(C) Angela K. Mack 9/30/11

Perhaps I will forget about love

in this second half of life.

Perhaps I will forsake my passion

for intimacy

and abandon the idea that two souls

could collide and fulfill the desires of the other.

Maybe I will deny this part of me

and accept the fact that this earth

is not ready for reality.

This world, my world, my people

are not ready.

Why wait for the midnight train

that may not come?

I wish that I hadn’t ever read

a single love story or fairytale

in my lifetime.

I wish that my longings

didn’t make me cry.

I am not lacking.

I am not needy.

I have an abundance.

I have so much to give

but not a soul with which to share.

This fire, this passion

must not be wasted.

Perhaps I will spend

my second half

pouring my passion into songs

and poems and performances

that will move the masses

and make them want to love

as much as I do now.

Tags: angela mack, angie mack, intimacy, kissing, passion, writing songs
Filed under: Uncategorized

(c) Angela K. Mack 4/11

ARTHUR BLIND BLAKE’S DEATH: PHOTO COURTESY OF ANGELA K. MACK (c) 4/11 All rights reserved. May not be used without permission.

April 8, 2011

I drove to Milwaukee again upon Alex’s prompting to try to obtain a marriage certificate for Arthur and Beatrice and to look in city directories for Beatrice.  When I arrived to Milwaukee, I noticed Brown Street and tried to find one of Blake’s homes.  I noted that it was just a few blocks from Martin Luther King Drive.  The home is no longer there.  Multi-unit housing has been put in its place.  There is a very large nursing home in the area, some big churches and a park north of where he lived.

I went to the Milwaukee Courthouse to try to apply for a marriage certificate.  I was informed that I must search the archives myself and that if I found the information I was looking for, they would mail it to me.  I searched the Milwaukee “Index Marriages” 1928-1934 for both bride and groom but did not find any evidence of a marriage in Milwaukee between those years.  Unfortunately, I went away from the courthouse empty-handed.

I then went to the Milwaukee Historical Society to look in city directories for Beatrice Blake.  According to the directories, she lived at various locations in the Bronzeville district between 1932 and 1949.  Only one occupation was listed for her in the 1944-45 combined directory as a rag cutter for Acme Sanitary Wiper & Waste Company. I also searched for Beatrice McGee in the 1930 and 1931 directory to no avail.  I sent all of the information to Alex along with a few details on an Alice that was listed.

I looked at the “Marriage Index” 1926-1940.  Apparently this is the index of people who register at city hall and not the courthouse.  Arthur and Beatrice were not listed.  However an Alice (Roben) Blake was listed in October 1932.

I inquired about information on Musicians Union Local 8 as well as Bronzeville information.  The “Bronzeville Collection” listed in the card index consisted of a thin folder with current newspaper articles, a book that Avena Ivory wrote and a press release about a new “The Streets of Bronzeville Research Collection” at the Smithsonian.  I was surprised that the Milwaukee Historical Society has a ton of information about the Italian immigrants to the area but virtually none about the African American immigrants who occupied a very large part of Milwaukee.  (I will say right now that THIS IS VERY VERY WRONG and it really makes me mad.)

Upon Alex’s request, I called the Milwaukee Public Library Art, Music and Recreation Dept. for any information about black and/or Musician Union Local 8.  The only item available was an article written in 1978.

Also upon Alex’s request, I called the cemetery back to see what “Part donation” on Arthur Blake’s cemetery records meant.  Apparently it means that it was a County Burial (the County paid for it) and body parts were donated.  I spoke with a woman.

I called back a second time and the man who initially helped me answered the phone.  I asked him if they had a Beatrice Blake there who might have possibly died around 1950.  He told me that Beatrice Blake is indeed there.  Grave 35. Row 4. Block 9.  Section 3.  He told me that this area, too, is a very remote area with very few tombstones. I inquired about other information.  He said that she was buried May 23, 1953.  She lived at 1015 W. Walnut Street at the time.  He didn’t think that she has a headstone.

I thanked him for his assistance and mentioned that I would be in shortly to get a copy of that record.  I said, “Sir, if anything is published in regards to this research would you like to be credited?”

“Absolutely not.  I want to be anonymous.  What is this for anyways? Is this genealogy or just what is it?”

“Sir, it’s…..it’s just research.”

“Yeah, but where is this going to be published?  Who is this for?”

“Sir I’m not permitted to say right now.”

“Well I certainly do not want to be mentioned especially because I don’t have any idea what this is about.”

I could tell that he was getting angry and was probably very confused about all of the fuss over two unmarked African American graves.  So even though I know his name, I will honor his wish to not be “any part of it.”

April 9, 2011

My husband and I went to the Milwaukee Public Library.  Upon Alex’s suggestion, I tried to check the Dec. 1934 newspapers in the area.  I looked through both the Milwaukee Journal and the Milwaukee Sentinel microfilms for Dec. 1-5 1934.  I did not see any mention of Arthur Blake’s death in the obituaries, death announcements or burial requests.  I also looked at the entire funeral ads listed near the death announcements and could not find Raynor’s Funeral home.

I asked the librarian if there were any African American publications around 1934.  She said that the earliest (that they have on file at least) is the Milwaukee Globe that began in 1948.  I told her that I was looking for additional newspaper documentation of a 1934 death.  She said that it cost money to purchase obituary notices, death announcements, etc….so, most likely, somebody who was poor would not have been mentioned in the papers back then.

Next we went back to Glen Oaks Cemetery to gather documentation about Beatrice Blake.  I showed the employee my Milwaukee Bronzeville book and told him that I was doing historical research on African Americans in that area.  That largely put him at ease.

I asked if he had any information on the Raynor Funeral Services and confirmed again that Arthur and Beatrice were “county burials”.  He confirmed and mentioned that the funeral service probably serviced at a reduced cost.

I also inquired for a map of the cemetery.  He made some edits to the map particular in the 9 section.  He added 2 asterisks and broke it down into smaller subsections and pointed out the infant section that is west of Arthur Blake’s spot.  A lot of the infants were from the late 20s.  There is some confusion because Blake’s cemetery documentation lists him as being in Block 7.  However, in reality I was directed to Block 9.  Blake is north of the dirt road indicated on the map and east of the infant section.

I wanted to go back to obtain documentation on Caroline Harvey who is allegedly in Block 7 Row/Range 115 and Single Grave number 71.  But by the time I got back to the office, he was gone.

Pat also noted the disorganization of Block 9 and took photos.  The rows and the stones are very unkempt making it difficult to navigate.  Like I said, if Caroline Harvey is listed in her cemetery records as indicated above, there is a great chance that is the exact spot where Blake is buried.  If not, then a mystery is on our hands.

I’m concerned/confused because I was told that in Section 7, Single Grave 1 begins south (next to the railroad tracks) and the numbers go up as you go north.  However, the grid on Arthur’s cemetery document indicates the opposite.  South of the railroad tracks is total demolition.  There was a huge pile of blown up concrete there today.  I am not sure what the grid on Blake’s document means.  There is not a grid on Beatrice’s document.

Beatrice is listed as being buried May 23, 1953.   She lived at 1015 W. Walnut St. at the time.  She was also a “part donation” (body parts were donated because it’s a “County burial”).  Undertaker listed at D’Bee Funeral Home or O’Bee Funeral Home.

When I got home, I read through sections of Joe Trotter’s book, Black Milwaukee.  In it he talks about Raynor’s and O’Bee Funeral Home.  This was a source of African American pride. (African American owned businesses.) 

Tags: alex van der tuuk, angela mack, arthur blake death certificate, beatrice blake, Beatrice Blake Milwaukee, blind blake glendale, blind blake grave, blues, blues and rhythm, blues research, bob eagle, death certificate, eric leblanc, glen oaks cemetery, glendale wi, grafton blues, rob ford
Filed under: Social Media Topics

Please refer to the Blues & Rhythm article published in issue #263 called, “IN SEARCH OF BLIND BLAKE Arthur Blake’s death certificate unearthed” by Alex van der Tuuk, Bob Eagle, Rob Ford, Eric LeBlanc and Angela Mack.  The authors are also working on a follow up article…..

ARTHUR BLIND BLAKE’S DEATH: PHOTO COURTESY OF ANGELA K. MACK (c) 4/11 All rights reserved. My not be used without permission.

Responses from around the world……

“Absolutely amazing. Blake has always been such a mystery over the years. To me, this has to rank as one of the top discoveries in blues research ever, period.  –Weenie Campbell Forum Member

“That sounds like THE BIGGEST BLUES NEWS for years !!!” –Blindman’s Blues Forum Member

“I await my copy with bated breath!” – Blindman’s Blues Forum Member

“Very, very, VERY nice work.  Thanks to all involved for bringing this to light.” –Weenie Campbell Forum Member

“In country blues terms I think this find is of the same magnitude as that of, say, Calt and Wardlow tracking down the history of Blind Joe Reynolds together with two photos (c1947 & c1964) which they published in Blues Unlimited 146, Autumn Winter 1984.” --Weenie Campbell Forum Member

“Thank you and congratulations, to all those who persisted in breaking down the brick walls beneath which information about Blind Blake’s life and death were hidden, revealing information that has been unknown for the better part of a century.  It is a major accomplishment which enriches the legacy of the man, and very exciting news for his fans – wherever they are.”  –Weenie Campbell Forum Member

“Just received the new issue of Blues & Rhythm with the promised article.  Full details of Blake’s death (in 1934) with Death Certificate and Autopsy Report. Site of his grave and details of his widow’s death. No guesswork – real results from excellent research.  A must read article.”  –Weenie Campbell Forum Member

“WOW what a find. Excellent blog of your experience. Felt like I was right with you.” - Blindman’s Blues Forum Member

“OK, if somebody ever asks me why I hang around this forum, I think this very thread alone – actually many of the discussions here – would be a good enough answer !”  - Blindman’s Blues Forum Member

“I love reading about our Blues Brothers…Thank you Angie Mack for doing what you do! Talk about “HISTORY” ..Kudos! –”Barb”

“oh Jesus. The amazing discovery.  The biggest discovery of the Blues.” –A.K.

“This is undoubtedly the finest moment in blues history since the discovery of the first Robert Johnson photo. It is far more significant, though because it solves the mystery of where, how and when the greatest fingerpicker in American music history met his end. Congratulations on your diligence and dedication in finding the solution to this ancient puzzle!” –Joel, comment on http://sociofocus.com

Tags: Akira Kikuchi, alex van der tuuk, angela mack, angie mack, arthur blake death certificate, arthur blake grave, blind blake death certificate, blind blake grave, blues, bob eagle, bob ford, eric leblance, finding blind blake, grafton blues, Milwaukee
Filed under: Social Media Topics

Finding Arthur “Blind” Blake’s Grave

*photo depicts me standing at the head of Arthur Blake’s grave.  NOTE:  No headstone.   THIS MUST CHANGE.

© Angela Mack 4/7/11

April 3, 2011

Alex van der Tuuk emailed me that some important information had been obtained about Blind Blake’s death.  He asked if I would be willing to try to search and obtain a death certificate from Milwaukee, WI.   I said that I would, especially since it is in such close proximity to me and that my schedule had freed up a bit.  He emailed me the small obituary excerpt that Rob Ford had found containing the date of Arthur Blake’s death as well as his Milwaukee address.

April 4, 2011

I first drove around North 10^th street in Milwaukee to try to find his home.  I asked a Time Warner employee for assistance.  The neighborhood was African American and largely run down.  I could not find his address.  I found some factories, a Baptist church, a school that had been ruined by fire, some newer built multi-unit buildings and Leinenkugel’s brewery in the area.  The area is known as Bronzeville…Milwaukee’s great African American district that had a thriving music scene at one time.

Next, I tried to find his funeral home.  But it didn’t seem to be in existence.  Oddly, I found a Paramount sign on a building along Cherry Street where his funeral home was.  I took pictures.

Then I went to the Milwaukee Courthouse and applied for a non-certified copy of Arthur Blake’s death certificate.  I filled out a self-addressed envelope and they told me that it would arrive within 2 weeks.  Upon Alex’s prompting, I visited the Milwaukee Historical Society to search city directories for an Arthur Blake.  I began with the year that he died.  He was listed in the 1934 directory as living at 1844B North 10^th Ave. with Beatrice.  He was listed in the 1933 directory as living with Beatrice at 621 W. Brown Street in Milwaukee.  He was also listed here as a musician. Arthur Blake was also listed in the 1932 directory as living with Beatrice.  His occupation was listed as an artist and living at 621 W. Brown in Milwaukee, WI.  He was not listed in the 1931 or 1930 directories.  I left the research library to call Alex but my cell phone would not allow me to.

I tried to obtain any other information about Blake at the Historical Society but could not find any.

When I got home, I emailed Alex immediately with the information that I dug up.  He said that Beatrice was certainly a surprise.  He was hopeful that Blake was listed as a “musician” and “artist”.  Alex and I talked about emailing him the document once it arrived.

April 7, 2011

The death certificate from the Milwaukee Courthouse arrived much to my surprise.  My initial feeling was fear.  I was scared to open it. I knew that the envelope in my hands most likely contained information that would finally lead to more clues about Arthur’s life and how he died. I knew that researchers around the globe had long looked for this one particular document in my hands.  It was almost like a “Holy Grail” of a document that I felt extremely humbled to open.

I hesitated for about 5 minutes and carried it around the house with uncontrollable shouts of elation and fear.  My son David was home.  I was trembling.  I wanted to video the opening but was in too much of an excited state.  I took photos of the unopened letter. Finally, I ripped the letter open by hand and took photos of the process.  First thing I noticed?  Cause of death.  Pulmonary Tuberculosis.  THAT was a surprise. Next I noticed his birthplace.  New Port News, VA.  Another surprise.  Immediately I emailed Alex that it had arrived.  My email text? “OMG OMG OMG” with a request for him to call me ASAP.

While I waited for him to contact me, I noticed that Arthur Blake’s burial place was listed as being Evergreen Cemetery.  I did some Google searches and was shocked to see that there was an Evergreen Cemetery close by and just south of me in Glendale, WI.  It appeared that the cemetery had been renamed as Glen Oaks Cemetery.  I called the number listed online.  Surprisingly, somebody answered.

“I am wondering if there is an Arthur Blake in your cemetery.”

“Can I ask what this is for?” he asked.

“I’m doing some research.  Is Arthur Blake buried there?”

“Let me check the records.  When did he die?”

“December 1, 1934.”

“Yes, we have an Arthur Blake here who died in 1934.  His address was 1844 N. 10^th Street?”

“Yes.  That’s the one.  I will be driving down there right now.”

I was surprised that the cemetery that Arthur Blake was buried in was so close to me!  I started jumping up and down for joy, laughing and shouting, “You son of a gun!” I marveled that his cemetery was on the same road as the pressing plant and recording studio in Grafton, WI.  (12^th Avenue in Grafton leads into Green Bay Road otherwise known as the historic Green Bay Trail once paved by elk, Indians and recording artists.)

I got lost.  My mind was in such an excited state.  I forgot to write down the address of the cemetery.  I just drove.  Friends were calling me on my cell phone.  But I declined them all.  I just wanted to get to Arthur Blake’s grave as quickly as I could.  Nothing else mattered.

When I got to Glendale, I noticed that the area contained a lot of African Americans.  I stopped at a gas station to ask where the cemetery was.  They didn’t know.  I asked a lady at the gas station.  She didn’t know.  So I kept driving south on Green Bay Road.

Alas!  There it was!  I took a left and pulled in to take a picture of Glen Oaks Cemetery in Glendale, WI.  I went to the office.  The person manning the office was occupied for a good 5 minutes.  So I took photos of my documents and inside of the office to help calm my nervous energy.

When he came to greet me, I asked if there was any documentation on Arthur Blake that I could see.  He said that he already printed it out and then handed it to me.  I asked for directions to the cemetery plot.  Realizing that it was in a very remote part of the cemetery, I kindly asked him to lead me to it.  Meanwhile, Alex called and I tried to give him as much information as possible over the phone while trying to contain myself.  I told him to call me back in a half hour.  Hopefully by then I could visit the grave site and give him more information.

The employee brought me to a remote part of the cemetery in the back that was obviously unkempt.  He tried to help me find Blake’s grave.  But we couldn’t find it.  He kept insisting that it was in one place.  But I pointed to the unkempt area and said, “Don’t you think he might be over there?”

“God I hope not.  They’re digging a road there.”

He said that he would go back to the office to look up names nearby on the computer.  He directed me to call him.

While I waited for him to drive back to the building, I quickly and frantically looked at all of the gravestones in the unkempt area.  I saw a lot of “Mother so and so” and “Brother so and so” names on the stones.  I saw a lot of garbage and hidden gravestones.  I quickly tried to clean each one up looking for Blake’s name.  NOTHING.

So I called him.  “I’m at so and so’s grave right now.”

“You need to go to the next row.”

“Ok.  Now I am at so and so’s grave.”

“Head north.”

We went back and forth like this for quite some time.  Finally, we determined that the exact location where Blake was buried did not have a tombstone.  The records at the cemetery have him listed as being a single large grave 72 Range 115.  Caroline Harvey was the closest tombstone to that.  She was born in 1896 and died in 1934.  Just north of him in Range 114 lies Willie Mae Hess who died in 1935.

Alex called back.  I stood at Arthur “Blind” Blake’s grave while talking to my world renowned Paramount research friend.  It seemed fitting that we should be on the phone together at that particular moment.  It was very special.  Alex deserved to be a part of that moment.  But with him being in the Netherlands, it was impossible for him to be there physically.  He requested more clarification on Arthur’s parents.  At that point, the certificate was in my car a good few blocks away.  I told him that I would walk to my car, contain myself and go through the certificate information with him once again while sitting in my car.

Directly east of Blake’s unmarked grave lies a bush.  Inside the bush is a forgotten tombstone, garbage and an American flag.  He’s buried in the farthest back, farthest east and “forgotten part” among many other presumably African Americans.  I had to tromp through the mud to get there.  The cemetery dumps dirt back in that area.  Many of the stones are damaged and remote hiding under trees and such.

I took photos of the unmarked grave, his neighboring deceased, my muddied feet which had collected burs as well as my expressive face.

Clearly, this has been one of the best days of my life.  And I want to stress that this was a team effort between Alex van der Tuuk, Bob Eagle, Rob Ford, Eric LeBlanc and myself.  We all did our part.  I was just fortunate enough to be able to reel the fish in.  This discovery about Blind Blake will surely be remembered throughout history and around the world.  I am honored and humbled that somehow a fellow musician and music teacher got to first visit Arthur Blake’s grave.  It felt very kindred.  Definitely spiritual.  I am truly honored and humbled.  Alex is convinced that it won’t be an unmarked grave for long.  Arthur “Blind” Blake is among the blues legends.  And we finally found our man.  AMEN to that.

Tags: alex van der tuuk, angela mack blind blake, ARTHUR BLAKE, ARTHUR BLAKE DEATH, blind blake coroner's report, blind blake death, blind blake death certificate, blind blake grave, blind blake's death certificate, blues, blues and rhythm, eric leblance, glendale cemetery, grafton, music, paramount, rob ford
Filed under: Social Media Topics

(c) 2004 Angela K. Mack

 LISTEN TO “INFIDELITY” read by actor Matthew Bolton

(A Poem About My Struggle Between Writing Music & Social Media)

“Infidelity” (c) 2004 Angela K. Mack

Syncopated beat.

Parakeets sing.

A soothing hum…….refrigerator runs.

I see an herb garden

dancing to the jazz on my TV.

Stale coffee lingers in my mouth.

Suddenly parakeets get loud!

They join the song

of the improvising piano.

There’s a rotten smell.

I can’t tell.

The garbage doesn’t look too full.

Trumpet blasts!

My mind is racing fast.

I hear distractions blast.

My son’s caterpillar to my side

and a withering plant about to die.

Interruptions.

Toilet flushes.

Faucet runs.

The jazz guitar sounds luscious!

My acrylic piece above my head

with an inviting metallic gold and purple sky

and a little girl floating by.

Miles Davis….ahh yes.

Muted trumpet I love the best.

My silver keyboard waits

alone with piles of sheet music

on the floor.

But my fingers are busy dancing with another.

Small keys.

Black keys.

Delicate touch.

Ideas rush.

Gentle laptop of mine.

I rest.  I caress.

These smooth keys feel fine.

But the unforgettable stench

comes back to haunt.

Something has died and is hiding very well.

Click the mouse.

Search the house.

The dance is over and done.

Tags: angela mack, angie mack, angie mack poem, award winning poet, grafton, infidelity, jazz, miles davis, music, poetry, social media poem, songwriter, songwriting, the traveling minstrel
Filed under: Social Media Topics

(c) Angela K. Mack 8/16/11

I had the priveledge of recently working with some top notch international music scholars and authors regarding information on Paramount blues artist BLIND BLAKE.

In April of 2011 Alex van der Tuuk (from the Netherlands & 2006 Wisconsin Historical Society Website Award Recipient for Paramountshome.org), Eric LeBlanc (from Canada & 2010 Keeping the Blues Alive Award Recipient), Rob Ford (UK), Bob Eagle (Australia) and myself Angela Mack (United States of America & 2006 Wisconsin Historical Society Website Award recipient for Paramountshome.org) literally spent shifts around the clock for a solid two weeks collaborating on an international research project surrounding BLIND BLAKE.

The “new information” is expected to be published in the UK via the Blues and Rhythm Magazine issue #263 (possibly late August or early September).

BLIND BLAKE also peaked the interest of Japanese researcher, collector and musician Akira Kikuchi who visited Grafton, WI in 2008 to collect data on a photograph and guitar of BLIND BLAKE and to play the guitar at Blake’s induction ceremony.

BLIND BLAKE‘s contribution to the blues is highly respected around the world.  In 2008 he was inducted into Grafton’s Paramount Walk of Fame.

Tags: Akira Kikuchi, alex van der tuuk, angela mack, angie mack, blind blake, blues, blues and rhythm, blues award recipient, bob eagle, eric leblanc, grafton, international, paramount, Paramount Plaza, paramount walk of fame, paramountshome, research, rob ford
Filed under: Social Media Topics

(c) Angela K. Mack 8/10/11

MORE PHOTOS

Yesterday I was teaching my youngest teen son how to drive.  We were heading back home and about to turn the bend from Falls Road to 12th Ave. and THERE IT WAS!  A blindingly obvious new part of the neighborhood.  ”Pull over!  Pull over!” I shouted.

I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling since.  Several years ago I remember trying to find that location for the first time and kept missing it:

“Next, I attempted to find the historical marker. Funny, but I kept driving past it. I couldn’t figure out where to park. It was hard to get to. Finally, I found it, read the Paramount blurb and wanted to cry. It didn’t seem to say enough. As I gazed down at the Milwaukee River, I heard the river running over the rocks creating beautiful melodies. My heart missed these blues artists, whoever they were. I felt sad for them. I oddly felt connected to them. I felt sorry that, even though the city officials are currently aware of Paramount’s history, the residents aren’t. ”  

–excerpt from “Forgotten Blues Excerpts” by Angela K. Mack 11/04

This morning I caught some photos and felt very very happy for my fellow musician friends who made recordings in Grafton, WI and for the employees who worked there distributing records across the nation.

Grafton is now officially on “the map”….the Mississippi Blues Trail map. Much thanks to the Grafton Blues Association for being the catalyst of making it happen.

For more information about Paramount Records, visit our 2006 Wisconsin Historical Society Award-Winning Website ParamountsHome.

I also helped the Village of Grafton put together a self-guided Paramount Walking Tour booklet which can be found at the Grafton Library or the North Shore Academy of the Arts.

Tags: angela mack, angie mack, blues marker in grafton, blues news, forgotten blues, grafton blues association, Grafton City Blues, grafton wi blues marker, historic marker, mississippi blues trail, north shore academy of the arts, Paramount Records, paramount walking tour, paramountshome, photo of grafton blues marker, sociofocus, village of grafton
Filed under: Social Media Topics

(c) Angie Mack 8/3/11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Grafton, WI Grafton based funky folk rock band, Glenview Lane (jokingly aka the Robbie Schreiner Band) is set to release a new album with approximately eleven original songs.   The band began recording today at remembermedia in Grafton. A podcast radio interview was conducted yesterday at remembermedia about their roots, relationships and raw funky folk music.

The band originally began with Robbie Schreiner and he is the primary songwriter for their original material.  ”Sometimes a progression comes to me first.  Other times, the lyrics and the music are written at the same time.  But I definitely don’t see myself primarily as a lyricist.  I don’t just sit around writing poems all day.”   For his “day job” Robbie works at a gas station and even wrote a song about it called, “Mobil Doors”.  He is an extremely charismatic 21 year old who has been writing songs since he was in seventh grade.  He claims that his best material was written while he was in school.   Robbie is an exceptional performer with a humorous and wildly energetic stage presence. His personality is one of his greatest assets as a performer.  He is like a combination of Jim Carey mixed with Jack Black.  (He may or may not be spotted climbing dangerously tall buildings like Spider-man.)

The funky sound undoubtedly comes from Peter Hair who is a well respected bass player among local musicians because of  his skill level.  Peter also has the gift of absolute pitch.  He can label chords and notes quickly by simply listening. Absolute pitch is a unique and often hereditary gift.  But he claims that it can also be distracting because “all you hear all day is music”.  When asked what note the heavy fan in the remembermedia room was producing, he was able to label it as an Ab.

Because of the new “saxy” sound that the newest band member and 20 year old business owner Dave Arnold brings, some listeners would like to classify them as being “ska”.  However, they strongly disagree.  They consider themselves more like reggae “with a saxophone”. Band drummer Paul Tyree adds, “It’s all in the beat”.

Paul Tyree is also a well respected drummer in the area because of his skill level and hands on experience in the music industry.   He runs sound for Faymous Music and Sound at large venues, concerts and festivals.  He is also the drummer for touring band Under Influenced and local band All Those Animals.

The four band members are very strong musically and seem to enjoy each other’s company.  (However, the drummer has been spotted attacking Robbie Schreiner from time to time at random).  Their songs are extremely well written, their stage presence is inviting and entertaining and their blend is unique.

Stay tuned for the radio podcast interview with Glenview Lane as well as a CD Release date.  In the meantime, look for them at local venues such as Hefner’s Custard in Cedarburg., Bad Genie in Milwaukee and “at the crossroads” where Glenview Lane meets BroadStreet in Grafton.

Contact Glenview Lane and remembermedia through Facebook or email remembermedia@gmail.com

Tags: andy glab, angie mack, dave arnold, david, funk, funky folk, glenview lane, grafton recording, grafton recording studio, hefners, paul tyree, peter hair, podcast, recorded in grafton, remembermedia, robbie schreiner, sociofocus
Filed under: Social Media Topics

(c) Angie Mack 8/2/11

So I would like to talk about auto tweets, Status Shuffle, auto posts and the like.  I would like to discuss digital generated content versus content created by an individual.

My first experience with auto generated content was on Twitter.  Some friend that I was following had nonstop auto tweets about Obama news.  The thing is, when I first met him on Twitter, he actually called me on the phone, we had a great conversation and I thought he was a really nice guy.  But then the auto tweets kept showing up and I ended up ditching him.  He was flooding my Twitter feed with information useless to me.  Had he been authentic and created original and authentic posts, I would probably still be following him.   His approach really turned me off.

And then I started getting other auto tweets about horoscope information and the like.  (Come on people…….) Got rid of them too.

I went to Twitter to hear what REAL PEOPLE were saying.  Forget the auto generated content!  In fact, I ended up ditching everyone who auto tweeted because it seemed to ignore the “social” in social media.  And besides, it felt like spam.  I wasn’t looking for spam.  I wanted real life connections with real people who had authentic things to say.

Then the Status Shuffles on Facebook started showing up.  Don’t get me wrong.  Most are clever.  But something about it not coming authentically from my friend turns me off.  If a post is created via Status Shuffle, I won’t like it.  Just because. It’s not authentic.

On LinkedIn, I had a friend who flooded my feed with nonstop job posts that he was auto feeding in.  That, too, turned me off.  I haven’t ditched him on LinkedIn, but I frankly don’t like it.  I happen to know the man pretty well and he is actually quite funny.  I would MUCH RATHER read original posts from him as opposed to this auto crap.

My coworker, Andy Glab, at remembermedia is a huge fan of auto stuff.   I made it known to him that I don’t like it.  It defeats the “social” in social media.  One person on Google+ said, “It’s fine for robots but not for humans.”  I have to admit that I’m in that camp.

However, I have been finding myself learning and liking more of the content coming from some of Andy’s auto feeds.  Via an auto feed, he introduced me tonight to a really neat YouTube jazz thing.

His thinking is that social media can be used as a means to distribute content.  His thought is, “Distribute the message.  It was original at some point”.  This has made me think.  Andy is really good at NOT reinventing the wheel which utilizes time efficiency.   I, on the other hand, feel that the investment of time and coming up with original and tailored content is the way to go for some businesses.  Person to person has always been a great business model.  

Today I acknowledged the fact that every situation is different.  To auto feed or not has to be carefully looked at and examined.  I believe that producing auto content v. original content is different in every situation.  Of course, I am a proponent of the original and tailored and Andy likes the feeds of content.  Both are acceptable under the right conditions.

As I’ve been pondering this topic for at least a week now, I realized tonight that I have a slight problem.  You see, Auto Tune has been quite controversial in the music industry.   However, I am a fan of it.  I think it’s a brilliant use of technology.  My favorite genre is also hip hop.  The purists in the music industry argue with me all of the time, “How can you call that music?”  (Well…..let’s not get into that now.)  

I’ve written quite extensively on this topic and have just realized tonight that if it’s OK for me to accept an auto generated voice, what is wrong with auto generated content?

The quest continues.  This is a topic that I intend to continue to observe and discuss.  What are your thoughts?

Tags: andy glab, angie mack, auto generated content, auto tune, auto tweets, facebook, linkedin, music, purists, remembermedia, robots, sociofocus, status shuffle
Filed under: Social Media Topics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

View Official Press Release Here

PHOTO
– VIDEO – INTERVIEW – FEATURE STORY OPPORTUNITY:

“An Acoustic Evening with Erica Hoyt” – a music, art and auction benefit for Hometown Heroes.

Grafton, WI – August 1, 2011 – On Wednesday August 24, 2011 the public is invited to support the Hometown Heroes charity through a unique music, art and auction event called “An Acoustic Evening with Erica Hoyt.”

“An Acoustic Evening with Erica Hoyt” will take place on August 24th from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the Cedarburg Cultural Center W62 N546 Washington Avenue, Cedarburg, WI 53012.  The evening will feature light appetizers, cash bar, auction items contributed by dozens of area businesses and a live performance by Nashville-based singer/songwriter Erica Hoyt.  

Ms. Hoyt is the first artist signed to Jim Kacmarcik’s K-Nation Entertainment record label.  Her first K-Nation CD release is expected in 2012.   

Ms. Hoyt commented, “I am excited to perform at the upcoming Hometown Heroes benefit.   It is a privilege supporting a  charity that greatly improves the lives of children and families in need in this community and one that focuses attention on local heroes who serve this community every day.”

The opening act for the evening will be Mary Karlzen an artist who was signed by Atlantic Records in 1994. Her current CD  “The Wanderlust Diaries” was recorded in Nashville with Garry Tallent of the E-Street Band, John Deaderick of the Dixie Chicks and Ken Coomer of Wilco.

Tickets for “An Acoustic Evening with Erica Hoyt” are available for a $25 donation at www.hometownheroes.org or by calling Neil Willenson at 262.377.6500 #215. Individuals and organizations interested in sponsoring the event, or contributing cash or auction items are encouraged to contact Neil Willenson as well.

The event is generously underwritten by Kapco, Inc., K-Nation Entertainment, Cedarburg Cultural Center and TJM Integrated Wealth Management.  Additional sponsorship support has been provided by Amy’s Candy Kitchen, Chalet Motel, Ram Tool, and Watson’s Vending and Foodservice.

100 percent of the proceeds from this concert event will benefit the local Hometown Heroes charity that greatly improves the lives of children, families, EMS, veterans and armed services.   Hometown Heroes and Kapco recently paid tribute to our soldiers, veterans and first responders during the Gathering on the Green event on July 16th in Mequon, WI. There was a special “March of the Heroes” featuring nearly 100 local police officers, fire firefighters, emergency personnel, veterans, active military, and family members who have lost loves ones through military service.

Hometown Heroes was launched by philanthropist and Kapco Metal Stamping President Jim Kacmarcik in 2002 when he honored local area police, firefighters and emergency responders with a tribute after the 9-11-01 tragedies.

More recently, “Hometown Heroes Family Edition” transformed the lives of the local Longoria family of Grafton, Wisconsin – a family that had been stricken with many health issues and needed their home modified to accommodate their family’s growing special needs.   Dateline NBC profiled Hometown Heroes and the Longoria family home makeover in a special hour-long special broadcast in March 2010 and again in June 2011.

Links:

www.Ericahoytonline.com

www.Facebook.com/ericahoytmusic

www.Knationentertainment.com

www.hometownheroes.org

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For questions regarding this press release or to schedule an interview with Erica Hoyt or Neil Willenson, please contact:

Neil Willenson, Vice President of  Community Relations for Kapco and Co-Director of Hometown Heroes  willenson@kapcoinc.com  or 262.377.6500

Tags: an acoustic evening with erica hoyt, auction, benefit, cedarburg, cedarburg cultural center, dateline nbc, erica hoyt, For Immediate Release, grafton, hometown heroes, k-nation entertainment, kapco, musicians, neil willenson
Filed under: Uncategorized