| "Da-da-da, my baby left me, da-da-da, 'bout the | | | | never dreamed I'd be so fortunate. And, because |
| break of day, da-da-da, she ain't comin' back, | | | | of this amazing technological age we're all a part |
| da-da-da, nothin' more to say..." This could | | | | of, I now have my songs on YouTube and iLike, |
| certainly describe our economy these days, | | | | which is a blessing, and a growing addiction (if you |
| couldn't it? Or, a lost relationship? How about a | | | | look up my name and include YouTube or iLike in |
| lost job, home, income, wife, husband, health | | | | a search, you will find me). Please forgive the |
| insurance, etc? | | | | shameless self-promotion. |
| Every human being on the face of the Earth has | | | | I even have the high honor and good fortune to |
| a right to sing the blues. No matter what your | | | | be able to perform at my job working with |
| station in life, we all go through times of deep | | | | psychiatric patients at our local regional hospital. A |
| despair. Let me say right now that we also go | | | | good number of these patients are players |
| through times of great happiness, too. But, the | | | | themselves. So, we'll sit and pass the guitar |
| human condition is wrought with enough | | | | around at impromptu songwriter circles. They get |
| blues-singing material to fill a billion pages. | | | | much needed relief from playing our community |
| I've been a blues songwriter, singer and | | | | guitar. It's one of the most therapeutic tools we |
| performer for years. I didn't look for the blues. It | | | | have, outside the obvious medical and psychiatric |
| found me. Turns out that after reading an Eric | | | | treatment they receive. I also used my guitar |
| Clapton interview in the 80's, I realized that the | | | | continually as a teaching tool during my 30-year |
| rock-solid thread running through all the music I | | | | career as an elementary school teacher. |
| liked best was THE BLUES. Thanks, EC! In that | | | | For me, no song is worth anything unless |
| interview, Clapton turned me on to Muddy | | | | somebody hears it. I suppose it validates the song |
| Waters (real name: McKinley Morganfield), and The | | | | itself. It brings closure. Many closet writers |
| Undisputed King of the Delta Blues: Robert | | | | probably don't need this type of gratification. But, |
| Johnson. | | | | I must confess, I do. The older I get, the more |
| It is often said that "Blues had a baby and named | | | | grateful I am to be able to play guitar and sing |
| it 'Rock and Roll'." The Beatles had a strong blues | | | | and lay it all on the line. It doesn't get any better. |
| foundation as did The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, | | | | It certainly never gets old. |
| Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jefferson Airplane, | | | | And, while the songs come as if by magic, I |
| The Doors (the latter two actually played at my | | | | never turn one down. If it's there, I write it. I feel |
| high school in 1968!), The Grateful Dead, Janis | | | | as though I'm compelled and honor-bound to do it. |
| Joplin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Canned Heat, Aretha | | | | And now, I can throw it right up on YouTube |
| Franklin, and hundreds of others. That's what my | | | | easy as pie. The best investment I've ever made, |
| music is all about. | | | | save buying my gem of a guitar (it's a Martin |
| Nothing feels better than singin' the blues. It's a | | | | 00028EC Eric Clapton signature model acoustic), is |
| cathartic release of a deep soulful nature. It's a | | | | my Canon Powershot SX10IS still-shot and video |
| very spiritual feeling. I am never angry, frustrated | | | | camera. What a blast. The kicker is:if I can do it, |
| or sick of playing the blues when I'm performing | | | | so can YOU! |
| them. The fact that I've been able to write, | | | | The moral of the story is: we all have the blues |
| record and perform my own compositions with | | | | residing inside us somewhere. If it's yearning to be |
| my band, The Buzzard Brothers (of Flagstaff, | | | | released, let it go and let it happen. You'll never |
| AZ), is nothing short of miraculous. I could have | | | | feel so good about feelin' so bad. |