April, 2026

After living in a rural community for seven years, I made the decision to move back to Springfield, MO to be nearer to my music compadres and lessen the isolation I began to feel in the country. It was the most incredible place I have ever lived. Being up close with nature and being self-sufficient for those years was something that grounded me and taught me many lessons of resilience. I had the opportunity to live closer to one of my siblings when I was there, so that was an added bonus.

Now that…

Thanks for stopping by. The autumn colors are putting on quite a show in the Missouri Ozarks. It's a time I really enjoy as I look forward to three extremely fun gigs coming up. My calendar will bring you up to date on what's going on there I've been performing with a new group, we call ourselves the HigLeeWils, taking pieces from each of our last names: Emily Higgins, Larry Lee, David Wilson. We're really solid with our harmonies, getting more so with each practice. I can also say that most times…

The year 2017 was a mind blower with respect to music. I had a pretty full music calendar, playing gigs with my band Auntie Em and the Tornadoes. We especially enjoyed performing at The Focal Point in St. Louis in November, and have been asked to return in the fall of 2018 I performed a few solo gigs in 2017, which feels a bit foreign after collaborating on stage with a band. But the solo experience always takes me back to my roots, to the beginning of my songwriting days Speaking of bands, I've…

For about a year and a half, I've had the privilege to be joined by three incredible musicians to form our band Auntie Em and the Tornadoes. The band is Emily Higgins (songwriter, guitar, lead vocals) Bo Brown (guitar, mandolin, dobro, vocals) George Horne (bass, vocals) Rick Davidson (percussion) My band mates have been performing together for over 30 years, together as three-fifths of The Undergrass Boys, and separately with other bands as well. The flavor, depth and dimension that Bo, George and…

Great news! I've submitted all the artwork and audio to the printer that will be putting the CD's and packaging together. I'm really excited, and find myself with some time to recuperate my energy these days knowing it's in someone else's hands for a bit. Looks like it will be complete within two to three weeks "91 Acres" has really been a joyous and notable experience in my life. Beginning with the first step of accepting Steve Chaney's challenge to write about his property and land reclamation, all…

I'm catching my breath between completing the audio for "91 Acres" and beginning work on the design and layout for the packaging. This has been one wild ride! It's been nothing short of a thrill to be able to write the songs, gather the musicians to join in on the fun, and arranging the songs to become as I imagined them from the beginning The landowner who commissioned this work is over the moon about how the songs have turned out. I met with him a week or so ago and we chose photos for the CD…

There has been a lot of activity with my new recording project. One of the most exciting parts for me of any new collection of recordings is when it is named. Officially, the collection of 11 songs, including one instrumental, is named "91 Acres." As the winter came to an end so did my evenings of sitting by the fire and practicing for recording sessions. I made my first visit to the Sound Farm in Nixa, Missouri at the end of April to begin recording basic vocal and guitar tracks for all songs. That…

Following up on my last journal entry December, over the winter I continued creating songs for my friend in eastern Douglas County. I was right in that I did end up with at least eight songs. As of today, I have 11 songs completed, including one instrumental piece. It was a long, cold, lonely winter (to quote the great George Harrison), so I took advantage of that and my fireplace and hunkered down to write music. I still plan to begin recording this spring I hope all is going well with you and that…

I haven't been very diligent in keeping up with this journal. Since my last entry so many wonderful things have happened. Once in a while life throws in a tough challenge, but so far, nothing I can't handle. I had shoulder surgery last summer to repair a partial tear in my rotator cuff, but have healed up and am back playing my guitar and mandolin and having a great time writing music Speaking of writing music, last spring a dear friend of mine who owns a beautiful farm in eastern Douglas County…

Since my last journal entry over the winter life has brought changes, as it usually does. It was a good "winter" if you can call it that...not much snow and warmer temperatures. Here's an update on a few things Recording some new originals in the studio is still a goal of mine in the near future. I don't have a home recording studio, so I usually go to Rick Davidson's "Sound Farm" or over to Larry Lee's studio in Ozark. Recording will depend on everyone's schedules. I still hold a full-time day job…