Phineas Gage: a medical mystery. How did this railroad construction foreman survive an iron rod blasting completely through his skull and destroying much of his brain's left frontal lobe? Of course he suffered brain damage which affected his personality and behavior, causing his friends to be turned off by his mood swings, but for 1848, it is a miracle he survived the accident. "The accident," which took place on September 13 of 1848, occurred while he was working on the Rutland & Burlington Railroad outside the town of Cavendish, Vermont.
(Photo cred: http://scienceblogs.com/retrospectacle/2007/10/the_curious_case_of_phineas_ga.php)
Fast forward to the twenty-first century. The years of the Phineas Gage Project. Not to be confused with modern research on the medical phenomena, the Project is a band of Vermonters who play "music for happy brains."
(Video - YouTube: phineasgagevt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQGKe5QpJzk)
The band, composed of a Champlain College professor/Yak farmer, a Champlain College Alumn and staff member, and two musicians, performs cover songs from bands and singer/songwriters like Tracy Chapman (as seen above), Fleetwood Mac, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Janis Joplin, The Bangles, Dave Mathews Band, America, Alanis Morissette, Guster, Toto, and even Outkast!
Rob Williams, my Media & Society professor who makes me blog monthly, below pictured in wacky antlers:
(Photo cred: Flickr)
Two out of three of his band mates, Kat Maund (CampChamp alumn) and Erica Stroem:
I was lucky enough to see the Phineas Gage Project perform at Champlain College's Accepted Students' Day on April 2nd. Although, I would have to say I am even luckier to have band members, Erica and James Kinne (not pictured), performing at my TOMS One Day Without Shoes event, "Attain Your Sole" Tuesday night, 6:00 at ECCO Clothes. Be there or be square.
To book the Phineas Gage Project, email rob@vermontyak.com
