Buffalo Blurb

To all of my wonderful friends and fans out in Cyberville.

It has been a while since I have written a new letter to my fans...although I have posted a few notes on the message board, I felt that it was again long overdue to write about all that has been going on in my musical world.

With all that has been going on in the world this seems of such little importance, however, we all need a break from the chaos and sadness that have recently consumed the world, so I will keep this light. Welcome to the world of the Buffalo.

I spent most of the month of May in Argentina performing with a band from the small town of Villa Maria named "Mr. Mojo". My time in Argentina was a great experience both socially and musically as I developed some wonderful friendships and played a whole bunch of great music. I also taught three harmonica workshops and did a lot of radio and television interviews while there. At my shows I met many of the great harmonica players of the country including Luis Saltos a great tango player, Fabricio Rodriguez, my host is a great multi styled harp player, Luis Robinson, ...... and more ... I also got to play with some great guitarists including Miguel Botafogo and Bonzo ... I look forward to going back to perform and travel this beautiful country again.

My summer has been full of performances as The Knockouts enjoyed their first fully active summer of performances in quite a few years. Steve Miller decided to take a couple years off, so that gave us the green light to get at it. Unfortunately, I had to pass up an opportunity to tour again with Olivia Newton-John in the latter part of the summer ... I would have loved so much to have been able to do that as well ... but this has been a great year of music for me and my band. We played quite a few festivals and fairs including a great time at the Edmonton Labatts Blues Festival where we performed with Sleepy LaBeef and Dr. John ... we continue to meet so many wonderful fans and promoters in all of the places we travel ... that makes the "work" of it all seem like a breeze.

I recently worked with Kenny Loggins on a recording of The Beatle's tune "Mother Nature's Son", which will be included on an upcoming release that will benefit Paul and Linda McCartney's Breast Cancer organization.

On the home front, I have been working a lot on my music. I am still hoping to have a new release by the spring of 2002, although I am still uncertain which CD will be done first. I am working on a few projects simultaneously which include an R&B bluesy flavored CD which will be a great follow up to "King of the Highway", although it will stretch away from the blues quite a bit. It will include a great collection of songs and, of course, lots of harmonica. The other CD that is coming together ... and pulling strong on my musical chords is primarily an acoustic CD with a wonderful collection of tunes ... more in the order of singer songwriter, melodious, and greatly crafted songs with lots of sweet and hot pickin' and wonderful vocal harmonies. This fall & winter I will be trying to get them both completed and ready to go. I have more ... but these are the ones I am focusing on right now. There is talk of a new Norton & Roy Rogers CD beginning soon as well. So much to do ... So little time.

I am staying focused both as a musician and as a father. There is a lot of frightening stuff in the wind. I am letting my music guide me both in letting my feelings out, as well as in taking me away from the chaos by getting lost in the music.

Make certain that your voice is not silent. Let your government know how you feel no matter what it is that you believe in, for that is the only way we can assure that this great government "of the people" is truly "Of The People". Protect and love your children and your families. and pray that love and peace will prevail in the path toward bringing this word to a safer and more beautiful place to pass on to our future generations.

My soul is made of
All my relations
All my friendships
All my loves
All my music
All that exists
In this world that I have known
I wish to pass along
My vision of peace
Will you join me
Will you sing with me
As I speak of love
Instead of hate
As I speak of the hard work
That it takes to change
Those who harbor hatred in their hearts
That wish to do this with love
and not with Bullets
Does not make me less American
It makes me feel American even more
For here in this great nation
We can speak our heart!

Take someone's hand
Someone for whom you have harbored bad feelings
And let those bad feelings go
And let love and peace take the place of those feelings
Feel the weight lift from your heart and soul.
Take the hand of someone in need
And give them strength and nourishment
Whether from your cupboards
Or from your heart
Take the hand of someone suffering or ill
And let them know that they are not alone
Do something for our Mother Earth
For if we do not take care of her
She may no longer be able to take care of us
Let go of your prejudices
For we have seen in such a large and sad way
Where that can lead
Let those feelings blow away with the wind
Embrace all of mankind for what we are
All brothers and sisters
That are here to enjoy this beautiful planet
To seek our own joy
To follow our own paths
To sing our own songs
To love and be loved
Let us open our hearts today to the Possibility
That we can do all of this
And that it will make a difference

Harmonically,
Norton B.