One of the guys I really wanted to meet at Northern Voice this year was Derek K Miller of penmachine.com. Alas, it looks like Derek needs a few more days of rest before he gets back to the normal rhythm and readies himself for the next round of treatment.

So Derek, for me, NV2007 will not be quite the same because I will not be seeing the guy who gives so generously with his music, his sound knowledge and his insights. Instead, Derek decided he had to give something more this year. Now we're all learning in detail what it's like to develop awareness and mastery over the cancer that he, his body, family and doctors are fighting. What a team! Thank you for your leadership, your inspiration and -- even though it can be ugly and unpleasant -- your courage in telling the tale. Our friend Mike beat it a couple of years ago and so can you.

Update: Derek made it out for a few hours after the Saturday session. It was great to see him, Read Derek's post about the night here and see the back of my head in this picture with Buzz Bruggeman and Will Pate.

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