“IF YOU CAN ONLY LIFT ONE FINGER YOU STILL CAN POINT THE WAY!”

When doctors told me a few weeks ago that I would never walk again or have the use of my hands, except for one finger which I use to type my blog, I was devastated. I felt sorry myself for a few days, and then as I was checking out FACEBOOK I ran across artist/photographer “Lezlie Sokol”s page and saw this cloud painting of hers that moved me to tears. It made me think about a song I once wrote and reminded me that there is always hope and if you can only lift one finger…you still can point the way!

I’M AT MY BEST WHEN I’M DOWN
Words and Music by Artie Wayne

My back’s against the wall and I’m down to my last dime
I swear I can’t recall when I’ve had a harder climb
But like a rubber ball I’ll bounce back every time…and I’M AT MY BEST WHEN I’M DOWN
 
I know when I’ve been used like a steppin’ stone
Battered and abused…left out here on my own
But I don’t feel I’m used, only feel I’ve grown more profound…I’M AT MY BEST WHEN I’M DOWN
 
I’ve had men try and break me…women try and shake me
At times I let ‘em take me for a ride…
But when the fantasy wears thin and reality steps in
You gotta’ go within…’cause there’s nothin’ left outside.

But I’ll rise above the crowds of darkness and despair
And though I see dark clouds I know there’s a sun up there
Drums of courage beating loud and there’s victory in the air
All around…hear the sound…feel the ground…and
I’M AT MY BEST WHEN I’M DOWN.
 

Copyright 2005- Artie Wayne-Wayne Art music  http://artiewayne.com

Painted clouds at the top…photographed, colored, and designed by “Lezlie Sokol”, ~ © 2010 by Gwynn Graphix & Painted Cloud Photography http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1581289451558&set=a.1461857505834.64834.1215335979#!/profile.php?id=1215335979&v=info

EXTRA SPECIAL GOOD NEWS!…AFTER HEARING ABOUT MY PROBLEMS, NUANCE DRAGON VOICE RECOGNITION SOFTWARE SENT ME THEIR TOP OF THE LINE PROGRAM, AND NEXT WEEK THEY’LL HOOK ME UP WITH SOMEONE FROM THEIR COMPANY WHO’LL TEACH ME HOW TO USE IT! http://nuance.com

THANK YOU DRAGON, I PROMISE THAT IN A FEW WEEKS, I’LL BE BACK ON THE BLOG. THANKS TO MY LOYAL READERS AND SUPPORTERS, AND OF COURSE THANKS TO GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY THANKSGIVING! REGARDS, ARTIE

HOW MANY THINGS DID YOU FORGET TODAY?

This morning when I woke up and checked out FACEBOOK, I was shocked to read a post that Bo Diddley had died! When I Googled Bo Diddley R.I.P. I was even more shocked to see a link to a tribute I wrote for him in 2008 when he passed away!

As we get older, forgetting names, places, and events becomes a common frustrating occurrence. Several times in the past few weeks I’ve been on the phone with friends and lost my train of thought, and sometimes even forgot who I was talking to. I’d make a joke of it, but there’s nothing funny about it.

My Grandmother, who passed away in her late eighties, had Alzheimer’s disease and when she died she couldn’t remember my Mother and aunt who took care of her daily…yet remembered a TV actress girlfriend of mine, whom she had met only once!

Since then I’ve been worried about developing the disease myself since it is hereditary. I’ve been told that science has no cure for it, but advances have been made to delay its devastating effects. Last week I saw a report on ABC news that insulin is proving to be effective in the treatment, but we all know how long something takes to be approved by the FDA.

In the meantime, I want to report on a recent discovery that I made. My longtime friend, vocal coach Warren Berrigian, suggested that I take two tablespoons of extra virgin coconut oil daily* to help relieve my chronic back pain and lubricate my joints. Although it helped me somewhat, I found that it had an interesting side effect.

After taking it for a few weeks, I found that whenever I used it, within 20 minutes, long lost memories began to emerge. This became an invaluable tool since I was writing my autobiography which chronicled my life in the music business that started 50 years ago.

Although Warren had never heard of this AMAZING side effect, and some of my friends laughed at me for thinking such a thing was possible, others praise my “remarkable discovery”.

When I finished writing my book three months ago, I stopped taking extra-virgin coconut oil, but after what I’ve been experiencing with memory loss recently, it’s time for me start taking it again.

 

IMPORTANT…since extra-virgin coconut oil is high in cholesterol consult your doctor before trying it.

Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp

 

Copyright 2011 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/

NOW YOU CAN BUY MY NEW BOOK ,“I DID IT FOR A SONG” AT AMAZON or Barnes & Noble or from Smashwords

TO READ A CHAPTER OR TWO FOR FREE CLICK  HERE

TO READ SOME OF THE COMMENTS  CLICK  HERE

BACK TO ARTIE WAYNE ON THE WEB https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/

13 NEW MICHAEL JACKSON VIDEOS!

Since the rise of MTV and YouTube, the importance of the music video as a promotional tool to expose new product is unquestionable, though quite pricey. Now record companies, publishers, artists, and fans are using the same tool to breathe life into music that is decades old, at a fraction of the cost.

Since Michael Jackson passed away here have been 23 videos posted on the internet (INCLUDING 13 NEW ONES) that use a song I co-wrote for him, “LITTLE CHRISTMAS TREE” (Clinton,Jr/ Wayne) with over 175, 000 combined views so far…and it’s only six weeks until Christmas!

Although I don’t expect Lady GaGa, or Justin Beiber numbers, which exceed a quarter of a billion views each on YouTube, I can reasonably hope for a million or so views which will help to sell the various CDs that my song is currently on.

Thanks to everyone who took the time and love to create these videos. Here are four of my favorites…

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ARTIE WAYNE ON THE WEB!

Copyright 2010 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/+

HERE’S THE STORY BEHIND “LITTLE CHRISTMAS TREE” https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/michael-jackson-and-the-story-behind-little-christmas-tree/

BACK TO ARTIE WAYNE ON THE WEB! https://artiewayne.wordpress.com

HERE’S THE NEWEST SCANDAL ON “DANCING WITH THE STARS”!

Although this has been the most exciting season of “DANCING WITH THE STARS”, a new scandal, could send the number one shows ratings plummeting!

It has just been learned that a couple has been denied the right to compete because they are cats! Streaker and her partner Ramon have retained lawyer Gloria Aldred to represent the first case of “Specie-ism” (an animal form of racism) to be heard in the Supreme Court.

“If a cat can do the two step and the tango…why can’t they compete against humans? They might not be as good as Brandy or Maks, or Kyle and Lacey, but they should be given a chance!”

In the meantime, the final four couples will face off Tuesday night on what could be the best show of the season!

Check for time and station Tuesday night on ABC-TV

REMEMBER…”IF IT”S ON THE INTERNET, IT’S GOTTA’ BE TRUE!”

Copyright 2010 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/

AND NOW HERE’S THE DOG WHO DANCES BETTER THAN BRISTOL PALIN http://viralvideochart.unrulymedia.com/youtube/Dancing_Merengue_Dog?id=Nc9xq-TVyHI&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ViralVideoChart+%28Viral+Video+Chart%3A+Top+10+Daily%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo

Thanks to Tunc Akin at Tunc Graphix for  the use of his picture and to “Lezlie Sokol” for turning me on to it. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1581289451558&set=a.1461857505834.64834.1215335979#!/profile.php?id=1215335979&v=info

BACK TO ARTIE WAYNE ON THE WEB! https://artiewayne.wordpress.com

A#@HOLES NEVER TAKE A DAY OFF! (part two)

As a former executive of Warner Brothers Music and Irving/Almo (Rondor) Music I don’t think it’s wrong for me to expect a little respect. When I contacted Bourne Music, the publisher of my first hit, “Midnight Mary” (Raleigh/ Wayne) for a scan of a lead sheet to give to a film music supervisor friend of mine, I was insulted, treated rudely…and three days later still haven’t received it!

Considering that I produced the hit record on the song with Joey Powers in 1963, and have gotten all of the income producing cover records since, Bourne Music should be grateful that anyone is promoting one of their copyrights in 2010.

After the deaths of my friends, Bonnie and BeBe Bourne, the company seems to have become a holding company of little more than caretakers…who aren’t taking care of business.

I wonder how many money making opportunities they’ve lost from the arrogance of some low level employee who treats a lead sheet like it was the Holy Grail.

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When I posted an obituary on a Rock star friend of mine, which mentioned that I worked with him in the studio, one of the producers (a former friend and client of mine) called me a liar and put up several nasty comments about me below my article.

Fortunately, I contacted his co-producer, one of the biggest figures in the music business today, who made several comments himself which corroborated my story and made my detractor look like the asshole that he is.

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Finally, I want to give a one finger salute to a talented young director who I worked with a few years ago, who I helped create a video that currently has over 700,000 views on YouTube.

Happy with his work, I paid this guy up front to record an interview I was doing with my friend, and legendary producer Hank Medress (Tony Orlando and Dawn, The Chiffons) for Spectropop. This guy stood me up for at the last minute without explanation or returning my money. Sadly, Hank died a few weeks later without what turned out to be his last interview being recorded for posterity.

Even though this guy showed no remorse or offered any apology, I chalked it up to his youth and inexperience and forgave him. Then about a year later, I foolishly paid him up front to correct the grammar and edit the book I was writing. I shouldn’t have been shocked when he flaked on me once again and never returned my money.

Last week a record producer friend of mine called me, and wanted to reach this guy to do a video for him. Needless to say, when I told him what he did to me, my friend wanted nothing to do with him.

I’m happy to say that I’ve warned other people about him, who’ve asked for a recommendation, which has lost him thousands of dollars in work!

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I’m not usually a vengeful person, but I’m fortunate to have a blog, with over one million seven hundred thousand hits, to bring to light the bulls#@t  I’ve had to deal with.

If you think I’m being too harsh…remember A#@HOLES NEVER TAKE A DAY OFF!

Copyright 2010 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/

For my first article in this series A#@HOLES NEVER TAKE A DAY OFF! click on to https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2010/01/30/aholes-never-take-a-day-off/

For the last Hank Medress Interview on Spectropop http://spectropop.com/HankMedress/index.htm

For the complete story behind “Midnight Mary” https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2007/06/30/the-story-of-meet-me-at-midnight-mary/

TO PATRICK IN AFGHANISTAN…

Since Al Qaeda has actually tracked soldiers down on the internet kidnapped and murdered them, for security reasons this article doesn’t use actual names or places. The government wants the media to keep a low profile of military on the internet as they don’t want to make a target of them.

Although I know there are over a million and a half troops currently serving in our armed forces around the world, for me the war in Afghanistan didn’t have a face on it until Patrick the son of my longtime friends, went to serve there as an officer. Patrick who I’ve known since he was a kid, represents all of the men and women, who are risking their lives every day to keep America safe.

Ever since his aunt asked me to include him in my daily prayers, I have. Until now I haven’t tried to contact Patrick personally to thank him for the sacrifices he’s making for his family, friends, and his country.

His aunt tells me that our concern mean the world to him. She sent him a list of those praying for him and he is so grateful and says he feels protected. Patrick adds,”Please thank the people you have enlisted to pray for us out here. The prayers from so many will undoubtedly keep us safe and ensure that whatever happens, it’s in the hands of God. I am only counting the days until I get home.’”

On this special day of tributes honoring the men and women who’ve served in the military, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, let’s not forget those who are fighting for us every day.

Thank you Patrick and your compatriots for all you’re doing to keep America free. The best I can do as an American citizen is tell our enemies from afar to “kiss my past”, but you’re showing them how it’s done up close and personal.

God bless you…and God Bless America!

Your friend, Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/

Now I’d like to dedicate my collection of Patriotic Music Videos to Patrick, our veterans and all of the men and women serving in the armed forces around the world. https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2008/06/06/the-top-the-best-and-the-greatest-patriotic-music-videos/