My friend David. . .

. . . introduced me to what later became one of my major musical influences way back in the seventh grade. Our little, urban Catholic elementary school was, I'm sure, like most others. When we were young, many of our parents' generation (of the Catholic persuasion) had horror stories about 'discipline' in Catholic schools involving everything but water-boarding. To this day I'm not sure if these graphic stories were concocted merely to frighten us or if they actually were, in fact, true. Irrespective of the veracity of those tales, we (happily) never experienced the 'extreme' version of discipline on our school. I don't even remember a teacher (nun, priest or 'civilian') laying a hand on a student in my eight year Catholic education.

But back to David. Sister Mary Agnes just happened to have a Magnus organ in her classroom. (You can read about this magnificent instrument HERE) David had been playing this arpeggiated pattern on the Magnus during lunch period on a rainy day when we could not indulge in the usual dodge-ball game outside, which sounded like Bach (or Beethoven- not that I would have known the difference way back then); a sophisticated yet complex and compelling combination of broken chords. I insisted that David teach the pattern to me, which he did. I'd like to say that I clearly remember mastering the entire little song on the spot, but that would be a LIE. But I do know that I did learn it. David told me that it was called "Colour My World" by Chicago (now shortened from Chicago Transit Authority). I investigated the music of this wonderful, new (it was about 1971-2, so they may have been around for about 5 years by that time) rock band. And I can still say that Chicago (1968 - 1974) is most certainly one of my favorite rock (now 'historical' rock, I guess) bands and without a doubt, one whose music had a profound influence on my musical development.



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Doug Alan Wilcox with Ray Jozwiak, Frederick Coffee Company, June 11 @ 8PM

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I Am I Firm Believer. . .

. . in forgiving. . . holding no grudge. . . showing mercy, tolerance, empathy etc. . .

But is it my imagination or does it seem that our public servants are becoming more and more depraved? Take the case of the recently discovered (and more recently admitted) and aptly named Anthony WEINER, for example.

Of course our professional legislators and executives are only human beings, and most folks know that FDR had extramarital relations. And don't forget John Kennedy, who may be the Julio Iglesias of politicians - but that is unverifiable by this writer and neither here nor there all the same. But ever since Bill (S.E.G.) Clinton faced a grand jury and said, ""It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is. If the--if he--if 'is' means is and never has been, that is not--that is one thing. If it means there is none, that was a completely true statement....Now, if someone had asked me on that day, are you having any kind of sexual relations with Ms. Lewinsky, that is, asked me a question in the present tense, I would have said no. And it would have been completely true." Granted, the Republican accusers were merciless in their glee in catching old Bill in the act (so to speak). But nevertheless, would you really want to buy a used car from a guy like Clinton, let alone let him run your country?

Well, that's now ancient history. But you know, the above printed quote from the former president sounds uncannily and unsettlingly like a female candidate (non-candidate?) of the opposite party, for president currently in it's sentence structure, thoughtfulness, sincerity and articulation of clear,
concise
thought. . .




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Doug Alan Wilcox with Ray Jozwiak, Frederick Coffee Company, June 11 @ 8PM

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A Clown

From Andrew Sullivan, The Dish. . .

". . .Even Chris Wallace cannot help laughing at this preposterous grifter. But creepier still is the fact that her cult followers responded to this perfectly predictable gaffe by trying to edit the Wikipedia entry on Revere to align it with Palin's ramblings about his "warning the British" that ... oh, let's not even bother.

Check out this surreal Wiki page in which the cultists are trying to insist that Revere did indeed warn the British, and use Palin's own quote as a source! I love this succinct response from a Wiki editor:

In the article on Paul Revere, someone has added false information in an effort to support Sarah Palin's FALSE claims about Paul Revere. "Accounts differ regarding the method of alerting the colonists; the generally accepted position is that the warnings were verbal in nature, although one disputed account suggested that Revere rang bells during his ride.[8][9]" This must be removed as it is a LIE designed to mislead. dj

One of the most pernicious and dangerous features of Palin is her clinical refusal to understand reality, to accept error, to acknowledge when the facts she has cited are not actually facts, but delusions. And her vanity and pathologies are so deep she will insist that black is white until her minions actually find a source to prove it. . . "

I hope her infatuated fans can eventually identify the lack of gravity possessed by this clown and rightly conclude that her talents lie more is self-promotion and entertainment than in government.







Visit Doug Alan Wilcox's Website
Doug Alan Wilcox with Ray Jozwiak, Frederick Coffee Company, June 11 @ 8PM

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The soundtrack. . .

With the discomfort of adolescence came confusion not only about my development as a person but about music. But with my musical confusion also came a wonderful period of listening, learning and enjoyment. Seems that for some, music is merely background; incidental, if you will. For others, such as myself, music is the soundtrack to life. An old friend of mine once said that Jethro Tull's TO CRY YOU A SONG 'got him through' high school. I knew exactly what he meant. A plethora of music got me through grade, middle, high school, college, marriage, children and the deaths of various friends and family members. Music is so much more to me than mere background. And music still 'gets me through' everything I do. I wouldn't have it any other way.





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You don't know Jack. . .

. . . but you should know Doug.

Doug Alan Wilcox, the Hagerstown (formerly Frederick) singer/songwriter/bard/guitarist/entertainer/excellent human being who offers his melodic musical compositions to you via live performance and cds. . . his newest of which is called WHAT I MEANT TO SAY. And you can hear it on his website by clicking on the hyperlink below.

Not only is Doug the creative musician par excellence, he is a board member of the Frederick Acoustic Music Enterprise promoting local original music and musicians.



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Doug Alan Wilcox with Ray Jozwiak, Frederick Coffee Company, June 11 @ 8PM


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Blood Brother

Barrooms sure have a funny way of bringing loyalty out in a man. Buy a drink and tell a joke and buddy, you've got you a friend.
But keep a good eye upon that friend because he really doesn't give two hoots. And don't say anything about his Mom, his girlfriend or his army boots. I'll be your Blood Brother, by your side through thick and thin. I'll be your Blood brother, just as long as I don't have to bloody my hands.

Walked into an automoshowroom. I need some wheels but got no money to spend. When a guy with an ugly tie walks out and acts like he's my long lost friend. I said hey buddy I've a purpose here. And if you please I will accomplish my goal. And don't you slap me on the back again. 'Cause if you do I might just lose my control. I'll be your Blood Brother, by your side through thick and thin. I'll be your Blood brother, just as long as I don't have to bloody my hands.

So please be careful when you meet someone who'll make a promise at the drop of a hat. And don't provide them with encouragement. You will regret the day you offered them that. 'Cause everybody has some empathy. But just how willing and how far will they go to really help you when the chips are down. Can they be trusted half as far as you throw them? I'll be your Blood Brother, by your side through thick and thin. I'll be your Blood brother, just as long as I don't have to bloody my hands.

©1994 Raymond M. Jozwiak




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But there's more. . .

. . . more what, you ask???

Much of my leisure time during my adolescent years was spent absorbed in music. Like the copier company in the Baltimore area with the humorous commercials, 'I lived and breathed the stuff.' And since my adolescent years were particularly uncomfortable, not only was music a distraction from school, uncomfortable social situations and my lack of self confidence, it also provided comfort. It was good therapy. And in more ways than one. While I was busy practicing, listening, transcribing and learning, I was absorbing theoretical concepts without consciously realizing it. Many Saturday evenings, when my contemporaries were 'out and about' exploring more prurient interests or logging invaluable experience with (as Zappa called them) 'the opposite camp', I was in front of a black and white television set showing Mary Tyler Moore with a sheet of manuscript paper in front of me, composing or transcribing my own solos or some Art Van Damme or Charles Magnante piece.





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