Stewart, Bono)

Ben Stivers on Keys (Matchbox 20, Ricky Martin)

Vivian Sessoms & The Diva Express on Backing Vox (Joe Cocker, Pink)

Along with our dynamic US rhythm section:  Brett Bass on bass & Rich Monica on drums. 

Thanks as always for the incredible support.   

Hope to see you all soon and especially on May 18th!

Love,

Dana

Germany & Switzerland Spring Tour Has Begun!

We kicked off our Spring Tour last night in beautiful Worpswede Germany.  Thank you Lower Saxony for the great turnout and welcoming vibe.  I'm so glad to be back in Germany with my band, reconnecting with all of my friends and meeting so many of you amazing new people! 

I'll be returning to Switzerland for one show in spectacular Dietikon.

3-16-12   Blues Garage - Hannover, Germany @ 9pm  Tickets

3-17-12   Blues & Jam-Rock Festival @ Seelow Kreiskulturhaus 

Seelow, Germany @ 11:30pm 

*I'll be celebrating St. Patrick's Tag 

with the amazing band moe.    

Tickets Here

3-18-12   Musiktheater Piano - Dortmund, Germany @ 8pm  Tickets

3-19-12   Ampère /Muffatwerk - Munich, Germany @ 8:30pm  Tickets

3-21-12   Club  Manufaktur - Schorndorf, Germany @ 8pm  Tickets

3-22-12   HsD - Erfurt, Germany @ 9pm  Tickets

3-23-12   soundDock 14 - Dietikon, Switzerland @ 9:15pm  Tickets

This Swiss estate, by Vetsch Architektur, consists of 9 houses connected by stairs that lead down to a basement and even a subterranean parking lot. These "earth houses" use the ground as insulation that efficiently protects them from rain, extreme temperatures, wind and abrasion

LAST BUT NOT LEAST!

3-24-12   Bluestage Roth Roth, Germany @ 8pm  Tickets

I'm really looking forward to seeing you all at one (or two) of these upcoming shows!  

Love, 

Dana

BETTER TO BE FIRST OR LAST?

YOU decide this Friday!

We'll be playing our first show at the infamous Mexicali Live this Friday at 9pm Sharp! 


It is our first time playing in The Garden State of New Jersey!

This also is our first full band show in the US for 2012 and our LAST show for the winter in our home country.  I'm leaving for Germany, France and Czech Republic next week!




  
Thanks to all of you who packed the Iridium and tuned in from all over the world for the webcast.  

It was one of the highest viewed web casts in the history of the club.  :-)

I'll be back home in April and have tons of US and Europe tour dates lined up for the rest of this year.


Meanwhile, I'm set to release my next record this summer, it's an all acoustic CD entitled "Broken Down" featuring new material and a few special guest artists. 

Stay tuned for more info and I look forward to seeing you in New Jersey and beyond!

Love,
Dana

Iridium NYC this Sunday @ 8pm & Live Webcast!

NYC is where it all began for me, so just for you, I convinced the Iridium to allow me to do one 90 minute set for one price, as opposed to their usual policy of two 45 minute sets for double the price! :-)

This is a more economical proposition for you all and it allows me to stretch out and do my thing!

I have a very special night of music planned. Jon Diamond and I will anchor the night and we'll be joined on stage by virtuoso gentlemen Matt Beck and Jon Regen.
Seating is limited, so act fast and get your tickets here if you plan on coming to the show.

If you can't make it to the Iridium click here to see a Live Webcast of the show!

Here's a little about our guests:

Matt Beck is a prodigious musician who has toured the world with Rod Stewart, Joss Stone and Matchbox 20, to name a few and he holds it down every week on Broadway at Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark. Matt will display his immense talent on guitar, dobro, mandolin & accordion.

Jon Regen is a renowned pianist/singer/songwriter who has toured with jazz legend Jimmy Scott as well as Kyle Eastwood, and now fronts his own jazzy/rock trio touring the world!

The Iridium is a legendary room and I'm proud to play it for the first time so I hope you'll join us.

If you plan to view the webcast send me a note on Facebook so I can say hi!

See you there!

Love,
Dana

Here, There and EVERYWHERE!

Greetings from The Home Office in NYC!

New Friend

It was wonderful touring AND Walkin' in a (Scandinavian) Winter Wonderland!  Many shows were SOLD OUT and all of them were packed.  I had an unbelievable blast hanging with the band and our new friends on the off days.

Thank you Norway and Denmark for letting me spit and sweat all over you.  (Maybe it was a welcome heat from your crazy cold land?!)  ;-) 

I am so excited to add Scandinavia to our new list of "homes" in this wide wacky world.

Blizzard Flight

Piero is always right behind me

De-Icing the Wings

I must add a special thank you and praise to the pilots and crews of Norwegian Air.  I flew with them every single day on this tour and these pilots flew safely showing great aplomb in weather that would have crippled flights here in the States.  In short, they are Badasses to the last man and woman.

Smuggling Extra Carry on Baggage

 

I look forward to seeing you all again for some major festivals this summer (always check our tour dates please!) 
















 


I'm thrilled to announce new dates for shows in the USA! 

Here are the imminent March dates:

3-02-12    Regatta Bar  - Cambridge MA (Special Duo Performance!) 8pm Tickets

3-04-12    Iridium Jazz Club - NYC Tickets 8 pm Tickets 10pm
I hope you'll come join and support us at our first show at the legendary Iridium!  This will be a very special stripped down show featuring yours truly, Jon Diamond, and special guests Matt Beck (Rod Stewart, Josh Stone, Spiderman on Broadway, Matchbox 20) on guitar, dobro, mandolin & accordian and Jon Regen (Jimmy Scott, Kyle Eastwood) on piano for two shows that night. 

3-09-12    Mexicali Live – Teaneck, NJ (Full Band Show) 8pm Tickets
Our first time in NJ!  I hear it's a cool room and we will ROCK it with the full band!

We have many more US shows coming this spring and summer.  Plus, our NYC full band show and live DVD filming will be announced soon!  Then we'll be back in the Northeast, down South and out West so stay tuned!

It's back to Germany on March 15th for several shows there followed by our first shows in the Czech Republic and France!  I can't wait.   I've been doing tons of press and interviews for the upcoming shows and I'm getting great tips for what to do on days off in Prague and Paris.   I hope I'll find some new "homes" there!

Lastly, thanks to those of you ticket holders for your patience and understanding about our Sellersville PA show date change.  We had to accommodate a band member who needed to travel due to a family member's illness. 

All Are Welcome

Again, life is short and precious SO LET'S CELEBRATE LIFE TOGETHER IN OUR CHURCH OF LOVE, PEACE & JOY where all of you AND your beliefs are welcome!  :-)

Peace, Love & Happiness,
Dana

Almost Heaven (West Norway)

Almost Heaven (West Norway)

Here's a view from my room in Sandane Norway where I sit having my coffee reflecting on this past year and our "Love To Beg" tour.

We're honored to be headlining the Sandane Fjord Festival tonight. 

Our last few shows in Norway have been sold out.  Again, a real honor. 

Wild to think how I got here from a small town down south!

Sandane is on the west coast of Norway and is purported to be one of the most beautiful areas in the country.  Not hard to believe!

Tomorrow our hosts will take us up to a glacier for some hiking.

(More pics to come!)

Only 9 days to go on this 2 month tour.  

Left home at summer's end feeling strange that we had to pack winter coats, sweaters, hats and gloves.  Time has certainly flown by.

This has really been my favorite tour to date.  Jon and I have been incredibly touched to see how the past few years of touring relentlessly have paid off in building such a strong fan base as well as making life long friends.

Homesick as I am I will be a bit sad when this tour ends.

We will take a break when we return to NYC on Nov 7 until mid January to continue working on and writing new material for our next CD.

Denmark, hope you'll come celebrate the end of the "Love To Beg" Tour with us next week!

Love, Love, Love

Dana

PS.  I am happy to report that my little black stray Norwegian kitty "Weegie" has a safe home now right in her own neighborhood!  

Half Way There (Not Just) Living On a Prayer

Did I really just (almost) quote Jon Bon Jovi?

The picture here is from the ferry crossing the Fjord of Trondheim in Norway on the way to the airport this morning to fly to Denmark.

The tour is going great.
Four weeks to go!

It's been a wonderful surprise to have so many sold out shows!


Especially in the bigger cities like Hamburg, Berlin, Oslo and our upcoming Amsterdam Paradiso show, which sold out before we even left the States!

Thank you Germany, NL and Norway!!

This tour has restored my "Road Faith."  Largely because I realize how many real friends we've made over the past couple of years in different countries and cities.

Finally, I had two full days off and we spent some quality time with our old friends in Norway and made some great new ones...including a green-eyed, stray black kitten whom I dubbed "Weegie."

I may just bring her back home to NYC with me.   In addition, I saw some fantastic historical sites and some of nature's most miraculous creations.

Two months out is pretty daunting, especially with so many shows in a row and so few days off, but I am "Living On" the support of my great band, and of course the energy of all our incredible audiences.

Our new, young drummer, Piero Perelli is just killing it and brings a special energy every night.  Piero doesn't have internet in his small village of Luca, Italy.  Now each night in his hotel, Piero is furiously downloading every bit of music we tell him to reference.  He's been indoctrinated with the idea that I need John Bonham meets Mitch Mitchell meets Charlie Watts meets Buddy Rich.  :-)

A tall order, but just like with English, which he's studying daily on the bus and letting us quiz him, he's so damned talented that he's picking it up at an almost alien-like pace and the shows are just exploding.

With the re-release of my first record "Lonely For a Lifetime" I can now call any song from any cd and know he'll nail it and then some.   Piero is also just a blast to hang with.

My Indonesian Warrior, Walter Latupeirissa is rocking solid with us on bass and keeping me laughing on and off stage every night.  His monster bass playing and silly sense of humor puts it all into perspective.

Jon Diamond and I still disagree *ahem* over the dumbest things, for instance, which table to sit at during dinner or which restaurant will be better, but we laugh loud and enjoy our adventures together more than ever.  One German fan took this photo and called it "The Real Guitar Man."
Can't add to that!

This is surely more than just livin' on a prayer.

Although, like I say at every show, I'll take whatever help I can get from the Gods.  Be it Buddha, Allah, Yahweh or Father, Son & Holy Spirit!

Love and Blessings,
Dana

Here Goes Another Sleepless Tour...

I'm 10 days into my last, long tour of the year which ends in Denmark on November 7th!  I've been in Germany, Switzerland and Austria so far, playing some great famous venues throughout each country.  All of the shows have been packed and it's been incredible to see so many familiar faces and to make so many new friends.

Tonight, I'm back in Vienna, Austria.  Last time I was here I set my hotel room on fire trying to dim my halogen lamp with my hoodie.  Two large, beautiful Austrian firemen came to my rescue.  (Maybe I should do it again!)  ;-)

A much needed day off tomorrow in Berlin, after 7 shows...ahhhh.  Then Saturday, we'll play the famous Berlin Quasimodo (which is almost sold out!)   I love Berlin and am looking forward to a nice dinner at one the supreme restaurants!

Then we're on to Hamburg where we'll meet up with some friends and play another legendary venue (which is also almost sold out!!)

I'm loving being back in the Father Land and I'm also super excited to see our Dutch fans again in a few weeks.

Our first show at the iconic Paradiso sold out weeks ago.

I hope to see each and every one of our European friends somewhere between Germany, Netherlands, Denmark and Norway!

US Fans - it was wonderful to meet so many of you this summer and you can bet you'll be seeing much more of us in 2012!

I'll close and say in German tongue/type...

"Alles Gut!"

Love,
Dana
 

p.s.  It's been a pleasure to have our talented friend John Allen from the UK doing some shows with us this first leg.  His voice may even have more gravel than mine!  He's a great dude, too.

Home Is Where The (heavy) Heart Is (and Survives)

Woke up today just before 5pm (arrived hotel 8am from NYC and went to sleep 9am); breaking my cardinal rule of never sleeping more than 4 hours on arrival day! Will be interesting to see what time I can fall asleep tonight/this morning.

Piero, our "adorable" Italian drummer just arrived from Pisa and Walter will join us here tomorrow for our first show of the 7 week (FINAL) "Love To Beg Tour" which starts tomorrow in Lorsch, Germany and ends in Denmark.

I am so excited and nostalgic to be back in Germany at almost autumn time. Autumn 2008 was mine and Jon's introduction to Germany and when I fell in love with the culture, the scenery and a few amazing people!

Walked all over town this evening and now just arrived dinner at the very place I had my coffee with Jon hours ago.

He and Piero are now discussing drum cymbals as I sip a local white wine (believe it or not the german whites are some of the best!) and stare at this gorgeous view (attached).

Germany, my heart is especially heavy AND excited to see you since my January tour was cancelled to be with my brother Don.

With my deepest love and gratitude,

Dana

Remembering On The 10th Anniversary of 9/11...

I hope everyone is having a peaceful, meaningful and reflective 9/11 anniversary weekend. Thank you all for your generous donations toward the free download of my 9/11 song: "Moment Away."

Remember, the tune is free.
No donation necessary, but anything you choose to donate will directly benefit the families of those who lost their lives on 9/11.

Either way, enjoy the tune and keep peace alive by never forgetting those who have lost their lives, loved ones, or peace of mind, due to acts of useless and misguided violence.

Download "Moment Away" here for free or make a donation of your choice in any amount.

Love,
Dana

The Tenth Anniversary of 9/11/01: Only a Moment Away

In honor of the men, women and children who lost their lives, alongside those brave people who gave their lives, and the heroes that responded to the emergency on 9/11/2001, I'm offering a commemorative download of my song, "Moment Away".

I wrote this song with Jon Diamond during the first weeks after the 9/11 attack, inspired by the true stories of those left in the aftermath searching, without answers regarding the whereabouts of their loved ones

• Download Moment Away here for free or make a donation of your choice in any amount.
  
  
  All proceeds will directly benefit the families of those who lost their lives on 9/11.

When it Hits Home.

I am so saddened by the acts of terror in Norway.

Growing up in a small town down south in the US, whenever I would hear such news about "far away lands", I would give pause, say a little prayer and be grateful such suffering "didn't hit home", as the popular expression goes.

However, as I say at every one of my shows,  I know now that home is truly where the heart is and Norway has been in my heart ever since I first took the stage there in 2010, falling in love with the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the countryside and the beautiful people who became my friends there.

My young Norwegian friend Oda, whose company I shared for 4 days, speaking of politics, feminism, and our mutual desire to bring peace and joy to people, was going to meet up with friends at the camp on the island of Utøya.  Fortunately, she was not there on the day of the massacre but sadly several of her friends were and did not survive.

Knowing Oda and everything she fights for as president of her high school student council, the feminist organization she rallies and leads protests for, the volunteer work she's done and so on, her friends were no doubt like-minded young leaders with great potential.

I heard from Oda as the tragic events were unfolding and she had this to say,

"This tragedy has taught me one thing. We'll never stop fighting for socialism, peace, and anti-racism."

This exemplifies the courage, determination and compassion of the Norwegian people.

To the people of Norway, my heart is with you now and always.

Last night, at my show in Trieste, the Italian audience joined me in singing a tribute song for you.

Further proof of how love "hits home" everywhere and can bring us all together anywhere we are.

I wish you healing and love and I will bring every bit of my heart and soul to you in Notodden next month when I return.

Stay strong.

With Love and Peace,
Dana

Taking a tour of the old Norwegian homes with Oda, her Dad and our other friends last year in Notodden.

Thunderbolts and Lightning - Very, Very Frightening Me!

30 minutes into our flight from Copenhagen to Dusseldorf, just as I was starting to doze in my comfy exit row seat right over the left wing, I heard a big boom, felt the plane jolt and saw a burst of red and silver on the wing.

Lightening struck the plane!

For a second, I thought we could be going down.  From the expressions on the neighboring passenger's faces, I'm guessing it crossed their minds, too.

It was a strange, numbing, smaller than the universe feeling. 

The pilot came on immediately to announce that we'd be turning around to land back in Copenhagen to try and score a new plane.

This was our 2nd flight of the day.  All with the hope of delivering us safely, or at least alive, to the Hookrock Festival in Belgium!

I was bleary-eyed on the first flight after playing a late slot at the Nibe Festival in Denmark, followed by a later hang with band & friends from Germany, DK and Norway, when I heard the pilot nonchalantly announce that en route to pick us up in Copenhagen his plane hit a flock of birds and that "blood and feathers were now being cleaned from the engine."

BIRD STRIKE

Pretty straight shootin' Captain, I'd say.

Let's just say, I'm delighted to be safe and sound on the ground gingerly racing across the Autobahn on four wheels at 210kph to reach our show in Belgium.

It's been a strange last few weeks.

Last week in DK, I came upon a beautiful old Cathedral.  Everything else in the entire town was shut down except for the church, so I went in for some quiet time.

I found myself talking to Don and Donna and had a vision of them playing as kids together in the sunshine, basked in a yellow glow.

An hour later, my Mom wrote to tell me that a perennial they had both pitched in and planted for her on Mother's Day in the mid 70's had just bloomed two flowers...after two decades without blooming.

It's hard to call that a coincidence with Don just passing and the anniversary of Donna's death approaching on July 7th.  Even for you cynics!

Speaking of July 7th...

I really, truly hope to see many of you that evening for our benefit show in Tarrytown, NY.

Please come help me celebrate both Don and Donna's short, precious lives and the gift of music they bestowed upon me.

I should remind you all that Tarrytown is only 25 short minutes from NYC!

The night will be filled with so many special guests who's company I am honored to share.

The price of your ticket will go directly to the Roy White Foundation and the Don Fuchs Fund.

Thank you all in advance for your love and support.

I'm flying back home from Brussels tomorrow, so let's hope lightening really doesn't strike twice.

Love,
Dana