Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Resolution for the New Year?

Actually, I believe this is a mantra not a resolution... a lifestyle, a basis for all beliefs, and proudly something I strived for with my kids.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Today's Forgotten Oldie...

"Wendy" was originally released by the Beach Boys as the "B" side of "I Get Around" in 1964, but it's one of those songs that became a hit on it's own.  Although it officially only reached #44 on Billboard, it was a top-ten hit regionally in many U.S. cities as well as around the world.  The Beach Boys loved the song, even performing it on Ed Sullivan.  It's a great song, largely forgotten today.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Today's Forgotten Oldie...

Today another top-ten hit that's probably disappeared because the performers have a large song library.  Herman's Hermits "Leaning on a Lamp Post" hit #9 in the U.S. in 1966, part of a long string of top tenners. Here's a fun fact, the band named itself after lead singer Peter Noone's nickname Herman. The nickname evolved because Peter resembled Sherman from "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show". Sherman was shortened to Herman and the rest is history.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Today's Forgotten Oldie...

The Addrisi Brothers were a pop duo from Massachusetts that recorded and released a long list of songs in the 60's and 70's.  They kind of scored two big hits... "Never My Love", a song they wrote, became a smash for the Association, and "We've Got to Get It On Again" was a top 40 hit for them in 1972.  Thinking they'd finally reached the top, they released a flurry of follow-ups but never again cracked the Top 40.  When Don Addrisi died in 1984, brother Dick hung up his microphone for good.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

The new Hobbit movie...

I'll probably rent "The Hobbit, The Desolation of Smaug", or Hobbit 2. Even though the first Hobbit movie disappointed me greatly (continued? Hey, they did the Lord of the Rings Trilogy in three movies, this one should have been done in one!).  But the first movie didn't have Evangeline Lilly (remember Kate from "Lost"), and even though she has some ferocious ears, she still looks great!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Proof!!

Here it is... photographic evidence that elves actually do make cookies at night when we're sleeping!

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Today's Forgotten Oldie...

The song "Since I Don't Have You" by the Skyliners was actually a hit in 1959... the first time. But it has been re-released several times and covered by many, many artists from Don McLean to Art Garfunkel to Guns n' Roses.  Considered by many to be among the best songs of the doo-wop era, it shows up in TV shows and movies with regularity.  Original singer Jimmy Beaumont still leads the Skyliners on tour, and sings the song as good as ever.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Today's Forgotten Oldie...

Today's song is the prime example of the Forgotten Oldie.  Peter and Gordon's "Lady Godiva" went all the way to #6 on the charts on 12/10/66.  A Top-Ten hit 47 years ago.  Despite it's novelty label, it's a good, solid song.  So why don't we hear it any more?

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Monday, December 9, 2013

Monday madness....

Guys, have you ever wished for something like this?

Friday, December 6, 2013

A new Christmas story...

Here's a story to warm your heart... a very young stray dog was found sleeping with baby Jesus in a church nativity scene to stay warm. The German Shepherd puppy was adopted by a church member.  This took place in Circiuma, just South of Brazil.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Today's Forgotten Oldie...

John Travolta is an interesting guy. Huge TV star, movie star and pop superstar.  But few people remember his solo efforts in the 70's, we seem to limit our memories to the songs from Grease done with Olivia Newton John.  But he had three top 40 hits on his own, including the top ten smash "Let Her In"... remember?

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Today's Forgotten Oldie...

"San Franciscan Nights" was a top ten hit in 1967 for Eric Burdon and the Animals. Other than Burdon, this is not the same band that gave us House of the Rising Sun. All the other original members were gone, and the band had moved from England to California to bask in the Hippie movement.  This song attempts to showcase every political issue of the 60's, and almost pulls it off.  Still a great tune, and mostly forgotten by programmers.