My new friend Shelly Van Wye came across this wonderful quote by ‘On The Road’ author Jack Keroauc and it’s made my week!

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars…”

Jack Kerouac.

A good songwriter can channel the soul of a hundred poets.

That’s the impression Scotty Melton left with me as I stood in the shadows at McGinn’s in Elizabethton last Saturday night when he sang his original song ‘The Way I’m Loving You.”

It’s been said great poetry is about economy (an economy of words at least) and Melton’s lyric and phrasing touches the soul. Here in the Tri-Cities, he keeps a low profile, but he could be one of the best songwriters on the block.

I’m not the only one to feel that way either. Several musicians have already picked up on Scotty’s gift.

I first recognized Scotty’s craft while working with Reagan Boggs . She released the ballad, “The Way I’m Loving You” on her second record and I always enjoyed playing the song. He also has songs recorded by Nashville’s ‘Les Honkies More Tonkies’ and others.

That’s why when Melton was musing over which song to play before his break this weekend, I asked to hear my favorite song and with no hesitation he spoke into the microphone, “Here’s a song about the institution of marriage, recorded by Reagan Boggs and one of the first I ever wrote.”

Playing his acoustic guitar in front of a window with traffic passing by and dressed in a well-worn Jager t-shirt, he looked up from his glasses and premature grey/white hair and sang;

I’ve got dreams that burn like fires burn
In your eyes forever blue

I’ve got feelings that shine like diamonds
and stars in heaven that remain forever true

This was my first visit to McGinn’s in Elizabethton.

I’ve passed by this pub several times across the street from Pal’s and next to the railroad tracks. It’s one of those small corner buildings that expands as the block lengthens down Elk Avenue.

A lot of people like to play darts at this local waterin’ hole and it may be the only bar in Betsytown.

It’s a small room too with barely enough room for a performer and in addition to the bar which may entertain 50 people, there are two smaller rooms with dart boards which draw regular crowds on the weekend.

Just inside the door, there was a cloud of smoke, the familiar aroma of beer and fried food and Scotty was performing with another guitarist.

Together they were playing a set of cover songs from “Copperhead Road” to “Behind Blue Eyes” and he occasionally picked up the harmonica to play Neil Young. He sings with the passion of Dylan, John Prine and Steve Earle and his subject matter reminds me of the great Darrell Scott as his topics are close to home.

Melton has his own down-home distinctions and he’s no newcomer – road worn like a good pair of shoes – there’s really nothing to hold him back as he begins to retool his act after a rocky personal life in the past several years. He’s living in Piney Flats and just starting to make his way back into the local music scene.

In fact, he may have a great opportunity soon as Justin Townes Earle (rising star and son of Steve Earle – “Copperhead Road”) may release his songs on an upcoming recording.

The younger Earle speaks about Melton’s friendship when he lived with Scotty and his family near Johnson City while he battled his addictions.

Like most artists, Scotty Melton has no hesitation talking about what’s held him back over the past several years. He’s lived a hard life cluttered with his own demons and and you can hear that in his music.

McGinn’s is a humble room for a talent like Scotty Melton, but it was also the perfect spot to revisit this humble minstrel and enjoy his music once again. I have no doubt this native son from here the Tri-Cities will continue to write great music that will attract the attention of many who know a good turn when they hear one.

Scotty Melton offers up a free Mp3 with the song ‘I Keep Your Heart’ which speaks volumes. Download here and enjoy.

Breaking into the music business is not an easy career path. It takes a lot of work, a lot of patience, luck and having a overwhelming gift never hurts.

Last week, 18-year Chelsea Constable, a Kingsport native was seen smiling on the popular game show, “The Price Is Right” – demoing a guitar from Line 6.

National exposure like this is a rare opportunity for a young musician, but Chelsea’s got the chops and a wicked talent that blends the blues and virtuosity into a recipe that may very well position her among rock and roll goddesses.

There’s always a tendency for reviews like this to gush – especially when a hometown girl is in the spotlight, but Chelsea is a shooting star and cult-legend here in the Tri-Cities. Because of her age, she’s only appeared at a handful of shows (she started gaining attention in her early teens), but for those who have seen and heard her gift, the awe is mythical.

Her Myspace website features snapshots of Chelsea with some of the greatest names in the business including Eric Johnson, Allan Holdsworth, Billy Gibbons, Slash, Les Paul, Eddie Van Halen and others. She also has drummed up a significant endorsement from Fender and Line 6 guitars too – evidently her entrance into daytime television where she is also pictured with Drew Carey.

It’s rare to see young people achieve this kind of notoriety, but what’s more impressive is the road ahead. Following a Google thread on her name, you’ll see that she’s gearing up for her first debut CD. She certainly had the attention from the natives here in the mountains and it’s just about time for the world to see the extraordinary talent from here in the mountains.

Last week, the US Mint released a new quarter for the District of Columbia featuring the late American composer Duke Ellington .

This event didn’t receive the fanfare of the recent Obama Inauguration, but equally symbolic, Duke Ellington is the first African-American to appear on a circulating coin and he is a deserving recipient of this honor.

Born in Washington, DC in 1899, Ellington’s contributions to the American songbook may never have another rival. He was a passionate and intense composer who wrote and recorded more than 3,000 original songs including jazz standards ‘Mood Indigo,” “It Don’t Mean A Thing,” “Caravan,” “Take The A Train” and volumes of other material.

My musical education in high school was built upon this music as Sullivan Central High School band director Bill Canny introduced our jazz group to these songs and I’m still thankful for that introduction many years later.

Duke passed on in 1974 at the age of 75 and may very well be one of America’s greatest composers.

What’s more significant about this artist is the the significance of his work in a racially charged era. Duke and his band were the most popular acts in the country and traveled in private rail cars coast to coast performing with musicians that included Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane and Ella Fitzgerald.

In the mid-twentieth century, live music was one of America’s favorite past-times and big bands would dress with impeccable style and work together celebrating elegant functions that provided a romance still evident in the black and white photos of the times.

Ellington’s music made such an impact on the culture he even made his way into American cinema and was nominated for an Academy Award in 1961 for his score to ‘Paris Beauty.”

Wynton Marsalis speaks about Ellington in his book, “Moving To Higher Ground” and describes him as a “man for all people and the most unwavering example in jazz of pure dedication and ceaseless productivity.”

Duke Ellington’s music has such sophistication it deserves all the attention a quarter can give to this iconic figure. The music swings like no other and celebrates the joy, the reverie and spirit of a gilded age.

Marsalis also states in his new book, “I believe that to know the essence of a thing requires returning as closely as possible to the origin of the that thing.”

When it comes to jazz and great American popular music, Duke is a great history lesson.

In honor of this man and his music, here’s an important element in the YouTube archive featuring Ellington with the great drummer Louie Bellson who died just a few weeks ago on February 14th.

There are a lot of things I like about local songwriter Clay Prewitt.

He’s a handsome young man with a gorgeous girlfriend and a promising career as a wordsmith for Tombras Advertising and he knows a thing or two about writing a catchy tune too.

What I like most about this local musician though is his calm and determined humility. Like most dedicated players he shrugs off his talent and seems genuinely thankful for any audience to listen to his music.

This past Friday, I enjoyed a night out with a local band that has cultured into a respectable gem on the local music scene and there’s a good chance you’ll have a chance to enjoy their music too this year as they break out with a great cast of players and memorable music.

Despite the dangerous road conditions, the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Blountville, TN was busy Sunday morning along Interstate I-81. Travelers from all over were coming out after a night of black-ice and there was a 20 minute wait – at least.

As I waited to for a table with my family, a tour bus parked out front and within moments, it was easy to tell this was a group headed to Washington, DC for the inauguration of our 44th president Barack Obama.

Dressed in Obama hats, t-shirts, pins, buttons and red white and blue sweaters, this entourage from Memphis, TN was inspiring as the joy, the hope and the meaning of this event consumes my heart this week.

I certainly hope everyone enjoys the very best among family and friends this holiday season.

It would be a bit naive for me to think everyone is having a “Merry Christmas” though. And my heart goes out to all those less fortunate around the world.

It’s not my best Christmas either, but everything will be OK.

There’s much more to the Christmas tradition than the holiday hullabaloo. In between Santa, the gifts and the retelling of the story about a child-Savior, there’s also at he joy cultured among family and friends.

Like many people, my Christmas will be a quiet one. It used to be discouraging to think about being alone at this time of the year, but I’m not the only one.

Perhaps that’s why I’m not lamenting the moment either, because it’s late and I’ve had plenty of visits from the ghosts of Christmas past and they’re hardly scary – in fact, they’ve warmed my soul this dreary night.

It wasn’t long ago my attention turned to Bettie Page. It wasn’t the first time and it probably won’t be the last either because Bettie was a doll and may be one of the most influential pop-icons to be associated with Kingsport, TN (whether that’s true or not).

Bettie died last Thursday, December 11th from pneumonia in a Los Angeles hospital. She was 85 years old.

Born April 12, 1923, Bettie Page was the daughter of Walter Roy Page and Edna Mae Pirtle. She became famous as a fetish pin-up model in the 1950s.

Her dark raven hair, fair skin, bright red lipstick and curvaceous figure was certainly the fantasy of many a young man at the time too and her posters are still drop-dead sexy. Appearing in over 20,000 photos, one reviewer mentioned she was the fore-runner for every “Suicide Girl” since and even the foundation for fetish fashion.

“The last time I saw you, you was on Saturday Night Live.”

It’s not often you greet friends with a comment like that, but not Matt Mahaffey. He has a stellar musical career and the last time I saw him, he was performing a live set with Beck – jamming on spoons and other instruments before a world-wide audience.

Matt was in town this past weekend to perform at Capone’s in Johnson City for an annual benefit that honors his brother Mike who passed away four years ago.

He talked about Borat in the SNL dressing room (in character) and how they played Letterman the next night. He commented, “Dave must have a sweat thing or something because that studio was frigid.” Here’s his performance on You Tube. Matt is at stage left on guitar – he gets to perform with Borat.

Driving along the country roads in East Tennessee earlier this morning, I still hadn’t decided on whom to vote for as President of the United States.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve developed a deep respect for John McCain – a true American hero who has no equal for his sacrifice and service to our great country. At the same time, I’ve watched a movement of hope sweep this nation despite many of my friends who echoed fears of electing Barack Obama.

Watching the returns this evening, I’m glad I decided to vote for Hope. I’m tired of good ole’ boy politics. I’m ready for a change in the perspective of our country and its leadership to the world and I’m ready to throw my support behind a renewed effort of change for generations to come.

Now more than ever, I’m proud to be an American and celebrate the election of of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.

I’m also proud of several local people including Mike Faulk for his victory in the Senate in the 4th District. I’ve had the honor of working with Mike and know his heart and his goals and look forward to the service he will bring to politics in the region.

Despite his loss, I’m impressed by the votes garnered by Democratic challenger Rob Russell for his bid in the House of Representatives. Rob was defeated by Phil Roe, but I’ve never been more impressed with the consuming passion that Russell has shown over the past several months and I’m certain we’ll see more in the future from this artist who want to make a difference.

Regrets to Nathan Vaughn and accolades to Lamar Alexander. I’m proud to be an American and hope the coming months that we all see a new level of service and optimism for our proud heritage.