Music to my ears

Imagine this: Feeling deep, soul-filling joy amongst mostly strangers, two evenings in a row. That's what happened to me. Curious?

Friday night, Nov. 10, Mission Valley Live presented a concert highlighting Robin Layne and the Rhythm Makers. It was a knee-bouncing, energy-filled evening of incredible talent, bathing us in the happy sounds of music from West Africa, the Caribbean and Mexico. It was uplifting to realize that everyone in the audience was undoubtedly experiencing a degree of pure joy.

On Saturday evening, the Western Montana Musicians' Cooperative held a long concert/jam session at Ronan's Red Poppy. All the bands were great; Mojo Rising was spectacular. Strangers started talking, connections were made, and smiles blanketed the room. A friend leaned in to me and mused, “Light is dancing in this place.” How true.

I wish to thank the visionaries, the businesses that support these groups, the musicians, organizers, builders, volunteers, and audiences for helping to create community. Music brings us all together, regardless of our differences. This is small-town America at its best. Indeed, it is America at its best, which is music to my ears.

– Nancy Teggeman

Polson