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Streaming Video On Demand:New Link to Alaskan Art
Dear Brookside Faithful: Today another milestone is reached, as today the capability exists to view the streaming video of Brookside Alaska: The Last Talkeetna Tour 2011 anytime and anywhere. Just go to www.ltc.org and click the prompt for Channel 8, On today's schedule, May 18, 2012, you will see the series scheduled from midnight to 5:00 A.M. to the far right of each listing you will see a prompt that reads "view now". just click the prompt and you can watch each episode on streaming video whenever you like. Please let us know what you think at twirtanen@aol.com or twirtanen@alaskaanthems.com Also be advised that we are now working closely with Alaska's great artist, Mr. Charles Oakley of Anchorage. Please see the fruits of his incredible talent at www.yosprayme.com and stay tuned for future developments. The Dream Has Become Reality : Dear Brookside Faithful: After many years in the making, Brookside Alaska: The Last Talkeetna 2011 has been assembled in marathon format and will have its first broadcast on LTC Channel 8 on Sunday, May 13, 2012 from Midnigt to 4:56 A.M., which means from 8:00 P.M. on tonight by streaming video in Alaska Prime Time. Same for Friday, May 18, 2012 which means Thursday night at 8:00 P.M. in APT. In order to view these remarkable shows, go to www.ltc.org and click on Channel 8, where you will see the schedule four hours ahead of Alaska time. At the broadcast time. Click on the TV set and you will see the shows on your computer by streaming video. Today, with thanks to God Almighty, Brookside Alaska goes to Alaska and the people who were its inspiration, and to the world. Tom. 2012: A Year of Hard Times, Hard Work and Hard Earned Advances Dear Brookside Alaska Faithful: The time passed since our last update has been rife with challenges as hard times are upon all of us inside and outside of Alaska. Very talented and established Alaskan musicians are confronting an economy that is very short on paying gigs,as the state of the industry reflects an economy that requires long searches for short money. The Last Talkeetna has concluded, and life thereafter has begun with the discernable void left behind. Take heart, because substantial progress has been had in the meantime. We invite you all to visit the Brookside Feature Program Series at www.facebook.com ,where substantial improvements have been made. First, upon arrival you will see the button labled "Music Store". With profound thanks to www.cdbaby.com , you will find and easy, effective one-stop offering of our most cherished titles at the best digital rates available, including full-length versions from "Absolutely Live" that you can sample before you buy anything. But even more signficantly, we have established the capability to enable streaming videos of our shows to Alaska in preparation for the projected broadcast of The Last Talkeetna that you can sample today. Go to www.ltc.org and press the button for Channel 8. You will see the broadcast schedule for today, and that our original home community gardening show Brookside Garden Launches its 18th season Saturday, May 5 at and each Saturday thereafter 3:30 P.M., 11:30 A.M. Alaska Time. At that time, click on the T.V. screen and you can view the streaming video in real time. This is the identical approach that will be applied to streaming Brookside Alaska and The Last Talkeetna to our Alaskan viewers during prime time. The last two Brookside Alaska shows are being submitted presently and will soon be assempled into a late-night marathon. So any time you go to LTC Channel 8 and see "garden Marathon" or "Alaska Marathon", you can click the screen on the TV and watch the streamin video between 8:00 P.M. and 2:00 A.M. Alaska time. this is only the beginning. By the grace of God and owing to a fine Kenai, Alaska producer and performer named Robert Mabrey, negotiations are under way to bring The Last Talkeetna to LTC Channel 8 with streaming video in the identical fashion. The project is huge, and is dedicated to attaching the profound historical signifigance to this event that it deserves. Thank you, and there is much more to come. Thomas A. Wirtanen Publisher THE 2011 LAST TALKEETNA TOUR Saturday, August 6, 2011 at Noon...Opening Act, the Last Talkeetna Bluegrass and Music Festival, Mile 102, Denali Park Highway, Talkeetna, Alaska. Sunday, August 7, 2011 TBA and Pending... The Anchorage Market and Festival, Anchorage, Alaska. NEWS FLASH: THE LAST TAKEETNA IS ON, AND WE NOW APPEAL FOR YOUR SPONSORSHIP AND SUPPORT TO MAKE THE ARRANGEMENTS AT THIS VERY LATE DATE. SEE OUR CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Brookside Alaska Update: Dear Brookside Alaska Friends,Family and Fans: We are pleased to announce that our Orders page is up and running on Paypal, where it always should have been in the first place. If you are interested in our hard-copy cd releases, this is the place to go, until existing inventories are exhausted. But please remember that you have numerous choices, including top quality digital downloads. Please visit www.cdbaby.com where our complete collection is available in numerous forms, and at virtually any provider where digital downloads can be purchased. WE REMAIN IN SERIOUS NEED OF SPONSORS. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ONE WAY OF SPONSORING OUR SHOWS AND EFFORTS IS TO DONATE AIR MILES, PARTICULARLY IF YOU ARE AN ALASKA AIRLINES/DELTA AIRLINES CUSTOMER. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT ( 339 ) 230-9226 IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS METHOD OR ARE OTHERWISE INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED ON ALL PROGRAMS IN THE BROOKSIDE FEATURE PROGRAM SERIES. You also will have 24/7 access at twirtanen@aol.com. While we are on the subject, it is now possible to view our shows through streaming internet video. Please go to www.ltc.org and follow the streaming video prompts. Thank you very much. 2011 and the Last Talkeetna Dear Brookside Friends and Fans: As 2011 arrives, it brings with it an awareness of profound reality. The only constant is change and only change is constant. As an Outsider, I was fortunate to be advised early on that the 2011 Talkeetna Bluegrass and Music Festival, the thirtieth edition, would be the last. This awareness and development occasioned profound reflection, profound gratitude and renewed determination. Digesting the news, my thoughts at once focused on Ernie and Gia Whatley, Rick and Cora Moses and Lulu Small being the heart and soul of Talkeetna within my experience and to whom I owe boundless thanks. But that awareness required further introspection and the incredible journey that comprised the memories and results of fourteen tours of Alaska. The news transported me back to the pouring rain at Ship Creek where, on top of the old culverts. I stood alone with one blues fan trying to tempt the cohos with roe. I had come north with my first single, O Alaska! and Paradise: Alaska USA. The blues fan insisted that I go to Blues Central, which seemed curious at first because my single was definitely out of genre. Out of the monsoon and back at Riverside Adventures, Rudy Ferland's friends also insisted that I go to Blues Central, so stinking of roe and hopelessly seeking dryness, I climbed into the rental, found Northern Lights Boulevard and walked into a deserted Blues Central. Dan was on the bar, and had already heard that I had been to the music store seeking an outlet for my single. He told me to show up on Sunday night and I would get a shot. It all seemed unreal, but eerily preordained. That Sunday Night, Armand Marshall indeed gave me my chance and indeed my launch in Alaska. In the years that followed, I met Seattle Slim, and with profound gratitude my relationship, respect and admiration for the blues men of Alaska was established and grew. Back at Ship Creek, the weather improved and with the sun came thousands of Cohos. Johnny Crisco and I were talking to Johnny's friends when one apologized that I would not get to meet her daughter because she was at The Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival. My curiousity was piqued, and the path became irreversable. The Talkeetna Bluegrass and Music Festival is Alaska's most profound music event and the opportunity to play on that stage at the foot of Denali is so inspirational that it defies words. It is the child of Ernie and Gia Whatley, who have endured every conceivable sling and arrow in order to bring the event to all of Alaska each year. As an Outsider, I can only imagine what that requires, but know that it commands profound respect and admiration for both of them, and what is required for 2011. With thanks to God Almighty, the path led me to Rick and Cora Moses, the stage manager and booking agent for the festival respectively. After my first performance, I released From Lowell, Massachusetts to Lowell Point Alaska. The following spring, I spoke to Rick and he told me that they had played the CD all winter. That summer's appearance was very special, as I had written the Talkeetna Bluegrass Bienvenue, which was my way of giving back to those who had created such a profound opportunity and experience. They asked me to join them in their trailer. Once inside their first and last question was,"... what were my rules for success at Talkeetna, or for any performance for that matter?" I told them that money never mattered at Talkeetna and my rules were always the same: 1. Always show up at least an hour early, sober and ready to play, 2. Dress as though you have self-respect and respect for the opportunity presented, 3. Cooperate completely with the stage manager, sound and light personnel and always express your appreciation for them during the performance, 4. Play each performance as though it was the last, and leave everything you have on that stage, and 5. Show respect and appreciation for everyone encountered. They glanced at each other for a moment and Rick extended his hand. It was the most profound honor imaginable, as I was invited to play Talkeetna for life. During 2007, I was the only Outsider invited to play at Talkeetna. During the entire relevant time period one artist was omnipresent and forever contributing, that Diva of Delerium the Sensational Lulu Small. Her tenacity and excellence have propelled her to that status of booking agent and artist, in fact the heart and soul of the festival. This year, very quitely, she has begun the formidable task of making the last Talkeetna Bluegrass and Music Festival the best. The wonderful irony is something no Insider could possibly appreciate until now. For over all of these years, during the same relevant time period, home in Lowell, Massachusetts has been and is host to what is hyped as the largest free folk festival in the world, The Lowell Folk Festival. This ersatz festival features only outsiders, as for many years Lowell musicians were not invited or permitted to appear. It has always been very long on festival and very short on folk. Each time I ride in the rental back to Anchorage, I savor the irony that four thousand miles from home, I have found the profound honor, respect and admiration that was never forthcoming at home. And all along, as an Outsider. Lulu Small has set the example and it will be followed. This is no time for obstacles or limitations, but to overcome with determination and concerted efforts. Our orders page will be substantially revised, so for the present, use the address only by mail order. In any event, our sponsorship drive will be ongoing with no stone left unturned. If this Talkeetna is the last, this Outsider will do whatever he can to make it the best. Thomas A. "Wildman" Wirtanen Publisher Special thanks to Lulu Small and Charles Oakley for their gracious response and encouragement. They are two primary factors in the success at Talkeetna, and I urge every reader to attend what promises to be an outstanding event this year. Also thanks to Kay Petrullo, a cherished classmate of Chelmsford High School, for her valuable insight into the arthritis menace. Martial Arts Update As to a side that has never been exposed to our Alaska following, please appreciate forty years in the martial arts and my elevation to Rokudan at www.brooksidetom.com and www.beisho.org. The highest honor has been derived from teaching these outstanding students and seeing them excel as people over forty years. Sensei Tom Wirtanen, Roju Publisher 2010 meant only fishing at Sitka, and appreciating the lessons of the past. The most important lesson of 2009 was to learn the advantages and disadvantages of being an Outsider. While that status has given rise to the unique perspective required to create inspirational music performed in thirteen tours of Alaska, it comes with and ironic perspective reflected in the uniqueness of Alaskan life. From the very first nomads traversing the Aleutians from what is now Asia and Siberia to the latest arrival today, almost every native Alaskan and Insider of today came from somewhere else, and either assimilated or created Alaskan culture as they arrived and took up the land and the Alaskan identity as its people. To be certain, there are those today who in asserting Insider Status, forget they were once Outsiders, and that as such had the fresh perspective beneficial to appreciation of the beauty and majesty of Alaska and its People. It is not surprising that the songwriters, performers and actors of Alaska are among its most accomodating Insiders, having never forgotten their status as Outsiders. They are of the very highest quality, both in their art and as people. Their friendship was not easily obtained, as each first had to be convinced by actions and deeds that this Outsider was the real thing, and that the inspiration flowing from Alaska and its People was the genuine article. This Unspoken Test was welcomed and accepted,and with thanks to God passed. I have appreciated the costs and overwhelming benefits of the first thirteen tours and the realties of a 2010 Tour. Nothing in my life experience has ever been as worthwhile as the thousands of dollars at my own expense and the countless hours toiled proclaiming the beauty and majesty of Alaska. Reality looms in the present, and Brookside Press Enterprises was not, is not and never will be a charity. Our success depends upon delivering the finest performance and media project in every endeavor undertaken, and reality demands that sponsorship, contribution and resources be acquired in order to advance the goals of this year's endavor. We have always delivered and have never expected or sought something for nothing. In keeping with that awareness, I have just shipped the artist submasters of Permanent Prophesies by Temporary Saints to Seattle Slim, Vinny and Andy. I am very proud to have produced this double CD at their live performance at Humpy's on August 1, 2009. To have performed with such outstanding talent is one of the highest honors imagineable and one that I live for every year. Next in post-production is the 2009 performance at Talkeetna, which was astounding from the very first sampling. I am contemplating a digital internet release upon completion, with complete marketing and availability from this site. Three new Alaska songs are nearing completion. On the Home Front, we have added the seminal CD From Lowell, Massachusetts to Lowell Point, Alaska to our orders page while limited supplies last. This first anthology is now the most downloaded of all of our digital distribution selections and is the most popular release of all time. Costs notwithstanding, all titles on our orders page reflect the discounted price of $10.00 plus shipping and handling, and assure you of the most bang for your music buck. From www.cdbaby.com to Mammouth Music on Fifth Avenue in Anchorage, we have endeavored to make our anthologies and the Commemorative Edition available to all, with digital distribution on every conceivable provider. Next and of no less importance is that my feature programming shall soon return to LTC Channel 8 in Lowell, Massachusetts which has seen suffcient reform in order to justify that commitment. In this sense, www.alaskaanthems.com is evolving into a premier site for music lovers inside and out, both as to our Alaskan titles and the traditional Wildman titles that have endured for fourty years. The bottom line is that it is all here for your taking. Anyone who has ever partaken would gladly vouch for our sincerity and dedication to excellence. Our endeavors have created lasting friendships with some of Alaska's greatest musicians and whether you are from Alaska our anywhere else, we invite you to become a sponsor of Brookside Press Enterprises as sponsors are the lifeline of any vital undertaking. Please call us at the breakout number below for all of your needs and desires, or contact us in any way indicated on this site, all of which are set forth on our Orders Page. You may always reach me and receive a prompt response at twirtanen@aol.com. Thank you and we invite you to forward a link to this site to anyone who loves Alaska or Wildman music. THOMAS A."WILDMAN" WIRTANEN, PUBLISHER BROOKSIDE BREAKOUT! 339-230-9226 AS THE 21ST CENTURY UNFOLDS, BROOKSIDE PRESS ENTERPRISES IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE TO ALL ALASKA ANTHEMS FOLLOWERS AND TOM "WILDMAN" WIRTANEN FANS THAT WE HAVE LAUNCHED A DIRECT, LIVE AND 24/7 SOFTPHONE NUMBER TO PROVIDE YOU WITH ACCESS FOR ALL OF YOUR NEEDS. WHETHER YOU ARE IN THE BUSH OR ANYWHERE ELSE IN ALASKA, OR ON THE COAST OF MAINE, IN ST.PETERSBURG RUSSIA, HELSINKI, FINLAND OR ANYWHERE ELSE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL US ON THE HOTLINE TO CHAT LIVE, OR LEAVE A DETAILED MESSAGE AND WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU A.S.A.P. AS THE HOLIDAYS APPROACH REMEMBER THAT OUR TITLES ARE THE BEST BUY IN ALL OF RECORDED MUSIC, AND THAT YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR GREATEST CONCERN. TOM "WILDMAN" WIRTANEN PUBLISHER
THE TOIL AND TRIUMPH OF THE 2009 TOUR. ALL
RECORDED AS IT TRANSPIRED. ALL IN SPITE OF THE STATEHOOD COMMISSION, NOT BECAUSE OF THEM. ALL FROM THE HEART. PLEASE LEARN
ALL YOU CAN FROM THIS.
DEAR FRIENDS AND FAMILY: AFTER THIRTEEN TOURS OF ALASKA, THE TIME, TOIL AND SACRIFICE HAS PROVEN TO BE MOST WORTHWHILE. THE FRUITS OF THESE ENDEAVORS HAVE BEEN MOST REMARKABLE, ADDING BOUNTY TO THE TRUTH THAT PROCLAIMING THE BEAUTY AND MAJESTY OF ALASKA IS ITS OWN REWARD. QUITE SIMPLY, OWING TO THE OUTSTANDING EFFORTS OF CREATIVE LIGHTING AND SOUND, THE MASTER RECORDING OF THE 2009 TALKEETNA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL IS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY. THE RECORDINGS OF THE TEMPORARY SAINTS FEATURING SEATTLE SLIM ARE AWESOME, FULLY CAPTURING THE OUTSTANDING TALENT OF THIS BAND. ADD TO THIS THE UNIQUE ART OF CHAZ OAKLEY, www.billikenstudios.com AND THE FUTURE LOOMS BRIGHT HERE AT BROOKSIDE PRESS ENTERPRISES. NOW, AS THE HOLIDAYS ARE UPON US, OUR FULL RANGE OF TITLES ARE AVAILABLE AT STATEHOOD TOUR PRICES, PERFECT FOR HOLIDAY GIVING. THOSE OF YOU WHO WERE THERE AND TOOK IN THE PERFORMANCES NEED NO SALES PITCH. YOU MAY VISIT OUR ORDERS PAGE DIRECTLY, OR VISIT www.cdbaby.com/wirtanen 1,2,3,4,5,and 6. IF YOU ARE IN ANCHORAGE, PLEASE STOP IN AT MAMMOTH MUSIC ON 5TH AVENUE DOWNTOWN AND PURCHASE THE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION OR ONE OF OUR ANTHOLOGY TITILES FOR THE BEST VALUE IN ALL OF RECORDED MUSIC. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR PRIMARY MISSION. THE DREAM HAS BEEN REALIZED IN RESULTS, AND THERE IS NOW NO DOUBT THAT THE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION IS THE ONE AND ONLY MUSIC CD THAT CELEBRATES THE FIFITIETY ANNIVERSARY OF ALASKA STATEHOOD. TRUTH HAS TRIUMPHED OVER PETTY POLITICS, AND WE CAN PROUDLY ASSURE YOU THAT THE ALASKA STATEHOOD COMMISSION HAD ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS PROJECT OR THE RESULTS AND WE HAD ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM. AS WINTER LOOMS AND THE SUN SETS ON THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ALASKA STATEHOOD, WE INVITE YOU TO PARTAKE IN THE COMMEMORATIVE EDITION AND THE REST OF OUR TITLES FOR THE BEAUTY AND MAJESTY OF ALASKA FROM THE HEART THAT YOU CAN FIND NOWHERE ELSE. MAY YOU ENJOY EVERY BLESSING... TOM "WILDMAN" WIRTANEN PUBLISHER MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO MADE THE ALASKA STATEHOOD TOUR THE GREATEST EVER AND WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE BEST TALKEETNA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL EVER. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEMPORARY SAINTS AND MELISSA MITCHELL FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES! MAMMOTH MUSIC OF ANCHORAGE ADDED AS AUTHORIZED VENDOR ! YOU NOW HAVE A NEW HOME BASE ALASKANS FOR MY MOST POPULAR TITLES RIGHT DOWNTOWN ON 5TH AVENUE! STOP IN AND THANKS TO ANDY WALLENDER! ATTENTION ALL ANCHORAGE FANS:IT WILL NOT BE LONG NOW, AS DEPARTURE IS SET FOR SITKA TOMORROW MORNING! WORD HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE ANCHORAGE MARKET AND FESTIVAL THAT, OWING TO THE TREMENDOUS INTEREST AND ASSEMBLY OF TALENT, MY ANCHORAGE MARKET TIMES HAVE BEEN MODIFIED. PLEASE SEE THE UPDATED SCHEDULE BELOW AND PLEASE TELL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!! THANK YOU! TOM "WILDMAN" WIRTANEN 7/23/09 THE ALASKA STATEHOOD TOUR IS SET WITH THE FOLLOWING ALASKA DATES CONFIRMED AND UPDATED AS FOLLOWS: Dear Brookside Faithful and People of Alaska: After ten months of very hard work and preparation, the Alaska Statehood Tour is finally set with the following Alaska dates confirmed... Anchorage Market and Festival, Main Stage... Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 3:00 P.M, Sunday, August 2, 2009 at 11:15 A.M, Final Alaska Appearance, Sunday August 9, 2009 at 10:30 A.M. TALKEETNA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL, MILE 102 PARKS HIGHWAY, TALKEETNA, ALASKA; OPENING ACT, SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2009 AT NOON. As always, these will be complimented by cameo appearances at Blues Central and where Seattle Slim and Veronica Page may be found during the relevant time period. Notwithstanding that we have confirmed four major engagements during the relevant time period of twelve days in Anchorage, booking agents and club owners still have time to engage a very limited number of additional dates. Please go to our ORDERS page and contact us through the dedicated email address. The Commemorative Edition: Fiftieth Anniversary of Alaska Statehood is now irrefutably established as the totally unique, first, one and only recorded CD dedicated to the celebration of Alaska Statehood. It is the live performance at Talkeetna on August 2, 2008 under frigid and very difficult conditions. Although times are very tough this year, I will deliver the beauty and majesty of Alaska to its People from pure inspiration. You are all cordially invited. Tom "Wildman" Wirtanen, Publisher QUALITY DIGITAL DOWNLOADS: Commemorative Edition: Fiftieth Anniversary of Alaska Statehood now at your fingertips in seconds ! Whether you are in the bush of Alaska, some remote location anywhere in the world or waiting for hard copy is not your thing, Brookside Press Enterprises has maintained its status as pioneers of the digital revolution, and you may now obtain digital downloads of Commemorative Edition from the following companies: Amazon, Tradebit, AppleiTunes, GreatIndieMusic, Napster, and LaLa. Please be patient and browse these companies, as the time between delivery and availability varies from company to company. Knowing that my namesake, Tom Wirtanen of Helsinki, Finland recently purchased the Absolutely Live double CD in hard copy at www.cdbaby.com , You are advised that our earlier titles, From Lowell, Massachusetts to Lowell Point, Alaska; From Chelmsford to Anchorage and Back; and Absolutely Live are now available on virtually any provider, and MP3 fans can obtain same in some instances at www.cdbaby.com . For all of these reasons, Derek Sivers, www.cdbaby.com and New England Compact Disk have been Added to our Music Hall of Fame. Potential Sponsors, club owners and Booking Agents, now is the time to act ! The Alaska Statehood Tour is now a reality and if you like what you see and love what you hear, please go to the Orders Page, contact us by the dedicated email address that is appropriate and lend us your support and fill out the tour. Love, Tom "Wildman" Wirtanen, Publisher "IT IS THE DECISION OF THE COMMISSION THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE A COMMEMORATIVE SONG FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALASKA STATEHOOD." Colleen Sullivan-Leonard, Coordinator, Alaska Statehood Commision, March 9, 2009. See our blog for March 13, 2009 for much more. Pure Inspiration... is the only way to accurately describe the endeavor of capturing the beauty and majesty of Alaska and the goodness of its People in words and music. Nothing in my life experience has ever provided more inspiration, nor has anything else ever been more compelling. The journey from idea to reality can be daunting, but the Spirit of the Great Land and its People if captured sincerely can transcend mere words and music, and in the Spirit of Francis Scott Key and Julia Ward Howe, ascend to the level of Anthems of Alaska, wherein the timeless majesty of Heaven's Last Frontier is preserved for the generations to come. In the eleven years since I first set foot in Alaska, I have been blessed to write several songs about Alaska and other life experiences. But of all of these songs, O Alaska ! and Alaska the Beautiful rise above all of the rest. Yes, writing The Old Seward Highway drove me crazy to the point where I tried to put it off and could not even harvest my tomatoes, with the lyrics finally completed in seven minutes. But as to these two songs, the experience could only be described as a stream of consciousness flowing from the overwhelming majesty and beauty I had perceived, combined with gratitude for the People and the experience. Now comes the fiftieth anniversary of Alaska Statehood on January 3, 2009. It is the first major milestone in the history of a state circumscribed by my lifetime. I have been aware of this monumental event for quite some time, and on August 2, 2008, awoke at the Barratt Inn/Quality Inn in Anchorage preparing to depart for Talkeetna, where I would open the Saturday session of the Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival for the seventh consecutive year. In all past years, Talkeetna had cooperated with temperatures in the seventies and bright sunlight. But this year was quite different. The white suit was placed away and making a decision that proved to be my survival, I donned the Black Pauolo Solari suit and headed north. When I arrived at 10:35 a.m., the festival was in a state of utter chaos. Rick Moses, the festival booking agent and master of ceremonies, was gravely ill and not present. "Pat the Rat" was substituted in the role of master of ceremonies. The schedule has been changed to add a friend before me, who did not show. When noon arrived, the temperature was 48 degrees farenheit with a due south wind of 25-30 miles per hour blowing straight off Cook Inlet and straight in my face. My hands, nose, feet fingers,elbows, toes, and ears were all frozen. Pure instinct revealed that the only way I could survive was to play as hard and as long as I could from pure inspiration. The sound men were awakened early and told to get it up an running, notwithstanding their contract. The first words out of my mouth were to elicit applause for our soundmen, Creative Lighting and Sound, who had served the festival brilliantly for many years. At the end of my performance, as I was packing up the gear, Bob emerged in his cold weather gear out from under the sound tent, approached the stage, and said " Tom, that was the greatest vocal performance you ever gave at Talkeetna..." and with cd master in hand, said "...and here it is." The result is the Commemorative Edition: Fiftieth Anniversary of Alaska Statehood in order to preserve that inspired performance for Alaska'a most monumental event. I want to thank every single person that has ever helped me in Alaska, and every married person, too ! May this work reciprocate for all of the love and attention that has been extended to me, and convey to the world the true majesty and beauty of Alaska. Please be advised that I have avoided the politics and hornet's nest associated with the words "state song". The Alaska Flag Song is a beautiful song, but it is not an anthem. With that being said, I am honored to advise you that I am presently petitioning your Governor to have O Alaska ! and Alaska the Beautiful proclaimed official anthems of Alaska on January 3, 2009. Now is the time that anyone who has seen me perform or who has heard them knows that I have referred to for many years. Please let your voices be heard, both on this site and at Governor Palin's office. It is my only shot during my lifetime and I deeply appreciate all of your support. Love, Thomas A. "Wildman" Wirtanen " He's the only person that sings about Alaska... Tom comes up here and forces us to look back at the scenery."
Rick Moses, Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival Booking Agent and Master of Ceremonies to the Anchorage Daily News, July 2007 ATTENTION ONE AND ALL: COMMEMORATIVE EDITION: 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALASKA STATEHOOD WAS
RELEASED AT SALEM, NEW HAMPSHIRE ON DECEMBER 15, 2008 AT 12:15 PM EDT. PURCHASERS, VENDORS AND RESELLERS PLEASE GO TO OUR
ORDERS PAGE, AS IT IS READY FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPPING WITH AN ADDITIONAL ANTHOLOGY OFFER !
SECURITY AND MARKETING ALERT 1/1/09: UNLESS YOU PURCHASE YOUR COPY OF COMMEMORATIVE EDITION:50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALASKA STATEHOOD ON THIS WEBSITE OR FROM ONE OF THE AUTHORIZED VENDORS, RETAILERS OR RESELLERS LISTED BELOW, YOU ARE PURCHASING PIRATED COPIES IN VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAWS, AND ARE INVITED TO EMAIL US ON THE ORDERS PAGE IN ORDER TO ADVISE US OF VIOLATIONS. PLEASE SUPPORT AND MANY THANKS TO OUR AUTHORIZED VENDORS: 7-11, 63 MAMMOTH ROAD, LOWELL, MA. 01854 NON PROFIT: STONY BROOK FISH & GAME ASSN., LOWELL ROAD, WESTFORD, MA. MAMMOTH MUSIC, 5TH AVENUE, ANCHORAGE, ALASKA PENDING, WITH DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION: www.cdbaby.com ATTENTION: PROSPECTIVE VENDORS, RETAILERS AND RESELLERS: IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN AUTHORIZED LOCATION AND WOULD LIKE QUOTES ON BULK SHIPMENTS, PLEASE CONTACT US BY EMAIL AT THE ADDRESS SHOWN ON THE ORDERS PAGE. POTENTIAL SPONSORS: IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SPONSOR OF www.alaskaanthems.com , BROOKSIDE PRESS ENTERPRISES OR THE ALASKA STATEHOOD TOUR, PLEASE CONTACT US AT twirtanen@alaskaanthems.com. WE APPRECIATE YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT, AS BOTH ARE IMPORTANT IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES, AND IF YOU DESIRE, YOUR SPONSORSHIP WILL BE DULY ACKNOWLEDGED. THE ALASKA STATEHOOD TOUR: DESPITE ALL OBSTACLES AND ECONOMIC CALAMITY, OUR THIRTEENTH TOUR OF ALASKA WILL BE UNDERTAKEN AS A FIRST PRIORITY CELEBRATING THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF STATEHOOD. ALL DATES PRESENTLY ARE TENTATIVE AND PROPOSED, AND SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION AND CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, BUT WILL BE POSTED HERE FIRST: THE BULL RUN: SHIRLEY, MA. TBA ANCHORAGE MARKET AND FESTIVAL: AUGUST 1, 2009 AT 3:00 P.M. AUGUST 2, 2009 AT NOON AND FINAL Alaska ALASKA APPEARANCE, AUGUST 9, 2009 AT 11:00 A.M. TALKEETNA MUSIC AND BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL, TALKEETNA, ALASKA: OPENING ACT, AUGUST 8, 2009 AT 12:00 NOON BLUES CENTRAL, ANCHORAGE ALASKA CAMEOS WITH SEATTLE SLIM AND THE SOUL PROVIDERS: TBA DICK'S DEN, COLUMBUS, OHIO WITH DIRTY BILLY: October, 2009 TBA SO COME ON BOOKING AGENTS AND CLUB OWNERS! IF YOU WANT PURE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR PATRONS AND TO FILL OUT THE STATEHOOD TOUR, CONTACT US AT THE EMAIL ADDRESS SHOWN ON THE ORDERS PAGE AND RECEIVE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROMPT ATTENTION. |
Anthems Of Alaska: www.alaskaanthems.com