Mangalananda Concerts Next Weekend

BY: MADHAVA DASA

May 01, Carriere, MS (SUN) — Folk-Rock, Country and Blues with Spiritual Overtones - Saturday, May 6th at 8:30 PM at the New Orleans Hare Krishna Temple 2936 Esplanade Avenue and Sunday, May 7th at 2:30 PM, Blue Boy Herb Company, 10060 Road 263 Carriere, MS 39426.

Michael Cassidy Bio

I got the idea to play music for a living when I was nine. It was at cousin Roger's wedding reception. The front man in the band had a candy-apple red Gretsch with a Bixby tailpiece. He was playing "Walk Don't Run." If I had seen a fireman save somebody at that age, I might have wanted to become a fireman. But that was not my fate. The desire in my heart to play music was the fuel, the Rebel Rousers with the red Gretsch were the spark, and I've been playing, writing, and teaching music ever since.

I liked the surf-guitar sound back then-Dwayne Eddy, the Ventures, and the Safaris. Later my tastes expanded to the finger-styles of Charlie Byrd, Jose Feliciano, and Carlos Jobim. My Dad's record collection was mostly jazz and standards from his own generation. Hearing that growing up influenced the melodic and harmonic aspects of my composition. Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Leonard Cohen inspired me to express myself with words. I never made it a point to study how they said what they said, but I listened to them so much that I believe they helped form my poetic style.

As for the content of my work, it's based on an open philosophy of life, experiences, and realizations. Although my writing deals with the day-to-day, I don't avoid the big questions. I've always found resolution in the wisdom traditions of the East. I was introduced to the study of philosophy and meditation in the 60s, and their positive results have been reflected in my life and music.

It's nice to see chanting meditation (kirtan) is becoming more popular. I've always included at least one of these on my CDs. I've learned dozens of chants over the years, but "Hare Krishna" known as The Great Mantra remains my favorite.

For many creative people, being introduced to the world of business can be rough, and it was no different for me. My first original record, A Change of Heart, was released in 1976. My business partner and I financed the production of the master, and were soon approached by a person interested in distribution. He did a great job in distributing them. Unfortunately, the combination of my trust and naive business-sense left me vulnerable to foul play, and I never received a cent for the albums sold. But I learned my lesson and moved on. I financed and produced eight albums since then with great success.

My latest duo project with Joie Frye, called Average Soul, is exciting. We recently released two albums, Lay It Down (2004) and Do What You Do (2005). I feel positive about the future of this act. Please give our CDs a listen.

Joie Frye Bio

I began studying classical piano at seven and continued this through high school. When the Beatles arrived, I became more and more attracted to songs. I was also fascinated with the songs of Smokey Robinson, Bob Dylan, and the bluegrass artists that filled the house, compliments of my older sisters. I later fell in love with the music of Laura Nyro, a NY-based singer/songwriter. I got to hear her perform two solo sets playing on a grand piano, and I knew this would also be my own favorite thing to do. Her originality and very emotional singing inspired my life.

I released several children's albums in the 70's and 80's. After raising my children, I went back to school for five years to get a music/English interdisciplinary degree. My graduation project was documenting my writing 14 original songs with lyrics derived from ancient literature-a favorite form of composition for me.

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