News

I have known of this fact and reality for many years and see how it works every day! But more and more media are coming on board! Here is a recent article from the Chicago Tribune that further gives support to what I do; Music for Health

Recently I merged my guitar/vocal talents with an already well established big band and have been doing several performances with them! Please visit their site for more info; www.grandavenuebigband.com It has been a challenge as most of the standards I already know well are in other keys set for female vocals, but it has been fun and challenge met! If you are interested in booking myself with a larger band such as this, please contact me, or visit the link above.

I have a whole lot of videos posted at my channel on YouTube! They cover a wide range of areas from my live concerts, jam sessions, historical interest, to several great rare jazz players. But for those interested in my music as John Boda - The Music Man, I have arranged all videos related so far together at one place for easy viewing; www.bodamusicman.yolasite.com

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In case some are interested, yes, I am very aware of Dr. John Boda, the famous music composer. We are not related, have never met, and finally, the reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated ..... because I am the one who is still alive. But if you're wondering about his great work, here is a brief summary: Dr. John Boda

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I am currently in the process of creating an interesting tribute page to the memory of the Eastland Disaster, which occurred July 24th 1915 in Chicago. My Grandmother, and her two sisters were on it, but managed to escape. However 844 others didn't, and drowned.

I just completed my own video tribute to the memory of those lost and survivors. It is also in my booking page, but for now I'll post it here too. This is a song that I wrote and recorded in tribute with pictures of the event.

During the last week of March 2008, John Boda made a working road trip out to his old town of Wichita Kansas. In between gigs, he visited with many old friends he knew when he lived out there 25 years ago. One of them was Jerry Hahn, world renown jazz guitar master. John Boda filmed Jerry performing three solo jazz hymns at his home. These videos can be viewed at www.youtube.com/wescoastblues

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I am not really into music equipment, I just like what I like, and use what sounds and plays great! But for those interested:

Main Guitar: OK - as of 7/26/08 - I have joined the very cool Taylor Guitar club! I really love my Taylor guitar! (www.taylorguitars.com ) They are very, very well built and have a huge full sound, and almost "play themselves"! I have a Taylor 110CE Acoustic cut-a-way, what more can I say? Come out and see me play it.

My electric guitar for my rock trio is a copy of a hollow body Gibson 335 - a much cheaper version made by Samick - but with the same type of pick ups, and sounds very nice! I use the D.R. electric strings with #11 for the high E.

P.A. System: Mackie DFX-6 sound mixer - www.mackie.com - This is a very durable and great sounding non-powered mixer! It also has the only effects that I use, mostly mild delay. I send my vocal/guitar through it into one of two different powered monitor speakers depending on the size of the crowd and room. For small to medium crowds/rooms, and for most times, I use a JBL EON G2 - www.jbl.com - for larger rooms/crowds, and for all outdoor venues, I use a Mackie SRM-450 - www.mackie.com

Pedals: Ernie Ball Volume pedal, -www.ernieball.com For my electric gigs, I use the new Line 6 floor pod.

Digital Phrase Looping: Boomerang Phrase Sampler! www.boomerangmusic.com - I have been using one of these since around 1996, they are the best, by far, of any phrase looping units out there! I love it so much, that I became an authorized roving dealer! If you are interested in purchasing one, contact me! I can get you a very good price, just tell me your lowest price found, it'll be beat.

Digital Drum Unit: I have two different ones, and I use them sparingly, mostly when people are into dancing or when I really need to get that bigger sound. One is my Roland R5 - www.roland.com - I believe they are now extinct over at Roland, , but mine lives on! The other is a Dr. Rhythm DR-770 made by Boss. www.roland.com I recently switched to using my Dr. Rhythm mostly, it is fantastic!

Picks: Believe it or not, these make a big difference! I use Clayton picks exclusively. The rounded pyramid shape with a heavy gauge of 1.00 mm. www.steveclayton.com Most picks are made out of cheap plastic that wears out. These picks are made of durable acetal polymer which is also used in making gears, bearings and a general steel substitute! They sound unique and never wear out! (Come to one of my rock trio gigs and you might get one free thrown out before breaks)

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Ah, Satan sees Natasha / Do geese see God? / Madam, in Eden, I'm God / A man, a plan, a canal, panama! /Eva, can I stab bats in a cave? / Dennis and Edna sinned / Senile Felines / Was it a rat I saw? / We panic in a pew / Top spot / Cigar? Toss it in a can, it is so tragic / Ed is a trader, cast sacred art aside / Go hang a salami, I'm a lasagna hog / Campus motto, bottoms up Mac

Do you see what they all have in common? Memorize a few and astound your friends!

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Stupid Superstition / Tie twine to Three Tree twigs / This is a Zither / I Want a Proper Cup of Coffee in a Proper Copper Coffee Pot / Sally is a Sheet Slitter, She Slits Sheets / A Noisy Noise Annoys an Oyster / Which Wristwatches are Swiss Wristwatches? / The Great Greek Grape Growers Grow Great Greek Grapes

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If the sender took the time to write you personally, it requires the courtesy of a reply, even if it's just a quick "Thank You".

Even though it may be of interest and amusing to you, unless they have requested them, you have asked, (or they are your best friend) it is just like walking through people's doors and homes without asking.

Curiosity not only killed the cat....but it affected many a computer with a virus! It is always better to simply delete anything you unsure about.

It's called "Phishing" where common cyber criminals throw out a hook with bait to see who will bite while disguising themselves as legitimate businesses. If you reply with personal information, they've got a catch and you've got trouble!

When sending an e-mail to a group of people, if the message is not sent "blind", everyone can see everyone else's e-mail address! It is proper courtesy to help keep other's private information private!

This is a waste of time and effort and the recipients either don't care, don't read them, or wish they were off your list and are too embarrassed to tell you!

Unless the person who's e-mail is being forwarded is told or doesn't mind, this can cause you to lose friends and make enemies fast! This is especially bad if the content being forwarded contains nasty gossip or spiteful words about others.

Often e-mails are typed so fast that we are unaware of the awful spelling and grammar mistakes that we make. Before hitting "send", a quick spell-check is required! Also just basic good grammar from grade school should be used, if you missed that as a kid, Google a refresher course!

9. Thou Shalt Not Send Huge Files to Clog up In Boxes Unless the Recipient is Expecting it

Huge files such as music wave files, video or tons of your latest vacation photos can clog up valuable space. Some computers even go crazy and freeze up when attempting to download too much at once.

10. Thou Shalt Always Practice Common Courtesy and Good Sense When Writing E-Mails

(go ahead and copy/forward this....but only if you obey commandment number two!) JB