"Down to Earth"

I recently met a man who I didn't know before,
Whose music found its way to my heart's inner core,
His legends and his stories are now forever in my mind,
He is talented, witty, intellectual, and kind.

A humble man is he, but proud of his cause,
His audiences respond with thundering applause!
I believe his humble journey began with his birth,
Jack Gladstone, I thank you, for being down to earth.

Your music has inspired people of all ages,
Much history is written as you fill empty pages,
Your songs express legend, humor, and truth,
You sing of your lifetime, from adulthood to youth.

You hope that your music will touch and inspire,
To fulfill a dream is your greatest desire.
Your melodies once created phenomenal mirth
As they traveled to space and back down to earth!

You tell of a grandmother on your Blackfeet side,
Her storytelling inspired you and acted as your guide.
The wisdom and vision that she shared with you,
Is now woven into every performance that you do.

I recently met a man and now I call him friend,
He is the reason that this tribute has been penned.
His music lifts my spirit, and for all that it's worth,
I wonder now ... will my spirit ever come back down to earth?

- Sally Miller

A note from the editor about Sally Miller, another fan who got "hooked" on Jack's music and derived inspiration from it.   In part she writes:

"As an elementary teacher in the Great Falls Public School District, I first had the opportunity to hear one of Jack's performances at school.  I found his storytelling and lyrics to be inspiring, educational, and sometimes humorous.  Needless to say, I was hooked! ... When Jack agreed to perform at our private party, we were thrilled!  He had a public performance at the Great Falls Public Library on the same weekend as our Anniversary celebration, so it worked out very nicely. ... As I wrote him a thank you note after our party, I was inspired to also write a poem to express my thoughts and feelings.  That was in October 2001.  Jack is a man who holds a special place in my heart, and I cherish our friendship!"