End of Summer 2013...Wrap-Up...

Social Media was all jacked up after Miley Cyrus's performance on the MTV Video Music Awards. I feel it is my social obligation to make my submission on this pop culture train-wreck.(even though nobody knows that this blog exists) In early 2012, the pre-twerking era, Miley contributed to a Bob Dylan tribute CD and her track was damn good. If you never heard the words, Miley Cyrus, and all the baggage that comes with those words, you might just enjoy this track. Miley's voice works on this countryish interpretation and this track would have fit nicely during the early 70's singer/songwriter era..

No..I am not kidding...

As the Grateful Dead used to do for me, The Black Crowes have introduced me to great music via the cover tunes they perform live. Both bands have a healthy respect for the blues, soul, country and rock music that came before them. I had the pleasure of seeing The Black Crowes perform with The . Tedeschi-Trucks Band during the summer of 2013. During the encore, the bands broke into this Joe Tex nugget, "Show Me"

It's Labor Day weekend and this tune still leads the pack for my favorite song of 2013. The video that synches-up vintage Soul Train clips with the Daft Punk music is just priceless!

Elvis Presley..This may be my favorite piece of Elvis music ever...raw and bluesy...just in case you don't get Elvis and think he was just some overrated Vegas-type performer...Check this out..If you don't like this then we have nothing further to say to each other..please leave the area immediately!

As the song goes... "What a long strange trip it's been!"
 25 years of service (actually almost 30 but that mess is too complex to get into..)

Philadelphia National Bank....Corestates Bank....First Union...Wachovia..Wells Fargo

Yeah, there has been some stress and pain along the way but it is the laughter and good times that I remember most...and all the awesome characters I have worked with through the years. I am very fortunate to have worked at the same gig for so many years and the job has allowed me to do the things that are most important to me:  doing my part to help my wife, children and grandchildren enjoy their lives. laughter, music, education, food, vacations and various hijinks.

Charlotte held its first Pride Parade in 19 years this summer and it was a beautiful day and a fun parade...sure, there was some protesters but no violence and all in all...a great day in the city..

Well, summer is fading fast and fall will soon be here..before you know it, the holiday season will be upon us and you know what that means for this blog...  Holiday Hijinks!....that concept was the catalyst for this blog.... and just around the corner...you may see horrifying images like this one...

November, 2009  Charlotte, NC.
Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band


At the conclusion of Springsteen's 2009 tour, he treated fans to a live performance of some of his classic albums. The classic Born to Run album was played in it's entirety at the Charlotte gig. Bruce gave a short introduction speech explaining that BTR was a "do or die" proposition back in 1975. Columbia Records was disappointed in the sales of the first two Springsteen albums and their patience was running thin.

As Bruce played the opening notes of "Thunder Road" , I was overcome with emotion. I immediately flashed back to 1975..... An awful year that would change my life forever. My father passed away suddenly at an early age and our family's heart and soul was destroyed in ways that could never be repaired. So much had changed in the 34 years since  I first experienced the Born To Run album but it seemed like I had come full circle. I was still standing and Bruce was still singing his songs to his loyal fans. I will never forget that unexpected rush of sadness mixed with joy. Survival, Rock and Roll, family, nostalgia, painful longing for the past...It all came crashing down in my heart that November evening in 2009. All this for a 20.00 ticket in the cheap seats!  : )

It was a great concert and would turn out to be the last time I would see The Big Man wailing on his sax. After Clarence Clemons died in 2011, it felt like the end of the Springsteen era...but...not so fast!..
The man is still at it and shows no sign of closing shop.... Rock and Roll... Survival!

The healing power of music never ceases to amaze me. Recently, after a particularly stressful workday, I stumbled on to my bus a frazzled bundle of nerves. I reached for my Ipod and headphones and selected the random shuffle of tunes. After a double shot of the tunes featured in this entry, I was in a better place. Does music soothe the savage beast??   Hell Yeah it does!

Grateful Dead 8/1/2013...Meet Up at the Movies..yes..that was fun stuff!