HANK WILLIAMS-FROM JERUSALEM TO JERICHO

Great song. Too bad Hank Williams never lived out the faith. 

OPEN MIC UPDATE

Dear Friends: 

The NEXT Open Mic at Gold Rush Brewing will be Saturday September 12 6:00-9:00 and most Saturdays after. 

On Friday Sept.4, the Gold Rush is featuring our friend Torbic Kagmire 6:00-9:00  - on stage with "Frank" the accordion. 

The Madoc's Open Mic at the Legion has not worked out. Sept.4 and following dates are cancelled. Robert, Elly and I are reviewing different venues in Madoc to begin in October and we will be SURE to update you as soon as we have confirmation. 

Other Local Music Events & Open Mics:

Friday Sept.11 6:30 pm. Open Mic & Pub Night at the Marmora Curling Club 6:30 pm.

Thursday Sept.3 6:00 David Essis & Ed Michael Roth at the ARK - Queensborough - pm. Noah Zacharin

Every Thursday night 6-11 pm. Open Mic at Marmora Legion  featuring the Jim Pushie Band

and Mondays 6:00 pm. a quieter - more country Open Mic - also at Marmora Legion.

Fourth Sunday of each month, Open Mic and Jam at Up Front Cafe hosted by Reverend Freddie Vendetta 1:00-4:00 pm.

See you SOON!!

Elizabeth, Robert and Elly  

MAN BORN BLIND PURSUING CAREER IN COUNTRY MUSIC AFTER TEACHING HIMSELF TO PLAY SIX INSTRUMENTS BUY EAR

PEOPLE

 

Man, Born Blind, Is Pursuing a Career in Country Music After Teaching Himself How to Play 6 Instruments by Ear

By Toria Sheffield  Published on August 23, 2026 09:30PM EDT

 

A blind musician who taught himself to play six instruments entirely by ear says music has given him the confidence to keep pushing beyond his own doubts.

 

Angel Paez, of Charlotte, N.C., first became fascinated by music as a young child while attending church, according to Aging Untold.

 

“I remember listening to all those different instruments and being so curious as to what they looked like, what they felt like, and I wanted to know how to play,” Paez, who was born blind, told the outlet.

 

“It made me feel like I could never get enough of it,” he recalled. “Like something so cool and so different and new that made me want more out of that.”

 

Paez eventually began figuring out how to play instruments on his own, starting with piano before moving on to accordion and violin. Over time, he taught himself six instruments without formal instruction, relying on what he heard.

 

His family soon realized he had extraordinary abilities.

 

“They entered me into my first radio contest,” Paez said. “It was a Spanish radio station here in town, and that was kind of my first real motivation to play and get good enough to be on stage.”

 

Paez ultimately won the competition, and later had the opportunity to perform at the White House.

 

“That, more than anything, gave me the spark, if there ever was one, to pursue the music,” he said.

 

His work has since earned additional recognition. Paez has twice been nominated by the Carolina Country Music Awards for both Musician of the Year and Best Fiddler of the Year.

 

For Paez, however, his long-term goal is not necessarily fame.

 

“My dream is to just be able to make a living out of it,” he told the outlet. “I know I’m not going to get rich, but I just want to have enough to take my family out to dinner every now and then and then have enough to be able to call my connections and say, ‘Hey, let’s go do this project.’ ”

 

Paez said he continues to challenge himself, even when self-doubt creeps in.

 

“I’m pretty shy by nature, and I think that’s what holds me back sometimes,” Paez explained.

 

“A lot of times when I encounter that success, whether that be music or just life in general, it feels good,” he added. “It feels like I can literally go out and do anything.”

MUSICAL WANDERINGS: COUNTRY AND SUGAR RAY IS MY NEW FAVOURITE BAND?

Didn't like Sugar Ray when I heard them on the radio in 1997 but a few months ago I listened to "Floored" and loved it!

Ashley Cooke is a talented singer but a complete ditz.

Astounding how many country songs these days are about drinking. 

OPEN MIC AT GOLD RUSH BREWERY IN MADOC THIS SATURDAY AUGUST 22

Dear Friends: 

Here's your bi-weekly reminder that there is an Open Mic at Gold Rush Brewing THIS and (almost) Every Saturday 6:00 - 9:00 pm. - Hosted by Torbic Kagmire. 

On Sept. 4/5 weekend Torbic Kagmire will be performing Friday Night. There is no Open Mic on Saturday Sept.5 at Gold Rush Brewing.  Instead:  24K Comedy: Casey Corbin Headlines  7 PM for a night of laughs you won’t want to miss! Check Gold Rush Brewing facebook for more info.

Everyone is welcome at the Open Mic at Gold Rush Brewing - come and play or just to enjoy - Cold Craft Beer and Barbee's Smoking BarBQ. 

I'm also happy to announce that Madoc's Open Mic will be beginning again at the Madoc Legion  

33 St. Lawrence St. every other Friday night beginning Sept.4 6:30-9:30 pm. - where we are in our 3rd year of providing Live Local Music in Madoc. Everyone is also welcome at the Madoc Legion. You don't have to be a member to come out to the Open Mic - or ANY event at the Legion. Robert and I look forward to seeing old and new friends as we start a new season of fun and music with Madoc's Open Mic.

See you this Saturday August 22 with Torbic Kagmire at Gold Rush Brewing!! 

Elizabeth 

THE TEN WILDEST GIFTS MUSICIANS HAVE GIVEN FANS

PEOPLE

 

See the 10 Wildest Gifts Musicians Have Given Fans Over the Years

By Kelly Allen  Published on August 8, 2026 08:00AM EDT

 

Many musicians pour the love they receive from their fans back into them — and several have done so through extravagant gifts.

 

On Aug. 2, Zac Brown Band gifted more than 37,000 fans with a cruise aboard a Margaritaville at Sea liner to celebrate a sold-out show in Boston.

 

“Tonight we’re going to do something that even Jimmy [Buffett] would say is crazy,” Brown said at the concert, per a press release. “I’m buying every single person here a cruise for two people on the boat. This is the biggest giveaway in history ladies and gentlemen, right here tonight at Fenway Park!”

 

The band’s gift is one wild offering in a long line of musicians thanking their fans for their support in creative ways. In 2014, Taylor Swift sent select lucky fans holiday gift boxes with personalized notes. On multiple occasions, Drake has given fans thousands of dollars in cash.

 

Some gifts have stretched beyond the artists’ fan base, like in 2014 when U2 surprised millions of people with an automatic download of the band’s album, Songs of Innocence.

 

Here are the 10 wildest gifts musicians have given their fans and concertgoers.

 

01

of 10

A Cruise from Zac Brown Band

 

On Aug. 2, Zac Brown Band celebrated its 15th consecutive sold-out show at Boston’s Fenway Park by bestowing more than 37,000 fans with a cruise for two people aboard a Margaritaville at Sea liner.

 

According to a press release, the gift was valued at more than $40 million and broke the record for the largest surprise audience gifting in live entertainment.

 

“We were honored to work alongside Zac to help bring this incredible surprise to life for his fans,” said Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea, in the release. “This was an extraordinary way to thank the fans who have supported him throughout his career, and we’re proud to have helped make that incredible vision a once-in-a-lifetime reality.”

 

02

of 10

An Album from Prince

 

Prince is recognized as the first artist to bundle an album with a concert ticket, per The Fader. In 2004, Prince released his album Musicology and set out on tour, including the album with each ticket purchase.

 

Those copies counted as sales, and Prince’s Musicology remained on the Billboard charts for weeks. Many artists would follow suit in the years to come, until the rules around ticket bundling were changed in 2020, per Billboard.

 

However, that wasn’t the last time Prince gave away an album for free. Three years later, he gave away his 2007 album Planet Earth as a freebie distributed by the British tabloid the Mail on Sunday in the United Kingdom, according to TIME.

 

“It’s direct marketing,” Prince said when the deal was announced. “And I don’t have to be in the speculation business of the record industry, which is going through a lot of tumultuous times right now.”

 

03

of 10

A Surprise Album from U2

 

iTunes users in 2014 remember U2’s surprise album download all too well. The rock band teamed up with Apple to give their album Songs of Innocence to more than 500 million people worldwide.

 

“From the very beginning U2 have always wanted our music to reach as many people as possible, the clue is in our name I suppose—so today is kind of mind-blowing to us. The most personal album we’ve written could be shared with half a billion people… by hitting send. If only songwriting was that easy,” U2 lead singer Bono said in a press release. “It’s exciting and humbling to think that people who don’t know U2 or listen to rock music for that matter might check us out.”

 

Many iTunes users weren’t so pleased, causing the band to issue an apology. “This beautiful idea, we kind of got carried away with it,” Bono said at the time, per ABC News.

 

He added, “Artists are prone to that kind of thing. Drop of megalomania, touch of generosity, dash of self promotion and deep fear that these songs that we poured our life into over the last few years might not be heard. There’s a lot of noise out there. I guess we got a little noisy ourselves to get through it.”

 

04

of 10

Subway Access from Beyoncé

 

During Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour, the singer made sure her fans got home safe. She paid $100,000 to keep all 98 trains in the D.C. Metro system running for an extra hour after an August 2023 show at FedEx Field in Maryland started late because of bad weather, per Fortune.

 

05

of 10

Free Concert Tickets for 30 Years from Beyoncé and Jay-Z

 

Along with providing access to transport, Beyoncé also teamed up with her husband Jay-Z to give their fans the opportunity to win free concert tickets to both of their shows for 30 years in 2019. The contest, which Beyoncé shared on Instagram, was part of their promotion for The Greenprint Project, which encouraged people to adopt a plant-based diet to lower their carbon footprint.

 

While the contest encouraged fans to adopt a plant-based diet, all fans had to do to enter was give their name and email. One lucky winner was selected to receive a ticket to one concert for each Beyoncé or Jay-Z tour for a maximum of 30 years, per CNBC.

 

06

of 10

Cash from Drake

 

Drake has been handing out cash to his fans — and passersby — for years.

 

For the rapper’s “God’s Plan” music video in 2018, he handed out nearly $1 million to families across Miami for groceries, a college scholarship and more, per CNBC.

 

In 2025, he gave a fan at his Anita Max Win Tour in Australia $20,000. The fan held a sign that read, “Rock-paper-scissors to buy my dad a birthday car,” which caught the singer’s eye, per Billboard. Although Drake won the game, he gave the fan the cash anyway.

 

07

of 10

Hand-Picked Gifts from Taylor Swift

 

Swift loves to surprise her fans. In 2014, the pop star went so far as to create a new holiday for her supporters: Swiftmas.

 

She sent lucky Tumblr followers huge packages — as big as 31 lbs. — filled with individually wrapped presents like a Polaroid camera, beauty products, candles, gift cards and personalized notes from Swift herself, per Billboard.

 

08

of 10

A Car from Paul McCartney

 

For his world tour in 2003, Paul McCartney gave the 2 millionth audience member of his Back to the World tour a car. A teenage fan won, receiving a new Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet, per Fleet News.

 

The Beatles alum signed an inside panel of the car. It read, “For Laura. Well Done. Two millionth. Love Paul McCartney,” according to the outlet.

 

09

of 10

Refunded Concert Tickets from Luke Combs

 

Luke Combs essentially gave his fans a free show in September 2022.

 

“I have to let you know that I have refunded all of your tickets. As of 7 p.m. today, a few hours ago, I realized that I was not going to be able to sing as good as I normally do,” Combs said onstage at a show in Bangor, Maine.

 

“[My voice is not] what I think it should be for you guys having to pay for it,” he continued. “So, we’re going to put on the best free show we could put on, and I want you guys to know how upset I am to have to tell you that tonight, but all I want you to know is that we’re going to do the very damn best.”

 

10

of 10

Cell Phones from Justin Bieber

 

Justin Bieber truly surprised a pair of fans in February 2014 when he walked into an Apple Store in New York City and bought them iPhones. He did so after noticing they were watching the music video for the singer’s “Confident” on display phones in the store, per BBC.

AH: Wonder about the wildest gifts fans have given musicians.

PHIL COLLINS ADMITS ONE OF HIS MOST ICONIC SONGS WAS 80 PERCENT IMPROVISED

PEOPLE

 

Phil Collins Admits One of His Most Iconic Songs Was ‘80% Improvised’

By Meredith Wilshere  Published on August 8, 2026 03:59PM EDT

 

Phil Collins didn’t think too much about the lyrics before sitting down and writing some of his most iconic songs.

 

During an interview with BBC Radio 2‘s Tracks of My Years with Vernon Kay, the Grammy winner talked about his favorite songs from his own discography and how he came up with the ideas for each track.

 

“I suppose, you know, a lot of my lyrics come from somewhere. I very rarely sit down, very rarely sit down and think ‘what am I going to write about?’ I don’t ever do that,” Collins, 75, said.

 

“Normally, if I’m playing — something usually comes when I’m playing a piano — and something will develop if I’m lucky, and then what I’m going to sing kind of goes along with it or comes along very soon afterwards,” the Genesis singer shared.

 

Collins noted that “you only need a couple of lines, two or three lines, and you kind of know what it’s going to be about or what the feeling is, you know, and so a lot of the lyrics are kind of improvised.”

 

In fact, he went on to reveal that his hit “In the Air Tonight” was “pretty much 80% improvised,” noting that he was casually riffing when the lyrics for the ‘80s hit came to him.

 

“I had this chord sound on this keyboard that I had ... and I had this lovely sound, which is the sound you hear on the record,” he explained.

 

He shared that the same version he played on the keyboard that first time is almost exactly what made it to the actual album.

 

“I might have done it once or twice, but I certainly didn’t labor on it,” he said, adding that he was by himself in his bedroom when he came up with the idea.

 

After figuring out the right chords, he then “programmed the drum machine just to make an interesting pattern, and then I played along with it, and that’s what happened.”

 

“When I’d done that, I sang along with what I had just to get the sound of a voice in there,” Collins shared. “And the words that came out on that first verse were improvised.”

 

Kay remarked, “Right there, you’ve created one of the most recognizable tracks of all time.”

 

“But that’s what you say. Do you pick them out of the air? I guess. Maybe it was that extra whiskey at lunchtime. I don’t know,” Collins joked.

 

“That started the way I started writing,” Collins added. “I mean, that was pretty early on in the writing process of what was to become Face Value. I thought, well, that works. That’s the way I can do it.”

 

However, he had to change his songwriting process for Tarzan, since the songs had to relate to specific moments in the 1999 film.

 

“Then I had to think, I’ve got a story to tell here, and this is what they want me to say. Then it becomes a totally different kind of thing,” Collins shared. “But still, even those songs came from spitballing phrases and lines that made sense in that format. It’s not crafting. It’s an element of luck, you know, and good fortune that comes with all this.”

 

Kay admitted that the interview was one of the first times that he felt “giddy” about an interview subject, since Collins “was the soundtrack to [his] life.”

 

Collins remarked, “I mean, for a singer or songwriter, you know, that’s the nicest thing anyone can say. I mean, forget about good reviews or bad reviews, if someone says that, that’s the highest compliment you can give someone.”

AH: Still waiting for him to admit he can't play drums.

COUNTRY SUPERSTAR FOR CHRIST?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DBaTsvSYcMY 

First, "Choosing Texas" is not about a man who loves Texas: it's about a girl who goes back to Texas with her boyfriend to meet his family and the boyfriend ends up rekindling his old flame. 

Second, I don't know how you could have known the Lord all your life when the Bible says you must be born again. Maybe you heard about the Lord from the womb, but at some point you have to decide that Jesus is who He says He is for yourself, not just someone Mommy and Daddy say is real.

Third, what does God loving us unconditionally mean in this case? Does it mean the members of that audience can live however they want and God will still let them into Heaven? That's not what the Bible says it means.

Fourth, actually we don't just get this life. We get eternity, which we'll either spend in Heaven in relationship with God or in Hell, relationally separated from Him and in misery forever. The Christian life is in fact not about doing what inspires us, it's about living in surrender to the Lord.

RICK DANKO ARTICLE

Ronnie Hawkins, shown here in his form with his band "The Hawks", who go on later to be "The Band".

A great local story when agriculture and sustaining locally was prevalent still. 

A  cool story imho.

Blessings

Your BIC Darren

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HUTdBU4nt/ 

TORBIC IS BACK FOR THE OPEN MIC AT GOLD RUSH BREWERY SATURDAY JULY 25 6:00-9:00 IN MADOC

Dear Friends:

BIG night at the Gold Rush Brewery this Saturday July 25 !! 

Torbic Kagmire is back from his Eastward Travels and we are VERY pleased to have him back hosting every Saturday Night 6:00-9:00 pm. at Gold Rush Brewing 162 Russel St. in Madoc. 

Robert and I are still planning on being there regularly and ESPECIALLY THIS Saturday. We are celebrating Elly's Birthday - if you know who that is - Elly is the Garlic Farmer from Railway Creek Farm in Cooper - and a regular at the Open Mic. Everyone is still welcome, of course. There will just likely be some pretty good action in the musical turn out and cake for all. 

So Come On Out and Welcome Torbic back home. Maybe he'll play us some Eastern tunes!! :D

See everyone this Saturday!

Elizabeth 

SOME FACTS ABOUT THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND

Had never even heard of this band till a few years ago. 

OPEN MIC AT GOLD RUSH BREWERY IN MADOC THIS SATURDAY JULY 11 6:00-9:00 P.M.

Dear Friends:

Such a great Open Mic June 27!! You just never know WHO will be there! And it's always a great night. How can you go wrong with Live Local Music, Fine Cold Craft Beer and Barbee's Smoking Bar-B-Q Food Truck just off the patio ?! You can sit inside or outside and still enjoy the music on these warm summer evenings.

So see you THIS Saturday 6:00-9:00. Next Open Mic July 25. 

We'll have all the sound equipment you need - just bring your instrument. Come to play or just enjoy! Everyone welcome!

Elizabeth & Robert 

VAN ZANT BROTHERS TALK FAITH, .38 SPECIAL, SKYNYRD, AND THEIR NEW CHRISTIAN RECORD

Cool! Had no idea these two were Christians. 

And here are the pair on the Jim Brewer podcast.

OPEN MIC AT GOLD RUSH BREWERY IN MADOC THIS SATURDAY JUNE 27 6:00-9:00 P.M.

BILL MUMY LOOKS BACK ON CHILD STARDOM AND HOW HIS NOVELTY SONG FISHHEADS CAME TO BE

PEOPLE

 

Bill Mumy Looks Back on Child Stardom and How His Cult Classic 1978 Novelty Song 'Fish Heads' Came to Be

By Charlotte Phillipp  Published on June 21, 2026 05:29PM EDT

 

Bill Mumy is taking a look back at his storied career — including everything from his time as a child star to the surprise success of "Fish Heads."

 

In a new interview with CBS Sunday Morning on June 14, Mumy, 72, reflected on his time starring on hit series as a kid, including Lost in Space (in which he played Will Robinson from 1965 to 1968), episodes of The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and more.

 

Remembering when he finished production on Lost in Space after three seasons, Mumy shared that he was devastated.

 

"I cried," he recalled. "I actually can remember sitting on the blue couch in our den, and putting my head in my mom's lap and her just kind of petting my head, going, 'That's showbiz, honey.' "

 

Despite the ending of his hit series, Mumy shared that he was able to avoid the pitfalls that so many child actors face by finding another creative outlet — and for him, it was music.

 

"There are a lot of child stars who had sad endings, and when that one experience of a long-running television show was over, they weren't treated special anymore, and they had to find out who they were," he said.

 

Mumy's love for music eventually led to even more success in the form of Barnes & Barnes, his quirky rock and novelty duo group with the late Robert Haimer. The pair is best known for their bizarre 1978 cult classic song, "Fish Heads."

 

According to the actor-musician, the quirky track — the music video for which was named No. 57 on Rolling Stone's list of the top 100 music videos of all time — came about when he and Haimer were "jamming together."

 

"We're making up funny songs because we both liked '50s horror comic books and the Three Stooges and that kind of stuff," he recalled. "And it's just a release of excess energy."

 

"We went out to lunch, a restaurant on Pico Boulevard in West L.A. called Wan-Q, and we got a fish dish, and it came with the fish head on the plate kind of coiled up and giving you a little stare back before you got your knife out," Mumy shared. "And [Haimer] said, 'Roly poly fish heads. Let's eat them up. Yum.' "

 

The song, which Mumy described as having "a very primitive nursery rhyme kind of a melody," eventually made it to the recording studio. Although the success of the song was unexpected, Mumy said that it was a welcome surprise.

 

"You never know what's going to click with the audience, right?" he said. "I mean, you can have 300 songs that are very soulful and perhaps melodically interesting, and it's 'Fish Heads' that resonates and becomes locked in the ID of society for 40 years."

 

"'Fish Heads' has been very, very good to me," Mumy conceded. "'Fish Heads' has been very good. You know, it's been on The Simpsons. It's been a bunch of commercials. It's been in a lot of films. 'Fish Heads' has paid for a few vacations. 'Fish Heads' has definitely bought a few guitars."

 

According to Mumy, acting still holds a special place in his career, but music is where he eventually found his true passion.

 

"I don't want to diminish my enjoyment of acting," he told CBS. "I know the craft of acting and I'm comfortable whenever I do it. But if I'm not doing it, it's not like I go home and act. It's not like my wife Eileen and I sit around and do plays in the living room. But what I do do is, I play guitar and piano and music all the time."