Don't Postpone Joy

Here are the lyrics to a song that I wrote in 1983...
They mean as much to me today as they did when they arrived in my sleep one night that year.
verse 1:
I've been fighting, just to love you,
tryin' to give you,
This love I have inside which is for you
But you don't want it,
Dodging me, at every turn,
You must think I've got time to burn...so baby,
I'm gonna give you, some very sound advice,
I hope that you'll use it for life...oh baby

chorus:
Don't postpone joy, it's that feeling,
When ecstacy's ray shine the light
Don't postpone joy,cause it can send you reelin'
When you share your love with someone
And you'll find that,
Living is an art and you can master it
With love

verse 2:
I've been watching, angry people,
Who need loving
But they don't understand it takes some work
Cause loving takes feeling,
But it's as free as breathing air,
Be smart and take the time to share...your love
And you'll find that, living is an art and you can master it...with love

chorus:
Don't postpone joy, it's that feeling,
When ecstacy's ray shine a light
Don't postpone joy,cause it can send you reeling
When you share your love with someone
And you'll find that living is an art and you can master it with love.

(composed and arranged by Charlie Tee,
Copyright 1983, on file, Library of Congress.)


One of these days, I'll get around to teaching it to my band and playing it live.Until then...

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

The Day That Music Married the Radio

In the days of A.M.radio (if you have to ask, trust me, you're too young...) I used to have one glued to my ear, and we always had one on playing in our house.My parents absolutely loved music, and believe me, it rubbed off and then some.
Anyway, I used to imitate all the hip DJ's, from "Murry the K," and "Eddie O'Jay," to "Cousin Brucie," in New York. I had all of their jargon and jive down pat, and as a musician I came to learn the power that these radio folks had. I also came to realize, that for them, it wasn't about race or even gender; it was about the power to bring people together, and I really appreciated it...and I still do.
During the trying times of our lives DJ's have stood with us when we couldn't stand for ourselves.During the great periods they were also there to cheer us on and make us feel special.
I'm writing about this because I just want to say thank you to all of those people who make their living enthralling, educating,and entertaining us.Who have been on the longest of trips and kept us company with a song in their hearts, and smiles on their lips.
On Friday here in Charleston, I was moved to tears by our local DJ's on a station that has now become my home in my car, V-100 FM. They among others did a live broadcast from the Charleston Town Center Mall, to bring attention to St.Jude's Hospital and the work that those wonderful people are doing to end serious illnesses for children.
Jeanne K, one of the discjockeys began to tell a story about her cousin whose leg had to be amputated because he contracted a rare form of Cancer.She went on to say how terrible she felt at the thought of having to see him this way, and she began to cry in earnest.
It touched me so much, that I cried as if I knew him as well, and I have never been more proud to be a radio listener than I was then.
I'm ashamed that I can't afford to send a check to help out, but if there is any other way for me to do my part, I am more than willing.
I am blessed with healthy and happy children, and grandchildren, and I am more blessed to know that I live in a community such as this where we know our local radio personalities, and know that even in this hectic, myopic, whirlwind of a world that we call today that there still exists people who give a damn.
Let me tell you, the day that music married the radio was a wonderful day.

This post is dedicated to the spirits of the legendary DJ's of yesterday who have been reincarnated in people like Jeanne K, Ric Cochran, Steve and Jenny, and all of the discjockeys at V-100 FM.
For more info on this station click here V100.fm

Support Live music today tomorrow and always...and keep this marriage sacred.

Calm Before The Storm, or Weird Clarity...

This week was great, long but great, I got to play lotsa music, I learned some valuable things at work at the library, and I spent time with my Vickie (although would have liked a bit more of hanging out with her...).
I really feel like my life is headed in the direction that I've always wanted to go, and one truly valuable thing I'm learning is, to be patient.
Patience, although very underrated is a truly worthwhile thing. I don't why this all of sudden hit me, but I feel like for once I have a good handle on it.
Also this week, I've had the weirdest dreams that I think that I've ever had...all kinds of things have popped into my little mind, but the message that I got from them all was to be patient...Charlie, be very patient, so I'm trying to listen to that voice and slow my butt down a little, listen to my insides and focus.
I'm fairly certain that this has occured to me once before, and when it happened that time I listened also, and I was lead to some very life changing things, including meeting one of my heroes, David Sanborn in New York.
You all, I'm sure have heard the phrase, that it's darkest before the dawn, or calm before the storm.Well that seems to be the vibe that's going on with me; a sort of weird clarity, I'm seeing things coming my way that are going to change me for the better, or move me up higher on the ladder, only now, I'm really ready to receive it...I've blocked my blessings long enough.
In my last post, this very strange puzzle came to me in the form of words, and you need to know that that is something out of the norm for me, I just don't seem to operate that way, in other words, I'm a fairly straight forward person, even in my dreams. So this is all a little new for me, with these types of dreams and all.
Whatever all of this means, I hope and pray that you all are with me, because having all of your prayers for me has meant more to me than you will ever know, and I want to say that here and now.
So many people have written to me to tell me that what I've had to say has meant alot to them, and that has touched my soul deeply, and I hope that it is conveyed in my music as well...the love that I have for all of you.
Call it the calm before the storm,weird clarity, or whatever you'd like, but I'm not afraid anymore...and I like that.

This post is dedicated to everyone who reads it...

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

This Puzzle Called Life

There once was a puzzle called life and it was spread all over a table.Something bumped into the table and knocked off a few pieces, and just as I reached to pick them up, a strong wind came along and blew away some of my life. Stunned, I tried to continue, but I realized that I needed those pieces, so I went in search of my life's missing pieces. That journey took me far and wide, but I needed those pieces so I ventured on.Along the way I found hope, which is a piece of my life, but I had to have the rest to complete my puzzle.
I tried to imagine life without the remaining pieces, and I couldn't see life altogether, so I moved along, hoping to complete the puzzle someday.
I met a friend who told me that she spied one of the pieces of my life but I needed to marry in order to get it back. So I married and retrieved another piece of life.During the marriage, I realized that I also needed understanding to complete my life puzzle, so I set off to find it as well when I encountered work.Work gave me part of my puzzle, but a stronger wind came and blew away the piece that I was holding, so I simply headed for home, when I got there I decided to try to finish my puzzle without those pieces only to realize that I had everything I needed all along.
The question: how is it that I didn't realize that I had what I needed ?

I have no real reason for writing this, it just came to me this way, but I hope that some of you will try to answer it,or solve it.
I've been dreaming alot lately...

Support lIve music today tomorrow and always.

It's Just Us...is it justice?

The recent events involving the dreaded cartoon depiction of the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him), have got me thinking about how far do we stretch our limits when we tease people.
During the course of this time, I've heard many arguements over this, and quite a few of my friends have sort of tip toed around me not quite knowing what to say.
To ease the minds of all of my friends, I will tell you that I am angry about the depiction, but not enough to destroy property, and harm people.I would rather take my energies and educate the ill informed.
It's one thing thing to tease someone about wearing a turbin, or snake charmers as such, but it's another thing altogether to show disrespect for a leader that one fifth of the Earth's population have reverence for.
Yes, you can say that we Muslims need to learn to take a joke, and there may be truth to that, but I don't like being called a nigger either, especially if it is being said as a way to disrespect me, or de-moralize me.
In my band the Carpenter Ants, there is friend who sits in with us on percussion at our shows at the Empty Glass on Wednesdays, his name is Michael Jones. Now Mike is (I think ) six feet six, and has feet the size of small countries,and I tease him relentlessly every week. He is a good natured fella, and accepts his teasing with grace and honor, but I've never made fun of him, even though his life circumstance isn't where he'd like.
Muslims in today's society aren't as accepted as we once were before all of the headlined terrorism that constantly bombards us, but there are a great many of us who are decent well meaning human beings just trying to live in life, and achieve our goals.We don't need ribbing about the Holy Prophet (pbuh) it's just not right.None of the Allah's apostles need, nor deserve that.
So if you must, joke about other aspects of Islam, but really, let's leave religion in general out of the humor. It would do us all some good to pray, and ask yourself...it's just us, but is it justice?

To learn more about the faith of Islam, and the life of Prophet Muhammad, I would like to invite you to a community meeting being held at the Islamic Center of West Virginia , Sunday February 19th from 6-8 pm.Call me or e-mail me if you need directions, or click on the link above.
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Some Explanation Is Required...

If you look back over many of my recent posts it may seem as though my blog has taken on a different tone,or better yet moved away from my original intentions, which is to chronicle my journey toward being in the music buisness.
There is a reason for this, but it requires a little patience and understanding. I still am very interested in playing music full time, but in order to help you (the readers) understand what this journey is comprised of you need to realize that in every story of a person trying to achieve a dream there are parts that are the makeup of that person.
In other words, all of these stories of people, places and things are the parts of the puzzle that guide me along on my path. When I relay a story about my parents for example, it's done to convey the importance of family in one's goals.
When I pay homage to a fallen star, as I did with Luther Vandross, or Richard Pryor, I need you to realize that these are people who in doing what they did had affect on what I'm doing, and am trying to do.
The reason that some explanation is required is that I want to use all of these experiences to help me, keep me grounded, keep me sane, and keep me trying until I reach my goal.By telling it in this way I want people who aren't in music to see that there is a process for some of us.
I got an e-mail from a fan of this blog, who wanted to know why I'm not telling more of the actual struggle to get into the business, hence, I wrote this in answer to them.
If any of you come away with anything else other than I truly want to make music, then please, guess again, music is my first and ONLY love.
Not to worry though, there is plenty to write about within my journey...so the trip continues.

Like a River Running Through It...Sara Sue Wright

One of the things that gave me endless facsination about my Mother was her eloquence, and as a result, in my life I've always been moved by people like her.
I have been very fortunate to have met such a woman in the form of my former boss and dear friend Sara Sue Wright.
When I worked at the Charleston Library, Sara Sue was the head of our Reference Dept. and on many occasions she and I worked together, and I learned volumes about the library business, as well as how to become proficient at my job.
I always loved to talk with her about being a librarian, and the many wonderful facets of this work.She has such pride in what she does that it rubbed off on me tenfold. At some point I began to consider a career in the library business, and when I expressed a desire she not only was overjoyed for me, but also began teaching me the ins and outs of the library world.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to swing going to Library school and getting a Masters degree (funds are low, debt is high...), but Sara Sue still helped to groom me for the jobs which I subsequently moved on to, including now being a Supervisor.
Through it all, she and I have remained friends and she will always be an inspiration.
Well the time has come for her to relax and enjoy her life, as she is about to retire. Her wonderful husband Zeb will have her all to himself, and I have to say that I'm almost jealous.
Truth is though, I couldn't be happier for her, she has given so much to the community in so many ways and we have all benefitted from her eloquence.
Once while giving her a ride home, she and I were talking about our lives and I asked her how she came to settle in Charleston West Virginia, and she told me that having grown up in Nashville Tennessee, "I' ve always been partial to places where there is a river, just something about it keeps me grounded she said," In the years that I've come to know her I vicariously understand why...rivers give way to oceans, rivers also are a source of strength and power, a life giving force; electricity can be generated through the use of mighty rivers, and if you know this magnificent woman, the things that that we've learned from her have given us strength and power, to create our electricity in the way of knowledge, and like a river running through it, isn't knowledge power ?
Sara Sue, I want to thank you for gracing my life, and I wish you the best that you very much deserve. You leave us, but don't forget us, keep in touch...always.

ps. just to show how much she is beloved by my family, my son Marty named our cat after her.

This post is also dedicated to her wonderful family who have stood with her; Dr. Zeb Wright and Colin Wright, and family.
This post is further dedicated to the staff of our Reference Dept, some of the greatest minds anywhere...

Support Live music today tomorrow and always...retire and relax.

Not Enough Hours In the Day

I had to laugh this morning, because I got an e-mail message from my friend Joel in London, then I read my friend Jennifer's post on her blog, and I came to the conclusion that there just aren't enough hours in the day to do all that we strive to do routinely, let alone adding extracurricular activities in the mix.
It seems like everyday time just gets shorter and shorter, and we find ourselves wondering where the hell our lives have gone.
Knowing that my true aim in life is to play music and have that be my life's work, it feels like I'm doing everything but that.
The reason that this all is humorous to me is that I often have to take the Ferris Buehler approach to life.His outlook on life goes something like: "life moves pretty fast, sometimes you gotta stop and watch it or else, you miss it."
That movie changed my attitude about working and slaving everyday over a hot office.Now mind you, I'm not suggesting at all, that you (or anybody for that matter)run out and quit your livelihood, but I am saying that we all need to take some time for 'me.'
I'm also saying, that in your daily/weekly process of working, or schooling remember that Rome wasn't built in day, and because it wasn't you have divine permission to be un-organized ocassionally, it's alright.
There is time to get caught up, there is time reacquaint, and certainly if it is needed, room for all of your desires, but first and foremost remember, that time starts with one, and that one is YOU.

This post is dedicated to Joel Ison and Jennifer Wagner.
You can read their blog posts by clicking on their names above...

If you have the opportunity, rent "Ferris Buehler's Day Off," starring Matthew Broderick. It's an absolutlely hilarious movie with many allegories about our life, and how we should deal with it.

ps. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY to all...

Support Live music today tomorrow and always, but make sure that you have enough hours in your day.

Let's Stay Together (An open letter to Hip Hop)

When I was growing up I truly realized how fortunate I was to have the parents that I did. Although my Mother and Father divorced when I was 7 years old, the strength of their ensuing friendship remained, and they STILL raised my Sister and I with love, caring and devotion.
One of the things that I'm most proud of is the fact that they learned to appreciate and adapt to the music that we loved...all of it.
I can remember vividly watching my Sister Caroleigh ( who was a gifted musician and singer) strut around the house singing Jackie Wilson's "Baby Work Out," her hips swinging hard to the beat of the music. It used to make my Mom cringe, because she knew about Jackie Wilson's past as a criminal and pimp, and at the time few people knew this but Jackie Wilson had raped singer extraordinaire Patti La Belle.
My Mother was aware of this case because she worked in the Bronx District Attorney's office, so news of that caliber travels...
None the less my Mom kept a watchful eye on us, and still allowed us to form our own opinions about music and who we loved, or liked.
I'm saying all of this to say that every generation has it's share of people that make some of us frown or question young people's tastes, but now more than ever we all need to learn to work with each other.We need to find joy in each other's presence.
Folks my age these days are slightly baffled about some of the "music" of today, I'm the first to admit that I don't get alot of it, but like my Mom did, I'm making a conscious effort to be more open minded, but watchful of the music of the younger folks.
For the Hip Hop generation you too need to understand at least some of the things that we "older folks"are trying to impart to you.We want you to have as much fun with your lives as possible, we want you to fulfil your dreams as much as you can imagine, but we also want you to learn to stand on your own 2 feet and work for the things you desire. We want you to truly realize that all women aren't "bitches and 'ho's, and for the ladies, every man ain't a cash cow, and because you saw him on TV, it don't make him a hottie.
My only true advice is to put Allah (God) in your life first and foremost, and try to be open minded about all generations...in short, let's stay together, because like it or not, or believe it or not at some point you too will reach this age, and I just want you get there lovingly.

We all make our own calendars, a person may die young at 80, or old at 30...Holla !!


Support Live music today tomorrow and always, and support young people's interests.

Fourteen Angels...

This is a reprint of an article that appeared in The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Please read it, and keep the Coal Miners in your prayers.

This was written before the accident in Logan...*Subject:* From Cleveland, Ohio Newspaper*

Bless the guys with the guts to dig the coal*Sunday, January 08, 2006 Dick Feagler*Plain Dealer Columnist*
We often make fun of West Virginia. I was raised to do so. From our fancy,sophisticated perch on the top of Ohio, we saw West Virginians ashillbillies and hicks.When we walked into a diner and saw a woman behind the counter, working hertail off, hair in a beehive, extra polite, spanking-white uniform, speakingwith a drawl, we thought, "West Virginia." And we looked down on that goodwoman. And thought, "hillbilly."Was the makeup wrong? Was the body too thin? Maybe the map on the face toldtoo many hardscrabble stories. People in our part of the state - Italians and Pollocks and Irish and whatever -- have always looked askance at the folks from West Virginia, the same way they once looked askance at each other.But this week, if you walked across the floor to turn your thermostat up,you were risking a coal miner's life. Half of America's energy comes from coal -- much of it from West Virginia mines.A coal miner buries himself alive each day. He kisses his family good-byeand rides a bucket two miles into the earth. There he toils until they pullhim up and he goes home for a hug and supper.I guess we don't think too much about what keeps the lights on. Why shouldwe? We are, after all, so smart. We take so many things for granted. But thepower behind that electricity is those guys in the mines.Almost 40 years ago, I traveled with photographer Ted Schneider Jr. to one of the worst coal mine disasters in history. Farmington, W.Va.Ninety-nine miners were entombed by an explosion. Seventyeight died.Schneider and I talked to the widows. We talked to the local undertaker, aguy named Blaine Toothman, about how he was out of body bags and wasordering more from other towns in the state.We covered all the announcements from the coal company union representative.Bulletins came every four hours. Families went home and slept and then dragged themselves back to a barren room with a microphone at the front of it. The news from the mike was always the same: No news. Still trapped.There weren't as many media then. Now the media outnumber reality -- reality meaning the real people with heartbreak at stake. Media are the people who surround them looking to pick up a sound bite and carry it home to feed a hungry 24-hour format.We have, since those days, smothered reality. We've bent it and shaped itinto something useful. If somebody doesn't cry enough, move the camera to somebody who does. If an overweight mother cries too much, look for her telegenic daughter. In the age of television, we audition catastrophe.Back then in Farmington, we found the principal of a local high school who was furious."We try to teach them," he said. "We do our best to educate them -- to give them a way out. But they all go back down in the same damned mines."Schneider took a photo from a cemetery on a hill. It showed the gravestonesof the miners who had gone to that high school and died in that town. And then we left. But I took a piece of West Virginia with me, and I carry it tothis day. They are tough down there in West Virginia. They are nothing to make fun of.They have pride. They shift for themselves. And they ask for nothing.They are the best of America. After last week's disaster at the Sago Mine,the miners said they wanted to go back underground to work. That high school principal, if he hasn't retired, is probably still frustrated.But I saw some miners interviewed. One of them explained that the mines were in his blood. And that his fellow miners were his brothers. And that you don't just quit.God bless the hillbilly and hicks. They are the pilot light of America.

Contact Dick Feagler at: dfeagler@plaind.com, 216-999-5757.

Charlie Tee adds:
I feel that I am the luckiest man on Earth to have moved to this state,and from the first day I arrived, West Virginians have welcomed me as one of their own.I married the daughter of a Coal Miner who loves me unconditionally, this is a trait that is exhibited throughout state by everyone.West Virginia teaches the world to sing in perfect harmony.

This post is dedicated to my Father in law, Alvin Suthpin
It is also dedicated to the all of the Coal Miners everywhere, thank you for risking your lives for me...daily.

My Birthday Thoughts...

I'm at a really good place in my life, and in an unusal fashion, I'm actually looking forward to celebrating my birthday.
Although I really miss my Mother, Father and my Sister Caroleigh, and I desperately wish that I could see them again, I do what I can to keep their memory alive in me always.
My family has always been proud of me, and have always supported me throughout my life, yet it took me quite a number of years to realize how fortunate that I am. My life is filled with stories, allegory, and spirituality to help me face any situation and I'm grateful to have had such a loving and caring family.
The family that I've lost have been replaced by my new family, I have a loving caring wife in Vickie, my children and grandchildren are the greatest things that could have happened to me.My younger Sister Lauren is the best. My In laws make my life worthwhile, as well as my family of friends ( co workers, band mates, and my blogging family).
One of my dearest friends on the Earth (who also, is now deceased) once told me that I should write down my story because she said that my life is so interesting and full, and I told her that not one person in the world would wanna hear what I had to say. In 2 seconds they'd be headed for the toilet, or they'd need a stiff drink because it's so boring.
Well here I am years later, I'm telling my tale of trying to be in the music business and people all over the place are sending me e-mails of encouragement, they make comments here on my blogs, they come to see my band play, and on Friday I got the shock of my life...
I went outside of work to pick up library materials from our off-sight book-drops, and while in my vehicle I listened to a local radio station, when all of a sudden they play music from the Carpenter Ants latest CD, and the DJ said that we are a great local band from here in Charleston ( that was enough for me…), but then he mentions my name and said that I work at the St Albans library and that the people down there just think he is the greatest…he actually said that. Well first I was embarrassed beyond belief, then, I cried for about an hour…what an honor !!
You just never know how you affect people, but I am so unbelievably grateful to everyone for all of the kind things that they have done for me and for this band, but mostly for the encouragement toward my dreams.
My birthday thoughts this year are leaning toward the hope of continued desire, and passion about playing music for the masses; and for the few, and to be healthy enough to enjoy it.

To DJ Rick Cochran, you’ll never know how grateful I am for what you said. I’m still in shock!!
To Charisse Campbell, I'm glad that I finally listened to you and started writing...I miss you more than ever.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always…and blow out the candles with you’re favorite bands or singers.

Open Mouth, Insert Foot...

A few years ago, the Carpenter Ants participated in what was known as "Kanawhapalooza," The Musicians Union's answer to Lollapalooza. The events were held all around the Charleston area, and the intent of the thing was to showcase much of the talented musicians in this area.
Anyway, the venue that we played was located in the Elk River Holiday Inn, at their nightspot called The Dockside.
During a break at our performance, I went to the bar for some water, and a woman came up to me and said "did anyone ever tell you that you look like Al Roker,(of NBC, and Food Network fame)." Well, I hit the roof, I was very insulted, and I was very verbal about it. I realized then as I do now, that the real issue of what upset me so is that I'm struggling with my weight, and have been for years.
Say what you want, but truly it's my own fault that I've gained this much weight, somehow I feel like I've been cheated because I can't live like all the thinner people, so I consume too much food, and don't exercise at all, a deadly combination.
The comments of that woman just opened a bad can of worms for me. I know that her intentions were not meant to insult, but to compliment me on my talent.
The reason that I'm writing about this now is twofold: I just learned of the death of Soul singer Wilson Picket, and I remembered that I wrote a post where I made a pretty disparaging remark about Mustang Sally, and about Freebird. I said in fact: 'don'tcha just wish those songs would go away, or at least wish that someone would open a nightclub especially for people who love those songs... it could be called Mustang Sally's Freebird Utopia.' Really, how stupid of me, and in lieu of the fact that a year or so before that when the Carpenter Ants released our CD "Picnic With The Lord,"one of the reviews that circulated compared my vocal style to Wilson Pickett, and I was truly thrilled and honored by the comparison.
I guess my feelings now are ambivalent because I want to be accepted on my own terms as a musician and singer, but I need to also realize that for people in general, they need to make comparisons.We all do it, in every walk of life, and it's not a bad thing, at least not from this perspective.
My struggle with my weight continues (although I am earnestly trying to do something about it...), and looking forward, I have great plans for myself this year. One of which is to open mouth and insert foot.
Of course I have absolutely no idea who that woman that I argued with is, but if you're reading this please know that I am genuinely sorry for becoming angry, and I feel even lower now that "Wicked Wilson Picket" is gone from our lives. His music, like so many others has affected me positively. I stand in the shadows of music, but I stand on the shoulders of these pioneers, and I'm grateful for the what they have taught me about being an entertainer...sometimes, I have to learn my lessons the hard way !

Wilson Pickett, 1941-2006...goodnight brother

Support Live music today tomorrow and always...and learn to take every comment as a compliment, or as constructive criticism.If people say things that you don't like, learn to channel it into something positive.

Ants in 2006

First let me wish all the Carpenter Ants friends and family a very Happy New Year.This year promises to be one of big things for us...(fingers crossed !!)
Well, after a restful holiday we went back into action at the Empty Glass this past Wednesday, and it seems our little respite did help some things as there were quite a few people at the club and we had some fun.
We started out a bit slow (rusty is more like it...), but time off always does that to folks, so I wasn't too worried, because as usual the band just evolved back to our groovin' selves, save a few mishaps.
I'm still not quite certain what is going on at the Empty Glass, but there seems to be a vaguely weird vibe there anymore, and it bothers me just a little. This club has always been the hub of the best music and the most amount of fun for folks who are strictly into music, but it feels to me like it's lost its edge. Now I know that that happens in the nightclub business, as the saying goes "you're ridin' high in April, shot down in May,"but for some reason the Glass feels like it's getting swallowed up.
My problem is, that I still have so much affection for the club, and it's like watching a stumbling old man, just barely holding on. I wish I knew what to do to help it back on its feet.None the less, I still support it, and still hope that the public continues to love it.
Anyway as I've said I feel like this year will be the year that finally sees the Ants moving forward in the music world. Michael is really putting major effort into connecting us with some people who really want to see us succeed, and it looks as though some of our earlier performances are starting to pay off because some folks are requesting us by name...that's always a good sign.
Individually things are picking up for us as well, we are all getting asked to participate in other people's projects.That especially makes me feel very proud, to be recognized by other musicians.
Personally, I'm working on my list of goals for myself for this year.It has taken me awhile to embrace this concept, but last year I wrote down my goals and read them often, and I found that some of them actually came true...there is something to doing that.
From my standpoint as the lead vocalist and saxophonist of the Carpenter Ants, I am truly looking forward to exploring this year and seeing the possibilites, and I want to invite all of you to vote "Ants in 2006." It's going to be a promising year, come and join us won't you.

Happy birthday Dr. Martin Luther King, your dream is helping mine to come true.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Remembering RIchard Pryor

If you were around in the 70's you can remember vividly the first time you heard him on record (for the CD generation, that was the black dish-like platter that with grooves that displaced sound...).It was the album "That Nigger's Crazy,"and it completely turned our world upside down.
For me, I even remember where I was when I heard it. I'll never forget the feeling either.That was my pot smoking days ( yes, I had a torrid past too, but I've changed since then...markedly !), hanging out in the dorm at West Virginia State College with my roommate Herman, he bought this album, and a bag of "weed," we got seriously stoned and he threw on Richard Pryor. I've never laughed so hard for so long in my entire life.It was so unbelievably funny that I got a headache and got sick.
Richard Pryor did not leave anything to your imagination, the picture that he painted about being Black, longing for sex, getting high and escaping our myopic world were so bold, that I could not for the life of me figure out how he made it funny (in fact, I truly still don't get it).
All that pain rechanneled into humor blows my mind.
In this day and age of political correctness, Richard was an equal opportunity offender; if you were in his path, you were subject to be the brunt of some cold hard humor. Other comedians try but theirs is either wear you down humor (where they keep at it until they get a laugh), or surprise humor (where you have to dig deep and think deep to get the point), but Richard made every aspect of his humor work, the set up, the delivery and the punchline were simply incredibly funny, and you didn't have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out.
The other thing that made him funny is that when he told you a story you could see crystal clearly what he meant.
People like Richard truly only come around maybe once in a lifetime, and I am so thankful that it was in my lifetime, I thank him for making me feel less inadequate about being Black and living in America.
I've said many times that fear can make you do crazy things. My fear of aloneness made me do drugs, almost in the same way that he did.
Richard Pryors' life was one of one of constant upheaval from his birth to his death, but in the process he touched our lives and made us the better for it, because he was honest about it without the sugarcoating.
Good night brother.

Richard Pryor 1940-2005

Support Live music today tomorrow and always, and have a good bellylaugh along the way.

On your mark, get set, click: The Soul of Us.

It's an odd title I know but hopefully when you arrive there you'll see that it is a labor of love...

Well it looks like my friends and I are getting started with our collaborative project called "The Soul of Us."
In an earlier blog piece, I told you about my pals who are fellow bloggers, who decided that we all might take a chance and write some things together.I explained that at our blog will be 5 people writing about one topic, or occasionally 1 or 2 folks writing and the rest of us may provide commentary (the reason for that aspect is, there may be times when we're busy personally, so someone will keep the ball rolling).
None the less we're up and running, and although there aren't any posts as of this writing, soon we will be posting for your enjoyment and edification. So on your mark, get set, click read and enjoy, The Soul of Us.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always...and don't forget, that while you're standing in the shadows of music reading Joel's Bloggy, you'll meet a girl named Michael. Sit on the porch swing with her after the bridge that you'll cross together.

Carmen Loretta Tuitt

I actually started writing this on her birthday, but didn't get to finish it until now.
My first post of 2006 is for my Mother...

I look at my life sometimes and marvel at the fact that I have such a great outlook about life, considering the fact that like many people life hasn't always been a crystal stair. None-the less, I'm not cynical, but rather, in awe of the way things work in the world, and how we come to be who we are.
I truly owe my view ( narrow or wide as it may be) to a person who is my biggest, strongest and greatest inspiration: Carmen L. Tuitt, my mother. Today (September 12th) would have been her 84th birthday.
I know that many people had great mothers who were inspiring and etc., but my Mom took these things to such great levels that it's hard for me to paint a total picture of this very unique woman in one sitting.
If ever one could say truly that God blessed them with someone special, that someone would be me shouting from the rooftops about how great my Mom was. Aside from being a real parent, Ma was the kind of woman rarely knew a stranger,and she was always eager to meet people half way.
She had many mottos that were like mantras to her and she lived her life fearlessly and with dignity in the face of oftimes deep sorrow and pain. Among the mottos was one that I liked alot..."every cloud has a silver lining." For that statement she equated that the sky is not always filled with clouds and sometimes you have to travel to find out where yours lie, meaning that if you want something bad enough you must keep looking up and looking forward, and keep trying until that lining shows itself...I'm still looking.
Once when I was in college, I went home for Spring Break, when it was time to return she saw me off at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. While we were waiting, there was an older gentleman standing near the gate with a look of sheer panic on his face ( he was actually crying), my Mother asked what was wrong and he said that he had been ripped off out in the street, and what's more he had been in New York to bury his sister. Now here he was in a strange city, no money and no way home. As luck would have it, he too was traveling back to Charleston as I was, so Mom whips out her checkbook and bought him a bus ticket, plus gave him $50 dollars to eat with. Then she instructed me to make certain that when we got back to Charleston that he got home safely.
She told me years later that she did that because first "it's a damn shame, that he came all that way to her city, and someone would do this to this kindly guy," secondly, if that would have been her son she would hope that someone would be kind enough to extend the same favor."
It's so ironic that my entire family is musical except my Mom, but she provided us with the means to further our love for music, she would even take us to events that she didn't even especially like such as opera (which is one of my truest loves still today).Carmen felt that if it was useful to you then by all means you should be there in the front row.
Fast forward on this post...
It's now 1 something in the morning in January 2006, a brand new year to start fresh, try again, gain fervor, and to breathe new life, and I'm sitting here lost in thought about all that I have, all that I hope to have, and the changes I must make to see my goals to fruition.
I've truly and finally made up my mind to lose my weight this year and take control of my health. I've been overweight for too long and it's gonna kill me...but not without a fight.
Among my strategies is to enlist the help of my daughter Kendra. She is going to teach me how to exercise properly and make the most of my time to lose the weight. Secondly (which really is first...) I am going to emplore the help of Allah (God), for without him there's no reason to do anything.
I'm sharing this with you because it was my Mom who introduced me to good health in the first place, so I have the knowledge, now in her memory I'm going to do my level best to move myself from standing in the shadows of music to standing in the light of good health and music.
I want to wish everyone a happy new year this year and hope that as Ma said you find that silver lining whatever and wherever it may be.

This new post in the new year is dedicated to my Mother, Carmen L.Tuitt
If she were alive she would join me and say...
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

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...