Suffering from severe diabetes, 82 yr old icon B B King had children and grandchildren in his Little Rock audience last Friday. Some had never heard him play. Here are a couple of clips from BB's show:
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
BB King & Willie Nelson in Little Rock, Arkansas
An afternoon shower left hot heavy humid air without much breeze down by the river in Little Rock, where iconic legends B B King and Willie Nelson provided outstanding glimpses into their past and present. B B opened, and out came Willie for some stage time with his longtimne friend:
B. B. kicked into Nite Life and Nelson nostalgia as he closed his portion on the concert:
Then after a break to re set the stage for Willie's show, Hogs were admirably called, and Willie, kicked off a non-stop round of decades of hits, starting as always with "Whiskey River":
He simply can't play 'em all, but at 75 in this sweltering humid heat, he did his fair share.
I heard a guy say he left off so many songs from his typical extended songlist. He didn't play "Georgia on my MInd"! Willie was absent a long time guitarist and vocalist Jody Payne to retirement. It was great to see these guys, their history, B B's family running around the audience. Remembering the impact they've had on American culture and our lives. Worth every nickle to me, and then some.
B. B. kicked into Nite Life and Nelson nostalgia as he closed his portion on the concert:
Then after a break to re set the stage for Willie's show, Hogs were admirably called, and Willie, kicked off a non-stop round of decades of hits, starting as always with "Whiskey River":
He simply can't play 'em all, but at 75 in this sweltering humid heat, he did his fair share.
I heard a guy say he left off so many songs from his typical extended songlist. He didn't play "Georgia on my MInd"! Willie was absent a long time guitarist and vocalist Jody Payne to retirement. It was great to see these guys, their history, B B's family running around the audience. Remembering the impact they've had on American culture and our lives. Worth every nickle to me, and then some.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Berlin Obama Moth Balls & Momma
Obama’s Berlin speech yesterday was quite impressive and amazingly presidential for his actual presumptive nominee-status. Every shot of McCain these days brings the essence of moth balls.
As many of you know, the Family Council of Arkansas has another month to gather signatures to get a measure on the ballot to ban cohabitating couples (gays and others) from fostering or adopting children in Arkansas.
My dear mother told me and old family friend was passing the Family Council’s petition around Central Baptist Church in Magnolia the other day. As it was handed to my mother for a peer-pressure signature from a decon's wife, she told the old family friend, “I can’t sign it.”
When our friend realized she had been rejected by my mother, their eyes met and Mom added, “I know too many gay people who’d make wonderful parents.”
Did I mention I love my Mom and Dad? Here's an old picture of her from thr front page of Magnolia's Banner News passing out AIDS info at her local Wal Mart in the early '90s.
The truth shall set you free. I know where my activist heart comes from, although mine carries the essence of moth balls.
As many of you know, the Family Council of Arkansas has another month to gather signatures to get a measure on the ballot to ban cohabitating couples (gays and others) from fostering or adopting children in Arkansas.
My dear mother told me and old family friend was passing the Family Council’s petition around Central Baptist Church in Magnolia the other day. As it was handed to my mother for a peer-pressure signature from a decon's wife, she told the old family friend, “I can’t sign it.”
When our friend realized she had been rejected by my mother, their eyes met and Mom added, “I know too many gay people who’d make wonderful parents.”
Did I mention I love my Mom and Dad? Here's an old picture of her from thr front page of Magnolia's Banner News passing out AIDS info at her local Wal Mart in the early '90s.
The truth shall set you free. I know where my activist heart comes from, although mine carries the essence of moth balls.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
B. B. KIng - 82 Willie Nelson-75
B. B. King returns to Little Rock July 25 (tomorrow as I'm writing) for an outdoor concert with Willie Nelson. Two major legends. I've been in awe at Willie being 75 still on a tour bus making music. B. B. King is 82. He's played concerts with legendary rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. He was a friend of Elvis'.
Twist, Arkansas, is about 45 miles northwest of Memphis. B. B. played there often back in the day. Two guys got into a fight one night in the Twist nightclub/dancehall, resulting in a kerosene fire. B. B. made it outside safely, but realized he left his $ 30 guitar in the rapidly burning building. He ran back inside. With the flaming wooden structure crumbling around him, he nearly died trying to save his guitar.
The guys who started the fire were fighting over a lady named Lucille. B. B. named his guitar Lucille to remind himself "never to do anything that foolish."
Willie finally left Nashville for Texas, where his career would flourish, when his Nashville home burned to the ground. Willie was said to have run into the burning house to retrieve a stash of premium weed.
From Farm AID to BioWillie to reforming American marijuana laws, Willie has been outspoken. Then there's the music. More importantly, the lyrics.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Willie, BB, Obama & the Batman
I’ve been very hesitant to blog for the last few months. Some things seem trivialized when posted. I’m not one to blog about the passing of loved ones for that reason.
For those who check my postings for pictures of my wonderful parents, they continue to be alive and well and dominant round their South Arkansas domino table (pics 2B included shortly).
YES I CAN and will support Barak Obama for President. If he really really needs it, I’d even send him a couple of bucks. I don’t think he needs my economic stimulus package.
Those who truly know me know I’m a hardcore Willie Nelson fan. In the late 70s, I took dear friends to see Willie with B B King in Shreveport. Willie & B B will be in Little Rock Friday, and I can’t wait to see them. It’ll be Michael’s first time.
OH, and in an effort to shake up our daily routine ‘round here, Michael and I took the time to go see the new Batman flick in IMAX Monday. Wow. We both enjoyed it a great deal. I didn't even let the not-so-great deal of 'two-sodas-and-a-bag-of-popcorn' for $14 get me down.
Back at home later that night Michael and the dogs found and confronted a bat swirling around a ceiling fan in our living room. While they handled the situation, I protected the rest of the house behind my closed bedroom door. I did bravely crack open the door long enough to attempt a picture:
For those who check my postings for pictures of my wonderful parents, they continue to be alive and well and dominant round their South Arkansas domino table (pics 2B included shortly).
YES I CAN and will support Barak Obama for President. If he really really needs it, I’d even send him a couple of bucks. I don’t think he needs my economic stimulus package.
Those who truly know me know I’m a hardcore Willie Nelson fan. In the late 70s, I took dear friends to see Willie with B B King in Shreveport. Willie & B B will be in Little Rock Friday, and I can’t wait to see them. It’ll be Michael’s first time.
OH, and in an effort to shake up our daily routine ‘round here, Michael and I took the time to go see the new Batman flick in IMAX Monday. Wow. We both enjoyed it a great deal. I didn't even let the not-so-great deal of 'two-sodas-and-a-bag-of-popcorn' for $14 get me down.
Back at home later that night Michael and the dogs found and confronted a bat swirling around a ceiling fan in our living room. While they handled the situation, I protected the rest of the house behind my closed bedroom door. I did bravely crack open the door long enough to attempt a picture:
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