Pribek

Here’s a different kind of gig; from AP.

The final note of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential campaign may very well be sung by Jon Bon Jovi.

The musician is performing at a fundraiser for the former presidential candidate as she tries to close out her campaign debt, which stood at $6.3 million as of last month.

The Jan. 15 performance at Manhattan’s Town Hall is being billed as “a final evening in support of Hillary Clinton for President Debt Relief.”

Ticket prices range from $75 to $1,000.

The political fundraiser gig is one where you have to weigh the consequences anyway. Do you want to risk alienating half the audience by showing public support for a politician as any politician is a polarizing figure? Now, a lot of players look at it as mercenary work because, surprisingly, many fund raising gigs are paying gigs. I’m getting paid so, I’m going to play. No different than being a caterer; do the work take the cash. Except, when was the last time you saw an AP story about who was catering a fund raising party?

And, some players feel the need to take a public stand on their political views. And, some feel that the publicity grab outweighs polarization.

Debt Relief? How un-sexy is that? Thinking about it though, it’s pretty easy to spin that one your way. “Really, I’m taking a stand on debt relief”.

Hmmmm….maybe it’s time for a concert for the National Debt. Debt Aid. Al Gore, he’s an experienced concert promoter. He could ramrod the big Debt Aid show.

It could be a coming together, a healing process; Debt Aid featuring The Dixie Chicks and Toby Kieth. You could have Jimmie Vaughan sitting in with Kanye. Nas and Charlie Daniels. Jackson Browne doing a comedy sketch with Victoria Jackson (Jackson and Jackson).

Mull it over and get back to me.

Well, it’s that time again children’s.

This week’s offering promises to provoke deep thought.

Black Sabbath or The Dixie Chicks?

You know the rules. But, if for some reason, you haven’t been following along or, maybe it’s your first time or, you are a mindless yob; the rules are posted very clearly, Here.

The Dixie Chicks once again are the center of controversy. They are releasing the documentary movie “Shut Up and Sing” this weekend and two T.V. networks, N.B.C. and CW Television are refusing to air the ads for it.

Here is what the networks said:

NBC responded to a clearance report submitted by the Weinstein Company’s media agency saying that the network “cannot accept these spots as they are disparaging to President Bush.”

The CW Television Network responded that it does “not have appropriate programming in which to schedule this spot.”

One thing that should be noted here is that the source of these quotes is the Weinstein Company who is the distributor so, they are in the business of causing a stir.

This is the Weinstein take:

Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company stated, “It’s a sad commentary about the level of fear in our society that a movie about a group of courageous entertainers who were blacklisted for exercising their right of free speech is now itself being blacklisted by corporate America. The idea that anyone should be penalized for criticizing the president is sad and profoundly un-American.”

The Weinstein Company is exploring taking legal action.

Realizing that Harvey is a hype man, I have some problems with what he said. “Courageous” is ridiculous, four firefighters were killed yesterday in California fighting a fire that was arson. That is an example of courage, doing a job that puts you life on the line for the greater good.

Also, the Chicks have not been blacklisted. I think any entertainers who were during the McCarthy years that had their careers and lives ruined would take issue with that.

What is ironic is that the only ones who are in danger of having the right of free speech compromised are the networks in question. If they were forced by some legal action to run the ad, that would truly be taking freedom away from private enterprise.

Click on this Weinstein link to see the video in question.

The Cardinals won again last night to go up 3-1 in the series.
I missed the game for a rehearsal but will be on board tonight.
The weather in St. Louis is going to be bad again tonight, it’s a good thing the Colorado Rockies didn’t make it to the series.
In 1968, the Cards were up 3-1 against Detroit so it isn’t over by any means.

Speaking of rehearsal, we have been working up material as power trio with myself, Robert Arnold, and Hugh Walpole. We will be taking this unit to the stage for the first time on Saturday, Dec. 2nd at Nathan P. Murphy’s in Springfield, MO, opening for Smokin’ Joe Kubek. Stop by if you get a notion. There is a reason that they call him Smokin’ Joe if you have not seen him.