For those of you who didn’t want to “Break Down” and spend forty dollars on a ticket for the cheap seats (the more expensive ones would be like “Running Down a Dream”), you can come to Lucky’s where there is no cover charge!

We’ll start promptly at 8:02 ½ PM.   We promise “The Waiting” to get inside will go quickly!    And of course, you don’t have to live like a “Refugee” – you can always come early for dinner and stay for the show!

I look forward to seeing you there!   Unacceptable excuses will be “I’m washing my hair,” or I was “Learning to Fly” or I was staying home with my “American Girl.”   All I can say to those excuses is “Don’t Do Me Like That.”

Directions can be found on their Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Luckys-Sports-Bar-Grill/313988623898

P.S.  I couldn’t think of a way to put “Don’t Come Around Here No More” into this blog.

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If you know who Hartley was, then you may know something about the RMS Titanic.  Hartley was the leader of the band on that famous ocean liner.  There are many well-documented accounts of the ship’s band playing till the bitter end on that cold night one hundred years ago April 15th.  I feel the movie “Titanic” did a good job of portraying what happened regarding these musicians.  However, there are some things that the movie doesn’t detail and I thought I’d like to take a minute or two to honor the members of the orchestra on that ill-fated ship

Musicians then and now have some common complaints: not enough money, efforts aren’t appreciated, etc.  I really don’t have anything to whine about when I look at some of the things Hartley and his crew had to endure.

First there was the pay.  Before 1912, musicians working on steamships received union wage of 6 pounds 10 shillings a month and a uniform allowance of 10 shillings.  Things changed when all the major steamship lines signed a contract with a company called the Black Talent Agency.  The agency did away with the uniform provision and reduced pay to 4 pounds per month.  I’m not a math expert and please don’t ask me to do conversions from pounds to dollars or what that is in today’s money BUT I recognize subtraction when I see it!

When the musicians’ union tried to complain to the company that owned the Titanic, the band members’ listing was changed from crew members to passenger class (this was considered a demotion).  This meant the line could assign them cabins in less desirable and/or noisy locations on the ship (like next to the potato washer).  The passenger classification would also come back to haunt them later.

About thirty-five minutes after the ship struck the iceberg, the band began playing upbeat songs to calm the passengers.  I’ve read the list of some of the tunes they played and the only ones I recognized were “Alexander’s Rag Time Band” and “The Star Spangled Banner.”   The latter was played along with other patriotic songs as the situation became more dire.  I may also note that they were dressed in their uniforms and NOT wearing life jackets.

About two hours later, some time after 2:00 AM,  Hartley released his band mates from duty but continued to play his violin.  All the members joined him and played as water rolled up the deck.  Some eyewitnesses said their final song was “Autumn” but many also stated it was “Nearer My God to Thee.”  All eight musicians perished that night.

The sadness doesn’t end there.  After the sinking, family members discovered the band members weren’t covered by an insurance policy!  The White Star Line said they were covered by the Black Talent Agency and you guessed it,  the agency said the same in reverse. This didn’t stop the Black Talent Agency from sending a bill to the family of one band member to cover the cost of his uniform. Luckily a group called the Titanic Relief Fund used contribution money to pay the band member’s survivors the same as if they were crew members.

I know we all have our complaints. I wish all my friends in the music biz could make a little more money than we do.  However, I can honestly say that all the floors I’ve played on have always been level, I’ve never played in temperatures below 60 degrees, the last song I played on any given night wasn’t my last and my family has never received a bill for a uniform.  Musicians sometimes have a unique bond.  Those eight men spent their last moments creating melodies pleasing to the ear.  None of us know the details of our final hour but I can think of no more dignified way to leave this planet than did those brave musicians that slipped beneath the frigid waves one hundred years ago.

W. Theodore Brailey

Roger Bricoux

John Clarke

Percy Cornelius

Wallace Hartley

John Hume

Georges Krins

John Woodward

The Titanic Orchestra

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Hope to see you there.  Directions can be found on their Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Luckys-Sports-Bar-Grill/313988623898

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In the bio page of this website, I describe Mark as:  A great friend of mine, Mark Crossley, played bass (in the band The Ghost of Fatty Arbuckle) and we seemed to get somewhat popular very fast. I mention Mark because if we were in ancient Rome, he would be the guy behind me saying “glory is fleeting.”  Mark still plays his bass, reminds me when my head is getting too big, and has been there any time I needed a friend. We had a lot of fun in that band but more importantly it helped cement a friendship that is more important than any song I’ve ever played.

What I didn’t say was that I met Mark 26 years ago and he was also in the first band I put together.  I stunk and we knew it.  He was a few years older than me and I guess he saw some musical potential.  He would offer advice not only when I needed it but would phrase it in a way that a young, egohead, stubborn rock star wannbe would listen (no small feat, just ask anyone who knew me back then).  Mark was also influential in convincing me to quit my dead end job(s) and go to college.  His daughter was the first newborn I ever held, he was the best man at my wedding and he was there when my daughter was born.  Again I ask how do you describe a friendship like that?

I’ve been having a difficult time trying to narrow down the key things I would like to pass on about my friend, but here’s a few:

- Don’t waste time, squeeze the most of every second you have. Mark made it to 53 but he lived a lot more than that.

- Study things and analyze ways you can be a part of your country and the world around you. Just because the media says it,       that doesn’t make it so.  If Mark couldn’t find a niche…he made one.

- Surround yourself with fun and interesting people.  I know Mark had a bunch of quirky, “think outside of the box”  friends (and family) and I’m soooo glad I got to meet many of them.

- Tell those you care about that you love them and tell them often.  His “I love you man” calls used to make me uncomfortable    but now they are a cherished memory.

Mark Crossley – April 8, 1958 – December 4, 2011

I posted a few pictures of us taken back in the day.  Go to the pics tab and check em out.

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I’m ashamed to confess my reverence for this day has only been with me about nine or so years.  It took a combination of two things: 9-11 and a conversation with a Gulf War veteran.  After 9-11 I found myself renewed with a sense of patriotism.  I didn’t want this feeling to be temporary so I started looking for ways to give back a little to my/our country.  One evening I was talking to a friend that served in the Desert Storm and we discussed his military service.  As the conversation went on, he told me he would like to see more recognition for Gulf War Vets.  My mind was racing on what grand show of appreciation would be suitable for someone risking life and limb for our country.  I couldn’t think of anything so I finally asked him what he thought would be appropriate.  His answer was so simple and direct it floored me.  He said “A card on Veterans Day would be nice.”

Since this is a music site, I guess I should get around to connecting veterans appreciation and music. Saturday, October 22nd my friend Dan Sokoloski and I played the second annual fall picnic for several patients/veterans at the Ft. Roots facility in North Little Rock.  We had a great opportunity to share our musical skills with an audience I will never forget. As I played my mix of classic rock and assorted tunes I looked out at the faces of the people in front of me.  I saw men that served in Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

Normally as a musician with an ever so hungry ego, I live for loud screams and applause.  At first I was a little taken back when that didn’t happen and had to remind myself I may have to look a little deeper to see if my efforts were being enjoyed.   Many of the faces in front of me showed little emotion but once I figured out what to look for the answer was clear.  As I plucked on my guitar and sang, I saw subtle changes in the eyes of some of these former servicemen.  One gentleman sat slumped forward in his wheelchair and his expression changed as I sang the funnier lines to an old folk song.  Then during a blues number Dan hit a succession of strong notes and the corners of this man’s mouth lifted just a little and his eyes showed that he was enjoying what he heard.  I found out later he served in Korea AND Vietnam (wow and thanks).

I ask all of you to please take a moment on 11-11-11 and show someone who has served our country your thanks and support.  A card, a beverage, or a simple thank you can do great things.  Most Vets I know are usually shy  about their service and many act a little embarrassed but I assure you it will be appreciated.  One time a vet wrote me a thank you card for sending him a thank you card.  He simply wrote, “Thanks for the card. However, this country has given me far more than I ever gave it.”

Thanks to all the people (big thanks to Robert and John) who put together a great  picnic.  It was a privilege and an honor playing some old tunes for some true American heroes.

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I’m working on a birthday party for my OLD friend Joey.  Yep, I’ve sure known him for a LONG time.  He’s told me to be sure to invite my entire mailing list.  If you don’t receive gig notices from me, please go to the “Subscribe” tab on the top right of my homepage and fill out the appropriate information. Those of you on my list, stay turned to your source for email info and find out the time and place of the top secret event!  I would love to make this one heck of party for a fan and good friend.

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