Word Celebrity Blog

JACK TEAGARDEN

Jack Teagarden started to play the trombone at the age of ten and played in the Vernon High school band in Vernon, Texas. At the age of sixteen he joined the musician's union and began playing at the local clubs.

Jack developed a smooth and technical style of playing that surpassed any jazz trombonist. His tone was lighter and his attacks smoother. He didn't use the tailgate style, with its slides and growls. He developed his own style which was much more like a trumpet style. Jack's technique had an enormous influence on other trombonists.

During the Great Depression, Jack took jobs with the big bands, because of the security. On three separate occasions he started his own band, but, had to give them up, He said that he wasn't very good with financial and business details.

He and Louis Armstrong were close friends and when he wasn't playing with his own group, He would be playing with Louis. Jack and Louis recorded 10 albums together.

Jack Teagarden wrote the words and music for several songs, and, he was very proud of the fact that he wrote the lyrics for "Basin Street Blues". He usually played it in all of his performances.

When I first met Jack in 1952, he was performing with Louis Armstrong's All Stars group at a local Elks club in Farrell, Pennsylvania. He was an imposing sight. He was dressed in a dark blue suit with a white shirt and blue bow tie. He looked like he was in charge. His music gave you the same impression. That is very impressive when you consider that he was playing with Louis Armstrong on cornet, Barney Brigard on clarinet, and Cozy Cole on drums.

Jack Teagarden was known as "Big T" in the Jazz world, but. his close friends would call him "Gentleman Jack" because of his demeanor both on stage and in private.

After their engagement that evening, Jack asked me where they could get something to eat. I drove him and Barney Brigard to an all-night diner for an early breakfast. We talked for several hours and became friends. Jack and I corresponded with each other on a regular bases, and we managed a visit once or twice a year for about ten years. Because of our friendship, I was able to meet and personally know many of the Jazz and Blues artists (mostly those in New Orleans).

While playing an engagement (which had become harder to get) in New Orleans, Jack Teagarden became ill. He went to a hospital to see what was wrong. He refused to be admitted and went back to his hotel room to rest.

He died in January 1964, at the age of 58, of bronchial pneumonia a couple days after suffering a mild heart attack. He was found dead in his hotel room by the hotel maid. It still bothers me, that he died alone.

I believe that Jack Teagarden was the best Jazz trombonist that ever lived. His music will be listened to for generations by those who love great Jazz Music.

All of my memories of our 12 year friendship are very good ones.

There is a link to Jack Teagarden's Music on the Left.

CLYDE

BILLIE HOLIDAY

I don't remember how old I was when I started listening to Billy Holiday records. It was sometime before my teen years. I greatly enjoyed her music: then and ever since.

I believe that Billy Holiday was the Best Female Blues Singer of all time.

In 1951 (I was 19) I had the privilege of seeing and hearing her perform in a club in New Orleans. I was there for 6 straight nights. On her fourth night, during an intermission, she stopped and talked to me for a couple of minutes. Her singing voice was not quite as mellow as her early years, but she was still terrific. I cherish the recordings of her music.

There is a link to her music on the left.

CLYDE

Above are two paintings by my wife Monica McDonnell. Her paintings are mostly in the Impressionistic, Expressionist or Abstract style. If you would like to see more of her paintings, copy the following and paste it in your address bar.

http://www.cmypaintings.blogspot.com

CLYDE

 As I have promised, I am posting links to some music that I like and enjoy. Here is some music by the Jazz and Blues artist Jim Hall, Even though he is from Buffalo, New York, which is only a two hour drive from where I live, I have never had the pleasure of seeing him perform.   I have enjoyed listening to his music for most of my adult life. My favorite album of his is the from 1957, Jazz Guitar.

On the right, you will find a link to my albums that I  have, under "SOME GOOD MUSIC". I hope you enjoy the music as much as I do.

For the last 9 years there has been an e-mail of one version or another floating around the World Wide Web about a supposed edict about Flag lapel pins. The most common version is as follows:

"ABC News Bans Flag Lapel Pins


Yesterday, the brass at ABC News issued orders forbidding reporters to wear lapel pin American flags or other patriotic insignia. Their reasoning was that ABC should remain neutral about "causes".

Since when is support for preventing our death &; destruction some sort of a “cause”? Since when is patriotism to be discouraged. I urge you to boycott ABC and its sponsors and affiliates. And those that advertise with them.

We’re slowly losing everything our country stands for, and everything our men and women fought and died to preserve."

It should be noted that this statement was made within a few days of the attacks on 9-11-2001.

Before I go any further with this discussion, I want to make some things very clear. I am not a right-wing conservative, nor am I a left-wing liberal (Notice I did not capitalize these labels, I really don't think they deserve it). I am an American who loves his Country and has sworn to honor, respect and defend the Flag and the Country and Constitution it represents. This excludes those simple minded, power hungry, money grubbing, egotistical politicians who have led this Wonderful Country in the wrong direction many times.


Going back to the e-mail: This e-mail is only partly true. It is true that ABC made a "suggestion" that they not do this. And they gave some feeble excuses as the reasons behind it. (You can find these by using Google).

Long before 9-11-2001, it was and is still the same policy of MOST of the major networks. To single out ABC is unfair. Any and All of the news organizations (or any other organization) who do such things, should be exposed and revealed to the American public.

We all know that the networks make their money from their advertisers who sponsor their programs and the more viewers they have, the more money they can charge the advertisers. So, to increase the numbers of viewers they cover and feature all types of fringe elements, perversions, and crack-pots who don't deserve to be recognized. But, they improve ratings - Showing love, respect, honor and loyalty for their country doesn't.

In case the networks have forgotten, Tim Russert wore a red, white and blue pin on the air, and his news show was the most popular news show and faraway outdistanced the others.

I believe that such a policy by the news companies, is a slap in the face to every American family whose father, mother, husband, wife, son and daughter donned a uniform and/or  died for this Great Country. They should make a very public apology for it.

I do not wear any pin of any kind. Nor do I wear any kind of jewelry. In the front of my house, you will find the American Flag flying in all of its glory, as it has wherever I have lived for over 40 years, and God help the individual or group who tries to make me take it down, If it comes down, it will be after I have departed from this world

I do not think that you have to wear any type of pin, or fly the American Flag to show your patriotism. Many Americans do it in other ways, every day of the year. What I do insist on, that every American who chooses to do so, should not, and can not be prevented from expressing their loyalty and love for their Country in these ways.

Should I really care about the welfare of the news networks ?

CLYDE

I would like to preface this discussion with a friend of mine from England, about the independence of Scotland, with a short background of my ancestry.

On my paternal side of the family my ancestor John MacDonald was from the Glencoe area of the Highlands in Scotland. He was sent to the Ulster region of Ireland because he was a "trouble maker", in the year 1690. After the infamous betrayal and massacre at Glencoe, he sent for his childhood sweetheart who somehow survived the attack. They were married and left for America in 1692.

On my maternal side of the family, my grandmother came to America when she was 9 years old. My grandfather's parents were Scots who came to America from England where they had been living.

My mother was born with dual citizenship. My grandmother was aware of the British laws and with her urging (insistence) my parents registered my birth with the British consulate, which gave me dual citizenship. It was from these grandparents that I acquired my sense of pride in my heritage and my interest in politics.

I have been following the news in Scotland, and monitoring some web sites in Scotland for about 4 years and have been watching the Independence Movement in Scotland.

My friend in England and I met through several music forums of which we were members. We began communicating through emails and have discovered that we had much in common.

I have come to respect his opinions. I believe that they are honest and sincere.

I asked my friend if he would write something on what he thought about the Scotland Independence movement in Scotland and if he thought it would be successful. He told me that he felt he was not qualified to offer such an opinion.

The following is a copy of our communications.

I wrote: "I believe that your opinions on what is happening in your (and my) country are as important as those of the politicians. And probably more honest. I believe that things happen that we do not think are right; because we wait until after those things have taken place to speak out. If the politicians feel that they might loose their jobs they may not be as quick to go against the will of the people."

My friend sent the following:
"I do take some pride in my Scots descent although it appears my forebears arrived in Scotland, albeit originally came there from Ireland

So my thoughts re independence for Scotland are a bit scrambled. As I consider myself staunchly 'English', I am perturbed by the break up of the UK. Ireland, Scotland and Wales for decades now have all seemed to pretty much detest the English and want to break away

Although I resisted initially, their views seems so vehement and 'anti', that I long for the day when we are solely England for the English - and break all ties with the other home countries. They want away, so get gone and good riddance. I'm a loyal person and if that isn't being returned I have no qualms in walking away, I won't spend precious time trying to coerce and persuade someone who is determined to do it their way - whatever the pros and cons

It is a very sad time in the UK .......... projections made in the 60s and 70s suggested a wonderful life as 2000 dawned but the reality is far from that. We are a bankrupt nation, all national pride having been knocked out of us by Blair and Brown's catastrophic New Labour policies (some 13 years now) and none more so than the extolling/imposing of diversity and multi-culturism - to the point where we, the ?90% once proud majority indigenous citizenry are made to feel unworthy and worthless, whilst funding all these grand ideas and schemes, to our own mighty detriment

And yes, I'm from the party of Churchill and Thatcher

Where else in the world aside from England are the populace made to quell the pride they feel in their own nation, lest they cause offence to some pissant minority. The word 'Christmas' is virtually outlawed, as in you can hardly wish anyone "Merry Christmas" (ditto on greetings cards and banners) lest some slight be taken. How I envy the pride in their country as shown by the likes of Americans and Australians. How I envy the French as they regularly exhibit that attitude of "My Government, you can take things just so far, but don't dare mess with me to too great an extent - because I will not stand for it!!"

Most issues have many sides to them ......... e.g. the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Watched a docu which made it clear that there are many conflicting factions within Jerusalem/Israel itself, which surely makes dealing with the Arab issue pretty much Mission Impossible out there i.e. if there is so much diversity within the Israeli mentality, how the hell will they ever reach a consensus to bring peace and stability (and some kind of future and hope, for kids of all factions) to the area?

So it is within the UK. The English are fed up to the back teeth with largely funding these other extremely ungrateful home nations e.g. the very expensive Scottish Parliament building (probably ditto the Welsh), seeing that the Scots have access to all kinds of life-saving drugs/medicines denied many in England - and again no doubt largely funded by the hated Sassenachs

Scots take the view that it is oil revenue from 'their' off shore oilfields which has enriched the Treasury at Westminster, so they are 'owed' the right to independence etc.

So there it is ......... pretty complex. I don't feel my warblings merit any inclusion in your Blog, maybe just take on board my feedback."

I replied to my Friend:
"The people of Scotland came from Ireland. They are from the Irish Clan Scots, who like Ireland broke up into Clans.

The British Empire (UK) was and is like a family, with England as the parent and the other groups were like the children. Like many families England enforced rules that were for the good of the family. Many of the children wanted to go out on their own and make their own. Four of the children have always been very rebellious: Ireland, Scotland, and the United States (Irish & Scots at that time) and India. These four openly rebelled. India, Ireland and the United States won their Independence. The Parent (England) learned from their mistakes and allowed some of the rest of the children (Canada, Nova Scotia, Australia, etc.) their Independence and have kept close ties. The children that were geographically closest (Scotland and Wales) were allowed a much greater part in making family decisions.

Of the three rebellious Nations, the United States reconciled many years ago, India is in the process of reconciliation, and Ireland is still hostile.
Reconciliation takes time and Ireland feels that they were very much mistreated.

Those Countries (with the exception of Ireland) have close ties with the UK family and all have treaties to come to the defense of the others.

I do not believe that the Scots and the Welsh detest England: they just think it is time for them to make their own decisions. Growing up is very hard on everyone."

My Friend replied:
"I would counter by saying that from your distance the word 'detest' may seem strong - but living here, I think it's correct and many Englishmen and women share that viewpoint."

I WISH TO THANK MY FRIEND FOR HIS PERSPECTIVE AND THOUGHTS. If there was more dialogue such as this amongst the people of this world there would be much less strife.

I have been carefully studying and thinking about Scotland's Independence for the last 3 years. I have come to the conclusion that it is an unrealistic dream. It is a fairy tale dream that is perpetuated by parents and grandparents. England, Wales and Scotland would become a third rate countries without each other. These movements for independence are led by a minority of small groups for their own personal gains: Politicians to gain or stay in office, Writers, Companies, and Performers for the money they can make by "keeping the pot boiling". Here in America it is the same thing. In the last year we had politicians from 2 different States infer that if they didn't get their own way they might leave the Union. Of course most Americans knew they were talking out of their rear-end. We have commentators on all sides of political spectrum, who make millions by spouting their lies and half-truths. There is a lot of money to made by stirring the pot. Many politicians are rewarded for the way they vote by political contributions.

England, Wales and Scotland are a family of Nations that live on the same island and have a citizenry that interact and travel freely across their borders. Like most families, they have their problems. To illustrate how its citizens really feel, I will illustrate with a story that was told to me by an uncle who was in WW I. As they were going through a town in France that they had just liberated, they saw the following words painted on the side of a building: TO HELL WITH ENGLAND. One of the Scottish soldiers went over to the wall and wrote: AND SCOTLAND TOO.

CLYDE

I think it is about time we stopped complaining about our country. We live in the best country on this planet. If we do not like how this country is run, we should get up off our butts, away from the television or computer, and do something about it.

I have three main responsibilities in my life: First - to my God, Secondly - to my Family, Thirdly - to my Country. I believe that many Americans have forgotten and ignored some or all of these responsibilities.

We would not leave our children with a baby sitter that we knew nothing about, and yet we put people in office who we know nothing or little about to run this great nation.

Most of us know very little about our local officials, let alone those who are in our State or Federal Government. We complain about what they do, and say "It's not my fault, I didn't vote for them." THAT'S THE PROBLEM, we don't vote. In a very good year less than 50% of Americans take the time to vote. In many elections, only 10 to 20 percent show up to vote on election day. All of this means that there is a small minority who are determining what the leaders of this wonderful Nation do.

If you want this Nation to be what our founding fathers foresaw and what we desire it to be. Stop bad-mouthing our Country and do something to make it better. Learn as much about all of the candidates as you can and get out and vote for the person whom you think will do the best job. Do not base your decision on what your family, friends. clergy or anyone else thinks. Vote for the person that YOU think will do the best work for America. Become an active part of American Government.

When you vote, do not allow the candidate's Religion, Race, Gender, Political Party, or the way they look or talk influence your decision. Morality and Ethics are not limited any one Religion, Race, Gender, or national origin.

Put yourself out once in awhile, by going to your local government meetings. Send an e-mail or write a letter to your government officials to let them know what you think of the job they are doing.

Make some time to volunteer to help those in your community that need help and the organizations that are trying to improve our ways of life for everyone. We are not too busy, we just think so. We always manage to find time to do what we REALLY WANT to do. If we do this the United States of America will be what we wish it to be.

CLYDE