Celery Consciousness: World Hunger Year ,,, among a few other things Chapin

With the Thanksgiving holiday nearly upon us,,, I am reflecting on issues of the past, and bringing them into the present day..

This story appeared on CNN.com
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Some 691,000 children went hungry in America sometime in 2007, while close to one in eight Americans struggled to feed themselves adequately even before this year's sharp economic downturn, the Agriculture Department reported Monday.

Talk about disgusting,,, 700,000 children,,,?? what the hell kinda nation are we ? These are our children after all,,, regardless of circumstance,Race, color, social-economic background,, ,, "they" (the children) did not ask for it,,THEY were born into it,, and victims of IT ..

Back in the early 70's,, Harry Chapin , at the bequest of Bill Ayres... started to raise money and awareness of the Needs of the hungry people in America,,, Millions were raised, and W.H.Y. has branched out into many different organizations, in most/all the major cities around the country,,, even though most folks thought that the Organization would die, when Harry died in an auto accident in 1981. However , his family and fans kept it going, and unfortunately the need is greater today then almost at any time in the past. If you saw Harry play back in that day , it was most likely a Benefit show,,, about 75 % of his shows were and toured over 200 days a year ! Harry would always remind you during the concert about why you needed to contribute,,, with facts on how many children were going to sleep that night hungry,, how 25% of the canned Dog and Cat food sold, was sold to senior citizens that ate it themselves,,, or just what good did Food drives do for Holidays ,,, cause "What the hell were those folks gonna eat the day AFTER Thanksgiving" ??!!!??

So, with Harry's birthday just around the corner - December 7th,,I ask that after you read this BLOG that you go to the store and buy food to donate, or clean out your Pantry, and give that food away. Think Globally and Act locally is VERY appropriate here. There are more folks than you know right in your own communities that need your help. Just think of those Children ....

PART II - Harry Chapin

There are those artists that do not translate to Canned media,,, that their Voices, and Musical talents do not come across on a record, or CD. That they are so much more LIVE then recorded,,, kinda like a "picture" of the picture of the Mona Lisa,,, it does not translate - so to Speak,,, Harry was one of those performers. He did not come across on studio recordings anywhere near what you got seeing and hearing him LIVE. His presence on STAGE was electric. I was fortunate to see him many times,, at the "Chance" with and without his band,,, SPAC,, Rockland Community College, and a few times at what is arguably the worst concert location,, Mid-Hudson Civic center. however, I will try to relate the tale of one VERY special night.

it was a Fall Concert for the Benefit of WHY. You were asked to Bring canned food to donate, and that the proceeds from the concert were going to the WHY organization. Harry walked on stage alone,, although the entire bands instruments were there. As he spoke, HE could not, his voice so hoarse it was barely a whisper. He told us - he could not sing... but as it was a benefit,, he did not want to cancel the show,, and that his brothers Tom, and Steve would sing the songs,,, and that his band - Doug Walker, Howie Fields, BIG John Wallace, and I think it was Yvonne Cabel on the Cello .. were all there,, BUT - anyone who wanted their Money back could get a refund by returning the ticket to the Civic Center.

His brothers never got the chance to sing.... the Audience - we sang every word of every song,,,It was the most amazing show ever! They Played for over Two hours.. Then for the 1st Encore, they came out and did "Mail-Order Annie" Harry Started that one, actually just speaking the words,, but playing the harmonica as the Audience finished the Song,,, the 2nd Encore was Harry alone, clearly with tears in his eyes.. and his band watching from the side of the stage, he sat on the edge of the stage,,, he said "shhhhhhhhh" and Did an acapella version of "You are the only Song" - you could ave heard a pin drop until the Thunderous Appaluse at the end !

I doubt if anyone asked for their Money back,,, Harry, the band the road crew, sound guys - were all at the Exits as the Audience left the Civic Center.. to shake hands,,, You CANNOT get that from an effing Recording !!

SO here are a few from Harry,,, Remember him, donate food to those who are less fortunate,,, Pay it Forward ... If you check YOUTUBE there are many other selections from Harry Chapin, Mr. Tanner, Story of a Life, and Better Place to be,, but I'll let you find them on your own,, , if you never saw him,, maybe you can get a bit of what kinda Energy he brought, and if you had seen him you can .....Remember when the Music....................

W.O.L.D.