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And of course, Wagner's work with Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny was the peak of his career 🤣

Wagner orchestral excerpts were one of my favorites to play when I was in an orchestra. But yeah, he was pretty abominable from all accounts. My handle comes from his last opera, Parsifal. The overture from that was a study in my music theory class. Sounds nice and demur, but was actually atonal as hell.

Today I became an official 'Old Fart'. In reality that happened on my Birthday in February, but since my local SS office was too backed up to do my Medicare application at that time, it became official today with a Medicare phone application. I'm now the proud recipient of Medicare part A. Since I'm still employed with medical insurance, I don't need to apply for Medicare part B until I retire or stop receiving outside medical insurance. I believe at that time I can have the part B cost pulled directly from my Social Security payments. I do believe full heartedly that I've absolutely earned said 'Old Fart' title. My Doctorate in wood remains 'til the time of my demise, so it's Dr Wood Old Fart from hense forward. Can I get that official title posted under my avatar please?

This contrast between a person and the music is often true. Wagner was a truly awful person, an antisemite, racist and overall shit. He put it about that Brahms' music was based on the screams of birds that he shot with "A Tyrolean bow". An outright lie just to discredit a rival composer. Somewhat interestingly he was a cross-dresser; even the usually staid and formal Wagner Society accepts this. He was also Hiter's favourite composer. 'Nuff said. If you could bring him back from the mid 1800's and interview him today, I'm sure he would be found to be an abominable person in many ways. In spite of all that, Wagners music, particularly the operas, is utterly marvellous. In addition to the epic 15 hour Ring Cycle (took him 25 years to complete it), there is Die Meistersingers, Tristan und Isolde, Tanhauser, Lohengrin just for starters. Seen them all. Awesome.

I hope you didn't mix in any valuable antique Shaker baskets with the dime store ones. 🤓

Controversial for certain, and an utter moron in every interview I've seen of him. A racist, a redneck and a convicted felon, but I'll argue the "decent songwriter" comment. The man could paint a picture like few others. How you can be so idiotic in interviews yet write such poignant lyrics is beyond me. Listen to "If That Ain't Country" and tell me if it set a vivid mood.

It's a brilliant album. I hope it inspired people to check out Giorgio Moroder and other great musicians of the period.

It was a good day, a touch breezy at times, a very good engaged crowd. Some of the board members, {and my beard and belly} Many thanks all... cheers - Mikey

Traffic co-founder Dave Mason https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2026/04/21/dave-mason-dead-traffic-cofounder/89727009007/