The star-studded concert that kicked off the official inaugural festivities Sunday afternoon (1/18/09) "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration," featured a lineup of speakers and musical performers that included Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, U2, Herbie Hancock, Pete Seeger, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, YoYo Ma & Itsach Pearlman and many more.
What a great concert! I can't wait for the report from my cousin who was there! Inaguration Day was wonderful too....I am especially proud to be an American right now!
Hello Friends, I've been inspired since our candidate for change has been elected 44th President of the United States! So, I thought you might be interested in taking a look at a few of my new OBAMA pieces that I've posted on EBAY....and hear The Dead perform at their first Obama Rally! I've now got three of my original LIMITED Edition BARACK OBAMA Posters available. Also - there are four "DEADHeads For Obama" Buttons designs, and one "PHISH Phans for OBAMA" Button. I may have a few more other designs soon - since the demand has been very kool! So check back often....samples below....
By the way, If you bid on this item, you'll be helping to fund a Christmastime trip to San Fransisco for my family and I to see our niece get married. It's been a lifelong dream of my wife and I to visit the city of lights, and home of The Grateful Dead! Thank You! click here to bid on EBAY: http://myworld.ebay.com/javadack
Thanks for looking, and please tell your friends! GO OBAMA!! Peace, "Java" John
Hello Friends! I just wanted to give you folks a heads up (because I know that some of you collect my artwork, and some collect Obama memorabilia) that for the first time I'm offering several high quality reproductions of my original OBAMA designs on EBAY!
I designed the above poster commemorating the first time we saw Senator Obama in Maitland, Florida, in hopes of getting Barack to autograph it for me. Well, with many thanks to our dear friend (who helped coordinate the event) for getting it to him, our next President indeed signed it for me. And the report is that he truly loved it and was grateful for the copy I gave to him, and gave his blessing for me to sell copies of it.
This poster "Yes We Can!, Yes We Can!" is based on the same design, only for those who would not nessisarily care for the title "Florida Welcomes" at the top.
Bright and early on August 2nd an excited crowd started lining up for entry to BarackObama's first public appearance in Brevard County. Many arriving before sun-up for the 8:30am door opening. (all photos, except where noted, were taken by my brother and I)
A general admission ticket, which were handed out free to a lucky 1000 people.
The crowd anxiously awaits.....
My gang believing in Change.
My Volunteer pass.
The Senator takes the stage (some of the crowd singing Happy Birthday) Today, August 4th, is his birthday.
Our next President speaks for about 25 minutes....
then fields questions for another half hour from the crowd.
After a standing ovation (many Space Coast residents pleased with his plans for NASA and keeping jobs in Brevard), Obama says goodbye. Stopping to shake hands and fist bump with many excited fans.
This is a photo (by Rik Jesse) of Barack first bumping with a young man in a hat which appeared (in black and white) in Sunday's edition of the FLORIDA TODAY Newspaper....
...this is MY photo, coincidentally shot at the same time from behind that young man with the hat!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, Obama has left the building.
The button I designed based on the poster I made for Barack's visit to Orlando in May.
My wife finally got her book signed!
Brevard's Finest motorcade awaiting the Senators departure.
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BARACK OBAMA Maitland, Florida, May 21st 2008
After weeks of anticipation, my wife Jen and I arrived at the Sheridan in Maitland for a 'private' reception (400-500 people) for Mr. Obama around 6pm. What a scene! Newsmen from all the local stations and major networks were there. There were t-shirt & button hawkers, and folks handing out pamphlets for their causes. And of course Barack Obama supporters of all kinds from all over the state of Florida.
First we had to sign in and get in line to be searched before entering the conference room. No prob, the mood was electric! People chatting, some drinking, and much swapping of Obama paraphernalia .
The line in front of, and behind us to enter the conference room:
We ran into our ol' friend Pam (seen here in front of the stage) -who coincidentally works for our friend Arna (who was largely responsible for arranging the event). We had not seen Pam since our coffeehouse closed six years ago.
Then as we were watching them set up the stage wondering who was going to perform, I saw a gent reaching for a guitar and asked Jennifer if it was Larry. "Larry who" she asked...Larry Hoppen from the band Orleans. "I don't know". So I shouted LARRY! He turned around and I shouted ""Java" John here"...he came right over. What a nice surprise (I'd written about Larry a few month back in this blog).
Larry said he was there with Beth Schafer and that they were going to do a set to warm up the crowd. He also said they were going to feature a song called "Build that Bridge", a song they recorded together (it's the title track from her recent CD). They are offering this wonderful song to the Obama campaign. They performed that song, a few Orleans tunes like "Still The One" and "Dance With Me"and some classic rock hits much to the delight of the unsuspecting crowd.
Thanks to Beth, here is an MP3 of "Build That Bridge" and "Unsung" a song that uses a reprise of the "Build That Bridge" chorus...both are truly beautiful songs. I hope Obama uses the tune!
When the Senator took to the stage the place went nuts! A solid three minutes of applause easily. Barack was clearly embarrassed and amused by the adulation, but he managed to calm the crowd, pointing of specifically to one elder woman who was near hysterics with delight!
Obama then shared thanks for folks involved, and delivered a brief but eloquent speech. The man knows how to work a crowd, and is a master at public speaking -unlike some current politicians we know. (there are a few Youtube clips from the event below).
these photos by "Java" John
For a few days prior to the event I worked on designing a poster commemorating the event (below) in hopes of getting Barack to autograph it for me. Well, with many, many thanks to Arna for getting it to him, our next President indeed signed it for me.
And the report is that he truly loved it and was grateful for the copy I gave to him. THANK YOU, Sir.
Orlando Mayor got a hold of one of the few copies I brought, and reportedly loved it as well. Enjoy Gents.
Possibly the two women most excited to be there Wednesday night, and the two who made it a real treat for me: Arna and my beautiful wife Jennifer. Thank you both!
Obama arriving in Maitland Florida 9pm :
Speaking in Maitland:
Obama in Tampa 3 hours earlier:
Beth Schafer's Obama/Unsung Video
MAKE SURE TO GET OUT AND VOTE!! It's your right, your duty, and the smart thing to do!
