I invited my friend Amy to our Independence Day celebration next week.   She mentioned that as she was telling her kids about the invitation,  it dawned on her that she wanted to explain to them why the 4th of July is more than hot dogs and fireworks.     That got me to thinking........reflecting,  actually.

What an absolutely amazing country we live in.   231 years ago a group of brave men and women got together and declared that they had had enough.  It was not right for them to live under the thumb of a dictator.   That government should be a reflection of the peoples' will.   You have to remember what a radical idea this was at the time.  But it was one that they were willing to die for.  Many of them did.    Once they won their freedom,  they didn't simply install another king or dictator.   No, the revolution wasn't about someone else wanting power.   They started this great experiment called democracy.   They made, to borrow a phrase, a contract with America.   The the rights of all men were guaranteed.   The structure of government was defined.   The transition of power was spelled out.

I've spent time in other countries where the people don't have the same freedoms that we so often take for granted in America.   To this day,  there are places where you can't so much as express your displeasure with a governmental policy for fear of being arrested, or even killed.   Remember that the next time you hear some rich celebrity whining about how unfair it is that she sold a few less cd's because some people don't like her politics.

Is America perfect?   Far from it.   But it is still the most desirable place in the world to live.   That's because of those brave men and women 231 years ago who were willing to die to gain their freedom,  and all those since who have been willing to die to protect it.

Every so often,  I notice that the music I'm listening to has changed.  Sometimes the shift is so subtle that I barely notice it until I look back.   For example,  I still listen to a lot of blues,  but lately I notice that it's not as much the acoustic delta style,  and more of a jump blues with lots of horns.    Sometimes the change in taste is a big departure from the norm.    From out of nowhere,  everything I touch seems to have more of a country style to it lately.   I've been hearing Johnny Cash and George Jones in the new songs I learn.   And I can't seem to get Pure Prairie League out of my head.  

I wonder why.

I had a very busy and fulfilling weekend.  

Friday night,  I had a gig at the Brown Hound.  There was a nice crowd and people really responded to what I was playing.  

 Saturday morning,  there was a ceremony dedicating a new park in Livonia,  where I live.   It was named in honor of Forest Vosler.   He was a Livonia native who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroics during WWII.   At first,  it didn't seem like a big deal to me,  but as I took a moment to read about what he did,  and how rare it is for the CMH to be awarded,  I started to appreciate how special it really is.   There was a military band,  and our congressman was there to give a speech.   It was a nice ceremony.     Then,  we had a graduation party for my nephew,  Bryan.   I'm so proud of this kid.  He has really grown to be a fine young man.   He deserves,  and will get,  lots of success in life.  I'm sure of it.

Sunday I was back at the Brown Hound.   This time is was a smaller crowd.   I ended up only playing for part of the time because it was just quiet.   That gave me an opportunity to spend some time with a very nice lady and reherse some songs that we've been working on.    Then I stopped in to The Statesmen for the open mic.   I used to go to this open mic faithfully every week,  but not so much in the last year or so.   Boy,  I'm glad I went this time.   There were some people there I haven't seen in a couple of years,  and we played some great music.

My only regret for the weekend is that my diet suffered.   I've been trying to lighten the load a bit,  and I had lost almost 40 pounds.   After this weekend,  the total is closer to 35 pounds.    Back to the regimen first thing Monday.

If you live around Upstate NY and are inclined to see great live music,  this is the time to be here.    The Rochester International Jazz Festival is underway with some great performers.   On a smaller level,  there's a different festival just about every week in the area throughout the summer.   Most of them feature live, local music.   W.B. Blues will be part of the Geneseo Summer Festival in July.   As a solo performer,  I'll be playing for Angelica's summer concert series this summer. 

My friend Deborah Herbert will be back in the U.S.  in July,  and I'll probably set up a gig or two for her somewhere,  so check back often.   She's an absolutely captivating singer.  I usually find a little all-star band to back her up,  and we have ourselves a time.

There's lots to do in the summer around here.  Don't forget to make live, LOCAL music part of your plans.

W.B. Blues played a show at the NY Wine & Culinary Center the other night.  A couple different people who work there commented that they liked us because we weren't too loud.   Apparently,  some of the other musicians who have played there couldn't quite find the appropriate volume level for the room.

The other guys in the band,  as well as Pete Collin, whom I frequently play with, can testify that I'm constantly telling them to watch the volume.   It's something I've learned from my friend Bill Brown.   Bill was gigging long before I was born,  and he's still going strong.  Sometimes I'll tell Bill he could turn up the volume.  He'll reply that if the audience really wants to hear him,  they can.

I believe one of the reasons I've been so fortunate to play as many gigs as I have in the last year or two is that I'm no longer blowing my voice out every night.  There are times and places where it can be fun and appropriate to be loud and rowdy,  but in the long run,  you end up with a lot fewer gigs that way.

When I do a gig,  I expect that most of the audience will like what I do.  I don't mean that to sound conceited.   The owners of the places I play wouldn't hire me if they didn't believe their audience would like me,  or anyone they hire to play for that matter.  Playing in front of a roomful of musicians is a different matter, however.  We're always watching and listening to each other just a little differently than the average person.  It makes me nervous, to be honest.

This week I went to an open mic in Rochester for the first time in quite a while.   This isn't your average amateur hour.   Some seriously good musicians like to come to this particular open mic and jam with one another.   A couple of players sat in on my set and it was just fantastic.   When I was done,  I got a lot of nice attaboys  from some people that I really admire as musicians.   It made me glad I went,  and at the same time it inspires me to keep trying to get better.   When someone you think is miles ahead of you gives you a nice pat on the back,  you want to make sure you don't let them down the next time they see you.

This is when Upstate New York really starts coming alive.  The festival season starts this week with The Lilac Festival in Rochester,  and it seems that just about every week from now till Labor Day there's something going on.  If you're a music fan,  there are tons of options.   Many of them include outdoor venues.  Some  big names come through the area,  but they're often supported by local acts.   I always say you have to support live, local music.  As you're walking by at one of the many great festivals this season,  take an extra minute or two to listen to some of the local talent.   You never know.  In a few years from now,  you may be able to tell your friends you saw someone really famous when they were playing for free at the Corn Hill Festival or the Hemlock Fair.    Then won't you feel smart?

By the way,  unless you're blind,  please LEAVE YOUR DOG AT HOME!