A to Z Challenge: Amazing Grace Battle of the Bands

Welcome to my blog. This is my first entry for The 2017 A to Z Challenge. April 1st is also a day I normally would post my Battle of the Bands post. Today I am fusing them all into one post.

This time around the song I am going to use is "Amazing Grace." Usually for my Battles of the Bands post I would insert a version of the original song or a well known version for a reference point. I am going to forego that on this post since the tune is one of the most recognizable hymns in the Christian faith.

How it works: I post two versions of the songs. You listen to the songs and let me know which one you thought was the best in the comments. I count up the votes and announce a winner at a later day which will be Sunday, April 9. Adjusting the result the day due to the A to Z Blogging Challenge.





Contestant One: Celtic Woman

Contestant Two: Charlotte Church

If you are interesting in visiting other Battles or interested in the Battle of the Bands please visit this site for the complete list and more information.

Please vote in the comments. I'll be back with the results on the 9th. I will have my A to Z Challenge post on Monday, April 3.

The Eve of A to Z

It's the eve of the A to Z blogging challenge. If my math is correct this will be my seventh A to Z Challenge in a row. So my seventh time around, winging off A to Z challenge posts on the whims of my imagination. I don't pre-write, don't plan out the month I just write the posts.  The pre-writing and the planning might be sage advice. However, I do the challenge like I do my blog. What you see is what you get.

If your new, welcome! If your an old reader welcome back! It is going to be a challenge. My life has been busy. I haven't been blogging everyday and now I am going to have to shift gears. The beauty of the challenge is that some how it all works.  

Happy Birthday Eric Clapton!

Happy Birthday Eric Clapton! The guitar legend turns 72 today!

Kicking off the Celebration from the last time I saw Slowhand..

Me and Eric have a Rock N' Roll Heart...

A little Cream...

He used to be a Yardbird..

He's been Wonderful on many nights..

I'll be back  soon with a new post!

Battle of the Bands results, life and upcoming events

Beth Cassidy won my Battle of the Bands Battle 5 to 1. I'll have a new Battle April 1st which more than likely will be connected with the A to Z Challenge.

I plan to do the A to Z Challenge this year, which is fun and challenging. The biggest challenge will be time for me.

Life has gone onto a crazy circle full of changes. I have a new boss at work and work has been busy with a lot of overtime. That has put my "free time" at a premium which I have chose to try to turn into valuable family time.

Anyway I plan to finish out the month, hopefully have a post or two before March ends. Then I will see what April brings.

R.I.P Chuck Berry

Fitting I open my post with "Rock N' Roll" music as I write about te death of Chuck Berry.  Chuck Berry was a pioneer, perhaps one of the Fathers of Rock N' Roll. Sadden as a fan of his passing but 90 years is a long life for Rock N' Roll. The female singer was Etta James a legend in her own right.

Here is a vintage clip of "Johnny B. Goode"...

Here he is again with Keith Richards performing his classic "Nadine"...

"You Never Can Tell"

"Maybellene"

I could go on with classic song after classic song. What was your favorite Chuck Berry song? Did you see him in concert? Any favorite memories? He is a legend who will be missed.

Battle of the Bands: Box of Rain

Time to get Grateful on the Battle of the Bands. Today is Phil Lesh's 77th birthday. Phil was the bass player for the Grateful Dead. I'm also going to see Grateful Dead alum Bob Weir next month so it all kinda fits.

The Song: Box of Rain

Box of Rain was written by Phil Lesh and contestant one...

Contestant One: Robert Hunter

Contestant Two: Beth Cassidy

Who gets your vote? Robert or Beth? The lyricist or the singer?  Vote for the one you like the best.  I will count up the votes and provide the results around the 21st. Vote in the comments and we will have a winner soon! If you liked this Battle please check out the other Battle links here. That site has the most up to date list.

Well I hope you enjoyed the Battle and come back and visit soon!

Battle of the Bands: Carlos Nunez Wins

In my return to the classical piece performed by a classical artist with a twist versus the Rock Star Battle of the Bands the classical artist won. I was happy it wasn't another Shut Out like my last Battle of the Bands.

The Battle of the Bands started out even through the first four votes. However, Carlos Nunez pulled away for a 6 to 2 victory.

How about some more from our winner Carlos Nunez?

Here he is with The Chieftains...

Something for St. Patrick's...

Something Celtic...

Now I have eight days to think of new Battle! Any suggestions? Well see you soon with a new post!

Battle of the Bands:Ravel's Bolero: Bagpipes versus Guitars

In the Madness of March I want to revisit a theme of a classical piece covered in a different genre or setting if you will. My first Battle of the Bands of this year used Chopin this time it is Ravel. The madness part, think Bagpipes versus crazy classic rockers.

The piece for reference...

Contender One: Carlos Nunez

Contender Two: Jeff Beck

Who gets your vote? Carlos or Jeff? Bagpipes or Guitars? Both covers are certainly creative.  Vote for the one you like the best.  I will count up the votes and provide the results around the 7th. Vote in the comments and we will have a winner soon! If you liked this Battle please check out the other Battle links here. That site has the most up to date list.

Well I hope you enjoyed the Battle and come back and visit soon!