This Custom Adamas Elite was a gift from Ovation and the Emergenza folks when I went to Germany as the first Emergenza "Acoustic Hero".
Most of the "Arsenal". My Everett "Laurel" on the left
My Mermer Kona Steel. "Kula Kika"
I've worked with some of the world's finest, but I typically play (or fake) most, if not all of the instruments on my recordings including: 6 String Acoustic & Electric Guitar, 12 String Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Steel Guitar (acoustic & electric), Harmonica, Trap Drums, Hand Drums, Percussion, Recorder, Pan Pipes, Didgeridoo, Piano, Flutes, Mandolin, Water Jug, Wine Bottles, Banjo, Trumpet, 2nd Fiddle, 1st Chair, Folding Chair, Keyboards, Washboards, Italian Cowbell (the finest tone). On my Paradox of Grace cd Bill Braatz plays drums on most of the tracks. He's brilliant. My beloved friend John Kurgan on the east coast helps me get most of my things recorded. Dear friend Don Richmond helps me record when i'm home in the San Luis Valley. Kent Everett builds my Acoustic 6 Strings. Rich Mermer builds my Kona Acoustic Steels. Michael Kelly Guitars built my electric hollow body "Vibe". Martin Funmaker made my Native Flutes, Godin built my 12 String Acoustic Electric and Om made my 5 String Banjo. I'm also grateful to have endorsements with D'addario Strings, Fishman Pickups, Pick Up The World Pickups and Kyser Capos.
Here I'm playing another Mermer Kona Lap Steel, "Kahu"... photo by Melissa Bugg.
I live a fairly unplugged life in Taos and I admit it.... I'd rather be on my mountain bike than online doing battle with a mega slow dial up connection using my cell phone as a modem. I apologize sincerely for not being very responsive. If you're trying to get in touch I recommend e-mailing don@donconoscenti.com. Irreverence and good humor are welcome here, but PLEASE DON'T POST PROMOTIONAL BANNERS...PLEASE!
I shattered my left femur on Tuesday evening 3-24-09 during a boringly routine and very slow road bicycle ride. I was turning around to head home and the rear wheel slid out from under me in some gravel left behind by the snow plows. I didn't see it. It's embarrassing how slow I was going…didn't even slide when I fell. Just stuck to the asphalt in a pile of pain. My neighbor Roger said he could hear me howling from six miles away back at the house... it's probably true.
Thanks for your support, prayers, emails, calls, concern, and offers to help with expenses. As you can imagine I am one of those millions of uninsured folks out there. The bills are about $100,000, but I'm a grateful and blessed fellow. People have been asking how they can offer financial assistance. My buddy Wayne Evanson set up an account at Centinel Bank here in Taos. Anyone wishing to send financial support can...
Make Checks Payable to: Don Conoscenti
And Send Them To:
Centinel Bank of Taos
Pob 818
Taos NM 87571
For PayPal folks just use this email: don@donconoscenti.com
(PayPal people will know what that means)
Please don't feel pressured. These are tough times for everyone. At the same time I don't want to stubbornly stand in the way of help when I clearly need it. The bills are massive. I'm going to be on board for President Obama's efforts to reform health care. Give me the version with the Public Plan Option and woe is the congress person who votes against that option.
There'll be an all day benefit concert and silent auction here in Taos at the KTAO Solar Center on May 31st. There's also a benefit concert at The Blue Door in Oklahoma City May 11th, another in Alamosa May 21st and Eddie's Attic is cooking something up... potentially in July. Should be fun bashes and I plan to attend them all if conditions allow. Look for details and updates in the "Shows" section of my site…. www.doncon.com
By the way...I found the x rays oddly compelling and have posted them in the "Femur and Friends Gallery" in the "Photos" section of the site...in case you're as weird as I am. I've been adding x rays from friends who submit them to me in JPEG form...a gallery of busted up skeletal parts and hardware. I think Chuck Brodsky is gonna be the big draw for the gallery. You've got to see his ankle x rays.
Peace on all of you and thanks for the blessing of your friendship and life/music camaraderie.
My vision for the country as of the November 4th, 2008 presidential elections is that President Obama and the leaders in Congress will collaborate very openly and willingly, but ultimately follow the president and his team's lead. End our wars. Prosecute the most blatant lawbreakers in government including members of the recent Bush administration. No one should be above the law in this government. No one. Clean up the election system and safeguard it from partisan manipulation and gaming. The Republicans as a minority party in Congress should become better listeners and collaborators and be less combative and less morally assertive. We voted for them to have less influence for a reason. They should read the memo. All members of government should stop the promotion of fear and the use of divisive issues in politics. Stick to problem solving and leave moral and spiritual choices to individuals, families and communities. Create a Department of Peace and eliminate or consolidate some of the defense and intelligence organizations to fund it. Cut defense spending. Transform the education, energy and transportation sectors of our nation. End the age of fossil fuel. Shrink bureaucracy and make government simpler, more cost effective and less secretive. Shrink executive power and undo the excessive orders and signing declarations of the recent administration(s). Insure that the Supreme Court stays balanced ideologically. Safeguard the Department of Justice from partisan manipulation and gaming. Prosecute and imprison anyone who tampers with it. Don't create more laws...create fewer laws which are better written and more comprehensive. Remove unproductive laws from the books. Stop the war on drugs and revise the legal system concerning drug use and drug abuse, recognizing the difference between the two and legalizing the former. We need lawmakers who really have a clue about the social, economical and personal costs of the policies and laws they're pushing and/or voting for. Maybe lawmakers could undergo a month long boot camp where they live in a cramped apartment, work two jobs, fall short on their bills and have to take the bus, walk or ride their bike everywhere. If it becomes clear that they don't get it they should be disqualified from running for office. Government should take nature seriously and recognize undeveloped wilderness areas, the oceans and other open spaces as necessary and irreplaceable resources. Pursue peace domestically and globally as if our lives depended on it and treat it as a real and pragmatic policy cornerstone.
Adam R Sweet's Fiddler's Bow is on sale this month. Visit this page: http://adamrsweet.com/mybow.html to order through PayPal or direct from Emily's Website
Every order comes with a free cake of green Irish rosin!
Hey Don, How have you been? I don't know if my dad has told you this, but I have a son named Landon, who will be one on the 19th of June. And I also am engaged to a wonderful man named Ryan Thor, and we plan on getting married on October 10th of this year. Hope all is well!!! With Love, Faulkner
THANKS so much 4 the Friendship Don!!! Been a Big Fan of yours since I saw U live at a small festival in Bartlesville, Oklahoma probably almost 10 years ago or so!! Your song 'The Other Side' has meant so much in my life & to so many people!! Your The Best Bro!! Much Love to You!! Sincerely, Mickey
don.....you haven't been taking your Oscal, have you?(poor 'lil femur). tisk tisk. hope you are doing alright and that this doesn't put too much of a damper on you outside ventures this summer. lots of love from wyoming
I'm really sad to hear bout your biking accident. I'm praying for you and sending you healing meditations today. Miss talking to you Don. All your friends will rally around you and help you out. You just get better. Hugs from Cold Iowa.
hey don, it turned out coming North of the Rio Pueblo to see you sage monkeys in your native OBL jungle was actually pretty damn fine. & happy to carry yer music anytime. Keep me posted!
Hey Don, I'm rallying the Facebook group and sending you best wishes for a speedy recovery and newfound bionic powers from all the titanium in your leg!
We are all gathering around you with our love and energy, you have given so much to us, we are all returning back in kind to you... Heal in the wisdom!!
