Art and the American Dream.....

Painting, sculpture, dance, and music; the American Dream. Rock-n-roll, jazz, country, and the blues all were built from the American Dream. Blues is about your woman or your man, blues about having no money, blues about death. The blues were born and raised in America. The first recording of the blues was in 1895, it was George W. Johnson's "Laughing Song." (http://afroamhistory.about.com/od/bluesmusic/a/bluesmusic.htm.)
The blues might sing about hard times but the reason it has become a cornerstone in American history is the feeling behind the artists themselves. The music isn't racist, poor, or lonely. The music can love you jut as much or more than a woman or man. The music won't break your heart or tell you lies. The blues will make you laugh and cry.

I have been blessed with a great job at Drury University as an audio technician at their television station. I get to record, mix, and master many different musical act from around the country and even some from other countries. We had an act from Tupelo, MS perform last week that really gave me faith in the American dream.

This is a link to The Homemade Jamz Blues Band......

http://www.myspace.com/homemadejamzbluesband

The group is made up of three young siblings, all of which are very much in tune with blues music. Their father will sometimes sit in on Harmonica and is the road manager; Mom does the booking and home schooling on the road. At first I did not know what to expect from kids their age. As I did more research and finally met them, I knew that this was a prime example of the American Dream. For years they have been traveling worldwide and doing large media outlets such as the "The Today Show" and even a showcase on NPR. They have also played with some of histories greatest blues artist, like B.B. King. At the ages of 10, 13, and 15 these kids have a long fruitful career ahead of them. This kind of story engulfs the idea of the American Dream, and gives hope to anyone who believes in passion.