A Day in the Life/Joan Baez.

I sang at San Gregorio General Store again today. I realized today that I have been singing there for about ten years now. It is really the only place I ever gig. Last time I was there, there was a guy from Sony Music Entertainment, who had asked me if I had a cd. At the time, I had nothing with me, and deeply regretted telling him "no." This time, I came prepared, and for good cause. Joan Baez was in the house, and the night before the gig, my producer, Terry, had gone out of his sweet way to make me extra promotional copies of one certain song to bring with me in advance of my cd release in the next couple of months. Joan picked one up. Well, to be honest, I inveigled upon her to please take one. She was very cool and gentle. My heart was pounding as we spoke. She walked in after the beginning of my last set, and I didn't know she was there until Shauna came up to hug me and whispered it in my ear. Way to go Shauna. Way to go Terry. Way to go, Fate.

Joan Baez! What a wonderful and gracious lady. She was with her daughter and her mother, who later said to me, "I want you to be rich." I thanked her and smiled, "So do I."

This kind of thing does not happen every day. I hope she is out there somewhere now, enjoying my music as much I and my entire family, in fact my entire generation, have enjoyed hers for all these crazy, wonderful years.
Wish me luck.
Peace.
Pam.

Punching Bag Pam Releases "Roses Are Black."

Some people get their jollies taking a swipe at me. Gee whiz. Lately, folks, the world has become a very mean place. Dad says put on a good attitude first thing in the morning. That helps. Playing music exorcises the demons. I'd be hopelessly lost without it. Helps me put things into perspective.

For a draft of the latest song, click below. Hope you enjoy it.

Roses are Black
Words and Music: Pamela G. Russell
Drums and Bass: Mr. R. T. Carleton
(tbd) Pedal Steel Guitar: Mr. Bobby Black
(tbd) Guitar and Vocals: Mr. Timothy J. Lowery

Volcano-Cam Watch.

All of you know that Mt. St. Helens fascinates me. Get a load of this photo -- I am accustomed to seeing the random plumes of steam and smoke emitted day by day, but can someone please tell me what in the world what these two giant beams of light are? Sometimes you can see an insect, or drops of rain (lots of rain) visible on the camera lens, but doggonnit, these are definitely not something on the lens. (Radiant beams from Thy holy face, perhaps?)
Mount St. Helens.jpg

THE MEANING OF LIFE.

Here it is, ladies and germs, what you have ALL been waiting for -- the Meaning of Life. The whole truth is about to be offered to you, and you read it here first:

The Meaning of Life is to know how to revel in the mundane.

There it is! Simple as that. Those of you who get excited about a new kind of seed from Burpee. Or about finding a summer-air-dried towel in a cold winter's closet. You know who you are. Little things excite you. The mundane. No new is good news: everyone is fine, and safe, and there is beauty hiding everwhere. You just need to know where to look.