5 String King

Tulsa Skyline

2007-09-25T14:43:00.001-05:00

Tulsa Skyline
Originally uploaded by banj.

Tulsa used to be a great place to live. I hear that it went through a sagging economy and a big increase in crime.

I did some business there last week and really appreciated being there. The older parts of town near the Brady Theatre and the Cains Ballroom are under renovation, somewhat like OKC's Bricktown or Dallas' West End.

Lack of Attention Here

2007-09-05T21:45:00.001-05:00

I have been very, very busy lately. Probably the most busy I can ever remember. My job can be demanding to do it the way that it should be done and Trophy Bass takes up a bunch of time. In fact if I had the sponsors to pay for it, I would hire someone just to do marketing tasks on a daily basis.

Also the bluegrass band is very busy. We play almost every weekend. So as you can see, it's not about how much fun I'm having at the lake or how many Plano type parties I'm going to, it's just that I'm trying to break even. It's a money thing. Anyway. I'm still here and will be back from time to time. Hang in there if you are visiting. I've not aborted the "king" I'm just preoccupied. Yea that's it! Preoccupied!

I Knew It!

2007-08-05T19:36:00.001-05:00

You may know of how much rain we've had in north Texas over the past few months. For a while there it didn't feel like summer. I can only remember one time since moving here 18 years ago that we had that much precipitation and it was in 1990.

I was saying all along not to gripe and moan too much, because Texas summers are normally brutal, and once the rain stops, it may stop for the summers good. I believe that prediction may be correct. We've not had a good drenching at my house since the week of July 4th and nothing shows up on the models to make us think we may have rain soon. Dallas is looking to push the 3 digit temp envelope during the latter part of this week. I think by the last of the month we'll be wishing we had something besides miserable heat.

TrophyBassSecrets.tv

2007-08-03T11:44:00.000-05:00

We're getting closer to launching a full site with Trophy Bass. There is quite a bit of buzz going on right now with the show airing in 5 markets. It's a full time job keeping abreast of all the projects we are working with. I've posted a couple of new promotional photos on www.flickr.com. Plus there is a short clip of the show on youtube, so look it up. I'm still trying to figure out the best codec for them but it all looks like crap to me! Keep an eye on the site, more is coming really soon!

The Stanley Hotel

2007-07-07T16:45:00.001-05:00

The Stanley Hotel
Originally uploaded by banj.

We've been on an impromptu trip through the Colorado Rockies. We were so tired of the rains in north Texas that we simply turned on the weather channel and headed to where the sun was shining. And speaking of "shining." This photo is of the Stanley Hotel where we stayed in the town of Estes Park, Colorado. It was here that Stephen King got his inspiration to write the movie "The Shining." The hotel is said to be haunted, and I did in fact hear bumps in the night along with witnessing our room door close 2 different times by itself. There were no breezes and it was very random. It seemed whoever it was didn't like the door remaining open. I got it.

Along with many famous people who have stayed here, the movie "Dumb and Dumber" had many scenes shot here as well. The scene where Loyd was handing out $100 bills to the help after parking his new Lamborghni was filmed on the front steps. They also shot a number of bedroom scenes from the movie here as well.

The trip for the most part was good experience. The 14,000 foot drive was intimidating, and the air was thin. But the temperatures were pleasant, the humidity low, and the sun was "shining" in Colorado.

Georgia

2007-06-05T18:50:00.001-05:00

Well off to Atlanta this week. I actually fly in to Atlanta then drive for about 60 miles to Callaway Gardens. It's the Georgia Association of Broadcasters meeting. The weathers supposed to be Dallas-like so that means 90's and dry through the weekend.

Chuck Justice Blog

2007-05-22T19:33:00.001-05:00

We've set up a blog for Chuck Justice right here on Blogger. If you are in to fishing, it behooves you to visit not only www.chuckjustice.com, but www.chuckjustice.blogspot.com.

We're expanding to not only Sherman/Denison, Waco and Bryan/College station television, but soon to be in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. We're also working on a new site at trophybasssecrets.tv. It should be up by mid June.

Hunker Down!

2007-05-08T10:19:00.000-05:00

If you live in north Texas, be on the lookout. We had a funnel cloud pass over our little town last night after it had made a quick touchdown in Gunter. I wasn't even aware of the funnel until I got a call from my nephew who lives just a few miles to our west.

The weather models for the rest of the week call for severe thunderstorms developing from a low pressure system on the Mexico border in west Texas. It's not moving much, thus pumping up quite a bit of moisture from the gulf. That combined with unstable air masses cause this eruption we are seeing from day to day.

If you are new to the area, welcome to springtime in Texas and Oklahoma!

Wildflowers Alive!

2007-05-04T12:31:00.001-05:00

Lupine
Originally uploaded by banj.

May brings the spring to Texas as the wildflowers are ablaze. This picture was taken just east of Anna, TX. It's called lupine. It's in the Texas bluebonnet family and usually grows about two feet tall. There's very little smell to this flower, but lots of beauty!

Stormy Night!

2007-05-02T19:13:00.000-05:00

I had to drive to McKinney this eve on some personal business and got caught on the leading edge of the storms. I was tuned to WBAP and KRLD to listen to their live reports from around the metroplex. It seems that there were tornado sirens going off in multiple locations and rain that was blinding. I sit here writing my post under mostly cloudy skies but no rain. Checking wfaa.com it seems that it's on it's way. Stay in, and stay dry!

The Banjola

2007-04-28T11:39:00.000-05:00

I made my way up to Blue Moon Music in Fayetteville, Arkansas earlier this week. I was visiting one of my band members and to my surprise I came across an instrument that I have had my eyes on for around 4 years now. It was a Gold Tone banjola. The instrument is a cross between a guitar, mandolin and banjo. At first glance it might fool someone not so much in the know as being a zitar. The banjola has a very unique sound that is nothing like the banjo (thank goodness). It has a great resonation, but is very soft and can easily be drowned out by other acoustics. My plan is to add a pickup to send to an amplifier. I'm curious to see how the flange affects it's sound. When I get pictures, I'll post them up on Flickr (to which I'm addicted).

The Real Hot Dog

2007-04-08T18:17:00.001-05:00

The Real Hot Dog
Originally uploaded by banj.

Whole Foods Market produces these hot dogs. You can't tell the size of them but they're probably twice as big as an Oscar Meyer. No fillers, no artificial flavors, no parts you have to wonder about. You can taste the difference as well. They're $4.99/pound in the meat case. Once you've had em, you'll never go back.

My Update

2007-04-05T10:57:00.000-05:00

It's been busy! I'm getting ready for NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) meeting in Vegas week after next. We've got a 7 system configuration of workflow from Autodesk and Piranaha tied to FCP. We're coordinating visits from editors and engineers interested in the Smoke, Flame and Lustre.

I'm looking forward to this years convention and seeing the floor from the side of not working in broadcast. It should be better.

I don't know how many attend, but the locals say it's one of Vegas' most populated conventions, so without a doubt it's gotta be in the tens of thousands.

The band is off for a couple of weeks. Our next appearance is at a local RV dealership (whoopie). It's a decent paying job so that's always a good sign.

Trophy Bass is moving along as well. We had the show placed in OKC, but politics are creeping in causing us to reconsider. I believe we'll still be on the air there but it may be a few weeks.

That's all I got.

Band Buzz

2007-03-31T16:22:00.000-05:00

It's a busy Saturday in Grassman world. We played a coffee shop in downtown Denison at the art and wine festival today. We ended up with some pretty good crowds, even though we had a couple of heavy set girls picking our harmonies a part. I could tell by watching them. And that's ok, cause there are some things we do that even I cringe at. We made a little $$ and got some good practice in.

Tonight we're back at the opry, which I could do without. I'll arrive about 5 minutes prior and depart as soon as we leave the stage. I know that sounds a little short, but then they get me for practically nothing and it's time something changed with that gig for sure.

We're doing a business gig in a couple of weeks and then have another festival booked the first part of May. That's what we've been up to. It's a busy life.

300

2007-03-26T15:09:00.000-05:00

Just a note on "300." It is amazing to me that they were able to post this movie on FCP. They utilized quite a bit of Combustion and Maya. It seemed as though it would be like watching paint dry while rendering the sequences. I know FC and it's just not made for a long feature such as that. It's reported that AVID was in use as well, but more Apple product was used for the cut.

Vegas

2007-03-06T20:11:00.000-06:00

I'm killin time right now so I'll log my trip to Las Vegas in this post.

I had a flight out of DFW at 7:30 a.m. non-stop for LV. It was on US Air or American West or whomever they are these days. I make a habit of always checking in on-line whenever possible. This time though, it wasn't. The error message I was getting on website said something about "there are inconsistencies in your reservations, please call the help line to correct this problem." Yea right. I called the help line three times only to be told that if I had an error on my e-check in that I needed to check in at the airport before the flight, and that they were "sorry" for the inconvenience. Ok, no big deal. I just need to get there early.

I arrived at the airport just before 6:30 a.m. along with the first break of sunshine. I guess I had to be asleep or something as I parked at E1 not knowing where I really needed to be. After I entered the airport with anticipation of finding the US Airway ticket counter I was told that US Air was "just outside those double doors and all the way to the end of the terminal, at gate 35." I thought for only a moment about going back to the parking garage, loading my bags back in the CRV, and driving to gate 35. At this point I was starting to sweat the whole time thing. I had never missed a flight before and wasn't going to start now. Besides, I had a couple of expensive seminars on this day that I couldn't miss. Off I headed with my bags down the sidewalk. As time started to go by, I realized that gate 35 was what looked like a half mile away. I believe it really was. My feet and back were killing me from the weight of the bags, and besides that I was cold too (no jacket).

When I finally made it to where I was told to go, the doors of the terminal swung open only to reveal way over 100 people that seemed to be in the same shape I was. All standing in 4 different lines. By this time it was about a quarter 'til 7, but I thought "ok, I'll get through this and everything will be fine."

With people cursing, griping and basically becoming very frustrated by the way the attendants and the ticket people (there were only three) were handling this situation, it was finally my turn. I quickly handed my ID to the man behind the counter, who then, quickly checked my reservation. "It won't let me check you in" he said. "Hmm, oh, it's because the flight takes off in less than 15 minutes. They won't let us issue a boarding pass now. You'll have to get in that line over there and re-ticket." At that point, I knew it was a lost cause. Just get in the other line and get a ticket for the next flight out.

I waited in the second line for almost an hour. When I was able to speak to the new guy, I was told that yes I could reschedule a flight, but the next one was at 2:15. I thought "that's great. The day will be over when I land." But, he went on. "That flight is currently over booked by 31 passengers. But I can book you anyway and with some luck you might make it on." I thought to my self that if I took that plane, I could very well have to go through all of this again. The next flight he told me was at 4:15. He also said that it was not full and that I could get a seat assignment now. I took it. And after a half mile walk and almost 2 hours in line, I decided to sit for a moment or two. While doing so I then realized that I wasn't sitting at this airport all day long, so I headed back down to gate 1 and found my car. I exited the airport and headed for McKinney to do some shopping for my 24th wedding anniversary. It was this same day. I know, but there was nothing else I could do. It was work.

I ended up getting some things in order at the house that I hadn't had time to do before I headed out again. I had only been home since late Friday night and that was followed by sleeping a big part of the day on Saturday. I was in Alabama, with the tornadoes, and got little sleep the week before. But that is another story.

I left for the airport again around 1:30 for this 4:15 flight that was surely going to take me to Las Vegas. When I arrived I parked right in front of the gate from where I was supposed to depart. No more walking. I got through security and to the place I was supposed to be without a hitch. I met a lady there who was a school teacher in McAlester, Oklahoma at the same time that I was in grade school there. We reminisced for quite a while until it was time to board the plane, as she too was headed out to Vegas to visit.

4:15 came and went. No plane, no plan, nothing. Around 4:30 they announced that we were being put on another airplane. Not another flight, but another airplane. A bigger one that was coming...later. Every 30 minutes or so they would update us with old information. They didn't know when the plane would arrive or where it was coming from it seemed.

Finally around 6:25 they said that the plane should be landing soon. Then around 6:35 they said that it was pulling up to the air tran.

It took about five minutes for the plane to unload and by around 6:45 we were boarding. I believe we taxied out somewhere around 7 p.m. and took off slightly thereafter. I don't really know when we landed in Vegas. It was probably 9:30 Dallas time and after such a long day it was weird to know that it was only 7:30 here!

This post is extremely long, but I'm really bored and tired right now. It's been a day of conferences and seminars for Autodesk, and tomorrow there are more. I get to go home on Thursday to talk with some engineers downtown at the AAC around 7:00 p.m. Then I get to drive to the house.

Tomorrow morning at 10 I get to sit through a speech by Bill Clinton. I'm going to try to not listen.

An Ozark Weekend

2007-02-26T18:24:00.001-06:00

The Spa Shop
Originally uploaded by banj.

We picked up E at the University this weekend and drove to Eureka Springs. It's a great place to stay this time of year. Very quiet with very few tourists. We spent the night, had a good breakfast and then just walked a few blocks downtown. I of course was snapping pictures.

This is a simple shot of one of the spa shop signs there. It's a place most ladies would love, and me being me...I kinda do to. They handle the stuff that you don't find anywhere else. And with thousands of hot tubs for two in this town, you've gotta have something for a serious soaking when playtime is over. I think you get it.

I'm Posting, I'm Posting

2007-02-23T19:19:00.000-06:00

I haven't updated in a while, just due to being busy I guess. The whole blog thing is really not as enjoyable as it once was. I think because of the pressures of my work, my freelance editing/shooting, my television show, my bands and everything else I've got going on, I've just started to let both of my blogs slide quite a bit.

I've also been taking quite a few pictures. As many of you, I'm more now than ever am really addicted to Flickr. Only recently have I realized what a great idea the site is. The storage must be massive for all of those images. It's great to see what other people do. I am very impressed with some of the "amateur" photographers. Some of their photos are amazing.

The band has been fairly busy lately as well. I will say that I almost backed out of it about a month ago. I'm just not happy with the song selections and some of the mentality that I have to endure. Bluegrass MUST evolve. That is the problem with many of the older players. They don't get it. If every band plays the same old worn out songs about cabins, mountains, grave sites, lost love and drunkeness, then what do you have? I'll tell you what, a whole lot of redundancy that's what. I have just decided to try and work it out, even though I still want to do my own thing. The goodness I get out of the band is that it keeps my chops up.

We've really been trying to get our act together with the bass fishing show. It's great content. It's great fun. And my partner and show host is very a very likeable talent. The reason we are not further along is that our promotion has been asleep for the past 2 years. Now were going back in to production with new shows coming and we're pushing towards new markets. It's a full time job. One of the things that we need is a new website. We have an old one that's pretty shabby. I can maintain, but creation is something I've not taken on much of. And we need the new site to have some Flash or other appealing animated graphics if we are going to look the part. We've also got new DVD's of the shows that are selling well at our outdoor shows. We will need to put those up on the site for sale as well.

My little new post turned into a novel. That's a pretty good update though. I fell better now.

City Hall

2007-02-13T12:24:00.001-06:00

City Hall
Originally uploaded by banj.

I took a drive over the weekend back out to Weston. The land out there is very appealing to me. There are small rolling hills and lots of horse ranches.

I took this picture of the old Baptist church in Weston. They've converted it into city hall.

St. Valentine Arrives

2007-02-10T14:31:00.000-06:00

As Valentines Day draws near, I, once again, am seeing less of Ms. Being a florist in a city like Plano means that people with money, spend it. This week the madness has already began. I saw her a few days ago go to work at 8 a.m. and not return home until 3 a.m. Yep, that's in one day. She will work straight through until the evening of the 14th with only a few hours of sleep per day. On Tuesday, she'll probably do a 30 to 35 hour straight shift. That's normal for a florist.

She's always said that the real drawback to this kind of artistic career is that while most of the country enjoys holidays with family and friends and being home, florists are laboring away designing for the pleasure of others. That's the the nature of it all.

Snowy Surprise

2007-02-02T11:17:00.000-06:00

The winter weather hit us again last night and today. No one really forecasted that we would have more than flurries, that's the surprise. Road conditions were kind of haphazard north of Dallas were we live. Luckily I got my downtown business done yesterday and can get some work done at home today.

The forecast is for this arctic front to pass through this afternoon and dryer conditions to follow. That's fine with me, although I could take the snow.

Trophy Bass

2007-01-29T18:21:00.001-06:00

Chuck Justice
Originally uploaded by banj.

If you have ever heard of "Trophy Bass Secrets", I guess I will tell you that I produce it. I co created it back around 2002 and it's been airing continuously ever since. It's not in Dallas, but it is in Waco and a few other small markets in Texas. It's pretty interesting, hosted by Chuck Justice who has been a lifelong friend of mine. We played the music scene back in the 70's and 80's. He's got some national exposure over the years and is well sought out for seminars, tackle shows and television. The image was snapped after a recent shoot we did for the Tulsa and Oklahoma City markets.

Texas Winter

2007-01-14T18:17:00.001-06:00

Texas Winter
Originally uploaded by banj.

It's been icy up where I live. There were a few on the Dallas Morning News posts that were severely complaining because they didn't appreciate the warnings by the local media not coming full circle. It's very hard to predict winter weather on a local city by city basis. I personally applaud the media in DFW for trying to warn people that we had winter weather on the way. After all, we could have gotten the brunt of this storm the way parts of Oklahoma did. Power outages, trees coming down, power lines snapping. Maybe then the complainers would have been happy?

AAC

2007-01-07T17:18:00.001-06:00

American Airlines Vid Screens
Originally uploaded by banj.

I had a chance to visit the American Airlines Center to take a look at WFAA's new studios at Victory Center. These are the screens that are being placed at the entrance to the AAC. Those are tracks they are mounted on. I had the luck to see them testing the movement. I thought it was something interesting.

Off the Wall

2007-01-02T08:48:00.000-06:00

This is really weird, but then look at me. We were tired of turkey, ham, cheeses, crackers, dumplings from the left over goose, etc. I know that all sounds good and it was. But a week and a half of it makes the palate tired. I picked up a couple of pizzas from Market Street last night. A Portabello, made with that variety of mushroom, artichokes, feta, mozzarella all atop a pesto base, and a Primo. This one is their version of a supreme, made with sausage, Canadian bacon, whole olives, whole pearl onions, mozzarella and other stuff. An incredible crust on both of them made for the best pizza I've tasted anywhere. Even Campizzi's. Market Streets are rare in DFW, but more are on their way. This one in particular is in McKinney. Eat their pizza. Hey, it earned a post.

The Cliche' of Resolutions

2006-12-31T15:20:00.000-06:00

I don't do new years resolutions. They don't work. I have a hard enough time motivating myself to do things on any given day of the year, so I don't need a special time to try and start over. I've got lot's of things I need to do better; losing weight (again) and taking better care of myself, working on new songs, writing more, just be a better person to everyone around me and most of all, spend more time studying bible teachings. Now understand, those are not "new years" resolutions, they're "ongoing" resolutions. How 'bout you?

Oklahoma Backwoods

2006-12-27T10:47:00.001-06:00

Kiamichi River, originally uploaded by banj.

We took a quick trip up to McAlester, Oklahoma the day after Christmas. It seems my phone took a ride along with food and other packages returning home.

After we picked up the phone, visited for a spell, and picked up Italian groceries from Lovera's in Krebs, we made our way back to Texas via State Hwy. 2. It routes you to near Talahina, through the town of Clayton and comes out south at Antlers.

This is a picture of the Kiamichi River. It winds it's way through the Jack Fork Mountains in southeastern Oklahoma. I hadn't seen in many years, I suppose it's been since my performing days with a band of the same name.

Ms. and I parked the car on the side of our desolate roadway and walked on to this very narrow bridge to listen to the sounds of the rushing waters and to get a better view. It's the stuff I write songs about. As you can see, the sun was just setting. and except for the sounds of the water It was an extremely quiet time, very back to nature.

Black and Red

2006-12-26T22:14:00.001-06:00

Black and Red, originally uploaded by banj.

Here's what two spoiled dogs do on Christmas.

I Was Getting Published

2006-12-18T12:48:00.000-06:00

I recently sent in a Poem to a regionally distributed magazine. Having been a writer of songs and poems for as long as I can remember, I would consider myself a poet. And like most who write, believe very little of it is worthy of anything except my own pondering. Although this particular poem was something I've been more proud of over the last few years.

In my sock drawer and still on the same paper that it was originally written while sitting on an Ozark mountainside at daybreak on a very cold, wet, foggy winter morning, this was nothing dreamed up at the kitchen table. It has character.

Well over a month ago, I decided to send the magazine a copy along with a release for publish. After waiting and hearing nothing, finally last week, an email arrived. I was at first excited to learn that they wanted to publish the poem! But, they wanted to edit.

After a few days and nights of consideration (even at 3 a.m.), I agreed to let them edit. Not to publish, just to edit. I thought "what the harm?" as it's only to see what they would do with my work. After all, "I might learn something!"

On Thursday of last week I received the edited version. To my frustratoin whole lines were re-arranged, words were substituted, and the title was even changed! "What the...?" The publisher insisted that my work was good but that "editors make bad writing readable, and good writing great." I was thinking he meant that I fell into the latter.

Over the next two days, he seemed to take great pains to explain to me terms like "pathetic fallacy" and "religious-philosophical ideas." His opinion was that this type of writing compared with the works of William Wordsworth. My question was "if you can identify my style of writing, then it must be a recognizable form, why this need to change it?" I feel like he was over analyzing. My daughter who's creative writing earned her a Chancellor's scholoarship to Arkansas described their re-write as "dumbed down." I agreed.

After much thought and struggle, (I've always dreamed of having my work published) I reluctantly asked to withdraw my submission to the magazine, as what they wanted to publish was simply not my work. They agreed to shred the copy, but left off by asking me to submit more of my work in the near future. The only sense I can make of that, is that the writing was indeed something they saw worthy of consideration. If only they'd just left it alone.

Weather...Holiday Mood

2006-12-17T15:22:00.000-06:00

I don't like this weather. I can't get into the swing of the Christmas season, even though we've got a great tree, great Christmas lights outside, presents, parties and are greatly blessed. It's the reason I keep threatening to move back to the hills.

We went to the Brazilian Cafe yesterday for lunch. It was ironic. Fake snow on the windows and 80 and clear outside. I'm not a fan.

Weather Update...

2006-12-13T10:25:00.000-06:00

I'm not one of the people who simply "love this weather we're having." My goodness it's Christmas! And not only that, I enjoy the winter. We can get 70 and 80 degree temps anytime during the year, so I wish we'd be spared when it comes to December.

You meet people in Texas who are just thrilled to have weather such as this at a time when the calendar says that winter is a week away. I don't like it. It helps to numb my Christmas spirit. And since I really enjoy the season with all that it has to offer, I don't need the feeling impaired by 80 and clear.

Hoping that we get some cool down after the weekend, I do see rain in the forecast. I don't know about you, but I'm crossing my fingers Dallas.

There's a million...

2006-12-08T10:44:00.000-06:00

I've got a ton of things going on this time of year. I just got a call from the guys in Fayetteville telling me they are going to try and play Saturday night. One of them is flying in from Portland for a week, so they're looking to jam out. There are so many other things I could do this weekend that I'm feeling I should stay here. On the flip side of things, I spent 30 minutes on the phone yesterday complaining about some of the stuff going on in my local band that is starting to grind on my nerves. Maybe a trip to the hills would help me to refocus on the music.

I've always had a hard time working with some groups. I'm hard to satisfy. It's not that I'm anyway near perfect. There are many banjoists that are certainly better than I am and millions of guys and gals that do a better job singing and playing the guitar. But, there are certain things that have to do with practice v.s. performance where I demand perfection. I'm not talking about subtle mistakes like missing a chord change or not being there on the first downbeat. It's more like blatantly forgetting a progression or completely losing timing or forgetting whos in the 3rds or 5ths on the harmony. (Here I go again.)

Sometimes traditional bluegrass bands make me crazy. Yea, I might need to make a trip.

Holiday Cheer

2006-12-04T19:30:00.000-06:00

I've picked up two new cd's this year, James Taylor at Christmas and Sarah Mclachlan's Wintersong. Both are great! I was actually surprised at Sarah's cd. They've put quite a bit of production into what are mostly traditional songs. There's more at dfwacoustics.blogspot.com. How bout yourself? Do you have a cd that stands out for the holidays, old or new? I'm going to try and find time to compile my list.

Brrrrrr

2006-11-30T10:03:00.000-06:00

Wouldn't you know that the first real day of winter for the holidays came at the same time I caught a bad cold? I feel horrible. It started night before last and has escalated into a full blown, my head hurts, my nose is running, my throat is sore, cold. Gross, I know.

If you are out driving, don't be a Texan on the winter covered roads, have some sense. Slow down and don't be a butt.

Happy snowing!

Lighting

2006-11-27T22:50:00.000-06:00

So I've been surfing the net and looking at different sights that feature images of houses, houses decorated. I find it funny that so many people put up enough lights on their places to line the eaves and start calling themselves the "Griswolds." It kinda makes me laugh, "you foolish person!"

I claimed that tongue and cheek title years ago, when we lined not only the eaves of the house, but the roofline, the driveway, the garden wall, the street, the trees and anything else that stood still with holiday green. The only thing that stopped me from carrying on that tradition is that I couldn't keep the breakers from tripping.

I've calmed with age, and also changed colors. You see, Christmas lighting is not just throwing up what's in the garage for the sake of decorating, it's coordinating. Placing the the lights all in the same direction, not going with a multitude of colors and trying not to have your yard look like Barnham and Bailey just moved in. There are a lot of those places, we've never been one of them.

Do me a favor. If you are going to claim to be Clark W. then at least be able to stay up with me when I start quoting lines from the movie. And, get a clue. Your lighting looks stupid if it's not done correctly. It takes more than just an expensive trip to Wal Mart. After all "we thought you enjoyed fruitcake."

Holidays

2006-11-24T10:52:00.000-06:00

Well, Thanksgiving was nice. As the family ages, more and more little ones. I'm just not used to the energy these kids have. I've raised two who are now grown and in some ways miss the "pitter patter" but not the REAL noise.

The food was excellent but missed some of it's flavor due to being cold. Too much ready for the table too soon. Little kids to be taken care of and a lack of planning for the "launch" made it sit too long. We prepared the turkey at our house the Italian way. A bouquet of herbs, a sliced orange, an onion and some butter were the essence of the cavity of the 24 pound bird. It makes for a really unique taste. We did the same last year, so we thought we'd repeat it since it was a hit.

Christmas lights have been going up on our house for two days now. With about 30 strands of lights total, this years total blue is a chore but I'm sure it will be great. Speaking of hanging lights, I gotta get to work.

UFO?

2006-11-15T18:09:00.000-06:00

Explode
Originally uploaded by banj.

Last summer on the 4th of July, the weather onTable Rock Lake was very abnormal. As we got situated on our boat to watch the fireworks display, the air was humid and cool enough that if you were in a bathing suit, you were probably not very comfortable. As the fireworks got into their groove, the smoke from the explosions stayed, hovering in one place. There was no breeze. With the humidity high, it caused an awesome spectacle. This is a freeze frame of a piece of video taken from that night. I've got much more footage, but the look of this one made you wonder what it really was....?

Back and Glad

2006-10-31T10:19:00.000-06:00

I'm back from my week long trip through the Appalacians. It's a pretty long story so I'll be as brief as I can.

We had to fly to Charolette, NC to change planes and get back to Nashville. How much sense does that make? After we landed in Tenn we were picked up by a friend and company rep for the product we were doing demos on. It was a Ford Expedition. We made it over the the wrong side of Nashville to our friends at a post house who were holding our system as that's where it was shipped. After unboxing the system and making sure all was well we made our way to a visit a client in Hendersonville, then off down the Interstate to Knoxville. Upon entering Knox, we were involved in a fender bender where our driver and company rep actually backed up while at a stop light and ran in to the car behind us. There was little if any damage, so we made our way to our hotel.

The next morning was an early arrival at a local television station. The demo went well , except that the system shut it self off 2 times for no apparent reason. After a couple of hours there, we boxed up and headed out towards Carolina. We spent the rest of the afternoon traveling through the Smokey Mountain National Park where the fall foliage was something like I had never witnessed. We also drove atop one particular knob where the snow was covering the pines like flock in a Christmas tree lot. Beautiful!

The next day after spending the night in Ashville, NC we visited another station in Charolette (weren't we just here, via airplane?). After that we got a call from a client and were dispatched to Myrtle Beach, SC, a place where we had no plan to go. The remainder of our trip was working out the details on what the client wanted and then what they really needed. That, is still in the works.

On Friday the rains came. We needed to drive from MB back to Raleigh NC to catch a flight back to Charolette (wait a minute, how many times can we visit this town?) It was the first time I had flown in a rainstorm at night. Then landing was scary. Once landed, I had to pull the seat cushion out of my butt. Yes, we were tossed and turned and yawed about once we decended from the clouds. The pilot had come in short as well. You could feel that as we accelerated while only a couple of hundred feet from the ground.

Our flight was delayed in coming back to Dallas that night. Once on the plane it was completely packed. (Why does everyone want to go to Dallas?) Ms. met us at DFW around 12:45 a.m. It was so good to be home although we had another hour drive to the house. We finally got to bed Saturday morning at around 2:30 a.m. Ms. had to be at work in Plano by 10 in the morning. It was a long week.

Tennessee

2006-10-22T17:17:00.000-05:00

I'm off to Tennessee again. We're due to be in Nashville on Monday, Knoxville on Tuesday then probably back to Nashville before we head home later in the week. I had an appointment down right, blatently cancel on me Friday. It was for a demo I had been working out the details on since May! It was in Raleigh, North Carolina. The generator in the bus is down again so we're doing this one in a rented SUV. The whole Smoke will be boxed up with all of it's parts and will be set up for each demo we have. That's quite a bit of work, but we've got to do our promotion work in the east. There's very little going on in the 10 states we have franchise in outside of Oklahoma and Texas, so it's these kind of trips you've just gotta do. I'm hoping the Appalachians are in full color this week. That should be a highlight for this trip.

All for Hall

2006-10-20T23:05:00.000-05:00

I haven't been in the broadcast TV business since the spring of this year. I returned tonight. I've helped Congressman Hall of the 4th district of Texas in his re election for 8 elections now. We spent this evening working on a television and radio campaign for the remaining bit of the 9th.

I like the Congressman. He's a friend and even though he's up in years, he's the best man for the job. As I sit across from him as we work, I look at his hands and his writing. This man is 83 years of age and sharper in the mind than I feel that I am. He's served along side of LBJ, chewed on Clinton and flown many times on Air Force One with George senior and George W. I respect this man and feel a brush with greatness every time we converse.

He's up for re election again. I know many say that he's too old. I don't agree. I see who's running against him and it makes me only want him to win even more. I'm not much of a political authority, but I am a media craftsman. There's not many of his kind left. A WW II veteran Navy pilot, a pioneer, a Christian. He should be honored. I've put my yard sign up this evening and will sport my Hall for Congress bumper sticker by tomorrow morning. All for Hall.

Banjo, a lot of banjo

2006-10-15T16:25:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a marathon! The Upper Grassmen played Depot Days in Gainesville, Texas at 2:30. Our appearance was delayed by over an hour. The sound was not put together really well and on top of that it was windy. All in all it was a fair performance by the traditional group of five.

We also played for a class reunion last night in Sherman. We were joined by a member of Hickory Hill and his daughter. Both were a real delight. The mandolinist father had recently purchased a Collings F model. It had a real bite and had really not awaken yet. You see, acoustic intruments actually have a break in time where the resonance finds itself through the woods. Even an older instrument that has spent years in the case has to "re-awaken" once its played again.

The daughter of the mando player was an intermediate fiddler. On the songs she knew, you couldn't tell it. She's going to be a master if she stays with it. She had an incredible bluegrass singing voice and was able to hit the tenor in a way that few can.

It ended up being a long day, but good. It's the most I've played banjo inside of 24 hours that I can remember.

Dallas Stars Blog

2006-10-03T12:01:00.000-05:00

I came across a funny bit of banter. It's the Dallas Stars blog. I haven't been through it thoroughly, but it's written with splashes of sarcasm and humor. If you are a Stars fan you'll definately wanna read it www.dallasstarsblog.com. The URL makes me think that it may have something to do with the folks at Belo. Happy reading.

October

2006-10-01T18:46:00.000-05:00

Thanks Cy and Muffin, you guys make some sense. I guess this site is just a potpourri of junk to me. So much junk that I just don't stay interested in it. I'm a perfectionist and sometimes I just update to update. No particular reason. Then I look at it and realize that the last post could have been a better entry. I just slapped at the keyboard and whala!

I'll not delete. I've been writing on it for too long now. I just need some inspiration though. The photos have come to a stop for a while.

My digital cam is down and my daughters just went that way as well, so guess who'll get the new one? Right, I'll still be without.

I'm Back....

2006-09-14T20:33:00.000-05:00

It's been very busy. A new job, kids in college(s), editing projects, band bookings, it's been a big change.

I don't enjoy posting too much anymore. As I've ranted before, I don't think what traffic I have really cares and if I wanted a diary, I'd just buy a little book. I'm not one of these people to lay out my feelings or my day to day operations, I think that's dumb. And without research or feedback from readers, I don't have much to post. Makes for a boring blog.

Kids birthday parties are this weekend. Daughters home from the big university. Sons off of work. Family is coming in. Wife is off. I'm making spaghetti sauce. Wish I could say that like the chick on "simply italian." Gjada? What a babe.

Look! A Post!

2006-08-28T19:16:00.000-05:00

I'm not motivated anymore. Posting here is a waste of time for me. I've got too much other stuff going on. I know that I have a couple of regular readers, the rest of you...I don't know what your gig is. I get about 80 visits a week, that is when I'm keeping it all up to date. And I know it's not the same two people coming in 40 times each every 7 days, so what gives?

I guess the content is not compelling enough to move the reader. I know, sometimes it's pretty boring (I never claimed that it wasn't). But when I get into the guts of a subject, no one seems to really care much about that either. No, I'm not on a pity wagon, I actually don't care. I guess the only thing that bothers me is that I read other blogs hosted by some who couldn't write their way out of a paper bag, have no creativity and their posts are consistantly full of comments. Some of these sites are made of stuff you wouldn't want your kids reading, yet people respond.

I wanted more than a diary. I could keep that in a stupid little book in my sock drawer. I'm considering the big "d" here. That way I'd only have DFW Acoustics to deal with. I've actually discovered some pretty flattering comments on that site from place to place.

So what do you think? Does anyone care? Hello?

Traveling

2006-08-10T00:32:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting in a hotel in Austin tonight. It's been a long day. It's as hot here as it is in Dallas. I dono, I always think of Austin as the gateway to the "hill country" with fresh air and pure water. The truth is, it's a medium size city with traffic problems, heat and LOTS of weirdos. I've never been a fan of this place. I guess because when I hear folks talk about it, I think of Tulsa. It's a cool "okie" town with lots of art, sports and culture as well.

I was assisting at a job here today where Kurt Russell was doing some sound stage work. I was asked if I had seen him, but I hadn't. I spent the majority of midday in the break room watching Austin television. I'm not impressed.

I head out to the TAB tomorrow for the floor. I'm gonna see what's new and what I can get in to. Tons of stuff there that's just waiting for us.

Thoughts on Blogging

2006-08-02T18:59:00.000-05:00

Ok, some deeper stuff.

It blows me away the way in which some people throw their entire lives out on their blogs. What was the original intention of them? Is that it? I figure that they are more of a reflection on the person who pens them. Art, science, politics, rants, but personal stuff? That scares me. The worlds to weird now. Keep your life to your family and very close friends, don't publish it for the entire world to see.

I know 5stringking goes every which way. Actually I enjoy dfwacoustics more. It is better outfitted for what I'm about. I struggle here from time to time, like now. This, I guess, is a rant.

I'm glad you are reading this, whomever you may be. But don't look for anything too personal. I can get in to some digital imaging, music, some light rants based on opinion, but the rest of that stuff stays in my head or closer to me than to be hung out like long johns on a hot summer day. Ye ha!

Lonely Barn

2006-07-31T12:56:00.000-05:00

Lonely Barn
Originally uploaded by banj.

I shot this out near Dorchester, TX. I think it reflects the heat of this summer. The brittle corn stalks, a puple sky and wind like a hairdryer. (Of course you can't see the wind, but it seems that way, doesn't it?)

Jacobs Coat

2006-07-22T11:28:00.000-05:00

Jacobs Coat
Originally uploaded by banj.

I wanted to share a few of my recent photos while they are still in season. This is a Jacobs Coat rose that we installed back in April. Ms. has been keeping it pruned and it's trying to put on new growth. In this Texas heat it's remarkable that it looks this good. I took this the day after this bloom came on. Otherwise the heat and wind would have whisked it away. Beautiful rose.

Quotes from Chris

2006-07-16T12:49:00.000-05:00

Here is a inspiring quote from Chris Thile regarding his new cd out in September. He's taken the music back to the basics he grew up on. He reflects on a short comparison between the great Nickel Creek and his new endeavor. This is interesting, especially if you are a musician:

“For me, at least, New York demands that you find what it is about you that’s unique. There are so many talented people — exceptional people — that to stand out, you either have to be completely average or really, really different. And having been trained in the ways of bluegrass as a kid, I realized how much that meant to me. I felt, you can’t fight yourself; any time you’re fighting yourself, you might not lose, but you just can’t win. And I realized, I do that well, because that’s what I grew up with. So it signifies a return of sorts; I’m realizing what a meaningful part of my life that music is.”
-Chris Thile

Back Home

2006-07-14T17:44:00.000-05:00

Nashville is such as cool place. It's changed so much over the years. Very progressive. I hated to leave but sure was looking foward to getting home.

The flight back was good until we made the hop from Houston to Dallas Love. Flew SW and jumped an earlier flight only to be seated C. I don't know if you are familiar with Southwests seating assignments, but they have three categories. "A" goes first, then B, etc., I never want to be a C if I can help it, especially from Dal to Hou or vice versa. My partner and I were two of the last 4 to get on the plane, we had no choice than to have to search for a seat.

Do you ever notice how when you are one of the last ones on the plane, that everyone else looks up at you like you are intruding? I never do that to people, because I know how it feels. Makes me wanna say "what the crap are you looking at?" Maybe it was because I had on my PRS Guitar shirt, they though I was some big time guitar picker (yes I am picker, but not a "big time" one by any stretch).

We ended up going to the back of the plane and checking our very small mind you, bags. There were no places to stow anything! I had a middle seat but luckily the flight is only 50 minutes.

I hate being a C, but I'm really glad to be home.

On The Road

2006-07-13T01:03:00.000-05:00

I'm in Nashville Tennessee tonight, setting in a hotel room downtown, about 6 blocks from the Ryman Auditorium, The Ernest Tubb Record Shop and all the other historical marks in Music City. It's been 24 years since I've been here. The last visit entailed performing on WSM's Midnight Jamboree following the Grand Ole' Opry broadcast. We were live from the ET Record Shop near the Opryland Mall, I remember that it snowed that night as we played before a crowd of around 250 and a radio crowd of tens of thousands. I'll never forget it.

The city has changed a lot. There's now a large structure which I believe to be a bank and hotel directly across the street from the Ryman. The home of the Nashville Predetors is awesome! It's just down the street from the Auditorium about a block.

I took a drive from our stay here at the Holiday Inn around 10 p.m. just to re-live some old memories. The site of the orginal Grand Ole Opry was touching.

I'm coming back and brings Ms. I've already got the hotel scoped out. I think we'll have some real Tennesse BBQ while we are at it. There is much to see.

The Fender

2006-07-06T17:41:00.000-05:00

So I picked up a Leo Fender 5 string from a friend of mine over the holiday. I am actually bringing it back to Texas for someone else to look at. It's a 1978 model, still in the original Fender yellow fir lined case. It sit idle in the back of some music store in Indiana for it's entire life. No one had ever played it before last fall when I found it at the Arlington guitar show. My friend who is a dealer and luthier wanted to take a look at this instrument I was having a fit over (I don't really like banjos, I just play them), as I'm not impressed very often. He ended up buying it from the other dealer, turned it the next week and ended up buying it back from a gentleman who had too many banjos and needed to liquify. The man who he bought it back from had changed the pot and tone ring out to a Snuffy Smith setup with an arched top. To those who read 5stringking but don't know about the banjo, an archtop actually has a raised ring around the outer parameter of the head (the big white thing). This allows a more treble, but louder sound. Basically, I want the banjo. The problem is $$. I kinda hope the guy I'm showing to doesn't take it and I still have a crack at it months down the road. It's been 30 years since I actually owned two 5 strings. As I said, I don't really like them anyway.

Saturday Pickin

2006-07-02T10:18:00.000-05:00

I played the little Opry last night with the "Odds and Ends" band. We had a small crowd of about 30 or so, but the music was pretty good. I've brought back a couple of my older songs that I had forgotten about. The crowd seems to like them, but our keys are off. I've got to adjust, but when I do it's going to throw the tenor out because no one can reach it.

This little group i've been sitting in with is turning out to be pretty good. It's probably because we've limited our playlist to about 20 songs. When you do them enough you start to get tight. Our timing issues are improving as well. That was an element a few months back that was making me question whether or not I even enjoyed the sit in or not. But I've tackfully issued citations and they've been well recieved. I'm not the perfect one either, but the playing has helped to improve my own timing.

I accepted a chance to help someone who's learning to play. They approached me about lessons, but I let them know right away that "no" I don't do the lesson gig anymore and don't want to start again. I'm pleased to help someone whos struggling. On top of that they live the next block over. He's also looking for a new banjo. He bought a Deering Good Time, but told me it didn't have the sound he was looking for. I just smiled as I know what he's talking about. They are a little hollow and don't have much of a tone ring.

Check out the opry website at www.chrystalopryhouse.com.

Frisco to Host Bluegrass Concert

2006-06-25T13:59:00.000-05:00

October 22nd at Pizza Hut Park, do your best to catch Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, Claire Lynch and Williams and Clark. Looks like they've got heavy hitters as far as sponsorships go. I only wish they'd bring in more bands, that's not what we call a festival folks, it's a concert. Festivals are a little looser in their structure, bands are approachable and you can basically jam anywhere you don't interrupt the stage performance. (I'll bet you can't pull out a mandolin and guitar near the bathrooms inside the front gate, what'll ya bet?) Here's the site for more information www.friscobluegrass.com. And while I'm at it. Surprise me Dallas radio! Give this thing some promotion. I know it's not the great tard Kenny Chesney or pop musics' Faith Hill, but give em a plug. These groups have "real" talent, not flames, lights and smoke. That's something the mainstream knows very little bit about.

The Garden Report

2006-06-23T16:06:00.000-05:00

Anyone ever had tomato plants whos blooms wouldn't set? I've got a dozen plants in the ground 9 doing awsome. Three of the plants are healthy and large, but have no fruit due to the blooms falling off. I was told by an old farmer in Westminster (yes where the tornado hit) that there is a product called "bloom-set" that you spray on the blooms and it keeps them from falling off, therefore producing fruit and finally tomatoes. We don't want to use the product because it would render the garden "non organic" and we can't have that.

The squash and okra are doing great! We're at the point again where we cannot eat all of the harvest, so we will soon begin wondering around to the neighbors to ask them if they like vegetables. (I've always wanted to be one of those neighbors)

Peppers are mediocre. Lots of jalapenos that we won't use except in pico or salsa because they are so freaking hot, and the bells are small so far.

So that's the garden report for this Friday. Happy planting.

What's In the Case?

2006-06-19T16:40:00.000-05:00

I got this idea from another article, but it's something I've thought about before and I'm sure everyone could tell a different story. Ever thought about what's in an instrument case? I know, you say well...an instrument, right? If that's your answer, then yes you would be right. But there is more.

If you look inside my oldest friends home, my Imperial 5 string banjo case which I've had for almost 30 years, you'd find the banjo of course. The first thing you'd see is that under that banjo is a rolled up strap. My dad and I had it made at a rodeo leather shop in downtown McAlester, Oklahoma around 1974. It's of course all hand tooled and carved with the words "Joey" stamped on it. That name is what my family and old friends say when they address me. This special strap has a rubber covered metal hook at each end that I took off of my very first nylon banjo strap my parents bought for me in 1972. The leather cowboys reused the hooks in order to hold up my 16 pounds of steel. I haven't used that banjo strap in about 15 years. I left that name behind when I turned 30, as I thought it was too young and I was too old for it. As it turns out, I've started using it again here and there. But the strap still remains in the case.

Inside the torn "pocket" door is a plethera of stuff. Picks, both thumb and finger by National, Dunlop, Ernie Ball and others. There are flatpicks too (in case somebody has a guitar that I just can't resist hanging a G chord on to). There are a also a couple of older Bill Kieth tuners I recieved for my 16th birthday. They need repairing and I just can't seem to get my act together long enough to mail them in and have them replaced for free (a $200 value). The tuners allow songs like Earls' "Home Sweet Home, Flint Hill Special, Earls Breakdown" and others to be played by locking the highs and lows. Without them you take it all into your own hands. And if you don't get them back to the pitch they started from, well...you are out of tune buster, right smack dab in the middle of the song! I don't play those tunes without them, so they currently, like years before are not a part of my rep.

Also in the pocket you'd find a transducer from the days when the Banj played rock banjo. I used the transducer under the bridge, out to a preamp, to effects and into a Marshall amp outfit. Boy those were the days! I can still remember back then! Well, some of the gigs...

There are also a couple of beer bottle lids. Who knows where these came from? Little Rock 2002? Dallas 1981? Hot Springs 1984? Tulsa 1978? I dono, I'm not sure of the brand. Probably something weird like Strohs.

Howbout furniture polish? Yep, a stick of scratch remover used from time to time to oil up the back of the neck. That's when I'm feeling like I'm gonna heat it up. I never really use it.

Then there are strings. Packages with 3 out of 5. Or emptys with the plastic holders still in tack.

I can't forget the old Sruggs-Ruben capo. It has no rubber left on it, but mechanically it's fine. They quit making them before I started playing. Probably worth something. Maybe not.

Finally grass. No, not that kind. Real grass, from fields, parks, lawns, the country. Hey it's a banjo, it's spent many, many hours under shade trees, out behind the car, front porches, cow pastures. The grass has always been there. It adds character.

Take a look in someone elses case, I'm sure you'll find different things whether they are guitars, mandolins, violins, dobros, or basses. Some may have pictures of heros or girls, tuners, sheet music, slides, capos and even a bottle cap. It's probably not that interesting to most folks, but if you play there might be a spark of something to think about. Next time I'll let you in on the outside of the house my friend lives in. It's got it's own character as well.

Happy Father's Day!

2006-06-18T16:56:00.000-05:00

To all who are Dad's, hope you are enjoying the day. I got a new head unit from the kiddos. I've left my car at Best Buy for the day for the installation. I can't wait to jam! The factory unit skipped ALL THE TIME, so it needed to be replaced and the kids saw to it that it was. Alpine with ipod feature. Sweet!

The Jam is On

2006-06-17T11:43:00.000-05:00

My bro's have decided to get it together for some music on the July 3rd. After two weeks of begging they managed to make it happen. All we need is the lead singer and we've got a show. We are doing a watermelon party at a Eureka Springs inn. I've now got to get my dobro chops in order, at least what little I have. We only do this kind of thing about four times a year, but always plan on more. The last two gigs were back before Christmas. It's amazing that we always sound the way we do.

Canes Lead

2006-06-13T16:09:00.000-05:00

Just for the record. Carolina now leads the series 3-1 and the next game is at home. Looks like the cup may be handed over by tomorrow!

Stickam

2006-06-11T12:55:00.000-05:00

I've added a Stickam player to the lower left. You are probably hearing the vintage 1962 recording of Flatt and Scruggs as you are reading. You can select audio clips, images or video, it is interactive. I'll be adding more content soon. I'm liking it.

NHL Finals

2006-06-09T11:18:00.000-05:00

NHL Finals
Originally uploaded by banj.

I know, I know, everyones up in over the Mavericks. I don't do bb, but I do hope they go all the way. It's always exciting in the city when one of the big 4 do well.

If you read me from time to time, you probably are saying "what's up with the banj? No NHL reports?" Ah, do not let me mislead you, banj does hockey!

I've always hated the Oilers because of their relationship with Americans team, the STARS. But when it came down to taking a fave in the finals, I orignally was a go with Edmonton. After all, Gretzky did his record breaking there and they have been and still are one of the better Canadian forces. They've also got the great Chris Pronger, Ryan Smyth and of course Michael Peca. But after being glued to the first game three nights ago and watching Carolina come back from a 3-0 deficit at the end of the 2nd to win 5-4, you've gotta have respect for the Canes! Last night was a Carolina shut out with a final score of 5-0. Speed, physical play, these guys are gonna win! I feel it in the snow! Cam Ward is an awesome netminder and the rest of the team led by Brindamore are truly one of the best.

I've had to switch my favorite in this final. We've got the jersey. If now it just weren't so freakin' hot in Dallas!

Van Halen Tribute

2006-06-08T11:33:00.000-05:00

Van Halen Tribute
Originally uploaded by banj.

Have you heard about this one? For a newgrasser that loves covers, I can't wait for it to arrive at the house. John Cowan Band, David Lee Roth, David Grisman, Tony Trischka, Larry Cordle, Blue Highway and many more names make this one to have. The intracacies of songs like "Panama" combined with the technical aspects of bluegrass music played well deliver something previsously unheard on a recording. Log on to CMH Records. and take a listen.

Not Here, Not Now

2006-06-03T10:53:00.000-05:00

I'm not going to do it. I'm not even going to post where the "Chicks" are performing or when. I do not want to rant, but I do not think ever, never, in any way does a performer have a pedestal to stand up to thousands of people who respect your talent and like your work and tell them what you think politically. Then to apologize and then take it back?? Makes me boil! I thought they had a cool sound after Maines joined them and I even actually admit to spending $35 on a couple of their discs, but that was it. I'm holding out. Everyone needs forgiveness, but they're not asking for it. They're just three bottled blondes going about their way wishing they were making the millions they were prior to 2003, and in the process of that comparing themselves to the Beatles and their snafu statement they made in the mid '60s about being so popular. The press is doing a good enough job playing up their "return." I'm not fanning the smelly flame.

Please Visit:

2006-06-02T18:20:00.000-05:00

Hop on over to www.dfwacoustics.com and give it a try. I've got some stuff you can use if you like Texas music!! I need the traffic!

Arkansas Travel

2006-05-31T13:07:00.000-05:00

Just got back from a couple of days in Eureka Springs. It was great weather for a drive through the Ozarks. I believe it is one of the most soothing places in the nation. We met a great couple from Honolulu that just bought one of the "Victorian Ladys" on Spring Street. This one was said to be haunted, but they've not encountered anything of the sort. Think of this. You live on the side of a mountain at Diamondhead, but vacation in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. What does that tell you?

I'm putting together a jam session/performance on July 3rd at a bed and breakfast. If it comes together, it'll be great!!

Holiday Happenings

2006-05-27T12:44:00.000-05:00

My youngest graduated high school last evening with the largest scholarships in the class. It's kind of funny how ready she is to get out of school. It was a great ceremony with lots of cheers for the kids and the most volume directed at my girl. We had a nice family get together with some good food and laughs afterwards. Being who she is, she committed long ago to going to state competition this weekend with the band as her ensemble has made it all the way to Austin. She is first chair and didn't see that the group could do much without her being there. So off she went early this morning only to fly back in to Love Field tonight. We can't wait for her to get home.

The Coleman Bluegrass Festival starts this week at the Sundowner Sports Arena in Coleman, Oklahoma. I've helped to promote the event so I plan to be there at least on Saturday. I'm having to turn down an invitation to set in with a put together band this weekend in order to do so, but with the energy and marketing we've put in to this festival, I'm anxious to see first hand as to whether the hard work pays off towards attendance.

Off to Eureka Springs tomorrow as Ms. and I need some time in the hills, we's gettin' hillbilly fever. Following our chill we're back to Fort Smith on Tuesday to visit some stations and get a little work done.

Big Change

2006-05-21T16:54:00.000-05:00

After seventeen and a half years, I've taken a new job and boy am I feeling different. I was a station operations manager at a television affiliate, overseeing a little bit of all 50 to 60 people who worked there, in every department. I'll tell you that with the way that business is changing, I too was in the need of a different view. It will be interesting to watch television broadcast and cable in general over the next 5 years. IPTV, multicasting, viewer content contribution, HD, I could go on and on. Let me say that if you are not in the business (which of course few people are), you have no idea of how it may affect your personal viewing, I say this because there are many IN the biz that have no idea what they will be dealing with.

I'm now working with a company that consults and markets high end finishing and special effect video editing systems and software. So far I'm enjoying the fresh air and all of the interesting facilities and people I've been dealing with. I've kind of felt like I've been in a dark room for the last 10 years. Things are just better now.

I know I have a few readers, and I'll be starting to post more these next couple of weeks. The last several days have left very little time at home just to chill, let alone working on my blogs. After a couple of days on the road and traveling locally from place to place, I just don't want to compute in the evening. But with that said, there's more to come. Promise.

Whew!

2006-05-18T22:54:00.000-05:00

Wow! Running and going and making appointments, that's my new life. No time home, so no updates. I'll slow down this next week and look to bring some new images with a new camera! Check back, I'm still here, just exhausted!

Blue Moon Music, Vintage and More!

2006-05-12T08:26:00.000-05:00

It's now time for one of our sponsors:

There are lot's of music stores out there. Most of them offering beginner instruments with a few mid level guitars hanging in the rafters. If you are a picker and looking for something you've not seen in a while, let me give you a phone number. 479-521-8163. This call puts you in touch with Blue Moon Music in Fayetteville, Arkansas, owned by Les Haynie. Les is a top, formally trained luthier, so he knows stringed instruments. Not just guitars, but violins, cellos, electrics, mandolins and most everything that uses strings. If you are a Texan, don't let the miles between Dallas and Fayetteville scare you. Call Les or send him an email. If he's got what you are interested in, less than a 4 hour drive (partially through the beautiful hills of the Ozarks via 4 lane freeway) puts you in the shop. Paul Reed Smith, Martin, Collings, Breedlove and many others along with a rotating stock of fine vintage.

Their slogan: "Rare to Well-Done Instruments" blumnmus@aol.com or 479-521-8163.

Now back to our program...

Austin Lounge Lizards

2006-05-11T11:31:00.000-05:00

The Austin Lounge Lizards perform at the Open Door Coffee House in the Trinity Hall at the United Methodist Church (breath now) in Arlington on Saturday night. Reach the site at the open door or call 'em for more at 817-429-2196.

Westminster

2006-05-10T11:55:00.000-05:00

We saw the clouds brewing to the northwest. I phoned my meteorologist friend Alan on my drive to McKinney and he said told me that respective to an earlier conversation we had had that "the cap had broken." What Al was referring to was a meteorological condition where the atmosphere was ripe for severe weather, but because of a lack of any disturbance in the far reaches of the atmosphere the thunderheads were not able to climb and develop. The surface heat from the ground yesterday caused that instability. The cap broke.

On our way back north from McKinney just after sunset Ms. and I saw an incredible light show. By the time we were only 3 miles from the house we had to pull under Hwy. 75 along with about a dozen other cars in order to get out of the hail. It was a severe storm and from that storm the Westminster tornado was formed. We had some very high winds at our place that were probably in the 50 to 60 mph range. They were strong but short lived. The Westminster tornado evidently affected Van Alstyne and Anna but no touchdown was confirmed.

We are in tornado alley. They can pop up quickly without much warning. Pray for those folks in Westminster that were affected by last nights storm.

Bluegrass Music on the Air

2006-05-07T13:31:00.000-05:00

I came across information on bluegrass music on the fm dial. Here are the listings:

KTCU 88.7 Fort Worth Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays 3-4 p.m.
KETR 88.9 Commerce Sundays 7-9 p.m.
KEOS 89.1 College Station Tuesdays 7-9 p.m.
KNON 89.3 Dallas Monday through Fridays 4-6 p.m.
KMAU 90.9 College Staton Saturdays 7-8 p.m.
KRSC 91.3 Claremore, Oklahoma Sunday 8-10 p.m.
KOOP 91.7 Austin Sundays 9-10:30 p.m.
KVOO 98.5 Tulsa, Oklahoma Sundays 7-9 p.m.
KNES 99.1 Fairfield Sundays 12:30-5 p.m.
KSHN 99.9 Liberty Saturday 9:30-10:30 a.m.
KKUS 104.1 Tyler Saturday 9-11 a.m.

If you live in the coverage area of one of these stations, tune them in. And if you like the fare, give them a call! I've been on the recieving end of the radio game and it feels good to know that people are enjoying the time and planning effort as well as what talent you have to offer them. I'm a listener of the College Station program now and then and only wish they'd let me fill in once and a while! If you live in or near the Tulsa market, KVOO offers up a good show as well.

The Latest

2006-05-04T11:48:00.000-05:00

After a long while of searching and networking, I have accepted a new job. I'll be working with AutoDesk and Discreet Logic editing and finishing systems. The office is based in downtown Dallas so no relocation will be required. I've been at my current job almost 2/3 of my broadcast career, so obviously a big change is occuring not only at the station for me as well :-)

I've not really began to dig in to clearing out my things, as I'm producing a two day live telecast of a golf tournament through Saturday (such a trooper I am).

My Cross Promotion

2006-05-02T09:13:00.000-05:00

I've got some updates coming, but until then help me out. Don't forget (www.dfwacoustics.com). It's my other endeavor, I try to keep it interesting to those in to acoustic music in general. Check it out. Thanks.

The Boy Can Shoot

2006-04-26T19:01:00.000-05:00

bw
Originally uploaded by banj.

My son has an incredible eye and knowledge for photography, both film and digital. I have to brag. The subject is my daughter. Kids! Go figure!

Quick Update

2006-04-22T10:06:00.000-05:00

I have a number of big things going on right now. I've got to fly out tomorrow, be back the next day, thus my lack of attention to my sites. I know I posted this excuse last time as well, but I should be able to start adding more stuff next week, please stay tuned.

The Dallas Guitar Show is today and tomorrow. Make it out if you can. It's at Market Hall. It should be a good one. I'm also playing this coming Saturday at the Chrystal Opry in White Mound (Hwy. 902 between Howe and Tom Bean, Texas). The band Clear Blue will make the headline that evening. I'm actually making myself play this one so that I can be sure and catch them. Check out their clips at (www.clearbluegrass.com).

Beautiful weather earlier in the week let Ms. and I put our garden in. We planted enough tomatoes and squash to give away to neighbors. This weekends sunshine makes for a good "boost" for the plants.

Come see us, and have a great weekend!

"Let Me Say a Big Howdy...

2006-04-16T17:59:00.000-05:00

to all of my friends and neighbors out there."
- Lester Flatt.

I've gotten really busy the past few and haven't posted anything on either site. If you read me from time to time and have checked in to see that, then thanks.

The guitar show in Dallas is coming up next weekend .(www.guitarshow.com). Blue Moon Music has a booth again this year and I'll be hangin' out there for while Saturday. These shows are always a treat as you never know what coming up. There are always a lot of great Fender pieces, Gibson, PRS, and such, but it's the acoustic instruments that get me more interested. Last year I found a Leo Fender 5 string. It had spent most of it's life in the back room of a music store in the original case. The banjo was built around 1975 and was awesome! Blue Moon ended up buying it because I was having a fit over it. They sold it the very next week at the store in Fayetteville.

If you have never been to the show, you should go. This year is back at Market Hall Friday, Saturday and Sunday April 21st - 23rd.

DOBRO

2006-04-06T21:20:00.000-05:00

I recieved my new Johnson today. What a great sounding dobro! It's sunburst, has the original factory strings so they need replacing. I had to hone down the 2nd string nut slot to fix a buzz. It really has a big sound. I'm taking it on because the Sausage Kings need that addition to some of our slower efforts, and it's good for my head.

Blogburst

2006-04-02T10:19:00.000-05:00

By invitation "5 String King" and my newest endeavor "DFW Acoustics" are now listed on Pluck's Blogburst. We get our message out about Texas and acoustic style music to thousands of readers via feeds to the Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, San Antonio Express News, The Houston Chronicle and more! By the way, visit DFW Acoustics, and if you've got something of interest, leave your feedback. The more information I have listed over there, the better it is.

My Router Rout

2006-03-29T18:40:00.000-06:00

I just got finished installing a Linksys router into my system config at the house. The problem was that I had bought a Belkin card and wireless router to integrate with a Westell DSL modem and my Mac. Didn't work. Not the config. We figured that out after 4 phone calls to my ISP Verizon and a bunch of plugging and unplugging and moving the pc into the kitchen to see if we could get signal. It ended up being the router itself. Long story short, Belkin folks let me down.

I exchanged that junk for Linksys. The Geek squad at Best Buy along with a number of other dudes who have used the Cisco powered blue for quite some time kept recommending it. After a couple of on line chats with Linksys and a phone call to Verizon, we got that piece of crap PC running at a good speed. And on top of that, the MAC continues to do well with this new hookup.

Spring

2006-03-28T21:59:00.000-06:00

Bachelors Buttons
Originally uploaded by banj.

I had to put this up. Is it a great shot? Hands and knees, bent over as far as my self can, focusing, compositioning, thinking, and...here's the results. i like it. Hope you do too.

Turco Awesome!

2006-03-27T19:49:00.000-06:00

Turco Awesome!
Originally uploaded by banj.

Sunday afternoon me and Ms. got to do the Stars game against Calgary. Calgary was 3rd in the west with Dallas at 2nd. It was an incredible afternoon of hockey! We had great seats in the lower tier. I have not seen a NHL game with that much physicality since the early 00's. Dallas of course pulled out a 3.2 win. Modano scored while they were at our end. That made it all worth while. Season tickets? If I could only pull it off. All I need is someone to share next year and I'm in!

Buck

2006-03-25T20:41:00.000-06:00

Buck
Originally uploaded by banj.

Buck Owens died today at the age of 76 at his home in Bakersfield. I wasn't a great fan, but did go to see him at the Green Country Danceland in Poteau, Oklahoma in 1976. That was because even then, he was an icon in the world of country music. I was only 16 at the time.

He was a big part of the Hee Haw television show days, and he had a number of songs that topped the charts in the 1960's and 70's. Buck was born in Sherman, Texas in 1929. In fact Texas folks, Hwy 75 Central Expressway as it weaves through the Sherman/Denison townships is named "Buck Owens Expressway."

I guess if I had to pick one song that summed up Buck it would be "Act Naturally" from the year 1989. Buck Owens definately left his mark in American music.

Our Newest Covers

2006-03-23T18:51:00.000-06:00

You know what "cover songs" are, right? It's doing someone elses material, sometimes with a twist? My brothers the Sausage Kings are great inovators. We do mostly covers on everything from Greenday to Bill Monroe. Here's a list of our newest efforts:

U2, In the Name of Love
Billy Idol, White Wedding
3 Doors Down, Kryptonite
Elvis, It's Alright Now Mama
T-Rex, Ban a Gong

You may say. "Ok, sweet, sounds cool, hmmm, so what?" Well really you would be right if it were a bunch of guys with electric guitars, drums, keyboards, etc. But we of course are a "newgrass" band. That's bluegrass with such a twist that they'd throw us out of a bluegrass festival in a NY minute. It's great stuff though. Stuff like you ain't never heard! But ya shud.

RAIN!

2006-03-20T19:02:00.000-06:00

Remember when we were all crying about how dry it was? What an incredible weekend of rain and thunderstorms! It was nice to see, but in some places around DFW such as Grand Prarie, there were over 8 inches of total rainfall. WFAA is reporting one death of an SMU student that was driving a convertible in Turtle Creek. Evidently when the high water came in over the doors there was nothing else to do but bail. She was then swept away by the waters. I'm sorry to hear of such a tragedy. People need to realize that the water is one of the strongest forces of nature and it doesn't take much to overpower us.

Speaking of Channel 8, check out their new web feature. FAA, so innovative, always on the cutting edge.

Texas Music Revolution

2006-03-19T10:10:00.001-06:00

TMR is being held this weekend at Southfork Ranch, and even though I've done the radio production gig for the last couple of years, I've never been. I think that Ms. and I are probably going to make a trek through the rain and the mud and check it out this year. I'm not planning on a long stay, I'd just like to catch the scene and have a feel for the atmosphere. The two biggest names there, and the only ones I'd care to see, are Robert Earl Keen and Radney Foster. They are both the last ones to go on tonight, so it is very likely I won't catch their acts. And no, I'm not going to wear a crushed cowboy hat, it's really just better not to.

Stephen Arnold

2006-03-16T19:10:00.000-06:00

Stephen Arnold Music is a production/distribution company for signature news music. They have clients all over the United States. What this means is when you hear the guitar and trumpet intro to your favorite ten p.m. local news broadcast, no matter what big city or market you are in, if it's good, it's Stephen Arnold. "What's so cool about this?" you may ask. What's cool about it is that they are located in McKinney, Texas. There are only a few players in this business, and SA is one of the big guys. They have a awsome studio location in the woods just outside of town. For those of you in the Dallas/FW market, if you listen to WFAA or KXAS news you're listening to SA.

I've got a meeting tomorrow to work out my stations new signature. I've been signed with them for 7 years now, but when I get to be a part of the studios I feel blessed to get to get involved with this end of the biz. The end I should be in, in the first place.

New Boom

2006-03-14T20:37:00.000-06:00

Wired magazine along with other pb's report that the new age of internet is indeed a "boom." Not a "bubble" as we witnessed in the late 90's, because bubbles break. This is a full fledged boom that is beginning to take place NOW. They report that there is a buzz in silicon valley and that there are rumors of 7 figure signing bonuses coming from the leading (or soon to be) companies. The interesting thing about all of this is that it seems that some of the things that were set sail during the "bubble" are still on course and have become what they were predicted to be, even as the bubble went south and left so many unemployed the plans made during that era perservered. Plans such as widespread high speed connections, i.e. DSL. On line shopping, bought anything at all lately?

I'm excited about this. There are many solid companies with solid financial backing that are todays players. Pay close attention. If you are over twenty years old, you may start to notice something very familiar. Something that may get a whole lot better.

Toby

2006-03-13T19:06:00.000-06:00

Toby
Originally uploaded by banj.

His agent called and said that I had to give him some publicity. He's been starring in a recent hit called Streetlevel Lover. I'm not proud of it, because it's not a family oriented type of story. It's about this Casinova that lurks in the evening looking for females that just need a little attention and understanding. If another would be lover even challenges him for the attention, it usually ends up in a duel. It can be somewhat gorey as I've seen what he goes through. Torn ears, missing hair, even missing eyelashes. Not the kind of injuries one needs when out on the town trying to look so suave. Anyway I hope this post gets the job done. I get tired of all of the whining from the agency. He's really not that good. Plus he's been gaining alot of weight lately. The douche bag!

I'M ON THIS PICTURE THING

2006-03-11T22:40:00.000-06:00

duchess
Originally uploaded by banj.

I was wanting a little flash to my site, so I decided to add some pictures for my next few posts. There's been no great topics here, but in looking through my files I am putting forth a very few of my favorites. I was at the McKinney park area off of Wilsons Creek a few Sundays back (while Ms. was laid up), along with Duchess. She was so happy to be out and run and chase! She's so fast that almost every picture I took was blurred or just out of focus. Couldn't catch up with her! In this shot she's looking at the ducks as they scampered off back into the water. She left them alone for the most part, but liked to run full speed and then stop when she reached them. Silly girl! Good dog!

Cad Ranch

2006-03-10T20:07:00.000-06:00

Cad Ranch
Originally uploaded by banj.

They do this to the art. It's art on art in Amarillo. I came up with this photo from last July. It was hot and windy, typical west Texas. How 'bout that differential?

Do the Tango!

2006-03-09T12:33:00.000-06:00

tango electric
Originally uploaded by banj

I don't know why, I just thought it was cool. This ride was featured along with 4 others in this month's issue of a Wired magazine. And just for the sake of informational content, George Clooney drives one. The Tango goes 0-60 in like 4 seconds and has a range of 80 miles before the bunny wears out. Think of how highways would have to built if this was normal travel.

Home

2006-03-07T16:12:00.000-06:00

We got into Little Rock around 8:30 on Sunday night. I hadn't seen the Clinton Library after dark before. I won't get into politics, but I'll just say that the structure and it's lighting effects are really impressive.

A side note; Sunday was Ms. and my anniversary, the twenty-third...yes I remembered. After checking into our hotel, we got settled, had some drinks, and then ended up watching the top 40 fashion do's and dont's of the year. Amazing, but I didn't realize that tie dyed was out, what's with that? The bed in the hotel room was pure greatness! The only problem was that we didn't get enough sleep, and not because we were busy (hey, we've been married 23 years, we're boring), but because we stayed up way to late.

Monday morning in central Arkansas was absolutely gorgeous. No wind, 75 degrees and a sky as blue as the Lord made blue. We arrived ahead of time at the church building right along with the rest of the band. We then made our way to a back room to run over the three songs we were to perform. Our warm up was flawless. There's truly something magical that happens when we are together. The music is so full, the dynamics and timing are so strong, and the harmonies are so sharp that it makes you realize why our brand of new grass is so uncommon.

Around 200 people attended the funeral. Following the opening statement, we played a medley which was concieved by my friend during his long drive from Fayetteville. After the first song we all took a seat in the choir section. After the second preacher spoke, we played again. My friend who feels more like a brother to me spoke to the audience about his dad and shared some of his childhood memories. He got through it, but barely. The remainder of us sit misty eyed holding our instruments in anticipation of the next song. When prompted we again singled filed into the pulpit to perform the final song, "I'll Fly Away." Before we began everyone in the building was asked to stand and sing with us. Some did, but some wept. Overall, I thought it to be very inspirational. It was in fact the most uplifting funeral service I had ever attended.

We followed the precession to the National Cemetery just outside of North Little Rock. It was such a peaceful place, located among small hills with patches of gravesites located along a meandering road. Upon arrival, members of the U.S. Coast Guard stood at attention as the body was carried to it's final resting place. The U.S. flag was folded and taps were played. A few handshakes, hugs and words of thanks and wisdom were passed around among the many friends and family members. Soon after the service all of us departed in different cars, in different directions and headed back to life as usual.

Ms. and I on the other hand, bought bologna and cheese at the nearby Wal Mart Neighborhood Market. We then made our way onto Interstate 40 then south on to I-30. In just four hours we were back in Greenville, Texas, but instead of turning traveled straight into Dallas to the Lemmon Ave. Whole Foods Market for something to take home for dinner. We're now back safely.

I love Arkansas.

Someones Dad

2006-03-03T20:58:00.000-06:00

I consider the guitar player for the Sausage Kings to be one of my dearest friends. I can't exactly pinpoint why. We've shared a lot of personal stories over the last 10 years and at times called each other we were at our worst. I guess that combined with a strong mutual respect for each others musical ability makes it somewhat easy to see him that way.

His father passed away after a couple of months of serious illness. It was on Friday. He called me to tell me that he was on his way to Little Rock because his dad had passed away. I called him back and left a message that if he needed me or anything at all, just call. He did. I spoke to him today and it felt as if he was doing quite well at first. But as the conversation ran it's course, I knew that was not the case. He talked about how his dad had been responsible for one of his first musical attractions. This coming from a man who couldn't play a note. The song was "I'll Fly Away." He said that as a boy his dad had brought this song to his attention. His reaction to his father was that "we didn't sing this in church." He followed that up by weeks of search records stores for vinyl and sheet music for the tune. In time, he found it and that, was the first song he learned on the guitar. What a story.

I'll be playing banjo at the funeral on Monday morning. His dad never liked the banjo. But after a gig in Arkansas a few months back, he in a conversation with my friend said this: "I don't like the banjo. But boy I sure do love to hear that Joel play." That's very touching to me. So much so that I'll play the banjo for him one last time, on Monday morning.

Avoidance

2006-03-01T18:40:00.000-06:00

I was going to avoid talking about stuff like the weather, but wasn't today great?

People Meters

2006-02-28T17:33:00.000-06:00

They are called LPM’s. That’s an acronym for Local People Meter, and as of January the Dallas/Ft. Worth has become what is known in the television business as a “metered market.” That means that when a program comes on a particular station, the station can at every few seconds monitor a real time sample of the number of viewers watching or…not watching. It’s odd that Dallas has been left out of this type of Nielsen sampling for so long. Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and other major cities have had it for years, and with DFW becoming known as such a “metro” area entering the ranks of those with culture, restaurants, nightlife and so on, it seems that someone has been dragging their…well, ratings books. I thought some of you would like to know that we’ve entered the 21st century and the DFW TV ratings game just got bloody.

current.tv

2006-02-25T13:27:00.000-06:00

Many forecasters are hedging their bets on the idea that in the very near future traditional television, newspaper and radio newsrooms will not exist in the way that they do now. More and more content will be provided by who else, but the viewer, reader or listener. Blogs themselves are the spawn of this new way of sharing information, and even though most of us only speak our minds or talk about our day at work, it is this technology that will lead the way to this big change.

Have you ever been a viewer of "current tv?" Current is the latest effort by Google to turn the corner so to speak, with all content featured, provided by the viewer. If you have a DV camera of some sort, a desktop editor and a good eye, current accepts the solicitation of your creative package, evaluates it, and if good enough, puts it on the air. That means that it can end up being sent to satellite systems around the globe.

Tune it in. If you are a DISH or Direct customer it's easy to find. To learn more about the channel and this new media effort head over to current.tv and read more. It will open your mind to what news in media will become over the next 5 to 10.

Paper! Paper!

2006-02-24T18:03:00.000-06:00

I have piles and piles of paper on my desk.

Does that make me an unorganized person?

Does it make me look like a dimwit?

I feel like I don't know what to think, when. It's this paper that clogs my mind.

A wastebasket is now full and a Staples box that once held copy paper all crisp and neat is now full as well of this desk clutter. I'll carry it home to sort through.

I'll file till my fingertips dry out.

Then I'll bring it back to my place of work to file again.

Soon there will be more paper.

And just to think. I used to be a writer, and got to use the creative side of my now clogged brain!

The Last Resort

2006-02-22T22:13:00.000-06:00

The Eagles "The Last Resort." Meaning of the lyrics? Anyone? Help? I was stunned here. After a daily review for the past two weeks, I'm gettin' it.