Lots of thoughts rolling around my coconut so let’s crack it open and let em out.
THE RECENT CMA AWARDS- This year’s show was a damn good one with a healthy return to more traditional twangy country songs led by up and coming star Lainey Wilson. The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award went to Alan Jackson with the musical medley well played. Alan’s part of that stretch of songs was great and his acceptance speech was heartfelt and perfect.
THE ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY– That 4 hour commercial free event is running on HBO right now. Lots to take in. The influence of MTV was apparent with the inductions of early video stars Duran Duran, Pat Benatar & husband Neil Giraldo and Eurhythmics. Forget the pretty boy tag Duran squared got labeled with years ago, the music still holds up. A personal favorite of mine would be their early 90’s comeback song “Ordinary World.” Benatar sings at a lower pitch nowadays but still sounded great. Plus, she wears gray hair well. Giraldo’s acceptance speech was full of grace and great advice to young people. Eurythmics (Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart) have not recorded or toured in over 20 years but they didn’t miss a beat. Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp honored the late Jerry Lee Lewis with “Great Balls of Fire” which was well framed by E Street piano ace Roy Bittan shining bright on the keys. “Great Balls” is a rowdy crowd pleaser but bear in mind John Lennon used to say the greatest rock n roll song of all time was Lewis’ “Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On.”
ON THE SUBJECT OF AWARDS- In the past week, two of my dear pals were nominated for special honors. Jim Turano has been given a nom as Best Performer in a Play in the recent Invictus Theatre production of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Voting for that honor closes out on 12/31/22. You can cast a vote at this website. https://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/voteregion.cfm
And my longtime US*99 compadre Trish Biondo has been nominated to become a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame! This is due to Trish’s long years in the country genre and although she’s no longer on the radio, Trish remains a well respected and admired figure in country music. We’ll find out if she gets in come next year.
GO DUKES! The York High School varsity football Dukes deserve big props for their magical season of twelve wins and just one loss. They fell one game short of going to the championship match-up but captured the hearts and attention of not only their classmates but alumni from years ago. It was fun this year driving by York Stadium during home games and seeing the stands packed guts to butts with fans on hand to watch these young men play football.
LOSS AND NEAR LOSS– I was stunned to learn of the unexpected passing of my old college radio station manager and classmate Mark Gruhlke. Mark died on October 31st from an undetected heart issue. Strangely enough I was actually THINKING of Mark on Halloween this year as I recalled a fun time I had at a costume party he held at his parents house 40 years ago. I’ll share more thoughts on Mark in a future blog.
Former “Friends” star Matthew Perry was interviewed by Bill Maher this week as he talked up the best selling book about his years long and near fatal drug addiction. The guy’s colon exploded and he was given less than a 5% chance to survive. As Maher pointed out, it’s so easy to die and yet the human body can also show such remarkable resilience. Thinking of Mark Gruhlke and Matthew Perry, that sure is true.
MISC. STUFF-
*I have a confession to make. I cannot tell the difference between actresses Olivia Wilde, Olivia Munn and Olivia Culpo. There, I feel better saying that.
**Season 2 of “The White Lotus” is fun to follow but something nutty better be happening in this social satire series between Harper played by Aubrey Plaza and Cameron played by Theo James.
***The popularity of the Netflix series based on cannibal killer Jeffrey Dahmer makes perfect timing for the new film “Bones and All” which comes out this week. This movie is about two cannibalistic lovers. I’ll pass. When it comes to humans eating humans, my plate is full. Pun intended.
****One movie I am interested in is the reported comeback of actor Brendan Fraser in “The Whale.” Fraser plays an obese and reclusive English teacher trying to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter. “The Whale” swims into theaters on December 9th.
Here’s a murky yet intriguing preview of that movie.
Here comes actor Brendan Fraser’s comeback movie.
NEXT BLOG– I’m not sure what’s next. Stay tuned.