Some might wonder what my CD "4:20 Report" with the Talkin' Roots Crew has to do with Walter Cronkite... Truth be known,it could be said that Walter Cronkite was as big an influence on its inception as much as anyone.

Beginning on November 22,1963,while in 3rd grade,it was my childhood aim to become President of the United States. Much of that desire grew out of being glued to the television as Walter Cronkite reported on the events of that traumatic time. My mother,a political and Civil Rights Activist of the day encouraged me greatly. However she also had these words of wisdom. "In case you dont become President"she would say," you should discover another vocation in case you dont make it".

Starting in 3rd Grade,watching the news became a daily ritual,and when Walter Cronkite returned a drawing I made of him with a letter and autographed picture of himself,I knew if I couldnt become President,I wanted to be a journalist and reporter like Walter Cronkite.

I think what it was that drew me to him was his being present as history was in the making..Whether it was the Assasinations, Vietnam,the social upheavals of the '60s,or the Space Program,somehow Cronkite found his way to be in the middle of it,and I knew somehow if I wasnt making history myself,I wanted to be where it was being made.

My first writings were of a journalistic bent. I wrote columns for the Watkinson (High School) and Alaska Methodist University newspapers. In Denver in the 80's I had a freelance column published.

The last thing I expected in life was to write plays,and other performance material. At the time I wrote my first theater piece,given that l had veered away from that original course I had set out for myself,all I knew was that I was living out a countercultural existence (An existence I was first made aware of through Cronkite's network and CBS Reports),and that reggae music was making a profound impact in my life..

One of the things that drew me to the music of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh was that it seemed to me they were reporting on life as they saw it.
As anyone that has seen or heard my work knows,it is full of social and political commentary.
I was afforded an opportunity behind a newsdesk as the newscaster for the Minneapolis Cable Program The Hemp Channel

The 4:20 Report taken as a whole ( I feel that has to be pointed out in this day and age of downloads) was a concept CD,set in a kind of newsroom with the Talkin' Roots Crew acting as musical correspondents,and myself as the Anchorman.

..and That's The Way It Is. Rest In Peace Walter Cronkite

A Medical Man Of 'Courage, Perseverance, Vision'
--------------------

By ANNE M. HAMILTON
Special to The Courant

April 10, 2005

Dr. Evans H. Daniels Jr., 80, of Wethersfield, died Feb. 11.

A quiet, unassuming man, Dr. Evans Daniels Jr. dedicated his life to
helping the poorest and most medically needy families in Hartford.
He left behind a clinic - now the largest in the city - that
continues to do his work.

Daniels was born in Kansas City, Mo., and moved around the Southwest
as a child. His mother, Lessie James, died when he was young,
leaving him and a sister to be raised by their father, Evans Daniels
Sr., a chicken farmer.

The younger Daniels was so unassuming that not even his children
know many details about his early life. But they know he ended up at
Howard University, the prestigious black college in Washington,
arriving with one cardboard suitcase.

By the time the U.S. entered World War II, Daniels was a first-year
medical student at Howard.

"It was very limited what you could do as a black man," said his
youngest son, Scott Daniels of Wethersfield. Medicine, law or
education were the most promising options. "Being a doctor was very
prestigious." Money was extremely tight; Evans Daniels Sr. father
used to send his son eggs in medical school to sell for tuition and
spending money.

Evans Daniels Jr. became a medic with the 92nd Infantry Division, a
black unit, and served in Italy. He was awarded two Bronze Stars.
Years after the war, he told his children about some of his
experiences, such as the wounded white soldiers who would rather
suffer in the field than be attended by a black medic.

Daniels finished medical school after the war and married Helen
Jones, a Howard undergraduate who became a teacher. They had three
sons.

In 1952, after his graduation from medical school, Daniels came to
Connecticut at the invitation of Dr. Arthur Wilson, his commanding
officer. Wilson had a medical practice in Hartford, and Daniels
opened an office on Main Street to treat the patients Wilson could
not handle.

The practice grew quickly. Daniels treated families as a general
practitioner. Sometimes his patients could pay him only in produce.

Patients would wait hours to see him, and often he didn't return
home until 11 or 12 at night.

"Dr. Daniels was very tolerant of everyone. I never heard him speak
a harsh word," said Nellie Mason, who worked as a nurse's aide for
Daniels for 30 years. "He was a very kind and gentle man."

Daniels and his wife divorced in the early 1960s, and he later
married Geraldine Nelms, who had four children. The couple had two
more children of their own.

Other children also filled the Daniels' Wethersfield house. There
was Trung, a Vietnamese friend of Scott's; Khadra, a Somalian girl
who is now a doctor; and Nina, a diabetic who needed medical
supervision. Many of the children stayed at the family's home for
years.

"He cared not just for his family but for anyone he thought needed
help," said son Austin Daniels.

Although Dr. Daniels worked long hours, he was home for supper on
Thursdays and Sundays, spent two weeks on Cape Cod with the family
every summer and had lobster picnics on the beach at Rocky Neck. In
the fall, the family would pile into the car to see the foliage
along the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts.

For his children, growing up in Wethersfield in the 1960s was
sometimes a challenge.

"We were one of the first black families in town," said his daughter
Karen Lewis, and there were several incidents tinged with racism,
such as the father who ordered Lewis out of his house after a play
date, or a woman who offered Geraldine Daniels a job as a
housekeeper because Daniels' children were so well behaved. After
they started driving, the Daniels children were often pulled over by
police.

Decades later, Daniels expressed his own feelings about stereotypes
in his typically low-key way. He went to the Wethersfield Country
Club with his VIP tickets for the annual Greater Hartford Open golf
tournament. Leaving his own Mercedes at home, he drove up to the
valet parking in his son Chuck's junk car.

"They decided to shake things up a little," recalled Scott. "`I am
who I am. I don't need any trappings.'"

Daniels' medical practice continued to grow. A group of Hartford
leaders encouraged him to start a multi-practice clinic, and
Community Health Services, or CHS, opened in 1971 on Albany Avenue
in Hartford. Today, the facility is in a new building that serves
16,000 patients a year. Daniels was the first medical director and
chief executive officer.

Many patients were uninsured and could not afford to pay, but
Daniels never turned anyone away. He went to Mexico to learn Spanish
so he could communicate with his Hispanic patients.

"He was easygoing and very polite," said Chet Parboo, a physicians'
assistant at CHS. "He tried to teach the staff that money wasn't
everything and that serving people was important."

"It was his courage, his perseverance, his vision that made this
possible," said Michael Sherman, the current CEO. "Only a remarkable
man could have done it. It was clear that the love of his life was
CHS."

Daniels and his second wife divorced in the 1980s, and in recent
years, he spent much of his time in Puerto Rico with his companion,
Elsie Esteves. Daniels, who died of cancer, left 13 grandchildren.

Daniels traveled to such countries as Guyana, Honduras and the
Dominican Republic to hold clinics in underserved areas, often
accompanied by Parboo. They paid their own way, stayed in churches
or people's homes and sometimes had to rely on speedboats for
transportation.

"He had a great desire to provide care to people," Parboo said. "He
was never in a rush."

Dr. Terri Ashmeade, his youngest child, is the only one who followed
him in the medical field. She accompanied him on one of his visits
to Guyana, where they treated patients together. "We got to be a
little bit competitive in our diagnoses," she recalled. "I was
trying to stump him, but I never could."

David Daniels, the oldest son, weaves bits of his father into his
plays.

"Love and compassion: This is what drove him," David said. "He was a
quiet person. ... He expected excellence."
Copyright 2005, Hartford Courant

By Dwight Hobbes , TC Daily Planet

If you look around, there are some pretty good stocking stuffer CDs off the beaten track—especially if you’re a fan of strong spoken word and exquisite poetry.

For instance, Rasta bard David Daniels, who consistently packs the house with his performance scripts (Malcolm X Meets Peter Tosh, Black Hippie Chronicles and I, Edgar Hoover) has a pair of impressive discs, Talkin’ Roots and 4:20 Report (buy both and keep one for yourself). Daniels's extensive body of work resonates, sometimes thunderously, from a maverick spirit calling society to account for its political and social integrity—or lack thereof. Talkin’ Roots, which sold out two printings (hit used-record shops for this one), offers fine prose-poetry delivered in a range that goes from the serene (“David Crosby on the Radio&rdquo to stormy (“Dreams&rdquo. 4:20 Report is actually one full-length work, what used to be called a concept album. The concept is a news broadcast including commentary and coverage of a day’s events—not with your conventional TV or radio standards of practice, but from, as it were, stoner-land. The album is laced with tongue-in-cheek reference to the hemp aesthetic, but don’t take it as a joke. Artfully crafted, 4:20 Report slyly reminds you that the character and content of news media is directly related to the sensibilities of those in charge.

Chris Shillock had me worried for a while. I would catch this incredibly gifted cat reading his poetry at a hole in the wall here, at an out-of-the-way place there, and I fretted: Man, I'd think, it oughta be against the law for a poet this hellified not to reach the public at large. I now can sleep nights. Shillock isn’t doing The Tonight Show, but he has stepped in from obscurity with Invisible Jazz, sharing center stage with vocalist-composer Tabatha Predovich. The release event was a sure-fire attention getter. Held at Bedlam Theatre with prominent wordsmith-performers Sha Cage and e.g. bailey on the bill, the evening even rewarded Shillock with a nice taste of mainstream exposure in City Pages. Invisible Jazz finds Shillock and Predovich in superb complement, his pensive, baritone narrative and her sardonic way with a melody blending as naturally as can be. The dark edge they have together is beautifully intriguing. And the album has a nice range of different feelings: with a little Marty Balin-Paul Kantner style on “Ballade,” tangy jazz for “Invisible Jazz,” and the downright eerie ballad “Blue Nile,” the disc is just a fine piece of work.

Shillock also appears on the compilation Streets of Minneapolis with poets Scott Vetch and Larry Havluck and singer-songwriter LeNor Barry, recorded live at the now-defunct spoken word spot Surcumcorda. Shillock’s selection, performed with Colleen and Ed Jirak, is “Testament of Fear.” The overall feel of Streets of Minneapolis is so beatnik that Maynard G. Krebs would be right at home.

I’m throwing in Sha Cage and Dessa as ringers. After all, you can’t call either one anything close to off the beaten track, not with the crowds they consistently draw, but they’re so good, you wonder why they aren’t even more widely known. Each takes her artform—Cage spoken word, Dessa hip-hop—and makes it her own. Cage made quite a few people very happy back in May with her long-awaited Amber People. The piece “My Words” is a dry lament that demands social change—railing against everything from racism to homophobia to abortion to senseless war—in a way that renders done-to-death social issues vital with immediacy. You can also catch Sha Cage, by the way, on monster jazz bassist Yohannes Tona’s brand new Sand From the Desert. Finally, even if you can’t stand hip-hop, there is no resisting Dessa. A siren in every sense of the word, she laces the EP False Hopes from beginning to end with fascinating poetry and alluring song. When she raps, it’s laid-back and wry (“Mineshaft&rdquo. When she sings (“Kites&rdquo, it’s so sensual you can find yourself forgetting to breathe.

Really want to make a hit with somebody? Splurge and get them the whole shooting match, from David Daniels to Dessa. Then, make sure you have something very good in mind when they say, “Oh, how can I thank you?”
http://tcdailyplanet.net/article/2007/12/05/music-note-spoken-word-stocking-stuffers.html

My note..Talkin'Roots is available at Northern Sun Merchandising www.northernsun.com
This article was a surprise to me..just thought I'd share it

Of the places around the US where I have lived,Minneapolis is one of the more unique spots. It is a major US City,complete with much of the culture associated with a city of its size..At the same time,there is a "small town" feeling to it. I think much of that comes from the fact that much of Minneapolis is inhabited by folks from small town and rural Minnesota. Many who were born here remain here,and sometimes those that do move here from other places find it difficult to find a niche here-the positive and negative of "Minnesota Nice" as we call it.

As we watch the tragedy of the 35W Bridge collapse unfold,keep in mind that many of us have not seen anything quite like this.Those things happen in other big cities while the worst most Minnesotans have had to endure is a major blizzard (like the 3 foot snowfall that hit on Halloween 10 years ago..) It's this fact that makes it all the more compelling. There's also the  possibility that some of us will either know someone or know someone who knows someone affected by this.
It's all rather shocking,however Minnesotans are a tough resillent bunch It takes a certain kind of person willing to endure below zero winters year after year,and though there are some difficult days ahead,Minnesotans will come through this..

I've often gotten the question "What's a Black Man like you doing listening to that redneck music?" when I happen to mention that I like old time music. Many,both black and white gasp when I tell them the banjo is originally an African Instrument,and that bluegrass is a mixture of African-American,and Celtic music derived from the part of the US where those influences got to mingle. The music reaches me instictively,much like reggae. There are also personal "roots" as to why I like this music...The first dancing I ever did was Square Dancing. In Alaska,where I lived for a time,bluegrass music was part of the territory. I might also add that my heritage is African-American,Scot-Irish (on the maternal side) coming from the Carolinas..home of old time music.

This weekend I got to catch The Carolina Chocolate Drops,an African American string band http://www.sankofastrings.com/ccd/index.html dedicated to keeping this traditional music alive and bringing forth its African roots. It was a great show! I felt as if I wasnt alone..someone else understands too! and it was a big deal to me that I was recognized by them onstage.

 I first became aware of Paul Wellstone shortly after I moved to Minnesota. At the time, I was working for the local Greenpeace office where many of my co workers were also spending time volunteering for his Senate campaign..Some of my co-workers had him as a professor at Carleton College.

I liked what I had read and heard about him,especially was impressed with his work around the Hormel strike,and liked his vision and energy.. One problem though-I was a veteran of the Eugene McCarthy,and George McGovern campaigns! Paul Wellstone was not liked by many folks even within his own Party! Besides,he didnt have any money!! Most of my Greenpeace co-workers were just out of college..They hadnt experienced the bitter campaigns I had experienced.. I certainly didnt want to dampen their enthusiasm,so the best way I could help out was to share my insight and experiences with those who were going to make this grassroots campaign happen..Gotta admit,I liked his TV commercials where he made fun of his lack of money..and that bus looked as if it could fit at a Grateful Dead show! Well,to my surprise,Paul Wellstone got the DFL Nomination,and to my greater surprise he beat a relatively popular,very well funded Republican incumbent!

I went with my friends to the Wellstone election gathering,and in all my years,I had never experienced that kind of electricity at a political gathering.Paul seemed to provide most of that electricity..and it didnt stop there..I said bravo when,as a newly elected freshman Senator,he proceeded to give then President George H.W.Bush a face to face verbal tongue lashing!

From Greenpeace,I went onto work at a worker owned,worker run restaurant on Minneapolis' West Bank..Senator Paul Wellstone would eat there from time to time when he was in town.By this time,Paul had a voting record,not all of which I agreed with,and would proceed to tell Paul about it when he would eat there..I dont know if that helped him enjoy the food there or not,but in subsequent meetings,both at the New Riverside Cafe and elsewhere,Paul would greet me and ask how I felt about this issue or that despite knowing my opinions more often that not were going to be to the LEFT of his!!

It is one thing for a politician to speak to the choir..quite another to go where one is likely to be criticized.Politicians of all stripes dont do it enough,and that's part of our problem.People will respect a politician even if they dont agree on everything if they are willing to listen,not only to supporters but critics...but I guess that makes one a statesman not a politician.

In 2002,I was approached by some activists in the Green Party to consider a run for the U.S.Senate against Paul Wellstone,and Norm Coleman..This was based upon my showing as a third party Senate candidate 2 years earlier. Based on my dealings in the past with Wellstone (as well as Norm Coleman) I felt I could hold my own in any kind of debate with them. Furthermore, I felt I had the mental toughness to endure the criticisms I was sure to get similar to those received by Ralph Nader. If I had done so,I would have been there to remind Paul Wellstone of those grassroots ideals that had so captivated my old co-workers.Nevertheless,for personal and work related reasons,I declined to make the run.

4 years ago today,while working at a place I will not name,my co-worker (and now Care2 member)  Andy Larson came to my cubicle to tell me that Paul Wellstone had been killed in a plane crash. I remember,though I wasnt supposed to,I went to the break room to get the details..It was hard to break away from the TV,and I remember thinking ..in this work enviornment,how could we go on like nothing's happened?

Now,this is 2008. I believe that if Paul Wellstone had lived,he would be a candidate for President now..No one would give him a chance.."He's too liberal","He has no money!!" etc..etc...and I would have been skeptical,at times critical,and happy to see him confound the critics and win!

I miss him today.