Music, in all of its genres, thrives at Lake Chapala. The area seems awash with musicians of every ilk. It must be the laid-back nature of music makers that allow them to so easily flow into the rhythm of a new place, picking up companions and experiences like quarter note leads to the verse.
Glenn Charles (Koudelka), a songwriter and musician from Saskatchewan, spent ten winters in Mexico, singing and playing and recording his adventures. He now has published a memoir titled “The Saskman: A British-born Canadian Musician who Played Irish Music in a German Restaurant in Mexico.”
The death of his father from dementia spurred Charles (his stage name) to outline the spiritual pilgrimage that evolved while playing music at lakeside, and occasionally at coastal resorts.
Featuring lyrics of songs Mexico inspired him to write, “The Saskman” tells of a life-path decision-making walk in an Ontario blizzard (inspired by late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau) that led to good friends, good music, and a greater awakening in Ajijic attended by three shamans.
From the back yard temezcal (steam hut) spiritual cleansing and subsequent healings to the guitar player who taught Charles to write song lyrics in Spanish, this short book is a guided tour of some of the very interesting folks who live in Ajijic – folks who don’t normally become best buddies with newcomers from the north.
“The Saskman: A British-born Canadian Musician who Played Irish Music in a German Restaurant in Mexico” is available from Amazon and other major online book retailers. The ebook can be downloaded from Amazon Kindle, iTunes Bookstore, Kobo and Nook.
Charles and his wife Yvonne live in Lafleche, Saskatchewan, with their dog, Phoebe. Watch for announcements of Charles playing and singing in lakeside restaurants and bars this winter.