We Need To Get Our Sense Of Humor Back

Now that the elections are over and we've figured out that the Democrats hate the Republicans, the Republicans hate the Democrats and the Independents hate both of them, I think it's time to try to recoup and get a handle on our attitudes. I was watching some YouTube videos of some comic stuff from the 70's the other day and it occurred to me that while most of it was very funny, it wouldn't be allowed on TV today because of political correctness. I wonder at what cost comes PC? It seems to me that when people become overly sensitive and litigious, the rest of society begins to want to find ways to get rid of them, or at the very least, become suspicious and have hateful attitudes toward them. Have we lost the ability to laugh at ourselves?

I think that could be the reason why movies like Jackass 3D do so well. It's the one time where you can just laugh at stupidity with no constraints, at least for now. While it's not my cup of tea, I'm not going to protest, set up a special committee to investigate the "real meaning" of Jackass, recommend a congressional investigation on whether there were any crimes committed or laws broken by the film or any of that. I'm just not going to watch it. Very simple. It's a choice I can make as an adult and a citizen of a free society. Or at least, that's the way it's supposed to be.

As the holidays approach, I hope everyone can take a deep breath, look around and try to find a little humor and good times in their lives, maybe focus on things that would help someone out, do things that make you laugh, celebrate a little. Decorate something. It doesn't have to be serious business all the time. It really is true that laughter is the best medicine. Next time you see me, I'll be the one with the Santa hat on.

Pawn Stars

I have a new addiction. It's a TV show called Pawn Stars that airs on the History Channel. Basically, it's a reality show about the Gold & Silver Pawn shop located in Las Vegas Nevada that's owned by Rick Harrison, his son Corey "Big Hoss" Harrison, and the 68 year old patriarch of the family, Richard Harrison, also known as "The old man". They also have an employee, Austin "Chumlee" Russell, that is a little on the slow side and provides a lot of the show's humor.

The basic plot of the show is that people bring items in to the store to either pawn or sell and the owners have to determine the value of said items to put a figure on what to allow for them. That's what makes the show so interesting, like Rick Harrison says "you never know what's going to come in the front door". There's been everything from rifles from the revolutionary war to old Playboy magazines and it all has a price and whatever that price is has to make both parties happy for a deal to transpire.

When an item is brought in they have a description that comes up on the screen that has some bullet points on what the item is and background info that brings insight to what the item might be valued at. So it's educational as well. I've learned a lot about all kinds of things by just watching this show. It certainly makes history more interesting. Many times, people will bring an item in that they think is worth a lot of money that turns out to be a fake. The shop has several expert advisors that they call on from several different fields of expertise that help them determine the true value of what they are appraising.

And then there's Chumlee, sometimes just the look on his face is pure comedy. The rest of the crew pick on him relentlessly and he just lets it roll off his back.

It's a lot of fun and it's also interesting and by all accounts, hugely successful. It's one of the most popular shows on the History Channel. Check it out when you get a chance, I think you'll like it.

Maybe they'll give Chumlee a raise soon, but I doubt it.

The Rumble Begins

It's already begun. After the Academy awards show last Sunday night where Jeff Bridges won for best actor and Ryan Bingham won for the song "The Weary Kind", the inquiries started rolling in. People are beginning to pick up on what's going on in the Texas Music scene and especially around the Austin area. The talent pool around Austin is by and large well known to the film community both in Austin and Los Angeles, no secret there, producers and directors have been coming to Austin for quite some time and are very familiar with the artists and singer-songwriters that live here. But nationwide, to a larger audience, the music scene in Austin and Texas music in general is not all that well known though it has made some inroads in the last 10 years.

But with the worldwide exposure that a film like Crazy Heart has received, you can bet that Country Music, Texas Music, Austin Music, all of the above will be getting a lot of attention in the next few months. Ryan Bingham caught my attention quite awhile back, with a sound that is so far removed from the norm, the gravelly voice, unique production and edgy songs, it's just so different from the pack. I figured he would find an audience but I never suspected he was headed to where he is now. What a ride.

So brace yourselves music people, they are coming. They are coming to Texas, they are coming to Austin, they are coming through the web, they want more. And they are going to find what they are looking for. The time is now.

The Texas Country Reporter

Recently I have become enamored with a tv show that has been on the air for over 35 years. The Texas Country Reporter started in the early 70's and it features stories on people in Texas that are special in some way or just plain interesting and I have to admit that I haven't watched it in several years but now it has become an obsession. The host, Bob Phillips, does a fantastic job of interviewing the people featured on the show and it's just the combination of the production, the music, the whole process that grabs you and holds you until the very end.

One show that I recently saw featured a local Austin restaurateur, Lola Stephens of The Nubian Queen Restaurant. Now Lola has a very intersting story. She carries nearly as much food as she cooks for her patrons sitting on the inside of her restaurant out the back door to the homeless people that come by throughout the day, knowing that they can count on Lola for a little kindness and a hot meal. This is one of the hardest working people I have ever seen, arriving very early in the morning and continuing until late at night and it's a labor of love. I will be venturing down to Lola's myself next week to check things out because not only is this one of the most interesting people in this town but it appears that she is also one of the best cooks in this town as well. A great story indeed.

And on it goes, story after story about interesting Texans with none of the hype, overproduced editing or just plain lies of your normal reality tv. I love it. The show comes on several of the local cable channels or you can go to http://www.texascountryreporter.com/ for the schedules.

Cris Love Jr. Golf Tournament

Cris Love Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund
Cris Jr. passed away June 14, 2006 after a courageous battle with cancer. Cris graduated from Round Rock High School in May of 2000 and received a football scholarship from Iowa State University where he played quarterback. Cris graduated from Iowa State in August 2005 with a Bachelor's degree in Health and Human Performance. He had a passion for fishing - in particular fly fishing - and he was an avid golfer.Cris' parents, Cris and MeLynda Love, created the scholarship fund with the Greater Round Rock Community Foundation to memorialize their son. The scholarship fund has already had an incommunicable effect in the Round Rock community. In the last year at Round Rock High School, three overly deserving individuals received scholarships to assist in making their collegiate endeavors become a reality. Cris, Jr. is remembered by many for his character and willingness to give to others. Following the passing of Cris Jr. Iowa State Head Football Coach Dan McCarney said, "More than anyone, Cris was an example of selflessness and the epitome of a team player. I have often told my players that 'if you forget yourself, you won't be forgotten'. No one in my 30 years of coaching personifies that philosophy more than Cris Love."In addition to the scholarships provided by the fund, the memory of Cris has also moved many individuals in a number of different ways as his memory serves as a beacon to encourage others to be a team player and give more to others than self. To contribute to the Cris Love Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund and to the educations of Round Rock's youth, send checks to the address below, call with credit card information or or pay online at this link: Online Donations Cris Love, Jr. Golf Tournament To be held: Monday, June 1, 2009, 1:30pm. The majority of funding for the scholarship fund comes from corporate & private sponsorships. Descriptions of each sponsorship level and benefits to you in addition to your worthy contribution are below: Tournament Underwriter-$5,000 or more Benefits include special tournament recognition at announcements, prominent display on main tournament entrance banner, sign on tee box, opportunity to include business info in tournament bags, sponsor list recognition and 3 complimentary teams of golfers. Gold Level Sponsor - $2,500 Benefits include display on tournament banner, sign on tee box, opportunity to include business info in tournament bags, sponsor list recognition and 2 complimentary teams of golfers. Silver Level Sponsor - $1,000 Benefits include sign on tee box, sponsor list recognition and 1 complimentary team of golfers. Bronze Level Sponsor - $500 Benefits include sign on tee box, sponsor list recognition and 50% discount for 1 team of golfers. Hole Sponsor - $200 Benefits include sign on tee box and sponsor list recognition. Donations of products and/or services are always welcomed as these items are provided as gifts to participants in tournament bags, and used to raise money through the sale of raffle tickets for these prizes. Please call to arrange for pick-up/shipment of items.The annual tournament is held at Avery Ranch Golf course in Austin, TX as a 4 person scramble. Costs includes 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch, and golf towel. All for only $400/4person team.

Poodie Locke

I just heard on the news about the death of Poodie Locke, Willie Nelson's road manager for more than 34 years. I really can't believe my ears, this is such an incredible loss that it's hard to put into words. Poodie was one of those people that you thought would be around for a hundred years, always quick with a joke and just a fantastic person all around, he was a huge part of the music business in Austin and I just can't imagine what a loss this is for Willie and the Family, they are certainly in my thoughts and prayers.

Another true Austin legend has passed that's for certain, he had more stories and jokes than anybody and always seemed to be up to something. The last time I saw him was at Freddy Powers pickin' party last month and he seemed fine, the same old Poodie. I would never have thought in a million years that would be the last time I saw him. You just never know.

His Hilltop Grill on highway 71 was such a cool little place and I always tried to stop in when I was in the area, there was always something going on and it was a place where new artists could get a gig when it was tough to find work in Austin. He was always trying to help the new guys out.

Several years ago he had a place on sixth and Red River called the Red River Saloon and one day we were talking about it and he told me that it used to be a bottling plant for the Orange Crush soft drink company many years ago and every now and then he would still find bottle caps lying around with the Orange Crush logo on them. He thought it was funny that little things like that could linger on through the years and keep popping up in odd places.

Rest in Peace my friend, you'll be sorely missed.

Music Hating Loft Dwellers

I recently saw a story on the news about the citizens of downtown Austin once again complaining about the noise level of the clubs in the area and they always show someone holding a decibel meter measuring the level to make sure it doesn't go over 75 decibels or whatever it is and then they pan the camera over to the latest high rise loft to show how close the club is to them. Every time I see one of these stories I'm reminded of just how short the time is for musicians in this town. It's amazing to me to see the changes that have occurred in just the past few years in the skyline of the city and how it has impacted the local music scene and overall feel of the music business in the capital city.

I wonder, what is it that people really want in this town now? And if it isn't the music, history, college sports and general charm of the original Austin, then what is it? It might be easier if we knew who it is that dwells in those lofts reaching for the sky and what do they desire for the city of Austin? If they don't like the music that was here when they got here, then what is it that they want?

Surely it isn't the bicycles and trails that they want, but is it? Should we tear down some more historical landmarks so they can have a place to ride their bicycles in their new spandex shorts and matching helmets? I know I just love waiting for a pack of them to move along some of the busiest roads in the city at rush hour at a snails pace while everyone in cars pokes along behind them. We should ask the loft dwellers and just see exactly what it is that they want. I'm curious myself to see what would make them happy, if anything.

Maybe some of them will inform me just what it is that they want for the city of Austin.

I'm curious.