I am Santa Claus

I had a thoroughly enjoyable Christmas this year as in most years but I did something this year that I have never done before and it turned out to be a very rewarding experience. I decided that I wanted to try the Blue Santa delivery day here in Round Rock so I contacted Vinnie Cherrone, the President of the Round Rock Blue Santa organization and committee member Sandy Wright to get the schedule of the date and time for the delivery of the packages to the families in the Round Rock area.

The day was Friday the 19Th of December at 8:30 am. We were to arrive at that time to get our maps and paperwork along with the packages for delivery. On arrival one of the first things I noticed was how neat and clean the area was where all the packages and boxes were staged for delivery. Perfectly aligned as if placed on a chalk line and every box was labeled and lined up in rows along the doorways of the large warehouse. Volunteers were everywhere and everyone was in a jovial mood, some wearing Santa hats and other Christmas attire, coffee and doughnuts were served along with soft drinks and other beverages, it was a very festive atmosphere but everyone there knew there was work to be done and they were there to get it done.

With over 500 boxes set for delivery it was important that the boxes get out of the door and on their way as soon as possible. And that's exactly what happened. At 9:00 after brief announcements and instructions from Vinnie, the vehicles started lining up to load and it was on. After loading boxes in my car and getting the paperwork and maps, I was on my way. With Christmas music from Majic 95 blaring loudly in my car loaded with boxes, I started toward my destination. I felt just like Santa Claus himself, in fact, I was wishing I had a bigger vehicle so I could get more boxes in it or maybe a huge sleigh with a bunch of reindeer, something like that.

It was a great feeling to deliver those boxes to the families in Round Rock that badly needed them. And humbling too. You realize a few things when you're doing something like that. You realize how lucky you are to have what you have and how great it is that there are organizations like Blue Santa that work as hard as they do to do these things for the community. Hundreds of hours went into the collection, wrapping, and distribution of those packages and it was done by people with generous hearts and boundless spirit. It was great just to be involved in a small part of it and something that I will definitely be involved in next year.

Christmas 08

I'm slowly realizing that I'm right in the middle of one of the most historic times since this country's inception. No matter how you wanted the election to go, the fact of the matter is that it was one of the turning points in the political realm and an important milestone. I was there. I got to vote in that election. I watched as wildfires burned up people's homes in California and winds of 75 mph. ripped through canyons, carrying fire and destroying people's belongings. I grieved for those people and I can only imagine what that would be like. I have watched as the economy of this country has faltered and brought panic and concern to it's citizens who have lost jobs, savings, retirement, and their sense of security. I was there. I'm witnessing that very thing every day, just like everyone else.

And yet, I'm looking at all this and I'm really not all that worried. I don't worry because it is wasted effort actually, the act of worrying. You can learn a lot by watching the creatures of nature that live around you. I heard the statement the other day that "birds don't know how to worry". Think about that. Have you ever seen a bird wringing its wings or slamming it's beak against a tree because another bird took it's food or if it is raining or if it didn't agree with another bird's song? I didn't think so. They are born with a purpose and they know what it is and everyday of their lives is spent on that purpose. They may get shot, run over by cars, electrocuted on high wires, sucked up in airplane engines or eaten by cats, but at least when they got up that morning they were not worried about anything. They just know they have a purpose.

I'm very excited about Christmas of 08 and the year that will be following it. I have so many blessings to be thankful for it would fill up this whole page and then some. I've also had my share of hardships and problems, just like everybody else. But I would like to think of myself as more of a bird than a person and I think the average bird is going to have a very good year in 2009, no matter what happens.

So have a very merry Christmas and happy new year and just keep in mind that it will all get better if you keep moving, thinking, living, loving and caring.

Watch the birds.

The Country Music Awards

After watching the CMA awards show this year, two things were very obvious. One, it seems the business is now almost totally committed to the youth market which, in itself is not so bad but it would be nice if they had more artists that could actually sing. I don't think I've ever heard so much off key singing on one awards show ever. Given the fact that sound systems and mikes are hard to handle at live events it was still shocking to see the standard that modern music has adopted for vocals. It was a little embarrassing actually.

Second, it would appear that any mention now of any artist over the age of 30 or anyone that's not on the charts as of the last five minutes is taboo now. It's like there has been a policy made that no artist or singer from the past will have any respect paid to them unless they are working with another new artist and even then it will be short and sweet. Don't get me wrong, I don't think we should dwell on the past and there should certainly be a limit as to how much prime time exposure is given to historical references but to totally ignore them is highly disrespectful and wrong. There should have been more than two minutes spent on the life of Jerry Reed for instance. Here is a man that revolutionized the way sessions are made and guitars are played and it was like they couldn't wait to move on to something else. Hurry along, the kids may decide to play a video game if we linger on this too long. Strange.

But overall, to be fair, I thought the awards that were given were pretty much dead on. George Strait as an artist deserves any award he gets and is certainly a great choice for the categories he won in. The same goes for Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood. They are great artists and have worked their butts off to get where they are. No qualms with that.

But I think you will start to see the business changing soon. There are many "splinter groups" that are forming now that represent many listeners around the country and around the world. There are artists from right here in Austin and around the state of Texas that are fully capable of putting a lot of the new talent out of Nashville under the carpet on any given night at any given location. They are gathering large groups of fans and listeners without the help of labels or radio stations and they represent a ton of download and music sales. You more than likely will never see them on a network television show and yet they are some of the most powerful people in the business. Change is coming, believe me.

That is all I have to say for the time being but there will be more to come and I really hope that in the future, on national broadcasts they will be a little more respectful of the pioneers and giants that have come and gone that have contributed so much to the business. And if not, keep your mouse ready, there will always be somewhere else to go where they do.

A Day Without A Musician

I've been following the progress of an organization here in Austin called "Save Austin Music" that is trying to bring about change in the way musicians are paid and treated in general as well as engaging city leaders in forums and meetings on ways to change how the music industry is viewed in Austin. Troy Dillinger is spearheading the organization and has literally moved heaven and earth to make his case for both the well being of the city of Austin and the musicians that make the city their base of operations.

In order to fully appreciate what musicians bring to the city, imagine if you will a day without a musician in Austin. A couple of years ago there was a movie entitled " A Day Without A Mexican" in which it was depicted how life would be for the populace if there were no Mexicans to do the work that most people either can't or won't do. While it may have been politically incorrect and offensive to some, it was a stark realization to say the least and I think the same could be said for the city of Austin if there were no musicians for one day.

Just think about it for a minute, what would there be to do here? There would be plenty of bars open for sure, just like Dallas or Houston or any other city in America and they would be playing music of course, recorded, canned music just like everywhere else. And you could go to the movies or plays or sporting events just like any other city in the country. And that's what you would have. The same thing that every other city in America has.

So, what would Austin be known for then? Why is there a statue of Stevie Ray Vaughn on Town Lake? Why is Antone's famous the world over? Why is Austin City Limits one of the most popular and enduring shows on television? Why does Willie Nelson live here? Why are there so many recording studios here? Why is there so much movie and television production work done here? Why is South By Southwest done here?

I hear people complain sometimes about the noise level in downtown Austin and to me that sounds the same as people that move next to an airport and complain about the noise the planes make. Did you not see the clubs there when you bought your condo? If the image of this city is altered and homogenized to become like every other city in America then get ready to see the value of that condo drop dramatically because then you will just own a condo in a large city with a huge tax bill. Good luck on selling that one.

I think it's time to wake up people, there are things that can be done to save the music scene in Austin and it's a no brainer that it's a very important part of the culture in this city even if you have no interest in the music business personally. It's just part of our fiber, our history, and our economy.

Go to http://www.saveaustinmusic.com/ for more details. And do it today, I can hear musicians unplugging their amps as we speak.

Hurrican Ike Victims

http://www.redcross.org/

As you all know, hurricane Ike left a devastating path of destruction across the Texas coastline and the need for food, clothing and necessities for the victims is in mammoth proportions. Musicians and artists all across the state are organizing benefit concerts and fund raisers. Please give anything that you can and look for donation centers for the Red Cross. There is a link posted here and more will be coming as soon as we get them.

There are untold numbers of families involved and many have small children. Day after day there are more stories being told of people being forced to evacuate with just a few dollars in their pockets and no other means of getting food, water or clothing. FEMA and other organizations are doing what they can but sometimes the wheels of government agencies move too slowly and needs are not being met. It will be up to the generosity and good will of fellow Texans to get these people through this situation and they are coming forward to meet it head on.

Right now, can goods, paper products, water and things like diapers and child care products are what's most desperately needed.

So do what you can and the links and schedules for the benefit concerts will be posted as they come along. http://www.redcross.org/

Thanks.

Remembering Cliff Antone

Photo courtesy of Ron Baker

I've been thinking a lot this week about Cliff Antone who passed away on May 23rd 2006 and wondering what the city of Austin is going to do to honor the man responsible for bringing so much music and recognition to the city. For Stevie Ray Vaughn there is a statue on the banks of Lady Bird Lake and it is a grand testament to the life and career of one of Austin's more famous residents. So what to do for Cliff? I'm proud to say he was a friend of mine and I can still see him in my mind with his funny habit of standing on one foot then the other while swinging his arms in conversation, especially if he was excited about something, a song or singer or an old record he was listening to. I was also proud to be one of the first graduating students in his History Of Rock N' Roll class, still have my "diploma" on the wall in my office.

I always thought he was under- appreciated for all that he had done and was responsible for and I always felt like the city was paranoid over the prison thing (he was never mentioned in the Austin American Statesman without a referral to it and he hated that) and it seems to me that a memorial or statue or anything else that might honor the man is slow in coming, too slow for me.

So what shall we do? What are the city's plans if any, to honor this man for his achievements in bringing it to the forefront of the music industry and making it famous all over the world?

Let me know what you think would be the best thing to do to honor Cliff and I'll certainly pass it along.

Brotherhood (And Sisterhood) Of Musicians

Now that SXSW is over, I wanted to point out something about the community of musicians that lives in Austin. Everywhere I went where the myriad of entertainment was going on, there was a common thread that ran through all the events. It was the willingness of all the musicians to help each other. Each show I went to, up on stage there were people helping all the bands with their equipment, "Do you need anything?", "I've got some extra cords if you need them" "A buddy of mine has some extra mike stands you can use". Everywhere, at any time of the day, they were willing to do what had to be done to keep it moving and sounding good.

And it wasn't just musicians either, there were bartenders, waitresses, club owners, taxi drivers, students, bikers, people coming from everywhere just to help make sure this thing worked. It's an amazing thing to watch, all this humanity coming together for the sake of the music. People just want to be a part of it and they realize that it's an event that will change lives for many of the fans that are in the audience. It's a huge reunion for many that brings old friends from all over the world together for the few days that it lasts and for many musicians, one of the few times a year that they get to see some of the others that are participating.

It was just a great thing to witness and a source of inspiration for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it all, even the traffic was tolerable (most of the time) and it was a time to reflect and ponder the possibility of what could happen if it were like this all the time and if everybody, politicians included, could take some pointers from the musicians in this town and "Just get along".

I'm ready for next year.

No clubs in Williamson county

So I saw a news report that stated the "tough on crime" stance that's taken by law enforcement in Williamson county, just north of Austin was coming under scrutiny. It is true that crimes like drunk driving, speeding, and other offenses of that nature usually come with the maximum fines and punishment and the county in general tries to seperate itself from the "liberal" community that Austin has become. In doing that for the fine citizens of Williamson county, there now is a stigma put on any and everything that resembles live music or clubs.

And while there are a few small clubs here and there, there really is nowhere to go to hear name bands and entertainers perform. The population of Round Rock is now nearing 95,000 people and I think the time has come for someone to step up and open a club that features live music. It is, of course, a huge pain to get anywhere in Austin on IH 35 at just about any time of day now from anywhere north of 183 and that area has become a "no man's land" for entertainment for anyone over the age of say, 14.

So someone needs to consider opening a place in the Round Rock area that features good live music and grown up beverages for those of us who don't want to go on safari everytime we want to hear some good music.

Any takers?

Radio Stations

I'm going to be adding a radio station to the site soon and I was wondering if I could get some opinions on just what is the best station in Austin for Country Music. I know what my personal preferences are but just what is everybody listening to now? There is the standard Am Fm stations that have been around for years, then there are the satellite radio stations that have become so popular in recent years, and now there are several internet radio stations that have popped up recently, some in just the past few months.

So who are your favorites? Who deserves the title of "The Best Country Radio Station In Austin"? Or is the hottest station for Country Music even in Austin?

You tell me.

No smoking

So now that the smoking ban has been passed in Austin, all the non-smokers from out of state and the resident tree-hugging bicycle riders have all flocked out in droves to listen to and take advantage of all the live music in Austin....right? No? You bet, it's a resounding no. Club business is down all over town and clubs are closing right and left. For a town that's known (or used to be) as the Live "Music Capital Of The World" this is not good news. It seems to me that everyday the music seems to be losing it's importance to this town and the people that run it. High rise condos and "business friendly" atmospheres are all the rage now. I was intrigued to see that the Broken Spoke was "protected" from being torn down and obliterated from the landscape by the developers that are taking over the property in that area. How long do you think that will last?

I'm all for change and I understand that things cannot stay as they are forever but I still wonder why the history and lifeblood of a community has to be extinguished and a new order brought in just to appease the wishes of a selected few who, in truth, view musicians as a "subclass" of people, much like an organ grinder views the monkey.

It's already to the point that if a musician that lives in Austin wants to make any money, they have to travel to other towns, sometimes hundreds of miles away to do it. Our mayor is concerned with keeping Austin in the forefront of environmental issues and wants everything "green" and while that's a noble cause, it's just not the top of the list concern for me.

I know it's tough to balance it all out and make it work in a town this size but sometimes you just got to "dance with the one that brung you" and recognize the fact that what has made Austin famous the world over is not the rail system or the bike trails or the condos or the hip shopping malls, it was the music, first and foremost. So where do we go from here?