The Blog is Back

The blog is back. It has been away longer than I had anticipated. My ramblings kick off in 2014. The good news is the time of not blogging has left me with plenty ideas for blog topics. Feel free to browse back through the older posts to get a feel of how this blog works. Of course the future is never predictable and neither this blog. If your new to the blog, or if you are a reader from the blogs past welcome, sit back and enjoy the ride.

Logan Brill's Walking Wires

Above Logan Brill performs one of her new songs from the album "Walking Wires." Well, I haven't written as much as I have wanted to lately. The truth is my life is a bit crazy right now. Then on top of that there is the Holidays. Well, I was writing some articles on examiner and I took interest in one of the opening acts. Logan Brill, she is young and beautiful like so many other Country artists on the scene today. However, I found her music more honest less pop and more Americana. Sure the themes are familiar but she found a way to seperate herself musically. You can read what I thought here.

I liked the music I stumbled into something nice to listen too. Check it out and see if you agree. As a writer I was proud to see it was featured in Yahoo! Voices music since it had been a while since I have written on that site. I will be back there in the new year.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2014

Back for another round of who's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for 2014.

Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel is officially a two-timer! A two time member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that is. The first time around he was inducted as a member of Genesis, this time around he is being honored for his solo work.I agree with his selection. He had a big hit with Sledgehammer and a lot of his songs got a tremendous amount of airplay.

"Solsbury Hill"

Cat Stevens

It is a "Wild World" out there and Cat Stevens deserves this honor just ask Mr. Big. But Mr. Big wasn't the only superstar to have a hit due to a song Cat Stevens wrote, Rod Stewart and Sheryl Crow will tell you "The First Cut is the Deepest."

Hall and Oates

I remember liking them as a young kid. Somewhere down the line it became not as cool. But I like what I have seen Daryl Hall do recently with his live from his house show or what not.In truth they were very talented.

"Private Eyes"

Linda Ronstadt

A good call she belongs here. You might be "No Good" but she is. 11 Grammy good.

There you have it, and next year maybe..

Happy 70th Keith Richards!

As "Wicked As It Seams" Keith Richards turns 70 today. He is still going strong, rocking with The Rolling Stones and recently released a hit book. The only way to celebrate Keith's birthday is to celebrate his music.

Here he is with the Rolling Stones...

Here Keith Richards performs with Willie Nelson..

I know I have blogged about Keith Richards and the Rolling Stones a few times. The challenge is to try not to repeat the same videos.You can search my other post for more videos.

This song might be a repeat, but it is the most fitting way to wrap up this post..

Happy Birthday, Keep Rocking

Part One: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2014

Again Deep Purple did not make the cut.I might be bias but the band has one of the most iconic songs in rock "Smoke on the Water." The album "Machine Head" is a masterpiece. When you have guitarists named Richie Blackmore and Steve Morse in your band in different eras you might be great.

I'm not saying they were the only band not to make it int the Hall of Fame that had a good argument for membership. I am not taking away from this year's class. Just saying Deep Purple belongs.

Kiss

I remember them from the 70s. They could be the first rock group, I was exposed to which was a departure from the cowboy music I was into at the time. They have a huge fan base and they still make headlines and grab media attention today.Can't argue this selection...

Nirvana

Honestly, I liked Pearl Jam better as far as grunge bands back in the day. A lot of Nirvana songs hold up well when you listen to them today. They had Dave Grohl on drums which is always a good thing. It was sad when Kurt Cobain killed himself. it is sad whenever a 27 year old does that. Would they be inducted now if Kurt Cobain was still alive? I think probably not. Kurt Cobain has become a mythical, idol to some which is probably good for Rock and Roll.

There were more but I will get to them on another post!

One Year Ago Sandy Hook

The following people could have been great leaders, doctors, athletes, teachers, inventors, musicians, artists, Mothers, Fathers, and the list could keep going. They all should be enjoying second grade. I remember them in my blog in this list:

• Charlotte Bacon 
• 
  
• Daniel Barden
• 
  
• Olivia Engel
• 
  
• Josephine Gay
• 
  
• Dylan Hockley
• 
  
• Madeleine Hsu
• 
  
• Catherine Hubbard
• 
  
• Chase Kowalski
• 
  
• Jesse Lewis
• 
  
• Ana Marquez-Greene
• 
  
• James Mattioli
• 
  
• Grace McDonnell
• 
  
• Emilie Parker
• 
  
• Jack Pinto
• 
  
• Noah Pozner
• 
  
• Caroline Previdi
• 
  
• Jessica Rekos
• 
  
• Avielle Richman
• 
  
• Benjamin Wheeler
• 
  
• Allison Wyatt

I wonder what dreams they had. My heartbreaks at the heartbreak their parents endured. It is sad to think about what will never be.

The following lost their lives too. They aren't famous or wealthy. They are missed. They are true heroes..

Dawn Hochsprung Sandy Hook's principal

Mary Shelach the school's psychologist

Victoria Leigh Soto Teacher

Lauren Roussaeu teacher

e da

Rachel D'Avino Teacher's aid

Anne Marie Murphy Teacher's aid

Nancy Lanza I am sorry your child killed you. Adam Lanza, I am sorry you killed all those people. I am sorry you killed your mom. I am sorry you didn't get the help you needed. I am sorry no one kept you away from guns. 

They are gone but not forgotten. May one day we lift each other up. Lay our hurt and pain down. No need to kill one another. Share shoulders to cry on. Share comfort. It would be a better world..

• 
  

Kelly Thomas

I blog a lot about famous musicians, actors, and famous people who die. Perhaps someone in that realm who might be more obscure, but somewhere they had their 15 minutes of fame or more. I read on social media posts after blogging about Paul Walker's death that no one ever writes about ordinary people who pass away. I took that as a challenge. Work one in now and then.

Well, today's blog is about a guy name Kelly Thomas. He was a 37 year old homeless man. Reportedly mentally handicapped with the mental capacity of a child. The homeless that grabbed me too.I have worked with various organizations to stop homelessness. I see it everywhere. It is a major problem.

Today on Facebook on my feed I had two posts back to back. One about a police officer shoving an attack dog through the window of a suspects car to bite said suspect. That was pretty bad, then the next post was about Kelly Thomas. I've met some very nice police officers. I call some my friends. The actions of these cops were not right.

Don't watch the video at work. It is graphic, there is foul language, it is disturbing. Police were called to the area about a person breaking into cars that is why Kelly Thomas was being questioned. Investigators later confirmed Kelly Thomas did not break into the cars.

Below is the video..

The homeless are people they have rights too. Most police officers aren't like this.Obviously some are as the video shows. Could more training help? Questions we all can ask. Did Kelly Thomas deserve to die? No. Could this have been prevented? Yes. Do homeless people need places to live? Yes.