Give me five minutes on the web and I can find something to chuckle about. Sometimes it is right here in a WordPress Blog, other times it is on Facebook, and even serious news sites can lead to something humorous.
I have probably written about this before, but one of my favorite sketches from SNL was the old Celebrity Jeopardy sketches with Will Ferrell as Alex Trebek.
The funniest one to me was when Norm MacDonald played Burt Reynolds, but changed his name to …
…Turd Ferguson.
Midway through the sketch, he puts on a ridiculous hat.
Insanity ensues, Alex get’s flustered and the sketch ends.
I laughed a little bit too hard as I stumbled on a site where people take Precious Moments figurines and “redesign” them. Someone made a Turd Ferguson Precious Moments figure!
Someone spent a whole lot of time on that and I think it is hilarious!!
I’m not sure why I stopped doing this feature, but it is time for it to make a return. I was sent a photo from a friend that I had forgotten about. When I opened up the email, I remembered this feature. It is probably something I posted on my Facebook or now defunct MySpace, but I don’t think I have ever posted it on here.
This photo will take us back to 2004 or 2005.
This photo was taken as part of a photo project that a friend was doing for college. The idea was to take 100 photos and then tell a story with only 12 of them. She came to the station during a show and shot some pictures of me on the air, it just so happened that my oldest boy was with me that day. He was probably around 2 years old here.
This was not taken in the main studio. This was taken in one of the production studios where I was probably cutting a commercial or working on sweepers. Dante’ loved to talk into the microphone and I always had him say things for my show. Just like they had to do with the kids who voiced those Charlie Brown specials. I would feed him a line in pieces and then edit them all together.
I had him say things like:
“Not funny, Daddy!”
“Is it time to go home yet?”
“I’m Dante’ and you’re listening to my daddy, Keith Allen, on 94-5 The Moose!”
“Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha! Wait, what?” (For play after a bad joke)
I don’t think this was a pose, I truly believe that was meant to be a candid, but I just happened to be looking at the camera.
As I look at behind me in the photo, in the cabinet I can see one of the equalizers. I always wanted to get one for a hone studio (which I never ended up doing). Underneath that is a Mini-Disc player. I loved having one of those. I used it when I DJ’d a lot. It was digital, so you could edit and even loop things on it.
For the older readers, directly below that is a cassette player. When I was on the west side of the state, we would actually get commercials on them for on air play. Needless to say, the quality was NEVER that good. We primarily used it to record commercials to take to the clients so they could see if they liked the way their commercial sounded.
It is not in view, but under that was a CD player. We would dub songs into the automation system that way or rip them in on the computer. Most of our production music was on CD (and you can see some of those sitting directly above the mixer board.
By this time, most of the production was done on the computer (directly in front of my son) or the one to the left of that one. However, one of the coolest things in this picture is the ancient reel to reel machine behind my left shoulder. I believe that is an old Tascam unit. We used to use those to record phone calls at my first couple jobs. If something needed to be edited, you had to mark the tape with a china marker, cut the tape with a razor blade and splice it back together with tape. It was a process, but I remember watching some guys who were masters at editing things in less than a minute to be ready for air.
That microphone was one of my favorites to use. It was an Electro Voice RE20. I was gifted one of them and it remains one of my treasured pieces of radio memorabilia. Perhaps one day, I will venture into podcasting and find a way to use it again.
It is amazing to think that this picture was taken was about 20 years ago. I am glad that I still have some audio clips of my son from this age. Today, he could sing bass in a choir his voice is so low. He just turned 22!! Time truly flies….
We signed Ella up for T-ball a few weeks back. We got her a helmet, a glove, a bat, some practice balls, shoes and a bag to carry it all. She’s been pretty pumped up about it. She finally had her first practice today.
The worst thing about working when I do is that a lot of the activities happen when I am at work. I have rearranged my schedule a bit so that I can see a game a week (they play 2) and not have to use personal time off. Sam went with her to practice.
The first thing she texted me was that she is the only girl on the team. I really hope that this won’t bother her. She can be anyone’s friend, but I also know how cruel some kids can be. We hope that this will be a sport she likes to play and will continue in the future.
I coached my two older boys with both T-ball and baseball for as long as they played. I was not a good coach, but I certainly enjoyed being there with them. They seemed to have fun, even though they didn’t play long.
This week, I will be playing catch with her and helping her with batting. I am excited for the first game in a couple weeks…
I’ve had this book on my “To read” list for some time. I added it for a couple of reasons. First, I have always loved hearing stories about “old Hollywood” and hoped that this would kind of fall into that category. Second, everyone kept talking about it. When my wife read it recently she said she thought I would enjoy it.
Side note: I had no idea that the author, Taylor Jenkins Reid, had also wrote Daisy Jones and the Six. That’s another one that everyone seemed to be talking about, but I’m not sure I want to read it. My wife said it was “just ok.”
Before I offer up my thoughts on this book, let me share the Goodreads synopsis:
Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?
Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
To quote my wife, the book to me was “just ok.” Don’t get my wrong, it wasn’t bad. As a matter of fact, there were quite a few surprises in the story. As the synopsis implies, Monique and Evelyn’s life have some sort of connection and I never put it together. This was a big surprise to me. Actually, the connection really made the book worth reading for me. Especially since there were a few times I was ready to put it down.
As you might expect in a story of old Hollywood, there is plenty of scandal, secrets, jealousy, lying, manipulation and deception. I have often used this description, but it read like an episode of Desperate Housewives or a bad soap opera. “Who’s sleeping with who?” kind of thing at times.
Again, it wasn’t a bad book, it is just not really my kind of book. Not to sound chauvinistic, that is not my intention at all, but I felt like the book might appeal more to female readers.
Welcome to May! Were you aware that May is International Drum Month? Cheers to the instrument that keeps the music in time.
Anyone who has played in a school band or any band really knows that there are plenty of jokes made about the percussionists and the percussion section:
What do you say to a drummer in a three-piece suit? “Will the defendant please rise?”
Hey, did you hear about the drummer who finished high school? Me neither.
What is the difference between a drummer and a savings bond? One will mature and make money.
What is the difference between a bad drummer and a vacuum cleaner? You have to plug one of them in before it sucks.
There are hundreds of jokes like that. Honestly, though, without the percussion section (or percussionist) the rest of the group would fight to keep time. I can’t imagine marching in a parade without a solid drum cadence and so many great bands had well known drummers.
So in honor of International Drum Month – I wanted to share some of my favorite drum songs, drum solos, and songs about drums.
First, let’s head back to 1936 and the fantastic song by Benny Goodman – Sing, Sing, Sing. The song was written by Louis Prima and became one of Benny’s signature songs.
In 1941, legendary drummer Gene Krupa had a hit with Drum Boogie (with Irene Day on the vocals). There are many videos of him performing this.
Instrumentals were big in the 50’s and 60’s. My dad introduced me to 1958’s Topsy Part 2 by Cozy Cole. He worked with great artists like Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway.
Preston Epps learned how to play the bongos when he was in the Korean War. His big hit was Bongo Rock, but I liked 1960’s Bongo, Bongo, Bongo a bit better (Though it never broke the top 40). I often used this as background music when I was on the radio.
If you have ever heard To Know Him Is to Love Him (Teddy Bears), Alley Opp (Hollywood Argyles), or A Thousand Stars (Kathy Young and the Innocents), then you’ve heard Sandy Nelson. He was a session drummer and played on a lot of songs. He even had some solo hits, including 1961’s Let The Be Drums.
Johnny Smith recorded Walk, Don’t Run in 1954. Chet Atkins covered it in 1957 and when the Ventures heard it, they recorded their own version in 1960. While many consider it more of a guitar tune, the drums are a key part of the song.
Probably one of the most famous drum songs was from 1963. The Surfaris took Wipe Out! all the way to #2 on the Hot 100 chart. It is a song that continues to pop up on TV and in movies and has even made a few reentries on the charts because of that.
In 1967, Michael Nesmith of the Monkees penned a percussion tune for Linda Ronstadt and her group The Stone Poneys. Linda has a birthday coming up and I was going to feature this song on that day, but it fits better here. This was her first single and it reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 1969, The Beatles released Abbey Road, which contains a song that has a drum lick that famous drummers everywhere still talk about. It is often called “genius” and I couldn’t agree more. The drum line from Come Together is just an amazing thing to listen to. Atta Boy, Ringo!
In 1972, Gary Glitter had a hit with the B-side of Rock and Roll Part 1, which was appropriately called Rock and Roll Part 2. Most folks remember this one as simply, “The Hey Song.” This was his only top 10 hit in the US. It used to be big at sporting events, but it went away after some sexual crimes in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. It was featured in the recent Joker movie.
1972 also brought one of my favorite drum intros by way of Stevie Wonder. I’ve written about this one before, but you know I had to hear it again as I wrote this.
1977 brought another great drum tune that is still used at sporting events today. I couldn’t do a piece about drum songs without Queen’s We Will Rock You.
So many songs can be instantly recognized by the drum intros and the next one from 1980 is no exception. It is a classic rock and party staple. I am, of course, talking about AC/DC’s Back in Black.
When you talk about drums and drum solos, there seems to be one song that always comes up – In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins. It’s not my favorite song, but you can’t deny the very cool drum solo.
The next drum song has become sort of a Monday morning anthem for anyone who works for a living. Todd Rundgren’s 1983 Bang On The Drum All Day is unique in that he plays every instrument on the track.
I am sure I could feature many more songs, but I have decided to conclude with a song that was very unusual. It was unusual, because there are very few songs that begin with a 30 second drum solo. In 1984, Van Halen did just that. Alex Van Halen kicks off Hot for Teacher with an amazing double bass drum performance and a song remembered not only for his drum work, but a steamy video.
This month, I salute drummers like Ringo Starr, John Bonham, Keith Moon, Buddy Rich, Sheila E, Dave Grohl, Alex Van Halen, Phil Collins, Charlie Watts, Gene Krupa, Questlove, Hal Blaine, Max Weinberg, Lars Ulrich, Neil Peart, Levon Helm, Chad Smith, Ed Shaughnessy, and so many others!! Thanks for keeping the beat!
What songs do you remember for drum solos or great drum work?
Bobby Vee was born on this day in 1943. In his career he had quite a few hits under his belt, but had it not been for a tragedy, the world may never have known him.
Anyone familiar with “The Day the Music Died,” remembers that on February 3, 1959, three of the four main headliners of the touring “Winter Dance Party” were killed in an airplane crash. Those three singers were Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper. Dion, the fourth headliner, chose not to travel by plane to the next city on the tour. That city was Moorhead, Minnesota.
The show in Moorhead went on as scheduled, but organizers searched for a musical act to fill in for Buddy Holly. Bobby Vee (who was 15 at the time) gathered up some musicians from Fargo (which includes his brother) and they performed that night. This was the jumpstart of his career.
A couple years later, Bobby recorded a tribute album to Buddy. In the liner notes, he recalled Holly’s influence on him and the events surrounding Holly’s death, describing how he had looked forward to attending the concert, how the local radio station put out a call for local talent to fill in after the disaster, and how Vee’s recently organized group, modeled on Holly’s style, had to make up a name (the Shadows) on the spot.
In 1963 Bobby was signed by American Bandstand to headline a tour called Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars national U.S. tour, scheduled to perform its 15th show on the night of November 22, 1963, at the Memorial Auditorium in Dallas, Texas. The event, however, was cancelled after U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated that afternoon while riding in his motorcade through downtown Dallas.
In 2012, Bobby announced publicly that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and sadly would have to withdraw from the music business. Four years later, on October 24, 2016, Vee died from complications of the disease at the age of 73.
He had hits with Devil or Angel, Run to Him, Rubber Ball, and hit #1 with Take Good Care of My Baby. My favorite Bobby Vee song is The Night Has a Thousand Eyes. The song came out in December of 1962 and went to #3 on the charts.
I have always liked this song melodically and for all of the little musical things that are happening in the background. Those little string licks that play off his vocal, the drummer’s cymbal rhythm during the chorus, and the syncopated lines at the end of the chorus always sound so good to me!
The Night Has a Thousand Eyes
They say that you’re a runaround lover Though you say it isn’t so But if you put me down for another I’ll know, believe me, I’ll know
Cause the night has a thousand eyes And a thousand eyes can’t help but see if you are true to me So remember when you tell those little white lies That the night has a thousand eyes
You say that you’re at home when you phone me And how much you really care Though you keep telling me that you’re lonely I’ll know if someone is there
Cause the night has a thousand eyes And a thousand eyes can’t help but see if you are true to me So remember when you tell those little white lies That the night has a thousand eyes
One of these days you’re gonna be sorry Cause your game I’m gonna play And you’ll find out without really tryin’ Each time that my kisses stray
Cause the night has a thousand eyes And a thousand eyes will see me too And no matter what I do I could never disguise all my little white lies Cause the night has a thousand eyes
So remember when you tell those little white lies That the night has a thousand eyes
Ella was up before everyone today. She came into my room and woke me up. We went out into the living room and she sat on my lap.
This morning was odd in that she didn’t ask to turn on the TV. Instead she told me about her dreams from last night and said we should play a game.
I asked her what game we should play and she suggested the “Guess the Animal” game. I asked her how to play and she said that you have to whisper an animal sound in the other player’s ear and they have to guess what it is.
I told her that the game sounded fun and she told me I had to go first. So I whispered “Moo” in her ear. She immediately said, “That’s a cow! Now it is my turn.”
She whispers into my ear, “Quack-Meow.” So I said, “It sounds like there are two animals there, a duck and a cat.”
“Daddy! It’s a Duck-cow!” she informs me. I immediately start laughing.
Following her lead, I whisper, “Baa-buzz” to her and she guesses, “A sheep-bee! Now you got it, Daddy!”
What followed was utter silliness:
“Cock-a-doodle-Moo” (Rooster-Cow)
“Oink-Quack-Baa” (Pig-Duck-Sheep)
“Gobble-Neigh” (Turkey-Horse)
And my favorite, “Ribbit-Quack-A-Doodle-Boing” which left me scratching my head.
“What animal is that, Sissy?”
“Oh Daddy, haven’t you ever seen a Froggy-Duck-Rooster-Bunny before?!?!”
No, I have not … but I can’t help but wonder what one might look like!
Today we go back to 1964 for what many consider to be one of Elvis Presley’s best films – Viva Las Vegas. Why? Because his co-star in the movie, the beautiful Ann Margaret celebrated her 83rd birthday yesterday.
The chemistry between Elvis and Ann Margaret that you see on screen is real. They began an affair that got a lot of press by gossip columnists and the movie industry. This led to a showdown between Ann and Pricilla Beaulieu, Elvis’ girlfriend. Years later, in her autobiography, Ann called Elvis her “soulmate.”
15 songs were recorded for the soundtrack of the film, but only 11 were used. A full LP soundtrack was never released. Instead, to coincide with the film’s release, RCA chose four songs for a Viva Las Vegas EP.
The song Viva Las Vegas was released as a single in 1964 with What’d I Say as the B-side. This actually hurt the record’s chart performance. The title song was written by Doc Primus and Mort Shuman. The song went to #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart (What’d I Say did slightly better by going to #21). It has been covered by a few different artists (I love the ZZ Top version), but Elvis’ version remains my favorite.
Slowly, but surely, I am working through my “Want to read” list. I just finished one that I almost stopped reading after the first chapter. It begins with a couple in their 20’s who are in the early stages of their relationship. Their cheesy “lovey dovey” exchanges were a bit over the top for me. However, once the story gets going, I was hooked.
The book is by James Goodhand and it is called The Day Tripper.
“Another time-travel book, Keith?! Really?!” Well, yes, but it has a very unique spin on it. Here is the Goodreads synopsis:
The right guy, the right place, the wrong time.
It’s 1995, and Alex Dean has it all: a spot at Cambridge University next year, the love of an amazing woman named Holly and all the time in the world ahead of him. That is until a brutal encounter with a ghost from his past sees him beaten, battered and almost drowning in the Thames.
He wakes the next day to find he’s in a messy, derelict room he’s never seen before, in grimy clothes he doesn’t recognize, with no idea of how he got there. A glimpse in the mirror tells him he’s older—much older—and has been living a hard life, his features ravaged by time and poor decisions. He snatches a newspaper and finds it’s 2010—fifteen years since the fight.
After finally drifting off to sleep, Alex wakes the following morning to find it’s now 2019, another nine years later. But the next day, it’s 1999. Never knowing which day is coming, he begins to piece together what happens in his life after that fateful night by the river.
But what exactly is going on? Why does his life look nothing like he thought it would? What about Cambridge, and Holly? In this thrilling adventure, Alex must navigate his way through the years to learn that small actions have untold impact. And that might be all he needs to save the people he loves and, equally importantly, himself.
This reminded me a bit of Gillian McAllister’s Wrong Place, Wrong Time in the sense that it was not your typical time travel story. In Wrong Place, Wrong Time, the main character just keeps going backwards in time. With The Day Tripper, the main character has no idea where or when he is going to be when he wakes up. He is living the days of his life – just not in chronological order.
One of my favorite quotes in the book was “The worst our enemies can do is turn us into them.” This quote really struck me and plays into the plot of the story. Reviews I read before picking it up compared the story to the Twilight Zone and Quantum Leap. I think you will enjoy it.
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 