Thursday, August 31, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
I met a celebrity and I can prove it
Pretty fun site where people post pictures of themselves with celebrities. I'm going to post a picture of me with Mike just to join the party. Or Steve with Frankie Jordan. One or the other.
CelebSafari.com
Monday, August 28, 2006
Bob Dylan - Watch and Listen

Google Video is proud to present exclusive footage of Bob Dylan’s lifetime, his legacy, and his indelible contribution to Modern Times.
Bob Dylan, Modern Times
Friday, August 25, 2006
There's a new crop of singer/songwriters

And John Mayer is just the poster boy. Cat Power, Sufjan Stevens, and more are profiled here.
Mayer just best known young troubadour - MSNBC.com
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Tell us what you really think, Bob

Bob Dylan says modern recordings sound “atrocious,” and even the songs on his new album sounded much better in the studio than on disc.
Dylan says today's recordings sound ‘atrocious’ - MSNBC.com
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Thursday, August 17, 2006
No, the bartender doesn't want your phone number

Most bar patrons have severe misconceptions about the actual lives of bartenders—who we are, what we do and why we do it. Also, remember that the interaction between bartender and customer is a delicate one; it's both an economic and a social relationship that has stood the test of time. Most other relationships in life are fleeting but, if managed properly, the partnership between drinkers and their bartenders is sacred. Consider this a pocket-size operating manual for our mutual good times. And, if these points are taken to heart, we can continue to raise our collective glasses and toast to our long, drunken future together.
Silicon Valley Bars & Clubs 2006 | Bartender Myths
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Beer and chain saws don't mix

So we had a great time playing our party on Saturday night, but when it started to get late, the action heated up. The best part came when some of the partygoers decided that there wasn't enough wood for the fire, and the pieces that were there were a little too big. Solution? Why, get out a chainsaw, of course! Oh, my god. It was like a Darwin-fest waiting to happen. They must have had the chain slip off 3 or 4 times - they were continually fixing it. But they chopped up a few 2x4's, then wandered out into the woods for a while. About 20 minutes and some really strange sounds later, 8 or 10 of them came marching out with their trophy, a 40 foot tree that they had chopped down. Like the rocket scientists they were, they dropped the trunk of the totally wet tree right on the fire, where it smoldered but didn't burn the rest of the night. Just lovely.
I love being in a band!
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Thursday, August 10, 2006
MEB This Weekend (not ...)

Well, we are playing this weekend, but it's for a private Anniversary/Birthday Party, so we can't invite you to come out to see us. But it does give us a good opportunity to remind you that we love doing these kind of parties. If you've got an event coming up (corporate outing, promotion, graduation, clambake, etc.), think about arranging for the MEB to provide the entertainment. It'll make for a party you and your guests will never forget. Call Mike for details (315-382-2497).
Looking forward to next week, there will be 3 opportunities to see the MEB live.
- Thursday Aug 17 we're once again hosting the Coleman's Block Party Thursday shindig out under the tent, playing from 7-10. I hear that a bunch of Ex-Sagers will be hanging out there.
- On Friday 18 we plug in at Shifty's on Burnet Ave., one of our favorite Syracuse landmarks. Rumor has it that a wedding party will wander over after rehearsal dinner and a group from a 20-year HS reunion pub crawl have us on their agenda.
- For our final performance of the weekend, we're part of the "Dancin' In The Streets Summer Concert" in Rochester, with proceeds benefiting the Golisano Children's Hospital. It'll be a great show with 4 great bands and lots of activities, all for a wonderful cause. Download a brochure about the event here.
Have a great weekend!
Mike, Jeff, Steve and Paul
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
More songwriter talk

Chris Carrabba (a.k.a. Dashboard Confessional) talks about the craft of songwriting and his inspirations and influences.
VH1.com : News : Dashboard Confessions: Chris Carrabba's Songwriting Inspirations
Monday, August 07, 2006
What a drag it is getting old
But not really. Here's an interesting take from a 40-year old writer who looks at the current Top 40 from that vantage point. And his views are pretty positive and revealing.
One man’s guide to the Top 40 when you’re 40 - MSNBC.com
Time for a couple of lists ...

Here is a list of the all-time top selling albums (number in parentheses indicates total U.S. sales in millions):
- THE EAGLES - "Eagles/Their Greatest Hits: 1971-75" (29)
- MICHAEL JACKSON - "Thriller" (27)
- LED ZEPPELIN - "Led Zeppelin IV" (23)
- PINK FLOYD - "The Wall" (23)
- AC/DC - "Back in Black" (21)
- BILLY JOEL - "Greatest Hits Vol. I & II" (21)
- GARTH BROOKS - "Double Live" (20)
- SHANIA TWAIN - "Come On Over" (20)
- THE BEATLES - "The Beatles" (19)
- FLEETWOOD MAC - "Rumours" (19)
- BOSTON - "Boston" (17)
- WHITNEY HOUSTON - "The Bodyguard" (soundtrack) (17)
- THE BEATLES - "The Beatles 1967-70" (16)
- GARTH BROOKS - "No Fences" (16)
- THE EAGLES - "Hotel California" (16)
- HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH - "Cracked Rear View" (16)
- ELTON JOHN - "Greatest Hits" (16)
- LED ZEPPELIN - "Physical Graffiti" (16)
- ALANIS MORISSETTE - "Jagged Little Pill" (16)
- THE BEATLES - "The Beatles 1962-66" (15)
- BEE GEES - "Saturday Night Fever" (soundtrack) (15)
- GUNS N' ROSES - "Appetite for Destruction" (15)
- PINK FLOYD - "Dark Side of the Moon" (15)
- SANTANA - "Supernatural" (15)
- BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - "Born in the U.S.A." (15)
- BACKSTREET BOYS - "Backstreet Boys" (14)
- GARTH BROOKS - "Ropin' the Wind" (14)
- JOURNEY - "Greatest Hits" (14)
- MEAT LOAF - "Bat Out of Hell" (14)
- METALLICA - "Metallica" (14)
- SIMON & GARFUNKEL - "Simon & Garfunkel's Greatest Hits" (14)
- BRITNEY SPEARS - "... Baby One More Time" (14)

The 20 top-selling artists in millions of albums/CDs (number in parentheses indicates total U.S.
sales in millions):
- THE BEATLES (168.5)
- ELVIS PRESLEY (118.5)
- GARTH BROOKS (116)
- LED ZEPPELIN (109.5)
- EAGLES (91)
- BILLY JOEL (79.5)
- PINK FLOYD (73.5)
- BARBRA STREISAND (71)
- ELTON JOHN (69)
- AC/DC (66)
- THE ROLLING STONES (65.5)
- AEROSMITH (65.5)
- MADONNA (63)
- GEORGE STRAIT (62.5)
- BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN (62)
- MARIAH CAREY (61.5)
- MICHAEL JACKSON (60.5)
- METALLICA (57)
- VAN HALEN (56.5)
- WHITNEY HOUSTON (54)
Friday, August 04, 2006
It's all about the songs
In our celebrity obsessed world, the singers and performers are more known and more revered than the songwriters, but I've never subscribed to that theory. I'm more impressed with a well-written song than an incredible performance. I'm not sure why, but I really enjoy the creative aspects of song writing. And of course I don't mean that as an insult to great performers - that also takes tons more talent than I have. I guess I never really aspired to be a top-notch performer as much as a songwriter. But maybe that's just me.
The link here is to an article about some very successful songwriters who are shooting to make that crossover into the artist realm.
Songwriters not guaranteed hits as solo artists - MSNBC.com
Thursday, August 03, 2006
New music - and a new look - from Luda

I'm a big fan of Ludacris, really enjoying his interesting wordplay and the way his raps are very melodic and catchy. I also like how his music is sexy and provocative without being raunchy.
And there's a new CD - "Release Therapy" - on the way soon.
Ludacris loses braids, gains a new sound - MSNBC.com
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Iconoclasts on Sundance

If you get the Sundance Channel, make sure to check out thier cool show Iconoclasts. They put two celebrities together and have them spend some time together, with some really interesting results. Highlights for the new season are Eddie Vedder with surfer Laird Hamilton (pictured above), Quentin Tarantino with Fiona Apple, and Dave Chappelle with Maya Angelou. Pretty darn cool.
Pop Candy
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
MTV can rent a car now
Here are 10 memorable moments in MTV history as the network turns 25.
Look back as MTV turns 25 - The Detroit News Online