Ragweed Express!

Growing up in a musical family had some pretty cool perks. My Mom's cousin played in a country band in the late 60's and through the 70's. He recorded an album in Nashville call Old Cars and Guitars. He was pretty busy here in the midwest. By the early 80's his oldest son Greg moved to Nashville, toured with Tanya Tucker as her guitar player. After that gig ran it's course he became an engineer with WB and later executive producer, Changed his name to Gregg with two G's and produced albums for Travis Tritt and Tanya Tucker. I haven't seen him in years but after seeing the crap that comes out of Nashville's big studios and labels it doesn't shock me that he wants nothing to do with it. He's been a southern rocker most of his life.
A great band on a label out of Nashville but based in Texas is Cross Canadian Ragweed. I first heard them a few years ago on a trip to Dallas and instantly took a liking to them. Here's their Take on Nashville, God Bless Ragweed. BTW, This December I'll be in IA for two nights to see them again in Iowa City and Des Moines.

Dreaming my life away

There's something about being in that state of not being awake and not quite being asleep. Those night's of being up at 4:00am, a good buzz, the moon shining down on frozen packed snow outside. Rory Gallagher will give you that same feeling. I have never seen a guitarist put raw emotion into his playing like Rory. Sure there are others that play with fiery passion. SRV and Koss come to mind, But Rory is in a league of his own. A true master of the blues and country styles, he never achived the household name recognition that some musicians had. Maybe that's the way he wanted it. When Jimi Hendrix was asked how it felt to be the best guitar player in the world, he replied, "Why don't you ask Rory Gallagher"

So take a listen to Rory and his trusty Strat and drift a million miles away!

Tornado Warning

After visiting my Dad this weekend, I started to think of the places he took me as kid. Right around 1974 I was a shy little six year old, who only knew two things about music. Country and Western! OK so that's a little rip off of another of my favorite movies. Being an impressionable youth my Dad took me to see Freddy Fender at the state fair. It wasn't until years later when I moved out of my metal days that I came back to Freddy and discovered him all over again. He sang with such emotion on this tune. Elvis got NOTHING on him man! I can't imagine a world without Freddy Fender, he left us too soon. At least I can show my kids these video's and share my stories. Now excuse me while I enjoy my Wasted Days and Wasted Nights!



If your toes aren't tapping to this you better check your pulse!

Roger Wilco!

All this talk of Wilco lately made me dig out A.M. and I proceeded to play my favorite song from that album. High School parking lots, riding around with an open 12 pack, Lynyrd Skynyrd cranked on the stereo. The good old days before some people got smart about drinking and driving. I had a buddy who could wallpaper his room with tickets. Yep the good old days. Muscle cars were cheap and we all had them. The smell of 100 octane and burning rubber made us giddy and it didn't matter that we had nothing better to do. My teenage years were a carbon copy of the movie Dazed and Confused. I wish I could go back.....Enjoy a little Passenger Side.

UFO Sighting

Last year about this time, my wife calls me frantic as all hell. Get outside now, I'll pick you up in a second. As we drive up the road near the lake, there are three lights up in thee sky. Maybe 500ft off the ground moving slowly over the houses, they made no sound at all. We followed them for a about three miles up I35, before they split off in three directtions and took off at a high rate of speed.
Seriously freaky stuff. Which brings me to another freak. Michael Schenker, yes that schenker, UFO guitarist and early metal icon. I can definately see where Iron Maiden got some of thier sound. Enjoy some 70's Metal!

Gone But Not Forgotten

Throughout the rock and roll minefield of history, great talent is laid to waste. Plane crashes, drugs, women, the road. They all take their toll. Paul Kossoff, son of British actor David Kossoff was one of the greatest players of the late 60's. Hearing his mournful tone pouring from his assortment of Les Paul's can bring a tear to your eye or fill your head with a dreamscape of swirling color. A true rock tradgedy, Paul died on a flight in 1976 after struggles with his health and drug addiction. By far the biggest influence on my playing, Koss should be remembered.
Angus Young, Gary Rossington and many other's cite Koss as a major influence, go ahead listen for yourself.