My Influences

June 11, 2011 - Hal Smith

2011-06-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

My Influences

Hal Smith
Drums, history, and pure awesome

I have a friend,
His name is Hal.
He's one serious hell of a pal.

As a musicianer, I feel it's important to quickly find some connection, a common language, that can be used to deliver music and its spirit to others. Ensemble!
Sometimes it takes a little while to get to know another musicianer; shyness, external situations, etc. might slow the process. Sometimes it never happens.
Hal Smith would be one of the very best illustrations of a musicianer effortlessly falling into spirit and step with his peers. I've seen him lock-in to many different bands, each having its own sound and feel; each airtight and seamless, no doubt due to the effortless mastery of a certain impeccable drummer and his glad willingness to produce heartfelt music.

The first music I shared with Hal felt as if he and I had been playing together since we were in grade school together. Since he and I did not both attend Audubon Elementary School, the experience must depict Hal's innate ability to find some connection, a common language, that can be used to deliver music and its spirit to others.
Hal is a true ensemble player!

Off the stage, Hal has been a highly supportive friend and guide. He's quick with a joke or a clever diversion to avoid negativity.
His friendship, the same as his musicianship, is airtight and seamless. Again, ensemble!

A great many thanks, Hal! Your inspiration, friendship, musicianing, and newspaper wielding are nothing short of the very best anyone could desire. I look forward to much more of it!

Check out Hal Smith in cyberspace:

http://www.halsmithmusic.com/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Let us become inspired by inherent beauty, and not impassioned by manufactured hate."
~ Nima Shirali

May 7, 2010 - Tony Campise

2010-03-07T17:56:00.000-08:00

My Influences

Tony Campise
Musicianer, genuine human

Tony Campise was a regular portion of my experience at The Elephant Room since I had moved to Austin.
I first regarding him as the jovial fellow who cracks wise with the band and spreads a general good humour about the place. I didn't know until later that he was such an accomplished musicianer boasting a polished resume.

It was at Gino's Italian Grille where I really started to hang out with the man. I played there every other Thursday with Erik Hokkanen and it seemed that every other Thursday, Tony was coming to spend the final hours of his day at Gino's. Upon entry, he would make the rounds to say hello to just about everyone in the place (I think he somehow knew everybody in Austin) and, of course, come to the stage to joke with us. Erik would invite him to play with us and, after a few minutes of enjoying the music and the company, merry-making and rabble-rousing Tony would grab an instrument and swagger up to the stage.
The music he played with us was always great. Afterwards, as the restaurant closed and folks went home, Tony would sit and share stories with all of us. He would also take some time out to support and encourage our musicianship in the warmest way.
Those hangs started turning up at The Elephant Room for Pharaohs gigs. I'm so very thankful for so many good musical memories and quality support from such a genuine man.

A few weeks after suffering the house fire, I recall playing a Pharaohs gigs at The Elephant Room. I had played the gig and was heading home. Tony was playing there for the later show. We ran into each other upstairs at the door. He very kindly held it open for me as I muscled my instrument through the opening.
I'm not sure exactly how he knew something bigger had happened to me but he asked me if something was amiss. I told him that the house had burned a bit but everything was coming together despite the misfortune.
Tony seemed to turn off the usual light-hearted wise guy at the moment he heard about the fire. He asked me to make sure that I had his telephone number and told me that I was to call him at any time, day or night, if I needed someone to help me get through the emotional waves that I might be experiencing. He shared some kind feelings about the situation and some good advice. Then, we went our separate ways. For a few weeks after that, whenever he bumped into me, he would check to make sure I was doing well.
I may have been in a good place but it was such a good feeling to know that there was somebody who wanted to check in on me just because he thought I might need it.
Mr. Campise!

So, it's that good spirit that I'll carry with me when I remember this good man. It goes without saying that I'll remember his great music, light heart, and his wit.

Thank you for everything you've given all of us, Tony!

http://www.heartmusic.com/tony/bio.html

Austin Bass Community

2009-10-06T05:55:00.000-07:00

My Influences

Austin Bassist Community
Great Musicianers, Awesome Humans

Ten years ago, I moved to Austin with just a few things on my mind: Is it possible pay the bills as a professional musicianer? I need to grow as a musician and as a bassist. There are, at least, four bassists in the Austin area that have a solid idea about how to slap the instrument as compared to one bassist in the Philadelphia area who has a novice understanding of the art. To be sure, I can get a few lessons from these four bassists before Austin kicks me out!

Things looked pretty optimistic.

Mark Rubin, Adam Booker, and Billy Horton welcomed me to town rather soon after I got here. It took about a year before I met with Kevin Smith. http://ryan-gould.blogspot.com/2008/11/nov-17-2008-kevin-smith.html

In each case, these guys were very kind to me. Each of them encouraged me to keep playing and listening (the best advice any musicianer can share). Each of them had gigs around town that I took in as much as possible. (translated: lessons paid in whatever tip money I could afford) Mark and Kevin passed me recordings of other great bassists from other times or places. Adam and Billy shared with me tips for newer bassists.
There was a general openness that seemed to indicate that I was accepted as part of the larger group. I felt welcomed and inspired to achieve more and become a better musicianer, bassist, and person.
Those first months turned in to a year and then some. I continued to meet more bassists like Rob Jewett, Thomas Durnin, and Bob Alexius. The one characteristic that I found most common in the bassists I met who were living and working in Austin, Texas was kindness. It was a kindness that invariably gave way to so many other strong and laudable personal traits. It was also a kindness that marked strong professionalism and a strong desire to foster good community.

The realization of this community seemed to spark a conversation between Kevin and me. We found ourselves hosting bass gatherings in my living room with Beau Sample (living in San Antonio at the time but later moved to Austin). For a while, every month or so, the three of us would hang out with as many bassists who decided to join us for a day of bass camaraderie. Brad Fordham, Lindsey Green, John Stansell, B.B. Morse, Chris Porth, Matt Weiner, Mike Poppit, and others would join us to share videos and recordings of other great bassists, discuss ideas on bettering technique, or to play through some tunes. These hangs were truly some of the most exciting times for me; a bunch of bassists sharing ideas and techniques in an unguarded, selfless, and nurturing way. We had grown into a definite community.

A few years have passed without any major bass parties but a few of us have still managed some smaller hangs. Josh Hoag, Huck Johnson, Kris Wade, Chris Rhoades, and Nate Rowe have all spent time hanging with me looking at bass music and techniques. I find myself in discussions about the bass with great players like Glenn Shuetz, Johnny Vogelsang, Terry Hale, and Jessica Gilliam-Valls; all of whom I would consider supportive friends, not just professional peers. P. Kellach Waddle is a close friend who is constantly at my side pushing me to do my best as a bassist and a person.

In ten years I've watched the bassist population jump through the roof. To be honest, I feared that increase would risk the heart of the community. It hasn't, though! As in the past, most of the bassists I meet are excited to spend time with each other honing our craft and sharing our art with each other.

I arrived in Austin, hopeful for just a few bass lessons from some solid bassists. I got way more than expected! We are a beautiful extended family, supporting and nurturing each other, and maintaining and cultivating our rich Austin Bassist Community.

This is what it is all about, folks!

Thank you Austin Bassists. I love you!

June 25, 2011 - P. Kellach Waddle

2009-08-29T08:32:00.000-07:00

My Influences

P. Kellach Waddle

bassist, composer, friend, resonator

I count myself among the luckiest folks. I get to do what I love for a living; bringing joy and light to anyone open to it through art. Through this career, as I've noted so many times in these scribbles, I've met so many great musicianers and beautiful humans.

A few years ago, my string bass gods made me aware of an incredibly talented and educated musicianer. A short time later, we had shared many discussions regarding our instrument and our career path. Then, finally, I had the opportunity to catch one of his concerts.
Wow!
If there was any doubt before (and there wasn't), P. Kellach Waddle had permanently etched in my brain a phenomenal example of how to approach and use the string bass to share incredible music and to convey emotion.
Wow!
Since then, I've had the pleasure of hearing Kel play again and again. If I can help it, I don't miss the chance. There is a lot to be learned from this master of the instrument! There is so much to hear and feel in his playing!

I should note that soon after that concert, Kel and I began spending a lot of time hanging out. We were fast friends. In fact, I think of it as fast brothers. Was it the instrument? Was it a common approach to music and life? Was it so many morning visits to Barton Springs before yoga?
Whatever it was, I found it to be deeply resonant. I share a kinship with this brother (composer, bassist, friend ...) that has strongly rooted itself in my core.
What kind of lucky am I to have such wealth in my life!?

Thank you for being such a great friend and brother, Kel!
Thanks for the great example of expert musicianship!

http://www.under.org/cpcc/pkwaddle.htm

http://pkw.wyattbrand.com/

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A467000

June 8, 2009 - Trees

2009-06-10T13:25:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Trees
shelter, oxygen, wood, paper, instruments, etc.

As a wee kiddo, I spent a lot of time climbing the pine trees at the playground in my apartment complex.
With friends, the trees were a wonderful place to adventure, hide, and plot exciting new plans.
Cradled by the familiar and comfy branches at the tops of the trees was a great way to sit alone, contemplating all the mysteries life had offered me at that time.
No matter the human company, the trees stood watch over the playground and offered a sturdy support for fun, companionship, imagination, and a much needed connection to the Earth. (The trees also offered a great deal of pine cones -ripe and otherwise- to be used as ammo in pine-cone fights; one of our favorite pastimes ... ouch!)

I'm not sure where all the time has gone between now and then? I am sure that trees have since remained a kind of quiet fascination; I have also grown quite a reverence for these stately beings.
Lately, if you are taking in The Jazz Babies show at The Tree House Italian Grill, you'll find me during the break in the garden, under the 700(+) years old Live Oak, staring, getting lost, being comforted, and basking in the majesty of such an amazing life. I'm knocked out by this beautiful tree's size. It amazes me that most of its branches could jump off the trunk and replant themselves in the ground as notable trees. I try to imagine what was going on 700 years ago when the tree was just a sapling. What was going on in the 1300s in central Texas? How much has this regal ambassador of time seen?
If you dine at the Tree House, please treat yourself to a moment under this tree; you'll be very glad you did.

There's a magic in trees for me. I'm not in search of words to describe it; I am really quite happy just to feel it.
However, a good man once wrote something that hints at this magic.

Trees
A. Joyce Kilmer (1886 - 1918)

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.
..................

Paul Robeson recorded this poem set to music.
Again, you'll thank yourself for listening to it:
http://www.last.fm/music/Paul+Robeson/_/Trees

So you know, the photo at the top and this photo just above were taken at Stacy Park in Austin. Lauryn and I had one of our first dates (and many since) under the huge live oak (at the top). That live oak found its way on to our wedding invitations as a stamp that Lauryn carved and I stare a likeness of the tree for a few moments every day on my wedding ring. Lauryn and I designed each other's wedding rings with that tree in mind.

Some links:

Oldest trees:
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMQDF
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldest_tree
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080414-oldest-tree.html

"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us."
~Marcel Proust

April 27 - June 1, 2009 - Health

2009-06-10T12:38:00.000-07:00

Because they are all directly related, I'm posting these five bits as one.

June 1, 2009

Health
social fitness

My best description of social fitness is this: How well one interacts with his family, friends, neighbors, peers, townsfolk, countrymen, etc.
From my perspective, it seems very important to achieve some notable level of social fitness as we are a social animal and depend on each other for so much.

In my daily activities, I endeavor to be a good example by holding doors for those behind me, by signaling my intent while driving, by saying "please" and "thank you" when making requests (i.e. placing an order with the wait staff at any restaurant or bar), by NOT playing music so loud from my car or from my home that the neighbors can hear it, by taking my shopping cart back to the corral, by smiling a lot, by listening to and not interrupting the person speaking in a conversation, etc. Really, I just try to use good etiquette. It seems like a good way to practice and grow socially fit.

Be a good person and teach others to do the same by good example.
It's not a lot, but I think it sums it well.

Let's hear it for being social.
Hooray, no man is an island!

Some links:

Social Fitness:
http://www.answers.com/topic/social-health
www.emilypost.com

May 17, 2009

Health
spiritual fitness

It's probably important to clarify immediately that I am using the term spirit to reflect one's internal driving force, his deeply personal intent and energy, his will and attitude.
Spiritual is then defined: of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit.
I am NOT referring to religion as that is a social institution and would fall under social health.

This is probably the toughest talking point for fitness. It's very personal so everyone has his own concept and methods to achieve spiritual fitness.
I'll try to dilute the general idea through my own experience.

I mentioned in my ramble on physical fitness that "most of my depression and anger have subsided because of my dedication to a very regular and disciplined exercise schedule. My body is healthy, as is my mind." I was referring to a heavily loaded adolescence, filled with teen-aged angst, depression, and all-around dismal spirit brought on most likely by a lack of good sleep and the overwhelming realization that there is so much corruption in the world. Those times felt heavy and the memories are painted with the darker colors, if any. I spent a lot of time focusing on how much corruption and hypocrisy surrounded me and all the evil that we do to each other in the name of government, religion, and multi-national corporations (a trinity we can easily call power and greed). The friends with me at that time felt the same way ("birds of a feather ...")
I spent a lot of spiritual energy (unknowingly) on exploring the darker bits and pieces of what we could call my soul, as well as what we could call mankind's soul. The more I focused on the bad, the more bad I could see. The more bad I saw, the heavier my burden grew. As my burden grew heavier, each little thing, including the bad that attracted my focus, grew more intimidating and overwhelming, which made me focus more on the bad ...

Luckily, my old pal, Joe convinced me to start working out with him! The physical workout alone was enough to take some of the edge away from the all that darkness. And, even though Joe was, himself, a friend who did see all the corruption and hypocrisy, he had actually had enough sense to smile as often as possible and take in what little good he could find around him.
Oddly enough, the more time we spent working on our physical fitness, the more laughter we shared; our spirits were growing lighter as well as our bodies.

Fast-forwarding to my Austin years through the USMC years and those few years back in PA, through a steady growth period of finding the more colorful experiences and some lighter approaches, I find myself sitting at a keyboard, punching in funny little symbols that convey to a short list of good people the sum of my experience and a chronicle of the growth of my spirit. It's been a boon to my spiritual fitness to share these things.
In the time that has passed, I've been fortunate enough to meet some of the nicest people on the planet, whose good natures nurtured my somewhat bruised spirit to the point of a well-calloused but, hopefully, open-minded, helpful, and battle-ready entity. These good folks have shared laughter and tears with me, showing me that there is a chance that there is actually good in us all and, perhaps, that chance is worth the good fight.
I also found a great connection and an ability to speak through music. Music not only presented me with a voice, it presented me with an opportunity to change, in some small way, the lives of those who listen and feel what I present to them through my instrument.
Music also taught me to be grateful. Through the many compliments and thanks from individual listeners and audiences, I've learned to see the beauty in the experience. I'm completely knocked out when I learn that someone has enjoyed what I do at any level, let alone at a place where I may have helped improved or encouraged their spirit that day.

Through music and good people (and the lush and pleasing environment in Austin), I've learned to exercise my spirit. I've learned to focus on the good. The more I focus on the good, the more good I see. The more good I see, the lighter my burden grows. As my burden grows lighter, each little thing, including the good that attracted my focus, grows more beneficial and encouraging, which makes me focus more on the good ...
A long time ago, Mom and Dad, and my beautiful Grandparents taught me that I should do good all the time - not because there is a promise of a reward now or later but because good is just the right thing to do.
That's some of the best advice anyone has ever offered me and, in its practice, I have a daily exercise for my spiritual fitness: Do good things! Say thanks and mean it!

I'm not sure if that sums up spiritual fitness entirely. It's a deep subject. Hopefully, it alludes to something close to it and perhaps, a decent method to exercise this aspect of health.

Thank you, good folks! Enjoy the week.

May 10, 2009

Health
mental fitness

Let's define mental fitness as the measure of one's capacity for attentiveness, comprehension, and interpretation.

Again, it seems fairly apparent: what should I write?
Use your brain. Use it constructively, creatively, consciously, and very frequently!

Like all these categories of fitness, mental health has had a great influence on my life.
I was raised with the old fashioned virtue, "children are to be seen, not heard." Being quiet was a rule. So, my imagination became very important to me. I could quietly go on adventures based on my surroundings or my fantastic dreams. Or, I could sit and study how the grown-ups behaved; I could judge which of these behaviors achieved the most success and how moral these actions seemed in comparison with what I had been taught or what I had gleaned from sitting quietly, studying.
As a result, I have spent the majority of my life as a quiet observer. It's yielded great treasures. I find that when one closes the mouth and opens the eyes, ears, brain, and heart, he tends to slow time and prepare the mind for learning.
This, alone, has helped me attain and maintain decent mental fitness.

I find a number of other methods extremely helpful in keeping my senses in good shape.

Reading
Who doesn't like taking the time out to read a great book?!
I love to read. In fact, there are tons of books out there devoted to achieving mental fitness! How's that for convenience!

Listening
Obviously, I do quite a lot of this exercise; I'm a musicianer. If I'm not listening, I'm not growing nor am I playing music.
I like to listen to other musicianers playing music; I like to listen to the sounds nature produces; I like to listen to the inflections and accents in the voices of others; I like to listen to the sounds machines make.
I listen to lectures on the radio and the internet; I listen to recordings of other musicianers. I listen to the thoughts and ideas of those who share conversation and debate with me.

Writing
Here's one we all know; you get to watch me stumble and grimace through this exercise regularly!
The idea of writing down my experiences formally presented itself when Master Alex suffered a great personal tragedy. http://ryan-gould.blogspot.com/2008/06/aug-18-2007-alex.html At some point in his future, I thought he might benefit (or, at least, enjoy some entertainment) from one or two of my tales. I had also realized how much I wished that my Grandparents and Great-grandparents had done the same for me.
No matter how messy I felt the scribbly-drivel that came (comes) from my keyboard was, I intended to make some note of my own trials and tribulations for this amazing kiddo. As you can see, and I'm happy to say, it has become a weekly habit. Not only has it become this regular, it has become a weekly practice in finding something positive in my life, focusing on it for a short time, and taking stock of it.
Of course, there is a whole bunch of intellectual benefit we could list here, too. (Not this week, though.)

Change things up
Just because you can do something well one way doesn't mean you shouldn't try to do it well many other ways. There's a great danger in accepting only one way (Way).

Yoga
Really, all physical exercise falls under the mental fitness section. There isn't one aspect regarding this health discussion that can't be placed in another or isn't dependent on the others.
However, I'd like to discuss yoga under mental health (and, I said I'd do it last week).
Yoga has been a boon to my overall health.
Physically, I'm stretch-ier. Yoga provides me with a daily reminder to rely on my core muscles more often than not. (Not an easy feat in our Western world of seat backs and recliners and lazy amenities.)
Socially, I have gathered together with an odd collection of folks five days a week for over two years to practice. Some of these folks are radically different than I am and it takes patience, tolerance, and acceptance to maintain civility with some of these folks. It's good practice to move as one unit and to be at peace with the differences of others!
Mentally, in an Ashtanga practice, one needs to be focused on his breath. This blocks out much of the outside stimuli and teaches an ability to control physical and mental stress levels. An hour to an hour and half worth of this exercise bears rather strong mental fitness fruit. Deep focus on any one thing for that amount of time can and will enhance just about anything.

So, there are some of the exercises I've used to attain and maintain my mental fitness. There are plenty more but I think the point is up there somewhere.
Hooray mental fitness!

Some links:

Mental Fitness:
http://www.shapeupamerica.com/2009/03/10/13-mental-fitness-exercises-to-keep-you-sharp/
http://www.cmha.ca/BINS/content_page.asp?cid=2-267-353
http://www.thementalfitnesscenter.com/

May 4, 2009

Health
physical fitness

This aspect of health seems to receive the most focus in our society. It is, of course, a very important part of health, but we should endeavor to balance each aspect with the others.
For this segment, let's define physical fitness as the physical health and maintenance of the body.

As I dig in, the topic presents itself as painfully obvious; what needs to be said?
Go get some exercise!?
Sitting around is not healthy!?
My guess is that neither of those two sentences makes for very interesting reading.

So, let's touch briefly on the lack of physical fitness. Mental illness (depression, violent tendencies, listlessness, etc.,) lethargy, obesity are a few general terms we know to be related to lack of regular exercise. I dare say that each of these illnesses is a far greater threat (epidemics) than the present "concern" over swine flu. Would it be easier to cure swine flu or obesity? I'm not so sure about that one.

What I do know for sure is that physical fitness is very near and dear to me as it enhances all the good in my life. It also diminishes the bad.
I spent a good deal of time being fairly miserable in my high school years. I wasn't the laziest kid on the block but I was certainly not interested in trying out for the football or basketball teams. I was fairly depressed and miserable all the time. I had a rather bleak outlook on the world and my own personal situation.

In the summer of my junior year, a good friend of mine convinced me to join him for three days a week of lifting weights. We added a short mile and a half run two days a week, also. He also had a pool that cooled us after the workouts.
After almost a year of dedicated time on Joe's bench, I started developing a chest and shoulders. I also started feeling less and less likely to complain about what I saw as the misery in my life. I started laughing much more and enjoying the company of friends rather than commiserating with other gloomy and irate youths. I even started feeling better about myself.
Exercise found its way into my life, settling at the top of my list of important things to do every day.

Enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps magnified that inclination just a bit - you may have assumed this much! Boot camp found me waking up at 0500 hours to stuff a mountain pile of government slop into my pie-hole, then burn off most of that fuel with morning's training schedule (running, marching, Marine Corps push-ups, sit-ups, side straddle hops, mountain climbers, running, marching, cleaning, running, etc.) Lunchtime featured a similar meal and was followed by a similar schedule. Dinner was like dessert; luckily, there weren't too many instances of constant physical exercise after that meal. We just sat around studying, polishing things, and guarding things.
Combat training, school, and the fleet were no different, really: wake up, exercise, eat, stay rather active all day, sleep; repeat.
I think the point is in there somewhere. I did a lot of physical conditioning in those years. Because of that exercise and conditioning, my mind and body are still convinced that daily exercise is not just an option; it's mandatory. And, my mind and body thank me regularly for all this effort.

After a few years of being in Austin, a friend of mine pointed out the free pool down the street and told me to start using it. Thanks to that good advice, I've been swimming on a regular basis for the last six years. Swimming has really sunk in as my favorite way to stay in shape. I highly recommend it to everyone! There's no impact (although, if your technique is really nasty, you'll develop some injury - just like any exercise) and, if you're doing it properly, you're working all the major muscle groups in your body. What's more? You're getting outside and soaking up some sun (vitamin D) and not sitting in front of one of these computers or the boob tube. If that isn't enough, you're practicing breath control and removing a lot of outside stimuli; you’re forced to focus on a few specific things: like it or not, you're meditating.

Yoga also popped into my life a few years ago on the advice of a friend. Beau argued that yoga was the best thing to do to stay in shape while touring. I couldn't deny that; there aren't always pools in every hotel, there aren't always weight rooms, you could probably run in every town but you might get lost or find yourself in the wrong side of the tracks. Yoga can be done in any old motel room or living room floor or any place! I don't think I've been on tour since his advice but I'm surely glad for it.
I won't touch on yoga any more than this today as I plan to use it as an example in one of the following two weeks' health rambles.

My high school life seems so far away from me now. Most of my depression and anger have subsided because of my dedication to a very regular and disciplined exercise schedule. My body is healthy as is my mind. I've even managed to encourage and help a few others to do the same.

So, eat right and exercise every day.Hooray physical fitness!

Some links:

Physical Fitness:
www.fitness.gov
www.physicalfitness.org
www.usms.org/fitness
www.acefitness.org
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200013

April 27, 2009

Health
nutrition

In light of last week's stay in San Antonio, discussing good eating habits seems to be rather appropriate.

The first few years of my residence in Austin, Texas found me eating one meal a day: spaghetti with pasta sauce. It was not the wisest way to eat but it certainly was cheap. Eventually, I started playing more gigs and plugged in an extra meal around lunch: hot pockets. Again, not very intelligent or responsible eating but it was affordable. I really started looking forward to restaurant gigs that offered a free meal as part of the pay.
I managed to survive on this diet for a number of years. My dear friend and acupuncturist tried her very best to convince me to eat a healthy diet but ignorance and inexperience in the kitchen as well as what I saw as financial constraints, kept me from following doctor's orders.
Eventually (and, thankfully), I met Lauryn. The two of us decided that our diet was not really all that attractive. We tried to fix it on our own. Rice, beans, and veggies started happening on a regular basis. The hot pockets were no longer allowed in the house. On the weekends, Lauryn would get excited about some appealing recipe she'd find on http://www.cooks.com/. We'd hit the grocery store, buy fresh ingredients, cook, then enjoy the meal.
As we progressed in our diet reconstruction, a wonderful friend of ours informed us that she was offering her services as a nutritional consultant (www.naturesspecialty-pcs.com). That meeting with Rachel was a great turning point for my nutritional life.
Rachel turned us on to a few books and websites to research, as well as her own experience and information to guide us on our path to nutritional enlightenment.
Soon after the meeting, I had given up eating wheat (as well as many other things), replacing it with more intelligent, healthy choices; I started feeling much better!
It's been over two years of eating responsibly, educating myself about food, the science one can put in his body, and how all these things affect the mind and body. I no longer buy packaged food from the grocery store without thoroughly reading the ingredients on the label and understanding just what those ingredients do when they enter and digest in my body. I carefully choose the dishes I order from restaurants. I feel better and make wiser decisions!

Night In Old San Antonio - NIOSA - "is a four-night event that celebrates San Antonio's diverse cultural heritage with fifteen ethnic areas that serve fabulous foods in over 250 food booths and provides entertainment to over 85,000 revelers." - from http://www.niosa.org/.
Giant Three has played the Main St. Stage for the last three years. So, I feel comfortable discussing the food found in the "Main St., U.S.A." cultural area of this event. I've watched thousands of people purchasing and consuming (and/or feeding to their children!) hot dogs, fried chicken, fried cheesecake, fried green tomatoes, Fat bread, brisket biscuits, and a few other nasty poisons. It's really no wonder why San Antonio is ranked third on a list of America's fattest cities.
It makes me sad.
One third of the adult population in America is considered obese! It shouldn't be surprising; we rely on government organizations (FDA, USDA) to monitor what we put in our body instead of taking on the simple responsibility ourselves. These government organizations are lobbied by some serious corporate interests that stand to make vast profits on selling their food science to ignorant Americans. While this food science has made a lot of foodstuffs very cheap and plentiful, it hasn't bothered to consider the health implications on the population it claims to serve.
Look around, friends! High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, all kinds of behavioral illnesses are popping up in the youth of today who are feeding on science rather than natural foods.
We fuel our bodies with food. It is so vitally important that we know exactly what our bodies need and exactly what happens to anything that we choose to put in our bodies. As a society, we have decided that some drugs are bad enough to warrant very strict laws. Drugs like heroin, marijuana, alcohol, nicotine, and cocaine are the science derived from naturally occurring plants - much like high fructose corn syrup is the science derived from naturally occurring plants. Most folks don't abuse legal or illegal drugs everyday or even every week; but we all usually eat two, three, four times a day. We are constantly putting stuff in our bodies!!!
We need to be thinking about it a whole lot more.

As for me, I know that changing my diet has made huge difference in my health and well-being. I am so thankful for time-tested, delicious, natural foods! My body is the only one I'll ever have and I intend to treat with a great deal of respect by feeding, exercising, resting, and socializing it in the best ways I can.
Hooray nutrition!

Some links:
www.whfoods.org
www.nutritiondata.com
www.naturesspecialty-pcs.com

"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us."
~Marcel Proust

April 20, 2009 - Uilleann Pipes

2009-06-10T11:58:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Na Piobairi Uilleann - Uilleann Pipes
bellows blown bagpipes of Ireland

It seems like this topic has already been covered but a quick perusal of the blog says otherwise?
So, where do we start?

The Scottish Great Highland Pipes (The Great Pipes) are probably the most famous and familiar of bagpipes but are not the only flavor of this family of instruments. In fact, there are a great many varieties of bagpipes related to many different cultures across the globe.
Check out Sean Folsom's great page on the different bagpipes of the world: http://www.hotpipes.com/main.html or the Wikipedia installment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_bagpipes

The Uilleann pipes (a.k.a.: Irish Organ, Union pipes, Irish pipes, elbow pipes) are one of a few varities of bagpipes claiming Irish heritage. Like all bagpipes, this instrument's tone is produced by air (from a large resevoir - a bag) being pushed across a reed. In this particular instrument, the air is pumped into the bag by way of a bellows located between the musicianer's elbow and hip.
Like many other bagpipes (not all), the uilleann pipes features a set of drones. Unlike many other bagpipes, the uilleann pipes features a second set of drones that are closed off and keyed. These are called the regulators and are used as chordal accompaniment on top of the drones. The drones and the regulators are bundled together in a drone-stock. Normally, one must be seated to play this instrument; the drone-stock rests on the lap of the musicianer.

Tonally, the uilleann pipes is typically less harsh than that of the Highland pipes; the volume is also typically less. The instrument also has a greater range of two and a half octaves.
bla, bla, bla, bla, bla ...

This is all much too technical. My apologies.
It's a great instrument and very different from the Great Highland (Scottish) bagpipes!

I have mentioned my adventures with the uilleann pipes in previous scribbles (http://ryan-gould.blogspot.com/2008/12/dec-15-2008-roy-rogers.html).
It's a bit difficult to say when or how I really got bitten by the bug. I think it was just a combination of excitement for a new, though, somehow, very familiar music and an ever-present urge to challenge myself with nearly impossible goals. The uilleann pipes made such a mysterious and charming sound! The players I had been enjoying seemed to offer such sweet tones and musical ideas ... I just couldn't help myself!

As you may know, I found an instrument eventually and started my study.
What a great treasure! This instrument not only provided me with hours, weeks, months, and years of study, musical growth, and entertainment, it shared with me a great friend and mentor (my teacher, Roy Rogers).

I don't play my pipes near as much as in my past but, from time to time, the scary instrument comes out of the closet and I grimace and groan as I pump the bellows and squeeze the bag until something close to music happens.
I still love it!

Hooray uilleann pipes! Thanks for all the frustration and joy!

Some links:
http://www.pipers.ie/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uilleann_pipes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_bagpipes#Ireland

"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us."
~Marcel Proust

March 29, 2009 - Boom-ba

2009-03-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Boom-ba

Percussion Instrument of Pennsylvania Dutch Tradition

There are two questions typically associated with this beautiful invention.

What?

Dear friends, this is a musical instrument that is most often credited to the Pennsylvania Dutch. Really, it's any body's guess its true origin. If one does a brief search on the subject, a number of different histories can be found depending on the name used.

It appears that the boom-ba goes by a few names with respect to cultural background: pogo cello, polka cello, stump(f) fiddle, devil's (teufel) stick, lagerphone, Turkish Jingle, Chinese pavilion, etc.

No matter what you call it (boom-ba is my personal choice), it is a fantastic and joyful noise-maker! Essentially, it's a pole of some kind with any number of different percussion instruments attached. It is typically held in one hand and bounced on the floor while being struck by the other hand in some manner (drum stick, hand, magic).

Why?

This isn't really a question with an answer! My best guess: one day, some poor soul didn't have an instrument handy so he fashioned himself this device using whatever random bits happened to be in his presence. Genius!

I grew up in an area and family with ties to the Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. One of my first memories of excitement over a musical instrument was my step-grandfather's boom-ba. I don't remember him playing the thing a whole lot but when he did, it was truly wonderful!

I was permitted to try it under strict supervision; such an instrument could truly corrupt a young, impressionable mind (or, even, an aged, incautious mind).
From time to time, at family reunions, five or six of the senior members would bust out their boom-bas and have themselves quite a time (no musical accompaniment, just boom-bas).

-Definitely, a time when the question WHY? is most appropriate!

In recent years, Lauryn and I decided that we should construct our very own family boom-ba.
We did.

Lauryn premiered this great new addition at the last Big Jug Band performance! What a time we had!

I would like to recommend that everyone build his own boom-ba. It's a rather cathartic endeavor and will surely go a long way toward achieving world peace and personal harmony.

Hooray Boom-ba!

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Some links:

http://skew.blkbx.com/four/stage/home.html

http://everything2.com/title/Boom-Ba

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pogo_cello

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Pogo-Cello

"All night long, I dreamed of pretty girls and candy. Life is great!"
~ Alexander High

Daren - March 16, 2009

2009-03-16T09:09:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Daren Appelt
Music lover, Community Activist and Benefactor

Austin, Texas is a great many things to me and to many folks living here. I was enticed to move here by its residents with descriptions of many different musical genres and talented musicianers. None of these residents, however, had ever explained to me the many other treasures that an interested party could discover as part of this community.
I have stumbled on so many jewels in the last decade and each of these has anchored my heart to this town just a bit more.

One of these jewels is a gracious and kind man named Daren Appelt. Daren is most certainly a fan of music! Very regularly, I noticed his face in the crowd at a few different shows each week. When he and I finally introduced ourselves, he very graciously thanked me for my music and complimented my musicianship. As we talked, he revealed to me a list he kept in his pocket that detailed at least three different shows he planned to attend that evening. On this same list, he had a secondary list just in case one of the other shows had been cancelled or, in some other way, became impossible to attend! Obviously, this man was out to hear some music that evening!
Daren and I spoke at many other shows following the first. I came to realize that he planned each night in this manner! Wow!

Not only is Daren excited about taking advantage of how much live music this city offers, he gives it right back!
Daren regularly and graciously opens his warm home to professional musicianers in town who are interested in playing music together. He presents this opporunity as a time when these musicianers can "play" without having to "perform" for an audience. He also gives musicianers a chance to see each other ... we're usually too busy performing to catch other bands around town!
His kindness and good spirit pervades the entire house and each separate jam that pops up. There is an openness and warmth to each; to me, it seems that in each circle that forms, there is a happy willingness to meet new people, experience and learn new music, and share some good times and community spirit.
This, friends, is one of the unique gems that makes this town so appealing to me. And, friends, this gem is a heartfelt gift from our very good man! In presenting this gift, Daren is actively organizing a community and encouraging it to grow in a healthy manner!

Thank you so very much, Daren! Your gifts to me (and to so many musicianers) are cherished and priceless.
I look forward to sharing music with you at your home and at any old venue around town.

"All night long, I dreamed of pretty girls and candy. Life is great!"
~ Alexander High

March 1, 2009 - Pam

2009-03-01T21:07:00.001-08:00

My Influences:

Pamela Brewer
yoga instruction, guidance

During a discussion about staying in shape while touring, my old pal, Beau, argued that one can't always use a gym or swim laps, and running, while a sure thing just about anywhere, is sometimes not the safest bet. However, there is always enough space in a hotel room for a yoga practice.
I had no experience with yoga but Beau promised that I could get a good start at the "free" class Ruta Maya offered. So, one morning not too long after this discussion, Beau dropped a line and I headed over to meet him at the coffee house.
I'm quite glad for that call and even happier to have found such a great guide through the world of yoga! (Thanks Beau!)

Pamela Brewer is this great guide. Of course, she leads the morning classes at Ruta Maya and has done so for the last five years. Her classes are warm and inviting. If present and involved, one could walk away having learned quite a bit from her instruction and direction.
I have; that's for sure!

Pam has certainly shared with me so much about the physical, mental and, spiritual practice of yoga. She has also presented herself as a great example of the well-rounded benefits of the application of a yoga practice to everything in life.
We've shared a number of great conversations on the more important stuff in life ... health, happiness, social responsibility, gratitude, light-heartedness, etc. (... you know, the same stuff I talk about every week). At the end of these conversations, I walk away feeling like my head's a little more together.
What's more? She offers all this freely, happily, and without judgement of any kind.

Pam, you have been and, I'm sure, will continue to be a great guide on my yoga path and in life in general. I am truly grateful!
Thank you and see you at Ruta Maya!

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"All night long, I dreamed of pretty girls and candy. Life is great!"
~ Alexander High

February 2, 2009 - The Big Jug Band

2009-02-02T13:55:00.000-08:00

My Influences:

The Big Jug Band
the biggest jug band ... ever, family, superheroic collection of awesome

I moved to Austin in late 1999 with the hopes of meeting and making some music with other musicianers. I thought there was a chance I might be able to learn much more about playing music, as well as the history of music in America and abroad; perhaps, even learn about the music business and how to earn a living from this art.
So, I thought it wise to rifle through each week's classified listings in The Chronicle looking for others following any similar paths. It didn't take long before something popped up.
... Something odd.

"Bass: (Wash-tub) - [looking for others interested in old-timey and jug band music]"

I read the above heading (the bracketed bits are paraphrased) and had to stop once I passed the colon; how funny was it that this ad featured "wash-tub" in parentheses! The obvious thought was (is), "whoever this weirdo is must be fairly interesting at the least, I must endeavor to make the acquaintance!"

I'm so wonderfully glad I made the call.

It turns out the gentleman responsible for this post was an old friend of mine, Wags Macklin, who I had first met in the late 1800s. He was then a prize bare-knuckle boxer, known the world over for his great prowess in the ring. I had lost touch with Macklin during the Boxer Uprising. He had travelled to China after hearing of an organization called, "Righteousness and Harmonious Fists,” hoping to improve his already great pugilistic skills. I had only heard years and years later that he had gone on to achieve some note as a cliff diver and as a sponge tester.

Wags and I had a spectacular reunion filled with music and spirited discussion about our adventures and thoughts on banding together a few fellow superheroes (who also happened to be musicianers) to serve the public good. It turns out two others had contacted him about his ad, Brady Coleman and Craig High, two gentlemen whose names are widely known, of course, for their intellectual and physical contributions to so many different cultures around the world.
The four of us met soon after my reunion with Mr. Macklin and we set forth to find others like us.
We succeeded.

The band is now well over thirty members. Other bands have sprung forth from this aggregation. Families have grown because of this cultured crew. This planet (and a few others) has been saved a number of times by this troupe. Many souls wear broad smiles and many hearts are lighter due to the action of this dedicated assembly of do-gooders.

I am definitely very proud of this ensemble! I'm proud of the group and proud to be a member of such a group. So many of the happy folks that make up this orchestra have made an amazing difference in my life and continue to do so ... you just don't get any luckier!

I love you The Big Jug Band!
Thank you!

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"All night long, I dreamed of pretty girls and candy. Life is great!"
~ Alexander High

January 25, 2009 - Jon Doyle

2009-01-25T20:43:00.000-08:00

My Influences:

Mr. Jon Doyle
clarinet, saxophone, ukulele, jug, best friend

And, here we have the very one and onliest, Mr. Jon Doyle.
Of course, you recognize our good man as an amazing musicianer. You may be lucky to know him as an intelligent fellow; well-read, well-studied, and well-spoken.
I consider myself quite fortunate to, not only, hold this fine gentleman as these things but also as a dear friend.

I had heard about Mr. Doyle through my old pal, Paul Schlichting, http://ryan-gould.blogspot.com/2008/12/dec-9-2008-paul-schlichting.html who informed me that a truly great clarinet player (who played with "the same fire as Sidney Bechet") was moving to town. Very exciting, indeed!
Here's where the fog rolls in ... I don't seem to recall the first time Jon's beautiful music danced into my ears, through my head, and into my heart. To be certain, Jon and I have had so many genuine musical conversations since.

It's easy to hear in Jon's grace, a deep connection and love of music. He speaks effortlessly through his instruments and can seemingly do so in whatever dialect any particular musical situation demands.
And, he does it with fire. (Paul was mostly right; Jon does play with fire but not Bechet's. Jon plays with his very own fire.)

I am so grateful that music has brought Mr. Doyle into my life and strives to keep him here.
But, music is only part of our friendship. Jon has been nothing short of a true friend to me. He readily lends his ear to any of my rambling thoughts. He seems always interested in my viewpoints on whatever the issue at hand and is always willing to share his ideas with me.
Jon is a great man and a great friend, as well as a great musicianer!

Thanks, pal! See you at the gig.

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"All night long, I dreamed of pretty girls and candy. Life is great!"
~ Alexander High

Dec. 29, 2008 - Books

2008-12-29T14:12:00.000-08:00

My Influences:

Books

This one seems pretty obvious.
Really, all of them do - to me.

So, how can you go wrong with a book? A whole bunch of text printed on some paper bound together to address an idea, to pass on important information, to communicate feelings or fantasies, or to entertain the imagination -- what a great idea!

I can't imagine a life without books. The world has so much information to share, it just can't be done without the assistance of this wonderful technological advancement.

Let's all be thankful for books this week and in every week to come!
Hooray BOOKS!

Here's a list of just a few of my favorite books:

The Autobiography of Pops Foster, New Orleans Jazz Man as told to Tom Stoddard
Pops Foster
Treat It Gentle, An Autobiography
Sidney Bechet
Music Is My Mistress
Duke Ellington
We Called It Music
Eddie Condon
Music On My Mind; The Memoirs of an American Pianist
Willie "The Lion" Smith
(Okay, this one was NOT a very well-written book but it did contain some valuable information regarding the beginnings of jazz. This guy is a genius on a piano keyboard, but someone should prevented him from using a typewriter keyboard!)

Common Sense
Thomas Paine
The U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence
(not really books I guess but still!)
Madison and Jefferson and other important type Founding Fathers

Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy
Douglas Adams
Bluebeard
Kurt Vonnegut
Dracula
Bram Stoker
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley

Hagakure, The Book of The Samurai
Tsunetomo
The Unfettered Mind: Writings of The Zen Master to The Sword Master
Takuan Soho
Warrior of Zen: The Diamond Hard Wisdom of Suzuki Shosan
Arthur Braverman
Light On Yoga
B. K. S. Iyengar

The Sugar Blues
William Dufty

Dec. 22, 2008 - Gratitude

2008-12-22T21:38:00.000-08:00

My Influences:

Gratitude

Very often (at least once every week, publicly), I find myself taking inventory of the great stock of good fortune life has presented me. There is an exhausting abundance of treasures to count!
Actually, it seems a bit intimidating, at times, but it's quite worthwhile to take a moment, by will or by circumstance, to note, record, and/or announce the beauty of these gifts, as well as to take a moment to return the deep, moving feelings awarded by these gifts with all the genuine heart that can be mustered.

Personally, gratitude may be one of the very best treasures ever imparted to me. It has allowed me to breathe fuller, deeper breaths. It has allowed me to see colors more vividly and shapes better defined. It has allowed me to love deeper and enjoy more passionately.
Unchecked, gratitude can distract me for great lengths; my chest seems to well up with warm joy and beaming gladness - an overwhelming, sometimes all-consuming bliss - that lightens my burden and gives me some bit of clarity ... I can't help but smile - inside and out.

With regard to the time these moments consume as well as the great opportunity they afford, gratitude has scared off so much of the more questionable emotions that could otherwise be allowed to run my life (i.e. anger, hate, intolerance, fear). Privately or publicly taking a moment to be thankful for so much takes a lot of time! It fills me with a strong will to share good things in life and attempt to benefit the world rather than slight it in any way.

On this note, I'd like to very humbly thank all of you on this list! I especially thank you for allowing me to practice this beautiful art once a week with you.
Please know that this weekly routine is more than just the rambling bungling of our language it seems to appear. It's my hope to share with all of you something beautiful and to grow in small way with each of you through the experience.
I am extremely honored to be allowed to write to you and so very gracious to you for taking a moment to read my words, feelings, and thoughts.

With my love and gratitude, please enjoy a safe and happy holiday season!

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Some Quotes (instead of links):

"Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality."
Alfred Painter

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others."
Cicero

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude."
Denis Waitley

"To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven."
Johannes A. Gaertner

"Kindness trumps greed: it asks for sharing. Kindness trumps fear: it calls forth gratefulness and love. Kindness trumps even stupidity, for with sharing and love, one learns."
Marc Estrin

"Appreciation can make a day, even change a life."
Margaret Cousins

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."
Melanie Beattie

"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live."
Jackie Windspear

"Gratitude is the heart's memory."
French and Italian Proverb

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"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
~Winston Churchill

Dec. 15, 2008 - Roy Rogers

2008-12-15T14:12:00.000-08:00

My Influences:

Roy Rogers
piper, carpenter, mentor ...

I spent the years after my enlistment with the USMC and before I moved to Austin, Texas studying a terribly strange instrument: the uilleann pipes. I can't say what exactly moved me to commit so much of those years to such an odd calling. It did happen, though.
I was fairly amped up about Irish music in general when I arrived home in south eastern Pennsylvania. I had been playing tin whistles, biting off small chunks of the vast repertoire. The pipes kept demanding some sort of presence in my life, though. By the will of some freakish, practical joke of nature, I managed to turn up a practice set from a local dealer of bagpipes (mostly Scottish Highland pipes -- the pipes you are probably envisioning presently) and spent a week trying to figure out how make noise with it. (Sorry, Dad and Teresa!)
I also turned up two names of folks who played and taught the instrument. The one who returned my call was a man named Roy Rogers.

Roy and I met a few days later in his living room for a lesson. Roy's greeting was warm and very hearty. He invited me into his living room that prominently featured a wall converted to a bookshelf storing hundreds of books and a large number of vinyl and CD recordings.
I felt welcome immediately though, I was nervous about my first formal experience ever on such a perplexing device. The lesson began with a hearty joke at the instrument's expense (as well as the expense of the damned fools who study and play it), continued with a few hearty laughs, and ended with best wishes for good luck and, at least, a dubious grip on sanity for the days to follow.
Lessons with Roy continued as routinely as either of schedules and my progress permitted. With each lesson, I learned a little more about the instrument, the reeds, the culture (the pipering culture), the music, and, from time to time, the music's history. This information wasn't just spoon-fed to me for the purpose of future regurgitation; it was presented from a wise piper, educated human, and competent teacher in a clean and honorable way (of course, in a light-hearted manner) to be digested by an open and able student for sustaining, interpretation, and advancement of the art. (This is what we should refer to as "traditional" --- in ANY AND EVERY genre!)
Roy exemplifies traditional art forms. He was my very first "teacher" that stood in my consciousness as such an example: he was a mentor.

Lessons passed and with each, Roy and I became more friends than anything else. (Though, to this day, I still consider him one of the strongest mentors in my life.) He continued to pass along the art of pipering but he shared with me his great friendship so genuinely warm and caring, as well as the wisdom he developed through his lifetime of observant and fully realized experience.
What's more? He did it without ever coming across as a superior or treating me as a junior. Roy has always treated me as an equal - not just on the musicianer level but on the human experience level.
It's truly great to feel like you aren't the only student in the lesson; we're all always students and should always be learning!

Years have gone by in a heartbeat. Roy and I still keep in touch fairly regularly despite the 1700+ miles that separate our homes. It seems that our friendship remains warm as well as educational and uplifting.
Life is good!

Thank you, Roy! Thanks for the guidance and the camaraderie!
I look forward to many, many more years of great friendship.

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"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
Winston Churchill

Dec. 9, 2008 - Paul Schlichting

2008-12-15T14:06:00.000-08:00

My Influences:

Paul Schlichting
drums

Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like to present to you, Paul Schlichting.
You may have seen him wearing a hat or you may recognize him better without, either way, he's Paul, drummer, music educator, stand-up citizen, progressive human, caring friend, loving husband, creative artist, and all-around good guy.

Paul and I met a number of years ago while he was drumming for the Asylum Street Spankers. When that band wasn't out of town, he would swing by the old Black Cat to enjoy the Ridgetop Syncopators, Shorty Long, and Les Niglos show.
He always had a smile and a couple of positive words.
A few years after that, Mr. Schlichting asked me if I would be interested in playing some music together. He and his buddy, a very odd piano man, collected a few tunes and we got together. As it turns out, that trio blossomed into half of Giant City!

Paul has since taken a job as an elementary music school teacher. What luck for the kiddos in his classes!
Paul is kind-hearted, patient fellow, willing to share his experience and knowledge with anyone and anywhere those things might benefit the community. On that note, Paul is a great example of good citizenship; he is always doing his best to make himself aware of local politics and participating when and where he can with the hopes of making things better for all of us ... not just himself and his family.

I have enjoyed Paul's company on the bandstand in many different combinations and I always look forward to sharing his good spirit whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Thanks Paul!

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
~ Winston Churchill

Dec. 1, 2008 - Emiko Takeuchi

2008-12-02T11:50:00.000-08:00

My Influences:

Emiko Takeuchi

Lauryn went back to school a couple years ago; the idea was to acquire a more formal and deeper education (and, it was a nice idea for her to bring home all this knowledge to share: two for the price of one). She is still doing all this (with gusto) but she has also made a wonderful connection with an amazing person who has since become family to us.

Emiko Takeuchi also decided to go back to school a couple years ago, and she began another course of graduate studies in the music department at Texas State University. She and Lauryn shared two classes that year (and many since). The two befriended each other and Lauryn brought home to share with me stories of an interesting, kind, and inspirational new friend.
I was very glad to hear it and very much looking forward to meeting Emiko.
Of course, that happened soon after and I was immediately moved by Emiko's spirit.

In the few short years that have passed, Emiko has grown to be much more than just a school friend. She has inspired Lauryn and I both to continue striving to better ourselves not just by reminding us to do just that but also and, most importantly, by her beautiful example. Emiko is always doing; she is always doing her best and doesn't allow much of anything to stand in her way!

Emiko has also taken us in as adopted family. If Lauryn hints at fatigue or a common cold, our dear friend prepares a care package or insists on providing motherly love and care. She is always ready with kind praise for our indiviual efforts as well as a nurturing word for our relationship as husband and wife; she seems so happy for us in that we do!
Emiko genuinely treats us both with the love a mother shares with her children.

Personally, I'm deeply moved just to be in such an amazing woman's presence. Her experienced wisdom, proud carriage, warm kindness, loving heart, and sweet smile give me so much than what is needed to feel alive and feel a reason to be alive. It's incredible to witness how she shares her great spirit so freely; she has what seems to be more than enough for herself, as well as her own family, and Lauryn and I both ... and, I feel like she gives even more than I need!
Stunning!

Emiko, it is a great honor to consider you part of my family. I hold your warmth, kindness, and friendship very close to my heart. I am ever grateful for you generosity; you share so much with Lauryn and I, we are both so very lucky to have you in our lives! We love you so very much!

Domo arigato gozaimasu.

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"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
~ Winston Churchill

Nov. 24, 2008 - Ass Kicking Machine

2008-12-02T11:44:00.000-08:00

My Influences:

Ass Kicking Machines

This is the best thing I've ever come across using Craigslist.org!
See the link below for the text included with this fantastic machine; we'll call it the "Red Forman Delight."

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Some Links:

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/orc/408390645.html

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"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
~ Winston Churchill

Nov. 17, 2008 - Kevin Smith

2008-11-17T07:14:00.000-08:00

My Influences:

Mr. Kevin Smith
string bass

My cousin turned me on to the Asylum Street Spankers. He paid me a visit after he stumbled across their first CD in a bin at Tower Records. We threw that CD into the stereo and enjoyed some fine music. At some point, we had both started thinking about the great bass sound and started discussing the nature of his percussive effect. How is this guy making all this racket?
This guy was (and still is) Mr. Kevin Smith.
I'm sure that I had heard a string bass being slapped before hearing those recordings but Kevin was most certainly the first bassist that made me aware of this technique.
For that alone, I am monumentally grateful and indebted to this great man.

It would be a serious foul to understate Kevin's great ability with this instrument. Our man is very easily one of the best string bassists around ... and, I don't just mean around town.
Kevin has the most phenomenal taste; an uncanny ability to share and play the music that we all seem to desire in any musical setting. He presents this ability and this music in a very comfortable and natural manner that seems to relax and soothe yet inspire and excite the attentive listeners as well as the jabber-jawed conversationalists in his audiences.
I'll say it again; Kevin is very easily one of the best string bassists around!

Kevin is not just an amazing musicianer. He is an amazing friend and an amazing human being.
On more than one occasion, Mr. Smith has rushed into my corner to assist with me with the battles life has thrown my way.
A few years ago, my roommates and I lost our house to a fire. After the firemen cleared the house, I went to work immediately on the recovery process. Knowing that process would be an all-day affair (at least), I dropped Kevin a call to ask him if he could cover my gig that evening. When I explained to him why, he wanted to know what else he could do. He had already done enough by taking that stress off me so I didn't wish to bother him with anything more. With a kind and genuine "thank you!" we ended the conversation. Twenty minutes later, he pulled up out front of the smoked house ready to help.
For the next six + hours Kevin rummaged through the charred mess with me, salvaging the bulk of what I owned. He helped me clean what we could on the spot and pack those sooty personal items into my wagon. Throughout, he successfully kept my spirits up by good, light-hearted joking and, he even insisted on driving us to the local grocer to pick up lunch -a concept completely foreign to me in Marine mode.
By the end of the salvage day, I was covered with char and smoke. Kevin, stylish gabardine jacket and all, had one small bit of soot on his collar; not only did he rush to the house to help me through and recover from a fairly stressful situation, reorganizing all of his (many) other responsibilities, he did it with style, grace, and genuine care and friendship. And, he kept it light!

Kevin is a great friend. He has warmly invited me to be a part of his life. He has shared his wonderful and kind friendship with me. He has treated me like family. He is easily one of the best human beings I have ever met!

Thank you, Kevin! You have been and always will be a very great influence and inspiration to me in all aspects of my life. You opened up one of the most important doors in my life that has led to some much of the good that surrounds me.
Thank you for all the good you present to so many other lives, too! This world is truly a better place because of your efforts.

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Some Links:

www.myspace.com/txstringbass

www.myspace.com/highnoontrio

http://www.heybale.com/

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"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
~ Winston Churchill

Nov. 2, 2008 - Jon Baily

2008-11-02T16:42:00.000-08:00

My Influences:

Mr. Jon Baily
banjo, veteran, musicianer

There are so many brilliant characters who have graced my life. All of them seem to leave an indelible mark or marks that continue to remind me how to live; how to give.
This week's illustration of such greatness is my late friend, Jon Baily. It's been over three years since his passing but I still carry with me his joyful and giving spirit. Because of the nature of his gift, I don't feel heavy sadness when I remember that he is gone, instead, I just can't help feeling lighter and smiling when I think of Jon or recall some joke or story he had shared with me.
What a great musicianer!
What a great man!

August 25, 2005

Jon Baily, a banjo player from California, spent his last years in Austin, Texas supporting the Austin Banjo Club and the Austin Traditional Jazz Society.

I met Jon at a Traditional Jazz Society function. He scrawled on the back of his business card the directions to the Banjo Club and insisted that I show up the following week. I did.

Jon went out of his way through those, my first couple visits to the Banjo Club, to make me feel welcome and to insist on my return. From those first visits to the Banjo Club on, Jon would share his love for music with me through telephone calls and emails. He would insist that I come pick up some band’s CD that made him think of me. He would email me all manner of information concerning music in all its forms that he found of interest.

Jon's love for music and his desire and willingness to share it were impeccable and so very appreciated. Jon was also proud of the banjo pickers in the Club who were veterans. He summed up their stints in the military for me on different occasions. He shared with me any story that filtered through him that related to our nation’s warriors.

I’m ever thankful for having gotten to know this man and will live more fulfilled having been gifted by his hearty spirit.

If you have the extra time in the days following, take a minute, please, and realize what’s good around you. Be thankful for the elders in our musical family and take heart in their vitality and nature. Without these good people, our lives would be less.

Thank you, Jon Baily. I will continue to play tunes to the best of my ability for you!

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Some Links:

The Baily Family's Tribute:
http://bailyfamily.net/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=13817
Austin Banjo Club:
http://www.austinbanjoclub.org/people.html
Mark Rubin's Good Words:
http://markdrubin.blogspot.com/2005/09/jon-baily-rip.html

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"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing."
~ Albert Einstein

Oct. 26, 2008 - Breakfast Cereal

2008-10-31T17:19:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Breakfast Cereal
yummy food

Right!
Back to the food stuff ...

To be specific, 1980s breakfast cereals!

I grew up believing that a proper breakfast was at least two bowls of whatever colorful and delicious sugar cereals stocked the shelves in Mom's pantry. We were allowed to eat whatever cereal was in the cupboard; the only rule: one box open at a time.
My dear brother Russell enjoyed tormenting me on weekend mornings by separating the entire marshmallow content from the "other" content of cereals like Lucky Charms then eating a bowl of fun sugary sweetness while I finished the not-so-enjoyable bowl or two of the remnants. Boo!

During the junior and senior high school years, the morning program began with a quick shower, followed by a hustle downstairs to figure out which cereal was going in the bowl. When I fixed up my delicious part of a nutritious breakfast, I'd either sit down in front of the TV to take in some similarly influential and inspiring early morning, before-school 80's cartoons or pick up the paper to read the comics and the police blotter (maybe even a headlining article or two).
The morning's cereal was always exciting to me; I can remember clearly many jaunty hops down the stairs thinking about what (evil) confection awaited my consumption! Would it be Frankenberry, Count Chocula, Boo Berry, Quisp, Cookie Crisp, Apple Jacks, Fruity Pebbles, Golden Grahams? (The list goes on and on ... Mom was quite good at keeping cereal content thick.)
After three bowls of super tasty sugar, disguised as any number of random objects, I brushed the old fangs and hopped the shoe leather express to school. I was always good and old-fashioned awake for the mile walk to school.

Cereal even followed me through the old USMC. My roommate always a had a good laugh when Mom would send a care package filled mostly with five or six boxes of my favorites. Benny came back to the room one day after the arrival of one of Mom's packages. Before he could turn the corner to see me sitting happily with a bowl of Froot Loops, he announced that the room reeked of sugar! Afterwards, Benny often referred to me as "The Cereal Killer."

It's a sad situation that I can no longer eat the wheat foods (and choose to avoid the evil cane sugar). I don't get to enjoy Frankenberry when it hits the shelves during this time of year.
No matter though, I will always have the extremely pleasing memories of digging through a box of cereal to pull out a ridiculous plastic glow-in-the-dark toy or a submersible, self-propelled submarine. I will always enjoy the memories of great cereal commercials ("It's Circus Fun right in your bowl, and your gonna wanna come flyin', With horses and hoops, balls and bears, elephants and lions!")

... it's really too bad nobody ever turned me on to a nice bowl of millet with raisins and bananas and cinnamon and walnuts until a year and half ago!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ... thanks yummy breakfast cereals! I couldn't have done it without you.

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In case you're wondering, here is a list of my favorites. The number one spot is held by my all time favorite; otherwise, there is no particular order as my taste would change back and forth at any given moment.

1. Frankenberry!
2. Waffle Crisp
3. Count Chocula and Boo Berry (didn't like Yummy Mummy one bit)
4. Cookie Crisp (Vanilla and Chocolate Chip)
5. Quisp
6. Cap'n Crunch (Crunch Berries and Peanut Butter)
7. Buc Wheats (Great-Grandmom's favorite!)
8. Smurf Berry Crunch
9. Fruity Pebbles (there was an exact ratio of milk to cereal to achieve perfection)
10. Honeycomb

Ten will do for now, but I could probably do a list of top 100. Instead of ninety more, here's a link:
http://www.lavasurfer.com/cereal-guide.html

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"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing."
~ Albert Einstein

Oct. 19, 2008 - Joseph Butcher

2008-10-31T16:59:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Joseph Butcher
brother

And now, I'd like to introduce my "little" brother. By "little", I mean that Joseph came along, chronologically, after me. If I had could find a handy digital photo to compare his size to mine, you would see that he got more of Mom's corn-fed genes than I. Yes, the fact is I'm the runt of the litter; Russell and Joseph are both "bigger" brothers.

Sauntering ever so awkwardly past my size hang-ups, we move back to Joseph.
In the early years, I was amazed to have a brand new brother! I marvelled at his growth as a human being; I just couldn't get enough of seeing how a baby turns to a toddler, etc. I was very excited about helping to learn. Mom always prompted me to help teach Joseph about anything and everything that I could. We had even learned a little sign language to expand his communication skills.
I also got to learn a whole lot about being responsible for my own actions and to see how those actions would be mirrored in the behaviors of my little brother.
Joe turned out to be a pretty smart kid (and now a pretty smart dude) and I got to learn a whole lot about human learning and responsibility -- pretty cool trade, if you're asking.
(The sad twist here is that we lived in a horribly backwards school district that instructed my Mom to STOP teaching him at home.)

So, Joe also turned out to be a pretty funny guy. As a kid, he always preferred the silly to the serious. He always tried to keep things light and make anyone and everyone around him smile. As an adult, though I don't get to spend nearly the amount of time with him as I would prefer (he lives in PA and I in TX), he's still trying to keep it light and makes folks happy.
Seems like a natural brother for the likes of me!

This week Joseph celebrates a birthday. So, wish him a great day and a good year!

Happy Birthday, Joe!
Thanks for being a great brother! I love you!

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"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing."
~ Albert Einstein

Oct. 12, 2008 - Pizza

2008-10-31T16:47:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Pizza
food

The idea to discuss food as an inspiration popped into the old brain housing group today. I thought, rather than discuss the many wonderful foods I enjoy (or in today's case, can no longer enjoy) all in one sitting, I'd break it up into smaller bits.

Pizza is this week's installment!
I love pizza! Who doesn't?! Is it possible that anyone dislikes pizza?

Let's go backwards, today ...
As mentioned above, I can no longer enjoy pizza; I have a bit of the old intolerance to wheat. It grieves me sore that I can't eat the food I used to consider my very most favorite food.
Luckily, when I discovered this little medical anomaly, I had been in Austin for about seven years and well-practiced in the art of sacrificing my Southeasten Pennsylvanian Native diet. As some of you may know, Austin has no real pizza. You might say that some sort of brash statement; you may think you have a better idea. I'll argue with you until you're blue in the face.
Here's my very quick tour of the pizza world both here in Austin and back in PA:

My first concession is Saccone's here in Austin. http://www.saccones.com/ Of course, the folks running this shop are from Jersey, so they ought to know a little something about how to make a good pie. Sure enough, when I could eat the wheat foods, I made the trek up to Cedar Park just for a slice or two. It was the best pizza in Austin -- in fact, the only thing in Austin that would do for me.
How did they compare with the pizza fare at home? It was good; they were the only game in town for a while, though. I'd still recommend them to anyone asking for pizza direction.
In the year before I went wheat-free, two places popped up in South Austin (in fact, both are on S. Congress).
The first is Home Slice Pizza. http://www.homeslicepizza.com/ I have heard the argument that a slice from this joint is every bit as good as anything from Philly. I tend to disagree.
The second is Southside Flying Pizza. http://www.southsideflyingpizza.com/ I haven't heard the same arguement about this place.
Both places serve an okay pie. Both places are, unfortunately, full of hipsters. The former serves slices but I can't comment on the taste as I will never pay half a gig's tips just for a slice! The latter doesn't serve slices (this might actually ban them from inclusion on a list of real pizzerias - if the place doesn't sell by the slice, what kind of place is it?!).
While stuck in Austin, TX, Land of No Pizza, these are the places to go; compared to home, these places get the "emergency pizza" stamp - if the good places are closed, you can go here and still get something that will do.

Heading home (PA home), we find the first pizzeria to teach me what a good slice and a good pie was all about, my childhood favorite, Via Roma Pizzeria! The place seemed covered flour, there were two arcade games in the back, there were dudes speaking (shouting) Italian behind the counter and throwing pizza dough into the air.
The pizza was amazing!
Dad had a four day weekend every other week back then. That Friday night, the usual plan was to order a pie and pick it up then come back to the house where we were allowed to set up dining trays in the living room and watch TV (Dukes Of Hazzard) while we ate the tastiest pizza around.
Fast forwarding to the adult years (after active duty service and before moving to The Land Of No Pizza), I lived in Bridgeport and Norristown. My uncle once told me (of Bridgeport but it could certainly apply to Norristown), "You can't swing a dead cat by its tail without hitting an Italian joint in that town!" A lot of these "Italian joints" were pizzerias.
The best in Norristown, at the time, was a place called Main St. "Home of the Big Slice." They did have some big slices. I don't believe for a second that they were the actual Home of the Big Slice, though. These guys made a seriously good slice. The pies were decent, too ... you had to know who was working, though. I preferred one guy's pie to most of the others cooks. There was one dude in there I avoided at all costs; if this guy was on duty, I wouldn't order a thing.
We ate so much pizza from Main St. during that time. A coupon came with every pizza you ordered (stamped onto the box). Every ten coupons bought you a free pizza. We had a free pizza almost every week.
In Bridgeport, there was Little Sicily http://www.littlesicilypizza.com/ and Franzone's www.kingofprussia.com/franzones. Little Sicily delivered to King of Prussia where I worked at night. I ate myself silly on their personal sized pies. Franzone's is an interesting place. It's a love it or hate it place. They throw their sauce on top of the cheese and the sauce is sweeter than the average. Obviously, I loved it! (It's also Lauryn's favorite.)

Lauryn and I enjoying some Franzone's!

Jumping into the City, Lorenzo and Son Pizza gets my vote. There are tons of places to eat a slice in Philly, I'm sure I could go on and on about quite a few of them. Lorenzo's just happens to be my pick. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!

So, there you have it. A quick tour of good pizza. Sorry, Austin, there really isn't great pizza here in town. It's a sacrifice one must make for all the other amazing things that happen here. It's unfortunate but what can you do? At least, there are a great many more healthy alternatives (we can talk about them later, though)!

-- If you are eating Domino's or Mr. Gatti's or Pizza Hut or Papa John's or the like, please know that you are not eating pizza. You are eating a grease sponge. Stop now, find your way to the above-mentioned shops. You'll thank yourself.

-- If anyone feels the need to reply to this bit to tell me about Milto's or some other fancy "gourmet" pizza place in Austin, please know that I will not respond as I feel those places are NOT pizzerias nor do they serve real pizza. It should be noted that these places are making "gourmet" pizzas; the more crap you have to load on to a pizza to conceal or to enhance its true flavor the more it isn't real pizza.

I love pizza!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!! I wish I could eat the wheat!

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Some Links:

Wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizza

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"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing."
~ Albert Einstein

October 6, 2008 - ukulele

2008-10-06T08:08:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Ukulele
instrument

Who doesn't like ukuleles? I do!

As we should probably all know, ukuleles came to us via Hawaii. Around the early 1880s, Portuguese immigrants developed and introduced the instrument to Hawaii.
As the Jazz Age took off in the mid-teens and through the 1920s, the ukulele held as a staple of many vaudvillian acts as well as a popular and very portable entertainment for the average American citizen.

I don't recall exactly how the ukulele came into my life. I know that my step-Grandfather loaned me his right around the same time I purchased my very own ($25 cheap, Sam Ash special). I do recall my cousin turning me on to the Asylum Street Spankers, a band that featured Pops Bayless on the ukulele. http://ryan-gould.blogspot.com/2008/06/oct-15-2007-pops-bayless.html Eventually, I met Pops and he turned me on to Cliff Edwards. If I wasn't already completely enamored with the uke, my first Cliff Edwards album certainly pushed me beyond anything less.
http://ryan-gould.blogspot.com/2008/06/march-30-2008-cliff-edwards.html

The ukulele is just too fun! If it's played right, it's a beautiful instrument offering the disciplined student so much with so little. It's great accompaniment to any instrument or voice. It's also a wonderful way to learn to play music and to learn about music theory!

I can't get enough ukulele! In fact, I'm done writing and I'm going to pull a ukulele off my wall and pick through a few tunes right now.

Thank you ukulele! Where would I be without you?

Some Links:

Wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukulele
Ukulele Hall Of Fame - http://www.ukulele.org/
Jim Beloff's Great Site - http://www.fleamarketmusic.com/

Roy Smeck:
Wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Smeck
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8fQePz4FcE

Cliff Edwards:
Red Hot Jazz - http://www.redhotjazz.com/cliffedwards.html
Garrick's Page - http://www.jazzage1920s.com/cliffedwards/cliff.php
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6omeanjaweA (check out the related videos!)

Pops Bayless:
MySpace - www.myspace.com/tinpanalley
Shorty Long - www.shortylong.com

Combo Mahalo:
www.combomahalo.com

Willy Costello (a.k.a. Red Pepper Sam):
Wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_%22Billy%22_Costello
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popeye#Fleischer_Studios

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"Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have."

~Davy Crockett

September 28, 2008 - Russell Gould

2008-09-28T15:59:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Russell Gould
brother

Russell is my older brother. He's been here since I can remember (obviously).
Like many older brothers, he was mean and seemed to enjoy tormenting me when he fancied it.
Like many younger brothers, I envied what my older brother had- toys, friends, age ...
Thankfully, all that was just the common childhood experience. The younger years have worn off and I'm now counting the lessons Russell shared with me:
Older brothers (and just about everyone else in the world) need a little time to themselves to do their own thing and not be bothered by younger brothers (and/or just about everyone else in the world).
Younger brothers (and just about everyone else in the world) need to stop covetting that which they do not have and enjoy what they do have.
- That may be one of the best lessons Russell ever gave me. I eventually desired to be my very own person and enjoy the things that truly made me happy; I stopped wanting the things that made Russell happy. He helped me to pass the superficial and the jealous so that I could find the deeply, personally true, giving me no need to keep up with the Jones'.

Russell and Ryan (my first band!)
Russell was sporting pirate gear WAY before it was cool! Check out my Darth Vader shirt! (I still have the sunglasses Russell is wearing.)

Moving into our adult years, Russell has been a strong pillar of support. He regularly reminds me of his pride in me for what I have done this far. He's always looking out for me and checking in on my health and welfare.

I'm very proud of Russell, too.
He is raising a very well-behaved, highly intelligent manchild. Russell has guided my nephew (without the aid of parenting classes or any fancy new child psychology books) to become a creative, highly curious and very questioning, observant, peaceful, thoughtful, loving, discplined human being. Russell is nothing short of a great father. (Stands to reason ... he was raised by a great father - my Dad!)

In short, Brother Russell, like many older brothers, is a good man.
I'm certainly honored to call him my brother. I'm deeply moved to know that he loves me and that he supports me. I'm thankful to know that he is there for me. I cherish every memory I have of him and look forward to those that we will forge in the future!

Thank you, Russell, for everything you have given me and for the great man and great brother you are to me!

Happy Birthday!
I love you!

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"Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have."

~Davy Crockett

September 21, 2008 - Sammy

2008-09-28T15:54:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Sam Butcher
brother, friend, guitar

I haven't spent much time in this bit talking about my brothers. There are plenty of them to discuss.

In honor of his birthday, it is my distinguished honor to introduce to you a man very near and dear to me, my brother, Sam.

I can't say enough about my feelings for Sam; he has always been a very good friend; he has never judged me in any way; he has always done whatever he could to lift my spirits if they sank; he has always expressed empathy for whatever tribulations I suffered; he has been at my side to experience and to participate in some of the funniest and lightest moments of my life; he has also helped me deal with the sadness and despair life can dish out.
In short, Sam is a great brother! Sam is a great friend! Sam is a great human being!

And, so ...
Sam and I got to know each other when my Mom and his Dad married (we were both around ten or eleven years old). We hung out now and again but never a whole lot in those earlier years.
Eventually, the teen years hit and Sam and I started hanging out quite a bit. We were both playing guitar and digging the same music (please see last week's bit about Napalm Death). We shared the same attitude about life and the folks surrounding us. Despite that pessimism, we did all we could to fully enjoy what little came our way with light hearts and big smiles. We even started putting our own band together - SEATH (a long story for another time).

Of course, high school came to a close and started hinting at the end of my teenaged adventures. I signed my life away to Uncle Sam and waved goodbye to my family.
During that time, Sam did what he could to stay in touch. His letters were some of the best letters I received while I served this country. He wrote of lighter moments and silly times and even sent the letters on random silly things (i.e. A paper plate).

On my return to the civilian world, Sammy and I didn't live too far from each other. We ended up working in the same factory (different shifts, unfortunately; although, I did work with Albert, another brother). He introduced me to a fellow who would become another very close friend, Jeff, who moved to Austin with me in 1999.

We don't get to see each other very much any longer. He is at home in PA with his beautiful family. However, no matter how much time apart, when we get together, it seems like it was only yesterday that we last hung out and the good times return.

Sam has always been a best friend and a great human being and remains to be so!
He's always been a great example of how to keep things light. I couldn't ask for a better brother!

Happy birthday, Sam! I love you and miss you!

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"Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have."

~Davy Crockett

September 14, 2008 - Napalm Death

2008-09-14T07:29:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Napalm Death
grindcore

So, as I may have mentioned before, there's a bit of metal and punk rock in my musical history. It was time well spent, if you ask me. I'm still putting to use all the lessons I learned from those years.
One of the bands I studied during that time of my life: Napalm Death.
What did I learn?

Actually, I could credit their present vocalist, "Barney" Greenway, as one of my earliest vocal influences (quite possibly, vocal coach). A good friend and I spent quite a bit of time reverse engineering and then practicing his vocal techniques as we listened to the band's albums. What we heard was a low rumbling of some very relaxed vocal cords. The power came from the diaphragm, blowing air across the cords and up through the throat. Done correctly, it produced a loud, guttural roar.
You now know where I got my first vocal lessons and why my singing voice leans towards the higher volumes.

Musically, Napalm Death helped me (along with all the metal and punk in my life) to play fast! Napalm's music is NOT slow. Some folks honor this band as the first "grindcore" band. In fact, the term is attributed to Mick Harris, the band's drummer (1986-92). Shane Embury, Napalm's bassist, offers the best explanation of grindcore, "It's just everything going at a hundred miles per hour, basically." His "everything" refers to hard-core punk, heavy metal, noise, and industrial music altogether.
There weren't too many Napalm Death tunes I couldn't play on the old guitar back then. (Might be a different story these days.)

I enjoyed the music so much from this band. As a bonus, the lyrics pleased me. In that day (and, I'm sure it's just as bad today), a lot of death metal bands had some rather stupid lyrics. (Good thing the vocal style covered up most of that.) Napalm's lyrics dealt with so many social issues that concerned me then (AND NOW). They were very much upset by the corporate imperialism of the world (that still controls us today). They spoke out against racism and sexism. The band had a lot of good things to say and kept a lot of malleable teenagers' minds asking better questions.

So, Napalm Death was and is a great influence and inspiration to me. Every couple of months, those older recordings come out and I grab for a guitar to see what I can remember and to see what I can still physically pull off. To my surprise I can remember a lot; I can also pull off a lot of the physical end of the music ... perhaps, one day in my future, I will bust off some of the rust and start another metal band?!

Thanks, Napalm Death! ... for all those shows at the Troc! ... for the great musical and social guidance! ... for all the great music!

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Some links:

Metal Archives - http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=219
Official ND Website - http://www.napalmdeath.org/
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"Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have."
~Davy Crockett

August 31, 2008 - Freddie Mendoza

2008-08-31T18:44:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Freddie Mendoza
trombone

Upon arrival in Austin in 1999, the instructions were to visit The Elephant Room on Wednesdays from 6 to 8pm to find and enjoy The Jazz Pharaohs. I obediently headed to the basement and found myself greeted by a band full of mostly familiar faces. The music that I enjoyed that day was easily the best I had heard until that moment! I didn't miss a Wednesday after that unless I picked up a gig or some unavoidable emergency arose. School was in session and I couldn't miss a class.

Among the professors teaching on that stage was Freddie Mendoza.
In the following year and a half of Elephant Room jazz class, though I didn't speak very much with Freddie, I took a whole lot of notes on how he worked with the band and how me performed individually. His contribution was never less than absolutely professional and always musically spot-on.
I stopped taking the class after a year and a half ... The Pharaohs decided to take me on as the new bassist.

So, I started a new class at The Elephant Room. I was 100% nerves every Wednesday, playing with such incredible professors. Nevertheless, as great musicianers and great teachers, the rest of the band showed me how to relax and just play. Freddie always shot me what signals I needed to guide me through arrangements and odd chord changes.
In seven years, I've learned so much about music as a soloist and as a band member from Freddie. He's also been a good friend willing to share a joke or some enlightening conversation - verbally and musically.

Freddie Mendoza is an Austin treasure. He is an amazing musician and consummate professional. He practices what he preaches and expects nothing less from those close to him.
It is a great pleasure to make music with you, Freddie. Thank you and I look forward, as always, to playing with you again!

Some links:

Texas State University - http://www.txstate.edu/jazzstudies/faculty/mendoza.html
The Jazz Pharaohs - http://www.art-n-music.com/112/mu/jph/fred.html
Monster Big Band - www.monsterbigband.com

and in honor of some of Freddie's musical interests:
Black Sabbath website - www.black-sabbath.com

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"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
~ Thomas Jefferson

August 24, 2008 - Geezer Butler

2008-08-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Geezer Butler
Electric Bass Guitar

I did not begin my musical life with the string bass and the music of the early twentieth century. My official beginnings were with the guitar and the rock, metal, and punk rock of later twentieth century.
It took about a year of testing out different varieties of rock and metal before one of the greatest bands - ever - popped into my reality: Black Sabbath! The first song I figured out on my own was, in fact, "Black Sabbath." Hearing a tri-tone isn't that exciting these days but, in musical infancy, it was a good place to start.
As it turns out, Mr. Butler was the man behind the tri-tone in the first song I taught myself. I think that's enough influence right there, right? With a simple tri-tone, Geezer Butler and Sabbath won me over and laid out a very clear path of study for me.
Study rhythm, time, and feel!
From that point on, I committed most of the Black Sabbath (Ozzy years) repertoire to memory. I spent most of the time learning the riffs. Tony Iommi's solos were and are fantastic but didn't appeal to me as directly as the bass lines for some reason. So, I learned just a few of the guitar solos but studied and played every bass line - on guitar.
I also spent a great deal of time listening to how the bass played with or against the drums, the guitar, and the vocals throughout. And, I loved it!

Like our subject, I moved from guitar to bass (string bass). Of course, I ended up in Austin playing a different genre of music ...

I'm still mostly focused on rhythm, time, and feel. Bassists who are happy to just lay it down are my favorites; fancy technical wizardry and musical gymnastics don't excite me too much. While playing "Star Dust" or "That's A-Plenty" or any old jazz standard, I'm not only thinking of how Pops Foster would play it, but how Geezer Butler would play it (then I smoosh those ideas together into one, throw that idea away, and just play it how I feel it). Actually, while playing those jazz tunes, I might spend more time considering the great similarities in feel and bass playing skill shared by Pops Foster and Geezer Butler. (How about that coincidental similarity in nicknames?! Maybe I ought to find myself with some sort of oldster moniker; is it the secret to bassist success?)

Thank you so very much for the stellar beginnings and the continued inspiration, Mr. Butler! It's a great honor to follow the path you've beaten.

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Some links:

Geezer Butler website - www.geezerbutler.com
Black Sabbath website - http://www.black-sabbath.com/personnel/butler.html
Geezer Butler quotes - http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/geezer_butler.html

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"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
~ Thomas Jefferson

August 17, 2008 - Amanda

2008-08-17T07:45:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Amanda
Arts Enthusiast, Beautiful Human

A good six or so years ago I played one of my first gigs at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport with my old pals The Boxcar Preachers - http://www.boxcarpreachers.com/. It's an interesting gig; lots of folks are thrilled to have some live music to distract them from the altogether unpleasant experience that is air travel; lots of folks don't even seem aware that there is music to enjoy; it's also a great joy to play under the incessant robotic announcements regarding mindfulness of one's baggage. Nevertheless, a gig is a gig and playing for the folks that do enjoy music, does make the gig worth the security check.

... On the break, Korey - http://www.iamkorey.com/ - and I took a little walk down the concourse to stretch and headed back. We returned to meet the father of a family who had been enjoying the music during the first set. He motioned for his four or five year old daughter to join our conversation. She was pretty shy so Dad tried to encourage her to speak, "Go ahead, you can tell them what you told me." She was still too shy to speak but she was able to hand to each of us a gift she made while she listened to us play earlier.
The gift was the photo above, signed across the top. Amanda had drawn five of these beautiful pieces, each in a different color for each member of the band.
Dad realized she wasn't going to speak to us and said, "In her words, 'The band gave me the gift of music, I want to give them the gift of art.'"
It didn't take long before there was a small lump in my throat.

Folks, Amanda surely did give me the gift of art. She also gave me the beautiful gift of selfless gratitude, and she did it with love.
Amanda continues to give me the same gift. Everyday, I look at her art (as soon as I came home that day, it was framed and hung on the wall for all to see). Everyday, a small child hugs me with love, kindness, and gratitude in her heart.
She is twice as old now and, perhaps, she has completely forgotten that one very sweet gesture but I will never forget it. It is easily one of the very best rewards I have ever received.

Amanda, if you are out there, thank you, and please, know that I thank you every day of my life.

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"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
~ Thomas Jefferson

Aug. 10, 2008 - Frank Meyer

2008-08-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Frank Meyer
guitar, ukulele, string bass, voice, songwriting, natural building, all-around good human

Friends, meet a guy who cares about the good things in life. Meet a guy who is looking out for the future of the planet and the good folks who live here. Meet a guy who is a great talent.

I met Frank a number of years ago. Somebody played a cold-hearted practical joke on Frank by giving him my information and telling him that I would be a good bassist for a couple of gigs. As it turns out, Frank is a glutton for punishment and has hired me many times since.

Frank is a wonderful songwriter! His tunes are all good fun as well as meaningful; what could be better?
Not only are his tunes wonderful, his delivery of his tunes is fantastic! Frank has a great voice and a natural ability to perform his material with very little effort and quite a bit of heartfelt grace.

Frank is not just a great songwriting musicianer!
He is a hardworking builder. Mr. Meyer is a veteran natural builder; by that I mean Frank builds environmentally conscious structures using sustainable material and ecologically sound practices.
He has even organized a Natural Building Colloquium here in Texas.

Frank walks the high ground; I'm proud to know him and call him a friend. He is really trying to (and does) make a difference in the world and really trying to help others do the same! Furthermore, (and very important to me!) he does it all in very good humour. Frank smiles with his head, hands, and heart.

Thank you very much, Frank!

Some links:

Frank's website (music and building): http://www.thangmaker.com/
For Sale: http://www.thangmaker.com/merchandise.htm
Natural Building Colloquium Texas 2007 - http://www.naturalbuildingtexas.org/

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"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
~ Thomas Jefferson

July 20, 2008 - Benny

2008-07-20T07:36:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Sgt. Benjamin T. Upton, USMC
Bagpipes, accordion, electric bass guitar, guitar, harmonica, etc.

In 1994, I was (feeling) stuck in Okinawa. Culture shock didn't treat me too well and I hid in my barracks room away from the drunks that populated Camp Hansen and elsewhere on the island.
Luckily and thankfully, Benny, The Sniper happened along. We met through another malcontent Marine who wanted to put together a punk rock band.
Ben shook me out of my culture shock funk and we started exploring the finer bits of Okinawa (far away from Camp Hansen)! He was/is a very silly man and, like me, seems to have been raised on Monty Python. Life is to be done in a random manner, backwards, upside down, tossed and turned, jumbled, odd, and as absurd as possible. We were fast friends and have been close ever since.
As it goes for me, we were both assigned to the 31st MEU (SOC) as attachments to a platoon of Combat Engineers. Benny and I trained together day and night for that year in Okinawa. If we weren't training together on or off base, we were playing music together for ourselves or in clubs in the City or taking adventures around Okinawa learning its fascinating history and its beautiful culture.

Benny and I have stayed in touch over the years. I'm very proud to call him a close friend. There are very few folks I trust in a pinch, warriors that will watch my back always; Benny is one. I also trust him to speak his mind and share his honest thoughts. And, of course, life is always interesting when Benny is near.
He is a good man, a good warrior, and a great friend!

SQWAK!

Some links:
http://www.interpunk.com/item.cfm?Item=56087&

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"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
~ Thomas Jefferson

July 13, 2008 - The Big Jug Band

2008-07-13T07:37:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

The Big Jug Band

Weird stuff seems to happen (to me) on a fairly regular basis. I'm not entirely sure whether I seek it out or I attract it (it may be both) or that's just how things are in the Universe? Most of that weird stuff has a habit of presenting me with opportunities for positive and/or constructive growth.
The Big Jug Band is definitely weird stuff.
The Big Jug Band has been nothing but positive and constructive on its own, let alone its positive and constructive influence on me.

As I mentioned before (http://ryan-gould.blogspot.com/2008/06/feb-11-2008-wags-macklin.html), in late 1999, an ad ran in the Austin Chronicle asking for interested parties to contact the poster. The poster was our good friend and famous bare-knuckle boxer, Wags Macklin, Wash-Tub Bassist.
I met with this illustrious gentlemen. He told me that two others had responded; the four of us met soon after. Brady Coleman, Craig High, Wags Macklin and I stumbled on each other and, unintentionally, struck up a beautiful relationship that grew into something amazing.

We would meet on the back porch at Craig's or in Brady's kitchen on regular basis. We'd play music, enjoy BBQ, share some tales and get hip to some cool stuff going on in town. No matter what we did, I felt closer and closer to the band and it became less and less like a band and more and more like family - brothers and sisters, that is; not cousins.

Over these last eight years, The Big Jug Band has grown, by ones, by twos, by fours, by fives ... no matter the number, it has also grown happily. Each new member has brought (brings) something wonderful and fresh making our hearts lighter and expanding our ideas, educating and energizing our souls and minds.
(I'm using that particular pronoun because it's a safe bet that most of the band members will say the same thing if you ask them).
Individuals and bands have not only joined this bunch, individuals and bands have struck up and ventured forth from this bunch to become contributing members of Austin's music scene. So, you can thank a Jug Band for, at least, some of the music around town!

The Big Jug Band has affected me and continues to do so in a notable way. I have met some of the dearest people in my life through this band. These folks have supported me and loved me unconditionally, they have watched out for me in troubled times and celebrated with me during momentous occassions. The Big Jug Band is a community of its own due its size and it is good example of what we should all be trying to do in the bigger picture: look out for each other.
Thanks Big Jug Band family; I love you!

Some links:
www.myspace.com/thebigjugband

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"In a man's mind, his face is on his arm because he wears his heart on his sleeve." ~ E. Hayes, June 2008

July 6, 2008 - Brady Coleman

2008-07-06T07:01:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Brady Coleman
guitar, fiddle, acting, marrying, lawyering

Today's bit rounds out the original Uncle Smithee's Big Jug Band line-up.
Brady Coleman was one of the three who responded to the ever-intrepid Wags Macklin's "BASS (Washtub)" ad in the Austin Chronicle. That was my introduction to this wonderful human being.

What I remember about my first hangs with Brady is the incredible lightness of spirit that he brought with him. In an entirely effortless manner, he walked into the room and, somehow, made my troubles (if not everyone's troubles) weigh very much less.
There's just something about the way Brady carries himself and what he wants to give to the world. It was and is always a pleasure to be in his company, let alone hold a conversation with him or play music with him or listen to and/or watch him perform. It was and is a spiritually healing hang, too!

When Brady hosts Jug Band jams at his place, he's kind, gracious and generous. When he swings by for jams at our place or any other place, he's the very same. Wherever he goes, he's kind, gracious and generous.

Brady's also been a great sounding board. He's always given me an open ear as well as intelligent advice. He's a true friend and truly great person; so much so, that Lauryn and I asked him to be an officiant (along with brother Craig) for our wedding. (Should you ever want a two-officiant marrying team for your wedding, these are the guys to do it!)

Brady, you are incredible! Thanks for the great music, great friendship, great officiating and great inspiration in the past and in the future. You are the person more of us should be!

Some links:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0170952/
Fancy Resume: http://www.actorsclearinghouse.com/oncam/male/bradycoleman.html
Melancholy Ramblers: http://www.melancholyramblers.com/

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"In a man's mind, his face is on his arm because he wears his heart on his sleeve."
~ E. Hayes, June 2008

June 22, 2008 - Milt Hinton

2008-06-27T15:04:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Milt Hinton (June 23, 1910 - Dec. 19, 2000)
"The Judge" - "The Dean of Jazz Bassists"
string bass, photography

The quick bio for those of you who aren't familiar:
Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1910. Moved to Chicago in 1920.
He began studying music with his mother at home. He studied violin then moved to the bass end with cello, bass saxophone and tuba, finally discovering string bass and, obviously, sticking with it.
In the early 1930's, Hinton began working with Eddie South primarily. He also worked with numerous other jazz greats: Jabbo Smith, Erskine Tate, Freddie Keppard, Tiny Parham, Zutty Singleton, etc.
In 1936, Al Morgan left the Cab Calloway Orchestra and opened a spot of our man. He stayed in that spot until 1951 when the Orchestra disbanded.
Following his Calloway years, Hinton stayed in New York where he established himself as THE first call bassist, sometimes working three three-hour recording sessions a day. He is the most recorded bassist in history. There is little doubt that you haven't heard his playing, consciously or otherwise, at some point in your life.
He continued this work, as well as touring and playing with some heavy hitting bands (like the Louis Armstrong All-Stars) until his death in December 2000.
Throughout his career, Milt Hinton made it a habit to carry with him a camera. He documented his life's surroundings and (coincidentally) some great piece of jazz history.
There is, of course, plenty of information regarding The Judge available on the world-information-web-inter-highway-wide-net. Some links to start your research are included below, as always.

Milt Hinton was the first jazz bassist that ever caught my ear. I heard his name mentioned on a how-to video (we'll discuss that in a future piece) and immediately found my way to the local Tower Records to purchase the first recording I could find bearing his name.
That happened to be a Chronological Classics volume of Cab Calloway material. The first tune that grabbed me was "The Man With Jive." Altogether, the entire tune grabbed at pieces of my childhood and very directly, unquestionably, pointed out to me the path I was going to travel. The tune itself is a very clear representation of what moves me in jazz and the presentation of it by the band was and is something for which I constantly strive as a band member and musicianer.
The next tune that grabbed me (more like, grabbed me, punched me, kneed me in my special purpose then laughed at me, slapped me and poked out my eyeballs) was "Pluckin' The Bass." This tune - obviously - featured Milt Hinton and his mastery of slap bass. To this day, you will NOT find a better slap bass feature. Not only does this song display Hinton's incredible virtuosity with the technique, it displays the most tasteful use of this virtuosity.
I was hooked - completely!
- Incidentally, pulling that off (the tasteful virtuosity) is not very easy considering the unavoidable harshness of said technique.

As if his music wasn't quite enough ...
From all reports, Milt Hinton was the nicest man as well as a very professional musicianer, and he valued both of those traits in himself and others. A local Austin bassist and friend of mine took a lesson with The Judge. He said that it was a great hang on top of being a good lesson. He said that Mr. Hinton treated him with kindness and compliments. I've spoken to a handful of bassists and musicianers around town who have had the fortune to spend some time with the man and they have all reported the same thing: professionalism and warm-hearted kindness - a genuine love for life and the life music gave him.
I feel that in his music; I see that in videos of him playing; I sense that in his interviews and stories I read.
The man's great spirit comes through in everything he does and I consider myself very lucky to count him as one my biggest influences and inspirations, musically and otherwise.

Thanks for the music and thanks for the great contributions to this world and the people in it! You are amazing, Milt Hinton!

Some links:

http://www.milthinton.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Bass-Line-Stories-Photographs-Hinton/dp/0877226814
http://www.amazon.com/Playing-Changes-Hintons-Stories-Photographs/dp/0826515746
http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/mishkin/hinton/hinton.html
http://www.riverwalkjazz.org/site/PageServer?pagename=profiles_hinton

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"In a man's mind, his face is on his arm because he wears his heart on his sleeve."

~ E. Hayes, June 2008

June 8, 2008 - Double Bass

2008-06-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Double Bass
double bass, contrabass, string bass, upright bass, bass, doghouse bass, el tololoche, stand-up bass, bull fiddle, bass fiddle, bass violin

This week's featured influence/inspiration may seem quite obvious. (So did air!) But, that's no reason to skip it.

The interested party can easily turn up plenty of historical information on the string bass by following the links included below.

First off, I choose to call it a "string bass" because of the genre and era of music that appeals to me most: early jazz. During that time, bassists were doubling on both double bass and tuba/sousaphone. To distinguish between the two, the terms string bass for double bass and brass bass for tuba/sousaphone were used.

Next up, how did I become interested in string bass?
I'm not entirely sure, really. The instrument always appealed to me, more or less, in the average American, dumbed-down way: it was big and made a low-pitched sound! I wanted to play it but it was always a passing fancy; never anything serious.
In 1997, my cousin (and first guitar teacher) formed a bluegrass band in Pennsylvania. The band lacked a string bass (I guess if we're sticking to the established standard, the band was missing a bull fiddle or bass fiddle). My cousin played for me a demo of the band (sans bass), and I was quite interested in the music.
The conversation that followed (paraphrased):
Cousin John said, "We need a bass player!"
"I've always wanted to play the bass. It doesn't seem like it's too much of a stretch from guitar," replied cousin Ryan.
"Really?! If I get you a bass, will you learn how to play it and be our band's bassist?"
"You bet I will!"
Cousin John wasted no time ... within a week, he brought a bass to my apartment. Unfortunately, he brought me an electric bass guitar! I remember leaving him with some rather colorful words regarding the instrument that he brought having nothing to do with what we had discussed that previous week. Nevertheless, I decided to fool around with it. That didn't last.
Within a week (and thanks to a well-paying warehouse job that was offering me over sixty hour work weeks), I went to the onliest store around that boasted a double bass for sale and snatched it up. The merchant and I smooshed my new instrument into me sweet ride - a 1987 Beretta GT.
Folks, that's how it started. If you feel moved, you can thank my cousin, John and Confab, Inc. for the impetus and wherewithal (with respect) to get me to where I'm at today.

Moving on - how does this giant piece of wood influence me?
For starters, getting that bass in and out of the old Beretta was really not that fun. When that slick sporty car ran out of juice, I found something a bit more conducive to the instrument's size, a 1972 Ford Club Wagon! (Named "The Green Lantern" due to the incredible paint job, shag carpeting, etc. the previous owner applied to the inside and outside of the behemoth)
Since then, I haven't purchased a new (to me) vehicle without heavily considering how it would accommodate my instrument.

What else? Every instrument offers its fair share of medical tribulations if proper technique isn't learned and applied. The string bass has a habit of magnifying these issues. I know more bassists than other instrumentalists who have needed surgery or, at least, some medical care due to the rigors of the instrument. I have suffered a few myself!

I love the string bass! It's a beautiful instrument. It's a powerful instrument. I've heard talented musicianers use the instrument to produce incredible art and share deep, personal thoughts and emotions. There have even been a few times that I've actually managed to use the bass to convey what was going on inside of me in a pleasing manner.
To me, the bass seems a natural extension of my body. It feels right in my hands. As I mentioned in the piece about Pops Foster, I usually play what I feel when I'm playing string bass - that feeling is both an instinctual feeling produced internally as well as a learned habit delivered to me through the kind and warm vibrations of the instrument. The bass and I work together (most of the time!) as one.
The bass is who I am. Hopefully, I am putting a good face on the bass, as well!

Thank you string bass! I look forward to playing you!

Some links:
http://www.earlybass.com/
http://www.gollihurmusic.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_bass
http://www.lemur-music.com/
http://www.doublebassguide.com/?page_id=3
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"Allow the president to invade a neighboring nation, whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion, and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such a purpose—and you allow him to make war at pleasure."

~Abraham Lincoln

June 2, 2008 - Dave Biller

2008-06-27T14:51:00.001-07:00

My Influences:

Dave Biller
guitar

Dave is, hands down, one of the very best guitarists in Austin and, according to my tastes, one of the very best guitarists in this country. His musicianship is off the charts; he has an ability to tap into just about any style of music and stick it into any song during a solo while comping or right over top of another lead and do it in a way that seems as if it were written that way. And, he does all that in the most unassuming way, without flinching a bit or hinting that he had to think about it or reach deep inside himself to find the idea or wherewithal to pull it off!
He plays in plenty of bands and in all manner of genres; all kinds of country and western swing, all kinds of jazz and swing and even some rock. I've heard him play electric bass in a surf band and he has been playing pedal steel around town lately.
If you aren't extremely familiar with this Austin legend, PLEASE, make yourself that way!

I met Dave ten years ago. He was touring with the Asylum Street Spankers. It only took one solo before we had all perked up and realized that there was something big coming out of his instrument.
When I moved to town, he seemed thrilled that I was here. He warmly welcomed me into this wonderful family of musicianers like I had been a part of it since birth. I certainly didn't feel worthy as I had not developed a lot of the music that I play these days. As a great mentor, though, Dave just threw me into the fire and helped me along when I needed it.
He got me a few gigs here and there and even chose me as the bassist in his gypsy-jazz band, Les Niglos. Soon enough, I found myself playing with him in The Jazz Pharaohs and then in a band called Cheapo Trio (which slowly morphed into Paris 49.)
I have learned so much music from Dave. I have learned so much about how to enjoy gigs, enjoy other musicianers, and so much about how to just do your own thing and, somehow, make it work with whatever else is happening on and off the stage. He has been one of the very best music teachers I could have ever hoped to have.
Dave has also been and continues to be one very great friend!

It's also worth noting that Mr. Biller has taught many of us some of the finer points to playing the "private party;" most notably, where to find and how to obtain cake! If there is sugary-sweet goodness offered to guests (and whether it is offered to the musicianers or not), follow Dave on the break. He will sniff out and plan the proper scheme to procure as much cake as he can for himself and the band.

Thanks for all the music and everything else!

Some links:
http://www.actionpackedevents.com/Billerbio.htm
http://www.gypsyjazz.net/products/cds-leroy-s-swing.php
http://www.vintageguitar.com/features/music/details.asp?AID=1839
www.myspace.com/thejazzpharaohs
www.myspace.com/billerandhorton
www.myspace.com/lucashudginsandthefirstcousins

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"Allow the president to invade a neighboring nation, whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion, and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such a purpose—and you allow him to make war at pleasure."

~Abraham Lincoln

May 25, 2008 - Thomas Waller

2008-06-27T14:48:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Thomas "Fats" Waller (May 21, 1904 - Dec. 14, 1943)
piano, voice, song writing machine

So, we should all know by now that I very much enjoy the lighter side of life. We should also know that I enjoy and respect finely tuned skills and refined talent.
Logically, it follows that if these characteristics are fashioned together and presented with great ease and clarity that I would be quite moved.
I am.
Fats Waller is just plain awesome! His ability on the piano (and/or organ) is stellar. His musical sensibilities match my tastes (light-hearted and silly but charming and, even meaningful.) His performances, live and recorded, are done with ease and grace as well as great levity and happiness. He wrote great songs, seemingly (and, even according to some accounts), without effort. (He wrote what I would guess to be one of the very most popular tunes in the last 100 years of American history, "Ain't Misbehavin'." Every now and again, when I find myself forced in front of one of those television machines, I'll spy a commercial featuring that tune and stand in awe - it was written in 1929 and it's STILL being used as popular music!)

Fats Waller was music. Fats Waller was music delivered in a dearly heart-felt manner; he gave his gifts with a smile on his face and in his heart ... and, I'm not exactly sure you could say which smile was bigger. I do know that you can feel that smile in his heart on the recordings he left us.

Friends, I hope you'll take at least a few minutes to review your study notes on Fats Waller this week. His birthday was last week (May 21) but that's no reason not to spend just a few minutes enjoying the fruits of his labor and, it certainly won't be a strain on your ears or your heart.
I'm not including biographical info on the man because there is TONS of it out here on the world-wide-inter-web-information-net-highway. I'll throw some links below to get you started. (Plus, I went overboard on bio info last week on the coolest of bassists.)

Thanks for the music, Mr. Waller! Thanks for the great spirit with which you gave it to us, as well!

Your links:
http://www.redhotjazz.com/fats.html
http://www.fatswaller.org/
http://newarkwww.rutgers.edu/ijs/fw/fatsmain.htm
YouTube search:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fats+waller&search_type=

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"Allow the president to invade a neighboring nation, whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion, and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such a purpose—and you allow him to make war at pleasure."

~Abraham Lincoln

May 18, 2008 - Pops Foster

2008-06-27T11:56:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

George "Pops" Foster (May 18, 1892 - Oct 30, 1969)
string bass, brass bass

As promised last week, today I present you with one of the two biggest musical influences in my present course of study in music and in life.

The quick bio:
George "Pops" Foster was born on McCall Plantation in McCall, Louisiana. He moved to New Orleans at the age of nine where his brother, Willie, taught him to play on a homemade bass with three strings (contrary to popular belief, he did not learn to play on a cello - he played cello later in his uncle's band taking Willie's place.)
The first regular gig Pops had began in 1906 with his brother's band, The Rozelle Band. From there, he went on to play with the Magnolia, Tuxedo, Robichaux. Dusen's Eagle, Armand Piron, Keppard and Kid Ory bands in New Orleans.
In 1917, he got on the riverboat with Fate Marable's band.
Pops began playing brass bass in 1921 as bands got bigger and the string bass wasn't enough to hold it down.

1924 led to the first recordings of Pops Foster with Charlie Creath's Jazz-O-Maniacs. (Phonograph recordings for Okeh).
Foster headed back in New Orleans and then to LA and St. Louis for a while then moved to New York in 1929 where he joined the Luis Russell Orchestra. With the Luis Russell Orchestra and his strong, rhythmic drive, Pops cemented (some say popularized - I say reestablished) the string bass's role in jazz bands.
From New York in 1929 and forward, Pops Foster became one of the most prominent, in-demand jazz bassists and found himself working with many of the greatest jazz musicianers - most notably: Sidney Bechet! Of course, the Luis Russell Orchestra eventually became Louis Armstrong's backing band from 1935 through 1940 when Joe Glaser.

... so much for the quick bio ... my apologies, this has gotten out of hand --- even quicker:

Foster's prominence allowed him to play all over the place with just everyone of note in the early jazz and swing music worlds. He landed in San Francisco in the mid-1950's where he was based until his death in 1969.
He later went on (posthumously) to greatly inspire and influence one string bassist from Norristown, Pennsylvania who happens to be the author of this ridiculous gibberish.

If you have any interest in the longer version of the above biographical information, please begin your research with Pops Foster's autobiography:
The Autobiography of Pops Foster: New Orleans Jazzman
http://www.amazon.com/Autobiography-Pops-Foster-Orleans-Jazz/dp/0879308311
This biography not only contains Foster's own account of his life, told with a poetic, working class, "it is what it is" beauty, but a very important look into the beginnings and the early evolutions of jazz in America.
This book, as well as Sidney Bechet's autobiography, (which we talked about last week!) are truly great starts to a fundamental understanding of jazz and its formative years.
Just like Bechet's autobiography, when I finished this book, I knew that I'd been traveling on the right path. I've read the book a number of times since and, each time, I feel the same.

Pops Foster's playing speaks (has always spoken) to me in a majestic and regal way. I'm not sure if it's because I am a bassist (either by birth or by choice) or because he is just that impressive but Foster's playing is usually the first thing I hear on recordings that feature his talents. (Unless it's a Bechet recording, then my brain convulses until it decides on which of the two most important current musical influences and inspirations to focus.)
His great ability to clearly state the exact location of beats one, two, three and four (if I may paraphrase the great words of a great human and great friend, JD Pendley) is surpassed by NONE.
His solos are also mighty examples of what a bassist should be doing - laying it down and holding it together; quarter solos just because that's what the bass does - nothing fancy, no frills; just solid power and skill.
His bass-lines are melodic! It seems to me that Pops Foster was more interested in ensemble playing then just illustrating or arpeggiating the chord structure. He would pedal across four or six bars if he felt it was appropriate, he didn't always hit the root on the strong beat; he was improvising and participating in the polyphonic aspects of early jazz just as much as the front line players.

“Hell, I just play any old go-to-hell note, as long as it swings!" ~ Pops Foster, circa 1946 - 47

And, that's what I've learned from Pops - I don't put too much book-reading into my bass playing. Before the song starts (whether it's in a rehearsal, private practice and study or some crazy band leader throwing a brand new tune at me thirty seconds before I'm supposed to play it in front of an audience), I make some attempt to learn the chord structure of the song. I can tell you how to build chords just as well as any other educated musicianer. When the tune gets going, though, thinking about it sure isn't playing it - feeling it is playing it, and sometimes, roots just don't feel like they're the best note choices! Sometimes, pedaling a common tone for four bars is where the music wants to be so that's where Pops Foster tells me to put it!
My humble apologies for repeating myself but ... Pops Foster WAS music. Hell, he IS music!

Thank you for everything and Happy Birthday, Pops Foster!

some links:
http://www.redhotjazz.com/foster
http://www.answers.com/topic/pops-foster?cat=entertainment
There is a documentary titled "Alma's Jazz Marriage" that presents early jazz history through Alma Foster's (Pops Foster's wife) experience. I have not yet seen it as our local PBS channel only plays it when I can't get to a TV that receives their signal.
If you happen to have a copy of this video, I'd love to see it!
http://www.aptonline.org/catalog.nsf/LengthLookup/39643E6B20F8AD9B85256F3C00706CEA

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"Allow the president to invade a neighboring nation, whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion, and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such a purpose—and you allow him to make war at pleasure."
~Abraham Lincoln

May 11, 2008 - Sidney Bechet

2008-06-27T11:50:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Sidney Bechet (May 14, 1897 - May 14, 1959)
clarinet, saxophone

This section, as you know, deals with my influences. It began because a few of you mentioned to me that it would be a nice bit to add to this silly announcement. I have taken a couple notable liberties to illustrate my influences -- all of my subjects have certainly been inspirations and influences to my music and my musical career (if I can be so bold as to describe it as such.) Today I present you with one of the two biggest musical influences in my present course. (Coincidentally, the second of these two will come next week.)

There is plenty of biographical information out here on the inter-web-net highway as well as at your local library and/or your favorite record store (if your local record store doesn't have at least ten different servings of Bechet recordings, you might consider choosing a new favorite record store)!

The quick summary of Bechet biography goes like this:
He was born on May 14, 1897 in New Orleans, LA. (I have also seen the day listed as Apr. 14, 1897 and the year listed as 1893. Presently, the most accepted date is May 14, 1897.)
Bechet was born into a Creole family with a good connection to music. He nabbed his brother's clarinet and taught himself to play. He began playing with local bands at the age of nine (as the tale goes, when George Brunies showed up late for a gig.) From all accounts, at that age, he was already something to behold.
Fast forward ...
Bechet made significant contributions to early jazz. He is often credited as the first recorded jazz soloist. bla ... bla ... bla ...
(You can read all the biographical bits on him that you like elsewhere.)

What I hear in Bechet is expert musicianship and fantastic conveyance of raw emotion. Bechet's musicianship is obviously evident in his masterful and powerful soloing. His solos can be superb illustrations of artfully crafted, brilliantly executed, arpeggiated runs or effortlessly thoughtful and elegant melodies. No matter how fast or slow the piece, with one note or sixty-seven, Bechet left no doubt that those notes were the exact feelings that had traveled from the experience of his youth, his early adult years, his thoughts on tomorrow or the breakfast he had eaten earlier that day through his deep and soulful heart and out, to his fingers and through the instrument presented in a raw and unadulterated way.
He WAS music.

On top of that (rather abbreviated explanation of my true feelings on Mr. Bechet's extreme talent and mastery of his art), our man wrote a fine autobiography. "Treat It Gentle." Please read this book if you have any real interest in jazz and music in general. In his book, he pretty much sums up why musicianers play music and, to some degree, how. It is an vital and beautiful summary.
Oddly enough, there is quite a lot of history mentioned in this account, as well. Added to the accounts of other early jazz greats (we will be discussing one of these guys next week) and the knowledge of my own experience in traveling a similar path (with an open mind and heart) I've learned a rather interesting and truthful (more realistic) version of the beginnings of American jazz.
When I finished this book I felt (and still feel) like I'm walking the path in the most honorable manner a musicianer can walk.
a link to the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Treat-Gentle-Autobiography-Sidney-Bechet/dp/0306811081

Happy Birthday, Sidney Bechet!!
Thanks for the great music!

some links:
http://www.redhotjazz.com/Bechet.html
http://www.nps.gov/archive/jazz/Jazz%20History_sydney_bechet.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Bechet
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_bechet_sidney.htm
http://www.npr.org/programs/jazzprofiles/archive/bechet.html

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"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force ... Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action."
~George Washington

May 4, 2008 - Air

2008-06-27T11:47:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Air
78.08% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, .93% argon, .038% carbon dioxide, trace amounts of other gases and a variable amount (1% average) of water vapor

I can' think of something that has influenced me much more than our Earth's humble, hardworking atmosphere. I like to call it air. I know it's a bit personal but air and I go back all the way to my birth. And, it's been a great relationship!
There has never been a time I have wanted to spend time away from air. The very few instances I can remember when air and I were parted felt painful and constricting; it's a safe bet that prolonged separation from this best of friends would result in death.
Air has helped me through thick and thin and has never let me down.
As a way of thanking air for the constant companionship and steadfast assistance, I exercise very regularly - sometimes two or three times a day. In this way, air and I get to spend some very quality time together.

What's more? Air is not only here for me, air is there for every single one of us human types on the planet. Hell, air is there for every plant and animal as well as so many other biological functions on this planet! Air is just about the hardest worker and best friend to everything there could be!
To think there is no national holiday to celebrate such a wonderful gift! What's wrong with us? We celebrate all manner of silliness in our holidays but not this one thing that gives us life and fills us up? (Shame on us!)

Friends, please join me in thanking air for being there!
Air, you are truly awesome!

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"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force ... Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action."
~George Washington

April 27, 2008 - Grandmom Gould

2008-06-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Mrs. Rita G. Gould (April 28, 1922 - Oct. 31, 2001)
matriarch, Grandmom

You may remember the man to the right in the photo above: Grandpop. Guess who the woman to the left is ...
Grandmom!
The photo above was taken on the very last day I spent with either of my beloved and very dear Grandparents. This is one of thousands of images I have of both of them stored in my memory that will stay with me for as long as I breathe on my own.

Most of my stories of influential and inspiring folks, especially family, seem to relate a notable heaviness on a strong internal fortitude and discipline. Grandmom Gould had these things and was quick enough to correct piss-poor behavior (as she would have called it). But, Grandmom Gould spent a lot more of her time teaching me some different lessons.
Community was one of the biggest lessons.
Grandmom was well-known up and down the block (as well as the joining blocks in the neighborhood); she'd lived there since her folks bought the place (a half a double) when she was sixteen years old. She was equally reviled and treasured by the folks in the neighborhood - that all depended on how much you wanted to be a part of the community and how much trouble you caused. The children called her "Mrs. Gould"; I had even heard some of them, in the later years, affectionately call her "Grandmom Gould."
Grandmom was extremely active in keeping the block safe and making sure any and all kids in her view, either from inside through the window and within earshot or from outside on the stoop, were behaving. She was downtown rattling city council about any and all affairs having to do with the West End of Norristown and especially, the affairs affecting the immediate vicinity around 750 Kohn St.
I can remember a number of visits to her house from local politicians and such to discuss or attempt to quell her anger about local affairs.
What I learned from Grandmom's incessant political activity and awareness was that you only get what you pay for when it comes to politics. If you sit idly by and watch, then you get whatever politicians want for you. If you stand up and make your voice heard and sometimes fight for it, you might actually accomplish something for your neighbors, your family and yourself ... your problems don't amount to anything unless you're actively trying to do something about them.

Grandmom and I walked everywhere in town. It was very rare that we got a ride unless it was by bus or taxi or train. Looking back on it, it was one of the best gifts she could have ever given me. On these walks, she wouldn't talk to me very much about things that were going on in my life ... I never really had too much to say as a child. So, she'd tell me about what was going on her life - and I would listen. She spoke to me as an adult, not as a child. She talked about what seemed to me to be a hundred different folks involved with local political problems and more or less expected me to understand what she meant or interrupt with relavant questions. (I just listened; I found if you paid enough attention and kept listening, without interruption, everything would come together in the end.)
Also on these walks, plenty of random folks would walk up to her and address her by name and discuss any number of different matters with her. She seemed to know just about everyone we passed.
One last thing about these walks and Grandmom's public performance in general: if a random child was behaving questionably and there were no adults present, she would first speak to the child, as an adult, to correct the behavior. If this didn't work, I've seen her take children by the arm and bring them to their parents' front door where demands for corrections would take place.
... how times have changed --- thanks namby-pamby parent-ers. How I yearn for the years when strangers actually took it upon themselves to look after the well-being and correct behavior of children!)

I'd like to share the story of the last day I spent with my Grandmom.
I went back to PA for a quick vacation from Austin in 2001. Before I had to return, brother Russell wanted to take me to see Grandmom and Grandpop. We headed over and we enjoyed a very normal visit with them.
Grandpop greeted us at the door with a hug and a kiss. He complained (as crotchety old men can do) about some neighbors and the neighborhood in general and yelled for Grandmom to come see who was visiting. Grandmom, of course, gave us a hug and kiss and was thrilled to have us there.
Grandmom wanted to grab some soup and the daily paper from the corner store for Grandpop, so Russell and I walked her down there. It was a slow and painful walk. Grandmom was in no shape to be walking, especially on an old brick sidewalk (read: extremely uneven and treacherous to old ladies) in some rather questionable repair.
I couldn't help but recall the hundreds of walks I had been on with Grandmom and it felt poisonous to watch her tempt fate with every step. It would have been marred forever if I had to catch her in the midst of a fall. When we got to the corner (a two minute walk normally) eight minutes later, Russell and I had to get above and below her to get her up the stoop and into the place.
The shopkeeper greeted us like family, despite having never met us before. But, he knew that we were with Mrs. Gould. He treated us very nearly like royalty. Grandmom asked for soup and inquired about some stuffed animals behind the counter (she was quite fond of stuffed animals and bought too many of them for the grandchildren and others in the neighborhood). Grandmom thought better of buying any knowing Grandpop would be agitated. The shopkeeper winked at Russell and I when Grandmom looked away and stuffed two of the toys in our bag. Russell grabbed a newspaper and we headed back up the block.
We got home and handed over Grandpop's dinner and paper. He was rather irritated when he discovered that Russell had accidentally picked up two papers instead of one and demanded that one be taken back as it was not paid for. Grandmom and Russell argued a bit that the shopkeeper wouldn't miss that one paper that Russell accidentally lifted. But, this is Grandpop Gould we're talking about ... accident or not, the paper was not paid for and atonement must be made.
Grandmom said she would take it back. Grandpop, in a move he rarely ever made, leaned forward from his chair and bore a hole with his eyes deeply into my soul and said these words, "You had better get up and walk your Grandmother down to that store."
I had planned on it anyway but there was absolutely no doubt that I had just received instructions that were not to be disregarded in any way, shape or form.
Like I was still wearing a uniform, I stood up immediately and opened the door for Grandmom.
... another very painful walk to the corner store ... only this time, Russell wasn't there to help me if Grandmom fell. I was biting my lip the whole time.
Grandmom wasn't.
She was chattering away about local politics and some family affairs that needed order. What's more? Always a collector of "found" money on the street, she spied a couple pennies that needed to be grabbed and pocketed for one of the grandchildren (depending on the date on the coin.) She also found a random Matchbox toy car on the ground that needed to be cleaned and passed on to one of the newer great-grand children. -- I had to pick up coins and car. She couldn't do it and that hurt to see.

Bittersweet, indeed.
A couple of small neighborhood kids ran up to her for a hug from Mrs. Gould. They needed to tell her how good they were doing in school.
When we got to the corner store, the shopkeeper came out from behind the counter to help me hoist Grandmom up the stoop. Then, he proceeded to scold us both and told us to take some of that scolding home for Grandpop and Russell that we had not broken any rules by accidentally grabbing two papers and that, if we ever did something like this again, he would never charge Grandmom for one more item! He shooed us out of the store only taking the paper because Grandmom told him that Grandpop would be irate if we brought it back.
On the way home, Grandmom spoke more about local stuff and some of the neighborhood kids. Half way back, a young lady popped her head out of a third floor window shouting, "Mrs. Gould!! Wait, Wait!"
We slowed our roll slightly to allow this girl to catch us. The lady ran out of her place at full steam to catch up with us. She hugged Grandmom and told her something about her week's events. Grandmom introduced me like she always had, "... This is my grandson, Ryan. He does "... this and that and the other thing "... and I'm so wonderfully proud. You should see him do his thing, you wouldn't believe it ..." (This happened all the time and I felt rather embarrassed about -- didn't matter what silly thing I was doing with my life, as a child or an adult ... )
We broke away from the conversation but not before the young lady could hug Grandmom and say, "I love you, Mrs. Gould." We made it home safely and all was well.
Bittersweet, indeed.

Grandmom made her mark wherever she was and folks held her in a very loving way. She made the very best of what she had and she did it with a smile and a sly humour about her. She kept it light. As a rule, she made others happy and comfortable. She expected responsible behavior but never demanded with words; she demanded it by her own responsible behavior and good will. If you failed those tests, then you would definitely hear about it!

Grandmom was one of the sweetest things in my life. She still is. I carry her with me in every moment of my day. Her smile and happy attitude are the gifts she wanted me to share with the rest of the world. She wanted me to make the world a better place and that's what I intend to do with myself and her gift.

Thank you Grandmom! Thank you for all the stories (as well as the patented, long-winded, multiple plot-lined Gould story telling gene.) Thank you for all of the cookies and toys! Thank you for my father, your son! Thank you for your light heart and happy smile! Thank you for all of your love and pride!
I love you!

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"Behind the ostensible government, sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the People."
~ Theodore Roosevelt

April 19, 2008 - Sr. D.I. GySgt Knight, USMC

2008-06-27T11:21:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Senior Drill Instructor Gunnery Sergeant Knight
Senior Drill Instructor, Platoon 1130, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, Parris Island (11/93 - 2/94)

This is the guy responsible for my recruit training during the first three months of my time as an active duty United States Marine.
Please note the smile. The photo was taken on graduation day, after we walked the parade deck and were formally dismissed from training (promoted from "recruit" to private, having initially earned the title "United States Marine.")
Contrary to popular Drill Instructor behavior, our Senior smiled a lot. He worked a different line than a lot of Senior Drill Instructors. He left the Hats (the junior Drill Instructors) with us most of the time to run us into the dirt, to beat us up and down the squad bay and all over Parris Island. He did train us from time to time in different situations but most of his appearances were saved for the platoon when we performed successfully and/or achieved a mark above what was expected.
This, by no means, indicates a weakness of leadership or a sidestep from the stereotypical Senior Drill Instructor; when we screwed up as a platoon, so much so that even the Hats couldn't believe it, guess who came in to "correct" us?
Senior Drill Instructor Gunnery Sergeant Knight.
OUCH.

How did this man influence me? I would imagine that's fairly obvious. So, the obvious is given.
What might not be quite as obvious is something much cooler. Back to the smile!
The Senior smiled a lot. I remember him smiling when he was pounding us into the sandpit and booming "corrections" from the bottom of his cavernous lungs. I remember him smiling when he was teaching us important lessons on USMC history and war tactics and hand-to-hand combat. I remember him smiling when he handed out mail at the end of the day. I remember him smiling as he made fun of particular recruits. The Senior smiled a lot!
What does this have to do with anything?
Everything!
... to me, anyway.

His style of leadership leaned more toward troop welfare; if the troops weren't healthy, strong and focused, the mission could not be accomplished. It seems he was a great example of catching more flies with sugar than vinegar.
That smile also indicated a lightheartedness about his warrior spirit; an acceptance of what he was/is and a willingness to enjoy it and make the best of it as it came.
Haeoka. (Perhaps, we should talk about this word another time - suffice to say, it is the thing outside of me that has closest described to me who I am inside. The native people of this continent sure were a lot more advanced than the nimrods [US] that invaded them, it's a shame we don't give them the real credit they earned.)
The more I think back on my time with Senior Drill Instructor Gunnery Sergeant Knight, the more I realize he was there giving me some great tips on how to navigate my own path.

Thank you, Sir. Semper Fi!

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... just to let you know, this isn't an editing blunder on my part: Darth Vader is still awesome and so is this sketch!
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"Behind the ostensible government, sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the People."
~ Theodore Roosevelt

April 14, 2008 - Darth Vader

2008-06-27T11:16:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Darth Vader
Dark Lord of the Sith, all-around cool guy

Darth Vader is the coolest. He could certainly take out Super Man, Under Dog, Capt. America and George Lucas (that's just the short list, folks.)
As far back as I can remember, I have enjoyed Star Wars and, obviously, Darth Vader. I think he is a great example of a driven character, full of discipline and willing to adhere to a code.

Furthermore, Ralph McQuarrie, the artist behind the visualization of our hero, has inspired me. Without this extremely talented artist, we would not have the wonderful artistic imagery given to us through Star Wars (despite George Lucas' miserable attempts to sully his own creation.)

Above is McQuarrie's concept sketches of Darth Vader. (I realize I'm a total Star Wars dork, but these images convey the early story Darth Vader even better than the final image we carry of the hero. It's genius. Trust me.)

So, there you have it. Darth Vader! I've always looked up to him and will continue to do so.

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"Behind the ostensible government, sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the People."
~ Theodore Roosevelt

April 6, 2008 - Mom

2008-06-27T11:12:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Jo Ann Bean-Butcher (April 8)
Mom

What more could be said than "Mom?" That should be enough to describe her, right?

As mom's are prone to do, my Mom taught me so many things.
She taught me to accept anyone and everyone who has a good heart no matter who they are, what they are, and/or where they come from.
She taught me that a lie, even a small lie, is a horrible poison that eats away at the soul - the souls of both giver and receiver.
She taught me to give freely without a thought of reciprocation.
She taught me to do good because good is the right thing to do -- not because there might be a reward.
She taught me to do my best in all things at all times.
She also taught me to pay attention to my heart.

It's terribly unfair of me to be able to write so little and so poorly about my beautiful Mom who has given and continues to give so much of herself to me through her love and guidance.
I thought about it all week but couldn't come up with the right words to share.
The one feeling that repeated itself constantly was the very deep feeling of great love in my heart. When I think of Mom, I don't think in words, I think in heartbeats.
I'll always do my best to honor Mom, to give her the respect she has earned, to do my best to shine a light on her good spirit and kind heart by following her lessons, to keep my soul healthy and point others toward that same well-being and to always follow my heart - my Mom.

Thank you, Mom.
I love you so much!

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"Behind the ostensible government, sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the People."
~ Theodore Roosevelt

March 30, 2008 - Cliff Edwards

2008-06-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Cliff Edwards (June 14, 1895 - July 17, 1971)
Ukulele-ist, singer, actor

Quite a while ago, a friend of mine (a ukulele player) turned me on to a guy named "Ukulele Ike." I went to Tower Records in King Of Prussia the next day to begin my search. Oddly enough, there was one "Ukulele Ike" CD hiding in the rack. Of course, it was listed under Cliff Edwards, "Ukulele Ike's" given name.
It was one of the best CDs I've ever purchased.
http://www.amazon.com/Singing-Rain-Cliff-Ukulele-Edwards/dp/B000001UPE
The recordings were a dream come true: one guy singing and playing the uke, another guy playing string bass -- no other instruments! I had begun studying both of those instruments just a few months before the purchase.
The ukulele playing was great -- Edwards used it for accompaniment in everything he did, playing all chord melody; not such an easy feat, while singing or mouth-trumpeting.
His singing was wonderful. By the time he made these recordings in 1943, his voice had aged beautifully and he was singing in his baritone register.
(The bass playing was also wonderful, -- I have yet to turn up actual documentation on just who the artist is, but the best guess I've heard is Joe Tarto - and that stands to reason.)
So, I enjoyed the album and began using it to teach myself the finer points of good bass playing, good ukulele playing and good singing.
Months later, I stumbled on some other recordings of Cliff Edwards. These were done in the 1930's with a bigger band or combo backing him. The ukulele was still there amongst the other instruments and so was that voice. This time, the voice was the older style (vaudeville, where Edwards originally rose to fame.) He displayed a powerful falsetto on these recordings as well as a great ability to project. (I learned another way to sing!)

To me, Cliff Edwards is one of the better examples of an older, higher quality entertainment. He sang, he accompanied himself while he sang, he made faces while he sang, he was comical and lighthearted through all of it and he projected a good spirit. He did it all with some notable skill, too.
It's been over ten years since I bought that first CD, and I've listened to it more times than a few previous housemates could take. I still listen to it and don't ever tire of it. Any time I listen to any Cliff Edwards recording, I bop around the house or in the car, feeling good. I start whistling and singing and humming and blowing some mouth trumpet. The stuff makes me happy in such effortless manner.
For that alone, I'm thankful to this great musicianer. I think it has had a notable effect on my own performance, as well. I attempt to play with a light heart in the hopes of entertaining an audience and, if I'm lucky, they'll walk away feeling better than they felt before listening to my music. If I'm really lucky and truly expressing the happiness inside, maybe those same listeners will walk away happy and light-hearted, too; perhaps, they might even share some of that joy with others around them.
That's the Cliff Edwards influence.

If you don't have any of his recordings, please do yourself a great favor!
http://www.amazon.com/Singing-Rain-Cliff-Ukulele-Edwards/dp/B000001UPE

And, of course, some links to help you research a good musicianer:

http://www.redhotjazz.com/cliffedwards.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Edwards
http://www.jazzage1920s.com/cliffedwards/cliff.php
http://www.geocities.com/~ukulele/ukuleleike.html

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"Behind the ostensible government, sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the People."
~ Theodore Roosevelt

March 23, 2008 - Israel "Cachao" Lopez

2008-06-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Israel "Cachao" Lopez (Sept. 14, 1918 - Mar. 22, 2008)
String bassist, bandleader, songwriter

This week, I'd like to spend some time on Cachao.
What a great bassist!

Where to start?
Cachao was born into a family of musicians and began playing string bass at nine years of age. At thirteen, he joined the Havana Symphony in Cuba and held the job for over thirty years.
In 1937, springing from the danzon music of the day, Cachao and his brother, Orestes Lopez, developed their style of music and together, wrote thousands of tunes.
(There's lots more biographical info available on this man and his many accomplishments. Please, take a moment to study him.)

I can't think of any remaining direct links to my instruments early roots in popular music.
This man was a traditional player in all respects and remained that way throughout his entire life.
Let me define traditional player using his example and perhaps, you can see why I'm moved by the man's spirit. Cachao's playing came from a solid foundation, deep within himself. He played with great fire and intensity. He meant what he played without giving it too much intellectual process. Cachao, also very important to this definition, did not rest on old, frozen ideas from the styles in which he played, he used those ideas and added his own ideas as well as his own feelings (fire) to the existing tradition. Thus, he allowed the tradition to expand and continue to live on as it should. He shared all of that through his music and, in doing so, gave a great gift to both the tradition, itself and those of us who listen to music.
Furthermore, he gave so much to that style that other styles have picked up on his contributions and use them with great liberty (some unknowingly --- whether you know it or not, you've been listening to Cachao's music in some way for a long time.)

That's a traditional player, friends - playing with and from a fiery soul, respecting and adding to the tradition, sharing that gift with great generosity and excitement and openly allowing his own style, much like the traditions he played, to be interpreted and encouraged to not only survive but to blossom.

In a much more superficial, physical manner, Cachao was just a great bassist with a great concept of time and rhythm! Wow! You must check him out.
There's a good documentary by Andy Garcia available. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106501/ It's well worth renting (or owning!) In it, you can see how the man carries himself (and his bass) and what I mean by playing from deep within himself and giving.
Folks, he was still carrying his bow in his hand! -- until some time in the Thirties in our country - in the jazz tradition - string bassists considered it a character flaw to not have the bow in your hand (vs. in a bow caddy or rested on some nearby music stand or something) whether slapping, plucking or bowing during a song. -- That's a commitment to his tradition, if you ask me.

So, if you care and if you can, take a few moments this week to look into Israel "Cachao" Lopez. If you're not already hip to his contributions, you will find that he has affected a notable bit of what you've probably been enjoying all these years.
He was a great man and gave us all a lot. We are better for it.

Thanks, Cachao!

Some links to get you started:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cachao_L%C3%B3pez
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/a/2004/10/24/PKGMU9AQQG1.DTL
An obituary:
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-cachao23mar23,1,1563983.story

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"The evils of government are directly proportional to the tolerance of the people."

~Frank Kent

March 16, 2008 - Richard Bowden

2008-06-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Richard Bowden
Fiddle, brains, push, great human

Some of you may know Richard Bowden from his years of playing in Austin and elsewhere with many great bands. He's quite a remarkable musicianer; able to play music in any situation and able to do it well with a good heart and up-beat attitude.
For that alone, I consider Richard a great influence in my life and on my playing.

Richard not only plays music from a great place - his warm and caring heart, he works very hard to bring the community together through that music. He gives so much selflessly with the hopes of convincing the citizens of this city (or whatever audience that may be paying attention) to wake up, become responsible and take an active part in reclaiming (earning) our lives from the corporate greed that has stolen everything that holds any real value.
(Feel free to notice the quote at the bottom of this email)

... and he does all of this humbly, asking for nothing in return (except for maybe a little honest community togetherness and upright function.)

And that, friends, is what makes a great influence an even greater inspiration!

Thank you, Richard for pointing towards a good path that we should all study well!
I really can't thank you enough for all you've done, all you do and all you will, no doubt, be doing in the future.
It's truly an honor to know you and to call you a friend.

Hopefully, there won't be a need for a parade next year!

http://www.instrumentsforpeace.org/

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"The evils of government are directly proportional to the tolerance of the people."

~Frank Kent

March 10, 2008 - JD and Nicole

2008-06-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Nicole and JD (Mar. 8, 2008)
Super Double-Awesome Friends, Great Humans, Family

If you don't know them, you're missing out.
Nicole is a gifted and caring school teacher. JD is a talented and driven musicianer.
Both are kind and generous. Both are warm and light-hearted.
JD has been one of my closest friends for most of the time I've lived in Austin. He's helped me grow as a musicianer; he's helped me grow as human being.
Nicole has been a great friend for almost as long. She's been a wonderfully supportive friend with an open, listening ear and always the right words.

This is horribly short and much less than either of these beautiful people deserves. It will have to suffice that I have done something right in my life that has granted me such amazing friends.

You guys are the truest of friends and I am eternally grateful! You guys are my family; I carry you in my heart wherever I go and use what you have taught and shared with me as a measurement for what is good.
Everyone should have inspirations and influences like you!

My heartiest Congratulations and all of my love!

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"The evils of government are directly proportional to the tolerance of the people."

~Frank Kent

March 3, 2008 - Dr. Ron Paul

2008-06-27T10:33:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Dr. Ron Paul (Aug. 20, 1935)
U.S. Representative, Doctor, honest American

As some of you know, I enjoy studying the founding of our country and its founders.
Those that laid that ground work for this country were good folks with serious ideas; they worked hard, sacrificed and gave it their all.
I try to live by the principles those founders attempted to instill in us as individuals and as a nation.
I also find myself asking again and again and again, "Why don't we have "elected" leaders like that in our time?" The answer I give myself: Dr. Ron Paul.

Ron Paul may not be a founder of this country but he most certainly tries to live up to their standards. He strives for honesty and openness in his public service. He strives for privacy for his constituency. He strove to uphold our now defunct U.S. Constitution. (1787 - 2006 R.I.P.) and strives to restore our highest law to its former glory.
I don't like politics and all the usual evil that politicians do in the name of "helping" America. I don't appreciate the duplicity with which politicians normally speak. I don't care for the lies and the corruption and the greed that run so rampantly through our "elected" governing body. Furthermore, it sickens me to know that through laziness and apathy and/or by mass manipulation, we, as a People, have been so complacent about these horrible, "accepted" characteristics of politics and politicians.

Although, the timing is rather questionable - and, I apologize for it - I'm not writing about Dr. Paul this week because election day is right around the corner (we all know he isn't going to get nominated!) I'm writing because he is so fresh in mind - 'tis the season, you know!
I'm writing about the good doctor because, more importantly than this man getting nominated to run for and elected to our nation's highest office, I feel he is a great example of someone trying to rise above the accepted standards. To me, he is fighting a system that has too long been in control of our minds and hearts, individually and as a nation. And, I can't say this enough, he is the most honest person in my awareness serving our nation's "elected" government.
Honesty! I love honesty!

Folks, it's my hope that you'll vote this Tuesday. It is not my hope that you will vote for Ron Paul. For that matter, it's not my hope that you will vote for Clinton, Obama or McCain. I don't want to know who will get your vote and I don't want to tell you who received mine -- that stuff doesn't matter! (It's all rigged anyway.)
I do hope that you will take a moment to study Ron Paul's career and note his attempts to enlighten his constituency and any interested parties. And, I do hope that you will take his example and question the hell out of YOUR government and YOUR "elected" representatives and DEMAND better representation as well as take some real responsibility in governing your own lives so that we don't need to "elect" corruptible citizens to do it for us.

Some valuable links on Dr. Ron Paul:
www.house.gov/paul
http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/

Open Secrets is a great place to do some facts checking:
http://www.opensecrets.org/
a staring point for Ron Paul: http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.asp?id=N00005906&cycle=2008

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"The evils of government are directly proportional to the tolerance of the people."

~Frank Kent

Feb. 18, 2008 - Erik Hokkanen

2008-06-27T10:31:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Erik Hokkanen (Feb. 23)
violin, guitar, mandolin, etc.

You should definitely be familiar with Erik Hokkanen if you're an Austin resident. There's really NO excuse. Please, feel free to feel a deep and overwhelming sense of shame if you haven't been out, at least once, to take in the incredible experience it is to be musically entertained by our subject.

Erik recruited me well over five years ago to do a benefit party out in West Lake. We raised money for some local schools to continue their music curriculum. He decided to keep me on, and we've been playing together since.
(Every Tuesday night at Flips!)

There's tons of things I can say about Erik. I'll point out just a few.
Erik, obviously, is one of the best musicians Austin has to offer. If you don't know this to be true, you don't live under a rock, you live under four rocks.
Erik is a baker of breads.
Erik lives with what he has and makes use of everything around him.
Erik does his part - by that, I don't mean he is like every other typical American who does just enough. I mean that actually does his part.
Ex. #1: When he sees random litter blowing across the parking lot that he most certainly didn't drop, he goes to the litter, picks it up and puts it in a trash can or recycles it in some way instead of shirking his duty as a human, a citizen, an American, a townsperson, a son, a brother, a father, a friend and a musicianer.
Erik is can live in the woods with little to no industrial tools.
Erik is a good friend.

I've learned a whole lot of music in the last five+ years of playing with Erik. He very often talks about what we do every night and what it amounts to: we've earned more than the equivalent of a Bachelor's Degree and even a Master's Degree or more.
I've also learned a lot about myself thanks to many lively chats with Erik, sharing our philosophies and keen, childlike interest in all things human and how we can individually make the world a better place.

Happy Birthday, Erik!

http://www.austin360.com/music/content/music/stories/2007/09/0908hokkanen.html
http://www.markrubin.com/hokkanen/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Hokkanen

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"The evils of government are directly proportional to the tolerance of the people."

~Frank Kent

Feb. 11, 2008 - Wags Macklin

2008-06-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Wags Macklin
Bass (Washtub), Strange Ad Writer, so much more

I moved to Austin in late 1999 with the hopes of meeting new musicianers and learning more about my craft. As it turns out, there were others looking about for new musicianers, as well.
In the back of The Chronicle, under Musician References, read and ad that started exactly like this: "Bass: (washtub) ..." The ad went on to ask for any parties interested in old-timey and jug-band music to reply.
Whoever would run such an ad must be worth at least a phone conversation!
As it turns out, the conversation led to a wonderful friendship with a very interesting musicianer and cosmopolitan adventurer.

Wags Macklin hails from parts-unknown-to-me. I know just a little about his history. He was a cliff diver of some renown at some point, a famous bare-knuckle boxer from 1860 through 1871, a sponge-maker and tester in the late 1960s and early 1970s and, of course, the reason he and I met and the most interesting part of his story: he spent a great deal of time in Japan, in a hidden fortress, studying the martial art of wash-tub (sentakudarairyu) (I'm not sure of the dates on that one - he is very guarded about the secrets of the art and the training period he experienced.)

Wags has been seen about town in many different bands - he is a highly sought-after wash-tub bassist, a string bassist and a saxomaphonist (not to mention a number of other instruments upon which he can and does wail.)
You'd be wise to catch him in action. Wags has given me great hope and continues to give me great smiles! He will surely do the same for you!

All my best old man! I thank you for the music and amazing thing you spawned by your clever use of bold-faced print and parentheses! You are a king among men!

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"All men having power ought to be mistrusted."

~James Madison

Feb. 3, 2008 - Faustyn Langowski

2008-06-27T09:33:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Faustyn Langowski
saxomaphone, clarinet, hijinks, good spirit

Here's the real thing, folks. Faustyn Langowski is a real a musicianer. (Read the links below to get a brief glimpse into his working-man's musician resume as well as quick a bio.) He's played with bands from Adolph Hoffner to Glen Campbell and everything in between. Faustyn's ears can pick up any melody and then send it right back out through whatever horn he has in his hands. His playing is some of the best I've ever heard - both solo and ensemble styles. Simply, he lives and breathes music ... he IS music.

How do I keep this brief?
In my life-long, constant journey to understand myself (and hopefully, others,) the one thing that has presented itself time and time again as being paramount is the necessity of a light heart.
Whether performing as a musicianer (read: entertainer,) running ten miles with an M-16A2 service rifle training to kill and be killed and many other things in between, the folks closest to me (and, probably many others) know me to be smiling or clowning in some way.
This is my Way.
To me, it seems to be the Way that, if not everyone, at least the entertainers in our midst should follow.
Faustyn is that light heart.

My very first experience with Faustyn comes from the 2006 open jam hosted by the local "traditional" jazz society. Edward told me about a guy he met who played with Adolph Hoffner and that the guy might be coming to the jam. Near to the end of my time at the jam, that guy, Faustyn, sauntered up to the stage area with his saxophone and jumped right in! He turned to me a number of times during that first tune we played together to joke with me about the music.
Every gig I've played with him since has been nothing but fun and light-hearted joy with Faustyn cracking wise to me and other band members as well as audience members. Faustyn can play the hell out of his instruments. He is a great musicianer and takes playing very seriously. BUT, he takes it seriously in the light-hearted manner.

Faustyn has given me a wonderful gift in his constant reminders, on stage and off, that life is to be taken with a grain of salt and should, more or less, be read aloud, accompanied with grand and animated movements like a Dr. Seuss story book.
Life is a beautiful place, friends. One of the big reasons for that: Faustyn Langowski and his musical talent and light and joyful heart.

Thanks old buddy!
I can't tell you how much the music you share with me means and I promise that it will stay with me in my heart to my end. You ARE music.

Some links regarding our subject:
http://www.angelfire.com/folk/polka/bands.html (scroll a little over an eighth of the way down the page)
http://www.arsjb.com/History_files/flv1.htm

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"All men having power ought to be mistrusted."

~James Madison

Jan. 27, 2008 - Lauryn

2008-06-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Lauryn Gould
Wife, Best Friend, Muse

A few years ago, the most amazingly beautiful creature stepped through the door at Flipnotics during an Erik Hokkanen gig. She grabbed a place in the back and stood, listening to the band. I'd never seen such beauty ever before and was rather unable to pull my gaze away from her. (I still haven't been able to do so.) Although, she stood in the back, she was the only one I could see; I saw the most incredibly striking smile, the most magnificently arresting eyes and a grace of spirit that bewitched me.
I was captivated ... still am. I thought this woman had to be a model.
This model made the same spellbinding entrance nearly every week thereafter. I thought she would never have the time to share even a short word with me. It took the better part of a year before either of us spoke words to the other. When we did, however, it seems the seal was broken. Each word she said was the word I wanted to hear and I wanted to hear as many of her words as I could.
We married a little over a year ago.

Lauryn is my very best friend. She is always there for me.
She is my muse. She moves me to follow my spirit and be true to myself and, in doing so, be true to her.
She is my teacher and guide. She has shown me how to perform with grace and beauty in honoring all the wonderful gifts my beautiful parents and grandparents gave me.
She is my wife. She loves me like nobody else has. She gives me the warmth inside that keeps my heart from freezing and turning black.
That's just the tip of the iceberg, friends. Lauryn is my influence and my inspiration.

She is also an amazing role-model; we could all learn a thing or two from her example, actually.
She is kind; she is thoughful; she is caring; she is generous. She sees the beauty in things before she sees the bad.
She works hard and strives to accomplish her heart's ambitions. And, she endeavors to be true to that connection to her heart; a connection that is all too often overlooked and quite difficult to maintain.
She shares all of her gifts, not only with me, but with anyone who is willing to accept them.

I could never hope to write all the things that you are to me, Lauryn.
I love you.
You are my The One.

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"The evils of government are directly proportional to the tolerance of the people."
~Frank Kent

Jan. 20, 2008 - Wellman Braud

2008-06-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Wellman Braud (Jan. 25, 1891 - Oct. 29, 1966)
String Bassist

This week, we celebrate Wellman Braud, one of my favorite bassists!

More than likely, you'll recognize Mr. Braud from his recordings with Duke Ellington. He was the first in Ellington's long line of fine bassists.
It's important to note that Braud was involved with a number of Sidney Bechet's bands such as the pivotal "Bechet-Spanier Big Four."
Like Pops Foster, Bill Johnson and Al Morgan, he claimed New Orleans as his home, was a very-well recorded bassist and was very important in the grand scheme of jazz bass history.

Braud's bass playing is a great example for what a bass should be doing in this music - driving! Without a doubt, he informs the listener of the time as well as the exact location of beats one, two, three, and four.
I love listening to this guy! When I grow up, I will be like him - a great bassist.

Happy Birthday, Wellman Braud and thanks for the great music!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellman_Braud

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"The evils of government are directly proportional to the tolerance of the people."

~Frank Kent

Jan. 13, 2008 - Grandmom Roesler

2008-06-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Madeline Roesler Jan. 17, 1922 - Oct. 4, 2010
Matriarch

My Mom was raised on a dirt farm in Evansburg, PA, along with her two sisters and one brother, by her Mother, my Grandmother and her Father, my Grandfather (I never got to meet him; he passed away when my Mom was sixteen).
Grandmom is now Great-Grandmom and the head of a family of over sixty individuals. -- yes, family gatherings can be insane and always feats of logistical daring.

Grandmom

Most folks have at least one grandmother who spoils them. I certainly did. Grandmom Roesler was NOT that grandmother! Grandmom Roesler did not sate us with cookies and toys; she told us to go and play outside and to stay out of trouble. Grandmom Roesler explained that when you fouled up, it was your butt on the line and you would pay the price for any wrongdoing.
Of course, I was an angel!

Along with the others I have mentioned in previous scribblings, Grandmom gave me a fierce respect for discipline and responsibility. She demanded this when I was a child - she didn't wait until my adult years or even my teen years to demand proper discipline and/or responsibility, she expected it and GOT IT when I was old enough to understand any words that came from her mouth.
When Grandmom speaks, the children listen! When Grandmom instructs, the children obey!

That was childhood.

In adulthood, I've come to see my beautiful grandmother as a queen - the queen of my family and the queen of my heart.
All that discipline and all that respect she taught me has been the best gift anyone could have ever given. It has vaulted me over just about every hurdle I've ever encountered.

Grandmom is strong. My Mom says that Grandmom is the strongest woman she has ever known. I'm not talking about Arnold Schwarzenegger strength; I'm talking about will power, tenacity and internal control; a desire to win no matter the odds.
From what I've seen and know of Grandmom, I agree with Mom - wholeheartedly.
She taught me where to find this strength. She taught me that it doesn't come from an outside source of any kind - it comes from inside; from the knowledge that doing right, being responsible, and making wise, thoughtful decisions builds stubborn muscle and depth of character.
She didn't teach it with words, she taught it through actions. She made demands on me that just don't fit in with today's lackluster and coddling (namby-pamby childrearing) standards. Grandmom had definite expectations and I am so very thankful for that!

In return for this adherence to discipline and responsibility, Grandmom shines the light of a very warm and loving heart on me. She is over 1700 miles away but I feel the love she holds for her family and for me all the way down here.

Grandmom also taught me to see through a line of crap as well as see the good in others characters. I have always looked for friends - loved ones - that would hold up against Grandmom's standards.

So, Grandmom, I thank you for helping me to find my dear wife. I knew if I kept looking, bearing in mind your standards, I would find someone with your strength and good heart.

I'm so very proud of you Grandmom! I know you're leaving us soon. I know that you're proud of all that you have done and for the great family you raised. I know that when you're gone, you'll be in my heart, the same way you are now - the pillar of my character and strength that keeps me going.

Thank you for the amazing gifts you have given me - all of them; but most importantly, the incredible love in your heart and the most precious Mom a son could ever need and want.

I love you.
Your grandson,
Ryan

Thursday, October 07, 2010

I’ve spent a number of hours poking around in my head and heart looking for the right way to express the thoughts or the feelings I have after Grandmom left us this week. On the eight-hour drive home from New Orleans yesterday, I sat behind the wheel thinking of her and all that she gave the family and all that she gave me.

I did my best to remember Grandmom when she was independently mobile. I remembered how it seemed (at least from the perspective of an angsty teenager, then as a struggling young-adult) she kept the family together by sheer will and gritty, stubborn expectation. Our family’s unifying force was her great spirit. She brought us into the world (directly or indirectly) and she’d be damned to see us behave in a manner other than caring for each other like a family should lest she take us out of the world … directly.

Grandmom was the head of a family that has presented me with so much love and support and has always treated me like every minute with me has been a good one.

She helped us all cherish each other. She did that by example. At every family gathering I attended after my return from the Far East, I could see a light in her eye as she scanned her brood. It was a regal gleam; it was a proud flash that signaled her happiness with each of us individually and as a whole; we were her life’s work and she was gracious and impressed.

That light in her eye was a small shimmer of the brilliant spirit of her love for us that was nestled deeply in her heart. And, that’s where she taught me to keep you, my family, and all my loved-ones. Whether you live next door or if you live 1700 miles away in a different state or country, I’m holding you in my heart and cherishing the warmth of your spirit.

Grandmom took her leave and I will always miss seeing that sparkle in her eyes and feeling the joy in her hugs and kisses. She isn’t gone though; she lives in all of our hearts. She lives on as we share our love and care for each other.

Thank you, dear Grandmom. I promise to keep you close for all my days.
I love you.

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"The evils of government are directly proportional to the tolerance of the people."

~Frank Kent

Sept. 2, 2007 - Luckey Roberts and Donald Lambert

2008-06-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

The Influences:

A quick note on stride piano:
There's a great website called Stride Piano.com http://stridepiano.com/bios/gen1/jackson.html
This is a great place to start your research into the style. You'll also find a proper definition of the style and a much better description than I will give. You will also find some bios on many other lesser known but great stride pianists at the site.
My definition goes like this:
Stride is the proper way to play piano in jazz. If you have two hands, you should be using both of them!

Luckey Roberts
(Aug. 7 1887 – Feb. 5, 1968)

Along with James P. Johnson, Luckey Roberts is widely considered a founder of the stride piano style. For that alone, he is worth some study and recognition.
There aren’t many recordings of the man’s playing but what I’ve heard has been nothing less than fantastic. I’d highly recommend looking into these recordings and spending some quality time learning about the man.

http://www.mp3.com/artist/luckey-roberts/summary/
http://members.aol.com/midimusic/robertsbio.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luckey_Roberts

Donald Lambert (Feb. 12, 1904 – May 8, 1962)

Like Luckey Roberts, Donald Lambert didn’t make many recordings. In fact, he more or less shunned the limelight and all that goes with it, by most accounts. So, we have little to go on. But, the recorded material he did leave with us is very well worth the investment.
This guy can play! Read up on him and listen.

http://www.mp3.com/artist/donald-lambert/summary/
http://members.aol.com/midimusic/lambertbio.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Lambert

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"Treat the Earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children."
- Native American proverb

Aug. 18, 2007 - Alex

2008-06-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Alex (August 9)

Influence and inspiration can come in all shapes and sizes. I'm not sure how or when that occurred to me but I'm glad it did.
Nearly eight years ago, I met someone who has become a great inspiration and a great influence on my life in all its aspects. In fact, I think of him as a hero.

My man, Alexander, has triumphed against all odds and has risen as a champion. I have watched him enjoy his childhood, learn from his mistakes and endure unfathomable horror and sadness.
I now watch him growing constructively under the love and guidance of some very, very wonderful people. He is blossoming into quite a spirited, good-hearted human being!

This young man has shown extreme strength and courage. He seemingly thumbs his nose at hardship and insistently defies the odds. And, he does it with good humor and a smile on his face. He laughs and plays through trouble and takes his licks knowing that he will come out on top.
I learned these lessons somewhere else. But, it's incredibly refreshing to get the reminder from a child when most adults have either forgotten the lesson entirely or just never learned it!

I am lucky (more so than words can describe) to have such a champion in my life and so extraordinarily grateful for such a gift.
I may have pointed in a few directions for him throughout these years but it's Alex who has shown me the way.
Thanks, buddy!
I love you!

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Jan. 6, 2008 - Craig and Brenda

2008-06-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Craig and Brenda High
Great Examples

You will not find two better examples of how human beings are supposed to behave.

The Highs came into my life in the usual way anything comes into my life - unusually.
In late 1999, Craig responded to an odd ad placed in the Austin Chronicle requesting interested parties to contact a very strange person about playing jug band music. Three people (I was one) responded and before very much time had passed, four of us sat together (for the first of many, mnay times to come) on the back porch of the High house.
Craig and Brenda were very thoughtful hosts and spared no kindness. I felt very welcome. We met many, many more times. (The Jug Band story is for another time, though.)

Craig and Brenda are two of the most beautiful souls to have ever walked this planet.
They have become brother and sister to me; in fact, I believe they would have it no other way.
Over the years, when others were at home for the holidays in other cities and states, visiting biological family, the Highs would insist that I join them for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
When trouble rears up in my life, Brenda and Craig have been the first to offer assistance and rather insistent that they be involved with solutions.
The list of their generosities and kindnesses is rather lengthy; trust me when I say, there aren't two kinder folks who exemplify how we should all treat each other and how we should behave in a constructive and functional society!
I will illustrate one very strong point: You might remember Alex* from this section; I wrote about him in August. The very, very wonderful people I mentioned who are raising this young man are, in fact, Brenda and Craig --- let's not forget Cole, their eldest son, who is also a very important part of this process!

Craig and Brenda, you are my brother and sister and I love you so very much!
It is a very, very deep honor to be a part of your lives. Thank you.

* Alex (August 9)
Hero

Influence and inspiration can come in all shapes and sizes. I'm not sure how or when that occurred to me but I'm glad it did.
Nearly eight years ago, I met someone who has become a great inspiration and a great influence on my life in all its aspects. In fact, I think of him as a hero.

My man, Alexander, has triumphed against all odds and has risen as a champion. I have watched him enjoy his childhood, learn from his mistakes and endure unfathomable horror and sadness.
I now watch him growing constructively under the love and guidance of some very, very wonderful people. He is blossoming into quite a spirited, good-hearted human being!

This young man has shown extreme strength and courage. He seemingly thumbs his nose at hardship and insistently defies the odds. And, he does it with good humor and a smile on his face. He laughs and plays through trouble and takes his licks knowing that he will come out on top.
I learned these lessons somewhere else. But, it's incredibly refreshing to get the reminder from a child when most adults have either forgotten the lesson entirely or just never learned it!

I am lucky (moreso than words can describe) to have such a champion in my life and so extraordinarily grateful for such a gift.
I may have pointed in a few directions for him throughout these years but it's Alex who has shown me the way.
Thanks, buddy!
I love you!

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"Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have."

~Davy Crockett

Dec. 16, 2007 - Sadie and Smedley

2008-06-27T08:36:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Sadie and Smedley
evil incarnate

Sadie is the dog. Smedley is the cat.
Sadie's papers say she is a chihuahua? She weighs in at twenty-five pounds. She stands about a foot and a half tall and, from nose to butt, she is probably two feet.
According to my measure, that doesn't fit the chihuahua mold. Please, feel free to make your own judgments from her given dimensions and the photo above.
She came to us from Town Lake Animal Shelter where they wanted to put her down because she failed the pen test and because she had heart worm.
A little bit of money, a few trips to the vet and giving the dog medicine is all it took to cure the heart worm problem.
Failed the pen test? Whatever ... I'd fail it, too. Watch the dog whisperer and be disciplined about your behaviors with your furry friend ... enjoy the fruits of your labors.
Smedley (Smedley Maynard) is your standard orange tabby. He comes to us via the neighbors of a couple of friends. They were going to take him to Town Lake because he was too small to run with the rest of the cats in the neighborhood? Ummmm ... Smedley (by the way, named for MGen Smedley D. Butler, USMC) starts most of the battles between his three times heavier and twice taller and longer sister who has much bigger teeth and stronger jaws and limbs.

Do these guys actually inspire me to make music? Not so much!
Mostly, they inspire me to chase them around the house yelling words that aren't fit to print. It's painful to figure out what to do with them when we want to leave town for a couple of days. They make a mess out of anything and everything and I'm pretty sure they do it purposely to aggravate me and test my limits.

The dog barks and snarls and growls at anything that is not a permanent part of this household. She's even been known to nip at some of the folks on this very list.
But, she's a hell of a watch-dog! Her bark makes her sound twice as big as she is and her snarl and growl can spook just about anyone. She is always right at my side in the middle of the night when I spring into defensive and investigative action prompted from barely audible but curious noises in or near the house.

The cat isn't much on security. To you would-be burglars on the list, you don't have to fear anything from the cat; well, he might run under foot and trip you while you're making off with my untold riches. He will also be demanding your attention, distracting you from your evil plan (so, maybe he is good for something?)
But, he is a constant source of entertainment. I've seen him run straight into walls because he doesn't seem to like watching where he is going. He meows in something altogether NOT cat - it's much more like human baby-talk. The fights he starts with Sadie usually provide some astounding physical feat of acrobatic daring (on his part) to inspire wonder and awe. Sometimes, while I'm typing out this blubbering gibberish, he'll climb on to my shoulders and wrap himself around my neck and shoulders (like a fur stole) - I think he has watched a few pirate movies and considers himself a parrot.

These guys are part of my life and as such, they are inspirations and influences on me and the music in my life.
Hairy and annoying, even a bit smelly, but still loved.

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"Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have."

~Davy Crockett

December 9, 2007 - Roy Gould, Sr.

2008-06-27T08:22:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Mr. Roy L. Gould, Sr. (Dec. 10, 1920 - Dec. 2, 2001)
Patriarch

The man pictured above is my grandfather - Grandpop Gould.
Nothing I write today can honor the man the way I would prefer or in the manner he earned. Nothing I write today can accurately describe the pride with which I dutifully carry his name. There are simply no words that can explain the love I have for my dear Grandpop.

Grandpop was an amazing man. He was a great example of the American citizen. He was a great example of a father and a grandfather.
He did good things until he could do things no longer.
With regard to his parenting, he and my loving, sweet Grandmom, raised four healthy sons - of course, one of those was my wonderful father, Dad! (I hope you can recall how I feel about him.) Not only did he and my Grandmom raise my Dad and my uncles, they helped raise my brother and me.
When I think of Grandpop, I think of him as a grandfather and a father, as well. He wasn't the typical doting grandfather, spoiling the grandkids when they were dropped off for babysitting. He demanded that we conduct ourselves in a disciplined manner at all times and expected us to observe the rules our parents gave us as well as the rules of his house.
He gave me a strong foundation in discipline and sense of faith in myself through that discipline - a trust in myself and nobody else to accomplish anything I wished.

Grandpop was a grandfather, too, however. He was unconditionally proud of anything and everything I did. When I walked in the house, his very normal, pessimistic scowl turned upside down as he smiled from ear to ear greeting me. Every time I showed up at the door, it seemed as if he had been standing there, excitedly waiting for my return - nearly puppy-like.
Grandpop left absolutely no doubt in my mind of the pride he had in me and my accomplishments as well as the love he held for me.

Grandpop was also a wonderful storyteller. My favorite: He always told me that he started WWII.
He was stationed on Pearl Harbor in 1941 as a U.S. Army soldier (yes, he constantly busted my shoes and my Dad's regarding USMC/US Army rivalry stuff). Days before Dec. 7th, he shot some pool with a friend on base. He lost and accused his buddy of playing dirty. He swore that he wouldn't shoot pool with this guy until there was a war on.
On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, Grandpop found himself without anyone to join him for a game. He found this buddy and reluctantly agreed to shoot pool with him. They got as far as brushing the table when the whole place started shaking.
Grandpop said it took them a couple minutes to realize that it wasn't just "heavy exercises" disturbing their game.
So, Grandpop thought he caused the war - I'm sure he'd send his apologies!

In the years after my service to our now sadly defunct country and before my emigration to Austin, TX, I spent some rather joyful and memorable times with Grandpop.
I didn't live too far away so I would wake up and pop over to see Grandmom and Grandpop. Sometimes, I'd miss Grandmom (dynamo - always on the move, on a mission to right local wrongs or just out grocery shopping and buying lottery tickets!) and catch some good quality grandfather/grandson time. There is nothing like watching reruns of Sanford and Son with Grandpop! I had grown a strong fondness on my own for Hawaii Five-O at that time, too. So, it was especially exciting to wake up and shoot over to 750 Kohn St. to take up my perch next to my grandfather and watch Kono eating sandwiches while McGarrett's hair stood unmoving in the winds.
The conversations about anything and everything were stimulating and insightful. (This was during the commercials, of course - you didn't speak while Chin Ho was tracking down evidence or while Dan-O was booking some evil crime lord!)
My Grandpop's quiet wisdom, to me, is worth more than I can say.
Those were priceless memories.

I could go on and on about my Grandpop ... but I think you get the idea.
I spend every day of my life celebrating this man but tomorrow, Dec. 10th, is the day I break with my American value of privacy and share my excitement and joy about the man who gave me so much so willingly, happily and lovingly.

I carry my cherished Grandpop's love and his memory in my heart and because of that, I don't ever want for missing him. Yet, there are also no words to describe the weight of the tears stored inside me because he is physically gone.

I love you with all of my heart, Grandpop. Everything I do in life is dedicated to you and to all the priceless gifts you gave me - especially, your honorable name and the great man, your son, my Dad. - Thank you!
Happy Birthday!

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"Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have.

~Davy Crockett

Nov. 18, 2007 Willie "The Lion" Smith

2008-06-26T21:32:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Willie "The Lion" Smith (Nov 23, 1893 - Apr 18, 1973)
piano, voice, character

There's been plenty written about this guy. Actually, there's been plenty written about this guy BY this guy. (It seems this guy really liked to talk about himself!)
There is lots of audio and video of him, as well.
So, please, look into "The Lion" if you haven't before; this guy is totally worth it!

Willie "The Lion" Smith is one of the first three names most folks associate with stride piano, and rightfully so! (James P. Johnson and Fats Waller for you curious types.) His style is very distinctive; in fact, unmistakable.
One of my favorite habits of The Lion's is stuttering and pausing his phrases on unexpected beats. (You'll hear this in Pops Foster's bass playing, as well.) As a direct result of listening to this man's amazing music, it turns up in my bass playing. There is a great enthusiasm with which The Lion plays. He conveys his beautiful spirit so well through the piano with great control.

This Friday, we celebrate Willie "The Lion" Smith's birth.
Take a moment sometime this week to check out this man's work. There is plenty of it around!

Some links:

"Music on My Mind: The Memoirs of an American Pianist"
The Willie The Lion Smith autobiography:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/used/ListingResults.asp?z=y&WID=35560&TTL=music%20on%20my%20mind&Itm=1

Red Hot Jazz:
http://www.redhotjazz.com/thelion.html

Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_%22The_Lion%22_Smith

A film biography (this is a well-done hour-long documentary that does a noteworthy job of covering "The Lion's" accomplishments - well worth checking out!)
http://www.njn.net/artsculture/williethelion/

Some Clips on Youtube.com:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=willie+the+lion

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"Everybody's worried about stopping terrorism. Well, there's a really easy way: Stop participating in it."

~Noam Chomsky

Nov. 11, 2007 - Veterans Day

2008-06-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

(while you're at it, remember Joe Cordi's Birthday, too!)

Veterans Day Nov. 11 (1918)

Armistice Day

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month

It's Vets Day and, to me, it's one of the most important holidays of the year. In fact, it is one of the very few real holidays of the year, in my opinion.
November Eleventh is a day set aside to honor our nation's warriors for their honorable service. It's a day to thank the folks who committed some portion of their lives to military service. It's a day to honor something of substance; something real.

So, to the Vets on this list, (and all Vets) humbly and with the utmost respect, I THANK YOU so very much for you sacrifice, your honor, your service and your noble action.

Happy Birthday Veterans Day!
Thank you Veterans!

http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/

Please, take the time to thank a Vet (or two ... or all the Vets you know) today.

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To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.

~Abraham Lincoln

Nov. 4, 2007 - USMC

2008-06-26T21:10:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

The United State Marine Corps (10 NOV 1775 - present)

"That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant-Colonels, two Majors, and other officers, as usual in other regiments; that they consist of an equal number of Privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken that no persons be appointed to offices, or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve by sea when required; that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war with Great Britain and the Colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress; that they be distinguished by the names of the First and Second Battalion of Marines."

To the U.S. Marine Corps and to the U.S. Marine, it is unquestionably honorable - the right thing to do - to know and to observe one's history, his heritage and the traditions that have grown from that lineage. This is one of the many disciplines that promotes such a strong brotherhood among U.S. Marines, and it instills an even greater sense of appropriate conduct, loyalty, gratitude that distinguishes the U.S. Marine Corps and its warriors from other fighting units.

Remembering and celebrating the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday is one of the traditions, of course.
On U.S. Marine Corps bases the world over, 10 NOV is a pretty exciting time. Each year, a Marine Corps Ball is held. At the Ball, there is a cake cutting ceremony where an order from Lieutenant General John A. Lejeune, thirteenth Commandant of the Marine Corps, is read. (The order summarizes the history, tradition and mission of the U.S. Marine Corps.)

This year, despite the eleven-plus years that have passed since I received my Honorable Discharge, I will be celebrating with no less spirit!
Each year, I speak with my dear Dad, also a U.S. Marine, and wish him a Happy Birthday. Of course, I call him again the very next day (11 Nov - Veterans Day!) to thank him for his service as a warrior to this country.

As you might imagine, the United States Marine Corps has most certainly influenced everything I do - including music.
It seems strange to a lot of folks when they learn that I served as an active duty Marine. For some odd reason, being a Marine and being a musician seem contradictory to some. To me, it was a very sensible and quite linear career choice.
In the U.S. Marine Corps, one learns to move as a unit - as a team.
A good Marine and a good Marine platoon, squad and fire team will learn the duties of his position and perform those duties with discipline and dedication and, with any luck, well-refined skill! The Marine will also learn the duties of every other member of his unit. (The reality of war demands it - each private knows how to command a platoon because the Lieutenant, the Sergeants, the Corporals and the Lance Corporals can all be shot down and killed just as easily ... someone will need to keep it together.)
A good Marine will also grow to know each of his fellow Marines (within his unit) very well. It is imperative to move as one unit - speed, efficiency, success and welfare depend on the unit's self-awareness - it's teamwork, esprit-de-corps and morale.

How does any of this relate to musicianship? Directly!
Go back and read those lines but replace the word Marine with musicianer. Replace the word unit with band.
Upon my return to the civilian workforce, I could not find a job that boasted such a teamwork ethic. It sickened me and, while I was completely able to function within what jobs I took and achieve success and even commendation in any of those jobs, I could not fully enjoy working in those situations because there was just NO team spirit. It was all for the self. I am not interested in that spirit.
I have found that camaraderie, the team spirit, in my work as a musicianer.

That's only one facet of the U.S. Marine Corps' influence on me as a musicianer.
You can imagine that discipline and dedication, as well as many other characteristics learned from the U.S. Marine Corps and their influence on me would take up many more paragraphs.
I think you get the idea.

Happy Birthday U.S. Marine Corps!

Some links:
http://www.usmc.mil/
http://www.marines.com/
Lejeune, John A., LGEN USMC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_A._Lejeune
For those of you in the D.C area, the USMC Museum has recently opened its doors and by all reports, it is well worth visiting, but will take more than one visit.
http://www.usmcmuseum.org/

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To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.

~Abraham Lincoln

Oct. 28, 2007 - Paul Robeson

2008-06-26T20:59:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Paul Robeson (April 9, 1898 – January 23, 1976)
voice, football, law, acting, civil rights, Renaissance man, great American

Paul Robeson was a Twentieth Century Renaissance man - one of just a few, really. He has a notable academic, athletic, musical and public/political record.
http://www2.scc.rutgers.edu/njh/PaulRobeson/PRBio.htm
As an American, he has set the example for all citizens to follow, lest we fall to apathy, cowardice and desperation ( ... wait a minute! We already have. Was Robeson's example not enough or was it because he was blacklisted and removed from the history books that we don't heed his examples and warnings?)

I spend a lot of time listening to the amazing voice of Paul Robeson. Pure, dynamic, subtle, powerful, honorable, paternal, respectful, responsible are all words I'd use to describe his tone and control and performance.
These days, most folks just don't perform with the strength and the courage that Robeson did. We rely on microphones and technology to enhance all those things that the human spirit can achieve if given the time to practice and master.
Paul Robeson gave us a great gift through his recordings (and his mighty example as an American citizen.) Treat yourself to this gift!

A note on Mr. Robeson's consummate example of American citizenship:
With each passing year, we forget a little more about our responsibilities as American citizens. We have, for some reason unknown to me, come to rely on the government to take care of us instead of taking care of ourselves.
Hand in hand with that fact, we are beginning to change our attitudes toward privacy and propriety. Folks are writing about every little thing that happens to them on a daily basis in blogs (just like this one ... ugh! I'm a hypocryte!) for the world to see, disclosing information that should probably be kept personal or respectfully confronted in a private setting.
Very simply, we are losing our way.

Mr. Robeson came under fire for holding to his way - the good, old-fashioned American way. He did not disclose his religion, political affiliations and many other things publicly. Why? Because it was absolutely NOBODY'S business! The same as it is today - we just don't seem to remember that asking someones age, religious beliefs, financial situation, or politics is in BAD form.
Why is this bad? Let's have a look at a specific example provided by our subject.

Mr. Robeson was brought before the House Committee of "Un-American" Activities in 1956.
The HCUAA accused him of being a "communist." (Of course, I'm from a different era but I'm not quite sure if it's written into law anywhere that being a "communist" is illegal. I'm also pretty sure that it isn't the government's business if anyone is a "communist" or a balloonist or a contortionist or a Buddhist or a Christian or a guitarist or a typist or an atheist ... you get my meaning.)
He stood up to this b.s. U.S. government sponsored bullying - like any responsible, right-minded, forward-thinking, adult American citizen should have.
I am guilty of keeping a blog, despite my earlier denouncement of such technology. However, I'm not in the habit of disclosing personal situations at this blog. I use it more as a bulletin board to post reminders to folks that we all need to take examples from other great Americans; we all need to be responsible for the actions of this country and our "elected," corrupt government.
I am pasting below a copy of a blog I posted on Mr. Paul Robeson. It contains his testimony before the House Committee on "Un-American" Activities.
Please read. Please take notes.

(For those of you who have forgotten or just never learned about this horribly disgraceful and completely embarrassing period of American politics, please go open a book! We are currently involved with yet another despicable undertaking very similar to this one -- this time around, we're losing the battle - for those of you who don't know or don't want to say it out loud: we've already lost our Constitution! If that's not a giant, glaring red flag, I'm not sure what would be!)

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"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force ... Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action."
- George Washington

I will post in a different blog the transcript from Mr. Robeson's testimony before the HCUAA.

Oct. 21, 2007 - Eddie Lang

2008-06-26T20:53:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Eddie Lang October 25, 1902 – March 26, 1933
(Salvatore Massaro)

guitar

Eddie Lang is one of the first greats of jazz guitar.
Guitarists from this age played lots of chord melody -- what I would call "playing guitar the right way." Eddie Lang played chord melody flawlessly!
I'm most familiar with his work through recordings he and Joe Venuti made with Cliff Edwards (there are many other recordings he made under his own name and as "Blind Willie Dunn" as well as with other bandleaders). The recordings with Venuti, to me, are wonderful joys.

Take some time out this week to look into Eddie Lang if you're unfamiliar, if you are familiar, take some time out on Thursday to celebrate the anniversary of his birth (as well as his many contributions to jazz guitar and the music in general.
http://www.redhotjazz.com/lang.html

If you're interested in more guitarists from Lang's era, check out Carl Kress and Dick McDonough (that's just a start!) at http://www.classicjazzguitar.com/artists/artists.jsp

If you're interested in a local guitarist who plays this style beautifully (probably the only guy in town doing it!) check out JD Pendley! (See the above schedule and band list - I play with JD very regularly; we're Rhythm Pals!)

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"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force ... Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action."

-George Washington

Oct. 15, 2007 - Pops Bayless

2008-06-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Pops Bayless

ukulele, banjo, voice, composition

Friends, if you're glad I'm here in Austin, one of the folks you should be thanking is this man!
A long while ago, way back in PA, I had just picked up a ukulele and had just begun my quest to learn about the music I'm playing now. As it turns out, Pops was the perfect starting point.
I met Pops in NYC (at The Mercury Lounge) in 1997. He was playing with The Asylum St. Spankers. I was knocked out by the band's wonderful performance in the first set. During the break, Pops took the time to speak with me about ukulele and gave me some great tips on certain bands to study. Sure enough, his advice was solid gold. Sure enough, that was the start of a friendship that would lead me to a move across the country.
Pops and The Spankers rolled through the Northeast a number of times over the next two years and I did my best to make it to their performances within driving range. Pops was always there to greet me like an old friend!
In '99, the band made its way through Philly and I got a good chance to sit down with Pops to talk about Austin. He cemented my growing feelings to move to a place where music was such a part of the local culture.
Months later, my good friend Jeff and I found ourselves crashed on Pops' living room floor - he was very kind to offer his place until we could find our own. Of course, it took only two or three days before Pops, Mysterious John, Jeff and I had a couple of tunes together and were considering a name for the new band: Shorty Long.

Pops has been a good friend and a good guide to Austin, to music and to the music business. He's one hell of a great songwriter! And, he is an important part of the ukulele culture in the U.S. He's always been willing to share advice on just about anything that could happen and always quick-witted to keep things light -- like things should be!
Check out Pops and Shorty Long at http://www.shortylong.com/. You'll be glad you did!

Thanks Pops!

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"If I'm fighting for freedom here, and I go home and I'm oppressed, what does that mean?"

~Pv2 Frederick Phoenix, MP, US Army

Oct. 8, 2007 - Art Kidd

2008-06-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Art Kidd
drums, voice, ukulele

Ladies and gentlemen,

Here is a great musicianer and a great human being: Art Kidd!
He's a phenomenal drummer, a wonderful singer and a great ukulele player.

I'm lucky to have gotten a number of chances to play with such a great performer.
I'm also very lucky to have had numerous chances to sit with Art and discuss many of the finer points of living a good, caring and community-centered lifestyle.

Art plays all over town and, if you haven't been out to listen to his tasteful and thoughtful musical conversations, you might consider placing that activity on your list of priorities.
You won't be disappointed!
I know for sure that Art plays at Las Palomas http://www.laspalomasrestaurant.com/ on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9pm with Rick McCrae, Terry Hale and Javier Chaparro (all musicians you should consider enjoying regularly!)
------ it's okay to take one week off from enjoying the Pharaohs at the Elephant Room on Wednesday evenings but only if you are enjoying Art, Rick, Terry and Javier!

Hooray for Art Kidd!!

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It is part of the general pattern of misguided policy that our country is now geared to an arms economy, which was bred in an artificially induced psychosis of war hysteria and nurtured upon an incessant propaganda of fear.

~General Douglas MacArthur

Sept. 30, 2007 - Edward Hayes, Legend

2008-06-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Edward Hayes, Legend

guitar, voice

Mr. Hayes is one of three Texans to bear the title “Legend.” (I recently spoke about another, Dr. John Huntsberger, Legend, if you will so kindly recall.)
It would be improper to delve too deeply into Edward’s mysterious biographical background; all I can really say without leaking highly classified information that could jeopardize not only national security but international security as well as Isle de Babes security and inter-stellar security, is Edward is closely associated with Aunt Ruby's Sweet Jazz Babies. Many years ago, Mr. Hayes found himself in a rather dangerous situation. Fortunately, Frank Lee Devine rescued Mr. Hayes. Of course, Mr. Hayes felt indebted to Mr. Devine and promised to assist the entire Devine family in any way possible for the rest of his life.

I have been lucky to know Mr. Hayes as a close friend for many years now.
He is always ready to help in any way possible in any situation that may arise.
Edward and I have tackled so many problems, thwarted so much evil, and faced many great perils together. I can think of very few others that I could count on so confidently in any situation – he is an exemplary comrade and consummate citizen!

The Hayes influence on my life is formidable. Friendship, musicianship, and citizenship are the hallmarks of that influence. I cherish these things, especially in my close friends – my family.

I thank you so very much, Edward Hayes, Legend – you are a king of kings and better still, a wonderful friend and brother!

- I will never forget the Great Pickle-Stick Controversy! Long live Zoltan Torok!

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It is part of the general pattern of misguided policy that our country is now geared to an arms economy, which was bred in an artificially induced psychosis of war hysteria and nurtured upon an incessant propaganda of fear.

~General Douglas MacArthur

Sept. 24, 2007 - Thelma Terry

2008-06-26T20:29:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Thelma Terry Sept. 30, 1901 - Mar. 30, 1966
string bass

Here's one great bassist!

Thelma "Terry" Combs was a band leader and string bassist in her day. She led a few "all-girl" bands. She also led Thelma Terry and Her Playboys - this is the group with which she recorded.

Learn about her biographical info here:
http://www.combs-families.org/combs/marriage/thelma.htm
http://www.redhotjazz.com/thelmaterry.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelma_Terry

Her recordings:
http://www.redhotjazz.com/terry.html

There's really only six recordings to go on but I think one would be plenty for me. What I hear in her playing is a departure from what a lot of folks will tell you is the "traditional" roll of the bass (bla, bla, bla, bla ...) She doesn't play on 1, 2, 3, and 4 constantly!
This goes into my head and comes out through my hands and onto my bass as: "Play wherever the heck you feel it's right!" (Sounds like another famous quote from another amazing bassist that has MAJORLY influenced my playing!)

And so, I do! (At least, when I'm playing with a band that I know doesn't need that steady a pulse because each band member is subtly making that point already or won't fall apart because something is a little different.
As a string bassist, I don't necessarily feel that it's all-important in these contexts to constantly state 1, 2, 3, and 4 or even just 1 and 3. As a string bassist, I do feel it's all-important to contribute to the melody and harmony just as much as the rhythm!
Of course, I get that from players like Thelma Terry (and Pops Foster and Al Morgan!)

So, this week marks the anniversary of the birth of Thelma "Terry" Combs - phenomenal string bassist! If you have a moment are really enjoy the older styles of jazz, follow those links and study on her. Say, "Happy Birthday Thelma," next Sunday! I will be saying it all week!

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It is part of the general pattern of misguided policy that our country is now geared to an arms economy, which was bred in an artificially induced psychosis of war hysteria and nurtured upon an incessant propaganda of fear.

~General Douglas MacArthur

Sept. 17, 2007 - Oliver Steck

2008-06-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Oliver Steck
trumpet, accordion, piano, dancing, entertaining

King Crazy, Super-nuts, Mr. Loopy, The Big A, Mr. Goodwrench, Squeezy Bellostein, Lord of Hell-Fire, Buddy, Not-So-Chapped Lips Steck --- this man has been called many things but never anything less than fine man.

Due to national security and, more importantly, Isle de Babes policy, I cannot print very much biographical information on Mr. Steck. What has been cleared for print is found at http://www.arsjb.com/ Please start your research there.

Oliver and I go back many, many years. Our earliest meeting, thanks to declassified photos posted at the above-mentioned site, was in 1975. We worked together on a project for a certain technology research group - Oliver applied his great scientific mind to solving many technological problems.

Oliver is a good man and a good friend. His musicianship is top-notch. His teamwork ethics are splendid.
I am absolutely thrilled to work with such an artistic force and to have such a good human being as a close friend.

If you aren't familiar with Mr. Steck, please take the time to check him out.
He plays with many folks around town besides the Jazz Babies.
Lately, he has been playing with Son y No Son at The Continental Club Gallery on Monday nights (10:30pm) and with Bob Schneider at The Saxon Pub on Monday nights (8:30pm.)
If you need an all-day accompanist to provide your personal theme music in all your daily affairs, please contact Oliver. He is the best man for the job!

Oliver, you are awesome! In your name, I shout from the tops of mountains, "BUDOS!"

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"It is part of the general pattern of misguided policy that our country is now geared to an arms economy, which was bred in an artificially induced psychosis of war hysteria and nurtured upon an incessant propaganda of fear."
- General Douglas MacArthur

Sept. 9, 2007 - Dr. John Huntsberger, Legend

2008-06-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

Dr. John Huntsberger, Legend

This week, I'd like to draw your attention to an Austin treasure (really, a national treasure who happens to reside in Austin, TX).

This remarkable human being has done many things in his life, accomplished many goals and helped and inspired many people. He is simply amazing.

I met John at the Austin Banjo Club, an organization he helped found, in 2001. Another great man, Jon Bailey, poked me until I agreed to check out this gathering of odd musicianers. I walked in expecting to hide in a corner, observing. A certain somebody had no plans on letting that happen. John hollered over the din of the banjos and told me to come over and sit next to him so I could look at the Club's book while they played.
The next thing I knew, I was somehow hypnotized into playing my banjo-uke with this crazy bunch. I was also paying visits to John's house.

It was decided by council vote that Dr. John Hunstberger earned the esteemed title, "Legend" in 2002. In fact, he has the honor of being one of only three that hold this coveted rank in Austin, Texas.

Over the years and a number of visits with John, as well as some gigs together and even some Veterans' Lunches, John has shared so much of his wisdom and experiences with me. He has shared a lot of happiness and has shown me a great example of how we should all live our lives - always constructively, always light-hearted-ly, always helpful, always intelligently, always curiously! (In other words, always musically!)

Here's a link to The Austin Banjo Club where you can find a small bit of biographical info on our good man as well as some good info on the Club, another Austin treasure!
http://austinbanjoclub.org/people.html

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention The Austin Traditional Jazz Society. John helped this organization take root in Austin and we'd be less a city without it.
http://www1.onr.com/atjs/

You can catch John playing his banjo around town, lately at Quality Seafood, with his band Shucks and Oyster Po-Boys.

Thanks for the great friendship, John! Thanks for being a great guide, too! The quality of my life has risen quite notably because of your presence in it. I'm a lucky man to know such a fine human.
I look forward to your return to Austin and the music that we will play then.

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"Treat the Earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children."
- Native American proverb

Aug. 27, 2007 - Leo Rowsome (and pipers)

2008-06-26T15:20:00.000-07:00

The Influences:

Leo Rowsome (April 1903 - Sept. 1970)
Ri na bPiobairi

Leo Rowsome was, in my opinion, one of the finest pipers of the twentieth century.
Without question, he epitomized the life of a piper and was certainly a master of art of pipering. (Yes, folks. The term is pipering - that isn't a misprint.) He played and studied Irish music for the pipes (of course, the fiddle and harp, etc. repertoire) and he was a maker of the instrument. He was also a great force in teaching the art of pipering and reestablishing the instrument as an important part of the Irish culture.
Incidentally, he was the third generation of Rowsomes involved with this beautiful instrument and its music -- his grandson follows the same path and marks the fifth generation to do so.
(The links will take you further on the biological material, if you are so inclined.)

There are great pipers (some of whom were, in fact, students of our good man - Paddy Moloney, Liam O'Flynn, etc.) that have gained popularity over the last fifty years and more continue to appear. But seldom do we find an individual so naturally geared to a life of pipering.

Mr. Rowsome is a great inspiration and influence on me, of course. I had listened to plenty of The Chieftains and Planxty and even lots of The Bothy Band by the time I heard my first recordings of The King of the Pipers. There was something immediately evident in his playing. There was something that screamed this man was more than just playing music but sharing his spirit through his instrument.
This guy spoke from a place that few can even slightly comprehend.
This was the guy that really got my fingers moving from my heart. Leo Rowsome's Way inspires me and continues to fill me with hope that with lots of dedication and determination and discipline, I might some day play music the right way!

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... Leo Rowsome is one of many great Irish pipers. I don't intend to scribble out any more bits on pipers so, along with some links to The King of the Pipers, I'd like to direct your attention to some of the others that are worth more just one listen:

An older generation:

Leo Rowsome
http://www.esatclear.ie/~rowsome/leo.htm - This site is wonderful! It covers all five generations of the Rowsomes. It offers quite a lot of great reading!

Felix Doran (brother of Johnny Doran and grandson of John Cash - more piping legends)
http://web.telia.com/~u46103557/jdoran.html - This site offers a few quick bits about Johnny and Felix - it even touches on John Kelly briefly.
Felix strikes me as very similar in spirit to Rowsome.

Willie Clancy
http://www.iol.ie/~ronolan/clancy.w.html
Clancy's name is given to the largest school program dedicated to Irish traditional music.

Seamus Ennis
http://www.iol.ie/~ronolan/ennis.html
Seamus Ennis was a great historian and did much to preserve the integrity of Uilleann pipes music. His playing is very much the way pipes are meant to be played --- very staccato; in some ways, difficult for western ears to enjoy.

A younger generation:

Paddy Keenan
http://www.paddykeenan.com/about.htm
Paddy Keenan might be the best piper that is alive and playing today. Wow!
I caught a house concert of his in Philly many years ago. The man's ability to play anything on such an instrument is without equal.
Check out the Bothy Band, too: http://www.folkworld.de/30/e/bothy.html

Paddy Moloney
http://members.shaw.ca/chieftains/paddy.html
I'm sure each of you has heard the music of Paddy Moloney, perhaps without knowing it. He is the piper in The Chieftains. http://www.thechieftains.com/ Their recorded output is immense; their interpretation of Irish traditional music is probably what most folks think of as "traditional Irish" music. It isn't! It is Irish music but to call it traditional would be incorrect - these musicians have incorporated western classical music into the Irish repertoire with great success and have produced a wonderful new music. But, beware of calling it traditional.

Liam O'Flynn
http://www.taramusic.com/biogs/liamobg.htm
I'm sure I heard Paddy Moloney's pipering first but Liam O'Flynn's was the first to truly make me sit up and listen ... and want to learn to play such a ridiculous instrument!
His band, Planxty, provided a great springboard for me to explore more deeply the rich musical heritage of Ireland. http://www.taramusic.com/biogs/planxty.htm

Jerry O'Sullivan
http://jerryosullivan.com/bio.htm
This guy might be the fastest piper I've ever heard. Holy cow! Check out his recording of "Col. Fraser" if you can. It's a wonderful illustration of the uilleann pipes; he plays through the entire piece three times. The first time he plays only with the chanter (the drones are closed off.) The second time he opens up the drone stock, allowing the drones to accompany the chanter. The third time through, he uses the regulators to accompany the chanter and drones providing a rhythmic drive.

Mr. Roy Rogers, Legend
I don't have a link but this man is amazing! He was (and still is) my pipes teacher (and mentor.)
I mention him here because he is a piper and deserves a place among these others. But, I WILL be taking the time to write a bit about him in a weekly email to come.

Have a good week!

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"Treat the Earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children."
- Native American proverb

August 13, 2007 - Stanley Smith and Roy Gould, Jr.

2008-06-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

My Influences:

I’ve been trying to keep these bio bits oriented to the births of my great influences. This week, two important influences in my life are celebrating their birth – on the same day!
It’s tough splitting the focus between two folks but both of these men have been directly important to who I am as a musician and a person.
So, we have two this week; enjoy!
(And, please remember that I will not do either of these fine men justice by writing what little I will on them.)

Stanley “Steamer” Smith (August 19, 1945)
International Playboy and Jewel Thief

Stanley’s still around and many of you probably know him and what he does or what he has done. So, I’ll duck the actual bio info in lieu of a quick run-down on my experiences over the years with him.

I met Stanley through The Asylum Street Spankers in 1997 - 98-ish. They stopped in NYC and I felt compelled to get in a live listen. I drove up with my cousin and a good friend. We were very pleased and, of course, met our man there.
We were starved for higher quality musical entertainment in the Philly area so, whenever the Spankers rolled through the east coast, my buddy and I would go check them out. In doing so, we started a friendly relationship with most of the folks in the band. Eventually, a few of them talked us into moving down here.
Stanley was one of the first musicians we headed out to hear. He welcomed us very warmly – in his very signature Stanley Smith manner. I found out that he played in a hot jazz band every Wednesday and decided, barring any gig commitments, I would be taking in this weekly show EVERY Wednesday!
A couple years later, no doubt due to the mental strains of being a struggling musicianer,

Stanley asked me to join that band. I did, despite my unqualified standing.
Throughout these years, Stanley has shared his experiences with me and pointed me in a good direction when and where he could. He’s been a great guide and, undeniably, one of the coolest!
Before I moved down here, Stanley said one seriously important and very spiritual thing to me that I will never forget: (I hope I’m not breaking some trade-secret here, good friend) “… a musician’s success isn’t measured in fame or money. His success comes from being able to put food on the table and keep a roof over head.”
I’ve always kept that in mind. I don’t make tons of money but I make enough to live a humble and spiritually fulfilling life through music. I don’t care one way or the other if I ever receive any fanfare whatsoever so long as I can share the spirit of music with folks. The bills get paid and I live in a decent place (with an absolutely amazing wife - but that’s for another bio.)
I have Stanley to thank for a solid understanding of the balanced nature of the musicianer.
I have Stanley to thank for years of great support, as well!

So, it’s my humble duty to thank you, warrior brother and fellow musicianer for being you – an amazing human being!

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Mr. Roy L. Gould, Jr. (August 19, 1945)
Dad

That should pretty much cover it, right? I know when I think of his name, I stand tall and proud – kinda like the Marine’s Hymn is playing.
I guess the man didn’t raise everyone else, though.
So …

My dear Dad grew up in Norristown, PA – it’s a wonderful place! Be sure to schedule your next vacation there.
He honorably served this country as a U.S. Marine in the mid-60s (Viet Nam.)
You’ll have to forgive me: he’s been kicking ass as a man and as a good human being ever since.
That’s enough bio for now.

My father is one of the two most important male influences on me as a human being and, therefore, as a musicianer and all other things. (His father would be the other.)

I know right from wrong because of my Dad. I’m quite sure he learned it from his Dad – I know I learned that much from the senior Gould, too. I’m also quite sure he learned it from his time as a U.S. Marine.
Now, I’m not talking about the difference between legal and illegal. I’m talking about making the right decisions. I’m talking about doing good just because that’s what you should do!
Certainly doing the right thing helps other folks and makes your body work properly on the inside, but Dad taught me to do good for good’s sake not for a reward now or in some afterlife or for a better standing in the community.
You just do the right thing!

He has helped me to use that knowledge of right and wrong in high stress situations (again, a Marine trait and learned there, as well.) This is directly related to music (most things are!)
He has taught me to be thankful for the good folks in my life.
I learned discipline and tact from Dad, I learned to be the quiet observer from Dad and I learned to wait for the right time to act from Dad.
This list goes on and on with so many important lessons so how about I skip to these last two …

Confidence:
I trust myself. I look to nothing else and count on nobody.
Without being a pillar of strength for myself, I couldn’t offer real support to anyone else.
Without it, I couldn’t genuinely accept support from anyone else.
I am responsible in every way for all my actions and reactions – great or small.

Love:
I have my father’s love. Of that, I am sure. I can feel it whether I’m standing next to him or 1700 miles away from him. I very proudly carry it with me wherever I go.
My father has his son’s love. I am equally sure of that!
I’m sure that, because of this, I am able to trust myself, love others deeply and do right.

Happy Birthday, Dad!
I love you!
I’m proud to be your son and I’m eternally grateful!

Semper Fi! (I’m proud to be your brother, too.)