Favorite Christmas Songs

As I'm sure everyone noticed, Christmas songs started playing back around Halloween. I'm not quite the humbug that my dad is, who thinks Christmas songs should only be played one day a year, but I understand how people can become tired of Christmas songs so fast. That’s why these next two blogs are meant to help you stay in the Christmas mood and maybe dip a little deeper into Christmas music than say the local pop station. I think why people become so tired of Christmas music is two fold...one new versions of songs come out each year, but very few artist are able to really put a original spin on say "frosty the snowman" or "Silent Night". My next blog will help you find a few original Christmas albums, but this blog deals with the second reason people get tired of Christmas music so fast...only the annoying songs are popular.

I'll list my favorite Christmas songs for you all to digest and maybe consider...if you don't agree, that’s cool. I seem to like the darker Christmas songs and the blues Christmas songs. They don't get played as much but their also very pretty and deep.

1. Oh come, oh come Emmanuel - Very dark and slow but beautiful. It’s my number one favorite Christmas song.

2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Great song, can be jazzed up, slowed down, and much more.

3. We three Kings - We never sing this one in church, because most hymnals have it in a key to low for a lot of people to sing in. It’s too bad because it a beautiful song.

4. Merry Christmas Baby - Blues tune that every blues artist seems to cover. But no one does it better than BB King.

5. Carol of the Bells - It’s haunting and moving. Whether sand or played on bells it’s really a breathtaking song.

6. Christmas 911 - Another blues tune and Sonny Rhodes does it best.

7. What Child is This - Another great and pretty tune

8. A Christmas Song - by Jethro Tull.

9. Little Drummer Boy.

10. Blues for Xmas - by Everlast. No one's heard this one...its B side to the "Today" single way back in the 90's but I just like Everlast' s voice.

Greatest Day of My Life

This thanksgiving I experienced what may go down as one of the top ten days of my life. We went home on Friday the 21st. It was a long drive (7 hours) but Eva was really good most of the way and it didn't seem that bad. We took the Gorge which is one of my favorite ways to get to the west side of Washington State and its was all in all and good way to start off the vacation. However, the next day took the cake.

As you may or may not know I'm a huge music nerd, snob if you ask my wife, but I think she's just jealous of my ability to "listen deeper" and not to that new Spears song Womanizer over and over like some wives I know. My favorite bands are Pearl Jam, Gov't Mule, and the top one, Drive by Truckers. Well on the 22nd I was able to see them on the Rock N Roll Means well tour in Portland. The show was at the Crystal Ballroom, and I got to admit, the Roseland Theater is way better and remains my favorite place to see bands. However, location aside DBT rocked and it was a great show. What really put me in a good mood though was the fact that Washington State beat the University of Washington at football in the apple cup, just before we left to go see the show.

Now the media coined it the Crapple cup this year because both teams were #1 and #2 in the bottom 10 this year but that doesn't matter, the Apple cup means more than any bowl game to many cougars and the fact that we beat UW in double over time and kept them without a single win this season is the best present I or any WSU coug could get. When I was an undergrad, every year we'd pray, will this be the year the UW sucks so bad that they don't win a single game...well it finally may happen. They just have to lose to Cal this weekend, but even if they win...it means nothing to me or really UW fans I imagine, as they still remain the worst FBS team in Washington for another year.

As you can imagine, winning the Apple Cup and going to a DBT show with my father, wife and good friend Jessica just about blew my mind. So hears to you DBT, continue to rock and hope you someday realize that I would be a amazing addition to your band, and hears to you Cougars...while we don't need validation that we're better than UW, its still nice to know they can't argue with that.

Songs for Eva

So last weekend, Eva brought a horrible bug home and we all ended up very sick. Since then Eva doesn't want to fall asleep alone. So its meant a lot of creative efforts on Mom and Dad's part to get her to fall asleep but the one that works for me is singing her to sleep. Which I really enjoy so it’s more of a blessing than a curse. In light of that I thought I'd list my favorite songs to sing to Eva.


1) Godamn Lonely Love - by the Drive by Truckers. This really is a slow and beautiful song that might be my favorite song ever...I usually start with this song as Eva recognizes it.


2) Soulshine - by Gov't Mule (Warren Haynes). This also is a beautiful song with a good message and one of the two songs I hope Eva knows by heart when she's older. Heather likes this song too.


3) Simple Man - by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Good message to this song too and its pretty.


4) Katie Dear - by Radio Nationals. Good band from Seattle that no longer is playing. Great tune that’s a duet and a Romeo and Juliet kind of story.


5) Nothing but the Water - by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. A soulful song that is pretty and powerful...first heard it live before I ever heard it recorded.


6) The Devil is my Running Mate - by Jason Isbell. Very pretty yet dark tune that I enjoy and I usually sing it last.


7) Scream - by Radio Nationals - Very delicate song about frustration with someone you love, being with someone that treats them wrong.


8) Heart of Gold - Neil Young


9) Little Bonnie - by Drive by Truckers. This is a soft yet dark song about a little girl who passes away and the dad's grief. Sounds like a bad song to sing to a kid but it’s very pretty and reminds me what a special thing I got with Eva.


10) Long Haired Country Boy - Charlie Daniels

This is a old one, but not on my current blog:

So today a judge in DC decided that the lawsuit filed by a group of American Indians stating that the term "redskins" is racially offensive" was not racially offensive and this is large part because no one has challenged the name of the team in all the many years its been named the redskins.
Last time I checked Justice and equality did not have time limits. There are many instances in our country where wrongs are righted long after they were instituted. If this reasoning were applied to the Jim Crow laws in the south, African Americans would still be separate and not equal.
If you believe that "redskins" is not a racially offensive term, ask yourself, do you feel comfortable using the word outside of football talk? Would you use the term in the presence of an American Indian you did not know. Most likely not and just like the "n" word, "c" word and many other words, this one is wrong and not appropriate no matter who you are.
Our society’s willingness to turn a blind eye to things like this is sickening. Isn't it a little outrageous that the football team from our nation’s capital is named after a people that were almost wiped out by the government and European expansion/conquest?
Its time we stop using offensive mascots...and what makes them offensive like the "redskins" and not offensive like the "fighting Irish." Well many factors, including history, culture, style of mascot and overall...the feelings of the people being portrayed. Honestly if a number of Irish rose up and declared that the Fighting Irish symbol and mascot is a stereotype and offensive to them...I think they would have a point and we should listen, but I imagine they would be ignored as well.
Its time we follow the examples of many schools, sport franchises and the NCAA and start using non-offensive mascots...that’s right U of Illinois and Florida State, its wrong and stop trying to explain your mascots are ok simply because you think you "honoring" the tribes and people you've named your school after. Mimicry isn't always the best form of flattery.

Favorite Concerts

This last weekend I saw JJ Grey & Mofro in Seattle. Hill Country Review opened for them and it was a great show. Both bands sounded better live than their albums and I love their albums. (for those of you who don't know, Hill Country Review is a side project of the band North Mississippi Allstars) The only down side was the mid life crisis couple next to Heather, Jessica and I who could help but dry hump each other to death the entire time. I wish I could have done something to embarrass them and make them stop but from the look of it, they were beyond embarrassment.

Anyways it got me thinking...which concerts I've gone to where the best? Well here's my top 10 list:

1) Drive by Truckers - Brighter than Creations Dark tour - June 26 2008 - Spokane Wa. - The Big Easy.
This concert was amazing. The only down side was the opening act, Dead Confederate, who just sounded like pink Floyd without the talent. However, DBT was amazing and we got to sit relatively close. Plus the company was good, my wife, Jessica, and John Cory.

2) Gov't Mule - Mighty High Tour - Nov 14th 2007 - Portland Ore - Roseland Theater
This was my first time seeing Warren Haynes and company and it was amazing. I still can't believe how much sound that trio (now added keyboard for four) can create and Warren in my opinion is the best guitarist alive today and one of the best ever. Went to this concert with my brother and that was special to me, as we've always fought as kids and its nice to spend time with just him as a adult and on much better terms.

3) Pearl Jam - Yeild Tour - Jul 18th 1998 - Portland Ore - Rose Garden
This was my first big concert and it was awesome. My co-worker and friend Justin went with me and it was the first big show for both of us. Pearl Jam put on an amazing show with a cover of Neil Young's F-ing up, which was amazing. They set the bar high for all other shows I would see. Someday I want to see them live again.

4) Farm Aid - Sept 14th 2004 - Auburn Wa - Mukelshoot Reservation
I went to this show for two reasons...to see Neil Young and to spend time with Heather, who I had just started dating. In fact I agreed to go to this concert long before we started dating because I knew she was recently single and I wanted to take the risk. It turned out to be a good risk. The show was great with Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, and much more. The only drag was that I bough tickets after Heather and her friend had so I ended up sitting by myself and actually in a row all by myself but I got to see good shows and lay a foundation for a good relationship which blossomed rapidly to marriage...still going good.

5) Drive by Truckers - Feb 15th 2008 - Blessing and a Curse Tour - Portland Ore, Roseland Theater.
This was the first time I was able to see DBT live. It was amazing. I went with my dad which was also cool and Son Volt opened which is a good band, but not as good as DBT. It was also in my favorite concert venue, the Roseland Theater.

6) Willie Nelson's 4th July Picnic - July 4th 2007 - The gorge - Washington
This was a HOT show...Jessica and I were sweating, but we were close and we got to see shows from Willie Nelson, Drive by Truckers, Son Volt, and the Old 97's. All I got to say is it was an outdoor venue but it reeked of pot...and Willies son can play a mean guitar.

7) JJ Grey and Mofro - Sept 20th 2008 - Neumos - Seattle Wa.
This was a great show with two good bands, Mofro and Hill Country Review. The venue sucked...I actually would have loved it if there was more seating as I like small venues. And the audience was high and very "touchy" but the music was great and we were only 25 feet away.

8) Nickelback - Sept 3rd 2004 - Spokane Wa, Greyhound Park
This was a fun show. We missed the 1st opening act, 12 Stones, because of the restaurant we stopped at took an hour and half to get us food, but we did see Puddle of Mudd and Nickelback. The highlight was when Nickelback covered Metallica and it sounded awesome...there was a lot of fire too! Good people came with too, Michael Prentice and Tony.

9) Taj Mahal Trio - Nov 16h 2002 - Pullman WA, Bryan Theater
Taj Mahal was very entertaining and it was a fun blues show. Bryan theater was packed and the acoustics were very good!!!

10) 3 Doors Down - July 12th 2001 - Better Life Tour - Salem Or, Salem Armory.
This was a good show, but very hot. Acoustics were bad too but we saw two great bands, 3 Doors Down and Tantric.

11) Third Day - Nov 8th 1997 - Conspiracy Tour - Portland Or, Roseland Theater.This was the first official concert I went too, although not the first secular concert. I went to see a new band called Switchfoot who, along with All Star United, opened for Third Day. That’s right people I listened to Switchfoot back in 97, 8 years before they got big...their first album is the best in my opinion but that may be nostalgia.

PETA proposes that Ben & Jerry's use breast milk in its ice cream

Besides the obvious, that it’s creepy to think of us all consuming human milk, my wife brought up a very good point when I read an article about Peta wanting Ben and Jerry's to use human milk. Aren’t there better uses for that milk? Aren’t there moms out there who can't produce milk for their children and that milk from other moms would be tremendously useful for their babies? Once again Peta, you loose credibility by placing animals above humans...I understand treating animals ethically but they will never be considered more important than my child or anyone else's.

Crossover SUV's

Crossover SUV’s.


Now I know it’s a little hypocritical of me to comment on how other cars are ugly, I drive a Honda Element, but I embrace the “toaster” like nature of my car with enthusiasm …much like many of the owners do with the cars I’m about to talk about. However, I think most people will agree with me when I publicly call for the removal of the term “crossover SUV” from our vernacular.

Let’s call these Potatoes on steroids what they are…a mini van with attitude. Hell, lets go further and call them a pumped up station wagon, ok that might be too far but you get my point. I think it’s great that we as a nation are starting to move away from the 15 mpg monster SUV’s of the 80’s and 90’s and starting to look for better alternatives. Yet I think the term Crossover SUV is nothing more than a cover, a way for men, and some women, to trick themselves into believing they aren’t driving a family car…or more to the point, a mini-van.

All you have to do is look at the profile of a Ford Edge, Infinity EX, Nissan Rouge, Mazda CX-9, GMC Arcadia, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan Murano, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot…ok you get my point. All one has to do is look at the profile of any of these crossover SUV’s and compare it to a mini van and you will start to see similarities.

Granted, mini van’s have some differences, the main one being sliding doors, but come on…it’s the same thing. Grow up people, embrace your “family situation” and drive proud…its better than being caught in an AMC pacer, or really anything that cost more the $35,000, (do you really feel better about flaunting your money on a car that won’t last as long as Joe next doors 88 civic?) That’s another rant…

Rock and Roll Cliche's

Rock and Roll Cliché’s to avoid Part 1

In reality, Rock and roll is great because it’s so formulaic and pure and yeah it’s repetitive and impossible to avoid clichés and things already done. But its fun to point out the repetitions so here it goes.



1) Don’t write a song where you refer to Mary Jane as a real person and think it’s a clever twist on your actual love of Pot. Examples: Tom Petty and Silvertide
2) Don’t refer to your bad relationship as an addiction or disease of any kind. Examples: Rev Theory, Audiovent, Seether
3) Don’t write yourself into a corner where all your hits are sad and pathetic. Examples: Linkin park, Cold, Staind, Seether,
4) Put a half naked picture of a woman on your cover simply to sell copies to impulsive perverts. Example: Any 80’s hair band, Sterioside, Saving Able, Monster Magnet, The Black Crowes, Operator, Ted Nugent, Spinal Tap!!!
5) Write about “Breathing.” Examples: Nickelback, maroon 5
6) Don’t sing about how hard your rock and roll lifestyle is. Yeah the road is hard, but it’s not any harder than going to work in the mines everyday, or spending your days at a mill. You’re paid to travel and rock…any drug addictions and disease’s you pick up along the way is your own fault.
7) Don’t make it big on a massively popular song and then turn your back on it. If you have a signature song that made you a lot of money, don’t insult the fans by “growing out” of it or growing tired of it. You get paid to play music and you should remember its fun or at minimum it’s a way better job than most people have so pony up and play STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN!!! Examples: Led Zeppelin.
8) Don’t write a concept album and expect to be considered with the greats like Pink Floyd, The Who or Neil Young. It stakes more than a lot of weed and 28 1 and ½ songs to make it a good concept.
9) Don’t find the woman of your life and then write the worlds most sappy love song…if history is proof, this can only cause your relationship to go sour. Examples: Axel Rose, Whitesnake.
10) Don’t write a song pleading for a woman or anyone to save your soul. That’s what religions for, not rock. Examples: Nickelback, Another Black Day, Everlast.

11) Don't drape the flag all over yourself in a attempt to show patirotisim or more likely sel records to massive flag fans.

12) Ditch the makeup.

More to come…

Take that Wife!

So my wife has had a Blog for a few months now, but until today I have never been mentioned in it. However, a momentous occasion has occurred as I was noted in her musings/blog. Well in response I've decided to launch my own blog. Who knows what I'll use it for...funny list, rants about things that bother me, or reflection on life with my wife and daughter. Who knows but hopefully it will be interesting and fun to read.