Sundance with Garth Hudson

We finished my Seattle performance on Wednesday night, threw guitars and some odds and ends into the car and headed out for the tumultous icy mountainous drive for Park City Utah where the Sundance Film Festival was waiting for me. We barely made it as the car spun out at 70 mph upon hitting a patch of black ice in the Blue Mountains.

I find out one hour away from the festival that I am scheduled to play in one hour, gave me a good belly laugh though I made it on a hair pin. It was exciting. There were people in herds and droves lining the streets and venues like confetti on a pinata. People from all over the world, from hollywood producers, musicians, directors - oh, and Oprah's production crew.

We stayed with Julie Miles, a talented a successful clothing designer from Australia who was hilarious, fun and the most gracious host imaginable. The days were filled with comings and goings in the bustle of musicians and film people where we danced, played and listened (and practically lived), at the Crown on Main.

Word came in that the Rock & Roll Hall of fame inductee, Garth Hudson (keyboard player for The Band) was coming to share the roster at the stage where we were performing.  The surprising event took place when Garth researched the musicians he was sharing the night with, and decided he wanted to play two of my songs during his set.  I was honored as he took up his accordion and lathered delicious all over The Fool and Songs by the Sea.  I'll never forget his respectful grin as he smiled up at me, through his bushy grey beard under his dusty cowboy hat, stretching out his accordion in the middle of his solo.

I finished the gig with Garth at 3AM and immediately tossed all of my gear in the car and proceeded to march the icy highways through the night back to the Emerald City.