FUN GUITARIST PROFILE: STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN

Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954-1990)

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While awaiting an appointment this morning, I decided to post a nice tribute to a local guitarist where I once lived in Texas. There's so much to say about this fine musician. But here are just some basics. A blues guitarist and singer with a backing rhythm section dubbed "Double Trouble", Stevie Ray Vaughan was influenced by Albert King, Albert Collins, Django Reinhart, Cincinnati resident Lonnie Mack, brother Jimmie Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix (all of whom are among the profiles I'll be getting to). Vaughan's talent caught the attention of guitarist blues-club owner Cliff Antone and guitarist Johnny Winter. David Bowie and Jackson Browne were in the audience one night in 1982 at the Montreaux Jazz Festival, where the audience actually booed the band's hard blues sound. Vaughan later recorded his debut album Texas Flood in Browne's downtown Los Angeles studio, and three years later Stevie and his band were cheered at Montreaux's "Blues Night"! David Bowie featured Vaughan on his 1983 album Let's Dance. But producer John Hammond soon took Vaughan under his wing and the top-20 hit Pride and Joy earned the band a Gold Record. Successive LP's and Grammy's included a one-time tour of Japan. When drink and drugs nearly killed Stevie in Germany, he entered rehab in London and emerged clean and sober with his work sounding better than ever! He went on to work with Stevie Wonder and singer Jennifer Warnes and shared a Scandanavian tour with Jeff Beck in 1989. His choice of guitar was a Fender Stratocaster fitted with a left handed vibrato arm and a thick neck. Vaughan preferred to use few effects outside of his over driven set up: 2 Fender Super Reverbs, 2 Fender Vibroverbs, 2 Dumble 150-watt heads, 2 Dumble 4 x 12 cabinets, and a Fender Vibratone. He also used heavy thirteen-gauge guitar strings that he tuned down one half-step. If you have a chance, don't miss Vaughan's "Austin City Limits" concerts preserved on video where his incredibly fast, fluid, raw and loud playing style incorporated simultaneous lead and rhythm parts and (much to my personal impatience) drew the predictable comparisons to the late Jimi Hendrix (the two men were distinctively different, albeit, brilliant artists). Hey, by the way, Vaughan did cover several Hendrix tunes as "Little Wing, "Voodoo Child" and "Third Stone from the Sun". It was my unhappy lot to pick up an AP news wire while working an overnight radio air shift in on August 26, 1990 that stated---initially---that Stevie and the entire band were killed in a helicopter crash following a concert. I was playing a long piece of music "on the air" and decided to phone the Associated Press regional office for a confirmation, only to learn that this first report was incorrect. Minutes after Eric Clapton introduced Stevie along with Buddy Guy, Robert Cray and brother Jimmie Vaughan after playing a 15 minute rendition of Sweet Home Chicago, the guys all hugged and walked off stage. The original plan was to board a tour bus to Chicago. However, Stevie was told of an open seat on one of the helicopters returning to Chicago with two members of Eric Clapton's crew. The helicopter pilot (unbelievably) violated all flight procedures by taking off in deep fog. Moments later the craft tragically smashed into into a ski slope on the side of a hill instantly killing all on board upon impact. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine placed Vaughan at Number 7 on their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". He has influenced John Mayer, Eric Johnson and Los Lonely Boys among many others and in 2008, Stevie Ray Vaughan will become eligible for induction into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This Honor is long overdue for this innovative and highly energetic musician who is always a joy to watch performing in concert film footage. I hope each of you has a chance to see it sometime on a PBS TV station!

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HAPPY TUESDAY!

THE INTERVIEW: RADIO LEGEND DOUG MILES! (PART 2 OF 2)

MM: NEARLY EVERYONE I KNOW IN SOUTH FLORIDA HAS A RELATIVE LIVING IN THE NORTHEAST. TELL US HOW YOU ENDED UP IN FLORIDA?

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DM: We always visited Florida for vacation. My grandparents moved to Ft Lauderdale when I was 10, so we always spent Christmas with them. I always knew I wanted to live in Florida and in 1988 I moved here.

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MM: YOU AND I HAVE HANDLED MANY OF THE SAME RESPONSIBILITIES SUCH AS COPYWRITING, SCRIPTWRITING, NEWS AND SO FORTH. BUT YOU'VE WORKED FOR A RADIO READING SERVICE FOR THE BLIND. THE CLOSEST I'VE COME TO THAT WAS READING THE HEADLINES FOR MY LATE FATHER AS HIS PARKINSON'S PROGRESSED, AND IT WAS A THRILL FOR HIM TO HAVE ME SITTING NEXT TO HIM AS HE LISTENED TO WORLD EVENTS WITH AN "OH?" OR "CAN YOU IMAGINE?" TELL US ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE FROM THE RADIO SIDE OF THINGS?

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DM: At WUSF-FM in Tampa, I did some volunteer reading of magazines for the Radio Reading Service which was recorded. In Sarasota, I got my Dad involved as well. We read the local newspapers live on the air from a small studio at the Sarasota Opera House for 2 hours a week. It's a great service and the special radios are provided free to those who need them.

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MM: I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT YOU ARE ALSO A TECHNICAL WRITER AND THAT DIFFERS SO MUCH FROM MY PERSONAL WRITING. TELL US HOW YOUR CAREER IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CAME ABOUT?

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DM: As all of us in broadcasting do from time to time, we get out of it on a full time basis and need to do other things to make a living. I worked at Computer Science Corp in Sarasota which specialized in information technology for the insurance industry. I did some technical writing and IT work, but always kept my hand in broadcasting even then.

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MM: HOW IS YOUR TENNIS AND GOLF GAME COMING ALONG?

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DM: Unfortunately, I haven't played either as much as I want to recently. I want to get back into tennis. Golf just takes up too much time right now.

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MM: YOU HAVE A GREAT ON-AIR PRESENCE AND I CAN'T RESIST ASKING YOU ABOUT THE MANY, MANY CELEBRITIES WE WOULD ALL RECOGNIZE THAT YOU'VE HAD ON THE AIR AT WIBQ. CAN YOU SHARE SOME NAMES AND STORIES?

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DM: I've been very fortunate to have the opportunity to interview many of the people I watched on TV growing up or listened to on radio. Comedians like Jackie Mason, Don Rickles and Rich Little are just 3 of the people that have been on with me. Martin Short was very introspective and quiet unlike his on stage persona, but still very interesting. Tim Conway was just like he is on TV, very funny. Singers like Andy Williams, Jack Jones, Michael Feinstein have been on. Senator Bob Smith, former Republican senator from New Hampshire who lives in Sarasota is a regular guest. I even had a chance to talk to Katherine Harris. It's never dull in Sarasota. My favorite interview guest is Deana Martin, the daughter of Dean Martin who has been on several times. She has great stories of her Dad, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack and she's a very nice lady.

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MM: MANY OF MY READERS ARE NEW AND MAY NOT KNOW THIS. BUT LAST SPRING, I WAS LITERALLY WALKING DOWN MAIN STREET IN SARASOTA WHEN I PASSED BY YOUR OLD STUDIOS. AND I HEARD A FAMILIAR ACCENT—AN ENGLISH ACCENT FROM AN OVERHEAD SPEAKER AND REALIZED AS I TURNED TO MY LEFT AN SAW CLIFF ROLES WAS DOING A LIVE RADIO SHOW FROM THE SIDEWALK PICTURE WINDOW. RADIO HAS LOST SO MUCH OF THE FUN IT USED TO BE FOR MANY OF US. FROM THE CREW YOU HAVE AT WIBQ I IMAGINE THAT IS THE CLOSEST ONE CAN EVER GET TO WHAT RADIO ONCE WAS UP UNTIL 1996 OR SO? WHAT IS YOUR VIEW?

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DM: Yes, WIBQ is kind of a throwback to old time radio in a sense. We do long form talk shows and a lot of local programming. We are now at the Westfield Square Shopping Mall in Sarasota and have built a window front studio there as well.

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MM: HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED TELEVISION IN YOUR CAREER?

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DM: Yes, I do some TV locally, hosting a weekly talk show occasionally and a weekly sports show. TV is always fun to do.

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MM: I ONCE JOKED IN A BLOG ABOUT CLIFF ROLES HAVING HIS PICTURE TAKEN WITH SO MANY BEAUTIFUL WOMEN AND I SAID, "IT MUST BE THE BRITISH ACCENT". DO YOU THINK CLIFF CAN COACH ME A BIT? I WAS HOPING MAYBE I COULD GET A DATE WITH ROBYN LYNN?
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Comedian Dick Smothers with Robyn Lynn

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DM: Cliff is definitely a character. Robyn is definitely easy on the eyes and belongs on TV doing the news. I'd watch!

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MM: SO WOULD I. PLEASE PASS THAT ALONG! ARE THERE ANY GUESTS, DOUG, WHOM YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO GET ON YOUR SHOW BUT EITHER HAVEN'T GOTTEN AROUND TO IT OR HAVE HAD TROUBLE FINDING THEM TO GUEST ON "SUNCOAST MAGAZINE"?

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DM: I've been able to get just about everyone I've wanted so far. There are some people that just don't do interviews, but there is never a shortage of interesting guests to talk to.

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MM: WHAT'S IN THE FUTURE FOR DOUG MILES AS THE NEW YEAR IS UNDERWAY NOW?

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DM: I want to continue to help build WIBQ into a major radio station on the west coast of Florida. This winter and spring I'm doing play by play of Sarasota Millionaires Football games on WIBQ. We have a lot of things in the works. Stay tuned!

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MM: DOUG, ONE OF THE THINGS I DO HERE ON "THE INTERVIEW" IS TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO MY GUESTS AND LET THEM EXPOUND ABOUT WHATEVER IS ON THEIR MIND. IT COULD BE THE INDUSTRY, THE WEATHER, WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN MEDIA. AS THEY SAY IN SHOWBUSINESS: "THE FLOOR IS YOURS":

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DM: Thanks Michael. First of all, it's always fun to have you join us on air. The concert you helped promote last fall was a great story. I'd like to see more stations take our approach of covering local events and doing local programming. There are too many stations just running syndicated shows and have no local presence in their market. Thank you for the opportunity to talk to your readers on your website.

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MM: DOUG, IT'S BEEN A JOY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU BACK HERE ON "THE INTERVIEW" TO KEEP UP WITH YOU. THERE YOU HAVE IT MY FRIENDS. A RARE MAN IN THIS INDUSTRY WHO IS AS "DOWN TO EARTH AS YOU CAN GET. I WISH THERE WERE MORE DOUG MILE'S IN THIS INDUSTRY. IT WOULD MAKE FOR A KINDER AND GENTLER WORLD. REMEMBER TO CATCH DOUG ON "SUNCOAST MAGAZINE" VIA WIBQ, "SUNNY 1220" AM NEWS/ TALK RADIO. TRULY ONE OF AMERICA'S GREAT RADIO STATIONS! AND ONE OF AMERICA'S GREAT BROADCASTERS IN DOUG MILES. THANKS FOR JOINING US!

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THE INTERVIEW: RADIO LEGEND DOUG MILES! (PART 1 OF 2)

Legendary newsman Don Blair (left) for Mutual and NBC Radio News and author of "Splashdown, NASA and the Navy" in WIBQ studios on 'Suncoast Magazine' with Doug Miles.

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Actor Geoffrey Owens (left) from The Cosby Show and Asolo Conservatory stopped by the WIBQ studios on Dec. 2 as a guest on 'Suncoast Magazine' with Doug.

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The "Night of 1000 Stars" party for the Sarasota Film Festival at Michael's: Doug is joined by Congresswoman Katherine Harris, Robyn Lynn (whom I'm forever asking Doug about), Actress Audrey Landers (not pictured) with Tim Wilkins and Actor Dennis Farina.

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Whoa, talk about a Legend!! Here's Doug with pal and Actor Jack Klugman of "The Odd Couple" who stopped by for a visit.

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Introduction from Michael: I'd like to welcome my First Guest on "THE INTERVIEW" for 2007: Doug Miles, one of the truly Good Guys in an industry I've spent 17 years working in: Radio. I met Doug in the Spring of 2006 as I was walking down Main Street in downtown Sarasota, Florida. It was a nice warm day and out of nowhere I heard an English accent overhead from a canopy mounted speaker. I looked up in time to see a very large picture window with Doug's colleague Cliff Roles conducting an interview "Live" and "On the Air"! So, I walked into the radio station and struck up a conversation with a man who happened to own the station! We swapped "war stories" and got along famously. So much so, that he asked me to meet his Production Manager and Co-Host of a program called "Suncoast Magazine". At the time, I was still pursuing a "hard news" job with Radio or Television and after I was introduced to Doug Miles, I discovered that he knew of my dear friend and Radio Legend Jim West---and for a very good reason! Doug's station, WIBQ "Sunny 1220" News/Talk AM Radio is a Nostalgia (Big Band and Great Singers) format--one of many radio formats I've worked with in my career. Jim West is responsible for syndicating "The Music of Your Life" on over 400 stations from Maine to Florida and then Florida to California! In a pleasant surprise, Doug asked me to consider becoming a Guest on his show after I returned to Ohio! This was the beginning of a wonderful friendship with a very generous and very kind man who finds everyone interesting. I wondered what I had to offer as his Guest? But after we started talking "Live" on the air we were laughing our fool heads off as I reeled off tales about the eccentricities of Cincinnati (which you can go hear on my REEL Page). I'm sure Doug won't mind. Lastly, before we get started, I wanted to share a heartwarming story.

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When "The Rick Springfield Benefit Concert for Sahara Aldridge", the 12 year old girl who is battling a stage IV glioblastoma malignant brain stem tumor came to my attention via Rick Springfield's website, as many of you know, I wanted to contribute somehow. For me that meant a "grass roots" project in support of Rick's generous vision from afar. The concept for me involved filling a tour bus in Cincinnati, Ohio where I currently reside with Rick's fans to attend the show in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. I was in-between positions at the time, and this project and purpose was far more important to me than a job search that was stalled the last 45 days of 2006 anyway. So, long story-short, I took the "pencil to the paper" and outlined a way to involve Cincinnati--one of the most dangerous cities in America to live in--and lend an opportunity to our new Mayor Mark Mallory (who graciously worked with me) to show the nation that "Love and Compassion must transcend state lines". The Cincinnatri News Media--(much to my annoyance and the City's embarrassment) behaved very badly and refused coverage with the excuse that Sahara wasn't an Ohio resident and that stations were embroiled in a television ratings period many of you know as "sweeps". Turns out I am the last one to realize our world and it's priorities have changed! I fought hard not to feel bitter about my colleagues' misplaced sense of what really matters most.

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Doug Miles saw what was going down and quickly came to my rescue. It just so happens that Sarasota has a very large Cincinnati and Toledo Ohio contingent of residents known as "snow birds" who have retirement homes in Florida. Doug and I put our heads together by e-mail and over the phone. If I could reach the Sarasota contingent of Cincinnati and Toldeo seasonal residents, we reasoned, I could fill a tour bus of people who would receive and respond to a "Call to Action" --yes--from literally a phone call from one of their Sarasota relatives to buy a very affordable concert ticket and take advantage of a great hotel lodge rate to support Sahara and her family with a great show! (Doug's radio interview taped with me during those 16-hour days spent affecting this outcome between November 6th and December 7th of 2006 can also be heard on my "REEL" Page at www.michaelmanning.tv). Doug's attitude was: "We certainly want to do whatever we can for Sahara and this is a worthy cause with the great Rick Springfield". THAT's the kind of rare friend Doug Miles is. And...he ran that interview 4 TIMES as we attempted to motivate people to participate. It was a valiant effort and I am forever grateful to Doug and all the wonderful people at WIBQ who moved on this important event rapidly to help out when my own hometown media community failed shamefully. With this bit of background in mind, Doug most deservedly needed to be MY "Guest" for a change, so each of you could come to know him and of late, to listen to WIBQ 1220 AM Radio via "streaming" on the Internet. Without further adieu, it is my pride and privilege to welcome a friend and a colleague: Doug Miles!

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MM: DOUG WELCOME TO "THE INTERVIEW". IT'S NICE TO TRADE PLACES FOR A CHANGE SINCE YOU'VE BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE OF MY ENDEAVORS AND HAVE REGULARLY INTERVIEWED ME ON SUNNY 1220, WIBQ "NEWS/TALK" RADIO. TELL US HOW YOU WERE FIRST BITTEN BY THE BROADCASTING BUG AS A KID?

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DM: I've always loved radio. Growing up in NY, I got to listen to the best in the business. Don Imus on the old WNBC was a favorite. I listened to Marv Albert doing the Knicks, Rangers and NY Giants football games on radio. Marty Glickman, who invented radio play by play for the most part, was also a favorite. And when we played street hockey or any sport, every guy would do play by play as we scored or made a great play. I'm still fascinated by radio and am always turning the dial to see what's on.

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MM: WHAT WAS IT LIKE FOR YOU WHEN YOU FIRST STEPPED BEHIND THE RADIO MICROPHONE AT WBAU 90.3 FM AT ADELPHI UNIVERSITY? I KNOW YOU FOUND YOURSELF THRUST INTO HE MIDDLE OF COVERING A NATIONAL TRAGEDY? (Doug went on the air just as John Hinckley was apprehended after trying to assassinate President Ronald Regan).

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DM: Believe it or not, it took me about a year and half to get up the nerve to walk into the campus station at Adelphi University, WBAU on Long Island. I finally went through the door and have never looked back. I started doing news for the AM side which only broadcast on campus before working up to the FM side which covered a good part of Nassau County and got into the city. That first week on the air, the UPI ticker alarm rang constantly and we knew there was big news going on. It was the day President Reagan was shot. I was on the air doing updates for several hours on that story. At WBAU, I was Sports Director, handled all the play by play of Adelphi sports, hosted all kinds of shows including the Big Band Sound which continues today as the Big Band Files on WIBQ in Sarasota.

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MM: I'VE NOTICED THAT SPORTS AND NEWS FIGURE PROMINENTLY IN YOUR CAREER AFTER GRADUATION FROM COLLEGE. HOW CAN YOU DESCRIBE WORKING IN NEW YORK RADIO STATIONS AND YOUR WORK TODAY IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA ON THE SUNCOAST?

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DM: I worked at Sports Phone for awhile as well as doing various stringing for different stations around NY City and Long Island. I moved to Tampa and did weekends at WUSF-FM in Tampa and was a copywriter at WLFF-AM in St. Petersburg. I also hosted a nationwide sports show on The Sun Radio Network which at that time was based out of Tampa. Tampa radio has an interesting history and there are a ton of stories there, but that's for another interview :)

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MM: HOW DID THE BIG BAND RADIO FORMAT COME INTO YOUR LIFE?

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DM: I've always loved the standards and big bands and jazz. I grew up listening to my parents records and station WNEW-AM which played American Popular Standards. WNEW-AM was one of the great radio stations in the country. I've had the opportunity to interview Jim Lowe who was the program director there and Mike Eisgrau, who was a news anchor on WIBQ. I started the big band show on WBAU and continue it today on WIBQ on the weekends.

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Join us tomorrow as we conclude with Doug's current projects!

SERPICO!

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If there is one identifiable aspect of "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" it is that there are no rules governing when a movie was made or who stars in it. The ultimate goal is keeping it FUN. I chose this year's selection based on whether the works are solid, varied and consistently hold up well even to today's standards. The continuity of Al Pacino's work has withstood being called "over-acted" ("Scent of A Woman") and worse. In every instance they were Pacino-esque. You either like Pacino or you don't. It's that simple. From "Richard III" to "Insomnia", this is a very dedicated and interesting actor whose character study is intense. In this movie, based on author Peter Maas's book we come face-to-face with the true-life story of Frank Serpico, an undercover policeman who bravely exposed corruption in the New York City Police Department. When the film was released, it was hailed for Serpico's nonconformism, albeit, rooted in honesty. I once saw the real-life Frank Serpico interviewed long after he retired from the force and moved to Europe, then hitchhiked across Greenland after selling his household possessions and asking everyone who picked up this unknown hitchhiker, "What is the meaning of life for you?" Eventually, he told his interviewer, after a year of listening to thousands of answers, his own conclusion is that we are here on earth simply to love one another. Quite an archetypal journey! The Cast: Al Pacino, John Randolph, Jack Kehoe, Barbara Eda-Young, Cornelia Sharpe, F. Murray Abraham, Tony Roberts; Director: Sidney Lumet. Producer: Dino De Laurentis. AWARDS: Golden Globes (1974): Best Actor--Drama Al Pacino; National Board of Review, (1973): Actor Al Pacino; Writers Guild (1973): Best Adaptation to Screenplay. Our first Sidney Lumet film of 2007! If you like suspense, I hope you'll sit back, get comfortable and enjoy this one!

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My Best!

Michael

FUN GUITARIST PROFILE: JACO PASTORIOUS!

Jaco Pastorius (1951-1987)
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You would instantly recognize his first 7 opening bass notes from the hit "Birdland" that he recorded with the jazz fusion group Weather Report. Born in 1951, this electric-fusion bass player is one person I was blessed to see in-concert (with Weather Report). He remains to this day, the most unconventional bass player I have ever seen! Pastorious came from a wonderful background. The son of a jazz drummer, Jaco played the saxophone, drums, guitar and piano. Although he was self-taught, he landed a teaching job at The University of Miami where he taught Jazz. You would know his playing "instantly". He redefined the instrument with chords, double stops, smacks and his heavy use of harmonics with dazzling speed. I saw him in a small theater with Weather Report when I was barely in high school and I can still remember him soloing, whereupon he took off a fretless bass guitar and set it flat onto the stage and extracted harmonics and the predictable feedback before picking up the instrument and playing it like a lead guitar! He recorded Charlie Parker's "Donna Lee" and toured with Pat Metheny who said:"His solo on 'Donna Lee', beyond being astounding for just the fact that it was played with a hornlike phrasing that was previously unknown to the bass guitar. That solo comes along only a few times in each generation. And then there is just his basic relationship to sound and touch; refined to a degree that some would have thought impossible on an "electric" instrument". To my sheer delight, Jaco was recruited by the lovely and enigmatic Joni Mitchell as a session musician on her own courageous Jazz-inspired albums: "Hejira", "Don Juan's Reckeless Daughter", "Mingus" (a highly under-rated CD tribute to the late Charles Mingus) and a Live DVD I highly recommend for your viewing called "Shadows & Light ". A native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Jaco tragically died on September 27, 1987 at only 35 years of age after he was beaten into a coma two weeks earlier by a nightclub bouncer who refused him entrance. The bouncer served 4 years of a lifetime sentence in jail for manslaughter. Earlier that night Pastrorious, by then heavily into drugs and alcohol, reportedly climbed onto the stage of a Carlos Santana concert only to be immediately ejected from the venue. Before his own passing, Miles Davis honored the late bassist on his album Amandla with the Marcus Miller composition "Mr. Pastorius," as Jaco was an inspiration to Marcus Miller. I was just very blessed to have seen Jaco at his peak. He was an absolute inspiration to watch in concert.

CONRACK!

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Actor Jon Voight brings a real life story to the big screen in my selection for our third movie this year for "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" in CONRACK. This is the true life story about Pat Conroy, the New York Times bestselling author who is responsible for writing The Prince of Tides (featured here last year on "Friday Movie Suggestion Night"), My Losing Season, and The Water is Wide (the inspiration for this film), amongst a wealth of books. Conroy is a graduate of the Citadel. Following graduation, he taught English in Beaufort, South Carolina, where he met and married a young woman with two children, a widow of the Vietnam War. He then accepted a job teaching a group of illiterate black children living in abject poverty who were regarded as a lost cause in a one-room schoolhouse on remote Daufuskie Island, South Carolina. Conrack finds that the children are neglected to the point of not realizing that there is a world outside their island. They develop their own language ("Conrack" is their way of pronouncing his name, Conroy) and, not surprisingly they have no motivation to learn anything. Conroy alternates between sheer frustration and an occasional jolt of unexpected humor over the nearly impossible odds placed on his shoulders. He was fired at the conclusion of his first year of teaching on the island for his "unconventional teaching practices", including his refusal to use corporal punishment on students, (which I personally became very familiar with as a student in public schools) and for his lack of respect for the school's administration. The late Hume Cronyn plays a masochistic school superintendent who retaliates at Conrack; he hates the teacher's methodology. Never mind that the children discover someone gives a damn about their wellbeing and they have discovered that learning can be fun! In what amounts to "constructive discharge", Conrack fights back and takes a stand on Pinciple over expediency. This is an excellent film for those who need a reaffirmation that we have many, many dedicated and fine teachers in America. It is anymore, a thankless job requiring Courage and Integrity and this film is all about that. The Cast: Jon Voight as Pat Conroy; Madge Sinclair as Mrs. Scott (school principal); Ruth Attaway as Edna; Gracia Lee as Mrs. Sellers; Jane Moreland as Mrs. Webster; Nancy Butler as Mrs. Ryder; Hume Cronyn as Mr. Skeffington (school superintendent); Martin Ritt: Director. The perseverance of the human spirit and how much can be achieved in even the worst circumstances is revealed here. WINNER: 1975 (WGA) Writer's Guild of America Award for Best Drama Adapted from Another Medium: Irving Ravetch and Harriet Frank Jr; BAFTA AWARDS: 1976: UN Award. I hope you enjoy it!

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In Memory of my former Philosophy Professor "Peter" Umbenhauer (October 25, 1938-November 16, 1997): BS in Economics, University of Dayton, MA in Philosophy, Ohio State University; Taught at The University of Cincinnati for 27 years with no absences and was at one time, my next door neighbor. He found the simplest joys of a person's conversation or life experience fascinating and he believed that each person was interesting and unique! He had a love of Classic Jazz and Music from the 20th Century Period and he would often hold our classes on "The Presocratics" on the lawn outside of Braunstein Hall in the Spring and Summer. A student of Wilhelm Reich, (one of the ostracized 12 disciples of Freud) Peter reached out to help others and cared deeply for his students unlike any professor I ever experienced at the 4 universities I attended during my Undergraduate Degree work. This film I dedicate to Peter's memory. He was my friend.

LAST NIGHT'S CONCERT!

The Troubadour Spirit is Alive and Well!

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Last night's "Songwriter's Tour" pulled into town and I managed to snag a last-minute ticket after e-mailing my Webmaster Jason Buckley. What a rewarding night! Guy Clark has long been a favorite of mine and first came to my attention with his work in Kris Kristofferson's backup band and then on The Highwaymen's (Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings) first album that featured Guy's "Desperado's Waiting for a Train". It has been my sorry lot to have missed seeing Jerry Garcia with the Grateful Dead, and Elvis. I was NOT going to miss this tour! Here are four Legends who work with NO SET LIST. I'm serious! And that helped make the evening so fun. A very obviously drunk lady in the upper deck heckled the usually taciturn Lyle Lovett, who had to stop and re-start a song four times because he kept bursting into laughter. Finally, he gave up, changed his capo to the first fret and played another song. His musicianship was beautiful. Guy Clark, who has beaten back cancer, is a true luthier; he crafts guitars as he hones his songwriting. When I subtitled above that "the troubadour spirit is alive and well", you better believe it, because we live in a sonic spectrum! These guys packed the house using nothing but their voices and guitars, with a Boss Electonic tuner sure, but no Pro Tools. Lovett killed me because he tuned his guitar plugged in. I haven't seen that in ages!

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Lyle Lovett offered up "Private Conversation", "My Baby Don't Tolerate" and "The Road to Ensenada". John Hiatt, an Indiana native and a Cincinnati favorite brought out "Master of Disaster", and delivered big time whenever Joe Ely or Lyle Lovett suddenly asked for "help" with incredibly intense and raw lead guitar solos. Each man took turns while the others closed their eyes with chins resting on guitars contemplating their colleagues lyrics and the love and respect was so evident. Guy Clark's "Black Diamond Strings" was fun as was his laughing fit when someone in the very back row accidentally tipped over a glass beer bottle onto the concrete floor and the audience burst into laughter! When he recovered, Guy said "Whenever you hear the sound of a beer bottle on concrete you know where you're at"! Joe Ely unleashed ferocious energy on tracks like "Fingernails" and "All That You Need". The laid back conversation and ribbing led each man to recall their first band and Lovett pointed out that Elvis Presley would have been 72 years old this past week, had he lived. A joke about Elvis being buried at Graceland "in the backyard" went sour and became even funnier when he tried to rescue it. These guys were clearly having fun and loving every minute of it--which is what a concert should be. For two and a half hours with no intermission it was a blast. The guy seated next to me and I both laughed because we were wearing Harley Davidson boots and leather jackets and had similar professional paths in broadcasting. When he told me that he was still in radio, I shook my head in sympathy and we laughed some more. He had several beers. With no intermission I passed on that idea. But I will say that the seats in the Aronoff Theatre were so tight, I felt like I was on a Delta Air Lines flight in the Coach section. Other than that, I'm hoping to catch Blog Bud David M. Bailey (see "THE INTERVIEW" Archive where David was my Guest) on January 18th here in town!

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FUN GUITARIST PROFILE: JEFF BECK!

JEFF BECK!

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It's easy for me to forget that this British guitarist was born in 1944. He played in the Deltones and Tridents before being tapped to replace Eric Clapton in the Yardbirds in 1965. His solo career started the very next year, which was followed by an uncanny hit song called "Hi Ho Silver Lining" in 1967. Over the years The Jeff Beck Group has changed personnel a lot. He earned a Grammy in 1989 for his LP "Guitar Shop", his 3-CD set called "Beckology" was released in 1992; and in 1993 he released "Crazy Legs" with Big Town Playboys in a tribute to Cliff Gallup. Gallup was Gene Vincent's guitarist and Beck's biggest influences. Back in 1990, the British Sunday newspaper Observer conducted a "Guitarists' Guitarist" poll and Beck won. He is highly regarded. I have to smile at his passion for restoring hot rod automobiles---which explains, by the way his long gaps between releases. By 1999, he was back with the CD "Who Else!" and in 2001, "You Had it Coming". He enjoys using a Fender Stratocaster that is custom designed with a thick neck. I like him because he uses sparse effects and I find it interesting that he was one of the first guitarists to explore the tremolo arm to his playing. He finished a 2006 tour of the USA and some of his earlier LP's are being remastered and re-released such as "Beck-Ola!" and "Truth". On a final note, one of the more interesting, albeit, short-lived groups he formed was Beck, Bogert & Appice. This was a hot band but they released just two albums, a studio effort and a live LP. Very enjoyable!

THE BIG CHILL

OUR 2nd "FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT" OUTING IN 2007

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Many of you many not have thought much about this hugely popular movie about 7 friends from college in the 1960's who have gone their own ways. Suddenly, they are reunited by the shocking suicide of one of their group members they used to hang with and a widowed girlfriend (Meg Tilly) who is rather alienated by her youth to all that is going on around her. This is a movie about ghosts from the past in terms of life's dreams and aspirations shared with a group of very close-knit friends forced to re-examine where they wound up and what lies ahead in their lives. It's a movie that has an unforgettable soundtrack and Director Lawrence Kasdan handles this subject so well. I picked it because it is relevant in today's world filled with seeming apathy and bewilderment in general terms. This is also a movie of confirmation about the importance of friendship. Cast: Tom Berenger ....Sam Weber; Glenn Close....Sarah Cooper; Jeff Goldblum....Michael Gold; William Hurt....Nick Carlton;Kevin Kline....Harold Cooper; Mary Kay Place....Meg Jones; Meg Tilly....Chloe; JoBeth Williams....Karen Bowens; Don Galloway....Richard Bowens. 1984 Oscar Nominations:
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Glenn Close; Best Picture: Michael Shamberg; Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: Lawrence Kasdan and Barbara Benedek.

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Curl up on the couch and revisit this gem all over again!

A TRUE ROMANCE STORY AT RUBY TUESDAYS!

SALUTE!
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This is a short, albeit, true story! I say that because my BLOGS will be shorter this year! 'Mick and The Boys' notwithstanding, there is a Ruby Tuesday's restaurant and bar I love with a cool bartender named Steve. I'm not a big drinker but one night I was enjoying a Margarita with dinner alone at the bar. Looking over to the other side of the bar where booths are situated, I saw a young couple seated on a dinner date, obviously happy and very much in love. The girl was a captivating blonde --just so attractive that I asked Steve about her. I discovered she is from Sweden and that the two met as foreign exchange students. An absolutely beautiful girl. As I sawed through my grilled veggies, I couldn't help but observe this couple. I finished dinner and asked Steve to find me a pen and a piece of paper. He produced a pen and a piece of card stock and here is what I wrote to the lucky guy (I'm pulling this up from memory, mind you).

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"Having been in the singles world long enough to know the score, I can tell you this. True love is a gift from God. If this girl has the personal qualities that match her outward beauty, propose tonight". I paid Steve an extra tip and told him walk over and to drop it off to the guy after he sees me leave the restaurant. Some weeks later, I stopped by to see what happened. As it turns out, Steve handed the guy the note. The beautiful girl didn't know too much English. She kept asking her date to tell her what the note said or at least show it to her. The guy refused. She kept after him. The following week, he proposed and she accepted. I am proud to say that this beautiful girl carries my note everywhere now in her purse! If I could emulate M.C. Hammer's dancing as he did on stage at James Brown's funeral, I'd offer to "dance at their wedding". If you've seen James in the movie "The Blues Brothers" you know what I'm talking about. Sliding on one foot sideways across the floor. Nah! Actually, I'd attend and dance at their wedding with at least as much inspiration. In fact, in my next BLOG, I want to write about James Brown and the "Cincinnati connection". I was a huge fan of "The Godfather of Soul", as I'm sure many of you were. For now, a Salute to the lucky couple!

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Have a nice Friday evening, ALL!

STARTING OVER!

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We begin 2007's "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" with an oldie but goodie: STARTING OVER! Directed by the late Alan J. Pakula, the Casting finds Burt Reynolds taking on the role of a Romantic Comedy in a year (1979) when he was the Number One box office draw. This was a very different role for Reynolds who plays "Phil Potter", a magazine writer whose kooky wife, "Jessica" (Candace Bergen) sleeps with Potter's boss, breaks up their marriage and ditches him for a singing career. This is a hilarious movie about dating in the 1970's. Charles Durning plays "Mickey", Potter's psychiatrist brother. There are two scenes that were actually taken from Reynold's real-life: a panic attack he suffered in Bloomingdales where shoppers offer Valium to a stricken Reynolds and a bitter pay phone call "Potter" receives from "Jessica" that mirrored the end of Reynold's own marriage to actress Judy Carnes. A new love interest materializes in a very skeptical schoolteacher, played by Jill Clayburgh. For anyone who has ever suffered a break-up with either a dating relationship or a marriage, the "Men's Group" therapy session that takes place in a church basement around the Christmas Season is a "must see" (after the "Woman's Group" begins banging on the door)! This was a good choice for the New Year, (and the resurrection of my Website which is still receiving TLC for the next few weeks of changes) as the movie deals with new and unexpected beginnings. Nominated at the 1980 Oscars for "Best Actress in a Leading Role": Jill Clayburgh and "Best Actress in a Supporting Role": Candace Bergen. This is a good "curl up on the sofa flick". Break out the popcorn and ...

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ENJOY!