The Kitchen Musician ~ July 2020

Hello friends,

I don’t know about you, but I am suffering from virtual meeting Internet fatigue. This is the result of 107 days of isolation during a pandemic, with most of those days spent online for 5 hours or more. Today I officially declare in song that “I’m Goin’ Off the Grid” – sort of. This month, I also share another new song on a very different subject. Join me in the kitchen and I will explain.


Index
  NEWS:
  THIS MONTH’S MUSIC: “I’m Goin’ Off the Grid” and “Made-for-TV”
  UPCOMING SHOWS
  FEATURED NON-PROFIT: Greater Boston Food Bank

Photo: Neal Braverman (2019)


NEWS

My new album “Planting in a Drought – New songs of struggle, protest and encouragement” is doing well on folk radio stations throughout the country. Stay tuned for a new music video of one of the songs on this album, scheduled for release later this summer!

You can listen to and purchase this album (and other studio recordings) at my Bandcamp store. Pay what you want! Or play the album on Spotify (and all streaming services).


THIS MONTH’S MUSIC 1
“I’m Goin’ Off the Grid”


“I’m Goin’ Off the Grid” © 2020 Tom Smith (ASCAP)
Lyrics in the comments below.

Like many others isolating during this COVID-19 pandemic, I have been attending many virtual meetings using Zoom (and other services) and since March all of my live performances have been virtual. I find that I have to take frequent breaks, walk around to clear my head and stretch my muscles between meetings, some of which go on for hours. To be honest, some of these meetings are wonderful – connecting me to family and friends. I am so grateful to be able to see, converse and even play music with them. From time to time, however I just want to cut the cord and go off the grid – back to a simpler time and place. That is where this song comes in.


THIS MONTH’S MUSIC 2
“Made-for-TV”


“Made-for-TV” © 2020 Tom Smith (ASCAP)
Lyrics in the comments below.

On a very different topic, I can’t let this month go without commenting on the murder of a black man, George Floyd, in the streets of Minneapolis by white police – one of many similar terrible events. And now “the simmering pot” has finally boiled over and we are seeing Black Lives Matter protests not only in our country, but around the world.

Although I do include songs about current events from time to time in The Kitchen Musician, I hesitated to include this one because I was uncomfortable singing it – thinking that my listeners would prefer to avoid discomfort that has assaulted them in TV news and the front pages. And truthfully, when I share songs that have a strong political focus, some folks unsubscribe from my mailing list. No musician likes to see their mailing list shrink; but in the end, my discomfort is the reason why I decided that I must share this song with you.

Like many others, I am shocked and outraged after viewing the horrific video of the killing of George Floyd – and following that, the spectacle of Donald Trump forcefully clearing peaceful protestors from Lafayette Square so that he could get a campaign photo holding up a bible in front of a boarded up church. He followed that with a speech in which he said that George Floyd would be pleased to see all of the demonstrations in his name – outrageous!

There is a lot of long overdue hard work ahead for all of us to get to the other side this.

    “How many black lives will be taken
    In the streets and in their homes?
    How many deaths till we accept
    The part of that we own?”

Thank you for listening. Some of you have been following The Kitchen Musician since it started in 2007! I can’t wait for the day when we can be in the same room again, sing songs together and embrace.

Until then… carry on!

Tom

(If so inclined, I invite you to leave a comment by scrolling to the end of this page.)


UPCOMING SHOWS:
Click this link to view upcoming shows


FEATURED NON-PROFIT:
Greater Boston Food Bank

The Greater Boston Food Bank “works passionately to end hunger across Eastern Massachusetts by providing our neighbors in need the healthy food and resources they need to thrive… Your support enables GBFB to distribute healthy food to neighbors in need as well as nutrition programs and resources for sustained, healthy lives and healthy communities.” The GBFB has really stepped up its support for families adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – and there are a great many of them.

Please join me in supporting The Greater Boston Food Bank, or click here to find a food bank in your area.

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10 Comments
  • Tom
    June 29, 2020

    I’m Goin’ Off the Grid
    © 2020 Tom Smith

    I’m goin’ off the grid
    To join the slow crowd
    Where phones are not allowed
    I’ll trash my data from the cloud
    Tell my laptop that I’m done with it

    When I close the lid
    I’m leavin’ no trace
    Imagine meeting people face to face
    I’m goin’ off the grid

         Gonna press my knuckles in the sourdough
         Knead the morning sun into the rising bread
         Where the strains of a lone banjo
         Chase the noises from my head

    I’m goin’ off the grid
    Take my clothes off
    Skinny dippin’ in a trough
    Doin’ things I love
    Dancin’ like a little kid

    Embracing everything I hid
    I’ll walk an old path
    Take my lessons from the past
    I’m goin’ off the grid

         I’ve got a new song for this old guitar
         and I’ll sing it like a katydid
         Spread my wings to a falling star
         And I’ll catch it a baseball mitt

    I’m goin’ off the grid
    (Instrumental break for rest of this section)

    I’ll be workin’ every day outside
    I gonna bake an apple pie
    I’ll catch my dinner with a fishin’ pole
    I’ve got to feed my soul
    I want to breathe the cool clean air
    Into my/a life in disrepair
    I’ve got to change the way I live

    I’m goin’ off the grid
    To mend my lifestyle
    Turning down the dial
    Tuning up a smile
    Fake it till I’m makin’ it

    When I close the lid
    On my old ways
    I’ll be Livin’ healthy days
    I’m goin’ off the grid
         If you need me you can meet me off the grid

  • Tom
    June 29, 2020

    Made-for-TV
    © 2020 Tom Smith (ASCAP)

    A made-for-TV setting
    A campaign photo opp
    Dominate the battle space
    With a bible as a prop
         A bible as a prop (2x)
         Dominate the battle space
         With a bible as a prop

    (You say) that we’re all equal
    In the eyes of the law
    If you’re not white you could lose your life
    The odds are four times more
         The odds are four times more (2x)
         If you’re not white you could lose your life
         The odds are four times more

    You did not pull the trigger
    The one that caused his death
    You’re the one who loaded the gun
    And I know you wrote the check
         I know you wrote the check (2x)
         You’re the one who loaded the gun
         And you wrote the goddamn check

    You say he would be pleased
    Everybody knows his name
    Ask his wife would she trade his life
    For a headline and the fame
         A headline and the fame (2x)
         Ask his wife if she’d trade his life
         For a headline and the fame

    (How many) black lives will be taken
    In the streets and in their homes?
    How many deaths till we accept
    The part of that we own?
         The part of that we own (2x)
         How many deaths till we accept
         The part of that we own?

  • Ursula Sturms Papp
    June 30, 2020

    Loved both songs.
    On Made for TV, your banjo is …..real good. The lyrics don’t mess around…..truth telling never does!
    Thanks.
    Ursula

    • Tom
      June 30, 2020

      Thanks for listening, Ursula. Great to read this from another folksinger! Carry on!

  • Paul
    June 30, 2020

    Two great songs I wish the order was reversed or I should of listen in different order. Going off the grid is how I feel after cnn or msnbc, I just want it all to go away. But it will not, until we work to improve our communities and vote to improve our country.

    • Tom
      July 21, 2020

      Thank you for chiming in, Paul. I agree. We are going through difficult times. Steady on! Do the best you can!

  • Maggie Babb (Chambers)
    June 30, 2020

    Tom, Thank you for your heart-felt music and lyrics. They are medicine–even the difficult “serious” ones. We need them all. (I do LOVE Goin’ Off the Grid”!) SO much appreciation for your work. Love, XO, Maggie
    (I am launching my author website on 4 JULY. It’s not live yet)

    • Tom
      July 21, 2020

      Thank you, Maggie! I appreciate your encouragement. Good luck with your author website. Please send me the link when it is ready.

  • Virginia Amsler
    July 1, 2020

    Thank you Tom. Will think of you and envy you and Margo with your safe spot off the grid. You will feel the spirits instead of being interrupted by newscast noise. Your last song also touches me. So true. The Pete Seeger tradition continues in your words, in your music.

    • Tom
      July 1, 2020

      Thank you, Ginny. Any mention of Pete Seeger related to my music is a great honor.