Read this blog in Enewsletter format: https://mailchi.mp/jamieoreilly/jamie-o-sept-enews-the-times-they-are-a-changin
Jamie O’Reilly
September Enews, 2024
The Times They Are A Changin’
A Note from Jamie
August 27, 2024
“Beauty will not be a numbing opium for you, but generous wine that ignites you for action, because if you stop being a man or a woman, you will stop being an artist.” (Gabriela Mistral, Decalogue of the Artist) )
Getting this out of the way, in case you haven’t heard my health news via social media or through the grapevine. I have been diagnosed with end stage kidney disease. My kidneys are shot, and I will need a transplant. I found this out after a routine doctor’s visit and a hospital stay last month. I have a good nephrologist and an attentive medical team advising me. I am insured. I am on the transplant list at Northwestern Hospital.
Great strides have been made in recent decades, leading to much success with this surgery. I was advised to let folks know I’m looking for a donor, (under 70 years old, without preexisting conditions, like diabetes). The transplant clinic screens applicants through an initial questionnaire. It is confidential. Once a donor is found, my insurance covers expenses of an overnight hospital stay and follow-up for the donor.
Meanwhile, I will follow the recommended treatments and build strength. Life for my family and me is altered considerably. Normally a very energized creative force, I’m now easily fatigued, and uneasily focused on medical necessities far outside my comfort zone. Keep me in your thoughts and do reach out to my family, who are vigilant as always but will need extra love and attention during this hard time. I know I am not alone.
Here is the link for the questionnaire should you consider being a donor. https://www.nmlivingdonor.org/
If you want to help out with Roots Salon – be a greeter, etc. email me at jamie@jamieoreilly.com.
With appreciation for all the love and support.
Keepin’ on, keepin’ on.
Jamie
COMING TO ROOTS SALON THIS SEPTEMBER
Get your Sept 22 tickets here
“I’ve been a wanderin’
Early and late, New York City
To the Golden Gate, An’ it looks like
I’m never gonna stop my wanderin’.”
As for my singing! My lungs are fine. Our Roots 2024 season continues, opening with “Going Places: Roots & Routes,” a travelin’ salon, on September 22 at Tre Kronor. Travel adventures in songs & stories with guest artist, blues/Irish musician and guest HOST Jimmy Conway. Jimmy wowed us with his shining, soulful harmonica and guitar playing at the February salon with me. Roots regulars Judi Heikes and Mickey Brazeal will present stories. Dave Hoekstra will be our special guest writer!
More about Dave Hoekstra
I first met Dave in the late 80s when he interviewed me for the Sun TImes and we talked Irish music. His deeply researched and well-lived experiences on the road; in honky-tonks, supper clubs and myriad music venues, documented in books, newspaper columns and blogs make him just the guy to read at our Going Places: Roots & Routes, our September 22 Salon.
Dave Hoekstra is a Chicago author-documentarian. He was a columnist-critic at the Chicago Sun-Times from 1985 through 2014, where he won a 2013 Studs Terkel Community Media Award. He has written books about heartland supper clubs, minor league baseball, soul food and the civil rights movement and driving his camper van across America. Look for his latest piece in Roads, the August issue of New City Magazine.
Visit Dave’s website: https://www.davehoekstra.com/
More about Jimmy Conway
James Conway is a Chicago-based musician who picks a mean acoustic guitar and plays an even meaner rack harmonica. Whether it’s a country blues number, a folk song, or a tradtional Celtic tune, Conway sings, picks, and blows his heart out. He transforms both harp and guitar into a huge, rhythmic machine. He is best known for his Celtic Harmonica work, which has earned him international recognition.
“O’Reilly sings the words in her clear soprano voice – her diction meticulous as she wrings out every emotion, her hands cutting through the air and gesturing with the subtle precision of an orchestra conductor. Not a hush is heard from the audience: they are lost in the story.” (June Sawyers, New City Magazine)
The story of Roots Salon and Jamie’s salonnière history are the featured story in July’s New City Magazine. Jamie’s blog about Come Into My Parlor, by June Sawyers. https://www.jamieoreilly.com/jamie-roots-in-new-city-magazine/
Read the New City article online
https://www.facebook.com/p/Jamie-OReilly-100055273855504/
Roots Salon is hosted at Tre Kronor Swedish Bistro
Photo of Jamie in article by Monica Kass Rogers
Our mailing address is:
roots@jamieoreilly.com
