WHEATFIELD EMPIRE by Jaimie Vernon

Last week the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame did a virtual induction of its 2020 nominees that included Whitney Houston, The Doobie Brothers, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Notorious B.I.G., and T. Rex. Typical of past years during the induction process, the public and media got their panties into a bunch over how their favourite artist has been snubbed.

Bob Yodels Up the Canyon – Some Backstory …and A Sense of the People and Atmosphere of Laurel Canyon Back in the Day

The more I try to express my thoughts and feelings on the documentary, “Echo in the Canyon”, the more frustrated I get trying to put my finger on what, exactly. those thoughts and feelings are. After every viewing of the well-meant, but ultimately lacking mash-note to the tiny L.A. Basin enclave which had had a disproportionate impact on popular music, songwriters, and artists around the world, I became further and further upset with its lack of connective tissue to its subject, and started to feel uncomfortable just looking for something positive to say.

Roxanne Tellier – Protesting in the Era of Trump

A reaction to America’s president telling four Congresswoman of colour to “go back to where they came from?”

JAIMIE VERNON – THAT PEACEFUL EASY FEELING

Another week, another childhood music idol walks among the immortal choir. No sooner had we hosed off the glitter and put away our vinyl copies of David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust” we learned that Eagles founder Glenn Frey had passed from complications related to his dependence on medication to control severe rheumatoid arthritis and acute colitis.

Frank Gutch Jr: My Music Bubbleth Under

It should be no secret by now that when it comes to music I am drawn to the non-hits, the non-charters, and the obscure.  Some of the most beloved music of my past have consisted of  artists and songs only the most avant of the garde have treasured— the Little John & The Monks and the Cargoes and, until their fairly recent deification, the Big Stars.  It started innocently enough— the placement of Jimmy Bowen‘s By the Light of the Silv’ry Moon on radio station KEX‘s Barney Keep‘s playlist, but it was enough.

Doug Thompson: DON’T MESS WITH THE WRECKING CREW!

So, what project in your life has taken you the longest to complete?  Has anything you’ve really wanted to do ever taken you 18 years?  Most likely not, but that’s how long it took director Denny Tedesco to complete his documentary on a small group of musicians in Los Angeles who, from the late 1950’s through to the 1970’s, supplied the rhythm section (drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, percussion, saxophone) for hundreds, if not thousands of hit records.

JAIMIE VERNON – THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF ALL THINGS

A small debate unfolded online this week concerning hard work vs. luck. I have always maintained, and still do, that all my successes have been from hard work. All my failures have been from my lack of hard work. Luck is something reserved for casinos and in finding four leaf clovers (ironically).