"His reign as King of the Blues has been as long as that of any monarch on earth. Yet B.B. King continues to wear his crown well." - B.B. King's website claims. This is not unfounded. At 85 years of age, B.B. King is still making music, still touring, and still giving us all of that great entertainment that he always has. B.B. King's music is more than just soulful, it defines soul.
I got the rare opportunity to see B.B. on his 2008 North American Tour at the SIU Arena in Carbondale, IL. This was a landmark moment in my life simply because B.B. King has been my favorite guitarist and favorite musician from a very young age. I first heard B.B. when I was 10 years old, which was when I decided that I wanted to learn the guitar and play like B.B. King.
B.B. is not just a musician, but a wise leader of the blues genre. Last month, at 85 years of age, he announced dates for a continuation of his current US tour, and this week announced 2011 Australian dates. We hope to see many years to come from this living legend.
Below are 2 videos from the Carbondale show in which I attended, and 1 high quality video from a different show
Sunday, December 5, 2010
America's Most Wanted? Give Me A F***ing Break
I spoke in an earlier post about Shotgun Willie's troubles with the police and marijuana laws. The war on drugs has been putting thousands of absolutely harmless people in jail each year since the Reagan administration. I'm not saying that all of the people in jail don't deserve to be there, many of them do. However, when it comes to the laws of marijuana we must ask ourselves: what's more dangerous, the plant or the people who outlaw it? Case in point: let's turn our attention to a much more publicized, corruption-drenched arrest.
FBI and DA targeted Tommy Chong of the comedy group "Cheech and Chong" as part of the federal investigation called "Operation Pipe Dream", or as I refer to it: Operation Ball Buster. On the morning February 23, 2003 agents from the FBI came beating on Chong's door in full riot gear, guns drawn.
What could comedian Tommy Chong have done to provoke this violent of a raid on his home? Well, the warrant was issued for his arrest after he sold a bong, a glass water pipe, across state lines. The bong was from Chong's line of "Chong Glass", which was founded by his son, Paris. Tommy Chong was sentenced to 9 months in federal prison.
The estimated cost of Operation Pipe Dream was over $12 million and included the resources of 2,000 law enforcement officers. Why does our government seem so hell-bent on making such a harmless substance a threat of national security? When we have a multi-trillion dollar budget deficit, doesn't it seem a little irresponsible to spend $12 million on a sting operation to put people who sell glass pipes in jail? Especially if we legalized, regulated it, and taxed it, we could stimulate our economy and reduce national debt by a considerable amount.
Why is pot still illegal? We all know why it became illegal in the first place - William R. Hurst's smear campaign against marijuana in order to solidify his place at the head of the paper industry. But why is it STILL illegal? Below i've listed facts from Drug Policy Alliance and SAFERchoice.org. These are scientific facts, not drug war slander or televised propaganda. Marijuana is not a dangerous drug, look at the facts.
FBI and DA targeted Tommy Chong of the comedy group "Cheech and Chong" as part of the federal investigation called "Operation Pipe Dream", or as I refer to it: Operation Ball Buster. On the morning February 23, 2003 agents from the FBI came beating on Chong's door in full riot gear, guns drawn.
What could comedian Tommy Chong have done to provoke this violent of a raid on his home? Well, the warrant was issued for his arrest after he sold a bong, a glass water pipe, across state lines. The bong was from Chong's line of "Chong Glass", which was founded by his son, Paris. Tommy Chong was sentenced to 9 months in federal prison.
The estimated cost of Operation Pipe Dream was over $12 million and included the resources of 2,000 law enforcement officers. Why does our government seem so hell-bent on making such a harmless substance a threat of national security? When we have a multi-trillion dollar budget deficit, doesn't it seem a little irresponsible to spend $12 million on a sting operation to put people who sell glass pipes in jail? Especially if we legalized, regulated it, and taxed it, we could stimulate our economy and reduce national debt by a considerable amount.
Why is pot still illegal? We all know why it became illegal in the first place - William R. Hurst's smear campaign against marijuana in order to solidify his place at the head of the paper industry. But why is it STILL illegal? Below i've listed facts from Drug Policy Alliance and SAFERchoice.org. These are scientific facts, not drug war slander or televised propaganda. Marijuana is not a dangerous drug, look at the facts.
- Myth: Marijuana Kills Brain Cells. Used over time, marijuana permanently alters brain structure and function, causing memory loss, cognitive impairment, personality deterioration, and reduced productivity.
- Fact: None of the medical tests currently used to detect brain damage in humans have found harm from marijuana, even from long term high-dose use. An early study reported brain damage in rhesus monkeys after six months exposure to high concentrations of marijuana smoke. In a recent, more carefully conducted study, researchers found no evidence of brain abnormality in monkeys that were forced to inhale the equivalent of four to five marijuana cigarettes every day for a year. The claim that marijuana kills brain cells is based on a speculative report dating back a quarter of a century that has never been supported by any scientific study.
- Marijuana is far less toxic and less addictive than alcohol.
- Long-term marijuana use is far less damaging than long-term alcohol use.
- Alcohol use contributes to aggressive behavior and acts of violence, whereas marijuana use reduces the likelihood of violent behavior.
- Myth: Marijuana Has No Medicinal Value. Safer, more effective drugs are available. They include a synthetic version of THC, marijuana's primary active ingredient, which is marketed in the United States under the name Marinol.
- Fact: Marijuana has been shown to be effective in reducing the nausea induced by cancer chemotherapy, stimulating appetite in AIDS patients, and reducing intraocular pressure in people with glaucoma. There is also appreciable evidence that marijuana reduces muscle spasticity in patients with neurological disorders. A synthetic capsule is available by prescription, but it is not as effective as smoked marijuana for many patients. Pure THC may also produce more unpleasant psychoactive side effects than smoked marijuana. Many people use marijuana as a medicine today, despite its illegality. In doing so, they risk arrest and imprisonment.
Independent Horror Heaven: The Devil's Chair
I love movies, particularly horror flicks. Often I enjoy going to the local movie store and renting three or four movies and just making a night of it. Recently I rented a movie called "The Devil's Chair". I was cautious at first because it is obviously an independent film, and as we all know independent films have the tendency to be major flops. It was in the $1 dvd section, though, so I took the chance.
Much to my surprise, the film was fantastic. The special effects were incredible for such a low budget movie, and the storyline is something new and far out.
The synopsis is summarized as such: Searching for thrills, Nick West and his girlfriend run off to an abandoned insane asylum to drop acid (in retrospect that was probably a horrible idea in the first place). But when his date sits on a mysterious chair, she is mutilated and her body is dragged away into some unseen demonic abyss. When Nick tells the police what happened, he is locked away. Four years later, the professor who has been studying his behavior takes Nick and three other psychology students to the asylum where the horrific murder took place. Past this, all hell breaks loose.
The movie is terrific. Great story, great actors, great effects, this is an all-in-one package. Most folks don't get to see these types of independent films due to lack of advertisement funds. Many of these movies are very in depth, artistic, and innovative. Check this one out!
Much to my surprise, the film was fantastic. The special effects were incredible for such a low budget movie, and the storyline is something new and far out.
The synopsis is summarized as such: Searching for thrills, Nick West and his girlfriend run off to an abandoned insane asylum to drop acid (in retrospect that was probably a horrible idea in the first place). But when his date sits on a mysterious chair, she is mutilated and her body is dragged away into some unseen demonic abyss. When Nick tells the police what happened, he is locked away. Four years later, the professor who has been studying his behavior takes Nick and three other psychology students to the asylum where the horrific murder took place. Past this, all hell breaks loose.
The movie is terrific. Great story, great actors, great effects, this is an all-in-one package. Most folks don't get to see these types of independent films due to lack of advertisement funds. Many of these movies are very in depth, artistic, and innovative. Check this one out!
Renegade Willie And The Teapot Bandits
When it comes to celebrities advocating the use and legalization of marijuana, many do not look further than trusty ol' Willie Nelson. Legendary country singer Willie Nelson has always been the leader of outlaw country, in the same genre of Waylon Jennings, David Allen Coe, and Merle Haggard. Nelson, now at age 77, is still carrying the outlaw banner high...with high being the keyword.
Nelson's tour bus pulled into a routine checkpoint in Sierra Blanca, Texas -- approximately 85 miles east of El Paso -- around 9 a.m. on Friday. When an officer noticed a suspicious odor coming from the bus, a search turned up the marijuana, police said. Police confiscated 6 ounces of grass from the tour bus. Nelson claimed that it all belonged to him.
"There's the Tea Party. How about the Teapot Party? Our motto: We lean a little to the left." Nelson wants to prompt a political party entitled the "Teapot party" in support of the legalization of marijuana.
"Tax it, regulate it and legalize it," Nelson continued in his email to CelebStoner. "And stop the border wars over drugs. Why should the drug lords make all the money? Thousands of lives will be saved."
Nelson, a staunch advocate of decriminalization of marijuana, has had his share of drug-related brushes with the law. In Louisiana in 2006, 1.5 pounds of marijuana and three ounces of hallucinogenic mushrooms were found on his bus...which is a s**t ton. Nelson pleaded guilty in that case and each was sentenced to a $1,024 fine and six months probation. In 1995 Nelson was also arrested in Waco, Texas, and police officers said they saw a joint in his car's ashtray. Nelson had pulled off the road to sleep after an all night poker game. At the time he also confessed that there was small amount of marijuana on the car's floorboard.
God Bless Renegade Willie
Nelson's tour bus pulled into a routine checkpoint in Sierra Blanca, Texas -- approximately 85 miles east of El Paso -- around 9 a.m. on Friday. When an officer noticed a suspicious odor coming from the bus, a search turned up the marijuana, police said. Police confiscated 6 ounces of grass from the tour bus. Nelson claimed that it all belonged to him.
"There's the Tea Party. How about the Teapot Party? Our motto: We lean a little to the left." Nelson wants to prompt a political party entitled the "Teapot party" in support of the legalization of marijuana.
"Tax it, regulate it and legalize it," Nelson continued in his email to CelebStoner. "And stop the border wars over drugs. Why should the drug lords make all the money? Thousands of lives will be saved."
Nelson, a staunch advocate of decriminalization of marijuana, has had his share of drug-related brushes with the law. In Louisiana in 2006, 1.5 pounds of marijuana and three ounces of hallucinogenic mushrooms were found on his bus...which is a s**t ton. Nelson pleaded guilty in that case and each was sentenced to a $1,024 fine and six months probation. In 1995 Nelson was also arrested in Waco, Texas, and police officers said they saw a joint in his car's ashtray. Nelson had pulled off the road to sleep after an all night poker game. At the time he also confessed that there was small amount of marijuana on the car's floorboard.
God Bless Renegade Willie
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Crazy People Are Crazy
A news report that was released on Friday captivated music fans around the world. With a tag-line like "John Lennon's Murderer Reveals Motive", who wouldn't be even a little interested? If you're at all like me, you grew up loving John Lennon. Every generation has. Lennon was just one of those historic characters that will never be forgotten.
Lennon's life ranged from being in quite possibly the biggest "phenomenon" bands of all time (the Beatles), to being a highly respected, and sometimes feared (see "The U.S. vs. John Lennon") political figure that preached nothing but peace and love. John Lennon was so famous that when he spent a week in bed with his new wife, it became a front page headline called "Bed In For Peace".
On December 8th, 1980 at 11 p.m., the international man of peace became a victim of mindless violence. John Lennon was murdered outside of the Dakota building where he was living in New York City by Mark David Chapman. It's impossible to imagine, at any level, how someone who devoted his life to preaching peace could end in such a non-peaceful way. An even more shocking fact is that at the time of the murder, Chapman showed no remorse; rather looking at the instance in a very "matter of fact" way. In initial reports, when the first witness on the scene arrived at Lennon's side he turned to Chapman (who was already sitting down on the sidewalk reading his copy of The Catcher in the Rye that he had been carrying around) and screamed "what have you done?", Chapman replied in a calm tone "I just shot John Lennon"
Last Friday a report was released from numerous news vessels that Mark Chapman has released a statement as to why he killed the late great John Lennon. "I wasn't thinking clearly," Chapman said, according to a published transcript of the interview. "I made a horrible decision to end another human being's life, for reasons of selfishness." He added: "I felt that by killing John Lennon I would become somebody and instead of that I became a murderer, and murderers are not somebodies."
So there you have it, one of the greatest artistic minds was taken from his wife, young children, and millions of adoring fans because one guy "wasn't thinking clearly" and wanted to become famous. Isn't it twisted that one crazy person can take so much from so many people. John Lennon, at merely the age of 40 and in great health, had so much ahead of him. Think what greatness he could achieve in life if he would be still alive today. The message here is: make the most out of the time you have, because you never know when your card is up. Live life for the moment. Memento mori.
p.s. Mark Chapman also stated that along with John Lennon, he had a list of people he wanted to kill. The list included actress Elizabeth Taylor and Johnny Carson. John Lennon was just "the top of the list"
Lennon's life ranged from being in quite possibly the biggest "phenomenon" bands of all time (the Beatles), to being a highly respected, and sometimes feared (see "The U.S. vs. John Lennon") political figure that preached nothing but peace and love. John Lennon was so famous that when he spent a week in bed with his new wife, it became a front page headline called "Bed In For Peace".
On December 8th, 1980 at 11 p.m., the international man of peace became a victim of mindless violence. John Lennon was murdered outside of the Dakota building where he was living in New York City by Mark David Chapman. It's impossible to imagine, at any level, how someone who devoted his life to preaching peace could end in such a non-peaceful way. An even more shocking fact is that at the time of the murder, Chapman showed no remorse; rather looking at the instance in a very "matter of fact" way. In initial reports, when the first witness on the scene arrived at Lennon's side he turned to Chapman (who was already sitting down on the sidewalk reading his copy of The Catcher in the Rye that he had been carrying around) and screamed "what have you done?", Chapman replied in a calm tone "I just shot John Lennon"
Last Friday a report was released from numerous news vessels that Mark Chapman has released a statement as to why he killed the late great John Lennon. "I wasn't thinking clearly," Chapman said, according to a published transcript of the interview. "I made a horrible decision to end another human being's life, for reasons of selfishness." He added: "I felt that by killing John Lennon I would become somebody and instead of that I became a murderer, and murderers are not somebodies."
So there you have it, one of the greatest artistic minds was taken from his wife, young children, and millions of adoring fans because one guy "wasn't thinking clearly" and wanted to become famous. Isn't it twisted that one crazy person can take so much from so many people. John Lennon, at merely the age of 40 and in great health, had so much ahead of him. Think what greatness he could achieve in life if he would be still alive today. The message here is: make the most out of the time you have, because you never know when your card is up. Live life for the moment. Memento mori.
p.s. Mark Chapman also stated that along with John Lennon, he had a list of people he wanted to kill. The list included actress Elizabeth Taylor and Johnny Carson. John Lennon was just "the top of the list"
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Not the Life For Everyone
Have you ever considered just packing up some clothes, hopping in your car and heading off away from trouble, away from responsibility, and away from all the constraints of your mundane life? Some would call them drifters, some would call them bums, but where I come from we have a special name for a few of them. They're called "Dead Heads". That's right, referring to the "Grateful Dead". Throughout the entire stretch from the mid 60's all the way into the early 90's, the Dead toured all over the country playing their own brand of down home, bluesy, counterculture music.
Well, for the most part touring with the band were the fans. You may call them dedicated, most called them crazy, but they seemed to be happy. The fans seemed to be so entranced by the music, and the beauty of the peace among each other that they discovered, that they just left everything. They left their homes, they left their jobs, and most left their families.
The Dead Heads toured all over with the band; going to shows, enjoying herbal remedies, and living peacefully among one another, living on love. Although this may seem a little odd to you, you should listen to what these people have to say. It's so alien to most of mainstream culture to not be tied down by everything in your life and to live totally free. These people may have been drifters, but maybe that's what it takes to be happy. You never know, there might be a Dead Head inside you too.
Well, for the most part touring with the band were the fans. You may call them dedicated, most called them crazy, but they seemed to be happy. The fans seemed to be so entranced by the music, and the beauty of the peace among each other that they discovered, that they just left everything. They left their homes, they left their jobs, and most left their families.
The Dead Heads toured all over with the band; going to shows, enjoying herbal remedies, and living peacefully among one another, living on love. Although this may seem a little odd to you, you should listen to what these people have to say. It's so alien to most of mainstream culture to not be tied down by everything in your life and to live totally free. These people may have been drifters, but maybe that's what it takes to be happy. You never know, there might be a Dead Head inside you too.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
A Little Bit About Myself
Well, as with any introduction I'll start by saying hello, my name's Travis. I'm currently 18 and aspiring to work in cinematography after college. I'm very passionate about music, my family, my country, and the things I stand for (as you may see later in this very blog). I love to play music. Learning new instruments is fun, but the guitar is my first love. Ever since the first notes of "Bell Bottom Blues" by: Derek and the Dominoes hit me, or the first time I heard "Three O Clock Blues" by: B.B. King, the guitar has been my identity.
I'm now realizing how hard it is for me to write about myself. I just simply don't like it. Therefore, I think I just want for this blog to be on simple observations on the world around us. Whatever is interesting that week: news, life, the pursuit of the American dream, or just things that stick in my craw.
Alright, I'm all out of things to say for this evening. So, I feel the best way to end this is with a video of a cute kitten (and if you hate cute kittens, well, then, you're a terrorist).
p.s. my apologies if the video doesn't work, I'm a beginner with these new-fangled technology boxes.
I'm now realizing how hard it is for me to write about myself. I just simply don't like it. Therefore, I think I just want for this blog to be on simple observations on the world around us. Whatever is interesting that week: news, life, the pursuit of the American dream, or just things that stick in my craw.
Alright, I'm all out of things to say for this evening. So, I feel the best way to end this is with a video of a cute kitten (and if you hate cute kittens, well, then, you're a terrorist).
p.s. my apologies if the video doesn't work, I'm a beginner with these new-fangled technology boxes.
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