Category Archives: Music

The Boll Weevil Bluegrass Band Performs “War Is Making Us Poor”

Posted on February 2, 2025 by johnrachel

Get out those straw hats! Bring on the moonshine! It’s time to sing along. Continue reading →

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Sarah Shipley Performs “War Is Making Us Poor”

Posted on January 30, 2025 by johnrachel

The lovely and talented Sarah Shipley sings out against war in this country version of my newest antiwar song. Thank you, Nashville for your excellent work! Continue reading →

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‘Meggie’ Taylor Performs “War Is Making Us Poor”

Posted on January 30, 2025 by johnrachel

Rapper Tyrone Megaton Taylor performs my new anti-war song, “War Is Making Us Poor”. Continue reading →

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Happy New Year! (from Japan)

Posted on December 30, 2024 by johnrachel

This is a holiday song of fellowship and unity for 2025. Considering the horror show we have unleashed in the world this past year, maybe this seems too wholesome, too positive. But I believe, when things are at their worst is when we must envision ourselves at our best. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Clouds

Posted on September 11, 2024 by johnrachel

Clouds sure carry a variety of messages, encourage some wild imaginings, evoke a range of reactions and sentiments. The clouds here in rural Japan are splendiferous! Continue reading →

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LIVE FROM JAPAN! Revisited Redux

Posted on July 5, 2024 by johnrachel

My my how time flies! LIVE FROM JAPAN! was published end of January, 2021. I sent the first shot of love here to the fans of the book June 2023. Then, as now, I let everyone know that the saga continues, as I regularly post articles on new happenings and my evolving perspective on life here as an American expat. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: My Wife the Drummer

Posted on June 21, 2024 by johnrachel

Despite more than thirty years teaching kids both how to play and how to appreciate music, my wife is still improving her “chops” both at pedagogy and performing music. She is already a marvelous piano player and singer, and regularly takes ballet classes. Much to my genuine delight, she now dedicates much time and energy to learning cello and DRUMS! Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Music Education

Posted on December 18, 2023 by johnrachel

I continue to be amazed at the level of education here in Japan. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Excellence Begins Young

Posted on April 27, 2023 by johnrachel

My wife Masumi loves to show me success stories she comes across, examples of how the educational system in Japan serves the real needs of students and doesn’t abandon its core mission by pandering to the latest technological fads. We have here two such examples. Continue reading →

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Happy New Year (from Japan)

Posted on January 1, 2023 by johnrachel

It’s New Years Day here in Japan as I write this. The world has another chance at getting it right, 365 days to show respect and love for one another. I know that 99% of us will try to do just that. Continue reading →

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