Bill – Page 33 – Bill Swartwout Photography

October 3, 2014January 20, 2022

Lost in the Fifties Tonight with Cathy Gorman and Jimmy Merchant

Cathy Gorman and Bill Swarwout — Cathy and Bill ridin’ with the top down.

In addition to art photographs I shoot plenty of pictures that will not be for sale as art prints but will become mementos of good times. I was invited by the incredibly talented vocalist, Cathy Gorman, to her (End of Summer/Welcome to Fall) back yard “Shed Party.” I wondered about the “shed” but was immediately transported back in time when I entered “that very special building” at the end of her yard; transported all the way to the 1950s and 1960s. That’s a period of music that Cathy shares when she performs. She is not “lost” in the 50s – but simply keeps that era alive and with her, and for us, as we all move forward.

Cathy's Rock and Roll Shed — Cathy’s “Rock & Roll Shed”

The evening was an incomparable experience that might be described as being in a scene akin to the “Jersey Boys” – but, through the magic of music and one special guest, taking us back to “Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers” of 1956. I had the opportunity to mix and mingle with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Jimmy Merchant and his lovely wife, Mary. They were the most gracious “famous” people I have ever met. Jimmy exudes the confidence of a seasoned performer yet has the humbleness of a God-fearing man who truly appreciates the blessings which he has been given. He freely shares those qualities with those who meet him and listen to him perform.

Jimmy entertained us with narrative and songs from his “Teenager” days. That, indeed, took me a long, long way back. I was in third grade when “Why Do Fools Fall In Love?” soared onto the charts in January of 1956.

Jimmy Merchant photo by Bill Swartwout — “Teenager” Jimmy Merchant – of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers

The music I grew up with in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s will live on forever. It is still popular among folks of all ages. What is interesting to me is that I can’t remember or even name most of those songs if someone asks me about them. But when I hear them in a performance I can sing along using almost every word. That’s what a large group of Cathy’s friends and fans did on that special night.

The Gorman back porch became a makeshift stage. Cathy sang, then Jimmy sang and then “they” sang – far into the night. We weren’t really Lost in the Fifties – it just seemed like it at the time – and all the way home – and the next day – and…

Cathy Gorman and Jimmy Merchant by Bill Swartwout — Cathy Gorman and Jimmy Merchant

Many thanks to Cathy Gorman for hosting such a wonderful party and musical experience. And many thanks to Jimmy Merchant for being there and letting me (and others) rub shoulders with a living legend.

Jimmy, we loved your stories and your music. Thank you – for being you.

As Jimmy enjoys the “later” years, as many of us are, he has continued his artistic ways in yet another medium. While he still is a remarkable Rock & Roll performer, he is also a remarkable artist, with art works covering subjects from classical to the abstract.

You can visit them on Facebook: Cathy Gorman and Jimmy Merchant

Note please: the images above were captured with my iPhone and, therefore, not the quality I would normally share. That evening was too much fun to not share with friends and with Cathy and Jimmy.

October 2, 2014October 10, 2014

Foray into the Abstract

Abstract Art Exhibit at the Ocean City Center for the Arts? Me? A photographer? Yup!

Abstract photogrephs by Bill Swartwout — AQUA (upper right) and Space-Time Continuum (lower left) are my photographs.

I haven’t done any abstract art for presentation or sale in over three decades. But the last time I did I won a ribbon in the prominent Havre de Grace Art show. I did an extreme close-up of the inside of a large flashbulb. Remember those things? Y’know, flashbulbs, were the light source for “flash” pictures – long before the popularity of electronic flash.

AQUA - Abstract Photograph by Bill Swartwout — A Q U A

When I learned that the Art League of Ocean City had “Abstract” as the theme for the October Gallery Exhibit I had to do a bit of thinking. Then, just like that Frisbee that kept getting larger in my line of sight, it hit me. Yes, I have some interesting photographs that fit the style. I enjoy taking objects that we see – and presenting them from a “different” point of view. So I entered two photographs for the exhibit and they were both accepted. Among dozens of local artists and Art League members – only one other photographer submitted – and one of her pieces was not accepted (not really an abstract). That is good to know, as a new member, that someone actually vets the submissions. Not quite the same as a “juried exhibit” but a good process, nonetheless.

Abstract Photograph by Bill Swartwout — Space-Time Continuum

My two submissions are shown above – but they appear much different in place. One (AQUA) being produced on stretched canvas and the other (Space-Time Continuum) being matted and framed for presentation.

Most of my recent photographs are available in my online gallery at www.USPictures.com.

October 2, 2014January 16, 2023

Near Disaster at Fort McHenry as Replica Cannon Explodes

Just imagine a chunk of steel, larger and much heavier than a “24 Pounder” cannon ball – skipping just above the ground – at or near the velocity of cannon fire – through a crowd of spectators – for a distance of 150+ yards. It could have been devastating.

The breech failure occurred on September 16, 2014, the last day of Baltimore’s Star Spangle Celebration, as visiting ships departed the Inner Harbor. When they sailed by the Water Battery at Fort McHenry they were given a cannon “salute” as they set off for distant ports. The breech failed during a four-cannon salvo as the Pride of Baltimore II and the Coast Guard Eagle were leaving. The National Parks website reported the basics of the failure the day after it happened. Surprisingly I did not see much coverage by Baltimore media, but one, a simple mention that downplayed the breech failure, caught my eye, a week later.

Had this happened two or three days earlier, when there were many, many thousands of people at the Fort, it would have made national news. Why? Because of the massive crowd, there likely would have been several people killed and/or injured.

I was there and would like to explain, and show, what happened – as I understand it. First up is a photograph of the newly donated and newly manufactured “24 Pounder” cannon known as Beason’s son.

Canon firing at Fort McHenry — I believe this to be a photograph of the last “successful” firing of the cannon known as Beason’s Son at Fort McHenry. An art print of this is available at my online gallery, at US Pictures.

In the photo to the right you can see the smoke from the salvo of cannon fire saluting the departure of the Eagle and the Pride of Baltimore II. Note that the plume of smoke on the left is about half the volume of the other plumes (click the image for a better view). That is because half of the explosive force exited the REAR of the cannon. That “backfire” – as mentioned in the local news article – was much louder than what most people think of as a backfire (the noise a car makes). This was an explosion that broke the welds holding the breech in place and hurled it rearward at high, and potentially lethal, velocity.

Fortunately, because of so few people being in the area, no one was hurt, maimed or killed. There was one reported injury, and that was a burn on the hand of one of the persons involved in the firing.

So how far backward did this cannon part travel?

Far enough that, had this happened on the preceding Saturday or Sunday, it might have traveled through dozens and dozens of people. The breech traveled nearly one-tenth of a mile, well over 150 yards, about three-fourths of the way to the Fort McHenry Visitor Center.

Keep in mind that this “backfire” (as reported by some media) was actually a chunk of metal (iron/steel) about four times the weight of a cannon ball and moving about half the speed of a cannon ball. (I am “guesstimating” the speed because the blast came out of the back of the cannon, not the front.)

A cannon ball used in war can be fired into the air to travel a long distance, such as for hitting a ship in the Patapsco River – or- fired almost horizontally, designed to “skip” along the ground at “human height,” to tear through legs and torsos of advancing troops. A shot from this size cannon, a 24-pounder, can travel through 25-30 bodies before expending its energy.

In the image below the “first skip” occurred a dozen yards (or so) behind the cannon. The other “skips” are marked as the projectile careened toward the Visitor Center.

Breech skips from exploding cannon at Fort McHenry

This next photograph is where the projectile (the dislodged breech) came to rest – looking up the hill to where the cannon exploded, nearly 1/10th of a mile up the hill.

Final resting plac of dislodged breech at Fort McHenry

This article is a work in progress. We are waiting to hear what the cannon manufacturer, Cannons Online, has to “say” and/or what they do about repairing or replacing the cannons.

Yes, wall art prints and home decor items are available with photographs of Fort McHenry. Click images above or the link below to see more photographs and shop, if you like.

Link to: Bill Swartwout Fort McHenry Wall Art.