Hope you guys had a nice holiday yesterday.

Welcome back to the website.

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I'm gonna take it easy today.

But, this morning I got 2 ideas for 2 new songs.

We all get lots of ideas. But, I've learned that until I actually get off my ass and do the work... take the action... I don't have the right to call it "inspiration".

So, today I'm going to try to hammer out the basic ground work for one or both songs.

And, I'm going to try to flesh out the idea I have for a weekly "online" simulcast... both video and audio. A bunch of you have sent in your thoughts and comments about the "possibility" and I'm really psyched by the response.

Listen... it's the future. Something like this IS "the next thing". I just hafta figure out if we're gonna do it independently... y'know, completely on our own, or hook up with an entity that is already doing this kind of thing. There's more about this idea in yesterday's update.

I mentioned the possibility of hooking up with public radio station WNYC yesterday because there is an amazing, circular energy about it.

You guys all know that I've been doing this for about a million years. (Not really... only the past 18 years.) But still, that's an entire generation of New Yorkers. Not only New Yorkers, but I've played my songs and shared my thoughts and feelings with hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people from all across the country and around the world. That's one of the really amazing possibilities when your little hometown happens to be New York City and your outdoor venue happens to be Central Park.

Since day one... I've been called "That Guitar Man from Central Park".

Okay, but... check this out!

My grandfather died when I was a little boy. I have vague memories of the man, but I never knew him. I was named after him, though. His name was David James and so is mine.

Well...

Turns out that... (Ready for this?) ... he was the sound engineer who was responsible for setting up sound for most of the major events in Central Park generations ago. In an old newspaper article from the 1950s that my sister sent me they called him the "Sound Man" of the city. Here I am 2 generations later.... the "Guitar Man".

But, guess who he worked for when he was doing all these events like General MacArthur's return or an event for Charles Lindbergh?

WNYC!

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He's the man on the right.

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David James McClay. (Says in the article they called him "Mac".)

Pretty wild, hah?

So, that's why I'm really curious about pitching this idea to them. Seems just a little bit too cool a story to ignore. how jazzed would you be about a weekly, one or two-hour radio/internet video simulcast? Something you could see happening LIVE here in NYC and then click on whenever you're schedule permitted!

And what would you like to see happen on it every week?

Would you like the focus to be about new or unknown musicians? Would you like the focus to be about my original songs, stories and life in New York City? Would you like the focus to be about social issues and the place American music has traditionally played in shaping world view and politics?

Or would you like the show to be a little bit about ALL of that?

HIT THE CONTACT BUTTON and let me know what you think. (Also let me know from where in the city, where in the country, or where in the world you're writing.)

Listen, I'm going to start of this year figuring out a way to do this. And.... I AM going to do it. Where and how are the only two challenges remaining. It just feels right. It really feels like the next thing.

Anyway, I'll let you know more about this idea as it develops. Right now, I'm just looking at the different options for getting into a theater with all of you again for another fun concert... maybe by March.

But to get your mind around the kind of technology that exists for this type of broadcast already, click on this logo...

And check out some of the video that are posted there already.THEN GIMME A SHOUT AND LET ME NOW WHAT YOU THINK.

I'll be back tomorrow with another update. I might post some of your thoughts and suggestions here.

I'll leave you today, once again with that fun little clip from the "Year-End" gig at Merkin Concert Hall this past December.

Have fun. I'll post the longer version and some LIVE songs very soon. And here's just another fun video from last summer... one of those ridiculously cool, spontaneous moments we've all gotten so used to out there i the park every week.

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If you're new around here are the links for the 2 brand new galleries.

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Thanks for everything.

Be nice to each other today.

AND... of course, we're going to continue with something for any of you who haven't been here in the last few days. I wanna thank every single one of you who showed up for the updates over the last week. But to close today's update, I'm gonna post the same contact information, okay?

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Please take a moment to send whatever kind of help you can to the people of Haiti.

Me personally.... I truly LOVE the work done by these good, good people in this very well-run and beautiful organization. I support this particular group when I can.

CLICK ON THE LOGO TO GIVE WHATEVER YOU CAN.


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Find out how to help / Find a blood drive near you.

I looked at the stats and realized that an awful lot of you are passing these links around the net to friends. From the bottom of my heart.... Thank You.

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See you back here tomorrow.

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PEACE