Two Great Events
Category: Music

Hopefully, you had the pleasure of attending one of the two Deep Roots events that took place during the past week; one at Reynolds High School last Thursday, and the other at Roosevelt last night.

If you weren't able to make it to either night, here's the run-down:

The Reynolds event was outstanding. You may or may not know that Deep Roots 1 (1998) alum Zeke Goodrick returned to Reynolds this year and volunteered hundreds of hours during the school year in order to help produce Deep Roots 11. Besides coordinating the concert, the recording, the mastering, and many other executive tasks, Zeke recruited an outstanding line-up of musicians, and he made sure this group had plenty of Reynolds flavor. At Thursday's Reynolds show, ten of the eleven musical acts who performed were Reynolds graduates or current students at the school!!

There were numerous highlights.

Current Reynolds student Ethan Gibbs, with Zeke accompanying on guitar, sang a killer rendition of his own song, "I Told Her No."  In black sunglasses, and with a rowdy cheering section on-hand, Ethan had the whole room rocking to his new Deep Roots 11 tune.

2003 Reynolds alum Hans Huffman, who did a lot of the studio recording for DR 11 at Setec Recording, also played a three song set with his current band, Why We Fear Fiction. Hans has performed on a half dozen Deep Roots CDs, going back all the way to 2001 when he played with Sideproject as a high school sophomore.

Kelli McIntosh, who had poetry on Deep Roots 3 back in 2000, when she was a senior at Reynolds performed current Reynolds lyricist Stephanie Walker's "Story of Love," a tune her band, Coyote Creek, contributed to DR 11. 

Long Live the Skatom Bombs. These guys rock! They turned up the heat a bit and got people on their feet in a hurry. Some of these guys are current Reynolds students, but they showed stage presence like seasoned pros. If you haven't seen them perform, you should. Word is they're getting ready for a band name change though, and I'm not sure what the new name will be.

Breanna Paletta has been involved with making music for Deep Roots every year since her senior year at Reynolds in 2001. Ms. Reliable thrilled us again with a three-song performance featuring her latest Deep Roots gem, "Fields and Valleys." (lyrics by Erika Steerman)

Other Reynolds grads who played at the show: 1996 Reynolds grad Chris Merrill, 1998 Reynolds alum Gus Niklos, and Zeke Goodrick.

Did I miss anyone?

The Roosevelt show was great too. This was the second annual Deep Roots CD Release Party event at Roosevelt and everyone had a good time.

Students sold their new CDs (Deep Roots: St. Johns Poetry Sessions, volume 2) as well as tee shirts with their latest cover image. There were lots of deservedly proud faces in the house as the St. Johns Poets heard their songs performed live.

Keegan Smith and his band (including long-time Deep Roots volunteer Chris Chard on bass) kicked things off with a song the Roosevelt lyricists co-wrote called "Our New World."

Funk Shui was absolutely amazing, as always. Not only did they perform John Henry Bourke's contribution to "St. Johns 2," they also impressed the crowd by dusting off last year's Funk Shui contribution to Deep Roots, "Confused, Just Tell Me."

Madgesdiq, who has been an integral part of getting Deep Roots off the ground at Roosevelt, shared bits of wisdom in between performances of various tunes, including Aaron Munoz's "Stop Playin'" which got several in the house on their feet.

First time Deep Roots volunteer Jessica Stiles lit up the room with three songs of her own, then stayed to dance and enjoy the rest of the night's line-up.

DLUX: THE LIGHT and Desmond "D.T." also entertained us with their positive energy and witty and positive poetry.

Check out the latest from Deep Roots: The 10-Year Anthology

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10-Year Anniversary Party, New Anthology
Current mood: cheerful

It's been a long time since I've had as much fun as I did last week at McMenamins White Eagle. Not just because we raised $1,500 for Deep Roots either.

The 10-Year Anniversary Party and "Music Project Anthology" CD release was validation for why I started working on Deep Roots in 1998, and why I've continued working on the project for over ten years since.

The music was fantastic, with John Henry Bourke and Chris Kokesh contributing the first set of the night. Highlights of their performance included a spirited singing of anthology song "Breathe" (written by Nagisa Day, Deep Roots 9), and their cover version of Deb Talan's Deep Roots II gem, "Standing at the Edge of a Small Town." "Standing at the Edge" has really great lyrics written by Deep Roots alum Ken Howard (Deep Roots II), who was in attendance and as surprised as anyone to hear his words spring to life on stage nearly ten years after he'd penned them.

A fresh-off-tour Breanna Paletta (Deep Roots 4 alum) wowed the crowd with her hourlong set. Breanna is a former Deep Roots student who used Deep Roots as one of her first steps toward a music career of her own. She's volunteered her musical talents to Deep Roots every year since 2001.

Madgesdiq brought us back to Deep Roots' poetry roots with two short spoken word performances, and another Deep Roots alum, Zeke Goodrick (he performed as a student on the very first Deep Roots CD) closed out the night with a five song set of his own.

Other faces in the crowd included past student participants Tara Brammer (Deep Roots 1), Tawnya Brammer (Deep Roots II), Jesse Altig (Deep Roots 1), Lacy Kilty (Deep Roots 5), Myka Brown, Maria Dumitrescu (Deep Roots 4), Raishawn Kairuz (Deep Roots 4), Chris Williams (Deep Roots 5), Kailina Laureta (Deep Roots 5), Jon Varney (Deep Roots 8), Jenell Davis (Deep Roots 8), Rhiannon Hurlbut (Deep Roots 7), and Jeff Schnick (Deep Roots 4).

A special thanks to all who have contributed and supported our creative vision for over ten exciting years.

The "Deep Roots Music Project Anthology (1998-2007)" CD is now available at http://cdbaby.com/cd/deeproots11 

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Busy Week Leads to Big Party
Category: Music

What an eventful week it's been. We're just a few days away from our 10-Year Anniversary Party for Deep Roots at McMenamins White Eagle (836 N. Russell, Portland - Tuesday, April 22, 6 - 10PM). As we anticipate the big night, we also reflect on other big Deep Roots happenings:

1. On Monday, I received a much-anticipated phone call from Kevin Nettleingham of Nettleingham Audio, letting me know that the Deep Roots Music Project Anthology CDs had come in. I drove quickly after work to his house to pick them up, and I've been riding a wave of exhilaration ever since. The new CDs are beautiful to listen to, and to look at.

There are twelve great songs on the CD, with at least one track from every year of the decade-long project. Reynolds High School's own Sideproject, Breanna Paletta, and Geoff Byrd join treasured local talent such as Rubberneck, Amelia, Dr. Theopolis, Luther Russell, Ezra Holbrook, Madgesdiq, Mike Coykendal, Andy Tabb, John Henry Bourke, and others as performers on the new CD filled with some of your favorite tunes.

But this "Anthology" is more than just great music. The cover art and booklet that accompany the CD are filled with cover images, photos, student testimonials, and other bits of history from the Deep Roots legacy. The cover booklet is a wonderful scrapbook of everything great about Deep Roots. Thanks to Tara Julian, a Deep Roots disciple who lives in Boston, for all the work she did to make the graphics spectacular.

2.  Three other brand-new Deep Roots CDs were also shipped off to the manufacturer this week. The new editions of Deep Roots created by Portland musicians and teen lyricists at Roosevelt and Reynolds High Schools, as well as our latest Deep Roots chapter at Girls Inc. of NW Oregon are expected back in early May, just in time for the Deep Roots concert events at those institutions. This is the first time Deep Roots has tried to release four new CDs in one season, and by the end of May, they will be the 13^th, 14^th, 15^th, and 16^th Deep Roots CDs since our founding in 1998.

3. Deep Roots made the Sunday Oregonian today (April 20, 2008). In a special section called "outlook .08" (page W25) there is a photo of Madgesdiq performing at Roosevelt last spring, and also some good quotes from Girls Inc. musician-volunteer Liv Warfield about collaborating with teen girls on this year's Girls Inc. edition of Deep Roots. Here's a link:  Oregonian, Sunday, April 20 

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Deep Roots on TV
Category: Music

Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit Jeremy Wilson’s Mastan Music Studio in SE Portland. Roosevelt HS Deep Roots coordinator Richard Brown was there, as were Deep Roots musician-volunteers John Henry Bourke, Keegan Smith, and Chris Chard.

John Olson and the television crew for local Portland show PDXposed (www.pdxposed.com) were there too, working on a story about Deep Roots. The story will probably air sometime in late summer or early fall on the new home of PDXposed, KGW Channel 8.

We’ll let you know when we know the dates and times.

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Huge 10-year Celebration: New Anthology CD!
Category: Writing and Poetry

This spring season is going to be huge for The Deep Roots Music Project. Not only does 2008 mark a full ten years since the project began, but we’re preparing to release a total of four Deep Roots CDs in the Portland area in late April and May.

Reynolds H.S. will complete their 11th annual compilation of songs co-written by teen writers and local professional musicians. Also, Roosevelt H.S. is putting the finishing touches on their second CD, while local non-profit Girls Inc. is busy working on their very first CD (The Girls Inc. CD will also be the very first all-female effort in the Deep Roots series.).

As I think back on the past decade’s accomplishments, all of our great musician volunteers are brought to mind; generous local treasures like Blake Sakamoto, Kevin Hahn, Lara Michell, Ezra Holbrook, Kris Kirkman, Jane Wright, Madgesdiq, and so many more. Without the gift of their time and musical talent, there would be no project at all.

I think, too, of all the students. The sincerity and hard work they put into writing their lyrics has inspired us all.

To mark a decade of achievement and collaboration, Deep Roots has put together a ten-year anthology CD, titled "Deep Roots Music Project Anthology, 1998-2007"which we will release at an open-to-the-public event at McMenamins White Eagle on Tuesday, April 22. Please mark it on your calendar and come by for great music, food, drink, and a chance to catch up with old friends. We are hoping to reunite Deep Roots musicians, students, and program supporters for an evening of celebration. Former Deep Roots student lyricist Breanna Paletta, and long-time musician volunteer John Henry Bourke are a few of the performers slated to entertain.

April 22 is also a great opportunity to support Deep Roots, your favorite high school writing program. McMenamins will donate half of their night’s food and beverage sales to help The Deep Roots Music Project. The new 12-song CD, featuring at least one song from each year of Deep Roots, will be available for purchase as well. Besides some of your very favorite Deep Roots songs, the Anthology features photographs, artwork, and student testimonials from throughout our ten-year run.

Music starts at 5:45 PM. There is absolutely no cover charge to get in the door. All ages are welcome, but if your under 21, you’ll need to clear out by 8:00 PM (sorry).

I can’t wait to see you there.

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10 Year Anthology News
Category: Music

The Deep Roots Music Project is very close to announcing a release date for the new Deep Roots Anthology CD, which will feature twelve outstanding songs selected from each year of The Deep Roots Music Project’s 10-year existence (1998-2008) at Reynolds and Roosevelt High Schools. A collage of photographs and past cover art, as well as lyrics and a narrative of the program’s history will be included in the cover booklet.

The anthology compiles a selection of past Deep Roots songs, each co-written by teen writers and local Portland musician-volunteers such as Luther Russell, Ezra Holbrook, Madgesdiq, Geoff Byrd, Amelia, Mike Coykendall, Rubberneck, and others.  Songs performed by past Deep Roots student particpants Breanna Paletta and Sideproject (Jesse Bettis, Hans Huffman, etc.) are also included in the mix.

Kevin Nettleingham mastered the new compilation CD in November, and as soon as we finish the cover art, it’s off to the manufacturer. We’re also working with McMenamins to put together a CD release party - hopefully sometime in April.

That event will be followed by the release of three other new Deep Roots CDs in May 2008; one from Portland’s Roosevelt HS, one from Reynolds HS, and another from the new Deep Roots program at Portland’s Girls Inc.  The Girls Inc. project will be the first Deep Roots CD to feature an all-girl group of teen lyricists, along with an also all-female cast of Portland musicians, including Liv Warfield, Tahoe Jackson, Morgan Grace, Stephanie Schneiderman, and Kate Mann.

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Branching Out

Here's all the latest and greatest:

1.  A few weeks ago, in July, we hosted the first annual Deep Roots Music Project workshop and conference at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. The goals of the weeklong workshop were to provide interested educators and social workers from throughout the country with the specific skills and knowledge they'll need in order to establish new Deep Roots sites in their communities.  We also worked to develop strategies to help make the Deep Roots program even better for students and more sustainable for schools and social institutions.

Educators from Oregon, Massachusetts, Washington D.C., and California joined program founder Chris Gragg, and also Portland musicians Sattie Clark, John Henry Bourke, Dave Fleschner, and Madgesdiq, for an intense week of writing, examining song lyrics, and recording music.

The other particiapnts were; Tara Julian (Boston, MA), Dina Varsalone (Boston, MA), Chris Stroffolino (Oakland, CA), Richard Brown (Roosevelt H.S. -Portland, OR), Shannon MCCarl (Reynolds High School - Portland, OR), Nann Alleman (Scapoose H.S. - Oregon), Chuck Laiti (Tigard H.S. - Oregon), Catherine Malinis (Girls Inc. - Portland, OR), Jill Silk (Girls Inc. - Portland, OR), Shyree Mezick (a former Deep Roots student participant who now lives in Washington, D.C.), and Anna York (Franklin H.S. - Portland, OR).

By staying in close correspondence and organizing monthly meetings in Portland, the workshop participants will continue to work together to share Deep Roots with young people throughout America.

2.  The Deep Roots licensing agreement with Rumblefish has finally been completed.  The agreement includes 34 songs from the first eight years of The Deep Roots Music Project. 

Thanks to all of the musicians and lyricists who agreed to participate, and to Portland entertainment lawyer Jeff Brown, as well as Matt P., Whitney, and Paul at Rumblefish, each of whom played an important role in making the deal possible.  We hope to add additional songs to the Rumblefish catalogue in the near future.

3.  Webtrends, a web analytics company based in Portland, Oregon, has given The Deep Roots Music Project a gift of $1,000 to pay for the production of a ten-year anniversary CD.  We're hoping to release the Deep Roots Anthology, featuring favorite songs from each year of Deep Roots, sometime before the holidays.

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A Week of Musical Rewards
Category: Music

Wow. We did it. Three new Deep Roots CDs were released earlier this week.

Maybe you were there. Maybe you saw the article in Wednesday's Oregonian newspaper. If you weren't so fortunate, please read on.

On Monday, we enjoyed a beautiful evening of music, art, dancing and fun at Roosevelt High School.

Led by lyricist Terrell Dixon, the crowd really got up and moved during Madgesdiq's performance of "Cosmic Bowling," the first track on the brand New CD compilation titled "Deep Roots: The St. Johns Poetry Sessions, Vol. 1."

Along with the 15 songs performed on the St. Johns Poetry Sessions CD, customers also received the Deep Roots Bonus Tracks CD featuring "iPOD" (Damarcus Chaney) and "High School" (Tara Markle). Soul P invited Egbevado on to the stage to perform with him, and the two wowed the crowd with their lyrical talent and positive energy with their tune called "Blacks Have Free Dreams Too.".

The good vibes continued to flow as Copacrescent, Keegan Smith and The Fam, and finally Funk Shui each took a turn at blowing us away with their lively four-song sets.

Among the guests spotted in the audience on Monday were 2007 musical particpants Ray Frazier and Raz, as well as Kat Nyberg, who took photographs for the initial Deep Roots CD project in 1998.

On Wednesday night, it was time to party it up at Reynolds CD Release Party for "Deep Roots 10: the troutdale poetry experiment." There were far too many past Deep Roots participants in the audience to list, but I did see Hans Huffman (Deep Roots 4 - 8), as well as Sara Mayhew (Deep Roots 4), Stephanie Jennings (Deep Roots 5.5), Raishawn Kairuz (Deep Roots 4), Tom Lundgren (Deep Roots 4), Shelley Holland (Deep Roots 4), Rhiannon Hurlbut (Deep Roots 7), and many, many others including long-time Deep Roots recording engineer Dave Fleschner. (If I missed someone, please let me know)

Jenn Dashney got us started with a beautiful set of acoustic tunes, then gave way to Scotland Barr and The Slow Drags, who among other songs performed "Ran You Over," which has lyrics by Cassie Shaw and is the first track on "Deep Roots 10."

Student performers Patience Murphy, Joe Spencer (along with his outstanding band of Reynolds students), and the Reynolds Hip-Hop Dance Team kept the crowd engaged and entertained during the heart of the show.

Northwest legend Duffy Bishop and friends put together a very memorable set to follow, including a spirited rendition of Morgan Wiles' "Waiting On Love."

Wednesday night reached its crescendo during the final three acts. Ben Fuller and his band (the band name is slipping my mind right now, sorry.) got people on the edge of their seats, and then Big Dumb Animals and Zeke Goodrick's band took turns getting the audience on its feet and filling the dance floor with a mob of crazed dancers to finish off the show with a bang.

Thanks so much to all who helped bring these events and CDs together.

Special thanks to Zeke Goodrick, who so ably ran the sound at both of this week's event and also performed a free promotional concert at Reynolds on Tuesday during he lunch hour.

The new "Soul Prints" literary magazine debuted Wednesday as well, and art by Kathleen McCullough and Katie Sullivan's students provided another amazing element to the evening. I'm working on getting some photographs of the student art to share in this blog. It was absolutley incredible and inspired.

Portland Music Company graciously provided the back-line equipment, and SAMEUNDERNEATH clothing was also an event sponsor.

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10 Years Already?

I can't believe it's been ten years.

A few weeks ago, the students at Reynolds and Roosevelt got an opportunity to hear their songs played for the first time. From the looks on their faces, they are more than pleased with the way their songs turned out. We think you will be also. Thanks again to all the musicians who worked so hard to make this year's CDs possible.

Next week, The Deep Roots Music Project officially turns ten years old, and we have plenty of festivities planned to help celebrate.

First off, there is an opportunity for you to get a sneak preview. On Monday May 7, a radio podcast featuring several great Deep Roots tunes from this years CDs will air on The Mastan Music Hour. The Mastan Music Hour is produced by one of Deep Roots' primary recording engineers, Jeremy Wilson, and it's a great show. Tune in to http://www.mastanmusic.com/podcast any time after noon on Monday, May 7 to hear the Deep Roots program. 

Also, a Monday, May 14 (5:30-8:30) Deep Roots concert is planned at Roosevelt High School. This is the very first Deep Roots event at Roosevelt, and we'll all be celebrationg the release of their new CD, "The St. Johns Poetry Sessions, volume 1."

Performers at the Roosevelt show will include Madgesdiq, Soul Plasma, Copacrescent, Keegan Smith, Funk Shui, and Barry Hampton.

Later next week, Reynolds High School students will release Deep Roots 10 (Wednesday, May 16 - 5:30-9:30 PM). Their concert celebration will include a gallery of student-created artwork and poetry, and live performances by Zeke Goodrick, Scotland Barr and The Slow Drags, Big Dumb Animals, Jenn Dashney, Ben Fuller, and Kris Kirkman.

We really hope you'll come by at least one of our events and help us celebrate!

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Can We Do This Again?

Last night at the White Eagle was a blast, and it was uplifting to see so many of our faithful Deep Roots supporters turn out for the event. If you weren't able to be there, the place was packed with Deep Roots friends and family from beginning to end. 

Thanks to the generosity of our friends at McMenamins and all of you, The Deep Roots Music Project raised $1,500 on the evening.

A big high-five to Madgesdiq, Ezra Holbrook, Breanna Paletta, Todd Bayles, Zeke Goodrick and The Kinder Scale for their outstanding performances.

Thanks also to Sara Mayhew for her fine work on the event posters and table tents. And to Racheal Kasprzak for showing up early to help set up, and for helping to oversee the information table.

Besides Zeke (DR 1), Breanna (DR 4), Sara (DR 4), and Racheal (DR 4), quite a few former Reynolds student-particpants made it out for the show. Among the familiar faces were Raishawn Kairuz (DR 4), Stephanie Williams (DR 4), Maria Dumitrescu (DR 4), Shannon Lemly (DR 1), Aaron MCCoy (DR5), Jessie Hix (DR 6), Adam Felkins (DR 4), Myka Brown (DR 5), Nagisa Day (DR 9), and Stephanie Anderson (DR 9). Did I miss someone?

The good people at McMenamins seem equally pleased with the way the evening unfolded. They've even thrown out the idea of making "Deep Roots Friends and Family Night" an annual event. I'd go for that.

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Ghosts in the Studio and New Friends Up North

1) Less than 48 hours until the Deep Roots Friends and Family Night at McMenamins White Eagle Saloon(836 N. Russell St., PDX, OR 97227), and I'm excited to see some old friends and take in a great show. Breanna Paletta, Zeke Goodrick, Ezra Holbrook, and Madgesdiq will all be performing. Come by any time after 5 PM to support Deep Roots. Admission is free, and McMenamins will donote half of all the food and beverage sales on the evening to support Deep Roots. It should be a great show.

If you've never been to the White Eagle Saloon, you've definitely been missing out. The old-Portland establishment first appeared on North Russell Street way back in 1905 as a blue collar pub serving immigrant dock workers, as well as those who earned their living laboring in the industrial area's mills and factories. Legendary stories about the old saloon are plentiful, and many believe the historic building is haunted by ghosts.

Haunted or not, there is no denying that the White Eagle is one of Portland's premier music venues. Legendary Northwest performers such as Robert Cray, Terry Robb, and Paul Delay are just a few of the music legends who've helped build the White Eagle's reputation as a great place to catch live music.

2)  We're currently in the midst of recording both Portland-area Deep Roots CDs for 2007.

The Reynolds CD, Deep Roots 10, is being recorded by Dave Fleschner. Musicians on the Reynolds CD include; Duffy Bishop, Chris Mayther, Jenn Dashney, Kris Kirkman, Breanna Paletta, Zeke Goodrick, Scotland Barr, The Kathy Walker Band, Marissa Anderson, Steve Adams, Julia McCarl, Darin Joye, The Big Dumb Animals, and Shane Records.

The Roosevelt musical cast consists of Soul Plasma, Madgesdiq, Jeremy Wilson, Dr. Theopolis, Geoff Byrd, Copacrescent, Rob Stroup, Jason Margolis, Michael Jodell, Keegan Smith, Ray Frazier, Funk Shui, Rollie Tussing, Barry Hampton, Jeremy Wilson, Sam Densmore, and Virginia Lopez. Jeremy Wilson is doing most of the Roosevelt recording at Mastan Music Studio.

3)  I traveled to Seattle this past weekend on Deep Roots business, and have returned home encouraged about the prospects of Deep Roots expansion to the Seattle area and western Washington.

On Friday, I met with Michael Stephens of The Recording Academyand discussed lots of ideas for possible collaboration between The Deep Roots Music Project and the The Recording Academy in the near future; including possible Deep Roots student participation in Grammy/Recording Academy summer camps, the Soundchecks program, Grammy in the Schools Career Days, and perhaps a partnering of The Deep Roots Music Project and The Recording Academy at next fall's Musicfest Northwest in Portland.

Michael also has strong connections in Seattle and Tacoma area schools, and is looking to help find a home for Deep Roots in the Puget Sound area.

Then, on Saturday, at the Puget Sound Writing Project's fall conference in Bothell, Washington, I gave a presentation about the Deep Roots program, and then spoke with several teachers and others interested in establishing Deep Roots programs in the Seattle area and western Washington. It sounds as if a few of the people I spoke to there are considering attending the Lewis and Clark College Deep Roots workshop in July. Very exciting.

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White Eagles and Girl Power

It's time once again to update you on the latest Deep Roots happenings:

1. If you're in Portland on Tuesday, March 27 (5PM - 11:30PM), please join us for an exciting evening of music and fun at The McMenamins White Eagle (836 N. Russell St., Portland, OR ).

That is the night and location of The Deep Roots Friends and Family Night.  Admission is absolutely free, and 50% of all food and beverage sales will be donated by McMenamins to support The Deep Roots Music Porject.

The music starts at 6 PM, and the night's performers include Ezra Holbrook, Madgesdiq, Breanna Paletta, and The Kinder Scale.

All ages are allowed, but if you're under 21, you'll have to clear out by 8 PM.

This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy great food and music, and also help The Deep Roots Music Project while you're at it. We can't wait to see you there!

Special thanks to McMenamins and our volunteer performers for making the evening possible!!

2.  I recently returned from a trip to Berkeley, California, where I met with Berkely High School teachers Matt Carton and Madalyn Theodore. We had an encouraging conversation in regard to Berkeley High School starting their own Deep Roots Music Project during the 2007-2008 school year. Berkeley will be an outstanding addition to the Deep Roots family, and we look forward to hosting a team of teachers from their school at our 2007 Deep Roots Conference at Lewis and Clark College.

3.  The day after I returned from California, I was pleased to sit down with a group of representatives from local Portland non-profit Girls Inc of Northwest Oregon. If you haven't heard of Girls Inc, they are an amazing organization with a variety of programs designed to help girls become "stronger, smarter, and more bold."

The outcome of the meeting is that Girls Inc now plans to begin work on the very first all girls Deep Roots CD starting in the fall of 2007.  They too will send representatives to participate in the Lewis and Clark Deep Roots Conference (summer 2007).

4.  Students at both Reynolds and Roosevelt High Schools in Portland recently completed their lyrics for this year's Deep Roots CDs, and their teachers are already meeting with our network of musician-volunteers to match each musician or band with the words that will soon become this year's Deep Roots songs. Both CDs will be completed in May. Stay tuned for an update as things progress.

The best way to find out what's happening with Deep Roots is to subscribe to this blog.

Until Then,
Chris Gragg
(Director - The Deep Roots Music Project)

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The Resolutions Will Not Be Televised

Happy New Year Everyone,

The Deep Roots Music Project ended 2006 on a high note. Here are some of the highlights:

1. The Willamette Week Give! Guide fundraising campaign netted nearly $1,200 for the Deep Roots programs at Reynolds and Roosevelt. Thanks to all of you who contributed and helped to make the effort a huge success.

2.  Big News: The Deep Roots Music Project received a $4,750 Regional Arts and Culture Council grant to help the first-year program at Roosevelt. The money will be used to cover recording, mastering, and manufacturing costs for the Roosevelt program. We have identified several other grant possibilities for 2007.  I'll keep you posted.

3.  In November, I visited one of our targeted expansion communities, Las Vegas, and spoke to a group of 40 teachers there about The Deep Roots Music Project. They were all very excited to hear about our program and its positive impact on students and schools, and many seem committed to helping us find a way to make Deep Roots work in Las Vegas.  

One of the things that made the Vegas event especially rewarding and successful was the participation of past Deep Roots student, Joscelyn Cook (DR 4). Joscelyn lives in Las Vegas now, and she did an incredible job of presenting the Deep Roots experience from a student's perspective. Thanks again Joscelyn.

4. Former Deep Roots student Shyree Mezick (DR 4), who is currently working at a school in Chevy Chase, Maryland, has committed to attending this summer's Deep Roots Conference and Workshop at Lewis and Clark College in Portland. She's hoping to take back everything she needs to get a Deep Roots program started in Maryland. She'll be joined at the summer conference by teachers from California, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Louisiana, and Nevada, among others

5. I have accepted invitations to speak about Deep Roots at two upcoming events in the Portland area.  On January 26, I will be working with local music legend Brian Berg (44 Long) to lead student workshops centered on songwriting.

In April, I will be speaking at the annual convention for The National Association of Poetry Therapy.

6. Over the past few months, our web site (www.deeproots.com) has experienced a series of changes and upgrades. Please drop by and tell us what you think.

I'll save the rest for later. In the meantime, stay in touch, and subscribe to this blog.

Be Well,
Chris Gragg

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Expanding, Reconnecting, and Giving Back

Greetings Friends,

It has been far too long since the last Deep Roots blog, but if things go the way I'm hoping they will over the next few months, I should be able to make up for that (and then some). I say this because we're expecting quite a few items of exciting news to arise in December and January.

For now though, I have three very encouraging developments:

1.  For those who haven't heard already, The Deep Roots Music Project is in the process of expanding, with our first expansion site up and running already at Roosevelt High School in North Portland.  The program at Roosevelt is being spearheaded by two outstanding and energetic teachers, Ko Kagawa and Richard Brown.  We're also expecting to hear any day now about a grant from The Regional Arts and Culture Council. The grant would help pay some of the costs required to get the Roosevelt program started. The 1st Roosevelt Deep Roots CD Release Party is on the calendar for May 14, 2007. Welcome aboard Roosevelt High.

2.  Between now and December 31, 2006, The Deep Roots Music Project is conducting an end-of-the-year fundraising drive. This campaign is a very important step toward ensuring the program's continued prosperity at both Reynolds and Roosevelt. In particular, we're asking that former Deep Roots students give back by pitching in with small donations.

If you've benefited through your involvement with Deep Roots, here's your chance to give back to the cause, and help keep Deep Roots alive for current and future students.

Every little bit helps, so if you can afford a donation even as small as $10, please follow the link below and use your credit or debit card to make an important contribution. We know it's rare that any of us has "extra money," but please realize that even the smallest of sacrifices can help a young student prosper and grow. Thank you.

Follow this link to: http://giveguide.wweek.com/ 

Once you're there, click the black triangle labeled donate now, and then look for the Deep Roots field and enter your donation amount.

3.  The long discussed licensing deal with Rumblefish is almost ready for its next step. That next step includes getting the contracts drawn up and then signed. After that, we'll be on our way. Tracking down all of the former musicians and students involved has definitely been a challenge, but also rewarding and fun, as it has been a real treat to catch up with old friends of Deep Roots. Now that so many of you are back in touch with the project, we hope you'll choose to stay connected and find ways to back for years to come.

That's all for now folks. Thanks for everything, and don't forget that the best way to stay informed about Deep Roots is to subscribe to the Deep Roots blog.

Sincerely,
Chris Gragg
Program Director
The Deep Roots Music Project

7:44 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Weary Runner Survives Desert Trek

Hello Friends,

Most of you will be glad to know that I have returned safely from my 24-mile run across the Black Rock Desert (see the pictures I've posted), and I'm thankful to report that the whole adventure unfolded remarkably well.

Despite not sleeping much the night before (My crew of old friends, who were excited to see each other, raised quite a late night ruckus around the campfire), I arose at 5:30 AM on Saturday and had two very groggy volunteers, Andy Wachs and Andy Tabb, drive me to my starting point at the desert's access road.

From there, I was off on a 24-mile journey to the desert's other side. If you've never been there, and I'm guessing most have not, the Black Rock Desert is a 400 square-mile, dry alkali lake bed in the northwestern corner of Nevada. In most sections there is literally nothing there except miles and miles of flat, dry alkali mud, and an occasional scorpion or patch of quick sand. That provided a navigational challenge, as the lack of any trail, road, or notable landmarks along the way forced me to concentrate my full attention on a dark outcrop of rock at the desert's opposite edge all the while as I ran.

Luckily, it took me less than half an hour to get into a good running rhythm, and I managed to keep a reasonably straight line across all of that barrenness.

Running alone through the vastness of the desert was incredibly peaceful. Other than my two assistants (who visited in a truck every half hour or so to give me water and Gatorade), and a distant dust trail from another vehicle inching across the desert to the south, I saw no other signs of people the entire time I ran.

Eventually, I reached my targeted foothills and started up a silty 4 mile road that led me to my predetermined finish line. The running there grew extremely difficult, because I was tiring a bit, and also because the steepness of the hills I was climbing and the condition of the road were in stark contrast to the flatness of the desert floor.

With a little over four hours of running behind me, I finally reached the outcrop of rock that was my destination. The two Andys were waiting there with cold drinks and a ride to the hot springs. Soaking in those springs was just about the best thing ever.

Be sure to check out the pictures on my pics page. They'll provide you a good visual of the desert and my run.

So far, Deep Roots has received over $3,000 worth of pledges from generous Deep Roots supporters.  For your support, we're extremely grateful. The money will be used to accomplish our expansion plan. If you still have an interest in helping the cause by making a tax-deductible contribution, please note the mailing address and instructions:

Attn: Diane McDevitt
William Stafford Center
Lewis and Clark College
0615 S.W. Palatine Hill Rd.
Portland, OR         97219

Make checks payable to Lewis and Clark College, and enclose a brief note explaining your intention for the money to be used specifically for Deep Roots. Donations are tax deductible, and we will send you a tax receipt as soon as we receive your donation.

Thanks for all of your generosity and encouragement.

Don't forget to subscribe to this blog, and look for another installment of the Deep Roots blog soon.

2:56 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment