Issue 7 - Can Do Musos

December 2014
Can-Do Musical Notes
Welcome—Merry Christmas
This is our 7th edition of Can-Do Musical Notes, our fourth for 2014!!!
CAN-DO MUSOS IS OFF TO NAMM!!!
BREAKING NEWS: On the 25th January, at 3pm Can-Do Musos will be presenting a 50
minute panel discussion in the HOT Zone at The NAMM Show, an international music
trades show in Anaheim, California. More about that later.
In this issue our spotlight series of getting to know our Can-Do Musos Board Members, we feature New York’s David Segal.
The featured artist in this edition hales from Murray Bridge in South Australia, Michael Candy - a singer/songwriter/guitarist and guitar teacher.
We also feature a story about Eddie Tuduri’s TRAP program now running in Equador, another about a rather talented musician from Shanghai, China, Richard Zhang,
and an article about an International Day for People With Disabilities gig in Sydney, Australia with Andrew Hewitt and David Rowlands.
As of the 2nd December 2014, our website has 135 musos featured from Australia,
Brazil, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden, United States, and Venezuela.
That number continues to grow daily.
Can-Do Musos Board Member—David Segal—as a continuation of our spotlight on our Can-Do Musos board members.
Please visit our website at http://www.candomusos.com
Inside this issue:
Can-Do News
2
Cover Notes: David
Segal—Driven
2
Cruisin with crooner Tony
Dee
3
TRAP is for everyone
3
From China—Richard Zhang
4
Can-Do Featured Muso—
Michael Candy
5
Michael’s Fast Five
5
Australia’s Can-Do Collaboration for a special day
7
What’s cool on Can-Do
Youtube
7
The Final Note
7
Can-Do Musical Notes
Can-Do News
RUDELY INTERRUPTED—NEW SINGLE “I AM ALIVE”
Aussie Indie Rockers Rudely Interrupted are proud to announce the release of the single and music video 'I Am Alive' www.youtube.com/
watch?v=QezvkbnYTGE To purchase from iTunes, click http://geni.us/IAmAlive. For information, visit http://www.rudelyinterrupted.com
SIDIKI CONDE IN GUINEA
My name is Sidiki Conde. The plight of the people of my homeland Guinea has moved me to return to Guinea and do what I can to
help spread the word of how to protect oneself and ones family from Ebola. My plan in Guinea is to do a series of performances on
television and radio to help communicate about Ebola. I have a long time relationship with the country’s media and I know my voice
can help lessen the fear and isolation in my community. I am asking for funds to help me pay my accompanying musicians and help
with the ground travel costs and general expenses for the 3 months I will be in the country. For more information, please visit
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/music-and-art-help-spread-the-word-about-ebola
CALLING UTOPIA—NEW SINGLE—DON’T HOLD BACK
Australian rock chicks Calling Utopia have been travelling around the world for the last couple of months. Now it's time to buckle
down and make some new music. New tunes, new sound and new attitude Don't Hold Back" presents it's audience with a new listening experience, highlighting the bands growth since it's birth. It's an exciting time for us as a band and we can't wait to share with
you all what we have created. For more information visit http://www.callingutopia.com
HOLLOW TREE— NEW ALBUM—WORLD OF IMAGINATION
Australian duo Hollow Tree have just released a marathon 18 track album entitled “World of Imagination”. You can find out more
and purchase the album from http://hollowtree1.bandcamp.com/album/world-of-imagination
LAURIE MUGGLETON—FEAST OF COUNTRY
After a thirteen year absence from the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Australian country artist, Laurie Muggleton is proud to
return with his signature "A Feast Of Country" concerts. Featuring Bundaberg Songbird Evelyn Bury, Beaudesert Songstress Kylie
Moss, now based in Mildura gifted young bush balladeer Matt Manning, Drummer extraordinaire Brad Bergen, Guitar virtuoso Dale
Robbins, debonair Bassist Geoff Simpson and lauded Pedal Steelist Bob Alloway. This gathering of extremely talented Entertainers
and Musicians is guaranteed to be one of the highlights of the 2015 Tamworth Country Music Festival. Shows will be at Tamworth
Services Club from Jan 17th—Jan 20th. For more information, visit http://www.lauriemuggleton.com/
Cover Note: David Segal —Driven
David has been busier than ever – playing, teaching and sharing his passion for drums and music.
David was born with Arthrogryposis which affects the development of bones, muscles and nerves in the extremities. It left his hands & feet clubbed and required 12 corrective surgeries.
These obstacles haven’t stopped him from aspiring and dreaming of great things. David grew up in New York City and began to play
drums as a kid to the sounds of U2 in 1983.
One of the things that he had to figure out was how to hold the drumstick with his left hand. His right hand had normal strength with
no wrist-flexion and his left hand was virtually non-functional.
It was around 1985 when he met his first Drum Teacher Fred Klatz, a great player who helped lay a good foundation for David to grow
upon, teaching him to read drum notation and introducing him to the basic elements of Latin, Jazz, and Rock. He and Fred came up
with a wrist band and Velcro straps that would allow him to hold the stick. He introduced David to Mahavishnu Orchestra, Frank Zappa, Elvin Jones and Buddy
Rich.
A chance meeting with Buddy Rich at Fred Segal’s in California, led to David forming a friendship with him late in his life. He told
David’s father, "Have David call me when I'm in New York". His teacher Fred would chaperone him to see Buddy at SOB's and The
South Street Seaport. Buddy would invite him on the bus after a gig to talk and hang out and also got a pair of his sticks.
In the 1990’s David continued to study and develop as a player and moved toward Rock. He joined indie rock band The Sin Taxes and
help produce and record their debut cd. They performed at numerous venues in the Village and received airplay on 30 radio stations
around the country, in some top markets. He also did the radio promotions for the recording.
In 2002 David began to go annually to the KoSA drum camp run by Aldo Mazza and that would forever change his life. There he met, became friends and studied with Dom Famularo, Mario Monaco, Memo Acevedo, Liberty DeVitto, Kenwood Dennard, Arnie Lang, Bernard Purdy and other legends in the drumming
and percussion industries. Completely inspired he went back to school and received a BA in Music from City College and then a Masters in Music Education
from Lehman College.
Please visit our website at http://www.candomusos.com
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Can-Do Musical Notes
Cover Note: David Segal—Driven (cont)
David started to study with Dom Famularo in 2004, who further enhanced the original wrist band idea. Dom suggested using the same type of stick and put
tape on the end so it would sit better in his left hand. He considers him a great friend, teacher and now colleague in the starting of Candomusos.
In 2008 David was fortunate enough to run into Liberty DeVitto and Jules Follett as they were putting together the book
Sticks 'n' Skins. After taking pictures and playing for them he was included in the book which is now in the Smithsonian.
In 2011 friend and teacher Memo Acevedo introduced David to two incredible people and supporters, Carol Calato from
Regal Tip Drumsticks and Dr. Louis Gaston from G.R.I.P. Solutions. At the time they were working on a device that would
allow drummers with physical limitations to grip a stick. David was able to travel to Pittsburgh in March of 2012 where Dr.
Gaston made a custom splint that significantly improved David’s mobility in his left hand to perform on the drum set.
On January 24th, 2014 played Carnegie Hall in New York with the NYJA 40-piece Jazz Orchestra as part of the ‘China Meets
America Cultural Festival’. Summer 2014 saw him working as the drum instructor at the well-known Bucks Rock Performing
Arts Camp where he taught and performed over 200 hours with ensembles and students, of which he had over 40.
Currently David teaches drums at a top private school in Connecticut and has his own Home Studio for individual/group lessons and
recording sessions.
In October 2014 he performed at the second annual Boom VT Drum Festival in Vermont with KoSA faculty Jeff Salisbury.
David Endorses Regal Tip Drumsticks, Sabian Cymbals, G.R.I.P. Solutions and RimRiserUSA.
For more information about David, please visit http://www.davidsegaldrums.com/
Cruisin’ with crooner Tony Dee
Recently my wife Caroline and I went on our first cruise. Of course being a keen semi-pro singer I thought I'd listen to
a lot of live music as well as give the karaoke a go.
Got to the karaoke the first night and people were impressed. I was told I should enter their talent quest called
"Pacific Popstars" so I did. It was just 2 heats then the Grand Final and I got through my heat, then managed to win
the Grand Final too, against some very good opposition.
For my prize I was awarded the opportunity to perform solo on the cruise's final production show called "The very
Last Night Show" in front of a packed theatre. I sang "New York, New York" and the response was fantastic - a standing ovation! I have uploaded footage of the performance onto my Facebook page called Tony Dee Music.
TRAP is for Everyone by Carolina Ulloa
Very few times in education do we come across a program that will touch every single part of a child, and make such an enormous difference in his or her life.
The Rhythmic Arts Project- TRAP - will do this and so much more. Trap is about each person; it is about having
powerful interactions, reaching out to all people, and making connections. TRAP allows us to work through all the
senses in order to reach all children, and for them to learn.
TRAP gives us the opportunity to teach and learn through complete sensory integration; bringing together all five
senses plus our vestibular and proprioceptive senses. At IMAGINE, a preschool in Quito, Ecuador, our students
benefit from TRAP. We use the program to teach numbers, letters, math, spelling, shapes, English, Spanish, and so
many other areas of our curriculum. We use it as a tool for our students to play, learn, and for them to have fun.
The program is able to captivate children’s attention and it makes learning significant to them.
They are able to make connections through their senses allowing them to reach high levels of learning while playing and connecting with their teachers and friends. TRAP contributes significantly towards a high self- esteem and
it gives children a sense of satisfaction that is unique and beautiful. Imagine that one moment, when you are able
to understand and feel what it is that you are learning.
Through TRAP that one moment turns into many moments in which a child is able to fully understand many concepts. After such a successful experience at
IMAGINE we believe that TRAP is a strong program for preschools. All children are able to learn through playing when using the program and teachers are able
to contribute towards learning through powerful connections and a program that will integrate the entire child. We are now working on a TRAP book for preschools that is developmentally appropriate, and that will be reflective of a pre-school continuum. The program empowers children and teachers giving them
the opportunity to learn in a significant way. The program gives us the opportunity to get to know our students, it values each person, and it allows children to
reach their highest potentials. There is an indescribable beauty behind powerful connections between people and we hope to share this with as many people
we can. *The TRAP Team at “Imagine” includes María Cristina Granja, María Cecilia Ponce, Christine Smith, Pamela Wollmann, Carolina Ulloa and Vale!
TRAP was founded by Eddie Tuduri in Santa Barbara, California in 1997 and is now spread across the world. For more information, visit
http://www.traponline.com
Please visit our website at http://www.candomusos.com
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Can-Do Musical Notes
From China—Richard Zhang
I am Richard Zhang (My Chinese name is Zhang Heng), from Shanghai, China. Together with my wife Jennifer Liu, I am writing to you express my appreciation
for your excellent work on Can-Do-Musos.
I’ve been introduced to you by Mr. Dom Famularo. I met him in 1996 when he visited Shanghai and am a fan of him. At that time I was still a teenager. He is so
kind to me and we keep in touch by emails. In this summer, after 18 years I met him again in Tianjin. It’s very amazing!
He mentioned Can-Do-Musos to me and suggested that I join this family. I am much honored to be invited to this fantastic group by Dom and also appreciated
what you and Dom have done for challenged people.
I would be very happy also if I can help introduce more challenged music-lovers in China to this great family.
Though challenged with ectrodactyly, Zhang Heng is a little star among his music community. He is the amateur singer and piano player of Art Troupe of Shanghai Minhang District Disabled Association.
As a music lover, he was taught to play the piano at the age of 4, although he does not have five fingers on each hand like normal people;
As a warm-hearted Social Work Organizer, he tried his best to strengthen all kinds of resources to help those who are with worse physical conditions.
He also likes guitars, drums. It is difficult for him to click the guitar strings and to hold the sticks of drums. Nevertheless, he still persisted in practicing.
Here is the story of Zhang Heng, a small man always with big, optimistic smiles.
On February 27, 1980, a new baby previously named Zhang Heng came into the word at Shanghai No.6 hospital. Unlike any family who welcomed a newborn
with happiness and eagerness, the little Zhang’s parents faced great shock, worries and even deep fear for his future fate.This is an abnormal baby, a baby
borne with strange hands and feet. The 2 small hands were without 5 clearly respective fingers, either palm, each of them had only 2 fingers. The 2 small feet,
were also without soles, with the only two big toes curved upside like claws of lobster. How terrible it was! With the first sight at this small monster-like baby,
the poor mother fainted. When she recovered, she cried so hard. What happened to my poor baby? How will he survive in the future? The poor mother fell
into deep sadness.
God gave Zhang Heng a different life. However, he lived a distinctive life. With his strong will, he always smiles at all difficulties he had encountered. Although
he is lack of digits, he makes up for with love and kindness! Going through various bullying at school, humiliations in society and, prejudices at work, he not
only created happiness for himself and his family, but also brought happiness and hope for people who are challenged with more serious conditions.
What Zhang Heng had is a disease called ectrodactyly, which is caused by genetic reasons. Zhang belongs to one of serious types. Though there is some flexibility with his hands, his feet are rather serious. He has to walk on his shins because he has no soles on his feet. This will cause serious hurt after a long walk.
What is worse, this physiological hurt will be with him for a lifetime.
Though having gone through various insults, bullying and difficulties in his growing up, Zhang Heng is always strong. What is surprising is that he has the power
to accept all prejudices and unfairness, which for him, are only ways to hone himself. He says "I don’t care how others look at me. It is normal I am a little different from others". He adds "The most important is, I can do what others can do, I am the same as them as - human!" "What exists is reasonable". Though
Zhang Heng is not a lover of books, he often speaks out famous sentences spontaneously.
The spirit of "I can do it" and "never give up" is reflected through Zhang Heng’s growing up.
Read more of Richard’s inspirational story at http://www.candomusos.com/profile-richard-zhang.php
Please visit our website at http://www.candomusos.com
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Can-Do Musical Notes
Can-Do Featured Muso— Michael Candy
Michael Candy is a Guitarist and
Guitar Teacher from Murray Bridge
in South Australia. He lives with a
condition called Ankylosing Spondylitis, a degenerative back disease
which progresses slowly over time.
Michael says "I started learning
guitar when I was ten years old in
primary school. Back then in 1985 I
started learning chords mainly. I
was the only left handed guitarist in
the class and the guitar teacher
refused to teach me left handed
guitar. So I persevered and changed
to right handed. In High school I
learned the classical guitar. I
really wanted to learn rock and
lead guitar, so I could shred like
the guitar gods, but the music
program didn't cater for that
style."
When Michael finished Year 12,
he left school and headed into
the workforce. He got a job
working in a sawmill. He
started working there when he
turned 18, along with joining a
local band and played quite a
few pub gigs as their bass
player.
Michael Candy’s Fast Five
1.
What started you playing music?
For more information, you can check
out Michael’s reverb nation page
http://www.reverbnation.com/
michaelcandy
Also “like” Michael’s guitar lessons page
on Facebook
I started playing music in year 5 primary school. I was 10 years old and wanted to be a rock star like Angus Young. I wanted to be able to shred like Angus
Young and many other lead guitarists. I actually started off being a left-handed guitarist and because I was the only left-handed guitarist in the group, my
teacher refused to teach me. So I adapted and became a right-handed guitarist. I was also encouraged by my Grandmother, who used to listen to me sing and
play guitar nearly every Sunday. I also heard of a band when I was growing up called 'Mike and the Mechanics'. I had a dream once of starting a band and
calling it 'Mike and the Machines.' However this never came to fruition. I learned chords and heaps of Cliff Richard and early country songs. I really wanted to
learn rock guitar or lead guitar. However the nearest teacher was 40kms away and cost a small fortune to go to. When I started high school they only had
classical guitar on offer. So I did that for 4 years and then I picked up the bass guitar. I joined my first band at age 16 playing bass at a few local parties and the
local pub. At age 21 I joined my next band playing bass and Rhythm guitar. At age 22 my music playing took a break after a serious motorcycle accident. 4 years
later I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis. After a recent visit to my rheumatologist, i mentioned to him that i have unusual swelling in my fingers and
toes. It was then that i was diagnosed with dactylitis. This is a condition that is common in Ankylosing Spondylitis sufferers. I overcome this by taking antiinflammatory medication and doing small performances or practice sessions. It can get worse and it occurred to me that I may not be able to walk, wear shoes
or play guitar without some form of adaptive mechanical aid. However as this is Can-do-Muso, I focus on the here and now and continue to do what I love and
that is write, record, play and teach music.
2. What are you working on at the moment?
I'm currently working on a song that is about a small time musician. Funnily enough that is what the title of
the song is. It's an upbeat country rock song that hopefully will have people up dancing. I wrote it because
I've seen so many articles discussing how hard it is for musicians to promote themselves these days. In the
Riverland town of Murray Bridge where I live, the live-music scene is almost non-existent. I'm hoping one
day to change all that, one song at a time. I have so many more projects that I have already written and
they will be published in due course. For now I'm just having fun writing songs from my heart and recording.
Please visit our website at http://www.candomusos.com
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Can-Do Musical Notes
Michael’s Candy’s Fast Five (continued)
3. Had any bad gigs? Any funny gig stories?
Any bad gigs..... Yeah had a few bad one's but I'll just tell you about the last gig I did here in my new home town.
I was organized to play a local club after everyone had finished their meal. Unsure of who my audience was going to be, I loaded up the set list with a mixture
of old and new songs. When I opened up with my first set I quickly gauged that my audience wanted to rock. So I made it through the first set with a mixture of
Country and rock songs. However just as I was about to put the guitar down for a set-break, up comes a walk-up performer. I was reluctant in the beginning
but he seemed genuine so I gave in and let him play. Things were going fine, he was playing his first few songs from memory, but then he started playing 5
songs out of my number 2 set list. Rather than cause a scene I simply thanked him for his impromptu performance and continued on. However my second set
was cut short and in turn was my 3rd set list. I learned a valuable lesson from that. Take your set list folder with you on breaks. I finished the night with 'Khe
Sahn' and I was very soon back in favour. However they wanted more but I was all out of songs.
Now for a quick funny gig story. Back when I was 27, I was in another band and at the time we were playing for a 22 year olds party. We didn't have a lead
singer at the time. So we asked the crowd to basically become our lead singer. The most memorable moment for me was when we were playing a 'powderfinger' number 'on my mind'. Some of the versions of the chorus from the inebriated crowd were hilarious. What was even funnier was the rest of our band
members, myself included, trying to do back up to the crowd. It was one gig I remember because I never had so much fun playing the bass and interacting with
the party goers.
4. Who inspires you? Who are your heroes?
Well first and foremost Angus Young of AC-DC is my inspiration to play and keep playing the guitar. I am determined now more than ever to learn and add lead
guitar to my qualifications and teaching abilities.
However since 2006 I've been battling depression and this Arthritic, Auto-immune condition called Ankylosing Spondylitis. There's one country guitarist and
King of Country, Mr George Strait, who's music helped me to realise that I could still play the guitar and nothing in this world was or is going to stop me. In
2008 I was diagnosed with severe glandular fever and during my sickness I lost a staggering 29 kgs. I almost sold all my guitars back then due to sickness and
Ankylosing Spondylitis.
So during this time I re-taught myself the guitar and I was then able to believe that If I could teach myself, then I could teach others. So this year I started
'Every day Affordable Guitar Lessons / Entertainment'.
Mick Mars the guitarist from Mötley Crue suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis. So I figure if he has played guitar with it for years then so can I.
I also would like to mention that if it wasn't for my wife Michelle encouraging me to play again and record, I wouldn't be a featured artist anywhere. So without her belief in my ability the guitars and everything may have once again been sold. I'm so glad that didn't happen. I'm humbled to be included as a featured
artist in this candomusos newsletter.
5. What is your biggest challenge as a musician, in what way have you had to adapt your playing to work around your challenges?
I would have to say one of my biggest challenges as a musician these days, is my inability to be able to stand on stage or sit on a stool for long periods. Then a
close second challenge would be my short term memory. With Ankylosing Spondylitis the disease is very slow moving and degenerates the spine until it completely fuses. So standing for long periods is very hard and sitting for long periods is equally challenging. I have been able to overcome these challenges by
simply not standing when I am performing or recording or if I have to stand by only standing for 30 minutes at a time. When I'm sitting down performing I
either request a high-back stool or when recording at home I use a comfortable chair to sit on. Again only recording one song at a time and taking regular
breaks. To help with my short term memory problem. I use a voice recorder on my mobile phone and when I am practicing, recording and performing, I have
the music and the lyrics on a music stand. I have been asked at a couple of gigs why I need the music in front of me. When I tell them it's because I have Ankylosing Spondylitis and a short term memory problem; the response is 'oh ok, what did you say again?
Can-Do Radio—doing it because we can!
Can-Do Radio has been established to give the musicians in the CanDo Musos Family a way to be heard across the globe.
Each Monday at 12pm (Sydney, Australia time) Andrew Hewitt hosts a 1 hour live radio
show playing only music from Can-Do Musos.
The show goes out live across the world via a shoutcast server, and then is podcasted so
people can listen in their own times. Check your local times to catch the live show.
http://candoradio.listen2myradio.com for live shows
http://candoradio.podomatic.com for podcasts
Email us at candomusos@gmail.com for any enquiries or if you wish your music to be
heard
Please visit our website at http://www.candomusos.com
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Can-Do Musical Notes
Australia’s Can-Do Collaboration for a special day
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY 2014
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Each year on December 3, the United Nations has created a day to celebrate people with disabilities all over the world, promote
an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of people with disabilities. It also
seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political,
social, economic and cultural life.
This year, on Tuesday 2nd December, Australian Can-Do Musos Andrew Hewitt and David Rowlands joined forces to put together the first Can-Do Collaboration performance for International Day for People with a Disability at the Ashfield Civic Centre
in Sydney’s Inner West.
On a hot summers day in Sydney, Andrew and David performed a mix of acoustic rock, reggae, blues and some added percussive grooves. Andrew left the comfort zone of his drum kit, and played hand drums for this performance.
They played for around 45 minutes, and had a great response from the crowd.
The gig was organised by Ashfield City Council.
What’s cool on Can-Do Youtube
From San Diego—Mark E
Goffeney—Wild World
That Other Band featuring Australian
drummer Andrew Hewitt—Long Train
Running
Scotland’s Samantha E—Have You
Ever Seen The Rain
The Final Note
This just about wraps up another issue of Can-Do Musical Notes, we at Can-Do Musos would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and safe and happy
new year and prosperous 2015. Don’t forget, if you are at the NAMM show in January, come by on Sunday 25th January at 3pm and hear what Can-Do Musos
is all about. Also if you see any of us around the show, stop by and say Hi.
The Can-Do Radio show is now up and running and weekly playing music from the musicians in the Can-Do Musos family. To hear the podcasts for each episode, go to http://candoradio.podomatic.com
Please feel free to share this newsletter around your friends and colleagues, and don’t forget to like and share Can-Do Musos on Facebook and Follow us on
Twitter.
Til next year!
The Can-Do Musos Team
If Can-Do Musos members have any musical news, gigs, or stories they would like to share in the next issue of Can-Do Musical Notes,
please email us at candomusos@gmail.com
Please visit our website at http://www.candomusos.com
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