The Midday Distraction #63: Gabe Hizer

This singer-songwriter is new to my programming and comes to us via Ariel Publicity.

Here's what you'll hear today (right-click to download MP3 or to open in a new tab in window):

• Gabe Hizer: "Memory"
• Gabe Hizer: "The Ballad of Joey and the Bottle of Booze"

(Total play time: 6:39)

Kurdish sultan Saladin died this day in 1193. Christopher Columbus returned to Portugal this day in 1493 after his voyage to the Caribbean. Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi was born this day in 1678. American Revolutionary War hero Kazimierz Pułaski (a Polish native, called the "father of the American cavalry") was born this day in 1745; Illinois has a state holiday, Casimir Pulaski Day, in his honor. American Robin Hood figure David "Robber" Lewis -- known for giving his loot to the poor -- was born this day in 1790. Chicago was incorporated this day in 1837. The illegal Confederate States of America adopted their "national" flag, the "stars and bars" of treason, this day in 1861. Unitarian minister Thomas Starr King -- namesake of the Unitarian Universalist seminary in Berkeley, Calif. -- died this day in 1864. Al-Anon founder Lois Wilson was born this day in 1891. American comedian Shemp Howard (of the Three Stooges) was born this day in 1895. The American Automobile Association (AAA) was formed in Chicago this day in 1902. Wisconsin's Victor Berger became the first socialist U.S. congressman this day in 1911. Montana's Jeannette Rankin became the first woman to serve in the U.S. House this day in 1917. Charles Curtis took office as the first Native American vice president of the United States this day in 1929.

*my computer gave so much trouble the day I wrote this file, I'm not cutting it any further*

South African singer Miriam Makeba was born this day in 1932. Adam Rainer, whom Wikipedia calls "the only man in recorded human history ever to have been both a dwarf and a giant," died this day in 1950. English singer-songwriter and guitarist Chris Rea was born this day in 1951. Actor Mykelti Williamson was born this day in 1960. British comic book artist Simon Bisley was born this day in 1962. American poet William Carlos Williams died this day in 1963. British singer Alison Wheeler (of The Beautiful South) was born this day in 1972. The first Cray-1 supercomputer was shipped to the Los Alamos National Laboratory this day in 1977. The Food and Drug Administration approved an AIDS blood test this day in 1985 which remains in use for screening all blood donations in the U.S. Canadian musician Richard Manuel (formerly of The Band) died this day in 1986. Grand Ole Opry comedian Minnie Pearl died this day in 1996. President Bill Clinton banned federal funding of human cloning research this day in 1997. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this day in 1998 that federal laws against sexual harassment on the job also applied when both parties were the same sex. American actor and writer Del Close died this day in 1999. And Dungeons & Dragons creator Gary Gygax died this day in 2008.