There are times when you can just tell that you're brain is shot for the day and you need to throw in the towel.
After churning out a couple of thousand words on other stories since 10 a.m. my "you're writing for a bunch of conservative ass East Texans" filter stopped working and at 4:45 p.m. I took a 450 word column that should have been about not wasting time and just doing work in whatever creative outlet you choose and left turned that mother onto a road where I said, "hey man, you like snapping little puppies necks. cool man, go on and do that shit."
Hence: failure at in only 240 words. enojoi!
"I’m concerned that I might be about to beat a dead horse.
Last week I talked about taking personal responsibility for what you have to put in to get what you want out of your local scene. And just a few inches to the right of where your eyes are on the page, I talk about the documentary that’s inspired my curent train of thought. So you can see where I might be worried that I’m beginning to sound a bit like a broken record.
If the connection is still going over your head, then you need to brewing your coffee a little stronger, but I’m talking about doing things yourself.
There’s absolutely no reason in the entire world to wait around on someone else to help you realize your creative vision. What? Are you going to put off doing something you really enjoy doing just becaue some outside influence isn’t exactly the way you imagine it has to be.
“I sure would like to paint today, but I don’t know if anybody’s gonna like my happy little trees.”
Don’t be retarded, or actually, be just that. Pretend like you’ve smoked yourself retarded just paint your little trees with a big retarded smile on our face.
It makes you happy, so do it.
Now I’m not saying that if you get off on killing puppies that you should do that more frequently, but hey, I’m not here to judge you."
Maybe tomorrow, but I'm done for the day.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Pineknot Music Co-op begins its ninth year
From staff reports
’09 is ’0-ver, and that means only one thing out at Millard’s Crossing. Well, it probably means more than that, but as far as fourth fridays are concerned, it means the start of a brand new year of shows at the Pineknot Music Co-op.
On Friday, Jan. 22, the Pineknot will kick off its ninth year, complete with an anniversary show on Friday, Feb. 26.
The festivities will begin at 8 p.m. with Grant Harris starting off the show. A native of East Texas, Harris has a keen insight into the people and places of this neck of the woods, according to the PineKnot’s Web site.
“Grant puts a lot of work into the songwriting process, and his original tunes reflect this heritage and dedication,” said Pineknot founder John Hazlewood.
Local songwriter Adam Lamar fills the middle slot of the evening at 8:45 p.m.
“Adam is one of my personal favorites, and we are pleased to have him back,” Hazlewood said. “Quality songwriting, inspired covers and great singing and playing; that’s Adam, and that equals really good music.”
Rounding out the evening at 9:45 p.m. will be Miki and the Cowbells. The Pineknot’s own Miki Lynn has a new band and, as the Web site says, “They are really good.”
According to Hazlewood, he saw the band at a party recently and knew right away that he had to get them to the Pineknot.
“The tunes range from country & western to rhythm and blues and all points in between,” said Hazlewood.
The band features Lynn on guitar and vocals, Big John Heath on guitar, Susan Umbarger on vocals, Ken Umbarger on drums, Mark McLain on bass and Josh McLain on washboard and harmonica.
Since 2001, the Pineknot has provided the city of Nacogdoches with quality entertainment on a monthly basis with the help of sponsors like Morning Glory Natural Foods, Java Jacks Coffee House, Tattoo Productions, Owlshack.com and The Pine Top Mystics.
And for eight years, those loyal Knotheads have continued to show up and support acts both local and regional offering one of the most comfortable and inviting atmospheres an artist could ask for, according to Lamar.
“At a lot of venues, it’s really easy for the band to just become live background music, and as a solo act, you have to work a lot harder to keep the audience interested in your set,” said Lamar. “The Pineknot is different because everyone comes to listen. It’s refreshing to play a show like that, and it’s good to know those kind of places still exist in the digital-download age.”
All shows this year will be at Millard’s Crossing Historical Village, located on U.S. Hwy 59 just North of Nacogdoches Medical Center Hospital.
For more information visit www.pineknotmusic.com.
If you are interested in performing, contact Hazelwood after 6 p.m. at 936-552-7462.
’09 is ’0-ver, and that means only one thing out at Millard’s Crossing. Well, it probably means more than that, but as far as fourth fridays are concerned, it means the start of a brand new year of shows at the Pineknot Music Co-op.
On Friday, Jan. 22, the Pineknot will kick off its ninth year, complete with an anniversary show on Friday, Feb. 26.
The festivities will begin at 8 p.m. with Grant Harris starting off the show. A native of East Texas, Harris has a keen insight into the people and places of this neck of the woods, according to the PineKnot’s Web site.
“Grant puts a lot of work into the songwriting process, and his original tunes reflect this heritage and dedication,” said Pineknot founder John Hazlewood.
Local songwriter Adam Lamar fills the middle slot of the evening at 8:45 p.m.
“Adam is one of my personal favorites, and we are pleased to have him back,” Hazlewood said. “Quality songwriting, inspired covers and great singing and playing; that’s Adam, and that equals really good music.”
Rounding out the evening at 9:45 p.m. will be Miki and the Cowbells. The Pineknot’s own Miki Lynn has a new band and, as the Web site says, “They are really good.”
According to Hazlewood, he saw the band at a party recently and knew right away that he had to get them to the Pineknot.
“The tunes range from country & western to rhythm and blues and all points in between,” said Hazlewood.
The band features Lynn on guitar and vocals, Big John Heath on guitar, Susan Umbarger on vocals, Ken Umbarger on drums, Mark McLain on bass and Josh McLain on washboard and harmonica.
Since 2001, the Pineknot has provided the city of Nacogdoches with quality entertainment on a monthly basis with the help of sponsors like Morning Glory Natural Foods, Java Jacks Coffee House, Tattoo Productions, Owlshack.com and The Pine Top Mystics.
And for eight years, those loyal Knotheads have continued to show up and support acts both local and regional offering one of the most comfortable and inviting atmospheres an artist could ask for, according to Lamar.
“At a lot of venues, it’s really easy for the band to just become live background music, and as a solo act, you have to work a lot harder to keep the audience interested in your set,” said Lamar. “The Pineknot is different because everyone comes to listen. It’s refreshing to play a show like that, and it’s good to know those kind of places still exist in the digital-download age.”
All shows this year will be at Millard’s Crossing Historical Village, located on U.S. Hwy 59 just North of Nacogdoches Medical Center Hospital.
For more information visit www.pineknotmusic.com.
If you are interested in performing, contact Hazelwood after 6 p.m. at 936-552-7462.
If you build it, you've got to build it
Every local scene is birthed, built and maintained by its members, whether it’s music, theater, art, etc. But for our purposes this week, I’ll be speaking musically.
A local scene is only as good as the people involved with it. Now that’s not to say that the scene is only as good as the musicians are talented. All the talent in the world does nothing for the community without the support of the community members. Don’t get me wrong, great musicians are certainly a plus. They’re just not a “be all, end all.”
Another thing about local scenes is that, like everything else, they change.
Anyone who remembers when Chick-fil-A wasn’t here, and was fortunate enough to have a beer or two bought for them by a guy you weren’t going to vote for as student body president will know exactly where this is headed. Nope, not the hurricane (although I think I remember Moiz serving them one night), I’m talking about Rita’s Eatery and Cantina.
That was the hub for a couple of years. The thing about Rita’s was that they had either DJs, open mics or even bands from out town almost every night. I remember most of at least three different all-day, multiple-stage music festivals held in the building on North Street that got torn down in order to build a chicken franchise ... a very tasty one mind you, but still a chicken franchise.
Before that, Flashback was where you went to watch Joe Vega and play your three-song set. You could even just get on stage, grab the extra microphone and sing along with Joe. And before that, Five’s a Crowd was packing the folks into Crossroads, which is now mostly the parking lot for Flashback.
Java Jacks and the Out of the Way Cafe both had their fair share of live music as well, and not just the upstairs Java Jacks dome. I’m going all the way back to when I could walk to campus from my house on Blount Street and get a Java Shake on the way to class.
I even remember watching Mayhaw Prophets at Austin Place Apartments when it was still a hotel.
The current scene might be a bit stagnant compared to some of its previous high points, but the spirit of everything good about local music scenes still lives on every fourth Friday in the little church at Millard’s Crossing. John Hazlewood and the rest of the crew that put on the Pineknot Music Co-op every month don’t have to put their time, money and effort into what they do. They do it because they love it.
So if you’re one of those folks who are quick to say the music scene in this town isn’t all you’d like it to be, ask yourself what you’re doing to help make it better. You can’t throw a rock without hitting at least six guitar players or even 15 rappers. If you have no talent, find someone who does and help promote them. Hand out flyers, design a T-shirt or even volunteer to update someone’s Myspace or Facebook page. Organize a festival like the Siid Show, Nacstock or the late Ten Acre Jam; take ownership of your scene.
If you’re interested in the musical history of the Oldest Town in Texas, a couple of local gurus have compiled just such a catalog. Check out some Nacocgdoches nostalgia at either www.myspace.com/nacogdochesmusicarchives or www.fastactingrecords.com.
Adam Lamar’s e-mail address
is alamar@dailysentinel.com.
A local scene is only as good as the people involved with it. Now that’s not to say that the scene is only as good as the musicians are talented. All the talent in the world does nothing for the community without the support of the community members. Don’t get me wrong, great musicians are certainly a plus. They’re just not a “be all, end all.”
Another thing about local scenes is that, like everything else, they change.
Anyone who remembers when Chick-fil-A wasn’t here, and was fortunate enough to have a beer or two bought for them by a guy you weren’t going to vote for as student body president will know exactly where this is headed. Nope, not the hurricane (although I think I remember Moiz serving them one night), I’m talking about Rita’s Eatery and Cantina.
That was the hub for a couple of years. The thing about Rita’s was that they had either DJs, open mics or even bands from out town almost every night. I remember most of at least three different all-day, multiple-stage music festivals held in the building on North Street that got torn down in order to build a chicken franchise ... a very tasty one mind you, but still a chicken franchise.
Before that, Flashback was where you went to watch Joe Vega and play your three-song set. You could even just get on stage, grab the extra microphone and sing along with Joe. And before that, Five’s a Crowd was packing the folks into Crossroads, which is now mostly the parking lot for Flashback.
Java Jacks and the Out of the Way Cafe both had their fair share of live music as well, and not just the upstairs Java Jacks dome. I’m going all the way back to when I could walk to campus from my house on Blount Street and get a Java Shake on the way to class.
I even remember watching Mayhaw Prophets at Austin Place Apartments when it was still a hotel.
The current scene might be a bit stagnant compared to some of its previous high points, but the spirit of everything good about local music scenes still lives on every fourth Friday in the little church at Millard’s Crossing. John Hazlewood and the rest of the crew that put on the Pineknot Music Co-op every month don’t have to put their time, money and effort into what they do. They do it because they love it.
So if you’re one of those folks who are quick to say the music scene in this town isn’t all you’d like it to be, ask yourself what you’re doing to help make it better. You can’t throw a rock without hitting at least six guitar players or even 15 rappers. If you have no talent, find someone who does and help promote them. Hand out flyers, design a T-shirt or even volunteer to update someone’s Myspace or Facebook page. Organize a festival like the Siid Show, Nacstock or the late Ten Acre Jam; take ownership of your scene.
If you’re interested in the musical history of the Oldest Town in Texas, a couple of local gurus have compiled just such a catalog. Check out some Nacocgdoches nostalgia at either www.myspace.com/nacogdochesmusicarchives or www.fastactingrecords.com.
Adam Lamar’s e-mail address
is alamar@dailysentinel.com.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
....I just want to bang on the drum all day...
I’m feeling kind of bummed out at work today. I’ve been online trying to checkout some of the stories i’m working on for the next few week. The only problem is now lots of Web site are making users upgrade their browsers or install a newer version of flash.
Normally this wouldn’t be an issue, but I can’t update the iMac at my desk. So, I’m working on this while i figure out how to write a story about musicians I’ve never listened to while not being able to listen to them online. I think it’ll work like...wait... .... .... .... nope, still don’t know how I’m gonna accomplish that one.
I did, however, receive my copy of American Artifact a day or two ago. I’m way ready to check it out. Be on the watch for a review.
The film is a documentary by producer/director Merle Becker that chronicles the world of concert poster artists in footage collected from 2005 to 2009.
Other than that, I’m stuck. Unless, of course, you coun’t that I’ve rapidly become addicted to Fallout 3 in the “World of Warcraft, lose your wife, have a documentary filmed about you” kind of way. It’s just so hard not to chase the dragon.
Alright kiddos, it’s office chameleon time. back to “work.”
Normally this wouldn’t be an issue, but I can’t update the iMac at my desk. So, I’m working on this while i figure out how to write a story about musicians I’ve never listened to while not being able to listen to them online. I think it’ll work like...wait... .... ....
I did, however, receive my copy of American Artifact a day or two ago. I’m way ready to check it out. Be on the watch for a review.
The film is a documentary by producer/director Merle Becker that chronicles the world of concert poster artists in footage collected from 2005 to 2009.
Other than that, I’m stuck. Unless, of course, you coun’t that I’ve rapidly become addicted to Fallout 3 in the “World of Warcraft, lose your wife, have a documentary filmed about you” kind of way. It’s just so hard not to chase the dragon.
Alright kiddos, it’s office chameleon time. back to “work.”
Thursday, January 14, 2010
You may or my not like what I might or might not have said
Thought I’d give this a shot.
According to my inbox, it seems as though the universe is urging me to revisit my days on The Pine Log as the entertainment editor.
I’m not being given a fancy title or anything, everyone just keeps forwarding me all the e-mails they don’t feel like messing with. ;-/
I’ve been receiving updates about everything, including local concerts, indie documentaries and... well, let’s just call them “non-traditional entertainment based events.” Everyone’s got something to do, and they all want someone to come do it with them. So feel free to send me an e-mail if you’d like me to include that you and your buddies will be puttin’ back a few cold ones on your tailgate in the events calendar.
All I’ve got is time, so send me whatever you feel like. Have you been producing your own Web-based video show? Are you about to release a new album? Are you promoting a rave? Give me three or four fake locations to confuse the cops so they won’t find it.
Just kidding officers. ;D -m
Do you have a new art exhibit opening? Help me let people know about it so that people will come to it. Because if people come to your art show, they might buy your stuff. And if they buy your stuff, then you can eat, and who doesn’t like that?
Speaking of food... that belongs on the food page, so feel free not to send me e-mails about your restaurant’s new menu.... Unless you want me to come by and sample the new items. I do that kind of work pro bono.
All jokes aside, help me get the word out about your events or i’ll just have to write about what I’m doing, and since no one reads my blog, I’m pretty sure that’s not gonna sell any ads, or your art.
See, look what you did. Now we’re both broke and not eating, all because you were too lazy to take five minutes out of your day and send me a press release. Let’s do each other a favor and keep ourselves off of Sally Struthers commercials.
I think this is gonna work out just fine.
So your homework over the weekend (if you haven’t already) is to hand the movie theatre $8.50 for an “Avatar” ticket, put on your 3-D glasses and then spend two-and-a-half-hours letting James Cameron tell you subliminally that, “You actually do like this movie.”
Next weekend, I’m assigning all Avatards to watch the “Star Wars” of my generation. It’s called “Star Wars.”
According to my inbox, it seems as though the universe is urging me to revisit my days on The Pine Log as the entertainment editor.
I’m not being given a fancy title or anything, everyone just keeps forwarding me all the e-mails they don’t feel like messing with. ;-/
I’ve been receiving updates about everything, including local concerts, indie documentaries and... well, let’s just call them “non-traditional entertainment based events.” Everyone’s got something to do, and they all want someone to come do it with them. So feel free to send me an e-mail if you’d like me to include that you and your buddies will be puttin’ back a few cold ones on your tailgate in the events calendar.
All I’ve got is time, so send me whatever you feel like. Have you been producing your own Web-based video show? Are you about to release a new album? Are you promoting a rave? Give me three or four fake locations to confuse the cops so they won’t find it.
Just kidding officers. ;D -m
Do you have a new art exhibit opening? Help me let people know about it so that people will come to it. Because if people come to your art show, they might buy your stuff. And if they buy your stuff, then you can eat, and who doesn’t like that?
Speaking of food... that belongs on the food page, so feel free not to send me e-mails about your restaurant’s new menu.... Unless you want me to come by and sample the new items. I do that kind of work pro bono.
All jokes aside, help me get the word out about your events or i’ll just have to write about what I’m doing, and since no one reads my blog, I’m pretty sure that’s not gonna sell any ads, or your art.
See, look what you did. Now we’re both broke and not eating, all because you were too lazy to take five minutes out of your day and send me a press release. Let’s do each other a favor and keep ourselves off of Sally Struthers commercials.
I think this is gonna work out just fine.
So your homework over the weekend (if you haven’t already) is to hand the movie theatre $8.50 for an “Avatar” ticket, put on your 3-D glasses and then spend two-and-a-half-hours letting James Cameron tell you subliminally that, “You actually do like this movie.”
Next weekend, I’m assigning all Avatards to watch the “Star Wars” of my generation. It’s called “Star Wars.”
’09 is ’0-ver
I know I've used that headline for something at work this week, but I can't remember what.
Regardless.... It might be a new year, but it's back to an old job its seems. Or rather a familiar situation.
There's too much to go into in full view of the eyes of my parent company, so you have to ask me about it later, if you really want to know.
The point is that I am now, once again, working for a publication that funnels everything having to do with entertainment right to my inbox. Hence, I'm the unofficial go-to guy for all that shit.
It does make the forced "utilization of my other skills" easy without having to come up with stories every week, but the downside is that everyone sends me stuff, and everyone want a story in the paper. Whatever ;-/
So i'm looking at my watch and it's telling me that i have some time on my hands. What better way to kill, I mean make use of some time than by updating my blog. I guess I should really call it starting a blog since the last post i made was in 2007, and that was just so my photojournalism teacher could look at my shots online.
So here's this thing I've been typing for as long as I needed to type it, and I'll post my column from The Daily Sentinel's Jan. 15 issue. Be on the lookout for those each Friday kids.
Blog started.
Phsew....it's Miller time.
Or sammich time.
Either one works for me.
Regardless.... It might be a new year, but it's back to an old job its seems. Or rather a familiar situation.
There's too much to go into in full view of the eyes of my parent company, so you have to ask me about it later, if you really want to know.
The point is that I am now, once again, working for a publication that funnels everything having to do with entertainment right to my inbox. Hence, I'm the unofficial go-to guy for all that shit.
It does make the forced "utilization of my other skills" easy without having to come up with stories every week, but the downside is that everyone sends me stuff, and everyone want a story in the paper. Whatever ;-/
So i'm looking at my watch and it's telling me that i have some time on my hands. What better way to kill, I mean make use of some time than by updating my blog. I guess I should really call it starting a blog since the last post i made was in 2007, and that was just so my photojournalism teacher could look at my shots online.
So here's this thing I've been typing for as long as I needed to type it, and I'll post my column from The Daily Sentinel's Jan. 15 issue. Be on the lookout for those each Friday kids.
Blog started.
Phsew....it's Miller time.
Or sammich time.
Either one works for me.
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