The news from the virus world keeps getting bleaker and bleaker.
I’m afraid to read a story in The Washington Post about how the economy turned terrible seemingly overnight. It used to be that there was a big difference between what happened on Wall Street and Main Street.
Not this time.
Small businesses are crashing everywhere. Most have only about three months of cash reserves left. Many have less than that. Once they are gone they are never coming back. It’s possible someone could build something new on their ashes, but who knows if anyone will be in the position to do that. Not quickly, at least.
In New Orleans, the the Louisiana Music Factory closed. It was unclear in the article that I read if it was temporary or forever. It was more than just a record store. It championed local and regional musicians. Many musicians played their brand new albums from a small stage inside of the store.
We also lost a man who was important to the second line culture. Ronald Lewis passed yesterday. The virus got him. He was 68. Before you ask, yes, I knew him. I’m pretty sure that everybody knew him and that he knew everybody. I am very saddened knowing that he will not be sent home properly. There will be no jazz funeral for him. We can’t congregate. And, six feet?Try six inches.
We have been asked to stay home except for doing essential things, like grocery shopping or picking up medicine. There are also certain professions that are essential. Mine is one of them. I can make pictures of a locked down New Orleans. I have a couple of clients who have reached out. I’ll do what I can. I’ll take no chances.
A friend of mine called today. He reminded me that we can’t think too far into the future. That we should only do what is in front of us. I forgot that. Me? The guy who comes from the tradition of one day at a time. Sometimes, you just need to hear it from somebody you know and trust.
The picture. I said that I would publish bright, happy pictures. It struck me that there is beauty in passing. Without it something new cannot be born. Especially in nature. So, in its own way this picture is beautiful.
Stay Safe. Take care of each other. Enjoy every sandwich.
And how fast the change came. So sorry for the loss. Actually, what can one say? Be safe!
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It’s an algorithm that doubles and triples every day. Thank you and take good care.
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Enjoying your work each day. thank you.
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Thank you too. Stay safe.
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This is such a profound sentence: “It used to be that there was a big difference between what happened on Wall Street and Main Street.” Wow.
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Sometimes, I’m a magpie. Those are my words, but i cobbled them together from things that I’ve read.
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And, I’m so very sorry you lost your friend. Peace to you and yours.
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Thank you. I don’t know when we’ll ever get back on the street again. Can’t send him off with our jazz funeral.
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I have complete faith that the spirit and soul of the city of NOLA will figure out a creative virtual way to do some kind of jazzy send-off if this isolation period lasts a while.
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The govenor locked us down today. There are a lot of things we can do, but we can’t assemble. I’m going to test my management and promotion skills and propose that all of the culture bearers get together and celebrate those who didn’t make it and those who did. I have no idea when this could happen. I fear it’s going to be around 18 months.
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“Oh Lord, I want to be in that number: When the saints go marching in.” I really do.
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If I die before I live, I swear God that’s the biggest sin.
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I am so sorry for your loss, Ray. I did not know the gentleman, of course, but every loss hurts right now.
Louisiana Music Factory. Wow.
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Also, this article in Offbeat sees the owner stating that LMF will re-open. I hope that’s the case. While there may be other shops like this that focus primarily on local musicians, I’ve never seen one. Even when I was in the business back in the day, you were lucky to see a tiny section of an independent record store that said “Local Artists” over it.
http://www.offbeat.com/news/louisiana-music-factory-closes-its-doors/
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That is the same media that wasn’t clear. I’m guessing it’s be re-written for clarity. There used to be three record shops — now only two — that focus on local and regional players. I don’t think the other two actually had places for musicians playing. Only LMF. Every musician that we know is sitting on the shelf right now. With both Live Nation and AEG cancelling all f their tours, there is no work. Musicians have turned to social media to play from their living rooms. There have been some fun shows.
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Thank you. As I’ve written, it hurts just as much to know that we can’t send him off properly.
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Thanks
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Thank you so much.
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And sorry for losting your friends
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