A Picture A Day - James Cotton

 

 A fun photo of blues singing, harmonica playing great James Cotton.  Thankfully he is still kicking.

He worked with lots of other musicians I shot - Michael Bloomfield, Grateful Dead, Charlie Musselwhite, Steve Miller, Paul Butterfield and on and on.

Check James Cotton out on his website here.

My Dying Blog

Every once in a while I get a new comment on one of my old posts.  It's then that I scold myself for not posting like I used to...letting the place fill with cobwebs.  Not honoring the musicians I've shot.  Not posting pictures.

So here I am. Writing.  At least a few words to see if I have anything to say.  Things have been crazy for me.  My life has been less than stable.  My income sporadic.  And I find it hard to "share" when I'm not in the best of spaces...literally and metaphorically.

But then some nice person stops by here, having found one of my stories that brought back some fond memory for them.  They leave a little 'thanks for the memory' note and it shows up in my inbox.  And makes me feel like I am failing to do my part.  I should be keeping this place alive.

But like I said, I'm not much in the mood most because I'm neck-deep in dealing with someone else's problems.  And then I need to prepare to file my oh-so-late tax returns.  And all the pictures I need to edit.  Things I've promised to do for people.  Things I've promised to do for myself.

Ah, the things I've promised to do for myself.  Maybe those are things I should share in this forum.  Maybe someone out there knows someone that might have some ideas of how I can accomplish the things I've promised for myself.  Yes.  Right after I catch up on the promises for others.

In the meantime...I've been thinking I should maybe post a picture a day.  Earlier today I decided I am posting a new photograph on my Facebook photography page...yup, I've been pretty lax over there too.  I posted a photo earlier this week and another one today.  And I will post one tomorrow. It would be nice if you clicked over there and checked out another facet of my work...Chesher Cat Photography.

I am also going to do my best to put a new photograph on this blog every day.  A music-related picture that I have taken.  Some new, some old.  Let's see what I have on my hard drive.

Okay, this is what happens when I decide to crawl out from under my rock.  I spend a bunch of time looking through files trying to find something I want to post.  When I finally find something and get it ready to go I do a search to make sure I identify the musician correctly, which generally means doing a search on the band and then on google images.  This time I picked BST drummer Bobby Colomby.  As I'm scrolling through pictures of him and thinking about how hot he is I suddenly come to the picture I was going to post.  Yes, I already posted that one.  One this blog.  Oops.

So here's one I haven't...at least I searched their name on the blog and came up with nothing.  Even though I thought I had posted it before.

The Hudson Bros.

That's it for today.  The Blogger people have changed the formatting on posting.  I don't like it.  I can't find anything.  I guess I shouldn't have abandoned ship.  If you're someone who's been following my blog thank you for sticking around.

Robin Gibb

I'm not ready to let this guy go.

 Hoping and praying for a miracle.

Soldier on, Robin.

Support the Arts

I announced my new project in my last post. Now I have the details!
End of the Innocents is my short film adapted from my new feature script of the same name. We are planning to shoot the short at the end of June and are currently in high gear pre-production. Securing locations, putting together an awesome crew and also looking for the perfect actors to bring this story to life.

So far we have attached:

JOE LANDO
His resume includes seven years a
Byron Sully on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,
amongst other impressive credits.

And,

EVE MAURO
Eve's talents can be seen in Land of the Lost and
recently in episodes of CSI Miami and Bones.

We are also in the throes of raising money for the production to cover equipment rentals, locations and required insurance.

This is where you have the opportunity to participate! There are a couple of ways you can become a part of our production and even end up on the set:

1) Buy something from my website where all proceeds of sales go directly to my film and you get a credit on the film. Check it out HERE.

2) You can become a backer of the film through our KICKSTARTER page. Head over there to see our pitch video and check out the great rewards attached to the pledge levels. Pledges are as low as $1. Every little bit will help.

Raising money for artistic endeavors is extremely difficult in the best of times. And since this is a not-for-profit project, I'm doing my best to offer valuable gifts in return for your monetary gifts. Making this compelling and important movie means everything to me. If there is something I can do for you - such as a photo shoot, a poster design, a consultation or photography lessons - I am totally available in exchange for a donation to my Kickstarter page.

Feel free to email me if you have any questions or suggestions about how I can get this film from the script to the screen: innocents@cheshercat.com

And please tell all your friends about the project by linking them to my sites:

Kickstarter: http://kck.st/mQlisE
Chesher Cat: http://www.cheshercat.com/overview.html
This blog post: http://everybodyishotisdead.blogspot.com/2011/05/support-arts.html

The Kickstarter page is the page where I will be posting frequent updates. There is already a video of Eve Mauro and a 'Backers Only' post where backers can read the first two pages of the script.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

End of the Innocents

This is my new project.

And you will have an opportunity to participate.

Details coming soon!

I can't wait.

Missing Harry

Harry Nilsson passed away 17 years ago today.

Harry Nilsson
6/15/41 - 1/15/94

Harry's version of "One", a song he wrote made famous by 3 Dog Night:



And live in the studio recording A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night in 1973:

Donny Hathaway

We lost Donny Hathaway 32 years ago today.

Donny Hathaway
10/1/45-1/13/79

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

Maurice Gibb

Eight years gone.

Maurice Gibb

12/22/49-1/12/03

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

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.