The New Wrong

The emails from the White House are coming fast and furiously of late.
Unlike the emails that were requested by subpoena in the Fast and Furious investigation.
Perhaps if the White House had better internet service, provided at little to no cost, answers would have been more easily forthcoming.
And if you believe that bullshit I've got some free care to offer up too.

They keep coming up with new ways to give shit away, suggesting it is a right that should be provided by the government.
Imagine this, wi-fi will be installed all along the Mexican border so that "undocumented workers" (aka wet-backs) can use Google Maps to find the closest social security office.
Every thing they give away is either taken from a taxpayer whether they be alive or unborn.

Just Ask Any Black Republican

To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.

Voltaire

aka François-Marie Arouet

Where Was I In 1992

Apparently in limbo, or something like that.
Twice to today, I have heard references to a song called "Baby Got Back".
First a local radio station spoke of am ap to be released on iTunes, then on Sirius Radio they played the song.
The song is written and performed by a gentleman named Anthony Ray, also known as Sir Mix-a-Lot.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Mix-a-Lot
This is fairly nasty stuff, the first verse includes "I like big butts and I cannot lie...", but nothing worse than anything David Alan Coe ever did.
Enjoy...



Hopefully I did hear this 19 years ago and selectively repressed.
http://www.sirmixalot.com/

21 Years Ago Today

Charles Westover committed suicide on this day in 1990.
In April 1961 he had the number one hit in the United States.
Twenty-nine years later, he was rumored to take the place of the departed Roy Orbison in the band "The Taveling Wilburys".
Better known as Del Shannon, his song Runaway is one of the seminal songs in pop music.
For me, after watching the movie American Graffiti, this haunting song my favorite of the era leading up to the British invasion.

RIP Del Shannon.

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Sex Pistols Neocon

First saw this in the National Review and then later in this Jeffery Goldberg post on the The Atlantic site.
Some musicians have canceled performances in Israel, not Johnny Rotten.
The former lead singer, John Joseph Lydon, of the punk band Sex Pistols said....

"I really resent the presumption that I'm going there to play to right-wing Nazi jews. If Elvis-fucking-Costello wants to pull out of a gig in Israel because he's suddenly got this compassion for Palestinians, then good on him. But I have absolutely one rule, right? Until I see an Arab country, a Muslim country, with a democracy, I won't understand how anyone can have a problem with how they're treated."

I think that the characterization of sudden compassion is appropriate. If this action were true to Costello's core, the performances never would have been scheduled. No we all know that when some people started whispering in his ear that Israel is not cool he waffled out. Not surprising for a progressive lemming incapable of recognizing where the evil is in the middle east.
Not withstanding the poor combination of words "right-wing Nazi jews" speaks directly to my feelings about the middle east. Over there the ones with the bombs strapped to their bodies killing innocents are the same ones always crying foul.
Good for you Johnny Rotten.

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How would you pronounce this child's name?

"Le-a"  

Leah??                NO
Lee - A??            NOPE
Lay - a??             NO
Lei??                   Guess Again. 
This child attends a school in Kansas City , Mo. Her mother is irate because everyone is getting her name wrong. It's pronounced "Ledasha", When the Mother was asked about the pronunciation of the name, she said, "the dash don't be silent."

SO, if you see something come across your desk like this please remember to pronounce the dash. If dey axe you why, tell dem de dash don't be silent.

Thank you PJMS.

The Day The Music Died

Fifty years ago today, a plane crash took the lives of three popular rock and roll musicians. February 3, 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson's (aka "The Big Bopper") chartered Beechcraft went down in an Iowa farm's field.

The plane had been arranged for Buddy Holly and his band the Crickets, but some last minute seat swapping put Valens and Richardson on the plane, saving most notably Crickets band member Waylon Jennings.

Buddy Holly, a young Texan just 22 years old, and his band were arguably the hottest act in rock and roll, having recorded hits such as, "That'll Be the Day", "Peggy Sue", "Maybe Baby" and "Oh Boy". His death was lamented in popular song and film. Don McLean 1972 No. 1 hit "American
Pie" and George Lucas's classic "American Graffiti" of 1973. Prominent artists such as Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney give Holly credit for being a major musical influence.

The "The Big Bopper", 28 years old, was converted disk jockey that had written songs during a hitch in the army. He wrote "Running Bear," a song recorded by Johnny Preston. Richardson wrote his own most famous rockabilly song "Chantilly Lace" which scored a Top 10 chart rating.

Ritchie Valens, (aka Richard Valenzuela), was a young 17 years old atthe time of his death. He had already musically impacted the charts with "Donna" which reached No. 2 on the charts and "La Bamba" that reached No. 22. A movie about his life, "La Bamba" was released in 1987 starring Lou Diamond Phillips, this included a Los Lobos cover of the title song that reached No. 1 on the charts.

Madonna covered "American Pie" in 2000, a version that makes me want to puke.

In "American Graffiti", Paul LeMat's character, John Milner, says it best with the indelible line:

"I don't like that surfin' shit. Rock and roll's been going down hill ever since Buddy Holly died."

Sorry it happened guys, your futures were so bright.

Cherry Tomatoes

About a month ago I bought a kit for growing vegetables inverted. Then went down to Barnes Hardware and bought a tomato plant. Should have read the label a little bit better because the little fruit only gets to be about an inch in diameter.

It's just as well, the main idea was to be fun for the three children next door. Today they were each able to pick a tomato, only one of which was ripe. Their mom said it was good.

John Elroy Sanford

In 1922 this man was born in St. Louis and grew up in Chicago. Sanford's mother was a half Seminole Indian, was abandoned by her husband when the boy was four. Schooled in Chicago John dropped out of high school and shortly thereafter moved to New York.
In New York the young man became an associate in crime with Malcolm Little. Both men had the nickname that included "Red" because the process used to flatten their hair turned it to a reddish color. Malcolm Little, after serving time in prison became Malcolm X, leader of US Muslims and assassinated by his own people in the early 1960's. Sanford's and Little's relationship is chronicled in Alex Haley's biography of Malcolm X.
Malcom X thought he was the funniest dishwasher on earth, and soon he began workingin nightclubs as a standup comedian. Soon he gave himself the stage name Redd Foxx , taking the surname from from baseball star Jimmie Foxx. A carreer that took him through standup, Las Vegas, movies and television, Redd Foxx found national appeal inthe sitcom "Sanford and Son". Redd played the role of Fred Sanford which was the actual name of John's older brother who had died.
Redd Foxx died in 1991 while working on a new television show with friend Della Reese.
So there you have it John Elroy Sanford = Redd Foxx.

"I'm coming, Elizabeth"

Steveland Hardaway Judkins

Born nearly fifty -eight years ago, May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan. A premature birth which followed by incubation that caused cataracts and permanent blindness.

His family moved to Detroit, Michigan when the boy was just 4 years old. The youngster began singing and playing instruments in church, receiving training on the piano, congas, and harmonica. Formally educated at the Michigan School for the , this is where he was trained in classical piano.
At the age of twelve, this young man was introduced to Ronnie White of the The Miracles. White brought Steveland and his mother to Motown Records. Impressed by the young musician, Berry Gordy signed Steveland to Motown's Tamla label.

Just a year Judkins had his first major single, "Fingertips (Pt. 2)", playing vocals, bongos, and harmonica, and interesting enough Marvin Gaye on drums.

It was Berry Gordy that gave Steveland his known name, Little Stevie Wonder. Judkins later removed the diminutive adjective.

This is a list of Stevie Wonder's top ten singles....

• 1963: "Fingertips - Part 2" (U.S. #1)
• 1965: "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" (U.S. #3)
• 1966: "Blowin' in the Wind" (U.S. #9)
• 1966: "A Place in the Sun" (U.S. #9)
• 1967: "I Was Made to Love Her"(U.S. #2, UK #5)
• 1968: "For Once in My Life" (U.S. #2, UK #3)
• 1968: "Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day" (U.S. #9)
• 1969: "My Cherie Amour" (U.S. #4, UK #4)
• 1969: "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday" (U.S. #7, UK #2)
• 1970: "Never Had A Dream Come True" (UK #6)
• 1970: "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" (U.S. #3)
• 1970: "Heaven Help Us All" (U.S. #9)
• 1971: "If You Really Love Me" (U.S. #8)
• 1972: "Superstition" (U.S. #1)
• 1973: "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" (U.S. #1, UK #7)
• 1973: "Higher Ground" (U.S. #4)
• 1973: "Living for the City" (U.S. #8)
• 1974: "He's Misstra Know It All" (UK #10)
• 1974: "You Haven't Done Nothin'" (with The Jackson 5) (U.S. #1)
• 1974: "Boogie On Reggae Woman" (U.S. #3)
• 1977: "I Wish" (U.S. #1, UK #5)
• 1977: "Sir Duke" (U.S. #1, UK #2)
• 1979: "Send One Your Love" (U.S. #4)
• 1980: "Master Blaster (Jammin)" (U.S. #5, UK #2)
• 1980: "I Ain't Gonna Stand For It" (UK #10)
• 1981: "Lately" (UK #3)
• 1981: "Happy Birthday" (UK #2)
• 1982: "That Girl" (U.S. #4)
• 1982: "Do I Do" (UK #10)
• 1982: "Ebony and Ivory" (with Paul McCartney) (U.S. #1, UK #1)
• 1982: "Ribbon in the Sky" (U.S. #54 pop, #10 R&B)
• 1984: "I Just Called to Say I Love You" (U.S. #1, UK #1)
• 1985: "Part-Time Lover" (U.S. #1, UK #3)
• 1985: "That's What Friends Are For" (with Dionne Warwick, Elton John and Gladys Knight (U.S. #1)
• 1985: "Go Home" (U.S. #10)

Steveland has bee awarded 25 Grammy Awards:

• 1974 Best Rhythm & Blues Song "Superstition"
• 1974 Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male "Superstition"
• 1974 Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male "You are the Sunshine of My Life"
• 1974 Album of the Year Innervisions
• 1975 Best Rhythm & Blues Song "Living for the City"
• 1975 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "Boogie On Reggae Woman"
• 1975 Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Fulfillingness' First Finale
• 1975 Album of the Year Fulfillingness' First Finale
• 1977 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "I Wish"
• 1977 Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Songs in the Key of Life
• 1977 Best Producer of the Year
• 1977 Album of the Year Songs in the Key of Life
• 1986 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance In Square Circle
• 1987 Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal (awarded to Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Wonder) "That's What Friends Are For"
• 1996 Best Rhythm & Blues Song "For Your Love"
• 1996 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "For Your Love"
• 1999 Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s)(awarded to Herbie Hancock, Robert Sadin, and Wonder) "St. Louis Blues"
• 1999 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "St. Louis Blues"
• 2003 Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals(awarded to Wonder and Take 6) "Love's in Need of Love Today"
• 2006 Best Male Pop Vocal Performance "From the Bottom of My Heart"
• 2006 Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals(awarded to Beyoncé and Wonder) "So Amazing"
• 2007 Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals (awarded to Tony Bennett and Wonder) "For Once In My Life"

Stevie Wonder has seven children. His mother, object of his love expressed in song passed in 2006 at the age of 76.

Don't you worry bout a thing.

Dino Paul Crocetti

A tenth grade dropout who began his professional career as a boxer named "Kid Crocett" (playfully pronounced Kro-Shey). He started his entertainment career as a singer working for the Ernie McKay Orchestra, where he crooned in a style similar to Bing Crosby.
After serving domestically in the Army during WWII, Dino met Jerry Lewis while they were both performing at New York City's Glass Hat Club.
Yes, Dino Paul Crocetti was also known as Dean Martin.
The partnership between Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis started in 1946 and lasted ten years.
In 1957 Martin moved into his solo career as an actor, starting with "The Young Lions" which included Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift and Tony Randle. Many other memorable roles were in "The Sons of Katie Elder", and "Rio Bravo" both with John Wayne and in "Ocean's Eleven" with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Perter Lawford.
Martin's singing career continued throughout, this a sample of some of his best known work:

• Return To Me (Ritorna a Me)


• Everybody Loves Somebody


• Gentle On My


• Release Me


• In Napoli


• Standin On The Corner


• That's Amore

I have to admit, the work of this man is some of my favorite. The music is includes plenty of work that you would hear in any restaurant of Little Italy. This was the music of my parents and grandparents, it made a positive subconscious impression. Anyhow, my wife and I love it, it was made for Umberto's. The movies he did were best when he had the opportunity to play relaxed, if not devilish personalities, it fit the man.

Richard Zehringer

Best known as the lead guitarist that sang "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo".
Lesser known as the performer that sang the McCoys' number 1 hit "Hang on Sloopy".
Also known as Rick Derringer.
In his long and continuing career Derringer has played with the McCoys, Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Cindi Lauper, Kiss and Steely Dan. The Steely Dan song "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", from the album Pretzel Logic, is about a conversation with Rick.

• In 1973, my grandmother Issie gave me three 45 records for my birthday. The singles were Zehringer's "Rock and Roll, Hootchie Koo", "Top of the World" by the Carpenters and "Hooked on a Feeling" the ooka shaka version of the BJ Thomas song sung by Jonathan King. Those three records probably cost less than $3.00, and required a special trip for a woman that could barely dirve. It is nice to be able to remember this. Wish I still had the records.