THE REFUGEES

DEBORAH HOLLAND CIDNY BULLENS WENDY WALDMAN

Welcome

20 March 2026

Happy Spring!

They are having a heat wave in Los Angeles where Wendy and Deborah are at the moment. Here in Maine, where I am, it's in the 30's and 40's and not looking much warmer for the foreseeable future. But hey, it's still coming on Spring.

The Refugees parted ways just 13 days ago after our spectacularly fun gig at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville with John Cowan and Andrea Zonn's band, the Herculeons. Before that we spent the entire months of January and February in LA playing music every single day (with the exception of a couple of Sundays off for my football games) either rehearsing, writing, recording or performing our SoCal gigs--which were SO much fun! There was barely any time to rest--we were and are on a mission. Knowing that time is fleeting and here we are, all in our 70's now, upright, alert, and still creative, we have made a commitment to each other to press ahead with purpose. The Refugees have been together 19 years now. Yes, with breaks and gaps, but never without a love and passion for what we do together.

The world as we know it is changing rapidly (and not for the better mostly) but the arts and people's creativity in all areas will play a huge part in whether or not we survive this time. Not to mention keeping us sane in the midst of insanity. So here we are, the three of us, wishing to do and be together for as long as we can--making music, bringing a bit of joy and laughter, filling up a bit of space that might otherwise remain empty.

It is a privilege that we can't ignore. Too many of our fellows, friends, and co-horts are gone, and leaving the planet now every day. As Wendy would say, “We are still here!”

And so we practiced and rehearsed till our fingers and wrists hurt, till are voices got hoarse but then stronger, till we fell into bed each night exhausted. (Except Deb who went out every chance she could get to see other musicians. She is, after all, four years younger.)

Speaking of Deborah, her newest album I Made It This Far sped up the FAI Folk Music chart, making into the Top Ten and has been acclaimed by a number of music sites and critics, including as a finalist in the Indie Acoustic Project's Best Album of 2025.. It is her best effort to date, we think, and that's saying something. Check it out: https://deborahholland.com

Wendy is working on the last bits of her long time coming newest album, Caretakers, scheduled for release in April. Yes, April 2026! Like Deborah, we think it is her best yet, and destined to become a favorite with her fans. https://www.wendywaldmanmusic.com

Me? I am in the midst of reviving my one-person show Somewhere Between: Not An Ordinary Life. With a bit of a rewrite and some new multimedia material, I am scheduling performances for the fall of 2026 in Los Angeles and Maine to start. Stay tuned. https://cidnybullens.com

Back to The Refugees. Check out our upcoming performances (so far) for November 2026 in the Northeast and in California in January, February, and March 2027. I will be posting them soon on our SHOWS page.

Please take good care of yourselves. And please keep an eye on your friends, neighbors, and loved ones. It is a must-do for us in these times.

With much love and gratitude,

Cid, Wendy and Deb XOX

17 December 2025

Happy Holidays everyone!

It doesn't feel “happy” right now with what is going on in the world and the multiple tragedies of the recent days. I know most of us feel like the darkness of winter has descended on more than just the daylight hours.

The Refugees are back in action. We had a wonderful little mini-tour in New Jersey and New York in November, playing a cool small venue, Chromatic Studios, in Kingston, NY, a fantastic house concert run our incredible hosts, Deb and Chris, in Riverton. NJ, and a sold out show at the venerable Bitter End in New York City. We mixed up our show a little, sitting “in the round” Nashville style, with each of us performing a couple of solo songs from our own albums (Deb and Wendy have brand new songs). We added a keyboard to our current plethora of instruments, and of course, we play some Refugees favorites. The audiences seemed to like this new show, and we do too.

After Christmas, Cid will be heading out to Los Angeles (yes, driving cross-country again) to stay with Wendy for all of January and February at what Cid calls “Wendy Waldman's Home for Wayward Musicians” . Deborah has already made her way down to LA from British Columbia for the winter. We have a bunch of SoCal gigs in those two months (which will be listed at the end of this blog) and we will also be writing new songs, finishing ones started in September, and recording.

The Refugees have decided that at our ages now, and with all things considered, the best thing we can do in our lives is be there for our families qnd friends in whatever ways we can, and continue to create. People we know are leaving the earth in too many numbers. We are still here for at least this moment. As Wendy reminds us frequently--we must go on because there are those we know who can't. Art and creativity is one way forward that always makes a difference, big or small.

So here we are and here we will go.

We hope to see some of you along the road.

WIshing you all peace, love, and light.

Much love and gratitude,

Cid, Deborah, and Wendy

ALL DETAILS ARE ON OUR WEBSITE SHOWS PAGE

SAT JAN 17, 2026 6PM

SETH & TONY’S HOUSE CONCERT

LOS ANGELES, CA 90042 (Highland Park)

https://www.sethandtonyshouseconcerts.com/rsvp

Drinks & Dinner. Must make RESERVATIONS!

$30-40 Suggested donation