Hall of Mediocrity 2011

It's that time of year again music fans.  I'm looking for you my loyal readers to nominate new potential members to the Hall of Mediocrity.

Last year's proud members: Whitesnake and Grand Funk Railroad won't be in attendance this year.  In fact, many of the other members of the prestigious Hall, sent cease and desist letters, which we proudly display next to their exhibits.  They just keep giving us stuff.  I knew we inducted them for a reason.

This is open to all of you.  All you have to do is follow the rules as stated here:

I will be using the Rock Hall Induction Rules, as well as a couple of my own, which are as follows:

1.  There are no novelty, one hit wonder bands, such as Jimi Hendrix and The Grateful Dead...just seeing if we're paying attention.  Although, technically...they are one hit wonders.

2.  No band/performer will be inducted into the Hall of Mediocrity that are already in the "real" Hall of Fame.  I'm not taking anyone out that is already in, regardless of how I really feel about the band or performer.  You got lucky Aerosmith...very lucky.

3.  All bands being inducted are currently eligible for the Rock Hall and should they ever be inducted into the "real" Rock Hall, will be asked to leave immediately.  Those Hall of Fame bands get real egotistical, very quickly.  Plus, let's face it...they graduated to the big leagues...I'd never hold them back from going.

 

The nominees will be announced in November.  The induction will take place in December, just like last year...if I can get the elks lodge in Walla Walla, Washington this year...

I hope you all participate.  It'll make it more fun.

10 Years Ago...Where Were You?

Dropping my car off for a brake job.  Waiting in my co-worker Mike's (Tank) truck, while he got some breakfast treats and hearing everything on the radio.  The day is a blur, but I remember a lot of it very vividly.  Setting up the screen in the demo room to watch the news coverage, listening to the radio all day, calling my then girlfriend and now wife to make sure she was alright.  So much has changed...

So where were you?

Off The Beaten Path Show # 9

Hey look...it's your 43rd favorite internet radio show back again for another go round.  Bands you thought you left behind in high school and others you've never heard of.  In all seriousness, all the music I play is good, on some level...other levels might just be higher than others.

It's also the first show where I talk about the benefit concert for my friend Mark that I'm putting together.  Now, there is a team working on this concert with me...which is fantastic.  I hope it goes as well as I'd like it to.  On with the new play list, premiering this Monday on Rock401.com

Off The Beaten Path Show # 9  ( Mon. 9/12/11 12PM, Wed. 9/14/11 4PM and Fri. 9/16/11 8PM)

In The City – The Jam

Driven To Tears – The Police

Eighties – Killing Joke

School Days – The Runaways

Too Fast For Love – Motley Crue

You’re In Love – Ratt  (Hair Metal Song of the Week)

Hell Bent For Leather – Judas Priest

Belly Of The Beast – Anthrax

Got Me Under Pressure – ZZ Top

Helen Wheels – Wings

Jeepster – T. Rex

Action – Sweet

A Million Miles Away – The Plimsouls

Kiss Me On The Bus – The Replacements

Winter Games – Superchunk

Big Brown Eyes – The dB’s

History Never Repeats – Split Enz

All Gone Bad – The Throttles  (Playing the Benefit Concert)

Aces and Twos – The Devil Makes Three

Little Tiny Moustache – Stephen Lynch

Ragged Wood – Fleet Foxes

Jelly Bean – Eddie Cochran

The Loveless – Heavy Trash

Americadio – Slim Cessna’s Auto Club

The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret – Queens of the Stone Age

Hate To Say I Told You So – The Hives

Cut Your Hair – Pavement

Almost Ready – Dinosaur Jr.

Ride Away – Daddie Long Legs  (Playing the Benefit Concert)

Scarlet Begonias – Grateful Dead

If your in the New England area and would like to come to the benefit show...just follow the link to the event page.  We'd love to have you come on down.  Hope you enjoyed the 9th show...be back for the next one in a couple of weeks.

The Music Experiment - Part Who Knows? (The New Favorite Band)

ZZ Top

Granted she's only 3 months old, but she went nuts for ZZ Top earlier today.  I was watching a concert of theirs and she was kicking her feet and making all kinds of noise.  Wouldn't take her eyes off the screen...so I know she was paying attention.  If I walked by, her eyes would follow me, but then she'd realize that she wasn't watching the concert anymore...eyes right back on Billy Gibbons.  She has good taste already.

I know what you're thinking...of course she likes them and she'll like the Wiggles and Dora and a bunch of other kids music when she's introduced to them.  I'm not so sure. 

She still cries whenever Peter Frampton comes on the radio.  If she hears, "Baby, I Love Your Way" or "Show Me The Way" once more...I think she'll throw her bottle at the radio.

Poor Guy

This experiment will continue for a very long time.  If I can avoid kids music and pop junk forever with her...I will.

Can A Brother Get A Break?

I just picture Ice T saying this.  The man is still a pimp.  Anyways, enough of that and on to what this blog is about.

I don't know if I've ever been this busy in my life.  Maybe, just before I was about to get married, but right now I think this period, tops that.  In fact, at the moment I write this, I should still be sleeping, but it's the only time have to write.  As most loyal readers (if I have any left) know, I haven't written many blogs lately.  Let's look at my latest schedule.

From 8-13 to 8-20 we were on vacation in NH.  I don't know if you've ever packed for (at the time) 2 1/2 month old baby for a week in what could be unpredictable weather.  Holy crap did she need a lot of stuff.  Still mission accomplished.  I don't really remember much of it, because I blinked and it was over.

Today (Saturday 8-27) is the baby's Baptism/Christening (I don't remember what it's called).  So all week it's been about coordinating and purchasing food for the cookout.  A cookout that is probably going to be a cook-in.  Seems like the east coast is about to get slammed by a hurricane called Irene.  Sounds like one of those tough biaatches from my high school days in Brockton, MA.  The hurricane's last name wouldn't happen to be Sanchez, would it?  Are her main weapons razor sharp Lee press-on nails and pulling hair?  Girl fights, way worse than boy fights.

Speaking of Brockton, the very next day (Sunday, if your keeping score) is a family reunion of sorts.  The guys I hung around with in Brockton and even after I moved to a different town, will all be getting back together for the first time in at least 10 yrs.  Jeff has managed to get everyone together.  Just like back in the days when we were younger, it doesn't matter what we do.  It'll be great just to spend a few hours with everyone.

The following weekend, Labor Day weekend, we head down to PA.  Riley gets to meet her third great-grandmother.  This weekend, as far as I know, will wrap up the whirlwind of travel that we've taken her on.  This (now) 3 month old baby will be to as many states as I went to when I was a teenager. 

Plus, before I forget...I've been putting together a benefit concert for my friend that has been in the hospital for the past 2 months.  You know in my free time.  Just something to try to help him out with hospital bills and what not.  I can report he's doing 1000 times better than he was at the beginning.  He's come a long way, but still has a long way to go.  The man is a fighter and he's proven he won't give in.  Without getting into any details, he was in about as bad shape as you could be in.  I'll report more on the concert as it gets closer.

I still won't get a break.  There are no sick days for Daddy.  No complaints however, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Off The Beaten Path Show # 8

Monday 8/8/11 @ 12PM ET, Wednesday 8/10/11 @ 4PM ET and Friday 8/12/11 @ 8PM ET...Show # 8...I'm very proud it's gone on so long.  This will most likely be the only show for August.  We have our family vacation and the christening for the baby the very next week.  Just not enough time with the technology that is needed, but I'm still going to give it a shot. 

I'd do it on vacation, but we unplug for that entire week.  As off-grid as we can get.  It's a beautiful thing...I suggest doing that for at least a weekend every six months or so.  You're not really missing anything...it'll all be there when you get back.

Here's the Playlist for Show # 8

Bad Reputation – Joan Jett

See No Evil – Television

Girl U Want – Devo

Fantasy – Aldo Nova

Never Enough – LA Guns (Hair Metal Song of The Week)

Fighting My Way Back – Thin Lizzy

Love or Confusion – Jimi Hendrix Experience

Kid Charlamagne – Steely Dan

Kate – Ben Folds Five

Do You Wanna Hold Me – Bow Wow Wow

Head On – Jesus And Mary Chain

She Bangs The Drum – Stone Roses

Who’s Gonna Save Us? – Living End

She Gave Good Sunflower – Black Crowes

The Drowsy Surgeon – Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons

’67 Serenade – Jay Berndt

The Village Green Preservation Society – Kinks

When Will I Be Loved – Everly Brothers

Ooh La La – The Faces

I’m On Fire – Dwight Twilley

I’m A Boy – The Who

Rock and Roll Girls – John Fogerty

World Turning – Fleetwood Mac

Who Do You Love – Bo Diddley

Hope – Descendents

Ya Ya – Lee Dorsey

Set Your Goals – CIV

Banana Splits – The Dickies

Rock Around With Ollie Vee – Buddy Holly

Ashes to Ashes – Faith No More

Straight To Hell – The Clash

 Hope you enjoy it...take care

What Happened To July?

No, there isn't a reason why Richie Cunningham is pictured, but who doesn't love Ron Howard?  Anyways, July flew by and I didn't do a whole lot with this blog.  I haven't given up on it or quit...it's just that real life get's in the way sometimes. 

I'm doing full on Daddy Duty from about 8AM to about 6PM and then more after the wife goes to bed.  Plus, the physical toll it takes.  You just don't want to write after that.  I'm loving every minute of it, but just can't find time to write that often.

The 8th Off The Beaten Path Radio Show has been completed.  I'll post more when it gets closer to it's debut. 

Me along with a couple of other friends have started to plan a fundraiser for my friend Mark.  He's been in the hospital for over a month with an illness that is still undetermined.  He's starting to show improvement, which is really all you can ask for.  Still in the planning stages, but there has been talk of a concert with some great Rhode Island bands and a raffle.  More to come on that when plans get solidified. 

Our family vacation will be coming up quickly in the month of August and we can't wait.  A week at the lake is always a good way to recharge the batteries.  Seeing family and old friends.  It's easily the best place on Earth for us.  A little piece of heaven.

That's what I've got for you.  I'll be back with more news on the radio show, as well as, the fundraiser.