I don't know if Don Williams noodles

But I do know he has the finest voice in all of country music, is a giant, and can play the funk out of some funky country, as proven in his 1982 rendition of "Tulsa Time."



Don is playing Mystic on Thursday November 4, and Black Bear Casino Friday November 5, which is the day before my birthday so I think I'll go to that one in lieu of going to see Crystal Gayle at O'Shaughnessy on Saturday November 6, my actual date of birth, as (pssssst) I hear her show at O'Shaughnessy is affiliated with an admittedly "pro-life" organization that provides financial resources to pregnant and new mothers as part of their mission, which "believe(s) in the sanctity of all human life...to encourage life by providing financial aid to women and babies in crisis, especially those women who might not choose life because of financial pressures."

A noble endeavor, to be sure, but still, I'm willing to bet the organization is a little sketchy, and besides that, girlfriend's a Republican. Yeah, so Merle Haggard is a Republican and I'd go see him in a heartbeat, unless of course the proceeds of his show were going to the purchase of PackNPlays for new mothers with the understanding that the mother's lack of a PackNPlays is the sole reason she may otherwise choose to have an abortion. Then I might not go see Merle. That's just dumb.

Anyway, what with girlfriend being as red as the blood of a fresh Nugent kill, and with her using the proceeds of her concert to ensure expecting mothers choose to carry and birth their children, children they then place in free PackNPlays, those PackNPlays providing that essential safety net that causes the mother to go "hmmmm...maybe I don't have to have an abortion, now that I have a free PackNPlay!"...aaaaaaaand I think I'd rather not be in that audience. And that audience might not want me in it. And especially on my birthday. I was an unplanned pregnancy, and my mother chose to carry and then birth me, on November 6, 30 years to the day before Crystal Gayle played the O'Shaughnessy. But she had a damned choice, and it wasn't influenced by someone giving her a damned free PackNPlay.

What is a PackNPlay anyway? They didn't have PackNPlays in 1980. They had scary play "pens" with netted siding (choking hazard when torn) and metal crank type mechanisms for lowering its sides (pinching hazard when cranked).

So - birthday party. Don Williams. Tulsa Time. Here's a guy noodling in Tulsa. Watch 'til the end. You'll be glad you did.

Travis Tritt and his sable

I haven't posted here in over a year. To make this blog seem still "fresh," I'd like to share with you a picture of Travis Tritt and his sable.


Image courtesy of jimbahsafaris.com

Travis is playing a solo acoustic set this Wednesday at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center this Wednesday. It should be good.

Look into my fridge.

Check it out. Today, my refrigerator is famous.



As is Eliot, reaching for some Frosty Paws.

(Yeah, we totally staged that. He was originally licking ice cube trays. We told him to go ahead and go for the gold. Good boy, Eliot.)

WELL HELLO

Where've I been?

Gonna be honest. I was getting sick of writing about cool shows to go to because, who cares eh?

Been writing about country music here.

Are You Ready for the Country

Check it out. Post some comments. Join me for a country show or two.

I'll return here periodically to write about meat and animals and such.



Look, a beer.

Crappy Taxidermy

Thanks to Gerard for the link. This is pretty awesome.

Crappy Taxidermy


In honor of rally week


"We had to shoot 'im. He was after the sheep again."


Seriously.

More...

Live Music/Dead Meat 2

Ho boy! Are we excited about our next installment of Live Music/Dead Meat.

Allow me to justify our excitement.

For one, the bands are just, like, a perfect fit and will guarantee a raucous evening of fun. First up is Communist Daughter, followed by 10w40, then a little Old James and finally, The Guystorm end out the night.

In case the cause for all this hubbub isn't self-evident, I'll now point out that Johnny of Communist Daughter, also of The Boxcar Restaurant in Prescott, WI, will be grillin' up catfish after his set. Exciting! 10w40, well, they just straight-up rock and if you don't know it then you've been hangin' out at the wrong rural bars and farm parties. Also exciting! And, hold on to your cowboy boots here - Old James plays, like, twice a year. And one 'a those times is usually in Texas. We're bringing 'em back up here just for you, because we love them and we love you. And The Guystorm played our inaugural LM/DM show and rocked the Turf on a Wednesday night. Far be it from us to even anticipate what they're gonna do on a Saturday at the Nomad with a bunch'a party dudes back from the damned Lone Star State. Yee haw and such.

Also exciting - complimentary catfish and game meat tastings. Duh.

And fishing giveaways!

Aw shit. If you aren't convinced yet, I GIVE UP.

Things that are exciting to me right now.

Drakkar Sauna tonight @ 7th St Entry, with openers John Swardson and Mages. 8 bucks, 8:00, 18+. I love this band, outta Lawrence, KS. Take a listen to "Mongrel of a Halfman Slave Bitch" on their myspace. I will be the one shouting out that request tonight, though if I'm any more than one sheet to the wind, I'll likely get the name wrong. Like last time.


And that, on Saturday.


The lineup for the next Live Music/Dead Meat show has been finalized:
The Guystorm, Old James (reunion!), 10w40 and Communist Daughter. We've been bending the ears of some chefs at some fabulous local restaurants specializing in seafood so we're especially excited to hook you up with some good grub.
Saturday 8/15, Nomad, 9:00, 6 bucks.

Things I Ate Today

Pig pig chicken.



Taylor Swift is real cute.

Weekend

Unimpressive, sure, but we couldn't show you the one that got away.



Speaking of which, the time, it's gotten away from us! But we're looking ahead now to our next Live Music/Dead Meat party, this one on Saturday August 15th @ Nomad World Pub. The tentative plan is to grill fish on the patio, and as per usual we'll be giving away all sorts of fun crap to complement your summer outdoor fun. Tentative lineup includes our good friends in Economy Team, a special reunion performance from Old James, and Omaha band Box Elders.

And this weekend?

God.

GOD!

K.H.O. Appreciator and I will be Partying With Him at the Basilica Block Party. We hope He likes to talk about Fishing. We'll hit the nearest confessional and try to find out. The block party begins Friday night with headlining performances by The Jayhawks and The Black Crowes and continues Saturday night, headline performances by Counting Crows, The Hold Steady and Tapes 'n Tapes. Word is the show may be a sell-out on Saturday night so get there early. I guess we're not the only folks looking to talk to angels. About fishing. Insert really lame Black Crowes joke riiiiiiiight <<<< there. And done.



We're also excited about the big opener at the new Uptown venue Sauce. Friday night features The Guystorm, Economy Team and Military Special, $5 cover, 9:30 door.

Saturday check out Chooglin's record release show, featuring Dexateens, Knife World and Fonzie Scheme @ 7th Street Entry, $6 cover, 9:00 door.

And Sunday, gasp, be still my adolescent heart, the stinkin' Meat Puppets are playing @ 7th Street Entry, with Retribution Gospel Choir and Chrash. Tight bill. $15 cover, 8:00 door.

Weekend! 5/15-5/17/09

Dudes.

You know what to do. Uh, 331 Club. Modern Cafe. Grumpy's NE. Entry/Mainroom. Good stuff abounds!

See you Sunday at THIS!

Weekend 5/1-5/3/09

Note, baby quail are very cute, and once mature are a delicious game bird but do not have much meat on their bodies and thus are not fulfilling to eat.


Weekend

Friday

Very merry birthday to Jug! Jug's Birthday Jamboree with Birthday Suits, Private Dancer, Leisure Birds and The Danforths plus DJs Paddy Costello and Danny Henry @ Turf Club, 6 bucks, 9:00.

Grand Opening of 501 Club featuring Retribution Gospel Choir, Lookbook and Communist Daughter @ 501 Club, free, 9:00.

NOMO and Military Special @ Whole Music Club, 10 bucks, 7:30. (18+)

Colin Hay @ Cedar Cultural Center, 22/25 bucks, 7:00. SOLD OUT

Mel Gibson and the Pants, Koo Koo Kanga Roo and Rambo Salinas @ Nomad, 5 bucks, 9:00.

Gold, Bouncer Fighter, Chickadee Mountain Martyrs and Manic Zamboni @ Stasiu's, 5 bucks, 9:00.

757s, The Red Flags, The Laureates and Crossing Guards @ Uptown Bar, 5 bucks, 9:00.

Eddie and the Hotrods, The Vibrators, Prima Donna and Johnny Madcap and the Distractions @ Triple Rock Social Club, 12 bucks, 9:00. (18+)

Omaur Bliss and Aby Wolf @ 331 Club, free, 9:00.

Saturday

Mannequin Men, Gay Witch Abortion and Double Bird @ 7th St Entry, 8 bucks, 9:00. (18+)

Dan Deacon & Ensemble, Future Islands and Teeth Mountain @ Triple Rock Social Club, 10 bucks, 5:00 (AA) and 9:00 (21+).
DAN DEACON & ENSEMBLE

Fort Wilson Riot, A Night in the Box, Caspiar and Reigning Knives @ Hexagon Bar, free, 9:00.

The Gourds and Orange Mothers @ Turf Club, 14 bucks, 8:00.

Prozac Rat, Royal Doomed, Via Dove and The Van Gobots @ Uptown Bar, 5 bucks, 9:00.

Dance Band and Military Special @ Cedar Cultural Center, 7:00.

Sunday

Gospel Gossip, Gentleman Reg and Colder in Moscow @ 7th St Entry, 6 bucks, 8:00. (18+)

MDC, Embrace the Kill, Mouth Sewn Shut and In Defence @ Triple Rock Social Club, 10 bucks, 5:00. (AA)

Caitlyn Smith and Ben Rosenbush @ Turf Club, 2 bucks, 9:00.

Wednesday 4/29/09

Lookbook (with d&b, no, for real d&b! d&d&b even! Ryan Olcott and Joe Johnson on drums, Jon Davis on bass), Ghostband, Radar Threat and Overthruster @ Turf Club, 4 bucks, 9:00.

Mastodon, Kylesa and Intronaut @ Fine Line Music Cafe, 20 bucks, 6:30. (18+) SOLD OUT

Horse Feathers, Joe Pug and Claire Taubenhaus @ 7th St Entry, 6 bucks, 8:00. (18+)

We Are Awesome, The Quince and The Arms Akimbo @ Uptown Bar, free, 9:00.

OH FUCK YEAH WEEKEND!

Happy New Kids on the Block Day circa 1989 Boston. Seriously. I remember this shit.

Good stuff tonight. Friday. 4/24/09.

Awwwwwfuckyeah Jucifer! and Gay Witch Abortion and The Dirty Hits @ Big V's, 6 bucks, 9:00.

Daughters of the Sun (AA release), The Blind Shake, Sarah Johnson, Mute Era and Haunted House @ GB Leighton's Pickle Park, 30 bucks, 5:00.

Classics of Love (be still my 13-year-old heart, that's ex- OpIvy), Mike Park and The Evening Rig @ Triple Rock, 10 bucks, 5:00. (AA)

The Life and Times, Story of the Sea and The Central Division @ Triple Rock, 10 bucks, 10:00. (18+)

More good stuff tomorrow night, too! Saturday 4/25/09.

Me and My Arrow (EP release), Economy Team, Speed's the Name and Wishbook @ Turf Club, 5 bucks, 9:00. I'll be there with 8hz Movement selling t-shirts and original art from posters made by members of The Guystorm, Old James and Economy Team. Super neat.





Daughters of the Sun (release show), Vampire Hands and Leisure Birds @ Hexagon, free, 9:00.

The Night Marchers, The Dynamiters and Red Pens @ Triple Rock, 11 bucks, 9:00. (18+)



Albino pheasant says have a good weekend.

4/10/09-4/12/09

Weekend



Ya dig?

Friday

Kill the Vultures (CD Release), Mel Gibson and the Pants, Mike Mictlan and Mike the 2600 King @ Triple Rock, 8 bucks, 9:00. (18+)

Speed's the Name, Beat Strings, Indigo and Clawthroat @ Nomad, 5 bucks, 9:00.

Nightinghales (CD Release), Bluebird, Zoo Animal and Black Audience @ Hexagon Bar, free, 9:00.

Chibalo and The Book of Right On @ Turf Club, 9:00.

Halloween, Alaska (CD Release), Chris Koza and Aby Wolf @ First Avenue, 8/10 bucks, 8:00. (18+)

Acid Mothers Temple and Sonic Suicide Squad @ 7th St Entry, 10 bucks, 9:00. (18+)

The Brutes, The Takeover UK, Gliss, Empire Garrison and Action Vs Action @ Uptown Bar, 5 bucks, 9:00.


Saturday

Stardeath and White Dwarfs and A Whisper in the Noise @ Turf Club, 8 bucks, 9:00.

Laundromat Vacation, The Yoleus and Samwell Rowan @ Stasiu's, 5 bucks, 9:00.

Koo Koo Kanga Roo, State and Madison and The Invincible Kids @ 7th St Entry, 6 bucks, 4:30. (AA)

Lily Allen and Natalie Portman's Shaved Head @ First Avenue, 25 bucks, 7:00. (18+)

Young Brides, Hot Panda and We Became Actors @ Uptown Bar, 5 bucks, 9:00.

Sunday

Mt St Helen's Vietnam Band, His Mischief and Mines @ 7th St Entry, 7 bucks, 8:00. (18+)

Richard Buckner and Martin Devaney @ Turf Club, 12 bucks, 9:00.

4/8/09

WEDNESDAY

Quintron & Miss Pussycat, Psychedelic Horseshit and France Has the Bomb @ 7th St Entry, 8/10 bucks, 9:00. (18+)

RIPS, Slapping Purses, Blank Dogs and White Mice @ Turf Club, 9:00.

Burning Star Core, Paul Metzger, Wasteland Jazz Unit and Visions of Christ @ Big V's, 5 bucks, 9:00.

Paul Daugherty Trio and Brasstronaut @ Uptown Bar, free, 9:00.

3/27-29/09

WEEKEND

Friday

Mainfestation Pre-Show with Cecil Otter, The Battle Royale, Big Cats and El Guante @ 7th St Entry, 7 bucks, 4:00. (AA)

Substance Presents Manifestation with Sage Francis, B. Dolan, Building Better Bombs, Cecil Otter and The God Damn Doo Wop Band @ First Avenue, 13/15 bucks, 8:00. (18+)

Ariel Pink, Cryptacize and Haunted House @ Triple Rock, 12 bucks, 10:00. (18+)

The Evening Rig, The Millionth Word and The Remote Age @ 7th St Entry, 6 bucks, 9:00. (18+)

Self Evident, Dallas Orbiter, All the Way Rider and Guzzlemug @ Hexagon Bar, 9:00.

Distant Stations: A Tribute to the Mountain Goats with shugE, Bill Caperton, Gentry Boeckel, Ben Cook-Feltz, Ian McCowan, Brian Whitson, Nightwolves, Chris Koza and Tiger Gash @

Me and My Arrow, The Idle Hands and Sun in the Satellite @ Uptown Bar, 5 bucks, 9:00.

Shit Yeah Girl, Hearts for Andrew, Claw Like Things and The Funeral and the Twilight @ Big V's, 5 bucks, 9:00.

CWN ANNWN, Quazar, The Skintones and Orange Blank @ Stasiu's, 5 bucks, 9:00.

Saturday

Birthday Suits, Gay Witch Abortion, Double Bird and Loose Limbs @ Triple Rock, 6 bucks, 9:00.

Astronautalis, Bleubird and Cecil Otter @ Uptown Bar, 6 bucks, 9:00.

The Rockford Mules, The Pack A.D. and Luther and the Devil @ Turf Club, 9:00.

Sunday

Chickadee Mountain Martyrs, Everthus the Deadbeat and The Ex-Lovers @ Nomad.

House of Mercy Presents We are the Willows, Alison Rae and House of Mercy Band @ Turf Club, 9:00.

Barton Stink, Tough Tough Skin, Entropist Monk and Red Means Go @ Big V's, 5 bucks, 9:00.

3/23/09

That turkey hunter's gone a little overboard.

Monday

Ghostband, Brutal Becomings, Tim Glen and Take Acre @ Big V's, 5 bucks, 9:00.

The Yum Yums, Skipper and The Bluebirds @ Memory Lanes, 10:00.

3/20-22/09

WEEKEND

Friday

The Blind Shake, Haunted House, Velvet Davenport and Leisure Birds @ Hexagon Bar, free, 9:00.

Mel Gibson and the Pants, Hyder Ali (CD Release) and Kristoff Kane @ Turf Club, 5/6 bucks, 9:00.

Total Fucking Blood, Kill to Kill, Small White and Eye of the Great Protector @ Triple Rock, 5 bucks, 10:00.

Story of the Sea, Traindodge, Self-Evident and The Great Shark Hunt @ Uptown Bar, 5 bucks, 9:00.

FoodTeam @ the Dakota, 5 bucks, 10:30.

Saturday

The Danforths, The Deaths and The Nina The Pinta @ Turf Club, 9:00.

Supercollider, Coltrane Motion, Prozac Rat and G-Biz @ Hexagon Bar, free, 9:00.

The Wannabe Hasbeens, Future Antiques, 3D Jamboree and The Arrest @ Triple Rock, 6 bucks, 9:00. (18+)

Sunday

Little Man (solo) and John Ewing @ Turf Club, 9:00.

"Afterbirth of the Cool" featuring Jim Anton, Tommy Barbarella and Stokely Williams @ Kitty Cat Klub, 9:00.

3/19/09

YAAAAAAAAAWN

Not much happenin' in town what with everyone and their second-cousin down South.

But we'll be here tonight, and perhaps you oughta be, too. Just a suggestion.

Count Vesuvius, Chibalo and Central Division @ 7th St Entry, 5 bucks, 8:00. (18+)

3/16/09

Fun times in the Midway tonight!

First, head over to the Dubliner for a St. Patrick's Day Eve tent party. Starts at 7:00 with Private Dancer, followed by Gay Witch Abortion at 8 and The Blind Shake at 9. 5 bucks gets you in.

Then, head over to the Turf Club for Black Lips, Gentleman Jesse & His Man and Vampire Hands, 13 bucks if you can get your hands on a ticket, doors are stated as 8:00 but I'll bet if you stay for Blind Shake you'll get to the Turf at just about the right time.

No tickets for Turf? Then head over to Big V's for Camel of the Sea, Oui Bandits, Lazer Forever and Living Ghost. Probably about 5 bucks, probably open the doors around 9.