Interesting Facts about George Harrison

An accomplished author and the CEO of publishing company Ramirez and Clark, Scott Westerman grew up in Michigan. In honor of the old Detroit, Michigan, radio station WKNR, he founded Keener13.com. He also curates RockAndRollRevisited.com. Through these websites, Michigan native Scott Westerman shares music history and memories. He recently wrote an article about “Here Comes the Sun” from George Harrison for Rock and Roll Revisited.

Here are several lesser-known facts about the “Quiet Beatle.”

He invented the megastar rock benefit concert.
In 1971, Harrison organized the Concert for Bangladesh. This event featured numerous stars, from Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton to Leon Russell. It involved two shows played at Madison Square Garden and raised over $12 million for the George Harrison Fund at UNICEF. Prior to this, performances for charity existed, but never to such an extent.

He was extremely talkative.
Despite having the nickname of the Quiet Beatle, George Harrison was reportedly quite talkative. According to Tom Petty, a friend and fellow Traveling Wilbury, Harrison was rarely quiet, a trait that made hanging around him enjoyable.

He and Bob Dylan had a special connection.
Bob Dylan was friends with all of the Beatles, but he and Harrison had a particularly strong bond. The wrote a song together, Harrison spent weeks at Dylan’s home in New York, and they eventually played in the Traveling Wilburys together.

He was the first Beatle that visited and played in the United States.
When The Beatles visited the United States in 1964, George Harrison had already been to the country. In 1963, he played as lead guitarist for the Four Vests at the VFW Hall. He also spent some time in Benton, Illinois, when visiting his sister, Louise.

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Basic Ham Radio Terminology

A native of Michigan, Scott Westerman leads Ramirez and Clark, a Florida-based publishing company, as CEO. He also leads RockAndRollRevisited.com and Keener13.com, the latter of which celebrates WKNR, a local rock and roll radio station in Detroit, Michigan. Scott Westerman maintains a firm interest in radio and is passionate about amateur (or ham) radio. Here are several basic amateur radio terms:

Alternating Current (AC)
This term refers to the electrical current flowing in one direction within a wire, then in the other. The rate at which the direction of the electrical current changes depends on the AC frequency.

Beat-Frequency Oscillator (BFO)
Capable of producing an audio frequency (AF) tone for continuous wave (CW) reception, BFOs mix an oscillator with an incoming signal.

Beacon Station
Amateur station capable of transmitting communications for experimental activities or observation purposes.

Half Wave Dipole
Consisting of wire fed at the center of an antenna, half wave dipoles are half the wavelength of the desired operating frequency. Radio amateurs use these types of antennas.

Packet
A reliable form of communication, a packet is a digital teletype. Reading it requires the use of a radio transceiver, computer, and interface box.

Rubber Duck
Flexible rubber antennas. Handheld transceivers often come with rubber ducks.

Upper Sideband (USB)
Sidebands consist of frequencies higher than the carrier frequency. Transceivers are tuned to carrier frequencies.

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Finding Inspiration Every Day

An experienced executive and general manager from Michigan, Scott Westerman leads publishing company Ramirez & Clark as CEO. He also curates several websites and blogs about music history and inspiration. A motivational speaker, Scott Westerman of Michigan supports self-improvement and self-help, as evidenced by his book Pass It On: Lessons and Inspiration for College, and Beyond.

Inspiration plays a key role when it comes to being motivated to achieve different goals. However, it comes and goes for many people. Here are several things that can foster inspiration:

Let the mind refocus.
Giving the mind a break and accepting a lack of inspiration helps the brain refocus. It gives people insights into their mental processes and provides them with unexpected sources of inspiration.

Change perspectives.
Many people think that inspiration is essential for living fulfilling lives. Instead of acting, they wait until this inspiration strikes. However, action triggers inspiration, so starting with a simple step can inspire the completion of additional steps.

Listen to motivational and inspirational content.
Podcasts and TED Talks that are inspirational and motivational are great ways of finding inspiration. This content lets people encounter stories and advice from people who are successful entrepreneurs even though they took varying paths and had different starting points.

Make a list of reasons.
For large goals that require a lot of effort, people can lose sight of why they are working toward the goal in the first place. Writing down a list of reasons for pursuing a goal keeps people inspired and motivated as they put in the necessary hard work.

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Methods for Overcoming Writer’s Block

Accomplished podcaster, author, blogger, and lecturer Scott Westerman, formerly of Michigan, splits his time between several professional endeavors. He founded and curates Keener13.com and RockAndRollRevisited.com, two music-focused websites. On top of this, the former Michigan resident serves as the CEO of Ramirez and Clark and is a published author who has written several books under both his own name of Scott Westerman and his pen name of Terry Shepherd.

Writers of all types experience writer’s block at some point in their careers. Fortunately, there are many methods for overcoming the issues. Here are a few examples:

Go for a walk.
Hiking or walking gets writers away from their desks for a bit, while also loosening up and clearing the brain. This physical activity keeps the blood moving and makes writing approachable again. It’s also simple enough that writers may begin writing scenes in their heads as they walk.

Freewrite.
When writers freewrite, they write about anything that comes to mind, regardless of spelling, grammar, or topic. This helps them write without second-guessing themselves and frees the mind of doubt and self-consciousness, two aspects of writer’s block. Freewriting typically occurs during a set amount of time in a relaxing setting.

Balance the inner critic.
Every writer, regardless of fame or years of experience, has an inner critic. This criticism fuels self-doubt and writer’s block. Successful writers do not cower before their inner critic. Rather, they hear it, acknowledge its points, and move forward. This balanced relationship with inner critics lets writers address any necessary issues while moving past insecurities.

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The History of Rock and Roll’s Development

A published author from Michigan, Scott Westerman is also a corporate executive and entrepreneur with experience in the telecommunications, technology, popular culture, and music sectors. The CEO of Ramirez & Clark, he founded RockAndRollRevisited.com. Through this website, Scott Westerman of Michigan explores a quarter century of music history largely relating to rock and roll.

A popular style of music, rock and roll (also written as rock ‘n roll) is a unique style of music that can be accessed and enjoyed by anyone. Typically consisting of three or four instruments, it often repeats the same chords throughout the song and feels uninhibited and spontaneous. While added backup singers, horns, and other sounds can increase the complexity of the song, this feeling is what sets rock and roll apart from many other genres.

The music originated in the 1950s and developed as a blend between country and rhythm and blues (R&B) music. R&B evolved from the blues, a musical genre harkening back to the work songs that African Americans sang in the South. Many of these individuals came to the United States as slaves and labored in difficult situations. The songs they sang fooled many plantation owners into thinking the music was happy.

While the seeds of rock and roll had existed for decades before its official creation, a mix of white spending power and African American culture fueled the genre’s growth in the 1950s. African American vocal groups like the Dominoes began combining gospel-style harmonies, aggressive R&B rhythms, and call-and-response singing. Disc jockeys further supported the spread of the genre by featuring it prominently on radio stations. Elvis Presley then became the face of rock and roll in 1954.

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Choosing a Topic for Your New Book

Michigan native Scott Westerman now lives in Florida, where he leads Ramirez and Clark as CEO. Through this publishing firm, he and his colleagues predominantly represent independent authors. Former Michigan resident Scott Westerman handles all operating practices at the firm and has had a couple of bestselling books published with the company.

While some writers come up with topic ideas quickly, the process can be a challenge for others. If you find yourself struggling with a book topic, start the process by thinking of a general concept. Consider what your main point of interest is. This is generally something you feel passionate about, which makes the writing process more enjoyable. You don’t need a plot or premise at this point; just start small.

At the same time, stick to the constraints set by your target audience. If you are writing a book targeting garden enthusiasts, for example, don’t pick a concept that is totally unrelated to gardening and provides the audience with nothing of value.

Once you have a concept figured out, make sure you find a unique angle for the information. Draw inspiration from other authors, but also make your book your own by including special knowledge you have, linking it to a past experience, or otherwise approaching the subject in a new way. You want a book that engages readers because they can relate, but you also want your book to stand out from the competition.

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Creating a Genuine Personal Brand

Originally from Michigan, skilled podcaster, blogger, author, and lecturer Scott Westerman maintains two websites: Keener13.com and RockAndRollRevisited.com. He also leads Ramirez and Clark in Florida. In addition, Michigan native Scott Westerman is a motivational speaker who discusses a range of topics, such as personal branding.

Having a personal brand is hugely beneficial. Not only does it make you more visible on social media, it also opens doors to valuable partnerships, better quality clients, and increased revenue. To reap all these benefits, make sure your personal brand sets you apart from the competition. It should clearly state who you are and the values you embrace, similar to a corporate brand. Personal brands also help you demonstrate how you express these values.

The process of creating a personal brand begins with figuring out who you are. Consider your motivations and the characteristics that you’ve been complimented on. Additionally, think of projects that don’t drain your energy and areas of work that you excel at. This requires a great deal of introspection and honesty about your personal strengths and weaknesses.

After you figure out what you are skilled at, think about what you want to be known for. Assess how your skills relate to your current career or the career you want. Then, think about where you’ll be in 5 or 10 years and how you want people to think of you. Set out the steps you need to follow to get there and incorporate your passion into your personal brand.

Throughout this process, remember that being genuine is key. Don’t try to make yourself fit into a brand you like. Instead, stay true to yourself and make an honest brand based on your actual qualities.

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Raising a Child with Down Syndrome

A former resident of Michigan, Scott Westerman splits his time between blogging, lecturing, writing, and publishing. The CEO of Ramirez and Clark, he is also a regular motivational speaker and maintains both the Keener13.com and RockAndRollRevisited.com websites. In addition, Scott Westerman, formerly of Michigan, heads Down Syndrome Nation, where he promotes Down syndrome awareness and care across the country.

In the United States, roughly 6,000 births a year are Down syndrome births. As with any child, raising a kid with Down syndrome presents many challenges.

Kids with Down syndrome do best with routine, so establishing a daily routine for them makes a big difference. This should include basic activities, like brushing teeth. Since many children with Down syndrome struggle with remembering long lists of chores, give them small tasks. “Brushing teeth” is a better to-do than “brushing teeth, changing into pajamas, and getting in bed.” Break the list up.

Having a picture of this daily schedule also helps children with Down syndrome, since they can see what is expected of them. If they mess up, parents and guardians should avoid punishing them or scorning them. Kids with Down syndrome do not handle negative reinforcement well. Instead, saying things like “try again” garners a much more positive response from kids.

Finally, give the child the opportunity to make decisions as often as possible. This helps them feel empowered while still encouraging them to stick to activities that you approve of. For example, let them choose between apples and oranges for a snack. Both are healthy, but they still appreciate the opportunity to make the decision for themselves.

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Is Your Book Manuscript Ready?

Former Michigan resident Scott Westerman is the CEO and founder of Ramirez & Clark in Florida. Possessing upwards of four decades of telecommunications experience, the Michigan native has published several books on behalf of the business and is a published author himself. Scott Westerman has written both fiction and nonfiction books in varying genres as an author.

Part of the writing process involves figuring out when a manuscript is ready for submission or publication. Here are a few things to check before sharing your manuscript with the world:

1. Chronological inconsistencies

Mixing up dates is easy and happens to many writers as they flip between flashbacks or work on a memoir. Before sending your manuscript off, check for these inconsistencies by plotting your events on a timeline. Match up these dates with the dates you have written to see how your book progresses clearly.

2. Standard formatting

As you write, you may not adhere to standard manuscript formatting rules. According to these rules, your manuscripts must be in 12-point font and have a one-inch margin on the sides. Double-space the entire document and use either Arial, Courier, or Times New Roman font styles. This formatting keeps manuscripts looking professional and organized, so the focus is placed more on your content.

3. Characters’ Personalities

When a character, regardless of whether they are a bad or good character, cares about something, your readers also care about that thing. However, you want these characteristics to be a key part of your character. If you have a bad character who is loyal, for instance, make loyalty part of their personality instead of bringing it up as a way of driving the plot forward.

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