Greatness is often discovered on the side stages of music festivals, typically witnessed by only a few thousand people during the early sets leading up to the headliners. Most in the crowd are previously hungover, traveling to the bathrooms/concessions as they now join the diverted migration of people congregating in mass around the unmistakable sound … Continue reading The Discovery of Del Water Gap
“I’m a man of the pen more than gun…I can do some serious damage with a pen though.” —Dave Matthews I first experienced the summer with Dave Matthews in 1994 thanks to the infinite foresight of my younger brother Wes, who purchased Remember Two Things from a record store in Bloomington, Indiana where we … Continue reading The Matthews Philosophy
The local record store of the small town I grew up in is where I purchased one of the first albums with the coveted parental advisory sticker, sold to an eleven year old by a proprietor who was clearly an advocate of free speech, artistic expression and was most likely on the edge of bankruptcy. … Continue reading Some Roses Never Die
Somewhere in South America this past weekend, everyone who loves music lost a dear friend. The blonde Tasmanian devil from Laguna Beach that tore through life and ultimately joined his idols, passed way too soon, leaving us all with lifelong questions and scars. The massive outpouring from musicians and artists worldwide upon learning of his … Continue reading Wasting Light
There are some voices that are indefinable anomalies of perfection that resonate to anybody with a beating pulse. George Michael was one of those special few. If vocals, style, charisma, talent and good looks were judged like Olympic gymnastics concerning lead singer all time, Michael is Nadia Comaneci, Bo Derek and Billy Bob’s teacher Ms. … Continue reading George Michael: A Genuine Standard of Cool
It is one thing to have a moment. It is quite another to go full 8-mile on an opportunity like the individuals below did. Being onstage with one’s rock hero is insane but having the ability to not only play with, and also impress them is an incredible feat. They may never become as big … Continue reading 15 Minute Immortals
It’s been 8 years since I’ve seen the real Kanye West. The past four albums released since Yeezus in 2013, have been disappointing to say the least. Madness as Heath Ledger unfortunately taught us is like gravity. It just needs a little push. Enter the billionaire actress that starred in only one “independent” movie. I’m … Continue reading Oh Yeezus, Where Art Thou?
There was something special about Scott Weiland. He had that indefinable quality of being cool without ever trying. It’s a skill few learn to master and even fewer are born with. He was completely unchained, beyond talented, unique, and absolutely knew it. The sadness that accompanied the brilliance when the crowd had stopped screaming eventually … Continue reading The Tortured Beauty of Scott Weiland
As Conan O’Brien wrapped his last ever show this past week, ending almost a three-decade run of entertaining the masses, and making sure people were late for work the following morning having stayed up to watch him. He is the longest running host in the history of late night, and that kind of longevity is … Continue reading Thank You, Conan O’Brien
The above photo is of my Uncle Mark and The Police front-man Sting in Florida. A soon to be U.S. Navy SEAL, at 22 he was a working as a hooker. Even though it seemed entirely possible that he was Magic Mike before his time, he was not in fact a gigolo. As a “hooker” … Continue reading The Synchronicity of My Family
Audacious: 1.: intrepidly daring, recklessly bold. 2.: contemptuous of law, religion, or decorum. 3: marked by originality and verve. There are times in life when you just have to say “fuck it”. Sometimes it’s a job you hate, a relationship well overdue to be ended or just a general sense that someone is making you … Continue reading Audacious Acts of Defiance
These are all well made films, but the music is what made them timeless. Songs make scenes and vice-versus, here are some of the best.—boone sturt. (Angus): A movie all parents should show kids as a prerequisite for high school. With an Oscar award winning cast in the most relatable tale of teen angst … Continue reading Soundtracks That Made Movies
Ambiguity: the quality of being open to one or more interpretation. The first time I heard “Creep” was in 8th grade. I loved it. I have no idea why or what the lyrics really mean to this day, and I honestly don’t care. Actually, it’s how I feel about all Radiohead tracks. The melodic grace … Continue reading The Exquisite Ambiguity of Radiohead
My brother Wes knows good music. Since he was a child, he has had the innate ability to hear something and know it was good before the artists themselves. Bands he has introduced me to before they became mainstream included Radiohead, Pixies, Massive Attack, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Sublime. His first discovery was Billy Idol. … Continue reading Why Billy Idol Is So Vital
My baby brother Ryder loved music and movies as much as I do, if not more. The memories that will never leave me are of us laughing at goofy shit, and criticizing each other’s musical taste as much as appreciating the other’s similarities. He was an incredible human being that made more of an impact … Continue reading Ryder’s Infinite Playlist
I—I’m a one-way motorway. I’m the one that drives away. Then follows you back home. I—I’m a street light shining. I’m a wild light blinding bright. Burning off alone. I—I’m a new day rising. I’m a brand new sky. To hang the stars upon tonight. But I—I’m a little divided. Do I stay or run … Continue reading Times Like These
There are once in a generation-artists, and then there’s Dave Chappelle. His meteoric rise, fall, and then rise again is like watching a real-life version of Rocky III. His articulate blend of thought provoking, ridiculously observant nuances and unparalleled timing has made him the epitome of the word icon. He once claimed to have … Continue reading Dave Chappelle’s Immaculate Setlist
The music of U2 has had a major influence on the soundtrack of my life since I was 8 years old. To this day I’m still moved hearing the words “Early morning, April four, shot rings out in the Memphis sky…” even if it’s at a crowded gas station I have a very hard time … Continue reading Why U2 is my Religion and Bono is my Messiah
When I was 14 years old, I left Michigan 2 months into my freshman year of high school. I was an exceptional alpine skier, and had loved racing since I was 7 years old. I was lucky enough to have been raised within 15 miles of Nubs Nob, Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands. Literally, only … Continue reading THE GREEN MOUNTAIN ORIGINATION
In the summer of 2018 I was at a crossroad in my life. My mom was selling our family home of thirty-odd years, the place I had spent the majority of my life. I was lucky enough to have grown up on Walloon Lake, we moved there in 1987, and even though I ventured out … Continue reading Any Given Summer
The first time I heard OutKast was my sophomore year of high school, when ATliens came out. The hip-hop game at that time was literally West or East coast. You came from NYC or LA, and that was it. Till OutKast. Atlanta’s favorite sons Andre3000 and Big Boi (aka Andre Benjamin and Antwan Patton), out … Continue reading The Odyssey of the Omnipotent OutKast
In the summer of 2002, my younger brother Griffin, 15 at the time, had a request. For is 16th birthday he wanted to see his absolute favorite band, Blink-182. The stage had been set for the Vans Warped Tour, and I was to be the chaperone for the evening. Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand … Continue reading The Retrogressive Enlightenment of Blink-182 / Green Day
I first saw Howie Day at a frat party in Ann Arbor, MI. I was at Western Michigan University my sophomore year, and had persuaded my roommate to go see this amazing talent out of Bangor, Maine. His use of pedals, gave his already beautifully eclectic lyrics even more layers. His seemingly innate ability to … Continue reading The Enigma of Howie Day
This past fall I was lucky enough to witness Incubus for the second time in my life. I say witness because watching Brandon Boyd is a religious experience…He even looks like Jesus, crossed with Swayze in “Point Break”. My first experience was at Pine Knob Music Theatre, now DTE Energy Music Amphitheatre in Clarkston, MI. … Continue reading The Immortality of Incubus
I grew up in Michigan, and was lucky enough to be in college when The White Stripes revived rock ‘n’ roll. 15 years ago, October 2005 I took my younger brother Griff to the Masonic Temple in Detroit. I had gotten us tickets to the “Get Behind Me Satan” tour. Third row. If you have … Continue reading Detroit’s Own “The White Stripes”
The Modern Renaissance Man 