Dec. 29, 2008 - Books

My Influences:

Books

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Sugar Blues
William Dufty

Dec. 22, 2008 - Gratitude

My Influences:

Gratitude

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some Quotes (instead of links):

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dec. 15, 2008 - Roy Rogers

My Influences:

Roy Rogers
piper, carpenter, mentor ...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dec. 9, 2008 - Paul Schlichting

My Influences:


Paul Schlichting
drums

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

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

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

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

Thanks Paul!

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

Dec. 1, 2008 - Emiko Takeuchi

My Influences:

Emiko Takeuchi

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

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

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

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

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

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

Domo arigato gozaimasu.

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

Nov. 24, 2008 - Ass Kicking Machine

My Influences:


Ass Kicking Machines

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

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

Some Links:

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

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

Nov. 17, 2008 - Kevin Smith

My Influences:

Mr. Kevin Smith
string bass

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some Links:

www.myspace.com/txstringbass

www.myspace.com/highnoontrio

http://www.heybale.com/

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

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

Nov. 2, 2008 - Jon Baily

My Influences:


Mr. Jon Baily
banjo, veteran, musicianer

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

August 25, 2005

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

Some Links:

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

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

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

Oct. 26, 2008 - Breakfast Cereal

My Influences:


Breakfast Cereal
yummy food

Right!
Back to the food stuff ...

To be specific, 1980s breakfast cereals!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct. 19, 2008 - Joseph Butcher

My Influences:


Joseph Butcher
brother

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

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

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




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

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

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

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

Oct. 12, 2008 - Pizza

My Influences:



Pizza
food

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

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

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

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

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

Lauryn and I enjoying some Franzone's!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some Links:

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

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

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

October 6, 2008 - ukulele

My Influences:

Ukulele
instrument

Who doesn't like ukuleles? I do!

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

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

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

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

Thank you ukulele! Where would I be without you?

Some Links:

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

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

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

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

Combo Mahalo:
www.combomahalo.com

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

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

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

~Davy Crockett

September 28, 2008 - Russell Gould

My Influences:


Russell Gould
brother

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Birthday!
I love you!

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

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

~Davy Crockett

September 21, 2008 - Sammy

My Influences:

Sam Butcher
brother, friend, guitar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~Davy Crockett

September 14, 2008 - Napalm Death

My Influences:



Napalm Death
grindcore

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

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

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

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

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



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

-------------------------------------------------------------
Some links:

Metal Archives - http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=219
Official ND Website - http://www.napalmdeath.org/
--------------------------------------------------------------

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

August 31, 2008 - Freddie Mendoza

My Influences:

Freddie Mendoza
trombone

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

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

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

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


Some links:

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

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

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

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

August 24, 2008 - Geezer Butler

My Influences:

Geezer Butler
Electric Bass Guitar

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

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

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

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

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

Some links:

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

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

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

August 17, 2008 - Amanda

My Influences:

Amanda
Arts Enthusiast, Beautiful Human

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aug. 10, 2008 - Frank Meyer

My Influences:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you very much, Frank!


Some links:

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

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

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

July 20, 2008 - Benny

My Influences:

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

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

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

SQWAK!


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

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

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

July 13, 2008 - The Big Jug Band

My Influences:

The Big Jug Band

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

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

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

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



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

Some links:
www.myspace.com/thebigjugband

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

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

July 6, 2008 - Brady Coleman

My Influences:



Brady Coleman
guitar, fiddle, acting, marrying, lawyering

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

June 22, 2008 - Milt Hinton

My Influences:

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

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

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

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

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

Some links:

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

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

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

~ E. Hayes, June 2008

June 8, 2008 - Double Bass

My Influences:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~Abraham Lincoln