Simon Barrett

It was several years ago that I first heard about the History Publishing Company. Rather than be a general publisher owner Don Bracken had a vision, the books would be in the genre 'Living History', Idealy the authors would write first hand accounts of their personal experience in global and national events. HPC has expanded their imprints to Todays Books which looks at modern society and Chronology Books a chance to meet vicariously meet interesting people through their life experiences. Don himself is no slouch at the writing table, one of my favorite books is Words of War. The Civil War is an important part of our herritage, yet most books, particularly text books tend to offer a rather bland and often onesided view. Don took a unique approach, compare the popular newspaper accounts of the day? One from the North and one from the South.  I am looking forward to catching up with Don Bracken.

Israel and Palestine continue to act like naughty two year olds, the problem is thay are two year olds with guns. The 72 hour cease fire lasted 90 minutes. Actually it is amazing that it lasted that long.Odd that Palestines usual buddies are not shouting from the roof tops, odd that Israels buddies are equally quiete in support but vocal in dissent. One might draw the conclusion that the world is just fed up with this pointless and mostly boring bickering and waste of life. Ukrane and Russia continue to be at odds, is it possible to stop Putin in his quest of rebuilding the USSR. Our well paid House and Senate take a 5 week vacation. It is hardly well earned. They seem to have acheived very little. And when they do resume in September all of them will be far too busy tending to re-election issues to give a thought to actually working.

Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd fans rejoice! On July 7, 2014 AR Garden Records, via Cherry Red will release the debut album by the Garden Music Project, which features music inspired by the paintings by PINK FLOYD founder SYD BARRETT. 'Inspired By Syd Barrett's Artwork' is a unique masterpiece of 12 tracks that truly reflect the early artistic concept of Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett and his music legacy in modern times. The release will coincide with the eighth anniversary of Syd Barrett’s passing in 2006.   The music on this release can be best described as an epic interpretation of Syd Barrett’s paintings using Synesthesia perceptions. This music venture was created by Adriana Rubio. All the music was written by Adriana Rubio and Alexander Ditzend together with Alexander Ditzend (guitars & lead singing), Stefan Ditzend (bass guitar & saxophone), Nicolás Saganías (drums & percussion), and Fabrizio Gamba (keyboards & synthesizers).  

Ukraine and MH17 continues on. The Dutch are a stoic people, I thought the ceremony to receive the first of the bodies was conducted with great restraint. No speeches,no commentary, just great respect for the victims.   The Israel/Palestine conflict also rumbles on. While it is a forgone conclusion about who will win but the jury is out on the cost in human lives? FAA suspends flights to Israel for a day, was this a politically motivated action? In sports... Baltimore ravens Ray Rice has been suspended for two games for rendering his GF unconscious during a  spat. the NFL is sending a message, you can beat the crap out of your gf/wife, its not our biz, but do something unseemly on the field it will be 4 or 6 games that you will be bench warming. In Politics... Nero fiddles while Rome burns. The GOP is grumpy that Obama is out fundraising while we have so much going on. The mexican border crisis, Ukraine, Israel, etc. Haha, this is a no win situation. If the GOP want to do something, do it. Because if Oba

Lots to talk about this week. MH17. There is much finger pointing going on. There seems little doubt about who pulled the trigger, but where did they get the gun from? Who is going to fess up? Israel puts boots on the ground in Gaza..Can they cripple the Hydra called Hamas? ISIS (not the rather nice river in Oxford that I used to punt on) continues create havoc in both Syria and Iraq. Amazon to offer 'all you can eat' buffet of e-books for $9.99 per month.Needless to say authors are a little unhappy. Rumor has it that the top two contenders for 2014's word of the year is Ignition Switch and Recall. Hillary Clinton prefers a home office rather than a comute. Oh and an office with no corners. 80bil was the offer to create the scariest scenario on the planet. Murdoch and Time Warner. The idea of it blows my mind. Controlling content and delivery in almost every media segment, TV, News, News Papers, Radio, etc.

Linda Maria Frank has just published her third book in the Annie Tillerery Mystery series. The Secrets In The Fairy Chimneys is a great read. While aimed at the Young Adult market the author has created a book that stands up well for us older readers. I will be sitting down with Linda Frank for a (excuse the pun) frank discussion about The Secrets In The Fairy Chimneys and her other books.

Stained Glass is becoming a popular addition in the home. Today I will be talking to Los Angeles base stain glass artisan Mark Levy. Also joining us is homeowner Mannie Barling who has some stained glass by Mark Levy Studios.

How difficult would it be to convert Air Force One into a cargo plane to repatriate the kids crossing the rio grande? I think $3.7 B could buy a whole bunch of 747's. Have any of you heard anything about Ukraine? Nope, me neither. The hot news is Israel and the bottle rocket war. Will Israel start a ground war? The Krauts are pissed at the CIA, head spook gets his marching orders.It has been widely known for some time that Angela Merkel is pretty upset by the NSA peeking in to her private life. 

With the release of her seventh full-length album and a brand new endorsement deal with Two Old Hippies, who worked with Breedlove Guitars to build her a new custom-made guitar, Katie Garibaldi has proven herself to be an artist with undeniable talent and lasting appeal. Based in the golden city of San Francisco, this determined and enthusiastic singer/songwriter/guitarist is an avid national touring performer who has amassed a devoted fan base, due in large part to her engaging live shows and a personal connection to her listeners through her music. Katie sings with an emotional resonance that, combined with her catchy melodic songs and her soulfully expressive vocals, captures her audience wherever she performs. While she’s been compared to household names such as Sheryl Crow, Jewel, and Taylor Swift, Katie has a charismatic musical style all her own wherein her equally pop- and country-tinged folk-rock gives her a distinct and edgy sound—Americana with sparkling and memorable melodies.

Lots to talk about this week. I can't wait to hear the panel talk about the two key rulings out of the Supreme Court, The Hobby Lobby ruling I found a little starange, does this open the door to other challenges to Obamacare? The Healthcare ruling concerning In Home Care workers in illinois and their need to pay union dues was also an interesting one.While both cases are limited in their application, there is in my mind a clear pathway to broader litigation. Crime never fails to perplex me, The fate of 22 month old Cooper Harris is a great example. Who leaves a kid in an SUV for 7 hours on a hot georgia day? Join us for this and much more.

I will be talking with inverntors Chistopher Oliver and James Villepigue about their latest invention ZomBcall. There is a clear and present danger by the threat of an imminent Zombie Apocalypse, possibly these two young men have found a way to avoid it. ZomBcall may well be the answer to rounding up these members of the undead. Prevous projects they have been involved in are MVPee, the quintessential urinal mat founf in bar's and other public restrooms, MVPee of course has a twist, the urinal mat offers a target for the patron to aim at. With the 2016 presedential campaign around the corner, I can olny guess at the images that will be used.You can vote only once, but you can relieve your bladder many times. Squatchit was also a huge hit, the hunt for big foot has gone on for decades. This Sasquatch vocalizer might provide a valuable tool for serious seekers of the truth  

Punk is dead, Long live Punk! In the late 70's there was a fan backlash against the mega bands, they had become untouchable and unaproachable. Punk was the way out of the Rock Opera world. I have to admit that most of it was pretty darn awful. All a band needed was a couple of electric guitars, a drum set and an Amp. The ability to play the instruments was optional and rarely used. Punk was an excuse, it was a way out. There were a few musicians however that took the medium in their stride and applied music to the noise. (BTW happy birthday to John Ford of the Monks). Jeff Wolfe is another gifted Punker, he knows how to construct a song.

Are we any closer to finding out the truth behind Benghazi? I have my doubts. Hillary Clinton's book plummets in sales on week two. Thad Cochran finds support in strange places. The GOP doesn't much care for the ruckus the Tea Party are causing, and apparebtly neither do minority Democratic voters in Mississippi.Shame really, a Tea Party loudmouth might have turned Mississippi blue. Is the immigration reform debate dead? All this and more

This week we have lots to talk about, IRS loses some emails, FCC fines Chinese company $35 million for making and selling a device that most people would view as a usueful gadget. Iraq rolls on, as does the blame game. No boots on the ground, well maybe a few. Clinton and her book, a dry run at 2016? Chris Chistie snuggles up with the evangelicals. Redskins get trademarks skinned. What team is next? Plus lots more  

Authors leave fingerprints. Mary Martin is a case in point. She writes trilogies, She started with the Osgood trilogy, and now she is about to release the final book in the Trilogy Of Rememberance, Night Crossing. At the heart of the this set is fictional (well I am not so sure about that) landscape painter Alexander Wainwright. It will be an interesting conversation.

I had planned on airing this segment on Fathers Day, but technical issues abounded. If you enjoy music, there is something here for you. All of the musicians involved are people I have interviwed here on BTR. Each and every one of them has a great story to tell. Sit back and enjoythe ride. Some of their stories are funny, some are serious, but they are all worth listening to.

This week the panel will be talking about Bowe Bergdhal, has he moved from POW to POP (Prisoner Of Politics)? It is an unusual situation, only time will tell the end result. Susan Rice claimed he served with distinction, yet his fellow soldiers share a different feeling. Hillary Clinton is about to launch her new book, or is she launching her 2016 run for the whitehouse? The book campaign has been managed with the care of a military opperation. In sports: Dan Marino withdraws from NFL lawsuit. No doubt due to concussions he could not remember filing the suit..... And the Donald Stering story gets better and better by the day.

I love Stained Glass, so it is a real treat to talk to a master of the art. Mark Levy is based in Los Angeles, but his works adorn buildings in many otherplaces. With decades of experience under his belt there is little that he does not know about the world of glass as an art form, While we will certainly be discussing a little about his backgrond in this wonderful medium, we will be focusing on one particular Public Art example that adorns Fire Station 78 in Studio City. How does a work of great beauty find its way into a building as fuctional as a Fiire Station? I have yet to meet anyone that doesn't love stained glass, my initiation was in religious locals, places of worship, but when you start to look, stained glass can be found everywhere.  

This week on the program, the ongoing soap opers of Donald Sterling and the NBA. Will Steve Balmer rename the Clippers to the Windowzers. The stabbing and shooting spree in Isla Vista.The mounting VA scandel and the ouster of Shinzecki. Putins next move in Ukrain. All this and more

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Spencer Day returns to his musical roots with his fifth full-length album Daybreak, and his first independent album in seven years. His past two albums were released on the legendary Concord/Jazz label. With Daybreak, Spencer has created an album of signature interpretations of well-loved songs from the 1960’s along with five brand-new compositions written in homage of these classic American tunes.