December Newsletter

Hello all!

2009 has been a good year. I toured on the East Coast during a glorious spring. I spent time at the Kerrville Festival in Texas, and in the Bay Area in California. Then I hunkered down in Talkeetna for an unusually beautiful summer/fall so I could finish and release a new CD, build an office/studio cabin at Whole Wheat Radio, and get my old property up for sale. (Missions accomplished!) I did some performing in my own amazing state, including a cherished trip with Carrie Elkin to the fly-in community of Dillingham. Now I'm longing to get on the road with music again, but still have some things to finish up before I allow myself the all-consuming task of booking tours. Stay tuned! I'll let you know when I'm heading your way...

I just googled "the perfect gift idea", and noticed that the phrase yields a total of 2,930,000 search results. If you add the word "music", you narrow it to a measly 458,000 results. Mindboggling, if you're looking for the perfect gift idea... So I'll keep it simple for you and remind you to think about just two perfect gift ideas for the holidays.

1. My new instrumental CD - Aurora Borealis: Conversations with Alaska's Northern Lights - this one has broad appeal, and certainly fits the season; it can please everyone from your 6 year old nephew to your grandmother. Think of an artist painting the Northern Lights on a musical canvas. It's relaxing and pretty, and works well for healing, massage, yoga, putting kids to sleep (I've gotten great feedback from the kids themselves on that! They say they see the Aurora shimmering underneath their eyelids...), peaceful background music, and getting work or studying accomplished. Or it's just nice to listen to, period, in an uncategorized, artistic sort of way....



2. My not-as-new but-still-awesome singer-songwriter CD - Unfinished Houses - I'd be so appreciative if you buy it for someone who would enjoy discovering new music - poetic songs arranged with mountain dulcimer, harmonies, and unusual instrumentation...

Buy-em-as-gifts-special!
Just until the end of 2009, you can buy a single copy of either CD with Free Standard Shipping (in the U.S.). And as always, you can buy a bundle of 5 for the price of 4 ($60). Or a bundle of 10 for only $110. And yes, you can mix and match a bundle; just tell me how many of each in the notes when you're checking out. I'll be packaging them and shipping them myself, so feel free to ask for special signatures. Order here.

Positive Feedback!
I'm grateful to Dulcimer Players News magazine for including "The Rarest Waltz" on their sampler CD in the latest issue. I've gotten a big response from dulcimer players discovering my music for the first time. Aurora Borealis also got a sweet write-up in Alaska Wellness Magazine. And wowee, I just now got some great feedback on Unfinished Houses from a booking agency in England, thanks to Carrie Elkin bringing a copy over to them:

Hi Esther - Carrie gave me a copy of Unfinished Houses and I just wanted to say what a remarkably accomplished record it is. I really wasn't expecting such a treasure from an Alaskan dulcimer player but that just shows how wrong you can be! I have to say that Louise made me cry but every track had something to say. We hear lots of music and it's a real pleasure to play something that has integrity as well as expert musicianship. Thank You, Bob

And Happy Holidays to All!
Let me finish up by wishing each and every one of you a wonderful holiday and Solstice season, in whatever way you choose to enjoy it. Your enthusiasm and support for my music will continue to be a cherished gift to me. Thank you thank you thank you!

Smiles,  Esther

On the web - www.esthergolton.com
Be my friend and/or fan on Facebook
Discover more independent acoustic music at Whole Wheat Radio