It’s been a great 50+ years of being a working entertainer, but I reached the difficult decision that touring and stage shows are no longer possible. That’s the short version. For the longer version continue reading…

As a folksinger, I never really thought much about getting older. It seemed to me that I could just continue year after year, decade after decade, singing and playing as I had done for most of my life. As the years went by, it got more difficult to keep touring, but I did it, mostly because I’d been doing it my entire life. It was the life I knew and loved.

In 2016 on April 1st, April Fools Day, I got really dizzy in the parking lot of the hotel, and started seeing as though I were looking through a kaleidoscope. That evening the show went on as though nothing had happened. I had no idea I’d just encountered a mini stroke until weeks later, when I was told about it. It didn’t appear to affect my performance, or my state of being. I continued touring for the next 4 years.

Then, on Thanksgiving Day 2019 (of all freaking days) it happened again. This time I was on my way to The Church / The Guthrie Center to help out with our annual Thanksgiving Dinner that we hold every year. I had pulled over to fuel up and realized I couldn’t continue to drive safely, as everything was spinning around, sort of like the old days, but without the help of illegal substances. I was taken to the hospital, and was under evaluation, when I broke out. I had an important gig at Carnegie Hall in New York - The end of an annual series I’d been doing for decades and it was Sold Out. I had to be there. It was imperative.

The next morning I left the hospital, took the family and headed for New York. And what a show it was! We wrapped up 50 years with a terrific evening with the entire family on stage. I really enjoyed it.

The following day I flew to my home in Sebastian, FL just as I had done for years, this time with the history of Carnegie Hall behind me. My girlfriend, Marti picked me up at the airport, and we settled into the routine of being on the river I loved. Two nights after arriving home, I awoke in the morning and was lurching from sIde to side. I knew something was wrong, and went to keep a doctors appointment we’d previously set up. The doc said “You need to go to the hospital - Now.”

So, Marti took me to the hospital nearby in Vero Beach. They kept me there for 3 days, running tests of all kinds, and essentially informed me that I’d suffered a stroke. This time was more serious, as I’d lost some ability to walk, and I wondered if if would be able to play music. I spent about a week in a rehab center to re-learn the basics, like walking. I went home after that, and began a regimen of playing guitar, walking… All the things I would need to continue touring and performing. During the entire time, Marti kept the family and close friends advised as to my progress, and took really great care of me. I needed all the help I could get. And she was there to see it done right.

By the the time our first shows began in 2020, I was at about at 80% and felt like I was improving. Then the pandemic hit. All the shows we had planned for 2020 were at first, postponed, then rescheduled and finally cancelled. My hopes for a gradual recovery onstage came to an abrupt end.

Meanwhile, I’d decided back in 2018 to move from the home in Florida. And just as I’d returned from our last gig in Tennessee, a buyer appeared, and we had a deal on the table to sell The CrabHouse. I wasn’t in any shape to go through the intricacies of selling a guitar pick, let alone a home with 30 years of stuff we’d collected. Marti ended up doing it all. She finalized the deal, and dealt with the stuff that either had to be sold, moved or thrown out. It was quite a lot. But, through garage sales, online markets, movers and friends, she’d pretty much emptied the CrabHouse of everything, and we moved into her place about a mile away.

We were there for a few weeks, before it was safe enough to return to The Farm in Massachusetts. That was in June 2020. Since then we’ve been holed up at The Farm trying to keep out of harms way, and also trying to provide some online entertainment for our friends who were, and continue to be, holed up wherever they are. My band and crew arranged a few short gigs that were filmed at The Church, but when I saw the play-back in the editing room I realized that it was not up to the standards I expected of myself, let alone the expectations that our friends and fans had come to enjoy.

A folksinger’s shelf life may be a lot longer than a dancer or an athlete, but at some point, unless you’re incredibly fortunate or just plain whacko (either one or both) it’s time to hang up the “Gone Fishing” sign. Going from town to town and doing stage shows, remaining on the road is no longer an option.

I don’t remember answering the question on the other side of that piece of paper when I was asked “Kid! Have you rehabilitated yourself?” But, the short answer is now clearly, “No!” In fact, I hope to be a thorn in the side of a new administration pretty soon. Tom Paine once wrote “To argue with a man who has renounced the use … of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead….” In other words, you cannot and should not argue with people who don’t care, or hold the caring of others in contempt. A healthy suspicion of authority, left, right or center has been the hallmark of my career since the beginning, and I will continue to poke fun at cultural, political, or personal absurdities as I see it. I’m actually looking forward to it.

I’m happy, healthy and good to go, even if I’m not going anywhere. I’ve taken back 6-9 months that I used to spend on the road, and enjoying myself with Marti, my family and friends. In short - Gone Fishing.

Here's a picture of me sitting on the porch home at The Farm....

I hardly know what to say

(((hugs))) (if you don’t mind)

Wow, that is a lot to share and I am guessing it was a lot for you to do so. That said, thanks for letting us know. It does make me a little sad that you have “Gone Fishing”, while at the same time, it also seems like a good and healthy choice. And even an enjoyable one.

I am glad you have been feeling better.

I feel like there is more I would like to say, but don’t quite know how just now. And that is okay too.

To You and Marti, and all your family and everyone and you know who you are

<3 <3 <3

P.S. What a great picture!

Wow. I am so glad I got to Carnegie hall for the last show. I've been a Guthrie Center supporter for a while, although I haven't gotten there yet, either. And I only live about 100 miles away in Schenectady. Maybe I'll be able to finally meet you one of these days, when I can safely travel again, and I'll show up at the Church with my ukulele.

Thank you for everything, Arlo If you see me I'll be the young old guy with the 50th anniversary tour jacket, playing the Massacree song on the uke. (You might even recognize me from the front row at your last solo show at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. in Troy NY. (But probably not.)

Stay with us, as long as you want to.

-Kurt

Good on you.
Many more comfortable healthy years.
CAROL

I've never posted on here before, but i just wanted to say, I'm proud of you for recognizing that you are human and have limits.
As a 16 year old deeply into folk music, it is a tad heartbreaking to see another folk singer step back, but i trust your judgement, and your health and well being is a million times more important than touring!
Stay safe and i hope you enjoy many healthy years of retirement with your family!

Thanks for the notes folks... It's been quite an overwhelming experience. Not many people actually get here to the arlo.net forums, but this is where I first posted the announcement regarding touring. At the same time, our schedule/calendar broke, so I couldn't adjust the dates listed, but Dave is on it, and it'll get sorted out eventually. Meanwhile, I'm doing good here without the looming dark clouds of upcoming gigs. I'm actually enjoying myself, restringing my guitars and plunking out some tunes. Onward!

Arlo, best wishes to you and many virtual hugs. Having just retired myself let me tell you, although you have not been touring due to Covid, retirement takes a little getting used to. It’s a mindset, you get to do what you want and when you want to. Im not an entertainer, I’m sure your life is very different from mine, but let retirement be fabulous, embrace it, be happy and healthy, let your mind wander. It’s wonderful to be your own boss. Do a lot of sitting on that bench, ponder your belly button (teehee). Be good and follow the doctors orders and I’m sure Marti’s too. Keep the pictures coming please, if you feel like it. I told you that you were my first crush and I will tell you that you still are. Love to you and wishes for many more lovely years.

The calendar has been fixed!

Hahaha not quite, but glad you're on it. Ah! I checked it is indeed back to working! Thank You Dave!

Thank you for the years of fun entertainment. My wife and I are running out of artists that we love to go see. (We lost John Prine 6 months ago). Stay well, continue to enjoy your time with family and friends.

“NASA confirms there is evidence of hidden water on sunlit surface of the moon”

https://twitter.com/i/events/1320767402410307585

Arlo !?

I’m not going there no matter what

Not even saying to.

But you got that epic camera lens

And I was just messing with you

Hahaha maybe I can spot a beach there! Maybe.