Sunday, June 1, 2025

Parker in Memphis

 












Parker and his band performed at a the Overton Park Shell in Memphis on Friday Night May 30, 2025 as part of a FREE concert series. He was amazing, thoughtful and fun as he performed an incredible selection of his songs for an enthusiastic audience that included a variety of kids who found a reason to move and grove to the music. (The future of the Parker Millsap Franchise is assured if this is any indication).

I made the drive from Saint Louis and was treated like royalty by Ryan, Papa Doc and Sizzle. I ordered perfect weather and a crystal clear night to view the Crescent Moon on an absolutely perfect night to enjoy music outdoors at the Overton Park Shell in Memphis.

Fortune Favors the Bold! Thank you Parker Millsap.





 

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Tom Farrar (Papa Doc), Sizzle (Elizabeth Kenworthy Farrar), Ryan Farrar and Wesley A Morgan enjoyed a meal. Just a short walk from the home ofg Tom and Elizabeth we ate at Ciao Bella. Tom reserved a table for four for June twenty-something (by mistake) but they allowed us to dine nevertheless. I have a delicious Sauvlaki with the "other white meat" on a skewer. Tom brought a bottle of French red Chateau something from his personal wine cellar.

Your Waters - At the Pageant in Saint Louis my Brother (in town in March 2022) has his oldest, Meg on the phone. Is this song Parker performed about you Meg? "They're all about me", she replied matter of factly. 

Heaven Sent - Such a beautiful tribute and not to LGBTQ.

Truckstop Gospel - Glad to hear this classic Parker song.

Front Porch-ing - Dave Shogren and BCS band like this and and when Parker was in St. Louis opening for Poe Larkin I told him they must owe him royalty money.

Hades Pleads - Not sure the kids in the audienc jumping and jiving on the stage understood the reference to Dante's Inferno.

F*king around - Diplomatic self censorship.

Dammit - ...smoke em if ya got em...damn it you don't.

Before the Curtain Closes - stunning solo on-core.




A trip to the top of Outdoor World Pyramid and a quick peak at Bass Pro Shop and a cool tour of Sun Studio where my friends Jerry Lee Lewis, Karl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley once played (1957). 





    



Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Reviewing the Situation


 














A Man's got s heart, hasn't he? 
Joking apart, hasn't he?And tho' I'd be the first one to say that I wasn't a saint
I'm finding it hard to be really as black as they paint
I'm reviewing the situationCan a fellow be a villain all his life?All the trials and tribulations!Better settle down and get myself a wife.And a wife would cook and sew for me,And come for me, and go for me,And go for me, and nag at me,The fingers, she will wag at me.The money she will take me.A misery, she'll make from me...
I think I'd better thing it out again!
A wife you can keep, anywayI'd rather sleep, anyway.Left without anyone in the world,And I'm starting from nowSo "how to win friends and to influence people"So how?
I'm reviewing the situation,I must quickly look up ev'ryone I know.Titled people -- with a stationWho can help me make a real impressive show!I will own a suite at Claridges,And run a fleet of carriages,And wave at all the duchessesWith friendliness, as much as isBefitting of my new estate...
"Good morrow to you, magistrate!" Oh gawd!
I think I'd better think it out again.
So where shall I go -- somebody?Who do I know? Nobody!All my dearest companionsHave always been villains and thieves...So at my time of lifeI should start turning over new leaves?
I'm reviewing the situation.If you want to eat -- you've got to earn a bob!Is it such a humiliationFor a robber to perform an honest job?So a job I'm getting, possibly,I wonder who my boss'll be?I wonder if he'll take to me...?What bonuses he'll make to me...?I'll start at eight and finish late,At normal rate, and all.but wait!
I think I'd better think it out again.
What happens when I'm seventy?Must come a time... seventy.When you're old, and it's coldAnd who cares if you live or you die,Your one consolation's the moneyYou may have put by...
I'm reviewing the situation.I'm a bad 'un and a bad 'un I shall stay!You'll be seeing no transformation,But it's wrong to be a rogue in ev'ry way.
I don't want nobody hurt for me,Or made to do the dirt for me.This rotten life is not for me.It's getting far too hot for me.There is no in between for meBut who will change the scene for me?Don't want no one to rob for me.But who will find a job for me,
I think I'd better think it out again!
Hey!

This number from The character of Fagin in the play Oliver has always impressed me as a great illustration of a personal dilemma. My parents has the soundtrack album and played it often. They enjoyed the scene at the orphanage when Oliver asks for MORE! On the occasion of my own 70th birthday, it makes me smile thinking about this number.

Oliver! is a stage musical, with book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The musical is based upon the 1838 novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.

It premiered at the Wimbledon Theatre, southwest London in 1960 before opening in the West End, where it enjoyed a record-breaking long run. Oliver! ran on Broadway, after being brought to the U.S. by producer David Merrick in 1963. Major London revivals played from 1977 to 1980, 1994 to 1998, 2008 to 2011 and on tour in the UK from 2011 to 2013. Additionally, its 1968 film adaptation, directed by Carol Reed, won six Academy Awards including Best Picture.

Oliver! received thousands of performances in British schools, becoming one of the most popular school musicals.[1] In 1963 Lionel Bart received the Tony Award for Best Original Score. Many songs are well known to the public, such as "Food, Glorious Food", "Consider Yourself" and "I'd Do Anything".[2]


Tuesday, May 13, 2025

MDMC 2025

 




May 13 and 14, 2025 - I agree to again be a part of the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference at The University of Missouri, Saint Louis. Dr. Perry Drake has done it again. He has managed this annual event for 13 years running. (I think I have been to most, it not all). 

This year, I am more painfully aware than ever that the impact of technology on the profession of Marketing is leaving me ever so much in the proverbial dust when it comes to being on top of trends. There is a lot of buzz about AI and its use as a "tool" in bridging the gap between Sales and Marketing, writing better communication and efficient facilitation of strategies. (I continue to be a sceptic.)




The 2025 Midwest Digital Marketing Conference will be held Tuesday, May 13th and Wednesday, May 14th in St. Louis, MO.  Two days of unparalleled learning and networking at the the largest digital marketing conference in the Midwest.


Day 1 - Dive deep with 12 immersive Masterclasses and engage in thought-provoking discussions during 6 interactive Roundtables on the latest trends and strategies. Day 2 - Choose from 27 breakout sessions led by top industry experts, covering everything from digital marketing and social media strategy to email marketing, data & analytics, and so much more!


 

Friday, April 25, 2025

Our Town

 









Our Town explores the relationship between two young Grover’s Corners neighbors, George Gibbs and Emily Webb, whose childhood friendship blossoms into romance, and then culminates in marriage. When Emily looses her life in childbirth, the circle of life portrayed in each of the three acts of Our Town–growing up, adulthood, and death–is fully realized.

Wilder offers a couple of chairs on a bare stage as the backdrop for an exploration of the universal human experience. The simple story of a love affair is constantly rediscovered because it asks timeless questions about the meaning of love, life and death. In the final moments of the play, the recently deceased Emily is granted the opportunity to revisit one day in her life, only to discover that she never fully appreciated all she possessed until she lost it. “Oh, earth, you’re too wonderful for anybody to realize you,” she says as she takes her place among the dead.

“It’s like one of those Middlewestern poets said, ‘You’ve got to love life to have life, and you’ve got to have life to love life.”

These words were spoken by Lucinda Matlock in Spoon River Anthology. She was based on poet Edgar Lee Masters’ grandmother.

I've seen the Thorton Wilder Play Our Town on stage more than once and recently viewed the 1940 movie version on the Turner Classic Movie (TCM) channel. 

The story of a small town and it's community becomes more poignant as we age and become even more in touch with the reality as we learn (sometimes painfully) just how short and precious life is.   

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

St Louis Mourns the Passing of Pope Francis

 




















Easter Sunday (4/20/25) is a mostly rainy day with grey skies in Saint Louis. The television broadcasts from the Vatican show Pope Francis showing up among the flock. He looks to be recovering from pneumonia but he looks weak as he gestures to the crowd. Overnight the world changed. 

Monday morning news announces that the Pope died. Amid the highlights of the story, the local broadcasts advises that there will be a Mass at 12:00 noon at the Saint Louis Cathedral Basilica in his honor. I feel compelled to be among the faithful. I arrived early enough to secure a parting space in the lot on the block on Lindell. Approaching the steps I notice a camera crew and a reporter from channel 4. (Alexis Zotos introduces herself and asks if I would mind talking.) I agreed and this is what channel 4 captured from my remarks at 6:00 p.m.,"It's a critical time for the world. It's a very sad thing seeing the pope passing away. It's gonna be a turning point for the Catholic Church and, you know, religious people everywhere."

The pews were almost at capacity as Archbishop Mitchel Roznaski and an entourage that included priests and seminarians filed toward the alter. 


 





 






So the world mourns the pope's passing on Monday April 21, 2025. The Catholic Church prepares for the Conclave that will facilitate the selection of his successor.  



I saw the movie Conclave in 2024. It gave me a perspective on the process of selection of a new pope. The real life Conclave met and a decision was made relatively quickly as Pope Leo IVX take on the role. (American ties: Novice in St. Louis, Villanova University in Philly and time in Chicago. Spanish speaker with time spent in Peru)  






Friday, April 4, 2025

AMA Conference 2025




The American Marketing Association, Saint Louis Chapter has a long history of presenting programs featuring innovation, best practices and leadership in the profession of marketing goods and services. This year, under the leadership of Chapter President Eric Rhiney from Webster University we, again, produced an incredible forum for Marketers.

Blues, Shoes, Beauty, Spices, Dance, Diversity, A.I., Q&A, Networking, Community, Old and New.  

It was indeed an inspiring and educational day featuring speakers from leading organizations like Caleres (Dr. Amy Hunter, Eduardo Nieuwenhuyzen), PURINA-Nestlé (Carla Patterson, Angie Minges), Andy’s Seasoning (Dan Keao), and The St. Louis Blues (Eric Stisser, Kelva Emerson), Ryze (Solohna Bell), The Last Splash (Ryan Green) alongside business owners. digital marketing experts and social media influencers. 

Marisa Lather is our incoming chapter co-president along with Hanna Frisch. Marissa stepped in as moderator of a panel discussion featuring three experts on AI:

Sean Jordan from Research & Planning Group

Tom Harness of Harness Digital

Jeff Staats from Forest City Digital of Cleveland 

Through engaging sessions and expert-led discussions those in attendance gained:

  • Insights into the Transformation Process: How to embrace and lead change effectively.
  • Actionable Strategies for Future Success: Discover proven tactics to navigate today’s dynamic marketplace.
  • Real-World Examples of Resilience and Growth: Inspiring stories of overcoming challenges to achieve sustained success.

Schedule Highlights:

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM: Registration & Networking
8:15 AM – 11:15 AM: Top marketing leaders
11:45 AM – 12:25 PM: AI Panel Discussion
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Recognitions & Awards
12:45 PM – 3:30 PM: Lunch & Networking

It was a rainy day with flood warnings but I was able to make it to a movie viewing (Oh Brother Where Art Thou?) on Friday Night at the Saint Louis Art Museum at 6 p.m.

About AMA

The American Marketing Association is the essential community for marketers. 

In 1953, Neil Borden transformed the business world when he articulated the strategy of “Marketing Mix” in his AMA presidential address. Borden was just one of many AMA leaders who were not satisfied with existing best practices. These thought leaders sought answers for the future that would propel business growth and elevate the role of marketing.

Today, the AMA leads an unparalleled discussion on marketing excellence. Continuing in the tradition of Borden and so many others, the AMA offers differentiated content that focuses on the tension between Best Versus Next Practices™. 

With content coming from unrivaled scholarly journals, like the Journal of Marketing, and award-winning publications, like Marketing News, the AMA offers a robust perspective that understands marketers are expected to provide both solutions for today and solutions for tomorrow.

No other organization provides more ways for marketers and academics to connect with the people and resources they need to be successful.

Learn more about AMA’s work in the Annual Report.

Our Mission

The American Marketing Association strives to be the most relevant force and voice shaping marketing around the world, an essential community for marketers.

In 2015, the “Next AMA” launched four transformational strategies for its North American operations:

1. Committing to Service Leadership to customers, members and stakeholders.

2. Providing a proactive, differentiated and modern voice for a single unified, One AMA brand, One AMA Community.

3. Establishing an Intellectual Agenda that is harmonized across all platforms and channels based on an editorial strategy to feature the tension between Best Versus Next Practices™.

4. Building a personalized and connected Marketplace of knowledge that engages the AMA in a single community—always on, always connected … One AMA Community.

Learn About Membership

Members of the American Marketing Association are dedicated professionals who work, teach and study in the field and have a passion for advancing our industry. As a member, you’ll gain access to exclusive AMA content and discounts on products and events that will help you boost your knowledge and advance your career. Plus, you can connect with marketers in your area through one of our more than 70 local professional chapters across North America.

For more information on AMA membership benefits, visit our membership page.

AMA Leadership

The AMA Board of Directors is a group of volunteer leaders who are impactful visionaries in marketing. They provide insight and guidance to our executive team as we work to build an organization that helps you put Answers in Action™.

Click here to meet our executive team and AMA Board of Directors.

AMA Volunteers

For those looking to deepen their involvement with the American Marketing Association, there are an array of volunteer opportunities throughout the organization.

Click here to learn more about our primary volunteer groups and their leadership.

AMA Code of Ethics

The American Marketing Association commits itself to promoting the highest standard of professional ethical norms and values for its members (practitioners, academics and students). Click here to read our full code of ethics.

AMA Job Opportunities

Learn more about joining our team by visiting the AMA Jobs page, home to our online employment application system. Here you can search for open positions, create an account to apply and manage your application(s), as well as set “job alerts” so that you are among the first to know if a new position opens that matches your requirements. We are pleased to bring these opportunities to the marketplace and hope that you take a moment to explore the possibilities!










Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Wes Morgan Art 2025







Wesley A Morgan is a graduate of Lakewood High School and former student of Phyllis Fannin and Dominick Battaglia (Lakewood High School 1974). He earned a double major in Art (Graphic Design) and English (Creative Writing) from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 1978. His uncle Andrew (Chairman of the Art Department at UM) was a mentor. He studied at UM with artists Gene Massin and author Lester Goran among others. 

He was a graduate assistant working with the University of Miami admissions office, and traveled 12 states in the Midwest and New England representing the U. He earned an MBA from the University of Miami in 1982 with an emphasis on Marketing before launching a career in Advertising in New York City. 

Morgan worked in full service advertising agencies on well known brands such as Heineken, Matchbox Toys, JVC Consumer Electronics, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Campbell Soup and Rich SeaPak.

He became "a client" in chief marketing officer roles until he shifted career focus again and became an educator - special education and art certifications (with a Master of Arts in Teaching - Fontebonne University, MAT 2018. 

Currently living in Saint Louis, MO. His recent work utilizes recycled packaging and reclaimed cardboard.