Review of My Father and the Man in Black

As I have stated several times before in this journal my son Lee has been a big fan of Johnny Cash for many years.  I had read on the internet several accounts of the documentary My Father and the Man in Black.  About a month ago it played at one theater in Greenwich Village, but I decided that it was more cost effective to wait until the movie was released on DVD.

Don't expect any music here since it considered the relationship between Johnny and his long time manager Saul Holiff.  The film was actually produced by  Saul's son Jonathan.  There was much biographic information about Johnny.  I didn't realize that since his problem with drugs was so bad in the mid 1960s many concerts were cancelled.  The relationship between the two was somewhat contentious over the years.

This is very much a niche film appropriate for county music historians and fans of Johnny.

2013 Oldies Meet and Greet to Honor Alan Berman

I am paying tribute to Alan Berman

There was certainly a void at this Oldies Meet and Greet since we still feel the loss of Alan Berman.  About 40 people came to gather and share are love of oldies on the radio.  There were several radio personalities including Rich Appel, Cool Bobby B, Scott Lowe, Kristin LaBar and Bob Radil.  Old friends that attended included Mary Shaw, Linda Cohen, Frank D'Agostino, Jeff Scheckner, Bill Dillane, and Terri Durr.  In the photo above I gave a 5 minute tribute to Alan.  There were other tributes by Jeff, Bill, Mary and Frank.  I wa disappointed that Frank cut short his speech, but he sent me a written version.  Louise Murray sng

I would like to thank Jon Binstock (at the right) for making a trip from the Washington, D.C. are to attend this gathering.  I have known Jon since the mid 1990s when we "met" on the Prodigy radio boards.

My photos

Bob Radil's photos  - You may have to friend Bob on Facebook to see them

I will add links to other photos when they become available.

My Interview on Bob Radil's 60s 70s Show about the Oldies Meet and Greet

Bruce and Bob Radil at the November 2010

Oldies Meet and Greet

Photo by Pete Ritzert

There have been several mentions of Bob Radil and the 60s 70s show in this journal over the past few years.   Fridays are always busy with Jeopardy and ball games, but I always find some time to listen to at least part of his show from 6 - 10 PM on Rewound Radio. I phoned his show tonight to talk about the Oldies Meet and Greet.  The interview was about 11 minutes.  Listen here.

Should There Be Volunteers for Jury Duty?

I don't have anything new to report right now, but I have been thinking of the thought of there being a volunteer group for jury duty.  Back in October 2010 I there were several journal entries documenting my long and very boring jury duty experience.  I did not discuss the case, but the miserable experience have having to sit around waiting for things to happen.

At any point in time there are people who are unemployed or retired.  Perhaps many of those would volunteer to serve on juries.  The state should pay more than $40/day to attract people.  As usual the judge and attorneys would have the right to question all prospective jurors before their selection to hear a civil or criminal case.

Any thoughts on this?

Will Bob Dylan Win the Nobel Prize for Literature?

A few weeks ago I reported on my Internet radio rituals, but I also have rituals for reading on my commute to and from work.  On Monday morning I usually read the magazine section of the Sunday New York Times while on the trip home I read the Sunday Review.  In either case, I never know what articles will appear.  Many times the articles are boring and dry and not of interest to me.  I was pleasantly surprised as I found Knock, Knock, Knockin' on Nobel's Door.

The author, Bill Wyman (not of Rolling Stones fame) argues that Bob Dylan should be seriously considered for the Nobel Prize in Literature.  This Bill Wyman is a freelance writer and former arts editor at NPR and Salon.  He states:

"If the academy doesn’t recognize Bob Dylan — a bard who embodied the most significant cultural upheaval of the second half of the last century — it will squander its best chance to honor a pop poet."

I guess in any voting for an award, there are politics involved.  I tend to doubt that the voting members of the Swedish Academy are Bob Dylan fans.  Since the award is announced in October, we'll find out soon.  If he doesn't win now, we can wait until next year.

The Mets Salute Mike Piazza and Win 3-2 in Season Finale

About a week ago I decided to see if I could get tickets for the last Met game of the season through Stub Hub.  I was able to get tickets in the upper deck behind home plate for about $30/each.  Even though the Mets were eliminated from post season play a long time ago, Mike Piazza was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame today.  There was close to a full house as his accomplishments as a Met from 1998-2005 were shown.  Several former Mets were in attendance.

As usual the Mets hitting was anemic, but they benefited by an error in the 8th inning and won 3-2 while getting only 3 hits.

Game Recap

The Mets ended the season with a 74-88 record, the same as last year.  With so many young players with potential there is cause for optimism next season.  I assume that Sandy Alderson will make moves in the off season.

Why I am Not Voting in the Runoff Election for Public Advocate

On Tuesday October 1 there will be a runoff election for the Democratic nomination for Public Advocate between Daniel Squadron and Letitia James shown above.  The role of the Public Advocate in NYC is:

 "That of a watchdog, ensuring that all New Yorkers receive the City services they deserve and have a voice in shaping the policies of their government.."

Both Squadron and James have good records in public service and would serve that role well.  Here is the issue that bothers me.

It will cost $13 million to hold this runoff election while the budget for Public Advocate is only $2 million.  Isn't there a more efficient way of running this election?  I guess most of this money will go to pay people to sit on their butts in the polling place while so few people come into vote.  There are plenty of better ways to spend $13 million:

• Resources for the New York City Schools
• Food for the hungry and homeless
• Fixing the infrastructure
• Many others

To protest this inefficient method of holding an election I am not voting for either candidate.