Tens of thousands of artists save hundreds of hours a year using ArtistData. Learn more | Artist Login

Blog Entries

Winter Olympics Competitors Are Insane
Posted by on February 16, 2010
The Winter Olympics are on, which means nothing is getting done in my house.  It means long hours spent sitting on the couch watching other people be athletic.  Conversely, I do jumping jacks while watching televised poker. One of the commentators made a great point the other night.  Winter Olympians engage in far more dangerous events than their summer brethren. Between downhill skiing, snow boarding,… (read more)
Interview With Creator Of World’s Largest Latke
Posted by on February 9, 2010
Today we’re interviewing a man by the name of Hershel Benkowitz who recently created the world’s largest latke for last year’s Hanukkah celebration. Q: Mr. Benkowitz, what was your motivation for preparing the world’s largest latke? B: Well, my mother said I’d never amount to anything and I wanted to show her I could do something spectacular.  Plus I had some extra potatos I wanted to use… (read more)
Things I’ve Noticed In My Travels About Pedestrians and Adult Novelties
Posted by on February 5, 2010
In my time traveling as a performer, I’ve been to about 19 states outside my home in California.  And I’ve noticed two prominent things. I have a rule in life… Don’t walk in front of something that weighs 11 times my own weight.  Like a car.  I think it’s a good rule and it’s kept me alive so far.  I’ve noticed that people in states outside of California also have this rule.  And… (read more)
Remix Culture
Posted by on February 2, 2010
We live in a remix culture.  Nothing can be just what it is anymore.  Of course it all started with music.  Someone said, “Hey this crappy song might be slightly crappier if we throw an 808 kick drum and some wooshy keyboards on there.  Oh, and make it twice as long!”  Do we really need the extended electro-version of “Hit Me Baby One More Time”? I had a friend who was really into “Kokomo”… (read more)
State of the Brain 2010
Posted by on January 20, 2010
Ooh, it's been a long day.  I've spent 19 hours driving over the past two days and I'm getting ready to hit the stage here in Montana in just a couple hours to start a two week tour.  I've played this room twice before, and the question always is "What ... (read more)
The Super Colon
Posted by on January 15, 2010
I saw this ad recently and well... See for yourself.  This is it, word for word. -------------------------------- THE SUPER COLON IS COMING! ARRIVING IN ALL ITS SUPER COLON GLORY. DISCOVERY GATEWAY : 444 WEST 100 SOUTH : SALT LAKE CITY MAY 28TH−30TH : FREE ENTRY NOON−9:00 PM. COME EXPLORE THE 20-FOOT LONG 8-FOOT HIGH REPLICA OF ... (read more)
Something to make NASCAR more interesting.
Posted by on January 12, 2010
I've talked in the past about how I think NASCAR would be more interesting with a gay driver.  (6th track on this page) Thought of a new idea last night.  Since people really enjoy seeing crashes at these things, they should make them more likely to happen by making it more ... (read more)
Doing manly men stuff
Posted by on January 9, 2010
I've never been the macho man type.  I don't watch sports, I don't hunt, not interested in firearms (except when it comes to particularly stupid people), and I can't fix a car to save my life. My girlfriend likes to joke that it doesn't matter what's wrong with my car, I'll ... (read more)
How To Stick To Your New Year’s Resolutions
Posted by on January 5, 2010
So, it’s January and you’ve decided you should stop mainlining heroin and staring at 14 year old girls at the mall.  Good for you!  Unfortunately, statistics and science say you’ll be back hitting on Britnee with a needle hanging from your arm by January 31st. See, will power apparently doesn’t exist ... (read more)
Casual Music Fans vs. Hardcore Fans
Posted by on December 22, 2009
I just finished reading a really interesting post at Music Think Tank entitled "Farewell to the Casual Music Fan" .  I always like to dig into contrarian thinking and this certainly goes against the grain of current music industry thought. In short, many people have floated the idea that a music ... (read more)
Mosh Pits Are Darwin’s Trash Can
Posted by on December 18, 2009
My teenage years were spent digging up every obscure metal band I could find.  The faster and heavier the better. But I never quite understood mosh pits.  Ok, I understand them on a sociological level.  Since men aren't generally needed to hunt for food each day anymore, they have to take ... (read more)
Film Review Review – The Princess and the Frog
Posted by on December 16, 2009
I thought long and hard about weighing in on this one.  Mostly because I don't want to be just another talking-cyber-head yapping away idiotically into the wind of cyberspace.  But the potential from idiocy has never deterred me before, so what the heck? There's no point in me actually reviewing the ... (read more)
80% of the World Needs Ritalin
Posted by on December 11, 2009
Because apparently that's how many idiots have ADD now. I was just reading this post from Mashable  http://mashable.com/2009/12/11/online-video-buffering/ and apparently 80% of people will click away from a video that buffers JUST ONCE. That's how impatient and short attention spanned the world has become.  People can't wait an extra 3 seconds to see ... (read more)
Film Review – Never Been Thawed
Posted by on December 10, 2009
I just picked up a copy of this film, "Never Been Thawed" because a website mentioned Greg Behrendt was in it.  And the plot looked like just the thing I'd like.  And I certainly wasn't disappointed. It was originally released in 2005, so don't look for it in your local theater ... (read more)
Saturnalia – Christmas’s Cool Older Brother
Posted by on December 10, 2009
It always seems like some things have been around forever.  Like Christmas.  Surely we’ve been dragging trees in the house and roasting chestnuts since year 1, right? Well, no. The holiday of Saturnalia was started by the Romans in 217 BCE as a day to honor the god Saturn.  It started out ... (read more)
Carbon Fiber Athletic Cups
Posted by on December 10, 2009
I was reading that they now have carbon fiber athletic cups.  Carbon fiber is a new super-strong material that's being used in everything from shoes to windmills to plane parts. To test the new athletic cup they hired a minor league ball player to put one on.  Then they sent him ... (read more)
Are the PROs Jerking Around Music Venues?
Posted by on December 10, 2009
I was just reading this article in the St Cloud Times about the constant battle between small music venues and performance rights societies.  http://www.sctimes.com/article/20091117/NEWS01/111170004/1009/Sounds-of-silence?-Fees-spur-venues-to-scrap-live-music- Here's the basic idea.  When a business uses music in their establishment, it's supposed to pay a licensing fee.  If they've got a… (read more)
Amazing Things People Actually Buy' Truck Nuts
Posted by on December 10, 2009
I'm constantly amazed at the things that people will spend their hard earned money on.  Truck nuts for instance.  Someone has to actually stand there looking at these things and make a conscious decision that this is a worthwhile investment of their income. For some reason I can't picture myself saying, ... (read more)
My Tour Of Disney Studios
Posted by on December 10, 2009
One of my lifelong dreams has been to visit the Disney studio and I got my wish this past Saturday thanks to D23.  Now if D23 can fix it so I can write a song for a Disney film, I can knock another goal off the bucket list. :) Disney does ... (read more)
A Halloween Poem
Posted by on December 10, 2009
Something that popped out of my head yesterday.  This was some kid's Halloween this year.  It might be a song later.  I'm not sure yet... I'm prepared for a night of evil A night of debauchery A night of fun I'm prepared to brave the elements But mom says it's cold out I have to wear ... (read more)
Political correctness comes full circle to be insulting again
Posted by on December 10, 2009
I knew it would happen eventually.  Political correctness would go so far with a term that it actually becomes insulting again. "Intellectually disabled" is a term I've been hearing a lot lately.  First of all, if you have a disability, you should be able to pronounce it.  A 9 syllable word ... (read more)
The Crazy Guy On The Corner Is Me
Posted by on December 10, 2009
A man stands on a milk crate on a street corner.  His tattered cardboard sign proclaims the end is near.  By the thousands, people walk by him, completely ignoring the his passion-filled speech.  He doesn't want their money.  He's only trying to change their minds. He believes that he knows things ... (read more)
Top 10 Reasons Global Warming Is A Good Thing
Posted by on December 10, 2009
I missed posting a blog last Friday for the first time... Bummer.  The dangers of being on the road with no internet connection available.  But now that I'm back from my east coast tour, back to business. In the interest of looking on the bright side of things.... The Top 10 Reasons ... (read more)
Film Review ' Never Been Thawed
Posted by on December 9, 2009
I just picked up a copy of this film, "Never Been Thawed" because a website mentioned Greg Behrendt was in it.  And the plot looked like just the thing I'd like.  And I certainly wasn't disappointed. It was originally released in 2005, so don't look for it in your local theater ... (read more)
Saturnalia ' Christmas's Cool Older Brother
Posted by on November 20, 2009
It always seems like some things have been around forever.  Like Christmas.  Surely we've been dragging trees in the house and roasting chestnuts since year 1, right? Well, no. The holiday of Saturnalia was started by the Romans in 217 BCE as a day to honor the god Saturn.  It started out as a one day thing, then spread out to a week from Dec 17-25.  Why?  Because it was so damn much… (read more)
Carbon Fiber Athletic Cups
Posted by on November 20, 2009
I was reading that they now have carbon fiber athletic cups.  Carbon fiber is a new super-strong material thats being used in everything from shoes to windmills to plane parts. To test the new athletic cup they hired a minor league ball player to put one on.  Then they sent him into a feminist studies class to yell, You bitches need to get back in the kitchen! Update: Said ball player now… (read more)
Are the PROs Jerking Around Music Venues?
Posted by on November 17, 2009
I was just reading this article in the St Cloud Times about the constant battle between small music venues and performance rights societies.  http://www.sctimes.com/article/20091117/NEWS01/111170004/1009/Sounds-of-silence?-Fees-spur-venues-to-scrap-live-music- Heres the basic idea.  When a business uses music in their establishment, its supposed to pay a licensing fee.  If theyve got a… (read more)
Amazing Things People Actually Buy' Truck Nuts
Posted by on November 13, 2009
Im constantly amazed at the things that people will spend their hard earned money on.  Truck nuts for instance.  Someone has to actually stand there looking at these things and make a conscious decision that this is a worthwhile investment of their income. For some reason I cant picture myself saying, You know, I think I need a pair of plastic/metal/carbon fiber testicles hanging from the… (read more)
My Tour Of Disney Studios
Posted by on November 10, 2009
One of my lifelong dreams has been to visit the Disney studio and I got my wish this past Saturday thanks to D23.  Now if D23 can fix it so I can write a song for a Disney film, I can knock another goal off the bucket list. Disney does not give tours of their studios to the public.  But they started doing some limited tours for D23 members over the summer.  I was anxious to get on this one.… (read more)
A Halloween Poem
Posted by on November 6, 2009
Something that popped out of my head yesterday.  This was some kids Halloween this year.  It might be a song later.  Im not sure yet& I'm prepared for a night of evil A night of debauchery A night of fun I'm prepared to brave the elements But mom says it's cold out I have to wear my mittens And I was the only Sith lord Wearing a down ski jacket Cuz this is sure one lame ass Halloween The… (read more)
Political correctness comes full circle to be insulting again
Posted by on November 3, 2009
I knew it would happen eventually.  Political correctness would go so far with a term that it actually becomes insulting again. Intellectually disabled is a term Ive been hearing a lot lately.  First of all, if you have a disability, you should be able to pronounce it.  A 9 syllable word phrase is the not the easiest thing to wrap your tongue around.  Ralphie May does a great bit about… (read more)
The Crazy Guy On The Corner Is Me
Posted by on October 30, 2009
A man stands on a milk crate on a street corner.  His tattered cardboard sign proclaims the end is near.  By the thousands, people walk by him, completely ignoring the his passion-filled speech.  He doesnt want their money.  Hes only trying to change their minds. He believes that he knows things about this life that others have missed.  He sees himself as someone who speaks the truth… (read more)
Top 10 Reasons Global Warming Is A Good Thing
Posted by on October 27, 2009
I missed posting a blog last Friday for the first time& Bummer.  The dangers of being on the road with no internet connection available.  But now that Im back from my east coast tour, back to business. In the interest of looking on the bright side of things&. The Top 10 Reasons Global Warming Is A Good Thing 10. We'll never ever have to listen to another woman go 'I'm coooold!  Are you cold? … (read more)
Writing ' A Painful and Difficult Process
Posted by on October 20, 2009
Im sitting here on the east coast getting ready for the first show of this weeks tour.  But its blog day and Im having a terrible time coming up with something to write about. Heres the thing& I like performing and I like expressing myself.  But putting those expressions into the form of a song/joke/script/video is a drag.  I love the finished product.  Moreover, I love that its… (read more)
What are the cockroaches of the internet?
Posted by on October 16, 2009
Last night I was thinking about the cyclical nature of of the internet.  I was also watching the Flintstones.  Both signs that I could have a drug problem.  Except that Ive never done drugs.  Its just me. Anyway, I was thinking about how particular sites, apps, or memes come into popularity and then fade out of favor.  And often times thats the force of new technology at work. … (read more)
A Guide and Resources to Getting Over Yourself
Posted by on October 13, 2009
Are you a person who has to look at the person next to you to decide if a song is good or a joke funny? Are you the kind of person that gets all butt-hurt if someone jokes about something you feel passionately about? When you see someone do something that you wouldnt feel comfortable doing in front of other people, do you just act shocked wonder why they cant be as cool as you? Do you worry more… (read more)
Disney needs more perks for Annual Pass holders
Posted by on October 9, 2009
This subject has come up a couple times today.  Disneys annual pass holders are starting to get irritated with the companys offers of getting into the park for free.  The birthday promotion and next years volunteering promotion.  Plus the D23 events that include park tickets in the price, but dont have an option for AP holders. Michael Owen has got some great ideas on how to rectify that:… (read more)
Brevity is the soul of wit.
Posted by on October 9, 2009
Yep. Your email:  Share and Enjoy: No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin. (read more)
Tired Pop Culture References Without A Punchline
Posted by on October 6, 2009
Theres a disturbing trend that Ive seen in comedy over the last few years.  Pop culture references have always been part of the game, but in the past its usually with some twist or original thought or punchline.  But lately Ive seen things that people seem to think are funny simply because they make a pop culture reference. I was shown this yesterday& Ok, we get it& Theres a combination… (read more)
Posted by on October 2, 2009
People are gluttons for punishment.  They walk into situations that will do them mental or physical harm.  And they do so willingly. Guys are very obvious.  Theyll beat each other up in a boxing ring or run each other down with insults. Women are much more devious about how they injure other women.  They open clothing stores. Clothing stores are where women go to feel bad about themselves… (read more)
When 80's Metal Comes To Town
Posted by on September 29, 2009
Being a child of the 80s, it was hard to miss out on the hair metal scene.  I had my black leather jacket, spiky bracelets, and t-shirts with scary band logos on them.  Wed all wake up on Sunday morning with no voice and a sore neck. But, as is usual with me, I was never completely in the scene.  I wasnt a drinker or drugger (is that a word?).  And I never really was into hanging… (read more)
A Plumber's Job Is Never Finished
Posted by on September 25, 2009
Every so often when I sit down to write, things pop out of my head that I was expecting.  This is one of those.  Its a short story.  Though long for a blog, I guess. It was another routine call for Steve.  Just another clogged drain.  The disposal had stopped working.  He was the man for the job of course.  Best plumber in the area.  Hed even won awards from the local press… (read more)
Sometimes I feel so out of touch
Posted by on September 22, 2009
Every so often I get curious about what the rest of the world is thinking about.  And a good place to find out is the Google Hot Trends page. And when I get there, I dont know anything about anything.  Heres selection of what people are looking for: Rikers Island and fishkill correctional facility  and who says the web is a dangerous place?  Enough people have friends in prison that… (read more)
Talk Like A Pirate Day '09
Posted by on September 18, 2009
As you might know, Ive been a fan of pirates since I was a kid.  Way before Johnny Depp made it fashionable.   I even do pirate comedy, which isnt a topic covered by a lot of comics. In fact, you can listen to some right here: http://su.pr/1bfxMK (Thats from my DVD, What Color Is Your Laugh?  available at my website.) Since tomorrow is Talk Like A Pirate Day, I thought Id share some of… (read more)
Disney D23 Expo 2nd Update
Posted by on September 14, 2009
Well, I made it home after a day of driving through construction traffic on I-5.  Nothing like that to take you back to reality.  I unfortunately had to miss the Toy Story double feature on the final evening.  I was hoping to get home in time to see my girlfriend a bit.  But the drive ended up being too long and I only saw the elusive creature as she left for work this morning. Anyway,… (read more)
D23 Disney Expo!
Posted by on September 11, 2009
Almost forgot it was blog day!  When I travel a lot, I tend to forget what day it is. So, today is halfway through the inaugural D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA.  Overall, its been a very enjoyable experience.  I arrived at 10am on Thursday and, in traditional Disney fashion, immediately stood in line. My first event was getting into the Disney Legends ceremony, which until this year has never been… (read more)
Keeping My Brain From Turning To Mush With Audio Books
Posted by on September 9, 2009
When Im on the road, I spend a lot& and I mean A LOT of time driving by myself.  It can be anywhere from 6-10 hours a day in the car in between gigs.  Ive always said they pay us to drive and we perform for free. To keep me alert and engaged I listen to a ton of audio books.  Over the last two weeks I encountered some good ones and thought Id share them with you. Gang Leader For A Day… (read more)
Tech Support To Make Your Head Explode
Posted by on September 4, 2009
We always hear lots of stories on the internet about dumb people calling tech support.   People who think the CD drive is a cup holder and such.  And I know there are a lot of stupid people in the world.  And I'm quite sure a lot of them work in tech support. I don't think the object of tech support is to help you solve your problem.  I think it's to run you around in circles until… (read more)
In Art You Can't Please Everybody'
Posted by on September 1, 2009
Being and artist is a strange job.  In most regular jobs theres a concrete way of knowing that youre doing it right.  Jobs are completed.  Profits or sales are up.  Peoples lives are saved.  Its not subjective. In art, you can only do what pleases you and hope that others like it.  Someone is always going to think you suck, no matter how famous or successful you are.  I have… (read more)
Purse Dogs
Posted by on August 28, 2009
Im in the post office and the lady in front of me has one of those tiny yapper dogs on a leash with her.  The dog is dressed in a road-cone-orange vest of some sort. I said Wow, thats the smallest seeing eye dog Ive ever seen. And she turned her blank stare towards me and said, Oh, its not a seeing eye dog. I didnt expect her to get it, but the people around me had a good little giggle.… (read more)
An interview with Phil Johnson
Posted by on August 25, 2009
John Dekoven, owner of Bunjos Comedy Club in Dublin, CA has started a new web series called Inside Joke each week hell be interviewing the headliner at his club. In this premier episode, the guest is the one and only ME.   Youll find out how I fell into comedy, where my favorite audiences are, and the secret of the red shirt! Also, this trailer for my DVD What Color Is Your Laugh? has been… (read more)
If Scientology Became As Big As Christianity
Posted by on August 21, 2009
Scientology is, to put it mildly, not cool.  Let me put it this way& I have a couple relatives on their enemy list. But when you see it at malls and in downtown neighborhoods, you can see it creeping into the mainstream. So&. Top Ten: What if Scientology became as big as Christianity? Everyone would be wearing little alien head necklaces instead of crosses There would be L. Ron Hubbard books… (read more)
LARPers
Posted by on August 18, 2009
I once went to do a radio interview for a net station from a gaming convention.  I havent done any gaming of this sort since middle school, so Im a little out of touch with the scene. When I arrived the stations producer welcomed me and told me wed being doing my interview just after they finished the current one.  He pointed at their current interviewees and said Do you know who they are?… (read more)
A Not-So-Gentlemanly Gentleman’s Club
Posted by on August 14, 2009
I was driving back home the morning after a show with two other comedians, through some real back woods area of California.  There’s nothing at all around and then we spot a shack on the right.  A very small, run down old building with the words Gentleman’s Club painted across the entire front of it.  And it’s open… at 11am. How far down the stripper pole do you… (read more)
Brazil’s Free Music Economy
Posted by on August 7, 2009
Im reading a great book on Brazilian music styles called The Brazilian Sound.  Yep, youll be hearing some of those sounds from me in some new songs. Theres an interesting comment about the way some indie bands are handling their music there.  In the world of Technobrega music, the composers freely allow DJs and producers to copy their music and even sell it on CDs that cost as little as $1… (read more)
Fun Factoids
Posted by on August 4, 2009
1.5 Billion shoes are sold in this country every year. 60% of those belong to my girlfriend. And she’s Chinese, so they’re all by the front door. - Adults 35 and under send more humorous greeting cards than any other age group. Because people over 35 realize that greeting cards are a ridiculous scam. - Scientists estimate that up to 97 percent of DNA in the human genome has no known… (read more)
Religion in Comedy
Posted by on July 31, 2009
Im sure this is a very comedian point of view, but I believe that we have to be able to laugh at everything.  Especially that which is most important to us.  Being able to do so gives us perspective on the subject. I find it interesting that the one topic that so easy to get in trouble with is religion.  Not surprising, but interesting. There is some extremely funny comedy about religion… (read more)
What’s the next dangerous music?
Posted by on July 28, 2009
Ive been doing a lot of reading/listesning about music lately.  I get on reading jags about different subject, and I often return to music for obvious reasons. Been thinking about where the next revolution in music will come from.  And I dont have a good answer.  The next big thing usually starts with an element of danger and/or fear attached to it.  Jazz, rock, metal, rap& All were… (read more)
I need a better car horn.
Posted by on July 24, 2009
I drive a little Japanese car and it’s great.  Except it has a little Japanese horn.  “meep” The thing gets awesome mileage.  I can get from San Jose to LA on one tank.  Cant beat it for a non-hybrid. But that tiny little horn doesnt intimidate anyone.  It’s like, “Excuse me please.  I’m sorry, excuse me please.”  That horn wouldn’t… (read more)
Roadside Attraction on Rock Band?
Posted by on July 21, 2009
Yep, its definitely something thats coming down the pike.  As early as September 09. So, which of my songs would YOU like to play on Rock Band? Ive got some ideas of which Id like to put out.  I think, on the easier side, would be songs like Horizontal Tango and Share My Pixie Dust. On the harder side, we could attack Afrodizzyac or Brown Ring Around The Collar.  Both very difficult… (read more)
Cancel your credit cards and use your children
Posted by on July 17, 2009
Here’s a way to get a great deal.  When you want to buy something really special, go ahead and sign away your first born.   Then… don’t have any children.  Man, that is a great way to get a free dvd player. Why can’t we use children as credit? “Hey Bob, how much did you pay for that new jet ski?” “Fourth kid, Tom… Heck of a deal since… (read more)
The Magic Bullet
Posted by on July 14, 2009
Last year, my girlfriend came home and told me shed bought a Magic Bullet. Now any guy that knows anything about the habits of women knows that a Magic Bullet is a vib-a-ra-tor. So, I give her a knowing look and say “And what are you going to use that for?” She’s says “Making smoothies…” I’m like “Yeeaaahh… Making smoothies… Nice.”… (read more)
The Robots Will Kill Us All…
Posted by on July 10, 2009
I just finished reading Confessions Of An Alien Hunter by Seth Shostak, the head of the SETI institute in Mountain View, CA. If you dont know, SETI stands for Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence.  Fantastic book& At one point in the book he describes how we might determine what aliens will look like by extrapolating what earthlings will look like a few centuries from now. Basically, heres… (read more)
Will there ever been another artist as big as Michael Jackson?
Posted by on July 7, 2009
I was watching the Michael Jackson Dateline special last night and they were talking about how Thriller, the song and the video were such a huge turning point in music.  And its true.  Musically, it was a turning point merging disco and pop into a form that would dominate the 80s radio scene.  The video, artistically, took the concept of a music video to new levels. But is it any sort… (read more)
Another Death.
Posted by on July 3, 2009
Theres been so much death over the past week.  Michael Jackson, Farrah Faucett, Karl Maulden.  It just makes for a difficult week when thats all everyone is talking about. But none of those deaths have affected me as much as the one that took place last night.  We had to put our poor old dog Piccolo to sleep.  Its such a hard decision to let a pet go.  But he cant stand up anymore… (read more)
The Shat
Posted by on June 30, 2009
I was looking at StarTrek.com the other day.  For business, not pleasure, I assure you.  In reading, I found out that trekkies call William Shatner, “The Shat”. Maybe it’s just me, but I wouldn’t want to be called any name that is the past tense of Shit. And if you are “the shat” does that mean that [...] (read more)
My views on Downloading Part 2
Posted by on June 26, 2009
Lets look at a live show.  My fee for an hour on stage is anywhere from $200-$1500 depending on the venue.  That means, at the minimum, my time is worth $200/hr.   Someone like Paul McCartney would get considerably more.  Lets say an arena full of 10,000 people at $45 per ticket.  Conservative estimates on both [...] (read more)
My Views On Downloading
Posted by on June 23, 2009
A lot of people ask me about my views on downloading.  Particularly as theyre buying one of my CDs after a show.  Well, here it is.  Its bad.  Its illegal.  I dont like it.  And I dont participate in it. Now I understand giving away free samples and such.  Thats not my beef here.  Thats radio, [...] (read more)
Why the RIAA is stupid
Posted by on June 19, 2009
So, Ms Jammie Thomas-Rasset now owes the RIAA $1.92 million for her illegal downloading activities.  Heres the original article: http://www.startribune.com/local/48287937.html?elr=KArksUUUU But didnt the RIAA stop suing people months ago?  Yep.  They finally figured out that its a bad idea to sue your customers.  Doesnt due a lot for customer loyalty.  Im sure there was some expensive… (read more)
Weird Al Lampoons Craigslist
Posted by on June 16, 2009
When people speak of comedy music, very few names pop up.  Some people know Stephen Lynch.  Some know Tenacious D.  Many know Adam Sandler, but only has an actor. Everyone knows Weird Al Yankovic.  Al is the king of parody, which is exactly why I dont do parody.  It can t be done better. If youre not [...] (read more)
Trent Reznor Cooling On Social Media
Posted by on June 11, 2009
This in from Music Industry Report via Trents Nine Inch Nails board: http://musicindustryreport.org/?p=8944 Now, this article may just sound like a whiny rock star at times, but he has some valid points. It is expected of celebrities now to open up their lives to these public portals. But at some point youre going [...] (read more)
Career Advice From A Financial Wizard
Posted by on June 9, 2009
To be great you need to be odd. Thats a quote from the latest Motley Fool book Million Dollar Portfolio.  It has to do with the idea that as an investor you need to go against the grain on public sentiment when buying and selling stocks.  The herd mentality never leads to profit. What the heck does [...] (read more)
Swingers ' A Picture of Confidence
Posted by on June 5, 2009
Some people have all the balls they need. Heres a picture of confidence. I pulled up to a stoplight and on the opposite corner was one of those guys swinging a sign. Now, first of all, he's swinging a sign for Savers, which is a thrift store. I don't mean 'vintage' clothing. Theres no [...] (read more)
Book Review ' The E-Myth Revisited
Posted by on June 2, 2009
As an independent performing artist, Im always on the lookout for good business books.  The days of being a rock star with a zillion handlers to take care of the day-to-day tasks are long gone in this business.  Artists are very involved in their own businesses now. The E-Myth Revisited is not an artist-centered book.  Its [...] (read more)
My First Military Experience
Posted by on June 2, 2009
Chris Valenti and I (as They Dysfunctional Romantics) did our first military base gigs this past weekend. Nothing dangerous or life threatening& We did the Presidio in Monterey, CA and Fort Hunter Liggett near Jolon, CA. Everyone was nice enough to not look too strangely at the long haired kid walking around base. But nobody saluted [...] (read more)