My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!
Still looking for my fix of cherry flavors. I've been having to settle for cherry coke, but that's fine. While I search for some cherry for me, here's some cherry results for you...
Battle of the Bands Results
My most recent Battle was a showdown between Tommy James and the Shondells (which most of you knew) and The Good Rats (which is a much lesser known band), each with their own "cherry" flavored song. I like TJ's "Sweet Cherry Wine" much better now than when it originally came out--especially knowing what the song is about. I always liked the song, but it struck me as light pop and not as edgy as what I was mostly listening to back then. And even though I like the James song better now, this was not my vote.
The Good Rats have long been a favorite band of mine and to me the song "Cherry River" is one of their best. I can remember so many late night drives when I'd have this song cranked up on my van stereo. Seems like the appropriate kind of song on occasions such as that. So, as I'm sure you can guess, my vote goes to The Good Rats, who in this case were good, but not good enough for the win.
Final Vote Tally
Tommy James 8 votes
Good Rats 4 votes
******************
Next Battle ????
Since I've got an especially busy schedule over the next few weeks I'm not going to commit to any Battle until July 1st. If I can manage, I'll try to visit everyone else's Battles. I'll probably have very little access to being on line for most of June. So, see you when things get back to normal. Or kind of normal...
Cherries! I love cherry flavor. Don't know about cherry wine or other cherry alcoholic drinks since I don't think I've had any. But it does sound good to me!
Battle of the Bands
Battle of the Bandsisthe blogging event started byFar Away Seriesand now hosted byStMcC Presents Battle of the Bands. This event happens each month on the 15th and on some there is also a Battle on the 1st of the month. My blog is one of those with a second Battle excepting over these summer months. The premise is simple: Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it. Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.
Cherry Booze Battle
I'm jumping back onto the Battle of the Booze theme. I had to think about the song possibilities for awhile but then the song "Cherry River" started chugging through my brain which made me start thinking about "Cherry Wine". I'll take some of what both these songs' singers are talking about. And if it's cherry flavored then what's not to love? Which of these songs do you enjoy the most?
This song came out during my senior year of high school. I had enjoyed Tommy James and his band for several years, but in 1968 Tommy started turning out some Jesus related music that was excellent. He was like one of the earliest Christian rock artists I guess. It's not hard to figure out what this song is about. It was a pretty big hit back in it's day.
I discovered The Good Rats in 1970 when I was in college at the University of Tennessee. I read a review of the band in a classical music magazine then went and bought the album, which I thought was pretty good. Then the band disappeared from my radar after that. Over a decade later I started finding several of their albums in cut-out bins so I started buying them up. The later albums were even better than the one I already had. The song "Cherry River" is one of my favorite songs that the band did. I don't know what's in that river they're singing about, but I think I'd like some of it. Now if someone can just find that river again...
Time to Vote! Come on and vote--please! If you don't then go jump in a river. But I don't want you to do that. Just take a listen to the songs then tell us which song version you like best? Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind. You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste.
Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours. I don't know if anyone else will be doing a Battle this time around, but you can still check out these sites. Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts: StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands 'Curious as a Cathy' Sound of One Hand Typing Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
I guess today is that day--or whatever day I post this.
I'll try for Wednesday....
Battle of the Bands Results
Okay, I'll make this quick. I've got things to do. Never mind what.
My most recent Battle was the song "Under Paris Skies" as performed by Jane Morgan and Nicki Parrott. I've been a fan of Jane Morgan since I can't recall when so I'm giving her my vote. Loved the arrangement of NIcki's version with the accordion and mandolin and all, but Morgan's version had so much class. But here's how it all tallied up in the end...
Final Vote Tally
Jane Morgan 5 votes
NIcki Parrott 11 votes
See ya later! Maybe I'll do a midmonth Battle, but I'll decide that later. Bye..
Another Blogging from A to Z is behind us and now to get back to regular programming. Today we have a two-fer that is pretty much what I regularly do here each month...
May 1 question - How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you?
Distractions don't turn my life into a total train wreck, but they often "derail" me onto a sidetrack that I hadn't planned on going down. And if those sidetracks don't find me then I'll sometimes look for them.
I've often had a problem with focus. There's always something for me to do that seems more fun, more interesting, or more useful than what I started out to do. That especially applies to writing. I may want to write, but it seems like a necessary chore comes up or someone calls on the phone or I just feel the need to do something, anything other than the writing that I thought I needed to do.
I guess I should write more than I do, but then again...
Time for another distraction I think...
Battle of the Bands
Battle of the Bandsisthe blogging event started byFar Away Seriesand now hosted byStMcC Presents Battle of the Bands. This event happens each month on the 15th and on some there is also a Battle on the 1st of the month. My blog is one of those with a second Battle excepting over these summer months. The premise is simple: Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it. Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.
Under Paris Skies
In November of 2015 my wife and I took a week-end respite to link up with one of our daughters and her family in Las Vegas. For them it was due to business, while for us it was just something to do--a distraction from everyday routine.
As we would typically do on a Las Vegas visit, we spent hours strolling through the casinos, playing an occasional slot or snacking or just looking. One of our favorite casinos for strolling is The Venetian which for its theme has canals with singing gondoliers taking folks through the maze of waterways that meander through recreated Venice style streets. There are jewelry shops and gelato stands. One can dine on fancy Italian fare or grab fast food in the food court. If you just stayed in this casino alone you might lose track of time because the fake sky is always daylight. The Venetian like most other casinos is a fantasyland of escapism.
At one point during our visit, I was distracted by a musical ensemble playing music that was reminiscent of what one might hear in Italy. What especially caught my ear was a song that I had grown up hearing on the radio and in my parents' record collection. What was the song? I was so puzzled by wondering the name of this familiar tune that I was compelled to go up to the edge of the stage when they had finished and ask the violinist what they had just played. He told me that the song was "Under Paris Skies" which I would have never guessed.
But now I know the name of this song and present it in Battle format with one singer I've heard throughout my life, Jane Morgan, and a singer I'd never heard of before, Nicki Parrott. I'm going to pick my own favorite later on, but for now I invite you to listen for yourself and tell us which version you like best.
Time to Vote! Try not to get distracted before you vote. Take a moment to listen to each version. Then tell us which song version do you like best? Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind. You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste.
Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours. I don't know if anyone else will be doing a Battle this time around, but you can still check out these sites. Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts: StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands 'Curious as a Cathy' Sound of One Hand Typing Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
I'll try not to get too distracted so I can post the results. I know you will all be waiting anxiously to hear which song came out with the most votes.
