Post Number 376

Dr. Maya Angelou (smart woman)

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."
"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."
"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life." Amen!
"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life."
"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."
"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.
"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."
"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."
"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."
"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Thanks KK

How...What...Huh?

Grade Three Ankle Sprain

6 days later...think I should sue?

Johnny Cash's Last Days

From CNN.

My List of The Best American Rock Bands Ever.

Having been in the radio business for what seems like forever and since I have been listening to music seemingly forever before then, I thought today would be a good day to list MY favorite American bands of all time. Now, when it comes to bands, guys like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, and Bob Dylan et al are not considered. Here's my list, what about yours? How friggin subjective is this, hmmm?



1. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. His songs are like mini-movies, each one seems to have a protagonist and a plot. Listen to "Meeting Across The River" from "Born To Run" and tell me Orson Welles could have done better. No one talks of the joys, triumphs, heartbreaks and disappointments of the working man better than this guy. His band is top notch, also.



2.(tie) The Band. Even though Robbie Robertson is Canadian, no one picked up on life in America quite as well as these guys. From "King Harvest" to "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" (a look back at the Civil War through Confederate eyes), these guys nailed it. To be considered Bob Dylan's back up band ain't a bad thing either.



2. Creedence Clearwater Revival. All John Fogerty needed was four chords. Easy, simple and powerful. At the height of this boy's adolescence (13-16), CCR tunes were all over the radio. I swear they had a new album every six months and it was always special to bring them home for the latest magic from these four guys. Internal struggles (including a brother to brother relationship that was never repaired), doomed this band. I challenge anyone to find a stretch of genius in American rock and roll that matched this one. No one did it better. You want anti-war? How about "Fortunate Son"? You want story telling? How about "Down On The Corner". As much as I have listened to this music, I will never tire of it. One of the great moments in my career was meeting John Fogerty. He was all I expected him to be. Ask any Vietnam vet what their music meant to them.

4. The Eagles. You want country? How about "Midnight Flyer"? You want rock and roll? Nothing better than "Those Shoes" You want a great story? "Hotel California" does it for me. How about Philly soul? "One Of These Nights" will fit the bill. Five part goose bump delivering harmonies. A great band gets better with the edition of Joe Walsh, maybe this country's best guitar player ever.

5. The Beach Boys. Summer fun and maybe the greatest album ever in Pet Sounds. This is the release that John and Paul listened to while making Sgt. Pepper. Are there any better songs than "God Only Knows", "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "Good Vibrations"? These guys have single handedly rescued the "oldies" format. Put the top down, hit the accelerator and have fun fun fun until her daddy takes the TBird away. One of MY first musical influences.

Honorable mention Steely Dan, The Doors, J. Giels Band, The Doobie Brothers, Allman Brothers.

(I would have posted pictures of The Eagles, and the Beach Boys, but for some reason, the blog site wouldn't post them, I will try again later.)

AICN Picks The Greatest Films About America

Here's the link.

From aintitcool.com

One of the most comprehensive lists ever. Happy Independence day.

Taylor Hicks

I admit it, I don't watch American Idol. I think the premise of being made fun of in front of a national TV audience just is not my cup of tea. Paula Abdul sure looks nice though.. but I digress. This guy apparently won it this year and already he's hawking Ford products. What happened to integrity? What has happened to the music business? He doesn't even have a hit song and already he's a shill. Not only that but we have to be subjected to this ad nauseum...over and over. "poss i bil i ties but no in teg rit y." Yuch.

Cirque de Soliel's LOVE Reviews and Pictures

A review of the show..Paul and Yoko kiss and make up.
The website.

In Praise of...John Denver

When my brother left the states for his second tour of Vietnam, it was the first time I ever saw my father cry. The song on the radio was "Leavin On A Jet Plane." It was done by Peter, Paul and Mary and everytime it came on the radio, I had to turn it off. I still have trouble listening to it. I wanted to know who wrote it, since it released such an emotional response. Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. OK, then. Fast forward about three years to the summer of 1971. On the AM radio came a piece of pop that made me feel good. "Take Me Home Country Roads" hit really hard for a pimple faced 15 year old living in the city homesick for the country life that I had moved from. It was at that time I found out he also wrote "Jet Plane". I was now a fan of John Denver. The fact that there was a certain resemblance between us made him only cooler. The hits came fast and furious and I really loved where he was coming from, writing about the outdoors, the mountains, and environment. He became a big star and I really enjoyed it when he filled in for Johnny Carson. (At the time, he held the record for guest hosting duties.) I loved "Oh God!" and "Far Out" became a part of my lexicon. He became one of the first rock stars who took up environmental concerns and apparently, though it seemed like he was a decent guy, he struggled mightily with his demons and dark side. Alcohol was his friend and it cost him his wife and some say his life. Thanks, John for all of your goodness and kindness and your songs, they are still played in the Raley household to this day and will be forever.
My Top Ten John Denver playlist:

1. Poems, Prayers and Promises
2. Rocky Mountain High
3. This Old Guitar
4. Leavin On A Jet Plane
5. Goodbye Again
6. Annie's Song
7. Take Me Home Country Roads
8. Back Home Again
9. Some Days Are Like Diamonds
10. Follow Me

here's the Wikipedia entry for John Denver

Friday Sucked!!

After deciding that I want to buy American shoes, built in America, I stop by the New Balance store right next to the Arch. They measure my feet and tell me I wear a size 11 1/2 shoe. I have never worn anything higher than a 10 1/2, but I say OK, you are the pros, so I take the 11 1/2's home. After rubbing two holes on my Achilles tendon, I return the shoes for 10 1/2's. They don't have 10 1/2's in stock, but they convince me to buy 10 1/2 size "mid tops" because all of the ballers are wearing them. Well, I am not a "baller" and I have 50 year old ankles. Not to worry, all the guys are wearing them, they give great support and it's not really a low top shoe. After playing 35 minutes on Friday, here is the result:


I am out til Labor Day at least. Today, New Balance gets these shoes back with an earful from me. I want 10 1/2 size high tops and I want them now. I can't play for at least two months, but dammit, I want them now, or cheerfully refund my money. Can I get a pair of Chuck Taylor's somewhere?