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On Today's Patron Trivia Tournament:We are excited for Game 3 of Round 1 of the Patron Tournament! We have the amazing Charla and Robert as the Texas Florida Line vs the fantastic Nolan and Jeff as Garden State Cheesery. They will be challenged with tricky questions like:Which U.S. state capital was named after an English explorer who was imprisoned in the Tower of London three times?Greek goddess Hera had the hundred eyes of her dead servant Argus preserved forever in a notable feature of which animal?Which 1947 film, with sequences filmed live during the 1946 Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, was initially released with the title The Big Heart in the UK?Manfred Mann's 1977 hit Blinded by the Light was originally written and recorded by whom, a real boss move at the time?Shockingly not a spokesperson for Denny's, in 1999 Fernando Tatis Sr. became the only player in MLB history to do what twice during a single inning?If you liked this episode, check out our last trivia episode!MusicHot Swing, Fast Talkin, Bass Walker, Dances and Dames by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Don't forget to follow us on social media for more trivia:Patreon - patreon.com/quizbang - Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Check out our fun extras for patrons and help us keep this podcast going. We appreciate any level of support!Website - quizbangpod.com Check out our website, it will have all the links for social media that you need and while you're there, why not go to the contact us page and submit a question!Facebook - @quizbangpodcast - we post episode links and silly lego pictures to go with our trivia questions.Enjoy the silly picture and give your best guess, we will respond to your answer the next day to give everyone a chance to guess.Instagram - Quiz Quiz Bang Bang (quizquizbangbang), we post silly lego pictures to go with our trivia questions. Enjoy the silly picture and give your best guess, we will respond to your answer the next day to give everyone a chance to guess.Twitter - @quizbangpod We want to start a fun community for our fellow trivia lovers. If you hear/think of a fun or challenging trivia question, post it to our twitter feed and we will repost it so everyone can take a stab it.Come for the trivia - stay for the trivia.Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/quizbangpod - Keep that sweet caffeine running through our body with a Ko-Fi, power us through a late night of fact checking and editing!
Join Content Manager Carole Peck for an exclusive and engaging webinar where we'll explore the most luxurious holiday experiences and events in New York City! From magical multiday holiday getaways to once-in-a-lifetime events - we have extraordinary experiences that will make your clients' NYC holiday dreams a reality. Whether they're looking for a front-row seat to the Thanksgiving Parade, a dazzling Christmas adventure, or an unforgettable New Year's Eve celebration, we've got it all—curated to their passions, seamless and stress-free. What To Expect:Magical Multiday Holiday Experiences NYC Christmas Magic 6-Day Holiday ExperienceNew York City Thanksgiving 5-Day Private ExperienceEnchanting Enhancement Experiences Holiday Trifecta NYC ExperienceManhattan Holiday Lights Private TourWinter Wonderland NYC Holiday ExperienceCrazy Christmas Lights of Brooklyn Private TourHome Alone 2: Christmas in New York Private TourFestive Delights: Cocoa, Caroling Cruise & Holiday MarketsVIP Holiday Train Show® Experience at the New York Botanical GardensNYC Christmas Holiday Lights Horse and Carriage Ride in Central Park and Fifth AvenueOver-The-Top Once-In-A-Lifetime Holiday Events Unique Tours and Experiences To Complement Any ItineraryOnce-In-A-Lifetime Holiday Events 2025 New Year's Eve ExperiencesThanksgiving Day Parade Viewing PartyVIP Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting PartyAnd More!Offer your luxury clients the most magical holiday experiences NYC has to offer. We can't wait to share these extraordinary opportunities with you!
It is a privilege to welcome actor Matt DeAngelis as a guest for a special edition of The Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Matt grew up on showtunes and Boston sports. Matt studied theatre at the University of Southern Maine and The Boston Conservatory before heading down Route 95 to NYC in 2004. In June 2009, Matt got the call to make his Broadway debut in the Tony-winning production of HAIR with Tony Award winner Diane Paulus at the helm. Matt continued with that production “Across the Atlantic Sea” to The West End in the role of “Woof” and then launched the first national US Tour of HAIR and was seen back on Broadway in the “Summer of Love” revival of HAIR.Following his time with the hippies, Matt launched the 1st National tour of Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT as the “Representative from Jingletown”. Matt's cross-country adventures continued in 2014 with the first national tour of ONCE, where he played “Svec” and five instruments. Over the last five years, Matt has been a veteran of almost 2,000 performances. Thankfully, Matt returned home to Broadway (again with Diane Paulus) in the hit musical WAITRESS, where he starred opposite Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller, two-time Grammy winner Jason Mraz, and seven-time Grammy nominee, and the show's composer, Sara Bareilles. He then toured the country with the WAITRESS National Tour as Earl opposite his real life wife, Christine Dwyer, as Jenna. Upon returning from the road Matt was a part of developing the World Premiere of The Secret Life of Bees at The Atlantic Theatre Company, directed by TONY winner Sam Gold. He also appeared in Orpheus Descending at Theatre for a New Audience.Matt DeAngelis made many performance appearances on television with these multiple shows, including Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Matt is also seen on Person of Interest, Madam Secretary, Marvel's Daredevil, EVIL, For Life, Chicago PD, FBI, and Waitress starring Sara Bareilles. Matt lives with his beautiful wife, fellow performer (and Bostonian) Christine Dwyer, and their Boston Terrier “Chowdah". Matt and Christine also co-own THE WORKING STUDIO, a music theatre and acting studio dedicated to unlocking people's potential and embracing individuality in the audition process. They have also launched a successful master class series, UPGRADE YOUR AUDITION, with other top industry professionals to demystify the auditioning and booking process. Matt DeAngelis also started the Saloon Sessions. The once-a-month jam session features Matt and his cast members from Swept Away as they perform a combination of Broadway, folk music, and pop tunes. DeAngelis has brought together an impressive group of performers in honor of his mother and the countless others affected by the disease. The series serves as a celebration of his mother, Janice, who passed away in 2022 from metastatic breast cancer. Janice's love of theater and music and raises money for the millions of people affected by breast and other types of cancer. The show also welcomes special guests. For their upcoming March 16 show, Tony-nominated actor Tony Yazbeck (On The Town), Emma Pittman (The Outsiders and Back to the Future), and Stephanie Torns (Waitress and Wicked) will join the festivities at Hurley's Saloon in New York City. Proceeds from the show will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. On this special episode of The Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Matt DeAngelis spoke about performing in Hair, Swept Away, and Waitress. He also discussed starting the Saloon Sessions and how some of Broadway's biggest stars rally around the residency.Let's connect on social media: A) BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jacobelyachar.bsky.socialB) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JacobElyachar/C) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobelyachar/D) Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jacobelyacharE) Twitter (X): https://x.com/JacobElyacharF) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JacobElyacharBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.
Lulls come from the past, with Motown, Matilda, Pippin, Amy, Ariana, and so much more. Start a 7 day FREE trial of Sleep With Me Plus- The ultimate way to listen to show, based on how YOU listen! Get your Sleep With Me SleepPhones. Use "sleepwithme" for $5 off!!Learn more about producer Russell aka Rusty Biscuit at russellsperberg.com and @BabyTeethLA on IG.Show Artwork by Emily TatSupport our AAPI communityBlack Lives Matter. Here is a list of anti-racism resources.Support the people in Ukraine.Going through a hard time? You can find support at the Crisis Textline and see more global helplines here.HELIX SLEEP - Take the 2-minute sleep quiz and they'll match you to a customized mattress that'll give you the best sleep of your life. Visit helixsleep.com/sleep for up to 20% off and 2 free pillows!ZOCDOC - With Zocdoc, you can search for local doctors who take your insurance, read verified patient reviews and book an appointment, in-person or video chat. Download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE at zocdoc.com/sleep PROGRESSIVE - With the Name Your Price tool, you tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance, and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today at progressive.comANKER SOUNDCORE - Anker's Soundcore A20Earbuds monitor your sleep status and deliver visual reports to help you understand your sleep patterns and optimize rest. And they block noise for a quieter sleep! Go to Soundcore.com and use code "SLEEP" (all caps) for $30 off.ACORNS - Acorns makes it easy to start automatically saving and investing so your money has a chance to grow for you, your kids, and your retirement. Acorns will recommend a diversified portfolio that fits you and your money goals, and you can get started with even just your spare change! Head to acorns.com/sleep to learn more. (Paid non-client endorsement. Compensation provides incentive to positively promote Acorns. Tier 1 compensation provided.Investing involves risk. Acorns Advisers, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. View important disclosures at acorns.com/sleep) Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Hoopfest 2024 Recap, Women's NCAA talk (South Carolina, USC, TCU, and Notre Dame), 100 to 0 high school basketball game between Gary Lighthouse and South Bend Washington, WNBA Talk (Dallas Wings draft pick, Ellie and the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, Seattle Storm drama (Jewel Lloyd, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Nneka Ogwumike), and more!!! Video Available on Youtube: @thewomensbasketballloungepod Join the Conversation: IG: @thewomensbasketballlounge_pod TikTok: thewomensbasketballlounge Email:thewomensbasketballlounge@gmail.com This is an Ingenuity Entertainment Group Podcast. Music by King Sis
Detroit's Thanksgiving parade earns a top honor. WWJ's Tracey McCaskill has more on that story, and other top headlines from across the Metro Detroit region for your Friday midday. (Photo: © David Rodriguez Munoz / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Do you watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Will we ever stop talking about the Wicked movie? NEVER! Lindsey's amazing sisters join her on the FTM this week to discus the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade performances from The Outsiders, Death Becomes Her, Hells Kitchen & Idina Menzel with Redwoods. In Broadway news we are chatting about Hells Kitchen going on a national tour, Boy George rejoining Moulin Rouge, and Oh, Mary! recouping investments! Enter the giveaway with Broadway Stacks on Instagram @fromthemezzanine_podcastPatreon: Click HERE to become a Broadway Bestie TikTok: @FromTheMezzanine_PodcastInstagram: @FromTheMezzanine_PodcastYoutube: @FromtheMezzanineBroadwayBroadway Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5t55fULcCqN0NMmK4OnfOA?si=89c08b1a8bb34d95
Broadway By Ghostlight's Marc Bonanni joins Rachel Wagner and Jacklyn Collier to break down all of the songs, dances, and everything Broadway-related that they saw in this year's Thanksgiving parade in New York City.Find out more about Broadway history from Marc Bonanni on his YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/@broadwaybyghostlight and stay up on all of the latest theatre and Broadway news on onstageblog.com.onstageblog.comfacebook.com/onstageblogtwitter.com/onstagebloginstagram.com/onstagebloghttps://www.youtube.com/@onstageblog8213
An assisted dying bill passes its second reading in the UK House of Commons, Venezuela criminalizes support for sanctions, Israel and Hezbollah accuse each other of cease-fire violations, Georgia protesters clash with police after the government suspends EU membership talks, The IAEA says Iran plans to expand its nuclear program, Canada announces plans to boost border security amid Trump's proposed tariffs, An Australian daycare pedophile is sentenced to life in prison, The UK's transport secretary resigns over a 2014 fraud discharge, Pro-Palestinian protesters are arrested at Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, and Notre-Dame Cathedral is set to reopen in Paris five years after being damaged in a fire. Sources: https://www.verity.news/
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has found itself at the center of a storm after issuing a trigger warning for Wicked. For Robin Thicke, the holidays aren't all twinkling lights and festive cheer—there's also the tricky business of the Santa Claus conversation. Al Roker became the unexpected star of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcast for his comically small chair next to co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb. Don't forget to vote in today's poll on Twitter at @naughtynicerob or in our Facebook group. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Happy Jacuzzi Friday! We're serving up another wild ride today... Ricki and Joel are clearly meant to live in South Korea. We found out about a man who binge-ate to avoid military service, and let's just say, the dedication was truly... inspirational.
Shot of the Day, Profile This, TV Time with Ted and Headlines!
In the latest episode of the "Capitalist Investor" podcast, Tony, joined by guest host Dave, dives into a myriad of engaging topics, ranging from Thanksgiving traditions to market predictions and the intriguing impacts of tariffs. We've distilled the key points into five hot topics that captured our attention.1. Thanksgiving Traditions: The Deep-Fried Turkey DebateThe episode kicks off with a light-hearted discussion about Thanksgiving culinary traditions, specifically the art of deep-frying turkeys. Tony and Dave debate the merits of brining versus injecting the turkey, with Dave advocating for a thorough brine. Dave also offers some practical tips for safely deep-frying a turkey, such as cutting the burner flame before placing the bird in the oil to avoid any mishaps. As Thanksgiving approaches, this segment is both timely and practical for listeners planning their holiday feasts.2. Inflationary Pressures Evident in Macy's Thanksgiving ParadeAnother holiday staple, the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, comes into focus as Tony and Dave dissect the financial aspects behind the glittering spectacle. Macy's has significantly increased its asking price for NBC to broadcast the parade, from $20 million to a staggering $60 million. This move highlights broader inflationary trends, as NBC's need to increase commercial costs to maintain margins showcases the ripple effect of rising expenses. The hosts draw comparisons with Super Bowl ad costs, providing deeper insight into how such decisions reflect inflation within media and advertising sectors.3. Market Meltdown or Skyrocket? Year-End PredictionsTony and Dave shift gears to discuss the state of the financial markets. Despite a tumultuous year, they note the market's upward trend and speculate on future performance. Of particular interest is an analyst's bold prediction that the S&P 500 could reach 7,000 by year-end—an ambitious target that would require the market to surge by approximately 12% in just one month. The hosts discuss consumer spending trends, noting a predicted 3-8% increase in holiday spending, which could be a key driver for the bullish outlook. However, the mixed results from major retailers like Walmart and Target suggest a nuanced consumer landscape.4. Trump's Tariff Threats: A Double-Edged SwordTariffs appear as both a potential headwind and tailwind for the economy. With former President Trump suggesting a broad implementation of tariffs on imports, businesses are scrambling to stockpile goods before tariffs drive up prices. Dave posits that these tariffs could be more of a strategic chess move rather than a definite happening, given the nuanced implications for inflation and domestic job creation. This preemptive purchasing is currently acting as a tailwind, but the long-term effects remain uncertain.5. The Hunt for the Next Revolutionary ProductLastly, the podcast touches on the potential of artificial intelligence to drive future consumer trends. Dave highlights an article suggesting that while AI integration is on the horizon, a must-have consumer product similar to the iPhone or iPad has yet to surface. This sets the stage for a significant market opportunity when technology finally converges into a groundbreaking consumer product, possibly in 2025 or later. The hosts muse over what this revolutionary item might be and how it could echo the impactful innovations of Steve Jobs' era at Apple.As the year comes to a close, the "Capitalist Investor" podcast provides a dynamic blend of holiday cheer, market analysis, and forward-looking insights.
Tonight on The Nostalgic Podblast: Nostalgic Thanksgiving Parade, Movies, TV shows, eats & CALAMITIES! Plus: we lost some celebrities. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU! Here is the LIVE video of this broadcast on YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQx_mcLcIR0&t=7s #thanksgiving #thanksgivingday #youtubelive #youtube #thenostalgicpodblast #thanksgivingmovie #thanksgivingtvshows #charliebrown #parade #nostalgia #fun #educational #history #16mmfilm #rarefootage
Your holiday forecast, a local teen's "chicken-giving," leftovers warning, microwaving advice, Avon ban in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, Thanksgiving 5k races and more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Thanksgiving Day 2024 has Metro Detroiters celebrating with a parade and Lions game. WWJ's Pat Vitale has your Thursday morning news including more on Thanksgiving gatherings and shopping. (Photo: © Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press via Imagn Images)
Organized by the department store R.H. Macy & Co., the inaugural event was called the “Macy's Christmas Parade” and was intended to be a way for Macy's to attract customers and kick off the holiday shopping ...
Anderson Cooper, AGT Winner, The View, CNN, Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, Fox, The Talk.Happy Thanksgiving!!!I Talk with Landau about his Succesful His Career & What He is Grateful For! His is a true rags to riches story; car wash rags. When Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. showed up to audition for America's Got Talent, he was singing to pass the time while grinding out a living washing cars. The only “nice” clothes he owned were the ones on his back: a pair of jeans, a modest button down striped shirt, and jacket. Fortunately, you don't need a large wardrobe to win America's heart.He's performed all over the world, from China to New York City, Los Angeles to Europe where he had the honor to perform for U.S. servicemen and their families stationed there. He's sung the national anthem prior to games by the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, New York Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Oklahoma City Thunder, Washington Nationals, and his beloved West Virginia University Mountaineers during a nationally televised homecoming game.You need talent, and Landau has truckloads of that. Since wowing the judges with his interpretations of classics by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and walking away with the million dollar grand prize in front of 14 million weekly viewers on AGT, Landau has released his Columbia Records debut “That's Life” (the CD hit #1 on the Billboard Jazz chart and was produced by Grammy winner Steve Tyrell, who also helmed Rod Stewart's Great American Songbook album). Landau has performed all over the country, from the California State Fair to New York's famous Apollo Theatre, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to the Marina Civic Center in Florida and all points in between. Along the way, he has appeared on The Today Show, The View, CNN, Fox and Friends, The Wendy Williams Show, The Talk, Anderson Cooper, Tom Joyner, Sirius XM, NPR, and dozens of other outlets. Landau was named “West Virginian of the Year” by his home state where he has performed a series of sold out concerts helping raise over a half million dollars for state charities. He's played a special command performance at the Governors Inauguration, won Reality TV Personality of the Year in Hollywood, and was honored to perform with his band for U.S. Troops in Germany. He is currently on tour with Glenn Leonard,formally of The Temptations; Joe Blunt,formally of The Drifters and Joe Coleman, formally of The Platters. But all that success hasn't made Landau forget his roots. He was born in the Mountain State of West Virginia and continues to live there rather than move to entertainment industry hubs like Los Angeles or New York. “West Virginia will always be my home,” says Landau, “and home and family are the most important thing in the world to me. I can always fly out to LA or New York for work, but being here helps keep me humble and grounded. I'm just very fortunate to be living my dream.”Recently, Landau and award winning co-author Rick Robinson have written America's Got Talent Winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.: From Washing Cars to Hollywood Star, a book chronicling Landau's All-American success story. He's also completed an album full of holiday favorites, Christmas Made For Two. His touring schedule stays booked with shows all over the country including numerous CD and book signing appearances. He and the incredibly talented “Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. Big Band” are currently beginning his Classic Christmas Crooners Tour with a full slate of concerts at home and abroad. All Rights Reserved© 2024 Building Abundant Success!! 2024 All Rights ReservedJoin Me on ~ iHeart Media @ https://tinyurl.com/iHeartBASSpot Me on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yxuy23baAmazon Music ~ https://tinyurl.com/AmzBAS
In dieser Folge greifen Miriam und Léa in eine prall gefüllte Themen-Kiste. Die beiden erzählen uns von einer vierjährigen Kreuzfahrt, mit der man Trumps Präsidentschaft entfliehen kann und toppen das Ganze mit persönlichen Bootstour-Erfahrungen. Außerdem diskutieren sie das von Trump neu gegründete Department of Government Efficiency, welches die US-amerikanische Effizient steigern und die Regierung aufräumen soll. Passend zur Vorweihnachtszeit haben die beiden einige Fun Facts zur Macy's Thanksgiving Parade parat: von der aller ersten Parade 1924, über die sehr teuren Floats bis hin zur Geschichte, warum Piloten von einer Gewinnaktion ausgeschlossen wurden. Und zum Schluss überrascht Miriam Léa mit dem Plan der NASA, eine Standardzeit auf dem Mond festzulegen.
Burnie and Ashley discuss inorganic memes, Wicked's box office hopes, Gladiator II, giant comets, manufacturing apocalypses, Macy's accounting woes, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Support our podcast at: https://www.patreon.com/morningsomewhere For the link dump visit: http://www.morningsomewhere.com
Happy Thanksgiving! We're thankful for you, our Delicious City fam. Today we're recapping the list of nominees (so far!) for The Tasties, which are happening on February 2nd at Live! Casino and Hotel in Philadelphia. Plus, a friend of the show stops by with some fragrant, creamy treats. (00:00) Marisa asks: Is Rittenhouse now the Mecca of caviar? (06:12) The Tasties! We run down the categories that have been announced so far by our Philly friends on Instagram (follow @deliciouscitypodcast to keep up with the rollout), plus why each of these nominees is deserving of a Golden Pig. Even more will be announced next week... (33:03) In It To Win It: Win 2 tickets to Cantina La Martina's third annual 7 Moles dinner featuring mole interpretations from 7 amazing local chefs. Get the secret word and DM it to us on Instagram! (38:09) Best Bites: Eli's quest for the best peking duck, Marisa's Little Owl experience that made Dave jealous, and Dave tries a new spot in Fishtown that he's already planning to return to (49:01) Yoav Perry from Perrystead Dairy stops by to talk about cheese for the holidays, and brings by some of his own award-winning morsels, plus a bonus treat from Provenance (01:10:16) Events and Pop-Ups: Look for Marisa in the Thanksgiving Parade! WMMR's annual Camp Out For Hunger begins next week, and there's a bunch of different dining options for pre- and post-Thanksgiving when you need to get out of the house We could not do this without our amazing Delicious City partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are: For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.
11/26/24 6am CT Hour - Fr. Nate Edquist/ Madalyn Jozaitis/ Kim Morgan John and Sarah chat about the latest news, Thanksgiving Parade and more. Fr. Nate and Madalyn share why they created the Advent Adventures book to help kids and families learn how to journey through the season and prepare for Christ's birth. Kim talks about how we can mourn loved ones who will not be at Thanksgiving or holiday celebrations this year and honor their memory.
November 26, 2024 ~ The Parade Company President & CEO Tony Michaels previews the 2024 Thanksgiving Parade and Turkey Trot with Kevin.
Join the gang for a look back at Disney's involvement in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, and the first half of "25 for 25" to kick off the holiday season. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/disney-dependent/support
On this edition of The Arts Section, host Gary Zidek talks to the Museum of Contemporary Art's lead curator about a new exhibit that explores the evolution of contemporary paintings. The Dueling Critics, Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel, join Gary to review a new one-man show that parodies Die Hard as a poem. Later in the show, Gary looks back at the 90 year history of the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. And we'll catch up with the author of a book that looks back at the origins of the holiday we now know as Thanksgiving.
The 166-year-old chain, which is fighting extinction, calls the parade its “gift to the nation.” With 30 million TV viewers, it's also a big moneymaker. At least we think it is — Macy's is famously tight-lipped about parade economics. We try to loosen them up. (Part one of a two-part series.)Please take our audience survey at freakonomics.com/survey. SOURCES:John Cheney, carpenter at Macy's Studios.Will Coss, vice president and executive producer of Macy's Studios.Jeff Kinney, author, cartoonist, and owner of An Unlikely Story Bookstore and Café.Kevin Lynch, vice president of global helium at Messer.Jen Neal, executive vice president of live events and specials for NBCUniversal Media Group.Tony Spring, chairman and C.E.O. of Macy's Inc.Jessica Tisch, commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation; incoming commissioner of the New York City Police Department.Dawn Tolson, executive director of Citywide Event Coordination and Management and the Street Activity Permit Office for the City of New York. RESOURCES:Macy's: The Store. The Star. The Story., by Robert M. Grippo (2009).History of Macy's of New York, 1853-1919: Chapters in the Evolution of the Department Store, by Ralph M. Hower (1943).Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. EXTRA:The Economics of Everyday Things.
As most of you know, our Patreon audience has the INSIDE access to the KF Show. The year 2024 will be an important one for Patreon specifically and if you'd consider jumping up to the $5 level it would sure help. The $10 level will remain and we now have a brand new $20 level as well! All members who join at that level will receive a sticker swag pack in the mail, you'll be IMMEDIATELY entered in the monthly prize grab, and you'll receive a phone call from one (or all) of us to chat up whatever you want for 30 minutes! Thank you SO MUCH to those of you who have joined in for the extra content that is only for Patreon supporters. To get in on the action and support the show with a minor financial contribution just click the link below to sign up. Join up via Patreon at patreon.com/KFSHOW ======================================== Presented with Holley - Back for 2024! Phase 3 of Kibbe and Friends is officially here, and Holley is back for more fun, foolishness, and flying orange Chargers! Once again we're proud to be associated with the historic name that has made cars fast for years and years, and their innovations continue forward (as always)! Visit https://www.holley.com and tell them we sent you! ======================================== Roadkill – Finale As you have heard already the rumors circulating the closing of Motor Trend Productions are all true. Unfortunately the shows housed and produced by Motor Trend are no more. This does include “Roadkill,” its flagship and genre changing show. It's a bi-product of being owned by a large conglomerate as well as being a niche of a niche of entertainment media. All episodes filmed not yet released will be aired over the winter of 2025/2025 but no further will be created. We discussed the news of it all and and some point we'll have Mike Finnegan our friend (and Kibbe and Finnegan show co-founder) on to chat about it. No matter what spin you put on it the reality of Roadkill both creating and changing the automotive space are complexly undeniable. David Frieburger and Mike Finnegan made a team that were the best of the best in automotive tom-foolery entertainment. We loved them too! David Freiburger has given a good explanation the situation along with what's next for the full band of Motor Trend characters (visit TheDrive.com for more on that). While none of us know whether Roadkill will ever return on a different platform, it does seem like the sun has set on it and this last piece of legacy automotive media is officially over. In the short term we know that everyone has moved on to YouTube (if they hadn't already) and we can continue to have them in our lives there! Thanks, boys. It was magical! ======================================== Thanksgiving Movie Review: "Tower Heist" K&F Movie Summary: Tower Heist is the automotive Thanksgiving movie classic you didn't know you were missing until now, especially if you're Corndog! This movie stars a MASSIVE cadre os actors including Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Alan Alda, Casey Afflect, Tea Leoni, Mechael Pena, and Matthew Broderick. This is the tale of a group of not quite as cool as Oceans 11 people that get taken by a Ponzi scheme by Hawkeye from MASH. And then – to get their money back – they steal Steve McQueen's Ferrari from the top of Trump Tower during the Thanksgiving Parade, all using a handy roof crane. You will laugh, you will squirm, and you will probably be looking up during the Thanksgiving Day Parade from here on out…..so you don't get squished by a Ferrari made of gold. This movie is a forgotten gem that has everything going for it. ======================================== Join up via Patreon at patreon.com/KFSHOW Kibbe, Corndog, and the Bern! National Parts Depot Presents: Bernie on the News! https://www.npdlink.com. The post K&F Show #313: The End of RoadKill and Motor Trend Productions; Thanksgiving Movie Review “Tower Heist” first appeared on The Muscle Car Place.
This Week In Wrestling History hosted by Don Tony aired back in 2018-2019 and spanned two seasons. These retro episodes return remastered and are filled with hundreds of hours of original wrestling clips & stories. Enjoy this deep dive into pro wrestling's awesome history. SYNOPSIS: Episode 47 (11/18 – 11/24)RUNNING TIME: 3 Hours 38 Minutes The Battle Of The Nature Boys: Buddy Rogers vs Ric Flair. Looking back at Starrcade 83: A Flair For The Gold. Looking back at Starrcade 84: The Million Dollar Challenge. Audio: Twelve years before the Montreal Screwjob, there was the MSG Screwjob involving Fabulous Moolah and Wendi Richter. Audio: Ultimate Warrior makes his WWF MSG debut - and breaks Frenchy Martin's collarbone. WWF Survivor Series and NWA Starrcade 87 go head to head on PPV, well sort of. Audio: How the Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase spends Thanksgiving. Ted Turner officially becomes the majority owner of NWA Jim Crockett Productions. Looking back at Survivor Series 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016. Audio: WWF superstars reveal what they are thankful for during the Thanksgiving holiday. SNME XXIV featuring debut of Sapphire, Mr Perfect destroying Hulk Hogan's World Title Belt, Ultimate Warrior vs Andre The Giant, The Rockers vs The Brainbusters, and more. Audio: The Undertaker makes his WWF in ring PPV debut. Audio: 'The Snake Bite'. Jake Roberts' cobra attacks Macho Man Randy Savage. Shawn Michaels replaces Jerry Lawler for Survivor Series due to rape accusations (charges later dropped). Looking back at WCW Battle Bowl PPV (1993). Bull Nakano ends Alundra Blayze' 342 day reign as WWF Womens Champiion. Audio: Diesel / HBK Split at Survivor Series. Bob Backlund def Bret Hart to win WWF Heavyweight Title - just to lose it to Diesel at MSG 3 days later. Chuck Norris serves as the special enforcer of Undertaker vs Kamala: Casket Match. Smokey Mountain Wrestling holds their last ever event. Shawn Michaels 'collapses' during match on Raw. Looking back at WCW World War 3 PPV (1995, 1997). Audio: Vince McMahon cuts memorable USWA Promo on the fake Razor Ramon. Audio: News reports and interviews from The ECW 'Mass Transit Incident' involving 17 y/o Eric Kulas and New Jack. Audio: Billy Gunn and Road Dogg win WWF Tag Titles for the first time. HBK and D-Generation X bring out a midget Bret Hart. D-Generation X offers Jim The Anvil Neidhardt to be a member of DX for a night. Looking back at WCW Mayhem PPV (1999). Audio: Jeff Jarrett def Ron Killings to win the NWA Heavyweight Title with help from Mr Wrestling III. Audio: Mr Wrestling III revealed as Vince Russo, cuts a scathing promo on TNA, WWE, and much more. Steve Austin pleads no contest to domestic assault charge against Debra Williams. Audio: Raw Roulette makes womens wrestling history: First ever WWE Womens Cage Match airs on Raw: Lita vs Victoria. WWE stock prices, then and now. Crooked Memphis cops arrested for corruption which included a plot to burglarize the home of Jerry 'The King' Lawler. Rise and Fall of ECW tops all sports DVDs on Amazon. Who did fans want to see jump from TNA to WWE in 2004? One week after Eddie Guerrero passes away, Eugene is hospitalized after a drug overdose during WWE tour of England. Following the death of Eddie Guerrero, WWE enacts a strict Wellness drug policy. Roddy Piper hospitalized for spinal issues uncovers a diagnosis of Lymphoma Cancer. Audio: WWE launches Mr McMahon Kiss My Ass cartoons with the first episode 'Thanksgiving Asserole'. WWE signs Monty Brown. Hardbody Harrison found guilty of sex trafficking and prostitution charges. Linda Bollea files for divorce from Hulk Hogan. Audio: 'I Will Never Retire'. The retirement storyline of Ric Flair begins on Raw. Rosa Mendes makes her WWE Raw TV debut. The Hulkamania tour of Australia holds its first event. Jesse 'The Body' Ventura makes his first WWE appearance in ten years. Audio: The Miz cashes in MITB briefcase to go on and win WWE Championship. Indy wrestler Andre Davis found guilty on 14 counts of felonious assault for not revealing to his partners he was HIV positive. Kaitlyn arrested due to a warrant being issued for an unpaid speeding ticket. Audio: CM Punk serves as the Official Grand Marshal of the McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago IL. Audio: Sting makes a surprise appearance at WWE Survivor Series. Sheamus cashes in MITB Briefcase to def Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Title. Brad Maddox fired by WWE for calling fans 'cocky pricks' on a live mic. Audio: Nikki Bella def AJ Lee for the Divas Title and begins a 301 day reign as champion. Audio: Goldberg returns to WWE and dominates Brock Lesnar. Mandy Rose and Sonya DeVille make their WWE Raw TV debuts. Roman Reigns def Miz for the IC Title and becomes a Grand Slam Champion. And so much more! 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AP correspondent Margie Szaroleta reports organizers of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade have announced the lineup of entertainment.
Beyond Times Square invites you to join us for an encore – and updated! – webinar showcasing our unrivaled holiday events in New York City! From the iconic Thanksgiving Parade to luxurious New Year's Eve parties, our curated experiences promise unforgettable memories filled with festive cheer and opulence. Join our Content Manager, Carole Peck, for an insider's look at the spectacular holiday events BTSQ has lined up for your clients. Learn about our premier Thanksgiving parade viewing party, exclusive New Year's Eve events and family-friendly celebration options, all designed to immerse your clients in the enchantment of the holiday season!Be the first to offer these exceptional holiday experiences to your clients, ensuring they celebrate the season in style and luxury!
September 16, 2024 ~ Tony Michaels, President and CEO of the Parade Company reveals the grand marshals for this year's parade.
September 16, 2024 ~ Henry Ford Health breaks ground on huge expansion. Lions lose ugly. First polling since debate is in. Another assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Shooting in Eastern Market. MSP trooper to be taken off life support. Grand marshals for Thanksgiving Parade announced and the day's biggest headlines.
SHOW NOTES Episode 028 • September 2, 2024 FIRST STRAIN News ‘n' Notes: • New IUP band director, Cassidy Nalepa www.thecourierexpress.com/lifestyle/iup-names-new-marching-band-director/article_e8e5d7d6-5fe1-11ef-b9c2-0b40e6abad04.html • Macy*s announces participating bands for 2025 Thanksgiving Parade macysthanksgiving.fandom.com/wiki/The_99th_Annual_Macy%27s_Thanksgiving_Day_Parade_(2025) SECOND STRAIN Topic: How Band Camp Reassured Me About A.I. TRIO This week's interview guest: MAUREEN CONNOR Capital District Youth Pipe Band on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cdyouthpipeband/ Capital District Youth Pipe Band website: cdyouthpipeband.com/ “Duncan Johnstone”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEWajsY6nok Bagad: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagad DOGFIGHT Topic: An Apology CODA Send along a story about the late George N. Parks! (for a segment planned for the 14th anniversary of his passing, September 16) FOLLOW US! BandWagon RSS feed: feed.podbean.com/heyband/feed.xml BandWagon website: heyband.podbean.com BandWagon on Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555170345309 BandWagon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhammerton1 Rob ("HammertonMedia") on Facebook: facebook.com/HammertonMedia Rob on X/Twitter: twitter.com/DrRob8487 SUBSCRIBE TO BANDWAGON! https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/eg706GUVzixV SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK! Email: heybandwagon@yahoo.com Voicemail: speakpipe.com/HeyBandWagon
Beyond Times Square invites you to join us for an exclusive webinar showcasing our unrivaled holiday events in New York City! From the iconic Thanksgiving Parade to luxurious New Year's Eve parties, our curated experiences promise unforgettable memories filled with festive cheer and opulence. Join our Content Manager, Carole Peck, for an insider's look at the spectacular holiday events BTSQ has lined up for your clients. Learn about our premier Thanksgiving parade viewing party, exclusive New Year's Eve events, and family-friendly celebration options, all designed to immerse your clients in the enchantment of the holiday season! Reserve your spot today and be the first to offer these exceptional holiday experiences to your clients, ensuring they celebrate the season in style and luxury. Here's what to expect: Introducing Our NYC Holiday Events:Thanksgiving Parade Viewing Party at Del Frisco's New Year's Eve Gala at M Social Hotel Christmas Tree Lighting Party at Rockefeller Center Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Party at Rockefeller Center Holiday Cabaret Brunch at LeRock Holiday-Themed Tours & Multiday Experiences
Book Vs. Movie:Miracle on 34th StreetValentine Davies's Story Vs. the 1947 Classic Film "Can you say classic?" In the almost ten years that we have been putting on this show, we somehow missed "Miracle on 34th Street" as one of the most famous adaptations of holiday films. With a story by beloved writer Valentine Davies and direction by his friend George Seaton, the film (released in May of 1947 for some baffling reason!) became a massive hit with filmgoers. Starring Maureen O'Hara as a frazzled Macy's executive, Natalie Wood as her skeptical daughter Susan, and Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle, the film has everything you could want in a Christmas movie. You have the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, a love story, and a court scene that settles whether the State of New York Recognizes Santa Claus once and for all. What else do you need?This episode is sponsored by Bethany House's You Made It Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh. It's the most wonderful time of the year--for everyone except Starr Lewis.As if going home for the holidays jobless and single wasn't bad enough, she's dragged into a holiday season full of activities leading up to her sister's uber-romantic Christmas Eve wedding--to Starr's ex-boyfriend. But when her brother's best friend, Waylon Emmerson, attends their family Thanksgiving, she wonders if coming home for Christmas isn't so bad after all.As Starr finds the perfect distraction in helping Waylon make over his late mother's Christmas shop, the most wonderful time of the year works its magic, and the spark between them grows. But with the holidays fast approaching, Starr must decide what she wants out of life after the gifts are unwrapped and the ornaments are put away--to return to New York City or to open her heart to a love that will last beyond Christmas Day?Follow author Toni Shiloh!! In this ep, the Margos discuss:The work of Valentine DaviesThe various productions of Miracle on 34th Street.The cast of the 1947 film: Maureen O'Hara (Doris Walker,) John Payne (Fred Gailey,) Edmund Gwenn (Kris Kringle,) Gene Lockhart (Henry Harper,) Natalie Wood (Susan Walker,) Porter Hall (Granville Sawyer,) William Frawley (DA Thomas Mara,) and Philip Tonge as Julian Shellhammer.Clips used:Santa won't lie to SusanMiracle on 34th Street (1947 trailer)Santa is encouraged to upsellSanta needs to get his head examined!Susan believesEvidence of Santa ClausMusic: Cyril MockridgeBook Vs. Movie is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. Find more podcasts you will love Frolic.Media/podcasts. Join our Patreon page “Book Vs. Movie podcast”You can find us on Facebook at Book Vs. Movie Podcast GroupFollow us on Twitter @bookversusmovieInstagram: Book Versus Movie https://www.instagram.com/bookversusmovie/Email us at bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com Margo D. Twitter @BrooklynMargo Margo D's Blog www.brooklynfitchick.com Margo D's Instagram “Brooklyn Fit Chick”Margo D's TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@margodonohuebrooklynfitchick@gmail.comYou can buy your copy of Filmed in Brooklyn here! Margo P. Twitter @ShesNachoMamaMargo P's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shesnachomama/Margo P's Blog https://coloniabook.weebly.com/ Our logo was designed by Madeleine Gainey/Studio 39 Marketing Follow on Instagram @Studio39Marketing & @musicalmadeleine This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5406542/advertisement
Book Vs. Movie:Miracle on 34th StreetValentine Davies's Story Vs. the 1947 Classic Film "Can you say classic?" In the almost ten years that we have been putting on this show, we somehow missed "Miracle on 34th Street" as one of the most famous adaptations of holiday films. With a story by beloved writer Valentine Davies and direction by his friend George Seaton, the film (released in May of 1947 for some baffling reason!) became a massive hit with filmgoers. Starring Maureen O'Hara as a frazzled Macy's executive, Natalie Wood as her skeptical daughter Susan, and Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle, the film has everything you could want in a Christmas movie. You have the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, a love story, and a court scene that settles whether the State of New York Recognizes Santa Claus once and for all. What else do you need?This episode is sponsored by Bethany House's You Made It Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh. It's the most wonderful time of the year--for everyone except Starr Lewis.As if going home for the holidays jobless and single wasn't bad enough, she's dragged into a holiday season full of activities leading up to her sister's uber-romantic Christmas Eve wedding--to Starr's ex-boyfriend. But when her brother's best friend, Waylon Emmerson, attends their family Thanksgiving, she wonders if coming home for Christmas isn't so bad after all.As Starr finds the perfect distraction in helping Waylon make over his late mother's Christmas shop, the most wonderful time of the year works its magic, and the spark between them grows. But with the holidays fast approaching, Starr must decide what she wants out of life after the gifts are unwrapped and the ornaments are put away--to return to New York City or to open her heart to a love that will last beyond Christmas Day?Follow author Toni Shiloh!! In this ep, the Margos discuss:The work of Valentine DaviesThe various productions of Miracle on 34th Street.The cast of the 1947 film: Maureen O'Hara (Doris Walker,) John Payne (Fred Gailey,) Edmund Gwenn (Kris Kringle,) Gene Lockhart (Henry Harper,) Natalie Wood (Susan Walker,) Porter Hall (Granville Sawyer,) William Frawley (DA Thomas Mara,) and Philip Tonge as Julian Shellhammer.Clips used:Santa won't lie to SusanMiracle on 34th Street (1947 trailer)Santa is encouraged to upsellSanta needs to get his head examined!Susan believesEvidence of Santa ClausMusic: Cyril MockridgeBook Vs. Movie is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. Find more podcasts you will love Frolic.Media/podcasts. Join our Patreon page “Book Vs. Movie podcast”You can find us on Facebook at Book Vs. Movie Podcast GroupFollow us on Twitter @bookversusmovieInstagram: Book Versus Movie https://www.instagram.com/bookversusmovie/Email us at bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com Margo D. Twitter @BrooklynMargo Margo D's Blog www.brooklynfitchick.com Margo D's Instagram “Brooklyn Fit Chick”Margo D's TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@margodonohuebrooklynfitchick@gmail.comYou can buy your copy of Filmed in Brooklyn here! Margo P. Twitter @ShesNachoMamaMargo P's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shesnachomama/Margo P's Blog https://coloniabook.weebly.com/ Our logo was designed by Madeleine Gainey/Studio 39 Marketing Follow on Instagram @Studio39Marketing & @musicalmadeleine
The Following is our overview of the episode in a light fluffy commentary for the masses. The warning is below.Join us on a magical journey back to the golden era of cinema as we revel in the heartwarming charm of the 1947 holiday classic, "Miracle on 34th Street". Imagine unwrapping the magic of Christmas through the eyes of the Oscar-winning performance of Edmund Gwenn with Maureen O'Hara, Natalie Wood, and the rest of the talented cast. We'll take you through the heart of the film, discussing not only its memorable moments and characters but also its enduring appeal, high ratings, and three Academy Awards. Despite co-host Jimmy's admission of never seeing it, we both agree on its timeless charm and the joy it brings during the holiday season.We're not just talking about a cherished Christmas movie; we're offering a snapshot of life in the 1940s. Picture the cost of living in New York City, the price of furniture, and the norms and nuances of society during that era. We also highlight the history and route of the city's beloved Thanksgiving Parade. If you've ever wondered about how the world turned back then, this is an episode for you. We bet the contrasts and comparisons to today's world will leave you gob-smacked!Finally, we'll lead you through the enchanting Santa Claus trial from the film. Remember the satisfying moment when letters addressed to Santa Claus make their way to the courthouse? Or the moment when Sawyer is fired? If these scenes make your heart flutter, you're in for a treat. We'll delve into these unforgettable moments, characters, and the film's themes of belief and the magic of Christmas that continue to captivate audiences. Get ready to unwrap the magic of this treasured Christmas movie and its heartwarming message.Warning: This episode does segue into Bunny Killing, Actress Infatuation, Owning Guns, and Making Fun Of Men Who Cry. Please Enjoy.Do You Remember Liking This Movie?
On this episode of BREAKING TAKES, Sam and Zach discuss the attorney suspended for pooping in a pingles can, Sam's wise words about smoking weed, the golden toilet stolen from the English Palace, Grimace's appearance at the Palestine Protest that halted the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, and more. SUBSCRIBE TO BREAKING TAKES PREMIUM FOR BONUS EPISODES & EXCLUSIVE ACCESS: https://breakingtakes.supercast.com/ BREAKING TAKES LINKS: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakingtakes/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingtakesApple: https://apple.co/3K4Yny2Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3pThWCtOvercast: https://bit.ly/43uz1AyPremium: https://breakingtakes.supercast.com/
https://nypost.com/2023/11/13/business/petition-signed-by-almost-20k-bashes-non-binary-and-transgender-extravaganza-planned-for-thanksgiving-day-parade/Petition signed by almost 20K bashes ‘non-binary and transgender extravaganza' planned for Thanksgiving Day Parade, NY Post, Shannon ThalerNovember 13, 2023In a Macy's Thanksgiving Parade discussion, Cynthia, Jonathan, Infidel, and Phoebe explored the recent petition by the conservative group "1 Million Moms." Cynthia introduced the topic, highlighting the group's objections to the parade's perceived non-binary and transgender focus.Jonathan promptly dismissed the group as an "extreme right, religious bot," accusing them of stifling queer expression. He critically analyzed their numerical claim, revealing a vast disparity between their name and actual followers, suggesting waning support. Infidel, initially disinterested, delved into the group's genuine concerns about societal change.Infidel emphasized that the 1 Million Moms' motivation stems from fear, painting a picture of a group witnessing a transformation that challenges their deeply ingrained values. While not agreeing with their assessment, he acknowledged their genuine fear of the changing societal landscape.Infidel noted that the group perceives the dismantling of the illusion within their society, built on values they hold dear. Their reaction, according to Infidel, mirrors that of offended children when their cherished beliefs are challenged. He delved into the group's perspective on the liberal LGBTQ agenda, emphasizing how it challenges the traditional values they hold in high esteem.Phoebe, critical of the 1 Million Moms, questioned the authenticity of their petition numbers, linking them to inflated figures and the notorious Daily Mail's anti-trans agenda. She dismissed the group as "rent-a-goons" seeking attention and advised against giving them any significance.Cynthia redirected the discussion to artistic expression, drawing parallels between historical criticisms of artists like Mozart and Lil Kim. The group agreed that the 1 Million Moms' objections stem from fear of societal change and discomfort with a more diverse landscape.Jonathan predicted the group's inevitable decline, labeling them as the dying gasps of those resisting progress. Infidel expressed hope for a future where such groups become irrelevant, while Phoebe likened them to dying dinosaurs.Cynthia underscored ongoing conversations about inclusion and representation, contrasting the parade's celebration of diversity with the 1 Million Moms' exclusionary stance. The panel invited viewer input, signaling a commitment to fostering dialogue on these crucial issues.
At the helm of The Parade Company since 2009, Tony Michaels is President & CEO of the iconic Detroit non-profit organization and served on its Board of Directors for over a decade. He leads some of Detroit's most storied traditions, including the near century-old America's Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner White and the world-class Ford Fireworks, which have both delighted generations of families and resulted in significant economic impact for the region. He has led major growth of The Parade Company with bringing on Gardner White as presenting sponsor of the parade through 2031, one of the oldest in the nation, and attracting top partners and sponsors of Michigan and global companies. He has expanded the broadcast to 185 television markets in the U.S., and under his leadership, the parade is recognized as the Best Holiday Parade in America by USA TODAY. In addition, The Parade Company produces several other Detroit jewels including the Strategic Staffing Solutions Turkey Trot and Hob Nobble Gobble presented by Ford Motor Company, among other year-round events. Tony is a distinguished Michigan business leader and has received a multitude of honors for championing initiatives. Most recently, Tony was named 2022 Michiganian of the Year by the Detroit News, received the 2022 Edward H. McNamara Goodfellow of the Year Award and the Spirit of Detroit Award from Detroit City Council. He is on the Board of Directors for the Detroit Economic Club and Henry Ford Hospital West Bloomfield, and an advisor to non-profit organizations and business and community leaders, including the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester and the Marketing Committee of the Detroit Zoo. He is of counsel to the Woodward Dream Cruise and Brand Advisor to the Detroit Jazz Festival. Previously, Tony was the CEO of Elias Brothers Restaurants from 1998 to 2000, and held that same position from 2001 to 2008 at the newly formed company, which he worked on developing called Big Boy Restaurants LLC. Tony took over Elias Brothers as the company was headed into financial trouble and successfully structured a deal that allowed for the company's assets to be purchased under new ownership. This plan resulted in the company experiencing significant growth, including preserving existing jobs and the disciplined creation of new positions that supported the local and national growth of the brand. During this time, a complete rebranding of the company also occurred. Nation's Restaurant News took notice and named Big Boy Restaurants, LLC as the exclusive winner of the “”Hot Again Concept”” award in 2007. Prior to 1998, he served as Chief Marketing Officer at the company. Tony is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing. He and his wife Clarice reside in Rochester Hills and have three grown children. Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejondwoskinexperience/ Website: https://jondwoskin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/ Email: jon@jondwoskin.com Get Jon's Book: The Think Big Movement: Grow your business big. Very Big! Connect with Tony Michaels: Website: www.theparade.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Parade-Company/161194990591639 Instagram: https://instagram.com/paradecompany/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParadeCo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzNXA4pQjtyVERcRldrEPIA *E – explicit language may be used in this podcast.
On this episode of the Fifth Trooper, Jay and Tim host the Thanksgiving Nerd Parade! They see all the floats from Lorcana to Legion to Bathroom fixtures!
Clip From Ep #643 Of The Clay Edwards Show On103.9 WYAB (11/24/23) Pro-Palestine & hamas sympathizers hi-jack the New York, Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and people are getting fed TF up with this nonsense Check out my website at Www.ClayEdwardsShow.Com for all things Clay
(9:13) Attending Physicians Debunk JFK Lone Shooter as Conspiracy LIEAs people near the end of life, they want to set the record straight. After the Secret Service agent 2 months ago, now we have testimony from JFK's attending physicians — FBI/CIA all lied. (26:37) NSA's Diversity Equity Inclusivity GLOSSARY — it truly defines their Marxist class struggle tactics and their own racism, sexism, and hatred for America (37:41) The Finnish Line: Finland's Border Actions Show What Trump Could've Done — But DID NOTBoth Finland's PM and EU President Ursula Von Der Leyden rage against Russia's weaponized migration across the Finnish border — the hypocrisy of supporting the Great Replacement elsewhere while outraged at Russian weaponized migration. But they are actually doing what we pleaded with Trump to do in 2017. (44:39) Poland is reluctant to join the EU Digital ID/CBDC suicide pact for centralized control. Israel, on the other hand, is integrating biometric data in new ways (55:57) As Republicans push against TikTok, Gov Hochul in NY joins to push to set a precedent of banning entire websites, using the likely CIA based anti-semitism of the "Osama bin Laden Letter to America". But Hochul is also ramping of indoctrination of children and "Pre-Crime Hate Crimes" (1:05:13) Democrat Gov of KY, Beshear, says stopping the psychological gaslighting and mutilation of children is "dehumanizing" after winning an election where he supported abortion and attacked parental rights and the family. (1:17:19) "I Seen a Horsefly" — Horse Gets Loose on a Plane (1:21:36) GPS is not only being interfered with but "spoofed" and it looks like Russia is far more advanced in this weapon (1:27:41) James Bovard gets even with the TSA and its insane authoritarianism (1:46:01) Can money make you happy? Most Americans think it can. Here's the amount they think equals happiness, and it differs significantly by generation (1:58:14) Many economists and observers believe the Federal Reserve will open the floodgates in 2024 for the election, radically lowering interest rates and ramping up inflation. So do central banks everywhere and THIS is what they're doing to prepare… (2:04:04) Are central banks preparing to move to some kind of gold backing? (2:15:18) Trans-giving — Macy's wants to make the Thanksgiving Parade about trannies but many of the conservatives complaining don't seem to have any idea about what to do — except watch TV (2:22:58) Mary, Martha, Jesus and Martha Stewart — A Reflection on Thanksgiving (2:30:09) Should we avoid talking about politics at Thanksgiving?(2:33:03) At the turkey pardoning ceremony, Biden makes the unpardonable sin (to some) of confusing Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Britney Spears(2:37:18) Thanksgiving in other countries and its origins in the Christian faith in America(2:49:51) Why do shepherds anoint their sheep's head with oil?(2:53:19) Chuck Norris on the psychological and physiological benefits of exercise — exercising your "gratitude" Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.comIf you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Money is only what YOU hold: Go to DavidKnight.gold for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to TrendsJournal.com and enter the code KNIGHT
(9:13) Attending Physicians Debunk JFK Lone Shooter as Conspiracy LIEAs people near the end of life, they want to set the record straight. After the Secret Service agent 2 months ago, now we have testimony from JFK's attending physicians — FBI/CIA all lied. (26:37) NSA's Diversity Equity Inclusivity GLOSSARY — it truly defines their Marxist class struggle tactics and their own racism, sexism, and hatred for America (37:41) The Finnish Line: Finland's Border Actions Show What Trump Could've Done — But DID NOTBoth Finland's PM and EU President Ursula Von Der Leyden rage against Russia's weaponized migration across the Finnish border — the hypocrisy of supporting the Great Replacement elsewhere while outraged at Russian weaponized migration. But they are actually doing what we pleaded with Trump to do in 2017. (44:39) Poland is reluctant to join the EU Digital ID/CBDC suicide pact for centralized control. Israel, on the other hand, is integrating biometric data in new ways (55:57) As Republicans push against TikTok, Gov Hochul in NY joins to push to set a precedent of banning entire websites, using the likely CIA based anti-semitism of the "Osama bin Laden Letter to America". But Hochul is also ramping of indoctrination of children and "Pre-Crime Hate Crimes" (1:05:13) Democrat Gov of KY, Beshear, says stopping the psychological gaslighting and mutilation of children is "dehumanizing" after winning an election where he supported abortion and attacked parental rights and the family. (1:17:19) "I Seen a Horsefly" — Horse Gets Loose on a Plane (1:21:36) GPS is not only being interfered with but "spoofed" and it looks like Russia is far more advanced in this weapon (1:27:41) James Bovard gets even with the TSA and its insane authoritarianism (1:46:01) Can money make you happy? Most Americans think it can. Here's the amount they think equals happiness, and it differs significantly by generation (1:58:14) Many economists and observers believe the Federal Reserve will open the floodgates in 2024 for the election, radically lowering interest rates and ramping up inflation. So do central banks everywhere and THIS is what they're doing to prepare… (2:04:04) Are central banks preparing to move to some kind of gold backing? (2:15:18) Trans-giving — Macy's wants to make the Thanksgiving Parade about trannies but many of the conservatives complaining don't seem to have any idea about what to do — except watch TV (2:22:58) Mary, Martha, Jesus and Martha Stewart — A Reflection on Thanksgiving (2:30:09) Should we avoid talking about politics at Thanksgiving?(2:33:03) At the turkey pardoning ceremony, Biden makes the unpardonable sin (to some) of confusing Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Britney Spears(2:37:18) Thanksgiving in other countries and its origins in the Christian faith in America(2:49:51) Why do shepherds anoint their sheep's head with oil?(2:53:19) Chuck Norris on the psychological and physiological benefits of exercise — exercising your "gratitude" Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.comIf you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Money is only what YOU hold: Go to DavidKnight.gold for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to TrendsJournal.com and enter the code KNIGHT
Back by Popular Demand! This Week In Wrestling History hosted by Don Tony aired back in 2018-2019 and spanned two seasons. These retro episodes return remastered and are filled with hundreds of hours of original wrestling clips & stories. Enjoy this deep dive into pro wrestling's awesome history. SYNOPSIS: S2 E47 (11/19 - 11/25)RUNNING TIME: 3 HOURS 38 MINUTES The Battle Of The Nature Boys: Buddy Rogers vs Ric Flair. Looking back at Starrcade 83: A Flair For The Gold. Looking back at Starrcade 84: The Million Dollar Challenge. Audio: Twelve years before the Montreal Screwjob, there was the MSG Screwjob involving Fabulous Moolah and Wendi Richter. Audio: Ultimate Warrior makes his WWF MSG debut - and breaks Frenchy Martin's collarbone. WWF Survivor Series and NWA Starrcade 87 go head to head on PPV, well sort of. Audio: How the Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase spends Thanksgiving. Ted Turner officially becomes the majority owner of NWA Jim Crockett Productions. Looking back at Survivor Series 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016. Audio: WWF superstars reveal what they are thankful for during the Thanksgiving holiday. SNME XXIV featuring debut of Sapphire, Mr Perfect destroying Hulk Hogan's World Title Belt, Ultimate Warrior vs Andre The Giant, The Rockers vs The Brainbusters, and more. Audio: The Undertaker makes his WWF in ring PPV debut. Audio: 'The Snake Bite'. Jake Roberts' cobra attacks Macho Man Randy Savage. Shawn Michaels replaces Jerry Lawler for Survivor Series due to rape accusations (charges later dropped). Looking back at WCW Battle Bowl PPV (1993). Bull Nakano ends Alundra Blayze' 342 day reign as WWF Womens Champiion. Audio: Diesel / HBK Split at Survivor Series. Bob Backlund def Bret Hart to win WWF Heavyweight Title - just to lose it to Diesel at MSG 3 days later. Chuck Norris serves as the special enforcer of Undertaker vs Kamala: Casket Match. Smokey Mountain Wrestling holds their last ever event. Shawn Michaels 'collapses' during match on Raw. Looking back at WCW World War 3 PPV (1995, 1997). Audio: Vince McMahon cuts memorable USWA Promo on the fake Razor Ramon. Audio: News reports and interviews from The ECW 'Mass Transit Incident' involving 17 y/o Eric Kulas and New Jack. Audio: Billy Gunn and Road Dogg win WWF Tag Titles for the first time. HBK and D-Generation X bring out a midget Bret Hart. D-Generation X offers Jim The Anvil Neidhardt to be a member of DX for a night. Looking back at WCW Mayhem PPV (1999). Audio: Jeff Jarrett def Ron Killings to win the NWA Heavyweight Title with help from Mr Wrestling III. Audio: Mr Wrestling III revealed as Vince Russo, cuts a scathing promo on TNA, WWE, and much more. Steve Austin pleads no contest to domestic assault charge against Debra Williams. Audio: Raw Roulette makes womens wrestling history: First ever WWE Womens Cage Match airs on Raw: Lita vs Victoria. WWE stock prices, then and now. Crooked Memphis cops arrested for corruption which included a plot to burglarize the home of Jerry 'The King' Lawler. Rise and Fall of ECW tops all sports DVDs on Amazon. Who did fans want to see jump from TNA to WWE in 2004? One week after Eddie Guerrero passes away, Eugene is hospitalized after a drug overdose during WWE tour of England. Following the death of Eddie Guerrero, WWE enacts a strict Wellness drug policy. Roddy Piper hospitalized for spinal issues uncovers a diagnosis of Lymphoma Cancer. Audio: WWE launches Mr McMahon Kiss My Ass cartoons with the first episode 'Thanksgiving Asserole'. WWE signs Monty Brown. Hardbody Harrison found guilty of sex trafficking and prostitution charges. Linda Bollea files for divorce from Hulk Hogan. Audio: 'I Will Never Retire'. The retirement storyline of Ric Flair begins on Raw. Rosa Mendes makes her WWE Raw TV debut. The Hulkamania tour of Australia holds its first event. Jesse 'The Body' Ventura makes his first WWE appearance in ten years. Audio: The Miz cashes in MITB briefcase to go on and win WWE Championship. Indy wrestler Andre Davis found guilty on 14 counts of felonious assault for not revealing to his partners he was HIV positive. Kaitlyn arrested due to a warrant being issued for an unpaid speeding ticket. Audio: CM Punk serves as the Official Grand Marshal of the McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago IL. Audio: Sting makes a surprise appearance at WWE Survivor Series. Sheamus cashes in MITB Briefcase to def Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Title. Brad Maddox fired by WWE for calling fans 'cocky pricks' on a live mic. Audio: Nikki Bella def AJ Lee for the Divas Title and begins a 301 day reign as champion. Audio: Goldberg returns to WWE and dominates Brock Lesnar. Mandy Rose and Sonya DeVille make their WWE Raw TV debuts. Roman Reigns def Miz for the IC Title and becomes a Grand Slam Champion. And so much more! ====
Stizz and the team from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade RETURN to talk exciting new changes to the parade, and exactly how many girlfriends she has now. Featuring actor and comedian Kimia Behpoornia! Artists on Artists on Artists on Artists is an improvised Hollywood roundtable podcast by Kylie Brakeman, Jeremy Culhane, Angela Giarratana, and Patrick McDonald. Music by Gabriel Ponton.Hollywood's talking. Make sure you're listening. Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Youtube! Please rate us five stars! Join our Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and fun content. https://www.patreon.com/aoaoaoapod
Episode 168 of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “I Say a Little Prayer”, and the interaction of the sacred, political, and secular in Aretha Franklin's life and work. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode. Patreon backers also have a forty-five-minute bonus episode available, on "Abraham, Martin, and John" by Dion. Tilt Araiza has assisted invaluably by doing a first-pass edit, and will hopefully be doing so from now on. Check out Tilt's irregular podcasts at http://www.podnose.com/jaffa-cakes-for-proust and http://sitcomclub.com/ Resources No Mixcloud this week, as there are too many songs by Aretha Franklin. Even splitting it into multiple parts would have required six or seven mixes. My main biographical source for Aretha Franklin is Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin by David Ritz, and this is where most of the quotes from musicians come from. Information on C.L. Franklin came from Singing in a Strange Land: C. L. Franklin, the Black Church, and the Transformation of America by Nick Salvatore. Country Soul by Charles L Hughes is a great overview of the soul music made in Muscle Shoals, Memphis, and Nashville in the sixties. Peter Guralnick's Sweet Soul Music: Rhythm And Blues And The Southern Dream Of Freedom is possibly less essential, but still definitely worth reading. Information about Martin Luther King came from Martin Luther King: A Religious Life by Paul Harvey. I also referred to Burt Bacharach's autobiography Anyone Who Had a Heart, Carole King's autobiography A Natural Woman, and Soul Serenade: King Curtis and his Immortal Saxophone by Timothy R. Hoover. For information about Amazing Grace I also used Aaron Cohen's 33 1/3 book on the album. The film of the concerts is also definitely worth watching. And the Aretha Now album is available in this five-album box set for a ludicrously cheap price. But it's actually worth getting this nineteen-CD set with her first sixteen Atlantic albums and a couple of bonus discs of demos and outtakes. There's barely a duff track in the whole nineteen discs. Patreon This podcast is brought to you by the generosity of my backers on Patreon. Why not join them? Transcript A quick warning before I begin. This episode contains some moderate references to domestic abuse, death by cancer, racial violence, police violence, and political assassination. Anyone who might be upset by those subjects might want to check the transcript rather than listening to the episode. Also, as with the previous episode on Aretha Franklin, this episode presents something of a problem. Like many people in this narrative, Franklin's career was affected by personal troubles, which shaped many of her decisions. But where most of the subjects of the podcast have chosen to live their lives in public and share intimate details of every aspect of their personal lives, Franklin was an extremely private person, who chose to share only carefully sanitised versions of her life, and tried as far as possible to keep things to herself. This of course presents a dilemma for anyone who wants to tell her story -- because even though the information is out there in biographies, and even though she's dead, it's not right to disrespect someone's wish for a private life. I have therefore tried, wherever possible, to stay away from talk of her personal life except where it *absolutely* affects the work, or where other people involved have publicly shared their own stories, and even there I've tried to keep it to a minimum. This will occasionally lead to me saying less about some topics than other people might, even though the information is easily findable, because I don't think we have an absolute right to invade someone else's privacy for entertainment. When we left Aretha Franklin, she had just finally broken through into the mainstream after a decade of performing, with a version of Otis Redding's song "Respect" on which she had been backed by her sisters, Erma and Carolyn. "Respect", in Franklin's interpretation, had been turned from a rather chauvinist song about a man demanding respect from his woman into an anthem of feminism, of Black power, and of a new political awakening. For white people of a certain generation, the summer of 1967 was "the summer of love". For many Black people, it was rather different. There's a quote that goes around (I've seen it credited in reliable sources to both Ebony and Jet magazine, but not ever seen an issue cited, so I can't say for sure where it came from) saying that the summer of 67 was the summer of "'retha, Rap, and revolt", referring to the trifecta of Aretha Franklin, the Black power leader Jamil Abdullah al-Amin (who was at the time known as H. Rap Brown, a name he later disclaimed) and the rioting that broke out in several major cities, particularly in Detroit: [Excerpt: John Lee Hooker, "The Motor City is Burning"] The mid sixties were, in many ways, the high point not of Black rights in the US -- for the most part there has been a lot of progress in civil rights in the intervening decades, though not without inevitable setbacks and attacks from the far right, and as movements like the Black Lives Matter movement have shown there is still a long way to go -- but of *hope* for Black rights. The moral force of the arguments made by the civil rights movement were starting to cause real change to happen for Black people in the US for the first time since the Reconstruction nearly a century before. But those changes weren't happening fast enough, and as we heard in the episode on "I Was Made to Love Her", there was not only a growing unrest among Black people, but a recognition that it was actually possible for things to change. A combination of hope and frustration can be a powerful catalyst, and whether Franklin wanted it or not, she was at the centre of things, both because of her newfound prominence as a star with a hit single that couldn't be interpreted as anything other than a political statement and because of her intimate family connections to the struggle. Even the most racist of white people these days pays lip service to the memory of Dr Martin Luther King, and when they do they quote just a handful of sentences from one speech King made in 1963, as if that sums up the full theological and political philosophy of that most complex of men. And as we discussed the last time we looked at Aretha Franklin, King gave versions of that speech, the "I Have a Dream" speech, twice. The most famous version was at the March on Washington, but the first time was a few weeks earlier, at what was at the time the largest civil rights demonstration in American history, in Detroit. Aretha's family connection to that event is made clear by the very opening of King's speech: [Excerpt: Martin Luther King, "Original 'I Have a Dream' Speech"] So as summer 1967 got into swing, and white rock music was going to San Francisco to wear flowers in its hair, Aretha Franklin was at the centre of a very different kind of youth revolution. Franklin's second Atlantic album, Aretha Arrives, brought in some new personnel to the team that had recorded Aretha's first album for Atlantic. Along with the core Muscle Shoals players Jimmy Johnson, Spooner Oldham, Tommy Cogbill and Roger Hawkins, and a horn section led by King Curtis, Wexler and Dowd also brought in guitarist Joe South. South was a white session player from Georgia, who had had a few minor hits himself in the fifties -- he'd got his start recording a cover version of "The Purple People Eater Meets the Witch Doctor", the Big Bopper's B-side to "Chantilly Lace": [Excerpt: Joe South, "The Purple People Eater Meets the Witch Doctor"] He'd also written a few songs that had been recorded by people like Gene Vincent, but he'd mostly become a session player. He'd become a favourite musician of Bob Johnston's, and so he'd played guitar on Simon and Garfunkel's Sounds of Silence and Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme albums: [Excerpt: Simon and Garfunkel, "I am a Rock"] and bass on Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde, with Al Kooper particularly praising his playing on "Visions of Johanna": [Excerpt: Bob Dylan, "Visions of Johanna"] South would be the principal guitarist on this and Franklin's next album, before his own career took off in 1968 with "Games People Play": [Excerpt: Joe South, "Games People Play"] At this point, he had already written the other song he's best known for, "Hush", which later became a hit for Deep Purple: [Excerpt: Deep Purple, "Hush"] But he wasn't very well known, and was surprised to get the call for the Aretha Franklin session, especially because, as he put it "I was white and I was about to play behind the blackest genius since Ray Charles" But Jerry Wexler had told him that Franklin didn't care about the race of the musicians she played with, and South settled in as soon as Franklin smiled at him when he played a good guitar lick on her version of the blues standard "Going Down Slow": [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "Going Down Slow"] That was one of the few times Franklin smiled in those sessions though. Becoming an overnight success after years of trying and failing to make a name for herself had been a disorienting experience, and on top of that things weren't going well in her personal life. Her marriage to her manager Ted White was falling apart, and she was performing erratically thanks to the stress. In particular, at a gig in Georgia she had fallen off the stage and broken her arm. She soon returned to performing, but it meant she had problems with her right arm during the recording of the album, and didn't play as much piano as she would have previously -- on some of the faster songs she played only with her left hand. But the recording sessions had to go on, whether or not Aretha was physically capable of playing piano. As we discussed in the episode on Otis Redding, the owners of Atlantic Records were busily negotiating its sale to Warner Brothers in mid-1967. As Wexler said later “Everything in me said, Keep rolling, keep recording, keep the hits coming. She was red hot and I had no reason to believe that the streak wouldn't continue. I knew that it would be foolish—and even irresponsible—not to strike when the iron was hot. I also had personal motivation. A Wall Street financier had agreed to see what we could get for Atlantic Records. While Ahmet and Neshui had not agreed on a selling price, they had gone along with my plan to let the financier test our worth on the open market. I was always eager to pump out hits, but at this moment I was on overdrive. In this instance, I had a good partner in Ted White, who felt the same. He wanted as much product out there as possible." In truth, you can tell from Aretha Arrives that it's a record that was being thought of as "product" rather than one being made out of any kind of artistic impulse. It's a fine album -- in her ten-album run from I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You through Amazing Grace there's not a bad album and barely a bad track -- but there's a lack of focus. There are only two originals on the album, neither of them written by Franklin herself, and the rest is an incoherent set of songs that show the tension between Franklin and her producers at Atlantic. Several songs are the kind of standards that Franklin had recorded for her old label Columbia, things like "You Are My Sunshine", or her version of "That's Life", which had been a hit for Frank Sinatra the previous year: [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "That's Life"] But mixed in with that are songs that are clearly the choice of Wexler. As we've discussed previously in episodes on Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett, at this point Atlantic had the idea that it was possible for soul artists to cross over into the white market by doing cover versions of white rock hits -- and indeed they'd had some success with that tactic. So while Franklin was suggesting Sinatra covers, Atlantic's hand is visible in the choices of songs like "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "96 Tears": [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "96 Tears'] Of the two originals on the album, one, the hit single "Baby I Love You" was written by Ronnie Shannon, the Detroit songwriter who had previously written "I Never Loved a Man (the Way I Love You)": [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "Baby I Love You"] As with the previous album, and several other songs on this one, that had backing vocals by Aretha's sisters, Erma and Carolyn. But the other original on the album, "Ain't Nobody (Gonna Turn Me Around)", didn't, even though it was written by Carolyn: [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "Ain't Nobody (Gonna Turn Me Around)"] To explain why, let's take a little detour and look at the co-writer of the song this episode is about, though we're not going to get to that for a little while yet. We've not talked much about Burt Bacharach in this series so far, but he's one of those figures who has come up a few times in the periphery and will come up again, so here is as good a time as any to discuss him, and bring everyone up to speed about his career up to 1967. Bacharach was one of the more privileged figures in the sixties pop music field. His father, Bert Bacharach (pronounced the same as his son, but spelled with an e rather than a u) had been a famous newspaper columnist, and his parents had bought him a Steinway grand piano to practice on -- they pushed him to learn the piano even though as a kid he wasn't interested in finger exercises and Debussy. What he was interested in, though, was jazz, and as a teenager he would often go into Manhattan and use a fake ID to see people like Dizzy Gillespie, who he idolised, and in his autobiography he talks rapturously of seeing Gillespie playing his bent trumpet -- he once saw Gillespie standing on a street corner with a pet monkey on his shoulder, and went home and tried to persuade his parents to buy him a monkey too. In particular, he talks about seeing the Count Basie band with Sonny Payne on drums as a teenager: [Excerpt: Count Basie, "Kid From Red Bank"] He saw them at Birdland, the club owned by Morris Levy where they would regularly play, and said of the performance "they were just so incredibly exciting that all of a sudden, I got into music in a way I never had before. What I heard in those clubs really turned my head around— it was like a big breath of fresh air when somebody throws open a window. That was when I knew for the first time how much I loved music and wanted to be connected to it in some way." Of course, there's a rather major problem with this story, as there is so often with narratives that musicians tell about their early career. In this case, Birdland didn't open until 1949, when Bacharach was twenty-one and stationed in Germany for his military service, while Sonny Payne didn't join Basie's band until 1954, when Bacharach had been a professional musician for many years. Also Dizzy Gillespie's trumpet bell only got bent on January 6, 1953. But presumably while Bacharach was conflating several memories, he did have some experience in some New York jazz club that led him to want to become a musician. Certainly there were enough great jazz musicians playing the clubs in those days. He went to McGill University to study music for two years, then went to study with Darius Milhaud, a hugely respected modernist composer. Milhaud was also one of the most important music teachers of the time -- among others he'd taught Stockhausen and Xenakkis, and would go on to teach Philip Glass and Steve Reich. This suited Bacharach, who by this point was a big fan of Schoenberg and Webern, and was trying to write atonal, difficult music. But Milhaud had also taught Dave Brubeck, and when Bacharach rather shamefacedly presented him with a composition which had an actual tune, he told Bacharach "Never be ashamed of writing a tune you can whistle". He dropped out of university and, like most men of his generation, had to serve in the armed forces. When he got out of the army, he continued his musical studies, still trying to learn to be an avant-garde composer, this time with Bohuslav Martinů and later with Henry Cowell, the experimental composer we've heard about quite a bit in previous episodes: [Excerpt: Henry Cowell, "Aeolian Harp and Sinister Resonance"] He was still listening to a lot of avant garde music, and would continue doing so throughout the fifties, going to see people like John Cage. But he spent much of that time working in music that was very different from the avant-garde. He got a job as the band leader for the crooner Vic Damone: [Excerpt: Vic Damone. "Ebb Tide"] He also played for the vocal group the Ames Brothers. He decided while he was working with the Ames Brothers that he could write better material than they were getting from their publishers, and that it would be better to have a job where he didn't have to travel, so he got himself a job as a staff songwriter in the Brill Building. He wrote a string of flops and nearly hits, starting with "Keep Me In Mind" for Patti Page: [Excerpt: Patti Page, "Keep Me In Mind"] From early in his career he worked with the lyricist Hal David, and the two of them together wrote two big hits, "Magic Moments" for Perry Como: [Excerpt: Perry Como, "Magic Moments"] and "The Story of My Life" for Marty Robbins: [Excerpt: "The Story of My Life"] But at that point Bacharach was still also writing with other writers, notably Hal David's brother Mack, with whom he wrote the theme tune to the film The Blob, as performed by The Five Blobs: [Excerpt: The Five Blobs, "The Blob"] But Bacharach's songwriting career wasn't taking off, and he got himself a job as musical director for Marlene Dietrich -- a job he kept even after it did start to take off. Part of the problem was that he intuitively wrote music that didn't quite fit into standard structures -- there would be odd bars of unusual time signatures thrown in, unusual harmonies, and structural irregularities -- but then he'd take feedback from publishers and producers who would tell him the song could only be recorded if he straightened it out. He said later "The truth is that I ruined a lot of songs by not believing in myself enough to tell these guys they were wrong." He started writing songs for Scepter Records, usually with Hal David, but also with Bob Hilliard and Mack David, and started having R&B hits. One song he wrote with Mack David, "I'll Cherish You", had the lyrics rewritten by Luther Dixon to make them more harsh-sounding for a Shirelles single -- but the single was otherwise just Bacharach's demo with the vocals replaced, and you can even hear his voice briefly at the beginning: [Excerpt: The Shirelles, "Baby, It's You"] But he'd also started becoming interested in the production side of records more generally. He'd iced that some producers, when recording his songs, would change the sound for the worse -- he thought Gene McDaniels' version of "Tower of Strength", for example, was too fast. But on the other hand, other producers got a better sound than he'd heard in his head. He and Hilliard had written a song called "Please Stay", which they'd given to Leiber and Stoller to record with the Drifters, and he thought that their arrangement of the song was much better than the one he'd originally thought up: [Excerpt: The Drifters, "Please Stay"] He asked Leiber and Stoller if he could attend all their New York sessions and learn about record production from them. He started doing so, and eventually they started asking him to assist them on records. He and Hilliard wrote a song called "Mexican Divorce" for the Drifters, which Leiber and Stoller were going to produce, and as he put it "they were so busy running Redbird Records that they asked me to rehearse the background singers for them in my office." [Excerpt: The Drifters, "Mexican Divorce"] The backing singers who had been brought in to augment the Drifters on that record were a group of vocalists who had started out as members of a gospel group called the Drinkard singers: [Excerpt: The Drinkard Singers, "Singing in My Soul"] The Drinkard Singers had originally been a family group, whose members included Cissy Drinkard, who joined the group aged five (and who on her marriage would become known as Cissy Houston -- her daughter Whitney would later join the family business), her aunt Lee Warrick, and Warrick's adopted daughter Judy Clay. That group were discovered by the great gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, and spent much of the fifties performing with gospel greats including Jackson herself, Clara Ward, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. But Houston was also the musical director of a group at her church, the Gospelaires, which featured Lee Warrick's two daughters Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick (for those who don't know, the Warwick sisters' birth name was Warrick, spelled with two rs. A printing error led to it being misspelled the same way as the British city on a record label, and from that point on Dionne at least pronounced the w in her misspelled name). And slowly, the Gospelaires rather than the Drinkard Singers became the focus, with a lineup of Houston, the Warwick sisters, the Warwick sisters' cousin Doris Troy, and Clay's sister Sylvia Shemwell. The real change in the group's fortunes came when, as we talked about a while back in the episode on "The Loco-Motion", the original lineup of the Cookies largely stopped working as session singers to become Ray Charles' Raelettes. As we discussed in that episode, a new lineup of Cookies formed in 1961, but it took a while for them to get started, and in the meantime the producers who had been relying on them for backing vocals were looking elsewhere, and they looked to the Gospelaires. "Mexican Divorce" was the first record to feature the group as backing vocalists -- though reports vary as to how many of them are on the record, with some saying it's only Troy and the Warwicks, others saying Houston was there, and yet others saying it was all five of them. Some of these discrepancies were because these singers were so good that many of them left to become solo singers in fairly short order. Troy was the first to do so, with her hit "Just One Look", on which the other Gospelaires sang backing vocals: [Excerpt: Doris Troy, "Just One Look"] But the next one to go solo was Dionne Warwick, and that was because she'd started working with Bacharach and Hal David as their principal demo singer. She started singing lead on their demos, and hoping that she'd get to release them on her own. One early one was "Make it Easy On Yourself", which was recorded by Jerry Butler, formerly of the Impressions. That record was produced by Bacharach, one of the first records he produced without outside supervision: [Excerpt: Jerry Butler, "Make it Easy On Yourself"] Warwick was very jealous that a song she'd sung the demo of had become a massive hit for someone else, and blamed Bacharach and David. The way she tells the story -- Bacharach always claimed this never happened, but as we've already seen he was himself not always the most reliable of narrators of his own life -- she got so angry she complained to them, and said "Don't make me over, man!" And so Bacharach and David wrote her this: [Excerpt: Dionne Warwick, "Don't Make Me Over"] Incidentally, in the UK, the hit version of that was a cover by the Swinging Blue Jeans: [Excerpt: The Swinging Blue Jeans, "Don't Make Me Over"] who also had a huge hit with "You're No Good": [Excerpt: The Swinging Blue Jeans, "You're No Good"] And *that* was originally recorded by *Dee Dee* Warwick: [Excerpt: Dee Dee Warwick, "You're No Good"] Dee Dee also had a successful solo career, but Dionne's was the real success, making the names of herself, and of Bacharach and David. The team had more than twenty top forty hits together, before Bacharach and David had a falling out in 1971 and stopped working together, and Warwick sued both of them for breach of contract as a result. But prior to that they had hit after hit, with classic records like "Anyone Who Had a Heart": [Excerpt: Dionne Warwick, "Anyone Who Had a Heart"] And "Walk On By": [Excerpt: Dionne Warwick, "Walk On By"] With Doris, Dionne, and Dee Dee all going solo, the group's membership was naturally in flux -- though the departed members would occasionally join their former bandmates for sessions, and the remaining members would sing backing vocals on their ex-members' records. By 1965 the group consisted of Cissy Houston, Sylvia Shemwell, the Warwick sisters' cousin Myrna Smith, and Estelle Brown. The group became *the* go-to singers for soul and R&B records made in New York. They were regularly hired by Leiber and Stoller to sing on their records, and they were also the particular favourites of Bert Berns. They sang backing vocals on almost every record he produced. It's them doing the gospel wails on "Cry Baby" by Garnet Mimms: [Excerpt: Garnet Mimms, "Cry Baby"] And they sang backing vocals on both versions of "If You Need Me" -- Wilson Pickett's original and Solomon Burke's more successful cover version, produced by Berns: [Excerpt: Solomon Burke, "If You Need Me"] They're on such Berns records as "Show Me Your Monkey", by Kenny Hamber: [Excerpt: Kenny Hamber, "Show Me Your Monkey"] And it was a Berns production that ended up getting them to be Aretha Franklin's backing group. The group were becoming such an important part of the records that Atlantic and BANG Records, in particular, were putting out, that Jerry Wexler said "it was only a matter of common decency to put them under contract as a featured group". He signed them to Atlantic and renamed them from the Gospelaires to The Sweet Inspirations. Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham wrote a song for the group which became their only hit under their own name: [Excerpt: The Sweet Inspirations, "Sweet Inspiration"] But to start with, they released a cover of Pops Staples' civil rights song "Why (Am I treated So Bad)": [Excerpt: The Sweet Inspirations, "Why (Am I Treated So Bad?)"] That hadn't charted, and meanwhile, they'd all kept doing session work. Cissy had joined Erma and Carolyn Franklin on the backing vocals for Aretha's "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You": [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You"] Shortly after that, the whole group recorded backing vocals for Erma's single "Piece of My Heart", co-written and produced by Berns: [Excerpt: Erma Franklin, "Piece of My Heart"] That became a top ten record on the R&B charts, but that caused problems. Aretha Franklin had a few character flaws, and one of these was an extreme level of jealousy for any other female singer who had any level of success and came up in the business after her. She could be incredibly graceful towards anyone who had been successful before her -- she once gave one of her Grammies away to Esther Phillips, who had been up for the same award and had lost to her -- but she was terribly insecure, and saw any contemporary as a threat. She'd spent her time at Columbia Records fuming (with some justification) that Barbra Streisand was being given a much bigger marketing budget than her, and she saw Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, and Dionne Warwick as rivals rather than friends. And that went doubly for her sisters, who she was convinced should be supporting her because of family loyalty. She had been infuriated at John Hammond when Columbia had signed Erma, thinking he'd gone behind her back to create competition for her. And now Erma was recording with Bert Berns. Bert Berns who had for years been a colleague of Jerry Wexler and the Ertegun brothers at Atlantic. Aretha was convinced that Wexler had put Berns up to signing Erma as some kind of power play. There was only one problem with this -- it simply wasn't true. As Wexler later explained “Bert and I had suffered a bad falling-out, even though I had enormous respect for him. After all, he was the guy who brought over guitarist Jimmy Page from England to play on our sessions. Bert, Ahmet, Nesuhi, and I had started a label together—Bang!—where Bert produced Van Morrison's first album. But Bert also had a penchant for trouble. He courted the wise guys. He wanted total control over every last aspect of our business dealings. Finally it was too much, and the Erteguns and I let him go. He sued us for breach of contract and suddenly we were enemies. I felt that he signed Erma, an excellent singer, not merely for her talent but as a way to get back at me. If I could make a hit with Aretha, he'd show me up by making an even bigger hit on Erma. Because there was always an undercurrent of rivalry between the sisters, this only added to the tension.” There were two things that resulted from this paranoia on Aretha's part. The first was that she and Wexler, who had been on first-name terms up to that point, temporarily went back to being "Mr. Wexler" and "Miss Franklin" to each other. And the second was that Aretha no longer wanted Carolyn and Erma to be her main backing vocalists, though they would continue to appear on her future records on occasion. From this point on, the Sweet Inspirations would be the main backing vocalists for Aretha in the studio throughout her golden era [xxcut line (and when the Sweet Inspirations themselves weren't on the record, often it would be former members of the group taking their place)]: [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "Ain't Nobody (Gonna Turn Me Around)"] The last day of sessions for Aretha Arrives was July the twenty-third, 1967. And as we heard in the episode on "I Was Made to Love Her", that was the day that the Detroit riots started. To recap briefly, that was four days of rioting started because of a history of racist policing, made worse by those same racist police overreacting to the initial protests. By the end of those four days, the National Guard, 82nd Airborne Division, and the 101st Airborne from Clarksville were all called in to deal with the violence, which left forty-three dead (of whom thirty-three were Black and only one was a police officer), 1,189 people were injured, and over 7,200 arrested, almost all of them Black. Those days in July would be a turning point for almost every musician based in Detroit. In particular, the police had murdered three members of the soul group the Dramatics, in a massacre of which the author John Hersey, who had been asked by President Johnson to be part of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders but had decided that would compromise his impartiality and did an independent journalistic investigation, said "The episode contained all the mythic themes of racial strife in the United States: the arm of the law taking the law into its own hands; interracial sex; the subtle poison of racist thinking by “decent” men who deny they are racists; the societal limbo into which, ever since slavery, so many young black men have been driven by our country; ambiguous justice in the courts; and the devastation in both black and white human lives that follows in the wake of violence as surely as ruinous and indiscriminate flood after torrents" But these were also the events that radicalised the MC5 -- the group had been playing a gig as Tim Buckley's support act when the rioting started, and guitarist Wayne Kramer decided afterwards to get stoned and watch the fires burning down the city through a telescope -- which police mistook for a rifle, leading to the National Guard knocking down Kramer's door. The MC5 would later cover "The Motor City is Burning", John Lee Hooker's song about the events: [Excerpt: The MC5, "The Motor City is Burning"] It would also be a turning point for Motown, too, in ways we'll talk about in a few future episodes. And it was a political turning point too -- Michigan Governor George Romney, a liberal Republican (at a time when such people existed) had been the favourite for the Republican Presidential candidacy when he'd entered the race in December 1966, but as racial tensions ramped up in Detroit during the early months of 1967 he'd started trailing Richard Nixon, a man who was consciously stoking racists' fears. President Johnson, the incumbent Democrat, who was at that point still considering standing for re-election, made sure to make it clear to everyone during the riots that the decision to call in the National Guard had been made at the State level, by Romney, rather than at the Federal level. That wasn't the only thing that removed the possibility of a Romney presidency, but it was a big part of the collapse of his campaign, and the, as it turned out, irrevocable turn towards right-authoritarianism that the party took with Nixon's Southern Strategy. Of course, Aretha Franklin had little way of knowing what was to come and how the riots would change the city and the country over the following decades. What she was primarily concerned about was the safety of her father, and to a lesser extent that of her sister-in-law Earline who was staying with him. Aretha, Carolyn, and Erma all tried to keep in constant touch with their father while they were out of town, and Aretha even talked about hiring private detectives to travel to Detroit, find her father, and get him out of the city to safety. But as her brother Cecil pointed out, he was probably the single most loved man among Black people in Detroit, and was unlikely to be harmed by the rioters, while he was too famous for the police to kill with impunity. Reverend Franklin had been having a stressful time anyway -- he had recently been fined for tax evasion, an action he was convinced the IRS had taken because of his friendship with Dr King and his role in the civil rights movement -- and according to Cecil "Aretha begged Daddy to move out of the city entirely. She wanted him to find another congregation in California, where he was especially popular—or at least move out to the suburbs. But he wouldn't budge. He said that, more than ever, he was needed to point out the root causes of the riots—the economic inequality, the pervasive racism in civic institutions, the woefully inadequate schools in inner-city Detroit, and the wholesale destruction of our neighborhoods by urban renewal. Some ministers fled the city, but not our father. The horror of what happened only recommitted him. He would not abandon his political agenda." To make things worse, Aretha was worried about her father in other ways -- as her marriage to Ted White was starting to disintegrate, she was looking to her father for guidance, and actually wanted him to take over her management. Eventually, Ruth Bowen, her booking agent, persuaded her brother Cecil that this was a job he could do, and that she would teach him everything he needed to know about the music business. She started training him up while Aretha was still married to White, in the expectation that that marriage couldn't last. Jerry Wexler, who only a few months earlier had been seeing Ted White as an ally in getting "product" from Franklin, had now changed his tune -- partly because the sale of Atlantic had gone through in the meantime. He later said “Sometimes she'd call me at night, and, in that barely audible little-girl voice of hers, she'd tell me that she wasn't sure she could go on. She always spoke in generalities. She never mentioned her husband, never gave me specifics of who was doing what to whom. And of course I knew better than to ask. She just said that she was tired of dealing with so much. My heart went out to her. She was a woman who suffered silently. She held so much in. I'd tell her to take as much time off as she needed. We had a lot of songs in the can that we could release without new material. ‘Oh, no, Jerry,' she'd say. ‘I can't stop recording. I've written some new songs, Carolyn's written some new songs. We gotta get in there and cut 'em.' ‘Are you sure?' I'd ask. ‘Positive,' she'd say. I'd set up the dates and typically she wouldn't show up for the first or second sessions. Carolyn or Erma would call me to say, ‘Ree's under the weather.' That was tough because we'd have asked people like Joe South and Bobby Womack to play on the sessions. Then I'd reschedule in the hopes she'd show." That third album she recorded in 1967, Lady Soul, was possibly her greatest achievement. The opening track, and second single, "Chain of Fools", released in November, was written by Don Covay -- or at least it's credited as having been written by Covay. There's a gospel record that came out around the same time on a very small label based in Houston -- "Pains of Life" by Rev. E. Fair And The Sensational Gladys Davis Trio: [Excerpt: Rev. E. Fair And The Sensational Gladys Davis Trio, "Pains of Life"] I've seen various claims online that that record came out shortly *before* "Chain of Fools", but I can't find any definitive evidence one way or the other -- it was on such a small label that release dates aren't available anywhere. Given that the B-side, which I haven't been able to track down online, is called "Wait Until the Midnight Hour", my guess is that rather than this being a case of Don Covay stealing the melody from an obscure gospel record he'd have had little chance to hear, it's the gospel record rewriting a then-current hit to be about religion, but I thought it worth mentioning. The song was actually written by Covay after Jerry Wexler asked him to come up with some songs for Otis Redding, but Wexler, after hearing it, decided it was better suited to Franklin, who gave an astonishing performance: [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "Chain of Fools"] Arif Mardin, the arranger of the album, said of that track “I was listed as the arranger of ‘Chain of Fools,' but I can't take credit. Aretha walked into the studio with the chart fully formed inside her head. The arrangement is based around the harmony vocals provided by Carolyn and Erma. To add heft, the Sweet Inspirations joined in. The vision of the song is entirely Aretha's.” According to Wexler, that's not *quite* true -- according to him, Joe South came up with the guitar part that makes up the intro, and he also said that when he played what he thought was the finished track to Ellie Greenwich, she came up with another vocal line for the backing vocals, which she overdubbed. But the core of the record's sound is definitely pure Aretha -- and Carolyn Franklin said that there was a reason for that. As she said later “Aretha didn't write ‘Chain,' but she might as well have. It was her story. When we were in the studio putting on the backgrounds with Ree doing lead, I knew she was singing about Ted. Listen to the lyrics talking about how for five long years she thought he was her man. Then she found out she was nothing but a link in the chain. Then she sings that her father told her to come on home. Well, he did. She sings about how her doctor said to take it easy. Well, he did too. She was drinking so much we thought she was on the verge of a breakdown. The line that slew me, though, was the one that said how one of these mornings the chain is gonna break but until then she'll take all she can take. That summed it up. Ree knew damn well that this man had been doggin' her since Jump Street. But somehow she held on and pushed it to the breaking point." [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "Chain of Fools"] That made number one on the R&B charts, and number two on the hot one hundred, kept from the top by "Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)" by John Fred and his Playboy Band -- a record that very few people would say has stood the test of time as well. The other most memorable track on the album was the one chosen as the first single, released in September. As Carole King told the story, she and Gerry Goffin were feeling like their career was in a slump. While they had had a huge run of hits in the early sixties through 1965, they had only had two new hits in 1966 -- "Goin' Back" for Dusty Springfield and "Don't Bring Me Down" for the Animals, and neither of those were anything like as massive as their previous hits. And up to that point in 1967, they'd only had one -- "Pleasant Valley Sunday" for the Monkees. They had managed to place several songs on Monkees albums and the TV show as well, so they weren't going to starve, but the rise of self-contained bands that were starting to dominate the charts, and Phil Spector's temporary retirement, meant there simply wasn't the opportunity for them to place material that there had been. They were also getting sick of travelling to the West Coast all the time, because as their children were growing slightly older they didn't want to disrupt their lives in New York, and were thinking of approaching some of the New York based labels and seeing if they needed songs. They were particularly considering Atlantic, because soul was more open to outside songwriters than other genres. As it happened, though, they didn't have to approach Atlantic, because Atlantic approached them. They were walking down Broadway when a limousine pulled up, and Jerry Wexler stuck his head out of the window. He'd come up with a good title that he wanted to use for a song for Aretha, would they be interested in writing a song called "Natural Woman"? They said of course they would, and Wexler drove off. They wrote the song that night, and King recorded a demo the next morning: [Excerpt: Carole King, "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (demo)"] They gave Wexler a co-writing credit because he had suggested the title. King later wrote in her autobiography "Hearing Aretha's performance of “Natural Woman” for the first time, I experienced a rare speechless moment. To this day I can't convey how I felt in mere words. Anyone who had written a song in 1967 hoping it would be performed by a singer who could take it to the highest level of excellence, emotional connection, and public exposure would surely have wanted that singer to be Aretha Franklin." She went on to say "But a recording that moves people is never just about the artist and the songwriters. It's about people like Jerry and Ahmet, who matched the songwriters with a great title and a gifted artist; Arif Mardin, whose magnificent orchestral arrangement deserves the place it will forever occupy in popular music history; Tom Dowd, whose engineering skills captured the magic of this memorable musical moment for posterity; and the musicians in the rhythm section, the orchestral players, and the vocal contributions of the background singers—among them the unforgettable “Ah-oo!” after the first line of the verse. And the promotion and marketing people helped this song reach more people than it might have without them." And that's correct -- unlike "Chain of Fools", this time Franklin did let Arif Mardin do most of the arrangement work -- though she came up with the piano part that Spooner Oldham plays on the record. Mardin said that because of the song's hymn-like feel they wanted to go for a more traditional written arrangement. He said "She loved the song to the point where she said she wanted to concentrate on the vocal and vocal alone. I had written a string chart and horn chart to augment the chorus and hired Ralph Burns to conduct. After just a couple of takes, we had it. That's when Ralph turned to me with wonder in his eyes. Ralph was one of the most celebrated arrangers of the modern era. He had done ‘Early Autumn' for Woody Herman and Stan Getz, and ‘Georgia on My Mind' for Ray Charles. He'd worked with everyone. ‘This woman comes from another planet' was all Ralph said. ‘She's just here visiting.'” [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"] By this point there was a well-functioning team making Franklin's records -- while the production credits would vary over the years, they were all essentially co-productions by the team of Franklin, Wexler, Mardin and Dowd, all collaborating and working together with a more-or-less unified purpose, and the backing was always by the same handful of session musicians and some combination of the Sweet Inspirations and Aretha's sisters. That didn't mean that occasional guests couldn't get involved -- as we discussed in the Cream episode, Eric Clapton played guitar on "Good to Me as I am to You": [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "Good to Me as I am to You"] Though that was one of the rare occasions on one of these records where something was overdubbed. Clapton apparently messed up the guitar part when playing behind Franklin, because he was too intimidated by playing with her, and came back the next day to redo his part without her in the studio. At this point, Aretha was at the height of her fame. Just before the final batch of album sessions began she appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, and she was making regular TV appearances, like one on the Mike Douglas Show where she duetted with Frankie Valli on "That's Life": [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin and Frankie Valli, "That's Life"] But also, as Wexler said “Her career was kicking into high gear. Contending and resolving both the professional and personal challenges were too much. She didn't think she could do both, and I didn't blame her. Few people could. So she let the personal slide and concentrated on the professional. " Her concert promoter Ruth Bowen said of this time "Her father and Dr. King were putting pressure on her to sing everywhere, and she felt obligated. The record company was also screaming for more product. And I had a mountain of offers on my desk that kept getting higher with every passing hour. They wanted her in Europe. They wanted her in Latin America. They wanted her in every major venue in the U.S. TV was calling. She was being asked to do guest appearances on every show from Carol Burnett to Andy Williams to the Hollywood Palace. She wanted to do them all and she wanted to do none of them. She wanted to do them all because she's an entertainer who burns with ambition. She wanted to do none of them because she was emotionally drained. She needed to go away and renew her strength. I told her that at least a dozen times. She said she would, but she didn't listen to me." The pressures from her father and Dr King are a recurring motif in interviews with people about this period. Franklin was always a very political person, and would throughout her life volunteer time and money to liberal political causes and to the Democratic Party, but this was the height of her activism -- the Civil Rights movement was trying to capitalise on the gains it had made in the previous couple of years, and celebrity fundraisers and performances at rallies were an important way to do that. And at this point there were few bigger celebrities in America than Aretha Franklin. At a concert in her home town of Detroit on February the sixteenth, 1968, the Mayor declared the day Aretha Franklin Day. At the same show, Billboard, Record World *and* Cash Box magazines all presented her with plaques for being Female Vocalist of the Year. And Dr. King travelled up to be at the show and congratulate her publicly for all her work with his organisation, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Backstage at that show, Dr. King talked to Aretha's father, Reverend Franklin, about what he believed would be the next big battle -- a strike in Memphis: [Excerpt, Martin Luther King, "Mountaintop Speech" -- "And so, as a result of this, we are asking you tonight, to go out and tell your neighbors not to buy Coca-Cola in Memphis. Go by and tell them not to buy Sealtest milk. Tell them not to buy—what is the other bread?—Wonder Bread. And what is the other bread company, Jesse? Tell them not to buy Hart's bread. As Jesse Jackson has said, up to now, only the garbage men have been feeling pain; now we must kind of redistribute the pain. We are choosing these companies because they haven't been fair in their hiring policies; and we are choosing them because they can begin the process of saying, they are going to support the needs and the rights of these men who are on strike. And then they can move on downtown and tell Mayor Loeb to do what is right."] The strike in question was the Memphis Sanitation Workers' strike which had started a few days before. The struggle for Black labour rights was an integral part of the civil rights movement, and while it's not told that way in the sanitised version of the story that's made it into popular culture, the movement led by King was as much about economic justice as social justice -- King was a democratic socialist, and believed that economic oppression was both an effect of and cause of other forms of racial oppression, and that the rights of Black workers needed to be fought for. In 1967 he had set up a new organisation, the Poor People's Campaign, which was set to march on Washington to demand a program that included full employment, a guaranteed income -- King was strongly influenced in his later years by the ideas of Henry George, the proponent of a universal basic income based on land value tax -- the annual building of half a million affordable homes, and an end to the war in Vietnam. This was King's main focus in early 1968, and he saw the sanitation workers' strike as a major part of this campaign. Memphis was one of the most oppressive cities in the country, and its largely Black workforce of sanitation workers had been trying for most of the 1960s to unionise, and strike-breakers had been called in to stop them, and many of them had been fired by their white supervisors with no notice. They were working in unsafe conditions, for utterly inadequate wages, and the city government were ardent segregationists. After two workers had died on the first of February from using unsafe equipment, the union demanded changes -- safer working conditions, better wages, and recognition of the union. The city council refused, and almost all the sanitation workers stayed home and stopped work. After a few days, the council relented and agreed to their terms, but the Mayor, Henry Loeb, an ardent white supremacist who had stood on a platform of opposing desegregation, and who had previously been the Public Works Commissioner who had put these unsafe conditions in place, refused to listen. As far as he was concerned, he was the only one who could recognise the union, and he wouldn't. The workers continued their strike, marching holding signs that simply read "I am a Man": [Excerpt: Stevie Wonder, "Blowing in the Wind"] The Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the NAACP had been involved in organising support for the strikes from an early stage, and King visited Memphis many times. Much of the time he spent visiting there was spent negotiating with a group of more militant activists, who called themselves The Invaders and weren't completely convinced by King's nonviolent approach -- they believed that violence and rioting got more attention than non-violent protests. King explained to them that while he had been persuaded by Gandhi's writings of the moral case for nonviolent protest, he was also persuaded that it was pragmatically necessary -- asking the young men "how many guns do we have and how many guns do they have?", and pointing out as he often did that when it comes to violence a minority can't win against an armed majority. Rev Franklin went down to Memphis on the twenty-eighth of March to speak at a rally Dr. King was holding, but as it turned out the rally was cancelled -- the pre-rally march had got out of hand, with some people smashing windows, and Memphis police had, like the police in Detroit the previous year, violently overreacted, clubbing and gassing protestors and shooting and killing one unarmed teenage boy, Larry Payne. The day after Payne's funeral, Dr King was back in Memphis, though this time Rev Franklin was not with him. On April the third, he gave a speech which became known as the "Mountaintop Speech", in which he talked about the threats that had been made to his life: [Excerpt: Martin Luther King, "Mountaintop Speech": “And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers? Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."] The next day, Martin Luther King was shot dead. James Earl Ray, a white supremacist, pled guilty to the murder, and the evidence against him seems overwhelming from what I've read, but the King family have always claimed that the murder was part of a larger conspiracy and that Ray was not the gunman. Aretha was obviously distraught, and she attended the funeral, as did almost every other prominent Black public figure. James Baldwin wrote of the funeral: "In the pew directly before me sat Marlon Brando, Sammy Davis, Eartha Kitt—covered in black, looking like a lost, ten-year-old girl—and Sidney Poitier, in the same pew, or nearby. Marlon saw me, and nodded. The atmosphere was black, with a tension indescribable—as though something, perhaps the heavens, perhaps the earth, might crack. Everyone sat very still. The actual service sort of washed over me, in waves. It wasn't that it seemed unreal; it was the most real church service I've ever sat through in my life, or ever hope to sit through; but I have a childhood hangover thing about not weeping in public, and I was concentrating on holding myself together. I did not want to weep for Martin, tears seemed futile. But I may also have been afraid, and I could not have been the only one, that if I began to weep I would not be able to stop. There was more than enough to weep for, if one was to weep—so many of us, cut down, so soon. Medgar, Malcolm, Martin: and their widows, and their children. Reverend Ralph David Abernathy asked a certain sister to sing a song which Martin had loved—“Once more,” said Ralph David, “for Martin and for me,” and he sat down." Many articles and books on Aretha Franklin say that she sang at King's funeral. In fact she didn't, but there's a simple reason for the confusion. King's favourite song was the Thomas Dorsey gospel song "Take My Hand, Precious Lord", and indeed almost his last words were to ask a trumpet player, Ben Branch, if he would play the song at the rally he was going to be speaking at on the day of his death. At his request, Mahalia Jackson, his old friend, sang the song at his private funeral, which was not filmed, unlike the public part of the funeral that Baldwin described. Four months later, though, there was another public memorial for King, and Franklin did sing "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" at that service, in front of King's weeping widow and children, and that performance *was* filmed, and gets conflated in people's memories with Jackson's unfilmed earlier performance: [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "Take My Hand, Precious Lord (at Martin Luther King Memorial)"] Four years later, she would sing that at Mahalia Jackson's funeral. Through all this, Franklin had been working on her next album, Aretha Now, the sessions for which started more or less as soon as the sessions for Lady Soul had finished. The album was, in fact, bookended by deaths that affected Aretha. Just as King died at the end of the sessions, the beginning came around the time of the death of Otis Redding -- the sessions were cancelled for a day while Wexler travelled to Georgia for Redding's funeral, which Franklin was too devastated to attend, and Wexler would later say that the extra emotion in her performances on the album came from her emotional pain at Redding's death. The lead single on the album, "Think", was written by Franklin and -- according to the credits anyway -- her husband Ted White, and is very much in the same style as "Respect", and became another of her most-loved hits: [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "Think"] But probably the song on Aretha Now that now resonates the most is one that Jerry Wexler tried to persuade her not to record, and was only released as a B-side. Indeed, "I Say a Little Prayer" was a song that had already once been a hit after being a reject. Hal David, unlike Burt Bacharach, was a fairly political person and inspired by the protest song movement, and had been starting to incorporate his concerns about the political situation and the Vietnam War into his lyrics -- though as with many such writers, he did it in much less specific ways than a Phil Ochs or a Bob Dylan. This had started with "What the World Needs Now is Love", a song Bacharach and David had written for Jackie DeShannon in 1965: [Excerpt: Jackie DeShannon, "What the "World Needs Now is Love"] But he'd become much more overtly political for "The Windows of the World", a song they wrote for Dionne Warwick. Warwick has often said it's her favourite of her singles, but it wasn't a big hit -- Bacharach blamed himself for that, saying "Dionne recorded it as a single and I really blew it. I wrote a bad arrangement and the tempo was too fast, and I really regret making it the way I did because it's a good song." [Excerpt: Dionne Warwick, "The Windows of the World"] For that album, Bacharach and David had written another track, "I Say a Little Prayer", which was not as explicitly political, but was intended by David to have an implicit anti-war message, much like other songs of the period like "Last Train to Clarksville". David had sons who were the right age to be drafted, and while it's never stated, "I Say a Little Prayer" was written from the perspective of a woman whose partner is away fighting in the war, but is still in her thoughts: [Excerpt: Dionne Warwick, "I Say a Little Prayer"] The recording of Dionne Warwick's version was marked by stress. Bacharach had a particular way of writing music to tell the musicians the kind of feel he wanted for the part -- he'd write nonsense words above the stave, and tell the musicians to play the parts as if they were singing those words. The trumpet player hired for the session, Ernie Royal, got into a row with Bacharach about this unorthodox way of communicating musical feeling, and the track ended up taking ten takes (as opposed to the normal three for a Bacharach session), with Royal being replaced half-way through the session. Bacharach was never happy with the track even after all the work it had taken, and he fought to keep it from being released at all, saying the track was taken at too fast a tempo. It eventually came out as an album track nearly eighteen months after it was recorded -- an eternity in 1960s musical timescales -- and DJs started playing it almost as soon as it came out. Scepter records rushed out a single, over Bacharach's objections, but as he later said "One thing I love about the record business is how wrong I was. Disc jockeys all across the country started playing the track, and the song went to number four on the charts and then became the biggest hit Hal and I had ever written for Dionne." [Excerpt: Dionne Warwick, "I Say a Little Prayer"] Oddly, the B-side for Warwick's single, "Theme From the Valley of the Dolls" did even better, reaching number two. Almost as soon as the song was released as a single, Franklin started playing around with the song backstage, and in April 1968, right around the time of Dr. King's death, she recorded a version. Much as Burt Bacharach had been against releasing Dionne Warwick's version, Jerry Wexler was against Aretha even recording the song, saying later “I advised Aretha not to record it. I opposed it for two reasons. First, to cover a song only twelve weeks after the original reached the top of the charts was not smart business. You revisit such a hit eight months to a year later. That's standard practice. But more than that, Bacharach's melody, though lovely, was peculiarly suited to a lithe instrument like Dionne Warwick's—a light voice without the dark corners or emotional depths that define Aretha. Also, Hal David's lyric was also somewhat girlish and lacked the gravitas that Aretha required. “Aretha usually listened to me in the studio, but not this time. She had written a vocal arrangement for the Sweet Inspirations that was undoubtedly strong. Cissy Houston, Dionne's cousin, told me that Aretha was on the right track—she was seeing this song in a new way and had come up with a new groove. Cissy was on Aretha's side. Tommy Dowd and Arif were on Aretha's side. So I had no choice but to cave." It's quite possible that Wexler's objections made Franklin more, rather than less, determined to record the song. She regarded Warwick as a hated rival, as she did almost every prominent female singer of her generation and younger ones, and would undoubtedly have taken the implication that there was something that Warwick was simply better at than her to heart. [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "I Say a Little Prayer"] Wexler realised as soon as he heard it in the studio that Franklin's version was great, and Bacharach agreed, telling Franklin's biographer David Ritz “As much as I like the original recording by Dionne, there's no doubt that Aretha's is a better record. She imbued the song with heavy soul and took it to a far deeper place. Hers is the definitive version.” -- which is surprising because Franklin's version simplifies some of Bacharach's more unusual chord voicings, something he often found extremely upsetting. Wexler still though thought there was no way the song would be a hit, and it's understandable that he thought that way. Not only had it only just been on the charts a few months earlier, but it was the kind of song that wouldn't normally be a hit at all, and certainly not in the kind of rhythmic soul music for which Franklin was known. Almost everything she ever recorded is in simple time signatures -- 4/4, waltz time, or 6/8 -- but this is a Bacharach song so it's staggeringly metrically irregular. Normally even with semi-complex things I'm usually good at figuring out how to break it down into bars, but here I actually had to purchase a copy of the sheet music in order to be sure I was right about what's going on. I'm going to count beats along with the record here so you can see what I mean. The verse has three bars of 4/4, one bar of 2/4, and three more bars of 4/4, all repeated: [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "I Say a Little Prayer" with me counting bars over verse] While the chorus has a bar of 4/4, a bar of 3/4 but with a chord change half way through so it sounds like it's in two if you're paying attention to the harmonic changes, two bars of 4/4, another waltz-time bar sounding like it's in two, two bars of four, another bar of three sounding in two, a bar of four, then three more bars of four but the first of those is *written* as four but played as if it's in six-eight time (but you can keep the four/four pulse going if you're counting): [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "I Say a Little Prayer" with me counting bars over verse] I don't expect you to have necessarily followed that in great detail, but the point should be clear -- this was not some straightforward dance song. Incidentally, that bar played as if it's six/eight was something Aretha introduced to make the song even more irregular than how Bacharach wrote it. And on top of *that* of course the lyrics mixed the secular and the sacred, something that was still taboo in popular music at that time -- this is only a couple of years after Capitol records had been genuinely unsure about putting out the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows", and Franklin's gospel-inflected vocals made the religious connection even more obvious. But Franklin was insistent that the record go out as a single, and eventually it was released as the B-side to the far less impressive "The House That Jack Built". It became a double-sided hit, with the A-side making number two on the R&B chart and number seven on the Hot One Hundred, while "I Say a Little Prayer" made number three on the R&B chart and number ten overall. In the UK, "I Say a Little Prayer" made number four and became her biggest ever solo UK hit. It's now one of her most-remembered songs, while the A-side is largely forgotten: [Excerpt: Aretha Franklin, "I Say a Little Prayer"] For much of the
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