Jobe & younger Jobe

Poetry blog:

Putah Creek

a few publications:

Convergence

Perihelion

Inspirational Stories

Medusa’s Kitchen

Review:

Belinda Subraman’s Gypsy Art Show

Couple of odd pieces:

Poetry in Davis

UC Davis News

Toby Covich teaches art at Placer High School, he has for many years.  The Cafe Rock lunchtime show is played in the class everyday, and his students start their class the same way everyday..”We’re hungry!!”. 21 years ago, as a class project, Toby’s students made a ceramic fishbowl, with a stand and complete with all kinds of fish and fish by-products in the bowl. It was a wonderful piece and has been with me all these years. Now, 25 years later Toby came by with his student Jason Hicks who presented me with a bust of me. It was Jason’s senior project. It was done in the style of ‘Arneson’, the man who did the controversial Mayor Moscone statue in San Francisco. What an honor for me. Not only to be such a big part of this class all these years, but to have it’s students be so inspired to make Cafe Rock themed works. Here is a picture of Toby, his student Jason, and myself. Notice the other person in the room. Amazing. The Bob Keller Bust now lives at the Cafe Rock and you’ll have to rub his head for good luck next time you come in. Thank-you Toby and Jason. You made my day.

It’s a coincidence that we have 2 birthdays on the same day, from the same band, both turning the same age. Happy B’day to Quicksilver Messenger Service drummer Greg Elmore and guitarist-singer Gary Duncan..both turn 65 this saturday. Quicksilver was always one of my favorite bands from the SF Ballroom era. The guys in Quicksilver were really an important part of the Haight-Ashbury community. They hung out at 1090 Page Street, along with the Albin Brothers who would form Big Brother. A band called Sopwith Camel also hung out there and it was quite a scene. The Albin Brothers inherited this huge rooming house, originally intended for Irish immigrants. Music jams were held all the time in the spacious basement. This house was, along with the Deads house at 710 Ashbury, ground zero for the communal music lifestyle that would define San Francisco in the mid 60s.

Spirits that left us on this date include Woody Gutherie in 1967. Woody, in my opinion, was the origianl troubador. Spreading his truth with his guitar, riding the rails and brushing up against America. “This Land Is Your Land”..He sang about all of it, the good, the bad and the ugly. No wonder Dylan tried to channel his spirit, and in the end, pulled it off. Woody died of Huntington’s chorea at age 52. His son Arlo continues the tradition. Another passing was that of Alan Blind Owl Wilson, co-founder of the band Canned Heat. Drug overdose at the age of 27. What is it about the age 27? Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse and a dozen others. Spirits come and Spirits go. Be at the Revolution this weekend. Saturday 7-10am. You’ll re-connect with some special spirits from the past.

Peace Out

Once again the winds of misfortune have blown America’s way and help is needed. Back east, in the wake of this hurricane/tropical storm, we have people left homeless, road-less, bridge-less, powerless. There is a lot to do. A small (and very safe) online donation to the Red Cross at RedCross.org would be a huge help. I  did, and I hope you will too. Whatever our differences in politics, demographics, or location, we have this in common; we’re Americans and when something tough comes along and knocks us down, we stand up all the stronger. – Jobe

For those of you who have not visited the Rock and Radio Museum downtown, you are missing a precious part of Sacramento music history. I visited the museum last 2nd Saturday cause that’s when it is open to the general public. It’s at 911 20th street, site of the old Crabshaw Corners and Oasis Ballroom. The Museum is just loaded with posters, handbills, LPs, 45s, T-shirts and other bits of music and radio memorabilia that has to be seen to be believed. All of this considerable treasure is beautifully displayed with loving care by the curtator and person who is mostly responsible for it’s content, Mr. Dennis Newhall. Dennis has been on the music scene for years and brings his passion and experience to this project. If you remember concerts at the Alhambra, listening to the hits on KROY, and later the cool FM tunes on KZAP, or Earth Radio, if you ever went to a show at the Sound Factory, then you must see this exhibit. I even found a framed poster from my 10th year anniversary party when I worked at KZAP. That was 20 years ago. The above picture is Dennis and I. He has put a lot of work into this labor of love, you should really see a bit of our city’s history and thank Dennis when you see him.

Brooklynn Olivia Bird, of Folsom, CA, was crowned the World Championship Baby after she was born closest to nine months since the San Francisco Giants won the 2010 World Series. Baby Brooklynn born at 8:02 p.m. on Aug. 1 — exactly eight minutes and nine months to the day that the Giants beat the Texas Rangers at 7:54 p.m. on Nov. 1. Brooklynn’s parents, Jennifer and Robert Bird, had entered CSN Bay Area’s World Championship Baby search in July when the sports network was looking for a baby who may have been made during a “private” celebration for the Giants’ win. Brooklynn beat 929 contestants who entered from as far as Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island, contest officials said. The winning Bird family will receive a birth certificate signed by the Giants, a commemorative brick at AT&T Park engraved with Brooklynn’s name, a $2,010 gift card, and the brag-worthy title of “Comcast SportsNet 2010 Giants World Championship Baby.”

Mom and Dad are serious fans – Jennifer and Robert married on Oct. 23, 2010, the night the Giants won the pennant to get into the World Series.

It was this week in 1966 that the Beatles called it a day, as far as live concerts anyway. The noise, the hype of Beatlemania, it all became too much. They wrapped up this era of live performing at Candlestick park August 29th 1966. Bob Eubanks of the Newly Wed Game fame, was with the band at the time. He produced a couple of Beatles concerts in So. Cal back in 64 and 65, so he had a relationship with them. Bob was a pretty popular radio D.J. in L.A. at the time. He will share a thought or two on this subject when we convene for the Revolution this Saturday Morning at 7am. Another important Beatle anniversary comes around this weekend ..when we remember the circumstances of the famous “Elvis meets the Beatles” episode in L.A. Elvis was filming that fine piece of cinema known as “Harum Scarum”. Jerry Schilling, a memphis D.J. and childhood friend of Elvis’ remembers how it really went down, he was in the room. Join me this weekend and we’ll flash back together to some of the music and adventures of the 60s. Peace Out.

I was very pleased this morning. I woke up to find that I had been ‘poked’ by two famous poets, a very famous novelist, a girlfriend from 40 years ago, my stepbrother, and my youngest kid. Cool. Also a singer-songwriter in Hawaii thanked me for posting his video. Yes, I’m talking about FaceBook.

Let me ask you, how much space does FaceBook take up in your daily life?

I stumbled into FaceBook two and a years ago. A friend emailed me a link. I hadn’t been aware of it. Mind you, besides being a DJ I am a minor poet, known regionally here in Northern California. Suddenly I had access to poets all over the world! And old school friends. And DJ’s I had worked with 20 years ago. Well, I was blown away.

When you work in radio these days, you work in front of computer screens, as I do my whole shift. It’s pretty easy to leave a little FaceBook window open on a computer and pop in and out. At first I did so with a bit of stealth. I’m known as a good worker and I didn’t want to be accused of goofing off. Then word from on high; the boss wanted us all on FaceBook, interacting with you guys whenever possible. And it is a cool way to meet you listeners. I’m in, boss!

So how much time am I on FaceBook? A lot. Send me a friend request and say you’re an Eagle listener. I’d be glad to have you. (Of course I am somewhat of a Liberal nut-job. So know that.) -Jobe.

Well here we are in the middle of August and the Woodstock anniversary has reared it’s trippy head again. 42 years ago, on a dairy farm in upstate New York, a few hundred thousand people gathered for something that was much bigger than just a music concert. A way of life was defined, and re-defined that weekend in 1969..August 15th-17th. I think it’s important to reflect back once a year on the event that brought us all together to look at each other and say ‘FAR OUT MAN’. Fashion comes and goes, Woodstock will always be here. A concept to visit whenever necessary. Reflect on it and remember how lucky we were to have a youth that included fun, hope, coming alive and changing the world. 

Another anniversary this weekend marks the Beatles coming to San Francisco for the first time. It was the summer of 1964 and they came to the Cow Palace. Called that because it was originally used for livestock, so it had a certain lovely atmosphere. The country was in a state of Beatlemania and the Bay Area was primed for the show. Of course they sang and no one heard them. The screaming would eventually discourage the band from playing live at all. The last show, as it turns out was in San Francisco’s Candlestick Park. Another crappy venue for music. Oh well. at least we had Rubber Soul and Revolver to help us over the shock of no more Beatles live.

A Happy birthday to Robert Plant this saturday, 63 and still fully engaged in all forms of music. Join me this Saturday, we’ll flashback together. See you on the Revolution.

Peace Out

Hi again, this weekend, Sat. 7-10am., the Revolution will be on the air again. It will radiate the good vibes that we have become famous for. Some landmarks this weekend include a birthday for the man who actually may be the walrus, Mr. David Crosby. He flips over to 70 years old! And has he been through at least a couple of lifetimes or what. So much has happened to him he actually has written 2 biographies! ..In San Francisco, in the Marina district, a nightclub was starting to become famous. A former pizza parlor on Fillmore street was bought by a couple of musicians. Marty Balin and Paul Kantner started the Matrix and introduced their new band there, The Jefferson Airplane. It was August 13th 1965. On that same day, The Beatles released the “Help” album.  Another San Francisco musician would be working on stage at Harvard Stadium, just outside Boston. It would be the last concert Janis Joplin would ever give. August 13th 1970. On that same day, in La Jolla California, Stephen Stills would be arrested on possesion charges at a motel where he was staying. Certainly some ups and downs for our friends, but it was all part of the thread of the Revolution. See you this Saturday for more stories and some great music.

Peace Out.