Modern Hippie Mag » Music

My Two Greatest Gifts of the Season

Steve McAllister — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:00:04 +0000

Image courtesy of jcookfisher (Flickr)

The greatest gift I’ve received yet this season was the opportunity to perform The Rucksack Cabaret at the Blue Owl. I wrote the songs while I was travelling to write The Rucksack Letters, but it wasn’t until recently that I finally arranged them into a storyline and fleshed out the stories between. I don’t necessarily consider myself a musician, but more of a storyteller with some chords.

That being the case, The Rucksack Cabaret is not merely a concert where I sing songs while people talk about the daily trivialities at the bar. It is an ever-changing, improvisational storytelling session with musical interludes to help set the tone and harness the passion of the journey we are all on to turn those trivialities into miracles. Needless to say, I get into some deep shit.

Building from my struggle with the fundamentalist religion of my youth and the blossoming of a greater spiritual understanding by breathing essence instead of dogma and faith instead of belief, I talk about my diagnosis with Attention Deficit Disorder and the brilliant synchronicity of so many creative minds converging in a time when their talents are so needed. And I get into how I view the Occupy movement, and what I think of the financial structure that has been guiding this world into depravity and injustice. Just as the only time Jesus got really pissed was with the moneylenders in the temple, when discussing our current economic situation, this is generally when I start to loosen my tongue.

Image courtesy of WarmSleepy (Flickr)

After the first act, before I even touched upon the Occupy movement or the economy, I got into a conversation with a 21 year old art student from Uzbakistan. Though she liked what I had to say throughout my stories and songs, when she asked me about the Occupy movement, she stood firm in her disapproval of it. Considering where she is from, I could completely understand her trepidation of falling into a Communist regime. However, where I see the revolution going is far beyond Communism. Although we disagreed, we became Facebook friends, and I finished my second act without any tirades about the one percent.

Saturday I attended the Occupy Sarasota rally in Five Points Park. After months of simply standing by the road or in the park bitching about the problems, we’re finally at a point where we are sitting down and discussing some solutions. A few of the attendees brought several folding chairs, and I was glad that we were moving from protest to proactivity. Then, we had a visitor.

He sat stood on the periphery for a few moments, leaned in, and said, “This is the stupidest thing I’ve seen people do in my life” and walked away.

“What?” I asked his heels. “Communicating?”

Although I’ve supported the Occupy movement, I haven’t sought out face to face conflicts with those that seek to argue the merits of civil disobedience. However, feeling keenly aware of the field of all opportunities, I followed the man and asked what he meant.

A conservative, Tea Party Christian by his own definition, I think the conversation was much more taxing on him than it was me as he often had to stop to take a breath, became very concerned about the police, and even worried about the presence of a child. I just kept on smiling him and assuring him that the Christ he seeks to understand has much greater riches that can be quantified and diminished by taxes and Federal Reserve Notes. They are a peculiar breed, these people who hold some ideas so sacred that they would sacrifice compassion, joy, and peace in order to be right. Fortunately, I don’t have to be right. I just have to tell my story and listen to others tell theirs. I think I’ve found my second greatest gift of the season.

My Two Greatest Gifts of the Season is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

GrowthBusters Earth Day 2011 Soundtrack Release

Guest Contributor — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 20:00:15 +0000

GrowthBusters – Hooked on Growth, written and produced by Dave Gardner, is a non-profit, feature-length documentary to be released 2011. The film explores the destructive consequences of our addiction to consumption and how we can overcome it.

To honor the musicians who have devoted their artistry to finding the cure for growth addiction and those who have offered to help the GrowthBusters documentary film project, Dave has released a “soundtrack” album for Earth Day.

Proceeds from the sale of the album will help fund completion of the film.

Learn more about the artists and the film.

GrowthBusters Earth Day 2011 Soundtrack Release is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Finding the Rainbow Connection

Steve McAllister — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:00:20 +0000

As a young man, I have fond memories of the Muppet Show and its wonderful cast of characters. The Muppet Movie was my introduction to the road trip. Long before Jack Kerouac, Hunter Thompson, and the Electric Kool Aid Acid Test inspired me to explore my society, I was inspired to be an explorer of the heart by a little green frog named Kermit.

As children, we are always inspired by the lovers and the dreamers. But as we grow older and meet people who have given up on love and dreams, we mature to the point where our childhood idealism is not much more than a fond memory. In a similar fashion, when the first generation of hippies ceased in their celebration of life, love, peace, and harmony, and started fighting those who were mired in the mindset of war, the ideals which gave them their strength were left behind like childhood dreams. Some may say they matured beyond their youthful naiveté. Some may say they fell from the tree and rotted.

Nevertheless, even the fruits that have fallen leave seeds and the opportunity for the future growth of life. Those seeds are sprouting once again in this generation as people are gaining awareness of the growing ideals that gave the first hippie revolution such power in inciting change, if only in the hearts of disillusioned teenagers. In this generation, after the disillusionment we have witnessed, it is time for a rebirth of peace, hope, and love.

If you would like to help give water to the thirsty, please click the “donate” button below or go to charity:water.

Photo courtesy of Pixdaus

Steve

Steve McAllister is an actor, musician, accomplished author, filmmaker, and the man behind Your Daily Groove at Modern Hippie Mag. His most recent novel, The McAllister Code is available now as a Limited Edition Advanced Copy paperback. Find Steve on Twitter, @InkenSoul. Read his reviews and articles here.

Finding the Rainbow Connection is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

No Complaints

Steve McAllister — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:15:16 +0000

We live in a chaotic world where all sorts of things are bound to go wrong. However, it is not so much what is going on around us that is important. It is how we react to it that really makes the difference.

In a Modern Hippie TV interview we did recently with artist Gale Fulton Ross, she talked about those times in her life when things did not seem to be working as she hoped. She said that by finding the stillness within her, she was often able to realize that although she may not always have what she wants, she can usually find her way to understanding that she does have everything that she needs.

So it is with each of us. If we can redirect our energies from focusing on the problems of the world to focusing on how much abundance actually exists, we will be much better equipped to find the solutions to the problems.

May we all fix our focus on realizing the potential we have within ourselves and each other instead of the shortcomings we imagine. In doing so, by simply changing our perspective, we may just realize that we truly do have the capacity to change the world.

If you would like to be part of the solution by letting water flow to those who thirst for it, please click the “donate” button below or visit charity:water.

Photo courtesy of Pixdaus

Steve

No Complaints is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

The Artists Formerly Known As Hippies

Steve McAllister — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:00:25 +0000

As I started to consider what songs to play for my audition on Sunday, I went first for the ones that held a special meaning for me and pointed at what kind of changes I wanted to see in the world. Yet I’ve been told that I tend to come across a little too serious at times what with the Times a Changin’, Losing My Religion, Mad World, and One-ness stuff so I thought it would be a good idea to have a little fun as well. That’s really what Raspberry Beret is to me. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it played acoustically before, and I have a great time doing it.

Nevertheless, as my wife pointed out to me, The Artist formerly known as The Artist Formerly Known As Prince may just be the quintessential Modern Hippie. Although he may not be a tree hugger, he is conscious enough to know what he wants, and creative enough to manifest it when challenges arise. Almost twenty years ago, when Sony started to impinge on his creative style, he sought a way out of the contract which held him in limbo for the next few years. Since Sony owned the right to “Prince” for awhile yet, the man simply dropped the brand and recreated himself as a cryptogram – kind of a blend between a treble clef and the symbols of our dualistic sexuality. In the face of an obstacle, the man found a way through it.

As we face the obstacles that stand in our way and limit our potentials, it is imperative that we realize that we have the creative energy to overcome anything that stands in our way. In the larger scheme of things, as we start to understand that we operate in a creative universe that seeks our further evolution, it may just be that the obstacles arise for that very reason. In every challenge we face, we are given the opportunity to stretch ourselves beyond what we have been before and rise to the occasion of being the absolute best we can be in any given moment.

Because when those moments come up in our lives when we run into the girl wearing the raspberry beret, and she calls us to be more than just a guy working at the five and dime, she will not accept anything less than excellence, and Old Man Johnson’s farm will remain unvisited. Let’s be all we can be in every moment and realize that the challenges of life are for our benefit, even those as simple as giving water to the thirsty. That is what the Modern Hippie movement is all about. We’re not interested in the caricatures; we are building on the principles and ideas that created a movement of peace, understanding, compassion, and community. At least, that’s what my wife told me when she put on her raspberry beret.

If you would like to help us in the cause to provide clean water to the almost billion people who do not have access to it, please click on the donate button below or go to charity:water. Thank you.

Steve

The Artists Formerly Known As Hippies is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Mad World

Steve McAllister — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:00:11 +0000

Although I was familiar with a few of Tears for Fears’ hits, it wasn’t until I watched Donnie Darko that I first heard a cover of the song Mad World. It was later that I learned the song, released almost thirty years ago, was their first international hit. Does anyone else feel a little old?

Nevertheless, when I heard the song, the timelessness spoke to me. I hope we get to a time when the world doesn’t seem so mad, however there are still a lot of things going on the world that give this song just as much credence as when it was first released.

According to charity:water, “Right now, almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean, safe drinking water. That’s one in eight of us.” They go on to say that 80% of the fatal diseases caused by unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation kill more people than violence, even the violence of war. Not that I’d like to see violence win that particular race, but giving people access to clean water seems like such an easy fix for so many of the problems facing the world. A $20 investment in humanity can give one person clean water for 20 years.

Can we love our fellow man enough to make this world seem less mad? “The UN predicts that one tenth of the global disease burden can be prevented simply by improving water supply and sanitation.” Consider donating to charity:water today by either going to their website or clicking the “donate” button below.

Thank you.

Photo courtesy of Pixdaus

Steve

Mad World is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

One

Steve McAllister — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:00:05 +0000

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I began this expedition. Although I knew that I was on the right path, I wasn’t quite sure where the path would lead. I had no money to put toward my trip, and I was pretty unsure how I would afford to make it to Atlanta, much less actually be able to raise any money for charity:water. Nevertheless, on Sunday, considering that I was running on a proactive steam since shooting, editing, and uploading ten videos the day before, I had an itch to speak to a local entrepreneurs group called YES 941 about the power of “Yes.”

After John, the founder of the group, gave me the okay, I woke the next morning at 4am with the message I would bring. After speaking to the group, I’d managed to raise $200. Although, I initially considered using that money toward a bus ticket, shortly after, I received a paycheck I wasn’t expecting which allows me to pay my own way, meaning that I have already made $200 for my cause. Another $999,800 and I’ll have reached my goal.

My wife thinks this is the song that I should play for my audition. Last year, “one life, with each other, sisters and brothers” were voted as the best lyrics of last decade. For me, that’s really what it does come down to. Although there is a big part of me that just wants to be onstage and nurture a childhood dream of being a rock star, I want more than just the success that might come with being a famous performer. I want to be of value to the brothers and sisters I may never meet.

In the preamble to the United Nations Charter drafted in December 1948, it states, “Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.” Each of our brothers should have the dignity of being given access to clean water. The charter goes on to state in Article 25 that “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services.” Although water is not mentioned here, that may be because it is so basic that it wasn’t even given a thought. Yet, here we are, and almost a billion people are not afforded this right.

In a country where over 4% of the population is classified as a millionaire, what value can we bring to those who may watch their children die of thirst? I believe that if we as a people can show enough love to our fellow man by giving them this dignity, and let the freedom of water flow so that they may begin to lift themselves from this most basic of poverties, all of us will begin to become more buoyant.

Please consider donating by clicking on the “donate” button below or by going directly to charity:water.

Thank you.

Steve

One is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

Losing My Religion

Steve McAllister — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:00:55 +0000

When I was writing about how the times were changing the other day, I mentioned that historically, the Church has held the commission to give water to the thirsty. However, over the last several years, many have been disenfranchised with organized religion due to a number of scandals, misappropriations, and further spiritual development. Regardless of our religious beliefs, I believe that we still have a human responsibility to help those who are not given access to the most basic of human rights. I believe that one of those rights is the right to clean water.

One of the “religions” that has really taken off over the last few years has been this movement of the Law of Attraction. The Secret film and accompanying book, although world renown best-sellers, had its share of criticisms, not the least of which was the interpretation people gleaned putting the attainment of material possessions over true wealth. I believe that the greatest wealth any of us can attain is that of love. It is from that source of love, which flows through us all, that I ask you to help me share the flow of clean water with almost a billion people in the world who don’t have access to it.

I will be going to audition for America’s Got Talent this weekend. Should I somehow win the competition, I pledge to give the $1 million prize to charity:water. However, even if I don’t win, I want to use this opportunity to let water flow. Please consider donating to help me get to the audition and get water to those who need it. You can use the “donate” button provided below to help me in my endeavor, or simply click on the charity:water link to give money directly to the cause. Either way, I believe it is unacceptable that any human being go thirsty in a world that has attracted so much abundance. I realize that times seem tight for a lot of people, but I also believe that an investment in humanity can start to turn that tide.

I also ask for you help in deciding which song to perform at my audition. I am a little rusty, but I have released ten short videos. The first is an introduction to my endeavor called “America’s Got Talent and the World Needs Water.” The other nine are the songs which I am considering as audition material. By the end of the week, the song with the most “likes” will be performed at the audition. The

songs are:

They Times They Are a Changin’ by Bob Dylan
You May Be Right by Billy Joel
Losing My Religion by REM
One by U2
Mad World by Tears for Fears
Raspberry Beret by Prince
Dear Abby by John Prine
The Rainbow Connection by Kermit the Frog
Long Gone Lonesome Blues by Hank Williams

I’ll be sharing each of the songs here at Modern Hippie Mag so give them a listen and let me know which ones you like.

Thank you.

Steve

Losing My Religion is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

You May Be Right. I May Be Crazy.

Steve McAllister — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:00:48 +0000

This is not the first time that I have been called “crazy.” Before I discovered that there was a clinical diagnosis for my particular traits, I’ve been known to do things a little off kilter. After I was diagnosed with the deficit of attention which seems to have taken the country by storm, I decided to drop out of “normal” society and hitchhike across the country to write a book about it. So I’ll be the first to admit that normalcy has never been one of my distinguishing traits. But this might be crazy even for me.

Nevertheless, from the time I first watched America’s Got Talent, I wanted to audition for it. I never honestly considered that I would actually make it past the first round, but I hoped, and still do hope, that my passion and story would at least make for some interesting television. When I discovered last week that auditions were being held in Atlanta, I knew that it wasn’t something that I wanted to pass up. Yet as with all of my artistic endeavors, I want this venture to be about more than just entertainment or creative merit. I want to make a difference in the world.

I have pre-registered for my audition on Sunday and have pledged that if I should win, the $1 million prize will go to charity:water to help people get access to clean water. Regardless of whether I win or even make it past the first round of auditions, I still want to raise awareness and money to give water to those who thirst.

Water is the building block of life. If any human beings are unable to gain access to clean water, the life we all share is diminished. I ask you to let your love flow as we help to get this water flowing.

Considering that I am an entrepreneurial artist, money is a little tight. so I am asking for donations to help me get to the audition, and whatever is left over will go to charity:water. Again, I realize that this may appear to be just another one of my hair-brained schemes. Nevertheless, I feel passionate about the cause and want to do my little part to help. So I ask you, dear readers, to help me in my quest.

If you would like to help, please click the “donate” button below and give what you can, be that $1 or $100. I’ve estimated that the trip should cost about $500 if I fly and about $250 if I take the bus. If you cannot send money, I ask you to please send this message and pass this link on to your friends.

Thank you.

Steve

You May Be Right. I May Be Crazy. is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag

The Times They Are a Changin’

Steve McAllister — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:00:20 +0000

To listen to Bob Dylan speak now, he never wanted to be the voice of the Hippie movement. He never wanted to lead a revolution. All he wanted to do was be an artist. Because of his focus on that, he has given us some of the most poignant songs to come out of American music in the last century. And although he never intended to be a revolutionary, his allegiance to the spirit of poetry has made some of those songs into timeless anthems which are as relevant today as they were when he wrote them.

Since Jaszy first started writing about her growing environmental awareness and opened up a conduit for others to share their stories at Modern Hippie Mag, both of us have seen the revolution coming around. We have seen people taking a more active part in their lives. We have witnessed a growing movement of conscious living. And we are realizing how many people are beginning to understand their connection to the world around them.

My desire to give access to clean water to those who don’t have any stems from that understanding. Water is the building block of life. In order for our lives to continue to flow the way we wish them to, we need to understand that we must share our good fortune with the less fortunate. If one of us is suffering, we are all suffering. We may not feel it in the same way. Our experience will not be the same as someone on the other side of the globe. But if we can allow them access to a wellspring of life and start that flow of abundance from the bottom of society’s ladder, that abundance will climb up. Gravity may draw water toward the lowest point, but the spirit of life that it gives always rises higher. That is what I hope to share through this endeavor.

It is not up to the government to give water to the thirsty. Historically, that has been the call given to the Church by Jesus. Unfortunately, the Church has often become a little too preoccupied with evangelism, lawsuits, and building more buildings, and many of us have stopped going. Yet regardless of our political or religious affiliations, we are all still human, and there are some of us who do not have access to this most basic of elements.

I am going to audition for America’s Got Talent this coming Sunday in Atlanta. If I should somehow win the competition, the $1 million prize will go to Charity:Water to assist in digging wells to provide access to clean water for the billion people who don’t have it. Regardless of whether or not I win, or even make the cut, I am accepting donations through my PayPal account at writetheworld@yahoo.com to make it to the audition and give the rest to Charity:Water. I humbly ask for your help and ask you to realize that the times really are changing. It is time for us to make changes as well.

I have also uploaded nine songs to YouTube which I will be releasing here at Modern Hippie Mag. Whichever one gets the most “likes” is the one I audition with. Which one is your favorite?

The songs are:

They Times They Are a Changin’ by Bob Dylan
You May Be Right by Billy Joel
Losing My Religion by REM
One by U2
Mad World by Tears for Fears
Raspberry Beret by Prince
Dear Abby by John Prine
The Rainbow Connection by Kermit the Frog
Long Gone Lonesome Blues by Hank Williams

Steve

The Times They Are a Changin’ is a post from: Modern Hippie Mag