Beatles Sculpture Exhibit by Rande Kessler

Artist Rande Kessler

The topic of my blog this week is an exceptional person who is multi-talented and embodies an unmistakable spirit. Rande Kessler, among many other important things, is a gifted artist. He has displayed his art in a one-man show at the Norton Art Gallery in Shreveport, Louisiana, and has shown his art at Louisiana's Melrose Arts Festival among others. 
Kessler's latest Beatles mixed-media sculptures will be on exhibition at the new Grammy(R) Mississippi Museum, April 1-2 in Cleveland, MS. It is a great honor to call this gentleman a friend and after reading about his life's work, you will agree that he is living a charmed life, though with much work and perseverance! Rande answered a few questions and I hope you enjoy learning about this accomplished man.

Rande, please give us a little background on yourself:

Like my new Beatles sculptures, I'm a bit of a mixed-media myself! I actually have two separate personal life-pursuit components; one as a "Navy Diver- Engineer- Business Professional," and the other as an "Artist - Musician -Song Writer." My undergrad degree is as an engineer -  BS (Ocean Engineering by degree but also mechanical, project and process by application). I graduated from the US Naval Academy and then qualified in Navy Special Operations, Deep-Sea Diving and Salvage, At-Sea Rescue and Surface Warfare. After that I worked for Michelin, starting as an engineer, then into production, logistics and HR management and then as a Plant Manager (we made aircraft tires at my plant) and picked up my MS degree while in Alabama. I retired from Michelin after 20 years. I've also flown jets and jumped out of perfectly good aircraft.

After Michelin I started and ran a company called Advanced Coastal Technologies - we did shoreline property protection and erosion control for several years with a patented product. I did a very short stint in Oil and Gas, and now I am the State Director for the Louisiana Small Business Development Centers network. Louisiana is my Oyster, or Crawfish, as it were. My wife Jude and I have moved over 30 times around the country, both coasts; and I have been all over Europe (Navy), in the UK (Navy and Beatles), Costa Rica (coastal project), and in UAE (Abu Dhabi and Dubai coastal projects). I was the coastal engineering consultant for a project in Turks and Caicos.

Tell us about your life in art:

In my other life, I have played the guitar since I was twelve, played in a few bands up into college, learned piano later on. I write and record songs - have done a CD called "Preferred Risk"; one of my songs I entered into an International Songwriting contest years ago and came in the top 10% of the entries! And I have a certificate to prove it!! But no cash. Bummer. Still waiting for that recording contract...

What do you enjoy the most?:

"She Loves You" by Jude Southerland Kessler

I have always loved art - I do mostly pen and ink; started drawing buildings/houses when I was at USNA and have done quite a few commissioned pieces since then. I have also painted in oils and water color and have done a lot of photography and some T-shirt designs. I also did a contemporary airbrush mural over about 2400 square feet of wall space using scaffolding (of which I almost fell off!) I am not really a portrait artist, but as you know I did the cover for She Loves You (done in charcoal and pencil). I took all the author photos of Jude for her three books.

"Dark Horse" - by Rande Kessler

I really enjoy oils but that takes a lot of time and have only done a few. Pen and Ink is my specialty (very much a form of engineering-art drawing) but unlike oil painting, it is very unforgiving. One time I spent days drawing an architectural building for an attorney and then spilled my ink bottle on it! Had to start over - after all the swearing, screaming and crying died down...

I've also done a lot of "southern" drawings - houses, scenes, crawfish, etc.

"Our John" - by Rande Kessler

My latest endeavor is mixed-media sculpting. I've done "Our John," "Bass-ically Paul," "Dark Horse," and "StarRing." Each one depicts bits and pieces of the fab four singularly and including their Beatles after-life as well. I tried to touch on many of their individual traits and pursuits and be subtle sometimes for fun. I used paper clippings and mache', drawing, painting, woodworking, photos, antique scraps, wire, plastic, various instrument and object parts, and seat-of-the-pants engineering. When observing each sculpture, if you know the "Beatle," you'll see the clues. If you don't know the "Beatle," you'll think I must have been smoking something strange and stumbled into a landfill....

"Bass-ically Paul" - by Rande Kessler

I am not doing a formal presentation at the GRAMMY symposium, I will just be drifting about, basking in the fame, signing autographs, and wearing comfortable shoes.

I get to combine all my traits (except SCUBA diving) and love working with Jude Southerland Kessler, Lennon Biographer and cat-lover, on her book edits, presentations and sales, and I hang out at the Beatles' festivals. I get to be marketer-advertiser, business manager, presentation technician and roadie all at the same time. I have an occasional beer, and most importantly get to be at hotels on a date with a hot Beatle biographer. 

Rande & Jude Kessler

Our motto? "Have you heard about the book?" 

My motto for the sculptures?  "Give Pieces A Chance."

Don't miss Kessler's exhibits at the Grammy Museum in Cleveland, Mississippi - a short drive from anywhere!

GRAMMY SYMPOSIUM
APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

Cleveland, Mississippi

The Grammy Museum in Cleveland Mississippi and Delta State University are presenting "GRAMMY Beatles 2016: From Cavern to Candlestick" 

Grammy Museum - Cleveland, Mississippi

Musician Cameron Hicks

Headlining the event are distinguished Beatles authors: Jude Southerland Kessler and Ivor Davis. Artists Rande Kessler and Enoch Doyle Jeter, Ken Orth, authors Dr. Kit O'Toole, Dr. Candy Leonard, Anthony Robustelli and Bruce Spizer. My presentation will include teen musician Cameron Hicks, who will play "Savoy Truffle"! Former Beatles Fan Club President, Freda Kelly, will appear as well along with viewing of the documentary about her experience in that role"Good Ol' Freda."
It is going to be a Beatles lover's dream -- right in the Mississippi Delta where the blues originated and we all know how much The Beatles were influenced by the blues. 
The Grammy Museum is brand new and it is spectacular! Check out their pics on their website & Twitter. Get tickets now, they are going fast!

Follow on Twitter:   @GRAMMYMuseumMS

On Facebook:   GRAMMY Museum Mississippi

Hurry now & order your tickets here:

http://www.grammymuseumms.org/events/detail/beatles-symposium-2016-from-the-cavern-to-candlestick

NUGGET O' THE DAY:

Enjoy "Hey Jude," a terrific Beatles tribute band. I had the opportunity to meet musician Rick Bedrosian (George Harrison) in New York City on a John Lennon Tour given by Susan Ryan. He is a huge Beatles fan and will be sponsoring tours to Ireland and Greenwich Village very soon. He is also the leader of a world renowned Irish rock band: Hair Of The Dog (and they are awesome!) Check out Rick's website and the delicious videos of "Hey Jude."

http://rickbedrosian.com/hey-jude-live-at-the-wood-theater/


http://rickbedrosian.com/hey-jude-full-concert-promo/

Rick Bedrosian

October Eve Music

PO Box 2

Delmar, NY 12054

518-439-8713

Hey Jude

Hair Of The Dog

http://www.rickbedrosian.com

http://www.hair-of-the-dog.com

Don't forget to check the Recipe Records Store! 
www.reciperecordscookbook.com





PEACE, LOVE and ROCK & ROLL,
Lanea Stagg

www.reciperecordscookbook.com

blog:  www.rockblocks3.blogspot.com

radio:  www.blogtalkradio.com/reciperecords

reciperecordsml@aol.com

www.amazon.com/laneastagg

Get Cozy With Your Valentine...

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and it's a great opportunity to introduce you to a delicious mystery author! Caroline Fardig's newest book My Funny Valentine is out and it's HOT! Fardig is the author of the popular Java Jive Mysteries series and the Lizzie Hart Mysteries series. Fardig's BAD MEDICINE was named one of the "Best Books of 2015" by Suspense Magazine. She worked as a schoolteacher, church organist, insurance agent, funeral parlor associate, and stay-at-home mom before she realized that she wanted to be a writer when she grew up. Born and raised in a small town in Indiana, Fardig still lives in that same town with an understanding husband, two sweet kids, two energetic dogs, and one malevolent cat.

I asked Caroline to answer a few questions about her mystery novels:

Tell us about yourself and how you got interested in writing cozy mystery novels.

 I’ve had a lot of interesting and unrelated jobs over the years (including working at a funeral home and being a music teacher!), but nothing seemed to inspire me.  That is, until I started writing.  It was like I couldn’t get enough of it, and still sometimes my fingers can’t keep up with my crazy brain!  I’ve always liked mysteries, and I never was hugely into books that were too terribly serious, so cozies were a pretty good fit for me.  I honestly got into writing because I got irritated by how the books I was reading (and movie and TV shows I watched) would end.  I decided to write something and make it end how I wanted!  And so my Lizzie series was born.

How many books are in the Lizzie Hart series, and give us a description of Lizzie and her adventures.

 There are currently four books in the series (It’s Just a Little Crush, That Old Black Magic, Bad Medicine, and My Funny Valentine), with one more to be coming out in the summer (Wedding Bell Blues).  Lizzie Hart is a copy editor living in a sleepy small town where nothing interesting ever happens.  That is, until she starts tripping over dead bodies.  She’s got a super crush on the new investigative reporter, Blake Morgan, and she’s tried everything in her power to get him to notice her.  Once she decides he could be a killer and starts investigating him, he sits up and takes notice and their adventure really begins. 

 These books are fun and flirty, rated at about a PG-13 for language, violence, and adult situations (any sex is closed-door).  They’re for adults, but all the girls in my high school Sunday school class have read them!

  

Most novelists include a character in their writing that is their alter ego.... Is Lizzie your alter ego?  

 Yes, sort of.  She says the things I scream inside my head but don’t have the guts to say out loud.  Generally, she reacts to a situation the way I would.  She’s snarky and sarcastic, but loyal and always willing to help out a friend.  And she hates cats.

What other projects are you working on and what can we expect to see from you in 2016?

 I’m working on another cozy series.  This one is called the Java Jive series, and it’s published by Random House.  The series follows Juliet Langley, a down on her luck musician/coffeehouse manager who also starts tripping over dead bodies.  This one is set in Nashville, and music plays a big role.  I write a new original song for every book, and as an added bonus, I include the sheet music with every book!  You can see me performing my songs at one of Nashville’s coolest coffeehouses, Café Coco, on my YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaBxQXmhgMcsLS4C1vMZYUg

Death Before Decaf (Java Jive #1) is out now and Mug Shot (Jave Jive #2) will be released on April 19^th.

You can find a list of all my books, along with buy links for each one, here:  http://www.carolinefardig.com/books/

You're invited to my book signing for my newest release, MY FUNNY VALENTINE. Saturday, February 13, from 2-4 PM at the Evansville Barnes and Noble.  Hope to see you there--I'll have some fun Valentine's themed giveaways!

Purchase my latest release, My Funny Valentine, for only 99c! 

http://www.amazon.com/Funny-Valentine-Lizzie-Hart-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01ANZZMYK/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

All Lizzie wants for Valentine's Day is for her fiancé NOT to be the prime suspect in a murder investigation.

Is that too much to ask?
Lizzie Hart is finally living the dream. She's engaged to the love of her life, Blake Morgan, and more importantly, she hasn't even given a thought to dead bodies or murder investigations for an entire year. The only hurdle in Lizzie and Blake's way to wedded bliss is introducing their polar opposite families to each other at their engagement party.
Blake's parents have thrown a lavish shindig, but the fun is quickly over when Blake's brother arrives with an unexpected guest, the woman who left Blake at the altar years ago. If that weren't enough drama for one evening, Lizzie and Blake find the town mayor dead and the detectives on the case put Blake at the top of their suspect list.
It's a race against the clock for Lizzie and Blake to find the real killer before the police decide to lock Blake up and throw away the key.

 Get in touch with Caroline Fardig at her Social Media:

Website:  www.carolinefardig.com

Blog:  http://www.carolinefardig.com/blog/

Mailing list: http://www.carolinefardig.com/mailing-list/

Twitter:  @carolinefardig

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caroline-Fardig/496944767049778

Thank you for the interview Caroline and looking forward to reading more about Lizzie's adventures!

My Valentine Nugget For The Day (which I dedicate to My Valentine):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZc_qGLP0qY

Peace & Love,

Lanea Stagg

www.reciperecordscookbook.com

blog:  www.rockblocks3.blogspot.com

radio:  www.blogtalkradio.com/reciperecords

reciperecordsml@aol.com

www.amazon.com/laneastagg

What Was the Big Deal About David Bowie?

Someone posed that question to me after the shocking news of David Bowie's death and I've been pondering my answer.
Admittedly, I own very few Bowie works, but I always respected his music and never change the station when I hear his songs ("Rebel Rebel" is not surprisingly my favorite.)

His music contains influences of jazz, blues, R&B, soul, funk, and rock which transformed into his own music style = Glam Rock. Proficient on the saxophone, piano, guitar and more, his instrumental talent, was merely a fulcrum for his blast of lyrical genius. Stemming from his study of theatre and mime, the rocker used that experience well as he pumped grandiose theatrics into his presence and performances.
There are a few reasons why I think David Bowie was a big deal.....

July, 1969
Ground Control to Major Tom .....
Released in the UK 10 days prior to Apollo 11's lift off, "Space Oddity" was introspective, innovative and sheer brilliance. The song was not actually released until the safe return of America's astronauts. The lasting power of this song has been remarkable and perhaps becomes more meaningful each decade..

https://youtu.be/nP6xBFyA_aw


Oh! You Pretty Things......
Don't you know you're driving your Mamas and Papas insane....
Bowie burst onto the music scene, a tall, lanky, fair-haired and skinned fellow with crazy hair. We were used to seeing hotties like Jim Morrison, The Beatles, Bob Dylan and the Beach Boys. Did David Bowie's appearance make a lot of people feel uncomfortable? Probably. But guess what? 
A generation of emboldened individuals emerged through the stardust of David Bowie. Those who saw themselves as underdogs, black sheep, and misfits who didn't mesh with the jocks and cool kids responded to the outrageous appearance and innovative music of Bowie. Countless numbers of musicians and bands credit their creative products to Bowie. Perhaps the most appealing quality about Bowie in my opinion...is he created an environment that welcomed the non-jocks, the introverts, the creative geniuses. One of the most basic needs of the human race is acceptance and the Bowie fans found their home "outside of the box" with a man who invented a persona which confused many, but made sense to others. He put himself out there and said "you are cool, too."

https://youtu.be/pBQ-S6njQQw

Fame.....puts you there where things are hollow....
While Bowie enjoyed much superstardom, he suffered the effects of the golden ring, as do most celebrities. The song "Fame" was written with John Lennon, who knew the scarring effects of fame as well.
During this time, Bowie found a niche in the soul, funk and R&B genres. Growing up in England, listening to James Brown and Little Richard, he celebrated those styles and influences in his own sound. He was one of the first white artists to appear on the program "Soul Train."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shnrnqx_wsY

Another quite interesting interview with Bowie was in 1983   when he spoke with MTv's Mark Goodman and asked why they did not play more black artists on their video programming:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZGiVzIr8Qg


Blackstar.....the stars look very different today.
On Bowie's 69th birthday, January 8, 2016, his 25th studio album was released, "Blackstar." And just when you thought he couldn't blow our minds any further....he took it to another galaxy.
Having produced this album during his terminal illness, he used his music to send us another message. He is saying hey...yes, I'm going beyond this life. 
From the newly released song "Lazarus," he says: 
"This way or no way. You know, I'll be free. Just like that bluebird. Now ain't that just like me."
Listening to Bowie's music has taken on a new sound for me this past week. Thank you David Bowie for blowing our minds, giving those of us a comfort zone, and creating unforgettable music. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-JqH1M4Ya8

GRAMMY SYMPOSIUM - APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

Cleveland, Mississippi

Grammy Museum - Cleveland, Mississippi

The Grammy Museum in Cleveland Mississippi and Delta State University are presenting "GRAMMY Beatles 2016: From Cavern to Candlestick" 

Headlining the event are distinguished Beatles authors: Jude Southerland Kessler and Ivor Davis. I am honored to be part of the symposium as well!

It is going to be a Beatles lover's dream -- right in the Mississippi Delta where the blues originated and we all know how much The Beatles were influenced by the blues. 

Mark your calendar now to attend!
Here is information on tickets -- buy them NOW!

http://www.grammymuseumms.org/events/detail/beatles-symposium-2016-from-the-cavern-to-candlestick



GRAMMY SYMPOSIUM CONTEST:

Now through February 14: 
Any time you like, share, or comment on one of the GRAMMY posts on the 910 Public Relations Facebook page, you'll be entered to win a FAB prize package! 
Included are two tickets to the Beatles Symposium event at the GRAMMY Museum in Mississippi (April 1-2), a limited edition GRAMMY vinyl featuring 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,' and a blu-ray of the GRAMMY Beatles salute featuring Paul and Ringo. 

Find 910 Public Relations Here:

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/910PubRel
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/910pr/

Good luck!

Follow The Grammy Museum Here:
Twitter:   @GRAMMYMuseumMS

Facebook:   GRAMMY Museum Mississippi

Community Garden Revolution Magazine-January issue

It's time now to start planning those gardens - for real!

Here's the link to Mary Hukill's dynamic publication:

http://www.joomag.com/magazine/community-garden-magazine-issue-five-january-2016/0857682001452367228?short

You can sign up to receive notifications of the magazine. Stay tuned for new formatting updates in 2016!

Peace & Love,

Lanea Stagg
Recipe Records Cookbooks
www.reciperecordscookbook.com
blog:  www.rockblocks3.blogspot.com
radio:  www.blogtalkradio.com/reciperecords
facebook:  RecipeRecords (send request)
twitter:  @RecipeRecords and @LaneaStagg
Evansville, Indiana
reciperecordsml@aol.com