WIRTW #434 (the "Fruity Tunes" edition)

In the name of equal time, I present the set from Donovan’s recent School of Rock performance. His band—Fruity Tunes—played a tight five song set, and even features Donovan taking some vocal responsibilities on Beck’s E-Pro.

While he’s still developing as a musician, there is no doubt that he loves the stage and performing. And, if the crowed leaves entertained, who cares if you miss a few notes here and there, right?


Here’s what I read this week.

WIRTW #432 (the "Hotel Norha" edition)

This what one’s happy place looks like

Jack White month comes to an end with a few clips from Norah’s most excellent School of Rock “Many Shades of Jack White” show. She was asked to do a lot in this show. Of the 19 songs in the set, she sang lead on 9 (including Hotel Yorba, in which sang and played guitar), guitar on another, and background vocals on 3 more. That’s a .684 batting percentage, which is a whole bunch for a 10 year old to carry on her shoulders. And she totally killed it (not that I’m biased).

Two things stand out for me. First, I love when Norah gets to sing and play guitar simultaneously, which she did on one of my all time favorites, Hotel Yorba. Secondly, I love how Norah is no longer just on stage singing or playing some songs, but is transitioning into an entertainer, cognizant of the fact she is, in fact, putting on a show for an audience.

Judge for yourself. Here’s the best 14:03 from the shows.


Here’s what I read this week.

WIRTW #431 (the “stop breaking down” edition)

Last Saturday was Jack White show #1 for Norah and her School of Rock friends. One of my personal highlights was Norah singing The White Stripes’s cover of the Robert Johnson 1937 blues classic, “Stop Breaking Down”.

A video posted by Jon Hyman (@jonhyman) on Sep 17, 2016 at 6:04pm PDT

Show # 2 is this Sunday, September 25, at 12 pm, Brothers Lounge,11609 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. As always, stop and say hi, and I’ll buy you a beer.

Here’s what I read this week:

Discourse matters

My eight-year-old son hates Donald Trump. I know hate is a strong word. I rarely use it (except when describing the most evil of all condiments, mustard. I hate mustard).

But, Donovan hates Donald Trump. All you have to do is mention his name, and he will tell you how much he hates the Donald, and how he has no room in his life for anyone who thinks any differently.

Over the months of listening to our son tell us of his hatred for Trump we never thought to ask why. Until we did.

WIRTW #428 (the “science is fun” edition)

I never thought I’d be the parent of private school kids. I am a proud survivor of the School District of Philadelphia, and always assumed that my kids would also attend public school. Then we found Lake Ridge Academy. Without sounding like too much of an advertisement for the school, it was the best decision and investment we made for our family.

Case in point — the fifth grade starts every school year with an overnight science trip to Stone Lab, an Ohio State teaching and research lab on Lake Erie. They study marine life, fish (and dissect fish), otherwise explore nature, and bond. Norah reports that she’s been looking forward to the experience since, as a kindergartener five years ago, she saw the fifth graders leaving with their overnight bags. By the looks of things, she’s not disappointed with the experience.

We made the 10:30 ferry! #millerboatline #learningisfun #stonelab pic.twitter.com/OCDmrJc0D9

— LS Technology (@LRATechnology) September 1, 2016

Here’s the rest of what I read this week:

An anniversary love story

Thirteen years ago today I married my best friend. I’m happy to report that the thunderstorms that rocked Cleveland on August 29, 2003, were not of the foreshadowing kind. It hasn’t been perfect. No marriage is. But every day is better because I get to experience it holding Colleen’s hand. And that makes us very, very lucky.

So, I thought I’d re-run a post from four years ago today. Enjoy.

WIRTW #427 (the “treat me like your mother” edition)

Someday I am going to convert this legal blog into a full-time dad/music blog. Until then, you get my semi-regular kids/musical posts. Like today’s.

The lot was definitely rocked today for School of Rock Strongsville’s fall show preview. This was my personal fav from Norah’s Jack White set - Treat Me Like Your Mother by The Dead Weather. Full shows on Sept. 17 and 25 @brotherslounge. @schoolofrockcle #sorcle @thirdmanrecordsofficial @thirdmanrecordscasscorridor #jackwhite #thewhitestripes #whitestripes #thedeadweather @thekills @amosshart

A video posted by Jon Hyman (@jonhyman) on Aug 21, 2016 at 6:07pm PDT

Here’s what I read this week:

WIRTW #426 (the “back to school” edition)

They are responsible for the matching outfits, not me. Norah and Donovan could not be happier to be back @lakeridgeacademy. #backtoschool #firstdayofschool #lakeridgeacademy

A photo posted by Jon Hyman (@jonhyman) on Aug 17, 2016 at 7:00am PDT

Here’s what I read this week:

WIRTW #424 (the “parking lot” edition)

If you are looking for a fun Sunday afternoon of music and food truck, look no further than the Strongsville School of Rock.

On Sunday, August 21, it will hold it’s annual parking lot show, aka, Rock the Lot. It will feature a preview of the school’s upcoming fall shows, including Norah Hyman singing and strumming her way through The Many Faces of Jack White, and Donovan Hyman keyboarding, dancing, and making his singing debut (god help us) with Rock 101. It will also have the Smokin’ Rock n’ Roll Food Truck on hand. There’s no better way to spend an otherwise lazy late-summer Sunday afternoon than watching some cool kids make great music.

The event runs 4 – 6 pm on Sunday, August 21, at 16888 Pearl Rd, Strongsville, Ohio.

Details are here.

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I’m taking a much needed long weekend. New content Wednesday.

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Here’s the rest of what I read this week.

WIRTW #415 (the “CB + TMR = 😊”) edition

That time you walked into Third Man Records before the Courtney Barnett show and ran into Courtney Barnett.

A photo posted by Jon Hyman (@jonhyman) on May 31, 2016 at 3:30pm PDT

My daughter leads a charmed life. As one friend put it, “She’s going to think she gets to meet the band at every show she goes to. When does Sir Paul come to town?”

On a serious note, it was truly special to Norah that CB took the time to speak to her on Tuesday. I hold my breath every time she meets one of her idols. Each meeting is an opportunity for her to learn (at the tender age of 10) about grace and humility in the face of fame (or otherwise), and CB certainly did not disappoint. Norah absolutely loved the concert, but meeting Courtney Barnett was the highlight of her trip (edging out spending time with dear ol’ dad).

Here’s the rest of what I read this week:

WIRTW #414 (the “happy 10th” edition)

A very happy 10th birthday to my smart, sassy, wise beyond her years, talented, and beautiful daughter, Norah. I have no idea how this happened in 10 quick years, but I am certainly enjoying the ride.

Here’s the rest of what I read this week:

WIRTW #413 (the "rock star" edition)

I gotta say, I love watch the evolution of my daughter as a performer. Case in point: last weekend’s epic Weezer vs. Green Day shows. Further case in point: Green Day’s Basket Case.


Not be outdone, check out brother Donovan’s keyboard skills and dance moves (starts at around 0:45):
 

Here’s the rest of what I read this week.

WIRTW #412 (the “duet” edition)

Those of you who’ve been readers for any length of time know of my love of all things Old 97’s. Well, they are back in town next Wednesday at the Beachland Ballroom. Look for Norah, my wife, and me right up in front of the stage.

In promoting the show, Rhett Miller, the band’s lead singer, gave an interview to Scene Magazine. What did Rhett say was his “favorite Cleveland memory”? Singing with Norah, of course.

I had a solo gig at the Music Box, which is a great room, and there and there was a sweet little girl who got up on stage and sang “Firefly,” a duet I do. She was so brave. It’s such a rare thing. It’s so dangerous to pull a stranger up on the stage particularly when it’s a little kid but she totally nailed it.

We forgive Rhett that time has dulled his memory of the song they actually sang (it was The New Kid). But that’s more than ok. How freakin’ cool is it for Norah that a bona fide rock star’s best memory is singing with her?

Here’s the rest of what I read this week:

When schoolyard bullies become workplace bullies

This is Donovan.

He’s 7 years old. And he has Noonan Syndrome. Noonan Syndrome is genetic disorder caused by one of several genetic mutations. Donovan’s is of the PTPN11 gene. It is a multi-system disorder with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 1,000 – 2,500 births. In Donovan’s case, he has a bleeding (platelet function) disorder, a congenital heart defect (pulmonary valve stenosis), feeding and gastrointestinal issues (Celiac disease), ptosis of his right eye, small stature (for which he takes daily injections of growth hormones), and low-set ears.

WIRTW #405 (the “Norah live” edition)

This week’s musical highlight comes courtesy of the Cleveland School of Rock Jr. Headliners. What can I say? I’m either a proud dad or a shill for my kid.

Norah live.
Posted by Jon Hyman on Sunday, March 13, 2016

You can catch her live on April 3.

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If you are interest in having your post featured in this month’s Employment Law Blog Carnival, email me your submission by Monday. The carnival goes live March 23.

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Here’s the rest of what I read this week:

WIRTW #401 (the “rock off” edition)

Last Saturday night Norah performed to a crowd of 1000-plus inside the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. We weren’t allowed backstage, but heard that she was pacing a trench of nerves into the Rock Hall’s floor before her band took the stage. Was she nervous about having to perform in front of a crowd that large in the most important gig of her young life? Nope. “I don’t get nervous about that, dad.” She was just nervous that the cold she’d been fighting would cause her voice to crack. It didn’t, and she rocked the Rock Hall.

The future of rock is in very good hands, the 15-second video evidence. @hsrockoff @schoolofrockcle @rockhall #thisiscle

A video posted by Jon Hyman (@jonhyman) on Feb 14, 2016 at 6:52am PST

Here’s the rest of what I read this week:

I hate Valentine’s Day, and employers should too

I hate Valentine’s Day. It’s not a visceral hate; it’s more of a disgustful annoyance. And, no, it’s not because I’m not romantic. Quite the opposite. I believe that we don’t need a special day to celebrate love, but that you do so by how you treat your other half all 365 days of the year. (I love you Colleen). Thankfully my wife’s not a fan of the Day either, so I lose no points for omitting the clichéd dozen roses or candle-lit dinner.

Do you know who else should not be a fan of Valentine’s Day? Employers. Here are three reasons why.

WIRTW #399 (the “happy” edition)

So we’re in the car Wednesday night, and I mention to the fam that I’m excited because, today, a new Starbucks is opening downstairs from my office. Without missing a beat, and with complete sincerity, Donovan, my 7-year-old, says, “Oh dad, I’m so happy for you.” I love my kids.

Here’s the rest of what I read this week:

WIRTW #398 (the “doorbell” edition)

Someday, Donovan will comb through the archives of this blog and ask, “Dad, you sure wrote a lot about Norah’s music. What about mine?”

So, in the name of equal time and equal pride, I bring you Zombie Fried Chicken, with Donovan on keys (and big sis on drums), doing the White Stripes “My Doorbell.” (Donovan’s song intro, by the way, was totally spontaneous and improvised, and purely adorable).


Here’s the rest of what I read this week:

WIRTW #397 (the “Woodstock” edition)

I'm well aware that I write a lot about my daughter’s music, but I do so because (a) I know a lot you enjoy it, and (b) I’m a really proud dad. Today, I’m doing so again, because last Saturday Norah blew me away. Her “Psychedelic 60s” show closed with the Jefferson Airplane classic “Somebody to Love”, with Norah absolutely killing it on lead vocals.


You have another chance to catch the show live, tomorrow at the Music Box Supper Club. Norah’s band takes the stage at 1 pm, and the show is free.

Here’s the rest of what I read this week: