in the mind of the pops archives 2002
11-30-02 Pops here, It`s been a year since the passing of George Harrison...............I will be behind the bar at Rory O`Shea`s between noon and 6pm........more tomorrow
12-1-02 It`s suddenly December, and the Pops here, and it was a queit day at Rory`s, and Todd arrived on the scene, to help me tap till the end of my shift. We cruised to his house, and played, and when we took our breaks, we grooved to some early Fleetwood Mac, and that was some intense jams to rest too. Talkin, the Peter Green era stuff. That filled the air with magic. We went through some extended jams touching on covers as well as original tunage. We hadn`t jammed in almost a month , but it was like we were never away, as that magical feeling was in the air, singing tight harmony just happened without thinking about it much, and letting our souls take over. Now that you kinda kmow about that, I hope hope the Bills are going to beat the Dolphins, but I don`t think its going to be a walk in the park. We cannot lose this one and have much of a prayer, at making the playoffs.....I just got home after jammin with Toddd, I don`t even know how the Sabres did last night, speaking of prayers.........It`s Sunday, and winter is in my soul
12-2-02 Pops here, Snow day! What we always hoped for as children, now a gift to another generation. How about those Buffalo Bills, defeating the Miami Dolphins at the blizzardy Ralf Wilson Stadium yesterday 38-21. It was an entertaining game regardless of the elements. Drew Bledsoe wath the help of some acrobadics from his receiver core, threw for over three hundred yards and three touchdown passes. It`s New England next week. This time in Foxboro, earlier in the season the Patriots handeled the Bills in cinvincing fashion. Hopefully the Bills can turn it around........but it aint gonna be a walk in the park, at the home of the defending Superbowl champs. We might have to resort to some voodoo or something
12-3-02 Pops here, The sun is shining brightly, but beware though there used to be a TV commercial that said " it`s not nice to fool Mother Nature" but I was just outside to check my mail and it is violently cold outside. Do dress warm and in layers, if at all possible, cause Mama Nature throwing us a mean curve with that sunshine. I don`t plan on going anywhere today. No work today, gonna try my luck at a little shoveling (I said a little bit) and work on some music till my snow angels get home
Pops here, It was 23 years ago yesterday that The Cincinnati Who show that a number of fans were trampeled to death, and the post Moon Who was scheduled to play the fallowing night at Buffalo`s Mamorial Auditorium. I remember getting tickets about a month in advance, and counting the days and twas the night before, there I was listening to the radio, and then came the news flash of the Cinnci. tragedy. Me and my selfish self, asking the question, I wonder if they`re gonna cancell the show tomorrow? Well as it turned out the show went on and it was a dynomite performance, and when the show was over, my friends and I went to the parking lot only to find that my friends car had been stolen.................performing at Corsi`s tonight
12-5-02 Hello Friends, Thursday mornings........My Wednesday night just ended about an hour ago. I`ve always found it tough to get to sleep after a gig, but at least for me, it`s equally as difficult waking up an hour after you have just fallen asleep, so I`m hangin with Melinda till her school bus arrives around noon or so. I only have about two and a half hours till the nap time, so it is important that I keep myself awake, no matter what it takes. I had a great time jammin last night, but first things first, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUFFALO BILL, and many more. Opening the evening with Evan, and the mighty Toddd climbed aboard. It sizzled , then Mark and Dave, stepped in, and we covered a bunch of assorted songs, slid into some original jams, then came the BIRTHDAY BOY, original songs were born again. Then suddenly it`s 4AM and the bartender wanted out so away we went. Mark set his Electric Keyboard up earlier on, and I enjoyed the tones, they seemed to mesh with the other tunes, that were already happenening. Blast off!!! It is indeed something......the power of music that is
12-6-02 Hey All, The Friendly Neiborhood Pops here, if 6 was 9 it would be Toddd`s birthday, then he will finally of leagel drinking age........yeh wright. A queit late night I spend at home here on the other side of the clock....Funny how it switches from time to time, as we roll with the changes, in so called destiny.......We won`t find out for real, till when we get there........I guess......maybe I`ll have something to say tomorrow
12-7-02 Pearl Harbor Day/ Pops here, Sabres win their second straight defeating The New York Rangers 4 to 1 last night at M.S.G. It was nice to see a total team effort with Miro Satan leading the way with a hat trick. Tonight it`s The Washington Caps, with Bondra, and Jagur. I hope the Sabres still have their wheels. It will be the third game in four nights, and they finally seem to be putting that awfull start to the season behind them.............I can be found tending bar at Rory O`Shea`s today between noon and 6pm
12-8-02 Hello Readers, Three in a row for the Sabres (wins that is) Adam Mair scored with three minutes, and some change left to give Buffalo a 4 to 3 win over The Caps, but today is Sunday, and the six and six Buffalo Bills have quite the task ahead of them as they are in Foxboro, as they once again face the defending superbowl champs (that still don`t seem right) The New England Patriots)game starts at 1pm. I just about put the seal on a brand new song called "Stop and Think". I just have to memorize the lyrics. I have a personal no cheat sheet policy at shows, but I don`t mind if other musicians use them. I just like to raz em' about it. I heard yesterday that the new George Harrison album was just released, which I havn`t heard a song from yet, but never the less, I have to get my self a copy. George was and still is my favorate Beatle
12-9-02 Hi Gang, first off if is the Mighty Toddd Willard`s birthday, and I hope he takes the day off from work so we can jam. We will see what happens as the day devlopes, but in any event, happy birthday Toddd and a couple thousand more. As far as the Buffalo Bills go, I guess nobody knows his quarterback like his ex coach. Would have, could have, should have. Turnovers did em' in. The Buffalo Bills are a young team, with a great Q.B. and the team is only going to get better, and Eric Moulds has got as good of hands or hand as any receiver in football
12-10-02 The sun is shining bright, in the wonderful wold of Papa Stretch. Lackawanna gets the best of everything especally if you have a small business, and you love paying taxes. Though I am not a small business man yet. I talk to enough of them, and the common beef......Taxes. Our fare City of Lackawanna has the highest business taxes of any city, in the entire of STATE New York. I hope I land a sweet recording deal, so I can pay even more taxes...............but atleast they`ll be affordable
12-11-02 Papa Stretch here, with hopes and dreams alive and well of finding my way into stardum. Maybe I`m not good enough to cut the mustard in a music industry that is so more about immage than song. Perhaps I`ve worked against the grain for too long. It`s not like I havn`t had the opertunity to sign my musical integredy away to a couple of undeserving booking agents. When an agent wants 15% of what I earn performing a gig that he got me, that`s reasonable......but if I hustle my own gig, I still have to pay him that 15%. If they feel that you have any potential, after you have signed on the dotted line, it`s a done deal. I would love a gig writing songs for other people to perform, record, or what have you. If the price is half way reasonable, I`ll give it my very best. In the late 80s- mid 90s I did a lot of traveling, to get myself heard. Following the Dead, and hitting area open mics, just hoping for that break, I even took a bus ride to Seattle during the heart of the grunge movement, and had to wire home for some cash to get home. To a band that`s willing to have me, just let me be me, and I have a heart & soul to give. The whole package. I`ll be listening for the violins, as I sob the day away................I`ll be performing at Corsi`s tonight, with some of my friends so it aint all that bad
12-12-02 It`s the wee hours and I home from plyin' at Corsi`s Blue Room. I spent the last first set with Brian Muhldoon, of the Group 3rd in a Box doin' some way cool stuff, as usual when Brian dropps by to play. I found myself performing solo which I enjoyed emencely. I found a nice sense of peace performing solo, when the mood is right, and right was the quality of listeners, as I experiminted with some different sounds, and vibrations that the listeners didn`t boo to. Messing around with the equalizer gennerated some serius tones, which sent me on yet another musical journey. I only had one nusence, and he got on a vacent microphone , that happened to be on. I slowly faded his vocals from the mix, and he didn`t even know. Finally his friend talked him off the stage, and it was back to serenity
12-13-02 Pops here, hey everybody it`s my moms birthday today. Happy Birthday Mom, and you totally rule as a grandmother as well. There is a somber note to todays thoughts "Doctor T" the great Al Tinney passed away yesterday, at the age of 81. The Good doctor worked with the likes of Billie Holiday, Dizzie Gillesbe, and Charlie Parker. My memory of Doctor T was showing up with some friends at the Colored Musicians Club, and Meeting Mr. Tinney just before they were ready to go on, and natuarlly I asked for the guest appearence. My roots bein' traced back to the blues and all. He told me to get a drink and listen to some music. These guys played. A multy peice band, with others walkin' in with cases lookin' to play. This was action. So I did what the man said and took in an hour of musical magic......Then Mr. tinney calls me over, and asked me if I knew what I was doin' I told him I could sing some blues standards, and we arrived at two songs. Sweet Home Chicago and Stormy Monday........So he waved me aboard I called out the first number, what key we were doing it in, and all that good stuff..........did my two songs, got applause, and stood there on the stage like a dummy, that was one of the more intense collection of moments that I ever had............so I look at the band, and asked now what? Someone in the band told me to sit down, so I started to walk off the stage, and that same voice yelled,TAKE A BOW , FOOL.....so I took a bow, and the folk hangun' clapped and whistled, I felt like a gazillion dollars, sat dowm, and the band played on doin' the musical chairs thing and all. That night I felt truly blessed till a man calling himself Leon Jones tried to hit us up for $40.00 duse, and I guess it was time to go......My memory of the great Al Tinney are priceless, a truly gifted pianoist, and he had the respect of everyone who was present, and where he is now , he`s jammin' with the best of em'
12-14-02 Another birthday to mention. Alvin Lee of "Ten Years After" fame, is celebrating his today. I don`t know how old he is, but I remember the fact of this being Alvin`s birthday not only because I`ve been a long time fan, but I know that his birthday is the day after my mom`s....................I can be found at Rory O`Sheas, behind the bar today from noon till 6pm
12-15-02 Hello again Readers, Papa Stretch here Taking a break from reading the newest issue of "Acoustic Guitar" one of the great magazines, for the practicing guitarist. This particuler magazine has the great Jorma Kaukonen on the cover, who has been a huge influence on my life as a musician. Jorma (for those who don`t know) is in the rock & roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Jefferson Airplane, and has played in "Hot Tuna" for over thirty years now, and recently toured with his Blue Country Heart Band, and tours writes performs and teaches guitar, to this day. Jorma and his wife Venessa run the "Fur Peace Guitar Camp, in Pomeroy , Ohio, which is also where Jorma hangs his hat. I received the magazine as a Christmas gift from a friend who visits me at Rory O`Shea`s where I worked yesterday as a bartender. Today, however I`ll be listening to the Buffalo Bills play Doug Flutie, and the San Diego Chargers, the game is not a sellout, and will not be broadcasted on local TV so I`ll be listening to 96.9 Buffalo`s 97 Rock at 1pm and chill at the homestead today, and work on music today as well
12-16-02 ........and another week begins in the world of Papa Stretch. It`s been a week since my son Kevin had a cough, and there`s no more waiting around, like we used to do when I was a child. I`m going to take him in to see the doc, I hope and pray that this is nothing serius. Hearing Kevin cough in his sleep this morning was alarming to me, so the wait is over along with the hope of this going away on it`s own
12-17-02 Hey All, Papa Stretch here, I would like to let everyone know that Kevin jr. is doing fine. His doctor percribed him antibiotics. They say it takes 24 hours to take effect, but it`s only been 18 or so, and the meds seem appear to have kicked in already. His doctor cleared him to go to school and hopefully the seasonal bugs wiched plauged our household, and I`m sure many household on this wonderful planet of ours, will just go way. Speaking of this planet, another original song is near completion.......I hope, as I`m getting political again for the first time in over ten years. The last time I wrote a politacle tune was "Hidden Poor" back in 1991, but one thing for sure I aint never runnin' for office. The bad guys wouldn`t like me very much most certainly, once I turn down their bribes, it would just get plain old ugly, in this day and age, I`m into helping people, not screwing them over. I beleive firmly that it will pay off in the long run, and it`s payed off already............the more I think about it. The friendships I`ve made over the years I value with my life.......well most of them anyway
12-18-02 Hump Day is upon us, and I`m running out of space on this page go to IN THE MIND OF THE POPS 9 for more
12-18-02 Hello again readers, as we pop the seal on another page of what dances around in my cranium. I spent a lot of time responding to Emails yesterday , got more of the same to do today, as well as a mini recording project that`s in the works, that I will tell you all about upon completion, and I`ll be performing at Corsi`s tonight
12-19-02 Hi Gang Pops Here, as I somewat over slept, and I`m ready for the completion of the first of the last snooze after a fun night of quality jammin with some fine folk. I must start recording Wednesday nights, far too much is now only a memory. also the fact The Sabres victorius last night over the Bruins of Aerosmith country, sorry boys. I wonder if their bar is anywhere near the Fleet center, like it makes any difference. Thanks to everyone who played.......as well to those who hung out and listened. If anyone had half the fun I had with a room full of some damn good vocalists, their like me, tired, smilin' and ready for more. Jammin' and next week Wednesday on Christmas night, which happens to be brother Dickies birthday as well, jammin' with Drivven which promises to be another jamin' night, it seems like a long week leading up to performing live again, but I have other projects to tie me over till that one including recording..............yeh
12-20-02 Howdy People Pops here, The weekend is upon again. Whith a whole lot of what see what happens, options open, other than being on the schedule to bartend Saturday.......Got lots of music to work on at home, for varius situations, as usual, but I`ll always make room for another, it`s like one of those things that wont shut off, even when I wish it would, it even working in my dreams as I sleep.............this is a condition a fellow by the name of Ginger Baker diagnosed as "Blue Condition"
12-21-02 Hi Gang, it`s the wee hours of a saturday mornin' and I can hear that wind whipping around, which usually means some kind of dammage to the exterior of this old dwelling. I aint goin' out there now, gonna rest the old bones, and grab me a snooze before I leave for work, wich means I can be located at Rory O`Shea`s beetween noon and 6pm
12-22-02 Well Friends it like this. At the end of my barkeeping shift, Jesus ( my Old friend )......that is, took me to his family holiday gathering. It was nice to see some old pals, Some of those I havn`t seen in a dogs age, but I split after the 50/50 raffle, for misic was calling, and god landed me in Corsi`s Blue Room, and that`s where the action was. First I performed on Conga, with The Wille May Band, it had been seven years sinse they played together, with this line up , not counting me. I guess I kind of slipped in the cracks, and I think we kicked some booty, and if that wasn`t enough Tom Corsi, played bass in both bands, the second band bein' Big Tobacco, and I kept a drum in stiking distance, For Big T, I got my ja ja`s out with some tradtional Blues, to border line Phycho Jamz, and some good groovin'for a musical hunger, that won`t go hungry, and I got me a healthy portion
12-23-02 Hello All, Normally on Mondays I give kind of a reveiw on The Buffalo Bills game played the Day the day before, but I`m not going to tell how awfull the offense played, the turnovers, and just how out of sinc they they were, and how The Bills lonely highlight was an 83 yard punt with no return hemming The Packers within their own 10 yard line, but when all was said and done, The Bills ended up losing to Phe Packers 10 to 0 in Green Bay. The Bills Defense played well, but when all was said and done, The Bills not only lost the game, but they also lost whatever playoff hopes that were on a very thin string anyway, and that sorry excuse for a movie, on how the Bills finally won a superbowl, not only was a terrible movie but yet another slap in the face to all Bills fans. If you get a chance to see a repeat, don`t subject yourself to an hour and a half of garbage. The weather out side is frightful, like paying your bills during the holiday season. I am Christian, but the true meaning of Christmas got lost in the department stores, on or off line. When I was child I received a couple of gifts, and all was fine and dandy. Now you have to by for neices, nephews, parents , grand parents, great grand parents, God children, school bus drivers, bus aids, teachers, and who knows who else. If you can afford to do that fine, but if you can`t do it. We were fortunate to receive a gift from a good friend who I am sure would rather remain nameless. In any event this friend gave our children $100.00 gift certificate for Toys are Us, which was a huge help. My wife dropped that gift certificate, and some on, on our children who have an over abundance of toys as it is. Not to mention all of the above. I try not to be a scrooge, but there is a lot of money to be payed out, and that`s what January`s going to be about. I incurage all Christain parents to educate your children on the true meaning of Christmas, and a little prayer before opening gifts, might be a good start, going to church wouldn`t hurt either
12-24-02 Twas the day before Christmas, and all through the hood, eyeballs were watching, stealin' what they could, to keep their stems cookin'and their only one care, did the man cook that eightball, buyer beware, there nothin' left to sell, so a theif I be, for I gots me somethin', that ole' crack head desease.........I know that was lame, just a stupid poem off the top of my head. Well the Sabres played last night against the Penguins of Pittsburgh. I have been following the Sabres sinse they came to be, and this might be the worst Sabre team that I`ve ever seen in my life, and it couldn`t happen at a worse time. I don`t know how much Hamenster(chairman of the board to be?) Might have second thoughts about investing any cash in this team and backing out. Now he wants state of the art sound, at the arena, and is working with are loco leaders on getting the funding from you can guess where. At least build a contender before you start laying the screws to fans and non fans alike. The team is awfull. The Pens took it to the Sabres 5 to 2 most of the dammage done in the third period. Most of the players on the team arn`t ready for the NHL yet, and fans are sick of paying a lot of money to watch a team rebuild sinse the dreaded no goal episode. I go to a game or two a year if I`m lucky. The price of consessions is rediculus. If they lowered their prices, it would take long for the word to get out, and who ever gets the cash would make it up in volume, seats would fill because that would make it more affordable for this, a blue collar city, with a sorry hockey team and a hurtin' economy
12-25-02 Merry Christmas to all, and peace and good health to you and yours.............I`ll be performing with Drivvin, in Corsi`s Blue Room, celebrating Christmas, and Dickie Spider`s birthday tonight at 10pm
12-26-02 Hey All, I had one of those accidental naps, lucky for me the phone rang at 9PM last night, or I otherwise may have overslept the gig, sounds like some one I know and I don`t want to mention last names, Harry. Once I arrived on the scene, in the Blue Room, I was confused because Big Tobacco was playing and not Drivvin as was originally scheduled to play. As it turns out Drivvan`s Guitar man called off. He`s a new Daddy, with a Chistmas Baby Boy, Congadulations to Bob Hollywood, and my blessings to your family, on a day of which, a lot of blessings are served, and that `s cool with me, as it was jammin' with Big Tobacco instead Drivin it will happen again...........Performing with The Other Thing, at Rory O`shea`s post Christmas party this evening I have to check my show dates page to find out what time, let evey day be Christmas, especially if jammin' is on the agenda
12-27-02 Hello People, Nothin' like a bowl of Cherios for breakfast, after another night, as the tiger in the spot light, but in all reality, we all shined as one, on a good time musical exploration with the The Other Thing, with Mark, Dave, and myself, at Rory O`Shea`s. Opening the night with the C.S.N. classic "Sweet Judy Blue Eyes", and capped off the show, with the Allman`s "Whipping post" with some Greatful Dead, Bobby Dylan, Sublime, and phyco acoustic jams, Original tunes as well. It`s great Jammin with cats half as young as me, and yet so well rounded in their musical backrounds, and both Mark and Dave pay attention, and they don`t get themselves too drunk which is always a plus, when you wanna get it on, and kick out some serius stuff. Yes I have another baby.......The "Other Thing" is part of my musical arsinal that`s growing stronger with age
12-28-02 All is quiet on the home front, as I just awoke from an unscheduled nap. Everyone is sleeping, that is with the exception of your`s truly, and the only thing that really comes to mind is the fact that I can be found behind the bar at Rory O`Shea`s today between noon and 6pm, and that I am jammin' with Toddd afterwords
12-29-02 Happy Birthday Ray, my friend sinse we were in the same maternity ward at Buffalo`s Sisters Hospitol some 43 years ago, my birthday is Tuesday New Years eve and back then they didn`t ship mother and clild out of the hospitol in a day and a half like they do now. I was born 12 and a half hours into the 1950s, and was a last minute tax deduction for dear old Dad
12-30-02 December`s children, a special breed, as happy birthday wishes go out to Andy Dominiak a good friend of mine, and one hell of a sports fan. Speaking of sports the Bills ended up with an 8-8 record as the finished the 2002 season with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Sabres have just as many wins as the Bills. Here it is almost January, and the sorry ass Sabres have only eight wins. Lets hope the new year, will bring some reselutions to show up and play every night instead of going through the motions...............and what a differense the Dominator made to the team. He was simply the best netminder the team ever had, and in the words of the great Joni Mitchell, You Don`t know what you got till it`s gone
12-31-02 Today I turn 43, and I`m lucky to be alive, let alone half sane. I was blessed with a beautiful family, and the greatest friends I weirdo like me could have, and don`t think for a minute that I don`t appreciate what all of you all have done for me. There is no tellin' what I`m going to do today, but my boozen days are behind me for quite some time now, but I`ve got a hunch that I`ll be jammin' somewhere tonight...........gotta check my local listings