A Diamond in a Pool of Rubies

Let’s face it…this campaign is blessed with high energy, highly skilled and politically savvy and remarkably intelligent supporters and workers. In this instance, I suppose it takes one to know one, if I may toot my own horn. There are a few, however, that may just stand out above the rest, and that is frankly difficult to do. I consider that the people that I have met through this campaign to be one of the most important things that I have been fortunate enough to have happen in my adult life.

I met a gentleman from Northern California in the Reno, Nevada Obama office when I was there for my first visit just weeks before the Nevada caucus. I had no idea who he was at the time, but as the dozens of exhausted but spirited campaigners returned to the office from neighborhoods around the northern part of Nevada, this man suddenly sits down to an electric piano and starts playing and singing, much to my amazement and intrigue.

I have to admit that at first, I couldn’t quite understand what he was doing. Was a concert going to take place? No. Did he have a huge following among the people slowly returning to the office after a long day? Well, not really. He was playing simply because he loves to play, enjoys entertaining people and has a message that strongly resonates through his beautiful music.

So what did I do that late winter evening in Reno? I sat down and listened, and what I heard really pleased me. This man was good. Damn good, actually, and the complexities and texture that is weaved into the music, which he writes himself, along with deep, soulful and expressive lyrics moved me, I have to admit.

Who is this guy? His name is Sky Nelson, and I was and am impressed with him. I bought on of his CDs, then signed up to be on his email list, and occasionally receive updates on his appearances, concerts and what he’s up to. Most of his appearances are in Sonoma County, an hour and a half or more from my home, but this past Saturday night, my wife and I ventured up to one of his concerts, and once again, he mesmerized us. It seems that he’s been busy writing more beautiful music, and his concert theme was empowerment and self-appreciation, and between songs, which he played on piano and guitar, he shared some stories and encouraged the audience to share some of theirs.

Why am I letting you know all of this? Simple! This man is a huge Obama supporter, works very hard on his campaign, and has traveled to other states, including canvassing in Pennsylvania. He featured a new song, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for,” heralding the words that we have all heard come from Obama himself, and the words in that song are powerful and meaningful, just like the other songs that Sky performs with passion, intensity and honesty.

If you’d like to hear what I’m talking about, there are several ways to gain access to Sky Nelson’s music. His website is www.skynelson.com. His myspace page is myspace.com/skynelson, and his music can also be downloaded through itunes.com.

He describes his music as “positively beautiful music with a cutting edge, and he credits James Blunt, John Mayer, Billy Joel, James Taylor, Paul Simon and Sting as just a few of the artists that influence his music. I can say quite honestly that his music and talent is yearning to be heard by a larger audience, and I invite you to find out whether his lovely music and sensitive words find a home with you.

The best aspect of Sky is that he is truly a nice man. Whether he’s playing to one person in the Obama HQ in Reno or in front of a gathering of loyal, engaged fans, he is the same performer and presents the same honest, message-laden and hauntingly beautiful melodies that leave you wanting just one more song and wondering to what heights this talented composer and lyricist will eventually climb to.