Clancy Tucker's Blog, page 192

2 April 2017 - ROBIN SURFACE - Guest Publisher

ROBIN SURFACE- Guest Publisher -
G'day folks,
I don't often interview a publisher, but today is one of those days. Robin Surface has an interesting story to tell in regard to her move to publishing.
Welcome, Robin ....



1.   TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR BOOK PUBLISHING JOURNEY.


We’ve been in business since 2007 and I’ve had previous experience with book publishing, magazine design and production, and newspaper design and reporting. My original partner and I worked for another publisher and weren’t happy with the way he did things (neither were his customers), so we decided to start our own company. We eventually parted ways because she wanted to retire, and one of our existing clients stepped up to be my new business partner. Having a partner who is also an author helps add new understanding to how we work with our clients. We are not a traditional publisher; instead we act more as book coaches and help authors make their books the best they can be. We are then as involved as the author wishes us to be.


2.   WERE YOU A GOOD READER AS A KID?


I started reading when I was 4 years old, mainly because my mother wouldn’t read aloud to me 24 hours a day! When I was growing up, I used to get in trouble all the time for reading at the dinner table and spent most of my high school days buried in a book. The best thing ever was the invention of the Kindle. I read 300-500 books a year and love that I can carry a big selection of those titles with me wherever I go.


3.   WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A PUBLISHER?


As I said, my original partner and I decided we could do it better than our current employer. For me, book publishing was a dream job because I could do the two things I enjoy most: create interesting text and cover designs and be involved with “birthing” books and making them available to the public.


4.   WHY A PUBLISHER?


I’ve been a news reporter, feature writer, editor, and owned my own direct-mailed newspaper. Publishing just seemed like a natural progression.


5.   WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A PUBLISHER?


I enjoy helping people make their dream, i.e. their book, a reality.


6.   WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?


The hardest thing is trying to tactfully tell people their book isn’t going to sell millions, they need an editor, they really shouldn’t use the drawing their grandchild made for their adult novel, etc.




7.   WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOU BECAME A PUBLISHER?


I’ve been a typographer, magazine production manager, florist, news reporter, feature writer, graphic artist, newspaper owner, and production manager for a publisher.


8.   HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED?


We are at book 951. (This number includes multiple editions of the same title.)


9.   WHAT ARE YOU READING AT THE MOMENT?


I just finished Confessions of a Neighbor by H. Lenz. (I only read independently published and self-published books.)


10.       WHAT INSPIRES YOU AS A PUBLISHER?


The enthusiasm authors have for what they’ve created.


11.       DO YOU PREFER TO PUBLISH A PARTICULAR GENRE’? WHY?


We work with all genres.


12.       DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?


First, create a business plan (if you plan to be successful, you must treat writing as a business) and a marketing plan. Be sure to include a budget with both. Next, research the genre you plan to work in to be sure that you’re providing what readers expect from this type of book. Then, create an internet presence (website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Goodreads, etc.) and start “leaking” information about you and your upcoming book. You should also interview editors and find someone you feel comfortable working with. Editing your book is MANDATORY! Also, research the publishing industry. This research will help you avoid any unrealistic expectations and make for a better publishing experience for everyone involved. Publishing does not work the way most people think it does!


13.       DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PLACE TO WORK?


I tend to get into a zone when I work. I could be working in the middle of a busy street and probably not notice!


14.       WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN PUBLISHING A MANUSCRIPT?


It’s nice to see how excited authors get with their first sales.


15.       WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE ALL TIME AUTHOR. WHY?


Stephen King. I started reading his books when I was in 6thgrade and was hooked from that point on. King is the master at creating complex, deep characters and weaving stories that are both realistic and fantastically out there. When I read  his books, I’m sucked into that reality and the way he writes makes me feel like I’m right there. I could go on and on about this, but I'm sure you get the gist of it.


16.       WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A CLIENT?


You’re so easy to work with. You’ve made this whole process so much easier. I don’t think I could’ve finished this project without you.




17.       WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A CLIENT?


I had one client who, in five years, only sold three copies of her poetry book. One day, out of the blue, she called me and accused me of lying to her and keeping all the money from her book sales (even though we don’t take a percentage of sales from our authors). I told her I was sorry she felt that way, and took her book out of circulation. I also didn’t charge her for her second book, which was 90% through the production process. This past week she called me to see what she’d have to do to get her book back out there, and I told her she would have to talk to a new publisher. (My graciousness only goes so far!)


18.       DO SOME OF YOUR CLIENTS FRUSTRATE YOU?


Yes! I have a few clients who insist in shooting themselves in the foot when it comes to their books. Since our clients pay for our expert advice and services, I cannot force them to abandon their less than stellar ideas. I caution them against whatever the idea is, but in the end if they insist, I will do as they wish. I just reserve the right to say, “I told you so” when things go the way I said they would.


19.       WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU AS A PUBLISHER?


I think everyone is influenced by life experiences. We can’t help it, we’re human and that’s how we learn and grow as people.


20.       OTHER THAN PUBLISHING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?


I have backyard chickens, and they usually end up acting as my therapy animals when I’m having a bad day. They each have their own personality and provide endless entertainment that sooths my nerves. I also like to garden on a small scale and home improvement projects.


21.       DO YOU ALSO WRITE?


I have written in the past, but find that it’s difficult to find my “groove” with my own writing when I’m working on so many other people’s books.


22.       ARE SOME MANUSCRIPTS DIFFICULT TO REVIEW? WHY?


Some manuscripts are difficult to deal with. If, after we’ve made recommendations to make them better, the author insists on going ahead with it as is, we will set them up as the publisher and let them handle everything with our guidance. We accept a wide variety of books, but there are some things we don’t work with. Handling things this way still allows the author to realize his or her dream, and it keeps us from compromising our standards.


23.       DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.


My perfect day is sitting on my patio in the shade, reading a good book.


24.       WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?


We plan to keep on much as we have been, but are always on the lookout for new, talented employees and more wonderful authors to add to our list.

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25.       DO YOU HAVE MUCH TO DO WITH OTHER PUBLISHERS?


Most publishers I’ve talked to aren’t all that friendly. I suppose it’s a competitive thing, though I don’t feel that way personally. We do deal with several printers and print brokers and help them with prepress for authors who need help with formatting their text and covers. Those have been great alliances.


26.       HOW DO YOU SEE PUBLISHING IN GENERAL? POSITIVE?


Publishing kind of has a split personality at this point. There are those who cling to the old school model and way of doing things and then there are those who are going full bore into the future and embracing all new technology and business models associated with it. These two widely differing factions make for a volatile industry, but it’s certainly never boring.


27.       WHAT’S YOUR VIEW ON E-BOOKS VERSUS TRADITIONAL BOOKS.


When the Kindle first came out, I thought I’d hate it. My current partner gave me one for Christmas that year, and I’ve never bought another traditional book! I love that it’s instant and portable. (I’m a chain book reader – I finish a book and immediately go out and find another one!) I also love the freedom ebooks give new authors. They’re easily published and easily changed (when necessary). They’re also a great way to test the waters and then adjust based on reviewer feedback.


28.       IS THERE ANY ONE THING THAT ‘SMACKS YOU IN THE FACE’ AFTER READING A MANUSCRIPT, OR IS IT A COLLECTION OF THINGS?


Probably the main thing that’s evident after just the first page is lack of editing. Those first pages are the most important ones in any book. That’s what people see with the “see inside” feature on Amazon and also what they read with the ebook’s free preview option. I can’t stress this enough: Every book needs edited by a professional editor (someone who does it for a living). It’s expensive, but if you’re serious about a career as a writer, you must bite the bullet and hire the editor!





WEBSITE:
 www.fidelipublishing.com




Clancy's comment: Thank you, Robin. By the way, Robin and her team have  got new Promotion Packages available and a discount price on a print book with Ingram distribution/ebook combo.
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1 April 2017 - THE AMUR LEOPARD

THE AMUR LEOPARD
G'day folks,
Welcome to some facts on a very interesting animal. The Amur leopard is a leopard subspecies native to the Primorye region of southeastern Russia and the Jilin Province of northeast China. It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.


The Amur Leopard is one of the rarest felines in the world. They are speedy creatures able to run up to 35 miles per hour, faster than Usain Bolt!











Amazing Facts About the Amur LeopardThe Amur Leopard, also known as the Far East Leopard, the Manchurian Leopard or the Korean Leopard, inhabits the forests of a temperate region crossed by the Amur River, a natural boundary between China and Russia.This is the only leopard subspecies adapted to survive in extreme snowy winter climates as well as hot summers. You would struggle to see one in the wild as they are well camouflaged. They have thick, white or cream fur with large, widely spaced black spots called “rosettes” covering the head, back, tail and legs.In the wild, an Amur Leopard can live up for up to 15 years.The Amur Leopard is a solitary animal and is highly territorial.  They do not tend to share territory with others, and individual Leopards claim between 19 and116 sq miles as its territory. That means a size of up to 56,144 football fields!Like other leopards, they are fast and nimble. They can run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour and can leap up to 19 feet. That means in a race between Usain Bolt and an Amur Leopard, Bolt would be left in their dust as he clocks up to 28 miles per hour!The Amur Leopard rests during the day in cool caves or sheltered spots to conserve energy and prepare for the night time hunt just before sunset.They prey on deer and wild pigs, but also on badgers and hares. When feeling brave, they have been known to eat young black bears. If a leopard does not finish its kill, it may drag and hide the remains, sometimes in trees away from other predators that might fancy a nibble.To scrape meat off the bone of the prey, the Leopard has a rough tongue covered in tiny hooks called ‘denticles.Females give birth to litters of 1-4 cubs, but usually 2 or 3. Cubs are born with their eyes closed and only begin to open them on the 7th or 8th day. Cubs will stay with their mother for up to two years before braving the wild alone.This rare creature is on the brink of extinction with less than 70 left in the wild.The main threats to this beautiful animal are poaching for their fur and the hunting of their prey as well as habitat loss to farming development, the growth of cities and forest fires.There is still hope that this species can be saved from extinction. Effective conservation measures in a Russian National Park has resulted the Amur Leopard population almost doubling from only 30 in 2007 to 57 in 2015.


Clancy's comment:  The word extinction was never used when I was a kid. Now, it is on most people's lips. Sad.
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31 March 2017 - MORE LEXOPHILIA

MORE LEXOPHILIA
G'day folks,
Time for some humour. 

He broke into song because he couldn’t find the key.

 A calendar’s days are numbered.

 A boiled egg is hard to beat.

 He had a photographic memory which was never developed.

A plateau is a high form of flattery.
   Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.

When you’ve seen one shopping center you’ve seen a mall.

 If you jump off a Paris bridge, you are in Seine.

 Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.

Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.

 Acupuncture: a jab well done.

 A lot of money is tainted: ‘Taint yours, and ‘taint mine.



Clancy's comment: Who has the time to jot these down? Certainly not me. 
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30 March 2017 - QUOTES WORTH READING

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QUOTES WORTH READING
G'day folks,
Here are some more great quotes to stir up the grey matter.




























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Clancy's comment: Some very good reminders here today.
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29 March 2017 - THE WIRALEE TRILOGY & 'GUNNEDAH HERO' - THE MOVIE

THE 'WIRALEE TRILOGY'& 'GUNNEDAH HERO'  - THE MOVIE
G'day folks,
I guess you are wondering who are the three characters depicted above? Well, they are the three main characters in what I call my Wiralee Series. As most of you know, my first book is called 'Gunnedah Hero', which has won several awards. It has also inspired an experienced Australian movie maker, John Campbell, to make it into a feature movie. In case you haven't read this book, here is the blurb. By the way, the man depicted on the front cover of the book is a man who was the main horse consultant on The Man from Snowy River - 1 & 2. His name is Mark Arbuthnot, and I can guarantee that he knows heaps about horses. Great bloke as well.


BLURB FOR 'GUNNEDAH HERO':
 Fourteen-year-old Gunnedah ‘Gunnie’ Danson has a 500-word assignment on drought. His late grandfather has left him a box containing a manuscript. It’s been written by Gunnie’s great-great-grandfather, Smokey ‘Gun’ Danson after his journey up the long paddock during a harsh drought as a fourteen-year-old drover in 1910. At the back of the manuscript is an envelope. It’s NOT to be opened until Gunnie has read the entire story.

Gunnie spends the weekend at Wiralee Station; a cattle station that’s been in the family since 1848. There, he reads the awesome manuscript and learns of Smokey’s adventurous journey. 
Gunnie overhears several secretive conversations. His snobby Aunty Kate wants to divorce his uncle and sell Wiralee Station. He finishes the manuscript and opens the mysterious envelope. Will it legally prevent his aunt from selling Wiralee Station?  

 WRITING THE SCREENPLAY: John Campbell, the movie maker, has read all of my books, but he was impressed by the story contained within Gunnedah Hero. John rang me and asked if he could make a feature film of this book, and if I could write the screenplay. Always wanting a challenge, I jumped at the idea of writing a screenplay, though I'd never written one before. Why did I jump to do it? The main reason was simple. No one knew the story better than me, so I knew I could write the same passion and feeling into the screenplay. If someone else had written it, they'd have not given the story the same slant, and no doubt they'd have changed vital points.  So, I researched screenplay-writing and got stuck into it.  Interestingly, I found writing a screenplay an anxious and stressful job. Thus, I wrote it in segments, because I felt stressed if I did too much at once. However, that is not the case when I write a novel. Whenever I'm writing a novel I work 12 hours a day and normally it takes me 3 months to complete. Not sure why that is, but I have given it heaps of thought and I think the difference is that I am totally fixed on a movie as I write a screenplay, the visual, whereas writing a novel just comes straight out of my head and is free flowing.  Having said that, when I wrote the screenplay I became aware of something that had never occurred to me. That is, when I wrote the screenplay, I recalled many many moments whilst writing my novels when I subconsciously imagined how that paragraph, section, or moment of action would appear on the big screen. It enabled me to focus on writing that section more meaningful for my readers.   Smokey 'Gun' Danson SEQUEL TO 'GUNNEDAH HERO': I had always wanted to write many books about the main characters in Gunnedah Hero. Why, because there were so many issues to write about a family who owned an Australian cattle station - bushfires, drought, floods, family etc. So, I wrote the sequel and called it 'A Drover's Blanket'. Now, here is a tidbit from an author. I still recall the day I invented that term, A Drover's Blanket. I was sitting in my study, glanced out the window and BANG that term popped into my head. I immediately felt goosebumps on my arms. The term described the Milky Way. As drover's slept under their swags at night, they looked up and saw billions of stars every night - just like a blanket above them. Gunnedah Hero is a coming-of-age story about a young farm boy in 1910 - Smokey. A Drover's Blanket highlights the stresses and strains felt by Molly, and all farmers and their families during long droughts.  The sequel is probably the hardest book I've ever written. Why, because I had the original manuscript of Gunnedah Hero beside me as I wrote the sequel. I needed to have consistent language with my characters, and keep all facts correct. It is a powerful story.
Molly Jane Swenson    THE THREE MAIN CHARACTERS:  As mentioned above, there are three main characters in this series: Smokey, Molly (Smokey's girlfriend) and Magic Billie (an Aboriginal drover who became best mates with Smokey on his trip). Gunnedah Hero is all about Smokey Danson, a fourteen-year-old boy, as he takes his family's cattle up the long paddock during Australia's worst drought, hoping to keep them alive. A Drover's Blanket is Molly's story - what her life was like whilst Smokey was droving his cattle north. The third book in the series, Magic Billie, is yet to be written. However, I'm soon planning to spend a few months overseas to at least get started. This book will be Magic Billie's story; an Aboriginal drover and shearer in 1910, who happens to meet Smokey, and they remain close mates until they die. 
Magic Billie
THE WIRALEE TRILOGY? Wiralee is the name of the family cattle station owned by the Danson family, and it was the suggestion of John Campbell, that we work towards making three movies based on the three main characters, and call it the Wiralee Trilogy. That's the plan folks.    WHERE TO FROM HERE?

Well, the legal agreements have been negotiated and signed between John Campbell and myself, with the extraordinary assistance of our mutual friend and Barrister, Paul Kouris, who is now Chief Legal Counsel for Gunnedah Hero - The Movie.


As you can imagine, making a movie is no simple process. From here on we have to find suitable funding, locations, wardrobes, actors etc. The list goes on. However, much has already been done. I have just finished the third revision of the screenplay to reduce it from 4 hours to two hours. 
So, let me know if you know anyone who would be keen to sponsor and finance this movie. Stay tuned, folks. I'm sure we are in for one hell of a ride.


Clancy's comment: I will keep you informed as to our progress. Oh, if you are keen to read these stories, just head up to the right-hand side of this page and grab a copy; signed paperback or e-Book.
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28 March 2017 - THE WONDERS OF NATURE

THE WONDERS OF NATURE
G'day folks,
Welcome to some cute shots of animals that roam the planet, fly, hang from trees, hop, run, or lounge on your couch.









































































Clancy's comment: Mm ... And some humans are doing their best to make these extinct. Makes you seriously wonder, eh?
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27 March 2017 - KIDS IN NIGERIA

KIDS IN NIGERIAG'day folks,
Welcome to some facts about kids in Nigeria. Nigeria, an African country on the Gulf of Guinea, has many natural landmarks and wildlife reserves. Protected areas such as Cross River National Park and Yankari National Park have waterfalls, dense rainforest, savanna and rare primate habitats. One of the most recognizable sites is Zuma Rock, a 725m-tall monolith outside the capital of Abuja that’s pictured on the national currency.














Continent: Western AfricaClimate: Hot—averaging around 90 degrees in much of the nation. Nigeria has two seasons, the rainy season and the dry season. Each lasts about half the year.
School: The school year in Nigeria runs from January through December. Typically, there are three semesters, with a month off following each one.Most schools have strict dress codes. There are not only required uniforms but also rules about hairstyles, jewelry and accessories.Play: A board game called ayo, played by two people using seeds and a board that has twelve cups, is widespread. So are checkers and hand-clapping games. Soccer is a national craze in Nigeria, as in much of Africa. Volleyball, wrestling and boxing are also popular.Family: Age earns respect in many families. As a mark of honor, an older sibling may be addressed as “Senior Brother” or “Senior Sister” instead of their name.Traditionally, most Nigerians lived in extended families, either within the same home or in separate homes clustered close together.Signature foods: Spicy pepper soup, made with onions, hot chili peppers and meat or fish Plantains (a member of the banana family), which can be fried, stewed with meat, toasted or made into pastriesInteresting animals: The rare Sclater's guenon, a small (6–9 pound), wiry gray monkey that dwells in swamps and moist forests The West African manatee, a thousand-pound water mammal with small flippers and a mouth full of molarsUnique holiday: October 1 brings the biggest festival in Nigeria—Independence Day, which celebrates Nigeria's independence from Great Britain in 1960. The day begins with a presidential address and includes parades and festivities in all 36 Nigerian states.Did you know? Nigeria is Africa's most populous country, accounting for about one-fifth of the continent's people. It is very diverse, with more than 250 ethnic groups; the largest are the Yoruba, the Hausa and Fulani and the Ibo (Igbo).










 
   Clancy's comment: With more than 173 million people in Nigeria, I think most kids would struggle to have a decent education. 
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26 March 2017 - FACTS ABOUT BEARS

FACTS ABOUT BEARS
G'day folks,
Here are some facts about some big animals that roam the world. Like human children, bear cubs are extremely playful; and just like human mothers, if things get too rough, mother bears will make them stop to protect them from hurting themselves.











Amazing Facts About the BearBears are extraordinarily intelligent animals. They have far superior navigation skills to humans; excellent memories; large brain to body ratio; and use tools in various contexts from play to hunting.Bears care deeply about family members. They will risk their lives and even fight to the death in order to save a cub or sibling from danger.Bears grieve deeply for others. Cubs are known to moan and cry when separated from their mothers.  This can go on for weeks if their mothers are killed by hunters.Bears have excellent senses of smell, sight and hearing. They can smell food, cubs, a mate or predators from miles away. Their great eyesight allows them to detect when fruits are ripe.Some species of Asiatic bear build nests in the trees. They can use these for hiding, eating and even sleeping.Bears were often honoured in the cultures of many early civilisations. They were seen as a symbol of power, strength and love.Vikings and the Celts have many legends about the strength, protectiveness and prowess of bears.The bear is a common national personification for Russia (and the former USSR) and Germany. The brown bear is Finland’s national animal.


Clancy's comment: Almost too hard to bear, eh?
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25 March 2017 - BENNETT ARRON - Guest Comedian & Author

BENNETT ARRON- Guest Comedian & Author -
G'day folks,
I'm pleased to introduce a multi-talented character who is an author and a comedian. This is my interview and, as you read his answers, you will gather that he is a comic.
Welcome, Bennett ...

1.   Tell us about you and what you do.I’m an award-winning writer, comedian, author and ‘expert’ on the subject of Identity Theft!
2.   What was the happiest moment of your life?The days my children were born
3.   What was the saddest moment?I’m assuming it’s yet to happen
4.   What surprised you most?Question 3
5.   What was your greatest disappointment?Not sure if it’s my greatest, but I wrote episodes of a children’s sitcom for a French Producer and Broadcaster. Even though they were shown on television I was never paid….


6.   Who did you misjudge? Why?See above.
7.   What or who was your biggest challenge?Life.
8.   What has been your biggest regret?I don’t have regrets. Unfortunately.
9.   What would be your dying comment? Why?“Why are you holding that gun?”
10.               Who or what stunned you the most?My children.
11.               What would you like written on your tombstone? Why?Best Before… (then that day’s date)
12.               Who would you rather have not met? Why?The person who commissioned by documentary on Identity Theft
13.               Who were you most envious of? Why?I’m not the envious type. And I’m jealous of those who are.
14.               Who did you forgive – for doing something you never thought you’d forgive?I NEVER forgive….


15.               What was your greatest moment in your life?Having my children.
16.               What is your greatest achievement?My children
17.               What personal traits would you like to have in your next life?The ability to teleport
18.               What advice would you give to world leaders?Stop being silly.
19.               What advice would you give to parents today?Do NOT allow your children to run around screaming. Especially in cafes when I am writing. It’s not ‘normal’.
20.               Who would you choose to be stuck on a desert island with?Olivia Newton John
21.               Have any heroes? Why? Who?My Dad. He is one of the greatest people in the world.
22.               What are the greatest legacies you will leave behind?My children (this is becoming a theme…)
23.               What’s lacking in the world today?More of me on television.
24.               Any pearls of wisdom for the rest of us?Read my books
25.               What would be the last sentence you ever write?I have no idea. Unless that was it….
26.               What inspired you most?My teachers. Especially the ones who taught English and Drama.


27.               Who or what made you laugh the most?My Dad. My brother. My children.
28.               What would be your top three chosen careers in your next life?Writer, Comedian and anything that actually makes money….
29.               What is your prime focus in life today?Trying to set my children up well for the future.
30.               Do you have any fear of doing something wrong?I have EVERY fear of doing something wrong.

31.               If or when you reflect on your past, can you identify any world events that you believe had a significant impact on you? Although I wasn’t alive at the time, The Holocaust has had a profound effect on my life.
32.               Do you think one can live a purposeful life without knowing the meaning of life?We all do.
33.                From your perspective - what is the way forward for the world?  Let me be the leader.

34.               Imagine that you were given a chance to live again, what will you do first and what will you do differently? I would not mess up my chances with the girl in my class who looked like Olivia Newton John. Although I probably would….


35.                Do you have a bucket list? Tell us more.Yes. I need one yellow bucket and one red one and then I’ll have them all.
36.               Any great claims to fame? Anthony Hopkins used to light the fire for my grandparents.
37.               Anything you’d like to add?Yes


WEBSITE

Clancy's comment: Thanks, Bennett. I will let Olivia Newton John know of your plans. Keep punching.
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24 March 2017 - GEORGE CLINTON - FUNK

GEORGE CLINTON- FUNK -
G'day folks,
 George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and record producer. He was the principal architect of P-Funk and the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s.
 Though Clinton was born in Kannapolis, North Carolina, he truly began his musical development when his family moved to Central Jersey. This was where Clinton formed the Parliaments in the early ‘60s. Performing out of the back of his Plainfield Barbershop, the Parliaments dabbled mostly in Motown and doo-wop fare, hinting in no way at the radical path that would make George Clinton the Godfather of Funk.




In 1969, the Parliaments disbanded, leaving the name under record company ownership. It was at this point that Clinton was presumably abducted by aliens, intravenously fed LSD, and returned to Earth in rainbow dreadlocks and a diaper. Naturally, these factors would make Clinton the preeminent influence (alongside James Brown, of course) on the future history of funk, rap, hip hop, and rock.



Over the course of the ’70s, Clinton presided over not one but two units, each of which helped to define funk at its most schizophrenic. Funkadelic’s gritty psychedelic soul served as a blueprint both for the conceptual approach to record-making and the sharp-tongued street journalism that would eventually shape hip hop at its most innovative. If Funkadelic’s legacy wasn’t enough on its own, Clinton began to also focus his attention on Parliament in the mid-‘70s. 

Even as Funkadelic was writing the book on psychedelic soul, Parliament set the mold for grimy, horn-heavy funk. Taken together, Parliament-Funkadelic created a mind-blowing live experience in which as many as 50 musicians might crowd the stage with glorious color and noise.



With 1978’s Funkadelic release, One Nation Under a Groove, Clinton achieved a masterpiece of confluence, the moment of greatest mainstream visibility for Funkadelic and the record on which all the moving parts in the Clinton kingdom came together. One Nation emerged on the back side of the funk movement, the front side of disco, and as a prelude to hip hop. This is Clinton’s greatest commercial and political manifesto, calling for global unity around the impulse to boogie. Clinton solidified his status as a patron saint of hip hop through his much-celebrated early ‘90s collaborations with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Both cite Clinton as a seminal influence.



Today, Clinton continues to tour off and on with various members of his P-Funk All-Stars and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.






Clancy's comment: Another of the many characters in the music business.
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