The weather prognosticators have Hurricane Irene sliding along the Atlantic Coast and slamming the mid-Atlantic region within the next 24 hours. There was no mention, however, on the weather forecasts about the strong cold front that is now centered over the nations mid-western region, a front that could possibly push Irene out to sea and limit the damage significantly.

The irony of this is how much fear the media seems to instill in the general public with all their possible scenarios about potential danger. I just love it when the weather guy on TV talks about "Dangerous Lightning!" As if there were some sort of safe lightning.

The sensationalism used by weather forecasters is beyond belief. And, their accuracy, at least in this part of the world, leaves a lot to be desired. Anyone that spends any time at all boating on larger bodies of water can attest to their accuracy (LOL) when it comes to wind velocity, wind direction, wave height, and the prediction of thundershowers.

Where I live, the county has now put an automatic, telephone warning system, one that calls everyone in the county to warn them about something we've already seen or heard on the local news. The cost to taxpayers is astronomical.

I just got a call from Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE), a recorded message that said to anticipate extended electrical outage and to take necessary precautions. Keep in mind that Irene is still 750 miles southeast of Baltimore and NOAA weather predicts that winds in the Baltimore area will likely be 30 to 45 MPH--big deal!

So, what does all this have to do with music? During the past few hours several ADs have called to cancel jobs based on the current weather forecast. Fortunately, they rescheduled them for a later date. The damage and economic impact of hurricane affected area is bad enough. However, in this case, the added hype by local weather forecasters tends to compound the problem by instilling fear in the general public. When I worked as a journalist there was an old saying among editors--"If it bleeds, it leads!" Apparently, the same is true with TV weather forecasters.

Finally, I got a call from the insurance company that insures my sailboat. They asked if it was possible to get the boat out of the water before the storm hits. I informed them that there was not even a remote possibility of this, and that the boat was spider-web moored to help prevent any storm damage. I guess they were listening to the weather prognosticators too.

Good luck,

Gary

Gary, "Dirty Laundry" (Eagles) still tells the story. For years (14, actually), I played on a patio, and was always checking the weather. The "for profit" stations over sensationalized everything. I finally got a weather band in my Subaru, and, man was there a difference in the reports.

Now, as it was when "dirty laundry" was recorded, Bad news makes good copy.

What a shame!


Russ ("is the head dead yet"?) Lay

Irene...knocked us (Just In Time band)..out of the water..at the Jersey shore..cancelling 4 shows..Fri, 2 on Sat , including a big outdoor concert at the Park in Wildwood..and Sun. too..

Now I won't be able to buy any new toys this week