Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Two Good Posts
Two good blog posts today by fellow Web Warriors Tookie Don't Care and UMR Blog. Access them at the links on the right side.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Fall Winter Schedule
The Funions are playing this Saturday at the QND 10-year reunion. A week from Friday we're at the Elks.
We have some cool gigs possibly coming up in November, December and January. Look for an announcement soon.
A special thanks to Mark Brei, the heart and soul of the Funions, who refuses to let this band die and has stubbornly kept us going, through thick and thin.
We have some cool gigs possibly coming up in November, December and January. Look for an announcement soon.
A special thanks to Mark Brei, the heart and soul of the Funions, who refuses to let this band die and has stubbornly kept us going, through thick and thin.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
(Loud) Friday Night Lights
Kudos the Quincy High football team, which refused to quit and battled Alleman to the end Friday night.
Another huge crowd was on hand for senior night. Alleman went up 14-0 just like that, but QHS battled back and trailed 28-21 at the half. The Blue Devils made some big plays on offense and a couple of defensive stands early in the second half, but it wasn't enough in a 42-21 loss.
I left after Alleman scored in the second half, in part because of the dreadful PA announcer. Don't tell me if the guy is running off tackle, or how far downfield he is, or if Vonderhaar is under center, or if the clock keeps running. DON'T DO PLAY BY PLAY from the PA. His enthusiasm is appreciated and I'm sure he's a nice guy, whoever he is, but it's overbearing and distracting from watching the game.
That's right. WATCHING the game. If we want to listen, we'll bring our radios and headphones. I didn't see a single person do that Friday night.
It's much better at Quincy Notre Dame (Frank Cash) and QU (Bill Shuler, Steve Looten). They are professional and to the point and don't scream into the microphone.
The QHS marching band also did a nice job, as always. Good luck to them in Kahoka, Mo., today.
Another huge crowd was on hand for senior night. Alleman went up 14-0 just like that, but QHS battled back and trailed 28-21 at the half. The Blue Devils made some big plays on offense and a couple of defensive stands early in the second half, but it wasn't enough in a 42-21 loss.
I left after Alleman scored in the second half, in part because of the dreadful PA announcer. Don't tell me if the guy is running off tackle, or how far downfield he is, or if Vonderhaar is under center, or if the clock keeps running. DON'T DO PLAY BY PLAY from the PA. His enthusiasm is appreciated and I'm sure he's a nice guy, whoever he is, but it's overbearing and distracting from watching the game.
That's right. WATCHING the game. If we want to listen, we'll bring our radios and headphones. I didn't see a single person do that Friday night.
It's much better at Quincy Notre Dame (Frank Cash) and QU (Bill Shuler, Steve Looten). They are professional and to the point and don't scream into the microphone.
The QHS marching band also did a nice job, as always. Good luck to them in Kahoka, Mo., today.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Getting Ready
The Funions practiced last night and learned six or seven songs .... we're getting ready for an Oct. 13 gig, a reunion. We also have an Oct. 19 show at The Elks.
And, coming down the pipe, HUGE news .... a private party show Jan. 12 in Quincy. You won't believe who it is for.
And, coming down the pipe, HUGE news .... a private party show Jan. 12 in Quincy. You won't believe who it is for.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Alexis Runs
I walked my customary South Park route yesterday in the beautiful fall weather. Heading back north along 12th, I noticed the Quincy Notre Dame cross country team coming the other way.
Up the street came a familiar figure, still a whispy willow of a thing, still slightly hunched forward with her face glazed in concentration.
Alexis Coleman.
She played on my daughter's Quinsippi Soccer League Tiramisu team that David Adam and I coached. She was whispy back then, could run like the wind, and we put her at back or in the midfield, or if we needed a goal at forward.
Alexis had the hardest shot of any girl in the league. When she wound up the other players would scatter. They knew. She'd usually injure a hapless teammate or two in practice. You never knew quite where it was going to go, but it was always a bullet.
Those are good memories, car bumper pool in the Paul Dennis parking lot, Sunday afternoons in the late summer sun or huddled in the fall cold.
So here she came, and I could hear us yelling, "CLEAR IT ALEX! OUTSIDE! TO THE OUTSIDE!"
She passed and recognized me and I gave her an "Atta girl Alex" and she grinned that beautiful shy smile.
And she was gone, steadily and surely down 12th Street.
It's funny how seeing a face brings back memories.
I miss the days of little girls and soccer, of Silver Shoes and showdowns with the really good Knapheide team and, of course, the only thing that really mattered. After the game, the chorus was unanimous .... "Who brought treats?"
Thank you, Alexis, for bringing it back, and good luck in your running.
Up the street came a familiar figure, still a whispy willow of a thing, still slightly hunched forward with her face glazed in concentration.
Alexis Coleman.
She played on my daughter's Quinsippi Soccer League Tiramisu team that David Adam and I coached. She was whispy back then, could run like the wind, and we put her at back or in the midfield, or if we needed a goal at forward.
Alexis had the hardest shot of any girl in the league. When she wound up the other players would scatter. They knew. She'd usually injure a hapless teammate or two in practice. You never knew quite where it was going to go, but it was always a bullet.
Those are good memories, car bumper pool in the Paul Dennis parking lot, Sunday afternoons in the late summer sun or huddled in the fall cold.
So here she came, and I could hear us yelling, "CLEAR IT ALEX! OUTSIDE! TO THE OUTSIDE!"
She passed and recognized me and I gave her an "Atta girl Alex" and she grinned that beautiful shy smile.
And she was gone, steadily and surely down 12th Street.
It's funny how seeing a face brings back memories.
I miss the days of little girls and soccer, of Silver Shoes and showdowns with the really good Knapheide team and, of course, the only thing that really mattered. After the game, the chorus was unanimous .... "Who brought treats?"
Thank you, Alexis, for bringing it back, and good luck in your running.
Monday, October 01, 2007
To Drink Or Not To Drink
So I made it through September (actually starting Sept. 3) without drinking alcohol.
It was a frustrating yet rewarding experience. I missed having a beer a lot. Saturday night at Frankie's benefit the beer was flowing and people were laughing in that beer buzz way and I had to sip my water and sort of grin and bear it.
This was an event where you paid to get in and drank all the beer you wanted. Normally for me that means sucking down a bunch of beer after getting there, then cooling down because I had to drive (especially in Chicago).
Sunday morning I got up kind of wiped out from the whole thing but really feeling physically fine. And it occurred to me if I'd been drinking, I would have felt a whole lot worse, not really hungover, but just .... run over.
The main thing people always ask me when I tell them I've stopped is simply .... "Why?"
That's a hard question to answer. Maybe to just see if I could do it. Maybe to see if I actually have discipline (believe me, I was sorely tempted on several occasions). Maybe it's to have an excuse to avoid certain situations and establishments.
Maybe to save money .... it's like any vice, you don't really realize how much it costs until you stop. This past summer I estimate I probably drank an average of three beers a day. Many days, especially on the beach, I drank more, and many days I didn't drink at all. Mix in the usual Coors Light with the higher end Goose Island, and that's probably close to $100 a month.
So today is Oct. 1 and I'm faced with the big decision .... stay on the wagon or drop off?
It's really hard to decide, but I'm leaning toward staying on.
It was a frustrating yet rewarding experience. I missed having a beer a lot. Saturday night at Frankie's benefit the beer was flowing and people were laughing in that beer buzz way and I had to sip my water and sort of grin and bear it.
This was an event where you paid to get in and drank all the beer you wanted. Normally for me that means sucking down a bunch of beer after getting there, then cooling down because I had to drive (especially in Chicago).
Sunday morning I got up kind of wiped out from the whole thing but really feeling physically fine. And it occurred to me if I'd been drinking, I would have felt a whole lot worse, not really hungover, but just .... run over.
The main thing people always ask me when I tell them I've stopped is simply .... "Why?"
That's a hard question to answer. Maybe to just see if I could do it. Maybe to see if I actually have discipline (believe me, I was sorely tempted on several occasions). Maybe it's to have an excuse to avoid certain situations and establishments.
Maybe to save money .... it's like any vice, you don't really realize how much it costs until you stop. This past summer I estimate I probably drank an average of three beers a day. Many days, especially on the beach, I drank more, and many days I didn't drink at all. Mix in the usual Coors Light with the higher end Goose Island, and that's probably close to $100 a month.
So today is Oct. 1 and I'm faced with the big decision .... stay on the wagon or drop off?
It's really hard to decide, but I'm leaning toward staying on.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Two New Links
Added two new links, one for Kevin's Quincy blog, now that he appears to be doing stuff regularly.
The other is a teacher who has some interesting stuff. Check 'em out!
The other is a teacher who has some interesting stuff. Check 'em out!
Brotherly Love
Beautiful time in St. Andrew gym in Chicago's Wrigleyville last night for Frank Calkins. Huge crowd, lots of laughing.
Frank can't talk anymore, though he does have a computer to relay his thoughts. His two daughters sat patiently with him last night and gently wiped his chin as he sucked soda through a straw. People came up to him and his face lit up at greeting old friends.
His family put together a book for the event and some of the stories made me laugh and cry.
His twin brother, Marty, wrote about growing up with Frank and finished with these paragraphs ....
"A couple of months ago when Frankie came to Chicago to go the Bears game with all my brothers, he stayed overnight at my mom's. The ALS had moved to his legs and he needed help walking. That night I sat next to him in our old bedroom located upstairs. I was holding his hand, talking about everything like we've done a thousand times before. He was explaining about what ALS was doing to his body, and said to me out of the clear blue sky, 'I'm glad I caught this instead of you; I couldn't handle it if it was you.'
"I called him a jerk and said, 'I love you.' He fell asleep holding my hand. As the tears rolled down my face, and I smiled and thought, 'That's my twin.'"
Frank can't talk anymore, though he does have a computer to relay his thoughts. His two daughters sat patiently with him last night and gently wiped his chin as he sucked soda through a straw. People came up to him and his face lit up at greeting old friends.
His family put together a book for the event and some of the stories made me laugh and cry.
His twin brother, Marty, wrote about growing up with Frank and finished with these paragraphs ....
"A couple of months ago when Frankie came to Chicago to go the Bears game with all my brothers, he stayed overnight at my mom's. The ALS had moved to his legs and he needed help walking. That night I sat next to him in our old bedroom located upstairs. I was holding his hand, talking about everything like we've done a thousand times before. He was explaining about what ALS was doing to his body, and said to me out of the clear blue sky, 'I'm glad I caught this instead of you; I couldn't handle it if it was you.'
"I called him a jerk and said, 'I love you.' He fell asleep holding my hand. As the tears rolled down my face, and I smiled and thought, 'That's my twin.'"
Thursday, September 27, 2007
The Friend
I met a dear friend for lunch yesterday and I was afraid I'd break her heart.
Instead, I got nothing but love and support.
When you make life-changing decisions, the consequences reverberate, much like the pebble in the pond. The last thing I want to do is hurt anybody, but sometimes you have no choice.
I appreciate friends and I have good ones in Quincy.
I'm also reading Rick Reilly's book, a collection of his Sports Illustrated columns, and time after time he drives home the point about not taking friends and family for granted.
We all do. It's human nature.
Stopping for two seconds to think about it will make you feel better and cleanse the soul.
Instead, I got nothing but love and support.
When you make life-changing decisions, the consequences reverberate, much like the pebble in the pond. The last thing I want to do is hurt anybody, but sometimes you have no choice.
I appreciate friends and I have good ones in Quincy.
I'm also reading Rick Reilly's book, a collection of his Sports Illustrated columns, and time after time he drives home the point about not taking friends and family for granted.
We all do. It's human nature.
Stopping for two seconds to think about it will make you feel better and cleanse the soul.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Gundy's Rant
Just saw Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy's rant about a columnist criticizing his quarterback. See it for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Mike+Gundy+Oklahoma+State&search=Search
Gundy goes over the edge and makes several classic mistakes in his raving. First of all, his team won a big conference game, but nobody cares about that now, since all he did was get red in the face right after it ended. Secondly, he shouts at a guy who works for a business that buys ink by the barrel, and you simply can't win.
Gundy made some great points and should be commended for sticking up for his QB. But if thinks that these are "just kids" and if thinks college football is some sort of dream world where athletes are immune from media and fan scrutiny, he's not only sadly mistaken, he's been living under a rock for a long time.
Had Gundy simply stared the columnist down, or frozen him out, or simply ignored him, or made a short statement about what an idiot the guy is, he would have won. And he could have used it for the "us against the world" approach to motivating his team.
Division I College football is a big business, plain and simple. Are they 17 and 18 years old? Yes. Are they being paid? No. Do the vast majority bust their butts and make their universities proud? Yes.
Are they coddled and have advantages many students simply don't have in this day and age of $30,000-a-year tuition? Yes.
Look at Michigan quarterback Ryan Mallett, a FRESHMAN IN COLLEGE who is now throwing passes in front of 110,000 angry Maize and Blue fans on Saturdays. Is that fair to throw him to the wolves? Heck no, but he's out there and trying, and if some bozo writer says otherwise, that's the way it is.
The media doesn't care. There are sports writers and columnists out there who simply feed the beast, who have kids themselves, who don't want to hurt anybody, but also will run over their mom to get the story.
Coach Gundy needs to worry more about the rest of the Big 12 schedule that what a columnist says. This isn't a fairy tail with the gloves off, Coach. It's the big time, Big 12 football, and blowing up after a huge win doesn't get it done.
Gundy doesn't owe the columnist an apology, or talk to him ever again. He does owe an apology to his team and the rest of the media, because they wanted his take on a big game and he left them hanging.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Mike+Gundy+Oklahoma+State&search=Search
Gundy goes over the edge and makes several classic mistakes in his raving. First of all, his team won a big conference game, but nobody cares about that now, since all he did was get red in the face right after it ended. Secondly, he shouts at a guy who works for a business that buys ink by the barrel, and you simply can't win.
Gundy made some great points and should be commended for sticking up for his QB. But if thinks that these are "just kids" and if thinks college football is some sort of dream world where athletes are immune from media and fan scrutiny, he's not only sadly mistaken, he's been living under a rock for a long time.
Had Gundy simply stared the columnist down, or frozen him out, or simply ignored him, or made a short statement about what an idiot the guy is, he would have won. And he could have used it for the "us against the world" approach to motivating his team.
Division I College football is a big business, plain and simple. Are they 17 and 18 years old? Yes. Are they being paid? No. Do the vast majority bust their butts and make their universities proud? Yes.
Are they coddled and have advantages many students simply don't have in this day and age of $30,000-a-year tuition? Yes.
Look at Michigan quarterback Ryan Mallett, a FRESHMAN IN COLLEGE who is now throwing passes in front of 110,000 angry Maize and Blue fans on Saturdays. Is that fair to throw him to the wolves? Heck no, but he's out there and trying, and if some bozo writer says otherwise, that's the way it is.
The media doesn't care. There are sports writers and columnists out there who simply feed the beast, who have kids themselves, who don't want to hurt anybody, but also will run over their mom to get the story.
Coach Gundy needs to worry more about the rest of the Big 12 schedule that what a columnist says. This isn't a fairy tail with the gloves off, Coach. It's the big time, Big 12 football, and blowing up after a huge win doesn't get it done.
Gundy doesn't owe the columnist an apology, or talk to him ever again. He does owe an apology to his team and the rest of the media, because they wanted his take on a big game and he left them hanging.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Flinn Rocks
Huge crowd at the QHS football game last night for Homecoming.
Give Coach Little and his players credit for being prepared and playing really hard. The Blue Devils are 3-2 and 2-0 in the WB6, though the tough part of the conference schedule now looms.
I was working last night so I only saw a few minutes of the second quarter and the halftime show. The percussion and bells section especially were very good, not that I'm biased ....
The QHS band rocks. They were in excellent form in the parade Thursday down Maine Street and at halftime Friday.
The only thing I didn't like about the game was the public address announcer. Doing play by play is annoying. And there was more yelling than information given. If I want a running account of the game, I'll bring my radio. Just give us the ball carrier and who made the tackle.
Other than that, it was a Big Friday Night ....
Give Coach Little and his players credit for being prepared and playing really hard. The Blue Devils are 3-2 and 2-0 in the WB6, though the tough part of the conference schedule now looms.
I was working last night so I only saw a few minutes of the second quarter and the halftime show. The percussion and bells section especially were very good, not that I'm biased ....
The QHS band rocks. They were in excellent form in the parade Thursday down Maine Street and at halftime Friday.
The only thing I didn't like about the game was the public address announcer. Doing play by play is annoying. And there was more yelling than information given. If I want a running account of the game, I'll bring my radio. Just give us the ball carrier and who made the tackle.
Other than that, it was a Big Friday Night ....
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Happy Birthday Tookie
And a very happy birthday to the Web Warrior of Doom who turns 10 today. Don't hit him while he rides his new tricycle around Vermont Street. Be nice to him and try to talk to him now before McFadden turns his world upside down Saturday.
Tookie - sometimes I think it must be nice to not care about anything.
Tookie - sometimes I think it must be nice to not care about anything.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Could Be Worse ....
You could be a Georgia football fan.
Alas, turmoil galore in Ann Arbor. Even the great programs must struggle on occassion.
The boss at work says, "Who is going to watch two 0-2 teams play each other?" Uh, it's Notre Dame vs. Michigan, and just for the train wreck appeal, much of the country, actually.
Best game yesterday was Fresno at Texas A&M, three or four OTs and players were dropping like flies in the Texas heat.
Did you catch the mighty Chippewas dismantling Toledo last night? Brian Kelly bolted Central Michigan before last season ended and headed to Ohio. Love the guy, high-fived him on the field after Central beat bitter rival Western Michigan last November .... but part of me watches in a jealous rage.
In two non-CFB notes, we're up in Paloma today and looking forward to playing in the bright sunshine of rural Adams County.
And trying to listen to Journey without Steve Perry is like playing golf without a putter. It just doesn't work .... though I like the song "Higher Place."
Alas, turmoil galore in Ann Arbor. Even the great programs must struggle on occassion.
The boss at work says, "Who is going to watch two 0-2 teams play each other?" Uh, it's Notre Dame vs. Michigan, and just for the train wreck appeal, much of the country, actually.
Best game yesterday was Fresno at Texas A&M, three or four OTs and players were dropping like flies in the Texas heat.
Did you catch the mighty Chippewas dismantling Toledo last night? Brian Kelly bolted Central Michigan before last season ended and headed to Ohio. Love the guy, high-fived him on the field after Central beat bitter rival Western Michigan last November .... but part of me watches in a jealous rage.
In two non-CFB notes, we're up in Paloma today and looking forward to playing in the bright sunshine of rural Adams County.
And trying to listen to Journey without Steve Perry is like playing golf without a putter. It just doesn't work .... though I like the song "Higher Place."
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Social Experiment
It's not quite a Michigan morning - still too much humidity - but it's comfortable sitting on the porch reviving with caffeine.
I've decided to quit drinking during the month of September, and to see where it leads. Until last night, I was doing fine. Then I went to Blues In The District at Washington Park and it got a little more challenging.
But seeing Tookie with H20 made me feel better. He's stopped to cut carbs. I've stopped to just see if I can do it.
I liken this to a social experiment. If you are hanging out and the beer is flowing, are your perceptions different if you decide not to drink?
Duh! Of course! I'm not saying it's better or worse, but it's very different.
I'm quitting because it was getting too easy to have a beer after work. After a walk. After dinner. At night. All night.
I know people who drink a lot more and are still functional. I know people who hardly drink at all and should drink more — "Lighten up, Francis ...." In the end, you can't worry about anybody else, just yourself. My liver will thank me, I know that.
Not sure how long it will last. I can't imagine sitting on a Lake Michigan beach without a beer. Then again, it might be nice to wake up in the tent and not wonder where the Aspirin bottle is.
Just thinking how huge the Oregon at Michigan game is this afternoon, and how nice it will be to just sit and watch college football today.
With a water, of course .....
I've decided to quit drinking during the month of September, and to see where it leads. Until last night, I was doing fine. Then I went to Blues In The District at Washington Park and it got a little more challenging.
But seeing Tookie with H20 made me feel better. He's stopped to cut carbs. I've stopped to just see if I can do it.
I liken this to a social experiment. If you are hanging out and the beer is flowing, are your perceptions different if you decide not to drink?
Duh! Of course! I'm not saying it's better or worse, but it's very different.
I'm quitting because it was getting too easy to have a beer after work. After a walk. After dinner. At night. All night.
I know people who drink a lot more and are still functional. I know people who hardly drink at all and should drink more — "Lighten up, Francis ...." In the end, you can't worry about anybody else, just yourself. My liver will thank me, I know that.
Not sure how long it will last. I can't imagine sitting on a Lake Michigan beach without a beer. Then again, it might be nice to wake up in the tent and not wonder where the Aspirin bottle is.
Just thinking how huge the Oregon at Michigan game is this afternoon, and how nice it will be to just sit and watch college football today.
With a water, of course .....
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
I luv Tookie
OK. He's a Web Warrior. He bashes people without caring. He can't spell worth a bleep. He doesn't really care about anything or anybody.
But I want Tookie to know this.
I LOVE YOU MAN.
This has nothing to do with Tookie giving me Michigan at Illinois tickets. Yes, I am still a fan, despite Armageddon last Saturday. So I'm going Oct. 20 to Champaign. Right now, I have two extra tickets if anybody in Cyberspace is interested ....
But I want Tookie to know this.
I LOVE YOU MAN.
This has nothing to do with Tookie giving me Michigan at Illinois tickets. Yes, I am still a fan, despite Armageddon last Saturday. So I'm going Oct. 20 to Champaign. Right now, I have two extra tickets if anybody in Cyberspace is interested ....
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Amazing Guitarist
Every now and then somebody will come along and blow you away.
Check out guitar player Andy McKee on Youtube.com, especially his song Drifting and an amazing cover of Toto's Africa.
And the song Into The Ocean features the most unique guitar I've ever seen.
Check it out!
Check out guitar player Andy McKee on Youtube.com, especially his song Drifting and an amazing cover of Toto's Africa.
And the song Into The Ocean features the most unique guitar I've ever seen.
Check it out!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Aharon's Elaina
Just watched a youtube video featuring Elaina Bellis of Quincy. It's by a guy named Aharon.
I did a story about Elaina not long ago. She went to LA to find herself and get into the TV and movie industry. She sounded like she was having the time of her life.
Check out the video here ....
www.youtube.com/watch?v=My9WuSHbkj8
Wow. A beautiful girl in a well-produced video and even kind of a cool song.
I did a story about Elaina not long ago. She went to LA to find herself and get into the TV and movie industry. She sounded like she was having the time of her life.
Check out the video here ....
www.youtube.com/watch?v=My9WuSHbkj8
Wow. A beautiful girl in a well-produced video and even kind of a cool song.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Drew's Off To School
Best wishes to young Drew White, off to school in the Chicago area (Elmhurst, I believe).
Drew heads north Tuesday armed with my old guitar, a good head on his shoulders, massive love and support from his dad and brother, and best wishes from Trinity UCC and friends.
I didn't go away to college until my third year out of high school and it was a huge mistake to wait that long. Some young people are fine staying home and going to school .... look at how well John Wood Community College does, and it makes a lot of financial success.
But others are ready. And others are ready to send them on their way. Right Tim??!!
Andrew, I remember your proud mother rocking her new baby boy in the church pew at Second Congregational in Grand Rapids, and now I'm wondering where the heck all this time has gone.
Quincy is home and always will be, but these are the greatest times you will ever have, Drew. Close your eyes and bottle this up right now, cause you won't leave home for the first time again.
Good luck, my friend.
Drew heads north Tuesday armed with my old guitar, a good head on his shoulders, massive love and support from his dad and brother, and best wishes from Trinity UCC and friends.
I didn't go away to college until my third year out of high school and it was a huge mistake to wait that long. Some young people are fine staying home and going to school .... look at how well John Wood Community College does, and it makes a lot of financial success.
But others are ready. And others are ready to send them on their way. Right Tim??!!
Andrew, I remember your proud mother rocking her new baby boy in the church pew at Second Congregational in Grand Rapids, and now I'm wondering where the heck all this time has gone.
Quincy is home and always will be, but these are the greatest times you will ever have, Drew. Close your eyes and bottle this up right now, cause you won't leave home for the first time again.
Good luck, my friend.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Bands I'd Pay To See
1. The Who
2. U2
3. Yes
4. Asia
5. The Police
6. Van Halen
7. Eric Johnson
8. Journey (only with Steve Perry)
9. The Kinks
10. The Cars (even The New Cars)
11. The Collapse
12. Dire Straits
13. Foreigner (only with Lou Graham)
14. Sammy Hagar
15. Huey Lewis & The News
16. Peter Gabriel
17. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
18. Raised On Radio
19. Freddie Tieken & The Rockers
20. Jack Inghram & The Congregational Hart Throbs
2. U2
3. Yes
4. Asia
5. The Police
6. Van Halen
7. Eric Johnson
8. Journey (only with Steve Perry)
9. The Kinks
10. The Cars (even The New Cars)
11. The Collapse
12. Dire Straits
13. Foreigner (only with Lou Graham)
14. Sammy Hagar
15. Huey Lewis & The News
16. Peter Gabriel
17. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
18. Raised On Radio
19. Freddie Tieken & The Rockers
20. Jack Inghram & The Congregational Hart Throbs
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Musical Toys
The average musician is careful about the money he spends and the equipment he buys. An awful lot of thought must go into getting the latest gadget or instrument.
This ain't a cheap jones.
Today in the mail I got my Digitech Model Guitar Processor from Musician's Friend. It's a lot of fun to play with and I got a great deal on it, and of course I don't really need it. But .... might be able to plug it right into the PA for electric guitar.
When I play with the full Funions band, I just bring my trusty Cort jumbo acoustic with the awesome Fishman pickup. Howard and JB make all the noise on guitar we really need. I add some rhythmn and it's actually a lot of fun to just put the guitar and sing and be a fool on the stage.
But we have some shows coming up where either Howard or JB won't be there, so I might have to play my Highway Strat.
First of all, I try to buy local when I do purchase instruments and gear. I bought my Cort from Al Barnard at The Guitar Shop on South 12th. I bought my Alvararez acoustic from Pat Cornwell at Vegas Music a few years ago and it's my "beater bring it to the beach" or Aldo Blvd deck guitar. I also have two Crate amps I bought from Pat that are awesome.
I bought a Peavey guitar and amp from Scott Smith at Smith Music two years ago, but I sold both. The Peavey was just too heavy and Larry Flavell bought my Peavey when he started playing with The Funions. I've bought two more guitars from Scott, one which I traded back in for a cheap Peavy guitar that JB is playing right and loves because it has a high action and his slide sounds really good on it.
When my mom passed away, I put most of my inheritance away for future use, then invested in a Boss digital recorder and the Strat. I've always dreamed of playing a Strat and I couldn't be happier. There are no Strat dealers around here so I ordered it from Musician's Friend. Then I had Scott Smith replace two of the three pickups with Seymour Duncans to put a little more umphh into it while also quieting it down some.
So now I look around and yes, I have some stuff. Add the Boss chromatic tuner, my Nady guitar wireless system (the greatest thing ever invented) and my Samson wireless microphone (a gift from the church) and I realize I've got some stuff.
Do I need it? No.
Is it more fun to play with than should be allowed?
C'mon ......
This ain't a cheap jones.
Today in the mail I got my Digitech Model Guitar Processor from Musician's Friend. It's a lot of fun to play with and I got a great deal on it, and of course I don't really need it. But .... might be able to plug it right into the PA for electric guitar.
When I play with the full Funions band, I just bring my trusty Cort jumbo acoustic with the awesome Fishman pickup. Howard and JB make all the noise on guitar we really need. I add some rhythmn and it's actually a lot of fun to just put the guitar and sing and be a fool on the stage.
But we have some shows coming up where either Howard or JB won't be there, so I might have to play my Highway Strat.
First of all, I try to buy local when I do purchase instruments and gear. I bought my Cort from Al Barnard at The Guitar Shop on South 12th. I bought my Alvararez acoustic from Pat Cornwell at Vegas Music a few years ago and it's my "beater bring it to the beach" or Aldo Blvd deck guitar. I also have two Crate amps I bought from Pat that are awesome.
I bought a Peavey guitar and amp from Scott Smith at Smith Music two years ago, but I sold both. The Peavey was just too heavy and Larry Flavell bought my Peavey when he started playing with The Funions. I've bought two more guitars from Scott, one which I traded back in for a cheap Peavy guitar that JB is playing right and loves because it has a high action and his slide sounds really good on it.
When my mom passed away, I put most of my inheritance away for future use, then invested in a Boss digital recorder and the Strat. I've always dreamed of playing a Strat and I couldn't be happier. There are no Strat dealers around here so I ordered it from Musician's Friend. Then I had Scott Smith replace two of the three pickups with Seymour Duncans to put a little more umphh into it while also quieting it down some.
So now I look around and yes, I have some stuff. Add the Boss chromatic tuner, my Nady guitar wireless system (the greatest thing ever invented) and my Samson wireless microphone (a gift from the church) and I realize I've got some stuff.
Do I need it? No.
Is it more fun to play with than should be allowed?
C'mon ......
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