Okee dokee folks… PLEASE stop using AI. The more it knows, the more it grows. We are feeding a beast that will someday destroy us. AI is not your friend, though it may pretend to be. Why doesn’t it do the dishes or clean your house? If it did, then it might be worthwhile. AI’s (and the corporations that control them) ultimate goal is to make humans redundant. Artists have been writing books and making movies about this subject as long as the idea of AI has been around. How long before we suffer our own version of 2001: A Space Odyssey‘s computer Hal saying, “I’m sorry, Dave, I can’t do that”?
Folks think it’s cute when AI makes a video of themselves or of some famous person doing something stupid. Beside the ENORMOUS waste of energy and resources it takes to manufacture this stuff (I won’t use the word “create,” the results are just ridiculous and cold). I often see musicians using AI to promote. I don’t like this at all. First, beyond the reasons above, it just makes everyone’s promo look cheesy and homogenized. Secondly, it’s just lazy. Third, it deprives artists and photographers of earning a living or gaining real-world work experience.
Back in the early days of music promo, musicians would have a friend make the promo, take photos, or just do it all themselves. Musicians were resourceful, in a good way, and solved their promo problems by creating interesting and sometimes primitive material. AI products are just soulless. I miss the days of handmade flyers and postcards promoting music. The flyers weren’t judged, and it wasn’t an art contest; you made do with whatever you had, you eventually got better at it, and it became part of your overall visual signature. Now you just help make AI better, and humans will ultimately be the losers. I know there is a massive shortage of actual human intelligence nowadays, but AI is not the solution. Save what is left of human creativity – and conserve energy, the environment: Humanity, stop using AI!!! Read on.
The LEGENDARY Roger McGuinn, of The Byrds, will be at The Park Theatre in Cranston on Saturday, April 18. In the mid ’60s, The Byrds blended the rock rhythms of The Beatles with the folk storytelling of Bob Dylan and gave rise to the genre known as folk rock. Also at the Park, see actor, writer, and comedian Craig Ferguson on April 11, when he brings his Pants on Fire stand-up show to RI. Check out my podcast with Craig. Get “Eight Miles High” over to: theparkri.com for more.
The new and improved Zeiterion has reopened in New Bedford after a 2-year makeover. They have a full line-up of shows scheduled and have relaunched their Stage Door Live Series. The Zeiterion stage transforms into an intimate concert club for Stage Door Live. Seating is only on stage with the artist, cabaret-style with tables and chairs. Coming up: Reckless Son on Wednesday, April 1; and Hot Club Cheese Roll on Thursday, April 23. You can check out the Z’s calendar with shows such as New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, Marlon Wayans, Dance Barre-Step Afrika, Live From Laurel Canyon, AHA Jazz Jam Apr, Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band, and more at: zeiterion.org
RI native Sarah Potenza, makes a stop back in Little Rhody when she takes the Chan’s Stage on April 4th. Chopstick to chanseggrollsjazz.com for more.
To preface the protest section of this column, I will include the Pete Seeger Tribute show on April 26 at the Greenwich Odeum. Pete was a social justice warrior and a personal hero of mine. Performing the music written and recorded by Pete Seeger will be Mark Cutler (Schemers, Raindogs, Men of Great Courage); Ed McGuirl, Jack Moore & Joe Lambiase; Avi Jacob (Hawk In The Nest), Beth Barron, Dan Lilley & Amy Bedard (The Keepers, Forever Young), Katherine Quinn, Lisa Couto, Anthony Loffredio and Barn Burning, Pete Vendettuoli (Forever Young, Free Radicals), and Kim Petrarca. Ken Abrams, editor at Hey Rhody Media will host the show. This is a fundraiser for the 2026 RI Folk Festival. For more, “Turn, Turn, Turn” to greenwichodeum.com
As I have mentioned, I will keep promoting protest music here. I truly feel that this music is crucial. The more we make, the “betterer”!!! Local singer-songwriter, Andy Stone, sent this one: “And A Piece Of Me Dies.” In it, he writes, “Two-way streets are now dead ends, Brothers and sisters are estranged, So many strangers who used to be friends, Is all our closeness out of range?” youtube.com/watch?v=KI93Izoq4nM
I love this rewriting of the “Modern Major General” song from Pirates of Penzance! “I Am the Perfect Picture of a Presidential Pedophile” by Mark Graham: markgraham1.bandcamp.com/track/i-am-the-perfect-picture-of-a-presidential-pedophile
Here are more that I found this month:
“Allegiance” By Consumer Culture.
Resistance Revival Chorus with Rhiannon Giddens “All You Fascists Bound To Lose” (Woody Guthrie).
“For Our Scientists” by Elle Cordova.
This one is great! “Feck Tr@mp” Sligo Bandits.
“Yo Ho, Pam Bondi” – Homestyle Dinner Rolls.
The Dropkick Murphys – “First Class Loser” (sent by Ed McGuirl).
“Get The Ice Out” posted to YouTube by John D. Cundle.
You can find links to hear all these songs on our ever-growing protest song page, motifri.com/protestsongs2026
If you have a song, please send a public link of the music, and a copy of the lyrics to: RISongwriters@yahoo.com
For all of you who are interested in being part of the solution to the downfall of the United States and wish to protest the criminals in power, plan to attend the NO KINGS rally on March 28 at 1pm, in back of The Statehouse in PVD. The people must speak up if we are to overcome these dark times. For more, execute a search to nokings.org
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.