A Personal Thought and Some Other Musical Mentions

This being a "blog" and is on the Internet one never knows who is reading it. Given that, and given that quite a few folks seem to be checking in each day, it seemed that a personal message and update on events was warranted.

Many of the artists I have had the honor and pleasure in knowing have been contacted via e-mail with the less than momentous news that after some 8 years I will no longer be attending the NERFA conferences at Kutshers Hotel (or whatever place they decide to hold it in). There are a number of reasons for this and none have to do with the wonderful artists and people I have had the pleasure and honor of communing with there and in other venues. It does have to do with the people that are the ones organizing the event. As many organizations, sadly, they seem to have their inner circle for their own self interests. While I do not fault them for that since that is a fact of life in most organizations (though not others that I am involved in) I do fault them for their communications asking for volunteers---judging, panels, etc; and never responding because they have who they want. Right---yours truly is not among that revered list who would have been happy to serve on panels, help select artists for showcasing, or MC a showcase (which seemed to upset a few a while ago when I added a bit of Catskill "Shtick").

Prior to this commentary I had written to "the powers that be" out of courtesy. No response, as usual.

Most of the people that received my e-mail were quite supportive and in agreement. I don't want this to discourage anyone from attending who thinks it can be of benefit to them. Whether or not it will be would be best left to be answered by prior attendees. Some of which I have heard from.

As always I am delighted to be of any assistance I can to artists if they submit their work to me via mail. As you can see below many do. Just recently, as you see, Mustards Retreat, Modern Man, Emily Kurn, and more have done just that. All will be on TRADITIONS shortly as well. As the sign off says---stay in touch and stay well (if the mold at Kutshers does not get you---the food is good, though).

On a musical and positive note now:

Since there are many that go to Florida I have to tell you---MODERN MAN is appearing at the WILLOW THEATRE in --where else---Boca Raton, Florida on Sept. 30. The perfect venue for ASSISTED LIVING.

MUSTARDS RETREAT will be in the NY/CT area and will be joining me at the end of September on TRADITIONS.

ROD MacDONALD will be at THE TURNING POINT in Piermont New York on September 6 (tickets are almost gone)

THE ARROGANT WORMS at THE HURDY GURDY FOLK MUSIC CLUB in Fairlawn NJ on September 15.

We end today with the thought that Kutshers Country Club (can you believe that name---oich!! I could do a riff on assimilation) has seen better days. NERFA may also have. Me---I still see good days, NERFA notwithstanding, thankfully. The point is---a life and a career is made by honesty, openness, and one's own charisma.

NEWS AND REVIEWS

In the "knock your socks" off department of new CDs a few have arrived recently and were spoken of that way on TRADITIONS by your never so humble author. Well, today we add to the growing but select group.

David Tamulevich on the left and Michael Hough on the right--together MUSTARDS RETREAT. Their new CD is so new that there is not a picture of them on that album to show. Suffice it to say MUSTARDS RETREAT "There...and back again (snapshots from life on the road)" is in the above mentioned department. Soon there will be a sock shortage around here since quite a few have been knocked off.

This CD is something that all can appreciate for its simplicity and no overdone production values. You put it into your player and just listen and feel like singing along with the great variety of songs on it---from Cottonfields to the great opening track---Lost My Heart To You. A Dave Carter song and the ever popular Steve Gillette composition are just part of it. All so wonderfully recorded before an appreciative and warm audience.

While I will be delighted and honored to be able to present this CD when I am on TRADITIONS September 9, if you visit their web-site and contact them I am sure you can order an early copy.

MUSTARDS RETREAT are tentatively scheduled to be guests on TRADITIONS near the end of September.

TABLETALK: Never, to this mind, has a book cover ever told the story in one picture. This does.

MORT ZACHTER has written a most readable and witty memoir and will be my guest on TABLETALK on September 16.

This truly brilliant first work by an author who has been able to make a career of writing---after practicing law and accounting---because of what transpires in this wonderfully and wittily written memoir is a story that is not to be missed.

While we are not going to give all the details away in our chat on TABLETALK, or on this page, it can be said the book is more than just about Mort Zachter and his family. It is about an era. It is about a culture. The best part is that you of a certain age will re-live that era and those who are not of that age will appreciate the insightful and humorous way it is presented.

Remember TABLETALK is for you early birds---Sundays at 8 AM. While it streams on the web it is not archived and, surely, some of the people that have appeared are people you do not want to miss having a chat with me---Eliz. Swados, Phil Patton, Michael Oren, Daniel Silva, David Margolick, and so many others. Now--Mort Zachter.

SUNDAY SIMCHA: It is probably known that we have had some wonderful archival material that has been presented recently. One of our listeners, a former producer of much of this material, has sent it to the program. Arthur Levy, the gentleman's name, will be a guest on the program shortly. As they say---whoever "they" are---TBA. Figure late September.

Sunday Simcha will be featured in a few Jewish Center newsletters shortly and while February is the month that pledges are requested a brief note or financial show of support for this program--which, happily, is garnering many new listeners---is always appreciated.

The place for that would be: WFDU 1000 River Road Teaneck, NJ 07666 Att: Station Mgmt.

Now go and check out Henny Youngman on the Playlist Page, Union Maid on The Almost Daily Rooster, and our good friend Rik Palieri right here.