Hey my friends, This will be my last newsletter of the strange year 2020, which, although it hasn't been turned into a horror movie yet, has certainly been the subject of countless horror MEMES on Facebook. I know this holiday season won't exactly be like others I remember! I'm guessing that most of us had some optimism at the beginning of this year, right? But then came the paralyzing pandemic, a shocking death count in America and beyond, the worst election cycle in our history (with all the division that went along with it), job and financial woes, and the collapse of entire sectors of the economy, including the gig market that musicians generally depend on. I absolutely did NOT accomplish my hoped-for goals in 2020. Survival itself became the primary goal, which is probably so for most of you as well. But at this writing, I am healthy, energized, and making plans for what I hope will be a much better 2021. When the pandemic is officially over and I can get back to the recording studio, I'll resume work on an EP I started early in the year. I'll most likely call it "Kevin-ish" or "Kevin-esque." I already have an ambient collaboration finished; it is at the mixing stage. Again, that just requires some safe interaction with the people involved. And dreaming ahead, I have a full cycle of songs written for what I hope will be my next "proper" full-length release. But any way you want to look at it, plans went astray this calendar year. If any of you are of a mind to help support me during this crazy time, you can purchase my "Clear the Way" CD for only $10 (plus $3 for shipping domestically). My Paypal address is kevinrenickbusiness@gmail.com, or you can send me a check at: Kevin Renick, PO Box 31785, Des Peres, MO 63131. I'm thinking of starting a Patreon account soon, once I know I have some goodies to offer. I hope some of you will take an interest in that! Difficult times can lead to either renewed contemplation or, perhaps, a fresh direction. I am still writing songs, patiently hoping for more regular gigs to return (had a fun one with Denise Chappell and Mark Arnold in November), and figuring out what lessons to learn from this mess of a year. I certainly hope to connect with as many of you as possible through my music and now, through various writings. Check out the movie and memory blogsite I contribute to, it's at cinememoir.com. I also write for zacharymule.com. Although normal holiday greetings don't seem quite right to close with here, I do want to say that I hope all of you reading this (and your loved ones) are in good health and have been spared from this pandemic. I hope you are coping by doing as many things as possible to keep yourselves engaged with life, your friends and your personal interests. I also hope you are still listening to good music and maybe getting out in nature. This crazy thing will pass, and while life may look different for a while, there is always something new to discover, something to fire up one's enthusiasm. I appreciate the messages some of you send me, and I encourage you to keep doing so: I try to answer EVERY message or email I get. Eventually YES, I will have some new songs to post. Meanwhile, thanks for sharing this connection we have and for listening to my music! We have certainly been reminded this year how fragile life can be, and how ever-changing our circumstances. We are all in this together, truly, if we could just start realizing that. And every day should be looked at as an adventure, one where we can learn, grow, and (hopefully) flourish... P.S. For those of you wanting slightly more contact with me, check out my Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/kevinrenickfanpage