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Cuts in Arts Education

Budget cuts are happening at every level of publicly funded organizations whether we are talking about government, charities, arts organizations or schools.  Historically, every time the economy starts to falter and the states and federal government start cutting money for education the first thing that seems to get hit the hardest is music and theater programs in our public schools.  In 2005, when being interviewed for a magazine article about my involvement in the music community in Arizona, I called this practice "a crime".  My feelings have not changed.  Whether you have children in school, are retired, or are a corporate CEO, you must speak out and keep the arts education process moving forward.  Time after time, the statistics prove, that children given a solid arts background, do better academically than those who don't.  Parents need to write or call their school boards.  Retirees need to contact their state and federal representatives.  Big business needs to put aside a percentage of their profits to fund arts educatiion in their local communities.  Yes, I agree that academic subjects are important but the arts are equally important to the survival of our civilized world.  Maybe if we pumped as much money into the arts as we do into defense, perhaps the world would be a different place.

Attendance Down All Over

I got a call this morning from a friend who encouraged a local venue to bring a performer in for a concert this coming weekend.  He asked for help in promoting the event because he was embarrased that ticket sales were so slow.  The performer is well know and normally draws a crowd so he questioned what went wrong. 

Let's roll back to last weekend and talk about a conference I attened.  It was the Performing Arts Manager's Conference and the single subject on everybody's mind was the down turn in ticket sales across the board

It's a fact; we are in a recession and people are watching their pennies.  Gas prices are up. 

If we are going to continue to have quality acts available we need to find a way to bring attendance numbers up.  I would like your input.  Are shows just too expenseive?  What is keeping you from going to shows?

I Have a Dream......

With Martin Luther King Day upon us I want to urge all of you to think about the phrase he made so famous.  Without getting any one group of people upset with me, I want to remind everyone that Martin's Dream was more than equality for African-Americans.  It was equality and equal opportunity for every man, woman and child of every race and religion in the world.

The special interest groups don't understand that.  Yes, they have a place and have valid goals but those should not be to punish others for past mistakes.  The world needs to move forward together.

Well, that's two blog posts in a row where I am on my soapbox.  I will step off for now and hope I made a difference.  At least I am trying. 

Funding the State Budget

One of the things they say you should never talk about with musicians is politics.  I guess that's why this blog does not have a Political category.  Of course, Current Affairs, is close.

I live in Arizona and like many states 2007 was not a good year for the state as far as revenue colleciton goes.  The state is looking to cover more than a one billion dollar shortfall.  In today's paper I read two things the state's Govenor and Legislature are currently discussing; installing radar cameras on all freeways to cover at least half the shortfall and a tax cut for businesses.  Am I totally ignorant or do these two things seem to work against each other. 

We really do need Pat Paulsen back running for office.  He certainly has more to say that made sense than our current group of politicians. 

A Movement To Get Pete Seeger a Nobel Prize

When one hears the name Pete Seeger one can almost always know that a new movement is under way.  Pete has spent his life getting involved in movements.  Now it is time for the world to give back to Pete.  A movement is underway to petition the Nobel Prize Committee to consider Pete Seeger for a Nobel Prize.  I urge all of you to join in making this a reality.  For more info please visit:

http://www.nobelprize4pete.org/

Pat Paulsen for President

Ok so Pat died a few years ago.  That's not stopping his perennial campaign committee from running him in 2008.  I don't know about your thoughts but in my opinion, Pat Paulsen is still the best candidate running. Visit www.paulsen.com for the latest info on Pat's campaign.

Not Knowing the Value of Something Till It's Gone

On December 16, 2007 at 6:00am the world lost one of its greatest singer/songwriters.  Dan Fogelberg lost his battle with cancer after a brave fight lasting three years.

'Leader of the Band' was always one of my favorite songs.  My life has revolved around music and my memories are almost always dated by what song was popular when an event occured in my life.  When I first heard that song I had just experienced the death of someone close to me for the first time. 

When I read of Dan's death, I immediately purchased his Greatest Hits CD.  It has been playing constantly in my car whenever I travel ever since.  Dan had a way with music and words that I can only compare to one of my other musical hero's, Harry Chapin.  In Harry's case I knew him personally.  I am looking forward to sitting down with Harry's daughter, Jen, this coming summer, and talking about her Dad.  Jen was only a baby when Harry died in a tragic car accident.

Dan Fogelberg, you will be missed.  I did not give you enough credit in life but like so many great artists, you have left us a musical legacy that will live on forever.