Big Year

2014 has been a big year. Thank you for helping to make it that way.

May 17th was a huge day. That’s when “Scotland: Grace of the Wild” was named World Radio Album of the Year. Musical legend Will Ackerman, founder of Windham Hill Records, presented the award at the annual Zone Music Reporter concert and conference in New Orleans. The award was determined by voting from radio music hosts worldwide. It was a wonderful affirmation of the incredible team effort that came into play on the project. If you haven’t yet listened to this album please do so. It is clearly our best effort to date.

June brought a trip to Ireland and some more Celtic inspiration. I hooked up with renowned flautist and former Nightnoise member Brian Dunning and his wife Fiona, a brilliant artist, in Dublin. We had a terrific day together! I used to follow Brian and Nightnoise regularly on their US tours in the 1980’s and 90’s. My next album will have an Irish theme and Brian has agreed to be a part of the project. Look for a 2015 release of the new album late in the year.

Another big development is a new booking agent for Bill Leslie & Lorica. Stephen Barefoot of Durham, NC is one of the most respected and well-connected agents in the US. We are absolutely delighted to have Stephen and goingbarefoot inc. in our corner. Stephen will soon have our new profile listed on his web site at www.goingbarefoot.com

As we gain one Stephen we lose another. Stephen Levitin is stepping down as our percussionist. However, we may talk him into performing with us periodically! Stephen is one of the most talented drummers I have ever known and international travels related to his Beat Making Labs have forced him cut back on concert performances in the US. Beverly Botsford of Durham as agreed to take over percussion chores and we couldn’t be happier. Beverly has toured extensively with jazz great Nnenna Freelon.

Fall concerts on the calendar include a Bill Leslie and Lorica stop in Washington, NC at the stunning Turnage Theatre on Saturday evening, September 6. The following Saturday, September 13, I will do a solo evening concert at the Meadowbrook Inn in Blowing Rock, NC as part of author Jan Karon’s Mitford Reunion. It promises to be a magical weekend in the NC mountains. I hope you will join us both in Washington, NC along the Pamlico River and in the High Country at Blowing Rock.