tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-168034832024-03-07T08:50:50.699-05:00Michael's Woodsongs BlogThe WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour is a live-audience, internationally syndicated radio show broadcast on over 509 radio stations, American Forces Radio Network worldwide, Internet streaming, MP3 and MP4 podcasting and now on PBS-TV stations nationwide. Visit our website at: www.woodsongs.comScott Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350228503679989600noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-92075408224148824612016-10-07T07:42:00.003-04:002016-12-05T05:09:37.192-05:00My 26 COMMANDMENTS for MUSICIANS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6a8np" data-offset-key="50vll-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="50vll-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span data-offset-key="50vll-0-0">SO I HAVE LEARNED:</span></span></span></span></h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="6a8np" data-offset-key="c2jdk-0-0" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c2jdk-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a) Art is a life mission, not a vocation
b) Music must be a major part of your life before it can become your livelihood
c) <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If the audience doesn't respond, take a hint and do something musically different.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span>
d) doing something different does not mean you are giving up on a dream; it means you are stepping out of the way of an oncoming train
e) be original; if you are copying something already successful you are being annoying
f) if you are original you are probably being annoying.
g) love is the greatest transaction of the arts; don't focus on money.
h) the audience is the greatest benefactor of the arts; show them love and they will show you the money.
i) be at peace with failure; it is a stepping stone to success.
j) success is an illusion and has nothing to do with real life.
k) being popular is a drug; it often means you have simply achieved the lowest common denominator and isn't necessarily something you should be proud of.
l) your instrument is an extension of your heart, not your hands.
m) Critics are incapable of achieving what they are judging. Ignore them.
n) being in tune is more important than playing perfectly.
o) never edit in the sound of an audience that didn't show up. It's called "lying."
p) own your dream; others will support anything they are not liable for.
q) be honest; be fair; be motivated; be patient. Each is a building block to house your dream.
r) your dream is a carpet of stars floating in the universe before you; keep your carpet clean.
s) forgiving someone's mistake will make them more loyal to you.
t) the audience is the greatest benefactor of the arts; view them as hearts, not wallets.
u) invest in yourself; if you don't no one else will, either.
v) accept the true size of your audience; sometimes they are simply on your front porch or living room couch. Don't be ashamed of their location.
w) Be humble and truthful with yourself; accept the true reach of your influence; being effective in your home town is better than being a non-existant ghost in the national consciousness;
x) your CD is your business card; give it freely.
y) you get paid if you have an audience; if you don't have a audience, don't complain if you aren't getting paid.
z) "free" works. Use it wisely.
mj, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">BECOME A SONGFARMER. Visit <a href="http://songfarmers.org/">SongFarmers.org</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkHbV5ctfQW0MEKOAWhlBKjZRuGUZmF2IzhAqYgHnzvRUr0y42olxOLvOabcDmfq_2noNDNDjC3gR9TaCtXrXIKFxxdgeMH0gxo16eZOU2ZJJcG74tLijZjLMAzHK-a2d5rFj/s1600/COLOR_SF_STICKER2016_LOGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkHbV5ctfQW0MEKOAWhlBKjZRuGUZmF2IzhAqYgHnzvRUr0y42olxOLvOabcDmfq_2noNDNDjC3gR9TaCtXrXIKFxxdgeMH0gxo16eZOU2ZJJcG74tLijZjLMAzHK-a2d5rFj/s320/COLOR_SF_STICKER2016_LOGO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-50723015862578097902016-09-28T13:14:00.004-04:002016-09-29T11:19:05.479-04:00The DREAM album art<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU02RWJR3kq2sB1fRTKma4Mt9OD7OvE7eVrCJg2A6mRLLJXUg6kXBRgUkF1T1kVbJt0S5J0VPqxo3mo7TDFPR-k4e1XVX9RMrDxblENHcaRmud8xk6DAdp5sAvDhfU5YQe88TT/s1600/RGB_TheDREAMcoverCD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU02RWJR3kq2sB1fRTKma4Mt9OD7OvE7eVrCJg2A6mRLLJXUg6kXBRgUkF1T1kVbJt0S5J0VPqxo3mo7TDFPR-k4e1XVX9RMrDxblENHcaRmud8xk6DAdp5sAvDhfU5YQe88TT/s200/RGB_TheDREAMcoverCD.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<i><span style="color: #fff2cc;">_ </span></i><br />
<i>“If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the
artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him… We must never
forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth.” ~
John F. Kennedy</i><br />
<br />
<br />
The DREAM is my latest album.<br />
<br />
It is one of the hardest artistic projects I've ever pulled off. In my heart it was almost like giving birth ... painful, fearful, agonizing followed by shear exhilaration and pride when it was over.<br />
<br />
It many ways. it was like giving birth to a rhino with the horn still attached.<br />
<br />
The title song is about our earth at peace. It has four children's choirs singing in English, French, Spanish and Russian. The center piece of the song is when they all sing in their native languages but in unison. It is followed by the musical explosion of a 61-piece symphony orchestra. I wanted the song to be as majestic, powerful and universal as the concept of peace itself is.<br />
<br />
Which brings me to the <b>COVER ART</b> on the album, but before I explain that you should really listen to the song first, click the link below:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://michaeljohnathon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/TheDream.mp3">http://michaeljohnathon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/TheDream.mp3</a><br />
<br />
It is not my intention here to be political, but to speak as an artist. To me, the world is saturated with beige-minded, vanilla-thinking, boring, common, unadventurous "stay-<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVf-1ywQxloZL8uWzaFaOjc5H3hrJKP2z0StEU69b4pHNej-fC_SVqVKv5IL-10Ydt-cFSEamZcgLyPUahtWu7fKL0V_UxSKK7efUkMcSGX7T7ihVPJuVUI91CuN_OehGq7esX/s1600/IMG_9021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVf-1ywQxloZL8uWzaFaOjc5H3hrJKP2z0StEU69b4pHNej-fC_SVqVKv5IL-10Ydt-cFSEamZcgLyPUahtWu7fKL0V_UxSKK7efUkMcSGX7T7ihVPJuVUI91CuN_OehGq7esX/s320/IMG_9021.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
between-the-lines" art. As the marketplace of the music world shrinks and even disappears, songwriters and artists shrink back with it, careful not to take too much of a stand, careful not to rattle too many cages, careful not to alienate what is left of their little marketplace.<br />
<br />
I mean, think about it: where are the songs against war? Where are the songs against terror? Where is the anthem that proclaims black lives do indeed matter? Where are the songs that decry violence against our police? Gone are the days of <i>We Shall Oversome, Masters of War</i> and <i>Where Have All the Flowers Gone.</i><br />
<br />
If they are out there, you don't hear them because even radio is hesitant to speak in that voice. Remember what happened to the Dixie Chicks? Silence condones the actions of the fearful.<br />
<br />
Oh, I don't blame them, after all we have families to feed, rent to pay and as society restricts freedoms and rewards those who stand down instead, art will often "stand down" with it. But art shouldn't be that timid. Or shy.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"Art is a revolt against Fate."</i><i><i> ~ </i> Andre Mairaux, France</i><br />
<br />
When the collection of the songs for The DREAM album were sequenced and I sat in the studio alone in the dark and listened for the first time to all the compositions in order, I began to envision the jacket art. It kept me up at night for days as it consumed the theatre in my mind.<br />
<br />
The title song was about the earth at peace ... but the TRUTH is the earth is NOT at peace. Years ago, album art was a powerful part of music. I remember as a kid being consumed with Steppenwolf's cover of an army of mice, the smudged makeup on Don McLean's thumb on American Pie, all the faces on Sgt. Pepper. The cover sucked me deep into the music.<br />
<br />
Then music shrunk down from an LP to a CD, print became so small you can't read it and artists began to lose their imagination. Now, everybody downloads and there is no more cover art at all. Most covers gives you the standard artist posing in front of a woodshed. Or posing in a field. Or posing wherever. Boring. Here's a news flash: I have never released an album with my picture on the cover.*<br />
<br />
<i>“Art is the lie that enables us to realize the truth.”</i><i><i> ~ </i> Pablo Picasso</i><br />
<br />
So I wanted this cover to be special, powerful, a statement. I created it to be an anti-statement to the song, so the song would have power. I wanted the jacket art to show visually what the song was hoping for musically. When I first showed the album jacket to Melissa, her reaction was to love it first followed by concern ... she didn't want to twins to ever see it.<br />
<br />
That was good, actually. The DREAM is not for kids because they are the peacemakers. It is for grownups, the ones actually causing all the violence.<br />
<br />
The OUTSIDE cover reflects the gentle hope of the song. The earth, majestic and beautiful, distant and close, incredible and mysterious. (click to enlarge)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnDFBTI0mNhXCP9ZXQI9-EofZKKsAOyw7ag6JScExJYyw8GNujxdU2R6tCVNVWp8JD9dCXHiDpE25eO_vO9-Fx1ZvWU0tSidXAz-lBpAMEFoA0fuEz3pGVtJNHKD-RLoU3V6u/s1600/RGB_TheDREAMjacket_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnDFBTI0mNhXCP9ZXQI9-EofZKKsAOyw7ag6JScExJYyw8GNujxdU2R6tCVNVWp8JD9dCXHiDpE25eO_vO9-Fx1ZvWU0tSidXAz-lBpAMEFoA0fuEz3pGVtJNHKD-RLoU3V6u/s640/RGB_TheDREAMjacket_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
But the INSIDE ... the inside is about the truth. It deploys the explosive anger that we destroy ourselves, our culture, yes, even our children with. It is graphic, brutal and, sadly, accurate. (click to enlarge)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRFlNGyHGq48ImKkMBGyCO_DPssz2xeXKewMkK_V6bgKsl_4yLtvW_gc49MJtaHiroim1t4rAVvMzV3HyGF9mcvdT6rnz5xW8L36BUx3QZ0HbZFmcNcMOXwHX98g-9WOkUL3l/s1600/RGB_TheDREAMjacket_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRFlNGyHGq48ImKkMBGyCO_DPssz2xeXKewMkK_V6bgKsl_4yLtvW_gc49MJtaHiroim1t4rAVvMzV3HyGF9mcvdT6rnz5xW8L36BUx3QZ0HbZFmcNcMOXwHX98g-9WOkUL3l/s640/RGB_TheDREAMjacket_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Above is a response card we got from a radio DJ. This person saw the cover and made a judgement about the album and about me without even listening to the song. I love our community of radio friends but please notice this coward didn't even sign their name. MY name is on my album. It is MY statement, I am proud of it and I stand by it openly. This wanker is hiding behind anonymity like a fearful hatemonger.<br />
<br />
Yes, the cover art has terrible things children are doing to each other, as taught by violent, horrible adults. The song has four children's choirs asking, pleading for this to stop. This DJ didn't get it. I bet they have no problem watching this kind of horror in their living room over cornflakes as they watch CNN in the morning. I bet they watched planes crash into buildings, burning thousands of people alive as the building fell. I bet they watched it over and over on their TV set. I bet they watched a woman get crushed to death followed by others dancing around her body as their children sat with them on the couch watching the Wizard of Oz.<br />
<br />
I bet they have a golden murder weapon hanging around their neck and kiss it whenever they pray, too.<br />
<br />
Some people think The Dream is a musical prayer for peace. It is not. It is actually a song about God asking US to stop it. It's God's prayer to mankind, not the other way around. It not a religious song, it is a song, a request, about protecting this wonderous creation by the one who created it to the ones he created.<br />
<br />
<i>"It takes an artist with heart to make beauty out of things that makes us weep.”~ Clive Barker</i> <br />
<br />
So ... the album has been released to almost 2000 DJs and radio stations. I wonder if they will play it, or will they reject this child I gave birth to. We shall see.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>But to all my fellow artists, I implore you: start thinking like an artist. Don't think outside the box ... <i>destroy</i> the box. Don't write a few songs and slap them on a boring CD and expect people to be moved. The world is saturated with the mundane. We are drowning in an ocean of beige. Be brave instead. Shake and rattle and crush. Make people react, feel, object, laugh, weep and cry. Be bold and fearless. Take risks and jump into the deep end of your soul to see what lies at the bottom.</b></span><br />
<br />
<i>”Creativity takes courage.”~ Henri Matisse</i><br />
<br />
Invest in yourself, take chances with yourself ... because if you won't no one else will, either. And if you ever get a burr up your britches and you send hate mail to someone, at least put your name and address on the ding-dang thing.<br />
<br />
Folk on,<br />
mj<br />
<br />
For a copy of the album visit: MichaelJohnathon.com/thedream <br />
<br />
<br />
* Postscript ... I remembered an out-of -print LP has my picture on it. Actually it's a picture of a photograph of me. Go figure ...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-66594825285912380672016-03-13T14:06:00.001-04:002016-05-12T13:12:31.655-04:00FEEDING THE PIG: an overview of the main problem with Careers, Bands, Music and Arts organizations.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">Once upon a time there was a farmer ...</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"> ... and he had a wonderful, vibrant garden. His garden fed his family, his livestock, even his neighbors. It was so healthy and food so plentiful he had enough produce for his local market and so his garden even provided him with an income.</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The farmer loved his garden and he tended it, took care of it, cultivated it, watered it and gave it all of his attention. </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">Then, one day, the farmer got himself a pig. </span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLHPy5LzgoOH37i8ZsoM-HhfYcwnMS5B3-hOo2JP5RdCLFMbXwXLwmOXtiWpZ4vtuXFZhKUR3R559_rvsh8xfY8_f4irpW_h5m9vllwxhhWOX18G7W3Hd7krylVzN0tBT7sLD/s1600/banjo-pig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLHPy5LzgoOH37i8ZsoM-HhfYcwnMS5B3-hOo2JP5RdCLFMbXwXLwmOXtiWpZ4vtuXFZhKUR3R559_rvsh8xfY8_f4irpW_h5m9vllwxhhWOX18G7W3Hd7krylVzN0tBT7sLD/s200/banjo-pig.jpg" width="185" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"> And oh my, how impressed he was with his pig, so new and different from the garden. The farmer became so enamoured with the pig that he began to give it more of his time. His pig grew and got fat and the farmer fed it more and more of the garden's produce.</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Soon, most of the harvest from his garden was gathered just to feed the pig. The pig demanded so much attention the farmer had less time to tend his garden ... and so the harvest began to whither and dry up. Weeds began to take over the garden but the farmer hardly noticed because his attention was so consumed by his pig.</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">One day the farmer was so exhausted from caring for the pig that he asked himself, "How did this pig get so big, and what has happened to my beautiful garden?"</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">But still the pig demanded more from the garden, more time and attention from the farmer. And the farmer couldn't escape the demands of the pig. He began to loose his joy - with the pig, with the garden and all the good things he once had as a loving farmer.</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Until finally, one day, there was nothing left of the garden.</span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">It was gone ... and the pig couldn't survive and the farmer had nothing for market and couldn't feed his family.</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">Thus is the state of many arts and music organizations.</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Let's use music to explain, but this is true of all artists, bands, charities and non-profits. In my universe of folk and roots music, our "garden" is the world of songs, poetry, community, instruments, the audience and all that is part of being a musician and songwriter. It is a beautiful amazing colorful vibrant garden.</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">And there are many loving, attentive "farmers" for this world: the IBMA takes care of the bluegrass garden, the Folk Alliance International cares for the folk garden, South by Southwest in Austin and more.</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The "pig" is the corporate structure any arts entity ... whether a national organization, a local community group or a garage band ... creates to oversee their operations. Mind you, the garden existed long before the corporate/business structures, but once they were created they tend to take over the garden.</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-weight: normal;"><b>Here's what happens:</b></span></h4>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When the pig is first brought into the garden, the expenses are low and all the attention is on the artform, the artists and the garden itself. The good intention is to make the garden bigger and better while feeding the pig. As the pig grows the need for money takes over. Executive Director salaries, offices, managers, agent and staff, marketing. Vacations and benefits. Travel budgets. All of this money gets sucked out of the garden. The bigger the pig gets the more unyielding the budgets become and the more attention the farmer gives the pig instead of tending the garden.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Before you know it the garden begins to whither and dry up. The cost of being members of the organization get way too high. The cost of attending the conferences get way too high. The pig overtakes the garden to such a degree that all the beauty that was the garden begins to dry up and leave. Feeding the pig makes the cost of being in the garden too expensive for the average artist.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7De9XAi9180VA_b30iJJrvUaaYt7X7I0fqftUAsuaMsZ4mHJd_GO76F0C4F_ZZVhHh1ugEhgN9pecq7VGxwFb6TIlg0Ono9TO8xEb95cEU7z7GavTV-uOPDHibfhUxdhcTMRt/s1600/SxSW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7De9XAi9180VA_b30iJJrvUaaYt7X7I0fqftUAsuaMsZ4mHJd_GO76F0C4F_ZZVhHh1ugEhgN9pecq7VGxwFb6TIlg0Ono9TO8xEb95cEU7z7GavTV-uOPDHibfhUxdhcTMRt/s200/SxSW.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
<div>
<b>FACT:</b> It costs the average musician upwards of $1000 to be a member of most music trade groups, pay for conference fees, travel and get hotel rooms and meals. That is more than most musicians make in a year. Heck, it costs $80 just to park your ding-dang car in Austin during SxSW now.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If it costs more to be part of the garden than the garden can provide, the farmer needs to make a choice:<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<i> abandon the garden or get rid of the pig. </i><br />
<br />
My whole argument here is that the corporate structure of the arts world ... the pig ... has gotten so out of hand that it is ruining the very garden of arts we love. As the business models change and the ability of artists to make a living becomes more difficult, farmers need to reduce the size of their pigs. That doesn't mean the people running arts organizations are "pigs." Be careful how you interpret this. Most are sincere, passionate folks that truly love the art form they are helping. It's the size of the corporate structure that becomes the pig.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Recently the project that Pete Seeger started ran into this problem. When the Clearwater organization began it was a community driven, music loving group that protected the Hudson River. As time went on, the pig got so big and fat that most of their attention was spent on raising money to feed the pig and NOT to protect the garden they were part of. Finally, this year they cancelled the famous Clearwater Folk Festival to conserve funds to keep the pig fed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
By contrast, the WoodSongs broadcast has a live event with artists from around the world 44 weeks a year in front of 500 people on a Monday night with a 30+ member crew, syndicated to hundreds of radio stations plus American Forces Radio in 173 nations, a 5-camera TV broadcast edited, closed captioned, satellite fed and viewable in 96M USA TV homes on public television, live online feed plus over 800 shows archived for free on our website ... all on a weekly budget of $619. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How is this possible, you ask?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Because ... drum roll, please ... we have a teenie weenie pig.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>WoodSongs Front Porch Association ... a teenie weenie pig.</b></span></h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLttkQBnQvYkmo8_ohGobMoqj2hY87ZgTrzoqCWptAFqnZq-KHnZlCH1zGzGj4VXrGDIbd3wXzxqpOO5b18NrDcaFFC5s6OyGNH8JFhQ5io8D8518FRkGx4qG5lmsqtElh5Q-/s1600/2016_SongFarmerLOGOdoc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLttkQBnQvYkmo8_ohGobMoqj2hY87ZgTrzoqCWptAFqnZq-KHnZlCH1zGzGj4VXrGDIbd3wXzxqpOO5b18NrDcaFFC5s6OyGNH8JFhQ5io8D8518FRkGx4qG5lmsqtElh5Q-/s200/2016_SongFarmerLOGOdoc.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Our commitment of the WFPA is to keep the pig on a damn diet. It costs a lousy $25 a year to belong and that is not just you but includes your whole band or family up to five members. On top of that, all members get FREE tickets to the WoodSongs Gathering this September. FREE. The proceeds of your membership does not go to feed the pig, it goes to nourish the garden by provided roots music education programs FREE to teachers and home school families.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Join the WFPA, a pig-less organization that loves the garden. <b>That's why we call our members SongFarmers.</b> Check us out at SongFarmers.org</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My point is simple: <i> </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i> If the pig makes more money than the artists in the garden ... the pig must die. </i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Or at least go on a diet. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All arts careers, bands and groups need to take a close look at the condition of the garden you are part of. An organization with a flourishing garden and a little pig is doing it right. If you see your garden withering, struggling ... if the artists are frustrated and the audiences dwindling ... take a good close look at the pig.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>... it might be time to trim some bacon.</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>mj <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span>michael@woodsongs.com</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-76910937321044003852016-02-12T06:57:00.003-05:002016-02-13T09:25:46.861-05:00LOVERS, HATERS, AWARDS ... and CRITICS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
WARNING:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-K_LEHMdhC2ou_pCr_S1Bw24AQfRUQ0ek3CVVL9rj-sxtgRU6nAY3MWsT3D-C-ZKnCcaffc9IYpXlWEpBy5lHx1AOYKALirXH6Qeu9agDYAOPnVWJZw_2OFetdpxRGJcKE6o/s1600/KentuckyStar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-K_LEHMdhC2ou_pCr_S1Bw24AQfRUQ0ek3CVVL9rj-sxtgRU6nAY3MWsT3D-C-ZKnCcaffc9IYpXlWEpBy5lHx1AOYKALirXH6Qeu9agDYAOPnVWJZw_2OFetdpxRGJcKE6o/s200/KentuckyStar.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Anyone attempting to create outside of the box is a target for those incapable of the adventure.<br />
<br />
<i>"The music on WoodSongs is good, The host is an idiot ..."</i><br />
Grey Brendle, Beaufort, SC<br />
<br />
And so goes a recent public post on a Facebook page from someone I don't know, never met and who hasn't a clue about me at all. Every now and then, these little verbal spears appear amid the accolades, praises, applause, standing ovations, awards-with-my-name-completely-misspelled and other genuine kindnesses. And it makes you wonder:<br />
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
Not "why am I an idiot." Heck, maybe I am and I just haven't realized it yet. But why would someone you don't know say something so public about someone they've never met?<br />
<br />
Garrison Keillor is a fine man who has created an otherwise impossible broadcast of <i>A Prairie Home Companion </i>and, aside from all the praise he receives, he is constantly BLASTED by those who think he talks too much, can't sing, is a terrible writer, self inflated ego and on and on. All from folks who have never met the man.<br />
<br />
Chris Thile is one of the finest musicians on earth. A sincere fellow of indescribable talent. He is stepping into the golden shoes of Garrison as the new host of <i>A Prairie Home Companion</i> and, amidst the great reviews of his effort, I have read some of the most scathing comments about his impending failure, his "Garrison Wanna-Be" status and bone-crippling negativity of his hosting skills.<br />
<br />
Mainly, it seems, from the same people who hate Garrison.<br />
<br />
Actually, they hate Garrison and hate Chris but evidently listen to the show every week for some reason in order to be qualified to make such horrid reviews regarding efforts they themselves are incapable of imagining no less accomplishing. Even on a small scale.<br />
<br />
So, again I ask ... Why?<br />
<br />
Garrison and Chris do great work. The difference between those two gentleman and myself, aside from the shear stature of their accomplishments, is they are paid, I am not. I created and work on WoodSongs for free. I get nothing. Not a cent, not a $ ever. The crew works for free and the artists who come on the show do so for free. The show goes free to public radio, free to public television and I was able to arrange hundreds of complete broadcasts to be archived online that anyone can watch ... for free.<br />
<br />
Heck, my hometown newspaper, even after all these years, can't even spell my name right on those very rare occasions that I am included in a story about events that I create. Can't someone who volunteers to do something good catch a break?<br />
<br />
Evidently not.<br />
<br />
All artists, dreamers, risk takers, poets and performers have a deep love for their craft. And they have an even deeper love for their audience. But presenting their creations to the scathing opinions of others is like showing your nakedness to people you already know don't like you. <i>"Michael is an idiot. He can't sing. He can't play. He's ... blah blah blah" </i> Especially considering the enormous amount of stress, responsibility and pressure a project like WoodSongs would place on someone. Can you imagine doing 44 of these productions a year ... with virtually no money to operate on? Harsh criticism, especially in public, is the most disheartening, demoralizing thing in life ... and it can wound deeply.<br />
<br />
Until you realize a very simple, basic truth: haters are even more scared and more lonely than you are. They swim in a deep pool of insecurity and such low self esteem that their only salvation is the self elevating illusion that comes from looking down on those they perceive accomplish more than they can.<br />
<br />
I think, in the end, the words of harshness become irrelevant to the work at hand. Like any worthy endeavor the artist, creator or dreamer only achieves their goal by keeping their head down, their spirits up ... and band aids handy for the wounds that come from those critical of what they themselves are incapable of doing. Sometimes a critic can make you better, they can sharpen you like a blade against a stone. They can also so rip into your spirit so deeply it makes you feel like quitting.<br />
<br />
The point is nothing we do should be for any other reason than for the love of it. Love is the greatest transaction of the arts, and haters have no place in that world. They are, at best, jealous onlookers.<br />
<br />
Recently a very good friend of mine, David McLean, came up with an idea of an award show that he himself couldn't be part of. I watched him get blasted from all onlookers ... at first. But he kept his chin up and didn't stop and now he is a hero. I'm proud of David. His heart proved more powerful than those who denied his efforts.<br />
<br />
I'm sure Mr. Brendle is a fine fellow and I can sort of imagine him sitting in front of a TV watching WoodSongs muttering and throwing his popcorn at the TV set every time "that idiot" comes on the screen. And that's ok, because his harsh review means he is watching the show, the very thing we all work so hard ... and for free ... to accomplish.<br />
<br />
It's just a shame the only thing I know of the gentleman is his public unkindness. Maybe, someday, Mr. Brendle will accomplish something so wonderful they will place a star along Main Street in his honor with both his names misspelled, too.<br />
<br />
But in the meantime, back in 1937, Finnish composer Jean Sibelius said it best:<br />
<br />
"Fear not the words of a critic, for no one ever erected a statue in honor of one."<br />
<br />
<br />
Michael<br />
<i>Folksinger, TreeHugger, SongFarmer and Idiot</i><br />
michael@woodsongs.com<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-27024673574450132632016-01-25T10:44:00.002-05:002016-01-26T12:56:31.290-05:00The BRONZE STAR<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKGyque_7UQ-cSX-ed8iQoofOvrqeXxTk1FaQAyoDBWZumQaXkqQ6F-RCP5jEsr07e5wnjXAv3XXxrBp0qSVggsCiTy1ALzW7CVS5M9ZF29B8gQICV7A7zdt4v-WbNkohfY0n/s1600/MJ_2015star.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKGyque_7UQ-cSX-ed8iQoofOvrqeXxTk1FaQAyoDBWZumQaXkqQ6F-RCP5jEsr07e5wnjXAv3XXxrBp0qSVggsCiTy1ALzW7CVS5M9ZF29B8gQICV7A7zdt4v-WbNkohfY0n/s200/MJ_2015star.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
Several folks have written and asked me about the bronze star I wear the lower part of my jacket.<br />
<br />
Let me explain:<br />
<br />
My father died about five days before I was born. My step father was a very fine man, but when I found out about my real dad when I was 12 years old, he became a striking mystery to me. As I grew up, I found that I missed him greatly, wished he was nearby, longed to know what the sound of his voice was like when he called my name.<br />
<br />
The very first male relative I met of my father's was my son, MichaelB. When he was born and finally opened his eyes, I saw ... for the very first time ... a reflection of my own father.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmCIbI3gE1dbom784X-AvkSvrG-2pVTg9_CyyBnVmk648JTVbvbgAfElaZZP0aNwwXm4irBqKOmj2xazW3vIZhDUK98sQ2a_qrDV4bPpUYevFiQsJcqR0GSg2aIyLvLet6lzu/s1600/1-Dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmCIbI3gE1dbom784X-AvkSvrG-2pVTg9_CyyBnVmk648JTVbvbgAfElaZZP0aNwwXm4irBqKOmj2xazW3vIZhDUK98sQ2a_qrDV4bPpUYevFiQsJcqR0GSg2aIyLvLet6lzu/s320/1-Dad.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
Eventually I went on a search for my dad's past and his family and finally found them. My cousin, Laddie, became very proactive in seeking out belongings and artifacts of my dads.<br />
<br />
One of them was my father's bronze star.<br />
<br />
I do not wear it on my chest as the star is not mine. I put it on my lower jacket as a tribute to my father. I wear it, not as a military or political statement, not as a pro or con statement of any kind. I wear it in honor of my father who earned it. It let's him be with me when I am on stage ... and I find it comforting.<br />
<br />
I always wondered what our relationship would be like. Would he like me? Would he be proud of me? Would we be close as a father and son should be?<br />
<br />
All I know is this: if I was to leave this life I would hope my son would love me enough to publicly remember me and be proud of me. This I am doing for my father.<br />
<br />
Michael</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-46506707344268477772016-01-23T12:00:00.001-05:002016-01-23T12:01:27.611-05:00KENTUCKY CUTTING THE ARTS?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
REALLY???<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrvPK_fOxx7vj9-81a9peRqBBj8OI_iDZ_y_9dctntlZkdiLb2jqXAHCX-JTT_uWVgVfzb2-LMUdylQnFlQmAse5sIL8zsrzXPoxsoaSI5baPF9xPp9XYuqt0hte4z_9jsWkC/s1600/winston-churchill-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrvPK_fOxx7vj9-81a9peRqBBj8OI_iDZ_y_9dctntlZkdiLb2jqXAHCX-JTT_uWVgVfzb2-LMUdylQnFlQmAse5sIL8zsrzXPoxsoaSI5baPF9xPp9XYuqt0hte4z_9jsWkC/s320/winston-churchill-07.jpg" width="320" /></a>I do understand, with respect, that our Governor is trying to balance the books. I'm sure the waste in spending equals or surpasses what we spend to encourage the arts, and in turn I'm sure the arts council could do a better, more fair, job at spreading the grants. Having said that, I would hope our good government officials would consider the possible words of Winston Churchill, when considering cutting money for the arts in order to fund the war effort:<br />
<br />
<i>"Then what are we fighting for?"</i><br />
<br />
Whether Churchill actually said this or not is irrelevant. The point is simple, you can not provide a good place to live when the quality of life is not inspiring. Kentucky will not attract the lucrative "creative class" (I always hated that phrase, anyway*) if the creative atmosphere of Kentucky is desolate. The arts are in fact an investment to attract families, tourism and entrepreneurs to the Commonwealth. It pays for itself many times over.<br />
<br />
Re-directing HOW arts money is spent may be a wiser and more lucrative course, instead of cutting it. But that's a whole-nuther issue and nobody has yet asked my opinion :)<br />
<br />
I hope everyone reading this would consider becoming a member of the WoodSongs Front Porch Association as we send massive roots music education into classrooms and home school families. Free. We call our members SongFarmers. I think the government and arts council might study what we are doing just to see how much good can be accomplished on so very little. Visit us at WoodSongs.com/WFPA (SongFarmers.org is being rebuilt so it may not be ready when you read this)<br />
<br />
READ THE NEWS STORY: <a href="http://www.kentucky.com/entertainment/ent-columns-blogs/copious-notes/article56182380.html">http://www.kentucky.com/entertainment/ent-columns-blogs/copious-notes/article56182380.html</a><br />
<br />
* Why I hate the term "creative class."<br />
Simple, artists should <i>never </i>be separated from the spirit of their audience. Being an artist, making a living as one, comes from the grace and good heart of the <i>audience. </i>"Creative Class" somehow implies the artist is special, more blessed, more important than the audience that provides for them. Bull-dinkies, I say. An artist is best positioned as a servant, a laborer of heart and spirit underwritten by the audience that accepts their work. I'll give you an example of why this class structure doesn't work: Michael Jackson, arguably an impressive talent, jumped the shark when he floated a statue of himself down the Themes River. Michael Jackson wasn't god-like because he was famous, rich or had a massive audience. He was a fragile, flawed, mortal person EXACTLY like his audience. He would have been less lonely and a lot more stable if he viewed his position in a humble manner.<br />
<br />
To quote Pete Seeger: "It is better to have friends than fans."<br />
<br />
'nuff said.<br />
mj<br />
<br />
<br />
michael@woodsongs.com<br />
SongFarmer.org</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-74271635449341221172015-10-31T11:28:00.002-04:002017-07-10T13:51:43.073-04:00BMI and ASCAP should upgrade thier business model<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pdzX0ExU8q1-byMFi5OaggTcgzjsaDsvSIcaN-6E1ROsv-O_9RDnzD1TiBP6AwvB_jkV-3fd1aTXSOK_R7w1Jt8FhuoU3lcLw8jnjZtN2kfIvnBBk6BJT0C__zWg2xmz9hJn/s1600/MVenuesMatterDOC_Layout+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pdzX0ExU8q1-byMFi5OaggTcgzjsaDsvSIcaN-6E1ROsv-O_9RDnzD1TiBP6AwvB_jkV-3fd1aTXSOK_R7w1Jt8FhuoU3lcLw8jnjZtN2kfIvnBBk6BJT0C__zWg2xmz9hJn/s200/MVenuesMatterDOC_Layout+1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>BMI, ASCAP and SESAC must change their business model because Artists are no longer free to be artists.</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<i>“If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, <br />society must set the artist free.” </i><br />
John F. Kennedy<br />
<br />
<br />
ONCE UPON A TIME, music was everywhere. It wasn't just entertainment. It was community, family, friends, fun and a sense of humanity. But what happened? <br />
Music went from the Front Porch into stores and bins. Now the "bins" are gone, and so is the sense of community. Part of the loss has been the closing of thousands of music venues ... stages for artists to meet their audience.<br />
Part of the destruction of the music business has been the over-use, the over-reach of licensing music. This is a delicate subject, easily misunderstood. So let’s start with this thought:<br />
<br />
<i>"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, </i><br />
<i>it sings because it has a song."</i><br />
Maya Angelou<br />
<br />
You have a song ... but you are not free to sing it anymore. <br />
In the early days, before corporate America figured out how to sell vibrating air on round vinyl discs, people were free to sing wherever they wanted. Cafes and street corners, sidewalks and theatres, schools and bars ... anywhere.<br />
This was the musical garden that gave birth to great art. Music “birds” like Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Judy Collins all began their careers by meeting their audience on simple, common stages.<br />
<br />
<span><span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span><i>"Music
is over-regulated vibrating air and the current licensing structure
makes it virtually impossible for new artists to vibrate the air legally
in front of an audience who want to buy the vibrating air." mj</i></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><span> </span></span></span></span></span> <br />
Maya Angelou’s little birds are not so free to sing anymore. Those birds are only allowed to sing on government approved stages licensed by BMI, ASCAP or SESAC.<br />
<br />
<i>Any fee that prevents an artist from </i><br />
<i>reaching the audience has no value.</i><br />
<br />
The world of the arts has changed, my friends. America has become a venue starved nation. The business model of music has changed. Arts venues can thrive, flourish and make a living for many good folks ... when it's done right. <br />
But the world of arts needs to stop focusing on money because the audience, the source of the money, could care less. They want heart, passion and spirit. Whenever an arts endeavor launches as a "money enterprise" it is doomed for failure. <br />
That sounds anti-capitalistic and I don't mean it that way. My point is the business plans most are using are outdated, poorly executed and all wrong.<br />
<br />
Many great venues across America have closed the past couple years because of poor business plans, an over focus on money ... or because of outdated licensing practices. <br />
In my area alone venues like the Rudyard Kipling, Jim Porters and several others have shuttered their doors leaving the music public and the artist community in their wake. I bet you know of many in your area that have disappeared as well.<br />
<br />
One thing that most groups can change for the better is the size of their Pig. <a href="http://woodsongs.blogspot.com/2016/03/feeding-pig-overview-of-main-problem.html" target="_blank">Remember the Pig?</a><br />
<br />
Another change that is needed desperately is regarding BMI, ASCAP and SESAC, called "Performing Rights Organizations" or "PROs." These agencies do wonderful work to collect royalties for artists from radio airplay, live performance of songs and more<br />
The PROs have a great history of being a huge help to artists, big and small, new and established. I remember when I was just starting out, Clay Bradley at BMI in Nashville went through a great effort to explain how things worked in the music world when I knew absolutely nothing. Clay was very kind, helpful and spent all the time that was needed until I was able to get things through my thick little noggin'.<br />
<br />
Let me make this clear:<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>I like BMI, ASCAP and SESAC</b></span><br />
<br />
I just want them to change the way they are licensing music venues. It is outdated and no longer helpful to the artists they claim to be helping. The system they are using now began in the 1940’s and worked ok for awhile. Then about 1995 the music business began its slide downward. The internet and free downloads reared its head and the financial structure of the music world collapsed with it. <br />
Everyone is changing with the times ... except the PROs. They continue to use the antiquated formulas of music licensing, once a great help to artists. Today it acts like a gun to their head.<br />
<br />
It works like this: <br />
PROs charge the venue a licensing fee to present music in their establishments and, in turn, pay royalties to the artists who have their songs performed in those clubs<br />
<br />
In theory, anyway.<br />
<br />
<b>Fact:</b> Most artists who play <span style="font-family: inherit;">7</span>00 seat-or-less venues don't see a penny from the PROs. I'm not picking on the PROs here, just stating a brutal truth.<br />
<b> Fact:</b> Venues are the gateways between artists and the audience, the venue operators are the soldiers in the war to find that audience ... and the current business model is killing them off.<br />
<b>Fact: </b>unless a venue has a license it is illegal for them to let any artist perform in their room.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>How Hard Can It Be?</b></span></span><br />
<br />
Artists are no longer free to be artists so BMI, ASCAP and SESAC should either help them or get out of their way. <br />
<br />
Little clubs, farmer's markets, schools and coffeehouses are like the farm system of a sports team. The smaller clubs and venues are where an artist learns to perform, gather their fans, sell their CDs and T-Shirts and struggle to make a living.<br />
Small stages are where small artists meet small audiences. Eventually, small audiences turn into big ones. As I said, very few of the artists who perform in places 1,000 seats or less see a nickel royalties from the PROs. So why interfere? Why charge a small venue anything at all? Even tiny 30-40 seat living room concerts are charged hefty fees by BMI and ASCAP just to let artists pass the hat to play their own ding-dang songs.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Fact:</b></span> For the venues, these fees are often too high when weighed against the income potential of the room, so they shut down or cancel their music presentations.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Fact: <span style="color: black;">V</span></b></span><b>enues are responsible for reporting the artists playlist so royalties can be paid.</b> Guess how many venues do this: try none. The PROs are collecting royalties for songs performed but not reported.<br />
<br />
Making any sense yet? me either.<br />
<br />
Here’s another reality check: it is hard enough to compete with TV, Netflix and the internet. Getting people to come to small concerts is a huge job. The presenters get tired, frustrated and, in many cases, go broke. <br />
<br />
Here’s where it gets really sticky:<br />
<br />
As the market changes, as the music business declines, BMI, ASCAP and SESAC have to struggle to feed the pig. Remember the Pig? Instead of cultivating the fertile garden of music, they start squeezing the little venues for every dime they can get. <br />
The licensing model makes presenting music cumbersome, expensive, unprofitable and, in many cases, scary. Who on earth wants to go to jail because you let a folksinger play the banjo at a farmers market? They feel at risk, so they shut down.<br />
<br />
<i>"When I hear music, I fear no danger. <br />I am invulnerable. I see no foe." </i><br />
Henry David Thoreau<br />
<br />
By interfering with the possibility of artists to meet their own audience, the PRO’s have become foes of the very community of musicians and songwriters they are charged to help.<br />
This leaves the artists, the very ones BMI and ASCAP are trying to help, with no place to work. No place to test new music. No place to sell their CDs. No place to earn a living. No way to meet the audience ... the ultimate underwriter of all the arts.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><br />BMI and ASCAP should change their business model</b></span><br />
<br />
Here's our reality: Only until an artist can find their audience and draw 1000 people into a theatre can they register on the royalty richter scale.<br />
BMI and ASCAP are using an old, antiquated business model that no longer works. As that model fails, they try harder to enforce and collect fees from venues, forcing even more clubs to shut down or stop presenting live music.<br />
<br />
We need both the PROs and music venues to be healthy and productive. We need to change the business model they are using so everyone ... and especially the artists ... can make more money.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b>My PROPOSAL:</b></span><br />
<br />
I urge everyone consider a new business model, one that will not only keep venues open but encourage more venues to open, more stages to open, more producers to start presenting music, giving more artists a place to play and find their audiences.<br />
The current model is nothing short of ridiculous. I think it's unreasonable to charge the venue for the songs an artist chooses to play, anyway. <br />
<br />
So, <b>I propose changing from VENUE licensing to ARTIST licensing.</b> No more harassing small venues for fees just because they are willing to create a stage for musicians to play on.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b>The ARTIST PERFORMING LICENSE: </b></span><br />
<br />
With an Artist Performing License all songwriters, musicians and performers are clear to perform anywhere they want. Just show your card and jump onstage. Done. <br />
It's like a drivers license: I can drive on any highway in America so long as I have a valid drivers license. Same with music, I should be able to perform anywhere I want if I have a valid performing license.<br />
If an artist plays mostly small rooms, coffeehouses or non-ticketed events like farmer's markets, they pay $55 a year for a performance license. Done.<br />
When applying for the license, they list all their original songs plus up to seven cover tunes (the PROs now have an accurate list of who to send royalties to) Most artists play their own material, however if an artist plays mostly cover songs, then it's $75 a year.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>The ONLINE LICENSE EXCHANGE</b></span><br />
<br />
To get the license, the artist goes to an online exchange, kinda like getting insurance. Here BMI, ASCAP and SESAC receive the accurate song list the artist is playing and their license fee is now pro-rated among the PRO’s as needed. This also gives our songwriters a fighting chance to get a check from the PRO’s for their songs that are getting performed ... something that is not happening now. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>No more VENUE LICENSE: </b></span><br />
<br />
If a non-alcohol venue of 600 seats or less, or a farmers market, school, house concert, or benefit wants to present music ... no fee. NO FEE. Done. That's it. Artists simply need to show their current license to play and that venue is in the clear. The venue simply goes to the online exchange, register the venue and what kind of music they present and that’s it.<br />
If the venue serves beer and wine: $200 a year. <br />
Full bar: $350. <br />
Done.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Here's why ARTIST LICENSING works:</b></span><br />
<br />
Where there is an audience, there is money.<br />
End of story.<br />
Any artist would gladly, gladly without hesitation pay the fee knowing that - instead of three clubs in town - there are now 25 or 30 places to play. They have increased their business 10 fold. <br />
Because the business model works for the venue, more operators would register. More stages will open. <br />
You want to play a stage somewhere? Show your license and boom, no problem. Artists will have more places to perform and find their audience. And the venue will be more likely to actually PAY the ding-dang artists.<br />
And, if you do simple math, the PRO’s would be rolling in cash. A revamping of the current model based on the realities of the new business environment will work in their favor. For every one venue there are 200-400 artists in that region that would stand in line ready to get their performing license. <br />
If the PROs do this they will be encouraging and stimulating the farm system nature of small venues. They need to do this. How on earth can any artist find their audience and play bigger, better paying venues when you are part of the reason so many of the venues they need to find that audience shut down?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>The "ANTI" Argument</b></span><br />
<br />
A common objection to this idea is:<br />
"... you really want the artists to in effect pay their own royalties?" <br />
To which I say:<br />
"WHAT royalties???" <br />
<br />
Remember, most artists don't see a penny in royalties. They want to work. They want to play. They want to grow their audience. They want to sell their CDs and T-shirts. They don't want to sit around waiting 14 months for their next 22-cent royalty check. So, for the love of Pete, get the heck out of their way.<br />
<br />
To be clear, BMI and ASCAP are not the reason most clubs shut down. But they are, unintentionally, part of the old system that is discouraging so many venues from letting artists meet their own audience.<br />
We need venues. <br />
We need BMI, SESAC and ASCAP. <br />
We need them to do well. <br />
We need the audience to be served.<br />
Even more, we need artists to thrive in this harsh, two dimentional digital age. Artist Licensing opens up the floodgates for performers to meet their audience, increases the number of stages to perform on, in turn creates long term careers for performers and develop a genuine royalty stream for songwriters.<br />
<br />
To be clear: <span style="color: #b45f06;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Converting to artist licensing will create an explosion of clubs, coffeehouses and other stages, generating an audience big enough to employ thousands of performing artists.</b></span><br />
<br />
So ... take that to the bank, peeps.<br />
mj SongFarmers.org<br />
<br />
___<br />
<br />
<br />
REFERENCES:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.kentucky.com/2015/10/30/4113064/natashas-bistro-will-suspend-operations.html</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2014/10/29/ascap-bmi-sesac-force-local-coffee-shop-shut-live-music/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.wlky.com/news/two-louisville-music-venues-shut-doors/33342336</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2015/10/15/north-star-bar-fairmount-closing-poplar.html</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.phoenixhill.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.courier-journal.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/06/16/rudyard-kipling-closing/28814321/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.kcra.com/news/folsoms-toby-keith-restaurant-music-venue-closing/30495246</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.yahoo.com/music/s/brooklyn-booms-famed-music-scene-under-gun-170014855.html?nf=1</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.kentucky.com/2013/05/06/2629466_eddie-montgomerys-steakhouse-in.html?rh=1</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-24842164193991267682015-10-10T11:12:00.001-04:002015-12-21T13:18:07.626-05:00The SongFarmer Album<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Z66rpLyH9S_aZRoJnv-QinrGPtTb680yiDf27C3pagGCcoEDjeDUD4qGBIP774KfQxoE5HQQRyIerV4eUZ6eSi_TjEnj-9wPlYgZcOVt62VlnI0CZE8N7iAG0Kq20hiZNCtP/s1600/SomgFarmerDOC_WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Z66rpLyH9S_aZRoJnv-QinrGPtTb680yiDf27C3pagGCcoEDjeDUD4qGBIP774KfQxoE5HQQRyIerV4eUZ6eSi_TjEnj-9wPlYgZcOVt62VlnI0CZE8N7iAG0Kq20hiZNCtP/s200/SomgFarmerDOC_WEB.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
So, I decided I want to record another album. It's time. And I have a passel of songs that are ready. I'm simply in a puzzlement as to HOW to do it.<br />
<br />
Years ago it was the norm for an artist to spend $20,000 or more in a studio with great musicians, carefully laboring over each song, making each note and inflection perfect, making each song mix the best possible. Then taking the finished work to a mastering studio, refining every audio wave and EQ so the album will stand the test of time ...<br />
<br />
... only to have most of your fans listen to the thing on a $9 set of earbuds while on a treadmill in a gym. Or in a car going 70 MPH down the interstate.<br />
<br />
It is part of the demise of the record industry. Records are,
essentially, gone. Record stores are gone. Record companies are folding. For the most part artists sell the bulk of their CDs at their own concerts and live events, not stores. So, if we look at the situation honestly, record labels sign the biggest customer of their own CD when signing an artist. So why be part of a record label and give away all your equity? It makes no sense.<br />
<br />
Even worse: we are living among the first generation of human beings
that hear music as a flat screen, digital two-dimensional experience.
They don't even get to hold a ding-dang album jacket anymore <i>(that's why, if you are fortunate to have a hometown, indie record store, support them. Don't get your music from websites when you are one of the precious few with an actual record store). </i><br />
<br />
HERE'S A PAINFUL FACT: nobody listens to albums on stereo systems anymore <i>(this is not a reference to LPs but to the entire recorded project, whatever format).</i> Oh sure there are exceptions, but the truth is most folks listen to music as crushed low res MP3 files on smartphones in crappy ear buds with little or no sonic quality to them while jogging. In short, we have learned to listen to mostly crappy music on crappy playback systems in crappy environments.<br />
<br />
HERE'S A SECOND FACT: the public is not only getting used to the lower quality playback of music, they are being conditioned to hear only singles from a project. The MP3s are loaded into their phone and are played on shuffle ... one song at a time. Kind of a personal Pandora playback. It leaves visionary artists in a quandary as the presentation of a concept album - a full musical cycle like Pink Floyd's <i>The Wall</i> or the Beatles <i>Sergeant Pepper</i> - has become extinct.<br />
<br />
HERE'S A THIRD FACT: music is as much visual as it is audible. As the idea of physical records die, so dies the majesty of the album cover. Holding the album jacket in your hand, reading the lyrics as the album played drew fans deep into the magical world being presented to them. The current two-dimensional music world is shallow by comparison. The problem is folks only know it if they knew it from before. Fans today don't have a clue of this because there is an entire generation of humanity who have grown up experiencing only the flat digital experience of music.<br />
<br />
Think of what is <i>really</i> happening: they are emailed a MP3 of a band from a friend, Google the band, YouTube the band, iTunes the band then download the band. They've never even seen the band live. Who could have predicted just five short years ago that record store chains would collapse nationwide and Cracker Barrel would become one of the biggest retailers of CDs in America? And to make matters worse, fans have gotten used to getting music as free MP3s.<br />
<br />
It's gotten so wacky that new cars don't even have CD players in them anymore, just a USB port.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7riUU3qhJbSl09YsmeyZiI83gF33AZYtbnYSGyxdCNGsnaIg3xl_No3U9BqHVUo-3ytGcLtdahJ82G8EU9bvUWE9YzagG9onAK1eejy63FoD3GTvlgkuFY-oOcgC0sixLITN/s1600/ArtistCabin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7riUU3qhJbSl09YsmeyZiI83gF33AZYtbnYSGyxdCNGsnaIg3xl_No3U9BqHVUo-3ytGcLtdahJ82G8EU9bvUWE9YzagG9onAK1eejy63FoD3GTvlgkuFY-oOcgC0sixLITN/s200/ArtistCabin.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
So here's what I'm doing: the <i>SongFarmer</i> album is being recorded in the same format the public is being trained to listen on: an iPhone.<br />
<br />
Which, oddly enough, isn't all that bad.<br />
<br />
The iPhone is a recording platform that far surpasses what the Beatles recorded <i>Abby Road</i> on. I'm using a special hi-end mic made for iPhones and iPads by Apoge, a special recording app for iPhones (no, not Garage Band) and using my artists cabin as the studio, which has very beautiful acoustics and a warm, natural reverb. Wood tends to help with that.<br />
<br />
And heck ... since most folks will end up hearing the ding-dang thing
for free I might as well record the ding-dang thing for free. <br />
<br />
The <i>SongFarmer</i> album is a folk album, performed in single takes with just my Martin 0000-28s guitar and long neck Vega banjo. New original songs like <i>Hippy Luv</i>,<i> The Coin, Rainbow Wife</i> and traditional banjo songs like <i>Little Maggie</i> are included. There is little-to-no editing involved.<br />
<br />
I like the songs a lot and will be including the long story song <i>Pamper Creek.</i> I wrote the lyrics while living in Mousie KY after seeing the big Sandy River flood between Prestonsburg and Pikeville. I asked a fellow how high the flood waters got and he said I would be able to see myself by wherever the Pampers where hanging from the tree limbs. It's sort of a modern day Appalachian<i> Alice's Restaurant.</i><br />
<br />
The album has a more important use, though. It will introduce the fine efforts of the <i>WoodSongs Front Porch Association </i>to media and radio stations around the world. We call our WFPA members "<i>Song Farmers," </i>thus the album title, and members will get a free copy of the physical CD when they come to the big WoodSongs Gathering Sept 23 and 24, 2016 at SHAKER VILLAGE near Lexington, KY.<br />
<br />
The album should be finished and ready for release to radio early spring 2016. In the meantime, join the WFPA, get free tickets to the Gathering ... and a free <i>SongFarmer </i>CD. Visit <a href="http://songfarmers.org/">SongFarmers.org</a> or call 859-255-5700 to sign up.<br />
<br />
The mission statement is: To gather the global community of front porch minded musicians, bring roots music education into school free of charge, and enhance communities by redirecting the energies of local musicians.<br />
<br />
Keep visiting the <a href="http://michaeljohnathon.com/songfarmer/">MichaelJohnathon.com</a> SongFarmer page for updates, pics and a diary of the album progress. When it's ready the first single from the album <i>Pamper Creek </i>will be, drum roll please, downloadable as an MP3 for free. <br />
<br />
Then you can listen to it on your smart phone with crappy ear buds while jogging :)<br />
<br />
Michael Johnathon<br />
Folksinger - SongFarmer<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJldJUAx_tpqxJz4yw68bI78JFutPDfOSaUSi337PnzjyWX0HdQQk_OX_k182DHh87GPRTxejiYnQ3iKqmQ67WaFxypV1qVqjkswMVTK6_GlCc5ScqjyQmEPnoBK7zrus7qfBg/s1600/2016Gathering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJldJUAx_tpqxJz4yw68bI78JFutPDfOSaUSi337PnzjyWX0HdQQk_OX_k182DHh87GPRTxejiYnQ3iKqmQ67WaFxypV1qVqjkswMVTK6_GlCc5ScqjyQmEPnoBK7zrus7qfBg/s400/2016Gathering.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_832715916"></span><span id="goog_832715917"></span><br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-47838819495021871652015-09-24T14:19:00.000-04:002015-10-21T10:19:21.915-04:00SongFarmer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
SongFarmer ...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkICLSiWYyH54M5MiggCwCXFougZslbbsIBWilahs4dkY1LUvxMT7UOcGeGMlQgGV8qz5rblJKJzwIX8zlf_SOotUMfTbIXcbRvY3pWRhfjMy_t1jN5N3kI-lsjuI0KU141pmD/s1600/FP_Banjo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkICLSiWYyH54M5MiggCwCXFougZslbbsIBWilahs4dkY1LUvxMT7UOcGeGMlQgGV8qz5rblJKJzwIX8zlf_SOotUMfTbIXcbRvY3pWRhfjMy_t1jN5N3kI-lsjuI0KU141pmD/s320/FP_Banjo.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
It's a great word. Much better than "folksinger" or songwriter or performer. It is a poetic way to describe someone who uses their music to plant artistic seeds in their communities, their families, their careers.<br />
<br />
We call the members of the WFPA "SongFarmers."<br />
<br />
Here's why:<br />
<br />
When I was creating the <i>WoodSongs Front Porch Association </i>(WFPA) I was trying to provide an alternative to other great efforts like the Folk Alliance, the IBMA or the Americana Music Association. These are music business trade groups that try to help musicians, record labels and agents connect to enhance the artist's careers. The WFPA doesn't complete in any way with those very fine folks. Heck, I'm a member.<br />
<br />
Problem is, if I can speak plainly here without sounding like I'm pointing fingers ... there is no music "business" anymore. Not for the tens of thousands of small artists playing at farmers markets, retirement homes, small noisy clubs, schools and front porches across the land. Records stores are essentially gone. Record labels rarely sign artists, if they exist anymore at all. Booking agents don't take on many new artists because so many venues have shut down they can hardly keep the artists they have working no less a new act.<br />
<br />
Small, talented, sincere songwriters, performers and artists are then asked to pay for association memberships, conference fees, travel, hotels and meals ... often $1000 or more total ... to attend a trade organization event where they, if they are lucky, end up showcasing in front of other anxious artists who wish they had your time slot. And instead of being helped to understand what to do with a garage full of unsold CDs in a world with no more record stores, you might be treated to a two hour speech that have nothing to do with music or the issues at hand.<br />
<br />
To a SongFarmer, the front porch is as an important a stage as a concert hall. Their banjo is a community plow, their songs are like seeds, their guitar is a hammer and saw. Music is an issue of the heart, not their wallet. They don't make fans, they make friends.<br />
<br />
With the WFPA I wanted a new way to reach out to artists in a way that will REALLY help them, REALLY explain the new music world, REALLY point to a brand new direction for their music and careers. I wanted the WFPA to be very cheap (just $25 a year) And to attend our yearly conference, called The Gathering, they get to come FREE. The WFPA needs to be very effective and have a solid, realistic goal. <br />
<br />
And indeed it does. Not only does the WFPA offer realistic help to the community of SongFarmers, but we are sending roots music into thousands of schools and home school families with lesson plans. All for Free.<br />
<br />
And before all you finger-waggers get started, I'm not putting down the FA, IBMA or AMA. I don't think they are lying to anyone. I do, however, think they are lost in an old business model that no longer exists.<br />
<br />
Heck, new cars don't even have CD players in them anymore. The music world is upside down and inside out. Who would have guessed just five years ago that today one of the biggest retailers of CDs in America would end up being a restaurant chain? And, no, it's not Starbucks ...<br />
<br />
Artists need to have a brand new outlook on music. They have to have a truthful, painful look at what is really happening out there. They need a spectacular new direction for their music. And they HAVE to learn, as brutal as it may seem at first, how FREE works.<br />
<br />
So, this weekend, we will have our first WoodSongs Gathering, a music festival and member conference of the WFPA. We call our members SongFarmers, and it will be at the amazing log cabin village of the Museum of Appalachia near Knoxville, TN. We have a spectacular creative board like Art Menius, Kari Estrin, Josh Dunson, Raymond McLain, Doug Oines, Steve Martin (IBMA) Reggie Harris and others helping guide the event, the members and intent of the WFPA. It's the real deal.<br />
<br />
SongFarmers are taught the most important rule of the new music world: <i>LOVE is the most important transaction of the arts. </i>It isn't marketing, management, what record label you're on or who your investor is. All of that is irrelevant without LOVE. "Love" makes the world of art work. Think of it millions of people spent a billion dollars on an album, not because it said RCA ... it's because they LOVED Elvis. It's love that makes the audience buy a CD, buy a concert ticket, buy a T-Shirt.<br />
<br />
Nashville has virtually lost it's entire music middle class because the bean counters focused on marketing and money ... not love. The only thing ... THE ONLY THING ... the audience responds to is their love for a song, love for an artist, love for an idea.<br />
<br />
SongFarmers learn to direct that love in a way that does not focus on money. They focus on their families, their hometowns, their audiences. SongFarmers resurrect the emotional front porch in everyone who hears them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIj6zlk8wEc-HHxb9DFJ6XFuONaaaVFEv6Wk0itYpzGnHIP5gEZThxC4mg0MbHjZi8RVA_KzTXTfvgIAzhFrFUkhp6ZVT41mUkeWZBvqFaItx6NvAjrLwUYqSwbF4iBTBTxe0/s1600/PumkinBanjo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIj6zlk8wEc-HHxb9DFJ6XFuONaaaVFEv6Wk0itYpzGnHIP5gEZThxC4mg0MbHjZi8RVA_KzTXTfvgIAzhFrFUkhp6ZVT41mUkeWZBvqFaItx6NvAjrLwUYqSwbF4iBTBTxe0/s200/PumkinBanjo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Just about a year ago, I performed a concert in Winnsboro Texas and two wonderful songwriter friends opened the show, Lynn Adler and Lindy Hearne and they gave me a little bumper sticker that proclaimed their lakeside cabin home in Texas an "organic song farm." That little sticker sat on my desk for months and then one day, as I was organizing the <i>WoodSongs Front Porch Association </i>it occurred to me that "song farming" is exactly what we are trying to do. Our members would be called SongFarmers.<br />
<br />
I called them up and said would you mind if we stole your word? lol. They said, go ahead, we stole it from someone else. It was so Woody Guthrie:<br />
<br />
<i>"Aw he just stole from me. But I steal from everybody. Why, I'm the biggest song stealer there ever was."</i><br />
<br />
I think Woody was a SongFarmer. So was Jean Ritchie and Pete Seeger. So is Rik Palieri, Raymond McLain and most of the music world filled with artists who love playing more than anything else.<br />
<br />
So join the WFPA. Become a SongFarmer.<br />
Change your thinking about the music business for the better.<br />
And see the amazing work our members are doing.<br />
<br />
The mission statement is:<br />
To gather the global community of front porch minded musicians, bring roots music education into school free of charge, and enhance communities by redirecting the energies of local musicians<br />
<br />
Visit WoodSongs.com/WFPA or SongFarmers.org and come to the WoodSongs Gathering Sept 25 and 26 at the Museum of Appalachia exit 122 off I-75 ... sing with new friends among the autumn leaves near Knoxville TN.<br />
<br />
Michael Johnathon<br />
Folksinger - SongFarmer<br />
michael@woodsongs.com<br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #545454; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #545454; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-69647262747670121282015-04-09T14:05:00.003-04:002015-04-10T09:17:16.879-04:00Don McLean, American Pie and the $1.2M sale of the song lyrics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl36XvZPQjINLVkUk2iNjk7l8fb3dcyS2OwMhF5lUS77LzFL1SR91P-HJ3AD_L65vUxZF99iUnA2S90iXLAgRyVUF4bqu_wsD9mC2u067YCPRpRe4gAM_VRAsZ4prTH7HdijBs/s1600/donmclean-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl36XvZPQjINLVkUk2iNjk7l8fb3dcyS2OwMhF5lUS77LzFL1SR91P-HJ3AD_L65vUxZF99iUnA2S90iXLAgRyVUF4bqu_wsD9mC2u067YCPRpRe4gAM_VRAsZ4prTH7HdijBs/s1600/donmclean-1.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a><span style="color: #ffe599;"><span style="background-color: white;">_ </span></span><br />
<i>A long, long </i><br />
<i>time ago ...</i><br />
<br />
... a young teenage boy, struggling with events of the day and a relationship with his father, found solice in the music of Buddy Holly. Delivering newspapers for his hometown paper, the Standard Star, he cut open the string holding a stack together. As the papers spilled over he saw, in the right hand column, the headline of his hero dying in a tragic plane crash.<br />
<br />
Buddy Holly was only 22 years old.<br />
<br />
Years later, as he began his fledgling folk music career, he was living in a quaint, small gate house in Cold Spring, NY. It was there he began sketching out the musical ideas for an epic journey through his own past and into America's future. But it didn't all happen right away. Two months after dabbling with some lyrics, a chorus appeared, almost out of nowhere:<br />
<br />
<i>Bye bye Miss American Pie</i><br />
<i>Drove my Chevy to the levy but the levy was dry</i><br />
<i>Them good ol' boys are drinking whiskey and rye</i><br />
<i>singing 'this'll be the day that I die,</i><br />
<i>this'll be the day that I die ..."</i><br />
<br />
As the thunder of the song grew louder, Don found himself performing in more cities. He already had one record out and it was time to record his next. As he was preparing for his second album session, the record label folded and he lost his deal. Believing all will eventually work out, he kept on writing songs for this next album. Then, while in Philadelphia, lightening struck ...<br />
<br />
... one of the final songs for this new album was the completion of the song he started in Gate house in Cold Spring:<i> American Pie.</i><br />
<br />
It was an epic rock'n'roll, folk song history lesson that was as much literature as it was music ... and it was over 8-minutes long. <i><br /></i><br />
<br />
Six weeks at #1, several world tours and many decades later, the news hit this week that Don decided to sell, not the "song," but the original 16 pages of lyrics and notes to American Pie ... and somebody bid an astounding $1.2 million dollars for the honor.<br />
<br />
Since then, I've read a couple of critical stories about Don's decision to sell, most offensive was an article in the Washington Post by Justin Moyer. It was uncalled for, no matter how well meaning he might be as a fellow writer. Heck, the headline referred to Don as "gloomy."<br />
<br />
Dude, he just scored $1.2 million bucks. How "gloomy" could he be? <br />
<br />
To Justin and any other critic of what any artist does with their property:<i> please be more respectful. </i>I'm sure you're a nice fellow and just trying to be interesting. But you are criticizing someone who has achieved an unbelievable accomplishment. They created something of value far beyond anything you can dream of or do yourself. Why do people feel they need to put down anyone for doing what they themselves can not? <br />
<br />
Don McLean owns American Pie. He is the artist who created it. The man has a wife, home and children he wants to take care of and secure their future. I wonder what creation of value Justin Moyer or any other critic has that would come within a tenth of America Pie's value? <br />
<br />
American Pie was born out of great heartache and loss, it's birth was staggered and painful. It is viewed as one of the most important songs of the 20th century and deservedly so. If Don chooses to sell the pieces of paper the ding-dang thing was written on, all power to him. He is the envy of every songwriter.<br />
<br />
And most of America, while singing <i>American Pie</i>, will never know who Justin Moyer is. <br />
<br />
Don McLean did more than the right thing.<br />
He did the thing that was his right to do.<br />
'nuff said. <br />
<br />
To all the critics out there, I want to paraphrase Finnish composer Johan Sibelius:<br />
<br />
<i> "Fear not<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> the words of a critic; </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">for no one has ever erected a statue in honor of one ..."</span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Folk on, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">mj</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">michael@woodsongs.com </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">_ </span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-20136349397322211402015-03-07T19:19:00.003-05:002015-03-07T19:22:43.009-05:00Selma, Seeger and a Song<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h4 style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd; color: #b45f06;">SELMA 50 years ago. </span></h4>
<div style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">I think it is great that President Obama is speaking at the Selma bridge today. That is not a political view, but a human one. Fifty years ago, those marching over that bridge, those who embraced that struggle, would never ... NEVER ... have dreamed such a day as today was possible.</span></div>
<div style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">What will often go unnoticed was the banjo player marching along with Dr. King that day. Pete Seeger heard the song WE SHALL OVER COME at the Highlander Folk School and taught<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"> it to Dr. King, who in turn began having it sung at rallies. It was sung at Selma as the marchers were beaten and hosed down on that bridge. And it was sung by millions as the struggle for equal rights continued. It's been sung in schools and festivals and front porches around the world.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; display: inline;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">It was never a hit song. It was never on the charts. It was never on MTV. It was simply good.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">I don't think we have "equal rights" today. We are more equal-er than we were, but still there is more to do. I don't personally believe the human race is in the emotional or spiritual shape to embrace that kind of freedom. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">Someday. But not today.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">mj</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<a href="http://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/remembering-pete-seeger-selma-civil-rights-movement" style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">http://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/remembering-pete-seeger-selma-civil-rights-movement</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBw5zusymMSKF_fPJY7t1lBM0fceVOQp9tdVcszOcWAYMNYx5m3hDD-edLMUg-dieN5sBpz9x9HnESQEXPAlu-hUxIDGpmNK-DpyHH5mJbh0rRsDqYsbT2tHqSjRMKRS2auCoW/s1600/web-William_H._Booth_and_Martin_Luther_King_1960s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBw5zusymMSKF_fPJY7t1lBM0fceVOQp9tdVcszOcWAYMNYx5m3hDD-edLMUg-dieN5sBpz9x9HnESQEXPAlu-hUxIDGpmNK-DpyHH5mJbh0rRsDqYsbT2tHqSjRMKRS2auCoW/s1600/web-William_H._Booth_and_Martin_Luther_King_1960s.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-46877105446204339942015-02-07T14:55:00.002-05:002015-02-09T13:47:59.851-05:00Chris Thile subs for Garrison Keillor on APHC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Lsi4RDaFaq-E73oc1ogiA2aN8MJgru_18-S9Z5UM-OeuSJwgcenwYUyZQQ7Z5an2wpfJXVdFegZ5MeHFO1fwfPBdzLMOy2u35UDbF25FDsnGwi3khYgV_z3_7zUbNkz27aZQ/s1600/APHC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Lsi4RDaFaq-E73oc1ogiA2aN8MJgru_18-S9Z5UM-OeuSJwgcenwYUyZQQ7Z5an2wpfJXVdFegZ5MeHFO1fwfPBdzLMOy2u35UDbF25FDsnGwi3khYgV_z3_7zUbNkz27aZQ/s1600/APHC.jpg" height="200" width="190" /></a> <br />
<div id="quoteContent">
<div class="bq_fq bq_fq_lrg qt-fnt bq-smpl-qt">
<i>"I believe in looking reality straight in the eye and denying it." -</i> Garrison Keillor</div>
</div>
<br />
As we come up on WoodSongs 800th broadcast I can get a small idea of why Garrison Keillor would want to take a break, step back and listen to <i>A Prairie Home Companion</i> like any fan would ... sitting at home with the radio on while doing other things.<br />
<br />
It gives you a whole new perspective of what, why and how you are doing something. Sometimes, your brain needs a ding dang break from doing something so well for so long. Garrison is the king and he deserves it.<br />
<br />
And what better sub-host could he pick than Chris Thile? Chris has been on WoodSongs nine times in various musical incarnations. He's creative, personable, fun, happy and fearless. And APHC is about the art form, not the ratings. Because of that, they have great ratings because good art is all this audience cares about. Having a seasoned "pro" host wouldn't serve the art form as well as having a genuine, respected artist at the helm like Chris. Garrison has done his fans and his show well. And I hope everyone tunes in, it will be a special night indeed.<br />
<br />
I'll probably add more to this later. For now, I'm getting ready to relax and tune in A Prairie Home Companion with the wifey and the twins here at the log cabin.<br />
<br />
We'll be listening while doing other things, too :)<br />
<br />
mj<br />
_______ <br />
<br />
<br />
So the weekend has past and we are getting ready for a WoodSongs broadcast tonight. I got to listen to most of the first hour of Chris Thile's premier as guest host ... and then the last 15 minutes or so. <br />
<br />
Chris did a great job. Actually, he did a fantastic job. He was fun, he sounded relaxed. The music was impeccable as expected, Sarah sang like an angel ( I liked the jokes about their last names), the poet was entertaining and brilliant. Garrison's staff did a bang-up job helping Chris navigate from segment to segment ... and the guy ended exactly on time.<br />
<br />
I think Garrison picked well asking Chris to to guest host. I understand Garrison called Thile and left a message on his cell phone about it. Considering Chris' touring schedule, Garrison got lucky. <br />
<br />
I'm not a big fan of critics. These are folks who are often incapable of doing what they are criticizing who are given a media forum to tear down. Or build up. And I'm sure somewhere out there a reviewer will have something harsh to say. No one is ever 100% approved by the media, no matter how great or sincere.<br />
<br />
But Chris reached well beyond his comfort zone. Garrison entrusted his legacy and years of creative sweat and placed them all on a "rookies" shoulders.<br />
<br />
Bottom of the ninth. Based loaded. Mandolin player at bat.<br />
Grand slam.<br />
<br />
'nuff said.<br />
mj<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-34258570158796720932015-01-26T13:37:00.000-05:002015-01-26T14:23:41.339-05:00MOUSIE HIWAY: The Adventures of BANJO MOUSE in Appalachia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
It was a fun, exciting goal ... put on hold for a while. MOUSIE HIWAY: The Adventures of BANJO MOUSE in Appalachia is the first in a series of children's books that involve music, a good story, a fun character and a valid lesson.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXKb7Edt2rrNJF2HxiVVAbow6cSzuytHk5MIxXljV74dtluLYWOjFQuCm8uZgm-Kp2ySvj_DBUqwRfm7Ws4yo7tT7RP6MDGCJ0EG9u3iZTGuFxk3EeYJ8tuCRfAejaty-G8fd/s1600/IMG_5349+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXKb7Edt2rrNJF2HxiVVAbow6cSzuytHk5MIxXljV74dtluLYWOjFQuCm8uZgm-Kp2ySvj_DBUqwRfm7Ws4yo7tT7RP6MDGCJ0EG9u3iZTGuFxk3EeYJ8tuCRfAejaty-G8fd/s1600/IMG_5349+(2).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Alas, life, schedules and energy are not my friend at the moment so the project is on hold. MOUSIE HIWAY, the first of the series is about a banjo playing mouse that travels Appalachia, meeting other musicians and forming the Mousie HiWay Band. I hope to pick up the project again soon. This feels funny because I never stop anything. Ever.<br />
<br />
The story and accompanying CD (I would read the story and have the music going on behind me until the end when the whole bluegrass band plays the song "Mousie HiWay") would introduce the sound of the banjo, fiddle, mandolin, dobro and bass to young ears in a fun way.<br />
<br />
I'm not aware of another bluegrass-related children's book like this.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I like the story. And the rhymes. And it's based somewhat on fact. It's true: I did live in Mousie Kentucky and Blue Moon Mountain separated the little hamlet from Hindman, KY, the county seat and yes, I traveled the hollers with my banjo.<br />
<br />
So, here is it, read it with a tempo, find the phrasing. I'm including an early sketch of the Banjo Mouse character. You have my permission to read it to your kids if you want, but not to reprint this in anyway. Actually, it would be great if you created your own pictures to go with the story. Make your own children's book. Heck, why not? How hard can it be?<br />
<br />
Send me pics if you do: michael@woodsongs.com<br />
<br />
If all goes well, I hope to have a book and hold my twins in my lap someday, reading this to them.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span class="s1" style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">MOUSIE HIWAY</span></b></span></h2>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><i>The Adventures of Banjo Mouse in the Appalachian Mountains</i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><i>words and characters by Michael Johnathon</i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><i>c2015 Rachel Aubrey Music, INC/BMI</i></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p4">
<span class="s1"><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">Banjo Mouse</span></b></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span class="s1"><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">Fiddle Fox</span></b></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span class="s1"><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">Doggy Dobro</span></b></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span class="s1"><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">Mando Mouse</span></b></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span class="s1"><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">Little Bitty Beaver</span></b></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">This is the adventures of Banjo Mouse</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">He didn’t have a bed and he didn’t have a house</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">But he had a lot friends where ever he’d go</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">'cause he knew a bunch of songs on the ol’ banjo</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">Then one night in the Appalachian hills</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">He heard a lonesome sound and everything got still</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">In the silvery moon just sittin’ on a rock</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">He found a new friend named Fiddle Fox</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">Well, he and Fiddle Fox played all night long</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">They played a lot of tunes, sang a lot of songs</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">But when the sun came up they had no place to go</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">till they met a new friend named Doggy Dobro</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">When Doggy played the dobro he could bend those notes</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">He would bend them up high and bend them down low</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">with the fiddle and the banjo they would laugh and shout</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">It was a dream come true for Banjo Mouse</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">But now, the whole band knew there was something still a-missin’</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">You could hear it so plain, you could hear it if you listen</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">So they mumbled and they grumbled till they figured it out</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">When up from a holler came Mando Mouse</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">Mando Mouse was Banjo’s cousin</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">He could play his mandolin, even when he’s runnin’</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">He could play it so fast he had everyone a-shoutin’</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">And it echoed through the hollers of Blue Moon Mountain</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">Now, Banjo Mouse knew they wouldn’t get far</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">They had a real fine band but they needed one more.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">So he wondered and he pondered and he wished upon a star</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">And from a cabin on a hill came Kitty Guitar</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">She was a six-string Kitty she could pick and sing</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">Banjo Mouse could made the banjo ring</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">No one played the fiddle like Fiddle Fox could</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">and Dobro Doggie made the song sound good</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">But Banjo Mouse stopped and said “hey wait a minute...”</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">we have a real fine band but there’s something not in it</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">We all want to play a real big show</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">but the show won’t go unless we play it down low</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">And then though the bushes came a rumblin’ sound</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">it shook all the trees and it ratted the ground</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">and down from the mountain with a smile on his face</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">came a little bitty beaver with a great big bass</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">Well, from Blue Moon Mountain to the hollers all around</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">the people all gathered for that bluegrass sound</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">and they sang and they cheered again and again</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">Everybody loves the Mousie HiWay Band!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-35292833623418555922014-03-04T10:34:00.002-05:002014-03-04T12:03:42.457-05:00Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZXX3gWoC2N6NtdTPF0k3e6iltV7MCgf54P9pSbJz8wq2Y28u7ah0OnCbPd7LKsWQPYjDZPr9zttfPWGYgWJ9acCe6D91ClPxUnSlJbB6H-97FOoNZzO3KI4Mq-ZfAJBze11o/s1600/551953_536255419724917_1414933579_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZXX3gWoC2N6NtdTPF0k3e6iltV7MCgf54P9pSbJz8wq2Y28u7ah0OnCbPd7LKsWQPYjDZPr9zttfPWGYgWJ9acCe6D91ClPxUnSlJbB6H-97FOoNZzO3KI4Mq-ZfAJBze11o/s1600/551953_536255419724917_1414933579_n.jpg" height="263" width="320" /></a><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">I had
a friend ... smart, musical, artistic, brutally intelligent, gentle,
healthy, married to a man who adored her, young at 41. She went to St
Johns for a vacation this past weekend, a place she loved to visit with
her husband and friends, and looking over the sands and the ocean the
after her birthday on Saturday ... and succumbing to the aching sadness she hid deep inside her heart, she killed herself. <br /> <br /> And she's gone.<br /> <br /> It occurred to me how precious the comm<span class="text_exposed_show">odity
of Love is. And Time. It's a priceless currency we often spend unwisely
and wasted without even realizing it. I think Love should become
important again. We must look at others though a kinder prism accepting
imperfection and realizing that, often those who carry themselves with
confidence and beauty, are most often hiding a great pain we can not
see.<br /> <br /> I will miss the scathing banter over songs with my friend and wish her family well.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">Perhaps we all need to revisit this idea of Love especially as the music business collapses around us. Years ago, folks gathered on the their front porches and livings rooms to sing and play together. It helped them love each other, know each other, enjoy time with each other. People played for free because they loved it ... folks listened for free because the loved it. After air conditioning and TV was invented, we retreated into a community-endorsed silence, waiting for the commercial before we dare interrupt.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">About that time, business-y people figured out how to sell vibrating air on plastic discs with holes in it, and the Star system was invented as a way to sell as many of these discs as possible. The idea was to separate you from your front porch ... your own music ... as far as possible so that you can be sold on the insane idea that only the "star" was truly qualified to make good music.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">What a bunch of ding-danged baloney.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">WoodSongs was created as a test of this Love. It is the currency we spend with passion. The crew works for free. I work for free. The artists are not paid. Local hotels put them up for free and local restaurants donate meals. The show goes from to radio, free to public television and free to American Forces Radio.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">More can be accomplished in life when fueled by passion than by payment. Love is the most powerful currency in history. It's time for artists to re-embrace this idea, to love their music and their audiences and not be so concerned with money. Bean counters ruined the music industry. Passionate visionaries with bring life back into it.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">But only if we notice. Love makes us listen more than speak. I wish I had noticed the pain my friend was in. I wish I knew that she needed more people to listen to her. I can't imagine how hard this is for her husband and family, they must feel the same but amplified a thousand times more than me.</span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-37372804878064221462014-02-02T10:53:00.001-05:002014-02-05T17:31:52.797-05:00Pete<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Been having a lot of thoughts about Pete's passing. Expected but never expected, you know? It's taken me a few days to let it all settle in, but here i<span style="color: black;">t goes: </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbFr6aVTd89YvfftT3IT1hdNqkZPgnC77W2zI7gzWjJ5ScxP5L21oVNf4WV8AoY3vI_99iYfOpAZ2BraC1vKUaGE5WSPsl2aibSahAr3VmKJCXY6OjB7rEXg-Gb0wr0coyZif/s1600/PS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbFr6aVTd89YvfftT3IT1hdNqkZPgnC77W2zI7gzWjJ5ScxP5L21oVNf4WV8AoY3vI_99iYfOpAZ2BraC1vKUaGE5WSPsl2aibSahAr3VmKJCXY6OjB7rEXg-Gb0wr0coyZif/s1600/PS.jpg" height="320" width="173" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">Pete was my musical template and career exemplar, as he was to many. He was our our
wood chopping, maple syrup making, protest singing, banjo playing, ship
building, song writing, book authoring, album making, concert
performing, boat sailing and community involvement friend. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">He was America's connection
to its own musical legacy. He traveled with Woody Guthrie, archived America's music with John Lomax, helped introduce Dylan and Joan Baez to the world and introduced Martin Luther King to a reworded old song called <i>"We Shall Overcome."</i> He sang in Madison Square Garden, concert halls around the world and grammar schools. He would think of nothing, even at 94 years old, to grab his banjo and stand on a cold street corner with protesters for any cause he agreed with.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">Pete was banned from American television because of his stand on free speech and affiliations. So in the 1960s he and his wife Toshi took their meager savings ... even famous folkies don't make much ... and convinced a New Jersey PBS stations to let him try out a TV series called <i>Rainbow Quest. </i>Pete would sit around a picnic table, play a song with one of his friends like Doc Watson or Ralph Stanley, then chat a while. Then play another song. I added a live audience to his idea and it became <i>WoodSongs.</i><br />
<br />
He had some defined habits ... he
preferred to respond to folks letters on small, reused pieces of paper or a post
card. He would draw a little banjo next to his name, a tribute to his
wife's Japanese heritage. He would also glue a small oak or maple leaf to his
letters and cards,<i> "my connection to the earth"</i> he would claim. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">Then
of course there was that statement he scrolled on his famous banjo. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">Pete had this habit of lifting his head upward when he sang. It's an iconic photo of him, chin raised high and urging the audience to sing. That habit put so much pressure on his vocal chords that, as he aged, his voice began to leave him and made it hard for him to sing at all. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">I first encountered Pete at the old Grand Union grocery store in Beacon NY. I knew of this neighbor, we all though he was nuts. Anytime there was a thunderstorm this old guy who claimed to be a musician but played the banjo would show up at our school with an ax ... an AX .. and chop up the fallen limbs. After high school a friend invited me to travel to Laredo Texas and try being a DJ on KLAR AM. They gave me the 12-6am time slot, that's where they stick you when you really suck. One night it was time to play an oldies song so I by chance pulled <i>"Turn, Turn, Turn" </i>by The Byrds off the shelf. As it played I looked at the song information and noticed it was written by my crazy neighbor. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">"Ohhhhh," says I. <i>"That's </i>who Pete Seeger is." </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Right now there are many misguided efforts to "honor" him. Some want to change the name of the Hudson River to the Seeger River. Pete would rise from the grave and whack those folks over the head with his banjo on that one. Others want to rename a bridge in NYC after him. Same reaction, no doubt. Other are already laying claim to who will carry his torch or who his so called heir-apparent might be. He deserved to own his legacy without others handing it off or even suggesting someone comes close to his passion, music and work. No one does. So let's stop. He<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">deserves better than those with no stage creating a stage by clamoring to rename the Hudson River or a NYC bridge in his "honor." It may be well intentioned but god-awful disgraceful at best.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I'm sure everyone misses Pete and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">express these ideas with good intentions. If you really want to honor Pete, go sing a free concert in a school. Pick up trash along your neighbors yard. Gather your friends for a front<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">porch sing along. Organize a music festival in a pumpkin patch for a good cause. Volunteer at a homeless shelter and bring your banjo for an after supper sing.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">My thought:</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1b.1:3:1:$comment1458736804355007_261212:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:3"><span data-reactid=".1b.1:3:1:$comment1458736804355007_261212:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:3.0"><span data-reactid=".1b.1:3:1:$comment1458736804355007_261212:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:3.0.$end:0:$0:0">
I think his eyes would twinkle to have have a sloop with his name on it, the Pete sailing alongside the Woody on the Hudson River he loved. Or to rename the park in Beacon where the Beacon Sloop Club stands the <i>Pete & Toshi Memorial Gardens.</i> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1b.1:3:1:$comment1458736804355007_261212:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:3"><span data-reactid=".1b.1:3:1:$comment1458736804355007_261212:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:3.0"><span data-reactid=".1b.1:3:1:$comment1458736804355007_261212:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:3.0.$end:0:$0:0">One of his greatest regrets as he grew older was not spending enough time during his younger years with his wife. She gave up many of her own dreams and wants to support his. <i>"I was just being a good wife," </i>she would tell me. Not many of those around, I would respond. All of Pete's envelopes were return addressed to "Pete & Toshi Seeger" and he was always thrilled to tell her that some reviewer or artist was including her by name in something.</span></span></span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Gonna miss that fellow. A lot. </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">I just got a note from him two days before he passed ...
can you believe that? Pete was so proud he made it to
94, he missed his wife Toshi. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Folk on and on,</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">mj </span></span> </span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-46965202248840786142013-10-02T11:23:00.003-04:002013-10-02T16:23:04.213-04:00Kevin "Darth Fader" Johnson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was a sunny autumn day ...</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-alt:"Times New Roman";
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:auto;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">My friend Kevin Johnson
was a big and friendly man, very round in spirit and girth. He had a heart as
big as the great outdoors and a body to put it in. Kevin had a big smile, a big
handshake, a big voice and had a knowledgeable laugh that had the patina of
wisdom embedded in it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuFWQPpBHjgOcxj_-2MJ_XC6TI4_TsC4bTJ-hq-NrvveopIUakaNH6xxV4YRqRC5jr227dToJNZXirVnQo0geNiY62TNLkciShZt-MR6v3nIMgw9dDREgPwSnZV0wL_L2Zozd/s1600/WSKev2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuFWQPpBHjgOcxj_-2MJ_XC6TI4_TsC4bTJ-hq-NrvveopIUakaNH6xxV4YRqRC5jr227dToJNZXirVnQo0geNiY62TNLkciShZt-MR6v3nIMgw9dDREgPwSnZV0wL_L2Zozd/s320/WSKev2.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Kevin knew a lot about
recording and sound. We worked together often. I would demo my songs and
recorded a couple albums with Kevin. He had a little recording studio at the
time called Planet III, nestled in a garden right behind a little cafe. I had
this idea of a radio show and wanted to run it by him. So, on this sunny autumn
day I rang him up, met him at the Denny's on Nicholasville Road and told him
what I had in mind.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">"You're crazy, you
know that," was his response. "Everybody else will think you're
crazy, too." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Then he blinked a few
seconds and said, "I'm in."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Ralph Waldo Emerson
wrote: "One of the blessings of good friends is that you can afford to be
crazy with them." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">So on that sunny autumn
day we decided to be crazy, and thus was the birth of the WoodSongs Old-Time
Radio Hour. And, like he did with so many of his friends, he committed himself
to it and donated the use of his little studio on Monday evenings so we can
start producing this volunteer run show.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Let me be clear: Kevin was
the best audio engineer in the state of Kentucky. Because of his size and
booming voice I would joke to him about sounding like Darth Vader on STAR WARS.
I watched him sit behind his audio board, moving the channel faders up and down
and, soon enough, we had his nickname set for life: <i>Darth Fader.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">He loved that goofy name.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">And show by show, week by
week, artist by artist he proved he was the best. Famous musicians like Judy
Collins, Exile, Bela Fleck, Ralph Stanley, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kenny
Loggins, Neko Case and Brandi Carlile trusted his ear. New artists that no one ever
heard of came on the show and bowed to Kevin's knowledge to make then sound
good. Unknowns at the time like Nickel Creek, Jake Shimabukuro, The Kruger
Brothers, Avett Brothers, Tommy Emmanuel, JJ Grey, and our friend Ben Sollee
who came to WoodSongs as a scrappy, excited skinny 17 year old kid whose cello
was almost as big as he was.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Wherever I was
performing around the country on Sunday I would be back in Lexington on Monday
for WoodSongs ... Kevin "Darth Fader" Johnson was always there, too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Kevin volunteered his
time, his Mondays, his heart and his wisdom to make WoodSongs grow and he was
so proud of it. For over 700 shows Kevin's booming voice could be heard in the
Kentucky Theatre and now the Lyric. His health and size didn't always allow him
to celebrate the growth of the show but when WoodSongs went to Ireland this
summer Kevin burst with pride for the one's he personally trained ... Bryan
Klausing, Brandon Eaves and Jerome "Cyber Boy" Gallt who ran the
broadcast in his place. Kevin was very proud of his friends on the WoodSongs
crew.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">I have learned over the
years that people work harder out of passion than they do payment. And Kevin
was a very passionate man. Loyal. Committed. Involved. I have also learned that
a close sister to passion is stubbornness. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Kevin was, in fact, one
of the most stubborn fellows I knew.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">But
"stubbornness" is the corner stone of "loyalty," so my
friend was one of the most honest and loyal men I knew as well.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">As a technical engineer
he was brilliant and, like many engineers, long winded and totally incapable of
a simple answer. "Kevin, can I plug this in" would be the question.
"What kind of plug? Is it grounded? Is the cable shielded? How many cycles
is the power source? Is it a clean line?" would be his response always
ending with the same comment, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">"It's not that
simple."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Well, dude, I just want
to plug the ding-dang thing in, says I.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Kevin Johnson was my
friend, my brother, musical partner. He was my chief critic, number one
nemesis, shelter-in-the-storm and most dependable companion.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">It was also a sunny
autumn day on Monday, September 30th. It was 4 in the afternoon and I arrived at
the Lyric Theatre, looking forward to seeing my big round friend walk down the
aisle. He struggled so hard with his health this past year and we talked often
about it. And after years of effort and disappointment, he was finally turning
it around. He lost nearly 150 pounds this year. He looked better. He sounded
better. His mood was tempered by the fact that he was finally feeling good.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">He did it because he
loved his son Taylor and wanted to set the right example. How proud he was of
his boy and Kevin beamed with pride when Taylor came with him to WoodSongs just
a couple Mondays ago.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bfZRlx5XcHwTBw6Zq0oodAMZ9OX1gEVN6NoXH95vhDMYp9UMyYCQMk90yfRrc7KOweb3sdqmFLh_OS54DBXLYKqpgjzKRAXdyw80YFacu3bpzRIbLY-rFtzHh9VN3l7UfE4m/s1600/KevJ-Slim.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bfZRlx5XcHwTBw6Zq0oodAMZ9OX1gEVN6NoXH95vhDMYp9UMyYCQMk90yfRrc7KOweb3sdqmFLh_OS54DBXLYKqpgjzKRAXdyw80YFacu3bpzRIbLY-rFtzHh9VN3l7UfE4m/s320/KevJ-Slim.jpeg" width="258" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">For over 732 shows Kevin
was the silent pilot behind the board allowing the world to listen to what
WoodSongs had to offer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">But on that one sunny
autumn day he didn't walk down the isle of the Lyric Theatre as expected.
Instead, I got a call from the Fire Marshal telling me that my dear friend was
gone. Kevin's big heart ended its' journey on that sunny autumn afternoon. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">To his dad Harry, his mom
Peggy and especially his son Taylor ... he loved you all so much. And in turn
you have so much to be proud of with Kevin.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Words do not come with
ease right now. The world is so much smaller than it was a few days ago and
words will not fill the silence that has fallen over everything at the moment.
This week the show he helped start and nurture since day one, Kevin's friends
and fellow crew members filled the theatre with applause in his honor ... and
the audience gave you a standing ovation. You deserved it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Emerson also wrote:
"The only way to have a friend is to be one."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">I believe life exists in
the confidence there is a tomorrow ... and in the regret that we often
miscalculate that. I hope I was as loyal and good a friend to you as you were
to me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">This is a nice autumn day
as I write this and I miss my friend. I will miss you always. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">And yes, Kevin ... it's
"that simple."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Michael Johnathon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">michael@woodsongs.com </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">friend</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>DONATIONS NEEDED: </b></span>our
friend was rich in friends but poor in material things.
Donations are needed to help pay for Kevin's funeral and, most especially, to
set up a fund for his son Taylor. <b>Can you kick in $5, $10 or more to help? </b>In
an age of dishonesty, I can understand hesitance so I am letting you all know
that I am donating $150 because I know his situation to be true. Starting
tomorrow morning please make a secure, easy donation to the <span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>KEVIN JOHNSON
MEMORIAL FUND</b></span> in person or by mail c/o Bank of Lexington, 761 Corporate
Dr. Lexington, KY 40503 or
call (859) 219-2900</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-44625019704877809642013-07-11T07:43:00.002-04:002013-07-11T19:01:07.803-04:00Toshi & Pete<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="userContent">It took me a day to reflect before I could post this. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHzrOswsDXuMSjghi4GkvvtW2JUHBU3B2IVP69MPlNe0CB3uyFKqGY88ZpnY6iFLl-as0KRFM3H7eddFmgL6QqZ8zlqIuZUGidOF3T7-4iRxPAxlFUKzrpmBo2OGdYOuo8kca/s1600/Maw0MG9B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHzrOswsDXuMSjghi4GkvvtW2JUHBU3B2IVP69MPlNe0CB3uyFKqGY88ZpnY6iFLl-as0KRFM3H7eddFmgL6QqZ8zlqIuZUGidOF3T7-4iRxPAxlFUKzrpmBo2OGdYOuo8kca/s400/Maw0MG9B.jpg" width="265" /></a><span class="userContent"><br /> Yesterday TOSHI SEEGER, wife and companion of Pete Seeger, passed away. <br /> <br />
She was at his side through every song, every trial, every book, every
project ... every log he chopped and every child he fathered <span class="text_exposed_show">...
she was there. She was an eye witness to American music history. She knew Woody Guthrie, Paul Robeson and Leadbelly. She marched with Martin Luther King. She heard Bob Dylan perform for the first time at the Newport Folk Festival and she was there when he turned electric. She sat in her kitchen cutting vegetables while Pete and some friends mused about how neat it would be to build a big wooden sloop that would sail the Hudson and bring people to its shore and help clean the river up. And while others rolled their eyes and scoffed, Toshi helped Pete organize the benefits it would take to raise the money and actually build the Clearwater.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">And she was there when it sailed for the first time.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Toshi was an artist at heart but her life with Pete turned her into a manager, organizer, visionary, motivator and champion. And she worked hard at it. She navigated the oddities of Pete's thought process and the personalities of his friends. Artists are indeed an odd lot at times. You have to be gentle and tough at the same time. Joan Baez said it best, to be married to Pete Seeger a woman would have to be a saint ... and Toshi ain't no saint :)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Even married to arguably the biggest folk icon on the planet, Toshi was a humble worker. Instead of taking her position of importance as the queen of Pete's world, Toshi would most likely be seen under a tent in the heat of summer cooking strawberry shortcake in a wood oven and serving it to folks during the Clearwater Sloop Festival.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">And there's more ... Back in the 1960's Pete had this idea that going on TV would be a good thing. After all, he was blacklisted by virtually every network. So, might as well have your own TV show. He called up a small public television station in New Jersey, got himself a couple chairs and a picnic table and started his own little series called "Rainbow Quest." He would sing a song then invite his friends like Doc Watson, Jean Ritchie and others to sit around the table, chat a bit and share some songs. <i>(Later on, I would steal the idea with Pete's blessing, add an audience of 500 people every week and called the thing "WoodSongs") </i>Surely, Pete had some far flung ideas before, but this one was different. It took virtually all their savings to pull off, they never found a sponsor and the show folded after a short time.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Through it all, Toshi supported, managed, promoted, stood by and plunged forward on behalf of her husband. Today, <i>Rainbow Quest</i> is a genuine archive of America's finest folk artists of that era. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">But don't get the wrong idea, Toshi had herself a spine of steel. I remember sitting in their home one evening in Beacon, their home
along the beloved Hudson River. In the kitchen was a big bowl full of
salad, in the air cosmic conversation and a couple of banjos being passed around. As we were leaving later that evening Pete got up and started washing the dishes. Toshi looked at him, sighed and said, "You can stop that now, they're leaving."</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">She was always blunt,
to the point. Never shy about cutting trough Pete's veneer but loyal to the bone none-the-less. I liked her. I
admired her. I wished I had someone just like that supporting me. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">When I wrote my first book, it was Toshi and Pete that did most of the content editing and fact checking. When she read something she didn't like, I surely did hear about it. I saved the manuscript with all their scribbles on it and followed all their advice. I could see then what a powerful force Pete had behind him. I could tell she was part of the history he made, a big part.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">And so I wrote
a song about her in the Woody Guthrie opera. <br /> <br /> Toshi had been sick the past few years, Pete's health surpassing hers as time rolled on. Last time I talked with Pete, we were on the phone for nearly two hours and the American Masters PBS special was brought up. I told Pete one of the things I liked abut it was the attention it gave to Toshi and how nice it was to see him doting on her. Pete called out to Toshi and said, "Michael liked the American Masters film because of how nice it reflected on you!" Toshi grabbed the phone from Pete and said, "I was just being a good wife ..." and then handed the phone back to him.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Classic Toshi.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">To place it in a single sentence, there would be no Pete Seeger had there not been a Toshi. I wonder what it is
like for Pete to lose this friend of so many years. I wonder what it is like to watch your soul mate wither with age and leave. I wonder what it's like the next morning to wake and realize she is gone, the space in the bed next to you is empty. The dress she wore, the little items she loved on the book shelf and the children who reflect her life in their eyes are without her spirit and touch. I'm sure, like any couple married for so long, they wondered about this moment. They talked about it, thought about it. Dreaded it. Wondering who would leave first and what it would be like.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">And the clock ticked, and the days rolled by and the earth spinned 'round and the moment came. And now it's done.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<i><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">"To everything, Turn, Turn Turn ... there is a season, Turn Turn Turn ..."</span></span></i><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">And such is time. Such is life.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">mj</span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-13948125689685550842013-02-21T13:04:00.002-05:002013-02-22T10:08:54.939-05:00Why the WoodSongs Partner Program, Volunteer Crew ... and “Free” works:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #ff6600;"><b><span class="font-size-5"></span></b></span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b><span class="font-size-5"><br /></span></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/gv*qWGPHihubbudu3RFII31EdA-eCi*8LyLM0B1pB06g4taTNO-doMyJm3BXOQaDEFz6JoCDSKQAOK3ruJJO*UVa1SdyEOVF/WS_Heading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_self"><img class="align-full" height="184" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/gv*qWGPHihubbudu3RFII31EdA-eCi*8LyLM0B1pB06g4taTNO-doMyJm3BXOQaDEFz6JoCDSKQAOK3ruJJO*UVa1SdyEOVF/WS_Heading.jpg?width=750" width="640" /></a></div>
I’m a musician.<br />
I make my living touring and writing. But these days,
an artist must have one hand on a guitar case and the other on a brief
case. So, I decided to write about the one business principle I knew
very well:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"> <b>The American economy wasn’t built on money ... it was built on logical barter.</b></span><br />
<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/gv*qWGPHihudgtk1rbBI*oY549zmXt8K**wvRopiCbnogD1ZTxI63yC0u5zTZWiBeDYntlyA06E2xFjF039p-HTdCw4j8Cwv/WS_Milk.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_self"><img class="align-right" height="256" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/gv*qWGPHihudgtk1rbBI*oY549zmXt8K**wvRopiCbnogD1ZTxI63yC0u5zTZWiBeDYntlyA06E2xFjF039p-HTdCw4j8Cwv/WS_Milk.jpg" width="166" /></a><br />
The music business, believe it or not, is a billion dollar global
industry based on smart, logical barter. The internet has created a
worldwide economy generating several billions of dollars based on one
simple word: Free. That word will cause the panties of most traditional,
brick-and-mortar, business minded Ayn Rand-followers to bunch into a
major economic wedgie. Here’s the truth: Barter is not free. When merged
with capitalism, barter is the most effective form of economics.
‘Free’ causes financial transactions to happen.<br />
<br />
Need examples?
Let’s look at Yahoo, AOL, Explorer, Google and Facebook. They allow,
no, they spend millions, trying to get the public to use them for free.
FREE. Why give their creation away for free?<br />
<br />
Because … drum roll, please … <b>loss makes money.</b><br />
<br />
The business model is simple: the more people they can attract to their
domain, the higher the odds are people will buy something. Whether it’s
clicking on an ad link or responding to a pop-up ad, advertisers pay
them dearly because of their audience. That's why I like Folk-Book, it's
at least honest about what is happening. Free is the new business model
of the global economy. Free works. But then it always has. <br />
<br />
Consider your grocery store: Krogers buys milk at nearly $3 per gallon
but sells it at a huge loss for $1.89. Why? If the board of directors
looked simply at the profit-and-loss of the milk shelf they would have
people fired. But they don’t because they are looking at the entire
financial picture. Everyone needs milk and low priced milk draws
customers into the store. Sure, they are losing money on milk ... but
they put the milk in the far back corner of the store forcing customers
to walk through a myriad of isles to get there. And what do they do as
they journey through the store? Fill their carts with high profit items
they didn’t realize they needed. The loss causes people to buy stuff.<br />
<br />
<b>That’s how loss makes money.</b>
Pepsi and Coke have done the same thing for decades. Anytime they have a
new product, they set up a table at Krogers and what do they do? They
give cups of it away for FREE. They call it “sampling.” Television
networks have made billions by spending millions to get you to watch
their channel … for free. <br />
<br />
And, thus, the long standing
business model of the music industry. An artist goes to a radio station
for an interview, for FREE. The radio station is handed their new CD,
for FREE. The radio station plays the song, for FREE. You tune in and
hear the song, for FREE. Why? Because, eventually, if you hear a song
for free long enough you’ll become a fan. If you’re a fan you’ll buy a
ticket to the concert and buy the ding-dang album.<br />
<br />
<b>And that’s how FREE makes money.</b> FREE is
logical barter, and it works. FREE is the most powerful business model
used to attract an audience. And where the audience goes, wallets
follow.<br />
<br />
WoodSongs was conceived, created and is broadcast as a
global, free barter with the sole purpose of attracting the biggest
audience possible. The crew works for free. I work for free. The
engineers and stage crew work for free. Local hotels put up the artists
for free. Local restaurants donate meals the day of the show. Highbridge
Spring Water sends water for free. American Recordable Media burns and
prints the CDs we send to radio for free. We give the show to WEKU and
WUKY for free. The other 500+ radio stations get the show for free.
American Forces Radio Network gets the show for free. Insight
Communications gives us use of the TV cameras for free. We send the show
to KET for free. Public television stations from coast to coast get the
TV series for free. Heck, even most of the audience comes to the show
for free.<br />
<br />
The artists, whether Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Exile,
Peter Yarrow, Judy Collins, Norah Jones, Blind Boys of Alabama, or
Emmylou Harris come for free. FREE.<br />
<br />
Any why? <b>Because WoodSongs has nearly two million listeners, that’s why.</b>
Two million wallets a week listen to the show, and a lot of them buy
the CDs of the artists on our stage. Most travel and we invite two
million people a week to come visit Lexington, Kentucky. We tell two
million people a week how beautiful the Lyric Theatre is.<br />
<br />
“Free” has huge financial value. “Free” turned Facebook into a billion
dollar company. “Free,” saves Lexington tens of thousands of dollars a
year in marketing costs and generates hundreds of thousands of dollars
in income. I’ve turned over emails and letters to the Lexington
Convention and Visitors Bureau from fans all over the world who visit
Lexington because of WoodSongs. I recently read a letter from a family
who used to watch us on PBS-TV in Oklahoma and moved to Lexington
because of it. One of our crew members, Mim King, moved to Lexington
from San Francisco because of WoodSongs.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><i><from: com="" jjwynia="" joe="" wynia=""></from:></i></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><i>Sent: Sat, Oct 27, 2012 8:57 pm</i></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><i>Subject: My life on woodsongs</i></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><i>Hi Michael,</i></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><i>I'm
at home listening to Woodsongs and I can’t believe how closely tonights
show is woven into my life: I am a native of Grand Rapids, MI. About 2
years ago I began listening to Woodsongs on Bluelake Public Radio and
just over a year ago I decided to undertake a life adventure and moved
to the beautiful city of Lexington, KY, home of</i> <i>Woodsongs and the heart of the bluegrass. Thank you so much for such terrific music to me wherever I live.</i></span> <br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: times new roman,times;">Joe Wynia</span></i>>>><br />
<br />
This business model has tremendous value to our new home, the Lyric
Theatre. That’s why they wanted WoodSongs there, that’s why they
partnered with the show … and the packed theatre on Monday nights show
it was a smart decision. This was accomplished even though the Lyric had
been struggling, unfairly, with a less than positive public perception
problem. The general public perception of the Lyric was:<br />
<br />
• it’s a “black” theatre <br />
• it’s in a bad neighborhood<br />
• it has no parking <br />
• it’s not part of downtown.<br />
<br />
The truth is the historic Lyric Theatre is a state-of-the-art,
multi-cultural community facility. The truth is the neighborhood is
wonderful, friendly, well lit and anxious to serve as a positive part of
Lexington. The truth is there is plenty of parking for our fans at the
Lyric, over 250 parking spots within a couple blocks. The truth is
downtown has grown and so, yes, the Lyric is now “downtown.”<br />
<br />
Another truth is that the Lyric wasn’t thriving as hoped. It
opened a few years ago with great promise … and has struggled since.
They had little on their schedule. It accelerated the perception that no
one was using the Lyric, no one wanted to go there, no one cared. Well,
our all-volunteer run project cares. Our audience cares.<br />
<br />
During the first few weeks of WoodSongs, we attracted over 2,500 fans
into the main hall of the Lyric Theatre. Ninety-nine percent of them
have never set foot in this beautiful hall. To a person, all have been
amazed that their perception of the Lyric was nothing like the very
positive reality it proved to be. The public loves the Lyric. This happy
and impressed audience will change the negative perceptions plaguing
this beautiful venue and help nurse it back to health. “People in the
seats” will protect the $7.5 million dollar investment the City
entrusted to rebuild this hall. Whereas: a dark stage is a surefire
recipe for disaster.<br />
<br />
Our partnership with the Lyric leans
heavily in the Lyric’s favor because, unlike WoodSongs, the theatre can
turn this relationship into cash. WoodSongs is helping make the Lyric
attractive to national and regional presenters, who will, in turn, rent
the theatre. WoodSongs is helping readjust the public perception of the
theatre so the presenters have a fair shot of attracting ticket buyers
to the shows they book.<br />
<br />
And like I said, barter is not free. It
cost our show thousands of dollars we didn’t have to move into the
Lyric, and at great risk. We had to somehow overcome the negetive public
perception of the Lyric and still get the audience to show up. We had
no guarentee this would happen. Even so, WoodSongs delivers an
advertising package to the Lyric Theatre worth well over $750,000 a
year. The Lyric gets this marketing package and our audience for free at
a time when it needs it badly. WoodSongs brings a marketing and public
relations bonanza to the Lyric they don’t have to pay for. I’m certainly
not getting paid. Neither does anyone on our amazing crew. <br />
<br />
WoodSongs is taking a dark, unused theatre on the night they are
normally closed and turning it into a goldmine for Lexington by
attracting tens of thousands of fans each year through the doors of this
beautiful concert hall. <br />
<br />
Free is good for the Lyric because
where there is an audience, there are wallets. And where there are
wallets, there are concert producers and event organizers that will fill
the Lyric’s schedule all year long. Soon, the Lyric will be the most
popular theatre in central Kentucky. I would even expect some smart
entrepreneurs to open up stores, coffee shops and cafes near the Lyric
side of downtown, taking advantage of this audience and helping downtown
grow in that direction.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/gv*qWGPHihsSim1F7TEVTJ2TETCzj-iRAWJgLkOZTE1DzobUsG9Rcsh8MGVhH8wkU8RgpTqCgituEzr-0-NBSRr3TKUR3Ca7/LyricAudience.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_self"><img class="align-center" height="265" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/gv*qWGPHihsSim1F7TEVTJ2TETCzj-iRAWJgLkOZTE1DzobUsG9Rcsh8MGVhH8wkU8RgpTqCgituEzr-0-NBSRr3TKUR3Ca7/LyricAudience.jpg?width=750" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
This is a good thing. And only by establishing an audience around the Lyric Theatre will that happen. <b><span style="color: #e69138;">Oh, sure, there’s some grumbling. Often it is from traditional business folks who see the packed theatre just convinced WoodSongs is rolling in money.
</span> They are unaware that the majority of the audience comes FREE. They are
called WoodSongs Partners and it is the smartest plan we have ever put
in place to fill our theatre on a Monday night.</b> <br />
<br />
To them I offer this: <br />
<br />
WoodSongs’ partnership with the Lyric and our WoodSongs Partners is the
ultimate “value-for-value” barter. WoodSongs is the “Rearden metal” of
downtown. Heck, even Ayn Rand would be proud. Our partnership is based
on the same model that made Facebook and Google successful. It works for
the City, the audience, the Lyric, the neighborhood, the show, the
artists, the Commonwealth and our volunteer crew. WoodSongs is uniquely
positioned to offer a partnership like this, and the Lyric is uniquely
engineered to make this partnership practical for WoodSongs. <br />
<br />
The real winner, ultimately, ends up being the City of Lexington.<br />
<br />
To be clear, if the Lyric and the City follow through on the
opportunities our audience offers, this audience will help protect the
$7.5 million dollar investment the City spent to reopen this historic,
legacy theatre. Our audience is helping make the Lyric viable and
exciting again. Our audience is proving the Lyric needs to be, deserves
to be, preserved, seen and used by the community.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><b>This is why I believe in the value of volunteers, of musicians donating a concert to a school now and then, for artists to step up and meet their audience, even if it's free. Because it works. Every artist should be willing to "sample" their songs and performances, yes even for free. These are often called "benefits" or promotional appearances. If any artist gets lost in the tiny world of "no pay, no play" they will soon lose their audience, in turn their market, in turn their living. Artists should be consumed with reaching their audience, not getting paid. Ultimately, that is the most financially rewarding market plan because, once you find your audience, you are, in fact, set for life.</b></span><br />
<br />
And stay
tuned: If WoodSongs successfully converts to high-definition television
while still at the Lyric Theatre, this formula will more than double in
value. Imagine Lexington hosting a worldwide broadcast seen in over 125
million USA TV homes across North America from the stage of the
beautiful Lyric Theatre in historic Lexington, Kentucky.<br />
<br />
And THAT would be something to sing about.<br />
<br />
Michael Johnathon<br />
folk singer – log cabin dweller<br />
michael@Folk-Book.com</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-35619021793071020702013-01-15T17:07:00.001-05:002013-01-15T17:07:03.424-05:00WOODSONGS - Lyric Theatre Parking<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Gudness Grashe-iss ...<br />
<br />
So many rumors and misconceptions abound. One of which is that the Lyric Theatre doesn't have parking. Why on earth would I move WoodSongs to a theatre if it didn't have any ding-dang parking??? lol<br />
<br />
Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away ... this was true. Before the Lyric was restored and remodeled parking was scarce. Today, over 200 cars can park in easy, close, well lit parking lots and spaces.<br />
<br />
Truthfully, the Lyric has better audience parking than the Kentucky had.<br />
<br />
Not complaining here, folks didn't mind parking in the Annex garage, travel five lights down a dark parking garage and walk a few blocks to the Kentucky Theatre. Folk do what folks will do. The Lyric is simply closer, safer and easier.<br />
<br />
Here's a map of the parking areas. Hope it's helpful!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoMO31_PNssfQ9LzwOlTxg3KYEBS8RVfO_FJEyQBxDQlTL7d36t1_x-qmo5grub0UoTui_J56GqyRUa0ICLZtLItjeNKYv4pgh8ArBrB6613VSieiczAw-Olg12Ic7EywhM-W/s1600/LyricParking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoMO31_PNssfQ9LzwOlTxg3KYEBS8RVfO_FJEyQBxDQlTL7d36t1_x-qmo5grub0UoTui_J56GqyRUa0ICLZtLItjeNKYv4pgh8ArBrB6613VSieiczAw-Olg12Ic7EywhM-W/s640/LyricParking.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-11814199835741720192013-01-10T10:28:00.002-05:002013-01-10T10:28:56.202-05:00MOTHER EARTH NEWS Article<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTNGwViII9fGBMmYyqpOfQIXyqGhYz3i41tA1GTXenSekprg3Ht3E8dqjbvKPJE7h9FIGEHIMObmWr272fLlWYv6Cu-Jwnw9Ww0hCxt7bhBZLgENLFfL_jez48bWRxSyi87TA/s1600/TableLogCabin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTNGwViII9fGBMmYyqpOfQIXyqGhYz3i41tA1GTXenSekprg3Ht3E8dqjbvKPJE7h9FIGEHIMObmWr272fLlWYv6Cu-Jwnw9Ww0hCxt7bhBZLgENLFfL_jez48bWRxSyi87TA/s320/TableLogCabin.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
MOTHER EARTH NEWS: my latest article for the magazine has been published (yes, this is a picture of my kitchen table)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/the-happy-homesteader/front-porch-winter-songs-woodstoves-your-kitchen-table.aspx">http://www.motherearthnews.com/the-happy-homesteader/front-porch-winter-songs-woodstoves-your-kitchen-table.aspx</a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-65032234648088424162013-01-08T16:30:00.003-05:002013-01-09T19:01:18.040-05:00WOODSONGS at the LYRIC - More Questions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:georgia;
panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:1661540096;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:956317906 67698711 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-text:"%1\)";
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
</style>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_PFOc2kyi4GMkPxD6Kqo6FcVmuhN-aw7yKNWtE7R9BSYc_Mlrhx_-skFW-UnAq-XmRmcZFxMkYdHpZOEQemochCdM9-TOtfJi2A-oupg9tPs6Y2Epq096km9G6bFSaQC9gwr/s1600/WS_LT_Lightingbooth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_PFOc2kyi4GMkPxD6Kqo6FcVmuhN-aw7yKNWtE7R9BSYc_Mlrhx_-skFW-UnAq-XmRmcZFxMkYdHpZOEQemochCdM9-TOtfJi2A-oupg9tPs6Y2Epq096km9G6bFSaQC9gwr/s200/WS_LT_Lightingbooth.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So much positive energy!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, the WoodSongs Crew have worked their tails off
getting the Lyric Theatre “WoodSongs-ready.” Everything from programming the
audio consoles, upgrading the lighting grid, creating the rigging for the
WoodSongs sign and curtains to hang on stage, running TV cables in the ceiling
so they aren’t on the ground around the audience, even preparing the green
rooms for the artists heading to Lexington … the Lyric Theatre in downtown
Lexington has been buzzing like a beehive with activity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"I dip my pen in the
blackest ink, </span></i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> </i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><i>because I'm not afraid of falling into my inkpot."</i> </span> </span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: georgia;">~Ralph
Waldo Emerson</span></b></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sure, changing theatres was a big risk. And a lot of work. The Lyric staff have been outstanding in their helpfulness.
Yetta Young, who opened the doors for us and has since moved to the west coast,
left us in the capable hands of Rasheedah El-Amin as well as Jack, Terry, Sim,
Maurice and Denise on the theatre staff.<br />
</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">"It's a shallow life that
doesn't </span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">give a person a few scars." </span> </span></span></i><br />
<b><span style="font-family: georgia;">~Garrison Keillor</span></b></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, with any change, there are always those pesky
rumors to deal with. Change can be wonderful … and cumbersome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, here is stuff the audience will
want to know:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>WILL THE SHOW CHANGE?</b> Nope.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>HOW MANY SEATS ARE THERE?</b> About 500, nearly 200 seats
more than the Kentucky Theatre.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>WILL WE BE ABLE TO SEE THE STAGE CLEARLY? </b>Of
course.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">d)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>IS THERE ENOUGH PARKING? </b>Plenty. The Lyric is a
wonderful theatre that has enjoyed several sold-out shows already. The audience
has easy, close, well lit parking in a lot across the street from the
entrance; another parking lot next door across Elm at the big UK Medical Offices; and scores of
close parking spots along both sides of Elm and along 3<sup>rd</sup><i> (thank you, City
of Lexington!)</i><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>IS IT SAFE?: </b></span><b> Of course it is. </b>We would never have moved the show if it wasn't. Let's talk about perceptions for a moment ... a few decades ago the neighborhood was different. Today, it is vastly improved and moving forward in a good, positive way. The Lyric has easy, free, safe, nearby parking with well light streets that, in my opinion, are even safer than what we had with the Annex Garage. For example: years ago, the north side of Lexington was not considered in a proud manner. Today it is the home of a multi-million dollar high school that hosts the incredible successful Spanish-immersion program, stores, shopping malls, cafes and more. Those who retain the perception of decades ago are losing the excitement of what is happening today. 'nuff said.<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">e)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>WILL TICKET PRICES GO UP?</b> Nope. Part
of the benefits of the Lyric Theatre is that is well help ensure the WoodSongs
Partners Program and the inexpensive public tickets to see outstanding artists
will be protected.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">f)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>HOW DOES THE LYRIC IMPROVE WOODSONGS?</b> The theatre
was remodeled with modern technology, making our conversion to hi-def TV easier
and less expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a
bigger, safer lighting grid for the crew to work with, and the audio system is
digital helping the show sound better on the air. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">g)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>DO WE STILL MAKE RESERVATIONS THE SAME WAY? </b>Yes,
just call 859-252-8888. A nice thing about the Lyric is that it also has
computerized and online ticketing so when we have special event broadcasts,
like the 700<sup>th</sup> show with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, getting tickets will
be easier and faster for the audience that want to attend.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">h)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b>WHAT IS BETTER FOR THE ARTISTS: </b>Aside from a
bigger stage to perform on, the Lyric has brand new green rooms, the place
where we <span style="font-size: small;">serve visiting artists dinner</span><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>(provided by our generous downtown restaurants) </i>and coffee before the show. There are showers, make
up mirrors and a place to safely store their gear. It makes for a more
professional, hospitable way to welcome them to Lexington.<br />
<br />
In short, the Lyric Theatre is newer, more modern, better equipped, has better lighting, nicer green rooms for the artists, it will sound better and it will help WoodSongs grow to the next level.<br />
<br />
If ... if ... you show up. lol. </div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
First show is January 21, 2013 ... come check it out.<br />
And bring the kids :)</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Only those who dare to
fail greatly</span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">can ever achieve greatly." </span> </span></i></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: georgia;">~Robert F. Kennedy</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: georgia;">mj</span><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-14288774822064006872013-01-05T17:42:00.002-05:002013-01-08T15:18:04.491-05:00WOODSONGS Move to the Lyric – FAQs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span></span></span><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
</style>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
</style>
<br />
-->
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">PART ONE</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“All great
change in America begins at the dinner table.”</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">President Ronald Reagan</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And so it was one evening
this past November, sitting in front of my fireplace at the log cabin,
contemplating the dance of the flames while easing into my rocking chair, banjo
in my lap and a little radio show on my mind, that the decision to move from our
beloved Kentucky Theatre into a new home was made.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">WoodSongs has a long,
careful, patient history of changing. The idea of moving into a new home is not
new to us. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">We started in Kevin
Johnson’s little recording studio. It was a nice, cozy little place behind a
café called Flag Fork Farm off Broadway in Lexington. It sat about 15
people in chairs, pillows and on the floor. Those 15 people seemed like a big
crowd back then. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">After a while, Kevin had to
change the location of his studio and announced the news that he was moving
into a bigger studio in Versailles. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Versailles?</i>
Really? And the place sat 75 people. … that seemed way too big for WoodSongs to
go. I wasn’t even sure 75 people even knew about the show, no less would sit in
a seat during the taping. The day came for our first show taping at the new
studio and, lo and behold, the place was packed and all 75 folding chairs where
taken up.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And they kept coming.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">About six weeks later I
decided, against the opinions of many, we needed to be back in the center of
the media market and the main population. Lexington had to be our home.
But where? How? One afternoon a friend told me that the Central Library
downtown had a nice little theatre we should look at. And so I did. It had a
good little stage … in a theatre of 125 seats. To us at that time, 125 seats
seemed like a ding-dang arena.. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You’re
crazy.” “You’re wrecking the show.” “You’re going to lose your audience …”</i>
were some of the more gentle of the opinions from friends, volunteers and
respected professionals. But still, it seemed like the right thing to do. I
simply had to trust the audience to show up.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And they did. I created the
WoodSongs Reservation Hotline and the idea that the audience should make a
reservation first before coming. The first show we taped at the Library Theatre
had all 125 seats filled up. The show began gaining other radio
affiliates. More artists began pursuing a slot on the broadcast, folks like
Rick Danko, founding member of The Band and others began making their way to
Lexington to be on WoodSongs.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The show "reserved
out" 57 weeks in a row.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Standing on stage one
Monday, looking out at the packed theatre, it occurred to me that a decision
was in place: Was this WoodSongs thing just a hobby ... or did I<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> really</i> want WoodSongs to work? With the
help of David Lord, the head of the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau
(David came to Lexington from Texas, where he was part of the team that helped
start the PBS show <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Austin City Limits</i>)
we convinced Kentucky Tourism to buy a little underwriting time with WoodSongs.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">With that little bit of seed
money, we purchased our own sound system and some recording gear, much of it
used, and moved into the Kentucky Theatre.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“If you want
to make enemies, try to change something.”</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Woodrow Wilson</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/Z_0aTxJkysw/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z_0aTxJkysw&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z_0aTxJkysw&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
</style>
-->
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Not everyone was pleased we
moved out of the Library Theatre. Many, when considering the size of the
Kentucky … 325 seats, a mammoth coliseum compared to what we were used to …
stomped their feet in horror at the idea.. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You’re
crazy.” “You’re wrecking the show.” “You’re going to lose your audience …”</i>
were some of the more gentle of the opinions from friends, volunteers and
respected professionals. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">But I trusted the audience,
and they showed up. So did Nora Jones. Sam Bush, Emmylou Harris, Blind Boys of
Alabama, Ralph Stanley, Nickel Creek, Judy Collins, Del McCoury, Chris Thile,
Kathy Mattea, Richie Havens, Tommy Emmanuel, Peter Yarrow, Brandi Carlile,
Jakob Dylan, Odetta, Neko Case, Blind Boys of Alabama, Rhonda Vincent and the
Rage, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Wanda Jackson, Billy Bragg and scores of other
artists from around the world.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The Kentucky Theatre was
WoodSongs’ home for ten years. Our all-volunteer crew learned every nook and
cranny, every nuance, every oddity and each square inch of historic beauty that
theatre had to offer. And the audience certainly loved it, filling it week
after week. Every Monday night, in a downtown theatre during dinner time and
rush hour traffic, hundreds of people would line up to get tickets to see
artists they didn't know sing songs they never heard. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Progress is a
nice word. But change is its motivator. </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And change has
its enemies.”</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Robert Kennedy</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Time has a way of ticking past a good idea. The
Kentucky Theatre served us well, but she needs some attention. WoodSongs is
growing too. It’s growing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fast. </i>It’s
like when you were in high school and you got your first little sports car to
drive around in. You loved it. But after a while you got married and started
adding a kid or two to the dinner table, and that little car that you love so
much just isn’t practical anymore. It’s time for that mini-van, folks. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">And so it was this past November, as I sat in my
rocking chair staring into the wood fire late at night, playing a simple melody
on my banjo as my mind danced with the flames in my woodstove. WoodSongs needs
to grow. This is either a hobby ... or I really, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> mean to make this work. And remember, it's not like
WoodSongs is the only project I have going on. I'm working on my next book,
next album, we released two albums including my Woody Guthrie Opera this year,
I started Folk-Book.com and working on my movie script about the life of Alice
Lloyd (check out www.CaneyCreekMovie.com) The more organized WoodSongs is, the
easier it is to run, the more fun it is.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
I believe: If you decide to do something - do it right or don't do it at all. I don't mind donating my time and working for free ... but it has to be right. I
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">have</i> to do it right because I don't
want to waste my creative energies. I cant ask the WoodSongs crew to waste
their time if we don't do it right. I can't ask multi-Grammy winners like
Victor Wooten or Nora Jones to pay their own way to Lexington and appear on the
show ... for FREE ... if we can't do the ding-dang thing right.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Doing it right is a big job. The show needs to convert
to high definition television. To do that we need a theatre with a deeper
stage, better lights, newer technology and more seats. WoodSongs would have to
become its own sponsor, in a sense, so those extra seats are important.
WoodSongs needs online ticketing and cleaner, comfortable green rooms for the
artists when they come visit.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A few blocks away from the Kentucky Theatre was the
newly restored Lyric Theatre. The Lyric has all the new technology that
WoodSongs needs to grow, to take the next step as a worldwide media force. The
Lyric has more parking for the audience, a bigger stage, digital-ready wiring,
more lights, a safer working environment for the crew and an online box office.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
On Mondays, when we tape WoodSongs, she is sitting there ... silent, dark and
empty. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I put my banjo down that night and made a note that I
placed on my wooden kitchen table that simply said, </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Things do not
change. We change.”</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Henry David Thoreau</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The next morning I called
the folks at the Lyric Theatre, who immediately welcomed the idea with great
enthusiasm and support. We met, and a couple weeks later they came to
WoodSongs final show of 2012 with Wanda Jackson and Shemeka Copeland. We met
again. It felt right to me. It felt right to them and all agreed that WoodSongs
moving into the Lyric would be win-win-win for the Lyric, for downtown, and for
the show. Members of the City Council like Ed Lane and Bill Farmer, the
WoodSongs crew, folks at KET and WEKU and WUKY absolutely supported the idea of
the Lyric becoming WoodSongs new home. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And yet, that very vocal
minority is still out there ... beating those same drums:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“You’re crazy.” “You’re wrecking the show.” “You’re going to lose your
audience …”</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Well, I figure it just means
they care, and that’s a good thing. Mostly. Passion has many colors and I
welcome its entire rainbow. But sometimes an artist must put their head down,
brace their shoulders and play straight into the firestorm. I mean, if you
don't believe in what you're doing, why on earth should anyone else?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Anyway, in the next couple
days I will post more about the Lyric, doofus rumours about the venue and
neighborhood, facts about parking, pictures of the stage and lots more.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bottom line: </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">This is an exciting time and
we want you to be part of it!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Folk on,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">MJ</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Email me: Michael@WoodSongs.com</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-9874588213212570562012-12-15T11:46:00.004-05:002012-12-18T08:36:37.342-05:00National WOODSONGS SCHOOL CONCERT Program <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhg-4NJ7L3r8yXY1m766Ak_2Lnj0sxi7mJ7dzcgcnS9Mx0qm53pdBigv5yUOr29QJGZnlieMJVcJUKod0sKdJIIeaL-btfT797BAAUP8hOXfGT7mcXC0emKlDXxLIJ_It2aCo/s1600/WS_Schools_LOGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhg-4NJ7L3r8yXY1m766Ak_2Lnj0sxi7mJ7dzcgcnS9Mx0qm53pdBigv5yUOr29QJGZnlieMJVcJUKod0sKdJIIeaL-btfT797BAAUP8hOXfGT7mcXC0emKlDXxLIJ_It2aCo/s200/WS_Schools_LOGO.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<i><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">“Peace represents a sweeter music, a cosmic melody, that is far superior to the sound of war.” </span></span></i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">- Martin Luther King, Jr.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="userContent"> </span> <br /> <span style="color: #e69138;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Over 40 children were killed or injured in two schools in one single day, one in CT and the other in China.</span></b></span><br /> <br />
Sometime the music community needs to go beyond what is normal. I want
to suggest that songwriters and musicians take the lead in bringing
their music into the schools. These kids need it. Especially now. We are
living among the first generation in h</span><span class="userContent">uman
history that receives art and music in a lifeless, non-community
two dimensional form. Kids today rarely experience real, living music. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent">I'm talking about folksingers, cello players, poets, storytellers,
bluegrass bands and more calling on a hometown school and offering to
play a 30-minute concert ... for <i>free.</i></span> Most schools work best if
you are attached to a 501-c-3 non-profit, so I am willing to "loan" anyone
mine for the project.<br />
<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
Just send an email to: <span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>radio@woodsongs.com</b></span> </span>(put <span style="color: blue;"><b>SCHOOLS</b></span> in the subject heading) and we
will send you a one-page PDF explaining how to do it, and what kind of
concerts work best. It's easy and very meaningful.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show">
</div>
<div class="text_exposed_show">
NOTE: <span class="userContent">For those a bit timid, most schools only have
time for a thirty-minute concert. That's four songs, five tops. And yes,
you are good enough.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflAuQrh2_maydoABjFl0HvJjM7J3N2lz1i9N0CIe_d23mfLoD9hfyDftGo0tJSZ5URd6YNfBTd0ruciuAg0B7zaO9PKAwYNsBDDey3c59D_ylzeC2rL2WNoTaEFFr2R2mGysw/s1600/IMG_9303004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflAuQrh2_maydoABjFl0HvJjM7J3N2lz1i9N0CIe_d23mfLoD9hfyDftGo0tJSZ5URd6YNfBTd0ruciuAg0B7zaO9PKAwYNsBDDey3c59D_ylzeC2rL2WNoTaEFFr2R2mGysw/s320/IMG_9303004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="userContent"> </span> </div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-47693412533303818792012-12-13T19:21:00.000-05:002012-12-15T19:42:09.679-05:00WoodSongs Finds New Home at the Lyric Theatre in Downtown Lexington<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
_ <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">PRESS RELEASE</span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLG_8Yj6-mkXPB2u4S1f6EiuG9zVC3iZs6RAhi-FvOgXp6-d5ZQYGP6zzYog4xtZjKXRCp6ny_bljETdIXxbSS2RIWxINkT3NSbvqC23W03kc6V9OeN_BchyphenhyphenjAnQF5JvZ_-mM/s1600/a_WS2008LOGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLG_8Yj6-mkXPB2u4S1f6EiuG9zVC3iZs6RAhi-FvOgXp6-d5ZQYGP6zzYog4xtZjKXRCp6ny_bljETdIXxbSS2RIWxINkT3NSbvqC23W03kc6V9OeN_BchyphenhyphenjAnQF5JvZ_-mM/s200/a_WS2008LOGO.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-alt:"Times New Roman";
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:auto;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Baskerville;
panose-1:2 2 5 2 7 4 1 2 3 3;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
pre
{mso-style-link:"HTML Preformatted Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Courier;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:Courier;}
tt
{font-family:Courier;
mso-ascii-font-family:Courier;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Courier;
mso-bidi-font-family:Courier;}
span.usercontent
{mso-style-name:usercontent;}
span.HTMLPreformattedChar
{mso-style-name:"HTML Preformatted Char";
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"HTML Preformatted";
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Courier;
mso-ascii-font-family:Courier;
mso-hansi-font-family:Courier;
mso-bidi-font-family:Courier;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
</style><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">(Lexington,
KY) - In what is described by all parties involved as a “win – win –win” the
worldwide broadcast of the <i>WoodSongs
Old-Time Radio Hour</i> will move from its current home of the Kentucky Theatre
to the brand new facilities of the historic Lyric Theatre <b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>& </i></span></b>Cultural Center, just a few blocks
away.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">WoodSongs
airs on 506 radio stations including WEKU, WUKY and WMMT regionally. The show
is broadcast each weekend on the American Forces Radio Network in 173 nations
and every US Naval ship at sea. As a TV series it partners with KET and Insight
Communications and is seen in millions of USA TV homes from San Diego to
Orlando. It is also broadcast
three times a week on the Bluehighways TV Network coast-to-coast, plus online.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii91y7-PnoUH41lVUCBF1rLKthPzdxzSYymhl5JeQ_lgU2Kj7U8FbXgh_W6oOlVsIE0FTnlYuG200k1WMxuSB2UUQ5y8HEU1sdmoxWs4ERinL7doy396CgvRAn_eOJCgUb35Zl/s1600/logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii91y7-PnoUH41lVUCBF1rLKthPzdxzSYymhl5JeQ_lgU2Kj7U8FbXgh_W6oOlVsIE0FTnlYuG200k1WMxuSB2UUQ5y8HEU1sdmoxWs4ERinL7doy396CgvRAn_eOJCgUb35Zl/s200/logo.jpg" width="200" /></a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">“The
Kentucky Theatre has been and still is wonderful,” says WoodSongs creator and
host Michael Johnathon. “They are preparing to undergo a major remodel, which
we support completely. That means WoodSongs would need to vacate anyway to make
room for the new construction. The broadcast normally shuts down for several
weeks this time of year so,<i> <span style="color: #b45f06;">even though this is early in the remodeling process,</span>
</i>moving to the Lyric now is the most practical for the crew and the theatre.” </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Just
a few blocks away waits the Lyric Theatre, normally closed and dark on a Monday
night.<span class="HTMLTextBody" id="TextViewer"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span class="HTMLTextBody" id="TextViewer">"Our
partnership with Woodsongs comes at an exciting time," says </span><span class="HTMLTextBody" id="TextViewer">Yetta Young, Executive Director of the Lyric Theatre. "Not only will the ‘family
and community friendly’ broadcast be a unique opportunity for the Lyric -
located in the heart of Lexington - but this partnership will also introduce a
new audience, as well as a new group of artists, to our historic,
state-of-the-art venue. Aristotle says that <i>'friendship is essentially a partnership'</i> and the
Lyric Staff and Board are looking forward to creating a long-lasting friendship
with Team Woodsongs.</span>" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">“This worked out perfect,” Johnathon continues, “because the Lyric is uniquely designed and technically
prepared for the coming high-definition TV upgrade for our show. The opportunity
is amazing. What the show does for downtown, for the music, for the artists,
for Kentucky and especially Lexington is equally amazing. Once WoodSongs
converts to hi-def TV the show will have a bigger audience than<i> A Prairie Home Companion</i> and the <i>Grand Ole Opry</i> combined.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Television has been a big part of WoodSongs worldwide audience. This summer, the all-volunteer TV crew for the show won the 2012 Telly Award for TV Broadcasting. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">"Woodsongs
has been a key part of the KET program schedule for many years now,” says Craig
Cornwell, KET Director of Programming. “The show presents an incredible array
of artists as well as shining a proud spotlight on Kentucky. As the presenting
station of Woodsongs to PBS stations around the country, we look forward to the
new possibilities this change to the Lyric Theatre brings." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Perhaps
the most amazing part of WoodSongs, which attracted thousands of people through
the doors of the Kentucky Theater to see the likes of Norah Jones, Judy
Collins, Michael Martin Murphy, Jakob Dylan, Brandi Carlile, Neko Case, Wanda
Jackson, Rhonda Vincent, Richie Havens, JD Crowe, Doyle Lawson, Blind Boys of
Alabama, John McEuen, Iris DeMent, The Avett Brothers, Joan Osborne and scores
of others, is that it is completely volunteer run. Even the artists come free
to be on the show. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
“Although we will miss the Kentucky, we
are looking forward the move,” says WoodSongs chief engineer Kevin Johnson.
“The Lyric has newer technology the show has needed for a while. The new
theatre should be less work for the crew and provide a stable technical environment
for the audience and broadcast.“</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">WoodSongs’
move to the Lyric is considered by all involved as a positive contribution to
the huge musical history of the venue. Built in the 1940s the Lyric was the
only stage in the region presenting concerts by Ray Charles, Count Basie, BB
King, Cab Calloway and many others. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">"Woodsongs will contribute to the continued renaissance of downtown Lexington's East End." says Ed Lane, 12th District Council Member. “The program will be yet another cultural option at the historic Lyric Theater</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">The Kentucky Theater has been home for WoodSongs since 2003 and has recently
launched a major fund raising campaign to install much need improvements and
upgrades. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> “They have been great and Fred Mills
deserves a community award for his dedication to the theater," adds Johnathon.
“And they’ve been patient. They’ve lost a lot of business from other presenters
who wanted to use the stage but couldn’t because WoodSongs took up so much
space.” </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">The all-volunteer run broadcast operates on a delicately crafted business model
that depends on community involvement. The show is supported by the Lexington
Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Bluegrass Hospitality Association and
area hotels, Insight Communications and KET, local restaurants that donate
dinners for the artists the day of the broadcast, Highbridge Spring Water,
QX.net, and American Recordable Media. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">In exchange for that support, WoodSongs sings the praises of Lexington and the
Commonwealth worldwide. Literally. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">“We are delighted Woodsongs has found a new home at the historic Lyric Theater,”
said Jim Browder, president of the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“The Lyric is a wonderful venue with a great tradition in downtown Lexington.
We commend Woodsongs for its commitment to downtown and for all it does to
showcase Lexington to an international audience.” </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">WoodSongs
kicks off at the Lyric Theatre on Monday, January 7 with multi-award winning musician Victor Wooten (of
Bela Fleck and the Fleckstones.) Fans of the show can expect artists like Big
Bad Voodoo Daddy, Crystal Gayle, Mike Scott and the Waterboys and many others
to grace the stage of the Lyric in 2013, including the celebration of WoodSongs
700<sup>th</sup> broadcast.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">The
audience needs to be seated by 6:45 and there is plenty of free parking
alongside the Lyric Theater. The shows reservation hotline remains
859-252-8888. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">The
<i>Troubadour Concert Series</i>, also
created and produced by Johnathon, celebrates 20 years at the Kentucky Theatre
on January 31 with a concert by Grammy winner Shawn Colvin. Since Troubadour
events are booked on a concert-by-concert basis, plans are to continue programs
at the Kentucky Theatre until remodeling actually begins.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">Details
will be posted online at <a href="http://www.lexingtonlyric.com/">www.<b>lexingtonlyric</b>.com</a><cite> and</cite> <a href="http://www.woodsongs.com/">www.WoodSongs.com</a> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">The
Lyric Theatre is located in downtown Lexington at 300 E Third St. Readers
wishing to donate to the <span class="usercontent">Kentucky Theatre's renovation
fund can visit </span><a href="http://www.kentuckytheater.com/">www.KentuckyTheater.com</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span class="usercontent" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;">END</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIl0gO2X4uCUoCGwlB4BV9ZwW6PEeqxKXvzgqfiZplqqqh3b_Ju4Oj-BYyg_pYG6rqeZfjtp7tlsGlRKt9lo8c_sKy_SFpCPvUdL0t9-6GqJhOb0AcFJcdrW7-2OojpVP5muQ/s1600/WS_BHtvWEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIl0gO2X4uCUoCGwlB4BV9ZwW6PEeqxKXvzgqfiZplqqqh3b_Ju4Oj-BYyg_pYG6rqeZfjtp7tlsGlRKt9lo8c_sKy_SFpCPvUdL0t9-6GqJhOb0AcFJcdrW7-2OojpVP5muQ/s640/WS_BHtvWEB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"> </span></span><span class="usercontent"></span><span class="usercontent"> </span>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">MEDIA SERVICE, HI-RES <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PICS, or to</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Interview MICHAEL JOHNATHON</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">CONTACT: Toni Melton</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">859-255-5700, </span><a href="mailto:radio@woodsongs.com"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">radio@woodsongs.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16803483.post-33179852548806195312012-02-16T05:43:00.004-05:002012-02-16T06:02:56.260-05:00February 23, 1940 ... History on a Note Pad<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctgEwTlLVrieViAe9mfLYR_mtFJzqinv_dKvqELIhs44Z9dn5DSxhRfcWS6XkQp6Kfd2nHNgNAcsLPdoQkCzwVj8ToDe7Bj7LBdSy577SoeB-x95o73W4YGlVxaYqceqSEUGu/s1600/WoodyCDweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctgEwTlLVrieViAe9mfLYR_mtFJzqinv_dKvqELIhs44Z9dn5DSxhRfcWS6XkQp6Kfd2nHNgNAcsLPdoQkCzwVj8ToDe7Bj7LBdSy577SoeB-x95o73W4YGlVxaYqceqSEUGu/s320/WoodyCDweb.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
It was a cold, winter day in early 1940.<br />
<br />
It was February 23, and a songwriter hunkered down in his small New York City apartment, grateful to be home, sitting in front of a small heater by his window with his lyric pad and guitar in his lap, finishing the lyrics to a new song.<br />
<br />
The young folksinger had just returned home from a job in the Pacific northwest writing a batch of songs for a documentary about the Grand Coulee Dam. He made his way south to Texas for a visit with his estranged wife and children, where he decided to divorce and leave them for good.<br />
<br />
As he made his way back to his apartment in Greenwich Village in New York City and his new girlfriend, he ran out of money. First he sold his guitar. Then, finally, he sold his car and began hitch hiking. <br />
<br />
He made his way as far as Pittsburgh and got caught in a cold, icy snowstorm. The winds blew right through him as he walked along the highway, hoping for a ride. Soon, the freezing cold overtook him, his body temperature began dropping and he started to feel faint.<br />
<br />
A Pennsylvania Ranger happened along and found the songwriter suffering from hypothermia, gave him a ride to his home where he fed him a bowl of hot clam soup and gave him money for a bus ticket home.<br />
<br />
This generosity had a profound affect on the young songwriter. He considered the beauty of the roads and country he just traveled, the ribbon of a highway he just hitched rides on to make his way home. America was at war. A global economic meltdown crippled economies world wide. Influenza was killing millions and Hitler was killing more millions in Europe. A massive climatic change sent hundreds of thousands of families fleeing the dust bowls of the mid-west to California, seeking jobs promised but never realized. And yet the people, the families of this land, were still to kind and passionate for each other. Their dignity superseded the troubles they faced.<br />
<br />
On the radio was song written by Irving Berlin called “God Bless America” which offended and angered the troubled singer. He felt the Berlin song made light of the true spirit, integrity and love of the average person. He felt people needed a song that reflected their true goodness and love for home. As he made his way home on the bus, the ticket provided for him by the kindness of the Pennsylvania Ranger, he began writing the words to a song in retaliation to Irvin Berlin’s tune.<br />
<br />
His song would be called “God Blessed America for You and Me” but his friend, a banjo player and fellow communist and folksinger, didn’t like it. <br />
<br />
So he changed the title. <br />
<br />
And on February 23, 1940, Woody Guthrie completed the lyrics to “This Land Is Your Land.”<br />
<br />
___<br />
<br />
This is the setting for the Woody Guthrie opera, called <i>Woody: For the People.</i> The first arias of act one have been recorded with a full orchestra and fine opera singers and released to radio. I had promised someone I would give them an opera as a gift ... and within a few months of that promise, I managed to actually do it. You can find more information about the project, hear the arias, even pick up a copy of the brand new CD at www.WoodyGuthrieOpera.com<br />
<br />
Click on the YouTube window below to hear the opening Overture and the first aria, <i>Pennsylvania Road.</i> The graphics will tell the storty of the opera.<br />
<br />
If you love Woody, love opera and would like to sponsor this project on public television and have it shown in schools across north America ... email me at Michael@woodsongs.com<br />
<br />
Michael<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DAaKDj2-VxI" width="560"></iframe></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">
Also visit our main website at
http://www.woodsongs.com</div>Michael Johnathonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360176267704585180noreply@blogger.com4