New Priest

 

Patrick becomes a priest;

His parents are so proud.

They never doubted in the least;

The avocation and vocation he did not shroud.

So many parochial lessons learned;

So much time to think.

Spiritual guidance and blessings eaned.

Body and Blood. The bread we break. The wine we drink. 

Pain and suffering will still abound;

Death and Dying unexplained.

Good father we are grateful that you are around. 

Heavenly Father, your kingdom and your reign.

Earthly limitations, 

hurdles and obstacles - down and out.

Optimistic celebration; 

Rising above inherent doubt.

Though it seems, we walk our path alone.

In God we trust,

Finding the simple mortal joy;

Undying faith is a must.

The mature young man, once a little boy.

Heart to heart. Day by day. 

Believe it's a start. Let us pray.

Triple Play - Young

 

The radio station in my car is playing three songs with an idea or theme that ties them together. I don't recall the station but I do remember the idea. They played three songs with reference to Cowboy in them. 

The last song of their triple play was Bon Jovi's Wanted: Dead or Alive "I'm a cowboy, wanted dead or alive..." 

As I pull into my parking lot, the disc jockey challenges listeners to suggest their own triple play. I almost immediately thought of two songs that have moved me recently. Both songs are about being young. Oh Very Young by Cat Stevens was on my car radio on the evening of my High School Graduation in 1974. The song struck me then as infinately better than the sweet but sappy We May Never Pass This Way Again by Seals & Crofts (The song our senior class selected as our class theme song). The other song I thought of was reintroduced to my recent memory because it was featured in a play Girl from the North Country - Deluth, MN 1934 written by Bob Dylan. I saw the play as a guest of Janie at Cleveland's Playhouse Square. The Dylan song "May You Stay Forever Young" (It turns out that Bob Dylan wrote that song in 1974). "May you build a latter to the stars and climb on every rung. May you stay forever young."

I wondered if my memory bank could think of another appeal to my YOUNG triple play, when is struck me that a song I remember from my son's wedding day in 2012 was a perfect fit for the thematic triptich. We Are Young by Fun featuring Janelle Monea says "we are young, so let's set the world on fire. We can burn brighter than the sun..." but is closes with the sweetest visualization of "...when the bar closes and your feel like falling down...I'll carry you home tonight..."

I doubt if I will get the radio station to play my triple play. But it was fun to recall the special meaning of those three tunes. 

After all, I'm a cowboy wanted dead or alive...We may never pass this way again...You're only dancin' on this earth for a short while... May you stay forever young...We are young ... so let's set the world on fire... we can burn brighter than the sun... (even as we are in the path of the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024). 

Photos: the moon at the Moonrise Hotel rooftop in University City and the Spring daffodils adjacent to the Saint Louis Art Museum sculpture garden. 

Wanted Dead or Alive – Bon Jovi

https://youtu.be/sUd2KoJkjWw?si=ZS_Wcb5yx6AptQG-

We may never Past this Way Again – Seals & Crofts

https://youtu.be/6gdkpzLJlA4?si=Ol9iV-njGYE0xI5w

Oh Very Young – Cat Stevens

https://youtu.be/EiwBAkOx1fQ?si=bdcKvCJIvYVViheU

Foever Young – Bob Dylan

https://youtu.be/eHms_-Ja-wY?si=vx7MKtbJZ_4gmzxp

We Are Young - Fun.: ft. Janelle Monáe [Lyrics/Vietsub]

https://youtu.be/SNssSYVZuIw?si=3mgQohNZulPVtDXR

  

    

  

Three New Operas

Saint Louis hosted an opera collective in which the company produces and promotes new works. I decided to check it out last night (3/15/24) when three such productions were presented at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. 

The evening was a delightful ride through emotional life experiences that were entertaining and thought provoking. Unbroken: A family manages the loss and birth (circle of life), Mechanisms: another family revolves around a child that is struggling in school and finally On My Mind:  two womnen of color connect at a conference (through micro-aggression and comic drama around "networking" and friendship). 

Bravo to Crew, Orchestra, Opera Theatre Leadership, New Works Collective Leadership. A special shout out to Libretto by Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton and Music by Jasmine Barnes. (That choreography, music and performance around NETWORKING was something special.)

As a bonus, The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center featured art by Daven Anderson and others. 

TEXT SAVVY

No real typing skill involved in the fumbling thumbling cell phone texting. Today I could not help but punch out this small novela to the group text that includes Sundance (New Orleans), Lynn (Columbus), Greg (Tampa), Dan (Cleveland), Rob (Novato, CA) from yours truly Wes (Saint Louis). PHOTO: Above includes the six siblings flanked by Greg's boys Wes (left) and Matt (right). 

My Text:

So uncle Joe helped with inital down payment on Edgewater zround 1952. Anna Benson, Annie Avery and a few more housekeepers  kept the cobwebs in check, polished silver, did laundry, sereved fried balogna...John Latham got to live in teh basement for a time. Sundance (formerly Jimmy) got royal treatment complete with bendy straws but didn't quite cut it with the Jesuits or the Navy. Lynn coulnt wait to bust out of the repressive confines of the Edgewater compound. With Rod's help she busted out of jail. The twin headaches made the island paradise Key Biscayne the perfect retreat. Greg and Dan took turns keeping Morgan Studio viable. Rob knew he didn't need anybody after he finished at the original Miami (in Ohio). So in 1985 the homestead went on the block...Thankfully the Kiz family DID NOT buy it. With the help of Betty Rice and Keys Realty mom figured out how to rent to own until two houses flipped to one at Harbor Lane. Hurricane Andrew in 1992 took it's toll but mom and dad were conveniently away (in Tampa) at impact. The Kunkles were able to hang out, drink beer with mom, and support the Morgan recovery (along with Greg and Dan). Finally they agree that THE BEST is in Dallas area ...around 2000. All is well until around 2007 when it becomes clear that mom's short term memory is slipping. ...Eventually Rob steals dad's car (read the police report). 

Yes, I am a funny man but I've had a lifetime of joy repeating my take on the Morgan legacy and family snapshots. "The truth belongs to the teller after all." As the famous line from The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance goes: "When the legend becomes the truth, print the legend" 

Above: The Edgewater Compond as it looks in circa 2021. 

I'm quite sure my siblings would quibble with me on the details but most accept I do have more facts (and maybe a keener sense of observation) that they do.  

 

Musically Speaking - no botheration

 

Sometimes my pal Dave and his band mates Al and Richie find themeselves in new and different venues. These cool cats play all kinds of music "rythem" and "blues". But there ain't a hint of bother-ation in their performance on the ground floor of this swanky address at 100 Kingshighway overlooking the Forest Park. The Friday happy hour was busy with comings and goings, joggers, flashy women in high heels, luxury appartment dwellers conveniently situated a short trip to a top-ranked medical mecca in St. Louis. 

Kicking off the weekend this way, just a perfect way to get in the mood for weekend mindfulness. But wait, there's more. Dave and his band and some extended family of Dave, the country's okayist bass player also performed at the upstairs venue at O'Connell's - Jack's Place on Saturday Night. Mud Brother Walter G, Greg's Violin provided more music while the full moon shone bright into the night.

Interview for Colleen

 

Wesley A. Morgan

My dad suggested Uncle Wes might be an interesting subject for this assignment. I was a little nervous about contacting him with my questions, but dad encouraged me to talk with him. I have met him several times but there is a lot I don’t know about him. Here are some of the answers to my questions.

Question: I know you teach art but I wonder how and when you became interested in art.

WAM: My father was an artist. He was successful running a business of commercial art. He was also a painter and fine artist. His business, Morgan Studio in Cleveland was a leader in advertising, art and photography. My uncle (my father’s brother Andrew) was also an artist. He was president of the Kansas City Art Institute. My uncle Andrew was recruited to be chairman of the art department at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. I was convinced that the University of Miami would be a great place to go to college.

Question: So you studied art at the University of Miami?

WAM: Yes, initially I enrolled as a student majoring in graphic design but my interest broadened. I ended up with a double major in Art and English (specifically graphic design and creative writing).

Question: But you also completed a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), right?

WAM: Yes, I was a pretty involved student and the University offered me a Graduate Assistantship. That paid for the masters degree since I was traveling part of the year and representing the university in 12 states over a two year period. It was an adventure traveling throughout New England and the Midwest with a few visits to the New York area.

Question: What did you do after you finished college?

WAM: I wanted to work in New York. I felt it was the best place to learn about the advertising business. I was attracted to the big advertising agency world.

Question: So you worked for an advertising agency?

WAM: Yes, in fact I worked for several different companies over the next 15 years. I got to work on a lot of big brands like Heineken (beer), JVC (consumer electronics), Matchbox (toys), Pepsi (soft drinks), Burger King and Pizza Hut (quick service restaurants).

Question: How did you end up in Saint Louis?

WAM: I was contacted by an executive recruiter (headhunter) who convinced me to join an agency based in Saint Louis. The account was to advertise a big bank. The bank was acquired by another bank and the agency lost the account. I went to another agency in Saint Louis. Unfortunately a similar thing happened there.

Question: So what did you do?

WAM: I didn’t want to move again. My two kids were in school and we decided to stay put. Rather than go to another advertising firm, I was fortunate enough to get a job as a corporate marketing manager. I eventually became a Vice President of Marketing.

Question: How did you end up as an art teacher in Saint Louis?

WAM: I cannot tell a lie. My life has been episodic. I was top marketing guy for three companies before considering working as a substitute teacher. I eventually accepted a position at the Special School District of Saint Louis. At SSD I was a sub and paraprofessional but I had to get additional certification to be a teacher.

Question: So you were a special education teacher?

WAM: Well yes, sort of. I went back to school to become a certified teacher if special education. I did that for a period of time before exploring the idea of teaching art.

Question: So you made the move in education from special education to art teacher?

WAM: That’s correct. I teach middle school students Art. I enjoy it as it takes me back to the time I really began to have an interest in art. I tell my students, “Everyone is an artist. The challenge in my class is to become a better artist.”

Question: Who do you admire as an artist?

WAM: I think Picasso is the GOAT for many reasons. But I also love Van Gogh, Matisse, Warhol and several others. During Black History Month we talked about Jacob Lawrence, a black artist who is considered among those in the 1930 part of the Harlem Renaissance.

Note: Uncle Wes was happy to provide a little ghost-writing for Colleen. And in the spirit of Mark Twain I tell the truth, mostly...

Note 2: Colleen and I finally chatted about the assignment and she has a list of questions. The conversation was fun and (surprise surprise) ended up being a lot about art, artists and my affinity for visiting museums to see art. Her version of the story was quite good. She chose to write it in first person. Interesting take.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parker Millsap at Off Broadway 2-15-24

 

True to form, Wes crashes into Parker Millsap and Caleb Caudle at Off Broadway while they are selling the "merch" to fans who lined up to buy in Saint Louis. Dave Shogren and Smokin' Joe are in the background. As a big bonus Parker presented me a wonderful piece of art signed by the artist. 

Dave Shogren drove with musician pal Joey and to Off Broadway in the historic Cherokee Lemp district to see Parker Millsap. Linda (Dave's wife) would join us later as she had another meeting to get to this Thursday evening. 

Nick greeted us at the door with a welcoming almost like we'd been there before. We have. This same posse saw Parker when he last played this venue. Joey was so pleased to be there, he insisted on buying us all a big cold Stag beer. So with Stag in the front row we enoyed Caleb's opening act and Parker's show. Caleb and Parker finished with a joint finale before heading to the "merch" where I sort of photo bomb/ambushed them. A beautiful evening.   

Parker quickly made a name for himself with his captivating live performances, soulful sound, and character-driven narratives. He's had a string of successes including an appearance on CONAN, a performance with Elton John at the Apple Music Festival, an Austin City Limits taping & an Americana Music Association nomination for Album of the Year. He's shared the stage with folks like Jason Isbell, Shovels & Rope, Patty Griffin, Houndmouth, and many others.

Parker's early releases showcased a mastery of acoustic folk rock, with their flourish for revelation and fiery dynamics. Be Here Instead, Millsap's 2021 release produced by John Agnello, hinted at the wildness to come while exploring newer, more personal songwriting styles. Parker's newest album, Wilderness Within You, is a natural step in Parker's evolution which interweaves threads of his musical past and newer influences to gorgeous effect.

Although a school night, Dave and Joey kept me out past my bedtime on Cherokee Street at Ohio at the Wohisky Ring for a Stag and a bit of pinball. 

So great to see Parker again and enjoy listenting to a retrospective of his music along with a couple of surprises. Parker sang Brian Wilson's Beach Boys tune - Little Surfer Girl and a Chet Baker tune My Buddy. I was great to hear songs like The Very Last Day, The Real Thing, Your Water and more. 

 

 

 

Parker is planning a trip to Cahokia Mounds for Friday but he might not get the best experience as snow is scheduled to blow through making a trek to the top of Monk's Mound less than optimal. I hope he enjoys the history of that spot though.