My Phone Interview with John Wayne Gacy's Defense Attorney

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to conduct a phone interview with former Chicago Judge Sam Amirante.  Amirante served as John Wayne Gacy's defense attorney during his murder trial.  Gacy was convicted of killing 33 young men and was sentenced to death in 1980.   He was executed in 1994 by lethal injection.  Amirante has written a book about his experiences on the Gacy case called John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster. (http://www.amazon.com/John-Wayne-Gacy-Defending-Monster/dp/1616082488). 

The book is a fantastic read and is sure to become a classic in the true crime genre.  Amirante has devoted his life to the American Justice system and is passionate about every man's right to a capable and fair defense.  Aside from the grisly subject matter, his book is an inspiring tale of a young lawyer who is devoted to the justice system and the individual rights of all people.  I will be writing up a couple of articles based on my interview with the former judge that will be published at BlogCritics.com and on Yahoo.  For now, here are recordings of my phone interview.  It's a very fascinating conversation about a case that continues to stir interest around the world.

PART ONE:

PART TWO:

"Riding With the Prince" New Demo

"Riding with the Prince" was recently listed among  the "Best of Song U" at SongU.com, a site for songwriters that is based in Nashville.  To date, I have five songs on this list!

Goodbye Levon...

I was driving late last week and listening to a live boot-legged version of Elton John performing Levon.  What a song!  When I got back to work, I found out the sad news that Levon Helm, the man who inspired the name used in that song, had finally lost his long battle with lung cancer.  The world has  lost another musical giant.

Levon Helm was an incredible drummer, vocalist, actor ("Coal Miner's Daughter) and human.  His style has shaped every good drummer that I hear working today (Jim Keltner and Nigel Olsson, for example).  His style of music lives on in the likes of Ray Lamontangne ( and a handful of others that give hope to the ailing music world) and of course in our old recordings of his classic work.     We've lost another musical giant.  We should really appreciate the ones that we have left!

Take a moment and enjoy Mr. Levon Helm with his group, THE BAND, and other friends.

Not surprising, one of Levon's biggest fan, lyricist Bernie Taupin, was quick to eulogize him via a blog post.  It's a well written and heart felt tribute.
Check it out:  http://www.berniejtaupin.com/index.php?page=blog&b_id=459670

"This Room" Demo

This is a song that I wrote with an old high school buddy, Brad Warren.  (see earlier post).

Brad's a fantastic musician.  Check out his blog:  http://newnashvillemusician.wordpress.com/



Jimmy Webb Describes Songwriters...

#1

Jimmy Webb gives an answer (beginning at the five minute mark) that I can really relate to.  He has written some of the greatest and most influential pop songs in history.  He also wrote one of the best books on writing available (called "Tunesmith 2").   If you don't know Jimmy Webb, do some research and listening!

#2

"Something True" New Demo

"Something True" is a song that I wrote back in 2007. It has been on the shelf for a long, long time. I was in sort of a blue mood this morning until I checked my email and found this vocal demo that Jon Statham has produced. It brought back memories of a time when I wrote this song, and it made me smile. Jon really brought this memory to life. I'm so pleased with this demo and happy that this song was finally recorded.

The art in the video is by Dali, and the moving images are of New York City- the city that inspired the song.

"This Room"

This is a song lyric that I had written (in another form) for a musical project a few weeks ago.  I ended up deciding not to use it in the show, so I've reworked it a bit to make it less specific to that story.  I'm going to pass this one along to an old high school buddy to set to music, I think.  I'll keep you posted on what comes of it...

This Room

Verse:
You left a candle burning when you locked me in this room,
my love all torn and stretched across your broken, antique loom.
And what it is that traps me here, tonight I cannot tell.
My senses are held captive, still enchanted by your spell.

Verse:
This room, it has no windows, and the door cannot be seen.
The floor is bare and frozen, and the ceiling’s painted green.
The candle light casts shadows that are feeding on my fears.
The walls are creeping toward me, holding secrets you can’t hear.

Chorus:
This room is one of many that you’ve hidden in your heart-
a place to store the damaged dreams with which you cannot part.
I live a life of service in a cold and vaulted tomb,
just praying you’ll remember me and free me from this room.

Verse:
The candle’s burning low now, and the darkness wants control.
I could have had salvation, but instead I sold my soul.
I hear you crying through the walls but dare not call your name;
this room requires silence, and for that I am to blame.

Chorus:
This room is one of many that you’ve hidden in your heart-
a place to store the damaged dreams with which you cannot part.
I live a life of service in a cold and vaulted tomb-
just hoping you’ll reach out to me and free me from this room.
 
J.S. / 2012

New Track from Rufus Wainwright's Latest Album...

Rufus has a new album coming out later next month.  As always, I'm excited about anything new from this guy.  He's one of my favorites!  Check it out...

Music from The Lambuth University Jazz Band...

Here are a few mp3 files that I had on my computer from the Lambuth Jazz Band's 2001 spring tour and one from the fall of 2000.  Mr. Dick Brown was directing at this time.  I was playing 1st alto sax.  Dr. Derek Jones was in his first year at Lambuth and was playing tenor sax with us, and Dr. Ross Bernherdt, the choral director, was playing trumpet.  Those are two of the most talented musicians I've ever encountered.  My cousin, Steven Lumley, was also playing trombone in this group, and my KA brother, Dustin Smith, was on drums (he's fantastic).  I loved my years at Lambuth, and the Jazz Band was a highlight of my time there. I can't believe it's been over ten years since we made these recordings! 

"Channel One Suite"

"Children of Sanchez"

"Oh When the Saints"

"The Suncatchers"

"In the Mood"

"I Feel October in the Air" (from fall 2000)

Alto Sax Solo by Jason Spraggins

"Look Beneath" from "BENEATH THE SURFACE"

Here is a demo of a song from "Beneath the Surface", the musical (based on the Gacy murders) that Matt Glickstein and I are writing.  This is the first song in the musical.  It takes place in 1979 in the prison hospital where Gacy is being held.  It has been one year since his arrest, and his defense team is preparing for his trial by having him evaluated by Dr. Helen Matthewson (fictional), a psychiatrist.  The defense is hoping that she will declare him insane, as they are basing their case on an insanity plea.   The song includes two characters: Dr. Matthewson and Mr. Morretti, the defense lawyer.   Matt sings both parts in this demo...

"LOOK BENEATH"

Mr. Morretti: 

How could they think he's not insane-
that something's not terribly wrong in his brain?

The things that he's done, no sane man could do,

but what makes him different from me and from you?

We must dig deep; we must find the source.

What leads him to kill and show no remorse?

Please understand, his life's on the line.

I will prove his illness excuses his crimes.

You must look beneath the surface

of this troubled man's charade.

You must sift through all of his secrets-

buried and decayed.

You must resurrect the memories you find

as you look beneath the surface of his mind.

Dr. Matthewson: 
I understand the trouble he's in.

He's standing on ice that is dangerously thin.

If he is insane, it could save his life,
but he must go under psychology's knife.

I will look beneath the surface

of this troubled man's charade.

I will sift through of his secrets-

buried and decayed.

I will resurrect the memories I find

as I  look beneath the surface of his mind.


Lyrics by Spraggins/ Music by Glickstein

Youth Group Trip to Florida (2005, I think)

Nice memories of fun times with great people.  These kids are all grown up now, and I miss them.  Sadly, we lost Chris in a car accident a few years ago.   I'll cherish memories like these forever...

(back row l to r) Me, Jeric, Chris, Elliott, Jordan, Brittney, Kristina, and Lauren

(front row l to r) Ryan, Matt, Joey, and Liz.

Miss Jody and I overseeing the loading of the bus.

A very tired me consulting with Claydawg about the next activity.

Relaxing and having some Pizza with Clayton on the balcony.

 Me wearing shorts that are a few sizes big.  I don't remember why!

Go cart time!

My uncle Greg, the enforcer

At the beach

SongU.com

www.SongU.com is a site for songwriters that I have been using for about a year now.  In fact, it's how I was connected with Hawaiian composer Matt Glickstein, with whom I've written a number of songs that you can find on this blog.  

SongU provides song writing courses developed by award-winning writers, song feedback, mentoring, one-on-one song coaching, co-writing, un-screened pitching opportunities and more. 

I've learned a lot from taking part in the site and have gotten some helpful feedback on my work. Since I joined, I've had several of my song designated as "The Best of SongU" by the professional coaches who evaluate new material. I've also had a record company contact me about using two songs that I co-wrote with Andy Brown on country artist's upcoming album.

This is a helpful site, and I'd encourage any one interested in the craft and business of songwriting to check it out...

Songs Designated as "Best of SongU":

"Ghosts" (Matt Glickstein/Spraggins)

http://themadmusingsofahopelessdaydreamer.blogspot.com/2011/06/ghosts.html

"The Garden" (Spraggins)  

http://www.spragginsmusic.com/spragginsmusic/featured..html

"Two Worlds" (Spraggins)

http://themadmusingsofahopelessdaydreamer.blogspot.com/2009/03/two-worlds-verse-we-have-seen-neon.html

"Yours" (Spraggins/Andy Brown)

http://themadmusingsofahopelessdaydreamer.blogspot.com/2011/07/yours-vocal-demo.html

"Something True" (Spraggins)
http://themadmusingsofahopelessdaydreamer.blogspot.com/2012/04/something-true-new-demo.html

"Riding With the Prince" (Spraggins)
http://themadmusingsofahopelessdaydreamer.blogspot.com/2012/05/riding-with-prince-new-demo.html

The Desert of God (Instrumental Version) from "Elizabethtown"

www.writerscafe.org

I've been posting my work to an online writing community that has been helpful.  It is a place for writers to share their work.  You can have your work reviewed by other writers and review original works by others.  It's not social media- it's about the craft of writing.  It's open to poems, novels, lyrics, short stories, and just about any other form of writing.  They also have various contests that you can enter.  If you like to write and want some feedback on your stuff, you should check it out...

www.writerscafe.org  

"In the Attic" (Instrumental Version) from "Elizabethtown"

Here is an instrumental version of a song from "Elizabethtown"- the musical that I am working on with Andy Brown...

The Story of "C" by Anjani Thomas

I sat at the piano, learning his song, thinking to myself "this is so ... simple. Its too simple"
And I began to hear the possibilities, the opportunities to embellish his little song and make it something more. Suddenly, he stopped singing and turned to me.

"Anjani" ... spoken quietly, almost apologetically, ... "could you play a "C" cord there?" 

I looked at him hard. "I am playing "C"."

"Um, I mean a straight, plain C." As he said it, he drew a horizontal line in mid-air with his finger.

I paused, not understanding really, what he wanted. "A "C"? "Ah," I thought, "He's never had formal training -- he's a singer-songwriter, not a PLAYER. I'll play what he wants but doesn't know how to ask for. We resumed playing. He stopped again.

"Anjani?"

"Yes?"

"I know it's rather different, but could you keep to plain "C" there?" 

Years of training and road chops disallowed me from holding to a banal triad. I was so sure the major 7, the sus 4, the augmented, the 6/9 were better choices, musical choices. In fact, I spent the tour with him in subtle sabotage of his request. A stab of #5 here, an 11th there ... culled from my superior arsenal of notes, licks, fills -- everything for a lonely, mundane gap. Yet always, in my opinion, tasteful and necessary.
I did not care that he didn't like it. I took it upon myself to educate him by example - refining his rough-cuts into polished gems - technically, musically. And he never asked me to play "C" again, so I figured he was learning and liking it.

Ten years later I got so burned out on the business. I left music altogether and went to live by a lake. I planned a garden and felt the Texas sun on my back as I raked, hoed, planted and harvested, quietly, in silence. One day I looked up and saw a bird on a wire, and immediately, the words to his song came into my mind. And for the first time, I was struck by the power, the simplicity and purity of "C" -- alone, whole, stacked neatly a third apart. Brilliant, clean, no more, no less. Of course it was the chord of Cohen ... And I finally learned to play "like a bird on a wire ..." just as he meant to teach me.

© 1999 Anjani Thomas.

From:  

http://leonardcohenfiles.com/anjani.html

Different Sides (Leonard Cohen)