Twisty, Curvy Roads

  I detest yard work! I figure that God knows better than I how to deal with growing things, so accordingly, I leave Him to do as He wishes with the patch of earth between the street curb and my front door.  Of course, my home, with its six inch stand of straggler daisy punctuated by stalks of johnson grass, does stand out a bit from the well manicured lawns in the neighborhood.  I had noticed some of my tonier neighbors looking askance when they strolled past my place, and I swear that their noses grew an inch whenever I nodded a greeting in their direction. Being the sensitive and perceptive galoot that I am, I soon realized that they were not particularly pleased with my lawn maintenance practices. After considerable reflection I stumbled upon a perfect solution. I went to the local sign shop and had them make up a sign that I promply installed in front of my house. The sign, with a suitable "green" graphic background proudly proclaims "URBAN NATURE PRESERVE AND WILDL...

 I found this recording while I was cleaning up the drive on a computer I was planning on taking to the GoodWill Store. It was evidently recorded at a gig sometime around 2010. Probably in a restaurant or bar in Austin, Texas. I'm not certain who the musicians are except for Tom Griffith on keyboard. I think the drummer may be Dave Bedrick.  The tune is a 1933 hit called Stompin' At The Savoy .

Another lost recording. 2010 at the SPJST Hall in Taylor, TX playing with Dave Bedrich's "Czech Melody Masters"! It was supposed to be a polka band but we got in one swing tune. I am on tenor and vocal but I can't remember who else was in the band.

    On Easter Sunday, I attended services at the Round Rock Baptist Church. It is a beautiful little church that reminds me very much of the church that was an important part of my early childhood.    Round Rock Baptist Church When I was just a tad, Wednesday night was reserved for Choir Practice and Prayer Meeting. It was an unbreakable ritual. Grandmother would hold my hand as we walked the few blocks past the rail depot to the little Baptist church in the center of the village. If I could go back and visit that village today, I'm sure that I would see that the walk was only a few blocks, but to someone who was not even old enough for kindergarten, it seemed to be an epic journey. I was grateful to have my Grandmother's hand to hold!   One of the songs that I remember from those church meetings was George Bennard's wonderful old hymn, The Old Rugged Cross. Even though that hymn was not in the program on Easter Sunday, the melody and words kept coming back to...

    Score and parts are available here Scored for Chamber Orchestra, Fanfare of Freedom is appropriate for junior or senior high-school musicians, yet sophisticated enough for professional orchestras. After the introduction, the dynamic volume drops and begins a slow build toward a powerful climax. This makes Fanfare of Freedom perfect for a voice-over presentation of patriotic or other material of your choice.  There is much discussion of "freedom" these days. But the word "freedom" has more than one meaning. Perhaps the most common meaning in everyday conversation is "freedom from coercion". However, in another sense, the word "freedom" implies that one possesses the means to pursue that which is worth pursuing.    This second meaning of the word encompasses and expands the common meaning of the word. If I wish to compose music, no one is stopping me from doing so - but I cannot compose music until I have submitted to the discipline ...