12/19/2008 - 6:31am - Hope you and the family gave a truly wonderful Christmas... and
you'r welcom ein my space and life in a ny way you ever choose to be be. Brotherhood is
one thing, family is cool... I love you all, and truly want to make amends one way or
another... one day we will.. Thanks for "giving me my life", however you view
that... the Greyu Mornings will be a thing of the past soon... glad to share it with
you... And yeah, I loved the clothes I got at Macy's... :}
Oh yeah.. you can signal the Christian music you want... :}
Phoebe
Snow - Never Letting Go
Not courtesy of the NBA, yet.
James Taylor - The Star Spangled Banner
STAR NEWS: CONCERT REVIEW: James Taylor sings Obama's praises
Star News
October 22, 2008
CONCERT REVIEW: James Taylor sings Obama's praises
By John Staton
James Taylor got applause even before he officially took the stage at Greenfield Lake
Amphitheater Tuesday night.
Fans who didn't have tickets to the 900-seat venue crowded a perimeter fence to hear and
get a glimpse of the singing and songwriting star. So, counting those inside the gates,
more than 1,000 people saw Taylor play an hour-long set during which he performed some of
his best-known songs. Taylor also unveiled a tune inspired by the man responsible
for his presence there, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, in
support of whom Taylor has played five free North Carolina concerts.
Before the gates opened, and as ticket-holders waited in line to enter, those outside the
fence watched, and clapped, as Taylor conducted a pre-show sound check.
Then, after an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance and brief messages from the Democratic
Party faithful, Taylor took the stage to a standing ovation, one of several throughout the
evening. His entrance prompted a much bigger crowd reaction than previous mentions of
Obama's name had gotten.
Wearing a light blue shirt, blue jeans and a white fedora, Taylor opened with an acoustic
version of "America the Beautiful" before praising Obama and his running mate,
Joe Biden. He also took a couple of well-received shots at President George W. Bush and
expressed support for early voting.
Musically speaking, the band-less Taylor stuck mostly to playing solo acoustic versions of
his hits, among them "Something In the Way She Moves," "Fire and Rain"
and "Mexico." His voice sounded smooth and familiar, and folks weren't shy about
singing along.
Taylor also talked a lot, and got several laughs out of the crowd. He made fun of his age,
joking that his signed his first record contract in 1903, and talked about his frequent
performances of the hit "You've Got a Friend," a song written by former Taylor
flame Carole King.
"You could do worse than to have a song like that to sing every night," Taylor
said. "'Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight,' having a hit
with a song like that's like a jail sentence."
Taylor worked Obama's name into "You've Got a Friend," drawing more cheers, but
when one fan yelled out a request for "Steamroller," Taylor demurred.
"Can't do that one," he said of the famously profane song.
Taylor veered dangerously close to cheese-ball territory when he sang two songs from his
latest album, "Covers," to a pre-recorded backing track of a full band. He poked
fun at himself for doing it, calling the approach "karaoke," but the crowd
didn't seem to mind, with many leaving their seats and dancing as Taylor played a mean
blues harp to Junior Walker's "I'm a Roadrunner."
But the most musically interesting thing Taylor did all night was what he called "a
work in progress" when he started the crowd rhythmically chanting the words "go
Obama go Obama go Obama go" while Taylor dropped in phrases like "lead the
nation," "lift us up" and one of the Democratic nominee's slogans,
"Yes we can."
Later, Taylor's wife, Caroline, joined him to sing a couple of songs, including the
favorite "Carolina in My Mind," and the crowd called Taylor back for a one-song
encore.
After he played it and received yet another standing O, Taylor led the crowd in one last
Obama chant, doffed his hat, bowed deeply to show his well-known bald head, and was gone.
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20081021/ARTICLES/810210255/0/LIVING03
9/24/2008 -
Hi -
I'm in the process of tidying up some loose ends... so I thought I'd sum my thoughts
and feelings up to you this way.. as if any other way is available.
Ya know, the truth, now - and all the other times I thought about writing to you at
your PO Box in LA all those years... I've never been a groupie. I admired your mastery and
eleoqunce, the maturity of your lyrics, the project of kids music.. the timing of that...
I suppose, like a lot of people, I've spent a lot of time and money on you.
Unfortunately, given the psyops you participated in against me, I can only conclude
that, like so many people I've admired over the years, you're a fraud. There's no other
word for it. You're like a lot of other people who sing alot of songs, talk about God as
if you're one of His "warriors" of hearts and minds, and as long as it serves
you, you take the gifts He has provided you, and take the credit yourself. In that regard,
you are nothing special.
The October Road LP was kind of cool... at first.. when I believed that we were sort of
comrades - not friends - but in solidarity... the same kind of inextricable linking spoken
of in Shed A Little Light... only for me it wasn't about black or white, it was about
humanity and beings of every race and nation... that so-called interconnectedness that
seems to have permeated the cosmos in name but not in fact.
I know there are songs on that album that had nothing to do with me, even that
"Whenever You're Ready" has the deniabile plausibility of being about Ben... all
the psyops have that plausible deniability factor.. it's quite diabolical and
anti-christ...
I suppose one day, you'll say, like all the other fair-weather friends and liars who
have surrounded and sabotaged my entire life, that you were trying to help, to wake me up,
that you took a risk and that you suffered some price for your "assistance"..
just know that in my mind, it will all be a lie, but you'll find a way to save your butt
just like all the other liars.
And, as if you care, I can't listen to your music anymore. Just can't. What you did to
me was a master blow, at the time, in the psyops against me. At least I'll make a few
bucks selling all the cd's and stuff.
The important thing is, you made alot of money off my suffering, like so many other
people, and you wash your hands of it and say it's not in any way your responsibility.
Whether I can prove it or not, I can see the truth of all kinds of plots to steal my
music by Clive and other people associated with Arista and CBS - wasn't Cook with Hot
Tuna?.. the Psychic Friends network lady in Brooklyn was telling me of her study with the
Mahareesh and said "I have knowledge"... I kept asking her of what, and
she wouldn't say.
So when the news comes out, and people know what happened, understand that your name
will be on the list of people to arrest and sue, and that will happen, and "I
don'tknow you". At least Peter Gabriel had the guts and integrity to show up for
Einhorn's trial.
Meanwhile... I've been shackled by every person in my life, everyone important to me,
everyone who is supposed to be one of those you should be able to trust... I
don't knoww hat to tell you about Todd and all the rest... at least the music is useful to
the purpose, and I don't have or want anymore evidence of the people I admired who have
betrayed God... you need to realize that's how I see it... all of you...
53 years... not one person told me a thing. My nephews and nieces know more than me.
People could make all the excuses they want, but all I see is a tremendous lack of
integrity, courage and an incredible supply of hypocrites. Even if I found out tomorrow
that you and others have suffered greatly actually trying to assist me in some way, I will
say that you not only failed me, but you failed yourselves, because all these years, and
not much longer, I had an address, a phone number and an email address... and exposing me
for who I really am.. not the contrivance of psyops and setups by the government and
people like you... you will say, like my sister, that you tried.. what difference
does trying make, unless you're really willing to put it on the line.
You can run, but you can not hide, James. And th etruth is the truth. And now, you and
your family and millions and billions of people and beings will suffer the results of your
cowardice, and the cowardice of others likek you.
Lots of pretty words, James, like Stand and Fight.. lots of pretty words.. but like
most people entrenched in a system that allows you to speak for humanity while actually
not being willing to do anything of actual consequence... all expecting liberty and
freedom as if words were the answer, instead of intent.
So I look forward to frauds like you voting for Obama and promoting him as what he is
not, and all the rest. And while I'm looking for some canyon to hide in... where I can at
least be alone and in peace to the extent of my surroundings... let's just say I hope you
enjoy the new bird sanctuary.. and I may not be able to escape being kicked
around by psychotronics and governmental harassment.. but I will be able to escape the
country that has so betrayed God that even James Taylor would go sour... it's a shame.
Please understand, I didn't say these things to be critical or hurtful, just telling
you the truth, my truth in the matter, and my truth is important if only to me, and I
don't care how it impacts you one way or the other... just know that I'm no longer willing
to hear or open to any explanations from you or anyone like you. You're sick people, and
you need help. Help you turned your backs on long ago.
Trust me, your way and my way aren't the same at all. But it makes you look good and
earns you lots of money saying things like that. And that's what's important in this world
after all, isn't it?
Ronnie
Montrose - Telstar
Ronnie told me he works on time pieces...
8/8 - James - Sent a memo to your label to hook me up with your attorney. I'm trying
hard to give people the benefit of the doubt. I hope you end up reading this and helping
us all get to the bottom of this.
Here's the problem... with Alanis and others, I can easily see how I could have been
manipulated into believing particular contexts and phrasings relevant to my life... that's
what the Soundtrack of Your Life is about...
But, frankly, the tunes on October Road are just too similar to what was on my site
before it came out... and the things that were most similar to your lyrics that I wrote
were things I'd believed and spoken for years... I've considered that you wrote your tunes
and I was manipulated into having similar thoughts and stuff, but the parallels are too
stark, and if you're not aware of it, October Road was used to really mess with me by
Clive Davis and Lou Dobbs. In a big way, if nothing else, relying on the fact that most
people would never consider staging a boycott against MSNBC, let alone hang out with
famous people. For me, it's special, but not a "big deal" because I've done it
to an extent.. its just part of my life. But, given the media owns the images in the
world, it was clear at one point that I was being set up to look like a stalker, when all
I was really doing, at the very least, was being a good investigative reporter. You have
no idea what these people have put me through.
Why am I writing these things in public?
Because my phone calls are tapped, often re-directed. I never get email back from
anyone whom I am trying to contact anyone in authority, or just to get news info.. any
relevant or useful... I don't get it. To be honest, I'm not even sure that this web site
is on line. And there's reason to believe that if only because of who my Internet service
is through.
So, I'm sorry if this ends up dragging you through the mud if you weren't aware, but
it's getting harder and harder to believe you weren't, because, if you read the rest of
the below... much of the "reasoning" of it being that I have off and on been led
to believe you are aware... of the whole thing... AMPEX and all... you'll then understand
why I find it bizarre that your new covers album, which I won't be buying, includes the
song Wichita Lineman... if you read my letter to 
Glen
Campbell, you'll understand why it's weird, synchronistic, and one more reminder that
my all time favorite musician is part of something designed to harm me.
And that's why you either need to contact me and clarify your participation, or
understand why you will be included in my legal filings.
As for the context.. I had engaged in Aesopian Language(
is communications that convey an innocent meaning to outsiders but hold a concealed
meaning to informed members of a conspiracy or underground movement (like the United
States Government)) with the news networks and various politicians... at a certain point,
they announced your new LP, and I started promoting it online 6 weeks before the
release... I listened to it the day it came out, and wrote this song as a direct response
to the song "Whenever You're Ready". It's called "In The End" (which is actually more about how it's all
beginning). The recording's there too.. first thing I'd done in years. Other
people's songs... the whole works. My daddy used to ride the rails... soft as smoke and
tough as nails... it goes on and on...
If you understand what was going on, then you'd understand why I would respond in such
a way... Psyoped or not... there's a trail of evidence I can't ignore. In the
long run, innocent or not, you'll end up being dragged into it, just because, if nothing
else, they involved you. But I actually believe there's more to it than that. Walking On A
Country Road, btw, in an odd way, was my life. And I've done everything in "It don't
look like I'll ever stop my wandering..." Wandering Star was an interesting variation
too..
The thing is, it really IS about the Kingdom of God and the Rights of Man... and this
all really kicked into high gear, officially, On the 4th of July 2002, and the following
4th/5th of July when I announced I would run for President. Carry me on my way is
everything I was saying on my web site... I forget what to ask for... I worry bout
my actions... it's all there in the archives... I tried to change my mind... wearing my
father's clothes, singing a song my brother would sing... and then you release an album
with a photo that makes you look just like my father....
And what I realize most is that I was being psyopped to keep me from what I was
supposed to do... and the Psychotronics are effective.. but they won't stop me. And all
else I have to say James, is that if you're the real deal, then you'll check this site out
and find out that I am too. Spirit of truth, whatever symbolism you want to put on it,
that's why I'm here. And that's what I'll do. So do you have a truck or not?
HELP
Wanted: Attorneys.
Want to be a zillionaire?
8/4/2008 -
You know I keep giving you and your friends the benefit of the doubt.. but the facts
are just too stark... your participation in the Psyops against me along with GE.NBC
Universal, Clive Davis, Time Warner, The Democratic Party and the Bush Administration...
Dobbs, Matthews, Abrams, Jack Welch, Ted Turner.. the Whole Bunch.. it was interesting and
fun at times.. but you're right James, they'll take your soul if you let them.. they
obviously got yours and Alanis and Todd Rundgren.. You're all really sick. I hope I live
to see the day when you are all taken away to jail in handcuffs.
If you didn't have anything to do with it.. which is impossible based on the evidence I
have, you'd better speak up soon. Because before I disappear, I'm going out of my way to
make sure you and your friends are known to the world as the perverts and hypocrites you.
Sadistic hypocrites. They ought to take you all and tar and feather you and leave you to
suffer. Because that's the pain and torture you inflict on people.
All your songs about Christianity. and all the rest. Nice front. you. I can't wait to
hear your excuses. Like I told CNN and Dobbs long ago, you're a bunch of sick f****, and
the world will figure it out before long.
Dear James;
Update 7/2/2008
I keep looking at the info on Nostradamus's prediction that the greatest hoax in the
history of the world would be exposed after the turn of the century... my question is, is
it the one about the village idiot, or the one about the double-cross of God and the Son
of Man. Either way, it seems to work out :} Would you write a song about it so I'll know
for sure :} You really had me going with Frozen Man. Did you catch the report I did on
that? :} BTW, about yer bill...
Anyway, as John Astin (also of the Addams Family) used to say, "I'm feeling much
better now" :} The other guy I liked on Night Court was the guy who wrapped himself
up in aluminum foil, and slept in the aluminum road culvert tube to avoid microwave
radiation. I used to watch that and laugh, also knowing the guy was 100% correct... that
we're all being fried in a microwave oven with all the radio frequency radiation caused by
the satellites, radio and tv stations... let alone Government Pychotronics. The Thought
Camera. Just can't believe my dad would assist in what they're using it for...
So... I sent an email to your web site letting them know I was
going to use yer stuff, with my address and phone number and stuff. Ya never know. :}
Anyway, have 'em send me another email if you have a problem with that. Not like I'll
honor it :}
Not courtesy of the NBA, yet.
James Taylor - The Star Spangled Banner
Speaking of which... when I told people a while back that I wanted us to go back to the
60's, I was referring to a "revival" (can't believe I used that word) of family
and cultural values. So there you are, singing the national anthem for the Lakers vs the
Celtics.
So, I'm going to use the national anthem you sang. I'm thinking, in a few days when I
record the rest of "We Stand", I'm gonna cut a duet with you on the national
anthem just for fun. I'll send you an mpg to do the same on We Stand, or, just cut it
yourself. You'd do it better anyway (maybe you can teach me to how to play IT on the
guitar, too. Speaking of You've Got A Friend every day of your life... :}) Boy, do I need
to work on the harmonies... makes up for the Madison Square Garden gig... had a song for
that too... got Hillary to start taking pictures of the crowd :} Good old October Road.
Did I mention my bill?
The Psyops Guys say I'm having too much fun, so have fun on the Barnstorm Tour...
pet a couple horses for me... or a goat. Do you know I'm actually Aries and Pisces? Of
course you do. You're an Apple guy. :}
Funny, I was just looking at a report on people traveling over the 4th of July.
Then I thought about how I'm going to go to a concert for the 4th... don't knowwhere, I'll
look at the ticket later. Anyway. Reminds of how once, at Soquel High chool, I had a
microphone with me, so I walked around in my green sport coat... and I think I had a
briefcase with me... I walked around interviewing people about about their views on issues
and any other strange question I could think of to see if they'd try to answer... kind of
like a news reporter.. and I was amazed how many people took it seriously... must have
been the bubble thing... let's amuse the boy... I had to keep telling them I was only
joking. (Speaking of 4th of July, the timing was off when you did it on the DVD Special...
I know, sychronicity...)
So.. that's what I'm going to do this weekend. Only I won't be joking... at all..I hope
folks tell me everything on their minds. And I WILL respect their right to be heard or
kept secret. I will report on the ideas and complaints they have, though. And just think,
if it wasn't for the CIA/NSA Consultant to Raytheon that I met on the plane on my way to
the Alternative Media/911truth conention Santa Cruz, I never would have gotten one of
those digital recorders... (Tell John Edwards I don't want a jet ski). I hope I meet David
again. I think he and I could be good friends.
All that said... time to get to work... I may read some Hafiz today... again...
finally... something about Camels :}
Take care,
Love forever, dude, I know you know that
BTW: About yer bill... how much more do I have left on my credits. I'd like to go to
Israel. Maybe McCain would let me fly in his plane as a reporter. I have they have good
food on those planes.
PS: I know people are going to read this and think I'm nuts. Geez you're such a fine
wordsmith.
Updated 6/29/2008 9:32 pm PT
So, here's where I am today. I feel like dropping a few good ones on you. Lie, We Have
No Secrets, My Romance, Another Grey Morning, Mean Old Man... and smething about a bill...
Bill Who? If it's who I think, then it doesn't surprise me either. This must seem strange
to practically everyone.
Like so many lessons, who'd ever thought that I'd be working out forgiveness over you.
:} Seems to be why you're there.
Anyway, still don't know what to say. Got a lot of things to think about... let go
of... Secret O' Life, ya know... But, there is Lighthouse, and it is time to Let the
River Run. Still haven't found the Morse Code song. Some things are better left unsaid :}
Or not. Being A War With Each Other.. of course it doesn't make sense... Places in My
Past. And then, there's dig it. An Apple a Day... ya know, I'm still a little amused, but
much more concerned with the coming days...
BTW: I exchanged email with an old buddy of yours when I was trying to track you
down... sounded like a pretty good project you were working on with him some 30 years ago.
Was it Reggie? 30 years is a long time, dude.. :}
Previously on Hill Street Blues...
Yeah, I know all about people calling you by name... had a good one on you in Los
Altos... I like the way you pass a pick.
Got a couple things for you... don't know about Pittsfield, but, I'll Be Walking Close
To You. And all that everything is everything stuff.
First, don't know if you got this from you know who and you know who, but I decided to
pass this along.
Not quite sure exactly when I wrote these...
And... wrote another one in response to the Pittsfield Project... excellent stuff, got
the part about Nixon. Wrote one back to you about morse code... can't seem to find it, but
maybe one day. Dit dit dah dit dit dit dah... don't worry it doesn't mean anything... I
don't think.
Meanwhile: Got the Company Man part and all, but... I'm still sitting here. All very
interesting. I Will Not Lie For You Either.
I dunno what to say... meanwhile when I was in Yosemite, I saw 2 Blue Moons... weird,
never saw even one before... (heck, a month ago, the moon came up in the west. Got it on
video.) Knowing a little more of what I wish I didn't know, now, is maybe I'm beginning to
understand where this song came from... just wonderin'.. And maybe I wasn't in Yosemite at
the time after all when I wrote this song. :}
If You Are the One
12/15/92
If you are the one
You'll know although a word has not been spoken
If you are the one
I'll be the one beside you through all time
Cause I've had my share of love affairs long golden hair
And the smell of sweet perfume
And I don't want no love for a night
It never seems right
And it always ends too soon
And if I am the one
I'll know it when I wrap my arms around you
And if I am the one,
I'll see it every moment in your eyes
And if you are the one
I won't believe my luck the day I found you
And if you are the one,
You'll be the greatest gift I've ever known.
I can see that one going back and forth with a number of people. I think it was one of
those imaginary lover tunes. :}
This is the first letter I tried to send to you.
Dear James –
In everything I do, in every disappointment I have, in every
failure and success, I always look to find ways to learn, and take from it some new kind
of possibility. For me, it’s like
writing songs… I never put the guitar down until I’ve started the next one. The next theme, the next insight. Works for me.
I’ve experienced a great many things in the last 2 months,
most of which I don’t understand… things
that I thought were in alliance with others that have mostly turned into some strange kind
of synchronicity or coincidence… much of which I believe actually occurred but, for
whatever reason, is being denied. Everybody’s
got their own reasons.
In writing this, I’m sure it will be viewed as some sort
of reconciliation of those occurances, and an
attempt to validate them. But I’m so
very clear about a few things, what I’ve been focused on. And I’m clear that we all have our own paths
and compulsions and needs. For me, it always comes down to what we, as people, have in
common. And what there is to empower.
With that, I want to make it clear that nothing I say here is
intended to be critical or in anger. But, I
do feel I was “engaged” in something, by what you did probably based on
recommendations from others, but still, it makes me believe that I have a right to respond
inside of a very unusual relationship. Like
I wrote to Lou once, I’m not all that impressed by celebrity… if there’s
anything I learned by working the AR departments in Hollyweird, it’s that most people
in the biz are just small town guys like me who found a niche, a calling, and found
themselves in entertainment. That of course,
is not to minimize the work and commitment it took the celebs to get where they are.
Since I only feel I can “prove” that the one song was
written about me.. although many references on the October Road album reflect on me and
the things I wrote on the website, I’ll only speak from there. “Whenever
You’re Ready”. Whenever YOU'RE ready. (Addendum: I told Lou I'd send you a bill
for the PR)
When I first listened to the album, I was ecstatic just to hear JT singin’ like
he used to, lots of guitar and a lot of thought and soul… and as I listened to it
more, and heard the words, I couldn’t help but notice what you were reflecting All over the album.. and I was astounded,
wondering how you knew all that stuff… it took me awhile to realize that I had
written the most of it on the website. Addendum: Chicken bones. Whew.
So, when I fully took in the lyrics of “Whenever
You’re Ready” it was like a dream come true to me… and I heard an offer..
The dream come true wasn’t about having a song written about me.. that was done a
number of times when I was hanging out in LA… it was this thing inside me, like
something I knew, that I would always have some kind of contact with you, and work with
you. Never wondered why or anything, it was just like a truth inside me. So, for me, hearing that song was like that truth
finally being realized. And I so wanted it. I
counted on it.
And the hell of it is, I don’t really know what the truth
is. Since it appears that I’m not
someone to have communication with, my questions remain unanswered about it all. And it’s an emptiness. What I walk away with is this feeling of needing
to tell you to be careful what you speak into existence.
I suppose for most people, hearing a song about themselves, a pep talk so to
speak, would mean everything.
But I’m a very literal person… I don’t BS
people, and I keep thinking they’re being dead-on straight with me too. I know you were trying to give me a gift. And maybe everything was true and everyone
thought I would just drop what I was doing to accommodate music. There isn’t anything more “sacred”
to me than music… and I believe in the
power of my music too… I’ve seen how people respond to it.. but, I had another
commitment, and maybe that was perceived as a lack of desire to persue music… and
thus, the opportunity passed. I don’t
know.
I can say this: I’m one of those people who’s
self-generating… I’ve been pretty down the last few years, it’s true. But it’s all been due to the lack of
possibility I saw to make a difference in the world… until I finally did. But, like I said before, I always saw the music as
a way for a guy like me, raised dirt-poor and too honest to cheat for his own good.. to
rise up and do what he was intended to do, to fulfill the promise of my potential, and
what I have to offer the world.
Who knows. Maybe I
will. And maybe some people will believe in
what I say and do enough to empower me. But
that is something I have learned to disbelieve in, and not count on. I can’t help thinking about “Places in
my past” it goes through my mind all day long.
I guess “all I’m really saying” is that your
music is precious, and I’m sure I’ll get over my disappointments and listen to
it again without tears… it’s been
such a gift to me over the years.. But, James, I’m counting on you to help keep the
dream of love and justice alive in this world… and to encourage others to do the
same.
Despite our personal dreams and ambitions and illusions in this
world, there is nothing greater than love. And,
even though the times we live in make it all the harder to express and receive, please
continue to express it in the world… we all count on our prophets, our musicians, to
do that for us, whether we hear the words or get the message or live it in our lives,
it’s still important that love be present. If
you’ve ever done anything, you’ve
caused that in the world, and I hope you feel
good about it.
All my love and enduring respect,
Chuck the Democraticfundamentalist :}
PS.. I’ve never considered myself to be a “born-again
Christian”, and I’m no fanatic. I
just believe in the word and teachings and discipline of God… always have and always
will. I always laugh at that line while I take another toke and appreciate the message.
But I’m here, and I hear you, and, just like out of the
Bible.. maybe a blessing, I don’t know. .. I do know. And it is a blessing, and it is
about creation and delight… I hope I don’t let you
down.
PSS Love Michael Brecker!... What Can A Miracle Do?
Here's the second letter I nearly sent to you via oyur
brother's bed and breakfast. The osyops guys wouldn't let me.
Dear James –
This will likely be the most unusual letter you’ve ever
received… as I write this, my mind is quite tired and I’m not sure where to
begin, but I request you read this through and understand that I’m simply looking for
a few answers.
Though this isn’t really a “fan letter” per se,
I do want to tell you that I’ve been a big fan since your first album…
You’ve Got A Friend (your version) was the first song I learned to play
comprehensively on the guitar… and I’ve been writing music since I was 8 or 9
years old. Many people say my style is much like yours. Nonetheless, let’s just say I
want to thank you for all the great years of your music. It has been an inspiration at the
very least.
Having been a song writer, I want you to know that I understand
a little of the process one goes through when writing… for years, to a very few
individuals that were close friends, I’d admit that writing was more like receiving,
in that I didn’t really understand where the music was coming from – and that it
was more like they were being played to me, and it was my job to write them down. I
mention this because, after the release of October Road, you made a comment to a reporter
about how the songs just “came to you”… In part, that’s what I’m
actually writing to you about.
On July 4, 2002, I held a conference call as a promotion of a
web site called democraticfundamentalism.org which was to promote fundamental tenants of
democracy. In that conference call, I talked
about the founding fathers, the intent of God and human rights… everything you talked
about on “The Fourth of July”… the Kingdom of God and the rights of man. In
that same time period I began developing a book called “For the Love of the World:
Approaching the Kingdom of God”
To make it even more strange for me, I had been sending emails
to Lou Dobbs and other CNN staffers… and writing in my web column about how my
philosophy of life was much like what you had written in “The Secret O’
Life”. Even more, I wrote a section about myself… to introduce myself to
them… where I described how I viewed this planet as heaven on earth… I wrote
that early on in life, I had had a vision one day in church when I was 9 or 10 where I saw
myself as a musician, a minister, and the ruler of a nation. I just blew it off as a childhood fantasy, but still kept it
in mind.
But, I went on to write in my columns that, since, I doubted
I’d have the chance to got o college, I asked God to teach me what I’d need to
know in order to fulfill His purpose for my life. I wrote that whenever I asked God what
it was like to experience any given thing in life, that it would happen to me. I
wrote… it never occurred to me to ask God what it would be like to be filthy
rich… You wrote.. I forget what to ask for, there isn’t anything I haven’t
been given, who could ask for anything more, as I am here living in heaven…
In my emails to the news media, I told them about how I was
running out of money and couldn’t stay where I was, and so was just going to pack up
a backpack and head for the hills, and just live off the land. Meanwhile, as I’d
said, I write music, and had always considered that when the day came that God’s
purpose was clear to me, that the music would be like a savings account to help finance
whatever it was that I was supposed to do. Later, when October Road came out, it had the
song “Whenever You’re Ready”.. the intro exactly fit my circumstance…
and just for the record, I wrote a response to that cut….
In The End (9.1.2002)
I may feel forlorned
And I may feel forgotten
But the tears always dry
And my heart always mends
But my road continues to wind
It's a road that I must follow
In the end, in the end
It's the road that I must follow
In the end, in the end
There's enough to go around
In the end
There are faces I've seen
Full of smiles, full of sorrow
And I can't close my eyes
To the love I must share
So I walk down my road
With a song in my pocket
In the end, in the end
It's the road that I must follow
In the end, in the end
There's enough to go around
In the end
Who am I to say that the lessons of my sorrows
Won't turn out some way, somehow, some day
So I'm coming out to play
To turn people into friends
In the end, in the end
It's the road that I must follow
In the end, in the end
There's enough to go around
In the end, in the end
It's the road that I must follow
In the end.
I wake up everyday
Walk the path I've been given
With more or less to say
'Bout the ways we are driven
And I give my heart away
There's enough to go around
In the end, in the end
It's the road that I must follow
In the end, in the end
There's enough to go around
In the end.
Like I said, I know something about the process of writing
music.. I know how everyone relates to lyrics
based upon their own experiences… and how musicians write things that have meaning
they don’t even consider.. when I wrote the song above, I was writing in the context
of the political activism I was doing… but, soon after this, I saw a reference to
Matthew 24 on tv… so I decided to read it… and it was then that I began
researching the Bible, ancient history and some of my own lineage.
It was then that I realized how much religious context was in
your own music…
At the same time all this was going on, I began experiencing
what would be called meaningful synchronicity… not here and there… I’m
talking about constantly, all day long every day… I wrote an email to my favorite
news man about it, and he responded on the air by saying “there are no such things as
coincidences”… which, of course, confused me all the more, because I was looking
for a reason that all this synchronicity would be occurring. In Raised Up Family, I
didn’t pay any attention to the reference to Kundalini Thunder – if I had, I
would have understood a great deal more (by then, I had gotten into the practice of
researching anything I didn’t understand, believing God was trying to inform me in
these new ways)…
I suppose I could ramble on for quite some time regarding the
similarities between the music of October Road… to say the least, much of it was like
a chronicle of my life in that period… strangely enough, I had the same experiences
with the music of Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Jackson Browne, Alannis Morrisette, Melissa
Etheridge…and many others… telling stories of my experiences, past and present,
as well as things that were supposed to have happened… Songs like Alanis’
“Front Row”, referring to Lou and professional distance… I’m quite
stumped by it all because no one has or is willing to explain it all to me.. mostly I feel like I was set up in a trap of some
sort… I just don’t know why…. Except that it appears that it is to suppress
me from completing the tasks I’m supposed to do in God’s plan… related to
the work of Elijah and the Son of Man.
I know all that sounds weird, but given who you are – your
experiences and knowledge – I’m simply going to have faith that you understand
what I’m talking about. For the past few
weeks I’ve been bombarded by people who I can only relate as being associated to
Time-Warner… which is why my mind is so tired…
Anyway.. one of the songs you wrote is called “I Will Not
Lie For You”… I always took the context of that song as having to do with a
friend who’s wife or something was trying to cheat on his best friend… and maybe
it was… but, given the ambiguity of the lyrics, and the little more I know about you,
I can’t help but wonder if I’m the guy you describe as “stumbling
around”… let alone if I’m the person referred to in Baby Buffalo… even
if it wasn’t in your mind when you wrote these songs, I believe I’m a guy that
those songs apply to in terms of some Biblical occurrences and my real life…
So, you wrote, if he comes to me I will not lie for you…
So, I guess you could say, I’m coming to you for some answers…
Maybe you know what I’m talking about, maybe you
don’t. Hard to tell. Maybe I’m crazy, maybe I’m not.. I don’t believe
I am. I believe I just need one of those walks in London Town.. Seems to be a recurring
theme for artists being “indoctrinated”…
Anyway.. I hope you can shed a little light on things for me..
I’ll understand if you can’t or won’t… I know all this sounds strange
and all.. but, let’s just say, I’d like to see the river run as much as so many
other people… and I think I have
something to do with that…
To that end, I’m hoping you can help.
Sincerely,
Chuck Rehn
I’ll Be Walking Close To You (10/14/2002)
I put on my walking shoes today
I do not know where they will take me
But I believe they'll take me far
And no matter where you are
I'll be walking close to you.
I have walked these roads before
Following signs that I was given
To live the life that I've been given
And now I've put on my walking shoes
And I'll be walking close to you.
(Chorus)
So I pick up my guitar
And I wonder what I'll sing
I'm wondering where I'll go
And what tomorrow's sun will bring
But as long as I am able
As long as it may take
I know this earth is heaven
And it takes us all to make
So follow me if that seems right
And live the dreams you dream at night
Put on your walking shoes and lead the way
'Cause I'll be passing through
And I promise when I do
I'll be walking close to you.
It would be easier to walk away
But that would leave me feeling stranded
I would walk off empty handed
When all I wanted to do
Is to be walking close to you.
PS: These tunes were written long before I had any Biblical
context for their words. I didn’t even know what I was writing… :} Just Riding
On A Railroad…
