Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

Friday, August 5, 2016

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.



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



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

Friday, June 3, 2016

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

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:

Friday, May 27, 2016

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.

IMG_7921

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

Friday, May 13, 2016

WIRTW #412 (the “duet” edition)


Norah & Rhett, 11/2/14Those 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:

Friday, April 15, 2016

WIRTW #408 (the “jobs are all jobs and sometimes they suck” edition)


Ken had a surly fan last night. But when life gives him lemons, he makes memes.

A photo posted by Rhett Miller (@rhettmiller) on

Even rock stars have bad days at the office.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Employment Law Blog Carnival: The “Candy Cane Children” Edition #ELBC


People seem to like lists, so here’s one to kick off this month’s Employment Law Blog Carnival. Who is the greatest rock band of each decade (according to Jon Hyman)?

  • The 1960s — The Beatles (with apologies to the Rolling Stones)
  • The 1970s — The Who (with apologies to Led Zeppelin and the Clash)
  • The 1980s — U2 (with apologies to Guns N’ Roses and Talking Heads)
  • The 1990s — Nirvana (with apologies to Pearl Jam and Green Day)
  • The 2000s — White Stripes (with apologies to absolutely no one)

This month’s ELBC will focus on the latter, the White Stripes. They allegedly formed on Bastille Day 1997, and most certainly broke up five years ago. In between, they single-handedly saved rock ‘n’ roll.

Friday, March 18, 2016

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.


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.


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

Friday, February 19, 2016

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.

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

Friday, January 29, 2016

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:

Friday, January 22, 2016

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:

Friday, January 8, 2016

WIRTW #395 (the “rock 'n' roll grade school” edition)


It’s been a bit since I’ve shared any music from Norah’s gigs, so I thought I’d share a clip of three songs from her show last weekend (blue hair and all) with the School of Rock Jr. Headliners.


As for Norah’s bands, you have a few opportunities to see them live over the next few weeks (with more to be added):

  • Jan. 16, Norah’s Psychedelic 60s show takes the stage at the Music Box Supper Club, beginning a 3 pm, with a short set by Donovan’s Rock 101 band leading off at 2:30.
  • Jan. 23, Norah’s Psychedelic 60s show again performs at the Music Box Supper Club, beginning a 1 pm, followed by Donovan’s Rock 101 band at 2:30.
  • Feb. 7, the School of Rock Jr. Headliners continue their monthly residency at Coda, in a pre-Superbowl show from 1 – 4.
  • Feb. 13, the Jr. Headliners play the Tri-C High School Rock-Off Finals, on the main stage at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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

Monday, December 7, 2015

Can you legally deck the workplace halls?


star2012The holiday season is in full swing. Gifts are flying off the shelves, FedEx is delivering too many Amazon-logoed boxes to count, and lights, trees, and wreaths are everywhere.

What about the workplace? Can you legally decorate for the holidays at work? And, if you do, does the law require that you accommodate all religions in your holiday displays? The answer might surprise you.

Friday, December 4, 2015

WIRTW #392 (the “miles and miles and miles” edition)


Yesterday afternoon was the Fall Play-In at my daughter’s school. It’s essentially a music recital for the kids in grades K – 5 who take private music lessons. Amid a chorus of Christmas and classical pieces on the grand piano, Norah rocked The Who’s I Can See For Miles on her Fender, which she recently started learning. Like always she’s her own toughest critic. To me, and everyone else there, she sounded great.

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

Monday, November 30, 2015

Should you allow employees to shop online from work?


Today is Cyber Monday, the day online retailers promote their (alleged) deepest holiday discounts. It is estimated that more than 125 million Americans will take advantage of these sales and shop online today. And, many, if not most, of them will do so from work.

The latest available numbers suggest that more and more companies are allowing employees to shop online from work. As of 2014, 27% of employers permit unrestricted access to employees shopping online while at work, up from 16% in 2013 and 10% and 2012. Meanwhile, 42% allow online shopping but monitor for excessive use, while 30% block access to online shopping sites. Similar data is not yet available for 2015, but one can assume that these numbers have continued to trend towards greater access for employees.

Yet, just because companies allow a practice to occur does not mean it makes good business sense. Should you turn a blind eye towards you employees’ online shopping habits, not just today, but across the board? Or, should you permit more open access?

Friday, November 20, 2015

WIRTW #391 (the “headliner” edition)


In my never-ending quest to turn my legal blog into a promotional blog for my daughter’s nascent music career, I bring you the debut performance of this year’s School of Rock Jr. Headliners — Sunday, December 6, from 4 to 8 pm, at Coda (a new, and supposed very cool, music venue owned by Cleveland chef and restaurateur Dante Boccuzzi).

For the uninitiated, the Jr. Headliners is SoR’s audition-only band for kids 8th grade and under (there is another Headliner band for high schoolers, which will also be on the bill). Norah earned her spot on her vocal chops.

Here’s a tease from the band’s “preview” performance at SoR’s annual Halloween bash — Jet’s Are You Gonna Be My Girl.

My standing offer is still good. If you’re at the gig, say hi, and mention the blog, your next drink of choice is on me.

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

Friday, October 30, 2015

WIRTW #388 (the “queen of all the world” edition)


I’ve decided that when I grow up, I want to be Norah. She has a pretty good life.

Guess who’s added “new guitar” to the top of her Christmas list?


Please check out the latest post on Meyers Roman’s new Ohio OSHA Law BlogFederal court slaps down OSHA’s broad interpretation of its machine-guarding standard. And, while you’re there, take a minute to subscribe to receive updates via RSS or email.


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

Friday, September 18, 2015

WIRTW #382 (the “bloodletting” edition)


This past weekend, my kids had their triannual School of Rock performances. Norah performed in the “Left of the Dial” show, singing and strumming the 80s pre-Nirvana alt groove. Not to be outdone, Donovan made his stage debut playing keyboards in the Rock 101 band (with Big Sis backing him on the drums).

A few observations.
  1. I’m not sure where they came from, but Norah’s got a set of pipes and is quickly learning how to use them.
  2. Donovan might not have music in his future, but, as you’ll see, the kid’s got stage presence.
  3. Having never taken a drum lesson, Norah did herself proud behind the kit for two songs.
With that preface, let’s go to the tape.








If you’re inclined, you can watch the entire 12-song Left of the Dial set here.

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

Discrimination
Social Media & Workplace Technology
HR & Employee Relations
Wage & Hour
Labor Relations

Friday, September 4, 2015

WIRTW #380 (the “left of the dial” edition)


If you find yourself on the west side of Cleveland on the afternoon of September 12 or 13, stop by The Brothers Lounge to check out my kids’ latest rock ‘n’ roll adventure.

Norah will be performing in School of Rock’s “Left of the Dial” show, featuring the pre-Nirvana alt sounds of The Replacements, R.E.M., Dinosaur Jr., Echo and the Bunnymen, and others. To whet your musical appetite, here’s a 15-second clip of Norah crushing the lead vocals on Concrete Blonde’s “Bloodletting”.

Also, stick around for my son Donovan’s musical debut, tickling the keys in the Rock 101 band with songs by The Who, Foo Fighters, and Linkin Park. If you stop, say hi, and mention the blog, I might even buy you a beer.

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

Discrimination

Social Media & Workplace Technology

HR & Employee Relations

Wage & Hour

Labor Relations

Friday, July 24, 2015

WIRTW #376 (the “…I’ll only disappoint you…” edition)


I thought I’d try something different today by bringing you a musician I’ve recently discovered—Courtney Barnett.

She’s a guitar playing, Australian, singer-songwriter, whose songs mix crunchy, grungy guitar riffs with catchy lyrical turns of phrases about otherwise mundane topics of everyday life such as house hunting (DePreston) and organic foods (Dead Fox). Oh, and she absolutely rocks. Need proof? Here she is performing “Dead Fox” in Minneapolis / St. Paul last month.

And, here’s her full set from this year’s Bonnaroo, which I am told by those who saw it live that it stole the entire festival.

The death of rock music is great exaggerated; you just need to look a little harder for it these days.

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

Discrimination

Social Media & Workplace Technology

HR & Employee Relations

Wage & Hour

Labor Relations

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Employment Law Blog Carnival: The “Wreck of the Old 97” Edition #ELBC


On September 27, 1903, the Old 97, a Southern Railway mail train running between Washington DC and Atlanta, Georgia, derailed near Danville, Virginia. The wreck inspired a famous ballad (most famously covered by Johnny Cash and Hank Williams III), which, in turn, inspired the Old 97’s to name their band some 70 years later.

I’m not shy with my love for the Old 97’s. Part of my adoration stems from how great their music is. And it’s not just the jangly vibe that kills on an album, or in a bar, or in a concert hall. Rhett Miller writes some of the best lyrics you will ever find, with most songs focusing on love, heartache, booze, or some combination of the three. The rest of my love stems from how cool they’ve been to my daughter, Norah (here and here).

Regardless the reason, my favorite band gets billing as the honoree of this month’s Employment Law Blog Carnival, as we look at the month’s best blog posts through the swarthy lens of some of the Old 97’s best songs.

Victoria
This is the story of Victoria Lee
She started off on Percodan and ended up with me
She lived in Berkeley ’til the earthquake shook her loose
She lives in Texas now where nothin’ ever moves


Poor Victoria Lee had a rough go of it. Narcotics and one-night stands. What if your corporate wellness program reveals an employee like Victoria. Employment Essentials has some suggestions, in The EEOC Asks: Is Your Corporate Wellness Program Really Voluntary?


The New Kid
The new kid, he’s got money
The money I deserve
He’s got the goods
But he’s not good for his word


This song hold a real special place in my heart (see above, about my daughter). When you hire a new employee, do you know how to handle trade secrets and restrictive covenants? Jesse R. Dill at Walcheske & Luzi, in Wisconsin Supreme Court Adds New Twist to Restrictive Covenant Law, and Heather Bussing at HR Examiner, in People Are Not Trade Secrets, offer some suggestions.


Over the Cliff
Please don’t call me cool just call me, “A⌇⌇hole”
’Cause I will be a beggar not a king
And the devil don’t care if you’re a fish or you’re a stick
Yeah, I’m goin’ over the cliff


Has the NFL gone over the cliff with Deflategate? Did the league screw the pooch by choosing the wrong investigator? Lorene Schaefer’s Win-Win HR, in Given the Stakes, Should the NFL Have Selected a Different Investigator in Deflategate?, has some thoughts on what Roger Goodell should have done.


Wish the Worst
I hope you crash your momma’s car
I hope you pass out in some bar
I hope you catch some kinda flu
Let’s say I wish the worst for you


Crashed cars and the flu are certainly bad. The Mad Pooper, though, is clearly worse, says Eric Meyer’s Employer Handbook Blog, in Well, that stinks! Doo-doo creates a discrimination claim.


Four Leaf Clover
I got a lucky silver dollar
My granddad gave it to me now he’s dead
Times like this I wish that I could join him
Might just stop this pounding in my head


How lucky will franchisors feel when the NLRB finally clarifies its stance on joint employers? Phil Miles’s Lawffice Space shares NLRB GC on Joint Employers.


Every Night Is Friday Night [Without You]
Now I’m no saint
But I ain’t such a freak
On the days of the week
I work hard, hard


If an employee works hard, but feels he or she is getting the short end of the pay stick, will the FLSA cover their oral complaints? Doug Hass’s Wage & Hour Insights offers Second Circuit Extends FLSA Anti-Retaliation Provision to More Oral Complaints.


Niteclub
Eighteen-hundred miles from this old niteclub
A girl is turning twenty-two today
How am I supposed to entertain you?
My fingertips are worthless when my mind’s so far away


Long distance relationships certainly present their problems. What about remote employees? Read 6th Circuit Holds That Regular and Predictable On-Site Job Attendance is an Essential Function via Randy Enochs’s Wisconsin Employment & Labor Law Blog


Question
Some day somebody’s gonna ask you
A question that you should say yes to
Once in your life
Maybe tonight I’ve got a question for you


“Question” might be (is?) the most romantic song ever written. Meanwhile, John Holmquist, at his Michigan Employment Law Connection, warns about another (much less romantic) question, Arbitration … be careful what you ask for, while Donna Ballman, at her aptly titled Screw You Guys, I’m Going Home, asks, What Did The Florida Legislature Do For Employees? Diddly squat, with one silly exception.


Let’s Get Drunk & Get It On
Take you to a cheap hotel out on the interstate
Well you look so great to me
This is the perfect place for a rendezvous
Its got a rotten view but the ice is free
Let’s drink whiskey and do it
all night long
Let’s get drunk
and get it on


Believe it or not, “Let’s Get Drunk…” is also a romantic song; don’t let the catchy title fool you. Be careful about getting it on at work, warns Dan Schwartz, at his Connecticut Employment Law Blog, in 3 Mind-Blowing Tips For Employers About Sexual Harassment From Cosmo.


Murder (Or A Heart Attack)
And I told the neighbors, I put pictures up
And handed out some flyers at the show
And the whole town speculating
Situations could’ve been avoided if I’d only shut the window


One of the band’s biggest hits tells the story of a lost cat that escapes through an open window. You can imagine the investigation that followed to bring the kitty home. “What about investigations at work,” you say? I have you covered, via Ari Rosenstein’s Small Biz HR Blog, in Conducting Effective (and Legal!) Workplace Investigations, and Stuart Rudner at Rudner McDonald, in Employees: Honesty in the Course of a Workplace Investigation Pays Off.


Doreen
When I first met Doreen
She was barely seventeen
She was drinking whiskey sours in the bar


Sex with a minor at work? Check. What if it happens only once? Did the 4th Circuit’s recent decision spell certain doom for employers? Robert Fitzpatrick on Employment Law provides a nice summary, in Fourth Circuit Overturns Decade of Precedent in Blockbuster En Banc Hostile Work Environment Decision, while Robin Shea’s Employment & Labor Insider, in Is this new harassment decision the end of the world for employers?, thinks the reaction to this decision is way overblown.


Timebomb
I got a timebomb in my mind Mom
I hear it ticking but I don’t know why
I call the police but they don’t like me
I hear ‘em whispering when I walk by


This month’s carnival ends the same way every Old 97’s show ends, with the raucous riffs of Timebomb, from 1997’s Too Far to Care. If you have a timebomb in your workplace, I bet the FMLA has something to do with it. Janette Levey Frisch’s The EmpLAWyerologist suggests how to handle an employee abusing FMLA, in Is Your Employee Abusing Her FMLA Leave?



Philip Miles, author of Lawffice Space and all around good guy, will host next month’s Employment Law Blog Carnival, on June 17. If you want to participate, email Phil a link to your employment-law-related blog post by June 12.

Because I hosted this month’s Carnival, WIRTW will not run this Friday, and will return with to its regularly featured slot next Friday, with edition #368.