Remembering Christmas in Philly with music by Alabama!

Santa climbing the fire ladder into Gimbels

So last week my company had our Christmas luncheon, and my boss asked everyone for Christmas memories. I related a story about seeing Santa come out of a house near my Uncle Ott’s house coming home from church one Christmas Eve. The one I should have told was the memories of going into Philly to shop and see the Christmas displays at Gimbels, Lit Brothers and Wanamakers! For us boomers the Christmas season began in the Delaware Valley when at the end the Thanksgiving Day Parade, Santa made the climb up to whatever floor he was stationed on! Yes, those were the days before the Malls drove customers to the suburbs and my family made the trek to these stores almost every Holiday season and it was magical. The trains, the snow and lights and Santa all made a childs eyes light up! I’m sorry but the Malls don’t even come close to the magic that these stores created! Of course it helped that I was a child!! Read More

Lunchtime Music – Joe Louis Walker – Hellfire

Ok, so the first time I listened to Joe Louis Walker , I really wasn’t that impressed. I even forget the first album I listened to, but the other night I listened to the first few tracks of his latest album Hellfire and I knew that this one was going on the iPod! Not only that but I think it’s one of my favorite blues albums of the YEAR! Evidently the Blues Music Association agrees and has nominated Walker in four categories! They include: B.B King Entertainer Of The Year, Contemporary Blues Album, Contemporary Blues Male Artist and Gibson Guitar and I think the nominations are well deserved. Here’s some other press from his website: Read More

Book 37 of 2012 – Michael Robotham – Say You’re Sorry

The first Michael Robotham book I read was Suspect. I was introduced to one of the best characters in the mystery-thriller genre Joe O’Loughlin, who not only battles wits against the bad guys but also battles Parkinson’s disease. Since that first books I’ve followed all of Joe’s adventures and Book 37 of 2012 Say You’re Sorry  is the fifth book in the series that just keeps getting better. Read More

This Date in Music -December 4, 1944 – Chris Hillman was born!!

So from his early musical days as a founding member of The Byrds to his latest album with Herb Pederson At Edward’s Barn, Chris Hillman has been a part of my musical journey. Whether it was in bands like The Byrds, The Flying Burritto Brothers, Stephen Stills’ Manassas, Souther, Hillman or Furey, or just playing on albums like Dan Fogelsberg’s High Country Snows, Chris Hillman’s voice and playing has been there for over 40 years Just take a look at his Discography page to see how much he’s been a part of everyone’s music over the years Read More

Book 36 for 2012: State of Confusion: Political Manipulation and the Assault on the American Mind

So my goal for the Goodreads Reading Challenge was 40 books this year. For the longest time it looked like I would come nowhere near that total but a good October and November has brought me within 4 of that total. Now the trick will be to get 4 more books reads before the end of the year. December is always a challenging reading month, with so much to do getting ready of Christmas and then I usually am working more at Target, etc, so it will be tough but maybe doable!! Read More

Life’s Soundtrack – A Bluegrass Day and Into the Night with Cory Piatt!

It’s been a while since I had a bluegrass day, but last night after a review of the Roots Music Bluegrass Charts, and some quick listens, I found three bands that served as today’s soundtrack! First was Cory Piatt’s Daydreams (#17),  followed by Cumberland River’s latest The Way We Live(#37) and finally Sleepy Man Banjo Boys with their latest The Farthest Horizon. (#23). It’s been a good music day!! Read More