The opening track, Remember This, is an energetic anthem that sets the lyrical tone.

The World Between the Worlds and Jaine’s Guitar are before and after songs responding to the “crossing over” of a beloved family member.

The Real Miracle is an answer to a radio interview with a scientist who suggested that the big bang theory is a dis-proof of the existence of god.

Islands and Oceans is the heart of the album… a schizophrenic, autobiographical 10-minute musical adventure.

Raindrops Revisited takes a lyric written 30 years ago, and gives it a whole new musical setting.

We Know is another musical adventure, exploring the wisdom that comes from the experience of authentic love.

Eternity Friend is a ballad of appreciation to all of you soul friends who represent my soul family in this life.

My invitation once again… find 41 uninterrupted minutes, pour yourself a glass of wine and get out your favorite headphones, and listen to it straight through.

It’s a great ride. Enjoy!

Love, Doug

Al “Runtime” Cooke travels to Rainbowland to play with Doug Rice, his Elixir bandmate from the early 1980’s. Here’s a some video footage of their reunion, sharing with friends & family, and practices before their 8/23/14 concert with the Doug Rice Acoustic Ensemble. Video of the concert will be coming soon!

My brother-in-law, Steve, passed away on January 22nd. I am especially close with my sister, Jaine, so this has been a time of deep feeling. In late December, Jaine and Steve returned home from their last trip to Stanford hospital, knowing that there was not much more that they could do. The house was cold from days of emptiness. They built a fire in the living room, and sat together, sharing stories from their amazing life together. After hearing this vignette from Jaine, I woke up in the middle of the night and wrote the song, The World Between the Worlds. It became my soundtrack in the days that followed, being present with Jaine from a distance.

Most of my family went together to be with Jaine after Steve’s passing. Steve, ever-supportive of Jaine’s creativity, had purchased her a beautiful Martin guitar years ago. Jaine, in turn, organized a family gift to me of the identical Martin guitar for my 50th birthday. We played songs together in remembrance of Steve. When I left to make the 6 hour drive back to Rainbowland, I grabbed Jaine’s guitar by mistake. A day or two later, I took Jaine’s guitar out of the case to see what I might find. There was the song, Jaine’s Guitar. It is a song written from me to Steve, and is for Jaine. Hence, the two-song cd Before and After
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What follows is the beautiful obituary Jaine wrote for Steve, with loving help from her wonderful friends:

Steve Agronsky – beloved husband, brother, and son; a man who dared to imagine the life he wanted and then live it among the orange and avocado trees and the oaks on his Templeton farm; professor of mathematics who truly put students first; a trekker of mountain ridge and cloud forests, volcano and jungle paths; paddler of Alaskan rivers; one who understood the great gift of humor, straight-faced, understated, and impeccably timed; who practiced the fine art of listening, confidante, wise advisor, and bracing friend; a man who loved children and trees… Steve died Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014, surrounded by loved ones under a waning Wolf Moon. He requested there be no formal memorial. To honor his memory, plant a tree – Any tree, anywhere.

Greetings from Rainbowland…. It’s 12-12-12, and I wanted to add something new to the website in celebration of this auspicious time, and in anticipation of this very special winter solstice on 12/21/12. Whatever this date may or may not mean to you, it is clearly a uniquely powerful time of acceleration and transformation for all of us. I am feeling very positive about the changes that are here, and particularly grateful to be alive and present for it all… however it plays out. I am in the midst of a new project, tentatively called self to Self. Here are two of the completed songs to date. I hope you enjoy the music, and I pray that you are enjoying the ride of revelation, however, it is showing itself in your journey. Please know that my love goes with you! Here is a “higher self message”, which will be included in some way on the completed album.

Love and blessings, Doug

Remember this…

You never need to give up on your TRUE heart’s desire in the name of love or money.

In fact, it always works out for the best when you don’t.

Know who you are,

Know how you feel,

Know where you’re headed, and

Know that voice in you that can speak to all of it.

This is what is being asked of you now, and for which you are now ready.

There is a power in you that you have yet to realize.

Still, it is awakening in you, and you are aware of this.

The best days of your life are here.

Listen to your heart. Note: be sure it is your heart you are listening to, and not your best guess at someone else. This is not as obvious as it sounds.

Yes, listen to your wild, passionate heart. Even more, listen to your clear, quiet, intuitive heart.

When you listen to your heart impeccably, your heart will guide you impeccably.

Remember this…