Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of Real Talk with Jack Tracy. 

I'm happy to be podcasting from beautiful South Bay California and looking out of my office window I see sheets of rain, I mean, liquid sunshine, falling all over Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach. But, as we know, It Never Rains in Southern California! So I am certain the real Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow. 

Ok. Well since our last show we have shifted directions slightly form music and today our topic is:
Affirmative Action Banned by The United States Supreme Court. 

Now, some of you might remember that last year in 2023 a case came before the Supreme Court in which, Harvard University was being sued by a group called Students For Fair Admissions over descriminary practices against Asian Americans. The Supreme Court ruled that Harvard did practice discrimination and ruled that Affirmative Action in College admissions is unconstitutional. 

The Court's decision overruled some important cases like California vs Bakke and Grutter vs Bollinger, which have for a long time have helped and aided disadvantaged black students in this country to attend some of the more prestigious colleges and universities. I was also among those minority students of few means who was aided by federal dollars to go to school. 

So I want to know, What Is The Road Ahead? for aspiring young black students today and how will they find entrance into some of the better schools if there is little or no Financial Aid? 

I'm concerned for disadvantaged and minority children and students some even in my own family, that If they choose higher education that they can look forward to many of the same opportunities that I had. 

So I'm really happy today to have with me on the show a man who will give us his well- informed opinion and some insight on this issue, Kenneth Cooper a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and fellow Washington University St Louis alum. 

Joining me on the program today is Nate LaPointe, the tremendously talented, lead singer and lead guitarist of Cubensis, the popular Grateful Dead tribute band, or as Nate insists, Grateful Dead experience because there is no mimicking here. These guys are the real deal.  Now, that band includes, Craig Marshall, guitar, Brad Rhodes and  Ed Fletcher on drums, Larry Ryan bass, and Tom Ryan on keys.  

Nate grew up learning backstage from some of the best musicians can play about any style of music – and his degree in Jazz guitar lead him to music popularity in rock, pop, blues bluegrass and soul and country.

He worked with soul legend Bobby Womack for 10 years, and with BB King and also Vince Welnick keyboardist for the Dead. 

As we record, Nate is in the South Bay to record some music to celebrate the August 1st birthday of the legendary Jerry Garcia.

He also has a Friday night live show that streams on Facebook. Check him on  Facebook/ Nate Lapointe.

www.NateLapointe.com

It is Election Day and and getting my vote for joining me on the program is the legendary Rock guitarist, Mitch Perry.  Mitch has a lot to say about his new album Music Box and his Band, MPG (Mitch Perry Group). 
Featuring new classic rock songs like, Valentine, Believe, and seven others, the album is powered by a collection of great artists including vocalist Keith England, bassist Dan McNay, drummer Tal Bergman, keyboardist Dave Shultz, with Shelly Bonet and Kara Turner also on vocals. 
The album is Music Box and it gets my Presidential Seal of Approval.
Mitchperry.com

Today I am happy to say that the Funkmaster of Hermosa Beach and my good friend, Zeal Levin is back with us for a second time and with some news about the new CD he is near to completing called, ‘Burrito Boogie.’ 

Zeal leads the cool band, Triple Bueno, doing original funk, Reggae, rock, hip-hop, pop as well as covers. They describe themselves as being “about love, respecting the earth and equality for all. A collective of passionate and talented musicians who love shaping a performance that pays tribute to the legends that have come before. Never playing the same song twice, Triple Bueno is constantly evolving their originals and twists on cover songs.”

I am following up with Zeal after our last conversation several months ago when we discussed his previous CD, ‘Sending Fire” so, it will interesting and to see what is happening with his music today.  

Today I am happy for you to get to know the remarkable, Chrissy Ras, singer, drummer and leader of the award - winning band, Pulp Vixen: a Female Fueled, high energy dance band.  They specialize in Top 40 dance music , latin, hip-hop and rock, too. And if you like country, they can also deliver music from Carrie Underwood and the Zac Brown Band. Chrissy and her bands have been featured several times at Fiesta Hermosa but, things have now changed and live performances are hard to produce.  Chrissy will tell us how her band is determined to keep working despite the pandemic and this classically trained pianist, turned corporate exec, turned Rock band leader explains her personal recipe for success. 

Today I am excited to have you listen to PART 1 of my conversation with the remarkable duo, Andy Hill and Renee Safier, better known around the South Bay as, Andy & Renee. 

If you enjoy the music of Bob Dylan, Springsteen, Lucinda Williams, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, Neil Young, Van Morrison, then you will love the music that Andy & Renee create along with their band Hard Rain.  Their unique sound has delighted audiences large and small all over the world. www.andyandrenee.com

 

From the first note, the voice of Olivia Pucci draws you away.  A resident of Redondo beach, her stylish music, work and popularity have made her a featured artist in many five star venues from Palos Verdes to Beverly Hills. Olivia discusses the adjustments she is making since the pandemic as a Mom. and her new role as a Bose Professional Artist in the Live Home Concert Series.  www.Oliviapucci.com, www.Facebook.com/Oliviapuccimusic. 

BJ Arnold is a favorite guitarist and singer for many people in the Beach Cities especially in Manhattan Beach where he has been a featured performer at the Downstairs Bar for several years. Other of his venues include, OB's Pub & Grill, Hermosa Brewing Company, and The Deck. Recently moved into Hermosa Beach, BJ speaks about new  plans for his music in the post pandemic and our first steps toward a collaboration.