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Is this you? What’s the movie about? Who will be Chicago’s next Mayor? Are we ready for change or we stuck in the same sh**? Musical Artists of ROCK and THE WORLD
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Breast Cancer Awareness
6th page Is this you? 8 - 11th page 14 - 17th page The Michael Denarlo Interview 18 - 20th page Windy City and its Cronies
22 - 29th page Musical Artists of ROCK and THE WORLD By Brian Sidler 32 page Information Service
ESTABLISHED IN 1964
SHIREYCadilac 10125 S. Cicero AVE. www.shireycadillac.com 708.636.6600
Is this you? CANDIDATES… When power invades the place where you live and corrupts the existence of children’s schools, is this how one leads a city, state, or nation? When crime rates are high and there’s no place for activity, where is the growth and understanding of where people can read their books, throw out a blanket to relax, and/or have a picnic with their family? We look outside our doors to just see a clean area – where children can play, jump rope, and just enjoy life, but down the street, around the corner, and/or in front of these kids drugs are being sold. What changes are you as candidates going to do to about fixing these challenges? When looking outside your own homes and nearby abandoned buildings such as homes and apartment buildings, there’s a bunch of people standing around the property, just imagine what’s actually going on. Do you think it’s good? These are the questions that many of our candidates would be asked by neighborhood leaders. What are you going to do about it, when the city is crying broke from the standpoint of not having the necessary finances to deal with such turmoil? Where do we stand as people trying to better our youth when we can’t spank our own children from doing wrong, while as candidates, you can arrest them for doing wrong. What has the world came too? Jailing is free, so come on in? Or is it you get in trouble and the tax payers pay the price? Or is it the city, state, and/or nation think it’s wrong to discipline our youth? What are us citizens to do? Because as blacks (African Americans – you’re words) we ask this question: What can we do within the laws, if we can’t spank our children when they are doing wrong? Just say, “Hey, Johnny be-have!”…?
cont. The nation has turned around in great measures in many places. We the people are concerned about children who can’t be disciplined in a martial fashion, and by default, setting the agendas for a household by virtue of bad behavior and run the homes, instead of their parents. While the nation’s population is under scrutiny because of the killings, bombings, fights, and stealing, making our cities and states look bad; why don’t we dispose of the spanking laws? Statistically, it was a better place as the former. Why don’t we get rid of the priests who are up to no good? We work to live, breathe and enjoy the pleasantries life. We come together to have a life for our children’s, children to play and go to school. We didn’t sign up for the lies or deceptions that would kill our people, not just black, but all ethnicities. Do you think we need another crony to work on our behalf? We all can’t be friends of the Mayor. Is it meant to have these challenges met? What are your choices as a political figure? Are you going to be for thepeople, or just like the othercronies? My question to you: IS THIS YOU?
Stand Up to Speak Out!
Born Dontain 2Kleva Williams, 4th January 1973, at Bethany Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, USA, to birth parents mother Barbara Williams and father Howard Walls. Dontain was raised in the Rockwell Garden Projects building 117 apt. #304, then a few years later his family moved to the Austin Area, 108 South Parkside. He attended Depriest Elementary School, and then attended Michelle Clark Middle School where he graduated with honors, his freshmen year of high school was spent at Austin Academy. Dontain 2Kleva Williams started rapping at the age of seven, right after he heard “The Rappin Duke” & “The Sugar Hill Gang” for the first time over the radio station WGCI FM. Shortly after that 2Kleva knew that Hip Hop music was something that he wanted to pursue in his life. He Jacki startedCurley writing poems which naturally turned into writing songs, and ever since then he Long establishing inspired aby an 8 with year old given girl,talent. Chicago has been seriously relationship his God He also indepenknew then he dent had what it took to become a promising Hip Hop artist (that the world never direct seen). filmmaker, writer and director Michael Denarlohaswill When two of his childhood best friends and Dontain wrote their very first rap song entitled: “My his long adaptation based on have the passed life ofandAlexandra Mercedes Benz”awaited back in 1985. Over twenty plus years 2Kleva is oneScott. of the Alexandra ScottEntrepreneurs is the founder Alex’s Lemonade Stand most prosperous“Alex” Independent in theofHip Hop industry, and very well Foundarespected on tion, the streets. one of the nation’s largest funders of childhood cancer research. Alex
was born toDontain Liz and Jay Scott in up Manchester, on January 1996. January of 1998 decided to come with a stageConn. name, after months of18, searching for that phenomenal name in the Webster Dictionary, he finally came across the word clever, right there hebefore read the definition for the word, Dontain really trulywith overwhelmed then and Shortly her first birthday Alex was was diagnosed neuro& satisfied with the name &meaning so he decided to officially use the name clever, because blastoma, a type of childhood cancer that forms in the nerve tissue. he felt that the word clever definitely described him not only as a person but ultimately asOn an herSo first informed Alex’s parents that and even her2 artist. he birthday, changed thedoctors spelling of the original word clever to Kleva he if putshe the beat number in front of theitword, how he came up with ever his stage name 2Kleva. Notweeks even a month cancer, wasand stillthat’s doubtful she would walk again. Two later, later he copyrighted his stage name for business purposes.
Alex slightly moved her leg at her parents’ request to kick. This was the first indication whoalong she with would turn engineer, out to beNate - aMontgomery determined, courageous, March of 1998, of 2Kleva his studio decided to record his confident very first demo his Hip Hop career. It was Pray”big (Foraccomplishments. The World) sampled andofinspiring child with big entitled: dreams“I and from “Something in the Past” by One Way. After the single “I Pray” was completed he started promoting & selling his demo on the streets of Chicago. He sold his single for $5.00 each By her second Alex crawling andto copyright able to his stand and successfully sold over 5,000birthday copies. April 1998was 2Kleva also decided new single “I Pray” for business purposes. May of 1998 2Kleva performed for the very first time his up with leg braces. She worked hard to gain strength and to learn single “I Pray” (For the World) on the Royce Show, which aired on cable television channel 19 how to town walk. Just when she appeared to be beating the&odds, thewhich tuin his home Chicago, IL. June 1998 he also performed on the Elma Co. show again, 25. sending recovery several steps back. alsomors aired started on cable growing television channel AugustAlex’s 1998 2Kleva was given an opportunity to perform at a Back to School Special at La Follette Park located on the Westside of Chicago, IL.
In2Kleva the year 2000,for the after her Alex received a January 1999 performed theday second time onfourth the Elmabirthday, & Co. show. 2Kleva still constem transplant told her “When I get out of the I want tinued to cell sell his single onand the streets of mother, Chicago and successfully sold overhospital a thousand copies.to May 1999 2Kleva performed for the second time on the Royce Show. June 1999 2Kleva have a lemonade stand.” She said she wanted to give the money to doctors decided to take time off from working and went on vacation. He stayed at the Riviera Hotel to allow them to “help kids, helped ” True towas herapproached word, she located on the Las Vegas strip,other shortly afterlike just they two days at theme. hotel 2Kleva her firstbylemonade later yearat and raised by held a gentleman the name ofstand Freddy whothat worked the hotel, asaasurprising ticket agent.$2,000. Freddy offered 2Kleva 2 free tickets to the Hip Hop show that was being performed at the hotel that night. Freddy then asked 2Kleva was he a rap artist, he replied yes, Freddy then asked 2Kleva had a demo While her he own cancer, Alex continued hold yearly if he to bravely give it to battling him because knew the promoter of the showtopersonally and in her for front to benefit research. News thatlemonade he can setstands up something himyard to perform at thechildhood show later cancer that night, if the promoter liked what he Freddy contacted 2Kleva to tell himto good news the promoter wanted to spread ofheard. the remarkable sick child dedicated helping other sick children. meet with him to discuss the details for performing at the show that night. 2Kleva thanked Freddy again for the huge opportunity to be able to perform his single “I Pray” (For the World) in front of hundreds of people at the Riviera Hotel showcase. August 1999 2Kleva once again performs at La Follette Park for the Back to School Special in Chicago, IL. It was the very first time in 2Kleva’s career that he was blessed with signing
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While bravely battling her own cancer, Alex continued to hold yearly lemonade stands in her front yard to benefit childhood cancer research. News spread of the remarkable sick child dedicated to helping other sick children.
People from all over the world who were moved by her story held their own lemonade stands and donated the proceeds to Alex and her cause. In August 2004, Alex passed away at the age of eight. Knowing that and with the help of others, she had raised over $1 million to help find a cure for the disease that took her life. Alex’s family and supporters around the world are committed to continuing her inspiring legacy through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Michael Denarlo It has been five years since I first came across Alexandra Scott’s story. I first encountered Alex via television on the Oprah Winfrey Show and the impact of her persona has enchanted me since. I wanted to express the triumph and emotion that this precocious seven year old girl had instilled in me. As a filmmaker, I started the only way I knew how. In 2006 I began adapting her story into a screenplay for which I have written three versions before finally writing Lemonade by Alex. The most cumbersome problem I encountered with adapting Alex’s story was that her achievements were so broad that only a documentary could scratch the surface of how much of an impact Alex had on people mentally, physically and spiritually . . . alongside of introducing Alex to the audience while simultaneously representing her persona. My earlier adaptations only played on the audience’s emotions . . . mostly guilt and sorrow for a sick child. Not only did this attempt lack in the ability to win the audience’s honest feeling’s about Alex, it also lacked (in my opinion) reflection of Alex herself. Alex never felt sorry for herself and never seen it as she had lost her battle to neuroblastoma by any means. It was evident; Alex would never want to win people over via sorrow. I was stuck, for years I was stuck on how to best adapt her story. cont.
Innovative Designs & Concepts
Alovar Carnelli
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In 2008, I came across a blog, which had posted a copy of the eulogy Jay and Liz Scott gave at Alex’s funeral. It was spoken universally, for both people who knew and didn’t know Alex. It was then I knew that it was Alex who won the hearts of so many people, even those not her situation. The audience needed to have the ability to meet Alex, in the same manner millions of others had. Alex has funded research that has saved lives; she has inspired people mentally and emotionally. Thus, inspired by Liz and Jay Scott’s eulogy, I started developing a universal character. A universal character that will be changed physically, mentally and emotionally by his growing friendship with Alex. It is through Jack’s eyes that the audience will have the chance to meet Alex. Alex helped so many people on so many different levels. She has physically helped people by funding research and treatments for many cancer patients. So many people say how she helped them spiritually and mentally as well, I being one of them. Thus, I have designed the character of Jack to universally represent everyone Alex had affected emotionally, mentally and physically. I did this because there are way too many people she has affected and the medium of film simply cannot show an audience all these distinct stories in a single feature film. So Jack is an icon of everyone Alex had knew or affected throughout her life. Almost a year later, I had completed an adaptation of Alex’s story, Lemonade by Alex. Now that my battle to envision is complete, my fight to get the film funded and made begun. I had first presented the Scott’s at ALSF with a copy of the script and informed them of my intent to make Alex’s story. In July 2010, a small production company had taken a $3 million dollar interest in getting the film made. Scheduled to begin shooting in May 2011, I will finally have a chance to introduce audiences to Alexandra “Alex” Scott. Jacki Curley Of course, there are still hurdles for you and the film is still at a distance from being made. You said your first concern is to make certain a film about Alex’s story reflects her awareness and war on childhood cancer. I understand you have been approaching huge corporations like Mc Donald’s and GM, searching out sponsorship for the feature, after all your goal is to give attention and cooperation to ensure the honor of Alexandra Scott is represented at its best.
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Michael Denarlo For me, it will be a film reflecting Alex and awareness, or it will be a film of nothing. Thus, establishing a relationship with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) is my first priority. I’m currently approaching corporations and looking to offer actor Jake Gyllenhaal the lead character (Jack Dough) and actress Joan Cusack as Liz Scott (Alex’s mother). Both support Alex’s call for awareness and her fight against childhood cancer. It is important to have this shared passion on this film and I’m looking first to those whom share a passion for the cause.
The Wild-Wild West of the Windy City and its Cronies Can you face it
CANDIDATES?
Richard M. Daley has been in office since 1989.
For many years, Mayor Daley ran Chicago just like his father. In 1989, he defeated Mayor Eugene Sawyer in the primary. After 21 years running Chicago and being a part the night and day streams for what Chicago has to offer, Mayor Daley is stepping down. My belief is that the mayor feels as though he has made a mark in history. He believes he assisted in creating a greater Chicago. A better Chicago than when his father was mayor. Is this true? That’s my question! This is something I would like to ask Chicago’s most powerful mayor. In good conscience, let’s not forget about the Water Reclamation, Hired Truck, City Hall Corruption, Police Scandals (just to mention a few) that the FBI thought Mayor Richard Daley had something to do with. Of course, the people, who live in Chicago thinks he is guilty as hell. But who’s to say, that’s an opinion that the feds have to deal with…Just like the indictment of former President George Bush. All in all, Daley has proven that he has served his time, made changes in the city, lowered the crime rate (so he says), made Chicago the #1 city to live, work, and the biggest of all, made it a tourist place. Also, let’s not forget about the beautification of the city’s streets. Tax payer money wasted just like the Enron debacle of $50,000,000,000 invested and the poor deal of selling the parking meters for a paltry price. Some say he’s a good guy, a cheerful person who loves his city, but the question still lingers; WHY step down, when the going is getting even tougher? Who is going to take the place of Chicago made man? Whoever takes over, are they going to be in the same position as President Obama, dealing with the crap that former President Bush did while being in office or is that person going to “CHANGE the face“ of Chicago’s corruption?
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The candidates are gearing towards making Chicago a better place by lowering taxes, building libraries, and creating jobs. Who is it going to be: Tom Dart, Carol Moseley Braun, Jesse Jackson, or Sandi Jackson? We should remember the past, but let’s think about the future. What’s up with Silicon Chicago (the Silicon Prairie)…the copy cat of Silicon Valley? Whatever happened to Meig’s Field? What’s up with this expansion of O’Hara Field? Are the cook county taxes going to be lowered? These are questions that need answers
CANDIDATES
because
we only have 29 days left! Just please, don’t show your butt like Pat Quinn, Rod Blagojevich, and Mayor Richard M. Daley, and come correctly. By Tyler
The Daily MySpacian Where It’s At...My Babies! Part I A living document that changes... A document dedicated to “ROCK” spirit and attitude! A .. dedicated to “ROCK” spirit and attitude! And ROCK! This is where the epicenter of the worldwide movement is friends, it looks small now, but you’re all being cool and signing on...and we see you showing up on our http server with your IPs and you wouldn’t believe how many more of you are all comin’ through that portal you see above these words right here. Cool grooves and way cool enough. And we know that what you’re about to read is a little strong, but with a war going on, now is not the time to just sit there. We’ll see ya at the finish line and bring your friends, then we’re gonna have a party and that’s gonna be a lot of fun...for all of us! Just dig what Brian’s got to say, that’s all. L. Lewis/CEO Worldwide TMA By Brian Sidler Former music writer for Chicago Music Magazine Chicago, IL Here’s the question I want you to ponder, my babies...while you read what we’ve got to say: Where would your world be without great Rock?! And just as importantly, ROCK ATTITUDE! PEOPLE: Where did we lose our way? Before Rock & Roll, Soul, Funk, R&B, Folk, Country-Western, Reggae, Jazz, Gospel and we can’t forget the Papa of them all...THE BLUES...became commercial maidens for a bunch of fat cats in the media centers of the world. Before it started to get stuffed down everybody’s throats with a hydraulic plunger in any manner and any fashion they chose by their other bitch called the radio; ROCK meant something! Despite all of its lurid connotations and perceived sensualism, what it meant was something for the good.
ROCK stood for change. What we sought with it was a search for truth and beauty. It had an attitude and a sound that was unlike anything that had come before it or since. Then somewhere in the seventies, some cats started dressing up in clown-like suits and playing a lot of fuzzed out guitar tunes with lyrical “hooks” and where the songs were completely programmed to a 3 minute 15 second radio format. At that point it became a caricature of itself...a damn cliché’...and like the tune from the Tower Of Power, led by Greg Adams (a jazz cat who by the way, has a new album out) a tune called ‘What Is Hip’, said ...what’s hip today, might become passé’. Well, you can’t reinvent guys like Jimmy Page or Elvis! You can’t recreate or duplicate Jimmy Morrison or The Righteous Brothers. The Beatles, Led Zepplin, Clapton, The Band, Emerson Lake and Palmer, The Rolling Stones, Iron Butterfly, Jethro Tull, Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, CCR, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Blood Sweat and Tears, Chicago, Sly and The Family Stone, The Chambers Brothers, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Iron Butterfly, The Grateful Dead, James Taylor, America, Spirit, Steeley Dan, The Who, The Guess Who, The Buckinghams, The Fifth Dimension, Jerry “The Iceman” Butler, Jan & Dean, The Four Seasons, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels, Bobby Seeger, The Classics Four, Ted Nugent and The Amboy Dukes, The Cryin Shames, The Ides Of March, The Buckinghams, ZZ Top. Pink Floyd, Santana, Yes, The Moody Blues, King Crimson, Quicksilver Messenger Service, BB King, Freddy King, Bob Dylan, The Doobie Brothers, Miles Davis, Tower Of Power, Robin Trower, Ten Years After, Genesis, Joe Cocker and Madd Dogs and Englishmen, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, George Clinton and Parliament, Bootsy Collins, Earth Wind and Fire, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Eagles, Elton John, Traffic, The Beach Boys, Little Richard, Richie Havens, Curtiss Mayfield (And God bless ya Curtiss we hope you’re doing’ well) Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, The Staple Singers, Joni Mitchell, Pete Seeger, The Band, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen. Shit, the fuckin list is too damn long. For the sake of this article though honorable mentions go to U2, The Police, Janes Addiction, Aerosmith (because they finally hit their groove in the mid eighties) Metallica, Dave Matthews and John Mayer.
There’s many others we know we’re missing, but as we think of them well add me to the list, so don’t get your undies in a bunch because this .. Will be getting updated all the time...that’s why we call it a living document! Yeah, a living, breathing manifesto, ya know? Like the Constitutions or Government charters like the Magna Carta and others, of the countries of the free-world! Welcome to the United States of MIND, people! The European Union of MIND, people! That’s all of US! Every damn place on the globe that’s got a free thinker in the woodwork! This is called ad hoc activism my friends. In other words, DO unto others as you would have them DO unto you. Say hello to a stranger. And when you see an elderly woman...don’t forget to say...Hi Mom, how are you today? And then watch her face light up like a Christmas tree. You’ll feel better about yourself too! But...anyway! Yea right...so, there was a war goin on...uh huh. Well, what the hell has changed? Did the war ever stop?! FUCK NO!!!! We’ve all been led down a path of complacency and sublimation people. And Rock...she almost lost her teeth. Speed Metal, Industrial, Death Metal, Hard Core, Emo, Alternative, Indie, Punk, Pop Punk, Electro, Techno, Experimental, Electronica, Garage Bands, Jam Bands, Rap, Hip Hop, yada yada yada - ad nauseum...Well what the heck are all these music writers, for all these years, talking about, except a new generation of teenagers, every few years, talking about reinventing the wheel. When in fact the first wheel was just fine and still spinning. In truth, it still spins today! Here’s a real quick word to all the people of the Hip Hop/Rap crowd. Its cool my babies; we know why you’re pissed! We can dig it...but let’s not get lost in it cuz ya see, you didn’t invent hip-speak. It was used by the underclass in the major populations of the urban environs a hundred years ago as a way to cop drugs on the street corners of Harlem, The Southside of Chicago, New Orleans and Watts out west, so that whitey, while in clear earshot couldn’t understand what the heck they were talkin bout...K?. Rhyming couplet and iambic pentameter isn’t nothing new either, check my man Willy the Shake (Shakespeare.) You cats don’t have anything on that mutha.
And using a sample track for a musical instrument may in itself help you accomplish something but it’s not the same as actually playing an instrument. Also, that hip backbeat you use?...well it was James Brown, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles and Little Richard, which then was perfected by George Clinton and Parliament along with Bootsy Collins...and let’s not forget about James Jamerson of the Motown music crew. For Real. The “House Sound” our buddies from Chicago Trax, now known as Studio Chicago! So jus chill people cuz you got a statement of sorts, but lots of it is pretty damn ugly. Like we say, we understand...and WE CAN dig it! Oh and Russ...our props to you too! And now for something else hip, well...ahem, you might want to listen to our lineup everyday for starters. And for you Younger’s that are paying attention, we tip our hat to all of you. Good show! Now, umm...one more thing you Rappers and Hip Hoppers, yes one more thing my babies, we’re not up on y’all, the way we’d like to be so your names will go up too, just keep it real, and tell us was sup. Nuff said? Koo koo...Now!... Well, it’s all Rock; people. ROCK is an attitude people, not just a type of music, per se. Ya know? All of it fits under that one heading. We don’t care how different generations tried to dress up their version of it. That’s just a bunch of bunk! It’s still a great big back beat, scorching vocals at times - other times, smooth and melodic with harmonies, electric guitars, basses, drums, keyboards...though the Hammond B3 with a Leslie is our favorite along with the Moog Synthesizer...(honorable mention goes to Ensoniq). It’s all this stuff, making any particular groove from any particular unit of creative minds. The reason that tastes in music moved the way they did over the ensuing years after Rock became some fat cats whore, is because these cats had the radio waves locked up by making payments under the table by so called radio promoters (about 20 or 30 primarily in the USA) to the program directors of the worlds radio stations. Yea that’s right, all you people were told what to like by what was coming over the airwaves by these pigs, the major labels and their bitches the radio programmers, all started by Alan Freid. And let us not forget about televised music on the cable channels, which if some of you olders will remember was supposed to be free of commercials, remember? For years they laughed themselves sick, all the way to the bank. And in the television media you saw their lifestyles,
driving around in fancy cars, with fast beautiful women, snorting cocaine and rolling in money...and many of yall thought it was so cool, right? And what about all the movies about sex, death, drugs and destruction using Rock as a backdrop, huh Hollywood?! You big bunch of putz’s. What a bunch of stuffed-shirt, swelled ego’s you are...HA! After that with the advent of the internet along came P2P file sharing and another generation was being taught by some idiot that it was cool to get all the music they wanted for free! We understand...the majors were charging us all (for all these years) up the yang yang for something that costs them a buck to package. Well, was not all stupid right? So there was a backlash against it and them. Yeah right, we know. All along though, who was suffering through all of it? Well it was the Musicians of the world. The poor son-of-a-bitches stuck in their basements and crawling to the door of the A&R staffs of all these, allegedly omnipotent tasteless dummies in their ivory towers from the cities of New York, Los Angeles, London, Nashville, Paris, Tokyo, Sydney and several other lesser important media centers. And how did they talk to us all in print? The music columns of the major newspaper chains, The Billboard Charts, Rolling Stone, Tiger Beat, Cash Box and many others. Well BULLSHIT!!! Theeeeeennnn... Along comes a computer company that brainwashes yet another generation that they need a little pancake-flat computer that fits in the palm of your hand with earphones attached, to buy their MP3 music downloads with AND THEY BOUGHT IT!!!...because they saw it on the television! HA! THEY BOUGHT IT! Holy Gods, they bought it...isn’t that pathetic? And that fat cat is laughing himself all the way to the bank. Him and his other buddy who stole the point and click idea from a copier company when they saw it in that copier company’s lab one day on a visit to this company. It was called the “Altos” people. Sure it’s nice that we can use these devices. It makes us able to be here in the “Space.” But the real thanks belong to Tim Berners Lee and his colleagues.
Shit, DRM (Digital Rights Management) just got cracked by the hackers, so what’s the point! You tell us. Hit the email button. And now some newer indies to the market are cooking up some clever things to try and get you to buy their new stuff. Like putting all of the traces up individually so that the rap masters can use them as samples and licensing that as music! Or running contests for which proam’s or amateur would-be studio freaks, can make the best mix and stuff like that...what a joke. Others still, are in the market of finding a way to give the music away for free, so that they and their fat cat buddies can make money from the advertising dollar instead, which yet is another way to insult all of us. “Here, you listen to this ad and well give it to you after that.” And the ads are just as insulting as the ones you see in the many banner spaces all over the internet, not just here. And what’s gonna be the artists end...what? A few cents on ten bucks? The point is people...buy the music of an artist that you like and quit being complacent by thinking that these people are making a living while you sit there and enjoy their labor without even the faintest thought of supporting it, like you should, or letting the fat cats lull you into thinking that their way is the best way. Because you already know by now, they’re producing mostly garbage, right? What about the existing and currently-competing musicians and their “Blood, Sweat and Tears.” Their investment...just so you can get through the day with a bit of sunshine in your life that comes from over your speakers at that screen. Can y’all imagine how much better the music market would be if y’all actually voted with your buck for the right stuff, instead of the way things are going now? You don’t need that stupid little flat thing. All you have to do is hit that add to cart button and give it straight to the artist (where it belongs) to get the stuff. It’ll be in your email box within a few minutes. Then buy any ole MP3 player... (they’re cheap) and there ya go. That’s the way to walk around those pigs we’ve been tellin’ you about! Or buy a CD, it’s still a legit package medium and that’s something that you control! Well this is where we lost our way people. A bunch of oligarchs who have made themselves rich beyond your wildest dreams, by using their money to steer the market the way they wanted. Right into their bank accounts. We’re not “bitter” (sorry for the pun) about it back here at Bittersweet Records Co. We’re just telling everybody the truth as best as we can see it from here.
But we digressed...let’s get back to the music. There have been some great acts throughout the nineties and early 2000’s but so as not to slight anybody we’re not going to try and list them. Yes, some of them actually did make it through the major label jungle. Then there’s WIDESPREAD PANIC along with a couple others. They’re a total anomaly. The point is people, Rock is Rock! However now that we have said all of what you just read, were going to coin a phrase that we want you all to understand. That phrase is...BOOMER ROCK! And it was defined over thirty years ago by the acts that you see listed in the beginning of this article, who are all, by the way...still around. It’s just that the majors are all scrambling and too busy marching thirty bands a week over the late night talk shows in America to pay attention to the fact that the boomers and basically all the rest of us, are waiting for something really worth buying. Well, there is KT Tunstall and that new generation...yes, we love you KT...and Sheryl Crow (we love the female rock chicks...and here’s a shout out to Chrissy Hynes) too! Well what the hell is Boomer Rock, huh? Well if it’s okay with you it’s a sound. Some of that sound is coming over your speakers as you read this. As a matter of fact, there are many young musicians today recording music that is very reminiscent of what this stuff is all about...they’ve just been brainwashed into thinking their part of an elite niche...which actually only exists in their imaginations because they’ve been told it does. Ha! And they bought into that! The lineup of tunes, which we’ll be changing from time to time while we cruise this label through MySpace asking for friends, is the way the FM radio used to sound before these cats screwed it up. Many of you from other countries and the youth in America are too young to know about that, even though you all are starting to discover the sounds we were making anyway. We must mention though, WXRT in Chicago. For the most part, they never sold out. Everybody in radio knows that. They are still a defining voice for everybody to watch and listen to. So here’s the gig all you jam-babies out there. No matter what the hell you call your generation’s style of using Guitars, Basses, Drums, Keyboards and vocals. And no matter, what generation you’re from or the color
of your skin. You wouldn’t have the music you have, if the musicians that are creating it like Steve Arvey, Paul Bibbins and Scott Pollack along with the guys of Dr. 8 who you are listening to right now, didn’t have something to model themselves after...and that’s a fact. So go back and read this list again up there at the beginning of this article (and like we say, well be adding names as we think of them) and check out the all time Rock, Soul, Funk, R&B and THE BLUES lineup. Because ya dig that’s where it all came from. PERIOD! It’s BOOMER ROCK! And truthfully, it was the war babies that led US by the nose to it. (Be that as it may.) It’s still, the hippest stuff that’s ever come down the pipe! My name is Brian Sidler and I write about music, et al. PS: In Memoriam: Don’t forget to throw up a Prayer for Robert Johnson, Jimi Hendrix, Lynard Skynard, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Marvin Gaye, Miles Davis, John Lennon, Janis Joplin, George Harrison, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Mama Cass, Sonny Bono, Richie Valens, The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, Elvis, James Dean, Tupac Shakur along with the rest of the departed Rappers, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown, Leonard Bernstein and “Pops”...ummm...That’s Louis Armstrong, people. The Musical Artists of ROCK and THE WORLD
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