Studying various singing artists over the years, I've heard the phrase, 'a singer's singer.' I suppose the reference suggests some unusually-rich quality of voice and a professional style, which grabs the deeper appreciation of other professionals who are most qualified to endorse.
The artists who readily come to my mind are Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Jackie Wilson, Rosemary Clooney, Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand and Carly Simon.
Do you have a favorite male or female 'singers' singer?'
(Touch)Moonlight Serenade
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Friday, October 27, 2017
He Gave Us a 'Thrill'
Traversing the teenage experience in the mid-1950's, one could not help but be impacted by Antoine Dominique Domino, Jr.
"Fats" Domino had eleven Top 10 rock & roll hits during that time period 1955-60, and was second only in total record sales to Elvis. Should you still doubt the largeness of "Fats," consider that some twenty years later the television sitcom 'Happy Days' staring, Ron Howard (Richie Cunningham) frequently had Richie singing "Fats" Domino's staple song, 'Blueberry Hill' to anchor the flavor-of-the-fifties.
I suppose for my contemporaries (1956) 'Blueberry Hill' could have been that first goodnight kiss at her front door or perhaps a sweet moment at one of those infamous young-teenage house-party games; maybe the thrill was a more closely acquainted moment at the local Drive Inn Theater. In any event when "Fats" Domino banged out those first chords and began to sing, "I found my thrill......," we ALL related!
Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino, Jr. died this week at age 89. The chubby little black boy who dropped from elementary school taught himself to play the piano and began singing in bars at the age of 14. He was married to the same woman with whom he fathered eight children for sixty years. His worth was nearly ten million dollars at his death. He never turned his back on his 9th ward New Orleans folks.
Thanks for the carefree memory lane music, "Fats." Say hello to Sam, Jackie and Chuck.
(Touch)
Thrill
"Fats" Domino had eleven Top 10 rock & roll hits during that time period 1955-60, and was second only in total record sales to Elvis. Should you still doubt the largeness of "Fats," consider that some twenty years later the television sitcom 'Happy Days' staring, Ron Howard (Richie Cunningham) frequently had Richie singing "Fats" Domino's staple song, 'Blueberry Hill' to anchor the flavor-of-the-fifties.
I suppose for my contemporaries (1956) 'Blueberry Hill' could have been that first goodnight kiss at her front door or perhaps a sweet moment at one of those infamous young-teenage house-party games; maybe the thrill was a more closely acquainted moment at the local Drive Inn Theater. In any event when "Fats" Domino banged out those first chords and began to sing, "I found my thrill......," we ALL related!
Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino, Jr. died this week at age 89. The chubby little black boy who dropped from elementary school taught himself to play the piano and began singing in bars at the age of 14. He was married to the same woman with whom he fathered eight children for sixty years. His worth was nearly ten million dollars at his death. He never turned his back on his 9th ward New Orleans folks.
Thanks for the carefree memory lane music, "Fats." Say hello to Sam, Jackie and Chuck.
(Touch)
Thrill
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Save Me From Potlucks
I suppose most churches embrace those 'potluck-dinner' social gatherings. I can confirm through a seventy-eight year journey with the John Wesley folks that this Methodist fella has attended his fair share of 'Potlucks.' Let it be known that I am NOT a fan of 'potlucks' and I have never been a fan of 'potlucks.' The initial turn off is anticipating an eating experience anchored to some degree in 'luck!'
I understand that eating foods grown, harvested, packaged and/prepared by others is a crap shoot. Example: I enjoy eating shrimp when wintering in Florida because that fish is fresh from Gulf waters. I cringe when buying shrimp at a mid-west marketplace. That shrimp is a product of some Asian country and I don't know about their shrimp breeding location in reference to their livestock and human waste disposals.
Just so you don't get the impression that I'm picking on Asian countries, I refuse to eat the famous Central Illinois homemade soup known as 'Burgoo.' My apologies to the Franklin and Arenzville, Illinois 'Burgoo Boys.' If you're unfamiliar with 'Burgoo,' let me explain as I understand the recipe. The burgoo soup is brewed in large kettles over open fire out-of-doors usually throughout the night by rural fellas who enjoy shooting critters, skinning their prey and tossing meat chunks about with various veggies, spices and God only knows what else. Kettle stirrers are known to enjoy a few beers during their night-long vigil, which likely emboldens Recipe creativity. The next day that Burgoo is sold by the gallons to folks who swear by the deliciousness of the product...I'll pass and take my chances at the Casino buffet.
Folks, there's a bit of Hillbilly background in most of us. I really suspect that back in the early days of immigrants coming to America, they were processed through Ellis Island and then sent to Kentucky and Tennessee before venturing into other parts of America. That said, my Bluegrass State ancestors evolved from outdoor road-kill-kettle-cooking and outhouse rest stops. I now have indoor conveniences and an oven.
(Touch)
Pass The Biscuits
I understand that eating foods grown, harvested, packaged and/prepared by others is a crap shoot. Example: I enjoy eating shrimp when wintering in Florida because that fish is fresh from Gulf waters. I cringe when buying shrimp at a mid-west marketplace. That shrimp is a product of some Asian country and I don't know about their shrimp breeding location in reference to their livestock and human waste disposals.
Just so you don't get the impression that I'm picking on Asian countries, I refuse to eat the famous Central Illinois homemade soup known as 'Burgoo.' My apologies to the Franklin and Arenzville, Illinois 'Burgoo Boys.' If you're unfamiliar with 'Burgoo,' let me explain as I understand the recipe. The burgoo soup is brewed in large kettles over open fire out-of-doors usually throughout the night by rural fellas who enjoy shooting critters, skinning their prey and tossing meat chunks about with various veggies, spices and God only knows what else. Kettle stirrers are known to enjoy a few beers during their night-long vigil, which likely emboldens Recipe creativity. The next day that Burgoo is sold by the gallons to folks who swear by the deliciousness of the product...I'll pass and take my chances at the Casino buffet.
Folks, there's a bit of Hillbilly background in most of us. I really suspect that back in the early days of immigrants coming to America, they were processed through Ellis Island and then sent to Kentucky and Tennessee before venturing into other parts of America. That said, my Bluegrass State ancestors evolved from outdoor road-kill-kettle-cooking and outhouse rest stops. I now have indoor conveniences and an oven.
(Touch)
Pass The Biscuits
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Good luck with that thinking, Billy.
I just saw a snippet of Bill O'Reilly's podcast where he told an interviewer, "I'm mad at God." Perhaps you wonder why a staunch right-wing nut job, i.e., O'Reilly, the evangelicals' wonder boy is angry with his Creator? Well, Bill thinks that God let him down by allowing evil-mean people to fabricate allegations of him being some kind of a sexual predator. Never mind that O'Reilly has paid out millions of settlement dollars to make his alledge transgressions disappear! Some how some way O'Reilly is faultless but God is not...and therefore Bill is pissed.
Stop and sit down before you continue reading. Bill also told the interviewer, "If I die tomorrow and meet God, I'm going to ask Him why He let this happen to me and my children. I'm mad at God." Wow! I was taught that my God is loving and forgiving as demonstrated in His gift of His Son's death on the cross for our sins. It was also instilled in me to be reverent toward God i.e., God fearing.
I will give O'Reilly one thing...he is the most arrogant and egotistical ass I've ever known. Just consider two things: (1) He's obviously convinced he's going to heaven and (2) he has the audacity to believe when he arrives at those pearly gates, he's the one asking the questions.
(Touch)
Good Luck, Bill
Stop and sit down before you continue reading. Bill also told the interviewer, "If I die tomorrow and meet God, I'm going to ask Him why He let this happen to me and my children. I'm mad at God." Wow! I was taught that my God is loving and forgiving as demonstrated in His gift of His Son's death on the cross for our sins. It was also instilled in me to be reverent toward God i.e., God fearing.
I will give O'Reilly one thing...he is the most arrogant and egotistical ass I've ever known. Just consider two things: (1) He's obviously convinced he's going to heaven and (2) he has the audacity to believe when he arrives at those pearly gates, he's the one asking the questions.
(Touch)
Good Luck, Bill
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Stunned? Hardly!
Of the many things we Americans disagree about these days, surely we can agree that the higher our expectations of people the greater is the potential for disappointment. Sports fans and certainly team owners know this when huge contracts are extended to a name player who then flops! This said and
accepted, I therefore suggest we pray for the best and anticipate the worst.
In recent days the word 'stunned' has been bantered about as users attempt to express some horrifying surprise on the heels of another's action. I say 'nonsense.' Don't try to sell me YOUR disappointment. At a recent press conference, White House Chief of Staff, General John Kelly used the word 'stunned' frequently has he spoke about Congresswoman Fredrica Wilson's remarks about President Trump's condolence words to a fallen soldier's widow. Certainly, there may be wiggle room for debate on what the President said and meant, however there was no maybes about Kelly being "stunned" by Wilson remarks in a speech two years ago because Kelly misrepresented Wilson's word. In fact he told a 'fib.'
Headline news a few days ago: "Senators 'stunned' to learn America has 1,000 troops in Niger."
I was disappointed by President Clinton's behavior with a White House intern. I was disappointed with Candidate Trump's words about his desires to 'touch' women in a sexual assault manner. I am disappointed with elected officials withholding from me health insurance they have. I am disappointed a military General lying about his connections with the Russian government. I am disappointed that elected officials waste tax payers' money in private desires. My disappointment list could go on and on but I shall stop and simply say, Whereas I am disappointed, I am NOT stunned.
I hope and pray daily that our elected leaders would help our nation's people, HOWEVER I anticipate that they will not.
(Touch)
Tell The Truth
accepted, I therefore suggest we pray for the best and anticipate the worst.
In recent days the word 'stunned' has been bantered about as users attempt to express some horrifying surprise on the heels of another's action. I say 'nonsense.' Don't try to sell me YOUR disappointment. At a recent press conference, White House Chief of Staff, General John Kelly used the word 'stunned' frequently has he spoke about Congresswoman Fredrica Wilson's remarks about President Trump's condolence words to a fallen soldier's widow. Certainly, there may be wiggle room for debate on what the President said and meant, however there was no maybes about Kelly being "stunned" by Wilson remarks in a speech two years ago because Kelly misrepresented Wilson's word. In fact he told a 'fib.'
Headline news a few days ago: "Senators 'stunned' to learn America has 1,000 troops in Niger."
I was disappointed by President Clinton's behavior with a White House intern. I was disappointed with Candidate Trump's words about his desires to 'touch' women in a sexual assault manner. I am disappointed with elected officials withholding from me health insurance they have. I am disappointed a military General lying about his connections with the Russian government. I am disappointed that elected officials waste tax payers' money in private desires. My disappointment list could go on and on but I shall stop and simply say, Whereas I am disappointed, I am NOT stunned.
I hope and pray daily that our elected leaders would help our nation's people, HOWEVER I anticipate that they will not.
(Touch)
Tell The Truth
Monday, October 23, 2017
Make sure you're wearing clean underwear!
Look, I get it. I know the ease and fallacy of pointing the finger and telling others 'how.'
I coached nearly 1,000 basketball games and watched many more; I know how easy it is to 'coach the other fella's team.' That said, I understand how easy it is for a seventy-eight year old parent to point to this generation of parents and tell them what they're doing wrong. Therefore, since most thngs I attempt these days is difficult, I'll do the aforementioned 'easy' thing and tell today's parents where they're screwing up. My words of cautionary advise come with sincere hopefulness for those in the parenting trenches. I am unapologetic with my comments.
First, if your kids don't know that a parents greatest love is NOT for them then you need to reinforce that premise. I knew my parents loved me but I knew they loved Christ and one another more than me. I learned early that when I was told to do some thing the request-directive was non-negotiable and if I failed to comply I could expect consequences. My folks understood 'my' collateral, desires and fears. If parents remove expectations and consequences they are, in fact, promoting weakness and accountability cripples. A child grows in confidence and self-worth when praise follows accomplishments. You heard me. That means keep the score of little league baseball games because in the real world there are declared winners and losers at every turn!
Parents should be unified in philosophy and resolved in a joint mission to answer this question over and over again: "Will our decision give our kid the permission to make good choices and ultimately experience personal resolve and growth...or will our parenting decision keep our child insulated from the sting of failure and allow the kid to blame others as he embraces entitlement?
Mother asked, "Are you wearing clean underwear?" Yes, mom and I understand why you asked. And my dad spoke, "Don't let your mouth overload your ass on the streets, boy and be home before 'shallow hours. Fly Right, boy. Yes, dad and I get it! The eighteen years I lived with my parents, I never paid rent, utilities or purchased food. I suppose the least I could do was accept their ground rules.
(Touch)
Straighten Up Boy!
I coached nearly 1,000 basketball games and watched many more; I know how easy it is to 'coach the other fella's team.' That said, I understand how easy it is for a seventy-eight year old parent to point to this generation of parents and tell them what they're doing wrong. Therefore, since most thngs I attempt these days is difficult, I'll do the aforementioned 'easy' thing and tell today's parents where they're screwing up. My words of cautionary advise come with sincere hopefulness for those in the parenting trenches. I am unapologetic with my comments.
First, if your kids don't know that a parents greatest love is NOT for them then you need to reinforce that premise. I knew my parents loved me but I knew they loved Christ and one another more than me. I learned early that when I was told to do some thing the request-directive was non-negotiable and if I failed to comply I could expect consequences. My folks understood 'my' collateral, desires and fears. If parents remove expectations and consequences they are, in fact, promoting weakness and accountability cripples. A child grows in confidence and self-worth when praise follows accomplishments. You heard me. That means keep the score of little league baseball games because in the real world there are declared winners and losers at every turn!
Parents should be unified in philosophy and resolved in a joint mission to answer this question over and over again: "Will our decision give our kid the permission to make good choices and ultimately experience personal resolve and growth...or will our parenting decision keep our child insulated from the sting of failure and allow the kid to blame others as he embraces entitlement?
Mother asked, "Are you wearing clean underwear?" Yes, mom and I understand why you asked. And my dad spoke, "Don't let your mouth overload your ass on the streets, boy and be home before 'shallow hours. Fly Right, boy. Yes, dad and I get it! The eighteen years I lived with my parents, I never paid rent, utilities or purchased food. I suppose the least I could do was accept their ground rules.
(Touch)
Straighten Up Boy!
Saturday, October 21, 2017
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