Suffragette City

Proud of my hometown... 

and yes, I voted for a woman for President. 

"At Susan B. Anthony's Grave, Visiting Hours Extended For Election Day Crowds," 

NPR, November 8, 2016

Coverage from the two stations I worked at in the Flower City: WROC and WHAM

Starman

I am the DJ, I am what I play...

I should have known back in January that this would be a rough year. Let's keep good thoughts — if you need a little musical inspiration, tune into my tribute to the late, great David Bowie tonight at 11 p.m. ET on 97.7. WEXT's MyExit. 

I've been wanting to do this ever since the news of Bowie's passing, and finally got around to recording the other week with the great KTG. If you have listened to one of my (or others) MyExit shows, you know they let you play an hour of your favorite music...so obviously, this was a daunting task when it comes to a musician with the body of work like David Bowie. I'm happy with the way it turned out though... and only just learned that it would be played tonight, election eve (cue "I'm afraid of Americans"). If you miss it, it should be replayed on Saturday, November 12, at 11 a.m. 

Speaking of Bowie, this past weekend I visited family in my hometown, and had a chance to meet up with a local filmmaker who is working on a documentary about the artist's arrest in Rochester back in 1976. You have probably seen the infamous mugshot that was "discovered" several years ago. It's a haunting image, and I enjoyed hearing about all of the threads that the filmmaker has discovered about this story (I believe the only time Bowie was arrested - for pot). Perhaps it explains why he never returned to the Flower City... I had tickets to his 1987 Glass Spider tour that was supposed to take place in Rochester in September of that year, but it was mysteriously canceled (we all thought it was because U2 was coming to town the next month in support of the breakthrough, The Joshua Tree... which I did see!). In any event, Bowie's legacy lives on... I hope I'll be able to assist with the documentary in some way — I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Afraid of Americans (or maybe just Rochesterians), 1976

Hopeful lyric for tonight/tomorrow. Inspired by LA riots (which I survived):

"We reach out over race and hold each other's hands
Then die in the flames singing 'we shall overcome'
Whoa! What's going on?
There'll be some blood no doubt about it
But we'll come thru don't doubt it" - "Black Tie, White Noise" (1992)

Home Run!

I kicked off the Memorial Day weekend in grand style last Thursday, by tuning in to the CBS Evening News to catch their segment on Norman Rockwell's 1957 painting, "The Rookie," which I pitched and coordinated for Norman Rockwell Museum. Just in time for Christie's auction of the painting, which sold for $22.5 million that morning, the CBS segment was nicely produced, and original "Rookie" model, Sherm Safford was the perfect spokesman. You can view the clip below, and on the CBS News website:

As expected, last week kept me busy with press regarding Norman Rockwell's work at auction, and I fielded numerous calls from news outlets looking for perspective on the artist's enduring popularity; I thought journalist Karen Brown summed up this particular moment quite nicely in a segment for New England Public Radio, for which I was interviewed. Another news story I helped facilitate appeared in last Saturday's New York Times, including comments from our Museum's director. 

As I pointed out to The Berkshire Eagle in their May 16th article about the CBS Evening News segment, even though Norman Rockwell Museum did not own these recents works on the auction block, being consulted for these high-profile stories is "fortunate for us because it reminds people about what was so special about his [Rockwell's] work, and the fact that they can come here to see original artwork and learn more."

Interviewing Sherm Safford, Norman Rockwell's "Rookie," in the
Flower City. Photo by Sarah Clowe. ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Keeping this in mind, I contacted some of the press in my own hometown of Rochester, New York, before heading there for the long, holiday weekend—I figured that they might be interested in knowing that Mr. Safford has been a long-time resident of the area. WROC-TV, Rochester's CBS affiliate, took the bait, and visited Safford and me in the former Rockwell model's home the day after the auction. The station, which I used to work at back in the late '90s as an editor/camera man, filmed interviews about Rockwell's legacy with both me and Safford, and I brought along several props (the artist's reference photos for the painting, "Rookie" products from our Museum store) to help bring the story to life visually. The segment is scheduled to run next Tuesday, June 3, on the station's newscast (more details soon).

After we were finished with the WROC interview, I sat down with Mr. Safford myself, and conducted a videotaped interview for the Museum's archives. This fulfilled a goal we set during our first meeting at Rochester's George Eastman House back in August 7, 2011, when I interviewed Safford during my lecture about Norman Rockwell's models, and the number of videotaped oral histories I have conducted with them for the Museum over the years. It was fun to capture Safford's emotions the day after the heady auction and experience of viewing himself on national TV news the night before. You can listen to our original 2011 Eastman House interview here:

  

The rest of the Memorial Day weekend was spent catching up with family and friends, and making it to two magnificent Rochester landmarks: Highland Park, site of the Lilac Festival (we were just in time to witness the lilacs in full bloom), and the Memorial Art Gallery. The art museum was featuring an exhibit on Henri Matisse as printmaker, in addition to its gem of a permanent collection (which includes everything from Egyptian artifacts, classical paintings and sculpture, to modern art); we were also lucky to catch a lecture on the Hudson River School and plein air painting, provided by the curator of Olana, the historic home of Frederic Edwin Church, in Hudson, New York— it's funny that we traveled out to Rochester for a talk about art created in our area of the state, but it was informative for both me and Sarah (we have painted onsite at Olana ourselves in the past).

Home grown: lilacs in bloom at Highland Park, Rochester, NY, 
May 2014. Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

This week I'm back in the Capital Region/Berkshires, tackling press and preparing for Norman Rockwell Museum's upcoming exhibition on the illustration art of Edward Hopper (opening on June 7). Outside of work, I'm finishing up a couple independent video productions... trying to race against the clock. Indeed, taking a few minutes to write here feels like a welcome "seventh inning stretch."

Related Links:

"How Norman Rockwell drafted his 'Rookie,'" CBS Evening News, May 22, 2014

"Rockwell's 'The Rookie' to be featured on CBS News," Berkshire Eagle, May 16, 2014

"Rockwell Paintings Bring Windfalls - On Two Different Scales," New England Public Radio, May 22, 2014

Something So Strong

Hot licks for a cold night: JD McPherson and band rocking the Ale House,
Troy, NY, March 3, 2014. Photo by Jeremy Clowe.

March is in like a lion! Last night JD McPherson was back in town, for a return engagement at Troy's Ale House (where they first played last July). Once again, we had a blast listening to his classic rhythm and blues sound in this charming, intimate venue (awesome chicken wings), and enjoyed chatting with the band afterwards.

I was particularly interested to find out from the pub's staff that McPherson's drummer, Jason Smay, is originally from my hometown of Rochester, New York. It turns out that Smay used to play with one of my favorite bands from the area, The Frantic Flattops, and I can see how jamming with those rockabilly greats would serve him well in his current gig (amazing how he can simultaneously shake a maraca and pound the drum skins, while keeping perfect rhythm). 

The band was on their way to Rochester from Troy, and this afternoon I was able to hear a live streaming of an interview McPherson gave to WBER, the station where I used to DJ in the mid-90s. Hopefully JD and the boys will be back in the area soon—I wouldn't mind a chance to interview the band myself (signed, sealed, signified).

Speaking of interviews, I just posted an uncut version of an interview I conducted with Neil Finn, one of my long-time musical heroes. I have been a fan of this beloved New Zealand singer/songwriter since I first heard his band, Crowded House back in the mid-80s. Coincidentally, this morning my alarm went off to the sounds of their hit, "Something So Strong" playing on the radio— not a bad way to start the day.

My video interview was conducted at Wilco's Solid Sound Festival, held at Mass MoCA, where Finn had performed with his side project, The Pajama Club back in June 2011. An honor to interview Finn, I enjoyed learning more about his new band and musical family, which includes sons Liam and Elwood, who are embarking on successful music careers of their own (I have some nice footage of Liam playing in the museum galleries during the festival—I hope to share soon).

This past month, Neil Finn has continued his creative journey with the release of his third solo album, Dizzy Heights. Our local station WEXT has been playing the album's first single, "Flying In The Face of Love," and it's sounding good... as always. 

Inspiring to hear artists keeping it real... and strong... after all these years.

Related Links:

http://neilfinn.com

www.pajamaclubmusic.com

www.jdmcpherson.com

"JD McPherson: Giving The Drummer His Due," Rochester City Newspaper, July 3, 2013

(Wishing For) Peace on Earth...

We've been enjoying our visit with family in Rochester, but were saddened by the news yesterday of yet another senseless tragedy... this time in Webster, New York, the very next town over from where I grew up. The site where two first responders were killed and two others injured after arriving at the scene of an early morning fire, is actually right near one of my parents' favorite restaurants... What makes this even more sickening is that the fire was an apparent ambush by yet another crazed gunman. 

These men died as heroes, no doubt about it... but following the tragic school shooting in Connecticut two weeks ago, and happening on Christmas Eve... it's all so terribly sad. This is far from what I expected to hear about during my return home... reminding how precious life is. My heart goes out to the victims' friends and families during this Christmastime.

Related Link:

"4 Firefighters Shot, 2 Killed at Webster, N.Y., Fire," Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, December 24, 2012

Home Sweet Home

Today we enjoyed a quick trip back to Rochester for a special birthday serenade... wish we could have stayed longer!

Photos by Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

The Last Kodak Moment?

Sad news this past week as the Eastman Kodak Company officially announced bankruptcy. This news is depressing for me not only as a film-lover, but also as a proud Rochesterian--I was born and raised in the Western, New York city where George Eastman based his revolutionary company, and I know I'm not alone in expressing a certain degree of bewilderment that such developments could come to pass.

Of course there's the obvious: digital has surpassed traditional film. It is inevitable that existing technology needs to change following the arrival of new innovations, yet surprising that Kodak could not anticipate the restructuring it needed to remain a leader in the photographic industry. Even more unbelievable, it appears that Kodak actually created the first digital camera prototype back in 1975!

I was just a kid back in the 1970s/80s, and Kodak's presence was felt everywhere-- from taking school trips to their inspiring headquarters and office park, visiting friends' families who owned their own darkrooms, or learning about the history of photography at the George Eastman House (where I had the opportunity to lecture last year!). Although my father worked for Xerox, one of the other great innovators in town, it was hard not to feel a certain amount of pride when you considered that such an important part of the people's everyday lives was manufactured in your own backyard.

Photo taken of Detroit skyline, 2004. Like the Motor City,
hopefully Kodak and Rochester can weather the storm.
Photo ©2004 Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

It must have made more than an impression on me, as I would go on to pursue photography and filmmaking to some degree during my professional career. I have been kidded by many that I always seem to be taking pictures. I actually had a chance to work with Kodak early in my career, on a TV commercial for the EastHouse rehabilitation center in Rochester. I visited Kodak's main headquarters, and utilized their stock film library to find time-lapse footage of a flower degrading over time. With Kodak's help, I reversed the footage to match a narrative describing how visitors to EastHouse could go on to rehabilitate themselves and lead productive lives. I was proud of the spot, and thankful for the assist from Kodak, who always seemed very generous to the community in their own right. Like the flower coming back to life in my spot, I hope the iconic company that has given so much to the world (and my hometown) can find a way to reorganize and remain relevant in the digital age.

Born To Rock!

I saw double just the other day at MoMa

thankyouverymuch! Artwork by Andy Warhol,

1963. (c)2011 Andy Warhol Foundation

for the Visual Arts/Artists Rights Society
(ARS), New York.

I must say that I was little envious of the poets I have worked with over this past month. To write their own material, and then get up onstage and perform it in front of an audience seems like a pretty sweet deal. It has been too long since I have been actively performing, and I think it would be great to get back up on stage. Don't get me wrong, I still "perform" in a sense-- we have a great time hitting the karaoke circuit now and then, and "music" seems like a natural form for me to take part in more seriously.

I am always amazed this time of year when I remember that two of the world's biggest musicians ever were born on the same date: "The King" Elvis Presley (1/8/35) and "The Thin White Duke" David Bowie (1/8/47). Only 12 years separated these artists (not bad, Sarah?), and you can see a few similarities in the way they worked and were received by the public. As a mad music fan, I must admit to spending some time studying both Elvis and Bowie's music and careers; they would both make for excellent interviews for my music show, so if either of you are out there reading this!...

I was turned on to Bowie in late high school-- being a huge new wave/Britpop fan, he was the name I heard these musicians always citing as being a tremendous influence. The album that first really got me hooked was 1983's Let's Dance-- it had that infectious big '80s sound, with a bit of trademark Bowie weirdness thrown in (I generally miss this mix of elements in today's pop music). Since this was my starting point, I first scratched the surface of '80s Bowie, which in retrospect wasn't really his high point. The early stuff is where he really broke ground, and kept us all on the edge of our seat with his quirky, art rock, and larger than life persona-- Ziggy Stardust anyone?

(I can rock this one out at karaoke. I'm just sayin'.)

Similarly, Elvis Presley was an unbelievable performer and musician. He started as one of the first high-profile rock and roll artists, fusing elements of country and rhythm and blues-- I guess you might more correctly call it "rockabilly" (which I love!). There is something absolutely infectious and raw in those early recordings. Check out The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters, which captures a young, hungry (no pun intended) artist on the rise, from Sun Studios to RCA. There was no holding him back, and his intense performances (with sneer and shaking pelvis) shocked everyone. Mothers, lock up your daughters!

There was nothing safe about either musician starting out. It was only after the army and Hollywood for Elvis, and the huge commercial success of Let's Dance for Bowie that the artists started playing it "safe" (although Bowie began to rectify this after the '80s, and produced some great later work). I guess both are examples of the dangers of "fame... makes a man think things over..." They both, however, remained influential and unequalled performers.

Channeling this guy circa early 50s, in the early 2000s.
He really was pretty cool back in the day, and so was I!
Need to find a photo of me in "Elvis" mode. I'll post later.
Photo 1956 by Roger Marshutz. (AP)

I was never really into Elvis growing up-- I only really knew him as sort of a caricature, and the Beatles were the classic artist that first grabbed my attention at the age of 10. It wasn't until I was around 30 and actively working as an actor, that I began listening to Elvis more seriously. Initially, it was sort of a joke-- I began doing impressions of Elvis to amuse an older co-worker who was a musician, and loved his work. This eventually inspired us to do a few gigs with his karaoke machine, where we both traded off on singing "The King." We even had a bit of a theme where he would start singing, and then I would gradually walk in (wearing dark shades and jacket) and accuse him of being my brother Jesse, who took over the music after I was cryogenically frozen in the late 50s (rescuing me from the post-war years!). It was good fun, and definitely tapped into my "inner rockstar." I'm that way anytime I get up onstage with a microphone-- I sort of lose track of what I'm doing... in a good way!

Of course I never had a chance to see the real Elvis live (except for an odd concert in 2002 where his old backing band played against a virtual "King" live on the big screen). I have had the chance to see David Bowie a few times in concert: 1990's Sound + Vision Tour, 1995's Outside tour with Nine Inch Nails, and 2004's Reality Tour. My first was supposed to be in 1987 during his "Glass Spider" tour in my hometown of Rochester, New York. Unfortunately, that was cancelled... due to illness? Poor ticket sales? Or was it a resentment of the Flower City?

He'd rather not be in Rochester (to riff on an old ad campaign).
Rochester Police Department mugshot of Bowie in full-on
1976 "alien mode!"

I have since learned that Bowie had an "eventful" time in Rochester back in March 1976, when he was arrested (along with Iggy Pop) on a felony pot possession charge following his concert in the city. It resulted in this bizarre mug shot, which seems fitting for the flamboyant performer, who was probably more likely to be high as a kite on cocaine back at the time. He was also at the height of his strangeness--anyone who has seen the remarkable sci-fi movie The Man Who Fell to Earth by Nicolas Roeg knows what I'm talking about-- it's Bowie at his most alien (perfect casting). By why hold it against my hometown? It sounds like Bowie's kicked the habit, but has yet to return to Rochester... neither has Elvis... "The King" actually played one of his final concerts in the city on May 25, 1977. A few months later he would be gone, the result of his own substance abuse issues.

But both Elvis and Bowie "live"-- even though the latter has been in retirement for a few years, and the previous has been for even more (although some say he's still out there!). I am still frequently referred to as "Elvis" at the Museum where I performed so many years ago, with many inquiries into another comeback. Yes, it would be "good to be back," something I used to say at the start of each of my impersonations. Maybe 2012 is the year I finally tap into my own inner Bowie and rock some of this blue-eyed soul. I was born to two musicians myself, so it would be a shame not to. In any event, watch this space for news on upcoming performances (musical or otherwise). Off now to listen to the birthday boys....