Charlotte, NC

Hey … remember when I asked ya to email me with your comments? Well, when I ran that bit about the VP debate, the inbox had no less than 20 responses … some of which I’ve gotta share with you (no, I’m not givin’ names, for privacy purposes):

Whose side are you on? Either you like Biden or Palin. If you vote like you write, you’re not going to make any difference!”
Well, man, I’m on no one’s “side”. Yeah, I’m classed as a Democrat, but ya don’t count yer chickens before the hen lays the eggs, right? So, until the dawn of election day, I’m keepin’ an open-mind. (and what’s wrong with my writin’, bunky? Hey … I get the readership; most of ‘em have followed my columns and articles for nearly a quarter-century with no complaints, and I’ve always written this way …)

“Sarah Palin sounded like an excited schoolgirl. That ’shout-out’ was not aproppriate (sic … it’s “appropriate”) in a debate setting …”
Listen — you’ve gotta remember that Mrs. Palin has just been thrust onto the world stage; and she had her first big national showing during the debate. She reacted just as if an actor, upon his/her first nod for an Emmy, won the award and hadta give a speech.
Besides, who was she giving the “shout-out” for? Schoolkids!! Would that others in the political arena cared as much.
Overall, I think she did a splendid first-time job

“It is obvious that McCain has her for window dressing. He knows Hilary (sic. Two “l’s” with this Hillary!) was big popular (?? ummm … what??) with woman voters. He is a man that thinks if he has a pretty woman to run with him he can get the woman vote.”

I have to agree with you on points. He (1) did notice Sen. Clinton’s drawing power. So he apparently borrowed from that and tapped Ms. Palin to be his running mate. Granted, she’s not as qualified as others who could’ve made the cut; but (2) it seems more than coincidence that Mrs. Palin was Governor of the same state that Republicans have targeted for off-shore drilling!

“When she’s got a family at home, with a pregnant unmarried daughter and one child with Downs Syndrome, she should stay there and help them and not be in Washington!”
Let me clarify something, okay? She and her husband, Todd, have a family at home! And the man is more than willing to help with that. Concerning her daughter, Bristol: She’s not needing “round-the clock” care; she’s needing her parents’ support which, whether she were VP or the first female Pope, Mrs. Palin will continue to give. She appears to be a very loving, caring mom. And, concerning her youngest child: From James Monroe to Abe Lincoln, William McKinley to Andrew Jackson and Calvin Coolidge, Presidents had children who were either disabled, injured or whatever. So why can’t she handle her job and take care of the child? Remember — as with our government, a successful marriage is a two-party system, working hand-in-hand. (Somehow, I’ve got a feelin’ that, while marriages work that way, our government’s headin’ for some kind of estrangement …).
Anyway, she and Todd are workin’ together for the welfare of their family. So, though I still believe Obama’s the right choice, I admire the courage, stamina and personality of Sarah Palin. Even after this election, I hope she finds total success in her endeavors!

BURNIN’ THE FAT AWAY

It’s an age-old problem: How can I get rid of these extra pounds I carry — and do it safely? We’re hit by zillions of TV commercials and printed ads touting “this” or “that” one being the best … but are they??
There’s one way to find out, and that’s to click on the link I’m about to give you and learn more about the top diet and fat-burning pills on the market before you buy! These folks will not only review the supplements honestly, but will give you the ingredients, a ratings system (to let you know which is the most effective), the “pros” and “cons” of each one, and more!
And all it takes is to click on the link that’ll take you, first, to know more about the popular diet supplement, Apidexin. When you get there, make sure you check out the entire <em>site!</em> You’ll certainly be pleased with what you find … and your body will be grateful!

DISCLAIMER: The photo you see on your left is not of Saturday’s accident. It’s just one I found on the web to make a point.

The Observer reported the news today: “A 49-year-old Shelby man died this weekend in a motorcycle accident in Gaston County … the accident occurred around 7:30 p.m. Saturday … alcohol was not a factor in the crash …”

For the seventh time over the past three years, someone I know has died at the hands of a motorcycle. I witnessed the combined funerals of a husband-and-wife in Ashland, just prior to the last OCW event. Both were officers of the law … off-duty, enjoying a “second honeymoon”, as such. And they lost their lives at the wheel of a single motorcycle crash.
The culprit? A blown tire!

Look … it doesn’t matter who you are, or whether you ride a hawg (Harley) or motorized bicycle (Yamaha), you’ve gotta remember how dangerous the drivin’ can be! Now, before anyone jumps into my comment box to rip my head off, lemme tell ya that I dig bein’ behind the wheel of a heavy-horsepower hog; the feel of freedom is totally unmatched. And I’m definitely not puttin’ cyclist down for a moment. In fact, for the most part, they’re more skilled and aware than other drivers.

Now, we’re all gonna miss Ricky — in fact, our hearts go out to the entire Ivey family. But this tragedy brings a major “heads-up” for every biker:

No matter where you’re goin’ on yer wheels, make absolutely sure that everything on your bike is in TOP CONDITION! If you’ve got even the slightest worry about your tires’ wear, or your carb’s cleanliness, brakes or whatever, just park it and take the car. Or walk.

When you’re on the road, PAY ATTENTION!! It only takes yer mind to wander once to hit, spinout or roll. And remember — there aren’t any seat belts or roll bars to help ya!

Lastly (and I can hear bikers all the way to L. A. sayin’ this. In fact, a dude fresh off the Sturgis run told me this one), “KNOW YER BIKE LIKE YOU WANNA KNOW YER WOMAN/MAN!” I wanna include, KNOW YOUR ROUTE LIKE THE BACK OF YOUR HAND!

We can’t afford any more deaths like we experienced Saturday, folks! So, sure … enjoy the ride; but keep it safe, okay?

KEEPIN’ IT FIT AND TRIM

Now, while we’re keepin’ our bikes sleek and fine-acting, so we should do the same for ourselves! Of course, there are loads of diet supplements and helps to get you into the shape and style you want; but, of all these, only one site can give you the lowdown on the top brands. They review the best diet pills, the pros and cons (if any) of each, their ingredients, and even give you links on where to buy them for less! And get this: They even go so far as to list some effective weight loss tips for you~

But you’ll find even more when you click on the link I’m about to give you. So, if you’re in the market for the best in diet aids, but don’t know where to go, just click on this link which will start off by telling you more about the popular supplement, Trimspa.
All in all, you’ll really appreciate this site for giving you the “heads-up” and info you need to make the best choice! So take a moment (after you’re finished here) to click there, okay??

Sorry for bein’ a bit late tonight. Hadta rebuild my PC …

Now — where were we?? OHHH yeah; the debate!!

On the one hand, you had a “rookie” — on the other, a guy who’s seen the inside of Capitol Hill since 1972. Not a lotta folks were expecting much from Sarah Palin as she went toe-to-toe with Joe. For some reason, America still has a bit of sexist quality about it, and thought Biden would have a field-day against his Republican opponent.

But …

a few minor gaffes aside, I thought Mrs. Palin did an excellent job in holding her own!! But she did more than that; she added some homespun wit and comfortability! Forget about the looks for a minute; she made the debate (dare I say this?) downright enjoyable!!

Granted, it’s gonna take a lot more than that to win the election; after all, she does have an investigation hangin’ over her head back home in Alaska (the courts just denied a request by Republicans to stop their look into her alleged “abuse-of-power”). She also needs to bone up on her facts a little, and stop just okayin’ McCain’s policy. After all, she’s already at odds with John over his input about Michigan. She’s gotta tell how she feels about every issue … and make sure she knows the issues inside-and-out to give a qualified, educated answer.

Still, it was good to see Biden’s face when he realized “Hey … she’s smarter than I THOUGHT!” And he’s gotta stick with the issues today … we don’t wanna hear as much about him (heck … we can always Google® his name if we wanna learn more) as we do about gettin’ outta Iraq, how to handle the problems facing the elderly, those with no insurance, and taxes.

But they both did moderately well, concerning it was their first televised debate.

So, what did you think??  Lemme know …

Yeah, I caught the mistake from yesterday’s post …

or … was it a mistake?

Y’see, when readin’ the Observer’s January write-up about “five resolutions”, ya coulda thought “Hmph … th’ old man’s losin’ his eyesight!”  Orrrr …

Truth is, I know what it really said; my goal was to see if anybody caught the “gaffe” and maybe — just maybe — saw a relation between the actual article and what I posted.

RESOLUTIONS.  Generally made on or just before New Year’s Day, they’re hard to keep unless you’ve got some serious determination behind ‘em!  They can change your life for the better …

REVOLUTIONS.  Generally made on or just after a distasteful and confining situation, they’re hard to maintain unless you’ve got some serious determination behind ya!  They can change the world for the better …

The greatest revolutionaries came from rock-n-roll (which, by the way, started as a revolution in itself. Think Elvis here, as just one early example)
But the revolutionary … the one that turned so many people on to this thing called peace when the few were still pushin’ for more killing in the ‘Nam, was John Lennon (btw, contrary to popop, he didn’t drop his given middle name, Winston, for Yoko.  He did it ’cause he despised Winston Churchill, for whom he was midnamed!  Since he and Yoko were together, he decided to “fill the name gap” in her honor!)

But John couldn’t've gotten anywhere … with or after The Beatles … without first making some serious resolutions.  We know the ones that evolved into The Fab Four — but one that he took very seriously was to use his name and fame, for what it was worth, to spread the word and actions of peace and harmony! 

So, while ya might look at the prior post as a gaffe, I’m hoping, instead, that you’ll read it with an open-mind.  A revolution is just a resolution with some curves straightened out.

Why not resolve to start a revolution?  VOTE … SPEAK UP … CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS FOR THE BETTER … DO SOMETHING THAT’LL PROMOTE PEACE, whether in your WORLD, your COMMUNITY or your HOME …

it’s the most honorable one of all …

Gettin’ back to the Observer for a minute …

They recently printed a piece called 5 Ways To Start A Revolution that I wish everybody would take the time to download and read.
There are a coupla points they make that can really shake things up, both in your personal life as well as in the Queen City’s, if we take the time to use ‘em!

Now, maybe it won’t seem as stirring as the photo on your right, but it can be just as important personally:
For example, get out there and CHANGE SOMETHING!! 
How often do we look at what’s goin’ on around us, whether it be in Myers Park, uptown, Pineville, West Blvd. or Derita and figure “well, that’s for somebody else to handle!”
Well, guess what?  “Somebody else” is thinkin’ exactly the same thing!  And, before ya know it, you’ve got that great “Tammany Ring” cartoon in action (awww, c’mon … look it up!).  Of course, in that case, nothin’s gonna be done!
So get involved!  Whether it’s something that needs to be addressed in the city or in your private life, CHANGE SOMETHING!

The other is LIVE DANGEROUSLY.  Now, I woulda used a little better wording, like LIVE DARINGLY!!  Though they give some unusual examples, one says Get in the game!  Brother, this whole friggin’ life is a game we’ve gotta play in order to get ahead or get some movement in society.  And we can’t do it by sittin’ on the sidelines!  We’ve gotta get to town meetings, support groups, local festivals, contribute to our favorite charities, and get involved with what’s happening here! 

And when all’s said and done, and thousands of Charlotteans can breathe a sigh of accomplishment, you’re gonna see a change in this city … and in ourselves individually … that’ll make us proud …

MOVIN’ ON UP

Okay, let’s say it is “to the east side”, as the song says. Maybe you’re planning on movin’ to SC, or some town in the midwest. You’ve got all your plans made, your boxes packed; now you’ve gotta deal with rentin’ a truck, insurance, have gas money, get return points and …
WHOA! That’s not gonna be necessary!
Y’see, there’s a company that’ll not only move ya, but will save you money in the process! In fact, their gasoline charges are built into their quotes, which you can request online (I’ll give ya the link in a second).
They’ll also give you not two days (as most movers will, if ya bend their arms!) but three to pack and load (or unload, when you reach your destination).
Behind the link, you’ll also find some great tips to help you in your move … even a moving blog to help keep you updated and informed.
So, before ya start worryin’ about who’s gonna move ya, it’ll be worth your while to check out the best moving services in the nation (hey … since 1923! Need I say more??).
Do it now … and be ready for a great and completely satisfying move!

Waitin’ in line for a few drops of gas … GEEZ!

Actually, it does have a familiar ring to it. While I’m jottin’ down these notes (having already read a nice book while waitin’. Somethin’ called War and Peace …), I hark back (awww, c’mon … somebody out there’s still gotta “hark” a bit!) to the dayz followin’ Hurricane Hugo.

Lemme see a show of hands of how many remember that mess!  Okay … now, how many of you were stuck in line down in Pineville, waitin’ to pull up to the Handy Pantry pumps and fill up?  Y’see, we’d already planned to put up some new transformers (in fact, more than meets the eye …) on Saturday the 23rd (of September.  1989.  Ya still  with me??).
Well, when Hugo finally hit (and, believe me, it was sudden!  Just ask the folks at WSOC, where, at around 5 AM, the vicious wind actually threw reporter BJ Harrison into the wall as she was comin’ in for work!  A moment before, stillness.  A second later, eatin’ brick!), we knew those rascals hadta go up immediately!  Thus, we became the only spot on the local map with power — thus, workable gas pumps.

If it weren’t for our newspaper, The Charlotte Observer, and the reporters at WSOC-TV and FM/AM, I can guarantee ya that things would’ve been a lot harder to deal with! These folks came through with more than news: they were there to field calls, direct citizens to the right resources, and drew public attention to the areas that had the most damage, along with ways we could help.  SOC, in fact, was giving continuous radio coverage from the minute the storm hit … and walked many of us (though by battery-operated sets) through the preps and patience needed to “ride it out.” 

THIS IS BARELY DIFFERENT, in that it’s still a hardship caused by a lotta stiff and strong wind (mostly outta Washington!).  We’re lined up here at the pumps, waitin’ for gas, wondering if it’ll be the same soon with supermarkets!  Frustration turns to rage as we’re trapped between (hold on.  Lemme check.  Okay, here it’s an) SUV and burgundy Saturn (and, in just a few minutes, I’ll be wonderin’ how much that driver wants his car … lol), the gas needle almost on “E” and needing to go to the bathroom …

But, at the helm of sanity you’ll still find the Observer, helping us through this nonsense (they’ve even asked readers to send or call in spots where the gas is easier to obtain!  Convenience stores, gas stations, Taco Bells … anywhere!)  I’m tellin’ ya (and this Relic’s been all around this USofA and more …), we’ve got the very best newspaper in America right here in Crown Town!!

WHY NOT GO CRUISIN’?

No, I’m not talkin’ about lookin’ for gas … I’m talkin’ about the real deal; taking a bonafide,  enjoyable, affordable cruise! 
What??  Y’say it costs too much?? Hmph … not if ya click on the link I’m about to give ya!  Y’see, these folks provide the best cruises to some fab destinations … and for MUCH less than you’d expect to pay at your local git-and-go (ie, “travel tour”) stores!
For example, could ya handle four days and three nights at Walt Disney World … for as low as $199?  Or how about three days, two nights in Las Vegas for as low as $179? 
AHA!!! Caught your eye on those!  Now, what about the Caribbean, and pesky passport waits, and travel insurance and stuff?  Think you’re gonna have to look on your own?  WRONG!!  They’ll even help ya figure all that out, too!
Believe me, it’s an amazing site … one that’ll put you on a cruise liner and on your way to a memorable vacation cruise and still have money in your pocket!
So why not check it out now?? You’ll be really pleased to find the best cruises to fit your budget! So click on that link now, and get ready to enjoy a bit of paradise!

RATS!! The Hard Rock Amusement Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has filed for bankruptcy protection!
Yeah, it happened on Wednesday after the Park closed much earlier than they expected!

Fortunately, a park spokesman says they’re still gonna open the Led Zeppelin “Whole Lotta Love” and Eagles “Life In The Fast Lane” roller coasters again next year.

Man, don’t these cats understand??  They could’ve kept that bankruptcy wolf away from their door if the suits had spent only according to expected receipts.  Then, you’ve gotta give it about three to five years for the park to really start turnin’ a healthy, continuous profit!  Geez … (and they call themselves “businessmen”?)

Look — thousands of great acts gave it all they had to make it, and this park was an ultimate tribute. So DON’T TAKE AWAY THE ROCKFEST! (Man, it’s gettin’ scary out there!  First, the Wall Street bailout mess.  Then, word that Geffen Records and Sony Entertainment are plannin’ a new, updated Partridge Family for TV … which means (gulp!) another potential Danny Bonaduce.  Then this hits the newswire.  Geez …)

Back with more in just a bit …

It was the summer of 1980; my (then) wife and (then) year-old son (he’s in the Navy now) had just moved to a house on Pineville’s Morrow Avenue (when it was residential.  Times have changed …) – in fact, right beside my folks’.

One of the first things I hadta do in order to make the house work for us was run down to the hardware store and pick up everything from paint to screwdrivers, hammers and nails — and plenty of door and cabinet knobs!  Though Pineville had a fine hardware store of its own, I decided to go to the one that Daddy had always relied on in his pump business:  Myers Park Hardware.
Naturally, they “fixed me right up” with what I needed, and at a good price!  It was a store that not only was efficient, business-wise, but had a distinctly home-town feel to it!

And it continued to have that ambience throughout the decades.  Now that it’s closing, Charlott … no, Carolinians (from both states) … are gonna be missing not only a piece of history … they’re gonna be missing a piece of their hearts.

Y’see, the “hometown” feel that Myers Park Hardware radiated — that, “I know you, you’re a friend, c’mon in and let’s chat while you’re shoppin’” attitude is almost gone in megalopolitan America.  Concrete-and-steel are quickly replacing the friendly hardwood floors; Joe, Cecil and Bob are being replaced by customer 1001, 546 and 320; the friendly salesperson is being phased out by buttons to push for robotic messages. 

The loss of the hometown touch — it ain’t gonna be pretty when it’s all gone.  Let’s just be sure we don’t lose it in our hearts.

The folks at Myers Park Hardware never did … and they’re really gonna be missed.  God bless ‘em in their new endeavors.  They truly were — and are — our friends …

“WOAH … I said the Night Time … is the Right Time … to beee wit’ th’ ONE ya LOOvvve”
Now, whoever loves the blues or rock knows that song. It was sung by artists as diverse as Ray Charles, Creedence Clearwater Revival — and even was lip-synched in a comedic sketch on The Cosby Show.

But few people outside our own Queen City know that the author of that classic — Napoleon Culp (aka Nappy Brown) was Charlotte-born-and-bred.
Nappy passed away here on Saturday at the age of 78. I’d had the honor of meeting this legend a few times over the years — he was a walkin’ encyclopedia of the blues — and have to say that his mere presence made you feel relaxed and down-home.

Nappy started his career as a gospel singer and first recorded on Savoy Records in ‘54. They liked what they heard and asked him to be one of their solo Rhythm-and-Blues artists. So, in 1955, his “Don’t Be Angry” not only made it to #2 on the R&B charts, but #25 on pop charts!, It was followed by “Pitter Patter” (hitting #10 on the R&B charts but covered by Patti Page on the pop charts), “Little By Little” (#57 R&B in 1957), “It Don’t Hurt No More” (#8 R&B, #89 pop, 1958) and “I Cried Like A Baby” (recorded in 1956, it hit #22 R&B in 1959). He left the label in 1962, and tried several comebacks, recording for other labels in 1969, 1984, 1987 — and cutting his last album in 2007.

No doubt that this man, like Wilbert Harrison, Arthur Smith and others, has provided a musical legacy that has put Charlotte on the musical map for life. He’s gonna be missed, both in the QC and the world. RIP, my friend — for all you’ve accomplished (and, at one time, giving a bit of inspiration and confidence to a nine-year-old boy from Pineville), you deserve it!

DRUG ADDICTION’S BIGGEST ENEMY

Y’know, there’s been a lotta talk in the QC about the drug menace — and the people who fall victim to it!  They need the help of trained, caring professionals to break free of its grip and continue to live happy, clean lives.
But, in getting that help, sometimes they’re faced with a one-treatment-fits-all program from therapists — and that just doesn’t work! Not only do addicts need a treatment program that fits them psychologically as well as physically; they also need caring, one-on-one help from dedicated and sincere professionals.

Now, there’s one place where they not only get the best in drug treatment but will also have the caring, one-on-one therapy they really need. But this drug treatment center isn’t only highly successful; it’s also one that’s dependable for follow-up counseling and assistance and helps in one area that’s often overlooked: counsel and instruction for families of the addict! It also helps that it’s nestled in the most beautiful, placid surroundings in the nation! (Believe me, environment — both outer and in-house — is essential to any healing process!)
So if you, or someone you know, needs help in overcoming the demons of drug addiction, just click on those links I just gave you … I highly recommend them!! Believe me, it’s the best move you could make to regaining control and happiness in life! Do it now, okay?

Normally, I don’t watch a lot of TV these days — mainly due to my schedule as blogger and The Rock Relic.  But, last night, I just had to make time!

The Emmy Awards were more than glamor, fashion and fancy speeches this time; by God, it actually showed a bit of personality and heart!
By now, we all know who won and who didn’t, but there were some dynamite highlights:

For example, when Tommy Smothers won an Emmy on behalf of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.  Natch, he rambled like the “confused kid” he portrayed for so many years (in reality, Tom has a keen business mind and is quite intellectual).  But he did something that, common for the Smothers, is uncommon in awards shows:  He spoke “PEACE”:

“It’s hard for me to stay silent when I keep hearing that peace is only attainable through war. And there’s nothing more scary than watching ignorance in action,” he said, dedicating his award to “all people who feel compelled to speak out, and are not afraid to speak to power, and won’t shut up and refuse to be silenced.”

Then, a bit later, they had a reunion of all the surviving cast of Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In … and, although the camp might be wearin’ a bit then, it was worth it all just to see Gladys Hornby and Earnestine back in true form!
Their set looked as if it’d been saved from the original show … and the audience loved every minute of it!

Now, while they also had the inimitable Mary Tyler Moore and Betty White to announce Best Comedy Series — and what an honor it was to see these two legends back together again — the show outdid itself when the Matador’s March started playing.  The audience, both TV and live, knew that it could only signal “Mr. Warmth”, Don Rickles was coming to the stage! 
Surely enough, he came out along with comedienne Kathy Griffin, who yelled to the audience, “GET UP!  Get on your FEET!”  After a lengthy standing-ovation, Rickles went into his routine (part teleprompted, part ad lib) and had Griffin in tears with laughter!  Not a small feat … but only he could do that!  He won two Emmys last night, btw.

I hope everyone had a great time watchin’ the show.  If ya wanna talk more about it or have any remarks, just leave ‘em in the Comments section here.

But, for now, I’ve gotta run (loads of work to catch up on).  So I’ll see ya tomorrow, okay?

To kick off tonight’s Festival In The Park, you’re gonna see what’s undoubtedly gonna a fantastic show of youth talent!  And, honestly, you oughtta be there if you’re not hung up at work.  Here’s why:

Y’see, the Crown Town’s future lies in the hands and hearts of our children.  Now, we’ve read reports of abuse, misuse and neglect concerning the kids — but, remember:  They’re gonna lead this town — possibly this nation — someday!!  And every ounce of support we can give them now — every bit of encouragement and respect we can muster — is gonna pay off with big dividends in the future for us!

So they’re gonna show their talent in many fields: according to the Observer promo, it’ll include music, dance, juggling, comedy, drama, martial artists, puppetry, gymnastics, storytelling and more.
Hey … can you imagine us knocking of Winston-Salem as the arts capital of the state??  If these kids are half as good as I’ve been told (by parents, their kinfolk and friends), our future’s gonna be in some beautiful hands over the next decades!

But I mentioned what they’re gonna eventually become.  That being said, here’s a vid (from the old American Bandstand) of The Knickerbockers doin’ a very special tune from the Sixties.  Listen to the lyrics … and think of the children at the same time. The words were true then, and it’s true today — just with a different … Coming Generation:

Now … make a point to get to the Park and enjoy the Festival.  The children are gonna put on a great talent show … and you’ll be amazed at the artistic future we’re looking at here in the Queen City!

Now, by the time Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. came out, we were already thinkin’ that love was all we needed. The Beatles were considered the vanguard of the peace movement with their 1967 hit single, All You Need Is Love (the flip side, Baby, You’re A Rich Man, mocked the wealthy). And, with people dying in Vietnam, serious racial prejudice here in the states and a definitive rift between the rich and poor, the two songs definitely struck a chord with millions of kids who wanted — but were hesitant to look for — solutions.

If The Beatles had never formed, or if they flopped after the Sullivan show and returned to England, the parents would’ve probably kept their grip on the teenage world. We’d've been more heavily-influenced that the Kennedy assassination and the War were both the works of an evil Soviet empire — and, despite what little “good-time” music we were listening to, we’d be pressured not to question the edicts of the Johnson Administration.

But, in the civil-rights field, things would’ve probably been a bit different — in fact, the protests would’ve been sped up a bit because we’d be turning more and more to the Detroit and Philadelphia sounds for our musical buzz; after all, remember that in this scenario, there were no Beatles (or British Invasion, for that matter). Though many white parents didn’t understand Dr. Martin Luther King, we’d've put two-and-two together and seen him as a catalyst for that change.

Yes, in this scenario, things would’ve been different, both musically and in social-conscienceness. Over time, there’d be a different progression in rock-and-roll; more brass-pop-flavor, with some strong country and soul influences, would’ve eventually given way to a louder sound … but it wouldn’t be the same.

You see, the Invasion (and, of course, The Fab Four) brought with it a sense of wit, spontaneity, and liveliness. It brought hope … and, eventually, a rebellion that, in 1968, changed the fabric of this cloth we call America.

Click here for the vid of ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
(Incidentally, it was on the very first satellite TV broadcast in 1967!)

But there’s more – and I’ll be kinda brief here:

Without The Beatles, there’d be no Monkees. Without the “Pre-Fab Four”, there would’ve been no Moog Synthesizer, no Three Dog Night, no Jimi Hendrix Experience … and no MTV!

Without John, Paul, George and Ringo’s appearance, there’d be none of the studio experimentation that led to loops, layers, quads or anything else that we hear today.

So, thankfully, we can leave this scenario, secure in the knowledge that four “mop-topped” lads from Liverpool, England did continue their journey into rock-and-roll history, and made our music the greatest and most prolific genre of all!

Okay … that’s it for this edition, so join us tomorrow when we return to our regular programming. But (yawn!) for now, I feel a few zzzzz’s comin’ on (hey — it’s 4 in the AM here!! Your time and mileage may vary …)

No question about it: The Beatles were the most influential band in the world. But … but what woulda happened if they had flubbed their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show and gone back to England, their collective tails between their legs (BEATLE-FANS, don’t worry. It’s just an expression …)?

Or, let’s say, they never made it past The Quarrymen stage and went on to other jobs instead?

Well, let’s see … here’s one scenario:

We were already hit with President Kennedy’s assassination, so our folks, saddened and alarmed even three months later, would beclamping down on kids’ freedoms even harder (after all, it could be a Commie plot!).

With Elvis in the movies and solo artists like Ricky Nelson, Fats Domino and others leading the charts, we’d be stuck with the formulaic: short, Brylcreemed hair, button-down short-sleeve shirts and a “JD” attitude (now, who remembers what that stood for? E-mail me if you’re not sure.)
The sounds coming out of California from a tightly-harmonizing band called The Beach Boys would take our minds off the parental squeeze and put them under the hoods of GTOs, Deuce Coupes and Woodys.

Down South, there’d be a lot of friction between white kids and their parents as the new sounds of Soul started streamin’ outta Detroit. From Miracles to Supremes, we’d be hearing a different music that had more body to it than what we were used to … and we’d be rebelling. Our parents would be up-in-arms about the blacks, and there’d possibly be a surge in racism.

To counter that, there’d be a country-pop fusion coming outta Texas (largely due to the impact of Buddy Holly. Already, his style had been copied by Atlantan Tommy Roe with a song called Sheila), but many (if not most) kids would push farther into the new “Motown” sounds.

Now, though The Beatles and subsequent “Invasion” never took place in this scenario, it doesn’t mean that the UK wasn’t rockin’ — especially around London where a 5-man band was knockin’ ‘em dead with a raunchy blues style. Eventually, word of The Rolling Stones and bands like John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers would make it to the US — accompanied by a few of their records brought in by returning servicemen. The music was the “rap” of their day: streetwise, tough, axx-kicking. This “electrified Delta” sound would intrigue thousands … but they’d take the music and turn it into their personalities (much like the wanna-bes of today).

Okay, we’re gonna take a break here and continue this in tomorrow’s ish. Remember: This is only ONE possible scenario. What do you think? Lemme know by comment or email (check the link up there), and I’ll be gladta share it on-post!

It’s an unusual scenario (and kind of eerie, when ya think about it).

Well, the verdict’s in …
A few clicks back, I ran a sorta-controversial rant about the dangers and evils of college drinking (remember? It’s supposed to curb binge-drinkin’ in dorms??).
Natch, a lotta collegiates came to the issue’s defense (and, Charlotte, from what I read, we’ve got some extremely sharp young folks in our midst. Ya just gotta be proud). So, since my alter-ego, The Rock Relic, has an international following, I contacted a few of ‘em (to be precise: two in UK, one in Israel, two in Japan, three in Canada and one in Denmark) to find out what they thought about this. How was under-21-over-18 drinking handled in their neck-of-the-world?
EVERY ONE of these said that we’re makin’ somethin’ outta NOTHIN’ here! LOWER THE DRINKING AGE TO 18!! Give them the responsibility and they’ll live up to it!!

One of them (the reader in Denmark) said that “the biggest insult you can hand a young person is to look down your nose and tell him, ‘you’re not big enough to handle this’. For Gods sake let them show you how responsible they really are”.

So, to all you bookpeople — whether you’re a frosh or senior — the Relic/Chuck/Eagle/Whatever owes you an industrial-strength, heavy-duty apology!

Since I’m a little short on time (but BIIIIG on workload) right now, I’ll get back with you all tomorrow.

What’d I tell ya??
Remember a few posts back, when I talked about bein’ ready for hurricanes (what a lady in South Boulevard’s Radio Shack said should be re-named Worri-canes, ’cause though we’re in-land the news can still worry the socks off ya!)??

Well, it looks like the Gulf and East Coasts are gettin’ plastered by ‘em this season — and more’s on the way! Fortunately, none have done nearly the damage of a Katrina or Rita — but that doesn’t mean they won’t!
And, though Crown Town is blessed by being where it is, we all know we can still get a feel of the fury (remember Hugo almost two decades ago?).

So it makes sense to go ahead and get non-perishable supplies, blankets, batteries, etc., now, just in case one of these blowhards does happen to gain enough oomph! to graze us! And don’t forget that, should “the call” come in over the TV or radio news, you’ll wanna get your tank filled up; sometimes, when the power goes out, the convenience stores are stuck with inoperational gas pumps!

The big question, natch, is will another big one hit us?? It’s not likely right now … but, since ya never can be totally sure, it’s best to be ready, just in case!

Besides, what’s the store gonna do with all that Spam sittin’ on their shelves, anyway? I mean, we don’t buy it normally …

SOMETHING TO DIE(T) FOR

Y’know, there are a lot of diet programs and regimens on the market these days (and for good cause, since so many Americans are overweight now. Don’t believe me? Google™ the topic, then!). Some work, some don’t — and folks don’t have a lot of time to go by trial-and-error with these.
Besides, finding the right diet supplement can be time-consuming, anyhow; you have to drive from store-to-store, check out a zillion choices with (maybe) the help of an overworked clerk, stand in long lines to pay for the sometimes-overpriced item.
But there is an easier way!
First, just click on the link I’m about to give you. Then, check out their reviews of the top dietary supplements. Find the one that’ll suit you (you’ll also be able to find out more about individual fat-burners and other supplements on the left side of the page, as well as customer feedback at the bottom of it!).

Once you’re satisfied, just follow the link they provide for the best internet price –and, believe me, you will save money!
So, to help you make the best choice of diet pills, just click the link you just passed! Before ya know it, the diet supplement you want will be in your hands … and you’ll be on your way to a slimmer and fitter YOU!