soundboard de cheevo

... Ann Coulter defended herself, on Chris Matthews' "Hardball , "for making fun of Elizabeth and John Edward's child, killed in a car accident, she could not be reached for comment. Has Coulter been hired by the Democrats to make Republicans look bad? Guess what, it's working. How can anyone take seriously a political voice who cannot rise above calling women she opposes "chubby" and men "faggots." What demographic is this maniac actually serving? (Elizabeth Edwards' smackdown on Mattel's Nazi Barbie is here. )

Many years ago when Bush Daddy was president, I was in a band that will reunite in two weeks for a show in our old stopping grounds of Montevallo, Ala. See a recent Every Alice video taken at practice here on youtube. Recent practice photos taken by Brooks and Eric are here on Flickr.

"What should we get Dad for Father's Day?" my sister asked weeks ago. I rolled my eyes, as that is one of the holidays that I can never find any creativity for. We reluctantly agreed on an Amazon gift certificate, another Amazon gift certificate. That has become the modern day tie of Father's Day gifts in our family, so I put my thinking cap on and don't feel bad about congratulating myself a little on a smart idea. Mom and Dad live in Montana where no real barbecue exists (at least none we have been able to find). What Montanans refer to as 'barbecue' is actually just meat, like hotdogs or hamburgers, cooked on a grill. Real barbeque is pork, beef or chicken cooked slowly over real charcoal and/or wood and served with tangy sauce. We might have some incredibly stupid politicians in this state, but we have damn good food. I remember hearing years ago that Dreamland Barbeque , originally opened in Tuscaloosa, Ala. in 1958, delivered ribs anywhere in the co...

Low at Bottletree, June 18, 2007 Alan Sparhawk of Low Mimi Parker of Low Bottletree strikes again. A year into business and the venue continues to bring the most diverse acts of any club in Alabama. Low is at the end of the noise spectrum, in a small genre called slowcore, where the crowd was actually leaning in to listen. I'd say their closest musical contemporaries would be Mazzy Star . Harmonies, guitar and percussion parts so delicate they fade into one another beautifully. It was almost a shock after each song to hear the crowd clap and cheer because of the quietness of the Duluth, Minn.-based band. I first heard them on a CMJ compilation in 1995 along with another little-known band named Everclear. The song, "Shame," was haunting, quiet and beautiful and unlike anything I had or have ever heard. Since 1993, Low has released ten albums and the husband and wife founders, Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker, have two children and are touring with Wilco this summer. Bottle...

Yesterday Gus got a bath and enjoyed it. See evidence and recent adolescent cat portraits here.

This spoof song, a la "Weird" Al, was written by my friend and musician/songwriter and former band mate Eric McGinty in response to the international embarrassment also known as Alabama Sen. Charles Bishop (see previous post. It's sung to the tune of Waylon and Willie's "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys." You might want to dust off your "Urban Cowboy" soundtrack if you wanna sing along. On a political note, isn't it interesting that Fox 'we love us a good circus' News hasn't touched this one since it involved a Republican looking the ass, guess they have enough of those in Washington. Mommas don't let your babies grow up to be Senators Mommas don't let your babies grow up to be Senators They give themselves raises and charge to the town And then end the day with a senate smackdown - Mommas don't let your babies grow up to be Charles Bishop If you make him a comment he can't understand He'll...

...here's how we do it in Alabama! Whoo whee, Roll Tide!! Read more about the "State Senate smackdown" here. (An excellent real life headline written by friend and colleague Joe Crowe)

I realize I am the last person in America to see Ray . Yes, I am aware it came out three years ago and while I've heard nothing but good reviews, I'm obviously way behind the curve with my movie watching. Jamie Foxx 's transformation into Charles was miraculous and the editing and acting all the way through, even in the most minor of characters, was incredible. Foxx played all the piano parts himself and seemed to be possessed by the spirit of the genius godfather of R&B. One performance that stood out was that of Charles' mother, Aretha Robinson. The scenes with her struggling as a single mother are heartbreaking, but also inspiring in that she prepared young Ray for a life as the ruler of his own destiny, despite his handicap and impoverished childhood in north Florida. What a shock is was to find out the actor that played this character is from Opelika , Ala. -- the sister city of my hometown of Auburn. From the imbd.com boards, I gather that Sharon Warren wa...

Toe fought the couch and the couch won in the all-time worst stubbing I've ever experienced. I never even considered this digit until this morning when it woke be up like a bolt of lighting. I'm not into toes or feet whatsoever, especially my own, but couldn't resist posting the rainbow assortment of colors. I've got an aurora borealis happening on my left foot.

- - In that crazy, best of times, worst of times way that life has sometimes has a way of dealing us, I flew to Montana the day Andi died for the dedication of the new Journalism building at the University of Montana that took place on May 11th. Since my father accepted the job as dean at the University of Montana's School of Journalism in 1999, one of the oldest J schools in country, he has been working to raise private funds for the new building for his school. He has had victories and defeats, all detailed to me through e-mails and phone discussions. I was always excited to hear about the latest multi-thousand dollar donation, but to actually see the building inside and out, gives me a true realization of what my Dad's been up to for the last seven years (besides chewing on cigars and watching Jeopardy!). I am proud of both him and my Mom, his lightning rod, for more than this building dedication, but for what it stands for -- new lives, friends, careers and achievements and...