The Prayer at Valley Forge, engraving by John McCrae

GEORGE WASHINGTON’S THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be– That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks–for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation–for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war–for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed–for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted–for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions– to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually–to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed–to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord–To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us–and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
George Washington
His prayer rings true today- Happy Thanksgiving to our fellow Americans!

 

 

Ringo Starr and others were honored at the Rock Hall of Fame this year.  The way I understand it, he was inducted as a solo artist since I’m sure “The Beatles” were already in. Ringo is certainly aging well and deserving of all the accolades the music industry has to offer.

It’s hard to believe that it was fifty years ago that the Beatles were earning their way to fame and fortune. They had a huge impact on Rock/Pop music and you could make an argument that there would be no hall of fame without them.

The music business has changed a lot since the 1960’s. It used to be mostly about the music but I think now it’s more about the entertainment factor. Shock and awe in various forms seems to be the top seller these days.  I remember our parents were pretty shocked about long hair and such things when they first appeared so I guess there’s always that.

Most rock stars wore Beatle Boots. The story goes that John and Paul were looking for a shoe to go with their Beatle Suits and found these Chelsea boots in London. They added a Cuban heel to them and the Beatle Boot was born. I wanted a pair back in the day and who can tell what might have happened if I’d gotten them.  Evidently you can still buy them from Beat Wear in Liverpool so don’t count me out yet.

You hear talk about vinyl records making a comeback, perhaps the boots will come back with them. If they do, look for the price to be high. I saw a new vinyl album in a store the other day and it was going for $30. Not sure how that’s going to work with most of today’s music being offered for free.

It was good to see Ringo and Paul rocking it up at the hall. I couldn’t tell by the pictures but I wonder if they were wearing Beatle Boots.

Do we make music for arts sake? Are we seeking money, fame? Or do we just need it to
tame the savage beast, as they say.

One of my favorite quotes is “If you love what you’re doing, you’ll never work another day
the rest of your life.” The idea being that you really are working, it just doesn’t seem like it.
Anyone that has been in the music business at some professional level will tell you the work
is much harder than you might think.

I don’t want to sound like Bob Seger in Turn the Page or anything but I used to work a
physical job, go to school and play in a regional touring band back when I was still hoping to
break into the real music business. Playing in the band was by far the most challenging thing
I was doing, physically and mentally.

One of the things you realize when you make music your business is that even though you
love it, hey, this is kind of like a job.
Nothing wrong with that, (especially if the paydays are good) but for most of us
independent artists, that’s not the case.

I’ve recently started writing and recording music again after putting it on the shelf for several
years. Technology has made it easier to record and distribute music and I’ve heard several
times in the last few months that anyone can put out a record now. I suppose that’s true,
but how many really do.

Personally, I just felt the urge to write again. It wasn’t anything I planned it just sort of
naturally happened. I think all artists want their talents to be recognized and enjoyed and
are eager to share them.

This poisoning of the Colorado River has got me pissed off.

 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reportedly responsible for unleashing some 3 million gallons of poisons and heavy metals into the Colorado river. It’s also reported to have been an (oops) accident. I can only picture some EPA stoner saying,

” Hey man what’s that stinky yellow stuff behind that gate”.

I don’t live in Colorado but it’s one of the states I would consider if anything happened to Indiana. I have been there many times and driven the roads that hug the river as it makes it’s way through beautiful country. I have also seen dead rivers in Europe and Cuba. You can kill a river ecosystem, but you can’t create one as far as I know.

                                              They Never come Back

I’m not a scientist and I sure hope the river will be all right in time but there are a couple of things that come to mind.

One: Cut their budget to the tune of about a billion dollars. They drive around in big black suburbans with huge firearms looking all secret agent type and fining people for violations.Well now they have a major violation, so pony up. We can’t fine them because that would come from our pockets but we can make them feel some budget pain.

Two: Take that money and get that mess cleaned up and get rid of whatever mine crap is still hanging around that area. Also, make it right for the American Indians and others that have been adversely affected by the contamination.