Memorial Day rituals + community

Memorial Day is about remembering, it's about those who lost their lives in conflict and wars in the name of our freedom.  And yes it's about parades and gatherings, recitals, and picnics.

Who cares about the weather, and how wet and cold it is this year.  Because we get a chance to have our gatherings.  We get a chance to live among the living. We get to sing our Blues live and real.

My mantra is enjoy the BBQ with humble pie front and center.

This Memorial Day I remember and I celebrate for all those departed and those who are lost.  For those who dedicated for a purpose that they might never understand yet live with the consequences. Physically and emotionally.

Memorial Day. I'll be upstate at a lovely rural community gathering with a visit by the VFW, listening to the Governor's Proclamation and bowing my head in silence. Later I'll celebrate with friends.

Hope you have a wonderful day. Remembering.

Here's a pic of me and the Blues guys performing on Saturday, having been moved inside due to inclement weather. Taken by Fran Heaney:

Kurt, Richard, Kevin, me and Pete

with thanks to Joe Heller

Live on NH public radio

Today I enjoyed a live interview with Virginia Prescott host of New Hampshire public radio's program Word Of Mouth.  I'm excited that she discoved my Inspiration Project and wanted to chat with me about it.

Virginia is a strong believer in empowering local voices to create informed communities.  That's what my project is all about. It was fun to hear the excerpts she chose of some of the voices of the people I meet that share what inspires them.

Here's a link to the interview.  And a screenshot I took from the NHPR website.

Sun 7pm live broadcast concert

A chance to see me perform on a stage (that isn't concrete + has subway sounds filling the space!), a fun rare event. Please join me Sunday May 19th at 7pm for a live audio video recording in NYC at Arlene's Grocery on Stanton St. It's free!  Even if you can't attend it will be streamed live.

  Link to live broadcast: 

www.livestream.com/arlenesgrocery *7pm day of show

Annual Music Under NY 2013 auditions

Music Under New York the program that supports live music in the subway and train stations of NYC holds it's annual auditions tomorrow, Monday May 13th from 9:00am-3:30pm.  It is a truly unique NYC experience not to be missed.  Where else can you see performers, musicians vocalists, rappers auditioning for the coveted MUNY banner and prestige of being scheduled to perform in some of the best performance locations found in public spaces?

Held in the iconic Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal commuters will get a glimpse of some of the most interesting and talented artists selected from 100's of applications.  A panel of professionals, within the music industry, cultural institutions, station operations and fellow musicians, judge each of the performances based on the criteria of quality, variety and appropriateness for the mass transit environment.

Recently the singer Michael Bublé joined an acapella group in a New York City Subway station for an impromptu jam. He remarked "it is the most authentic + organic way to make music." 

here's a clip I made for my Inspiration Project from last years auditions where I was also a judge.

Hope to see you there.

Live recording concert May 19th

Hi I hope you can join me Sunday May 19th at 7pm for a live audio video recording in NYC at Arlene's Grocery on Stanton St. It's free!  Even if you can't attend it will be streamed live.

  Link to live broadcast: www.livestream.com/arlenesgrocery *day of show

2013 Music Under New York auditions

get ready the annual 2013 Music Under New York audtions are almost here.

This is such a wonderful event. It takes place on Monday May 13th in Grand Central Terminal Vanderbilt Hall from 9:30am-3:30pm. 

Here's a video I created for my Inspiration Project from last year:

Hope to see you there.

Tony sawyouonthetrain.com

I met Tony at Union Square he filmed me for his website sawyouonthetrain.com I love that he is so inspired by subway musicians and helping others get a chance to hear us. Thanks Tony

What inspires Tony? "Success, the good in people." He was hit hard by super storm Sandy and experienced the goodness of the people who helped him out. he wants to give back, pay it forward. 

What's your inspiration?

here's the clip Tony made of my song  Comin' Back To Me

and my version of Man's World

Harper + Carter inspired

I met Carter at 54 Below when we both performed as part of Susie Mosher's Backstage show.  I invited Carter to come and jam with me at my subway gig and she showed up with her friend Harper. It was fun sharing what it's like to perform in a very busy station. 

What inspires Carter? "People, no matter where they come from, they're beautiful." and Harper? "women, nature, paintings, cinema."

here's a full version clip of Carter's song St. Peter's song 

What's your inspiration?

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Courtney Bassett inspired subway jam

While playing in Union Square I met Courtney who stopped to listen.  What inspires Courtney?  "People, nature, strong women."  Ely from Israel was also listening and joined in. He took the camera to film us singing Imagine.  Ely wasn't sure what Inspiration meant. I pointed to his heart and said "what's in here."  His response?  "Peace, love and music." This is a wonderful example of the people I meet who by chance slow down and listen or just join in. 

What's your inspiration?

 

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Richie Havens soul flying Freedom

Richie Havens dead of a heart attack at 72.  His heart gave out after 72 years of heart and soul and glorious rhythmic music. 

If I had to pick one artist that completely inspired me throughout my musical life I would say Richie Havens. Reading his obit today, "I'm not in show business" he said " I'm in the communications business." Well he taught me that.

My early days of learning the guitar at age 12 Richie Havens album Alarm Clock woke me up and wound my inner curiosities about civil rights, the environment and essentially the power of song.  I remember listening to WHCN radio out of Hartford, CT and getting up my nerve to call and request a Havens song.  Hard to believe, but I actually never got a chance to see him live and up close until I lived in Paris in the '90's.  He played in a tiny club, telling amazing stories and playing the hell out of his guitar. It was a rare moment of American pride to claim this man and his music as my heritage.

He showed that a cover song was not something to apologize for but to command and make your own:  His versions of Here Come's the Sun, Woodstock, All Along The Watchtower, are legendary. 

Sure there were others that inspired me to become a lifelong musician, social activist: Mitchell, Dylan, Baez too, but it was Haven's voice, his amazing right-hand strumming that had me mesmerized.  I never embraced his open tuning style, but that right hand craft work taught me that as a soloist, it's the drums and even a punchy horn section; it's the rhythmic patterns that hold a song together.

Richie Havens will be missed.  Today I sing in Union Square from 3-6pm above the N/R platforms.  A fitting place to sing out and dedicate my performance to the man, the musical guru who inspired me.

He sang "Freedom, freedom" in that low rich vibrational soulful lure. Freedom indeed.

City Winery Monday April 29, 2013 memorial of Hven's ashes and guitar

official Richies Havens website

link to Richie Havens on itunes