What They're Sayin'... About The Chairman
This entry will round up various emails, quotes and other comments about the Chairman's doings that don't fit any obvious niche in particular...enjoy the ride, as they say. Updates to come, as events merit...for more quotes like the one below, click "Full Text," and go from there!
ED ZINCAVAGE (12/18/10 e-mail) The thing I like about your music style Ralph, is that it's honest, and genuine, and to the point. Your style reminds me of Eugene Chadbourne's music. That's a compliment.
"The ice age is coming, the sun's zoomin' in..." Chairman Ralph joins his fellow spoken word commandos and language ninjas in celebrating the impact of LONDON CALLING, by the Clash -- the first entry in CityLit Press's "lo-fi poetry" series. You're just one nuclear error....er, click...away from getting the full details!
"Everybody has those 'I played to five people and a dog' stories, which is part of the game..."
One of many asides that I exchanged, thanks to the magic reach of email.
Actually, this chat came up via Craigslist, when I actually found it worth trawling through -- that's been a long time, hasn't it? -- where Tim Heenan, a singer/guitarist from Grand Ledge, MI, was seeking out interviews for www.tims52gigs journey, a site that he'd dedicated to his goal of playing 52 gigs, in as many weeks. Tim was looking to find out what fellow musicians thought about "this filthy racket called show biz," as I was jokingly calling it then, among other topics.
What the heck?, I figured, the idea sounds interesting. So I duly responded, and Tim got right back to me, with a form (!) to fill out: "Please feel free to answer as few or as many of the questions that you would like (of course I hope you answer all of them).
"I posted the Craig's List ad all over the State so when I get a response, I don't necessarily know which part of the state people are responding from. I'm anxious to hear your stories. The more I get into this the more interesting it is reading the interviews."
Thus prompted, I filled out Tim's form, and he posted the results. Alas, neither the original 52 Gigs link works (let alone the one for his own music), so I've gone to my archives, and re-posted the results for you to read. Just click "Full Text" below, and let your fingers do the walkin', as they say.
Ever so often, an event rolls around that crosses so many boundaries -- and pools together so much talent -- that it'd be criminal to miss."
The Chairman summarizes his latest turn at the Artpost Gallery Poetry Marathon in this press release, exclusive to this site, fresh from the event! (Words: Chairman Ralph/Photos: Ralph & Lisa Quinlan-Heibutzki)
"It's like a big block party downtown. There's so much love in the air. It's about engaging people, and bringing people together under a common cause – which is to bring back this city."
That was the verdict from Benton Harbor Vision Festival Chairman Kareemah El-Amin, in summarizing the three-day event that included live music -- plus a performance from Chairman Ralph, as part of her Xpression Session troupe, in this exclusive report for this website!
Chairman Ralph regularly plays around the Michiana area. His performing venues range from The Chocolate Cafe (St. Joseph, MI), to the Acorn Theater (Three Oaks, MI), and Foundry Hall (South Haven, MI), as well as South Bend's Artpost Gallery, where he appeared in April as part of its Poetry Marathon celebration.
"Good music takes you somewhere that you haven't already been," the Chairman says. "That seems like an afterthought nowadays, but it's not to me. It's all up for grabs."
"Good music takes you somewhere that you haven't already been," Ralph states. "That seems like an afterthought nowadays, but not to me. It's all up for grabs."
"I enjoyed it very much, having the opportunity to show off my artwork, as well as the variety (of styles)," Quinlan said. "I look forward to other opportunities like this one."
The show closed on Oct. 20 with "Unraveled," a multi-media party that featured refreshments, and live music from local guitarist Chairman Ralph (Heibutzki). (For a sampling of the highlights, and works sold, see the accompanying photos.)