New Music

I think the state of the music industry is pretty interesting these days. Big acts like Nine Inch Nails are pretty much telling the big labels to go f%$# themselves (which I love) and acts like Madonna and Shakira are signing with Live Nation for millions of dollars (Shakira= 70 million) to break the monopoly of Ticketmaster. I think all of these things are great. I don't think people really know how musicians are shackled by the business with recoupable costs, back end points etc etc. All which comes out of these already low per unit sale. It's nice to see people fighting back. If the big guys fight back the road will be paved for the little guy.

That all being said I think it's important to support any new music that's out there. So ladies and gentleman I give you Jubilee. With Aaron North at the helm (one of my FAVORITES) these guys are fantastic. I hope they do a North American tour because when they come to Boston I'm going to get my 40 year old ass out to the club.
They've put out an EP and are working on a full length album. Here is the video - if you like the song you can go to their myspace and purchase the tracks. The money goes directly to them and I'm sure every single little bit helps. While you are exploring head over to Buddyhead (co-owned by Travis Keller and Aaron North) and check it out - it's a great music site.

Here you go....

I Could Never Figure Out....

Why these guys never really hit it big. I've seen them a bunch of times live and they are tremendous. Todd Park Mohr is a kick ass guitar player. They had the album Sister Sweetly which is where this song comes from - then they had a few radio hits but they have been mostly relegated to Adult Contemporary Radio. C'mon people this is a Rock and Roll band!!
This is my absolute favorite song by them....

Slinger - I know you like these guys too - just further proof you are my actual long lost brother.

**I've sent an email to the people who made my template - until I hear back I'm only going to post links**

Appropriate Punishment

You would have had to be hiding under a rock somewhere (or live outside the US) to not know about Michael Vick's charges of dog fighting and cruelty to animals.

He was sentenced to 23 months in jail and a one million dollar fine. There are rumors that he will have to pay back his signing bonus. Frankly I don't think that's enough. If you watch this man talk and watch him apologize it's clear he still doesn't think he's done anything wrong. The man has no soul in his eyes - it's really quite scary and frankly sad.

I don't know if he's been released from his team yet - but if he hasn't I hope they do soon. There are so many thugs in major league sports it's really disheartening. If you don't believe me read this book

This book focuses on the NFL but I'm sure that one could be written for every sport.

I'm not going to get all soap box preachy it's just that these are the men that our kids look up to. They should live up to that responsibility.




On the flip side we have LaDainian Tomlinson. He was on 60 minutes last night and the work he does off the field is much more important than what he does on the field. With his own money he gives out scholarships to students at his old high school, buys tons of presents for kids in the hospital and spends time there when he delivers them and runs at least football three camps in the summer. He doesn't just fund them - he works them.

Now imagine if every athlete who had the means to do this stuff did. What an amazing country we would have.

OK I guess I was getting on the soap box. I'll step down now.