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

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.

Good question. First, some general analysis of the Austin City Council races:

The number of voters for each of the three races averaged 33,750 total votes per race. According to my estimates, 33,750 votes represent 21% voting penetration. In other words, 21% of Austin’s population just determined the leaders of Austin and our future.

National voting averages for local races hover around 10-15% and Austin has traditionally been a more politically active voting community and the recent Austin City Council voter turnout proves that trend once again. While 21% is impressive to national averages, it is an extremely low number which shows how powerful your vote can be in Austin’s future.

Now for the Arts and their participation. The Arts Alliance Austin Voters Guide for the Arts and each of the candidate’s position received a little more than 6000 views. 6000 interested voters represents 17% of the voting. So, if candidates do not think the Arts play a role in deciding our leaders then they better take notice. And, they have.

Thanks to the Arts Alliance and Austin artists’ political advocacy, every elected Austin City Council member has posted a positive and public platform supporting the arts. Each of participating artists have been instrumental (pun intended) in the past three Austin City Council elections in making sure the Arts are recognized as a political force and the results are proven.

Even with the upcoming runoff between Galindo and Morrison, each have been very supportive in their platforms regarding the Arts. We ask each candidate again to make sure that the Arts are a priority in their platform and their agenda as a future Austin City Councilmember. Lastly, though, make sure you vote in the runoff as your vote does count as these numbers prove. And to Galindo and Morrison, make sure your attention to the Arts continue as we too have proven that our vote counts.

To view the Austin Voters Guide on the Arts, please go to: http://mayrichard.wordpress.com/the-arts-2008-austin-city-council-voters-guide/

And if you have any questions or comments regarding the Arts and politics, please send me an e-mail at Richard@SongwritersSeries.com. Please pass this information along to your artist friends and supporters and congratulations once again on proving the Arts’ value to our city leaders.

It’s May 2008 and you are chomping at the bit on who our special Songwriter guests we have scheduled for our May 17th Songwriters Series Live Internet broadcast concert. Well, I will tell you. I am feeling charitable or shamelessly self-promotable but it is all in the spin. We have legendary songwriters from the Greezy Wheels - Cleve Hattersly and Sweet Mary. The Greezy Wheels were the first band on Austin City Limits and now they pioneer music television once again appearing on one of the world’s first independent Internet-broadcast television series - The Songwriters Series.

Next up, we have Haydn Vitera who is bringing along David Vitera and Dave Perez. Haydn has played for Asleep at the Wheel and Rick Trevino but he’s much better being himself. We saw him at Nuevo Leon restaurant several years ago and have been hounding is agent for him to play but they have been giving us the windy day so when I added myself as his devoted fan upon his fan list, I was able to ask him directly and do you know what he said to me? He said - OK. So, there it is. The heck with managers. They just get in the way because Haydn saw the power and beauty of our worldwide broadcast and not only said “OK” but “Hell Yeah.” So, Give ‘em Hell Yeah Haydn as my persistence for the past three years hounding you has paid off but, really, our worldwide fans will reap the benefits.

Last but not least is San Antonio songwriter Laura Marie. She’s bringing some Congas with her too. I found her in my pursuit to reach out to other Texas cities and either San Antonio is void of songwriters or void of a songwriters group to access or have issues with Austin being a cooler city. But Go Spurs Go! BUT, finally a songwriter comes out of the ashes of the Alamo to drive up to our lil’ town to perform for our show to the world. You cannot miss this show. And I mean that literally. If your cheap ass can pay for an Internet line that is above a phone cord then you cannot miss the show. Log onto the Songwriters Series at 8:30 PM (CT), grab a cold one and e-mail Doug@Watkins.org with your requests or zodiac sign (he’s single) and join us for a great Songwriters Series May 17th concert!

Austin Artists should be very proud of their level of political sophistication and advocacy. The Arts Alliance’s political success for the past four years is attributed to the artists and the arts’ organizations in Austin, TX. Their sacrifice, hard work and commitment to Austin’s future for the past forty years has created an organized and professional group of advocates and representatives that the Arts Alliance channels to political clout and representation. Through the Arts Alliance - an informal but active coalition of artists from the music, film/video, visual, performance and literature industries in Austin, TX - and the ease of digital communication, Austin artists have affected a political awakening of the economic, social, educational and political power of the arts in Austin, TX. Recently, the Arts Alliance held their third consecutive Austin City Council Candidate’s forum and have posted our third consecutive Austin Voters Guide for the Arts. This year’s Austin Voters Guide for the Arts represents the pending issues and rallying point for Austin artists to advocate for a stronger, more powerful arts in Austin, TX. Remember, elections are the one time politicians need us so it is up to us artists to once again prove our contribution to Austin’s economy and lifestyle. Review the Austin Voters Guide for the Arts and use the guide to execute your ultimate power on May 10, 2008 in the Austin City Council elections - your vote.

The 2008 Austin City Council Voters Guide is posted and public. Please review the 2008 Austin City Council Voters Guide as your guide for the future of Austin. Please refer this blog posting to every arts group, leader, supporter and artist in the city of Austin as the guide for Austin’s future. There are three fundamental questions the Arts Alliance posted and asked each candidate at the Austin City Council Candidates’ Arts forum and the 2008 Austin City Council Voters Guide regarding public funding and representation of the arts in Austin. TX. The $2.2 billion Arts industry is one of the most significant economies of Austin, TX in regards to jobs, tourism, education, lifestyle and economic development and the arts’ future is contingent on the Austin City Council. Our vote is vitally important to the future of Austin, TX on who best will promote a vibrant economy that preserves the unique nature and character of Austin, TX. And, remember, when reviewing the candidates’ responses that no answer is an answer.

Here is the weblink to the 2008 Austin City Council Voters Guide to forward to every citizen of Austin, TX: http://mayrichard.wordpress.com/the-arts-2008-austin-city-council-voters-guide/

Click here for more information on the Arts Alliance.

The Arts Alliance is an informal but active coalition of artists and arts leaders advocating the five arts industries (music, film/video, visual, performance and literature) before Austin, Texas and national government.

Formed in the Spring of 2005, the Arts Alliance has successfully advocated for the Arts networking thousands of Texas artists, arts leaders and supporters through Arts Alliance e-mail updates, advocacy alerts and postings on this blog.

JOIN the ARTS ALLIANCE by e-mailing Richard@SongwritersSeries.com. The Arts Alliance unity and advocacy represent the modern renaissance of the arts in America. JOIN NOW to generate strength in numbers for a better society through the Arts.

Well, as usual, the Millennium Falcon of audio and production equipment held up just enough to capture, broadcast and produce another great Songwriters Series Internet TV Show concert. Flying by the seat of our pants, our crew has to pull together with duct tape one of the most difficult triumvirates of production - live concert, live Internet broadcast concert and recorded live concert for not just for one act but THREE. Geesh. What were we thinking and we did it without a beer sponsor. I said without a beer sponsor not without beer. But, anyway, I digress. Let’s blog about the show. First up was songwriter, Bob Cheevers.

Bob Cheevers is a Nashville-transplant moved to Austin. I know that sounds crazy (sarcasm inserted here.) But Bob is pure Austin and he should have moved here years ago. Another interesting point about Bob is he is alot like Willie Nelson. He has those tones and style to him that wreaks Willie. He is a seasoned songwriting veteran and it showed. No wonder he’s won an Emmy. What a consummate professional and performer. He was a treat to watch and listen and we were honored to have him.

Next up was Meagan Tubb - the band. We don’t have bands. But here we are. We have a band. Meagan was adamant about it so we acquiesced (that means we caved in) and had the band stripped down as much as possible and it was well worth it. She is a bluesy rocker that rocked the backyard and the large crowd that showed up. We, as the Songwriters Series, sometimes have an excess of mellow, cryin’-in-your beer, I’m-the-biggest-depresserino-in-the-world, self-pitying artists who sacrifice their lives to be a songwriter so it is always a treat to have a jammin’, rockin’ songwriter like Meagan Tubb and her great band. And they were great. Thank you Meagan for pushing your band on us but for all of you other songwriters don’t think about it. You’re not as charming or persuasive so forget about it.

Last was a rare repeat of Graham Weber. This is the second time Graham has appeared on our show. We are in our fifth season so we have the right to repeat and we have done so several times but not very often. So that should tell you how we feel about songwriter Graham Weber. He is your songwriters songwriter who is also a gem of person to hang out with. I was freaking out at the end of Meagan’s set wondering where the hell Graham was but lo and behold at the very perfect timing, Graham walks out of the shadows and onto the stage for another repeat grand performance. Thank you again Graham.

Well we survived another Songwriters Series concert. We had our on-air host Sarah for the second time and that’s been a great addition. As for the rest of the crew, great job as you all know it just watch the show. It shows! So, log on now to the Songwriters Series Internet TV Show and watch the great performances from Bob Cheevers, Meagan Tubb and Graham Weber!

Texas Congressional district 10 candidate Larry Joe Doherty attended the Arts Alliance Austin City Council Candidates Arts forum. He spoke before the group of filmmakers, writers, performers, musicians and painters and proudly proclaimed his support for the arts while recognizing the arts’ profound economic contribution through the thousands of artists that are small business owners creating jobs for Texans.

From the Arts Alliance to Texas congressional candidate Larry Joe Doherty, thank you for your recognition and support for the arts industries (music, film/video, visual, literature and performance). We, the artists in Congressional District 10, and in the state of Texas thank you!

The Songwriters Series April 19th concert on Saturday night has been scheduled for Saturday night April 19th so this Saturday April 19th the Songwriters Series Concert is on! (Advertisers claim that repetition is the best advertising tool so Saturday night, April 19th the Songwriters Series LIVE INTERNET BROADCAST concert is on!) Oh, it begins around 8:00ish PM (CT) and anybody in the world can log on in the world and watch it live at http://www.songwritersseries.com.

Or, come if you can, bring a lawn chair and something to drink (we have lost our beer sponsor, so if you know a brewer, pass it on). Directions are below.

We have a great line up of seasoned songwriting veterans to the next generation of songwriting stars. They are:

8:00 – 8:45 PM Bob Cheevers
Bob Cheevers is an Emmy winning songwriter from Memphis now living in Austin. He’s a Kerrville and Napa Valley Festival winner with six commercial CDs to his credit including two top 20 Americana chart CDs. Bob just completed a successful three month tour of the UK and has most recently been performing in Texas and California, promoting his current CD, Texas to Tennessee. Check him out www.bobcheevers.com <http://www.bobcheevers.com>

9:15 – 10:00 PM Meagan Tubb
“Roses may be red and violets may be blue, but you can see those flowers any time you like, I’m only here once in a blue moon”, Meagan Tubb is a rare breed of female artist with her own enticing scent. This singer/songwriter/guitar player tirelessly strives to convey messages of hope, belief; and life observations of God, herself, nature, love, and relationships through unexpected vantage points within her songs. She is often compared to Sheryl Crow, Tracy Bonham, Fiona Apple, and Grace Slick in vocal style, ability, and technique while her guitar playing is carved out from the masters of the trade such as Jimmy Hendrix, Shuggie Otis, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page. Check her out at www.meagantubb.com <http://www.meagantubb.com/> or http://www.myspace.com/meaganmarileemusic <http://www.myspace.com/meaganmarileemusic>

10:30 – 11:15 PM Graham Weber
From a certain glass-half-empty point of view, Austin, needed another singer-songwriter when Graham Weber moved to town, but even a music town as glutted with songsters as Austin could use a hell of a lot more of ’em of his caliber. Through love and life, he moved back and forth, but finally migrated back south to Texas to make his second record, Beggar’s Blues. And you need to hear Beggar’s Blues. Graham is showing himself to be one of the very few really good ones who jumps out from the middling crowd and makes a lasting impression the first time you hear him do his thing. Just ask fellow Austin transplant (and fellow “really good one”) Slaid Cleaves. Check him out at www.grahamweber.com <http://www.grahamweber.com/>

Remember you can watch the show live from your own couch, patio, hot tub, whatever…….over the Internet anywhere in the world at http://www.songwritersseries.com or http://www.TVKnob.com or http://www.austinmusicvideo.com.

Brought to you by Hank Sinatra Presents, Richard May Productions, TVKnob.com and the Austin Visual Arts Association.

This project is funded in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Directions: Hank’s Place 2407 Riverside Farms Road Austin, TX 78741-4829
From IH 35. Head to downtown Austin. Take the Riverside Exit and head East. Travel East down Riverside Dr. for two miles whistling your favorite rap ballad. After Pleasant Valley Rd., the third or fourth next right will be Riverside Farms road where you will take a right and travel down about a 1/2 mile to 2407 Riverside Farms Road on your left. Go into the backyard, beyond the chicken coop and join us for a great Songwriters Series Showcase Concert.

On April 16th at the great Nuevo Leon Restaurant, we will have the complete attention of the future Austin City Council for the Arts in Austin, TX. Therefore, the bigger the presence means the bigger the political payback. We ask that every Austin artist attend the Austin City Council Candidates Arts Forum to show political solidarity and power for the arts in Austin, TX. Just once a year, we ask for you to stand on behalf of your industry. To represent your passion, your business, your life to those that can and will have a significant impact on your passion, your business and your life. So, we need your help. We need you to join your colleagues in our annual political statement for the betterment of the Arts and Austin, TX.

Here is the information regarding the April 16th Austin City Council Candidates Arts Forum:

The third consecutive Austin City Council Candidates Arts Forum is scheduled for Wednesday April 16th, 5:30-7 p.m. at Nuevo Leon Restaurant. The following candidates have confirmed their attendance and participation:
Place 1 Candidates:
Allen Demling
Lee Leffingwell
Jason Meeker

Place 3 Candidates:
Jennifer Kim
Randi Shade
Ken Weiss

Place 4 Candidates:
Robin Cravey
Cid Galindo
Laura Morrison
Samuel Osemene

The Austin City Council Candidates Arts forum will be held:
Wednesday April 16th, 2008
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Nuevo Leon Restaurant
1501 E. 6th St.
Austin, TX 78702
479-0097

The Arts Alliance will also be posting our third consecutive Austin Voters Guide on the Arts on the Web for all voters to view. Our two past Austin Voters Guides on the Arts received thousands of views during the elections and every City Council person elected to the Austin City Council has submitted a positive platform regarding the Arts through the Arts Alliance.

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 Austin City Council Candidates Arts Forum and the Austin Voters Guide on the Arts in the past two elections.

The Arts Alliance represents the five major Arts industries: Music, Film/Video, Visual, Performance and Literature.
They are represented by:
Music - Teresa Ferguson, Austin Music Commission
Film/Video - Rebecca Campbell, Executive Director Austin Film Society
Visual – Bill Keese, President & Kelli Montgomery, Executive Director, Austin Visual Arts Association
Performance - Latifah Taormina, Executive Director Austin Circle of Theaters
Literature - John Pipken, Texas Writers League

Richard May, Political Strategist
Sandy Duncan, Political Strategist
Lois Jebo, Political Strategist