This is the stuff from my life that makes my life what it is. Stuff I want to collect because it's important to me. Stuff I want to share with my friends and family. But mostly, stuff I want to remember and never let go.
I love it when I hear a song from my past that I loved when it came out but it was lost to new music over the years. This is one such song. I bought the CD for this song and this song only. I listened to it a lot when it came out 14 years ago.
Tonight, I was just browsing around on iTunes and looking through their CCM section. I saw David Phelps had a new Christmas CD out, so does Russ Taff. Those guys triggered thoughts of this song and hear I am listening to it again. Now, I'm sharing it with you.
This performance is a slightly different mix than what is on the CD, but it'll do. The chorus is what I really like about this song. And, the message ain't to bad, either.
A friend of mine in the group Selah posted a tweet about this guy today so I went to his website to check out his music. Holy Cow! I'll be darned if Jeffrey East didn't channel Kenny Loggins when "Bein' Loved By You" was written. Or maybe it's James Taylor. He performs it just fine but if Mr. Loggins and Mr. Taylor are ever looking for material, one of them totally needs to connect with Mr. East. I really like this song. Feel free to share your thoughts. If you don't like it, don't worry, you won't hurt my feelings. But, East might feel slighted.
...but this week, MTV exposed me to music that I actually thought was kind of cool. Don't get me wrong. I didn't actually see them play a music video. That would be breaking news across the land. But, this band, called Gossip performed live on It's On With Alexa Chung. (furlough tv)
I pushed myself out of bed this morning to go on Day 3 of my morning walk. Today, I took Sonny with me. He was very excited about getting to join me. Usually he's more work than it's worth, but he kept himself in check today and stayed the same course and cadence I did. And that cadence wasn't much of a test for either of us. The morning Zune mix was heavy on mellow music today.
When I bought my Zune, I just started dumping albums on there, much like a redneck dumps an old mattress in a ditch along side the highway. I gave no thought to how this music was going to be used or how it would affect my future activities. I was using it as a storage unit, and that is so wrong. I hope that redneck realizes the error in his ways, too. So, I really need to do some organizing and get this music in order so I can have the proper mix to move me along in the mornings. I'll be sharing my Zune Morning Mix here so you can sort of experience what the Zune forced through my earbuds and into my body. I try not to skip forward to the next song so I listen to whatever pops up all the way through. So, as you can see from today's list, the selection didn't do much to wake me up or get me moving. Thankfully, Dan Huff and his buddies made an appearance midway through my journey. Otherwise, it's possible that you'd find me sleeping peacefully on the bench next to the sidewalk I travel with a very confused and bored dog sitting next to me.
ZUNE MORNING MIX 052209 "Gimme Your Love" - Black N Blue "Don't Give Up On Us" - David Soul "Somebody Love Me" - Michael W. Smith "No Way Out" - Giant "Turn Down The World Tonight" - Journey "While I Still Got The Time" - Darius Rucker "Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid" - Hall & Oates "Matter Of Time" - Michael W. Smith
I want to blog. Oh, yes I do. I have thoughts. I have opinions. I have stories. What I don't have right now, is the time. It is basketball season. Baseball season is knocking on our door and already has a foot inside my living room. Uugghh. So, what do I have to say right now?
First, I'm disgusted that winter failed to deliver this year. It appears we'll have spring for 6 months this year. I am a winter person. I love the snow. I love the cold temperatures. I love the excitement of a pending snowfall. And you know, if winter does it right, I'm OK with spring, and even summer isn't that bad. But when winter hibernates inside itself, I get irked with the weather. I also am SOOOOO tired of the news guys and gals on TV talking about how lucky we are and if the weather dips into the 40's how terribly cold it is and when will we get back to the spring temps. C'mon guys. It's winter. Let winter be winter. You knew when you moved here that we have four seasons here (except this year). So if you want warm weather year round, I can tell you where to find it. Don't curse those of us who enjoy the winter solstice. I don't complain about your 100 degree temps. I understand it's summer and it's part of the game. I will stay inside my air conditioned home. Why can't you put on a sweater and a coat? Figure it out. It's not that hard. Anyway, winter...It'll be glad to see your pale self this weekend, even if it is just for a couple of days. I'll cross my fingers for next year that you'll be able to make a longer visit. Sure, you can have a temper, but you really are beautiful and your mood is usually pretty tender. Consider making a longer stay next year.
Second...well, there is no second. But, I found this video that I thought was interesting. Do you recognize at least two of the people in the video? I know who they are. It'll be good to hear what they do next. And, Chickenfoot....nice. A fresh take on a timeless symbol.
It seems that lately, I've been blogging about music a lot. Well, if you know me, then you'll know that music plays a large role in my life. It always has...probably always will. So, don't be surprised if you see quite a few entries about a new group or a new song I've heard that I want to write about. Today is one of those days.
Last night, New Year's Eve, I made my famous white pizza for dinner, Sara made a cheesecake, we had chips, popcorn, spray cheese, pop...all the requirements for a New Year's Eve party, even if it was just the four of us sitting at home watching Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve (with Ryan Seacrest) and Carson Daly's New Year's Eve special.
As we sat in front of the fireplace, waiting for the arrival of 2009 by eating pizza and soda and snacks, we were switching channels on the TV always looking for the show that had the better music artist on. MTV screwed up this year. It was an all Miley Cyrus night. She has her place and I can stomach several of her songs, but does she warrant an entire night on New Year's Eve? What sealed the deal for MTV was they didn't have the normal midnight cover song. Ever year for as long as I can remember, I'd make sure to check MTV at midnight to see which band was covering what song. One of the best that I can remember was No Doubt covering REM's "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" in 2000. Well, MTV has let that die as well as any chances of retaining viewers older than 30. The final nail in their music coffin has been hammered. Next...
Dick Clark did pretty well with us by having Lionel Richie perform. I mean, c'mon...it's Lionel Richie. We didn't get just a track from a new album but a medley of all of his classics. Sadly, he dampened that pleasure (much to my daughter's enjoyment) by having the Jonas Brothers perform as well. So, he broke even with us. On second thought, he may be in the hole.
Carson Daly won the night. He shared the night with Luke Russert and some other female co-host less irritating than Kelly Pickler over with Dick and Ryan. His delivery was professional and calm and he seemed all-together less frantic than the group over on ABC. But that's not how he won.
He emerged victorious by giving us fresh, new music by a group called The Ting Tings. Sure, the name is enough to scare away any guy with not enough testosterone to walk into the music store and ask for the latest CD by The Ting Tings. But for me, the music performed by this group took me back to the 1980's. The sound was a blend of Duran Duran, Blondie, Chic, Franz Ferdinand and the White Stripes. Top it with a 1980's vibe and you have The Ting Tings. It was something new, and MTV hasn't delivered anything like it since they showed their last Buzzworthy video in the middle of the night sandwiched between another extremely long marathon of Real World or Road Rules many years ago.
So, today...I'm doing some research on the Ting Tings on youtube and I discover something else I'm not even looking for...a band called Alphabeat who also deliver music with a 70's/80's pop feel. Somehow, someway, they're similar enough in style or attitude or hair style or clothing choices that the youtube gods had the foresight to suggest one band when people like me are searching for the other. I saw the message that was being delivered to me from them, and it was good.
The Ting Tings are already beginning to forge their way into American ears and will probably be well known before Alphabeat has a chance to introduce themselves to us. So, I'm taking it upon myself to share new music with you, much like I did when I was a radio DJ. I'll start with The Ting Tings and the video for the song they sang last night, "Shut Up and Let Me Go". Then, the band I discovered by chance, Alphabeat and "10,000 Nights".
Thank you, Carson Daly, for having The Ting Tings on your show because without seeing them, I never would've tripped across Alphabeat. In less than one day, Carson, you have introduced me to two of my favorite songs of 2009. You win, Carson...hands down, not just for bringing me The Ting Tings, but also bringing me Alphabeat, even if by pure association. Oh, and also for sticking it to the pompous MTV execs who think they have their finger on the pulse of everything cool. They totally missed the target. Enjoy the music.
I have had a lot of trouble getting into the Christmas spirit this year, and I've figured out why.
It's because I haven't listened to my favorite Christmas CD this year. It could be the middle of September, and if I hear a song from this CD, I'm geared up and ready to go for Christmas.
This album has been one of my favorites ever since it came out. About the same time, my friend Andy and I had to work at KLWN in Lawrence on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. It was then, sitting through the strict Christmas Eve playlist of the "solemn 40" Christmas songs we had to play. There was a list consisting of people like Tennessee Ernie Ford, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Guy Lombardo and Kate Smith that we were NOT to stray from on Christmas Eve. We survived that night of holiday molasses, but only because of the hope dancing on the horizon of Christmas day. On Christmas day, we could play contemporary Christmas songs...songs we selected. This was our time to shine. Our time to share music we knew was good that was being kept from the people by the rigid restraints of holiday tradition at the station.
That Christmas morning, as people were at home listening to me play Christmas music, as people prepared their home for family arriving soon, as people enjoyed Christmas breakfast, I received numerous phone calls asking the name of certain artists or songs, not to mention many, many compliments on the music selection.
This was one of those songs. It was pretty upbeat for KLWN standards, especially to be playing it before noon. This is "Gloria" by Michael W. Smith, from his Christmas album.
This entire album is phenomenal! If you have never heard it, you are missing out on a tremendous collection of work. This album is so good, it moved Andy and me to take action.
Before Christmas tours were all the rage, we had an idea. This album needed to be heard live. So, we contacted Michael W. Smith's people and inquired about him coming to Lawrence to perform this CD live on the KU campus at Hoch Auditorium (before the fire). I don't think we realized the enormity of the request we had made. We certainly didn't think (or know) about what needs to happen for a concert to come to town. For this to be done right, we needed more than Smitty, we needed his band and an orchestra. Looking back, it wasn't a realistic request and it was bigger than both of us.
We were told that Smitty spends the holidays with his family and that touring wasn't an option for him during that time of the year. We understood and let the dream die.
So what happens a few years later? Amy Grant (who Michael W. Smith played piano for) starts a Christmas concert in Nashville. Before long, they take the show on the road year after year. And this year, who do you think went on a Christmas tour?
Michael W. Smith.
I'd like to think that Andy and I planted a seed. And that seed's name was "Gloria".
I meant to start a "Music Monday" entry where I would share a favorite song every Monday, but I missed it. Here it is Tuesday and I'm itchin' to share a rare, Christmas favorite by one of my favorite artists of all time. I've seen her in concert more than any other. And, if you use the 6 Degrees of Seperation theory, I'm only one person removed from her via several different paths.
This song was made available on cassette as a "cassingle" from Target when you purchased her album "Home For Christmas". It's become difficult to find, but today, I'm sharing it with you here.
This is Amy Grant and "Let The Season Take Wing".
Several years ago, I edited a Christmas greeting video with my friend, Christine D., for the TV station we worked at using this song. We gathered old movies and photgraphs of our families and from co-workers and set them against this song. Here's the video we came up with. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMOmA0eRTuA
I know it's been around for awhile and for the life of me, I can't figure out why it wasn't more of a pop hit. It's very catchy! And, the melody just makes you feel really good.
This is Guy Sebastian and "Elevator Love".
Oh...and I finally added the video of Sylvester from Kanakuk LIVE! in the post below.
