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Alive And Well In France!
Well, what can I say about the France music scene? Didn't know a thing about it in December 2009, but now I know that the French people are absolutely crazy about American music, especially the Blues and Roots music!
I met my current dear friend and partner in crime through my MySpace site, and the rest, as they say is history!
Jocelyne Quenon is a very knowledgeable and astute music person! Although she is not offically my manager or agent, she has certainly fulfilled the role in a fantastic way since we connected two years ago!
I am playing in some very cool Coffee Houses all over France, and I expect to be here performing until Novbember, thanks to my new friends who keep me busy!
Jocelyne and I will be fucusing upon my own domain in the future, so please drop by and give me a shout!
Peace,
Howard Lips
I met my current dear friend and partner in crime through my MySpace site, and the rest, as they say is history!
Jocelyne Quenon is a very knowledgeable and astute music person! Although she is not offically my manager or agent, she has certainly fulfilled the role in a fantastic way since we connected two years ago!
I am playing in some very cool Coffee Houses all over France, and I expect to be here performing until Novbember, thanks to my new friends who keep me busy!
Jocelyne and I will be fucusing upon my own domain in the future, so please drop by and give me a shout!
Peace,
Howard Lips
Musician's Call To Arms
Having spent over 40 years involved in the music publishing business, I understand the public sentiment that musicians are self-absorbed and narcissistic! I must admit that the argument has been well documented by every music genre' throughout the history of American music, but I want to focus upon those creative individuals who come to realize that those who are richly blessed are called by the Spirit to compassion for the poor and marginalized human beings in the world.
There are many of us who have overcome personal demons, and we realize God's law of "seed-time and harvest!" "What is seed-time and harvest?," you ask. To put it in laymen terms, we get back exactly what we put forth into the world! It does not mean that we are exempt from random violence or accidents, but it does mean that the Universe operates on the principle of reproducing the seeds of life that are planted.
Reaping what we sow is a fact of life!
Now, let me unpack this concept. Two days ago, one of my clients attempted suicide by shooting himself twice in the chest. I had spent many hours counseling him, but he is too attached to his possessions to see the light! He took me through his beautiful home, and he proudly pointed out his prized family heirlooms and personal tidbits of "things" he loves.
Now, here is the rub. He is retired Navy, and he has a living income. All he had to do was sell his possessions, downsize, and live his life! Instead, he refused to received God's timeless wisdom regarding possessions, and chose to take his life because he is going to lose everything due to repossession and bankruptcy.
How ironic is that? If he lives, at least he can rebuild his life. If he dies, he loses everything anyway, and maybe his mortal soul! My personal choice is to be wake for opportunities of random acts of kindness. That way, I do not have time or inclination to dwell on my own personal challenges. Oh, they come. Some good. Some difficult, but I don't let those things drag me back to self-pity and depression.
Find someone to care for, and you will never take your own life! Instead you will find life! I promise!
There are many of us who have overcome personal demons, and we realize God's law of "seed-time and harvest!" "What is seed-time and harvest?," you ask. To put it in laymen terms, we get back exactly what we put forth into the world! It does not mean that we are exempt from random violence or accidents, but it does mean that the Universe operates on the principle of reproducing the seeds of life that are planted.
Reaping what we sow is a fact of life!
Now, let me unpack this concept. Two days ago, one of my clients attempted suicide by shooting himself twice in the chest. I had spent many hours counseling him, but he is too attached to his possessions to see the light! He took me through his beautiful home, and he proudly pointed out his prized family heirlooms and personal tidbits of "things" he loves.
Now, here is the rub. He is retired Navy, and he has a living income. All he had to do was sell his possessions, downsize, and live his life! Instead, he refused to received God's timeless wisdom regarding possessions, and chose to take his life because he is going to lose everything due to repossession and bankruptcy.
How ironic is that? If he lives, at least he can rebuild his life. If he dies, he loses everything anyway, and maybe his mortal soul! My personal choice is to be wake for opportunities of random acts of kindness. That way, I do not have time or inclination to dwell on my own personal challenges. Oh, they come. Some good. Some difficult, but I don't let those things drag me back to self-pity and depression.
Find someone to care for, and you will never take your own life! Instead you will find life! I promise!
Open Letter To Mr. Obama
Dear President Obama: 9 December 2009
I have been so depressed in my disappointment in your actions as President of the USA, in that, I wish I had spent all my initial energy in getting Hillary Clinton elected. Why do I say this?
You have not filled any major promise made during your campaign, with the exception of two items, one, stopping the torture of POWs and detainees and, two, getting back the respect of the free world for our nation. Thank you for those important actions.
Where have you failed? I'll list them, but not in the order of priority. You were going to get our troops out of Iraq ASAP; were going to close Guantanamo ASAP; were going to return the tax bracket for the very rich from 35% to 39.6% ASAP and were going to get a "Public Option" plan for health care. You did not even mention that in this week's get together with Democrats in Congress, or hardly at all during the past few months. You have not given them the strong support they need to get it through. If they do get it through, how watered down will it be? It will be your fault in lack of strong action and support.
Last, but not least of this short list, your complete breaking of your campaign promise of holding those responsible for torture of POWs and detainees, violating the US Constitution, the Geneva Convention and crimes against humanity. We have enlisted men in prison for following orders to torture but have not held responsible those that ordered it. This makes you, the Chief Executive of the USA, also responsible for not enforcing the law of the land and in violation of our Constitution. WHY?????
The only major promise of your campaign you have made good is one that 70% of Americans, along with me, were against. That is, sending more troops to a lost cause, Afghanistan. You have already sent 21,000 with another 30,000 to follow. History has proven, winning there, whatever it may be, has not been realized through the ages, no matter what major nation tries. A common cost figure used to maintain one soldier in the middle east has been set as one million dollars a year. When counting the 100,000 plus in Iraq and close to another 100, 000 in Afghanistan, we are talking about $200 billion plus per year, unless the size is reduced. For what gain? For what price in human life? For what catastrophic injury? For what cost to our economic downfall? Mr. President, whether you realize it or not, this will be your "Waterloo." And, sorry to say, with a high possibility of national disaster.
Sir, why are you not listening to your constituents who put you in office? Everything you appear to do is in appeasement of the Republicans, in hopes of bi-partisanship. Mr. President, wake up, you are their mortal enemy. There is nothing more they would like to see happen, is the US go down the drain on your watch and you be the fall guy. They cared less when Bush was in office what happened to our nation. Why would they care about the nation, now, that you are in office?
In closing, I pray and hope we, your supporters are wrong, and that everything you promised is realized and our nation comes out on top.
Sincerely, God Bless & Good Wishes,
Howard Lips
USAF Viet Nam Veteran
I have been so depressed in my disappointment in your actions as President of the USA, in that, I wish I had spent all my initial energy in getting Hillary Clinton elected. Why do I say this?
You have not filled any major promise made during your campaign, with the exception of two items, one, stopping the torture of POWs and detainees and, two, getting back the respect of the free world for our nation. Thank you for those important actions.
Where have you failed? I'll list them, but not in the order of priority. You were going to get our troops out of Iraq ASAP; were going to close Guantanamo ASAP; were going to return the tax bracket for the very rich from 35% to 39.6% ASAP and were going to get a "Public Option" plan for health care. You did not even mention that in this week's get together with Democrats in Congress, or hardly at all during the past few months. You have not given them the strong support they need to get it through. If they do get it through, how watered down will it be? It will be your fault in lack of strong action and support.
Last, but not least of this short list, your complete breaking of your campaign promise of holding those responsible for torture of POWs and detainees, violating the US Constitution, the Geneva Convention and crimes against humanity. We have enlisted men in prison for following orders to torture but have not held responsible those that ordered it. This makes you, the Chief Executive of the USA, also responsible for not enforcing the law of the land and in violation of our Constitution. WHY?????
The only major promise of your campaign you have made good is one that 70% of Americans, along with me, were against. That is, sending more troops to a lost cause, Afghanistan. You have already sent 21,000 with another 30,000 to follow. History has proven, winning there, whatever it may be, has not been realized through the ages, no matter what major nation tries. A common cost figure used to maintain one soldier in the middle east has been set as one million dollars a year. When counting the 100,000 plus in Iraq and close to another 100, 000 in Afghanistan, we are talking about $200 billion plus per year, unless the size is reduced. For what gain? For what price in human life? For what catastrophic injury? For what cost to our economic downfall? Mr. President, whether you realize it or not, this will be your "Waterloo." And, sorry to say, with a high possibility of national disaster.
Sir, why are you not listening to your constituents who put you in office? Everything you appear to do is in appeasement of the Republicans, in hopes of bi-partisanship. Mr. President, wake up, you are their mortal enemy. There is nothing more they would like to see happen, is the US go down the drain on your watch and you be the fall guy. They cared less when Bush was in office what happened to our nation. Why would they care about the nation, now, that you are in office?
In closing, I pray and hope we, your supporters are wrong, and that everything you promised is realized and our nation comes out on top.
Sincerely, God Bless & Good Wishes,
Howard Lips
USAF Viet Nam Veteran
Howard Lips Set For European Tour
| Upcoming Shows | ( view all ) |
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Delta Airlines | Gulfport, Mississippi | ||
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Latino Cafe | Descartes (Indre-et-Loire) | ||
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BUCK MULLIGAN (PU |
Tours | ||
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Delhi’s Cafe | Tours (Indre-et-loire) | ||
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LE MADISON | Villeperdue | ||
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COULEUR CAFE | Houssay | ||
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CENTRAL BAR | Vendome | ||
|
LE BENITIER | Britain |
[FWD: Nov. 27 blog]
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Nov. 27 blog
From: "mail.cableone.net"
Date: Fri, November 27, 2009 12:20 pm
To:
http://app.quickblogcast.com/bcCreateEntry.aspx?id=2613380
Thanksgiving's Bitter-sweet Reality
After enjoying a wonderful time with my family, I pause the day after and ponder the reality of what we celebrate. After all the prose and poetry has been written about how great our country is, all I see is an arrogant Nation built upon the innocent blood of my ancestors!
While we sit around tables filled with everything God provides, millions around the world are suffering because of American war machines dispatched where ever American interests dictate. Our politicians change faces, but the evil continues where ever our leaders appear around the world.
They tell us we are fighting for "Freedom," whose freedom? Everywhere our war machine goes, it leaves death and mayhem, and our leaders justify it as being in American interests.
As the book of Revelation predicts, America will go down just as surely as America was founded upon the blood of 100 million Natives who were slaughtered by our Government and sympathizers.
Yes, America is Babylon because she has prostituted herself around the world. She has slept with every political whim around the world, and she meets the criteria of Babylon. A wicked nation committed to ruling the world at all cost.
As a full-blooded American with Native, French, Jewish, Irish, and English blood, I feel the personal conflict of both loving and hating America for what she stands for in the world!
And now, our President is going to send more of our troops to a failed war and a corrupt government! My God, is there no conscious consideration for the innocent blood that will be shed again?
While we sit around tables filled with everything God provides, millions around the world are suffering because of American war machines dispatched where ever American interests dictate. Our politicians change faces, but the evil continues where ever our leaders appear around the world.
They tell us we are fighting for "Freedom," whose freedom? Everywhere our war machine goes, it leaves death and mayhem, and our leaders justify it as being in American interests.
As the book of Revelation predicts, America will go down just as surely as America was founded upon the blood of 100 million Natives who were slaughtered by our Government and sympathizers.
Yes, America is Babylon because she has prostituted herself around the world. She has slept with every political whim around the world, and she meets the criteria of Babylon. A wicked nation committed to ruling the world at all cost.
As a full-blooded American with Native, French, Jewish, Irish, and English blood, I feel the personal conflict of both loving and hating America for what she stands for in the world!
And now, our President is going to send more of our troops to a failed war and a corrupt government! My God, is there no conscious consideration for the innocent blood that will be shed again?
Departure Date For France December 20th
Howard Lips has purchased round-trip tickets, and he is scheduled for departure Sunday December 20, 2009 at eleven fifteen in the morning. Many thanks to Jocelyne Quenon for all of her efforts on behalf of this legacy singer-songwriter's successful musical journey to France and beyond.
The trip is the fruition of almost two years of preparation for the Mississippi-born singer-songwriter. Having overcome serious health issues this past year, the veteran musician is anxious to taste the sights and sound of the French people.
Stay tuned for more update regarding appearances in France.
The trip is the fruition of almost two years of preparation for the Mississippi-born singer-songwriter. Having overcome serious health issues this past year, the veteran musician is anxious to taste the sights and sound of the French people.
Stay tuned for more update regarding appearances in France.
Big Bird Flight To France
Mississippi singer-songwriter Howard Lips is preparing for his forth-coming working holiday to France, where he will be playing in Temples and Coffee Houses in Tours, Paris, and Descartes, France.
His publicist, Jocelyne Que'non, is finalizing public relations press releases and setting up "meet and greet" events with her Artists and Museum clientele so that the veteran legacy songwriter gets maximum exposure for his working holiday. Lips departs from Gulfport, Ms. on or about December 22, 2009 and returns on or about March 22, 2010.
Howard Lips is at the place on his musical journey where all the genres (Folk, Gospel, Blues, Jazz, Rock) blend into a rich musical background to the stories the songwriter tells. The genius of Country music, as Ray Charles so brilliantly demonstrated, embraces all genres in such a way as to bring the very best music from the performer. There is a long musical history of "cross-genre" artists who had tremendous success in Country Music.
Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis were all Country acts who "crossed-over" and became mainstream "pop" artists.
Lips is ready, having overcome prostate cancer and radiation burns, to spread "Clear Light so all can see...we've got the world in our hands, and I wonder if we understand?"
His publicist, Jocelyne Que'non, is finalizing public relations press releases and setting up "meet and greet" events with her Artists and Museum clientele so that the veteran legacy songwriter gets maximum exposure for his working holiday. Lips departs from Gulfport, Ms. on or about December 22, 2009 and returns on or about March 22, 2010.
Howard Lips is at the place on his musical journey where all the genres (Folk, Gospel, Blues, Jazz, Rock) blend into a rich musical background to the stories the songwriter tells. The genius of Country music, as Ray Charles so brilliantly demonstrated, embraces all genres in such a way as to bring the very best music from the performer. There is a long musical history of "cross-genre" artists who had tremendous success in Country Music.
Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis were all Country acts who "crossed-over" and became mainstream "pop" artists.
Lips is ready, having overcome prostate cancer and radiation burns, to spread "Clear Light so all can see...we've got the world in our hands, and I wonder if we understand?"
...And The Beat Goes On...
As an old Folkie at heart, social comment in the Woody Guthrie tradition is critical for a fascist-free society. When I hear political operatives tell complete falsehoods about our President, I hear the voices of fascist disguised as political rhetoric.
Political character assassinations are counter-productive to democracy. Trying to out-scream each other is stupid and prevents civil discourse about the health-care debate or any issue.
Operatives who have nothing to contribute except criticism have had their time of confusion. Now, let us come together and reason with one another without racist rhetoric and name-calling.
Level-headed voters need to hear more voices that Rush Limbough, Lou Dobbs, Fox News, and all right-winged Nazi sympathizers. Yes, racism is un-Amercian, and disrespect for the Office of the President is tantamount to treason!
Political character assassinations are counter-productive to democracy. Trying to out-scream each other is stupid and prevents civil discourse about the health-care debate or any issue.
Operatives who have nothing to contribute except criticism have had their time of confusion. Now, let us come together and reason with one another without racist rhetoric and name-calling.
Level-headed voters need to hear more voices that Rush Limbough, Lou Dobbs, Fox News, and all right-winged Nazi sympathizers. Yes, racism is un-Amercian, and disrespect for the Office of the President is tantamount to treason!
Kanye West Is A Half-talented Ego-Maniac!
As a professional musician and singer-songwriter with some success and recognition in music publishing, I find Kanye West to be a vulgar ego-maniac who needs to just go away. Ever since his mother died, he has deconstructed his career. It is painfully obvious to this songwriter that Kanye has shot his wad with his sampled tracks and non-singing voice! Case in point: his totally unprofessional act on the MTV Video Awards of taking the microphone moment from a very humble and deserving Country
On the other hand, the passing of my Country music mentor and friend Porter Wagoner has shown a big light on his awesome body of work, and my underground project produced by him, demonstrates one of those sides of Wagoner that very few people could see! He was a magnificent wizzard in the studio, and his musical tastes were very eclectic and ever expanding into the music of the day. A classic example occurred during one of my recording sessions with the Wagonmaster, which reflects the idea that Porter Wagoner was way ahead of his time or hopelessly behind the times.
People like booking agents were always stopping by to check us out. Curiosity and rumors were all in the streets and among music agents that Porter and Dolly were breaking up, and that Porter had taken an unlikely interest in a Mississippi singer-songwriter who was not a female!
One day such an agent dropped by, and he was very cordial and complimentary as my song played in the background. It was a surreal moment for me, because I really did not think I deserved to be in my blessed position. I was way out of my depth, but I put on a good act. "Porter, you gotta be the luckiest dude in the world!" the agent declared with a hardy chuckle.
Porter looked up from the console and over his reading glasses and asked: "Did you ever think it might have something to do with talent?"
And talent it was, although I must confess that I was not a Porter Wagoner fan until I met him. I had missed his career-making run with his classic hit "Satisfied Mind!" It was actually after Porter passed away that I visited his site and listened to his early work. I was blown away!
Porter Wagoner was my friend, brother, and mentor, and I shall be forever grateful for the magical time we spent creating the "Real American Country" project!
