Even though i had to work today, it was a good day of rememberance. Going through our small city smelling the grills and friends and families that were getting together from back yard to yard. I couldn't help but try to rememeber what the today represents. Musch more thn the start of summer, or the much needed 3 day weekend. It is time for all of us to reflect on the cost of freedom. And honor those who have paid that price for us. With that i leave you with this letter wriiten over 150 years ago to a Mrs. Bixby.

Dear Madam

I have been shown the files of the war department. That you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless any words of mine should attempt to beguile you of the frief of a loss so overwhelming. But i can not refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of a republic they died to save.
I pray our heavenly father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement and leave you only the cherished memeory of the loved and lost and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid such a costly sacrafice upon the alter of freedom
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
​                                       Abraham Lincoln

​Tina Turner, the pioneering rock’n’roll star who became a pop behemoth in the 1980s, has died aged 83 after a long illness.
She had suffered ill health in recent years, being diagnosed with intestinal cancer in 2016 and having a kidney transplant in 2017.

Simply the best: Tina Turner – a life in pictures

Read moreTurner affirmed and amplified Black women’s formative stake in rock’n’roll, defining that era of music to the extent that Mick Jagger admitted to taking inspiration from her high-kicking, energetic live performances for his stage persona.
After two decades of working with her abusive husband, Ike Turner, she struck out alone and – after a few false starts – became one of the defining pop icons of the 1980s with the album Private Dancer. Her life was chronicled in three memoirs, a biopic, a jukebox musical, and in 2021, the acclaimed documentary film, Tina.
In a statement on Wednesday night, her publicist Bernard Doherty said: “Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of Rock’n Roll’ has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model.”

Summer has started and it seems our city has quickend it's pace. Greenriver rd is almost at a standstill. Franklin Street is alive with cars. motorcycles and even 3 wheelers. Gridlock on highway 41 south across the bridge is unimaginable. But that comes with warmer weather. Or does it?

The more we stress to pay the bill get to work on time, clean the house, mow the lawn, yeah i get it. But after this week i had to stop and smell the flowers. Take in all God's beauty and majesty. And be forever grateful for what i have. The rat race can be a run around an endless pursuit of a checkard flag we may never see. It's when you stop chasing, stop running and be still with mind body and spirit are we able to see the goal and whats obtainable. 

This summer take time for yourself and others. Take in attractions at Mesker Zoo, Our museum on the riverfront. The African American Museum on Lincoln Ave, and lets not forget the WW2 museum by the airport. The wetland are always serene and peaceful. The trails at burdette park, Wesselmans Nature preserve and Angel Mounds. Any of these destination you can do with a friend or even by yourself. And maybe convince you to walk to the finsh line......a winner

Every action has an equal and oppisite reaction. Or so i'm told. I watched and rewatched the sum and level of violence that Tekashi 69 endured. And now i'm second guessing the actions of those who chose violence. Yeah i get it, tekashi had it coming, he should of never snitched, blah blah blah. But i wonder now that are we a culture that now delivers it's own brand of punishment? If things don't work out in our favor, do we naturally call friends to "even" the score? Is this the existence of rap music in it's current form? it seems to be more questions than answers. So let's just follow the money when it comes to rap music. Lets say your a promoter, i in turn own a venue. You come to me and want to rent my venue for a rap concert. What would it take for you to be profitable. 

Venue = $2000.00
Insurance = $10,000/ 1million in coverage 
Artist = $ 30,000
Sound, Lights, DJ = $4000
Security = $1500 
Bringing your cost to $47,500. At $20.00 a head you would need a venue that held at least 2500 to 3000 people to see a decent return on your investment. This in a city of this size and demographics, that's no small feat. But the cost of venues and insurance to do "rap" or "urban" events will continue to skyrocket when things like Tekashi's beat down makes the news. Because we as a culture will be viewed as such. The message we speak in rhymes over beats and bars could be drowned out by the costant spread of negativity throughout the culture. 

In the midst of it all i still wonder ....was it justified. Which shows just how indoctrinated one can become just through social influence. No it wasn't justified. But there are still major faults on the side of 69 and the rap community aas a whole. That of course is a whole other blog. 

As Operations Manager of this station. I get to see some of the trends that happen here locally. Watching the rise and fall of music artsit positions on our chart, is a true insight on "whats next". As more and more independent artist reach out to our station, i've come to the realization that independent artist are the true major artist. They often do more interviews, promotional work, and most likely know the in's and out's of running a recording studio. I've even know a few that are handy with a video camera. Which, in my eyes, deems them major. As a DJ and a producer, it only a matter of time before an artist, no matter the genre, makes it "big". Make no mistake we've had a few before now. And some that are still currently making moves out in the music industry. With all this said, i find myself wondering "who'" will be the next big thing from EVansville Indiana. Only time will tell.

A year after the Oscar's slap, Chris Rock now seems ready to discuss the "slap heard around the world". Chris Rock with his special "selective outrage" once again targeted Will and Jada Smith. Focusing on Jada's affair with August Alsina. Chris mockingly scolded and poked fun at their open "Red Table" discussion about the incident. The comedian even addressed the boycott of the Oscars when Jada took to social media and supported her husband stating he should at least been nominated for his role in confusion that same year. Chris did everything but take any accountability. 

With this new special. Chris has done nothing more than reiterate, why i don't like him. I'm not sure how many times i or others have to hear about an issue others have deemed OVER! But it looks as if Chris is still feeling the sting. What he failed to mention is his disguting joke about Jada's auto immune disease alopecia. He has still failed to recognize how untimely and unclassy the joke was. There is no telling the stress and pain Jada Smith went through and is going through about her hair loss. Her daughter and mother both shaved their hair in support of jada's struggles. But ohhhhhh, not Chris Rock, he should get a pass because he's a comedian. Or wait...because he's black...or both. C

At this point i feel Chris is nothing more than an uncle Tom with less knowlege of self than a house negro on a plantation. He's the epitome of a spoiled selfish bitch, looking for recognition from a long dead and buried subject. His survival as comedian is now entrusted to Will and Jada as he has no new ideas to capitolize on. His on going onslaught of Will and Jada is his own self destruction. He needs new material to talk about, but as stated in his own special. He's rooting and cheering for master....keep cheering Chris ...it aint the first time you've thrown your people under the bus. 

In light of recent NBA games and ref, calls in the sport. Along with bad calls by umpire's in baseball. It looks as if reform for this profession will be in the works. Having franchises lose money and revenue because of short tempered officials is more than the general public can handle. With good reason, fans are the cornerstone of marketing and promotions. We buy hats, and tshirt, jersey's, key chains, and a host of other sporting goods. Sporting apparel averages 303.44 billion dollars per year. A winning team can take up to 1/3 of that revenue. So it only makes sence that reform be held during the off season of certain sports. After all this is money we're talking about. It's not like someone's life is on the line, like in other areas of public trust. Imagine if there were officials out here shooting and killing unarmed men and women. More over imagine them getting away with it. Thank god sports has video and slow motions effects, where we can view and see the right and wrongs of these calls. Imagine violent deaths by officials being caught on video camera. So we could see and view if these crimes by officials. It would make due process so much easier. But i digress life liberty and the pursuit of happiness must take a back seat to the all mighty dollar. What could be more important than making sure those stadium seats stay filled with fans. Obviously not our lives. So lets make sure sport officials reform, let's hold them accountable. Let's make sure that these officials can lose their jobs, and have no chance of getting  job in any other leauge as well. As far as getting killed or murdered over skittles, playing in the park, loose cigs, jogging, oh yeah and the occasional "oops we have the wrong house or person" Well roll the dice..life is a gamble ...right?