What is Audacity

What is Audacity: "Basic Guide to Audacity"

Elmira Cancelada (elmira@tangotales.com)

Host of Tango Tales on Portsmouth Community Radio

September 2007

Basic Guide to Audacity

Elmira Cancelada (elmira@tangotales.com)

Host of Tango Tales on Portsmouth Community Radio

September 2007

It IS really easy.
Just give yourself some time to play with the software.

Basic Guide to Audacity 1

What is Audacity? Do I need any other software with it? 3

What hardware do I need to mix my show? 4

What does Audacity create when I record and mix my show? 4

Audacity Track 5

Adjust the quality of your voice on future recordings 5

Basic steps for mixing the show 6

Edit verbal bloopers and long pauses 6

Add music and other audio files 6

Idea for recording phone interviews with Audacity any time 8

Mixing voice and music tracks 9

To adjust the time position of a track in relation to other tracks 9

To fade-in and to fade-out music (or any audio track) 9

Exporting the ready audio mix 10

What is Audacity?
Do I need any other software with it?

Audacity is a free shareware for recording and mixing audio tracks from different sources.

You can download and install it from http://audacity.sourceforge.net. Choose earlier, more stable version (not beta).

You can export mixed tracks from Audacity into a WAV file. WAV file is large, but it is suitable for putting on CD and playing in the studio. Export WAV function always worked better in Audacity.

If you want to export the mixed tracks into more compact MP3 files, you might need to download and hook up some plug-ins.

Also, there is a number of audio conversion software packages, which will allow you to convert WAV into MP3 files of different resolutions (resolution for on-line archives should be lower for comfortable listening)

Warnings

‡ Audacity is a space monger. 20 min project can take almost 1 GB.

‡ Audacity slows down and sometimes crashes if you mix more then 12 tracks. SAVE FREQUENTLY.

‡ It is the best to keep each project no longer than 30 min of several mixed tracks.

Back to TOC
What hardware do I need to mix my show?

Condenser microphone (like in the studio) with a stand

Amplifier (also called ‘voice warmer’. I use Tube Ultragain MIC200 by Behringer, which I bought for $50 at Junky Daddy’s).

Cords (mike – to - amplifier, amplifier – to - audio-in)

Decent quality earphones (I have Berhinger HPS3000, which costed me $20 at the above mentioned store)

Figure 1

What does Audacity create when I record and mix my show?

When you initially open Audacity, its window is blank.

Each time you press Record button (red circle), Audacity creates a new track with the recording of your voice. Also, it creates a new track each time you import an audio file (MP3 or WAV; it is done by selecting Project -> Import Audio).

Audacity’s window will appear to you as a bunch of separate tracks after you record your voice and import other audio tracks. You are free to move those tracks along the time line, cut them down, change volume, do fade in/outs.

However, when you export the Audacity tracks into WAV (File -> Export WAV…), Audacity will merge all the tracks into a single track.

Save Audacity project frequently (File -> Save Project).

The Audacity project will appear in the directory you saved it in as WhateverIsName.AUP and additional directory WhateverIsName_data. The additional directory _data is a database of sound segments, DO NOT DELETE IT while you still need your project.

Back to TOC

Audacity Track

Audacity track has a little gray area with controls on the left side.

Next to X symbol is the name of the track. Click on it and type the name you want. If you import audio, the track will have the name of the imported audio file.

Next to the track name there is a triangle. If you click on it, you will see two important functions – Move track up and Move track down. If you select one of those commands, the track will jump up or down vertically above/below the next track.

There are also Mute and Solo buttons. They are self-explanatory for DJs. However, whatever the state of the track is, when you export your final project into a WAV file, the Audacity ignores Mute and Solo (get rid of the unwanted tracks before exporting into WAV!)

Warning

Do not press X symbol. It is not close, it is DELETE!

Back to TOC

Adjust the quality of your voice on future recordings

Adjustment of recording volume and sound quality of your voice can be done with the voice amplifier. After you hook up all the hardware, record your voice, listen back and adjust the controls on the voice amplifier.

When you reach the quality of sound you like, leave the amplifier settings as is.

The rest of adjustments will be done in Audacity: it will be mostly volume adjustment via Effect -> Amplify… function.

Figure 2

Basic steps for mixing the show

1. Prepare the script/outline

2. Select music (CDs, MP3s)

3. Record your voice, edit it

4. Create fade-in, fade-outs between musical pieces and/or voice

5. Export project into WAV file

6. Burn CD

Tips

I prefer to mix separate 15-20min segments (one Audacity project per segment): Part1, Part2, Part3, etc. In this way, you can easily comply with the station’s requirements to announce hour/station id/calendar every 15-20 min without pausing your prerecorded show.

Back to TOC

Edit verbal bloopers and long pauses

1. Click on Selection Tool.

2. Click on the track which you want to edit.

3. Select the part to delete and click Cut icon (scissors)
How to select a part of the track: left-button click the mouse, keep it pressed and drag it along the track to the point where the selection should end. If you click Play button, if will replay the selection. If you click Cut, it will delete the selection.

Tips

Audacity understands the same keyboard short-cuts as any editing software:
Ctrl-C copy
Ctrl-V Paste
Ctrl-Z undo the last action.

Back to TOC

Add music and other audio files

It is the easiest if your music is in MP3 or WAV.

Use Project -> Import Audio to import the outside file. Once imported, it shows up as just another track in the Audacity project.

If the audio file is in the format unknown to Audacity and can not be imported to Audacity, play it on your computer’s media player and record it in Audacity. See Record from internet & computer’s music player.

Tips

If you want to import a file, just drag-and-drop MP3 and/or WAV file into Audacity window.

Back to TOC

Record from internet, internet phone or computer’s music player

Basically you can record any sound which comes through your computer’s soundboard: music played on iTunes, Windows Media Player, internet phone conversation (alas, ONLY the party you call to), internet streaming audio.

1. Select Stereo Mix in Input Type drop-down menu (Fig. 1)

2. Record the source (Buttons: red circle – start, yellow square – stop)

Tips

· Record for a few seconds from the source and adjust the volume of recording (slider with loudspeaker, Fig 2)

· If for some reason recording is not working, reselect Stereo Mix from the dropdown.

Figure 3

Back to TOC

Idea for recording phone interviews with Audacity any time

Sometimes your interviewees are not available during your show time. Here is how I rigged the phone interview recorded with Audacity and Skype (or any other on-line phone service). Skype, by the way, is very cheap.

Warning

Alas, only your interviewee’s voice will be heard and recorded.

Both you and your interviewee have to have two phones. You dial one phone normally (for asking the questions) and another phone via Skype (for listening and recording answers). You interviewee uses two phones, too – for listening the questions and for answering into the phone dialed by you via Skype.

Or

You can e-mail the questions in advance, dial the interviewee via Skype and record his answers. You will be able to hear your interviewee through computer speakers.

For the recording instructions see Record from internet, internet phone or computer’s music player

Back to TOC

Mixing voice and music tracks

To adjust the time position of a track in relation to other tracks

1. Click Move Track tool (Figure 4)

2. Select the track

3. Press the left button on your mouse and drag the track to the appropriate time position

To fade-in and to fade-out music (or any audio track)

1. Click Control Fade-in/Fade-out tool (Figure 4)

2. Select the track

3. Click on two spots on the blue border surrounding the track (beginning & end of fade-in/fade-out). You can move each spot vertically and horizontally to adjust the duration and steepness of sound change.

4. Select the segment you are working with and press Play to listen to results. If you are not happy, repeat the steps. To move the tracks see the section above.

Tips

If you select just one spot on the blue border and move it down to ‘shrink’ the track, you are adjusting the volume of the whole track. This way of adjusting the volume of the track is more flexible than Effect -> Amplify function.

Figure 4

Back to TOC

Exporting the ready audio mix

1. Save the project

2. Select File -> Export as WAV…

3. Choose name and directory of the exported single file

Tips

You can export separate tracks by selecting File -> Export Multiple.

Back to TOC

A little more on the other ChickenJam

Chicken Jam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Chicken Jam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

The Roxy Chicken Jam is an all-female snowboarding competition that was started during the 2004-2005 season created by Roxy Clothing.
Contents
[hide]

* 1 Events
* 2 Results
* 3 External links
* 4 References

[edit] Events

The Chicken Jam is an invitational and open class event with halfpipe and slopestyle events. Approximately 26 pro riders are invited in each category, with additional competitors coming from qualifying events such as the Roxy Snow Classic. There are two Chicken Jam events each season: the European event in Kaprun takes place in December, and the US event at Park City Mountain Resort in late March. The US event has one of the largest prize purses in women's snowboarding, which in 2008 will total over $150,000. The Chicken Jam Europe and the Chicken Jam US are also the only women's-only events to earn the SwatchTTR (Ticket to Ride) Snowboard Tour 6 Star Accreditation. This Accreditation is given only to the most high profile events in the competitive Snowboarding circuit.

[edit] Results

2007 Roxy Chicken Jam Europe (December 14-16, 2007) 1 Cheryl Maas 2 Jamie Anderson 3 Claudia Fliri 4 Jenny Jones 5 Kjersti Oestgaard Buaas 6 Meri Peltonen 7 Ursina Haller 8 Lisa Filzmoser 9 Sina Candrian 10 Heidi Paumola


2007 Rox"

Splitting recordings into separate tracks - Audacity Wiki

Splitting recordings into separate tracks - Audacity Wiki

Since our friend Karl The Taper was kind enough to furnish to us .wav file of ChickenJam 8, I figured that I'd look into how to break up the tracks. I think that it could be done in iTunes but I am giving the freeware Audacity a try. My first goal is to separate the tracks-hopefully the Wiki above is all I need.

The Executive Summary of ChickenJam 8

Chuck's Other Band decided it was too early to play at 2 pm so the music didn't really start until 3. ChuckJam will just have to be its own event. He has a great place for it too!

Band 1: POB (Pat's Other Band) aka Absence of Alice



Band 2: Northern Roots (without Rob Kneeland on drums)



Band 3: Zeb Cruikshank turns 30, flies in from Minnesota and gives us sweet little show. Note that Doug, the drummer from Rhythm Ship, has never even met Zeb until an hour before the performance. Jess, who sings with him in Minnesota, delivered some stunning vocals



Band 4: Acoustic Hoof - Unplucked!!

This became largely a fine showing of Dave Marshall's roots. Tastes like Chicken. A slightly quieter version of our house band Hoof.



Band 5: Back 40

Take some Northern Roots and some Big Chicken. Mix 'em up good and you get Back 40 (pronounced Back Foddy). Lights by State Prison Light Show.



Band 6: Hoof

This is the original evolution of Big Chicken that started it all.

Here they are a few weeks before the party



and kickin' butt at the party



Here they are playing David Marshall's Young Man:



Bonus performance: Sean Yadisernia from 10 pm till 1:45 am

Unstoppable.



Well, some of this performance was in the bar

Despite the rain, ChickenJam faithfuls head to see Truffle at the Deerfield Fair

We were not strong in numbers but not short on vibe. I have never seen the fair so empty on a Friday night. But then, I have never gone while it rained enough to flood the walkways (over 3" in places).


Electric Truffle was playing in the bandstand (close to some great apple crisp) and sounded great! The PA is powerful and the band was on. Nearly everybody in the crowd had been to CJ8 and it made for a warm cozy feeling. Gotta love the old-school bumper sticker too:


Acoustic Truffle will be back at the fair on Sunday.

I think there is a banjo contest at the fair that day too.

ps Thanks to the band for playing my request!

Pat's Other Band

Patrick McNeil is the drummer in Hoof, Back Forty and the original Big Chicken. Pat's Other Band is possibly now known as Absence of Alice but I'm sticking with POB.

They have played at several ChickenJams going back till 2004. Refreshingly old school but not stale. Some of their jams are quite intricate.

Enjoy some Northern Roots (unRobbed....)

Mike Tero, Sean Yadisernia and Keith Foley took charge early at ChickenJam 8. Yes, we did miss Rob Kneeland and wish he could have drummed & sang, but these three did quite well.

Doors to remain open at Stone Church: New owners ensure the music plays on at storied venue - Fosters

Doors to remain open at Stone Church: New owners ensure the music plays on at storied venue - Fosters

Doors to remain open at Stone Church: New owners ensure the music plays on at storied venue

By Ryan Alan Contributing writer

Article Date: Thursday, September 25, 2008

The beat goes on at the Stone Church in Newmarket.

Of all the storied performances through the years at the Seacoast's beloved venue, it could be argued that the most important one took place earlier this month.

It was delivered a cappella style by the auctioneer who cried out at the Sept 12 foreclosure auction, "You bought it!" to bidders Scott Orlosk and Adam Schroadter. The crowd, knowing the men's intention to keep the building a concert venue, cheered and clapped as if one of the world famous entertainers who have graced the stage in the past had just walked out for an encore.

More than an encore, the transaction — $195,000, plus $16,762 in back taxes — represents a new chapter in the long history of the Church, bringing some of the best and brightest of the music world to the Seacoast's backyard and potential positive economic news along with it.

"It's more than just a building, it's an important part of the New Hampshire Seacoast," said Orlosk, whose primary residence is in Londonderry, N.H., but who also has a house on Salisbury Beach from which he works in summers.

He had been president and chief operating officer of AutoFair Automotive Group in he Manchester, N.H. Since selling his interests in 2006, he has been consulting and, he said, "trying to be patient." He recently started acquiring properties. "I've not worked in music or entertainment before, but it looks like I will soon," he added. "We'll definitely have professional management in there." At press time, no decision had been made as to who that team would be and future shows were on hold until that announcement comes.

"We appreciate the hard work the former owners put in, and if they can play a role in the new effort, that would be great," Orlosk said.

"We are pleased that Scott and Adam purchased the Church in the interest of preserving the Stone Church Music Club. I think it will be a significant benefit to local entertainment life in the greater Seacoast area to have them invested in the music industry through the icon of the Stone Church," said Newmarket resident and former owner John Pasquale, president of Ragnarok Enterprises Inc., the corporation that had done business as The Stone Church. "I'm looking forward to some great music experiences up on the hill in the future!"

Schroadter, who moved to Newmarket in the spring of this year from Park City, Utah, by way of Los Angeles, was introduced to the area by his in-laws who are history professors at the University of New Hampshire. "My wife and I fell in love with the lifestyle and the location. We really feel most comfortable in Newmarket and the Seacoast," he said.

He operates Mission Investments LLC that manages a national portfolio of property investments. He previously was director of marketing for the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. Prior to that he worked in marketing and promotions for A.E.G. at the Staples Center and for the Los Angeles Kings.

He said he and Orlosk were brought together by a group of influential and philanthropic community members in Newmarket who formed a committee called the Friends of the Stone Church. "Together we wanted to make sure that Newmarket held on to The Stone Church," he said.

Orlosk said he only had been to a few shows but "one was enough to realize that this was something special."

The local community really wanted the music to continue, he said.

"The list of greats who have played and continue to play the Stone Church is impressive," he said. There was a chance the building could have been purchased by someone with intentions other than music, he acknowledged. "The building is incredibly solid and in amazing condition. A series of quality renovations have modernized its function. The building itself is pretty sweet," he said.

Orlosk said that at no time did he and Schroadter consider using the building for anything but music. They did consider what someone else might want to do with it. "Since the building is so solid and the spaces are big, we thought (someone might think) it would make a wild residence: high ceilings, stone, the history and big spaces in a nice community might be attractive."

The new owners do plan eventually to take advantage of the building's upstairs with activities that complement the live music.

"Recording and other media production seem to make sense. Some artists have said they would love to do it. (Epping) Musician Art Murphy (of Thumbprint Productions) has also been working on the concept for a while. Music education also fits. We'll make sure we get the live music experience right before we start anything new," Orlosk said.

The future of restaurant service in the concert venue is uncertain. The owners said they would find a way to deliver what their customers want. "If they tell us they want us to do a restaurant, we'll get it done," Orlosk assured. "I'm not a restaurant guy. I know a couple of the best, and it's a hard business to do well. I've seen it done well and I wouldn't be satisfied with less. That would mean bringing in a pro. I'm okay with that."

Not only are he and Schroadter okay with continuing to showcase local musicians, along with regional and national acts, it is an important part of their game plan. "We want artists to be thrilled to play the Church," Orlosk said. "I think the local and regional musicians and national tours will love how they are treated, love the venue and speak well of us in their travels. All the greats started as locals didn't they?"

The owners said they are aware people are anxious to hear what is coming next. "We'll get it all together as quickly as we can, but we think it's smart to get it right. We'll make sure it's done well. We did what we had to do to buy The Stone Church, a much treasured music venue and cultural icon," Orlosk said. "Next, we'll put together a quality team and go from there. I hope that we'll be able to give everyone some big news in the next couple of weeks. We're excited to have found a way to save The Stone Church. It's going to be great!"

Nice tribute video to The Stone Church

Not much to say, just watch it.

Sean Yadisernia owned the last third of ChickenJam 8

Was it enough to play in two of the ChickenJam bands? Not for Sean. He took the stage at 10pm or so after we had kinda called it quits with amplified music. He nearly recrafted a band until prominent women from our tribe assured us it was a bad idea to continue loud.

Unplugging Sean has little effect on his conduct. Give him his guitar, stick him in the bar area, and the party goes on. I gave up at about 1:30 and he was still rocking.

Hoof Plays Disco Funk Boogie at ChickenJam 8

It wouldn't be ChickenJam without this fine piece. If you find it haunting you-especially "look at me I'm dancing" - don't panic. This is normal.

If filmed this from the stand that The State Prison Light Show was using for the outstanding light projection show.

The Other ChickenJam

There is a snowboard event for women called Roxy ChickenJam. I think they own chickenjam.com and probably chickenjam.eu. I just tried the dot com one and nothing loaded.

It doesn't rain on ChickenJam

Repost of the Truffle newsletter 9/15

Gerard * Truffle E-Pig Page 9/15-9/20

Hey To All,

Big thanks to all for a fun, final night aboard the Thomas Laighton.....despite a rainy evening. Way to be hard-cores! We will look forward to the Spring for our next cruise. If you are starting to feel as if the season and outdoor gigs are slipping away, no need to worry, a real good one: THIS Friday September 19 at the Three Chimneys Terrace in Durham. This will also be the final Terrace show for Truffle here this summer. More details on that below. And the Deerfield Fair, electric and acoustic sets on 9/26 & 9/28. The rest of this week is looking pretty cool too, so read on for all the details.

The Stone Church in Newmarket, NH was successfully auctioned off to yes.......some music-lovers thank god! Since so many folks have been asking, I will include the article at the end of this e-page for those who would like to read it. Thanks to Scott, Adam and Art for coming to the rescue. Of course thanks to John, Paul and Chris for all they have done in the last 4-5 years. We are all hoping they may be still on board to help run the operation.

The full September and October schedule is on the site now, with highlighted shows on our home page. For this info, DG and Truffle CD's and anything else you may need from us, check out:

www.gerardtruffle.com

The Last Week of Summer

Tonight, Monday September 15 * Jonathan's

Lexapalooza/ A benefit jam for Lex Romane

2 Bourne Lane, Ogunquit, ME (207) 646-4777

DG & DB, and many other musicians ~ 7:00

Our good friend and musical influence Lex Romane suffered a life threatening infection a couple of months back, and was laid up for two months. He has recovered very well and is back on his feet playing music again.........however, the medical insurance situation of most full-time musicians is not a good one. Without insurance he has racked up a huge debt. That's where this fun evening comes in to play. What better way to help Lex out than to have a jam of biblical proportions! There will be acoustic and electric performances, as well as many jams by more of the best area musicians than I have room to print. Check out all the details at: www.lexandjoe.com

The Nightlife's were a huge influence on Truffle in our early days and taught us plenty about being hard working, competent musicians. Lex and Joe played at my wedding, and Joe has recorded with us on "Dish me In" and recently stepped in as part of our horn section at the Party Gras bash at the Stone Church. Come have some fun and help Lex out for all the great music he has given us for years!!!

Wednesday September 17 * WSCA 106.1 FM

Writers in the Round ~ Deidre Randall (host)

DG & Conor O'Brien ~ 6:30-8:00 ~ Live on air

I have been wanting to get back live on WSCA for a while now. Who better to share the night with than Mr. Golden Pipes himself, Conor O'Brien. We will be swapping songs and doing some chatting on Deidre's long-running show. I will focus mostly on my newest tunes, so people from far away who have not heard them at a show yet, tune in on your computers and find us live!

Later that night.......

The Press Room

77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, NH

(603) 431-5186

DG Solo ~ 9:00

It couldn't have worked out any better to play the Press Room after WSCA in Po-Town. Maybe I'll even convince Conor to stick around and jam some? Join me downstairs at one of the best music venues around. Good pub eats, good Guinness, and some live DG!

Thursday September 18 * Brixham General Store

435 Cider Hill Rd., (Rt. 91) York, ME. (207) 363-6600

DG Solo ~ 6:00-8:00

My old friend Michael Specker called me up to help them celebrate the GRAND OPENING of their new general store. It sounds like a wonderful place and I look forward to pickin' some tunes for them. Come check it out!

Friday September 19 * Three Chimneys Terrace

Rt. 108, Durham, NH (603) 868-7800

Electric Truffle ~ 7:00-11:00

All Ages / No Cover / Rain or Shine

Hard to believe the last one of these shows of the season is upon us! Where does the summer go? Well, no better way to cap it off than at the Chims!! If you haven't caught one of these yet.....here's your last chance. It's a fantastic venue out there, and sounds great. Plenty of space to relax and do some dancing. Also....it's an all ages show, so bring the whole family. There's no cover charge, and they will be serving dinner on the Terrace with a full bar. There's even talk about rented heaters in case it's a bit cool? But you all are hearty New Englanders so bring a coat and call it good, or dance a bit more! In the case of rain we will be downstairs in the spacious Madbury room, so the show goes on either way. This is a show not to miss, always fun! Keep an ear for some new tunes.

Sat. Sept. 20 ~ Private

Truffle, Jackson NH

Okay folks, some fun stuff this week.

Catch a show or two and feed your soul.

read on for the Stone Church article (thanks CK)

www.gerardtruffle.com

Major Motion

---

Article published Jun 11, 2006

Milford music fan dances to his own tune

By STEPHANIE HOOPER, Telegraph Staff
shooper@nashuatelegraph.com

MILFORD – It’s Friday afternoon, and James Cassidy is sitting in his studio apartment, flipping through a photo album.

“That’s the Opposites Attract,” says Cassidy, 63, pointing to an old picture of the rock ’n’ roll duo as they performed at the now defunct White Horse Inn.

Cassidy’s hands move quickly as he continues to flip through the album, causing the silver ID bracelet on his left wrist to jangle about.

Engraved on the bracelet are the words “Major Motion,” a cherished nickname given to Cassidy, who is developmentally disabled, long ago by the members of another band – and the name he is most known by.

“And here is me with Savoy Truffle,” he says, flipping to another old snapshot.

In the photo, Cassidy, a white electric guitar slung over his shoulder, beams as he stands on a small stage among the four members of the Seacoast band known these days simply as Truffle.

Although he never learned to play it, Cassidy still has the guitar that the band’s members gave to him that night at the White Horse, a birthday gift acknowledging his status as a special Milford musician.



Truffle is easily Cassidy’s favorite among the several local bands and musicians with whom he has been known to get up and sing a blues standard or two in the last 20 years.

In fact, it’s a rare day when you can go to see Truffle playing anywhere in Greater Nashua without “The Major” turning up at the microphone or hamming it up on the dance floor with one of his signature moves, such as “the Buzzsaw.”

The band, which will play at the Nashua Garden on Friday night, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, about 18 years of which Cassidy has been a celebrated local guest singer.

“I’m not that bad,” said Cassidy, describing his singing as a mixture of Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley.

The over-the-top description is tempered with Cassidy’s self-deprecating sense of humor, according to those who know him and have heard him sing.

For Truffle bassist David Bailey, Cassidy’s singing style is best described as “indescribable.”

“The audiences who appreciate his particular brand of art the most are the ones who are willing to suspend preconceived notions and meet him on his own terms,” Bailey said.

Hometown crowds have traditionally been the best for that, according to the band’s members.

“He is somewhat of a legend,” Truffle guitarist and frontman Dave Gerard said, echoing the words of many Milford area folks who know the man called “Major.”

“He is certainly one of a kind.”

But for most of his friends, it isn’t the singing that’s so endearing about Cassidy, but rather his “heart of gold” and his sincere desire to be liked.Long journey Typically decked out in a sport coat and tie, fingers dripping with his collection of silver and gold rings, Cassidy can often be found hanging with friends and drinking sodas at weekend music venues such as the Pasta Loft in Milford, where he’s an ambassador of sorts.

“He comes in, talks to people, shakes hands,” owner Terry Connor said. “We take care of him. He just wants to hang out and be part of the crowd.”

And while his rendition of “Kansas City” may be a bit loud and off key sometimes, if there’s anything James Cassidy loves to do, it’s sing. And if there’s anything he knows, it’s the blues.

For, despite all the friends he has made joking around with local bands and their fans, there was a time when Cassidy had few friends and very little to laugh at.

Born in the 1940s with schizophrenia, compounding his disability, Cassidy learned early on that life could sometimes be anything but fair.

While his five brothers would lead “normal” lives, all attending Milford High School and most going on to start families, Cassidy’s condition, and the limited knowledge of it at the time, sent his life on a very different, often difficult and lonely path.

“He wasn’t treated very well when he was young because people didn’t understand, they just thought he was a problem child,” said Larry Cassidy of Lyndeborough, one of Cassidy’s older brothers.

“Today, there is much more compassion and interest in people who have sicknesses like that. They understand a lot better, and they also know there are things that can be done about it.”A life of his own On a wall ledge behind the twin bed where James Cassidy sits, an army of about 35 wrestling figures stands poised for action. James, an avid wrestling fan, said he began the collection about 15 years ago, just about the time his life was changing.

Bowling trophies line another wall, and across the room, on yet another wall, a poster, made by Larry Cassidy’s daughter, Lisa Cassidy, provides instructions for the week.

Each day starts with the reminder to “Take pills,” before further instructions to “Do laundry” or “Take a shower.”

Thursday starts with an encouraging “You’re over the hump!” and at the end of the week, the message, “We all love you.”

“He is doing great today compared to 20 years ago,” Larry said.



Cassidy credits the work of James’ Nashua psychiatrist, Dr. Hisham Hafez – locally renowned for his work in the study and treatment of mental illness – for vastly improving his brother’s life.

Through Hafez and others, James was able to get the right combination of medicines and other treatment that allow him to have a more active and meaningful life, Larry said. James has been very involved in his own treatment, too.

“He is very aware. He doesn’t miss any of his medication,” Larry said. “He lines it all up for the week, and he knows what he is taking and what it is for.”

Larry and his daughter, a nurse, have been James’ main caregivers in the last 10 years and especially since 2003, when James and Larry’s mother, Irene, died at age 90.

“She got me this place, right, Larry?” James asked his brother when the subject of his mother came up.

“Yes, she did,” Larry replied.

Irene Cassidy had noticed something different about her fourth son early on, Larry said, and had been the one to take him for the tests that confirmed his mental condition.

After she retired at age 78, Larry said his mother, together with his daughter, worked to get James into senior housing, something he thinks helped their mother let go when it was time.

“I remember her saying once that just like it was her responsibility to bring Jim into the world, it was her responsibility to take care of him as long as she could,” Larry said.

Up until that time, James had lived with her at her home in Mont Vernon.

“She took care of him all the time, even when nobody else understood,” Larry said. “And I can remember a note that she left us to please be kind to Jim. She just wanted to make sure that everybody understood, and she wanted to make sure that people treated Jim properly.”

But there was nothing Irene Cassidy could do to help James during the first 20 years of his adult life, when the lack of good treatment for his condition led him to be institutionalized, incarcerated and so drugged up, all he could do was sleep.

“I was out of it, I didn’t know where I was for a few years,” James said of the time.

James spent the first eight of his adult years locked away and heavily sedated in the state mental hospital in Concord, a place his brother described as a human warehouse.

“It was like a scene out of ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ in there, it really was,” Larry Cassidy said.

“Nowadays, there are only real hard cases there, but when Jim was there, the place was full.”

Shortly after his release from the hospital in the late 1960s, James’ untreated condition landed him in the state prison for about two years, an experience he described as terrifying and depressing.

“They got murderers up there and bank robbers,” James said. “I was scared. . . . I prayed a lot.”

Eventually, James was released to live with his mother, but by then it was the early 1970s, and he was in his 30s.

Even then, James’ agreeable personality had rubbed off on those around him.

“I remember the day I went to pick him up, all the guards shook his hand,” Larry Cassidy said. “They all liked him. It wasn’t just one or two.”

Once home, James – still without good treatment – lived in a sedated fog for the next eight years, sleeping what he and his brother estimated to be more than 15 hours a day.

“I was depressed,” James said.

In the early 1980s, Hafez’s treatment would still be more than a decade away, and James, although grateful to be with family, was living a lonely existence as he coped with his illness at his mother’s home.

As he slept, James could never have dreamed that a chance meeting he would soon have with a local musician on a Wilton street corner would help to transform him from a recluse into a social butterfly.Born to rock “He’s a natural-born rock ‘n’ roller,” said Tom Hurley of Francistown, lead guitarist of the Wilton-based Rockabilly Brothers.

It was Hurley who, while selling tickets for an upcoming performance, bumped into Cassidy on the street in Wilton that day and asked him to come see the show.

The band, which performs only sporadically these days, was a regular act in the Souhegan Valley music scene in the 1980s.

“He said, ‘Sounds good. I’ll be there,’ and he was, for the next 10 years,” Hurley said.

Cassidy showed up at every gig, working himself into a frenzy on the dance floor, prompting Hurley to borrow from a Nissan commercial of the time and name him Major Motion.

“I gave him that name because he had such a unique dancing style,” Hurley said, referring to Cassidy’s intense grooving method.

And it wasn’t long afterward that James was up on the stage, as well.

Cassidy said he never gave singing a thought until Hurley and the other members of the band asked him to give it a try.

“I said, ‘I can’t sing.’ They said, ‘You’re on next,’ ” Cassidy said, explaining how he proceeded to get up and belt out the chorus to “Shake, Rattle and Roll.”

“They all said I was good,” Cassidy said.

Eventually, Hurley began giving Cassidy rides to the band’s gigs, picking him up at his mother’s home in Mont Vernon.

Even then, Cassidy would dress up for the gigs, Hurley said, always wearing a suit, his fingers covered in his trademark rings.

“It gave him a lift, it was something for him,” Hurley said. “His life was really kind of dull at that time.”

Cassidy’s relationship with the band led him to the White Horse Inn, where soon he would begin singing with other bands, including Truffle.

Eventually, White Horse owners Larry and Maryann Miller noticed him and asked him if he wanted a weekend job as a dishwasher.

Cassidy said yes, and was soon washing dishes with 17-year-old Scott Smith, who in time would become good friends with his curious co-worker.

“He was already ‘The Major’ at that time,” said Smith, now 36 and an attorney in Florida.

“He was like a mini-celebrity. I thought he was a little crazy at first, but also very nice.”

Smith described how Cassidy would rush off from the dishes on a Friday night to dress up and go mix with the crowd on the other side of the kitchen.

The club scene and all its hip-ness was the highlight of his week, Smith said.

“Even though a lot of people didn’t view him as the coolest person in the world, he would keep trying,” Smith said.

“Some bands were afraid to let him sing, because they were worried how people would react, but eventually, the crowd would start asking for him,” Smith said. “They liked him, and that was something he did on his own.”

John Magoon of Amherst, guitarist for the former Bat Magoon Band, met Cassidy at the White Horse, as well.

“He immediately asked me if he could sing,” Magoon said, adding that Cassidy soon muscled his version of “Shake, Rattle and Roll” into his set, as well.

“It is kind of a band’s fate,” Magoon joked. “If you don’t let him sing, he doesn’t like your band.”

Most nights, though, Cassidy was on the floor, giving his all, Magoon said, sometimes to the point of passing out.

“He would be out there doing the Curly Shuffle,” Magoon said with a laugh. “They would have to get him a chair, tell him to calm down.”

Cassidy would often goof around with a fake guitar while singing with bands, Smith said, leading to the members of Truffle giving him a real one for his birthday.

“We put a Truffle sticker on it, and it looked pretty cool,” Truffle guitarist Ned Chase recalled.

After presenting the guitar to him on the stage, Chase said the members of the band pondered whether to plug it in to an amplifier.

“Major didn’t play guitar,” Chase explained. “Never even tried, as far as I know.

“But in the spirit of fun, we plugged the thing in and turn the amp up loud.”

For the next song, Chase said Cassidy danced and sang with the guitar strapped around his neck, using it as a prop, but never attempting to play it.

“Then at some point, somebody says, ‘Major, play that thing,’ and suddenly this amazing, gut-bucket electrified Delta blues sound comes screaming out of the amp,” Chase said. “The guys in the band are all freaking out, as Major seems to be channeling John Lee Hooker and Hound Dog Taylor, and of course the crowd goes nuts.”

Such funny stories are what each of James’ friends and family share, because humor has always been a major part of The Major.

“You are laughing at him, but you are also laughing with him,” Magoon said. “It doesn’t matter, he is having fun.”Social circle Since the 1980s, James has only grown closer to the hearts of the friends he has made through local music.

Since then, he has served hamburgers at Truffle’s yearly barbecue, has watched Boston Red Sox baseball with Magoon, bowls regularly – always in a suit and tie – and is a regular dinner guest of Sheila Asselin, Smith’s mother, who uses his favorite dinner of fried chicken and mashed potatoes to check up on him.

As Asselin and others can attest, James never forgets a birthday and sends cards for even the smallest of holidays.

His friends return his sentiments by adding to his enormous keychain, a building collection of trinkets and other souvenir keychains given to him by friends who have thought of him on their travels.

“He is just so happy,” said his niece Lisa Cassidy, 40, of Milford. “It’s like he has come full circle.”

With time, so has his supply of dancing partners, said Magoon, who sometimes runs into him at the Pasta Loft.

“I will usually find him sitting at some table surrounded by pretty women,” he said. “They like to dance with him.”

The Major doesn’t argue the point.

“I am the greatest. I rule the floor,” he jokes.

“When I go up and ask someone to dance and they say, ‘I can’t dance,’ I say, ‘That’s what I am here for, I’ll make you good. But don’t even try to do what I do, ’cause I got the moves.’ ”

As Truffle’s biggest fan, James has traveled as far as Vermont and Rhode Island to see them play. This week, he will pay the $25 cab fare to see them play at the Nashua Garden on Main Street, and, like many occasions, will probably hitch a ride back to Milford with Truffle drummer Mike Gendron.

And as long as he can make it to the occasional Truffle gig, Cassidy doesn’t see his singing career changing in the future, either.

“A lot of people like to see me perform, and I am not going to deny them,” he said.

Stephanie Hooper can be reached at 594-6413 or shooper@nashuatelegraph.com.

Chuck's Other Band

NH band "Kings of Crisis" making an impact on America's deployed troops and their families. - Free-Press-Release.com: "Just 2 months from completion of their song 'From Over Here' the band 'Kings of Crisis' of Dover has received over 75k Myspace hits & more than 150k song plays. Messages of support are received daily.
For_Immediate_Release:

United States of America (Press Release) August 4, 2008 -- One such message received is from SGT Robert Clark of 2nd Div LTT 2412 in Al Kindi, Iraq. It reads: 'I listened to it and thought wow, what a wonderful song. It totally told the story and feelings of what we go through while we are away from our families and loved ones. It was very touching. I have listened to it like 20 times now and I just love it! It's kinda nice to know that there are people who remember us over here and that they know what we are going through, that and they have the skills to put it in a beautiful song.' Robert goes on to address radio stations themselves by including: 'If you could please play it on the local radio stations so others can hear and understand the pain and the price that we are paying for freedom. Soldiers in all of New England and their families would definitely appreciate this song!'