Hippieland Vol. 3

"Stay groovy," I exclaim as I finish my timeslot at 12pm.

I stand and step away from the DJ booth. Musicians filter in as I walk through the studio room. The common room is filling up with artists. Hippie's Hangout springs alive as it re-opens following the deep cleaning. I normally sit down in the common room and observe the atmosphere. People carry their tools of their art. Magic, our resident 12pm to 4pm DJ, walks through the room, nodding at me, towards the studio room. He spins a lot of soulful music. He's an African gentleman in his fifties who DJ'd in several countries for a couple of decades. Sometimes he plays fascinating tribal music. Magic's been with us for a few years now.

An ad for Eden Beach, our clothing optional beach, plays before Magic's starts his timeslot. Eden Beach is on the east side of the island for who prefer to spend time on the beach naked. Eden Beach's motto is "No Shoes, No Clothes, No Problem!" An addition to the ad is the announcement of a all nude volleyball tournament featuring men against women. The ad ends and Magic kicks of his timeslot with "Got To Give It Up," by Marvin Gaye. The rhythm hits common room and fills the room with an energetic vibe. It's cool how music can help an atmosphere. I see a guitarist practicing a song. I find it interesting and listen to the tune. It contains a bluesy vibe with lyrics about sitting at the shore.

"Is that yours?" I ask the young musician.

"I wrote it yesterday." He replies.

He tells me about how he's recording it this afternoon. I give him my thoughts on his song. He has a sweet groove that compliments his lyrics. We talk music for a few minutes while sharing a joint. I learn his name is Dylan, forty-two years old, from Colorado, spending a few weeks here yearly. He uses a Martin acoustic guitar that is a masterpiece. I'm always looking for original songs for Hippie Beachbum Music. Hippie Beachbum Music is a online platform for original songs from songwriters I know personally.

It's time to prep for The Hippie Beachbum Show. The show started as a audio podcast that premiered on April 1, 2021. Nine weekly episodes were made and released on YouTube. Following the ninth episode, there was a time period of homelessness that saw a halt in production until a proper studio had been created. That studio became a reality here at Hippieland along with the ability to produce live episodes. The live episodes are a mix of personally chosen music, spoken word segments, and comedy. My first task is choosing the music. I'm thinking a little Bob Marley, some Beach Boys, and an Artist Spotlight on Jimmy Buffett. After choosing the music, I look at topics to speak about for the spoken word segments. Sometimes, I present interviews with people I find interesting. Today's show won't have an interview.

Preparation for the show usually lasts a few hours. Setting up the studio takes about an hour. I have a couple of hours until showtime. Time to light a joint and mentally prepare. Mary Jane walks up to me with some papers in her hand.

"Hippie," she says (shit I know what's coming next, fucking paperwork).

"Yes," I respond, "what's going on?"

"Just need some signatures," she says.

I stand up and walk to a small table to sign a few administrative papers and Mary Jane walks away.

"Have a good show," she exclaims, "Do you need me for this show?"

"No, not this time," I answer.

I return to my cushy chair inside the Hangout and continue to smoke my joint. The marijuana garden on the island is producing good product lately. The Indica strain that's produced has been a favorite amongst the people. I watch the activity in the Hangout. A few musicians play their songs. There's a creative vibe flowing throughout the common room. Dylan walks out of the recording studio with a smile on his face.

"Looks like you accomplished what you wanted," I say to him.

"I did," he responds. "I was able to get out what I had created in my head."

"Very cool," I exclaim. He walks off toward the back.

I look at the clock that tells me it's 4:20. Time to smoke another joint. The clock is set only at 4:20 so we know it's always 4:20 somewhere. I check my phone for the real time and see it is 4:20pm. It also means forty minutes until showtime. I smoke my joint and relax for a few more minutes. I'm pleased with what's prepped for today's show. My newest assistant for the show, Kenny, pops his head out of the studio looking for me. We make eye contact and he tells me it's time to get ready.

I return to the studio and take my place in my recliner in front of the camera. The camera is turned on. The lights come on. My eyes adjust to the lighting in the room. Kenny counts down.

"In five, four, three...." He says, gives the hand signal, and we go live.

A snippet of the end of Alan Jackson's "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" plays. The snippet of the beginning of Jimmy Buffett's "License To Chill." Next, Queen's "It's A Beautiful Day" finishes off the opening theme. I take a deep breath before speaking.

"It's five o'clock somewhere and it's time for The Hippie Beachbum Show!" I exclaim.

To be continued.................