Apologies in advance since Word Press is not fully accessible for people who are blind like me, so formatting, etc. may be messed up.
During this time of Social Distancing I am offering live shows every Saturday evening from my Facebook page, Jim Meck (musician). They start at 9PM if you are on the East Coast and 6PM if you are on the West Coast. If you are somewhere in between I’m sure you can do the math. Please LIKE my page and indicate you are going so I can invite more people. FB has an algorithm that limits my invites. Join in the conversation and let me know you are tuning in.
For those who have been asking about how to support me in this time of gig cancellations, please consider using my “Virtual Tip Jar” at PayPal.me/JamesMeck956 for a PayPal transfer or you can use Venmo and my email address jim@jimmeck.com. Some have also requested my address in order to mail a check. Please email me for that. Thank you to all who have graciously put digital “bread in my jar”!
In addition to Live FB shows I am also offering live music from my front porch each week to hopefully brighten up the day of those who are walking outside through my neighborhood. I am calling these my Pedestrian Serenades. At this point there is no consistent schedule, but I will announce them through my FB page. If you live in Tacoma, take a stroll in the North End on N. 29th Street between N. Alder and N. Cedar. The next one will probably be Wednesday, April 8th around 4PM.
I am exploring Private Zoom events that you can host and book in advance so you and your friends might enjoy your own virtual party with live music that is exclusive to your friends and family. If we do this through private invitations and password, we should avoid the latest “Zoom Bomber” threats. Why do people need to ruin things like this? If you are interested, please contact me. This can be anything from a get-together with friends, or a presentation and question and answer event concerning my music, my experiences, and/or my life living with blindness and the transitions throughout the phases of vision loss that are unique to my life. So this is an opportunity to have fun with friends, or design a presentation for your organization or company.
Finally, I was challenged by a friend to think about what Billy Joel song I could change to reflect the current situation in which we all find ourselves at this time. hAt first I refused, but as I kept thinking about it, I had an idea that I could not shake. In about an hour and a half I created a song called “Quarantine” based on Billy Joel’s “Honesty”. My apologies to him. I did not want to be disrespectful of him or the seriousness of the current pandemic as many people are dying and losing friends or otherwise suffering tremendously, not only medically but also through job loss and income. So while I mention a few lighter notes about our isolation, my main point is how much I miss getting together with friends, family, other musicians and all those who support my music. As of now it is not on YouTube, but you can find it on my FB page Jim Meck (musician). As of this writing it has about 3,000 views which is outrageous to me. I am pleased to know that some friends who have actually lost people close to them through this virus have affirmed that this song is respectful and some said “funny yet very classy”. That is quite a compliment. So check it out and let me know what you think.
That’s it for now I think. I hope this finds you well. Peace and love to all of you!
Cheers!
Jim