Dragon Rose's Revolution, Man A Common

Dragon Rose is an average American working guy with a view of our country shared by many other Americans. He is a janitor by day and in his spare time a history buff, political junkie and songwriter.

Never having been musically trained, he has been composing songs by ear for over 20 years. Though encouraged by friends and family to do something with his ability, he never had any desire to perform. "Someday" he would say "maybe I will shop the songs around to music publishers...it's just not the time."

His lack of interest in performing any of his songs would change in 2009 after meeting a man at an oil change shop.
While waiting for service on his truck to be completed, a particular employee working in the service bay caught his attention. This gentleman was older than most of the staff and had a certain corporate air about him. "This guy doesn't fit here" was Dragon's observation, so out of curiosity he struck up a conversation with the older man and listened to his story.

It turned out that the man had, until about a year before, had been in mid level management in the corporate world. He had followed the American dream rulebook; he worked hard, trusted the powers that be and believed that if he did the right things, everything would be okay. He was wrong. Over a one year period due to our country's financial crisis, the former corporate executive had lost his job, pension, savings, home and wife. The man was not angry...he was just confused and frustrated.

This encounter inspired Dragon Rose to compose the song, "I Believed." Over the next several months Dragon wrote seven more songs, observations on the current state of affairs in this great country of ours from the point of view of the average working person. Once they were finished he realized, these songs could not go into folders with all the others he had written over the years. These songs needed to be heard. Now, it was time. Though previously his intention was to someday have other singers perform his songs, He decided that these compositions were so much his voice that he would attempt the task of performing them himself.

While Dragon does not claim to be very musically talented - he felt that the best way to impart his message would be to make his own music happen. With a resourceful mind, the Internet, and that all American you can achieve anything your heart desires attitude, Dragon Rose found a sound engineer/producer and musicians to help him record his own songs and that he did with his first album, "Revolution, Man."

About the album, "Revolution, Man:"
Inspired by a chance encounter with a former corporate executive at an oil change shop and frustration with the direction of our country, Dragon Rose has produced an edgy, powerful and impassioned commentary on modern America. "Revolution, Man" is a straight talking, hard-edged but ultimately optimistic view of the situation America is in. These songs touch on the feelings of American's regarding problems facing our government, society and ordinary people...no matter what their political persuasion.

About the songs:

Revolution, Man
This song was inspired by The Tea Party Movement. Agree or disagree with their point of view but, one should admire the sentiment of what they are doing. History teaches us that none can rule without the consent of the people. Whether it is entrenched political parties, kings, dictators or tyrants, once the people have decided they have had enough it's a revolution, man.

Liberty Tree
Thomas Jefferson said "Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have...The course of history shows that as government grows liberty decreases." The bureaucrats are slowly encroaching on our rights and freedoms, telling us it is for our own good. It is time to stop them before they kill the Liberty Tree and we all become servants to a government that is supposed to serve us.

Dissent
Political correctness on both sides of the political spectrum has left no room for intelligent and honest debate. Today disagreement is labeled by the other side as racist, un-American, this phobia or that phobia. There is right and wrong and all views and opinions are not equally relevant. If you think my ideas are incorrect or even stupid, tell me so. Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me...an intelligent argument might change my mind. If we are going to fight, let's do it in the arena of ideas.

Talk Talk Talk
Turn on the television, radio or surf the internet and it is an avalanche of pundits, talking heads and well groomed know it all's. Every one of them promising to inform and enlighten while stirring up peoples emotions and pushing their own agendas. There are hundreds of experts who are always "surprised" at the actual outcome of events. News anchor who turn every story into the next crisis or disaster and then when it isn't they don't correct their stories, they just move on to the next "crisis" or "disaster." We could use a few more facts and a lot less action from the media.

Change The World
Every culture that has attempted, in the name of enlightenment, to impose its beliefs and values on others has crumbled. Freedom is not something that can be exported; those who will not rise up on their own and sacrifice for their freedom can't be given it as a gift. Trying to change people who don't want to be changed is impossible. Instead of imposing our values on others, let's just lead by example and focus on the timbers in our own eyes.

Other Peoples Money
Joseph de Maistre wrote in 1811: "Toute nation a le gouvernement qu'elle merite." ("Every nation has the government it deserves.") This is what has happened in America. We have become a culture of what's in it for me, get what we can, and get away with whatever we can. Personal responsibility has been replaced by entitlement. Yet we are surprised when our political and business leaders behave this way.

I Believed
This song was the first one written for this album and reflects the frustration that many Americans are feeling right now. They followed the rules, did the right things and believed in their leaders, only to be disappointed.

Higher Ground
As this album was being recorded my producer Bob, told me he thought I was cynical. This surprised me. None of the songs here are cynical. They are just observations and polemics on America's current condition. I simply believe that we have lost our way. That being said I also believe that America will get back on the right track...we will get back to higher ground, we always do.