My Visit to The Frozen North

January 2004

by Grady Kerr

I had the pleasure of traveling to New York City and Cape Cod for the very first time. Here's a collection of photos and notes for your pleasure.


The Applause Show

Upper Montclair, New Jersey

I first visited the studio of The Applause Show hosted by Rich Taylor.  In the studio that night were Rich, former co-host Rich Pearson, TJ Barranger and new co-host Vinnie Haynes.  Also participating was Marty Israel who will host his own show soon.  We were also assisted technically by Daryl Bornstein. It was a good show, i got MUCH more mic time that I imagined, planned for or deserved.


Rich talks with Marty as Vinnie (in the background) looks on / Rich and Daryl work on some tech issues with Vinnie looking on

Vinnie Haynes, the new Co-Host of the Applause Show hard at work / Our Golden Throat Leader running a show held together by string and duct tape


On The Air - Vinnie, Rich and me



The Gang's All Here
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And here's some better shots from Rich Pearson


 
Taylor chatting with the fans in the chatroom and Me and Daryl chatting

A Better Gang Shot



New York City

Carnegie Hall / Times Square - Sensory Overload




World Trade Center Site

 



John Lennon

The Dakotas and Strawberry Fields

This was the "Oh My God" moment for me.
The building is NOT marked and it took me a minute to grasp
i had found the actual Dakotas where John was shot.
It had taken me 24 years to get here.

The doorman was very friendly and helpful.  It wasn't till i saw the words "The Dakotas" on his coat (i'm pointing to it) that i actually knew were were here. He wasn't allowed to pose for photos but said he could be photographed in conversation.  He also couldn't comment as to if Yoko Ono lived in the building.  I didn't even ask if she was home. I'm sure i'm one of thousands who asked all the obvious questions.  Despite the fact that it was 15 degrees and i was just another tourist, he was great.

Well, This is the place.  The doorman confirmed this is the spot where John Lennon was killed. It was about half way between the two gates and near the mailboxes on the right (you can almost see the doorman standing near that spot).  Its interesting to note there are NO signs to identify this building, no markers or indications as to being the place where John was shot.  I assume this is also the only entrance to the building and Yoko comes and goes through these gates.  I can understand why they created Strawberry Fields and the Imagine Mosaic as a site we can go and remember John.


You can see the side of the building where the entrance is and the relationship to the entrance to 72nd Street Central Park - Just a very short distance from here is a sign that identifies the section dedicated to John called Strawberry Fields.


The Imagine Mosaic is blocked off but still accessible. There's a sign that states it has been damaged by cold weather and candles and will be repaired as soon as weather permits.  Of course that didn't keep people from leaving flowers.



Cape Cod

I was up here on the faculty of a training school so there was no time for sight seeing.

Good thing, it was -3 degrees out there.

These are photos of the COLD water and some ice as you look out on Buzzard's Bay

I wasn't too far from Hyannisport, Nantucket and Martha Vineyard.


Me and the high muckety mucks of the school - Bruce Checca (Coordinator) and Gary Stamm (dean). 

The Clam Chowder was incredible.