Blog Archives
Right in the Middle of It All
Basketball season is in full swing, both at the collegiate and professional levels. Watching the athletic dunks, improbable shots and skill (not ability, but skill!) of the best players is great fun. Still, no player quite compares to my favorite basketball player of all-time: Penny Hardaway. Penny made crazy shots that were highlights every night for the Orlando Magic. Plus, he dished some stellar passes to this short and shy guy named Shaq. Hardaway also had the best little brother in the wise-cracking, Chris Rock-voiced Lil’ Penny.
And yet, his legacy is being defined in a middle school gym in Tennessee.
Penny Hardaway’s Legacy: Instead of offering our “two cents,” let’s volunteer one cent.
Peacefully Whisked Away
Here’s a little taste of my recent trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for the long Memorial Day weekend with some of my family:
“What kind of fruit is in the fruit cup?” my sister asked,
“Fruit” was the waitress’s response, so pithy and fast
We all got a big laugh as we came to realize in that instance,
of the unfiltered truth of the Volunteer State and its simplistic brilliance
The journey was an experience, that’s for sure,
especially traveling with two small children, with screams so pure
The imaginative street signs, the trees, the smoky mountains and the clean, crisp air,
is enough to immerse oneself into the culture and rock back and forth without a care
This includes playing miniature golf on a hillside one Saturday night,
at a place called “Hillbilly Golf,” which left us helplessly joking with smiles so bright
“Is that King Kong climbing on the side of that building over there?”
Sure it is, because why not? It’s just a little Tennessee flair
Up, down, and around we drove the mountain roads, searching for the place,
with the rooms to sleep in that had a view that would pleasantly shock any grumpy face
Overlooking at the towns below was a wondrous site,
peaking over the edge at the maximum height
The two-story cabin was beautiful, a great home base,
a perfect location to find some natural grace
The food was delicious, with breakfast setting the tone,
from the bacon to the eggs and french toast, it got us all into the Southern zone
This past weekend was an adventure, aided by a soothing breeze,
especially for those who zip-lined through and over the trees
Turning 180 degrees, the canon ball and the front flip,
were just a few of the ways to do a ‘Tennessee zip’
But for those who didn’t fly through the air with an audible swish,
they took a walk across a stunning bridge and made a special wish
Strolling through town, there were sights to remember, including the borderline eerie,
like venturing through pottery stores, goofy t-shirt warehouses and getting a picture with the cardboard gang of “The Big Bang Theory!”
And being from Ohio, there’s something all us Ohioans know,
which is whenever and wherever we hear OH-we always respond with an enthusiastic IO!
Monday was special occasion and not just for all those who protect us,
but because it was also the birthday for one of my sisters, a terrific plus!
Gifts were purchased and people relaxed in rare moments of serenity,
it was the ideal setting to rejuvenate one’s identity
Tennessee, I’d volunteer another weekend for you!
Dave Grohl Walks into a Bar in Nashville…
What do you get when you put a rock ‘n roll, punk music and drumming legend on said drums for country music’s Zac Brown Band?
Just click the video below to find out. Be prepared to have your mind blown!
Yes, this really happened last night at the Country Music Awards…Once again, this went down at the Country Music Awards!
Electric guitars and loud drums have been injected into the country music genre for some time now. Last night, however, oddly enough, the awards show felt like a bit of a country music/rock show hybrid. There was the Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley and the Zac Brown Band (w/ Dave Grohl) that got the fans going, just for starters. Without knowing how or why Dave Grohl and Zac Brown decided to collaborate together for one song, one night on national television, their unique guitar-drums partnership generated a pulse likely never heard before in Nashville.
“Day for the Dead” is a full-bodied sound, satisfying for any music fan. It does not sound like a normal country music song. Surprisingly, viewers and attendees were treated to this new song by not just one, but by two great musical storytellers from opposite sides of the track. The performance was random, crazy and incredible.
It was great music played by great artists with their finely-tuned instruments.
There is a genuine yearning for authentic rock ‘n roll these days. Plus, country music seems to continue to get more popular by the day. ABC is playing its part in attracting viewers with its television hit, “Nashville” (with Hayden Panettiere), but fans keep emerging from all corners of everywhere…
Diddy + Nashville = What!?
The Zac Brown Band and guest drummer Dave Grohl gave the audience in the arena and at home a sound and visual that will resonate well beyond last night’s performance. As the video clip above shows, one can never go wrong with great musical storytelling if it’s told through the pulse of some genuine rock ‘n roll.
Grohl’s Foo Fighters band mate Chris Shiflett had to be smiling with a bit of shock last night with his cowboy hat on, even if it was just for a few minutes while hanging with his fellow Dead Peasants.
It truly was a ‘day for the music.’
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