Continuing along with my archive series, here is the title tune from my 2016 album "The Great Unknown". This song, subtitled "Ballad of the Unknown Folk Singer", was inspired by some of my lonelier times on the road -those times when I would take the stage only to find one or two souls in the audience, or a last minute cancellation after travelling for hours through a snow storm... well, you get the picture. But, as Garnet Rogers told me once, "never complain about being able to do what you love". And so, this song is really a celebration and is indeed filled with immense gratitude. Don't forget to subscribe to my channel, comment, like, unlike, etc. In addition, you can send me a tip at https://kendunnmusic.com/tip-jars/4017 to feed my soul. Love, peace, and happy listening! Words and Music © 2016 Ken Dunn (SOCAN, ASCAP) #kendunnmusic #trespassmusic #thegreatunknown #folkmusic

Continuing my archive series on YouTube, here is another tune for your enjoyment. This one was originally recorded on my 2016 album "The Great Unknown".  Ostensibly about homelessness, it is more generally about the need for us all to stay by each other's side, especially in times of darkness.

For those who might like to follow along, here are the lyrics:

STAY BY MY SIDE  Words and music by Ken Dunn © 2016 

An old man in the dawn, just a running from the wild dogs 

In the mist of Marrakesh, you thank your Djellaba for your flesh 

CHORUS: Stay by my side, won’t you stay by my side ?  (x4)

An old woman all alone, with a shopping cart - her own 

She’s the mother of the street, not someone that you wanna meet 

CHORUS 

Put a twenty in the ladies jar, slipped away into my car 

Texting on my new iPhone, hashtag honey I’m a coming home 

CHORUS 

Passing by that electric gate, where my cottage awaits 

It’s just another day, before the people have their say 

CHORUS     

It's been a while since I posted a new video, so here's hoping you enjoy this one! I finally got some semblance of a studio set up in our new home near Owen Sound, Ontario. Pretty basic, but great for doing 'live' recordings. 

I wrote "Come Back Joni" in honour of Joni Mitchell, as well as the ancestral peoples of British Columbia's Sunshine Coast. It was written in B.C. during a particularly bad fire season, not far from Joni's long time Canadian home near Half Moon Bay. Her spirit is embedded in the land and peoples of this region. 

"Come Back Joni" is available on my last album "Ashes in the Morning" and features Mark Mariash on drums and percussion, Randy Martin on bass, Anna Green on harmony and backing vocals, Ben Grossman on hurdy gurdy, and Tyler Beckett on fiddle.

Stay safe and be kind everyone!

Many thanks to Gerry Goodfriend, host of Folk Directions at CKUT 90.3 FM in Montreal (every Thursday morning 9-11 am ET on CKUT and the web) for these three archived shows from May 2020. This first episode from May 7 features music by Gretchen Peters, Bill Garrett & Sue Lothrup, Rose Cousins, Stan Rogers, Pharis & Jason Romero, along with yours truly, and many others.

Tune in this Thursday, November 5 at noon ET. I will be featured on Ron Olesko's "Artist in Residence" series on Folk Music Notebook. There will also be an “encore” broadcast at 6pm ET and again at midnight and 6am ET on Friday morning, November 6. 

TUNE IN HERE: 

https://folkmusicnotebook.com/

I remain awestruck as this tiny microbe continues to transform civilization as we know it. Here in the relatively safe confines of my home studio, music continues to nourish my aching soul and keep the flame of hope alive. 

My intention in creating this new video archive series is to catalogue the songs that I have written over the past several decades in live, intimate, solo performances. I hope you find some worthwhile connection in these creations. Love and peace to you all!

First up is the first song on my most recent album "Ashes in the Morning"... It's called "King High Tide"...

I hope this finds you all, my dear friends and fans, safe and sound as we continue to navigate these difficult waters together. Anna, Louie, and I have moved back to Ontario and settled into homesteading, missing our life in B.C. but grateful for the opportunity to be closer to our families, and enjoying the comfort of our home province.

Given the cancellation of all touring, and the decided lack of work in general, I am spending my days with loved ones and re-acquainting myself with the art of organic gardening. Growing our own food has been a meditative experience, nurturing not only body, but soul as well.

I am forever grateful for the wonderful reception that Ashes in the Morning has received since its debut in May. To everyone who has purchased a copy, tuned in via streaming or radio, to the DJs who have kept me in their playlists and on the charts, and to the reviewers who have introduced me to their audiences - Thank You !! 

Respite from the road has inspired a flow of musical creation and a renewed appreciation for the impact that this gift called music has had on my life. I am also embracing this opportunity to learn about, and nurture community via the online world more. As a result, I've been working on a new video series which I will share with you in the coming months.

Once again, thank you for your continued support. It is appreciated more than you might imagine. Best wishes for your continued health, safety, and happiness. Redemption is just beyond the hairpin turn ahead.

Here's hoping everyone is safe and sound out there! I sure do miss performing live, but I'm so grateful for the response "Ashes in the Morning" has been getting on the airwaves! Many thanks to everyone who has purchased the album, live streamed on iTunes or Spotify, and all the supportive Folk DJs out there!  Check out "Ashes in the Morning" here

At present, the Canada-U.S. border remains closed to non-essential traffic (including us poor musicians)!  Unfortunately, given the circumstances, I will not be able to secure my U.S. work visa for 2020-2021.  

It is therefore with a heavy heart that I must cancel my upcoming 2020-2021 U.S. tour in support of my new album "Ashes in the Morning".  

On the plus side, I am looking forward to producing an online concert series over the next year, and have a number of radio shows lined up.

Let us all hope for a brighter future with the joy of live music ringing in our ears, and hugs all round!  

Peace, Love, and Music, Ken 

In these challenging times, when we are all feeling so isolated, I am thankful for the music which keeps us together! It's wonderful to know that people are still listening to music and I am grateful to those that have taken the time, and made the effort to review "Ashes in the Morning".... Peace, Love, and Music Always !!

‘Ashes In The Morning’ is a phenomenal album with glowing notes and deserves the highest recognition among the music community. 

- Jimmy Rae, Skope Magazine, USA 

"This is quite a sincere effort by an engaging troubadour." 

- John Apice, Americana Highways 

"A very inspiring album" 

- Remo Ricaldone, Planet Country, Italy 

"A stentorian voiced folkie…finding strength through speaking truth" 

- Chris Spectre, Midwest Record Review, USA