Whole Wheat Radio Listener Blogs And Audio Magazines

"Wanna Buy a Spotted Mule?" It's amazing what one little bluegrass song about a mule can do for you. My song "Spotted Mule" pretty much wrote itself, became the title track to my CD, a video on YouTube, and people are still discovering it. My latest favorite quote is from a DJ in New Zealand who wrote me and said it was, "annoyingly memorable". (He quickly wrote me again and said he meant that as a compliment.) Well folks, Icing, the spotted mule herself, is now up for sale. We didn't buy her, but it was tempting. (Or as I told my wife, "Good thing we don't have land. Or money.") In this audio article, you'll hear some background on the song *and* an interview with Krista Koenig, Icing's owner/trainer. Krista is a walking encyclopedia on natural horsemanship and training. In this podcast, she explains how she's spent her whole life training horses, when mules came along, and how training mules has made her a better horse trainer. Click the link below to hear the podcast: http://www.michaelgaither.com/podcasts/songs_and_stories6.mp3 Here are some links to go with the show. I mention these in the podcast: The lyrics: http://michaelgaither.com/music/index.html#Anchor-Spotte-9744" The video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz2jN7QDt_4" The CD: http://www.amazon.com/Spotted-Other-Tales-michael-Gaither/dp/B000GBEBLM/ref=sr_1_1/102-7230419-5219323?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1179280778&sr=1-1" The band plays "Spotted Mule" live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0lU9j9gzuc The definition of Natural Horsemanship: " class='external free' title="http://www.kersur.net/~santa/natural.html">http://www.kersur.net/~santa/natural.html The mule herself: " class='external free' title="http://dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=983722">http://dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=983722 More info at my site at: http://www.michaelgaither.com Comments

Songs and Stories #13: Still Walkin' / The Half Dome Hike I haven't picked apart one of my songs in awhile, so I thought I'd take a look at "Still Walkin'", the opening track on "Spotted Mule and Other Tales". In this audio magazine, I'll explain how the song came about and describe how structurally, it's a bit different than my usual verse, chorus, verse, repeat chorus, etc...songs. After that, you'll hear the final version of the song from my CD. Also, I hiked to Half Dome in Yosemite awhile back and recorded much of that walk. Thematically, it fits with the walking motif, so I'll take you on an audio tour of Half Dome. (The hike took 12 hours; this podcast won't take nearly that long.) ;) Click this link to hear podcast #13 (time = 29:44, size = 29.3 mb) http://www.michaelgaither.com/podcasts/songs_and_stories13.mp3 Here are some links to go with the show. I mention these in the audio magazine: Lyrics to Still Walkin' - http://michaelgaither.com/music/index.html#Anchor-Stil-1712" My Music Page - " class='external free' title="http://michaelgaither.com/music/index.html">http://michaelgaither.com/music/index.html My CD, Spotted Mule and Other Tales - " class='external free' title="http://cdbaby.com/cd/gaither">http://cdbaby.com/cd/gaither Info about hiking Half Dome - " class='external free' title="http://www.yosemitevacation.com/hike.halfdome.htm">http://www.yosemitevacation.com/hike.halfdome.htm Comments

I become a little nostalgic at times and I enjoy looking back on how moments and people in history were instrumental in molding our social structures. And seeing this is Labor Day weekend, and my grand daughter asked me the question, Pa Paw, what is Labor Day?, I feel compelled to offer up a little history. Reflection on our past is a good thing...there is power in our history! And there were so many rights that were fought for by the working people, it's difficult to talk of them all. So I will focus more or less on what has become the standard 8 Hour Day, or should I say what was once the standard? Being a building tradesman myself, I guess I'm naturally lured to the history of the early tradesmen. One such person, which stands out in my mind, was awarded the title of Father of Labor Day. He was a carpenter and his name was Peter J. McGuire. His first experience in activism was in 1872 in the fight for the eight hour day. What is amazing is the fact there is still a fight going on today for the return of the eight hour day as the norm! Even AFL-CIO President John Sweeney has written about the need to return to the eight hour day and forty hour work week. The IWW also has a good article concerning this issue. And even WWR's very own Anne Feeney has written tunes about it! It's ironic that after all the sacrifices made by workers in the past to give us the eight hour day and the forty hour week, we must continue to fight just to maintain what they accomplished! For an excellent insight into worker's struggles of the past, which is done to represent the 14 hour workdays which were once the norm...begin with Hour One. Then work your way through hours Two, Three, and Four and try to understand how it was before people were willing to stand up for what was right. Now as we work our way through hours Five, Six, Seven, and Eight it is very apparent how a stressful society can become a violent society. Production must be met, so we continue working into hours Nine, Ten, Eleven, and Twelve. The body begins to go into automatic pilot as your mind becomes numb. And finally we reach hours Thirteen and Fourteen! It's been a terribly long day and tomorrow will be here in just a few short hours. McGuire marched alongside the one hundred thousand workers who struck for the eight-hour day in the spring of that year. Years later, McGuire remarked that the events of 1872 convinced him of the value of a militant labor movement. In a letter written by P.J. to Gabriel Edmonston, the first General President of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, he states his concern over the importance of the publication of their official monthly paper entitled "The Carpenter": We must never think of giving up the Carpenter! Rather give up anything but that. I would sell my sewing machine and mortgage everything I have before that paper goes down. It is our life-our hope-our only power to hold the unions true to each other. I will work at the trade, give up my salary, and kill myself at night to keep things going, if necessary to keep up our paper. I couldn't help but compare his feelings concerning the importance of communication back then to our current form of communication via the Internet. Communication will always be important to us as working people and hopefully there are some of us in society who feel as P.J. did, and would be willing to put it all on the line to maintain this flow of communication! I wonder how many of us would be willing to mortgage our homes and jeopardize our future hopes of retirement for the fight against injustice? Yeah, tough question for damn sure and it's one I've asked myself and my family many times. I'm sure this same question has been asked by most activists through the years and the importance of the question and their answers haven't changed! Is there a prerequisite amount of injustice each of us must endure before we are willing to devote more of our time and resources toward a social awareness of the injustices all workers endure? Is the militancy our society saw back in P.J.'s days gone for good? I believe there are certain benefits our current form of communication has over the earlier forms and the Intervoice we are creating should allow us to share the responsibilites and lighten the load for any individual who has chosen a life of activsm. There will be individuals who will stand out above others in our fight but not one individual is more important than another and IMHO, no single individual should have to suffer more than another as long as we build links and communities willing to share the work and watch each other's backs. History.com has some excellent resources including a historical time line, videos and an image gallery. I hope my grand daughter understands a little better about the origins of Labor Day. These things are apparently very difficult for grownups to understand, much less an eight year old! Time will tell I suppose! Indifference is destroying the social gains our ancestors fought and died for. Apathy has become a social standard, and it's battle cry is, That is just the way it is! It paralyzes the people and keeps them, their children, and their grand children in the roles of submissive citizens! Somehow we as concerned human beings must break the chains and put an end to apathy and once again be creative and push the needed changes into the spotlight! Who knows, with a little struggle, we may one day have an 8 hour work day as the norm once again! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and be safe out there as we say goodbye to summer! And here are a few tunes that are up to celebrate this holiday dedicated to the working people of our country! Frail Light...Phil Cohen and Patricia Ford. The Corporate Stomp...The Bones of Contention. Hidee Ho...Solidarity Rocks Working Class...Pete Anderson Comments

Songs and Stories #4: The Wooden Nickel Proposal. I run a monthly songwriter's open mic night at The Wooden Nickel Bar and Grille in Watsonville, CA (sorta between Santa Cruz and Monterey). I've met a lot of great people and made tons of friends doing this, and it's been a great education for me as well (i.e., I had to finally buy gear and learn how to do live sound.) In this audio magazine episode, I chat a little about how I ended up running an open mic - which turned out to be a very cool thing - and then play a recording of something pretty special that happened at the open mic a few months ago. (You'll have to listen to hear *what* happened.) Click the link below to hear the podcast: (time = 11:14, size = 10.0 mb) http://www.michaelgaither.com/podcasts/songs_and_stories4.mp3 Here are some links to go with the show. I mention these in the podcast: My Shows page, which includes dates for upcoming open mics at The Wooden Nickel - " class='external free' title="http://www.michaelgaither.com/shows>">http://www.michaelgaither.com/shows> My Gallery page, which includes photos of Dipendra and Breanna - " class='external free' title="http://www.michaelgaither.com/gallery">http://www.michaelgaither.com/gallery Dipendra and Breanna sing Skynyrd's Simple Man - " class='external free' title="http://www.michaelgaither.com/music/misc_audio/simple_man.mp3">http://www.michaelgaither.com/music/misc_audio/simple_man.mp3 The Official Website of Asyst(Dipendra's metal band) - " class='external free' title="http://www.asysttheband.com/">http://www.asysttheband.com/ My home page: " class='external free' title="http://www.michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/multiblogs.php">http://www.michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/multiblogs.php Note: "Songs and Stories" is sponsored by "Spotted Mule and Other Tales": http://cdbaby.com/cd/gaither Comments

What would happen if every blog published posts discussing the same issue, on the same day? One issue. One day. Thousands of voices. Well, this October 15th, we are going to find out exactly what sort of impact the blogging world can have when they focus on a single issue. It's about focusing; it's about thousands of people uniting their voices; it's about using the Internet to accomplish something good for the human race! This inaugural year of Blog Action Day will be focused on the environment. Each participating blog will simultaneously post about the environment in any way they choose. It's entirely up to each blogger to determine how or what to post. For example: A blog about money might write about how to save around the home by using environmentally friendly ideas. Similarly a blog about politics might examine what weight environmental policy holds in the political arena. The initiative was launched August 15th with this press release. Since then, the number, as of this writing on August 20, has grown to over 1400 bloggers who have registered their blogs with Blog Action Day and have chosen to participate in the October 15th initiative! I signed on with them on August 17th and there were only just over 200 blogs signed up. That number has been increasing exponentially since then and it's really gathering momentum. My very humble little blog which is rarely updated these days has no more than six or seven subscribers. So I'm guessing I'm one of the smallest niches if not the smallest blogging niche on the entire Internet. But taking that small number into consideration; if you were to multiply the seven subscribers of Mitakuye Oyasin by 1400...well I'm sure you get my point! As of this writing, the 1400+ blogs are generating a combined RSS reach of 1,000,748 human beings! That's over one million people who will be reached concerning the issue of the environment and the number is growing quickly every hour! The potential is here! And this could be just the beginning, as any issue which affects us as human beings can become the focus of Action Blog Day! The organizers of ABD state that they adhere to the principle of Unity in Diversity rather than uniformity. As long as human beings in any part of the planet are inhibited from developing their individual potential the entire species will remain handicapped. True unity will be achieved when each individual becomes an active and functioning participant in the whole, performing the skills they possess as constructive and productive contributors to their local, regional, and global community. This goal can be accomplished if a balance between the physical and spiritual dimensions of human existence is achieved, enabling productive contributions to human society to be offered as service to the ongoing progress and development of the world without fear of exploitation and oppression. One Issue...One Day...Thousands of Voices! Please consider signing on and adding your voice as we attempt to use the Internet in a positive way...a way that will help us all! Thanks! Comments

Here's a audio magazine with background on "Jack of All Trades", another song you can hear on Whole Wheat Radio. This audio magazine walks through how a tune can change between the original draft and the demo - which is included in the audio magazine - and how you sometimes keep tweaking while recording the CD version. (There's often no such thing as a final draft...just the last version that you played or recorded.) I also talk about the story behind the lyric, "I Even Wrote for Jay Leno one time" and include a few audio clips: Two samples of what I wrote for Mr. Leno, and one relic of me doing standup back in the 80s. (But really, who wasn't doing standup back in the 80s?) Click the link below to hear the audio magazine: http://www.michaelgaither.com/podcasts/songs_and_stories3.mp3 Here are some links to go with the show. I mention these in the audio magazine: Lyrics: http://michaelgaither.com/music/index.html#Anchor-Jac-45939" Purchase the CD: " class='external free' title="http://cdbaby.com/cd/gaither">http://cdbaby.com/cd/gaither Avoiding Cliches: " class='external free' title="http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/cliche.html">http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/cliche.html Comments

I started doing these "Songs and Stories" audio magazines as a way to document some of the stories behind my songs. I figured, though, if that was all I did, I would a) run out of songs for shows and b) end up with a bunch of audio magazines that just had me yacking for half an hour. I used to write for the Santa Cruz Sentinel and really enjoyed the chance to interview other musicians. I'm doing that now in my audio magazine. This week, I had the rare opportunity of talking with violinst-composer Mark O'Connor. A classically-trained musician, he's been at the front of contemporary acoustic music for a long time: He worked as a Nashville session player for several years, backing up players like The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Steve Earle, and Lyle Lovett. He was part of the new acoustic movement in the 80s, working with folks like Bela Fleck and Jerry Douglas, which resulted in the classic "Strength In Numbers" CD. He, along with Edgar Meyer and Yo-Yo Ma, combined American mountain music with chamber and jazz influences, documenting this in the Appalachian Journey recordings. This month, audiences get a chance to see all sides of O'Connor: He's in Santa Cruz, California this week for the debut of his first original symphony. On August 13, he's presenting his Appalachian trio at the Aspen Music Festival. He's finished his annual fiddle camps and at the end of the month will be presenting a subset of that at the the Fall Strawberry Music Festival. We talked about that between rehearsals this week at the Santa Cruz Civic. Click the link below red icon below to hear audio magazine #11 (time = 25:027, size = 29.3 mb) http://www.michaelgaither.com/podcasts/songs_and_stories11.mp3" Here are some links to go with the show. I mention these in the audio magazine: http://www.markoconnor.com/fiddle.camp/index.html http://www.cabrillomusic.org/2007/mark_oconnor.html http://www.aspenmusicfestival.com/index.cfm?method=c.eventDetail&eventID=2758&layout=1" http://www.strawberrymusic.com/home.asp http://www.amazon.com/Telluride-Sessions-Strength-Numbers/dp/B000006EJJ http://www.amazon.com/Appalachian-Journey-Edgar-Meyer/dp/B00004S38H/ref=pd_sim_m_4_img/002-3206902-9944063 Listen to other audio magazines like this one and find my own music at: http://www.michaelgaither.com/b2/blogs/multiblogs.php Comments

October 15th, Blog Action Day--Blogging for the Environment. When I try to describe what the environment is to me, I picture Mother Nature in her finest. Though I cannot capture with camera her true and hidden beauty, I can at least try to replace a thousand words with a snapshot or two. http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="600" height="400" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2FWrayPost%2Falbumid%2F5120140113808920929%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"> Comments

Songs and Stories #10: Late Night Festival Strolling Here's a show I put together while walking around camp after hours at the Strawberry Music Festival in Yosemite. It was an experiment, really, a little audio tour of the late-night playing that goes on in several camps close to ours. Pretend you've been up all day cavorting (yes, "cavorting") in the sun, listening to music, and hanging out with friends. Then, with only the light of one stubborn lantern remaining, take a walk around have a listen. Click this link to show #10 (time = 30:07, size = 34.9 mb): http://www.michaelgaither.com/podcasts/songs_and_stories10.mp3 Here are some links to go with the show: Strawberry Music Festival Photos of a few Strawberry pals: " class='external free' title="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11045985@N00/page1">http://www.flickr.com/photos/11045985@N00/page1 Jim Dyar's Myspace page: " class='external free' title="http://www.myspace.com/jimdyarmusic">http://www.myspace.com/jimdyarmusic Mark Pistrang's Imuzic.com page: " class='external free' title="http://www.imuzic.com/artists/MarkPistrang/">http://www.imuzic.com/artists/MarkPistrang/ More programs like this are available at: http://www.michaelgaither.com Comments

"Songs and Stories #8: Interview with Joziah Longo (of Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams) One of the greatest things about going to a multi-day music festival is always "discovering" great bands and songwriters I've never heard of. In this particular case, it's "Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams", an eclectic rock band from Philadelphia. In this audio magazine, I talk with Joziah Longo, the band's lead singer and songwriter. He explains the intention behind the band's name (there is no Gandalf Murphy), how starting on the folk circuit gave them freedom with their lyrics, and their multiple-genre approach that allows them to play any style of music they wish. Click this link to listen: http://www.michaelgaither.com/podcasts/songs_and_stories8.mp3 Here are some links to go with the show. I mention these in the podcast: Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams: http://www.slambovia.com/" Purchase "Flapjacks from the Sky" (their new double-length CD): " class='external free' title="http://cdbaby.com/cd/gandalf2">http://cdbaby.com/cd/gandalf2 Radio-Free Slambovia: " class='external free' title="http://www.slambovia.com/radiofree.html">http://www.slambovia.com/radiofree.html More audio magazines like this are at: " class='external free' title="http://www.michaelgaither.com">http://www.michaelgaither.com Comments

[edit] George Carlin on Natural Disasters Comments

[edit] Rainbow Family Peaceably Schools Police, Dissolves Roadblock There is some strong language in this so be warned. However, these people actually win against the police state if you watch to the end. Excellent footage of Rainbow hippies overpowering the cops’ attempt at a roadblock. Awesome!! Taken at this year’s gathering north of Steamboat Springs in Colorado. Please understand, we, the people, have always had the power, if only we can be educated on the matter and organized. Enjoy! Peace!! Danny 17:41, September 19, 2007 (AKDT) Comments

Songs and Stories #7: Interview with songwriters Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon Twice a year (June and October) I round up a bunch of other local songwriters and play for a weekend up at Roudon-Smith Winery, in Scotts Valley, CA. Last June, my pals Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon played a Saturday slot. After the day was done, we sat and talked about their upcoming (now available) CD, "Any Doorway Will Do". Click the link below to hear the audio magazine: (time = 22:15, size = 25.4 mb) http://www.michaelgaither.com/podcasts/songs_and_stories7.mp3 Here are some links to go with the interview: Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon's official site: " class='external free' title="http://www.bevandgreg.com">http://www.bevandgreg.com TrueWind Music (Bev and Greg's house concert series): " class='external free' title="http://www.truewindmusic.com">http://www.truewindmusic.com Bev and Greg's Myspace page: " class='external free' title="http://www.myspace.com/bevandgreg">http://www.myspace.com/bevandgreg Roudon-Smith Winery: " class='external free' title="http://www.roudonsmith.com/index.html">http://www.roudonsmith.com/index.html More shows like this are available at: " class='external free' title="http://www.michaelgaither.com">http://www.michaelgaither.com Comments