Taylor Swift-Kanye West-When Artists Pick Sides-Podcast 765

Taylor Swift-Kanye West-When Artists Pick Sides-Podcast 765

Taylor Swift gets involved in a senate race. Kanye West endorses the president. These days when emotions run high, do artists risk their fan base when they pick a side? Find out in Taylor Swift-Kanye West-When Artists Pick Sides-Podcast 765.

Influencers Who May Not Be Influential

Moreover it’s not just artists. Comedians, actors and music stars get publicity for choosing sides too. Especially relevant are political bloggers and other influencers who think they can pick winners in national political events.

Religious You Tubers On Crack

In addition religious broadcasters spend a lot of time back pedaling from predictions of the end of the world. Why would those who are about transcending the world choose to endorse a political viewpoint in the world? We’ll talk about it in Taylor Swift-Kanye West-When Artists Pick Sides-Podcast 765.

Image Versus Free Speech

This isn’t about free speech. The seed of thought here is about image. I think artists are bigger than the slimy and messy world of politics. Finally, even political commentators ruin themselves when they feel the need to rush out and endorse a political ‘hero’ of the moment. The goal is usually relevance. Or, is it ego?

When Idealists and Artists Fall Into The Oily Political Pit

In the end, it’s my experience politicians never do what they promise. Finally the seedy world of politics especially in Washington DC is no place for idealists. Truth is, the best artists can channel their frustration or anger into…art! Real art.

Memes Videos and Rants

Unfortunately it seems like local artists and commentators as well as a few national artists who should know better, feel compelled to fill their social media feeds with memes, videos and rants. I am sure most of them would hope those will someday be forgotten. As a result I tentatively suggest artists and commentators use our talent and our tools rather than overt rants and social media.

Sponsored By Johantgen’s Jewelers and Water Butler Water Purification Systems

Taylor Swift-Kanye West-When Artists Pick Sides-Podcast 765

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:30 — 111.0MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS


 

 

Late Summer-Early Fall-State Fair Throwback-Bob Davis Podcast 748

Late Summer-Early Fall-State Fair Throwback-Bob Davis Podcast 748

Every year where I live when the leaves start changing, it’s State Fair Time. Moreover for Minnesotans this is the passage from summer to fall. Time for some thoughts about the Minnesota State Fair and a throwback to audio from a fair many years ago in Late Summer-Early Fall-State Fair Throwback-Bob Davis Podcast 748.

Our State Fair Is A Great State Fair

These days our State Fair is still a great State Fair but it has become more a community celebration than a farm convention. The Minnesota State Fair wasn’t always a food fest.

My First State Fair

Sure the Midway is still there with it’s carneys and rides but the tone of the fair is different. My first state fair was a far different fair than 2018’s.

Recording At The Fair

Especially relevant is an audio project I embarked on with three friends back in the day. We spent ten days interviewing and recording raw sound on tape. The result is a piece of audio that now feels like a faded photograph from the 80’s.

Back In The Day At The Race Track

Remember when the fair still had a race track? Machinery Hill in all its glory? Finally, in those days there were lots of breakfast nooks where fair goers and fair workers convened at 7 in the morning. Who remembers the ‘Epiphany Diner‘?

To be sure change is the one constant in life. Minnesota State Fairgoers for the first time to the fiftieth still love the fair, in spite of and because of the changes.

Himalaya Throw Back

In conclusion join me for some thoughts about the current fair, and a trip back in time to a fair long ago in a galaxy far far away. Hard to believe but, back in the day people talked different. They rode the Himalaya, checked out the bearded lady and the race track. And we have it on tape.

Sponsored by John D. Scott Personal Injury Attorney at Hoffman Hamer and Associates and Reliafund Payment Processors

Late Summer-Early Fall-State Fair Throwback-Bob Davis Podcast 748

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:30 — 72.1MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724

Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724

The Boy Scouts of America recently changed its name. The reason? Scouts USA will admit girls. These days a decision like that can kick off a firestorm of criticism. There’s even a new Christian alternative to the Boy Scouts. For my best friends and I, BSA was all about camping. We’ll talk about it in Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Best Friends Like None Other

I had two best friends growing up. Both of them invited me into the Boy Scouts. The other day one of them texted me, concerned that the Boy Scouts would not admit girls. “Are you gonna do a podcast about that?”, he wondered. I said I didn’t think so. The idea of a podcast about changes in our social institutions though, stuck with me.

Summer Memories

Especially relevant is how summer brings back memories. It’s warm already in Minnesota and that makes me think about my best friends, camp outs, summer camp and fun. For us, that’s what the Boy Scouts were. So I’ll share some stories about our campouts in Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Nonconformist Scoutmaster

What’s more, as I researched and thought about this podcast I realized how important our scoutmaster was to all of us. It’s not what you’d expect. Our scoutmaster and the men who watched over us were anything but conformists.

No Patience For Rules and Regulations in 1970’s America

As world war two vets, our scoutmasters weren’t about to take crap from anyone. Moreover, they didn’t have much patience for bureaucracy, rules and regulations. What they did was make sure we were safe, had a good time, and took care of each other. They also stood up for us, celebrated us and had our back. In Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Changing Institutions

Most noteworthy to this podcast is the idea that institutions like the Boy Scouts are changing. Crumbling even. There’s no shortage of criticism for ‘Scouts USA’ from commentators who make sure to tell the reader they were Eagle Scouts and went on to Explorers. We didn’t. In fact we thought ‘Super Scouts’ were kind of weird.

Friends For Life

For us it was all about camping and the kind of friendship none of us will have again. I think it was that way with our scoutmasters and the fathers of the kids who came to the campouts too. For me, I don’t mind leaving it all behind and keeping those times as memories. As Stephen King once wrote, “I never had friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12. Jesus. Does anyone?”

My sentiments exactly.

Was it the Boy Scouts? Or was it us?

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating Of Saint Paul

Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:45 — 84.1MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS