Hello Music Friends

The 2010 World Cup 2010 demonstrated that music and sports bring people together. I've combined steel drums with soccer to create a tribute to the people, fans, players and countries that have made the 2010 World Cup successful. Waka Waka-Shakira. Wavin' Flag-K'Naan

Keep Well
Minsky

Hello Music Friends,

Happy Belated 4th of July. I'd like to salute the men and women of our armed forces who have made huge sacrifices that has helped us maintain our way of life. As a former Air National Guardsmen, I totally understand and appreciate your efforts.
Thank You.

Continuing on, this 4th of July weekend brought about a Star Wars marathon on TV. As a fan of the series I was in total bliss. I must've sat in front of the screen for a good five plus hours. It was great. Not many people may have realized that the soundtrack of Episode V Star Wars (1977 release)featured steel drums playing in the background. They can be heard during the " Cantina Band " scene. I guess George Lucas needed and unusual and mystical sound for that part. Enter steel drums stage left!

Keep Well,
Best
Minsky

Hello Music Friends,

"Knowledge Is Power ". There is so much truth in that statement. That familiar adadge came to mind when I delivered a steel drum lecture/performance to the library patrons of Millen and Sylvania, Georgia. Those two rural towns are situated in an agricultural area where the indigenous music is Country and Bluegrass - quite different from the origins of Caribbean based steel drum. Nonetheless, the attendees took an interest and a liking to the history and the sound of the instrument. Their experiences with the steel drum ranged from first timers, to having seen it on TV, to cruise ship vacationers. Although they were geographically separated from the palm trees and sands of the caribbean, their minds traveled with me to the pan yards of Trinidad, and onwards to other parts of the world in where the steel drum is played and loved. It was a great afternoon that allowed me to introduce a lovely art form. Yes, "Knowledge is Power " indeed.

I'd like to thank the Georgia State Council for the Arts for including me in the Grassroots Arts Program.

Best,
Minsky

Hello Music Friends,

Here is another video from my new " Practice Series". I played " In The Sanctuary " by Kurt Carr. www.kurtcarrgospel.com. It was literally filmed in my bedroom. Ooops, I meant on a " remote soundstage " lol. I plan to get a "green screen" kit, but sometimes you just have to work with what you have. So...come into my home...literally!

Best,
Minsky

Hello Music Friends,

The week of Apr 16 was a fantastic performance week for me. It included three separate events with three different themes. The first event was The Knot Magazine 2010 Industry Event www.theknot.com The evening was highlighted by the presentation of the venue's room. Talented vendors included lighting experts, floral desingers, interior decorators,event planners like www.thecharmedevent.com (the shows coordinators). They all combined their areas of expertise to put on a classy, impressive event. ( Did I mention a steel drum player?)

The next day I drove to neighbooring Monroe, NC to play for a political fundraiser. It featured candidates who were campaigning for upcoming elections. The Democratic Women of Union County, went with an island themed dinner and invited me to provide a steel drum sound scape.

Friday brought about the "Passport to The World" multi-cultural event. The festival was sponsored by Johnson C Smith Univeristy in Charlotte, NC and organized by The Main Event. www.themaineventnc.com There was a nice mixture of vendors and entertainers> The lovely weather made the afternoon all the more enjoyable. I was thrilled to have received a parking pass that allowed to park anywhere that I wanted on the campus....moving on up!

Keep Well,
Minsky