Musical Timeline 16

This is rather lengthy but is the last installment of my Musical Timeline series on my myspace music site at www.myspace.com/fredclarkmusic.

After my move to Louisiana, I performed both in Louisiana and back home in Illinois/Missouri. Some highlights included performing for Clint Harding's show on KDHX in 2000 with 2 other singer/songwriters whose names escape me. That show was done in the KDHX studio. In Louisiana I performed at the Louisiana Music Factory, Cafe Reconcile, Destrehan Plantation, Borders Books and a few places in Baton Rouge. My main venue to perform was the Neutral Ground down on Daneel St. I made a television appearance on the Louisiana Jukebox show. That was good fun. Also appearing on the show that night was 95 year old piano player Al Boudreaux and jazz trumpeter Irvin Mayfield and his band. I hung out with Al a little bit. He died a few years later. Eric Paulsen was a guest host that night and he is originally from St. Louis so that was really cool.
"Living In Dakin's Neighborhood" was sent to many college and public radio stations and received airplay in 18 countries. Thanks to the internet, I was able to make fans all over the world, and I had some DJ's who gave me alot of airplay and publicity, particularly in The Netherlands, Belgium, France and Italy.
"Roll River On" was released to American radio in early 2001 and received airplay in small and medium sized markets, mostly AM and smaller FM stations. I did radio interviews via telephone all over the country and The Netherlands. The song did pretty well on a couple of the small market charts, hitting 33 on one and I think about 77 on the other. Unfortunately, neither one was the Billboard chart, so the big time success didn't come.
My last show in St. Louis was in August of 2001 at the Focal Point in Maplewood. Also performing that day was Jan Marra and Ben Kaplan. The show was taped live for broadcast the following week on the Clint Harding Show on KDHX. Clint was really good to me over the years and I really appreciate that.
My last performance was in March of 2001 at the Neutral Ground. An asthma attack cut my performance about ten minutes short. Thankfully it appears my asthma has gone away. It has not been an issue for several years now.
After that I decided I needed a break. I had a growing family and there were some other things I wanted and needed to do. Me and Lauren now have 4 children-Colette, Bernadette, Bridget and Frederick, with another one on the way. I have another daughter, Stefanie, from my previous marriage.
My hiatus from the music business lasted longer than I originally anticipated. At one point I was so bogged down with things that I almost formally announced my retirement from music, but something stopped me from doing that.
I developed some other serious health issues, hypothyroidism and diabetes, but have them both under control. It was after being diagnosed with diabetes that I decided to work on my music again. After all, life is too short to not do something you enjoy doing.
Dear Fans, It may seem to you that at this point my progress towards the third album is a bit on the slow side, but please realize that my main responsibility is taking care of my family and health first. It will happen. I am planning on recording sometime in '09. I'm still not sure how live performances fit into the master plan, but I will be on stage again.
A funny thing has happened in recent weeks clearly out of the blue. I wrote a kids song. It just came to me one day. Then I wrote another. I performed them at Bernadette's birthday party a few weeks ago on May 9th, my first live performance of any kind since 2002! I now have a grand total of 5 original kids songs. Once I get to 10 I will go into the studio to record a kids album and I will soon be pursuing kid show gigs. This should be happening within the next few months.
I have a new youtube site I am setting up (fredclarktv). Once I get some things on there I will make an announcement.
I've mentioned many of my musician friends from the St. Louis area during this Musical Timeline series but have not mentioned any from New Orleans, so here it goes--some of the folks I played shows with or got to know during my brief performing days in New Orleans---Richard Carr (a St. Louisan and fellow SIU-Edwardsville alum who relocated back to St. Louis after Katrina), Peter Holsapple, Beth Patterson, Ron Keller, Brian Perry, Mike Miller, Susan Cowsill, Gina Forsyth, and Lauren's cousin Rachel Cook, just to name a few. Also thanks to Don Schouest, a fan who scored some gigs for me, (he lives in Ireland now-could be a great manager if he ever decided to go that route!), and Dylan James, who gave me lots of information regarding the local scene. Me and Pershing Wells have been messaging each other lately and I look forward to meeting him real soon.
So ends the Musical Timeline series as I begin a new one!
Thank you for all your support.
Fred

Folk Music and a Gator

I took a little trip today to Lafayette for a job interview. After, I stopped by the Barnes and Noble, which was pretty close by. I thought I'd take a quick look at the CD's, and I noticed they had Buddy Holly in the Folk section. Surely I thought it must be a mistake, but there was Elvis Presley in the same section.
I'm the unemployed guy? Give me a break.

On the way home I saw an alligator about to cross the street, just a few miles from my house. I guess it was about a 4 footer.

England 2, USA 0

I can't tell you the last time I watched any type of game on a weekday afternoon, but I had the opportunity to watch a football friendly today between the United States and England. Despite England having a home field advantage at their new Wembley Stadium in London, I thought for sure this was going to be an American victory. I couldn't have been more wrong. England wins 2 nil. I didn't find out until kickoff that Landon Donovan wouldn't be playing due to an injury. The USA came out kind of flat, and England played well, scoring in the 38th and 59th minute. Seems like we played a little better the last 15 minutes or so, about the time Freddie Adu came in. England looked good. Still don't understand why they didn't qualify for Euro '08. Anyway, this American team still seems young to me, and I am still predicting a Final 4 finish at the World Cup in 2010. Yeah, go ahead and laugh all you Brazilian, French, and Portugese reading this, but just you wait and see. Our time is coming!

Sad Day

Now I am officially unemployed. Went to pick up the last of my belongings at the store I was managing and say goodbye to my district trainer. Sad to see the store closed and empty.
I "celebrated" by buying a cheap ukulele I can't seem to get in tune.
I'm still stunned by all of this.

I Drank Some Water

Have you ever noticed how popular blogs or blogs by well known people attract scores of comments, while the lesser known rarely receive comments. It doesn't seem to matter what the content is. Of course, it's all a numbers thing. Naturally if no one is reading a blog, there will be no comments. I just find it interesting when comments are left, that's all. So, for fun, I am going to do a little sample blog and add comments myself:
Blog:
I Drank Some Water

Today I drank some water. I drank three sips out of a bottle. It was good. It was cold.

Blog Posted by Fred on May 27.

Comments:

Fred,
I once fetched a pale of water, and it wasn't a very good experience for me, but I am so happy for you.
Jill

Fred,
It's cool that you had three sips and not two or four. Rock on!
Ozzy

Fred,
Work from home stuffing envelopes. Make millions of dollars per week.
Mr Bizzarro

Dude,
You shouldn't drink cold water, it's bad for the digestive system and can cause all kinds of diseases. Try warm water next time.
Mark

Fred,
I used to like water, then I didn't.
Kevin C, Hollywood, CA

Hey man,
Don't drink it out of a bottle. It's a communist plot put together by Bush and the Republicans. No war for water! (Thats what Sean told me.)
Charlie

Fred,
Remember that time we drank water, when we were hanging out and watching that movie?
Your Old Friend

Fred,
You say the water was good. How good was it on a scale from 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest? The best water I ever had I would rate a 5.56.
Courtney

Fred
I don't get it.
Elle

Dear Bookstore...

Dear Bookstore,
Last summer I purchased a book on your online site about President Zachary Taylor.
From this one purchase, you think you have me figured out, don't you? I bought one book about a president, so I must be interested in buying books about all the other presidents too. Franklin Pierce? Grover Cleveland? How about Warren Harding? If there's a book about a president, you have been so kind as to let me know about it via an email or as a recommendation just for me when I visit your website! It really is nice of you, but there is just one problem. You think you know me, but you don't. I am not a presidentphile.(not sure if presidentphile is a word, if not, it is now!) Yes, I have a degree in history, and yes, I love biographies, but any purchase of a book about a president will probably be few and far between. So now you may be wondering why I purchased a book on President Taylor. Well, you see, dear Bookstore, I am heavy into genealogy and family history, and Zach is a cousin of mine. That's why I bought that book. Now having told you a little something about myself, please don't recommend genealogy books to me. See, you may know what I have purchased from you, but you don't know what I already have, and I have everything I need. Thank you for your concern though.
Sincerely,
Fred

Dakin

I'm very sad to learn that my old friend, Dakin Williams passed away. He was 89. Dakin was the brother of the late great playwrite Tennesse William. My CD, "Living In Dakin's Neighborhood" was named after Dakin.

Wow

All I can say is wow. Colette finished the school year #1 in her first grade class. The only one with straight A's and won the class Citizenship award. She received her awards this morning at school.

Tonight I received a call form one of the teachers about Bernadette. She tested very high and is being considered for a gifted class next year.

Wow.

Pic is of Colette with her awards. (Trophy and medal, and gifts from her maw-maw Colette)

New Baby

Lauren had a doctor appointment today. Here are a couple of ultrasound pics of the new baby. It's still too early to tell if it is a boy or girl. Baby is doing great. Lauren isn't feeling too well. She probably has about 5 more weeks of morning sickness, which, doesn't seem to limit itself to the mornings. She's pretty tough. I don't know how she does it.
If you've read previous posts, you know that I found out on May 5 that I will be losing my job soon. Last day will probably be next Wednesday, May 21. Yes I am receiving some severance and vacation pay but I ask for your prayers that something comes my way soon.
I had a good doctors visit today. My A1C is looking really good.

Bat Boy Day

Today is Bat Boy day. On this day in 1975 I was a Honorary Cardinal bat boy for a day after winning an essay contest sponsored by the Cardinals and Kentucky Fried Chicken. No, it wasn't KFC then. No political correctness existed at the time that discriminated against the word "fried".
Anyway, the essay contest was to describe in 25 words or less why you should be a honorary Cardinals bat boy. I remember writing something about pride and the community, sending it off and forgetting about it. A few months later I come home from school one day and Mom is waiting for me outside. She hands me an envelope with a Kentucky Fried Chicken return address on it and told me I won an honorable mention in the contest, and my prize was a free chicken dinner. I was pretty happy with that! Wow, I actually won something! Then I read the letter telling me I won and I was to report to Busch Stadium on Wednesday, May 14 for my special day!
I broke down and cried.
I took the letter to school with me the next day and showed my teacher, Mr. Goldsmith. He said he was jealous, but I could tell he was happy for me.
About 2 weeks before the big day, Mom and Dad went shopping for a new car. Mom called me and told me to get cleaned up in a hurry, they were coming back by the house to pick me up to bring me to the dealership to take a ride in the new car when it was ready, as well as to meet someone who was there.
At the dealership signing autographs for a promotion was none other than Cardinals relief pitcher Al "The Mad Hungarian" Hrabosky and all star catcher Ted Simmons, my two favorite players. Somehow I was able to tell them about my upcoming big day but I was pretty much star struck and tongue tied. Since then I have met many big time celebrities--movie stars, rock stars etc, and it doesn't really faze me, but ball players turn me into a total basket case. I met Ozzie Smith back in the mid 90's and could barely speak.
Anyway, on May 14 we went to Busch for the afternoon game against the Dodgers. Now as honorary bat boy you don't actually perform any bat boy duties. Me, Mom, Dad, and my brother Robert were able to spend time in the dugout before the game and meet several of the players. Jack Buck was interviewing some rookie pitcher from Hawaii a few feet away. I was given an autographed ball, cap, shirt and program. I had the opportunity to pick 3 players to have an official photograph with. I chose Simmons, Hrabosky, and Lou Brock. The photographer was Jim Herren from Collinsville. 10 years later his son Tim would be a drummer in my band the Rockouts. Simmons and Hrabosky both remembered my name. I was impressed. For the picture with Brock, we moved to a different area, and in the stands flirting with the usherettes was none other than Steve Garvey of the Dodgers. Brock made a joke about it. We were then escorted to our excellent box seats. My name was flashed on the scoreboard and announced over the PA during the game. Brock stole a base. Simmons had a double. Hrabosky got the save. Cards won 7-4. It was a great day.
Flash forward to late 1999. Me and friend Kelly Laster stop by Jim Herren's studio to take care of some business. Who shows up? None other than Lou Brock. I tell him we met once before and I had something to show him. I pulled out my wallet and the photo of us from '75. He then signed it for me.
Here you can see the photo's. Look closely and you can see Garvey with the usherettes in the background. Photo's by Jim Herren.
PS-I didn't realize this was May 14. I was at the doctors office today and brought along a book I bought last week about Tommy Lasorda. Lasorda was a coach for the Dodgers in '75 and later became their manager. I figured sitting in the doctors office would be a good time to start reading the book. A nurse asked me what I was reading just prior to sticking a needle in my arm for my blood work, and then I realized what day it was.
My life is weird.

Down On The Corner

Colette's performance of "Down On The Corner" 9 May 2008.

Bernadette's Birthday

Tonight we celebrated Bernadette's birthday with family and friends. We also celebrated Frederick's again while we were at it. The May 2 Greatest Day celebration was immediate family only.
Bernadette had a great time and enjoyed playing with friends and cousins.

I made my debut as a children's entertainer, performing 2 original kid songs and one cover. I wore a funny Groucho glasses/mustache disguise for one of them. Then Colette made her singing debut, performing a classic CCR tune with me on guitar and Lauren on drums. It went over really well, and I had an offer to play another show!

I was really proud of Colette. She did a good job and didn't seem nervous at all. We worked the song out in just a few days with very limited rehearsal time.

I was very happy for Bernadette too. It turned out to be a very special day for her.
I'll try to post some pics here in the next few days as well as uploading Colette's performance. In the meantime enjoy "Macaroni The Super Pony"

It's always something.......

My job is not something I talk about much, but let it be known I've been working as a retail manager. Recently personnel issues have caused me to be working too much. Soon I may be working too little. I found out yesterday my store is being closed on May 18. After that I will have about 4 or 5 days of packing up product etc, and then I am out of a job. Yes, I will have some severance pay, but I'm going to have to figure out some things quick. Somehow I believe this is a blessing in disguise, but the unknown can be scary.
Pregnant wife is feeling really pregnant. She still manages to run on the treadmill every day, somehow. Due date changed to December 19, but my kids have a tendency to come early. My guess is expect our little friend about the 12th.
My blood sugar levels are very good. I've been a little tired due to the extra work though.
I haven't had much time to work on my music lately, but what little time I have had I have put to good use. 2 new songs for album 3. I'm getting close to figuring out the final tracks. Now if I could only figure out how to work my recording equipment to record the demos.....
Still dealing with the bee invasion. 2 beekeepers and now the Terminix guy have been to battle.
We celebrated "Greatest Day" aka Frederick's birthday, on May 2. He turned 2. A good time was had by all. He got some matchbox cars. He loves them!
Bernadette turns 6 this Friday and we are having a party. I am going to perform my new children's song, "Bridget Rode An Elephant To School".
Colette, Bernadette, and Bridget have started their own band. Colette sings and plays guitar, Bridget the drums, and Bernadette miscellaneous instruments. They have 2 originals, "Rock N Roll Dog" and "Frederick is The Cutest Boy And Mom Is Pregnant". Both songs sound somewhat like a cacophonious version of "Mary Had A Little Lamb", but I figure it's at least as good as the early versions of the infamous East Vietnam, so what the heck?! I am playing guitar for them on a classic Creedence Clearwater Revival tune and I'm showing the pregnant mommy how to play the guitar part also, so I am really excited about getting that one worked out. Hopefully in the next couple weeks we can have it worked out.
I'm thinking about placing the following ad:
Reclusive, diabetic father of 5 expecting his 6th child, suffers from a thyroid that doesn't function, reads biographies or books about time travel and alternative history, 5th rate musician/recording artist, whose conversations seem to revolve around St. Louis Cardinals baseball, genealogy, or some weird obscure thing that happened in 1984 or 1989, seeking employment with six figure salary. Contact Fred asap.
What do you think?

Picture is of me and Frederick on Greatest Day.