HNY

On this day of resolutions and merriment, I am taking a moment to honor the 25th anniversary of a plane crash that took the life of Rick Nelson...

Rick Nelson
5/8/40-12/31/85

I am also celebrating the the 67th birthday of John Denver...

John Denver

12/31/43-10/12/97

Be safe tonight and have a very HNY.

Happy Holidays

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and all your dreams come true in 2011.

Trick or Treat

My Halloween Candy

Gene Simmons

Marc Bolan

and a never-before-seen photograph of
Elton John
looking more than a little ghoulish.

HAPPY HALLOWIENIES!

West Hollywood Book Fair

A not-to-be-missed event!!!

This Sunday, September 26, 10am - 6pm

I will be appearing at the West Hollywood Book Fair this Sunday ... if you’re anywhere in the vicinity I would love to see you!

If you stop by and say Hi you’ll automatically be entered to win a George Harrison or Tom Waits Lithograph ($30 value). If you purchase a copy of my book Everybody I Shot Is Dead you will be entered to win an Open Edition Signed and Framed George Harrison fine art print ($350 value).

You will find me signing copies of Everybody I Shot Is Dead at the GLAWS Booth E7-8 from 12pm - 1:30pm. And at some point around 4:45pm I will be speaking on the Mystery, Suspense & Thriller Pavilion stage.

The West Hollywood Book Fair is one of the best, with many wonderful books and fabulous guest authors. It is not to be missed. It takes place at West Hollywood Park, 647 N. San Vicente Blvd. West Hollywood. Parking is free across the street at the Pacific Design Center. For more information on the fair please visit http://www.westhollywoodbookfair.org/.

Hope to see you there!!


PS... for the WeHo Book Fair I will be discounting my book to $30 + tax. That’s $10 off my website price. Cash only please.

My Living Portfolio

I have created a Facebook page dedicated to my photography pursuits past, present and future. Hence, my living portfolio. Because it is always growing.

Here's what the front page currently looks like:



It will change at some point toady and then again tomorrow and the next day, just like every other living thing in the universe.

I hope you will take the time to visit my Chesher Cat Photography page and click the "Lke" icon on the top of the page.

Chesher Cat Photography

I am planning a huge photography project that I will embark on in the next couple of years that will require sponsorships and the more people that "Like" my page the easier it will be to raise the money.

Thanks for your support.

xo Deborah

Are You Anywhere Near Alberta?

I'm throwing a book party in Calgary on August 21st. Please come if you can. I will be siging books, giving away cool EISID stuff, displaying prints and the Steve McQueen Band will be plying tunes.

Here's a flyer with all the details:

Keith Godchaux

Happy 62nd to Grateful Dead keyboardist, Keith Godchaux.

Keith Godchaux
7/19/48-7/21/80

Lot's of Keith in this one...






You can see lots more pictures and learn more about Keith Godchaux and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Peace & Love, Ritchie...

...and Happy Birthday.

If you wanna take Mr. Starkey home, this photograph is available in a beautiful silver gelatin print (16x20 Limited Edition or 11x14 Open Edition) made directly from the original negative. Email me for a special birthday price.



And my bonus shot:

Ringo's house from back in the day, known as Tittenhurst Park...which I believe originally belonged to John Lennon. I was there to photograph a doorknob for my book Starart. The doorknob was a replica of Ringo's hand that was designed by Klaus Voormann.

Work Space

First I have to admit my stupidity. Yesterday was my first day back after 2+ months. It was bad enough that I barely remembered how to sign on but I posted a photograph that I had already posted before. I blame it on my Swiss cheese brain.

Today I am posting a photo that I know I've never posted because I just found in a box of old pictures while attempting to reorganize my work space. Actually it's a move to another room and a weeding out of everything I don't need mucking up my new work space. It all boils down to filing, storing, or my favorite but most difficult...tossing until I have an organized clutter-free neat and tidy space that will allow me to work and create without feeling like I have a ball and chain attached to every limb.

And in that vein I came across this box of slides from a couple of eons ago and found this deliciously adorable picture:

Back in the Saddle

Something happened on April 27th - four days after my last post - that caused me to take a hiatus from the blog. That's about all I'm going to say about it at this time.

Sorry to those of you who missed my random postings...I will do my best to make it up to you. Oddly enough, I think I had more traffic to the blog while I wasn't writing. It will be interesting to see if my numbers drop now that I'm back.

I'm also sorry to all the wonderful musicians I photographed for missing the celebration of their birthdays and the honoring of their passing. I'll try and rectify that too.

But for now I'm going to start sharing some of the photographs I've taken this year. Been shooting a lot of black and white film. And spending a lot of time in the darkroom developing said film and printing. Ah, there's nothing like the scent of developing chemicals any time of the day or night.

So, without further ado, here's the first picture - appropriate to the title of this post and my return to this dusty little corner of the web.

Horse and Rider

Pete Ham

Badfinger's Pete Ham passed away 35 years ago today, just four days before he would have turned 28.

Pete Ham
April 27, 1947 - April 23, 1975

You can see lots more pictures and learn more about Pete Ham and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Tammy Wynette

Tammy Wynette passed away 12 years ago today.

Tammy Wynette

5/5/42-4/6/98

You can see lots more pictures and learn more about Tammy Wynette and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Stanley Turrentine and Gene Pitney

Happy Birthday, Stanley...

Stanley Turrentine

4/5/34 -9/12/00

Missing Gene...

Gene Pitney
2/17/40-4/5/06

You can see lots more pictures and learn more about Stanley Turrentine, Gene Pitney and the 46 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Malcolm Roberts

Happy 66th Birthday to British crooner, Malcolm Roberts!

Malcolm Roberts
3/31/44-2/7/03

For more on Malcolm you can visit his fansite.

You can also learn more about Malcolm Roberts and 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Mighty Joe Young

11 years gone...

Mighty Joe Young

9/23/27-3/24/99

This is sweet...








You can see more pictures and learn about Mighty Joe Young and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Ronnie Barron

Thirteen years since the passing of Ronnie Barron...a musician who deserved more fame than he received.

Ronnie Barron

10/9/43-3/20/97

The one and only video I've managed to find of him...







You can see lots more pictures and learn more about Ronnie Barron and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Hollywood Fats

Happy 56th birthday Hollywood Fats.

Hollywood Fats

3/17/54-12/8/86

Fats was an amazing blues guitarist but cut his life and career short, leaving us with far too little music. This is still the lone video of Hollywood Fats on youtube that doesn't have embedding disabled...

There are also a few records floating around, including a compilation put out on Delta Groove (check out the audio clips).

You can see lots more pictures and learn more about Hollywood Fats and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Old School Phtography

I've gone back. Way back. I'm taking a class called Beginning Photography.

Actually, I've never taken a photography class in my life. That's because I'm not counting the color developing class I took a million years ago, which was just learning to print color.

I'm taking this class because I no longer have my own darkroom and I was itching to get in there and sniff some chemicals. As in enjoy the art of developing and printing black and white photographs...not getting high on the chemicals themselves. Although catching the chemical scent on my skin is nice. Eau de Developer with a hint Fixer. Tres bien!

Our first assignment was to shoot a roll for light and shadow and a second roll where light is the subject (that does not mean shooting a light bulb). I was a little confused on using light as the subject because light is always a huge element of any photograph so I'll have to wait for the critique on Thursday to see if I accomplished the task.

Here is the first negative that I printed today for one of my light and shadow shots...

Can't wait to get back in the darkroom tomorrow to print up a bunch more.

Mike Gibbins

Happy 61st to Badfinger drummer, Mike Gibbins.

Mike Gibbins

3/12/49-10/4/05

I totally love this band...







You can see lots more pictures and learn more about Mike Gibbins and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Tony Flaim

We lost the great voice of Canadian singer Tony Flaim 10 years ago today...

Tony Flaim

1948-3/10/00

Have a listen to this voice...

You can see lots more pictures and learn more about Tony Flaim and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Rory Gallagher

Happy Birthday, Rory Gallagher!

Rory Gallagher

3/2/48-6/14/95

Here's a piece from Rory's Irish Tour 1974 DVD...



He was so amazing.



You can see lots more pictures and learn more about Rory Gallagher and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

John Fahey

Happy 71st Birthday to John Fahey.

John Fahey

2/28/39-2/22/01

You can see lots more pictures and learn more about John Fahey and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

George Harrison

Happy Birthday, George.

George Harrison

2/24/43-11/29/01

Here Comes The Sun live, with Badfinger's Pete Ham...







You can see more pictures (including photos I took of his fabulous house, Friar Park, and learn more about George Harrison and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Papa John Creach and John Fahey

Papa John Creach passed away 16 years ago today John Fahey passed away 9 years ago today. They were both very talented musicians. Please remember them.

Papa John Creach

May 8, 1917 - February 22, 1994

I really loved shooting Papa John Creach.

Here's Papa John playing with Hot Tuna...

John Fahey
February 28, 1939 - February 22, 2001

One crazy guy but he sure knew how to play the guitar...






You can see lots more pictures and learn more about Papa John, John Fahey and the 46 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Keith Knudsen

Happy Birthday, Keith.

Keith Knudsen

2/18/48-2/8/2005

Listen to the music...





You can see more pictures and learn more about Keith Knudsen and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Gene Pitney

A very Happy 70th Birthday to the late great Mr. Pitney.

Gene Pitney
2/17/40-4/5/06

Here's a cool live medley of a few of Gene's many hit records...






You can see lots more pictures and learn more about Gene Pitney and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Michael Bloomfield

Twenty-nine years ago today we lost one of the greatest guitarists ever.

Michael Bloomfield

7/28/43-2/15/81

If you doubt that he is one of the greatest, watch this...






You can see lots more pictures and learn more about Michael Bloomfield and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Tim Buckley

Happy Birthday, Tim.

This photo of Tim didn't make it into my book. I only found it last year in a roll of negs of another band.

Tim Buckley

2/14/47-6/29/75

Now you know where Jeff Buckley got his talent...






You can see more pictures and learn more about Tim Buckley and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Waylon Jennings

Eight years gone.

Waylon Jennings

6/15/37-2/13/02

I love love love Waylon.






You can see lots more pictures and learn more about Waylon Jennings and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Keith Knudsen

Doobie Brothers long time drummer Keith Knudsen passed away 5 years ago today.

Keith Knudsen

2/18/48-2/8/2005

Listen to the Music live at Budokan 1993...Little Feat's Richie Hayward is drumming on this, while Keith Knudsen plays the tambourine along with his back-up vocals...





You can see more pictures and learn more about Keith Knudsen and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Malcolm Roberts

Malcolm passed away 7 years ago today. He's a beloved balladeer and I had the privilege of shooting him at a TV show he was doing in Los Angeles.

Malcolm Roberts

3/31/44-2/7/03

Here's a taste of the man and his music...

You can learn more about Malcolm Roberts and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Carl Wilson

We lost Beach Boy Carl Wilson 12 years ago today.

Carl Wilson

12/21/46-2/6/98

Here's a spunky live vocal performance by Carl, circa 1980...

You can learn more about Carl Wilson and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Alex Harvey

Yesterday was the anniversary of Alex Harvey's passing and today is his 75th birthday. It's gotta be a drag to die the day before your birthday so I'm just going to celebrate his birthday. Happy 75th, Alex!

Alex Harvey

2/5/35-2/4/82

This is fun...







You can see lots more pictures and learn more about Alex Harvey and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Terry Kath

Happy Birthday, Terry.

Terry Kath

1/31/46-1/23/78

The very awesome Terry Kath...




You can learn more about Terry Kath and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

My Website and These Crazy Times

I may have mentioned this before. I am doing a complete overhaul on my website. Beginning with a design change and hopefully making it easier to navigate, as well as doing a better job of branding myself and promoting my services.

Instead of 8 menu bar items there will now be 14. I've got 7 items for "My Services," 3 for "My Store" and 4 for "My Other Stuff." And under those 14 items there are other pages you can go to and then more pages under those, etc, etc etc. Even though the content of a lot of the pages (such as the EISID prints pages) is the same I am changing the overall design and it is requiring to relink all the pictures. A lot of work because I have hundreds and hundreds of images on my site and I'm also adding tons more.

The services I'm promoting include graphic design, printing (did you even know I handle printing of all kinds of stuff?), retouching (did you know you could engage my services to retouch your photographs?), photography, writing, film and teaching/speaking. Basically, I'm putting it all out there. All my talents pimped in one place for all to see and contract.

In the past I've been told that I should keep all my talents in separate boxes, where the graphics doesn't mix with the writing or photography or books etc. And lately I've been told that if you are submitting yourself for work you should only put what's relevant to that particular job on your resume. So, maybe I'm supposed to have separate websites for all the different jobs I am capable of performing. To that I ask, Whatever happened to the idea of being a renaissance man/woman? Does that not count for anything anymore?

What do you think? Am I shooting myself in the foot by branding myself as a person with abilities in several creative areas? Am I wrong to think potential clients will perceive the creative connection between all the areas I work in? Will all my endeavors cancel each other out and leave me with an empty bank account?

I'm not talking about multitasking here. I believe multitasking is an oxymoron. I don't think you should focus on more than one task at a time. When a person does that I think the tasks end up taking longer and are performed at a lower standard. I don't mind having multiple tasks on my 'to do' list, but I think it's better time management to start and finish each task one at a time whenever possible. For one thing, starting and stopping a task requires review time to catch up to where you left off.

I really hope this post will garner comments and readers (if I have any left) will share their thoughts and experiences. I'm sure we can all benefit, especially the many of us who are trying to navigate the constantly changing career landscape in these crazy economic times.

LA Sunset

Today's sunset. Magic.


And, proof of winter.

Terry Kath

32 years gone.

Terry Kath

1/31/46-1/23/78

Unless you are a true fan of Terry Kath's guitar, you probably only know 25 or 6 to 4 in it's single form on the radio. Take a look and listen to this video - the quality ain't great, but wait 'til it hits the two-minute mark and watch it through to the end. If at that point you don't get why Terry was one of Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitarists, you don't get rock'n'roll...







You can learn more about Terry Kath and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

Peter Bardens

It was 8 years ago today that we lost Peter Bardens.

Peter Bardens
6/19/45-1/22/02

Thankfully, we still have his music...






You can see lots more pictures and learn more about Peter Bardens and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.

It Never Rains in Southern California

Except today. And yesterday. And the day before. And the day before that.

Am I in England?

I'm actually really enjoying the photographic aspect of the weather.

Today's picture...this might come in as an all-time top favorite photograph of mine...click on it so you can see it bigger...



Today's oxymoron theme song...



Hopefully tomorrow I can post Here Comes The Sun.

LA River In The Rain

This is what the Los Angeles River looks like on an ordinary day...


...complete with ducks frolicking.

Well, no ducks today.

I know because I took a bunch of photos of the river this afternoon.

Then made this little ditty for your viewing pleasure...

Bustin' My Butt

Today was the first day I didn't have a sinus headache so I took advantage of the time I had by working in front of my computer all day.

I'm neck-deep in revamping my website. Can't afford to pay out this time so I'm doing it all myself. It's kinda hard because I'm not well-versed on CSS and how the person who did it last time made the template. I need to figure that out because I have major changes on the navigation bar. There are also a few software glitches I need to work out.

And I'm looking for work every day plus keeping a few personal projects in the air.

Today's picture:

Dogs In My Bed

Drama (on the right) slept over on Friday and Saturday night. I had a tiny little space in the top corner of the bed.

L.A. Rain

A good rain storm is a rarity in Los Angeles. We had a really good one today and are expecting two more this week that may even be better.

These are a few rainy day photos I took today...