TURNING RAGE INTO MUSIC

By Dan Doyle

 

Today my CD, Stay Relevant, nearly three years in the making, is being released on CD Baby, iTunes, and other electronic means, as well as in album form.  DanDoyleMusic.com provides details on why, at 64 (now approaching 67), I decided to embark on a belated music undertaking, knowing at the outset that the odds of today's release materializing were improbable at best!

 

The short answer is that my rage at the State of Rhode Island and a small group of wastrels, and the need to create new assets to keep my Institute for International Sport running, are the basis for today's announcement.   A much longer answer will be posted on Medium in January.  The January posting will address how the “Honorable” Gordon Fox, former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Rhode Island and now incarcerated for bribery, called for an investigation of me and my Institute for International Sport four years ago.   The post will further address the subsequent indictments issued two and a-half-years ago, as well as daily strategies I have employed to turn my rage into positive purpose, the CD a case in point.   

 

Stay Relevant contains 11 original songs I have written, composed and recorded.  10 of the 11 songs contain messages, including the protest song: The Gran' Ole Jury.  This song will lead to a documentary, now in pre-production,  on the Grand Jury system in the United States.  The 11th song, Boomer Rap, is just for fun! 

 

The CD features three songs from the Shoeless Joe play I have written, another new Institute for International Sport asset.  The play is about baseball legend Shoeless Joe Jackson; the three songs are Take Me Out to the Ball Game, Dixie and You Are My Sunshine.  The latter song includes a stanza I wrote about a true episode in Shoeless Joe's boyhood.  The CD also contains an eight minute stage reading of the play.   

 

Reception

 

Acclaimed musician, platinum engineer and producer Gordon Bahary, who has his “right touch” on over 35 million albums sold, including those of Stevie Wonder, states:

 

“Dan Doyle’s album is a work of a visionary and true artist. A beautiful collection of songs.  Dan bares his soul for all of us.  His strong messages are badly needed today.  A blessed piece of work -- brilliant.”

 

Acclaimed actor Marc Carver, who recently played the role of Dick Lehr in the movie Black Mass, states: 

 

“After listening to a pre-cut of the CD, I wanted to give my girlfriend an idea of what Dan’s amazing songs were like. I played one of the songs, ‘A Parent’s Message’ for her. The original song is about selflessness and steadfast love. When the song ended, we sat smiling silently with tears on our cheeks. Dan’s voice is a one-of-a-kind narrative-style in theater and music.”  

 

Acclaimed Entertainer Rob Gottfried, “Rob the Drummer” states:  

 

"An incredible triumph at so many levels. Dan is a Titan with warmth and the CD is a statement about who he really is. INSPIRING!"

 

Acclaimed recording artist Dianne Mower states:  

 

“The powerful messages in each song remind us of our purpose in life, and that all of us, regardless of age, still have lots of work to do. Anyone seeking ideas to enhance their lives, and the lives of others, can start with this CD.”

 

 

The Gran’ Ole Jury

 

It’s not very common

That one has the chance

To stand tall 

And save a friend’s life

 

But that’s just what I did

When a man whom I knew

Was stabbed in the back

With a knife

 

I couldn’t believe 

How others cowered

I watched ‘em runnin’

Jes like rats

 

Scared off as they were

Of doin’ what’s right

By bullies 

Wearin’ stained white hats

 

So it was then that I knew

This was a man I’d help save

  For once in my life I was brave

 

(Music)

 

There sure have been times

When I let myself down

‘Stead of goin’ for six

I’d jes punt

 

But in this situation

It was clear to me

What I was seein’

Was a real witch hunt

 

One thing that I learned

From this turn of events

Helped me to clearly

See the light

 

Jes by flashing their 

Shiny silver badges

Don’t mean

They’re always in the right

 

So I became committed 

To a man I’d help save

For once in my life

I was brave

 

(Music)

 

When appearin’

Before the Gran’ Ole Jury

I thought of a line

 from Jimmy J (James Joyce)

 

 

Cuz the white hat 

Was smilin’ like a Saxon

Dead certain he’d

Surely get his way

 

I had no idea

This was a set up

Only one side gettin’ 

To present

 

And a farce of justice 

that few understand

And one that should cause

Strong dissent

 

So I became committed

To a man I’d help save

For once in my life

I was brave

 

(Music)

 

As soon as 

The questionin’ started

And not at all

To my surprise

 

I saw a transformation

 In that white hat

Now blinded

By the blood in his eyes

 

Why it took only minutes

For me to surmise 

This pep rally 

Was an unfair exercise

 

For by sittin’ in on this

Gran’ Ole Jury

I was helpin’ the white hat

Spin his lies

 

Leavin’ that sleight of hand investigation

I thought of the man I worked to save

Feelin’ mighty good simply knowin’ 

For once in my life

I was brave

 

(Music)

 

***

(Dan speaks these next two stanzas)

 

On this matter

And highly apropos

Is what a famous man scrawled

So very long ago

 

When you see somethin’ wrong

It’s your time to be strong

You must not maintain 

Your neutrality

 

“So thank you Dante Alighieri”

 

***

 

Now lookin’ back 

I think quite often

Of that man

 I stepped up to save

 

And when I think of him 

I’m proud – I surely am proud

For once in my life

I was brave

 

TAG 

 

Yes, when I think of him

I’m proud – I surely am proud

For once in my life

I was brave

 

DanDoyleMusic.com features a series of videos, including a Shoeless Joe stage reading, the lyrics of the 11 songs, snippets of each song and revealing statements by basketball legend Bob Cousy and Institute for International Sport Board Member Rod Steier.  

 

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Dan Doyle

 

Author of The Encyclopedia of Sports Parenting and An African Rebound. Founder of the World Scholar Athlete Games.