The Observation Deck

Crazed man spotted tonight in the Phoenix yielding a saw...




Another fun evening of free music and great coffee at the Phoenix coffee shop.

No matter how it might otherwise look in the photograph, I have it on good authority that the gentleman in question here is not related to any mysterious Lakewood monkeys, either living or deceased....

He does however, enjoy being a "cut-up".

...and to think, he was once a meek, mild, school teacher....

Can he cut a rug too?

I uploaded some pictures for anybody who is interested.

Thanks.

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... offee-shop

Great shots, Joe. I love your use of DoF.

Gary Rice wrote:No matter how it might otherwise look in the photograph, I have it on good authority that the gentleman in question here is not related to any mysterious Lakewood monkeys, either living or deceased....

He does however, enjoy being a "cut-up".

...and to think, he was once a meek, mild, school teacher....

Gary, I always love seeing pictures of you playing an instrument. You always look like you're having so much fun!

I've done a great many things in my life, but one of those that brings me the greatest joy, is to help others to raise their voices in song. When I was a little boy, there was some doubt as to whether I would even be able to talk, as I had a serious speech impediment.

With many surgeries and much therapy, my voice is better, so not only do I talk, I sing. More than that, I try to bring others into the experience, in order to help to fill their lives with joy, if only for a little while.

My experiences in music have been unreal, as many of you know. I've done everything from drums to guitar, to fiddle, musical saw and banjo, and in just about any style you can think of. I've fixed guitars for the Rock Hall and quite a few stars, and I've worked with musical programs for Catholics, Protestants, Jews...just about anyone. I worked with my dad on the march for the new Garfield School (Dad already did the Harding March years ago) We did music for Governor Ted Strickland, former Mayor Tom George, the All-Ohio State Fair Band, and we are currently working on yet another campaign song for a well-known politician.

All of this, put simply, is that music is FUN! It's never too late to pick up a guitar, a harmonica, a kazoo, whatever, and get started. Need advice? Just PM me, or show up Mondays at the Phoenix. You will be welcome.

Joe- Those photos are so touching and so emblematic of so many aspects of the Monday Phoenix experience. You are a master photographer in my eyes!

Lakewood: You simply have to love it. So many, many great people...

Joe - These pictures are great and show a really fun hootenanny!

Gary - You do kinda look crazed with that saw!

Gary Rice wrote:I've done a great many things in my life, but one of those that brings me the greatest joy, is to help others to raise their voices in song. When I was a little boy, there was some doubt as to whether I would even be able to talk, as I had a serious speech impediment.

With many surgeries and much therapy, my voice is better, so not only do I talk, I sing. More than that, I try to bring others into the experience, in order to help to fill their lives with joy, if only for a little while.

My experiences in music have been unreal, as many of you know. I've done everything from drums to guitar, to fiddle, musical saw and banjo, and in just about any style you can think of. I've fixed guitars for the Rock Hall and quite a few stars, and I've worked with musical programs for Catholics, Protestants, Jews...just about anyone. I worked with my dad on the march for the new Garfield School (Dad already did the Harding March years ago) We did music for Governor Ted Strickland, former Mayor Tom George, the All-Ohio State Fair Band, and we are currently working on yet another campaign song for a well-known politician.

All of this, put simply, is that music is FUN! It's never too late to pick up a guitar, a harmonica, a kazoo, whatever, and get started. Need advice? Just PM me, or show up Mondays at the Phoenix. You will be welcome.

Joe- Those photos are so touching and so emblematic of so many aspects of the Monday Phoenix experience. You are a master photographer in my eyes!

Lakewood: You simply have to love it. So many, many great people...

Gary

To quote another Advisory Board member in a recent discussion. "Gary Rice, is one beautiful dude."

I cannot believe how you have enriched the life of so many, so often.

Lakewood should have a Gary and Bob Rice statue.


Joe

You are a damn fine photographer.


.

Jim,

Thanks for those kind words! I agree completely with you about Joe. His photos are so fresh, and impact-oriented, professionally speaking. He amazes me totally!

As to that statue idea though? The only trouble with having a statue, is that pigeons seem to like to use those for, well, their facilities.

Come to think of it, maybe that's a metaphor for life, anyway...

Gary Rice wrote:Jim,
The only trouble with having a statue, is that pigeons seem to like to use those for, well, their facilities.

Just call me statue Jim


.

Thanks everybody for the kind words. I've enjoyed going to the Phoenix and taking pictures as much as everybody enjoys the music. It's fun to share that by showing some pictures.

I vote for an official Lakewood Rice Day!

Thanks.

Joe - I've really enjoyed your photos and feel like you have captured a lot of the good spirit that obviously liven in the Phoenix on Monday nights.

That photo of the saw-wielding man is incredible!

Joe

As always, love the photo......

But back to the mad man with the saw. While there is obviously a skill in playing the old cross-cut, I'm holding out to see Gary play a 7 & !/2 inch 3/4 HP Skil.....or maybe a 3 HP Stihl.

Jeff

Sorry Jeff, but I can indeed play 'em.

A guy lost a bet with me (gentlemen's, of course, as I don't gamble) that I couldn't play a 6-foot cross-cut two person saw. As long as you can get a main, and counter-bend in the blade, and find the vibration point's sweet spot, you've got a sound.

Jiggle it a little, and vibration follows.

In fact, I own a large floor-mounted vaudeville-era saw, and in fact, have a collection of musical saws. My late cousin, a medical doctor named Kelse Hoffman, was a well-known sawyer, (yes, that's what you call a saw player) and taught me the "skill" (pun intended) about forty years ago.

As far as playing those electric Skil saws goes, there was a great album put out a few years ago, titled "A Toolbox Christmas" by Woody Phillips- that is just amazing. Many common tools were used to create great versions of Christmas favorites.

As the electric saws have a sonic pitch, they too, can be and have been valid musical instruments. (disclaimer- a saw of ANY kind is not designed to be used in this manner, and should not be used without proper training, eye protection, etc...)

Rustic backwoods music, like so much backwoods culture, has so often been parodied or ridiculed by city folks. The fact is, any musical expression involves skill (there I go again) a good ear, and serious practice. The fact is, I grew up around the music of the hills, and am quite serious about playing it.

It is also great fun.

Anyone wishing to experience old-time music, would do well to come out on Friday evenings to the Medina Bluegrass Jam at Lafayette United Methodist Church. (On Lafayette Road- or route 42, south of Medina city) You can take the stage, or jam in a Sunday School room with others. The sanctuary is turned into a concert hall with fun for all. The kitchen is open with cheezeburgers and pies, etc...A few dollars is all you'll need, for an evening of good fellowship!

And of course, Monday's Lakewood Phoenix is where you'll find quite a variety of tunes, as well.

Please call ahead first to be sure the events are being held that particular week.