Keeping company on a beautiful day, playing India Arie's IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY with some of the best company I know.
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Saturday, July 9, 2011
You are. . .
. . . the company you keep.
Keeping company on a beautiful day, playing India Arie's IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY with some of the best company I know.
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ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak
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Keeping company on a beautiful day, playing India Arie's IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY with some of the best company I know.
download your
very own copy of
ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak
Please Visit
http://www.rayjozwiak.com
Tweet
Friday, July 8, 2011
There was a time. . .
. . . when I had hoped to be a journalist.
That's right, a journalist. Possibly writing for a newspaper or magazine or another media outlet of some iteration. Of course, fate would not have it and I am what I am. My awareness of, and level of emotional involvement in, certain social and political issues, has changed (read increased) with the years. Like my journalism professor in college, and many bright and better-read peers of mine who criticized the media (which has evolved drastically since then) for various transgressions of which I, at the time, gave very little thought, I now see, more clearly every day, how the media, primarily the news media, fail us each and every day.
Take, for example, my 'beloved' Baltimore Sun, who printed these little gems the other day following violence at the Baltimore Inner Harbor 4th of July celebration. . .
"Child shot at harbor says he would punch gunman in the face
Police still seeking person who fired random shot after fireworks
A stick-on bandage is the only thing covering Kavin Benson's dime-size bullet wound.
It hasn't stopped the rambunctious 4-year-old, who was shot moments after the July 4 fireworks ended at the Inner Harbor, from dancing, jumping and climbing all over his family's Brooklyn apartment. And it hasn't stopped the child, sporting a red T-shirt and Dr. Seuss shoes, from seeking revenge. . ."
and. . .
"Calo, of Opelika, Ala., got into a shoving match with a group of men, Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III said Tuesday. Calo "re-engaged" the suspect later and was stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle, he said.
"He was a really good father, and we miss him," Reilly said. "There's a little girl that's going to grow up without a father because someone felt the need to be big and tough and use a deadly weapon instead of his fists like a real man."'
No doubt the latter is a tragedy, the former an unsettling coincidence. And whoever thought shooting a firearm in a crowd of thousands in celebration of Independence Day was a good idea could certainly use some education and possibly rehabilitation. But what bothers me are the 'revenge' statements (I'm not so sure the kid wouldn't use a firearm for THAT if he could get his hands on one [too many Mel Gibson movies?]) and the "instead of [using] his fists like a real man" quote, after all (pertaining to the latter) the victim did "re-engage" the suspect after the initial 'shoving' encounter.
I take four lessons from these 4th of July tragedies:
** LET'S BE CIVIL
Some people are dumber than others. Revenge won't make them smart. In fact, calling for revenge in such a case places
us on a comparable level with the perpretrator.
** DON'T RE-ENGAGE
This act is the non-vehicular equivalent of Road-Rage. Let it go, man. And there's no need to fight "like a man" or
a woman or a child for that matter.
** DON'T READ THE NEWSPAPER
Or at least don't let it scare you unnecessarily. The Baltimore Sun claims now that Baltimore isn't as dangerous as some
people perceive it to be, but they are your outlet of choice to read about every crime, no matter how small, petty or
'inbred' , in order to make you think that 'this could happen to you.'
** LET'S PLAY SOME MUSIC. . .
download your
very own copy of
ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak
Please Visit
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That's right, a journalist. Possibly writing for a newspaper or magazine or another media outlet of some iteration. Of course, fate would not have it and I am what I am. My awareness of, and level of emotional involvement in, certain social and political issues, has changed (read increased) with the years. Like my journalism professor in college, and many bright and better-read peers of mine who criticized the media (which has evolved drastically since then) for various transgressions of which I, at the time, gave very little thought, I now see, more clearly every day, how the media, primarily the news media, fail us each and every day.
Take, for example, my 'beloved' Baltimore Sun, who printed these little gems the other day following violence at the Baltimore Inner Harbor 4th of July celebration. . .
"Child shot at harbor says he would punch gunman in the face
Police still seeking person who fired random shot after fireworks
A stick-on bandage is the only thing covering Kavin Benson's dime-size bullet wound.
It hasn't stopped the rambunctious 4-year-old, who was shot moments after the July 4 fireworks ended at the Inner Harbor, from dancing, jumping and climbing all over his family's Brooklyn apartment. And it hasn't stopped the child, sporting a red T-shirt and Dr. Seuss shoes, from seeking revenge. . ."
and. . .
"Calo, of Opelika, Ala., got into a shoving match with a group of men, Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III said Tuesday. Calo "re-engaged" the suspect later and was stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle, he said.
"He was a really good father, and we miss him," Reilly said. "There's a little girl that's going to grow up without a father because someone felt the need to be big and tough and use a deadly weapon instead of his fists like a real man."'
No doubt the latter is a tragedy, the former an unsettling coincidence. And whoever thought shooting a firearm in a crowd of thousands in celebration of Independence Day was a good idea could certainly use some education and possibly rehabilitation. But what bothers me are the 'revenge' statements (I'm not so sure the kid wouldn't use a firearm for THAT if he could get his hands on one [too many Mel Gibson movies?]) and the "instead of [using] his fists like a real man" quote, after all (pertaining to the latter) the victim did "re-engage" the suspect after the initial 'shoving' encounter.
I take four lessons from these 4th of July tragedies:
** LET'S BE CIVIL
Some people are dumber than others. Revenge won't make them smart. In fact, calling for revenge in such a case places
us on a comparable level with the perpretrator.
** DON'T RE-ENGAGE
This act is the non-vehicular equivalent of Road-Rage. Let it go, man. And there's no need to fight "like a man" or
a woman or a child for that matter.
** DON'T READ THE NEWSPAPER
Or at least don't let it scare you unnecessarily. The Baltimore Sun claims now that Baltimore isn't as dangerous as some
people perceive it to be, but they are your outlet of choice to read about every crime, no matter how small, petty or
'inbred' , in order to make you think that 'this could happen to you.'
** LET'S PLAY SOME MUSIC. . .
download your
very own copy of
ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak
Please Visit
http://www.rayjozwiak.com
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Thursday, July 7, 2011
It's magic. . .
. . . when the music takes you directly, authentically and effortlessly AWAY.
A haunting, angelic voice capable of moving you to tears with a whisper before whisking you away to a smokey bar amid screams and shouts. And a band that fills in every gap with breathtaking color and nutritionally and emotionally satisfying musical sustenance while providing freight-train unstoppable rhythm and heavenly ambience.
I actually witnessed this in action last night. Music is, without a doubt, MAGIC. These magicians demonstrated their expertise and then some. . .
download your
very own copy of
ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak
Please Visit
http://www.rayjozwiak.com
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A haunting, angelic voice capable of moving you to tears with a whisper before whisking you away to a smokey bar amid screams and shouts. And a band that fills in every gap with breathtaking color and nutritionally and emotionally satisfying musical sustenance while providing freight-train unstoppable rhythm and heavenly ambience.
I actually witnessed this in action last night. Music is, without a doubt, MAGIC. These magicians demonstrated their expertise and then some. . .
download your
very own copy of
ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak
Please Visit
http://www.rayjozwiak.com
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Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Gumbo, of sorts. . .
Anyone who was into popular music in the 1970s is aware of the groups, bands and artists who were affected by country and/or southern influences: the Eagles; Poco; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Sacco and Vanzetti-as the Wonderful WINO DJ played by George Carlin would say), the Band; the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; the Amazing Rhythm Aces; the Charlie Daniels Band; Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show and many others. Funny, I can now appreciate much of the music by all these bands, but like the early jazz critics who said that what Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie were playing was NOISE, I was a country purist. I loved my Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Roy Clark, George Jones, Tammy Wynette and Johnny Cash unadulterated. I didn't want any 'rock' mixed in with my pure, precious country music. Of course, country influenced rock, Cajun funk and swamp was into country, rock was into New Orleans. . . well you get the picture. And although maybe I just wasn't sophisticated enough to 'get it' at the time, I sure do get it now. And I love it.
download your
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ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak
Please Visit
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download your
very own copy of
ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak
Please Visit
http://www.rayjozwiak.com
Tweet
The roar of the crowd. . .
My friend Joe, he of the red American flyer 26-inch bicycle (it was more an extension of his being than a mere bicycle) and I played electric guitar and accordion arrangements of songs by Peter, Paul and Mary, Buck Owens, Buddy Holly (yes, Buddy Holly's music was in there too), and a number of other 'fake book' songs. Our repertoire included Pack Up Your Sorrows, The King of Names, On a Desert Island, I'm In Love With A Big Blue Frog, Sam's Place, Buckaroo, Tall Dark Stranger, Love's Gonna Live Here, My Heart Skips a Beat, I've Got A Tiger By The Tail, Black Texas Dirt, Baby Elephant Walk, Tijuana Taxi, Spanish Flea, Third Man Theme, Zorba The Greek, Solitary Man and Love Is Strange.
We even entered a 'talent show', which I don't recall was actually a competition or simply a variety show, organized by our local Catholic church, to which we both belonged by benefit of our families. And since I don't remember that, I certainly don't remember whether or not we won anything. But it didn't matter. We got to play the music we loved in front of an appreciative crowd. It doesn't get any better than that.
download your
very own copy of
ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak
Please Visit
http://www.rayjozwiak.com
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We even entered a 'talent show', which I don't recall was actually a competition or simply a variety show, organized by our local Catholic church, to which we both belonged by benefit of our families. And since I don't remember that, I certainly don't remember whether or not we won anything. But it didn't matter. We got to play the music we loved in front of an appreciative crowd. It doesn't get any better than that.
download your
very own copy of
ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak
Please Visit
http://www.rayjozwiak.com
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Sunday, July 3, 2011
Don't take your guns. . .
. . . to space
You were always a crack-shot. You were always the ace. Someone called you a crackpot. Said it right to your face. It was not the effrontery that made you react; the assault or the violation of rights. In this wonderful country, you and I live today. And we value the freedom that allows us to say, though the founders had principles (this can't be denied), nothing's frozen in time but history. Who can really sing 'bout what the future brings? Take the next shuttle, go off to your condo on Mars. Don't take your guns to space. They've done sufficient damage to this place. Don't take your guns to space.
It's a volatile topic I'm addressing today. But I fear to ignore it leaves for us hell to pay. All the hunters and gatherers kick up such a stink. Where this path's gonna lead they dare not think. We continue to venture into places unknown. All this knowledge and progress takes us so far from home. Many say that you must accept the good with the bad. Seems to me that experience would show some things from the past just don't deserve to last. Take that next step and leave all useless baggage behind. Don't take your guns to space. They've done sufficient damage to this place. Don't take your guns to space.
Our sophistication in the arts and sciences can't be denied. Still we choose our tribal ways when there's fear and uncertainty and we can't hide. It's true and tried.
But you still fail to grasp it, like some new cosmic star. Using force laced with habit, you're resisting so hard. You say you got the word from some king high on his throne. But mysteriously each word he speaks in that kingly tone, mighty but all alone, uncannily somehow sounds just like all of your own. Don't take your guns to space. They've done sufficient damage to this place. Don't take your guns to space.
SPACE
©2007 Raymond M. Jozwiak
SHORT SPACE
©2011 Raymond M. Jozwiak
download your
very own copy of
ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak
Please Visit
http://www.rayjozwiak.com
Tweet
You were always a crack-shot. You were always the ace. Someone called you a crackpot. Said it right to your face. It was not the effrontery that made you react; the assault or the violation of rights. In this wonderful country, you and I live today. And we value the freedom that allows us to say, though the founders had principles (this can't be denied), nothing's frozen in time but history. Who can really sing 'bout what the future brings? Take the next shuttle, go off to your condo on Mars. Don't take your guns to space. They've done sufficient damage to this place. Don't take your guns to space.
It's a volatile topic I'm addressing today. But I fear to ignore it leaves for us hell to pay. All the hunters and gatherers kick up such a stink. Where this path's gonna lead they dare not think. We continue to venture into places unknown. All this knowledge and progress takes us so far from home. Many say that you must accept the good with the bad. Seems to me that experience would show some things from the past just don't deserve to last. Take that next step and leave all useless baggage behind. Don't take your guns to space. They've done sufficient damage to this place. Don't take your guns to space.
Our sophistication in the arts and sciences can't be denied. Still we choose our tribal ways when there's fear and uncertainty and we can't hide. It's true and tried.
But you still fail to grasp it, like some new cosmic star. Using force laced with habit, you're resisting so hard. You say you got the word from some king high on his throne. But mysteriously each word he speaks in that kingly tone, mighty but all alone, uncannily somehow sounds just like all of your own. Don't take your guns to space. They've done sufficient damage to this place. Don't take your guns to space.
SPACE
©2007 Raymond M. Jozwiak
SHORT SPACE
©2011 Raymond M. Jozwiak
download your
very own copy of
ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak
Please Visit
http://www.rayjozwiak.com
Tweet
Baby. . .
. . . CD Baby.com, that is.
For anyone who wants to accomplish anything in the music business, the name 'CD Baby' is one you show get to know, if you don't already. CDBaby.com is the easy, simple, thorough, professional, inexpensive way to market your recordings. You pay one, reasonable, upfront fee, send your music, provide all the album/artist details and they do the rest.
This is NOT a commercial. I do NOT work for CD Baby. I receive no compensation, discount or promotion for saying any of these things. This IS my blog though. And my intent is to discuss music and many of the other things that I perceive as related to music. So I am just stating what I have found to be, through my experience, FACTS.
From Wikipedia, "CD Baby began with its founder, Derek Sivers in Woodstock, New York.[when?] Sivers was a musician and scion of a wealthy real estate family, who created the website to sell his own music. As a hobby, he also began to sell the CDs of local bands and friends. He chose to make CD Baby a "utopian" online store for independent musicians. To do this, Sivers followed four main principles based on his personal preferences:
**The musician will be paid every week
**The musician will get the full name and address of everyone who purchases their music (unless they opt out)
**The musician will never be removed from the system for not selling enough
**The site will never accept advertising or paid-placement
In addition, Sivers made sure to listen to every CD he sold (currently several people are employed to do this). The operation was run mainly in Sivers' bedroom.
Sivers, eventually hired John Steup as his vice president and first employee. In an interview, Sivers recalls saying to Steup: "This thing might get huge one day. I mean, we might have 100 artists here." Steadily, CD Baby grew as more artists wanted to sell their music through the website. Sivers and his employees always dealt with the artists directly.
In August 2008 it was announced that Disc Makers, a CD and DVD manufacturer, bought CD Baby (and Host Baby) for 22 million dollars following a 7-year partnership between the two companies, according to Sivers."
This is the guy who started it. I'd like to be just like him when I grow up. (He's actually quite a bit younger than me.)
Cheers to you, Derek.
download your
very own copy of
ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak
Please Visit
http://www.rayjozwiak.com
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For anyone who wants to accomplish anything in the music business, the name 'CD Baby' is one you show get to know, if you don't already. CDBaby.com is the easy, simple, thorough, professional, inexpensive way to market your recordings. You pay one, reasonable, upfront fee, send your music, provide all the album/artist details and they do the rest.
This is NOT a commercial. I do NOT work for CD Baby. I receive no compensation, discount or promotion for saying any of these things. This IS my blog though. And my intent is to discuss music and many of the other things that I perceive as related to music. So I am just stating what I have found to be, through my experience, FACTS.
From Wikipedia, "CD Baby began with its founder, Derek Sivers in Woodstock, New York.[when?] Sivers was a musician and scion of a wealthy real estate family, who created the website to sell his own music. As a hobby, he also began to sell the CDs of local bands and friends. He chose to make CD Baby a "utopian" online store for independent musicians. To do this, Sivers followed four main principles based on his personal preferences:
**The musician will be paid every week
**The musician will get the full name and address of everyone who purchases their music (unless they opt out)
**The musician will never be removed from the system for not selling enough
**The site will never accept advertising or paid-placement
In addition, Sivers made sure to listen to every CD he sold (currently several people are employed to do this). The operation was run mainly in Sivers' bedroom.
Sivers, eventually hired John Steup as his vice president and first employee. In an interview, Sivers recalls saying to Steup: "This thing might get huge one day. I mean, we might have 100 artists here." Steadily, CD Baby grew as more artists wanted to sell their music through the website. Sivers and his employees always dealt with the artists directly.
In August 2008 it was announced that Disc Makers, a CD and DVD manufacturer, bought CD Baby (and Host Baby) for 22 million dollars following a 7-year partnership between the two companies, according to Sivers."
This is the guy who started it. I'd like to be just like him when I grow up. (He's actually quite a bit younger than me.)
I miss the mob from Derek Sivers on Vimeo.
Cheers to you, Derek.
download your
very own copy of
ANOTHER SHOT
by Ray Jozwiak
Please Visit
http://www.rayjozwiak.com
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