For a little change of pace and positiveness. MY THANKSGIVING STORY THIS YEAR:
11-22-16
From the "I KNOW THAT GUY" category.
I guess I'm posting a bit more lately, mostly because I have a great life. But also because I'm reconnecting with relatives, cousins, friends, and all kinds of relations from the "TWO WORLDS" of my life. From my "rock era" of the 70's and 80's, into my "NASHVILLE ERA" from 88' to present. There is a lot that has happened to me and Facebook and places like this, seem to be the perfect platform to bring people up to speed. So I apologize for my lengthy posts, but scroll past if you are not interested.
I have been honored to be around so many amazing people, and a few famous ones. Part of that happened to me last night when I attended a show in Nashville's "CITY WINERY of a friend and co-writer of mine, JIM PETEREK.
All my Alabama friends will know OF Jim, because we used to play all his songs.At that time, we just didn't know it.
As I have gotten to know and write with him, I have been playing catch up on Jim;s career and I never cease to be amazed.
He started in the 60's with the band "IDES OF MARCH" that big song was "VEHICLE" (I'm the Friendly Stranger in the black sedan want you jump inside my car!!!" ( A REALLY CREEPY LYRIC TODAY.) But extrodinary song. I'm now doing that one with our horn band "DANGEROUS DAN AND THE FUNKTOWN HORNS."
When I started playing music, the hot guitar southern rock era began and there was Jim. 38 Special. ROCKING INTO THE NIGHT, HOLD ON LOOSLEY,SO CAUGHT UP IN YOU. Yep. Played em all.
As the 80's hit, he had a new band, SURVIVOR. And had "TOO LATE TO TURN BACK NOW" and the amazing "THE SEARCH IS OVER." And of course, for anyone with a pulse, THE SONG that hit us ALL and STILL DOES, "EYE OF THE TIGER" from the "ROCKY III soundtrack and the one that has launched a million campaigns, sporting events, and people's personal triumphs.
Yeah. That was ALL JIM.
As I sat last night and saw him onstage, redesigning all these songs in a stripped down, mostly acoustic and new sounds of songs I thought ":Wow! I know that guy!" We've written two songs together, along with our mutual friend Joie Scott, and I couldn't help but think, "HOW COOL IS THAT? He's my buddy!"
As I was thinking of that and immersing myself in all these memories, he started telling the story of writing with HIS HERO, BRIAN WILSON, of the BEACH BOYS. They wrote one that he performed called "THAT'S WHY GOD INVENTED RADIO" which went to Number 3 on Billboard charts. Everything is relative.
He brought up a new singer he is working with, who did two great songs, showing he is moving on even today. He did a Sammy Hagar song, a title track "HEAVY METAL", brought up NIGHT RANGER drummer and singer KELLY KAEGY, for that one. And then of course, ended with EYE OF THE TIGER. The new version. But it still has the power of the one we're so familiar with.
Backed by an incredible band led by my neighbor and another friend, producer Fred Mollin, featuring Jim’s son on keyboards, it was just amazing. Afterword I bought his book, "BEYOND THE EYE OF THE TIGER" and spoke for a few minutes. What a classy gentleman.
So that is my life. That is what I get to do and people I get to meet. I am amazingly fortunate and just have a great time. Being THANKSGIVING, I think it is a perfect time to talk about what I am Grateful for. That's just one of them.
I hope you all have a great thanksgiving. Here are a few pictures, and My God bless you all and this country.
Love,
MAB
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