Newsletter

By Bruce Janu

Current newsletter:


Past Newsletters

Volume 1, Number 2 August 2021

Volume 1, Number 1 July 2021

Popular posts from this blog

New Episode of Bookmarked with a Happy Couple in Dublin!

By
Image
Something special happened making the new episode of Bookmarked.  As always, we change the background in every episode. Since Olivia and Viktoria mention St. Patrick's Day, we recorded 2 minutes of a live stream outside of Temple Bar in Dublin, Ireland.  And we noticed a happy couple. The footage was captured at 9am Central time, which would have been 3 pm in Dublin, After having their picture taken outside of Temple Bar, the moved to the sidewalk to share their happy news with family and friends. Their happiness is palpable. Watch the entire episode below, and see the footage as an extra at the end of the episode. It has all the feels. In the episode, Olivia and Viktoria talk about Natasha Preston, with playful banter about their differing opinions. This may be the best episode of Bookmarked yet. So, if you know anyone who got engaged in Ireland on March 13, tell them that they've been Bookmarked!
Read more

"Race Music" and the Beginning of Rock and Roll

By Bruce Janu
Image
Last month we highlighted Elvis Presley. He may have been the “King of Rock and Roll,” but in no way did he invent the music. In fact, he merely copied the music that had been invented and played in the Black community for years.   Not to diminish the importance of Elvis, though. He would eventually develop his own style. But more importantly, he introduced Rock and Roll to a whole new audience. Billboard , January 1, 1949 Public Domain Like Blues and Jazz before it, Rock and Roll music was developed by Black musicians in Black communities. But it was not known as Rock and Roll, however. It was, at the time, called “rhythm and blues,” or “R & B.” Which, according to Little Richard , stood for “real Black.” To White America, however, it was called “Race Music.” Major record labels refused to record it. White-owned establishments did not put the music in their juke boxes. White performers did not record the music, either. At least, not yet. This was a pattern that had played o...
Read more