I’m honored to join a group of local musicians for a Todd Snider Tribute Night, Thursday January 8, 8pm at The Sunset Tavern in Ballard, WA. Proceeds will benefit SMASH, which provides access to free and low-cost healthcare services for musicians living in King, Snohomish, Pierce, Mason, Kitsap, and Thurston counties, plus support for navigating the complicated and frustrating healthcare system. You can pick up tickets online or at the door. I’m opening the show at 8!

I first encountered the heart and genius of Todd Snider more than 30 years ago in a tiny club in suburban Washington D.C. My buddy Dave and I were standing by the door of Iota when a lanky dude with stringy shoulder-length hair, bare feet, and a battered Gibson sauntered up to the stage.

Like some train hopping troubadour, he spun stories and songs over Prine-esque guitar stylings, fingerpicking and country boom-chuck. Though in his 20s, his voice was already thick and burred like well-worn leather. Todd’s songs conveyed God’s own truth, but maybe after He had a couple beers to loosen up. Snider was funny, profound, and everyone who heard him that night, and thousands of other nights over the ensuing years, went home a little bit changed, a little bit better for the experience.

Todd built a strong if not long-enough career writing songs that were heart-felt, funny, political, a few beers or tokes loose, and always full of God’s own truth. He passed away in mid-November at the age of 59 following an assault, pneumonia, and being refused service at a Salt Lake City hospital.

Please come join us Thursday, January 8 at 8pm for this night of great music and community. I’m opening the show at 8 sharp. You can pick up tickets online or at the door.