IN THE MIND OF THE POPS 56
Picture by Joe Szarowski
<>5-21-08: It kind of feels like autumn here in Western New York being that we already had 90 degree weather, but I remind myself that Memorial day Weekend (Not Labor Day Weekend) is just a couple of days away....If you realy on weather as a time referance in these parts, than you'll be ready for a bowl of soup fror beakfast (Whatever the hell that's supposed to mean.....
Anyway, It was a nice gathering once again last night at Bokans, and Dean was bein' Dean on the 12 string and many thanks to Rockin' Robin who showed up and stole the show with were stunning vocals....I totally dig nights like these.......'More tomorrow..<>
<>5-23-08: First off 'Best Birthday Wishes to my baby sister Carol who is a true pollock, and she's very good at it...........Me I have a bunch of running around...Doc appointments for my banged up son, who is hanging in there well...I can't help but feel his pain...I guess that's part of papa-hood...............I'm sure the cost of gas has crimped a lot of peoples travel plans for this holiday weekend......I don't drive, but the cost of gas makes it more difficult to bum rides....Boy would I be screwed without my bicycle........Don't forget to toss some extra prayers for our troops..<>
<>5-25-08: Haiku invades Mohawk Place this evening in Downtown Buffalo...That's where I will be..<>
<>5-27-08: Haiku about blew the doors off of Mohawk Place Sunday night...Not with loud volume, but with pure musicianship......As for me, I can be found once again tonight on the Deans List at Bokans..<>
<>5-29-08: There was nothing quite like the Griffin administration, If you lived in Buffalo in the 70s and 80s. Like him or not, he was true to form....."Politically Correct" wasn't even thought of whenever he took the podium...His on going verbal warfare with James Pitts (who I believe was commom counsil leader at the time) was spirated (to put it lightly)....I'm surprised those two never through down and got it on...........I remember him publically slamming the gay community, calling them fruits, which led to hundreds of fruit baskets sent to city hall....I met Jimmy a bunch of times over the years and his he was a true professional with his wit and charm...I didn't agree with him a lot of the time but Jimmy always had an answer, though off the wall at times, he had answer for everything....He was kind of like every white boys dad..I guess.....Rest in Peace Mr. Griffin..<>
<>6-1-08: We are almost half way through 2008 already....Time zooms on bye when your having fun or not, I guess.......However real life resumes back in the studio tonight with "Dirty Little Business" or is it "The Dirty Little Business"?? .....BTW, We collectively invented Grunge in 1985...Seattle was still doing "glam metal" back then....I was in Ambush....If that wasn't grunge then Edgar Winter is black..<>
<>6-2-08: The day was going great yesterday and I was about to leave for the recording session, only to find that my bike was robbed from my porch....I called my friend Rick Angle (drums) who was the guy who provided me bike in the first place....and he drove me there and back from studio Z.....Not only was the bicycle my main sourse of transpo', I've always got a lot of enjoyment taking rides to nowhere in particular......'Gotta get me another, and use the lock...DUH..<>
<>6-3-08 Early this morning Wifie and Kev Jr. left for Washington DC on a trip with the school....I had no trouble waking Kevin up this morning as opposed to trying to wake him on a regular school day...He's been counting the days for a while now...This has me grounded from some musical activities....I will not be performing at Bokans tonight, but I will be back at it again next week. ..................Hey, Anybody got a 10 speed bike they want to sell for cheap? ...If so call "stretch line" or drop me an email..<>
<>6-5-08: My wife and son are due home anytime now from their big DC adventure....I just finished running around the house and cleaning trying to give the impression that the house was squeeky clean the whole time they were away..Hey a dude is a dude!! .......I'm also wating for it to rain as it is sticky hot here in Western New York..<>
<>6-7-08: Best birthday wishes to my dad, who is an old war horse that keeps on kickin' along....."Off Track Betting" should start a "walk of fame" and my dad should cut the ribbon.....I gotta see what he's up to today....The Redsox are a sore subject after last nights loss and the brawl the night before..Team mates fighting in their dug out...Not good..........Dang!!! it's hotter today than yesterday..<>
<>6-9-08: Wee Doggie, It's another steaming hot day in the making in these parts...The sun is beaming down like a deep fryer...DRINK WATER!! KEEP YOU AND YOUR KID'S SKIN PROTECTED.....Speaking of hot, DLB had yet another recording session last night till nearly the break of day...'Gotta make a run to the post office and tighten up some copy rights on another batch of songs.....First I must find my shades....I'm still awake from last night...Business MUST be taken care of before I turn in for a while.......................Oh!! Incase you forgot, THE REDSOX RULE!!<>
<>6-10-08: It's like a million degrees in the shade......Back to the front porch with my guitar......'Bokans tonight..<>
<>6-11-08: I'm not liking people much today..<>
<>6-13-08: It's Friday the 13th.....My luck is bound to improve...............Dick Fuller -Rest in Peace..<>
<>6-14-08:
Hey Now!!
busy, busy is me,
helps me keep my sanity,
at times it's on a string,
sorrow had it's way with me.
for days way too long,
joy has found it's way back,
So on and on along..
I have found may way "oh yeah"
"salvation lies ahead"
I have found my way "oh yeah"
to cherish every moment, every minute any day "oh yeah"
I think I'm finally feeling better 'bout things..
I don't care, what you thinking,
not a single thing,
let the phone ring,
so on and on along..
'cause I'm on hold,
nothin' more needs to be told..
I'm on hold................from you..<>
<>6-16-08: 'Had a great session with DLB last night......Another original song composed and recorded and a whole lot of bantering ammong our peers....I'm not sure why, but bantering seems to follow where ever I go.....Even my kids give me the business.....I'm feeling a lot better about life lately.....Last week pretty much sucked, but after cool weekend, and that good vibe seems to be back in place as the new week begins........YAY!!<>
<>6-18-08: I spent most of the morning making my rounds, stopping at the gas company to work out yet another payment plan, as we continue to play catch-up........Hey, The sun is now shining brightly, and it's time I watered the plants and fed the bunny and kitty-cat..<>
<>6-19-08: 'Got me some running around to do, then it's off to see our old pal Jim Wynne perform with Gamalon (opening for David Sanborn) at "Thursday in the Square"..<>
<>6-20-08: Well we hung in there through the heavy rain and grooved to Gamalon...But when Gamalon finished their set, reality set in that I was soaked to the bone like just about everyone there..So, many of us bailed on David Sanborn......Me, I ended up in "Studio Z"...Where good things happen, and they did.........'Great Weekend to All..<>
<>6-24-08: 'Been all kinds of busy with various projects but with the passing of George Carlin, there is a gigantic hole left in the entertainment industry.....There was no one I ever met that had such a brilliant perspective, and always made the touchiest subjects funny....George Carlin made a thinker out of anyone who took the time to listen....Without George, the world is a lot less funny place...Rest in Peace..<>
<>6-27-08: 'Got me some running around today...Still playing catch-up with National Fuel Gas.....I just wanna get this trip downtown, so I can get this crap out of the way, so I can enjoy my weekend....Living in another resession, I know there will be plenty of people in line.....Something's gotta give.....I can't help but get the feeling that a revolution coming.....Yep, It's THAT bad..with no light at the end of the tunnel in sight..<>
<>6-29-08: Another Saturday of jam is in the books, as the rain comes down in these parts....I have yet to touch base with "Dirty Little Business" headquarters, So I am not clear on the game plan for tomorrows recording session......But I'm sure it will be hot!!<>
<>6-30-08: Last nights DLB session carried on till the sunrise of a new day breaking through (birds chirping and all)....We as a group have one of those good problems...We are stock-piled with original songs and are falling behind in our final mix-downs....I'm wondering at this point in time if it is worth the time, effort, and money for an official CD release or just sell them on Itunes....Then again, I should not lose sight of those who don't have computers and buy their music old fashion way.....I guess I also shouldn't lose sight of record stores which are struggling to stay in business...Then again, What the hell do I know??<>
<>7-1-08: Happy Birthday to my "old" friend Mike Borowiak..<>
<>7-4-08: It's late afternoon and I slept through some phone calls and woke up to the RedSox/Yankee game, after some strong dreaming....It's always feels strange when an old friend is in a dream who is dead...I kind of feel like I had some bonus time with this friend.......................God Bless America...We need it........"Bozo the Clown"..Rest in Peace..<>
<>7-6-08: It was a great gathering of the tribe in West Seneca on the evening of the forth....We were not short of musical talent...I met up with many cats that I haven't seen in quite a few years and most of which did not change a bit....There must be a fountain of youth somewhere in West Seneca............Today has another "Dirty Little Business" session on tap....For me, That's what Sundays are made for..<>
<>7-7-06: Back to the Monday Thang...After last nights/wee hours DLB session...More songs, some final mixes....We put in a good sessions work....Everyone in the group is pleased......I hope....Anyway, the mission is moving forward..<>
<>7-9-08: Made a trip to Bokans last night and had a blast...There was a good crop of musicians there and they were fun to play with..'Can't put a price tag on that....Today, my son and I did some grocery shopping...Time well spent..<>
<>7-10-08: Right off the top, Best Birthday Wishes to Mike(Duggay) Lubecki, Mike(best man at my wedding)Rodas and to the lovely Michelle Bandpix.....Rock On with your bad selves!!
Me,...I got me a lot on the table today..<>
<>7-11-08: I had a job interview for a graveyard shift position last night at midnight. There was no bus home and nobody that I could think of to call, so I had an estimated fifteen mile walk home...However the interview went very well and I feel good about my chances of getting hired....But I aint counting my chickens yet....Life is full of surprises..Aint it??<>
<>7-14-08: Another stellar weekend in the books....I performed solo acoustic for Mike Lubecki's surprise birthday party in the town of Marilla....Lubecki was pleasently shocked..and Mike Rodas was there too, who shares the same Bday...It was nice actually having a sit down with Rodas which was long over-due...He's a great friend who also and served as best man in my wedding...There were so many old friends I was blown away............Saturday was my darling daughter Melinda's birthday...She was glowing with happiness..Priceless.............Saturday evening I served as a rodie for Jim Wynne & Lauren Dragon....Lauren is a top notch jazz vocalist who was in Buffalo in between trips to New York City for session work....I guess it's just Jim being Jim introducing me to yet another fantastic musician from his ever-growing musical family tree of musical bomb-shells....When I woke up from all of that, I was behind schedule for my regular Dirty Little Business recording session...We got us yet another new song and as always, hangin' with that group provides a great working envirement with non stop side-splitting humor........These guys just aint right..<>
<>7-15-08: No happy stuff today....I just got back to dealing with Government agencies (fun wow!)....Matters appear to be back on track in that regard......I will try like hell to attend Bokan's open mic (hosted by Dean Bell) in Lackawanna.....I need more jam..<>
<>7-17-08: It's the wee hours and I can't sleep....I feel I'm failing as a family man...Kind of like it's all coming to a head....I've tried about every avenue as a musician that I can think of but I am not able to provide for my family like I should be.....I don't get it....I hear it from many that I should have hit the big time and all of that stuff...There something inside me that says that my best years as a performer are still ahead me....I feel myself growing as a musician every day...But it aint paying the bills...I am really down on myself for not being Mr. Normal, working 9-5 and providing a decent living for my family.......Being broke and way behind on my bills totally sucks...I feel like I'm getting burried alive..<>
<>7-18-08: It did me some good to go to Thursday in the Square yesterday evening to catch "The Mickey Hart Band"....It was a good show and I learned a few new percussion tricks watching and listening to Mickey do his thing.....It was also great hangin' with Mike Lasek and company for this event...'Got me a busy weekend ahead...Enjoy yours..<>
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