Another great week of captions, which is exactly what I expected. You make my job easy, until I have to choose the winners. Once again, it was difficult, but I did it...We start with the honorable mentions, beginning with:Â Philip, who gets props for this creative paragraph!
Ambero and Goldie Maize, first-time tourists from the semi-parallel Yellow Universe, were immensely disappointed with the panoply of pigmentation on display here in the Panchromatic Universe. "Ow, my eyes!" exclaimed Goldie. "I don't even have word for these colors, honey!" Ambero declared, admitting his linguistic shortcoming.
Up next is Sam:Â Â Â What happens at the highlighter convention...stays at the highlighter convention.
I had to read Tom's twice before I got it. Â
On the way home from the jaundice support group meeting, Lenny asked for Phil's help when crossing the busy street.
Heather had a musical caption:Â
While awaiting the results of their discrimination suit against the Blue Man Group, John and Shirley had little success launching a solo career.
Now, these next two popped up at almost the exact same moment!!!
First, Anne:Â
The original script of "Twins" was not exactly what Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito had in mind.
then Dawn! Great minds think alike!Â
On the set of "Twin's Two", Danny Devito and Arnold Schwarzenegger were dressed identically, only their mother could tell them apart.
And this week's winner of the Pumpkiny and 2 CD's selected JUST FOR HER is NANCY!!!
                                                 I hope no one else decides to go as hepatitis this year...
Awesome job everyone!Â
No caption contest next week because we are moving our blogs to a new server...This gives me 2 weeks to find THE. PERFECT. PHOTO.
What do you call a Beanie baby dressed like a pumpkin? A Pumpkiney, of course. NO? Just me?
Well, that's one of this week's prizes in the Caption Contest.
The winner this week will receive a CD of their choice from our prize closet, as well as the Pumpkiney which is all decked out with a button that reads: People who think they know it all really annoy those of us who do. A button that I feel is very appropriate for the caption winner.                                                                                        Â
 Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM. GOOD LUCK!
So I'm back from vacation all rested and ready for this week's caption contest. This week's winner will receive some very cool CD's which I will select just for you, as well as some of my usual random stuff!
Please give me your best caption to this photo. Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
Have fun, be creative and as always, play nice!
Have I mentioned how much I LOVE you guys and your creativity? Once again, a tough choice for the winners, but it had to be done.         Â
Up first.. the Honorable Mentions, starting with Philip:Â
Here at the law firm of Furtwangler and sons, not only have we got your back, we've got each others.
Up next is Todd with this play on words:Â
When you said the guys were going to "do some laps" I had something else in mind.
Heather is next because... well, we've all been there.Â
The original Awkward Family Photo.
I loved Tammy's caption:Â
Guess which ones are dummies and which one is the ventriloquist! John attempted to set a record for most voices at the same time.
First runner-up, who wins a CD of her choice is SUE:Â Â
When a cake baked by the Widow Brown is on the line, NOBODY wants to lose the cake walk competition!
AND OUR WINNER of a seat in a Studio M performance of her choice is KELLY!
Walter was always a rebel, but fired soon after his ruining of the perfect professional human caterpillar photo by his blatant disregard for authority and wearing of a black suit (instead of grey, as requested).
No caption contest next week because I am on vacation, so have good one!!
What a great week this is turning out to be, sports wins,( last night doesn't count)Â beautiful weather and right smack dab in the middle of it all, it's CAPTION WEDNESDAY!
 Please give me your best caption to this photo. The winner receives FABULOUS prizes selected by yours truly. Â
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM. Have fun, be creative and as always, play nice!
This was a challenging photo to caption this week, and I am most pleased at the results.
Let's begin with the honorable mentions, starting with Steve, who had a lot of good ones, but I liked this one best:Â Â Â Â
The lesser known Four Horsemen of the Day After the Apocalypse.  Â
Then we had Kip, who sounds like he knows what he's talking about:Â
Evidence that passing out and having "one of those friends" isn't new.
I loved Dave's  Â
It's Robin Williams first day of comedy and his mom pins his puppet to his shirt.
We can always count on Kraig to be original:Â
J. Edgar Hoover's top agents celebrate after cleaning out yet another Central American puppet regime.
Anne killed me with this one:Â
Pictured here are the actors who got final callbacks for the 1922 black-and-white, silent version of Dumb and dumber.
AND NOW... Our first runner-up, Paul!Â
According to reliable sources, preparations for Crosby, Stills, Nash and Youngâs farewell tour are progressing nicely.Â
BUT the WINNER of a seat in a studio M performance AND stuff from the prize closet is GINA!
The original cast of "The Hangover"
Have a great weekend and I'll see you at the Badger tailgate party on Saturday!
Â
After almost 2 years of giving away random prizes for the caption contest, I have decided that EVERY Grand Prize winner will receive a seat in a Studio M ( served up fresh by Pasqual's) of their choice.
In addition, you may raid my prize closet and select 3 additional prizes.
I have autographed posters, I have salt and pepper shakers, I have books, I have stickers, I have CD's, I have other random items that you might love to own,including A DVD Trivial Pursuit game!
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM!
Good luck!
Happy Caption Wednesday: time to get those humor caps on and come up with your best caption to this photo:
This week's winner will receive a seat in any Studio M taping of their choice, as well as any other prize I find lying around between today and tomorrow.
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
Have fun, be creative and, as always, play nice!
Thank you so much. I laugh all week long reading the clever captions. I know you are waiting with great anticipation for the winner announcement, so here we go!
Honorable mentions first, starting with Paul:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
âBarbâ¦listen, honâ¦now, you know I love you. And I know youâre really, like, into the environmental thing. And I think thatâs cool. Butâ¦MAYBEâ¦just maybeâ¦youâre getting just a wee bit carried away with the whole âgoing greenâ concept.â
John goes political:
The FBI designed this disguise to assist agents in their surveillance of weddings and continental breakfasts across the country.
I'm still trying to make sense of Tim's, but I liked it anyway:Â
Hannibal Lechter's Fruit &; Canapay  table was quite the hit at Goofy Grape's 50th B-Day Bash. "Amazing, I want some tongue!" Rootin' Tootin' Raspberry was overheard drooling... "Zinfidel!" the Butler seethed...
Todd is very clever:Â
The newest edition to the fruit of the loom underwear line was put to an abrupt halt when Prickly Penelope was unveiled.
As is Philip:Â
Dammit! If I have to obey a stupid motorcycle helmet law, I'm gonna do it on my own terms! So there!"
The first runner-up, who will get to come to ONE studio M is Carl:Â
You hang around the front of Camp Randall long enough and slowly you begin looking like the sculpture.
                                 And the WINNER of seats in 2 Studio M's and the Bandallama's CD is TAMMY!!!
Mary got her metaphors mixed up and tried to show she was fruitier than a nut cake.  Have  a good weekend. Go Badgers, Go Pack! Enjoy Ride the Drive and see ya next week.Â
You folks are lucky I'm running out of my usual FABULOUS prizes, so I guess these will have to do.
This week's winner will get a seat in 2, count 'em 2, Studio M sessions of your choice. You can even bring a friend!
 In addition, you will get a copy of Bandallama's " Eye to Eye" CD.
Members of this band include Madison musicians Chris Aaron, Bobby Bryan, Paulie Ryan as well as Rob Wasserman, Ken Saydak, Victor DeLorenzo and Wally Ingram. Some guest artists include the great Richard Davis, Pat McDonald, melaniejane and Jane Wiedlin.
Trust me, you WANT this 2 CD album.Â
Your Deadline is Friday at 4 PM! Good Luck!
OMG! I almost forgot about the caption contest. Mea Culpa! So let's get right to it!
Please give me your best caption to THIS photo. The winner will get some cool prizes, I promise.
Your deadline is FRIDAY at 4 PM.
Good luck and play nice!!!
I wasn't too sure how you were going to like this week's photo, but the captions exceeded my wishes , so well done one and all.
Now to the difficult part; choosing the winners. We begin with the honorable mentions, starting with: Kraig, who is always so wonderfully random:Â Â Â Sorry sir, but there is no glass allowed in the pool area.
Up next is Tammy. I want to work where she does:Â
Must be casual Friday!
I think Tim is on the right track with this one:Â Â
Jonathan fumes at the live remote from Halloween Express... Damn I wish Kitty was better; she could do this crap...
Tina must be a science major:
As Chewbacca continued his genealogy research, it became more and more clear that he was at the top of the evolutionary ladder.
Gino knows how to party:
"Hah! Let's see the girls beat me at strip poker tonight!"
Our first runner-up is Jim because, well, we've all been there, haven't we.Â
"Why didn't I go to the bathroom before I got dressed?"
AND OUR WINNER of the CD's and stuff is KENT!!!   Robert's mother knew immediately that her son needed some pointers in how to dress on his first day of the school year. She, like everyone, knew that one does NOT wear horns after Labor Day. So have a fun weekend, GO PACK and stuff. Look for another fun photo on Wednesday!
It's not just the premiere of the latest season of Survivor, but it's also Caption Wednesday! I'm pretty excited about both!Â
We are expecting frost overnight, so in honor of cooler weather, I have selected the perfect photo!
Please give me your best caption to this photo. The winner will receive CD's/ DVD's and other FABULOUS prizes!
Your deadline is FRIDAY AT 2 PM because I'm still filling in for Vince in the afternoon.
Have fun, be creative and play nice!
                Add another honor to the list  for Sir Paul McCartney. The legendary singer/songwriter will be honored as Grammy awardâs 2012 MusicCares Person of the Year. MusicCares is a program that ensures music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.
Sir Paul is being honored not just for his creative accomplishments, but also for his lifelong range of philanthropic activities said Neil Portnow, president of the MusicCares program .
Ever modest, McCartney had this to say: "I've been given a great gift -- a life making music -- and it's my privilege to try to make the world a better place by giving back," said McCartney. "For more than 20 years, MusicCares has helped so many music people in times of crisis -- whether with emergency financial assistance or access to addiction recovery resources -- and it is an honor to be recognized as the 2012 MusicCares Person of the Year."
Mccartney will be honored in February, 2 days before the 54th annual Grammy Award presentation. Â If you have the funds, thereâs a silent auction, with an exclusive selection of luxury items, VIP experiences and one-of-a-kind celebrity memorabilia for bidding guests. The reception and silent auction will be followed by a dinner, the award presentation and a star-studded tribute concert. Â Proceeds from the February 12 concert and auction will go to the MusicCares program.
Congratulations to Sir Paul  McCartney!
It's winner time again. I was hoping the photo wasn't too random for you, and once again, you exceeded my expectations. I never should have doubted you.
Let's being with the honorable mentions, starting with Tina:Â
Ah, arranged marriages. Blame Canada!    Â
John made me chuckle:Â
Just one look at an old Montreal Expos Media Guide and itâs clear why they are no longer a team.
Brian almost always makes me crack up, this week is no exception:Â
Contrary to popular belief, Captain & Tennille's popularity started early and remained evident with the release of the hugely popular "Muskcat Love".
Along those lines is Kurt's subtle play on words:Â
As Jack sheltered the family cat from the approaching storm, Jill prepared to bat and gown the hatches.
Our first runner-up is Ray!Â
If you don't tell the other guys on the team about the dress, I won't tell them what you do with that cat.      And this week's WINNER of the magazines and Los Lonely Boys pinata is FLIP!!
Neil Young had intended this photograph to be the cover of Harvest. The picture was taken by Stray Gator Jack Nitzsche and titled Canadian youth at play. Young loved the photo but Elliot Mazer pushed him to go with the more simple script cover. Young eventually caved and thepicture was sold to a Canadian stock photography distributor.
Have an awesome weekend, GO BADGERS... and see ya next week.
This week's prizes for the caption contest are actually decent. Hey, sometimes that happens.
We start with an autographed Los Lonely Boys pinata ( empty as of now, but we can fill it with stuff when the winner gets the prize). I shall add several copies of Music and Musicians magazine...kinda like a Rolling Stone for music WE like.
 This week's deadline is FRIDAY AT 2 PM. Note the earlier deadline, due to my filling in for Vince in the afternoons.
Good luck and happy captioning!
It's caption day already! Aren't 4 day work week's fun!! Perhaps it will be a kinder, gentler September...perhaps not.
Please give me your best caption to this photo. The winner receives FABULOUS prizes selected just. for. you.
Your deadline is FRIDAY AT 2 PM ( cause I'm on the air for Vince this week)
Have fun, be creative and, as always, play nice!
Happy Labor Day Weekend caption fans. We leave you to your long weekend with some smiles, courtesy of your friends who play along.
We start with this week's honorable mentions, beginning with: Kurt Flicka bowed his in prayer to give thanks that his future no longer included the possibility of being in a Happy Meal
Next up is Jan because this line is almost always funny! Â
I shoulda took a left at Albuquerque.
Adam made me smile with this one:Â
Looks closed. Where's the nearest White Castle?
So did Tony:Â
"Awwww, man! This was supposed to be McRib month, too!" Don't you hate when that happens?
I had a hard time choosing between the last two, but Paul recently won.. however, I LOVED this one:Â
âI TOLD the advance scouting party not to stop off for a Happy Meal at the Golden Arches, but would they listen to me? No!â
And finally...trumpet fanfare please.. the winner of the All American prize package is Philip because he really looked carefully at the photo:
                           "Alas, poor Carrot-top...and Telly Savalas...and Francis, the Talking Mule...oh, and the Three Stooges. Thankfully, I knew none of them."
What's more American than Elvis, baseball and Jimi Hendrix??? This week's FABULOUS prizes for the caption contest are:
A book " Be Elvis: A Guide to Impersonating the King". Thank you very much.
An orange vinyl actual record single from Jimi Hendrix Experience. Excuse me while I kiss this guy. No? That's not the lyric???
And let's not leave out America's Favorite pastime ( other than rooting for the Packers of course) a Madison Mallards Snow Globe!!! Â
All these prizes can be yours if your caption is chosen as the winner.
NOTE; DEADLINE IS FRIDAY ATÂ 2 PM, due to the holiday weekend and me covering for Vince in the afternoon.
Good luck humor fans!
Well humor fans, we made it to another Caption Wednesday, the last one before Labor Day. NO creepy guy wearing strange clothes, no killer animals, just a glimpse into the future, perhaps?
Please give me your best caption to this photo. The winner gets FABULOUS prizes, especially if you are an Elvis fan.
 Your deadline is Friday at 2 PM.. NOTE THE EARLY END TIME due to the long holiday weekend.
Have fun, be creative, and, as always, play nice!
Sadly, another week of caption fun has come to an end. At least we didn't get and  earthquake or hurricane. What we DID get is a bunch of funny captions.
Let's start with the honorable mentions!
Up first Brian!Â
It's never the first beer that makes you stupid stuff. Another lesson learned...
Next up is Geno:Â
Gene Simmons knew at an early age, that he had a gift to share with the world!
and Connie:Â Wait! I missed a spot!
Tammy goes artistic.Â
Edvard Munch called he wants me to model for one of his paintings!
Our first runhner-up is Philip, who submitted several good captions. This was my favorite:
Even at the tender age of 9 months, Stutz Bearcat, inventor of the tongue depressor, felt theinevitable pull of destiny.
         And our WINNER of the recycled prize package is SUE!  Â
Sure it's warm outside now, but I have to be ready with the perfect expression for the first time I freeze my tongue to the flag pole!
Thanks everyone. Have a fun weekend. The weather is going to be great and there are TONS of things to do...stay safe!
This week, the caption contest recycles. We recycled the very first photo I had you caption. Now I have some recycled prizes, starting with some biodegradable golf tees made from corn. To go along with the tees, I have 2 DVD's that were given to me by a friend and I am re-gifting; Caddyshack and Grandma's Boy. Â
If that were not enough, this week's winner gets to browse the prize closet and  select 2 unclaimed prizes to add to their fabulous recycled prize package.
Good luck!!!
Did you know we have been playing the caption contest game for over a year and a half?! I KNOW! Time flies, doesn't it.
It all started one day when I couldn't think of anything to write about in my blog, and went surfing to see what I could find. I found THIS photo.
 I got to thinking...since I am recycling prizes that were not picked up, I thought I would recycle the photo that started it all, since there are SO many more people playing along.
So, please give me your best caption to this photo and you get to choose from among the unclaimed prizes.. and there are lots of cool things there from rock and roll stickers, to books, to autographed stuff, to DVDs and CD's.
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM. Good luck, have fun and, as always, play nice!
YAY! It's almost the weekend and time to make someone's dreams come true by winning this week's caption contest. ( Well, if the dream of weird assorted prizes that is).
As always we begin with the honorable mentions, starting with Jan:Â
Times are tough and so is the food.        Â
up next, Justin for his " let's ignore the obvious" caption:
Etiquette question:Â Which of the three spoons should he use for this portion of the meal?
I wanna eat at Queenie's house:Â
Barb,I told ya we were gonna need more sauce!
Alan must go to restaurants with large portions:Â
Good thing I ordered the petite cut.
Our runner -up is Andy because it's just so evil:Â
The last known picture of Big Bird.
But our winner, who gets to choose from a huge assortment of unclaimed prizes is: PAUL
Way back in the deepest recesses of his mind, Felix knew that eventually he'd have to admit that the whole Weight Watchers thing just wasn't working out for him. Â
Oh Paul, I've been there!
Have a great weekend, stay cool, eat corn and go see some live music .
For some strange reason, many of my caption contest winners don't even come pick up their prizes. I know! Weird, isn't it. Well, their loss can be your gain.
Up for grabs this week is a pair of 3D glasses I wore to see Glee the 3D movie. Next time you go to a movie, you can tell them you have your own pair!
Then the lucky winner will get to go through a bunch of past, unclaimed prizes and choose your own! Here's a little peek into the box of goodies:
See.. I know you totally want these.
Good luck! Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
Wow, it's Wednesday already! Time sure flies when you're having fun. So let's have even MORE fun.
Please give me your best caption for this photo. The winner will receive prizes that will make you the envy of all your friends and family. Or not.
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM. Have fun, be creative and, as always, play nice!
Another week of captions come to a close, and I now "face" the job of "Â hand" selecting the winners.
We start with the honorable mentions. Up first is Dave:          Are we not women? We are the moms of Devo!
John also had a musical theme:Â
â¦and then the alarm went off and Flava Flav woke up from his wonderful dream.
Up next is Philip:Â
The infamous Doomsday Clock finally reaches midnight...
Then we had Tammy, because you can never go wrong with a Rocky Horror reference:Â Â
Let's do the Time Warp Again! It's just a jump to the left..
Our first runner-up is Paul for his disturbingly involved caption!Â
The year: 1936. The place: the top-secret research and development lab at noted Swiss clock manufacturer Tickentocken in Zurich. The speaker: Heinrich Dusselmann, Chief Scientist and Department Manager: âEureka! Weâve done it! Finally, an alternative to the cuckoo clock: a truly portable timepiece with a built-in alarm!â
                                                And the WINNER of the Sun Prairie Blues Festival tickets is TINA!
Sadly, Busby Berkeley's great grandson Big B Berkeley did not inherit his family's talent for big production numbers.
Thanks for playing along. See ya next week!
The winner of this week's caption contest wins FREE MUSIC! The winner will receive 4 tickets to the Sun Prairie Blues Festival at Angel Park on Saturday September 10. bands to perform include Playground of Sound, a Jim Schwall Band reunion, The Jimmys, Alex Wilson Band, Ken Saydak Band and WC Clark.
I will also throw in the new Kenny Wayne Shepherd CD. Â
If blues is not your thing, then you may choose the alternate prize of a bobble head doll of  Family Guy's Quagmire in a red car called The Love Machine! Giggity Giggity!
Your deadline is FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY ( sorry, got a little excited there) at 4 PM.
Good luck!
Yay! it's caption day in Cheeseland. The clock's a' ticking, so start a' thinkin'.
Please give me your best caption for this photo. The winner will receive concert tickets plus some random stuff I'll pull together for ya.     Â
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
Another week of strange captions is winding down. Are you ready for the best captions?
We start with the honorable mentions, beginning with Peter's political caption:
You must be one of the right-wing fat cats funding Republicans in Wisconsin. Nice to meet you. I'm here to kick your ass.        Â
Then we had Jake: Â
" An American cat called Garfield, beat him in an international lasagna eating contest Prime Minister, but comrade Claws had last laugh, he ate Garfield."
Tom took a similar approach:
Pietrov was embarrassed that his daughter's kitty, snowball ate his German Shepard, but he had to make it to the role call. Hopefully no one would notice.
Both Philip and Sheila were short and to the point, starting with Philip:Â
CAT: "Eh, it's a living..."
and Sheila:Â
Damn this humidity!
I loved Kraig's play on words:Â
On the down side, we lost the Afghan War. On the bright side, our top geneticists have developed an Afghan cat that you can actually use as an afghan. Top that one, capitalist pigs!
Our first runner-up is Brian:Â
We met online on eHarmony. I think her picture was Photoshop'd.
                                                                                  And this week's winner of all these prizes is: DONNA!
"Yeah, go ahead and laugh dirtbag...just wait 'til I use you for a scratching post."
Have a good weekend everyone. See ya next week.
Â
As you think of a clever caption to this week's photo, keep in mind the abundance of prizes selected for the winner.
Let's start with a Miss Kitty Dunn contribution, an X-Files promotional pocket mirror, add to that a Hot Tuna temporary tattoo. Up next a lovely (?) piece of table art of an alligator offering free bird food. PLUS, a Pearl Jam 3 CD deluxe edition of VSÂ and Vitology which includes a live show from 1994.Â
All these can be yours if I choose your caption this week. Good luck!
It's time to put on your humor thinking cap for another week of caption fun!
Please give me your best caption to this photo. I have fabulous prizes for the winner...( hint, it's something to display for all to see)!
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
Have fun, be creative and , as always, play nice!
After careful deliberations I have determined this week's winners!
We start with the honorable mentions, beginning with Niki:Â Â Â
This little piggy was the market.            Â
up next, Kraig:
Attendees at PETA's Rally to Restore Compassion are forced to watch how they make the sausage.
Tina's answer made me hungry!
Biggest. Pig. Roast. EVER!
I loved Little John's music related caption:Â
Pink Floyd concert prop gone aray!
Paul went political:Â
OK, that's it...the FINAL straw...this genetic engineering stuff MUST come to an end!!!
John had a number of good ones, but I liked this one best:Â
Note to self: Never order milk at Famous Daveâs again.
The first runner-up is Derek for his play on words:Â
 We're "Hog Wild" for buying local!  Â
Derek shares the grand prize with Christopher A, for his literary reference!
In a horrible retelling of "Lord of the Flies", the schoolchildren find themselves stranded on a deserted island populated by Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons instead of wild pigs, leaving them to subsist solely on helium.
Both will receive the 3 day passes to the People Fest as well as 2 CD's of their choice from our prize closet.           Â
Thanks to all who played along!
I hope you enjoy this week's photo as much as I enjoy reading your captions.
Last week's two big winners were not able to use the People Fest Tickets that they won and were nice enough to let me know in advance, so ONCE AGAIN, up for grabs, for TWO lucky winners, 3 day passes to the People fest, August 11,12,13 in Hillsboro WI. Lots of great bands will be there including Natty Nation, The Soapbox project, Moondawg and many more.
In addition to the tickets, both winners can take 2 CD's of their choice from our prize closet.
The deadline for your captions is Friday at 4 PM. Good Luck!
Another week, another photo of some people looking inside a pig.
Did you go to the Dane County Fair last week? Our photo is in honor of all the kids who work all year getting their livestock ready for the fair.
Please give me your best caption to this photo. The winner will get tickets to a cool 3 day festival in August, amongst other prizes still to be determined.
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM. Have fun, be creative and, as always, play nice!
When I heard Amy Winehouse had died, I was very saddened. No, it did not come as a suprise, but it's still a loss nonetheless.
I rememberback in 2006 when I first heard " Rehab". My head kinda exploded from how great I thought that song was. No one could walk past my desk without me saying " Hey... you gotta hear this". When the full album arrived, I was so pleased to hear that Rehab wasn't a fluke.
Perhaps you only know her music from the few songs on the radio. Maybe you didn't know that she released an album in 2003 called " Frank", after Frank Sinatra. Did you know she was a jazz singer?
Check it out:
Before she met " the bad husband" and went down the the road to drugs, alcohol and tats, she looked like this:
Note how healthy and sweet she looked.
A of this morning, there was no word as to the cause of death. over the weekend I read stories that said it was bad Ecstacy. But People Magazine is saying there were no drugs hear her , and she was in bed when she died.
Whether it was a drug overdose, or just complications from destroying her body, 27 is just too young to die. Yes, she is not a part of the " 27 club", but I, for one, wished she'd have been in the "83 club."
Do you think we would have had an " Adele" if there hadn't been an Amy????
RIP Amy, and I leave you with one more song:
Boy, was I impressed with the quality of the captions this week. You all deserve kudos! I wish I had prizes for everyone, but, alas, I don't.
Let's begin with this week's honorable mentions, starting with some political captions, Up first is Jan:Â
When the crowd was asked, "Who of you voted for Scott Walker?", the crowd dummied up except for the one in the back, he heard, "Who of you wants some Johnny Walker?".
Then we had John C.      If some of us run as Muppets, we can force a primary.
and Brian:
Congress is in session. Mr Speaker?
In our " play on words" category, comes Wendy's caption:Â
I know life can become stressful and shocking, but keep your WITS about you and dont loose your HEADS over it.
This week will be a little different, and I am awarding prizes to two people. Our first finalist is Steve who gave me three captions and I loved all three.
caption one is so random...                             Â
I'm typing this while drinking a glass of water.
number two:Â
It was all peaceful 'til someone yelled "Termite!"
And number three, which I LOVED:Â
1952. First and last membership meeting for Charlie McCarthyism.
Steve was almost our only winner until James gave me THIS caption:
"Would you please stand and raise your hand if you are NOT here for the class Algebra for Dummies?"
James wins all of this week's prizes, and Steve ALSO wins a pair of tickets to the People Fest July 11-13 in Hillsboro.
Thanks again everyone and have a great weekend!
Since we are getting so many great captions, I thought I'd come up with an actual REAL prize.
This week's winner receives:
a granite paperweight that says "Quality only happens when you care enough to do your best."
a pair of rhinestone encrusted sunglasses to wear while attending... Â
People Fest.. get a pair of three days tickets to this cool jam band festival August 11,12,13 in Hillsboro WI.
Find the photo in the previous blog. Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM. Good luck and have fun!!
Hot enough for ya? How about a cool photograph and some fun captions. I know I sure could use the distraction.
Please give me your best caption to this photo. Winner gets prizes...some good, some not so much, the usual routine.
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
Have fun, be creative and, as always, ( which you DO) play nice!
This week's caption contest winner gets some prizes that you can actually use!
We start with 2 sets of salt and pepper shakers
add to that a leather key chain for the band The Wood Brothers Â
then we have a package of stemware bracelets for your wine glasses
and FINALLY... a $25 gift certificate to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Middleton!!!
Find the photo in the previous blog. Deadline is Friday at 4 PM!
It's baaaack!
Since we had a 2 week break from the caption contest, I found THE PERFECT photo for our return. You know the drill. Please give me your best caption to this photo and win an assortment of prizes ranging from useful to" what the hell?"
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM! Have fun, be creative, and as always, play nice!
I've been working full time at Triple M since Sept. 2002, and in that time have met and interviewed a lot of rock and rollers, some famous, many up and coming. But one of my most anticipated (by me) was interviewing Trey Anastasio shortly after his first solo album was released. I had not done that many Studio M interviews at that time and was totally excited and nervous to meet and talk with him.
I knew Trey was a big Frank Zappa fan, so when he met me, held out his hand and said, " Hi, I'm Trey. Thanks for having me". I responded with: " This is a thrill for me only second to the time I made Frank Zappa laugh." I knew that would get his attention and I was right.
The start to the interview was delayed about 15 minutes, waiting for a client to show up for the Studio M, giving Trey and me time to chat a bit. Of course he wanted to know all about my Zappa encounter. When I told him that I had seen Zappa about 10 times, he was actually jealous and said so. It made me stop and think, that no matter how big a star you are and how many tens of thousands of people come to your shows, there is always someone who you admire who influences you.
Check out these candid shots of us: See.. we're talking!! ( am I a total dork or what? )
When the interview was over, he asks me to wait a second because he wanted to tell me something. ( Like I'd leave the room before he left).          Â
So he comes to me with his CD " Rift" and tells me that he was excited that Frank Zappa had heard this album before he died. he was so cute in his admiration for Frank, and it made me love Trey just a little  bit more .Â
If you'd like to hear the Studio M, click here
Happy almost Independence Day. Hope you have great plans for the long weekend. I hope they are more fun than mine: moving cross town.
Since people like to take vacations this time of year, so will the caption contest, returning July 13.
To tide you over, here are some of the photos that DIDN'T make the cut.
                                                                                                                   Â
These are the rejects. just WAIT until you see what I have planned for July 13.
Meanwhile, have a safe 4th of July. Wish me luck in my move. See ya soon!
When I think back on my almost 10 years at Triple M, so many thoughts and memories rush in, particularly some of the artists  that I have met through Studio M. Getting up close and personal to people whose music I admire is a precious gift that I do not take for granted.
One of the things I like the most is meeting artists on their way up. The John Butler Trio came in shortly after their first album, and left me slacked jawed at how great they were. I remember North Mississippi Allstars coming in during the time we were playing their song âEyesâ. They were so stoned out they didn't even remember the lyrics!Â
Paolo Nutini stopped by Studio M two times. The first time, he was about 19 years old. He is sweet, soft spoken and talks in a very strong Scottish brogue. Half the time I didnât even understand what he was saying, but when he laughed I laughed. After we finished taping, we got to talking about his love of R & B and old school soul. I gave him a copy of James Hunterâs CD âPeople Gonna Talkâ, telling him that I thought he would like the album. The next year he comes back for another Studio M, and before we even started setting up, he told me how much he loved that James Hunter album. I had even forgotten I had given it to him, and was very impressed that he remembered. What a sweetie pie!     Â
Compare that to Los Lonely Boys, whom I interviewed at least three times. Â Each time, they totally didn't remember being here and meeting me.
Warren Haynes made me choke up when he sang âSoulshineâ at my request. Dan Hick (and the Hot Licks) gave me a hard time even before we started and I LOVED it.
But my BIGGEST thrill was meeting Trey Anastasio. More on that tomorrow!
Come July 4th, I will do something I never thought I'd ever do. I am moving to the West Side. Gas prices and the beltline have finally done me in.
I have been in Madison for the majority of my 30 years in Wisconsin. I first moved to Sun Prairie to work at 92 WMAD back when it was a rock station. At the time, there was nothing but green space between SP and East Towne. I have lived near Woodman's east, near Oscar Mayer and for a very long time, in the Monona area. In fact, I have lived in my apartment for 12 and 1/2 years, longer than I have lived in any one residence in my life.
I loved the East Side, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
I have a LOT of stuff. I have things that were in my parents house that I inherited when my dad moved out here from NY. I have furniture that was his when he passed in 2005. Tim actually moved in HIS stuff ( how dare he! ) in 2006.
Here are just SOME of the boxes:Â Â Â
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                                                       Â
We have 33 crates for the records and CD's, and probably 15 boxes of books. Thankfully, we are moving into a large townhouse.
Wish us luck!
Boy, did I have a tough time narrowing down this week's entries. I wish I had prizes for everyone, but I don't so... here are this week's winners.
We start with the honorable mentions: here's Brian's caption.      After Arnold Palmer discovered that tomatoes generate only enough electricity to power a nail, he chose to pursue an alternate career. And that boys and girls, is how it all started. Honest, I read it on the internet
Up next is Steve:
This week scientists reported that electroshock therapy has absolutely no effect on tomatoes.
A couple of the best political captions, starting with Miriam:Â
Forced to remove metal detectors, the head of Wisconsin's DOA tests a new device for discouraging protests in the Capitol.
And Derek:Â Â
The People will go to ANY lengths to dial in Triple M in Fitzwalkerstan!
Philip always makes me laugh:Â
"Help me!" demanded Hector, applying another massive electrical charge to the alien tomatoids. "I need ideas for the Caption Contest, damn you!!"Â Â Â The alien tomatoids remained stubbornly silent.
Todd's was simple and funny:Â
You say tomato...the tomato says YOWCH!!
Our first runner-up is Little John:Â
UW researchers proved today that 9 1/2 acres of tomatoes will provide enough of a charge to run a prius to the store to pick up the balance of BLT fixin's
And this week's BIG WINNER OF THESE FABULOUS PRIZES is:Â Tammy
           Although acknowledged as a breakthrough, Dr. Seymour's tomato powered ipod could only play music for Little Shop of Horror's.
Have a great weekend and see ya next Wednesday with another photo.
We turn every stone to find just the perfect prizes for our caption contest winner, and this week is no exception.
We start with a Holiday Inn ashtray, with the old sign logo.
I add a green Brett Dennen frisbee      Â
A silver ( albeit a bit tarnished) Elvis spoon, still in the plastic wrap
PLUS... the latest Doobie Brother's CD/DVD, World Gone crazy.
All these can be yours if I choose your caption as the favorite of the week. Good luck!
Welcome to the first full summer caption Wednesday! We take to the garden for this week's photo.
Please give me your best caption to this photo. The winner will receive FABULOUS prizes tht you might even want to win!
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
Have fun!
Lots of great captions this week. As always, I thank you for the laughs.
We start with the honorable mentions, starting with Anne:Â Â Reduce, reuse, recycle is all well and good, but this time Ed's gone too far.
then we had Greg because Garanimals are always funny:Â
Ever since the elimination of "Garanimals", Jeremy just hasn't been able to capture the look.
Steve made me laugh with this:
"The tornado sirens were blasting. I jumped in my sister's armoire. There was some tossing & turning. I emerged alive. Please, no more questions. Let's just dance."
Marissa understands a fashion dilemma:
You're right...I'm sorry...I'll go back and change. We can't BOTH be wearing this.
The first runner-up is Kraig..who gave me so many great captions I could not choose, so here they all are:Â
As Barry's parents took one look at his eyes, posture and confident wave, they knew he was going places. He would be back in their basement before the week was over.Ladies and Gentlemen: Skippy Longstocking.Two hours earlier, when the whiskey decanter was full, Bob was wearing jeans and a Led Zeppelin T-shirt.
And this week's BIG winner of actual good prizes is KENT:Â Â Â Â Â Â Johnny's parents, upon seeing him ready for Sunday school, were absolutely horrified that he would attempt to leave the house with that cheap dime store bracelet.
see ya next Wednesday for more caption fun!
Iâve lived in Madison for most of the last 30 years, and have seen a LOT of concerts over the years.
 Some of the shows that stand out in my mind include the first time I saw John Butler Trio perform at the High Noon Saloon. I could swear there were 5 or 6 people playing considering the sound. That was one great trio! I was at Headliners to see The Nighthawks, a blues band from the DC area. If you remember Headliners, the stage was VERY high. That night, one of the band members ( I think it was the harmonica player) jumped from the stage , hurt himself and couldnât perform the rest of the night.
I miss Lutherâs Blues, where I first saw Will Hoge, Hot Tuna and a host of other greats. Did you know the Decemberists performed there in 2004?
Jackie Greene was awesome at a free show at the Memorial Union terrace.
But one night stands out in my memory more than any other show.
 August 4, 1989, Bob Dylan came to the Dane County Coliseum. I had not seen him since the Rolling Thunder Review in 1975, so I was pretty excited to see him.
It was a dark and storm night, seriously stormy, and after only 4 songs, there was a power outage, leaving the venue lit by a few emergency lights exit lights. He stood around, strumming a bit to an instrumental jam, mostly percussion. The crowd hushed to listen, and were most patient.
 When the lights came back on, he went into Shelter From the Storm. It was perfect and I will never forget it.
Wondering what strange assortment of prizes I have for this week's winner?
We start with a No Parking sign from Woodstock '94. This was at the original site in Bethel, where they were supposed to have a 25th Anniversary concert. The " official" one was in Saugerties, 90 minutes away. Anyway, the concert was on, then off, then on, then off and finally, cancelled, even th0ugh 10,000 people or so showed up, including me.
We add to that some groovy " refraction" glasses to make the fireworks even MORE psychedelic.
Then I have a Jeff Beck DVD, "Rock 'n Roll Party" , featuring, among others, Les Paul songs.
Finally, a pin for Steve Cropper's " Dedicated"
The deadine for your caption is Friday @ 4 PM.
It's creepy guy, um, I mean, Caption Day! Time to put on your creative hats, and give me your best caption to this photo.
Prizes are actually good ones again, since I am moving and finding LOTS of cool items.
 Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
Have fun, be creative and, as always ( which you DO ) play nice!
Another week draws to an end, but we still have one bit of business to attend to: this week's winners!
We start with 2 topical captions, starting with:Â Nick
Just when you thought the Anthony Weiner fiasco couldn't get any stranger, a new picture emerged on Twitter.
and Tony
Anthony Wiener's earlier photos weren't as explicit as his later work, but they were still disturbing none-the-less.
I love the short but sweet ones: Art Paul
I feel like there is something wrong with my outfit. Is my tie crooked ?
Steve:Â
"Does this caption make me seem relevant?"
and John
Anime: Japanâs payback for the A-bomb.
Our first runner-up is Anne:
"Blue on blue, heartache on heartache...There's sadness in the air and I'm as blue as I can be," Bobby sang as he put the finishing touches on his costume for the Harper Valley karaoke contest.
AND THE WINNER IS GARY:
Be honest, is this the outfit for me to meet the new in-laws?
Gary wins 2 games and an Elvis mug!
There's one thing I enjoy more than finding the right photo for you to caption, and that is finding just the right prizes!
This week, more items that I have found while getting ready to move cross town.
We start with a Trivial Pursuit DVD Pop Culture game, then you get another game called " The Awful Green Things from Outer Space" that I tried to play and couldn't figure out the rules, PLUS an official Elvis Presley Love Me Tender Mug!
Your deadline for the caption ( in the previous blog) is Friday at 4 PM.
Good Luck and happy captioning!
Yup, it's that time again, the peak of the week, all downhill to the weekend, PLUS caption day.
First, I want to apologize for the darkness of the photo, but I jut could NOT let this one pass us by without your captions.
Please give me your best caption to this photo. I'm pulling together a bunch of great prizes that you can actually USE ( what a concept). Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
Have fun, be creative and, as always, play nice!
Another week comes to an end, with this week's caption contest winners.
We start with honorable mentions: starting with Todd         If he asks you to pet his unicorn...it's a trap!
then we had Mike, who has as much going on in his caption as the photo does:
I'll Never Take Ambien with a Shot of Nyquil and a Shot Of Tequilla Again...Oh But Wait, Maybe This Isn't a Dream, Perhaps It Is a Home Makeover by Richard Simmons...Yea, My Legs work, My Arms Move..I Feel Like Dancing..I'm Gonna Set up my Web Cam and GiveCharlie Sheen a Run for his Sanity.......
Up next is John C, who remembers great 50's TV shows: WORK!
After the big fallout with Dobie Gillis, Maynard G. Krebs lived a simple, solitary life.
 Our first runner up is Eric for his Princess Pinky caption:
After weeks of torture, princess pinky finally escapes her horrible nightmare.
And this week's BIG WINNER of the Phish CD/DVD and more is SKUNKY for his rambling caption!     Randy sloooooowly realizing that all his drums are A-OK and that the tornado he saw come sweeeeping through the inside of his house didn't mess things up too bad! What he'll SOON realize is that there was no tornado at all, he's wearing his favorite childhood puppet as a cup, he can't recall the last 9hours, and that the acid he ate was a little stronger than he was told!
Thanks everyone. Have a great weekend!
Since my prize closet is brimming with FABULOUS prizes that have not yet been picked up, I thought I'd have some actual prizes you might even want!
We start with
 a Phish DVD/CD, live in Utica
Brett Dennen Frisbee, your choice of green or blue
An NFL football helmet radio, complete with batteries
a flag magnet, in time for the 4th of July.
All these can be YOURS if I choose your caption as this week's best. Good luck! The deadline is 4 PM Friday.
Here we are again on Caption Wednesday! I know you have been awaiting this day all week, so without further adieu, here we go again, with a strange guy doing...I'm not too sure what!
Please give me your best caption to this photo. The winner will receive fabulous prizes that I am finding as I pack up my household to move across town.
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM. have fun, be creative and, as always, play nice!
We have come to the end of another week, and almost the end of the month. So with that in mind, this week's prizes consist of something from 4 differene mediums.
Bruce Springsteen radio concert from 1995 on CASSETTE
Live Jack Johnson VINYL RECORDÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
How to Become a Good Dancer VIDEO TAPE
The Charles Walker Band ( way cool blues/soul/ rockin' band from Milwaukee) on CD
Find the photo in my previous blog. THIS WEEK ONY... the deadline is 2 PM...
Come play with us!
The word for the weekend is Brat! There are about 4 different Brat Fests going on this weekend, including  the BIG one at Willow Island, and an Alt-Brat Fest at Orton Park on Sunday featuring local products....so... I found the perfect photo for you to caption!
Please give me your best caption to this photo:
The winner will receive a bunch of very cool items I have discovered in my house. Hope you still have a VCR!
DUE TO THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, THE DEADLINE THIS WEEK ONLY IS 2 PM!!Â
have fun, be creative and, as always, play nice!
Ah yes, creepy guy captions. I love 'em! Thanks to everyone for your very creative captions.
We had several themes running through the week, starting with the rapture! First up, Denise:
Hey guys, I need a ride to the rapture party, does anyone have room for me and my non-concealed weapon?
then we had Jan S.Â
The grim reaper decides to take out as many as he can before everyone gets raptured on Saturday.
Ronald McDonald is up next, starting with Lisa:
After sizing up his evil twin, Ronald McDonald second guesses "infectious happiness" as his choice of weapon for the Doppleganger Throw-Down 2011.
Kraig:Â
When Mickey D's execs asked their marketing gurus to come up with a "hipper, edgier" Ronald McDonald, this was not exactly what they had in mind.
And I LOVED the play on words from Jim:Â
Meet Ronald our new hedge fund manager.
We were honored to have a political star play along: Scatt Walker:Â
"You think parking is difficult? Wait until you get inside and try to vote."
one more Grim Reaper caption, this time from RSSGF:
When the Grim Reaper's schedule is too full, he calls in his brother, the Slightly-More-Cheery Reaper
But this week's BIG WINNER of all these fabulous prizes is this simple and to the point caption from Jared:Â Â
Worst. Bris. Ever.
Have a great weekend and I expect to see you all here next week!
What is it about the creepy guys that inspire you to such great captions? Whatever it is, keep it up!
As you may know, I am moving across town in July, so I have been finding all SORTS of fabulous prizes for you .Â
 This week we start with a book, " The Unofficial Gilligan's Island Handbook", to that I add the latest CD from the political satirists The Capitol Steps, " Desperate Housemembers". Next you can win some re-usable party ice cubes in the shape of shells and palm trees, just like the palm trees that grew around the capitol during the protests. We top it all off a sticker for " The Refreshments".
The deadline for your caption is Friday at 4 PM. Find the photo in my previous blog.
Good Luck!
Like many of us, I was introduced to lots of new music from my older sister. She received the very first Bob Dylan album for her Sweet 16. Considering he only sold about 2500 copies of his first album I came in on the ground floor of his career.
One of the first concerts I ever attended was a Dylan show in 1965! It was in October at Carnegie Hall. My birthday was ten days later and I asked my parents for tickets to the concert instead of a party. I took my kid brother Michael and my cousin Michelle. I was so excited to see him I could hardly contain myself! We had seats in the very back of the orchestra. The first set was acoustic and the crowd loved it. However, when he plugged in for the second set, people left in droves. This was just a few months after he got booed at the Newport Folk Festival for doing the same thing. Well, their loss was our gain and we ended up moving to about the 10th row for the remainder of the show. I remember it as if it were yesterday.
As a birthday present my cousin gave me 3 Dylan albums, where I proceeded to put a check mark next to each song he had sung that night. I still have the albums.
Here's what he sounded like at the Newport Folk Festival!
OK, here we are again with another Caption Contest! No cute little bunnies, no kids or puppies. I know what you want. A creepy guy.
Please give me your best caption for this photo. The winner will receive some cool items I am finding as I get ready to move across town!
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
Have fun, be creative and, as always, play nice!
So as usual, we had fun with this week's caption contest. You people never fail to live up to the challenge! Let's get t he call rolling with our honorable mentions, starting with:
our very own Kitty Dunn!  Despite the challenge of being born joined at the knee, the Jablonski twins managed to find joy in their family's love of music.
John C had 2 good ones and I couldn't choose, so here are both:
This weekâs new music Thursday will feature Dolly Partonâs latest project: The Blue Jumpsuit Apparatus.andDuring Mordecaiâs rumspringa, he quickly made new friends and adapted to what he thought was a normal modern life.
PW went with an Amish theme as well:
Ladies and Gentlemen, the latest Amish Jug Band Sensation - "The Plain Clothes Prayerboys"
Our first runner-up is Marc!
Many people were surprised to learn Fleetwood Mac started out as a lounge act
And this week's winner of all these fabulous prizes is...
AMY :Â
Following their success in the Waseca County Fair talent show, dem Lokalbefolkningen took it on the road with a promotional portrait from Sears and a dream.
Thanks again for the laughs guys. Wait until you see the creepy guy I have for next week!
Since this week's photo has a musical theme, most of this week's prizes do as well.
 We start with some vintage items:
a Triple M pin with the old logo
a pack of VH1 post-it notes
3 guitar picks ( Jeff Beck, John Hiatt and one that I don't remember who gave it to me)
Last week's prize winner lives out of state, so he didn't get the lollipop that looks like a foot, so to that I will ALSO add a lollipop that looks like a finger.Â
Oh yeah, and the Junior State Patrol Badge because, why not?
I know you want these!
The photo is in yesterday's blog. Good Luck!
In honor of FINALLY getting some warmer weather, the caption contest celebrates along with these folks.
Please give me your best caption to this photo. The winner will get some interesting prizes. I am moving, so I am bound to uncover lots of fabulous prizes as I get ready to pack.
 Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM. have fun, be creative, and, as always, play nice!
Another fun week of captions has come to an end. Let's see who this week's winners are.
We start with our honorable mentions:
Louise went musical:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â "Needle And The Damage Done"
Steve made me laugh with this one:
WANTED: HousekeeperDESCRIPTION:Â Some Strings AttachedUp next is Todd, because it's always fun to talk about Martha Stewart!The last thing I remember is doing jello shots with Martha Stewart.
Steve's answer was simple and to the point:
Aunt Millie just couldn't resist the clearance sale at "The Yarn Barn"
Our runner-up is Morgan. IÂ would TOTALLY watch this show!
New reality TV show- Extreme Knitting!
And our grand prize winner of the vintage Triple M memorabilia is KENT!  Susan thought the exhibit was a bit over-the-top and busy but she absolutely did not want to seem knit-picky.
Thanks everyone. Wait until you see the creepy guy for next week!
Happy Mother's Day to all.
  Â
This week's caption contest winner gets a bunch of old items, I mean some valuable artifacts, from Triple M... including several stickers, coasters, 2 old fresh new Music CD's and a lollipop that looks like a foot.
 The deadline for your caption to this week's photo ( found on Wednesday's blog ) is Friday at 4 PM!
Good luck.
Welcome to the first caption contest of May. I predict it won't be long before the trees start budding. However, it's still a little chilly at night, so this week's photo will keep you warm.
Please give me your best caption to this photo. The winner will get some random prizes that I will select tomorrow. Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM!
 Have fun, be creative, and, as always, play nice!
What a whirlwind week for Royal watchers, what with gowns, strange hats and way too much coverage. ( Of course, I DID record it for playback, but that's another story).
ANYWAY, this week's wedding party photo garnered a lot of excellent captions, so let's get right to it, starting with Honorable Mentions.      Â
First up is John C who had 2 great captions, which I could not decide upon:
A bolo tie? Do you want people to think weâre a family of freaks?
  and
I regret spending the extra $9.99 to have Olan Mills airbrush our wedding photo.
Rick made me laugh out loud with this caption:
Buford, always the inovator may well be the first groom in history to be charged with a hate crime at his own wedding.
Anna's caption is that all too familiar dilemma:
I'm guessing the ushers had an easy time figuring out who to seat on the bride's side or the Evil Clown Bishop's side of the church.
Brian is always good for the random caption:
A nice frame would make this a true heirloom.
And the winner of the tiara, the Elton John/ Leon Russell CD and a package of English Muffins ( sorry, Jonathan refused to give me the Will and Kate DVD back) is...
TAMMY!!!Â
You know, we girls are raised to dream of the handsome prince but usually end up marrying some clown.
Oh, ain't it the truth.
See ya next week with another creepy photo!
This week's caption photo is in honor of the Royal Wedding, and, of course, the prizes MUST maintain that theme. So, this week's winner will receive:
A DVD William and Kate: Planning the Royal Wedding IF I get it back from Jonathan. : )
 Let's add a lovely Tiara hair comb, an Elton John/ Leon Russell album   appropriately called The UnionÂ
And as if all this was not fabulous enough, I'll even throw in a package of English Muffins!!
                                                                                                              The deadline for your caption is Friday at 4 PM! Good Luck!
In honor of the Big Royal Wedding this weekend ( yes, my DVR is set for all 6 hours...dont judge me), the caption contest goes to a wedding!
Please give me your best caption for this photo. The winner will receive a DVD all about Kate and Wills, as well as some other cool items I will locate! Didn't Kitty recently clean out her car?
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM!
 Have fun, be creative, and, as always, play nice!
OK I know... I'm a few days lte with my caption contest winners. Please forgive me, as I had an ear owee ( technical term) and was home getting better.
So here we go with last week's winners, starting with the honorable mentions.
We start with Zach...simple and musical..     Insane clown bunnies
As was John's:
Times are tough for Echo and the Bunneymen.
Up next, Brian:
It ain't our feet that's lucky...
Todd had a great one:
Marilyn Manson Easter special did not please the network executives.Â
                          And this week's winner of 3 CD's of her choice from our prize closet is: LYZA
What do you have if there are 3 rabbits standing in a row and 99 take a step back? A receding hare line.
Thanks everyone.. Come back on Wednesday for this week's photo!
In honor of the upcoming Easter weekend, We have some cuddly bunnie's for you. Please give me your best caption to this photo. Winner gets prizes. That's it...just... prizes.
 The deadline is Friday at 4 PM. have fun, be creative, and as always, play nice!
Boy, this week's competition was a good one! I had a very difficult time narrowing it down, and I wish I had prizes for everyone!
But I can't, so let's get to the honorable mentions, starting with Gary, who must know how much I like a play on words:
And they say stewing chickens aren't tough!
Up next John C:
Iâm sorry it had to come to this, but you people just don't understand. Buffalo wings do not come from a buffalo!
Next up is Geno because Peeps are always funny :
"Us Peeps aint going quietly this easter!"
Lisa must be as excited as I am about the Royal Wedding!
The heightened status of the guards due to the pending royal nuptials at Cluckingham Palace has enforced the riot gear policy .
Our first runner up is Donna, who goes topical:
After hearing about the potential PBS cuts, Big Bird decided to take matters into his own hands.
And this week's BIG winner of my random assortment of prizes is: STEVE!
                                                                I'm lookin' for this guy they call "The Colonel"
Thanks everyone. If you're heading downtown this weekend for Farmers Market, the Green Day at Monona Terrace, or going to hear what Sarah Palin has to say, have fun and be safe!
The captions are coming fast and furious. The people who sit near me at work can testify that I am laughing all day long. Such creativity deserves the best prizes imaginable. Oh well.
 That being said, here are this week's strange assortment of prizes.
We start with a cool business card case that looks like a tiny briefcase.
A metal statue of a lizard, resting on a rock base
A tiny teddy bear wearing a scarf                Â
PLUS
your choice of a CD from the prize closet.
You know you want these. Just caption the photo in yesterday's blog!
In a world where law and order plays an ever growing role , we present this week's photo.
Please give me your best caption to this  photo to win fabulous prizes selected just for you! ( This was not meant as a factual statement )
 The deadline for your entry is Friday at 4 PM. Have fun, be creative, and, as always, play nice!
Oh my God you guys ( someone saw Legally Blonde the Musical) was this week's contest a difficult one to judge. I had so many excellent captions to choose from, but I DID narrow it down. So, here we go, starting with the honorable mentions:       Â
We start with Brian, and I'm glad I don't work with him:Â
I just love casual Fridays!
John spoke of a clothing issue:
The hostess says I have to put shoes on before I can get a table.
 Ann went political with a great play on words:
The senator took "transparency in government" to a "whole 'notha level"!
Lisa must know the website " people of Wal-Mart"
While looking for a good hair pick at Wal-Mart, Dirk couldn't pass up the sale on Gold Lame Fabric.
I LOVED Philip's answer, and he didn't even realize that Liane is my lifelong BFF!
Believe it or not, even after interviewing this dude, NPR still hasn't found a replacement for Liane Hansen.
This week's first runner up is Mike:
Turns out Chastity was not the only one in the Bono family to have switched genders.
                                 And...this week's winner of a Los Lonely Boys prize package is JULIE!!!
                       Only her die hard fans knew that Lady Gaga's fashion sense (and poker face) had been passed down from her grandfather, Alejandro Gaga.Â
Thanks to everyone who wrote captions and to everyone ( like me) who read them and laughed all week.
Los Lonely Boys are coming to the Barrymore Theater on Tuesday April 12, with Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo opening for them. It will be a great night!
In honor of the show, our caption contest prize is tons of Los Lonely Boys memorabilia, including a shot glass, a magnet, a whistle, some stickers and a lovely (?) necklace
The deadline for your caption is Friday at 4 PM. Find the photo in Wednesday's blog!
Is it Wednesday already? Looking for some laughs? You've come to the right place!
Please give me your best caption to this photo. The winner will receive a fabulous Los Lonely Boys prize package! Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
Have fun, be creative, and, as always, play nice!
Now I see how it is. You people LOVE the creepy guys. Once again, you did not disappoint our readers. So, let's get right to it. This week's honorable mentions begin with:     Â
Queenie :Â
Lets see,guess I'll hit the tanning booth uptown and then head on over to mom's to do laundry just as soon as I stop by that place on State Street to see if those tight,leather pants are on sale yet..
Up next, Brian C. I shall NOT add a comment. : )
Children's Mass was never the same...
Then we have Brian P with a simple play on words:Â ( ouch )
Don't you just hate it when you find a hare outta place?
the first runner-up is John!
We all know that Blackface is extremely offensive, but Whiteface isnât much better.
But this week's WNINER of all these fabulous prizes is:Â BUFFY! ( from the ain't it the truth department)Â Â Â Â Â Â you know you'd had waaay too much to drink when you wake up next to this guy....
Have a great weekend everyone. Join me on Wednesday for another creepy photo and DON'T FORGET TO VOTE ON TUESDAY!!!!
Wow.. we're getting some excellent captions to the photo in yesterday's ( Wednesday) blog.
here's an example:Â
you know you'd had waaay too much to drink when you wake up next to this guy....
Anyway... Here are the prizes this week:Â
A CD from last week's obsession, Brett Ryan!
A copy of Bill Leuder's book on muckraking and rabblerousing,
AND.. Look at those stickers! They can be YOURS! I know... exciting, isn't it!
Spring has almost sprung, I saw a robin, most of the snirt ( snow and dirt) piles have melted, so we think Easter. Yes, I know it's not until April 24, but I have THE MOST PERFECT photo for you to caption.
Knowing how much you like the creepy guys, please give me your best caption for this photo:
 The winner will receive fabulous ( as determined by me) PRIZES! Who doesn't like prizes?
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM. Have fun, be creative, and, as always, play nice!
It's the first week of Spring, despite the white stuff in the forcast. So I felt a spring-like photo was in order.
Pleae give me your best caption to this photo. I'll come up with some fabulous prizes for the winner.
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
Have fun, be creative and, as always, play nice!
We come to another Friday afternoon and another group of clever captions for this week's contest.
We start with John C. because I grew up on Dr Seuss books:Â Â Â Â This is what happens when you let Dr. Seuss design your hydration pack.
Paul J. went topical:
Now that the government cut the funding for his school's music program, band teacher Bob decided to turn his left over trombones into a portable brewing system.
Brian P. Â just makes me laugh. A lot.
Without Tennille, the Captain really struggled to find his way.
Brian C. reminds me of how many hours I wasted playing Super Mario.
In the later years, Mario couldn't go battle the Koopa Troopa's with out some mechanical help.
My answer to Tom T. is '"yes!"
Wanna hear me do "Flight of the Bumblebee?"
Our first runner-up is Miriam!
After his retirement, James Bond's jet-pack was refitted to dispense a mixture of prune juiceand Viagra.
And this week's winner of 5 CD's of your choice is: RICK!
roger received a new lease on life after his state of the art spinal fusion. "i hardly notice i had it done" he exclaimed proudly.
Thanks to everyone who played along. A creepy photo awaits for next Wednesday!
Well, I KNEW this photo would inspire you and you didn't let us down!
Let's begin with the honorable mentions:Â Â
First up is Brenden because I am a fan of Ru Paul's Drag Race: ( Don't judge me)Â
Planet of the Drag Queen Apes was a resounding success.
Maggie took a similar approach:
Sasquatch wondered why his Gwar-themed drag show had trouble getting support.
Next up is Tammy, because who doesn't like a good mash-up!
Jerry's mash-up of Rocky Horror and Cats didn't quite take off.
Then we have Jan, who totally cracks me up!
Why, yes, it's not easy finding things in my size, but Gene Simmons in my cousin and I get a few things from him.
Steve's is short but sweet:
"Love me for what I am, not what I've become"
John CÂ goes political!
After one constituentâs thought provoking testimony, New Jersey decided against the Brazilian wax ban.
And this week's winner of fabulous prizes, including 2 autographed posters of her choice is MANDY!        Teen Wolf hits his midlife crisis.
Thanks everyone. I'll be on vacation the first part of next week, but I'll try to get a photo up on Wednesday, as usual.
I knew I could count on your guys for exceptional captions. You are the best captioners anywhere! So, you deserve great prizes.
We start with a brand new Jeff Beck DVD called Rock 'N Roll Party, a tribute to Les Paul.
Add to that, a solid chocolate ballerina that Miss Kitty found. Thanks Kitty.
I will also throw in 2, count 'em, 2 autographed posters and you can even choose yours from my collection.
So have fun, the deadline for your caption is Friday at 4 PM!
It's the best day of the week...caption contest day! We are back to the creepy photos, so let's have fun with this one.
Please give me your best caption to this photo. The winner receives multitudes of FABULOUS prizes ( some even good!). Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
Have fun, be creative and, as always, play nice!
I know this photo wasn't as weird as the one's we usually have, but I thank Miss Kitty Dunn for donating it. The good news is, I have received permission to use the old site to get my photos and I have a whole bunch of awesomeness ready for the weeks to come.
So, let's start with this week's honorable mentions, from some of our " regulars":
Starting with Jan:
Looking down in the mouth...
Then we had Brian, who is always good for a very random response:
There's no mustache. They said there would be a mustache
The randomness continued with Philip:
"Ah, there's your problem!"
Matt went topical, always a fun idea:
Charlie Sheen returns after another trying day at custody court.
Our first runner up is KRAIG!
The mighty wind took Frosty's old silk hat and his life that day, but it could not take his spirit. People came from all seven continents (and several major circuses) to see "the snowman that reached to the heavens."
And this week's winner of these prizes:Â A Simpson's mouse pad, a 6-ball key chain, a tiny purple kaleidoscope and a photo of John Mayer goes to:Â SETH!
Times are tough for Cookie after the bozo show ended, but he sees his shadow so there is going to be 6 more months of winter.
Thanks everyone, and wait until you see what IÂ have in store next week!
Thanks to Miss Kitty, we have a photo for this week! Plus, I don't even have to give her a prize!
So... give me the best caption to this photo! Winner gets fabulous prizes of course.
 OK, it's no half naked guy dressed in some weird outfit, but I have confidence that you guys will come through!
Remember... your deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
Uh oh... we may have to cancel the caption contest. Our legal department is checking to se if it is legal for us to post photos I find on the web. I HAVE written to the site where I get most of my photos asking for permission, so until I get word back, no more internet pics.
This is where YOU come in. Got any photo's you took that you would like to contribute for the contest? Of course you will get fabulous prizes for donating . So look thru your old photo albums and see what you can find.
You can email them to me at gparsons at entercom.com
( put the @ in the approprite place.)
Thanks! let's keep it going!
The best part of my week is reading all the clever captions you guys come up with. You never disappoint! So without further adieu here come the honorable mentions.
We start with Rick:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â But i thought spayed & neutered was a band??
L.W. Davis, took a similar approach:
Viewers at the Veterinarian Surgical Center sat in rapt attention, mistakenly thinking thatthey were going to watch Fluffy get tutored...
Not surprising, we got a number of topical, political captions like this from Kraig:
Like we needed further proof that the whole world has gone to the dogs.
From Marci:
I believe we have a quorum, quick vote before the Cats get here!!!
and Michael:
Members of Canine Local 116 sit in stunned silence upon hearing Scott Walker's new proposal to cut the feeding of table scraps to pets.
Moving to a new theme, we have this one from Steve:
And the winner of best picture is "Dog Day Afternoon"!
I loved Jame's Canis Film Festival!
The Canis Film Festival was always a major fashion event. But as every one knows, no one could rock it quite like the French Poodles.
Abbe just cracked me up with this:
"Sparky, quit drooling, it's not like you've never seen Lassie without her collar on before."
And that brings us to this week's first runner up. I can relate to John's because I am all of 5 feet tall!
I just know that a Great Dane is going to sit down right in front of me.                         But this week's winner, of 4, count 'em, four autographed posters is...Michael!
Members of Canine Local 116 sit in stunned silence upon hearing Scott Walker's new proposal to cut the feeding of table scraps to pets.
 Thanks to everyone who played along and those who just read them and chuckled. Next week it's back to creepy guys!
This week's prize for our caption contest winner is perfect for someone with a lot of blank walls and nothing to put on them.
This week I have autographed posters from: Los Lonely Boys
                                                                   Augustana
Edie Brickell
and  KT Tunstall
These photos are NOT the actual posters, since your's are all autographed!
Good luck. Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM!
is it Friday already? What an amazing week we have had in Madison. All the more reason for a little laugh or two.
Here are this week's caption contest winners, starting with honorable mentions:
We start with Paul:Â Â âYou know,â said Butch, chapter president of the Madison chapter of the Fire Breathers Motorcycle Club â Retired Division, âI can still change the carburetor on my hog while Iâm blindfolded, but making this scarf is a bitch!â
Next is Alan, appealing to my love of play on words:
Knitty Gritty Dirt Bikers gone mild.
Then we have Dawn:
A few years older and a little bit wiser, Bruiser and the gang decided they needed to find a relaxing hobby, so they took up knitting. Let's just hope Lefty, (Slightly bitter after his Harley accident) doesn't practice his slipknots on the Hells Angels!
James is a winner simply for The Cardigans Motorcycle Club. ( a great name!)
The Cardigans Motorcycle Club usually spent quiet evenings in the club house, knitting new colors for their rides. But when "Killer" dropped yet another stitch, all hell broke loose. More broken arms and neck injuries followed.
Our first runner up is Kraig, who went topical:
Upon hearing that Governor Walker intended to sell the State's heating plants, the Inlaws Motorcycle Club decided that they better take matters into their own hands.
                          And this week's winner of another assortment of bizarre prizes is John C.
Using Butchâs Harley to power the loom seemed like a good idea at the time, until he revved it up and parts started flying. Now Butch is recovering while the rest of the gang patiently knits their chaps and vests by hand.
Thanks to everyone who participated. Wait until you see the photo I have planned for next week!
I scour the globe to find prizes for the caption contest. For instance, the Stewie Griffin head football was all the way in the office next to where I sit. Our webmaster Emily is leaving us ( boohoo) and she donated the Sarah Palin Mask. SOMEONE donated the strange plastic bug thing ( I think it was Miss Kitty, but she won't fess up,) and the Double Trouble mirror was an old promotional item I received years ago.
ALL THESE CAN BE YOURS!!!  Just go to yesterday's blog to find the photo, then caption away!
Good luck.
Boy, things are heated in Madison this week, and I think we all need a break with a laugh or three. To that end, here's this week's caption contest. Give me your best caption to this photo. The winner will receive some pretty fabulous prizes, especially if you're a fan of Family Guy. I'm just sayin'.
Â
Your deadine is Friday at 4 PM. Have fun, be creative, and, as always, play nice!
Adele Atkins, better known just as Adele has a new album coming out February 22 titled "21". Just like her "19" album, most of the songs in this new album were done when she was 21.
So, with that in mind, here are 21 things to know about Adele.
 favorite movie is Godfather 2
favorite food is Malaysian
favorite color is green
loves cleaning her ears with Q-Tips
the Cure was her first concert. She was 3
she gets nervous before performing
her favorite spot on earth is her bed
she almost ran over P. Diddy with a golf cart
favorite video game is Ray Man
drinks her tea with two sugars
she's a great cook
favorite actress is Meryl Streep
favorite TV show is East Enders
She's addicted to Ikea
She's terrified of flying
her dog is Louis Armstrong, a dachsund
if she could be anyone famous it would be Drew Barrymore ( who wouldn't?)
favorite song: Bette Midler's "Wind beneath My Wings"
her idols are her Mom and Bette Midler
favorite actor is Al Pacino
favorite Michael Jackson song is " Man in the Mirror"
Oh man, when I posted this photo I never expected to get so many Jeffrey Dahmer captions, but I guess I shouldn't have been surprised. Â
So, here we go, starting with honorable mentions:Â Â
We start with Gary: Â
Looking to appeal to a younger audience, CBS introduces Barbie as newest cast member on CSI.
Next up is Abbe, who obviously had Barbies as a child:Â
I told them I wanted Malibu Barbie, but no, they had to go and get me Lizzy Borden Barbie. Now, see what happens when I don't get what I want!
I echo Kraig's caption:Â
I told Ken that if he wore that freakin' Ascot one more time I was going to cut it off of him. But NOOOOOO!!!! He just HAD to wear it!
Lori must be a Mom:Â Â
"Another kid? Another Kid??? ANOTHER KID????????" Barbie reacts to Ken's suggestion that it might be nice to have another kid.
Darcy winds up our Mattel answers with this:Â Â
The Real Housewives of Mattel
Our first runner up is Cynthia!
"Now look what you've done, we'll need a new sitter -- and how will I ever meet a new man if you kids keep leaving this place such a mess? Now be a Dear and take a picture of mommy that I can use on my Eharmony ad."
And this week's winner of our Fabulous prize package is BETH! ( look at the photo carefull!)
Eeek, a mouse!!!          Â
Thanks everyone. Wait until you see the photo I have for next week!
Once again, here is the assortment of weird prizes, just right for the rathetr strange group of people who play caption contest. ( My kind of people, by the way).
So not only have I given out prizes, a recent winner donated some of her unwanted stuff... the lovely cat statue with red glowing eyes comes from Jan with thanks...I added a candle shaped like a pyramid, an autographed CD from Dada ( diz knee land ) AND a Soul Shaker sticker.
 I will also add something from our CD prize closet that the winner can select JUST FOR THEM!!! Nothing is too good for my caption participants.
The photo is in Wednesday's blog and the winner will be announced on Friday! Good luck!
Cold enough for you? Just be glad we don't live in the East where they have been shoveling for months! So let's heat things up with come caption fun!'
You know the drill. Please give me your best caption for this photo. The winner will receive all sorts of fabulous random prizes! Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM!
Have fun, be creative and play nice!
We are all hoping for a winning weekend, of course, so we start with THESE caption contest winners!Â
As always, up first, honorable mentions:Â Â starting with two of our funniest contributors
Todd:
The spa package said "facial treatment and pampering." Time to demand a refund
and Kraig:
As Howard Stern got on in his years, it became more and more difficult for those around him to refer to him as a shock "jock." When a caller referred to him as "Dr. Depends", Stern lost it and went on a rampage down the Avenue of the Americas.
Up next is Alan because I am a faithful watcher of Ru Paul's Drag Race. ( too much information?)
Guns don't kill people. Drag queen clowns with diaper fetishes do.
Then we have Donna because Ted Nugent is always fun to talk about:
Ted Nugent has escaped from the Offrocker Nursing Home again. If you see him, call 911 immediately. Do not approach. He should be considered armed, dangerous and insane.
And on to the first runner-up Tony:
Bozo had some minor issues with being retired.
                      Finally..This weeks winner of all these FABULOUS prizes is...JOAN!
                                  Ronald McDonald on hunt for the new McVenison.
Thanks to all who participated and those who read and laughed. more caption fun next week, and, oh yeah, GO PACK!
Did you enjoy your snow day? If you had to work, the rest of us thank you for your dedication!
So let's get to it. This week's caption contest prizes include:
an Austin City Limits key chain
A 2 for 1 coupon book called Madcity Cocktails
A jar of hotsauce " On Fire for Christ"
and the new  Elton John/ Leon Russell  CD" The Union."
You have until Friday at 4 PM to enter your caption to the photo posted on Tuesday!
Have fun!
Well, we finally join the East Coast this winter with our very own blizzard! Our office will be closed tomorrow, and your's probably will as well and I'm sure school's will be closed.
So, I'm giving you an extra day to play caption contest!!!
Please give me your best caption to this photo. The winner will receive, as always, FABULOUS* prizes.Â
Deadline is still Friday at 4 PM!
Have fun, be creative and, as always, play nice!
* fabulous according to gabby
Yes, I know it's Monday and the caption contest winner has not yet been announced. On Wednesday, the worst thing that can happen to a DJ named Gabby happened. I lost my voice! I could barely talk on Thursday and ended up staying home the rest of the week NOT TALKING. It was the longest few days of my life.
But we DO have winners!!! So, let's get right too it.   Â
We start, as always, with honorable mentions, starting with Sara's simple and to the point caption:
You think this is weird, you should see my brother and his ant farm!
Then we have Steve:
jacque cousteau's other brother kooky cousteau try's to follow in his brothers footsteps, but just doesn't quite get the hang of the scuba thing....
Kraig shows compassion in his caption:
Forget about Bartholomew! Hasn't anybody considered just how unnerving this entire experience was for the goldfish?
Eric get a nod because of an obvious reason. : )
Maxwell should of read the fine print. He thought he was entering a contest to win hIs very own, private, underwater Phish concert!
I chose Anne's caption because I love a play on words:
Someone told Mikey he should "sleep with the fishes". Nobody told him what to do when he woke up.
Our final 2 used the same theme, and I went with the first one received, so our first runner-up is Paul!
NASA's budget cutbacks resulted in some rather unfortunate lapses in judgment concerning safety issues.
That means this week's winner of these FABULOUS prizes is JAN!  Due to governmental cutbacks, several agencies had to merge together. Meet the dept. of DNR/Clean air/clean water/freedom of speech/peta/healthcare.
Once again, my oh so clever friends, I have fabulous prizes for the winner of this week's caption contest. This week we are very Wisconsin-centric.
We start with Grammy nominated  awesomely awesome CD " Bobby Messano live in Madison"
Add to that stickers for the bands The Selfish Gene and The Eugene Smiles Project PLUS a refrigerator magnet of a Wisconsin postage stamp.
Maybe I'll toss something else into the mix if the spirit moves me.
Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM. Good luck!
Boy, Wednesday comes quickly when you're out on Monday! So here we go again with another cool photo for you to caption!
The winner, as always, will receive FABULOUS prizes personally selected by me and Miss Kitty.
Please give me your best caption to this photo. The deadline is Friday at 4 PM, have fun, be creative, and, as always ( which you do!) play nice.
So, a weekend off and a head cold delayed our caption contest winers, but as I say , better late than never. Â
So here we go with honorable mentions:
We start with John C. because I love Mason Williams music:
When I tune it just right, I can play âClassical Gasâ in its entirety with just one slow strum.
Then we had Ben, who went artistic
And let's not forget, on acoustic, M.C. Escher.
Scott's might actually be true, who knows?
Rick Nielsen, your new guitar is finished and waiting for you.
Jan went right to the heart of the matter:
Tired of hearing how John could play anything, they built something to shut him up.
Paul is just a little creepy ( but funny)
As Otis grew older, he came to the realization that while others considered his 6-armed birth defect a gross deformity. it JUST might have its advantages.
Our first runner-up is Ami:
the only guitar that one-armed 'righty' brown couldn't play.
And this week's winner of all these fabulous prizes is!
WILLÂ Â Â Â Â The developers at Guitar Hero needed to revamp the guitar for the upcoming Guitar Hero: Van Halen release.
Thanks everyone for your captions and your patience.
This week's prizes come mostly through the generosity of our lovely Miss Kitty Dunn, who apparently has even more weird stuff in her house than I do.
We start with the most prized possession one can own, a brand new, still in the wrapper green and gold " Titletown USA" toothbrush! To that we add a vintage, never used Tarzan coloring book.
I'm also going to re-gift the collector's item of a Viewmaster complete with PeeWee Herman film disc because the original winner never picked up their prizes. Can you imagine such a thing????
Good luck. The deadline for your caption is Friday at 4 PM. Have fun!
And it's that time again. No, not hump day, CAPTION DAY!
I'm looking for your best caption to this photo. As always, fabulous prizes await our winner. Â
Deadline is Friday @ 4 PM. Good luck, be creative, and, as always, play nice.
Here we go again with this week's caption contest winners.
We start with honorable mentions:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Philip...because I LOVE that Monty Python bit:
"This new Vicious Pudding is awesome!"No, it's not.""Yes, it is.""No, it's not.""Yes, it is.""Look, this isn't an argument; it's just contradiction!""No, it's not!"
up next is Alan, who took a scientific approach:
Now we know why the SETI Project is taking so long.
Linda 's answer was a play on words, which I LOVE:
Photographic evidence that early versions of the iPod were tested at early versions of the IHOP.
Darcy's was short and to the point:
Honey, I think we're safe ... sounds like Carl is only going after gophers!
Two runner ups, starting with James because Bunny Berrigan is from Fox Lake! :
Flopsy and Mopsy were thrilled with their dual headphone/dual channel radio. Flopsy could listen to Bunny Berrigan and Mopsy could listen to Eddie Rabbit at the same time.
Second runner up is John, who knows his fables:
After bugging the Tortoiseâs headquarters, agents gathered the intelligence they neededto insure the Hare would win the next race.
And this weeks' WINNER of strange promotional items and 3 CD's is Dawn, for her PERFECT caption:            Peter and Mopsey just couldn't resist, once they'd gotten into Mr. McGregors house they went directly for the stereo. They listened to Jay-Z, Run DMC and P Diddy. After all, what rabbit doesn't enjoy a little hip hop now and then?
Thanks everyone! See ya next week.
We go promotional this week for some of our prizes. Sometimes record companies will send the music director promotional items to bring awareness to their artists. With that in mind, here are this week's prizes.
we start with a can of Peryoux  Lonesome Noodle Soup ( NOT FOR CONSUMPTION)
A Senera Ryder " Little Bit of Red" feather pen
some stickers for The Selfish Gene and the Eugene Smiles Project
3 CD's... Mumford and Sons, Elvis Costello and a Regina Spektor CD/DVD
The caption photos have been getting creepier and creepier, so I thought we could all use a break with some cute little bunnies.
Please give me your best caption for this photo. Your deadline is Friday at 4 PM. Have fun, be creative, and as always , play nice!
Wow! I never expected over 65 captions. You people are certainly making it hard for me to choose winners. I wish I had prizes for everyone, but what I AM going to do is have 2 grand prize winners, and while I only have the one Snuggie, I will put together something very cool and useful for the other winner. Â
So, let's get to it, starting with all the honorable mentions.
First up is Kraig, because any Madonna reference will crack me up:
Some questioned Madonna's decision to use backup dancers her own age on her 2020 Vision comeback tour.
Next up is Kurt because Uncle Filbert is funny.
Uncle Filberts elevator didn't quite go all the way to the top, and neither did his dumbwaders.
James was short and sweet:
One day, Bob's fascination with Xena, Warrior Princess finally went too far.
I loved Brian's answer because he actually saw the crock pot in the photo:
But Honey, this is all I had that matched the crockpot.
I totally agree with James on his caption:
Madison Avenue's first attempt at creating the Jolly Green Giant was deemed too risque for 1960's middle America.
Our first runner up is Tommy because of Madison's infamous Ed Gein! ( Did you know Psycho was based on him?)
(May 1, 1984) - The last known photo of ED GEIN as he gets ready for a trout fishing excursion sponsored by the Mendota Mental Health Institute. AND OUR TWO WINNERS ARE.......!!!!!
Paul
"You know," said outgoing governor JIm Doyle," after 8 years in the public eye I'm just sort of looking forward to some privacy and getting back in touch with myself."
and Joshua:
Just like Pete Best, Gray Beard Spice will always be a footnote in history!!
Thanks again everyone. You always make so enjoyable. Hope I can come up with a photo worthy of you next week.
Â
Thanks to everyone who has posted already to this week's caption contest. Last time I looked, there were 45 captions!!!
This week's prize is something I wish the guy in the photo was wearing.. a SNUGGIE!
( cute guy not included)
I will also throw in some other things that I haven't quite chosen yet.
GOOD LUCK!
It's a new month, a new year and a new administration in Wisconsin so it's time to bring back the caption contest. I went out of my way to find the creepiest photo I could find. Did I succeed?
Please give me your best caption to this photo. The winner will receive something to make a Wisconsin winter a little more comfortable. The deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
 Have fun, be creative and, as always, play nice.
All good things come to an end, so this is the last caption contest of 2010. It has been such fun for me to find the photos and then laugh for days at your captions.
Let's get right to the honorable mentions:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
We start with John C. because diamonds ARE a girl's best friend.
People thought she was crazy when she had diamonds on the soles of her shoes, but since then she has really lost it.
Next up is Kim K. apparently all a twitter about Kate and Wills.
Being that the royal wedding is next April, Ive got to find something faaabulous to wear. Maybe with a little tweaking i will get it....
Keeping with the fabulous theme is Linda B.
"Bejeweled, beleaguered and beeeeeeau-tiful!!
Jan's ready for the season:
Not letting her bedazzle gift go unuse or regifted, Sara gets ready for New Year's Eve.
Our first runner-up is Todd who has been making me laugh all year:
Tiffany's introduced their new line of Self Mrs. Potato Head jewelry.
And this week's WINNER of the Phish cd/DVD and tickets to see the Wailers and James Hunter is Steve B.  The info-mercial was discontinued after Gloria poked her eye out using the 'Lash blaster 2000'
Thanks again everyone. We'll do this again in January.
This will be the final caption contest for the year, so we are going out in a blaze of glory with actual prizes NOT fr0m a closet in my house.
The winner of this week's caption contest will receive:Â Â Â
This Phish CD/ DVD of this summer's Alpine Valley shows, in my opinion, one of the best I've ever seen! Makes a great gift if you're not a Phish fan.
In addition, a pair of tickets to two shows at the Majestic Theater.
First up, the Wailers on Feb 8.
 Then, the next night, it's Brit blue-eyed soul singer James Hunter who puts on the BEST live show.
Good luck. the deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
I live to creep you guys out. < grin>. With that in mind... please give me your best caption to this photo. The winner will receive FABULOUS prizes hand selected by me.
The deadline is Friday at 4 PM! Good luck, have fun, and as always, play nice!
Oh my. You people have, um, interesting ways of looking at things. that's why I love your answers so much. So here we go with this week's winners, starting with the honorable mentions:
We start with Donna, whom I hope is not speaking from experience:Â Â WARNING: Studies have shown that forcing children to partake in Christmas pageants can cause lifelong bouts of depression, nightmares, flashbacks and ill-will towards parents.
Next up is Brian P., who had to have watched a lot of TV in the 60's:
Footage from this lost holiday special proves that Sonny was actually taller than Cher for a short time.
Steve gets right to the point:
What we really want for Christmas is the direct phone number to Child Protective Services... and fast!
Gary stays topical:
NASA recently announced the discovery of "alien life forms on earth" that thrive on arsenic, but it wasn't until we dug deep into the WikiLeaks documents that it was revealed that there is another whole phylum that is based on mistletoe.
Our first runner-up is Paul who also stays on top of the news:
Despite the overwhelming defeat just before the holidays of the ballot initiative that would have legalized and legitimized their relationship, Otis and Claudia were determined to make their relationship "work."Â
And this week's WINNER of the vintage poster and 5 cool CD's is Brian C.!!Â
...Sue left the family not long after that. Recovery was slow and painful, but time has a funny way of blurring the details. Still it was thirty years later before her husband finally asked her why she cleaned herself with her tongue every time she heard "Silver Bells."
Thanks everyone. Let's try and do this again next week.
This week's caption contest is all aglow in the Christmas spirit, so we have some prizes for you to keep or give away.
We start with this vintage poster ( with only a few little tears ) on good grooming:
 We add to this poster five geally good CD's. No Justin Bieber, no Taylor Swift, no kids from Glee.
What you WILL get are Keane, Sara Bareilles, Band of Horses, John Hiatt and Emelda May.
Good Luck! The deadline is Friday at 4 PM.
This week's caption contest photo might bring back unwanted memories of holidays past, so I apologize in advance. : )
Please give me your best caption for this photo. This week's winner will receive a vintage poster that I will describe tomorrow, as well as other random stuff.
The deadline is Friday at 4 PM. Have fun, be creative and, as always, play nice!
I guess the holiday's have inspired you because I had a very difficult time selecting this week's winners.             Â
We start, as always, with our honorable mentions, starting with Tony:
Rainbow Brite really let herself go as she got older.
Amy must be  watching  America's Next Top Model like I do:
Jean-Paul Gaultier gives a sneak preview to his Fall 2011 plus size haute couture collection.
Julie examines genetics:
She never did experience the fame or success of her older brother Ronald McDonald; but with that winning smile, she sure did turn heads!
Sheila understands the holiday spirit:
As a newcomer to the Midwest Berta didn't quite understand the colloquialism "dressing the turkey", much to the bemused disappointment of the local soup kitchen's Thanksgiving Day dinner attendees.
I loved Jennifer's caption because who doesn't love meatloaf?
Cindy wanted to make an impression when she got her backstage pass to the Meatloaf concert.
Our First runner-up is Steve because I really want to see this movie!
Harriet figured she would be a shoo in for the lead in the new movie called "Candyland 3-D"
                                                        And this week's winner of all these fabulous prizes is Paul!
Dorothy seemed curiously proud and even boastful of having won the "Look At Me, I'm a Dork!" contest on "Bingo Night" at the local VFW post.
Thanks everyone.  Let's do it again next week.
One holiday down, tonight is the start of Chanukah and Christmas is right around the corner. So with the turkey carcass thrown away, the caption contest gives you food for thought.
Please give me your best caption to THIS photo. Prizes to be announced tomorrow morning, but one of them is a DVD!
Have fun, be creative and as always, play nice!
And we have winners! I knew this photo would inspire you.
As always, we start with the honorable mentions!       Â
Up first, Â 2 on the same theme. Iâm not sure which came first, but they are equally clever. We start with Salty Dogâs caption:
Remove your headphones sir, the first meeting of the Marty Feldman Fan Club is about to begin!
 Tony was on the same wavelength:
 The casting call for Marty Feldman stunt doubles was surprisingly successful.
Then we got some musical responses, starting with Gene:
 "The first time I listened to Black Sabbath, I started looking at music in a whole new way!"
 And James:
  The White Eyester Cult listens to the first mix of their soon to be released CD.
  Brian obviously goes to the movies:
   No one thought this remake of "Altered States" was as good as the original.
 Kraig issues a warning:
  Still shot from a new Public Service Announcement calling attention to the dangers of mixing Beer Pong and LSD.
 Our FIRST RUNNER UP is John C.:
 The new iPod eyebuds are nice, but the earbuds have really regressed.
 And this weekâs winner of 2 autographed posters, one from Derek Trucks and one from the Subdudes as well as 3 CDâs of his choice is⦠Joshua!
  Our transformation to Muppets is nearly complete!!!
 Thanks everyone who make my work week so entertaining. We take a break next week due to the holiday, but will be back December 1!
Yes, it's that day again. NO, not hump day, Caption Contest day!!!
I can't wait to see what you people come up with for THIS photo.
The best caption ( according to me) wins some cool prizes still to be determined.
The deadline is friday at 4 PM.
Have fun, be creative and, as always, play nice!
Wow! So many great answers this week. You people must have been inspired, so letâs get started with all the honorable mentions!     Â
Letâs start with Kim:         They both agreed to retire and go their separate ways after the last dance. He to the Scarecrows on ice. And the chicken to be part of the Salvation Army soup kitchen.
 James goes local AND historical:
 Few people know that the famous Wisconsin Chicken Dance originated during the historic 1969 Stonewall Riots.
 Art Paul, a former contestant knows of what he speaks:
 Here is a preview of one of the new acts that are going to be on America's Got Talent in the next season
 Tammy went theatrical:
 The Isaac Mizrahi costumes for the revival of the Wiz failed to excite!
 Garyâs answer is better than a Bristol Palin win:
After years of not getting on Dancing With the Stars, the producers finally let the San Diego Chicken have his chance.
 In Third place is Janet because Iâm a big Little feat fan!
 "if you'll be my dixie chicken ,i'll be your ...say, what the heck am i?"
 Our first runner-up is Faust who got into the holiday spirit:
 This year's production of "The Nutcracker" is sure to challenge the audience.
                                                      And this weekâs BIG WINNER of actual good prizes is:  John C.
 We all knew that the Red Robin/Ed Debevic's merger would be a disaster.
Thanks everyone. See ya next week!
So far I am loving your captions to this week's photo. I searched high and low ( well, in my living room anyway) to select these fine prizes JUST FOR YOU!
 Los Lonely Boys CD/DVD
A fridge magnet for the show Glee
a box of Trivial Pursuit questions, subject, the 1980's
A Green Team t-shirt. ( new by the way)
Deadline is Friday at 4 PM! Good Luck and keep those captions coming!
Here we go again! Put on your thinking cap and give me your best caption to THIS photo.
The winner will receive fabulous prizes that I haven't selected yet.
The deadline is Friday @ 4 PM. Have fun, be creative and play nice!
Even though you only had 2 days to play, your captions for the weeks caption contest were, as always, stellar! Â Itâs mostly ladies week, and we start with our honorable mentions:Â Â Â
We start with Carol:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â I thought I told YOU to bring the gondola!
Jan went musical:
As the group narrowed, the guys wondered how far this Elton John look alike contest would go.
 I loved Kateâs caption because I just saw Chris Farley do his Chippendale routine on TV:
 On the History channel tonight, the story of the Chippendales. Rumors, love sought and lost in strange ways and places.
 Tied for first runner-up is Eliza, with a seasonal caption:
This was not quite what the ladies had envisioned when they saw the advertisement for the "Deer Hunters' Widows All Male Revue."
 Second runner-up is last weekâs winner Kraig ( canât help it, heâs twisted and makes me laugh)
 Jersey Shore Cast Rejects - The Dilemma, The Quandary, The Predicament, The Jam, The Pickle, and last but not least, The Sticky Situation.
 And this weekâs WINNER of 3 CDâs of YOUR choice and the book, âthe Grandparenting Guide for the Rock N Roll generationâ is LORI!
  F Company didn't care if the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy ever got repealed... they we're going to be F-a-b-u-lous anyway. Thanks everyone. See you next Wednesday!
Although we are a day late, we are not a dollar short with this week's caption contest...at least not if you guys give me your best captions to this photo:Â
Tthis week's winner will receive several CD's chosen just for you , a copy of the book " The Grandparent's Guide for the Rock-n- Roll Generation" and some other weird stuff I will gather.
Deadline is Friday at 4 PM. Good luck, have fun, be creative and play nice.
Happy almost Halloween from the caption contest. I was afraid I had chosen a poor photo for captioning, but once again, you folks proved to be as clever as can be.
Here are this weekâs Honorable Mentions:Â Â Â Â
 Greg with a straight forward response:
 "Metropolis' new "neighborhood transit watch" program has been very successful since the new guys joined..."
 Mary must be a parent:
  It's always more difficult when my son brings his friends along...
 Jason had a great one:
 The guys might have misunderstood what 'themed costume party' meant at Mr. Hefner's mansion on Halloween.
Di went practical:
 Could you guys all move down? I don't have much room here!
 This weekâs runner up, a VERY CLOSE second is Amy!
   It was the most boring ride the drunk bus had seen to date.
                                And this weekâs winner of the Halloween inspired prize package is Amanda!
   Ticket to Comic-Con: $30Authentic Marvel Comics costume: $200Having to ride the subway because Mom has the minivan tonight: PricelessÂ
Thanks everyone. Have a safe and happy Halloween and letâs do this again next week.
I love Halloween. Since I was a theater major in college, wearing costumes and make-up has always been something I loved. That's why this week's caption contest has a Halloween theme. And, keeping with the theme, the prizes reflect that.
This week's winner of the best caption to yesterday's photo will win:
A DVD of the Gomers as the Zombeatles         Â
a large anthology of Gary Larson Far Side cartoons
and a smal candle holder with pictures of pumpkins as decoration.
The deadline is Friday at 4 PM. Good luck!
It's almost Halloween, the second best day in the kid calendar. So as you munch little peanut butter cups and candy corn, take a moment and caption this week's photo.
 The best ( very subjective, of course) caption will receive some fabulous prizes that I have not yet chosen , but I know you will want them.
Deadline for your caption is Friday at 4 PM.
Have fun, be creative and play nice.
Boy did I have a hard time narrowing down the winners for this weekâs caption contest. But the job must be done, and so it has.       Â
The wonderful honorable mentions start with Tony:
        Run, kids! He's-a-fixin' to do his drum solo again!
 Then we had 2, count âem 2 different Jennifers
First up: Jennifer
  It was pledge week for the lesser known Alpha Phi Delta Backwoods Fraternity
Second, Jen:
 Duck duck goose was never meant to be taken this literally.
 And now we get to my hardest choice to date. All three answers knocked me out, so I threw the names in a hat and randomly selected.
The first of our semi-finalists is Brian:
   Retirement didn't work out all that well for the remaining members of ABBA.
 Second up is Greg:
   "Dammit...I said NO more mushrooms for Uncle David and I meant it!!....."                                     And this weekâs winner of the Halloween inspired prize package is: Kraig!
From that fateful day forward, Cousin Cooter would always be known as justanother "flash in the pan."
Thanks everyone. Have a safe weekend and look for another photo next Wednesday.
I can't believe it's almost Halloween, a major holiday here in Madison, so the caption contest prizes get us in the mood.
we start with a teddy bear dressed in a pumpkin costume Â
a package of Pumpkin Teeth to make your carved pumpkin an object of  terror
a collectin of cartoon from a strange man we love, P.S. MuellerÂ
and for no special reason, a Mallards baseball
Find the photo to caption in Wednesday's blog. The deadline is Friday at 4 PM. Have fun, be creative and play nice.
I love vacations ( duh, who doesn't), but I missed the caption contest. I'm back now and so are the strange photographs.
Please give me your best caption to THIS photo.Â
The deadline is Friday at 4 PM. Some halloweeny type prizes are in store.
People have lots of wedding traditions; the garter toss, the toasts at the reception, the first dance, but this family took it to extreme with an amazing surprise for the bride. Bet you wish you were this bride!
You folks never let me down with your hysterical captions to this weekâs caption Contest, so letâs get right to it .
Honorable mentions:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Sheila because we all like to boogie oogie oogie:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
 Fred was thankful to get off the floor, as he just couldn't boogie oogie oogie no more.
 Then we had Mary with a cautionary caption:
 We must never open Pandoras Box...
 Tammy welcomes the spirit of the season:
  The Oompa Loompas dressed incognito to attend Oktoberfest and blow off a little steam. Jenny made it short and sweet:
 Jenny was not amused by entertainment at her bachelorette party.
 Our first runner up: Michael⦠I totally agree with this sentiment.
  Sadly, this is what they meant when they sang "Everybody Wang Chung tonight."
 And this weekâs winner of actual good prizes is Kraig: everybody SING!               "We represent the Chernobyl Guild,the Chernobyl Guild, the Chernobyl Guild.And in the name of the Chernobyl Guild,we wish to welcome you to Ukraine Land."
Thanks everyone. NO caption contest next week since I will be on vacation. See you in 2 weeks!
I'm feeling very generous this week with my prizes since I will be on vacation next week and there will be no caption contest.
This week's winner will receive:
Ryan Montbleau band CDÂ ( excellent album!)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Los Lobos Goes Disney CD
Son Volt DVDÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
set of harvest candles!
Good luck. The photo is in Wednesday's blog. Deadline is Friday @ 4 PM. Good Luck!
It's caption contest time humor fans. As always, we are looking for the best caption to this week's photo.
The winner will receive 2 CD's plus more random cool stuff I find lying around.
Caption this:
Deadline is Friday at 4. have fun, be creative and play nice!
My good friend Charlie sent this to me and I just had to share it with you.
For those who don't remember, Laurel and Hardy were the most popular comedy team in the Golden Age of American movies. They were also a great joke in Blazing Saddles where the Mayor offers " a laurel and a hardy handshake..." to the new Sherriff.
But I digress. Anyway... here's a very cool video.
Very creative answers to this weekâs caption contest, resulting in LOTS of honorable mentions:
Starting with Jennifer                         Not knowing what would attract a mate, Joe decided to try a variety of things to increase his chances.
 Then we have Alan  because any caption that mentions Ron Popeil is OK in my book:
 Ron Popeil's first attempt to build a Rotisserie Oven left plenty of room for improvement.
 Tammy went with a musical parody:
 Pesos and smokes and an arrow skewered chiken...Bananas and hair and a rope to go with them...These are a few of my favorite things.
 Tommy went political:
 August 22, 1967 --- Union workers at Dole send a clear message against the proposed merger with Tyson Chicken and Reynolds tobacco.
 Our first runner-up is Colleen, who managed to touch  upon everything:
 Kilroy was here. So was Curious George, the Marlboro Man and Colonel Sanders. And then William Tell showed up and ruined it for everyone.
                                                     And this weekâs winner of the Avett Bros DVD, fake Moustache and more is James!
  The sign said: Post No Bills. Everything else, OKÂ
Thanks everyone. See ya next week!
Like the TV stations, we have a  " Green Room" where artists can wait before a Studio M. We also have them drop back after the performance to leave their marks.
Check it out!
it's amazing to me how many musicians are good artists as well!
                                                             Â
Wow wow wow! Thatâs my review of Phish at Alpine valley on Saturday night.
This marked my 16th year of going to Phish concerts and if I say this was one of THE BEST Iâm not exaggerating.
First step to enjoying Alpine was the VIP parking pass I purchased for $30, which is the only way to handle that parking lot hassle at the end. I was pretty excited to bring my friend Scott along with us for his first Phish concert. I head to Will Call and we started walking down to our sets⦠and down⦠and down until we are on the freakinâ floor, maybe ten rows from the stage, way over on the side.
Iâm stoked and ready to see âmy boysâ. The show started off with Tube ,which happens to be the very first song I ever saw Phish perform live back in 1994. It started strong and they never let up that first set. I donât think I have ever heard the band sound so tight. I guess growing up and getting sober is a good thing.Â
A high point for me was Page taking center stage and singing his jazzy âLawn Boyâ and âSparkleâ which took us to heights of rock ecstasy.
Now, Iâm not getting any younger and Iâm not in the best physical shape and it was hot, but I danced and boogied more than I have in, well since the last Phish concert!
Second set included some of my favorite songs, âDown with Diseaseâ, Â âWeekapaug Grooveâ and their cool cover of â Sneakinâ Sally Through the Alleyâ.
We were close enough to be bathed by the lights of the stage, which was cool and finally, I was in the middle of the glow stick âwarâ. I was lucky enough to catch this lovely necklace.
An encore while short and only one song, âQuinn the Eskimoâ, was a prefect end to this totally rocking show.
Then, of course, we had to get out of the parking lot. VIP only took 30 minutes rather than 90, so all in all and perfect evening.
I canât wait for next summer.
Last summer I, of course, went to Alpine Valley to see Phish, the only band that I will go see at Alpine. It wasnât just another concert for me, but it was my sweetie Timâs FIRST SHOW! Of course, he has heard me play them all the time and listened to all my stories about the band. Heâs a big music fan, so I knew he would love it as much as I did. I was right. So when we had an opportunity to see them again the next month at the final show of the summer tour at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, we jumped at the chance.
The night before, we had been at the 40th anniversary Woodstock Concert, but were totally ready to see Phish. I love SPAC. Itâs like a smaller Alpine and my favorite venue so I was excited to share it with Tim.
We left with plenty of time to get to the venue and seriously crowd watch. We get about 5 miles from SPAC to see signs that said all the parking lots were full. As we inched our way closer, I could see kids hiking towards the show. I lean out and ask someone where were they were sending us to park and he said a couple of miles away.
Well, Iâm not a kid anymore, it was hot, humid and looked like it was gong to pour any minute, so we decided to just skip it and sell my tickets, which were in the SECOND ROW!!!! Tim was worried we wouldnât be able to sell them, but I said, just pull over. So we pull into this parking lot, I unroll the window and hold the tickets out. Immediately, a couple of kids run over and ask âAre they in the pavilion?â â Dudeâ I said, âTheyâre I the second rowâ. He handed me a $100 bill. â Plus $20 for handling charges?â He gave me another 20 and I swear his feet werenât touching the ground he was so excited.
I was happy to give someone an experience he never imagined, plus, if I had gotten my tickets for free  (which I usually do) I would have GIVEN them to him!
So I took the kids money, went right to Best Buy and bought an Altec Lansing iPod docker, a pair of headphones and still had money left to download the show the next day. All in all, it was win win for everyone!
But NOTHING is going to stop me from being at Alpine on Saturday night.
August 14 and 15 2004 was both an exciting and sad day for Phish fans. That was to be the bands final farewell before they went on their separate ways. The band was as choked up as the tens of thousands of fans who walked for miles to get to Coventry VT. Keyboardist Page McConnell couldn't finish singing Wading in the Velvet Sea and needed the crowd to help sing the chorus.
I wasn't there and was not happy I missed it.Â
Fast forward a bit to November 2005. Trey's solo album Shine had come out and he was going on radio station visits to promote it. I think you may have some idea how excited I was to actually interview him!
Back then we hadn't built our beautiful Studio M performance area, so I entered the room where he had just arrived.
He turns to me, holds out his hand to shake and says " Hi, I'm Trey. Thanks for having me". I responded with " This is a thrill for me second only to the time I made Frank Zappa laugh." I knew he was as big a Zappa fan as I was, so I was hoping that would pique his attention. Well, it certainly did and we spent about 15 minutes just talking about all the Zappa concerts I had seen. He told me how lucky I was to have seen so many shows.
That comment got me to thinking; no matter who you are as a performer, there is always someone you admire and look up to. He was a terrific interview subject, as you might imagine, with the conversation including stories about his grandmother as well as Krishnamurti! You can hear the Studio M here, as well as this Sunday at 9 AM and 5 PM.
I enjoyed talking with him SO much, I don't even care what I look like in these photos! It was GABBY'S HAPPY DAY!!!
You may already know that I got to host a Live from Studio M with Trey Anastasio during the period when we thought Phish had broken up for good, and Iâll get to that story later this week. But what you might not know is that I met him and Mike Gordon once before.
My BFF is NPR Weekend Edition host Liane Hansen. Every year we used to have a girls weekend in NYC. Sometimes I got us tickets to a show, sometimes she did. Several years before Phish had graduated from venues like the Barrymore to Alpine Valley, she did an interview with them. They told her they were fans of HER show as well, so when she asked to interview them again in the late 90âs they jumped at the chance.
Of course, we got tickets to see the show at Madison Square Garden. After the show, we got in line for a meet and greet so we could thank the guy from the Phish organization that got us the tickets. As we were waiting, a kid turned and asked us, âAre you the bandâs Moms?â Oh manâ¦LOL
Anyway, the next day we headed to the NPR studio in NYC for her interview. Trey and Mike showed up. First Trey shared a story that just happened. As he was getting out of the cab to come to the studio, a 14 year old boy recognized him and came running up to tell Trey that his mother had given him tickets to the show for his birthday and was SO excited to see him!!! Trey spent a few minutes  chatting with the boy. What a nice guy!
I canât remember much about the interview with Liane, but I remember sitting in the control room listening with THE BIGGEST grin on my face.
Oh yeah, the same grin I have in the photo we took afterwards!
Itâs no secret I am a PHISH PHAN, but when did this obsession begin? It actually started with Frank Zappa.
Zappa was my musical hero. I never missed a show from 1967-1978. In 1990Â it was announced he had prostate cancer. Apparently he had it for ten years and when discovered, it was too late. He died in 1993 leaving a large musical hole in my life; which brings us to the summer of 1994.
I had read about the neo-hippies that followed this band from Vermont. But wasnât really familiar with their music. When I was given a free pair of tickets to see them at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga NY, I took them, mostly out of curiosity.
We arrived at SPAC and I was shocked to see so many kids in dreads and Birkenstocks and the scent of patchouli oil wafting in the breeze. Needless to say, it piqued my interest. This photo was taken ( not by me) that very night!
We head to our seats and got ready for the show. The first song was good... the second song was great but when I heard them do their THIRD song, Frank Zappaâs â Peaches En Regaliaâ I was totally hooked! Now I had a band to fill that musical hole in my life!
By the time the fall tour rolled into town several months later, I had already joined the traders on line and started collecting shows on cassette.
I havenât missed a tour since.
As you probably know, Bruce Springsteen got his musical start playing in small clubs in Asbury Park NJ. One club whose name has become synonymous with Bruce is the Stone . Over the years there are always stories of Bruce just showing up and jumping on stage with the band. If I lived in Asbury Park, I think I'd be there all the time just in case...
This time the lucky ones were those who came to see Alejandro Escovedo, a friend of the Boss.
For those of  us who missed it, here's a taste of Beast of Burden.
Think about how many devices you have that access the Internet. Every day, more and more smart phones and net books get sold. Some cars now can access the Internet and more will be added. So what does this all mean? We're running out of addresses. No, not the ones you type in that start with www, but the actual address assigned to your device.
I'm sure you've seen these string of 4 numbers with periods after them. According to the American Registry for Internet Numbers, the system can only handle 4 Billion addresses and they expect these to run out in less than a year. YIKES!
But don't panic. They have researchers working on the problem . Let's just hope it's not the same people who attempted to cap the oil spew in the gulf.
What an awesome show Weed's has become. It started with a suburban mom, recently widowed trying to earn money by selling pot to her neighbors. After 5 seasons, the show has taken many dark turns, involving grow houses, Mexican drug lords and gun smuggling, leaving us with quite a cliff-hanger. I, for one, can't wait to see what happens next.
The promo for the new season shows great promise, using the song " Terrible Things" from April Smith and the Great Picture Show. Check it out:
How can you not love a band that names itself after a drumlin?
Madison's Bascom Hill, named after the hill on campus which once was the site of 1008Â Pink Flamingo's are on the brink of national success.
Originally from Kenosha, this band formed over 12 years ago, but cut their musical teeth here in Madison where they are now based. If you are a long time fan, you'd have recognized their songs on America's Top Model, Cheerleader nation, MTV's real World, Rock Rules and a whole bunch more.
They've got a new album out called Bascom Hill is out and available for download!
Check out this really cool video for their wong " My World ( Sucks to be You)"
As Triple M Music Director, I'm always on the lookout for cool new bands. So please meet Mumford & Sons.
Although the band hails from London , they sound a bit like the US jam/rootsy scene and are HUGE in Australia. You might have caught them on Letterman or Craig Ferguson.
I was also excited to hear that they will appear on a soon to be released album of Ray Davies and Kinks cover songs.
Check them out with this official video of Little Lion Man.
Over the weekend we went to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D. This was the first feature film I saw in modern 3D and was totally blown away by it. I wanted to go see another 3D film the next day!
When I got to work today, I started talking about it with Zach in our sales department. He was saying how cool it would be if, for example, it was windy on screen and you felt wind in the theater.
This reminded me of William Castle, a 50's film director who did something very similar in theaters showing his film " The Tingler". Here's the director himself to explain:
Then I remembered John Water's 80's film " Polyester" that utilized a scratch 'n sniff card called Odorama! You received this card  when you entered the theater and during the movie, a number would flash on screen telling you which scent to sniff.  I actually have an old Odorama and it really worked!
I love the Kinks and I always have, so when I heard that Ray Davies was going to play the Riviera Theater in Chicago, I was there!
We were lucky enough to get seats in the first row of the balcony so I didn't have to stand for the whole show. Being only 5 feet tall, I never get to see anything if I stand in the crowd, so it was a great thing to have seats.
Ray Davies looks fantastic and the crowd, made up of aging baby boomers and young hipsters loved him. It's hard to hear the music of the Kinks and not sing along, but it didn't matter because he kept asking us to sing all night! ( Lola is playing on the radio RIGHT NOW! ) anyway.... I digress. Of course he did Lola, but I was most excited to hear " I'm Not Like Everybody Else" and " Dead End Street". In fact, I STILL can't get Dead End Street out of my head, so here is a fantastic video someone made to that song. Enjoy!
Remember OKGO's video on the treadmill?  Well, they're out with another AMAZING video that you have to see to believe! So here it is:
If you want to know more about the creator of this Rube Goldberg-esque video, check this out
If you were to describe me to your friends, I'm pretty sure the words fashion show and brides would not be mentioned. But you would be wrong!
For more years than I want to remember, I have been the announcer at Joy Publications's Wedding Planner and Guide Bridal Shows, one weekend in Madison, and the following weekend in Milwaukee.
Since I have been doing this for so long, the models, the staff, the vendors and the guys running the music and I have  bonded and the show weekends are like a family reunion.
For me, the first show is always a challenge because it's the first time I will see the models and hear the music. I have no idea what the clothes will look like and what special things they have been planning. There's nothing like a dress rehearsal in front of hundreds of people to get a girl's adrenaline flowing.
But, boy, is it fun. See! I'm smiling!
I can't wait for next year to do it all over again.
It's time for another caption contest. Once again, an exclusive Triple M prize that you can't get anywhere else is at stake.
Here's the photo... I will choose my favorite caption. Hurry, the deadline is Friday at 4PM.
Have fun, be creative!
I hope you were lucky enough to catch last week's Independent Lens program on PBS. It was a documentary about the Young @ Heart chorus, a group of senior citizens in Northampton Mass  who perform rock and roll songs. The film follows them as they learn several new songs for an upcoming concert.
I had never heard of this group, although they have been doing this for 25 years, touring all over the world. As I watched, I was reminded of my Dad, who loved to sing and had a wonderful personality.
There were so many parts of the film that moved me to tears of joy, then tears of sadness, as 2 members of their group die the week of their concert.
I would love for you to spend some time and watch these videos, and I know you will be as moved as I was. We start with the trailer:
Two performances were especially moving. The first, a trip to a minimum security prison where, among other songs, they brought the crowd to tears with their version of "Forever Young". I can't embed the video because they won't allow it, but I can certainly give you the link.
One of the men who died before the concert was to do a duet, which turned into a solo. I promise you, you will never listen to Coldplay's "Fix You" in the same way ever again.
And finally, to leave you will some joy... The Young @ Heart Chorus covers the Ramones!
Do try to catch this when it airs again, which I'm SURE it will.
Thanks to everyone who played along with our caption contest this week. It was so much fun, I think we will do this every week! Remember to check on Wednesday's for the new photo. You can be sure the prize will be something you can NOT get anywhere else but from Triple M!
Here's the photo again and the winning caption! Â
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The new ads for the Joan Crawford daycare center did not go over well.
Congratulations to Melanie Smith who just won herself a Weezer Snuggie!
AS the year and decade draw to a close, I continue my tale of some of my favorite experiences in Studio M.
Probably the best time I had ( next to Trey, of course) was when Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks came in to Studio M.  I have been a fan of this clever man and his swinging sound since his early albums, so I was way excited to meet him. He arrives, a tall man, over 6 feet , and I look up at him from my 5 foot frame and tell him I was SO excited to meet him. His response?" You'll get over it". It continued from there. I ask my first question, and he says to the audience, " What Gabby was trying to say is...." You get the picture. He was a total hoot and a half and I guess I gave it back as much as he dished it because when the interview was over, he reached over with a HUGE grin on his face and thanked me.
I have been a fan of Warren Haynes since I saw him play with the Allman Brothers, and then later with the Dead. I was very pleased he agreed to come in for the Studio M, and we had a very nice chat about music in general and what it is about the electric guitar that moves people so. ( His response...it mimics the human voice!) Before we started I asked him if he was going to sing my all-time favorite song of his " Soul Shine". He said he needed to change the tuning for the song. I suggested he do it last and we'd stop recording just before so he could re-tune. Well, let me tell you, I was so moved by the song, I almost started crying right then and there.
We end this look with a Studio M I did with a band from New Jersey, De Sol. When I first heard their song Karma, I LOVED it. I met them at an industry function later than year and hit it off with the whole band! We've stayed in touch over the years, and they made a special trip to Madison to do the interview with me. Here's a clip from the session:
Gabby hearts Albie from DeSol
Probably the best part of my job is getting a chance to meet and interview some of my favorite artists. Here is a short list of some of my favorite Studio M's.
We, of course, have to start with Trey Anastasio. Phish had broken up at the time and his solo album had just been released. Of course, I was SO excitedto meet him. What a gentleman. I waked into the room and he says " Hi, I'm Trey, thanks for having me". I told him this was the second biggest thrill in my life, next to making Frank Zappa laugh. I knew Trey was a Zappa fan, and that led to a nice long pre-interview chat about Frank. Heaven!
When Paolo Nutini came by the first time, he was still about 19 years old. He is a totally sweetie pie, but he spoke in such a strong Scottish brogue it was hard to understand him. It didn't help that he kept his head down and spoke very softly. Half the time I didn't even understand what he was saying, but the music was great, so it didn't matter. During the interview he talked about how much he likes soul music and I turned him onto Brit blue-eyed soul singer James Hunter. The next time Paolo came through, the first thing he said to me was " I really like that James Hunter album you gave me". I had even forgotten I had given it to him, so I was impressed with his memory and graciousness.
James Hunter was here about a year ago to open for Susan Tedeschi at the Barrymore. It was a Saturday and we invited both Susan and James to come in for a Studio M. Jonathan was interviewing Susan, and James was to come in after that. Except he showed up at the same time. I was very excited to meet him because I am totally in love with his music. I was quite nervous when he arrived, but after hanging in the green room for 45 minutes telling jokes and generally fooling around, the interview felt like chatting with an old friend.
Young Davy Knowles of Back Door Slam came in by himself. At first I was not too pleased because he only plays with a few other artists and why was he coming alone to play acoustic when he can rock out? Well, I learned what shredding sounds like on an acoustic guitar and I give major props to him, You may not know, because we edited it out, but, I accidentally called him Danny in the intro, and now that is a private joke between us. How cool is that!
More tomorrow.. including Warren Haynes who almost made me cry, Dan Hicks who tried to give me a hard time, and a band I have stayed in touch with over the years, De Sol.
Today, it's time to list my favorite concerts of the decade.
This was a very difficult list to compile because I have been to so many concerts, they tend to all blend into one, but I'm going to give it a try. Once again, in no particular order.
We start, of course with Phish , Madison Square Garden, New Years Even  2002 -2003. This was the first concert after the first time they broke up then got back together again, when we thought we'd never see them again. Madison Square Garden was the happiest place on the planet that night!
I could say every Bruce Springsteen concert I've ever seen, but Milwaukee in 2007 was especially memorable because it was Tim's first Bruce concert and it was great to see someone experiencing it for the first time. The guy behind us had been to 47 Bruce shows and he even said that show was one of the best ever! Special treat...Madison's own Richard Davis playing bass on " Meeting Across the River". BRUUUUUCE!
If you have never seen Joe Jackson in concert, boy, are you missing out. I first saw him in, I think, 1983 at the old Civic Center, but 2003 found me at the Vic in Chicago with the biggest damn grin on my face you ever saw.
One of the most interesting pairings in recent years was Emmy Lou Harris and Mark Knopfler. I got to see them at the Charter One pavilion in Chicago. Here' s the super cool part. I was invited to a meet and greet before the show. Usually these are kinda awkward with people lining up to take their pictures with the artists and then you're gone. But this one was different. We went behind the stage of this outdoor venue to see a small tent with some chairs. About 20 of us were there, wondering what was gong to happen, when the back up musicians came out and played an acoustic number. Then Mark and EmmyLou come and sing 3 songs JUST FOR US! It was the coolest meet and greet ever ( and the concert was amazing as well).
Sometimes you go to a concert and the opening act is so good, you almost forget about the headliner. That almost happened when Robert Randolph and the Family Band opened for Los Lonely Boys at the Orpheum theater. I was alrady totally stoked to see LLB, but when Roibert Randolph hit the stage, WOWIE ZOWIE! It was way cool to see the crowd, mostly unfamiliar with RR adn the FB become over-the-moon excited during his performance. Los Lonely Boys had big shoes to fill, and of course, they did!
Some other shows that will remain with me include John Butler Trio, Regina Spektor, Eric Hutchinson, Ray Davies, The Ditty Bops, The Subdudes, John Hiatt and Marc Broussard.
When Tom Petty came to the Coliseum, I wasn't that excited because, let's face it, I've been playing him on the radio for about a million years. But, what the heck, I went. Boy, am I glad I did. I had forgotten exactly how great those songs are and I was part of the standing ovation at the end. Plus he was wearing the coolest shirt.
These are the shows that leap to mind. I'm positive I have forgotten a lot of them.
Up tomorrow? My favorite interviews for Studio M!
I'm a real sucker for a creative cover song. Anyone can take a song and perform it just like the original artist , but when you take a very familiar song that everyone knows and give it a total new slant, that's magical.
So we start with the song that everyone knows, even if they were not a fan of the Jackson Five...I Want You Back.
We now move to one of the coolest things I've heard in a while, a 6 person accapella group called Sonos. On their album Sonosings, they give us THIS version which you can find on itunes: Since they are not allowing embedding of the official video, please enjoy this taste here and then follow this link to the full video.
And we round out this trio with emerging artist Jer Coons, a young man with a very bright future!
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, October 13
Tinsley Ellis " Sunlight of Love" album title Speak no Evil. Billboard Magazine said Tinsley Ellis released consistently great blues albums, and this one is no exception!
Clarence Bucaro " Let Me Let Go of You" album title New Orleans. Cleveland native Clarence as made New Orleans his home, as seen by the album title and the NOLA sound. Here he is performing this song live:
Old Crow Medicine Show " Motel in Memphis" album title Tennessee Pusher. See this great new-grass band at the Barrymore Theater Nov 8!
Here are the songs played on Monday, October 12
Rickie Lee Jones f/ Ben Harper " Old Enough" album title Balm in Galead, available now
Nuke the Soup " Ocean" album title Make Waves, Not war, available now
Mika"Blame it on the Girls" album title The Boy Who Knew Too Much, available now
Eric Hutchinson was at the Majestic Theater yesterday, and we was nice enough to allow us to invite some listeners to a private sound check party. He's so charming and funny and talented. We all had a ball and he even had people sing Happy Birthday to me. And we  LOVED the cupcakes from Daisy Cafe and Cupcakery.Â
We also loved to hear him sing JUST FOR US!
( Here he is singing for some other people, but we can make believe it was yesterday)
I have a birthday on Sunday. A BIG birthday. No, I won't tell you which one, but suffice it to say, I remember when Eisenhower was president.Â
I have some " wonderful" friends, one of whom sent me this list of things that go better with birthdays.
Kidnappers are not very interested in you.
People call at 9 PM and ask, " Did I wake you?"
Things you buy now won't wear out.
You can eat supper at 4 PM
You sing along with elevator music
You no longer think of speed limits as challenges
You have heated arguments about pension plans
You're secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
So, for all the aging baby boomers...enjoy every minute you have, and dance like you're at a Grateful Dead concert.
I love Los Lonely Boys. I remember the first time I heard their song " Heaven".
It arrived, like they always do, in a large pile of new CD's that demaned my attention. I usually start listening to bands I've heard of first, then start making my way through the rest of the pile. Sometimes it takes weeks before I listen to a CD from an unknown artist. I also talk to record company people on a regular basis, who try to get us to play their songs on the radio. I kept putting off listening to Los Lonley Boys, but one day the label guy was so convincing that I listened to it while we were on the phone. It took the opening bars for me to say " WOW! I have to listen to the rest" and hung up. That was the beginning of my love affair with the Garza brothers, or should I say, the MUSIC of the Garza brothers! If you've ever seen them perform live, you know how totally exciting their show is,and a new new album from them is always a joy to receive. And that leads us to their latest mini-project. A five song CD called 1969, where they perform 5 songs from 1969, including Evil Ways, Roadhouse Blues and this cover of the Beatles " She Came In Through the bathroom Window".
Ever hear of living room concerts? It's a tough world out there for emerging artists and one way they get their music heard is to play an intimate concert in someone's living room! Recently one lucky person got to host Brett Dennen at their house.
Now I am looking for someone to host a concert with a special musician friend of mine, Ben Arthur. I love this man's music, sense of humor and amazing smile! Here's some quote from people who know music:
"Ben Arthur's got the looks and hooks of John Mayer "
Rolling Stone
"Ben Arthur croons like Duncan Sheik if he had a pair â shoegazing, cankicking, and remorseful only in retrospect"
CMJ
Ben's sense of humor is typified by this song:
Ben was planning on being in town November 4, but the original plans fell thru, which is why he approached me to see if wanted  to host. So if you're interested, just drop me a quick line and I'll hook you up with Ben.
Oh yeah, and I'd like to be invited.
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, September 29:
Chris Smither: "Don't Call me Stranger" album title is Time Stands Still, available now
Son Volt: " No Turning Back" album title is American Cedntral Dust, available now
White Denim: " I Start to Run" album title is Fits, available October 20. This is a power trio from Austin Texas, who won the 2008 Best New Band award at the Austin Music Awards. The video is very cool...
Here are the songs played on Monday, Sept 28:
It was sensitive singer-songwriter night on the 9:00 news!
Joshua James: " Coal War" album title is Build MeThis, available now.
Matthew Perryman Jones: " Save You" album title is  Swallow the Sea, available now.
 Grant-Lee Phillips: " Little Moon", album title is Little Moon, available Oct 13.
Learn more about this artist here!
YAY! The Amazing Race is back! I think this is going to turn out to be a great season with 2 Harlem Globetrotters and a former Miss America among the "dating couples", gay brothers and a cool father and son team.
It started off evil, with one team being eliminated even before they get on the first airplane. But considering it was the Yoga instructors who looked annoying to begin with, I was cool with that.
The first challenge has them running right into a Japanese Game Show! A Japanese Game Show!!! Plus they had to eat a giant Wasabi bomb... and lead a group of 20 Japanese tourists thru the streets of Hong Kong. What a hoot!
 Then off to Vietnam where, among other things they were herding ducks up a bridge and back again. Another annoying couple was eliminated, so all in all, it's going to be a fun season.
Here are the songs played on Thursday, September 24:
Parachute: " Under Control" album title is Losing Sleep, available now.
Edwarde Sharp and the Magnetic Zero's: " Home" album title is  Up From Below, available now. If you are an Andrew Bird fan, I think you will like this song.
Don Ray Band: " Boom Chika Wah Wah" album title is On Top of the Heap, available now
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, September 23:
The Swell Season: " Low Rising" album title is Strick Joy, available October 27. This is another project from the folks who brought you "Falling Slowly", Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.
Everclear: " At the End of the Day" album title is In a Different Light, available October 6.
Avett Brothers:"I and Love and You" album title is I and Love and You, available Sept 29. Here they are performing this song.
Here are the songs played on Thursday, Sept 22, and we'll let the artists speak / sing for themselves!
One Eskimo: " Kandi" album title is One EskimoMarcy Playground: "Devil Woman" album title is Leaving Wonderland in a Fit of RageBrian Setzer: "Trouble Train" album title is Songs from Lonely Avenue, available Oct 13
Here are the songs played on Monday September 21:
Lovemakers: "Love is Dead" album title is Let's Be Friends, available now.
Snow Patrol: "Just Say Yes" album title is Up to Now, available Nov 11. See the video below!
Third Eye Blind: " Bonfire" album title is Ursa Major, available now. See TEB at Freakfest on Halloween night!
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, Sept. 15:
Lucero: "Smoke" album title is  1372 Overton Park, available Oct 6. Back in the late 70's there was a comedy bit passed around radio station professionals. It had to do with a station format change to Punk/Country with the song " I wanna whip your cow, show me how, show me how". It was such a strange concept back then. WELL, it's 2009 and not such a joke. Lucero is what they are calling punk country and it sounds great.  Guess the joke was on us.
Los Lonely Boys: "Evil Ways", album title is 1969, available Oct 13. This is an interesting project, which will consist of a total of 5 songs all originally from 1969. The songs on this EP will be "Evil Ways", "Well All Right," originally by Blind Faith,"She Came in Through the Bathroom Window", Tony Joe White's "Polk Salad Annie" and the Door's "Roadhouse Blues". They will be touring this fall, Look for them in Chicago Oct. 23 at Old Town School and Milwaukee Oct 24 at Northern Lights Theater.
Robert Earn Keen: " The Rose Hotel" album title is The Rose Hotel, available Sept 29. If you're not familiar with this Texas artist who has been putting out albums for decades, see him perform "The Rose Hotel" at Lollapalooza.
Here are the songs played on Monday, Sept 14:
7  Worlds Collide: " Hazel Black" album is title The Sun Came Out, available on CD Sept 29, 2 disc vinyl on Oct 27. This is a group made up of Neil Finn, Johnny Marr, KT Tunstall and members of Wilco and Radiohead. Here's KT performing this song live.
Derek Trucks Band, feat. Susan Tedeschi: "Back Where it Started", another song off Derek's album Already Free. It's always nice when a husband and wife perform together. The family that plays together, stays together.
Keb' Mo': "Better Man" album title is Playing for Change: Songs around the World, available now.
Here are the songs played on Thursday, Sept 10:
Fun: "All the Pretty Girls" album title is Aim & Ignite. There's nothing better than hearing new bands that sound great. Here they are for you to enjoy too.
Jack Johnson: " Better Together", album title is En Concert. This is a live concert albunm, recorded in Paris.
Gov't Mule: "Frozen Fear, album title is By A Thread. Â Another teriffic album from Warren Haynes and the band, available October 27Â .
Here are the songs played on Thursday, Sept 3:
Cage the Elephant: "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked", album title is Cage the Elephant. This indie band is from Kentucky and if you were at Lollapalooza in Chicago, you might remember seeing them perform. If not, here they are! You can also see them on Halloween, performing at Freakfest!
Sea Wolf: " Wicked Blood", album title is White Water, White Bloom, available Sept 22
Serena Ryder: "All for Love" another cool song from this Canadian Juno award winner I found on her album Is It OK?
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, Sept. 2:
Cross Canadian Ragweed: "51 Pieces", album title is Happiness and All the Other Things. The 15th Anniversary limited edition CD is  available as of Tuesday! You'd think this band from Oklahoma would be a country band, but check this out!
Â
Drive-By Truckers: "Like a Rolling Stone", album title is The Fine Print. This is a collection of what they call "oddities and rarities" from 2003-2008. Hey, you gotta love an album with a song called "George Jones Talkin' Cell Phone Blues".
Proclaimers: "Notes & Rhymes", album title is Notes & Rhymes, available Sept 8. Yes, this identical twin Scottish duo who brought us 500 Miles is out with some new music.
Here are the songs played on Monday, August 31
Rusted Root " Suspicious Minds", album title Stereo-Rodeo, available now. This is a very cool version of this old Elvis song. Wanna see them do it live?
Eric Hutchinson " Oh" another song off Sounds Like This. have I mentnioned how much I LOVE this young man's music? Such a fun show. Here he doing Oh.
Hockey " Too Far" album title Mind Chaos, available Sept 28. This band from Portland Oregon is one to watch. I predict good things for them.
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, August 26
Jackson Browne " Here" from Soundtrack to the Kevin Spacey movie Shrink. Another great song from this classic artist.
Brett Dennen feat/ Natalie Merchant " Heaven" another song off Hope for the Hopeless. This song is BEAUTIFUL!!! Listen to the lyrics and you will be reminded of John Lennon's Imagine. Don't forget, Brett will be opening for O.A.R. Sept 3. The show has been moved from Alliant Energy Center to Overture Hall. Take a few minutes and listen to this song.
Kyle Hollingsworth " Way That it Goes", album title Then There's Now, available Sept 15. Kyle is the keyboardist for String Cheese Incident. Here he is at last year's 10,000 Lakes Festival, with the Mickey Hart Band. Enjoy!
Here are the songs played on Monday, August 24
Wilco " You and I", another song off Wilco ( The Album.
Weezer " ( If You're Wondering If I Want You to) I Want You To. Album title Ratitude, available October 27. HOWEVER, this song was leaked on line, so they released this single way early. I looked for some video's of Weezer performing this song, but all I found were people doing cover versions. Cover versions of a song that won't be released for months. The interwebs sure are changing the way we get our music, aren't they!
Killian Mansfield w/ Dr John " Scratch My Back" album title Somwhere Else. This is a very interesting project. Killian is a 16 year old who lives in Woodstock NY, home of many fine musicians. Five years ago, Killian was diagnosed with a rare cancer,which he is battling with integrative therapies.
This album was put together with love, with artists like John Sebastian, Kate Pierson, Levon Helm and more, joining him. All proceeds of this album will go to the Killian Mansfield Foundation to promote the use of these less invasive treatments for children with cancer. It's a cool album and the kid has talent!
Everybody has a Phish story and I gave some stranger the story of his life.
The vacation plans were to go home, visit family and attend the 40th Anniversary Woodstock concert. ( Which was AWESOME and I will post some pics and stuff later this week). About a month ago, I discovered Phish was holding their end of tour show at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, RIGHT WHERE I WAS GOING TO BE!
I admit that I have connections, so I was able to purchase tickets at that late date thru my friends in the Phish organzation. I was over the moon when they arrived and were for the 2nd row!!
The show was scheduled to start at 7:30 and if you have ever attended a Phish show you know it never starts on time. We were about 2 hours away, and even with the major detour along the way, we managed to check into our hotel and head towards the venue with plenty of time to spare.
About 3 miles away, we see signs that say the venue parking lots were all full. Well, NOW where will we park? No one knew, and we inched ever closer to SPAC. So it's very hot and humid and it looks like it's gonna pour at any moment. Word gets to us that there is parking about 2 miles away.
Hmmm.. 2 miles, hot and humid, rain on the way and I'm not a kid anymore, plus I saw a KICK BUTT show at Alpine Valley. Tim and I discuss for a minute, then decide to try and sell the tickets. He's pessimistic I won't be able to. HA! I open the window and hold the tickets out...within seconds several young men are at the window asking if they were in the pavilion. Dude, I tell him,they are in the 2nd row! He practically passes out from excitement. I sell them for exactly what I paid for them, turned around and headed back towards the hotel.
Along the way, we stop and purchase an excellent Altec docking station for my Ipod and had enough money left over from the ticket sale to legally download the concert the next day.
So, yes, I missed the show and missed getting drenched and crushed in the heat and humidity by thousands of overly excited young people, but ended up with the concert anyway, a great sound system and 3 strangers with the most amazing experience ever.
See ya later! We're on vacation and heading back to Bethel NY for the 40th Anniversary of the Woodstock festival. As I recently blogged, I missed the music in 1969, but still had a great time.
Back in 1994, for the 25 th Anniversary, the " official" concert was held in Saugerties NY with contemporary artists. There WAS supposed to be another concert back in Bethel with many of the original artists, but that eventually got cancelled. I went anyway, as did thousands of people. There was no music, but it did rain ( of course) and people were sliding down the same mud pit as they did in 1969. Once again, not hearing any music except for the Traffic CD I had in the car.
So  it's 40 years later and NOW I finally get to hear Jefferson Airplane, Canned Heat, Big Brother and the Holding Company and even Country Joe! That's Saturday night.
Then Sunday, it's off to one of the coolest venues in the country, Saratoga Performing Arts Center ( SPAC ) to catch the last show of the summer tour for Phish. When my tickets arrived in the mail I almost had a heart attack, because they are in the 2nd row, seats 1 and 2.
Oh yeah, then on the way home, we're visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Are we going to a good vacation? You betcha! <wink>
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, August 5
Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers " Prairie Dog Town" album title Levivate, available Sept. 15
Paolo Nutini " Coming Up Easy" album title Sunny Side Up, available now
Loomis & the Lust " Bright Red Chords"  album title Nagasha, available now. This Santa Barbara foursome make some catchy pop tunes! They have a great sound considering they just formed last year. Here's a cool video of the band for this song. I predict we will heare more from these guys in the future.
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, August 4
Robert Cray Band " Trouble & Pain", album title This Time, available August 11. This is the first studio album in 5 years from this 5 time Grammy Award winning blues artist.
Mika" We Are Golden" album title We Are Golden, available Sept. 22 . I have totally loved this impish singer from ondon since his 2006 album, Life in Cartoon Motion and his song Grace Kelly. See below for a video of this cutie-pie.
Subdudes" Standing Water" album title Flower Petals, available August 25. At first listen, I think this album is a bit of a departure from their funky sound like Papa Dukie and the Mudpeople, sounding a little more alt-country. It's still the Subdudes though, and OK in my book!
Here are the songs played on Monday, August 3.
Will Hoge " Even if it Breaks Your Heart", album title The Wreckage, available August 25.Â
Will's album title is appropriately named, as he was in a major accident last year. He was riding his motor scooter and was run over! He was in the hospital for a long time and we almost lost this amazing talent. It's great to be getting a new album from this artist who I think should be a MAJOR STAR!
Bob Schneider " 40 days ( Like Romeo and Juliet)" album title Lovely Creatures, available October 6. It's always great to get a new album from Bob, and if this song is any indication. it's going to be a good one!
Spencer Day " Till You Come to Me: album title Vagabond, available September 8. If you are a fan of the jazz stylings of Harry Connick Jr, George Gershwin or Cole Porter, you will love this guy's album.
Here are the songs plyed on Tuesday July 28.
White Rabbits " Percussion Gun", album title It's Frightening, available now. This 6 piece Indie band is based in Brooklyn NY, where a lot of young bands live because it's a lot cheaper cheaper than Manhattan. This is their second album, produced by Britt Daniel of Spoon. Check out a video of this band later on this blog.
Leah Andreone "Never Stop Trying" album title Avalanche, available Sept 1. Leah's debut album came out in 1996 and she has workd with all kinds of artists over the years including 9 Inch Nails and David Lowrey of Cracker. This lady can rock.
Scott Miller and the Commonwealth " Wildcat Whistle" album title For Crying Out Loud, available now. Scott used to be the house band on Blue Collar TV. This latest album is produced by Steve Earle.
OK.. Here's that video of White Rabbits!
Here are the songs played on Monday, July 29
Five for Fighting" Chances" album title Slice, available Oct 20. This is a project by John Ondraski who goes under the name Five for Fighting. This is his first studio album since 2004!
Gomez " Little Pieces" another song from A New Tide
Brendan Benson " A Whole Lot Better" album title My Old Familiar Friend, available August 18. Brendan took time from producing and working with the Raconteurs for this project.
Here are the songs played on Thursday, July 23
Astrid Williamson " Store" album title Here Come the Vikings, available now. Astrid is from an island off Scotland and is a classically trained pianist.
Owl City : Fireflies", album title Ocean Eyes, available July 28. Owl City is really one guy, Adam Young, who started making music in his parent's basement. This 23 year old received over 5 million views on Myspace with his song Hello Seattle. See below for a video of him performing Fireflies!
Bottle Rockets " Hard Times" album title Lean Forward. Look for this new album from these St Louis rockers to be available August 21.
Here are the songs played on Wednesday July 22
Jayhawks " Cure for This", album title Music from the North Country, available now. This is a double CD which includes old favorites as well as several previously unreleased songs.
Karl Denson's Tiny Universe " Shake it Out", album title Brother's Keeper, available August 25. Another great song from these jam band favorites.
Joe Henry " The Man I Keep Hid" album title Blood from the Stars, available August 18. Joe is a singer- songwriter-producer, who's musical styles includes Alt country, rock, jazz and folk.
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, July 21
Monsters of Folk " Say Please" album title Monsters of Folk, available Sept 22. This is a super group made up members of Bright Eyes ( Conor Oberst), My Morning Jacket and singer songwriter M. Ward. Download this song at www.monstersoffolk.com use keyword " Please", as it IS the magic word you know.
Dujalu " Ruby Red Ruby Green" album title Dujalu, download at itunes. Last week, the drummer of this band, Tim, dropped off this CD for me to listen to. The other members of the band are from Australia. He said if enough people buy the album the rest of the band can come back to the USA!
Pearl Jam " The Fixer" album title Backspacer, available Sept 20. It's always a treat to get something new from Eddie and the boys and this one will not disappoint!
Here are the songs played on Monday, July 20
Stephen Kellog & the 6ers " Shady Esperanto & the Young Hearts" album title The Bear, available Sept 8.
Zero 7 " Medicine Man" album title Yeah Ghost, available Sept8
Imogen Heap " First Train Home" album title Ellipse, available August 25
Here are the songs played on Thursday, July 16
Sonic Youth " Antenna" album title The Eternal, available now
Duke Spirit "Lassoo" album title Neptune. This Brit band's second album is available now .
Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson "Relator" album title Break-up, available Sept 8. Yes, this is the same Scarlett Johnsson who is an actress, and released her first solo album, a cover of Tom Waits songs in 2008. Wanna see her sing?
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, July 14
Danny Kalb " Shake Sugaree", album title I'm Gonna Live the Life I sing About, available now. Long time fans of 60's folk music and Blues Project will recognize Danny.
Indigo Girls " Love of Our Lives" anotehr song from Poseidon and the Bitter Bug.
Delbert McClinton " Mama's Little Baby" album title Acquired Taste, available August 18. This album was producd by the great Don Was!
Here are the songs played on Monday, July 13
David Gray " Fugative" album title, Draw the Line, available Sept 22
The Features " Lions" album title Some Kind of Salvation, available July 28. This indie band from Tennessee has seen a lot of activity in the UK and are ready to take the USA by storm!
Imelda May " Johnny Got a Boom Boom" album title Love Tattoo, available August 11. Imelda comes from Ireland and is totally into the Rockabilly sound. Check her out!
Here are the songs played on Wednesday, July 8
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Sister Hazel " Take a Bow" album title Release, available July 21
Black Crowes " I Ain't Hiding" album title Until The Frost, Available Sept 1
Moby "Pale Horses" album title Wait for Me, available now
Here are the songs played on Tuesday, July 7
Brian Lindsay " Esperanza" album title Esperanza, available nowÂ
Peter Bjorn and John "It Don't Move Me" album title Living Thing, available now
Matisyahu " One Day" album title Light, available August 25
Here are the songs played on Monday, July 6
Cheap Trick " When the Lights Are Out"Â album title The Latest, available NOW
A Fine Frenzy " Blow Away" album title Bomb in a Birdcage. This album will be available Sept. 8
Broken Records "If the News Makes You Sad, Don't Watch It" album title Until the Earth Begins To Part, afvailable July 7. This Scottish band was named " One of the countries most exciting band".
For me, the first show is always a challenge because it's the first time I will see the models and hear the music. I have no idea what the clothes will look like and what special things they have been planning. There's nothing like a dress rehearsal in front of hundreds of people to get a girl's adrenaline flowing.
But, boy, is it fun. See! I'm smiling!
I can't wait for next year to do it all over again.
I had never heard of this group, although they have been doing this for 25 years, touring all over the world. As I watched, I was reminded of my Dad, who loved to sing and had a wonderful personality.
There were so many parts of the film that moved me to tears of joy, then tears of sadness, as 2 members of their group die the week of their concert.
I would love for you to spend some time and watch these videos, and I know you will be as moved as I was. We start with the trailer:
Two performances were especially moving. The first, a trip to a minimum security prison where, among other songs, they brought the crowd to tears with their version of "Forever Young". I can't embed the video because they won't allow it, but I can certainly give you 
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The new ads for the Joan Crawford daycare center did not go over well.
Congratulations to Melanie Smith who just won herself a Weezer Snuggie!
When Paolo Nutini came by the first time, he was still about 19 years old. He is a totally sweetie pie, but he spoke in such a strong Scottish brogue it was hard to understand him. It didn't help that he kept his head down and spoke very softly. Half the time I didn't even understand what he was saying, but the music was great, so it didn't matter. During the interview he talked about how much he likes soul music and I turned him onto Brit blue-eyed soul singer James Hunter. The next time Paolo came through, the first thing he said to me was " I really like that James Hunter album you gave me". I had even forgotten I had given it to him, so I was impressed with his memory and graciousness.
James Hunter was here about a year ago to open for Susan Tedeschi at the Barrymore. It was a Saturday and we invited both Susan and James to come in for a Studio M. Jonathan was interviewing Susan, and James was to come in after that. Except he showed up at the same time. I was very excited to meet him because I am totally in love with his music. I was quite nervous when he arrived, but after hanging in the green room for 45 minutes telling jokes and generally fooling around, the interview felt like chatting with an old friend.
Young Davy Knowles of Back Door Slam came in by himself. At first I was not too pleased because he only plays with a few other artists and why was he coming alone to play acoustic when he can rock out? Well, I learned what shredding sounds like on an acoustic guitar and I give major props to him, You may not know, because we edited it out, but, I accidentally called him Danny in the intro, and now that is a private joke between us. How cool is that!
More tomorrow.. including Warren Haynes who almost made me cry, Dan Hicks who tried to give me a hard time, and a band I have stayed in touch with over the years, De Sol.
This was a very difficult list to compile because I have been to so many concerts, they tend to all blend into one, but I'm going to give it a try. Once again, in no particular order.
We start, of course with Phish , Madison Square Garden, New Years Even  2002 -2003. This was the first concert after the first time they broke up then got back together again, when we thought we'd never see them again. Madison Square Garden was the happiest place on the planet that night!
I could say every Bruce Springsteen concert I've ever seen, but Milwaukee in 2007 was especially memorable because it was Tim's first Bruce concert and it was great to see someone experiencing it for the first time. The guy behind us had been to 47 Bruce shows and he even said that show was one of the best ever! Special treat...Madison's own Richard Davis playing bass on " Meeting Across the River". BRUUUUUCE!
If you have never seen Joe Jackson in concert, boy, are you missing out. I first saw him in, I think, 1983 at the old Civic Center, but 2003 found me at the Vic in Chicago with the biggest damn grin on my face you ever saw. 
One of the most interesting pairings in recent years was Emmy Lou Harris and Mark Knopfler. I got to see them at the Charter One pavilion in Chicago. Here' s the super cool part. I was invited to a meet and greet before the show. Usually these are kinda awkward with people lining up to take their pictures with the artists and then you're gone. But this one was different. We went behind the stage of this outdoor venue to see a small tent with some chairs. About 20 of us were there, wondering what was gong to happen, when the back up musicians came out and played an acoustic number. Then Mark and EmmyLou come and sing 3 songs JUST FOR US! It was the coolest meet and greet ever ( and the concert was amazing as well).
Sometimes you go to a concert and the opening act is so good, you almost forget about the headliner. That almost happened when Robert Randolph and the Family Band opened for Los Lonely Boys at the Orpheum theater. 
I was alrady totally stoked to see LLB, but when Roibert Randolph hit the stage, WOWIE ZOWIE! It was way cool to see the crowd, mostly unfamiliar with RR adn the FB become over-the-moon excited during his performance. Los Lonely Boys had big shoes to fill, and of course, they did!
Some other shows that will remain with me include John Butler Trio, Regina Spektor, Eric Hutchinson, Ray Davies, The Ditty Bops, The Subdudes, John Hiatt and Marc Broussard.
When Tom Petty came to the Coliseum, I wasn't that excited because, let's face it, I've been playing him on the radio for about a million years. But, what the heck, I went. Boy, am I glad I did. I had forgotten exactly how great those songs are and I was part of the standing ovation at the end. Plus he was wearing the coolest shirt.
These are the shows that leap to mind. I'm positive I have forgotten a lot of them.
Up tomorrow? My favorite interviews for Studio M!
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We also loved to hear him sing JUST FOR US!
( Here he is singing for some other people, but we can make believe it was yesterday)
I have some " wonderful" friends, one of whom sent me this list of things that go better with birthdays.
It started off evil, with one team being eliminated even before they get on the first airplane. But considering it was the Yoga instructors who looked annoying to begin with, I was cool with that.
The first challenge has them running right into a Japanese Game Show! A Japanese Game Show!!! Plus they had to eat a giant Wasabi bomb... and lead a group of 20 Japanese tourists thru the streets of Hong Kong. What a hoot!
 Then off to Vietnam where, among other things they were herding ducks up a bridge and back again. Another annoying couple was eliminated, so all in all, it's going to be a fun season.
Back in 1994, for the 25 th Anniversary, the " official" concert was held in Saugerties NY with contemporary artists. There WAS supposed to be another concert back in Bethel with many of the original artists, but that eventually got cancelled. I went anyway, as did thousands of people. There was no music, but it did rain ( of course) and people were sliding down the same mud pit as they did in 1969. Once again, not hearing any music except for the Traffic CD I had in the car.
So  it's 40 years later and NOW I finally get to hear Jefferson Airplane, Canned Heat, Big Brother and the Holding Company and even Country Joe! That's Saturday night.
Then Sunday, it's off to one of the coolest venues in the country, Saratoga Performing Arts Center ( SPAC ) to catch the last show of the summer tour for Phish. When my tickets arrived in the mail I almost had a heart attack, because they are in the 2nd row, seats 1 and 2.
Oh yeah, then on the way home, we're visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Are we going to a good vacation? You betcha! <wink>