Enjoying today (Tuesday). Playing hooky from the computer for a while. 27 degrees out! and last time I checked the date it was mid-October. No coat, no sweater, no closed-toed shoes….wonderful. The cold will arrive soon enough so enjoy these gorgeous days while you can.
Life happens (or maybe it occurs), either way my plans for today’s column were short circuited by a few happenstance events that tumbled into each other this past weekend. A visit, a text, a ticket, a song and two remarkable performances by two gifted artists. One who is just beginning on his journey and another who’s journey began over 50 years ago. This is the blues.
Personally it’s been, indubitably, a year of massive, incredible change….a complete turnaround….a 360….that’s two 180’s, and I’m still spinning. It’s been jam packed full of opportunities, challenges, reconnections, new connections, bags of music, loads of dancing, early mornings, late nights, no sleep, G&T’s, club hopping, previews and reviews, outdoor patios, fast food, fine dining, ear-splitting bands, (did I mention dancing), photo shoots, video shoots and writing. Okay, deep breath, plunging in, here we go….the year in review. Really!! ….and WELCOME BACK!
We left you last week at the lobby bar of the Sheraton with Bobby Curtola, Jay Sparrow and Greg Godovitz. As with most conventions the premium site for socializing is the lobby bar (and, in more recent years, the outdoor smoking area).
You would have had to be living under a rock to miss the run up to Diane Sawyer’s two hour interview with Bruce Jenner on Friday, April 23. Jenner was dubbed the “world’s greatest athlete” after winning the Olympic Gold Decathlon in 1976, and has been the object of snide insinuations and ridiculing photos in the yellower media (and even the New York Times) for the last several months as he appeared to be transitioning from male to female before our prying eyes.
Before we go back to the Christmas playlist let’s recap the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame Class of Class of 2013. When the long list was revealed a few months back I predicted who would, and wouldn’t, be inducted this year. With the exception of Deep Purple I was pretty close to the mark picking my top five as Deep Purple, Randy Newman, Public Enemy, Donna Summer and Rush. All but the mighty Deep Purple were given the nod as well as the late guitarist Albert King and Heart. Congrats to all.
Before we talk about the Hall of Fame in Cleveland there are a couple of local Hall Of Famers that need to be addressed.
Hearty congratulations to local radio legend John Donabie on his forthcoming induction to the Canadian Broadcast Industry Hall Of Fame. John will be honoured on Thursday March 21, 2013, at the annual Canadian Music Week festivities.
Bullseye Records of Canada
Segarini: Don't Believe a Word I Say 