Sitting At The Kitchen Table

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 04 Jul 06 - 11:44 AM

Ehh, what's up, Doc?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 04 Jul 06 - 08:43 PM

It's 8:30 at night (not that I have to tell you that,) and it's been a long, leisurely, thoroughly (mostly) enjoyable day. I just made myself a hot mug of coffee and thought that I'd sit down here at the table a few minutes. I guess the thing that I'm most thankful for tonight is that I didn't let a lot of dumb stuff weigh me down so much that I couldn't enjoy the good stuff. Wisdom according to the Three Stooges. I've been working on a project which I could normally do in a couple of hours, that's spun almost completely out of control because so many competence-challenged people have interferred. One of the great abilities of life is to be able to "set things aside." I'm not all that great at it, but once in awhile I do manage to keep my focus on all the wonderful things that are happening in my life, while "S**t Happens." If you don't do that, all these great times go slipping away, almost without notice:

"How many good times are taken for granted, and only remembered when they've passed away?"

Today I've been able to set the stoopid stuff aside and enjoy my son and daughter-in law and my wife. I could look around me at our home, and our small deck and back yard and believe that no one is as blessed as I am.

Chalk up one day when the good times were not taken for granted.

And now, back to more serious things... my mug of coffee that is sitting patiently, waiting for me.

Hope you all had a good weekend. Even if for some of us it came on a Tuesday.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: billybob
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 09:13 AM

Hi everyone
popped by to say hope you all had a good July 4th. No we do not celebrate it here in the Uk but Billy and I always meet up with an old family friend who lived in NJ for some years and is now back in the UK with his wife from San Fransisco. We had a bar b q and talked till very late last night.The weather is very hot and humid but we sat by the pool and finished a bottle of champagne and toasted you all over there.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Alice
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 09:27 AM

It was a weird 4th for me, mainly because I had to deal with a barking/shaking dog reacting to constant booming fireworks. The neighbors for blocks around me really went at the noisemakers this year, starting on Sunday. Didn't sleep much Monday night or last night because my dog was barking every time a boom went off. I put a soft muzzle on him last night, but that didn't completely stop it. The fairgrounds is only about a mile from my house, and that is where the main city fireworks were held. Windows rattling, dog barking, went on til about midnight or later.
Sometimes I have a pot luck party at my house for the 4th, but this year I spent it alone. Worked some on paperwork for my job and generally felt exhausted from sleep deprivation.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: *daylia*
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 09:41 AM

Yesterday we celebrated both Canada Day and Independence Day by seeing 'Superman Returns' at the IMAX theatre in Toronto. Really enjoyed it! The Man of Steel has turned to be quite the indestructable 'Canamerican' creation, ever since 1933 when DC Comics lucked out on the talents of Canadian artist Joe Shuster and American writer Jerry Siegal.

I was impressed with the latest re-make of that story, not only because of the technological wonders of the (3-D) IMAX theater (amazing - you DO really feel like you are part of the action!) but by the enduring nature of human "male hero" myths.

I found the not-too-subtle images of Jesus used in the portrayal of Superman a bit lame (ie sacrificing his life to save us all, falling back to earth in 'crucifixion' pose after the heroic deed was done etc). And I noticed shades of Hercules too (the 'man-god' demoted to earthly existence and raised by an older, human 'foster couple') -- and even of Atlantis (the legend of a doomed continent/civilization whose technology was based on exploiting the power of crystals - like the story of the planet Krypton).

Anyway, just a couple heroic breakfast-table observations. Thanks for listening!

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 11:28 AM

How nice of you all to stop by. Today is a beautiful, rainy day. Nothing on the schedule except to enjoy being married to a beautiful woman, and enjoying the day together.

I'll take it...

Maybe the jazz CD I ordered from Japan will arrive today. It will replace a long worn out album from the 50's which I haven't listened to in ages. It would be a great day to listen to those songs again.
And then complete two more jazz piano CDs that I have laid out.

As the song says, "I love A Rainy Day."

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 12:17 PM

Alice, I once had a dog who was terrified by the sound of fireworks. Nothing could soothe his fears. He would hide under the covers in our bed and tremble and whimper for the entire night on July 4th and New Year's Eve. If I could do it over again, I would have had him sedated on those two evenings because it was miserable for him and us too.

This was my first July 4th alone. I have always loved having time to myself and found solitude to offer breathing room for creativity and contemplation. But somehow, when it becomes a constant and involuntary condition, its wide-open spaces can morph into small, dark corners once in a while. "Family" holidays can trigger that. So, sad to say, on a personal level I am glad this one is over.

Elmer

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 12:40 PM

Yeah, Elmer: Sometimes good memories hurt.

I know all about that...

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 01:12 PM

{{{{{hugs}}}}}

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Alice
Date: 06 Jul 06 - 12:23 AM

Sedation for pets scared by fireworks was really covered by our local news a lot this year. It was on every tv news cast for several days leading up to the 4th. It definitely is a problem with all the legal fireworks in town and the "big one" the city does late at night. They also suggested putting pets in the basement where the sound would be more muffled. It certainly is painful for them to suffer through.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 07 Jul 06 - 09:54 AM

Allright out there, you dogs can relax now. All is quiet heading into a busy weekend around here. Tonight is the 29th Anniversary concert of one of the Men's Choruses that I sing in, tomorrow REuth and I go to the Men's Day picnic and I sing with the Men's Chorus on Sunday. Then it's vacation time!!!!!!!! Whoopee!!!!!!!!!!! You'd think that being retired is a permanent vacation and I suppose that it is if you chose to make it that way. I know many people though who retire for a few months and start to go crazy because they are bored. Boredom is something I've heard about buy never personally experiences. No need for me to take a part-time job at Walmart just to get out of the house. Too many interesting things to do. More than a lifetimes' worth.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 08 Jul 06 - 08:39 AM

Slow days at the table. Ron is gone, Elmer's off hunting, jimmyt's off the map.. but I'll keep the kettle on and see if anyone comes back.

Last night the primary Male Chorus I sing in did our 29th Anniversary concert. It was a great night... a reward for several weeks of practicing three times a week. It's a push for me, as it's almost an hour's drive each way. But it all seemed worth it, last night.

Now, I gotta get some rest.

As I say, I'll keep the kettle on and the thread open until someone stops by. Slow days are part of the natural flow of things. They have their value, too.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Alice
Date: 08 Jul 06 - 10:06 AM

Jerry, we just had an international choir festival in Montana, held in Missoula. I saw/heard some of the singing on our local PBS station. The South Korean choir in particular was stunning.   Here is a link to the list of choirs participating from around the world, Australia, Wales, Estonia, India and more.
http://www.choralfestival.org/2006/schedule.html
Read the About Us history of the festival.... choruses from all over the US and world. Maybe you should contact them about your chorus!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 08 Jul 06 - 11:38 AM

Sounds fantastic, Alice: Only in Missoula. I've been in Missoula, ny the way. Many years ago, when I was in college studying geology. We went on a field trip out west. Two years ago, my wife and I were in Montana long enough to take a picture to prove that my wife was there. We were on our way out to Yellowstone and took a side trip just to go into Montana briefly. It's a beautiful state.
And all them choirs? That must be exciting!

The thing that I like about the Men's Chorus (Choruses) I'm in is that we don't sing from sheet music. Push comes to shove, we can do it... and did sing two "arranged" gospel hymns last night. But, 95% of the songs that we sing we learn by ear. I like the freedom of being able to sing without looking at a sheet of paper. Everyone to their own tastes, and singing without music limits the complexity of the arrangements. But then, we are not a Chorale. If we were, I guess we'd just be the O.K. Chorale.

Couldn't resist...

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 08 Jul 06 - 11:48 AM

ooooh, Jerry. But good. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Alice
Date: 08 Jul 06 - 01:15 PM

The PBS program about the festival showed a group informally singing outside. I think it was footage from a previous festival. They were from a country in Africa, I think, and sang their national anthem. It was cool.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Alice
Date: 08 Jul 06 - 07:33 PM

It was a men's choral group from Angola singing the Angola national anthem. Got to see a rerun of the progam this afternoon, documenting the 2003 festival. Click here

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 09 Jul 06 - 01:41 PM

Hi all,

Back from the beach--early. More on that later.

Great to see the old diner is still open.


Alice--

International choir festival--sounds great. As an enthusiastic choir singer as long as I can remember I'd love to see and hear it. And in Montana! A big plus. That may mean I can entice Jan to come too. She's not really happy, to be honest, about the pattern she sees--the accusation-- ( based purely on circumstantial evidence with no basis in fact--just a long track record)-- is that we never go anywhere unless music can be involved.

What she really wants to do is visit Glacier National Park--and I'm up for that too. What about distances? Is it practical to try to do both? Unfortunately I don't have unlimited leave--and she's even more conscientious about taking time off from her job.




Re: pets and the 4th. In a nutshell, that's why I'm home early. One of our 3 cats is really really skittish about loud noises. This 4th I understand there were both fireworks and an impressive thunderstorm. I had a housesitter for our trip--the niece of a co-worker.   She has a wonderful voice, and is an excellent pianist--(and hasn't yet started in the work world--needed some cash)--so of course she'd be a perfect housesitter. That's my logic--I suppose. And it's just possible that I should have considered other factors. Don't worry--Jan has already read me the riot act on this.

Well, anyway, our housesitter had no idea if Avery and Fern had been seen since the 4th or not. That's a problem.

So I had to come home early and find out the story. I really lucked out--when I got there Lucy was in a chair on the front porch, Avery was already inside, and Fern--the real concern--just came up around the bushes to the front door as I walked up to it. Maybe she recognized the car's motor--Lucy sure does.

So--auf Deutsch--Ende gut, alles gut--all's well that ends well.

And truth be told, I'm REAL glad to be home.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 09 Jul 06 - 04:45 PM

Welcome back, Ron: Nice to have you stop by. I'm shredded today after four straight days of celebrating our Men's Chorus 29th Anniversary. But it was worth it..

Yeah, Glacier National Park would be very exciting to visit. I've seen most of the Plains states and the Rockies but never quite got up that far North.

Glad your kitties are fine. They do like to instill insecurity in their owners. And then when you come back they usually feign indifference.. :-)

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 09 Jul 06 - 05:24 PM

Hey Jerry, hope you get the time to tell us about the 29th anniversary celebrations--lots of concerts? Reunions? Stories?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 09 Jul 06 - 10:27 PM

Hey, Ron:

Let me tell you a little about the Men's Chorus I sing in, and our 29th Anniversary.

The first time I heard the Union Baptist Chorus sing I was blown away by their power and their sincerity. Like many of the Men's Choruses in black churches, very few of the singers read music, and far fewer are musicians. Even fewer still have ever sung in a choir.
Our Choir Director plays what I kiddingly (and appreciatively call) Store front church piano... the kind of piano you'd expect to hear walking by a small store front black church. It's very rhythmic and simple. Dan is not a highly trained musician... he was a High School Assistant Principal until he retired.

We learn the songs a part at a time, slowly building them together. Before we even sing the song, Dan has us read the lyrics together out loud. He wants us to absorb the meaning of the song, because in gospel, if you're not singing the meaning (in a church setting) then you're just doing it for show, and you'd best not do it at all. (I'm not talking about non-believers singing along on gospel because they like the music... that's fine and Dan and I would not have a problem with it.) Through time, Dan has helped to train the ear of the men, most of who have never sung in a group. He will play a chord on the piano and then ask each section of the Chorus to sing their note. It's a wonderful way to train the ear of someone who is not a natural singer. Some of the guys never learn to hear harmony, but many do come to hear it after awhile. On the rare occasion when we sing from sheet music, he will walk us through each part, repeatedly teaching us the value of the different shapes of notes, rests, etc. We're still not good sight readers (I am a little ahead of some but I am not a trained musician, either.) But, we eventually have learned some more sophisticated choral arrangements through a combination of our somewhat limited sight reading, and learning our harmonies by ear.

We learned 8 new songs (which is a lot) and sang five others that we'd sung before, for the concert. We had a guest performer.. a friend of Dan's from his High School Days, who is white, plays an acoustic Martin and sounds earily like Elvis doing gospel. At the concert Friday night, he did Peace In The Valley, and we were the Jordanaires..

After the program was over, I was asked to make a few closing remarks, as I chaired the program. I had thought a lot about what I wanted to say and I ended up putting it very simply. I said that the commitment of the men in the chorus is to "live what we sing."
And I'd have to say that's a true evaluation of the men, and of our Director. Because we learn most of our songs by ear and don't sing with sheet music or lyric sheets, the lyrics become a part of who we are. I often find myself singing a line of one of the songs we do, when I'm feeling overwhelmed or confused..

"The battle is not yours but mine, said the Lord."
"I don't believe he brought me this far to leave me."
"Have I given anything today? Have I helped some needy soul on my way?"

And countless others.

I have no desire to make this thread about religion, and I respect my friends who stop by and don't share my beliefs. But, I can't separate what I believe from how I live. If I could, I wouldn't be living what I sing.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 10 Jul 06 - 08:34 PM

Every day you get up and decide whether you are gonna have a good day or a bad day. The rest is just random. Your day is totally within your power. jimmyt

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Alice
Date: 10 Jul 06 - 08:57 PM

Ron, the festival is held in Missoula, which is near Glacier National Park.
The web site says it is held this year July 12-16. I think it is held every three years.
HURRY You might miss it!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 10 Jul 06 - 10:39 PM

Welcome back, Jimmy. There is a lot of truth in what you say. Looking at it another way, to a great extent we get the life we perceive. The same experience can happen to two different people and one will only be able to see the negative side, while the other will be able to see the good, even in a "bad" day.

A long time ago, I started collecting little "Credos" that people I've known live by. They say a lot about the kind of life they end up having. I came across one yesterday from a woman I worked with and with whom I had countless lengthy conversations: "People who can forgive themselves aren't very deep."

Guess what kind of a life she had?

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 10 Jul 06 - 10:47 PM

I've been looking through old correspondence and came across this. I just wanted to share it with everyone. I ended up using sections of this as a Christmas card one year:

LOVE THEM ANYWAY
Author Bishop Muzorewa :Former President of Zimbabwe

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
   Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
   Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
   Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow
   Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
   Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest folks with the smallest minds.
   Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
   Fight for some underdog anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
   Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you help them.
   Help people anyway.
Give th world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
   Give the world the best you've got anyway.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Jul 06 - 10:56 PM

On the other hand, Jerry, I read that the secret to a happy old age is a bad mamory. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 11 Jul 06 - 11:55 AM

Hey, Jimmy:

This morning, I was looking at this day and found myself getting more and more irritable. Which made me think of your comment about being in control of whether we have a good or bad day. So, I made an attitude adjustment. Everything else about today is exactly the same... same problems and irritations. But my day is very different. I started to focus on all that I have to be thankful for and the beauty of the day, and this is turning out to be a good day. At least not bad for bad. All it took was an attitude adjustment.

And the best attitude is gratitude. Or is that a platitude, Dude?

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 11 Jul 06 - 11:26 PM

OK, Jerry and everybody, I have a question I hope you can help with.

As you know, my housesitter didn't really do a sterling job--couldn't even tell us which of our cats had been seen in days. So I had to come home early. But it didn't really bother me. And I still love to hear her play the piano and sing.

But now--Jan is so annoyed at her she says she never wants to see her again--i.e. she will never be welcome in the house if Jan is there.

So what--if anything--can I do about it.? As far as I'm concerned the more friends the better. And it's self-defeating to cut yourself off from somebody--without really good cause---especially a talented musician. (OK so I'm not an unbiased observer here.)

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 11 Jul 06 - 11:36 PM

Hey, Ron:

Sometimes you just have to let things sit. It brings to mind a line from a song that I wrote (don't even remember the song anymore..)

Somebody told me that Time was my friend.

It may not help that you really enjoy listening to your house-sitter sing and play piano. I'd probably stay away from that statement for awhile, too.

Give Jan some time to loosen up a little and put things in perspective. I hope that she does. It sounds like your house-sitter is a friend you don't want to lose. And it definitely doesn't sound good when Jan says she doesn't want the sitter in the house while she's there. Might even be worse if your house sitter came and the two of you enjoyed music together when Jan was gone.

My major caveat is that I have messed my life up grandly, many times. I am no one to give advice. But seein's as how you asked, I didn't want the request to be ignored..

I hope that things will level out and you and Jan can enjoy the company of your house sitter together.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 11 Jul 06 - 11:54 PM

Jerry-


"worse if you two enjoyed music while Jan was gone". BINGO. Jan always tends to read into my enthusiasm for musicians more than is there. But my music addiction was there long before I ever met Jan--and she knows it. Every symptom of addiction is there: Do you make excuses for not doing other things? Can you not live a day without it? Do you ignore what else is going on? Do you constantly seek out people who share your addiction?

Guilty on all charges--and a bunch more.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 10:33 PM

Maybe you need to join MA, Ron:

Musicians Anonymous.

I think that it is very difficult for someone who doesn't have a hunka hunka hunka burnin' love for music to really understand what it is like. For many people, music is and always will be "background music." Kinda like the soundtrack of their lives, paid real low. Many people are permanently linked to the music they heard at the onset and fever pitch of puberty. That's why "Oldies" stations thrive. Once in awhile I'll meet someone who just loves music. In 57 flavors. My son Aaron is much that way, although he isn't quite as catholic in taste as I am. But, he's open to listening to a lot of music and not locked into a time frame when music usta be good. Like. My son Pasha, who is technically my son-in-law as he is from Ruth's first marriage is as close to me as anyone I've ever met in just plain loving music.

Years ago, I met someone who would become a very important friend, Pat Conte. Pat has one of the largest collections of ethnic folk music of the world IN the world. Pat loved to "turn me on" to exotic stuff I'd never heard... like Chants from the Easter Islands, or Fuji island accordian music (made the last one up, but much of his collection is as weird as that.) I told him that I was his "Unplowed Field." Anyone who loves music needs friends who are at least in some areas "Unplowed Fields." That what drives me to share so much music with people I really don't know well... like you, Ron, and many other Catters. I've been someone else's Unplowed Field and I'm just thankful that I can introduce others to music that they may not be totally familiar with.

It's hard for people who have a casual interest (or next to none at all) in music to understand that..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 10:42 PM

I have an old college buddy coming by tomorrow to spend the night with his wife. Jayne and I have not met her and only seen him once3 in 38 years. I am excited and can't wait for the opportunity to renew an old acquaintance.

Brookwoods rehearsed this evening for a couple hours and annoying as it is to not rehearse enough, we sounded like we been playing every night! I love to play music. I am vowing to perform more this next year!   

Last week my 7 staff members took me to Six Flags, a roller Coaster amusement park, and made me ride everything there! It was great fun and although I didn't look forward to it, it turned out to be a hoot!

Carrie, my youngest, is in England this week and is going to visit a friend who is also a chef who has parents with a home on the golf course that the British Open is being played on this weekend. She is really looking forward to this, but most importantly, Carrie is one of those people who firmly believes in " do something. Take a chance, go out on a limb. She has lots of great life experiences but mostly because she puts herself in a position to " get lucky" by simply doing stuff. The other night she held the phone out thew window in TOrino Italy so I could hear the folks cheering for an Italy goal in the WOrld cup match. SHe has been working as a pastry chef in a castle hotel just for room and board this summer and is now doing a bit of last minute travel before returning to the mundane work world.

Life is a journey, not a destination. I hope you all have a nice night and hope to hear from you all tomorrow. By the way, tomorrow is Bastille Eve, so sharpen up your guillotines!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 10:51 PM

Well, Jerry, Jan does like music--though I'd say that, like you, my tastes are far more wide-ranging than hers. She can't stand Sephardic music--I find it haunting. She has a low tolerance for madrigals. Doesn't like reggae as much as I do. Finds Bob Wills' interjections in his songs really annoying--I love'em. Not enthusiastic about Bulgarian womens' groups. I'm fascinated. Has a lower doo-wop threshhold than I do. Etc.

She does like "art-rock"--Emerson Lake and Palmer, etc. a lot more than I do.

And she's absolutely and totally hooked on CMT--loves country music videos, of all things-- and country music as on the radio now--which is really 70's rock under another name. And I like a good bit of it--at least the part that shows a sense of humor. Which even Toby Keith does, amazingly enough.

Fortunately, she loves to do duets with me. Unfortunately her throat is a problem for that
these days.

The problem with MA is that I suppose you have to actually want to change--and I'll have to say the will is not there.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 11:08 PM

I can appreciate Bob Wills, etc. and even the yodelling, even if it's not my cup of tea. I can appreciate Baroque art, Gaudi's architecture, Sartre's plays, and good rap the same way.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 09:46 AM

Hey, Ron:

Man!!! Your tastes are so catholic that you make me feel downright Protestant!!!!!!! I suppose a major part of the difference is that I am not a trained musician and didn't grow up hearing classical music or chorales. There are individual pieces and composers I explored and discovered that I appreciated, but my tastes in classical music are eclectic.

Bob Wills? Echhhhh!!!!!!!!

Let me tell you why. Music carries baggage. Some of it is good, and the music becomes an oldie for you. Bob Will's and Western Swing (and you can toss Lon McAlister in there too) will always be associated (for me) with the morning hog reports. The house I grew up in (and was born in) was very small. I didn't have a bedroom until my older sisters both moved out, as we only had two bedrooms. My bedroom as a teenager was directly off the kitchen and because the kitchen was very small, we had the refrigerator in my bedroom. And because my bedroom was very small, there was no way to have a door to close, because the refrigerator was in the way. Every morning around five o'clock my parents would get up to get my Dad off to work and they'd turn on the radio in the kitchen. It might as well have been in my bedroom. They played a lot of western swing and 1940's to early 50's country music on the radio, and when the morning hog report came on, they'd start with someone going Soooooooooooweeeeee!!! If you were awakened in the morning segueing from Bob Wills to the morning hog report, you'd understand why I can't really deal with Western Swing.

Or Lon McAlister.

Or shirts with simulated pearl buttons and little arrows sewed along the top of the pockets.

Eccchhh!

Brings me back to Back When I Was Young

"We were all much smaller then, and everything was bigger
There was a kid lived down the block, had a dog the size of Trigger
Our prairies all were empty lots, our mountain just a hill
And for a dime at the corner store, a kid could eat his fill

CHOREUS:

   And the three mile Crick was four miles long, back when I was young
   And I knew the words to every song, known to the human tongue

We'd listen to the radio, and drink our Ovaltine
Decoding secret messages with our Captain Midnight rings
And for a box top and a dime, we'd wait a month or more
For a hand-tooled belt that glowed in the dark, just like Lone Ranger wore

Cowboys all were honest then, their horses all were trusty
And when they slept out in the rain, their guns never got rusty
And when they fought they never lost, but they never won the girl
And the buttons on the shirts they wore were simulated pearl

Jerry Rasmussen

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 10:02 AM

Jerry, do you know the reason for those snaps on cowboy shirts?

It's because if a horn got caught in the placket (opening) of the cuff or shirt front the snap would unsnap free but a button might not and you'd be hurtin' bad as that cow stomped you or flung you around like a rag doll.

Of course, gaudy is gaudy....

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 09:32 PM

Jerry-- who's Lon McAllister? Is that Leon McAllister (of Steel Guitar Rag fame)? I'll have to admit that only having heard the Texas Playboys long after leaving home--and at a time of day I was a lot happier with than I would have been first thing in the morning, mixed with hog-calls----my experience with them is a lot easier to take.

The only songs I find sometimes hard to take are associated with former girlfriends--and my own foolishness.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 09:47 PM

Hey, Ron:

Talk about free association... Lon McAllister was a cute, dark-haired little guy who seemed to be in a lot of forgettable movies in the 40's. The best know of them was Stage Door Canteen. What does he have to do with Bob Wills and Western Swing. Taling about three degrees of separation. I always linked Lon McAlister with Audie Murphy... both cute little guys, and Audie was in a lot of B picture westerns, and wore them dumb little shirts with the arrows sewed on the top of the pockets. As far as I know, Lon may have hated Western Swing.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 10:14 PM

Audi Murphy? I thought he was a World War I hero. How confused am I?

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 10:19 PM

Audie Murphy was supposed to be the most-decorated soldier in WW2...at least in the European Theater, in the US Army.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 10:52 PM

"The only songs I find sometimes hard to take are associated with former girlfriends--and my own foolishness."

Ron, are you referring to that George Strait song, "All my Ex's Live in Texas?"

All my ex's live in Texas,
And Texas is a place I'd dearly love to be.
But all my ex's live in Texas
And that's why I hang my hat in Tennessee.

Rosanna's down in Texarcana; wanted me to push her broom,
And sweet Ilene's in Abilene; she forgot I hung the moon,
And Allison in Galveston somehow lost her sanity,
And Dimples who now lives in Temple's got the law lookin' for me.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 11:35 PM

Yeah Elmer, that's a great song--and I play it a lot--love the western swing approach--and of course the lyrics. That guy is a real role model. Never could live up to that. My great-grandfather did a passable imitatation. He was an artist--specialized in nudes and melancholy landscapes. And--you guessed it--had 2 separate families--one with his favorite model. Soon after his death-- in Italy, in murky circumstances-- the model and her daughter turned up on the wife's doorstep.

That's a hard act to follow.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 11:57 PM

What I meant was I "play" the song--on the CD player. Wish I had the talent to play in a Western swing band--but I sure don't.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 05:57 AM

Yes, it was the Second World War that Audie fought in. When the war was over, thre was a best-selling book about his exploits titled To Hell And Back and they made a movie of it, starring Audie. I don't believe he had any previous acting experience, but he was handsome and did a passable job. He made several westerns after that, but his best and best-known movie was probably The Red Badge of Courage/

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 10:05 AM

Monday night, I went looking for a tenor or two. The Director of one of the Male Choruses that I sing in has taken the position of Music Director at a new church and invited me to come to a practice of their Men's Chorus. He knows that I'm looking for a tenor or two as replacements in the Gospel Messengers. I went, expecting to sit in the back of the church, just listening to the guys but when practice started there were only about 6 men there, and I was handed the lyric sheets along with everyone else. This is a new Men's Chorus and that was immediately obvious. And the group is almost all tenors. As guys trickled in, there were finally nine or ten guys, with just two baritones and one bass. I ended up moving up to sit with the two baritones who seemed totally lost. I talked with the guy I sat next to and asked him if he is a baritone. He said that he didn't know. He'd never sung in a choir before. The other baritone seemed equally adrift so I found myself quickly picking up the baritone harmony and helping the two guys to learn it. With the exception of one song, I hadn't heard any of the ones we sang Monday night, but after almost ten years in a Men's Chorus, I can pick up most of the baritone harmony off the piano as the Chorus Director is playing it.

The practice turned out to be a lot of fun, and the guys asked me ifg I'd come back to help the baritones and the bass singer. I explained to them that I was really there hoping to find a tenor for my group and was already singing in two Men's Choruses, but they were still encouraging. I'll go to practice one more time, this coming Monday as two of the best tenors weren't at the practice I went to. And then Ruth and I will go to a service to hear them sing.
I figure that I'll never find another tenor (or two) sitting at home waiting for a phone call from a complete stranger.

The practice brought back memories of the first time I went to the Men's Chorus practice I've been in for almost ten years now. I went and sat in the baritone section because I recognized the only person I knew. Turns out, he is a baritone, and so are I. Glad I didn't sit with the First tenors...

I also find it very appealing to see so many men joining Choruses who are coming just for the love of the singing, and to support the church. Some aren't very good as singers, but they often are the most loyal. Some have never sung except when they are alone, and turn out to be fine singers. But, they all are dedicated, and because being in a Male Chorus in a black church (at least) doesn't require any experience or the ability to read music, as most songs are learned by memory.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 11:22 AM

Jerry, I'll be happy to lend you a tenor. Even a twentyor.

Seriously, I know what you're doing and you can get pretty frustrated along the way. As they say, "God will provide," but....

A town was flooded, and a rescue boat went out to collect people.   At one house there was a man sitting on the front porch, and when the people in the boat said, "Get in and we'll take you to safety" he replied, "God will provde." Sometime later another boat came by and made the same offer, and the man said, "Thank you, but God will provide." A couple hours later a helicopter flew over and saw the guy sitting on his roof, flood waters swirling around the eaves of the house. Again he refused aid by saying, "God will provide."

Shortly thereafter he was swept away and drowned. Sopping wet he arrived before the throne of God and stammered out, "Why, Lord, didn't you provide for me?" And God replied, "Don't start, dude -- I sent two boats and a helicopter."

Good luck in the search!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 10:08 PM

Jerry--

I can imagine the difficulty of the search. After all, there's even a play called "Lend Me A Tenor". I bet you and I would both like it--or have you already seen it?

What's involved in being a tenor in your group--does that just mean the highest voice?

I can't remember what it means in bluegrass--maybe there's tenor and high tenor.


I've had occasion to sing tenor fairly often--mostly second tenor. I even wound up singing alto once in church--it was falsetto all the way--and way up in the treble clef. (God bless the Beach Boys).

I used to volunteer to sing tenor in madrigals all the time--there were usually enough guys to sing bass--and the tenor part was often more interesting than the bass. Though sometimes all the parts had a lot of meat to them. Those are the best.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 10:51 PM

Hey, Ron:

Here's a job description for our tenor:

Must believe and try to live what they sing
Must always put the message before the performance
Must have a good sense of harmony singing, and enjoy it
Must be able to work out harmonies and arrangements jointly with other members, without the use of sheet music
Must have a good sense of rhythm
Must have a good time singing
Must enjoy and encourage the singing of all other members of the group
Must be willing to practice regularly, perform mostly without pay
and take enjoyment in lifting the spirits of others
Must enjoy the old, simple style of gospel singing with four part harmony, no keyboards, drums or other acoutremonts

Is it any wonder that I can't find anyone. Who would take a job like this? I've seen plenty of people who are good lead singers but have no sense of harmony, or rhythm (or even hearing the right key.) I've met some puffed up types who want the attention of singing leads but quickly get bored when others are getting the attention. I've had those who want to perform, but not practice. I've had those who consider themselves too good to need to practice.
I'd take most of the requirements above, as long as the person is deeply committed to bringing the message to those who are often overlooked or forgotten... the homeless, those in nursing homes and senior centers and hospitals. Some things I can work around. Being "puffed-up" isn't one of them....

Joe, our bass singer, Derrick (our tenor for 7 years until he left) and Frankie have all shared the most important of these requirements.
We've worked around the rest.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 09:10 AM

Sounds great, Jerry. I'd sign up in a minute--except I'm not really a tenor--actually a bass. I don't know if I could sing high all the time.

It must be a real challenge to make up harmonies without the aid of sheet music. Somebody must be the main person who does it--and the others must agree that it sounds good. Sounds like an awful lot of diplomacy is involved. Suppose you have 2 people each thinking that his harmony sounds the best? Do you take a vote? And once you have the harmony do you rehearse it so it's ingrained in everybody's mind--and voice?

I remember having some of these problems when I had a sea chantey group--we also used no sheet music. But of course we had an even worse problem--we couldn't even find a time when all 7 of us could rehearse. Fortunately sea chanteys are a very forgiving genre--rough edges are just fine.

I wouldn't think gospel is quite so easy-going.


And you have everything memorized--just amazing.

I'll tell you, my hat is really off to you guys--what you've done on the Gospel Messengers CD is just great.

And I think the idea of doing it with no instruments is just right--it's so easy for electric guitars and drums to overwhelm the sound--and kill your voice.

I've done a lot of singing in nursing homes, hospitals etc.--but we always had sheet music. (Which is of course another problem--people seem to lean on it pretty heavily as a crutch--even when they are so close to having the part memorized.   And it's so much better--and really important especially there--to make eye contact with your audience---and to smile at them.)

Sure hope the tenor you need is out there--in your area--and you make contact soon.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 15 Jul 06 - 09:33 AM

Thanks for the encouragement, Ron:

The only thing worse than not having a tenor is having the wrong tenor. We tried someone who is a terrific singer, has a fine sense of rhythm, sings harmony just fine and believes what he sings. It didn't work because he was more interested in singing lead than singing harmony, and he didn't like the straightforward four-part harmony the rest of us do. He wanted something more like Take 6 or the Hi-Lo's (from years ago.) And he really got no enjoyment out of anyone else doing a fine job on a lead.

In music, being a fine singer isn't always enough.

Jerry