June 29, 2015

Ray Stevens: You Didn't Build That...

Hello once more...and once again it's time to take a look at the results of the most recent YouTube offerings from Ray Stevens (specifically his previous series of music video releases).

Less than a year ago on September 24, 2014 Ray issued the music video "If You Like Your Plan". The song's title is based upon a catchphrase bandied around on campaign trails by Obama and those that support ObamaCare. The video offers a visual hook during the performance (obviously!) and so it's one of those songs that hold the distinction of debuting in video form prior to it's release as on CD/Mp3. To date that particular music video has received 104,932 unique views.

The simple truth is everyone that has healthcare has seen changes in their plans due to ObamaCare.

Beginning in January of this year my healthcare plan suddenly implemented a deductible. I'd had this plan for a number of years (through my employer) and had never, ever had to meet any kind of deductible until this year. Somebody somewhere decided my plan is part of a "high end medical plan" and therefore it requires a deductible now. I've not met that deductible and it's mathematically impossible to meet it during a 12 month calendar period.



It's no surprise that since 2009 Ray's become much more visible as a music video artist...and his YouTube channel is home to a variety of video clips of current, previous, and classic productions including clips from his 1970 summer television program!!

A video that's been lost amidst the other releases is "Nero Fiddled". It's a strong social commentary ballad that perhaps is a bit too strong for some to digest but it's nonetheless a gripping performance. It hit YouTube a little more than a month after "If You Like Your Plan".

Nero emerged on October 10, 2014 and so far it's gotten 38,836 unique views. One of the unusual aspects of the video is Ray appearing with his back to the camera at various moments throughout the video. At the beginning of the video he's seen playing the fiddle in suit and tie (presumably as Obama) and at various moments there's footage of Ray in ancient Rome attire (back to the camera) as Nero.The idea of Ray appearing with his back to the camera is apparently a reference to the idea of Nero/Obama turning their back to tragedy...



Shifting from political but still remaining in the topical category is Ray's previous music video...the novelty song titled "Taylor Swift is Stalking Me". This video's gotten more than 200,000 unique views since it's debut on February 24th. The most recent total as of this writing is 242,157. The song was Ray's first release off of his current CD, Here We Go Again!.

Ray's current video hit, "You Didn't Build That", is the second release from his current CD. This particular video hasn't reached it's full potential yet...sitting at the moment with 32,765 unique views. It's only been available on YouTube since May 19th and given the lack of a major political story in the national headlines (at the moment) the video hasn't gotten that boost that I feel it'll receive at some point. Unlike audio recordings that need boosts from radio airplay to reach a mass audience an on-line music video needs a boost from video sharing on social media outlets to reach a mass audience. If there's coverage on television or through talk radio (for politically driven songs) then that's an added bonus...but by and large on-line music videos live and die through social media and video sharing.

The song centers around Obama's social belief that human beings owe the Government their time, respect, and worship for all that the Government provides "to the people". Those that build roads, bridges, buildings, etc. should be thankful to the Government because if not for the Government "the people" couldn't get loans, tax breaks, assistance, or anything else. In the mindset of Obama a person doesn't do anything on their own and the Federal and State Government is the glue that holds a society together.

I just explained socialism in less than a paragraph...and Ray Stevens further demonstrates the socialism that exists under the surface in Obama's policies. I recommend all of you that are reading this to share this video with your friends if you hadn't done so already...


June 12, 2015

Ray Stevens: Here We Go Again! Tour...

It's me again all you fans of Ray Stevens!! I've been on one of my hiatuses but this one had nothing to do with the lack of activity in the career of Ray Stevens but instead my absence can be traced to personal reasons dealing with a health ailment of my father that, at the moment, seems to be on the brink of correcting itself but he hasn't had an "all clear" notice from any of his doctor's yet. He suffered an aortic dissection and ever since it happened (April 29th) I hadn't been keeping complete attention on much of anything for the last month and a half. I hadn't had the time and on the rare moments that I've had the time I've been too tired to put together a blog entry.

Several things have happened during my hiatus. One of the things that happened is Ray Stevens released a new YouTube music video, "You Didn't Build That". It's gotten a little more than 28,000 unique views since it's debut a couple of weeks back. It's a song from his current CD, Here We Go Again!. The song, the moment I heard it for the first time, cried out "turn me into a music video!!", and I'm happy to see that he's made a music video of it. It's a social commentary message about Obama...and here's the video...



This is the follow-up to "Taylor Swift is Stalking Me". That particular video's gotten more than 200,000 unique views so far...and I hope the current music video makes a run into that category, too, and rake in hundreds of thousands of views.

As of this writing Ray should be getting ready to end his concert in Franklin, North Carolina if it hasn't ended by now. It's 9:25pm as of this moment. His concert for tonight at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts was set to get underway around 7:30pm. According to a Facebook post the concert happened to be a sell out. This concert date is the first of many in a tour that Ray's titled Here We Go Again!...named for his current comedy CD. In one of Ray's Facebook posts it makes mention of the fact that there should be additional concert appearances added in as they're confirmed but at the moment these are the current concert dates for Ray Stevens in 2015...

June 13 – Gulfport, Miss. – Island View Casino

Aug 1 – Hiawassee, Ga. – Anderson Music Hall

Sept 12 – Branson, Mo. – Andy Williams Theatre

Sept 19 – North Myrtle Beach, S.C. – The Alabama Theatre

Oct 2 – Bowling Green, Ky. – SKyPAC / Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center

Oct 3 – Pigeon Forge, Tenn. – Country Tonite Theatre (2 shows)

Nov 21 – Deadwood, S.D. – Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center

As you can see there's a lot of gaps between appearances and so I'm thinking additional concert dates are going to start popping up.

I highlighted in bold print the next concert appearance...tomorrow night in Gulfport, Mississippi. Those reading this may want to check out that venue and, of course, check out all of the other venues if you're interested in attending any of the concerts. Ray hasn't done a lot of concert dates in the last several years and one of the things I often come across on message boards and in comment sections of music videos is people asking if he's going to be in concert anytime.

For those that routinely ask if Ray's planning on doing any concert dates I'd strongly advise you, if you live in the region of these concert appearances, to think about attending them. The concerts announced so many months in advance it gives fans the chance to plan ahead. Ray doesn't tour often and so it would be a terrible decision if you were to shrug off these concert appearances for something next year...there's no guarantee he'll do any touring next year...so don't miss out!

Here are some links promoting Ray's upcoming tour and appearances...

TOUR

GEORGIA AUGUST 1st

Ray is returning to Branson, Missouri this coming September. An advertisement (using music video clips from 1992) is on YouTube...call the number displayed on the screen for tickets...



If you prefer seeing a conventional form of advertisement then click this link and it'll take you to a promo page for Ray's concert on September 12th in Branson. The tickets are on sale now...

RAY STEVENS IN BRANSON 2015...