Flies in the Kitchen

If you’ve tuned in to NPR over the last 44 years, the likelihood is pretty great that you have heard this on-air credit. It’s because when BJ sold his themes to NPR, he made it a part of his contract that he would receive spoken recognition for his work. Little did he know he’d become one of the most recognizable names on the network.

BJ’s NPR credits include Morning Edition, Weekend Edition, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me, Marketplace, Car Talk, and Science Friday.

BJ  has been in the music making business his entire life, and it encompasses much more than 30 second jingles (although he is damn good at them).  In 2017, BJ released his debut album of original songs, entitled “BJ”, although that wasn’t his first choice. “Natural Public Leiderman” didn’t sit all that well with NPR’s lawyers, so he went with the more eponymous title.

So much to share with all of you good folks!  If you click on the album above (the NPR-approved version), you’ll be directed to his website where not only can you purchase this fine collection, he also has shared multiple fantastic videos of his songs, including a funky animated interpretation of “Walking Down The Street”, a boppy, upbeat song about getting dumped by his girlfriend and subsequently making his way to the top of the Empire State Building and jumping off the observation deck, plus all the adventures and observations on the way down. Yep, boppy.

We talk at length about the album, the personal investment in the songwriting, where they come from, and what they draw their life from. We also talk about the purpose of music in "moving the needle", so to speak. Good, good stuff. He really is a deeply thoughtful and intentional songwriter and you know right away where he stands when you hear it.

If you're an Ashvillian, check out the BJL in AVL group on Facebook that we chatted about.  He's hoping to get the ball rolling for an in-person meet up -- mostly so he can get out from behind a computer screen and into the real world with real people!

Oh, and if you are still unsure if you’ve heard his music on the radio, enjoy this video he put together a few years back. The most creative self promotional media I believe I’ve ever seen!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4xr_i3aRxU] 

Some of you may remember a few years back when I uploaded a reading of "The Velveteen Rabbit."  That was a recording I had made for librivox.org, an online archive of literary works in the public domain, recorded by volunteers all over the world.  Recently I recorded a few poems for an anthology they were putting together and I thought I'd share them with you. I hope you enjoy them! I've included the text below.

1. 1. 1. The Indian Burying Ground - Philip Freneau In spite of all the learned have said,     I still my old opinion keep; The posture, that we give the dead,     Points out the soul's eternal sleep. Not so the ancients of these lands—     The Indian, when from life released, Again is seated with his friends,     And shares again the joyous feast. His imaged birds, and painted bowl,     And venison, for a journey dressed, Bespeak the nature of the soul,     Activity, that knows no rest. His bow, for action ready bent,     And arrows, with a head of stone, Can only mean that life is spent,     And not the old ideas gone. Thou, stranger, that shalt come this way,     No fraud upon the dead commit— Observe the swelling turf, and say     They do not lie, but here they sit. Here still a lofty rock remains,     On which the curious eye may trace (Now wasted, half, by wearing rains)     The fancies of a ruder race. Here still an aged elm aspires,     Beneath whose far-projecting shade (And which the shepherd still admires)     The children of the forest played! There oft a restless Indian queen     (Pale Shebah, with her braided hair) And many a barbarous form is seen     To chide the man that lingers there. By midnight moons, o'er moistening dews;     In habit for the chase arrayed, The hunter still the deer pursues,     The hunter and the deer, a shade! And long shall timorous fancy see     The painted chief, and pointed spear, And Reason's self shall bow the knee

             To shadows and delusions here. (More about this poem)

   Miracles - Walt Whitman Why, who makes much of a miracle? As to me I know of nothing else but miracles, Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan,     Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky,     Or wade with naked feet along the beach just in the edge of the water, Or stand under trees in the woods, Or talk by day with any one I love, or sleep in the bed at night with any one I love, Or sit at table at dinner with the rest, Or look at strangers opposite me riding in the car, Or watch honey-bees busy around the hive of a summer forenoon, Or animals feeding in the fields, Or birds, or the wonderfulness of insects in the air, Or the wonderfulness of the sundown, or of stars shining so quiet and bright, Or the exquisite delicate thin curve of the new moon in spring; These with the rest, one and all, are to me miracles, The whole referring, yet each distinct and in its place.

2. To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle, Every cubic inch of space is a miracle, Every square yard of the surface of the earth is spread with the same, Every foot of the interior swarms with the same.

   To me the sea is a continual miracle, The fishes that swim—the rocks—the motion of the waves—the         ships with men in them, What stranger miracles are there?(More about this poem as well as an extended version!)

    

3. Little Orphant Annie - James Whitcomb Riley Little Orphant Annie’s come to our house to stay, An’ wash the cups an’ saucers up, an’ brush the crumbs away, An’ shoo the chickens off the porch, an’ dust the hearth, an’ sweep, An’ make the fire, an’ bake the bread, an’ earn her board-an’-keep; An’ all us other childern, when the supper things is done, We set around the kitchen fire an’ has the mostest fun A-list’nin’ to the witch-tales ‘at Annie tells about, An’ the Gobble-uns ‘at gits you              Ef you                 Don’t                    Watch                       Out!

   Onc’t they was a little boy wouldn’t say his prayers,— So when he went to bed at night, away up stairs, His Mammy heerd him holler, an’ his Daddy heerd him bawl, An’ when they turn’t the kivvers down, he wasn’t there at all! An’ they seeked him in the rafter-room, an’ cubby-hole, an’ press, An’ seeked him up the chimbly-flue, an’ ever’wheres, I guess; But all they ever found was thist his pants an' roundabout-- An’ the Gobble-uns’ll git you              Ef you                 Don’t                    Watch                       Out!

   An’ one time a little girl ‘ud allus laugh an’ grin, An’ make fun of ever’one, an’ all her blood an’ kin; An’ onc’t, when they was “company,” an’ ole folks was there, She mocked ‘em an’ shocked ‘em, an’ said she didn’t care! An’ thist as she kicked her heels, an’ turn’t to run an’ hide, They was two great big Black Things a-standin’ by her side, An’ they snatched her through the ceilin’ ‘fore she knowed what she’s about! An’ the Gobble-uns’ll git you              Ef you                 Don’t                    Watch                       Out!An’ little Orphant Annie says when the blaze is blue, An’ the lamp-wick sputters, an’ the wind goes woo-oo! An’ you hear the crickets quit, an’ the moon is gray, An’ the lightnin’-bugs in dew is all squenched away,-- You better mind yer parents, an’ yer teachers fond an’ dear, An’ churish them ‘at loves you, an’ dry the orphant’s tear, An’ he’p the pore an’ needy ones ‘at clusters all about, Er the Gobble-uns’ll git you              Ef you                 Don’t                    Watch                       Out!

   (More about this poem)

Music for this episode by Kevin MacLeod, public domain.

I've known about David Wilcox since I first heard "East Asheville Hardware" back in the mid 90's working at a summer camp.  I was absolutely captivated and delighted at what I was listening to, and knew that this was something that I needed to pay more attention to, being a budding songwriter myself.  What followed was a few decades of wonder and inspiration at the levels of depth to which a songwriter can go when it comes to communicating an idea.  David is in a realm all to his own, and you get a good sense of this right off the bat in this episode.

Please do yourself a favor and make some time in your day to explore davidwilcox.com for loads of music, events like workshops and retreats, his tour schedule, and even a way to find which song can cure that which ails ya.

David is part of that sweet "Asheville Contingent" including David LaMotte, Barbie Angell, Chuck Brodsky, and Jamie & Ian Ridenhour, all of whom you can catch up on from previous episodes. I was really hopeful to speak with David at some point, and I was fortunate to catch him at a good time, just before a big week in Oregon (Sept 26 - Oct 1), when he will be teaching at the Americana Song Academy at Camp Sherman and performing at the Sisters Folk Festival.  Go if you can! I hope it’ll be as soul-enriching for you as this chat was for me

Some of David’s music featured in this episode include “The Soul of It”, “Tattered Old Kite”, “The Beautiful”, and the one I teased you with at the beginning of the episode, "The View from the Edge", which can be experienced here, in his official video. Much, much more can be found at his website.

Y'all.

This woman right here has a story to tell, and it is massive.  I met with her a week ago today (as of the uploading of this episode), and we chatted about her brand new memoir "Looking for Innocence", as well as a whole lot of other things, and there were still topics we left out.  So I encourage you to do your own research and find out as much as you can about Paisha, and follow what she's up to (spoiler - it's a lot).

Here are a few things we talked about for you to check out:

Paisha's Bandcamp Page Her Youtube Music Page

Melissa McFadden:  Walking the Thin Black Line Edie Driskill's Podcast, The Future of Policing in Columbus Betty Lavette: A Woman Like MeAmerican History Maker (And Paisha's Cousin's Aunt!) Margaret Peters

Also, Here are a couple of pictures of Paisha's Pottery:

As well as a video of her Tiny Desk Concert submission featuring her song, "The Chicken or the Rent"

Eric and I first crossed paths when I made my way to Espresso Yourself Music Cafe, in Powell, Ohio, for an open mic night shortly after moving to Ohio.  I consider myself really fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience the community and great vibes from EYMC before it closed in 2012.  Eric and I talk a good bit about all that, plus a lot more.  I met up with him at his farmhouse just out of town, where he spends his days gardening and tending to his bonsai trees.

Eric is a great songwriter with a great story, and I'm excited to share it with you.  Not all stories are sunshine and roses, though, and this one has its share of stormy weather.  But it was a great talk, I liked the direction it took, and I hope you will too.  Check Out Mr. Eric's Music here, and find out what he's up to these days. You can also hear music from his band from a few years back, Chittenden Hotel -- which we never even got a chance to talk about!

My first impression of Dre Peace was a wall of sound that almost knocked me over..  Which would have been embarrassing since I was sharing a stage with him at an event called Music in the Round.   I had to know more about this guy just from the music and poetry coming from his mouth.  Afterwards I learned a bit more about his story that locked it in for me.  I had to get this guy on the show.  So I am beyond excited to share this conversation with you.

Here is a link to the Facebook Live video that Dre's manager was able to capture of his performance of "Change", which we chat a lot about. I had a few issues including it on this page, so feel free to follow the link to watch it.  There was a lot of reverb in that room, so it was hard to hear all the words, so I've included the lyrics below, along with a version performed by Dre and Liquid Crystal Project. (Along with a couple other videos you will enjoy!)

I had a great time chatting with Dre, and man, does he tell a good story.  The hits don't stop coming either, even while I'm finishing up the editing of this episode, and you'll understand what I mean if you listen to the end!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGhZi_aj7Uk]

"Change" Written by: Dre Peace 2019

I felt my brother's pain today. He left his good intentions and loving nature, at the side of his youngest brother's body; at the corner of systemic racism and generational poverty. As I recall the words of my former world religion instructor, and how much "I wanted to believe that we were all the same." No matter which creeds have divided us or somehow hidden their agenda to bring us together.

If there's no difference there's no change. Things will stay the same. And still the media will say there's no rain and we're all wet. No matter what they say. Whatever comes your way, just makes you stronger for today. You're not alone, cuz we're all wet.

Or if he is alone. Yelling to a sky of white stars and black backdrops. Where they are the forefront and we are the endless, massive void striving for the revenge of our ancestors' work. Where his mother worries if he may not return from that trip to the corner store. Where high foreclosures and CPD are more important than FICO scores and IRAs. I said I wonder if the regression is truly neutral? Is our experience so isolated? But it feels so big. But it feels so deep and wide and present, and empty and low and negligent, and selfish and repetitive, and out of control. How could this happen? And you mean to tell me he's not getting sentenced and my baby! And she was a good person and he had a daughter, and that was his youngest brother.

And today we call upon the prayer warriors, the soldiers, the lovers, the army, the unknown, the peacemakers to rise up and defend our existence with light.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRcFuV67v0w]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82CulAz5P8c]

TJ George has been very busy.  He has been workin on a pretty epic project for, well, to hear him say it, several years now.  It is finally coming to life, as of January 7, 2022.  TJ is a songwriter here is Columbus, and his new album, "Heroes and Legends" will be an achievement that he has been working towards for a long time.  We got to sit in my living room and chat about it, along with a bunch of other great stuff, including the magic of cul de sacs, being young and fearless, and following (or not following) one's dream.

You can find TJ at, yep, you guessed it, www.tjgeorge.com.  You'll be able to buy the new album there, but if you're in Columbus, try and make it to the Release Party on Jan. 14.  It'll be at Natalie's Coal Fired Pizza in Worthington, one of Columbus's finest venues for live intimate musical performances in a listening (and delicious) environment.  Get your tickets here, and join the discussion at the Facebook Event Page.

And of Course, he's all over the place to listen, like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music.

I was home from college on a fall break in 1997 when I found out John Denver had died in a plane crash in the Pacific Ocean.  It wrecked me.  This brief tribute will explain a little bit of why.    Also, here is the video from the recording I shared in the episode, along with another one I filmed in my sister's treehouse last summer to the sounds of the forest choir.

I first met James Houston when I decided to start learning karate in my mid-20s, living in a small, southwestern Virginia town along the New River. I wasn't sure what to expect when I signed up for karate, only that it seemed like there was a good blend of experience, and I knew that I wouldn't be the only one who had no idea what he was doing.  We began each class with what is known as the Dojo Kun, five statements spoken aloud, each beginning with the number 'one', presumably to indicate equal importance.  It went like this:

One. To seek to attain perfection of character. One. To live with politeness and discipline. One. To honor the code of ethical behavior. One. To strive for excellence through efforts. One. To refrain from impetuous conduct.

It was really what drew me in, initially, the idea that this morality code was primary, just as much, if not more important, than the physical conditioning and fighting.  More Miyagi Do as opposed to Cobra Kai, you might say.  In the two years that I studied with James, I not only was in the best physical shape of my life, I had more focus and intention with how I wanted to pursue life.

As the years went by, I stayed connected with James, and saw that he became very involved in film and television, beginning with stunt coordinating, working as an extra in films, and eventually producing and starring in his own television shows, namely 'Stars, Stunts, Action', where James and his crew meets and chats with some pretty cool people (Danny Trejo, Lou Ferrigno, Martin Kove - Speaking of Cobra Kai) while demonstrating and explaining some of Hollywood's greatest stunts, and 'Culture Shock', where he accompanies Rich Manley around the world bridging culture gaps with magic and illusion.. Both of these shows can be currently seen on Tubi and Apple TV. There's a new project in the works too, 'Fallen Cards', but there's not much he can say about that yet... So make it one of your Google Alerts!

So as much fun as it would be to chat with him about all this, it occurred to me that while martial arts encompasses many traditions of fighting and physicality, it also does contain the word "Arts", which got me thinking, how does this work together?  It was a great chat and I think you'll enjoy it.

See the trailer for Stars, Stunts, Action and Culture Shock:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb2VJihu3l0

https://vimeo.com/441175758

Also new today is some new music to open the show.  Big thanks to Spencer Ayscue who helped put that all together.  You'll hear more of his music during the episode, some from his backyard with just him and a guitar, and some from his latest recording with his band, Migrant Birds. Find them on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube,  as well as other places (including Spencer's personal YouTube channel.)

Thanks all, it's good to be back around, and I'm excited to be bringing back some great conversations to share with you.

Loss is a weird thing, isn't it?  The day I recorded this, I had found out a friend had died.  Just out of the blue.  Hit by a truck while running.  It was a big blow.  I had already decided on a topic, and on its face, it seems like the wrong direction...  But really, my friend Jeff was one who lived a life of gratitude.  And I'll miss him.

This episode will  be the last of this series.  I have had a good time doing it, and I probably will do more, eventually, and I have an idea for a theme.  I'll keep you posted on that, so stay tuned.

Keep Creating!  I will.