The Man In Black (repost)

Music legend Johnny Cash was born February 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas.

J.R. Cash (his given the name because his parents could not agree on a name, only on initials.) was the son of poor cotton farmers, and one of seven children.His family's economic and personal struggles during the Depression inspired many of his songs, especially those about other people facing similar difficulties.
Cash's early memories were dominated by gospel music and radio. Taught by his mother and a childhood friend, Johnny began playing guitar and writing songs as a young boy.
He made his first single, "Hey Porter", for Sun Records in 1955.
In 1958 he moved to Columbia Records.
He had long periods of drug abuse during the 1960s, but later that decade he successfully fought his addiction with the help of singer June Carter Cash, whom he married in 1968.
In 1975 wrote his autobiography, "Man In Black", which is now out of print.
In the late 1980s he moved from Columbia Records to Mercury, then in the next decade moved again to American Recordings.

Amongst his biggest hit records were "I Walk the Line", "Ring of Fire" and "A Boy Named Sue".

Cash disliked being defined as a "country" artist, feeling that his music wasn't really genre-defined and noting that he often stood well outside of the Nashville mainstream (particularly towards the end of his career). Technically, his music contains elements of rock 'n' roll, folk music, bluegrass, blues and gospel as well as country-style music.
Johnny Cash is the only person besides Hank Williams to have been inducted into the Songwriters, Country Music, and Rock And Roll Halls of Fame.(Elvis Presley, Hank Williams and Johnny are the only three musicians to have been inducted both to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.)
From 1969 to 1971, Cash starred in his own television show, The Johnny Cash Show, on the ABC network. The Statler Brothers opened up for him in every episode; the Carter Family and rockabilly legend Carl Perkins were also part of the regular show entourage. However, Cash also enjoyed booking more contemporary performers as guests; such notables included Neil Young, Louis Armstrong, James Taylor, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton (then leading Derek and the Dominoes), and Bob Dylan.

Johnny Cash died of complications from diabetes, after several years of ill health, on September 12, 2003, only a few months after the death of his beloved wife.

Listen to Johnny Cash Radio.

M4GW: Frozen Wasteland

Some upset Minnesotans are sticking it to Al Gore. They want Global Warming and they want it now!



Lyrics:
Up here on the farm
We chop wood To stay Warm
We all could use some Global Warming
We all need to fight To preserve our rights
I don't want to be taxed a just for breathing
Open your eyes
Don't believe their lies
It's just a Frozen Wasteland
Al Gore is a liar
His pants are on fire
Plus he's getting rich from carbon offsets
He's loose with the facts
All he wants is a tax
Lets get together Before it gets much colder
Frozen Wasteland
Its just a Frozen Wasteland
Frozen Wasteland
Frozen Wasteland
WE'RE ALL FROZEN!!

visit the Minnesotans For Global Warming website -

because it's stupid to politicize the weather!

Sneak Preview

Enjoy what some call "one of the best-ever versions" of Not Fade Away> Jam> Goin' Down The Road> Not Fade Away, plus a rollicking take on Johnny B. Goode.

It's all part of the listening party for Road Trips Volume 3, Number 2, Austin 11/15/71.

Click Image to listen

PLAY IT LOUD!!!

"A GOOD selection of Belgian-style ales is like the very best kind of buffet, offering an assortment of flavors, aromas, styles, strengths and types"

Those that know me, know of my fondness for the Belgian ales.


The panel’s blind tasting of 20 Belgian-style ales was truly glorious, beer at its highest level.

(via New York Times)

Beer reviews always make for provocative consumption, but I would encourage all to sample the brews and draw your own conclusions.
Jimmy features an ongoing series of beer reviews at his site. I strongly suggest a visit!

Giant George is one Great Dane

This huge dog has officially entered the record books today as the world's tallest dog



The four-year-old canine weighs 245 lbs. and is a towering 7ft 3in when 'standing' on his hind legs.

Abe Vigoda is alive...

... and today's his 89th birthday!!!

Abe Vigoda grew up in New York City, the son of a tailor. He first appeared on stage at the age of 17. After serving in World War II Vigoda studied acting at the American Theater Wing. For years he played small roles on stage, screen and television. He is most recognized for playing Detective Fish on the ABC sitcom, Barney Miller.
In 1982 People magazine mistakenly reported Vigoda's death. Those rumors still persist more than 20 years later.

Abe was even in a Super Bowl ad this year.

"... General Motors is going to go bankrupt way before the CEO of Toyota is forced to come out and say 'I so sorry' to the American public"

"the media keeps talking about Toyota when they should be talking about General Motors. They are the problem!!! "

Ernest Dale Tubb (February 9, 1914–September 6, 1984)

Ernest Tubb is country music personified. He was among the first of the honky tonk singers, and the first to achieve national recognition.
Over the years, Tubb toured widely with his Texas Troubadors, pressing the flesh with fans after shows that featured his many hits, including "Slippin' Around," "Two Glasses Joe," "Tomorrow Never Comes," "Drivin' Nails in My Coffin," "Rainbow at Midnight," "Let's Say Goodbye Like We Said Hello," and "Driftwood on the River."

Tubb was one of the first country artists to record in Nashville.
In 1947, he opened the Ernest Tubb Record Shop in Nashville, which he promoted through the Midnight Jamboree, a radio program he designed to fill the post-Opry slot on the radio. That year, he became the first country star to play Carnegie Hall in New York, signaling how much he had done to increase country music's popularity across the United States.
In 1965, he became the sixth member to be inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
He was also one of the first artists inducted to the Nashville Songwriters International Hall of Fame.
In 1966, Tubb was diagnosed with emphysema and in spite of the doctors' warnings, he continued to tour and record actively into the early '70s.
In late 1982 Ernest was forced to retire due to his health. During the last days of his final tours, he had to take oxygen and rest on a cot between shows.

Ernest Tubb succumbed to emphysema on September 6, 1984, leaving behind an enormous legacy that helped shape the face of contemporary country music.

Today, his great-nephew, Lucky Tubb carries on the family's honky tonkin' legacy.

David Russell Gordon Davies

Guitarist Dave Davies turns 63 today.
Davies, along with older brother Ray, was a founding member of British rock band The Kinks.
Although Dave Davies played a largely subordinate role to his brother, he would make occasional contributions on the Kinks' records as lead vocalist and songwriter.
Dave was responsible for the signature distorted power chord riff on The Kinks' first hit, "You Really Got Me"and in 2003, Davies was ranked 88th in Rolling Stone magazine list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".

On 30 June 2004, Dave Davies suffered a stroke, but by 2006, he had recovered enough to be able to walk, talk and play guitar, and will return to touring in this year.

Jackie and Dunlap discuss PETA wanting a robotic stand-in for the beloved Groundhog Day host Punxsutawney Phil.

"by the the time they're all through, PETA have us all eatin' robot hamburgers!"

-Jackie Broyles

On one hand, PETA’s robot suggestion, while humorous, is disappointing. Where’s the militancy? Where’s the intolerance? This isn’t the extremist group that we’ve all come to know and love.