Good People
yDespite what we read in the media, there are lots of good people in their own small way quietly going about their business of making the world a better place. When you start looking for them, you might be surprised at how many of them you find. Look in the mirror too. You're surel one of them!
A couple of shout outs in this regard: The people at Cultuurwerkplaats Tarwewijk (where the GEMMS played last Sunday). They've created a very pleasant, attractive gathering place for the neighborhood. Inge Schippers arranged the concert series in which we participated. She's been doing this sort of thing for years, creating opportunities for locat musicians to perform. Gilbert van Drunen is another do-gooder. His cafe, Koffie en Ambacht in Charlois, is just about the coolest place on Earth. Not only is is cool, but the coffee and the other drinks are fantastic. On Wednesdays he serves an delicious, affordable dinner. K en A is also a "gezellig" third place where neighbors can gather, chat, shoot the bull, exchange ideas and listen to great music--Gilbert is an alternative roots music maven. He's spinning the tunes every Friday and Saturday, and often hosts live music special events, giving local musicians (as well as world-renowned ones) a super cool podium with great sound. The GEMMS are thankful to be able to play at the hippest, happenist spot in town this Sunday, 20 September from 16:00-18:00 .
17 September 2026
Ironic?
I've recently been playing a friend's Fender Mustang IV modeling amp. Cool amp! What I find ironic, though, is that my favorite modeled amp is called "Basic 60's Thrift." In other words, all that money and technology went toward recreating the sound of a low-tech, cheap amp :-D .
15 September 2026
Playing with Your Friends
Musicians worry too much about being good. I think the focus should be more on fun. If the musicians are having fun, the listeners will too. And what better way to have fun than to play music with your friends?!
Cultuurwerkplaats Tarwewijk
Cultuurwerkplaats Tarwewijk (1 Cillerhoekstraat 1, Rotterdam) is a very cool place with a beautiful garden, a woodworking shop, and meeting rooms. They sponsor computer, sewing, drawing workshops, festivals, and more. I'm super happy that The GEMMS get to play there Sunday from 14:00 - 16:00 . Hope to see you there!
Let Gravity Pull You Uphill
What Happens When You Sing Every Day
I was recently walking in San Francisco. Boy, those hills are steep! But I let gravity pull me uphill. (When walking or running, using the correct lean, gravity helps to pull you along.) Sailors also use the forces of nature counterintuitively. As a result, they can sail INTO the wind.
Now don't get me wrong, I had to do some work walking up Nob Hill, but it was much easier because I leaned into the hill. (The lean starts at your ankles, not your waist.)
This made me think about life. The going is much easier when we "lean" into it. Let the power of Life help pull you along.
5 September 2026
What Happens When You Sing Every Day
What Happens When You Sing Every Day
Everything I Know
As one who has been an adult (legally at least) for some time now, I find myself wanting to give advice to those who are just beginning their journey into adulthood (especially musicians). This reminds me of what my father used to tel me: I taught you everything I know, and you still don't know nuthin!"
2 September 2026
My First Time Singing on a Ship
The Guys are at Maritiem Museum Rotterdam.
13h · Rotterdam · Zondag 6 september: MARITIEM MUSEUM15:15 - 16:00 en 16:15 - 17:00Kom aan boord van de Zeemeeuw en geniet van The Guys, een Rotterdamse band rondom de van oorsprong Amerikaanse singer-songwriter Guy Gorman. Hun sound is folky, bluesy en rocky, met een breed repertoire vol eigen werk en bekende nummers. Van Johnny Cash tot David Bowie en van The Waterboys tot Bob Marley.
https://maritiemmuseum.nl/activiteiten/wereldhavendagen
The Guys are at the Maritime Museum Rotterdam.
1:00 PM · Rotterdam · Sunday, September 6: MARITIME MUSEUM 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM and 4:15 PM – 5:00 PM Come aboard the Zeemeeuw and enjoy The Guys, a Rotterdam-based band led by the American-born singer-songwriter Guy Gorman. Their sound is folky, bluesy, and rock-inspired, with a wide-ranging repertoire full of original songs and well-known hits—from Johnny Cash to David Bowie and from The Waterboys to Bob Marley.
https://maritiemmuseum.nl/activiteiten/wereldhavendagen