 |
| Photo by Emily Conk |
Monday, December 28, 2015
Good Stuff
Joy of Music
By John Brown, The Man
The joy of music. Pure, unadulterated joy–this is what I recently stumbled across on YouTube.
I was watching the The Piano Guys and thought I saw something new from them. I clicked, but it wasn’t The Piano Guys. It was Simply Three doing a cover version of the popular “Wake Me Up” by Avicii. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSs2cR2Tvuk)
For those unfamiliar with the term, a “cover” or “cover version” is a reworking, updating, or interpretation of an existing song. And this cover simply blew me away. Simply Three is an electrifying trio made up of cellist Zack Clark, bassist Nicholas Villalobos, and violinist Glen McDaniel, although they have switched in other violinists, including Alex Weill and Olivia Lemmelin. But don’t let the instruments fool you–this isn’t some stuffy classical music gig. And it’s not muzak in the elevator. Not even close.
They are doing what Lindsey Stirling and The Piano Guys are doing: taking modern songs in wonderful new directions and, in the process, making these classical instruments cool again.
I went on to watch a number of their other covers, and then I had to purchase the songs because I simply had to be able to listen to their great beats and interpretations on the road.
Here’s their cover of “Wake Me Up.” The joy Zack Clark (the cellist) exhibits sells the whole thing for me. If you like them, you can get each of these on Amazon for less than a buck with these links:
“Wake Me Up” by Simply Three
“Demons” by Simply Three
“Counting Stars” by Simply Three
Buying them not only supports the artists, but it lets them know there’s a demand for it and encourages them to make more. And I hope they make more.
By the way, “Counting Stars” has some interesting lyrics. Ryan Tedder, the songwriter, is a professed Christian. He grew up in a Charismatic household and graduated from Oral Roberts University.
However, you might look at some of the lyrics and think he’s given all that faith up.
"I feel something so right
Doing the wrong thing
I feel something so wrong
Doing the right thing
I could lie, could lie, could lie
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive."
But you need to look at the lyrics in context of the rest of the song and the artist’s statements about the song to see he’s singing about something totally different.
Some poets, and songwriters are poets (song is where poetry lives these days), think being obscure is cool. Tedder follows that more obscure approach in this song, which is unlike the immediate clarity he put into the lyrics of the fantastic “Halo,” performed by Beyonce, or his own OneRepublic’s “Apologize.”
Sometimes the artist writing gnomic lyrics doesn’t want to pin down a message for the listener—they think it’s cool for each person to make up their own message (I prefer clarity). Other times they do have a message, but they want the listener to work for it, and so they try to be subtle. Or sometimes they simply goof and don’t realize their lyrics are being so vague.
I have no idea which path Tedder was trying to take with these lyrics, but I do know that he’s made statements about the song. And these statements give us a guide.
In an interview with 5280, the Denver magazine (Denver is where Tedder lives) we get the first glimpse.
At 15, he began writing his own songs. “I obsessed over music and just loved it,” Tedder says. “But I never considered it as a career. Where I grew up you go to high school, you go to college, you find a wife in college, you get married, you have 2.3 kids, and if that hasn’t all happened by the time you’re 24, some people think there’s something wrong with you—or the assumption is that maybe you’re not into the opposite sex.”
But he couldn’t keep away.
Back in Oklahoma, at Oral Roberts University, the largest charismatic Christian university in the world, Tedder majored in public relations and advertising. At least that’s what his diploma says. Based on the time he put into sneaking into the Timko-Barton Performance Hall’s piano rooms, he probably could have been a double major. He spent hours on the piano and the guitar deconstructing his favorite albums—like Eric Clapton and B.B. King’s Riding with the King—figuring out the chords and then trying to write new songs using those same chords. He was skipping classes—even meals—to write songs.
No one knew. Not friends. Not his roommate. He sang in secret. He was in the school choir, but his friends always thought it was odd that a person who didn’t seem overly musically inclined would be taking a singing class. When he was in one of the piano rooms he would tape a piece of notebook paper over the small window in the door so that no one could see him.
Tedder says there were two reasons he hid his passion. The first was that he believed there were so many bad singers and bad songs in the world that he didn’t want to add to the noise. He wanted to be certain he would be successful before he revealed himself. The second reason was more deep-seated: Being raised in a religious home, Tedder had been taught that there was a purpose for his life, and that because God had ordained that purpose, he should live the life expected of him—one that was pious and humble. “Deciding you want to go into the music business is about the most narcissistic thing in the world,” Tedder says. “I had this constant battle—and to some degree I still do.”
So Tedder felt “wrong” about songwriting. But he eventually began to see it as his gift to share.
In an interview with Billboard magazine, we learn that he wants his OneRepublic to sing about different themes than the norm.
Billboard: Given “Counting Stars”‘ uplifting, faith-based message, it must be gratifying to be connecting with such a meaningful song.
Tedder: I think it’s our responsibility as a band, and what separates us from everyone else. I took that from being a fan of U2 for two decades now, since “Achtung Baby.” To this day, they might be the only band on that level who sings about things other than just boy-girl troubles or the kind of selfish, “I’m a badass” stuff. I’ve spoken with Bono about this when we toured with him, and he said the same thing. I felt a responsibility to actually write and sing about things that have a level of human gravity to them. If everybody else sings about sex and love and lust and money, then somebody’s gotta be singing about life and faith and hope and things of that nature.
So if “Counting Stars” isn’t about sex, lust, and money, what’s it about? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdkVzkIGjp0&feature=youtu.be
In another interview with Radio.com, he indicated that the whole counting stars bit was for anyone who loses sleep wondering how they’re going to be able to afford their rent or provide for their family. When he was first starting out, things were rough.
“A lot of time I just lay in bed awake, stressing out,” Tedder said. “Everybody does it. And I just thought, I can’t wait until I’m counting stars and not counting dollars anymore. Things will be so much better.”
To me, it’s clear that Tedder is singing about his story. And he’s singing for people like him who have a passion, but society says it’s not the practical thing to follow or dedicate your life to. Songwriting is what makes him feel alive. Furthermore, he had flashing signs indicating that if he sought, he would find—in other words, it was the thing God wanted him to do. And he just had to have hope, a four-letter word for those who are practical- and money-minded, and follow that passion.
We can argue the merits of that follow-your-passion message, but I think we’re all happy Tedder followed his.
The joy of music. Pure, unadulterated joy–this is what I recently stumbled across on YouTube.
I was watching the The Piano Guys and thought I saw something new from them. I clicked, but it wasn’t The Piano Guys. It was Simply Three doing a cover version of the popular “Wake Me Up” by Avicii. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSs2cR2Tvuk)
For those unfamiliar with the term, a “cover” or “cover version” is a reworking, updating, or interpretation of an existing song. And this cover simply blew me away. Simply Three is an electrifying trio made up of cellist Zack Clark, bassist Nicholas Villalobos, and violinist Glen McDaniel, although they have switched in other violinists, including Alex Weill and Olivia Lemmelin. But don’t let the instruments fool you–this isn’t some stuffy classical music gig. And it’s not muzak in the elevator. Not even close.They are doing what Lindsey Stirling and The Piano Guys are doing: taking modern songs in wonderful new directions and, in the process, making these classical instruments cool again.
I went on to watch a number of their other covers, and then I had to purchase the songs because I simply had to be able to listen to their great beats and interpretations on the road.
Here’s their cover of “Wake Me Up.” The joy Zack Clark (the cellist) exhibits sells the whole thing for me. If you like them, you can get each of these on Amazon for less than a buck with these links:
“Wake Me Up” by Simply Three
“Demons” by Simply Three
“Counting Stars” by Simply Three
Buying them not only supports the artists, but it lets them know there’s a demand for it and encourages them to make more. And I hope they make more.
By the way, “Counting Stars” has some interesting lyrics. Ryan Tedder, the songwriter, is a professed Christian. He grew up in a Charismatic household and graduated from Oral Roberts University.
However, you might look at some of the lyrics and think he’s given all that faith up.
"I feel something so right
Doing the wrong thing
I feel something so wrong
Doing the right thing
I could lie, could lie, could lie
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive."
But you need to look at the lyrics in context of the rest of the song and the artist’s statements about the song to see he’s singing about something totally different.
Some poets, and songwriters are poets (song is where poetry lives these days), think being obscure is cool. Tedder follows that more obscure approach in this song, which is unlike the immediate clarity he put into the lyrics of the fantastic “Halo,” performed by Beyonce, or his own OneRepublic’s “Apologize.”
Sometimes the artist writing gnomic lyrics doesn’t want to pin down a message for the listener—they think it’s cool for each person to make up their own message (I prefer clarity). Other times they do have a message, but they want the listener to work for it, and so they try to be subtle. Or sometimes they simply goof and don’t realize their lyrics are being so vague.
I have no idea which path Tedder was trying to take with these lyrics, but I do know that he’s made statements about the song. And these statements give us a guide.
In an interview with 5280, the Denver magazine (Denver is where Tedder lives) we get the first glimpse.
At 15, he began writing his own songs. “I obsessed over music and just loved it,” Tedder says. “But I never considered it as a career. Where I grew up you go to high school, you go to college, you find a wife in college, you get married, you have 2.3 kids, and if that hasn’t all happened by the time you’re 24, some people think there’s something wrong with you—or the assumption is that maybe you’re not into the opposite sex.”
But he couldn’t keep away.
Back in Oklahoma, at Oral Roberts University, the largest charismatic Christian university in the world, Tedder majored in public relations and advertising. At least that’s what his diploma says. Based on the time he put into sneaking into the Timko-Barton Performance Hall’s piano rooms, he probably could have been a double major. He spent hours on the piano and the guitar deconstructing his favorite albums—like Eric Clapton and B.B. King’s Riding with the King—figuring out the chords and then trying to write new songs using those same chords. He was skipping classes—even meals—to write songs.
No one knew. Not friends. Not his roommate. He sang in secret. He was in the school choir, but his friends always thought it was odd that a person who didn’t seem overly musically inclined would be taking a singing class. When he was in one of the piano rooms he would tape a piece of notebook paper over the small window in the door so that no one could see him.
Tedder says there were two reasons he hid his passion. The first was that he believed there were so many bad singers and bad songs in the world that he didn’t want to add to the noise. He wanted to be certain he would be successful before he revealed himself. The second reason was more deep-seated: Being raised in a religious home, Tedder had been taught that there was a purpose for his life, and that because God had ordained that purpose, he should live the life expected of him—one that was pious and humble. “Deciding you want to go into the music business is about the most narcissistic thing in the world,” Tedder says. “I had this constant battle—and to some degree I still do.”
So Tedder felt “wrong” about songwriting. But he eventually began to see it as his gift to share.
In an interview with Billboard magazine, we learn that he wants his OneRepublic to sing about different themes than the norm.
Billboard: Given “Counting Stars”‘ uplifting, faith-based message, it must be gratifying to be connecting with such a meaningful song.
Tedder: I think it’s our responsibility as a band, and what separates us from everyone else. I took that from being a fan of U2 for two decades now, since “Achtung Baby.” To this day, they might be the only band on that level who sings about things other than just boy-girl troubles or the kind of selfish, “I’m a badass” stuff. I’ve spoken with Bono about this when we toured with him, and he said the same thing. I felt a responsibility to actually write and sing about things that have a level of human gravity to them. If everybody else sings about sex and love and lust and money, then somebody’s gotta be singing about life and faith and hope and things of that nature.
So if “Counting Stars” isn’t about sex, lust, and money, what’s it about? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdkVzkIGjp0&feature=youtu.be
In another interview with Radio.com, he indicated that the whole counting stars bit was for anyone who loses sleep wondering how they’re going to be able to afford their rent or provide for their family. When he was first starting out, things were rough.
“A lot of time I just lay in bed awake, stressing out,” Tedder said. “Everybody does it. And I just thought, I can’t wait until I’m counting stars and not counting dollars anymore. Things will be so much better.”
To me, it’s clear that Tedder is singing about his story. And he’s singing for people like him who have a passion, but society says it’s not the practical thing to follow or dedicate your life to. Songwriting is what makes him feel alive. Furthermore, he had flashing signs indicating that if he sought, he would find—in other words, it was the thing God wanted him to do. And he just had to have hope, a four-letter word for those who are practical- and money-minded, and follow that passion.
We can argue the merits of that follow-your-passion message, but I think we’re all happy Tedder followed his.
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Rich School Board Meeting And Upcoming Candidate Filing Dates
Chris Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times
The Rich County School Board held its regular December
meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, at the district office in Randolph. All 6 board members were present.
Terryl Warner, State
Board of Education member representing this region, was present. She reported that the new statewide standards
in science education were initially a divisive issue, but after consultation
with interested parties, including science teachers, the new standards were eventually
adopted. She also noted that it has been
recommended that a 4.5% increase in the WPU be made and that there are 100
million new dollars available, almost all to be used in technology. She noted that Rich County is already in
very good shape on the technology front so that the new money will likely not
have much effect in the district.
Warner also noted that financial literacy teachers have
been told in many cases that they need 12 additional university credits to be
certified in the subject, but that this notification will receive a second look
as it is not clear whether the existing teachers actually need the extra
instruction. Many of the teachers have
been teaching the material for more than 10 years.
Finally, Warner noted that a new national law, the
“Every Student Succeeds Act”, (ESSA) has
been passed by Congress and signed into law.
This act replaces the “No Child Left Behind” act. Specifics on the parameters of the new act
are just becoming available, but are known to contain new rules and guidelines
on testing and evaluation of schools and likely an increase in state’s voice in
both of these areas.
In a change from previous years, the filing dates for all
candidates for local school board membership are set this term to be from
January 4, 2016, to March 17, 2016.
Three of the districts will have elections, District 1, 2, and 5. District 1 is centered near Woodruff,
District 2 near Randolph, and District 5 is Garden City north, where Andy
Stokes is serving as an appointed interim board member. Filing for the positions can be accomplished
in the county office. The board
currently has 6 members but that will return to the law mandated 5 members
after the election in 2018. Currently
Eric Wamsley and Monte Weston are both from the same district (3) but the law
indicates that those 4 year terms may be
completed by the elected members.
Budget Hearing And Employee Hearing
Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times
RANDOLPH, Utah. December 16, 2015. A public hearing concerning the budget for the 2016 year was
held. Copies of the revenue and expenses
were available for those in attendance.
Anyone having any questions concerning the budget was given an
opportunity to express his or her concerns
There was a slight increase in health insurance with
everything else remaining the same. The
cost of living of 4 percent will be passed on to the workers. There is also the possibility of a market
adjustment to salaries during the next year.
The tax rates for 2015 were read, and it was determined to accept those
same rates for the coming year.
The County will be paying one hundred percent of the
retirement rates. The County sanitation
will be reauthorized for 2016 at the same rate as 2015. Rich
County
The public hearing was closed.
A SECOND PUBLIC
HEARING was called to order for those individuals working for the
County. There were six employees who
attended the meeting. The County is
going to join a non-contributory system.
That means the County will pay one hundred percent of the retirement
costs. All county employees will be placed into this system. Employees will have up to six months to
determine if they want to stay in the non-contributing system or go back to a
contributing system. If an individual
decides they don’t want to participate in the new system, they can request that
their name be removed.
There appears to be some advantages of moving to the
non-contributory system. It will cost a
bit less for the County. An average of
the last three years’ salary for a worker will be used to determine their
retirement. This may work to the
advantage of the worker instead of the current last five year average that is
currently used. Also, retirement can be
taken in 20 years, 25 years, and 30 years.
Currently the time allowed is 20 or 30 years. The 25 year time period may help some
employees who can work longer than 20, but not be able to work for the full 30
years.
The public hearing was closed.
Rich County Commission Meeting
Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times
RANDOLPH, Utah. December 16, 2015. Ocie Frazier requested a business license to work as a
mechanic out of his shop on his ranch.
The name of the business will be Ocie Diesel Repair. Because he will be working with certain types
of machinery and fuels, it was noted that he would need to get an inspection
from the Woodruff Fire Chief. Parking
will not be a problem. He was told to
pay $25 for a license, and make sure to follow-up with the inspection to know
how many fire extinguishers he would need, and where they should be placed.
Robert Johnson from the Bear River Mental Health
Organization came and presented the independent audit that has been completed
to the Commissioners. He noted that it
was a clean opinion and then went on to explain where and why variations
occurred between last year and the current year. He went over several of the financial
statements.
A motion was made and accepted by the Commissioners to
approve of the audit as presented.
Blain Hamp from the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands
A motion was made to accept the budget between the County
and the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands
Lauriann Wakefield requested a business license to carry
out a photography business. The name of
her business will be Little Starling Photography. She noted that most of her work was done
taking pictures of the birds, animals, and lake scenes. It would be based out of her home, but there
would be no parking problems or issues.
Approval was given. She was asked
to take her application into the Clerk’s office and pay the $25 fee for the
license.
A memorandum of understanding has been written involving the
State, the Bear Lake State Parks
A new wider cattle guard was put on a county road over by Crawford Mountain
November Rich County Sheriff's Report
Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times
|
TOTAL INCIDENTS BY NATUARE OF INCIDENTS
|
|
|
Nature of Incident
|
Total Incidents
|
|
Agency Assistance
|
2
|
|
Alarm
|
6
|
|
Animal Problem
|
11
|
|
Attempt to Locate
|
2
|
|
Booking Prisoner
|
3
|
|
Citizen Assist
|
10
|
|
Citizen Dispute
|
3
|
|
Civil Process
|
3
|
|
Criminal History
|
5
|
|
Dead Body
|
1
|
|
DUI Alcohol or Drugs
|
1
|
|
Finger Prints
|
1
|
|
Fire
|
6
|
|
Fraud
|
2
|
|
Harassment
|
1
|
|
Lockout
|
1
|
|
Medical Emergency
|
2
|
|
Traffic Accident with Damage
|
12
|
|
Rape
|
1
|
|
Suspicious Person, Circumstance
|
4
|
|
Theft
|
2
|
|
Traffic Hazard
|
4
|
|
Traffic Violation
|
1
|
|
Transportation of Person/Property
|
3
|
|
VIN Serial Number Inspection
|
2
|
|
Welfare Check
|
2
|
|
TOTAL
|
91
|
|
TOTAL INCIDENTS BY LOCATION
|
|
|
Location
|
Total Incidents
|
|
Garden City
|
38
|
|
Laketown
|
11
|
|
|
33
|
|
Woodruff
|
9
|
|
TOTAL
|
91
|
|
NATURE OF INCIDENTS IN GARDEN CITY
|
|
|
Nature of Incident
|
Total Incidents
|
|
Agency Assistance
|
2
|
|
Alarm
|
6
|
|
Animal Problem
|
3
|
|
Booking Prisoner
|
1
|
|
Citizen Assist
|
5
|
|
Citizen Dispute
|
2
|
|
Civil Process
|
1
|
|
Fire
|
3
|
|
Fraud
|
1
|
|
Harassment
|
1
|
|
Medical Emergency
|
1
|
|
Traffic Accident with Damage
|
6
|
|
Suspicious Person, Circumstance
|
1
|
|
Theft
|
2
|
|
Traffic Hazard
|
1
|
|
Traffic Violation
|
1
|
|
Welfare Check
|
1
|
|
TOTAL
|
38
|
|
NATURE OF INCIDENTS IN LAKETOWN
|
|
|
Nature of Incident
|
Total Incidents
|
|
Animal Problem
|
2
|
|
Attempt to Locate
|
1
|
|
Citizen Dispute
|
1
|
|
Dead Body
|
1
|
|
Fire
|
1
|
|
Traffic Accident with Damage
|
2
|
|
Traffic Hazard
|
3
|
|
TOTAL
|
11
|
|
NATURE OF INCIDENTS IN
|
|
|
Nature if Incident
|
Total Incidents
|
|
Animal Problem
|
3
|
|
Booking Prisoner
|
2
|
|
Citizen Assist
|
5
|
|
Civil Process
|
2
|
|
Criminal History
|
5
|
|
DUI Alcohol or Drugs
|
1
|
|
Finger Prints
|
1
|
|
Fire
|
2
|
|
Fraud
|
1
|
|
Lockout
|
1
|
|
Medical Emergency
|
1
|
|
Traffic Accident with Damage
|
2
|
|
Rape
|
1
|
|
Suspicious Person, Circumstance
|
2
|
|
Transportation of Person/Property
|
3
|
|
Welfare Check
|
1
|
|
TOTAL
|
33
|
|
NATURE OF INCIDENTS IN WOODRUFF
|
|
|
Nature of Incident
|
Total Incidents
|
|
Animal Problem
|
3
|
|
Attempt to Locate
|
1
|
|
Traffic Accident with Damage
|
2
|
|
Suspicious Person, Circumstance
|
1
|
|
VIN Serial Number Inspection
|
2
|
|
TOTAL
|
9
|
|
TOTAL TRAFFIC CITATION REPORT BY LOCATION
|
||
|
Location
|
Citations
|
Violations
|
|
Garden City
|
5
|
5
|
|
Laketown
|
2
|
2
|
|
|
4
|
4
|
|
TOTAL
|
11
|
11
|
|
TOTAL TRAFFIC CITATION REPORT BY
VIOLATION
|
|
|
Description
|
Total
|
|
No Proof of Insurance
|
1
|
|
Leaving Scene of PD Accident
|
1
|
|
Speeding
|
9
|
|
TOTAL
|
11
|
|
TOTAL TRAFFIC WARNING REPORT BY AREA
|
||
|
Area
|
Warnings
|
Violations
|
|
Garden City
|
2
|
2
|
|
TOTAL
|
2
|
2
|
|
TOTAL TRAFFIC WARNING REPORT BY VIOLATION
|
|
|
Description
|
Total
|
|
Speeding
|
2
|
|
TOTAL
|
2
|
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