Mailbag

From: Waddy Wachtel
Subject: Re: Uber
I love that you’re quoting starfucker!!
when we rehearsed linda’s living in the usa album, we went to a club in maui (her idea!!!)
she said waddy u have to pick a song to sing ... without even thinking i said ok Starfucker... and you have to sing the choruses with me!!!! she did!!
have a blast bob!
xx
ww :)
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From: Lzzy Hale
Subject: Hey Bob! This is Lzzy Hale of Halestorm
I agree Bob, something that struck me in your letter is “ the longer it takes you to make it, the more time you'll have on top”. I see it first hand in the rock community. We cut our teeth in Active Rock, but we’ve always believe that The Journey was indeed the Destination, and have continued to grow and maintain a fan base for 20 years now. We are filling small stadiums if people who still live eat and breath good riffs, choruses and rockstars that stand for something.
Thank you for your article.
Lzzy Hale
Halestorm
HalestormRocks.com
Twitter: @LzzyHale , @Halestorm
FB page : Lzzy Hale
Instagram:OfficialLzzyHale
Tumblr:LzzyHaleOfficial.tumblr.com
YouTube: Halestorm
New Halestorm Album “Vicious” out Now!
atlantic.lnk.to/ViciousAW
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From: Bob Lefsetz
To: Lzzy Hale
Subject: Re: Eric Church In Rolling Stone
There’s buzz on your new album, tell me more about what you’re experiencing.
Bob
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From: Lzzy Hale
Subject: Re: Eric Church In Rolling Stone
Hi Bob, I wasn’t expecting you to be free enough to reply. Thank you for the note!
I'll try to summarize best I can my journey...which we’ve always considered to be the ultimate destination.
I’ve been in this band longer than I haven’t been. My little brother and I started Halestorm in the summer of 1997, when I was 13 and he was 10. He’s a monster on the drums and in real life he’s practically a walking drum solo..very Keith moon. We grew up listening to my dad’s music, 70s and 80s rock. The light bulb turned on in middle school and we haven’t stopped gigging since.
For 20 years We’ve played everywhere and Anywhere. We were doing 250+ dates on our own for 8 years before we were signed to Atlantic in 2005 and have over 3,000 shows under our belt since then. We’ve had the same line up for 15 years, and we are all still best friends, which we consider our biggest accomplishment. We surprisingly won a Grammy in 2012 for hard rock/heavy metal performance (the category no longer exists) but that was more of a personal milestone than anything else. We look back at playing our first shows which were bowling alleys, smoky bars, coffee houses, fairs and even a funeral once... and now we are a small arena band on our fourth major release on a major label, with 2 buses and a stellar crew.
We’ve had a crazy ride, but after just releasing this latest album "Vicious" it feels like things are beginning again in a new way. We just cracked number two on the billboard 200, which is crazy because we were just chasing what got us excited, not trying to make label happy or radio or even fans for that matter...we were out to please ourselves and so far it’s been overwhelmingly positive. Proving that the human element in music is still very very important. We did this record with Nick Rasculinecz who helped amplify that human element that people experience live at our shows.
All in all we’ve done everything the slow and steady way, we don’t play with tracks or trickery, we pride ourselves on plugging in and actually playing and singing. We make live moments with the crowds, switch up our sets and always leave room for improv...cuz that’s where the magic happens. The funniest thing is that we have people ask us what our "plug ins" are for getting the guitars to sound like they do...we reply, "well, we plug them in, and turn them up, and play." You should see their faces, "wait, you’re Actually playing live?" CRAZY!
We’ve had tremendous Ups, Downs and Sideways trips...but we’ve always said that success is not measured by your trophy’s along the way, the glory is in Doing it! And we are. We are still doing it the meat and potatoes way. Play in front of as many people as you can, be good at your craft, don’t be an asshole and fight for what you feel in our gut, that’s our compass.
There’s so much more I could ramble on about, but I won’t take up any more of your time. I’m glad there’s a buzz going ‘round about what we do.
Lzzy Hale
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From: Charles Kennedy
Subject: Re: Airport Hell
Honestly a lot of this stuff doesn’t happen in other countries. Continental EU, Australia, Japan. For how the European Union does air travel, look up "EU.261" - compensation for delays. Our airlines are too scared to leave you waiting a day and a half for a new ride. Safe travels
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From: Tina Withrow
Subject: Re: Carvel
This post hits close to my heart. Your hair would curl at the backward bullshit I constantly heard growing up in the deep south (thank God I rarely hear it anymore). I remember mustering up the courage to tell my dad to never say the N word in front of me again. I'm ashamed it took me so long to do it. I remember how sick I felt when I overheard that my stepmom's dad had been in the KKK. That harmless old man who taught me how to make hushpuppies? It confused me back then, and it still does--the kindness and the cruelty that so many of us are capable of. I live in one of the most segregated, gentrified cities in the country. We've been voted friendliest, most hospitable, most beautiful, blah blah blah. A tiny peninsula with millionaires and mansions just blocks away from abject essentially-all-black poverty. I'm lucky enough to have a job that gives me daily opportunities to meaningfully connect with people of all colors and backgrounds. My compassion is expanding and my personal healing from this damaged place continues...but the wounds are still sadly visible here in lovely Charleston, SC.
Thanks for your provocative musings--
Nurse Tina W.
PS--I've been following your Rituxan adventure since that's my specialty--so glad you're doing better!!
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From: Alex McClelland
Re: Carvel
This was magnificently written. I'm a young black man, who just graduated from an Ivy League School, with dreams of one day working in the business of hip-hop. My pure existence is propagated by the tireless efforts of generations prior. Your honesty and candor is not lost on me.
I find it to be no coincidence that hip-hop has risen to prominence during a time of such tumult for our country, and I've been saying as much since Agent Orange became empowered. I find the genre's dominance of EVERY SINGLE CHART to be a momentous accomplishment for black people. One that signifies how far we've come, and one that details how far we still have to go.
We never would have gotten to this day without the work of people like Shaun King, Travyon Martin, and Kamala Harris. What is less intuitive, however, is how we'll reflect on people like Kendrick Lamar, Nas, and Joyner Lucas. They'll be memorialized alongside the likes of Rosa, Fred and, Nina, I'm almost sure of it. But only time will tell for certain.
-Alex
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From: David Meerman Scott
Subject: Re: My Hometown
I grew up in New Canaan and while in High School in the late 1970s worked at the New Canaan Cheese Shop. Mr. Johnson (as I called him) came in nearly every Saturday, knew my name, and bought a fantastic selection of cheese. He was at the hight of his fame, (was on the cover of TIME Magazine which I had him sign for me), and yet he trusted my expertise in cheese and how to serve it properly. I was just a teenager and that such a great man could see me as an expert was a profound lesson for a kid working hard at a job. Sometimes on a Saturday night my friends and I would drive up to the glass house on Ponus Ridge Road and peek over the stone wall to see what was going on. We never tried to sneak in, I wouldn't do that to Mr. Johnson, but we could occasionally see a party going down. Aside from Mr. Johnson and his boyfriend we didn't know who was there. But I wish I knew who they were now.
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From: Nathan Hubbard
Subject: Re: Facebook
This was terrific, from start to finish.
The math that makes these companies go is achingly simple: how many users do they have, how often do those users look at content, and how many ads does the company choose to inject into that content? I actually appreciate that both Twitter and Facebook/Insta/WhatsApp are taking action to make the community somewhat less of a cesspool - they've been called to the carpet and (unlike Trump) have actually responded to the will of their constituents. I've seen the data, and I promise you that ad load on every one of those platforms could be increased. To the detriment of the user experience, sure, but NOT in a way that would drive churn. So to see them act with a (perhaps self-serving) conscience and get CRUSHED by public markets is...well...everything that's wrong with 21st century capitalism. The irony of these tech leaders who have concerning unfettered control is that they are SO unprecedentedly rich, it turns out they've blown past the threshold where increased wealth is an incentive; a 20% decline still keeps them well ensconced in the "world's richest people" list. So their incentives are driven by public approval, stature, legacy, etc. Which at this moment in time is largely driven by doing perceived good for the world. Which the markets in turn apparently feel is not in the best interests of shareholders. Which, again, is everything that's wrong with 21st century capitalism.
Nathan
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Subject: Re: Lox & Bagel
Bob, if you ever get tired of the music biz you have a great future as a food journalist!
My wife and I grew up in Los Angeles. Lox and bagels were ok, but just didn’t send me. Deli in L.A. was pretty good and it was especially fun going to Canters where my dad, from Brooklyn, would try and explain an egg cream soda and make one the best he could with the ingredients they had. He would always apologize and tell me it wasn’t correct, just a glimpse of what a real egg cream was like.
In the early 70’s when I started working for Columbia Records in Los Angeles, every so often they would fly us to New York to see headquarters and how everything worked there. When I became the west coast regional album promotion manager Michael Klenfner, then the head of album promotion in New York, flew Sharon and I to the city for a visit. He told us to meet him at his house early Sunday morning for breakfast.
We were very green and felt a bit like hicks taking in the city and all it’s greatness. Anyway, we show up at said hour and Klenfner comes to the door half asleep. “Oh yeah,” he says, “give me a minute.” He mumbled something to his wife Carol. and then made a couple quick calls inviting some other cool Columbia folks over for breakfast--then says, “Follow me.”
It was raining that morning and Klenf, in his inimitable fashion, had a HUGE umbrella—very loud and multi colored. He was a big guy, built like a linebacker, and so he looked really funny bobbing down the street with his giant umbrella as Sharon and I followed behind.
Mike and Carol lived on the upper west side and so Mike took Sharon and I into what we now know as Mecca for Jewish food, especially lox—ZABAR'S! We’d never seen anything like that in our lives! Such a huge place—solely dedicated to Jewish delights. We were dumbfounded. We bought, well…EVERYTHING! And the size and taste of the bagels were something completely new to us. L.A. bagels tasted like crackers compared to these, and the lox!!! And the cream cheese!! OMG!! That’s when we became big fans of it ALL.
Now we live in New York and the guys behind the counter at Zabar’s know Sharon very well! She’s there every few weeks getting “the usual”—lox, whitefish, cream cheese—and for dessert the piece de resistance, ZABAR’S CAKE! This is the coffee cake of the Gods!
Anyway, like Mike Bloomfield sang, “I’m Glad I’m Jewish!”
Paul Rappaport
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From: Danny Socolof
Subject: Re: Lox & Bagel
It musta been when I was about 12 or 13. Living in one of the 'Kang' of Yiddish enclaves; Kings Point, Long Island. And the entrepreneurial bug bit me young. I thought what if I could deliver, fresh , hot bagels on my bike to my sure as heck richer than me neighbors. Don't ya know I reached capacity so quickly I almost could not wait till Sunday mornings. EVERYONE is my house was asleep; like 5:15AM. And on my bike I went; up to town; probably about two miles, with a bike that had twin large baskets! And they knew I was coming. The "kid" who had ordered, oh, around 15 dozen bagels. And they were hot out of the oven..at like 6:15 AM. No special packing at the Bagel joint; oh no, that cost more! I got wholesale! Ha; now it gets pretty funny. Can you imagine a 12 year old kid peddling (schlepping) 15 dozen bagels on his bike back to my house where at around 7AM; the kitchen became re-pack HQ. 4 poppy + 4 sesame+ 4 plain; Next. 6 Everything and 6 Garlic. Next….you get the idea and then around 7:45 I hit the streets with the curated bagels sorted by individual order. I NEVER was so welcomed in my entire life by anybody except possibly a Rock Star or two who I landed a huge deal for. No, it was not the same. People were astonished; mesmerized when their still freshlky baked hot bagels showed up on their door step by 8:15 AM on a Sunday. Hell, they never got out of their PJ's!. And no credit cards, no Apple pay…nope; cash or no bagels. And then the best part. I'd be back home around 8:45 and would count the dosh. A simple business. How much were the goods and did I have more cash than what I started with that morning? Yes!
Maybe ~a profit of $15-$20.
I was Richer than Rockefeller. On Bagels. Sweet.
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From: Marty Simon
Subject: Re: Lox & Bagel
I knew from your subject heading it could only mean good food memories and love!
Having grown up in Montreal, we took for granted, the delicious treats of Schwartz’s Smoked Meat and the bagels of my home town.
Best bagels by far ( yes I lived in and tried bagels in NYC, LA, LONDON, Einstein Bros in FLA.... on and on).,,but there is nothing like the hot bagels at St Viateur Bagel in Montreal. As a touring musician the night wasn’t over until you went there at 2am in the morning and there was a lineup! It is still open everyday of the year 24/7!!! A dozen hot ones in the paper bag smell so good in car.... like your irresistible rye.
Lox in Mtl was so abundant you didn’t have to go for name brands... on a Sunday it would be a large plate at Beauty’s.. the breakfast place on St Urbain St. The area had high integrity for great Jewish food and still does.
From Wikipedia page, the description is:
“Established on May 21, 1957 by Myer Lewkowicz, the bakery takes its name from its street, St-Viateur Street. The bagel shop operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and serves over 12,000 bagels a day.”.
I’m heading to Katz’s Deli next weekend with my younger son... can’t wait to make memories.
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From: Charles Yassky
Subject: RE: East Coast Observations
Hi Bob,
I've been reading your columns for a few years .I've discovered new music and old music thru you as well as your insights into , well, just about everything!
But I could not resist your words on "lox", a favorite subject. A few years ago myself and a couple of friends bout an artisanal smokehouse in the Catskills which happens to smoke salmon for some of the best restaurants in NY as well as others regionally. We expanded it to sell artisanal provisions as well.
People have often said it’s the best t they have tasted and I do not disagree. Truthfully, it's probably the best in the USA. We ship anywhere and if you are truly a connoisseur or just an amateur( like I am in the music world),may I send you a gift of some? ( as you have bestowed your gifts upon me) Im attaching the link to the website www.catsmo.com/ so as to dispel any thoughts you might have of some weird sacha baron cohen prank.
Just get me an address and I'll send you some goodies( they are sent via FedEx, temperature protected , and no issue , i hope you will love it!
Regards, Charlie
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Subject: Re: Sweetheart Of The Rodeo At The Ace
Got to see a preview of this show in Nashville, in June.
So inspiring !! Can’t wait to see the whole thing this Fall.
Chris and Roger have been heroes of mine since I was a teenager in Long Beach, CA. Hitchhiked to see the Byrds play in Hollywood in ‘65. Priceless. Grateful to call Chris a friend since our Colorado days in the ‘70s. Great guy. “Sweetheart..” had an enormous influence on so many of
us, NGDB included. Owe a giant debt to those guys.
As a side note, NGDB had a Top 10
Country Hit of “You Ain’t Going Nowhere”, featuring Chris and Roger, (from “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”. vol.2) in 1989..
Sweet redemption there, considering they were denied any airplay on Country Radio in ‘68.
As for Marty and The Superlatives,
you won’t see a better band in any genre! Marty Stuart, Kenny Vaughn, Chris Scruggs, and my
Co-Gramps, “Handsome” Harry
Stinson just kill it every nite !!
As I once heard Miranda Lambert say, “they out-play and
out-dress all of us !!” Perfect.
If you folks get a chance to see this show,or Marty Stuart and The
Superlatives with Chris Stapleton this Summer or Fall, by all means go !! Same goes for Hillman and McGuinn !
Thanks again, Bob for shining the light..
Jeff Hanna
Nashville
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From: Dave Schools
Subject: Re: Sweetheart Of The Rodeo At The Ace
I wish you could have seen the smile spread across my face as I read your rundown of the show.
I had no idea this event was occurring and no idea of the people involved...so imagine my surprise when you mentioned Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives.
I only knew Marty as the guy with the tall hair from the CMT days until Warren Haynes asked me to join a band he put together to back up Marty at Xmas Jam in Asheville in 2005.
Marty chose to play a couple of Byrds tunes and ran the group through the changes beforehand in the dressing room like a friendly pro.
Once we got onstage Marty strapped on Clarence White’s original B bender Telecaster and proceeded to blow my mind and about 7000 other minds all at the same time. Frankly I can’t believe I didn’t stop playing the bass so I could concentrate on what the man was doing. I’ve never seen anything like it. Definitely one of the highlights of my career.
The set he performed with the Fabulous Superlatives was equally mind blowing. Kenny Vaughan et al most assuredly lived up to their name.
But the most amazing thing that Marty that night did was to wordlessly hush the audience (in a arena no less) by simply playing a quiet solo mandolin tune which he then built into a reverie that drove the audience insane. It was loud in that arena when the bubble finally burst! Astounding musical entertainment rendered by one man with one very small wooden instrument.
So, to read that Marty and his band elevated The Byrds celebration at the Ace wasn’t surprising, but it sure made me smile.
And then to discover that the group segued from a Byrds cover made even more famous by Tom Petty into a selection of TP’s tunes widened that smile.
But when I read that Marty performed my all time favorite Tom Petty tune(Runnin’ Down A Dream) I started laughing at the wonder of it all. This is the joy that only music brings to me. I live for these moments so much that even reading about them brightens my mood.
American musical treasures indeed. Thanks for sharing!
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Subject: Re: Goin(g) Down
I’m from Dallas. I lived a couple of blocks from Freddie King and I knew him all his life. He lived on Robin Road, and I lived on Inwood Road. A couple of blocks, but light years away from one another during the civil rights era of the turbulent sixties. I played piano with him a little bit, and growing up I thought he was okay, but not in the league of the other Kings, B.B. and Albert. I was dead wrong.
I also knew Leon Russell very well. Marc Benno and I were in a band together that Leon produced, and I ended up staying for a spell at his house on Skyhill Drive in the LA valley when I was a teenager. This was around 1967.
Leon was playing all the sessions in the Wrecking Crew back then, though he hated it. He had his own studio at his house, and guys would all hang out there. That’s where I met Rita Coolidge and Bonnie Bramlett and Carl Radle and Chuck Blackwell and the amazing Jesse Ed Davis and Don Nix and many more. Most of these folks were Leon’s Okie pals, with a few southern belles and cowboys and Indians thrown in for good measure. Once a week everyone would come over and play the blues in the studio. Don Nix would run upstairs and write a blues song in ten minutes, and all these incredible session players would instantly play it. I was much younger than the other guys, and delighted just to be a fly on the wall. Sometimes they would let me play the B3 organ on these sessions, but I was definitely the low man on the totem pole, and rightly so. It was at one of these Skyhill blues sessions that Goin’ Down was born. I wasn't around that night, nor was I there when Freddy and Leon recorded it a few years later. But Bob, you are right. It’s one of the all time great blues songs, and Freddy King will stand the test of time, a true blues King, right up there with B.B. and Albert.
Wally Wilson
Skyville Live
Nashville TN
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Subject: Re: Goin(g) Down
Yes, go down the rabbit hole - back to the early 60’s - Freddie King in his prime with his classic guitar instrumentals, "The Stumble," "Hideaway," "San-Ho-Zay." And mid-60’s LA - Friday nights sometimes this live music show, ‘The Beat’ would come in on Channel 13 and I got to see Freddie King playin' live for the first time. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEmGbMd2duk.
The 3 Kings - Freddie, B.B., and Albert. Gone but never forgotten.
Love the podcast, Bob.
Jeff Eyrich.com
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Subject: Freddie King
Bob,
My first job at a record company was Ontario Promotion Rep for Capitol
Records here in Toronto in the early 1970's.
One of the first artists I got to work with was Freddie King (Capitol
distributed Shelter at that time). I drove him around, did a couple of
interviews, then took him to the old El Mocambo club where he was
headlining. Within minutes, he had organized a poker game in the dressing
room. He invited me to join in. Being a very young and green novice to
promotion (and poker) I said sure. Eight minutes later he had me for $182.
I begged out...he just smiled and said "That's OK, I love takin' money
from all you record guys".
Lesson learned. Grand Funk never stated it better.
Bob Roper
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Subject: Re: Goin(g) Down
Hey BL our name came from one of the best of the "bluesmen" Mississippi John Hurt
Steve Boone
Lovin' Spoonful
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Subject: Re: Goin(g) Down
Re: Grand Funk/"American Band"
Sweet Connie from Little Rock told me The Allman Brothers Band was her very first rock band. I remember it vividly at a Holiday Inn in Memphis. She was a stunningly beautiful young girl with "Seventeen Magazine" natural looks. Later became a school teacher. She told me I got a gold star in her little book of "friends".
Willie Perkins
Macon, GA
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Subject: Re: Goin(g) Down
The first time I heard Goin’ Down was when Freddie taught it to my brother and I in Austin the afternoon of the first of several gigs we played with him. Gettin’ Ready had been recorded but not yet released. He had always been my favorite King. BB and Albert were great. But Freddie was my man. And such a gentleman. When John and I moved to L.A. in ‘71 to join Spirit, we always went to the Starwood at Santa Monica and Crescent Heights to see, hear, and visit with Freddie when he came to town. He played guitar like the man he was.
Al Staehely
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Subject: Re: Goin(g) Down
Thanks for recognizing Freddie Bob.
We are covering another Don Nix penned song in our show this year that Peter Frampton actually sings sitting in on our set called “Same Old Blues”.
Nix was a Memphis soul vet and wrote a bunch of great songs.
It’s sad when Steve announces Freddie King’s name to the audience and only a couple people respond. He was such a giant in influencing rock and R&B and is fading into history.
Diane and I got to perform with Mark Farner a couple years ago at a festival where we were part of the house band. We did “I’m Your Captain” and “Some Kind of Wonderful” with Mark with Kenny Aronoff on drums. Mark is still an amazing powerhouse of singer and player. I think Mark would make an interesting guest for your podcast.
Kenny Lee Lewis-Steve Miller Band
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Subject: RE: Happy Together Tour
I took a class with Mark Volman my senior year in 2008 at Belmont University, where he still teaches. I enjoyed his class because of his honesty including unbuttoning his shirt to show us his shoulder tattoo! A light-hearted moment that showed he was committed to making the class enjoyable and fun! He loves his students and his university in two ways. First, that tour is put on my college students earning credit by touring all summer. While it’s not the money-making arena shows of today’s pop/hip hop/country stars, it’ll give you a first-hand glimpse of life on the road and how a tour works before you graduate. Secondly, Mark let’s Belmont use, "Happy Together", during the second half of every home basketball game. It’s a cool moment to know that one of your professors wrote that song and wants everyone to enjoy it as much as he has.
Charles Van Dyke
Provident Music Group
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From: Craig Franklin
Subject: Re: Happy Together Tour
Bob,
I was first chair baritone horn for three years in the Westchester High School marching band, 1961-63. Howard Kaplan was first chair clarinet. He changed his last name to Kaylan because he thought having a Jewish last name would be a liability in the music business. How times have changed! (Or maybe not so much....)
Craig Franklin
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From: John Zambetti
Subject: Re: Happy Together Tour
Hey Bob,
Thank you for the mention! Sorry to have missed you guys last night.
I think your review is spot on. This is the third Happy Together show The Malibooz have opened and the first time I heard The Cowsills, I had the same reaction. Back in the day, I never took them seriously but hearing those tight harmonies unfold was a revelation.
Another revelation was how each act faithfully performed. No one rushed and there were no medleys.( The Association was in their dressing room perfecting their blend)
Backstage was a love fest. EVERY act was in the wings rooting for whomever was on stage. (Remember, this is a 40 city tour). And they were all there to high-5 each act as they came offstage.
Also I think Godfrey Townsend’s backing band deserves a lot of credit. He was telling me about the attention he paid to the original recordings to capture every nuance instrumentally and vocally (all 4 members sang as well as played ). I was right next to the drummer during Happy Together waiting to see if he’d do the offbeat kick in the last verse and the 2 bars of hitting the cymbal bell in the build up at the end. Both were there.
I hate it when people throw around the word “blessing” but it is a blessing that we can hear this music by (at least some) of the original artists 50 years later! And that some of us get to play it!
This is not a Rolling Stones tour. These musicians are not returning to huge estates and opulent lifestyles but they are returning spiritually and artistically rejuvenated. It was was joy to be there.
Best,
John Z
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From: David Vaughan
Subject: Re: Peace And Love
Bob,
Long time reader, first time writer.
I knew I wasn't the only one that appreciated these guys. I have a funny story about them.
About nine years ago, some buddies of mine rented a tour bus for my bachelor party down in Austin. We decided to hit up 6th street looking like rockers. I thought it would be funny to pretend we were a famous band, each friend playing a different role, e.g. drummer, singer, manager, agent, etc.
But we couldn't be too famous, or else people would know it was BS. So, I thought it would be a good idea to be Fountains of Wayne (I was a big fan). Think about it. Everyone knows "Stacy's Mom," but no one knows what they look like. Back then, google wasn't as readily available on your phone, so it was much easier to get away with it.
So we played it up. Got VIP treatment at bars/restaurants. Girls were coming up to us asking what band we were in. When they would question the band, we would just mention "Stacy's Mom" and they were like, "Oh yeah, I love that song!" They would come on the bus, and we would make up stories about how we got pigeon-holed because of "Stacy's Mom" and complain that people didn't respect us for our other material. The girls ate it up. Nothing sketchy happened on that bus. We were just on a high that our "plan" was working, and as Don Henley says, "we worked it good."
Fast forward to my wedding day. My boss at the time was neighbors with Jody Porter's (lead guitar) cousin in Nashville. He had heard my story and decided to play a prank on me. With the help of Jody's cousin, my boss got Jody to leave an angry voice mail on his phone, ranting about some guys that were pretending to be Fountains of Wayne in Austin and how the band and his manager was pissed. They were looking for me and were going to sue, etc. My boss played it for me on his phone and my heart sank for a second...
...then he played the second voicemail from Jody, which was a "just-kidding" message, wishing me a happy marriage, thanks for being a fan, etc.
I still have the voicemails today, and everyone who attended the bachelor party got a copy. Not one bachelor party since then (that I have been a part of) has come close to matching that experience.
Jody was a good sport, and I'm a fan for life.
DV
P.S. The band's sophomore album, "Traffic and Weather," is my favorite. Sick melodies and story lyrics that paint the most vivid of pictures.
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From: Robert Heiblim
Subject: Re: Peace And Love
I quite agree, and to make matters worse the actual Fountains of Wayne they named themselves after is now closed. It was a fantasy of kitsch and lots of angel statues, but they put on a great Christmas light scene for all to tour through. A landmark no longer.
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Subject: Re: Peace And Love
People that know me…that really know me…. knew that when I used to say, 'Fountains Of Wayne is America’s greatest rock ’n roll band', that I fucking meant it (and I got more eye-rolls than thumbs up for saying that). I was VP/Alternative Promotion at Atlantic Records in the late 90’s. It started with their debut release on TAG/Atlantic that included the minor MTV Buzz Bin hits 'Radiation Vibe' and 'Sink To The Bottom’. This was before the American music festival (pre-Coachella) explosion so the rule of the day was radio airplay, MTV and getting your band on the all-important summer RADIO SHOW. This was the early summer of 1999 and FOW put out their first single off their 2nd CD “Red Dragon Tattoo”…another minor hit. I was able to beg them on two premiere east coast radio festivals HFStival (WHFS-DC) and River Rave (WBCN-Boston). After Saturday's HFStival the band partied all night in DC and woke up Sunday in Great Woods an hour before their River Rave set. With hangovers and bad moods the band was ready to play except for one thing…their drummer was MIA. Brian, the drummer, missed the bus call to Boston and crashed at a DC party house and as I escorted WBCN's legendary Program Director, Oedipus, to their bus to kiss his ring, they informed the two of us that they have to cancel their set cause their drummer is missing. Oedipus said ‘the hell you are. Get on my stage or else’ (remember, radio in 1999 was king…period). Adam Scheslinger knew that I was a hack drummer (typical frustrated musician who becomes a record executive); he also knew that I adored FOW and that I knew their entire set like the back of my hand. I did an air-drum audition on their tour bus in front of the band and Oedipus and 20 minutes later I was FOW’s drummer in front of over 10,000 alt rock fans. Yes, this was to be my 15 minutes. Getting a call from their manager Cliff Burnstein/QPrime thanking me for filling in was cool and all but nowhere near as cool as the blisters on my fingers I got for jamming hard with America’s greatest rock ’n roll band! Please check out ‘Leave The Biker’, ‘Sick Day” (the best song never to be placed in a motion picture), ‘Survival Car’ and of course since we are in July, ‘It Must Be Summer’. Thanks for bringing this band up today. Long live FOW"—Gary Spivack
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From: Eric Chaikin
Subject: Re: Peace And Love - BUBBLE GUPPIES!!
Adam Schlesinger is an unheralded pop rock genius!
If you had a 4 year old, you would be hip to BUBBLE GUPPIES -
A cartoon for little kids scored by Adam with deceptively, delectably hooky songs in every episode.
A little something for the classic rock Dad.
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From: Walter Sabo
Subject: Re: Balkanization
Well there were others. Before Lee Abrams, Allen Shaw was the President of the ABC FM stations who created the Album rock hit format with Bob Haneberry. Abrams worked for them at WRIF as a music director. The format was the creation and success of Shaw and Haneberry. That was on the rock side. Mike Phillips, Al Brady and I did the same at the NBC FM’s for Adult Contemporary in 1978 which didn’t have a name—we started calling it FM MOR and the name was refined. Donnie Simpson at WKYS in Washington turned Urban into a hit machine starting in 1978 with the format he created.
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From: H H Burnham
Subject: Re: Grammy Nomination Expansion
I used to consider it an honour to be a Grammy voter. I cared, I worked at it, at doing it honestly and thoughtfully.
But I quit years ago. Not just because it had lost its lustre generally, but mostly because the tossers would NOT let Boston have its own chapter. Soon after I moved here (1999) - a whole bunch of local music folks, many of them Grammy members like me, had a big meeting with the NARAS people at the Paradise one afternoon - it was in the air that this storied and great music city would finally get its due. But no...Boston had to remain an arm of the NYC chapter. How utterly fucking clueless, let alone insulting. I’d been here less than a year and I wanted to cross the room and throttle the little shit who announced it to the crowd of true music movers and shakers here. Absurd.
Come back Michael Greene - almost all is forgiven.
I still get a smattering of "Hey! My artist is up for XXX - give him/her/them a listen and your vote!" emails or FB messages. Wankers.
Honestly - fuck ‘em all. Portnow’s Complaint.
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From: Ian Lee
Subject: Re: Steve Boom-This Week's Podcast
I went into an Apple store while on tour because my Bose sound-link mini speaker died after 4 years non stop on the road.
They had the new apple speaker thing. It sounded great.
They had them linked together. I asked to hear just 1.
They couldn’t
I asked to pair it with my phone to test it
It doesn’t use Bluetooth. But the Apple Bluetooth whatever.
I asked them to show me on Spotify
It only works with Apple Music.
Sure there are ways to work around these problems and link your phone (my iPhone in this case) but driving a tour bus, it’s a hassle every time you power it up.
The nice girl told me that Apple is an ecosystem
I own all Apple products. I don’t need to be sold. I literally was trying to pay the extra $150 to buy it. It sounds great.
But the interface is so bad. Apple only. That it’s completely impractical
Technology only trying to serve technology.
Apple has lost sight of the fact that their products need to serve the customer.
I bought a new Bose Bluetooth speaker in order to listen to the Lefsetz podcast
(Shameless plug )
Best
Ian
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Subject: RE: Arroyo Seco Weekend-Day One
Bob,
So amazing to see our favorite band, Gomez, in your column. They are the 'thing' that brought my husband and I together. We have missed them so much during their 6 year hiatus and just got to see them twice, in Brooklyn and D.C. on their Bring it On Anniversary tour. This is a photo of us with Ben and Olly, two of the people in the band and now also the names of our children.
They have a ton of 'superfans' like us who know every word to every song and dance with the energy of teens when we see them. I am so glad you got to see them and experience it. Tom Gray is a fantastic showman and no one has a voice like Ben Ottewell.
My husband worships the ground Alynda Segarra walks on. He just got tickets to see her tour with Jim James. He also told me she will be featured- not sure to what extent- in the new Blaze Foley movie coming out in August. www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/06/watch-the-trailer-for-ethan-hawkes-country-music-d.html
Thanks for highlighting some lesser known but extremely talented musicians. Wish we could have gone to the Arroyo Seco show!
Maryanne Andrews
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Subject: Re: Judy Budzik
A few months ago, I clicked on an article written by a tech friend of mine whose writing I had always enjoyed. I didn't even clock the subject of the article when a name in the first paragraph leapt out at me: it was my last boyfriend before I met my husband. And the first paragraph set the premise for the article: apparently my last boyfriend lost his umpteenth tech startup job and was moving from SF to L.A. again. He packed up everything he and his girlfriend owned into a moving truck, kissed her, walked out onto the balcony of their high-rise apartment building and jumped to his death.
That was so him. He didn't want to be a burden on her so he made a nice clean break packing and loading up the truck and left her with nothing to do but drive away and start over. It's not unlike what he did with me when our relationship ended, but at least with ours he was still alive.
He's the only boyfriend I ever had who has died. Someone I thought I loved. Someone I thought might have thought about me before choosing to die or accepting death. It's a weird feeling to think the "entire life that flashes before their eyes" could include you.
My dad died in a motorcycle accident in 2011. It was sudden and sad. But I always figured he would die before me at some point. It's very odd when the deceased is a contemporary and odder still when they are an intimate.
I'm sorry for your loss. Trust me, it's time to let the birthday invite incident go. She has. And I'm certain she would want to be remembered as you described her: nice and cool.
Angela Randall
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From: Glen Burtnik
Subject: Re: Judy Budzik
Funny you mention third grade, Bob.
When you’re a kid you don’t know shit. However, that statement suggests that you learn shit when you grow up. And that’s bullshit. When you’re grown-up you still don’t know shit.
The year was 1964 and I was in third grade. I lived in a fairly integrated neighborhood and my friends and classmates were Afro-American, Asian, Mexican and Caucasian and ours was a mixed class. I’ve heard suggestions since describing the class as selected as an “advanced” group of students and my mom once told me my IQ scores were high, but I don’t really put much into any of that. I will say it was an exciting and colorful class with our charismatic teacher, Miss Blumberg stimulating us with her approach to learning the multiplication tables.
I didn’t know Virginia, but I knew who she was. A quiet classmate, she looked different from everyone else. Her features were strikingly different and there’s where the worst of human nature and the bad habits of social ignorance begins.
Virginia’s skin was white, at least whiter than most. She was born with albinism – a person like Virginia is commonly referred to as “albino”. She was unusual visually to me and my classmates. I don’t have to tell you how we humans tend to treat people who are different than the status quo. Virginia seemed shy and though I don’t recall for sure, I’d guess she was probably the last chosen for games and the like. Kids suck that way.
It was a great year for me. I was supercharged with the phenomena of the new rock band from England (who pretty much effected my life’s course) and busy hanging out with my friends and flirting (yes, I was always a flirt) with some of the little girls (Arlene Kravatz, Cindy Vogel and Gloria Lopez). Virginia? She just wasn’t in my circle. Thinking back on it now, I must’ve gone along with the typical mob mentality of avoiding, ignoring – almost shunning – someone who is different or unique.
And there was more to Virginia. Her family was what she refers to as pan-African. She was born of a Negro family. You see, Virginia was not only “white”, but she was also “black”.
Not really knowing her, or getting to know her, I had no idea what her life was like. I paid little or no attention. Here it was, 1964, when the Civil Rights movement was in full gear, the year Martin Luther King received the Nobel Peace Prize, when Malcolm X was possibly at the height of his influence, but I was just a white third grader, barely paying attention to any of it. And there was Virginia, quietly living out her own personal dramas, of which I was completely insensitive, unaware.
Although there was no specific incident I can recall, I have lived my life feeling guilt, worried I might've contributed to alienating this innocent girl.
A half century later, I found this girl who was in my 3rd grade class. I found Virginia.
And she’s amazing. Her perspective is unique and no doubt she's put up with crap many of us haven't had to.
Virginia's a good writer. Her story should be a movie…or a book. She writes about her life AND is a guide for others like her - young blacks with albinism. There's so much wrong shit and misconception and superstition. In the face of difficulty, she came out swinging.
And with just a little correspondence, she’s taught me a lot – so many years later.
So, that's my little story of what can be beautiful about the internet (and specifically facebook, where I've wasted way to much time trying to talk sense to fans of mine who are also Trump fans).
Life's been good to me so far.
I enjoy reading your ramblings, as well!
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Subject: Re: Sunsoaked
Bob, so spot on with Sunsoaked. First off, my friends and I are 35-37 and actually made a game out of figuring out who in the crowd was older than us. Couldn't have been more that 5 people over 40. But it didn't matter, nobody was there to judge. Sunsoaked was an excuse to party and feel alive for a few hours.
My biggest takeaway was just how inclusive the whole event was. It's orderly, people understand that we are all in this together. Everyone was polite and watching out for one another. As we left a young girl shouted "everyone pick up one piece of trash as you leave" and all of us within ear shot started doing their part.
-Matthew Bobb
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From: Gary Merker
Subject: Who Runs things
Just got around to catching up and read "Harry Styles at the Forum." You touched on a theme that most musicians don't seem to know or understand.
THE WOMEN WILL MAKE YOU OR BREAK YOU.
Bob....you work at the top of the business, I work at the bottom, the small town local music scene. I had a sound business and worked with a lot of bands. One thing was consistently and constantly true. The bands that were successful made the ladies happy.
Women want to go out, have a few drinks, get up and dance, and have a good time. Men follow the women thinking they may get lucky. The guys buy the drinks, ring the cash register, and make the owner happy. The band gets rebooked. If it happens enough times and in enough places....success.
To the local bands I say....if you want to be successful you have to work. To get and keep work you have to make the ladies happy. Forget the stuff you love and want to play. Forget the deep cuts. Forget the obscure material. Cover, cover, cover, and cover the dance numbers. Every band hates "Mustang Sally" but it fills the dance floor every time its played. Same withe "Play That Funky Music, White Boy." And "Brick House".
Once you're out there working all the time you can sneak in your favorites here and there. They will empty the dance floor but everyone needs a rest once in a while.
I don't pay much attention to pop music, but I have been going to see national touring country acts lately. Sit up in the seats and watch the main floor. Women dancing all over the place. Same deal.
So, the moral of the story.....little local act or big national act, the song remains the same. Make the ladies happy and you will be a success.
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Subject: Re: Mailbag-Showman, "Africa," Free, Prince, Seymour, Budzik...-text
I want to add that Greg is 100% correct in saying that Michael Gracey and Hugh really drove this thing from inception and its infancy into the film we see on screen today.
Michael’s passion for this project and how that translated throughout every step of the process was undeniable. He pushed everyone involved to the extent that he nearly drove many of us insane along the way, but I also know his vision and pitch on what this movie would be, kept us engaged and passionate about it throughout the many challenges that took place during the process.
I had always said, that if Michael makes 1/2 of the film he pitches in the room, it will be incredible. With that being said, none of us really knew what to expect.
This was 100% Michael Gracey’s baby and brainchild and I must give credit to him for being the nonstop champion of what he saw in his unique vision on how to bring this film to fruition. I really give him huge props for that.
Greg, Lac, Manny Marroquin, Danielle Diego and Anton Monsted at Fox, and so many others contributed so much to this project that it really goes back to how it truly takes a village...
Kevin Weaver
President, Atlantic Records - west coast
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From: Gordon Chaffin
Subject: Re: Rival
This reminds me of my gym in DC, VIDA Fitness. They get your fingerprint into their system when you sign up. When you go to the gym, you rest your index finger on the reader, wait for a second, and then you're in. No card from your wallet, or beaten-up keychain fob.
With my IBS, I use their locations around the city to stop for bathroom breaks on a run. It's a saving grace to be able to just use my hand. I don't have to use a bulky belt pocket to hold a card.
The lack of public restrooms and drinking fountains in DC is another long story. But these services at a premium price, like Rival or CLEAR with security, really save you time and inconvenience.
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From: Sandra Charamba
Subject: Pavlo: Live In Kastoria
Hello Bob,
I follow your newsletter so I know that around now, you will be having to go in for another treatment - I hope you find solace in some enjoyable food. Indulge.
I know one whole day is a right off for you - so I thought I would send over a Private Link to the #1 concert program currently airing on PBS.
Private YouTube Link:
________________
I have invited you to several of Pavlo’s concerts before while we’ve been in the area, and you have always kindly responded (which I appreciate) and it’s never worked out.
PBS is not a platform you have written about (that I can recall) but you do often write about hard working Canadians; Toronto being a melting pot of exciting new sounds; and work ethic.
Pavlo does not have a record label behind him. (They all denied him early on)
Pavlo no longer has a manager. (No one could think outside the box)
Pavlo no longer has an agent. (He was dropped last year)
And now..Pavlo no longer searches for promoters. (They often don’t know how to market his music)
We do everything ourselves. Pavlo, and I (his wife). We approached the 354 PBS stations across America ourselves last year (after the guy we hired to market our program completely dropped the ball and told us “no one is interested”) and currently we have the #1 television concert program on PBS nationwide.
And along with that, we are selling out concerts across America - promoting them ALL ourselves. No label; no manager; no agent.
It’s absolutely unheard of. We’ve turned the system on it’s head.
I know you get tired of emails like this - and to be honest - I am not asking you to watch it to write about it. Truly. I respect your opinions; but at the end of the day - I am smart enough to know, it won’t change our lives. An appearance on Jimmy Fallon probably won’t do that. That’s reality. I get it.
I just have a feeling you will “get it” - you will enjoy real musicianship - watching something new and different and ultimately genuine.
Pavlo just has lunch with Neill Dixon yesterday - so in case you are rolling your eyes at another email wanting you to “waste your time” - I promise you, he is a colleague that would tell you to check it out.
I hope you do throw it on - and I hope it takes you for a happy escape from what you may be feeling today.
Maybe indulge in some good feta today too...Opa!
With Gratitude,
Sandra
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Subject: Verizon, you’re right!
Just switched from att after your recent email, much better. Thanks
Jason Wagner
Sonic Conscious Studio
_______________________________________
From: Melissa Ward
Subject: Re: The Americans
You’re so right on the meat eating thing. Having been a vegetarian, a vegan, a raw vegan, and a fruitarian early on, when I finally started eating animal protein in small amount, it all came together for me. Health and brain clarity improved.
Today when older folks proudly tell me they are vegan or vegetarian, I hold my tongue as at our age we are losing muscle mass with each eyelid blink and small regular amounts of high quality animal protein is one of the keys to remain standing walking and talking as long as possible. Even the Dalai Lama eats meat!
_______________________________________
From: David Scott Carlick
Subject: Re: The Opiate Of The Idiots
Nice piece. True. It always struck me as a staggering coincidence that Facebook named the postings to the timeline Status Updates.
_______________________________________
Subject: Strzok
Hi Bob
I’m a career prosecutor (27 years) with the Los Angeles County District Attorney, a rock music fan and fellow Southwestern law grad.
Your Strzok was a wonderful and precise encapsulation of what is wrong with Congress, Trump and our fellow citizens perception about government employees. My fellow deputy district Attorneys and staff along with the Public Defenders and Judges do our best to make our justice system fair. It’s not a perfect system by any means but I hope your letter encourages our young people to take a step back and consider joining the government or researching whether their belief in bs like the existence of a @Deep State.”
Thanks for keeping up the good fight!
Rob Cheleden
_______________________________________
From: Jered Cargman
Subject: Re: Strzok
Dallas, November 22,1963, being introduced to 2000 bottling franchisers for Dr Pepper, as their new expansion into the ‘teen market began, their Dr Pepper Girl was in her hotel room preparing. 1 pm and the tv is on. My mother helps me dress while I’m watching our beloved JFK and Jackie’s motorcade approaching my hotel. Almost ready for my call downstairs in a ballroom filled with exuberant business men and their wives, I witness a murder! My heart broke instantly as tears gushed down my cheeks over fresh pancake make-up.
I screamed to my mother,”Every 20 years, a president dies in office”! Telephone rings and my mother picks up. It’s Mr Parker CEO of DP. It was clear that my mother’s priorities were for me to get the job done and compose myself. After all I had just signed a 7 year contract w DP and that would support my family of 5.
That had been my adopted dad’s stradegy all along. She was visibly shaken by my grief and handed me , a 16 year old, the phone. Mr. Parker was direct and unconsoling. “No one is indispensable, dear”! His words snapped me to attention. I’d better get my proverbial shit together, for the sake of my family. So @1:30pm I began my journey into the heartless corporate world. All I could think about is, what if the president dies? And how can all the adults in good conscience sit here watching outtakes of my DP commercials, knowing our president was just shot right outside the very hotel we were in?!
And I was scheduled to perform; just me at the Piano. I signaled to my brother Alan, a drummer who the company included on this auspicious ocassion to join me and tap out a rhythm. I began with”Look down, look down that lonesome Road, followed by a piano solo of “Sentimental Journey “ and concluding w “I Believe”. And then came the fateful announcement, our president was dead.
Bob, I have never recovered from this experience as you so profoundly expressed our entire nation has suffered the consequence of John, Martin and Bobby. May Peace prosper in our Land and as a global citizen Our Sacred Planet.
Donna Loren
_______________________________________
From: Janet Richardson
Subject: Re: Strzok
"BUT I'M GLAD PETER STRZOK IS ON OUR SIDE!"
Amen to that!!!
I’m from Texas. In Los Angeles, and other "elite" areas of the country, I often downplay my natural southern accent because I don’t want to be aligned with the ignorance of people like Gowdy and Gohmert.
And as someone from the rural south, let me state unequivocally that the problem is NOT just that rural America felt forgotten and ignored by Obama and the Democratic party. I call BULLSHIT on that ongoing commentary!
I grew up in small town Texas. My mom was a poor sharecropper, who picked cotton in a family of five kids with an alcoholic father who could not hold a job. My dad was a poor kid living on the wrong side of town who dropped out of high school at sixteen to join the military. They came from nothing. They grew up in the rural south. They raised us in the rural south. My mom eventually became an elementary school teacher. My dad went to college on the G.I. Bill. None of their siblings went to college. Their parents didn’t even finish high school. My dad became a public servant. He used his hands to build things as a carpenter to pay the bills because serving in public office was to him, "a calling". Dad "served" as
a Representative, a Commissioner and a Mayor. He only left public service when million dollar campaigns became the norm, and he refused to sell out to special interest groups. But he continued to serve his community.
I grew up in small town America where everybody goes to church and to the Friday night high school football games. Most everyone had white skin and most were middle class. And while I know, first hand, that racism and hatred and crooked politicians existed then...our society didn’t look so kindly on that, and so it often stayed hidden and was not "acceptable" behavior. But Trump has made it not just okay - he’s made it the norm. He’s given them a permit to be racist and hateful and mean, and it’s tearing our country apart.
I do NOT believe that the majority of Trump followers are just disenfranchised folks who felt forgotten. NO. That is wishful thinking! The reality is more in line with what President Lyndon B. Johnson once said, "If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you."
It’s racism, sexism, misogyny, xenophobia, hatred...the currency of Donald Trump. Trump has given them a feeling of power. And for some of the "kinder" Trump following folks - who don’t "think" they are racist - they drink the Kool-Aid distributed by their evangelical preachers, Fox News pundits, and the like. They follow the lead of their far right ministers who believe "the end justifies the means" if they can get a conservative Supreme Court.
Things have gotten so out of whack that we’re all guilty of "normalizing" it! Just a week or so ago many Democratic leaders and media folks were preaching the importance of “civility” over "good trouble" - like throwing a crooked politician out of your damn restaurant because they put brown skinned kids in cages.
We’ve got to quit being defensive over being educated, liberal, progressive, open-minded, etc. Those are good things! We’ve got to quit trying to figure out how to win “them” back or why “they” felt abandoned by Obama. It’s not that! It’s racism, sexism, misogyny, xenophobia, hatred...
And we’ve got to stop it. Now. We’ll figure out how to come together and win back some of them...or not...later on down the line.
But right now...we’ve got to stand up, fight back and speak up with passion and authenticity like Peter Strzok did yesterday! We’ve got to “tell it like it is,” as my Daddy used to say!
I didn’t attend my high school reunion this year, although I helped organize prior reunions. It was in my hometown where my mom was a teacher for 30 years, where my dad served as mayor, where I lived and raised my kid as a single mom, where I went to church, where I served as a community leader and volunteered in my community. The Tea Party and Trump supporters have turned my hometown into a place I often do not recognize. The planners of our reunion were like a Trump support group. I will not condone their behavior. I will not look the other way or "normalize" their behavior because they were my neighbors, they sat next to me in church or at the football game. HELL NO!
I’m lucky that I’m not stuck in a place like that. I can leave, and just visit family there. I’m lucky, I was raised by parents who were open-minded, fair, and good people...who would not tolerate racism, sexism, misogyny, xenophobia, and hatred.
It’s time we take Peter Strzok’s lead and STAND THE FUCK UP for what is good and right and true!
Yesterday he issued a clarion call to:
PUSH BACK! DAMN THE CONSEQUENCES!
If we don’t, there will be dire consequences to pay...for our democracy!
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Subject: Arrow Book Club
Hi Bob,
Is this (top right corner) the Secret Service book you got from Arrow?
(note: it is)
I am in my Scholastic office in steamy Soho working on the September 2018 version of the Arrow Book Club for Back to School as we speak. It was literally thrilling to read your email this morning on Strzok with your mention of the Secret Service book you got from Arrow. Lots of things change but Scholastic Book Clubs has been around since 1948 (with me since 1993) and our determination never wavers to make sure that ALL kids have access to books they can choose and own. When kids read books they choose themselves they develop vocabulary and the ability to express themselves. They learn to think critically and challenge the status quo. And to imagine what is possible in life.
Thank you for sharing.
All best,
Judy
Judy Newman
Reader in Chief
EVP & President, Book Clubs and eCommerce
Scholastic Inc.
_______________________________________
Subject: Re: Stereo Systems
Hey Bob.
I’m late on this . Hope you find it interesting.
I had a Harmon Kardon receiver, technics turntable & Klipsh Cornwall speakers , Nakamichi cassette player. A Dokorder 4 track reel to reel. This was the last bunch of gear I remember. Late 70’s into 80’s. Cannot remember the earlier gear ( drugs). Then I started touring non stop in the early 80’s. While on the Bowie tour (87) I told my then wife that I won’t be coming home. She then proceeded to throw out my almost 3000 lps and gave away my stereo equipment. Lesson learned. Get your gear out before leaving. Best as always, Alan Childs
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