To say it has been a difficult year is an understatement. On a personal level, I have been quite isolated due to many reasons that may not be apparent to others understandably. I have undertaken to try and keep the Delta Ladies going but in its present form that’s pretty difficult as so much of it was bound up with Vicky Martin who had a huge personality. Various people have stepped into the breach to help keep things going and there is still the final Album which needs to be mixed. I can’t get involved in a lot of stuff though I would like to as I don’t have the finances available to travel and the loss of the small but fairly consistent income from the band means I can’t afford to get out much and have to be very careful with my spending. It also, of course, means that I cannot afford to subsidize deps or get involved in speculative gigs that may require investment.

Going forward the Delta Ladies are still going to be seen in various forms but probably not that often. The basis of the act was always the duo which we could expand and contract as needed as a lot of gigs did not pay enough to bring a trio or a band. Also, about 50% of the material is not really performable anymore without the dulcimer and banjo which added considerably to the distinctive sound we had. I hope to stay involved in live music but it is likely that a least for a while it will be in a somewhat limited fashion.

It may be that the new year will bring new options of course.

Never say never….