Category Archives: Chapter 7

Remembering “Plamegate: The Opera”

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Ralph Hanson

With everything else going on, you may be forgiven for missing reports that President Trump is considering issuing a pardon to Lewis “Scooter” Libby, who was at one time Vice President Dick Cheney’s chief of staff. If you need a … Continue reading →

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The Dutchman & Hello in There: Songs about growing old

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Ralph Hanson

“If you don’t do anything wrong for a period of three minutes, then the spirt of the music rushes in there and occupies it full time.” – Songwriter Michael Peter Smith discussing his song “The Dutchman.” Michael Peter Smith’s classic … Continue reading →

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I’m going down to Florence…

Posted on July 4, 2017 by Ralph Hanson

A couple of years ago my Dear Wife and I drove 350 miles or so up to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to see Rosanne Cash and her band play one of the most sublime shows either of us has ever … Continue reading →

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Listing Beatles Songs, 21st Century Movies, and Frank DeFord Stories

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Ralph Hanson

For some reason, lists of things have been popping up in my reading over the last several days.  Here are several worth taking a look at: Beatles Songs Ranked From Worst to Best Vulture has put out a ranking of … Continue reading →

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Pre-Class Video – In Spite of Ourselves

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Ralph Hanson

This is a somewhat rude, but very old-fashioned song about a really dysfunctional relationship sung by John Prine and Iris DeMent.  But a great way to introduce students to the witty songwriting of John Prine.  

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Real Radicals Part I – Lady Gaga & Phil Ochs

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Ralph Hanson

I had a strange journey through the wilds of the radical and protest movements of the 1960s and 70s this morning that I had not anticipated taking. Here’s part 1 of that journey; part 2 will come tomorrow. It all … Continue reading →

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Holiday Flashback – Sigourney Weaver & Buster Poindexter do “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”

Posted on December 12, 2016 by Ralph Hanson

NOTE: This time of year, one of the most consistently popular posts on this blog is the video of Sigourney Weaver & Buster Poindexter singing “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” from Saturday Night Live.  So for those of you who don’t … Continue reading →

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Back To School With The Media

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Ralph Hanson

It’s Back To School time, so let’s look at some start-of-the-school-year themed stories: Oregon school district rescinds ban on rap music radio in school buses. Rule was no talk radio, religious radio, or rap music – pop/rock, country and jazz … Continue reading →

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Questions Worth Asking (Maybe)

Posted on August 7, 2016 by Ralph Hanson

After a month of vacation and travel for family reasons, I’m back with mass comm posts (though national parks will keep sneaking in on occasion!). Is Rush Limbaugh still sticking around? Yes, he reportedly has a new four-year contract with … Continue reading →

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Wild Ponies: ‘Making It’ in music in the age of streaming and file sharing

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Ralph Hanson

There’s a popular trope out there these days that with streaming music and file sharing, there’s just no way for musicians to make a living as musicians. Game over.  Done. Unless you’re already big and famous. But don’t tell that … Continue reading →

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