The Narcissist's Cookbook

That may be all, folks...

2010-05-29T17:14:00.003-05:00

It seems that my passion for ridiculous bloggery has subsided. I had a lot of hits, and even had a couple of posts go semi-viral. Never really inspired a lot of commentary and interchange between readers.

I may be back, but will more likely be catching on to the next big thing, just as it too becomes passe'.

Thanks for indulging me.

"And She Shines Light All Around..."

2010-04-24T20:51:00.005-05:00

I finally invested in a photo scanner, so I can proceed from posting "old vacation pictures" to "really-really old vacation pictures" when I lack inspiration. Actually, this one was a labor of love.. My baby, and one of my favorite songs: "Northern Muse(Solid Ground)" by Van Morrison on his "Beautiful Vision" Album.

I always kinda suspected, ya know?

2010-04-23T22:14:00.001-05:00

Why I don't have a Gorilla

2010-04-20T17:30:00.000-05:00

Scott Boyer and the Decoys with Donnie Fritts- Garage Cafe, Birmingham 4/18/2010

2010-04-19T18:30:00.003-05:00

Scott Boyer
David Hood
Kelvin Holly
Donnie Fritts and NC Thurman

David Hood, Scott Boyer, N.C Thurman, Mike Dillon and Kelvin Holly are The Decoys.

The Decoys are a five-man powerhouse rock n' roll band, featuring five of the most seasoned musicians anywhere.

David Hood, bass guitarist, was a member of the world famous Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, better known as "The Swampers", made famous in the song "Sweet Home Alabama". David has played on a list of albums that reads like a who's who of the music industry, such as Aretha Franklin, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, The Staple Singers, Paul Simon, Traffic, and many more. David was recently inducted, along with the rest of "the swampers", into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville,Tn. Congrats, and well deserved.

Guitarist and vocalist, Scott Boyer, is renowned for his work with the band "Cowboy", who was on Capricorn Records out of Macon, Ga. That band, along with others, became the Capricorn Rhythm Section that played on a host of records that came out of Macon at that time. Scott also wrote the song "Please Be With Me", that was featured on Eric Clapton's 461 Ocean Boulevard album.

Kelvin Holly has long been recognized as one of the South's premier guitarists. A long time member of Little Richard's touring band, and Grammy Award winning band "The Amazing Rhythm Aces", Kelvin has also appeared on numerous recordings and soundtracks with artists like, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Gregg Allman, Jimmy Hall, Little Richard, and many more.

N.C Thurman plays keyboards, harmonica, guitar, and vocals. He has recorded or played with artists such as Percy Sledge, Gregg Allman, Hank Williams Jr., Little Richard, The Amazing Rhythm Aces, and is currently touring with country music newcomer Gary Nichols.

Mike Dillon completes the band with timing and showmanship on the drums. Mike was a member of "The Dickey Betts Band" for two years. and was also a member of the Country Pop group "The Shooters" that was featured on CBS records from 87 to 91.

The Decoys was formed almost twenty years ago by veteran record producer, Johnny Sandlin (The Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic, Delbert McClinton). The band has grown to gain wide respect and recognition. "They're kinda like Muscle Shoals own house band, backing up anyone who comes thru town", to quote one record industry vip. The band recently recorded their debut CD, entitled "Shot From The Saddle", at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals and is avaliable at the given website. You can also hear The Decoys on the bonus disc of the DVD,"Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid", on a song penned by Donnie Fritts and Tony Joe White, entitled "One Foot In The Groove".

Wayne is NOT Canadian
How to properly eat a cupcake

Brush With Greatness: David Hood (Redux)

2010-04-18T21:15:00.005-05:00

I saw the Scott Boyer and The Decoys today at Birmingham's coolest annual event, the Garage Cafe's anniversary party. This time I had the opportunity to get my photograph taken with the man who is arguably the most influential Bassist in R&B and Rock History. He was part of some really memorable tracks, with his most famous lick probably on The Staple's "I'll Take You There" (find and click the link below to hear it)

(this was my earlier post about him)
David Hood is a bassist from Muscle Shoals, Alabama. I met him backstage at the Scott Boyer Benefit in Birmingham, and have had the rare joy of seeing him play Bass with the Decoys a couple of times at the annual Garage Cafe anniversary party.

Click Here to get an idea why David Hood is a legend among Bass Players. Stay for the solo!!!

The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, also known as The Swampers, are a group of American soul, R&B, and country studio musicians based in the Alabama town of Muscle Shoals.

These musicians, one of the best-known groups of session musicians, crafted the "Muscle Shoals Sound."

Jerry Wexler of Atlantic Records brought artists like Wilson Pickett and Aretha Franklin to record with the all Caucasian group of Southern musicians after their success with Arthur Alexander and most notably on Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman". They originally worked at Rick Hall's FAME Studios in Florence, AL. In 1969, Beckett, Hawkins, Hood, and Johnson left Fame and started the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.

In the 1970s, the Memphis, TN based Stax Records also began bringing artists down to Alabama. Johnnie Taylor had a long run of R&B hits with the group, and The Staple Singers had their greatest crossover successes with songs like "I'll Take You There" and "Respect Yourself". Later, they were the sound behind Bob Seger hits such as Old Time Rock and Roll. Other artists who recorded with the Swampers include Rod Stewart, Elkie Brooks, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Joe Cocker, Glenn Frey, Jim Capaldi, Julian Lennon, Delbert McClinton, J.J. Cale, John Prine, Alice in Chains, Joe Tex, Bobby Blue Bland, Eddie Floyd, Clarence Carter, Little Milton, Sawyer Brown, Tony Joe White, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Staple Singers, and many more.

David's son, Patterson Hood is the frontman and one of three songwriters for Drive-By Truckers. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As a session bassist and a member of the famous Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (with Barry Beckett, Roger Hawkins, and Jimmy Johnson), David Hood is widely admired for his craftsmanship and versatility working with an astounding range of musicians in his 40-year career. Born on September 21, 1943, in Sheffield, AL, Hood played trombone in high school, becoming proficient on bass and guitar as well.

In 1969 the Fame house band began freelancing with producer Jerry Wexler at Atlantic's New York studio, cutting sides with Aretha Franklin, King Curtis, Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke, and James Carr. With that promising track record the rhythm section left Fame that same year opening Muscle Shoals Sound in Sheffield as co-owners. Their move formally began the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section era. Dubbed "the Swampers" by Shelter Records' producer Denny Cordell and given public recognition as such in Lynyrd Skynrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," the MSRS was soon backing up a diverse range of artists at the new studio, including Cher, Laura Nyro, Linda Rondstadt, Lulu, Boz Scaggs, and Sam & Dave, and even working in some jazz time with Herbie Mann and future Bee Gees producer Arif Mardin on his Atlantic Records set Glass Onion (1970). Through the mid-'70s the rhythm section worked constantly, backing Rod Stewart, J.J. Cale, Bonnie Bramlett, Jimmy Cliff, Joe Cocker, Leon Russell and Wendy Waldman. Hood also played bass on dozens of Stax recordings between 1970 and 1977, like the Staple Singers' "I'll Take You There". The rhythm section joined Steve Winwood's re-formed Traffic in 1973, appearing on Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory and the live set On the Road. Paul Simon recorded There Goes Rhymin' Simon with the MSRS, and their collaboration on Still Crazy After All These Years earned Simon two Grammy Awards in 1975.

Muscle Shoals Sound was relocated to a larger facility in 1978, where during the 1980s Hood anchored tracks by James Brown, Glenn Frey, Levon Helm, Dr. Hook, Joan Baez, Jerry Jeff Walker, Carlos Santana, Lou Ann Barton, and Julian Lennon. In the late 1970s, Hood played on several Bob Seger albums, including Stranger in Town and Against the Wind. Delbert McClinton and the MSRS recorded his classic LP The Jealous Kind at MSS.

Hood has kept busy as a session bassist, working with Dan Penn, Gregg Allman, Jimmy Buffett, and many others through the 1990s. He joined The Decoys (fronted by Scott Boyer) in 1996, appearing on Shot From the Saddle; concurrently, Hood worked with Russell Smith (Amazing Rhythm Aces) on The End is Not In Sight. In 2005 he collaborated with Memphis producer Jim Dickinson at Sun Studios recording John Hiatt's album Master of Disaster. ~ Peter B. Olson & Steve Leggett, All Music Guide

Icelandic Airlines

2010-04-16T22:32:00.008-05:00

There is a major volcanic eruption in Iceland sending a huge plume of ash into the upper atmosphere and disrupting TransAtlantic air travel.
This reminds me of some memories of my childhood, where we often got to see active volcanic lava flows on the coast of Iceland from the windows of an airplane.
In many ways, my childhood was a great adventure. My family moved from Alabama to West Germany for most or the 1960's. My 1st organized school experience was as one of the only foreigners (along with my brother) in a German kindergarten. It sucked, and only got worse when he moved on to 1st grade where he attended a school with American children of US Soldiers. After he left, my lifelong pattern of truancy officially began.
We traveled first via Ocean Liner, "The Hanseatic", a German Vessel, and returned on The Queen Mary. Unfortunately, I remember almost nothing about these harrowing voyages, but my Mom remembers them all too well. I'll try to relate that adventure another time.
Throughout the '50s and 60's International air travel was tightly regulated and prohibitively expensive. Icelandic Airlines exploited a loophole by offering flights to Reykjavik with continuing service to Luxembourg -or Idlewild Airport in New York (now JFK).

We made this trip several times, as we would travel to my grandparents home in Falkville, Alabama to spend our summers while my Dad remained in Germany to work.

Icelandic operated prop planes (like the old DC-54A shown above) well into the Jet Age, when TWA and PanAm were flying big Boeing and Lockheed jets.

These trips seemed to last forever, often stopping for fuel in Shannon Ireland, and always a stop in Reykjavik for fuel and a visit to a bleak little gift shop.
My mother says my little sister took her first steps in Ireland during a fuel stop. Very appropriate.

Loftleiðir, or Icelandic Airlines Loftleiðir, was founded on March 10, 1944, by three young Icelandic pilots after returning from training in Canada. During the first years of operation, they only operated on domestic routes from Reykjavík Airport.

On June 17, 1947, (Iceland's Independence Day), Loftleiðir inaugurated the first international service, linking Reykjavík and Copenhagen with a Douglas DC-4/C-54 Skymaster. This was the first aircraft fitted for international operations. In 1948 Loftleiðir was granted permission to operate in the USA, and in August 1948, a Loftleiðir Skymaster landed at Idlewild Airport (now JFK) with 46 passengers. In 1952 Loftleiðir opened regular services between New York and Europe via Iceland.

During the 1950s, restrictions on international air traffic were more rigid than today. The freedoms of the air restricted airliners to carry passenger and cargo to and from the country of the aircraft's registration only. Loftleiðir benefited from this by selling air-tickets from USA to European cities by breaking the ticket into two, one to Iceland and one from Iceland. It was not necessary to break the journey, only issue the passengers with two tickets.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Loftleiðir introduced low-cost fares on the North Atlantic starting from Luxembourg via the Nordic Countries and Iceland. The low-cost tickets became very popular and attracted many passengers. WIKI

Taxes?

2010-04-15T19:35:00.002-05:00

(click to enlarge image)

This is STILL not a political blog, but I thought this was pretty funny.

Here is a link to the site I snatched this from, it looks like a good place to see the best political cartoons from around the country. (I'm not sure if it leans left or right)
politicalcartoons

Washington, DC

2010-04-14T19:07:00.001-05:00

Moonlight Beach, Encinitas, CA July 2000

2010-04-14T18:48:00.003-05:00

We took Vacations to Encinitas on three seperate occasions in the late '90s early 2000s as my brother-in-law and his(then)wife lived there.

We really like the place, it's an old surfer town in North San Diego County.

on our last visit we rented a house a few blocks from the beach.

Here's a link. "Hemingway's Hideaway" it was a really cool cottage. I hope it's still a rental, as I'd love to return.

"Joe Dirt"

2010-04-13T17:37:00.002-05:00

I'm posting this photo as a placeholder. I don't have anything interesting to say about this film except that I often enjoy dimwit comedy and lowbrow humor.

Make a Statement..

2010-04-11T19:16:00.002-05:00

I may have to investigate this, as the designer may have used my likeness without express written consent.

Footwear is important.

"Glitter And Doom" in Birmingham- July 3, 2009

2010-04-11T13:11:00.004-05:00

Here are a few random images I captured around the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham when Tom Waits brought his "Glitter And Doom" show to town.

It was an interesting show. I guess it could be described as "Musical Performance Art", in which Tom Waits assumes a persona and rarely breaks character. He's assumed a number of personas, or maybe just evolved a single one, it's hard to tell.

While visually interesting, he's at his best when he breaks character, banters with the audience and breaks out a couple of his older lovely ballads.

Since he closely guards his privacy, it's not easy to figure him out. His fans take this as an opportunity to assign him many great human qualities which he may or may not possess.

I'm certainly not trying to, but I wonder if this will stir them up?

Wave it wide and high...

2010-04-11T12:07:00.003-05:00

Here I am on the front porch with my "Leesville Wampus Cats" flag flying deep in the heart of "Hoover Bucs" country.

I find that when I'm here and folks ask me where I'm from; I say Leesville-when there,(or anyplace else) I say Birmingham.

The neighbors think I'm a little odd...

How did this happen?

2010-04-08T15:27:00.004-05:00

Sometime today or tomorrow, this site will reach 20,000 hits. This is based on the "hit counter" just to the right.

Of course the little "Feedjit" widget shows an average of @ 5-10 a day, which would allow us to reach 20,000 in about February, 2046. These visitors seem to stay between 6 and 19 seconds.

Whatever. I guess if you post wildly random stuff, you'll come up on a lot of searches.

Anyway, thanks to all of you who made this milestone possible.

"Breaking Bad"

2010-04-06T00:20:00.003-05:00

It's back for Season Three.

It's darker and less comic these days. The plotline with the younger character; "Jesse" is really captivating right now. A brilliant story, heartbreakingly well-acted by Aaron Paul.

From an interview with Bryan Cranston:
The term "breaking bad" is a southern colloquialism and it means when someone who has taken a turn off the path of the straight and narrow, when they've gone wrong. And that could be for that day or for a lifetime. And Walt is that kind of guy. He's never even gotten a parking ticket, he's always done things the right way. It's not until these dire circumstances are presented that a decision needs to be made. He has the weight of regret on his shoulders and it's suffocating him. But the last thing he wants to do is put his family through this hardship of taking care of a dying man, he still dies anyways and he leaves them penniless. That's the personal legacy he leaves for them and he couldn't allow that to happen. And it's from that point that he makes this decision and goes on that journey. It's an impulsive decision. It's an emotional one. He's backed into a corner. It's not a pragmatic or practical decision. He is putting the blinders on, and knowing that if he really thought about it he could talk himself out of it, and justifiably so. He decides to make this bold, desperate move out of the set of circumstances he's given. The way I look at it, that's the only way he could make that decision.

At home in the world..

2010-04-05T23:25:00.002-05:00

My younger son...

It's a long story.

I'm thinking about growing a ponytail...

2010-04-05T23:01:00.002-05:00

because my wardrobe, physique and weak-ass facial hair makes me almost this guy:

Ansbach!

2010-04-02T16:21:00.002-05:00

We lived in this small, lovely city in the mid 80's.

It's in northern Bavaria (Central Franconia), about 40k due west of Nurnberg.

We truly loved it there and vow to return for a visit someday.

I went home with the Waitress, the way I always do...

2010-03-31T23:02:00.004-05:00

An interesting solo acoustic performance of "Lawyers, Guns, and Money" by Warren Zevon.

(I'm pretty sure my friend Wayne Benton would punch me in the face if I tried to bang on his 12 String this way)

Leanna/Chattanooga/John Prine

2010-03-28T22:58:00.004-05:00

Post in progress-enjoy these pictures while you wait...

T-Shirt of The Week: TIE

2010-03-25T20:21:00.007-05:00

Here's an interesting excerpt from a biography that suggests there weren't any hard feelings between Ronnie and Neil. There's a surprising amount of documentation (and preposterous opinions) on the subject.
Ronnie VanZant in his Neil Young "Tonight's The Night" shirt
Neil Young performing in a Lynyrd Skynrd T-Shirt

From the book Freebirds: The Lynyrd Skynyrd Story by Marley Brant:

"The presentation of the song "Sweet Home Alabama" in concert was accompanied by the unfurling of Skynyrd's traditional backdrop, a huge Confederate battle flag. The reaction of the audience was always the same: vigorous, fervent, and instantaneous. Neil Young's song "Southern Man" had offended many Southerners by seeming to accuse all people born in the south of being intolerant racists. Young's observations were obviously generalized and not accurate and Southerners were ecstatic when Skynyrd defended their honor by releasing "Sweet Home Alabama" with its direct references to Young's faux pas. The idea that the Southern man, or woman, didn't need Neil Young around to point out the problems of their society was overwhelmingly supported by Skynyrd fans.

"We thought Neil was shooting all the ducks in order to kill one or two," Ronnie told Rolling Stone magazine regarding the creation of the answer song. The band felt that Young's lyrical content was representative of the shortsighted "Yankee" belief that all Southern men should be held accountable for the verbalizations and actions of a racist minority.

While the rebuttal was heartfelt, Skynyrd held Neil Young in high regard for his musical achievements and they weren't intending to start a feud of any kind. "Neil is amazing, wonderful... a superstar," said Van Zant. "I showed the verse to Ed King and asked him what Neil might think. Ed said he'd dig it; he'd be laughing at it." Ed King says that the tune was not so much a direct attack on Young but just a good regional song.

The song was well received but immediately put a stigma on the band as rednecks. Producer Al Kooper added. "Hey, you have to be more careful when you write a song now. But I'll tell you something -- Neil Young loved it. That's true, he told me so to my face."

NOTE: I was remiss in attributing my source of material for this post.. It comes from "Thrasher's Wheat", avery active Neil Young fan site- Link to their story here
IThis update after the comment below- Sorry, guys.

Road Trip Planning-Chattanooga, TN

2010-03-25T17:26:00.005-05:00

Baby and I are planning a weekend getaway to Chattanooga to see John Prine (and Leon Redbone) at the Tivoli Theatre.

We always enjoy our trips to East Tennessee. The folks there are so... colorful!

We found a cute little B&B on the internet.

Stay tuned for all the details when we get back.

Another issue I'm struggling with.

2010-03-24T18:23:00.001-05:00

I'll eventually get inspired again.

Cruel Joke of The Day

2010-03-23T16:57:00.002-05:00

I ordered a pack of these magnetic prank bumper stickers from eBay and have had loads of fun sending my friends off in all different directions completely oblivious to why everyone was giving them odd looks on the road.

Unfortunately, sometimes the hunter gets captured by the prey, as I realized when I came out of Hoover City Hall and realized I'd driven there with an "I(heart)AN&L" sticker on my front quarter panel.

It's like getting shot with your own gun.

Tom Dowd-Duane Allman-Eric Clapton

2010-03-19T18:56:00.003-05:00

This is a really cool clip from a documentary film called "Tom Dowd and the language of Music". I highly recommendend it.

A man who seemingly fit many lives into one lifetime, Tom Dowd was born on October 20, 1925 in New York City. At a young age he excelled in mathematics and physics, leading to his work from the ages of 16 to 20 on the Manhattan Project at Columbia University. In 1946, as a sergeant in the Army Corps of Engineers, he oversaw a team of radiation detection specialists at the atomic bomb tests in Bikini Atoll. After his discharge from Army, he soon began applying his science background to help revolutionize the process of recording music. While working for Atlantic Records, his pioneering work in binaural stereo recording, and later his design of the eight-track console, modernized the recording industry.
Tom Dowd produced and engineered timeless records for artists including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonius Monk, Cream, Rod Stewart, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, Dusty Springfield and countless other celebrated musicians. Dowd also formed both strong professional and personal relationships with many of these artists, including Eric Clapton, starting with Cream and leading to their working partnership on Layla and Other Assorted Loves Songs and collaborations on several of Clapton's finest solo albums.

Tom Dowd passed away on October 27, 2002, one week after his 77th birthday. He will never be forgotten.

On a personal note- Kirk West, the former Road Manager for the Allman Brothers showed me this (small) loud silk shirt that Duane saw Eric wearing around this time, and mentioned he liked it. Clapton literally took it off his back and handed to Duane. It's probably on display at the Allman's Big House" museum in Macon.

No, this ISN'T an assumed name...

2010-03-16T17:52:00.003-05:00

It's funny how your Associations Change over the course of a lifetime.
I don't have the energy to explain exactly what "The Drag Inn Association" was, but many of my oldest friends knew it well.

It must be official- it's signed by Jim Hoban!

Lowering the bar...

2010-03-15T19:43:00.003-05:00

Due to a profound lack of inspiration, imagination, and originality, I'm reduced to posting funny newspaper clippings.

I'm now the Jay Leno of bloggery.

I think chick was askin' for it...

Size Matters!!

2010-03-14T20:10:00.002-05:00

My friend Alyson's comment: "It's twoo, it's twoo!!"

(disclaimer: This is not a political blog)

Brush with Greatness: Kevin Welch

2010-03-12T07:30:00.008-06:00

I met Kevin Welch and his lovely daughter Savannah at Threadgill's in Austin when Savannah's band "The Trishas" was opening for Willis Alan Ramsay.

Kevin Welch is our friends favorite singer and will be performing at the new Moonlight Music Cafe- "Moonlight on the Mountain" (just a few blocks from my house in Bluff Park) on April 8th 2010. (corrected-I initially said the 7th)

See Kevin Welch website HERE

Take time to watch this video, amazingly good!

Kevin Welch grew up in Oklahoma. He already toured as a teenager with several bands, before he moved to Nashville in 1978 to work as a songwriter. Singers like Ricky Skaggs, Waylon Jennings and Don Williams were using his material. At the same time he was very active in local clubs with his band - The Overtones. His popularity grew and in 1988 he signed a record contract with Warner Brothers.

In 1990 the album Kevin Welch was recorded and 2 years later Western Beat. Both albums received rave reviews, but did not sell very well. Warner Brothers discharged Welch from the contract.

In 1994 he founded with his partner Kieran Kane and Tammy Rogers, Mike Henderson and Harry Stinson the record label Dead Reckoning Records. The following year Life Down Here on Earth was published and in 1999 Beneath My Wheels. The majority of songs are Welch's originals. In 2002 the album Millionaire was recorded with several Danish musicians.

In Europe he is known mainly for his hit "Something About You" (contained in Western Beat) which was used as background music in Tuborg's commercials.

In 2004 Welch teamed up with fellow Dead Reckoning artists Kieran Kane and Fats Kaplin to produce You Can't Save Everybody. The trio followed this up with Lost John Dean in 2006, to general acclaim. Lost John Dean reached number one on the Americana charts, and resulted in nominations for several awards including Duo/Group of the year at the 2006 Americana Honors and Awards. (WIKI)

Savannah Welch is very nice young lady and a multi-talented singer, actress and model.

NOTE NOTE NOTE! see below-It appears Kevin Welch commented on my humble, sketchy little blog.

Earl Campbell: American Badass

2010-03-09T18:25:00.004-06:00

I lived in Houston for a couple of years when Earl Campbell was in his prime, moving there in the summer of '79.

Earl Campbell was amazing. I regret never seeing an Oilers game, though I caught quite a few Baseball games at the Astrodome. (I Saw JR Richard and Nolan Ryan pitch a few times, which was pretty cool too)

Earl Campbell had a relatively short career (as do most running backs), and is in poor health these days.

Campbell was born in Tyler, Texas, the sixth of eleven children. His father died when he was 11 years old. He began playing football in fifth grade as a kicker, but moved to linebacker and running back in sixth grade. In 1973, he led the Corky Nelson-coached John Tyler High School to the Texas 4A State Championship (4A then was the largest classification in the state). Then-Oklahoma Sooners head coach Barry Switzer, who unsuccessfully recruited Campbell, said in his 1989 book that Campbell was the only player he ever saw who could have gone straight from high school to the NFL and immediately been a star.

Campbell possessed a rare combination of speed and power, and was a prolific running back from 1978 through 1985. His outstanding single-season performance in 1979 earned him All-Pro, Pro Bowl, and NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. It was also the second of three consecutive seasons in which he led the league in rushing. Only Jim Brown had previously accomplished that feat. Campbell led the NFL in rushing in 1978, 1979, and 1980. He played in five Pro Bowls and finished his career with 9,407 yards and 74 touchdowns rushing along with 806 yards on 121 receptions. In 1980, Campbell's best year in the NFL, he ran for 1,934 yards including four 200-yard rushing games, including a personal best 206 yards against the Chicago Bears. Despite playing against stacked defenses and being gang-tackled nearly every time he carried the ball (a then-record 373 times), Campbell managed to average 5.2 yards per carry and score 13 rushing touchdowns in 1980 alone.

In 1980, Campbell married his high school girlfriend Reuchalle Reuna Smith. They have two sons: Christian, who ran track at the University of Houston, and Tyler, who currently plays football for San Diego State University.

Due to the many carries in his NFL career and numerous hits on his body, Campbell has great difficulty walking and sometimes requires the use of a wheelchair. In 2004, ESPN showed a segment about retired and current NFL players who deal with chronic injuries due to playing in the NFL over a number of years. The segment showed Earl Campbell at a farm using a wheelchair. Campbell has developed severe arthritis in his knees and has debilitating back pain. He attributes his back pain to a congenital back condition aggravated by his football career.

Earl is now a prominent businessman residing in Austin, Texas and still actively participates in University of Texas Athletics. Earl Campbell currently serves as President of Earl Campbell Meat Products, Inc. which manufactures and sells Earl Campbell's Smoked Sausage and other food products and barbecue sauce.

Spring Fever?

2010-03-08T22:36:00.002-06:00

This has been the longest winter in my memory, so here are some random photos of the Summer Game, taken at Wrigley Field in 2007 or 2008.

Inspecting The Troops Is More Fun When You're Royalty

2010-03-08T22:31:00.001-06:00

"The Last Great American Roadhouse"

2010-03-07T09:00:00.007-06:00

Here are some crappy photos I took at the FloraBama. Included are a blurry outside shot, my friend with what I can only assume was an off-duty stripper, and a fantastic Mullet.

The Flora-Bama Lounge and Package (aka The Flora-Bama), located on Perdido Key Florida, is a beachside oyster bar, beach bar, and Gulf Coast cultural landmark, touted as being America's "Last Great Roadhouse". The Flora-Bama takes its name from its location on the Florida - Alabama border line. The bar is in fact located all within Florida, with the Alabama line being about six feet from the western outside wall. Contrary to what some might describe it as, it is not a nightclub. It is a beach bar.

Widely known as a place where "you can have a millionaire sitting next to a biker," this unique make-up of bar patrons is one of the contributing factors to its large appeal and attraction. Locals mingle with tourists rather easily and on large holiday weekends such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day, cars line the highway for miles in both directions as the bar draws such a large crowd. The Flora-Bama first gained national attention when former Oakland Raiders quarterback and NFL MVP Kenny Stabler referred to the Flora-Bama as "the best watering hole in the country
Despite being closed for many months while repairing and rebuilding after Hurricane Ivan, the Flora-Bama's crowd swarmed right back to the bar as soon as it reopened its doors. There is live music to be had every day of the week, with usually at least five bands playing on Saturdays. It is still a spot likely to attract celebrity visitors, with faces such as Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Kid Rock, and Kenny Stabler sometimes seen amongst the patrons.

This photo is notable only for the discarded bras hanging above the dancefloor.

Where Was This When I needed It?

2010-03-03T11:55:00.004-06:00

Finally, A Practical Gift Idea. A Home Vasectomy kit.

K. Fimster

2010-02-24T22:44:00.002-06:00

We lost a friend last night.

Paul was many things- some consistently, some at different times: A dreamer, a pragmatist, a scoundrel, a father, a son, a salesman, a writer, a tinkerer, a promoter, a wastrel, a wanderer, a friend. He was at times infuriating, engaging, inspiring, hilarious and kind.

While nearly all of us feel we've suffered injustice in our lives, Paul suffered very real injustice and it nearly defeated him, but ultimately, he chose to live on with optimism and joy.

He was the common thread that bound the fabric of the lives of many of us, and many of my most treasured friends are known to me only because Paul brought us together either directly or indirectly.

Also, bless the Sisters of Sacred Heart Convent in Cullman Alabama, for their kindness and loving grace. They have my eternal love, respect and gratitude for their part in a spirit restored.

"Crazy Heart"

2010-02-22T18:57:00.003-06:00

I saw this last night with my brother. I've always liked Jeff Bridges, and I'm really hoping he wins the Oscar for this one. He deserves it.

Jim Croce "Lover's Cross"

2010-02-19T14:12:00.003-06:00

I was just a baby when Buddy Holly died, but when Jim Croce was killed in a small plane crash just 50 miles from my home in Louisiana, I was old enough to be stunned.

I think I was aware that the concert was happening, and at 15, I'm not sure there was a practical way for me to attend, it just never occured to me that the chance would never come again.

I honestly don't think history has given this guy his due. He was a brilliant songwriter.

Article from the Shreveport (LA) Times (September 22, 1974)

Success Escaped Croce Until Death

NATCHITOCHES, The Jim Croce legend lives on.

On the night of September 20, 1973, a fiery plane crash in Natchitoches killed Croce and five of his entourage. It has only been since his death that Croce has achieved the level of success which somehow escaped him during his lifetime.

That Croce was a talented man has never been disputed by critics. His talent consisted of singing, songwriting and instrument playing. He will be remembered not only for his songs and style but also as being a man who put the term "junkyard dog" in the English vocabulary.

Croce's death has been compared to the February 3, 1959 plane crash in which Don McLean made so much of in his "American Pie" as the beginning of the end. That Iowa crash claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson.

The comparison should never be made. Holly, Valens and Richardson had already made stardom. Croce was still seeking his.

The September 20 concert at Northwestern State University, Croce's last, was a vivid account of his life. He told the audience of his life as a truck-driver, construction worker, tractor operator and his many nights in playing in dimly-lit dives and staying in cheap motels.

His final performance was brilliant. His songs were good, his guitar playing was great and his story telling was fascinating. His voice had a quality that was much better live than on records. Despite his performance, Croce was not called to do an encore.

The audience gave polite applause and proceeded to leave the building. There was no standing ovation, hysterical applause or calls for Croce to come back on stage for a few more minutes.

Croce's closing comment was, "See you later."

Snow is still a novelty at my house

2010-02-18T20:13:00.002-06:00

This has been one hell of a long, cold winter. I'm ready for it to be over.

Random yet profound Demotivator

2010-02-16T20:49:00.003-06:00

I sometimes tell folks I used to be an "Area Manager" for Wendy's. When they ask: "where?", I tell them "the area around the french fry machine".

This pretty much sums it up.

2010-02-14T13:38:00.000-06:00

Mardi Gras in Tuscaloosa!

2010-02-14T13:18:00.008-06:00

We attended the "Mystic Krewe of Druids" Mardi Gras Ball at the old Bama Theatre in Tuscaloosa last night.
Big fun with great, campy entertainment. A big crowd, seemed to be a great success.

Snow in Bluff Park-Cardinal

2010-02-12T13:24:00.005-06:00

There's a vivid contrast with the bright red of this cardinal against the snow.
Taken from the comfort of my den.

Seems Reasonable, I Guess...

2010-02-11T20:02:00.000-06:00

More Jay in Your Day!

2010-02-11T19:56:00.005-06:00

No, actually the one above is David.

Panama City Beach Road Trip-The Postmortem

2010-02-11T18:50:00.003-06:00

Upon final reflection and evaluation, I'd have to say the trip was an unqualified success.

I got to show off my dancing skills
and David is still as youthful as ever. I think the coastal lifestyle suits him well.

Get comfortable!

2010-02-09T21:17:00.003-06:00

So I watched the Super Bowl at Wayne's. He made Pizza with fresh tomatoes and basil with a pastry-type crust.

He's a good cook, but I think he may need to adjust the sensitivity on his smoke alarm.

Bumper Sticker of the day

2010-02-09T06:53:00.000-06:00

Home of The Wampus Cats

2010-02-06T20:57:00.004-06:00

When I was in High School in Leesville, Louisiana, our Mascot was the "Wampus Cats". We assumed it was some sort of regional colloquialsm for a Bobcat, as all the team uniforms, yearbooks, etc used a stylized logo that looked like one. Of course, once the internet came along, I was able to discover that the "Wampus Cat" is a mythical beast from Cherokee folklore more akin to a "Bigfoot".

In the Southern Appalachian Mountains, we have the legend of the Wampus Cat. This fearsome creature has been talked about for hundreds of years. It was a part of Cherokee Indian mythology that was later passed on to the white settlers and included in their folklore.
The legendary beast that is today called the Wampus Cat was once known as Ewah by the Cherokees. Just the sight of this creature was enough to drive people insane, they said. The ancient tale about the Wampus Cat maintained that it was actually a Cherokee woman who did not trust her husband. One night, her husband went out with a group of fellow warriors to go on a hunt. His suspicious wife put on a mountain lion fur coat and went out to spy on him. When she was found out, the medicine man punished her by forcing the woman to wear the coat forever. Her spirit still wanders the Southern Appalachians in the form of the Wampus Cat, according to a Web site.
There is another ancient Cherokee tale about the Wampus Cat. A long time ago, the creature had been terrorizing the villages and causing all kinds of misery for the Cherokees. One young warrior decided that his people had endured enough. He went out in search of the Wampus Cat in order to kill it. However, when he finally encountered the creature, he was driven insane.
His brave and devoted wife decided she would take care of the problem herself but use a different tactic. She put on a mask and went up into the mountains searching for the creature. She managed to sneak up behind it. The cat turned and saw her fearsome mask. The creature was so terrified it ran away and was never seen again. However, it is said that the spirit of the young woman still wanders the mountains wearing her mask.
As the white settlers moved into the Appalachians, they learned about the legend of the Wampus Cat and it became a part of their lore. To this day, folks living in Knoxville and other parts of east Tennessee claimed to have seen it. They report that it is a catlike creature that walks on its hind legs and has glowing eyes.
The Wampus Cat also became associated with witchcraft. One tale concerned a woman who lived alone in the mountains and was known to be a witch. At night, she would turn herself into a cat and steal chickens and pigs from nearby farms. Some people in east Tennessee say she is still doing that.
Another weird tale about the Wampus Cat comes from Alabama and this one is associated with a secret government program. According to this legend, the government sought to create a fast and fearless creature that would be used in World War II as a kind of messenger. This program was based in a remote section of Alabama. The creature supposedly created there was part mountain lion and part gray wolf.
However, several males and females of the newly created species escaped from the government compound and were never captured. Folks living in this part of Alabama claim to still see these creatures running around. The sightings have happened as far south as the Florida Everglades and as far north as the Great Smoky Mountains. Some people blame these creatures for breaking into chicken coops and attacking livestock.Mike Conley | The McDowell News

The Soon-To-Be Viral "Mixed Emotions" Joke

2010-02-04T21:54:00.002-06:00

Here's a funny joke circulating on the internet that I hadn't seen before.

A man and his wife were watching a television program on psychology, and the subject being covered was mixed emotions. The wife was fascinated with the subject, but as the program wore on, the husband became more and more frustrated. Finally he had had enough of the banality.

"This program is bullsh*t! There is no way you can be extremely happy and incredibly sad at the same time!"

His wife replied that she thought it definitely was possible.

He replied "I bet you a hundred dollars that you can't possibly say anything that would make me happy and sad at the same time!"

The wife thought a minute and said "You have a bigger penis than any of your friends."

Beaches, Feral Bunnies, "The Dorito King", Fading Photos, and Grown Men Gone Wrong..

2010-02-03T18:03:00.004-06:00

Dawes: That Western Skyline

2010-01-28T22:33:00.004-06:00

I like the passion in the performance. (and the Birmingham reference)

Road Trip!

2010-01-27T21:16:00.002-06:00

Jeff and I are splitting after work Friday to travel to visit our old friend David in Panama City, Florida.
David has recently acquired a scanner of some sort and has taken to posting some embarassing and unflattering pictures from our misspent youth. Not cool.
I'm not looking forward to the drive.

It promises to be an interesting experience, hopefully it will inspire me to start updating this stupid blog more often.

Back to School, kids!

2010-01-27T00:09:00.003-06:00

Why I don't have a monkey

2010-01-27T00:07:00.000-06:00

Come to think of it, my kid has a birthday coming up

2010-01-27T00:03:00.002-06:00

Life List: "Big Pink" Saugerties, NY

2010-01-26T22:08:00.004-06:00

One of my ambitions in life is to visit and be photographed in front of this house. "Big Pink" is a pink house in West Saugerties, New York located at 56 Parnassus Lane (formerly 2188 Stoll Road). The house was built by Ottmar Gramms, who bought the land in 1952. The house was newly built when Rick Danko, who was collaborating with Bob Dylan at the time, found it as a rental. It was to this house that Dylan would eventually retreat to write songs and play them and try others, in its large basement. The 2 track recordings made by them, as sort of audio sketch book, in the basement itself, came known as the Basement Tapes. These tapes were circulated among other musicians at the time, and hits were made of "Too Much of Nothing" and "The Mighty Quinn" as recordings by other artists, 'Peter, Paul and Mary' and 'Manfred Mann' respectively. The house became known locally as 'Big Pink' for its pink siding. Members of Mr. Dylan's band (with Mr. Dylan himself writing one and co-writing two ) wrote most of the songs on Music From Big Pink at or around the house, and the band then adopted the moniker, The Band. Two of the songs written were on the Basement Tapes. Naturally enough, the house became the site of the rehearsing of the album, the actual recording of which took place in New York and Los Angeles.[1] The house was sold by Mr. Gramms in 1977 to M. Amitin, who rented the house to Parnassus Records a label specializing in classical music which used the basement as its headquarters. In 1998, Mr. Amitin sold the house to Don & Sue LaSala, who maintain the house as a private residence and keep the creative tradition alive by creating music in the Basement with friends from the Woodstock area and beyond.

This is a really cool photo essay by someone making the same pilgrimage, check it out: Click here for photo essay

T Shirt of the Week: Auburn University

2010-01-25T17:17:00.003-06:00

No, I don't own this one, I submit this only as evidence that I can take a joke.

This is pretty clever. Touche' barners!

Kristofferson-Coolidge

2010-01-20T23:03:00.003-06:00

Great songwriting, great performance. Give it a look.

Here's a great find, the opening credits to "Cisco Pike". I remember seeing this with my brother on a double bill with "Easy Rider" at the musty old Polk Theater in Leesville, Louisiana when I was about 15.

The Getaway (1972)

2010-01-20T11:07:00.004-06:00

McQueen, MacGraw, Peckinpah. This is a classic.The Getaway is a 1972 crime and action film directed by Sam Peckinpah and starring Steve McQueen, Ali MacGraw and Ben Johnson.

The film is based on a novel by Jim Thompson, with the screenplay written by Walter Hill. A box office hit earning US$26 million at the theaters, the film was one of the most financially successful productions of Peckinpah's and McQueen's careers.

It was remade in 1994 starring Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger.
Ali MacGraw

Positively 4th Street-Bob Dylan

2010-01-18T19:22:00.005-06:00

The master take of "Positively 4th Street" was recorded on July 29, 1965, during the mid-June to early August recording sessions that produced all of the material that appeared on Dylan's 1965 album, Highway 61 Revisited.[8] The song was the last to be attempted that day, with Dylan and a variety of session musicians having successfully recorded master takes of "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" and "Tombstone Blues" earlier.[1][9] The studio band on "Positively 4th Street" featured Robert Gregg (drums), Russ Savakus (bass), Frank Owens (piano), Al Kooper (organ) and Mike Bloomfield (guitar),[10] with the song initially being logged on the studio's official recording session documentation under the working title of "Black Dalli Rue".

This is a cool video.

Also, there WAS a really cool image generator where you could script the cue cards in Bob Dylan's iconic "Subterranean Homesick Blues" video. It was on the Sony/BMG UK website. Sadly it's now disappeaered so I've edited and removed the link.

"An Everlasting Piece"

2010-01-17T09:45:00.004-06:00

I enjoyed this movie, very funny. I caught it almost by accident as it is several years old.

It's hard to believe that a movie about two hairpiece salesmen in war-torn Northern Ireland--a comedy, no less--could work at all, but An Everlasting Piece does work, though perhaps not in the way one would expect. Colm (Barry McEvoy, who also wrote the screenplay) is a new barber at a mental institution and bonds with his fellow barber George (Brian F. O'Byrne) even though Colm is Catholic and George is Protestant. A new patient arrives, who turns out to have been the owner of the only wig company in all of Northern Ireland. Figuring that having a monopoly means easy money, Colm and George convince the new patient to give them his client list, and they're off on a series of rambling comic adventures, aided by Colm's girlfriend Bronagh (Anna Friel, A Midsummer Night's Dream). But when a wig is found at the site of an act of IRA sabotage, the salesmen's lives get suddenly complicated. What makes An Everlasting Piece work is not that it ignores the Irish conflict, but that it pays close attention to it; in fact, the tension of civil strife is a crucial element of the movie's humor, allowing it to dip into a more serious mood without becoming preachy or pretentious. The actors are uniformly excellent; Friel is particularly charming. A comedy about wigs sounds like goofy slapstick; An Everlasting Piece is actually thoughtful and richly human. Directed by Barry Levinson (Diner, Rain Man, Wag the Dog). --Bret Fetzer

Anna Friel is lovely in it, I looked for an image of her in her traditional Nurse's uniform from the film but couldn't find one.

I'm going on record that I support a constitutional amendment requiring nurses to wear the traditional white skirts, hats and stockings.

Thanks, I'll just keep the job I have now.

2010-01-08T19:47:00.004-06:00

I'm not sure what this guy is doing or why it's so important. I assume he's painting.

Suddenly my job doesn't seem so bad.

Rose Bowl

2010-01-03T10:42:00.002-06:00

Here's a couple of vacation pics taken in Pasadena a couple of years ago.
This is another in the series "Jay standing in front of a building".

Wet Wille: Drippin' Wet-Live, and Steely Dan: Katy Lied

2010-01-02T14:51:00.003-06:00

Here's a couple of essentials from my Record Collection:
This is my favorite Live album of all time. It's almost impossible to describe what it was like to see Wet Willie performing live in their heydey in the mid-to-late '70s, but this comes close.
It was always gonna be a great show when Wet Willie was the opening act, because it caused the headliners to elevate their performance or risk being embarrassed.

Steely Dan has always resonated with me for some reason.

London/Hidcote Manor/Cotswolds

2010-01-02T12:41:00.003-06:00

Just a recycling of more old vacation photos

We met up with an old friend, Dave Murdoch who served as our guide and host when we visited Hidcote Manor Gardens and some villages in the Cotswolds, like Chipping Camden".

Another Random Demotivator

2009-12-28T22:30:00.000-06:00

Weak stream?

2009-12-28T18:07:00.004-06:00

I'm not a basketball fan, but Steve Nash is pretty funny.

What I'm Reading

2009-12-26T14:14:00.002-06:00

Awful Library Books

As seen in Birmingham

2009-12-25T18:34:00.003-06:00

A few random images.

"Weeds"

2009-12-22T21:03:00.003-06:00

I'm officially ready for a new season. I'm sort of a Nancy Botwin groupie, even though I've never seen the first 3 seasons.

Weeds is an American comedy-drama television series created by Jenji Kohan, produced by Lionsgate Television for the Showtime network.

The show revolves around a newly widowed housewife (Mary-Louise Parker) from an affluent California suburb who becomes her neighborhood's marijuana dealer to make ends meet. The title is a play on words, referring to both the slang term for marijuana and widow's weeds. It also plays on the tendency of American suburbs to grow quickly and pervasively, with the dwellings and their residents being almost as indistinguishable as weeds. This is mirrored in the show's theme song "Little Boxes" and opening credits, and is a recurring theme of the show. The theme song changes in the second season with a different version every week.

Weeds currently comprises five seasons that began airing in August 2005. It was the highest rated series for Showtime in its first year; its fourth-season premiere attracted 1.3 million viewers to Showtime, the channel's highest-ever viewership.

The "Happy little brook" guy

2009-12-21T22:31:00.002-06:00

Bob Norman Ross (October 29, 1942 – July 4, 1995) was an American painter and television host. With his calm, patient nature, Ross came to prominence as the creator and host of The Joy of Painting, a long-running television program on public broadcast stations in the United States. Ross died of lymphoma at the age of 52.

I've never claimed that this is investment art. When we first started out, all the art colleges and universities across the country would sort of badmouth what we were doing. It's funny that a lot of them now are sending us letters saying, 'We may not totally agree with the way you paint, but we appreciate what you're doing, because you're sending literally thousands of people into art colleges.'

Jay Randall: Working Musician -or- Don't Quit Your Day Job

2009-12-21T00:01:00.004-06:00

I'll take this opportunity to post documentary evidence that I am an actual, though occaisional, performing musician.

This was an opening at an Art Gallery owned by my friends. Check it out here:

I didn't get very high billing, I guess I need to be more specific in my contract rider in the future.

Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings

2009-12-19T09:18:00.003-06:00

My stupid little weiner dog ran off on Thursday, taking our beloved little beagle mix with her. He came back, she didn't.

She's become an escape artist, tunneling to freedom like Steve McQueen in "The Great Escape". I am not particularly interested in mounting a full-scale search, as the last time this happened it cost me $160 to spring them from the pokey. Besides, she needs dog psychiatry as she has "abandonment issues" and irrationally high self-esteem. She punishes us when we leave her alone by tearing up our prized possesions and pissing on the laundry.

Vaya, Tessie.

More Fun With Image Generators

2009-12-19T09:10:00.001-06:00

"The Boulder Field" Moss Rock Preserve, Hoover AL

2009-12-18T16:27:00.002-06:00

A perfect balance of nature and community, Moss Rock Preserve is a beautiful 250 acre nature preserve abundant with trees and plants, rock outcroppings, streams, waterfalls, wildlife and other unique natural features. Currently Moss Rock Preserve is home to four rare species of plants and a rare variant of Little River Canyon Sandstone Glade - one of only 35 occurrences known around the world!

Moss Rock Preserve's Boulder Field is a favorite among rock climbers. With numerous technical formations, these boulders appeal to climbers of all skill levels. The City of Hoover is fortunate that these and other natural features exist in Moss Rock. As such, Moss Rock Preserve has been dedicated as a nature preserve in order to insure its long-term survivability.

Your quote of the day

2009-12-18T10:18:00.005-06:00

I don't know anything about this man. Anyhow, I only know two things about him. One is, he has never been in jail, and the other is, I don't know why.

Mark Twain

The street where I (should) live.

2009-12-18T10:13:00.001-06:00

The suicidal goat photo

2009-12-16T18:56:00.003-06:00

I particularly like this photo for some reason.

It was taken by my old friend Paul, the crackpot inventor/semi-exotic livestock breeder.

Still life with Guinness

2009-12-13T16:55:00.003-06:00

I took this photo for no particular reason, except possibly to test my low-light settings.

KGB: 1970's No-hit Wonder

2009-12-09T21:33:00.004-06:00

This is one of my collection of obscure records.

I actually like it a lot, as my record buying habits in the 70's was to head directly to the cutout bin, buy something interesting and cheap, take it home and play it till I liked it.

Mike Bloomfield:
(The Late Lead Guitarist of the Butterfield Blues Band, Bob Dylan's Original Guitar Player and One Time Member of Electric Flag)

Carmine Appice:
(Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart and Ozzy Osbourne), that has been credited with inventing heavy-rock drumming,

Ray Kennedy:
Singer of Beach Boys

Barry Goldberg:
On keyboards (Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Electric Flag, Bob Dylan etc.)

Rick Grech:
(Bassist of Both Blind Faith and Ginger Bakers Airforce).

It has also been rumoured for many years that the album contains input from Steve Winwood although he is uncredited. Also featured on this record is Al Kooper (of Bob Dylan fame)

Tracklist:
01. Let Me Love You (R.Kennedy-J. Conrad)
02. Midnight Traveler (Paul Rosenberg)
03. I’ve Got A Feeling (John Lennon-Paul McCartney)
04. High Roller (Daniel Moore)
05. Sail On Sailor (B. Wilson-R. Kennedy)
06. Workin’ For The Children (B. Goldberg-M. Bloomfield)
07. You Got The Notion (R.Kennedy)
08. Baby Should I Stay Or Go (B. Goldberg-M. Bloomfield)
09. It’s Gonna Be A Hard Night (B. Goldberg-Will Jennings)
10. Magic In Your Touch (R.Kennedy)

KGB:
*Ric Grech: Bass
*Carmine Appice: Drums
*Ray Kennedy: Vocals
*Mike Bloomfield: Guitars
*Barry Goldberg: Keyboards

LateNight

2009-12-09T19:25:00.001-06:00

"Twitter went down today. If only there was some short, shallow, self-indulgent way to express my horror."
—Stephen Colbert, sniffing at the year's biggest online fad

"Do you remember Eliot Spitzer, who was governor of New York? He had to stop being the governor of New York because he enjoyed prostitutes. Well, now he's talking about running again for governor in 2010. He also said he's looking forward to spending less time with his family."
—David Letterman, on the possible comeback of the disgraced former New York governor

"I got into the car this morning and the navigation lady wasn't speaking to me."
—David Letterman, in response to the brouhaha following his confession of having had sex with women on his staff

Jackalope Rider

2009-12-08T19:31:00.002-06:00

The legend of the jackalope has bred the rise of many outlandish (and largely tongue-in-cheek) claims as to the creature's habits. For example, it is said to be a hybrid of the pygmy-deer and a species of "killer rabbit". Reportedly, jackalopes are extremely shy unless approached. Legend also has it that female jackalopes can be milked as they sleep belly up and that the milk can be used for a variety of medicinal purposes. It has also been said that the jackalope can convincingly imitate any sound, including the human voice. It uses this ability to elude pursuers, chiefly by using phrases such as "There he goes! That way!" It is said that a jackalope may be caught by putting a flask of whiskey out at night. The jackalope will drink its fill of whiskey and its intoxication will make it easier to hunt. In some parts of the United States it is said that jackalope meat has a taste similar to lobster. However, legend has it that they are dangerous if approached. It has also been said that jackalopes will only breed during electrical storms including hail, explaining its rarity.

Jackalopes are legendary in the U.S. -- attributed to by the New York Times in 1932 to Douglas Herrick (1920–2003) of Douglas, Wyoming, and thus the town was named the "Home of the Jackalope" by the state of Wyoming in 1985. The state of Wyoming trademarked the name in 1965. According to the Douglas Chamber of Commerce, a 1930s hunting trip for jackrabbits led to the idea of a Jackalope. Herrick and his brother had studied taxidermy by mail order as teenagers. When the brothers returned from a hunting trip, Herrick tossed a jackrabbit carcass into the taxidermy shop, which rested beside a pair of deer antlers. The accidental combination of animal forms sparked Douglas Herrick's idea for a jackalope.[2] The first jackalope the brothers put together was sold for $10 to Roy Ball, who displayed it in Douglas' La Bonte Hotel. The mounted head was stolen in 1977.[3] The Douglas Chamber of Commerce has issued thousands of Jackalope Hunting Licenses to tourists. The tags are good for hunting only during official Jackalope season, which occurs for only one day: June 31 (a nonexistent date as June has 30 days), from midnight to 2 AM. The hunter may not have an IQ greater than 72.[4] In 2005, the House of the Wyoming state legislature passed a bill to declare the jackalope the "official mythological creature" of Wyoming, by a vote of 45-12 and referred it to the state Senate, where the bill was indefinitely postponed on 2 March 2005.

http://www.sudftw.com/jackcon.htm

"Going To California"

2009-12-08T19:28:00.003-06:00

Actually, I'm not going anywhere, but the Crimson Tide is going to Pasadena for the BCS National Championship Game January 8th, 2010.

Yeah, there's that...

2009-12-06T14:59:00.002-06:00

SweaterVest at KellanFest!

2009-12-06T11:19:00.002-06:00

Attended a very cool birthday party last night at DreamMecca-Daniel Day Gallery.

Great music, great friends, and a perfect venue.

Happy 40th Birthday!

2009-11-29T12:53:00.002-06:00

I made this little "demotivator" with an online motivational poster generator, a stock photo, and a dash of malice.

Happy birthday- It's all about you! (you know who you are)

Doug Kershaw

2009-11-28T16:53:00.002-06:00

Born Douglas James Kershaw in Tiel Ridge, Cameron Parish, Louisiana, in an area known as Cajun country, he traces his ancestry to Acadians who were part of the Great Expulsion by the British authorities from their homeland in eastern Canada in 1755. He grew up surrounded by Cajun fiddle and accordion music, and as a 19-year-old, in 1955, he performed with his brother Rusty Kershaw on the Louisiana Hayride radio broadcast.

In June 1969, Kershaw made his first network television appearance on the debut of the Johnny Cash Show. He capped the year with a much-publicized, week-long engagement at the New York City's Fillmore East as opening act for Eric Clapton's Derek and the Dominos.

Singing in both French and English, Kershaw's stage performance is marked by his abundant energy. Simultaneously playing fiddle, singing, and dancing, it is not unusual for him to wear out several bows, sometimes during just one song. With more than 25 albums to his credit and a five-decade-long career, Doug Kershaw has a loyal following and continues to tour worldwide.

The son of an alligator hunter, Kershaw was the seventh child born to a family that eventually included five boys and four girls. Raised in a home where Cajun French was spoken, he didn't learn English until the age of eight. By that time, he had mastered the fiddle, which he played from the age of five, and was on his way to teaching himself to play an amazing 28 instruments. His first gig was at a local bar, the Bucket of Blood, where he was accompanied by his mother on guitar. After teaching his brother, Rusty (born Russell; February 2, 1938), to play guitar, he formed a band, the Continental Playboys, with Rusty and older brother, Peewee, in 1948.

Good Old Boys Like Me: Don Williams

2009-11-17T21:31:00.002-06:00

Here is a song from when Nashville mainstream Country used to produce great lyrical songwriting.

There are some lines that really resonate in this one.

Nothing makes a sound in the night like the wind does
But you ain't afraid if you're washed in the blood like I was

When I was in school I ran with kid down the street
But I watched him burn himself up on bourbon and speed
But I was smarter than most and I could choose
Learned to talk like the man on the six o'clock news

Jimmy and Granddaughter

2009-11-16T17:16:00.002-06:00

My friend Jimmy, the intrepid woodsman, birder, and photographer. Mary's first Canoe trip.

I love this photo.

Accepted!

2009-11-16T17:00:00.001-06:00

Sometime on the afternoon of Dec 1st, I'll become the proud owner of a .43 acre mushy spot on top of a rock.

It's All Happening!

2009-11-15T17:31:00.002-06:00

Our friend is having her 40th Birthday this month and has rented out the DanielDay "DremMecca" gallery for the event.

The "e-vites" have been sent, and rumor has it "Our Man In Charleston", Scott Freeman will be there.

I'll believe it when I see it.

"Ball Hawk"

2009-11-08T16:53:00.003-06:00

I went golfing today. I rarely golf, and almost never bring my camera along, but am really glad I did.
I had a cool close encounter with a Red Tailed Hawk who perched on the flagstick and allowed me to get within 20 feet or so before he spooked.

Another Cool Image Generator

2009-11-07T19:11:00.002-06:00

This site apparently puts you in an Andy Warhol-type image and makes you look like Hitler.

Click Here

2009-11-07T16:50:00.000-06:00

The Rock Star Next Door

2009-11-01T19:25:00.002-06:00

This is pretty cool. The kid in "Wild Sweet Orange" lives next door to my brother. I saw them on the Letterman Show last year sometime.

I like the video as all the locations are so familiar, Vulcan, the boulder field, The Garage, Morris Avenue.

Random yet profound.

2009-10-29T16:26:00.000-05:00

Obamicon of the day: Hope

2009-10-29T16:20:00.002-05:00

I created this with the Obama "Hope" poster generator at obamicon.me using a detail of a photo I took at Wrigley Field last year.

Hope springs eternal for the Cubs faithful.

2009-10-20T07:08:00.000-05:00

Don't disappoint!

2009-10-19T21:31:00.002-05:00

My friend Dewey captured this image outside Farmington, NM and immediately thought of me.

I don't know if i"m flattered or ashamed.