Big Leather Couch

Check out "Looking At The Sky Friday" participants by clicking on the banner above and heading over to Crazy Working Mom's site.

This one is also from my trip south to assist Nancy when she forgot something on her business trip about a month or so ago.

Cruising down I78 South...I turn my head to see the sky off to my left.

Grab the cell phone and clickity click and this is what I got.

I love the swirls of the clouds along the horizon...the sweeping segment of cloud coming into the photo right to left...and above all the nastiness, the blue sky calls out that better days are ahead.

All I did was crop out some of the bottom of the original to focus in on the clouds.

Looks like next week I get to place an order.... WOOOO!

Oh this gets much bigger by clickity clicking.

Thanks to everyone who went over and visited HOPE RADIO , and hopefully you were able to assist in their efforts.

ALso, I know a bunch went over and signed the petition to ensure the passage of the BREAST CANCER PATIENT PROTECTION ACT. If you haven't, take a few minutes and do so now...

IT'S THE WEEKEND!

Fire up the grill...crack open some cold brewskis...char some animal flesh and have a grand time!

Because, even though the calendar might not be saying it yet, it is officially right around the corner....yes kiddies...SUMMERTIME!!!!!!!!

SO..for the weekend...and for the summer...Man, I could have made this a 1-2 block of just songs with SUMMER in the title. What is your favorite SUMMER song and which is what song reminds you of SUMMER most?

Summertime - Janis Joplin & the Kozmic Blues Band
(Live - Amsterdam, The Netherlands - 04/01/69)
Summer Wind - Frank Sinatra
Boys Of Summer - Don Henley
Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams

ENJOY.......

Well, here it is 10:33pm and normally I would be lying on the bed, watching basketball, or if the games got boring, something on TiVo. My post would be done...I would be 'chillin''

HECK-A-DOODLE NO!!!!!! But you know what? I really can't be all upset, because I have been in front of the computer since I got home around 5:15pm (ain't it great to live like 5 minutes from work? Well that will change real soon and I can't wait!!! LOL)

Anyway, so, in front of the computer since I got home...right...working on the header for the new food blog.

I had it done with one template and the when I went and previewed, it did not rock me. And it was doing something funny with the code. Something I found a few times to be honest.

I finally found a clean template (because, you know, a food blog....kitchens....you have to be clean and all), and then I had to change the primary color of the header. which should have been a snap working with GIMP the freeware program (going to be getting my CS3 real soon. CS 4 just came out and CS3 is now a bargain!), so, sorry....drifting around here today...so it should have been easy, but - HECK-A-DOODLE NO - again, this time for real - when I saved I saved as a .png instead of as a native file so all the layers compressed!

SO I had to rebuild it...so at 9:15 my stomach yelled 'HEY BOZO REMEMBER ME? YOU KNOW....THE BODY PART THAT HAS BEEN GROWLING FRO THE LAST HOUR!!!', so luckily, the other night I whipped up some sausage and peppers and onions so I made a sandwich and came right back to the computer.

Finally finished it...I think - I always tinker - but if all is well, you will be introduced on Monday with it's first real post. I even got a real url for it - I am such a renaissance man, ain't I!

Thanks to TURNBABY of "And As The World Turns"for her constant nagging stalker-type emails, suggestions that I do this and also for what has become the tag line for the site.

IF YOU ARE REAL CLEVER YOU CAN EVEN FIND IT AS THERE IS A CLUE...

Other than that, I got nothing....I am exhausted and am actually surprised this was not a one line post and some music...Oh yeah...we will be doing music there also...and going to try and keep it food themed!

FOOD! MUSIC! TWO OF THE GREATS!

Thanks to all who voted yesterday...some weeks we have bands the majority loves, some weeks, not so much...but in the end it is the distribution of new music information we are trying to accomplish.

Yesterday I mentioned I would be telling the story of a man who was beloved here in Memphis. Unfortunately real life has gotten in the way and I did not have time to do the post justice, so that will wait until tomorrow.

I decided to respond to yesterday's comment by our good friend PHFRANKIE BONDO from "Steamboat Slough"...

Phfrankie...you asked for it bud...from this collection...

From the LOVE SONGS Album:
How Deep Is The Ocean

From the STAGE Album:
September Song

From the SWING Album:
Birth Of The Blues

Have a great day and stay warm...

LIVE BROADCAST: January 27, 2008 @ 9 PM ET
PODCAST AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD:
Immediately following the live broadcast
Become a Radio Happy Hour subscriber

for free !

Actor Colm Feore plays First Gentleman Henry Taylor on the current season of FOX’s Emmy-award winning drama 24.
Feore’s character is husband to actress Cherry Jones‘ United States President Allison Taylor.

Singer/songwriter/actress Brittany Burton is the host of Beta Records TV, a brand new half-hour weekly television program that shows a mix of live performances, music news, interviews and product reviews.
Segments of this news magazine style show range from reports on trends and music technology to interviews with up-and-coming artists and executives heading major music companies like Napster and Pandora.

Rock band Doublethink blends stadium rock, pop, heavy metal, and alternative music. We’ll meet them and hear cuts off their new EP “Seeing Red,” on sale Valentine’s Day.

All that, plus:

• Dangerous Lee co-hosts

• Vinny Bond sits on his Big Leather Couch to chat live with the listeners

• Justin the Weatherman delivers a forecast

• Shawn Amos returns with another GetBack.com Pop Quiz

• Bernadette Giacomazzo files a PopCultureMadness.com report

• and we’ll take your calls at 646-652-4804

The weather got a little warmer here in Memphis and then dropped back into the low 30's...but all in all a nice weekend was had.

Beginning next week, I am traveling most of February. I will be posting as much as possible and hope to make visits to your blogs as much as possible.

You know something strange did happen this weekend. As y'all know, I am digitizing my vinyl and cassettes and for some reason I reached into one of the boxes on Saturday morning to look at some of the "box sets" I have collected over the years and found one I had totally forgotten I owned.

For last week, we will be sending Astronauts Of Antiquity to
KIMMIE of "Pretty Amazing Grace", and the Bob Pressner CD to JOHN H of "Altjiranga Mitjina". Y'all both have to email me your snail mail addresses...

Now for this week...

Pat Monahan is the lead singer and songwriter for the Grammy award winning band Train. He is a successful solo artist, and has collaborated with multiple artists. Pat plays percussion, saxophone, mandolin, flute, electric violin, clarinet, trombone, and bongos.

His latest solo endeavor is Last Of Seven Acoustic, and was released as a digital download only, but I received a CD of the project.

Honestly, I was unfamiliar with his band Train, so I did not know what to expect when I put the CD in...

Mr. Monahan has a voice reminiscent of the rock stars of today. He seems to have a true love for his own voice. His vocals are pushed way to the front.

The collection of musicians on this CD number 29 with notable guest appearances by Brandi Carlile, who joins Monahan on the ballad, "Pirate on the Run," while Graham Nash sings backup on "Cowboys and Indians," and Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora plays on "Someday."

Did I enjoy listening to this CD....honestly, at times it was very pleasing, then again at other times I tended to be bored by his sound.

Two songs...first the duet with Brandi Carlile and then the song "Her Eyes", one of my more favored cuts...

The CD is available - let me know in comments...

Next up is the debut album from a band called Glasvegas a Scottish rock band whose current lineup came together in 2006 in Glasgow. The band is James Allan on vocals, Rab Allen on guitar, Paul Donoghue on bass and Caroline McKay on drums.

The band came in fourth in the BBC's Sound of 2008 poll to find the brightest musical talent.

The overall sound is a bit pop, a bit rock, even some rockabilly behind a wall of guitar noise. Lyrically the band has some interesting material. The guitars are smashed together to give a furious sound to their music. On the first cut "Flowers & Football Tops", I had to go and restart it as it sounded like the recording was distorted in the pressing.

Singer James Allan says the group started by taking their lead from classic doo-wop groups.

"It's a minimalist approach to the rhythm, it's really simple, but that simplicity leaves a lot of room for other things," he says.

"And the other things... I really like a lot of orchestral music and classical music. I think that can be a good furious backdrop to something.

"A lot of the sound that I get with the guitars is to make it sound like an orchestra. But we've only got the bass, my guitar and his guitar."

Two from their debut album; "Daddy's Gone", a semi-autobiographical 'ballad' that opens with the lyrics "How you are my hero/ How you're never here though/ Remember times when you put me on your shoulders/ How I wish that it was forever you would hold us."

The second song is "Lonesome Swan", which carries the pounding beat, wall of guitars theme throughout.

Let us know if you want the CD...

Yesterday a long discussion in my comments occurred over the story of the man who sued and won for being asked to cover a shirt other passengers found 'threatening'.

Was the message on the shirt threatening? No, if you knew where the slogan came from. Possibly, if you did not know the origins (I did not know when I began research on the story - I found out doing the research).

Was the whole incident justified? Not in my opinion. As I stated yesterday, Mr. Jarrar could have probably used more common sense while preparing and dressing for his trip. JetBlue and the TSA should have been more professional in their handling of the situation.

Did it warrant a lawsuit? Not in my opinion.

The comments made by you, my most wonderful guests, were thought provoking and both sides of the case were defended.

This is one of the wonderful things about the blogging community. For the most part, bloggers allow anyone who comments to state their opinion.

There was an incredible discussion over the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip over at DIANNE'S "Forks Of The Moment" blog the other day and without getting nasty everyone had their say.

Thanks to all of you who contributed here yesterday!

I mentioned the other day, that Nancy was traveling on Monday and Tuesday on business and she only had brief moments to check comments from Monday's Vlog and big announcement.

She really felt it was necessary to respond to all the comments we received and last night she sat down and did so. I asked her to send them to me, since most of you would not have seen her responses if they just went into the comments section from Monday's post.

I formatted it to show your comment and her reply.

So, today...I turn The Couch over to my fiance Nancy and allow her to speak to each of you who left comments for us...

Nancy...take it awayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy...

Starrlight said...OFMG!!! Congrats Vinny and Nancy!!! Details Baby, details!
STARR: You can have all the details you want … just ask me. Sending my sincere thanks for the congrats.

Matt-Man said...Happy New Year and Congrats to you and Nancy. I guess the socks were an omen for you. Cheers Vinny!!
MATT-MAN: Thanks for the congrats … we lurves socks for stocking stuffers.

Turnbaby said...Those are just fabulous! You should do more vlogs--you really have a knack for them.
We had a great time and I am very excited about your great news. I wish everyone could have been there to see the joy in both your faces.
SMOOCH
PS--I am a lazy slug and don't have a thing up yet;-)
TURNBABY: We were so happy to have you and Brad here for NYE and your being here made it that much more special

Desert Songbird said...Heartiest congrats, Vinny! I'm thrilled for you and Nancy. I knew this year would be wonderful for you.
So, are you gonna do a match.com commercial now? *big cheesy grin*
SONGBIRD: TY for your warm wishes. Our story is a match.com story made in heaven ;-).

Empress Bee (of the High Sea) said...congratulations bond! i hope 2009 is fabulous for you both!
personally i was so disappointed when we went to graceland. i guess working in palm beach real estate all those years i was expecting so much more in the actual house. but the "stuff" was great!
smiles, bee xxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
BEE: Thanks for the congrats … Hopefully 2009 will be fabulous for us all.

katherine. said...Vincent and Nancy - congratulations and best wishes! What a very special way to begin the new year.
(even better than Ole Miss winning!!)
It was fun to see the v-log...I can tell there will be more....please just keep the one from the honeymoon private! smile.
KATHERINE: Hmmmmm Ole Miss winning the Cotton Bowl vs. proposal; thinking this through again Ole Miss winning the Cotton Bowl vs. proposal…….Oh Yeah ….. The proposal was the highlight! Thanks Kat for your congratulations & best wishes. It was a special way to begin the New Year.

Micky-T said...Dance to the music....Congratulations!
MICKEY: Music makes everything better and being able to dance …… Ahhhhhh One of life’s simple pleasures. TY for your Congratulations.

Anndi said...Congratulations. Much deserved happiness to you both!
Since we couldn't come I guess I'll settle for learning your news THIS way. *pouts*
ANNDI: I truly wish you and “your honey” could have been here. TY for your Congratulations.

Mimi Lenox said...True love! I'm so happy for you! Congratulations to both of you!
The videos are stopping in the middle...I shall return.
(doing a happy dance about your wonderful news....)!
MIMI: Interesting how the mind defines true love the older you become … this is true love. Thanks for your warm wishes Mimi.

Dianne said...I'm so happy!!
I love when good things come to be for good people.
It's gonna be a great year!
DIANNE: Thanks! It is gonna be a great year.

Julie said...**blinks**
Holy moley! Woohoooo!!! I'm all a-tingly at the news! So happy for both of you! I think my mouth hung open for a bit!
No...I guess that's really nothing new.
JULIE: We tried to give you a heads up …. Why would your mouth hang open????? Hey I’m all a-tingly too. SMOOCH

Dr. Blogstein said...Congrats, VinBo!
DOC: We need to talk ….

Brad said...It was awesome hanging out with you guys. I especially cherish you grabbing my ass at Sun Studios.
Now, I didn't get a Hershey Bar in my gift bag. Who do I see about that?
BRAD: oh yeah about that Hershey Bar …. I was hoping not to have to say anything BUT since you brought it up … Alice “the dog” lurves you!

Phfrankie Bondo said...the bar has been raised...magnificent vlogging!...and congrat's!!!...
PHFRANKIE: TY for your congrats.

Patti said...Dear Vinny,
What wonderful news!!
Congratulations to you and Nancy!! I had a feeling that was going to happen on New Year's Eve. ;-)
The menu looked great. I'll tell Ralph to make all that next year to usher in 2010.
I couldn't hear anything with the Graceland video. I'll try later.
(Laughing at Brad's comment, and your reply.)

Patti said...Oooh! Thanks for the tour of Graceland. This time I could hear Elvis while I was watching.
Very cool.
The vlog was great. I detected a bit of New Yawk in your voice!
PATTI: Next time let me in on your feelings will ya!!! … as for the bit of New Yawk in Vinny’s voice – you can place a Yankee in the South but you can’t take the Yawk out of the born Northerner ;-). Graceland was awesome!

Knight said...Congratulations! What an amazing start to a new year. I'm very happy for you and your beautiful fiance.
KNIGHT: Thank you for the Congrats and it was an amazing beginning.

Judy said...Vinny, I am so happy about you and Nancy. She deserves much happiness. which she has with you. Happy New Year
JUDY: TY! And for the record … He is so Northern and I am sooooooo Southern but in this UNION the south wins (bwahahahahahaha). Thanks for being there my friend.

Kb said...CONGRATULATIONS!! What a way to start a new year!
Loved your Vlog! Happy New Year!
KB: Thank you for your warm wishes.

maryt/theteach said...Oh Wow, Vinny! Congratulations to you and Nancy! I let out a "yea!" when you said you asked Nancy to marry you! All the very best! Happy New Year and Happy Birthday to Nancy! BTW that meal looked scrumptious. My Vinny made a "fish stew" for Christmas Eve as he does every Xmas Eve! And the appetizer looked very delicious and very familiar (you know Vinny is Italian right?) Again all the best to you and Nancy!
MARY: Thank you for the congratulations and best wishes. So you already live with an Italian named Vinny, any words of advice???

Mags said...FANTASTIC! The food looks fabulous and delicious an YAY FOR NANCY AND VINNY!!! I'm so happy for you and wish you the best of luck.
Cool idea with the place cards by the way-love the idea that it's all from the same picture.
MAGS: TY!

Meribah said...Crikey! Knock the puppy over with a feather, why doncha? I DID NOT expect that at all...I mean, you had chocolate cream pie??? Yuuuum! LOL
Okay, okay, don't hit me, I meant the proposal, yes I did! Congratulations. You two are so sweet and I wish you both all sorts of happiness. Hugs!
MERI: Thanks puppy – you’re the best!

Joey said...As I said in the email!!
Mazel Tov, so happy for you two!!!
(that means congrats btw lol) :)
Cheers to a wonderful life ahead of you!!! Huggggggggggs
JOEY: OK so I didn’t know what Mazel Tov meant (I’m a born in the south - true southern bred lady) … glad the Yankee bailed me out! Thanks for the well wishes – truly appreciated.

Jay said...Congrats to Vinny and Nancy!
Great news dude! Well done.
JAY: Thanks! You are always welcome here - OB not Memphis ;-)

Ralph said...Wow, theses events are really special when you sweat the details like the onions, I'd guess...)
The menus and grab bags place the exclamation point on the night...
Except for your proposal to darlin' Nancy. That is the creme-du-creme, to use a food term. You have had a great year, and 2009 will be even more special!
PS: I love the Sun Records hat!
RALPH: It has truly been a great year … meeting new friends & finding a partner. TY for your sweet comments.

Roger said...Happy New Year Vin! I can't see the videos drat! Just my ISP I am sure.
ROGER: Happy New Year! Sorry you couldn’t see the videos.

Dana said...LMOO! Love the hat! Sounds like y'all had a wonderful time!
:gasp: You're getting married! WOO! WOO! WOO!
:blinks: Is that a Monkees album behind your head? This post is just getting better and better!
DANA: Don’t you just love Bond in a hat … It was a wonderful time for all!

Dana said...Holy crap!! I'm so glad I left this as unread in my reader and came back to watch it tonight.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
You know Vinny (and Nancy), the two of you give me hope - hope that it can get better when I decide I deserve better! Thank you and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
DANA: I’M glad you came back to watch too and very humbled if we give you hope that it can get better. You are an awesome lady and deserve only the best!

Tug said...YAY!!!! That's the news I thought I saw...MANY MANY CONGRATS to you both!
The vlog & slideshow were awesome - next time @ graceland though, I think you & Brad need to be wearing your blinged-out jumpsuits. ;-)
YAY!!!!!!! (k, I'm done)
TUG: Thanks for your many congrats …. Hmmmmm picturing Brad & Bond in blinged-out jumpsuits Bwahahahahahahaha!

Turnbaby said...
Just came back to make sure that the fabulous menu and effort were getting the attention they so richly deserved amongst all the congrats---all y'all should be really jealous;-)
I need Brad in the hat and the Graceland group pic!
You rawk you know--I told you that right?*grin*
TURNBABY: SMOOCH

Travis said...Outstanding! Pam and I send our best wishes to you both!
And it looks like you still had a great NYE party, even if a few guests didn't show.
I'll have to come back for the other video.
TRAVIS: My sincere thanks to you and Pam for your best wishes. Hope you get to see the video later.

Starrlight said...Well details better be forthcoming!
STARR: Now which details are you referring too? Some are shareable some maybe not ;-).

Twyla said...Yay!!! CONGRATS on the engagement!!! Woo hoo!
I am so far behind on things. LOL
TWYLA: Thanks!

Angell said...I'm sorry I'm behind here.
SQUEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
*glomptackles Bond and Nancy babies!*
I'm so excited for the two of you, and so happy!!
Congrats you guys.
ANGELL: I can relate to that feeling SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEE – wow that felt good. TY for the congrats.

Roger said...
Hey I can see it!!! Congrats to you and Nancy WOOWOO! I didn't want to say anything till I saw the videos. Top notch editing to Vin, Graceland always wanted to stop never got the chance.
ROGER: Thanks for coming back to watch, and thanks for your congratulations.

M said...
Loved the videos and congratulations!!
M: Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for your congratulations.

Anonymous said...
Happy New Year Vinny and Nancy and Congratulations,hope you will be very happy
Terry and Paul Stabile
TERRY & PAUL: Vinny and I appreciate your taking the time to wish us well. We truly believe we will be.

Hope all y'all had marvelous weekends...I went and watched some golf on Friday at the St. Judes Open and then Saturday and Sunday darlin' Nancy and I were at Peter's baseball games. Hot weekend here with temps in the mid 90's and blazing sun. Beginning to feel healthy again as my tan is really taking hold. The Mississippi Vipers won their groups Championship with solid hitting, excellent pitching and total determination, coming back to win three games where they found themselves behind.

SUMMER WIND
Henry Mayer and Johnny Mercer
1966
A cool, nostalgic tale of a fleeting romance

Excellent job Pia...Exactly correct...
BAND: Jerry Garcia - unofficial
SONG: My Funny Valentine
BAND MEMBERS: Jerry Garcia (guitar), Merle Saunders (organ), Bill Vitt (drums), John Kahn (bass)
ALBUM: Live At The Keystone Volume 2

This is a tremendous album as is Volume One ...
both albums contain superb performances drawn from the quartet's
July 10-11, 1973, run in the intimate confines of Keystone Korners in Berkeley.
For this song, the band does not do their interpretation, they pretty
much take the song apart and rebuild it to their taste.


We will come back to this at another time...

For today...other interpretations of this tremendous song...
as our friend from Canada pointed out,
this classic is by Lorenz Hart & Richard Rogers...

Enjoy with your angel, your honey-bunny, your love, your cuddles,
your darling, your DH or DW....sweet

ELLA:

FRANK: (hope this one works)

SARAH:

CARLY:

ROD: (another one giving me troubles)

BARBRA:


NOW, Go back and listen to the Garcia/Saunders/Kahn & Vitt
version and see how brilliant it really it...

ENJOY ALL...tomorrow, a special story about
a special person in the music business