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.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Saturday, August 27, 2005
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
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
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.
Friday, August 19, 2005
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.
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.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
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.
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!
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!
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