ABOUT US
Well, the US in ABOUT US is the volunteer behind the site, Ray Turner. The bigearsray moniker has to do with Ray's nothing to do with the size of his ears, rather that view that in order to play good music, you have to have big ears.
Ray started this website because of his interest in Basement Musicians Circle that began at the Rotary Center for the Arts many years ago. The BM Circles (every second Tuesday at 7 pm) continue but are now hosted by Randal Roberts.
The site is aimed at the music community of Kelowna, rather than trying to serve the needs of other areas on the planet, worthy as they are.
Ray Turner plays tenor saxophone in his basement. He likes to improvise and use his ears. That is his reason for encouraging content on what he feels is the neglected subject of playing by ear. Those who play, read and use sheet music are welcome visitors and encouraged to use the directories.
Ray Turner lives in Kelowna
250-862-9832
bigearsray@islandnet.com
www.bigearsray.com
Well, the US in ABOUT US is the volunteer behind the site, Ray Turner. The bigearsray moniker has to do with Ray's nothing to do with the size of his ears, rather that view that in order to play good music, you have to have big ears.
Ray started this website because of his interest in Basement Musicians Circle that began at the Rotary Center for the Arts many years ago. The BM Circles (every second Tuesday at 7 pm) continue but are now hosted by Randal Roberts.
The site is aimed at the music community of Kelowna, rather than trying to serve the needs of other areas on the planet, worthy as they are.
Ray Turner plays tenor saxophone in his basement. He likes to improvise and use his ears. That is his reason for encouraging content on what he feels is the neglected subject of playing by ear. Those who play, read and use sheet music are welcome visitors and encouraged to use the directories.
Ray Turner lives in Kelowna
250-862-9832
bigearsray@islandnet.com
www.bigearsray.com
ABOUT ME - LATELY
22/06/10
This is a newly constructed website, not that much different than the previous one. It will be tidier and less time-consuming, for me, that is. No blog now, no timee for that, but to give you a recent history, here are the blogs from earlier times that will give an idea of the thinking about the site.
Ray
back in kelowna - yet again!
29/04/10 11:35
I recently drove back from Baja, Mexico in the little motorhome "Plodder" that has been my home from home at the beach for the past seven or eight years. On the drive back, I found myself chanting "Never, again, never again," because I am seriously through with travelling that kind of distance by road. On my last trip south I went, once again by Amtrak. I enjoy the train journey very much. It is just a one night sleep and is cost effective, including meals. I will still vacation to San Diego but since I do not fish, the beach in Mexico is less attractive now.
This last trip was not without incident. First, I was robbed in Tijuana of my wallet: cash, drivers license, camera and debit card. A confidence trickster took advantage of me. We had spent a couple of hours in friendly company, then, as I was paying for lunch (including his) he suddenly snatched my wallet out of my hands, then sprinted out the door and down the street. I was completely taken in.
As well as trusting that man, I made another mistake in Tecate. I filled my tank with diesel instead of gasoline. It took a day and much effort by mechanics to correct the error.
All part of the travelling alone experience, I suppose.
Now, I plan to lead a quieter life in Kelowna. Last Tuesday, I enjoyed once again a Basement Musicians session. Most of the regulars were there with a wide selection of music. There is room for newcomers and I make the point that all instruments are welcome, including the number one, the voice.
changes in words and music
05/02/10 16:31
bigearsray.com has a new look and content and has been retitled as words and music in kelowna.
Instead of trying to cover every aspect of music in Kelowna, the site will now feature those groups and individuals who are of particular interest to the host. Which, to me, means Basement Musicians Circles, my own writing and musical interests, and the work of those who want to advance in Kelowna's music and literary scene.
Regrettably, the music calendar page has been dropped since for lack of time I am not able to keep up with all the musical happenings in Kelowna.
So, to get started, the content will include pages on the following topics:
BASEMENT MUSICIANS CIRCLES
WRITING ABOUT MUSIC and MUSIC COMPOSITION
NEW WRITING and STORYTELLING from KELOWNA AUTHORS
HAPPENINGS IN WORDS AND MUSIC as they are brought to our attention.
The site will continue to be free of advertising.
back in kelowna
05/01/10 12:29
As I mentioned before, I seem to have written a book. It is called BAJA BY CHANCE - a love affair. It is about the people and places of Baja, Mexico, and myself.
To read the book on line, like right now, just CLICK HERE
BAJA BY CHANCE - read now
To download the book for later perusal or, heaven forbid, to print it (45 pages) you have been warned,
click here DOWNLOAD BAJA BY CHANCE .pdf
A .pdf (portable document file) will be magically transported to your computer. As long as I did it right.
Enjoy the read.
Ray Turner
22/06/10
This is a newly constructed website, not that much different than the previous one. It will be tidier and less time-consuming, for me, that is. No blog now, no timee for that, but to give you a recent history, here are the blogs from earlier times that will give an idea of the thinking about the site.
Ray
back in kelowna - yet again!
29/04/10 11:35
I recently drove back from Baja, Mexico in the little motorhome "Plodder" that has been my home from home at the beach for the past seven or eight years. On the drive back, I found myself chanting "Never, again, never again," because I am seriously through with travelling that kind of distance by road. On my last trip south I went, once again by Amtrak. I enjoy the train journey very much. It is just a one night sleep and is cost effective, including meals. I will still vacation to San Diego but since I do not fish, the beach in Mexico is less attractive now.
This last trip was not without incident. First, I was robbed in Tijuana of my wallet: cash, drivers license, camera and debit card. A confidence trickster took advantage of me. We had spent a couple of hours in friendly company, then, as I was paying for lunch (including his) he suddenly snatched my wallet out of my hands, then sprinted out the door and down the street. I was completely taken in.
As well as trusting that man, I made another mistake in Tecate. I filled my tank with diesel instead of gasoline. It took a day and much effort by mechanics to correct the error.
All part of the travelling alone experience, I suppose.
Now, I plan to lead a quieter life in Kelowna. Last Tuesday, I enjoyed once again a Basement Musicians session. Most of the regulars were there with a wide selection of music. There is room for newcomers and I make the point that all instruments are welcome, including the number one, the voice.
changes in words and music
05/02/10 16:31
bigearsray.com has a new look and content and has been retitled as words and music in kelowna.
Instead of trying to cover every aspect of music in Kelowna, the site will now feature those groups and individuals who are of particular interest to the host. Which, to me, means Basement Musicians Circles, my own writing and musical interests, and the work of those who want to advance in Kelowna's music and literary scene.
Regrettably, the music calendar page has been dropped since for lack of time I am not able to keep up with all the musical happenings in Kelowna.
So, to get started, the content will include pages on the following topics:
BASEMENT MUSICIANS CIRCLES
WRITING ABOUT MUSIC and MUSIC COMPOSITION
NEW WRITING and STORYTELLING from KELOWNA AUTHORS
HAPPENINGS IN WORDS AND MUSIC as they are brought to our attention.
The site will continue to be free of advertising.
back in kelowna
05/01/10 12:29
As I mentioned before, I seem to have written a book. It is called BAJA BY CHANCE - a love affair. It is about the people and places of Baja, Mexico, and myself.
To read the book on line, like right now, just CLICK HERE
BAJA BY CHANCE - read now
To download the book for later perusal or, heaven forbid, to print it (45 pages) you have been warned,
click here DOWNLOAD BAJA BY CHANCE .pdf
A .pdf (portable document file) will be magically transported to your computer. As long as I did it right.
Enjoy the read.
Ray Turner