My Local Hall Of Fame.....

.... of musicians has just acquired another entry. A very good friend of mine, and one whom I have known for more than 20 years has a band she sings for. Her name is Amy Jannell, and the band is called INSIDE OUT.

Inside Out is a party band, chock full of covers than it sure to please any crowd of partiers. I have to tell you I was sincerely impressed with the group. I will admit, non-insultingly, that the type of music played is not my first choice. They did, however, play some oldies that I haven't heard it years, and made me feel really old!! But it's all in a good way, because Inside Out has the ability to pull you out of your shell, and make you feel real good about what you're listening to.

The set opened up with a couple of jazz tunes, featuring Patrick Gage on the sax and Chris Borin on trumpet. Quite impressive, and when the band switched gears and started playing I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross, I was quite beside myself! The band is VERY tight, and on several of the songs performed, I was really having a hard time distinguishing if it were the band playing or I was in my car listening to a CD! Lead guitarist Domino, co-lead vocalist Maegan Bardes, drummer John Simon, and Rich playing the keys were all very impressive and really nice people. I never got the chance to meet the bass player, Lou? It's that good folks.... You need to see for yourself!

Other tunes played in the first set (the only set I was able to stay for) included: That's The Way I Like It, We Are Family (dedicated to me by Amy...That was awesome) and Bad Girls. Many more were played throughout the night, and I am disappointed I didn't get to stay for the rest of the show. Next time they play, and my band does not, I will be in attendance.

Inside Out ladies and gentleman. If you get a chance to see them, I would highly recommend it. If you live out of town, take a listen on their song list page. This and all other info can be found here:
www.insideoutinfo.com

Why Not Donate?

OK, so I was having trouble going to sleep last night, being wired with too much sleep that day and Diet Coke, so I turn on the television. On one of the channels was 'Extra', a magazine show that is on practically every station in one form or another. Last night's topic was Millionaires. WAIT! Maybe it was a VH1 'Fabulous Life Of....' show. WAIT! Maybe it was E!.... Who cares... It's all the same to me.

I have the knowledge now of the following things:





- Mariah Carey spends SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS A DAY, yes, a DAY, paying somebody to do her hair and make up. Maybe it's only five days a week? When she appears in public? Take a look at the above pic. That's gross looking! I've seen better make up on Harry Hines. I would gladly do that shit for, I dunno, 500 bucks a day? Gimmie a f'n break. Have you nothing better to do with your money, among Lord only knows what else you do with it? Why not donate more than you already do? My recommendation: Mary Kay Foundation






- Oprah Winfrey, as much as I respect the woman, has TWELVE houses. I believe the smaller one is a mere 5600 sq feet. Damn, what a shack that must be. Poor woman. She went to a couture show in Paris and spent $500,000 at Valentino and Chanel. Why not donate more than you already do? My suggestion: The Homeless






- Brittany Spears. What a racket I can go on about this hag. But for now, I'll stick to the topic. She went to a lingerie store when her and that douchebag got married and spent $18,000. Good Lord people. Was that really necessary? Personally, despite her personality, and as long as she doesn't speak, I thought she was pretty hot to begin with. Why spend all that money and something you'll probably only use once, probably only wear for five minutes (it wouldn't last five seconds in my presence) and then throw away? Why not donate more than you already do? My suggestion: Unplanned Pregnancy






- Jay Z. That is the ever so original name of a rap artist. He is or was dating that gorgeous Beyonce Knowles. I guess he knew he had a prize, because for her 23rd birthday, he spent $500,000 on a party. Yep. A party. Oh, but it came with mermaids and a giant ice sculpture that read "Beautiful B". Wow. Why not donate more than you already do? My suggestion: National Institute for the Insecure. No such thing? Make it happen.

What about when Julio Iglesias' kid Enrique proposed to his tennis girl? $5.4 Million dollar ring. Hmmm... She must not love him that much. John Travolta flys his good buddies to some remote island for his birthday. All 250 of them. I wont even get started on Donald Trump.


My point is this: I am proud of all of our millionaires and billionaires for accomplishing the American dream. I know we'd all love to have that kind of money, I know I would! But, what if? What if I won the lottery? What if my band goes Quadruple Platinum? What in the world would I do with my money? Easy: Take the sum amount I make or made in one year. It's divided evenly between me, Mom, Dad, Grandparents, close friends, and a few others I'm sure. My take of the pie will by a large piece of land with a rather subtle house to live in. I wont build a warehouse to store my 13 million cars and motorcycles I buy. I wont travel all over the world and buy houses every where my plane stops. The money these celebrities spend on the most ridiculous shit makes me want to vomit. In the meantime, most of my readers work very hard and still struggle to get to the next paycheck, or paying client. They are not better than us, we are not better than them (notice the stereotype? Sorry 'bout that. Just referring to the overspending impulsive celebrities). What about those people that have accomplished their money by working hard their whole lives, or utilized their talents and brains to accomplish the same thing? Bill Gates who makes this entire experience possible. Mark Cuban who spends his money on his players to give them a better experience. George W. Bush who (pre-president) did the same thing with his Texas Rangers. I can go on forever......

God bless the people of America, those that are homeless, all the way to the people who wipe their asses with hundred dollar bills. Just find a better way to spend your money, and don't flaunt it in our faces!

::sigh:: OK, I'm done bitching!

Slacking No More

Wow... I cant remember the last time I went so long without writing anything. I'm not just talking about this blog, but just writing anything in general! To touch on some of my last few blogs: The "Oh S**t, what did I do" blog was fun to write, and fun to comment on.... but more importantly, I still feel the same way. There are STILL wacky transactions taking place in the NFL, and we are FINALLY coming close to draft weekend. I cant wait for that to start up, because I will be able to watch it!! No more Saturday's for Beaker at work! I am happier than a puppy with 2 peters!

My top 5 lists have WAY been slacking, and I owe Joe a couple... and I will get to that here shortly. I picked UConn Huskies to go all the way didn't I? HA! Wow... I'll tell you, I am happy for my team, but they really didn't play well enough since the first round to warrant getting as far as they did. Although I am disappointed by the performance, I am happy they made it as far as they did. Remember, I am a Bucs fan, so I am totally used to my teams getting far by luck! Just kidding boys... you're greatness!

Okay... it has been exactly ONE MONTH since my last Top 5 list, and technically I should owe you three or four right now. But I will get back on track this week, and I will start NOW! This one's for Joe Dye.......

TOP 5 COMEDIANS OF ALL TIME

Remember.... this is in my opinion! Tons of comedians out there deserve their props, and it will be difficult to narrow them down to 5, but I will try! IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, here we go:




- Eddie Murphy
As long as I can remember, Eddie Murphy has been a part of my life growing up, both in TV and Film, as well as on the tape deck! Murphy is one of those comedians that my parents always warned me about and didn't necessarily approve of my listening to, or watching, but I rebelled anyway. In their defense, Eddie had a horrific mouth back in the day, but has since mellowed out. Most people call that selling out, but really, folks... how long is the 'f' word going to bring you a paycheck? I am proud that Eddie is doing Pixar and Disney movies, and family movies as well. Anyway, Eddie is one of the most quoted comedians among my friends, and a GREAT SNL alum.






- Adam Sandler
What can you say about someone who started off on SNL as well, made millions off of his first CD, and can now charge 20 million dollars a picture? WAY TO GO! Sandler often uses himself as a routine, bagging on himself for being Jewish, or a loser. He's funny in a childish and charming way when he's on stage, and a dry and wacky way on film, and completely let loose on audio! Just like Mr. Murphy, his versatility is grand, and more importantly, well used. I have yet to see a movie starring Mr. Sandler that I dislike (with an exception of his first flop Going Overboard), and I own all of his CD's! He's great in many ways, and he is often quoted in this world as well.






- Chevy Chase
My personal favorite, and another SNL alum. Chevy's comedy is mainly dry and slapstick. He also has many movies under his belt, including my favorite, Fletch! Chase is more often dry in his comedy than Murphy and Sandler, and he can get away with it better than anyone I can remember! The slapstick that is often seen in Chase's comedy reminds me of the same routines John Ritter used as well as Laurel & Hardy and Abbott & Costello. Chase also gets away with, and utilizes amazing one-liners and facial expressions that I can literally bust a gut over! One example, and often used quote by me (remember, reading this means nothing unless you have seen it): A scene in Fletch when Chase is talking to another character, and when asked if he'd come to this guy's house to "listen" to a proposal, he immdiately comes back with the funniest facial expression and this line: "Does this proposition entail my dressing up as Little Bo Peep?". It's hilarious, and you should see the film if you hadn't before!






- Jeff Foxworthy
Of course, I cant leave out America's favorite redneck! Another often quoted individual, Foxworthy has attracted millions of fans worldwide by his redneck humor. Unlike the previous mentioned comedians, Foxworthy is not only NOT an SNL alum, but made his living ON STAGE, whereas the others have on screen. Recently joining up with other great comedians Bill Engval (Here's Your Sign), Larry the Cable Guy (GIT Er Dunnnn) and Ron White (Big Tater), Foxworthy is now best known for his work in the Blue Collar Comedy Tour series and shows. Lets never forget the sure signs to watch out for if you've ever wondered if you were redneck or not: If you mow your yard and find a car, you might be a redneck! If your richest relatives invite you over to help take the wheels off of their new house, you might be a redneck! Check him out on the internet, TV or DVD and listen. You wont be disappointed, for those few of you that dont know what I'm talking about!






- George Carlin
NO WAY will he NOT make this list! One of my all time favorites for the stage, I love Carlin because he's a reality comedian. He gets on stage and includes current events in his rantings, and uses some sick wisdom in the meantime! He talks about things past, present and future, has appeared on screen several times, has written several great books, and made very many live appearances, most of which are recorded and sold. His book, "Brain Droppings", is my favorite written by him. It includes several issues he has talked about in past appearances, as well as current (at the time) events and his opinions on them. George Carlin is a family comedian, as long as the kids are in the other room! I say this because listening to Carlin, is like having a dinner conversation with your best friend or cousin! Carlin is also one of the smartest people I have seen relay that fact through comedy. Listening to Carlin seems to be a great stress releiver as well!



Other honorable mentions included in this list go to: Richard Pryor, Mort Sahl (political comedian), Bob Newhart (y,y,y,ya, ya mean it's not SWBYPs?), Jackie Mason (great in Caddyshack II), Robert Klein (Cant Stop My Leg), Shelly Berman (phone calls, scenes) and Woody Allen.

Please leave an opinion on who your favorite comedian is! I would love that......

Thanks again for your patience! I will be back on track now that I have more time! Until next time......

Drunk & Drunkered V

This time was back at O'Riley's. Phantom-X played, along woth Revengence, Zenabi and Paradigm. It was a fun night, as there were three birthday's playing that night. Main man Kevin Goocher of Phantom-X is why all of us were there, and look what happens! OK, until next time... rock on!