Battle of the Bands Results: Please put the guitars down

Chet Atkins was a big influence on Tommy Emmanuel. Atkins was impressed with Tommy's talent.  Tommy was on Chet's final album. Chet named him a Certified Guitar Player along with four other guitarists. This battle was between two great guitarists who would probably be happy with whoever won.

The results were close as one would expect. Tommy won 5 to 3.

                                               "Angelina"

"Stevie's Blues

"Tall Fidler"

Well I hope you enjoyed and I will have a new battle on the 15th!

Blogging from A to Z 2018: F is for The Finest Hours

A lot of my reading of late is influenced by television and the movies. My latest read is a prime example of that. The Finest Hours was made into a movie in 2016. A trailer for The Disney Movie is below...

The Coast Guard men in the book/movie came through in their finest hours. It was based on a true story and without a doubt they were heroes. Obviously the men had to enlist into thw Coast Guard. Second a bad storm needed to develop. The tragedy of two ships falling apart in the frigid waters needed to fall in place. Lastly the Coasties needed to rescue folks to be heroes. The book discussed one boat which was unsuccessful. The brave men where lucky to return to shore. The book went farther than the movie and discussed some if the guilt and other feelings that went with becoming heroes. The story had been told before and was choppy at times. However, the story did tell the tale of some courageous Coast Guard members. 

R.I.P David Beautiful Bald Eagle Jr

Sometimes kids play and dream of the great things they will be when they grow up. Things like being a War Hero, appearing on the silver screen in a hit movie, maybe a cowboy in a rodeo or an Indian Chief. (Native American Chief, kids weren't always politically correct.)

Then most kids grow up and live far more ordinary lives. However, I found out Chief David Beautiful Bald Eagle Jr passed away after 97 years of a Beautiful Life. I'm sure he had his struggles after all he was human.

In World War II he fought in Normandy where he was injured. I think that covers the War Hero part. He appeared in "Dances with Wolves." The movie won an Oscar and was pretty successful.

He was a Rodeo Cowboy and he became Chief. I guess you could say he lived a life of dreams.

I think after 97 years he deserves to rest in peace!

Remembering Mother Teresa on her BIrthday

Today August 26, 2015 is Mother Teresa's birthday. Though she passed away 18 years ago. I wish she was still alive doing her humanitarian deeds. One of the reasons is a very selfish reason on my part. I just love to hear what great works she was doing now or anybody. I am tired of the political, racist junk I see when I go onto facebook or read headlines somewhere.

So on her birthday I am missing the positive things she did.  I don't want to go into politics on this post or religion. I am straddling those lines. But that is not where I want to take this post. I simply want to celebrate her life and her great deeds.

Her last speech...

Ronald Reagan presented her with The Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985

Below is a miniBio of Mother Teresa...

I am not Catholic but I was wanting to blog about someone positive and Mother Teresa fits the bill. A great time to remember her on her birthday. Thanks for visiting and I will be back soon!

A to Z Challenge:Evel Knievel

Photos below from Evel Knievel's website.

Evel Knievel was already an established legend when I was growing up. My mom is probably happy I didn't follow in his footsteps. In his career he suffered more than 433 broken bones so perhaps there are some medical professionals wishing I had.

This quote from his website kind of grabbed me "Evel Knievel made the leap from rural county fairs to sold-out stadiums through a unique combination of bravado, determination, and promotional genius."

Why you may ask? Well I was at a rural county fair yesterday and their was a group of motorcycle jumpers who were one of the fair's sideshows. 

Times of course have changed since Evel Knievel was doing stunts. It has changed so much since he passed away in 2007. To me growing up in the 70s and 80s and I am sure to those who grew up slightly earlier he defined daredevil to us.(It is debatable if I have or will ever grow up.)

 I wonder if he would be a star today? Would d he even make it on television?  Would he just be a youtube hit maker? Is there a place left for daredevils?

Last year when I participated in the challenge I chose to post about excitement. You can revisit that post here. I stated excitement was a need and for people like Evel Knievel I am sure it was. He also provided a service to people by showing the impossible could happen if you try. The 433 broken bones showed he had his share of failures but in the end he is remembered as a hero by many.