Happy birthday, Walt! (0)

Posted 31 May, 2006 in Literature

Walt Whitman was born on this day in 1819. For more information about Walt and his work, visit the Walt Whitman Archive.

Speaking of the Whitman Archive, the NEH has offered the Archive a $500,000 challenge grant. To help them meet the challenge, please donate some money to the Archive. Thanks!

Whitman on war (0)

Posted 30 May, 2006 in Literature, Politics & Activism

John Nichols of The Nation has written a nice piece on Whitman and war. It includes a lovely funeral poem by Whitman. You can read it at thenation.com.

My new relationship with All About Jazz (0)

Posted 24 May, 2006 in All About Jazz Articles, Jazz, Music

A few years ago, when I was station manager and drive-time host at Jazz90.1, I wrote a couple reviews for All About Jazz, the Web’s most visited jazz site.

Today, AAJ published my review of Claudia Acuna’s recent appaearance in Rochester.

Happily, this marks the start of my increased involvement with AAJ. Starting today, I’ll be writing CD and concert reviews, and doing some interviews for AAJ. In addition, I’ll be their correspondent at this year’s Rochester International Jazz Festival.

I’m thrilled to be working with All About Jazz, and I recommend to all you jazzheads that you make AAJ a regular part of your day.

Whitman: the day after (0)

Posted 22 May, 2006 in Literature, Rochester

It’s going to take me a long time — maybe forever — to really come to grips with what yesterday meant to me. When I hatched this crazy plan last year, I wasn’t even sure I could make it happen. Then Connie Bodner stepped in, and it suddenly became possible, if not probable.

Then it was yesterday. Months of planning, literally thousands of e-mail messages, hundreds of phone calls. Dozens of readers, dozens of dinner guests, dozens of staff members, one actor. Could we really expect it to come off well?

When I finally sit down and write the story of my life, 21 May 2006 will be one of the high points. It was better than I ever could have hoped. The diversity of voices. The passion of the readers. The flow of emotion throughout the afternoon. Hail. Rain. Wind. Sunshine. (In late May!)

Then came the end of the reading. Wade Norwood was the final reader. He finished the last line — I stop some where waiting for you — and started down the stairs from the lectern. As his foot hit the first step, a wave crashed through the church. The audience of readers and listeners erupted with cheers, applause, and more than a few moist eyes, including my own. This wave of sound and emotion and joy and completion just kept building and building. It was almost too much to believe. (My hands are shaking right now as I type this.)

We took no photos, made no recordings. The event passed into the air. The sound waves are even now heading out across the solar system as almost imperceptible disturbances of whatever it is that makes up the cosmos.

I’m still awestruck at the experience. I feel so lucky to have been there, and to have been surrounded by such wonderful people. I have a debt to that room that I can’t repay.

Whitman time! (0)

Posted 20 May, 2006 in Literature, Rochester

It’s finally here! CELEBRATING WHITMAN: AMERICA’S POET, is today (Sunday) at 2 p.m. at Genesee Country Village & Museum. We begin by reading “Song of Myself” from 2-5 p.m., followed by a 19th century dinner at 5 p.m. and Will Stutts as Walt Whitman at 6 p.m. Please come to the reading and be part of this special event.

SHOW-ONLY TICKETS: The dinner is sold out, but you can get a show-only ticket for $20. Just come to the Education Center (next to the main entrance of Genesee Country Village) before 6 p.m. See you there!

More about my TV appearance (0)

Posted 17 May, 2006 in Random Musings, TV

Yesterday at the WHEC studios, I came face to face — literally — with my new status as the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. They say the camera adds 10 pounds, but I wasn’t prepared for the full reality.

My interview took place on a small set on the side of the main soundstage — two chairs, a fake bookshelf and plant. The disconcerting part of it was that when you looked at the camera, you were also looking at a monitor under it. Holy canoli, Batman. I’m huge!

When Jen and I got married, I weighed about 155 or 160. That was 10 years ago. I now weigh about 195 or so. That’s right, dear reader, 40 pounds in 10 years. Add a few ounces from the TV, and it looked like the anchor was interviewing Dom DeLuise.

The real horror was yet to come, though. When I got home, I watched the show on tape. May I just say that it was the most terrifying experience of the week?

But as the old saw goes, when life gives you lemons, make hay while the bird is in the hand. I had a vague plan to diet and excercise, but yesterday’s TV gig has scared the bejeezus out of me. It’s time to get serious about taking off several million pounds. I’ll keep you posted.

Walt Whitman and I on the news (0)

Posted 16 May, 2006 in Literature, Radio, Rochester, TV

If you have a time machine, you can watch me earlier today on News10 NBC here in Rochester, talking about the Whitman event.

If you have a radio or computer, you can hear me tomorrow (Wednesday) at 3:30 p.m. on Jack Mindy’s show on Jazz90.1. The station is at 90.1 FM, or on the Internet.

Wal-Mart: Always Organic. Always. (0)

Posted 12 May, 2006 in Politics & Activism

As I’ve mentioned before, I serve on the board of Abundance Cooperative Market, Rochester’s only shareholder-owned natural food store. The natural and organic food market is really growing. How can you tell? Wal-MArt wants a piece of the action. Oy!

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