Okee dokee folks… The internet is a vast resource of knowledge, opinion, and a lot of bullshit, but occasionally I come across tidbits that are profoundly stated and I feel that I must share them. One of my Facebook friends wrote this about musicians and I could not have said it better: “Singers, songwriters, and musicians are some of the most driven and courageous people on the face of the earth. They deal with more day-to-day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime. Every day, they face the financial challenge of living a freelance lifestyle, the disrespect of people who think they should get real jobs, and their own fear that they’ll never work again. Every day, they have to ignore the possibility that the vision they have dedicated their lives to is just a pipe dream. With every note, they stretch themselves, emotionally and physically, risking criticism and judgment. With every passing year, many of them watch as the other people their age achieve the predictable milestones of normal life – the car, the family, the house, the nest egg. Why? Because they are willing to give their entire lives to a moment – to that melody, that lyric, that chord, or interpretation that will stir a soul. They are beings who have tasted life’s sweetest rewards in that special moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another person’s heart. In that instant, they were as close to magic, God, and perfection as anyone could ever be and in their own hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes.” This was written by Brenda Barkley, Talent Recruiter for Coast Live WTKR TV3 Norfolk and Acoustic Highway with Barry Graham on 89.5 FM Norfolk, VA and booking for Tidewater Friends of Acoustic Music.
Speaking of Facebook, many are posting their desire to exit the platform due to the recent announcement that the platform will lift restrictions on posting false information. Facebook fools many into believing an artificial reality of false memes fueled by trolls and bots. Add to that the excessive amount of spam and scams, and using the site is like navigating a minefield. I am with you and don’t blame anyone for wanting to leave; I would if I could. I hate Facebook, but unfortunately as a musician it is a necessary evil. Society and business has made us dependent upon it for communication and connecting. I have joined Bluesky as a safety net, but right now it is far from filling the Facebook hole. I will ride it out on FB for now, but as always, I will continue to be leary and discerning. Besides, it’s fun to rile folks up with controversial and political posts! Read on…
The Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash will be performing in Cranston on February 22 at the Park Theatre. Since 2004, singer-guitarist entertainer Shawn Barker has been wowing audiences with his Johnny Cash tribute, performing over 1,000 shows in 12 countries, including shows in Australia, Europe, Canada and US, and selling more than half a million tickets over the course of his career. He has the looks and the sound that takes the audience through each era of Cash’s life and music, including hits like “Folsom Prison Blues”, “I Walk The Line”, “Ring of Fire”, and many others. For more, “Don’t Take Your Guns To Town” but DO trigger to: theparkri.com
Down in Westerly, on February 28, you can experience two legends in one night! Prince/Bowie is a tribute fusion band that combines the music of Prince and David Bowie into a high energy live show. It features a rotating all-star cast of characters from various national acts including Pink Talking Fish, lespecial, Remain In Light, Cool Cool Cool and more. The mix of the Prince and David Bowie songbooks blend beautifully and what makes it even better is the unique horn arrangements that enhance the Prince and Bowie tunes. For more, do a little “Magic Dance” over to: unitedtheatre.org
On March 6 multi-instrumentalist Karim Nagi brings “Future Folklore” to The FirstWorks performance series at the Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street. Nagi “weaves Arab tradition with a borderless exploration. His traditional Arabic music and dance emanate brightly, reworking into an original expression of diaspora folklore.” He is a multiinstrumentalist, recording artist with 18 albums, movement artist, and TEDx speaker. For more, “Earn, Learn, Return” over to: firstworks.org
BTW, musicians who have no souls have no business in music. Music requires soul. Performers that are currently scheduled to perform at the coronation of the mango moron have no souls (or sold them to Satan), or scruples for that matter, for supporting the newly installed FOTUS (Felon of the United States). They should be boycotted- “You lay down with dogs; you get fleas!” Evidently, Carrie Underwood and The Village People don’t understand that, and I truly hope it costs them their fans and what is left of their careers. Another one on that inauguration performer list is country musician Lee Greenwood, who is famous for recording what is probably one of the most nauseating songs ever written, “God Bless the USA.” If you want to be patriotic, Woody Guthrie’s, “This Land Is Your Land” is a true American anthem. Greenwood’s is pandering pablum. O
nly the worst people will cozy up to FOTUS. As much as I don’t like her music, Taylor Swift really is a good person, a true American hero, philanthropist, and someone who has a LOT of soul. Be more like Taylor! •
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. johnfuzek.com