Singer/Songwriter & Other Madness
by Dave Blackledge
The Shot Heard ‘Round the World?
“Who cares about a bunch of fat sissy baseball teams from the fifty’s.” Did I actually say that out loud in a bar where guys were talking about the old Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants baseball teams? Yes, I’m afraid I did. But, I have to defend myself here and explain this. Anyone who knows me well knows that I’m not afraid to offend people and I like to stir up a little debate. I’m a bit of an a** buster. That was not really the case here though. Let me tell you how this story came about. I’m sitting in The Paddock Café with some friends and others, when two of my friends start talking about the old baseball teams from New York. My friend, Redface Jimmy from Brooklyn, is a big baseball fan and grew up near the baseball stadium. I wasn’t paying much attention to the conversation because I’m not a big sports fan, when I heard Redface Jimmy and another friend agreeing, “the game between the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers is where the term, ‘The Shot Heard ‘Round The World’ came from.” I should have kept quiet, but I politely interjected with, “The term ‘The Shot Heard ‘Round the World’ refers to the start of the Revolutionary War you idiots.” This started the arguing part of the conversation. Both of these guys, and several others in the ba,r argued with me, stating that the term was originally used regarding that baseball game. I brought up such facts as Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem ‘Concord Hymn’ which was about the start of the Revolutionary War. You know guys, “By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April's breeze unfurled; Here once the embattled farmers stood; And fired the shot heard round the world. Well, no, actually they didn’t know.
We ended up making a bet. So, I drive home, log on to Wikipedia to get some proof to show these guys, and find the following by doing a “shot heard ‘round the world” search on Google. The top site listed on Google was from Wikipedia and had this to say:
The "Shot heard round the world" is a well known phrase that has come to represent several historical incidents throughout world history. The line is originally from the opening stanza Ralph Waldo Emerson's Concord Hymn (1837) and referred to the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. Wikipedia also went on to mention the baseball game in question (and stating that the phrase came from the poem mentioned above.) It also was used about an incident in Europe during WW1, and a number of sporting events and even used when Dick Cheney shot his friend, Harry Whittington while quail hunting in Texas.
So, I was right, I guess….I felt so…I felt so…ok, I so felt stupid for even arguing with them. I need to lighten up and only argue when it’s worth it, like when someone grabs the last piece of General Tso’s Chicken at a Chinese Buffet just as you were reaching for it. Oh, the ginger, soy sauce, garlic and rice vinegar.
But this whole incident did point out something to me. Sports writers, sports casters, TV news writers, commentators and all around experts like to use other peoples “tried and true” lines instead of taking a chance by being creative. I’ve noticed that time and time again with political commentaries. When a political expert comes up with a good line all the other experts use the same line. One case was a recent debate between Obama and Clinton where there was a slight exchange of cheap shots. Overall I saw the debate as a mutual admiration party, but somehow Chris Matthews and other commentators saw it as “a blood bath.” I heard that term come from no less than eight different experts and news anchors.
Okay, so there was really not much of a point to all the preceding. Maybe you could say I’m stressing the point of being original. I’ll accept that. Mostly, I’m just trying to come up with about 800-1,000 words to make this article. And what better way in Pennsylvania than talking about loud guns, baseball, bar fights and Chinese food. All this reminds me of an old Hollywood Squares classic question. Peter Marshall asked “Back in the old days when great grandpa put horseradish on his head, what was he trying to do?” George Gobel’s answer was “Get it in his mouth.” Sometimes I understand that too well.
On the new act front, my friend and songwriter extraordinaire Chris Whitmer informs me that he and his daughter Liana are putting together an acoustic duo called The Crow Flies. Chris follows no template and I’ve had the pleasure of hearing his daughter at one of my open mics at the Meiserville Inn. She has some terrific songs and a great voice. I hope they do some recording together. They will be well worth checking out.
Looks like the cold nights are over and Spring fever is setting in. Dig out your guitars, harmonica’s, banjo’s, kazoo’s, whatever and get out to an open mic or two. Play your songs, jam with someone. Make some music. Till I see ya on the charts, I’ll see ya around the salt mines…Take care. Dave www.daveblackledge.com