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"The Bakersfield Sound of Christmas" recording project for the homeless The Cultural Signficiance of "Bakersfield and Beyond" Top 10 Dr BLTunes: "Halloween with Jim Beam" swiftly claims number one spot Update on HALLOWEEN WITH JIM BEAM: Rumors of botleg copy prompt midnight release Is this the next Buck Owens? My song aired back to back with the Man in Black? That's a fact! Be prepared to get scared: Release scheduled for "Halloween with Jim Beam" Song penned on my way to the pen expresses my sense of freedom from religion and politics Soulajar, Fatt Katt, Buckaroos, Councilmen, Merle Haggard and the Strangers: Big recording project Cash comparisons continue, Kim McAbee praised on review of Dr BLT's country remake of Billie Jean August 06 September 06 October 06 November 06 December 06 January 07 February 07 March 07 April 07 May 07 June 07 July 07 August 07 September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 http://www.drblt.net
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I asked, and they graciously and enthusiastically agreed to host BAKERSFIELD'S NEXT BUCK TALENT CONTEST.
I am humbled and honored by their hospitality. I've always said that, as it pertains to the Bakersfield sound, if lightening strikes twice, Trout's will be the lightening rod that catches it.
The Bakersfied sound is not a thing of the past. It's a thing of the present, and a thing of the future. Trout's gets that, and they are taking the lead in the...
Oops, it looks like I posted the wrong picture. I certainly don't want to stir up that Gorey debate again.
I meant to post a picture of Chad Vegas. At the hands of the left, some would agree that Chad Vegas has earned the nickname of Hanging Chad, that I now offer, simply because some feel the left have him poised for this sort of neck-wringing public execution.
What are your thoughts? Oh, and, by the way, if you are a repentant liberal,...
It's still not clear who the real winner is. And it's still not to late to enter and win. I'll be the judge, but you all get to vote.
http://people.bakersfield.c...
Altogether now: Bolthouse Rocks! Gulp!
Breathing refridgerated air really isn't that healthy. If you hadn't noticed, that cold air blowing on your face can do a real number on your poor sinuses. As it turns out, air conditioning is not good for the preservation of a traditional definition of marriage either.
http://people.bakersfield.c...
By buying and drinking Bolthouse Farms drinks, on the other hand, you can conserve energy, spare the sinuses, support a traditional definition of...
The song you will cover for your audition is posted right here, right now (complete version with and without instruments available for free for contestants upon request).
The details of the contest and the list of talented contestants that have already applied for the title is posted at:
Bakersfield Sound Underground
http://www.bakersfieldsound...
Welcome to Bakersfield Sound Trivia Quest. I'm Dr. BLT and I'll be your host.
The link to this "hick" hop song, from the CD, Confessions of a Buckaholic, by yours truly, got it's first internet hit in 2006. It's called BYOB.
http://www.drblt.net
Now, here's your trivia quest challenge: After listening to the song, posted at Art of the Mix, correctly identify what the letters B.Y.O.B. stand for in this "hick" hop hit by Dr BLT....
The remix features my brother, Brad, member of a bluegrass band in Slovakia, and my daughter on keyboards, at the age of 2 (she's 3 now). Tell me where my daughter comes in (at the beginning, the middle, or the very end of the song, and win an autographed copy of the CD upon which the song will appear when the CD, From Buck Owens Blvd. to Merle Haggard Drive comes out in early September of this year.
http://www.drblt.net
Catch the whole true story behind the song here:...
Welcome to the blog series, Lyric Today, Hear it Tomorrow. That's the idea behind the blog series, but it doesn't always go down that way.
I usually wake up with several songs beginning to perculate within my head. They all end up competing for space in my head.
The song should speak for itself. But in the game of blog n roll, I'm supposed to supply a topic with every tune so you can talk with the aid of a conversational piece of music. Your...
As long as we're talkin' Buckshot, the seed is good. In fact, it's superb. One of the seeds even comes from "the big tree"---Buck Owens himself.
All of us who want to see the younger generations benefit from the rich musical legacy that was left behind with the Bakersfield sound have been busy cultivating the soil.
But is the ground fertile and is it ready to receive new seed, to nurture it, and to watch it grow to the point of yielding a bona...
It was a surrealistic photo session and a jam session of a lifetime. It's a long story, but you can catch the first part of it and catch the lyrics to one of the songs on the "soundtrack" to our Buck Owens ranch trek today at:
Bakersfield Sound Underground
http://www.bakersfieldsound...
Good morning, Bakersfield! Today at
Bakersfield Sound Underground
http://www.bakersfieldsound...
you can find out more about what the role this man, Lloyd Reading (pictured here with my daughter) is playing in moving the Bakersfield sound of yore to a new generation, and you'll be able to sample the song I wrote for her. It's called Bein' Your Dad.
Remember this: If you ain't goin' underground, you ain't goin' nowhere!
Welcome to Bakersfield Sound Trivia Quest: Next Generation Edition
I'm Dr BLT. I'll be your host.
The first two questions are contained in the subject line.
Now, you'll need a hint to answer the first one:
Where was this photo taken? (hint: it's owned by the father of the band member whose dad is Buck Owens and it contains horses and dinosaurs).
but to win your copy of my forthcoming CD, From Buck Owens Blvd. to Merle Haggard Drive, you'll have to answer one more...
This morning, after crashing a couple of nights at my place, my brother from Slovakia left, with his family, and they will be leaving the country in a few days, heading back to Slovakia, where he operates a language school and plays in a bluegrass band. The song title has nothing to do with my brother's departure. It has everything to do with the abandonment, in many cases, of real country music in pursuit of fool's gold.
It's hard...
If you weren't in the buckarooM last night for this historic recording session, you missed out. Then again, though I love the public, the event was closed to the public.
But that doesn't mean you can't go underground and hear a sample of the rough mix of Short Season of Love, the new duet about the short-lived romance between Buck and Bonnie Owens.
Bakersfield Sound Underground
http://www.bakersfieldsound...
If you ain't goin' underground, you ain't goin'...
A new bako sound, future AmeriKERNa classic? You'll decide. I'll abide.
What this Country Means to Me
Dr BLT
hardly a day goes by
when I don't play a song
by old Merle Haggard and his boys
hardly a night goes by
when a
Billy Mize lullaby
plays next to that song
by Homer Joy
CHORUS
that's what this country
means to me
the sound
of the brave, strong and the free
Jelly Sanders, Whittington
songs that comfort like...
In my efforts to take the reins and assume the role of conduit for new brand of Kern county country, grounded in the Bakersfield sound, I've been preaching about mentoring, teamwork and collaboration. This song speaks of that sort of Kern county country comradery. Without further ado, I give you:
I'll Pull some Strings for You
words and music by Dr BLT copyright 2008
I heard you've been...
Mr. Lloyd Reading, formerly of the Bob Manning Trio and the Blackboard Playboys, is helping to bridge the Bakersfield sound generation gap, by joining a couple of younger Bakersfield-sound-rooted songwriters with a song that pays tribute to the Blackboard, the very plays he and his band-mates used to jam.
Mr. Lloyd Reading is keenly aware of our efforts to bridge the Bakersfield sound generation gap and to make his music, and the music of his cohorts of the...
In this world of mine--the world of blog n roll, I supply the topic and the tunes, and you supply the talk.
Simply use these lyrics as a springboard to get into formulating your answer to this: What 3 things do you need most to survive?
Ready? Set? Blog n roll?
Roots, Rhythm and Boots to Fit In
words and music by Dr BLT copyright 2008 Nu Bako Sound Recordings/Krocker Records
I don't ask for much
'cause I don't need much
roots,...
I'll be hanging out at Trout's over the next couple of weeks, fishing for these two Kern County country stars of the Bakersfield sound genre.
Or, Sonny, if you're out there, have your people call my lack of people. Red, the same goes for you. Have your people call my lack of people.
Here's another one about one of Bakersfield's last Bakersfield sound artists still living. breathing, and walking the Streets of Bakersfield---even singing and performing at Trout's every weekend.
If you've never experienced a Sonny Night, you've never heard him play at Trout's.
When I heard this haunting, romantic ballad in the BuckarooM last night, I had to pinch myself to find out if I was really in the middle of producing it, or if it was a dream. As it turns out, it was a dream, but a dream come true.
Here's Hank Ray's latest, Shadows.
I conducted a single-question interview at the BuckarooM last night with rising nu bako sound artist, Mr. Hank Ray. It's that burning question that's been on everybody's mind these days. My question is asked in a circumlocutory manner, but Hank doesn't beat around the bush at all in the response he provides.
You'll have to listen to the entire song to get to his answer, but it's worth it. Without further ado, here's...
Are You the New Hank? (hit play on the play...
It looks like, so far, the news on the review front is good for the last solo project to emerge from the closing doors of the old Buck Owens recording studios. For those following such reviews, here's the latest, this one by a music critic I have great respect for---Michael Dalton.
Here is a link to Michael Dalton's review of The Buck Owens Studios Farewell Session by yours truly.
http://www.tollbooth.org/20...
Here is Dalton's review of...
It's rooted in the past. It's grounded in the Bakersfield Sound. It's symbolically represented by the changing of the guard, or the passing of the torch from the Bakersfield sound generation to generations of younger artists and fans.
It's hard to define. Some terms I've come up with are nu bako sound, krock (referring to the new crop of Kern County rock), and, most recently, AmeriKerna (like Americana music, but geographically and historically based in Kern County, and,...
If you haven't gone underground lately, you're missing out on some exciting action, like my recent interview with Hot Rod of FattKatt and the VonZippers. Along with Dusk Devils, this local act is on the cutting edge of the burgeoning Bakersfield-sound-grounded bakobilly movement.
The interview is posted today at:
Bakersfield Sound Underground
http://www.bakersfieldsound...
Remember this: If you ain't goin' underground, you ain't goin' anywhere!
Welcome to the new series, Songs inspired by Red Simpson. You'll find the latest edition at:
Bakersfield Sound Underground
http://www.bakersfieldsound...
Red Simpson is to truck songs as Johnny Cash is to train songs. Red is one of the living legends of the Bakersfield sound movement that still resides in Bakersfield and still plays and sings his country songs every week-end at Trout's. The song posted at Bakersfield Sound Underground (includes sample and...
This song speaks for itself. So why am I speaking? Okay, I'll shut up. There should be a recording of this coming out of the BuckarooM shortly. I'll keep you posted.
On bein' a Bucknik
words and music by Dr BLT copyright 2008
Nu Bako Sound Recordings/Krocker Records
bein' a bucknik is cool
you don't have to follow rules
bein' a bucknik means that its okay
to play the fool
you put yourself out on a limb
and don't care if it breaks
takin' a risk...
What do you get when you take a beatnik, (or a post-beatnik), put a cowboy hat on him, and get him in touch with the Bakersfield sound history, and genre? Give up?
You get a Bucknick! Buck's Bunkhouse is a new virtual retro Kern County country rock coffee house blog series at:
Bakersfield Sound Underground
http://www.bakersfieldsound...
This series involves an innovative new blending of two retro cultures: The post-60s-beatnik culture and the...
Were you an adolescent that went astray, like Merle Haggard did? Are you the parent of a child that took the wrong road? If you have a story to tell about how you turned it all around, tell it here, at the site of this brand new song.
Here are the lyrics, the recording is in the works.
Arrested Development
words and music by Dr BLT copyright 2008
he lost his father when he was a young boy
and loss of dad can be a...
Here's your clue, and it doubles as a free Dr BLT download:
Ticket to Ride
words and music by J. L. and P.M.
Dr BLT feat. Roxie
http://www.drblt.net/music/...
The winner (the first one to get the correct answer and post it in the comments section) receive a copies of both of my forthcoming CDs, autographed, when they show up at my CD release party in September.
Ready? Set? Blog n roll!
There's Lloyd Reading, there's Homer Joy, there's Red Simpson, there's Billy Mize, there's Sonny Langley, just to name a few of the local living legends of the Bakersfield sound genre.
My question to those who are familiar with these cats and their Kern County country music, is simple. As stated in the subject line, who is your favorite among the living?
In the game of blog n roll, I provide the topics and the tunes. You provide the talk. Today, I'll let you...
Here's another rough cut from the BuckarooM. I warn you, this one's real rough. But it's fresh, and you heard it here first. I wrote and recorded it this morning, after local living legend, Lloyd Reading visited my home, and my home studio, last night for some filming and song collaboration. There's more on Bakersfield's most active baton-passing, cross-generation-bridge building hero here, where you'll also find a link to Hank Ray's article on Lloyd Reading:
Bakersfield...
Welcome to my new series. A special version of Lyric Today/Hear it Tomorrow. This song was inspired by Lloyd Reading's Tuesday evening visit to my home recording studio, The BuckarooM, and by my first exposure to John Mellancamp's new CD. I listened to it on my way to work this morning, and found that it to be quite an inspiration.
This song will be released underground tomorrow, or the next, or the next one after that, all depending on which songs of mine become...
Historic interview/recording session with living legend "Playboy" Lloyd Reading tonight in BuckarooM
IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING---two generations, united by one sound, the Bakersfield sound. Tonight, beginning at 7 pm, the man Hank Ray and I have named "Playbody Lloyd" in this co-written song of ours, will be joining us in an historic video-taped interview/recording session in my own home studio--the BuckarooM.
The plan is to interview Lloyd, partially in the traditional question/answer format, and partially in the form of a song called Them Blackboard Days, in which Lloyd...
Good morning everyone! I'd like to introduce you to my grandpa. He's been deceased for a few years now, but in Montana, his legacy is still alive. To hear his story, read these lyrics and/or activate the music play station posted here by hitting the play button.
The song, All-American Cowboy, is brand new, recorded in the BuckarooM, my personal home studio.
This is a blog n roll blog, so here's how it works: I supply the topic and the tunes. You supply the...
Welcome to Bakersfield Sound Trivia Quest. I'm Dr. BLT, and I'll be your host. The answer will be revealed after a day or two. The answer will be revealed in a similar picture to this one. You'll find it at:
Bakersfield Sound Underground
http://www.bakersfieldsound...
If you ain't goin' underground, you ain't goin' anywhere.
Are you ready to blog n roll?
Ready? Set? Blog n roll!
It's not a rumor. It falls under the category of "truism." One would think it would be a rumor, considering that they, along with the Dusk Devils, are at the helm of an underground Bakersfield-sound-based bak obilly revolution.
But it's in the works. Hot Rod, of FattKatt and the VonZippers has not only agreed to the interview. It's in the bag, baby, coming soon to Bakerfield.com, Bakotopia.com, and, last, but not least:...
Let me be clear. You won't win the truck, but you could win the keys to the song. Just answer the question below, and one more underground (to be posted at 7 am) at:
Bakersfield Sound Underground
http://www.bakersfieldsound...
Now for question one:
1. Red Simpson had good luck with trucks, and with songs about trucks. His biggest trucker song was called:
a. Mother Trucker
b. Truck without Wheels
c. ...
Welcome to the No Guts No Glory edition of Lyric Today/Hear it Tomorrow. The following is a duet I penned this morning, especially for Sonny Langley and Red Simpson, a couple of local Bakersfield Sound legends.
Whether they agree to record it or not, is their business, and they should feel no obligation to record it. Who am I to even approach them with such a song? I'm not worthy to step on the same Bakersfield Sound ground. So why would I dare to be so foolish?...
Just in time for summer, James McClintock (pictured here in the BuckarooM) and me, Dr BLT, have teamed up to create a summer love song, based on the story about how James and his girlfriend met. They told me their story, James and me put it in the song, and the rest is history---I mean their story.
This is called The Ocean is You. This is our second collaboration.
Credits:
words and music by James McClintock and Dr BLT copyright 2008
vocals by Dr BLT
rythm guitar:...
With this song, I'd like to open up a dialogue. This is, after all, a "blog n roll" blog. In blog n roll, I supply the tunes and the topic, and you take care of the talk.
The topic, accompanying (no pun intended) this tune is:
Is the American male identity in a state of crisis since the spread of both urban life, and the feminist movement? Men used to hunt, fish and gather food. The women would stay home and...
Here's the latest, and it comes from the bottom of my heart.
We're 2 die 4
words and music by Dr BLT copyright 2008
sometimes I wonder if I'm worth it
sometimes I wonder why I'm here
but in your precious word
you talk about it
and you make it abundantly clear
we're 2 die 4
we're 2 die 4
and it gives me a reason
2 live
we're 2 die 4
we're 2 die 4
and dyin' is exactly what you did
sometimes...
Yes, you'll hear it tomorrow, right here, unless my head becomes too crowded with more new songs, and this one gets lost in the crowd.
For now, here are the lyrics:
They’re Leavin’ The Country
(Tragic Exodus)
Words and music by Dr BLT copyright 2008
They’re leavin’ the country
The music that I adore
They’re leavin’ the country
And they slam that big door
What their leavin’
Is the real deal
What...
It's every bit as simple as this. Sample the ads posted here:
http://www.allowe.com/Humor...
and then, in the comments section, let us know which ad is your very favorite and why.
Ready? Set? Blog n roll!
No Guts No Glory: I asked a local, major music mogul to smooth the rough edges on this song and more
I won't mention him by name, but he's somebody that's a perfectionist, and I'm far from perfect--more of an amateur in many respects. He's had to be a perfectionist, in order to produce some of the greatest music associated with some of the biggest names in country music to come out of the Bakersfield Sound movement.
He's somebody I've submitted stuff to in the past, and he has offered feedback. It was mostly in the form of constructive criticism, but it wasn't especially...
GOOD DAY! Welcome to my new series, NO GUTS, NO GLORY. It's a step-by-step (or in some cases, it will be misstep-by-misstep) guide to long shots I take on the oft-failure-ridden road to success as a singer/songwriter.
Today, I'm going to have the guts to ask Bakersfield's own legendary Bakersfield Sound artist from the Blackboard Cafe era, and Bakersfield's own legend-in-the-making, Hank Ray, to complete this song by Lloyd adding a verse that answers the first, and by Hank...
Most people think that French is the official language of Canada. They haven't grown up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Yes, I did grow up with the TV show for children known as Che Helen. And all of the text on the cereal boxes are in both French, and English, but the official language of Canada is actually Canadian.
I don't think all of us have the time to pick up French, but Candian is really quite easy to learn. It is not that much different from the English...
Welcome to Battle of the Dr BLT Cover Artists, where one Dr BLT artist is pitted against another, to win the coveted title of Reigning Dr BLT Cover artist.
Today, in one corner of the ring, we have Jennifer Mancuso, singing the Dr BLTune, One Nation Under God (with me, Dr BLT singing back-up). In the other corner, we have Daniel Sisco, singing the Dr BLTune, Doubting Doubting Thomas. Daniel Sisco actually co-wrote the music on this version of the song. One Nation...
If you're a local artist, duo or band that has been consistently rejected, you may qualify to be interviewed as a bona fide underdog for a new series of Underground Underdog interviews to be featured at Bakersfield Sound Underground:
http://www.bakersfieldsound...
If you generally despise fame, and the slowly diminishing prospect of it, but you're interested in some limited exposure, lease contact me, Dr. BLT at:
drblt@drblt.net
or find me on the internet at:...
Are you externally, internally, or eternally motivated? It all depends on where you place your locus of control. If you believe that your surroundings and your circumstances control your destiny, then you will both blame your surroundings and circumstances when things go wrong, and you will celebrate them when things go right.
If you rely upon an internal locus of control, you look when things go wrong, you pat yourself on the back when things go right, and you look within...
As promised, I started a new series at Bakersfield Sound Underground today. It's called Bakersfield Sound Garden. It's where we take seeds from the old Bakersfield Sound "trees," that is, music of yore, that distinctly represents the Bakersfield Sound, and the spirit of that age, and plant then in new soil, along with rows of experimental "plants" of myriad genres, that incorporate elements of the Bakersfield Sound to form new breeds of musical...
Gather your hoes, your shovels, your work gloves, your garden hats, and all of your garden tools. Most of all, gather your seeds, tomorrow, at Bakersfield Sound Underground,
http://www.bakersfieldsound...
I'm going to help you plant a post-Bakersfield-Sound-garden. These are the seeds I will be using:
mentoring seeds
collaboration seeds
seeds of support
seeds of appreciation for the past
seeds of experimentation
bridge-building seeds
If...
That's right, the streets of Bakersfield, (once closed to Homer Joy, until he wrote a song that would re-open them for him and others) are closed once again to new artists trying to break into the local music scene.
With Trout's open jam sessions, and with the mentoring spirits of old-timers (like Lloyd Reading, who has reached out to members younger generations, like Hank Ray, who treasure his talents), that may change soon. But in the meantime, the streets remain closed...
20 minutes later, it was born in the BuckarooM. It was inspired by the picture you see here, one I took several weeks ago at a stop just outside of Fresno on off the 99.
I hope you enjoy the song. I'll see you in an hour and a half at Starbucks on Rosedale Highway just east of Callowy where Hank Ray and I will be performing and selling songs like this one to benefit the Buck Owens Wellness Resource center.
America off the hook
That's just the lyrical...
Hank Ray wrote these lyrics last night and sent them to me. I put music to them, and the song has been added to the Buck's Red, White and Blue special edition CD to be released tomorrow at Starbucks.
Please learn it. We'll need to follow along with you at the Starbucks patio performance, because we're just learning it ourselves.
I took the photo a few weeks back at a stop just off the 99. I call it America Off the Hook.
American Blues
lyrics by...
You don't have to wait until the sun goes down to get a bang out of your July 4th weekend. I'll be releasing my new July 4th song, Buck's Red, White and Blue Guitar, and Bakesfield's own guitar legend-in-the-making, Hank Ray who plays on several songs from the limited edtion CD, has written one, and co-written another, will join me on the guitar. Maybe I'll even talk him into performing a couple of his own originals.
50% of profits will go towards Buck Owens Wellness...
Psychologists are often accused of trying to get into peoples' heads. Personally, I would rather get into their hearts, try to feel their pain (or whatever else it may be that they are feeling), and try to convey that in asong.
Lately, I've been inspired, not only by the songs of George Jones, but by his autobiography. I'm only at page 11, and his story has already inspired me to write two songs. Here's the...
I'm talking about the song, not an actual guitar, but if anybody has a Buck Owens red, white and blue guitar that they would like to auction off at the song's "live" debut, let me know.
On July 4th from about 8 am to 10 pm, me and Hank Ray will be on the patio at Starbucks on Rosedale highway near Calloway, performing my own original song, Buck's Red, White and Blue Guitar (featuring the deft guitar skills of local guitarist, Hank Ray), "live"...
The short film producer (who doubles as one of the fastest-rising guitarists in the nu Bako Sound underground movement from the krock crop, or the Kern County country rock crop), Hank Ray, told let me know "all I have to do is act naturally." And, acting naturally comes natural for me, so it wasn't a problem when I learned I would be writing some song material for the mini horror film having to do with the rise and fall of the Bakersfield Sound.
If you're...
Welcome to my songwriter series, Lyric today, Hear it Tomorrow. Today's song was born out of a line from George Jone's autobiography, I Lived to Tell it All with Tom Carter.
Referring to his brother-in-law, W.T. "Dub" Scroggins, whom he called his uncle, Jones, on page two, says, "I looked up to Dub, literally and figuratively, and thought he looked the way God would look if God wore denim."
This reminded me of the Joan Osborne hit, What if God Were One...
They have lots of great coffee drinks, beer, and pastries, but this is the only CD you'll find at Dagny's, at least for the time being. It's kind of nice, for a change, not to have any competition. Come to Dagny's. It's a cool place to hang out, discuss the rise, and fall, and rise of the Bakersfield Sound, as Dr BLTunes play in the background.
http://www.bakotopia.com/ho...
The Buck Owens Farewell Session was recorded...
There's good news for procrastinators and for those requiring more confidence and more encouragement to enter. The deadline for Bakersfield's Next Buck Talent Competition, initially set for June 1, 2008, has been extended until September 1.
For those who wish to know what this competition's all about, it's about finding Bakersfield's Next Buck Owens....well, sort of. You don't have to necessarily sound like Buck, or even be a solo act for that matter. In fact, one of...
Not to worry. There's something you can do while Hank is tuning up his instrument.
I'll be offering a karaoke version of the song for those who wish to sing it on their July 4th celebrations. You can catch the melody (via a song sample) and learn the words, by going underground:
Bakersfield Sound Underground
http://www.bakersfieldsound...
And, remember this: "If you ain't goin' underground, you ain't goin' anywhere!
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