The Day My Life Changed...

So roughly one year ago today,my life changed. At my point in life I had assumed that the only significant change that was in front of me had something to do with my prostate. And, while I suspect that this is still in my future, something completely out of the blue occurred to me a year ago which has probably changed me forever as well as the lives of those closest to me: I became friends with Terry Anderson.
I won't go into the complete story here, but if anyone is interested, go to Terry's blog at www.whassupta.blogspot.com and look at the archives of December 21,2006. While you're at it, look at his entry after his Christmas gig last year-it's particularly jarring due to the events of this past month(i.e.,Dave Enloe's passing).
So here I am, on the eve of actually releasing my own record on Terry's label("Trailer Park Angel", hopefully to be released on Doublenaught Records in March), and opening for him at his big annual Christmas/Birthday Party at the Pour House( get there early! I go on at 8pm)in Raleigh-on of all occassions, the rock and roll MEMORIAL for Dave Enloe(who,the more I learn about him, the more clear it seems to me that we may have been kindred spirits who might also have become close friends).
Thank you Terry and thank you Jack Cornell. I was walking this planet for alot of years missing the brothers I did not know I had. And now my life is richer and more exciting than I ever previously had thought possible.
Hope this gives you all reason enough to consider the following life style choice: optimism.
Merry Christmas,happy holidays.

Thank You, Ike Turner....

Ike Turner died yesterday and I suspect quite a number of folks are ok with that, not the least of whom is prolly the woman known as "Tina". But I gotta say that I truly believe in divorcing the musician from the man when one considers,as a fan, the loss of any such figure.
Ike was among the first original baddasses in modern soul/rock music. Shit, he played a Tele long before Keef ever considered doing so. He created an idea for an act that The Stones totally adopted, folks. Go see a clip of what the Stones look and acted like in 1965 and compare it to footage of The Stones in "Gimme Shelter", taken from their '69 Tour. Notice the difference? Do you really think it's coincidental that their opening act on that tour was The Ike and Tina Turner Review?
I'm sure that, in his hard core drug addicted years, Ike was an S.O.B and that "Tina" was lucky to escape with her life, most of her teeth and a few of her hair weaves. Still, that mother knew how to rock and folks like him are dyin off one by one at a brisk pace with nary anyone coming up behiind them to take their place. So,today, I say a prayer and have a drink for Ike...and Rock and Roll..and us. 'Aint no doubt that Rock and Roll is on it's way to the same fate. So while we're still on our feet and the concept of true Rock and Roll is still carried on in the memories of at least a few of us of folks like Ike or David Enlowe,let's order one more round and offer up this last prayer to, as Huey Lewis once croaked, the heart of Rock and Roll: fuck 'em!

"...And that Trailer Park Angel's in my house tonight, and she's prayin it's gonna be alright..."

 

Some Girls...

 

My Thanksgiving Working Holiday...

I had business in New York before Thanksgivng. Since Rick Richards and his wife, Lori Lee Maxim, were scheduled to fly in to the 919 so that Rick could work on my record, I decided to do my business, so to speak, in NYC and then meet up with Rick in Raleigh and stay in Raleigh through Thanksgiving. Boy did I make the right call. Just had a great time, with so many special memories to share with so many special people, that I don't think that I have the time to do it justice in this blog. So, while I'm trying to make the time to write this up, here are somoe photos that I took along the way that I think will give y'all a glimpse of what it's been like.
Oh,and by the way, Terry Anderson has bestowed upon me one of the highest honors of my life: he has invited me to play on the bill of his annual birthday/Christmas rock and roll bash at The Pourhouse in Raleigh, Christmas night. It's gonna be an unbelievable opportunity for me to be introduced to the very knowlegeable rock and roll audience that attends that show every year and is sure to be a memory that I'll never forget. So, if you'll be in the neighborhood, hope to see you out there. Until then, I hope you enjoy the following pics.

One of the Best Rock Guitarists in the World: Rick Richards

 

Pilate Cornell

 

Your Humble Narrator

 

The Color of Thanksgiving and The Speed of Life in Raleigh

 

Thanksgiving in Raleigh

 

Uh...How Cool Is This?

 

Prettiest Sight in the World

 

Any Questions..?

 

Rick Richards and a Very Happy Jonathan Lowry at Work

 

Rick Richards and Terry Anderson in Control Room-"We Become Strangers"

 

Rick Richards and Lori Lee Maxim

 

This is How Thanksgiving is Done in Raleigh

 

Bloated at The Huebners for Thanksgiving

 

T-51 and Boy Howdy

 

Tamper Proof Seal and Roscoe

 

Mr. Keith Christopher

 

Today I Give Thanks....

....For whatever's in the sky above that has lead my path to cross with the likes of Terry Anderson,Jack Cornell,Greg Rice, Dave Bartholomew,Keith Christopher, Jesse Huebner, Jonathan Lowry,Keith Christopher,Rick Richards,Barry Hearndon, Lutie Cain,Joe Yeary,John Jones, Kevin Kaufman,Chris Peet,Michele Simon,Debbie Collier,Victor Reyes,Candace Eaton,Barry Heisler,Jodi Tamowitz,Norm Taplin,Ed Hayes,Mary Jo Davi,Kathy Szabo,Christine Phipps,Rene Abrams,Gerry Krochak,Roy Fitzgerald and my amazing sister, Marlan. These are folks that I'd gladly share a foxhole with and whose friendship continues to sustain me. I hope that you too take a moment today to take stock of the friends in your life who have your back and that you rededicate yourself to being sure to always have theirs too. I truly believe that this is the secret to life. To all my good friends and to those good friends that I've yet to meet in this world,long may you run.
Happy Thanksgiving,y'all.

Rock Throwing Lawyers

So I've been reading the front page, just like you, and have been struck by the sight of Pakistani lawyers, in business suits, in the streets, throwing stones and Malitov cocktails at the Army that is attempting to repress all dissent and send all of the intellectuals to prison. Dubya has been holding hands with the "President" since 911 in the naive hope that this guy will help crack down on Al Queda and "find Bin Ladin". Ofcourse, we've pumped millions upon millions of dollars into this guy's pockets(clearly it's political payola), we're no closer to captuirng Bin Laden and now, by aligning America with a fascist anti-democratic dictator, any fool(except Dubya) can see that we'll only increase fresh Al Queda recruits by the tens of thousands. Oh and did I need to point out the obvious---Pakistan has NUCLEAR WEAPONS WITH AN EFFECTIVE DELIVERY SYSTEM??
But I digress. The point of my entry this morning, young people, is to hope and pray that,when the current group of modern day American fascists start cracking down on dissent in this country by suspending our constitution because of the next "security crisis", my brothers and sisters at the Bar will have the courage and soul to stand up and fight for our constitutional liberties.
Ofcourse, that might risk things like making mortgage payments, funding college funds, taking kids to ballet lessons, missing "American Idol",going shopping....

"Terry Anderson and The Olympic Ass-Kickin Team-Live From Hell!!!

 

 

 

 

 

"We Went to the NC State Fair and All I Can Say Is Shasayaaaham, Dude"!