How much extra do stranded astronauts get paid? Why did King Charles I wear two shirts to his execution? Hear the Off Ramp podcast.

274 Absorbing Trivia

Houston We Have a Podcast: Exploration Park

The song title alludes to a famous episode of The Twilight Zone and the customs at Buckingham Palace, but it's more a story about the implicit astronaut on this album (extending from David Bowie's Major Tom). The lyrics spread over 3 days, when he kisses his wife and goes off to get suited up for space travel. By day 3 he realizes he's walking in the hallowed steps of those who've gone before him--the old guard. He's the new guard now, but one day he'll also pass the torch. Angels remind him of his wife's love at the end. If you're familiar with closing scenes in Tolkien's LORD OF THE RINGS you'll recognized the "Grey Havens" in the bridge. Musically I was influenced by David Bowie, Neil Finn/Crowded House, and The Beatles, particularly “the White Album” (and there’s lots of Mellotron and “burning piano” on this as well). This is track #2 on my new album, WE’RE GETTING CLOSER TO THE SUN, and I was joined by drummer Mark Jones (track mixed by Chris von Sneidern at Tape Vault Studio in San Francisco). https://johnnyjblairsingeratlarge.bandcamp.com/track/changing-of-the-guard

Changing Of The Guard

jokester over here! woke mobster! woke lobster monster!

Jerking Off and Crying Simutaneously freestlye

Off Sight

Stupid Little Bitch

LIL TECCA

What American hero submitted his government job application a week late? Why did the Romans bring their own napkins to dinner? How was the first summer movie blockbuster marketed?

278 Summer Adventures Trivia

This is the closing song from my album WE'RE GETTING CLOSER TO THE SUN. It's a stream of consciousness song about angels and cosmos interceding with our material world. It closes the album narrative, concluding that my astronaut ended up in a place where spiritual and physical merge into new and holy meanings. The verses reflect on the presence of angels in even the most mundane situations (walking on a street, in a hotel, recreational settings). Verse 3 points me towards spiritual activism and knowing I'm never alone in seeking justice and righteousness. Mike Roe of The 77s played lead guitar. Recording this track felt transformative for me. Musically I was inspired by old school Laurel Canyon bands, Brian Eno, many Mellotron bands, The Moody Blues, and The Beach Boys transcendental "American Gothic" phase circa 1966-73.

I See The Angels Coming 'Round

Houston We Have a Podcast: Ask An Astronaut On Our Anniversary

Hello, we’re NASA. You may have seen our astronauts, rocket launches, or Mars rovers — but have you heard our sounds? From interviews with astronauts and engineers to stories that take you on a tour of the galaxy, NASA’s audio offerings let you experience the thrill of space exploration without ever leaving Earth.

“Johnny is a virtuoso…” –Brian Wilson
“A delightful entertainer…” earcandy.com
“Pop music with a conscience…” Goldmine magazine
“The Harry Houdini of rock’n’roll” Spotlight magazine

Entertainer, songwriter, and “Singer at Large” Johnny J. Blair is known for his brand of “pop music with a twist,” influenced by Americana, British Invasion rock, old school soul/r’n’b, psychedelia, and punk/new wave, with melodicism breathed by classical, gospel, jazz, and world music. 

As a solo acoustic act or when fronting a band, Johnny engages an audience. He was called “a white James Brown” by Brown’s legendary drummer, Clyde Stubblefield. Johnny’s current itinerary includes performing in assisted living homes for people with disabilities and dementia: “Music goes through the brain into places where math and language don’t reach. It heals, and it makes a difference.”

Since the 80s, Johnny has issued full-length recordings to a global audience— from the “new wave concept album” DOOR IN THE WATER, to the soulful masterwork FIRE, to the bare-knuckled acoustic “agitpop” of TREADMARKS, to the “Ziggy Stardust meets PET SOUNDS” of GRATEFUL to the glam-tango tinged masterwork I LIKE THE STREET (with musical support from The Badlees, Eric Biondo/Beyondo, and Mike Garson, David Bowie’s pianist).

Johnny has worked with a range of acts—most prominently with Davy Jones of The Monkees (“I learned valuable stagecraft from David”). Johnny played and worked with Jones for 20 years, and he was the touring bassist/vocalist with The Monkees 45th Anniversary Tour of the UK and USA. Other artists Johnny has played with are John Bechdel (Ministry), David Cassidy, Buddy & Julie Miller, and Al Stewart (“Year of the Cat”). 

For 2019, Johnny on the beat with fresh material and a new album in the works, WE’RE GETTING CLOSER TO THE SUN. He says, “I’ve played the Royal Albert Hall, CBGB’s, Disney, The Fillmore, Las Vegas, Mabuhay Gardens, the Tokyo Billboard, holy temples in India, desert islands, Caribbean cruise ships, churches, prisons, garages, biker bars, and picnics, but I’ll really hit it big when I play for you!”

The Off Ramp Trivia podcast. Slow down, steer clear of crazy and take a side road to sanity with Bob & Marcia Smith.  PHOTO by Christopher Michel.

New tracks tagged #astronauts