Acts of Intentional Kindness
Buffalo is #1 on National List of Top Arts Destinations. As I read the headline, I paused in disbelief. My city? Number 1? In something positive?
Sure enough, AmericanStyle magazine ranked Buffalo number one on its list of Top 25 Arts Destinations. The report by WGRZ cited: AmericanStyle readers referring to Buffalo as ‘a hidden jewel’ and ‘a well-kept secret'. We agree.
What makes our city a top art destination? Let us focus on just one element—artists who find their creative juices inspired and released here.
The proof is Artspace Buffalo Lofts, 60 housing units with shared studio space that is currently filled, with a waiting list 300 deep. Which brings us to the focus of our article—Bass Reeves, songwriter.
His current album is #2 in the world on MP3 download charts.
Bass is a product of Buffalo. Born here, raised here, educated here.
Bass always wanted to pursue music as his career. But life got in the way. He left Buffalo at age 17. Bass has been everything, from the balloon man at the zoo, to a Ford Foundation Doctoral Fellow. Soldier, network TV writer, poet, promoter, and businessman, but music never stopped calling his name.
Finally, 10 years ago, Bass decided to surrender to the call and reclaim his dream of music. He was on the path to making that happen, when his father called from Buffalo. Dad and mom, both in their eighties, were in failing health, and needed Bass back home to help. Bass, who spent most of his adult life running away from Buffalo, reluctantly said yes to his family at their time of need. Bass recognized that this would necessitate putting his music career on hold once again, maybe permanently. Nothing could have been further from the truth.
Bass moved back home, where a friend in Lockport sent one of Bass’s CD’s to a disc jockey in Paris, France, who fell in love with the music. From Paris, this DJ gave Bass a worldwide platform. Bass came back to Buffalo, and from Buffalo he impacted the world. As Bass said, ‘I cherish the experience of coming back home. I have gotten to know my parents as adults. We have learned to laugh and cry together. I didn't sacrifice anything. Buffalo is the place where my dream became greater than I ever thought it could be.’
Bass’s life experiences now allow him to write music that advocates for the downtrodden, addicted, hopeless and disabled. His latest album, If You Ignore the Truth was a leading MP3 download during 2007, achieving 3 number 1 songs and top 2 album chart positions. “...Every song is bewitching, stirring, and full of deep meaning.” (Paul Bondarovski - Midnight Special Blues Radio)
What an act of intentional kindness. Bass put his free spirit off to the side to serve his father and mother in their time of need, and in return is experiencing the greatest blessings of his life. Acts of intentional kindness bring a reward not only to the one who receives, but to the giver as well.
Still this is not just the story of a single artist. Bass reminded us that Buffalo has always been a great repository of creative talent. This is a great place to be, from a creative point of view. However, Bass also gave a warning—Buffalo must support our local talent or risk losing great up-and-coming artists to other cities such as Cleveland and Chicago.
How do we recruit these creative artists, support them, educate them, house them, employ them, promote them and retain them so that they can lift us and our community to new heights? Let the conversation begin.
These are the kinds of people and programs that we celebrate. These are the Acts of Intentional Kindness that we highlight. This is truly Buffalo Rising!
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sbrof
nice story! Congrats for the success Bass!
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UnionAMG
"Bass Reeves, songwriter. His current album is #2 in the world on MP3 download charts."
If you're going to state things as fact, maybe could we get some sourcing along with your articles? Nothing against Bass, but I find it hard to believe his album is #2 in the world right now for MP3 downloads. If I'm wrong and he was a songwriter for a superstar artist, then forgive me but that should be mentioned in the article.
Otherwise, this hyperbolic claim just reeks of amateur journalism.
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nb3004
@unionamg
according to Sonicbids, the muscian pr engine, he Achieved #2 Chart Position on MP3Tunes.com and has 3#1 songs on live365.com
not exactly the same as #2 in the world MP3 download charts
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lulu
Well, one way we could help support local musicians and bar owners is to close bars at 2:00 so that bands can get 2 sets in with at least one at a reasonable hour for people who work during the week, need babysitters, don't stay up all night anymore, etc.
The lack of activity in the bars/music spots between 7:00 - 10:00 pm around here is such a drag and a waste when considering the potential revenue that both the owner and performers would reap while providing the patrons with reasonably priced entertainment options at a time of day when many would participate.
I have lived in and visited numerous other cities and have never seen a lull in the 7-10 evening like we have here.
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bc71
lulu, so true, there is a serious lack of live music during the 7-10 slot
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jmilles
UnionAMG, this is one of the most frustrating things about reading Buffalo Rising Online (other than the editorial policy of never saying anything bad about the city of Buffalo): the refusal to link to other sites. Ten years ago web consultants advised never including outlinks, but we should be over that by now.
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WCPerspective
Except for westcoast, he has too many links. :) This is the web afterall. Linking is up to the contributor.
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UnionAMG
I'm not even talking about linking to other websites... just a citation so we actually know what the hell they are talking about. I have no doubt that Bass could be the #2 downloaded artist in some specific category, or from some specific website. But a blanket statement saying he is #2 in the world on MP3 download charts doesn't just sound unbelievable... it also sounds foolish and turns me off to the rest of the content in the article.
Citations seem like such a fundamental part of writing (in all of my years in school I couldn't write a single fact in a paper without a citation to the source), yet in this age of blogging it is so overlooked. Citing sources would be a simple act that could bring credibility back to the postings on this site.
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yukon_jake
UnionAMG, I hear you regarding the necessity (and BRO's lack) of footnotes/citation, not to mention the use of proper grammar, punctuation, and excessive hyperbole (Playing in a band is an Act of Inentional Kindness?, really?). Professor Nichols would have slaughtered my papers had I attempted to submit anything resembling this nonsense.
That said, getting BRO to take note of these concerns is tilting at windmills. If you are waiting for intelligent writing about Buffalo, that will need to wait until the next New York Magazine comes out.
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bassreeves
As a point of clarification, Live365 is a network of over 10,000 independent internet radio stations in 120 countries...... Over the last 18 months it has been extremely gratifying to have had 3 # 1 songs and in addition....5 songs in the top 10 on this network...... Oh....how's my grammar?
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UnionAMG
Thank you Bass... no offense intended. The "2nd in the world" fact was just a little fuzzy and I was hoping for some clarification. Congrats on the prior success and good luck in the future.
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yukon_jake
Bass,
Congrats on all you have accomplished as a musician. Being tone-deaf and generally talentless when it comes to music, I appreciate those who have talent and maximize it. My early comments/criticisms were directed, not at the subject of the article, but at it writers, specifically, and the editorial board of BRO, generally.
Your grammar is fine. Your punctuation, however...
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hoodwink
That sounds great, but I too was looking for some more detail and found nothing on live365. Could someone point out where we can find this information. I love to brag about fellow Buffalonians, and even more about fellow musicians but I want to get my facts straight.
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bassreeves
top stories New Facebook design: Subtle changes that work Why I became a Gmail convert Qik gets slick with public beta, new features Exclusive: Twhirl gets pushy with Identi.ca Webware 100 winner: Live365 By Webware staff – April 21, 2008 12:00 PM PDT Live365 is an online radio directory with thousands of stations of free, streaming music. In addition to its free offerings, Live365 offers a premium VIP service that charges anywhere from $5 to $8 a month for commercial-free streams that have a higher bitrate.
You've probably listened to a Live365 stream before and not even known it. Its streams are used on software programs such as Windows Media Player and Winamp, as well as on hardware like TiVo. Mobile phone users can also install the Live3650 application that will stream music over their cellular data network if they're away from a PC.
We like this service because it's an incredibly easy way to listen to and discover new music. The mobile integration is especially cool because it will let you bookmark tracks you like so you can download or look them up when you get back to your machine.
Winner: Live365 (Live365.com) Category: Audio
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bassreeves
When I listen to Bass play and hear what He is saying, my heart is taken on a journey. To me he has proven a powerful thing....that to be determined in your dream you can achieve anything. He set out to make this Album and I feel that this is just the beginning. His potential is limitless and like a wildflower in the wind his music will forever spread and grow." Natasha Lili Klauss........Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
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bassreeves
When I listen to Bass play and hear what He is saying, my heart is taken on a journey. To me he has proven a powerful thing....that to be determined in your dream you can achieve anything. He set out to make this Album and I feel that this is just the beginning. His potential is limitless and like a wildflower in the wind his music will forever spread and grow." Natasha Lili Klauss........Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
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bassreeves
I work with the best Bands and Muscians in the world every day in my professional life. Bass and His Band belong with them all. But Bass as a writer belongs in that sparse catagory occupied by very few....Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Steve Earle, Ani Difranco.....make room!" Carol Calato, President, JD Calato Mfg. Makers of Regal Tip Drum Sticks
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bassreeves
Music of the Spheres author: Paul Bondarovski - Midnight Special Blues Radio The Universe is full of music. Pythagoras discovered it first and called it "The Music of the Spheres". We cannot hear it, since we are deaf to the frequencies it's played at. Not all of us, though. Not Bass Reeves. Otherwise I cannot explain the origins of such a divine oeuvre like "If You Ignore the Truth"... I know Bass doesn't talk much. I guess I know why - every time I play his album, it leaves me speechless for hours.
always my first choice ! author: Phil Salamone I've been listening to this Cd before any one i know ever heard it . Its in my car , in my home , in my girls car , its in my head ! Every song is a favorite ! Imagine doing that to a listener ? WoW ! I get to see this artist in person ! Can't wait ! Too much praise ? I dont gush for just anyone ! The lyrics - i wish i could write that way , the music - some of the best in the area! Yes , Bass Reeves , the kind of music that only comes around once in a life time ! Unbelievable !
author: Maria Sebastian This CD is incredible. When I listen to That's How I Get and the other songs too, I find myself smiling and shaking my head with my eyes closed like "DAMN this is good!" If you have a soul, this music is for you. I just love it, Bass. Absolutely splendid.
................i am creating my own new style of punctuation.......and may add spelling to that in the near future....:>)
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bassreeves
Just another note.....everyone and everything involved in the creation of the album "If You Ignore the Truth" is Buffalonian..,,muscians, producers,engineers, artists(from the sculpture on the cover to the layout and design of the packaging) everyone! and everything! Yeah,,,I've been everywhere man! I've been everywhere! and there ain't any better talent than right here in Buffalo!
The Buffalo Musical Community,,,,,Deserving so much more!
Please.....don't worry so much about perfect journalism,,,,,go out and listen to some home grown music...it's always sweetest right off the vine....as in live man...LIVE!
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