May 14 2013

Justin Bieber attacked on stage in Dubai

In the entertainment world, one would be hard pressed to find anyone that is as popular as Justin Bieber these days. With apologies to Lindsay Lohan and her continual bouts with the law, Bieber’s star power has made him one of biggest draws in the music industry right now. His current tour, entitled “Believe”, is making all the teen girls swoon, but they are not the only ones being affected by the 19-year-old Canadian rocker.

It turns out that young Bieber can incite a thrill in both sexes if his latest concert in Dubai is any indication. Bieber was late into his gig when he began to play a song while sitting down at the piano. As the singer crooned away, a male fan darted out of the crowd and made his way towards Bieber. He got close enough to grab hold of, and appeared to, hug the young unsuspecting star.  Footage of the supposed attack can be seen here.

The fact that it was an apparent hug seems to make the word attack the wrong one to use in this case. The fan did not carry any type of weapon, nor did he appear to be trying to cause any harm to the Canadian rocker. That fact is borne out by the fact that the authorities did not levy additional charges against the young man. The fan did not last long on the stage as security quickly tackled him and ushered him off the stage.

There was one injury that was reported, that being the piano on which Bieber was playing. As the security guards went after the runaway fan, the man careened into the piano, causing it to flip over on the stage. The fan appeared to get away unscathed, but the piano was not as fortunate. The instrument was deemed unplayable by Bieber’s people.

Give Justin Bieber credit though, because he did not cancel the rest of the concert. Most stars, after an incident like that, would be too freaked out to carry on with the show, but Bieber would have none of that. He took a short break, which lasted under five minutes, and then returned to the stage. He proceeded to close the show with his hit songs “Boyfriend” and “Baby”.

It certainly has been a memorable tour for the young singer, as he and his entourage have encountered numerous issues. He had his monkey quarantined in Germany, made a fool of himself with his Anne Frank – Bielieber tweet, and had drugs allegedly discovered on his tour bus. The young man seems oblivious to all of the craziness, but this latest occurrence might want to make him think twice about the security minding the stage at his concerts.




Sep 26 2011

Local wood carver featured in magazine – TheWesternNews.com: Libby News – Local wood carver featured in magazine: Libby News

 Local wood carver featured in magazine   TheWesternNews.com: Libby News   Local wood carver featured in magazine: Libby News

Ron Adamson, a self-taught wood carver,found his niche 40-years ago while working at the St. Regis mill inLibby.

“I worked on the old planer No. 1. Itwas a beast,” Adamson said. “Problem is, it got plugged up all thetime.”

As a 17-year-old, Adamson worked a jobthat no one else wanted. he also worked in an area of the millwhere few wanted to work.

When the planer became plugged withwood fragments, Adamson would have extra time, sometimes as littleas a minute or other times as much as four and five before it wascleared for him to begin work again.

During those intermissions, Adamsoncarved with a knife on small pieces of wood. he attributes hisknack for speedy sculpting because he never knew when the planerwould begin working again.

“I can carve eyes and a nose and theshape of most of the face in 10 minutes,” Adamson said. “A fewseconds of carving, and it takes shape.”

While working at the mill, Adamsonlearned to carve in the presence of others who he worked with,which proved to be an asset later in his career. Now, at 55,carving during art shows with hovering onlookers does not botherAdamson.

As a young man, he dreamt of being anoil painter. he quickly found he did not possess the skills to drawin a two-dimensional realm.

“I can’t draw,” Adamson said. “I’m athree-dimensional guy in a two-dimensional world.”

A piece of wood most people woulddiscard, Adamson fashions the remnant into a work of art.

“Looking at a piece of wood, I just seefaces or feathers,” Adamson said.

In 1999, Adamson received a commissionto create what he considers, thus far, the pinnacle of his career:a bronze sculpture depicting an image from the Eagles song “Take itEasy.” the sculpture is now “standing on the corner in WinslowAriz.,” for admirers.

Adamson was asked to create a sculpturestanding six-feet tall and holding a guitar.

“They wanted the guitar in his (statue)arms, like he was playing,” Adamson said. “I didn’t think that wasa good idea.”

“I made the statue balance the butt ofthe guitar on his toe instead,” Adamson said.

Originally, when Adamson was consideredfor the project, he was asked by the city of Winslow to draw apicture of what he envisioned for the bronze sculpture. he tried toexplain how it is impossible for him to draw – he eventuallycreated a small version of the bronze sculpture, flew to Arizonaand presented it to the city. Afterward, Adamson was given theopportunity to create the project.

During the project, Adamson beganreferring to the sculpture by nickname as, “Easy,” attributing itto the Eagles song. Adamson was challenged by “Easy,” unlike anyother previous project.

The challenge began when Adamson wasunable to assign the casting of the sculpture to another artist,forcing him to learn casting in bronze on his own.

Adamson set to work assembling a metalmelting foundry and created a refractory heated with propane. Thefirst attempt was nearly fatal for Adamson when he pumped thepropane in to the refractory unit.

“The lid blew off. the thing exploded,”Adamson said with a chuckle.

Adamson reminisced about theexperience, realizing now how dangerous it was at the time,however, he knows he learned a lot from the occurrence.

Adamson currently works for F. H.Stoltze Land and Lumber in Columbia Falls, Mont., as a gradeplaner. Troubled by carpal-tunnel syndrome and asbestos in hislungs, Adamson’s future is uncertain. However, he plans to keepcarving and creating his sculptures.

Adamson enjoys carving images rangingfrom Vikings and cowboys to mountain men and Native Americans. Heenjoys creating birds, such as pheasants and Canada geese, carvingthem first in separate pieces and bronzing them. Afterward, heapplies patina techniques to the metal to achieve a realisticappearance.

In addition to Adamson’s collectivework, Lifetime Achievement Awards for the Reno Film Festival in2000-’01 were carved and cast by Adamson. Recipients includedactors Tony Curtis, Rod Stieger and Dean Stockwell.

Most recently, publication “WoodcarvingIllustrated” featured Adamson in the Fall 2011 issue.

Adamson and his wife, Julie, (also anartist) work together making how-to DVDs from their home along theKootenai River. DVDs are available on Adamson’s websiteronadamson.com.

Adamson would love to teach atworkshops and participate in more shows however,

“I work four days a week,” Adamsonsaid. “Without the time to carve, I have to carve the entire showin order to have inventory to sell.”

“I would never be home,” Adamson said.“I want to spent time with my wife and family.”




Aug 16 2011

Famous Drummers – David Garibaldi

 Famous Drummers   David Garibaldi

David Garibaldi is the legendary drummer in the 10-member Oakland-based funk/soul band Tower of Power. Born on November 4, 1946 in Oakland, California, and raised in San Francisco, Garibaldi was already fascinated with drums at the age of 10. he played drums in the Pleasanton Elementary school band, and in high school, joined the Sid Reis big Band under the teaching of James Campana, during which period his parents bought him his first ever drum set. When he graduated from high school, Garibaldi became a member of a funk band called The Disciples. Just when he was starting his professional career as a musician, Garibaldi was enlisted in the United States Air Force and joined the 724th US Air Force Band. Following his release from the service, he returned to the San Francisco Bay Area, and in 1970, joined the Tower of Power.

With Tower of Power, Garibaldi easily became one of the most influential drummers of his generation. he was widely recognized as an innovator in funk drumming. he was particularly celebrated for his grooves on the hits You’re Still a Young Man, So Very Hard to go, You’ve Got to Funkifize and What is Hip? Garibaldi decided to leave the band in 1980, following some tumultuous years. His funky drum style, which became integral to Tower of Powers music, made it difficult for the drummers who replaced him.

Garibaldi had collaborations with various prestigious artists, including Patti Austin, Natalie Cole, Larry Carlton, Mickey Harts Planet Drum, Jermaine Jackson, Ray Obiedo, the Buddy Rich Orchestra, Boz Scaggs, Talking Drums, Gino Vanelli, and Deniece Williams. he also has books and videos under Alfred Publishing and Warner Brothers Publications, including Tower of Groove: Complete, a two-volume DVD, where Garibaldi performed eight great tunes with a six-piece band and then breaks down his drum part in each tune section by section. in this video, Garibaldi combined funk drumming with his interest in Afro-Cuban music. Garibaldi also worked with Doc Kupka in the Strokeland Superband album. he toured as well with singer RAD.

In January 1998, after 18 years of studio work, teaching, writing books, and producing videotapes on drumming, David Garibaldi rejoined Tower of Power. he came back at a time when the band was constantly touring. The band continues to tour extensively in the US and around the world.

Garibaldi has been recognized many times for his contributions to the music industry. he was named best Traditional R&B Drummer in the Modern Drummer Readers Poll 2007. he was also recently honored by Guitar Center, when he was given the 2008 Drum Legend Award.

Garibaldi plays Yamaha Drums and Sabian Cymbals.