Big Leather Couch

In 6 short days the blues world is descending upon Memphis, TN - THE HOME OF THE BLUES - for the International Blues Challenge.

108 bands, 81 solo/duo acts and 28 acts in the Youth Showcase (any act that all members are under the age of 21 at the time of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis).

Curious who the acts are? You can find a complete listing of bands, solo/duo acts and youth showcase participants on the entry page.

There is scoring that is followed to a tee...if you are interested, you can read about them on the rules page.

Some of the things I did not know about, but have learned this month as I interview acts who have earned their way to Memphis is that, within a few months of the competition, the entrants get their score sheet from their performances with notes made by the judges.

This is very cool. How else do artists know how to improve on their skills. On of my guests, TJ Sullivan competed last year as a duo. The responses he received made him to go through the competition this year as a solo artist and he won his way back to Memphis...listen and learn!

This morning I posted a comment on A.C. Wharton's Facebook page - OH, he is the Mayor of Memphis BTW - my message to the Mayor...

Would be nice if there was a whole lot of stuff around the city for the IBC next week. Artists and music folks coming from all over the world and we should be greeting them as royalty as we are HOME OF THE BLUES...

I mean, really...go to a city when a convention is coming to town and there are billboards up welcoming the conventioneers... Go into a city that is hosting a big football game or a Bowl game and all you see is banners and signs talking about the event.

Here in Memphis, so 1,000 or more people are going to be spending money (hotels, food, drink, etc) and time in our city and I have not seen word one about it. Nothing in the local papers. Nothing on the local TV.

HELL, in August everything is Elvis here and the city makes a huge deal...the papers make a huge deal...the TV makes a huge deal.

Granted we are also THE BIRTHPLACE OF ROCK AND ROLL (well, actually Tupelo is where Elvis was born, but Sun records is here in Memphis).

I am comfuzzled why the city is not jumping on board the IBC bandwagon and doing something about it. I even know some people who have lived here their whole life who were unaware the IBC even existed!!!!

I went to the Shelby County website (Memphis is in Shelby Country)..their calendar of events...
Jan. 29
Healthy Baby. Healthy Community. Community Crusade Day of Service
Feb. 18
Bring Your “A” Game
Apr. 22
Offices Closed - Good Friday
May 30
Offices Closed - Memorial Day

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...Not even a mention of the IBC...OK, but that is the county site...let's check the Memphis site...

So, I go to the City Of Memphis site and click on Visitors and the Information & Maps (under Entertainment, you click Music and it just lists business that offer music).

HA..I am told I am being directed to another site with a note that says:

So I am on the site for Memphis Travel.

I click on Events (has to be listed, right?)...then to Live Music Events (MUST be listed, right?) I ask for all events..and scroll down to the listings for February 2,3,4,5. I see listings for my friends bands playing those evenings (the competition runs from 4pm - 7 pm each night)...but NOTHING ON THE IBC!

Back to the city website, maybe I missed something there...NOPE...not a word about Memphis hosting the IBC...why should there be? I mean it is ONLY THE HOME OF THE BLUES!!!!



How in the heck does that happen?

You can check out my interviews with musicians coming to Memphis with the player on the top right side.

Memphis, TN - Home Of The Blues & The Birthplace Of Rock & Roll...

yup, that is what the signs say.

Unfortunately, over the last number of years things have changed drastically and they might have to add ...and the graveyard of the blues.

Why is that you ask? well, it is amazing what less than a year of talking to local musicians can do to your attitude about a place...

The place in question is the infamous Beale Street.

Let's look at a paragraph on Beale Street:

In the 1960s, Beale became run down and many stores closed, although on May 23, 1966, the section of the street from Main to 4th was declared a National Historic Landmark.

On December 15, 1977, Beale Street was officially declared the Home of the Blues by an act of Congress. Despite this national recognition of its historic significance, Beale was a virtual ghost town after a disastrous urban renewal program with every building except Schwabs boarded up. It was not until the 1980s that Beale Street was redeveloped by Elkington & Keltner (now Performa Entertainment Real Estate) which led to an economic revitalization with new clubs and attractions opening.

Ah...saviors...Elkington & Keltner...YAY...or BOO, depending upon how you feel about music.

You see, today Beale is bustling. There are many clubs and three new ones opened in the last 6 months.

The problem? Simple...the club owners don't pay. Nada...or almost nada that is. A 5 piece band playing a 4-hour set is offered anywhere from $200 and maybe a bit more. Think about that. Less than $40 a person for 4 hours of work...SLAVE WAGES.

During the day on weekdays and weekends, and even at night at most clubs, the bands plying their trade are not paid at all and work off of tips from customers.

This is the street where national acts used to want to play. Where people like Buddy Guy or James Cotton would join a band on stage and wail away.

Now...not so much.

The bands I know all look forward to going on the road and getting paid for their efforts.

It seems that Memphis music is appreciated everywhere but in Memphis.

Recently, the city took back Beale from Performa Entertainment Real Estate. Now, the mayor is putting together a council to discuss how to save the Beale Street district.

The bars all have outside speakers that blare music...Rap, hip-hop, rock and yes, some blues. On Sunday as I strolled down the street on my way to see Victor Wainwright, Josh Roberts and Greg Gumpel play I could not even make out what songs were playing it was so loud.

Victor and Greg play in the Wildroots, Josh is Reba's guitar player. They played from 7pm - 11pm; three sets. Why do they do it? Because they love to play.

If I calculate that every person that put something in the tip jar added $10, I bet they made no more than $50 each for the night...These three guys will be traveling to Norway in about a month where their bands will be viewed as stars, playing to thousands if not tens of thousands.

Thousands and get paid, or 50 people and maybe pay for pancakes at IHOP afterward...which would you choose? Many of the bands that played Beale in the past, choose the former and you can't see them on Beale.

One of the clubs goes totally urban at night and it has caused problems on the street with fights and the like.

This is a link to a very well written article by Mr. Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms, who is the harp and keyboard player for the Reba Russell band. He also plays on Beale with the Eric Hughes Band, where they work for tips or get paid the minimum. Why? Because he loves to play.

In his article, he makes some excellent suggestions for the club owners and the city to try and save this wonderful area and the music it breeds.

Do you have a music area in your town? Do they charge a cover to see the local bands?

There is an old adage in business that if you give something for free, the perception is that is what it is worth. If you charge (even a small fee - $5/head), the perception is you are getting something for your money.

I believe it is time that the city of Memphis and the club owners on Beale Street realize they have something special and the tourists who come here will still come even if they have to pay a few dollars.

Last night, this was a subject I had planned to discuss with Reba Russell..she also sent an open letter to the mayor's council on Sunday and I knew it would be more than a few minutes discussion.

How does she feel? You can listen to the archive of the show HERE or just see the player at the top of this page.

Reba's open letter to the Mayor's Council (she did it in all caps, not me)

GUYS...SOME THOUGHTS

WHILE ONE CANNOT LEAVE OUT OTHER GENRE'S OF MUSIC ON BEALE, IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR BLUES TO BE THE FOCUS? HIP-HOP, ROCK, COUNTRY, AND POP ARE NOT WHAT TOURISTS COME TO SEE ON BEALE. NOR DO THEY EXPECT THAT AT MIDNIGHT ON WEEKENDS THE STREET FLIPS TO A DANCE CLUB ATMOSPHERE, FILLED WITH THUGGISH YOUNG PEOPLE HANGING OUT AND LOOPED BEATS POUNDING FROM OUTDOOR SPEAKERS. AT THE VERY LEAST, ALL OUTDOOR SPEAKERS SHOULD BE PLAYING BLUES EVEN IF THE MUSIC INSIDE IS NOT BLUES. BETTER YET, NO OUTDOOR SPEAKERS AT ALL UNLESS IT IS WHAT IS BEING PLAYED BY REAL MUSICIANS INSIDE. IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A FACADE, LET IT BE BLUES.

OUR LOCAL MUSICIANS ARE GREAT AND BEALE NEEDS TO SUPPORT THEM, HOWEVER, THE FACT THAT TOURING BANDS NO LONGER MAKE BEALE A REGULAR STOP ON THEIR TOURS HURTS THE ATTENDANCE OF LOCAL PATRONS. THE REASON NO TOURING ACTS COME TO BEALE THESE DAYS IS BECAUSE OF THE PAY SCALE AND THE SOUND REQUIREMENTS. THE LOCAL ACTS WHO PLAY SEMI-REGULARLY HAVE DRIVEN THE WAGES DOWN CONSIDERABLY. THE CLUBS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS FACT THUS THE ENTIRE COMPLETION OF THE STREET HAS CHANGED FROM TOP QUALITY ACTS TO SHUCK AND JIVE BALONEY, COVER BANDS, SINGLES AND TRIOS. THIS IS EMBRACED BY CLUB OWNERS SO THAT THEY CAN KEEP THE WAGES LOW. THE ONLY TIME BEALE IS TRULY BLUES IS DURING BLUES FOUNDATION EVENTS. ONE OF WHICH IS THE IBC'S. HOW SAD THAT ENDEAVOR IS FOR THE BANDS. THE SOUND EQUIPMENT IN THE CLUBS IS HORRIBLE. ALL THESE FOLKS WORK SO HARD COMPETING TO GET TO BEALE ONLY TO HAVE THEIR PERFORMANCES SUBJECTED TO CRAPPY SOUND. IN THE MANY YEARS I HAVE ATTENDED THE IBC'S AND LISTENED TO "FULL BANDS" PLAYING, I HAVE NEVER REALLY HEARD ANY VOCALS. IT'S ALL MUD. HELL, THAT GOES FOR EVERYDAY DOWN THERE. THE ONLY CLUBS WITH ADEQUATE (NOT STELLAR) SOUND ARE BB KINGS, THE NEW DAISY, AND RUM BOOGIE. THE REST SUCK. IN MY TRAVELS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND EVEN IN OTHER COUNTRIES, THE BANDS I HAVE A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO ASK ALL THE TIME...WHAT HAPPENED TO BEALE? THEY SAY, YEAH, WE USED TO PLAY THERE A FEW TIMES A YEAR BUT NOW IT ISN'T WORTH OUR TIME. WHEN I THINK OF THE ACTS THAT USED TO PLAY ON BEALE IT IS SUCH A SHAME TO SEE WHAT IT HAS BEEN REDUCED TO. THE CLUBS ARE ABSOLUTELY STAGNATE WITH THE STATUS QUO.

IN OTHER MUSIC DISTRICTS ACROSS THE U.S. THERE IS A COVER CHARGE OR AT THE VERY LEAST A DRINK MINIMUM. BEALE NOW SEEMS TO BE TOUTING FREE MUSIC, BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THEY CAN GET MORE PEOPLE IN. I AM NO EXPERT, BUT WHEN YOU MAKE SOMETHING EXCLUSIVE, MORE PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED. TO LET PEOPLE IN FREE TO A PLACE WHERE LIVE MUSIC IS BEING PLAYED SCREAMS...HEY THIS BAND IS MEDIOCRE! BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY TO SEE THEM SO COME ON IN! NO COVER MEANS LESS PAY FOR THE BAND, WOULDN'T IT BE BETTER TO SAY...DAMN RIGHT YOU'RE GOING TO PAY TO GET IN HERE BECAUSE THE MUSICIANS WE HAVE IN HERE CAN PLAY! TOURISTS EXPECT TO PAY A COVER CHARGE OR A DRINK MINIMUM. TO HAVE A FEW FREE NIGHTS A WEEK IS FINE ON A NIGHT WHEN YOU HAVE A SINGLE, DUO, OR TRIO PLAYING, HOWEVER, A FULL BAND OF "MEMPHIS" MUSICIANS IS WORTH AT THE VERY LEAST $5.

NOW...MEMPHIS MUSICIANS....WE ARE BROKE DOWN AND BEAT UP. WE HAVE BEEN SHOWN TIME AND TIME AGAIN WHAT BEALE THINKS OF US, WHAT THE CITY THINKS OF US, WHAT THE PUBLIC THINKS OF US...AND THAT IS, YEAH...BIG DEAL, SO WHAT, WHO CARES. WE'VE LIVED IT SO LONG, NOW WE BELIEVE IT. WE HAVE THE STOCKHOLM SYNDROME, WE LOVE AND WORK FOR OUR OPPRESSORS...WE'LL TAKE ANY GIG, ANY WHERE JUST TO GET TO PLAY. WE'LL EAT THE SHIT HANDED TO US ON A GARBAGE CAN LID AND CONSIDER OURSELVES LUCKY TO GET THAT. MAN..WE PLAY ON BEALE STREET!! WE'RE BROKE AND WE CAN'T MAKE A LIVING BUT ISN'T THAT WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT? ISN'T THAT WHAT ALL THE OLD BLUES GUYS DID? AREN'T WE COOL THAT WE CAN BE LIKE THEM AND SUFFER FOR OUR ART? VERY, VERY FEW CAN EKE OUT A LIVING, YET THE CLUB OWNERS ARE MILLIONAIRES. OF COURSE THEY WILL NEVER ADMIT IT.. BUT IF YOU GO BY ONE OF THEIR HOMES I CAN TELL YOU, IT AIN'T A SHACK, AND THERE ARE NO CARS UP ON BLOCKS, OR EVICTION NOTICES ON THE DOOR. THEY WANT US TO BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE STRUGGLING TOO, AND THAT "WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER". BULLSHIT. LUCKILY THE CREAM RISES TO THE TOP AND THOSE WHO HAVE THE GUMPTION AND THE TALENT EVENTUALLY LEARN THERE IS A GREAT BIG WORLD OUT THERE WITH FOLKS WILLING TO PAY WELL, TREAT YOU WELL, AND A PUBLIC THAT APPRECIATES GREAT MUSICIANSHIP. THOSE PEOPLE (LIKE ME) LEAVE AND NEVER LOOK BACK.

THE ONLY REASON I GIVE A DAMN AT ALL IS BECAUSE I LOVE MUSICIANS. ALL OF MY BAND MEMBERS PLAY ON BEALE WITH OTHER BANDS AND IT PISSES ME OFF TO SEE THEM BEING PAID $6O-$80 A NIGHT. I WILL NOT PLAY ON BEALE AT ALL. WHY SHOULD I? WHAT DOES BEALE HAVE TO GIVE ME? IT IS NOT A SPOTLIGHT AND HASN'T BEEN FOR A VERY LONG TIME. IT IS A SLAVE LABOR JOB NOT A CREATIVE MECCA. $60? i DON'T SING A DAMN JINGLE FOR $60.

IN THE 80'S MY BAND PLAYED MONDAY NIGHTS AT BB KINGS FOR $650. I PLAYED THE RUM BOOGIE FOR THE SAME AND EVEN MORE ON SPECIAL EVENTS. SO NOW THEY ARE SAYING THAT THE TOP PAY SCALE IS $300-$400...BUT HEY! YOU CAN ASK FOR TIPS AND SELL YOUR CD'S! HUH> WHAT? OH, AND YOU GET TO PAY TO PARK, NO BREAK ON ALCOHOL, AND YOU COULD EVEN GET A TICKET FOR LOADING IN AND OUT! OH BOY! WHERE DO I SIGN UP!? THE POORMOUTHING THAT COMES OUT OF THESE CLUB OWNERS IS SOOO RIDICULOUS. STILL, MUSICIANS BUY INTO IT BECAUSE THEY ARE HUNGRY TO PLAY, AND BECAUSE IN THEIR HEARTS THEY KNOW AND UNDERSTAND WHAT BEALE STREET WAS AND RESPECT IT AND CHERISH IT.

THIS PANEL THAT THE MAYOR HAS PUT TOGETHER IS A REFRESHING CHANGE IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS, HOWEVER, IN MY HEART OF HEARTS I DO NOT SEE MUCH HOPE FOR ANY REAL LASTING CHANGE. JUST ANOTHER VEHICLE FOR THE CLUBS TO GET SOME PROPER'S FOR LISTENING AND PERHAPS MAKING SOME CONCESSIONS ABOUT THE FACADE OF THE STREET...BUT NO REAL CHANGE FOR MUSICIANS. IF ANYTHING IS ACCOMPLISHED IT WILL BE THE PANEL, THE CITY GOV, AND THE CLUB OWNERS WHO WILL RECIEVE THE ACCOLADES, NOT MUSICIANS. (EXCEPT THOSE ON THE PANEL)

MY MAIN BITCH OVER ALL THESE YEARS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE FACT THAT MUSICIANS ARE THE ONES WHO MAKE THIS CITY A DESTINATION FOR TOURISTS, YET THEY ARE TREATED LIKE NOBODYS. MUSICIANS ARE THE FACES PEOPLE REMEMBER. MUSICIANS ARE THE ONES MINGLING WITH, TALKING TO, AND SELLING MEMPHIS TO TOURISTS, NOT THE CLUB OWNERS. MUSICIANS ARE THE FRONT LINE OF ALL INCOME THAT COMES TO THE CITY VIA TOURISM....NOT KEVIN KANE, NOT AC WHARTON, YOU MR. JAY S, BUD CHITHAM, TOMMY PETERS, PRESTON LAMM...ETC...THE PEOPLE MEET THE MUSICIANS. MUSICIANS ARE THE MEET-ERS AND GREET-ERS, HANDSHAKERS, BABY KISSERS...MUSICIANS ARE THE IMAGE, THE DRAW, THE TAGLINE FOR MEMPHIS. THERE IS NO WAY AROUND THAT FACT. TAKE MUSICIANS OUT OF THE FORMULA AND ALL YOU HAVE IS ANOTHER TOWN FROM ANYWHERE USA. WELL, I GUESS YOU CAN SAY THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IS A BIG ATTRACTION..BUT YOU CAN'T REALLY SPEAK TO OR HUG THE RIVER, AND SHE RUNS IN MANY OTHER CITIES TOO. OUR MUSICIANS ARE THE NUMBER ONE ASSET IN MEMPHIS.

THE WAY TO CHANGE OR DIRECT THE FOCUS ONTO MUSICIANS IS TO MAKE THEM A PRIOITY. MAKE THEM LOOK GOOD, MAKE THEM SOUND GOOD, MAKE THEM A BIGGER TAX BASE BY PAYING DECENT WAGES. HELP THEM TO SELL THEIR PRODUCT, MAKE THE PUBLIC PAY FOR THE PRIVILEDGE TO SEE AND HEAR THEM. MUSICIANS WOULD THEN HELP THE ECONOMY..BUY MORE GEAR, BUY HOMES, PAY MORE TAXES, SPEND MORE MONEY IN STUDIOS AND MANUFACTURING, ARTWORK, LEGAL ASSISTANCE ETC...PERHAPS THEY WOULD EVEN CREATE JOBS THROUGH PUBLISHING, SONGWRITING, MARKETING ETC...THE OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH IS THERE, AND IF GIVEN HALF A CHANCE MUSICIANS CAN CREATE AN EVEN BETTER MEMPHIS THROUGH DIVERSITY. MUSIC AND THE ARTS IS ONE AREA WHERE THERE IS VERY LITTLE DISCRIMINATION. RACIAL BIAS IS ALMOST NON-EXISTENT IN MUSIC....ALWAYS HAS BEEN, ALWAYS WILL BE. THE MUSIC COMMUNTITY IS A SAFE PLACE TO BE ANY RACE, CREED, OR RELIGION. TOUT THAT FOR GOODNESS SAKES!

OK, THANKS FOR BEING WILLING TO READ THIS AND FOR BEING ON THE PANNEL GUYS. I SINCERELY HOPE AND PRAY THAT SOMETHING GOOD COMES FROM ALL YOUR EFFORTS AND THAT IT CAN BE A NEW DAY FOR MUSICIANS WHO GIVE THE BEST YEARS OF THEIR LIVES, THEIR ENORMOUS TALENTS, THEIR HEARTS, SOULS, BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS TO ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS STREETS IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN MUSIC.

There was dancing last evening and if you have any desire to know what occurred then you need to get over and visit TRAVIS of "Trav's Thoughts" because he will let you know everything...

Needed a few days to clear my head...even thought about taking the week, but then things cleared and I had some information to share on a few fronts...

First off, my alma mater, which shut down the football program in 1977, the year after Tom Coughlin (he now of the Giants) left has always been a small school when it comes to sports.

The Hockey team is one exception. They have always fielded a strong team over the years and for a short time, I was even the play-by-play announced for the team on WITR Radio one year.

Well...HECK-A-DOODLE...The RIT men's hockey team is one step closer to a national championship! The RIT Tigers are heading to Detroit to play in the NCAA Frozen Four on April 8 and 10.

The Tigers, Atlantic Hockey Association champions, advance to the Frozen Four after defeating the University of Denver and University of New Hampshire at the NCAA East Regional in Albany.

Now RIT will join college hockey's elite programs at Ford Field in Detroit. The first game of the Frozen Four is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, April 8 and will feature RIT vs. Wisconsin.

All the games will be on ESPN2...so I say loud and proud GO TIGERS!

The entire CD is tuneage worthy. His fingers tickle the ivories like a born N'awlins-er (and yes I made that up!)

You would never know he is La Jolla, Calif.-born, Kansas City-raised, and New York City-based (except for those two days he lived in New Orleans and then had to get out of town before Katrina hit.

He is getting a ton of ink and will be HUGE real soon. He even got a small article on the web site of Brother Rich's newspaper.

The CD is 10 songs of solid jazz/dixie/rock/blues/soul including a great rendition of Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come".

He is backed by Dr. John's Band, who mentored Josh early on. The horn section is as tight as they come and the rhythm section lays down a great bed for Josh's piano playing to walk on.

His voice is really on target with the music he performs and he has a stellar backing chorus who compliment his tone perfectly.

Also on the album, Josh included his song "Healing Time", which he wrote about the rebuilding of New Orleans. If you are inclined, you can go to iTunes and grab the single and ALL money is donated to the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans to assist in the rebuilding of that city.

Continuing his love for the city, Josh is donating a portion of his proceeds to the same cause.

I will stop now, as I am very hopeful that josh will be joining me on Music On The Couch real soon and I want to leave something for you to learn.

I am also hopeful to help bring Josh to Memphis in the near future, working with his agent.

I would share a taste, but the CD is coded to not allow for sharing. But go to Josh's web site HERE and get your taste. I promise you will NOT be disappointed!

I am going to be reviewing a lot of artists coming up here. There will still be other subjects discussed, but I am needing to really focus on all the music I am receiving.

Tomorrow, I will introduce you to a woman who I was turned on to by my Fraternity Brother Greg...her name is Kelley Hunt.

See y'all then....

PEACE TRAIN
Cat Stevens
Composer: Cat Stevens

Now I've been happy lately,
thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be,
something good has begun

Oh I've been smiling lately,
dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be,
some day it's going to come

Cause out on the edge of darkness,
there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country,
come take me home again

Now I've been smiling lately,
thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be,
something good has begun

Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller

Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on now peace train

Get your bags together,
go bring your good friends too
Cause it's getting nearer,
it soon will be with you

Now come and join the living,
it's not so far from you
And it's getting nearer,
soon it will all be true

Now I've been crying lately,
thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating,
why can't we live in bliss

Cause out on the edge of darkness,
there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country,
come take me home again

Want to first off thank my TiVO...It went off just before the very last performance of the evening on that music show on Tuesday evening, so when we ran through it last night. Was not subjected to the new "Tammy Faye Baker Cosmetics" spokesmodel for their line of eyeliner...

You see.. just like a train wreck, we would have been forced to watch...

Also, thank you all for you nice words yesterday. Actually beginning to feel better. The ibuprofen and the heat wrap worked their wonders...Still sore, but not like it was last night..the pain in my left leg is almost gone.

The finale is on in the background and unlike last year, there is just nothing to keep my attention...

Well, Tony is on now, so that is cool, except I had to see that seat filler from two seasons ago, play googily eyes with the camera... give it up buddy....

Finally feeling settled in her in Memphis as far as work and the apartment is concerned...still have not really made any friends..the complex had an odd mix of people and they go from their car to their front door without saying hello...

Hopefully, with the summer coming - we will get out more and find some people to hang with...

Really miss Matt like crazy...we talk at least every other day and all, but not seeing him is hard...I guess his going away to school would be like this also...

He has chosen Towson University in Baltimore.

He is playing baseball again with an under 30 team of guys who all played in college and a few who played pro ball at the lower levels and has won the starting catcher job. He is hitting well and has thrown out 4 baserunners in 6 games.

He is planning on trying to walk-on at Towson and see if he can make the team there...

What a great thing if he does after being subjected to the abuse he got from his coaching staff his freshman year at Mercer CC.

Love him so much...hoping we can arrange a trip down here for him before school starts.

Had another chill moment with Melinda as she sang with Beebee and Cee cee Winans...the girl can bring it...

The two-hour finale of LOST is beginning...we know since TiVO just popped on...

We are an hour in and last year's winner has still not appeared on stage...another slight by the producers...

Last weekend they held The Third Annual Baseball Homecoming in West Windsor, NJ. This was an event we had conceived three years ago. The two high schools meet and play for the whole day. This year the Middle Schools played, the the Freshman teams, then JV and finally Varsity.

Felt badly we could not make it back, but heard it went well and the booster clubs made some additional funds to help support the teams.

The one thing we tried for over my two years as president of the South booster club was a new scoreboard. It was installed earlier this season. Trying to get a picture of it to post.

I apologize to my Canadian guests if I came across as knocking the legislature of Nova Scotia, your love of hockey or anything else... I was trying to be funny... I failed...My Canadian readers took me to task, especially Anndi, who spent an incredible amount of time doing research to make her point...

Welcome To THE COUCH...Sit on Down and Get Comfy...

CBGB & OMFUG

How's this:Buffalo, NY today!
NOW THAT IS WHEN I CONSIDER IT COLD PEOPLE!