Dave Barry's take on American Idol

As silly and flippant as Dave Barry can be, he often gives a more truthful and enlightened view of things than you'll get anywhere else. In fact, for so many things we are supposed to be so excited about according to our instructors in the media (like the Beckhams...could anyone care as much as they seem to think we do?), his approach is the only sane one.

Here's Dave's glimpse of the cattle call to stardom that "American Idol" has become. You can't work in the music industry long before you have at least one story about the people for whom the phrase "chasing the dream" is said with rolling eyes.

I'm one of those people that enjoys the first few shows for the freak-show appeal and the psychological box of chocolates ("you never know what you're gonna get") that the auditions can be. Of course, as a music-lover and a music-doer, I also get interested in comparing my opinions to those of the judges, and like to see the diamonds in the rough succeed. I lose interest after those first few, though.

On last year's first show the comments seemed especially nasty and the "reality" unnecessarily brutal, especially for the girl who was a Jewel fan and had attempted a Jewel song and was clearly devastated by the actual confrontation with Jewel's inability to respond as a human to her performance or to herself. It seemed a line had been crossed, and the balance had tipped past the point of no return, toward corporately sponsored exploitation and downright cruelty. The show that raised money for charity was an excellent thing, and God bless the winners and the losers. But the shine is off for me.

Some Southern hospitality for the man behind "Hotel Rwanda"

I ran across two separate references to this man and his book today, one right after another, on nearly-unrelated sites. The first was posted on July 28th on a blog I just discovered the other day and have never really read until today...and the second in the entertainment column in the today's newspaper (see the blurb below). I try to avoid excessive mysticism or what my friend calls "God-superstition" but the remarkable coincidence got my attention and the talk on the 26th sounds interesting, so I'm going to try to go.

Although I've seen the movie "Hotel Rwanda" I have yet to read the book . Maybe this will be incentive to turn off the TV for a few hours...the additional cable channels that came with my new-to-me apt. are getting a little old anyway.

Blogger and fellow former student minister (not to compare my handful of years to his 30) Ircel Harrison had this to say:

The book is not only Rusesabagina’s life story, it is a brief history of the country of Rwanda, a discourse on good in the face of evil, and a political critique of those who allowed it to happen—Rwandans, the United Nations, the United States, and various European countries. This is a chilling and ultimately frustrating story, but it is a book that is hard to put down. We are left asking, “How could this have happened?’ We are also left with the message that it could happen again.

And from the Tennessean today:

Author and activist Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the movie Hotel Rwanda, will speak to MTSU students on Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. in Murphy Center. He saved 1,268 people during a 100-day genocidal siege that claimed 1 million lives in 1994. His talk is free and open to the public. Info: 898-2919.

His autobiography, An Ordinary Man, was MTSU's 2007 Summer Reading Selection. He will sign copies of the book in Murfreesboro's Linebaugh Public Library, 105 W. Vine St., on Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $10; info: 893-4131.

Groovy music--without the actual grooves.

I finally did it. I made my first iTunes music purchase. And my second and third, and now my fourth (as I type this--oops, it's done).

So I've made one more step into the world where "digital," "virtual," "online" and "download" represent concepts so commonplace that the original nomenclature is already approaching obsolescence, like "radiotelephone," "automobile" and "jet airliner." Like Mr. Burns on "The Simpsons"...or Austin Powers' nemesis Dr. Evil ("laaay-serrrr")...people will soon show their age by how they use (or misuse) these terms.

And if anything on the above list makes you think of the Steve Miller Band instead of a type of "aeroplane," it still doesn't mean you're not old.

On the other hand, some terms are still useful and current even in this brave new paradigm. That first purchase I made, Bob Bennett's collection called "Matters of the Heart," is called an "album" even on the iTunes store. My understanding is it originally referred to the "book" that contained a set of records (made of vinyl or something similar)--a set because the higher rotation speeds (78 rpm) necessitated more discs. That package resembled a photo album and so the term came to mean a collection of songs released as a set, with a specific identity, cover art, etc., even though it may be on a single disc in a sleeve as most records came to be. The term survived the advent of cassettes and CD's and is now unrelated to the actual medium, at least for most of us.

But the important thing is the music, not the medium...and Bob Bennett's "Matters of the Heart" album is a classic that has aged well in the decades since its release. It was named "Album Of The Year" by CCM Magazine in 1982, and was later named one of the "Top 20 Christian Albums Of All Time." Bob hasn't had the fame (or notoriety) of more widely-known artists (even in the small pond of CCM) but then that's seldom an indication of enduring quality or relevance (usually the opposite). He's one of my top songwriting heroes, and his music has nourished my soul and spirit more than that of anyone else I can think of.

I also bought his subsequent release, "Non-Fiction." Both fit nicely on a single 80 MB CD so I burned them onto one disc--I haven't turned my back on the past THAT much; I have no iPod and the only time I listen to music on a computer is on the job via my Mac workstation, mostly playing CD's through iTunes (a transitional approach, I suppose). Instead of printing the cover art directly from iTunes (nice feature!), I saved it as pdf's so I could combine the covers into one, then print it. A significant upgrade from cassettes (one recorded from the LP) I'd been using up to now for these works.

More good news is that Bob's first album "First Things First" by ordering directly from him. This stuff is just too good to leave behind.

I'm just a man in a world full of men just like me
With a heart full of questions and answers
That seem to be somewhat connected
And a head full of preconceived notions
That manage to get in the way

And I find myself longing to return
Back to the place where I started
Back when I knew next to nothing
Back to the heart
Back to the heart of the matter
To the heart of the matter

Bob Bennett, "Heart of the Matter" from "Matters of the Heart" (available on iTunes)

P.S.: My other two online purchases were a Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 greatest hits album and Pat Metheny's "Still Life (Talking)." My mom had Brasil '66, Herb Alpert...stuff I thought was completely boring then (other than the cover art for "Whipped Cream"), but now I think they're the coolest (daddy-o). For me it brings to mind images of Peter Sellers and tiny Italian cars and women in sunglasses and scarves, with dialogue ever-so-slightly out of synch with the visuals, in all those films I was vaguely aware of but only saw much later on TV or on video (how many Pink Panther movies were there, anyway?).

I may be tempted to decorate my apartment in earthtones, sit around in a Nehru jacket and spout poetry now...but I'll take my chances. You're only young once, you know.

I suppose Dopey does their p.r.?

Everyone who paid attention in English class when the teacher was talking about misplaced modifiers 'n' such (I know I'm not the only nerd in the room) will get a kick out of this:

"Closed since 2002, Grumpy's is what Polk County night life is all about."

This is from a website blurb about a nightclub located on the banks of the Ocoee River in East Tennessee, explaining the history of the club and how it has "been reborn"...but the sentence above throws the whole pitch off-track a mite.

This would be especially funny to anyone who, like me, grew up in nearby Bradley County, since the folks from Polk County were the ones we tended to pick on for being backward, ignorant, etc. for whatever reason, justified or not. Even the most casual sociologist would tell you that every group has someone to look down on, regardless of how similar they are. For us, the term "Polk County" said with a smirk was the understood joke that no one ever explained or felt a need to explain. I'm over that prejudice now...but I still think this is funny.

A Nashville tribute to Tammy Faye

To see why Phil Madeira (songwriter, artist, session player and humorist, though I doubt the last one is on his resume) is more a hero to me every time I read/hear/see him in action, see this unlikely and touching tribute to the late Tammy Faye. As we say in the South (in that condescending but kindly tone), "bless her heart."

While you're at it, go to his main myspace page and listen to the songs, especially "If I Was Jesus" and "The Ghost of Johnny Cash."

My domestic challenge

I’m moving. Again. The apt. building I chose as my new home just last year has been sold for condos, after having been owned & operated for about 20 years by the same folks. And I don’t see myself paying over $100k for this tiny place, regardless of the great location. If I could afford that I’d buy something bigger, better, etc. But I can’t at this point, which brings us back to the original point: I’m moving.

And I mean that in the sense of “I’m in the process of planning to move and taking stabs at actually doing stuff in between the vital activities of working, sleeping, eating…and blogging.” And not in the sense of “I’m at this moment making progress to my next destination.” Because the latter sense would not seem to be accurate at this point—as I write, and at this point in my life. But then, motion is relative, and you don’t always feel it when it’s happening, and since we know so little about what’s around any given corner or bend in the road, now and in the future, it’s hard to be definite about one’s progress or lack of it at any given time.

I do know I have to have my stuff out of my current place by Aug. 1, and as usual I’ll be depending on “a little help from my friends.” And Budget Truck Rentals.

I’m not moving very far (apply that any way you want); just up the street, to a location in the venerated Hillsboro Village neighborhood, next to Belmont U. My new landlord is an acquaintance of mine, formerly in the music publishing biz. To save him some work and me some money, we did an “as is” deal on the apt. But of course I managed to procrastinate my big plans to renovate until recently, so the pressure’s on. Remodeling is one area where progress is fairly easy to measure and results are easy to assess. This is why Bob Hall, the director of the Baptist student ministries at UTK, liked to work on his house, to get that sense of closure and accomplishment. People are "never quite finished,” he said. I can relate.

Kay Arthur once introduced me to the audience while I was running camera at Precept Ministries, noticing I was back (I had worked there for awhile and gone on to other things). She said, “That’s Mark, he comes and goes. He moves with the cloud!” and everyone laughed, including me. When she’s right, she’s right. That was longer ago than I care to admit. Not sure where my earthly version of the Promised Land will be, if I have one…apparently I still have as much to learn about being home as I do about making one.

The pics show to what level I’m already committed. I’m no handyman and I have a strong aversion to jumping into new territory in many areas, but spackling, sanding and painting I can do, thanks to years of mission work for the painting experience and a college architecture class that required all 3 for our 9-square grid model base. The pictures show where I am at the moment. In a word, “behind schedule” (OK, 2 words). But not without hope. And you can apply those terms any way you want, as well.

“Timeless” but not flawless

I attended a live DVD recording last week featuring "classic" contemporary Christian music (CCM) artists performing the smash CCM hits of yesteryear (mostly the 80's). The DVD release will coincide with a CD package called "Timeless." One thing was evident when Dallas Holm ("Rise Again") took the stage: he and Steve Carell ("The Office," "Evan Almighty") could pass for being twins. Uncle and nephew? CCM pioneer and secret love child? Worth investigating.

Larnelle Harris, the Imperials, David Meece, Bonnie Keen (of First Call), Bryan Duncan, Russ Taff, Crystal Lewis and more were also "in the house" (as the kids used to say, until their mothers picked up the phrase)...artists who don't quite have the current name-recognition of Steven Curtis Chapman or Amy Grant, but whose impact is still felt. The not-so-classic but extremely talented Allen Asbury made several major contributions to the evening as well, as did the Nashville Choir.

The evening was a very interesting mixture of hits and misses (mostly hits), performance-wise and otherwise. The audience missed an applause “opportunity” here and there, such as when Allen Asbury stepped on stage, and we weren’t sure who he was (“Uh...is that Michael English? Am I happy to see him?”). Comic Chonda Pierce did double-duty by hosting the event and singing a duet with Bonnie Keen. Some of Chonda's off-the-cuff jokes landed and others fell short, and Bonnie's vocal on one song was clearly out of her usual power range. But both made up for their shortcomings elsewhere: Bonnie in the remainder of her impressive performances, and Chonda by holding together a staged reminiscence of life as a preacher's kid with Russ Taff, who definitely needed a little help from his friends that evening (I can't imagine they'll be using his portion from that night).

It was tough to witness a fellow believer and vocal hero display his fallibility so clearly and with so much potential long-term damage. I’ve hesitated to mention it to anyone who wasn’t there, for fear of being guilty of gossip. But it was not a private event, and I was equally uncomfortable how the elephant in that room was tiptoed around for the sake of “the show must go on.” Besides, given the small readership I estimate for this blog, I’m trusting that what little fallout that might result would be negligible compared to the potential redemptive effect of the truth. And for what it's worth, Christian artists generally assume an extra amount of accountability as a balance to the extra rewards of “stardom” as a matter of course.

He was in less-than-stellar condition—right there in church!—but the truth is that, ultimately, his condition was no lower than (and probably not as low as) that of many artists who have delivered perfect performances, musical and otherwise, on many stages (including church platforms) but were far from experiencing an attitude of grace themselves, or even living out the truth they proclaimed so clearly. Myself included—except for the "perfect performances" part. So, no judging here. And the audience seemed ready to offer understanding and support as well, or at least to make the best of the situation. When Bryan Duncan and Larnelle Harris delivered "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" later in the concert, the words had seldom had such immediate application.

Frankly, assuming the issues have been addressed and no permanent harm was done to anyone's career or personal life, no doubt the shock has given way to laughter (as it does) among those involved, many of whom have had their own frailties to confess publicly (even though that can be a lucrative career move in itself, it's still not an enviable way to earn a living). I would pay cash to hear Chonda, Bryan and Bonnie give a behind-the-scenes recap of that night, knowing the sense of humor of each, and that they've each "been there" in his/her own way. Unfortunately I have a feeling that WON'T be an "extra" on the DVD.

Even beyond the drama, I had mixed feelings about the whole evening. Maybe it's the crust of cynicism starting to form after having been in Nashville for 5 years (and in the church all my life), but I couldn't help being a tad suspicious of the idea of putting these artists and songs out there again...maybe to see if there were any more money to be milked out of them? The combination of spirituality and showbiz is often not pretty seen up close. The creative side of me tends to be frustrated with business people and audiences who reinforce each other’s preference for rehashing memories over celebrating the current. Even when the memories are good.

On the other hand, I'm happy to see these artists be able to reconnect with audiences and show how "they've still got it" and that they're not, to use Chonda's phrase, "almost dead." I'm a fan, too, and got a thrill from hearing the old songs again live. As a believer I was reminded of where I've come in my spiritual walk in the years since the songs were new and the artists had fewer wrinkles, and I’m thankful for the songs and the people that brought them to life to edify me. I'm glad to see that I'm slower to judge when my expectations aren't met. I like to think it's because I'm not only older but a little wiser as well. A little.

I’ll be interested to see how the “Timeless” project (CD, DVD, tour) progresses. Regardless, when it comes to my listening habits I think I'll be sticking to the original versions (re-released on CD) when I have a choice. After all, these kids today...whadda they know about music!

And we didn't even need the DeLorean

Had a great 4th (and the 3rd was good, too!)! A "old/new" friend flew in from Austin for a midweek working vacation, to get away from the Texas rain (that's a remarkable statement in itself) and to fulfill a longtime goal of visiting Nashville. I think I can assume that experiencing the pleasure of my company was a high priority on her list of reasons to come, but I don't want to compliment myself too highly...I prefer to leave that to others. You can start anytime.

I hadn't seen Elizabeth since high school (never mind how long ago for now), and didn't know her well then, but she had left a lasting impression; this was despite competition from my major crush on another girl (revealed to all at our previous class reunion in a sketch idea I stole from Conan O'Brien). Of course, since I was handicapped by a lack of confidence or transportation in those days, the "competition" was more theoretical than reality-based.

Anyway, being the communicator and people-gatherer that I am, I responded to Elizabeth when she updated her info, and I encouraged her to attend the next reunion this Fall (thinking only of class unity, of course). This led to an e-mail conversation, which included discussing possibilities for the reunion...which led to her visit last week. Since she is one of my few readers and since there are some cards even I am inclined to keep close to my chest, suffice it to say it was a good visit for both of us.

Highlights included the Tuesday Opry (featuring the almost-lifelike Porter Wagoner and the smooth-as-ever Restless Heart), a quick tour of the Opryland Hotel, the obligatory but enjoyable review of the high school yearbooks, and (for me) having someone to cheer me on before, during and after I & Joni Bishop did our music at Lyrix. She didn't even complain when I kept to our stated policy of "hugs only" for the duration; yep, I can be tough on a woman that way, but clearly she's one who can take it! Ya gotta admire that kind of character; maybe all that time in Texas had its effect.

Back to the real world.... Despite our vastly different life experiences both during and since high school, we have found plenty of common ground to discuss. One thing we agreed on was how foolish it is to categorize and make assumptions about people, and how much we miss out on when we fail to make an effort to get to know those who are outside our usual circles. One of many bits of wisdom you gain as high school becomes more & more a distant memory. Nice to give those memories a current spin, though.

Battle of the Beasts in South Africa

This was no walk in the park...for anyone.

A fight between a pride of lions, a herd of Cape Buffaloes, and 2 crocodiles at a watering hole in South Africa's Kruger National Park.

Judging by the experience of my friends and fellow missionaries to South Africa, a trip through a game park is not always a guaranteed time of excitement and wonder, though most considered it worth doing at least once. But THIS I would have paid to see!

Battle at Kruger

4pm on the 4th at Lyrix

I'll be taking the stage at 4 pm with my friend Joni Bishop as part of this big-hairy-deal event. I'll be doing a mix of gospel songs and 70's pop tunes...because I can. I'm honing my B.J. Thomas impression as you read this. Should be fun...and if it rains, all the better, because we'll be indoors! HA!

* * *


To quote Tom Jones, “it’s not unusual” to hear a familiar song at a writers round in Nashville. That’s because so many hit writers are on stage here on any given night, playing the songs they offer the world, hoping for that ever-elusive chance at riches and fame…or at least hoping to cover the rent and support their songwriting habit for another year.

But at Lyrix Music Bar & Café in downtown Nashville this July 4th, songwriters will check their own songs at the door to perform their favorite hits they DIDN'T write. From 3 pm until closing time, songwriters will perform everything from country to pop to gospel and more, in a tribute to the rich “catalog” of American music…“the songs heard ‘round the world.” Their choices are bound to include many crowd favorites.

Naturally, there will be a break in the action onstage during the downtown fireworks display. The location of the club promises a great view from inside or outside. After the fireworks, Rick Stewart and his band Redbud66 will continue the celebration.

The early rounds will be hosted by Barbara Cloyd, who presents a writers night every Wednesday at Lyrix. Cloyd is also known as host of the famed open mic at the Bluebird Café, where she’s become a “one woman welcoming committee” for songwriters seeking a little stage time and encouragement-—both precious commodities for newcomers to Music City.

The café will offer special menu items to help celebrate the day, including hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue and chicken.

Admission is $10 at the door. Parking downtown will be at a premium so organizers suggest carpooling and arriving early.

Lyrix Music Bar & Café is a non-smoking establishment, just a few blocks east of Riverfront Park. Call 615-734-6426 for more info.

This blog post brought to you by...

I attended my first pro football game last Saturday here in Nashville. I had to clarify to at least one person that, yes, the Nashville Kats are a pro team...they may not get paid as much as an NFL team, but the Arena Footbal League does pay. I discovered where much of their payroll money must come from pretty quickly...I've never been exposed to so much advertising at a sports event in my life! The sales staff must be as big as the team itself, judging from the sponsored "moments," special promotions, souvenir stuff, etc. Truly the capitalist system at its finest...if it moves, sell it.

Fun to watch, though, and our team won. Woo-hoo!

And CK has some talented friends

Here's one for your calendar...or Blackberry...or iPhone...or just write it on your hand...whatever.

Not only do Casey's initials evoke style and elegance (sure it's a coincidence, but still...), her talents have helped another fetching young songstress pique the interest of women trying to find a good man, and men trying to figure out what gorgeous women want so they can pretend to have it. Or make enough money so it doesn't matter.

Note the lineup includes Kelly Archer; my faithful readers will need no introduction to her or what I think of her...so here's the link. You're welcome.

I suppose I should be rehearsing for this

Once again the urge has arisen to express my inner whatchamacallit and drag as many people to witness it, and yet another phenom-in-progress has allowed me to hitch the wagon of my modest ambitions to the star of her impending fame so I can benefit from the perception of "talent by association."

You're invited (actually everyone is, so don't get too excited) to Edgehill Studios Cafe to witness what may be just the nudge Heather Morgan's career needs to find a permanent nest in the rarefied atmosphere of worldwide celebrity shared by the privileged few--country music stardom. Or just a fun time playing and singing a few tunes with a friend or two (including yours truly).

Either way, hope you can drop by between 6 and 7 pm--6 pm sharp, actually...you won't want to miss a minute. Then when she's a big star with her picture splashed all over the tabloids with people making up outrageous stories about her personal life, you can brag to your pals "Hey, I saw her in person. For free! I don't believe a word they're saying about her--she was too nice for that."

A Song For Hillary

I’m honestly not that inclined to be fired up about politics, especially compared to some. My attitude is a combination of the following: guilt about not being more informed and involved…ignorance, or at least a limited knowledge of the issues…apathy due to feeling like I can’t make that much difference as an individual (despite what good citizenship principles and all the campaign ads tell me)…and a feeling that, compared to the great sweep of the history of mankind and his eternal future, politics is small potatoes and ultimately not worth the effort. I didn't say they were GOOD reasons.

Anyway, this item in the Tennessean entertainment column from the other day (below) offers too much potential for comic satire for an amateur Dave Barry wannabe like myself to pass up (sorry, “too tempting up with which to pass.”—thanks, Winston Churchill).

Help Clinton pick campaign song

Songs by Shania Twain and the Dixie Chicks are among songs suggested for Hillary Clinton's campaign. Voters can choose among nine songs, including Shania's "Rock This Country," the Chicks' "Ready To Run," KT Tunstall's "Suddenly I See," U2's "City of Blinding Light" and "Beautiful Day" and The Staple Singers' "I'll Take You There." You can vote at www.hillaryclinton.com.

There was no mention of involvement by American Idol judges in the process. I think we can just assume it.

So here they are:
MY SUGGESTIONS FOR HILLARY'S CAMPAIGN THEME SONG

(NOTE: I don’t expect thanks; I just want to do my civic duty and make my small contribution to world peace. Performers and/or writers are noted for reference, and song titles are altered or not, depending on comedic necessity and/or what cracked me up at the time).


Between Barack and a Hard Face
Rolling Stones

When The Stars Go Blue (And The States Go Red)
Tim McGraw

Ain't Too Proud to Beg
The Temptations

Before He Cheats (He Should Be Aware Of The Penalties For Campaign Fraud)
Carrie Underwood

Six Days on the Road (And I Still Can't Drum Up Support For My Healthcare Plan)
Dave Dudley

The Devil Went Down To Georgia (And Lost In The Primaries)
Charlie Daniels Band

Don't Cry Out Loud (They'll Accuse You of Faking It)
Melissa Manchester

Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough (It Takes Cash…Lots Of Cash…and Charm…Mostly Cash)
Patty Smyth/Don Henley

This Used To Be My Playground (But Security's A Lot Tighter Thanks To The Patriot Act)
Madonna

Make 'Em Laugh (Just Don't Ask John Kerry To Write Your Jokes)
From Singin' in the Rain

Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be President
Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson

She Don't Know She's Beautiful (And We're Not So Sure Ourselves)
Sammy Kershaw

(I Never Promised You A Photo Op In The) Rose Garden
Lynn Anderson

You Can Call Me Al (And With My Husband, Who Deserves A Nobel Peace Prize More Than Me?)
Paul Simon

He'll Have to Go (If I Want To Run The Country My Way)
Jim Reeves

D-I-V-O-R-C-E (But Not Until After The I-N-A-U-G-U-R-A-T-I-O-N)
Tammy Wynette

She's Actin' Single, I'm Drinkin' Double (oops--this one's meant for Bill)
Gary Stewart

If You've Got The Money I've Got The Time (See My Booking Agent For Specifics)
Lefty Frizzell

If We Make It Through December (Maybe Those Other Jerks Will Do Enough Stupid Stuff To Seal The Deal For Me)
Merle Haggard

I Walk The Line (The Party Bosses See To That)
Johnny Cash

Heartaches By The Number (I'm Troubled By The Polls)
Ray Price

Ring Of Fire (The Beltway Blues)
Johnny Cash

Sunday Morning Coming Down (The Ballad Of Meet The Press)
Kris Kristofferson

San Antonio Rose (But The Rest Of My Texas Support Didn't)
Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys

I Think I Love You (But Let Me Confirm That With Headquarters Before I Give You A Firm Answer)
The Partridge Family

Maybe It Was Memphis (But It Sure Looked Like Arkansas To Me)
Pam Tillis

Sixteen Tons (And The Opposing Ballots Keep Coming In)
Tennessee Ernie Ford

I'm Going To Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home (Bill Could Use The Work)
David Frizzell

Crystal Chandeliers (Will Look Just As Pretty In My Own House)
Charley Pride

Take Me Home, Country Roads (Any Country)
John Denver

Don't Look Back in Anger (Just Smile And Wave, Like Nixon Did)
Oasis

Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone (We Gotta Get That Reduced Emissions Bill Passed)
Bill WIthers

When You Wish Upon A Star (You Wouldn’t Be the First—Right, Fred Thompson Fans?)
Jiminy Cricket

Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend (Republicans, Not So Much)
Marilyn Monroe

Time to Say Goodbye
Andrea Bocelli

You Never Even Called Me By My Name (Besides, "Beelzebub" Is So Old-Fashioned)
David Allan Coe

I Will Remember You (So Don't Bother With The Image Makeover Come Next Election)
Sarah McLachlan

Lose Yourself
Eminem

Good As Gone
Little Big Town

Tonight I Wanna Cry
Keith Urban

Why, Why, Why
Billy Currington

Don't Matter
Akon

Lost In This Moment
Big & Rich

Let's Call the Whole Thing Off
Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers

(We're Off on the) Road to Morocco
Bing Crosby, Bob Hope

Thanks for the Memory
Bob Hope

I Tried
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Featuring Akon

Never Again
Kelly Clarkson

Not so fast, Mr. Ed

"A horse is horse is a horse, of course..." unless you're talking about these wild beauties. Amazing what you can do with some driftwood, imagination and time.

Maybe a good way to keep your kids busy this summer vacation? In any case, I don't recommend riding these babies bareback.









See this site for a quick look....or the artist's website for more.

Not too old to rock 'n' roll

It was a good evening to be an audience member on Monday.

First, I dropped by Edgehill Studios Cafe to do a little work and to enjoy the music and advice being offered by Rick Cua. His claim to fame is being a former member of the Outlaws, but the bulk of his work since the 80's has been in Christian music as a solo artist and music executive (clearly one of the "good ones" of the latter category--really a nice guy). He mentioned he'd be playing a couple of songs with a friend later, another heavy-hitter who's had success in both the "secular" and "CCM" worlds: Dave Perkins.

So it was off to Mercy Lounge to enjoy a short but satisfying set of blistering blues, with Phil Madeira on keyboards as a bonus.

When Dave sang "we're on the King's highway" he wasn't just singing...he was celebrating. Maybe even preachin' a little.

Amen, brother.

Three cheers for Amanda

In the interest of supporting the Arts and Local Theatre...and because I actually enjoy a well-done drama or musical comedy, especially when I know one or more of the actors...I had fun seeing my friend and blog-buddy Amanda in the closing-night performance of Gilbert & Sullivan's "H.M.S. Pinafore," presented by the Pull-Tight Players (think Monty Python with more subtlety and no cartoons). Here's a website about this particular production.

I don't think it's a slight to the rest of the cast to say she was the star of the show, both in her role as Josephine and in her level of talent. Not to mention the yellow dress she wore, the color of which made it impossible to ignore here whenever she was on stage (of course I suppose maybe it wasn't JUST the color...). Again, I don't pretend to be unbiased, but that doesn't mean I'm wrong, either.

My friend Diane & I were on the front row of the very tiny Pull-Tight Theatre in Franklin, so we were on the verge of becoming part of the show at any moment. There's good and bad about being that close to the action. We got the full effect of the immediacy you only get in live drama (as opposed to movies and TV). I didn't really appreciate this about the theatre, really, until college; until then I preferred movies because they were more "realistic;" now I understand drama is more realistic in a different way, in the sense that it's "in the moment" and "here and now" and is inherently audience-interactive. And there's always the possibility something will go horribly wrong or better than expected (like life).

On the other hand, a little bit of distance would probably have improved our experience of the play as a spectacle; it's hard to maintain the illusion from four feet away. Plus, the chorus wasn't meant to be heard as individual voices. Made it impossible to drift off, for sure.

One unintended funny thing to me: director and (for the show I saw) chorus member Iain Macpherson looks EXACTLY like Henry Travers, who played the angel Clarence in "It's a Wonderful Life." Especially in the sailor costumes. If they ever do that as a play in Franklin, he's a natural. But don't look for me on the front row for that one...too many snow scenes.

My Mother the Star

Whenever people who know me hear my mother sing or play piano, as she's done in church for most of her life (and all of mine), they say "oh, now we see where Mark gets his musical talent." I try not to take this as a slight (I have had to put SOME effort into it, y'know). Actually I take it as a compliment to both of us, and in her case well-deserved. I won't pretend to be unbiased here, but I'm only going along with the evidence and the testimony (there is plenty of each): my mother has a gift.

When I was in first grade she came and played for my class. When I was a songleader for a small church in Chattanooga she was a frequent (and welcome) guest as a soloist and instrumentalist. She also plays accordion, though I believe it's been awhile. She was an enthusiastic proponent of the electronic autoharp, though to me the early attempts by Casio sounded more like that chime sound you hear when you enter a store. And she took violin lessons a few years ago; I have to give credit to anyone who can get a tune out of something without frets. I've always been eager to show her off to whomever I could.

So I'm especially proud of how she's using her talents now, combining her interest in all things medical with her musical skills by playing piano in the general and cancer ward lobbies at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, most Friday mornings. This is part of the hospital's music therapy program. After lunch she then volunteers time at the cancer ward desk. I get the feeling when I'm there that she's made a lot of new fans.

My dad happens to be a patient at the same hospital, due to complications after heart bypass surgery, so last week my trip to visit him also included the treat of seeing her "in concert" and having lunch together. Unfortunately my dad couldn't join us, since he was about to have a procedure done. First scheduled for 4:30...then moved up to 12:30...then wait...and wait...and finally they came for him...and changed their minds...and came back at about 5pm. My dad was choosing to be understanding; having worked in auto repair management (Western Auto, Firestone) he knows how unexpected things happen, and many times has had to try to explain delays to frustrated customers. Mother was a little less inclined to give the doctors the benefit of the doubt. For obvious reasons I refrained from getting a picture of him; I assumed he wasn't feeling too photogenic.

But here she is, doing the thing God made her to do (in addition to being wife, mother, grandmother, etc.). Don't forget to tip your nurses and orderlies.

Some of us are still wondering

This discovery brightened my day: the ION network, including WNPX in Nashville (17 on Comcast Cable, which is one of the handful of channels I pay for) has started showing 2 episodes back-to-back Monday - Friday of "The Wonder Years."
Sure, I could get it on DVD...but I guess I like the old-fashioned approach of receiving entertainment as a gift from the heavens. Besides, I'm already paying for the cable....

This is one of my favorite shows of all time, not only because of the witty, intelligent and heart-tugging writing and quality acting, but because it is so close to my own childhood (at least as I prefer to remember it). Just add one more antagonistic older brother and voila, it's my life. Sort of. My "Winnie Cooper" moved away before we could get into anything resembling a sweetheart situation. But Susie Bethshears did have dark hair. Not all gentlemen prefer blondes, you know.

One of the measures of good drama, like a good song, is that each audience member can say "this is about me." Trace Adkins has a song based on that observation.

Of course, in reality I may have been as much like Kevin Arnold's awkward-but-loyal friend Paul. But who wants to be the co-star of their own memories?

Let's hope they're thinking "Dick Clark" and not "Howard Stern"

I was perusing the website for CCFm, the radio station in Cape Town that hosted our songwriting seminar in December '06, and I ran across this compilation of kids learning to be radio stars. Through the Radio Academy, these kids aged 11-13 were taken through a seven-week course on radio. Their comments on love and relationships are especially interesting to hear (I took notes), and the accents make it all the more a fascinating listen.

Go to this page: http://www.ccfm.org.za/outreach.htm

Look for "Listen to the first interview" and click "Play Now" to hear the long mp3.