Sold Out!!--Thank You Jason Ricci and Boulder Outlook

It's not often people get a chance to witness the outpouring of support and love they have around them. And it's not often people have the opportunity to show someone what they mean to them. Strangely, we typically reserve such displays of affection for after the fact, reserving what needs to be said until after a person's gone. But, feelings are always purest in the hour of meeting, and in the presence of a loved one. Sunday's benefit concert was truly a gift; it was an opportunity to say what needed to be said, and do what needed to be done. It was a gift for Craig to feel the love around him, and a gift for the hundreds there to show Craig how special he is, and to so many.

Everyone was there, minus C. Despite trying with all his might to get better, C was unable to make the trip. In fact, he's still in the hospital, after being diagnosed with pneumonia on Friday. It was hard seeing his disappointment, but no one at the jam would have wanted C to rush out of the hospital and sacrifice his health just to be in attendance. Thoreau once said, "Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes." Yes, yes, yes but that was before the internet, Henry David. With the Lawlers, there's always a plan B, C, and D, if need be. Knowing Craig wouldn't be able to come, we brought the jam to him through the wonders of the internet. Just before Emily, Erin, Diane and I headed out, we rigged Craig's computer with Skype and affixed a camera to the top. My computer already had Skype and a camera, so with two Skypes and two cameras, we were able to patch Craig through. He was able to see and hear everything, as if he was sitting beside us. Friends could wave and say hello as if he was there.

We knew it was going to be a great night by the size of the crowd. At 6:15, the place was already three fourths full, and the show hadn't even started. Just before the music started, Diane and I got up to thank the crowd and to let them know that Craig was in attendance ‘virtually', while Erin managed our technology. Throughout the night, friends stopped by to wave at him via Skype. We had friends leave messages to C on the Harpin' for Help flyers Erin created just before. We also recorded the event, as did the Boulder Outlook. (DVDs will be available for purchase within the next few days -- proceeds will go to Craig.)

Over ten musicians signed on to honor Craig, including Otis Taylor, a well-known blues musician based out of Boulder. A six year harmonica player and thirteen year old guitarist also took the stage for their own jam. (It was hard watching the six year old play. We thought of Craig as a father, and wondered if his son would take up the harmonica like him.) All the musicians were absolutely amazing. To know they were all playing for Craig was inspirational, and overwhelming. The jammers established a nice energy for the rest of the evening, and kept the swelling crowd entertained well beyond 8p.m. By the time Jason Ricci took the stage with Otis Taylor, the Boulder Outlook's restaurant was sold out, and they were turning people away. Folks from Craig's harmonica club attended, as did Craig's colleagues and friends from Sherman and Howard, the Court, and the US Trustees. Old blues buddies from Craig's many years of jamming the Denver circuits were in the crowd; one friend flew in from Seattle just to see Craig.

Jason Ricci and the New Blood began their set around 10p.m., and didn't stop until after midnight. To say these guys are talented is like saying Big Bird is tall, or the Incredible Hulk has muscles; they're phenomenal. What Jason does with the harmonica is otherworldly. He seemed so familiar with it, like it was an extension of his body. His stage presence was perfect; his support to Craig heartwarming. I felt like I was seeing Craig on stage, hearing his voice through Jason's harmonica. He opened with a song that included a shout out for people to ‘holler for Craig Lawler'. You could feel the emotion in every note; he put everything into it, not leaving to doubt his support for Craig. The music was sometimes interrupted by a "we love you Craig"; a nice reminder of why we were there. We could feel Craig's presence with each crescendo.

The music was able to introduce Craig in a way that words alone couldn't. As Jason said, he's an old soul; the blues run through him. Craig picked up the harmonica in undergrad under the patient tutelage of Watermelon Slim, Craig's first instructor. He continued to hone his skills throughout law school, playing harp during Ann Arbor's various jam nights. As soon as he moved to Denver in 2002, Craig linked up with a few local artists and began playing at some of Denver's blues bars. He's been playing ever since. The harmonica has helped Craig through the best and worst of times, and has helped add definition to various aspects of his life. His passion for music has led him to the most obscure places of Ghana, Thailand, and Viet Nam, to name a few, where he discovered unique instruments like the Kalimba and the Khan that have only expanded his musical repertoire. Like Jason, Craig's love for music in general and the blues in particular, is raw and exposed. With music, Craig puts his entire self out there, unreservedly. Each song exposes his vulnerabilities for people to take or leave.

Whether through the blues or through his natural charm, Craig has touched so many. It was a gift for us to be witness to all the love and support for Craig. One of Craig's blues friends said early on that it was going to be a wonderful night, and that there was already a lot of love in the room. With beautiful music and a sold out performance, I'd say he was right.

Thanks to Dan, Honey and the Boulder Outlook Hotel for putting this on. We consider you family.

Thanks to the jammers for filling the room with such beautiful music; your music brought Craig closer to us all.

Thanks to Jason Ricci and the New Blood for hauling 600 miles to play in Craig's honor. You have four new groupies! Jason, you will forever be in our hearts. We're grateful, beyond words... sincerely.

Thanks to the hundreds who contributed their words and money (we raised over $2300!!) to Craig's care. Your support is helping Craig live as normal a life as possible. We're overwhelmed by your compassion and generosity.

To all who helped make Sunday special, and who have supported Craig throughout his process: thank you! Craig is truly touched, as are we. You're our wall, our "something to lean on" during this tough time. Thanks for being there. We'll continue to need your support. -- J