The War Doesn’t Care
I’m probably the most unlikely opera participant since Bugs Bunny in old Warner Brothers cartoons. But here I am writing a libretto for one composed by my friend and Chicago Summer Opera co-founder Codrut Birsan. I just knocked off these lyrics for an aria which will be sung by a Romanian soldier in the trenches […]
“I Feel like I’m Just Fixin’ to Die Rag”– Iran Version
GIMME AN F! This famous cheer launched by the late, great Country Joe McDonald at Woodstock sums up my sentiments about our so-called leader’s bungle into yet another pointless war. He followed up the cheer (at least in the film) with his “I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Die Rag”, which is just as relevant […]
On My Wall, Country Joe Lives
I wonder what you’d pay for an autographed photo of Taylor Swift? I got one of the late, great Country Joe McDonald (minus the Fish) for the cost of a stamp. Years ago I saw an offer on his website of a free signed photo: just send him a self-addressed, stamped envelope. I did, and […]
An Allright Guy Gone
I’m mourning the loss a couple days ago of one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Todd Snider, who left the stage much too early at age 59. From the first time I heard “Allright Guy”– one his only songs that got mainstream radio play– in the mid-90’s, I was hooked. Todd mixed the everyman simple poetry […]
Jingling For Democracy
Feeling so grateful that Chicago harmonica legend and overall musical icon Corky Siegel excerpted my song “Delicate Arch” as the first song on his new Jingles For Democracy Facebook and YouTube pages. His premise for Jingles For Democracy– which is aligned with the nationwide Common Cause movement– is to bring joy to the socio/political discourse […]
What the world needs now: Protest Song Therapy
I don’t do massages or counseling. BUT, I’m offering “Protest Song Therapy”, a musical march combining songs of resistance I’ve written with classics you likely know by Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, etc. To recreate that coffeehouse vibe that spawned the Golden Era of protest music, I’m accompanied on acoustic six string, as well […]
New Song: “Roadrunner”
Inspired by a 2023 month in Tucson and a childhood of Warner Brothers cartoons, “Roadrunner” is an anthropomorphic flight (actually, dash) of covetous fantasy. It is also the last song I recorded with longtime friend, duo partner and producer/recording engineer Dave Hopper, who sadly left us before we could add a final lead guitar part. […]
Rainbow Friday Merch Sale!
Getting into the spirit of things, I’m slashing the price of my three in-print family books and two originals CDs by HALF between now and Christmas. Which means I’m practically giving them away, but I’m grateful for all the support folks have given me over the years, and this is my way of saying thanks. […]
My MAMA Loves Me!
Recently my song “Sunflowers (For Ukraine) received the Madison Area Music Association’s MAMA Award for 2022 Folk/Alternative Song of the Year. This is southern Wisconsin’s version of the Grammys, and I’m surprised and humbled to be voted for this honor from among the gazillion incredibly talented musicians in this region. If you haven’t heard it, […]