Note To Self:

Late Show with David Letterman

Wednesday, September 21

Steve Martin

Go Get 'Em, Tiger

Whatever you do, don't try to sell stuff by trying to sound like Tom Waits. He'll get ya.

Have A Nice Day

My wife is happy to know that Bon Jovi is once again coming to Nashville. No date yet, but they are coming. I took her to see them a few years ago for their Valentine's Day concert (try not taking your spouse to see her favorite band on that day of all days).

They played for just over two hours and I loved about 40 minutes of it. Seriously, that 40 minutes was awesome. They are great live; I just lost interest after awhile. They write some pretty amazing songs, but a lot of the tunes just trudge along, not really standing out.

Well, as much as I like to play the snob about really popular music, I have to admit that "Have A Nice Day" is a really catchy anthem. It rocks pretty hard and stays with you. Honestly, it's just "It's My Life" Part Two. Same feel, and equally well crafted.

This Monday night at Opry Mills IMAX theater, will be a live simulcast showing of them preforming live. Sounds like a neat idea. Several theaters across the country showing a live concert. One show, for the masses, on a huge screen. Not quite the organic concert experience, but close enough.

HNT Bukowski

Back in the winter and early spring of 1990, I would hang out in downtown Nashville, trying to figure out where I was going in life. This was before the revitalization of our downtown. All that I really remember of the area was this little bookstore on 2nd Ave. I would browse there from time to time and buy children's books for my son who was to be born the coming April.

One day, as I was strolling the aisles, one title seemed to beckon for my attention. Its title was simply, Women. Written by someone named Bukowski. Never heard of him. Within a few months, I bought everything I was able to find from him. His writing was perfect for me, and he went well with cheap wine.

These 15 years since have changed me so much. But it seems that the arts and media that I discovered then have really resonated with me. Formative years, indeed. And so, from the top shelf, I post this week for HNT a perfect book with a perfect title.

To Charles Bukowski, "Thanks for sharing."

Google Just Makes Things Easier And Easier For Me

Google search only within blogs. 'Nuf said.

The Big Apple To The Big Easy

Listed below are some, and surely not most, of the acts involved in "The Big Apple To The Big Easy" Hurricane Relief concert, to be held at Radio City Music Hall on September 20. If it's televised, check it out for obvious reasons and also to see the fiercely pure and sonic raindog, Tom Waits (absolutely not to be confused with John Waite). Joss Stone should wow the viewers and listeners, too. She came onto the scene a few years ago as a fresh faced 15 year old blonde haired British girl with the pipes and soul of Aretha Franklin and Betty Wright.

Watch, listen, enjoy, and give.

(clicking the artist links will bring up their current tour schedules)

Dave Matthews
Galactic
John Mayer Trio
Joss Stone
Mardi Gras Indians
Original Meters
Ray LaMontagne
Tom Waits
Trey Anastasio

edited to add:

A-ha! (no, not the "Take Me On" band)

The rest of the above concert will take place over at Madison Square Garden.
Get ready

Allen Toussaint
Bette Midler
Buckwheat Zydeco
Clarence "Frogman" Henry
Dave Bartholomew
Diana Krall
Earth, Wind & Fire
Elton John
Elvis Costello
Fats Domino
Irma Thomas
Jimmy Buffett
John Fogerty
Lenny Kravitz
Loggins & Messina
Original Meters
ReBirth Brass Band
Ry Cooder
Simon & Garfunkel
Stevie Nicks
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
The Neville Brothers
Troy Andrews

I look good in a tux...

...and my wife looks good always.

My sister, who has a knack for always making me so happy.

There's a lot of love in this life.

Ladies...There Are No More Adult Male Single Beziats.

Today, September 10, was a day more beautiful than I have witnessed in a long time. Today, I wept. And happily. I was simply overcome. Today, my brother married the most precious, loving woman I can imagine. And so, this afternoon, their long, wonderful courtship became a marriage of two ever-loving hearts.

As I shared in their moment, watching them repeating their vows of love and devotion, I found myself remembering my own wedding. I saw Ashley looking into Evan's eyes, her face all aglow with joy. I remembered the same emotion from my wife's beautiful face as she committed all of herself to me three years ago. I'm typically a shy guy, pretty nervous in front of crowds and doubtful of my actions. But on my wedding day, I had no nerves. I found the girl who loved me, I loved her without measure, and I was getting to marry her. Why doubt love? It's there or it's not, and we've got it.

My brother had that same confidence and joy today. He was classic Ev, full of wit and good times. But he also had that steadfast dedication to what this day was all about. He, too, had found that girl. The girl who when she thinks of love, thinks of Evan. She has for a long time and she will forever. And he loves her completely. Quite simply, I am proud to share a life with them. They are the family I would pick for myself, time and time again.

Oh, and the reason I wept? And happily? Vandy is 2-0 on the season! And 1-0 in SEC play! Two straight weeks of doing it with last minute touchdown drives to win the games! What a day!

Google To The Rescue

This evening, I read a very nice post on Google Blog which was very refreshing. It's right here.

The Default Post Is Always Cute Baby Pictures

The big weekend is coming up. Little Bro, whose height exceeds mine by several inches, is getting married this weekend. This afternoon will be the rehearsal. Immediately afterward, I will make the long drive to "Donkey Mountain" to pick up my oldest son. I will then get back to Nashville just in time for the rehearsal dinner (and to give my first toast ever).

The following morning is the wedding. And then, Sunday I will take Christian back home. Sunday through Tuesday will find me at home with the youngest two while my wife goes down to Biloxi to help her mom sort through her stuff in the aftermath of Katrina. So, that'll be a few days of Mr. Mom duties under my belt.

It's all good stuff and I can't wait for this wedding. I just hope to pencil in a nap sometime late next week.

And here is the link to the latest pics of Joshua and Ari.

My Return To HNT

It's been awhile since Chéz Béz has joined in the action known affectionately as HNT. I'll jump back in with a picture of me dating back to 1992. A laid-back, long haired record store employee, general carouser and lover of good tunes and great times. This was the year of the road trips. Concrete Blonde in Atlanta, Toad The Wet Sprocket and Chris Whitley at Bogart's in Cincinnati and Drivin n Cryin in Knoxville. And too many to count at home in Nashville.

Rock on.

Not Really Missing The Meat

For some reason, I haven't sought out any meat products since last Thursday, Sept. 1st. I had some chili before work, and while driving in, I was thinking of how it would help the household budget if I stopped eating fast food. As long as gas prices were so high ($3/gallon + 60 miles round trip per day on 30mpg = $6/day), I may as well stop spending $3-5 per day on stuff that I didn't need.

While looking for further ways to eat chearper, I found that the employee price for a veggie plate at work is .27 compared to $3.27 for a burger and fries. So, it's veggies I have been consuming ever since. Veggies, fruit, and water. I'm not calling myself a vegetarian. My mother-in-law made some excellent spaghetti the other night and I had more than my fair share, but other than that, it's been nothing but what is quite good for me. I feel a healthier Mike coming on. I have had absolutely no desire to eat meat for a week now. I know that's not long, but you'd think I'd be craving it. Not so much. We'll see how the next week goes.

Yesterday's Concert Is Today's Webcast

It used to be that I would be in a club watching some cool band three to five times a week. Now, living the good life of a 35 year old married dad with a mortgage, if the cool band's want me to see them, they better steam that concert on the internet.

And so it is that I consider myself to be holding a free ticket to see The White Stripes on September 27, in my computer room. Here's the link.

The Word Of The Day Is Zeitgeist

The site of the day is Google Zeitgeist.

The song that I continue to play is "Would You Believe" by The Mavericks. The lyrics seem quite topical. Although the song suggests how we as a human race are mistreating our world, hurricane Katrina is not of our doing, but our response to her both as a government and a people is nothing to be proud of.

I hope that people are polite to me at work today.

I've Heard That Song Before

While driving to work today, I was playing Aimee Mann's Whatever on CD, a very nice gift from my friend Sam. This disc was released back in '93 and while I've been a fan of Aimee's for a long time, I had never heard Whatever in its entirety. I got to the song "Way Back When" and it sounded very much like another song I had listened to recently. I couldn't put my finger on it for a few minutes, and then it hit me. It sounds very much like "Would You Believe" by The Mavericks, released a good ten years later.

I don't know if the towerrecords.com snippets give justice to my thoughts, but give them a listen and see if you don't agree a little bit. They are both pretty simple but very affecting songs. In fact, "Would You Believe" might be the simplest song on that great Mavericks album, but I remember playing it about five consecutive times when I first heard it. Good music will always mean so much to me.