Nix Now 8.27.24

In late July I had an accident and tore a tendon on the middle finger of my right hand, which got infected and went septic.  My health is getting better. The infection in the knuckle is gone, and my kidney function has returned to normal. I am wearing a splint that supports the tendons of that middle finger, which stays on for another four weeks. I've started physical therapy to strengthen the hand working on both flexion and extension. It's slow going, but it's getting better. I won't be able to play any finger style guitar or banjo until mid to late October.

Meanwhile I've been spending my time editing compositions, writing.

Rather than cancel a concert but LAVA Center for the Arts Greenfield, MA on September 7 from noon until two. I put together a multi-media retrospective of my work looking back to 1983 and working forward to the Aperçu album incorporating my collection of archival videos, Recordings, photos, and poetry.

Also, I'm writing a presentation on my design of the latest seven string banjo, Seeders Instruments # 125, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 26 for the Banjos Gathering conference in Lansing Michigan.

Performances

Saturday, 9/7/24, noon
“Memory Hoard” A multimedia presentation by Michael Nix
The LAVA Center
324 Main St, Greenfield

Musician Michael Nix presents “Memory Hoard”, a multimedia presentation incorporating video, recordings, photos, and readings from 1983 to 2023.  "Memory Hoard" explores Nix's wide range of creative work as a composer, guitarist, banjoist, and writer.

This is a free event, funded by the Crossroads Cultural District and Mass Cultural Council (MCC). Donations are appreciated.

Saturday, October 26, 2024 
The Design of Seeders Instruments #125, A Seven-String Classic Banjo, with Michael Nix
2024 Banjo Gathering
Hilton Garden Inn,  Lansing, Michigan

In 2022, Michael commissioned Will Seeders-Mosheim to create an instrument designed for a folk/jazz/classical crossover playing style Michael had spent twenty years developing. With the instrument in hand, several commissioned pieces and new compositions, Michael recorded Aperçu, an album of New Classic Banjo Project solo works for seven-string banjo. In this presentation, Michael will explore building of the instrument and its use in his music, including the elements it needed to have to achieve a sound that would accommodate performance of modern music in a concert situation, and give musical samplings from the Seeders #125.