THE POWER OF A PROPHET “As a lifelong rock & roll fan, I’d started waking up to find the Soul Stirrers, not the Rolling Stones, the Staple Singers, not AC/DC, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, not Prince, in my CD player after a night of partying. You know, those times when you want to keep adding power and energy in that hour before the heap? The unbridled jubilation of black gospel was becoming my night-melter of choice.” Michael Corcoran, Bay City Holy Rollers, 2014 On Monday afternoon, Antone’s will host an open memorial to honor the legacy of Michael Corcoran, and The Jones Family Singers will perform. Michael’s relationship with the band wonderfully illustrates how his passion made a difference in so many people’s lives. Here’s the backstory. In 2012, Michael was programming the gospel showcase for SXSW and he asked us to come check out his favorite new group — The Jones Family Singers.  So we did, and we also agreed to tape the performance. The show itself had no buzz, was sparsely attended, and at the time felt like something of a disappointment. Michael Corcoran backstage with The Jones Family Singers, SXSW 2012 The whole thing gnawed at Corcoran, especially since he’d made a career of celebrating unsung heroes.  Pioneers like Austin native Arizona Dranes. His well-researched writings landed him on NPR. Following Corcoran’s introduction, we at Arts+Labor also fell in love with the Jones Family, and agreed to finance a documentary project, two albums, underwrite a manager, and help the band give SXSW one more shot. Corcoran mined a lifetime of relationships, calling fellow reporters, booking agents, editors…and it started to pay off. At SXSW 2014,  the Jones Family got their break, blowing away the lead programmer from The Lincoln Center. Four months later the family found themselves on the big stage, and Corcoran flew in for the gig. His reaction at the end of the performance says as much as anything he’s ever written about the power of music. All excerpts courtesy Arts+Labor, The Jones Family Singers. This is what it means to be part of a connected community.  One person helping another, using their expertise to better explain who we are, where we came from, and how that shapes the art we produce. Michael Corcoran did more than just write. He changed people’s lives. Below are the details on the memorial service, from Corky’s facebook page. The musical showcase (including the Jones Family Singers) begins at 4pm. Memorial Service Details Click here to donate to the SIMS Foundation GARDENS & HEAT That’s okra — Burgundy Clemson Spineless. And it loves the heat. Not much else does. You’ll recall this spring we devoted most of an issue to gardening, the joy of putting your hands in the soil.  True most of the year, but less so for the next six weeks. Here’s a few tips gleaned from 40 years and a lot of mistakes on how to survive the most brutal stretch on our calendar. Stop planting new things (they’ll fry) and stop fertilizing (the plants will burn) until after Labor Day.  Most things outdoors go dormant as a defense against the heat. Space apart the watering, and water deeply.  Root systems will chase the moisture.  If the surface is always moist, plants develop shallow roots. Mulch helps, and can lower the soil temperature a good 20 degrees. Keep it away from the base of the plant to avoid rot and fungus issues. It’s common for plants to wilt during the heat of the day, to pull moisture from the leaves back to the stems. Look in the morning.  If they’re still wilted, they’re thirsty.  If they’ve bounced back, they’re not. For the plants that are producing — in my garden right now that’s okra and basil — harvest in the morning, the coolest part of the day. In fact, do everything in the morning. The daily pattern is meditative, and also attunes the eye to detect change early enough to address — whether we’re talking insects or disease. Producing fruit requires energy. Many varieties of tomatoes won’t even set when nighttime temperatures rise above the mid-70s. Water enough to hold things over until September, until the first fall rain. My eggplant will pop out of dormancy the minute the temperatures start to drop, and it will go bananas until it starts dipping into the 50s. Until then…take a clue from our friends who have to live outside. courtesy KXAN-TV This is a great time to plan the fall garden, which I put in sometime around Labor Day. Here’s a useful chart on plant rotation. To ponder in the air-conditioning. The Backyard Homestead, Carleen Madigan Alan Berg, Publisher SPEAKING OF SEED AND WEED… Earlier this week in Bastrop, Democratic State Representative Candidate Desiree Venable delivered a stack of petitions bearing more than 600 signatures calling for police to decriminalize marijuana. The effort needs 400 more to make the ballot, and county officials are verifying the signatures that were turned in. Desiree Venable delivering petitions, courtesy KVUE-TV , July 8, 2024. You’ll recall we previously reported on a similar initiative in Lockhart, where organizers say they’ve filed the necessary signatures. And two weeks ago, advocates in Dallas filed petitions with 50,000 signatures. All are supported by Ground Game Texas , which helped five cities pass similar measures in 2022 — Denton, Elgin, Austin, San Marcos and Killeen. Not surprisingly, Ken Paxton’s blown a gasket and filed suit, claiming the measures violate the Texas Local Government Code. The decriminalization efforts passed with anywhere from 70 to 85% of the vote. courtesy Lockhart Freedom Act, design by Maddy Bickerton. HAPPYIN’ THIS WEEK 7/12 Four Record Friday at Mayfair Record 1: SOPHIE - ‘Oil Of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides’ Record 2: Troye Sivan - ‘Something To Give Each Other’ Record 3: Chappell Roan - ‘The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess’ Record 4: Charli XCX - ‘Brat’ With a vinyl giveaway, Brat-themed cookies, nail painting station and tooth gems. 7/13 Melotheory at Sunshine Vinyl An intimate, after-brunch live music event, featuring Austin's own indie-pop band, Melotheory . Signed copies of their debut album will be available for sale as well. And into next week: 7/17 Bill Kirchen at The Saxon Pub Tap into Armadillo history and catch Bill Kirchen, an original member of Commander Cody's Lost Planet Airmen.  It’s an early set in one of Austin's best listening rooms, The Saxon Pub. BE RIGHT BACK We’re taking a mini summer break - we’ll be back (and better) on August 15th. In the meantime, we want to hear from you. Take this quick survey and help us improve Happy Heat. Thanks y’all!