in the mind of the pops archives 2003
1-1-03 Happy New Year All, Home safe and soundly, after a venture off to the Niagara Hotel, it was cool, my friend is the owner, and that got me in for a sit in with, " The Frame"............a good band, we hit a couple of other pubs, scarfed up on some free grub, and caught up with some long time friends, Hard Timers Revisited
1-2-03 Hey Peoples, morning came too quick after last night`s blue room jam. The kids are back in school, wife is back to work, I guess not a lot has changed after all of the hoopla, now that the smoke has cleared, I have not any expetations , well maybe a couple, but nothing too beyond our practical means, whatever they are
1-3-03 Hey All, It`s a new year and all, new calanders and all, but the embryonic calender is all out of whack. I woke up thinking today was tuesday, but it sunk in that today is Friday, and I gots me some things to do, like changing guitar strings and such seein' what`s up whith wifie`s agenda, and roll from there. Bottum line, I wanna jam
1-4-03 Greetings Peoples, The plate is pretty full today, got me some demos to mail as Saturday has become post office day for me, as it happens to be on route to Rory O`Shea`s where my weekly bartending cameo goes down from noon till six, and after that gonna hook up with Toddd, where music is a vehicle to the outer reaches, and when I come down from that ride, The Willie May Band is playing in Corsi`s Blue Room, but first things first, it`s nap time.........I hope
1-5-03 Well it`s Sunday as the embryonic calander seems to be getting on track. Hangin' with my children, catchin' up on some Emails, fixin' to order some Chinese food. I hav`t seen many stray cats and dogs around the neiborhood of late, gives me second thoughts........but a "Poo Poo Platter", is a must today for my growling tummy
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
4-10-03 Well it appears to be the end of a hyperextended winter here in Western New York. I hooked up with my Mom and Little Sister, for a cruise to the Broadway Market, but not before we took a tour of Buffalos` East Side. I must say that my old stomping ground is a getto-war zone. With only a few of the old landmarks remaining, and delapitation on every street. There may be as many vaccent or boarded up houses as there were occupied homes. What a difference a decade makes
4-11-03 Saddely I just learned that former Buffalo Bills GM John Butler passed away R.I P. to a good man,,,,,,,,,,,,,as life goes on, I was wearing shorts today, stopping traffic on good ole South Park Avenue. I love it as the sun is shining brightly, did some prepping for the start of the "X"stremetease FLAT WORLD TOUR, as it blasts of from the Niagara Hotel in beautiful Lockport, New York, located at 58 North Tansit Street,,,,If ya' wanna come check us out, and you need directions to the hotel and fine drinking establishment, (not nessessarerelly in that order) but anyway their phone is 716-434-9343 show time is 10pm tomorrow bein' Saturday, but second things third, I can be found behind the Bar at Rory O`Sheas 81 Abbot Road near Bailey ave, with unbeilable drink specials Saturday from Noon till 6pm where the tape-CD exchage of live shoes in on is on, but right now gonna take the children for a walk................Cool
4-13-02 Last night at performing at the Niagara Hotel, was nice time. I was a little disapointed not to see the owner, who is an old friend, but outside of some technical problems with our stage monitor, things were pretty cool. Some friends of my friends took a taxi ride to hear us. Tim, Tina, and brother Joe. I was pleasently surprised. The monitor malfuncion, was a problem bein` that the room we were playing in had quite the echo, so without a sound monitor, we nothing in stage volume, and it got a little confusing playin` off the echos in the room, but on the whole it wasn`t a bad night, as "X"strememetease has that first gig under our belts, and the roast beef on weck at the Niagara Hotel get a five star rating from this kid..........and thanks to the pipe fitters, who made an early cameo, and provided us with inspiration as well
4-14-03 Is the war over or is Syria next on the list??? It`s sad to say and many will disagree, but it seems as though the United States goverment will use 9-11, as an excuse for to go to war any number of countries into the next mellenium. Don`t lose sight of the fact that Bush`s dad was not only president, but director of thr CIA, and with all of that in mind, he was raised and groomed to be the next War Pig
4-15-03 Got me a busy one today, bartending at Rorys` from noon till 6pm, and jammin' with Todd afterwords. I was up a little late with Walt the technician, working on the troubled stage montitor system, and it`s still ailing, so Walter will perform surgery on it tomorrow, I just woke up and it`s time to get it in gear
4-16-03 Another nice day in Lackawanna, but the weather man says it aint going to last. Spring break for the children. We will have to take a stroll around the neiborhood, and if they don`t give me a hard time, we`ll make a pit stop at Dairy Queen. Tonight I will resume work on my solo thing seein` that I have another song in the works, plus Walt should be here to pick up the PA for surgery on the failing stage monitor output, and he also plans to give the whole PA head a cleaning, while he has it open, and before all of the above, I have a few people to touch base with some folk about booking gigs. Wish me luck
4-17-03 Well I had plans to to a lot of conststructive things last night, instead I spent the evening and night watching some sports on TV. Micheal Jordan`s last game in the NBA, then I watched the news, and it was on the sports report that I learned that the Maple Leafs and the Flyers were in triple overtime, so I quickely swiched to CBC to watch the game which the flyers won, and it was there that I learned that the defending Stanely Cup champion Detroit Red Wings, were on the brink of being swept, by the Aneheim Mighty Ducks, and thats just what happened, in overtime, cup last year, first round elimination this year. I guess as far as the Red Wings go, NO DOMINATOR, NO BOWMAN equals no Stanely Cup......so I guess all the stuff I set out to do yesterday I`ll try and get done today
4-18-03 Today in the Jefferson community, we are mourning the loss of one of or own. Marshall Homes of West Virgina the same guy who gave me a recording of a Roger McGuinn show, that I`ve made a number of copies for a lot of you out there. Marshall was a good man and will be missed by all who`s lives he touched. After looking through my guest book the newest entry is from a man named Papa Stretch, and he aint me. He says he used Papa Stretch, as a stage name a while ago. He also sent me an email and wants to know where I got the name from. Those of you who know me personally, and catch my shows know that a audience member called me Papa Stretch, while we were celebrating the birth of my first born in 1994, and it carried over into my elustrius bartending carrier as well. I emailed him to let him know that is was his call, so there may be a new stage name in the near future, a couple hundred gigs later, and a thousand business cards later, and a web site for about a year now. I am awaiting Papa`s reply
4-19-03 I have another Saturday on my hands, bartending at Rorys` from high noon till 6pm, jammin' with Todd afterwords, and for what it`s worth, the other Papa Stretch wants me to change my stage name to Papa Stretch Junior.........yikes
4-20-03 Easter Suday is upon us, and I have plans to cook a big dinner with the help of Missy, take Leanna and Kevin junior to church, hang with the in-laws here at home, as I look forword to a bunch of Rug Rats, all wired up on candy. I hope the weather cooperates, with some sweet sunshine, and let the love of Christ and Easter cheer be with you all
4-21-03 So you are of Polish decent, and you have behaving yourself sinse Ash Wednnesday. It`s been weeks of no beer, wine, brandy, or vodka. Well Dyngus Day is upon us, and you can lift that pause button I guess, and let it all hang out so to speak. Dyngus Day used to be one of the biggest nights out of the year on Broadway avenue in Buffalo. I remember Chopins` being the first spot, with our local news people partaking in the celebration. They say everyone is Irish on Saint Pattys` Day, so everyone is Polish on Dyngus Day. I remember hopping around the old neiborhood (bar to bar), and those of us with that sense of adventure, or too messed up to know any better would end up at Shadracks for last call. For me that would be if the band ( Stretch Limo Ride) wasn`t booked at Hard Times, or Laurel and Hardys` playing the perverted version of the HOKIE POKIE, and all. We had a lot of fun playin' those gigs, as we did most of the ones we played. A reunion is in the works, but suffered a bit of a set back, which has us on hold for now, but hopefully not too much longer. I think I`ll pass on Dyngus Day festiveties, and stay home and eat leftovers from Easter dinner, and munk around here with my varius little tasks, or check out some NHL playoff games. For those of you who are out and about, I`m not quite sure where all the down home Dyngus Parties are, but keep and ear to the ground and Dyngus Day will find you. Pussywillows, and squirt guns, oh boy!!! The ladies get the pussywillows, so gentlemen beware of the Polish dominatress, who I`m pretty sure still comes out every year, because if you like to Polka, you will wake up with some welts tomorrow
4-22-03 I am way behind schedule. Let`s call it the "Day After Dyngus Day Blues" but I can be found behind the bar a little later than usual at Rorys` from 2pm-6pm today
4-23-03 It`s still Easter vacation for my children and we`re having a blast hangin' out. They are as bright as a Christmas tree, and at times they enjoy seeing what they can pull over on me, but for the very most part they are all good kids. At this moment they are complaining that they are hungry, which meens that they must be finally out of easter candy. HOORAY!!!!! Time now to whip up a meal. As for tonight (while everyone else in our household sleeps) I`ll do some more recording
4-24-03 My son`s Godfather, bein that Jim Wynne guy, dropped by for a late night visit. Jim a pretty busy cat, and one of these days he`ll swing buy during the day, and see his God son, but I do indeed understand that Jim is in about 62 bands and time is tight, for the man. Never the less last night was quality time spent. Jim is one of the few people on this planet, who knows where I am coming from musically, and I look forword to his next visit, and finishing yet another recording project
4-25-03 I was told today, that The Iron Butterfly is looking for a keyboardist for a new album, and a tour. I can barely play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" but if anyone out there is interested in www.ironbutterfly.com and submitt your entry.........as for me I plan on hangin` at home and maybe sneak in some recording. I`ll be working at Rory O`Sheas Noon till 6pm tomorrow being Saturday, afterwords I think I will go see my friend John Brennan`s band called Jinxed, at the Show Place Theater 1063 Grant Street in Buffalo. There are a couple of other bands on the venue as well, we`ll see
10-3-03 Friday has arrived. Bein' early October I wonder if Indian Summer is in natures plans for Western New York. If New York taxes` effect the Indian tobacco shops. I doubt it. They will be doing snow dances instead of rain dances. Personally, I don`t think our governent should be messin' with the Indians. Our leaders have done a lot that could have provoked revelutions. If they go ahead with this, I beleive that Native Americans will not take this matter laying down. This was their land long before my grandparents arrived here. Our leaders could fix up our country and have it running on the right track if their priorities were straight...........Tomorrow bein' Saturday, I can be found at Rorys from High Noon till 6pm
10-5-03 We are a one TV household, and there is so much on today. Bills football and MLB playoffs (Red Sox vs. As) at the same time as the Bills game (1pm). The Who`s Roger Daltrey is hosting a show on the history channel called "Extreem History" 10:30 est. Each week Roger will play a different character in history. Seeing the previews about had me falling out of my chair. This one is must see for me. If there was ever learning made fun, I have a feeling this is the real deal........Go Bills, Go Sox
10-6-03 Still looking for work as a musician. Though I havn`t gigged in a while, I`m still practicing, writing and hoping for a break. One of these days the ship will come in, till then I`ll keep keepin' on. It`s nice to have my good friend Jim Wynne come by the house once a week. If you havn`t heard him perform, You don`t know what you`re missing. I always learn something new that I can apply to my songs in the way of theory and such. Jim is the recipient of many Buffalo Music Awards. Jim is not one to brag about winning his awards, so I`ll brag for him
10-7-03 How sweet it is! Red Sox eliminate Oakland. Bring on them damn Yankees
10-8-03 Conan the Barbarian will be the next governor of California. Professional wrestler Jessy Ventura was the governor of Minnesota and publicly appoligized to eveyone who voted for him, because he made a bunch of promices that he couldn`t keep once he got a taste of the real deal, and that was Minnesota. Arnie is going to take on the task of California which is billions of dollars in the hole. What is a person that don`t know squat about running a government going to do about it? Reach into his own pocket? Nope. He is worth millions not billions and wouldn`t do it anyway. Maybe he can try his groping skills on Lisa Marie Presley and get a nice chunk of cash from Graceland. Let`s face it. California is screwed............worse than New York.............YIKES!
10-9-03 I relaxed at home and watch The Bosox beat the Yanks in game one of the ALCS. It was nice to spend a few innings of the game over the phone with my Dad who got me started as a Red Sox fan at a young age. We were watching the game and poking fun at the color commintators who just plain sucked. One would think that with the magnatude of that series, bein' one of the biggest rivalrees in professional sports Fox would have their best in the broadcast booth. Tonight is game two in Yankee Stadium BUT hold the phone, The Buffalo Sabres open the regular season tonight in Philadelphia against The Flyers. The game is televised locally here in Western New York. So I will have The Sabres game on TV, The Bosox on radio till The Sabres game is over then switch to base ball for the late innings of game. The Sabres have a new inforcer by the name of Andrew Peters, I have yet to see him fight but word is he a true to form heavy weight. That is something that has been lacking in the team for a few years now. Rob Ray took on just about everyones tough guy and served well in his role, but he hadn`t the support needed sinse Brad May was here and healthy. I`m exited about this season there is a lot of talent on this team a solid defensive core. Lots of team speed. As far as the goalie sittuation, I would like to see Ryan Miller between the pipes, but Marty is making the big bucks and in all likelyhood will be our starter for the first month of the season and then if he aint cutting the mustard, I think we`ll see Miller getting the nod. I`m looking forword to tonight. Time to get the lumber up
10-10-03 It`s a beautiful day in Lackawanna. I have most of the windows open and music blasting. I figure on taking a stroll around the neiborhood. Ya' have got to enjoy Indian Summer while it lasts........Tomorrow bein' Saturday I can be found behind the bar at Rorys from High Noon till 6pm
10-12-03 I can`t beleive that no one was ejected from yesterdays` Bosox-Yankee game yesterday. Make no mistake I am a true Red Sox fan, but Perdro Martinez after the beeming incident, threatened The Yankees Jorge Pasada with a motion that he would hit him in the head with a pitch afterwords should have been more than enough for at least one of the umpires to throw him out of the game. Then Manny Ramirez in his first at bat begins to charge Clemens after a high pitch in the second half of the inning, should have been ejected as well. Former Red Sox`s manager Don Zimmer now Yankee coach goes after Pedro and Pedro pushes the 72 year old Zimmer to the grass, it`s a wonder that no got hurt. A little later in the game, the Red Sox`s grounds keeper tries to attack one of the Yankee pitchers in their bull pen. The Police were quick to defuse that sittuation. I can`t help but wonder how much of that will carry over into tonights game. In all my years of watching baseball I`ve never seen the umpires let so much go, and I can`t help but wonder how much of this will carry over into tonights` game. The Sabres with their new aquasitions still looked like last years Sabres losing to The New York Islanders 6-0. In 2 games in this young season the Sabres have yet to score a goal. How much longer will Sabre mamagement stick with The Lindy Ruff system? The Buffalo Bills are in The Medowlands for a 4:15 game against the winless New York Jets. The Jets are coming off a bye week, and I wouldn`t take them lightly. With Eric Moulds out with a groin injury everyone else is going to have to step it up a notch if we expect to be have a chance. None of The Jets` losses have been blow-outs
10-13-03 It`s Columbus Day and a day off from school for the children. I`m going to have to get them outside soon, because they are currently running wild and when they run wild in the house and odds are something in the house will end up broken. I can`t help but get the feeling that Buffalo Bills coach Gregg Williams and his offensive coordinator will soon be looking for new jobs. I hope The Bills` GM Tom Donohoe makes the moves ASAP while we can still salvage this season, and make the playoffs. Bosox-Yankee game in Fenway rain out yesterday. The game will be made up today, I`m not sure what time. Check your local listings as the saga continues
10-14-03 Anyone who was expecting to catch me at tomorrows` Gov`t Mule Show at UB, don`t look for me because I won`t be there
10-15-03 Hey Folks, I got called into work today so I can be found today behind the bar at Rorys from 3pm-7pm............It aint over till it`s over. That phrase coined by Yogi Berra...........Go Red Sox
10-16-03 I fell asleeep last night before the end of Cubs-Marlins game seven. The Cubs were winning, but according to my kid`s school bus driver. The Cubs lost last night and The Marlins advance to the World Series, and face the winner of The Red Sox-Yankee seventh game tonight. Perdro will be on the hill against former Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens for what could be his last game of a fantastic career. Tonights game is in Yankee Stadium and promices to be a treat. I won`t dose off during this one
10-17-03 The Bosox choke again and it`s no surprise to me. I`ve been with them as long as I can remember, and it`s the same old crap. BTW The Sabres also losers to The Oilers in Edmonton 4-1. To hell with sports! I will not watch a Sabres or Bills game till both Lindy Ruff and Gegg Williams have both been replaced as head coaches. Enough is enough already. Time to jumpstart the re-birth of my music career which has been at a stand still of late............Tomorrow bein' Saturday I can be found behind the bar at Rorys from High Noon till 6pm
10-19-03 Hi Kids, I just got called into to work at Rorys from Noon till ?. I have a foot out to the door. Come visit me if you can
10-20-03 I find myself overly envolved in professional sports. Sometimes my emotions get the best of me as they did at the during and after that Bosox Yankee series. For a few days afterwords, I didn`t want a thing to do with professional sports, but suddenly our local teams (Bills and Sabres) win. Needless to say I`m back into it again. The Bills taking it to The Redskins. Mika Noronen gets the shout out between the pipes for the Sabres in Calgary. Though I am still unhappy with both The Sabres and Bills head coaches, they still are my teams, and The Boston Red Sox as well......Go Marlins
10-21-03 After a windy night and listening to the windows rattle all night. As I look back now, I should have recorded it for some back round noise for a spookie song for Halloween or somthing. It`s quiet here now, with me being the only human being home a good time to play some guitar and see what I can de-compose I`m off to work at Rorys 2pm-6pm
10-22-03 It`s hard to beleive that Christmas is drawing nearer. It kind of like there was the Fourth of July then zoom! Remember folks, that you can`t buy for everyone so try to stay within' your budget. I know it aint easy but tis the season when gas bills go through the roof. That concludes todays reality break. For me it`s back to the Rorys today between 2pm and 6pm. doin' that smokin' happy hour thing
10-23-03 Going over Niagara Falls without a barrell. Doing it in a barrell is crazy enough let alone taking the plunge without even wearing a life jacket. Once they finally let this guy out of police custody, I hope he has smarts enough not to try it again. Guardian Angels only have so much tollerence for such behavior and if he tries it again the stupid ass will probably end up dead
10-24-03 I just finished listening to Hendrix Voodoo Session. An offering I received in todays mail. Jimi appears to be introducing the tune "Voodo Chile" to The Band Of Gypsys. Gradually friends start to enter the room where the band was playing. Jimi was dead set on getting the dynamics of the tune just the way he wanted it, and in between takes some dude keeps bugging Jimi to go step out and smoke something with him, and Jimi kept telling the dude,later man later. Needless to say by the end of recording and numerous takes, the group had it down and made for a chilling version of the tune, and not the slight return. You Jimi Folks know what I mean...............tomorrow being Saturday I can be found at Rorys from High Noon till 6pm smokin'
10-26-03 I stand to be corrected as always. The line up on the Voodoo Sessions is not The Band of Gypys, but the line up of Jimi, Steve Winnwood on keys, Jack Casady on bass, and last but not least Mitch Mitchell on tubs. I should have known off the bat......Hmmmmmmmm, speaking of bats, Congratz go out to The Florida Marlins for defeating the New York Yankees in six games, and now are the 2003 World Series Champs. Gongratz also going out the Marlin fans. Bills-Chiefs to play tonight in Kansas City. The Chiefs and coach Dick Vermile are undefeated with a seven and zero record. If The Bills pull off a victory, I`ll take back everything I said about Gregg Williams. Also The Sabres are riding a two game winning streak, and play The Colorado Avelanche tonight in Denver. If the Sabres can pull off a victory over over The Avs, then I guess I`ll have to take back what I said about Coach Ruff as well. As The Sabres conclude their logest road trip in team hisrory. I hope Ruff has sense enough to name Marty Biron his starting goalie and take some pressure off that young man. Marty is the best man for the job at this point having the most NHL experience out of any goalie in our camp. Brad Miller is the goalie of the future and Noronin, Who knows? One thing for sure, He aint a goalie. But Andrew Peters rocks
10-27-03 I started to watch the Buffalo Bills game last night. It`s a good thing the Sabres were on the other channel.............Tomorrow bein' Tuesday, I can be found at Rorys from 2pm till 6 SMOKIN"
10-30-03 I arrived at the conclusion that my 100% Solo recording is lacking an importmant element. But I`m not sure what it is. I`ve listened to the master tape over and over, and did a little tweeking in spots. Trying to get some better tones. A month ago at this time, I was happy with the sounds. I`ve been unsuccessfull mixing it down. I going to have to get some help from one of my friends that has more experience and better tools for home recordings. I`ll send out some smoke signals today
10-31-03 Happy Halloween to All. Kind of dragging my self around in super slowmoe, after jammin' all night with Jim Wynne, very little sleep and a bus ride downtown this morning to take care of some bizz. It`a approaching evening time and almost "trick or treat" time. We have neices and nephews over that will hangin' with my children for the big walk around the hood. Alice Cooper (Mr. Halloween Himself) is playing tonight at the Seneca Naiagara Casino. A concert venue that holds 400 people. It sold out 45 minutes after the tickets went on sale, and I didn`t get one. Great planning Mister Booking Agent........Tomorrow bein' Saturday I can be found at Rorys from High Noon till 6pm SMOKIN"
11-2-03 Yesterday the name Randy Smith came up in discussion. This guy was truly one of the NBAs great players. He graduated out of Buffalo State, and went on to have a great carreer with the now defunked Buffalo Braves. Randy Smith was the first player in the NBA to perform the reverse dunk and was an all around great player. For the benefit of those NON NBA histotians. The Braves moved to San Diego and The Clippers were born. The Clippers have long sinse move to Las Angelas and have been the laughing stock of The NBA sinse. John Y Brown was the rotton BLEEP that moved the team out of Buffalo
11-3-03 I have my youngest home with me today sick with a cold. It`s not often that I get to spend quality time with one of my children without the other two wanting my attention at the same time. She is in good spirates playing with her Dora toys. No feaver but a lot of coughing. We`ll see how today goes and maybe she`ll be back in action tomorrow
11-4-03 Daddy`s little princess is doing fine and back in school today
11-4-03 I just got back from voting. Always remember to never tell who you vote for. If the person you didn`t vote for wins, Lie!!! Tell him you voted for him. That lie might land you a job.......and besides, Politics are all about lies anyway
11-5-03 Jim Wynne was over last light till the wee hours. Always way cool hangin' with Jim chewin' the fat, and getting a bunch of laughs. He also gave me a list of show dates and I posted on his page. Soon Jims page will be known as jimwynne.com/. I just registered his domain today, and everything envolved the with the domain transfers should be complete in 12 to 48 hours. Now after all of that, I know it`s time for a nap
11-6-03 Last night The Buffalo Sabres were home to face The Atlanta Thrashers and appeared to have the game in hand and the roof caved in with The Thrashers getting three quick goals on Sabres goalie Martin Biron who was eventually pulled and Mika Noronan finished the game between the pipes for the Sabres. When all was said and done, The Thrashers walked out of The HOT SAUSE BLUE CHEESE AREANA WITH A 7 TO 4 victory. It`s also beyond me Erie County can be in financial shambles and we (not me) can vote Giambra to another term as County Executive. Sometimes I don`t even know why I waste my time voting
11-7-03 Sabres playing The Canadians tonight at The HSBC Arena donin' the home and home with the Habs playing tomorrow in Montreal. Noranon will get the start in goal tonight. I`m going to stay home tonight, Chill, and watch the game. We`ll see which Sabres team shows tonight..............Tomorrow bein' Saturday I can be found at Rorys from High Noon till 6pm SMOKIN'
11-9-03 Last night for me was "Godfathers Day". First Chet Kaczynski (Leanna`s Godfather)and lead guitarist of 'The Stretch Limo Ride visited me at work. We hit Kmart for blank CDs and and sleeves. We made our way to my house afterwords and did some power hangin' and after Chet went home. A few hours Later Jim Wynne (Kevin Juniors Godfather) and swung by after a gig and we hung till about 7am. Now today I`m draggin' my butt. I missed some of Bills game (I slept well). Time to watch The Bills game.......well part of it anyway
11-10-03 Sometime today I will finally have a domain name for this site. It will be "papastretch.com". You will still be able to access this site the old way for those of you you who have this site filed in your favorites. Now I will return to the task of domain transfering. Wish me luck
Update It`s a success! This site can now be accessed by simply typing in papastretch.com
11-11-03 It`s Veterans Day, as at this very moment I pray for our loved ones in every branch of the millitary serving in Iraq. I wish it was over and our loved ones serving were home where they belong
11-12-03 I`ve been spending most of the afternoon experimenting with an musical tool called a compact multi effects processor, borrowed to me by Chet Kaczynski of our "Stretch Limo Ride". Pretty interesting playing an acoustic guitar through this thing when the thing was designed for bass guitar. I`ve got to monkey with this thing somemore. I have never been much of an effects person. Traditionally everything I`ve used in the passed has been cut and dry other than a little reverb that an effect in many amplifiers. I must say that new doors have opened here. Look out Pink Floyd, Papa`s got a new toy for a while. Tonight I`m going to watch the Sabres play Devils in Rochester. I`m not going to Rochester tonight. The game is televised from Rochester. If The Sabres have a prayer they will have to firing on all cylinders tonight.............and of coarse Happy Birthday Neil Young, Who is not so young anymore but you`d never know it as he continues to blow the doors off of any venue he plays. Acoustic, electric, and or both
11-13-03 Man Alive! Who peaed in Mamma Nature`s corn flakes today? It`s as windy as I`ve ever seen in this area. Telephone poles are swaying, and now as I look out the window, It`s snowing! The children have the day off from school today due to the weather, and I`m going to have to borrow the TV from them in a few, and turn on The Weather Channel for a bit. It`s nasty out there
11-14-03 It`s about 5am and Jay Jay (our oldest cat) is sitting in the chair next to mine giving me the eye. His food bowl must be empty, otherwise he doesn`t like to be bothered much. A lot of people don`t give cats the credit they deserve. They don`t have to do tricks to get treats. Go ahead, Ask a cat for his or her paw, and odds are the cat will walk away, and go straight to the food bowl and start chowing down some grub. They have it made. If there is such a thing as reincarnation either a cat or better yet a ghost.............tomorrow bein' Saturday, I can be found at Rorys from High Noon till 6pm SMOKIN' BABY
11-16-03 I find myself awake in the wee hours again. I`m tempted to go downstairs and listen to some of the music I recorded. I know that will lead to me getting busy again. I love recording almost as much as I love performing live so, Why not?
11-17-03 I send my love and prayers to the family of Daniel "Ozzie" Orzechowski who will be layed to rest later today. Ozzie`s passing brought an bunch of old friends as memories together at his Wake which I attended yesterday. I am still sorting out things out in my mind as I type. So many memories, too many to tell. I`m sure he is reunited upstairs with his son Tim........If weither you knew him personally or not. Ozzy was a mover and a shaker, and devoted family man and I the words of Ray Davies; is a well respected man. The world lost an east side neiborhood legand....Rest in Peace Mister "O" and say hello to heaven....The lord welcomes you...amen
11-18-03 Looks like another overnight session with Jim Wynne. Always a learning experience for me, and once gain I am syked, for the first time in a long time, I`ll finally get to jam with Todd Willard again....scheduled for Saturday evening.....yeh! Sabres win....yeh again!
11-19-03 I`m hoping the rain lets up. My yougest daughter and myself are paying a visit to her doctor. We will once again be relying on public transportation. Once again, I hope the rain lets up.............and I am optimistic that Melinda is fine
11-20-03 Melinda appears to be fine. Though some tests were ordered by her doc as a precaution. Her teacher is concerned about what I beleive is day dreaming. When she does it at home I call her name and she always answeres me. I daydeamed in school, How about you? Speaking of day dreaming, The Sabres had it handed to them last night by the defending Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils. The Sabres need a shake up but I hope they don`t wait too long. I feel (though I know it`s a tall order) a big mean defenceman that has skills enough to stand people up at the blue line, keep the front of our net clear, be able tohandle the puck, and of coarse will drop the gloves and make people pay for gooning our small guys. Like a young Scott Stevens, Like I said.....a tall order.............BTW, The late great Duane Allman would have been 57 years old today
11-21-03 I`m taking a small break from some on line music trading. Beleive it or not, This can get pretty crazy. Everybody wants to hear their favorite songs. Tonight`s agenda is open for the moment. Tomorrow bein' Saturday, I can be found at Rorys from High Noon till 7pm, afterwords I`m jammin' with Todd Willard. Working on some original music, and our two man acoustic tribute to The Who
11-23-03 It`s like 70 degrees in Buffalo and It`s half time and The Bills actually scored a touchdown. Their first in about fourteen seasons....They lead the Indy Colts 7 to 3.........I `ve got ham and cabbage in the oven........going to see the 'Monster Truck thing at The Hot Sause and Blue Cheese Arena, with my Son, Sister-in-law, Nephew, going to meet my Kevin Junior`s God mother and her offspring down there....Yes another full plate today
11-24-03 Yikes! what ugly weather in Lackawanna. Windy, Rainy and just plain yukkie. I`m staying home and watchin' The Sabres game tonight......Hopefully there won`t be any peices of our house blowind around, as in drain pipes and such
11-25-03 After yesterday`s wind storm, our house didn`t lose anything that I know of. For a while last night we had rain, snow, thunder, and lightning to cap off the night. The children wore their winter gear to school, as a good 4 or 5 inches fell overnight. I just finished shoveling, and I still have to get to the post office today.......musical trade winds are always blowing
11-26-03 I finally got my hands on a picture of 'The Stretch Limo Ride. Thanks to my sister Carol the picture can now be viewed on The Stretch Limo Ride page, Which can be accessed by clicking on the link on the bottum of this page. I must say that the singer is quite a good looking guy. Getting gigs is a tall order in this day and age of smoking bans and stuff. The bar owners don`t know what they are missing, because I know that a lot of folks would come out of the woodwork for the reunion. I`ll wait till these holidays are passed, and my New Years Resolution is to get gigs for SLR and every other musical act I`m involved with that are currently in limbo......in the meen time I will continue to record........... and don`t forget to take the bird out of the freezer
11-27-03 Happy Thanksgiving to all. I did a little re-arranging of the links on this site, and The Stretch Limo Ride page can now be accessed on my home page. I still have some work to do on it. Look for a photo gallery to be next as the site`s agenda, and some new songs on MP3 soon to follow in the very near future......Today is a dieter`s day off..........ENJOY
11-28-03 Woe, did I eat a lot. I never knew there was such a thing as a food hangover. I woke up in the middle of the night about ten times, and It hasn`t been exactly pleasent today so far. Everyone else in our household is fine (Thank God), so I know I`m not poisoned, but I probably ate as much as everyone here combined or more. I can`t help but look back to that old Alka Seltzer commercial. With that dude growning, I CAN`T BELEIVE I ATE THE WHOLE THING.........Tomorrow being Saturday I can be found at Rorys from High Noon till 7pm...SMOKIN'
11-30-03 I hooked up with Todd Willard last night. It was a wonderful session. We should have recorded it. We touched on some new arrangements on some songs we have been working on for a while, and touched on some brand new material as well. Today, Wifie and the girls are going to see 'Dora the Explorer at The Shea`s Buffalo. They are accompanied by my sister-in-law and neice. Me and Kev Junior are going to hang home and watch The Bills play. We did the Monster Truck thing last weekend and Kevin isn`t interested in seeing Dora, so me and Sonnyboy will do some power hangin' all day today right here at the homestead. He`s been bugging me all morning to go to HOTWHEELS.COM, so we`ll do that before the game starts......and thanks to my long distance provider Chris Burdzy
12-1-03 It was a long sleepless night with my wife getting all over my case. I will be looking for somewhere to seek refuge for a few hours later today. I feel like maybe we should renew our bowels..........Thanks to Tom Kelly for the sweet pictures of The Alice Cooper Show this passed Halloweeen at The Seneca Niagara Casino from front row
12-2-03 It`s back to bein' good on the home front. I did a bunch of running around today tending to personal business in the cold weather waiting for buses and so on. More of the same for tomorrow. Maybe it will be warmer outside........I`m going to sneak a little jam time in this evening.........Gotta keep up the chops
12-3-03 Sharon disses Ozzy. Sharon Osbourne has publicly stated that she slept with the late 'Randy Rhodes, Ozzy`s guitar extrordinare on the "Blizzard of Ozz" album, in the early 80s. I normally aint a TV gossip guy, but not only was it a act of disrespect to Ozzy, but I was told many times growing up that you let the dead sleep and don`t bring up dirt being that they aren`t alive to defend their honor. That crap, No matter how you slice it is stale as a month old rye bread. It takes no genius to tell that Ozzy is no saint and Sharon stuck with him through a lot turbulence....She played her gold digging cards right....For better or for worse
12-4-03 A somber anniversary it was Frank Vincent Zappa who passed away ten years ago today. Frank was way ahead of time taking rock & roll to the next level. Frank had so many greats in his band over the span of his carreer. Steve Vai, Terry Bozzio, George Duke, Flo & Eddie of the Turtles, to name a few. I could use up this whole page giving credit to all of those in Zappa`s all time roster of top notch musicians. Frank was one who always stood up for our rights as Americans. Free speech for one. As close as Zappa ever came to selling out for radio play was to make fun of existing musical trends. Some of you will remember a Mothers of Invention album called "We are only in it for the Money" The album cover resembled The Beatles "Sargent Peppers" with the Mothers of Invention being the characters on the album cover. I`m a Beatles fan but I found it amusing never the less. Frank Zappa never cared about law suits. He made fun of who ever he wanted with musical integrity
12-5-03 I`m home listening to some music I received in this morning`s mail. Some live Who from 1972. It`s giving my woofers a work out, with the thundering bass of John Entwistle but I have a little running around to do, so I will have to listen to the rest of it later......Tomorrow bein' Saturday I can be found at Rorys from High Noon till 6 or 7 pm....Not sure