Footage of 1960's Protest Singer Found.

John Munnelly the irreverent and quirky folk singer - "He was always protesting mostly about other folk singer's clothes" said one unnamed contemporary. Some rare footage was found buried in the back of a filing cabinet marked 'use only in case of emergency' and fully restored thanks to the generosity of ASCAP and the Jay Gorney family.

See this incredible archive film here - The Unemployment Blue's

----------

Brooklyn folkie wins with ‘Unemployment Blues’

Brooklyn folkie wins with ‘Unemployment Blues’

I'm happy to report that the little song that could is really taking on a life of it's own - TUB has just been featured on a local Brooklyn website - Brokelyn.com

I have been thinking that instead of H1N1 folkies can say they have T.U.B. - The Unemployment Blues.

(c) John Munnelly

SHOF Hall of Fame Showcase

Bitter End New York City

In the famous Bitter End venue on Bleecker Street, New York, open for 35 years; there is a fading pink poster for Arlo Gutherie on the wall in the back with a date on it Dec 20th - thru Jan 1 - I wondered what year? it doesn't say. Was I even born? I remember as a child in Ireland listening to Arlo's story of 'Alice's Restaurant' on late night radio as I lay in my room late at night with my radio gently murmuring. I have always liked listening to late night radio -it's very soothing. I was very excited about the record but my town was full of sneerer's and no one really shared my enthusiasm ... oh well! I loved it and printed out the lyric's recently just for fun.

I am being honored next month along with Arlo at the ASCAP Awards - so that is a wonderful synchronicity as he is the main awardee. My Jay Gorney award is for my fun message song - The Unemployment Blue's.

Last night several upcoming writers were included in a showcase event for the Songwriter's Hall of Fame - I was on 3rd and played the Unemployment Blue's, Peace and sang the vocals on AC's and my co-write "Don't love you like I used to" I need to be playing more - I am a very prolific writer but would benefit from more stage time to sharpen up my performance chops. I would relax into it more too the more I played out. I played with my co writer AC so that was great to have another musician along with me.

Last act was an Indian combo who really had a good vibe a kind of girl Indian Pop Nusratt Fateh Ali Khan - I had an idea for a co-write with them so that would be a fun thing to try - FALU.

Other folks who played were a team of acoustic/grunge/new rock COUNTRY guys Sellers Wray and a selection of attractively proportioned and voiced ladies of various styles - I liked Bri's 'Hours days & years' song and Gabriella's 'Savory Sweet' was very clever and melodic and slightly risque in a good way.

Do I change my name? It was spelt wrong in the program but we fixed it by hand before gig with a pen - thanks Annie! It was great to goin the last few years from having my nose pressed to glass wondering what was going on in venue to attending as an audience member then to actually playing on the stage - wow, onward and upward to the topmost of the popperpost guys!

The Unemployment Blues

TAXI CONFERENCE

This is my first taxi conference - I'm excited to be going. We have prepared full color CDs with our prize winning song and some of my other prize winning songs on it - it looks really great - Christina did an amazing job taking the pictures then laying it out nicely with color inserts.

Here are the lyrics to the ASCAP GORNEY Award winner-

The Unemployment Blues

Thought I could do it better I could do it all
Little did I know I was headed for a fall
I put in the trouble, I put in the sweat
Got the job I wanted, bought a new Corvette
seven years in college, to achieve my dream
Never thought I'd end up, with food stamps to redeem

I've got the blues ...

I was laid off last week don't know what I will do
I'm gonna go on line with the unemployment blues

I've got the blues ...

To sing I am unable to beg I am too proud
not strong enough to dig a ditch or drag a plow
got no money, got no job,
what can I do different? on the sofa like a slob
looking for a job the city seems so cold,
for all my applications no one ever phones


I've got the blues ...

I was laid off last week don't know what I will do
I'm gonna go on-line with the unemployment blues

I've got the blues ...

I worked hard for 3 years before I got laid off
The boss still owes me money, times are really tough
then someone knew somebody, wanted to see me
(But) I chose the wrong direction, saw Queen's in misery
got a one-way ticket to the line around the block
I'm going to write a song called the unemployment rock

I've got the blues ...

Got a one way ticket to the line around the block
I'm going to write a song called the unemployment rock

(c) John Munnelly /Christina Lord

The little song that could: The Unemployment Blues

I received some good and encouraging news this month - a co-written song addressing the economic times we live in was selected and won the ASCAP Jay Gorney award.

The ASCAP Foundation Jay Gorney Award was established by his wife, Sondra and son, Dr. Roderic Gorney, to commemorate Jay's career and legacy. Jay Gorney, a long-time ASCAP member and composer, along with lyricist E. Y. "Yip" Harburg, wrote, the 1930s classic, "Brother Can You Spare a Dime?," which became the anthem of the Great Depression.

It was awarded for an original song by an ASCAP member or unaffiliated songwriter who graduated from either an ASCAP, ASCAP Foundation or Songwriters Hall of Fame workshop/showcase. The song was judged on its message of social conscience/social significance as well as overall craft, artistry, and compositional elements.

WooHoo! Thanks go to the Gorney Family and ASCAP.