.
Okay, folks. We're glad you're here! But this is NO LONGER the most recent edition.
Oh, it still has TONS of links to help and financial support anf relief for musicians and artists and folks in show biz. AND, all kinds of tuneful "ways-to-Stay-Sane" features and online links for music and arts lovers, an' they're all still here and still very relevant.
But the LATEST music-on-the-web and music-on-tv news are in a NEWER edition.
That said, this one now gets archived with nothing else added below this line.
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DAILY LISTS of cyber concerts are within. They're chronological. Just scroll and look for 'em.
Many, many things have been added to this edition, as recently as 2:40 am PDT, Wednesday, April 1st. (WEDNESDAY web concerts & events added.)
☆ Just scroll. The daily event lineups start partway in, and then they're chronological.
We'll do a new edition when we can. Meantime, we're keeping our readers on top of things by frequently adding updates each day to the daily events write-ups in this edition.
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BREAKING NEWS... Two items... Sunday night, March 29th...
ONE MUSICIAN DEAD, ONE CRITICAL, FROM CORONAVIRUS
One...
Americana-honkytonk-country music star JOE DIFFIE dies after testing positive for Covid-19
Country music legend Joe Diffie has died of the Covid-19 coronavirus, aged 61. The singer of ‘Pickup Man’ and 'Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (When I'm Dead)' was diagnosed with the deadly illness only two days before his death.
Diffie’s PR team broke the news of his passing on Sunday afternoon. The Nashville star went public with his diagnosis on Friday, telling fans that he was “under the care of medical professionals and currently receiving treatment.”
He reminded his followers to “be vigilant, cautious and careful during this pandemic.”
Diffie rose to fame in the 1990s, dominating the country scene during the decade. His debut single, ‘Home’, was his first No. 1 hit, and a string of chart-topping releases followed, including ‘If the Devil Danced,’ ‘Third Rock From the Sun,’ and ‘Pickup Man.’
His song, ‘Third Rock From the Sun,’ was the title song for the tv series.
The singer earned a Grammy award for collaborating on the 1998 song ‘Same old Train,’ alongside a lineup of country music royalty, including Ricky Skaggs and Merle Haggard.
Diffie had been married four times and has five children. Outside the studio he has been praised for raising money for mentally and physically impaired children.
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Two...
JOHN PRINE hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms; family says 'his situation is critical'
Both the Nashville Tennessean and Variety reported Sunday that legendary songwriter John Prine is in critical condition after being struck with COVID-19.
Singer-songwriter John Prine received a Grammy lifetime achievement award at this year's Recording Academy gala, and he is in critical condition not long after the first onset of symptoms of coronavirus, his family relayed via his Twitter account Sunday.
The family of John Prine says that the legendary singer-songwriter has been hospitalized since Thursday after a "sudden onset of COVID-19 symptoms."
According to the family's statement, Prine, 73, was intubated on Saturday, "and continues to receive care, but his situation is critical."
"This is hard news for us to share. But so many of you have loved and supported John over the years, we wanted to let you know, and give you the chance to send on more of that love and support now. And know that we love you, and John loves you."
On March 18, Prine's wife and manager, Fiona Whelan Prine, announced she had the coronavirus. John Prine had been tested as well, but the results were "indeterminate." The couple was said to be quarantined apart from one another at home at that point.
John Prine is a two-time cancer survivor. He fought off cancer in the late ’90s and again in the early 2010s. He was most recently diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013, which led to surgical removal of part of a lung. He had stent surgery in 2019 and postponed tour dates to have hip surgery earlier this year.
Members of the music community and celebrities from other media immediately reacted on social media.
“Sending our love to each of y’all. Hoping for the best,” tweeted Jason Isbell. “Sending every positive thought I have left your way, John,” wrote Seth Meyers. “Get well soon John!” tweeted Mark Hamill.
Wrote Brandi Carlile, “Come on handsome Johnny. We need you here just a little while longer. You’ve given us all so much and you are so loved. I’m praying for you and Fiona tonight and every day until this is over. to say that I love you both doesn’t even begin to tell the story.”
Prine, 73, is one of the most celebrated songwriters of the past 50 years, and has continued to tour and record recently.
Prine and his wife are longtime Nashville residents. The music community there was already reeling Sunday with news of the coronavirus-related death of country star Joe Diffie.
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This edition started like this...
♡♤◇♧ This edition is designed to grow organically as word of more live online performances and cyber resources arrives. Sorta like filling-out your hand as you turn the cards over. (Did we say "hand"-? Oops, go wash it.) Well, with clean hands, we continue to build the pile of chips in the middle of the (virtual) table! So if you've been here already, give it a slow scroll daily or you'll miss something-- or even a lot of somethings!
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We opened this one when it was first published by saying...
Here's our midweek, delightfully diverse edition, with many options for clickable tune-alities.
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Egads it's crowded on the Cyberian stage! You can now catch at least a half-dozen live music performances on any given day. As the trend continues, it won't surprise us if you'll soon be able to click your way through 24 hours of live music being performed online from somewhere -- or a lot of different somewheres.
Because all live performances these days are available to audiences only by remote means, and we work hard to feature these performances, we find it necessary to issue this up-front disclaimer:
Many of the live online performances that are suddenly proliferating are being delivered by the performers via Facebook. As always with anything involving Facebook, its operators frequently change the esoterica of their business model to give their company more access to their users' data. We therefore self-limit our interaction with Facebook and refuse to have a Facebook account. So we do not know if everyone can watch any given event on Facebook, or if having your own Facebook account is required for watching. We DO know that merely having an FB page of your own downloads a phenomenal amount of their spyware into your devices. We hereby issue our disclaimer that the Acoustic Americana Music Guide, Tied to the Tracks, our staff and editor are not responsible if you choose to interact with Facebook and your device(s) is/are infested with their spyware as a result. We include live online concerts carried on a variety of platforms, including Facebook, and we certainly do NOT endorse any of those platforms or their business models.
On a happier note...
Our purpose in listing events -- cyber and otherwise -- is consistent with our mission: to connect artists and the creative community with a larger and appreciative audience; to emphasize the intrinsic value of learning to play an instrument as a companion for life; to celebrate the enduring value of Folk-Americana, acoustic music, roots music and musicians devoted to every aspect of it, as well as innovators of the acoustic renaissance; to educate, including reporting information of value to artists and music lovers; to produce good journalism, practice fairness, and call-out scoundrels who don't; to regard history and offer perspective on how things got to be the way they are and what we can do together to make them better; to pathfind ways to have some fun, find inspirations, and pursue, instill and nurture creativity; to celebrate the journey as we remember and reassess the destination; to always be ready to do some good in the world at every opportunity; and to entertain -- hopefully and meaningfully -- along the way.
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Now, let's get started!
Every day, they leave their families and go forth into the front lines, onto the battlefields of a war against an unseen enemy that kills by infiltrating in insidious ways and doesn't present consistent symptoms when it attacks.
Increasingly they do it with improvised gear -- the very gear that's needed to protect themselves so they can return home with a reasonable (but now diminishing) guarantee that the enemy was left behind on the battlefield. The very gear -- the basic, essential gear -- required to assure that THEY can return to the fight and not join the casualties.
And all the while, they never know when car crashes, gang twit shootings, armed robberies or domestic disputes or a thousand other things might go bad, somewhere, for somebody, and suddenly leave it all to them to salvage life from bleeding carcasses that need their essential biological functions and human dignity restored.
Our world, somewhere along the line, fell into forsaking our real heroes in favor of grandstanding celebrities who crave attention, and athletes with odd talents for some esoteric skill of physical prowess. We exorbitantly reward those celebrities and athletes and we stalk them, rob them of private laws and feel they owe it to us to pose for selfies because we put them in our societal spotlights. And all because we see, in them, something we find missing in ourselves. We are somehow surprised when some among them develop demi-god complexes.
Even when the worst of the attention-cravers take their "look-at-ME" behavior to conspicuously overconsumptive and destructive outcomes that receive more attention on the webs and the nightly news than all the good done in the world, put together.
Yet the bright-light-addicted media and the enamored, fawning public fall for it every time. Until now.
An old song proclaimed, "We need a hero."
Dammit, we have one. Cloaked in surgical scrubs and an N95 respirator mask. Until their mask is used-up. And then they go back into the fight again, anyway. Not knowing if they can return home, because their devotion to the rest of us has cost them their devotion to their loved ones.
Finding our heroes should not be so hard on our heroes. But, with all of us stuck at home, it might, and should, cause us to reassess who we select as heroes in the first place, and why.
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Friday's folk art addition of hope
The charming professional musician with the impossible last name, Lissa Schneckenburger, is a singer-songwriter and fiddler extraordinaire. In addition to lots of news she shares with us, she included this early Friday morning, with the comment that informs its meaning.
Lissa says: "This amazing photo popped into my inbox yesterday, and it made me feel so honored and happy, I wanted to share it with you. My friend Ann Percival (artist extraordinaire and member of the contradance super group Wild Asparagus) has been doing a daily painting journal inspired by song lyrics. It looks like 'Hope Lingers On' [one of Lissa's signature originals] was the song of the day!! You can see more of Ann's paintings here. Does anyone else have a daily practice that is helping to make the days of quarantine pass by a little smoother?"
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The day this edition was new, it began with this...
Today is Wednesday, March 25, 2020.
Thoughts for today from one born on this date...
"Where you come from is gone, where you thought you were going to never was there, and where you are is no good unless you can get away from it."
and,
"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you odd."
and,
"Everywhere I go I'm asked if I think the university stifles writers. My opinion is that they don't stifle enough of them. There's many a best-seller that could have been prevented by a good teacher."
~ Flannery O'Connor (1925-1964), American author who died at the age of 39 from complications of lupus.
(our thanks to Garrison Keillor for pointing us in the direction of Mr. O'Connor.)
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On this day...
The flames rose high into the night, to light the sacrificial rite...
New York’s infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire was today, March 25th, in 1911. It was the deadliest workplace disaster in New York City until the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Because the employer locked the doors to prevent workers from slipping out to the restroom, when the fire started, few were able to find a way to escape. One hundred and forty-six workers — most of them young immigrant women and underage girl workers — died in the fire or shortly afterward, of burns and smoke damage to their lungs.
The girls hardly had a life before they died. They worked 13 hours a day, seven days a week, at a rate of 13 cents per hour. Their employers had a history of suspicious factory fires, torching their buildings in the middle of the night to collect the insurance money. At the Triangle factory, the fire hose was rotted and the valve rusted too badly to be opened. The factory floors were cramped and overcrowded, the hallways and fire escape extremely narrow, and only one of the four elevators worked. The building's one fire escape collapsed when the girls rushed out the window onto it. The employers had never installed fire sprinklers in case they decided to burn this one down, too. Nonetheless, the employer / factory owners got away scot free.
The Triangle fire became a rallying point for American labor, and it resonated for decades. One witness to the fire was Frances Perkins. She would go on, 21 years later, to be named Labor Secretary under FDR, become a woman pioneer as head of a federal agrncy, and bring about more workplace safety measures than ever before seen, especially in the factories where all the "Rosie the Riviters" worked during World War II.
Before that, Francis Perkins had become a crusader for reforms of workplace conditions. Citing what she herself saw at the Triangle fire, she said, "We’ve got to turn this into some kind of victory, some kind of constructive action." Perkins and New York governor Al Smith did finally bring about some safety reforms in New York City, including the Sullivan-Hoey Fire Prevention Law.
Today's OSHA, brought into existence during the Nixon administration, together with local fire department inspections of all workplaces, are legacies of those overworked young women who burned to death today in 1911.
⊙ WATCH Dale LaDuke and Greg Kreuger perform Dale's original song, "Triangle Shirt Waist Factory Fire" live at the Pete Seeger 90th Birthday concert:
Or you can hear the fully produced album version, here:
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Birthdays -- musicians & influencers born March 25th...
Elton John (Sir Reginald Kenneth Dwight), English singer, songwriter, pianist, composer, global music icon who has sold over 300 million records
Jim Lovell, American astronaut, one of the first three humans to fly to and orbit the Moon as command module pilot of Apollo 8 in 1968. He then commanded the 1970 Apollo 13 lunar mission which, after a critical failure en route, continued in a harrowing life-and-death drama, as it slingshotted around the Moon and, with a paoer-thin margin, returned safely to Earth through the efforts of the crew and mission control. The movie "Apollo 13" tells that story.
Anita Bryant, American singer, beauty contest queen with four Top 40 hits in the late '50s-early '60s, before her Christian-crusading anti-gay-rights zealotry.
Gloria Steinem, American feminist activist, author, editor, and former Playboy Bunny. She once observed, "A pedestal is as much a prison as any small space."
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In memoriam to musicians and influencers born on March 25th...
Aretha Franklin (1942-2018), American singer, songwriter, pianist, music icon as "The Queen of Soul" and black American civil rights activist
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If we omitted you from today's birthdays, or one of your musical heroes from either category, no slight was intended. Today is just too hectic for us to do the usual thorough compilation.
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Catching-up on missed Birthdays:
March 21:
Cidny Bullens, American musician, longtime guitarist for Elton John.
Jen Chapin, American musician, member of The Chapin Sisters.
March 22:
Stephen Sondheim, American composer and songwriter. His musicals include "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" (1962), "A Little Night Music" (1973), "Sweeney Todd" (1979), and "Into the Woods" (1987).
He said, "I prefer neurotic people. I like to hear rumblings beneath the surface."
March 24:
Maia Sharp, American musician, touring singer-songwriter.
Deanna Lynn Rice, American musician, specializing in nautical & pirate tunes.
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News Quickies for this edition...
Kickstarter campaigns get blanket extension
Kickstarter is granting a week extension to anyone with a current campaign, since all have been understandably affected by the pandemic.
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Neighbor-to-Neighbor Campaign
In California, a new #neighbor2neighbor campaign is calling on people in their own neighborhoods to be the first line of support for California’s most vulnerable residents staying home due to #COVID-19. There are plenty of ways to #safely help. You can join and help #MeetTheMoment at:
serve.ca.gov
The campaign is sponsored by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, California Office of Emergency Services Agency.
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SCAM ALERTS -- two of 'em
Scammers are predatory; being disoriented, people are vulnerable...
Tips from Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department regarding your check that's coming from the newly-passed Congressional Stimulus Package.
* There are already Scammers.
a. The government will not ask you to pay any fees or up-front charges to receive these benefits.
b. The government will not call to ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number.
Anyone who does is a scammer.
PLUS.... Small businesses and COVID-19 Disaster loans are done through SBA mailings or emails only. But watch out for ANY "spoofed" email that wants your personal info. Scammers can make their stuff look like it came from anybody legit.
And:
No healthcare workers, law enforcement personnel, or any government agencies are going door-to-door testing individuals for COVID-19. If you receive a visit from anyone claiming to be conducting "a COVID-19 inspection," call 9-1-1 immediately. Don't let them in. They're looking to rob you then, or "case your house" to rob you later when you're not home.
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Tired of encountering challenges?
"You've got a[n archer's] bow. The only way that arrow is going to go very far is, you've got to pull it back with more effort, and stay steady, to pull it back far, and then farther. To do that, you've got to address resistance. Your dreams, like the arrow, can't fly far without addressing and overcoming that resistance."
~ Garth Brooks, who receives the Gershwin Prize on CBS tv on Sunday.
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Resuming a normal economy by Easter?
Trump is pandering to his right-wing wacko religionista supporters by saying he wants the churches packed for Easter. He will crucify public health for Easter. The Orange Imbecile / Commander-in-Tweet needs to sit down, shut up, send science-denying bobblehead Pence back to picking right-wing wacko judge appointees, and put Dr. Anthony Faucci in charge of getting us through this pandemic.
(Shortest editorial we've ever written.)
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That "LiMu Emu" is oily, along with annoying
Liberty Mutual doesn't just run the most annoying commercials on tv with that goofy guy and his ersatz emu in the taxicab with a siren. Turns out it is insuring tar sands projects that threaten Indigenous communities as part of its $8.9 BILLION invested in fossil fuel companies around the world. That revelation comes from a respected environmental organization, Rainforest Action Network, and they have a petition going to demand Liberty Mutual end its backing of tar sands and put its money back into communities and a clean energy future: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-liberty-mutual-must-stop-insuring-tar-sands
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Boston Court successfully transplants Spring to Fall
"...every one of our remaining Spring concerts is moving: Josh Nelson, Mark Robson, Element Band, Amanda McBroom, and the Harp Twins are all committed to sharing their amazing work, as is local visual artist Rebecca Bruno, whose unique and multistage installation has also moved to the Fall.
"[We have also] moved our beautiful production of "Passion," directed by our own Michael Michetti, to the Fall so that you will get to experience it.
"Passion is a musical about the unruliness of love, “love without reason, love without pride or shame.” It’s messy, complicated, profound and unstoppable. And in this time of enforced isolation, now more than ever we need stories about connection and LOVE.
"The making of art is a similarly unruly love story that we share with our community in order to hold the mirror up to nature and show us ourselves. We tell these messy, complicated and profound stories for you. That won't stop. Art is unstoppable."
Well, said Jessica (i.e., Pasadena, CA Boston Court Artistic Director Jessica Kubxansky).
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You can help! Have masks? Donate them. Then #stayhome
The Los Angeles Free Concerts list, through its "Meetup" moderator Alex, sent the following for us to share.
Watching Netflix all day is fun... but YOU CAN HELP
PLEASE HELP OUT IF YOU CAN.
Hospitals across the country are running out of supplies, some are already out in OUR city!
Please help our healthcare workers NOW and if you have any masks in your possession, please donate to hospitals (N95). You can coordinate with a hospital near you or see websites (below). You can also reach out to your social network, or Nextdoor, etc. in order to help get the word out. Even if you have one or two masks, donate them to healthcare workers so they can keep us alive.
https://masksfordocs.com/
https://www.mask-match.com/
Donate food or coordinate with the elderly in your neighborhood.
Care for your neighbors.
Support local businesses
Unemployment is about to spike and many businesses are under extreme strain, if take-out / pick-up food is safe for you, go help out.
Stay away from people -- don't get close to others. Be mindful.
As for meeting up, please continue to be social but via video conferencing or phone calls, etc. The spread of the disease needs to be slowed in order to lessen the impact on our hospitals.
Stay safe
#stayhome
#flattenthecurve
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Helping beyond our local and our music community
Many people greatly need help right now. So we’ll make this brief: If you want to support vulnerable people during the pandemic, please donate to one of these amazing organizations:
- Feeding America supports a nationwide network of 200+ foodbanks, which will be critical to feeding millions of people as school closures and job disruptions multiply.
- UNITE HERE Education and Support Fund is a nonprofit organization supporting hospitality workers who have been displaced or laid off because of this economic crisis.
- Make the Road Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund is supporting low-income immigrants during this crisis to ensure that they are not left out of government responses.
"Hunkered down in our homes, it’s easy to feel isolated and alone right now. But even as we 'social distance,' solidarity still connects us to each other, perhaps now more than ever. So, let’s stand with those hit hardest by this crisis. Let’s stand together... in solidarity."
You can learn about that organization at: RootsActionEducationFund.org
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Italy's Nationwide Flash Mob
Makes Music to Lift Spirits
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| Image from Brett Perkins, whose daily live cyber show from Denmark reaches America at 9 am Pacific. (See below.) |
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Daily online concerts / events...
DAILY...
9 am Pacific - "LIVE AT 5 WITH MICHAUT/PERKINS" from Denmark, where our 9 am is their 5 pm.
* It's the international acoustic duo of BRETT PERKINS, who launched his music career in Southern Cal, and MAGALI MICHAUT, a singer-songwriter from France.
* This is a new live performance series available daily on the Magali Michaut Music page on Facebook at: https://m.facebook.com/MagaliMichautMusic/
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DAILY...
11:30 am Pacific - Daily livestream: "BRIGHT MINDED: LIVE WITH MILEY CYRUS," connecting with special guests, discussing, she says, "how to stay 'lit' in dark times."
* Wednesday's guests: Reese Witherspoon, Hilary Duff, Bebe Rexha, Dua Lipa.
* Probably not where you'll find us, but somebody might wanna know.
* At: https://www.instagram.com/mileycyrus/
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DAILY...
(Time varies) - NEW ORLEANS MUSIC VENUES offering online / live streams, via the "OffBeat" magazine live stream page. Times and venues vary, as shows are arranged in empty houses just for webcast, at: http://www.offbeat.com/livestreams/
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DAILY...
The Broad Stage in Santa Monica, CA, has new digital platforms to bring their original content to you wherever you are, including The Broad Stage Learning Hub and The Broad Stage at Home.
For families with school-age children, The Broad Stage Learning Hub is rich with Learning Guides they have developed over years of work in schools throughout Los Angeles and Santa Monica. They are easy to use, enriching and align with existing K-12 curricula you are now managing at home. They offer those resources with an encouraging, "Go parents!"
For all of us missing the artists who grace the stages, The Broad Stage at Home brings new, livestreamed content and archival concert footage.
It kicks off this Saturday, March 28, at 8 pm, when they present the Red Hen Press Poetry Hour, where, says Rob Bailis, the Broad's Artistic and Executive Director, "from our respective living rooms, award-winning writers Sandra Tsing Loh and Dana Gioia, Red Hen Press Executive Director Kate Gale, and I will host an evening of poets from all over the country responding to our current situation. Join us!"
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DAILY...
Some unique to today (on any given day), some on-demand...
How about a "Watch/Listen Quarantine Edition" of an interactive newsletter -- with live events?
Escape with us to the SYMPHONY. Watch highlights from past performances, join Pacific Symphony musicians from their homes, directly through Cyberia to your living room. Or catch up on your reading of things classical on the Symphony's blog. It's all at:
https://www.pacificsymphony.org/enhance_your_experience/watch-listen
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On-demand performances, recorded live
We already list a number of things that qualify for this listing, but those others are parts of series. We needed a place to list "one-offs" that the artists continue to make available.
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On-demand...
EMMA'S REVOLUTION did live stream performances last weekend. If you didn't catch the concerts live, see them on their Facebook or YouTube pages.
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Some unique to today (on any given day), some on-demand...
How about a "Watch/Listen Quarantine Edition" of an interactive newsletter -- with live events?
Escape with us to the SYMPHONY. Watch highlights from past performances, join Pacific Symphony musicians from their homes, directly through Cyberia to your living room. Or catch up on your reading of things classical on the Symphony's blog. It's all at:
https://www.pacificsymphony.org/enhance_your_experience/watch-listen
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On-demand performances, recorded live
We already list a number of things that qualify for this listing, but those others are parts of series. We needed a place to list "one-offs" that the artists continue to make available.
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EMMA'S REVOLUTION did live stream performances last weekend. If you didn't catch the concerts live, see them on their Facebook or YouTube pages.
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Wednesday's Online concerts / events...
"A Prairie Home Companion" guitarist does live online show tonight, 4 pm Pacific
Chris Siebold served as the house guitarist for the last two seasons of "A Prairie Home Companion." Garrison Keillor writes that Chris "joined us on our most recent two summer tours."
Chris is a Chicago-based guitarist, singer-songwriter, composer, and arranger who also leads his own bands — LENNON'S TUBA and PSYCLES — and collaborates often with Grammy-winning harmonica player Howard Levy.
TONIGHT, Chris hosts a special "Facebook LIVE" acoustic performance, so if you like fine picking, tune in. Also consider donating to his GoFundMe, so Chris can produce more content from home.
Wed, Mar 25, 4 pm Pacific, LIVE ONLINE CONCERT. All the links:
• Watch Chris's LIVE concert at 4 pm PDT >>>
• Contribute to his musician's GoFundMe >>>
• Read about Chris on Gretsch Guitars' blog >>>
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Live from Australia...
8 Ball Aitken, live from Oz, Wednesday at 5 pm
Wed, Mar 25:
5 pm Pacific - 8 BALL AITKEN, the Aussie singer-songwriter with the clever songs and flaming red flowing locks, has toured the US several times. This is his first-ever cyber concert.
He says, "None of us can go anywhere, so let me sing you some songs before you get bored out of your mind and start watching paint dry, grass grow, and re-runs of bad TV shows."
"I still need a job. So I’m singing for my supper on the worldwide web with my first-ever online gig. Tune in on my Facebook Fan Page and put in your song requests. Let's keep live music as live as we possibly can online, while kicking some COVID-arse together.
* WATCH at: http://www.facebook.com/8ballaitkenmusic
"If you would like to leave me a tip then please use these links. Much love and thanks:
* www.paypal.me/8BallAitken or www.venmo.com/Eightball-Aitken
"Wash your hands, stay smiling, and enjoy each day."
* More at: www.8ballaitken.com
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Thursday's Online concerts / events...
Thu, Mar 26:
4 pm - "POETRY AND PROTEST" livestream event with "ASIAN AMERICAN WRITERS' WORKSHOP" and Minnesota-based "MIZNA," the latter a critical platform for contemporary literature, art, film, and cultural programming centered on the work of Arab/Southwest Asian and North African artists.
* Three writers, Andrea Abi-Karam, Romaissaa Benzizoune, and Sham-e-Ali Nayeem, take inspiration from lines from Audre Lorde's poem "New Year's Day" -- "I am deliberate / and afraid / of nothing" -- and share their work.
* This event is part of a month of national poetry programming by "Poetry Coalition" member organizations, all addressing the theme "Poetry and Protest."
* Live on AAWW's Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/AsianAmericanWritersWorkshop
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Thu, Mar 26:
5 pm Pacific - Clem Snide (moniker of Nashville's Eef Barzelay), debuts his new record Forever Just Beyond via a livestream show featuring Barzelay playing the record in its entirety live on vinyl, answering questions from fans, and strumming a few tunes as well. You can tune in to Clem Snide's Facebook page for an exclusive first listen.
Forever Just Beyond, produced by Scott Avett, is Clem Snide's first studio album in 5 years and comes out this Friday, March 27, on Ramseur Records. Barzelay's management says you can "Pre-save the album" (whatever in the hell that mongrelization of the language means) and get singles "Roger Ebert," "Don't Bring No Ladder," and "Some Ghost," now, at: https://orcd.co/foreverjustbeyond
Join Clem Snide's "Vinyl First Listen" Party tonight at 5 pm Pacific (8 ET) HERE
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Thu, Mar 26:
5 pm Pacific - DAVE MATTHEWS does a livestream Charity Benefit concert Tonight via Verizon’s "Pay It Forward LIVE." This is very sudden, and NO online listings display it except the main AXS site: http://www.axs.tv/schedules/
* Broadcast live on AXS TV.
* Promo indicates two back-to-back shows, one at 5 pm, the other at 5:30 pm. Tune-in, find out.
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Thu, Mar 26:
8:30 pm - The MARINA V SHOWLive online 3 x weekly... (new 3/22)
8:30 pm - The MARINA V SHOWLive online 3 x weekly... (new 3/22)
The delightful Marina V -- live from Cyberia
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What makes this day special -- Thursday, March 26th
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Thoughts for today from two born on this date...
"Make voyages. Attempt them. There's nothing else."
and,
"I have found it easier to identify with the characters who verge upon hysteria, who were frightened of life, who were desperate to reach out to another person. But these seemingly fragile people are the strong people really."
and,
"A high station in life is earned by the gallantry with which appalling experiences are survived with grace."
~ Tennessee Williams, born Thomas Lanier Williams (1911-1983), American playwright, author of 24 full-length plays, including Pulitzer Prize-winners "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1947) and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (1955).
He is one of the three foremost playwrights of 20th-century American drama, along with contemporaries Eugene O'Neill and Arthur Miller.
St. Louis hosts the annual "Tennessee Williams Festival," and New Orleans the annual "Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival," but of course both are cancelled this year.
(our thanks for the quotes used above goes to Garrison Keillor, who features the playwright today in his "Writers Almanac.")
OUR SECOND person with a quote for today speaks to the indomitable human spirit. This will really get to you. Fair warning:
"We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms -- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
~ Viktor Frankl, author, neurologist and psychiatrist, Holocaust survivor (born March 26 1905, died 1997)
(our thanks to A.Word.A.Day)
___
Happy Birthday March 26th to...
Diana Ross, American singer-songwriter, producer, and actress, leader of platinum-selling group, The Supremes.
Kenny Chesney, American singer-songwriter and guitarist
Richard Tandy, English pianist and keyboard player (Electric Light Orchestra)
Steven Tyler, American singer-songwriter and actor
Vicki Lawrence, American actress, comedian, talk show host, and singer, iconic cast member of the "Carol Burnett Show"
Alan Silvestri, American composer and conductor
Sandra Day O'Connor, American lawyer and jurist who retired from the US Supreme Court rather than hanging around there and becoming decrepit.
Keira Knightley, English actress
James Caan, American actor and singer
James Iha, American guitarist and songwriter
Leeza Gibbons, American talk show host / tv personality
Jennifer Grey, American actress and dancer
Johnny Crawford, American actor and singer, child star on tv's "The Rifleman."
Nancy Pelosi, American lawyer and politician, 60th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and so far, the only woman House Speaker.
Bob Woodward, American journalist, author, and half of the Washington Post's Woodward & Bernstein duo that goaded Congress into investigating Watergate, bringing down Richard Nixon and all the president's men.
___
In memorium to musicians and influencers born on March 26th...
Robert Frost (1874-1963), American poet who won four Pulitzer Prizes and spoke at the Inaguration of President John F. Kennedy. He was the unofficial "poet laureate" of the United States, before that became an official recognition.
Pierre Boulez (1925-2016), French pianist, composer, and conductor
Leonard Nimoy (1931-2015), American actor whose iconic role as Star Trek's "Mister Spock" robbed him of accolades for his other work
Teddy Pendergrass (1950-2010), American singer-songwriter
James Moody (1925-2010), American saxophonist and composer
Rufus Thomas (1917-2001), American R&B singer-songwriter
Othmar Ammann (1879-1965), Swiss-American engineer who designed the George Washington Bridge and Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
Guccio Gucci (1881-1953), Italian fashion designer, founded Gucci (which today sells idiotically overpriced swag to people whose self esteem requires reinforcement by showing they can afford it).
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Friday's Online concerts / events...
Fri, Mar 27:
3 pm Pacific- JOHN BATDORF plays a free online Facebook live casual mini concert. He says, "I hope that works out considering we all have nothing else to do!"
* John was half of the BATDORF & RODNEY folk-rock duo that played Carnegie Hall and was elected to the "Las Vegas Hall of Fame."
* John says, "It’s pretty awesome that technology has made it possible to perform live from our homes as we all know how important music is to the world. Instead of the typical tip jar, I am asking if any one wants to leave a tip, please do it via my Kickstarter campaign. I am including a link to another unmastered song that you helped make. Hope you like it!"
• Watch the show live, via link at:
www.johnbatdorfmusic.com
• John's tip jar: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/john-batdorf/john-batdorf-my-50-years-of-musical-bliss?ref=creator_nav
• John's single for you: https://soundcloud.com/johnbatdorf/the-writing-on-the-wall-newest-mix
___
Fri, Mar 27:
4 pm Pacific -
 |
Fri, Mar 27:
5 pm Pacific -
Tune in at:
WSMonline.com, or the WSM app
And remember to come back to WSM on Saturdays at 5 pm Pacific. This week, it's the Opry’s 4,917th consecutive Saturday night show as Vince Gill, Amy Grant, daughters Jenny Gill and Corrina Grant Gill take the stage for an intimate live performance with host Bobby Bones.
___
Fri, Mar 27: massive jumble of online performances.
A 36-hour online concert marathon hosted by indie favorites Peter Bjorn and John is underway, Friday into Saturday. Some of the following is from that Cyberian collaborative -- and other things it inadvertently encouraged -- with our thanks and acknowledgement to Variety.
The Lumineers
4:30 p.m. ET, 1:30 PT
(via their Instagram Live, part of the “Together at Home” series)
4:30 p.m. ET, 1:30 PT
(via their Instagram Live, part of the “Together at Home” series)
Jessi Alexander
9 p.m. ET, 6 PT
(via her Instagram)
9 p.m. ET, 6 PT
(via her Instagram)
Peter Bjorn and John: with Shout Out Louds, Freja The Dragon, Tussilago, Esther, Johnossi, OLSSON and others
36-hour marathon, starts at 9 a.m. ET, 6 a.m. PT; PBJ set is at 5 p.m. ET, 2 PT
(via Twitch)
click here
36-hour marathon, starts at 9 a.m. ET, 6 a.m. PT; PBJ set is at 5 p.m. ET, 2 PT
(via Twitch)
click here
Barenaked Ladies
6 p.m. ET, 3 PT
(via their Instagram Live, for Global Citizen’s “Together at Home” series)
6 p.m. ET, 3 PT
(via their Instagram Live, for Global Citizen’s “Together at Home” series)
Rhett Miller
9 p.m. ET, 6 PT
(via StageIt, “Friday Free-For-All,” recurring event)
Goodluck
2 p.m. ET, 11 a.m PT
(via their Instagram Live, for Global Citizen’s “Together at Home” series)
2 p.m. ET, 11 a.m PT
(via their Instagram Live, for Global Citizen’s “Together at Home” series)
Falana
2:30 ET, 11:30 a.m. PT
(via her Instagram Live, for Global Citizen’s “Together at Home” series)
2:30 ET, 11:30 a.m. PT
(via her Instagram Live, for Global Citizen’s “Together at Home” series)
Carla Morrison
3:30 p.m. ET, 12:30 PT
(via her Instagram Live, for Global Citizen’s “Together at Home” series)
3:30 p.m. ET, 12:30 PT
(via her Instagram Live, for Global Citizen’s “Together at Home” series)
Elijah Blake
4 p.m. ET, 1 PT
(via his Instagram Live, for Global Citizen’s “Together at Home” series)
4 p.m. ET, 1 PT
(via his Instagram Live, for Global Citizen’s “Together at Home” series)
Ha*ash
7 p.m. ET, 4 PT
(via their Instagram Live, for Global Citizen’s “Together at Home” series)
7 p.m. ET, 4 PT
(via their Instagram Live, for Global Citizen’s “Together at Home” series)
Basia Bulat
7 p.m. ET, 4 PT
(via her Instagram Live)
7 p.m. ET, 4 PT
(via her Instagram Live)
Billy Raffoul
9 p.m. ET, 6 PT
(via Instagram Live)
9 p.m. ET, 6 PT
(via Instagram Live)
Laurie Berkner
10 a.m. ET, 7 a.m. PT
(daily concerts for kids, via Facebook Live)
10 a.m. ET, 7 a.m. PT
(daily concerts for kids, via Facebook Live)
Ben Gibbard
7 p.m. ET, 4 p.m. PT
(daily show, via YouTube)
7 p.m. ET, 4 p.m. PT
(daily show, via YouTube)
Steve Nieve
1:30 p.m. ET, 10:30 a.m. PT
(daily, 30 mins., “peaceful piano” from the Elvis Costello accompanist, via Facebook and Instagram)
access on Facebook
1:30 p.m. ET, 10:30 a.m. PT
(daily, 30 mins., “peaceful piano” from the Elvis Costello accompanist, via Facebook and Instagram)
access on Facebook
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Friday's music performances on tv
Fri, Mar 27, on tv:
7:30 pm-8 pm - "THE STATLER BROTHERS SHOW" from 1991 hardened back to an earlier era of music and of what was on tv. On RFD tv.
___
Fri, Mar 27, on tv:
8 pm-8:30 pm - "COUNTRY LEGENDS: GRAND OLD OPRY" (1953 -- yes, Virginia, they had television in 1953. It was two cans and a string, with a black-and-white picture.) Hosted by George Morgan, with Minnie Pearl, Rod Brassfield, Grandpa Jones, Moon Mulligan, and Eddie Hill. On RFD tv.
___
Fri, Mar 27, on tv:
8 pm-8:30 pm - "BLUEGRASS UNDERGROUND" brings STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES in a 2019 show (s9, ep8) on KLCS, Los Angeles. Repeats at 2 am.
___
Fri, Mar 27, on tv:
8:30 pm-9 pm - "SUN STUDIO SESSIONS" brings AMY LaVERE in a 2020 show (s11, ep7) on KLCS, Los Angeles. Repeats at 2:30 am.
___
Fri, Mar 27, on tv:
9 pm-10 pm - "COUNTRY'S FAMILY REUNION" (2020) airs "The very best of CFR." On RFD tv.
___
Fri, Mar 27, on tv:
9 pm-10 pm - "AUSTIN CITY LIMITS" brings KANE BROWN & COLTER WALL in in a 2019 show (s45, ep7) on KLCS, Los Angeles. Repeats at 3 am.
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FRIDAY series still lookin' mighty fine...
PASTE's archive concerts: Simon & Garfunkel lead-off tonight
"Live Music at Home," the concert archive series from Paste magazine, posts "new" old concerts every Friday during the quasi-quarantine. Today they're back with a great lineup for your weekend viewing pleasure, beginning with a wonderful set from Simon & Garfunkel on a beautiful November evening in 1993.
Up next is vintage Muddy Waters from Los Angeles' legendary Ash Grove club in 1971. (If THAT doesn't get an "oh, wow!" check for a pulse.) We'll add our attaboys to Paste's claiming "We think you'll really enjoy this show, including its intriguing backstage and interview footage."
Rounding off their latest additions is Lake Street Dive, one of that magazine's avowed favorites who have graced the Paste Studios on two occasions. They add, "It's no surprise this band is among today's brightest stars."
So add these to your list, and check-out the rest of the shows in this week's Paste lineup:
⊙ Simon & Garfunkel, here
⊙ Muddy Waters at the Ash Grove, here
⊙ Lake Street Dive, here
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Friday, Saturday, AND Sunday, same artist
We met her at the NAMM Show in January -- which turns out to have been the last big music event of 2020. We wrote about her and the gigs she played in L.A., before she departed on a continuing world tour. Well, we all know what happened to all of those.
So we are glad to report that the fabulous Jolynn is presenting a series of Cyberian concerts, live to your glowing screen.
Your YouTube portal, when the Friday show goes live, is:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C3bz8hhiBj0
Get the connection links for the rest of her cyber shows at: www.jolynnjchin.com
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Saturday's hefty online-irary
This "organic" list has grown like a weedpatch as learning about one thing networks into learning of many MORE things that need including.
___
Sat, Mar 28:
11 am Pacific - Bill Evans, author of "Banjo for Dummies" and several other method and technique books, is profiled in a separate feature telling you about his FREE online lessons during the current Age of Quarantine. In the story, he speaks of more he will be offering. Here's the first of those.
Bill's FACEBOOK LIVE FREE BANJO WORKSHOP, "Working Up Scruggs-Style Solos" is Saturday, March 28, 11 am to 12:15 pm Pacific Time
FREE online, at:
www.facebook.com/BillEvansBanjo
Bill says, "Grab your banjo and join me for this free online workshop!"
Download the workshop tabs now by heading over to this Peghead Nation link. Then, this coming Saturday, get over to Bill's Facebook page just before 11 am PDT to join the session. He tells us that you DO NEED to be a Facebook member to view this workshop but you don't need to be Bill's Facebook "friend," as he will have this live event set to "public."
This session is designed for upper-level beginners through intermediate students, although there will be material of value to players of all ability levels. Take a few moments, before the workshop, to listen to the original Flatt & Scruggs recordings of the four songs at the Peghead link, to get the most from this session.
While this workshop is offered as Bill's gift to you, Peghead Nation has created a virtual tip jar to show your appreciation. He will donate 25% of all donations received to the "IBMA Bluegrass Trust Fund," which offers financial assistance to bluegrass music professionals in time of emergency need.
___
2 pm Pacific - BOB MALONE, keyboardist for JOHN FOGERTY and longtime global touring artist (with and without his own band), plays a live online concert.
* His first "Malone At Home" Stageit concert webcast was such a success, here comes "Malone At Home #2" on Saturday March 28 at 2 pm PST (so Europe, UK, Ireland and Australia can tune in).
* Bob says, "Hope you can join me again - there will be new songs you've never heard before, old songs I haven't played in years, and stuff I normally play. Price, once again will be 'pay what you can!'"
* Click HERE for tickets
___
Sat, Mar 28:
3 pm Pacific - LOW CUT CONNIE's "Live From South Philly" livestream concerts return via Facebook Live with a special solo performance from frontman Adam Weiner.
* Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers' "Islands In The Stream," a big hit amongst the shows so far, was a cover by the band that got The Philadelphia Inquirer to say, "Low Cut Connie did it with style on Saturday... Most fun of all might have been 'Islands In The Stream,' a cover of the 1983 hit by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, the country-pop superstar who died Friday. Weiner began with a 'we’re all in this together — though we have to stay apart' pep talk, and then put the message across in the music. 'We can ride it together,' he and Donnelly sang, while their fans were surely joining in at home. 'We rely on each other.'"
* Watch Low Cut Connie perform "Islands In The Stream" here.* Protest songs, too? Recently, Low Cut Connie released a protest song and video for "Look What They Did," their first release of new music since 2018's acclaimed Dirty Pictures (Part 2). On the song and accompanying video, frontman and songwriter Adam Weiner explores the effect Donald Trump had on Atlantic City almost 40 years after Bruce Springsteen's "Atlantic City," which appeared on 1982's Nebraska.
* If fans are inclined and able to, they are making a virtual tip bucket available and are encouraging fans to donate to Philabundance, the Philadelphia area's largest hunger relief organization and a proud member of Feeding America on a mission to make nutritious food accessible to all.
* As live music presentation is revolutionized by artists who realize they can get paid to play without the expense of touring, Weiner expressed his view. The band's frontman recently spoke to The Washington Post about Philadelphia's vibrant nightlife scene and it's sudden halt saying, "People have their day self and their night self... The city is a refuge for people who want a new life. Maybe they don’t fit in. They create a new family for themselves, a chosen family or an alter ego."
* Still, he says, "'You gotta clap at home!' Weiner told fans, recreating the high-energy, interactive crowd banter from his live show. 'Get off your couch!'" - Rolling Stone.
* WATCH TODAY'S LIVE SHOW via the band's Facebook.
___
Sat, Mar 28:
5 pm Pacific - RICK SHEA performs a FaceBook Live concert. He says, "I’ll play some different songs, a couple new songs, some older songs and some I don’t play very often. I very much appreciate everyone who tuned in last Saturday, it was really nice to hear from all of you, thank you.
* ALSO -- If you’d like to see the show from last week, it’s at the link below (you have to jump in a few minutes to where it starts).
https://www.facebook.com/rick.shea.9/videos/10157497412151773/
* This week at 5 pm, the live show is at:
https://www.facebook.com/rick.shea.9/
___
5 pm Pacific - "REDACTED TONIGHT" host, originator, writer, sage, and chief-cook-and-bottle-washer LEE CAMP is going live from quasi-quarantine to your glowing screen.
As we hope you know by now, this guy's acerbic wit and comedic prowess are as good as Trevor Noah, Stephen Colbert, and Jon Stewart, and as unrestrained and laser-focused as George Carlin.
Lee tells us about THREE things, all FREE for you online:
[Uh one...]
"... since there was not a new Redacted last night, I figured I would hang out with you via livestream. Eleanor Goldfield and I will be livestreaming at Facebook.com/LeeCampComedian at 8 Eastern [5 pm PDT] tonight.
We also hope to be streaming at YouTube.com/RedactedTonight as well. (We've never tried the youtube streaming, but we think we have it figured out.)
We'll be taking questions, talking about the news, and giving out aid suggestions. So set your alarm for tonight.
[An' a two...]
Also, I have a brand new column for you to read at Consortium News. It's about the thought parasite that is killing us. Click Here to read it & share it.
[An' a three...]
Lastly, if you're stuck at home and need some more free viewing, my stand-up comedy special "Not Allowed On American TV" is free for a limited time on YouTube. Get it at LeeCampAmerican.com. Please share it with friends!
___
6 pm PST - Livestreamed Album Release -- all-acoustic -- for new album "Tough Love," from CHIEF STATE , which is (get this! -- ) a Vancouver Pop Punk Band.
* New album became available yesterday, Friday, March 27, on Mutant League Records.
* People, this is an all-ACOUSTIC performance, and the band will be giving away some copies of their new album, "Tough Love," on CD.
* Contain your moment of genre prejudice, at least long enough to read their press reviews:
□ "...an instant-classic...Tough Love is chock full of high-quality moments." - The New Fury.
□ "With hearts pinned to their sleeves and tears staining their cheeks, Chief State deal in pop-punk at its most bittersweet. Delivering as much urgency as you could possibly hope for" - Rock Sound.
□ "Chief State’s debut album was well worth the wait. The band continues to incorporate the energy and emotion found in their previous material and created a very memorable record." - Live A Little Bit Louder.
□ "Chief State are a high-energy pop-punk quintet hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, who are tighter than a rich relative and as posi as your older siblings’ mangled youth-core records." - Alternative Press.
□ "... powerful knockout punch in just 20 minutes! The perfect mix of modern era punk rock with all the right touches of inspiration from the 90s era bands that littered the rosters of Epitaph and Fat Wreck Chords." - All Ages Zine.
* Frontman Fraser Simpson says, “We were massively disappointed to cancel our release shows due to the coronavirus. It does at least give us a unique opportunity to take our performance to fans around the world and not just in Vancouver though! We’re excited to share some acoustic renditions of our songs old and new. We’ll be taking questions and chatting between songs so it’s a great opportunity to get to know us and all that we get up to! We’ll also be doing some giveaways so tune in on Saturday 3/28 at 6pm PST for some quarantine hangs!"
* TUNE IN to the Chief State "Acoustic Album Release Show" live stream at: http://youtube.com/c/mutantleaguerecords/live
___
Sat, Mar 28: massive jumble of online performances, ALL DAY, and NOT in time-sequence!
A 36-hour online concert marathon hosted by indie favorites Peter Bjorn and John got underway Friday and concludes today, Saturday. Some of the following is from that Cyberian collaborative -- and other things it inadvertently encouraged -- with our thanks and acknowledgement to Variety.
The Grand Ole Opry: Vince Gill, Amy Grant and Family
8 p.m. ET, 5 PT
(via Circle TV, on television and the network’s Facebook and YouTube pages)
click here
8 p.m. ET, 5 PT
(via Circle TV, on television and the network’s Facebook and YouTube pages)
click here
Jack Johnson
6 p.m. ET, 3 PT
(via his Instagram Live, for Global Citizen’s “Together at Home” series)
6 p.m. ET, 3 PT
(via his Instagram Live, for Global Citizen’s “Together at Home” series)
Matt Shultz (Cage The Elephant), Brian Aubert (Silversun Pickups), Ashley McBryde and Yola
noon ET, 9 a.m. PT
(“Twitch Stream Aid,” a 12-hour charity stream benefitting the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO powered by the United Nations Foundation)
click here
noon ET, 9 a.m. PT
(“Twitch Stream Aid,” a 12-hour charity stream benefitting the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO powered by the United Nations Foundation)
click here
Ron Pope
8:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 PT
(via Facebook Live)
8:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 PT
(via Facebook Live)
Billy Raffoul
1 p.m. ET, 11 a.m PT
(via Instagram Live)
___1 p.m. ET, 11 a.m PT
(via Instagram Live)
Sat, Mar 28:
Best cyber concert poster of the week!
This 30-minute show, promoted as happening today, was recorded live on Friday and is ON-DEMAND, and FREE, and a charming immersion into the 1920's, all day today.
* You DO NOT NEED a Facebook account to watch it, at:
https://m.facebook.com/janet.klein.549/videos/pcb.3362027867144210/3362022713811392/
___
The enduring significance of March 28th
Thought for today, March 28th, from one born on this date...
“Time is a vindictive bandit to steal the beauty of our former selves. We are left with sagging, rippled flesh and burning gums with empty sockets.”
~ Raphael, Italian painter and architect (born March 28, 1483, died 1520)
___
On this day, March 28th...
Glowing in the dark...
The Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania had "an accident" caused by a coolant leak that resulted in a partial core meltdown of Unit 2, today in 1979. That reality came on the heels of the Hollywood movie, "The China Syndrome," which offered a scenario for how easily a core meltdown and catastrophic radiation release could happen at a nuke plant. Of course, the nuclear industry had ridiculed the movie. But no new commercial US nuclear power plants have been built since. And Chernobyl and Fukishima would follow "TMI."
Ironically, on this same day in 1946, the US State Department had released the Acheson–Lilienthal Report, outlining a plan for the international control of nuclear power.
The poor, trying to better themselves, just get shat upon...
Today in 1968, Brazilian high school student Edson Luís de Lima Souto was killed by military police at a protest for cheaper meals at a restaurant for low-income students.
Ghina virused...
Today in 1959, the State Council of the People's Republic of China dissolved the government of Tibet.
Earthquakes...
Western Turkey is struck with a temblor at about 23:05 local time, killing 1,086 and injuring 1,260, today in 1970.
Northern Sumatra shakes with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VI (Strong), leaving 915–1,314 people dead and 340–1,146 injured, today in 2005.
___
Happy Birthday today, March 28th, to...
Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta), American singer-songwriter, dancer, producer, and actress
Reba McEntire, American singer-songwriter, producer, and actress
Samuel Ramey, American opera singer
Rodney Atkins, American singer-songwriter and guitarist
Donald Brown, American pianist and educator
Dave Keuning, American singer-songwriter and guitarist
Orfeh, American singer, songwriter and actress
John Evan, English keyboard player and songwriter
Elizabeth Bainbridge, English soprano
Rosemary Ashe, British actress and singer
Edesio Alejandro, Cuban composer
Rasmus Seebach, Danish singer-songwriter and producer
Elisabeth Andreassen, Swedish-Norwegian singer
Lester R. Brown, American environmentalist, founded the Earth Policy Institute and Worldwatch Institute
___
In memoriam to artists and influencers born on March 28th...
Raphael, Italian painter and architect (1483-1520)
Robert Ashley, American soldier and composer (1930-2014)
Jacob Avshalomov, American composer and conductor (1919-2013)
Milan Williams, American keyboard player (1948-2006)
Murray Adaskin, Canadian violinist, composer, and conductor (1906-2002)
Jay Livingston, American singer-songwriter (1915-2001)
Tete Montoliu, Spanish pianist (1933-1997)
Rudolf Serkin, Czech-American pianist and educator (1903-1991)
Jaromír Vejvoda, Czech fiddler and composer (1902-1988)
Thad Jones, American trumpet player and composer (1923-1986)
Marlin Perkins, American zoologist and iconic tv host - "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom" invented the genre (1905-1986)
Flora Robson, English actress, famous for her many portrayals of Queen Elizabeth I (1902-1984)
Ángela Ruiz Robles, Spanish teacher, writer and inventor, pioneer of the electronic book (1895-1975)
Paul Whiteman, American violinist, composer, and bandleader (1890-1967)
Jimmie Dodd, American actor and singer-songwriter (1910-1964)
Willem Mengelberg, Dutch-Swiss conductor (1871-1951)
Frederick Pabst, German-American brewer, founded the Pabst Brewing Company (1836-1904)
Heinrich Schwemmer, German composer and educator (1621-1696)
___
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Weekend tuneality: the new "reality shows" continue...
Sunday-Sunday-SUNDAY - ! Live from Cyberia
(If you're reading in the US, you "get" that. If you're anywhere else, the rapid-fire triple repeat is from the strange persistence of use by flea market promoters, and before that, racecar tracks, in their shouted commercials on tv.)
___
Sun, Mar 29:
11 am Pacific - (click the line, "Follow us on..." to watch).
|
___
Sun, Mar 29:
11 am Pacific - PAUL VAN DYK: PC Music Night via Facebook Live.
click here
___
Sun, Mar 29:
1 pm Pacific - EMMA'S REVOLUTION (see graphic).
* Want to sing the harmony part? Learn the chords on your instrument? Hear stories about the song of the week and share some of yours? Join in for this weekly Zoom series.
* Pat Humphries & Sandy O (aka Emma's Revolution) tell us, "We'll start on March 29th with a classic--and a fave of many -- 'Swimming to the Other Side.' Email us with your favorite song for our next sessions.* Want to sing the harmony part? Learn the chords on your instrument? Hear stories about the song of the week and share some of yours? Join in for this weekly Zoom series.
* All are welcome. If you can make a donation, that's great too.
* They add, "We have room for 100 folks on Zoom. If we find that's not enough, we'll move to Facebook Live for future dates."
* ZOOM MEETING INFO:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/382939225
Meeting ID: 382 939 225
* Mobile
+16699006833,,382939225# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,382939225# US (Houston)
* Dial by your location
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
* Meeting ID: 382 939 225
* Find your local join-the-session number: https://us04web.zoom.us/u/feujD6yrv6
___
Sun, Mar 29:
12:30 pm Pacific - The MARINA V SHOW Live online, new, 3 x weekly...
____
Sun, Mar 29:
3 pm Pacific - ANNE McCUE, that mega-talented transplanted Aussie, does a show live from Nashville. First, let's catch-up, since it's been more than five years since her last record.
So, take it away, Anne:
"In other news, I made a music video for Ellen Starski. Hope you enjoy!
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/382939225
Meeting ID: 382 939 225
* Mobile
+16699006833,,382939225# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,382939225# US (Houston)
* Dial by your location
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
* Meeting ID: 382 939 225
* Find your local join-the-session number: https://us04web.zoom.us/u/feujD6yrv6
___
Sun, Mar 29:
12:30 pm Pacific - The MARINA V SHOW Live online, new, 3 x weekly...
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Sun, Mar 29:
3 pm Pacific - ANNE McCUE, that mega-talented transplanted Aussie, does a show live from Nashville. First, let's catch-up, since it's been more than five years since her last record.
So, take it away, Anne:
"I’ve been able to play guitar with some lovely artists in Nashville this whole time and I’ve been teaching guitar and ukulele this past year at Fanny’s House of Music which I love! As you may have heard we had a tornado in Nashville which ripped through Five Points and Fanny’s was one of the places damaged in the storm.
"Anyway, I got a reason to sing! I wanted to let you know that I will be playing a 30 minute show on my Facebook Musician Page - @annemccuemusic - tomorrow. (Sunday at 6 pm Nashville time.)
That’s:
• Sydney Monday 10 am
• London Sunday 11 pm (best double-check these times.)
"I hope you are all staying home and playing it safe. We are starting to get news of friends in dire health situations now and it’s really scary. Please stay home as much as possible!
"To end on a good note:
"In other news, I made a music video for Ellen Starski. Hope you enjoy!
"With modern technology, we are forging ahead with all our recording projects here and I hope to have a new album done soon. Definitely a new single.
"My radio show continues on WXNA and you can here it anywhere:
"Also, Rhythms Magazine is fighting on through the melee - check it out. I have a regular column in each issue. :-)
"Our dear friend David Olney shuffled off this mortal coil in January while he was playing a show in Florida. We miss him terribly and played a tribute show at the Belcourt Theater a few weeks ago just before the shutdown:
"Our dear friend David Olney shuffled off this mortal coil in January while he was playing a show in Florida. We miss him terribly and played a tribute show at the Belcourt Theater a few weeks ago just before the shutdown:
"Hope you can join me from all over the world online on my Musician Page tomorrow at 6pm (Nashville time)."
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Sun, Mar 29:
5 pm Pacific - VOPA - Valley Opera & Performing Arts - guests on the weekly tv show "Pink Lady Presents" on KSCI.
* Not sure you get that channel or where it's hiding in your decoder box? More info at: www.pinkladypresents.com
* Not sure you get that channel or where it's hiding in your decoder box? More info at: www.pinkladypresents.com
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Sun, Mar 29:
7:30 pm Pacific - UnCabaret: comedy and music with Jill Sobule, Julia Sweeney, Dana Gould, Jamie Bridgers, Del Shores, Lauren Weedman, Baron Vaughn, Greg Behrendt and host Beth Lapides
7:30 pm Pacific - UnCabaret: comedy and music with Jill Sobule, Julia Sweeney, Dana Gould, Jamie Bridgers, Del Shores, Lauren Weedman, Baron Vaughn, Greg Behrendt and host Beth Lapides
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Sun, Mar 29:
4:30 pm-5 pm Pacific - "THAT NASHVILLE MUSIC" (1977) with TOM T. HALL, RUBY FALLS, JOHNNY RUSSELL, and HALL & KENT.
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Sun, Mar 29:
5 pm-6 pm Pacific - "HEE HAW" (1981) with BRENDA LEE, THE THRASHER BROTHERS, THE MILLION DOLLAR BAND, and regular cast that included BUCK OWENS & ROY CLARK.
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Sun, Mar 29:
5 pm-6 pm Pacific - "THE JOHNNY CASH SHOW" in an episode from 1969, with performances by ROY ORBISON, KENNY ROGERS, SHEL SILVERSTEIN, & The Man in Black himself. On GET TV.
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Sun, Mar 29:
5 pm-6 pm Pacific - KENNY ROGERS is the guest on "THE BIG INTERVIEW WITH DAN RATHER" from 2014. On AXS TV.
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Sun, Mar 29:
6 pm-6:30 pm Pacific - "THIS LIFE I LIVE" (2020) airs new episode "STORY MAKER" wherein Grammy-winning singer-songwriter RORY FEEK brings his widely-read blog to life.
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Sun, Mar 29:
8 pm-9 pm Pacific - "THE JOHNNY CASH SHOW" in an episode from 1970, with performances by JUDY COLLINS, GEORGE JONES, & The Man in Black himself. On GET TV.
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Sun, Mar 29:
9 pm-11 pm Pacific - "GARTH BROOKS: THE GERSHWIN PRIZE" (new, 2020). The country music icon receives this year's annual Library of Congress Gershwin Prize. Repeats 11 pm-1 am. On PBS So Cal, aka KOCE.
* Also repeats on KOCE side channel PBS-2, Thu 7-9 pm, Fri 4-6 am, 11 am-1 pm & 1-3 pm.
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Sun, Mar 29:
9 pm-11 pm Pacific - "CELTIC THUNDER IRELAND" (2020) is a PBS music special. Repeats Tue 8-10 pm; Wed 2-4 am. All on KLCS Los Angeles.
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Sun, Mar 29:
11:20 pm-1:05 am Pacific - "SHERYL CROW LIVE" At the last night of her 2017 "Be Myself" tour. On AXS TV.
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The enduring significance of March 29th
Thought for today, March 29th, from one born on this date...
"Life doesn't make any sense, and we all pretend it does. Comedy's job is to point out that it doesn't make sense, and that it doesn't make much difference anyway."
and,
"Laughter is the only sane response to pathological lying."
and,
"At least one way of measuring the freedom of any society is the amount of comedy that is permitted, and clearly a healthy society permits more satirical comment than a repressive, so that if comedy is to function in some way as a safety release then it must obviously deal with these taboo areas. This is part of the responsibility we accord our licensed jesters, that nothing be excused the searching light of comedy. If anything can survive the probe of humour it is clearly of value, and conversely all groups who claim immunity from laughter are claiming special privileges which should not be granted."
~ Eric Idle (born on March 29th), English actor and comedian, member of Monty Python.
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This has been some kinda day throughout history.
Backyard brew to world's most recognized brand name...
John Pemberton brewed his first batch of Coca-Cola in a backyard in Atlanta today in 1886.
Worst bad opera, ever...
After being shot in the back at a midnight masquerade ball at Stockholm's Royal Opera 13 days earlier, King Gustav III of Sweden died today in 1792. He is succeeded by Gustav IV Adolf, but things didn't go well for him, either. On this same date in 1809, just 17 years to the day after taking power, King Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden abdicated after a coup d'état. At the "Diet of Porvoo," which was an assemblage, not a deprivation of food, Finland's four Estates pledge allegiance to Alexander I of Russia. That, in turn, commenced the secession of the Grand Duchy of Finland from Sweden. All because of thst bad night at the opera (without the Marx Brothers).
Before there was Canada Day...
Queen Victoria gave Royal Assent to the "British North America Act" today in 1867, which would establish Canada on July 1st that year.
But the Royals weren't done. On this same day 115 years later, the "Canada Act 1982" receives the Royal Assent from Queen Elizabeth II, setting the stage for her, as the Queen of Canada, to proclaim the Constitution Act of 1982.
More from Queen Victoria...
She opened Royal Albert Hall today in 1871. It continues today as that nation's top music venue.
Aerial warfare's mass murder on the ground -- ironic bookends...
Today in 1942, the bombing of Lübeck is the first major success for the RAF Bomber Command against Germany and a German city, taking WW II terror from the skies back to those who had already inflicted it on everybody else.
Today in 1945 (after the US Army Air Force, by day, and the RAF, by night, had destroyed nearly all of Germany's industrial capacity and its cities in the three intervening years), the last V-1 buzz bombs (
-- forerunners of today's cruise missiles -- were launched against England from Nazi bases. The sudden mass death of English civilians wouldn't end with the "buzz bombs." The larger, supersonic, and therefore silent until they hit, V-2 rockets (the first ICBM's) still fell. But today in 1945 also marked the near total destruction on the ground of the German 4th Army by the Soviet Red Army; which should remind ethnocentric Americans that it took a huge, multinational effort to defeat Germany's plan for world dominance.
Cold War...
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg are convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage against the US for the Soviet Union, today in 1951. Both would later be executed, despite doubts for decades of their guilt. After the fall of the USSR, the release of secret files proved they were indeed spies.
The desolation of smog...
Construction is authorized for the "Great National Pike," better known as the Cumberland Road, becoming the first US federal highway, today in 1806. (Granted, only oat-burners used it then, but...)
Construction is authorized for the "Great National Pike," better known as the Cumberland Road, becoming the first US federal highway, today in 1806. (Granted, only oat-burners used it then, but...)
It set the standard for thoroughly socialized development of highways that would give freight wagons -- and later, the trucking industry -- a free means to compete with railroads that paid, on their own, to maintain every foot of their trackage. Why get into all that? Because this same date brings something more.
As the "National Defense Highway Act" was busily paving post-WWII America, the New York, Ontario and Western Railway made its final run today in 1957.
The NYO&W became only the second major U.S. railroad to be abandoned in its entirety. (The Colorado Midland was the first, in 1919, driven into ruin by ham-handed nationalization of America's railroads in WW I -- something not repeated in WW II.)
There would be more rail mainline abandonments as free highways and free skyways made maintain-it-at-company-expense rail lines uneconomic.
The Rock Island Line, the "mighty good road" of the famous song, is no more. Neither is the Milwaukee Road, whose line from North Dakota to Seattle -- electrified over the Rockies and the Cascades -- was ripped-up in the '80s. In the East, the disaster of the 1967 Penn Central merger would expand into late '70s Conrail, and thousands of miles of once-competitive duplicated routes are gone -- though a few "short line" railroads continue to serve portions of what was once an iron road that was more environmentally-friendly than the diesel-guzzling trucks.
So if you like being able to drive your car anywhere, free, on America's socialist roads, celebrate today from 1806. If you wished you could still take the train, mourn.
As the "National Defense Highway Act" was busily paving post-WWII America, the New York, Ontario and Western Railway made its final run today in 1957.
The NYO&W became only the second major U.S. railroad to be abandoned in its entirety. (The Colorado Midland was the first, in 1919, driven into ruin by ham-handed nationalization of America's railroads in WW I -- something not repeated in WW II.)
There would be more rail mainline abandonments as free highways and free skyways made maintain-it-at-company-expense rail lines uneconomic.
The Rock Island Line, the "mighty good road" of the famous song, is no more. Neither is the Milwaukee Road, whose line from North Dakota to Seattle -- electrified over the Rockies and the Cascades -- was ripped-up in the '80s. In the East, the disaster of the 1967 Penn Central merger would expand into late '70s Conrail, and thousands of miles of once-competitive duplicated routes are gone -- though a few "short line" railroads continue to serve portions of what was once an iron road that was more environmentally-friendly than the diesel-guzzling trucks.
So if you like being able to drive your car anywhere, free, on America's socialist roads, celebrate today from 1806. If you wished you could still take the train, mourn.
Taxation without representation...
The Twenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified today in 1961, finally allowing residents of Washington, D.C., to vote in presidential elections. But they still don't have US Senators, despite more population than several states.
Capitalist bastards...
In the middle of the night on this date in 1984, the Baltimore Colts loaded all the NFL team's possessions onto fifteen Mayflower moving trucks and transfered its operations to Indianapolis. That left Baltimore with the community-based Baltimore Colts Marching Band, which the team owners had used to make money for owner interests for decades, but it left nothing else but very bad feelings. There would be efforts to stop professional sports team owners from relocating teams at will, but power and money would always let the owners do as they damn well please.
More capitalist bastards...
Today in 1999, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closes above the 10,000 mark (10,006.78) for the first time, during the height of the dot-com bubble. But the bubble would break, and ruin all but the Wall Street fat-cats.
Vietnam milestones...
"My Lai Massacre" perpetrator Lieutenant William Calley is convicted of premeditated murder of an entire village of civilians and sentenced to life in prison today in 1971.
Two years later on this same day in 1973, "Operation Barrel Roll," a covert American bombing campaign in Laos to stop communist infiltration of South Vietnam, ends -- just as the last US combat troops leave South Vietnam. And that three-event concurrence is soooo tragically representative of the entire US involvement there.
Spaciness...
NASA's Mariner 10 becomes the first space probe to fly by the planet Mercury, today in 1974.
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The Twenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified today in 1961, finally allowing residents of Washington, D.C., to vote in presidential elections. But they still don't have US Senators, despite more population than several states.
Capitalist bastards...
In the middle of the night on this date in 1984, the Baltimore Colts loaded all the NFL team's possessions onto fifteen Mayflower moving trucks and transfered its operations to Indianapolis. That left Baltimore with the community-based Baltimore Colts Marching Band, which the team owners had used to make money for owner interests for decades, but it left nothing else but very bad feelings. There would be efforts to stop professional sports team owners from relocating teams at will, but power and money would always let the owners do as they damn well please.
More capitalist bastards...
Today in 1999, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closes above the 10,000 mark (10,006.78) for the first time, during the height of the dot-com bubble. But the bubble would break, and ruin all but the Wall Street fat-cats.
Vietnam milestones...
"My Lai Massacre" perpetrator Lieutenant William Calley is convicted of premeditated murder of an entire village of civilians and sentenced to life in prison today in 1971.
Two years later on this same day in 1973, "Operation Barrel Roll," a covert American bombing campaign in Laos to stop communist infiltration of South Vietnam, ends -- just as the last US combat troops leave South Vietnam. And that three-event concurrence is soooo tragically representative of the entire US involvement there.
Spaciness...
NASA's Mariner 10 becomes the first space probe to fly by the planet Mercury, today in 1974.
___
Eric Idle, English actor and comedian, member of Monty Python
Bobby Kimball, American singer-songwriter
Robert Gordon, American singer and actor
Perry Farrell, American singer-songwriter
Vangelis, Greek keyboard player and songwriter
Terry Jacks, Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
Chad Allan, Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist
Dave Greenfield, English musician
Astrud Gilberto, Brazilian singer-songwriter
Piet Souer, Dutch record producer, songwriter and arranger
Marina Sirtis, British-American actress known for "Star Trek: Next Gen"
Amy Sedaris, American actress and comedian, known for "SNL"
Lucy Lawless, New Zealand actress known for her "Xena" role
Lara Logan, South African television and radio journalist and war correspondent
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In memoriam to these musicians & influencers born March 29th ...
Eugene McCarthy (1916-2005), American poet and politician, US Senator who launched an antiwar presidential campaign in 1968 that attracted hippies to "go clean for Gene" as volunteers. His early success against incumbent President Lyndon Johnson caused Johnson to drop out and fellow Democrat RFK -- Bobby Kennedy -- to get in. Kennedy began to win big in the primaries until he was assassinated. McCarthy was never able to regain momentum after that. Republican Richard Nixon was elected that year. But unlike the other Senator Gene McCarthy -- the infamous '50s demagogue -- the Eugene McCarthy of the '60s remained a beloved icon of the peace movement, the rest of his life.
Sam Walton (1918-1992), American businessman, founded Walmart and Sam's Club. His company's predatory business model would develop a gsnguantuan monster that devoured mom-'n-pop small town businesses, and he left a multibillion-dollar empire as an inheritance to relatives who never worked a day in their lives.
Pearl Bailey, American actress and singer (1918-1990)
Richard Rodney Bennett, English-American composer and educator (1936-2012)
Segun Bucknor, Nigerian musician and journalist (1946-2017)
Billy Thorpe, English-Australian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer (1946-2007)
Michael Brecker, American saxophonist and composer (1949-2007)
Braguinha, Brazilian singer-songwriter and producer (1907-2006)
Ray Davis, American bass singer (1940-2005)
Speedy Keen, English singer-songwriter, keyboard player, and producer (1945-2002)
Patty Donahue, American singer (1956-1996)
William Clarke, American harmonica player (1951-1996)
Bob Haymes, American singer-songwriter, and actor (1923-1989)
William Walton, English composer (1902-1983)
Moon Mullican, American country and western singer-songwriter and pianist (1909-1967)
Cy Young, American baseball player and manager for whom the Major League pitching award is named (1867-1955)
Johann Wilhelm Hässler, German pianist and composer (1747-1822)
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Online to kick-off another week in quasi-quarantine ...
Monday - the Cyberian phenom persists...
Live online concerts, etc: more will be added in this space.
Special Morning Show
Mon, Mar 30:
9:30 am Pacific - ANDY & RENEE, leaders of the award-winning band HARD RAIN and longtime performing hosts of the annual "DYLANFEST," re-broadcast their live web show from March 25th.
* When the show went out live to celebrate Andy's birthday, Renee tells us, "viewers gathered online from at least 8 different countries and 25 states in the US. There were viewers from Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, England, Germany, Mexico, Philippines, and Vietnam, and in the US from AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, HI, ID, IL, MD, MI, MO, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, and WA."
* "Grab cup of coffee and take a midmorning break, or have an East Coast Lunchtime with us, or, better yet, have a lovely European dinner with our music" wherever in the world you are, says the band.
* You do NOT have to be "on" Facebook to view the show. Just go to Renee's Facebook page to tune in.
* They also send a helpful tip, with all the streaming everybody has been doing. Your queues are all full, and the web is at capacity. To improve your download speed, disconnect the power cable from your modem or router for thirty seconds, then plug it back in, and let it reboot. You might have better luck viewing the show. Also turn off your device and reboot it every day.
* The show is FREE. If you'd like, you can put something in the cyber tip jar (see the directions during the show.)
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Mon, Mar 30:
Noon Pacific - LOGAN MIZE concert goes out on Instagram, via "Big Yellow Dog Music 'Couch Concert' series."
access here
Noon Pacific - LOGAN MIZE concert goes out on Instagram, via "Big Yellow Dog Music 'Couch Concert' series."
access here
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Mon, Mar 30:
6 pm Pacific - ALBERT & GAGE, professionally touring acoustic Austin, TX-based duo of Chris Gage & Christine Albert, continue their concert-from-home series. It's title is because they're "not at" the venue where they play s residency.
* You don't have to have a Facebook account to see the stream, at:
www.facebook.com/chrisgageaustin
* In case the FB does not work for those of us who refuse to allow our devices to be infested with FB spyware? The duo will send-out a url for an alternative site. Have them put you on the list at the link in the pic.
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Mon, Mar 30:
9 pm-11 pm Pacific - HOT CLUB OF LOS ANGELES
Mon, Mar 30:
6 pm Pacific - ALBERT & GAGE, professionally touring acoustic Austin, TX-based duo of Chris Gage & Christine Albert, continue their concert-from-home series. It's title is because they're "not at" the venue where they play s residency.
* You don't have to have a Facebook account to see the stream, at:
www.facebook.com/chrisgageaustin
* In case the FB does not work for those of us who refuse to allow our devices to be infested with FB spyware? The duo will send-out a url for an alternative site. Have them put you on the list at the link in the pic.
___
Mon, Mar 30:
9 pm-11 pm Pacific - HOT CLUB OF LOS ANGELES
presents timeless Djangostyle Gypsy jazz in their new every-Monday live cyber concert via YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
click here
___click here
Fresh from the Paste magazine concerts archive... available on-demand...
They are posting more every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday during the current crisis:
Bob Marley
11/30/1979 at Oakland Coliseum Stadium in Oakland, Calif.
11/30/1979 at Oakland Coliseum Stadium in Oakland, Calif.
Rush
12/10/1976 at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, N.J.
12/10/1976 at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, N.J.
The Civil Wars
3/6/2011 at the Paste party at Stage on Sixth in Austin, Texas
3/6/2011 at the Paste party at Stage on Sixth in Austin, Texas
Simon & Garfunkel
11/6/1993 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountainview, Calif.
11/6/1993 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountainview, Calif.
Muddy Waters
7/29/1971 at Ash Grove in Los Angeles, Calif.
7/29/1971 at Ash Grove in Los Angeles, Calif.
Lake Street Dive
4/18/2018 at the Paste Studio in New York, N.Y.
4/18/2018 at the Paste Studio in New York, N.Y.
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
9/20/1978 at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, N.J.
9/20/1978 at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, N.J.
Bonnie Raitt
12/31/1989 at Oakland Coliseum Stadium in Oakland, Calif.
12/31/1989 at Oakland Coliseum Stadium in Oakland, Calif.
Jason Isbell
10/20/2011 at the Paste CMJ Showcase at the Living Room in New York, N.Y.
10/20/2011 at the Paste CMJ Showcase at the Living Room in New York, N.Y.
Julia Jacklin
1/24/2019 at the Paste Studio in New York, N.Y.
___1/24/2019 at the Paste Studio in New York, N.Y.
Music on tv tonight
Mon, Mar 30:
10 pm-11 pm - "HOMEFEST" is a primetime special with late-night host JAMES CORDON to mark his show's 10-year anniversary. It features BILLIE EILISH and other musicians each performing from home. On CBS-tv.
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Announced Monday morning... launches Tuesday, March 31...
STEVE VAI launches two-sessions-per-week live Q&A web series
■ TUESDAYS at NOON Pacific:
"Alien Guitar Secrets Live: Music and You"
■ THURSDAYS at NOON Pacific:
"Under it All: Hard Questions"
■ both LIVE at: https://www.facebook.com/stevevai/
Steve Vai is a virtuoso guitarist, composer and producer, considered by many as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. In over 40 years in the industry, Vai has sold over 15 million records, received three Grammy awards, and recorded with music legends like Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake and many more.
Steve Vai will stage two weekly question and answer sessions with his global fan base via Facebook Live. The series “Alien Guitar Secrets Live: Music and You” will focus on the guitar, music, his career and the business aiming to offer insights that enlighten perspectives for their own worlds. He will also be breaking down various songs from his catalog to show techniques, and will also be discussing anything from writing, recording, publishing, promoting, and touring. The second, “Under It All: Hard Questions” will enable Vai to engage in more esoteric life principles and topics where no question is off limits. Many of his filmed interviews include his perspective on deeper subjects, and comment boards frequently allude to a broad interest in further exploration of his personal thoughts. Whether sharing detail on his observations surrounding life, the creative process, spirituality or the human condition, UIA will delve into opinion that’s led by the free form forum.
All parties are welcomed to tune in on Tuesdays or Thursdays, as he sits down live weekly at Noon Pacific. Vai shares, “For the past three to five years I have been bouncing around in my mind the idea of launching these two webinars, but was waiting for an organic opportunity, and it seems the world lockdown situation was the right time. I had no idea of knowing how these would be received, but the moment I went live, within minutes there were thousands and thousands of people logged in and the comments were tremendously encouraging. It was quite the shocker to get this kind of response, and quite humbling at the same time. My goal in these webinars is not to talk about myself so much, but to answer people’s questions that I may be able to assist with an answer based on my own experience.”
More Vai...
Book: "Vaideology"
Last year he released his inaugural music theory book via publisher Hal Leonard. Titled "Vaideology: Basic Music Theory for Guitar Players," the gargantuan effort was designed to help both beginners and veteran guitar players.
At the time he shared, “One of the questions that I’m usually asked by aspiring guitar players is, how much music theory do I really need to know, and is it necessary? My answer is usually, “You don’t need to understand music theory at all to be an effective player, but it will always help to at least understand the basics.” So, I wrote a book that I believe contains the basics of music theory that can aid the student to be musically literate, and perhaps much more.”
2019 Video-audio release
In the Fall of 2019, a deluxe package was issued celebrating the title "STILLNESS IN MOTION" via his personal record label Light Without Heat. The contents brought a visual experience to fans far beyond the original DVD release, which took place a whopping seven years earlier. The latter captured his performance at Club Nokia in Los Angeles on October 12, 2012.
The deluxe package contains 2-Blu-Ray disks, with two CDs. One of the Blu-Ray disks contains the bonus material titled "THE SPACE BETWEEN THE NOTES" (Tour Mischief). It’s an intimate and at times hysterically edited video diary comprised of more than three-and-a-half hours of footage filmed around the world -- on-stage, off-stage, and behind-the-scenes during the World tour. That specific concert was the 49th show of the global excursion that played 253 dates in over 52 countries. It is available via his webstore at vai.com.
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Tuesday, March 31st -- what's online live, & on tv
On this day...
The Eiffel Tower was completed today in 1889, and not all Parisians were thrilled that it towered above their city.
"Oklahoma" opened on Broadway during the harrowing days of wartime , today in 1943.
"The Glass Menagerie" opened on Broadway, with WW II still raging but being steadily won by the allies, today in 1945.
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Today's Birthdays
Herb Alpert, American musician, record producer, music execurive
Albert Gore Jr., forme US Senator from Tenbessee, former USr VP, global environmental leader
Shirley Jones, American singer and actress, her roles include "mom" of tv's musical "Partridge Family."
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Today's events...
Tue, Mar 31:
11 am - ANNMARIE SOUL, Topanga Canyon musician, artist, and yoga and meditation leader, launches live Zoom yoga classes starting today.
* Level 1/2 classes are twice a week, Tuesday & Thursday, 11 am PDT
* Level 2/3 classes are Wednesday & Saturday 11 am PDT
* Ann Marie says, "We'll start with this week and see how it goes. Here is the Zoom link to join."
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/6092162504
Meeting ID is 6092162504
* Classes are suggested $15 donation, pay what you can.
* Please use Venmo or Paypal to annmariesolo@yahoo.com.
* If using Paypal please use friends/family tab.
Donate at: https://www.paypal.me/annmariesoul
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Tue, Mar 31:
Noon Pacific - STEVE VAI launches his new live web series. See feature story just above Tuesday's listings.
___
Tue, Mar 31:
3 pm Pacific - CAYLEE HAMMACK & TENILLE TOWNES, two country queens, are teaming-up for a quarantine livestream on Instagram and Facebook
___
Tue, Mar 31:
5 pm Pacific - JOSH RITTER, the Americana singer, will spend an hour taking requests via email and social media.
* Live on YouTube and Facebook
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Tue, Mar 31:
7 pm Pacific - MARINA V continues her three-concerts-a-week cyber series.
• Tuesdays at 7 pm US Pacific (Weds GMT+11 at 1pm)
• Thursdays at 8:30 pm US Pacific (Fri GMT+11 at 2:30pm)
• Sundays 12:30 pm US PDT / 8:30pm GMT+1 / (Mon GMT+11 at 6am)
* All are live performances go out from "Marinawood" on
twitch.tv/MarinaVmusic
* The whole concert is viewer's song requests, and Marina says, "We chat and hang out and it's truly wonderful."
* Say hi in the chatroom and request a song from the list at: bit.ly/requestMVsong
* More at: www.MarinaV.com
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Tue, Mar 31, ends day:
YEP ROCK RECORDS is extending its "Completist" offer through today. Those who sign-up get all the label's releases through the entire year.
* Consider becoming a "Completist" as a way to support Yep Roc and its artists while giving yourself an additional source -- and appreciable amount -- of new music.
* If you sign-up before today's deadline, your first shipment will include the first 9 of an estimated 18 new Yep Roc releases in 2020,. Those are:
1) The Third Mind - The Third Mind
2) Aoife O’Donovan - Bull Frogs Croon (and Other Songs)
3) Jim Lauderdale - When Carolina Comes Home Again
4) Mapache - From Liberty Street
5) Kim Richey - A Long Way Back: The Songs of Glimmer
6) The No Ones - The Great Lost No Ones Album
7) Born Ruffians - JUICE
8) Steep Canyon Rangers - North Carolina Songbook
9) Steep Canyon Rangers with Asheville Symphony - Be Still Moses
* Sign-up at: https://yeproc.11spot.com/yep-roc-records-completist-2020-annual-subscription.html
* Questions: completist@yeproc.com
* Details at their website. www.yeproc.com
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Tonight on tv
Tue, Mar 31:
The "TWILIGHT ZONE" MARATHON continues today and all night until 6 am Apr ___, with the Rod Serling originals on SyFy.
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Tue, Mar 31:
8 pm-9 pm Pacific - "INFLUENZA 1918," an edition of the PBS "AMERICAN EXPERIENCE" documentary series from 1998, is especially worth watching 102 years after the pandemic it chronicles. Repeats 1-2 am. On KOCE, aka PBS So Cal, and PBS 1 in Los Angeles.
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Tue, Mar 31:
8 pm-9 pm Pacific - "THE KATE" re-airs a 2028 edition with singer-songwriter MARC BROUSSARD from the Katherine Hepburn Theatre. On KCET Link, aka LINK TV.
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Tue, Mar 31:
8 pm-10 pm Pacific - "CELTIC THUNDER IRELAND" is a 2020 compilation of the Irish musical group's decade of PBS specials. Repeats 2-4 am. On KLCS.
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Tue, Mar 31:
8 pm-10 pm Pacific - "BACKSTAGE PASS" re-airs a 2019 edition with WILLY T TAYLOR & THE HARMED BROTHERS." On KCET Link, aka LINK TV.
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Tue, Mar 31:
9 pm-10 pm Pacific - "THE POLIO CRUSADE," a NEW 2020 edition of the PBS "AMERICAN EXPERIENCE" documentary series, chronicles the struggle to overcome the disease thst crippled millions of children and was resurgent in the years after WW II until a vaccine was finally developed. Repeats 2-3 am. On KOCE, aka PBS So Cal, and PBS 1 in Los Angeles.
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Tue, Mar 31:
10 pm-11 pm Pacific - " FRONT AND CENTER" re-airs a 2019 edition with singer-songwriter BRETT YOUNG. Link, aka LINK TV.
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April 1st, first look...
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Wed, Apr 1:
3 pm Pacific - "DEERING TECH LIVE" from the Deering Banjo factory in Spring Valley, CA, with Chad Kopotic, one of Deering's longest-standing employees and guy who knows everything there is to know about how to get the very best out of your banjo.
* Chad will be live on Facebook and Instagram to answer your banjo maintenance questions and to teach you some tricks of the trade.
* If you have any burning questions you would like Chad to answer, leave a comment on Deering's Facebook page.
* WATCH on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deeringbanjos/
* WATCH on Facebook Live:
___* If you have any burning questions you would like Chad to answer, leave a comment on Deering's Facebook page.
* WATCH on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deeringbanjos/
* WATCH on Facebook Live:
Wed Apr 1:
5 pm Pacific -
Big-deal webcast, music/benefit...
Watch party celebrates Billy Bob's Texas 39th anniversary, streams live April 1st
Event to raise funds for #HearFortWorth & @UnitedWay, just after venue receives ACM Awards nom for Club of The Year
The place can hold 6,000 rowdy patrons on a given night and has been host to hundreds of musical acts, from Alan Jackson to ZZ Top. On Fridays and Saturdays, this venue even features live bull riding – a step up from the mechanical variety.
Billy Bob’s has been named the "Country Music Club of the Year" TEN TIMES by the Academy of Country Music, and just received its 18th nomination to repeat an 11th time. It's located in the heart of the "Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District," and first opened in 1981.
As part of a local effort, Billy Bob’s Texas recently partnered with Carter Bloodcare for a special community blood drive. A total of 339 units of blood were collected as a result and will be used to aid those in need.
As a way to celebrate the 39th anniversary of Billy Bob’s Texas on April 1, there will be a special watch party featuring some of the area’s most well known local talent. Artists performances will include Abraham Alexander, Austin Allsup, Bonnie Bishop, Chad Prather, Brad Thompson, Grady Spencer, Jack Barksdale, Jerrod Flusche, Johnny Cooper, Josh Weathers, Kris Luv, Matthew McNeal, Michael Lee, Rob Redwine, Smooth Vega, Summer Dean and more!
“Though we are moving through unprecedented times in the entertainment industry and the world with the COVID-19 pandemic, we still wanted to find a way to honor this milestone,” says Keitha Spears, Director of Marketing at Billy Bob’s Texas. “Parties at Billy Bob’s Texas typically take place on our dancefloor and in the showroom with several thousand of our closest friends, but that just isn’t an option this year. This watch party is a way for us to celebrate 39 incredible years in the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards while staying safe and doing our part to flatten the curve. We are thrilled to partner with Visit Fort Worth and Tarrant to showcase local musicians and raise money for our creative community.”
There will be a virtual tip jar in association with the watch party where viewers can make donations that will that will go directly to the United Way of Tarrant County, Hear Fort Worth, Film Fort Worth Creative Industry Relief Fund which was developed to help support musicians, visual artists, and filmmakers who have lost work due to COVID-19. The initiative spearheaded by Hear Fort Worth is an extension of Fort Worth musician Rachel Gollay’s Artist & Service Worker Relief Fund.
The watch party can be seen on Billy Bob’s Texas Facebook page:
https://m.facebook.com/BillyBobsTexas/
Or at the link here:
http://www.billybobstexas.com/
Circle network will re-air the event several times. Circle, based in Nashville, includes a linear network and is about to launch a companion over-the-top (OTT) premium entertainment service sometime this spring, 2020. Circle is a joint venture between Opry Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of Ryman Hospitality Properties, and Gray TV.
"Live at Billy Bob’s Texas" has been a tv series for years. It will air the following on Circle:
Wed, April 1, 1 pm PDT - Billy Joe Shaver
Wed, April 8, 1 pm PDT - Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers
Wed, April 15, 1 pm PDT - The Charlie Daniels Band
Wed, April 22, 1 pm PDT - Collin Raye
Wed, April 29, 1 pm PDT - Tracy Byrd
Go to CirclePlus.com for shows, schedules and a simple guide to getting the channel.
Check out BillyBobsTexas.com/live-at-billy-bobs for more info.
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Wed Apr 1:
5 pm Pacific - JIM JONES, one of Western / Cowboy music's top stars --
winner of the "International Western Music Association" 2019 Song of the Year for "It's a Cowboy I Will Be"; author of the "Tommy Stallings" book series, The Big Empty and The Lights of Cimarron; author of the "Jared Delaney" book series, "Rustler's Moon, Colorado Moon, and Waning Moon; "Western Writers of America" top honor, the "Spur Award- Western Song of the Year," for 2013 & 2017; and "Western Music Association" winner for "Male Performer of the Year," 2014 (whew -- he's been busy, eh?) -- performs a live concert to your glowing screen, with a virtual tip jar.
* 10% of the proceeds from this concert will go to the folks at the Range Cafe where the band THE COWBOY WAY was scheduled to play this coming Saturday night.
* Jim notes: "Restaurants and bars have been hit especially hard. So for their sake, I hope you'll be as generous as you can be at this difficult time. If you can contribute to the virtual tip jar, you can use my PayPal link -- paypal.me/JamesJones369 ; or my Venmo link- @Jim-Jones-289 ; my email is- ajamojo@gmail.com and if you just want to do it the old-fashioned way, you can send me a check at Jim Jones, P.O. Box 15831, Rio Rancho, NM 87174.
* He adds, "If things are too tight right now, don’t worry about it, please tune in anyway. I really want to stay in touch with folks as we navigate these difficult and relatively uncharted troubled waters."
=== And THAT folks, really is the cowboy way!
* WATCH the show at: https://m.facebook.com/jimjonesmusicandbooks/
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Wed, Apr 1:
5 pm-6:30 pm Pacific - ANDY & RENEE, leaders of the award-winning band HARD RAIN and performing hosts of the annual "DYLANFEST," do a Facebook LIVE show.
* You DO NOT need a FB account to watch this.
* It goes out on Renee's FB page, at: https://m.facebook.com/reneesafier
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A free song download with a message to get past these times
With awards from USA Songwriting Competition, Global Music Awards, Los Angeles Film Awards, Global Film Festival Awards, Clouzine International music awards and others, talented singer-songwriter-flautist-pianist Amanda Abizaid is involved in many projects. Some are prestigious -- like her array of work in television and film -- and some profoundly helps others in and out of the arts, drawing support from music luminaries.
As Forbes.com wrote, “Amanda Abizaid sings in support of schoolchildren a world away, with some help from Stephen Stills.” - Brad Auerbach.
Her concert with the Metropolitan Master Chorale is, like everything else, postponed until further notice. But she tells us, "Having extra time on your hands and staying inside can be challenging sometimes. For me I see it as a gift from the Universe to catch up on my songwriting, do some soul searching and connect with the beautiful people in my life. Below is my gift of song to you because you make my music come alive!"
To download, for free, the track "Beautiful Day" by Amanda Abizaid, go to her website: https://amandaabizaid.com/ Click the YOUR PRICE button and type-in $0.00 for a free download.
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Home? Bored? Age-old mitigation: Reading.
Free e-book downloads from CounterPunch, and recent articles
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"Every week, we will bring five cultural experiences to you here in a virtual format, and we hope you will find something enjoyable, entertaining and transformative!"
That's the word from Rachel S. Moore, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Music Center, launching their new online programs late on Friday, March 27th.
She says, "During challenging times like this one, we believe more than ever there is room for connection, laughter and inspiration through the arts. As we all strive to make the most of these moments, we hope you will also join the conversation on our social channels by following #WeBelieveInArts."
In addition to the five programs a week they are making available online, they hope they can become interactive in Cyberian space. Rachel says, "Share with us and our community all the virtual arts experiences you’ve discovered and enjoyed. We are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter."
Here are this week's five programs:
(1) "The Music Center's Spotlight Semifinalists." Their very own Spotlight program brings together, every year, some of the most talented young artists in L.A., to learn and grow in their craft. Several of this year's semifinalists are here to share a sampling of their diverse and wonderful skills.
(2) "LAO@Home." L.A. Opera is providing education and entertainment from its greater opera family with videos and livestreams to its social pages. Here's world-class opera in your living room.
(3) "MoMA's Self-Portraits by Women Artists." Celebrate Women's History Month with a deep-dive on 5 of MoMA's best female self-portrait pieces.
(4) "Ailey All Access." This one doesn't fully launch until Monday, March 30. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is doing "Ailey All Access," a new initiative that brings "dance to the people," with online streaming of performances, classes, workshops, conversations and original short films created by the Ailey dancers.
(5) "#VoicesFromHome - Dapper Dans." The Music Center invites you to "Add a little Disney magic to your day with a special chorus of the Dapper Dans, all singing in perfect harmony from their homes."
Check with the Music Center every week during the quasi-quarantine for new content, at: www.musiccenter.org
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What better time to learn?
Famous Banjo artist / teacher offering free online lessons
Bill Evans, author of "Banjo for Dummies" and several other method and technique books, tells us he will "host online courses available at Peghead Nation." He says, "The Bluegrass Banjo Course now has over sixty detailed lessons on all aspects of bluegrass banjo, with tab for all examples covered.
"You can check out either my Beginning Banjo Course or Bluegrass Banjo Course for free for one month using the coupon code "BillE."
He continues, there are also "upcoming workshops and concerts that I'll be presenting on Facebook Live in the next several weeks."
"For most of the last 25 years, I have devoted an enormous amount of energy to teaching three-finger five-string banjo styles through private and group instruction, books, DVDs and online courses," says Bill. He adds, "I do offer one-on-one lessons using Skype, FaceTime or Zoom. I work with each student to create an individual course of study based on their musical goals and unique learning style and I can help you get set up on your computer to get started. Please contact me if you're interested in trying a lesson."
As of today, all of the music camps where he was scheduled to teach have been cancelled through early June. These include the "Walker Creek Music Camp," his own "New Mexico Banjo Camp," the "Weiser Banjo Camp" and the "Midwest Banjo Camp." That, in addition to the festivals he would have played.
We've interviewed Bill and were honored to host him as a performing guest on "Tied to the Tracks," our old show on Los Angeles broadcast radio, back in the day. Bill is one of the good guys, and an outstanding musician.
He signed-off saying, "Stay safe over these next few weeks and I hope you are able to be with those who love you. Once we're on the other side of this, we're going to make some great and joyful music together."
You can contact Bill at:
bill@billevansbanjo.com
Boy, do we need a trip to Lake Woebegone...
Live "Prairie Home" Concert, free online
for 7 days
Garrison Keillor's most recent live concert took place at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis on February 19th. Accompanied by pianist Rich Dworsky and vocalist Heather Masse, he delivered a casual yet elegant evening of stories and song.
This solo/duet show is available FREE for streaming during the next 7 days. They must take it down next Tuesday night, due to music copyrights.
The producers tell the Guide, "We hope that America's favorite storyteller can help relieve some anxiety or stress for the next few hours. Feel free to sing along if you know any of the songs -- and we are almost sure you will recognize these ones!"
Stream the show on YouTube >>>
Get Beautiful Dreamer - Garrison & Heather's duet CD >>>
Get Rich's latest CD All in Due Time >>>
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The Mammals' new unreleased cd, streaming free
The Mammals' Mike+Ruthie (the way they always type their names) tell us, "We are hunkered down in our home, feeling grateful for music, for each other, and for you. Are you all staying safe and healthy thus far?
"Gigs are cancelled but the release of our digital singles and album LP & CD manufacturing continue on as planned. We even may have a lil' extra time to edit videos like the one here."
This one that they're sending-out deserves special notice in tough times. They write:
"Painful events bring bursts of creativity as well as tears. The day of the 2017 Charlottesville riot, Mike got a text from our friend, Vern, reading: 'PLEASE for the song that kills fascists.' He wrote Radio Signal in the next 10 minutes. And today, it is available to you on all streaming platforms.
"This song speaks to a longing to seek out the light which feels especially relevant right now in these days of quarantine, separation, and so much anxiety and uncertainty.
"So many of us are home with only our wireless devices as our 'lifelines.' We hope this song can be a musical balm for folks who are feeling cut off."
Enjoy "Radio Signal," streaming on all digital platforms RIGHT NOW.
You can pre-order the full album "Nonet!" which includes instant download of both "Radio Signal" & "If You Could Hear Me Now." It's a 10-song LP and deluxe edition CD with bonus tracks that come out May 22nd.
It was recorded by Adam Armstrong at Clubhouse Studio in Rhinebeck, NY.
"Nonet" was made possible in part by a grant from the FreshGrass Album Fund and by "the Mammals' generous Patrons."
The Mammals are:
Mike Merenda • guitar, lead vocal
Ruth Ungar • banjo-uke, harmony vocal
Will Bryant • organ, harmony vocal
Ken Maiuri • piano
Charlie Rose • pedal steel
Jacob Silver • upright bass
Brandon Morrison • electric bass
Konrad Meissner • drums
Lee Falco • drums
Meanwhile, their tour dates in Australia are canceled, and they, like everyone else, anticipates more US dates having to be rescheduled as well.
They close with, "We hope you'll pre-order the album from home and sing along in your kitchens… Scroll down [on their website] for a few newly announced live-streaming concerts and we'll update you when we know more!"
http://www.themammals.love/
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Recommended music vids...
Roots, Americana, Bluegrass -- via Denmark
Singer-songwriter Brett Perkins -- who is currently doing the daily live web concert at 9 am Pacific time with his French singer-songwriter partner Magali Michaud from their home in Denmark -- is, like the rest of the world, stuck at home. And since Brett's abundance of energy can't go into his usual globetrotting operation of his songwriters' retreats, he's doing a daily email blast that shares whatever he's found by immersion in webbery since his previous day's cyber missive.
This morning, he surprised us with a "Roots & Bluegrass Blast w/ Sierra Ferrell, Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Don Julin, Rhiannon Giddens and Shaky Graves." The best part is, his email list is very global. So people all over the planet are getting exposure today to these artists. Artists that, those of us in the Untied States of Anemia, and in Canada, expected we'd be seeing in person on the festival circuit, starting about now.
So, for this circle that's not unbroken as it loops back from Europe, our thanks go to Brett -- who you can catch live daily -- see today's "Cyber Concert" listings.
Enjoy the following music vids, with recommendations from Denmark -- seconded here.
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| Heather Anne Lomax, the former Michael-Ann. Neil Kramer photo |
You know her as Michael-Ann...
Americana / Country-Rock Artist Heather Anne Lomax debuts "Better Luck" music vid
New album to follow, with a post-crisis release event
These days, she's being called "Soulful and fearles." Americana/country-rock artist Heather Anne Lomax (formerly known as Michael-Ann) has shared a colorful music video for her single "Better Luck" after it premiered via Memphis-based DittyTV last Monday, March 16 here.
The uplifting self-empowerment manifesto "Better Luck" will be featured on the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter-guitarist's new album "All This Time," due May 1st. It was recorded with the sonics in mind of Elvis Presley's "Sun Sessions" and the American Sound Studios "From Elvis In Memphis."
The "Better Luck" track, with its captivatingly insistent rhythm, soaring fiddle work and vocal chants, was originally premiered via American Songwriter (February 4th). Senior Editor Paul Zollo calls Heather "One of the most expressive vocalists around," adding, "she combines the sweet folky purity of Joan Baez with the rocking soul of Janis Joplin with hints of Patsy Cline and Linda Ronstadt." "Better Luck" was also picked by The Alternate Root as one of "The Top Ten Songs of the Week" (February 29th 19th).
Earlier this year, Heather brought her fiery energetic live show to The Canyon Club in Santa Clarita to open for WAR. No stranger to the stage, she has previously opened shows across the country for top acts that include Wynonna & The Big Noise, Lee Ann Womack, Blake Shelton, Jeff Bridges, John Hiatt, Richie Furay, Don McLean, Judy Collins, Marshall Tucker Band, Joan Osborne, Melanie, Blood Sweat & Tears, and the late Kenny Rogers.
"All This Time" features 11 original tracks produced and mixed by Jason Hiller and mastered at Lurssen Mastering by Reuben Cohen and Gavin Lurssen. Heather enlisted an all-star team of renowned musicians to guest on the album including Zachary Ross, Ty Bailie, Ben Peeler-Weissenborn, Aubrey Richmond, David Goodstein, Chris Joyner, Rob Humphreys, Rosa Pullman-Wurlitzer, Maesa Pullman, Ronee Martin, John "JT" Thomas, and Danielle Fife.
Heather's last record, "Heavy Load" (2014), under her previous name Michael-Ann, was voted one of the Top 10 Americana Records from Los Angeles by Turnstyle, and Junkpiled Roots Music Magazine, and it won Robert Oermann's 'DisCovery of the Week Award' by Music Row magazine in Nashville.
Due to the impact of the coronavirus, Heather has postponed her record release show -- originally scheduled at Three Clubs in Hollywood on Sunday, April 26 -- until further notice.
Click to play the new music vid "Better Luck."
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Banjo book author is giving-away his recorded performances...
Banjo / viola duo offers free album downloads
John Bunge from Ithaca, New York, plays banjo. He is the author of "Music of Scott Joplin on the Banjo" (transcriptions); "Open String Chords for Plectrum Banjo"; and "Open Chord Advantage" for guitar (Hal Leonard).
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| John Bunge |
His musical collaborator, William Hurley, plays viola. Together they play everything from 19th century trad standards to, well, some pretty dang innovative stuff.
Okay, we know what you're thinking: "Innovative" is one of those words like "eclectic." It can mean anything, from compliment to avoidance of insult. But don't worry.
Their local newspaper, the Ithaca Times, says, "You will find [this music] drawing you in and finally you will sit staring into space, lost in a sea of associations and beauty."
Their innovations can do that to you. Unless you want to start with what you would know anywhere -- like Bunge's clawhammer on their "Colored Aristocracy" EP. You can do thst, and download it, too. To hear some of their innovative material, you can jump into their motion-picture-soundtrack-esque compositions "Piranha" and "The Grand Bazaar."
They just held the album release event for their "Hammer and Shape" album on February 29th in Ithaca's Hamblin Hall. And already, here's John -- less than a month later -- telling us about their newest album, "The Narrow Path." If you think you see a double-whammy bill for new music coming at you head-on, you don't.
Just go to John's website:
https://jab182.wixsite.com/johnbunge/
You can easily navigate your way to the "recordings" page. Their new album is there with the previous releases.
John wrote to tell us, "If you'd like to hear something a little different, my colleague and I have just released a new album of viola and banjo music, 'The Narrow Path' (free stream/download). This is 6 of my compositions arranged for the duo - I think Bill's playing in particular is beautiful. (I might note that we recorded it live in the studio into a single microphone, which worked really well, so I guess the old guys knew a thing or two.)"
We'd say "the old guys" made good use of their stay-in time. Unless they finished their newest new album before that. As for their generosity, getting their music out there? Why not enjoy during YOUR stay-in time.
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Epic Laurel Canyon-esque new single, out Friday
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Chris Milam's epic first single is title track from his new album "Meanwhile."
Everyone else gets access Friday, but you can hear it now, at:
https://soundcloud.com/chrismilam/meanwhile/s-hoQKp?in=chrismilam/sets/meanwhile//s-TTPxA
Milam has opened shows for Valerie June, Amanda Shires, Amy LaVere, Garrison Starr, and Cory Branan. Along the way, he's gained a fan base and earned accolades:
• American Songwriter magazine says he “Invites–and earns–the Paul Simon comparisons.”
• Paste proclaimed that he “offers something deeper.”
• No Depression called his prior album "Kids These Days" “an atmospheric, dark, and thoughtful collection...highly recommend.”
As if we haven't all heard enough melancholy, very human tales of late, along comes Chris Milam.
Seems he left on tour and by the time he came home, his girlfriend had broken up with him and his dad had cancer. His new album, "Meanwhile," is the reckoning of how he dealt with those transitions.
Even though the themes are pretty dark, the album has this real Laurel Canyon/‘70s AM radio warmth and it makes for his best work to date. There’s raw honesty and vulnerability on this album and it’s powerful stuff. Give the single a cyber-spin.
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Because nobody is a competitor as we weather these times...
Paste magazine's "Music at Home" web series
The peeps at Atlanta-based Paste write, "Live music is the balm many of us need right now. With venues shuttered and bands forced to cancel tours, we have an alternative - Live Music at Home, featuring free streaming of the very best videos from our archives of thousands of concerts and sessions at Paste and our partners at Wolfgang's."
Wait'll you see what they've got for you. No, really, wait. Until you read what they have to say.
"We'll be highlighting a rotating selection of ten live performances at a time, available for free on demand at pastemagazine.com. You'll see shows captured on the physical tapes lining the walls in our Paste Studio livestreams, from some of the most iconic artists of the latter half of the 20th century, as well as our favorites from the thousands of sessions Paste and Daytrotter have recorded over the last 15 years.
"We're kicking things off with ten of our personal favorites. The Allman Brothers from the Fillmore East in 1970. Prince from 1982. A searing Santana performance from 1970. First Aid Kit’s lovely harmonies from Newport Folk. We've tried to present a wide range of music, and hope you enjoy it all.
"We'll refresh this list regularly and let you know when we do. Let us know what you think, and don't hesitate to make requests. Stay safe, and cheers!"
Currently, you can can click and enjoy, free, these concerts:
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
9/20/1978 at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, N.J.
9/20/1978 at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, N.J.
Bonnie Raitt
12/31/1989 at Oakland Coliseum Stadium in Oakland, Calif.
12/31/1989 at Oakland Coliseum Stadium in Oakland, Calif.
Jason Isbell
10/20/2011 at the Paste CMJ Showcase at the Living Room in New York, N.Y.
10/20/2011 at the Paste CMJ Showcase at the Living Room in New York, N.Y.
Julia Jacklin
1/24/2019 at the Paste Studio in New York, N.Y.
1/24/2019 at the Paste Studio in New York, N.Y.
Allman Brothers Band
9/23/1970 at Fillmore East in New York, N.Y.
9/23/1970 at Fillmore East in New York, N.Y.
Peter Frampton
7/2/1977 at Oakland Coliseum Stadium in Oakland, Calif.
7/2/1977 at Oakland Coliseum Stadium in Oakland, Calif.
Chicago
7/21/1970 at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass.
7/21/1970 at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass.
Grateful Dead
11/24/1978 at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, N.J.
11/24/1978 at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, N.J.
Prince
1/30/1982 at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, N.J.
1/30/1982 at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, N.J.
First Aid Kit
7/28/2012 at the Paste Ruins at the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, R.I.
7/28/2012 at the Paste Ruins at the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, R.I.
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Remember to check their cyber concert archive page to see what more gets added:
___Paste is also promoting another live web performance series, that one from Third Man Records. Tune-in daily at 10 am PET, at:
https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/third-man-records/third-man-records-announces-new-daily-livestream-p/
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Serious writers and dabblers alike, there's plenty here...
25th Annual USA Songwriting Competition organization has other resources for you
They're not just a contest with great prizes, they have things for all of us, and they do a great job rounding-up clickable catalogs of accessible resources. Besides, if you're stuck in your quasi-quarantine, what better opportunity are you EVER going to get to write songs while nobody can bother you?
Dolly is the songwriter of some of the biggest #1 Hits of all-time, including "I Will Always Love You," and "9 to 5."
Songwriting is enticing for every musician and a compulsion for many, whether or not they play an instrument. Let's start with the news of the contest this particular organization offers.
Entries are now being accepted for the 25th Annual USA Songwriting Competition. Win a top prize of $50,000 worth of cash and merchandise. Also, have your winning songs played on radio! Enter in Folk, Pop, Rock/Alt, R&B, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Instrumental, and/or other categories .
USA Songwriting Competition is sponsored by: Fender, GHS Strings, Audio-Technica, PreSonus, Guitar Player Magazine, Recording Magazine, New Music Weekly, Loggins Promotion, Airplay Access, FL Software, Sonoma Wire Works, Berklee College of Music, DiscMakers, CD Baby, Final Mix Software, Singer Express, AAS (Applied Acoustic Systems), Pearl Snap Studios, School of Rock, etc.
Free Bonus -- Recording Magazine subscription -- Ends this month -
*** FREE EARLY ENTRY BONUS:First 1,000 entrants entered by March 31st or earlier will each receive a free Annual subscription to Recording Magazine subscription (worth $23.99).
You can enter online here
Recent winners of songwriting awards
24th Annual USA Songwriting Competition Winner
Jamie Alimorad and Gino Vannelli win Top Honors. The top three winning songs are all collaborations. For more details on the winners in each category, including Folk,
Christmas Songwriting Competition Results Announced
The results of the 4th Annual Christmas Songwriting Competition can be viewed here
IAMA Results Announced
Ellis Paul Wins the 16th Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards).
Songwriting Tips From The Experts
Knitting a Sonic Fabric, by Pat PattisonHow to Write Lyrics to Inspire Meaning, by Steve Lipman
The Valuable Chord Tricks All Major Hit Songwriters Use, by Dave Kelly
Elements Of Song Structure, by Alex Bruce & Karen Randle
Record Breaking Hit “Old Town Road” Created with a $30 Beat
Learn the Rules of Song Structure, by Mark Cawley
5 Tips for Improving Your Song’s Melodic Hooks, by Jason Blume
How to Become a Topline Writer
7 Beatles Secrets about Songwriting I wish I'd Discovered Decades Sooner (Part 2)
Focus On Your Own Strengths, by Ralph Murphy
Record Breaking Hit “Old Town Road” Created with a $30 Beat
Learn the Rules of Song Structure, by Mark Cawley
5 Tips for Improving Your Song’s Melodic Hooks, by Jason Blume
How to Become a Topline Writer
7 Beatles Secrets about Songwriting I wish I'd Discovered Decades Sooner (Part 2)
Focus On Your Own Strengths, by Ralph Murphy
Other Feature Stories & Articles for Musicians
Music Resources
Songwriting Competitions -- Winners & Finalists -- Updates
~ Jamie Alimorad (2019 USA Songwriting Competition Top Winner) winning song “Brighter Days” hits #73 on New Music Weekly magazine Hot 100 Charts.
~ Scott Greer (2018 USA Songwriting Competition First Prize winner, Latin category) has his winning song "Dame Más De Ti" recorded by Gabriel Cancela on Yellow Rhinestone Records.
~ A.J. Croce (2013 IAMA Overall Grand Prize winner) was featured on 90.3 WCPN Radio.
~ Max Henriksen (Honorable mention winner of the 24th Annual USA Songwriting Competition) is signed with signed publishing with GL Music, Denmark.
~ Max Brandenburg (Honorable mention winner of the 24th Annual USA Songwriting Competition) was featured in the hit TV show "Songland".
~ Meghan Trainor (1st Prize IAMA winner in 2010) appeared on Hit TV show "Songland". She hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts as well as #1 on the Billboard 200 Album charts and won a Grammy for Best New Artist.
~ Jack Newsome (12th Annual IAMA Top Winner) was featured on hit TV show "Songland".
~ #21 ON BILLBOARD HOT 100 CHARTS: Priscilla Renea Hairston (Overall Grand Prize and First Prize in the Pop category in the 22nd Annual USA Songwriting Competition) was a panelist at 2018 ASCAP "I Create Music" Expo. Priscilla's song "Imagine" was recorded by Ariana Grande hit #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts, the song also appears in Ariana Grande's latest Platinum selling album "Thank U, Next".
~ American Authors (2013 USA Songwriting Competition Top Winner) has their latest album on Delta Airlines in-flight entertainment. Passengers on Delta airlines can listen to their entire album when they travel on Delta. American Authors recently hit #26 on the Billboard Charts with their latest smash hit single "What We Live For". Their 2nd album of the same title hit #60 on the Billbaord 200 Album Charts. They hit #1 on the Billboard Charts and went Double Platinum with "Best Day of My Life". Their song "Best Day of My Life" is used in the Best Western TV commericals. Their song "Go Big or Go Home" can be heard on CNBC.
Music Auditions, Conferences & Festivals
~ MIDEM 2020: June 2- 5, 2020; Palais des Festivals; Cannes, FRANCE - Cancelled due to Coronavirus
~ Summer NAMM 2020: July 9–11, 2020; Music City Center; Nashville, TN
~ 149th AES Convention: October 21-24, 2020; New York, NY, USA
Of course, all events and dates must be regarded as "pending." - ed.
More info at: www.songwriting.net
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Here's more, as a follow-on to our last big edition...
More help / relief / resources for musicians, artists, gig workers
The Recording Academy® and its affiliated charitable foundation MusiCares® have established the COVID-19 Relief Fund, to help people in the music industry affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak and subsequent cancellation of multiple music events. From hotel and bar gigs to major music festivals, COVID-19 is deeply impacting live music events, and the creative community behind it all. We've reported on this, and we're updating with contact info: (Recording Academy) Andie Cox 310-581-8654, andie.cox@recordingacademy.com / (MusiCares) Eileen Thompson-Ray, Rogers & Cowan/PMK 310-854-8137; Eileen.Thompson-Ray@rogersandcowanpmk.com
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The Actors Fund, the national human services organization for everyone in performing arts and entertainment, has announced that SiriusXM Broadway host Seth Rudetsky and his husband, producer James Wesley, will produce daily online mini-shows, entitled "Stars In The House" These will feature stars of stage and screen singing and performing live (from home!) to promote support for The Fund's services for those most vulnerable to the effects of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
New shows will be produced DAILY at the traditional theater times of 2 and 8 pm ET (11 am & 5 pm Pacific). Each star will be singing a mix of their hit songs and/or something unexpected. And between each song, Seth will interview the star as he does on SiriusXM, leading them to give fun, inside stories about their careers.
Both the star and Seth will encourage people watching to donate at ActorsFund.org/Donate and James will be giving updates from The Fund as well as giving shout-outs to people donating in real time. "Stars In The House" airs twice daily, and can be viewed online at youtube.com/theactorsfund as well as Playbill.com and BroadwayWorld.com
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The SAG-AFTRA Foundation has officially announced their strategy in facing the current COVID-19 pandemic. These plans include the newly created COVID-19 Disaster Fund, which is available to eligible SAG-AFTRA members impacted by the global pandemic. They are taking many of their in-person programs online while their Los Angeles and New York offices remain closed. Contact: https://sagaftra.foundation/assistance/disasterrelief/
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The National Organization of Theater Owners [NATO] advocates for their members. Nearly all movie theaters in the United States are dark. Tens of thousands of cinema employees are out of work. They want help to tell Congress to help movie theaters and their employees to survive this period so that they can remain resilient and come back strong when this crisis is over. Check them out at: #supportmovietheaters and http://www.natoonline.org/initiatives/action-center/
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The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) Executive Director Ben Lopez continues to do outreach from home. His current emphasis and message:
Communities of color are specifically vulnerable and highly sensitive to economic downturns. They are carefully monitoring the impact that COVID-19 has and will continue to have on the Latino workforce during stay-at-home orders. If you have been affected, NALIP would like to hear from you. "It's important, now more than ever, to share our stories and we want to hear yours," says Lopez. In this time of uncertainty while we self-isolate to flatten the curve, NALIP remains committed to the acceleration of the Latinx pipeline of creatives. They are currently reviewing their calendar of tentpole in-person events and activities including the scheduled upcoming NALIP Media Summit set for June 25-28th; Latino Media Fest (early October); and Diverse Women in Media Forum (early December). If you are a Latin artist, check them out at: www.nalip.org
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The show-biz world on your screen...
Cyberian access to the outside world
Quite a variety out there! Here's the best we found of what's accessible and of interest...
Billboard Live At-Home series launched March 19th with JoJo, on Billboard's Facebook page. Look out for future sessions from Luke Bryan, Josh Groban, Russell Dickerson and many more. Keep up with the performances as they happen from the artists' homes, at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Billboard/videos/
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SLING TV has just launched "Stay in & SLING!," an initiative to provide Americans with cost-free access to news and entertainment, as the nation confronts the COVID-19 crisis.
SLING TV is providing news, plus thousands of shows and movies for the whole family, with no paid SLING TV account required. The SLING TV free experience currently includes news from ABC News Live, a 24/7streaming video news channel for breaking news and live events. In addition, SLING TV offers thousands of movies and shows suitable for kids and families.
SLING TV L.L.C. is an Emmy® Award-winning live streaming TV service that provides more than 700 channels from today's most popular networks across its general market, Latino and international services. It is available on all major streaming devices, smart televisions, tablets, game consoles, computers and smartphones. Check it out at: www.sling.com
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Take A Virtual Tour Of Museums
With every museum closed to the public, worldwide, due to virus transmission risks, Google Arts & Culture is providing a way for you to explore hundreds of them online. (We still don't like Google, it being an empire of exploitation of all your personal data. At least they're willing to give a little SOMETHING back in return for all they steal from you.) The portal for all those museums is:
https://artsandculture.google.com/partner?hl=en&tab=pop
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The Society of Illustrators is organizing ways for you to enjoy their Museum and programming online. That includes (or soon will include) exhibits, panels, podcasts, and children's activities. More at: www.societyillustrators.org
* Check out their "NEW VISIONS PODCAST" at: https://soundcloud.com/soi128/stories-matter-illustrators-discuss-the-cultural-significance-of-the-popular-image
* And make your way to the Society of Illustrators YouTube Channel, at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcdkhKEayow3wmbtq2_EDqg
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SiriusXM "Urban View" host Clay Cane, of "The Clay Cane Show" had a powerful interview with a man who is fighting the coronavirus. His name is Kevin Harris, 55 years old, and is in Trumbull County, Ohio.
He nearly died a few days ago and suddenly got better -- he has no idea why, but he is still in the hospital.
From the hospital bed, Harris called into SiriusXM's "The Clay Cane Show," and is very critical of what we do and do not know, tried to warn others about the scale of the virus spread and the lack of preparation in hospitals, and tried to convey to the world that it's worse than we think, and he also brings up the social media myth that African-Americans can't contract the virus. Hunt for it at: www.sirusxm.com
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Rivit TV announces the upcoming launch of its innovative platform that allows passionate audiences to "Choose the TV That Gets Made™." With the groundbreaking launch on March 24, 2020, the streaming platform is releasing the first bundle of three free pilots of original drama/telenovela television series (each 20 episodes) for worldwide audiences.
The announcement was made by Fernando Sariñana ("Jane The Virgin," "Diary of a Female President"), serving as Rivit TV's Head of Production and director of La Leona and Fabric of Lies. Check it out at: www.rivittv.com
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WNET's multi-platform public media initiative "Chasing the Dream: Poverty and Opportunity in America," presents Peabody Award-winning producer/director Roger Weisberg's new documentary "BROKEN PLACES," premiering Monday, April 6 at 10 pm on PBS (check local listings): www.pbs.org/brokenplaces and the PBS Video app. It's part of the PBS spring programming line-up that's attuned to people who give money during pledge drives. It's being called programming that "shines a light on health and well-being."
This particular (and timely) documentary revisits four abused and neglected children from Weisberg's past documentaries and is the culmination of his four decades of bringing PBS viewers powerful stories of young people struggling to overcome adversity.
More at: http://wnet.org or http://pbs.org or http://thirteen.org
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"EMMA" (a Focus Features release) opened March 6, and closed when cinemas were required to close for public safety. Now Focus Features makes it available to rent on demand at home. Check out Focus Features: https://www.focusfeatures.com
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Oscilloscope's new film "THE INFILTRATORS" theatrical date is TBD but the film is still coming out Cable On Demand / Digital Platforms starting June 2. The docu-thriller tells the true story of young immigrants who are detained by Border Patrol and thrown into a shadowy for-profit detention center- on purpose.
Marco and Viri are members of the National Immigrant Youth Alliance, a group of radical DREAMers who are on a mission to stop unjust deportations. And the best place to stop deportations, they believe, is in detention.
However, when Marco and Viri attempt a daring reverse 'prison break,' things don't go according to plan. By weaving together documentary footage of the real infiltrators with re-enactments of the events inside the detention center, THE INFILTRATORS tells an incredible and thrilling true story in a genre-defying new cinematic language. Filmmakers Alex Rivera and Cristina Ibarra are the ones behind the project.
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Feature film "BEFORE THE DAWN" is available for streaming on Amazon, Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube Movies and Tubi. The film has been awarded the ReFrame Stamp, which is an initiative of the Sundance Institute and Women in Film that recognizes films that have achieved gender parity both in front of and behind the camera. 'Before the Dawn' had a 63% female cast and crew. Producer Alana de Freitas has just completed a project as part of the "Women's Weekend Film Challenge," and she has a horror feature in development, along with having spent the past 12 months surveying and interviewing hundreds of people around the world for a #MeToo-themed documentary.
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Second City has been running online comedy classes since before it was cool. Drawing upon the groundbreaking work of "The Second City" (from which several SNL cast members have come) and the many legendary performers who have played on its stages, they have become the largest school of improvisation and sketch comedy in the world.
They tell us, "Our online classes are all of the fun...while wearing none of the pants. (We don't judge.) We offer multiple Online Program Certifications for qualifying students. After successfully completing a collection of courses, students receive a program certificate electronically. Visit our Online Certificate Program page for more information. Private lessons are available for individuals or improv teams." Contact: https://www.secondcity.com/contact/
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Workouts From Home LIVE with the AVP while waiting for their Pro Beach Vollyball Tour. Looking for some at-home workout inspiration? Be on the lookout for AVP athletes going live on the AVP Facebook page every day this week at noon PDT Monday-Saturday.
More on AVP: the Huntington Beach Open has been rescheduled for October 2-4, and the 2020 AVP Pro Tour is now set to kick-off in New York City, June 19-21. More at: avp.com
The workout is at: https://www.facebook.com/avpbeach/
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Cyber Music browsing and grazing...
#TogetherAtHome -- online concert portal
Enjoy free concerts from the comfort of your home. Last weekend, artists that included John Legend performed mini-concerts for their fan lists from inside their homes, calling it #TogetherAtHome. Now, with the title established, other musicians and celebrities are joining the trend. Type in the hashtag on lnstagram or FB and enjoy the concerts.
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The "WILDWOOD FLOWER" radio show features live performances every Sunday from 10 pm-Midnight (PST). Only a few months old, it's hosted by Scott Ferguson and Mike Bone, with Lori Nafshun doing much of the artist booking. The show presents musicians playing both early and contemporary roots Americana, or those deeply influenced by traditional folkloric and Americana genres. It's on KXLU online (or in Southern Cal at 88.9 FM in the West half of the L.A. basin). https://kxlu.com/
* LATE WORD: the station has gone to automated programming through April 1st, due to the stay-at-home COVID quarantine and shut-down of Loyola Marymount University.
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Shane Owens' latest single "Love Me to Death" from his recently released album, "Thankful For Country Music," reached the top 8 of the most downloaded and streamed tracks on "Play MPE," a popular digital download service for radio airplay and streaming. "Love Me to Death" is being accepted as "a timeless, playful country love song that fans will be humming all day long." One reviewer says, "It transports listeners right back to the good ole' days and leaves fans reminiscing simpler times." The single is rare these days for "country," as an easy-listening tune -- but hang on -- it also has "an ultramodern edge that the world seeks," so don't get your hopes up. Owens is booking concerts throughout Summer and Fall 2020.
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Montreal-based singer-songwriter and performer, Tedy releases his second single "War" via Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc. (This is not in our genre, but the guy is getting good notices.) Tedy teams up once again with Herag Sanbalian and Mike Wise (Bülow, Ellie Goulding, Chainsmokers, Upshal) on "War" following his debut single "Stuck" which was released November 2019. A glimpse into Tedy's past, "War" exposes his vulnerability as he explores the conflicting emotions you feel towards the end of a toxic relationship and emphasizes the importance of breaking free. His next performance is scheduled for the annual "CBC Music Festival" on May 30th. Tour dates to follow. Both "War" and "Stuck" will be available on his upcoming debut EP "Boys Don't Cry," expected to release in Spring 2020.
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The King of Ranchera Music has a show-biz niece...
Actress Giselle Mendoza ("American Horror Story," "Better Call Saul") is following on the famous footsteps -- or, uh, boots, of her uncle, legendary Mexican icon Vicente Fernandez, "the King of Ranchera Music." Her growing list of TV credits include "American Horror Story," "Baskets," "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," "Bones," "Scandal," "Better Call Saul," and "Unsolved," starring Josh Duhamel and Jimmi Simpson. Film credits include the feature film "Mothers and Daughters," acting opposite an all star cast including Selma Blair, Sharon Stone, Susan Sarandon and Cristina Ricci.
Mendoza mentors at-risk youth in several programs and charity organizations, including "Every Monday Matters," "Stand Up in the Halls," and "Students Run LA" (SRLA).
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Death Cab For Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard is streaming live on YouTube / Facebook at 4 pm PT daily. Shows benefit local charities, such as White Center Food Bank (whitecenterfoodbank.org) and Teen Feed (teenfeed.org). Listen: https://found.ee/BenGibbard-LiveFromHome
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Final of three free Webbinars this week: Tues, Wed, Thu
If you missed it in our last big edition, you can still catch the final part. All are offered FREE by HutDogs, based in the San Gabriel Valley. Ostensibly these are about "helping your business." But artists/ musicians are their own small businesses, and we know from experience these sessions are very worthwhile.
Tue, Mar 24:
9 am Pacific - "THE NEW NORMAL: TOOLS AND IDEAS TO HELP." This will look at the tools that are helping us stay connected while we are safe at home. Zoom, webinars and social media.
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Wed, Mar 25:
7:30 am Pacific - "B4B ONLINE THINK TANK WITH JOAN DeSOUZA (Hosted by HUTdogs)." The B4B format is an exciting and insightful networking opportunity and a great way to help others. Joan DeSouza offers B4B Think Tank to bring businesses together every month in Pasadena. Each month, there is someone signed up to be in the "Hot Seat" and attendees brainstorm to help that person with a business concern or challenge they are facing. Instead of cancelling the important meeting due to the Coronavirus, HUTdogs has offered to help B4B do their meeting on-line this month. You can "attend," too.
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Thu, Mar 26:
9 am Pacific - "THE NEW NORMAL: LOOK FOR THE HELPERS." This looks at what some businesses are doing to help during these uncertain times. Hotdogs says, "Instead of isolation and worry, we want to facilitate connection knowledge and support. See you online!" Register at: https://www.anymeeting.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=EE54DF89864F3C
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Trapped with your kids / Small Fry Cyber Stuff
Audible.com offers free stories for children. As long as schools are closed, kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet. Start listening: https://stories.audible.com/discovery
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Steve Hartman is doing a daily lesson for kids on the CBS News site.
www.cbsn.com
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Story Pirates Radio is a special limited series that features fan-favorite songs, play-at-home games, hilarious bits, and listener call-in kid interviews to keep kids entertained between podcast episodes. Every day at 8 am PDT, at: https://storypirates.knack.com/story-pirates#home/
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Josh Gad ("Frozen," "Beauty and The Beast") reads to children live. Check for times.
https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1RDGlQkQndRJL
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Spaciness...
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Song lyrics proclaim a "Blue Moon." Here, blue is suspected frozen water at the lunar South Pole. |
Things are circumstantially claustrophobic, but think of the expanse
When NASA's Apollo program ended abruptly -- its last three Moon landing were scrapped by the Nixon administration to get more money for the Vietnam War -- a lot of questions about our companion world were left unanswered.
From all the lunar samples returned to Earth, it seemed the Moon was a dry as a popcorn fart. And that quickly wilted any idea of going back. The human body is mostly water, and we need water -- lots of it, when you start thinking in terms of the per-pound cost of launching it into space. Besides, once you get the weight into space and you expend the energy to get it out of Earth orbit, it's about as easy to fling it anywhere -- say, toward Mars -- as it is to send it to the Moon.
So it took a lot of years before the wisdom of developing a way station on the Moon started getting traction.
Then everything changed. A robotic spacecraft detected water ice inside the rim of a lunar crater. It's a place that never gets sunlight, because it's near the pole. Interest exploded. If one polar crater had water, why not all of them?
And if there is a lot of water, you can tap it to develop a base. Moreover, you have it for something essential for going on -- up, and out, to the planets. Because if you have water, you can separate it into hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel.
A map of possible water beneath the surface of the Moon’s South Pole, based on temperature data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, began to reveal more promise.
Suddenly, at long last, that Star Trek future we all expected would come with the 21st century is showing signs of fruition. Look at the international cooperation because the Moon has water. The European Space Agency (ESA) is now preparing a surface sampling payload to prospect for lunar water (among other resources). It is due to be flown to the Moon aboard Russia’s Luna-27 lander in 2025.
Researcher Hannah Sargeant of the UK’s Open University has developed an improved method of extracting lunar water in support of the project. That got her on Forbes Magazine’s "30 Under 30" list for "Europe 2020 Innovations."
Hannah remarked: “It’s great to see that research into space resources is being recognised and valued in such a public forum… I’m honoured to be a part of this year’s Forbes 30 Under 30 European cohort, but I would like to emphasize that there are many incredible researchers that I work with that are so deserving of a place on this list. The future of space science and technology is definitely in great hands!”
The overall payload is called "Package for Resource Observation and in-Situ Prospecting for Exploration, Commercial exploitation and Transportation," or PROSPECT. (Space people love their acronym names.)
A drill called ProSEED will extract samples. These are expected to contain water ice and other chemicals that can become trapped at the extremely low temperatures expected; typically, lunar polar-region temps remain stable, out of the sunshine, at -150 °C beneath the surface to lower than -200 °C in some areas.
Samples taken by the drill will then be passed to the ProSPA chemical laboratory, being developed by an Open University team. These samples will then be heated to extract these cold-trapped volatiles and enable follow-up analysis.
If viable water extraction and sufficient quantities are there? Everything abandoned when Apollo was terminated is within our reach again -- decades sooner than it would have been without water.
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Today's perspective piece...
A Silent Spring in our time
Rachel Carson wrote "Silent Spring" way back in 1962. The book immediately began to influence the world and awaken the environmental movement. Like most classic books -- whether based in science or art -- it has the power to speak to us in different circumstances in our own time. We bring you an excerpt, chosen this morning by the Delancy Place literary site. Take a moment and read this selection from the book's first two pages:
"Along the roads, laurel, viburnum and alder, great ferns and wildflowers delighted the traveler's eye through much of the year. Even in winter the roadsides were places of beauty where countless birds came to feed on the berries and on the seed heads of the dried weeds rising above the snow. The countryside was, in fact, famous for the abundance and variety of its bird life, and when the flood of migrants was pouring through in spring and fall people traveled from great distances to observe them. Others came to fish the streams, which flowed clear and cold out of the hills and contained shady pools where trout lay. So it had been from the days many years ago when the first settlers raised their houses, sank their wells, and built their barns.
"Then a strange blight crept over the area and everything began to change. Some evil spell had settled on the community: mysterious maladies swept the flocks of chickens; the cattle and sheep sickened and died. Everywhere was a shadow of death. The farmers spoke of much illness among their families. In the town the doctors had become more and more puzzled by new kinds of sickness appearing among their patients. There had been several sudden and unexplained deaths, not only among adults but even among children, who would be stricken suddenly while at play and die within a few hours.
"There was a strange stillness. The birds, for example -- where had they gone? Many people spoke of them, puzzled and disturbed. The feeding stations in the backyards were deserted. The few birds seen anywhere were moribund; they trembled violently and could not fly. It was spring without voices. On the mornings that had once throbbed with the dawn chorus of robins, catbirds, doves, jays, wrens, and scores of other bird voices there was now no sound; only silence lay over the fields and woods and marsh."
~ Silent Spring by Rachel Carson is published by Houghton Mifflin, Copyright 1962 by Rachel Carson, and it's available for purchase here.
(We use a very full extension on the link because all DelanceyPlace.com proceeds are donated to children's literacy projects.)
We remind readers that we first reported, back in February, on the most likely source of human acquisition of the Coronavirus strain that causes COVID-19. That being bats made homeless when their habitat was destroyed by reckless, greedy deforestation.
To adapt, the bats then moved into attics and under the eaves of houses, where they and their droppings and body fluids came in contact with humans.
It's one for the science-deniers. Because we're seeing only one manifestation of it in the current particular strain of highly transmissible Coronavirus. It's a chance for a wake-up call. Because all human problems are environmental problems. And all environmental problems become crises because of human notions of what's economically advantageous for some particular powerful interest. And because a ruling elite wants a default to endless growth on a finite planet. So next time you encounter the finance-focused, oblivious to reality, profit-centered mentality, you can tell them a few things from what you just read. And you can tell them that the more we ignore the realities of how natural systems work, the more hurt will befall us.
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As we follow simple AND NECESSARY procedures, it IS complicated...
Why we need whistleblowers in a crisis
It isn't just politics that keeps ventilators locked in storage... it's the institutionalized protection racket and gravy train
There are so many places to start. A president who was calling the global pandemic "a hoax" as recently as February 28th. A US Senator-- Richard Burr, R, NC, who was telling rich supporters how to invest to make money in the coming pandemic, even while he was publicly denying the virus was any threat at all. Daily news conferences for the Coronavirus Task Force to inform the public, but the Orange Imbecile monopolizes with make-it-up-as-you-go childish musings that cause his science-denying vice president to go full bobblehead over his shoulder, and cause professional epidemiologists to equivocate their remarks, lest they risk firing and leaving the boneheads in charge.
Certain sectors of the news media are credibly reporting those things. But precious few look beyond the immediate to research and report the malevolent cultures that drive such things, and give the comfy couch to official lies told at the behest of powerful interests.
Today, the organization called "Roots Action" is distributing a new essay by NSA whistleblower Thomas Drake -- addressing connections between the coronavirus emergency, government secrecy and the crucial importance of whistleblowing for public health and safety.
Tom has grim firsthand knowledge of how risky it can be to tell difficult truths about the actions and inaction of top government officials -- and how devastating it can be for the lives of whistleblowers even without ending up imprisoned.
There are many ways the truth is stifled by the powerful. Until the current Coronavirus crisis, the number-one advertiser on all three cable news networks has, for years, been Big Pharma. Think about it: did it ever make sense that they spend millions advertising some esoteric drug to treat an esoteric disease? It's not like they are going to sell a lot of it. Besides, you need a prescription to pay the exorbitant price to buy it. What you see there is a protection racket. Nobody wants to bite the hand that feeds them. So, by sponsoring "the news," you are purchasing insurance against the news reporting on you.
A number of years ago, it was the same thing with Big Tobacco. The Marlboro Man galloped across the screen between the bloody civil rights march and the bloody battle scenes of Vietnam. It took years for whistleblowers to come forward from the tobacco industry, revealing that they knew, for decades, that their product killed people and dramatically drove-up health care costs.
When fraud was rampant in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and the role of the Military-Industrial-Cybersecurity Complex expanded to spying on ordinary Americans and even creating an industry that sold everyone's personal data, we learned of it thanks to whistleblowers. And officially, these heroes of our civil rights, and defenders of the Constitution, are labelled and pursued as nefarious spies and dangerous criminals.
Whether or not the rare whistleblowers at places like the National Security Agency go to prison, a key official goal is to drive them close to the poverty line for the rest of their lives, deprived of pensions and rendered unemployable for all but low-paid jobs.
Such is the case with Thomas Drake.
NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, has said: “If there hadn’t been a Thomas Drake, there couldn’t have been an Edward Snowden.”
Although Tom ultimately prevailed in court after a Kafkaesque ordeal that lasted years, the government completely wrecked his personal finances. (If you’re not familiar with his brave stand on behalf of the Fourth Amendment, please see the links under “Background” at the bottom.)
Living in what is supposed to be a democracy, we get vital information because of the courage of whistleblowers.
And there are whistles that desperately need blowing to reveal the greed, stupidity, self-serving mismanagement, and more, that could have lessened the still-worsening COVID-19 crisis.
... From Thomas Drake:
I write this update to you against the sobering realities of the coronavirus crisis, a profound U.S. leadership crisis and the reality that 2020 is closing down early across our society.
Turns out I am in a designated risk category by virtue of my 62 years of age, but have direct family members and people in my regular social network who fall into much higher critical risk categories due to pre-existing conditions.
In the face of the coronavirus crisis, we must increasingly look to local and global health leaders for action in the absence of any real leadership from the U.S. government.
The Trump administration order to classify updates on coronavirus developments and testing is frankly a coverup of the U.S. government’s abysmal failure to protect the welfare, health and well-being of the people.
Yet key indications and warning from months ago were ignored by Trump and his administration when the coronavirus broke out.
This reminds me of the failures of the U.S. government to provide for the common defense -- not keeping people out of harm’s way on 9/11 when almost 3,000 lives perished on that fateful and tragic day, despite many years of ignored indications and warnings (including reports I helped send out in 1993 after terrorists attempted to drop the World Trade Center Towers the first time). Those indications and warnings were then covered up to hide culpability and truth about 9/11 behind a blanket of national security lies and classified secrets.
In addition, the coronavirus crisis is exposing lots of fraud and sand castles. Therefore, despite government lies and denials and too many people in high places sticking their heads in the proverbial sand (while wishing on rainbows and mirages), we must face this global health crisis together as we all live in the same global village on this planet called Earth.
As I write this, just today the Federal Reserve Bank pumped more than a trillion and a half dollars into the economy under the guise of “market intervention” and the stock market still fell some 10 percent on the day -- in its worst showing since 1987.
Can you imagine how far a trillion and a half dollars would go to protect the health and well-being of people, let alone promoting the general welfare of the populace? It is one of the two primary responsibilities of government in the Preamble of the Constitution, besides providing for the common defense.
And then we have President Trump’s 2020 campaign suing several media outlets for libel over opinion pieces. This is incredibly dangerous, treating the First Amendment and free expression and speech as a direct threat to his ego, personal vanity, autocratic behavior, and megalomania. It sends a most chilling message when daring to write and publish something “Dear Leader” doesn’t like.
Trump is doing this in the form of defamation “lawfare” suits that abuse the court system and judiciary, while attempting to overturn and set new precedent for prior restraint.
With all these attacks on the First Amendment by the Trump administration, I am experiencing major flashbacks.
That is because the government charged me with espionage; it accused me of stealing and then disclosing government property and secrets that I then gave to the press. Government prosecutors alleged that the reporter was the only eyewitness to my apparent crime committed against the state -- for speaking truth about the abuse of national security state power and the mass violations of privacy and Fourth Amendment protections of people.
There is also a lot of Newspeak propaganda and disinformation operations using convenient foils and overstated bogeymen to exploit fear, sow discord and promote division while hiding the truth behind a veil of secrecy and national security state briefings. This type of executive action makes it all too easy to manipulate for political ends.
Trump continually demonstrates his contempt and hatred for democracy, preferring the rally stage of a performance-driven presidency while spreading the memes and propaganda of his own Trump-branded autocratic authoritarianism.
U.S. democracy is under assault by the Trump syndicate as he issues pardons contributing to the advancement of white-collar crime and enhanced corruption -- abusing his power to attack and threaten his enemies -- while persecuting and prosecuting those who dare to expose his massive confraud on America.
Trump’s priorities are now vengeance and revenge -- engaging in a new series of retaliatory acts to preserve his power in violation of his constitutional oath. His vindictive actions and unlawful orders are malicious assaults on democracy as he ramps up his retribution tour against his designated enemies and those he claims betrayed him -- using the power of his presidency to protect his abuse of power.
And yet democracy dies in the darkness of dystopia, and there are now alarming new developments in the updated U.S. ’20-’22 counterintelligence strategy report -- for identifying and targeting hacktivists while calling them out as social media “manipulators” and also targeting anti-secrecy and public disclosure groups as direct threats to the national security of the United States.
These new and chilling counterintelligence threats to the U.S. also include targeting anyone else who fits an “ideologically motivated entities” profile as designated espionage threats to the U.S. -- considered equal and on par with the threats posed by existing and more traditional state and non-state actors.
The U.S. is now clearly formalizing threat monitoring of dissent and truth-telling public interest disclosures in the updated executive counterintelligence strategy recently signed by Trump.
It reminds me of when I was declared an Enemy of the State, a secrecy leaker and one who “self-radicalized” as alleged by the Joint DoJ/DNI National Insider Threat Task Force (NITTF) back in late 2015 in formal threat briefings.
The NITTF also pinned me up alongside Edward Snowden as a National Security State criminal on a rogue’s gallery of counterintelligence threats from “those that have done us harm” (equating me with the newly minted moniker of “leaktivist” in the ’20-’22 counterintelligence strategy) -- and other real spies and mass shooters in U.S. history.
What future do we want to keep? It is up to us.
I will keep on keeping on -- defending life, liberty and our precious freedoms and rights -- standing tall along that long moral arc of the universe and help bending it toward justice and mercy.
Please take care of yourselves and each other, because it so important to remember that we bring out the best of who we are in each other -- as human beings.
Thanks for listening and for your continuing support.
-- Thomas Drake
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PS - from the RootsAction Education Fund team:
Truth-telling can be inspirational. Another NSA whistleblower, Edward Snowden, has said: “If there hadn’t been a Thomas Drake, there couldn’t have been an Edward Snowden.”
Meanwhile, Tom Drake remains deeply in financial debt. Ironically, we are in his debt -- morally, politically and ethically. We owe him so much because he stood up for civil liberties and human decency.
We can help repay that debt to Tom Drake, who exposed extreme mass surveillance by the NSA.
Living in what is supposed to be a democracy -- this bears repeating-- we get vital information because of the courage of whistleblowers. We can't leave them to starve when they risk everything to protect all of us from abuse.
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Background:
• CNBC: “Trump Campaign Sues the New York Times for Libel Over Russia Opinion Article”
• Margaret Sullivan, Washington Post: “We Have Entered the Trump Era Unbound -- and Journalists Need to Step It Up”
• AFP: “U.S. Adds Hacktivists, Social Media Manipulators to Top Intel Threats”
• Daily Beast: “U.S. Intelligence Shuts Down Damning Report on Whistleblower Retaliation”
• Freedom of the Press Foundation: “Beware of Trump Administration’s Coming Crackdown on Leaks -- and Journalism”
• Thomas Drake and other whistleblowers at Cato Institute forum: “The NSA & the Road to 9/11: Lessons Learned & Unlearned”
• Minneapolis Star Tribune: “Former NSA Executive Urges Public Vigilance Against Government Overreach”
• “The Constitution and Conscience: NSA’s Thomas Drake”: Video of speech
• The Washington Times: “Donald Trump on Edward Snowden: Kill the ‘Traitor’”
• Jesselyn Radack, The New York Times: “Whistleblowers Deserve Protection Not Prison”
• Jane Mayer, The New Yorker: Thomas Drake -- "The Secret Sharer"
More on whistleblowers is at: www.RootsAction.org
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Resonant history in the art of famous words...
"These are the times that try men's souls."
If you're wondering why that doesn't include women, perhaps it's because it assumes the female gender is more patient and adaptable. Perhaps. If it came from Shakespeare, that would make the quote from a time when all female characters were played by men in drag. After all, many old expressions drafted into the language do come from Shakespeare.
But not this one. Sample a bit more:
"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."
Sounds like it could be written for our time, to evoke patriotism to make you fight for the future by not interacting with anyone. (Though that still seems wierd.)
Recall it now? It's Thomas Paine, from his essay, "The American Crisis." Not only does the short form of the remark describe the beginnings of the American Revolution, but also the life of Founding Father Paine himself. "Throughout most of his life, his writings inspired passion, but also brought him great criticism," as ushistory.org says. (https://www.ushistory.org/paine/)
Paine was, at various times in his life, the Walter Cronkite of his time, as the journalist whose straightforward words everyone could understand, or even the Winston Churchill of his time, because those words had the power to move everyone from simple farmer to intellectual. But "The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, / Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit / Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, / Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it." When Omar Khayyám wrote that, he could have been describing Paine.
In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote and self-published the pamphlet "Common Sense," as a pivotally influential case for American Independence from England. Had the British caught up with him, he'd have been hanged for treason. Not being merely a sunshine patriot himself, he enlisted, but washed out as, a soldier in the Continental Army.
But he produced a second pamphlet, "The American Crisis" that helped inspire the entire Army. In fact, this one was so popular that, "as a percentage of the population, it was read by or read to more people than today watch the Super Bowl," as ushistory dot org cites.
That, from a guy who, by the age of 12, had failed out of school in England, failed his apprenticeship there, and fled as an immigrant to America as a failure who wanted to start over.
So here he was, a failure as a soldier and a fugitive from redcoats who wanted to hang him. So he returned to Europe. There, he failed at inventing a smokeless candle and his efforts with an iron bridge didn't work out. When the French Revolution (and the heads) got rolling, he didn't abide the criticisms he heard against it, so in 1791-92, he wrote "The Rights of Man" in response. That caused Paine to be labeled an outlaw in England for his anti-monarchist views. Once again he faced arrest by the British, so he fled to France to join the National Convention.
But the French Revolution was descending into absolutism. By 1793, despite his popular and influential writing, he was imprisoned there for not endorsing the execution of Louis XVI.
But, the Moving Finger writes. Making good use of his time behind bars, Paine wrote and distributed the first part of what was to become his most famous work at the time, and one of timeless import: "The Age of Reason." It would take him from 1794 to 1796 to complete it, which almost didn't happen. On the verge of execution, Paine was freed in 1794 thanks to the efforts of James Monroe, the new Minister to France from the new US of A. Curiously, Paine remained in France until 1802 when he was invited by 3rd US President Thomas Jefferson to returned to America.
Jefferson had written Paine about the gratitude of the American people and how he was a giant among his adopted countrymen. But there was yet another failure awaiting him. Expecting a hero's welcome, he returned to ignominy. "His contributions to the American Revolution had been all but eradicated due to his religious views," as history dot com says.
You see, what appealed to intellectuals like Jefferson were toxic to common people who were not that far removed from the Salem Witch Trials. (Not that we are now, either, with science-deniers running the government and a Creationist vice-president in charge of the scientists fighting a new disease.)
It seems that Paine's most enduring work, written, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr would do 180 years later with his "Letters from a Birmingham Jail," to rally people to his cause, had exactly the opposite effect when Paine did it. Because Paine's "The Rights of Man," in decrying ignorance and the use of the Bible to justify the Rights of Kings and the legitimacy of slavery, was regarded as an "anti-church" text.
Early America -- except for the unchurched who happily escaped to the frontier -- was otherwise one big Bible Belt.
Thus, in our final quote from history dot com, "derided by the public and abandoned by his friends, he died on June 8, 1809 at the age of 72 in New York City."
It would take more tolerant times to again elevate Thomas Paine to the pinnacle of his achievements -- between all those forgotten failures.
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More coming soon, as we get to and through it. Which is pretty much the way it is for all of us these days.
See ya soon. Stay Tuneful!
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☆ THE ENTIRE CATALOGUE of all past editions of The Guide is available (and searchable!) FREE, in our archive. If you don't see the navigation pane on the left side of your screen, just click "view web version" and it'll magically appear (along with the correct photo, art, and page formats that you've been missing if you don't see that left-sidebar.)
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We have lots of MUSIC NEWS
features in the works, and they'll
be along as we get them dressed,
shoes tied, cowlicks combed down,
bowties cranked straight,
and strings tuned.
Find a comfortable spot by the
wood stove -- you'll prob'ly need to
grab the cards for solitaire, since you
can't have somebody over for a round
of checkers. But we'll be along...
directly, from a safe social distance.
In Cyberia.
features in the works, and they'll
be along as we get them dressed,
shoes tied, cowlicks combed down,
bowties cranked straight,
and strings tuned.
Find a comfortable spot by the
wood stove -- you'll prob'ly need to
grab the cards for solitaire, since you
can't have somebody over for a round
of checkers. But we'll be along...
directly, from a safe social distance.
In Cyberia.
_________________________________________________
On to the necessary boilerplate...
Boilerplate? What "boilerplate"? Where's the main pressure gauge? And the firebox? How do you add water so it won't blow-up?
Who came up with that goofy term for the basic essential informational stuff? ...obviously some dumbass...
Alright already, it's right down there...
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LEGALESE, CONTACTING US, 'N SUCH...
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Direct to the Guide's current editions /
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CONTACT US -- Post Comments / Send Questions / say Howdy at:
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Entire contents copyright © 2020,
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All rights reserved.
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♪ The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS – and views of interest to artists everywhere – more specifically to musicians and the creative community and music makers -- and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music. That includes both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues (now undergoing a major update), and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues from the monumentally large to the intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops, conferences, and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the swamp water roots of the blues and the bright lights of where the music is headed now.
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The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell. The cyber porch'll be here anytime you come back from the road.
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We'll be back again soon with music news and more "News of the Non-Trumpcentric Universe." (c)
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Til we catch ya again on the flip side
in this new decade...
in this new decade...
as Buford the Wonder Dog looks on
and in our best Kathy Baker
"Hee Haw" voice: "THAT's all!"
"Hee Haw" voice: "THAT's all!"
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Here's a reprint of important info from one of our February editions:
COVID-19 Coronavirus PRACTICAL PRECAUTIONS
(good for avoiding the "regular" flu & colds, too)
• Coronavirus lives on inorganic surfaces anywhere from two hours to NINE DAYS; it all seems dependent on temperature, unless it is killed by disinfectant. When tests revealed that, even health care workers were surprised. It brings more emphasis to many of the following points.
• Get the flu vaccine -- ordinary flu will likely mimic Coronavirus, so avoid being ostracized and quarantined.
• Wash your hands, a lot: scrub for 20 seconds and wash them often.
• Stop shaking hands. Don't do "fist bumps" because that's still hand-to-hand contact. And don't become a mad elbow-bumper, because of the next point.
• Cough into the inside of your elbow, ANY TIME you cough.
• Stop shaking hands. Don't do "fist bumps" because that's still hand-to-hand contact. And don't become a mad elbow-bumper, because of the next point.
• Cough into the inside of your elbow, ANY TIME you cough.
• Keep your hands away from your face -- touching your nostrils, eyes, or mouth brings-in every germ your hands picked-up.
• Get a little bottle of hand sanitizer on a miniature carabiner. Clip it to your belt loop or purse strap and use it frequently. (Be sure you snap the lid shut, or it'll drain all over your clothes.) You can refill it from the pump bottle by the sink.
• Make your own hand sanitizer if the stores are out. Formula, from a doctor who makes it with her kids: two parts isopropyl alcohol (drugstore alcohol, at least 70% alcohol), one part aloe vera gel, a dash of any essential oil. Works just ss well as store bought stuff.
• Make your own hand sanitizer if the stores are out. Formula, from a doctor who makes it with her kids: two parts isopropyl alcohol (drugstore alcohol, at least 70% alcohol), one part aloe vera gel, a dash of any essential oil. Works just ss well as store bought stuff.
• Stay home if you're sick -- even if you don't get paid, DON'T be the "Typhoid Mary" that brings a pandemic of this or ANYTHING contagious. If you're "taking one for the team," make it the big team -- ALL of us.
• Don't be a transporter. Immediately remove shoes inside your front door and change clothes when you get home. Don't plunk-down on the couch until you shed what you were wearing at work or in the store or on the bus or in the coffee bar. Stop tracking everything from the sidewalk onto your kitchen and bathroom floors and your rug.
• Be mindful of your car. Everything you touch, everywhere, is on your steering wheel. Everywhere you sit is on your car seat. Keep 'em disinfected -- Clorox wipe the wheel, Lysol spray the seats, often.
• Don't be a transporter. Immediately remove shoes inside your front door and change clothes when you get home. Don't plunk-down on the couch until you shed what you were wearing at work or in the store or on the bus or in the coffee bar. Stop tracking everything from the sidewalk onto your kitchen and bathroom floors and your rug.
• Be mindful of your car. Everything you touch, everywhere, is on your steering wheel. Everywhere you sit is on your car seat. Keep 'em disinfected -- Clorox wipe the wheel, Lysol spray the seats, often.
• Everything you wear goes in the hamper. No multi-day wearings between washings.
• Keep track of where Coronavirus and other flus are headed, the latest ways to avoid contagion, and what symptoms go with what disease, by putting the CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL in your favorites: www.cdc.gov
• Call your doctor or public health officials if you become symptomatic, and DON'T "just go" to the doctor or urgent care or ER; everybody else in the waiting room does not have what you have, and vice-versa.
• Don't buy-up all tbe masks that medical responders need. Nearly all the masks in the stores are Dust Masks, made to keep carpenters and other tradesmen from inhaling sawdust. Expecting those to protect you from tiny viruses is like trying to filter water with a tennis racket. Plus, wearing masks everywhere is not a good idea -- without training and lots of practice, you'll contaminate the thing and then breathe a stewpot of microorganisms up-close and personal.
• Get proper nutrition and plenty of sleep to support your immune system. THAT is THE best way to stay healthy.
• REALLY IMPORTANT: Think about what you routinely ignore:
~ your phone or tablet, which you constantly handle while you're touching everything else in the big, wide world, then keep handling when you're eating (keep your devices disinfected).
~ the Kleenex or cloth hankie you pull out of your pocket -- this time your nose or eye gets the side your dirty finger got last time (yeah, duh!)
~ door handles & knobs, especially "pull-to-exit" on the restroom door, and all door handles you grab or push.
~ gas pump handles -- whatever was deposited on them is now on your steering wheel, and marinading on your hands as you snack while driving.
~ gas pump handles -- whatever was deposited on them is now on your steering wheel, and marinading on your hands as you snack while driving.
~ restaurant menus, salt and pepper shakers, ketchup and mustard and hot sauce bottles that every unwashed hand touches. Same goes for bins of packaged condiments at fast foodies or convenience store / gas stations (Use 'em, then use your hand sanitizer.)
~ lunch buffet serving spoons, spatulas, tongs that every unwashed hand uses in the food bins (your freshly-washed hands just got contaminated). And if sneeze guard glass panes aren't at the right height or aren't clean, demand a refund and leave.
~ coins in change and money, in general -- coins and folding money are germ transit systems. (Back to your little bottle of hand sanitizer.)
~ airline & train tray tables -- who knows when they were last cleaned and to what extent? When we saw a baby being changed on one... (bring a little plastic box of Clorox wipes when you travel).
~ bring your own food on the airplane -- you're probably doing that, anyway, since they stopped feeding you back when they started charging for carry-on luggage and made you ride with your knees in your armpits. Flight attendants have tested positive -- their hands pour drinks, dispense snacks, and pick-up everybody's garbage.
~ airline & train tray tables -- who knows when they were last cleaned and to what extent? When we saw a baby being changed on one... (bring a little plastic box of Clorox wipes when you travel).
~ bring your own food on the airplane -- you're probably doing that, anyway, since they stopped feeding you back when they started charging for carry-on luggage and made you ride with your knees in your armpits. Flight attendants have tested positive -- their hands pour drinks, dispense snacks, and pick-up everybody's garbage.
~ remember to think and act consciously. There is an acute need to be mindful of others, so neither be paranoid reactive nor obliviously ignorant. There was great advice in the old cop show at the end of every briefing: "Be careful out there."
Read AND SHARE The Guide's complete feature story on the COVID-19 Coronavirus in the edition at: https://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2020/02/leap-day-weekend-leaping-into.html
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