Gettin' Press

I was interviewed and written about in the San Diego Reader by Jay Allen Sanford. The article is here:

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2011/oct/12/musician-interviews-chad-cavanaugh/

go check it out!

Dead Man Walkin' Pulp Vol. 1

It's dark and I'm awake.

Body aching from a few hours before. It's been a while since I had to jump from the fire escape of a fourth floor to escape a 'collector'. I buried a Louisville Slugger in his dome, but, a dome like that only stays asleep if it becomes the new home of a cannon ball. Not a wooden bat. He'll probably use the splinters to clean out his teeth when he comes to.

The rain beats down like a snare drum on the AC unit propped in the window. It's already 80 degrees and the humidity is 100%.

It's sweaty...

The rain stops suddenly. Another sound grabs my attention. It's foot steps. I expected it. How long could I go without this coming my way. The rain starts up again, even harder. Perfect. It means I don't have to tip-toe to get my sawed off.

The silhouette grows on the window of the side door. It's a large shadow. They never send a small shadow. Always the big lugs. Usually just out of the joint. The type of guy that is more comfortable in the Hell that is maximum security prison than he is with freedom. In the joint, he's the boss. Nobody is above him on the food chain. His word is law. The warden consults with this type of guy when there's a problem within the walls of the pen. A guy who's skull can take a crack from a Louisville Slugger.

The sound of the door handle jiggling. My heart beat stays steady. I've prepared for this moment. Somewhere in the back of your mind, when you deal with a guy like Verducci, you know you HAVE to be ready for a moment like this. because it's going to come. Whether you're paid up or not. This is how Verducci covers his tracks. He sends these big lugs as 'collectors'. He's not interested in repeat business. He's interested in not having his name spoken in the same breath as his 'other business'.

Especially during election season...

The door handle is pulled through the door and moonlight shoots through the opening where the hardware used to be. Now my heart rate jumps a bit. I pump the sawed off. A universal sound that would make any man turn and run, only serves to help this 'collector' determine where in the dark I'm crouching. He barrels towards me.

I empty three shells into him. One to the left shoulder, one to the right knee and the third seems to have buried into his stomach.

He buckles over to catch his breath. I chamber one more shell. He looks up at me, the moonlight outlines his larger than life head. I pull the trigger and the larger than life head becomes a larger then life splatter mark across the wall by the door.

They know where I am... it's time to move on... Once again I'm a dead man walkin'...

A new sound enters my ears. My daughter. She's woken up.

op*por*tu*ni*ty

Opportunity is defined by Merriam-Webster as:
1: A favorable juncture of circumstances
2: A good chance for advancement or progress

When I think of the United States of America and why it exists, I think 'Land of Opportunity'. Because think for a few moments at the myriad opportunities out there waiting for you to grab a hold of them. Yes, I said that YOU have to grab hold of THEM. Nowhere in those definitions does Merriam-Webster mention a handout or entitlement of any kind.

If you sit, with your hand out, palm up, waiting. Waiting for someone to give you everything you need, waiting for someone to help you out, waiting for anything to start your life for you, then you're going to end up with an extremely fatigued arm because that hand will stay outstretched for a looooooooong time.

Don't wait for a friend that promised you something, go get it. Don't wait for a government handout, go make it happen. Don't wait for a ride, get to walking.

Make your own good fortune happen! Yes, it's hard work. But hard work is necessary. It's necessary because once you've broken your back achieving your goal, the end reward will have a value that cannot have a price affixed to it. Get something easy or for free and it will have little or no value, period.

Make it happen, don't wait to see if it will happen.



The song 'Opportunity' written/performed by Chad Cavanaugh, all rights reserved

Can't Never Could

Can't never could...

These are the words of a very wise and very successful man. A man that didn't operate on 'can't' but on 'can'. His name is Dr. Tom Malone.

Think of the massive walls the word 'can't' builds. Think of the numerous life experiences and fond memories never occur because of on contraction. Can't.

Think now about a completely different word. Can. The exact opposite of can't. Can is a key, it opens doors. Can is a bulldozer that knocks down Can't's walls. Can is climbing new heights, breaking new barriers, smashing old records and filling a scrapbook full of memories. Can is a rich, full life.

You Can take control of your life

You Can take control of your diet

You Can choose to love instead of hate

You Can determine who is allowed in your life

You Can have happiness

It's quicker and easier to say than 'can't'. Can went to the moon, Can scored 100 points in a basketball game, Can won 8 Olympic medals, Can is a shot of adrenaline to the psyche which is the most powerful weapon on a human.

I Can, I Have and I Will again! So Can you!

More Than Just A Bean and Cheese

It's the most non-descript item on any Mexican food places menu.

Bean and cheese burrito.

Nothing fancy. Nothing earth shattering. Three basic elements. Tortilla, refried beans and cheese. But when done right, it is a masterpiece. The most purest form of simple perfection and for me, the telling tale of whether or not I'm going to patronize a taco shop.

Many people argue over the carne asada, the mariscos, the fish or shrimp tacos/burritos. All of those items are nice and all, but when a place takes the time, puts forth the effort and shows the true love of the basic ingredients it speaks volumes to me. You see, it's more than just a bean and some cheese. It's an indication of caring.

In the theme of simplicity, I leave this at that.

What'd He Say? Que ha dicho?

Had it not been for a news article on July 9th, 2011, I would've never heard of Facundo Cabral. Unfortunately for Senor Cabral, myself, and millions of adoring fans around the world, it was an article about his untimely death.

He was an Argentinian singer/songwriter who grew up impoverished and without formal education. He had to walk miles and miles just to seek work to support his mother and many siblings. He was abandoned by his father at an early age and as an adult his wife and child died in a plane crash. He was considered a rebel and is particularly appealing because to me he is akin to the Irish balladeers that sang songs of Irish freedom. He was a voice for those not happy with politicos and officials and his death is considered an assassination.

Facundo Cabral was the definition of 'street cred'.

This is a life most would never want to live. This was a life that spawned music that would inspire millions around the world and especially in South America.

So, once again, I'm late to the party. I only heard about him after his death. Thankfully we live in the day and age we do. All I had to do was type his name in to my Pandora app on my iPhone and voila! I have a Facundo Cabral station.

The first song ever played on my new station was 'No Soy De Aqui, Ni Soy De Alla'. And it is beautiful, well crafted and weaves a story through delicate string play that I cannot for the life of me tell you the meaning of because it's in a different language. No clue. My limited Spanish allows me to pick up on a few words or phrases here and there but over all. Couldn't tell ya...

But here's my point in all this. He begins his songs with an introduction of the song, as most singer/songwriters (myself included) will do. Create the background for the story before singing the story. He introduces, sings and composes so brilliantly, that, even with a language barrier, I feel like I know the song. Even though I don't. It is a true gift to be able to speak in a foreign tongue and STILL connect with those who don't speak it.

So, if you have Pandora, create a Facundo Cabral station. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

*the image of Facundo Cabral was taken from latinorebels.com.

In Measured Steps

In measured steps he makes his rounds
the click of heals the only sounds
He stands erect so straight and tall
with pride and dedication responds to the call...

That was a few lines from The Vigil, a poem we commit to memory as a Sentinel of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

I have the honor of being part of this very small, very elite group. I am badge number 408. So today, as I continued to hear about people making preparations to evacuate or board up their homes for the impending doom of Hurricane Irene, my thoughts went to Arlington National Cemetery. Between sections 7A, 48 and the Memorial Amphitheater. There is a white marble plaza that holds one of the most sacred places in the United States.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.




Right now, as you read this, there is a US Army soldier standing guard. Regardless of the elements. Regardless of the dangers. He is there. Standing vigilant. And he won't leave until properly relieved.

Keep the Sentinel in your thoughts and prayers. Along with all of our service members. They embody what it means to sacrifice personal freedoms and personal comforts for an ideal that has been fought for, that many have died for and many more have bled for.



*I copied this picture without permission. I do not know who took this photo. If anyone knows I would like to credit them, then ask for belated permission.