When a song ends, the stories remain, and memory serves to hold tight the times we share.

(photo by Erin Margaret Rambo)

Hello, folks, and good afternoon from Central Standard Time Zone, Oklahoma, USA.

One of Oklahoma's finest publications in history, This Land Press, is launching a stunning quarterly magazaine in lieu of the newsprint edition. The wonderful people at TLP asked me to play songs at their launch party in Oklahoma City on Thursday, April 23 at Full Circle Books. Come celebrate from 7-9pm, I'll be singing at 7:30 after the editor has a Q&A.

Norman Music Festival is this weekend in Norman, Oklahoma, and I will be performing on the Depot Main Stage on Saturday, April 25, 3:30pm. Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires, Steve Pryor, Michael Hosty, and Paper Bird, amongst other bands will be performing on the same stage through out the day. Check out the festival websitefor additional information. I will be pulling the aces from my sleeves and committing some act of wild magic.

It is festival season indeed, and Oklahoma is hosting more than one in coming months. On May 1st, The Queen of the Prairie Festival is going to be taking place, and I will be accompanying Samantha Crain as a part of her band with a whole set of great musicians. Check it out and grab tickets before they sell out.

I will be making my way to Illinois and the upper midwest to perform with the folk songbird wordcrafter Heather Styka as a duo for a set of house shows, a live in-studio on WDCB, and a couple other performances. We will both be performing our own songs and some pieces we have worked on together. You can get more information on the showdate section of the site, or at Heather Styka's site.

Currently working on an east coast tour and will be posting updates on the endeavors ahead. Until then, everybody, take care and keep moving.

with everything,

john

The wind always blows the direction you're supposed to go.

(photograph by Erin Rambo) Hey folks, back in the saddle and taking a rest after the past few months of adventures. It's good to be back on the plains. My deepest gratitude to do musicians, new friends, venues, and cities that allowed me to be a part of their experience. April of the blog Common Folk Music and one of the forerunners of the Remembering Jason Molina project allowed me to write some words about JM and how his music affected my life and those of the people around me. I covered one of his earliest songs, "Soul".You can read and listen here. Check out April's blog regardless, she is an avid supporter of songwriters from all over the world. 

Folk Alliance International couldn't have gone better and the Oklahoma Room still remains one of the rowdiest rooms at the conference. Thank you to the Woody Guthrie Center, Brian Horton, Fowler Toyota, The G.L. Kaiser Foundation, and everyone who supported the Oklahoma folk singers who made their way into Kansas City to sing their songs and share their stories. I send my dearest thanks to Laib, Kelley, and everyone from the 5000 House Concert Series in Kansas City, MO for hosting such a wonderful night on the Sunday before FAI, and lastly, the incomparable Heather Styka for her songs, companionship, and kindness through the week.

While I was playing at Rozz-Tox in Rock Island, Illinois, I had the opportunity to record a Daytrotter session, which will be released in coming months. Stay tuned for some wild, new versions of songs off of Empty Candles and Better Luck.

The Norman Transcript posted a splendid review of "Better Luck!" You can read it here.

I am happy to announce that I was accepted as one of the musicians to perform at Momentum OKC Downtempo on Friday, March 6. Come see some of the best emerging visual artists from around the area and hear some songs. On Saturday, March 7th, I'll be singing at City Presbyterian for the Midtown Songwriter Showcase with two excellent songwriters, Tim Miser and Kierston White. I'll be going on a well-needed trip to Maine to be with a dear, lovely person and relax, write, and breathe in the north wind. Then, it's back to the highway. Big things coming, including a new project and subsequent tour. My heart abounds with gratitude and love. allons-y!

john

BETTER LUCK IS OUT NOW!

(photo by Erin Margaret Rambo)

The full-length record Better Luck is available now on iTunes, Bandcamp, Spotify, and your local Oklahoma record stores!

Bucket Full of Nails reviewed the record, calling it a "crackerjack debut". http://bucketfullofnails.com/2015/01/26/review-john-calvin-abney-better-luck/

In case you missed it, No Depression gave Better Luck a phenomenal review also! http://nodepression.com/album-review/john-calvin-abney-better-luck

still out on the road with M. Lockwood Porter! Come catch us in the deep southern United States of America.

far out, john calvin abney