I’m not sure that I’ve ever posted this picture on here before. It is possible that I may have in the early blog posts. Honestly, it is one of my favorite school pictures. May I present, second grade Keith:
To me, this is one of the most honest smiles I’ve ever had in a school picture. As good as I look in orange, I don’t really have too many orange shirts in my wardrobe.
This photo of me led to one of my favorite lines on our morning show. I had been talking about my brother-in-law at the time. He could not stand the site of blood. However, his daughter had a loose tooth and he said, “Come here and let me pull it out.”
This led to me saying to my partner, Stephanie, and newsman, Hal, “Remember when you were in elementary school and you’d get your second or third grade picture back and you’d have like 4 teeth missing? I think my second grade picture is like that.” Stephanie, without missing a beat replies:
“Let’s get the visual, Hal. That’s back when Keith had hair and no teeth. Now he has teeth and no hair!”
That’s a great example of why she was such a good co-host/partner! That was such a perfect line!
I know that this may step on the toes of Dave over at A Sound Day as his feature Turntable Talk this month will feature write ups about “Spooky Hits.” What follows is a piece I wrote about DJing Halloween Parties and the “must have” songs.
It shouldn’t ruin Dave’s feature much, as all I am doing is listing songs. So be sure to be on the lookout for Dave’s Spooky edition of Turntable Talk starting today.
(This post was originally from October of 2022.)
I have DJ’d countless Halloween parties. This year I had to turn down one of my favorite ones. For the past few years a local daycare throws a big party and kids and their parents dress up in costumes and it is always a blast. Due to my current work schedule, I was just not able to be there this year.
I always had to have a variety of “haunted” hits to play at these parties. In case you are looking for musical ideas for your Halloween party, here is a starter list.
As much as I hate this record, you have to play Bobby “Boris” Pickett
You’ve also gotta play Michael Jackson’s Thriller. (Love Vincent Price’s narration in this!)
A personal favorite is from the Classics IV – Spooky
I always loved Jumpin’ Gene Simmons version of Haunted House
A favorite of the kids – This Is Halloween from The Nightmare Before Christmas
Speaking of nightmares, DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince offer up Nightmare on My Street
A great one from The Eagles – Witchy Woman
Kid Rock sampled this one for All Summer Long – Werewolves of London from Warren Zevon
You gotta play Clap for the Wolfman from the Guess Who
How about the silly song called The Blob by The Five Blobs?
The Hocus Pocus movie brought this one back, but the original is the best version – I Put a Spell On You by Screaming Jay Hawkins
How about some Rockwell? Somebody’s Watching Me
Be careful who you run around with …. Van Halen – Runnin’ With the Devil
Another favorite of mine – Santana – Black Magic Woman
It’s a very rare occurrence to have a full moon on Halloween, but this song works all year round. Bad Moon Rising – CCR
The moon causes the Shadows in the Night – Pat Benatar
Beware of the walking dead …. Zombie by the Cranberries
Another overplayed Halloween Song – The Purple People Eater – Sheb Wooley
I suppose you have to play Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters
Going back to the 50’s for a couple crazy songs …
The Mummy from Bob McFadden and Dor
From Chipmunk creator David Seville – The Witch Doctor
Grab a bite with a vampire – Dinner With Drac from John Zacherle
Three Devilish songs now –
Devil with the Blue Dress – Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
Sympathy for the Devil – The Rolling Stones
A classic from The Charlie Daniels Band – The Devil Went Down to Georgia
Alice Cooper did this one in Wayne’s World – Feed My Frankenstein
Speaking of Frankenstein – how about the Edgar Winter classic instrumental..
Need some cowbell?? Don’t Fear The Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult
A song I have blogged about in the past – Superstition – Stevie Wonder
Demons – Imagine Dragons
Trick or Treat … I Want Candy – Bow Wow Wow
Another 80’s flashback … Dead Man’s Party – Oingo Boingo
Lots of requests for Enter Sandman – Metallica
All good lists need a cut from Frank Sinatra – Witchcraft
I’ve never really understood how this is a Halloween song, but everyone wants to do the Time Warp from the Rocky Horror Picture Show
From another film (Rain Man) The Delta Rhythm Boys -sing about Dem Bones
Now, some kid favorites which had me searching YouTube a lot ….
Spooky Scary Skeletons
I sang this in music class when I was in elementary school and kids are still singing it today – Witches Brew
Then you can fill in with various Theme songs from films and TV …
Scooby Doo
Tales From The Crypt
The Twilight Zone
The Munsters
The Addams Family
The X-Files
Whew!!
Watch for my Turntable Talk pick in the days ahead on Dave’s sight (and eventually here). It is a song that I don’t mention in this blog!
Happy 68th Birthday to Kevin Pollak! He is known for his roles in the Grumpy Old Men series and A Few Good Men. Prior to that, he was a stand up comedian. During his act he would often do some fantastic impressions. Let’s laugh our way closer to the weekend….
One of my favorite impressions is his Peter Falk. Watch how he can do Falk’s eye!
I’ve heard some good Christopher Walken impressions, but Pollak’s is really the best.
My brother and I always made fun of William Shatner growing up, so when I heard Kevin’s impression, I was on the floor laughing,
Kevin and Shatner are good friends now, but their first meeting was awkward according to Shatner himself
Another great impression Kevin does is of the late, great Alan Arkin
Kevin has some wonderful stories about actors he has worked with. He worked with Walter Matthau on Grumpy Old Men. This is such a great story.
It was on this day in 1984 that Guillermo “Willie” Hernández won the American League Cy Young Award. He would also win the American Leagues MVP award that year. He is among just 11 pitchers to win the Cy Young and MVP in the same year. He was just one of many players who were a part of the Detroit Tigers magical season.
Hernández put up some great numbers that season. He had a 9-3 record and 32 saves in 33 chances in 1984, with a 1.92 ERA over 80 games and 140⅓ innings. He would go on to have an excellent postseason and got the final out of the clinching Game 5 of the ’84 World Series by coaxing a short fly ball to left field from Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, setting off a celebration.
Willie became only the third player to win MVP honors, the Cy Young Award and World Series in the same season, joining Sandy Koufax (1963) and (Fellow Detroit Tiger) Denny McLain (1968).
Willie was so fun to watch. I was always fascinated watching his screwball in slow motion during the games. What a pitch!!
Hernández was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. He sadly passed away on November 20, 2023 at age 69.
We had Parent-Teacher conferences last week. We are thrilled that both kids are doing well. We found out things that Andrew was doing in school that we didn’t know he could do. We both felt kind of bad when we were done. “Gee, how dumb did we look when she said he could spell his name?” (Up to this point all we’ve seen him write is an “A.”
We’ve got some pretty color on the trees this year. Slowly but surely, the leaves are tumbling to the ground. It is still too early to start raking, however, I knew the kids would enjoy jumping in the big pile.
Ella’s hair in that one picture cracks me up. She had a blast!
She got to go on a playdate with a friend this weekend. It was about 25 minutes from us in Holly. They do a Dickens Festival every year where everyone dresses up in period costumes and they sing Christmas carols. I’ve never been to it, but really hope to go this year.
Since Andrew was with me, we decided to find something to do while Ella played. First we found an old railway station. It still stands, but most of the windows are boarded up. He thought it was cool. He walked around it and looked in to see the inside when he could. Then we walked the railroad tracks for a bit hoping to find a railroad spike or two (no luck).
After we got back in the car, I found that there was a cider mill not too far away. So we drove over there to get cider and donuts.
He loved checking out the old trucks that were there and running in the hay maze. There was a wooden train that he played on, too. There was a guy under a tent playing gospel songs on his guitar and we sat and ate donuts while we listened.
We thought about getting pumpkins, but decided it was best to wait and go when all of us could be there. We certainly enjoyed our “guy time” together. We got a little bit more yesterday when Ella went to the doctor. Andrew and I sat in my bedroom and I watched him play my Forza Horizon game. He loves busting up fences and, as seen in the next photo, loves chasing animals.
We’re closing in on Halloween and I know the kids are excited. How about you?
Happy 77th Birthday to actress and singer Telma Hopkins!
As an actress, Telma is known for appearing on Bosom Buddies, Gimme a Break!, Family Matters and the short lived Getting By. She first gained notoriety as a member of Tony Orlando and Dawn and starred on the CBS variety show of the same name from 1974-1976.
She started her career as a background singer in Detroit. She appeared on Freda Payne’s “Band of Gold” and on Isaac Hayes’ “Theme From Shaft” and worked with artists like The Four Tops and Marvin Gaye. She and Joyce Vincent Wilson were picked to join Tony Orlando as “Dawn.”
The group had chart success and number one songs with “Candida,” “Knock Three Times,” and “Tie a Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Ole Oak Tree.” This won Favorite Pop/Rock Single at the first annual American Music Awards in 1974. The song also got two Grammy nominations: Song of the Year and Best Pop Group Performance. When the trio performed the song at the ceremony in March 1974, they got the attention of Fred Silverman at CBS, who gave them a summer variety series called Tony Orlando and Dawn, which began airing in July. They stayed on the air for three seasons, during which time the group charted more hits.
While many attribute today’s song to Stevie Ray Vaughn (who does a fantastic cover), it was originally done by the great Elmore James. James wrote the song and recorded it in 1959.
Elmore James was an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, and bandleader. He was noted for his use of loud amplification and his stirring voice. His slide guitar technique earned him the nickname “King of the Slide Guitar”.
The song was written in Chicago after a downpour inspired him during a recording session. The songs features James’ prominent slide guitar and his vocals, accompanied by his longtime backing band, the Broomdusters.
The song itself brings about some questions. James’ unique slide guitar sound on the recording has generated great debate. Bass player, Homesick James, attributed it to a recording studio technique, while others have suggested a different amplifier or guitar setup. Songwriter and musician Ry Cooder felt that it was an altogether different guitar than James’ usual Kay acoustic with an attached pickup.
Artists who have covered the song include Albert King, Eric Clapton and George Thorogood. Elmore’s version reached #15 on the Billboard Hot R&B Sides chart in 1960. The song would be his last charted hit before his death in 1963.
James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
An Irishman, Mick, was on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.” He had already won 500,000 euros. “You’ve done very well,” said the presenter, “but for a million euros, you’ve only got one lifeline left, phone a friend. “
“Here is your million euros question: “
Which of the following birds does NOT build its own nest? A) Sparrow B) Thrush C) Magpie D) Cuckoo.
“I don’t know,” said Mick. “I’ll use my last lifeline and phone my friend Paddy.” Paddy wasn’t the smartest, but Mick had his number memorized. Mick rang and repeated the question to Paddy. “Dat’s simple. It’s a cuckoo!” Paddy said. Mick asked, “Are you sure? There’s a lot of money on this!”. Paddy answered with a strong “Yes!”
Mick hung up the phone and said, “I’ll go with cuckoo.” “Is that your final answer?” asked Chris. “Yup.”
There was a pause then the presenter screamed, “Cuckoo is correct! You’ve won one million euros!”
Mick called Paddy. “Tell me, Paddy? How in Heaven’s name did you know it was da Cuckoo that doesn’t build its own nest?”
“Well, duh!,” Paddy said, ‘Because he lives in a clock!”
171 years ago today a misunderstanding led to the loss of many lives in the Battle of Balaclava. The event would be forever immortalized in a poem (and an episode of the Little Rascals). The poem – The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred Lord Tennyson.
The Charge of the Light Brigade was a disastrous British calvary charge on October 25, 1854, during the Crimean Way. Roughly 600 light cavalrymen, led by Lord Cardigan, charged a Russian artillery battery by mistake. A misunderstood order from their superior, Lord Raglan, resulted in the Light Brigade being sent into a heavily defended valley, leading to heavy casualties despite their bravery in reaching their objective.
Lord Raglan intended for the Light Brigade to stop the Russians from removing captured guns from a Turkish redoubt. However, the order was miscommunicated and misinterpreted, resulting in the brigade being directed to charge directly into a well-prepared Russian artillery battery at the end of a valley.
Led by Lord Cardigan, the Light Brigade charged for about a mile and a half into the “valley of death”. They were met with heavy fire from Russian guns on three sides and suffered devastating casualties.
The cavalry reached the battery, scattering some of the gunners, but were forced to retreat immediately. The charge was a military failure, resulting in very high casualties for the British and no strategic gains. In total, 607 men went into action while only 198 returned. 409 men lost their lives during the charge (67% of the men).
The event became a symbol of senseless waste and military blunder, famously immortalized in Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem, which honored the soldiers’ courage while questioning the leadership error. The poem was written 2 December and published on 9 December 1854, in The Examiner, praised the brigade. He wrote the poem inside only a few minutes after reading an account of the battle in The Times, according to his grandson Sir Charles Tennyson. It immediately became hugely popular, and even reached the troops in the Crimea, where 1,000 copies were distributed in pamphlet form.
Before I share the funny Little Rascals moment, here is Tennyson’s The Charge of the Light Brigade:
I
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
“Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!” he said.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
II
“Forward, the Light Brigade!”
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Someone had blundered.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
III
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of hell
Rode the six hundred.
IV
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered.
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
V
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell.
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
VI
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
In the 1936 Our Gang Comedy “Two Too Young,” Spanky and Alfalfa con Buckwheat and Porky out of some firecrackers during recess. Alfalfa stuffs the firecrackers in his back pocket as recess ends and they go back to class. Porky finds a magnifying glass outside and brings it into the class room.
The teacher asks the class to recite their recitations for the class. Alfalfa is the only one who knows his – The Charge of the Light Brigade.
While standing, the firecrackers can be seen in his back pocket. Porky pulls out the magnifying glass and is able to light the wick of the firecrackers. Almost as if it is planned, they begin to go off at an appropriate point in the poem.
Here is the whole episode. The poem is at the 7:56 mark in the video.
In high school we had to pick a poem to discuss in front of the class. I chose The Charge of the Light Brigade – but I left the firecrackers at home!
At 5:24am 19 years ago, with her hand in mine, my mother took her last breath here on earth. She was finally freed from the pain she suffered for a decade from Breast Cancer and all the treatments and medications she had because of the disease. For those of us who were left behind, there was pain in her leaving, but joy that the suffering was over. Since her passing, there have been many changes in my life. How I wish I could call her and just talk. I can’t tell you the number of times I have wanted her advice. There are so many things I wish I could apologize for, so many things I want to say, and so many things I long to hear. I am blessed to have some wonderful friends who have stood by me through some powerful storms lately, storms that would have made a bit easier with a call to mom.
I have said this before, but it is worth saying again – to those who still have their parents I say this – no matter what, make peace with them. Do not take them for granted. Enjoy each and every moment you have with them, even if it hearing the same story for the umpteenth time. Enjoy a cup of coffee with them. Take your kids to see them. Do not let another day go by without saying those things that you want to say. Make sure they know how thankful you are. Make sure they know you love them. Life is too short and when they are gone, you will long for those little things that seemed so trivial or unimportant.
It’s been a bit harder for me over the past few years. So many great things have happened. So many life events she wasn’t around to experience. She would be so proud of her oldest grandsons and would be spoiling her granddaughter and new grandson. She would be sharing embarrassing stories about me to my wife and so much more.
I miss my mom each and every day. My love for her is never ending, like hers was for me. The void remains – her laughter, her voice, and her smile are now but a memory that lives on in photos and old lost video tapes.
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 