Off Stage With Meyer and McGuire

Hey Folks,

Hope you all had a great  holiday season, and 2013 is a good one for you! Here's a story and some news if you have time for some reading:

Since we are starting a new year, it is only fitting I share with you one of the themes by which I live.  It emerged somewhere in my soul back in January of 1967, and it has been reinforced over the years by people and characters I have met in literature.  The concept is simple.  Facing a hopeless situation, some people choose to maintain their integrity, and they get busy living  instead of dying.  Most recently, this idea caught my attention a few weeks ago when Siobhan and I watched Shawshank Redemption, one of our favorite films.  The film, based on Stephen King's novella, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, inspires the viewer to maintain hope in the midst of devastating conditions.

If you did not see the film, and you don't have the time to check out the lings I gave you, here is a brief synopsis of the story.  Andy Defresne, a successful banker, is convicted of killing his wife and her lover.  He, despite being innocent of the crime, is sentenced to two consecutive life terms at Shawshank, a state prison in Maine.  While in prison, Andy befriends another lifer, Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding.  Red," who narrates  the film and the novella, describes many of the horrific experiences Andy encounters.  Andy remains tough throughout his many agonizing defeats and disappointments, and Red, along with several other inmates, is inspired by his unwillingness to give up.

At one point in the film, Andy and Red engage in a discussion about hope.  Red claims it is dangerous to hope in a place like Shawshank, but Andy disagrees.  Andy believes we have the option to either get busy living or get busy dying regardless of our situation in life, and it is hope that drives us to get busy living.  When I heard Andy say this, it took me back to a point in my life when I was confronted with this exact choice.

It was late January of 1967.  I just returned to my home in Saugerties, NY, from the retina clinic associated with the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital in Boston.  After four months and five long operations, the doctors informed me there was nothing more they could do for me, and the news felt like a cell door slamming shut on a prisoner facing a life sentence.  Stunned by this news, I sat by the window in my bedroom.  The window faced the backyard that led to beautiful dense woods.  Not far into the woods there was a railroad track, and the sound of the train whistle was a frequent visitor to my room.  As I sat staring into nothingness, I realized I would never see this peaceful scene again, and the tears began to roll.  I don't know how long I sat there, but at some point, the sound of the train whistle interrupted my thoughts.  The whistle was the only part of this scene that still remained for me, but it was at least something.  For some reason, and to his day I don't know why, the sound of the whistle triggered a sense of hope in me, and it told me it was time to move on.  I vowed to myself I would figure out some way to cope with being blind, and to this very day, I continue to figure out ways to cope.  Like Andy Defresne, I keep it simple.  I just get busy living every day. 

Over the years, I have thought about the sound of that whistle.  Was it some kind of sign from God?  Since I have a deep faith, I believe it was, but I am not here to talk about God.  He's just a friend of mine, and I don't push him on anyone.  I am here, however, to talk about maintaining hope and getting busy living.  If you are doing that, keep doing it!  If you are not, it means you are getting busy dying, and I implore you to consider a change.  .  You have way too much to offer yourself and the rest of the world!

The "Singer/Songwriters in the Side Room" concerts at Buffalo Bill's in Shortsville, NY, continue to go well.  The concerts are on the third Thursday of the month from 7 to 9 PM. In my last post, we played you a video of Steve Piper playing his song, "This House." In this post, we have a video of Birds-On-A-Wire (Brooke Pevear and Elaine Verstraete) doing their song "It Is What It Is."  The song suggests the narrator will maintain her identity in the midst of a world she cannot control. With impeccable voices, Brooke and Elaine deliver the message with the exquisite sound of Perry Cleaveland's mandolin accompanying them.    Here is the video. Hope you enjoy it, and I hope it encourages you to check out this venue. We have some great songwriters in this area, and if you like original music, you owe it to yourself to experience some of these artists. Stay tuned for more videos of other songwriters we have showcased.

Since I am on the topic of the songwriters' series, I want to thank Jed Curran for the fine show he did for us in December. On January 17, we are having Rick Hoyt and Cool Club do a show in our side room.  Since I don't have a web site for you to explore, you'll have to rely on my description here.  Rick and the guys play some awesome, in-your-face original jump jazz blues and boogie-woogie ragtime swing.  The group varies in number.  At the January 17 show, Rick will have the trio with him:  Rick, lead guitar, vocals; Tom McClure, clarinet, flute, saxophone, egg; Oscar Yuan, bass.  You might get the guys to do a standard or two for you, but they will be there to deliver their original music, and it's great.  Trust me.  You'll walk out of their show with a smile on your face and lots of energy.  Hope you can join us on January 17!

Since songwriting seems to be the main focus of this post, here is a link to "Saturday Morning," one of my original songs. You can read about the development of the song, check out the lyrics, and listen to the song. If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you may have seen this one already. If this is a new song for you, I hope you enjoy it!

For those of you who have stumbled upon this post accidentally and have no knowledge about Meyer and McGuire, here is a link to our web site. Hope you enjoy learning about us!

Well, once again, it's time for me to stop babbling. I often go walking at night, and much to the chagrin of Siobhan, I am a daydreamer who should be paying a little more attention to my surroundings. Many of you pass through my thoughts, sometimes for a fleeting moment and other times longer. I want to thank you for being in my thoughts. You have contributed to my life much more than you will ever know. So, see you on the streets somewhere!

Off Stage With Meyer and McGuire

Hey Folks,

Hope you all had a great month and an enjoyable Thanksgiving!  Here's a story and some news if you have time for some reading:

Well, another year of America's favorite pastime has come to an end.  Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants and all their fans!  Although I am not a fanatic about it, I like baseball, and  the Yankees are my team. Many people are surprised when they hear this because I am usually for the underdog, and I am often very supportive of lost causes.  So, why do I like the Yankees?  I don't know.  I just do.  If you think about it carefully enough, we can't really give a true explanation why we like or don't like something.  We just do.  Anyway, although I do not know why I like the Yankees, I know when the relationship began.  It happened on august 4, 1961, and here's the story.

I was in Brooklyn visiting my Aunt Marge and Uncle Al.  Al liked me and I liked him.  Again, I don't know why.  We just connected.  We were kindred spirits, and we both loved baseball.  Of course, up until the late 1950s, we were Dodgers fans.  When the Dodgers left for Los Angeles, and the Giants for San Francisco, the Yankees were the only game left in town.  After a couple of years of mourning the loss of our Dodgers, and missing those beautiful afternoons and evenings eating hot dogs and cracker jacks in Ebbets Field (home of the Dodgers in Brooklyn), Al decided it was time for us to give the Yankees a try.  So, we headed over to Yankee Stadium to see the Yankees play the Minnesota Twins.

As I sat in the stands somewhere behind the right field foul line, I wondered what everyone else was wondering. Would Mickey hit one?  Would roger hit one?  Would they each hit one?  Of course, at that time no one knew the significance of 1961.  We were all just caught up in the home run race that had formed between Mantle and Maris.  Well, Maris did not keep us waiting very long.  He Tagged camilo Pascual for a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning.  As I watched the ball sail into the right field seats and listened to the roar of the crowd, I became a Yankees fan.  I don't know why.  I just did.  It was a magical moment then, and it is still a magical moment now when I think about it fifty years later.

Well, that day Roger hit number 41, Mickey didn't hit one, and the Yankees went on to win the game 8 to 5. On October 1, the last day of the season, Roger hit number 61, breaking the home run record previously held by Babe Ruth.  Although number 61 was the important homerun for the record books, 41 was the one that connected me to the Yankees forever, and it still brings a smile to my face whenever I reconstruct that magical moment.

So, you're asking, why did I tell this story? Here's why.  My mailing list is rather extensive, and it covers a lifetime of friendships.  Each of these friendships started with a magical moment.  Some, of course, were a little more magical than others, but nevertheless, each one was magical.  Somewhere along the road, there was an August 4, 1961 between you and me.  As with the New York Yankees, I don't know why I like each of you.  I just do, and I want you to know I am one of your fans!

Siobhan and I continue to enjoy coordinating the "Singer/Songwriters in the Side Room" concert series at Buffalo Bill's in Shortsville, NY. The concerts are on the third Thursday of the month from 7 to 9 PM. In my last post, we played you a video of Jeff Riales playing his song, "The Ticket." In this post, we have a video of Steve Piper doing his song "This House." Deftly employing the use of personification and metaphor, Steve beautifully illustrates how man, like a house, matures as he experiences the beauty and tragedy of life. Great guitar work, too!  Here is the video. Hope you enjoy it, and I hope it encourages you to check out this venue. We have some great songwriters in this area, and if you like original music, you owe it to yourself to experience some of these artists. Stay tuned for more videos of other songwriters we have showcased.

Since I am on the topic of the songwriters' series, I want to thank Joe Dady for the fine show he did for us in November. On December 20, we are having Jed Curran do a show in our side room.  Jed has lived, worked, and played music  in Rochester, NY, for most of his life.  Currently, he has two CDs of original material, Morning Pages and After the Rainfall.  Here is a link to Jed's site to find out more about him. Hope you can join us on December 20!

Since songwriting seems to be the focus of this post, here is a link to "Shake the Dust Off Your Sandals," one of my original songs. You can read about the development of the song, check out the lyrics, and listen to the song. If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you may have seen this one already. If this is a new song for you, I hope you enjoy it!

For those of you who have stumbled upon this post accidentally and have no knowledge about Meyer and McGuire, here is a link to our web site.  Hope you enjoy learning about us!

Well, once again, it's time for me to stop babbling. I often go walking at night, and much to the chagrin of Siobhan, I am a daydreamer who should be paying a little more attention to my surroundings. Many of you pass through my thoughts, sometimes for a fleeting moment and other times longer. I want to thank you for being in my thoughts. You have contributed to my life much more than you will ever know. So, see you on the streets somewhere! Oh, one more thing.  Have a wonderful holiday season!

Off Stage With Meyer and McGuire

Hey Folks,

Hope you are all doing well!  Here is a story and some news if you have some time for reading.

Quite often, people want to know about some of the challenges I face in being blind.  I never really know what to tell them, but recently, I thought of one that might be somewhat entertaining.  A few months ago, Siobhan and I were traveling on the New York State Thruway, and we stopped at a rest area.  The restroom designated for handicapped people was occupied.  So, I decided to use the regular one to see how well I remembered all the strategies I use to navigate a restroom.  When I entered this one, I stood for a minute to listen for the essential sounds, sinks, hand dryers, urinals, and toilets.  Now, when you are orienting yourself in a restroom, you must remember two things.  Don't stand too long, and keep your head down.  Standing too long and looking around can get you into trouble.  Inadvertently, you might be looking at something you shouldn't be.  After I identified all the crucial sounds, I headed for the row of toilets.  Regardless of my needs, I always use a toilet.  If you think about it for a minute, you can understand how urinals are way too dangerous.  I gave up on them years ago because I kept lining up in front of too many back pockets.  When I got to the row of toilets, I prayed for the sounds of some grunts and farts so I could determine what toilets were empty.  Unfortunately, it was a quiet day in the toilets so I had to check every door.  I had to hear the matter of fact comment, "Occupied," three times before I found an empty toilet.  Well you might think the fun was over, but it wasn't.  After I left the toilet, I went over to the sink, washed my hands, and headed for the hand dryers.  I dried my hands, but unfortunately, as I left the restroom, I was too close to the other dryers, and I set off five of them.  So, remember me the next time you enter a public restroom.  If it brings a smile to your face, remember to keep your head down.  That smile could get you into trouble.

As I mentioned in my last post, Siobhan and I are really enjoying coordinating the "Singer/Songwriters in the Side Room" concert series at Buffalo Bill's in Shortsville, NY. The concerts are on the third Thursday of the month from 7 to 9 PM. In my last post, we played you a video of Pat Maloney playing his song, "Good Night Irene Again." In this post, we have a video of Jeff Riales doing his song "The Ticket."  In this song, the narrator reads in a newspaper article that his ex-wife wins the lottery.  He learns that the winning numbers were ones that reminded her of him.  Very funny! Here is the video.  Hope you enjoy it, and I hope it encourages you to check out this venue. We have some great songwriters in this area, and if you like original music, you owe it to yourself to experience some of these artists. Stay tuned for more videos of other songwriters we have showcased.

Since I am on the topic of the songwriters' series, I want to thank Scott Regan for the fine show he did for us in October. On November 15, we are having Joe Dady from the Dady Brothers do a show in our side room. In addition to being an outstanding musician, Joe has become quite the songwriter over the years.  He has performed all over the United States, Canada, and Ireland, and has shared the stage with such greats as The Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Rick Danko, Bill Staines, and many more. Joe has a lot of great stories that I am sure you will enjoy. Here is a link to the Dady Brothers' site to find out more about him.  Hope you can join us on November 15!

Since songwriting seems to be the focus of this post, here is a link to "Set Yourself Free," one of my original songs.  You can read about the development of the song, check out the lyrics, and listen to the song.  If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you may have seen this one already.  If this is a new song for you, I hope you enjoy it!

Well, once again, it's time for me to stop babbling. I often go walking at night, and much to the chagrin of Siobhan, I am a daydreamer. Many of you pass through my thoughts, sometimes for a fleeting moment and other times longer. I want to thank you for being in my thoughts. You have contributed to my life much more than you will ever know. So, see you on the streets somewhere!

Off Stage With Meyer and McGuire 8/12

Hey Folks,

Hope you are all doing well!  It's been awhile since my last post, and here's why.  My screen reading program became incompatible with the web mail program I was using, and I spent quite a bit of  time switching to a new program.  I know you youngsters are saying, "So, what's the big problem?"  Well, I am old and slow.  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.  So, since I last touched base with you in July, this post will be somewhat of a summary of what's been going on for Siobhan and me since then.

As many of you know, spending time with friends is high on the priority list for Siobhan and me, and the past few months were packed with some great times.  I would simply like to thank Karen and Tom, Tom and Jeanne, Tom and Martha, Ray and Dawn, Jim and Margie, Paul and Jeanne, Sharon, Billie, Deb, Brooke, and Seth, and any other friends I forgot to mention.  (I will be sixty-two this month, and the memory is not what it once was.)  We did nothing with these people, but we did it with style.  All of these people have one common characteristic.  When you meet up with them, no matter how much time has elapsed, it seems like you saw them yesterday.  I know you all have friends like this.  So, try to connect with them as often as you can.  Trust me!  They really help to increase the quality of your life.

Siobhan and I are really thankful for the number of private parties we were asked to play this past summer.  Thanks go out to Terry and Maryann, Mike and Shelly, Amie and Joe, Jerry and Stefanie, Jim and Carol, Leslie and Jason, Mike and Janeane, and Kaitlyn and Jeff.  These parties consisted of family picnics, engagement parties, and wedding receptions.  Many of the people holding these gatherings were former students, and we felt really honored to be asked to be part of these special events.  The song, "Home Town," which I wrote over twenty-five years ago, was inspired by a private party like the ones we did this past summer, and it is nice to see it is still alive and well after all these years.

Siobhan and I normally play as a duo, but every once in awhile, we have the opportunity to have some really good players join us and take our show to a higher level.  Over the past few months we have had the honor of having Perry Cleaveland (mandolin and fiddle) and Bob Spadafora (guitar) join us.  It is an absolute pleasure being on stage with these guys, and we really appreciate them understanding our musical limitations.  They are two of the most unassuming, down-to-earth guys you would ever want to meet.  So, when you see their names listed in our music schedule, come on out and see them.  You will not be disappointed!

Many of you know that siobhan and I spend a lot of time with Siobhan's mother, Joan, and my father, Frank, and we really appreciate you asking about them.  Well, they are both doing well, and they came to Canandaigua to visit us this past summer.  We couldn't quite get Joan into our swimming pool because she could not find her bikini , but Frank was a different story.  Although he has given up doing back-flips, he got into the pool every day and did some exercises.  It did wonders for his arthritis, and he agreed to come back.  In fact, Frank is planning to move to Canandaigua next spring, and Siobhan and I are really looking forward to having him near us.

As I mentioned in my last post, Siobhan and I are really enjoying coordinating the "Singer/Songwriters in the Side Room" concert series at Buffalo Bill's in Shortsville, NY.  The concerts are on the third Thursday of the month from 7 to 9 PM.  In my last post, we played you a video of maria Gillard playing her song, "Imagine My Surprise."  In this post, we have a video of Pat Maloney doing his song "Good Night Irene Again."  Pat wrote this song for his mother, Irene, who did not like Leadbelly's famous classic, "Good Night Irene."  Here is a video of Pat doing the song.  Hope you enjoy it, and I hope it encourages you to check out this venue.  We have some great songwriters in this area, and if you like original music, you owe it to yourself to experience some of these artists.  Stay tuned for more videos of other songwriters we have showcased.

Since I am on the topic of the songwriters series, I want to thank Lisa Winter, Jim Clare and Perry Cleaveland, and Leslie Lee, Steve Gretz, and Perry Cleaveland for the fine shows they did in July, August, and September.  On October 18, we are having Scott Regan, a fine songwriter from the Rochester area, do a show in our side room.  In addition to being a terrific songwriter, Scottis the voice of Open Tunings with Scott Regan.
He is also a member of the well-known group, Watkins and the Rapiers.  Last spring I saw Scott perform at Songwriters in the Round at the Tango Cafe, and I was thoroughly impressed.  I think you will be too!  Hope you can join us on October 18!

Well, once again, it's time for me to stop babbling.  I often go walking at night, and much to the chagrin of Siobhan, I am a daydreamer.  Many of you pass through my thoughts, sometimes for a fleeting moment and other times longer.  I want to thank you for being in my thoughts.  You have contributed to my life much more than you will ever know.  So, see you on the streets somewhere!

Off Stage With Meyer and McGuire

Hey Folks,

Hope you are all doing well!  Thanks for all your notes regarding what is going on for you!  Here’s what’s been going on since my last post!

For the past fifteen years on the second weekend in June, the Yarger family (12 kids) has run the Yarger memorial Golf Scramble, a benefit to help the cardiac unit at Thompson Hospital, the local hospital here in Canandaigua.  So far, they have raised over $150,000, and their goal is to clear $200,000 by the time the tournament comes to a conclusion in 2017.  About five years ago, they asked Siobhan and me to provide some music for the golfers as they came off the course and waited for the banquet to begin.  Several of these twelve Yarger kids, who now have children and grandchildren, were students of mine back in the 70s and 80s.  Many of their friends, also former students of mine, play in the tournament, and I often get to visit with them and catch up on their lives.  Most years I am moved by this experience, and this one was no exception.  It is so cool when I discover the kid I once knew as a timid, insecure recluse has now become a confident, well-adjusted individual whose niche quite often contains a good job, a nice spouse, and some fun-loving kids.  Do I take any credit when I see such a transformation?  Not really.  I just take pleasure in seeing my former students being successful.  Thanks, Yargers, for another fine job, and thanks for giving the old guy another opportunity to reconnect with some people who significantly influenced his life.

Siobhan and I are enjoying coordinating the “Singer/Songwriters in the Side Room” concert series at Buffalo Bill’s.  As with most projects we take on, we always look for a way to tweak what we are doing.  Well, this past Christmas, one of Siobhan’s brothers, Tim, gave her a digital camera so she would have it for our trip to California.  When we returned from our trip in February, Siobhan discovered the camera had video capability, and she began to film the concerts in the side room.  She started editing her work, and now she has begun to upload some of her work to youtube.  We hope her efforts will give people a good feel for the comfortable and inviting atmosphere that exists in the side room.  Maria Gillard was our first performer, and here she is with Perry Cleaveland performing “Imagine My Surprise,” one of her original songs.  We hope you enjoy it, and we hope it encourages you to check out some of the concerts in the side room.  Stay tuned for videos of Pat Maloney, Jeff riales, Steve Piper, and Birds-On-A-Wire (Elaine VerStreet and Brooke Pevear)!

Since we are on the topic of the Side Room Series, we have another great singer/songwriter coming up this month!  We are happy to announce that Lisa Winter, another fine songwriter from Rochester, will continue the series on Thursday, July 19 (details on the music schedule on our web site).  Lisa’s original songs comfortably blend the sounds of folk, blues, and a little jazz.  Here is a video of her singing one of her songs, “Zoo Crew Blues.” To learn more about Lisa, check out her site right here! Hope you can join us on July 19!

The last weekend in June was a real  “HomeTown” event for us!  On June 30, we headed over to the Novakowski Compound for their annual summer party.  Mike Novakowski (Class of 1991), his wife Shelley, and their friends, Amy and Joe Preston, and Stephanie and Jerry Bussy pulled out all the stops for this one.  With the “Mando Master,” Perry Cleaveland, we played two Jumping sets of music to a very responsive crowd.  As we sat eating during our break, we were entertained with a fireworks display that was nearly visible to me.  Mike, who has been on the All-Meyer Team since I met him in his sophomore year, is a little older now, but still as funny, genuine, and gregarious as he was all those years ago.  Thanks, Mike, for a wonderful time!  We followed up this party with another terrific one the very next day.  We went over to the Fennelly Homestead for their annual summer event, and it was fantastic!  We have played for many Fennelly events and their family and friends are probably the most appreciative of our Irish and original songs.  What I really like about the Fennelly family is they are a group who really enjoys being with each other, and they take care of each other and their friends.  Thanks, Terry, for another terrific time!  I consider the Novakowski and Fennelly parties “Home Town” events because they truly reflect the meaning of the song.  I enjoy playing the music, but it is the talking, laughing, and catching up that is the icing on the cake for me!

Siobhan and I spent the 4^th of July on Canandaigua Lake with Captain Ray and his first mate, Dawn, on their pontoon boat.  What an awesome day!  I don’t drink much anymore, but when I am with Captain Ray, I sip a little bourbon.  In fact, I feel a little lyric rolling around in my head that starts with the line, “When I Drink Bourbon with Ray, it washes my blues away.”  Stay tuned!  It could happen!  While we were on the water, the Novakowskis, Prestons, and bussys came by and tied up their boat to ours, and the party expanded.  Joe Preston started his music career when I handed him a harmonica, and coaxed him into joining me.  Trust me!  Joe is headed for stardom!  Since it is summer, stay tuned for more boating adventures with Captain Ray and his first mate, Dawn.  When I get the full story, I’ll tell you about the night Dawn ran over a duck.  (The duck was stunned, but not injured.)

Siobhan and I moved to a new home back in November, and now we are trying to sell our old home.  Check out our home right here! If you know of anyone who might be interested in this home, we’d appreciate it if you would send them our way!  To all of our realtor friends, we are on the MLS.  So, if your buyers are not interested in your properties, they might be interested in ours.  Hey, 3% ain’t bad!

For those of you who are interested in our music, but can’t be with us, here is an article about one of our original songs.  The article focuses on "Boogie Woogie Therapy,” a song from The Road Less Traveled CD.  You can read about the development of the song, check out the lyrics, and listen to the song! 

For those of you who want to know more about our gig schedule, recordings, etc., check out our web site right here!  We'll be back with another update in a few weeks! Hope you are all doing well!  Drop us a line and let us know what is going on for you!

All the best,

 Siobhan and Frank

OFF STAGE WITH MEYER AND MCGUIRE

Hey Folks,

Hope you are all doing well!  Thanks for all your notes regarding what is going on for you!  I really enjoy reading them!  Here is some news I would like to share with you this month!

Many thanks to those who wrote and wished Siobhan a speedy recovery.  The tendons in her left hand are getting better and better every day.  She is playing again, and for most of our shows, she only has to sit out for a few songs.  Special thanks to Perry Cleaveland, Bob Spadafora, and Tim Chaapel.  These guys, all quintessential musicians, often sit in with us and take our shows to a higher level.  They really stepped up to the plate in helping us during Siobhan’s recovery period, and we feel very grateful to have them as friends.

For obvious reasons, I am not into bird watching, but this past month, grackles have absorbed quite a bit of my time and energy.  Grackles, similar to red-wing blackbirds, live in small colonies and choose thick pine trees for their habitat.  The south and east sides of our new property, lined with thick pines, serves as a perfect condominium for the grackles.  Up until mid May, I enjoyed sitting in our yard and listening to them chirp, but then the babies were born.  The babies made a little more noise, but that was not the problem.  The problem was the nesting behavior of the mother.  Mother grackles are very fastidious about keeping their nests clean, and they have an uncanny habit of carrying and dropping the babies’ fecal sacks (poop) next to and into the nearest body of water.  Well, our swimming pool is about ten feet from these trees, and it was bombed more than Normandy was on D-Day.  Siobhan, who struggles with menopause, went postal on these birds several times, but they were not rattled one bit.  After trying numerous ways to change the somewhat disgusting behavior of these birds, the Autobahn Society Web site gave us two simple strategies to follow.  One, wait fourteen to sixteen days for the babies to start flying; once they leave the nest, the mother’s behavior will stop.  Two, during this two-week period, have your friends wear caps while they are swimming.  By the end of May, the babies were flying, and the fecal sacks were gone.  I am once again enjoying the grackles, and next year, we’ll open the pool at the beginning of June!

Several months ago, Brian Kolb, our local assemblyman and also the New York State Senate Minority Leader, asked me to serve as a member of the New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped.  This committee of fifteen members made of a diverse group who has had experiences with issues concerning the blind and visually handicapped, offers suggestions to legislators who are determining policies for constituents who struggle with problems concerning their vision.  I accepted Brian’s nomination, and this month, Governor Cuomo appointed me to the commission.  My struggle with blindness began in 1966, and I attribute much of my success to myriads of people who have helped me along the way.  I feel very grateful, and I want to do what I can to help others who struggle with vision issues.  So, if you have any issues, or you know of anyone who struggles with problems in this area, please send them my way.  I do not know what I can do, but I do know this.  Because this is a non-political, non-paying job, I can speak freely and truthfully in trying to affect positive changes for those who contend with vision issues.

Many of you on this mailing list are from Saugerties, NY, and you know the Warfel family.  For those of you who don’t, The Warfel brothers, Gene, John, Richard, and Mark are the guys who taught me how to wrestle and play guitar not long after I went blind.  They played a major role in my recovery.  Anyway, this past month, Siobhan and I spent a delightful evening with Mrs. Warfel, John, Mark and Katie, Mark’s wife, in Clinton, NY.  Mrs. Warfel, now in her late 80s, is still going strong, and John and mark, despite being successful professionals, still maintain a sense of humor just as twisted as it was back in the 60s and 70s.  Katie cranked out an unbelievable dinner, and as we ate, we caught up on what the rest of the family was doing.  Although they were all contending with the normal issues of life, everyone was doing well.  For me, it was another great moment in time, one similar to those we use to have sitting around their table back in the Church Street home in Saugerties.  Thanks, Warfels, for a great night!

After our visit with the Warfels, we moved down the NYS Thruway to Albany, NY, to spend a night with Ray Welch and Walt Kemp, fraternity brothers and roommates of mine from Colgate.  Ray, Walt, and I are lucky in that the women in our lives get along quite well.  The six of us spent a long evening exchanging some great stories, and as usual, we left the restaurant at the end of the night with the servers and cooks.  For those of you who know Ray and Walt, they are doing well.  Ray, who has recently experienced a couple of setbacks with the loss of his dad and a hip replacement, is back on the road trying to save lives with his wife and partner, Gina.  After listening to an evening of Ray and Gina’s stories about the life of a dermatologist, I can almost guarantee I will always use sun screen and stay out of tanning booths.  Walt and his wife, Martha, are very busy too.  While Walt manages a thriving insurance business, Martha works as a school psychologist for a district in the Albany area.  The last of their four sons, Andrew, is finishing up his sophomore year in high school, and he is beginning to look at colleges.  What I loved about being with Ray and Walt, as I have with so many friends I have reconnected with in recent years, is that although they have changed, they are still the same genuine, down-to-earth, fun-loving people I met so many years ago!  Thanks, Welchs and Kemps, for a fine time!

From Albany, we made our way down to Saugerties, NY, to visit my father.  For those of you who know him, although he is slowing down a bit, he is still going strong, still driving and living independently in his home on Elm Street.  While we were in Saugerties, we got a chance to drop in on Tom Murphy’s wife, Jeanne, and his daughter, Colleen.  Tom, another close high school friend of mine who was instrumental in my recovery, was in Mexico working as a consultant on a construction site.  We skyped Tom while we were visiting with Jeanne and Colleen, and we all had a great time catching up on the news.  No matter how long I have been away from the Murphys, when I meet up with them, it is just like we’ve never been apart.  We’re looking forward to getting together with Tom and Jeanne when tom gets back from Mexico!

Our “Singer/songwriters in the Side Room” concert series at Buffalo Bill’s is headed into its fifth month.  So far, Maria Gillard, Pat Maloney, Jeff Riales, and Steve Piper gave us four terrific shows, and we hope we can keep delivering fine performers like them.  We have two great singer/songwriters coming up this month!  We are happy to announce that Elaine VerStraete and Brooke Pevear will continue the series on Thursday, June 21 (details on the music schedule on our web site).  These two talented women, also known as Birds-On-A-Wire have been writing songs for quite some time.  We are currently enjoying their most recent recording, It Is What It Is.  As a special treat, Perry Cleaveland, the Mando Master who adds some great sounds to It Is What It Is, will join them for this performance.  To learn more about Birds-On-A-Wire, check out their site   right here! Hope you can join us on June 21!

Siobhan and I moved to a new home back in November, and now we are trying to sell our old home.  Check out our home right here! If you know of anyone who might be interested in this home, we’d appreciate it if you would send them our way!  To all of our realtor friends, we are on the MLS.  So, if your buyers are not interested in your properties, they might be interested in ours.  Hey, 3% ain’t bad!

 

For those of you who are interested in our music, but can’t be with us, here   is an article about one of our original songs.  The article focuses on "Leaving All Our Troubles Far Behind” a song from the Caught in the Middle CD.  You can read about the development of the song, check out the lyrics, and listen to the song! 

For those of you who want to know more about our gig schedule, recordings, etc., check out our web site right here!  

We'll be back with another update in a few weeks! Hope you are all doing well!  Drop us a line and let us know what is going on for you!

All the best,

Siobhan and Frank

Meyer and McGuire: Steve Scammell, Steve Piper, Other News

Hey Folks,

Hope you are all doing well! Thanks for all your notes regarding what is going on for you! I really enjoy reading them! I apologize for not getting back to you in a timely fashion, but I just don’t know where the time goes. You will eventually get a response from me, even if you don’t want one. Anyway, here is some news I would like to share with you this month!

As many of you know, Siobhan has been struggling with some major tendon issues in her left hand. She had some surgery last December to repair the tendon in her trigger finger. Thanks to the efforts of Doc Klein, however, that surgery was successful, and with her trigger finger working again, I am back to working at being less annoying. Unfortunately, this past March more tendon issues developed in her left hand, and she had surgery on April 23. This time the culprits were the “de Quervain” and the “carpal tunnel” tendons. Doc Klein did his mastery work once again. So why is all this so important? I just want to give you a heads-up regarding our shows. In some cases, Siobhan may only play for part of the show, and if the tendons are not cooperating, I will do the show as a solo. OK, for you folks who really just come out to see her, I will have a cutout of her on stage.

By now, most of you guys from Colgate have received the sad news, but in case you haven’t, here it is. Shortly after my last newsletter, I received emails from Steve kello and Dave McGill informing me of the sudden passing of Steve Scammell back on March 20. Steve and I, although fraternity brothers, traveled down different paths while we were at Colgate, and we never really spent much time together. Coincidentally, back in 2008, he contacted me and encouraged me to come to the 2008 reunion, the only one I ever attended. Because we could not stay for the full weekend, Siobhan and I showed up on the night before the reunion began. We ran into Steve and Barb, and the four of us had dinner on the patio outside of the Colgate Inn. Jim Fitzpatrick joined us, and it turned out to be a terrific evening. It was the most fun I ever had with Steve in all the time I knew him, and I am glad I had the chance to have that time with him. So, to all of you, try some of those experiences you are not in the habit of trying. You just never know what can happen.

Our “Singer/songwriters in the Side Room” concert series at Buffalo Bill’s is headed into its fourth month. So far, Maria Gillard, Pat Maloney, and Jeff Riales gave us three terrific shows, and we hope we can keep delivering fine performers like them. We have another great singer/songwriter coming up this month! We are happy to announce that Steve Piper, a fine song writer from Ft. Scott, Kansas, will continue the series on Thursday, May 17 (details on the music schedule at the end of this message). After spending his first twenty years in Pittsburg, Kansas, Steve eventually made it to Rochester where he now resides. In addition to being a skilled songwriter, Steve has a myriad of other talents. He is a phenomenal guitar player, and you will often see him playing lead guitar for many groups in the region. Steve’s creative juices do not stop with music, however. He is a terrific photographer and artist too. Oh, one more thing. Most Thursday evenings you’ll find him hosting the open Mic at The Flipside, a great little happening place for musicians. Stop in and see him! To learn more about him, check out Steve’s site right here! Hope you can join us on May 17!

Siobhan and I moved to a new home back in November, and now we are trying to sell our old home. Check out our home right here! If you know of anyone who might be interested in this home, we’d appreciate it if you would send them our way! To all of our realtor friends, we are on the MLS. So, if your buyers are not interested in your properties, they might be interested in ours. Hey, 3% ain’t bad!


For those of you who are interested in our music, but can’t be with us, here is an article about one of our original songs. The article focuses on "Your Local Star” a song from the Home Town CD. You can read about the development of the song, check out the lyrics, and listen to the song!

For those of you who just want to know our gig schedule for the next couple of weeks, it appears at the end of this newsletter! We'll be back with another update in a few weeks! Hope you are all doing well! Drop us a line and let us know what is going on for you! All the best, Siobhan and Frank

Fri., May 4: Rylie J’s, 38 Seneca Street, Geneva, NY, 6 PM to 9 PM, (315) 759-6050

Sat., May 5: Sheridan’s Pub, 1551 Mt. Hope Ave. Rochester, NY, 7 PM to 10 PM, (585) 271-7777

Thu., May 10: Heather Heights, 160 West Jefferson Road, Pittsford, NY, 6:45 PM to 7:45 PM,(585) 264-1600

Fri., May 11: Chili Inn, 964 Chili Ave., Rochester, NY, 6 PM to 9 PM, (585) 436-6627 (The phone is disconnected, but trust us. The place is there, and it is a classic neighborhood bar with great patrons.)

Sat, May 12: Rio Tomatlán, 5 Beeman Street, Cdga., NY, 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM (585) 394-9380

Thu., May 17: Singer/Songwriters in the Side Room (a concert series), Presents Steve Piper in the side room of Buffalo Bill’s Family Restaurant and Taproom, 19 Main Street, Shortsville, NY, 7 PM to 9 PM, (585) 289-4104; no cover charge, but donations for performer gratefully accepted (Dinner available in the restaurant from 5 PM to … - no service available in the concert room, but concert goers can bring drinks and food into the room) (event produced by Meyer and McGuire, 585-394-8929)

Sat., May 19: Canandaigua Elks Club (Lodge 1844), 19 Niagara Street, Cdga, NY, 6 PM to 10 PM, (585) 394-4787 (Wing and Pizza Night! Open to the public!)

Fri., May 25: Private Party: If you are interested in booking us for a private party, please call us at (585) 394-8929 or e-mail us at mcriley@frontiernet.net

Sat., May 26: Private Party: If you are interested in booking us for a private party, please call us at (585) 394-8929 or e-mail us at mcriley@frontiernet.net

Thu., May 31: Eric’s Office Restaurant and Taproom (on the patio), 2574 Macedon Road, Cdga., NY, 6 PM to 9 PM, (585) 394-8787 (weather permitting)

"Crystals" (Songwriter's Notes, Lyrics, and Music)

"Crystals" is an original song from Frank Meyer’s Home Town CD. To read the songwriter notes, check out the lyrics, and listen to the song, click here!

To learn more details about Meyer and McGuire’s shows, recordings, etc., click here!

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To purchase individual tracks from our Home Town CD or the CD itself, click here!

To purchase individual tracks from our Caught in the Middle CD or the CD itself, click here!

To purchase individual tracks from The Road Less Traveled Cd or the CD itself, click here!