Nostalgic Music Month Day 19
John Cougar Mellencamp by Jon Hilton
One of my constant companions, as I grew up and became an “adult” in the 1980’s, was John Cougar Mellencamp. His music was easy for a rural kid from Maine to relate to. The themes of small towns and simple stories seemed to be something that was easily emulated. As I navigated my way through the turbulent waters of high school and then enjoyed the free years of college, this music was there. Along with the songs are a raft of people and experiences that have helped form my view of the world today.
- Small Town– this song spoke to me the first time I heard it, just like it does today. I was definitely born in a small town and my earliest
My small town memories were all formed from that experience. That you treat people the way you want to be treated. You practice kindness every day and help your neighbor out. You do this and ask nothing in return because being in a position to help another is reward enough. When you need help others are there for you. The big lesson is that we are all in this together and each of us contributes to that community in one way or another. Good or bad. I am eternally grateful for the learning I received in my small town of Greenville, Maine. No, I cannot forget where it is that I come from, I cannot forget the people who love me. Yeah, I can be myself here in this small town. And people let me be just what I want to be.
- Lonely Old Night– In life the good memories stand out and shout to you as you grow older and the bad ones tend to fade into the background. This
song brings some of the best ones to mind. Times spent drinking wine and dreaming of a future that could have existed if I wasn’t so scared of it. Sometimes we learn lessons and move forward and use them. Unfortunately sometimes the lessons we learn come too late to change a situation or yourself. All you are left with are positive memories of people that mattered to you so much then. The images can seem as real today as they were then but then you realize that they are as much ancient history as the pyramids in Egypt. But they are your history. Radio playin’ softly
Some singer’s sad sad song. He’s singing about. Standing in the shadows of love. I guess it feels awfully alone. She says I know Exactly what he means…………. - Jack and Diane– A song which came out while I was in high school. I think
there is a generation of people who created a fantasy of being in a relationship like Jack and Diane. All Jacks are looking for their Dianes and vice versa. Each relationship we have from the beginning of our existence until today is meant to teach you something. It may be a lesson about love, life, selfishness or something else but most often they teach you something about yourself. If you are paying attention, then the next relationship should be better. Or more likely the one you are in will be more vital and valuable. This song reminds me to learn those lessons. I am a slow student. Oh, let it rock, let it roll. Let the bible belt come and save my soul. Holdin’ on to sixteen as long as you can. Change is coming ’round real soon. Make us woman and man. Oh yeah, life goes on. - Authority Song– One of the constant experiences that I have had in my life is that I do NOT like anyone telling me what to do. Especially when the narrative states how you should feel about certain things. There is no one path that is more acceptable than another. As long as nobody else is being negatively affected by your behavior, then do what you want to do. Don’t let anyone else tell you what career you are supposed to follow, or what hobbies you want to create from. Creativity is a vital part of knowing yourself and what message you have to share with the world. Be your true
self and let everyone else do the same. So I call up my preacher
I say, “Give me strength for Round 5.” He said , “You don’t need no strength, you need to grow up son.” I said, “Growing up leads to growing old and then to dying”And dying to me don’t sound like all that much fun.” - Check It Out– Another song which speaks about life and the desire to have your true song heard. It actually is urging the world to “Check it Out” and see what the words and thoughts that people posses. It would lead to a better understanding if people listened to those of different political views, rather than carry preconceived judgments of others. Most of which are created and promoted by the mainstream media on both sides. Keep the people fighting and fearing and they are easy to control. Look at yourself and those you are opposed to. What is the real issue? Justice? Patriotism? Healthcare? Terrorism? Check it out, we are the same a lot more than we are different. Most people just want to have a life that is fulfilling. Seems like we should be able to put aside the petty differences and allow this for everyone. So check it out. Where does our time go? Check it out. Got a brand new house in escrow. Check it out. Sleepin’ with your back to your loved one. This is all, we have learned about happiness.
Pink Houses, Hurts So Good, Cherry Bomb, R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A., Rain on the Scarecrow, Crumblin’ Down, Minutes to Memories, Hand to Hold on to, Just Another Day, Jackie Brown, Rumble Seat, Between a Laugh and a Tear, Ain’t Even Done with the Night.
Jack Johnson by Mike Martin
Is it ok to throw trash in the oceans?
I once helped start a nonprofit with a Biddeford, Maine lobster tank manufacture. Touch Tanks for Kids was formed to bring awareness to the damages that human activity brings to the Earth’s biospheres-the program included a strong focus on Ocean education.
Jack Hody Johnson is a singer-songwriter, musician, actor, record producer, documentary filmmaker and a former professional surfer born in the USA. I was once referred to as the “Surfer Dude” when I worked for a furniture repossession and extortion company. ( FYI-I don’t surf and have only tried on a few times. I do have blonde hair though.)
Johnson is active in the ecology and sustainability movement and has an ocean-centric focus. Johnson, with help from, Kim, his wife, created the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation and the Kōkua Hawaii Foundation.
The Johnsons have dedicated a great deal of resources, time and money, promoting “positive and lasting change within communities by supporting organizations that focus on environmental, art, and music education.”
With the help of several sympathetic organization and people, Touch Tanks for Kids shared its message at festivals, conventions and other gathers including two lobster festivals. The San Pedro Lobster Festival in California and The Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland, Maine.
Thank you, Cecil Knight for all your help! And, thank you Jack Johnson for the use of your use of your song, Talk of the Town, used in the video as a way to promote one of Touch Tanks for Kids fundraising systems when The Lobster Claw Invade(d) The Maine Lobster Festival
I know a game using live lobsters may seem a bit morbid, but the lobsters who participated got to live as they were set free to swim another day. And, many great educational organization benefit from the fund raiser 
including the Coastal Children’s Museum 75 Mechanic Street Rockland, Maine
Touch Tanks for Kids Annual Lobster Chair Raffle at the Maine Lobster Festival 2011
Thank you everyone for your participation and think we did a great job motivating people to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
If you’re going to the market to buy some juice
You’ve got to bring your own bags and you learn to reduce your waste
And if your brother or your sister’s got some cool clothes
You could try them on before you buy some more of those
Reuse, we’ve got to learn to reuse
And if the first two R’s don’t work out
And if you’ve got to make some trash
Don’t throw it out
Recycle, we’ve got to learn to recycle,
We’ve got to learn to
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Please, have a great day, and if you have any questions, drop us a line and please partake in #OctoberNostalgicMusicMonth and while you are at it take a trip to Greenville, Maine-I understand the foliage is majestic this time of year! #visitGreenville
#OctoberNostalgicMusicMonth #visitGreenville
