Chief War Eagle

The North Countryman - September 16, 1937

Musician Interview - Will Calhoun

Time for another of drive-by interview. These are intended to be an introduction to an artist, not their whole life story.

Today we get to tap the mind of Will Calhoun, Knoxville area railroad man and musician.

Because some music fans are gearheads...
Q: What guitar/instrument are you playing the most these days? Maker and model preferred

I'm currently playing a 12 string Fender acoustic, the sticker inside says: cd-160/12 blk made in China. I'm not a gear head by any stretch. If it stays in tune for most of a song, I dig it.

Because inquiring minds want to know...
Q: What are you actively listening to? What music is inspiring you? Yes, this is your typical, what's in the CD player, ipod, etc question. But, it isn't a "If you could be a tree, what tree would you be?" question.

I'm not forced but to keep the peace at work, the radio stays on a country music channel all day. I don't dislike country, I just don't particularly care for it. However, 1 or 2 will grab me from time to time.

For the past couple of years though, I've been listening to Audio Slave (singer from Soundgarden, band from Rage against the Machine). But I always fall back on Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, etc.

Future Plans...
Q: What are you currently working on? Recording/shows/tour/writing/etc.

Currently I am going to be doing a reunion show with the old band. It has been almost 12 years since we've played together. For the past couple of weeks, I've been trying to condition my voice to sing a 4 hour show.

I've always enjoyed writing and recording music. After the reunion show we may try to attempt to record with each other again, maybe play a couple music festivals in the summer time. I want to continue writing and recording even if it's just for fun for as long as I am able.

My connection to Will?  Over the years Will and I have played in our local church's praise bands.  Last year he asked me if I wanted to write some songs with him.  Since I'm not a song writer that never happened.  Every so often we trade CDs to listen to.  He's a good egg.

Will and his old band, Hambone Pie, are having a reunion show later this week.  It is sold out.  Perhaps they'll do another one later in the summer.  If you don't have tickets and want some Hambone Pie, here's a video.

Top Five Recent Staff Lines from Downton Abbey

A friend of mine, Shelly Wildman, has a blog, Life on the Wild Side. She, too, is a Downton Abbey fan. After every episode she presents her five favorite lines. I thought I'd do the same, but I don't remember every line, so I went back and found some great lines that the staff said in recent episodes. I hope you enjoy them.

5. Mr. Branson to Lady Edith: Not quite, my lady.

4. Mr. Carson to Lord Grantham: Mrs. Patmore, my lord.

3.William to Lord Grantham: I'm sorry, my lord.

2. Mrs. O'Brien to the Countess Grantham: Well done, my lady.

1. Mr. Carson to Lord Grantham: Certainly, my lord.


Carson comes in with two fantastic lines.

A Poser’s Guide to Les Misérables

Everybody’s talking about the new film, Les Misérables. A bunch of singing by dirty, hungry French people.

Your significant other has been begging you to go see it. You really don’t want to. You want to see Jack Reacher. You’d even go see that Cirque du Soleil movie than see Les Misérables. But there’s part of you that wants to sound sophisticated the next time you get together with some of your friends.

Whether you saw it or not, you want to sound like you know something about it.

The real goal is not to sit through a two and a half hour movie but to sound like you have. Save yourself some money. There’s tickets, popcorn and soda. Probably dinner beforehand. Parking. You’re already $75 ahead.

So, this guide is for you. To be totally honest, I haven’t seen the movie. Nor have I seen the musical. Nor have I read the book.

What? There’s a book?

Yep, a book. It was published in 1862. A guy by the name of Victor Hugo wrote it.

Vick Hugo

When talking about Les Mis, you want to sound knowledgeable, but not too much. First thing is to know how to pronounce it. Lay Ms. That’s all.

You can go down to Barnes and Noble and buy a copy for $12.50. Or you can go to archive.org and download it for free. But who has time to read?

Here are some of the passages with which you should become familiar:

"The book the reader has now before his eyes - from one end to the other; in its whole and in its details, whatever the omissions, the exceptions, or the faults - is the march from evil to good, from injustice to justice, from the false to the true, from night to day, from appetite to conscience, from rottenness to life, from brutality to duty, from Hell to Heaven, from nothingness to God. Starting point: matter; goal: the soul. Hydra at the beginning, angel at the end."

and

"Cosette and Marius fell on their knees, overwhelmed, choked with tears, each grasping one of Jean Valjean's hands. Those noble hands moved no more. He had fallen back, the light from the candlesticks fell across him; his white face looked up toward heaven, he let Cosette and Marius cover his hands with kisses; he was dead. The night was starless and very dark. Without any doubt, in the gloom, some mighty angel was standing, with outstretched wings, waiting for the soul." 

Now, you don’t need to memorize all those words, but you should get the essence. This is a story about redemption and in the end, Jean Valjean dies.  See, pretty easy?

You probably should know some of the characters’ names.

You’ve already met Jean Valjean and Cosette. Javert, Fantine, and Enjolras. Try to say them with a French accent.

Jean Valjean is a convict. Javert is a policeman. Cossette is Fantine’s daughter. Enjolras is the leader of the Friends of the ABC. No, not a Jackson 5 fan club, but a revolutionary student group.

The story is set from 1815 to 1832 in and around Paris.

The characters in the movie sing a lot. An awful lot. I don’t think that they sing so much in the book.

Some things to say about the film are, “I liked the musical better. The film was good, but they did it all in a recording studio. There’s something about live music...”

“Wow, there are just some things that you can’t do on a stage. Did you see what the director did with that ship?”

“That was one of the best films I’ve seen all year. I see some Oscars being awarded.”

A memorable quote from Jean Valjean is:

“To love another person is to see the face of God.”

That should get you some points.

So, I could go on and on, but this is just supposed to get you by.

It is okay to be a poser.

And now you’re an informed poser.

Santa Rides In Airship

Los Angeles Herald - December 26, 1908