Southern Bookman

Daily Beast's Herschel Walker scoop indicates increasing importance of digital journalism

Roger Sollenberger of New York-based The Daily Beast broke the scoops roiling Herschel Walker's disjointed U.S. Senate campaign.

The Austin-based Sollenberger disclosed this week that the vehemently anti-abortion Walker paid for a former girlfriend's abortion. Walker in his bizarre style has denied the story. Earlier, Sollenberger reported that Walker is the father of two children whom he's ignored.

Founded by Tina Brown, the Daily Beast was a digital journalism pioneer. It's now owned by the IAC corporation, the NASDAQ-listed company that owns a number of online consumer and media sites.

Whiie traditional newspapers struggle in heading to a digital model, sites like the Daily Beast flourish. Former New York Times media columnist Ben Smith this week announced the launch of his Semaphor, which will emphasize international news and Washington politics. Semaphor joins an increasingly crowded field with older sites like the Daily Beast and the recently launched Puck and Axios, recently bought by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Along with national and international news, Axios is opening local sites, with daily newsletters mostly curated from other media.

National papers like The New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal have surged in digital subscriptions. Semaphor and other sites will give them vigorous competition.

Sollenberger's Herschel Walker story shows that old-fashioned investigative reporting will remain vital.

Another Atlanta nightmare: Lane closures on I-285

The massive construction project at the I-285-Ga. 400 intersection and the reduction of lanes on the Perimeter is one of those quintessential Atlanta stories.

Beginning Saturday and lasting for eight months or longer, I-285 will be reduced to three lanes between Roswell Road and Ashford-Dunwoody Road, with westbound closures to follow, according to the Ga. Department of Transportation.

The "road diet" touches upon the metro area's deepest obsessions: traffic and business. Road disruptions hit at Atlanta's s most cherished myths of wide-open capitalism.

A front-page column Thursday by the AJC's Bill Torpy sounded the alarm. Torpy fears an increase in accidents, although he also pointed out that the closures might make drivers pay more attention.

The intersection lies near the center of Sandy Springs, which could suffer the most serious economic damage from the shutdown of one lane in both directions. Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul told Torpy that the intersection has sparked a development boom along the Roswell Road corridor, which Paul called the metro area's economic center.

That's a bit exaggerated; while luxury apartments and condos have risen along Roswell Road north of the Perimeter, strip shopping centers, sex shops, laundromats and fast food restaurants still dominate.The corridor is one of the Atlanta area's most diverse thoroughfares.

But just north of the Roswell Road I-285 connection, the spectacular city hall complex, theater and  fountain trumpet Sandy Springs' vision for the future. A mixed-use development of housing, offices and retail will rise nearby. The grubby small businesses are unlikely to survive.

With just one lane closed east and west, Sandy Springs' momentum won't be slowed, although streets like Hammond Drive, Hildebrand and Mount Vernon Road will be swollen with traffic.

While the construction project ignores mass transit, Paul envisions express buses rather than light rail running along the Perimeter.

The closures come when the Braves begin their quest to repeat as World Series champions. Fans who enter I-285 at Roswell Road will face delays getting to Truist Park.

But like our beloved Braves, Atlantans show resilience. As in the past when such crises arise, Atlanta workers will persevere and survive this one. 

 

 

 

 

 

Elton John says farewell to Nashville with love, gratitude

Yes, it's been a long, long time.

Yet the 75-year-old Elton John still gives his all. In an outpouring of love and gratitude, Sir Elton thrilled 60,000 adoring fans in an incandescent concert at Nashville's Nissan Stadium Sunday night.

Spectacular video images beamed from giant screens above the stage shifted during the evening to photos from Sir Elton's 50-year career and closeups of him and his topflight band of old colleagues still rocking.

In homage to Sir Elton's grandiose concert costumes, many in the crowd wore flashy outfits and outrageous glasses, earning a word of appreciation from the consummate showman. Sir Elton wore a fairly restrained white coat with tails, switching to an elegant blue jacket and at the end a lounging outfit for a tender encore.

Sir Elton and mates propelled the crowd to stand and dance for most of the show, performing a generous selection of his greatest hits. "Rocket Man" took the evening to a higher stratosphere from which it never descended.

In his final performance in Nashville on his "Farewell to the Yellow Brick Road" tour, Sir Elton noted the city's musical heritage, and that of Memphis. He gave tribute to those cities with his piano playing, an encyclopedic offering of rhythm and blues, rock and country chords along with runs that echoed Mozart and Bach. With all of the high-tech effects and immense stadium, he could have been a guy singing and playing in an intimate club.

The crowd joined in on a raucous performance of "Crocodile Rock," thousands of voices spanning Baby Boomers to Generation Z harmonizing on the "ooo,ooooooo" as personal phone flashlights formed a continuous arc. All seemed transported to a time when rock, and the world, was young.

During his encore, Sir Elton performed his and Bernie Taupin's first hit, "This Is Your Song." Everyone there believed it.

Returning to Mountain Way

I returned to Mountain Way Wednesday for the longest walk I've taken since undergoing knee surgery in early summer.

On a gorgeous autumn afternoon, my wife and I headed back to one of our favorite walking paths near our home.

Mountain Way, which runs off Wieuca Road, is a quiet street that has registered many changes in Buckhead through the years: housing construction booms and busts, politics, neighborhood preservation and improvements.

Bordered by Little Nancy Creek, Mountain Way passes through a valley between two ridges. When we first moved into the neighborhood, the road as its name suggested was a rustic preserve of trees and wildflowers in the middle of Atlanta. Then after years of neighborhood opposition, Ga. 400 tore through the area, desecrating Mountain Way's beauty with a towering overpass, massive supporting columns and a sloping concrete embankment.

In recent years, civic leaders have sought to heal the wound by developing Mountain Way Common. The not yet completed park offers sidewalks and decorative planters, a walking trail along Little Nancy Creek leading to a pedestrian bridge and a sculptured swing beneath the overpass.

Decorative picnic tables have been set up in a vacant lot across from the park, and Livable Buckhead installed beehives and flowers.

Mountain contains an interesting mix of futuristic homes, 1950s ranches and one remaining rustic cabin from the days when the area was a weekend getaway for wealthy Atlantans. At a huge LA-styled home where construction was halted for years, joyful workers completed a driveway. We wondered if the huge home would at last be finished for someone to live there.

Sitting on the bright red swing designed by artist Robert Proctor, we heard MARTA trains and cars pass by high above us. New beauty rises from the ruins of the past. After a few reflective moments, we headed for home.

 

Diane Arbus retrospective recalls viewing at New Orleans Museum of Art 50 years ago

A new Diane Arbus exhibit in New York City re-creates the Museum of Modern Art's posthumous showing of the photographer's work 50 yeas ago.

Reading about the Arbus retrospective at David Zwirner's West 20th Street Gallery in Chelsea, I recalled one of the most exhilarating art experiences I've had: seeing Arbus' photos at the New Orleans Museum of Art in the early 1970s. 

That was the same exhibit that shocked and thrilled crowds at MOMA in 1972. Arbus, who committed suicide in 1971, produced portraits of giants, dwarfs, sex workers, young couples, cross-dressers and twins.

Her brother, the poet Howard Nemerov, said her subjects were "freaks, professional travestites, strong men, tattooed men, the children of the very rich," according to a review of the Zwirner exhibit by the Washington Post's Sebastian Smee.

Arbus' photos of her "freaks" were shocking, yet revealed the humanity of those shunned by mainstream society. Shot in somber black and white, with dark gray tones, the photos captured her subjects' expressive eyes, illuminating their inner souls. 

On that sunny day 50 years ago, I staggered out of the New Orleans art museum, as if swept by a giant wave, a "Cataclysm," as the Zwirner exhibit is titled.                                                                                             

 

 

 

Celebrating 41 years of marriage

Beautiful fall weather, as on the day 41 years ago when my wife and I married at Atlanta's Christ the King Cathedral.

So many who were present at our wedding are no longer with us. Nieces who were children have grown up and had children of their own. Our children are successful adults.

Our wedding began our life in Atlanta, which has undergone tremendous change in our time here.

We have watched generations of Braves, Hawks and Falcons players come and go. Our children advanced through Atlanta public schools from kindergarten to high school, then graduated from college and started careers. Holidays and seasons flew by.

Over the years, I lost old friends, who shared my love for music and books. I often stop and think about them, as the old Beatles song said.

On our anniversary, I remember the good times.

 

 

 

Paul Krugman sees the credibility gap of Jerome Powell, Vladimir Putin

The New York Times' Paul Krugman in a strange column Friday compared Fed Chairman Jerome Powell with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Krugman averred that Powell and Putin both seek to maintain "credibility" with their recent actions. Powell's Fed is raising interest rates to stop inflation, even if that causes a recession. Putin called for a troop mobilization after recent losses in Ukraine.

While Krugman expressed opposition to the Fed's rate increases because they could bring needless economic pain, he justified the action because of the Fed's need for the C-word.

I don't possess much economics expertise outside of reading Krugman, but my gut reaction was to think who cares about the Fed's "credibility" when thousands lose their jobs? An extended recession won't help Powell's credibility.

According to Krugman, Putin seeks credibility as the overwhelmed Russian army's Ukraine invasion fails. Curiously ignoring Putin's recent threat to use nuclear weapons, Krugman predicted that the Russian leader's forced roundup of more troops will end up badly. Putin's seizing of civilians to serve as cannon fodder in Ukraine set off massive opposition, with many would-be conscripts fleeing Russia. I didn't realize it was so easy to leave.

If Krugman's analysis is correct, it's distressing that leaders like Powell and Putin mainly seek credibility when human lives are at stake.

 

 

Ben Fong-Torres set standard for American rock criticism, Netflix documentary shows

Ben Fong-Torres defined Rolling Stone magazine's pioneering rock-music coverage.

The Netflix documentary "Like a Rolling Stone: the Life and Times of Ben Fong-Torres" reveals the writer and editor's essential contributions to the magazine's early years.

While Hunter S. Thompson and Timothy Crouse pushed the boundaries of political coverage for the magazine, Fong-Torres set the standard for the new field of rock music criticism. Along with his innovative interviews, feature stories and reviews, Fong-Torres as the magazine's music editor shaped other writers' work. 

Lester Bangs gave Jann Wenner's counterculture magazine a druggy hip persona. Fong-Torres' incisive writing and revelations of rock stars' inner personalities exhibited the authority of serious journalism. Fong-Torres' pieces helped make Rolliing Stone a national bible for a new rebellious generation.

Fong-Torres frequently worked with photographer Annie Leibowitz. In an endearing reunion with Leibowitz, Fong-Torres recalls how they invented their innovative techniques on the fly.

Interviews with rock stars like Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek, singer Country Joe McDonald and Grateful Dead vocalist Bob Weir indicate that Fong-Torres was trusted by the musicians, although he had a strong reputation for honest criticism. Wenner in an interview recalls that Fong-Torres resisted the rock world's destructive drug use.

Audio excerpts from Fong-Torres' taped interviews with stars like Marvin Gaye, Al Green and Stevie Wonder show how he got them to reveal their hopes and  vulnerabilities.

The son of Chinese immigrants, Fong-Torres gained his work ethic carrying out thankless tasks in his father's struggling restaurants in Oakland and San Francisco, with a brief sojourn to Amarillo, Texas. Pop radio offered visions of a different world.

Discovering his passion for journalism while covering the student protest movement as the editor of San Francisco State's newspaper, he left a job as the editor of a phone company magazine to take a chance on Wenner's venture, launched with legendary San Francisco writer Ralph Gleason.

An earnest Chinese American with long hair and glasses, Fong-Torres defined the magazine's music writing. While popular musicians gave the magazine credibility, Fong-Torres' work also established the careers of groups like Big Brother and the Holding Company, the Doors and the Jefferson Airplane. He recalls giving renewed attention to Ray Charles, whose music was underappreciated by the rock generation.

While working at Rolling Stone, Fong-Torres also got involved in covering discrimination against Chinese Americans and gang conflicts in San Francisco's Chinatown. Fong-Torres' brother, an anti-gang activist, was mysteriously murdered, a devastating tragedy.

Fong-Torres refused to leave the Bay Area when Wenner moved Rolling Stone to New York City. After a few years contributing to Rolling Stone from the West Coast, he built a career as a freelance writer for Parade magazine and other publications and as a public speaker and community activist.

While he's a respected community leader who now looks like a distinguished professor or successful businessman, Fong-Torres still loves the music. He's shown reuniting with Elton John before a concert on John's current tour.

Fong-Torres is known for his impersonation of Bob Dylan, alluded to in the film's title. He's the Dylan of rock critics.

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Aaron Judge's special season recalls Roger Maris' quest to break Babe Ruth's home run record

Yankees star Aaron Judge's 60-home run quest this summer brought back memories of Roger Maris' epic 1961 season, in which he hit 61 home runs to break Babe Ruth's hallowed 1927 record of 60.

Judge, a Yankees right fielder like Maris and Ruth, smashed his 60th home run Tuesday night. Also leading the American League in batting average and runs batted in, Judge looks likely to win the Triple Crown, which would make him the most valuable player favorite over the Angels' Shohei Ohtani.

Leading off the ninth inning Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Judge hit a sinker from right-hander Wil Crowe 430 feet into the left field bleachers, before Giancarlos Stanton's grand slam finished a five-run rally and a 9-8 Yankees win. Judge made a brief curtain call. Now he takes aim at Maris' American League record of 61 home runs.

A national obsession, Maris' pursuit of Ruth's record was one of my first fully aware sports memories.

At age 10, I was one of the few passionate Yankees fans in southern Louisiana. Maris' famous teammate Mickey Mantle was my second-favorite player behind Willie Mays, and my father brought me Yankees memorabilia from his frequent business trips to New York City.

I still have miniature Hillerich & Bradsby Louisville slugger bats signed by Mantle and Maris, and a baseball autographed by the entire team. "Larry Berra" was Yogi's signature.

Mantle matched Maris' pursuit of Ruth for much of the season, until he was sidelined by one of his frequent injuries and finished with 54 home runs. Maris kept going, at last surpassing Ruth's record in 162nd final game of the season.

Judge reached the 60 home run club in the 147th game of the season, while Ruth set his record in the 1927 season's concluding 154th game. Maris needed 159 games to reach the 60-home run mark. Because of major league expansion in 1961, the schedule was extended.

Barry Bonds holds the major league record of 73 home runs, breaking earlier records set by Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. All three of the National League sluggers were accused of steriods use, tainting their records. Many will consider Judge the true home run champion if he breaks Maris' American League record.

Judge's extraordinary summer brings back my youthful innocence, when I was dazzled by Maris and Mantle's heroic pursuit of the Babe.

 

 

Georgia GOP landslide predicted in AJC poll

Georgia's Democratic surge is already crashing, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll.

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, in a statistical dead heat with GOP challenger Herschel "I'm Not That Smart" Walker, is the only Democrat running a competitive campaign, according to the poll of likely voters.

Particularly shocking is  GOP incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp drawing 50 percent support against challenger Stacey Abrams, enough of an edge to avoid a runoff.

The rest of the Democratic ticket falls far behind GOP candidates, most of them incumbents.

In a ray of sunshine for Democrats, the poll shows 20 percent undecided voters in each race. That gives the Democratic candidates hope of cutting into the GOP's commanding leads by their stands on hot-button issues like abortion.

And the poll is of "likely voters," however that's defined. Abrams and other Democrats want to appeal to "unlikely voters," those who don't regularly cast their ballots.

The Democrats turned Georgia blue in the 2020 election, sweeping the presidential and U.S. Senate elections.

If the AJC poll proves accurate, that blue will be disappearing ink.