Your So Heady Mitch Hedberg...

So the other day I had the truly unique experience of attending Seattle's 18th Annual Hempfest. It was dope. No really, it had some pretty amazing aspects to it.

The first thing that stoned me about the event was its numbers. Apparently over 150,000 people came down to Myrtle Edwards Park on Friday alone! The issue of legalizing marijuana and hemp in America appears to be very potent.

The second really amazing thing about Hempfest was the artwork. Glassblowers, visual artists, musicians, and culinary artists all came out with a high level of creativity. I was especially impressed with this guys work. Basically, he stencils pictures on old vinyl records. He gets some really trippy effects. If your a myspace head check him out, he does everything from Willy Dixon to The Dude.

Other then the things I listed above, Hempfest was pretty much what you'd expect it to be. Cannabis culture brings together a truly odd group and sadly, it is much of the reason the movement gets minimalized in mainstream American politics.

Well at Hempfest, a friend put me on to a comedian named Mitch Hedberg. I came home and giggled to his little antidotes about absurdity. The man was completely silly and people loved him dearly for it. Ironically, he moved to Seattle the same year the first Hempfest was created. Tragically, he lost his life to drugs. Hate to be a downer but drugs can ruin peoples lives for real. In order to have a discussion about the legalization of any substance, we must first differentiate what is recreation and what is abuse. Besides, laughter is the best drug of all.

You can check out the Mitch Hedberg official page here. Also stay tuned for a post about Isaac Hayes, another great soul who lost his life sometime last week.

Al Green Smilin'

If you haven't heard yet, Al Green has dropped a new LP. Yes, a 2008 release from the man himself. The albums co-produced by ?uestlove and features Anthony Hamilton and John Legend. This album is truly a ray of hope in troubled times.

A ray of hope? Check out the Legends' Wikipage. That man has had some struggles. He drops an album at the end of this, during the middle of this, and the possibility of beginning this? Maybe God is trying to tell us something.

All political beliefs aside, Al Green is there when you need him. Whether that be when your with your special friend or your at the 2008 BET Awards. Check out R&B Singer T-Pain around the 3:00 mark. Is that the robot to some Al Green?? Al Green always puts me in a good mood.

The Sam Cooke Story

Well, Sam Cooke is most definitely one of my favorite soul artists and I thought it would be fitting to start this blog thing out with his story. Check out this little piece National Public Radio did a while back (aired November 16, 2005).

The man had a mythical life story. I thought it was interesting that Bob Dylan inspired him to write his legendary, 'A Change is Gonna Come'. Try to listen through the whole interview, the last few minutes talk about the mystery surrounding his death.

This guy also has some interesting things to say about it.

A Soul Story Hour First

Hello Everyone!

This is the first post on my blog. Just letting people know whats up. Basically, I have created a blog for my radio show Soul Story Hour which broadcasts on KAOS 89.3fm Olympia, WA (Online kaosradio.org).

I will use this space to tell and link people to interesting stories that I come across or tell on the air. I will also post information, news, event details about artists featured on my radio show.

Look forward to more cool posts! Please email me at soulstoryhour@gmail.com so I can add you as a contact. I am always looking for more news, information, and stories or artist and event details from whatever sources are available so don't be shy to send me suggested posts.