Music Odyssey, Part One

Are we having fun yet? NOW you have two reasons to come visit my blog. I am updating my playlist to reflect everything I'm writing about. You'll see that today I added "Thank God I'm a Country Boy". Fiddles rule! Eventually I'd like to have a separate playlist for each new blog. trust me, unless you idolize the Barney Song, there is something for everyone. And, if you don't like my writing, you can just hang with me a bit and listen to music. Hmmm....... I might try another embedding service if I can't get this one to fit on the screen!

There is no better way to find my friendship than to spend an evening drinking wine or Southern Comfort with me and playing me your entire collection of music. Hopefully, you'll be so excited, that by the end of the night, all of your records and cd's will be strewn about the room and you'll have to spend the entire next day reorganizing your collection. This is one major drawback to digital music: no mess!

I have two music buddies currently. This is not the only way I define my friends, but it is an honored little label that should be worn with pride. Its sort of like saying Ken Griffey Jr. is a baseball player, but he's ALSO an all-star. They are my advisers and co-conspirators on all things music.

Brandon is not really Brandon. I'll not use real names, not because I am about to disclose any sordid details, but simply because one's name belongs to oneself. One day, if I'm still blogging, I'm sure i will be providing a link to his website, where you can learn about his magic and hear his great passion for music and songwriting. I met him only recently, but it would be best to say that he would be a fine character to add to ANY chapter of my book of life. He is a student trying to become a teacher of music, but I consider him to be a teacher who is honing his art. He confirmed my undying love for the Killers. His most amazing ability, however, is this uncanny way of quoting U2 songs or telling a U2 story no matter the conversation. Love? Here comes a U2 thought. Talking about regret? There's a U2 story. The difference in coffee between Starbuck's and the Coffee Beanery? High gas prices? Foreclosures? Concerts? Spaghetti? Synthesizers? Yup, here comes Bono again. Seriously, you should try it sometime. I often throw things randomly into the air and ask for U2 commentary. I've never been let down.

Brandon shares my values and passions and my inquisitiveness for life. I love people who challenge my brain. They help keep me pointed in the right direction. Musically, we have reached a point where we can truly appreciate the other's passion. In every musical relationship, there is an awkward, competitive beginning. Joe plays a song, and you're thinking, well that's alright, but lets see if you can top this! The primal urge is to pull out your most obscure, odd tracks to prove your musical superiority. I am sorry, but this is the way of men (smile). After awhile, you necessarily reach a musical peace. You start listening, alone in your car or headphones, and you gain an appreciation and trust otherwise impossible. Now Brandon is simply the brilliant music guy. Haha, and thanks for Flight of the Concords!

Angie is the finest music girl I've ever met. She's a chick with a guitar (always a good thing), but she doesn't own a guitar, if you get my drift. While she is extremely outspoken about what she loves musically, she keeps it still in a very private place in her heart. She is mostly responsible for putting together the playlist on my blog. I share with her my longing for what is to be. She is one of the most determined people I've ever met. And trust me, if she cares for you, you will truly know what that means. She has a unique way of thinking, self-taught through the ability to maintain mental fortitude in the face of adversity. What an honor to know her. I admit to being jealous, however, of her fine music collection. It's probably just chauvinism haha. but i know I really have no argument. I just have to grin and accept graciously the access she gives me to her music knowledge and library!