One night on the way to Casa Grande Ruins fest.

This time last year I was performing at the Sundance Film Festival. Though I’m not there this year my music is included in the instrumental CD that goes into every official gift bag at the festival. I’m thrilled. Instead this year I’ll be returning to the Casa Grande Ruins American Indian Music Festival in Coolidge, Arizona. The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument preserves an Ancient Sonoran Desert People farming community and "Great House." Created as the nation’s first archeological reserve in 1892, the site was declared a National Monument in 1918. It is an anomaly in the Phoenix valley. Butted against the sprawl it in a place so developed it is a protected 472.5 acres. Estimates say the Casa Grande (The Big House) was established around 1350 CE. Many tribes in the southwest and Mexico claim some relation to the ruins. Read the information at http://www.nps.gov/cagr/historyculture/the-ancient-sonoran-desert-people.htm for some insight.

According to the website, http://www.desertusa.com/ind1/du_peo_hoh.html:
The Hohokam were creative artisans who became famous for their intricate work with shells obtained from the Gulf of California and the Pacific coast. They created a coiled pottery finished with a paddle and painted with red designs. They retained a great deal of Mesoamerican influence as can be seen in their use of ball courts and decorative feathers. They also became entrepreneurs in a thriving trade with their neighbors, the Anasazi and the Mogollon. Their fate is unclear, but they seem to have disappeared from the archeological record between the first half of the 15th century and the time when the Spanish first came upon their descendents, Pima-speaking Indians still using the ancient irrigation techniques. Some of their original irrigation canals are still being used in the Phoenix area today!
But truthfully cultures never fit into the templates of archaeologists or researchers. Cultures are dynamic, human, emotional, spiritual and driven by motives we don’t understand. I think that if a people felt secure enough to build a huge house and permanent village they were doing something right with their neighbors. My own ancestors were Mesoamericans much like the Hohokam are said to be. They roamed through the Yucatan, northern Mexico and the southwest trading, hunting, running from enemies and sometimes living among other tribes. This festival is unique in that it is held in a National Monument so the feel is decidedly not as commercial as some festivals. I’ve been honored to perform for the Centennial Celebration of the Gila Cliff Dwellings and in Antelope Canyon. What is so unique to me is that when you play in a place like Casa Grande Ruins of the Gila Cliff Dwellings, the real star is the monument itself. When we performed last year right next to the Big House ruin the sense of humility and honor is something none of us couldn’t help feeling. A reverence for ancestors and what they sacrificed that we are here now enjoying prosperity, regular meals and a warm roof overhead is part of the Indian and Mestizo cultures of which I’m both. Not to say this is unique to these cultures, but it is significant. In tracking down my own history I had to look in unconventional places as my own parents weren’t told about their ancestry in part to help them assimilate into American society by severing their more ethnic ties. I understand. They were punished for speaking Spanish and had the spelling of their names changed. It still frustrates me when I get asked about my last name as if it should be “Sings with Wolves” or “Gonzales de la Luna.” The selective ignorance of how acculturation happens to people means I don’t have to explain anything and don’t. There are these places called Libraries where you can learn things. Amazing. In my own quest I had to research as much about the migrations, Diasporas, accounts of Spanish Monks, archeological writings and eventually a DNA test to confirm things. Even then, since there weren’t exactly a Census of Indians a thousand years ago and the Dawes Rolls are limited to only a handful of tribes I’m still learning more with every relative I speak with. They aren’t always willing to remember.

All this is to say that when I am playing at the Gila Cliff Dwellings or Casa Grande Ruins I spend quiet time beforehand literally listening for what the ancestors have to say, try to connect with them. How I do that is between them and me. If you know anything about mitochondria, DNA and RNA you understand how experiences are passed generation to generations adding to the collective cellular memory. What else is passed down I often wonder? Are dreams, hopes, wonder, sadness the awe at seeing an eclipse or a blood-red sunrise all part of that soup? I don’t know. I do, however, feel obligated to challenge myself and express myself without censor and as fully as my skills and abilities allows. I never feel the need to preach, politicize or have an agenda through my music. Knowing how every person listening brings their own experience to it I try and rehearse, practice, structure, be interesting, entertaining and then just get the heck out of the way. Please stop by my booth if you attend the Casa Grande fest. where I’ll have my music, some beautiful flutes and my hand-crafted massage oil blends and plenty of smiles. I am glad I will see musicians I've had the pleasure of working with like Gabriel Ayala, Scott August, Loren Russel among others. I will miss not having Michael Graham Allen to share coffee and the stage with and especially Alan Stanz, a wonderful musician and the park ranger whose passion got the 1st festival off the ground last year. He has moved to another position. The staff still there like Carol West, Dave Winchester and the crew and volunteers are more than capable and know where the coffee pot is--and isn't that what's really important?

Check the website for more info. http://www.nps.gov/cagr/planyourvisit/american-indian-music-fest.htm

Randy

Here is schedule of performers. I’ll be on the main stage Sat. 1PM and Sun. 4PM as well as the Sat. night Performer’s Jam, weather permitting. There will be an open-mic stage both days in the parking lot area where the vendor booths are set up. Hope to see you there.
January 30-31, 2010
Exact performance times will not be announced, as some times will need to be adjusted during each session. The schedule indicates the day and session in which musicians will perform and the order in which they are scheduled.
Saturday, January 30
Afternoon Session -- 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Opening Invocation by O’odham Elder
ROTC Presentation of Colors
Barnaby Lewis and River People Basket Dancers
Travis Terry, Native American Flute
Randy Granger, Native American Flute, Hang Drum
Nathalie Picard, Flute Player/Storyteller
Cynthia Johnson and Hashan-kehk Dancers
Loren Russell, Native American Flute Player and Story Teller

Evening Session -- 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Alex Maldonado, Native American Flute
Flavio Martinez, South American Panpipe Flute
Gabriel Ayala, Classical Guitar
Mixed Musician Session

Sunday, January 31
Full Session -- 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Barnaby Lewis and River People Basket Dancers
Loren Russell, Native American Flute Player and Story Teller
Scott August, Native American Flute
Gabriel Ayala, Classical Guitar
Nathalie Picard, Flute Player/Storyteller
Randy Granger, Native American Flute, Hang Drum
Travis Terry, Native American Flute

Here is a video of Michael Graham Allen and I playing at the Native Rhythms
Festival last November. Since he won't be at CG this year this will have to suffice.

Casa Grande Ruins Festival Recap

The inaugural Casa Grande Ruins American Indian Music Festival was one of those welcome, but rare, overwhelmingly positive music events that I look forward to being part of for many years to come. What makes everything good is usually one of two things: The absence of people or the quality of the people there. When you go hiking or camping and encounter no one you say, “Oh man it was great did see another person all day.” Likewise it is when you are with people whom you respect and enjoy and they you. The latter was my experience.

I had to drive six hours to Casa Grande, AZ to check into my room, and then zip back to Tucson, an hour back up the road, then back to rehearse in Casa Grande. It was tough. I was taping an interview at KXCI in Tucson for a Saturday morning program called “Brainwaves.” Thankfully Buddha Todd, the host let me tape it instead of coming up at 5:30AM, yes AM, on Saturday. Todd was gracious and the station is a converted house in Old Tucson with Orange trees in their courtyard. KXCI have been great supporters of my music and I enjoyed meeting Todd a really down-to-earth and cool guy. He showed me the mountains of CD’s the station receives of month—we’re talking hundreds and hundreds. It was humbling.

I was a little early to my interview so found a community center and park because I really had to use their facilities—one of the side effects of drinking so much coffee to stay awake… I saw a guy who had been loading drums into a truck and thought hey a musician. So I followed him, probably scaring him, and introduced myself. After we determined we were both musicians (which you can usually tell by our scraggly, stylish look) I showed him my Hang drums. He said he plays every Thursday afternoon at something called “El Tiradito” Shrine near where we were downtown. It is a fascinating story. Click El Tiradito to read more. I showed up after I was done with my HAPI drum. His name is Martin Klabunde and among many things, he leads drumming classes for high school students, leads drumming circles, plays a wide assortment of African instruments and is one of the most brilliant Djembe drummers I’ve ever met. Three of us met at El Tiradito and began to drum for the spirits. We drummed changing beats and rhythms as crowds from the Gallery and Mexican restaurant gathered. I didn’t have much time but felt a real kinship with Martin, Todd and Tucson in general. I’ll be returning. Check out Martin’s MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/portalopening We traded CD’s and I’m glad we did.

Most of the festival performers and vendors stayed in Casa Grande although the Ruins are in Coolidge a good 20 miles away. The hotels in Coolidge have comments like “stay away this place is the Bates Motel!” or “People where turning tricks in the shrubs” then a little later “They’ve really cleaned this place up the shrubs are gone.” So with my irreplaceable Hang drums and others with really costly flute inventory Casa Grande was a nicer choice. The park rangers who organized this event, especially Alan Stanz were generous hosts and we all felt really well taken care of. The Arizona mornings were brisk and the temps never really made it above 60 so it was a little chilly amidst the Hohokam ruins and giant Saguaros who look like they are waving at you… I set up a table selling my CD’s, Aromatherapy Massage oils, hand-made Jewelry and Pecans from my trees. Initially I had a note telling people to sample my open bottles of oil until a few people took them thinking them “free” samples. I added “tester” and that helped. My booth was between Coyote Oldman and Woodsounds flutes. Yikes! These are flute makers I respect immensely for the gorgeous flutes and integrity. I just drooled and didn’t buy. Whew.

I believe we experience what we attract first in our mind, thoughts, words and meditations (unconsciously or consciously). This festival was that for me. Martin, the drummer, KXCI, several people who heard the interview and actually made the one-hour drive from Tucson for my sets, performing with amazing musicians and a rugged-renaissance guy named Kevin Hoagland who does so many things well you just have to check out for yourself at http://khoagland.blogspot.com. He likes my music for some reason and was in the Phoenix area doing a Gold Show so made the trek up to Casa Grande Ruins, took the shuttle etc. to bring me a Didgeridoo he made out of an Agave stalk which was beautiful, golden and studded with inlay Turquoise. He stayed for the concert too. Now I have a new friend. We are working on producing some film of my songs since he is also has done video production for the Travel Channel among other things. See what I mean about that attraction thing? Saggio, a musician friend from Apache Junction stopped by and hung out in my booth. I always like his company. I hung out with Travis Terry, Gabe Ayala, Vince Chaffin, Lynne Nicholson, Scott August many other really cool musicians and people. Rick Dunlap and his family were there with their Moya Drums. Oh man my face still hurts from hanging out with Rick. We tease each other mercilessly laughing so hard. Rick played my Buffalo drum with me on stage during my set and his wife Linda gave me a beautiful hand-sewn drum bag after seeing I didn’t have one. Son Ricky filmed some of the sets with my camera I didn’t know how to use and took my iPod through configs I didn’t know it had…whiz.

The concerts were set up next to the Big House or “Casa Grande” which was lit up at night with an eerie glow; though as soon as the sun went down it took some serious dedication to stay as it was really cold with a brisk wind. I performed during the day a few times then with Michael Graham Allen (a.k.a. Coyote Oldman) for all of his sets. He brought some experimental rim-blown flutes with complimentary tunings to my Hang drums. That was a highlight for me to say the least. It was breezy so how he managed to make those rim blowns sing like he did is a testament to his musicianship. I had come up with a new song there at the festival on Hang, Vocals and Michael’s flutes so asked the audience to offer name suggestions. I got some pretty cool answers. R. Carlos Nakai did a beautiful set as did Travis Terry, Michael Allen, Gabe Ayala, unfortunately, I didn’t get to hear more of the other performers. Here is a video of Michael Allen and I battling the wind a bit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fxX1KGfbh0&feature=channel_page

On the final day the festival ended at 5 so after my set we were finally able to do an all performer’s Jam. Me, Gabe Ayala, Loren Russell and Park Ranger Alan Stanz tore up that stage trading solos, rhythms and had the audience moving. What a treat and close to a great festival! What was different about this festival experience from other NA flute events I’ve been to was 1) It was geared toward the broader general population 2) only about 25% of the vendors were flute makers leading to a wide variety 3) the stage set up was professional and integrated with many chairs for the audience and for me it was free of the politicking, lobbying and egoistic atmosphere that I feel has hurt some of our gatherings. Speaking for myself it seemed that I was taken seriously as a professional and was allowed to do what I do best—this wasn’t the ‘audition’ this was “Hey you are here for a reason and the audience is too, so go make some magic.” I hope I did. I know I’m going back next year. See you there.
Randy

Best Native American Album by NAR

Hi Friends. I'm back from the 1st Annual Casa Grande Ruins American Indian Music Festival and it was an overwhelmingly positive experience. I'll blog about it soon. In the meantime I am honored to let everyone know that my CD "A Place Called Peace" has been nominated for Best Native American Album by broadcasters worldwide as reporterd by New Age Reporter (NAR) the agency who reports and charts this genre of music. Each category has been whittled down to five nominated albums. I'm honored to be in the company of artists I have admired for years.

I'll keep everyone posted when the finalists are announced. These awards are voted on and suggested by Radio Broadcasters and hosts from around the world who play our music and as one programmer recently reminded me they get no less than 300 CD's a month. Yikes. That my music can be heard or stand out amidst that is humbling and I am grateful. Check out all the nominees at: http://www.newagereporter.com/admin/nominees.asp

Thank you all for your continued support! If there is a station or sattelite program who plays my music that you've heard, please thank them. Independent artists like myself rely on you and them to be heard.

Randy

Casa Grande Ruins American Indian Music Festival

Already February and we've had temps in the mid 70's this week. Not to rub it in of course. We are definitely fortunate weather wise here in the southwest. I feel really sympathetic when I see the rest of the country out of power from freezing power lines. I cannot imagine that. Later this week I'm off to play at the first annual American Indian Music Festival at the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Arizona. The ruins are left over from the Hohokam (250 BCE - 1450 AD) people who traded with the Anasazi and Mogollon Indians both of which kicked about in New Mexico. The ruins are surreal in that they are right in the middle of the Phoenix/Tucson megatropolis area and butt right up against housing, WalMart and Walgreens.

I feel really honored to have been asked to perform along with Coyote Oldman, R. Carlos Nakai, Travis Terry, Gabe Ayala and other musicians I really admire and respect. What an complete treat for me to hear them and play with them in a performer's jam session I'm told will be great. Michael Allen and I will do some impromptu jamming together too and I'm over the Moon about that. He is not only a friend but a real inspiration when it comes to my flute playing journey.

Last summer on my way back from the Zion Flute Fest I stopped at Casa Grande ruins and played my flutes way in the back out of sight of the rangers. I felt the connection with all the hands that built that amazing structure and village. This festival is being organized at a grass roots level by a Park Ranger Alan Stanz who is a musician as well as a major flute enthusiast. I will be selling my hand crafted Aromatherapy massage oils as well as my new line of jewelry. Should be fun. I'll get photos! How cool it will be to play my flutes, hang drum and sing in that atmosphere. I am really lucky.

Please come by if you can and say hello and stop a while in my booth. Endure winter my friends for the Sun told me he is coming to you soon.
Randy