True or False with Mark Twain

On this edition of Ron’s Amazing Stories the blog we look at Mark Twain Who was he? Why Was he? We will attempt to fill your brains with knowledge. How will we do it? Let’s play, True or False with Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain).

Q1 – Let’s Start with a Mark Twain Truth

TRUE – Mark Twain, was an American writer, entrepreneur, publisher and lecturer. Among his novels are The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885). The latter is often referred to as “The Great American Novel“.

Q2 – Mark Twain was a riverboat pilot?

TRUE – He served on many boats navigating the Mississippi River. He did this until he got the call to join his brother Orion in Nevada and the newspaper business.

Q3 – He wrote the story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, while working the rivers of the Mississippi?

FALSE – In 1865, his humorous story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County“, was published, based on a story he heard at Angels Hotel in Angels Camp, California, where he had spent some time as a miner. The short story brought international attention and was even translated into classic Greek. His wit and satire, in prose and in speech, earned praise from critics and peers.

Q4 – Mark Twain was a very rich man?

FALSE – Though Twain earned a great deal of money from his writings and lectures, he invested in ventures that lost a great deal of money, notably the Paige Compositor, a mechanical typesetter, which failed because of its complexity and imprecision. In the wake of these financial setbacks, he filed for protection from his creditors via bankruptcy, and with the help of Henry Huttleston Rogers eventually overcame his financial troubles.

Q5 – Mark Twain predicted his own death?

TRUE – Twain was born shortly after a visit by Halley’s Comet, and he died the day after the comet returned, which was April 21, 1910.

I came in with Halley’s Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it. It will be the greatest disappointment of my life if I don’t go out with Halley’s Comet. – Mark Twain

He was lauded as the “greatest American humorist of his age”, and William Faulkner called Twain “the father of American literature”. No matter how you view him, he was one of America’s greatest treasures and his words are still around today.

I leave you with this famous quote: Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter – Mark Twain

This Week’s Podcast:

This week’s show is a jam packed. We open with a woman who can’t button a suit, ride with Marshall Dillon on stagecoach loaded with criminals and end with learning a thing or two about sleeping in your own bed. You can listen to this podcast this Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on TuneIn Radio or listen on your radio Friday night at 8pm Eastern time. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.

The Calendar:

July 21,2016 – Glenn Miller Week (RAS252)
July 28,2016 – Hallucination Orbit (RAS253)
August 04, 2016 – Maddened By Mystery (RAS254)
August 11, 2016 – Jim Harold’s Trip to Cypress Canyon (RAS255)
August 18, 2016 – Gunsmoke Returns (RAS256)
August 25, 2016 – A Gumshoe’s Mission (RAS257)

RAS #255 – Jim Harold’s Trip to Cypress Canyon

Cypress Canyon On this episode of Ron’s Amazing Stories Jim Harold, podcast mogul and author, is here to tell us about his brand new book. What is it? I just can’t wait to tell ya. Also, we will share an OTR story that is consistently cited as one of the most terrifying programs broadcast during radio’s Golden Age. It ain’t no joke!

Guest – Jim Harold

Jim began podcasting in 2005 starting with his signature show the Paranormal Podcast. He has since branched out and created his campfire program and paranormal plus network. Jim also has written four books with a fifth coming out this October. He just released an Adult Coloring Book based on his listeners call-ins. His free programs include:

The Paranormal Podcast – Serious interviews with newsmakers in paranormal studies (audio). Jim’s first and most downloaded program.

Jim Harold’s Campfire – Listeners talk about their supernatural experiences (audio). His books are based on the show and are available at most bookstores.

Jim Harold on FaceBook
Jim Harold on Twitter

OTR Story – The House on Cypress Canyon

The House in Cypress Canyon, is an episode of the American radio series Suspense. Written by Robert L. Richards, produced and directed by William Spier, It was originally broadcast December 5, 1946. The plot is presented as a “story within a story,” framed by a meeting between detective Sam Spade (played by Howard Duff) and a friend who has discovered the manuscript regarding the mysterious house. After a brief introduction, the narrative shifts to the story presented in the manuscript.

Jim Harold’s Campfire – Coloring Book

I bought a coloring book! Not just any coloring book mind you , but one from the paranormal guru, Jim Harold. I am a big fan of Jim’s work and decided to experience his stories from a whole new point of view, the adult coloring book. Heck, I even bought some colored pencils. If everything goes as planned today, Jim will be on this week’s podcast to talk about the book and share a great old time radio story with us in spooky style. So please join us!

-Ron

The True Ghost Story Adult Coloring Book: Inspired By Jim Harold’s Campfire

What Jim has done is brought his true ghost stories to life for your coloring enjoyment. 25 images and patterns so stunning they jump off the page! Also he has two color test pages plus a key explaining the origin and meaning of each image. Ghosts, alternate realities and the strange side of life are featured in these single sided pages. All inspired by Jim’s popular Campfire books and podcast series.

The original illustrations were done by acclaimed artist Len Peralta. Len was recently hired to create concept sketches for the new Ghostbusters (2016) movie. Simply put, he’s darn good!

“There are many adult coloring books out there but I believe this one TRULY stands out. I hope you’ll give it a try and share it with your friends who love to color” – Jim Harold

This Week’s Podcast:

If everything goes as planned, Jim Harold will joins us on the podcast this week and talk about his new coloring book. We will also share a great OTR story, so let’s cross our fingers and toes and make it it happen. Whatever the podcast is you can hear it this Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on TuneIn Radio or listen on your radio Friday night at 8pm Eastern time. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.

The Calendar:

July 21,2016 – Glenn Miller Week (RAS252)
July 28,2016 – Hallucination Orbit (RAS253)
August 04, 2016 – Maddened By Mystery (RAS254)
August 11, 2016 – Jim Harold Talks Coloring (RAS255)
August 18, 2016 – Gunsmoke Returns (RAS256)
August 25, 2016 – (RAS257)

The Art of Storytelling

The art of storytelling Is truly an art form. If you look up the word in the dictionary you will find this:

Storytelling is the interactive art of using words and actions to reveal the elements and images of a story while encouraging the listener’s imagination. It involves a two-way interaction between the storyteller and one or more listeners.

Did you see that? Even the word “art” is used the in the definition. But what does it mean? We humans love our stories. It is so much much a part of our lives that we dedicate resources to it (both time and cash). We go to movies, watch TV, read novels and yes, even listen to podcasts. We have to have the latest electronic equipment do to it. So, it must be pretty important to us. But Why?

Since the very beginning of time we have wanted to remember and be remembered. From painting on caves walls to episodes of NBC’s Grimm. They all help us remember who we are and what we can do. It can also help us dream of what is to come. Storytelling helps preserve us as a people.

So, it should not be a “wonder why?” we have storytelling. We should be asking ourselves how we can keep our personal stories safe and pass them along. Are you ever truly dead if someone has your stories? It is why… I do… what I do.

-Ron

This Week’s Podcast:

On the podcast this week we have, what has been called, one of the best episodes of Suspense ever. I quite agree. Also, we will have short story written by Stephen Leacock who was the master of the humorous mystery. You can listen to this podcast this Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on TuneIn Radio or listen on your radio Friday night at 8pm Eastern time. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.

The Calendar:

July 21,2016 – Glenn Miller Week (RAS252)
July 28,2016 – Hallucination Orbit (RAS253)
August 04, 2016 – Maddened By Mystery (RAS254)
August 11, 2016 – (RAS255)
August 18, 2016 – (RAS256)
August 25, 2016 – (RAS257)

Spotlight – Glenn Miller

On the blog this week we throw the spotlight on Captain Anton Glenn Miller. If you don’t know the name, he was a bandleader during America’s swing era. Glenn was one of the best-selling recording artist from 1939 to 1943 and lead one of the best big bands of all time. Miller’s recordings include: In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade, Pennsylvania 6-5000, Chattanooga Choo Choo and many others. While he was traveling to entertain U.S. troops in France during World War II his aircraft disappeared in bad weather over the English Channel. Neither he nor his plane were ever found.

Glenn Miller – Early Years

Miller was born in Clarinda, Iowa in 1904. In 1915 his family moved to Grant City, Missouri. Around this time he bought his first trombone and played in the town orchestra. During his senior year in high school he became very interested in a new style of music called “Dance Band Music”. He was so taken with it that he formed his own band with some classmates.

Glenn Miller – Learns his Craft

In 1923 Miller entered the University of Colorado, but spent most of his time away from school. He would attend auditions and play all the gigs he could get. Glenn dropped out of school to concentrate on making a career as a professional musician. Later he studied with Joseph Schillinger and composed what became his signature theme, Moonlight Serenade. In 1926, Miller toured with several groups eventually landing a good spot with Ben Pollack’s jazz band in Los Angeles.

Glenn realized that, rather than being a trombonist, his future lay in arranging or writing music. He worked on several significant Dorsey Brothers sessions including: The Spell of The Blues, Let’s Do It and My Kinda Love. All of these featured Bing Crosby singing the lead vocals. Wanting to be on his own he compiled several musical arrangements and formed his own band in 1937. They disbanded after failing to distinguish themselves. Discouraged, Miller returned to New York. He realized that he needed to develop his own sound. By using a unique combination of saxophone and clarinet he found that sound and the Glenn Miller Orchestra was born. In December of 1939 Miller’s band was featured three times a week in a quarter-hour broadcast for CBS. Miller and his bandmates had done the nearly impossible.

Glenn Miller – Today

The Glenn Miller Orchestra is alive and well today. Their latest album is called, Live and in Stereo. It was recorded at The Simmons Center in Duncan, Oklahoma on October 28, 2014. It is available for purchase at this link.

This Week’s Podcast:

On the podcast this week we pay tribute to one of the greatest bandleaders of our time, Glenn Miller. As you might guess that means that the podcast will be quite melodic, but not to worry there will be a few stories as well. You can listen this Thursday at Ron’s Amazing Stories, download it from iTunes, stream it on TuneIn Radio or listen on your radio Friday night at 8pm Eastern time. Check your local listing or find the station closest to you at this link.