TWITTER…A TWEET IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS!
January 26, 2009
With new methods of communication emerging everyday, if I had to pick one system that will eventually beat out all the others, that system would be TWITTER!
A tweet is a brief message sent by one member of the social network TWITTER, to another member that consists of only 140 characters, including a link to more information.
This naturally appeals to me, since I am a songwriter and sometime commercial copy writer, used to getting my message across in as few words as possible.
I was originally put off when I heard it was used by “twits” to keep each other informed of their inane activities like going to the grocery store or filling up their gas tanks. Then I heard that Robert Scoble, the #1 blogger in the US, now prefers to TWITTER, sending sometimes 50 tweets a day, and I knew it was time for me to investigate.
I Googled the company to find out more about their service, and was required to give my e-mail address, and other seemingly innocuous information, before I saw a button that said, “Send Out My Invitations”
Suddenly I realized this might be a scam, and I just closed the window!
Less than an hour later, I started getting tweets from people I knew who seemed happy that I’m now on TWITTER.
That’s when I suspected TWITTER had somehow tricked me into joining their network, and appropriated names from one of my address books, inviting them to join their site as my “Friend”.
That’s when I became bloggin’ mad!
https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2008/12/29/twitter-is-in-the-shitter/
https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2008/12/30/twitter-this-you-twitsim-fed-up-with-your-bull-twit/
All of this happened in the space of a few days and I was impressed with how quickly and effectively they dealt with my problem…even though it was over the New Year holiday!
https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2009/01/03/twitter-apologizesi-accept/
In the past few days, I’ve seen half a dozen newscasters tell their viewers to send their comments by e-mail, text message or by TWITTER. So before the company gets any bigger, I want to apologize for calling you names, and thank you for creating a service that is revolutionizing communication.
In fact I’m telling all my friends, “A tweet is worth a thousand words”
Copyright 2009 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
CLINT BALLARD JR.- R.I.P. ROCK IN PERPETUITY!
January 21, 2009
Clint Ballard, Jr. is a name I used to pay attention to every time I’d see it in Hit Parader and Song Hits magazines. “I’m Alive” by the Hollies, “The Game Of Love” by Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders”, and “Good Timin’” by Jimmy Jones, because he wrote some of the best crafted songs of our generation.
What amazed me was how simple most of his songs were, that not just invited you to sing along, but demanded it!
One such delicious treat is “You’re No Good”, first recorded by Dee Dee Warwick, made into an R&B hit by Betty Everett, then into a pop classic by Linda Ronstadt.
Although I knew Clint Ballard, Jr. to say hello to on an elevator in the Brill Building, when I was living in New York in the ‘60s, it wasn’t until I moved to Hollywood; in the’70s did I have a real conversation with him.
I had just left running A&M’s publishing company, and had started The Artie Wayne Organisation, when I got a call from my old friend Bob Reno, who now had his own record label, Midland International (“Fly, Robin, Fly”). He asked if I could meet with his friend Clint, and help him to make a few connections on the West Coast.
On the day Clint comes over to my house, his Linda Rondstat record hits #1 on the Billboard charts. Naturally I’m excited to share this moment with him. I’m surprised that he’s so apprehensive about the current state of the music business, where it’s harder and harder for an independent songwriter to get songs recorded. It seems that more and more singers are writing their own songs, all but shutting out the pros. He said I would hardly recognize the Brill Building or 1650 Broadway.
I told him about of all the possibilities out here in L.A., including accessibility to artists like Three Dog Night, Steppenwolf, The Carpenters, all whom he could easily write for, but he preferred to live back east. I made a few calls on his behalf, but I don’t know of any of them ever paid off.
With Clint Ballard, Jr.’s passing, I hope current artists like Amy Winehouse, Jennifer Hudson, and Beyonce take a serious look at his body of work, and maybe even revive “You’re No Good”.
Clint Ballard, Jr. R.I.P. Rock In Perpetuity!
Respectfully, Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
Here’s Linda Ronstadt and “You’re No Good” (feat. Sherlie Matthews)
From my forthcoming book, “I Did It For A Song”
Copyright 2009 by Artie Wayne
https://artiewayne.wordpress.com
BACK TO THE R.I.P. ROCK N PERPETUITY ARCHIVES https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/rip-rock-in-perpetuity-archives/
BACK TO ARTIE WAYNE ON THE WEB https://artiewayne.wordpress.com
PRESIDENT OBAMA, YOU MAKE ME PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN AGAIN!
January 18, 2009
In the last three days I have felt really good about watching the news. The “Miracle on the Hudson” was an inspiration to everyone, seeing extraordinary leadership and regular people overcoming the overwhelming odds.
The next few days should be uplifting as well, with the highly anticipated inauguration of Barack Obama. Although I’m thrilled with the departure of George W. Bush, I am grateful that he kept us safe since 911 and has done so much for Africa. I believe he is a good man, but delusional. He listened to the wrong people, and didn’t fire them when he should have.
The new President is taking over our country at the most difficult time in American History, but he actually might be able to turn things around. A lot of naysayers are calling his appeal to people who voted for him, “to be patient…and lower your expectations”, a cop-out on not having to make good on his campaign promises. I call it dealing with priorities, and the economy certainly qualifies as that! President Obama certainly has the organizational skills to create a team of the best minds to deal with this crisis, and I’m rooting for him.
I am concerned, however, with the closing of “Gitmo” and the possible release of terrorists back to their countries where they could lead groups who are trying to kill us. Remember what happened on June 13, 2008, when 750 suspected militants escaped from an Afghan prison. Although we were winning the war in Afghanistan, it was only a matter of weeks, before there was a resurgence of the Taliban, which was led by many of the prison escapees!
I believe that President Obama, will do what’s best for all of us. It’s a gift to be able to inspire, but it’s a blessing to be able to deliver. I may be naïve, but I believe he really cares about what the average American thinks. As half-black and half- Jewish, I know what it’s like to be discriminated against. I’ve been a victim of Racism, Sexism, Eliteism, and now ageism, but I never gave up hope.
God, Bless You, Mr. President, even before you take office you’ve shown that you are a man of inclusion. You make me proud to be an American again!
Copyright 2009 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
To read “Please President Obama…Listen To Your Grandmother” https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2009/01/14/president-obama-please-listen-to-your-grandmother/
For “MY BRIEF ENCOUNTER WITH MARTIN LUTHER KING” https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2007/01/15/my-brief-encounter-with-martin-luther-king/
50 YEARS OF MOTOWN RECORDS!
January 16, 2009
Ron Miller (“For Once In My Life”) and Berry Gordy, Jr.
It’s fitting that Berry Gordy, Junior’s Motown Records is having its 50th Anniversary at the same time we’re celebrating Martin Luther King’s Birthday. Both men had extraordinary dreams that helped shape our minds and culture.
Although I never worked for Motown, I was up there so often that you’d think I did. From writing songs for Michael Jackson, and the Temptations to bringing Ashford and Simpson to Eddie Holland, I’ve had quite a history with the label.
Here are a couple of articles I’ve written on one of the greatest American record companies that ever existed…Motown Records.
1. Ashford And Simpson…”Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”
2. Breaking The Motown Sound Barrier…”What’s Going On?”
3. “Lady Sings The Blues” and Berry Gordy too”
4. And here’s my brief encounter with Martin Luther King.
https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2007/01/15/my-brief-encounter-with-martin-luther-king/
I hope you enjoy them, have a nice weekend.
Regards Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
WHOPPY, R.I.P. ROCK IN PURR-PETUITY!
January 14, 2009
Whoppy and Streaker in a reflective mood.
It’s been 13 years since Alex, the lovely hostess at Genghis Cohen, gave her boss Allan Rinde, a little calico cat by the name of Streaker. I watched Allan, who had little experience with pets, proceed to spoil her over the next 6 months. I remember going to visit him once and he answered the door with Streaker dangling by her claws, casually, from the bottom of his shirt. That little booger would always manage to do something that would keep me in stiches. She knew how to use the remote control on the TV and would change channels just as a program was starting to get good. Allan thought he had the problem solved when he started using two remotes. Then I remember one night, we were all watching “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, just as Sarah Michelle Geller was about to drive her point across…Streaker changes the channel! I quickly change it back…and Streaker changes it again! This “duel” goes on for a while until I chase her into the other room where she ducks under the bed. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear I could hear her laughing.
This was about the time that Allan and songwriter Toni Wine (“Groovy Kind Of Love”, “Candida”), whom I introduced, were starting to get serious about each other. Allan was spending more and more time in Nashville where Toni lived, so Alex suggested that he should consider getting another cat to keep Streaker company. That’s when she brought a chubby, but dashing little white tomcat over, recently rescued from a crack house fire, whose name was Whoppy.
Allan let me stay in his apartment, after my spinal operation, where I fed and looked after my two little friends. Whoppy, who was now tipping the scales at 25 pounds would lie on my right hand which, was partially paralyzed until it opened up! Streaker remained aloof with me, but fell in love with “Whop”. When I moved into my own place in Silver Lake, Allan gave me Whoppy as a present. A few weeks later, when he and Toni decided to marry, he asked me if I would take Streaker as well, because Toni was allergic to cats! Allan also promised to take care of their expenses for as long as I had them.
It wasn’t long before I moved to a little assisted living facility in the California desert that took cats. Ten days into my stay, had to be rescued when I discovered that I was being drugged and slowly being coerced into signing over all of my assets to the lady, who ran the place. I boarded the cats, until I found a new apartment, with the help of Allan Rinde.
Since then Whoppy, Streaker, and I have braved 70 mph Santa Ana winds, threatening wildfires, earthquakes, flash floods, gang violence and DEA raids on neighboring Crystal Meth labs. My friend Allan, true to his word, has supported the cats for over 13 years!
But all adventures come to an end…I’m sad to say that Whoppy has passed away. Even though we know our little friends only have a short time to be with us, it’s no less painful when it’s their time to go.
We miss you “Whop”, R.I.P. Rock In Purr-petuity,
Love, Artie and Streaker
Copyright 2009 by Artie Wayne
My acrylic sculpture of “Whoppy” part of my Petzrock collection. http://artiewayne.com/petz.html
Special Thanks to Josie, Ginger, Dr. Madson, Joyce, Gina, and Dr. Huber who were friends of Whoppy until the end.
PRESIDENT OBAMA, PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR GRANDMOTHER!
January 14, 2009
Whenever a line or idea came to me, seemingly, out of the blue I considered it a gift. It was only during times of great emotional stress, however, when I channeled entire songs. This happened was when my Grandmother passed away in 1974.
When I heard the news, I flew back to New York from Hollywood, where I was general manager of Warner Brothers Music. Although for the past few years I had been concentrating on promoting other people’s songs … now I was compelled to write again.
During the three-day period, from the time she passed until her funeral …”Gooma” came to me in my darkened hotel room several times. She talked to me in her usual comforting tone… told me not to cry or be afraid. She smiled and said I should be happy for her…that she was finally out of pain.
She didn’t look like the 83 year old that I revered…but like the thirty year old, whose picture lived in the family album. She sat across from me slightly illuminated by what seemed to be a light coming from within. She told me that we all have guides from the other side who anonymously give us information everyday…but from now on she would be my personal guide.
Mr. President, I know your Grandmother has come to you in dreams and has given advice to you. Sometimes it’s hard to hear her over all the voices of people trying to get your attention…but it’s time to listen to your grandmother.
Here is the song that came through me, I hope you are both inspired and comforted by it.
FROM THE INSIDE Words and music by Artie Wayne
Like a star in the midnight sky…your love was there to guide me
When I was weak, too weak to try…you’d be right there beside me
Urging me on…Makin’me strong…”you’d keep sayin’,
“Go on now…you can do it.
It’s only life… there’s nothin’ to it…
I tasted love and I tasted life…but not enough to satisfy me.
But leading me on…makin’ me strong…I heard you sayin’,
“Go on now…you can do it.
It’s only life… there’s nothin’ to it…
Just the seeing through it From the Inside.”
(instrumental)
Like a star in the midnight sky…that fades into the morning
Came back to show ya’ I could fly.. you were gone without a warning
But lingering on…still makin’ me strong I hear you sayin’,
“Go on now…you can do it.
It’s only life…there’s nothin’ to it…
Just the seein’ through it…From the Inside.”
Music Copyright-1974/2006 Rondor music
Text- Copyright-2009 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
To hear “From The Inside” click onto http://artiewayne.com/inside.html to hear the original demo by Kim Carnes
MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY ON TOP OF ZAC EFRON AND VANESSA HUDGENS!
January 4, 2009
First Matt Damon shocked the world when he did Matthew McConaughey and it showed up on YouTube! Now these photos surface of Matthew McConaughey on top of Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens!
On top, Matthew McConaughey. Below, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens
Now Here’s Matt Damon doing Matthew McConaughey on Youtube!
“If It’s On The Internet, It’s Gotta’ Be True!”
FOR EVERY BEATLE VIDEO EVER MADE…FOR FREE https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2009/04/11/every-beatle-video-ever-made-for-free/
EXTRA!! BRITNEY SPEARS ARRESTED AT AIRPORT! https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2007/02/19/if-its-on-the-internet-its-gotta-be-true-excusive-bald-britney-arrested-at-airport/
Copyright 2009 by Artie Wayne
TWITTER APOLOGIZES…I ACCEPT!
January 3, 2009
Over the last 10 days, I’ve been in a confrontation with TWITTER, the internet social network, which has the potential to be the most powerful communication force on the net. I wrote two blogs about Twitter and the horrors I suffered. https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2008/12/29/twitter-is-in-the-shitter/ and https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2008/12/30/twitter-this-you-twitsim-fed-up-with-your-bull-twit/
Then I got an e-mail from Mark at TWITTER support…
Hi Artie,
I’m sorry this happened to you and I want to understand exactly how it happened. When creating an account after providing a username/password/email address you’re presented with the following screens which can be skipped by clicking on skip.
1. Are your friends on Twitter? We can check if anyone in your email contacts already has a Twitter account.
By entering your email address and password here the contacts are imported and compared with active Twitter users.
2. The matches are displayed with the Select All box checked. If you click continue here you will automatically start following these checked accounts.
3. The next step shows all the other contacts imported from your contact list not a member on Twitter. If you select any of these names or the Select all check box and click on Send Invites we will send invite emails to everyone selected.
If this is not the process that you were presented when creating an account could you please provide me with the details so that we might be able to investigate a possible bug and prevent this type of incident from happening again.
Thanks for your co-operation.
Mark
Then I e-mailed Mark back…
Thanks Mark, for your response to my blogs. The nature of your e-mail leads me to believe that you are trying to establish credibility and integrity for your company. I did click on “skip”, but when it didn’t seem to be responding, I closed the window. My guess is “computer logic” took over and defaulted in your favor.
If you remove the e-mail addresses of my friends and business associates from your records, and issue a short apology to me and to them for any inconvenience “the technical glitch” might’ve caused, I’ll reprint it preceding each of my blogs. And if you get it to me by 6:00 Pacific time tonight, I’ll even include it in my New Year’s Blog.
Thanks and regards, Artie
Finally, on New Years Day Mark sent me this…
Artie,
The invitations that were sent out were to those who did not have accounts so they are not in our system and will not receive email from us unless someone else invites them to the service.
To delete your account:
log into Twitter
click “settings”
click “delete my account” at bottom left.
Please note: removing an account will render your the current user name, email address and devices unusable with future accounts for 6 months. If you want to start a new account, please be aware that you must change user name or email address before deleting the current account in order to use them for future accounts.
Again, let me know if there is anything I can do.
Mark (Twitter Support)
I appreciate your concern, Mark…and I want to thank you for straightening this thing out.
Wishing you the best in the new year, Artie https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
Artie Wayne On The Web 