Veterans Day gives us the opportunity to both thank and honor our men and women who have served this country in uniform. On this special holiday it’s important to remember the sacrifice each member of the Armed Forces readily accepts in service to our nation. If you take the time to explore the musical honor roll you’ll find it filled with legends in every branch of the military.

Albert Collins was born in Leona, Texas in 1932. Some of his earliest musical influences came from family. His cousin, Willow Young taught him about minor tuning and shared his unique style of finger-picking, so Albert never used a pick to play. His sense of humor was ever-present when he smiled and said another cousin he “learned a lot from” was Lightnin’ Hopkins. As Collins transitioned from acoustic guitar and began electrifying the world as the ‘Master of the Telecaster’ he was quick to credit guitarists Eddie (Guitar Slim) Jones, T-Bone Walker and B.B. King as just a few of his most influential.

Sam’s background as a Hollywood child actor and incredible art skills helped capture the exact concept that Walt wanted for the park. Walt immediately shifted Sam’s responsibilities to establish the look for the entire sector of the park, relying on his vast cinematic experience to bring high-energy action to the park. Sam’s first assignment was creating inspirational interior concept sketches for the legendary Slue-Foot Sue’s Golden Horseshoe Salon in Frontierland and the shooting gallery. He created the colorful Pirates Map, for Pirates Souvenir Magazine the early concepts for the Haunted Mansion, and interior ghost interactions.

“Real misfortune is not just a matter of being hungry and thirsty; it is a matter of knowing that there are people who want you to be hungry and thirsty.”“The development of Africa will not happen without the effective participation of women. Our forefathers’ image of women must be buried once for all.” ― Ousmane Sembène Ousmane Sembène, the son of …

Frank Frost is probably one of the most underrated Delta musicians from the 20th Century. He learned from and played with a host of blues legends in his lifetime, yet found it necessary to supplement his income and support himself as a school janitor. When Frost was just 13, Howlin' Wolf had him running errands and referred to him as his 'son.' As far as musical influences, on the harmonica Frank was always quick to credit his associations with Sonny Boy Williamson II and Little Walter Jacobs, on the guitar; Robert Nighthawk. Frank recorded sides at the Sun Record Company with Sam Phillips and would tour with Sam Carr and Big Jack Johnson as the Night Hawks then later as the Jelly Roll Kings. We lost Frank to a cardiac arrest in 1999; he would have turned 90 this year.

New Zealand's New Wave Cinema emerged in the late 1970s, with the help of the Zealand Film Commission and government tax incentives for film production. It was a movement which was spearheaded by local and international co-productions, with a focus on action, road movies, and politically charged dramas, dominated by open-space narratives, action, stunts, car chases and primarily isolated male protagonists, living on the edge.

The Australian film industry almost collapsed by the early 1960s, butThe Gorton (1968-71) and Whitlam governments (1972-75) saved it fromextension with the funding of film production and the training of film makers through the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, which created a new generation of Australian filmmakers who were able to bring their visions to the screen. The 1970s saw a revival of the Australian film industry, producingalmost 400 films between 1970 and 1985, altogether more than the entire backlog of Australian films.

John Primer is a busy man. Earlier this year he was honored in his home state of Mississippi with an official Blues Trail Marker near his family origins in Camden. In May he picked up another Blues Music Award in the Traditional Blues Male Artist category at the annual ceremonies in Memphis. If that wasn’t enough, Primer has gifted his fans this summer with a new recording entitled ‘John Primer & Friends Tribute to Theresa’s Lounge.’ Each an incredible achievement, but Primer has accomplished them while endlessly playing clubs and bars around Chicago sprinkled with the occasional road tour with his Real Deal Blues Band. Did I mention that John Primer turned 81 this year? Eighty-One!

In 1952 Charles Chaplin was exiled from the U.S. as a result of the House Un-American Activities Committee’s witch hunts, a disturbing period in U.S. history where Cold War tensions fueled fears of widespread Communist subversion. The committee used various charges of communism, communist sympathies and disloyalty to attack a number of politicians and other individuals, many Hollywood personalities. Chaplin was considered dangerously progressive and amoral. It was also revealed that he had never bothered to become a U.S. citizen. When Chaplin and family were departing for a trip to England, Chaplin was informed that he would have to submit to an interview concerning his political views and moral behavior in order to re-enter the U.S. Rather than fight a pending investigation by Immigration Services, Chaplin decided not to return to Hollywood. The Chaplin family, though, needed a new address in Europe. His half-brother Sydney Chaplin, suggested they visit Switzerland. Chaplin was taken by the peace and quiet of the Lake Geneva region, with its stunning lake and countryside, not to mention the attractive tax laws.

The applause was still dying down as 80 year old Joe Willie 'Pinetop' Perkins stepped off the stage at the 1993 Long Beach Blues Festival in Southern California. As someone handed him a cold drink he sauntered over and sat down next to me. 80… and he wasn't even winded. I still gave him a few minutes to settle and replenish his fluids…okay, beer. After shaking a few more hands and joking with friends and admirers, he turned toward me as if to say, alright young man, ask away.