Watch out for that first step... it's a doozy!

5/10/2026

Hi Friends,

Hope you're hanging in there. Lots of news to share...

First, I've been invited back to host the 63rd Philadelphia Folk Festival on August 14-16th. (https://folkfest.org). As you may know dear old friend and legendary folk DJ Gene Shay, whom we lost to COVID back in 2020, hosted fest for over 50 years.

Gene's trademark "dad jokes" from the Martin Guitar Stage became a festival tradition that the audience at the Old Poole Farm demands we uphold. Therefore, I'm asking you to send me your favorite "groaners" so I can begin preparing for this summer's emcee duties. And trust me, when you're culling your material, the worse the better!

On to a little fundraising...

A couple years before he died, Bruce "Utah" Phillps showed me a large tree house he was having built behind his house in Nevada City. He explained to me that he had always feared heights and he was "running out of time to do something about it".

Utah's words came to mind the first time my friend Patty Hillkirik, the founder and Director of Camp Dreamcatcher, a therapeutic summer camp for kids dealing with AIDS/HIV (CampDreamcatcher.org), asked me (another folk singer none too comfortable getting high) to rappel down the side of an eight story building to raise money for Camp. Although I've been singing and raising money for the Dreamcatcher kids for three decades, I was as surprised as anyone when I heard myself say yes.

As the "Over the Edge" tech team was double checking my lines and body harness a few moments before I stepped off that rooftop on that breezy morning in Kennett Square, PA, a song title occurred to me. I've been performing "I'd Rather Die While I'm Alive" ever since.

I don't know how Utah's treehouse worked out for him, but I'll confess that I'm still not wild about heights. I joined in the Dreamcatcher rappelling fundraiser again year later but was performing in Norway last year and couldn't participate. (I honestly felt a little relieved.)

This year, however, Camp Dreamcatcher made me an offer I simply couldn't refuse.

If I can get $2000 (or more) in donations, half of all the money I raise will go to my non-profit, New Beginnings-Next Step (http://www.NB-NS.org). So, if you've been thinking about trying to help us out with our work with incarcerated and returning citizens, but just haven't gotten around to it, this could be your chance. Here's a link if you'd like make a pledge: (https://pro.gofundme.com/fundraiser/7275960)
Thanks for anything you can kick in!

I'll be doing one of my all-time favorite house concerts in Villanova, PA on May 16th (http://www.musicallairs.org/).

Then Sunday, June 7th, I'll be in Oxford, PA (https://oxfordhistorical.org/events/).

And on June 25th, I'll be doing an Under the Stars show at Bellevue State Park in Wilmington, DE.

Please look for my new single "American Dissident" on your favorite streaming platform (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGSqfdMTn3Y).
Someone wrote and asked me to include the lyrics with this note, so here you go:


American Dissident                      by John Flynn


If you're someone who don't much like seeing folks get pushed around
You might be an American dissident
And if you just can't stomach seeing gun thugs in your town
You might be an American dissident
And you have long grown weary of the unrelenting lies
Claiming you're unpatriotic for believing your own eyes
If you're not sure how to change things but you know you have to try
You might be an American dissident

If it pisses you off seeing kids kidnapped by men in masks
You might be an American dissident
And you really don't like bullies in case anybody asks
You might be an American dissident
If you're all for law and order but believe no one should die
Cause a fat man dressed in camo claims that they did not comply
And if tears of rage or sorrow burn like teargas in your eyes
You might be an American dissident

Welcome to the resistance
There won't be no land of the free
Without a little assistance
From you and me

And if you're against arresting folks just 'cause their skin's not white
You might be an American dissident
And have more than just a little fondness for the Bill of Rights
You might be an American dissident
Though you never really wore patriotism on your sleeve
You damn well know right from wrong and you would rather fight than leave
'Cause you draw a line when jackboots tread on human dignity
You might be an American dissident

Welcome to the resistance
Here in the home of the brave
Tyranny trembles when citizens
Stand up and say

We will not obey... we will not obey
Tyranny trembles when citizens say
We will not obey... (repeat)

(c) 2026 Flying Stone Music

And please tune into my last Busk At Dusk sets of the season on May 22nd and 29th. You can find them by following my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/singwriter/) or my YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/@singwriter272).

Until I see you next time, keep the faith. And as my Pop used to say, "Illigitimi non carborundum". Which is Latin for don't let the bastards grind you down.

Peace and good on you,