March 5, 2026
All it takes is adding my professor gig to my already overstuffed schedule to put me behind in my writing. The semester is humming along beautifully, and I am thoroughly enjoying teaching and being on campus. The energy I get from these young men and women is palpable. That stated - I roped my pal, Letizia into joining me on a concert this weekend with the Le Moyne College Jazzuits. We’re doing a whole concert full of the music of Stevie Wonder. She’s the featured Guest Artist. We have a rehearsal today that I am looking forward to. The concert is this Sunday at 3:00 PM. Here is a link with all the info: www.toddhobin.com/news/2026/3/5/letizia-in-concert
In other news, and there’s a lot of it.
Our band will be going into heavy rehearsals for our upcoming season of shows. The first one with the full band will be April 25th at the Turning Stone. A Gala for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Letizia and I will be doing a number of Duo shows, but the band has a boatload of shows this summer. I will post a schedule once we get through the Stevie Wonder concert.
I am very sad to report the passing of my dear friend, and maker of my Viridis guitar, Dan DeMars. This is a tough loss and demands more time and space than I have right now. I am also still trying to wrap my head around this tragedy. I will in the coming days share with you everything he meant to me, our music community, and his family. So many people ask me about my wonderful and unique instrument. Well, he is the maker. This guitar is never far from my side. I play it at every show, every rehearsal, and every session. It’s as much a part of me as my hands. I am at a loss.
To make matters worse, our music community lost John Hammond this week too. His father discovered and recorded Robert Johnson. John went on to become one of the most renowned blues musicians in the world. Tom Honan brought his to Le Moyne for a concert a few years back. It was a great reunion. I miss him. I would also like to take the time next week to give you a more complete review of his life and times. Truly amazing.
I wish I had more time to finish up a few of my fine art paintings. But, in the meantime I am moving forward with my next illustrations for the next installment of the Old Doc Turtle Adventures, “The Lion That Meowed.” Only a few more pages to go. (See page 22 below.)
And lastly (for now), I should share with you a small hometown honor. On April 7th, this old man will be inducted into the Baldwinsville Community Hall of Fame for Visual and Performing Arts.
That’s all for now. After Sunday’s concert I should be able to catch up with you a little more.
Stay safe.
