Pastor Gas

Sometimes you need a laugh and it comes from an unsuspecting source.

Why is passing gas so funny?

This guy, Robert Tilton, was described as "corrupt" and "creepy" by a friend. Amen!

One last toast for Pat

Visitation tonight for Pat Cornwell. Before, we gathered to give him one last toast. If you are on Facebook, click here. Thanks so much to Jessica Cate from The Whig and The Local Q for recording our tribute to Pat.

Funeral tomorrow, one last ride to Big Neck .... see you on the other side, Pat.

Closer to 50

Thanks to everybody who sent Facebook birthday wishes yesterday. Facebook is an amazing thing. It's good because it's easy communication. It's bad because blogs get less attention.

My brother says I need to start rounding down, not up. That way, I'll be 29 forever.

Have I told you lately that Roger Daltrey is an amazing human being? Click here for more, and I could not agree more.

Have a great Turkey Day tomorrow and be safe!

Song stuck in my head

Sometimes when it won't leave your brain it's not a bad thing.

Farewell, Pat Cornwell

Pat Cornwell died at home Saturday night, surrounded by family, ready for the ride.

Shey Fey and I went to see him Saturday morning. His wife, Mary Ann, said she thought he would pass sometime during the day. His body was shutting down and he was ready for the ride, as he told his wife.

Anger is beginning to seep in now. Two months ago Pat appeared to be fine. Cancer spread like wildfire after a tumor was discovered in his brain, and watching him go down was unbelievable.

Pat played drums in The Funions and many other bands for years. He was a friend to all musicians, a big-hearted man who could never say no when it came to helping out at a charity event. The last show we played with Pat on drums was at Quanada's big benefit at Backwaters in April — the second straight year Pat donated a PA and spent a ton of hours setting it up and taking it down.

We had riotous practices in the back of Vegas Music. I will remember smoking stogies on the back porch and the feeling we got when we learned a new song, one he'd played a million times but new to us.

Shey Fey would come with us and fix Pat's computer, play with Lucky Cat and even cleaned the bathroom in the back (medal of valor in the mail).

Long may you run, Pat.

Gittin busy

Coming up on a busy stretch for The Cheeseburgers.

We start Saturday night with a show at Adams Trading Post. Adams, Ill., is just south of Quincy Regional Airport. We played there a few months ago and it was a lot of fun, good people who are into having a good time! We have learned a song just for them .... darlin'.

On Dec. 4 we are playing at the Blind Pig in Quincy. We are really excited about this show because we haven't played much in Quincy itself, and the Blind Pig is an awesome venue. WARNING: Get there early, it's not that big of a place and I think we'll have a good crowd.

On Dec. 11 we play for a private Christmas party in Palmyra. On Dec. 12 I will be at the Pat Cornwell benefit, not playing but perhaps helping out and just hanging out.

We also have a couple of Deadly Weapons shows coming up and they are always fun, too.

Tis the season for music!

Benefits for Pat

He's not a savage twit at all ...

My "guitar god" hero, the best ever .... Nigel Tufnel, talking about Joe Satriani.

First of all, I am not sure where John Hodge's hand is. He is at the far right. I think it is resting on the stage. I think.

Secondly, the thing I will remember most about our Halloween costume party gig last Saturday night at the Terstriep farm near Payson was at 1 a.m., a nun wandered on the stage, grabbed the microphone from Burt and started singing "Amazing Grace" and "God Bless America." There were still a boatload of people there and they all joined in. Sort of.

The last time I heard such a stirring rendition was at a tea party rally. But I digress.

It might just be illegal to have so much fun ....

Legendary Manager

I interviewed Sparky Anderson several times and came away awed by the experience each time.

Rest in peace, Sparky.

More here.

Political signs I can relate to ....

Will have a report later about Saturday's wedding and subsequent Cheeseburger Halloween gig at the Payson farm. I'm still trying to process it all. Getting home at 4 in the morning does that you.

In the meantime, make sure you vote Tuesday. Don't know if you read about the rally by Jon Stewart and Stephen Cobert the other day, but here's a link with the best signs. Enjoy!

New Opening Song

Crazy weekend looms .... Halloween weddings, huge party Saturday night, preparation for Woodland tours Sunday.

Burt and I are having an argument as to who gets to sing this song as our new opening Cheeseburgers number. Gooey!

Keeping The Peace. Sort of ....

So I come home from work today and I'm putting the scooter in the garage when I hear my neighbor across the alley screaming, and I mean he is bellowing at the top of his lungs, at the young guy who lives next to him.

Turns out Upset Neighbor, who will now be referred to as Clueless, is mad at Other Neighbor for running across his lawn with his truck. You know, the beautifully kept, manicured, weed-free Calftown lawn our neighborhood is famous for. NOT.

So Other Neighbor is screaming back and bitching about Clueless' three yippy dogs that don't shut up.

So I close the garage door, walk across the alley, and Clueless' mother comes out and tells her son to shut up too. After more expletives are hurled back and forth, I finally got in Clueless' face and told him to back off and go inside, because he'd made his point and wasn't doing anybody any good being, well, Clueless.

To his credit, Clueless went back inside, cursing the whole time until he shut the back door.

Other Neighbor was sheepish. "I cut it too close when I pulled in," he said. He seemed embarrassed about the whole thing. I just told him to have a little consideration and to keep in mind some people can't help being Clueless.

And that was that. No bulletproof vest needed. Just another day in The Hood.

HOLY CRAP fire trucks just flew down the street .....

Didn't Know I Knew Ya

Reading a fascinating book by Ruth Deters of Quincy, who lives in the old Dr. Nelson house east of town not far from Lowe's and the newer strip malls out there.

Dr. David Nelson was a prominent physician and pastor who settled in Quincy and was a huge abolitionist. Ruth's book is about how she found out her home was a key station on the Underground Railroad, and it's littered with famous names and great stories about yesteryear.

Dr. Nelson and several family members are buried at Woodland. I had no idea. The girls and I walk right by him almost every day. So today we took a good look at his time-washed stone and it's so cool to get some insight into the fascinating souls now at rest.

Shey Fey and I are tour guides at the Nov. 1 Woodland tour.

From the Gardner Museum website ....

The 20th Annual Woodland Cemetery Tour hosted by the Gardner Museum will be held Monday, November 1 beginning at 4 p.m. Advance reservations and payment are required for tours leaving every half hour. Please call the museum at 224-6873 for available times. The tour usually sells out, but it is possible that some space may become available because of cancellations. Those wishing to attend after the tour is sold out are encouraged to stand by in case someone does not show up.

Participants are to meet at the cemetery’s new building entrance at 5th between Adams and Monroe Streets. The building has public restrooms available year round.

Early participants will be able to tour the cemetery in the natural light. Those attending later will be using lanterns and flashlights. Warm cider and donuts are available for participants.

Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes with good traction and to bring a flashlight. Cost of the tour is $7 for non-members and $2 for members of the museum. Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult, the fee for children 12 and under is $5. For additional information call the museum at 217-224-6873.

Great Weekend. Not.

So I would tell you all about this great weekend and all the stuff going on and how it will be so nice to relax and enjoy it.

But I have to work.

So I won't.

Moon Prostate River

So normally I keep it pretty lite on the site .... this is different.

I am urging all of my friends and colleagues to get checked for prostate cancer. It's in my family and I have no choice, being on the closer side of 50 from 45. A friend was recently diagnosed and I cannot stress enough the importance of catching it early.

So I'm at the doctor this morning and of course the world is coming to an end, from dead bodies being identified to traffic stops by ATMs.

This didn't happen to me, but I couldn't resist ....

Back With Da Boyz

Hope you can join us Friday night at the Quincy Art Center's big event to raise funds for school music programs. It's called Artoberfest and it will be a blast, more info here.

Hanging out with Rock A. Bye and Abe Lincoln Inghram for Deadly Weapons acoustic set from 6:30-9. Hopefully the weather holds and we'll be right outside the Art Center at 1515 Maine.

On Saturday I'm playing at the nuptials of Matt Schuckman and Michelle Clement, late afternoon outside at the Villa Kathrine in Quincy. Attempting to learn The Beatles "I Will." Geesh, what a great song!

Still trying to recover from a tremendous Cheeseburgers gig at the Flying Inn. This afternoon at Woodland, Bella bowled me over and I can hardly walk again after barely recovering from being hardly able to walk.

Big dumb dog - loud and obnoxious!

Dreaming of sleep

— Me and sleep aren't getting along very well tonight. This morning. Whatever.

— Prayers to Big Cousin Matthew in North Carolina, hopefully he's going home today after surgery. Get better dangit!

— Big Cheeseburgers show tonight at the Flying Inn. Looking forward to playing outside and hopefully getting a crowd.

— Also hopefully will have a voice after screaming during the Michigan-Michigan State game. Go Blue!

— Sammy Fund weekend, the best fundraising event in the Q-Town. The walk is (gasp) in a few hours this morning, golf tournament tomorrow. We are blessed with awesome weather this year.

All I Want Is You

I have to play at a couple of weddings coming up and I'm thinking about doing this song ...



As usual, the live version is waaaaayyyy better than the recorded song.

ALL I WANT IS YOU - U2

You say you want
Diamonds on a ring of gold
You say you want
Your story to remain untold

But all the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You say you'll give me
A highway with no one on it
Treasure just to look upon it
All the riches in the night

You say you'll give me
Eyes in a moon of blindness
A river in a time of dryness
A harbour in the tempest
But all the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You say you want
Your love to work out right
To last with me through the night

You say you want
Diamonds on a ring of gold
Your story to remain untold
Your love not to grow cold

All the promises we break
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You...all I want is...
You...all I want is...
You...all I want is...
You...

Da Truth

Tell it like it really is, would ya? Please? Bet this job gets lots of resumes.

Yesterday was the first Saturday in forever with nothing major going on, except for the Mutt Strut in the morning (Bella did not destroy anything and Lu calmly took it all in). So, to make sure the day didn't go to waste, I watched nine college football games, four at once in the evening. Denard for Heisman, BTW.

On Friday night we went to see The Room and I pulled hammy from laughing so hard, more here. I highly recommend that you never watch this movie, or are intoxicated and with a bunch of loud and witty people when you do. If you do.

On Friday night the 6-2 sophomore came home with two of her oboe buddies for a master class and to watch a concert Saturday night. I get home at 2 a.m. to find her and her friends in a bed watching a horror movie on a lap top and cackling with horrified delight. Ah. Youth. A beautiful thing ....

On deck: An awesome Cheeseburgers show at the Flying Inn, Michigan vs. Michigan State, and our favorite event of the fall, the Sammy Fund walk and golf tournament. HUGE!