The "Dirty Dozen"

I watched The Dirty Dozen this morning while doing my laundry here in music city.
What a great movie and one I saw in the theatres when it was first released in 1967. It stars (of course) Lee Marvin, who looked just like my dad. Did you know that Lee is buried at Arlington National Cemetary? Anyway, I digress....awesome movie and it features young Donald Sutherland, Charles Bronson, Telly Savales and Jim Brown. After watching it today, I thought about my dad a lot. Cool guy movie that features a lot of stuff getting blown up. Cool.

The Top 25 Movie Ass Kickings of All Time

Who's gonna show you this stuff, huh? Video evidence provided

The Magic of Records

When I was a kid, growing up on the farm, every Saturday morning I’d climb on my Schwinn and ride 4 miles into town and spend my allowance at the Dairy Queen, the local pinball place, and I would ride to Cummins Electric to look through their stack of 45s and LPs. Now granted, they didn’t have the greatest selection, but that was cool, it was a very small town. Later, I moved to a river town and Saturdays would be the day that I would enter the closest thing we had to an art gallery in the city and that would be The Curiosity Shoppe in downtown Davenport. I guess you could called it a “head shop” now a days but back then, it was a place where you could walk through aisles and aisles of records, little pieces of art all decorated with album covers meant to catch your eye and In fact, there were many times I would get turned on to music my buying an album for it’s cover. I made some great discoveries that way, Osibisa, Mandrell, Lee Ritenour and the list goes on. Most of the time, there was something cool being played in the store, whether it was Billy Cobham, Mahavishnu Orchestra or Steve Hillage and Gong. You could handle the music, take it home, unwrap it and then smell it. I will never forget the smell of a new album freshly unsealed. My enjoyment of listening to Fragile by Yes was definatey enhanced by the album cover and the little booklet inside. I know that when I took “Dark Side Of The Moon” home for the first time, while I was listening to the album, I explored all the cool stuff inside. Remember the poster and the pictures that accompanied Dark Side? When CDs came along, the music sure sounded better but then the trade off was the artwork, the product was smaller and not conducive to letting groups put a lot of attention to the visual stimulation that accompanied this great sounding invention. Sadly, today’s youth will never know that opportunity. All they do is order a song on line or download a song from this website, or that website and wham it’s in their computer or Ipod. Maybe that is why music doesn’t mean as much to kids as it did to us. They can’t feel it, touch it, see it or smell it…and that’s too bad.

The New Volvo Ad

There is quite the discussion going on at Mike Anderson's St. Louis Media Website about the new Volvo ad with the cute little girl that keeps babbling on about a story while the father buckles her in. Mike said he really didn't care for it (others agreed) but I think it's a great campaign. Here's why. I think one of my best years was when my daughter was in fifth grade. It was at a time when I was able to pick her up every day from school. I coached her basketball team and was very successful at work. Most guys will tell you their daughters were the best about fifth grade. Girls still think their dads are cool and still want hugs. Then we get real dumb real fast. Some of my fondest memories of my son are the times we spent in the car. I can remember very clearly the times I had to buckle him in his carseat. He is now being stationed at the Los Angeles Air Force Base working with satellites. The first time I saw the ad, I knew exactly where they were headed and immediately took the bait. If those said children hadn't gone (or are getting ready) to go to college, I would probably own a Volvo or two. God bless them.

Junk

This past Monday, I got gas at exit 89 at Oak Grove Kentucky for $1.81 a gallon. Gas in Nashville is at $2.15; in St. Louis it's $1.89. It will be at $3.00 this summer (or more). You know it will.


I love potato chips and I don't eat them much, but when I make a turkey and cheese or tuna salad sandwich, I gotta have my chips. Lay's Classic, specifically. Although a fine chip is a fine chip, I do miss having the slightly less than perfect chips in the bag. You know, the brown ones. You never see them anymore. All the chips are perfect. The brown ones were my favorite, something else I got from my older brother.I grew up with "Kitty Clover" Potato Chips and I know Chicago had "Jay's".

"Charles Chips" were popular, too.

Like anything else, it seems that once all chips were in the same hands, they lost their "flavor". Bring back brown chips.
BTW, I don't do anything kinky tastewise with chips other than "bar-b-q" once in a while, that's as far as I'll go. Not that I'm saying there's anything wrong with people experimenting with SourCream or whatever, that's just not what I'm into.

Although, I will admit to having a "Kruncher" once in a while, but only in private.


I am still a Letterman guy. Yeah, he is not the Dave of old, but I just can't handle Jay. He just rubs me the wrong way. Jay is a smug smart ass, while Dave is just a smart ass. I think Dave has a better band, too.



Tonight he has two of my favotite women on the show.

Rosanne Cash did "Seven Year Ache" about twenty five years ago and that song is still on my Ipod.

ROSEANNE CASH
Seven Year Ache

You act like you were just born tonight
Face down in a memory but feeling all right
So who does your past belong to today?
Baby, you don't say nothing when you're feeling this way

The girls in the bars thinking, "who is this guy?"
But they don't think nothing when they're telling you lies
You look so careless when they're shooting that bull
Don't you know heartaches are heroes when their pockets are full

Tell me you're trying to cure a seven-year ache
See what else your old heart can take
The boys say, "when is he gonna give us some room"
The girls say, "god I hope he comes back soon"

Everybody's talking but you don't hear a thing
You're still uptown on your downhill swing
Boulevard's empty, why don't you come around?
Baby, what is so great about sleeping downtown?

Splitting your dice to be someone you're not
You say you're looking for something you might've forgot
Don't bother calling to say you're leaving alone
'Cause there's a fool on every corner when you're trying to get home

Just tell 'em you're trying to cure a seven-year ache
See what else your old heart can take
The boys say, "when is he gonna give us some room"
The girls say, "god I hope he comes back soon"

She is Johnny's daughter which automatically moved her to the top of my list.

Mandy Moore is one of the hottest young women around. I saw her on the cover of a magazine a couple of years ago and had to look at the magazine closely just to know you she was.
Mandy Moore

Which leads me to....

I went to see CATS on stage at the TPAC on Friday night and had a great time after the show. I am not great fan of the show, but it was performed well. At the post performance reception, I met with the cast. I don't know what I was expecting, but it was like I was talking to my son's friends. They were all so young, and they all called me "sir"...

BUMMER

The"Swiftboating" of Barack Obama Has Already Begun

I'm not the most political guy in the world. I am still making up my mind about what to believe in what I think will be the most important election in the last 50 years. I don't know much about him, but so far, I like Barak Obama. He seems to be a fresh face with a fresh message. I also like John McCain, so that shows you where I might be. Jeez, Fox News, let's not make up the news, OK? Do something like maybe check your sources. Did they just make this shit up?

Fan Clubs Gone Wrong

Kiss Army, Parrotheads, Clay Aiken fans and more

In Praise of...Leon Russell

I guess the first song I heard by him was "Tightrope". I didn't realize that he was such a prolific songwriter. I sure liked the song "Superstar" and thought Karen Carpenter kicked ass on it (wait, can you say that Karen Carpenter kicked ass on anything)? I saw Leon at the Uptown Theatre in Kansas City in 1982. Martin Mull opened for him then the stage went dark, with only one light shining on the piano stool. Out of the darkness, a white haired man with a black cape sat down and sang .."I've been so many places in my life and time..." and I was "all in." Have been since. To this day one of THE very best shows ever.

My top five Leon songs...

1. Bluebird maybe one of my top five EVER
2. Back To The Island incredible stuff
3. Superstar Karen's (and Bonnie Bramlett's) best ever
4. This Masquerade Excellence personified
5. A Song For You I know exactly where I was when I heard it the first time. Karen again?

Thanks Leon, you lost your lovely wife not too long ago, but a punk kid from nowheresville thanks you for all you've done

"Life Is Good"

This is the picture that popped up when I "Googled" the image of the words "Life Is Good". Sure, sure but it is. And it is. I have an internet connection in the apartment that is not the greatest but will take all suggestions on how to get a better connection. I now have a TV and a new cable connection coming this weekend, along with a DVD/Ipod/CD player, listening to Foghat "Live Now, Pay Later" and basically enjoying Nashville. The show is definately coming along and I am at the point where if I DON'T put something interesting on the air, I'm pissed. Butchered one break to death today but redeemed it later. So, more blogs to come. Hey, Nashvegas, nice to be here and thanks.

The Top 15 "Spinal Tap" Moments In Rock

The Top 15 "Spinal Tap" moments are all right here.

Brush With greatness..whatever

I was turned on to the music of Dave Mason at an early age. His "Alone Together" was an album that I purchased on the farm, which means before 15. My cousin Bob also dug Dave and his "It's Like You Never Left" is on my all time top 25. It was a real treat to meet Dave at the Crestwood studios of KSHE. I was extremely nervous because this was one of the guys I never thought I would meet. This must be 1985-early 86.

R.I.P. Mississippi Nights

Another passage of adulthood doomed to the wrecking ball. I have seen just about everyone at Mississippi Nights, a funky club situated on the landing in St. Louis.
Poco, Robin Trower, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bonnie Raitt, Melissa Etheridge, Los Lobos, John Prine, George Thorogood, The BoDeans...the list is endless really. The last show was last night.



What a cool place it was, run for years by Rich Frame and before The Pageant came on borad THE place to play in St. Louis. The gig by Robin Trower was played when the air conditioning was on the fritz. I remember it was hot and very very loud.




I am sad to see it go, but Pinnacle has purchased just about all of the land around there to build a new fancy casino. I hope it does well, it will have taken a big swath out of the history and culture of St. Louis.



thanks Rich, you wore it well.


(me...on the Mississippi Nights stage)

My band played three nights there. We opened for Shooting Star, the Rainmakers and The Jeff Healy Band. Rich Frame said that we were one of a very few opening bands that he allowed to do an encore for Jeff Healy. I sang a very bluesy version of "American Woman" that night. I am sure that's one of the reason why everyone wanted an encore...right? Right?

Save Eddie From Himself...

How the hell did he go from this...



to THIS?



Well, getting the equally bizarre David Lee Roth back in the band, choosing alcohol and drugs over Valerie Bertenelli (dumbshit) and try to fool his fans into thinking that son Wolfgang will be an apporopriate replacement for Micheal Anthony will do it. Good gracious man, you used to be a guitar god and now you look old and decrepit. Bummer. another hero unheroed (I know it's not a word but heck).

My Picks Today...

I think it's their year. I think this is the year that Peyton Manning gets the monkey off his back and does the one thing that will cement his election into Canton..win the big one, unlike Marty Schottenheimer, who will go to Canton anyway. I find it difficult to choose against the Patriots, who just...win. every. time.
Colts 32-19.



Another team of "destiny" if there ever was one. It seems these guys are on a mission and I can't root against fate. (See the St. Louis Cardinals from the fall) I haven't been impressed with the Bears since their game with the Arizona Cardinals. Growing up in northern Illinois, it was either the Bears or Green Bay on TV. I remember many a Sunday afternoons filled with the "Richie Pettibone's" or "Dick Butkus'". I go Saints 21-17.

So, what we have learned from previous posts is that now is the time to go to your bookie and place money on The Patriots and The Bears.

Disturbing New Commercial

Just who the hell OK'ed this particular ad campaign featuring an "animated", Ipod listening Orville Redenbacher? What the bloody hell? He's dead, Jim. This commercial is just frigging creepy, as "Orville" gets hip with the kids and sways to the saying of his own name? My God, what were these people smoking? First off, Redenbachers instant popcorn sucks. The kind that you make with butter in a pan is great but the instant stuff is not. And...this? It's so creepy that I have to turn it off. What were they thinking?


PS Since I think this is such a shitty campaign, sales will probably go through the roof.

Californians

Californians:
So as not to be outdone by all the redneck, hillbilly, and Texan jokes, somebody had to come up with this, you know you're from California if:

1. Your coworker has 8 body piercing and none are visible.

2. You make over $300,000 and still can't afford a house.

3 You take a bus and are shocked at two people carrying on a conversation in English.

4. Your child's 3rd-grade teacher has purple hair, a nose ring, and is named Flower.

5. You can't remember . . is pot illegal?

6. You've been to a baby shower that has two mothers and a sperm donor.

7. You have a very strong opinion about where your coffee beans are grown, and you can taste the difference between Sumatran and Ethiopian.

8. You can't remember . . . is pot illegal?

9. A really great parking space can totally move you to tears.

10. Gas costs $1.00 per gallon more than anywhere else in the U.S.

11. Unlike back home, the guy at 8:30 am at Starbucks wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses who looks like George Clooney really IS George Clooney.

12. Your car insurance costs as much as your house payment.

13. You can't remember . . .is pot illegal?

14. It's barely sprinkling rain and there's a report on every news station: "STORM WATCH."

15. You pass an elementary school playground and the children are all busy with their cells or pagers.

16. It's barely sprinkling rain outside, so you leave for work an hour early to avoid all the weather-related accidents.

17. HEY!!!! Is pot illegal????

18. Both you AND your dog have therapists, psychics, personal trainers and cosmetic surgeons.

19. The Terminator is your governor.

20. If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you're here illegally, they want to give you one.