Monday, June 20, 2011

10th Ave. Freeze Out

Clarence Anicholas Clemons 
January 11, 1942 - June 18, 2011



I had the pleasure of watching "The Big Man" perform when the Boss & his E Street Band played a three-night run to open the then new Lincoln Financial Field in Philly.  That show remains one of my all-time favorites.  Sad to say, no Springsteen concert will ever be the same.



Rolling Stone's compilation of Clemons' "Greatest Monemts":
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/videos-clarence-clemons-greatest-moments-20110620/the-national-anthem-2011-0343169

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The Impossible Girl Takes A Stand

Kim Boekbinder, A.K.A. The Impossible Girl, recently went public with her innovative and potentially paradigm shifting take on the future of live performances.  I, for one, think this is a fantastic idea.  And a concept I have a few thoughts of my own on, as well.   See below for her revolutionary pre-sold tour concept:


A few weeks ago I played a concert in Portland, Oregon which was attended by exactly 18 people. After everyone else got paid, I made exactly $12.50 USD. I know that independent musicians all over the world play to empty rooms all the time. I’ve played to quite a few myself. But the thing about me is that: I’m actually famous.
I’m not hugely famous, most people have never heard of me. But I have fans, amazingly supportive fans, all over the world. I raised $20,000 to record my album, then I raised $17,000 to make an animated music video with my collaborators Molly Crabapple and Jim Batt. So I know there are lots of people out there who like what I do. Which is why playing to an empty room on a Saturday in a town that knows who I am is just really sad. So I took my $12.50 USD and bought myself a few shots of whiskey. Luckily the price of whiskey in Portland is pretty low and I managed to get terrifically, yet lucidly, inebriated. In that state I had an epiphany, one that redefines the concept of touring. . . 

Monday, June 6, 2011

Derek Jeter's Taco Hole

I like to think Derek Jeter's chances of retiring a career .300 hitter are resting in peace with Freddy Fender and the rest of the fallen Tornados.