Paul Harvey - 1918 - 2009

Paul Harvey - 1918 - 2009
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One of the pioneers of broadcasting, and a personal hero of mine has died.

Paul Harvey had been on the air nationally since 1951. He was 90.

I have fond memories of sitting at my grandparents' house in Iowa, enjoying a noon lunch at the kitchen table with Paul Harvey giving us his "news and comment."

Later, as a broadcaster myself, I'd listen to his reports to inform my own. Joe High, a photographer I worked with for several years and I would often plan our lunch breaks around Paul Harvey. And if the local station preempted him, we had a list of other stations we could catch him on.

He was known for his unique delivery, full of pauses, and the terrific story telling of his son, who wrote his popular "Rest of the Story" features. His wife, affectionately known as Angel produced his programs. She passed away last year.

He did his own ads, and how effective they were. It's been said he would only endorse products he himself used. And I'm sure his 25 million listeners were more than kind to his advertisers.

He spent time in Oklahoma and St. Louis before spending most of his life in Chicago, not New York or LA.

In many ways, he was the radio voice of middle America. He was a broadcaster not afraid to share his Christian faith, as he often did in this Lenten season, when he'd share the story of the man and the birds, a modern parable about Jesus.

It always struck me to hear how he wore not only a a shirt and tie, but a full suit on the radio, saying it made him stay on top of his game. I respect that.

It's been said he's the most listened to broadcaster in radio history.

He'd often close his program with a "kicker" -- a funny story that he himself would often chuckle at. Sometimes you'd hear the pregnant pauses as he either drew out the suspense, or held back his laughter. And always he ended with a hearty "Good Day!"

And now you know the rest of the story.

Muzak to be heard not listened to

"Music to be heard but not listened to --a new kind of music whose vitalizing influence subliminally satisfies the desire for sweet music."

So says an article in the KHOL-TV (now KHGI) Telecaster of August 15, 1960.

The headline reads "Muzak Music Emblem Symbolizes Quality."

Of course, now the headlines say "Muzak Files for Bankruptcy" -- just check out the links on Google News.

As synonymous as Muzak is with "elevator music" and soulless, bland background music, it's hard to think of a time when some wouldn't play pop music in their stores because it was too "irritating" (keep reading). But now we're bombarded with the likes of Lil' Wayne, Soulja Boy, and (shudder) Nickelback when we're grabbing a sandwich or shopping for trash bags.

Continuing in the 1960 promotional piece, it says "Muzak is functionally planned and specially recorded music that soothes nervous tensions and fosters the friendly feelings of customers and employees alike."

"Muzak dose not require active listening. It filters the irritating noises of the modern age. Customers feel better, more relaxed and more congenial when they're surrounded by Music by Muzak."

U2 opened the Grammys tonight, even if they aren't up for any awards until next year.

Nearly five years ago, I blogged by favorite U2 songs.

Now here's another try, probably much the same. Let's see how things change (or stay the same). In no particular order:

Until the End of the World
Beautiful Day
40
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Please
North and South of the River (favorite non-album track by far)
I Will Follow
Sunday Bloody Sunday
With or Without You
Desire
All I Want is You
Yahweh
City of Blinding Lights

U2 single most likely to skip: Stuck in a Moment

Other songs I can't quite put on my list but I would like to: The Fly, Mysterious Ways, One, Elevation, Vertigo, Walk On, Lemon, Stay, Pride.

Song I hope U2 closes their last ever show with: 40. No question about that one.

Lesser known songs I really like: Lady with the Spinning Head, Gone, When Love Comes to Town, Mofo, Dirty Day (Junk Day mix), Acrobat, Lemon

I do like the new single, Get On Your Boots. It's growing on me. I've been especially feeling the bass line. I think I was so caught up by the lyrics / delivery and guitar part to think about the bass part, but I like it more on each passing listen.

How many US presidents can you name in 5 minutes? - Quiz from www.timedquiz.com

I named 37 US presidents in 5 minutes

1474 Megapixel Image of Inauguration

This is pretty cool. A 1474 megapixel shot of Pres. Barack Obama being sworn in.

You can zoom in. It's pretty cool to see all the people there, to zoom in and just look around.

When Candidates Become Presidents: How Media Coverage Changes

Journalists are pressing our new president, trying to judge how media-friendly Mr. Obama will be.

First link:
News access issues concern those covering Obama

When Pres. Obama re-took the oath of office, TV crews were not allowed in. And the article says major wire services like the AP refused to distribute White House photos of the new president, instead pushing for access for their photographers.

And a couple of links from Politico:
Obama flashes irritation in press room
Media frustration spills into briefing

I'll take Politico to task for the first. Looks like they tried to ambush Pres. Obama at an impromptu stop by the new president. There are times to ask tough questions, but that looked more like someone looking for a gotcha moment. Not classy, Politico.

The second piece shows how reporters are treating an administration that promised transparency and change.

I'm not trying to pass judgment on the new president, but look how members of the press (and White House) are drawing lines. I know the critics said reporters and the Obama campaign were too cozy, but I think those things do tend to change when candidates become presidents. I think reporters will keep a watchful eye, and I think the new administration will be a little more leery of news coverage than they were during the campaign.

Silhouettes

Silhouettes, originally uploaded by echobase_2000.

So I have some toys lined up against a basement window. Looked pretty cool that way, so here's a shot of General Grievous.

Best of 2008!

Anberlin

Anberlin, originally uploaded by echobase_2000.

If you need a new music fix this Christmas, Anberlin's new album _New Surrender_ is available to download for $3.99 from Amazon for a limited time.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GO790S?tag=absolutepunk-20

If you want a sample, check out "Feel Good Drag"

Into the Groove

This is one of those silly put your iPod on shuffle games.

Rules…
*Put your music player on shuffle.
*For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
* YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!


1) IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY...
Alright, I was wrong

2) WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Christmas in Hollis

3) WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
The Ground Beneath Her Feet

4) HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Liberation

5) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Hanging by a moment

6) WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Rewind

7) WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Retrace

8) WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Livin' on a Prayer

9) WHAT IS 2+2?
Windowsill

10) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Five Iron Frenzy is either dead or dying

11) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Get to Heaven

12) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Extreme North of the Compass

13) WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Fabulous, like you

14) WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Wake Up

15) WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Always Yours

16) WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Don't Wait (but I'm already married...)

17) WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
1979 (that would be a few years off)

18) WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

19) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Summer Rain

20) WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
No One Like You

21) HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Only Time

22) WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Someplace Worth Being

23) WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Berlin Kitty

24) WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
X&Y

25) WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Nothing Like a Train

26) WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
More Everything

27) DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Mysterious Ways

28) IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE
40

29) WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
I'm Not Letting Go

30) WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Into the Groove