I don't think anyone was quite prepared for the amazing show that came to be at Meeting Grace when Lorin Rowan stopped here on his west coast tour. Part of the legendary Rowan Brothers, he felt an immediate connection to the house and to the audience which came across in his commanding and entertaining performance. On hand to document the event was a photographer from the SD Union Tribune and a crowd of music lovers to carry home the sounds and memories of a fabulous evening.

In his first set, Lorin delighted everyone with his well-crafted songwriting, his professional style and extraordinary handling of the guitar on songs like "Pathways of the Heart," "Circle of Friends" and "Winkleman's Farm." He switched to his 12-string to play "Something to Believe In" and an incredible instrumental piece. From there he took us to the song that appeared as the title cut of the Grammy-award winning album for Ricky Skaggs, "Soldier of the Cross." He commented that the song is 20 or 25 years old and that it feels kind of like seeing your child who has grown up. He closed his first set with "My Saving Grace" which he dedicated and re-named for this event, "My Meeting Grace."

The second set was equally well-received, with a mix of material from the humorous "Shopping Feet" to the descriptive "Walls of Avignon" and the truly beautiful "My Father's Son." With the living room windows swung wide open, you could hear crickets in the silent wake of each song as every person let the notes linger and settle. After a rousing ovation and call for an encore, Lorin returned to play "If I Had Known You Were a Song" and a wonderful story song about making a deal with the devil.

Many people ask me why I don't record these shows. It's not that I'm against it, but there is something remarkable about letting shows be. Shows like this one that leave everyone - performer, guest, hostess, friends - in a wonderful state of bliss. A show that may lose something in a mere written description like this one, but it happened. And all of us who got to be a part of it will always hold it.

See the photos!