Three hundred thirty million people in this country 
And we had to pick these two
Three hundred thirty million people in this country 
You’d think we could find somebody new

You say you really want to exercise your right to vote 
But if either of these guys was captain of a boat
You’d be afraid to set foot on that ship
You wouldn’t take that trip

Commercial jet pilots retire at 65
Cause after that age they’re afraid they’ll nosedive.
But there’s no age limit for the president of the USA
It’s perfectly okay

What are you supposed to do when both choices stink
You’ve got two glasses of Kool Aide
You’re not sure which one to drink

They get up on stage and we watch them a debate
Instead of rising to the occasion, they punch below their weight
We keep hoping that one of them will say something profound
But they let us down

They get asked hard questions and their answers are simple
Preventing World War three it’s like popping a pimple
And those budget deficits will magically disappear
We’ll be in the clear

Every four years we’re told that the situation is so dire
It’s like the country’s a giant gallon of milk 
And it’s about to expire
They say a broken clock is right two times a day
You never know we might pick the wrong guy and things might not turn out okay

What are you supposed to do when both choices stink
You’ve got two glasses of Kool Aide and you’re not sure which one to drink
Three hundred thirty million people in this country 
And we had to pick these two
Three hundred thirty million people in this country 
You’d think we could find somebody new

Two Bad Choices

"Magic is what we do. Music is how we do it." -- Jerry Garcia

Welcome to my page, my peers, associates, friends, and musical family. I'm a lifelong, multi-instrumentalist musician who records prolifically and joyfully. You'll hear me play guitar, bass (regular four string, and four and five string fretless), mandolin, banjo, keys (piano, organ, synth), lap slide, sitar, and sing on my recordings here. I've been in a few dozen bands in my life, playing everything from bluegrass, jazz, rock, jam band, reggae, funk, afrobeat, Middle Eastern, traditional Irish, singer/songwriter, pop/covers, to experimental/avant garde. 
  Since I found SoundCloud a couple years ago, I've found many talented, creative people with whom to create music. However, in the summer of '23 I formed a band called The Eclectic Collective with some of my favorite musicians I've met through here. It started as a loose collective of musicians and coalesced into a core group of musicians who find other musicians with whom we'd like to make music, then run their songs through our process, and in effect add a full band. That core of The Eclectic Collective includes Tez (Llanpsych), J.J. Terrel, Ken (K2 and the Three), Stephen (Texmex Shaman), Chris (cgmaness), and Mark (mistermark). A couple of other musicians are frequent collaborators, as well, including Artur of Surfers Like Us, and Steve Vervaet of Steve's World. More recently, we've been joined by Carl of The Beautiful Dark fame. 
  The magic of music is amplified exponentially by each person adding to it. So, we really try to add our sorcery all kinds of music from all kinds of artists. Sometimes, we keep it within the group, but a lot of what we do is collaboration with other artists. Therefore these days, 100% of what I do is collaboration, within the group or with other artists on the side.
  I, and we, are also available for hire if you have a song or lyrics and you really want to add bigger instrumentation or a band and good production to it. 
  A small sampling of the artists whom I consider primary influences, and whom you will hear coming through my fingers include Phish, The Flaming Lips, The Grateful Dead, Radiohead, Rye Cooder, Steve Earle, Miles Davis, Fela Kuti, Arcade Fire, Mikey Dread, Yellowman, Purpleman, The Meditations, Michigan and Smiley, Lee Perry, Dillinger, Django Reinhardt, Impossible Recording Machine, The Allman Bros Band, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Bela Fleck, Les Claypool, Sam Bush, David Grissman, John Prine, Talking Heads, Beastie Boys, MMW, Moe., Morphine, Ween, Steve Lukather, Michael McDonald, John Abercrombie, Dave Holland, John Scofield, Victor Wooten,  Cannonball Adderly, Thelonious Monk, Flea, Parliament Funkadelic,  Frank Zappa, Prince Paul, Pete Rock, Thievery Corporation, Amon Tobin, Chet Baker, Joao Gilberto, Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto, Carol Kaye, Tame Impala, Mumford and Sons, Japanese Breakfast, LCD Soundsystem, Beach House, Sean Lennon, and Billy Strings, but of course there are many more. I also really like and am influenced by traditional Iranian, Palestinian, Indian, Sri Lankan, Sudanese, Mauritian, Somalian, Egyptian, West African, and Syrian music. I welcome anyone who plays non-western music to contact me for a collaboration, too.
 I'm overjoyed to have found my community on SoundCloud. This is a truly unique forum where everyone is sincerely trying to build each other up. The profoundly supportive and positive SoundCloud community has really opened up an exciting new world of collaboration for me. That is the main reason I'm in the Cloud, actually, to connect with other musicians and make music that I enjoy listening to, and hopefully others do, as well. I am ALWAYS looking to collaborate with interesting musicians, mostly though BandLab, which is where I record almost exclusively. It's a solid, free digital audio workstation hub where you can share recording projects, even if it's not where you make your recordings.
  Everything I do is live instrumental, not programmed, and using no computer beyond my phone. That's not to say that I would be opposed to using that kind of tool, it's just not my preferred medium with which to paint. If you like my music, please share it. If you want to collaborate, my BandLab handle is @bingo_pajama. Feel free to contact me at cornbreadband@hotmail.com, as well, even if you aren't on BandLab.
  If your music is primarily AI, please don't come around my page, as I'm not at all interested in complimenting a machine.
  Here's a link to music I've recorded live with a group of musicians here in Pittsburgh called The Northumberland Street Ramblers.
Check out The Northumberland Street Ramblers on #SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/fU4Me

Rye  Dean,  as well
https://on.soundcloud.com/LdSHc88nkPbAQsZ28

Dj BeBe Grande actively releases electronic, dance and easy listening music. Artist's discography includes singles with titles such as: "Golden Dusk", "On a Bench" and "Adagio Aboensis". Thank you for listening and supporting music by Dj BeBe Grande, it means lot to him!💓🌹

Songs with a twinge of humor (and some a bit more serious).  
I do not use AI to create my songs. 
https://linktr.ee/joe.stroffolino
Recently I have had the urge to pick up my guitars (Taylor 114ce and Fender Squire) and I have been trying to use more guitar in my songs.  
My go to .vst plug ins are  EZkeys 2, EZ Bass and  EZ drummer 3) and my DAW is Logic Pro 11. 
I welcome your comments and enjoy listening to all the great music on SoundCloud. 
All songs are originals and copyrighted.

FIRST OF ALL, I WILL SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL WONDERFUL PEOPLE THAT LISTEN TO MY SONGS - LOVE YOU ALL!!

Dear friends, I worry more and more about the state of the earth! More and more wars flare up, the climate is worrying with natural disasters as a result! Strong malevolent rulers emerge and succeed in egging the population of the respective countries. History has shown how it goes - I think of such men as Hitler and others! The war causes huge emissions of greenhouse gases! Instead, use the soldiers to plant trees and fight the terrible forest fires!

The Baltic Sea is living dangerously right now! Scores of ships in deplorable condition transport oil across the sea. The risks are great for extensive oil disasters! I have made some songs for the Baltic sea just to make people understand the problems.

I have recently published some of my songs on YouTube - search for Bengt Roth.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bengt+roth
I write almost all of my songs, and I sing my songs and play the guitar and the harp - no more. My recording equipment is quite modest with a Furch guitar, Alhambra guitar, Röde microphone, Focusrite and Garageband. My studio is our guest room in our house.
I was young during the 1960s when Dylan became famous. I was a member of a folk song group during that time. I love Dylan´s music!! I was also a big fan of The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, Mamas and the Papas and several more singers. I like folk music and the old protest songs. I love the music of Eva Cassidy. I was also a big fan of Björn Afzelius, and I love the music of Tom Petty. I am very inspired of the music of John Denver.
Bengt and certainly several 100 million people are intensively protesting against all evil around the world!
I love to sometimes write songs that are a bit weird and self-ironic!
You know that I am a novice in the "recording business", and sometimes I have to revise the songs.
My whole grown up life was occupied by my profession as a doctor in intensive care and anesthesiology. I was head of the department of Intensive and perioperative Care in Lund, Sweden the last years. After that I have got the possibility to be dedicated to music. 
My songs are a matter of extreme happiness and extreme sadness. I write all the music and lyrics except "As tears go by", "House of the Rising Sun", and songs by Evert Taube.
I love to leave some message with my songs!
I have no previous experience of writing fiction. I have, however, some experience in writing non-fiction. I wrote my thesis, and some chapters in a textbook in anesthesiology. I was also member of a group who introduced an education program in pediatric cardio pulmonary resuscitation for laymen in Sweden.
I have created a repost page "Bengt Erik Roth Repost Page".

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Bengt+Roth

@JTSunrise was born in Chicago, IL (the City of Blues) in 1968. JT grew up on a rural horse farm at Cuba Township near Fox River Grove, along the C&NW tracks, about an hour by train outside the city. Summer nights before the internet were for sleeping outside and watching stars, singing and playing guitar to his girlfriends, and hitching trains from his backyard. Anywhere JT went, he had his acoustic guitar slung around his back. JT also learned bass and banjo, and started a folk band in high school, playing house parties and school concerts and busking the commuter train station in Barrington, IL.

His teenage years took him around the world and to Tempe, AZ in 1987, (age 19) where he lived in the same building (and jammed often) with Spiral Stairs, a seminal guitarist who would later form the band Pavement. JT played acoustic sets at the legendary Sun Club. During this time, Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms (JT’s record store clerk friend) did his sound.

Seattle Music Era

Arriving in Seattle in 1992 with his Tempe barista girlfriend PJ (now wife), JT immersed himself in a city alive with music innovation. This was to become known as a time when Seattle bands reshaped the musical landscape. Amidst the scene, JTSunrise carved a niche and performed shows, blending busking music with the amplified Seattle sound, his Tempe-styled lyrical command, and the soul of Chicago street blues.

His performances became the background of Seattle’s music venues, from the intimate setting of **Art Bar** to the historic **OK Hotel**, where grunge legends made history. He captivated audiences at **Sit & Spin**, a venue combining a laundromat with a bar and live music, and found a true home at the **Lake Union Pub**, a legendary punk dive bar that embraced him as their own. Each chord, each lyric, carried the weight of personal experience.

Musical Influences and Style

JTSunrise draws from icons like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Billy Bragg, alongside bands he admired in Tempe such as Gin Blossoms and Dead Hot Workshop. The bands at the Sun Club and Long Wongs in Tempe, AZ shaped his sound and approach. These influences, coupled with the music scene in 1990s Seattle (including Elise Sauer, Obe-Wan Kenobe, and everyone to ever perform at the Lake Union Pub), molded his blend of folk, punk, country blues, and acoustic pop.

Signature Songs and Contributions

Among his many contributions to the musical landscape, a few songs stand out:
- **"Saint James Infirmary"**: A haunting rendition of the classic ballad.
- **"Biscuit Roller Blues"**: A soulful, gritty track that showcases blues roots.
- **"Kevin Song"**: A heartfelt, melodic piece that resonates deeply with listeners.
- **"Cure For Pain"**: A Morphine song that explores themes of struggle and redemption.
- **"Mama Tried"**: A tribute to Merle Haggard, blending acoustic blues with heartfelt emotion.
- **"O Danny Boy"**: A timeless ballad, rendered with sincerity and grace.
- **"Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain"**: A fusion of folk and rock.

Prolific Output

JTSunrise has a substantial discography on SoundCloud, with over 200 tracks available. This includes a mix of original songs, raw covers, and collaborations with other artists. His music spans genres like folk, bluegrass and country blues, cowboy country, and 90s acoustic rock, reflecting his diverse influences.

Commitment to Seattle’s Artistic Community

JTSunrise’s influence extends beyond music. His commitment to authentic Seattle art is evident in his participation and support of local artists and musicians. As of 2024 he remains a licensed Pike Place Market busker, a role that allows him to share handmade music directly with the community any time, creating intimate, memorable experiences for locals and visitors.

Thanks everyone for support! 

Find other Art  and Videos by #JTSUNRISE: IG, YouTube, X, TikTok, BlueSky interweb media @JTSunriseMusic
www.linkedin.com/in/jtsunrise-music-1528072b0

2025/12/12:
Anybody else prevented from accessing SC servers via VPN?  All of them are blocked for me.  This is the first time it happens to me in six or seven years of almost daily SoundCloud activity.  I use a VPN in SC because when I don't I get horrible delays that show up in many different ways.  The only explanation I have found is that somehow their security/identification system has flagged my IP address and introduced all kinds of speed bumps.  It makes the experience very unpleasant, irritating.  2025/12/16 UPDATE: I have received no reply about this from anyone so I am guessing this hasn't happened to anyone else, which is quite surprising.  It's a good thing I don't have paranoid tendencies.  I now can use my VPN service again, so this lasted about four days.  As usual I have no idea how this came about.

2025/12/06:
Why was Jonathan Bellot's account
[https://soundcloud.com/jonathanbellot] deleted?
...

You can't see it because of the angle with which I took the shot, aiming down, but beyond those blocks is the sea.  To the left is the Mediterranean, to the right is the Atlantic Ocean.  No it's not Gibraltar, but a little bit further West. ... Actually I checked recently and it is further North more than West, I thought I was facing South when in fact I probably was facing the Atlantic ocean, which is why I suppose the waves were of a decent size where we were.
...
My face and the bike are a courtesy of Joël Vaudreuil
[https://vimeo.com/user8897093]  ... Merci Joe!
I then went ahead and butchered his work with a borrowed helmet.
Sorry Joe. =(
...
sometime in 2025:
I have not been able to recover access to my other account [https://soundcloud.com/ha-kekong] for a couple of years.  Don't be mad if I have not replied to your message in the past two years, that's because I never got them ; ) ... You can always reach me here though.
...

I'm trying to promote what I think is good music, so if you want to help out a bit I'd rather you [like] or [repost] my *playlists* rather than my field recordings, if you don't mind, unless you are a die hard fan of those things. Thank you ; )

I speak French, so if you send me a private message, and that you are a francophone, please write in French, thank you.  ... I mean, you don't absolutely have to, but I would prefer it. 

All my field recordings (except for when I record a person) are public, freely downloadable by anyone who is able to click on the button.  I encourage anyone interested to use them in any way whatsoever, on purpose or accidentally. No need for permissions or credits or any other kind  of administrative maneuvers.
...

Anarchists give me hope.

I'm a big fan of EFF.  Love ya EFF.  (no connection with the above line)
... and of course Richard Stallman and Linux and all the others.  Bless yous.

Now don't be lazy, go find out what it is this "EFF" that I'm talking about.  I'll give you a hint: it has to do with computers.

You have a nice day now.  Hugs & Kisses.

Everyone, I will be in and out of the hospital this month, resting, exercising, and doing other things, so my activities here may be slow. Of course, I will return to my normal daily routine after a while, so please be prepared for that..think my physical health situation will be stable by October(2025).😊😊😊

JUNZO 
¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨
WE DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE!

https://www.facebook.com/100064427872243/posts/pfbid0WpbJNRXHTCz9bRSroAYsWzVbLU2pzrduhuuQ7ent2vZeWcXx4UHhkvPgaAgiw1zol/?d=n

-------

Thank you everyone for your continued support. The link to the distribution store below, which has been displayed here for five years, will soon disappear until we announce a new album.

-------
The world is with Ukraine.  🇺🇦 We are with Syntaleta.  
Support Ukrainian artists, support Syntaleta 🌈
Support Syntaleta 
https://www.patreon.com/syntaleta?fbclid=IwAR38CyJHQCsAmlIZ25cXAu1XxiR6ur2Q8UkQ12D_YMV45ke7uPopsngqwwQ
--------------------------------
NO WAR IN UKRAINE !
#nowatinukraine
#StandWithUkraine
Russian Celebrities Speak Out Against Ukraine Invasion: 'No to War!'
NEWSWEEK 
BY RYAN SMITH ON 2/24/22
https://www.newsweek.com/russian-celebrities-speak-out-against-ukraine-invasionno-war-vladimir-putin-joe-biden-1682334?fbclid=IwAR2ynlN7uqTuMZLt0mSJFVA9sQlreafDMDhzJ0WQF2ceB-SL6VXjp1F9wXc

AFP News Agency——United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres makes a personal appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop his troops from entering Ukraine at an emergency Security Council meeting
https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1496683147043680257?s=20&t=ycv-evRRvClUeBoW6UaL5A
12:07 PM · Feb 24, 2022

Pro Tennis Player 
@ElinaSvitolina 
Пишаюся тим, що я українка. Єднаємося у цей надскладний час заради миру та майбутнього нашої держави. Слава Україні 💙💛🇺🇦
https://twitter.com/elinasvitolina/status/1496591896789008385?s=21



My latest work is here ↓
Lisha Nandi - Lover's Prayer ft.JUNZO on electric guitar
https://soundcloud.com/user-234918190-88573969/lovers-prayer-ftjunzo-electric-guitar
---------------------------------------------------------------
[Materials for those who want to know about Pentatonic Scale in a short time]
http://junzo.seesaa.net/article/484819091.html?1639535452
---------------------------------------------------------------
[Materials for those who want to know about blues scale in a short time]
http://junzo.seesaa.net/article/483508944.html
---------------------------------------------------------------
Because of the "era of Corona", I decided to revisit those who have been out of touch for a long time. Most of them have their accounts asleep for a while, but I dare to knock on the door. At least I'll keep doing that for a few more days :)
-------------------------------------------------
Brian May has branded Eric Clapton and other anti-vaxxers "fruitcakes".
https://theindependent.com/people/brian-may-eric-clapton-and-anti-vaxxers-are-fruitcakes/article_fcac8ec1-ce16-5e1f-866e-adb0afe3bdf6.html

Mick Jagger Has Some Thoughts on the Pandemic, Anti-Vaxxers, and Conspiracy Theories
APRIL 13,2021
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/mick-jagger-new-song-dave-grohl-vaccines-1154825/?fbclid=IwAR0CaCpr6hcJWrrNVNFwxE8cL7XDubQiCaXflitjancDvOIwseOMV6s6g6U
--------------------------
Derek Chauvin sentenced for murder of George Floyd 
https://cnn.it/3ji3vCq

Solo acoustic rock n roll! 🎸🎤

YouTube channel:
https://youtube.com/@nunziogambale4510?si=Yk-Hw_mpH-oESwyC
In My Stuff playlist open mic video I start at about 2hrs 45min.

I am a solo guitarist mainly playing acoustically. I am a rock n roller with folk, country, blues, jazz and classical influences. It could be summed up as cowpunk.

I have written two songs, Mexico and Solution, and have also written a number of instrumentals. As I don't have many songs of my own, I like to learn to play standards so I have developed a bit of a repertoire.

All originals are copyright. 

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoy it! This is NG, bluesing out!

A guy, some guitars and a laptop. Also one half of OKTOPIA.
Always happy to collaborate! just drop me a message or email me

https://linktr.ee/Shirebairnp

Two Bad Choices

Joe Stroffolino