HANGING OUT WITH THE CHOIR....June 23, 2013

WELL, GLORY!! 

Yesterday morning there was an especially wonderful Sunday service at COLONIAL BAPTIST CHURCH...just l/2 mile from our home; there was an oboe solo, a guest tenor (from the Met) -solo, a choir presentation, a marvelous sermon by our own Dr James A.
Adams, and ending the service a duet by tenor and baritone.

Our choir sang  BOW THE KNEE.

Our choir director, STEPHEN LEN WHITE is amazing!! Here he is with his beautiful wife, Debbie.

Stephen Len White was born and raised in Memphis and graduated from Trezevant High School and Memphis State University with a Bachelor of Music (Opera Performance). He then studied in Graz,Austria and Venice, Italy. Steve's God-given voice has been heard internationally on many operatic and musical theatre stages, most notably as an original member of the third national tour of the Phantom of the Opera for six years, and then as an original company member of the Antwerp, Belgium company of Phantom.
He  has sung major roles in La Boheme, La Traviata, I Pagliacci and Il Barbiere di Siviglia, appearing with companies as diverse as the New York Grand Opera, the Bronx Opera, Opera Ascona, Opera Memphis and the Auckland Opera.

White has played lead roles in The Music Man,Carousel,Camelot in addition to Phantom of the Opera.  He created the role of Gandalf in Der Herr der Ringe in Berlin.
 His symphonic experience includes the Milwaukee Symphony, the Memphis Symphony and the Haifa Symphony in Israel, singing under the baton of Maestros Zubin Mehta, James Conlon and Vincent La Selva.  His film and television credits include Final Chapter Walking Tall, For Love of the Game, 21 Grams, The Upright Citizens Brigade, and Law and Order


******All of that is for naught without a relationship with the Lord, Steve says, and he feels the most important day in his life was May 10, 1967, when shortly after his brother graduated from seminary at Baptist Bible College, Steve came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. ******

His resume is so impressive. But I assure you he can sing ANY KIND of song so beautifully.
Now for the first time he has become a choir director; and we can hardly believe this great blessing to us!!! Us!!!!

June 30, our choir (COLONIAL BAPTIST CHURCH,
 memphis, Quince at Colonial,)
will present CELEBRATE AMERICA...at 10:30 am. If you come, speak to me afterwards...I would be so excited if you are there.

Just sayin' with love, annie

HANGING OUT WITH JUDI DENCH (I wish!!)

As you can see, I ended the title of this entry with "I wish."

My life long friend, Beth Jones, ( who died a few years ago) and I loved AS TIME GOES BY.
 
Beth is in the center and Charlotte on left and me on right...1950 IN FRONT OF HUMES HIGH SCHOOL;
we three were born about the same time as Judi Dench, her husband, Michael Williams, and ATGB writer Bob Larbey. So we felt a time connection with them.

We watched and then discussed every episode. Bob Larbey (b.1934) is the comedy writer genius who gave us such reason to laugh. Judi Dench (b. 1934) 
 gives me great optimism as to what an older person CAN DO, even if I don't.
 v v

Anyway. Beth and I had heard about A FINE ROMANCE. We were not surprised that it was also written by Bob Larbey. 


But we didn't know how to go about finding this earlier show. A few nights ago I saw that almost all the episodes are on You Tube. "Beth, here is what we were looking for," I exclaimed!!  Wish she and I could talk about it. But that not being possible, I am talking about it with you, dear Blog Friends. 

I was sitting alone at the computer while I watched this. Then I heard myself laughing, no CACKLING, out loud when I saw this episode. I was especially happy to see her husband, Michael Williams..who plays the part of Mike so superbly.  1935-2001
Learning these renown Shakespearean actors could have such perfect timing for hilarious humor amazes me. And I was sad at the same time, because her beloved husband died 12  years ago.

Take a look. 
It begins mildly funny and then gets funnier & funnier, then goes over the top in the restaurant scene, where Mike hopes to propose.

                   

If you have any comments I would so love to hear them.
old7lady9blogger80@gmail.com
with love, annie

LEROY CALDWELL AND HIS WIFE, SHIRLEY, WOULD HAVE BEEN MARRIED 47 YEARS TODAY

from Shirley:
"This morning I went on the porch to have my coffee and talk with Leroy and the Lord.  I thanked God for the 46 1/2 years we had together.  Later today I read 3 letters LeRoy had written back in 1999. and 2010 and also a letter he wrote to John Paul.  He said he would be waiting for us at the left of the Eastern Gate when it is our time to come.  I know he is enjoying Heaven, as there he is everything he was meant to be."

Here are some pics of the tank top dresses we made for Ambassadors to the Nations at the last Sew & Sow.  We’ll be sending 20 in the next week or so and I still have another 25 to make.  

It is so wonderful to know the Sew and Sow ladies are continuing to make dresses for little girls. Here are some of them. They make my heart glad. Love, annie

Many viewers liked the other blog entry about this ministry....

Wonderful way to serve the Lord and to honor a wonderful man, my little brother.
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ROY C BREWER IS MY SON!!! Want to blog a little about him before I take my summer break!

Roy Brewer
		Memphis United States 38117
Contact:		(901) 282-5460 Music for any occasion

Additional Info:

Roy C. Brewer, Ph.D. EDUCATION Ph.D. Musicology, 1996 The University of Memphis Dissertation: Professional Musicians in Memphis (1900 - 1950): A Tradition of Compromise M.A. Musicology, 1992 The University of Memphis Thesis: String Musicians in the Recording Studios of Memphis B.A. Violin Performance, 1985 Memphis State University TEACHING EXPERIENCE Rudi Scheidt School of Music, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN Music in America, 2007 Music Appreciation, 1999 - present Aural Theory III, 1995 American Folk and Popular Music, 1994 Northwest Mississippi Community College, Southaven, MS Music Appreciation, 2007 - present School of Music, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR Elvis: In Perspective, 2002 and 2003 summer sessions (Created and developed course concept and structure) Flamenco Guitar, 2003 summer session (Created and developed course concept and structure) Jackson Symphony Orchestra, Jackson, TN String Specialist, 2002 taught private lessons, conducted student string ensemble PUBLICATIONS The Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World John Shepherd, Ed. (2003): Two entries entitled: “Electric Bass Guitar” and “Rockabilly.” Popular Music and Society 26/3 (2003): “The Appearance of the Electric Bass Guitar: A Rockabilly Perspective.” Popular Music 19/2 (2000): “String Musicians in the Recording Studios of Memphis, Tennessee.” American Music 17/3 (2000): “The Use of Habanera Rhythm in Rockabilly Music.” The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture (1998): Entries entitled: “Vincent DeFrank,” “Noel Gilbert” and “Symphonies.” The Journal Musicological Research 19/2 (2000): Book review: The Late Great Johnny Ace The World of Music 37/2 (1995): Book review: Flamenco: Gypsy Dance and Music from Andalusia PRESENTATIONS Echoes of Elvis: Elvis Symposium, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C., 2010. “Elvis and the Birth of Rock & Roll.” Delta Blues Symposium X: The 1950s, Jonesboro, Arkansas - 2004 “Rockabilly and the Bass: Upright or Electric?” Oregon Festival of American Music, Eugene, Oregon - 2001 “The Train Image in Post War Southern Music.” Society for Ethnomusicology (Southern and Caribbean Chapters), New Orleans - 2000 “Rockabilly Interpretations of Latin Rhythms.” Delta Studies Symposium III: The Blues and Beyond, Jonesboro, Arkansas - 1997 “The Evolution of Freddie King's Performance Style.” Delta Studies Symposium on the Blues: Jonesboro, Arkansas - 1995 “In Search of Africanisms: A Study of Herman Alexander (A Memphis Bluesman Better Known as ‘Alabama’).” Sonneck Society Annual Meeting, Madison, Wisconsin - 1995 “The Musical Saw: Its General History, Performance Problems, and a Study of Two Mid South Sawyers.” Showography Orpheum Theatre, Memphis: Hello, Dolly - 3x (Carol Channing, and others) King And I - 3x (Richard Harris, others) My Fair Lady - 3x Camelot - 4x? (Robert Goulet) South Pacific - 2x Evita Joseph - 2x Jesus Christ Super Star (great, great, band) The Sound of Music - 2x (Marie Osmond & oldest boy from Brady Bunch) Singing in the Rain Carousel (w/ the Guy from Dukes of Hazard) Peter Pan (Kathy Rigby, 1 violin) Chicago - 2x (1 violin) Spamalot (1 violin) Ragtime (1 violin) Annie - 2x (1 violin) Jolson (1 violin) Secret Garden (1 violin?) Sunset Blvd (Petula Clark?) Victor–Victoria (Tennille?) Beauty & the Beast - 2x Titanic (next to the top of bad shows) Brigadoon (easily the world's worst show) Anything Goes (I have no memory of this show) West Side Story - 2x Martin Luther King, Jr. Other Productions in the area: Pippin – Germantown Community Theater Music Man – GTT West Side Story - GTT A Little Night Music – Overton Park Shell (I conducted a small ork) Camelot - Theater Memphis (30 shows!) Wizard of Oz – Some High school in Bartlett? South Pacific – West Memphis Community Theater Scrooge – Overton HS Mel Torme - Some hotel ballroom Robert Goulet (Stage show, Orpheum)- 4x? Burt Bacharach - (we almost got in a fist fight, Hilton) Smokey Robinson - 7x (notorious jerk conductor) Johnny Mathis - 4? 5X? (w/a great, great guitarist) Natilie Cole - Hilton Hotel John Denver - Mud Island (string quartet) Henry Mancini - Mud Island David Gest's All Star Extravaganza Todd Snyder (Memphis, Eugene) Cat Power Tour - (USA & Europe) 2006 Peter Pan - (St Mary's/Buckman Theater) A Mid Summer Night's Dream (TN Shakespeare, 2009 - 21 shows!) Mac Frampton Band (Helena, AR) Television: Various local shows Later, with Jools Hollond - (BBC, London) (Cat Power) Austin City Limits (Cat Power) Late Night with Conan O'Brien (Cat Power) (We were booked to do David Letterman but it fell through the night before) Discography: 1986 Swamp Surfing in MemphisVarious Artists Arranger, Guitar, Violin 1987 World We KnewTav Falco Violin 1989 Free Range Chicken The Country Rockers Fiddle 1993 Memphis Music SamplerVarious Artists Fiddle 1994 Ditch Diggin'Southern Culture on the Skids Fiddle 1994 Ditch Diggin'Southern Culture on the Skids Fiddle 1994 Deep in the Shadows Tav Falco 1996 Cryin' for the FireSteve ReidFiddle, Mandolin 1997 Music Aboard the TitanicCarl Wolfe, Violin 1997 Signs & Symbols Messenger 45 Violin, String Arrangements, Viola 1997 Signs & SymbolsMessenger 45Viola, String Arrangements, Violin 1998 These Modern NightsKitchens & Bathrooms Violin 1998 Singles 1993-1994Various Artists Mandolin, Vocals, Fiddle, Strings 1998 Singles 1995-1996 Various Artists Producer, Strings, Guitar 1999 Loverly Music: The Singles 1997-1999Various ArtistsFiddle, Strings 2000 Rural Electric Mohead Drums (Bass), Mandolin 2000 Rude Angel Lorette Velvette Violin/string arr 2001 Outside the Lines Nancy Apple Guitar (lead), Mandolin, Fiddle, Vocals, Vocals (Background), Guitar, Guitar (Electric) 2003 Memphis Belles: Past, Present and Future Various Artist Fiddle 2004 Songs from the New SouthAndy Tanas Fiddle 2004 Simply Nothing Shawn McDonald Spanish Guitar, Guitar (Nylon String), Viola 2004 Simply Nothing Shawn McDonald Viola, Guitar (Nylon String) 2005 River Road or Rail Nancy Apple Mandolin, Fiddle 2006 Greatest Cat Power Violin 2006 Greatest [Special] Cat Power Violin 2006 Ripen Shawn McDonald Flamenco Guitar, Violin 2006 Moonlight Over Memphis Marti Pellow String Section 2007 Black Snake Moan [Original Soundtrack] Original Soundtrack Strings 2007 Black Snake Moan [Original Soundtrack] Original Soundtrack Strings 2007 Better Questions Todd Agnew Violin 2008 Samedi Soir A Beyrouth Bernard Lavilliers Violone 2008 My Blueberry Nights Original Soundtrack Violin 2008 My Blueberry Nights Original Soundtrack Violin 2008 Roots Shawn McDonald Violin 2009 Say Amen...Hymns and Songs of Faith Ginny Owens Fiddle, Violin 2009 Soulbook Rod Stewart Violin 2010 Shine Nancy Apple Guitar (Electric) 2010 Nothing's Impossible Solomon Burke Violin 2010 Sucker Harlan T. Bobo Violin 2010 35 Years: Bear Family Records Various Artists Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm) 2010 35 Years: Bear Family Records Various Artists Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar

Orchestral Playing, Session Work, Contemporary Music, Improvisation Just sayin'....love, annie in memphis

WHAT DOES PIKE PEAK HAVE to do with POEM AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL BY KATHARINE LEE BATES?

In the summer of 1893 Katharine Lee Bates, as you probably already know, was teaching an English course in Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This is how she remembers her inspiration as she wrote the first draft of "America the Beautiful."

            "One day some of the other teachers and I decided to go on a trip to l4,000 foot Pike's Peak. We hired a prairie wagon. Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. I was very tired.
But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there with the sea-like expanse."
 
 

 Our church choir will be singing "America the Beautiful" tomorrow morning.  I particularly love these lines so appropriate for today's America. "God mend thine every flaw. Confirm thy soul with self control." The entire four stanzas are so beautiful...but then you know that, huh?
 

She went back to Massachusetts in the fall and continued teaching. She died in 1929,. I am not sure if she ever saw that sight again...but she surely remembered it well.

Just sayin'.

with love, annie in memphis 
who has been to Pike's Peak 
but could never write anything much..
.but I appreciate the fact Katharine Lee Bates did!! 

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FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND...REMEMBERING WHY I LOVE AMERICA

   

I wrote this recently for MEMORIAL DAY weekend. I think it still applies to the 4TH weekend...so sending it again!!


Yesterday I bought three American flags and put them on the lattice that runs along our porch. This is yet another beautiful day in Memphis, both cool and sunny. The flags are blowing in the gentle breeze.
Now the flags have returned to the porch for the 4th weekend and continue to blow in the gentle breeze......

I am thinking many people who lived during WWII perhaps have a different feeling for our country from ones who were born later.

I was in the second grade when we were surprised by December 7, 1941.  I remember hearing President Roosevelt on the radio; Mother was crying and Daddy looked so sad. His brother, Clifford Grogan Caldwell was a professional soldier and surely would go to war. (He would be part of the Invasion of Normandy and lived to come home. He was our hero.) 

I remember clearly how we loved our country. There was a sense of nationwide camaraderie. Like we all knew each other, almost like being kin.  Our service men were heroes, and we developed an attachment to the ones we didn't even know personally. 

 Of course now I know our country isn't perfect; yet I continue to love "us" and pray for "us"..."My country tis of thee...sweet land of liberty" Indeed! 

Wave on, Flags on my porch...wave on.

with love, annie in memphis

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HANGING OUT IN COLORADO FOR TWENTY MINUTES

    Colorado???What you say? You thought we live in Memphis...Well for the last fifty years we have lived back in Memphis. But when Roy was born and Ben was a toddler, we lived in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Ben taught at Colorado State, his first teaching job since Tulane.
                  
             We were so young...and though near penniless..quite happy. Colorado was such a beautiful place to live. Every weekend we drove up into the mountains and had so much fun...the four of us!  Out parents were not in good health, and when the opportunity came for Ben to work at University of Memphis (Memphis State) we happily came back but leaving a little of our hearts in Colorado. We remained in Memphis....but not entirely tied to it.


Some days, like this one, are truly beautiful in Memphis. It is cool but sunny and the sky is so blue. It reminds me of a day Lydia's Paw Paw took her to the orthodontist. I went along; but Ben waited in the car for us. He simply didn't feel like going upstairs. 

When Lydia and I returned, the car window was open and Ben's eyes were closed.  I remember there was a gentle breeze like today. Then he shook himself and said he had just had a wonderful visit in our (beloved) New Mexico, which we had visited so very many times. He said he felt so refreshed.

 I told him if I lived longer than he, I would do that, myself. From time to time, I would close my eyes and have a sweet trip like he had...and he would be in the visit too.

So I just did that...I was hanging out in Colorado for the last twenty minutes and I too am refreshed by sweet memories of our time there.

Just sayin',
love, annie