Pheaturing Kathleen Taylor

Hello, everyone, welcome to the Phile on a Wednesday.  So, a lot of websites like Wikipedia several other websites went dark today in protest of anti-piracy bills now in Congress that critics say could amount to censorship. I didn't wanna go dark, so I just made the logo dark. That's showing you, Congress.  Let's talk about my wife's favorite subject... Tebow. In his time off, Tim Tebow goes to prisons and visits with death row inmates to talk to them about God. He has visited so many death row inmates, he now has met more Oakland Raiders fans than he has Bronco fans.  According to USA Today, the Internal Revenue Service's budget is too small for them to reform all the things they need to do. Good! That's fantastic!  Researchers found a frog in new guinea that is so tiny, they believe it's the smallest vertebrate on the planet. It has the tiniest backbone of any living creature, except members of Congress. Ha! Take that, Congress people.  Here's a crazy fact... or phact... There are now more obese people in the United States than there are overweight people. I think it's safe to say that after all these years, Diet Coke is a complete failure.  Tomorrow President Obama will be going to Disney World where he'll unveil his new plan to create jobs. And what better place for the president to talk about his jobs plan than Fantasyland?  Senator John McCain told Sean Hannity that choosing Sarah Palin was still the best decision he ever made. Well, today the Arizona DMV took away his driver's license.  Newt Gingrich has released a new ad attacking Mitt Romney because he knows how to speak French. Well, Romney is not the only one. John Huntsman speaks Chinese. Rick Perry, of course, speaks gibberish.  A cardiologist now says that former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards' trial has to be delayed because Edwards has a life-threatening condition. Hey, don't all husbands who cheat have a life-threatening condition? Disney, the world's greatest company to work for ever, just rereleased the twenty year old classic animated movie Beauty and the Beast is 3D, and an inspirational poster to go with it. Check it out.

Well, it's the 100th anniversary of the Titanic, let's celebrate by sinking another cruise ship. Here's an exclusive picture of the Costa Concordia accident.

Isn't that Captain the biggest pussy in the world right now?  Here's some news from here in Florida you might've heard about...  One of the world's oldest cypress trees named the Senator, estimated to be 3,500 years old collapsed early Monday after catching fire in Longwood, Florida. The Na'vi send their condolences.  Miss Wisconsin, Laura Kaeppeler, was crowned the new Miss America during the annual pageant at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas Saturday night. Given how the Packers did against the Giants this past weekend, it’s nice to know someone from Wisconsin still knows how to win. Ha! Anyway, I liked the crown that they gave her.

Okay, it's Wednesday, and I wanted my good friend Jeff to come onto the Phile today for the picks in case there's Saturday's football games. There aren't of course, but I want him here today anyway. So, once again, it's time for...

Me: Jeff, welcome to the Phile for playoffs week three. So, what's the big news last week apart from Tebow losing and my Giants winning?

Jeff: The biggest news of the week is the fact that the Packers, a team that won 15 games in the regular season, are the first team in NFL history to do that (win 15 games) and lose the first play off game. It is definitely a weird playoffs since Tebow won more playoff games then Aaron Rodgers this year. The Rams, fresh off a 2 win season, have hired former Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher for their vacant head coaching position. And he should help that team get focused.

Me: Okay, so, how'd we do last week?

Jeff: We both went 2-2 in the Divisional Round, but thanks to the fact we agreed to still get points for our respective teams winning, we are now tied with 55 points each. It's coming down to a great end for the first year between us.

Me: It's a tie. Holy shit. Okay, let's do one more pick before the Super Bowl. I say Giants by 7 and Pats by 10.

Jeff: The Patriots are going to beat the Ravens, not by much though. I think they win by a touchdown. The Ravens defense is better then any one the Patriots faced. The 49ers win, by a late second field goal in what should be a great ending. See you at the Super Bowl!

Me: Actually, I was thinking next Wednesday I will have you back for Sundays results, then plans for Super Bowl picks, then Monday after the Super Bowl the final results. And if you want to do a recap on the whole season that would be on the Super Bowl day entry. 

Jeff: Sounds good to me. 

Me: Alright, see ya back here next Wednesday. 

Okay, so there's gonna be big news for the Democratic 2012 convention so I thought I would invite a friend to the Phile to explain what's gonna happen. So, please welcome back to the Phile, Chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Me: Hello, ma'am, welcome back to the Phile. So, you're  making some big changes to this year's Democratic National Convention? Where will it be?

Debbie: Yes, Jason, just like we broke with conventions of the past in 2008, we're moving the final night of this year's convention to Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers. 

Me: Does that hold a lot of people? I guess it does.

Debbie: There will be room for 70,000 people, so more folks will be able to come out and celebrate as President Obama accepts the Democratic nomination for re-election.

Me: That's not the only thing you're doing differently this year, right?

Debbie: It should be a wonderful night. In the upcoming months, we'll be asking folks for their ideas on how to make this convention more open and accessible than ever before.

Me: Most national conventions are four days long, right, but this one won't be?  

Debbie: To honor President Obama's belief in organizing our neighborhoods and communities, we're shortening the convention to three days to make room to celebrate the Carolinas with a day of organizing.

Me: How are you guys gonna kick off the convention?

Debbie: We'll be getting together at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Labor Day to organize and get ready for November. It's a way to build our organization, and help ramp up our efforts in battleground states like North Carolina, which President Obama won by just 14,000 votes in 2008.

Me: So, you're gonna make more than political traditions and confetti from the rafters. Hiw will you do that?

Debbie: We're asking people to share their ideas, planning activities that reflect the core of our organizing work, and asking anyone who wants to be a part of it to take ownership.

Me: Well, it sounds cool. Keep us posted, Ms. Chairwoman. Is there anything else you wanna tell the readers of the Phile?

Debbie: Make sure your voice is heard as we continue to plan the convention over the months ahead.

Me: Thank you, and come back again soon.

Debbie: Thanks, Jason. 

The 10th artist to be pheatured in the P.P.A.G. is Thomas "Teeg" Ketchen, and this is one of his pieces. 

It's Captain Marvel, my dad's favorite super hero ever. Man, that's a cool piece. Anyway, Teeg will be a guest on the Phile a week from today. 

Okay, today's guest is a singer, songwriter from Gainesville, Florida whose new album "Wondrous Potions" is now available on iTunes. She'll be next appearing at Lightnin' Salvage in Gainesville on January 20th. Please welcome to the Phile, the wonderful... Kathleen Taylor.

Me: Hello, Kathleen, welcome to the Phile. How are you?

Kathleen: Hello, Jason, thank you so much for interviewing me! I am doing very well. It's a beautiful rainy day down here in Florida.

Me: I didn't realize you were from Gainesville when I asked you to be here. I am based in Clermont, not far away. How long have you lived in G-ville?

Kathleen: I first moved to Gainesville in 1992 and except for five years in Austin, Texas (2004-2009). I've been here in Gainesville the rest of the time.

Me: Did you move there to go to UF? Are you a Gator fan?

Kathleen: Yes, I did move to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida and I am a Gator fan... Da da da da da... Go Gators!!!

Me: Ever go to Leonardo's?

Kathleen: I used to go there all the time! I loved their yummy pizza, and coffee and big chocolate chip cookies!

Me: Where are you originally from?

Kathleen: I was born in California and lived in Tucson, Arizona till I was two (though I don't remember very much)! We moved to Evergreen, Colorado and I spent several years up there in the Rockies...a beautiful place! My mom and I moved to Marietta Georgia when I was nine and we ended up in Brandon, Florida when I was around 13 or 14... So, Florida feels like home!

Me: I purchased yout two albums from iTunes and love them both, Kathleen. "Wondrous Potions" is your newest album, right?

Kathleen: Thank you very much, Jason! Yes, "Wondrous Potions" is my newest album, released in November of 2010 and produced by the amazing Jason Rubal in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Me: It's funny... you recorded it in Harrisburg, Pa... my wife comes from Harrisburg. What made you go all the way there to record the album?

Kathleen: Harrisburg is a beautiful city! I traveled up there to work with Jason Rubal and use his studio. He is a phenomenal producer and a phenomenal person. I had the time of my life making that album and I really love how it turned out!

Me: Do you have a regular band that played on it, or did you do most of the playing?

Kathleen: I sang and played guitar on the album. Jason introduced me to the other musicians who played on and they are absolutely top-notch amazing musicians and my wonderful friends now! Roy Nash played bass. Dave Hadley played pedal steel and dobro. Dan Gallagher played electric guitar and Mark Jason Bohn played drums. Jason Rubal even sang on one of the songs, "Snake Oil Man"! Yay!!!

Me: You write some very wonderful songs, Kathleen. But one of them you sing in Oompa-Loompa. Where did that idea come from?

Kathleen: Thank you, Jason! Ha ha! Yes, well, tha's the chorus of the song, "Sing To Me". I didn't write it in Oompa Loompa, though it sure does sound that way! That song is about a dying soldier who is turning all the sounds around him into a song that is leading him off. The chorus is his song. I wanted it to sound like a combination of all languages, so nothing would be recognizable.

Me: Have you been writing songs most of your life?

Kathleen: No, I started writing songs in 2001 or 2002. I wrote "Gainesville Today" and I was so excited to have written a song! I just kept on going after that. I love writing songs. I feel like I run into them, like they are already floating out there in the world and I just happen to come across them.

Me: Kathleen, you seem to have a musical style of your own which I like. Do you have influences or idols though?

Kathleen: Thank you very much, Jason! I grew up listening to Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, and a bunch of other amazing artists that my mom played on her record player. More recently, I came across Townes Van Zandt and Iris Dement. Lately, I've been listening to Gogol Bordello. I could go on and on... There is so much beautiful music out there!

Me: I would think you were a fan of Victoria Williams or Wanda Jackson. Am I right?

Kathleen: Golly, I have never heard their music! I am going to Google them now! I love discovering new music!

Me: On your first album "Defy The World" you wrote a song about Gainesville called "Gainesville Today" which you mentioned. I had a question there, but cannot remember it. Oh yeah, you must really like G-ville to write a song about it, right?

Kathleen: Yes! I love Gainesville. I love Florida. For that matter, I love the Gulf Coastal plain and all of the plants and critters that live here... tree frogs, lizards, toads, alligators, live oaks, resurrection ferns, Sapnish moss... I could go on and on again!

Me: Do you travel to Orlando to play often?

Kathleen: No, I have never played a show in Orlando. I sure would love to though!

Me: Kathleen, are you going to be working on a new album soon? What is next planned for you?

Kathleen: Well, since "Wondrous Potions" was just released, I am going to be playing a bunch of shows to help promote my album. Also, I am going to be releasing a limited run of "Wondrous Potions" vinyl records. I am so excited about that! I do have some new songs though... I am always working on material for the next album!

Me: I love your music and hope to see you in concert soon. Go ahead and plug your Myspace, Facebook, website and anything else. Continued success, Kathleen.

Kathleen: Thank you so much, Jason! It was a real pleasure to be part of your wonderful blog!
Kathleentaylormusic.com, Facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Kathleen-Taylor/40745952325, Twitter: twitter.com/kathleentaylor3, and Myspace: myspace.com/kathleentaylormusic.

Well, that about wraps this entry up. Thanks to my guests Jeff Trelewicz and Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and of course to Kathleen Taylor. The Phile will be back on Sunday with blues guitarist Buddy Whittington and Monday it's musician Ian Narcisi. Then on Wednesday it's artist Teeg Ketchen, and then next Sunday it's singer Kyle Carey. So, spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye.