The Barry Manilow Rant

Those who know me, know that I can rant for several hours on Barry Manilow. Not that I ever questioned his talent. I would rant for hours at his use of using the same melodies over and over, and when they became tired-Change the Key! I would like to hear one-just one-Barry Manilow song without a key change. But...
One June 11, 2008 at approximately 10:45 am, it hit me. Barry Manilow is a Fricking Genius! This idea pounded my skull like a sledgehammer. The store that I worked that day must have had every, I mean, EVERY Barry Manilow CD EVER. The songs meandered in their well-defined pattern with, of course, the requisite key change. What was different? Could I not find a bus to step in front of to end the torture?
Most bands, groups, singers, songwriters, etc. gear their music to 12 year-old girls. That is the biggest demographic in music. To get 12 year-old girls hooked on there music is the goal. The artist will have a fan for life.
Mr. Manilow, however, waits for these self-same fans to be disenchanted with the groups. He swoops down upon these unsuspecting fans much, much later in life. When they are in the 50's 60's and 70's (if not even 80's). These ladies fall for him hard, Annd...they have money! Lots of money. They will come to his concerts, they will buy his Cd's. They are comfortable with the same meandering melodies and the familiar key changes.
Genius! Sheer Genius!
Hats off to you Mr. Manilow!

The Storm

Today we had numerous storms around the Baltimore area. The newscasters and radio announcers warned everyone to watch out for the storm's wrath and fury. I never knew storms were angry. I personally think storms are out to have a great time and party. Storms are like the creative process. Sometimes you can work on an idea for ever. Then when the idea reveals itself, it a mad dash to get it on paper before it's gone. Then there are storms that are deadly. It's like the Earth is trying to get rid of the biological infection that infests its surface. Hmm...