Kindle This

IF THE VISION of rock promoter Bill Graham created the framework and example for the popular music concert industry, when you speak of the creative influences that brought about the lavish productions we see (and are massively overcharged for) today, you would have to start with the legendary Chip Monck. Known as "The Grandfather of Rock 'n' Roll Productions", from Woodstock to the Fillmores East and West, from Broadway to concert halls and showcases of every magical magnitude around the world, if it was THE tour or act of the day during the past 45 years, chances are Chipper was at the helm. We met during my stint with Bill Graham Presents some 30 years ago and as a friend and mentor, he has certainly been one of the most influential people of my adult life. Living down under these days, he continues to be the "go to" guy around the globe for live entertainment. Happy 71st Birthday, Chipper! And on behalf of all of us, thanks...

COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT: Almost daily on OP's in fishwraps across the land and social networks like FaceBook and MySpace, I see endless complaining about the poor quality and inadequate amount of assistance going to places like Haiti and Chile. The public outrage no doubt began with The Shrub and Brownie and the Katrina debacle, but my quesion is this...why is it that I have never heard one of these complaints come from the selfless volunteer workers who have taken time off from their own jobs, at their own expense; people who are actually at these struggling locations, doing something about it? If you feel the need to and can give, God bless you. If you don't or can't, please, be polite enough to restrict your comments to kudos for those that do. Otherwise, zip the lip, wouldja?...

THE MOST EXPENSIVE hardcover out there is a toss up between the U.S. Tax Code or the 2011 Federal Budget, and personally, I'm going to have to go with the former. While people from both sides of the aisle will agree there is too much in this budget proposal (and when has that ever not been the case?), the fact is that much of next year's budget is necessary and will eventually go away, whereas the Tax Code is mostly long term special favors for high-end campaign donors and is detrimental to the nation for at least two specific reasons: It reduces the actual and fair amount of income to run our government, and that process gives unfair access and influence to individuals and corporations where the creating of our laws are concerned. Sometime soon, I'll present my "no brainer" solution, but until then, I suggest we all look ahead to the next election cycle and think seriously about hiring a new bunch of authors for both...

ALMOST BOOKED: A friend here in IF was recently ticketed for driving without a valid license. He didn't have one because the Bonnieville County courthouse and the state of Washington where he used to live messed up some paperwork and couldn't get it together to issue him a new one. Long story short, he went to court and was cut a deal by the District Attorney that if he got the mess cleared up in a month and was issued a new license, the charges would be dismissed. He had his license three days later and when he went into the DA's office to show proof and have the case dismissed, was charged $86 instead of the promised dismissal. Asking the attorney why he had to pay to a reduced charge rather than have it dismissed as promised, the DA replied with a sophorific, "I got the powa" grin,..."Uh, do you have that promise in writing?" It is possible that corruption and abuse of "powa" is no longer illegal in Idaho?...

FARMS IN BERKELEY: If you're from or spent any time in NoCal you've heard those dairy commecials on the radio, some of you even having tried finding them the last time you slipped into town for a Top Dog (Northside station, of course) or headed over to Haas Pavillion to catch my CAL Bears as they prepare for a long run in this year's Tournament. But Ginger Lewis Reed of Clovis tells me that she has one even more bizarre and hers isn't hard to find. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fresno Philharmonic. What's next, The Intelligent Gun Lobby of Wyoming?...

MUSICAL BOOKENDS: Just when you think you've seen it all comes a movie I am happy has been made, but never once ever believed would be. "Saint Misbehavin: The Wavy Gravy Story" reveals the true story of cultural phenomenon Wavy Gravy – a man whose commitment to making the world a better place has never wavered. Wavy (real name Hugh Romney) is known as the MC of the Woodstock Festival, a hippie icon, clown, and even a Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor, but he also co-founded SEVA, an organization that raises funds to help end preventable blindness in Third World countries and Camp Winnarainbow, an arts and humanities summer camp for kids. Often referred to as "the illegitimate son of Sister Theresa and Groucho Marx", I have known Wavy for more than three decades and am proud that his work continues. The movie stars Wavy, Larry Brilliant, Jackson Browne, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, The Grateful Dead, Odetta, Bonnie Raitt, and Wavy's wife, Jahanara and premiers on the 14th at SXSW and will be screened at the Rock and Roll HOF later this month. Cool beans...

WE HAVEN'T DECIDED if the Lounge will remain open on the weekends, and as we are still tossing around format ideas, we'd love to hear your thoughts on anything you might wish to opine on,. Until then, enjoy the next couple of days and remember that you can ever go back and make a new beginning, but you can begin again and make a new ending. Cheers!...