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SO. . .
I once had the idea of taking up the drums again. I'd played, off and on, throughout the years and had been reckoned to be a fair drummer.
Starting in 2007, I played with a rockabilly-type band called, "The Midnight Blues," and had great fun with the music. We played original songs, written by the lead singer, Joey Vee. They were good songs. Check out "Long Hard Road" and the others featured here.)
I also did some playing with a small swing group that entertains in nursing homes, "The Dukes And Dutchess Swing Ensemble."
http://dutchess-swingmusic.com/
FIRST. . .
Let me say that I am very much the amateur.
I've always played for the fun of it. Making some money while having this kinda fun has always been a nice fringe benefit
(I've moved my musical "Curriculum Vitae" onto my blog page... putting it here just made the intro way too long. If you're really interested, go to the Blog Archives and pull up "05 APR 09.")
AND. . .
If you're interested, at all, in viewing my art work, go to my "Pictures" tab.
There you'll find bits of "art" amid all the photos of me and my drums and my bands. This art is the product of my learning how to use Paint Shop Pro and Photo Shop.
(It takes awhile to load... have patience.)
(To view cronologically, go to page 6 and keep hitting the "Previous" button to work your way through. This site seems to utilize the FILO method of file retrieval.)
In my "Writing" section, I've posted some poetry. Your considered critique is welcome.
(Actually, your considered critique on anything I've posted is welcomed. . . for isn't that the reason we're all here?)
PS. . .
I tried adding a couple of videos of The Midnight Blues, playing an outdoor
gig, at the New Fairfield, CT Lions Club Car Show. The audio portion didn't load well... sounded tinny. Here's a direct link to the band playing "Baba Laba BeBop."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rXCFUpTwLo
You're gonna have to bring up another tab, then cut and paste the URL to get there.
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Interests
Activities: I'm a grandfather... to eight.
They range in age from 8 to 15.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3361/3620693648_d814f366e7_b.jpg
One was born with cerebral palsy. One wants to be an actor. One wants to dance. One can't seem to choose between becoming a circus clown or a banker. All the others are just normal kids... into sports or playing video games or collecting Pokeman cards and such.
Trying to do right by them is my most important job.
Other activities revolve around my wife and my drums... with a bit of computer learning thrown in.
Favorite Music: I listen to most types.
BUT... I don't like Rap, not at all... there you have it.
I'm a big fan of Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Billie Holiday, Brian Setzer, Yo Yo Ma, Chris Botti, et al... plus anything orchestral. Then, there's the music of my youth... Chuck Berry, The Beatles, Smokey Robinson, Dusty Springfield, Aretha Franklin and a hundred more. I like opera too... though not all, mind you. I did have the good fortune to attend a production of Richard Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus and enjoyed it immensely. (I own a recording of Birget Nilsson singing the Liebestod Aria from a 60's production of this opera, and she just blows me away. Such beauty and power in a single voice. I mean... unmiced, she was able to sing over a 70 piece orchestra, to be heard in the last row... wow!)
Favorite TV Shows: Not much.
Tend to watch a lot of Discovery/History Channel stuff...
plus PBS... and anything "Sherlock Holmes."
(I'm apt to get hooked by American Idol near the end of season, when they're down to ten, or so, contestants. The early try-outs harken back to the carnival freak-shows of yore and I believe that's precisely why FOX airs them.)
Favorite Movies: (In no particular order.)
To Kill A Mockingbird
The Tea House Of The August Moon
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon
Casablanca
My Man Godfrey
Lonesome Dove
In The Heat Of The Night
The Lion In Winter
The Man Who Would Be King
Pork Chop Hill
The Last Time I Saw Archie
The Longest Day
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold
The Manchurian Candidate (Original Version)
That Thing You Do
It's A Wonderful Life (OK, so I'm kinda sappy.)
Glory
Harvey (Elwood P. Dowd is my kinda guy.)
The Miracle Worker (One name here - Anne Bancroft)
Born Yesterday
The Court Jester
The Best Years Of Our Lives
The Straight Story
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum ("Was One a good year??")
Dominick And Eugene
Anything "Sherlock Holmes"
Favorite Books: (The first two should be read in the order listed, as they deal with King Arthur and Guinivere, respectively. The titles following these two, however, are in no particular order.)
Fire Lord - by Parke Godwin,
Beloved Exile - by Parke Godwin
I Heard The Owl Call My Name - by Margaret Craven
A Day No Pigs Would Die - by Robert Newton Peck
To Kill A Mockingbird - by Harper Lee
In Cold Blood - by Truman Capote
365 Days - by Ronald J. Glasser
The Things They Carried - by Tim O'Brien
The 13th Valley - by John M. Del Vecchio
Once An Eagle - by Anton Myrer
The Last Convertable - by Anton Myrer
Yes I Can - by Sammy Davis Jr.
Markings - by Dag Hammarskjold
The Killer Angels - by Michael Shaara
A Prayer For The Dying - by Stewart O'Nan
All Creatures Great And Small - by James Herriot
(Plus all the follow-on books by Herriot.)
The Me Nobody Knows - Edited by Stephan Joseph
And... most anything by Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, and
(RIP, Robert B. Parker)
Influences: In life... 'twould be my mother and stepfather, plus both my grandfathers.
In music... it would have to be drummers like Rich and Krupa... Mel Torme and Joe Morello, Billy Cobham, Elvin Jones... et al.
Interests
Activities:
Favorite Music:
Favorite TV Shows:
Favorite Movies:
Favorite Books:
Influences:
Favorite web sites:
http:// http://
http:// http://
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snuffyny -
on writing: now, and at the hour . ....
Used to think that I was beyond fearing death... since my step-son died so unexpectedly, however, and my heart began acting up again... I'm not so sure. I've grown timid... and I don't like it.
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IMP-Addict -
Excellent profile. I really enjoy your poetry.
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snuffyny -
All I can say, in reply, is Thank You.
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ssphotoshop -
thanks for the friends add,
appreciate all the friends here.
and i look forward to viewing your pics.
ssphotoshop
sherry
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snuffyny -
Yeah, I too like Adam's passion, as expressed in this song. The lyrics were based on letters Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail.
The opening lines, however, come from a letter written from the battlefield, by George Washington, to congress... "Is anybody there? Does anybody care?"
Seems that somethings (or institutions) never change.
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JeffJay -
Hey thanks for the compliment.
J.
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snuffyny -
You're welcome.
'Twas a compliment earned.
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snuffyny's Featured Art
| | 01: Long Hard Road - The Midnight Blues [2008... |
Now, And At The Hour . . .
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At the core of self
Which we've christened
"The Soul!"
Do we cringe then
At the taste of dust and ashes
Alone and forlorn
Do we but huddle and pray
"O Lord!"
All in fear
Of a darkness
. . . Unending
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