“Oh Now, Still Beats Steady, This Heart I Handed You For Free”

Posted on September 3, 2023 by Double K

“Should you ever need a thing, it won’t be hard to find me.” – Turnpike Troubadours

Photo by ROGELIO ESPARZA FOR ROLLING STONE (L-R) Hank Early, Evan Felker, Kyle Nix, Ryan Engleman, Gabe Pearson, and RC Edwards

A happy Labor Day weekend to you!

This non-80’s song has been spinning loops in my mind at various times since it was released in early August. My wife can attest. So, on this weekend, let me pay tribute to the workers of The Turnpike Troubadours’ construction company, who have bore an invisible musical pipeline directly to my frontal lobes, turned it on, and have refused to shut it down.

You need no introduction to this group if your tastes lie anywhere near the country-folk-bluegrass-cajun-Red Dirt rock-Americana arenas of music. I realize that’s a lot of arenas, but the Turnpike Troubadours cover a lot of ground and shift seamlessly like a salamander. Something tells me if they decided to play hair metal covers from the 80’s they would still be great (probably a little twangy, but great nonetheless), and it starts with the head troubadour, Evan Felker.

To define “troubadour” is to label 1) one of a class of lyric poets and poet-musicians often of knightly rank who flourished from the 11th to the end of the 13th century chiefly in the south of France and whose major theme was courtly love. But also, 2) a singer, especially of folk songs.

Hailing from the small community of Wright City in southeastern Oklahoma (no known affiliation with southern France), the 39 year-old lyrical poet and musician, Evan Felker, and bassist R.C. Edwards started the band a few years before their debut album in 2007. They played the bars and clubs in and around Stillwater and claim Tahlequah, Oklahoma as their place of origin.

I know both Stillwater and Tahlequah, because I lived for five years in Stillwater as a small boy, and then later Tahlequah where I spent two years attending Northeastern State University. I played basketball for the “mighty mighty” NSU Redmen (now “Riverhawks”) and legendary coach Coach Ken Hayes. I floated the Illinois River. I spent time at Granny’s Attic on Muskogee Avenue. I lived in Haskell Hall helping to sling-shot water balloons out the window at unsuspecting students walking to and from class. I traversed the scenic campus on a daily basis and I attended parties at mobile homes in the Cherokee county countryside where friends and classmates lived.

Redmen forever with Coach Ken Hayes last year in Tahlequah

I was late to the Troubadours game so to speak. It was a former co-worker of mine (shoutout Sheldon) who introduced me to them several years ago shortly before they went on “indefinite hiatus.” Rumors abounded from everyone who didn’t know anything, but needless to say, the band was in demand of an overdue break in the action. Many of the members worked side projects, one went back to school, and the introverted Felker worked on himself. Jaded from years of the music business, a failed marriage, and an abuser of alcohol, Felker worked a friend’s ranch in Texas, sobered up, remarried his wife, Staci, and welcomed two children into the world.

“He’s (Felker) like Hemingway-meets-McCartney,” said Shooter Jennings, who helped produce the new album, “A Cat in the Rain,” at the fabled F.A.M.E. Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. An interesting combination of characters indeed for the lead singer of a band many didn’t think would ever play again. This is the sixth studio album and first since their 2017 album “A Long Way From Your Heart.”

“Standing at the ready with a dance or two still left in me. Wager that it won’t appear that I’ve forgot who brought me.”

If you were like me several years ago, and are not familiar with this group, but appreciate catchy hooks and musical artistry woven into a fabric of symbolic lyricism and vivid imagery then I’d encourage you to lend an ear and give them a chance.

From the opening line of the album’s opening song “Mean Old Sun,” where Felker proclaims “Empty promises I’ve given, hollow heart beats in my chest” to this post’s featured song, the album tackles many of mankind’s common themes penned and painted with a southern backdrop as only Felker can do.

The song today is the very melodic “Brought Me.” So if you share this life with someone you love, someone who has been through the highs and lows, someone who takes the worst of you, extends forgiveness, and makes you better, then let this song serve as a reminder of those times, a redemption of sorts, the hope for a better tomorrow, and a thankfulness for the here and now.

A very happy birthday to that person in my life. That person I love, my wife Rebekah.

I still have a lot of dances still left in me!

Here is “Brought Me” by the Turnpike Troubadours (named after those toll roads that took Felker and company from the southeastern part of Oklahoma to “civilization”)

A live version from a performance in August at The Ryman in Nashville…

Thanks for reading.

sincerely,

the80s

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

“So I Saw You in the Pizza Place. You Were With Another Girl.”

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Double K


“It was a crime, it was such a disgrace
You really shattered my world.” – The Flirts

The Flirts

The previous post dedicated to Foreigner and featuring their hit “Juke Box Hero” lead me down a rabbit-hole of sorts. A rabbit hole of some of the more popular juke box related songs of the 80’s and in turn to one of the more forgotten girl groups of the early 80’s.

Occasionally I come across these nostalgia-laden music boxes in and around different locales. For instance, there is a pizza joint I frequent in Oklahoma City called Bella’s. They have one that holds cds, and the small restaurant reminded me a little of this video and maybe the only reason I would ever have of writing about a little known girl group called The Flirts.

Formed by record producer Bobby “O” Orlando, perhaps the most popular semblance of the group (there would be numerous versions throughout the years) consisted of Chicago native Rebecca Sullivan, New Yorker Andrea Del Conte & west coast’s Hope Rayman (San Fernando). It is those three that you’ll see in maybe their most popular video. It’s the one I remember the most anyway.

The actual jukebox in the video below appears to be a 1978 NSM Music Prestige E 160 (similar to the one above) that held up to 160 45’s. Sometime around 1951-52, the three founding members, Herman Nack, Gerhard Schulze, and Wilhelm Menke formed NSM in Braunschweig, Germany mostly to handle their expanding juke box distribution  business. At this time, jukeboxes were more popular in Germany than anywhere else in the world, and the three began handling the distribution of Seeburg jukeboxes in the early 50’s but started producing their own jukeboxes beginning with the Fanfare 60 model sometime around 1956. NSM Music continued on until being acquired by AMI Entertainment Network in February of 2017.

“Little things remind me of you
Cheap cologne and that damn song, too.”

After not seeing this video since the 80’s, I did enjoy a look back at it today. I especially enjoy all the old people staring at the trio as they walk down the streets of NYC surely thinking to themselves who the hell or what the hell is going on! The fashion is pure 80’s in this video and the famous “House of Oldies” record store since 1969 makes an appearance in the video as well, but I’m not a NYC guy so I couldn’t tell you if it’s still there or not.

“Don’t put another dime in the jukebox
I don’t want to hear that song no more”

From their 1982 “10 Cents a Dance” debut album (yes kids, jukeboxes once cost 10 cents per song), this is the video for a song that made it up to #28 on the U.S. dance charts – “Jukebox (Don’t Put Another Dime).”

Here’s a “live” version of them singing the song on American Bandstand back in the day when it was perfectly acceptable to gush over how beautiful the women were (“is that a redhead or is that a redhead!?”), or how well they “moved.” Dick Clark was in the perfect voice in the perfect time period for this show.

And if you just can’t get enough of these Flirts and cringy interviews, you can check out MTV’s own Mark Goodman with them from around the same time (Rebecca apparently did not co-write any of these tunes, Mark! Someone fed you some bad facts!).

As always, thanks for reading.

sincerely,

the80’s

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Standing in the Rain, With His Head Hung Low”

Posted on July 29, 2023 by Double K

“Couldn’t get a ticket, it was a sold out show.” – Foreigner

(Photo Credit Paul Natkin/Getty Images)

It was indeed a sold out show a few weeks ago at The Walmart Amp in Rogers, Arkansas. It was one of many from a band that has been singing and performing for millions since their incarnation in 1976.

Foreigner has embarked on their “Historic Farewell Tour” (to run through 2024), and Rogers was just one of many stops for the rock legends. You never really know if a farewell tour is actually the farewell (see: Kiss, Motley Crue, and Ozzy for examples), but it seems about right for these guys. Guitarist and founding member Mick Jones is the only remaining touring member of Foreigner and he wasn’t even at this show. Kelly Hansen replaced the legendary Lou Gramm on vocals back in 2005, so they’re going on 18 plus years without their original lead singer.

The band’s most successful incarnation was the 80’s quartet featuring Gramm, Jones, drummer Dennis Elliott, and bassist Rick Wills. All four are still living so there’s always the possibility of some sort of reunion, but this seems a likely end for the group that produced 14 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hits and sold over 50 million records (whatever that means anymore). They scored one #1 hit with “I Want to Know What Love Is,” and another near-miss with the number-two “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” which spent a record-setting 10 weeks at the runner-up position. (Did any of you latchkey kids reading this post ever slow dance to either of these dishes of syrupy goodness? If you didn’t, go grab your significant other, and do so right now!)

“Heard the roar of the crowd, he could picture the scene
Put his ear to the wall, then like a distant scream”

My wife and I had the pleasure of taking in the limited show a few weeks ago, and I say limited because a storm was off in the distance and headed right for us. Due to the impending weather, Canadian rock band Loverboy (another band I haven’t ever seen in concert) cancelled as the opening act, so I was disappointed I didn’t get to see the aged red leather make an appearance (I did feature Mike Reno and his mates on this site many years ago as a backdrop for a family vacation spent at Dauphin Island, Alabama).

“In a town without a name, in a heavy downpour
Thought he passed his own shadow, by the backstage door
Like a trip through the past, to that day in the rain
And that one guitar, made his whole life change.”

As for Foreigner, they cut their normal set short by about five songs playing only seven (nine if you include the guitar and drum solos) of their normal 15 songs (once again two of the 15 are just a drum and a guitar solo).

We had great seats thanks to our friends, the White’s, so we soaked in all we could for approximately 60 minutes of music before we literally got soaked. They knew what they were doing at the Amp because immediately after their final song, “Hot Blooded,” it started raining lightly and was in full downpour mode just as we got to our car.


“Now he needs to keep on rockin’, he just can’t stop
Gotta keep on rockin’, that boy has got to stay on top And be a juke box hero, got stars in his eyes
He’s a juke box hero, got stars in his eyes”

(Photo creds: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

Foreigner in 2023 features Jones (missing from the picture above), scarf-wearing lead singer Kelly Hansen, bassist Jeff Pilson, keyboard player Michael Bluestein, guitarist Bruce Watson, guitarist Luis Maldonado, and drummer Chris Frazier.

Original Foreigner was formed in New York City in 1976 by guitarist Mick Jones, Ian McDonald and original lead vocalist Lou Gramm.  Jones came up with the band’s name as he, McDonald, and drummer Dennis Elliott were British, while Gramm, keyboardist Al Greenwood and bassist Ed Gagliardi were American, meaning at least half of the band would be foreigners no matter what country they were in.

It would be the legendary Foreigner “4” album that would be my initial introduction as a 12 year old to the band when it was released in July of 1981. Produced at Electric Lady Studios in New York City by producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange (who else?), the album would spend ten weeks at #1 and include a host of hit singles including today’s featured song and video.

An 80’s juke box

If you love music and you grew up in the era of juke boxes, then I think we can all relate to the longing of one day becoming a juke box hero. Thank you Foreigner for an incredible run and for leaving us an enviable catalog of music to absorb. You will forever be “Juke Box Hero(es)” to thousands…

Thanks for reading.

sincerely,

the80s

Bonus video comes from their finale “Hot Blooded” just as the storm front makes its’ way in (as you’ll see in the video) courtesy of my iphone.

Also, cameo appearance by Arkansas Razorback football coach, Sam Pittman, #woopig, and a rockin’ appearance by my wife as well.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

“When Your Heart Has Been Broken”

Posted on June 10, 2023 by Double K

“Hogwash has been spoken. It ain’t easy, but it’s only love.” – Tina Turner (almost)

MISHEARD LYRICS PART I

Back in the 80’s we didn’t have this fancy thing called the internet with Google or Lyrics.com or Genius or the half a dozen or so other sites that can tell us exactly (most of the time) what words musical artists are singing. If, by chance all those years ago, you did end up with an album, cassette tape, or cd that included the song lyrics well that was practically the holy grail of music.

Like many, I longed to understand what my musical heroes were singing and what message they were trying to convey to my fledgling brain. Sure, “hogwash” makes very little sense in the above scenario, but Tina Turner was a born and raised southern girl from Tennessee, and hogwash seems like a southern informal slang term that she might use on a regular basis. Its’ actual meaning is one of nonsense or something untrue, but of course Tina did not write the song. That distinction belongs to Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance. I doubt Bryan nor Jim ever used the word hogwash in a song, but damned if my 13 year-old self cared!

“You can live without the aggravation
Ya gotta wanna win, ya gotta wanna win”

Tina Turner passed away recently (May 24th) leaving behind quite the legacy of music as well as acting and authoring of several books. Her break into the music business began in 1957 as a backup singer in Ike Turner’s band, Kings of Rhythm. Most know of Tina’s rise to superstardom through the 60’s and 70’s as one half of the Ike and Tina Turner duo, but by the time the early 80’s had rolled around, Tina had endured an abusive relationship and eventual break-up with Ike, and was considered (for the most part) too old and probably beyond her prime as a performer and entertainer. Little did anyone see the album “Private Dancer” lurking in 1984.

The Private Dancer album peaked at #3 in the U.S., went platinum five times, earned four Grammy awards, and once again made Tina one of the biggest stars in the world. The album and subsequent music videos peaked this young man’s interest for sure in 1984, because even though Tina was in her mid 40’s at the time, she was still very easy on the eyes.

With apologies to my 70’s-loving Tina Turner fans who will scream for “Proud Mary” or “Nutbush City Limits,” my favorite Tina track will forever be “What’s Love Got to Do with It” with “The Best” and “We Don’t Need Another Hero” waiting in the wings.

“When your world has been broken. Hard words have been spoken. It ain’t easy, but it’s only love.”

Ahhh! Hard words! Much better (but I’m still going to sing hogwash).

Adams was just 24 and Turner 45 when this song was recorded in 1984. It was released in October of 1985 as Adams’ sixth and final single from one of my favorite 80’s albums – Reckless, and would go on to be nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group. The accompanying video won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Stage Performance. 

The video is a live clip from Tina Turner’s 1985 Private Dancer Tour with Turner wearing her trademark black leather minidress and jean jacket, introducing the young Canadian, Bryan Adams for a live performance of the song.

I love the chemistry between the two and I love the song. Peaking at #15 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 back in January of 1986, here is “It’s Only Love”…

Bonus video and some thoughts from my favorite Tina song “What’s Love Got to Do with It?”:

Is this Arsenio Hall’s big break coming in at the 39 second mark?… Tina has fabulous hair… I love the group at the 1:22 mark – I’m kind of sad I never adapted the vest/no shirt look myself back in the 80’s when I had abs… the most famous legs in the 80’s get their own shots (most deservedly) a few times throughout the video… 2:17 jump-roping reminds me of how terrible I was at jumping rope… the 2:50 mark Tina saves a couple’s relationship through her passioned words… 3:18 mark – the dude with the backless t-shirt – I think maybe I could revive this trend… probably not.

Thanks for reading.

R.I.P. Queen Tina.

sincerely,

the80’s

And that’s all.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Sitting In My Class, Just Drifting Away”

Posted on May 19, 2023 by Double K

“Staring into the windows of the world, yeah” – Shanice

I read your posts and your tributes to mothers everywhere. I read your stories about your celebrated day as a mother, or your tribute to your mother, or maybe your story about the mother that has passed on from this life that you still honor with the memories and the stories you carry with you. I read your famous quotes about mothers, your posts about iconic pop culture mothers, and I’ve even watched your Mother’s Day videos. Just know I’ve seen you, I’ve admired you, and I’ve appreciated you and your words from afar.

Though Mother’s Day 2023 is in the past, I’m neither late nor early with this post for my mother. She lives in a world where days and years and months and holidays have no time nor meaning. Time doesn’t really exist in the life of a person living with dementia. I’ve written about it on this site before, but 3 a.m. or 3 p.m. matters not. Christmas and birthdays hold no significance anymore for her. Two days or two months – there is little if any difference. Life. Just. Is.

I’ve often thought what purpose does dementia serve? What is God trying to teach each of us that live with or help care for loved ones battling this terrible disease? I don’t really have any answers, well any good answers that satisfy my finite brain. And so, I go and I visit my mom at least once a week, and I often leave questioning why. She doesn’t remember. Maybe the memories will materialize for her someday in Heaven. I’m not sure. It’s a pleasant thought, but the actuality of it really won’t be a pleasant thing to look back on. I’ve thought maybe some version of my dad’s spirit hovers nearby like a modern day version of Patrick Swayze in the movie “Ghost.” Maybe he’s smiling or at least comforted in that fact that I keep her company for a few hours doing arts and crafts or driving her to Sonic for a Cherry Limeade.

My mom’s verbal skills have deteriorated to a point of very simple words, a few phrases, and a lot of non-coherent gibberish. But I’ve come to realize that as my mom’s mind has deteriorated and her physical abilities diminishing, I’m still left with one last semblance of a loving mother and fiercely loyal wife. I’m left with one simple act of recognition. It’s the unmistakable wide-eyed recognition of someone she knows and loves. She’s not sure if I’m her brother or her son or her husband or just a familiar stranger, but she knows me.

And so she smiles. And for now, that will have to be enough.

“Time came and showed me your direction
Now I know I’ll never ever go back“

Born in “the Steel City,” Shanice Lorraine Wilson, now a mother of two, turned 50 years old on Mother’s Day. She’s had Broadway experience, Grammy nominations and stints in the fashion and fragrance industries during her lifetime. A talented performer and singer since the age of three, Shanice has had a few other minor singing hits throughout her career, but she’s best known for this hit as an 18-year-old released in October of 1991. The song topped the U.S. R&B/Hip-hop charts and reached #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

It’s a classic early 90’s dance song and video featuring some vintage 90’s choreography and a mid-song rap break that was all too common in the early-to-mid 90’s. With its’ infectious groove, and Branford Marsalis’ sax solo, I dare you to listen and not be in a better mood afterwards. So, thank you Shanice and a happy belated mother’s day/birthday combo to you! Written by Jarvis La Rue Baker, Sylvester Jackson, Narada Michael Walden, and Shanice Wilson, here is the sweet voice of Shanice with “I Love Your Smile”…

“Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo“

Keep smiling.

My mom does.

As always, thanks for reading.

sincerely,

the 80’s

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“Like to Tell Ya About My Baby”

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Double K

“You know she comes around
She about five feet four
From her head to the ground” – Them

Them

Thanks for checking back into part two of my St. Patrick’s Day 2023 post (If you missed part one, you can scroll down below this post, or click here for part one published a few days ago).

Well, my baby is a little taller than 5’4″ but she comes around and we go places and we see things. One of our favorite cities for a day trip or a quick overnight trip is Tulsa, Oklahoma, because of its’ proximity (just about 90 miles west) from our home in NW Arkansas. We’ve been to numerous plays, concerts, parks, dining establishments (shoutout to downtown Ti Amo’s, our favorite), and retail outlets throughout Oklahoma’s second largest city.

If you read the previous post then you know I mentioned Daniel “Danny Boy” O’Connor and featured his rap trio, House of Pain. O’Connor was born in New York in 1968 and moved to L.A. when he was six. It was in L.A. where he would meet his rap partner, Erik Schrody, aka “Everlast” and form the group with the hit single “Jump Around.” O’Connor played the role of art director for the group by designing logos and branding, and he was also the hype man and co-rapper with Schrody on their three albums. After the group disbanded in 1996, and drugs and alcohol sidetracked O’Connor’s life on multiple occasions through the years, Danny Boy sobered up in 2005. It would be a few years later that a new passion would capture his imagination, and it just happened to be located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“Let’s do it for Johnny!“

(Photo by Nancy Moran/Sygma via Getty Images (L-R) Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Matt Dillon, Emilio Estevez, and Patrick Swayze)

A lifelong fan first of Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation and later of S. E. Hinton’s book The Outsiders, O’Connor took a visit to the house where the lead characters of the film, the Curtis Brothers, lived while he was at a tour stop in 2009 in Tulsa with his supergroup La Coka Nostra. A 13 year-old O’Connor had found relatability in The Outsiders’ story of broken homes and brotherly love many years earlier when he first saw the movie.

Unable to afford the house when he first encountered it, he bought it in 2016 sight unseen for $15,000. When he first went inside it was falling apart, but with the help of friends, the Oklahoma Film and Music Office, local business and individuals who volunteered, the restoration began.

Despite the fact that his only memorabilia from the film was a poster, he decided to turn it into a museum. Preserving the Curtis brothers’ home gave O’Connor a chance to give back, and “to be of service in his new surroundings.” Before he undertook the extensive project, however, O’Connor sought out the author, S.E. (Susan Eloise) Hinton, a lifelong Tulsa resident.

Hinton, who had written the book as a teenager, gave more than her blessing to the project. She made the first large donation – $10,000, and provided O’Connor with a brown leather jacket worn by both Dillon and Howell in the film. In 2016, the street signs on the corner were changed to “The Outsiders Way” and “The Curtis Brothers Lane.”

O’Connor’s original estimate was that it would take six months to get the museum up and running. After raising funds the house went through extensive renovations to restore it and maintain its authenticity from the film. A GoFundMe was set up for additional funds, and notable donors through the years have included Jack White and Billy Idol. Also to raise funds, screenings of the film were organized in which C. Thomas Howell (aka “Ponyboy”) attended. After 3 1/2 years of work, and rehab estimates in the $175,000 range, O’Connor opened The Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa on August 9, 2019.

Many of the original stars have stopped by the house and as recently as October of 2022, Ralph Macchio returned to Tulsa on a tour to promote his new book and made a stop by the house. Today, the 1,400-square-foot interior is filled with furniture, memorabilia, paintings, foreign editions, rare photographs by David Burnett as well as many wardrobe pieces and props. As my wife and I wandered through the house and gift shop, we had almost long forgotten that Diane Lane was the lead female, and that one-time rock star Leif Garrett played a prominent role as a “Soc” in the movie.

Gift shop
Gift shop memorabilia
The Curtis brothers’ kitchen
More memorabilia inside the house
Ponyboy Curtis’ bedroom
My 5’7 baby
In front of the black 1949 Plymouth Special De Luxe driven by “Two-Bit Matthews” (played by Estevez) rests on the lawn and I’m also now wearing the shamrock Vans that were my dad’s.

For myself, the movie was one of those that came on TNT or TBS a lot during the 80’s. I would always catch bits and pieces of it through the years making sure I tuned in for the rumble between the greasers and the socs in the park, or for Dally’s last stand at the end of the movie (He’s just a kid!!!). I didn’t come from a broken home like the Curtis brothers or like Danny Boy O’Connor and I never particularly related to one group or the other like so many of S.E. Hinton’s readers did through the years, but I always appreciated the depiction and tale of the two classes and their very real struggles as teenagers. Not that it was unusual, but I also think we all had that friend that signed those end of school yearbooks with the phrase “Stay gold.”

Even my 8th grade friend Paul was quoting “The Outsiders” back in my 1985 yearbook.

Neither my wife or I had seen the movie in probably 30+ years so we re-watched the movie (streaming on HBO/Max) a day or two after getting back home. I didn’t realize how short the movie actually is barely clocking in at 90 minutes, and forgot about the very fake background when Pony and Johnny are marveling at the golden sky while hiding out from the law. Regardless, it was fun watching all of these famous actors just starting out in the early 80’s. Someone could probably remake the movie but there’s just no way they could put together a comparable fairly unknown cast like the one that assembled under the watchful eye of Francis Ford Coppola in Tulsa, Oklahoma so many years ago.

Courtesy of Twitter: Ralph Macchio
C. Thomas Howell and Danny Boy O’Connor

“If all I get is sobriety, then that connects me with a power greater than myself, a power of my own understanding, and it allows me to trust God, clean house and help others — and my whole primary purpose is that. Not to buy sneakers or to make money or to shine like fluorescent. That is not the deal. The deal is to trust God, clean house, help others and if I stay sober one day at a time, I can stay happy, joyous and free.” – Daniel O’Connor

Good for you, Danny Boy. Good for you and may you forever stay gold.

“You know she comes around here
At just about midnight
She make ya feel so good, Lord
She make ya feel all right”

Formed in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1964, the band Them featured legendary lead singer Van Morrison along with Alan Henderson, Ronnie Milling, Billy Harrison and Eric Wrixon (also a founding member of the band Thin Lizzy). Morrison would leave the band in 1966 after two top 10 UK hits, “Baby, Please Don’t Go,” and “Here Comes the Night.” But it would be today’s featured song and video that would receive a Grammy Hall of Fame award in 1999 and would be listed as #81 on VH1’s list of the 100 greatest rock songs of all-time, and is frequently mentioned among Rolling Stone’s Greatest 500 songs of all-time.

Written by Morrison when he was just 18, and covered by The Doors and Patti Smith among others, this song was the B-side of the single “Baby Please Don’t Go.” Enjoy this classic song from 1964 featured prominently in the beginning of Coppola’s film from 1983 adapted from S.E. Hinton’s book in 1967 based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Got it? This is the Irish band Them with Van Morrison and “G-L-O-R-I-A.”

Here are those first few minutes of “The Outsiders”featuring “Gloria…”

Thanks for reading, and thanks to Danny Boy O’Connor for his love and passion for a group of “greasers” in late 60’s Tulsa. And of course, a happy St. Patrick’s Day to you, and may you find a rainbow that leads you to a pot of gold. Or, at the very least, stay gold.

sincerely,

the 80’s

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Word to Your Moms, I Came to Drop Bombs”

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Double K

“I got more rhymes than the Bible’s got Psalms.

And just like the Prodigal Son, I’ve returned.

Anyone steppin’ to me, you’ll get burned” – House of Pain

(L-R “Danny Boy,” “DJ Lethal,” and “Everlast” aka House of Pain)

Top of the mornin’ to you, and welcome to part one of my two part St. Patrick’s Day celebratory post. And of course, word to your moms, and at my age word to all the moms out there doing their thing.

Those of you that know me or frequent these parts on occasion know that I grew up in an Irish-Catholic family. My dad and his siblings grew up on the Jersey shore under the watchful(?) eye of Irish parents. My dad and myself were both born in March, and my dad was a basketball coach for 30+ years, so those of you that enjoy college hoops know there is no better month than March. If I didn’t have enough to celebrate already, I also got married in March of 1999. Yes, the 31 days sandwiched between the cold days of February and the rainy days of April are magically delicious! And suffice to say, St. Patrick’s Day has always been kind of a big deal though I imagine if I’d have grown up on the east coast closer to where my dad and his family hailed from, St. Patrick’s Day would have been an even bigger day of celebrations, parades and family get togethers. Instead, I grew up in Oklahoma, and St. Patrick’s Day was more – wear some green, eat some mint chocolate chip ice cream, and watch highlights of the celebrations in Boston and New York on the 10 pm news.

(Dad sometime in the early to mid 2010’s representing and wearing his Irish hat and the shamrock Vans on his feet I bought him)

“I’m coming to get ya, I’m coming to get ya. Spittin’ out lyrics, homie, I’ll wet ya.”

St. Patrick’s Day is actually a cultural and religious celebration, but to move past the usual cliche of drinking to celebrate the day, and all of the creepy leprechaun costumes, one has to actually understand the significance of the day itself and who this mystery man of faith was. The celebration of Ireland’s foremost patron saint, a non-believer for the first 16 years of his life, is held on March 17th, which is the traditional date of his death in or around 461.

Much is still up for debate or speculation when it comes to the history of the man who would later change his name to Patrick (from the Latin name Patricius, which meant “nobleman”). Many believe his actual name to be Maewyn Succat who was born in or around 373 in the lowlands of Scotland (though some believe it was Wales instead). The point is that he wasn’t of Irish descent.

The tale goes that Maewyn was kidnapped while he worked as a shepherd in Wales. He was taken by Irish pirates who were attacking his family’s estate, and he was sold into slavery in Ireland. According to his autobiography or “Confessio,” he was imprisoned in the northern part of Ireland for the next six years tending to sheep and pigs. During this time it is believed that Maewyn Succat found religion. He believed that his kidnapping and enslavement were punishment for his lack of belief.

At some point, he escaped from his captors back to Britain where he had a vision that the people of Ireland were calling him back to minister to them about God. Feeling ill-prepared (don’t we all at times?), Succat traveled to France where he trained in a monastery, and some 12 years later returned to Ireland as Patrick, a Bishop with the Pope’s blessing.

Though he was not the first to bring Christianity to Ireland (an earlier missionary, Palladius, had already come to preach to the Irish), Patrick traveled around Ireland for some 20 years baptizing people and establishing monasteries, schools, and churches. By the time of his death, he had left and organized Christian church in Ireland as his legacy.

Let’s go, St. Patrick!

“Get up, stand up, c’mon, throw your hands up
If ya got the feelin’, jump up towards the ceilin'”

Traditional Irish music, this song is not, but I must admit I loved this vibrant rap joint when it was released in 1992, and if I’m being honest, I still love it to this day though some of the lyrics didn’t age well – a point St. Patrick surely would address with our Irish brothers Danny and Erik were he still alive. I do think, however, he would appreciate the Biblical references. How can you not respect a boast of having more rhymes than the Bible’s got Psalms?

House of Pain, a reference to the H.G. Wells novel “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” was an American hip-hop trio formed in the early 90’s in Los Angeles, and caught lightening in a bottle for a few minutes in 1992. House of Pain was made up of Irish-American rappers Everlast (Erik Schrody) and Danny Boy (Daniel O’Connor) who formed a trio with Latvian-American, DJ Lethal (Leor Dimant).

The group peaked with this first single from their debut album. Produced by DJ Muggs of the rap group Cypress Hill, “Jump Around” shall I say hopped up the charts (hey-oh!) reaching #3 in the U.S., #6 in Ireland, and is still played at many sporting arenas throughout the country to this very day (Wisconsin football anyone?). So, get out your Larry Bird #33 jersey, and your favorite Irish beverage because The House of Pain is in effect, ya’ll. Join our angry Irishmen as they command you to get out your seat and jump around! Jump around! Jump up, jump up and get down!

As an added bonus (and one I mentioned above), no one does “Jump Around” better than the fans at Camp Randall for Wisconsin home football games. If you’ve never seen it, check out this piece done for ESPN that features a visit to the stadium by Everlast in 2022.

Thanks for reading and stay tune for a related part two to this post.

Sincerely,

the 80’s

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Well, Shake it Up, Baby Now”

Posted on February 7, 2023 by Double K

“(Shake it up, baby) Twist and shout” – The Isley Brothers, The Beatles, Ferris Bueller… Bueller?… Bueller?…

Sometimes I marvel at the wondrous, magical buffet of endless choices and possibilities known as the internet. I have two pieces of vintage 80’s photography equipment. One is the all plastic One Button Polaroid camera produced and sold beginning sometime around 1981. The other piece is my (one-time parents’) GE HQ Movie Video System camcorder for VHS circa 1988.

I took many a picture with my One Button back in the 80’s, but the main problem was the fact that the SX-70 instant film only contained a maximum of 10 photos. I could run through 10 photos really fast and my parents were not exactly going to keep funding the random photography whims of a preteen between 1981 and ’83.

The first VHS camcorders were released in 1987, so I thought this piece of equipment that my parents purchased was about the coolest thing ever. I used it all the time – family holidays, events, music videos, and driving around with some of my best friends in high school and college. I have hours and hours of old VHS tapes still sitting in a large tub in my garage just begging to be digitized. Some of my friends are begging that they don’t ever become digitized. I even found a brand new (still wrapped in plastic) VHS tape in that same storage container.

For the past few years, my workplace has always held their annual Christmas party in January after the hustle and bustle of the holidays. I suppose these things are not rare and practically en vogue now. The planning committee gathered a few months ago and (to my positive support) settled on an 80’s themed holiday party, so I thought I would add some authenticity to a party that was going to be attended by many that were not even born by the time the 80’s wound to an end nearly 34 years ago. The only problem is that I had no idea if either piece of equipment still functioned.

So one weekday night I sat down with both pieces and my computer. A very quick search on Amazon resulted in finding easily available film for the camera (now reduced to 8 photo packs). For the camcorder, I was able to plug it into a wall outlet and it worked. The two batteries I had in the case didn’t, so another quick search of Amazon and voila’ a battery was found and ordered as well as the film for the camera and a flash bar to make the already dark photos just a little less dark. Both packages arrived fairly quickly and I was able to test each piece of equipment. Both functioned initially so the next thing was to determine what my wife and I would wear to this event.

After gnashing of teeth and sleepless nights (ok not really), but after hours of internet research that included researching fashion styles for the preppy look, the prom look, the rock star look, and even the Miami Vice look, we settled on a classic 80’s movie look – Ferris Bueller and his girlfriend, Sloane Peterson.

Thankfully, the rumors that had begun to spread about my wife and I not being able to attend proved false. Apparently, my best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with the girl who saw me apparently pass out at 31 Flavors one night. Everyone thought it was pretty serious. It wasn’t, and so off we went.

“You know you twist, little girl
You know you twist so fine
Come on and twist a little closer now
And let me know that you’re mine, woo”

For many latchkey kids, Ferris represented an idealism of sorts. He represented escape and pure freedom back in 1986 and a laissez faire attitude. It was freedom from parents, teachers, and generally anyone in authority. Some 37 years later, Ferris still represents those things but also represents a more innocent, simpler time in the lives of those of us who grew up in the 80’s. We can also give ourselves a different perspective through the experienced eyes of parents and even grandparents in some instances.

John Hughes classic still holds up over time and I think most of us, with years of experience behind us, can find new appreciation in the characters John created for the movie- not just Ferris, but in the underrated girlfriend Sloane Peterson, bitter, jealous sister Jeanie Bueller who gets some words of wisdom in the police station from a young Charlie Sheen, and especially in best friend, the cynical and downtrodden Cameron Frye, whom has issues with his father and needed the day off more than anyone.


“Come on, come on, come, come on, baby, now
Come on and work it on out”

A few more photos from our 80’s party including a guest appearance by Prince Meythaler (far right).

When my wife and daughter and I went to Chicago seven years ago, we visited the former Sears Tower now known as the Willis Tower where Ferris and Sloane and Cameron visit during their skip day. The Willis Tower even pays homage to the movie on the 103rd floor where you can buy memorabilia or take an iconic photo looking down from the glass windows.

Myself on the left with fake Sloane Peterson and fake Cameron Frye to my right.

Today’s song version was over 20 years old by the time this movie was released, but thanks to “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” (and to a lesser degree Rodney Dangerfield’s “Back to School,”) the Beatles’ version of “Twist and Shout” reemerged onto the top 40 peaking at #23 in the summer of 1986. John Hughes was a huge Beatles’ fan and was rumored to have listened to The White Album everyday for 56 straight days during filming of the movie. “I quote John Lennon, ‘I don’t believe in the Beatles, I just believe in me.’ Good point there. After all, he was the walrus. I could be the walrus.” 

***As an aside, the creators of “Cobra Kai” are working on production of a Paramount Pictures feature titled “Sam and Victor’s Day Off.” If you’ll recall, in the original film, Sam and Victor were the valets who took Cameron’s father’s red Ferrari on a joyride through the city.  No release date has been announced yet, but I do look forward to seeing what those two crazy valets did on their own day off of sorts.

The late John Hughes wrote the screenplay with Matthew Broderick in mind, so shake it up, baby and enjoy the next three and a half minutes from a movie that was the 10th highest grossing film of 1986. And no, the DJ at my party never played “Twist and Shout.” I’ll forgive him though as he looked a little too young to know any better.

As always, danke schoen for reading these sometimes silly posts. I really hope you get a day very soon where you just spend it being in the moment with good friends or family and enjoying every fleeting moment, because always remember…

Sincerely,

the 80’s

…………

…………

………… You’re still here? It’s over! 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

Posted on December 17, 2022 by Double K

“Let your heart be light. Next year all our troubles will be out of sight.” – The Pretenders

Many people, myself included, love this slow, wistful, nostalgic song first sung by Judy Garland in the 1944 film, “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane the song was (somewhat ironically in my opinion) sung by Garland in an attempt to cheer up her little sister (played by Academy Award winner Margaret O’Brien) in the movie. For me, the song falls under beautifully sad, kind of in the same bane as “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” There’s just something inherently sad in the music even if the lyrics are meant to be hopeful and up-lifting.

The Christmas season itself is a blender of contrasting ingredients. At its’ best, it is a magical, joyous time and reflection upon a King born 2000+ years go. The season can also be full of exciting possibilities and anticipatory expectations. At its’ worst, it’s a despondent season full of melancholy, sadness, and possibly regrets. Honestly, I don’t mind a balance of both.

“Here we are as in olden days,
happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
gather near to us once more.”

Last week, I was scanning through an old photo album my grandma Ruby had put together many years ago. Amongst the pictures of so many memories and relatives not with us anymore was a card of some sort, so I carefully pulled back the plastic covering to read what was inside. It was a Christmas card written in grandma’s handwriting just a matter of days before her husband, and my grandfather Kay, passed away on December 21, 1975.

There is something remarkable about touching and holding a piece of history. I held it and examined it and ran my fingers across her message full of hope and excitement yet containing a small bit of worry and perhaps trepidation. I think about how hard the date December 21st must have been for grandma. I was only four when it happened so I don’t have any memory of that particular Christmas in 1975, but I never really remember her being sad during Christmas while I was growing up either. I do think it’s one of the reasons my parents made such an effort to be with her every Christmas though. We rarely ever spent a Christmas without visiting, and Grandma Ruby lived until the age of 102 passing away in February of 2019. She lived 44 more December 21st’s without grandpa. Amazing.

Many of you may be experiencing “the first Christmas since (fill in the blank) or without (fill in the name), and it may be a tough one for you. Last year was my first Christmas without my dad. This is the second year and it’s not a whole lot easier if I’m being honest. The memories of Christmases past occupy my mind frequently during this time of year, and it may be the same for you too. My grandma never remarried and I’m sure December 21st never got much easier for her, but the perseverance she showed is inspiring to think about. She kept going. She just went on living the best she knew how.

“Through the years we all will be together,
if the fates allow.”

The Christmas season is a time where dates seem to become more prominent, because December 25th holds such significance to many. Besides the 25th, we think about other dates – lost loved ones around Christmas time, new ones born around the holiday season, weddings, divorces, and the list of life events goes on. For me, it’s dates like the aforementioned December 21st, it’s also December 20th – the birth of my daughter almost exactly 25 years to the date of my grandfather’s passing. I remember how much that meant to me the day she was born. Her birthdate holds a historical celebratory mark in contrast to that day of the 21st, and I’m sure it wasn’t lost on my grandma. I also think of other dates during the holiday season – March 5th, September 4th, March 23rd, August 13th, September 18th, January 5th, and July 26th that all hold meaning and significance to me.

I know you have dates you hold close to you as well. What are the ones you think about this time of year and what do they mean to you? Do they cause you celebration and happiness or do they cause you some sadness and pain? You can list them in the comments without any explanation and I’d be happy to say a prayer for you and keep you in my thoughts.

It’s ok to embrace it all this time of year, and like my grandma, to go on living the best you know how.

“Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.”

The lyrics for this song have been revised and rewritten through the years including in 1957 when Frank Sinatra made a request of Martin to “jolly” them up a bit, which Martin obliged for Sinatra. The Pretenders had their own beautiful version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” on the first holiday cd I ever purchased, “A Very Special Christmas.” The album was produced by Jimmy Iovine in 1987 in honor of his late father who had passed away in 1985. The album and subsequent follow up albums also doubled as fundraisers for Special Olympics organizations (of which Jimmy’s former wife Vicki was a volunteer) around the country and has raised over $100 million.

That’s Jimmy Iovine in the middle above flanked by Bono, Annie Lennox, John Cougar Mellencamp, The Boss, Run-DMC and the late Jam Master Jay. There was no official video for this particular song, but have a listen to the song on vinyl as Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders perform “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas…”

As a bonus, if you’ve never seen “Meet Me in St. Louis,” here is incomparable Judy Garland and the original version (and lyrics) of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas…”

As always, thanks for reading, and have a Merry Christmas

sincerely,

the 80’s

Isaiah 9:6

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

“I Hope When I Get Old, I Don’t Sit Around Thinking About It”

Posted on November 26, 2022 by Double K

“But I probably will.”  – Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen in his music video for "Glory Days," 1984. | Bruce springsteen the boss, Bruce springsteen, Bruce springsteen glory days

There’s a wonderful scene in the comedy series “The Office” where Ed Helms’ character, Andy Bernard, says that he wishes there was a way to know you’re actually in the “good ole days” before you leave them.  The timing of this particular scene was perfect and delivered beautifully by Helms.  It was one of the final episodes of the show, and the poignancy of the moment is just so very relatable.

Glory days yeah they’ll pass you byGlory days in the wink of a young girl’s eye

High school athletics does go by that quickly.  When you’re young and in the moment, it seems almost preposterous that it could all actually end one day.  I recall the days of two and three hour basketball practices that seemed like two and three days.  The cold winter nights and the days between games were practically weeks apart.  Whenever another week of school started on Monday morning, Friday night mine as well have been light years away.  Now in my 50’s, those days really do seem like light years ago.

Last night, I was in Harrah, Oklahoma for a high school football game.  There is always something special about a small town high school football game, but this one wasn’t an ordinary Friday night clash.  It was a state quarterfinal playoff matchup between two teams from the lowest class of Oklahoma eleven man football – Class A.  Sixty teams started the season, thirty-two of them advanced to the playoffs, but by this particular Friday night, those 32 had been whittled down to eight.  Evans Field in Harrah provided the neutral site setting featuring the 12-0 Gore Pirates taking on the 10-1 Crescent Tigers with a trip to the semi-finals on the line.

I have an aunt and her two adult children (my two younger cousins) who hail from the small town of Gore in eastern Oklahoma.  Known statewide as the birthplace of 1969 Heisman Trophy winner Steve Owens, the 2020 census shows the population at just under 1,000 people.  There was a decent chance that all 1,000 Gore residents were in Harrah on Friday night.  My cousin Kasey joked that if you ever wanted to start robbing houses in Gore, tonight was the perfect time, because even the Gore police were in Harrah.  The stadium capacity shows 2,700, and there appears to be equal amount of seating on both sides of the field, but on the side where the Gore fans sat, it was packed so do the math.

I arrived just minutes before kickoff and luckily, I found an open solo spot on the front row in front of my cousin Kim and her husband Ryan.  My Uncle Rick, my cousin Kasey and his wife Mary, and Gore “superfan” (aka Mama Duke) – my aunt Sharon (Kim and Kasey’s mother) sat another row behind Ryan and Kim.  We were all there to watch the Gore Pirates and in particular Kasey and Mary’s son, and Sharon’s grandson, Jackson Duke, a star athlete on the Gore Pirates.  I say athlete because the coaching staff uses him like a Swiss Army Knife.  He plays offense.  He plays defense.  He returns kickoffs and punts.  Heck, the kid is even the long snapper.  I did not see him with a headset on calling plays but, hey there’s still time this season.  But when you play on a small school football team, you HAVE to have kids like Jackson Duke.  And if you have enough players like that who can excel on both sides of the ball then you have a good chance of having a successful team and season.

“I had a friend was a big baseball playerBack in high schoolHe could throw that speedball by youMake you look like a fool boy.”

Gore Crescent

Jackson Duke photo credits to JIM WEBER/Special to the (Muskogee) Phoenix

Nothing quite captures a small town’s imagination, a town’s pride, and unites people like a bunch of 16, 17 & 18 year old’s with your hometown printed across their chests.  It’s a brilliant part of our psyche.  We all want to be part of something special, something historical.  People don’t care about political views or religious ideologies at high school football games.  They don’t care about how much money you have or how much education you’ve received.  Hundreds of people gather at the intersection of pride and unity dressed in the same colors and they only care about if their team can score more points than the other team.

Part of the beauty of small town football Friday nights will always belong to the fans.  Men shouting at referees for holding calls fifty yards away from the action (high school football fans have eyes like hawks apparently).  Plenty of “let’s go boys!” abounded throughout the comfortable mid-40’s evening.  There was a man behind me shouting “He was inbounds!” about a play some 60 or 70 yards away on the opposite site of the field where the play actually finished.  Once again – fans with eyes like hawks.  “I’m Journey’s grandma!” was randomly shouted by the proud grandma of Junior CB/WR Journey Shells to no one in particular and to everyone within earshot as she sauntered by me towards the end of the first quarter.

Saw him the other night at this roadside barI was walking in, he was walking out.

Approximately half the team is made up of seniors (including Jackson).  These young men will forever be bound together by a magical run that has them further in the playoffs and given them more wins than any Gore football team in history.  Will it end in a state championship?  It is certainly a possibility (25% if my math is correct), and that is ultimately the goal.  But in 10, 20, 30 years it won’t really matter as much.  These eyes of a 50 year old certainly see it differently than those of the 17 and 18 year olds running on green and white testosterone right now.  This moment in time though, these moments in time, are really all about the journey.  The destination is the state championship in two weeks on the campus of UCO in Edmond, but the journey is really the special part.  It’s what these young men will recollect to their kids and grandkids and to each other one day.  They’ll laugh and talk about touchdowns and interceptions and tackles and celebrations with their teammates and friends all under bright floodlights on patches of grass in Gore and in other small communities like Pocola and Colcord and Mounds.  They’ll recall their parents and siblings and relatives and friends ringing cowbells and roaring in unison after every score and every defensive stop.  They’ll talk about “Mama Duke” and their grandparents and uncles and aunts, and how an entire community of 1,000 strong was enamored with and cheered them on week after week.  It’s ultimately about the brotherhood and the friendships that develop and are fortified with every snap, with every play, with every game that create lifetime memories, and will bond these young men and coaches together forever regardless of the wins and losses.

Last night Jackson Duke was responsible for two interceptions (one of which was a “pick-six” – an interception returned for a touchdown), a half-back pass for a touchdown, a couple of nice kickoff returns, and numerous tackles.  He flexed after big hits on defense.  He cooly and casually accepted congratulations for the touchdowns he was part of, and he helped to lead the Gore Pirates to a 69-13 win over Crescent (Gore scored the final 49 points to finish the game after leading just 20-13 early in the 2nd quarter).

The Pirates will face another 13-0 team next Friday in the state semi-finals – the Hominy Bucks, and if they can take down Hominy they’ll face another undefeated team in the finals (the other semi-final matchup features two more undefeated teams in Colcord and Fairview).

Pick-six for a TD by JD!
Kasey, myself and the fatheads. Photo creds to Mary Duke

Three teams will be disappointed over the next two weeks leaving a sole undefeated champion.  But until the season comes to an end for the Gore Pirates (hopefully in two weeks in Edmond), I hope the fans and the coaches and particularly the players enjoy what’s left of this magical journey.  I want them to enjoy the limelight, to enjoy the signs displayed by the local businesses, to enjoy the pats on the back, the recognition from their peers and from the town, to continue being good role models for future Gore Pirates, and I want them to be present in the moment.  Yes, focus on the task at hand (beating Hominy), but also realize that this Gore Pirates football team of 2022 is in “the good ole days” right now.  I certainly do.

Yeah, just sitting back trying to recaptureA little of the glory of, well time slips awayAnd leaves you with nothing mister butBoring stories of

The lyrics to the first verse of The Boss’ #5 hit from the summer of 1985, “Glory Days” are actually autobiographical.  It’s a recount of a chance encounter Springsteen had with former Little League baseball teammate Joe DePugh in the summer of 1973.

This song has always been one of my top three favorite Springsteen songs.  I think it’s just because of the nostalgic feeling that the song creates within me the older I get, but I even recall it resonating with me as a 14 year old when it was released in 1985.  I’ve tried to feature it in different posts for years, but I could never get the post or a topic for it out of the “drafts” phase.  Finally, I did.  It made it into a published post.  All it took was inspiration from a bunch of 17 and 18 year olds and the community that has rallied behind them.  Thank you Jackson and thank you Gore Pirates.    

And as always, thanks for reading.

sincerely,

the80’s

Go Pirates!

#1 Gore fan, Sharon Duke in the middle next to Jackson.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments