Dylan's Day 2011

Dylan's Day 2011 is about helping your fellow man/woman/child. Spread some kindness, make someone smile, change a life with your actions.

Here are a few ideas to help achieve this goal:

Donate to the Red Cross to help tornado and flood victims
•$1, $5, $10 - anything will help these poor folks
•Got to http://american.redcross.org

Practice Random Acts Of Weirdness:
    •Make someone smile - chances are they are having a rough day
    •Some examples:
        •Smile at a stranger, then, make a rasberry on your forearm
        •Jazz Hands!
        •In an elevator, when people get on, press all of the buttons and tell everyone "sorry, it's my first day as Elevator Guy," then, rasberry someone's belly
        •JAZZ HANDS!

Dylan's Day 2010

May 10th, 2010 marks what would be Dylan's 34th birthday. Dylan left us far too early last year and we've vowed to honor his birthday every year as a celebration of his life in a manner befitting his enormous heart.

This year, we're not holding an event, rather, we ask that everyone does what they can to help out the little critters that Mother Nature has provided us with as companions/pets/protectors, etc., by supporting your local SPCA or similar shelter. What ever you can do- donate some time or money, spread awareness, etc. - to help the helpless animals that Dylan cared so much about will not only earn you karma points, but, you'll truly be living the Life of Dylan.

Songs For Dylan

Music never leaves you once it takes hold. The only thing you can do is to channel it and aim it at people's hearts.

Today, Sunday, May 10th, 2009 marks what would have been my younger brother Dylan's 33rd birthday. Sadly, Dylan left this mortal coil on Monday, March 16th, 2009 and started his next big adventure. On this day, going forward, we will celebrate his life -we're calling it Dylan's Day- and take time to cherish our friends and family with every ounce of love we possess, just as Dylan did.

Every celebration needs music and this is no exception...I present to you the first in what is to become a series called Songs For Dylan. As you listen to these songs, remember my brother, hug your children, forgive a friend/relative, or get angry about the state of mental health care in this country. Heck, just listen to the songs and enjoy!

Respectfully,
Alexei "Al" Yukna
05/10/2009

Brighten The Corners (For Dylan)

By: Al Yukna/Pulaski

Slideshow: Melissa Yukna / Photos: Melissa Yukna, David Gierisch, others

Brighten The Corners (For Dylan).mp3 (4.4MB)

Performers:
Juan Armero- bass guitar, vocals, electric guitar, Hammond organ
Shawn Overbey- Acoustic guitars, vocals
Roy Fisher, Jr. - lead vocals
Michael Sean Palm- Rhodes
Michael Hoff- Drums
Al Yukna- Lead guitar

EngineAred/Mixed/Mastered: Shawn Overbey @ Marion Studios

Everyone has their own way to deal with grief (and happiness, etc.)- mine's music. I wrote this song start to finish- words and music- 2 days after Dylan's death. It just came out as it is- pretty and rough, syncopated and choppy, etc...all of the things my little brother was. I have the most talented and gracious friends- they "brightened the corners" and made it sound absolutely beautiful...even better than it sounded in my head. Roy did an amazing job with the vocals- I tried to sing them to him...never even seeing the lyrics, he listened and cut them straight away just like that and they are perfect. Mike nailed the drums right away, just playing along with me on guitar to record the drum tracks...I was so emotional that I couldn't even play the guitar in time, but, he trudged on. There was some debate about not having the "nasty" guitar solo at the end, but, we decided that was the way it was written and it just fits Dyl. I can't sing, but, I can play guitar and I think he'd dig it- nah, I KNOW he digs it. The song's title and content, among other things, is a nod to Dyl's love of being free- a free spirit that loved to ride motorcycles/scooters. I'd like to think you can drive down a country road in/on your vehicle of choice and feel that free. Please do just that.

Amazing Grace

Traditional / Arranged by: Juan Armero

Amazing Grace.mp3 (3.2MB)

Performers:
Juan Armero- vocals, acoustic guitar
Shawn Overbey- Acoustic guitar, vocals
Roy Fisher, Jr. - lead vocals, mouth harp
Michael Hoff- Drums
Al Yukna- Mandolin

EngineAred/Mixed/Mastered: Shawn Overbey @ Marion Studios

This is the beautiful arrangement that Johnny did for the memorial service. Performing this piece with my very best friends gave me the courage to speak at the memorial and I know it helped a lot of people to find solace. The words are really inspiring and leave it up to the individual to take away what meaning they need. I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed recording it.

Shirtless & Shitfaced

By: Al Yukna/Pulaski

Shirtless & Shitfaced.mp3 (4.2MB)

Performers:
Shawn Overbey- Lead vocals
Roy Fisher, Jr. - Theremin, vocals, filthy lead guitar
Michael Hoff- Drums
Al Yukna- electric/acoustic guitars, dobro, bass guitar

EngineAred/Mixed/Mastered: Shawn Overbey @ Marion Studios

This tongue-in-cheek song was originally recorded as a lark for the last Pulaski record...it was deemed not to be on concept, hehe. The title/theme comes from our good friend Bev Bankert- we were all living together at the time...Dyl just hanging out and plotting his next move, etc. Bev meant it in the nicest way- like Jimmy Buffet has his "Margaritaville" lifestyle, this is Dyl's style- "hammock livin'" for The Minister of Leisure. I'm pretty sure Dyl would find it an honor. A funny thing about this song is the Theremin part that Roy played- it just kind of floats along, constantly there. I'd like to think of my brother that way- always with me/us, doing his own thing.

Thanks

These songs that honor my brother would not have been possible without the grace of great friends and their families. To pull this off within a month or so, while grieving in their own ways and having to pick up their lives where they left off, is a feat to say the least. Many weeknights dedicated to picking me up and doing stuff like recording guitar parts that I wrote but just couldn't get myself to play...these will never, ever be forgotten- much like Dylan.

In Memory:

Dylan Kenneth Yukna - 05/10/1976 - 03/16/2009

View and sign the online memorial guestbook here. It will get archived in a bit and placed either here or on a special domain soon.

Please keep Dylan's spirit alive by making a donation to your local Humane Society and by living The Life of Dylan.

Contact the Yukna.com webmaster .