Monty Warren's Blog Thingy

2008-06-17T14:42:00.000-04:00

A Funny/Sad Thing Happened On The Way To The Circus

2008-06-17T14:21:00.002-04:00

As Warren Zevon said, "Life'll Kill Ya".
The train has come off the tracks and,since nobody reads this thing except my soon to be x-partner's lawyer anyway,it's only sporting to report the bad news.
The bottom line: I've made and now have sadly lost some one time good friends and I'll miss them for years to come.
It truly was a great experience making this record, coming to Raleigh, seeing another world and learning another way to live and I will never regret having met these folks or having gone through the experience.
"Trailer Park Angel" was to have been released today nationally...not gonna happen. Doublenaught Records has had a change of heart and the record and I are currently homeless again.
But life is funny and you never know what will be coming 'round the mountain when she comes. I'm happy to send it to anyone who'd like to listen to it-just send a message with a mailing address--it truly is a special record and somehow,some way,folks will one day hear it(you can hear free excerpts and get free downloads at www.trailerparkangel.com)
Stay tuned you little pimply faced, lost web-surfer you...and be very careful what you wish for.

Whew! Too Much To Report-A Pic's Worth A Bunch of Words...

2008-06-06T14:16:00.003-04:00

Since my last dispatch: threw a little house party,was interviewed on Mike Elliott's radio shhow,'The Homegrown Hour", played a huge CD Release Party Gig at The Pour House in Raleigh, with Rick Richards and Caitlin Cary and The O.A.K.Team,got booked to play the Lakeside Lounge in NYC Sept 27, got a GREAT review of "Trailer Park Angel"from Rick Cornell of The Independent Weekly, the record comes out WORLDWIDE June 17,2008...and the story continues....

Enjoy the pics! Monty

Live From the 919! Monty Warren with Special Guests, Rick Richards,The O.A.K. Team,The Friggin Whatevers....(Raleigh,Pour House-May 31,2008)

2008-06-06T14:10:00.001-04:00

2008-06-06T14:09:00.001-04:00

2008-06-06T14:09:00.000-04:00

2008-06-06T14:08:00.001-04:00

2008-06-06T14:08:00.000-04:00

2008-06-06T14:07:00.000-04:00

My Little Home Away From Home in the 919

2008-06-06T14:05:00.001-04:00

Jesse Huebner(Tres Chicas/Patty Hurst Shifter),Me,Mike Elliott of US 98.3fm,Jack Cornell and Mike's Dad(Happy Father's Day)

2008-06-06T14:04:00.001-04:00

My Last House Party with The O.A.K. Team

2008-06-06T14:03:00.001-04:00

Performing on MIke Elliott's "Homegrown Hour"US 98.3FM(Y'all Need to Drop What you're Doing Every Sunday Night at 7pm EST-www.us983.com)

2008-06-06T14:01:00.006-04:00

Rockin Dopsie Jr. At Mid-City Lanes Rock N Bowl-Jazzfest Weekend,NOLA

2008-06-06T14:01:00.004-04:00

Some Guests Enjoy The Pool At Casa De Monty

2008-06-06T14:01:00.003-04:00

Yakkin Away on 'The Homegrown Hour"

2008-06-06T14:00:00.003-04:00

I Fought The Law and The Law Definitely Won!

2008-06-06T14:00:00.002-04:00

MIke Elliott,Me and Miss Stanely,Oxford,NC,May 31,2008

2008-06-06T13:59:00.002-04:00

2008-06-06T13:59:00.000-04:00

New Orleans Heritage and Jazz Festival...ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES!!!

2008-06-06T13:57:00.003-04:00

Mofro Rocked at Tippitina's in NOLA Night Before Jazzfest Opened(GO BUY THEIR RECORDS...ALL OF THEM...THEN BUY MINE!!!)

2008-06-06T13:57:00.002-04:00

Rockin Dopsie Jr's Lil Bro-Dwayne Dopsie-Killed 'Em at Jazzfest!

2008-06-06T13:56:00.002-04:00

2008-06-06T13:56:00.000-04:00

Went To Jazzfest in New Orleans and Made Some Friends....Gamba Winery Wished Me Well...

2008-06-06T13:53:00.000-04:00

Personal Bottle from the Gambas of Gamba Winery

2008-06-06T13:50:00.001-04:00

I LOVE GAMBA WINE!! It is simpmly unmatched among all producers of Red Zin in the world! I get no money for saying so--tyrust me! I Know what I'm talking about.
I've written a song entitled: "Leaving Me is Fine(But Don't Take My Gamba Wine). Go check it out on Youtube!

More Early Reviews of "Trailer Park Angel"(on sale now at www.cdbaby.com)...

2008-04-22T10:37:00.003-04:00

"...From gritty foot-stompers to jangly roots and blues belters to acoustic melancholy, Warren's debut brims with a rare and raw musical sincerity-one which proves his aim to be true..."-Gerry Krochak, Vex Magazine, Calgary, CN

"Doublenaught Records recording artist, Monty Warren's freshman release, "Trailer Park Angel", fires off a canon shot with the radio friendly "Lonely Girl" and continues to blast through another 13 tracks. Like Ryan Adams, Tom Petty,Warren wears his influences proudly and loudly...steeped in The Stones...rocking,touching and vulnerable..."- Afterhoursmusicblog.com

"****-From Monty Warren's first chord on "Lonely Girl" throughout the rest of this album, this boy rocks and writes songs that could have,should have, been on the likes of "Exiles"and "Damn The Torpedoes"...[y]ou will love this gem"-www.cdbaby.com

Look Out!

2008-04-15T09:27:00.005-04:00

"Trailer Park Angel" is now commercially available at www.cdbaby.com!!
Early reviews:

"Ever wonder what Bob Dylan,Keith Richards,Paul Westerberg and Steve Jordan would sound like in a band together?"-Bill Meredith, Palm Beach Post

"Monty Warren and his band of sturdy veteran rockers bring the Rock'n'Roll big time on his debut, "Trailer Park Angel"(Doublenaught)! Stonesy riffs mixed with a little Ramones attitude. Burning rockers pausing just long enoough for a couple of tough but tender ballads. Trailer Park Angel grabs you from the first listen, and just gets better every spin."- Mike Elliott,host "The Homegrown Hour", WLUS 98.3 FM,North Carolina

"Trailer Park Angel" rocks!!- Phil Wolff frontman of WeRComin,Spain

" I really love this record!" Eric "Roscoe" Ambel(Steve Earle and The Dukes,The Yayhoos, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts,The Bottle Rockets)

It will soon be available on Itunes and in record stores all over the world. You can listen to half of it free at www.trailerparkangel.com
If you dig it, please pass the word to fans of authentic rock'n'roll everywhere. Only you can prevent the music world from being taken over by tasteless,tuneless,brainless dipshits! But I don't mean that in a bad way.

2008-04-10T12:44:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday,Mom!

2008-04-10T12:34:00.003-04:00

Today would have been my mother's 87th birthday. In celebration of that fact, I am taking myslef to Raleigh today and will be hopefully attending the opening day of The Durham Bulls with my recently discovered Raleigh brothers.
My mom loved baseball...and The Rolling Stones so I'm also gonna go see Shine A Light for the 3rd time once I hit RDU. Damn that is a great movie for any rock and roll fan to go see! If at all possible, try to hold out to see it in IMAX format-it is jaw dropping, grin producingly good!
Whatever good that happened in my life I owe to my Mom. She was really something else and I devoted much of my life trying to save hers. I will forever be grateful to the friends,family and lovers I had in my life who helped me help her through her very difficult journey and will silently be thinking and thanking each of you for all you helped me to do for her(even if today you hate me like poison)throughout the rest of this weekend.
So happy birthday, Mom and I hope you found a sharp looking guy up there to jitterbug with and that you're laughing all the time.

Hey! Come Here....I Wanna Show You Somethin....

2008-04-06T10:37:00.004-04:00

Doublenaught Records has a pretty nifty website in the process of being set up. I've added a link to it but in case you're too lazy to darg your mouse, so to speak, down and to the right-go to www.doublenaughtrecords.com

The Doublenaught site is the ONLY place currently in the world that you can go to in order to buy my record,"Trailer Park Angel"(World Release will be May 20-after which PLEASE GO TO YOUR LOCAL RECORD STORE AND ORDER IT!!!!!) Although I suppose I could sell it on my own website(www.trailerparkangel.com), I have decided NOT to compete against my brothers and am encouraging you, little one, to go over to their site, where you will receive a PRESHRUNKEN!!! Doublenaught Records T-Shirt AND!!!!??? A FREE Doublenaught Records Sampler with EVERY PURCHASE!!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!Maybe if enough of you do so, Doublenaught will be able to budget some revisions to their website so that links to all their acts' webpages will be added to their site!Oh what joy dreaming can be!

And what a sampler it is! Not only will you get a version of "Lonely Girl" that is not on the album and is destined to become a collector's item, but you will hear some great music from labelmates The T's(www.myspace.com/thetttttt),The Cartridge Family(www.thecartridgefamily.org),The Bleeding Hearts(www.myspace.com/thebleedinghearts)Keith Christopher and ofcourse Terry Anderson and The Olympic Ass-Kickin Team(see link above and to the right).

So go! Go! My work is done. There's nothing to see here. Go! Don't look back! I said go!!

Memories. Like the Colors of My Mind....

2008-04-02T11:32:00.002-04:00

So my ex-wife(who has wisely decided to have nothing to do with me anymore)dropped a bunch of photos from 1979-80 in the mail to me. The envelope just contained a bunch of priceless pictures from my past-when I was in college in Atlanta circa 1980ish. There was a green sticky attached to the back of one which said,"I thought you might want these". She thought right. Since she could have burned them instead of taking the time to send them to me, I am once again in her debt and I am sharing some of them with you, you little lost 13 year old web surfer you. Enjoy-this is what rock and roll used to look like---more or less....

Oy to the Vey

2008-04-02T11:26:00.000-04:00

Alan Venable and I at a Club in Atlanta '80-81(Think it was "The BIstro" which was run by "Baby" of "Baby and The Pacifiers"-not kidding)

2008-04-02T11:25:00.000-04:00

My First Band:"The Fixx"-1981(Before the other guys from England ruined the name)

2008-04-02T11:23:00.000-04:00

Ramones at Atlanta Agora Ballroom 1980

2008-04-02T11:20:00.000-04:00

2008-04-02T11:18:00.000-04:00

Dee Dee in Flight(Atlanta Agora Ballroom 1980)

2008-04-02T11:16:00.000-04:00

New Barbarians at Atlanta Omni 1979 or 80(I think)

2008-04-02T11:13:00.000-04:00

2008-04-02T11:12:00.000-04:00

2008-04-02T11:11:00.001-04:00

Happy,Happy-Joy,Joy!

2008-03-24T15:32:00.000-04:00

2008-03-24T15:30:00.000-04:00

2008-03-24T15:29:00.000-04:00

I Am Blessed....

2008-03-24T15:14:00.002-04:00

Too much is occuring to report timely. Since my last dispatch, "Kill A Love" received it's first air play on a COUNTRY station (98.3 fm WLUS-see www.us983.com and click on 'Homegrown Hour'),The Friggin Whatevers and I played a rockin gig on March 15 at The Pourhouse in Raleigh(videos can be found on Youtube under montywarren1960),got booked to HEADLINE at The Pour House on May 31,2008 for an allstar reunion to celebrate the release of "Trailer Park Angel"(distributed worldwide by Burnside),reunited with my long lost mate, John Bemiller-one of this country's best all around guitar players(we were in "The Fallen Angels' together about 15 years ago and he received recent national recognition in'The Hell Hounds'),received an offer of promotional help from a Spanish rock star(Phil Wolf of WeRComin-look him/them up on Myspace),got tickets to take my friend and producer, Jack Cornell, to see The New York Dolls for Jack's birthday present,and this is all just off the top of my head.
In addition to the above,I've maintained my professional business practice and, at the same time, maintained my cool(more or less) in the face of adversity.
Who the Hell am I and what have I done with your regularly scheduled blogger???

2008-03-11T19:33:00.000-04:00

Happy Anniversary!!!

2008-03-11T19:09:00.003-04:00

A year ago today my life changed-I played with Terry Anderson and The Olympic Ass-Kickin team(Jack Cornell,Dave Bartholomew,Greg Rice)for the first time and the universe,as I understood it, exploded. 1 year to the day after I first shook their hands,the first commercially packaged CD of "Trailer Park Angel" arrived in my mail box. And get this...same day as that: this month's Uncut Magazine featuring-on the COVER NO LESS, Mick n Keef! If that isn't a sign of something I don't know what is!
One year after meeting these guys,I have a completed record that is going to be released-WORLDWIDE(by Burnside Distribution)May 20. This means that y'all can right now go to your local Target,Best Buy-what have you, and place an advanced order for "Trailer Park Angel" recorded by "Monty Warren' on "Doublenaught Records"and they should be able to find it in their computer(or at least by April they probably will be able to find it). In the last few days, several COMMERCIAL radio stations have expressed an interest in playing the record-and we have not even started making any 'come ons' to them. Virtually every single radio,music or media person who has heard this stupid thing has gotten excited...so, damn it-guess I will too!
Since my last dispatch, things have happened at such a brisk pace I couldn't keep up with it on the blog. I've formed a hellava backing band called "The Friggin Whatevers" and we've played several great gigs-each one getting even better than the preceding gig,received the warmest possible reception form the great rockin folks of Raleigh,N.C. and my outlook on life has radically changed from a year ago today.
Today, I am grateful to have gotten to know the most sincere, funny, generous,giving and intelligent folks in Raleigh who seem to genuinely root for and help each other rather than to backbite and sabatoge each other out of petty jealousies. I am grateful to still have great clients and co-workers who continue to support me and root for this music thing while sticking with me professionally too. And I am grateful to have,finally,some validation that what I have spent my life believing would be music that most folks would relate to and enjoy-seems to have turned out to be correct(though,it is still way too early to probably reach this conclusion safely-but it's my blog so screw you).
To all of the folks who have helped make me a happy person for once in my life-I will never forget you or be able to repay or thank you enough. To all of those folks who are beginning to get on board and have expressed excitement and enthusiasm-I love you more than you know. To those folks who yawn or dismiss this-know what? I forgive ya-why do you think we're called "The Friggin Whatevers"?
So keep checking www.trailerparkangel.com for more videos,new tracks,tour dates, record sale and merch info..and advice column updates.
I luv ya-even if I shouldn't.

Thank You,Caitlin

2008-02-01T14:59:00.000-05:00

A year ago, if you had told me that my first solo record was about to be mastered and prepared for worldwide distribution, I would have asked you to pick me up an extra tube of the same glue you were sniffing. If you would have then told me that,not only would the record be supported by the likes of Terry Anderson(who wrote one of my favorite songs,"Battleship Chains" as well as :"I Love You Period")and Rick Richards(who sang "Battleship Chains"and charted with it,plays with Izzy Stradlin and The Ju Ju Hounds)but that also Caitlin Cary(Whiskeytown/Ryan Adams/Tres Chicas) would play violin and sing a duet with me on it-I probably would have spoken very calmly to you and gently escorted you to the nearest involuntary psychiatric admission.
But life is very,very strange.
Yesterday, I was having a rough day when I received an e-mail from...Caitlin Cary...THANKING ME for "INCLUDING HER" in this record. I was completley sober at the time so i am sure that this was not a delusion.
Ladies and Gentlemen, when you hear the track that she sang and played on you will only wish that, instead of it having been a duet,she would have sang the entire song by herself. She has a beautiful heartbreaking voice and her violin is an extension of that beautiful,painful voice.I wrote the song and have heard it replayed now without her on it probably 300 times. But as soon as she made her appearance, that song was changed forever.
What's more-it's probably the song that was the most painful for me to write as well as the song of which I was most proud when I wrote it, yet was least sure of including on the record-until Caitlin blessed the song with her gifts.
The song is called "Kill A Love" and here are the lyrics:

If you kill a love
It don't die fast
It shakes and it shudders
'fore it breathes it's last

If you kill a love
You'll hurt the most
You'll find yourself haunted
By Love's lonely ghost

Now son, are you listening to me?
You kill a love you will never be free
Now son, better hear what I say
You kill a love
You won't walk away.

If you kill a love
Be ashamed of yourself
Don't look in the mirror
Or up on the shelf
Cuz if you kill a love
And you get up the nerve
You'll find in the long run
You'll get what you deserve

Now son, are you listening to me?
You kill a love you will never get free
Now boy, better hear what I say
You kill a love
You can never walk away
Now son, are you listening to me
You kill that love you will never get free
Now boy, better hear what I say,
Don't you kill that love.
["Kill A Love" Monty Warren/Son Of A Pup Music c 2008]

Thank you again,Caitlin, for making a dream come true.

It's Alive!! It's Alive!!

2008-01-26T02:32:00.000-05:00

Silver train is a rollin. Think I'm gonna get on board. Oh yeah....
The offical band web site is now up and provides a much easier link to the Myspace page. Go to www.trailerparkangel.com for all Friggin, all the time.

Peace,love and Friggin Whatever,dude!

It's Not Your Job To be As Confused As Nigel...

2008-01-25T10:12:00.000-05:00

Ok,ok-so it's obvious that I need handlers. I screwed up yesterday and gave you, oh gentle reader, the incorrect address to my 'new and vastly improved' Myspace page. The correct address is www.myspace.com/montywarrenthefrigginwhatevers and I'll post a link there from this Blog.
Incredibly, after being up only 1 day-it has already gotten about 130 hits as of this morning. Also,it is a real thrill for me to see the folks who have already enrolled as my 'friends'-a list ranging from some cool bands to my guitar hero and now friend in 'real life', Rick Richards.

I wish to thank again, Dave Bartholomew and Raymond Goodman for helping to set this up in a way so that the general public will be fooled into thinking that I'm an actual 'bona fide' rock star. I am truly blessed to now know folks such as these.

So if you have not yet visited-give it a look. You can hear a track from the upcoming record and see some very cool photos. I'll also post some interesting videos as well as provide show and record release info.

So c'mon in! As it turns out, the water's pretty damn fine. Who woulda thunk it.

Hey! Psst....Wanna Hear Somethin...?

2008-01-24T07:28:00.001-05:00

Big Daddy Dave Bartholomew,bless his rockin heart,has set me up with a proper Band Myspace Page. This means that, if you go to it, you can hear free samples off of my upcoming record. So, if you're interested, go to www.myspace.com/montywarrenfrigginwhatevers
This will be the 'official' Page and will be updated with more goodies, pics,videos,show info, record purcharse info,etc.

Barry Herndon Rocks!

2008-01-21T13:44:00.000-05:00

We played Slim's Downtown on Friday and,despite having 2 bandmembers who were sick as dogs,I have to say that we hit it outta the park. The bandmembers of the headlining band, Watershed,turned out to become big fans of the band and were rocking out directly in front of the stage and cheering me on throughout the set. About 20 people approached me after the gig to give us kudos on the set. It was like some kind of dream.
But I want to tell you that this band wouldn't rock like we did without a great drummer like Barry Herndon. This guy is a real pro and is among the first drummers I've played with who understands that "less is more" and hits the livin shit out of the back beat I need. He's also one Helluva nice, level headed and responsible guy.
In fact, I am blessed to be in a band with each of the folks who have stepped forward to help me get this thing off the ground(Joe Yerry-guitar, Lutie Cain-bass) and will provide features on each of them in the coming pages.
Anyway, the record("Trailer Park Angel") is nearly complete and I couldn't be more pleased with the rough mixes I have heard. It looks like it will be mastered the first week of February and may be ready for world release by April. I will post a free sample on my myspace page(search myspace for montywarrenandthefrigginwhatevers if you're interested) in the next day or 2. Artwork and photos are being finished up as I type.
It's all very hard to believe. Meanwhile,gotta get back to real life for a while-as Tom Waites wrote,you gotta get behind the wheel every mornin and plow.

Raymond Goodman Rocks

2008-01-13T08:27:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite scenes in Pulp Fiction is the one where'The Wolf' tells Vincent Vega and Jules Winfield to 'get to work' and Vincent says,"'please' would be nice".
Winston Wolf(who has been called in to essentially do the thinking for these two hitmen who are now in a jam and need someone to help them figure out how to get out of it)stops dead in his tracks and says, "come again"? Vincent, steps forward and repeats his request and explains that, although he respects Winston, he does not appreciate anyone barking orders at him and suggests that a showing of mutual respect would be more likely to result in improving Vincent's performance.
Yesterday, I spent all day and most of the better part of the night working with different artistic directors(for lack of a better word),each with different styles and approaches to their craft and I came away with a new appreciation for Tarantino's inclusion of that scene with Winston Wolf in the final cut of Pulp Fiction.
The Wolf proceeds to pointedly explain that, if he fails to include common courtesies in his dealings with them it is only because he talks fast, thinks fast and,if self preservation is an instinct that the 2 hitmen possess, they'd better listen to him and act fast.
Which brings me to yesterday. I spent all day with one of the leading, most sought after rock photographers in Raleigh, if not the Southeast. His name is Raymond Goodman. If there is a 'creative artist' type guy who could have justfified acting like a diva and barking at his novice subject all afternoon, Raymond could
have gotten away with it because his work product is so outstanding and special that he would be in constant demand even if he was a prick(see e.g., stories about Annie Leibovitz). Yet, Raymond could not have been nicer, more hospitible,and more respectful of me and my opinions and visions while at the same time being completely honest and driven by the pursuit of perfection. This, gentle reader(s)is not easily come by in the world.
To again quote from Pulp Fiction, "It is a miracle and I want you to fucking acknowledge it!'

What I Did On Christmas Vacation...

2008-01-02T13:00:00.000-05:00

Whoa daddy! What a holiday it was. Saw Neil Young at Reverend Ike's Theatre in NYC. Had dinner, lunch, and alot of Vodka with Keith Christopher. Opened for Terry Anderson at his annual Christmas show in Raleigh, which this year took on added meaning since it was also a memorial for Dave Enloe. Dedicated myself, as a New Years' resolution, to continue to piss the world off by having way more fun than anyone else you know can get away with and still somehow be a productive and prosperous member of what is losely known as society...
Anyway, here are a few pics to give you a glimpse into this wild ride. I promise you that '08 will be a Happy Friggin New Year!

Big Daddy

2008-01-02T12:52:00.000-05:00

Grace (Mrs. T-51) Anderson Leads the Band During 'The Woods" Set-Xmas '07

2008-01-02T12:51:00.000-05:00

God I Love To See My Girls On Stage!

2008-01-02T12:46:00.000-05:00

Balloons From My Sister Arrived Just Before Showtime

2008-01-02T12:44:00.000-05:00

Slick Judge Vic and T-51

2008-01-02T12:42:00.001-05:00

Pilate Looks Like I Feel These Days

2008-01-02T12:42:00.000-05:00

2008-01-02T12:39:00.000-05:00

2008-01-02T12:34:00.000-05:00

2007-12-31T21:52:00.000-05:00

The Day My Life Changed...

2007-12-21T12:57:00.000-05:00

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....

2007-12-13T12:39:00.000-05:00

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..."

2007-12-09T20:29:00.000-05:00

Some Girls...

2007-12-06T11:12:00.000-05:00

My Thanksgiving Working Holiday...

2007-11-27T11:40:00.000-05:00

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

2007-11-27T11:39:00.000-05:00

Pilate Cornell

2007-11-27T11:14:00.001-05:00

Your Humble Narrator

2007-11-27T11:14:00.000-05:00

The Color of Thanksgiving and The Speed of Life in Raleigh

2007-11-27T11:13:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving in Raleigh

2007-11-27T11:10:00.000-05:00

Uh...How Cool Is This?

2007-11-27T11:08:00.000-05:00

Prettiest Sight in the World

2007-11-27T11:07:00.000-05:00

Any Questions..?

2007-11-27T11:02:00.000-05:00

Rick Richards and a Very Happy Jonathan Lowry at Work

2007-11-27T11:01:00.000-05:00

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

2007-11-27T11:00:00.000-05:00

Rick Richards and Lori Lee Maxim

2007-11-27T10:58:00.000-05:00

This is How Thanksgiving is Done in Raleigh

2007-11-27T10:57:00.000-05:00

Bloated at The Huebners for Thanksgiving

2007-11-27T10:52:00.000-05:00

T-51 and Boy Howdy

2007-11-27T10:50:00.000-05:00

Tamper Proof Seal and Roscoe

2007-11-27T10:49:00.001-05:00

Mr. Keith Christopher

2007-11-27T10:49:00.000-05:00

Today I Give Thanks....

2007-11-22T16:00:00.000-05:00

....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

2007-11-07T10:57:00.000-05:00

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!!!

2007-11-02T07:48:00.000-04:00

2007-11-02T07:47:00.000-04:00

2007-11-02T07:46:00.000-04:00

2007-11-02T07:45:00.000-04:00

2007-11-02T07:44:00.000-04:00

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

2007-10-25T10:15:00.000-04:00

2007-10-25T10:13:00.000-04:00

2007-10-25T10:12:00.000-04:00

Even Rock and Roll Geniuses Need Deep Fried Foods-Meet Jack Cornell and Jonathan Lowry-Rock Music Producers and Lovers of Deep Fat

2007-10-25T10:11:00.000-04:00

God, I Love Raleigh!

2007-10-19T11:57:00.000-04:00

The gig last night at Sadlack's was an incredible dream come true. A very tough,knowlegeable rock and roll crowd embrassed me by the end of the night. Folks were actually chanting, "Monty,Monty,Monty...", demanding encores after a 2 hour performance. Al Anderson and Terry Anderson not only show up, but stay for the night-sit 3 feet away from me as I performed some of their own songs in front of them. Then, God bless him, Terry hops behind the drums and off we go on impromptu versions of "Bottle and A Bible" and "Let it Loose", with the entire house singing along.
You know,I doubt that this would happen virtually anywhere else. These people are just the warmest, most honest, sharpest folks I've ever been around. Maybe there's a kinship among underdogs.
I'm gonna think about that and get back to you...but right now, I'm gonna go get a Mexican lunch with my long lost brother, Jack Cornell, and continue to thumb my nose at anyone who's got a stick too far up their ass to get what I'm talking about, and celebrate the fuck out of my having survived another year in this best of all possible worlds.
Happy birthday to me.

3 Days To Go....

2007-10-15T17:35:00.000-04:00

Only 3 more days before my big debut at Sadlack's, in Raleigh, on Chuck Berry's birthday-October 18 at 7pm. I've been working through my set list and playing around with the "Dylan/Neil Young harmonica/orthodontia deal" and may just work up the courage to play harmonica while I'm playing acoustic through some songs.
My thanks to Greg Rice for booking me and to Barry Herndon for agreeing to help me out on this gig.
It's gonna be a party! Hope to see y'all out!

October: A Great Month For Musical Birthdays...

2007-10-11T09:31:00.000-04:00

John Lennon-October 9;
Chuck Berry-October 18;
Tom Petty-October 20;
Monty Warren-October 19....

Top Ten Reasons That Keith Richard's Been My Lifelong Hero

2007-10-09T08:59:00.000-04:00

(10)5 String Open Tuned Natural Tele;
(9)Ends most sentences with a smoker's laugh;
(8)2 words:Skull Ring;
(7)Truly loves to play guitar;
(6)Truly loves to hold a guitar;
(5)Always wears the guitar slung just so;
(4)Saunters around like he doesn't give a shit;
(3)He doesn't give a shit;
(2)Made Country Cool;
(1)Taught 2 Generations how to say:"Fuck You".

Miami Dolphins 'Fight Song"

2007-10-08T09:58:00.000-04:00

"...Miami Dolphins. Miami Dolphins. Miami Dolphins number...32! Yes, we're the Miami Dolphins.....

"The Very Best of Mick Jagger" ....

2007-10-05T15:13:00.000-04:00

Bwahaahaaahaaa! Mwhahaaahaha! Ok,ok-seriously...Bwhaaahaaahaaaaa!!!!!!