This blog spot is the home to my ramblings. I am a free lance writer. Most of my work goes on Associated Content. Sometimes I write what is on my mind, sometimes I plug some of my writing, and sometimes a combination of the two. So, sit back read, enjoy, and we will see where it goes.
During my time away from not blogging. Honestly, I took a trip and certain tropical storm decided to go to the same place. I was at the beach this was by the river in Jacksonville.
Luckily the only damage to where I was staying was a tree fell and brushed the house. It was like a 50 foot tree but the City of Neptune Beach responded quick. Here is a picture of the tree against the house..
Other than that it was typical debris thrown around. It did close the beach for a few days which was a bummer but better to be safe.
Sorry for the break in posts, I went on an unplanned vacation but I am back now! Unfortunately deaths don't take a vacation. The legendary guitarist Doc Watson passed away at 89. It has been a rough year for makers of Old Time music and Doc is a fine example of one of the best going away.
Don't take my word for it he won eight Grammy Awards including a Lifetime Achievement award. I read somewhere Chet Atkins had a likeness of Doc in his home somewhere. That is some high praise.
Watson is best know as a guitarist, one of the best flat pickers ever and he could finger pick too! He also played Harmonica and Banjo simply put he could play multiple instruments. His music skipped genres from bluegrass, to gospel, country, folk, and blues. Yes I know some of those are easy to cross but their is no doubt Doc was a versatile musician.
Deep River Blues from Youtube...
A member of the Bluegrass Hall of Honor, several honorary degrees, a National Honor of the Arts, A lifetime achievement Award from the Recording Academy highlight some of his awards and honors along with the fore mentioned Grammy Awards. He certainly achieved a lifetime of musical awards and left us quite a legacy. He will be missed.
Two Greats we lost this year may they play in the concert hall in the sky..
Two famous musicians died within 24 hours of each other. I plan to write about one of them somewhere else. The more famous one is Donna Summer. She was known as the "Queen of Disco." She was known for her sexual songs as well, certainly her influence opened the doors for Madonna and Lady Gaga and others.
Here is a very long song by her that illustrates that part...
But she was a giant doing a duet with Barbara Streisand...
In the end I guess you can say she worked hard for the money....
No doubt about it she had a long and successful career and she will be missed by her fans and the music world. Cancer struck again.
I liked the hiring of Dale Hunter as the Washington Capitals coach. I loved the idea of the team hiring one of their own greats to coach the team. The team responded with a 30-23-7 record under his reign. Most importantly he was able to squeak the team into the playoffs.
Here is a highlight of Dale Hunter back in his playing days...
The team welcomed him back with this montage...
The team did not have an easy run in the playoffs. The Caps defeated the defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins in seven games during the first round.
Next up the Caps lost to the top seeded New York Rangers in seven games...
The team had a good showing in the playoffs and nothing to feel bad about. Yes like the good teams in the past they did fall short. Next season will be interesting for the team.
Being a little older and wiser I don't blame Dale Hunter for making the decision to return to his home, to be with his family. Those are important things. I wish him well and I hope he enjoys. I hope the Caps find a great Coach to help them reach their goals as well.
Here I go joining another blog fest, challenge type thing. What was my first favorite movie? I honestly don't remember. Reaching way back in my mind I am thinking it was a Disney movie probably "Lady and the Tramp" I remember watching that in the theater way to many years ago.Well it wasn't this version from 1955..I want to say they re-released it in the theaters in the 70's as well.
Well my all time favorite is Scarface and my favorite actor is Al Pacino.That said he has done some very strange roles.
Perhaps this is the only blog in the world which would have Lady and the Tramp and Scarface back to back. Funny thing is I still have those type of tastes. I enjoy watching movies with my daughter and she keeps me more grounded watching shows I should be watching. However, I still like the gangster movie or murderer show like Dexter now and then. Kids do make you more aware of what you watch though.
Music..honestly my first love of music was what I called Cowboy music which I used to play on a record player way before I was five. Perhaps when I was three. What did I consider Cowboy music stuff like Marty Robbins...
Maybe "Ghostriders"
This song was on my early playlist...
Then it was on to J.Geils Band and Men at Work...Thankfully I was introduced to Zeppelin along the way.
Books..Joy Adamson's Born Free, and actually the whole series I remember reading when I was quite young. I was going to save the world, and catch poachers in Florida when I grew up..I wonder what happened to those dreams. I should have chased them I suppose.
First love..I am not mentioning names on this. The safe answer is my wife she was the first to marry me. Or perhaps I should go with my daughter go with the Alpha and Omega thing. I love being a Dad.
Donald "Duck" Dunn has passed away at the age of 70. He played for Booker T. and the MGs and played sessions for just about everyone on in classic rock. Otis Redding, Rod Stewart, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Albert King, the Blues Brothers and more.
Here he is performing "Green Onions" with Steve Cropper..
Farewell video...
With Eric Clapton..
He was part of classic rock history pretty much from the start to now. If he wasn't creating the originals he filled in and played the parts. He will be missed ...R.I.P
I have a lot of Bob Marley related stuff happening in my life next week. However, it was 31 years ago today Bob Marley passed away. To me is the Elvis of Reggae music, the king of the genre. I like the positive vibe of his music. I'm a fan of reggae ( I like a lot of music, if you haven't guessed). I have been to reggae festivals in clubs in Washington, D.C. that are no longer there. I've seen Stephen Marley perform which was incredible.Unfortunately Bob Marley passed away before I got a chance to see him. Great lyrics, good vibrations, plus the flavor of the Islands what's not to like..
Anyway this isn't my first post about Bob Marley and it won't be my last. However to remember him on his day here is some footage from his funeral...
He survived being shot only to die due to cancer(yet another reason for me to dislike cancer)
