David Lee Roth = Bluegrass?

OK... I've been meaning to post about this for a couple weeks... but life has been getting in the way of my blogging lately. **sorry**

A couple weeks ago, John and I were flippin' through the channels and ran across a very cleaned up David Lee Roth being interviewed by Leno. The "gee whiz" curiousity meter went off and we stopped to see what the rocker is up to lately.

Well... after a few minutes of listening to his experiences over the past few years as an EMT... in NYC I think... the topic turned to his new musical direction.

David Lee Roth is featured on a bluegrass CD of VanHalen songs.

Yes.

You read correctly.

Bluegrass.

And, soon he would be performing a preview of his new musical endeavor... a bluegrass version of "Jump".

This of course prompted us to continue watching through the commercials.

First let me say... the band was incredible. And... I'm not sure, but I think I know the bass player (Charlie) from gigs in Nashville. And, believe it or not... the arrangement of "Jump" actually sounded great as a bluegrass song.

But then, David began to sing. It was really kind of strange. Imagine his voice over bluegrass music... singing a stiff version of his 80s power rock song. Now, multiply that by 100.

It was awful.

Besides that, he was just tryin' too hard to be straight. It was uncomfortable to watch (this is link to the Leno performance on YouTube).

All this said...

While the songs may lend themselves to bluegrass arrangements... David Lee Roth is NOT bluegrass.

Mystery solved.

But... that doesn't mean the entire album sucks.

Remember: When loading your iPod / MP3 player, you can skip the tracks of "Strummin' with the Devil" that have David on them.

After listening to the album tracks online, the rest of the songs sound pretty kickin'. It's got some stellar, legitimate country / bluegrass musicians like The John Cowan Band (of New Grass Revival), John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band, Iron Horse, Larry Cordle... and more... performing the rest of the VanHalen hits.

Chez needs help!

A fellow blogger is moving and needs help.

Chez is one of my favorite Nashville bloggers. While I won't be able to be there (the clock and I will be on our way to see his family in Iowa after I finish work on 6/30) I thought I'd help him spred the word.

Afterall, it is a holiday weekend... and he is offering free beer and pizza!
C'mon.
It will be FUN.
Sparklers anyone?!

Back from DC... got a gig!

Got back from my work trip to DC yesterday afternoon.
Wow... what a whirlwind.
It went so fast, but we all had a blast.

The whole trip really kicked my butt, though... yesterday, I slept all afternoon (I usually don't do naps well) and then went to bed early and slept really hard last night.

And... sorry for the short notice, but with all the DC excitement, I neglected to send out invites to come out.

Here's the scoop:

TONIGHT at 7:30, I've got a gig at the Hall of Fame Lounge in the Best Western just down from the Music Row Roundabout. JTC and Shawn Byrne are gonna be there backin' me up... givin' my stuff that little extra somethin' somethin'.

Come out!
I'd love to see your smiling faces.

Rex rocks my world...

Rex blogged about me today... how cool is that?! I was asked to sing the National Anthem at the opening session of the NFIB National Small Business Summit in DC this morning... and he was there to witness it.

Thanks for the props, brothah!
Now... back to the all fun in the NFIB Internet Cafe.

Take it to the Hill

Been in DC since Friday setting up the NFIB Internet Cafe at the NFIB National Small Business Summit. IKEA provided all the furniture (Emily and Lynn... I can now hook you up! HEH!) and Dell sponsored the cafe along with providing several computers and a couple flat panel TVs. It's ROCKIN.

As of today... the conference has started. Members are trickling in and registering. It's really cool and something we do every two years for our members to help keep our small business voice energized. It's pretty incredible. I love getting the opportunity to meet our members and better understand what we're fighting for on their behalf.

This year's theme is "Take it to the Hill". We've got speakers like Meg Whitman from ebay, Mary Matlin and plenty of political heavy weights.

Each night of the Summit there is a great event. Tonight it's an all mixer with a region "picnic" with food from all over the country. Monday, we've got the Smithonian National Air & Space museum all to ourselves. Tuesday is the final gala at the National Building Museum.

Wednesday morning... we tear down and go home. It's gonna be fun and it's gonna go fast... but I'm looking forward to being home again.

If I get a chance... I'll post more in the next couple days.
Otherwise...
I'll catch you on Thursday.
Have a GREAT week.

Catch Karleen...

9 p.m. TONIGHT.
Karleen Watt.
(The cute one in the middle.)
In the round.
At the Bluebird Cafe.
With hitmakers Anthony Smith, Chris Wallin and Tony Mullins.
It's gonna be a rockin' show.
She's on her way, baby.
See you there.

What the...?!@#$?

OK... JTC and I watched "Last Comic Standing" last night.

There were some HILARIOUS comics on the show. Only five were going to be picked to move on to the next round... and they ended up choosing seven because there were so many good ones.

We laughed our asses off... I literally thought I was going to pee in my pants at one point. Unfortunately, I didn't write down any of their names and I can't find them on the Last Comic Standing site... but I can describe them:

• The guy with the guitar... FUNNY.
• The guy with the segue introduction... FUNNY.
• The woman with the stair master imitation... FUNNY.
• The chick with the lisp and the duct tape... FUNNY.
• The tall guy with the glasses who talked about sleeping too much... FUNNY.
• The big Hawaiian lookin' guy... FUNNY.
• The former school teacher guy... FUNNY.

I think I may be missing a couple... but that's all I can remember for sure. Here's the deal though... only two of the people we laughed hysterically hard over was selected to move on to the next round. (the stair master chick and the Hawaiian shirt guy)

What the...?!@#$?

Five of the seven people selected to move on sucked big-time. We were literally booing at the TV when they we're announcing them. Nothing against them personally... but I just really think they've got a long way to go. Their comedy was sophmoreish and they didn't deliver it or convince me. I was NOT entertained.

So, basically, JTC and I aren't planning to watch any more of the episodes. Somethin' isn't right with the process... I'm not going to support the show. It is inconceivable to me that Gary Marshall, Kathy Griffin and Tim Meadows picked the people that were selected.

Remember last season? Drew Carey and Red Butler stood up and walked off in one of the episodes because they compared who they voted for and realized that the producers picked their own people.

I smell somethin' fishy again this year.

Blah blah blah... nuff said.
Just in case you're wonderin'... I ain't watchin' it anymore.