Richard May's Weblog

Sen. Kirk Watson and Rep. Elliott Naishtat: Texas Artists ask for Your Leadership

Richard May — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:22:23 +0000

The appropriations for the Texas Commission on the Arts have been reduced substantially in the past sessions and was in danger of being “sun setted” last session. The $190 billion Texas Arts industry employs 2 million Texans that is fueled in part from the economic development appropriated from the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Rep. Naishtat, you are a senior member of the Texas House of Representatives and wield considerable amount of influence as an 18-year member in the state legislature. Sen. Watson, you are a statewide leader who commands respect in the Texas Senate and throughout the state. Each of you represent small business arts constituencies that are paramount to Texas’ economy and we now ask your leadership in restoring TCA funding.

Van Wilks, John Pointer and Evan Felts: You are the Songwriters Series Internet TV Season V closers

Richard May — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 04:54:13 +0000

Look at our Songwriters Series Internet TV Show season V finale: Van Wilks, John Pointer and Evan Felts. Enough said. I am posting this one week prior to the November 15, 2008 concert so if you have stumbled upon this in your Internet search of what to do on this particular Saturday night then come on down for one fun live concert that happens to be a live broadcast to the world via Internet broadcast. If you are stumbling on this ten years later in an Internet search then log onto SongwritersSeries.com or TVKnob.com and watch the show. You can’t lose either way. It’s Austin music at its finest. Live. Real. And good. Hank Sinatra is the king of live television broadcast and Doug Watkins is its kin in Internet live broadcast. Put the hooka down, please. And log on Saturday night November 15, 2008 to join John Pointer, Vank Wilks and Evan Felts at 6:30 PM (CT) for their Songwriters Series Internet TV performance.

Texas Elections, what is your platform regarding the Texas Arts’ Industry?

Richard May — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:00:13 +0000

Dear Texas candidates,

The two million Texas artists want to know your political platform regarding the Arts industries in Texas and the U.S.A. As an introduction to your platform, we would like to ask you to read the economic impact the arts generate in the state of Texas before your response. Also click here to view the 2008 Texas Congressional Report Card for the Arts.

The Arts and its Economic Impact in the state of Texas:

The Texas Arts Industry contribute $190 billion to the economy. (Perryman Report on Texas Arts)

The Texas Arts Industry employs 2 million working Texans. (Perryman Report on Texas Arts)

For every dollar invested in the arts, $300 are returned to the economy and $10 to the state coffers. (Perryman Report on Texas Arts)

The Austin cultural sector annually contributes more than $2.2 billion to the local economy and $48 million to the City’s tax revenues and represents nearly 44,000 jobs. (TXP, Inc. Report on Austin economic analysis of the arts)

The Arts are one of the most significant tourism industries in Texas generating tourism dollars from film festivals, music concerts and arts festivals.

The Arts are one of the leading high-tech industries in Internet television and radio broadcast, web commerce, digital production and global promotion.

The Arts represent the most significant small business and corporate industries in the world.

The Arts are the most profound educational and empowerment tool for at-risk children and teenagers.

Please vote with the 2008 Congressional Report Card for the Arts as a guide

Richard May — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:46:08 +0000

From the Americans for the Arts, here are the grades for the Texas U.S. House of Representatives action and representation of the arts in the U.S. Congress for 2007-2008. Please review the following grades as basis for your vote in the 2008 November elections. A is excellent. B is good. C is average. D is below average. F is failure.

Rep. Joe Barton – D

Rep. Kevin Brady – F

Rep. Michael Burgess – D

Rep John Carter – F

Rep. Mike Conaway – D

Rep. Henry Cuellar – B+

Rep. Lloyd Doggett – A+

Rep. Chet Edwards – B+

Rep. Louie Gohmert – F

Rep. Charlie Gonzalez – A

Rep. Kay Granger – C

Rep. Al Green – A

Rep. Gene Green – A+

Rep. Ralph Hall – D

Rep. Jeb Hensarling – F

Rep. Ruben Hinojosa – A

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee – A

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson – A

Rep. Sam Johnson – F

Rep. Nick Lampson – B+

Rep. Kenny Marchant – F

Rep. Michael McCaul – D

Rep. Randy Neugebauer – F

Rep. Solomon Ortiz – D+

Rep. Ron Paul – F

Rep. Ted Poe – F

Rep. Silvestre Reyes – A

Rep Ciro Rodriguez – A

Rep. Lamar Smith – B

Rep. Mac Thornberry – F

Cornyn and Noriega, small business knows your no answer is an answer

Richard May — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:05:07 +0000

Texas’ arts is one of the most significant small business economies and tourism dollars in the state. The Arts Alliance of Texas asked each of your campaigns specifically your arts platform and you still have yet to answer. Therefore we have not done our job educating your campaigns on the economic impact the arts provide for the state of Texas. Please take the time to read and please respond with your platform regarding the arts in Texas as a U.S. Senate candidate. And, again, no answer is an answer and we will promote it as such.

The Arts and its Economic Impact in the state of Texas:

The Texas Arts Industry contribute $190 billion to the economy. (Perryman Report on Texas Arts)

The Texas Arts Industry employs 2 million working Texans. (Perryman Report on Texas Arts)

For every dollar invested in the arts, $300 are returned to the economy and $10 to the state coffers. (Perryman Report on Texas Arts)

The Austin cultural sector annually contributes more than $2.2 billion to the local economy and $48 million to the City’s tax revenues and represents nearly 44,000 jobs. (TXP, Inc. Report on Austin economic analysis of the arts)

The Arts are the most profound educational and empowerment tool for at-risk children and teenagers.

The Arts Alliance is a coalition of thousands of Texas artists partnered through the Austin Film Society, The Texas Writers League, Austin Visual Arts Association, The Texas Commission on the Arts, The Austin Music Commission, The Austin Circle of Theaters and many more. The Arts Alliance has helped the grassroots passage of the $35 million arts bond in Austin, TX; the preservation of the Texas Commission of the Arts, the Texas Governor’s Election platform for the Arts, and the Austin City Council Candidates Arts forum in the past three elections (2005, 2006 & 2008).

McCaul, explanation please. Doherty, thank you for small business and economic development through the arts

Richard May — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:48:20 +0000

We just received Rep. Michael McCaul’s Arts’ congressional report card grade of a “D” regarding the arts in America. We have met with McCaul’s staff and with McCaul several times over his past two elections and he and his staff have verbally committed their understanding and support that the arts in Texas are the most powerful incubator for small business, economic development, tourism – which is outside investment dollars that is gold for the Texas economy, and, in our instance, high-tech industry economic development in central Texas. The arts and the artists in his district, his voters and those who he claims to represent have spent considerable time educating he and his staff the economic, small-business value the arts contribute to his district. All, elements that fit his platform yet his words or support are diametrically opposite or insulting reflections from his votes and actions that show a “D” grade from the Americans for the Arts congressional report card. We deserve the courtesy and respect of your explanation.

In the meantime, candidate Larry Joe Doherty showed up to the Austin Arts Alliance candidates forum where both McCaul and Doherty were invited. Candidate Larry Joe Doherty physically demonstrated his support for small business, economic development and new business technologies through the arts with his actions that has, so far, show an understanding that constituent needs are important therefore support is physically shown.

Doherty and his staff have repeatedly throughout the election contacted the Arts Alliance to reaffirm their support and commitment to small business and economic development through the arts in our Texas congressional district 10. Yet, we only receive a grade “D” from McCaul and silence to his constituents’ continuing concern that have been presented to he and his office for four consecutive years.

So, once again, Rep. McCaul why did you receive a “D” on your Americans for the Arts congressional report card? Especially when you told specifically to your voters that the arts for small business and economic development are important and you will therefore represent in such capacity. Again, your small business arts constituents are waiting for an explanation.

And, once again, candidate Larry Joe Doherty thank you for listening and matching your actions to your words. The small business arts constituents of Texas Congressional 10 will match your honor with our actions at the polls this November.

As a reminder regarding the small business, economic impact the arts play in Texas:

The Arts and its Economic Impact in the state of Texas:

The Texas Arts Industry contribute $190 billion to the economy. (Perryman Report on Texas Arts)

The Texas Arts Industry employs 2 million working Texans. (Perryman Report on Texas Arts)

For every dollar invested in the arts, $300 are returned to the economy and $10 to the state coffers. (Perryman Report on Texas Arts)

The Arts are the most profound educational and empowerment tool for at-risk children and teenagers.

Another great concert Jeremy Yocum, Larissa Ness & Brenna Pritchard

Richard May — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:13:10 +0000

September 27, 2008 8 PM Hank Sinatra Presents the Songwriters Series orchestrated another great concert at Linda and Hank’s backyard in Austin, TX. This September concert in our fifth season represents a team full of artistry and deliberations. Whether you were there or on the web-tube interfacing or interacting with our Internet TV show, you cannot deny the power of the moment or the art or the broadcast of both to the world. Once again, we captured the beauty of songwriting, live performance and the Austin-TX-HankandLindaBackyard-NeoHippy-ArtistryFirst mantra and connection thereof.

Larissa Ness is your pop vocal songwriter virtuoso. Her strength is her vocal strength and she showed it on our stage. She has an Austin momentum with some national considerations that are reflective of her artistic commitment. She was our first artist and her piano performance alongside with her vocal excellence was the point of our invitation, broadcast and essence of our show.

Next was 17-year old Brenna Pritchard who caught my eye with her YouTube video broadcast of “Yes We Can” of Barak Obama’s campaign pledge that led me to contact her mother for her appearance on our show. She deserved it. Earned it. And was worth it. Great job Brenna! You caught our eye for a reason and now we have the footage to prove it. I still think “Yes We Can” is your hit. Keep ‘em coming.

Last, but not least, was Jeremy Yocum and Eric from New York City who travelled a couple of miles from New York City with a very broad-stroked and talented accompaniment (Eric) to join the worldwide energy of the Songwriters Series Internet TV Show here in Austin, TX. Your dedication of “Drifter Girl” to Alaina May was not only inspirational but reflective of the proud spirit of inclusion and love to our newest member of the crew and the show. And, “Drifter Girl” is worthy of recognition, broadcast, performance and longevity so as a fan and one who has that song on his ITunes favorites, there is a reason Jeremy Yocum performs. So thank you Jeremy and Eric. Thank you for your artistry, your appearance on the Songwriters Series show and for coming down to Austin, TX to join da family.

Good Job Songwriter Ted Hadji, Flyin A’s, Danny Britt and Dave Madden

Richard May — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:43:24 +0000

The current episode of the Songwriters Series Internet TV Show features Ted Hadji (and his sister on one song about their parents.) It’s a great episode that just typifies the energy we capture outside Hank and Linda’s chicken coop tucked away near downtown Austin, TX. Ted is definitely tomorrow’s songwriter that we need to pay attention to today. (That’s one of our catchy motto’s we like to promote about our Songwriters Series Internet TV Show.) Ted is young, talented and writes some great tunes. So far, my favorite is “40 Days of Rain.” I’ve already tried to buy it on Itunes but he is not listed probably out of independent rebellion and the fact that Itunes’ percentage to artists is not that favorable but they are the most popular thus the conundrum. Anyway, I’ve seen so many young artists who burn out or quit out of the frustrations of artistry and that it takes a long time to get your ROI and before you’re even close to realizing that you do get a return both financially and/or spiritually – you quit. So, Ted, my request is to stick at it because you got it and if you – the world – don’t believe me, watch the show and make your own judgment.

The same goes for Dave Madden, the Flyin’ A’s and Danny Britt. We captured and broadcast live their songwriting energy last Saturday night and with great live performances from all. Now I can’t wait to see the footage. Danny Britt is a songwriting veteran with a country feel. The Flyin’ A’s are a repeat performance on our show which speaks for itself. The Flyin A’s duo of Hilary and Stuart had a stand-up bass player and a Dobro player which was a really cool addition and Dave Madden was the young songwriter who is tomorrow’s songwriting star today. Hank compared him to Jack Savoretti, the English songwriter who has been on our show.

Songwriters and fans from across the world, join our energy and our artistry. We broadcast songwriters regularly on our Internet site while we broadcast live the concerts where the songwriters perform while we shoot and record. We are taking artistry into the 21st century offering live and taped broadcasts to the world with the traditional genre of songwriters – straight from Hank and Linda’s backyard out of Austin, TX. The world of songwriters and Internet broadcast is just a click away and join our world, send us an e-mail and let us know what you think!

July 19, 2008 Songwriters Series Live Concert

John Cornyn and Rick Noriega, what is your platform for the Arts in Texas?

Richard May — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:13:00 +0000

Dear U.S. Senate Candidates John Cornyn and Rick Noriega,

What is your platform and record regarding the Arts in Texas (Film, Music, Performance, Visual and Literature)? The millions of Texas artists would like to know to help our decision for the November elections. Please post accordingly. We treat no response as a response. Click here for more information on the Arts Alliance in Texas. Thank you and good luck in your campaigns.

Richard May

Arts Alliance

Uniting the five arts industries politically for a better society

Richard@SongwritersSeries.com

Welcome Carol Ann Ames, Samantha Miller and Tommy Joe Hill

Richard May — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:05:49 +0000

It has been 75 100 degree days this June and we still have a week to go. Usually June in Texas we are becoming acclimated to our Summer with 89 to 95 degree weather in June to prepare us southern fools for July and August where it becomes 7,843 degrees on a daily basis. But not this year. Not in Summer ’08. It is one hot mo fo and it is only June and we have broken all time records. Hank says Al Gore is on drugs. I say it is one hot mo fo. So, basically, we have nothing to look forward except the one day of the month where it doesn’t matter how hot or not. Because it is Songwriters Series night.

Our team converges on a hot Summer night and broadcast three songwriters performing before a live audience and the world in Hank’s backyard over on the east side in Austin, TX. A whole group of us stupid motherfuckers who have a passion for art and production and technology get together and make this really odd but cool event happen where a live Austin-tatious concert is joined by the world through Internet broadcast on www.songwritersseries.com.

We do this every month from March to November and Saturday night June 28th – it is the night. We have Carol Ann Ames, Samantha Miller and Tommy Joe Hill. Carol Ann Ames is required to perform “West Virginia,” as it is a great song and also where she made a name for herself from the 2006 Folk Festival CD that went worldwide. Now she is stopping by on her tour to perform that song as well as her new material that is just as awesome. Carol Ann Ames is a real treat to have on our Internet television show and you need to know that. So log onto that. And be that with that that’s that in that Internet chat of that audience that logs on at that.

We have just-turned 18-year old Samantha Miller. She has been stealing the headlines and heads of audience members and industry folk including us with her maturity as a performing songwriter. We pride ourselves on allowing up-and-comers the opportunity that otherwise doesn’t exist in gatekeeper Austin, Tx so log on. We have earned the trust of America because we broadcast artistry – period. Samantha Miller is one of those and we are proud to have her on stage to the world. Hello world, this is Samantha Miller. Samantha Miller – meet the world.

Tommy Joe Hill. He’s our Tom T. Hall and our gateway to Europe. He will be performing third in the line up and will bring late night or early morning Europeans to our Internet family who sit in their home office with a beer, cognac or glass of wine in their hand chillin’ to the chill of Austin, TX music that the world knows and craves. But, don’t worry. Log on if you can’t afford the gas or a plane ticket. That is the beauty of Hank Sinatra Presents the Songwriters Series. You get to let your belly out. Drink alot of beer while you scratch your privates and watch the best Songwriters Series show in the world and if you’d rather do that in private, you can also log on along side with the world. See ya June 28th and send us a message in those few private moments when your beer is not in your hand.