I Remember This Silly Commercial from Six Flags

I warned you this is silly.  That man reminds me of a former boss.  I guess I am not in the mood for writing today.

Stephen Bogart Lebow and Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists

A week or so ago I remarked on Facebook that I have not even met in person most of my 611 Facebook friends and that I should determine that number.  Stephen Bogart Lebow is CEO at New Spirit Broadcasting and Global Broadcasting.  I remember friending him c.2007 after I said something positive about his father the late Guy Lebow who was a sportscaster and radio station owner in NYC.  In 1971 I phoned Guy who was sitting in for Jack Spector on his sports talk show on WMCA.

Anyway, yesterday it was announced that New York City newspaper legend Pete Hamill just passed away.  I was perusing my Facebook feed and observed a thread about Pete Hamill.  One of his Facebook friends posted about a documentary called Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists.  This piqued my curiosity and since I had access to this film through HBO Max, I thought I would view it.

The documentary made me realize what excellent journalists Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill were.  The film highlighted many of the significant stories that the two covered over the years.  It also reminded me of the great influence that newspapers had during my years growing up in Queens.  When I rode the subway to CCNY in the late 1960s, most people were reading newspapers while most subway riders today are engrossed in their cell phones.  I highly recommend my readers view this documentary.  I will try to read some publications by these two distinguished journalists.  I remember reading  Can't Anyone Here Play this Game by Jimmy Breslin as he documented the futility of the 1962 New York Mets.

The New York Times, New York Post, and Daily News are still being published, but their influence is minimal today as people rely on the internet for news.  I believe those publications are now emphasizing their online versions.

I made Facebook friends with people who share common interests even though I've never met.  Stephen Bogart Lebow and I share an interest in radio.  I guess I should not drop Facebook friends as I may learn from them.

Cousin Brucie is Interviewed by the Brooklyn Jewish Hall of Fame

I was searching Youtube to see if someone had posted a recording of Cousin Brucie's last show on SiriusXM.  Instead, I found this interview of the Cuz by the Brooklyn Jewish Hall of Fame.  It was posted February 2020, so I assume I was done within the last year.

Goodbye Yoenis Cespedes - You Have No Class

While I was watching today's Mets game, it was revealed that Yoenis Cespedes stated did not come to the stadium to be with the team.  After the game, it was announced that he opted out of the rest of the season due to COVID-19 concerns.  This is understandable that he is afraid of contracting this dreadful disease,  It was his lack of proper communication that is upsetting.  He didn't have the class to contact his management directly.  He ran away as his agent informed the Mets of his decision.

In the 8 games that he played in this strange season, he had 5 hits in 34 at-bats with 2 home runs.  He wasn't exactly a ball of fire.  When I look at his statistics, he really didn't do anything recently for the Mets especially after being out for 2 years from injuries.  The Mets would not have reached the World Series in 2015, but that was 5 years ago.  What have you done for me lately?

A few days ago he spoke in Spanish at a news conference.  With all the money he made and two years on the sideline, he could hire a tutor to teach him conversational English.  This guy has no class and will not be missed by this Met fan.

Blonde on the Tracks by Emma Swift - Another Collection of Bob Dylan Covers

I was listening to John Platt on WFUV last Sunday at about 5;30 PM when he played Queen Jane Approximately by Emma Swift.  I was curious and did some "Google research" and found out that she released a new album called Blonde on the Tracks.  I read the description and thought of buying the CD.  I have done this a number of times after hearing Dylan covers on WFUV or WBGO.  Off the top of my head, I have bought cover collections by Ben Sidran, and Bettye Lavette after hearing a sample on one of those fine radio stations.  I never even heard of Emma Swift, but I bought the CD.

I originally thought it would feature covers from Blonde on Blonde and Blood on the Tracks, but it includes songs from several Dylan albums including the very recent Rough and Rowdy Ways.  Emma is a blonde, so the title makes sense in another way.

• Queen Jane Approximately 
• I Contain Multitudes 
• One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)
• Simple Twist of Fate
• Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands
• The Man In Me
• Going Going Gone
• You're A Big Girl Now

I found this short bio of Emma Swift on the Wikipedia:

Emma Swift is an Australian singer-songwriter. Her self-titled EP, recorded in Nashville with producer Anne McCue, was nominated for a 2014 ARIA Award for Best Country Album. She relocated to Nashville in 2013. 

I enjoyed this CD and recommend it those who enjoy Dylan covers.  I may be the exception to the rule, but I do buy music that I hear on the radio.  That phenomenon was much more common the 1950s and 1960s.  I vaguely remember the payola scandals.

Cousin Bruce Morrow is Leaving SiriusXM after 15 Years - Facts and My Speculation

Yours truly with Cousin Bruce on the WABC Cruise in June 2007

Last night Cousin Brucie announced that he is leaving SiriusXM.  He emphasized that he was not retiring.  Keith Gehring, a poster on the Fans of Cousin Brucie Facebook page posted the audio of the announcement.   I initiated the Fans of Cousin Bruce Morrow Facebook Page in the early days of Facebook c. 2007.  It predates Cousin Brucie's Official Friendship Page.

The Cuz really loves his job playing the oldies and talking to listeners.  Is he leaving voluntarily?  Perhaps he is as he is approaching his 85th birthday.  He is energetic and doesn't appear to have health issues.  Maybe 60+ years on the radio is enough.  SiriusXM is a business and must watch the bottom line.  I am sure that in this recession caused by the COVID-19 crisis many listeners have dropped their subscriptions to SiriusXM which is not an essential service to its customers.  My sense is that he is being let go as an economy move.  I am also certain that many listeners will drop their subscriptions to SiriusXM since they can no longer listen to Cousin Bruce there.

The Cuz said that you'll hear me again, but where?  I doubt he will go back to WCBS-FM since he is not associated with the 1980s hits that the station now plays.  A friend of a friend believes he will go back to WABC which is a news talk station under new management.  I doubt if WABC will go back to oldies on weekends.  It is possible that the Cuz could do a specialty show from time to time on WABC.  It is possible that he could start his own internet radio station similar to Jonathan Schwartz's Jonathan Channel.  It is also possible that he will appear on new fundraising programs seen on PBS as he has done this in the past.

Certainly, everyone wishes the best for the Cuz.  God Bless Him.

Is Bob Dylan Guilty of Plagiarism?

Laura Tenschert on her radio show Definitely Dylan discussed the issue of  False Prophet from Dylan's new album Rough and Rowdy Ways sound very much like If Lovin' is Believing which was recorded n 1954 by Billy 'The Kid' Emerson on Sun Records.  This possibility was also discussed on a Music Feature on NPR.  I am not a musicologist, but I say this is plagiarism.  Will there by a lawsuit?

What do you think?