The following blog is five questions I posed to my friend Sarah on LGBTQ issues.
 
When did you know when you were gay and how did it change you?
I never really realized I was gay until I started having feelings for my best friend when I was 15. It changed me in many ways. I was feeling things I never knew existed and I was scared of what the reality of my situation was for many years. It wasn’t until after we broke up I realized I was a lesbian and even after I figured it out I still had a hard time accepting myself for who I was.

What is it like being gay in Canada?  What rights do you have that LGBT Americans don't have?
Being a lesbian in Canada is basically the same as in the United States. You cannot go anywhere holding hands with a girl walking down the street without people looking at you differently, but there are also many people who accept it. In Canada we are able to get married, have children, adopt, and we even have hospital rights, which makes me grateful I live in a country with rights, but at the same time I feel selfish that I am given rights that others are denied or killed over.

You've come out to your older brother Justin and your younger brother Connor.  Was that difficult? 
How do you plan to come out to the rest of your family? Coming out to my brothers wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be. My youngest brother and I have conversations about my girlfriend all the time now and it’s really nice to be able to talk about it. The rest of my family I know will be supportive, or at least accepting, but telling them is the hardest part. I’m scared of what they will think of me, or how my sexual orientation will change the way they see their daughter. I still have no clue on how to tell them, so I’ll probably do what I always do...wing it.

How has our friendship affected you over time?
Well since meeting you I was straight forward. I told you I was a lesbian and I think I did it because I wanted to see your reaction. Telling you was the best decision I made. After I told you I was able to start feeling more comfortable in my own skin, going out and meeting people and being able to just be proud to be who I am. You taught me that being myself the most important thing I could ever do, and to never let anyone change me. You made me feel good about myself and without you, I probably wouldn’t have found a girlfriend, or told my brothers, and I’d still be hiding behind those closet doors.

Why do you think people judge LGBT people so much solely based on the fact that they are gay or bisexual?
I think people judge the LGBT community because they are unfamiliar with it. A person who does not have an association with someone who is gay or bisexual or transgendered can find it awkward, or wrong. Many people think it is a sin because of religious views, or even just their own values they learned growing up. Being someone who is gay, I would never push my beliefs or lifestyle onto another individual who didn’t want to accept it, but there is a line that can be crossed when someone goes from not accepting it, to abusing the person who is a part of the LGBT community. So many people will bully or abuse a child or even an adult because of their sexual orientation, because it is “wrong” but people need to realize that we are people too, regardless of gender, or sexual orientation. All we can do is keep fighting for rights and hoping that someday we will have equality, not just in the United States, but all over the world.

The following blog is an open letter to Tegan R Quin of Tegan and Sara. If you haven't heard Tegan and Sara yet please visit www.teganandsara.com. You will be glad you did.

Hi Tegan,

My name is John McManus and I am a singer-songwriter/indie artist who is releasing my third album 613 on Realize Records on November 1st. I am writing you this letter to tell you what your music has meant to me and how it has influenced me.

I first heard you and Sara when you opened for Ryan Adams in Upper Darby, PA. I was intrigued by your music and harmonies and amused by your banter - you and Sara were talking about your cats. It was on that night that I decided I would follow your music. I bought If It Was You and liked it and So Jealous and really like that album too.

When The Con came out it all changed for me. I bought the version with The Con Film and very much enjoyed that and seeing the process of you making that record, the Forest Fone calls, and the like. The Con as an album was a great change for you and Sara and the album particularly got me more interested in your songs. Your emotions are all over that record and I was really drawn to "The Con"-- whose video made me think you could be an actress-"Hop a Plane", "Soil Soil" and "Call it Off". In "Call it Off" you sound emotionally shattered the way you sung the song and the lyrics. During that time I was working on my second album The Belle Sessions - which was a heartbreak record - and your work on The Con informed my album.

I felt the positive vibe you talked about with Sainthood - that being a good person and a role model is what you should strive for in life. I have a song called "Rolestar" on my new album that expresses that sentiment.

"Someday" was a song I could relate to especially now with getting serious about my career and signing to a label and that the song talks about being patient and you don't have to accomplish everything today. Sainthood is quite possibly your best work and I enjoy all the songs on the album and it's my favorite Tegan and Sara album.

Believe me when I say Tegan that you are a great inspiration. You are a hard working 31-year-old artist (I am 32) and you pour your passion into your writing and performing. You have always been gracious to us fans and I feel appreciated by you for being a fan.

I wonder what advice you would have for someone at the beginning phase in their career as a signed artist and what you Have learned about life on the road?

Partly because of Tegan and Sara I have become interested and passionate about gay rights and issues. I have a deep personal belief in equality for all.

I have made many friends being a Tegan and Sara fan but I want to tell you about one in particular. Her name is Sarah and she is a 20 year old lesbian who lives in Ridgeway, Ontario (near Niagara Falls). She liked a comment I made on Quintwinism (a Tegan and Sara Facebook fan page) in May and we became fast friends. We talk on Skype about just about everything and of course Tegan and Sara too. She wanted me to thank you for being such a great musician and role model and I want to thank you for indirectly introducing me to someone I hold as a dear friend.

In closing I wish you all the best with Warner Brothers and I am looking forward to the new album.

Be well Tegan.

Love it to Life,
John McManus

Talk back to this blog at jmcmanus@realizerecords.com

On A Day We Remember The Fallen, Let Us Spread a Message of Hope
 
9/11/01 was one of the greatest tragedies in world history and certainly the most tragic day for America in my lifetime.  As we all remember, on that fateful Tuesday morning, terrorists flew airplanes into World Trade Center 1 and 2, The Pentagon and would have attacked another destination had it not been for the brave passengers of United 93.
 
I was student teaching at Norristown Area High School that day.  In fact, my first lesson I ever taught was at 8 AM on 9/11/01. I’ll never forget during second period when the hall monitor came in the room and said “Mike [Santangelo, my cooperating teacher] you might want to turn the TV on.” We saw both of the Twin Towers ablaze.  By next period, they both fell; the Pentagon was hit and a plane crashed in Pennsylvania.  We had a meeting after school that day and I remember how empty I-476 was on the way home:  Philadelphia had evacuated.
 
I worked two summers at an overnight camp and had friends in New York City --- they all survived.
 
It was a dark and frightening time in our country’s history.  But we rallied together as a people.  Now more than ever it seems, we should focus on a collective vision of hope for all people in this country.
 
Flash forward to present day.  I am writing this blog the day before the ninth anniversary of the attacks.  And if you have been following the news you know there have been two highly publicized and controversial stories:  The building of the “Ground Zero Mosque” and the planned burning of Qurans by Rev. Terry Jones.
 
One of the founding principles of this country --- one thing that many of our country’s first immigrants were not able to do in Europe --- was to practice the religion of their choice freely.  Perhaps many of us take for granted this freedom and don’t realize the strife Americans don’t face because they can choose the faith they believe in, attend services, have meetings publicly to discuss their religion and so forth.
 
What many of us also forget is that these freedoms are for all of us, and even if we do not agree we must respect other’s beliefs.
 
You can read a great deal about the “Ground Zero Mosque”.  Below is a link to an article by Feisal Abdul Rauf ---the chairman of The Cordoba Institute---about the community center and what its purpose is:
 
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/opinion/08mosque.html?_r=1
 
In brief, I support the construction of the “Ground Zero Mosque” because it is the legal right of the Islamic community to practice their faith in New York City or any city. There has been a great deal of backlash and ill will surrounding the mosque’s construction.  Let me be clear that people’s opinions are valid and should be discussed.  But I feel like outrage is not the way to do it.  I feel like we are missing out on a great opportunity to have meaningful dialogue about faith in 21st century in America. I know that religion is “not something we talk about.”  Maybe we should.
 
Rev. Terry Jones is the pastor of The Dove World Outreach Center in Florida and has been making headlines because he has scheduled a Quran Burning on 9/11/10.
 
To burn the holy book of a religion --- the ultimate act of desecration, hate, intolerance and anger is truly and utterly disgraceful and shameful.  How would Rev. Jones feel if a group got together and burned Bibles?  A multitude of individuals have come out against the planned burning:  some of Jones’ own congregation, President Obama, The Vatican and more.
 
If Rev. Jones or anyone else wants to preach the Word, argue against Islam or any other religion based on facts and open-mindedness --- that’s fine.  But he is doing a disservice to himself and his community for planning to do this ---- the government has said the burning could put American lives at risk and Jones says they have received death threats.
 
It was announced yesterday that Rev. Jones has cancelled the planning burning although now it seems it might still happen.
 
9/11/01 was a tragedy. My hope for this country and its communities is that we truly come together as one nation and respect and celebrate our differences.

-John

You Never Know: That Opening Band Might Someday Be Your Favorite

It was October 5, 2002 and my friend Mike Meredith and I went to the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA to see one of our favorite singer-songwriters Ryan Adams. I was a big fan of his for a long time and some would argue his influence could be heard in some of my songs.

But this is not a blog about Ryan. This is a blog about what can happen when you go see a performer you like. It is about something all musicians know and have experienced: being the opener. I have been lucky to open for and share a stage with many great musicians.

I’ve been to many concerts since 1994 and I can tell you from experience---and many of you who read this will know from the same experience---that many concertgoers pay little to no attention to the opening act. Some don’t even arrive in time to see them. Some chat, go grab drinks and some people are overtly rude to the opening acts.

But I would encourage these people not to ever do those things again and this is the reason: that opening band might someday be a favorite.

That evening at the Tower the opening act was Tegan and Sara. Two twin sisters, two acoustic guitars and two voices. I had never heard of the duo but sat in my seat and listened anyway. Their songs were good---good enough for me to want to buy their CD. But what I really remember from their set was their banter---Tegan making fun of Sara, Sara retorting at Tegan and the Quin Twins telling stories about their cats at home. They were endearing and it was that night that I decided I would be a fan of theirs.

The album the twins were promoting at the time was If It Was You (2002), their third. Eventually I heard the first two---Under Feet Like Ours (1999) and This Business of Art (2000) and while there are good songs on both, If It Was You is my personal favorite. The common thread in these albums was most songs were based on acoustic guitar. So Jealous (2004) showed maturity in production and lyrics and was considered their commercial breakthrough.

When The Con (2007) was released, I was really impressed. Chris Walla (Death Cab For Cutie) produced the record and both Tegan and Sara wrote emotional, powerful and catchy songs for the record. The Con is where Tegan and Sara’s individual identities as writers shine through---Tegan’s songs are more straight-ahead indie rock songs while Sara’s feature more intricate and lush parts. Sara penned the big ’pop’ song ’Back in Your Head’ while Tegan penned the rocker ’The Con.’ Another reason why I really liked this record was the limited edition version is a CD/DVD featuring the album and a documentary on the making of The Con. It reminds of what is said around the industry: fans want to see a band offstage and feel like they known them as people and not just their songs. Tegan and Sara have done this effectively throughout their career.

The Con is when I became a die hard Tegan and Sara fan and when they became my favorite band. Although I did not get to see them on the tour of the album.

Sainthood (2009) was a different feel of an album than The Con---it was mostly recorded live in a room, with Tegan and Sara performing with band mate Ted Gowans as well as Chris Walla (who also coproduced the album with Howard Redekapp) and Jason McKerr. Sainthood features sophisticated indie rock songs as well as dashes of pop and alternative---all the songs have great hooks. This album is a bit more immediate and accessible than The Con as a whole. Ironically it took me more listens to get into Sainthood than The Con.

In February 2010 I was in the front row at a special Tegan and Sara show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY, which was great fun. I also saw them that month at the Tower Theater and again at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing in August 2010 when the band played The Honda Civic Tour.


Tegan and Sara are two of my favorite singers and songwriters----some of the best singers and songwriters of our generation---and I respect them for not only their musical skills but also for the causes they fight for and their constant effort they have to reach out to their fan base. Most of their fans are the die hard kind and I hope soon to have the same kind of fan base.

So the next time you buy tickets to a show, come early and see the opening act or acts. Pay attention to them. Clap. Be respectful. Because you never know: that opening band might someday be your favorite.

- John

The Power of Humanity’s Honesty
 
The following story is COMPLETELY true.
 
This afternoon I went to Springfield Mall here with a shopping agenda:  things I needed to pick up, some ideas for gifts.  Economic stimulation. It was all going well and I decided I would go back to the car and put some things in the car and continue on shopping.  So I went out to my car and put a few things in the trunk all the while grooving out to some U2.
 
So then I went back in the mall and a little while later I go out to my car to leave the mall and come home.   I always put my keys in my back left pocket so as not to have them possibly scratch my iPhone screen.  Much to my surprise they were not in my pocket.  Not only were they not in that pocket; they were not in my other pockets or any bags.  Panic.  It’s not TOO much panic because we have a spare set and the mall is only about 10 minutes from the house.  So I call my Dad---and he’s not answering. He had an early morning and was sleeping.  And you know what?  When you’re 73, worked for over 40 years----right on, nap whenever you want.
 
I went back in the mall----hey it wasn’t as if I was stuck on a highway in the pouring rain (that’s P.M.A.!)  A while later I call again---goes right to voicemail.  I call my brother who lives about 45 minutes away and he is willing to come down because I lost my house and car key (they are on a ring together). Soon after Dad calls and agrees to bring the spare key.
 
I think hey maybe I put them down in trunk.  I can be a bit absentminded at times---we all can.  So Dad arrives and…
 
No keys in the trunk…
 
And then I walk up to my driver’s side door and see a note.  It reads:
 
“You left your keys on your trunk!  They are at the desk at customer service.”
 
Wait---I did what?? The note is not signed.  So basically this person found my keys and could have had my car---a 2007 Red Honda Civic EX Coupe---but had the honesty and moral stature to hand them in.  Some might say my reaction should be “There is a God!”  I believe there is.  But also, this person’s reaction could have also been “There is a God - I got a nice car now!”
 
This half page note will very soon be framed and hung in my office/home studio.
 
There IS definitely some very honest people strolling the streets, shopping at malls, doing their thing.  There is no doubt of this---this is a great example of why this is true.
 
I do believe in karma. I would have done the same if I was that anonymous person.
 
I intend to try my best to help a lot of people throughout my life and career.
 
And if you read the last blog, you read about being a Role Star.  That honest person today is definitely a role star.

- John