The Week That Was

Let me start this off by saying that I have had an incredibly fun week.
I've played music almost everyday this week. That's not necessarily a rare thing, but to have as much fun as I've had is, mainly because in many of the personas that I am, I have to really concentrate and get the point across. Meaning that it's hard for me to break my concentration, and just enjoy the music like everyone else because I'm the one that's proporting the music. I have to pay close attention to what the guys behind me are doing.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it despite what you may be thinking, but there's a slight difficulty.
This week though I got to be a participant and just play my saxophone, and sing just a few songs.
I made it up to the Empty Glass to play with my buddies Spurgie Hankins, and Kevin Kidd. Spurgie has once again retooled his band, added some new fellas, and I think this time around he's hitting his mark successfully. Playing with these guys is always a blast, but what made it especially fun is that I didn't have to get up the next morning and go to work, so I could hang out at home with my Vickie rest and relax, then play again at the Glass with the Carpenter Ants, and there were quite a few people in the club last night which made for lots of fun for me.Again,I didn't have to rush home because I didn't have to be at work until 1pm,and it was an easy day there as well.
Next, I got off and went to the River's Edge Cafe for the Jim Snyder's Thursday Night Music Club,and Ted Harrison (my bassist from the Ants) was playing, so you had Jupie Little (Ants drummer),Ted and me. It just does not get any better.
When the great Wille Nelson used to decry how he 'couldn't wait to get on the road again and make some music with his friends,' I could not agree more...I feel so lucky, and blessed, this is my dream, to do this as much as I can.
I thought back tonight about my reasons for moving to West Virginia, and remembered running into Jupie the first week that I was here and him telling me "you ought ot stop by the Glass and sit in with us,"it's now 13 years later and I'm making music with some of the best musicians anywhere...and they're my friends. I can't tell you how much that means to me.
I know that many people whine about wanting to be in the music business (I'm one of them...), but I do know that like it or not we all have to pay our dues. If you think about folks in this business who were overnight successes, you will see that most of those folks are really no longer in this business, because they didn't prepare, nor were they willing to do what it takes to lead them to succeed.
I'm a good one about belly aching about things that I have control in, but I'm also willing to listen to reason, and I'm certainly willing to work at my craft.
I'm saying that to say, that I really am grateful to play music PERIOD with all the people that I play with, The Carpenter Ants, Spurgie Hankins, Jim Snyder and all of the other folks whom I've had the pleasure to share a stage with.God bless you all for your friendship and belief in me.
At the end of all my posts I encourage everyone to support live music today tomorrow and always. It's sort of become my mantra because when you think about the week that was (...and that could be any week), you'll realize that if you are not happy with what you're doing, it's an especially cruel world; but with music or, any of the arts, life can be seen as a palatte to work your colors into beautiful canvas painting...frames optional.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Greetings of the Season...

I wanted to take this time and wish you all the happiest of holidays, whatever you celebrate...

Even though I'm Muslim, I have to say that celebrating the holiday with my family is a highpoint in my life, and it's proof that love conquers all.
Earlier this week my Sister Lauren came to visit and spent the week with Vickie and I. Lauren is very quiet and sort of shy, so we hardly heard a peep out of her, but she got to get some rest and relaxation which means an awful lot to me.
Unfortunately, she left yesterday morning, and I'm just sad...
Later that day we all went to the Christamas event of the year...a trip to Sanney land. My In-laws Bob and Diane hold the party to end all parties. Let me give you an idea of how special this all is. First of all it's just great when our family is all in the same room at the same time ( I live for this...). Three genrations of Sutphins, Sanneys,Tuitt's, Ryan's, Bays and our extended family of friends.
My Sister in law Diane is just simply the greatest human being; she works tirelessly for our family to keep it together (not the easiest of tasks). She and my Brother in law have created a home for us to enjoy our ever growing family.
It is such a blessing to be part of this family and to watch and see how all of our children have grown and are now raising families of their own, or simply just doing well on their own.
My stepson Marty is home from college and showed me his grades and he's really doing well and I couldn't be more proud of him.Missy and Matt and my grandniece Maddy in from Pittsburgh and doing well...Maddy is a sweetie.Amber and Todd and my grandnephew Isaac.Jennifer and my grandnephew Aidan; these are 2 of the nicest little boys, and I couldn't be happier to be their Uncle. My niece Jessica was in the house and being the doting Auntie.
Of course my Mother in law Helen was there as our matriarch,our cousin Venna, and our friends Linn and Katherine rounded out the family.
In the Sanney house it's a mountain of food, and an ocean of presents. Quite literally we spent nearly 3 hours wading through presents, at the end of the evening I personally counted 7 large trashbags with just wrapping paper.
If you've seen the commercial for Sears where the guy ends up trimming his tree to the point that that it's just the tree top because there are so many presents, then you can have an idea of how large this holiday is in this family, but it doesn't get any better than this, let me tell ya.

On behalf of my entire family, I want to wish you all, greetings of the season.
This post is dedicated to the following:
Vickie S.Tuitt, my wife
Lauren McGuinness, my sister
Marty Adams, my stepson
Bob and Diane Sanney my brother and sister in law
Helen Sutphin, my mother in law
Missy, Matt and Maddy Ryan, my niece, nephew and grandniece
Amber, Todd and Isaac Bays, my niece, nephew and grandnephew
Jennifer Sanney, and Aidan, my niece and grandnephew
Jessica Sanney, my niece
Venna Lilly, our cousin
Linn Ohgren,and Katherine Williams, our extended family
This family is a lesson in love, and I'm glad to learn it.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always, celebrate the holidays with your loved ones, and find out how it makes for the sweetest music.

And Now Back to the Music...

I know it seems that I've been distracted and that I've not talked about my journey through music in a good while, nor have I told you a good story lately about my quest. There is a good reason for that, I really didn't have much to report that wouldn't be redundant and I didn't want you to get too bored with me so I simply sidestepped for a minute.
And now back to the music...

This has been an amazing week, starting last Friday, The Carpenter Ants went to the studio to record 2 great songs written by Michael Lipton (our band leader and guitarist).
This is just my humble opinion but I think Mike has a serious hit on his hands with at least one of the songs if not both.
"Faith Trust and Love," is pure rock and roll the way it was originally done, by Black folks! In Juke joints, with slamming pounding rhythm that makes you sweat through your clothes and down to your shoes.
I can hardly wait 'til we start doing that song in earnest and playing it in public, I know that you'll love as much as I do.
The second song is just fun and uproariously funny to me. It's entitled "They Want Your Monkey,"and I fell in the floor laughing when Mike explained the "nature" of this song.
Ted Harrison and Jupiter Little (our bassist and drummer respectively) did a great job as always and simply knocked out their parts.We also enlisted the aid of our good friend Randy Gilkey to sit in on the keyboards, and he put an old Hammond B3 organ sound to the music and gave it life. Assisting me with vocal duties was the great vocalist Cynthia Taylor ( the other CT... ), with only one days notice she came in with me this week and did background vocals.
I got a little worried because on Wednesday Jupie got really sick and had to miss our show at the Empty Glass, so we had to scramble and find someone to replace him for the night and our reserve drummer Ahmed Solomon couldn't make it either (that's when I start to get panicky), but at the height of the day we found Mark Davis of the Voodoo Katz band, and did he ever do a good job...saved the day.Thanks buddy!!
In all I've had a very positive week, and I even have this weekend off to relax and hang out at home with Mrs.Tee, and I'm looking forward to it as well as endless episodes of NYPD Blue,(YAYYY !!), Andy Sipowicz here I come...ahhhh rerun heaven.
Have a great weekend everybody.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

The Soul Of Us

One day while I was standing in the shadows of music, after the bridge I just crossed, I decided to read Joel's Bloggy, I then met a girl named Michael, and together we sat on the porch swing and discovered the soul of us...
Before you go thinking that I've had some wild affair with some woman guess again.

During the course of my time in my new found voice of blogging, I have met some truly remarkable people who are also sharing their stories with you. Like me they're just ordinary folks, but with extraordinary insights about life and love and happiness. The thing that makes them remarkable to me is they are opinionated without being biased, they are spirited without being taciturn. In other words they say what they mean without feeling the need to always be right. They to me are the epitome of strength and grace and wisdom.
I want to tell you a little bit about my group, and tell you about a venture that we've decided to embark upon together, and invite you to follow us.
The new adventure is titled "The Soul of Us," it is the teaming up of myself and 4 people that I've become friends with through this medium of blogging.
First up is my brother Joel "JJ" Ison of London.
I met Joel back in March when I was brand new to the blogging community. In this blog you can read other people's posts by clicking on the top right corner and going to the next post.When I ventured out one Sunday and clicked, a serious piece of music caught me by surprise.It was jazzy and cool and grooved just the way I like my music. So, I posted a comment in "Joel's Bloggy." When he responded to my comments, the rest as they say is history. I found out that Joel is young Londoner who is a fellow musician, he's now, I'm proud to say studying at the university there, but through it all he manages to keep in touch and I'm proud to call him my brother.
Next is Jennifer Wagner who authors the blogpost " On the Porch Swing." Not only is she about charm and grace, Jen is as beautiful inside as well as outside. She is also one of my patrons at the St.Albans Library where I work.
Jennifer is employed by Mission West Virginia, an organization that goes throughout this state and helps people to get on their feet when they fall.
Jennifer's stories just speak to my spirit and touch it with love.
I met Jen in April and we've been fast friends; and through her I met a Girl Named Michael Dulcie.
Michael I must say is one of the most generous and encouraging people that I think that I've ever met who not only has the courage of her conviction but the guts to back it up.Michael Ann recently touched off a debate about John Lennon that defies logic (you'll have to read it to know the particulars...) She not only managed to engage our thoughts but did so without incurring one ugly or nasty comment from anyone. I'm still trying to figure out how she pulled that off, but that's my Michael...
Last but certainly not least (I love that phrase...), is Sherry Pasquarello.
Sherry is the anchor of our group. What Joel and I are to music Sherry is to words. Like Jennifer and Michael Ann, Sherry is just a wonderful spirit that looms larger than life to me. Her eclectic blog ,"After the Bridge,"is her thoughts, and your view through her window. There is a post that I wrote recently to tell you more about her, and her works. She too is my sister and I'm proud to call her that.

About our new venture...
I've come to love these people as you can well see and I felt that it would be a great idea if we could channel our energies into a forum that would give our readers some insights into us, talking about various topics but with one voice (or, many little voices).
The objective is for the 5 of us to post our collective thoughts together about a single topic. The beauty of this is that there may be times when you'll only read one persons ideas and thoughts and you'll see the comments of the rest of us and there will be times when we all speak together...and hopefully that will make this interesting, fun and thought provoking for our readers. It will be lighthearted sometime and serious yet another, but it will definitely be the soul of us.
So sometime in January, I will mount the call and sincerely hope that you all join us.In the meantime please just keep reading my blog ( just kidding, just kidding...smile).
Please read and enjoy us all.
Joel's Bloggy
On The Porch Swing
Girl Named Michael
After The Bridge
and of course you're more than welcome to stand in the shadows of music... with me.
See ya soon with Soul Of Us...

Support Live music today tomorrow and always and support everything you like as well.

After The Bridge, Comes Joy

In music the bridge occurs when you connect a key section to another part of a song. It's usually the section that ties the song together and gives it some umph.
This bridge though is about poetry, in fact the poetry of one Sherry Pasquarello, a Pittsburgh PA native, and a wonderful spirit filled lady.
Now I don't ever claim to be any kind of authority on poetry prose or verse, but I do know what moves me and her stuff just affects me positively. I love stuff that makes me think twice.
Sherry tells me that she writes adult poetry, and at first I didn't quite get what that meant (OK, so my mind said something different...), but as I read on I realized that what she's saying is that her poetry is about life from her grownup standpoint. She has lived a very tried life and she shares those experiences by painting pictures as such that make no mistake at all invite you to experience it with her.
When I first read her work my immediate thought was that it reminds me of the great Sheryl Crow (if you have a copy of the CD "The Globe Sessions," listen to the song "Riverwide," and you'll get my meaning.).
My wife Vickie turned me on to Sheryl Crow, and her music opened me up to alot, well I had the exact same reaction to reading my first pieces of Sherry's work ( it moved me so much that I wrote her and told her).
It's not the complexity that affected me although that certainly is there but the simplicity; saying volumes with little.
When you're driving and you cross a bridge you know that your destination is that much closer and it fills you with anticipation (mostly), why is that ? It's that after the bridge, you know, comes joy.
If you're not sure what I mean, think about the bridges that you cross to get home. Think how you feel, and you'll see Sherry.

There is a link to her work on the right, in my link list. Click, read and enjoy.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always. Cross the bridge while you're out, and read some poetry forever.

A Warm Fuzzy Feeling at the River's Edge

Thursday night was just like a snapshot from a New England Inn, here in St Albans at the Rivers Edge Cafe. All we needed was a fireplace, clam chowder and some turtlenecks.
The music was intimate last night as we held court with Jim Snyder, Phil Ruby, Jupie Little and yours truly.
I cannot say enough about how I've enjoyed my playing experiences at this St.Albans gathering spot.The people, the food , the atmosphere and the good times are more than worth the drive from anywhere.
My wife Vickie hung out with me, which is something that we just don't get to do alot of, and she had a blast.That alone for me is worth the price.
Jim and crew have made this Thursday thing a happening around town, and folks in this area really get behind it; although there wasn't too huge a crowd in part because the weather was so lousy, plus there was a supposed impending snow storm (yeah right...). None- the less we played, we sailed and we wowed the folks in attendance.One of the ladies on the waitstaff requested that I sing "Ain't No Sunshine,"and I hoped that I did well for her...
At some point ( I never figured out how we got on the subject...) but someone somewhere mentioned a song by the great Roger Miller called "Dang Me," and it turned out that Phil not only knew it but did for me !!!
I love that song, it is such a hoot, and Phil knocked it right out
In the Carpenter Ants, I don't get to play a whole lot of saxophone primarily because I'm the lead vocalist, so it's a nice pause for me to be able to just play the horn and the flute.
In the New England states, nights like these are great because it's so intimate and cozy, so it's nice to be able to recreate that warm fuzzy feeling at the River's Edge.
I'm not too big a fan of Ol' Man Winter, but when you have a night like we did who the heck cares, it's all good.
Satisfy your cozy nature with a trip to St.Albans most Thursdays and catch Jim and company.You'll be glad that you did, and it's the perfect start to your weekend.

Jim Snyder and Friends appear at the
River's Edge Cafe
212 Main St.
St.Albans WV, 25177
(304)722-6320
call for schedule, or e-mail Jim (jimsnydermusic@netscape.net)

This post is dedicated to the following...
Vickie Tee, Paul, Diane and Natalie Dollison,Tina Coll, the future fiddler, and the staff of the River's Edge.Thank you for your support and a truly wonderfunfilled evening.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Over...My Fear

I got results from my tests over the end of the week, and found out that I have Gout in my left elbow, and while I'm not completely out of the woods healthwise, it wasn't as bad as I initially feared.
The fear that I had probably is more in my mind than I'd like to admit, but after losing my Sister to a debilitating illness at such a young age, I couldn't help but feel that there may be a corelation.
I'm still grateful to people who called my home to wish me well, and sent e-mails galore, and posted comments on my blogposts...I hope that you all realize that you might be stuck with me for awhile.
Just so that you have an idea about what Gout is, I'm adding a little definition:
Gout: A disturbance of uric-acid metabolism occurring chiefly in males, characterized by painful inflammation of the joints, especially of the feet and hands, and arthritic attacks resulting from elevated levels of uric acid in the blood and the deposition of urate crystals around the joints. The condition can become chronic and result in deformity.

None the less, I move forward with my life, and continue my trek toward music, and with continued luck, I'll arrive at my destination. I don't know when, but I'll enjoy the ride for now...and I hope that you will too.
Thank you for all of your support.
lovingly,Charlie Tee

As always...Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

My Fear

I told you in last post that I needed to get some rest after a pretty gruelling weekend, but it seems like something else is going on and I have to admit to you that I'm actually frightened.
In 1985 my older Sister Caroleigh ( that's pronounced Carol-lay)was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. At first it was moving subtly, she was able to pretty much maintain her lifestyle which included Fencing and swimming.She was an attorney, and in that capacity she stayed busy as well.
Our Father passed away in 1991, and in a matter of 2 weeks Caroleigh's body shut down to the point that my Mother had to put her in a Nursing Home where she remained until her demise in 2000.
I can't say with certainty but my body is going through a very strange metamorphisis. My left arm is unable to open all the way and it's bent almost in atrophy. I'm in a great deal of pain, as well as, I have very little voice. I sound somewhat like Don Corleone from the Godfather.
For truly the first time in my life I AM SCARED beyond belief. I'm not afraid to die, but I don't want to.
I'm very sorry for sharing this with you, but I need prayers from everywhere.
Also, I'm writing this because I don't want to leave without telling all of you that I sincerely love you and that I'm grateful for your friendship; even for those who I have yet to meet like my friends in London, and my newest friend in Pittsburgh.
No matter what the outcome, my life is joyous; and a great portion of that joy has been being able to share my story and my journey. For some who read it, it might not mean much, but it is me, being me, and I'm proud of it.

Rest and Relaxation

It's my own fault, and my Wife gives me Hell about it often, but I don't get enough rest.Between my regular work at the library and playing music with the Ants, I just burn the candle at both ends and in the middle.
Today I feel like absolute Hell, like I got run over by the subway, all 10 cars of the IRT (it's a New York thing...).
My problem is that I'm so driven that I forget that I gotta stop now and then and just simply relax.
This past Thanksgiving weekend I overdid it. I worked at the library Friday got off at 5pm,went home, fooled around without resting, then went to play at a nightclub that night.Played there til the wee hours, came home and instead of going directly to bed I fooled around on my computer before finally settling in at 6:30am, only to have to rise again at 8 to get to work by 9am.
After that entire day, I left and drove to Lewisburg to play at a party.
I didn't allow for proper rest and I paid the ultimate price for me...NO VOICE, well just barely.
If you know me even a little bit you know that I was embarrased beyond measure to not be able to perform; yes, it means that much to me.
Got minor rest on Sunday went to work Monday feeling foggy and now this. UGHHHHH !!
I want to be in the music business, but I need to remember to first and foremost be in the "my health business."
So many of us work so doggedly to achieve our goals that we forget the primary catalyst for achieving them is to rest and relax. Rest, so that your brain can capacitate the goals that are laid out in front of you, and relax, so that you can reflect on the process and thereby refine it.
I'm gonna end by paraphrasing an old saying...
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, the new one is gonna be, all work and no rest makes Jack fall over like a chimney stack.

EVERYBODY...Support Live music today tomorrow and always, and get some rest along the way.

The Vandalia Groove

This is the 3rd post that I've written about the Charleston nightspot the Vandalia Lounge, and try as I may, I can't find one single negative thing to say about my experience of playing there.The vibe just gets better and better.

I can't begin to tell you how much fun it is for me and my band to play at this nightclub. Every time we're here they up the Ante just another notch.
I've never felt so welcomed in place before as when I come through the door and the entire staff greets me with, "HEY Charlie Tee, we're soooo glad you're here, glad you guys are back, man it's gonna be fun tonight !!"
I've played music for alot of years, and I've gotten to know some great spots during my life. There was a place in New York that I used to frequent, and eventually started playing at called Mikells. Michael and Pat Mikell were two of the nicest people that I had known at that time, just absolutely loved music, loved the vibe that musicians created, and loved to share that with people.Mikells was a tiny place but the atmosphere was tremendous.If you wanted to impress a lady, you take her there and you had it made baby.
Well the feeling that I get at the Vandalia Lounge is exactly the same as when I was hanging out at Mikells. I simply think they have the nicest spot in Charleston.Now don't get me wrong, many of the clubs in this town are fine in their own way , but the feeling at the Vandalia is total, meaning they operate at a level that invites the most beautiful women, the coolest cats, and the greatest of all gifts, FUN.
Every time we have played here, I come away feeling completely resolved to staying in the struggle to be in the music business, and to continue trying to further my career.
On a fun note, I have to ask Pierre ( the club's manager) where in the hell, do they find all of these gorgeous women? Brother, I think that I'm going to start calling you Noah because you're bringin' 'em in 2 by 2.
Alot of ladies loved to be dressed up, and look beautiful, so it's easy for them to fit right in with the Vandalia groove.
Again, I want to say that most of the clubs in Charleston are doing their best to make life better for we musicians, and their patrons but the Vandalia Lounge is raising the bar for all of them...and that's good.

The Vandalia Lounge, the best of New York, in the land of the mountains.

The Vandalia Lounge
212 Hale Street
Charleston WV, 25301

(304) 343-4110

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Remembering Noriyuki "Pat" Morita

I know that this is gonna sound fairly silly to alot of people, but truthfully, I really don't mind if it does (it's my quirk and I'm proud of it)...

I really truly enjoyed the Karate Kid movies, something about all of them just touched me someplace down in my soul. I'm sure it's probably because I am a romantic at heart, and I'm also sure because my life has been fraught with lessons of all sorts; especially from my parents.
Decency is a trait that is so lacking in my opinion in today's world that maybe we do need heroes to remind us our humanity, and not those costumed super heroes, but real live flesh and blood men and women.
Pat Morita to me was that kind of person, he just exemplified the type of excellence that I feel all of mankind needs to have. It's the kind of thing where one stares at adversity, then mows it down.
To have lived through being in a Japanese Internment camp (America's dark version of Nazi war camps), come out still with love for your country, still make something out of yourself, live through stereotypes, and hazing, rise above it all and become a beloved actor as he was just says volumes about the man.
I was very sad today to hear of the passing of this truly wonderful man, who brought me so much joy in a darkened room, who made me think about being better toward all people, who made me forget my troubles for awhile, and see the world angularly.
I am proud to say that I was alive to witness his spiritual messages on film, to see and hear him accept himself and transformed me into a person who accepts myself, I will be forever grateful.
We as human beings who live in America and were fortunate enough to see him act hopefully will never forget him.
I'm gonna end with a quote that will be forever etched in my mind from the Karate Kid..."First learn to stand, then learn to fly."

I hope that everyone will get a good dose of Pat Morita "Mr.Miyagi" wisdom.
Good night Brother.

Noriyuki "Pat" Morita 1932 - 2005

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Hot Dogs on Thanksgiving

Last night we had our 12th annual pre-Thanksgiving bash featuring the always irrepressible Alan Griffith.This gig is always loads of fun with plenty of good music, loads of laughs and just a good time.
Bud Carroll was up from Huntington ( he is an absolutely great guitarist, look for a story on him in the spotlight section soon...) sitting in with us, and as usual he delivered the goods.
Opening the evening were a trio comprised of Jamie Adkins on electric guitar, Tom, a standup drummer, and a great bassist named Diane "Dynamite," no last name on either of them. They did a great Rockabilly set complete with truck driving songs, it was wonderful.
The second part of the show,with Alan on acoustic guitar, did his solo pieces and kept us all in stitches...he just ought do stand up comedy as part of his act because I swear, that man is a riot.
Before Alan finished up Jamie and Tom backed him up and they did a bevy of songs, from Dylan to Hasil Adkins.
During their set in walks a friend of mine who had been telling me about her friend who is fairly new in town, and has been searching for a band to be in or play with. Steve,"the bassist" proceeds to tell me that he's ready to play and that he's learned every song from our first CD "Long Live the Queen, and knows them backward and forward." Ok...!!!
I think this is a good spot to insert my disclaimer: what I'm about to say is true, the names won't be changed to protect the innocent, but if you ask anyone in attendance they will bear me out...
One of the greatest lessons that I've learned as a musician is before you just jump up and play with someone, listen to them first so that you'll have an idea of their style.Believe me folks, it ain't about territory.
When you listen, it's fairly easy to see whether a band that recorded a CD almost 10 years ago is still doing their songs the same way, so that if you decided to that you want to show off for your girl you'll at least half way sound credible (are ya gettin' where I'm goin' with this ?).
Well, needless to say, I'm a ham enough for anybody in my band, but we got served a hot dog for Thanksgiving.
Mr.Steve bassman was everywhere and then some, he took over the song list, he took over my chores as frontman, he took my drummer Jupie Little on the "plane ride from Hell," by God he was even a solid gold dancer.
I'm gonna add something that I rarely say publicly but only to a few choice friends...he wore my ass out ( if you could see me right now, I'm sitting on my legs 'cause I have no ass).
If all that weren't horrendous enough,then he wanted to stay on stage...for the duration.
Now don't get me wrong, I ain't some diva, and I'm by no means the greatest of musicians, not even in my warped mind; but I do at least know when it's time to say when, especially if it's not happening with a band. That just makes everyone in the room uncomfortable, and boy you could have cut that tension with your elbow...I've never had peanut butter that thick.
OK back to reality...it wasn't a total loss, there was a young man in the audience who asked us to do his favorite song which as it turned out, to be our song "Cryin' in the Streets," off of our new CD.He said that he was into Hip Hop primarily but this song really means alot to him...he was so moved by it that he purchased a copy of our new CD "Ants In Your Pants,"he was like a little kid on Christmas morning when I gave it to him.
I have alot to be thankful for, but my greatest thanks are for never having to eat hot dogs on Thanksgiving...and hopefully, never having been one.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

It's Just Like the Bronx...

Right now I'm so homesick for the Bronx that I can't hardly stand to see pictures of New York City without getting teary eyed...
It's so funny, when I was younger I had such loathing for life in the Bronx, and everything in it. I hated my dialect, I hated my school, and I longed to be from somewhere else. Nothing prepared me for how I now feel. When I was growing up I played music much like I'm doing these days and I was involved in the music scene in much the same way that I am here, but I didn't realize that I was getting the same support then that I am now. I didn't realize that the people of the Bronx as it were, gave me the same kind of life lessons that Daniel LaRusso got from Mr.Miyagi in the Karate Kid movie series; you remember..."wax on, wax off."
There was a scene in the first movie where Mr.Miyagi was explaining to Daniel who was enthralled by the Bonsai trees to trim the tree by "closing your eyes, and just trusting the picture." The inference here was to believe in your abilities enough to, 1.see that everything in your life has the same beauty if you work toward the trust of it, and 2.in the same way that Allah's (God's) aim is to create balance and constancy in our lives, those standpoints can be utilized anywhere, but you have to believe that it can and does exist ("just trust the picture...")
One time I took my wife to New York, and we were driving up Webster Ave in the South Bronx, the street was terrible, our car was just going along bumpity bump THUMP!! Vickie looked over at me and said " are all the streets this way ?" Then she said, I can see why you love Charleston so much, it's just like the Bronx !! Of course, we had a good laugh, but my point here is that close your eyes and you can transplant that situation anywhere.
The reality is that everything is relatively the same, and for all my desires to "escape" the Bronx, I learned that running away doesn't help because you have to take yourself along.
Despite my current bout with terrible homesickness, I love it here in West Virginia and I wouldn't trade it for the world, but I will use it to launch me from this spot to the world because hey...it's just like the Bronx.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always and you'll find that the grass is greenest wherever you are.

Closing in on the End (of the year), and Giving Thanks

I realize that it's not the end of the year yet, but I thought that I would take this time to assess somewhat the year and put it in a little bit of a perspective...and try and make a few predictions for 2006...
By and large, the Carpenter Ants have had a great year, we marched forward inch by inch, but we kept moving and things started picking up steam. We did quite a few interesting and fun gigs this year, made some great friends/ fans, to which we're grateful.
When you play in a band it's really a crap shoot to get where you're going and do something with your music, but the beauty of it, at least from my point of view is that it's always interesting and new.
I think that next year is going to be the year for the Carpenter Ants, I've had a good feeling about it for awhile now, but something is going to explode us in a big way on the music scene...so stay tuned.
I want to express my sincerest thank you to everyone ( literally and figuratively) for getting behind me, my band, my blog and my dreams.
At the end of the day it really is just about my dream, but it has deeper meaning for me when I know that people like you consistently keep me in your prayers and your kind and warm thoughts. I hope that I will always measure up sufficiently.
Regardless of the outcome...Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Playing With Fire...

Most of the time when I hear that term, playing with fire, I think that someone is trying to tell me that if I fool around in uncertain territory that I'll find myself in trouble of some sort. While there may be some truth to that, the fire of which I'm referring is the kind where being in a musical situation is so great that is defies words.
Lately, the Carpenter Ants have not only been on fire but also, playing out of this world.
I've felt the need to acknowledge my band mates and give them some much needed praise, and invite you to our world to experience it too.
A while ago, our drummer Jupiter Little gave up cigarettes, followed by also giving up alcohol altogether... not even a beer. Jupie, had a marvelous voice to begin with, and now that he is smoke free, omigodddd!! This man is killing me his vocals are so good, and his drumming standpoint really has taken off to the ionosphere. I'm really proud of him for his accomplishments.
Ted Harrison is starting to really feel his bass, and he's laying down some bottom licks that just blow me out of the water, he's even starting to dance a little bit , not that he ever just stood around, but the music is taking him somewhere special, and he's up for the journey.
What can I say about our leader Michael Lipton, he's just my musical hero period. Mike can spur me like no one else, when he hits those amazing notes on that Fender guitar I'm just gone. It can be subtle like he does on songs like "Helpless," or it can be razor sharp like on "For What It's Worth," or even still it can be down and dirty like on "Hush On Hush."
I am so unbelievably lucky to have found a home with these musicians. So many people look for a lifetime to find friends like these in regular life let alone a musical one. When I was living at home in New York, I used to get so upset because it seemed like all the folks that I was meeting (with the exception of a few) just weren't serious about doing anything with their music beyond being mediocre. Those of us who were really trying hard were in such a minority that you could almost liken it to slavery, you just wanted to escape the madness.
To be sure, I miss my hometown alot, but I have found the peace of mind that I sought here and I have found musical like minds in so many of the people here and I just want you to know that while I'm playing with fire, for this, I'll love getting burned.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Ants In Your Pants

Well after some considerable time off, it's time to jump back on the horse and let you know what's going on in my world...
I've received a good amount of e-mails as well as verbal messages from folks telling me that they either have missed my postings or to quit bein' lazy and continue this "journey that you've gotten us transfixed to."
I have to admit, the lazy bug bit me good...but it's good to be back.
Well, let's talk about the title of this post,as it serves a couple of purposes...
First, I'm excited to tell you that the brand spankin' new Carpenter Ants CD has arrived. Ants In Your Pants is our long awaited, too long overdue third outing . It's filled with some gems, such as the songs about me and my other bandmates, Ted and Jupie.
I would be lying if I didn't say that I was truly flattered by my song. The fact that someone has gotten to know me and my little idiosyncrasies that well makes me smile all over...it just touched me.
Recently we signed on with Second Sight Management, a company comprised of 2 dynamic women who are puttin' in some overtime trying to help push us out there to the masses. On our own we have been playing everywwhere and logging in loads of frequent flyer (in our vans ) miles, plus holding down our regular jobs and some other gigs with other folks. This year we might get the award for "band that's yet undiscovered, but all over the place ( I bet the statue for that will look like an unopened suitcase, with clothes bustin' out of the seams !!)."
Alot of things transpired during this time that I've been away from you good and bad...
My Uncle, John Tuitt passed away, and I was very saddened by this because he and I were finally at a better place than we had been in my life, which brings me to the second part of the relevance of the title for this post.
The Tuitt side of my family (my father's) has lead a fairly nomadic life, in that at some point or another we have all migrated to places other than New York.I'm not 100% certain of the reasons, but we haven't seemed to do well staying where we started.My Uncle and Aunt moved to Barbados just about 30 years ago, my Sister Caroleigh moved to Washington DC in 1964,my Dad first moved to St Croix, USVI, then to south Florida, I moved here to West Virginia, my younger Sister Lauren lives outside of Chicago (she's in the US Navy), and even my Mom ended up moving to northern Florida.
The Charles, and Mendez side of my family (my mother's) basically all remained in New York and just got old and cranky ( not necessarily in a bad way). Again, I'm not certain why but they seemed to not do well being outside of New York...it's definitely weird.
I brought this up because my entire family suffers gravely from ants in our pants. We are absolutely restless spirits, all of us looking for something on the other side. For me, I've wanted to be a star for as long as I remember, and I've worked and worked and then some toward it. These CD's are as close as I've come so far, and I'm tremendously proud of the work that we've done, and the title of the CD so sums me up that it's almost frightening.
I truly feel as though I am at really great place in my life. I get great ups and downs with my bandmates, but even then I'm thankful for their restless spirits because all of this restless energy has made us have motion...a motion toward the kind of musical life that I have dreamt of all of my life.
If you find yourself at any kind of crossroads in your life, get ants in your pants and you'll find out in short order where the true value in your life is.
You can also get a copy of the CD, "Ants In Your Pants," and use that wonderful music to spur you forward and help charge your mental battery.Let go and dance, let the music take you to...wherever.

I've missed you all, it's great to be back. There's more to come.Thank you for all of your encouragement.

This post is dedicated to my Father James M.Tuitt today would have been his 84th birthday.
It's also dedicated to Michael Lipton, today is his birthday too.
Together, they are 2 men who have inspired me tremendously.
It's also dedicated to Carlean Moser and Amy Windham of Second Sight Management, thanks for all your efforts for us.

You can catch the band everywhere or click here:the Carpenter Ants...get our music at CD Baby.com., or from us at any gig.
Support Live music today tomorrow and always and calm your restless heart.

The Bronx Bombers in the 11th Hour.

Every time that it comes down to the wire, for my team I will walk through the fire.For all of my wandering, I'll never be too far. I am a Bronx Bomber, and we're the best by far...
Let's go Yankees, 2005 AL East


Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
Support your favorite Baseball team.
Joe Torre is the greatest !!!

Alchemy and Esoterism, Islam and Popularity: a joint post written by Charlie Tee and Jen

First of all, I want to express my deepest thanks to Jen for bringing this to my attention, and thank her for caring enough about my feelings and that of other Muslims. It takes a real person of faith and character to be angry about prejudice of any kind, even within their own religion.
Before you try to figure out how this relates to music, it relates in that Jen is trying to create harmony in humanity, sort of like teaching the world to sing .

The other evening I got an e-mail from a very upset and angry Jen. She was angry over that fact that a friend of hers sent her an e-mail which had many harsh and negative things to say about Muslims and the religion of Islam. Earlier that day I just happened to go to Friday prayer at the Mosque here in Charleston, and the speaker that day gave a sermon on not being reactionary to things that are going on inside and outside the Muslim community.
Right now in America the climate toward those of us who practice Islam is not very tolerant, and very unlike America. It's sad because in reality what we're experiencing is a climate of esoterism, or the practice of exclusion. Left alone without any explanations people could begin to believe much of anything that they are fed, by any means that they were fed it.
Let us shed some light on a few things and hope that it can begin to melt away the cold of misunderstanding.
Let me say first that Muslims do believe in God, in much the same way that others who practice monotheism do.There are differences with the Islamic religion and many others but not because we worship idols or false gods, or other men. In the same way that people of other faiths perceive God in His totality, Muslims have taken the time to decipher and try to make sense of the universe in the way that Allah (God) intends us to.
It's wrong for anyone to feel that they have a monopoly on the correct way to have their belief...what we should all have is faith. Faith will help you understand the importance of God solely as it pertains to you, through your own eyes.
I am Muslim but I married to a woman who is Jewish, she is white and I am an African American. Truly, does that mean we're wrong for each other ? We don't think so...
I have met many wonderful people in my lifetime, and many of them come from all religious walks of life. My own mother was Catholic but raised me as a Muslim because I wanted to practice the religion that my Father practiced, so my Mom took the time to learn about Islam on her own, and she found it to be a religion of peace and brotherhood.
While I like many Americans were completely outraged over the events of 9/11/01, it would be unwise of any of us to place all the blame on all in the religion. That would be like saying that every Black person is lazy and shiftless, like saying every woman should be seen and not heard, and should not be allowed out in public. It's just not realistic, nor is it righteous.
I'm proud of the fact that I practice Islam for a number of reasons. 1. Islam gave me a better sense of myself...don't get me wrong, I've got alot to learn, but this faith has given me the means by which I can figure out the world and my place in it. 2. Being Muslim has allowed me to attain the courage of my conviction...I've learned to say what I mean and mean what I say, and 3. without being or feeling ego centered, I've learned to love me the way that I feel Allah does...unconditionally.
What I hope for more than anything is that humanity learns to be exoteric, to be inclusive of all, thereby increasing the chance for peace.

This post is dedicated to Jen, through her example we can achieve true brotherhood...and sisterhood.
It's also dedicated to Imam Jamal Daoudi, spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of West Virginia.Through his tireless example, people of all faiths are gaining faith and trust in Muslims everywhere.

Be sure to catch Jen's side of this story on her blogsite On The Porch Swing.

Support Live Music and brotherhood today tomorrow and always.

Remembering John H. Johnson

For the African American community Ebony and Jet magazines were the mecca for our lives, our cultural and social outlooks. They are the type of publications that have been truly uplifting for not only Black people but also for all people. It has been our mirror, our compass, and our maps.
From it's inception, these magazines have instilled us with pride in ourselves, as well as taught us how to be humble yet strong at once.
I can remember eagerly awaiting the latest issues of both mags, and in the same way that I've been about books in my life, reading with wonder, and delighting in the stories about Black people who looked like me.
One of the greatest gifts that I have ever received was as a direct result of reading these 2 colossal magazines. It was the gift of articulation. My Father charged me to read either magazine and report to him any story in detail that I had read, and as a result I learned how to speak publicly, and how to enunciate properly.
Even today, as I am employed in a public library, I take the time to not only read these magazines but also engage others to do the same. I often have youngsters in need of help with varying projects dealing with African Americans and the lives of people of color worldwide reading and studying from these magazines, and more often than not finding out that the infomation contained therein is the only true source of info to be found.
At the helm of these great publications was a man who in my opinion was a towering figure and a beacon of light for all people of color, John H. Johnson.
Although I never had the pleasure of meeting the man who influenced a race of people, I felt as though I knew him as well as knew my own Father. Through his eyes, and his dreams, I learned to have belief in and hope for myself, in the exact same way that my parents taught me. I can say with definte surety that as man striving toward the prize, I have used many of the fine examples that I read in the pages of Ebony and Jet. I've learned to embrace life and meet it head on. When I have found myself in the midst of struggles, I've turned succintly toward those pages and lifted myself out of my darkness or despair.
I owe a great debt to Mr. Johnson for being the kind of example that produced many of my heroes; among them Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Maya Angelou, Muhammad Ali, El Hajj Malik Shabazz (Malcolm X), Reverends Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton, Berry Gordy, Suzzane de Passe to name a few.
Being a Black man has been the greatest gift from Allah that I could ever have received, but being an African American reader of Ebony and Jet is the greatest gift that I could have given myself.
For these reasons I wish to take this time for praising and remembering John H. Johnson and his pioneering spirit and thank him for all that he has done to ensure that the world sees us properly in every spectrum of our grandeur, and every facet of our rainbow.
Good night brother.

John H. Johnson 1918-2005

Support Live Music , and blackness today tomorrow, and always.

Paul and Becky Flaherty's Jam Session.(wink, wink)

Now here's a twist...
What do you call a wedding in which 80% of the people in attendance were Charleston A- List musicians ? I call it the best damn jam session disguised as wedding that I've ever seen.
Last night one of my dearest friends Paul Flaherty (Mountain Stage, stage manager) married the love of his life Becky Dietzler in what one could call a royal wedding of sorts. Paul was quite resplendant in his tuxedo ( you have to Paul well enough to know it's rare to see him without his baseball cap), Becky was the absolute epitome of elegance and beauty in her wedding dress ( she's a knockout to begin with...)
From start to finish it was a beautiful ceremony, but we love Paul so much what else could it be...
In attendance were folks that I haven't seen in quite awhile, and folks that I frankly don't get to spend alot of time with anymore.
Steve Dreyer made a very funny but heartfelt toast to the Paul telling us about the meaning of their friendship, and honestly, I could not have agreed more
Lisa Peery (one of my favorite flutists) was there and she lilted us all before the ceremony accompanied by Jim Lange on the acoustic guitar. Larry Groce sang a wonderful wedding song with his beautiful wife Sandra accompanying him on the viola. Of course the Carpenter Ants were in the house to get the party going, as was the dynamic Julie Adams with her group Blues du Jour. The great Bob Thompson lent his keyboard stylings to the mix as well Ryan Kennedy.
Others in attendance were Al Peery, Steve Hill, Stevie and Missy Himes, Ron and Sally Sowell, Doug Payne and Jeannie Chandler, our own percussionist Mike Jones all looking very regal.
In the wake of the recent tragic circumstances across the gulf coast states, it was a very poignant evening that we embarked upon to have a little fun if only for one night.
When the party started it started in earnest with everyone joining in the frey.When you have musicians of this caliber believe me it was all good.
Paul Flaherty is definitely a special guy no doubt, but to call this thing a wedding...yeah right !! We know it was really just a night to get all of he and Becky's friends together and groove for real.
Seriously though, it was really a beautiful night, and a wonderful ceremony, and I wish Paul and Becky all of the best that Allah can bestow on them, so we'll just call this Paul and Becky's jam session (wink, wink).

Support Live Music today tomorrow and always...and marry your love on a mountaintop under the stars.

Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts...

This post is written with the hopes that anyone and everyone please do whatever you can to help any and all relief efforts for the people displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
It's important that we all remember that charity starts at home. It's equally important to remember that "there for the grace of God go I," or in this case "we."
For all of the blogging community,and the music community, we can go on about our individual musings/complaints/ ramblings/whinings/but we are one way to spur the efforts of many...so please use your writing voices to tell everybody that we need every body.

IT'S TIME TO COME TOGETHER...

Welcome To Your New Life

With thanks to singer Joe Rathbone for the title...

Yesterday, I left work early to make a long trip by myself to meet my bandmates outside Lewisburg WV.We were playing a wedding; and not just any wedding, but the serious nuptuals of Joshua and Joanna Hardy (more on them in a minute).
Other than playing at the Vandalia Lounge here in Charleston, gigs for us have been for the most part fairly mundane. A big factor here is that people get the point of what we do. If they don't, then the experience of the Carpenter Ants show is generally lost on them.
All that leading to this beautiful wedding and the stupendous party afterward.
When I arrived at the location the very first thing that I noticed was mud. The event was held outside and it had rained and rained and rained a few days before and yesterday making the ground one swilly marshy mess. In short order I pulled my car across the bridge was told to go around a tree to get to the tent and I got stuck in mud up to the base of the car door...AHHHHHH !!!
I now get out and I get mud all over my shoes, and in an absolute first for me...I didn't get angry...there was too positive a vibe to worry about my shoes.
Anyway the event gets started and we introduce the happy couple with their song "Come Rain Or Shine." Believe me it was only just beginning to take shape. During the week we had not had a chance to learn the song like we normally would, so there was concern on my part for doing it, but as always my band steps up to the plate and delivers (I told you, I'm playing with the Yankees !!)
Now this party kicks in and in nothing flat throngs of people are out on the floor dancing, having the time of their lives and partying like their lives depended on it.
When I tell you people were losing their inhibitions and letting the music set them free, this band was on fire and the people kept the flames fanned, and baby it spread everwhere.
At some point then,we took a break to eat. Well, here is a story in and of itself, on how unbelievably great the food was...by golly they even had a chocolatier to handle the desserts !!At that point, I could have possibly died and gone to Heaven, the food was that good, and there was enough to feed a small army.
Now back to the action...all evening long the word was fun x's 3, if there was anyone in attendance who didn't have a good time, I never laid eyes on them.
The song that we normally use as our wedding song is entitled "That's How Strong My Love Is," by the late great Otis Redding. I really like using that song because I get the audience involved by having them sing it along with us to the happy couple.On this occasion, Joanna was so moved by everyone singing to her that she broke down and cried. I have to say that in all of the years that I've been a Carpenter Ant, this one truly touched me, as she even caused Josh to cry...a spiritual moment indeed.
Somewhere along the way I looked at my watch and saw that the time read 11:22pm, and I realized that we had been playing since 6pm, and we didn't even care, now that's what I call a party folks !!
In all I'd say that by far this was one of the best (no, I'll be real...THE best )gigs that we have ever done, and as Michael said to me later, "it made us feel completely validated."

To the new Mr. and Mrs. Hardy, on belhalf of the Carpenter Ants and everyone in attendance I would like to say welcome to your new life, may it be as beautiful as your wedding. May Allah bless you with the light of love even when there is darkness. Thank you for sharing your day with us all.

If you want to know the funny story (it's funny now) about Joanna and Josh, read my blogpost entitled "A Wild and Crazy Farewell," written in May of this year.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always...and find true love in the process.

Losing Toni...

It seems almost like the last few weeks have been desparate and desolate for me, with folks passing away, things changing, etc. Now comes word of an event for me that will be so traumatic that I'm not quite sure what to do.
Not too long from now I'm going to be losing Toni. Our boss Toni Blessing is leaving our library branch to take a position in the Charleston Library (our main branch).
While I'm certainly happy for her as she deserves everything wonderful, I am absolutely crushed. Toni has been our cheerleader, our mentor, our Oprah Winfrey, she has empowered us to be our best, and she has been a leader without peer.
I've worked for this wonderful library system for 12 years, and I sincerely love all of my co-workers (throughout the system), but none have had the affect on me like Toni. When she came into my life, it truly felt like a weight was being lifted off of me and my co-workers at the St.Albans branch.
For the better part of a year we were without a branch manager (one manager retired, and the woman who replaced her became ill shortly after she took over ), then came word that we were to get Toni Blessing from the Riverside Branch. Not too long after we got official word, one of my good friends who worked for her called me at home and cried her eyes out because Toni was leaving.At the time I sort of teased her and said that no one is that effective...well, now I'm crying (...and it takes alot to do that to me).
It's really easy to tell people to get on with their lives, get over your hurts, grow up, but when you have a friend that believes in you and all that you do you don't want to give them up, and although I will move on, losing Toni will create a huge void in my heart.
For those who read this post and wonder how it relates to my music, please read my post entitled "Carpenter Ants 0- Life 22 (Wednesday)" written in March of this year.

I know that she will not want any fanfare at her departure, but I will give her some here (hey, it's my blog)...
Toni Lee Blessing, thank you for being the best leader/ friend / sister/ boss/ cheerleader/ prime motivator that a guy from the Bronx could have asked for. I wish you good luck always, and you damn well better keep in touch.
I love you dearly...

This post is dedicated to all of my coworkers in the great Kanawha County Public Library system, the most talented group of people on the face of the Earth.

Support Live music today tomorrow, and always.

Waiting For A Friend...

This post doesn't exactly deal with music specifically, but I felt the need to acknowledge the passing of a good friend of mine...that sadly, I sort of lost touch with.

When I came to West Virginia in 1971 to go to college, among my first friends was a gentleman from Pittsburgh PA named Bill "Hammer" Ross. He was a big guy but as nice as they come.
Over our years in college we remained good friends, but drifted into our own lives and subsequently went in different directions as people often do.
In 1980 I moved back to New York and lived there for 10 years, and when I decided to come back to this area, Bill was one of the first people I re- met .
Years later, and he still was the great guy I knew from our college life.
I only learned at the advent of his death that he battled ALS (or Lou Gehrigs) disease.
I picked up the paper and was quite stunned to see his smiling face looking up from the page...my heart sank.
I've said before that death is a part of life, and I don't fear it but I feel a great loss when someone is this young and they leave behind a family.
We loved him, but Allah loved him best, and granted him eternal rest.
Yes, I'm sorry to say that we'd lost touch, but when you're waiting for a friend, time doesn't seem to end.
Good night my brother...

William Dewey Ross, Jr.
4-19-1953- 8-20-2005.

In honor of Bill, please click on the following link to learn more about ALS disease. ALS Association

Support Live music today tomorrow, and always.

Pray For A Better Day.

I was watching a sad story with a happy but difficult ending tonight.
A few weeks ago singer / songwriter Marc Cohn (noted for the smash hit "Walking In Memphis") was carjacked in Denver CO. He was shot in the head, and the bullet narrowly missed his skull and his eye ( thank Allah).
I realize that he is famous and that people in his stage of life often find themselves the victims of these types of occurances, and because they may have money (or so you think!!) we feel that they can get the best help that money can buy. I want to set the record straight once and for all...people bleed when they get shot, only by the grace of Allah do they live through an experience like that.
Why is it that we cannot seem to live and let live? Why is it that people feel such great need to take by force what isn't theirs? What they have not worked for.
I know that when the economy is bad in the world that people resort to terrible means to get theirs, but even at the cost of someone's life ?
Are we that damn shallow ?
I have all these questions but I have no answers, and it makes me sad. It makes me not want to trust.
I've said so many times in this blog that musicians truly do not deserve to be treated so badly, we are the ones that lift your spirits when you're down, we help to heal you when you're wounded. We have done so much for humanity, that it alsmost warrants special treatment. I've also said that no one deserves to be treated badly.
I'm saddened that we almost lost my brother Marc, we did lose my brother John Lennon, we've lost King Curtis ( a gifted saxophone player who played on such hits as Aretha Franklin's Respect).
One of my dearest friends Burt McGowan ( another talented saxophonist ) was murdered in the Bronx years ago after taking the time to escort a lady to her home so she wouldn't have to travel alone at night.
People, hear my call, we've done nobody wrong. Please leave us alone, let us live. It's rare that we become rich though our music, but we give so much richness and joy to you.
I'm taking this time to ask everyone to please pray for a better day, pray for the deliverance from and the destruction of evil. Take a moment to turn Satan away from your life. Please put goodness and GOD in your heart, find a reason to love.

This post is dedicated to Marc Cohn, I am grateful to Allah for sparing your life. Thank you for the joy you've brought to my life with your music.
It's also dedicated to Elizabeth Vargas, thank you for having the courage to tell us this story, may Allah continue to bless you and your marriage to Marc.

Support Live music today tomorrow, and always.

The Music of the Heart

Ahhh love, it's such a wonderful thing, even though at the same time it confuses us, mystifies and stupifies us, and greatly terrifies us we strive to find it daily, maybe even hourly...why is that ?
I think it's because of the music that it dictates to our hearts.
One thing that I've noticed alot is that even the toughest of people succumb to the rhythmic pangs that love causes you to have, and the need to fulfill it becomes one of a great dance to that same rhythm.
Dr. Joyce Brothers says in her book "How To Have Whatever You Want In Life," "that the great need for love is only surpassed by the need for mothering..."
To that, I can really relate.
Some of the greatest songs ever written attest to this fact. We want love and will run skip and jump for it, we'll leave on midnight trains, get tickets to airplanes, and walk 25 miles to get it.
On the other hand we need to learn to not be afraid of it, nor be afraid to say that that is the state we're in. If you don't believe what I'm saying try being without it for any length of time...like a month or so. It ain't easy !!
I find myself writing this because I just went through a bout of my wife being really ill (she's all better now, thank you), and for the first time in my life I really got panicked.
I'm not one who falls apart at the hint of someone being ill, or at the demise of someone, but make no mistake when I tell you that my Vickie is everything to me and I'll make no apologies when I say that I can't function without her. I can carry on if I had to, but I won't function, I'd just go through the motions.
If I ever had to give advice about life, the first thing I'd tell everyone is to follow the music of the heart ( yes folks it's live music !!!) , and dance to your own
rhythm... in your own time.

This post is dedicated to Vickie Tuitt.
It's also dedicated to Suzette Harrison, Valerie Little, and Lida Sheperd.

Even with your heart, support live music today tomorrow, and always.

Here's The Skinny...

Here's a pretty funny story, that I was reminded of recently. It falls in the, ' this only happens to me' category... and it features Jupiter Little, Ted Harrison (the Carpenter Ants drummer and bassist respectively), and me.
About 3 years ago on New Years Eve, we did a gig in Alexandria VA. It was an event called "First Night." Quite a few cities around the country are doing these. They're family oriented fun events which feature live music, and things that people can bring their children to, to celebrate the end of one year and the start of a new one.
Anyway, the next morning Jupie, Ted and I headed home for West Virginia ( Michael didn't ride with us because he was going to visit his uncle and some friends )
We're riding along and decided to stop for some breakfast in some small little town in Maryland (I was driving). As I pulled off the exit I noticed that a restaurant was back to the left, but in order to get there we had to make a U turn, so off I go, and in nothing flat I was pulled over by a police officer...It was about that time that I remembered that I couldn't find my drivers license, so, sort of panicked, I explain to the Ted and Jupie that I don't know where it is; well Jupie hands me his license just before the officer asked me for ID, I hand him the license, he goes back to his vehicle (stay with me here...); now just so you get the picture, let me tell you that I am 5'9" and weigh 250 lbs. Jupie is roughly about 6' and weighs next to nothing soaking wet.
After what seemed like forever the officer returns and says to me: " gee Mr. Little you sure have lost alot of weight,"
Obviously, he didn't see the humor in this and wrote me a ticket for $125.00, so of course at that point I wasn't laughing either.

It's times like these that you look back with wonder at how you got over. I guess we really all don't look alike !!!

Support Live Music today tomorrow, and always.

The West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.

What is the WV Music Hall of Fame ? Where did it come from ?
In the year 2005, it is in the planning stages, and it will rise from out of nowhere to be an entity the likes of which this great state has never seen.

If you are even the slightest fan of music, grab a piece of paper and a pencil, or if you're sitting at your computer, log onto The West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.
West Virginia is about to garner something that has been a long time coming and at the same time, ahead of its time.

Right now, there is an exhibit in the Clay Center entitled "Music of the Coalfields," it's a wonderful pictorial that showcases West Virginia's early coal mine camp settlements, and the music that the miners played during some of the boon years.
The Hall will be home to music history of all kinds emanating from this state. In other words what you'll see and hear is music from the coalfields to the metropolis. A wide array of tastes and styles all of which have made West Virginia an important state with a rich diverse culture.
West Virginia can be proud of its gift to our nation as it has given this country many of it's sons and daughters who have added to the fabric of our lives through music.
The state's colors are blue and gold, and musically our artists have given us everything from the blues to solid gold.
The chief curator for the Hall is soliciting any and all help with this wonderful project. Some of the things that are needed are voluteers of all sorts, memorabilia, pictures, stories both chronolized, and oral, and notwithstanding, any money that individually one could donate, and/ or if there are corporations out there that believe in West Virginia's great musical history and feel it necessary to help foster a showcase with which to proudly display it.
In the years that I've been a resident of this great state, I have seen and heard many great musical artists, and I feel that the time has been long overdue to pay tribute to those who culturally have enriched this state, and given it a sense of itself through music.

For more info on The West Virginia Music Hall Of Fame please call
(304) 342-4412
or log on to www.wvmusichalloffame.com
Support Live music, today tomorrow always and...yesterday!

Shake a Hand, Make a Friend...

I've said often enough on these pages that my dream is to play music everywhere that I can. That statement is just a bit misleading, why? because I play music often enough, and with the Carpenter Ants we do travel quite a bit ( at least seemingly more than many of our friends/ fellow musicians here in West Virginia) so the statement of the desire of this dream is a little confusing.
I guess what I really want is for a complete career in this business, to be able to travel across this country and around the world and continue to meet people and hope that through our music we can be catalysts to help the world see ourselves as Allah (God) see us.
Sometimes I get disturbed with the events that make up the fabric of our lives, the murder, the distrust, the anguish, the despair and I want to just reach out and help everyone...but in fact that may be unrealistic. It would take next to forever to get a point where I could see everyone let alone try to do something positive for them; but there is a solution: music, all kinds of music.
Mostly everyone knows that music soothes the savage breast, but what we don't know is that music can walk where we cannot, it can reach into the tiniest of spaces, fill the greatest of voids...oh, we know it on some levels, but I mean like a real honest to goodness handshake, you know the kind that lets a person know that you respect them, and that you're open to meeting them...that kind of handshake.
During the time I've spent in my new found hobby of blogging, I've shaken hands with some incredible people who have touched my life and gave me even more insights into me and I AM GRATEFUL. They've gone to the Carpenter Ants website listened to some of our music, have traveled to see our shows, and have been open to meeting us and getting to know us. They have been encouraging in ways unseen.
Over the years, and as recently as the other day I've been asked by friends and family alike, how do you do this (play music til all hours, then get up and go to work daily) ? I'll answer with a line from the song "The Musician" written by Gayle Moran ( the keyboardist, and wife of keyboard legend Chick Corea) it's from the album entitled "Musicmagic" ca.1977.
"He plays his song for one reason, it's simply what he loves."
That's the condensed version of my answer, the LP version is that for my life to have meaning to me I have to follow my heart and my dream.That doesn't mean that I'm not happy, it just means that while I have the chance, I will go everywhere I can, shake a hand and make a friend.
Lastly, I will say... I'm game, are you ? Then...
Support Live music today, tomorrow and always.

On The Same Page.

Before I delve into this post I'm going to make an apology publicly:
In my last post I wrote about problems that I felt weren't being dealt with by our band. I should have been better about speaking up,even if I were wrong.
I must acknowledge that a great many things are done and have been done on my behalf and that of the band.
I will say that playing music is on the part of any band often a thankless job, and that sometimes people in a band are more often than not, or more often than they realize on the same page.
Michael Lipton and I occasionally disagree about things, some important, some not so important but I feel and have always felt that he does to the best of his ability put forth a great effort to move the Carpenter Ants forward in one body.
A job that he rarely gets paid for and a job that he even more rarely gets thanked for.
First my apology: Mike I'm sorry if the things that I said have in any way caused you any embarrassment or anguish, you know me better, it's never my intention to hurt, though my methods don't always bear that out.
To my other band mates the same apology applies to you as well, but understand that the efforts by one person must done by us all.
We must duplicate the efforts in any way possible within our means.
My true intention is for us to get to the top together; the thought of me going on in life without you is more frightening to me and I want us to all be together, for as long as Allah permits.
It was pointed out that probably airing these things out in this type of forum isn't a good idea. I have mixed emotions about that: if it's done maliciously then it really isn't good, if it stirs up healthy debate, that may be better, but only if all means to communicate were expended and clearly mine were not.
Lastly for Michael, I want you to share this load with us, teach us what to do and how to do it, and I'll teach and show you all how to do what you think that I do best.

Support Live music today, tomorrow and always.

Musical Backgammon

If you know the game of backgammon you know that it's a game of mathematical movement in which two players roll dice and based upon the number on those dice one player moves accordingly toward a home board. It's actually a little more involved than the explanation here, but you get the idea.
Anyway, music is an awful lot like the game of backgammon, in that there are players of varying levels vying to get their pieces to the home board first and win. Well just as in backgammon it's impossible to create a tie, because there will always be a winner, music in effect is like that. You roll the dice and hope that your music will be accepted by the powers that be. Those powers can be fellow musicians, they can be business people directly involved in the music industry, or they can be fans who help skyrocket you and your dream to the top.
None the less in order to make any part of that dream a reality you must understand the math involved thoroughly before you can create the kind of ruckus that gets you noticed by anyone or by everyone.
Let me give you an example ( you'll need this, to get the point of my post), think of your favorite artist, and your favorite song; it could be the current song or past song, instrumental or vocal. Think about the feeling you had when you first heard it...
Whatever the emotion was that you felt was the ruckus. However it affected you was the ruckus. It's the thing about someone or something that makes you remember them ( I know that ruckus actually has a different meaning, it's a disturbance, but I'm arriving at my definition through the use of this word...the disturbance), the disturbance that makes you look.
In other words, when you create a positive disturbance in the music industry you get noticed.Comprende' ?
OK, why am I writing about backgammon and how does this relate to my music ? Well the absolute truth is that I'm sitting here right now and my heart has been heavy all evening long because I need to make a decision about something and it may very well be one of the hardest things that I've had to do in awhile.
I'm thinking about quitting the Carpenter Ants, the band that has been my home for 12 years. Why? How could I ?
To answer the first question, I feel that the direction that the band is going is no longer a good one for me. I feel that for as long as they've been a band they should have been much farther along than they are moneywise, we've priced ourselves out of a market by not charging enough for people to take us seriously. We'll travel for days to make change, we'll play for hours on end and come home with nothing to show for our time.
We are grown men and yes we do enjoy each other's company, and we do get along well for a band, but playing music is more than that. To get to the level that I aspire takes a real commitment from everyone, yet we can't agree to learn songs as we should. All of us have talent but we're only using part of that talent.
All of us have egos but only one ego is king. When one problem arises and is dealt with, there lurking in the shadows is a newer greater one...it's too tiring.
I told them over a year ago that they can no longer use my van for transportation and here we are insisting that I add more mileage to an already older van. These things cost a lot of money, but we aren't making any to cover the costs of when it breaks down.
We had a record company sign us, completely jerk us around, and yet here we are waiting anxiously for the same company to release (as they say) our 3rd CD. Why didn't we get the hell off of our asses and find a company that believed in us enough to take a chance on us.
How could I leave? That answer too is complex, I really believe in myself and my talents and I'm willing to take the chance to go out on my own and find a musical situation that suits my needs monetarily, musically, mentally and mutually. After all, I did leave New York and move here, and my musical backgammon led me to them, and I've won.
I have a wife that has been my rock, and through all that I've put her through, she has stuck by me through all of my tears and all of my faults. She's not in the best of health and it's time for ME to stand by her.
I have a job that I dearly love and a boss that I absolutely would go to the end of the Earth for if she asked, it may not have been the thing that I've wanted most out of life but I could have happiness there.
I have had my day in the Sun, and I have enjoyed it, basked in it, now it might be time for me to get out of the weather.
If I decide to leave, I'll write about it, then close up shop, and look for the next thing for me, but know that I'll never be too far away, I'll just be standing in the shadows...of music.

Support Live music today, tomorrow and always.

Fun and Games

It was Wednesday and as usual lately hardly anyone at the club, and tonight we didn't even have Michael ( he was away for the evening). We did though, have our favorite Michael substitute, Bill Holstein.
Bill Holstein is just alot of fun. If you've been watching Rockstar INXS, and seeing those folks get into the whole rock mode, then you'll have an idea about my buddy Bill (except, he's cuter, and can play a whole lot better). Bill gives body English a whole new meaning, you know how we musicians make those faces when we play (what's up with that anyway ?), the whole body movement thing...you've seen it.
Anyway, we decided to make the evening complete fun and turn it into our Mike Jones night. Now Mike, is our buddy who sits in with us on Wednesdays on percussion. Mike is about 6' 7" with feet the size of a small yacht ( ha ha ha, gigglesnort***).
Every week I try and try to get Jones to sing all in good fun of course but he never takes the bait, so last night I decided to become Mike and sing for him ( his voice would remind you of the ghetto version of Barry White). It was funny, at least in my warped mind.
The only truly negative on the evening was that prior to starting the night out someone stole Bill's guitar and his amp rig, sending him into (as you can imagine) a complete dither
Now all of this truly makes me angry because this kind of stuff is not supposed to happen at the Empty Glass, so I'm quite upset by the whole thing.
I said in a recent post when a similar thing like that happened in Parkersburg, that people need to realize that first of all we musicians don't have alot; many don't have transportation, their own home, nor loads of money to buy these things consistently; so it's a real pain when you rip us off. No one deserves it but least of all musicians
Be that as it may, we wound our way through the evening and managed to smile and laugh, and have a good time.
So as far as the lesson here, it's to have fun and games regardless.
If you feel like you need to exist with the forty thieves you need to go where they are and leave hard working decent people who can least afford it ALONE !!!

None the less...
Support Live music today, tomorrow and always.

This One Hurts ( Luther Vandross)

Death is a part of life, and though try as we may to be cavalier about it sometimes a person dies and their death leaves you with a great void.
On July 1st singer Luther Vandross died, and I must tell you that this one really hurt.
As a lifelong musician and singer, it was people like Luther who helped to fuel my dreams, because he was someone that in New York City you could see walking down the street, and he'd stop and take time to talk to you and check out your progress if you were striving in this business, give you strong encouragement, and a friendly pat on the back, and thumbs up, and would tell you to keep on pushin'.
In an age where everyone is basically leery of everyone else, Luther was a breath of fresh air.
Being overweight, and trying to make it music is one of the most difficult and terrifying experiences. The powers that be are so geared toward the folks with chisled everything, that they have forgotten and overlooked those with true talent. They have forgotten that in music size really doesn't matter, it's supposed to be the size of the talent.
Luther Vandross to me was a giant of a man, with giant sized talent, and an even bigger heart, and when he opened his mouth his music made you forget that life can be a bitch sometimes.
I felt compelled to write this post and say that my heart is heavy at this loss, Luther Vandross was another fine Bronx product, in a great line of people formerly of the Bronx. He will be forever missed...may God give mercy to his soul, as he brought joy to us all.
Good night my brother.

Luther Vandross 1951- 2005 .

In honor of Luther, I want to direct you to the American Diabetes Association. and point out the good work that they are doing to bring attention to, and fight this disease.

Suppot Live Music today, tomorrow and always.

Harlem and The Bronx (the making of Charlie Tee) (#3)

In this post I'll tell you about a very valuable lesson that I learned thanks to my Mother, and how that lesson was reinforced thanks to my Father.

Growing up in the Bronx meant a great deal to me, and since both of my parents were fairly prominent people in New York City Government, that life had even more meaning. I was always proud of the work that they did, and I took their work very seriously... in short my parents worked the butts off.
Because of them a band that I played with got invited to do a gig at a very prominent night spot in the Bronx, the Advocate. By day it was swanky very upscale restaurant serving mainly judges and attoneys and an occasional New York Yankee ( Yankee Stadium was just 3 blocks away). Lunch there started at $19 dollars, dinner would cost you somewhere in the neighborhood of $36 dollars and up. After dinner starting around 9:30 pm the place would transform into a serious nightclub. I'm talking Buddy Rich would hang out there, Lionel Hampton, and there was one Duke Ellington present on a couple of occasions, to name a few. The room had a wonderful stage, very big and roomy. In its nightclub formation the Advocate would hold about 200 people and still be comfortable.
So imagine my surprise when my Mom came home from work one evening and announced that her son was going to be playing a gig there, and for money. I had been to the Advocate a few times with my parents for dinner when we really were celebrating something special. It was suit and tie and starched shirt, not a hair out of place, and brother you'd better mind your manners in that joint.
Anyway, after picking myself up off the floor and calling my bandmates, who were equally excited, we spent lots of time getting ready for this.
The day to play came, we showed up to the club, but there was a big problem, my friend Eddie Rodriguez who was our guitarist didn't own a suit, and the clothes that he did have weren't very adequate to play at a place like this.
Now understand that unless you're some big named star, you just don't come as you are, you get together with family or friends and borrow things, especially since we were getting paid $2000.00 dollars ( yes, that's two thousand !!). Eddie instead chose to throw a temper tantrum, with the manager, and me like an idiot trying to defend my buddy almost lost us the gig.
Needless to say my Mother went ballistic, it wasn't just the fact that Eddie did what he did, but that I had the nerve to be just as foolish.
For a Black woman in those days [even in New York] it was pretty difficult to get big named stars a job there let alone some knucklehead teenagers ( and I wasn't even a teenager officially).
After that fiasco my Mother went out and bought Eddie a decent suit and some casual clothes for lighter gigs. I couldn't believe it but they still paid us the money, and my Mom never took a penny of it...that was loyalty and trust beyond belief.
The lesson that I learned from that was knowing how to be prepared to do this music as a life work, in all aspects. My Dad reinforced that by making certain that before we walked out the door we looked the part of where we were going to play. My Mother never did ask for any money back, even from Eddie's parents.
Eddie went on to be the original lead guitarist in Earth Wind and Fire, Eddie del Barrio. When my Mother died in 1997, Eddie sent me a wonderful letter, thanking God for my Mother's belief in him and her kindness because it set his life in motion on the right path and he parlayed that into a career.
I just cannot say enough about the most gratifying experience of being the son of Carmen and James. My Mom and Dad were absolutely the greatest people on the Earth to me.

Rock Star, 2MuchXS For Making The Band or an Idol

I'm embroiled in watching "Rock Star INXS," the new rock reality monster. A few months ago I was tuned to "Making the Band,"
P Diddy's reality music show.
I have a slight problem with "American Idol," ( no, make that, I have a huge problem with it !) For many years, I've watched in absolute horror some of these shows with people all trying to live up to a crazy dream. Now I freely admit that I have that same exact dream, to be on somebody's stage performing somewhere, anywhere in the world. My problem with some of these shows are that in the process of some idiot like Simon criticizing you about a performance that you have little control over, they don't teach you anything of value to help you carry on or for that matter, move on. I realize that in Simon's case he's basically just the hard edged comic relief, sort of like Rex Reed is to the movies, and in reality there are just people who clearly have no business in music. It's OK to have the dream if you're doing your homework about being in this business, because at least you may come to a realization that you need work, or if nothing else you may need to leave your town and comfort zone in pursuit of some positive reinforcement.
Let's be real here...for some of these people vying for shots at the big time, wouldn't it make some sense to know just a little bit about some of the artists whose music you're trying to tackle ?
When I was in college I entered a talent show that I knew in 2 seconds wasn't gonna go my way, but I surprised everyone when I covered a Stevie Wonder song completely accapella including humming portions of the music and painting a vivid enough picture that even those who weren't totally familiar with song had a feel for it. Even to my amazement, I still won a prize, and turned quite a few people's heads.
The point here is that for all of you trying so desperately to make the band, learn to control YOU, first, then learn the room that you're playing in. When you conquer your fear of the room itself, the audience is yours for the taking .
Despite what anyone tells you, the lead vocalist is the focal point and the key to the door, next command the band, remember you are the captain of this ship, and it's your ocean too !!
Some of the things that I do like about the shows Making the Band and Rockstar INXS is that for the most part the people involved get to learn the things that they need to help them wake up and realize that this is first, business, then it's a show.
If you've ever heard stories about the machine which was Motown, you know that Berry Gordy hired people to polish most of the acts such as the Temptations, and the Supremes and teach them things about the business of music, there is footage out there that you can see and review.
Like it or not shows like Idol just aren't that good, too many cookie cutter standpoints of singers...( in other words, they all sound the same.), little if any originality.
If you're watching Rockstar, check out the lady named Jordis ( she's the woman with the dread locks hairdo), she, in my opinion is a real gem. She is a powerhouse of a singer who has amazing control over every aspect of her music.
Clearly, she completely knows how to work an audience, and the room, and, the band. I can tell you first hand that when the musicians are into you, they taylor their playing toward you, then you have it licked, and she does.
In the meantime, to be a rockstar just remember that too much excess will not help you make the band or be an idol...RELAX.

Support Live music today, tomorrow and always.

"Damn the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead."

I recently had quite a few responses via e-mail on a post that I wrote awhile back entitled, Where Did Our Love Go ?
I decided to answer you with this...( don't worry it ain't bad!!!)

For quite sometime now my band the Carpenter Ants have had a regular gig on Wednesday nights at the Empty Glass In Charleston. Well, for a good period of time now there has hardly been anyone out on Wednesdays, and it gets increasingly harder to justify taking any money from the club to pay us, so what I do from week to week is play it by ear. If there are alot people in the club and they seem to be spending money, we will play and I will ask for a reasonable amount of money; if there aren't many people there then I try to be reasonable in the clubs favor. The Empty Glass has been home base for us since I've been in the band, which is now 12 years.
I have to be realistic about some things though...right now in this country the economy is not so great, people everywhere are suffering in more ways than one.
I'm just a musician, and not to sneeze on that fact, but the arts in general suffer when the economy is this bad. Who the heck wants to make the choice of buying entertainment when gas costs an arm and a leg, when food prices are through the roof. I don't want think about a band when I gotta put my child through college, and I'm robbing Peter to pay Paul...it's absolute HELL being in the position that I'm in, why? Because this is my dream that's why, the only thing that I've ever truly wanted to do was to be on a stage playing music for the masses, to paraphrase the words of Billy Joel's "Piano Man," "I hoped it would be me they'd be comin' to see, to forget about life for awhile."
But the fact is that with all the talent that I think that I have, I'm here and I'm struggling to get heard, so it's left up to me if I care as much as I say that I do to keep plugging away at this rock in my path to not give up hope, and to "keep on tryin' 'til I reach my highest ground,"(Stevie Wonder, "Higher Ground" from Innervisions 1974.)
Yes, I know that's not the answer you may have been hoping for but the most important thing is to believe in yourself and tell yourself always and often... "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead."

This post is dedicated to all musicians who are really busting their rear ends trying to get their music out to the public...please please don't give up hope, your time is coming, grit your teeth and hang in there.
This post is also dedicated to everybody who is trying to live through the dregs of this economy. We will see tomorrow.

Support Live music today, tomorrow and always.

The Fire This Time

In the spiritual realm there has always been talk of the fire next time. It refers to the fact that Allah (God) will destroy the world by fire. One of the chief reasons that this could come to pass is that we truly need to learn to have respect for each other. That means all of us.
The reason that I chose this as my opening statement is that I need you to understand that I'm trying to use my musical abilities, and my talents to help people come to grips with this fact. We are all in this together, and the sooner that we learn to have reverence for each other, the better it is for all of us... but it takes an open mind and an open heart to get that kind of enlightenment.

When the Carpenter Ants first played in the downtown Charleston, we were met with so much criticism that I felt that these people would never get the fact that our mere goal was to entertain them, so we pretty much shied away from the area. That has all changed for me with the advent of playing at the Vandalia Lounge.
I said in a posting about them recently, that these people get the point, and not only do they get it but they make playing in a bar worthwhile. Every single time we have played there the positive vibe has gotten greater.
I'm struck by the fact that most of the clientele are very successful people, who are working their fannies off at whatever they do, but at the end of the day they have learned to shed off that skin, let their hair down and have fun.
I'm certain that you're going why is that important ? It's important because Allah never intended for us to have hardship, nor do he intend for us to work ourselves into our graves.
Keep in mind that many people drink in excess because they are frustrated with their lives, and can't seem to find themselves in the mire, and truly, many clubs exploit this.
To me though, the clubs of real worth see to it that you you have fun as much as you can. They act responsibly in getting the best caliber of everything that they offer.
The Vandalia Lounge has taken that to an entirely new level. The staff makes you feel completely welcome when you walk through the door.
For musicians that kind of vibe is just what the doctor ordered, it makes playing there a special thing for everyone...not just for the ultra hip but literally for everyone.
For the Carpenter Ants ( me especially), this is almost a dream come true, I really want to share my music with people who get the point and go with the flow; so when the staff is glad to see you, and the manager is glad to see you, and the patrons are calling on their cell phones to "get your ass over here, this f**king band is amazing,"as I heard one woman tell her friend, what else can happen but a great time !!!
This time out we had the great Steve Ferguson with us and he mesmerized the crowd with his guitar playing, and even he had loads of fun playing for the Vandalia crowd. Michael Lipton noted as did I, that it seemed like people were not only having serious fun but also really paying attention to us.
I said before and I'll say it again the Vandalia Lounge is the fire this time, not because they are ending the world but because they are using their positive energies to change the world, light a fire in all of us that opens our eyes to real humanity, real friendship...and fun.

This post is dedicted to Pierre, the manager of the Vandalia Lounge and his great staff. You all will help to make live music come roaring back to the Valley, just as the Empty Glass on the east end, and the River's Edge Cafe in St. Albans are doing, you have raised the bar. Keep the vision strong, and keep up the good work.

Support Live Music today, tomorrow and always.