We didn't always have soda around our house, but we always had Kool-Aid. From the time I was around 8, I'd make it for myself if the pitcher was empty. We always had a wide variety of flavors available, and we always had plenty of sugar.
Black cherry was my favorite, and orange was the worst. It tasted like bad Tang.
I remember if you saved up the packets and sent them into the company, you could get free stuff. I'm pretty sure all my brother and I ever got was free T-shirts, but that was pretty cool.
I often had Kool-Aid stands with other kids in the neighborhood, but this usually ended in some kind of fight about how we'd split the profits. (Not that our parents made us pay for the ingredients..it was all profit).
I also remember pouring out glasses of Kool-Aid for my brother and me, being painstaking careful to make sure we each got the EXACT same amount, down to the milliliter.
I'm not sure what that was all about--we could always make more.
Two years ago today, June 26, 2010, was one of the best days of my life.
Sure, it was alomst 100 degrees with no shade. Bottled water cost 5-dollars, and the lines for the bubbler were extremely long.
I got to see a star-studded list of rock stars at the 3rd annual Crossroads Guitar Festival just outside of Chicago. From Sonny Landreth to ZZ Top, John Mayer to Sheryl Crow, Jeff Beck to Ronnie Wood...I was floored by all the talent.
Not to mention Mr. Eric Clapton himself!
When Clapton and old Blind Faith bandmate Steve Winwood performed Voodoo Chile, I remember my boyfriend Mike quizzed me to see if I knew the connection between Winwood and Jimi Hendrix's Voodoo Chile. Of course I didn't..but I do now. Winwood played on the original record.
Enjoy! And if you haven't seen the concert on DVD yet..go buy it, or get it on Netflix. Just turn off the air conditioner and watch it over the next few days to get the feel of the real experience.
The other day my boyfriend Mike and I were tooling around in my car, flipping the radio dial around, when we came upon a song you don't hear every day, unless of course you're in kindergarten.
It was "On Top of Spaghetti." Now in 1963, before the Beatles hit, there was a WIDE variety of music on the radio, and apparently that included kids' songs. The song was a #14 hit for Tom Glazer and the Do-Re-Me Children's Chorus.
Number 14!!!!!
Now the dearth of quality music isn't what made me cry. For some reason, as I listened to that song, I got all emotional, and actually started to CRY. Right there in my car! I don't think it was because of the lost meatball (although that is sad), or the miracle of the meatball growing tree that grew the following summer.
Actually I don't know why I was crying. It was the weirdest thing. I told MIke it was because I was mourning my lost childhood, and maybe that's it.
Or maybe it was hormones.
All I know is if you listen to the song and start to bawl, don't say I didn't warn you.
Did you hear the news that there's going to be a Sesame Street movie?
Now we've had Muppet movies before, and Big Bird and Elmo have had movies, but this is the first major movie deal for the PBS kids' show. It's even being written by Joey Mazzarino, a longtime Sesame Street writer.
No details were released about the plot, but I did manage to get my hands on some rejected story lines for the new movie.
1. Nightmare on Sesame Street. Freddie Krueger stalks Elmo in his dreams. He tries to take refuge Oscar's garbage can underworld.
2. Sesame Street vs. Wall Street. Bert and Ernie vow to take on the fat cats on Wall Street, but their plan goes awry when they realize they aren't actually overweight felines.
3. The Wizard of Sesame Street. Oscar the Grouch plays the Wizard, who gives Dorothy and her crew empty tin cans, banana peels, and coffee grounds instead of what they're really searching for.
4. Snuffaluffagus, the Snuff Film. This one is in such poor taste I can't even describe it.
5. Sesame Street After Dark. We find out what Sesame Street vampire The Count is really up to while the rest of the muppets are sleeping.
Ladies all over the planet have a little extra spring in their step today, on the first day of summer.
That's because the news has broken that Johnny Depp is a free man! He's ended his 14 year relationship with French singer/model/actress Vanessa Paradis. That means the sexiest man alive is available.
Now he's dated supermodels (Kate Moss), and quirky actresses (Winona Ryder, Sherilyn Fenn, Jennifer Grey).
There are some rumors that he's now dating one of the Olsen twins, and that's just downright creepy. (Ashley, not Mary Kate).
So I think Johnny needs to change it up a bit.
So Johnny, if you're reading this, check this out.
I think you need some one with the following qualities.
On the occasion of Paul McCartney's 70th birthday, I thought it would be fun to come up with a list of my five favorite Paul tunes when he was in the Beatles.
This didn't seem to be too tough at first, as I eliminated songs that are not my favorites (Good Day Sunshine, Michelle, Yesterday).
Then I started flipping through the Beatles discography and came up with an initial list, which includes around 15 songs. I did a lot of hemming and hawing, and eventually just went with my gut reaction.
How would your list compare with mine? (These are in no particular order).
Can't Buy Me Love: a great early song. Just a classic, catchy Beatles tune
I've Just Seen A Face: I love the classical sounding guitar intro. My boyfriend Mike says it took him forever to learn it.
Lady Madonna I love the line "Sunday morning creeping like a nun"
Helter Skelter: Paul really rocks out on this one!
Oh Darling! This is one John actually wanted to sing. I think Paul does just fine.
It was kind of a big deal 45 years ago today. It was a worldwide satellite TV broadcast, something that had never been done before. There were contributions coming from all over the world, and the one that came from England featured the Beatles!
I've always loved this song and the video (short film). Hey, there's Mick Jagger!
But it wasn't until I met my boyfriend Mike that I noticed how horrible George Harrison's guitar solo is. And now, every time I hear it, that solo sticks out like a sore thumb.
And now if you can't help notice it from now on--you're welcome!
The estates of Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison are reportedly working on holograms of the two iconic rock stars.
The same guy, Jeff Jampol, manages both estates, and says they're trying to get to the point where the 3-D stars can walk around. He told Billboard, "Hopefully, 'Jim Morrison' will be able to walk right up to you, look you in the eye, sing right at you and then turn around and walk away."
And Janie Hendrix, Jimi's sister, says "For us, of course, it's about keeping Jimi authentically correct."
Now I guess it would be cool to enjoy some kind of 3-D techno-amazing multi-media experience featuring various dead rock stars. (Even though Olivia Harrison says a Beatle hologram reunion isn't happening.)
But you know what would really impress me? If Hologram Hendrix could come over and do my dishes.
When I went to elementary school, there was a great end of the school year tradition. When we cleaned out our lockers, instead of throwing all the papers, folders and other assorted "stuff" into the garbage, we were allowed to just chuck it onto the floor of the hallway.
There was something exhilarating and freeing about throwing everything onto the marble floor of the wide hallways of Emerson School. We didn't have to worry about anything like recycling, or even proper disposal. After all the students went crazy throwing everything, the janitor came along with one of those big wide brooms and swept it all up. What happened to it next was not our responsibility.
And what happened over the next few months wasn't really our responsibility either. We could just ride around on our bikes, talk our parents into taking us to the beach, or just sit around and do nothing.
Aah.
I miss that feeling. You might think that the last day before a vacation from work might be similar. But for some reason, the last day is more hectic. You have to make sure everything's set so no disasters happen while you're gone. You have to run last minute errants. Make sure your car is tuned up and ready go . Double check arrangements and finances. It's not exactly the feeling of freedom.
I wish I could bottle that "Last Day of School Feeling" and sell it.
You know, I think I would have to give it away for free. Some things you just can't put a price tag on.
I thought maybe I could make it through a week without having to write one of these "rest in peace" blogs for a musician.
This time it's Bob Welch, who gave in to his "demons" yesterday when he took his own life at age 66.
Welch was an amazing guitar player, who was part of the early days of Fleetwood Mac (post-Peter Green, pre-Stevie Nicks) who made a lot of great music. I first found out about him in the later 1970's when he was all over the radio with the songs "Sentimental Lady" and "Ebony Eyes," on the album "French Kiss." I like the album even though the cover made naive teenager Kitty a bit uncomfortable.
Here's a video some one made of his classic Fleetwood Mac song "Hypnotized."
On today's date in 1933, the first drive-in movie theatre opened. The very concept of a drive-in movie makes me get a little nostalgic, even though I didn't really go to see that many back in the day.
The drive-in in my hometown of Stevens Point was actually down the road in Plover--the Highway 51 Drive In. I'm not sure what's there now..it's either a grocery store that's now out of business or a Big Lots.
I was pretty young when I went to my first drive-in movie. My older brother Tim and his girlfriend Sue took me to see a scary double feature: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, and Frogs! I remember that you could get a discount on admission if you brought a live frog, so there were frogs hopping around all over the place. I hate to think about how they fared hopping around on that dusty sandy open field with no nearby water after that night!
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? scared the bejesus out of me, and I think I was asleep by the time Frogs! started.
I went a few more times as an adult, and for some reason I seem to remember we always smuggled in Boones Farm wine to accompany our theatre snacks.
I found an interesting website that highlights some Wisconsin drive-ins. Check it out here.
We had some special guests in the studio today to talk about a great cause: Gio's Garden.
Marc Lovicott and Charlotte Deleste from Channel 3 (WISC-TV) are getting the word out about the 3rd annual Rock For Respite, a fun party this Friday night June 8th at the Brink Lounge.
This year’s event has special meaning, as they celebrate the opening of the home in Middleton, and prepare to welcome area special needs children and provide the respite care they so desperately need. Charlotte, whose son Gio has special needs, told us that it feels fantastic to finally have the facility open..but the best part was actually serving their first special needs family on Saturday.
You’ll enjoy live music by Piano Fondue and great beats by DJ Aaron Jai as you browse an assortment of amazing silent auction items, including airfare for two anywhere in the U.S. courtesy of Burkhalter Travel. Then, satisfy your craving for queso at the Qdoba burrito bar, and get ready to rock out to your favorite hits when Kings of Radio takes the stage at 8 PM.
And don't forget to strike a funny pose in the photo booth from Beyond the Booth.
Save $5 by purchasing your tickets online and find more details about Rock for Respite at giosgarden.org
With all the excitement and celebration concentrating on June Dairy Month, I believe that not nearly enough attention is being paid to National Candy Month.
So I've decided to do my part to increase awareness on behalf of sugary treats, more specifically, the ones that I remember from my childhood that are not easily found anymore.
One such candy was called "Kits." I didn't really like them because they were often too hard and not chewy enough. They were basically a predecessor to Starburst, only cheaper.
Each pack of 4 "Kits" cost only a penny. So they were an economical choice. You could share with a couple friends and still not be out more than one copper penny. I would buy them and other cheap treats (Smarties? Also a penny and you could treat the whole block!) at a little grocery store that was just down the street from my house and basically across the street from my grade school.
I had another reason for being a fan of "Kits" back then...they could have been named after me!
If you really are craving them now, you can buy them from those nostalgic candy websites like this one. But instead of being a penny a piece, they'll cost you around 16 cents for a pack of three.
Coming soon...I wax nostalgic about Snaps! (Bet you thought I was going to say wax lips.)
Have you heard the song "Rumble and Sway" yet on Triple M?
The singer sounds like a raspy blues dude who's definitely been around the block a few times....but surprisingly, Jamie N. Commons is only 23 years old!
He was born in England, but...
Last week, I decided I would try one new, healthy food a week, and asked my facebook friends to make some suggestions.
The first thing I tried was mango. I'm sure I've had other mango flavored things, and mango as part of something else, but...
There's only one thing that might be worse than the Neil Diamond/Barbra Streisand duet "You Don't Bring Me Flowers." And that's Jonathan Suttin doing his best crooning...doing both parts. Most unpleasant.
A lot of people liked this song...
Artist: Alchemilla
Hail From: Boston
Song: 'The Wheel'
Album: Diamonds From The Penny Arcade
Sounds Like: Hole, Pearl Jam
In Their Words: "Alchemilla had been trying to write a ballad for a little while but it wasn't happening. There...
Last weeks challenge we thought went excellent! Of course we are a little biased.
The drinking song couldn't have been any better, or any less fun. We had a blast through out the whole process, and our performance rocked.
This week is an easy...
So the story goes Michael Jackson completed this song while watching cartoons with Paul McCartney. We'll just let that sink in for a moment.
Not sure what cartoons they were watching, but it must have worked because this song made it to number 2...
The Dalai Lama is back in town, sharing his message of peace and kindness with likeminded individuals, and the Wisconsin legislature. He also held a private meeting with Gov. Walker, who said he mostly listened to what His Holiness had to say (wise...
This duet by Ol' Blue Eyes and his daughter went all the way to number 1 back in 1967. It seems a little creepy that Frank and Nancy Sinatra are singing a love song. However, a lot of Triple M listeners were in the mood for it.
Here's...
Have you heard the song "Rumble and Sway" yet on Triple M?
The singer sounds like a raspy blues dude who's definitely been around the block a few times....but surprisingly, Jamie N. Commons is only 23 years old!
He was born in England, but...
Last week, I decided I would try one new, healthy food a week, and asked my facebook friends to make some suggestions.
The first thing I tried was mango. I'm sure I've had other mango flavored things, and mango as part of something else, but...
There's only one thing that might be worse than the Neil Diamond/Barbra Streisand duet "You Don't Bring Me Flowers." And that's Jonathan Suttin doing his best crooning...doing both parts. Most unpleasant.
A lot of people liked this song...
Artist: Alchemilla
Hail From: Boston
Song: 'The Wheel'
Album: Diamonds From The Penny Arcade
Sounds Like: Hole, Pearl Jam
In Their Words: "Alchemilla had been trying to write a ballad for a little while but it wasn't happening. There...
Last weeks challenge we thought went excellent! Of course we are a little biased.
The drinking song couldn't have been any better, or any less fun. We had a blast through out the whole process, and our performance rocked.
This week is an easy...
So the story goes Michael Jackson completed this song while watching cartoons with Paul McCartney. We'll just let that sink in for a moment.
Not sure what cartoons they were watching, but it must have worked because this song made it to number 2...
The Dalai Lama is back in town, sharing his message of peace and kindness with likeminded individuals, and the Wisconsin legislature. He also held a private meeting with Gov. Walker, who said he mostly listened to what His Holiness had to say (wise...
This duet by Ol' Blue Eyes and his daughter went all the way to number 1 back in 1967. It seems a little creepy that Frank and Nancy Sinatra are singing a love song. However, a lot of Triple M listeners were in the mood for it.
Here's...
