Important Announcement
 

Dear Canvas Prog Hour fans,

I regret to inform you that I have been fired from Aural moon's lineup and The Canvas Prog Hour will no longer run on Aural Moon.

I was let go due to my pro-American theme and my latest adverts welcoming the Iraqi people to the free world.

I enjoyed my run on Aural Moon and I was honored to be a part of this endeavor.

You can now hear The Canvas Prog Hour on Thursday nights on my station called CP Radio at www.canvasproductions.net

Thanks to all who listened to my show and thanks to Davin for letting me run the show on Aural Moon for awhile.


Matt

Good luck!!
 

Matt,

Sorry to hear the news. Hope all goes well for you. I've enjoyed your show and will tune in to the new Prog hour from time to time in the future.

Take care.

:)

Keith,

Thanks man! I appreciate that!

Matt

Matt beat me to posting the notice about this. I chose to stop running his program not because of his "pro-american" theme, but because of the heavy political content of his shows were getting heavier. If his viewpoint was "anti-american", I would have come to the same decision. Here's the note I sent him:

This was not an easy decision to make, but I would say that if Matt is interested in expressing his political viewpoints, that he create a political talk show. I just thought that a worldwide progressive rock broadcast was an inappropriate forum to do it.

I'd be interested in hearing everyone's opinion.

Avian

Davin:

Thanks for providing the voice of reason ... on behalf of those who believe that honoring the troops means not wasting 'em.

Your (still) avid listener
-- Brian

Davin,

I can see why you made the decision you did and I respect it.

It's very important that we all have the right to say what we feel, whether it is through the medium of the written word, music or PEACEFUL protest. The forum has to be appropriate though and it may have been more appropriate to let the music do the talking in this case.

I HATE the idea of this war (or any war) as well and my heart goes out to everyone caught up in it. I pray for a swift conclusion to it with as few casualties as is possible.

Goodbye Canvas, I'll miss ya
 

I am sorry to hear Canvas is leaving. Sorry Canvas. I will miss the broader definition of progressive that includes the likes of Neal Schon and King's X.

I disagree with the decision to let the show go, but I do understand the reasoning. AM is not the forum. I, for one, am for the war in Iraq. We should've taken out Saddam in 1991. Appeasement is an insane notion. I find it highly funny and hypocritical that so many war protesters are becoming violent and disrupting the civil order. This is happening in New York, DC, California (sorry Jim), and Chicago - very liberal centered cities. It is not happening in Texas, the South, the Midwest, etc. We all want peace, but to say that there is NO reason for war, EVER, is absolutely ridiculous. I also think it hilarious that so many outspoken celebrity "experts" such as Alec Baldwin and Cher have been shown to have either finished only high school, dropped out of college, etc., and are criticizing highly educated men such as Bush, Powell, Rumsfelt, Cheney, etc., as being "very dumb right now." Fact is, these celebrities probably don't know history. Saddam is a similar case to Hitler. True, he is not Hitler, but that is because the US and it's allies (and to some extent the UN) have kept him in borders for ten years. Unchecked, he would expand and expand. But now that he is getting closer to nuclear power, he must be taken out. Has anyone noticed how NO news organizations are "noting" the fact that the scud missiles the Iraqis have fired at troops are one of the weapons Saddam was not supposed to have, and said he didn't have? The people who oppose this war either can't think, don't know history, don't understand the true nature of pacifism, or don't have all the facts. I'm sorry if I just riled anyone up, but that's my two cents.

Let the flames begin, I guess.

Yesspaz out.


PS, Canvas, I got your back. I agree with Davin and Jim that a prog show should be a prog show and not a prog/political show. If you'd make it just a prog show I'm sure they'd let you back. I just wanted to let you know that politically, I'm with ya pal.

Peace in the Middle East (which will happen after Saddam is gone and a new democratic Iraq is allowed to flourish. Well, it will partially happen anyway. There's still the Israeli/Palestinian thing, but no Hussien is one step forward).

Yesspaz,

Thanks alot man, I appreciate that! I considered watering down my show for one fleeting second, then decided to stand my ground. Aural Moon was my largest audience, and its a great blow to us here at Canvas Productions.I think the adverts I made that caused the storm are far less political then the bit I used to close every show with. I was simply welcoming the Iraqi people into the free world, and now they will be able to enjoy internet radio among other freedoms, that sadly, so many take for granted. I can't wait to see that first Iraqi listener tuned into my station or my show. Soon we will be welcoming listeners from Iran and North Korea, and maybe a few other subjugated nations as well.

I respect Davin's decision, after all, its his station. I wouldn't let someone run a pro appeasement/pacifist show on my station. The Canvas Prog Hour is what it is, and there you'll find unbridled support for the war against terrorism, the USA and our allies, George W Bush and the United States Armed Forces. I will continue to poke fun at Democrats, appeasers, Hollywood, and anything else that I find that needs poking. I may lose some listeners, but I can't in good conscience hide my deeply felt convictions.

Heck, there has to be at least ONE prog show out there not driven by left wing softies. I'm proud that I'm the one who makes that one show.

Matt

Again - I may not have made it really that clear in my original letter - the existence of that much political content in a music show was just unacceptable. We've been getting complaints as it was, and the additional Iraqi comments pushed it over the line for me. If there were anti-american content in there in the same manner, I would feel the same way.

The second reason, which really is a separate issue, is that I am against the war in Iraq (along with most of the rest of the world). But that truly was a secondary resason. I believe in everyone's right to free speech.

Another thing I considered doing is inserting lots of anti-war messages, excertps from peace rallies, and other related audio material in between CPH segments to balance it out. That's when I realized that none of it was appropriate in our broadcast.

By the way, most of the other progressive rock broadcasts (not all) that I know are, in fact, operated by people with conservative views, including Matt's station, progged.com and others.

I feel that the least we can be is the intelligent voice of reason and peace without being obnoxious about it. Get our troops home, so that we can get busy impeaching the guy we didn't elect President for all the lies and railroading!

(oops - did I say that?)

Avian

Honestly, I think that political views have no place on the station, regardless of their slant. This station (above many others) is about music and should stay about music. If there's nothing else that we can see commonality in, it's the music we all love and actively discuss. Unlike many other stations, I think that's what gives AM such a great global edge.

I may not agree with many people about the war, but we can agree that Zappa kicks the shit outta Limp Bizkit any day. And that's where global understanding and communication starts. When we find that common ground in the soul, it's much easier to see each other as people, not demonic political stereotypes.

Like anyone else, I'm sad to see any shows leave, but our personal views should stay personal when it comes to the content of this station.

Just my $0.02

Tommy - Extended Playa (yo)

Hee hee -

Camel is carpet bombing Britney Spears at this very moment!

"Reports from Orlando, Florida reports that N'Sync is under heavy shelling by Le Orme. Coalition air strikes by Banco, Gentle Giant and the tiny band Yezda Urfa. Minimum Vital has refused to participate."

Avian

Haha, I just got the image of Rick Wakeman gliding overhead, cape-bound. Now that's some stealth technology!

Tommy

Prog Rocks.....................War Sucks!!!!

Let's get back to the Music!!!!!

Prog Rocks.....................War Sucks!!!!
 

YEAH!!!!! More music, less politics (although I enjoy seeing the characters come out).

Re: Prog Rocks.....................War Sucks!!!!
 

Yes, it is awfully interesting to see the flags come out. Makes the faces behind the curtain seem a bit more real.

I went to a Q & A at Antartica studios in Nashville with Robert Fripp in early 2000. One of the people stated that he was there to make Fripp more human in his mind. Fripp shrugged it off and said that really wasn't why the man had come. He was right in that most were there (including me) for their one personal chance to connect with someone they felt they already knew (something 'ol Bobby is famous for despising).

The lesson here being that I can't connect an anecdote for shit. Take what you will of that, we're all more than we show everyone else and even ourselves.

Tommy

Sorry to see ya go Matt.

While I agree that politics should be kept to a minimum, I somewhat doubt this "removal" would have taken place if the politics in question had been left of center.

What do you want to impeach Bush for, being the most physically fit president we've ever had? Or maybe it's because he doesn't patronize McDonald's and hit on women other than his own wife?

Oh, I KNOW! It's because He believes that people should EARN their money for a living, as opposed to expecting handouts from Big Brother.

OK..... I feel better now.

I'll go listen to Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold" for an hour to get it completely out of my system......

Well since only I can answer that question - be assured that the same amount of left-of-center content would be unacceptable, too. I also haven't heard anyone talk about the year and a half we've been running Canvas Prog Hour with this type of content.

Welp, since you mentioned our buddy dubya..

Hail to the Chief, baby!

Avian and I agree on this decision - even though our personal politics are not 100% in agreement. I'm not even going to espouse my political view, since I think it's irrelevant to my role at AM. Ultimately the decision was about separating politics in general from the music, not about eliminating a specific political view.

We welcome listeners from all geographical, religious, and socio-political positions...

well said!
 

You could not have said it better when you state that political views are irrelevant to this station. I hope that everyone realizes this. Irrelevant is a great word - when will everyone understand that it's not that the media has a "liberal agenda" - it's just that the mass media loves a conterversy! Aural Moon is a Progressive rock station, not "Crossfire". I welcome a station that plays MUSIC. I salute your decision, and hope that the CPH finds its niche.

I had to smile when I read the post thanking the CPH for extending prog to King's X. I have had this discussion of the "prog" definition recently, as you may have read. King's X is one of my favorite bands - they rock both live and on CD. Ever since they put out their first record, I have been a huge fan. But let's not get carried away - even I agree they're not prog. They're just a damn good rock and roll band.

Don't get me started on Neal Schon...

Come on Rick and Roll
 

Come on Rick and Roll, We Were Born To Be Loved is the definition of prog! Just my two cents. I'm glad my post made you smile.

that song...
 

is so funny in concert - the way they end it about 35 times, and after a few beers it really does get prog!

Don't they ever stop touring?

New Album
 

You know they're recording a new album right now? It's called "Black Like Sunday" and it'll be out in late spring/early summer.

www.kingsxonline.com

oh, and there are tour dates up!

We were born to argue over Kings X
 

Yesspaz and I have already had this discussion - and I just can't call any King's X prog. I do like them - they ROCK! - but I can't put every band I like on Aural Moon. I've already gotten killed for 3 Toto tunes (sheepish grin)

I agree - oh no!
 

The first cut of the Gretchen is fairly prog. Pleadies (sp) is also close. But you are right, it isn't prog. Another record, huh? That last record contract they signed must be a killer!

killer contract? Not really.
 

Not really. They are out of their contract with Metal Blade. And since Ty has The Jelly Jam, Platypus, and multiple solo albums, and Doug has Poundhound, they still play because the WANT to. They are now rich enough and content enough to do an album every two years, and make each contract a one album shot, no long term commitment. I'm glad to see the guys finally getting some freedom to do what they want to do. BTW, anybody want to meet up for the Atlanta or Nashville shows (5/3 and 5/4)?

Also, did anyone catch the King's X/Satriani/Dream Theater tour last year? I missed it.

I caught the King's X/Satriani/Dream Theater show in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately the sound was a bit out of wack for King's X, and I would have rather seen another hour and a half of them instead of Satriani. Fortunately, I've been able to catch King's X headlining three other times within the last year, and every time they were excellent.

King's X
 

I saw the show in Baltimore at the Pier Six ampitheater. King's X only played about 45 minutes. I was really happy with Satriani, but I am in agreement that I would rather see more of King's X. I am now totally burned out on Dream Theater live. This may sound weird, but they are too technically good, and their sound is muddy and is like a 78rpm record.

I saw King's X at a hellhole called the Thunderdome last year, and they did a 17-minute version of "Vegetable". I keep missing them since, mainly due to my family responsibilites. I hope to catch them soon.

Thanks for the update on their current status.

Vegetable
 

A 17 minute "Vegetable"?!! Holy Crap! Once again, anyone want to meet up for the Atlanta or Nashville show? May 3 and May 4!

May 9
 

the boys will be in Northern Va. That's about as far south as I can get these days.

>>>The people who oppose this war either can't think, don't know history, don't understand the true nature of pacifism, or don't have all the facts. I'm sorry if I just riled anyone up, but that's my two cents.

Sorry, man, but you're wrong. Trust me on this, plenty of liberals and people of conscience oppose this war with a full understanding of history, a good understanding of pacifism, and with a plethora of facts. For myself, I think pretty good most of the time.

But I agree that AM is not the place for political discussions (outside of the message boards if posters so choose -- I post here so rarely that I'm not one to give an opinion on that). We can get all the right-wing rhetoric we want on the barrage of talk radio that comes at us from all directions, and if we want left-wing rhetoric...well, there's always Randi Rhodes if she ever fixes her streaming audio. I come to AM for music that I can't hear anywhere else. I can go elsewhere for political content.

As for CP continuing if he had been left instead of right, according to Avian, he was let go because his show was becoming too packed with political content, not because of the nature of the content. If you believe him, then the management made a difficult and ethical choice. If not, they're liars and why do you hang around liars?

I do know that the one time I attempted to sit through a broadcast of CP, I clicked out after the first political diatribe. Good music (and I liked CP's musical bent) doesn't make political rhetoric go down any smoother.

Hey, if you guys are going to fight for King's X being included in the playlist, then I'm coming down on the side of the Stranglers (OK, certain selections anyway, and not that tired lounge sh!t of their later days). Fair is fair :)

Yeah, the war promoters would love for us to forget such incredibly important details such as the delicate structure of the middle east politics, the widespread and growing anti-american sentiment that was already there, and the fact that Osama bin Laden's crusade was created the last time we did this. All besides the fact that we could've easily disarmed Saddam without the need for war, if that was the administration's desire. Yes, those thousands of dead Iraqis, and the hundred plus dead Americans would still be alive today. As everyone can see, Iraq is not hailing us a liberators - report after report from the ground in Iraq is showing that although they hate Saddam, they don't like America either, especially in the form of an invading army.

And this is beside sthe fact that most of teh free world is against us taking such completely wreckless and juvenile action.

Given much more compelling reasons like genocide, republicans didn't want to have anything to do with going to war a few years ago. No oil to be had in the Balkans, I suppose.

There'll be a lot of questions about this war - of which Bush would rather not get out.

Want to know who the true American patriots are? They're the ones protesting this war

And speaking of history...

Oooo - good one!

Avian

Thank god for the music!!!!!!!!!!
 

'nuff said??

************************************************

I agree we should get it over with and bring 'em home but now we're there we've got to finish the job and finish it properly with as few civilian and "friendly" fire casualties as possible.

It could have been done back in 1991............was a deal struck then????????? Who knows and who cares? I just want to turn on the TV without seeing all this suffering going on. Fat chance. If it's not Iraq it will be somewhere else.

I'm depressed now. Let's get back to the Music!!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes:

Agreed, Keith...

BTW, this forum will go away soon, to be replaced by the forum for our NEW Thursday night show. What is it, you ask? WHo's hosting it? Details to come later this week!

Avian

Great news!!! Looking forward to the announcment with baited breath.

Strong Finish
 

And to wrap up this forum, we end with this little gem that I received out of nowhere in my email today:


Good times!

Avian

Freedom
 

Davin,

Why not leave this forum up for just a little while longer? This "war promoter" would be interested to see if any of the people who favored continued misery for the Iraqi people change their minds in light of current events? I can understand you wanting to get rid of this forum as soon as possible, because some of the things said above are down right embarassing. Soon, Iraqis will be reading this forum, much to their shock and dismay. I think some crow sandwhiches are about to be eaten by the war protesting, Democrat liberal types. Its sad to say, but after reading some of the posts above, Saddam would be proud of you folks who purport to support the troops and in the next breath slam George W Bush. Get ready to start supporting Kim Jong Ill and the mullahs of Iran, because thats where we are heading next. I'm so proud of America and our fighting men and women of the United States Armed Forces! And I'm proud that my show, The Canvas Prog Hour supports these brave men and women every show, with everything I have.

God Bless America!

Matt Sweitzer

We all support our troops. With everything we have. Don't question our patriotism - although yours and the like minded could stand some heavy scrutiny.

In fact, we support our troops so much more than you have, since we wanted them all home alive, not in caskets, killed in some trumped-up war. I suppose some people are fine with killing america's best and brightest for ficticious reasons. I'd rather have them around to defend America against her enemies.

It's refreshing to see such a naive opinion about world politics expressed, but don't confuse your opinion with a well-reasoned one.

Did any of us think that America, with a 400 billion dollar military budget, was ever NOT going to win a war with Iraq and its 4 billion dollar military budget? Things are unfolding, unfortunately, EXACTLY as most of the world thought it would. On a path to even more homeland insecurity, death and destruction. The thousands of dead Iraqi men, women and children were missing in today's ruckus - as well as almost all of Baghdad's 5 million inhabitants.

Are we happy Saddam is gone? Of course. Could he have been disarmed peacefully? Of course. Are we in more danger than we ever have been for invading a key Islamic state, and by creating worldwide anti-american sentiment? Well, of course!


Avian