The Event

Under a moonlit October sky with the warmth of piñon fires crackling in chimineas, El Morro Valley residents gathered to enjoy a “slow food evening” on the newly finished patio and stage at
“Inscription Rock Trading & Coffee Co.”

The “slow food” evening was a joint effort of “Inscription Rock Trading & Coffee Co.”, “Ramah Farmer’s Market”, “Guadalupe Vineyards”, and “Set to Perfection Catering”. Featured was locally grown and prepared food and wine presented in the tradition of the “Slow Food Movement”.

Attendees dined on the patio, and after dinner and dessert, enjoyed a concert of original music performed by Jonathan Lee Pickens, Don Grieser, Walker Lee Pickens and friends, on the outdoor stage.

The Artist

Jonathan Lee Pickens, (born in Weed, California), began his music career in the Spokane Valley at the age of 12 after teaching himself to play on his great grandmother’s 1890 George Washburn guitar. His first professional gig was at the age of 14 and he has been playing and writing songs ever since.

In 1985 Jonathan and his wife-to-be Pamela Lee Curtis moved to Nashville, Tennessee where Jonathan worked as a staff songwriter for three music publishers over the course of 16 years on Music Row. While in Tennessee they were married (1986) and in 1989, blessed with the birth of their talented son, Walker Lee Pickens, a drummer/percussionist.

In 2001, Jonathan, Pamela, and Walker Lee moved to the El Morro Valley of New Mexico, a magical place high in the Zuni Mountains. In 2004 they opened their business, Inscription Rock Trading & Coffee Co., and began hosting musical events on their outdoor stage. During this time Jonathan began his musical collaboration with Don Grieser, a multi-talented musician, writer, founding member of the well known bluegrass band, Raising Cane, and owner of Adobe in the Pines Recording Studio. (Portions of this CD were recorded and mixed at Adobe in the Pines Studio.)

During Christmas 2007, Jonathan’s great grandmother’s guitar came back to him in New Mexico, via his brother-in-law; Pete Pride (Thanks Pete!).

Thank you everyone who helped make this CD possible, especially Pamela Lee, Walker Lee, Don-a-Lee, and my great grandmother, Minnie Mae Kelly-Halstead. Write on....