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The Wonderful Tennessee State Museum ~ Our Spring Bok Choi Harvest this year ~ and Goodnight Esther Williams

| June 7, 2013 | 0 Comments
The Wonderful Tennessee State Museum ~ Our Spring Bok Choi Harvest this year ~ and Goodnight Esther Williams

Being quite busy these weeks with everything and the CMA Music Festival in full swing ~ I decided to shotgun post several things at once to hold us for a week or so … We have a fantastic State Museum located in downtown Nashville. My favorite display is the printing press from 200 years ago […]

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What You Think You See Is Not What You Think You Get

| June 2, 2013 | 2 Comments
What You Think You See Is Not What You Think You Get

Comic book ads back in the 1960s were quite amazing … When I found out I could pick up bottles from soft drinks that were discarded along the roadside and turn them in for 3 cents a piece at the corner store and immediately support my comic book habit, I was in heaven ! RC […]

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Remembering ~

| May 28, 2013 | 0 Comments
Remembering ~

Decoration Day by illustrator John T. McCutcheon – 1900 There are many stories about when Memorial Day began in the United States. There is one tie that binds … it began to honor those who gave their lives in the American Civil War. First known as Decoration Day, we now remember all who gave their […]

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Creating New Words vs Destroying Old Words

| May 26, 2013 | 0 Comments
Creating New Words vs Destroying Old Words

There is only one cause of unhappiness: … the false beliefs you have in your head, beliefs so widespread, so commonly held, that it never occurs to you to question them.” – Anthony De Mello So … Now we are supposed to think of chocolate and overly sweet sugary deserts when we hear the word […]

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Charles Lindbergh makes history in 1927 // Goodnight Gifted Keyboardist Ray Manzarek of The Doors

| May 21, 2013 | 0 Comments
Charles Lindbergh makes history in 1927 // Goodnight Gifted Keyboardist Ray Manzarek of The Doors

What drives a man to push the limits of himself, the elements and technology ? What drives him isn’t as important as the drive itself. On top of that, what man gets a large loan from a bank, throws in everything he made working over the previous year and risks his life to do something […]

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Bob Sweikert Lived Fast and Died Young

| May 20, 2013 | 0 Comments
Bob Sweikert Lived Fast and Died Young

Could you imagine living an entire life doing the same, slow routine day in and day out? Never pushing the limits of anything. Always staying below the speed limits. Going with the flow. Imagine never making waves. Going with the flow. Never facing the wind or reaching for something that was just out of reach […]

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Got Goat ?

| May 18, 2013 | 0 Comments
Got Goat ?

Let me get something straight right off the bat – I hate goats … We all have our likes and dislikes when it comes to our tastes – preferences that is. Most of us are tolerant of other’s tastes even if we would not participate ourselves. Me ? I absolutely love grits. A Hamburger fanatic. […]

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Project PX Anniversary

| May 17, 2013 | 0 Comments
Project PX Anniversary

It is recognized that the “Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer” was born on this date in 1943. It’s secret name was “Project PX” … But it’s nic-name was ENIAC … It was a secret project during WWII with the US Army and U Penn’s Moore School with a funding of half a million dollars which […]

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4/10ths of a Second between Immortality and Obscurity

| May 17, 2013 | 0 Comments
4/10ths of a Second between Immortality and Obscurity

It could be safe to assume that you do not know who Mack Robinson is. Even if you are a fan of the Olympic Games there is a slim chance you know the name or even heard the name or seen his name in print. However, Everyone knows who Jesse Owens is. Sure ! He […]

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Utopia Overnight

| May 11, 2013 | 0 Comments
Utopia Overnight

Nothing happens quickly. You can’t have utopia in a single day … Actually, there can never be Utopia – but that’s a subject all unto itself. Mankind continually strives to create systems that defy reality and nature, only to ultimately fail. Every five years the world of physics is turned upside down because a smaller […]

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Portrait Photograph – 1790 Settlement Child

| May 4, 2013 | 0 Comments
Portrait Photograph – 1790 Settlement Child

I made this portrait using a 50 year old Zukio 100mm prime lens using a special concocted adapter ring on a 40D digital body. The ring disables all the automatic and all sensing devices the camera has, but I only like shooting full manual anyway by the seat of my pants. I prefer prime lenses. […]

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Bulldoggin’ with Cowboy Bill Pickett

| May 4, 2013 | 0 Comments
Bulldoggin’ with Cowboy Bill Pickett

No matter what it is … … someone was the first to do it. In modern rodeo and cowboy times, steer wrestling known as “bulldogging” is as common as grits on a southern breakfast table. Who was the first cowboy to chase a steer at full gallop, come up next to the running steer, jump […]

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Don’t Mess with Uncle Ted

| May 2, 2013 | 0 Comments
Don’t Mess with Uncle Ted

I am a huge fan of O Henry. When a new story comes around with a similar surprise twist which is known in literary circles as an “O Henry Ending” I am always pleased and ready to share it… Here is a fine example of American short story humor that was shared by Mikala. This […]

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Science and the Tortillia Chip

| April 26, 2013 | 0 Comments
Science and the Tortillia Chip

We love chips and salsa in our house. But we can’t stand store chips in those big plastic bags. Not only because of the loads of salt (because we like to actually taste the food) but the price of convenience and the chemicals introduced to keep them fresh. We make our own – but they […]

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Goodnight Possum –

| April 26, 2013 | 0 Comments
Goodnight Possum –

Who’s gonna fill their shoes? ___ We Didn’t Stop Loving Him Today…

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5150

| April 25, 2013 | 0 Comments
5150

1981 does not seem to be an ancient time given the speed of computer technology advancement. Computer years seem to be similar to dog years but even more accelerated. The first IBM PC was introduced around this day in history in 1981, although some put it’s introduction in the month of August 1981. It was […]

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Happy Hillbilly Day !

| April 23, 2013 | 0 Comments
Happy Hillbilly Day !

Actually, there is no “official” day of the hillbilly … I refer to a New York Journal article way back in 1900 that was published on this day that is the first known mention of the term. It was in an article by political correspondent Julian Hawthorne. Hawthorne was quite a prolific writer and traveler. […]

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Musicians at the Ryman Show

| April 22, 2013 | 0 Comments
Musicians at the Ryman Show

The band is warming up and making last minute tune ups as the call for curtain spreads through the stage. It may be another countless show but those “Nashville Cats” put out their best at every one. And yes, guitar players – that is indeed a “Rose” guitar. But as Shakespeare wrote: “What is a […]

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Fans At The Side Door

| April 22, 2013 | 0 Comments
Fans At The Side Door

There is a certain door on the side of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville that has been used back to the early days of the Grand Old Opry to scoot across to the rear entrance of Tootsie’s … Some fans know about it and peer in to maybe catch a glimpse of their favorite star […]

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Happy Birthday Edward L Beach Jr

| April 20, 2013 | 0 Comments
Happy Birthday Edward L Beach Jr

Today marks the birthday in 1918 of Edward L Beach Jr – A real American hero and significant member in the brotherhood of Submariners. He led a full and adventurous life with his career in the US Navy. His achievements would fill several books – which do fill several books. Good reading for those who […]

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Reflections of a Sonic Journey – Discovering Vinyl Records

| April 18, 2013 | 0 Comments
Reflections of a Sonic Journey – Discovering Vinyl Records

I “caught” my young daughter eying the crates of vinyl stacked in my production office. We began to share these old recordings and I was pleased to see she was digging the music. It reminded me of discovering a box of LPs and 45s when I was even younger than she is from my mom’s […]

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Submariners: The Men Of The Silent Service

| April 17, 2013 | 0 Comments
Submariners: The Men Of The Silent Service

Submariners: The Men of the Silent Service 2 DVD Collector Set Now Available at: Online: American Family Mall DVD Store Online at Amazon.com Available at museums such as: Pearl Harbor Memorial US Submarine Force Museum More Info: www.SubmarineMovie.com The Feature Movie Documentary that explores the secret life and world of the American Submarine Sailor. Fifteen […]

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Bass Hands – Nashville – Photograph

| April 17, 2013 | 0 Comments
Bass Hands – Nashville – Photograph

Made back in 2006 while visiting a band playing downtown. I used a 200mm prime lens (1970s Zukio) with the special ring adapter on a D30 body …

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Linda Davis at the Ryman Auditorium – Nashville – Photo 2007

| April 17, 2013 | 0 Comments
Linda Davis at the Ryman Auditorium – Nashville – Photo 2007

I snapped this onstage at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville as Linda Davis received a much deserved award from her peers in the Music Industry for her many good works, activities and music. She’s one of the nicest and most talented people you could ever meet. Another person to note in the background to the […]

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Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes …

| April 17, 2013 | 0 Comments
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes …

With everything we do every day with technology and the WWW – this is the last place I have time to do anything … Improvements have been long time needed and long time coming. I am reminded of an old riddle … … about the town with only two barbers, each with their barber shops […]

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Block And Tackle – A Story of Honor and Fair Play

| April 15, 2013 | 0 Comments
Block And Tackle – A Story of Honor and Fair Play

“Block And Tackle” – A Story of Honor and Fair Play by Tony Rollo “Let common sense and common honesty have fair play, and they will soon set things to rights.” – Thomas Jefferson Deep in the South a baby was born. This wasn’t an ordinary baby, this was a 14 pound hammer knocker that […]

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The Tony Rollo Blog

| April 14, 2013 | 0 Comments
The Tony Rollo Blog

When one goes to mine for gold, a diamond or two is always discovered in the process. But what to do with these bits and pieces of diamonds in the meanwhile ? This is what my blog is all about. Bits and pieces of life – past, present and future. Too interesting to just toss […]

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My View

| April 14, 2013 | 0 Comments
My View

Style? Mood? Emotion? I feel there is a combination of three basic elements that effect style, mood and emotion. Whether it is a film, stage production or even a gallery showing. These three elements are light, color and sound. To evoke an experience with the audience, all three must coincide properly. If one grasps the […]

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Tony Rollo Articles and Essays

| April 14, 2013 | 0 Comments
Tony Rollo Articles and Essays

Entertaining and Enlightening Articles / Creative and Original Essays Sometimes a fleeting thought and story comes to mind. It can be from an experience, a dream or from my muse. And it must be written down and shared somehow. So that is what this section is all about. A collection of short stories, ideas and […]

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Tony Rollo Galleria

| April 14, 2013 | 0 Comments
Tony Rollo Galleria

Media – Photographs – Graphics Gallery Misc photos and films made during my travels and around Nashville. CLICK HERE for the listing of all entries in the Galleria

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Tony Rollo Productions

| April 14, 2013 | 0 Comments
Tony Rollo Productions

A descriptive listing of selected productions and products. Films – DVDs – Audio projects – Publications – … and other items. CLICK HERE to see the index

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Contact Us

| April 14, 2013 | 12 Comments
Contact Us

How to Contact Us – Feel free to leave a comment below. Comments are oldest first so scroll down to see the newest ones. I prefer contact through the email address as seen above. Please use a subject line that will catch our eye specific to the reason of your contact. We’d love to hear […]

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Happy Birthday Chuck

| April 10, 2013
Happy Birthday Chuck

He was many things … A tank warfare instructor in the US Army. A professional basketball player. A professional baseball player. An actor. Chuck Connors did more in one lifetime than most guys would take several lifetimes to achieve. He never seemed to get type cast in movies. He played good guys as well as […]

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Goodnight Iron Lady

| April 8, 2013
Goodnight Iron Lady

I was sad to see that Margaret Thatcher has passed. She did lead a long and interesting life and just had a movie made about her life – albeit they tried to make it with a fringe of doubt concerning her sanity. But that’s Hollywood you know … We sure could use a pair of […]

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What Really Unites … BOOTS !!!

| March 31, 2013
What Really Unites … BOOTS !!!

BOOTS !!! Try to remember the fashions of the 80’s …

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New Trailer for the Submarine Feature Documentary

| March 30, 2013
New Trailer for the Submarine Feature Documentary

Here is the new trailer for – “Submariners: The Men Of The Silent Service” More about the feature film at: www.SubmarineMovie.com

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E Tu’ Pascal ?

| March 30, 2013
E Tu’ Pascal ?

We have the geekiest kitchen table conversations in the history of family conversations. I suddenly – in passing by – asked the wife if she ever actually used PASCAL. I don’t know why my mind drifted into that memory – but I do have a theory of how the mind rearranges itself as it ages. […]

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Goodnight Gordon …

| March 27, 2013
Goodnight Gordon …

I have a short list of folks I have met in my life that are the most genuine people … You can tell they are not putting up a fake front. If they are truly genuine. As an experienced producer, director and with an extensive acting background, human nature is a detailed study in order […]

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Another Southernism ~ to be “Slap Happy”

| March 27, 2013
Another Southernism ~ to be “Slap Happy”

America is a big country with many different dialects and meanings of slang … Intelligence is not based upon dialects. However… dialect reveals culture. ________ “Their words are lush like the land they come from … These southerners know the names of what shrubs hang over what creek, what dogwood flowers bloom what color, what […]

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Loads of fun for A Buck and a Quarter

| March 24, 2013
Loads of fun for A Buck and a Quarter

Yep … $1.25 ! And that included shipping and everything. I also ordered the Civil War set a couple of months later after I had collected enough drink bottles along the road side and cashed them in. It was usually six weeks or so for the package to arrive. Which is an eternity for a […]

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John Draper ~ Better Photography Through Chemistry

| March 23, 2013
John Draper ~ Better Photography Through Chemistry

It is widely believed that John Draper was the first to photograph the moon. It is more accurate to say he was the first to take a “clear” photograph of the moon in 1840. Actually, he was the first to take any “clear” photograph of anyone. As a chemist, he improved on the process of […]

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Today in 1765 ~ A Pandora’s [box] Can of Worms

| March 22, 2013
Today in 1765 ~ A Pandora’s [box] Can of Worms

It was the beginning of the beginning … British Parliament passed the “Duties in American Colonies Act 1765″ or as it is better known: The Stamp Tax It was a Pandora’s Can Of Worms indeed … Everything printed had to have a certain stamp attached. That included everything from newspapers to playing cards. From this, […]

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A Rock-N-Roll Anniversary

| March 21, 2013
A Rock-N-Roll Anniversary

You would think that teenagers packed into a theater in 1952 with that new kind of exciting music blaring out of large speakers through electron tubes would know how to behave themselves. They just didn’t know what they were getting into – did they ? Concert promotions would never be the same …

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Rotating Ninety Degrees with Mark Waid

| March 21, 2013
Rotating Ninety Degrees with Mark Waid

Happy Birthday to Mark Waid … An Alabama born comic book guy that has done some very interesting stuff … His first big gig in the printed media world was as an editor if I remember correctly. In printed media, editors put it together – in film, editors also put it together. Editors see the […]

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Turntable Wars ~ Belt VS Direct Drive

| March 20, 2013
Turntable Wars ~ Belt VS Direct Drive

Audiophiles are a curious lot … They will go on and on arguing about turntables. I am in a kick recently about classic 1970s stereo gear and I’ve been asked to throw down what I think about it … so why not here? First off, I am always into quality and bullet-proof stuff. Whatever it […]

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1970s Component Stereo Geek ~ Tech Demystification

| March 18, 2013
1970s Component Stereo Geek ~ Tech Demystification

Gosh ~ I miss my ’77 Wintec amp … The 1970s were the heyday years for audio and music. There were amazing advancements in not only the quality of recording and studio technology, but also for the audio consumer. A lot went on in those short years. In the 1980s there was a frustrating destructive […]

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Good Night, Jack …

| March 15, 2013
Good Night, Jack …

I first met Jack Greene about 14 years ago backstage at the Opry House. Although we were on a first name basis, we were friendly acquaintances as we would run across each other. I wish we had become closer friends because he was one of the most genuine people you could ever meet. A real […]

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My “Kicked Up Mo’ Healthy Pimento Cheese” Recipe

| March 15, 2013
My “Kicked Up Mo’ Healthy Pimento Cheese” Recipe

I am happy to work as a private chef for a family in Nashville … … mine ! ;-) We haven’t enjoyed eating out in restaurants for a long time. I feel it’s that most restaurant food has diminished in quality over the last decade or so. There are exceptions – like Fido’s in Nashville […]

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How do abusive companies stay in business ?

| March 14, 2013
How do abusive companies stay in business ?

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1755 – The First Steam Engine put to work in America

| March 13, 2013
1755 – The First Steam Engine put to work in America

Maybe I’m a real SteamPunk at heart … I thought that steam engines began to be in common use after Civil War times. Rail roads and textile manufacturing were the main applications of steam engines. Anything before that were horse powered contraptions. I knew that steam power was used before in experimental ways – it […]

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