Daily Blues & Views

 When Chris Stapleton sang the Star-Spangled Banner at this year's Super Bowl he drew rave reviews.  Some who reviewed the proceedings even went so far as to say he was the most soulful singer of the day.  That's saying something given soul singer Baby Face had sung America the Beautiful moments before.  But no matter how well Stapleton sang there was one thing he didn't do.  He should have sung the word banner correctly.  How do I know?  I was a student of Mrs. Taylor in 1957 at Camelia Avenue Elementary School.     Mrs. Taylor was the music teacher.  She moved her large body in and out of all classrooms teaching music and singing to all grade levels. Accompanying herself on the autoharp, she'd hold court for a few minutes before we'd launch into songs like The Erie Canal or Faniculi Fanicula.  But Mr. Taylor was at her best when she was complaining about how few singers sang the Star Spangled Banner correctly.  In short, the ...

      Some years ago, while working at a graduation of the school where I taught for 30 years, I chanced to meet a photographer.  She was taking pictures for one of the local papers and took a break while some of the speeches were going on.  We had a casual conversation about school and students until the topic of people doing their art came up.       Maggie, my new friend was a serious photographer.  She often sold photos of her work at openings and art/craft fairs.  Sometimes her photos were framed or tinted to add dimension and intrigue.  Sometimes both.       Then an idea hit me.  I was writing for Bloodhorse magazine at the time and had an idea for a story. Bloodhorse is one of the key publications of the thoroughbred horse industry and is funded by the Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners of America.  It's a beautiful magazine with lots of color photographs of the even more colorful world of thor...