Jimmy Carter Music

My older brother introduced me to Pink Floyd when I was about 13, and their music has been a staple of mine ever since. Historically, I was always a Gilmour man, but in recent years I've really grown to appreciate Roger for his own original musical style and writing contributions (not to mention his relentless and outspoken political pushback against the Establishment).

When I was in high school, I had an English teacher who taught a course based on Pink Floyd's, "The Wall". Best. Course. Ever. Thanks, Pete! We actually watched the film: "The Wall", in class, then broke down the symbolism behind each song and scene.

Fast forward, oh...too many years, now -- my buddy, Graham, says we should record "Mother". We had played it around the campfire a few times--me strummin and a singin, and him playing the lead--so it sounded like a good plan.

So, I fired up a Pro Tools session, thinking, this shouldn't take long; it's mainly some rhythm guitar, a little bass and keys, then some drums that come in near the middle. Little did I know just how many different time signatures were employed in the making of the original song -- it surprised me to learn that Pink Floyd's drummer was rumored to have been replaced by a session drummer in order to complete the cut. And with me wanting to stay as close to the original tempos as I could, there was no way that I was going to be able to pull stock midi drum tracks into the session and be anywhere close to the original. Instead, I had to "write" every kick, snare and symbol part individually (and I know that there will be real drummers out there who see right through this, but that's okay with me -- I'm happy with the way it turned out).

I want to give a big shout out to Graham Mezzarobba for laying down what I feel in an awesome take on David Gilmour's legendary guitar solo. I love what you did with it, man!

This is our cover of Pink Floyd's, "Mother".

"Mother" - Pink Floyd (Cover by: Jimmy Carter, Featuring Graham Mezzarobba) My older brother introduced me to Pink Floyd when I was about 13, and their music has been a staple of mine ever since. Historically, I was always a Gilmour ...

When something happens in the World that frustrates me, leaves me feeling upset and completely helpless, I will often turn to music as a coping mechanism. And sometimes--if I'm lucky--a new song will be the end result.

When Donald Trump started his annex-Canada campaign I was immediately enraged. Not just because it was a slap in the face to many, many decades of friendship and cooperation between our Countries, but more so, because it pulled the curtain back on just how quickly the American political system is slipping into Authoritarianism. Most notably, I am shocked at the lack of American voices speaking out against such an egregious campaign. Sensible, everyday citizens, whether they voted Trump in, or not, should be floored and enraged by his quest for Canada. This is not democracy. This is not the behavior that you preach in your Nashville songs, your Hollywood films, and your Netflix originals. This behavior is completely contrary to the image you have painted of yourselves. Land of the free? Right! I'm damn sure you don't raise your children to behave in any way, shape, or form like the orange-faced windbag you have enlisted to influence their young minds.

This song I wrote, "The Age of Memes" was inspired by the talking-singing style of singer/songwriters such as Johnny Cash ("The Man Comes Round"), and Rodney Crowell ("Highway 17") -- a style that I personally love. But this isn't the style I envisioned when I started writing this song; rather, this is just where the music took me.

The song is a call to action to sensible American people, and its message is simple: as an outsider, looking in, I see clearly a great Country devolving fast. You are fundamentally being run by a horde of wannabe Kings and Nobles. And in Trump's kingdom to come, remember this: every kingdom needs its peasants; you can't all be Nobles. You need to turn away from this man. You need to be brave and speak out against the unacceptable behavior which is destroying the fabric of your Constitution.

We--you and I--are alike. But we are also different. Most Canadians cherish our history, our heritage, and our Country, just as strongly as most of you cherish your own. My own people immigrated to Canada from Scotland and Ireland in the 1800's. Many people I grew up with in my eastern Province of Nova Scotia share this same heritage. Cape Breton, a mountainous Region of Nova Scotia has been hosting its own Highland Games since 1863. It still has people living on the Island who speak Gaelic. "Nova Scotia" is Latin for "New Scotland," and reflects the province's historical ties to Scotland. It was named by King James VI of Scotland in 1621. Nova Scotia is just one small region of our great Country -- one of many with warrior's blood running through its veins.

Where I was raised, we also have a vibrant African American population; of which many have ties to your own great Country - their ancestors having fled North under much duress via the Underground Railroad, during a time when your Country wasn't so very great at all.

Also, near my own home village, are the neighboring villages of the strong and proud Mi'kmaq people. Historically hunters and gatherers, they have been stewards of the Northeastern woodlands for over 10,000 years. They were among the first Indigenous people in North America to encounter Europeans.

Travelling west of the Maritime Provinces, you will come to Quebec, where our French brothers and sisters are often welcoming, but always independent. Quebec and Ontario combined is still occupied by the mighty Iroquois People – a family comprised of such N.A. Indian tribes as the Cayuga, Cherokee, Huron, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca, and Tuscarora. These renowned warriors and hunters also played a key role in foiling and ultimately defeating your ancestors during the War of 1812.

Now, only part of the way across this vast Nation, I have just touched on some of the proud and independent people who dwell upon it. I could regale you with our feats of bravery from the WW1 trenches of Vimy Ridge, the Somme, and Ypres, to our significant accomplishments during WW2; from the Battle of the Atlantic to the beaches of Normandy. I could go into detail about the hardy farmers, loggers, and fishers of the West, to more recent additions to Canada, from places like Germany, Vietnam, Ukraine, Africa, Korea, India, and many, many more – people who came here seeking a better life. People who were tired of being pushed around.

I truly hope you are starting to get my point. We--Canada--are independent. We have no desire to become part of your Country - never have, never will. To propose this–to push this–is beyond insulting; we, who so often have had your backs; be it WW1, WW2, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan - we have supported you. During the Vietnam War over 40,000 Canadians enlisted in the U.S. army. Volunteered. Had your backs. Many dying there, for you.

I know that my message won't reach many people in the U.S.; after all, it's not a video of a jump-scared kitten, or a chubby child falling backwards into a pool of water - you know, important stuff.
But maybe, just maybe some of them will put down their iPads and handheld devices, forget their TikTok videos and Facebook clips for long enough to stand up for their friends and Neighbours!

Jimmy Carter - The Age of Memes