Lessons of Lennon

Like many young folks, my life has been dramatically altered after deeply listening to the Beatles.

High school was just beginning. I was a basketball player. Summer was rolling around, and I began to have a severe pain in my abdomen. After a couple days of fighting through it, I went to the hospital. Who had no idea what was going on. So I went to another hospital, and they had no idea either. Nearly a month had passed before our family doctor suggested looking at my appendix.

It had ruptured. I should have been dead.

But my body contained the spewing poison. Worn out from the weeks of inaction, and the drugs and pain from the surgery, I was facing a lengthy recovery. As I lay in a hospital bed, sad to be missing the joy of running in the summer sunshine – hours of backyard football and basketball, sleepovers, and all the many joys of being a kid at summertime – someone had brought me in music to help cheer me up.

A cassette for my Walkman.

The White Album.

The oldies channel was my favorite channel, so the Beatles were not a totally new experience for me, but this was the first time I actually listened to the songs.

I was hooked by the time Dear Prudence came on and jumped into their catalogue whole-heartedly.

Almost immediately I was intrigued by John Lennon. Gravitating towards his music and personality, I dove into his solo records as well. There was an honesty and power to his music. It meant something beyond just a clever rhyme. My eyes were opened to the power of an artist with a cause.

Music can change the world.

And someone who is willing to put their career in jeopardy to stand for what they feel is right will inspire many. John worked for Peace. He wrote political songs and used his music and art to make statements. His power was so great, that Nixon felt he was a large threat! That is some power!

Lennon opened my eyes to Peace, to activism, to the role of the artist.

My life has brought me to this point largely because of this early influence.

So I celebrate all that John created and its impact on my life. Today would have been his 73^rd birthday.

Imagine is his best record, in my opinion, but my favorite is Walls & Bridges. Enjoy it here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL91BD49EA1107B70B

  

October Tidbits

October times

Fall is upon us. The cooling breeze swings through the woods setting off a new bird song. Leaves of brilliant colors dance their way through the cloudy afternoons. Sweaters and hot tea, soup, and pumpkin pie are all here and quite welcomed.

Most of my energy has been focused on Peace Week and Evening for Chuck, but I’ve experienced a few cool things I’d like to share.

Serena Ryder’s record has been on my Ipod since I loaded it on a few weeks ago. The chanting of the Radha Temple Singers and the Maha Mantra are still in daily rotation, as is George Harrison’s first record All Things Must Past.

I just began The Shambhala Principle by Sakyong Mipham. This book outlines ideas to create an enlightened society. It is terribly important in these tough times. Even 30 pages in, I have gained some valuable insights. Definitely a recommendation.

As I haven’t encountered much fiction I have wanted to read in the last few years, I picked up Herman Hesse’s “Beneath the Wheel.” Well, perhaps it’s not all fiction… it seems to be about Hesse, at least in some ways. His writing is always engaging, and half-way through, I am finding it interesting.

The Quotable Thoreau has been sitting on my bedside for months, and I finally delved in. This isn’t the only book of Thoreau in my possession, but it’s a wonderfully complete collection of various thoughts and sayings. Thoreau is an interesting man, filled with brilliance and difficult hypocrisies. We are all works in progress.

World Peace Jubilee!

I so love this event! I cannot wait to be back performing and partaking in all the amazingness that is the Jubilee!!

Jubilee Peace Fest

October 17-20, 2013 ~ 6:30 am-11:00 pm 

All ages, Kids Program is FREE

Register for one session, one day, two days, three days or all four days.  Attend for as low as $18!

CURRENT SPECIAL DISCOUNTS…
10% off on 2-Day Pass
15% off on 3-Day Pass
20% off on 4-Day Pass

Fifth Year Anniversary Celebration with locally and internationally known teachers, musicians, authors, artists, and chefs unfolding the path to world peace.

Live Music, Yoga Workshops, Meditation Practices, Vegan Cooking Classes, Health & Fitness Seminars, Spiritual Activism, Organic Gardens, Hiking Trails, Labyrinth Walking and More. 

Musicians:

Sticman of Dead Prez, HuDost

Luminaries, DJ Cavem, Ajeet Kaur, Oakes & Smith, ThePeace, Amy Ferguson is Grandma Dirt, Zach Freidhof

Yogis:  

Erica Jago, Julie Kirkpatrick, Marni Task

Mimi Loureiro, Kathleen Kastner, Anna Ferguson, Chris Belanger, Jutta Daeschlein, Lara Heimann, Ashley Hunt, Rachel Roberts, Ximena Savitch

Chefs:  

Afya Ibomu, Hannah Kaminsky, Jason Wyrick

Amanda Nicole Smith, Mark Stroud

Speakers:  

John Pierre, Will Tuttle

Patrick Murphy Welage, Alex Lippert, Jenna Schroer

If you have not yet been able to officially sign up for the 2013 event, we are connecting to make sure you knew to sign up and register for the Fest here: https://jubileepeacefest.cincyregister.com/2013.  There are work-trade and volunteer opportunities as well as scholarships available for the World Peace Diet Facilitator Training here:  http://jubileepeacefest.com/work-trade-volunteer-scholarships/

Also, the first 99 registered attendees who "like," "comment," and "share" the Jubilee Peace Fest poster or use the image as their cover or profile picture for this year’s Fest will receive a gift bag with a unique blend of items from the sponsors. 

Do you dare to invite your friends to sign up for 4 days of peace on earth?  Here is a link to the Facebook event:  https://www.facebook.com/events/506254679423598/ and let them know about our new website (found at:  http://www.jubileepeacefest.com) as it has the weekend’s full schedule of events, list of presenters, speakers and the food menu for the yummiest vegan food on the planet! 

www.jubileepeacefest.com

contact@jubileepeacefest.com ~ 513-300-9642

Akron Beacon Journal and Provenance

Today, the Akron Beacon Journal published a wonderful story/ review of Provenance.

Read it here: http://enjoy.ohio.com/sound-check-zach-is-back-with-album-of-collaborations-1.429970

Or pick up a physical copy somewhere!

Other News

I recently watched "Sleepwalk with Me", a film by Mike Birbiglia, http://birbigs.com/. This film is based on his stand up special of the same name. It's a hilarious account of his life and trouble with sleepwalking. Ira Glass helped bring the film to fruition as well, and it was thoroughly enjoyable. Every bit as enjoyable as the stand up. I recommend this film. He's one of my favorite comedians, too, and I love all his CDs. Check out some youtube of his stand up here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYl9BSiV-P4. 

"The Yoga of Jesus" by Paramahansa Yogananda has been on my shelf for a while, and I finally got to it recently. Yogananda is best known for his divinely inspiring Autobiography of a Yogi. He has a unique and interesting view of Jesus, and his idea of Christ-Consciousness. I always seem to learn great insights about the teachings of Jesus from other religions. A lot in this book spoke to me, as I believe that we all are creatures with the Divine soul within, and looking at Jesus' teaching through the lens of spirituality and the Bhagavad Gita provided many insights.

"Chant and Be Happy" is a little collection about the Hare Krishna movement, featuring interesting interviews with George Harrison and some stories from the Vedas. The power of the mantra Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Hare Hare Krishna Krishna Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare is well documented. I have noticed an improvement in my own happiness since chanting this mantra a few times a day. It's worth a try, and any spiritual practice involving singing and dancing is pretty a-ok with me.

"Stride Toward Freedom" by Dr. King is his account of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. King's insight and understanding of nonviolence is always inspiring. I have read and continue to reread all of Dr Kings writings as we can learn so much from his brilliance, and what he accomplished. We can all keep up the fight to create a peaceful and just society.

Got a good chanting CD by the Radha Temple Singers, which was produced by George Harrison, and features the Hare Krishna Mantra, which actually topped the British charts in the early 70s.  

As I'm typing this, I'm listening to Augustana's first record and Owl City's latest release All Things Bright and Beautiful. The latter is a guilty pleasure of mine. It's so bubbly and happy. Sometimes you just need effervescence. And there's some clever writing there as well. As for Augustana, their latest release is one of my favorite records of the last decade, and I haven't had a chance to get into their earlier records til now.

Speaking of guilty pleasures, I've been helping my gramma move into an assisted living place and helping my mom as well; hence my mom has had the TV on a lot, and I have been watching it as I spend time with her. She loves these two shows, which have now rubbed off on me - The Mentalist and Castle. Both are crime drama shows with a very light bent to them. I think there's some clever writing in them, and they are both in repeat on some cable channel. I need to pry myself away from the television, as it just renders me useless for awhile, and I have far too much to do. That's my confession for you.

CD Updates

PROVENANCE

Is out and available!! You can get it physically at shows, Time Traveler CDs in Cuyahoga Falls, and by emailing me at zach@zachmusic.net. You can get it digitally anywhere music is available. I prefer Itunes and CDBaby - www.cdbaby.com/cd/zach6.

All proceeds from this record go to creating a fund to help Akron area non-profits create programs to educate and inspire nonviolence. The legacy of our arts community to create a peaceful place is the goal.

This record features Rachel Roberts, Ryan Humbert, Maurice Martin (of Winslow), Kristine Jackson, David Ullman, Emma Shepard, Randi Driscoll, Diana Chittester, Scott Franklin, Courtney Cable, Colin John, Brent Kirby, Charlie Mosbrook, Charlie Trenta, and TM Gottl. Find out more at www.zachmusic.net/provenance.


POPLARS

Magical Things is in pre-production. We have been scheduling out recording in October, and we hope to release it in time for the holidays. We've been performing these songs during our shows and will continue to do so. Emma and I are excited for this project to reach world-wide release.


BRIGHT LIGHTS

The band has been working on this record for a while, and we have over 14 songs in the running to make the cut. Im excited about the direction we've headed in the songs and production. You're gonna love it! Plus it'll be great to have songs like Hymn and Beats Louder Than Sounds and Plants out and available to y'all! We're wrapping up recording this month, and are looking for a late fall release.

September Adventures

Namaste.

What a delightful few days we’ve had to round out August and begin September. Weather like this is my favorite sort; not too hot, a nice breeze, and the humidity is low.

August provided some really moments: a rollicking Lock 3 set with the Bright Lights (one of our best sets ever!), a transcendent set at Rockin on the River with the Bright Lights, the Poplars sang in the sunshine at Square Fest, a fun Bright Lights party in Columbus at Hal and Als, a great yoga and music event with the great Ron White, several delightful sets for the 30,000 folks at Chicago Veggie Fest, joining my friend David Ullman onstage at Musica for our duet of Happiest Sad Song, and we released Provenance to the world! Plus a lot of great little moments along the way.

The folks at Chicago Vegan Mania summed up my music pretty well, I think: “energetic one-man feel good orchestra.” That’s my new favorite quote!

Please visit www.zachmusic.net for my full schedule of shows.

This Week

Highlights

Provenance and the Fund

CD updates

Other News

THIS WEEK

Thursday the 5^th – Stewart’s Caring Place Butterfly Garden Event – 4pm. Stewart’s Caring Place 2955 W. Market St, Fairlawn.

Friday the 6^th – Lock 3 Farmers Market – 11:30am – 1:115pm. 22 S. Main St, Akron. Part of Restaurant Week.

Friday the 6^th – Thorncreek Winery – 7pm. 155 Treat Rd, Aurora.

Sat the 7^th – Heini’s Market – Noon. Main St, Sugarcreek.

Sat the 7^th – Akron Art Walk – 6pm. Zeber Martell Gallery (43 Furnace St, Akron). My favorite artists in Akron. I always have wonderful yogi and vegan conversations with them. This is also the kick off of the Akron Art Prize.

Sun the 8^th – Art in the Park – 1pm. Fred Fuller Park in Kent. There will be at least a couple Poplars songs as well in this set.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Sept the 11^th –  Heading back to Dayton for another yoga and music event at Purpose Yoga! 5pm.  

Sept the 13^th - The Poplars will be bringing our indie, folky, happy music to the Spot. 8pm. $5. The Spot is the most fun party in Akron. Good music, good art, and good folks! We’re excited to be a part of the line up!

Sept the 20^th – Kent State Folk Fest! I’ll be back at Pufferbelly’s 530pm. The Poplars will do a short set in the middle of my set as well. I always love this evening.

Sept the 21^st – Chicago VeganMania! The best vegan event in the Midwest, easily! I’ll be playing at Noon-ish and then also at the official after party at 7pm. Gonna be a good time!

Sept 22^nd – Harvest of Peace – Noon. The Akron Shambhala Center 1707 Front St Cuyahoga Falls. This veggie food and music fest will be a nice collection of folks. It’s also going on the 21^st if you aren’t planning on making the trip to Chicago.

Sept 29 – Oct 6^th – The 4^th ANNUAL AKRON PEACE WEEK! Way too many events to list here, so check out our great blog with guest bloggers, and tons of peaceful info: http://akronpeaceweek.blogspot.com/

PROVENANCE and the FUND

Community means a lot to me. Making a community record has been such a source of inspiration and joy. To work with friends and great writers, and have to opportunity to grow as a human and a writer has been an experience I won’t soon forget.

You can buy the record now at all shows, Time Traveler CDs, and online anywhere music is available (like Itunes). Here is a quick easy link: www.cdbaby.com/cd/zach6

All things Provenance can be found at www.zachmusic.net/provenance. Even the lyrics to the entire CD are up: http://www.buffalozef.blogspot.com/2013/09/provenance-lyrics.html.

All the money from this effort are going to create a fund to help Akron area non-profits create programs to educate and inspire nonviolence in our community. I welcome all donations to this fund, beyond just CD sales. No amount is too small or large. Together we can create a way to help the community forever. This fund has become a large personal drive for me. We can do so much good. Please consider helping us bring nonviolence into our community to a much greater degree.

CD UPDATES

All projects are moving forward. For more info, visit the blog: www.buffalozef.blogspot.com.

OTHER NEWS

I recently saw Sleepwalk with Me, a film by Mike Birbiglia based on his stand-up comedy special of the same name. I think he’s hilarious, and thoroughly enjoyed the film!

More recommendations and such at www.buffalozef.blogspot.com.

EVENING FOR CHUCK Returns! Peace Week is coming up, and I hope to see you at our numerous events, including the 7^th Evening for Chuck, which benefits Stewart’s Caring Place this year. October 5^th.  

That’s a lot. There’s more on the blog, so stop by buffalozef.blogspot.com for more insights into Zach’s world.

See you soon. There’s a free hug awaiting you.

Namaste.

Zach