Michael Jackson is probably one of our most poignant American icons since Elvis Presley.  Beneath the façade was a real human being-a hurt wounded one with untold wealth and material gains at his disposal.  I suspect he would have traded in his wealth gladly for true love.  The closest he got to it was his children. When you have been hurt and wounded, you turn to the least threatening source of comfort and unconditional love. A generous, kind, gentle man with many peculiarities, Michael became an unprecedented musical genius and yet the fundamentals of day-to-day life escaped him.

He thrived on his fans and was showered with an adoration that propelled him forward within his career to staggering heights rarely achieved within the music industry. Unfortunately, when you gain the level of success Michael did at such a young age, you can never be sure who your true friends are, or who will betray you at first opportunity to sell out for a handsome chunk of change. Due to the absence of normalcy in his upbringing, Michael remained a child at heart. He possessed the innocence of a child in a very demanding adult world.

Family provided some modicum of love and support, but as we all know, sometimes it isn't enough. He adored his mother but their relationship was tainted by his dysfunctional upbringing at the hands of his brilliant but misguided father.  Consequently this travesty was passed to his older siblings who could only provide the minimum in guidance. I have no doubt they are devastated by their unexpected loss.  The love was real, no matter how it was shaped. He often turned to a warm symbolic maternal love inherent in his friendships with Diana Ross and Elizabeth Taylor.

I watched some of the reports generated by his recent passing very closely and came to the conclusion Michael quite possibly suffered from a form of Bi-Polar disease. Creativity is quite prevalent in those who suffer from this bizarre disorder. It also generates impaired judgment, depression, distorted self perception, insomnia, and manic episodes as evidenced by his more public eccentricities.  This disorder often lends itself to self medication in an effort to squelch the emotional and physical pain generated by his scars and wounds of the past.

Michael's music will live on, his legacy will be passed to his children, and his fans will never forget him. Michael is forever immortalized within our hearts. Our loss is enormous and my heart and condolences go out to his family. If you want to know more about Michael, just listen to his music. This would please him enormously. "May your light shine brightly wherever you are, Michael; you will be missed."---River Hawthorne

Advice to Idol Contestants

(Or Here Comes de Judge!)

By River Hawthorne

There's Randy, Simon--Paula too

Then there's Kara, she is brand new.

They swipe and snipe and seldom agree

On who is best and who can sing.

Randy's faves are his dawgs,

Unless he finds all your flaws--

Then you won't be far along

Unless you find a better song

Paula is so nice to please

And your song becomes a breeze

When she dances, smiles, or weeps

'Cause you know you are for keeps

Kara's comments can be sublime

She can let you truly shine

And she seems to know a lot

About your music and what is hot.

Now I wonder-who is missing?

Hidden behind boos and hissing

Who is beyond the hiss and roar?

Of one we seem to all deplore?

I spot a glimpse of a face

In his chair in first place

I keep looking for awhile,

Is it frown or is it smile?

Do we shudder, do we shake,

Or do we do a second take

At what he's saying, I can't tell?

Is this heaven or is this hell?

Does he like you, or does he not?

One minute cool, and then so hot

Do you get a shoulder shrug?

Or does he seem to want a hug?

Simon is our mystery man

With his tee and hint of tan

Black hair and blanker face

Does he like, or does he hate?

I guess sometimes--he is right

When idol ends for the night

But when he gets it really wrong

It can make you bold and strong

So you see--I am firm

We need Simon to confirm

What we like and what we don't

(But tell your fans to cast a vote!)

© 2009 River Enterprises All Rights Reserved

Ode to Idol

By River Hawthorne

I don't network, and never Twitter

I don't join fan clubs, or join groups.

I don't spike my hair or wear shiny glitter

But I often blog to stay in the loop

Then I tuned in to something new

Called American Idol, a talent show

On my TV as something to view

And became a fan on the down-low

Then Adam and the gang came along

And I sat up and took more notice

Something exciting, and more than song

Blossomed like a blooming Lotus.

All of a sudden I had more to say

Eight seasons of Idol, and much ado

Over new talent with each new day

Something exciting came into view

No longer on the down-low

Each week, like glue

Stuck to my screen with every new show

Counting the days to each new view

I liked Allison, Danny, and Kris, too

I liked Matt, Anoop, and even Grace

American Idol became brand new

And we were deep into Season Eight

I'd watch with delight and a smile

And Heaven help you if you dare

To come near and touch that dial--

'Cause I was hooked and I do care.

I would watch every week

For Randy to say, "Dawg---"

And Paula to smile and sometimes weep

And Simon was often just like a log

'Cause I couldn't read him; he'd make me guess

While Kara was passionate and brand new

And often times, they lacked finesse

While summing it up in a Bird's Eye view

This season was different from all the rest

Such talent and passion for us to see

As all the contestants gave it their best

And I would watch with delight and glee

And then something happened, I must say

My opinions shaped and had some form

And once concluded, I would not sway--

And I must add this is not my norm.

Much to my surprise I became a fan

Of one who stood out from the rest?

Along with Ricky and the band

'Cause I truly thought he was the best

What happened next did surprise

When I found a group to belong

And joined the gals and all the guys

In our love for Adam's song

I don't spike my hair

Or wear shiny glitter

I simply don't care

To own space or Twitter

Seacrest is a part without a doubt,

And Idol has my rapt attention

So I could hardly leave Ryan out

Without at least an honorable mention

I still like Kellie, and Carrie,

Daughtery and Cook

And with Season Nine I won't tarry

In giving Idol another look.

Until that time, I assume

I must wait and carry on

For another season to resume

And bring the talent all back on.

I admit I must ponder

Who will leave and who will stay

If Season Nine will make us wonder

And will fans vote and have their say?

© 2009 River Enterprises All Rights Reserved

Eanna, you are a breath of fresh air-you have inspired us ladies from the Baby Boomer generation (and beyond?) in a refreshing and candid blog in support of Adam Lambert. We have lived through multiple music generations that are far more interesting than what is present today. This fact alone gives us credibility. You also support one of my earlier statements: "Adam cuts across all gender and generational barriers."

Although I am extremely youthful in my thinking and approach (and I like to think I am in touch with today's music generation), I find some of the comments from those born in the eighties and nineties to be sorely lacking in finesse and reading comprehension.

I am far more attuned to those born in the seventies, sixties, and fifties. Should I add the forties?  Ladies you are balm for my aching heart. We are proof that age doesn't matter when it comes to spotting talent, knowing music, or expressing our view points. We have become passionate, ardent supporters for true talent (and it doesn't hurt that Adam is so handsome).

It is difficult to comprehend the vehemence from the younger set in their opinions and/or support of Kris Allen-for he may well have a Baby Boomer support base, but they are far less vocal-and he has garnered overwhelming support from the youth culture, including those pesky Tweens with far too much technology at their disposal.

For those of us who support Adam Lambert-we seem to know what we are talking about (my opinion only). I am gracious in accepting Kris' fan base from those who are intelligent and thoughtful in their responses---but this is not present in most cases. Perhaps they are less vocal?  I always welcome view points different from my own. You don't have to agree with me to be my friend---but you do have to be gracious in presenting it.

Ladies, rejoice in your mature enjoyment of today's music scene-we are often overlooked in favor of disgruntled youth. We ain't dead yet! Our dollars bring a lot of bang for the buck to the table-and this is always universally understood.  It is the great equalizer in today's market. Hooray for us "oldsters" and props to Adam for lighting our fires!

PS I posted this earlier but it needed a minor clarification in the second to last paragraph-RH

Eanna, you are a breath of fresh air-you have inspired us ladies from the Baby Boomer generation (and beyond?) in a refreshing and candid blog in support of Adam Lambert. We have lived through multiple music generations that are far more interesting than what is present today. This fact alone gives us credibility. You also support one of my earlier statements: "Adam cuts across all gender and generational barriers."

Although I am extremely youthful in my thinking and approach (and I like to think I am in touch with today's music generation), I find some of the comments from those born in the eighties and nineties to be sorely lacking in finesse and reading comprehension.

I am far more attuned to those born in the seventies, sixties, and fifties. Should I add the forties? Ladies you are balm for my aching heart. We are proof that age doesn't matter when it comes to spotting talent, knowing music, or expressing our view points. We have become passionate, ardent supporters for true talent (and it doesn't hurt that Adam is so handsome).

It is difficult to comprehend the vehemence from the younger set in their opinions and/or support of Kris Allen--for he may well have a Baby Boomer support base, but they are far less vocal-and he has garnered overwhelming support from the youth culture, including those pesky Tweens with far too much technology at their disposal.

For those of us who support Adam Lambert--we seem to know what we are talking about (my opinion only). I am gracious in accepting his fan base from those who are intelligent and thoughtful in their responses---but this is not present in most cases. Perhaps they are less vocal?  I always welcome view points different from my own. You don't have to agree with me to be my friend---but you do have to be gracious in presenting it.

Ladies, rejoice in your mature enjoyment of today's music scene-we are often overlooked in favor of disgruntled youth. We ain't dead yet! Our dollars bring a lot of bang for the buck to the table--and this is always universally understood.  It is the great equalizer in today's market. Hooray for us "oldsters" and props to Adam for lighting our fire!