Blog | Jon Walmsley

It Was 60 (!) Years Ago Today…

When one reaches an, ahem, advanced age, one tends to do more looking back than looking forward. It’s 2024, and having this week achieved...

The Making of Earl Hamner - A Joyful Noise Part 2

I’ve had some lovely comments and some questions about “A Joyful Noise.” In part one of “The Making Of” I described Earl’s wonderful...

The Making of "Earl Hamner - A Joyful Noise"

About twenty years ago, my phone rang. It was Earl Hamner. He said, “Jon, it’s your old Uncle Earl. I want to make a CD. I’m going to...

This is my wish for Christmas...

When I was in high school, I didn’t have a lot of interest in science. I was a slightly rebellious, somewhat bored, occasionally...

A Cure For Weltschmerz

“Weltschmerz.” That’s a German term that’s been adopted and used frequently by English-speaking journalists. It literally means “world...

A Letter From God

Hi there, God here. How’s it goin’? Ok, stupid question. I know how it’s going ‘cause I’m God. I don’t mean to make fun of your problems,...

Are You A Racist?

Preface Well, I’m back. It’s been a long time since I’ve written a blog. In the past, my blogs have mostly had to do with music,...

This Land Was Made for You… And Me (Epilogue)

First off, thanks for the comments, on this website and on Facebook, regarding part one of my last blog, "This Land Was Made For You......

This Land Was Made For You … And Me

I was naive. A few years ago, I really thought we were getting beyond racism. In my own little world, my friends and acquaintances who...

Christmas In England

“Hello, my lovely,” said the saleswoman at the furniture store. “Thank you, my lovely,” smiled the Tamar Bridge toll-lady. “There you...