See what I mean? Snow is fun!

Snow plus crazy dogs equals big fun ...

Embrace the snow

Before we launch into today's discussion about snow and dogs and stupid people, let it be known the reason Larry David is one of the funniest people in the world is simply because he knows when to say something and when not to. Anonymous Web Warriors should be forced to watch Curb Your Enthusiasm to cheer up.

There. I feel a lot better now.

So this morning we woke up to four inches of fresh snow and two dogs ready to rock. A day off means I get to stroll Lucy and Bella through winter wonderland, and we headed to Greenmount Cemetery.

The nice thing about snow is that it keeps people away and the girls can roam all over the place. Lucy likes to drift drive, while Bella runs and runs and runs and eventually crashes into a heap of long legs and big puppy paws in the snow.

In the southeast corner a crew was getting ready to dig a grave, and it occurred to me that life and death go on, even if people get mad about not having a snow day.

People around here just don't know how to deal with the white stuff. It's Quincy, it's January, it's a part of life. Be careful in the car, don't trust the other guy and bundle up if you do go out. It's not that bad!

Gigs and crowds

So a week ago Saturday we played at The Grove in Quincy. It was basically for a 50th birthday party but open to the public as well. The Grove is very small and there's no stage, just a space in a corner for the band.

We set up early in the afternoon and when we came back about 45 minutes before start time, the bar was packed and people were in the mood to have fun. So it was no surprise that from the opening song to the riotous encores, it was the best time we've had since John Hodge and I joined last summer, and we played really, really well, no hiccups, cranking 'em out one after the other.

Last night we were in Pittsfield and nobody, and I mean nobody, was there when we started. We made friends with the bartenders and cook and were halfway through the first set when two people showed up. Then some of Burt's family arrived, and a few more people straggled in, by the end of the night we probably had 20 people.

Well. We were paid to do a job and we did it, and did pretty well, but it was tough to maintain the energy all night. I do appreciate the people who came out and had a good time listening to us. We had a nice stage and a great-sounding room.

It's amazing how other factors influence how you play, or how you feel when and after you play. Good crowds, good venues and energy make all the difference.

Drums On Fire

I've played with a lot of good drummers. Chris and Pat Cornwell, Adam Yates, Justin Busen, David Steggeman, Josh Kattelman, Danny Mabie, Kevin Vandament and other fill-ins along the way.

Kirk Gribbler of The Cheeseburgers is awesome. He doesn't smash everything in sight, he just keeps a steady beat and helps us take off and land smoothly, and he has an ear for PA systems and balance.

We do a bit where he has a drum solo before we launch into a fire-related song, so here it is from the other night at The Grove. Come see it for yourself!

Undecided? YES!

So The Cheeseburgers played Sunday afternoon at a Turner Hall cancer benefit, and as usual it was a blast.

I respect and appreciate the many local bands which donate time for such events. They are all awesome and I love to hear them play.

We were getting ready to leave when a band from the St. Louis area called The Undecided took the stage. They were a little heavier but had some really cool original music. The singer also played acoustic guitar, the rhythm section was right there and the guitar player had this Gibson SG just roaring. Only a few guitarists should be allowed to play an SG. This guys is one of them.

Then they did a couple of covers, Billy Idol and Bob Seeger, and then they launched into Van Halen's Mean Street and it was just freaking phenomenal.

Always great when you go to hear music and something jumps out at you. Apparently they'll be back in Hannibal in July, might have to check em out again!

NOW HEAR THIS!

One of my favorite movies is That Thing You Do, about a band that has a smash hit in the 1960s and then splinters apart.

I love this scene, which shows the sheer exuberance when band members hear their song on the radio for the first time.

Cheeseburgers play 8 p.m. Saturday night at The Grove, and 5 p.m. Sunday at Turner Hall as part of Leaps of Love cancer benefit. See you all out and about!

Buh bye RR

Buh Bye, RichRod. We hardly knew ye. Well,we did know ye. Sorry it didn't work out.

On a related note, it's nice to see the Cheaters from Ohio State had absolutely no impact on the Sugar Bowl game.

Pffffffft.

Most of the time I like Todd Blackledge, the football announcer. But I lost a lot of respect for him when he said Tie Boy did the right thing by allowing them to play because he had the rest of the team to consider.

Well. They shouldn't have put that one dude in prison last month for killing another dude, because the one dude's family had such a hard Christmas. You know. To be fair.

Ice. Gone. Sniff.

A week ago we had ice. Then we had a thaw, and there's no super cold weather in site.

Sniff.

Ringing It In. And The Big 10 SUCKS

The only good part about watching Michigan today was the fact I fell asleep and missed most of it. And there were other games on.

We had fun at the Elks last night, thanks to Greg and Steph for hanging with us, and the Boulevard Band did a nice job.

Happy New Year!

Be Safe

2010 was good in many ways, new beginnings and projects.

And it sucked.

Here's to a better 2011. You get a free Funions shirt if you watch the entire video, Moon's last performance the best band ever.

Terrible, Ohio State

Let's get one thing straight. I don't like Ohio State. I think they cheat all the time. Yes, they win. I just hope the whole going to class thing doesn't get in the way of winning football games.

So five players get caught doing really stupid stuff, blatant rules violations, and they get suspended for a bunch of games next year, but they can all play in the bowl game?

Puh-lease.

Me and my boy DOB are gonna go knock off a local store. Even though we know it's wrong. Then we are going on vacation with the money we've taken. Don't worry, we'll serve our sentence after we get back, only, we don't have to come back. You really think Terrible Pryor is coming back?

I'm rooting hard for Arkansas, even though their coach is a promise-breaker himself.

Post Christmas bliss cause I'm not traveling

Here's to hoping the two Big Sisters make it to North Carolina. Having been through Travel Hell enough myself, all I can do is pray.

Post-Christmas happiness to everybody. I'm off to get my skate on.

White Christmas

Merry Christmas, everybody. It's snowing on Christmas Eve morning in the Q-Town, perfect to set the mood.

Be safe!

Radio Luv

So I've been doing radio with the WGEM guys and it's been a lot of fun. Today we talked about stolen cars, top stories of the year and schtuff.

Click here for the link.

Thursday, I will be singing my homemade Christmas Carols live at Studio H, 7:50 a.m. on 105.9 FM. I think it streams live on the Web, too.

Fun fun fun .....

Year of music ...

This has certainly been an eventful year when it comes to the music stuff, and 2011 holds a lot of promise.

Said goodbye to The Funions, which was very hard to do. Having a blast with the Cheeseburgers and learning something new every single time we play. Already we are booking shows into next August! So it will continue to be busy.

The biggest thing I've learned to to keep the goofing around to a minimum and to really try and play better, and to be ready from song to song, to bang them out one after the other.

So ... we'll be cranking them out again in the new year, make sure you come see us!

Jamming with Pat

So Sunday we had the second day of the Pat Cornwell benefit at Turner Hall, and it was HUGE.

Click here for my Whig blog.

I got up with a couple of guys and sang "Roadhouse Blues" and it was just like being back at Vegas Music in the practice room. Can you legally have that much fun?

The last time I stood on that stage was April 3, when The Funions played at the Fielder CD release party. Pat was behind us on drums. Reasonable Doubt opened Sunday's show and several of those guys were also on that Turner Hall stage for the first time since Pat passed away last month.

I swear to the Good Lord Above that Pat was with us on that stage again.

Also, I have a new favorite band in town, Deuce Coup. Here's a clip from a show they did last summer ...

Busy December Saturday

Gittin Cheesey tonight in Palmyra for a private party. They tell me it's a wild and crazy time. I am recovering from a nasty bought with death so it's just the ticket!

My heart will at Turner Hall for Pat Cornwell's benefit. I'll be there Sunday all day.

This morning Paul Lester and I are playing Christmas songs and assorted ear-inflictions for developmentally disabled adults, their parents and caregivers. Paul plays the fiddle, mandolin and guitar and is one of the coolest guys around, so it should be fun!

Cheeseburgers have lined up another January gig, and we've booked shows into next June, so it's promising to be a busy year dripping from the bun. Hold the pickle!

Gretchen who?

Gretchen Wilson was in Quincy this past weekend. About 1,000 people apparently paid $40 each, more for VIP seats, to see her and two other acts.

Hey. Gretchen Wilson is huge in country music right now. If you are a fan, great. I did laugh, however, at the gal at work today who said, "What? Gretchen Wilson was in town? How come I didn't know about this? I love her!" She works at the paper and but apparently doesn't read the paper, one of them there deals.

I'm not a fan, but I understand the appeal. Her horrendous "Red Neck Woman" resonates with many, I would think.

Apparently she also played Saturday night at the Dot Foods Christmas party at the OLC. I laughed again when I saw a Facebook entry from a Dot Foods employee — "I'd rather have a Christmas bonus."

I guess the bottom line is that we had a big-name act and a decent crowd at the Oakley-Lindsay Center.

Blind Pig Tonight

Really looking forward to the Cheeseburgers gig at the Blind Pig tonight, 8-ish, just $3 at the door.

We don't play in Quincy proper that much so it's always fun. Last night at Spring Street some folks said they'd seen the band play about a year ago, but much has changed so we encouraged them to come out.

The challenge at the Blind Pig, 12th and Lind, is cramming all the sound equipment on the stage. We are setting up this afternoon and we'll get it figured out — our drummer, Kirk Gribbler, lives for this kind of thing.

The bar is small, so get there early. Be nice to Shey Fey at the door too!

TSO rules!

Off this week and getting too much stuff done. Stop it!

Listening to Night Castle by Trans Siberian Orchestra, a present from Bob and Anne Mays. Incredible music and great stuff, turn it up while decorating the tree ...