My introduction to the Native American flute was during the summer of 86.  I went to a KNPR craft festival in Las Vegas, NV.  It was a fair full of high end crafts I've never seen before. 
 
I heard a sound off in the distance that grabbed my  attention. A Vendor was playing a wood flute.  There was something mystically magical regarding the sound that emanated from this ancient instrument.

I walked closer to the display and simply watched and listened to him explain the flute to everyone. One flute stood out from all the rest and I waited until everyone left and I asked about it. He said It was a Coyote Oldman solid cherry wood flute, 5 hole. He asked if I would like to play it but I knew I hadn't a clue how to play it.  I purchased it and immediately rushed home with an excitement; like a little kid with a new toy.

When I finally tried to play it, there were no magical mystical sounds coming out. Actually, nothing was coming out but air and sometimes it was accompanied by a shrill squeal.  I gave up very easily and I ended up making a nice wall mount for it and there it hung as a decorative piece.  Why not, I had my home full of various original native crafts I collected when I was in gaming and training Indian Casinos all over the United States.  I figured I have another piece for my collection and it was special.

A few years pasted and In 1993 I had been diagnosed with a serious illness and it progressed into a deep depression. I lost my job of many years with a leading gaming machine manufacturer and was placed on disability. 

A few years of low level chemo and more depression, I found myself totally isolated and couch ridden.  I was still in recovery which started in 1986 but I was not staying in contact with anyone or going to meetings.
 
Some friends in the program came to visit me and said that they knew of a Native American Interpreter, Robert Cross from Denver CO, and he was coming to Las Vegas to help them build a new Prayer Lodge.  I knew a little about Native American beliefs or rituals but the word prayer was enough. That we had in common.

The said he was told about me and he was willing to conduct a healing ceremony.  I've tried all kinds of remedies from Ozone therapy to macro biotic diet and even baths in water concentrated with food grade hydrogen peroxide, ozone therapy, and lots of expensive supplements.  I guess all that had some positive effect because I lasted longer than the projected date the doctors were telling me. I was on anti-depressants but they had little or no effect at all. Actually, they made me feel worse.

Fast forward; Robert came to Vegas and I went through the Inipi or purification  lodge and when it was over Robert came to me and said he was told by the spirits that I had to make a flute and play that flute and that was to be my medicine AND the music will heal me and
those that listen to the music if done in a honorable way.

Needless to say I was disappointed.  I knew nothing about Native American Flutes and the one I had I couldn't get to work. I'm and artist, not a musician, and now I have to hand craft a flute AND play it too. Back up Geronimo. You got the wrong guy for that job. 

While at that prayer lodge ceremony, I met a young Native American women that commented on the necklace I was wearing.  It was a feather and a leaf design I hand crafted and strung on black leather adjustable style choker. All the bead work was silver and hand made Venetian glass beads. She liked the basic design but she wanted special beads and she said she had a  Crazy Crow Catalog she would show me so the beads can be ordered.  I told her bring the catalog over to my studio and I would make it for her.  She came to my studio, a 500sq ft. converted garage in my home and showed me the catalog. When I opened it, the very first page I seen was a full add for a Native American Flute Kit.

She grinned and made a commented about what I was told to do by Robert. It was a simple kit, Inexpensive. So I ordered the beads and the flute kit.

Now its weeks later and I am struggling trying to get this kit to work.  Putting it together was simple.  However, getting it to play was another thing.  So I brought it to a prayer lodge and asked the fire keeper if I could place it on the alter during all four rounds of the
prayer lodge.  He took the flute and I gave him a pouch of tobacco.

After that lodge ceremony ended I came out and immediately picked up the flute from the alter and still no music.  A friend who was also at the lodge, Dana Orr, said he knows abouts a mountain man festival near Hemet CA next week and he would take me their because he has always seen Native American flutes there.  And he knew one the flute makers. His name was Bunky.

We went and Bunky showed me exactly what I  needed to know.

The very next lodge I attended I  once again placed the flute onto the alter. This time when I came out of the last round, I picked up the flute and went around to the back of the lodge and leaned against the back door. I was looking up at a very beautiful starry night. Then, without any plan, I simply started playing what I was feeling that moment.  When I finished I opened my eyes and everyone was standing there in disbelief.  I played for about 20 minutes they said and it was beautiful. 

It progressed rapidly and I ended up making many flutes even some out of pvc pipe used for lawn sprinkler systems. I brought those to another lodge in Hemet and gave them to the children that were brought to that lodge from shelters for abused kids.  They loved them. And they sounded just a good as the Cedar flutes.

One night after another lodge I was asked to play that song again and I said that would be impossible.  I simply play what I feel that moment most of the time it starts of lousy but if I keep playing it gets better and I feel better.  Now that's good medicine.  It was suggested that I pick up a recorder of some kind and start recording them so I can play them again. However, most of the music on my CD was recorded on the fly; (except for Amazing Grace and John Lennon's Give Peace a Chance)

Actually IN THE MOMENT would be a better description.  Hence the title - FROM HERE TO NOW.  The flute had the power bring me into the now where all creation is happening, right here right now and I get to experience that power of creation in that moment and I learn that it is the only place where I can OBSERVE with growing accuracy all the infinite teachings that are right in front of me. Anyway, as one of my favorite actors would say in one of his movies (Forrest Gump), "that's all I have to say about that"

Walk in beauty

John A Wood, Artist
Las Vegas, NV.

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