Be Careful What You Say

I think Web Warriors need to be very careful what they say.

Especially when they are being sentenced for a felony in a few days.

Thank you, drive through.

Five is right out

When somebody makes me mad, I call for the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch.

And it works every time. As long as I count to five ... uh, three ....

No Mo Paper

Shey Fey has been after me forever to get with the times and pay my bills online.

It's hard to let go of the old check in the envelope thing.

A while back we went to direct deposit and one person in the entire building held out. This person insists on getting the check printed and put in their hands. They feel better about it.

Now I'm beginning to think this person needs to get with the times.

DANG IT - point the finger, and three point back at you ....

Bret Who?

Look. I am not a big Bret Michaels fan. I never really liked Poison. I accidently watched half of a Rock of Love reality show and almost threw up.

Michaels is in Quincy tonight and tomorrow for shows at Backwaters. Good for him and good for Quincy. If you are a fan, go and enjoy, let me know how it went.

I'm seeing some people getting giddy about it, like the president himself is here, and I'd like to say something but if it blows up their bubble, well, I ain't gonna burst it.

Lake Michigan cure, The Grove and all kinds of other stuff

If you sit on the beach and watch the sunset, like this one on my uncle's Lake Michigan beach near Saugatuck, it will fix whatever ails you.

A great time up north. Thanks to my long-time buddy David Wilkins and family, Susan helped me write an "emergency vacation" column Monday morning. Enjoyed playing The Meadows at Grand Valley State University, tough track and thank goodness I left a few bullets so it can remember me ...

Camped at Orchard Beach State Park near Manistee. Reminded me of Hoffmaster a bit. My cousin Roland and family were across the road and we are thinking of doing Ludington State Park next summer.

The beach was glorious, the water 75 and clear, and the lemonade was great.

On Thursday night I was sitting in my campground when an older guy named Doug came by with an acoustic guitar. He's 70 and from Indiana, up to do some fishing by himself for a few days. This is where music breaks boundaries, because Doug and I played songs for more than two hours. He used to be a country music drummer and I've never had so much fun strumming along to Jimmy Reaves and Peter, Paul and Mary songs. Plus he writes his own tunes, it was just a blast trading stories and songs. He had open heart surgery not long ago and is vowing to put a song about the experience on YouTube, we'll be looking for it!

At 11 the park ranger informed us we had to stop playing, even though it wasn't that loud ... rules is rules, I guess. Do I get a merit badge for being told to stop playing?

Drove nine hours home yesterday to check out Rusty Wright at Blues In The Park. The storm at 5 p.m. undoubtedly kept some people away, but all it did was delay things a few minutes and cool it down, perfect night in the park. This guy and his band blew everybody away and John Hodge and I about fell off our chairs when he nailed a Robin Trower song near the end. I'm sure the K of C kept the crowd down too, but to me there was no question what was the better time last night.

BTW, you can either brave the masses (and that's not a bad thing) or you can come to The Grove tonight for the new Cheeseburgers first Quincy show since revamping the lineup. Come on out and we'll hoot and holler too!

And wish me luck as I recover from vacation ....

Vacation after vacation

Back from the Lake Michigan beaches. God, it was glorious. Thank You.

Stories and maybe a few pics coming.

HUGE show tomorrow night at The Grove Inn. This will be the first Quincy show for the revamped Cheeseburgers.

Monday morning thunderstorms

Tell me there is anything better than waking up to the sound of a thunderstorm rolling off Lake Michigan.

I'll walk the beach in the rain any day ...

Good luck to Shey Fey today. I am a fortunate man.

Click here for the press conference after the final game last week conducted by H-W Sports Editor Don O'Brien. Thanks to Mattt "Young Skywalker" Hopf for the video luv.

Still store this morning from all the jumping around and craziness at the Whispering Oaks Camp Ground in Mendon Saturday night. The Cheeseburgers are beginning to hit their stride as a band. Better check us out Saturday night at The Grove, our first show in town with the new lineup. As always, We Are Not Responsible For Our Own Behavior.

Gotta go listen to the rain ....

The Run, Camping

Kelly Wilson is with a team running from Quincy to Peoria for St. Jude Children's Hospital. She's posting regular updates on my Herald-Whig blog here, very cool stuff, go Kelly go!

Went down to the Quincy Boat Club last night and saw the Horndogs open for a young band called Trifecta. The Dogs were there usual funky selves. Drummer Kevin Vandament has a great new slogan for the Cheeseburgers next round of shows - "Hold The Pickle Tour."

Trifecta was really interesting, three young guys playing acoustic instruments and doing songs from America to Pearl Jam. Not sure if the venue was the right place for them but I thought they were different and really busted themselves to entertain.

There will be no busting tonight at the campground. The guys tell John Hodge and I it's a blast. Bring the bug spray and your own beverages and we'll have a marvelous time!

And ... heading north tomorrow for some Lake Michigan respite. I feel like a big balloon with the air slowly leaking out!

Last Game, New Baby, Vacation Looms

Last ever slow pitch softball game tonight at Upper Moorman Park. That's the text of my farewell speech.

One more day. I can survive one more day, one more day .... Lake Michigan beach on the brain.

Meet my new addition to the family here. Bought her at Time To Play Music in Quincy. Chris matched the Musician's Friend price and took care of me, in fact, you might be surprised what your local store can do, so give them a chance before going online.

We are fortunate to have two good music stores in Vegas and Time To Play. I support both as much as I can. Yes, I've gotten stuff off the Internet, but only because it wasn't available here.

Support your local guys!

The Night Is Hot And Black As Ink

Going outside is like walking through soup. I hate this typical Quincy summer weather, 120 in the shade, 99 percent humidity ... you just never really get used to it. Worked on the lawn the last two nights and probably lost 20 pounds.

Trying to think of songs to cool off and came up with this classic Who tune from Quadrophenia ...




This is from their December 1982 show in Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens, the final show on their supposed Farewell Tour. Right. I do remember being in my room on Rosewood, a high school loser in his senior year, I think there was a dance or something at school but I stayed home and taped this show since it was broadcast live on WLAV.

The band is tired and burned out from many nights on the road but Daltrey gives it his best. Love, love, LOVE this song, Quadrophenia is one of the great underrated albums of all time.