Back in 2004, Linda Ronstadt was shown the back door of a Las Vegas casino after uttering words of praise for Michael Moore and his movie, Fahrenheit 9/11, the movie was later parodied in this song:FahrenHYPE 9/11words and music by Dr. BLT (c)2006http://www.drblt.net/music/... and then criticized in a DVD of the same title by Dick Morris. Recently she has renewed her campaign against Bush, calling him an "idiot" and defending the Dixie Chicks for their history of publically ridiculing him. The jury is still out on whether or not these two songs and others from my Right-wingers Need Love Too CD are "for real" or whether I'm making fun of conservatives. I just write the stuff. I leave it to the public to decide. I will say that calling anybody an idiot tends to absolve them of responsibility for their actions. I will say that intelligence is a complex phenomenon and that even psychologists like myself, who use intelligence tests have never been able to adequately define or measure intelligence. But right now, I'm more interested in your views. Should pop and rock stars, has-beens and otherwise, who rant publically on political issues be taken seriously? How do you feel about Linda Ronstadt's latest comments on the president? Is Bush an idiot? In the game of BLOG and ROLL, you play and central and "instrumental" role. So let's here what you have to say.

One of the first hypotheses I was exposed to as an undergraduate psychology student was Dollard and Miller's Frustration-Aggression hypothesis. It suggests that when individuals and groups encounter frustration, they are inclined to act out in an aggressive manner. This is, of course, of simplistic account of their research. Nevertheless, their hypothesis didn't go far in enough in terms of providing an explanation for domestic violence, and a comprehensive solution, based on an understanding of the complex interaction of individual, familial and societal factors.Years of study and my work in leading Peaceful Solutions (a program for domestic violence perpetrators) in Bakersfield back in the early 90s, led me to a more comprehensive understanding of the problem, but it also allowed me to be humbled by the vastness and complexity of the issue. The problem is like a cancer that spreads from one generation to another through childhood role modelling. The "victim" is typically a woman, but cases of women-as-perpetrators and-men-as-victims (a phenomenon I refer to as Assualt with a Deadly Woman) are underreported. Cases involving gay couples are also becoming more and more apparent. There is no single, simple solution, but the first step in resolving the issue is to open the door that hides the shame, pain and chaos of a home bedeviled by domestic violence. I will begin opening the door by opening the floor to you, the public. If you would like to share any personal insights on the matter, please do so in the comments section below. For those of you who are unfamiliar with my BLOG N ROLL concept, it is a process by which original songs are used in conjuction with blog threads to stimulate dialogue. Without the dialogue, the BLOG N ROLL experience is incomplete, so, please don't hold back. Speak your mind and share a piece of your heart. The song, MRS. JONES, MRS. JONES, MRS. JONES, is from the CD, THE TRUTH HURTS. For more information, visit:http://www.drblt.net

Hello Bakersfield! For those of you who like to subscribe to podcasts, I want to invite you to check out mine. My very first podcast will feature songs from my 9/11 Retrospective CD, One September Mournin'. I wrote these songs, brought the other artists together and recorded them in the weeks and months following 9/11, while I was living in Sacramento. You can read about the CD here, in this Sacramento Bee newspaper article: http://www.sacbee.com/stati... If you use iTunes and you have the most recent update you can subscribe to htis Dr. BLT podcast. I'll be uploading songs daily. Open your iTunes and go to >Advance>Subscribe to Podcast, and event this URL: http://feed.drblt.net/rss2.... If you don't have iTunes then you can always visit the the Podcast by going to my website www.drblt.net (and click on the Podcast link on the bottom of the page). I hope you are blessed by these songs. Let's never forget to remember the day heroes rose to the challenge, and the day when America, and the free world, came together to comfort our grieving survivors and to stand together against the new face of terrorism.

The contest begins today. The rules of this contest are quite simple: MC Shrink presently holds the title as Kern County's Reigning Rap King (by default). Cover my (oops, Freudian slip) his own drug-free tune (or write a drug-free tune of your own), post your original or cover as an mp3 link in the comments section below, and knock the Reigning Rap King off his thrown. But you'll need to invite as many fans to the comments section as you can. That's where they will voice their opinions on who showed wear the crown. If more commenting parties "vote" for you, you will be the new king, and, in the process, you will be helping me to implement a community psychology drug abuse prevention intervention. It's time to get started. Listen to the tune, create your own new arrangement, lay it down, and send it on over. On your marks, get set, ready..............GO!

On this, the 1st anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I'd like to welcome folks to help the Salvation Army provide ongoing relief and follow-up care to survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Contact local Salvation Army official David Ebel, who posts here if you'd like to know how to make a contribution. Then, after making such a contribution, I'd like to offer you a couple of free mp3s. The first song is one I posted here a couple of weeks ago, written and recorded by me, and my Vancouver friend, Darryl Ens. Collectively, we're known as U.S.eh? This song, can be heard and downloaded for free (to those who have made a contribution): Blue Orleans: words and music by Dr. BLT (c) 2006 http://www.drblt.net/music/... The second song is called simply, New Orleans, and it can be download for free to all who have made a contribution, right here, right now: New Orleans: words and music by Dr. BLT (c) 2006http://www.drblt.net/music/... I've also recorded new Hurricane Katrina versions of both Me and Bobbi McGee and City of New Orleans. I still have to resolve some copyright issues before I can release these, but if you've made a contribution to Hurricane Katrina relief, watch my site for those offerings in the free mp3 section of my website: http://www.drblt.net Also, stay tuned for more information on my forthcoming 9/11 anniversary podcast. GOD BLESS!

Are you sick of all the reminders of Hurricane Katrina flashing on your TV screen as we approach the one-year anniversary of this horrific event? Just wait until the 5th anniversary of 9/11, waiting just around the corner. Have you grown numb to human suffering? Do you utter the empty words of a bleeding heart liberal with a heart that's run out of blood, and a soul that's running on empty? Do you call yourself a compassionate conservative, but the compassion component has long since expired? Have you've seen too much suffering on cable news broadcasts, and do you think you've been over-exposed to tragedy on the TV screen? If you suffer from Compassion Fatigue, share your experience in the comments section below. If you have a remedy, those are also welcome.

When the war in Iraq began, there was no shortage of support for our troops. Now that the war has dragged on, thousands have been killed, and public and political support for the war has dwindled, it's easy to forget that the troops still need our support. This need remains, regardless of whether one supports, or vehemently protests the war effort. In the summer of 2003, a bunch of local artists and bands came together to put together Bakersfield 2 Baghdad, a compilation CD serving as a musical letter of support from the musicians of Bakersfield to troops stationed in Iraq. A CD release party was held in honor of our troops and Channel 29 and other representatives of the local press were there to memorialize the event and to spread our message of support. Today, an expression of our ongoing support for the troops, and as a way of reflecting upon a proud moment in our heritage as local B-town artists, I am presenting the title track off of that CD, performed by a collective group of B-town artists who call themselves Bakersfield Bands Together. BTW, the song features Joe Cannon, one of our own brave soldiers on lead vocals. He's also been a local celebrity who has starred in some of Bakersfield's greatest musicals. I was honored to "serve" with Joe in the studio, standing side by side with him, and providing a little vocal back-up and rhythm guitar as Joe whole-heartedly thanked and showed musical support for his comrads, then engaged in active combat duty. Thanks to Joe and the rest of our B-town troops. If you're logging in over there in Iraq, B-town troops, from Bakersfield 2 Baghdad, this one's for you!

Bono is making it cool for conservatives to care about social issues other than abortion and immigration reform. Homer James, Buck Owens and Dwight Yoakam made it cool to sing the blues if you're walking The Streets of Bakersfield. The Rolling Stones made it cool to ask for help if you need shelter. All of these cool things stack up to better odds for the homeless in Bakersfield, in terms of seeking and receiving shelter. I never call upon local musicians and artists to do anything I haven't done, and now, after having performed a pretty successful benefit for Bethany and The Bakersfield Homeless Shelter, I'm calling upon musicians of every variety (rock, rap, R&B, old school, mixed genre, speed metal, emo, grunge, retro, country, alternative, "Christian" pop, and so on...) an other artists, to organize benefits and sell CDs to raise community awareness of the needs of the homeless in Bakersfield, and, (bottom line) to raise money. The money I received for the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter was less than one hundred dollars. But my 2003 community psychology intervention known as The Homeless Valentine Show at the now-sadly-defunct Chatte Coffee House, did manage to set an example, get the ball rolling, and draw considerable attention to the vast need. Now its your turn. So liberals, give liberally, and conservatives, put the compassion back into "compassionate conservative." Rock, rap, R&B acts and everyone performing under banners other than the 3Rs, get out your turn tables, your mics, your guitars, your harmonicas, your saxes, your canvases, and whatever tools of the trade you may use to express your art----------get out there and give a little shelter to the homeless on The Streets of Bakersfield!

For one B-town rock band, the 90s in Bakersfield meant the 60s revisited. That band was Brian Jones was Murdered. Their name read like an unequivocal news headline, and the name pretty much summarized the band and what they represented. They were a bold back-to-basics retro act with a decidedly ahead-of-their-time modern twist that sounded like a cross between the Rolling Stones, The Ramones, and the Beatles. Like Brian Jones, they appeared on the scene and then disappeared just as quickly. Death of a Popstar, their first release on Sparkletone would also be the last offering from this punk-pop quartet led by guitarist/vocalist Charles McNeil and guitarist Chris O'Brien. Chris O'Brien went on to join Meow, Meow, a 90s retro act and nobody's heard from Charles McNeil lately. The two questions of the day are inspired by the now-defunct B-town band, and the "murdered" rock star who inspired them: 1. WAS BRIAN JONES OF THE ROLLING STONES MURDERED? and 2. IS IT BETTER TO BURN OUT OR FADE AWAY? Share your response in the comments section below. PS: The song, Our Most Precious Stone is a tribute to Brian Jones, from my CD, Stone-ground Dreams: A Bittersweet Tribute to the Rolling Stones.

If you haven't heard of KERN COUNTY CHRISTIAN POP KING, then my question is: Where have you been? It started today, Saturday, August 19, 2006. It never ends. So far, we have one contestant who wins by default until another Kern County Christian Pop King contestant steals his crown. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CURRENT KERN COUNTY CHRISTIAN POP KING: DANIEL SISCO! YOU ROCK! There are no text message votes, only public opinion expressed in the comments section below. Once a new artist posts a link to his/her song in the comments section below, and the general consensus in the comments section below is that the new artist trumps the reigning KING, a new KING is crowned. The new artist can be a solo artist, a duo or a band. The prize is the title and the title is the prize. You hold onto it, until the public "votes" you out. It's that simple. It costs nothing but initiative to be a contestant. Can you be king? Step up to the throne and take the Kern County Christian Pop challenge today. Why do I just so happen to have co-written the song for Daniel? Because I started the contest, and I set the rules. You can take my power away because you, the public, are the judges.

No, I'm not ready to impeach him. Besides, how do you impeach a rock star? I'm a big fan and have been for many years. But I did recently challenge him with a song of mine (recently added to the playlist at WFMU in New York City), and at least one critic dared to stand up and take notice. See the review of Neil Young (Have you Forgotten) here: http://www.morethings.com/m... Then give me your thought's on Neil Young's latest CD/political temper tantrum.

It's now nearly old news that Homer Joy has a new heart. I want to wish one of Bakersfield's most famous songwriter's a speedy and full recovery. Let's all keep him in our thoughts and prayers. For anyone who may be unfamiliar with him, he wrote, Streets of Bakersfield, a song covered by Buck Owens and Dwight Yoaham that hit the top of the country charts and yielded a Grammy Award for the duo. Several weeks prior to his heart transplant, I had the pleasure of interviewing him. That interview may be found here: http://www.tollbooth.org/20...

Martin Luther King had a dream. As an olive-skinned conservative Caucasian male, I embrace his dream. I, too, dream in color. I dream of a Bakersfield where people of every race and skin color get along (or, at least, get a song---one that will instill a sense of harmony, brotherhood, and unity) Is your dream big enough to add color? A world without color is a bland world. What are the colors of your dreams? What is white pride? It is pride in oneself simpy because of the color (or lack thereof) of one's skin. I am 100% Eurpopean-Canadian-American---100% Caucasian, and yet nobody has ever called me white. Protest Prussian Blue. I'm not suggesting that we ban their music. Banning them will only empower the "banned," and embolden them in their deleterious quest to rid the world of all colors, except white, blonde and blue. Musicians, poets, artists of every variety----don't waste your time bashing Bush. You may disagree with his politics and you may disagree with the war in Iraq, but he is not Hitler-lite. Prussian Blue is. Don't allow a this deplorable duo to define this town. Let this city be known for its dreams. Show your true colors and be proud. Let Bakersfield be known for its diversity. Let Bakersfield be known as the diverse city!

I respect those who genuinely want to make immigrants legally accountable, but I believe that too much of this sentiment is accounted for by racial prejudice, intolerance and, in some cases, simply hatred. I propose that every day should be immigrant appreciation day. If you want to propose an immigrant accountability day, be my guest, but before you do, examine your heart. Have you hugged an immigrant today? Would you be willing to hug an immigrant? If not, it's not tough love. It's simply, "Tough luck!"

Local artists: I'm conducting an experiment, and I'm including you! All you have to do is to take an old, happy, light folk tune and give it a heavy metal treatment. The advantage of old, traditional folk tunes is that one rarely has to worry about copyright infringement. Many are considered Public Domain. Here's the challenge I am presenting to you: All you and your band have to do is to take an old, light folk classic and give it the heavy metal treatment. Lay it down, put it in an mp3 and post a link in the comments section below identifying the name of the song and the name of your band. If the majority of comments concur that your cover is heavier, harder and better than the one I am presenting here, you become the reigning Light Folk To Heavy Metal Champion. You keep your crown until somebody does a better job than you. The song posted here is I've Bin Workin' on the Railroad/Dinah by a new metal band called Metal2Metal. The band is made up of me, myself, and I. You may think I destroyed a perfectly good song, that's okay, as long as you're able to take my metal crown away with the power of public opinion. On your marks, get set, GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Adventures of Oildale Olie: Chapter One: Olie Gets a Lesson in Sophistocation

by Bruce L. Thiessen, Ph.D., aka Dr. BLT 

 

Oildale Olie’s 70s-style retro refrigerator was bereft of Bud, so he headed off to Trout's Bar to pound back a few cold brews.  It was a hot August night in Oildale, California, and the fan in Olie’s trailer was not producing enough relief. To add to his misery, Olie had just been dumped by another Bakersfield beauty for the same two reasons: He was too damned old, and, above all, he wasn’t “refined” enough. This was the third time in a row that he had been given these same two reasons for a tormenting break-up. 

 

“She dumped you because you ain’t refined enough? Why you work at a refinery, ain’t that refined enough?” The bartender had good intentions with her half-baked humor, but this time she was not successful in getting Olie to sport his trademark toothless grin. 

 

“These young uns from Bakersfield ain’t what they used to be,” Olie declared.  “Why back in the day they was content to be with any man that was man enough to pay the bills and beat any other man who showed them the slightest sign of disrespect, now they wanche to be sophisticated. Well, I’ll tell you what, this time I aim to be jest that---sophisticated." 

 

Sarah sighed and filled his frosty glass with more Bud.  “Okay, I’ll be your shrink, Olie, but I expect a check in the mail at the first of the month.” She smiled, and sported a toothless grin of her own.

 

This time Olie gave a half-grin, as he sported a sliver from a peanut shell stuck between his only lower two front teeth.  “You’ve got yerself a deal, Sarah dear,” he said.

 

“Well, I ain’t the most sophisticated dame in town, Olie, but I do have a few tips on gittin’ them gals to see you as young and hip. Hang out at Dagny’s and chat with them city slickers over there.  Drop a few names of local artists. 

 

“You mean folks like Red Simpson, Tommy Hays and Larry Petree?” Olie chugged down another gulp of bud, and then cleared his throat as he displayed a proud facial expression. 

 

“No, Olie, those fellas deserve respect, but they’re from Bakersfield’s old school.  I’m talking about the new acoustic folk of Howard Owens and Acoustic Diary.  I’m talking about them alternative bands, like them whippersnappers Korn, or Rat Funk or Moonshine Deathbed,” Sarah exclaimed.

 

“Hmmm.  Moonshine Deathbed, now there’s an act I kin git inta,” noted Olie.

 

“Yep, and don’t forget blues artists like Jerry Rothberg or Fat Daddy, or that modern reggae roots band, OP Stylee.  Then there are them DJs like DJ Eargasm, and the new rockabilly acts like Dusk Devils, not to mention Emo bands like Time for a Film or the experimental sounds of A Friend to Progress. And if you wanna impress ‘em wit yer cross-cultural sophistication, drop the name of the Spanish rock group, Under Zero.”

 

Olie took out a note pad and began taking notes.  He really should be heading home because he doesn’t hold his liquor well.  But before he goes, do you blog visitors have any more advice to offer Oildale Olie, or any more local bands or artists to add to his fund of knowledge on the subject? If you do, offer them in the comments section below. 

 
***The story you have just read is not intended to reinforce or perpetuate stereotypes of Oildale residents.  In fact, the writer of this blog has been known to refer to himself disparagingly as “White Trash with an Education.”     

Approximately one year ago, mother nature unleashed her wrath upon a region that was entirely unprepared. The tragedy wreaked havoc and impacted countless lives. It revealed collosal interstices in governmental agencies designed to provide emergency relief. Musicians mourned and music became the intervention tool that I always thought it could be. BLUE ORLEANS represents my response to the tragedy. It was recorded by my two-man, cross-country band, consisting of one Canadian who lives in Vancouver, British Columbia (Darryl Ens) and one dual Canadian/American citizen who lives right here in B-town, nameley, myself. Our band is called U.S.eh? The song was used as part of a donate-to-download program in which folks who made a contribution to a charitable organization devoted to provide relief to victims were rewarded with a free mp3 download of the song. The response was overwhelming. One year after Katrina, I'd like to invite you to hear the song again (or for the first time if you never heard it one year ago). I'd like you to listen with this perspective in mind: Instead of getting caught up in the blame game, I'd like you to reflect on the overwhelming response of the musical community to that crisis and I'd like you to consider the power of music in motivating people to act. If you've made a donation, God bless you. I'd like to invite you to download a free copy of the song at my website: http://www.drblt.net TAKE CARE, and IF YOU CARE TO, GIVE A LITTLE CARE TOO!

Hey Bakersfield: It's nearly time to put the forthcoming new Cake in the oven and "bake" it. Here's the latest on the new Cake CD. It looks like you can add ingredients to the Cake recipe for Cake Live at the Crystal Palace by participating in the final song selection. And if you didn't catch my review of the performance/recording session devoted to that CD, they've linked that here as well: http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

Well, the Crystal Palace is alive and well, but how often do we stop to reflect upon and appreciate the man that breathed life back into the place after Buck passed away? That man was Clint Black. I hope the following article and the original photo I was lucky enough to shoot that rainy April morning (accompanying the article) serves as a reminder of a day we should never forget....The Day Clint Black Dried our Crystal Tears... http://www.tollbooth.org/20...

Truthfully, Buck was one of a kind, and, sadly, there will never be another Buck. But there is somebody who seems to be standing in front of the line to follow in his footsteps. That "somebody" seems to be John McCrae, of the band, Cake. Where's the evidence? Well, it can be found here:http://www.tollbooth.org/20... and here:http://www.tollbooth.org/20... After reading these two pieces of mine (pieces of Cake if you will), if you know somebody that is better poised to take Buck's place (Buddy Owens for example), voice your opinion in the comments section below. Or tell me why and how I'm totally off the mark, and I'll humbly eat my words (pun intended).

Hello, Bakersfield. I call it New Nashville West or the New Bakersfield Sound. They call it Progressive Country. In any case, if any of you would like to catch my debut on this Brave New Frontiers radio show, you find by clicking the link below. Just before you get to the half-way point in the show, you'll hear the DJ introduce and then spin "Here's To 100 Highways," my brand new tribute to Johnny Cash and his latest CD: "Cash V: Here's to 100 Highways." http://bnf.libsyn.com/

When people ask me if I'm a psychologist or a musician, I say "YES!" The reason? The songs of today are replete with psychological content. Pink is an artist that stands out for the therapeutic value of her lyrics. She and her Arista co-writer were gracious enough to link to me, and I'm taking this opportunity to share their musical message with you(th), RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW: Check it out and let me know what you think of Pink, and her link:http://www.youthcrisisnetwo...

Hello citizens of Korn Kounty! As a local shrink, I'm conducting a survey on the effect of Korn's music on Korn Kounty "Metal" Health. If I am able to formulate some "sound" insights after gathering feedback from you, I plan to incorporate the results in an article that will appear in Phantom Tollbooth (www.tollbooth.org) and other magazines, ezines etc. It's no secret that the music and lyrical content of Korn's music is dark and perhaps perverse. How do you think the darkness and the ostensibly perverse lyrical kontent of Korn impacts Korn Kounty "metal" health? How does the music effect you (as a kid or an adult)? If you are a parent of teens who listen to Korn, how do you think it influences their "metal" health? Is it harmful, or does it seem to have a "kathartic" effect? Please don't be afraid to voice your opinion in the comments section below. Peace!

First came the song, Right-wingers Need Love Too. Then came the CD of the same title. When Ralph Bailey, became the first local radio talk show host to spin this little number, he took quite a bit of heat. When Rusty Humphries added it to his nationally syndicated playlist, he added fuel to the fire. Some liberals thought it was a put-down directed at left-wingers, until NPR added it to their web radio broadcast open mic show. Actually, the song is just a silly way of saying "Why can't we all just get a song?" It's another call for everybody to love everybody, regardless of political differences. I'm interested in starting a new club called Wingspan. It will consist of initially local musicians and artists who want to use their art to promote love and unity among people of disparate political orientations. Let me know in the comments below if you are interested. Now, for those who may have become curious about the CD, Right-wingers Need Love Too, please allow me to direct your attention to these two reviews, both from highly respected, but probably slightly biased members of the intelligentia: Let's begin with Bryan Preston, writer for the National Review for posting this review of the CD: "First, there was the vast right-wing conspiracy.Then came Right Wing News.Now we have Right Wing Records, and Right Wingers Need Love Too, by Dr. BLT.Fortunately for the world, only the last couple of those things actually exist, former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton’s infamous invocations notwithstanding. No conspiracy forced her husband to do what he did with that woman, Miss Lewinsky, in the Oval Office all those times, and no conspiracy forced him to commit perjury and suborn the perjury of others. But enough about that.Dr. BLT is Bruce L. Thiessen, Ph.D., California psychologist by day and singer-songwriter by, well, day, night and pretty much the rest of the time. His music is focused on current events as they happen, making Right Wingers Need Love Too something like a cross between a lucid Bruce Cockburn–I did say “lucid,” thus excluding most of the actual content of Cockburn’s work–and a well-written blog. In fact, if you’ve been reading right of center blogs over the past year or so and then listen to Dr. BLT, you’ll find yourself in familiar territory.Sonically, Dr. BLT offers up a mix of country, folk and rockabilly, while vocally he tends to come off as a Dylan with clear diction. No, scratch that. I liked the line so much I had to include it, but Dr. B’s voice is smoother and clearer than that. Especially on what I think is the best cut, “Merle Hasn’t Lost His Fighting Side.” I hear slight hints toward country legend John Anderson in that one.The rest of the tunes slip from the humorous to the serious, touching on all the hot-button issues of the past few years. “FahrenHYPE 9-11Åç takes on Michael Moore (and was written before the rebuttal movie that carried the same title) from a psychological point of view (and maybe Bush does remind Mikey of his dad); “Republican Rock Stars” asks why we can only count the Ramones and Ted Nugent as fellow travelers; “Grievin’ for the Gipper” laments the passing of Ronaldus Magnus; and the title cut recounts the Cheney-Leahy Senate expletive incident before calling on folks to stop bashing President Bush and then reminding listeners that right-wingers need love too. Which, believe it or not lefties, is true. “Let’s Roll” is a haunting call to war in the wake of 9-11’s devastation.Lefties will find Right Wingers Need Love Too highly annoying, especially the lines about swift boats, Michael Moore and issues near and dear to the right side of the political divide. But righties and the open-minded will get a kick out of it. It’s not often we hear our beliefs and politics set to music. Dr. BLT is a pro-life, pro-America hard-charging storyteller with, as Bono once put it, a guitar, three chords and the truth. Except I’m pretty sure I heard more than three chords on Right Wingers Need Love Too.RWNLT is not destined to climb the Billboard charts, but it’s an entertaining listen that often caught me by surprise. As a former garage band player, I can only envy its spirit and creative energy. If you’re looking for an antidote to the usual garbage and nonsense you find at the local record store, and if you like a little grit with your tunes, Dr. BLT and Right Wingers Need Love Too may be what you’re looking for." Posted by B. Preston at 10:18 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack Review #2 Can be found here:http://www.intellectualcons... NOW RIGHT-WINGERS: GET OUT THERE AND SHOW A LITTLE LOVE TO A LIBERAL.....AND LIBERALS, YOU DO THE SAME! LET BAKERSFIELD BE THE BIRTHPLACE OF POLITICAL UNITY AND LOVE!

I’ll be honest, I’ve never considered Bakersfield the ideal city in which to reside. The plan was to make it a temporary pit stop, but I fell in love here (not with the town, but with a beautiful, talented woman who grew up here), and its a long story, but I ended up here for pragmatic reasons. I’ve always preferred either living on the farm, or residing in a bigger city where there is a lot of stuff happening. I’ve lived in Woodland Hills, I’ve lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, and I’ve lived in Sacramento. There was plenty of culture to be found in and around both of these communities. Bakersfield has its history as the home of the Bakersfield Sound and Nashville West. And, for what it’s worth, it has Korn. There’s also Adema, the band that was once on a roll, but lost its upward mobility. Then, there are a number of unknown, but otherwise incredibly talented musical acts, and artists of all varieties. But the places one can go to experience culture and pleasure can be counted on one or two hands. There used to be Java Jazz, and that place was extremely cool, but now it’s extremely closed. The first place I think of now when I think of culture is Dagny’s Coffee Company, located on the corner of Eye Street 20th Street in Bakersfield. It is a bright spot in an often dull city. It is a women-run business in a town that often seems to be run by a network of good old boys. Unlike Starbucks, which has a cookie-cutter, corporate feel, Dagny’s has character. All of the music is local, and every struggling artist understands the importance of being supported by local establishments. Many great, if, in most cases, virtually unknown artists have played at Dagny’s. The food and beverages are divine and the atmosphere is intimate. As a singer/songwriter, I have many fond memories of Dagny’s. While living up in Sacramento, I had a regular paying gig. Dagny’s does not pay its artists, but, like it or not, most coffee houses do not. It’s the price most of us have to pay for not being very well known. It’s called “paying your dues.” But they do provide a great atmosphere in which to perform and they offer plenty of refreshing beverages to performers. I recently stopped by the place, as I often do when I get bored at work. I ordered a blended coffee drink, and conducted a relatively random sample of people’s impressions of the place. Miguel Berger was doing a little repair work on his hands and knees when I approached him with this question. What keeps this place going? His response was “It’s because the place is locally-owned and operated and supports locals.” Kelly Haines, one of the owners of Dagny’s was her usual humble, modest self, stating definitively that Dagny’s undeniable success is all attributable to the customers. I approached one of the workers behind the counter with the same question. His name was simply, Nick. He said, “People seem to like Dagny’s because it’s a place for everyone. Lots of diverse people who wouldn’t normally interact with one another find themselves doing just that here.” The diversity that he spoke of seemed to be reflected in the variegated artwork displayed on the walls and bulletin board, the literature (much of it independently published) and in the types of people that were hanging out on this Tuesday afternoon. You could find the nouveau riche, the tatterdemalion, and everything in between right here. Chris, a local musician complained about how “homeless people and bums bum smokes and change” from customers at Dagny’s. He qualified his complaint by making an exception for Smokey, a “bum” he seems to regard with a certain modicum of respect bordering on admiration. Steve Balou, perhaps the most controversial figure in the place (I won’t open up that can of worms here), described Dagny’s as “centrally-located, ”the “hub of Bakersfield” and the “primal pond where information is exchanged and refreshment is gained.” Whatever the reason for Dagny’s enduring and ever-unfolding legacy, it is one of the only places in B-town that causes the otherwise diabolically delusional slogan, “Life as it Should Be,” to hold any measure of truth.

Hello everybody! I heard the CD, Cash V: A Hundred Highways while cruising down Rosedale Highway after picking up a copy at Wal-Mart. It inspired a brand new song that is scheduled to be aired on Randall Cousins' Brave New Frontiers progressive country radio show this weekend. Bakersfield fans have an advantage over your average progressive country radio listener. As the singer/songwriter, I'm offering a free sneak preview RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW! Check it out, and give me a little Bakersfield feedback. For my review of Cash V: A Hundred Highways, by Johnny Cash, visit www.tollbooth.org Stay tuned.... Dr. BLT http://www.drblt.net

My birthday gift for Buck Owens was to have been entire collection of songs I wrote and recorded for him included in a CD called Confessions of a Buckaholic. He left this earth before I was able to give it to him. Thanks to Jim Shaw of the Buckaroos, he did hear one song from the CD, and told Jim he liked it. King of the Crystal Palace was not one of the song he heard, so St. Peter, if you're sitting by the gates with your lap top surfing the web, hopefully you'll stumble across this song and pass it on to Buck Owens. Also tell him this from all of his fans down here stuck on the Streets of Bakersfield:HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUCK!