Gregnotes Archives

Here's a compilation of Greg's past entries to gregnotes book. They are in reverse chronoligical order.

Well it's been awhile; this is my first post election entry and while it's been a very down time emotionally, I'm very surprised to find so much positive energy out in the world.

My phone rang off the hook on the day after election day. The questions I got from overseas:
"Will America have a civil war?".

Doubt it, you'd have to be really committed to go that far; I don't see that much commitment on either side.

The domestic phone calls were amazingly upbeat. So many people were looking at the glass as half full and citing that nearly half the voters were on the move for change. That is a positive stroke, although I did hope for better.

Also, I was amazed at how quickly Kerry conceded the election, I'm one who thinks a recount (Yes again, remember the last time?) is a good idea. These folks spent millions upon millions to campaign; why not go a little further and check the nooks and crannies, eh? Am I being alarmist? Got me, a long list of events comes to mind: we have a such rich history of obfuscation in this country that I'm bound to look at everything more than once for irregular circumstances.

As Radio Raheem said in Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing: "count them shits again, man"

We must keep on keeping on. The conservative elements of this country will continue to work towards their agenda; I'm hoping in their doing so their hubris will trip them up.

Recharge anyway you can. We'll all need the energy.

Dear Heidi,

I hope this reaches you by your deadline. This is not my primary email address. You can phone me if you like; my contact information is listed below. Here is my response to your questions about the talent search. I hope it'll give you something you can use. Thanks for asking.

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Effect of winning the Newport Talent Search

The humorous response that I give during my shows is that "I'm now ignored by a much higher class of people". It's been a great leg up and psychological boost having won the contest. I have been to venues and had airplay in markets that would not have considered me without the Newport Folk Festival accolades.

I've been in songwriting contests before, it's nerve wracking. The best thing about it is the experience itself; if you're lucky you come out of it with some new musical friends and maybe a savvy business contact you can trust.

There is a great deal of the leg work involved in this profession, the business end of the music industry does not go away because you win a contest. Demographics, competition and market strategies still come into play. I know people who did mention to me that they wondered if a 45-year-old was actually supposed to win a folk music talent search.

In fact, the advantages of winning the 1st Apple and Eve Newport Folk Festival Talent Search are perhaps more intangible than concrete. The entire contest process is very stressful; when it's happening of course you're lucky to remember your own name let alone perform to the best of your ability. The good news is that the experience will make you much more cool under fire long after the contest is over.

Performances, interviews, and the ups and downs of the music business take on perspective after such a big event. This business, like much of the Arts is a war of attrition. If you love it, you stick with it; regardless of whether you win or lose a contest.

Greetings from New York City. I'm finally back in town. Just enough time to check out my apartment and to catch Prince at Madison Square Garden (yeah, I know. Just showing off.) Then it's off to Falconridge.

The trick with the Falconridge Folk Festival is to just let it kind of wash over you. It's four days long now (five if you want to come early and pitch a tent), and you need to let it help you find the rhythm. Slow and easy, catch what you want to catch and play what you want to play. I'm looking forward to Richie Havens this year, never seen him here before. It's also a great place to find new artists. That's the best part. Also looking forward to catching up with some players in the evenings. Lisa Bigwood, Annie Wenz, Tom Stokowski, Frank Armitage, and Cadence Carroll to name a few.

About the political rant last month; it simply had to be done. That kind of stuff is always on my mind, if I'm lucky it comes out in the work. At the very least the art I produce should be about things that are important to me, right? It stands to reason that it comes out on this page from time to time. And no, I don't begrudge folks who sing about "their baby" so long as they're sincere. Everybody's got their thing at any given time. Lord knows I've got mine.

I'm listening to "Democracy Now" lately on the radio. Gives me hope that other folks are using their heads. It's also broadcast on TV too, catch it if you can. For broadcast times and channels in your area I think you can check out www.DemocracyNow.org

I'm checking into recording some with the Blues in the Night band. I'll let you know as soon as I do.

Greg

P.S. For the record I've lost 40 pounds since April 1st. Sixty to go . . . I'll insert the "Jesus H. Christ" memo that started me off when I get a little closer to my goal.
C U Laytah . . .

Greetings from the shore.

I'm appalled. Appalled at the state of this country; and at the lack of momentum in response. So, we torture people in the name of our country and then blame it on a few bad apples. . . Were we Buddhist monks we could set ourselves on fire in protest. Or we could watch TV and let it all slip by, drip by drip. What gets the attention of Americans? What will postpone the Saturday afternoon barbecue in deference to repairing our government's monumental misdeeds ? When we look at how the powerless are treated right here in the U.S. then there is no surprise when it comes to our treatment of those who were not born here.

Meritocracy: