Okee dokee folks… “Sto lat, sto lat.” It’s a traditional Polish song that is meant to wish a long life to a person. “Sto lat” roughly translates to “100 years” and is a common Polish way of wishing someone a happy Birthday. I bought a poster of the song lyrics for my father while I was in Baltimore about a dozen years ago. It was framed and hung on the wall as that was my father’s goal: to live one hundred years. He didn’t quite make it. He was 90 years and 8 months old when he passed away last week.
My father and I were similar in many ways but about as far apart as you could get in others. He wanted to be a baseball player and I don’t like baseball or any sport at all. Music and art are my life. He was a Republican – actually was head of the town committee for years. I am a liberal, Democratic Socialist. He was very social and I avoid social gatherings. He had the same look and hairstyle for 90 years. I have long hair and a beard and have changed looks many times over the years. He didn’t like my beard, even though I coerced him into growing one during the Blizzard of ‘78. It didn’t last long. I could go on.
We were similar in other ways. Stubborn. Bad jokes. Loyal. Our birthdays were 3 days apart – both Tauruses. I got his bad back, knees, and hips! We were both passionate about what we liked. He tried out for the Red Sox when he was young, but he was too old when he left the Air Force and they didn’t want him. He played some kind of baseball or softball for most of his life until health issues sidelined that. He went to Red Sox Fantasy Camp about 35 years ago. I went with him. I witnessed him in all his glory playing ball with Red Sox players that I didn’t know, but he certainly did. I guess it would have been like if I got to jam with Neil Young. I mostly just took a lot of photos of him playing ball during that trip.
His life became about his wife and family. He and my mother were together for almost 66 years. They loved musicals and had a Broadway subscription to the Providence Performing Arts Center for 40 years and one for Theatre by the Sea as well. He loved the song from Les Misérables that Javert sang, “Stars.” They saw Les Mis live close to thirty times!
While this is not the place to eulogize my father, I need to share this because no matter what, I would not be doing what I do or be who I am today without the support that he gave me. My friends and bandmates would often see him and my mother in the audience at gigs, braving the volume of rock music, or having dinner while I played acoustic music somewhere. Everyone always seemed to enjoy a chat with Dad. It’s a tough thing losing a parent, but tougher for my mother who lost her partner of 66 years. Life is not kind and death eventually will come for us all. Cherish every moment that you can. Read on…
Just a couple of quick show notices: The very fun and entertaining Catnip Junkies are playing a Mardi Gras Show on Friday, February 7 at 7pm at The Shepherd Center in Fairhaven (theshepherdcenter.org).
On Sunday, February 8 at 4pm, you can hear the amazing harmonies of How’s About Charlie when they perform a free show at Archive Books in Warren (archivebooksnackery.com).
You can “git yer bluegrass fix” at Nick-A-Nee’s every Wednesday at 8:30pm with the Bluegrass Throwdown. February 4, seeRusty Rails; February 11, JB & Cardineau Sin; February 18, Jeff Horton Band; and February 25, Ironwood Drive. (fb.com/nickanees)
In the all-important protest song department, this week I was sent and found some great ones! Check them out:
- “Not On My Watch” is a wonderful a capella number by MaMuse. fb.com/reel/1410237560509731
- If you have never heard of Thomas Benjamin Wild, Esq, you should really check him out, especially his song “No Fucks Left To Give.” (youtube.com/@ThomasBenjaminWildEsqMusic) It’s brilliantly written, but right now you should give a listen to “Wank Stain”: facebook.com/reel/1382880087173395.
- Singer-Songwriter Carsie Blanton from Pennsylvania posted this one about Elon Musk just a few days ago: youtube.com/watch?v=jDf1ksSbSd4&list=RDjDf1ksSbSd4&start_radio=1.
- The Chelsea Gods produced this one that says what we sane people think! “Tr@mp Sucks” music.youtube.com/watch?v=ScwxSDQ32Ao and “Tr@mp Is a Tacky Ass Ho” music.youtube.com/watch?v=td__drV57II. They have other great tracks like “Bird Legged Ho” about Kristi Noem music.youtube.com/watch?v=34q4ymt28dc:https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=34q4ymt28dc, and “Greg Bovino” music.youtube.com/watch?v=3nWc1ub-wl8.
- And if you like great Irish music, then here’s a song by someone who calls themselves The Drunken Irish Bard: “Greenland’s Not For Sale” youtube.com/watch?v=KOpymCZ0PAU. Thanks to Ed McGuirl for sending this one in.
Speak your mind in song! We need some great local protest music! Hopefully the songs above will inspire local songwriters. Send a public link of the music and a copy of the lyrics to: RISongwriters@yahoo.com
BTW. Do yourself a favor and Google “Sascha Riley.” Listen to the interview. You will truly understand how vile the mango moron is. Just a note, this interview is traumatizing.
That’s it for now. You can listen to my podcasts at motifri.com/rootsreportpodcast and find my concert photographs at motifri.com/fuzeksfotos. Thanks for reading and listening.