Inspiration

When I learned that Michael Nesmith would be doing a Book-signing and Reading from his new novel, "The Long Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora" at Barnes & Noble in New York City on January 29th, I was rarin' to go! I've admired Michael since '66, when "Papa Gene's Blues" hit me in the face like a bucket of cold water. To overpower a heavily congested cold, I played Michael's music nonstop for 2 days.

Two bus rides and a long walk in the frozen tundra later, I made it to the Barnes & Noble at 600 5th Ave. in New York City by 10 AM. Fans, who'd been there since the doors opened at 8:30 AM, had already claimed many of the folding chairs set up in the Lower Level for Michael's Reading from 12:30-1:30 PM. Luckily, I snagged a seat near the center aisle of the 3rd Row. By 11 AM most of the seats were filled and still more people came. Eager listeners clustered around radios playing Michael's interview on WOR 7:10 AM. Barnes & Noble staff members periodically announced the procedure: we could either sit by the podium to be up-close for Michael's Reading and be last on line for the book-signing or watch in line and be first for the Signing. Initially, we were told that Michael would sign copies of Neftoon and one other item. As the crowd grew, the directive changed to: books signed only. The crowd groaned!

At noon, the excitement started building, and a little after 12:30 PM, Michael Nesmith was standing before us in a black suit with a light-blue, open-necked, button-down shirt and silvery hair! Rousing applause and cheers welcomed Michael to the podium. I'd seen recent photos of him so I was ready for how he looked, but it was still a wonderful shock to see him just 3 rows away from me! Michael thanked us "for comin' by" (with no Texas accent). His casual, easygoing manner quickly put me at ease.

Michael spoke and read to us for about 12 minutes. It was a privilege to be there and listen as he spoke in his soft, gentle voice about how he "moved to Santa Fe 4 or 5 years ago" and "began to live the life of the mind" and how "events [in Neftoon] "began to pop up" and he "began to write them down." (his writing style?!) Michael continued, "The book takes place in kind of a timeless moment that is set, according to the book, in the late 1900's, which you can figure out is now. The protagonist is Nez, which means it's "semi-autobiographical," but the novel isn't based on real events. 'The Long Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora' is 'more of a journey of the soul, a journey of the spirit."

Nez

To set up the section he was about to read, Michael explained "Nez, who has wandered into the southwestern landscape, has come across an extraordinary woman whose name is Neffie. She is either the mythical figure that he's been searching for or she's some incredible scam. He's not exactly sure which. But one thing he knows is that he's starting to find himself falling in love with her." The passage Michael planned to read was after Neffie "roars past [Nez] on her Harley Davidson" and "he decides to give chase. Where he goes is up into a canyon that is extraordinarily dangerous" and "encounters something terrible."

Then Michael put on black-framed, half-moon glasses and read to us from "The Long Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora", Chapter 4, pages 58-62. As the breathtaking drama intensified, Michael became swept up in the grandeur and terror of his own boldly detailed vision. His voice drew me in deeper and made the narrative even more terrifyingly real. It was an inspiring moving experience! Michael was so brave to read that part out-loud! My 32 years of admiration for him soared even higher.

The book-signing line moved quickly. Michael signed books mostly, but some fans got extras signed too. "When my turn came, I snuck in a brief chat with Michael and gave him a present. It all happened so fast! I nearly left my camera with the kind lady who took two photos for me! Others did, too, Then I squeezed in near where Michael was signing and took up-close photos. I saw friends I'd met at other events. Fans came back from NY, NJ, PA, MA, FL and even AZ! There had to be over 300 people there, maybe even 400. Michael signed everyone’s copy of "The Long Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora"; he was with us for about an hour.

Before the reading, Michael told us that while writing Neftoon, he "had the most fun...nosing around and finding $25.00 words" like "mansuetude: the descriptive factor of gentility." That word would appeal to Michael. Mansuetude, an air of grace and gentility, fills Michael Nesmith's music, books and videos and characterizes his appearance at Barnes & Noble in New York City, on January 29th. It was an honor to be there. Thanks for coming Michael!

Nez Reading