Merry Fishmas!

Sometimes it is a bit too easy to lapse into hearing and playing all those traditional Christmas carols and songs. You know all those worn out tunes by heart. Here is one from days gone by. It is one that warms my heart, and I hope it does the same for you. Maybe it is my slightly askew humor, but this makes me laugh every single time. Wishing everyone a safe, warm, and happy holiday season!!!

From SkipFish Music…

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Tron-ific

This trailer has been out since mid to late summer. And yes…I know it is a cop out to post a YouTube clip as an “entry”, but this is too cool. I can’t help it. I saw the original in 1982…this is gonna be good…At least I hope so.

Sometimes...it is good to be a nerd.

Motor City Inspiration

The more I thought about what the tour guide said…the more it made sense. It was sort of like that old phrase about not seeing the forest for the trees combined with the one about stopping to smell the roses. It made sense.

Growing up where I did, I was literally a mile or two away from the home of a former U.S. President. Not every town can boast that, right? But when things are that close, you might have a tendency to overlook them. You know they are there, and they lose a bit of that sparkle since it is just another landmark along the daily humdrum drive.

Someone special in my life lives just a few short miles outside of Detroit, Michigan. I took it upon myself to do some investigating and decided to track down the spot of the old Motown studio. Knowing Detroit as I do…I was chancing that it would be in or around some rather suspect sections of town. Like many of the larger metro areas around the country…the inner city is in decay. I found this gem tucked away and decided…it would be fun to see a piece of music history. Much to my surprise, she had never visited this landmark, so I figured it was time the local girl made good. On a brisk yet clear autumn day, we did venture into downtown Detroit to find the building that was responsible for such classics as “My Girl” and “Baby Love”, and “Reach Out (I'll Be There)” among countless others.

Let it never be said that I don’t have appreciation for all styles of music. I have my clear favorites (as anyone does), but I also have a great love for the era of the 1960’s. The turbulent decade was a turning point in our culture…and it lead to some of the most enduring bits of music, film, and history. So while I might prefer The Who or Led Zeppelin…I enjoy a good chunk of the Motown sound.

Since this particular building (more commonly referred to as Hitsville U.S.A.) hasn’t really served as a recording stop or functioning studio since 1972, it is most certainly far from the way it all was back in the day. However, much of the guts inside do remain intact. The ragged recording booth and studio itself remain relatively unchanged. To preserve the integrity of the building and protect it from the thousands that may pass through its doors every year, things have been roped off and arranged in a more “museum like” fashion, but you get the idea. Keep in mind this is all contained in two attached houses that were probably built in the 1930’s sometime. Spacious this ain’t.

Adorned on the walls in an upstairs room are various pictures of the labels artists, original album artwork, a couple props (including the Michael Jackson glove used during his game changing “Motown 25” performance), and countless photos documenting the rise of this empire. It all began in 1959 with a family loan for $800.00.

There were (and are) a lot of things going through my head while I was (and am) thinking about this whole place and what it represents. In a way I sort of long for the time when places like this were the pinnacle of success. Somewhere to go, to network, to hone a craft, and create something organic, real, and honest. Gone are the days when a studio is even needed really. Now a simple Line 6 and a laptop…and the world is at your command. I suppose that prospect can be exciting too, but it seems too simple and easy. At Hitsville you had to earn the right to walk though the door. Once inside…you better make sure you brought the “A game”.

It was also sort of humbling to imagine the wealth of talent in such a relatively small geographic area. The who’s who of artists and groups that began there and left such a lasting mark is nothing sort of amazing. At the same time…I knew all about how it was part of the deal to attend charm school, learn the dance routine, and try to present the slick professional front to the American public. I also was well aware that the house band (The Funk Brothers) stayed in place while a rotating cast of voices stopped by in front of the golden microphone. So in some ways…it was bit prefab…yet still real if such a thing is possible.

As I drove away from the building, I stopped and thought about all the magic that was there all those years ago. So much has changed in the 50 years since this place started to grow. In that time we have gone from being afraid to have an Afro American on an album cover to having one in the White House. We have gone from the excitement of hearing the latest 3 minute gem from a new artist to being overwhelmed with downloads, MP3’s, 30 second samples, and the death of the singles chart all together. We have also gone from a nation of internal strife to…well…still being one on the brink.

But when I do think of those songs…most of them hold out a candle of hope. They make the toes tap, and they are so good at bringing a smile to almost everyone’s face. And can’t we all use that from time to time?

I’m glad I had the chance to walk though those buildings. In one moment it was sad to see the glory of days gone by, but in the next it made me feel like if a little hard work mixed with honesty and integrity is used properly, almost anything is possible. Sure it was/is a business, but it was/is the business of making people dance, smile, sing, and most of all…happy.

Hats off to Motown…


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Intermission

Hoping this post finds any and all that may pass this way in good spirits. I know there hasn’t been a swell of posts here lately, but I think I have finally figured out why. It is time to recharge some batteries. Nothing major. Just a slight pause.

So with that in mind…Know that all will be up and running very soon. Until then…Enjoy the fall, be safe, and see you soon.

Be sure to enjoy Halloween & Turkey Day too!

Carry The Flag!

Autumn or fall (or whatever you may call it in your neck of the woods) is upon us. Old age has to be creeping in…because time has flown by in 2009. It is nearly Halloween, and to be honest, it seems like time is slipping away. Sometimes so much to do, but so little time to do it in.

One plus for me this time of year is the return of my favorite sport…hockey. I often find myself defending the game. It’s not as widely accepted in my corner of the globe as football, baseball, basketball, or even racing. I just don’t get it. To me…it is by far the most enjoyable sport to watch, but I know it’s only my opinion. I’ve come to terms with this sad fact, but it doesn’t make it any easier to accept.

Hockey requires the player to be agile on skates while maintaining a high level of hand/eye coordination. The play is swift and continuous, and yes…there are certainly times when it can become physical. I thought (and have been thinking about) the game for a while now, and I realized that I had never actually sat down and managed to put my thoughts down as to what it is that draws me to this game. So why not now?

I admit the game has a bad reputation in some ways. Most casual fans might point to all the fighting or the pushing and shoving. I say…who cares? Are there not people that watch racing waiting for a spinout or wreck? At least in hockey, if you drop the gloves…it is one on one (most of the time). In racing…you can wipe out all sorts of innocent bystanders…and who needs that?

I finally made it to my first game of the season here recently. Almost immediately I was again struck by how fun it is to sit in that rink. Even from “the cheap seats” you get a sense that everyone is having fun…rooting for the team…and watching the strategy unfold. There is something a bit magical about sitting in a chilly arena with 17, 000 other fans waiting to see that red light flash when the puck hits the net.

There is a bit of charm in seeing the older folk gathered inside Starbucks to grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate to ease the chill. The young kid with a big hat pulled over his ears and a gigantic foam finger who is grinning ear to ear as his father moves him along the line. The family standing in the team store holding jerseys up to one another and checking on sizes, debating on which of their favorite team members to buy. It’s all so…fun.

Normally I am the guy who takes a newer fan to their first game or explains what each and every whistle is for. Not this time. Instead I got to sit back and relax…while at the same time perch myself on the edge of the seat. Each time a pass was missed or a shot was blocked…I would throw my arms up in disgust. And when that red light did come on…without thinking…I leapt out of my chair to cheer on my hometown team. Somehow…I think I might have been part of the entertainment.

I’m not an extreme sports fan. It does not rule my life, and I don’t change everything I do to fit the teams schedule. Instead I am a modest guy who enjoys the passion and the drive of a sport that is sometime overlooked for being silly, dull, or maybe even too violent to matter. I stand by my choice of hockey…don’t make me cross check you.

So when I turn and take that extra look outside my window at all of the shades of red, yellow, and orange…I pause for a second. I remember the good times as a kid during Halloween. I remember the first fall all those years ago when I sat down and watched a game of hockey on TV. I know too that the snow will soon begin to fly, and my travels might have to slow a bit. But I don’t really worry…I know deep down…somehow…someway…I will make it to the rink. And I will be sure to bring my friends along too.