Incoming

Let’s Active back in the 1980s.

Every word means blow out the candles. Happy Birthday to Mitch Easter from Let’s Active. Unfortunately, he’s the only surviving member from the engaging 1980s indie rock trio—we lost Faye Hunter and Sara Romweber a while back—but their songs sound as fresh as ever. Of course, Easter is also known for producing R.E.M. and he remains a respected producer and musician to this day.

I had never heard of Let’s Active when I saw them open for R.E.M. at Park West, but after that show, I became a long-time fan. I still have all their records, plus a multi-act tribute CD. On November 4, Mitch Easter performed a Lets Active 40th Anniversary Concert in the band’s hometown of Winston-Salem, NC, with help from a number of guests.

Blue Oyster Cult will be calming our fears about The Reaper this Friday night at the new Des Plaines Theatre in northwest suburban Des Plaines. John Waite, a solo artist, as well as a member of The Babys and Bad English, will be there on Saturday, November 20.

The 2022 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony will be streaming on HBOmax this November 20. In addition to The Go-Go’s, Tina Turner, Carole King, LL Cool J, Foo Fighters, Todd Rundgren, Jay-Z, Kraftwerk, Gil Scott-Heron, Randy Rhoads, Charley Patton, and Billy Preston being inducted, there will also be special appearances by Paul McCartney, Angela Bassett, Taylor Swift, Brandi Carlile, Christina Aguilera, Dr. Dre, Jennifer Hudson, and other well-known musicians.

 

On a sad, note, The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame paid tribute today to Graeme Edge, who passed away recently at the age of 80. Edge was the drummer for 2018 inductees The Moody Blues. 

 

There was no Slumgullion in the pot this past weekend because I was preparing for the virtual North Carolina Writing Day Workshop, which was held on Saturday and Sunday. I had Zoom meetings with two literary agents on Saturday, and a third Zoom meeting with an agent on Sunday morning. We discussed my Young Adult RomCom/Paranormal/Rock and Roll novel, and the feedback was very positive.

I’ve been given the green light to send chapters to two of the agents I spoke with, so wish me luck. There were also a number of seminars offered as well. This was the last WDW event for 2021, but if you’re a writer looking to connect with some very helpful and knowledgeable people in the publishing industry, watch for the 2022 WDW conferences.