A slightly stormy Saturday afternoon, sharing a blanket on the grass with my daughter.  The entertainment: good, home-spun music.  The event: Gloamin' Fest 2008.  I came to see local talent, David T. Lyon, perform his laid-back, signature style songs.              
      Although Gloamin' Fest has been an annual event for five years, this was my first time attending, and I admit, I didn't really know what to expect.  The bands set up, the vendors snuck out of their booths to listen and watch in between sales, and the crowd gathered on the lawn-an eclectic bunch of folks eager to enjoy some good music.  We sat there, my daughter and I, our eyes on the stage, relishing being outside among such musical talent, depsite the storm looming overhead.
     David T. Lyon has been involved with Gloamin' Fest for the last two years, engaging listeners with his easy, folk-style rock original songs, playing his 6 and 12 string gujitars, mandolin and bass.  Add his easy-on-the-ears voice into the mix and there you have it-the makings of a fun concert!  He has a persuasive knack for snaring other talented folks to join him onstage, and this event was no exception.  While David played guitar and sang lead vocals, Keith Riker joined him on percussion; Starlite Ramblers' Jerel Wood played bass; and Brian Fitzgerald from Switchback stepped in on guitar and mandolin. 
     The music began, soft and pleasant, drawing me in.  David had said his inspiration came from legends such as James Taylor, Bob Dylan and Jackson  Browne.  Listening, I could hear their influence in the underlying rhythm of his music.  I quickly found myself smiling and swaying to the songs.
      David T. Lyon won't be mistaken for a rock star.  In fact, he's happily removed from the fever of scratching his way to the top, but that's not to say that he hasn't spent the last 40 years fine tuning his considerable skills.
      His musical journey really began when he left home for college.  It was then that he left behind the confinements of his childhood piano lessons and vowed instead to join the ranks of the folk rock musicians flavoring the music scene in the '60's.  His college years provided opportunities to play with a variety of rock bands, but he waited until the '70's to turn professional, forming country rock band, Slippery Rock.  In his usual persuasive style, David had collected talent from all over the country to form the band, including one member from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.  Slippery Rock enjoyed a popular standing with fans at the high country ski resorts.
     After a few years enjoying the successes and traveling with the band, David got serious about settling down, trading in his guitar-strumming lifestyle for that of a school teacher.  He remained in that teaching role in Jefferson County for 32 years.  During his lengthy career, his favorite position involved working with "at risk" kids, which combined his teaching and natural ability to counsel.  I could see that-David has a calming presence and an easy-going nature-it comes through in his song writing and on stage (think James Taylor.)
     Today, David is happily retired from teaching, concentrating instead on playing music with his friends.  It's a good thing that he kept in touch with his "inner musician" during all those years teaching, because now that he's had the chance to call "ollie ollie oxen free" to him, there's so much fun to be had!  He now relishes the time to write songs, perform at a variety of venues, and relax while he's doing it.  With 125 songs in his play list (at least 30 of them original), David can safely boast that he never repeats a song at any oh his performances.  And, he can spend time creating music for the pure enjoyment of it, honoring it for the art that it is.
     Hidden away in his home studio, David has produced and recorded 2 CDs.  With any luck, the 3rd David T. Lyon CD, already in progress, will be ready for stuffing for Christmas stockings this year.  Although David counts on the talents of his friends to step in as the side dishes to his hearty helping of talent, he does much of the instrumentals himself when recording.  He accomplishes this by playing the different instruments he's mastered separately, and the vocals.  Then he layers them into a finished song.  It seems those early piano lessons weren't a waste after all.
      For all the years that David has been playing, recording, and performing his music, he attributes some of his success to the theory that when one door shuts, another opens somewhere.  Example: this summer, David's friend, Joey Finger, has promised him tickets to the Steve Miller Band, playing at Red Rocks.  Only, when David and his friend showed up at will call, there were no tickets to be found.  They waited around outside of the concert for a while, hoping to gain entrance.  But, eventually, they called it a day and decided to cruise down the road.  They wound up stopping at Cup O' Joe, a new coffee shop/bar in Kittredge, where there happened to be an open mic night.  By missing the Steve Miller Band concert that night, not only did David land a spot in a spontaneous jam session, but he also met a talented flutist.  And, he even booked a future gig with one of the patrons!  One door closed, another opened.
     David has an easy-going attitude about his music.  When he was younger, watching other talent, he admits that he found himself stuck with a feeling of "wishful thinking"-wishing he was as good as they were.  But now, after years of seasoning and self-improvement, he stands ready to applaud anyone's efforts.  With so much talent out there, his attitude now is one of "no jealousy"-just pure enjoyment.
     Participating in Gloamin' Fest is fitting for David, as the word "gloaming" defines the space in time after sunset, but before dark.  That is is David T. Lyon exactly.  He is happily retired from teaching, which ushers in the sunset of his life, but, make no mistake, well before dark!  David enjoys a good life in the gloaming-a dedicated and talented life-and (so far) a life well spent.
     David's standing philosophy on music is simple, "Strive to be consistent, never take your gifts for granted, stay humble, and apply the 'four agreements' to everything you do, including music.  And finally, strive to grow as an artist, creating positive songs that touch people's lives."
     For more information about David T. Lyon's music and bookings, and to hear sound clips, visit his Web site at davidtlyon.org or phone (303) 674-7657.