Vietnam Again

We sat for hours in my car,
a baby blue Mercury Comet
in the alley behind Owen’s house
in Cheyenne, 1968. He was
gonna enlist the next day. We

served Mass together, drank
crazy like high school kids
together, played baseball
on different teams, always
buddies no matter the score,

double dated, whispered the
secrets of grasping, awkward,
adolescent love to one another.
He’d been voted Most Handsome,
Most Likely to Succeed.

You’ll be trained to kill, I argued.
I know you. You can’t do that.
You’ll become another disposable
particle of LBJ’s ego. Vietnam’s
an illegal, immoral war. You
can’t go, I almost pleaded—
no, I pleaded.

It’s the right thing to do, he said,
besides, I’ve had it with school.
The Army will make me a man.
We went back and forth until
our night of Coors quarts turned
into a dry-tongued dawn. The

fingerposts of our futures diverged
wildly: I returned to college and
applied to for conscientious objection.
Owen signed the papers held
in the recruiter’s hands.

Six months later I leaned into
the gelid Laramie wind, opened
the envelope from my draft board
that could portend five years in prison
or a life of exile over our northern border, but
my plea against killing had been accepted!

I fell into a fever worthy of a Russian novel:
roiling in my sheets, floridly hallucinating,
stranger to dream and reality alike, when
Owen appeared at my door. He’d gone to
bootcamp where they’d taught him to scream
“Die Gook,” while he practiced gutting
a human being with a bayonet.

He couldn’t take it. When they wouldn’t
allow him to file for conscientious objection
he simply left, went AWOL. He’d landed
on my doorstep on his way to Canada—
a fugitive I was happy to harbor.

He’s alone now, high all the time,
never married, no children,
angry and disillusioned,
an out-of-work social worker
in Casper, but in my mindscape
we’re back in that car,

a comet in the sky,
behind his house, on
a frosty night in Cheyenne,
midwinter,
mid-war,
mid-America,
mid-hope.

Charlie Brice is a retired psychoanalyst and is the author of Flashcuts Out of Chaos (2016), Mnemosyne’s Hand (2018), and An Accident of Blood (2019), all from WordTech Editions. His poetry has been nominated for the Best of Net anthology and twice for a Pushcart Prize and has appeared in The Atlanta Review, The Main Street Rag, Chiron Review, I-70 Review, The Paterson Literary Review, and elsewhere.

Interview with Robert Walicki

1.  Tell our viewers a little about yourself.  How did you get into writing?

 I always felt the need to express myself in a creative way. I drew,painted and wrote, but it wasn't until much later that I felt that writing was where i wanted to focus all my energies on. A Friend gave me a book to borrow. It was 'Satan Says" by Sharon Olds. I wasn't the same after reading that. My whole world had changed and knew I wanted to be a poet, however long that took me to accomplish.

2.  Tell our viewers a little about Fountain, your latest book that was just released.

 In the title section of  my last book, "Black Angels", The poems centered on my work experiences as a plumber and reconciling my identity and place in that world. In many ways, Fountain is a companion book to Black Angels, but It goes further. I wanted to bring a stark lyricism to those gritty experiences, and I feel I've achieved that in Fountain.The poems in Fountain also explores blue collar living and what that means, how it affects and shapes the speakers in those poems as well.

3.  What was the inspiration for the book?

I know that writing about work isn't unique,but my experiences are, as is my story. Poets that write about work and everyday experiences with grace, honesty and nobility, poets like Jan Beatty, Phillip Levine ,Dorianne Laux and Michael McGriff were and still are a great inspiration to me and this book. I owe a lot to them.

4.  Will you be out promoting the book, I know you have done readings and such for your other books... if so, where will you be?

I have a few events coming up. Sunday,, March 15th I'll be reading at Revival, a restaurant in Bellevue PA with two great poets, Fred Shaw and Robert Gibb, for Fred's book launch of "Scraping Away" his latest book. Then on March 26th i will be participating in the benefit reading "Disarm" for Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence and Ceasefire PA. Featured readers for that reading will be : Kelly Andrews, Cameron Barnett, James Croal Jackson, Sharon McDermott and myself, with proceeds going to SHSAGV, so I'm really looking forward to what's coming up! Folks can find these events on Facebook below for more information:

https://www.facebook.com/events/176185953678716/
https://www.facebook.com/events/942965559432150/


5.  Where can our viewers find your book?

My publisher has a page. They can find it at the following http://mainstreetragbookstore.com/product/fountain-robert-walicki/

6.  Where can we find you on social media? 

Folks can find me here on Facebook, where they can connect or message me if they are interested in having me do a reading!  Robert Walicki


Robert Walicki's work has appeared in and is forthcoming in a number of publications including, Chiron Review, The City Paper, Fourth River, Signal Mountain Review, Red River Review, and others. A Pushcart and a Best of The Net nominee, Robert currently has two chapbooks published: A Room Full of Trees (Red Bird Chapbooks, 2014) and The Almost Sound of Snow Falling (Night Ballet Press, 2015). His first full length collection of poems, "Black Angels" is currently available from Six Gallery Press, and his most recent collection. “Fountain” is now available  at Main Street Rag Press.

Mia Z

I had the pleasure of meeting Mia Zanotti this past fall, and quickly learned how genuine and down to earth she is. Her professionalism, talent, and style are on point. Generally speaking, life can be challenging at times and it was rather refreshing to meet someone like her.
Dormont Days was an outdoors event and it was freezing that night, but let me tell you the frigid cold did not stop Mia from hitting the high notes effortlessly.

Photo Credit: Amy Cap Photography

Mia, gave a personal and in-depth interview! It’s impressive to read the opportunities and experiences she had at such a young age! There is a lot of positive things happening for her as well! Keep doing great things girlfriend!


1) Mia, I had the pleasure of meeting you before my set w/ the Evan Dean Band this past fall at Dormont Days. We briefly talked about how we both came from musical families. Can you tell our readers where you got your inspiration and passion to perform? What was it like to perform with your mom and your uncle?                                                                                          

 It was so great meeting you and the Evan Dean Band at the Dormont Days.. you all are so kind, supportive, and talented. My mom and I even stayed to listen to your whole set... and we absolutely loved it! I enjoyed talking with you Natalie... you are very personable, sweet, and encouraging. Such a genuine soul!

Performing is definitely what I love to do the most. My inspiration and passion to perform came from my family, starting with my grandparents... my grandmother "Judith A Bailey" who was the big band singer with my grandfather "John Zanotti" who played the saxophone in the big band as well! Passing that passion and love for music onto my Uncle "Jay Zanotti" who plays guitar and many other instruments and my Mom "Lorey Zanotti" who plays keyboard! My mom and Uncle were in a band together for 38 years.... and I would always go to their rehearsals when I was very little and sometimes even jump up on stage to sing back up on their original songs. So, growing up in a musical family that was always performing was just in my blood... At about 8 years old I started as a lead singer at local Christmas shows at the beautiful Casino Theater in Vandergrift and about age 12 I was performing at the Addison House in Leechburg as well as other local venues. When I turned 13 I was fronting my own band that consisted of my mom, uncle, and Jeff Knabb (on bass) Mark Anderson (on drums) and Dave Langett (on sax). I only performed original music that my mom and I wrote. Opening up for Devan Alman, Ana Popovich, Jillette Johnson, Satellite all over the city of Pittsburgh. Performing with my family was something that has helped me and formed me into the human being I am today. They taught me dedication, hard work, and the freedom of expressing my art and creating a musical career and path. Not everyone gets to say they are in a band with their mom ya know? And I feel like an audience can just tell when there's family on stage together even just from the way the harmonies would blend or the dynamic and energy that is on the stage, it's a special feeling that I really can't explain.  If it wasn't for my family or for the talented musician friends and other family members that have supported and inspired me to not only pursue music but to perform live... I would not be where I am today and I am forever thankful and Blessed for all that they have done for me and continue to do for me.

2) Congratulations for appearing on season 8 of NBC’s popular television show “The Voice” as well as making it to the top 12! Can you explain what it’s like to get an opportunity like that? What were some of your challenges while being on the show? As well as positive points while competing? 

Thank you! To get an opportunity to be on "The Voice" was an opportunity I honestly never dreamed of but something that I am beyond thankful that I chose to do. I have only ever told the story once in a podcast with Eric McKenna about exactly how that process happened for me and all of the untold stories of my journey on the show. Being chosen to be on "The Voice" was such a blessing for me and as I grew to understand the meaning behind all of it.. I cherished every moment from the beginning to the middle to the end! I truly did not treat it like it was a TV show or even a competition for that matter. Music is not a competition and it never will be... Life isn't even a competition... the main concern/challenge for me being on the show was having to sing cover songs... I never performed a cover song for the past 4 years in my band so having to learn, sing, and perform all cover songs was not something that really ever excited me. But I pushed through the challenge and knew that I love to sing the blues... so I went with my soul and I chose very legendary songs and artists to represent. The people I met, the other artists, the cast and crew were all so very kind... I mean each and every one of them touched my heart and became like big brothers and sisters throughout the show and even after. The hardest thing for me was to witness other artists going home when the entire time I'm thinking and feeling every single one of them deserve to win. I have never in my life met so many talented, unique, artsy, bold individuals... and that was a blessing in itself. Working with Pharrell Williams absolutely changed my life. He always encouraged me to dig deeper into who I am as an artist and to never change... After I got voted off he called me back to his studio to work with him one on one and we wrote an original song called "Child" and in that song you will be able to feel and hear the challenges I went through on the show and how it really was such a blessing to even be picked for "The Voice" and my cup runneth over. The Voice changed my life and I am forever thankful.

3) You kicked the New Year off with premiering “The One” with Dead Man Switch (DMS). You posted that you will be releasing more collaborations with DMS as well as your own original album!!!! Will you be willing to talk about how the collaboration came about with you and DMS? Also, could you talk more about the future releases of collaborations with DMS as well the release of your new album? How is “The One” doing? Where can your fans buy your music (yours and your collaborations)?

These past few months have been extremely life changing for me. A Honey Bear gas station a few miles from my house and the owner "Denise" who works there connected me with Dead Man Switch. She has been supporting DMS forever and she would always talk about how cool it would be if we collaborated together. As time passed and life happened... the right time, the right moment, and the right day... it finally occurred and wow did it change my life. Dead Man Switch consists of RJ Bertera, Kyle Horrell, and Johnny Ringo. Little did I know.. they would consist of my team, my writers, producers, and my family. After meeting with RJ just one time a mile from the honey bear at his Holiday House Studio (aka paradise) I knew God was working. I told him my story and journey from before the The Voice, to after, and to now which is extremely crazy to hear and to understand...  his response and game plan was to release all of the musical pain, and life struggles, and happy success into a full album for me. With the help of RJ, Kyle, and my mom... we got together at the Holiday House every Sunday for the past 6 months and created multiple collaborations “The One" and "On The Knife" being two of them that are out now with music videos! And throughout that period of hustle we created a ten-song album for me. This album consists of not only everything I have been through the past 4 years of my life but exactly what I am currently living through as well... To find people who allow you to just be yourself and help express that is something you don't just find every day. They are beyond talented with capturing my thoughts and feelings and being able to translate it into lyrics, a melody, and music. I have never been so excited to release music... after being creative for the past 3 years in LA writing and recording over 30 songs and not being allowed to release them has weighed heavy on my heart... so I had to really break lose from all of that and create some evidence that I will not stop, I will continue creating, and I trust that God has this all figured out. My album "Evidence" dropping on July 4th 2020 has very diverse sounds and meaning behind each song... but all still showcases my message and my story. I want to thank RJ Bertera, Kyle Horrell, Sean Cannister, Johnny Ringo, and my mom for helping me make my dreams come true. March 17th my first single "Danger" will be released with a music video by Daniel Kelly.. So be on the lookout for that!

4) What other exciting things do you have planned for this year?

Some other exciting things I have going on this year... well... I’m in a horror film called "Occurence at Mills Creek" by Don Swanson featuring Betsy Lynn George of Billy Ido's "Cradle of Love". I have been working with Don Swanson and his team since February of 2019. I wrote and recorded three songs with my mom and Uncle several years ago that I thought would truly fit with the film.. and Don ended up really loving them and featured me in several scenes performing my songs. We shot the first scene in my hometown at the "Hyde Park Tavern" and the first song was "Somebody's Fallin" which has a very dark, sensitive, moody feel to it. The second song "The Way I Used To Know" Don filmed a music video for it at the "Hyde Park Tavern" which has been submitted to several film festivals and already won several awards! The music video for that will be coming out at the end of March!  May 2020 we will be doing one more music video for the film in Hyde Park... It’s a song I wrote when I was about 14 called "Hurt".  This entire process and relationship has been such a life changer for me as well.. It's been a blessing to work with the cast and crew of OMC.. they are professional, creative, and so talented. I cannot wait for the short film to be released this Summer!
I also have a few shows this April with the cultural trust "Ronda Zegarelli" downtown Pittsburgh! Wednesday April 22nd at the Carnegie Museum for the Ecolution Fashion show and Friday April 24th at Market Square for Earth Day! With special guest "Zacharry Rutter" who created Spread Love Army will be painting live art to my set...  I even got to be a part of the 50th anniversary Earth Day cover song "Candles in The Rain” recorded at "The Church Studio" with many other local talented artists (Including Clinton Clegg from Commonheart) produced by the legendary “Rick Witowski” that will be released as a celebration for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day!

I have also been working with a very talented musician Cole Insko on another oringal project of music he wrote, composed, and produced. I performed with him at a show that he was playing drums at and we got to talking about just creating real music... so we got together and began brainstorming and just collaborating and ended up working on a 4 song EP together that definitely has a different, edgy, musical, fun vibe to... but it rides the same wave of musical adventures I’m on this year! It's been an honor and a blast working with Cole and more details to come on that project which will hopefully be released this summer as well!


5) I love how classy, genuine, and spiritual you are! If there is one piece of advice you could give anyone on any given day what would it be and why?

Wow..  Classy, Genuine, & Spiritual... thank you for that kind compliment... I really truly appreciate that and strive to embody all three of those words every single day. I always give the advice of 1. Stay true to your soul 2. Trust God & Do Good 3. Be a light in the world.

We live one life on this earth... and we should always be the truest versions of ourselves at every moment... and to express that in every way possible. We all have a gift from God to offer the world ... and we must trust his timing and promises. It’s not what you get it’s what you give in return... add value to every opportunity and make a difference! Believe me I struggle with many things every single day of my life but you have to push through, say what you need to say, be kind, and be honest with yourself and everyone else.

I want to thank all of the beautiful souls that have supported me throughout my entire musical journey ... and for hanging in there with me. I could cry thinking about all of the awesome people I have met already and that I will continue to meet... and know that you all hold a very special place in my heart... I am looking forward to what is to come in the rest of 2020... thank you so much!
-Mia Z

For more information on Mia Zanotti please check out the following Social Media Links:

https://www.instagram.com/miazanotti/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/miazanotti
https://www.facebook.com/themiazanotti/

Natalie is the author of The Many Colors of Natalie, a book of poetry.  She holds an associates degree in Specialized Technology Le Cornon Bleu Pastry Arts and in her spare time is an artist and percussionist.

Letter from the Editor

Hi All and Happy New Year!

Can you believe it is already January 2020??  Where did the time go?

The issue this time is small, and I am partly to blame as I was working on other projects and not soliciting for new content.  Please send in those submissions for the Spring issue
holidaycafe.nicole@gmail.com.

Stay warm and see you all back in the Spring.

thanks
Nicole

Summer Vacation

While I was taking a little break from The Holiday Cafe, I wrote a children's book, which my mom, Mary Dunn, illustrated for me. 

The book, which can be found on Amazon, is about a little boy that recounts his amazing summer vacation after his first day of school. 

For every book sold, $1.00 will be donated to Alex's Lemonade Stand.

I am also excited to announce, that we are turning the book into a series.  I have written out the dialog parts for the next book and hopefully it will come out sometime mid-2020.

Musings for Moms - Role Models

I can't tell you how much I love seeing stories where sports figures go back to their hometown and do some good.  Last month, two specific athletes stories grabbed my attention.  One New England Patriot (I know) went back to his hometown and paid off all the unpaid lunch debt for the students and another, a Pittsburgh Steeler, paid off 60 layaway's.

I know there are others, and not all are football players, these are just the two most recent examples that I happened to remember.

It shows a good example to the kids out there... despite some athletes saying they aren't role models and should not be treated as such, kids still hold them in that light.  

We need more people out there willing to lend a hand and pitch in when they can.  We need less that act like the recently let go Kameron Kelly .  That diva (is it still diva if they are male athletes?) behavior is a thing of the past.  You are replaceable and when you act a fool and get yourself arrested you will be out of a job.

Last month my sons school had an angel tree for in-need families.  I was able to get a gift for someone that needed it.  All-in-all 32 families received gifts.  It warms my heart that the school was able to help that many families. 

Derek Woods

Photo Credit:  Nicky Angelo Photography

As we close on the year 2019, I chose to do this month’s feature on Derek Woods, a multi-talented and diverse musical entrepreneur.

The more I got to know Derek over this past year I was lucky enough to see how on point he is. From the performance side of things to the business side of things he is a true class act with the upmost professionalism.

Not only is he noticed for his well-crafted original music, but he is also noticed for his signature look.

As you read thru the interview below, you’ll learn more about Derek’s background and the exciting year he had!

One of the things that is not mentioned in the interview is how the Derek Woods Band had the opportunity to perform at Yasgur Farm, the original site of Woodstock, for the 50th anniversary.



When did you realize you wanted to be a musician? 

As far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a musician.  I never had a Plan B safety net.   

Where did your love of music stem from?

Listening to music and creating music had always been a mutual bond & important form of expression in my family. I was exposed to some of my greatest influences in music at a very young age and that love only grew.


You have a new album out called “The Question”.   Can you tell our readers when “The Question” was released? where one can get the album? What the album is about? Is there a theme? 

“The Question” album was officially released on the 4th of July 2019 and is available in physical hard copy or digitally worldwide on Spotify, Amazon, etc.
I believe this release displays growth and maturity in the band’s sound, as well as songwriting technique.  This album also displays that concept in the theme. It has a lot of symbolism in the song selection as well as the photography.

For example, in the album’s photography: we are in suits, there are flowers on the front cover, most of our past albums had a darker color scheme but this one is bright with a white background and vibrant additional contributing colors. 
With the album’s song selection: the title track “The Question” is about a man proposing to the love of his life during an apocalypse and no matter the negative of what’s happening around them and her thoughts that this could really be the end, he keeps after her with hopefulness of a positive future if he just asks... the question.

Many of the songs on the album revolve in some way around the thought of taking the steps through to the other side of the storm, reaching new grounds of hopefulness & togetherness & maturity.
In the big picture, I have often compared being in a band to being in a marriage, you are in a relationship bonded by the mutual love of music.  Although, you invest a lot of time & effort working together to better the unit, it’s inevitable that longer that you are together there will be times of ups & downs that can feel like a roller coaster.  Longevity of the unit takes patience and working together to push positively through the ups & downs.

There are a lot of reasons why I wanted to do this interview with you, but one of the main reasons is I find it very impressive on how you are able to handle the multiple bands that you are in. Not everyone can do that. Some musicians cannot even handle keeping one band together let alone several.  Can you tell me your thoughts on handling several bands such as the positives, negatives, and advice you would like to give?

All the groups that I perform in use my last name in a different way, Woods.
To simplify the idea of being in multiple groups:  I see it as my last name is a “tree”... my songs are the leaves.  The different bands are branches of the tree. Or another way to look at it is: that my last name is a company, the songs are the products of the company and the different departments of the company are the bands. I don’t see “all the bands” that I’m in as conflicting projects, I am always looking for new ways to get my musical expression universally heard in different outlets.

I do some of my original songs in multiple reinvented formats throughout the different bands as well, it keeps it fresh and exciting for both myself & the fans.

Aside from the multiple bands that I perform with, I also run an Artist Management & graphic design company called Into The Woods Management. I am the co-founder of an annual music festival called JamBrewzle.  And I help with booking for multiple concert series & venues. 

Bands that you are in:

Solo & acoustic lineups
Derek Woods Band
Woods Rising
The Woods Family Band

Can you tell our readers about each of these bands?

Derek Woods Band has been a group for 7 years now and is an Americana/Rock band, which also has tasteful hints of Jam for live performance.  DWB showcases original music with 4 album releases to date.   We have performed in venues, stadiums & music festivals both on the East Coast & West Coast and have directly supported many legendary artists such as Leon Russell, Jefferson Starship, Lisa Marie Presley, Cheech & Chong.

The Woods Family Band is a family band with my father Tim Woods, with a great solid electric band backing us. It hits on the genres of Blues/Rock/Roots showcasing both my father’s music & my music.

Woods Rising is an Acoustic Folk/Rock outfit with my wife Sara that showcases my originals, traditional songs and reimaginations of select more modern songs.

I have seen you play at some awesome events this year, and I know you have some great opportunities happening for you this upcoming year! Can you discuss some of things that you are looking forward to?

I am looking forward to continuing to record & release more new music into the future.  Branching to new areas in which I haven’t performed yet and meeting new fans.

I noticed that you have an endorsement deal with InTune Guitar Picks can you tell us more about Intune Guitar Picks.

InTune Guitar Picks is the latest company that I am endorsed by as an artist. It’s an honor to be amongst the top-notch talents that they have on their roster and to now have a customized signature guitar pick.    It’s also a great feeling to never be searching couch cushions for an extra guitar pick anymore: I am stocked, stoked & ready to perform.

For more information on Derek Woods please check out www.derekwoodsband.com as well as the following pages on social media:

Into the Woods Management & Design

The Woods Family Band

Woods Rising

Derek Woods Band


Natalie is the author of The Many Colors of Natalie, a book of poetry.  She holds an associates degree in Specialized Technology Le Cornon Bleu Pastry Arts and in her spare time is an artist and percussionist.