Parker is Back

I was excited to see Parker and his bandmates return to Off Broadway in Saint Louis on August 15, 2019. The venue is a great one for live music lovers. I‘ve anticipated his return to Saint Louis even before I had the pleasure of seeing him in Nashville when he married my niece in June. I noted that my brother was unable to contain his joy at that union. As father of the bride he was compelled to windy toasts and well wishes for the couple. To be sure, my brother vetted the singer/songwriter thoroughly. This is the fifth time I’ve seen him in concert in St. Louis and I think he’s pretty okay as well. More importantly, my niece is ready and has no plans to make Other Arrangements. Parker’s new wife is gonna help Root Nashville, a public-private campaign, led by Metro Nashville and the Cumberland River Compact, to plant 500,000 trees across Davidson County by 2050. Wow.

Parker Millsap, originally from a small town in Oklahoma (Purcell). He first picked up a guitar when he was just nine years old. After becoming interested in blues greats like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton, Millsap switched over to electric guitar and started a cover band with classmate, Michael Rose, who still plays bass with the band. Millsap attributes his lifelong dedication to music to his Pentecostal upbringing. Over the years he recruited musicians Daniel Foulks (fiddle) and Andrew Bones (Drums) to join his band.

Since the release of his first full length album, Palisade, in 2012, Parker has enjoyed tremendous success in the music industry. Three more CDs (Parker Millsap, The Very Last Day and Other Arrangements), recognized as emerging artist of the year by the Americana Music Association in 2014, appearing on TV - Conan in 2016, performing with Sir Elton John in London and taped for Austin City Limits. What fun it is to see the band again at Off Broadway. He’s here one night and “poof” he’s on the road to perform the very next night in Paducah.

Photo of Parker by James Coreas

A summary of my local fandom as of this night:

Parker is back at Off Broadway Thursday night August 15, 2019. In the sky that night a full moon is forming (officially the next morning). Jack Klatt opens for Parker, Michael, Daniel and Andrew Bones.

Parker on stage at the Old Rock House on Seventh Avenue September 26, 2018, a Wednesday night with a full moon.

At the Pageant on November 23, 2016 are Parker Millsap and his band mates on stage supporting J J Grey and Mofro Parker Millsap plays the Pageant in the loop of University City.

The Glory Bound Grahams opened with a set that included the lyrics - Put your hand in mine, it’s revival time set the stage for Parker, Michael and Dazniel audience was treated to a well orchestrated show that worked its way up to Hades Pleads as the finale on Friday May the 13, 2016 at Off Broadway in the Cherokee Lemp Historic District of St. Louis.

The band with Michael Rose (Bass), Parker Millsap, Daniel Foulks (Fiddle) at the Old Rock House in St. Louis April 2, 2014. 

A shout out to Dave and Joyce Cox, Alex Bornstein and some staffers from Litz who came out on a school night to hang with me

Airplane Parts Warehouse

This story by David Drimer is a draft he shared with me via e-mail on July 3, 2019. The guy has always had a way with words. The image of the airplane parts warehouse was borrowed from somewhere on the world wide web - a place in Seattle I think. 

Drug Mule: Down & Out in Paradise

by Dave Drimer

So I was near dead broke in Miami in the middle of a blistering summer and I needed do-re-mi. Yeah, it’s a thing. “Judge Yoda not, needed the money Yoda did, mmm.” Got a no skills/no experience necessary job doing inventory in a gigantic airplane parts warehouse alongside lifelong proles and ex-cons.

One guy had been a union forklift operator at the airport, working on the international cargo loading dock. In the 70s, he was making $65 per hour, time and half for overtime and double time over 50 hours. Sometimes he worked 60-hour weeks and he socked away a lot of dough. So he and his best friend got entrepreneurial in a creative way that only uneducated guys with too much money and a lot of time on their hands can. America is the land of opportunity, right?

They went down to Jamaica, bought one ton of weed (it was easier to make connections like that, given the place and time, than you would imagine).  They had their box shipped to a fictitious company in Miami. The plan worked perfectly: the weed came in; he picked it up and set it aside; called his friend who rented the truck. They agreed they would do the pick-up right before closing time when everybody was tired and nobody gave a crap. For my shipping industry pals, it was classed as “Household Goods, NES.” This was a perfect crime; nobody ever checked. Not ever.

About 5 minutes before he expected his friends and the truck, he sees a little cold, wet black nose turn the corner and come through the door, 2 uniformed customs agents in tow. He didn’t even have time to register his heart sinking when the dog goes freaking berserk (this was before they were forced to do the passive reaction thing, which is another drug mule story for another day). The agents release the dog and he runs right to the guy’s crate, starts barking up a storm, literally biting the box. They crack the crate and it’s packed in so tightly the contents burst out, flying up into the air.

The entire loading dock crew pissed themselves laughing. The agents were high fiving and jumping up and down because they finally made a bust. My guy was kicking little bits of pot into the corner, trying not to burst into tears. He ended saving about an ounce and a half. He was never implicated, just out $12K plus.

Terrific denouement for the story: he ended getting laid off from his great union job. Some real world irony, right? Totally broke. Working in an airplane parts warehouse with me, and a lot of big scary guys you didn’t talk to if you didn’t have to and never, ever looked them straight in the eyes. I lasted 2 weeks on that job. The boss didn’t appreciate my cogent opinions about improving warehouse logistics.

To this day, I am confident my co-worker doesn’t realize he was set-up by his seller.  You see, throwing a one-time buyer under the bus was no sweat off his nose. In fact, it was good for business. Everybody was on the take in those days, it was take the money or be dead. People chose being rich over being cold.  The agents had to show something occasionally to avoid the scrutiny that eventually ended up coming their way (greed gets you every time). My guy thought he had bad luck. He never had a chance.

###

David Drimer 

davidpdrimer@gmail.com

Neu Talent Show 2019

The World Awaits – 2019 Talent Show

Friday, March 15, 2019 is the date for our annual talent showcase. The show is held from 12:30 – 2:00 on the Friday before Spring break. Consistent with the school year theme THE WORLD AWAITS performers were encouraged (but not required) to leverage content about the world/travel/destination. Acts could consist of individuals, groups or solo acts (music, song, dance, magic, performance or artistic expression). Students must have signed permission slips to participate (and sponsors are responsible for appropriate material). A sign-up sheet was available months in advance in the staff mailroom and the front office. It included some acceptable music choices (suggestions). Wes Morgan, talent show impresario was on hand for this his fourth year of being point man for this annual happening.

Some details in advance of the show: The World Awaits – themes about travel/destination/global issues (or any display of talent/performance). Students interested in performing may sign up on a sheet located in the front office. Students must be signed up by February 15, 2019 and have signed permission slip by March 1, 2019. Students must be compliant with all school rules and be in good standing to be eligible to participate. It is sponsor’s responsibility to oversee act, assure appropriate material, and supervise student performers. (Classroom teachers for acts involving their class only are assumed to be supervising sponsor for class acts. Students should be supervised by homeroom class staff unless approved by school administrator.) Acts are limited to 2 minutes (for classes) and no more than 90 seconds for individual/small group acts. Invitations for parent and families will be provided by March 1, 2019. Please make sure they get home. (You may also want to include Talent Show in your monthly newsletters in February and March). Students must remain in good standing to participate. (Suspension from school on show date will make student ineligible to participate.)Music, CD or flash drive of music/graphics must be provided before March 1, 2018 for review and processing for the show. Dress rehearsal will be in the gym on March 14 (the day before the show)

Thank you for your enthusiasm. 

It was a great show.

2019 American Marketing Association Golf Outing

2019 AMA Golf Outing

June 28 @ 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm

$24.25 – ($97 foursome)

Join us for the AMA annual golf outing at Creve Coeur Golf Course on June 28, 2019. Everyone is invited to play regardless of skill level. Shotgun start at 12:30 p.m.

Book a foursome or we'll arrange one for you. Make your reservations early. Special Pricing this year $24.25 per golfer (Foursome $97)

Beverages and refreshments sold separately. All golfers receive a FREE gift bag for 9 holes. Closest-to-the-pin contests on #2 and #9. Long drive competition on #8. Reserve golf online, or contact Wes Morgan for more information on sponsorships, golfing, and more.  Questions contact Wes Morgan at morganwes@aol.com

June 28, 2019

12:30 pm - 5:00 pm

$24.25 – $97 (foursome)

Creve Coeur Golf Course

11400 Olde Cabin Rd
Saint Louis, MO 63105 United States

Phone Creve Coeur Golf Course: 314 432-1806

Mother's Day 2019

Life savers always there

No-one ever shows more care

Through binoculars you can see

Attractions, distractions, on the beach

But no-one replaces the eagle eyes

Of moms watching those kids in the tide

Happy Mothers' Day 2019

P.S. The lifeguard sculpture was in a booth at the show. Appologies to the artist - I don't recall his/her name but this piece did stop me in my tracks. Laumeier Sculpture Park Mothers' Day 2019

Killed by Elephant and Eaten by Lions

This week I met a man quite by accident, as I mistook him for another person. He had a dark complexion and indicated that he was from Nigeria. The conversation led me to confess that I had never traveled to anywhere in Africa. Somehow he assumed I might enjoy hunting big game. I laughed and assured him that I has no interest in killing animals of any magnitude. I felt badly that I automatically assigned attributes to this ebony-colored man in an awkward conversation that only lasted a few minutes. The man switched gears and shared with me a recent news item about a man killed by an elephant and eaten by lions. After this casual encounter, I had to know more. It wasn’t hard to find the story with a bit of help from Google the AP News Service.

A man suspected of being a rhino poacher was killed last week by an elephant and his remains devoured by a pride of lions at a South African park…

The New York Times report said that a Rhino Poacher was killed by elephant and eaten by lions in a South African Park. Rhino horn is worth about $9,000 per pound in Asia, driving a lucrative and illicit trade. It is a prized ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine and is considered a status symbol. “It’s one of the most expensive wildlife products on the illegal market and that’s why these poachers go after it,” Michael Slattery, founder of the Texas Christian University Rhino Inititive, says. “The current prices for a rhino horn are anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000 a kilogram. They are seeing dollar signs. It is more expensive than gold and cocaine, so the demand is driving these poachers.” South Africa is home to about 20,000 wild rhinos, more than 80 percent of the world’s population. About one-third of the animals are owned by private breeders. Since 2008, more than 7,000 rhinos have been hunted illegally, with 1unt,028 killed in 2017, according to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs. The poachers can get more money if they can deliver a complete rhino horn, but to get a full rhino horn they have to kill the animal, Professor Slattery said. Poachers drug the rhinos and then use a machete to “hack away at the face,” he said. The rhinos then bleed to death. A rhino horn, which is made of 100 percent keratin, or the equivalent of compressed hair, provides no health benefits to humans. Still, people grind up the horn and use it in a drink in a misguided effort to reduce fevers and cure hangovers, among other things. Rhino horns are also given as gifts, Professor Slattery said.

The news story and the details are fascinating and the encounter made me wonder in the context of Ubuntu how I was guilty of making assumptions about this Nigerian man as he seemed to be making about me. Ubuntu was translated for me to mean roughly I AM BECAUSE WE ARE. I didn’t know the rhino hunter who died but I cannot help thinking the animals won this time. 

MDMC 2019

#mdmc19

Seven years into the life of the annual conference conceived by Perry Drake PhD you cannot help but marvel at its growth and success. This year the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference (MDMC 19) attracted nearly 2,000 participants. This yields an impressive graphic that shows an steady growth from its humble beginning in 2013 as a local UMSL on-campus event that addressed digital disruption. This year the tone seems decidedly different: while technology is still changing business, marketing and sales forever, there is tremendous energy and enthusiasm for the tools available to communicate and market. 

Union Station in Saint Louis was once a hub for trains taking people too and from major metropolitan centers at the height of a gilded age when deals were done in an era a robber barons and political power brokers. Today, Darrell West PhD, the director of the center for technology at the Brooking Institution, delivers a keynote address and shares ideas outlined in his book, Divided Politics, Divided Nation: Hyper-conflict in the Trump Era. Dr. West is uniquely qualified to address the growing cultural split between conservative and liberal political cultures in the U.S. West grew up on a dairy farm in Ohio and now works in Washington D.C.

Keisha Mabry followed Dr. West with another keynote speech with ideas from her book, Hey Friend, 100 Ways to Connect With People in 100 Days. She asked the audience to take out their cell phones out and give it a high five. ”Doesn’t that feel silly?” she says with a smile. Her point is to stress an urgency for everyone to work on making genuine connections with others in spite of this changing world. 

After the keynoters set a kind of foundation for understanding political dynamics and the for people to make real connections, the conference attendees self direct themselves to a smorgasbord of presentations set in ballrooms. The positive energy and enthusiasm is palpable. This event over the course of three days produces so many memorable things.  Here are some vignettes of what is was like to attend this year’s remarkable happening.

• It’s standing room only in a panel discussion session on CONTENT. The conversation is grounded in marketing strategy.
• A session lead by digital strategy lead and social media manager from Bayer Crop Science Division (formerly Monsanto) talks about how employees can become company ambassadors with appropriate use of digital tools that will allow them professional development.
• Dun & Bradstreet’s digital marketing manager advocates LinkedIn to boost awareness and generate leads.
• Vanessa Cabrera exudes enthusiasm for her presentation on how to host a successful social media challenge.
• A panel discussion on the use of video lead by digital marketing specialist from Nestle Purina Petcare touches on the technology challenges of effective storytelling given the various aspect ratios driven by manufactures of digital devices.
• Stephanie Liu sparkles with her posse in the front row of the VIP section in her session about increasing influence using Facebook live video.

If this year’s MDMC conference is an indication, one must conclude that we are moving from an overall fear of the unknown impact of digital technology to a wave of enthusiastic fans who eagerly embracing possibilities.