AAW Year in Review - 3 Year Blog-a-versary

Before we get started.... If you didn't see Obama's speech last night find it online and watch it. This was a once in 100 years speech.

Alright... here we go.... Comin' home with a bottle.... Tryin' not to break the seal...

Sorry, seriously, here we go...

AAW is this many old:

3

Here's how bad I suck a remembering birthdays. I completely forgot AAW's which is August 22.

So, I've decided to 'Want Sandy' who promised to aid me in 'membering thing I should 'member. (Who knew you could find something useful searching for porn... hey, I've got a thing for beach sex... whatareyagonnado)

5 days a week (mostly) for 3 solid years and I have to say that those 3 year have mighty, mighty fine. And 3 years solid online is like.... I should go really big here.... like a bazillion (nice... I was going to go 'gazillion' but 'bazillion' is much better.) years in non-cyber time.

Another year of bad grammar, shitty wording, and some fogged out reasoning mixed with the occasional gem, the occasional astute observation and a whole lot of rock and or roll.

Why, it seems like only 2 years ago.... wait, it was 2 years ago.... that I posted AAW's uno birthday post:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': 12 Months of Ass Whuppin'

And a mere 12 months since uno, post #2:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': 2 Years of Ass Whuppin:

"Another year has past and I'm still here and a lot more of y'all have stopped by (an additional 43,000 unique visitors since this time last year). I appreciate all y'all and the comments, emails and mailbox goodies y'all send."

And with another year comes more growth. Almost 60,000 unique visitors have stopped by since last August 22. Now this ain't Largehearted or Aquarium numbers but I'm no where near as talented as those guys. I'll take it, though, and I'm happy to have made even more friends because of ol' AAW.

Of all the friendships I've forged through AAW none are as special to me (unless I've told you, specifically, otherwise, then of course YOU are the most special) as my friendship with Jenn B. Jenn has been a golden anchor for me. The insights to love and life I've gained through my conversations with Jenn mean more to me than I could ever really put in to words. Love you, J.!

I also held a little fundraiser for the first time:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': AAW Fun(d) Raiser

Thanks to all who donated or supported this effort. You folks are the best.

An update: I'm still milking this Compaq for all that it has left. Recently it has developed some lung issues as the fan labors like it has emphysema. The car situation was remedied for a few months as a friend moved to Canada for a year and has let me use their car. And lastly, the job change has kept food in my mouth and a roof over my head, it hasn't made me rich by any stretch of the imagination, but it has allowed me greater freedom in my life.

Now, I'm sure there are many, many of you that are 'gosh-darniting' right now that you missed the opportunity to donate to ol AAW. Fret not, the lines are still open. Why, I'll even give you the link again:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': AAW Fun(d) Raiser

From time to time I like to discuss the politics (or as the kids these days like to call it...'The 'what?'') of our great nation.

Politics over the past year had me begging for Al Gore, before I fell for the handsome brotha from another motha. Here are two speeches that gave me hope in the U.S. once again:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': 'A More Perfect Union'

Alabama Ass Whuppin': "We are Americans First"

I just finished his first book Dreams of My Father and I'm even more impressed with the type of man and leader Obama is.

I fell in and out of love with several actresses and singers and women way smarter than me. Though, I don't think I'll ever get over..... I, I can't even say her name....

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Siren Song of the Snorg Chick

I've done some traveling over the past few months.

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Traveling Man

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Walk Abouts....

This is one of the better excursions evah:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': My Athens Georgia Getaway

But my heart always remains in San Francisco.

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Fightin' Giraffes

Christmas occurred again last year. Whew, avoided the wrath of baby jeebus for 12 more months. Always a good thing.

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Happy Hollandaise

And we ushered in the most promising year since..... 1992, I guess:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': 2008

Friends old and new are kicking ass in big ways:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Champions

And I lost a couple of great men in my life:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Marcus Hixon Wilson - 1920-2007

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Billy Neal Haddock - 1924-2007

Then there's that other thing that I blog about. Take it away, Nietzsche.

Without music life would be a mistake. ~Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

See, not all existentialist are gloom and doom.

My crowning jewel of the past year has to be getting my name and the blog written in the liner notes of DBT's Brighter Than Creations Dark. It is definitely in the top 3 coolest things ever to happen to me.

So, what else happened in the past year musically.....

We received an instant classic:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Scene of the Crime

Drive-by Truckers came out with their best record yet:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': The Home Front Kickoff Round-up:

"Benny was my photo journalist. I sent him A.A.W. credentials that gave him access to practically anywhere (since A.A.W. is a low budget operation the 'credentials' were just a piece of gaffers tape with A.A.W. Sharpied on it.)

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Brighter Than Creation's Dark:

"'Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Popular in these categories:
#1 in Music - Classic Rock - Southern Rock
#9 in Music - Rock
#15 in Music - Pop'"

I had the pleasure of seeing Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit early in the year. I've spoken to a couple of folks who've heard some roughs of Jason's new album and the praise could not be any better. I'm really excited for this one to come out. It will be great.

Alabama Ass Whuppin': JI400 at Slim's - San Franciso - 1/26/08

Will Hoge played with Isbell on this tour. I'd seen Will a couple times before with The Drams. Will plays some mighty fine music, puts on a killer show, and he drives his own tour bus. Bad ass.

Will had a bad accident recently. I have read that he is doing better. Thoughts go out to him and his and here's to a speedy recovery.

Musician Will Hoge is in critical condition after motorbike accident:

"Nashville rock musician Will Hoge, 35, is in critical condition in Vanderbilt University Medical Center after being involved in a motor scooter accident Wednesday evening."

Bettye LaVette and DBT got screwed at the Grammy Awards.

Alabama Ass Whuppin': DBT Grammy Week in Review - 2/8/08

Got to see The Rock Show in San Francisco. It was, of course, Tony-the-Tiger GGGGGREAT!

Alabama Ass Whuppin': DBT at The Mezzanie - SF - Preview

Alabama Ass Whuppin': DBT Amoeba Preview

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Drive-by Truckers - San Francisco - 2/13 - Part 1

Alabama Ass Whuppin': DBT - San Francisco - 2/13 and 2/14 - Part 2

I held a DBT MySpace Song Poll that was a fine success.

Alabama Ass Whuppin': DBT MySpace Songs Poll

Had a bit of a hand in the DBT shout-out on Red State Update.

Alabama Ass Whuppin': DBT on Red State Update

Slobberbone got back together recently and I wasn't at the show thus it doesn't count:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': No Man Among Men

Alabama Ass Whuppin': But it's not the same when you're not here....

And, I finally, finally saw one of my favorite bands live, Glossary:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Glossary

So, what do we have to look forward to in the coming year... hell, months?

This:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Rock and Roll Means Well

I never thought this blog would last 3 years when I started it. I thank all of my readers and all of the great friends I've made. All of the incredibe music and the wonderful people who make it.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

Now, let's see what year 4 has in store.

Oh, and one final thought.... ROLL TIDE! Season starts tomorrow!!!

History

Tomorrow will be a bit of a special post for AAW. Be sure to drop by and say 'hey'.

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It is official. History.

Being a product of the deep South if you had asked me two years ago the possibility of a black man being this close to the Presidency of the U.S.A. in augt-8 I would have bet everything I owned that it couldn't happen.

I'm damn glad to be wrong.

If Obama is elected..... nay, WHEN Obama is elected it will ever so slightly validate the misery of the past 8 years. America has been on a bender of benders for 8 long years. I think we've sobered up enough to realize we need serious help.

Obama becomes first African-American nominee for President.:

"“I have been asked to inform you that Senator Obama accepts the nomination and will deliver his acceptance speech tomorrow night at the fourth night of the convention to be held at Invesco field,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced today. Obama is the first African-American nominee of a major political party and will accept the nomination on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech."

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Bill rocked the house last night.

Bill Clinton Throws His Full Weight Behind Obama, Blasts Bush/McCain Legacy:

"People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power."
......

"Together, we prevailed in a campaign in which the Republicans said I was too young and too inexperienced to be Commander-in-Chief. Sound familiar? It didn't work in 1992, because we were on the right side of history. And it won't work in 2008, because Barack Obama is on the right side of history."

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Joe did a hell of a job too.

Joe Biden Democratic Convention Speech (VIDEO):

"'And I realized he (Obama) has tapped into the oldest American belief of all: We don't have to accept a situation we cannot bear. We have the power to change it,'"

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DNC

Michelle and the kids at the DNC. Good stuff:

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Some great one-liners:

Hillary Clinton: 'Democrats must unite':

"With an agenda like that, it makes sense that George Bush and John McCain will be together next week in the Twin Cities. Because these days they're awfully hard to tell apart."

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Montana's Gov. Schweitzer. He kicks much ass.

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But the money quote came from Gov. Paterson:

"If John McCain is the answer, then the question must be ridiculous."

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The Democratic Party's dingle-berries.

Must. Keep. Wiping.

Use razor if necessary.

Democrats who backed wiretaps turn away Democratic bloggers from AT&T fundraiser:

"Moderate Democrats are turning away Democrats, even those with press passes.

On Monday night, AT&T held a 'Blue Dog' fundraiser for the group of congressional Democrats who endorsed the recent bill that gave immunity to telecoms for President Bush's warrantless wiretapping program."

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List Completed Apparently

Number 99: Do something incredibly ironic.



`100 Things' co-author Dave Freeman dies in LA:

"LOS ANGELES - Dave Freeman, co-author of '100 Things to Do Before You Die,' a travel guide and ode to odd adventures that inspired readers and imitators, died after hitting his head in a fall at his home. He was 47."

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You done fucked up now, FAUX.

Fox makes stunning attack on Jon Stewart, citing Oscars' ratings after he criticizes political coverage

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I studied Alexander technique for 3 years. I can vouch for this study.

Paul McCartney and Sting practice A.T.

Alexander technique does help back pain: study:

"LONDON (Reuters) - Chronic back pain can be eased by teaching the Alexander technique, an alternative therapy involving learning better posture, British researchers said on Wednesday."

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WCR.... nail on head.

White-Collar Redneck: From Wearing Tight Pants to Having Tight Pants:

"Question of the Day:

How does this haircut go from making me want to punch babies here:"

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4 Foodies.

The keep-your-cool summer cocktail party

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Where's a seat a the table....

'.... for folks like me...."

Much Fun in Golden Gate Park, yesterday. More on that later.

Why Biden is a good VP choice:

Think Progress � Biden: McCain has to ‘figure out which of the 7 kitchen tables to sit at.’:

"Ladies and gentlemen, your kitchen table is like mine. You sit there every night after you put the kids to bed and you talk, you talk about what you need. You talk about how much you’re worried about being able to pay the bills. Well ladies and gentlemen, that’s not a worry that John McCain has to worry about. It’s a pretty hard experience — he’ll have to figure out which of the seven kitchen tables to sit at."

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Gold:

Eschaton:

"The McCain campaign keeps emphasizing that McCain was a prisoner in Vietnam, as proof of his qualification for the Presidency.

Well, so was Gary Glitter, and I'm not voting for him either."

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Very anti-libertarian of you, Alabama.

Extra pounds mean insurance fees for Ala. workers:

"Alabama, pushed to second in national obesity rankings by deep-fried Southern favorites, is cracking down on state workers who are too fat.

The state has given its 37,527 employees a year to start getting fit -- or they'll pay $25 a month for insurance that otherwise is free."

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DBT Week in Review - 8/22/08

DBT!

Well, yesterday was a big ol' lot of fun.

Sunday will be even better.

Bands at the Outside Lands Festival:

"Drive-By Truckers

Since losing a key member last year, this Alabama alt-country band added steel guitarist John Neff to the lineup, produced an album with '60s soul diva Bettye Lavette and recorded its eighth album, 'Brighter Than Creation's Dark.' Sutro, 3:55 p.m. next Sunday."

Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival

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World's colliding.

The Hold Steady Message Board :: View topic - Greetings from 9 Bullets....

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Excellent tips from NB if you're married or have a significant other.

NineBullets.org - Message Board • View topic - DBT and The Hold Steady tour dates:

BTW I see some posts about having to 'ASK THE OLE LADY' & such, that statement confuses me??? Here is how every conversation about seeing the truckers should Go; ' Hey Honey I'm going to see the Truckers on (fill in the dates & Venue's) I just wanted to know if you wanted to go or if I should take a friend with me'. It's that easy works for me everytime no problems, no hassels, no asking!!!"

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DBT influencing.....

Black Tide Aiming for "World Domination" | Universal Music

Finally feeling the vibe, I watched the mosh-pit (from a far distance) as a plastic blow-up doll crowd surfed, every last front-rower screamed each lyric, and high-school-aged-honeys went crazy for Black Tide themselves. A smile stretched across my face as I recalled my youth. Every member is under twenty years old, namely the fifteen-year-old front man, and in the audience, I could see it. Nothing was lacking in instrumental skill or showmanship, but the boy’s loud longings to “get laid and get wasted” as they legally drank only H20 on stage made it hard to forget their age. However, that notion only intensifies Black Tide’s appeal. And don’t let their age fool you, Black Tide was influenced by some classic rock bands, “I love listening to the Drive-By Truckers and The Allman Brothers,” said Zakk, "[and] at the same time, I love Van Halen, Motley Crue, and Guns'n'Roses.”

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A blogger from one of my favorite political blogs recorded in Muscle Shoals. Had no idea.

Crooks and Liars � Mike’s Blog Round Up:

"Jerry Wexler, RIP: I’m proud and grateful that Jerry was a friend of mine, beginning the day in 1975 he called me, out of the blue, and said, “I like the way you sing. Let’s make a record.” I couldn’t have been more surprised and thrilled if I’d received a phone call from God. I’d grown up listening to Jerry Wexler-produced records. He’s one of the reasons I’m a musician. He took me to Muscle Shoals, Alabama and we did an album for Warner Brothers. Being around Jerry was a constant joy. He was a walking encyclopedia of popular American music, especially R&B and jazz. Aside from his important contributions as a genuine musical pioneer, and his unique talents as a producer, he was a wonderful raconteur, a man of exquisite taste, a tough businessman, but a gentleman, and a soft touch for musicians."

Mike Finnigan -Mike Finnigan-

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Jason Isbell

Via Roger J.

Jason Isbell Unplugged:

Interview and Live Performance from the Grey Eagle, Asheville NC

In A Razor Town -Grey Eagle Asheville, NC

The Magician -Grey Eagle Asheville, NC

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Glossary

Myspace.com Blogs - Shake Up The Future And Rattle This Cage... - GLOSSARY MySpace Blog:

"So after 9,000 miles, 1,000 beers and 29 states we're safe and sound and back in the Boro. The tour went as great as we expected. Our 1990 Chevy Beauville did us proud. We lost our AC for 2 weeks after our serpentine belt took out our rear AC line, but other than that she got us to every show. We got to play a lot of places we never played before, including a boat."

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Music

www.tennessean.com | Nashville Tune in Music City | The Tennessean:

"When John Rich recently took a Florida stage to support the presidential campaign of John McCain, he said, 'Somebody's got to walk the line in the country. They've got to walk it unapologetically,' before singing “Walk the Line. “And I'm sure Johnny Cash would have been a John McCain supporter if he was still around.'

But, as the Washington Post pointed out, Cash supported Democrat Jimmy Carter.

Cash’s daughter, singer/songwriter/author Rosanne Cash, has issued the following statement, “It is appalling to me that people still want to invoke my father’s name, five years after his death, to ascribe beliefs, ideals, values and loyalties to him that cannot possibly be determined, and to try to further their own agendas by doing so.

“I knew my father pretty well, at least better than some of those who entitle themselves to his legacy and his supposed ideals, and even I would not presume to say publicly what I ‘know’ he thought or felt. This is especially dangerous in the case of political affiliation. It is unfair and presumptuous to use him to bolster any platform. I would ask that my father not be co-opted in this election for either side, since he is clearly not here to defend or state his own allegiance.”"

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Somebody see's which way the winds are blowing.

Sure, you're a Democrat Toby. Sure.

Need to sell some records or something?

Toby Keith Praises Obama, Says He's A Democrat:

"LOS ANGELES — Barack Obama is getting praise from Nashville, courtesy of one big, patriotic country star.

Toby Keith, perhaps best known to non-country audiences for his post-Sept. 11 song 'Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,' says he's a Democrat, and was impressed by the senator from Illinois."

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Dave Matthews Band Member LeRoi Moore Dies:

"Devastating news for fans of Dave Matthews Band. Saxophone player LeRoi Moore died at age 46"

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Singer's metal fence has heavy impact in Marin:

"(08-18) 21:38 PDT Marin County -- James Hetfield co-founded the influential heavy metal band Metallica and, as its chief songwriter, helped pen and perform strident songs such as 'Don't Tread on Me.' It might as well be his anthem for property rights in Marin County."

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16-year-old drops out of school to play Guitar Hero : Christopher Null : Yahoo! Tech:

In fact, young Mr. Peebles is dropping out of high school... in order to focus on Guitar Hero full time. Peebles hopes to join the small but growing crew of players looking to make gaming a job. Citing his victories in Guitar Hero tournaments, which include 'gift certificates, gaming equipment, and chicken sandwiches,' Peebles thinks he has the chops to play competitively and earn actual money in the process. As the story notes, top gamers on the competitive circuit can earn up to $80,000 a year (though $25,000 is more common). Peebles, of course, can count his 52 Chick-fil-A combo meals toward that total."

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Damn That River

Light blogging today due to travel, my friends.

I guess is doesn't have that going for him anymore.... And a conservative points it out.

The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan:

"In all the discussion of John McCain's recently recovered memory of a religious epiphany in Vietnam, one thing has been missing. The torture that was deployed against McCain emerges in all the various accounts. It involved sleep deprivation, the withholding of medical treatment, stress positions, long-time standing, and beating. Sound familiar?

According to the Bush administration's definition of torture, McCain was therefore not tortured."

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Yes, how convenient.

You can't lose 225 days of email. No one can. You can, however, 'destroy' 225 days worth of email and that would be against the law. But we all know that 'laws' are so, like, 20th century.

White House missing as many as 225 days of e-mail:

"The White House is missing as many as 225 days of e-mail dating back to 2003 and there is little if any likelihood a recovery effort will be completed by the time the Bush administration leaves office, according to an internal White House draft document obtained by The Associated Press"

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Via Chelle Rose. Matt King's "Cursing the Ohio".

I really dig this song and the video is pretty sporty, too.

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Hallelujah Indeed

Stupid Bible. Calling out McCain and his ilk. Doesn't the Bible know that McSame is a Republican?! Why, that's just like being Jesus himself.

Obama vs. "Oh, Bomb 'Em" -- Who's the Christian?:

"'But I say to you, 'Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.'' (Matt. 5:39)

Several biblical Proverbs also reject Mr. McCain's 'crisp, immediate, forceful response.' A few examples:

'He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty.' (Prov. 16:32)

'A man of quick temper acts foolishly, but a man of discretion is patient.' (Prov. 14:17)

'He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.' (Prov. 14:29)

'A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.' (Prov. 15:18)"

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In Alabama it's called a "Coke". If you order a Coke in the South and they bring you a Pepsi you have full rights under the law to slap the server.

Daily Kos: Do you call it Pop, Soda or Coke?:

"What do you call that syrupy, carbonated liquid that comes out of cans and bottles and is sold by companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi?

Do you call it pop? How about soda? Or maybe you just call it Coke, even if it's another brand.

Well, science has answered this question that divides America in regional camps -- it all depends on where you live, as this county-by-county map shows."

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Um, Yes!

Hot Clicks: Is Leryn Franco the hottest Olympian? - Extra Mustard - SI.com:

Proof:

I found she combines her athletic endeavors with a career as a model and beauty pageant contestant. Franco was the runner-up in the Miss Paraguay competition in 2006 and also in the Miss Bikini Universe pageant the same year.

Although, the synchronized swimming chicks give Leryn a serious run for her money.

(Possibly NSFW due to some thongage)

Bia And Branca Feres Photos - Mahalo

But, its hard to beat America's very own in the 'so-damn-cute-it'll-make-your-face-hurt-from-smiling' category.

She kicked ass last night on the balance beam.

2008 Beijing Summer Olympics | Shawn Johnson Profile & Bio, Photos & Videos | NBC Olympics:

"Iowa's Shawn Johnson -- finally -- won an Olympic gold medal in Beijing when she won the balance beam title over Nastia Liukin, mostly on the basis of her difficulty score."

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But, my major crush right now happens to be on Tina Dico. Here's she is singing a cover of John Lennon's 'Working Class Hero'.



And here she is singing 'Hallelujah' in Danish. *drool*

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Waffle House Wedding

Some nice work in this YouTube titled 'Baracky II"

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Too damn close of a call.... and of course a lying federal agency.

'Lookin' out the window..... And I'm scared shitless....'

EXCLUSIVE: FAA Tapes Reveal Drama of Obama Jet Incident

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Smart. Like a college student is suppose to wait until his/her Senior Year to drink....

I had my 21st birthday party in a bar that I had worked at since I was 19.

College presidents seek debate on drinking age:

"College presidents from about 100 of the nation's best-known universities, including Duke, Dartmouth and Ohio State, are calling on lawmakers to consider lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18, saying current laws actually encourage dangerous binge drinking on campus."

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In related 'no-shit' news.

People Really Do Look Better When You Drink :

"For the first time, scientists have proven that 'beer goggles' are real - other people really do look more attractive to us if we have been drinking."

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Yeah.

Waffle House Wedding

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Rock and Roll Means Well

Oh yeah!

You've heard the rumors - and this rock and roll wet dream is coming true.

Drive-By Truckers and The Hold Steady have teamed up to bring you the Rock and Roll Means Well Tour this Fall!
Check out the tour dates.

Pre-Sales for the tour begin Tuesday, August 19 at 10AM EST.

DBT.

Main Site
MySpace

Hold Steady

Main Site
MySpace







Its gonna be a rock orgy.

Signing off today with a picture from a SF waterhole via Fugere:

The Ike Turner

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DBT Week in Review - 8/15/08

UPDATE:

Jerry Wexler, R&B Impresario, Is Dead at 91 - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com:

"Mr. Wexler was something of a paradox. A businessman with tireless energy, a ruthless streak and a volatile temper, he was also a hopeless music fan. A New York Jew and a vehement atheist, he found his musical home in the Deep South, in studios in Memphis and Muscle Shoals, Ala., among Baptists and Methodists, blacks and good old boys."

DBT!.... In Europe

Uncut.co.uk | Uncut Editor's Diary - Post details: The Drive-By Truckers, London Electric Ballroom, August 4 2008:

"Interestingly, they’ve come to the DBTs via the recent Brighter Than Creation’s Dark, several of them mentioning Andrew Muller’s Album Of The Month review in Uncut and how his claims for the record made them want to test his contention that, among other things, here was a synthesis of Lynryrd Skynyrd’s authenticity and virtuosity, The Replacement’s whiskey-sodden wit, the social conscience of Bruce Springsteen and the righteous fury of Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Unanimously, they’ve been amazed that the record lived up to the advance billing, which they had probably suspected was bluster and hyperbole. They now can’t wait to see if the band can deliver live, which when I bump into some of the same people on the way out, they all, grinningly, agree they do, spectacularly."

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johnjobling : photos : Drive By Truckers - Manchester Academy 8 Aug 2008- powered by SmugMug

Via Roel van Dijk

Drive-By Truckers :: 2008-08-12 :: Paradiso :: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

NineBullets.org - Message Board • View topic - Venlo show:

"Here are some pictures from the Venlo show from last night:

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Bristol Rocks:

"The Drive-by Truckers or DBT’s as they are known to fans, stay true to their southern American rock roots, but sound just modern enough to gain a European following. Their shows are known for being alcohol infused, three guitar playing, rift inducing jam sessions. Tuesday night was no different, with the Jack Daniels being passed between members and fans passing a cheeky smoke to the pretty drunk looking Cooley."

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Hard times may close Pop's - News- msnbc.com:

"Teresa said they let people leave their cars in the parking lot, don't mind if they come in just for a weather report, and get returning customers from all over the Southeast, including the band The Drive-By Truckers. who e-mailed them after a tornado one time to make sure Pop's was alright."

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Betty Lavette

Via Roger Johnson. Check out the new video from Bettye

New Bettye Lavette Video - "Talking Old Soldiers" - Video - Stereogum

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Fiddleworms

Good friend Russell Mefford sent me the Fiddleworms new record, Volkswagen Catfish, this week and it's a goodie.

Corey Hannah over at Nine Bullets beat me to the write-up punch early this week and posted the following on this very fine Florence, Alabama band.

I spent many a fun night back in the mid-90s partying to the live tunes of the first incarnation of the Fiddleworms. I'm real happy they've come back stronger than ever.

NINEBULLETS � Blog Archive � Rob Malone Still Truckin’ with the Fiddleworms:

"After leaving the Drive-By Truckers, Rob Malone moved back to the Shoals to reform Fiddleworms with Russell Mefford. They released an album called Year of the Cock a few years ago. Browan Lollar, of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, did the artwork for that album.

I was interning at The Nutthouse Recording Studio in Sheffield earlier this year when Jimmy Nutt started mixing the new Fiddleworms record. I knew from the moment I heard the unmixed tracks that this was going to be a great album. If you guys will look at your liner notes, you’ll see that Jimmy engineered Jason’s album, Sirens of the Ditch. He also worked beside David Barbe on The Dirty South. Jimmy’s a helluva engineer and producer. The combination of him working with the Worms came together to make a record that does Muscle Shoals proud."

Always on your mind ... | TimesDaily.com | Florence, AL:

"When Russell Mefford was a kid, he thought the platform-wearing, tongue-wagging members of KISS were like superheroes. Not only that, they came bearing gifts, temporary tattoos. 'Every record that you bought from them, you got something from them,' he said. Mefford is lead guitarist and vocalist for Shoals band, The Fiddleworms, which satisfies their fans with T-shirts and stickers. Thanks to Gene, Peter, Ace and Paul, they also included temporary tattoos inside of their last CD."

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Brent Best/Drams

This post in a few months old but I just came across it. Some very excellent new tunage from Brent. I've been humming 'Never Bothered Me' all week long.

Via Adam Richards:

3 Brent mp3's - TheDrams | Google Groups:

Two new tracks (Never Bothered Me and Daddy Was a Liar), and one new-ish Paul Westerberg Cover (Crackle and Drag).

Adam LK-Lee"

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Here's a live version of Brent singing 'Daddy Was a Liar'

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Hot Honky-Tonkers: The King Bucks | Dallas Morning News

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Music

Athens folks: Go check out Redneck GReece at Little King's next week.

Jackson Browne Sues GOP And McCain Campaign:

"Singer, songwriter, liberal activist and now John McCain scourge Jackson Browne filed a lawsuit today against the presumptive GOP nominee and the Republican Party for failing to obtain a license to use one of his songs in a television commercial."

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White House DJ Battle :: Blender.com:

"BARACK OBAMA
1. Ready or Not Fugees
2. What's Going On Marvin Gaye
3. I'm On Fire Bruce Spingsteen
4. Gimme Shelter Rolling Stones
5. Sinnerman Nina Simone
6. Touch the Sky Kanye West
7. You'd Be So Easy to Love Frank Sinatra
8. Think Aretha Franklin
9. City of Blinding Lights U2
10. Yes We Can will.i.am

JOHN McCAIN
1. Dancing Queen ABBA
2. Blue Bayou Roy Orbison
3. Take a Chance On Me ABBA
4. If We MakeIt Through December Merle Haggard
5. As Time Goes By Dooley Wilson
6. Good Vibrations The Beach Boys
7. What A Wonderful World Louis Armstrong
8. I've Got You Under My Skin Frank Sinatra
9. Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond
10. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes The Platters"

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Remember that thing I wrote on Scott Cochran? - The Rap Sheet - al.com:

"So where does he get those sayings, aside from what he plucks from motivational speakers? 'To tell you the truth, the players. I sit with the players. I'll ask our captains, 'OK, what kind of music do you listen to right now? OK, give me a verse, a line, that you'll need when we're running 110s, on the 25th rep, and your body is saying no. What are you going to need at that moment?' And they're going to give me a little line.'"

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KTVB.COM | News | Idaho News on Demand:

"NEW YORK (AP) -- The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is going on the road to New York - the city that spawned hip-hop and gave Bob Dylan and the Ramones their start.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Wednesday that the Cleveland-based museum is opening an annex in downtown Manhattan. It is the first of several planned outposts that will take its collection of artifacts to a wider audience, possibly as far as the Middle East."

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Backstage With Neil Diamond, the Marathon Man of Pop - NYTimes.com:

"HARTFORD — Four decades into a career as the sequined king of soft rock, celebrated in his 1970s peak as much for his rakish growl and helmet of wavy hair as for hits like “Sweet Caroline” and “Song Sung Blue,” Neil Diamond is enjoying something of a career renaissance."

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Chart Watch Extra: The 10 Most Downloaded Golden Oldies - Chart Watch

3. Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Sweet Home Alabama," 1,346,000. This zesty 1974 hit is the oldest recording on the list. (The ‘50s and ‘60s are officially ancient history to today's downloading pop fans.) Kid Rock's current radio hit, "All Summer Long," which pays homage to the song, is just the latest boost that it has gotten. The song has been featured in several movies, including the Oscar-winning 1994 smash Forrest Gump. It even provided the title for a 2002 rom-com starring Reese Witherspoon. The Southern rock classic has been hugely influential in contemporary country music. Top 200 rank: #119.

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I'm not sure if this is satire or not but both of these bands exist.

Funny, either way.

LarkNews.com:

"NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Third Day and Superchick have become involved in what appears to be the first Christian band feud."

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Shite Hits the Fan

2 weeks, 2 day until Alabama Football kicks off. ROLL TIDE!

Man, I'm so excited.

Coach Nick Saban lands on the cover of Forbes Magazine.

Julio Jones and Terrence Cody for Heisman!

The Most Powerful Coach in Sports - Forbes.com

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Neat article on Bay Area chefs. I was surprised how many national food/restaurant trends have originated from the Bay Area.

Also, I've had the pleasure of dining at the Dining Room in SF. Best meal I've ever had. Glad I didn't have to pay for it, though.

The Bay Area's visionary chefs:

"Keller's creations can be whimsical but he's also a perfectionist - he insists that fish be stored upright, the way they swim - and he's trained stars such as Grant Achatz at Alinea in Chicago, and four-star chef Ron Siegel at the Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco."

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Good doggie! A few DBT references involved.

Toddler rescued in woods | TimesDaily.com | Florence, AL:

"Shanes said Fox must have spotted the boy when he was pulling up to the search area, just north of Salem Church of Christ.

'And when I opened the car door, he just took off to check it out and found him,' Shanes said."

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Shit hits the fan... literally.

Flying dog poo art causes museum chaos in Switzerland:

"GENEVA (AFP) - A giant inflatable dog turd by American artist Paul McCarthy blew away from an exhibition in the garden of a Swiss museum, bringing down a power line and breaking a greenhouse window before it landed again, the museum said Monday."

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Not for the faint of heart. I think they took down the video due to copy right issues. You can probably dig it up on YouTube somewhere, though.

Two words (for you sporting folks) Joe Theisman.

Janos Baranyai Photos & Video: Hungarian Weighlifter Turns Elbow Inside Out (GRAPHIC)

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Blinded me with Science

Nice article on Obama's trip back home to Hawaii.

Excluding the douchey response from Hawaii's Republican Governor.

Obama comes home | starbulletin.com | News | /2008/08/10/:

"While Republican Gov. Linda Lingle acknowledged the enthusiasm for Obama's homecoming, she stood by Republican candidate Arizona Sen. John McCain. Lingle said it's 'understandable that everyone in Hawaii' is excited about Hawaii-born Obama. 'But this is not 'American Idol.' This is not voting for your favorite or the most popular, this is making an important decision on who should lead our nation,' she said."

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The Corporate take over of the U.S.

Most companies in US avoid federal income taxes:

"WASHINGTON - Two-thirds of U.S. corporations paid no federal income taxes between 1998 and 2005, according to a new report from Congress."

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Hilarious.

If They IM'd: Paris Hilton and John McCain - 236 - News

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Gotta gits me one of these.

Invisibility cloak now within sight: scientists:

"PARIS (AFP) - The age-old fantasy of making yourself invisible has taken a step toward reality, with scientists saying they have created three-dimensional materials that can bend visible light."

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Drilled, but No Kissing Allowed

Update:

DBT will be webcast live today around 1:30-2:30 PM, PST from the Paradiso in Amsterdam.

(Check the link below for the actual time. I suck at math)

Free Concert Videos - Fabchannel.com

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Damn. 15%.... of the freakin' world.

Talk about your market share.

Beijing opening night lures 15 percent of world:

"BEIJING (Reuters) - As China hoped, the world did tune in for the start of the Beijing Olympics with various polls on Monday estimating about one billion people, or 15 percent of the world's population, watched the opening ceremony."

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Dazed and Confused indeed.

Do we really want 4 more years of this?

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All you need to know about 'Drill Here, Drill Now'.

They want to drill alright. Drill us all in the ass.

"The problem is that the oil companies already have 40 million acres of oil drilling rights and they are just sitting on it counting their money. Why should we give them more land to hoard when we know damn well they don't want to flood the market and make oil cheaper."

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I'm looking forward to seeing this. Should be good fun:

Bill Maher hates your (fill in the blank) religion:

"Rolling his eyes, often full of derision, Maher gets in his licks with everyone, from a guy playing Jesus at a Holy Land theme park in Orlando to Muslims at a gay bar in Amsterdam to a rabbi who advocates the dissolution of Israel (he wears a card with the slogan 'A Jew Not a Zionist'). As everything from 'The Gong Show' to 'Borat' has proved, real people and situations are often undeniably funnier than anything scripted by the best comic minds. In Holland, Maher is in the midst of questioning a somber Muslim cleric when he's interrupted by the cleric's cellphone, whose ring tone is Led Zeppelin's 'Kashmir.'"

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Ummmm. Garlic.

Daily Kos: What's for Dinner: The World of Garlic

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Olympics

Olympic thoughts:

NBC sucks ass.

Opening ceremonies were amazing.

NBC's 'China Expert' is a moron in general but in particular because he stated that the Great Wall was erected to keep out the 'Barbarians'. It was the 'Mongols'.

China's a big ass country. Government sucks, but the people and the culture amaze me. Best cooks in the world.

The 4 X 100 freestyle relay last night kicked ass. U.S.A.!

There should be a TV channel entirely devoted to international women's beach volleyball.

'Sweet Home Alabama was played during a men's beach volleyball court change. Nice.

I have a crush on Natalie Coughlin.

U.S.A. has a black man on the swim team. There goes that stereotype.

The only redeeming quality of badminton is that the game is played with a 'shuttlecock'... uh-huh huh.... I said 'shuttlecock'.

I coulda beena contenda.

NBC sucks ass (worth repeating).

McCain's Olympic ad is weak. Obama's kicks much ass.

Would someone PLEASE tell Bush to go hide in a fucking closet until January 09. What an utter embarrassment to the country this simpleton is.

First, here's a look at incurious George during the opening ceremonies bouncing his knee up and down, looking at his watch, and generally just being a petulant douche whose internal monologue goes something like; "When can we leave? When can we leave? When can we leave?"



Then.....

President Bush Not So Good With American Flags

Final Olympic thoughts......

When you work from home you can watch every single game they've got. Have a question about synchronized diving? I'm your man.

Excluding the douchiness of NBC, I like the Olympics very much.

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Hey everybody, have you seen my balls.... *sniff*.... They're big and salty and brown.... *sniff-sniff*... If you ever need a quick pick me up, just put my balls in your mouth.....

RIP, Isaac.

Put 'em in your mouth and suck 'em.

Singer, songwriter Isaac Hayes dies at age 65

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This is a weird one:

Cloned puppies may have exposed mystery:

"SALT LAKE CITY — A woman who made news around the world when she had five pups cloned from her beloved pit bull Booger looked very familiar to some who saw her picture: She may be the same woman who 31 years earlier was accused of abducting a Mormon missionary in England, handcuffing him to a bed and making him her sex slave."

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DBT Week in Review - 8/8/08

DBT!

Axe Victim - London Review

It's been some four years since DBT last graced a London stage. I missed them back then, but last night at the Electric Ballroom I was practically on stage with the band the view was so good from my vantage point, stage left, positioned at the top of a set of stairs that were at the same height as the stage. And they owned the room that was packed to the rafters with the 600 or so faithful followers who had come to witness one of the hardest working rock bands give a rock show of the highest order. And for a mere £16.00 they delivered a near perfect two hour set that trawled the very best from the band's exemplary back catalogue of seven studio albums including two double albums worth of material.

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Mighty fine Oslo pics

Drive-By Truckers , Rockefeller (2008-07-30)

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Nice DBT vid from Europe

Student-TV i Trondheim - Forside - Stor�sfestivalen 2008

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Some new vids up on NB-DBT-TV

NINEBULLETS � DBT-TV

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Lisa's Birthday pedal steel lesson.

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Music

Belly Up to Simon's and Sweet Six Bullets : Music : Anderson Independent-Mail:

"The band draws comparisons to the Drive-By Truckers, both in their music and lyrics, so it’s no surprise the band covers several Truckers songs to help fill in their sets. Cook said Truckers covers like “Lookout Mountain” and “Where the Devil Don’t Stay” come across well, but the band isn’t afraid to journey into pure country songs like “Midnight in Montgomery” by Alan Jackson."

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The Big Picture | Cheap Concert Tickets!:

"I spoke recently with several music industry 'Insiders' about this -- they all said the same thing: Touring is terrible this year. They blamed high gas prices, a weak economy and poor job market. The combination does not lead to a LETS PARTY mentality amongst ticket buyers."

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Wherein my friend waits on a member of Aerosmith

Myspace.com Blogs - apparently i waited on a rock legend - Firecracker Lass MySpace Blog:

"So tonight, apparently, I waited on one of the guys from Aerosmith... Brad Whitford."

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Perfect.

Rage Against the Machine to play at Target during RNC:

"Political rap-rock giants Rage Against the Machine will give a rare performance at Target Center in Minneapolis on Sept. 3, which not so coincidentally is the same week as the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. for $60."

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Iggy Pop's Gear Stolen From Gig:

"DETROIT — A rental truck containing Iggy Pop and the Stooges' equipment was stolen after a concert in Montreal.

Stooges road manager Eric Fischer says the 15-foot truck stolen Monday contained all the group's instruments and stage gear. He tells the Detroit Free Press the lost items are worth tens of thousands of dollars."

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The Yawning Dog

Yeah, Pay up, bitches.

Vote for Bush? Pay up / Did you help put America's worst prez into power? Time to make amends:

"Sure, you could start with an open-palmed apology, a profoundly contrite on-your-knees sort of thing, maybe an open letter in your local paper or a heartfelt speech at your next dinner party whereby you stumble though some sort of 'I don't know what the hell I was thinking' or 'I must've been blind' or 'Wow, that mescaline sure was potent' type of defense for your unfortunate and reprehensible choices."

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Somethin' ain't right here. This isn't the only example.

I don't mind giving Obama $25-$100 when I don't have a pot to piss in, but $61k?

Did New York couple give $61,600 to McCain, GOP?:

"WASHINGTON — Alice Rocchio is an office manager at the New York headquarters of the Hess Corp., drives a 1993 Chevy Cavalier and lives in an apartment in Queens, N.Y., with her husband, Pasquale, an Amtrak foreman.

Despite what appears to be a middle-class lifestyle, the couple has written $61,600 in checks to John McCain's presidential campaign and the Republican National Committee, most of it within days of McCain's decision to endorse offshore oil drilling."

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And my early a.m. farts causes the sun to rise.

Republicans Claim Their Protest Has Lowered Gas Prices:

"House Republicans on Tuesday said their protest of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) decision not to allow a vote on expanded offshore oil drilling has helped lower gas prices.

Heading into a third day of speeches in the near-empty chamber, Republicans acknowledged that the average price of gas and oil has declined in recent weeks. But they claimed credit for part of that reduction."

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At least someone is saving money on sock purchases.

edmontonsun.com - Canada- U.S. cop suspects severed foot from B.C.:

"VANCOUVER -- The Washington detective investigating the sixth floating foot to wash up on West Coast shores in the last year says he believes it may have come via B.C. waters."

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Good dog. He was mine before you left me.

"The Yawning Dog". Sounds like a yoga pose.

Fido's not just yawning -- he's empathising - Yahoo! News:

"LONDON (Reuters) - Dogs find human yawns contagious, suggesting they have a rudimentary capacity for empathy, scientists said on Wednesday."

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They Know They're Lying.... Do You?

Republicans are fucking stupid.

Of the many super-awesome statements in the Obama clip below the most special is that he calls them what they are... 'liars'. Praise jeebus, he actually used the word... "lying". Not 'misspoke', not 'misstated', or any other of those bullshit substitutions for 'liar'.

They. Are. Liars.



Political Punch:

"'Now two points, one, they know they're lying about what my energy plan is, but the other thing is they're making fun of a step that every expert says would absolutely reduce our oil consumption by 3 to 4 percent. It’s like these guys take pride in being ignorant.

I'll chip in one more piece of 'straight-talk' from Obama.

More like this and more often. Hit these effers hard.

Obama accuses McCain camp of cynicism, not racism:

"He added of the Republicans' approach: 'They're very good at negative campaigning. They're not so good at governing.'"

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Speaking of Paris... mmmmgag, ew, sorry, a little throw-up in my mouth. Never expected to discuss Paris on AAW.

However, she did something that decreased my hatred for her and her ilk but a noticeable degree.

She took old man McSame to task for using her image in a campaign video bashing Obama.

Oh, and she also clearly states part of Obama's energy plan (though she claims it as her own).

Thank you for contributing something to humanity, Paris.... finally.

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

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So old Johnny McSame offered up his wife to be in a topless beauty pageant at Sturgis.

Yup, that Sturgis.

Imagine, just imagine if Obama did this and the traditional presses' reaction. Just imagine the vapors.

Talking Points Memo | Take My Wife, Please!:

"We're trying to find out a bit more about the Bikini Beauty Pageant at the Buffalo Chip, where John McCain showed up and offered up wife Cindy as a contestant. ESPN says the event is topless and 'occasionally bottomless'. Actually their description is worth quoting in full ..."

Imagine:

Daily Kos: Barack Obama Speaks at Burning Man!

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Love this strategy. Maybe they should work in her pill addiction in which she stole from her very own charitable organization in order to feed said addiction.

Pointing to drug law hypocrisy, pro-pot group labels Cindy McCain 'dealer':

"A group dedicated to legalizing marijuana use is launching a new campaign Tuesday aimed at pointing to hypocrisy in a country that could have as its first lady a woman who made millions selling a substance that's killed tens of thousands of people while purveyors of a relatively harmless herb are imprisoned."

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Alabama Ass Drilling....

..... 'cause that's what Big Oil and the Republicans are doing... drilling our asses.

McSame as Bush. In the pocket of Big Oil

Multiple Oil Company Executives Gave Huge Contributions To Electing McCain Just Days After Offshore Drilling Reversal:

"Ten senior Hess Corporation executives and/or members of the Hess family each gave $28,500 to the joint RNC-McCain fundraising committee, just days after McCain reversed himself to favor offshore drilling, according to Federal Election Commission reports."

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We can trust the Oil Companies to invest wisely in alternative energy sources, right?

Wrong.

1% of 11.68 billion is a large amount of scratch. Wonder how much of that goes to marketing their 'green' image instead of actually being applied towards new energy research.

ABC: Exxon spends 1 percent of profits on alternative energy.:

"Exxon Mobil today broke its own record for the highest-ever profit by a U.S. company, with net income this quarter rising to $11.68 billion. While Exxon officials regularly tout the company’s investment in alternative energy, ABC reported today that Exxon spends only 1 percent of profits on alternative energy sources. "

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I'm surprised the foot-stomping, whiney-ass-titty-baby Republicans haven't called for the creation of new whaling ships to go, as a side, with their 'we need to drill more' cry.

Our Towns - They Used to Say Whale Oil Was Indispensable, Too - NYTimes.com

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Obama hits back

Obama backs some drilling, tapping oil stockpile:

"'Like George Bush and Dick Cheney before him,' Obama said of the Arizonan, 'he sees more drilling as the answer to all of our energy problems, and like them, he's found a receptive audience in the very same oil companies that have blocked our progress for so long. In fact, he raised more than one million dollars from big oil just last month.'"

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Oh, and again, Obama is right:

The Tire-Gauge Solution: No Joke - TIME:

"How out of touch is Barack Obama? He's so out of touch that he suggested that if all Americans inflated their tires properly and took their cars for regular tune-ups, they could save as much oil as new offshore drilling would produce. Gleeful Republicans have made this their daily talking point; Rush Limbaugh is having a field day; and the Republican National Committee is sending tire gauges labeled 'Barack Obama's Energy Plan' to Washington reporters."

But who's really out of touch? The Bush Administration estimates that expanded offshore drilling could increase oil production by 200,000 bbl. per day by 2030. We use about 20 million bbl. per day, so that would meet about 1% of our demand two decades from now. Meanwhile, efficiency experts say that keeping tires inflated can improve gas mileage 3%, and regular maintenance can add another 4%. Many drivers already follow their advice, but if everyone did, we could immediately reduce demand several percentage points. In other words: Obama is right.

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In "Karma at work" news:

Fire breaks out at 'God Hates Fags' church

Tumor-stricken Novak retires from column gig

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People Who Die

Sad, sad, sad. JMS was a pure heart.

Roll Tide, John Mark, Roll Tide

A true inspiration- al.com:

"John Mark Stallings loved Point Clear.

Maybe not as much as he loved Alabama football, but there were always his family's traditional trips to the bay when his dad coached the Crimson Tide in the 1990s. John Mark would dip his toes in the water and light up with that grin, the one that inspired anyone fortunate enough to make his acquaintance.

He won't soon be forgotten, as evidenced by the response that met John Mark's death Saturday morning in Paris, Texas. It seemed everyone — from dozens of former players to Alabama Gov. Bob Riley to Terry Saban, wife of current Tide coach Nick Saban — expressed condolences."

Here's a YouTube of a John Mark piece done for half-time of the 92 or 93 Alabama-Auburn game.

YouTube - John Mark Stallings

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Again, damn! Skip's voice filled every summer and fall I can remember.

Longtime Braves broadcaster Skip Caray dies at 68:

"Skip Caray, a voice of the Atlanta Braves for 33 years and part of a family line of baseball broadcasters that included Hall of Famer Harry Caray, died in his sleep at home on Sunday, the team said. He was 68."

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People who didn't die.....

NY girl falls 14 stories, saved by sooty landing:

"A 12-year-old girl fell into a chimney on the roof of her apartment building, plummeted 14 stories down the flue and landed almost unscathed in a pile of furnace soot.

Grace Bergere, a young rock drummer, remained hospitalized Saturday for treatment of an injured hip."

Best part:

"While her father screamed her name, firefighters opened a metal door at the bottom of the chimney, ready for the worst.

But then Grace's small hand poked out of the soot."

Alabama Ass Whuppin has obtained the exclusive picture of this young rock drummers hand coming out of the furnace:

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Those crazy Alabama evangelicals and their freezer games.

Police: Body found in Ala. freezer was mother of 8:

"Police believe a body found in a small-time evangelist's home freezer is his wife and a mother of eight, and arrested him on a murder charge as he preached at a south Alabama church. Anthony Hopkins, 37, was being held in the Mobile County jail Wednesday awaiting a bond hearing and appointment of an attorney."

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How's that for a morbid Monday?

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DBT Week in Review - 8/1/08

Glossary

It took me two weeks to edit down the pictures from the Glossary show I attended in Tempe, Arizona.

Finally, I got 'em finished.

It was 20 years since I last laid eyes on Todd Beene, Glossary's guitar playing, pedal steel pickin', song singing class act extraordinare. (had no idea that Todd sings 'Bitter Branch' on Angels until he busted it out live, on stage right in front of my face. For someone who likes to know all things hip and now I can be surprisingly clueless sometimes.)

Once I got to the venue I called Todd and he and Bingham, Glossary's bass player, came out to greet me. We bellied up to the bar and ordered some drinks and caught up on old times.

Todd and I shared an acting agent way back when in Florence, Alabama. We, along with Chris "Monster" Quillen, participated in an after school special produced by Bell South in the mid 80s called, ironically enough, 'Discover Your Own Song'. I've got a video (vhs, of course) that, hopefully, I'll soon have digitized and Youtubed so we can compare who had the sweetest Simon Le Bon hair cut between Todd and I.

Glossary has had one hell of an adventurous year, in my opinion. They've toured behind their 2007 offering 'The Better Angels of our Nature' which was my favorite record of 'aught-seven'. They toured with the Drive-by Truckers, This is American Music, The Drams, and they were an opener a few weeks ago for the Slobberbone reunion show. In other words they've been keeping some damn good company.

Being the fans that we are we all concurred on the greatness of Patterson Hood and the Truckers, Brent Best and the Drams/Slobberbone, Jenn B., and all of the freakishly consistent great folks who orbit all of these bands. We talked about the small, small world in which we live and connections made through bands and fans across the U.S. and globe for that matter.

The band hit the stage and tore into their set with wild abandon. Todd told the tale of 'Bitter Branch'. His family owned a cattle ranch in Lauderdale county back in the day and, like so many other family farms, had to sell it off due to the diminished economic viability of maintaining such a ranch.

After the ranch sold Todd's dad, Dan Beene, decided to try his hand at acting. To relate a small world story, in 2000/2001, I received a phone call from my good friend Steve Zapotoczny. Steve is the VP of Wheelhouse Productions. Before Steve became a Hollywood hot-shot he was the co-writer/producer/director of a feature indie film produced while he was at Duke University. The lead actor in this film, title, 'Summer's Gone' was yours truly.

Steve had just finished casting for the movie We Were Soldiers staring Mel Gibson. Steve rings me and says "Hey, we just cast someone from Florence, Alabama to be in WWS". I asked who and it was none other than Dan Beene.

Check out Dan's resume here. He's been in a ton of stuff.

Glossary is a joy to watch on stage. Bingham told me that he and Joey's background is in punk. This is apparent in Glossary's stage show as they lay all that they have on the stage during a performance.

Lead singer Joey's physical flexibility is something to behold as his bends and twist and pounces all over the stage.

Joey's wife, Kelly, and no disrepect intended, is soooooo beautiful... I mean, damn. Her harmonies are on par with her looks. And she was a sweet as can be as I chatted with her for a moment at the merch booth.

"The Falconer" on keys is as entertaining as they come.

Bingham and "Yellow Magnetic Seed" on the drums comprise one tight as hell rhythm sections.

To sum up my rambling, Glossary is a great, great band who, I hope has much success awaiting around the bend.

Go see 'em live!

Thanks for a hell of a show, Glossary!

Would A Slobberbone By Any Other Name Still Rock Your Face Off? | slackercountry.com:

"They went way back and played lots of old stuff. Stuff I haven’t heard them play in a long time. They even resurrected the banjo, which Brent Best explained was the real reason they broke up. He said when you make the decision to tour with a banjo there’s no going back. And a banjo will fuck you up. Every night it will say “you just try and make me work,” so when you finally decide it would be a lot easier to tour without the banjo everyone gets all pissed off."

There were two opening acts, Glossary and The Magpies. Originally it was just gonna be the Magpies but Glossary was in town opening for Lucero on Sunday night and they managed to get a night off from the tour and secure a spot on the bill. So that made for a night that got progressively better as it went on. Glossary is a six piece band from Murphreesboro, Tennessee that’s probably one to watch. Scratch the probably.

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DBT!

NineBullets.org - Message Board • View topic - Oslo:

"Hey y’ all,

just returned from Oslo. Strings still ringing, words still rhyming. Great crowd. Nearly went nuts when Shonna was singing “Home Field Advantage”.

The show exploded with a string of four absolutely crowd pleasers:"

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Have you seen this bass? � Pointy Pointy:

"Patterson just sent this cool video of his dad David playing bass for Traffic in 1972 here:"

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Via 'rjnss' on the Yahoo List. DBT and Slobberbone get shout-outs.

Living With Music: A Playlist by George Pelecanos - Paper Cuts - Books - New York Times Blog

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YouTube - Mrs. Dubose

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In case you missed it yesterday, DBT got a mention on Red State Update.

YouTube - Red State Update: Obama's German Crowds There For The Bands?

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MySpaceTV Videos: John Neff and Doug the Talking Dog by Scott Baxendale:

"Athen's musician and Drive By Trucker John Neff at home with his talking dog Doug. I Videoed this while visiting Athens to record with John Neff, Brad Morgan, John Mills and Dave Barbe.

John Neff and Doug the Talking Dog

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Muscle Shoals Sound

Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section musicians say being white surprised many who heard their music | TimesDaily.com | Times Daily | Florence, AL:

"A few days after his return from performing in the United Kingdom, veteran music producer and guitarist Jimmy Johnson sits in his small Sheffield recording studio and plays a CD of one of his artists, Shelly Bonet.

The CD, a collection of Bonet’s demo recordings, soon fills the room with the smooth, classic sound Muscle Shoals was known for in the 1960s and ’70s."

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Black & gold | TimesDaily.com | Times Daily | Florence, AL:

"As a young disc jockey in the African country of Senegal, Idrissa Dia said he discovered in a stack of records, only by chance, the music of Wilson Pickett and other black American soul singers. He played them on the air.

The music — a change from the salsa and French pop music the station normally played — created an overnight storm in Saint-Louis, where the station was based. The same thing happened when Dia took the music to a station in Dakar, the capital of Senegal.

Dia, now director of the French-to-Africa service for Voice of America in Washington, D.C., said the driving force of the music, which was recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, was the “righteous” performance by the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section."

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Music

The Orstrahyun:

"It's hard for any die-hard AC/DC fan not to shudder at this news, from UK's Popbitch, that a new rock musical is in the works, based on the career and music (obviously) of Australia's most successful and influential hard rock band."

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The Top 20 Albums of All Time (For Real) - The Y! Music Playlist Blog:

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Via Roger Johnson.

This little girl is amazing.

A Video I Truly Love:

"I am usually loath to post videos discovered during my extensive hours of internet “research” for obvious reasons. This one is different. The equation is as follows: Ten year old Japanese musical prodigy in feather boa Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas = Sheer bliss

Trust me, turn up the volume and give it at least 50 seconds."

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