Stopped by BWI Security May 2006 A funny thing happened on the way to visit my parents in Florida..... I was going thru security @ BWI Airport in Baltimore and I placed my carry-on bag and my travel guitar on the conveyer belt for scanning and then I walked thru the scanner. While I was putting my shoes back on, I saw my carry-on bag come out of the scanner, but I didn't see my guitar. Next thing - I hear a voice on the loudspeaker say "the person with the guitar must play a song before they leave the area". I figured I was hearing things, then I hear again - "the person with the guitar must play a song before they leave the area". Then my guitar comes out of the scanner. When I went over to pick up my guitar a guard came over and told me that I had to play a song before I could leave. Now I'm thinking, what song should I play because this is most likely the largest room I'll ever play. So I take my guitar out of the case and I play "The Ballad of Jed Clampett". Security came to a stand still while everybody watched and listened - they even joined in on the "Black Gold, Texas Tee" lines. When I finished I was greeted by loud applause. I packed up my guitar and waved goodbye to the guards and went on my trip to Florida with a fond memory. Two final thoughts: 1. Isn't it great that the security people were making the experience a little lighter. 2. Somewhere there is a security film of me playing guitar at BWI. Be Happy and Healthy. Think Peace. 

Kitty Genovese I wrote this song several years ago, and when I played the demo for my wife Cari her first response was "I know the title - It's Kitty Genovese". She had just finished reading an article about how more than 20 people watched, and didn't even call the police, while Kitty was beaten to death. It's amazing how well the words of the song fit the situation. It's like the songs are floating around waiting to be found. Last thought: We can't close our eyes anymore! 

Cari Took the Picture used on the Back Cover of The Road of Life CD  You know how when you go on vacation you always end up leaving something behind? Well I failed to list Cari Watrous in the ROAD of LIFE liner notes as taking the photo of me with my Tele and P.T. Barnum (my cruiser) on the back cover of the CD. It's a Great Picture! Thanks Car for everything.

I miss Warren Zevon. My life passages are marked by his music; I dated to Tenderness on the Block and Frank & Jessie James and married to Boom-Boom Mancini and Sentimental Hygiene. Sadly, he left us with Keep Me in Your Heart for Awhile and Disorder in the House far too soon. Through it all his references to obscure events and their characters, ability to capture a wide range of emotions, sometimes within the same song and his passion for life – not to mention is distinctive lead guitar, kept his music fresh. I was fortunate to have attended three of his live performances, one acoustic and two with his full band. Over the years I’ve performed several of his tunes including Lawyers, Guns & Money, Nighttime in the Switching Yard, Werewolves of London, Sleep When I’m Dead and Poor Pitiful Me. Warren Rocks! Having watched The Wind DVD several times, I am impressed that Warren touched so many people in such a deep way - examples of true friendship – a rare thing today. I also own the ENJOY EVERY SANDWICH CD. It’s cool to hear versions of Warren’s songs performed by his friends. I was so inspired by Warren’s answer to David Letterman’s query: “What have you learned?”, that I wrote a tribute to Warren entitled Enjoy Every Sandwich. The lyrics are listed below and there is a version of it posted on www.purplejim.com. I hope you enjoy it. THINK PEACE & let’s keep Warren’s music and legend alive! Jim Buckley Enjoy Every Sandwich A Tribute to Warren Zevon by Jim Buckley; 7/06 I saw Warren Zevon on the Letterman Show Not long before he died He sang that song about Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner With the Grim Reaper standing right by his side And when the show was over Dave turned to Warren and he asked “Warren buddy, what have you learned?” Warren didn’t hesitate, no he answered real fast “Enjoy Every Sandwich” Warren’s right…. Let’s enjoy every sandwich Enjoy every bite Enjoy every day And enjoy every night If the Werewolves are howling And the Gorilla’s got my keys Send lawyers, guns and money To help poor pitiful me The excitable boy Who left us with the Wind Asked us to keep him in our hearts awhile So let’s sing his songs again Sing a song for Warren And all the others who have gone Let’s keep them in our hearts That’s where they belong So enjoy every sandwich Enjoy every bite Enjoy every day And enjoy every night Enjoy every sandwich This one may be your last Time goes by so quickly Our lives go by too damn fast So enjoy every sandwich Enjoy every bite Enjoy every day And enjoy every night Warren was right! 

Joy & Civility to All  I'm on a mission to act more civilly. the world doesn't make this easy, but all the more reason we all need to make our best effort to act properly. I'm taking an example from my wife Cari: do the right thing simply because it is the right thing. So let's all try to pass along happiness instead of hate, a smile instead of a curse. you get the picture. I need all the help I can get. BTW: if you see me not being true to my mission, please tell me. like Neil Young said "you're just pissin in the wind, you don't know it, but you are. And there's nothing like a friend that will tell you when you are pissin in the wind". So be a real friend and tell me when I'm goofin up. Be Happy and Healthy. PurpleJim

Be a Democan  I'm not going to call it a party, let's say it's a way of life. Be a Democan. I'm not really happy with the 2 parties. It seems that the 2 Party system is about throwing parties to raise money. So I decided that maybe if we took the RAT out of Democrat and kept the Democ part and got rid of the Republic out of Republican and kept the Can that we could have a new hybrid: Democan. I like Democracy so that's why we'll keep the DEMO and I like CAN, as in Can Do, so let's keep that. We get rid of Republic (as in Kingdom) and we get rid of the RATs (lots of rats to get rid of in both parties). There's no place to sign up as a Democan and I'm not asking for money. All you need to do is act in a civil manner and try to do your best at all times. "you may say I'm a Dreamer", "But What's Wrong With That"! Thanks John & Paul. Joy & Civility to ALL!

Road of Life CD Cover Art  My thanks to Joshua Abelow who granted me permission to use his oil painting "Leak" as the front cover of my ROAD of LIFE CD. Joshua Abelow is represented by branch gallery. Leak was purchased by Chloe, the owner of Branch Gallery. To see more of Josh' Art, please visit  www.branchgallery.com or  www.joshuaabelow.com  Smile.