Rantings of An 80s Nut

Non-R.I.T.: "I Know Him So Well"

2012-02-12T11:29:00.001-08:00

Non-random post. Didn't really know how I wanted to approach Whitney's passing yesterday as there was the initial shock, the moment I thought about the loss of Amy Winehouse, the anger at losing one amazing voice and the sadness that her loved ones will face in the future. As a musicologist, I look at her debut album and smile. Duets with Teddy Pendergrass and Jermaine Jackson, bass by American Idol's Randy Jackson, keyboards by Richard Marx, guitar by Dann Huff and backing vocals by her mom Cissy. Huge record setting album but speaking of her mom... here's a duet they did for the follow-up album. The song was written by Tim Rice and ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson for the musical Chess but would become the final single released off Houston's Whitney album in 1988.

R.I.T.: "Free"

2012-02-11T09:51:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Big Audio Dynamite's "Free." Released in 1989 as the first single off of the soundtrack to Flashback, the song would go to #22 on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart. It would not be released on a BAD album (until their 1995 Planet BAD 'best of') but a reworked version called "Kickin' In" would surface on their Kool-Aid album. Really should have also done a show on Big Audio Dynamite when I could... well, and also Mick Jones' previous project, The Clash. Have a great weekend.

Big Audio Dynamite - Free (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Big Audio Dynamite

R.I.T.: "The Seventh Stranger"

2012-01-30T14:34:00.001-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is the 1983 album track, "The Seventh Stranger," that closes Seven And The Ragged Tiger. The song was reportedly a favorite of Simon and Nick's that they wanted to see released as a single but their label, Capitol, wanted something more dance oriented. The song, as well as its preceding track "Tiger Tiger," gave the album its title. Crank it up and enjoy.

R.I.T.: "The Sweater"

2012-01-28T12:01:00.001-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Canadian writer/performer Meryn Cadell's amazingly funny "The Sweater." The 1992 single was a surprise Canadian Top 40 hit and received a lot of airplay on college radio (helping it reach #24 on the U.S. Modern Rock chart.) Cadell's first independent album was released in 1988. The album, Angel Food For Thought, was re-issued in 2007.

What defines you?

2012-01-27T01:23:00.000-08:00

Had an idea rattling in my brain for the last few hours and wanted to get it down... in 0's and 1's, I guess. How do you define yourself. If you were to take 3 things that define who and what you are (in order of importance), what would they be? Feel free to take a second and write them down. Don't worry, this page isn't going anywhere and I'm not looking. Ok, if you took a real hard look at yourself when writing that down, you'll find something interesting. You wrote down filters.

I'll explain. Often, people go through life with a vision of themselves. Be it strength, intellect, gender, race, sexual preference, nationality, intellect, political party, wealth, religion or a myriad of other divisors, we always hold something up to set our internal compass. Let's use intellect for a moment. You may believe you are a very smart person, absorb knowledge easily, rationalize concepts quickly and value it more than many others. It's a great quality to have but here is the kicker. If that was #1 on your list, it's also a filter. If you put that above all else, you would have an equal distaste for ignorance, stupidity and idiocy. You'd have to, as it is the top thing that defines who you are as a person.

So, if you place your birthplace (city, state or nation) above all else, you become less forgiving of other locales. If your #1 personal definer was gender, you would support and promote it and look less favorably at the opposite sex. If you were dirt poor, as were your parents and their parents, you would look unfavorably at the well-to-do if your made what defines you was the belief you'd always be poor. This list can keep going. Religion can easily easily go that route as can political ideology and sexual preference. I won't belabor that point further.

The passion of what defines you makes that #1 on your list pretty darn important as it also becomes a filter for who and what we let in and deflect. We could very well put "human being" at #1 on the list and not believe that we will hate or go on crusades against dogs, cats or horses... although one may go with "living being" if they were averse to eating animals and saw them as an equal. I've had and still have friends that have a #1 on their list that clears rooms, creates enemies and leaves a bunch of unhappiness in their wake.

You really can be what you want to be. You can define yourself. But, finding a definition of ourselves that lets others into our own little world is important... and it is how I view tolerance.

R.I.T.: "Long Long Way To Go"

2012-01-26T13:12:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Def Leppard's "Long Long Way To Go." Released in 2003 as a single off of their X album, the song went to #40 in the U.K. The song is currently their last hit to chart there. Brilliant lyrics and haunting undercurrent. I was honored when the label asked to use my album review to help promote the single... just wish it got a little airplay here in the U.S. Instead, the U.S. market pushed the song "Four Letter Word" (which would be their most recent chart hit here.)

R.I.T.: "Donald, Where's Your Troosers?"

2012-01-20T16:19:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Andy Stewart's "Donald, Where's Your Troosers?" No, really, that's the song and how it's spelled. It's a rendition of a traditional Scottish song by the then popular musician and television personality. The 1961 novelty #37 U.K. hit by the Scotsman resurfaced in late 1989 in the U.K. peaking at #4. Be sure to hear the whole song, though.

R.I.T.: "Dominoes"

2012-01-16T14:25:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is "Dominoes" by Robbie Nevil. Released as the second single from his self-titled debut album in 1986, the song would go to #14 in the U.S. Nevil started his career songwriting for Earth Wind & Fire, the Pointer Sisters, El DeBarge, Al Jarreau among many others before getting his moment in the sun. After a few more albums, he'd return to songwriting for Starship, David Lee Roth, K-Ci & JoJo, Aaron Neville, Jeff Lorber, Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers and something called High School Musical. I think I need to reappraise my blame for the last three.

R.I.T.: "One In A Million"

2012-01-13T14:44:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is The Romantics' "One In A Million." Possibly my favorite track by the band, pure power-pop rock. Released as the 3rd single off their In The Heat album in 1984, the song would go to #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #22 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Time for a dose of reality, though. "What I Like About You" (which still gets a lot of airplay) is their third biggest hit, landing outside the U.S. Top 40 at #49 in 1980. 1983's "Talking In Your Sleep" was their biggest hit going to #3 in the U.S. (and #1 on the U.S. Dance chart.)

R.I.T.: "Johnny, Are You Queer?"

2012-01-12T13:40:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is "Johnny, Are You Queer?" by the smokin' hot Josie Cotton. The song would go to #38 on the Billboard Club Play Singles chart in '82, #2 on Canadian radio and be 1 of 3 songs she'd contribute to the Valley Girl soundtrack. According to Cotton, L.A. punk act Fear performed an early version of the song with no reference to Johnny but producers/managers Bobbie and Larson Paine would re-write the lyrics for their clients... the Go-Go's. The song became a live favorite for the group but the Paine brothers would forbid them from using the song after the band parted ways with management. Cotton lobbied to record a demo of the song which became the single and the rest is pretty much history. An official video wasn't filmed as her label, Elektra, was in financial trouble... thankfully, she filmed one later.

R.I.T.: "Stand"

2012-01-11T12:26:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is "Stand" by Liquid Jesus. This 1990 cover of the Sly And The Family Stone classic made it's mark appearing on the Pump Up The Volume soundtrack (and being played at the end of the film.) Liquid Jesus' pop sensibilities lay in the fusion of gospel, folk, jazz, rock and blues that would fit right in with Woodstock... no, the first one. It's just too bad that this cover is so much better than other recorded works including their Pour In The Sky album. Looking to find your groove today, play this!

R.I.T.: "Moonbeam"

2012-01-10T13:09:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is the 1987 single, "Moonbeam," from Men Without Hats off of the Pop Goes The World album. The song was a follow-up single to the Top 20 U.S. hit "Pop Goes The World" and would go to #46 on the U.S. Dance and #23 on the Canadian charts. The Quebec act scored 7 hits in their homeland from 1893 to 1991. Fun to see a goofy video like this pop up once in awhile.

Thank you, Grandpa!

2012-01-09T16:44:00.000-08:00

Today my grandfather was buried. He's just walking distance from my father-in-law. Boy, there are a lot of things I could say about him and my feelings this last week. I'm just going to keep it minimal. If you look at a lot of the photos of him we have, you'd see that he loved his recliner. Well, not as much as his family. He came from a large family (being one of 10 children) and himself helped create a large family. The first part of that was during his 22 years of military service.

I was talking with one of my aunts that I don't see that often and she told me how happy she was that I was able to spend as much time as I did with him. I could sense some hurt in her voice. You see, a career military man serving during several wars would not be home often and a chunk of your connection is lost when you don't spend time together. Compound that with seeing your parents split and it's really rough for a child. You can't fix the past, though. What you can do is analyze what you've gained through those connections.

My grandfather lived a lot of his pre- and post-military life in the state of Idaho. He was a pillar of his community, serving as fire chief, postmaster general, mayor and owner of the local store. We would see him during some holidays and have longer visits during the summer when we'd stay there. As a child, you focus on very centric things -- me, me and me. Food, playing, sleeping and more playing would take precedence over real thoughtful conversation. I wasn't happy with chores (which included moving irrigation pipe) and having only one TV in the house.

But lets, look at what I gained there. I learned what it was like to do a form of physical labor, where eggs come from (by grabbing them myself), find adventure in a town trusting enough that they didn't lock doors, appreciate a town that isn't 'go, go, go' and to embrace quiet moments with family. I never really understood grandpa's love for Westerns and military films and obsession with the news. But, I would adopt the latter myself.

I lost a grandfather while in high school. I lost another one after high school (when I returned from Reno.) But, you remember when I related loss with the quality of your connection. I can't say that I spent 5% of the time with either of my other grandfathers and the weight of this loss is that much stronger. Knowing that his time was coming to a close, my first project after ending Talking 80s Music was to spend some quality time with grandpa and record his life story for myself as well as the rest of the family. The me-focused child needed to fill in the gaps and use my interview skills for something greater. I can say that I am better equipped to deal with his passing by doing it. I think we said an unspoken long-farewell then.

His recliner isn't empty. It's just moved closer to the Lord. I could miss what I didn't have with him but I won't. I will cherish the time he spent with me and share what I can with the family. Spend time with your family, your elders. Harry Chapin's song "Cats In The Cradle" plays in my head this week. We don't have to be that kid! We don't have to be that adult! Connect! Don't mourn the living! The time is now!

R.I.T.: "Love Is Like A Rock"

2012-01-09T15:55:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is "Love Is Like A Rock" by Donnie Iris and The Cruisers (no, not Eddie.) Released in 1981, the single would go to #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart. It's a great example of a song that worked its way up the chart from mid-December of 1981 until late February of 1982 -- all without an official promotional video. His biggest U.S. single, "My Girl," would be the follow-up but both are often forgotten behind his 1981 U.S. hit "Ah, Leah!" In late 2010, Iris released his 11th studio album, the Christmas-themed Ah! Leluiah!

R.I.T.: "Last Summer's Evil"

2012-01-06T14:36:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is "Last Summer's Evil" by TNT. The song is track 4 on Antony Harnell's 1984 debut album with TNT, Knights Of The New Thunder. Love the strut of the song and Tony's vocal harmonics here. Odd that it would come up randomly today as Mr. Harnell recently put the silver album award he was presented for Knights Of The New Thunder on eBay with 10% of the final sale going to Breast Cancer Action in memory of Tony's mother who passed away from the disease in 2009. You can find it at http://bit.ly/xxbmgn

R.I.T.: "The Zoo"

2012-01-05T13:24:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is "The Zoo" by the Scorpions. The song was their second single off their 1980 album Animal Magnetism and would go to #75 in the U.K. Despite limited chart success, the song has become a critic and fan favorite -- being included on most of their hits collections. The lyrical root of the song comes from their first tour of the U.S. behind their Lovedrive album the previous year (which also earned them a gold disc.) During the tour, they laughingly nicknamed one of New York City's streets "the zoo" and it seemed to fit with a song Rudolf Schenker had been working on while on tour. Vocalist Klaus Meine took that thought and added references to the city streets -- mainly 42nd Street.

R.I.T.: "Seven Spanish Angels"

2012-01-04T13:10:00.001-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is a longtime favorite of mine called "Seven Spanish Angels" by Willie Nelson with Ray Charles. This beautifully written song by Troy Seals (cousin of Jim Seals and Dan Seals) and Eddie Setser went to #1 on the U.S. country singles and Canadian country charts as well as #6 in New Zealand in 1984. The song is actually credited to Ray Charles with Willie Nelson as well. You see, both Charles and Nelson had ideas of doing duets albums and would include the song on both of their albums. Ray's album would introduce him to the country music community in a big way and the song would be the biggest of 8 of his hits on the country charts. Crank up the volume and listen to the story.

R.I.T.: "Green Mind"

2012-01-03T12:50:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is "Green Mind" by Dink. Released as a single in 1994, the song would climb its way to #35 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart the following year. The song would become a mainstay for alternative radio stations in the Midwest and two more singles from the album would surface. The Kent, Ohio band was also aided by Skinny Puppy-producer Dave "Rave" Ogilvie in creating their unique sound. Despite recording sessions that would yield a follow-up EP, Capitol Records pulled the plug on their next album. The audio sample at the start comes from a commercial by an Ohio Chevrolet dealership pitchman, Bob Serpentini, that rose to local infamy at the time for mixing political rants with car sales.

R.I.T.: "U Gotz 2 Get Down"

2012-01-02T12:22:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Kwame's "U Gotz 2 Get Down." The song was the 3rd single released off his debut album, Kwame The Boy Genius - Featuring A New Beginning, and went to #7 on the U.S. Hot Rap Tracks chart in 1989. By the time the new single came out the polka-dot theme (seen in the video) was in full effect. Not an easy album to find until the rise of iTunes. After a few more albums, he'd be a much-in-demand producer working for LL Cool J, Mary J Blige, Dru Hill, Christina Aguilera, Will Smith, Pussycat Dolls and many others.

R.I.T.: "Diggin' In"

2011-12-29T12:53:00.001-08:00

When I say random, I really mean it. Today's random iTunes track (R.I.T.) is "Diggin' In" by Harold Faltermeyer from the soundtrack to the 1985 film Fletch. Standing on its own, it really says a lot about the use of synthesizer in instrumental film scores. It also shares a lot of sonic similarities with Faltermeyer's biggest hit, "Axel F," from Beverly Hills Cop -- which came out the year before. (Both soundtracks were done while he was playing keys and later doing production on albums for Laura Branigan.) The film Fletch was based on a book series by Gregory McDonald that debuted in 1974 and over the last decade has been in various stages of pre-production for a new film.

R.I.T.: "Satellite"

2011-12-28T12:46:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Lena Meyer's massive hit "Satellite." This song was Germany's entry into the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest and took first place that year. When released as a single (off her debut album My Cassette Player), "Satellite" went to #1 in Germany, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland as well as top 5 in Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands and #33 in the U.K. An infectious tune (listen to it at least twice.) It was so successful in Germany for her that, since 2006, the song is the 2nd most downloaded single there (just behind Lady Gaga's "Poker Face.") Germany would look to her for their 2011 Eurovision entry, "Taken By A Stranger," which would come in 10th.

R.I.T.: "Silver"

2011-12-27T11:37:00.001-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is "Silver" by Moist. The title track to their 1994 full-length debut album was released as its second single and went to #31 in Canada. The group would win the 1995 Juno award for Best New Group and the MuchMusic Video Award for Favorite Canadian Group. Moist released their final studio album, Mercedes 5 And Dime, in 1999.

R.I.T.: "A Woman In Love"

2011-12-26T10:56:00.001-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is "A Woman In Love" by Ronnie Milsap. The song was the third single released from the 1989 album, Stranger Things Have Happened. The 53rd single of Milsap's career would become his final and 35th #1 on the U.S. Country chart as well as top the Canadian Country chart as well.

R.I.T.: "That's My Impression"

2011-12-25T10:48:00.001-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is "That's My Impression" by the Pet Shop Boys. The song surfaced as a B-side to their hit single "Love Comes Quickly" in 1986. It would later in appear in 1995 as a disco mix on their double-CD Alternative collection. The band was sure that releasing a few original songs as B-sides (often in the same key and not usable on the album) would inspire fans to pick up each of their singles -- to collect them all. They were quite often right... well, at least that's my impression.

R.I.T.: "One Night Love Affair"

2011-12-24T07:58:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is the single "One Night Love Affair" by Bryan Adams. The track was the 5th of six singles released from Adams' massively successful 1984 album, Restless -- which has sold over 13 million copies to date. Written by Adams and Jim Vallance, the song went to #13 in the U.S., #19 in Canada and #85 in Australia in 1985. You may also recognize it from the film Real Genius.

R.I.T.: "Burning Desire"

2011-12-23T14:36:00.001-08:00

Today's random iTunes track is "Burning Desire" by New Monkees off their 1987 eponymous album. This song was an album track and appeared in the short-run of the New Monkees television series. Love the groove and guitar-work. I caught one episode of this show before it was off the air but found the album via a friend that was a fan. Some good songs on the album... actually, someone named Sean Roberts covered 3 songs from the New Monkees disc for his 2010 release, The Boy Inside The Man.

R.I.T.: "The Curly Shuffle"

2011-12-22T12:34:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Jump 'N The Saddle's 1983 hit "The Curly Shuffle." Written by their vocalist Peter Quinn, the fun novelty song would peak at #15 on Billboard Hot 100 chart. The Chicago band released a debut album and parted ways with their record label the next year after they asked them to cover the song "Shaving Cream." (A demo version was recorded with additional unflattering lyrics directed at the record label.) In Canada, a different version of the song was released at the same time by The Knuckleheads.

R.I.T.: "Melodie"

2011-12-21T12:12:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Michael Jackson's "Melodie." The song is an album track from the 1984 Jackson compilation, Farewell My Summer Love, made up of unreleased solo recordings made in 1973. It was released by Motown to capitalize the momentum of the red hot success of Jackson's Thriller. It was claimed that the songs were 'lost' and re-discovered in 1984 -- for which the instrumentation was re-recorded to update the tracks. Great songwriting here by Larson/Marcellino/Richards.

R.I.T.: "Tiny Daggers"

2011-12-20T14:02:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is "Tiny Daggers" by INXS off of their 1987 album, Kick. Composed by Andrew and Michael, the song closes the album and could have been a single but wasn't. The success of the previous Listen Like Thieves album had the group thinking they needed even better material for their follow-up. According to Kirk, "We wanted an album where all the songs were possible singles."

R.I.T.: "Suddenly"

2011-12-19T12:29:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Olivia Newton-John and Cliff Richard's "Suddenly" from the Xanadu soundtrack. The 1982 single went to #15 in the U.K., #20 in the U.S., #30 in New Zealand, #35 in Germany, #37 in Australia and #60 in Canada. Known as the love theme from Xanadu, the song was written and produced by longtime Newton-John associate John Farrar. Also notable is that the song was the last single by Olivia before releasing "Physical." It would also precede Richard's 1981 hit "A Little In Love."

Airrace - Back To The Start

2011-12-18T23:38:00.000-08:00

Formed in 1982, Airrace began a journey into rock that would include mile markers like their 1984 debut album, Shaft Of Light, and being the first band to launch drummer Jason Bonham's career. Despite strong reviews and support slots for Queen, AC/DC, Krokus, Ted Nugent and Meat Loaf, the band imploded the following year. In 2009, a few new members joined the band for reunion shows supporting the 25th anniversary of Shaft Of Light. With an overwhelming reaction by fans, the group has recorded their long-awaited sophomore effort, Back To The Start.

Power-chord rock anthems return as Airrace open this disc with the uplifting "Keep On Going." "Two Of A Kind" reminds me of digging into ice cream. The first bite zings your tongue and makes you go back for more. But by the time you get a scoop of the chorus... it's another flavor and the initial shock catches you off guard. By the time you finish the bowl, you enjoyed the whole experience and wondered why you were caught off guard in the first place. This could be the separation between the fullness of Keith Murrell's vocals and the sticky-sweet chorus vocal harmonies. "When Baby" is my sleeper. It's a hit yet to come and I would love to be there to tell someone... "Yeah, I called that one!" "So Long" grabs you with a marching beat yielding to a near "Eye Of The Tiger" rhythm that then blossoms into one of the album's best tracks. Love the bluesy feel of "Better Believe It" as well. "Just One Kiss," "Wrong Way Out," "Enough Of Your Loving," "What More Do You Want From Me" and the Foreigner-esque "Call Me Anytime" also stand out on this release.

Someone always wins in an air race and I believe that here it will be rock listeners. Back To The Start is where fans will be going after their first run of the album. Addictive and infectious, it builds on itself as the listener adds the new information they missed the first time around. Murrell, guitarist Laurie Mansworth and keyboardist Toby Sadler are at the top of their game here with their new line-up and I can't wait to hear what's next.

4 out of 5

R.I.T.: "Church Of Logic, Sin, And Love"

2011-12-18T10:26:00.001-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is The Men's 1992 single, "The Church Of Logic, Sin, & Love." Released off their self-titled debut album, the song went to #8 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. It was their only hit for the Santa Monica-based band before breaking up. Lyrically a bit quirky but a fun album and a personal favorite. The song definitely fit in with the musical landscape of alternative rock at the time (a notable example would be the success of King Missle's "Detatchable Penis") but without further penetration into the market. Oddly enough, despite calling themselves "The Men"... half the band were women.

R.I.T.: "Red Red Wine"

2011-12-17T09:37:00.001-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Neil Diamond's "Red Red Wine." This 1968 single, off of his Just For You album, went to #68 on the U.S. and #78 on the Australian chart. Diamond wrote it during a slow time while working in his father-in-laws haberdashery shop. Although he doesn't drink and rarely forgets (although he sometimes tries), he thought it'd be interesting try to compose a country ballad. It would have stayed that way until... Jamaican rocksteady singer Tony Tribe recorded a version the following year -- going to #46 in the U.K. You thought I was going to say UB40, didn't you? Well, UB40 heard the Tony Tribe version and recorded their 1983 chart-topping version without hearing Diamond's original.

R.I.T.: "Russian Roulette"

2011-12-16T13:21:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is "Russian Roulette" by The Lords Of The New Church off their self-titled debut album. Released as the third single off the album in 1982, it failed to chart as their previous single, "Open Your Eyes," had. Composed by bassist Tony James (of Generation X) and drummer Terry Chimes (of the Clash) in an early incarnation of the band (as they wouldn't be in it by the time they recorded), the song idea came from the 1979 film Apocalypse Now... hence the helicopter intro. We featured the band on the show a few years back. A great promo video was released for it but the only version online, that I could find, had horrid audio quality.

R.I.T.: "I Want Her"

2011-12-15T13:11:00.000-08:00

Today's random iTunes track is Keith Sweat's 1987 hit, "I Want Her," off his debut album, Make It Last Forever. Written and produced by Sweat and Teddy Riley, the song went to #5 on the U.S., #1 on the U.S. R&B and #26 on the U.K. charts. It is often cited as one of the first #1 hits of the 'new jack swing' (or swingbeat) movement of which Riley was a shining star -- having been a member of Guy and produced hits for Johnny Kemp, Bobby Brown, Jane Child and even Michael Jackson. The song was the biggest hit of Sweat's career until he released "Twisted" in 1996 (which went to #2 in the U.S.)

R.I.T.: "If She Knew What She Wants"

2011-12-14T13:39:00.001-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is the 1986 single, "If She Knew What She Wants," by The Bangles off their Different Light album. The song was the follow-up single to "Manic Monday" and charted in the U.S. (#29), Germany (#17), Switzerland (#20), Austria (#30), Australia (#31) and the U.K. (#31.) The song is a cover of Jules Shear's 1985 song off his album, The Eternal Return, for which they rewrote the lyrics from first person to third person to make it work. Two videos were filmed and the one (not shown here) shown in the U.S. was shot by Susanna Hoffs mother Tamar.

R.I.T.: "Billy's Got A Gun"

2011-12-13T13:26:00.001-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Def Leppard's 1983 hit "Billy's Got A Gun" off of Pyromania. The song was one of the 7 singles to be released off the 10-track album and went to #33 in the U.S. During their career, Def Leppard scored only one #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 charts... "Love Bites." A live version of this song (not unlike the video posted) was the B-side to that 1988 #1 hit.

R.I.T.: "High School Nights"

2011-12-12T13:43:00.001-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Dave Edmunds 1985 hit single, "High School Nights," off the Porky's Revenge soundtrack. The song peaked at #95 on the U.S. charts. Dave Edmunds scored his biggest hit, "I Hear You Knocking," in 1970 (going to #4 in the U.S. and #1 in the U.K.) and recorded with Nick Lowe as Rockpile in 1980. He assembled and produced the aforementioned soundtrack that included songs by George Harrison, Jeff Beck, Carl Perkins, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Willie Nelson, Clarence Clemons, himself and The Crawling King Snakes (made up of Robert Plant and Phil Collins.) It's hard to believe it but, despite what film it came from, this is a soundtrack you need in your collection.

R.I.T.: "Stand"

2011-12-11T08:45:00.001-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is R.E.M.'s 1988 hit, "Stand," off their Green album. The song went to #6 in the U.S. and Canada, #23 in New Zealand and #48 in the U.K. Fun video with lyrics speaking to finding your direction and change. Sonically, Michael Stipe has said they were shooting for 1960s bubblegum pop in the area of the Archies and Monkees. It was the second single off the album and theme to the Fox television series Get A Life starring Chris Elliott. The song was their biggest hit in the U.S. during the 1980s and second biggest hit over their career here.

R.I.T.: "Don't Go Jumping With Frogs"

2011-12-10T15:49:00.001-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Boys Don't Cry & Friends' "Don't Go Jumping With Frogs." It really was random but a nice chance to give a shout out to Nick Richards. This is one of the first new tracks recorded by the band and Nick came on T8M to explain the relaunch of the group. They've been playing several shows to raise money for local schools. I can't wait to hear the next batch of songs by them.

R.I.T.: "Be With You"

2011-12-09T15:46:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Erasure's "Be With You." The song is their latest single (i.e. hasn't charted yet) from their new album, Tomorrow's World. Fun video. They held a fan video contest and this was the winning submission. "Be With You" seems appropriate for this weekend as we'll be spending each day of the weekend with child visitors. Have a great day!

The Power Of Siblings

2011-12-07T13:13:00.001-08:00

I received a call yesterday that kicked my brain into a different gear. My brother was sitting with his eldest daughter, Mia, and decided to get me on the phone. She had been making faces and pretty much antagonizing her little sister. Matt called to say, in front of Mia, that he was sorry for some of the rivalry we had as kids as family is forever and friends can come and go.

I love my brother. And that call got me thinking... I believe that there is a hierarchy to relationships that -- beyond faith -- peaks with family. Family can be mother, father, sister, brother, wife, husband, son, daughter, nephew, niece, cousin and grandparents. It's fun to call your best friend your sister or brother but those relationships can and sometimes do come to an end. Family will always be family. Let's put it this way, why do they say BFF (of best friend forever)? It's because often that isn't the case and adding the other F is to make it more permanent. There are also religions that use the words father, mother, brother and sister as a means to show another form of closeness in the congregation that normally wouldn't exist. So I place family, best friends, friends, acquaintances and strangers in that order.

The call also solidified a thought I had the previous day. I had been lucky to spend about 30 minutes with country act The Band Perry. Kimberly, Reid and Neil as well as their mother are some of the most amazingly down-to-earth people I have ever met. Among the things we talked about was the strength of being family in a group. It's easier to pull friends and acquaintances off in the wrong direction but family will always be accountable to family. They can fight each other but, when the time comes, it can also be them against the world.

So, I called my brother back a half hour later and told him to let Mia know that being the older child (as she and I are) isn't easy. Her sister and brother (as well as my sister and brothers) came into this world with the best friend they will ever have greeting them. There is a comfortable feeling to know that your longest relationships will be with family. An only child doesn't have that and are missing that being their own size to imitate, learn from, look up to and grow with. My brother's point in calling was to remind his daughter that, later in life, that sibling you are picking on will still be there in your life and it's good to treat them better now than regret it later. I think I got more out of it than she did.

R.I.T.: "The Voice"

2011-12-07T13:11:00.001-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is the classic 1981 Moody Blues single, "The Voice." No, it has nothing to do with the NBC series with Christina, Cee Lo, Adam or Blake. The song was the second single released off of their Long Distance Voyager album and went to #15 in the U.S. and #9 in Canada. The album was about transitions for the group as they were entering a new decade, their longtime keyboardist Mike Pinder had left (and replaced with former Yes member Patrick Moraz) and their last Top 20 hit was 8 years ago. The album would go to #1 in the U.S. and introduce the group to a new decade.

R.I.T.: "Tonight It's You"

2011-12-06T12:43:00.001-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Cheap Trick's 1985 single, "Tonight It's You." It went to #44 on the U.S. charts and was the first single off their Standing On The Edge album. Producer Jack Douglas (who worked on John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Double Fantasy and Milk And Honey albums) was at the helm but did not mix the album due to legal issues with Ono.

R.I.T.: "Sick Boys"

2011-12-05T12:23:00.001-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Social Distortion's 1990 single, "Sick Boys," off of their self-titled third album. The song was the 4th single off the album and did not chart. The first 3 singles made it on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. The band was formed in 1978 by frontman Mike Ness and 3 of the original members would leave to join The Adolescents. Ness' troubles with the law and increasing drug habit forced the band to go on hiatus in 1985 while he spent time rotating between jail and rehab. Much of this experience definitely fueled his creative spark for the 1988 album, Prison Bound, and future releases.

R.I.T.: "Falling To Pieces"

2011-12-04T12:26:00.000-08:00

What's funny about "random iTunes tracks" is that a lot of songs don't have videos so they get skipped. It's those that do that may have you scratching your head. Today's R.I.T., "Falling To Pieces" by Faith No More off the 1989 Real Thing album is not one of those. It's pretty hard to follow up an epic song like their Grammy nominated #9 U.S. hit... ummm "Epic" as it peaked at #92 in the U.S., #26 in Australia, #41 in the U.K. and #16 in New Zealand. As one of their more popular songs, the band, odd enough, grew to dislike it enough to rarely perform it live (after announcing during a 1993 performance that it was their last time playing it.)

R.I.T.: "Alone"

2011-12-02T12:30:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is the Bee Gees 1997 single, "Alone," off their Still Waters album. The song went to #1 in Hong Kong, #2 in New Zealand, #5 in the U.K., #6 in Germany, #7 in Australia, #20 in Canada and #28 in the U.S. If you listen carefully, you'll hear the bagpipe in the song. It originally was a 12-string guitar but while experimenting on the demo... the bagpipe clicked. When recording, they almost changed the instrument but Robin Gibb was firmly against it. Robin is currently battling liver cancer. The song was their last Top 40 hit in the U.S.

R.I.T.: "Useless"

2011-12-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Depeche Mode's 1997 hit, "Useless." The song received U.S. airplay prior to the announcement of the third single, "Home," off of the Ultra album which pushed them to release "Home" and "Useless" as a double A-side single. The song went to #28 in the U.K., #17 in Finland and #16 in Sweden and Germany. It is often looked at as a pop industrial rock track but (as my favorite song on the album) I think it leans more blues-based than pop... just listen to that guitar.

R.I.T.: "Kiss On My List"

2011-11-30T12:38:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Hall and Oates' 1981 hit, "Kiss On My List," off their Voices album. The song was the third single off the album and gave them their second #1 U.S. hit (4 years after "Rich Girl.") It also went to #7 in Canada and #33 in the U.K. and New Zealand. It was one of the first hits written by Hall and Janna Allen which would include the top 10 singles "Private Eyes," "Did It In A Minute" and "Method Of Modern Love." Eddie Van Halen reportedly told Hall that he copied the synth part of the track and used it in some song called "Jump."

R.I.T.: "Mind Of A Toy"

2011-11-29T12:40:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. (random iTunes track) is Visage's 1981 hit, "Mind Of A Toy," off their self-titled debut album. The song was the follow-up single to "Fade To Grey" and went to #13 in the U.K., #10 in Germany, #16 in Ireland and #42 in the Netherlands. The video was directed by Godley & Creme. Aside from founding members Steve Strange and Rusty Egan, Visage included members of Ultravox and Magazine. I often find myself mesmerized by their sound.

R.I.T.: "Shadows Of The Night"

2011-11-28T12:43:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Pat Benatar's 1982 single, "Shadows Of The Night," off of her Get Nervous album. As the first single off the album, it went to #13 in the U.S., #12 in Canada, #19 in Australia, #32 in New Zealand and #50 in the U.K. No, it didn't chart in Germany. Could be because the video never aired there due to the Allies/Nazi theme. Covers of the song have been done by Mary J. Blige and Ashley Tisdale. The album was the first to include Charlie Giordano on keyboards as Scott St. Clair Sheets had left the band after Precious Time.

R.I.T.: "Sweet Thing"

2011-11-27T12:46:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Keith Urban's 2008 single, "Sweet Thing," off of the album, Defying Gravity. The song went to #1 on the U.S. Country, #30 in the U.S., #45 in Canada and #96 on the Australian charts. The single became his 10th U.S. Country hit and his 19th Top 40 country single. Meanwhile, Urban has something to be thankful for during the holidays. He's currently recovering from a successful throat surgery to remove a polyp on his vocal chords.

R.I.T.: "Your Woman"

2011-11-26T12:48:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is the 1997 single, "Your Woman," by White Town. The one-man act formed by Jyoti Mishra released their first single in 1990. This one went to #1 in the U.K., #2 in Australia, #5 in Ireland and New Zealand, #13 in Canada and #23 in the U.S. Hardly hear it anymore but it's a fun track. In October, he released his new album, Monopole, via the Bzangy label.

R.I.T.: "Blues Before And After"

2011-11-25T12:51:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is the Smithereen's 1990 single, "Blues Before And After," off 1989's 11 album. The song was the follow-up to "A Girl Like You" and went to #98 on the U.S. singles chart (Billboard) as well as #7 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock and #18 on the U.S. Modern Rock charts. Recently, frontman Pat DiNizio launched his new show Confessions Of A Rock Star at Las Vegas' Riviera Hotel. I'll be getting tickets soon.

R.I.T.: "One Vision"

2011-11-23T12:52:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is the powerful 1985 Queen single "One Vision" off of their A Kind Of Magic album. As the only single released by the band that year, the song went to #61 in the U.S. and #7 in the U.K. The idea for the song was Roger Taylor's but is the first Queen song that each band member co-wrote. The track was also featured in the soundtrack for Iron Eagle. According to Taylor, the lyrics were "half nicked" of Martin Luther King's 'I Have A Dream' speech. The odd culinary ending was the sole left-over from early stages of the track when, while eating Chinese takeout, they threw a bunch of food items into the lyrics for fun.

R.I.T.: "Fire Woman"

2011-11-22T12:54:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is the 1989 hit, "Fire Woman," by the Cult. The song was the first single off of the Sonic Temple album and charted on the U.K. Singles (#15), Billboard Hot 100 (#46) and U.S. Modern Rock Tracks (#2) charts. The Bob Rock-produced album would go to #10 in the U.S.

R.I.T.: "Eep Opp Ork Ah Ah (Means I Love You)"

2011-11-21T12:57:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is the Violent Femmes cover of "Eep Opp Ork Ah Ah (Means I Love You)" which appears on the 1995 Saturday Morning Cartoons Greatest Hits compilation. The original song debuted on the 1962 episode of The Jetsons titled A Date With Jet Screamer. Sung by late actor Howard Morris (who voiced Screamer), it was written by Hoyt Curtin, William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. I don't think any other band other than They Might Be Giants could have gotten away with covering this.

R.I.T.: "History Never Repeats"

2011-11-20T12:59:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is the Split Enz 1981 hit "History Never Repeats" off their Waiata album. The song was a top 5 hit in New Zealand and Australia and went to #63 in the U.K. The guitar part in the bridge (played by Neil Finn) was originally part of an old song, "Bergen Aan Zee," written by previous band member Phil Judd.

R.I.T.: "Muscles"

2011-11-19T13:01:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Diana Ross' 1982 hit "Muscles" off her Silk Electric album. The song went to #10 in the U.S. and #15 in the U.K. Written and produced by Michael Jackson (with some backing vocals), "Muscles" earned Ross a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. The song was named after Michael's pet snake.

Diana Ross - Muscles by papafonk

R.I.T.: "A Girl Called Johnny"

2011-11-18T13:04:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is The Waterboys' 1983 classic "A Girl Called Johnny" off their eponymous debut album. I absolutely love this song which peaked at #80 on the U.K. chart that year. It's a tribute to Patti Smith. The band's rotating lineup is legendary as there have been more than 50 musicians that have been able to call themselves Waterboys. Former keyboardist Karl Wallinger would form his band World Party after his 3 year tenure.

R.I.T.: "Cheer Down"

2011-11-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is George Harrison's "Cheer Down." Released in 1989 off of the Lethal Weapon 2 soundtrack, the song went to #7 on the U.S. Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and #53 on the Canadian singles chart. The lyrics to the song were co-written with Tom Petty. The song was released later that year on his Best Of Dark Horse 1976-1989 collection. No video was released for the track but found a great live version.

R.I.T.: "Big Ole Butt"

2011-11-16T13:07:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is LL Cool J's "Big Ole Butt." The track was the third single off of his classic 1988 album, Walking With A Panther, going to #13 on the U.S. Rap and #57 on the U.S. R&B charts. 'Panther' became his second #1 R&B album spending 4 weeks in that position thanks to this track and the singles "Going Back to Cali," "I'm That Type of Guy," "Jingling Baby" and "One Shot at Love."

R.I.T.: "Bad Is Bad"

2011-11-15T13:08:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is the classic Huey Lewis And The News song "Bad Is Bad." It's intriguing that this 1983 track, off the Sports album, got a video and received a lot of airplay but was never released as a single and never charted. The Sports album already had 5 top 20 singles off of it which may have prevented an official release. Usually charts are determined as much by sales as airplay. It did appear as a B-side to "The Power Of Love" later and was added on their first 'best of' (which skipped "Jacob's Ladder") but it's amazing when what seems to be a hit really wasn't.

R.I.T.: "Someday"

2011-11-14T13:10:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is the 1986 song "Someday" by Glass Tiger. It was the third single from their debut album, The Thin Red Line, and went to #7 in the U.S., #14 in Canada and #66 in the U.K. This song was written by vocalist Alan Frew and producer Jim Vallance (who was a longtime songwriting partner of Bryan Adams) on the first day working together -- as well as their other huge hit "Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)." It says a lot about musical magic created by fresh chemistry. You also now understand how they got Adams to do backing vocals on the other song.

2011-11-13T18:07:00.001-08:00

It's a special day again. Well, special for our family. This weekend we took our son and nephew off to see Blue Man Group for an early celebration of David's 14th birthday. We end the celebratory weekend with a cake and some other goodies.

It was also a moment to look at who else celebrates birthdays today. Rather funny that he had just been reading The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in school as Robert Louis Stevenson also shares the same birth date. Jimmy Kimmel, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Noth and former Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis also share that date. This might speak a lot for his diverse personality. But, I am very proud of my son and know that his future will be no less brilliant.

R.I.T.: "Kennedy"

2011-11-13T13:12:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is 1986's "Kennedy" by French post-punk act Buzz. Definitely in the dark electronic area. I was lucky enough to get to know main-man Jean-Christophe Van Thienen during and after recording an episode of the show about the group. They even sampled my voice from a bit of the show for a song demo we debuted on episode 100. Anyhow, it's amazing to see an actual video for their best known track.

R.I.T.: "Towa no Hana (Eternal Flower)"

2011-11-12T13:14:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is a little unusual but... heck, that's who I am. The song is "Towa no Hana (Eternal Flower)" by Yoko Ishida from the 2002 anime series Ai Yori Aoshi. See what randomness gets you? Beautiful Japanese pop song. Love the production but found myself picking up a lot of Ishida's work afterwards. She released a lot of music from 1993 until 2009.

R.I.T.: "Brothers In Blood"

2011-11-11T13:16:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is a rather new track. Last year, Keel released their latest studio album, Streets Of Rock & Roll, and I was lucky enough to talk with frontman Ron Keel for one of the episodes of our former show. "Brothers In Blood" is a great example of the unyielding force of rock & roll. Enjoy!

R.I.T.: "She's Right On Time"

2011-11-10T13:18:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. (random iTunes track) is Billy Joel's "She's Right On Time" off his 1982 album, The Nylon Curtain. Until 2007's "Christmas In Fallujah," this was the closest Joel got to releasing a Christmas song. A personal favorite, it was never released as a single yet had a video made for it... rather perplexing. It did surface later in 1984 as the B-side to "Keeping The Faith" in the Netherlands.

R.I.T.: "I Loved 'Em Every One"

2011-11-09T13:19:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is T.G. Sheppard's 1981 single, "I Loved 'Em Every One." The song was his biggest hit during his long-running career -- charting at #1 on the U.S. Country, #3 U.S. Adult Contemporary and went to #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 (becoming his sole Top 40 entry.) During his career he scored a series of 15 consecutive Top 10 releases, including 10 No. 1 country songs. He was also a friend of Elvis Presley who gave him his first tour bus and let him live at Graceland for awhile.

R.I.T.: "Knee Deep"

2011-11-08T13:21:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is the Zac Brown Band's "Knee Deep" featuring Jimmy Buffett. There is a common thread between Brown and Buffett that brings a smile to my face. Heck, I think you have to add Kenny Chesney as well as they release songs that remind us to sit back, breathe and enjoy the little moments. Buffett has been recording since 1970 and is a touring juggernaut. I enjoy all his guest appearances. If you enjoy the song, look for the episode of CMT Crossroads episode with Zac and Jimmy.

R.I.T.: "I Still Believe"

2011-11-07T13:24:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is Tim Cappello's memorable 1987 song, "I Still Believe," from the Lost Boys soundtrack. The multi-instrumentalist worked with Billy Crystal and, for a long time, Tina Turner before recording this. His performing the song in the film and video appearances led to a stint as an actor. The song itself is a cover of The Call's "I Still Believe (Great Design)" off their 1986 album, Reconciled. Funny how this song pops up randomly after just watching Lost Boys with the family a week ago.

R.I.T.: "Last Train To London"

2011-11-06T13:27:00.000-08:00

Today's R.I.T. is 1979's "Last Train To London" by Electric Light Orchestra. The song was their last hit single of the 1970s -- released as a double-A side single with "Confusion" in the U.K. (#8) and Ireland (#9) and charted alone at #3 in France and #39 in the U.S. U.S. radio stations decided just to air "Confusion" first and later started adding "Last Train To London" which took its chart tenure into the new decade.

R.I.T.: "Love To Love You Baby"

2011-11-05T13:28:00.000-07:00

Today's R.I.T. is Donna Summer's 1975 classic "Love To Love You Baby." A world-wide smash that went to #2 in the U.S., #4 in the U.K., #2 in Canada... but only after the original 3 minute 21 second track was remixed (into the nearly 17 minute album version.) After leaving disco behind, Summer would not perform the sexually suggestive track live for 25 years. I can't help but think that this helped inspire Terri Nunn's work on Berlin's 1982 hit "Sex (I'm A...)"

R.I.T.: "When You Say Nothing At All"

2011-11-04T13:30:00.000-07:00

Today's R.I.T. is Keith Whitley's 1988 #1 U.S country and Canadian country single, "When You Say Nothing At All." It was a shining point in his career being the second of five U.S. country #1's. Whitley, 34, a longtime alcoholic died the following year from alcohol poisoning. The song has been covered by Alison Krauss and Ronan Keating and even landed at #12 on CMT's 100 Greatest Love Songs list in 2004.

R.I.T.: "Something's Always Wrong"

2011-11-03T13:32:00.000-07:00

Today's R.I.T. is the 1994 single "Something's Always Wrong" by Toad The Wet Sprocket off their Dulcinea album. The song just missed becoming their fourth Top 40 hit (landing at #41) on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart but was their second biggest hit on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart at #9. Recently heard from the band and they are starting the writing process for their first new studio album since 1997's Coil.

R.I.T.: "The Right Decision"

2011-11-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

Today's R.I.T. is Jesus Jones' 1993 single, "The Right Decision," which was a #36 U.K. and #12 U.S. Alternative chart hit from of their often forgotten Perverse album. A new rarities compilation containing B-sides and unreleased tracks has been in the works. In fact, their official Facebook page just announced the tracklist for disc one: Band Favourites.

Journey Get It Right With Volume 2

2011-11-02T02:20:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that I'm a completist. I believe that a 'best of' should have the 'best' and a 'greatest hits' should contain the 'greatest.' So I get let down often. Bands leave out hits. It happens. Sometimes it's in lieu of that new single that they expect will earn its place as a hit as well. Sometimes... well, sometimes it seems to fans that someone was drinking or didn't care. A hit left off a retrospective album can become lost to new fans who have purchased the hits disc as their introduction to the band. They will never know what they missed (unless they buy all the early albums like I would.) But, I also love seeing these kind of wrongs righted and Journey has now done so.

Their original 1988 Greatest Hits collection only had 15 tracks (until the addition of "When You Love A Woman" as a 2006 bonus track.) Great songs, all of them. Yet the band had 25 chart hits on the Billboard Hot 100, 6 other hits on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and even a few U.S. Adult Contemporary chart hits. Their new Greatest Hits Volume 2, released yesterday, contains 17 songs that aren't on the Volume 1 (like the Top 20 hits "Still They Ride" and "Suzanne.")

Let's break this down a bit more systematically. The original Greatest Hits included the 1978 hit "Lights" which went to #68 and when released as a live version in 1993 went to #74 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. So, skipping bypassing two Top 20 hits made sense because "Lights" was a 'greater hit'? It is a beautiful song and a fan favorite live but even 1983's "After The Fall" went to #23 (same position as "Send Her My Love" attained) but didn't make the 'greatest hits' list. I can beat this dead horse a bit more but you get the point. It's a good time to remind fans that Journey weren't just those 15 or 16 songs from Volume 1 and nudge them to go shopping. What I could see is that maybe the songs from the first collection had a special sound to it or gelled better as a set. I mean, how could they leave a song like this off it for any other reason. Go get Volume 2, folks!

Stone In Love by Legacy Recordings

R.I.T.: "Darklands"

2011-11-01T13:36:00.000-07:00

Today's R.I.T. was the 1987 #33 U.K. / #2# Irish hit, "Darklands," by Scottish modern rock act The Jesus And Mary Chain. The song was the title track to their most successful album in the U.K. -- which went Top 5.

R.I.T.: "Tuesday Morning"

2011-10-31T13:38:00.000-07:00

Todays R.I.T. (random iTunes track) was a surprise hit in 1993 by the Pogues (after moving on without their original singer.) A personal favorite that went to #11 on the U.S. Modern Rock Chart and #18 in the U.K. It was also on the soundtrack to Blown Away.

R.I.T.: "Cruising For Bruising"

2011-10-28T13:39:00.000-07:00

This R.I.T. is Basia's #29 hit in the U.S. in 1990, "Cruising For Bruising," off their 1989 album, London Warsaw New York.

R.I.T.: "Tunnel Of Love"

2011-10-27T13:52:00.000-07:00

R.I.T. (random iTunes track) of the day brings us a 1983 U.K. Top 10 hit by the Fun Boy Three. It preceded their next single, "Our Lips Are Sealed," which was written by Fun Boy Three vocalist Terry Hall and the Go-Go's Jane Wiedlin.

R.I.T.: "Gotta Let Go"

2011-10-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

The latest random iTunes track is the 1984 #94 U.K. hit single, "Gotta Let Go," by Lita Ford. This final single from her sophomore album, Dancin' On The Edge was her first charting solo single. Her next single... the #12 hit "Kiss Me Deadly." So you can say that this paved the way.

R.I.T.: "Ray Of Shine"

2011-10-25T13:55:00.000-07:00

With iTunes set to random, we return to my favorite band... the Jean-Paul Sartre Experience and their 1993 single, "Ray Of Shine." It's the third single from their final album together and I just adore the "How Soon Is Now?" pulse of the guitar on this track.

R.I.T.: "Love Is Alright Tonight"

2011-10-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

As part of my random songs that play on iTunes... Rick Springfield. His 1981 single, "Love Is Alright Tonight," was a #20 hit in the U.S. and #26 in Canada. Still sounds great live.

R.I.T.: "Fairytale"

2011-10-22T14:03:00.000-07:00

Decided that I'm going to post random videos here and there that pop up when I shuffle songs on the iPod. This video for Alexander Rybak's "Fairytale" is a fun one to watch with the kids. The performance is from the 2009 Eurovision contest which he won for Norway with this song. Now if only I can get my niece and nephew to play it on their violins. Oh, I know. You are probably thinking this is some obscure song but it was a #1 hit in Norway, Russia, Finland, Greece, Sweden and Denmark (as well as Top 10 placings in several other countries.)

iTunes Has Failed Me, You And 34 Recording Artists

2011-08-03T04:06:00.000-07:00

The picture you are looking at is real. Just saw it a few minutes ago. Sounds like a great deal, huh? You can see a listing for it here at the iTunes page. But the whole concept of a collection of '80s One-Hit Wonders starts to unravel quickly. I've written about it, talked about it ad-nauseum on the show and, for some reason, someone missed the lesson. So, I'm going to take a deep breath and calmly explain for those uninitiated.

I've always loathed the term "one-hit wonder." Let's break the phrase down to its components, shall we?

'One' -- meaning less than two and more than none. It's specific.

'Hit' -- meaning to impact. Which is so much less specific (I actually dedicate a section of the upcoming book to this as well.) In music, it often refers to charts but this is also ambiguous as there are local, national and international charts for a multitude of genres for radio airplay and sales.

'Wonder' -- meaning to be curious about, to marvel or to be filled with amazement, admiration or awe.

So, what does that leave us with? To 'be curious or filled with awe at a recording artist's only (one) charting song.' One could try to derive that it is being amazed at one artist having a hit but... that would be most musicians. We'll dismiss that idea entirely. Yet, there are many examples of true 'one-hit wonders' that fit that previous description. I don't plan on listing them here.

What I will do, is bring you back to that link I started with above. '80s One-Hit Wonders, a collection of 35 songs for sale at iTunes for 69 cents each. I'm not upset about selling songs cheaply. But I am upset about cheapening songs or the artists themselves.

We'll narrow our scope a bit. To start off with the first track, we could excuse the listing of Nena's "99 Luftballons" if we were to say our criteria were based solely on the U.S. charts (but it is notable that she had this #1 and two #2 singles in Germany off her debut album.)

Track two is Midnight Oil's "Beds Are Burning." Using Billboard's U.S. charts, the band scored 3 hits from that album on the U.S. Hot 100, U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks and U.S. Modern Rock Tracks charts. Let's give iTunes a break here. Let's just count the most accepted and universal of the charts, the U.S. Hot 100. "Beds Are Burning" was a #17 hit. The preceding single, "The Dead Heart," went to #53. Just boggles the mind doesn't it. They even scored a #47 hit on that chart in 1990 with "Blue Sky Mine." But, the collection is about the 1980s, so we can exclude that one. We may even have to give another break to the compiler as maybe they are only considering the Top 40. Heck, that's what Casey Kasem used to count down, right?

Track three is Warrant's "Cherry Pie." Which was a #10 hit... in 1990. Ooops! A bigger 'ooops' is that it wasn't even their biggest hit. In 1989, "Heaven" would go to #2 on the U.S. Hot 100. And, if the criteria is Top 40, then Warrant's 1989 #27 hit, "Down Boys," would disqualify them from 'one-hit wonderdom' for that decade. Yet, they didn't even include a song from the '80s. Sad. But, again, let's adjust the criteria in hopes to help iTunes out. Maybe, they think the decade started with 1981 and went to 1990. Let's humor them.

Track four is Bananarama's "Cruel Summer" which was a #9 hit on the U.S. Hot 100 in 1983. Doing pretty good so far. Until their 1986 #1 single, "Venus," rears its ugly head. (Nothing can feel more contrarian than putting Venus and ugly in the same sentence. "Goddess of beauty and love...") Heck, even 1987's "I Heard A Rumour" went higher at #4. I don't know how much more I can stretch the boundaries of '80s 'one-hit wonder', do you?

Track five is Cutting Crew's "(I Just) Died In Your Arms." The 1986 #1 hit seems like a safe bet. But, if we are thinking Top 40, it fails. That doesn't hold up even if we said Top 10 as their 1987 single, "I've Been In Love Before," went to #9.

Track six was a #1 hit and safe choice with Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy." The follow-up single, "Thinking About Your Body," only went to #46 in the U.K.

Track seven is The Human League's "Don't You Want Me." The 1981 #1 hit seems like a safe choice, right? If we are looking only at Top 10, (even though the aforementioned "Beds Are Burning" didn't achieve that height) it seems to overlook the group's 1986 #1 hit, "Human," and 1983's #8 hit "(Keep Feeling) Fascination." 'One-hit wonder', just say it with me for a moment. The whole concept fell apart awhile ago here but I think we can sink the idea around song 7. But let's belabor the point a little longer.

Further tracks on the album include:

Men At Work's "Down Under" (a #1 hit that followed up another #1 hit, "Who Can It Be Now?, and also saw them score a #3 with "Overkill" and #6 with "It's A Mistake"... kinda like this list)
Paul Young's "Everytime You Go Away (Single Version)" (a #1 hit but had other hits going to #8, #13, #22 and #45)
Irene Cara's "Fame" (a #4 hit but had a #1 hit with "Flashdance...What A Feeling" in 1983, a #8 with "Breakdance" the following year and 3 other Top 40 hits)
Tom Tom Club's "Genius Of Love" (a #31 hit and only one on that chart but have 3 other Top 5 hits on the U.S. Dance chart)
Ray Parker, Jr.'s "Ghostbusters" (a #1 hit but he also had two #4 hits with 1981's "A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)" and 1982's "The Other Woman" as well as 6 other Top 40 hits)
Fine Young Cannibals' "Good Thing" (a #1 hit but, then again, so was "She Drives Me Crazy")
Thompson Twins' "Hold Me Now" (a #3 hit but also had a #6 with "Lay Your Hands On Me" and #8 with "King For A Day" as well as 4 other Top 40 hits)
A Flock Of Seagulls' "I Ran (So Far Away)" (a #9 hit but also had singles go to #26, #30 and #56)
Bow Wow Wow's "I Want Candy" (a #62 hit but had a #77 in '83 with "Do You Wanna Hold Me?")
DJ EZ Rock & Rob Base's "It Takes Two" (a #36 hit but 1988's "Joy And Pain" went to #58)
Club Nouveau's "Lean On Me" (a #1 hit but had a #39 with "Why You Treat Me So Bad" in '87)
The Dream Academy's "Life In A Northern Town" (a #7 hit but had a #36 with "The Love Parade"
The Psychedelic Furs' "Love My Way" (a #44 hit but 1986's "Pretty In Pink" went to #41 and 1987's "Heartbreak Beat" outcharted them both going to #26)
Toni Basil's "Mickey" (a #1 hit but she also had a #77 with "Shoppin' From A To Z")
Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" (Arguing the merits of Rick Astley is painful. Sure, this is a #1 hit but, Hello!, so was 1988's "Together Forever" and he had 3 other Top 10 hits)
UB40's "Red, Red Wine" (a #1 hit but also had a #28 single with "I Got You Babe" featuring Chrissie Hynde in 1985)
Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me With Science" (a #5 hit but had a #62 and #67 hit)
The Tubes' "She's A Beauty" (a #10 hit but also had a #35 with "Don't Want To Wait Anymore" in 1981)
Corey Hart's "Sunglasses At Night" (a #7 hit but 1985's "Never Surrender" went to #3)
J.J. Fad's "Supersonic" (a #30 hit but they also had a #61 hit with "Way Out" in 1988)
Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" (a #1 but also had a #23 with "No More Words")
Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" (a #1 but also had a #34 with "Holding Out For A Hero"
Martika's "Toy Soldiers" (a #1 but she also had a #18 with "More Than You Know" in '88)
Bananarama's "Venus" (hello again ladies... hmmm... funny how they can list a 'one-hit wonder' twice!!!)
Toad The Wet Sprocket's "Walk On The Ocean" (1992 #18 hit... ooops)
Katrina And The Waves' "Walking On Sunshine" (a #9 but had a #16 with '89's "That's The Way")
The Romantics' "What I Like About You" (a #49 hit chosen over the #3 hit "Talking In Your Sleep)
Loverboy's "Working For The Weekend" (hmmm... so the other 5 songs that charted higher than this #29 hit didn't count).

Ok, the fact that I went through all 35 tracks on this collection could be overkill but I wanted you to see how insane even trying to call some of these songs 'one-hit wonders' would be. I'd love to say that if they called them '80s U.S. Top 10 One-Hit Wonders that it would be alright but no matter what criteria you use, this list is a fails on too many levels. Maybe calling some acts 'one-hit makers' sounded too dull, drab and discardable that they needed to spruce it up a bit. Then it became hard to fill the category. It has often been said that 'history is written by the winners' but I would go so far as to say that history is written by the people that write history. If you pigeon-hole an artist as a 'one-hit wonder', people start focusing on only that hit. Time will do the rest. It's sad and disturbing. And now you know why I avoid the term entirely.

Happy 30th, MTV!!!

2011-08-01T05:38:00.000-07:00

So, with that announcement out of the way last week, I can talk about how numerology plays a part in things. MTV was launched 30 years ago today. Last week, I turned 40. Meaning, I was 10 years old when Music Television came into being. Yes, I spent over a decade celebrating, researching and sharing news and information about that decade. It only makes sense that I would have to finish work on the book about the decade before the end of the year... I mean, just look at all those 'zeroes'. They speak volumes to me. I digress. This was supposed to focus on a birthday. So I'll share my experience with the channel.

I discovered MTV late. Well, not really late. I really was 'raised on radio'. Yet, I was spending the night at a friend's house (I think his name was Matt W. but I won't condemn him) when I first glimpsed a music video. I was in awe! I begged my parents to get cable. That didn't work. They were late adopters. I mean, we didn't get our Atari until Ms. Pac-man came with it. Anyhow, I'd have to steal moments at other people's houses until we finally got Music Television.

I've told listeners before that I was an avid Casey Kasem listener. There is something about countdowns related to charts and the battle for the top spot that thrilled me. Ok, it was mainly the trivia that came along before Casey would play the song. So, watching MTV's weekly countdowns became just as important later on. But, none more than what happened on July 13, 1985.

Summer vacation was in full swing. We were on our way up to Idaho to spend time with my grandparents and aunt. Actually, it wasn't so bad there in their little town as they had this funky dish pointing at the sky with hundreds of channels... including MTV. (Where I first caught the premiere of Falco's "Jeanny" video.) Anyhow, here we are on this trip. For some reason, my family decided to stay a day or so in the itty-bitty town we kept blowing through on every trip to Idaho. But, I'm content... they have MTV in the hotel. My brothers and sister were down playing in the pool and I was glued to the television screen watching something called Live Aid. I don't know how I got away with watching that much uninterrupted TV but seeing some of my 'radio' heroes on stage trying to make a difference meant something... means something to this day.

I was born to be on their music video-related game show, Remote Control. Never got the chance. I also waited anxiously for MTV Music News with Kurt Loder. The man knew his stuff. Heck, that could be a reason for me taking music journalism seriously. Hmmm...

There was also something called 120 Minutes that seared a place in my skull. Alternative music was defined differently back then. You see, 'alternative' was what wasn't being played on the radio -- making it the alternative to what was out there. Many genres filled this area (of which some became favorites of mine) but it could all be lumped into the college rock banner as well. Heck, where else would bands like Public Enemy, Morrissey, Mudhoney, Public Image Ltd., the Ramones, 3rd Base, They Might Be Giants, the Replacements or many others be seen? It was 120 Minutes that gave me variety and view of what was beyond 'pop.'

I dedicate part of a chapter of the upcoming book to MTV for taking a bunch of musicians and making them bigger than a radio wave. Breaking artists that wouldn't normally get heard, breaking some that probably shouldn't have been heard or prolonging careers that maybe shouldn't have been -- the network did more to change the trajectory of music than any force during the decade. It may have also been it's worst enemy. Many imitators arose (many a local UHF station was launched under the guise of a 'free' music video channel, weekend video shows like Friday Night Videos and Night Flight, Canada's MuchMusic and scores of others) and eventually they changed what the M in MTV stood for. But, what a run it was. A history worthy of singing a little "Video Killed The Radio Star" or "Money For Nothing" to celebrate a 30th birthday for it, isn't it?

Decades

2011-07-26T02:41:00.000-07:00

I guess it can be viewed as odd when one categorizes things in decades. Of course, this is coming from someone who spent more than one decade focused on a particular one. So, I guess it makes it more notable when I experience my own new decade. Today is the big 40.

I can sit here and babble about all that I've learned and all that I've accomplished and how, looking back, I feel fulfilled. That isn't happening. I can say that I am inspired each and every day to do more, accomplish more and fill every bit of my life (and the lives around me) with as many great experiences as possible. My circle of family and friends branches and becomes bigger every year and makes me that much more in awe of what I have.

Anyhow, that off my chest, I promised listeners of the show and readers of the blog/newsletter that I'd make an announcement on July 26th. There was a reason. What better way to announce my celebrating a decade in writing than when I become 4 decades old. Heck, this is also the third decade anniversary of MTV's debut. But, yes, I've been doing a lot of writing and hope to finish the book by the end of the year. As soon as work on that finishes, we may be launching a new video series. But, let's tackle these things one at a time.

Attending A Peepshow

2011-07-23T15:35:00.000-07:00

Went out with the Hennessy boys (Dad and brothers) last night. Had a great dinner at Strip House before going to see something called the Peepshow. Tremendous show but I figured that, if anything, people walk in with no real idea what to expect other than Holly Madison. So, why not take a moment and share it with you.

The show is a mix of burlesque, musical and Cirque Du Soleil. Take a young overworked woman that comes home to her dog after a long day. Bring her into the world of nursery rhymes in a mix of escapism but also trying to find herself. Great music, a beautiful cast, sensual moments with many laughs, Peepshow is not what you think from the title. (Instead think Little Bo Peep mixed with ummm... a peepshow.) One of the major parts that you walk away astounded by is a spoiler that I can't reveal but you have to see to believe.

Overall, Peepshow is better than I expected. Visually entertaining and something for everyone. Ok, not everyone. Actually, I was amazed at how many young women were dressed to the nines there attending (as if it was a girls night out.) There is a lot of toplessness and sexual connotations made but if you have no problem with that (and are old enough) go check it out.

She Blossoms

2011-07-11T01:06:00.000-07:00

Growth takes a lot. Let's take a moment and think that somewhere a seed sinks deep enough into the soil to take root. Of course, that wouldn't happen without enough water, sunlight, nitrogen, carbon dioxide... well, I think you get the point.

Next month will be a sort of anniversary for my wife. She took a bad situation and planted a seed. That seed was an education in the field of medical coding. She fed that seed a lot of her time, energy and passion. That nurturing allowed it to sprout recently in the form of a certification by completing her coursework with flying colors. That sprout has matured over the last few months and today... it bears fruit.

Kerry isn't the type to pat herself on the back, shout out her accomplishments to the world or bring them up unless pressed. That's her husband's job. Speaking of jobs, that's what she starts today. Of course, you really never know what you are going to accomplish until you put your feet in the right direction and start pushing forward. You will never know how proud I am of her. (That Bee Gees' song "More Than A Woman" is hard to get out of my head right now.) She's a true fighter and is more than deserving of my awe.

Anyhow, a few hours from now, I'm going to make her a nice breakfast as she prepares for her first day at work. As anyone would be, she is a little nervous. Here's hoping that with a few nutrients and the sunshine on her (as it always is) she will have an amazing day and continue to blossom.

Independence Day 2011

2011-07-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

I don't expect anyone to celebrate this holiday in Canada, Mexico or the U.K. -- especially there as it would be like celebrating the ex-fiance's wedding anniversary. But, many people forget that July 4th is Independence Day (after the date written on our Declaration of Independence.) Heck, most think of it a celebration of BBQ, fireworks and cold beverages.

It was on the 50th anniversary of that aforementioned document that the only two signers to become president (John Adams and Thomas Jefferson) passed away. President James Monroe also died on a 4th of July. Not to leave things on a downer, President Calvin Coolidge was born on the holiday (as it was made a federal unpaid holiday 2 years before his birth.) All in all, I'm just thankful to have this moment to reflect on a small country's determination to become "free and independent states."

Happy Independence Day, folks!

Deep Dental Disturbances

2011-06-25T17:05:00.000-07:00

Went to the dentist yesterday. Sometimes things just go through your head while sitting in the chair waiting for their exploration. I was hungry. I got up late, brushed my teeth and casually considered having something to eat on the way there. So, I had to ask the dentist:

"What percentage of your patients didn't brush after eating prior to their appointment?"

I mean, it was on my mind. You don't really have to speak out what is in your head but for some reason, I had to. She didn't take long to think about it and said 65%. Which is a bigger number than I thought. She then said, "The early appointments have less as most brush right after breakfast. After lunchtime is another story."

My lesson for the day was that most people figure that a dentist is already going in looking for decay... might as well surprise them with something freshly chewed.

Yes - Fly From Here

2011-06-14T13:08:00.000-07:00

Yes have returned with their first new studio album in a decade, Fly From Here. The release also marks the debut of new vocalist Benoit David as well as the return of former keyboardist Geoff Downes and producer Trevor Horn. Yes' sound is unmistakable and trace it back to vocal harmonies, arrangements, instrumentation or what many just call mysticism. Many of their albums can be seen as growing things... let's go with the multiple limbs trees with a solid base.

Fly From Here is no different. It is also the title of the 6-part trunk supporting a stand-out track like "We Can Fly" which branches off and reaches onward and upward for a bit more sun. A direct extension of that melodic limb is the breathtaking "Sad Night At The Airfield." I get chills from that one. "Bumpy Ride" is frenzied and exactly as advertised -- taxiing you back to the "We Can Fly (Reprise)." "The Man You Always Wanted Me To Be" is a solid song that someone could build a treehouse on. "Hour Of Need" just fills the room and is quite a distinct path from the other tracks. You could even call it a meandering branch. "Solitaire" is a stunning little instrumental leading to the full-throttle "Into The Storm."

You may notice that I didn't cite specific stand-out performances by the band members. I have to say that I just can't here. This is such a cohesive Yes release with each piece so vital that I wouldn't want to pull anything apart and hear it as less than the whole. No parachute nor Dramamine needed for this flight. Fly From Here is a steady ride that soars!

4 out of 5

The Future Will Be Visualized

2011-06-04T02:21:00.000-07:00

I have to say that the time I've had since ending Talking 80s Music has really given me a chance to step back and look at things. The OCD spiral of news writing and hosting the show had to come to an end. It was either going to be clean or messy. One of the things that I've concluded is that my future with podcasts may be minimal.

I remember sitting in a conference room listening to a great keynote speech by Gary Vaynerchuk a few years back. Of the many nuggets I got from him was in the form of a question, "Why aren't you doing video?" If you are honest, personable and have a working knowledge of your subject, people would like to see you. That thought sat in the back of my mind for years.

Recently, I started thinking about the future of 'the show' and know that it will never be back in that same form. It was an amazing time and an unforgettable journey. Yet, if CNN or USAToday ran a poll asking people what a 'podcast' was... it'd stump 80% of the readers. Of the 20%, not all of them are regular listeners and many focus on niche markets. Even as I type this, the word 'podcast' is showing up in my spellcheck as an error. Heck, the word has been around for 7 years... get with it people.

So, I ask myself, why try to push into an area that is self-limiting. Sure, changing the terminology from podcast to talkcast or blogcast can affect the numbers but we are innately visual beings. During the last few months, I've been tinkering with video projects and in the future... it very well could be the path for a new show. I can see it clearly but I have another goal in sight and I expect to talk about it next month. Back to work for me.

American Pride

2011-05-30T23:56:00.000-07:00

I mentioned several video projects in the works before. You are going to have to get used to seeing them pop up here and there. This Memorial Day, my assistant videographer woke up early with me to catch the sun rising over Veteran's Memorial Cemetery. It was all part of the plan for creating a video for a terrific song called "American Pride" co-written by my friend Geno. So, despite a few technical issues (that I see more than some others,) it went pretty well. Hope you enjoy.

Night Ranger - Somewhere In California

2011-05-28T03:03:00.000-07:00

Energy. It's something we all seek in one form or another. Sometimes it's from a restful sleep, a caffeinated drink, a second wind or pure inspiration. Night Ranger have definitely found the latter for the release of their upcoming album, Somewhere In California.

The disc leads off boldly, yet brilliantly, with the keyboard-heavy first single, "Growin' Up In California." The chorus is pure bliss and it reminds you of everything you liked about Night Ranger to begin with. Not an easy feat. "Lay It On Me" with its scorching guitars showcases their rock roots and begs to be heard live in an arena. It'd be easy to mistake the slow build of "Time Of Our Lives" as a just some ballad. Make sure you hear the whole song as the guitar solo here rips just after an emotional blues run -- stamping this as something special. "End Of The Day" has some beautiful layering on what becomes a love song of perseverance. While those are some amazing stand-out tracks, there are some terrific journeys on songs like the thumping and wailing of "Follow Your Heart," past romantic reflections of "Bye Bye Baby (Not Tonight)," the high-flying "No Time To Lose Ya," the very catchy and possessive "It's Not Over," the rock tribute-laden "Rock N' Roll Tonite" and the slick closer "Say It With Love."

This is the album Night Ranger fans have been waiting for... no matter in which decade they loved them most. It's also a great place for the uninitiated to dive in. Somewhere In California is crammed full of catchy choruses, determination, self-aware production and it just rocks throughout. Now, if we could only just bottle what Night Ranger has.

4 out of 5

And The Future Will Write Itself...

2011-05-28T01:32:00.000-07:00

Lots going on over here. Some of it is even along my current direction... some not. I don't think that I'll ever be able to walk away from my love of music and my quest for knowledge surrounding many acts. So, while it looks like I've gone underground, I've been formulating a way to combine everything. As of now, you'll see more and more music-related posts from 'Classically Martin', reviews and other meanderings. There are multiple video projects that are in the works, some written work and I'll mention that in the future. But, I figured I'd need to prepare you for seeing CD reviews surface here at MartinHennessy.com (a.k.a. Rantings Of An 80s Nut.)

The Bella And Tulip Show: Caught In The Act

2011-05-20T21:01:00.000-07:00

So, I've been spending a lot more time messing around with my video projects during my musical hiatus. Today was a chance for me to test out some new software. But I knew that I'd have to have something to work with as subject matter. One thing we've been confused about is the mess we sometimes see in the kitchen when we've been gone for a little bit. It's hard to punish one dog over the other without evidence.

Around noon, we set up a camera and left a banana peel and part of a PBJ sandwich in the trash. We left for just over 11 minutes. The video above is what transpired. Hope you enjoy. It was fun editing. We've put velcro on the door in hopes to avoid this kind of incident again.

Caring 4 Kids

2011-04-29T17:50:00.000-07:00

My friends and sister-in-law have been involved in a charity called Caring 4 Kids for quite some time. I had been there a few times to help out but, this week, they needed it. As you'll hear in the video, a local church donated 21,000 pounds of food. (You may want to increase the volume on the video as it drops a little in the middle.) It's amazing how much there was but more astounding is the work entailed to just organize the items. Funny, as I had mentioned the charity the day before in a Facebook post. I went with the wife to help sort for a few hours. It's a bit of a blur but I also took a day off of work to help with the bagging and today helped hand out the food to the kids.

It isn't often that I'm able to help but I found myself wanting to get the word out a bit more about what they do. So, here it is in a little video. If you'd like to help them out by 'liking' their page on Facebook, you can do so here. But, if you also happen to be in the Las Vegas/Henderson area and are looking for something positive to do for an hour or more on a Thursday around 6pm... call the people mentioned at the end of the video. That's when they bag a lot of the items. If you can imagine about 400+ bags being filled with 9 items or so and the assembly line that it takes to make it happen, you can understand why I mention it. But, I can see myself spending more time helping them out.