Friday, August 27, 2010

5 years of Ass Whuppin

Five years and still blogging. Still living in as much of a paradise as main land U.S. has to offer. Still standing. Still at it.

2,332 posts.

This blog has been about a lot of things, but two primaries make up the bulk.

Politics:

This is the year where my admiration for an initially inspirational new President turned into sickening disdain for a man and administration that turned out to be the palest of a shadow of what was advertised. A man and administration that doesn't have the conviction to do the right thing ever with a penchant for shitting on the date that brought 'em to the dance. The health care reform that turned into health insurance bail-out was a harbinger of horrible leadership and a complete selling out of principles of things to come.

Really, at my age I should always stick with the well earned jadedness I've acquired through-out my years, but sometimes we slip and put our faith in an individual. Won't happen again, I promise. But it does make me sad that so many first time voting young people had their 'brutal-reality' cherry popped by OA and will turn away from the polls in droves in the coming decades. Heckuva job, Obama.

America won't change and anybody that steps into the White House as a resident will make damn sure the status quo remains.

Only one thing to do. Keep fighting. Keep making sorry-ass Democrats' lives as miserable as possible. Only vote for those who support your convictions. Never vote for someone because the other person is worse. If the terrible people are elected, we'll survive it.

That's my political rant.

Yet, while one past hero crashes and burns a group of my real heroes, though blood, sweat and tear, continued their ascension as one of the most important Rock bands ever. I mean that. Ever.

I couldn't be more proud of Drive-By Truckers and I couldn't be in any more awe of the role I'm allowed to play in the organization.

Thank you, DBT. Thank you DBT family. You are the only thing anchoring me to my homeland. Otherwise, my ass would be on a speck of sand teaching English to brown people.

So, here's our year in review starting with the past 4 AAW b-day posts:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': 4 Years of Ass Whuppin

Alabama Ass Whuppin': AAW Year in Review - 3 Year Blog-a-versary

Alabama Ass Whuppin': 2 Years of Ass Whuppin

Alabama Ass Whuppin': 12 Months of Ass Whuppin'

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Hardly Strictly festival in GG park, SF this last year was incredible. Met Booker T. Jones. Met and hung out with Peter Grumbine and we both were stalked by Robert Plant. Sat on stage while Billy Joe Shaver played his set. Hung out with good friends with beautiful weather and a great line-up. Nothing beats a stoned beer buzz noon on a Sunday in Golden Gate Park

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Hardly Strictly Over the Fun

Hardly Strictly - 2009 - Billy Joe Shaver (2).jpg (image)

Facebook | Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival - Booker T and DBT

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Caught up with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and Uncle Josh. Excellent performance in a beautiful venue. Videos below

Isbell Show at Great American Music Hall:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': DBT Week in Review - 11/13/09

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Bama returned to dominance. Roll Tide!

Tide wins SEC - Tebow Wept:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Name for the Winners in the World

National Champs:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Long Time Coming - Roll Tide Roll

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Booker T. with DBT win Grammy!

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Booker T Jones with Drive-By Truckers - Grammy Winner

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Took a trip to Athens, GA for my first 3 night DBT run at the 40 watt.

Alabama Ass Whuppin': The Big To-Do and 40 Watt Pictures

Facebook | 40 Watt 2010

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DBT released The Big To-Do and boy-howdy has it ever been one.

Alabama Ass Whuppin': The Big To-Do Week in Review - 3/19/2010

Big To-Do 1st week charts:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': DBT Week in Review - 3/26/10

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Started to tweet a bit:

JPW (alabamaasswhupn) on Twitter

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We lost a lot of good people this year, but the loss of Chester tops the list. RIP Chester:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': 18 Wheels Of Love - Chester Adams RIP (April 26, 1945 - May 27, 2010)

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Brent Best solo album project!

Alabama Ass Whuppin': Help Fund Brent Best's (Slobberbone) Solo Project!

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DBT sells out the Fillmore then rocks Tahoe.

Facebook | Fillmore 5/8/2010

Facebook | Tahoe - Crystal Bay Casino - 5/9/2010

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Had the pleasure of being a publisher for dear friend "Lurleen"'s great interview with Patterson:

Alabama Ass Whuppin': An Interview with Patterson Hood

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Some video I shot in the past year:

DBT's 'I Use to be a Cop'. To, hopefully appear on Go-Go Boots:



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Bloodkin at the 40 Watt run:



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Camp Amped Band with DBT - Stones Cover:



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Camp Amped Band



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Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Great American Music Hall



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Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Great American Music Hall



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Chuck Prophet - Great American Music Hall



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Hardly Strictly - Gillian Welch, Dave Rawlings, Emmlou Harris:



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Hardly Strictly - DBT and Booker T.



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Hardly Strictly - DBT and Booker T.



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Thanks for dropping by. Stick around to see if I make it another year.

JPW

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4 comments:

Lurleen McQueen said...

Damn - I'm so tickled to have made your year-end highlights! Wow and thank you!

APGG said...

This is one of my favorite blog sites. Just wanted to say, keep up the good work. Love yr politics and music. Only place we diverge...Nick Saban is the anti-christ. Take it from me, a Miami Dolphins fan. LOL.

Smitty said...

Great work - keep it up, I check in daily...

AAW said...

Thank all y'all! APGG: Saban may be, but he's OUR anti-christ. :D