70 Candles: Blowin' in the Wind

Bob Dylan celebrates his 70th birthday this Tuesday, so singer-songwriter (and devoted Dylan fan) Nick Ciampi has organized a party.

May 24th, 5:30 PM

Ultimate Pizza

1730 Pleasant Street

Redding, CA 96001

241-8646

"Dylan is a legend and still doing it," says Nick, when asked why he's putting together this musical tribute. "I wonder how many of us would be writing songs if he didn't start that bug in so many of us so long ago?"

Nick has invited area musicians to come out and join in the celebration. It will be "a night for people to get together and play and have fun," Nick says.

I'm planning to be there - I'll sing one of my favorite Dylan tunes, One Too Many Mornings.I first heard to the song on a Bobby Sherman album back in the late 60s. Yes - EVERYONE does Dylan.

Nick promises "a lot of great songs done in a lot of different ways."

So what's Nick Ciampi's favorite Dylan tune? "So many songs to choose from," he says, "I could write a book on my favorites." But he's especially fond of "Blind Willie McTell," a ballad he calls honest and real.

Come help celebrate an American Icon on Tuesday night. You're welcome to sing, if you'd like, sing along, or just enjoy the great pizza and the camaraderie of fellow music fans.

Here's The Kingston Trio's version of One Too Many Mornings:

Music is where you find it

Waiting for Winco pizza with my music-major daughter.

The store was crowded -- bustling shoppers hurried to get out with their groceries and their noisy kids. My 19-year-old daughter was staring into space, listening intently to the cash register/scanner beeps.

I didn't even notice it, but there it was. Over the din (or under it, maybe?) she heard tri-tones, intervals, dissonance. Listening closely, we could even pick out pieces of songs. The first line of Happy Birthday. Was that William Tell?

Learning to hear music where others don't.

It's not exactly the reason we're sending her to college - but not a bad pay-off, really.

Little Filly's Pizza and Party

Like great pizza?

Little Filly's in Palo Cedro (22047 Palo Way) serves up some of the best -- the garlic crust is my favorite - and they've got a terrific selection of beers on tap.

Craig and I will be there on Saturday night, celebrating the release of our Sacramento River Whispers CD, starting at 7 PM. We have a few giveaways and a whole bunch of tunes -- old and new -- that we're looking forward to sharing.

We'd love to see you there - all are welcome. Even City Council Candidates.