♫♪MADNESS MUSIC MONDAYS♪♪

Today's song is one I wrote to make you feel happy, warm, and loved!

I am very shy, so I love going places where I feel welcome, even though they don't no me from Adam Lambert.

That's the way I felt when I visited one of my best friends whom I've never met, last night.

 Marty Wombacher is a cool and prolific writer who has written articles for BIG TIME publications, has authored FUNNY books, been on the Today Show with Jane Pauley (Jane matriculated with David Letterman), invented the wildly popular "Trivial Trivia..idiots edition" game, AND LIVED IN NEW YORK CITY FOR ALMOST TWENTY YEARS IN POST APOCALYPTIC CONDITIONS!! (In my vivid imagination)  

Anyway, I have enjoyed and respected his writing for many, many moons, but I never had to opportunity to meet him in person until last night.

He has moved back to his home town, Peoria Illinois, and invited me over for a beer last 
night. Here is a link his cool blog below!
http://www.meanwhilebackinpeoria.com/

To make a long story, even longer, I am always nervous about meeting people because I'm basically a shy guy, and have trouble using my mouth to talk, and feel intimidated by famous people like Marty.

All my fears and anxiety were unfounded, because Marty Wombacher proved to be one of the nicest guys I've ever met, and made me feel like a long lost brudder!

                        Disclaimer: Actually no hugging took place at any time during this historical visit.                

We went to Schooner's Restaurant for their gigantic "King Tenderloin."

Marty had not been there for years, but he is so gregarious that he had everyone laughing and having a great time!

Almost like he was hosting a party!

"What does this have to do with "Madness Music Monday's," you asked so inquiringly.

Well, I'll tell ya! 

These feelings I had of happiness, camaraderie, friendship, being welcome, and just plain fun is what I'm trying to convey in my song, "Happy Time!"

 See if you agree...Click on link to feel happy: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpwYYbx0eks

Thanks for the great time, Marty!

We need to dodat again sometime!!

FAN FRIDAYS

FAN FRIDAYS FAN FRIDAYS

Welcome to Fan Fridays, where I tell you about all of my favorite entertainers and others I've admired and respected over my many years of  fanatical devotion to people I don't really know, in most cases.

FAN FRIDAYS

On this Friday we discuss my favorite entertainer of all time...taa daa, taa daa! 

RICHIE HAVENS 

RICHIE HAVENSRICHIE RICHIE HAVENSRICHIE HAVENS

Richie Havens, My Favorite 

I'll never forget the first time I saw Richie Havens. 

It was at Woodstock .

I mean, in the movie.
I actually turned down the opportunity to go to Woodstock when I was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia and a couple of guys in my platoon invited me to go with them to New York for the festival. 

I've ALWAYS done stupid things like that!

FAN FRIDAYFAN FRIDAYS FAN FRIDAYS

Back to Richie Havens...If I recollect correctly, Havens was the first act to appear in the movie, and I could not focus on any other band, singer, git fiddle playin' or anything after him!

I know I've told you this before, but allow me to  totally bore you once again.

I do not judge music by, how good the guitar player is, how high or low the singer can sing, how well the lyrics are written, or none of that logical stuff.

I go by how the music makes me feel inside, and if it puts me "THERE."

The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Who, The Guess Who, and the You Know Who, all put me "THERE" at times.

However, Richie Havens puts me "THERE" every time he sings, no matter what song he sings!

In fact, MOST of his songs are "covers," and that's something I usually do not like in performers. I want them to have original music.

Come on, folks, who would you rather hear sing "Just Like A Woman," the writer, Bob Dylan (world's worst singer, except for Yoko), or Richie Havens in his beautiful baritone voice?

FAN FRIDAYS

I saw Richie Havens live in concert 3 times and they were the 3 best concerts I've ever attended. (And I've seen The Beach Boys!)

Now, there is a song he wrote with ("Fiddler") Louis Gossett Jr. that is my favorite song of all time. 

If you take the time to listen to this song, I think you'll understand why I'm so nutty about my man Richie.

If you don't take the time to listen to this song, I don't blame you...It's a long song, and I know how busy you are.

Too bad, though, because you'll miss the opportunity to be lifted to the mellow, unbelievably gorgeous place I like to call "THERE!"

The title is simple, my friends, It's called Follow:

In conclusion, my cool and hilarious friend, Marty Wombacher, harassed and disrupted a concert given my beloved idol, Richie Havens, in his misspent youth.

You would probably think that this would be upsetting to me, and you would be correct, if the story wasn't such a scream! 

THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS

Thoughtful Thursdays are designed to take us away to a more gentle, peaceful place in our minds and hearts.

To virtually fondle the muscles in the back of our tired neck ever so softly,

 and massage our aching feet with exquisite perfection .

I Wish I Knew

I wish I knew if my dog Fluffy will meet me in heaven when I arrive.

I wish I knew how to really overcome my shyness, and not just pretend.

I wish I knew how to survive in the wilderness.

I wish I knew the names of all different kinds of trees, birds, and flowers.

I wish I knew why some people don't like me from our first meeting.

I wish I knew how to play the piano.

I wish I knew how to fly an airplane.

I wish I knew how to comfort people at a funeral.

I wish I knew how to never say the wrong thing.

I wish I knew how to teach my granddaughters everything they need to know for a happy life.

I wish I knew how to keep Benji (our Yorkie) from barking at everyone that walks down the sidewalk.

I wish I knew how to use a sewing machine to hem my pants. (I have extra short legs)

I wish I knew the cure for my granddaughter Breanna, who has C.F.,  and her sister who suffers from autism.

I wish I knew how to love as unconditionally as my wife Donna.

I wish I knew how my friend Greg Batton has developed such a kind, loving heart that is beyond my understanding.

I wish I knew how my friend from Norway, Sara Marie , has developed such a sweet, beautiful, honest, gregarious personality that is so attractive to everyone.

I wish I knew if I'll ever be able to meet Sara-Marie, Cheryl M.,

Jay, Dan Tulloh, Yoz , Richie Havens, and Joni Mitchell. (That would be a dream come true)

I wish I knew how many minds and hearts I've reached with my songs, blog, and little jingles I've written for the radio.

I wish I knew if the Lord will answer every question I've ever wondered about when I meet him. I hope so, I'm so curious!

TRAVELIN' TUESDAYS

We had two of our precious granddaughters in the back seat of our car the other day, and everything was totally quiet for mile after mile.

How could that be? 

It be, because they had their electronic devices to pass the time.

Be it a Kindle, I Pod, I Pad, lap top, I phone, or a thousand other devices to dominate their little brains...road trips are way different than when I was a kid.

We used to actually look out the window and see scenery, cows, other cars, human beings...

The kids today never look up from their device in time to see ANYTHING!

Me...Look! A red tailed hawk!

Granddaughter...Uh, wuh, grampa? (With her head still looking down at the little screen)

Me..A big hawk! On top of that telephone pole!!

Granddaughter...(Finally looks up) Where grampa? I don't see anything.

Me... (Defeated) It's about a mile back now, honey.

Our road trips, over 50 years ago, were, umm...let me tell this another way:

ROAD TRIP FANTASY

Dad's 53 ford, seats are steamin',

August...St. Louis,

Road trip dreamin',

There's six of us, 

no air conditioning,

With windows down,

We start positioning,

Dad, of course,

Behind the wheel,

Me next to him,

I'm the smallest deal,

My 3 big sisters,

Fill the back seat,

The sweat is running,

Down their cheeks,

The wind blows in,

Like a furnace blast,

We're on the way,

Road trip at last!

100 miles ,

To Grampa's place,

Dad's cigarette ash,

Finds Dee-Dee's face,

The radio's playin',

Blue Suede Shoes,

We want a coke,

But dad will choose,

When or where,

Or IF we'll stop,

To get some gas,

And have a pop.

Missouri countyside,

Is sweet,

At grampa's place, 

We'll finally eat,

Two days of joy,

Then home we'll be,

Thanks to,

Our road trip fantasy.

BURMA SHAVE

♫♪MADNESS MUSIC MONDAYS♪♫♪

My featured song today is "The Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo" by Danny Maness.

Over the years there has been a significant amount of confusion over this song, and I'm here to make things worse.

First of all, there are many variations of the spelling of "hoochiecoo." 

Allow me to show you some examples:

Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo

Rock and Roll Hoo Chee Coo

Although they are singing "Honky Tonk Woman!"

Hoochy Coochy, another interesting spelling.

A bunch of dirty minded dudes have mistakenly thought that my song is about doin' the "nasty," but they are so far from the truth.

The "Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo" is a DANCE that has it's roots in the wildly popular "Hoochie Coochie" belly dance from days gone by.

HOOCHIE COOCHIE

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Hoochie Coochie was a sexually provocative belly dance that originated 

at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition in 1876. It became wildly popular during 

and after the Chicago World's Fair in 1893.

I'll provide the lyrics to my classic song,

and you can be the judge of whether it's sexually 

provocative or a simple dance song, okay? 

The Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo

by me.

Tom in Tennessee is bored,
Friday night fire up the Ford,
Grab Jolene head for the show,
Runs outta gas, he whispers low,
When there's nothin' to do,
Do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo.


You do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo,

You do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo,
Do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo,
Do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo,
When there's nothin' to do,

Do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo.

Kansas Prairie, Bill and Mary,

Got two kids named Jill and Larry,

Put them babies in their beds,

Now William smiles when Mary says,

When there's nothin' to do,

Do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo.

You do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo,

You do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo,
Do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo,
Do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo,
When there's nothin' to do,

Do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo.

Doin' it in Austin, over in St. Lou,

Even up in Boston, they do the Hoochiecoo,

All the way to Fargo, south to Tupelo,

Way down in Key Largo, everywhere you go,

When there's nothin' to do,

Do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo.

Sam and Sadie long retired,

Neath the blue skies of Fort Myers,

Sittin' 'round is not their way,

From time to time you'll hear 'em say,

When there's nothin' to do,

Do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo

You do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo,

You do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo,
Do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo,
Do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo,
When there's nothin' to do,

Do the Sweet Hot Hoochiecoo.

Now, if you find tom, watch the video below,

and see if you still have the same opinion.

(On the other hand, don't even worry about 

finding Tom, he's a bad dog)