Cuko Rakko Art and Music Festival - Horse Pens 40, Steele, Alabama

Please join me for this terrific Art and Music Festival. So much to do and a terrific lineup of entertainers for  three-days of fun-packed, family entertainment.

Mother's Day Week-end. Make it a family event for Mom!! We are!

Load up your family and  camping gear and set you GPS for 3525 County Road 42, Steele, AL 35987!  Don't forget your cameras! See you there!

Saturday, April 26th!! Magnolia Festival & Berkeley Bob's Coffee House

10:30 AM join me at the Magnolia Festival.  

 WDJC Stage

Two days of family-friendly fun with three music stages, rides, food, arts and crafts and more.  Performing artists presented by Three Mile Island Productions.

Then head North on I-65 to Cullman and join Connie Nicholas, Travis Widner and me  with special guests Ron Brown and Allen Watkins 

for a great Songwriter's Evening at Berkeley Bobs Coffee House

 7:00 PM 

Chasing Dreams: Meet Ray Bertram

Ray Bertram is one of my LinkedIn friends. His story is an inspiration to us all and I thought since I had not written on this blog for some time due to various circumstances, sharing Ray's inspiring story would be a good way to get back on track. So, please read his story and watch his videos and I think you'll understand what I mean. Chase your dreams!!!

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Hello, my name is W. Ray Bertram. I am the executive director and producer of Blind Man’s Bluff Productions, the creator of the ”This Is Arkansas” videography/documentary project, and known throughout Arkansas as “The Blind Film Maker of Arkansas.” Over the years I have come to suffer from a condition known as optic neuropathy and, while I can no longer see well enough to drive or comb my own hair, my production team and I continue to enjoy working together and moving forward in the face of it all. And, through “This Is Arkansas,” we are seeking to recognize that which makes our state so special, promote that which makes it such a special place to live and visit, to celebrate everything that we find along the way … and all the while seeking to provide an encouraging example of just how capable today’s disabled community can be in the midst of our modern age.

I would like to invite you to explore the work that Blind Man’s Bluff Productions is doing with an eye toward examining how we might be able to assist you within your own personal work, your company’s and business’s various workings and goals … and perhaps even how we might be able to work a cooperative project together. Below you’ll find a few of our links that will assist you in this way.

In addition to doing film work I have also enjoyed some fortunate associations in the music world, too. I have seen between 150 and 200 songs produced around my writing in various parts of the world and I will be happy to share links pertaining to these if you would like to explore that facet of my work.

Furthermore, in Blind man’s Bluff we have built our entire production platform based largely on what I like to refer to as today’s “readily available technologies and easily accessible social Medias.” Toward that end, one of the things that we enjoy doing is speaking and presenting to businesses, communities, schools, and various civic groups about how people of all ages and backgrounds now have the power to take today’s toys and entertaining past times, use and apply them creatively, and begin becoming tomorrow’s captains of industry right now. Our presentations are both educational and motivational as we invite our audiences to examine the opportunities that now exist all around them and guide them in an exploration of all of the potential that they now have. So if you would like to speak with me about a potential speaking or presentation engagement, then please feel free to email, text, or call me at your convenience. 

Take care in the meantime, and enjoy the show … because “This Is Arkansas.” 

Join me on Facebook! Youtube! LinkedIn 

W. Ray Bertram
"This Is Arkansas"
Executive Director & Producer
Blind Man's Bluff Productions
501-208-7239
MrHayseedplowboy@aol.com

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As you read and click the links that take you to even more places showing Ray's work, you will see why he is an inspiration. Not letting a disability hold him down, productive, positive, successful! Get to know Ray Bertram.

Huntsville Songwriter's Round

Hey guys, singing to a sold-out house tonight at the Huntsville Songwriter's Round! This is the  last Huntsville Songwriters Round show for 2013 and  will be an awesome show.

I'm in a round with my singing buddies, Matt Morrow, Alex Duggan and Emma Klein. Miss Rebekah of Emma's Tea Room calls us "The Gang"! I've been in shows with Gracie Newsum, Karen Newsum, Ron Brown, Greg Mitchell and Will Stults. I'm excited to get to meet Michelle Solari and Casey Massey.

 This will be the last show for 2013 and it is a big one!

Music Department Fall Concert

Hi, guys! I am so excited to announce our Fall Concert. Being a member of the Calhoun Community College Guitar Ensemble is such an honor for me. The members are all such talented musicians. We have played for several civic organizations in Decatur, Alabama. I have played guitar to accompany myself when I perform and being a member of the ensemble has given me an opportunity to play along with others. We have a variety of guitars, acoustic, electric, classical, etc., in addition to the bass and mandolin. And, sometimes the ukulele! It all comes together so nicely under the direction of Emily Jones Davis. She is an awesome musician with a lovely voice. I have been blessed that we have worked up some of my original songs to perform and that I get to sing also! Such a wonderful experience! We do such a great variety of music!

I'm just bubbling over with excitement and wanted to share with everyone!

MaryJustice & The Pacemakers

God has started painting His beautiful landscapes with the brilliant colors of Autumn! So, take in this beauty with a drive along the winding country roads and enjoy the scenery on your way to Lynchburg, Tennessee to the BBQ Caboose! Meet us there Saturday, November 9th at 10:00 AM for a fun show with MaryJustice & The Pacemakers! This show is live but will be broadcast through radio station WLIJ 1580 AM out of Shelbyville, Tennessee, with Paul Jones, Radio Host of the "Old Time Country Radio Show."

Most of you who read this blog frequently, probably know all about me that you want to know. 

"MaryJustice has a passion for songwriting, and entertaining. Whether considered Pop, Indie or New Country, her songs appeal to teens as well as older music lovers. A multi-award winning singer and songwriter from Huntsville, Alabama, MaryJustice has performed regularly in North Alabama and Nashville since she was 14. She has recorded demos and harmonies for other songwriters."

There is more but that's enough about me for right now!

Jerry Mungle describes himself as “just a good ole boy from Tennessee who grew up in his Dad's feed store in Hartsville, Tennessee, where they played cards and country music. Jerry writes a lot of comedy parodies, some political, but he is always fair and balanced and writes about left and right and right and wrong. A delight to hear and watch as he entertains with that boyish grin and twinkle in his eyes. He also has a serious side and his renditions of good old-time gospel brings back childhood memories of good old country churches and dinner on the ground.

Earl Watts was born in Wheeler Texas. He lived in Pampa Texas until the age of nine. His father became a preacher and moved the family to the little town of Daylight Tennessee just outside McMinnville where he bought a tent for tent revivals and the family moved around a lot after that doing God’s work or as Earl likes to call it “Saving souls and damming sinners”. The revivals would usually move on to another location after a couple of weeks. During those times he was exposed to a lot of gospel music which he still loves to this day. It was during those days he also learned a few chords on his father’s old Kay guitar. Those days taught him a lot about human behavior and left him with a lot to draw on for song writing. Earl is laid back and is quite the philosopher!

Although Jerry and Earl are solo entertainers they frequently join as “Two Old Men & Some Songs.” Two Old Men & Some Songs is just that … Two old men who love to write songs, sing songs and play guitar. Both are successful business men. Jerry is a realtor and Earl manufactures specialized parts for industrial doors and windows. Sometimes their businesses get in the way of their hobby of entertaining with their music and stories of the inspiration behind each song.

So, being the deep thinker and comedian , Jerry held a Facebook contest to name our first show together. The hands-down winner was fellow songwriter, Larry Cole who suggested "MaryJustice and The Pacemakers" so I suppose this is who we are as a trio!

I hope you'll make the beautiful road trip and join us. It's early enough in the day that you will probably be back home to watch your "Team" on  TV or catch them on the radio from the car radio as you enjoy the rest of the day!

Hilltop Arts Festival - Downtown Elkmont, Alabama

November 2, 2013 9:00am - 6:00pm

Please stop by and see Matt and me! We are scheduled for around

3:00 pm, but schedules often change without notice, so come on 

down and spend the day! ♥ Entry to the festival is free! Take home

hand crafted jewelry, candles, artwork from the talented artisans.

And, of course all sorts of good things to tempt your palate!