Florida, Family, Fun Times and More! (A great read!)
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Our family started going to Florida for vacation starting way back in 1997. Back then, our now adult kids’ were little kids. We didn’t have much money but we thought they all should experience Disney World at least once in their lives as kids. I remember going to Florida as a kid in 1976 and not being able to go to Disney World. My family went to St. Petersburg and we were “that close” but Mom said “no”. So we didn’t go. It would have been cool to ride the 20,000 Leagues under the Sea submarine or watch the Mickey Mouse club gang being film but it wasn’t meant to be.
Fast forward some. So, we started the yearly family trips back in 97. We packed lunches since we really couldn’t afford to feed a family of five at Disney World. The kids never knew the financial struggle we had. My wife and I kept it secret. Granted back then the ticket pricing was different so we did convince our son Josh that he really was only 5 years old instead of 7 to get a ticket price break. We also had our oldest daughter Crystal who was 14 at the time to say she was 10. Again for a break on ticket prices. We had to do what we had to do. Britt was 10 so we kept her ticket honest. The kids had a great time in between the sandwiches and rides. All good memories.
So that was the start of something we have done almost every year since then. A family trip to Florida. Orlando was the “mecca”. We went to Ole Town in Kissimmee too. It was cheaper and not as crowded. The kids got older. We looked for hotel discounts etc. But we went. Family time was and still is, that important.
About 12 years ago or so my wife Denise’s boss owned a condo in Madeira beach. He rented it out when he wasn’t using it. Well, he let us use it. I hadn’t been to the St. Petersburg area since 1976. Once we got to Madeira beach it was love at first sight. It wasn’t a tourist trap but it had things the whole family could do. John’s Pass was right across the street from her boss’s condo (located in Madeira Norte’.) Our kids could go across the street to the shops or to the pier. We went deep sea fishing and dolphin sighting. Our kids and now grandkids love the Candy Kitchen!
Madeira basically became our second home. We go every year. The kids could go to the beach. As they got older they would bring a friend or two. Then as they got married. They, along with their spouses and kids would also make the trip with us.
As the days turned into nights my wife and I would go across the street to a little bar called the Bamboo Beer Garden. It was a small friendly place and the walls and ceilings were covered in dollar bills. Signed and dated by the patrons and pinned in any open space one could find. We started our tradition too. We would go over there for a night cap. Reflect on the day. Make small talk with the others that were there. Tip the bartender and sign and date a dollar and add it to the collection. At that time Muffy the DJ would also do her karaoke act there. She wore poodle skirts and well the wind one time…Well we enjoyed watching her perform. It seemed like the people of Madeira Beach had something special in their mist. Our kind of place.
We did this every year. We would make the long drive to Florida. Rent a condo as close to John’s Pass as we could get and pull back on the throttle of life. Nice beaches, nice people. And more importantly not over run by tourists. Though I guess we were “technically tourists, or snowbirds”, we really considered it “ours too”.
Time, like it does, doesn’t stop for anyone and moves on. The Bamboo Beer Garden was sold. The name was slightly changed. It’s now called the Bamboo Beach Bar & Grill. And it was expanded for more seating. They now have outdoor seating. Long gone are the probably hundreds of dollars on the walls and ceiling. I remember calling from Kentucky before we left a couple of years ago just to make sure it was still open. (It has that kind of cool atmosphere.) The new owners (They have owned it for a few years now) always recognize us when we show up which is amazing!
This June, as we do yearly, we rented condos at Madeira Norte’. Packed up and pointed all the vehicles toward our home away from home. Madeira Beach. We arrived on Saturday, and checked in. After we got settled in the family all headed to the Bamboo Beach Bar & Grill. I think I failed to mention they serve food too! Great food and it doesn’t cost and arm or a leg. We had a large group and they made sure to accommodate us. The waiters pushed tables together so we all could eat together close to the stage.
The entertainer that night was Mark Mann. A one man acoustic act. I enjoy listening to real musicians far more than a jukebox. That night Mark was killing it. A great show. He really entertains the crowd. He was also taking requests. I am an old school music kind of guy for the most part and requested “Sylvia’s Mother”. An old Dr. Hook song that my wife really likes to hear. It’s a great song and if you have never heard it before, check it out here. Up until that night at “the Boo”, no one that I ever requested to play the song would play it, or even heard of it for that matter. Well, Mark Mann not only knew it, he pulled it off! It was awesome! Another favorite song of mine is “Taxi” by Harry Chapin. He was such a great writer and story teller. I asked Mark Mann if he knew it and BAM! I was listening to him do “Taxi”. Mark Mann was knocking them out of the ball park to use an old Kentucky term! Mark Mann was a super nice guy and in between his sets he would come over and talk to us. We talked about the music life, our families and more. Like we had known each other for years! He was such a cool guy! Later on that night he invited me up to sing backup vocals on The Eagles “Take it easy”. I was road weary and a few beers deep but I felt honored that he allowed me the opportunity to sing with him. Most Musicians don’t share the stage even for one song. Mark Mann was different. No egos or attitudes, just a good time had by all.
See that’s the kind of place Madeira is. Nice people. Nice places to go. The Bamboo Beach Bar & Grill and Mark Mann helped start off our family vacation perfectly. My wife and I hope to retire there some day soon.
What started off as five people in an old car back in the 90’s has grown into 14 people so far! We’re already planning next year’s trip! We are looking forward to The Boo” and hopefully Mark Mann will be in the area playing!
Tell us about your vacation spots!
Until next time, peace out!
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“Deep Purple” on the Today Show!
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Formed in 1968. Deep Purple despite a few key line up changes (mainly Ritchie Blackmore) is still kicking butt! Kids, this is how its done! Think not? You write a song that still gets the people up and moving when it’s 40 plus years old then we can talk. And by the way, listen to those real vocals… Ian Gillian is the man behind the pipes! Here it is. Off their 1972 album titled “Machine Head”. One of the first riffs most guitarists learn…
“Smoke on the Water”
Categories: General Tags: classic rock, deep purple, famous guitar riffs, machine head, smoke on the water, steve morse, the today show
Part 3 “The Gospel of John” “The Naked Adam Show Podcast”
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If ever there was a time. The time is now that we all need to sit back and get a fresh look at ourselves. It seems the world is spinning faster and faster out of control. This week Tony explores the book of John and how God Cares, Loves and Calls us All. I have to tell you folks, I am not a fan of going to church anymore and have a million lame excuses why I don’t go. But I must say I am blessed and get blessed by listening to this Podcast! I feel you will too be blessed by Tony’s teaching! Give it a listen. Give it a like and share it. Stop by “The Naked Adam Show” Facebook page and say hello to Tony. Also please visit WSON and let them know you appreciate that they broadcast “The Naked Adam Show” podcast!
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Categories: General Tags: God, grace, heaven, henderson ky, independence day, inspirational, july 4th, podcast, religious, the gospel of john, the naked adam show, WSON radio
This Girl’s Viral Video On ‘Radical Islamists’
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I think she nails it on the head. Opinions?
Categories: General Tags: On Point with Tomi Lahren, Radical Islamists, Red, Tomi Lahren, viral, White and Blue
10,000 dollar reward for information that leads to…
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Update:
Obituary: Rudy Rowland Funeral Home
the arrest of the person or persons that murdered Shane Breedlove of Evansville Indiana. Shane was a popular Disk Jockey and musician and an all around nice guy. His place of employment has issued the following Facebook post. Please share.
For the news story go here WFIE14
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KC’s Time Out is offering a $10,000 cash reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. If you have any information please contact the Evansville Police Department. |
Categories: General Tags: crime tip, disk jockey, evansville indiana, murder, shane breedlove, violence
New Bon Jovi “Saturday Night gave me Sunday Morning”
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He isn’t reinventing the wheel but its a good radio jam song!
Categories: General Tags: bon jovi, new release
Portland Utilities screwing the public?
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Apparently someone thinks so. Or else this is a killer joke! Could you imagine seeing something like that hanging from a power wire? Honey, is that a bird? No. Is it a plane? No…It’s a…
Dildo epidemic hits Portland power lines
For the whole story about the complete phallus of this situation, go here MASHABLE
Categories: General Tags: dildo, Portland, power wires, practical joke
Tony Housh of “Seasons After” interview!
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Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and were you can be found online.
Hi. My name is Tony Housh and I am the vocalist for the band Seasons After. You can find us at
www.facebook.com/seasonsafternation
www.instagram.com/seasonsafter
Who are your musical heroes and influences? Why?
I have a few heroes. One of them would be Corey Taylor. I have followed Corey since the first time that I had heard Slipknot. I was blown away at the the way this crazy dude in a mask could scream. I use to listen to Slipknot and think how is it humanly possible for a person to make that kind of brutality happen with their voice. I would study it trying to find his tricks. I would even seek out live performances in order to hear his true voice without all the production. He was just killer to me, but where he became one of my musical heroes was when I heard “Bother” on the radio by Stone Sour. Once I heard that dude sing I was completely floored. He became one of my heroes! Another one of my heroes that actually popped up on my radar around the same time was Chris Volz of Flaw. Volz was the dude that made me realize I could sing and scream and make it badass! I spent a lot of time listening to his choruses. I just loved how big they could get and the intensity that would follow in the throw downs. I actually modeled a lot of my music that I wrote at that time very specific to a Volz type style. So you can imagine how exciting it was for me 14 years later to find myself touring with Flaw. Another reason Volz is one of my heroes is because he’s actually a cool dude. Its always nice to put someone on a pedestal and leave them there for all the right reasons.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music business?
If I had any advice to give to anyone getting started in the music business it would be this. Don’t limit yourself to just one thing. Learn more than just your instrument. Learn the production side of things early. In the future you can save yourself thousands in production costs. Not to mention that you can make a living while your not out on the road while tracking for other acts. Learn the business. Its a tricky business and you need to be prepared for that. The more you educate yourself on the inner workings the better the chance you may not get screwed! And never give up. If you truly are a hardcore put your nose to the pavement musician then you will see your share of ups and downs. Be prepared to fail. Its going to happen. The important thing is to know from the beginning is that you are dedicated and this is what you do. Never quit. No matter the obstacle and there are many.
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
Stop making that face or its gonna stay that way.
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to share?
Sure. I would say the most humiliating gig that I ever played was my very first. I was 17 years old and I had been searching for my first band to attempt to sing for. I grew up in a small town in Texas. Population around 3500 or so. So you can imagine that there weren’t to many rock bands around. In fact there was only one that I was aware of. So one day these band dudes come into Dairy Queen where I worked. As soon as I realized it was the band guys I quickly removed my apron so that I could personally deliver their food to them once I had prepared their burgers. So I gave them my number. Well they called me like one week later and suddenly needed a singer. Not only did they need a singer but they needed me ready in a week! A week! One week to learn 4 hours of cover tunes. Well I was so enthusiastic and excited they had called that I decided that I had better take the gig. I may not get another chance! So one week later I went and played my very first gig at place called Bostocks in Stephenville Tx. It was a nightmare. I was reading lyrics off of sheets. I was a mess! I had no idea how to even be a frontman much less sing songs that I didn’t completely know. At one point the bass player actually apologized and explained that I was new. We didn’t even finish the night. They fired us in mid set and made us load out right there in front of everyone. It was humiliating as hell. But I didn’t lose my spirit. It actually made me very anal about live performances and it made me a much more serious musician. My band was fired by the club my very first time singing for a rock band and I wouldn’t change a thing about it.
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of peckers or boobs? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
I really don’t have any hobbys. I guess that makes me weird in some peoples eyes, but why do I need a hobby when I already live a dream? Hobbies are an escape to something you enjoy from your everyday life. Right? Right! Well I love what I do. It involves loud stuff, bright lights, computers, creativity, travel, people, and just a ton of fun in general. No escape needed or desired…yet.
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
Well I will say that I miss the days of when rock ruled the world! When rockstars had jets with their names on them and it was totally cool to trash a hotel room. That all seems to be gone with the exception of the few exceptions. It seems that pop hip hop and country have ran off with it all these days. Ive heard people say that rock/metal just kind of lost its thing with the masses but to be honest I think the masses got lost in the world of overproduced pop stars rap stars and drug store cowboys. Not that I dislike these genres but Its a shame that more people won’t go out to a rock show that comes into town for 10 bucks, but they will on the other hand fork out the big bucks for Taylor Swift (nothing against Swift). Its like people enjoy feeding the corporate bs machine (i.e. large record companies). So yes. Its a shame that we have allowed money to dictate art and what art is made readily available. Hopefully people will come to realize that there are some really great rock bands out there that are dying to entertain them. And maybe, just maybe they’ll start choosing to hit up a rock show on the weekend and skip out on the $200.00 Saturday night kum ba yah brainwashing session at the local civic center. Lets get them horns up and support those bands that you enjoy so much. They need you!
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X factor and The Voice have helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
I personally am not a fan of these types of shows. Just another example of the pumping of corporate crap out onto the masses. I agree there are some very talented people on these shows and thats not what this is about. This is more about this whole instant gratification everyone is a star type culture. What about the people out there on the road traveling all over the country trying to get some recognition. The ones who have honed their skills night after night after night. The ones who truly appreciate the sale of an album or the fact that you ask them to sign something. These are the warriors! These are the people who have taken the real risk! Not someone who sings in the shower in the comfort of their home and takes a week of vacation to go and try out for the voice in hopes of instant stardom. There’s no stripes earned in that. I guess Im just old school. I like to earn what I have and I respect people who aren’t looking for the easiest and safest way to attain their goals. Sometimes you just gotta go for it rather than waiting for the easy or safer route. I just don’t feel like these shows reflect that type of mentality, but hey thats just me.
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
Well it does suck for sure. Its the equivalent of me walking into Wal Mart and just taking whatever I want. For some reason its okay to steal a song though. I’m Not sure why. I guess its because you can’t actually hold it and you can steal it in the safety and the confines of your home. Its insulting actually to spend time writing a song, recording a song, and not to mention the amount of money spent (yes it does cost money). We pay for advertising to put it out just so that it can be stolen. Its the equivalent of having a contractor come to your home and paint the entire inside of your house. He has bought supplies i.e. paint and brushes and probably has an employee or two. All of whom he must pay in order to complete the service. The contractor finishes up and goes for payment and kaboom! “Sorry your not getting paid.” says the homeowner and he sends the painter on his way without payment of services. Now Im willing to bet that painter would flip out. He has to pay his guys, he has to cover the material expenses and who knows what else. The problem is that the paint is already on the wall and theres no going back. He just lost his ass. Do musicians not render a service? Do musicians not create a product? Of course they do and thats why its stealing.
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear.
Well…Jimmy can sing verbatim most pop songs that I roll my eyes at. Dawson is a big fan of Aquariums and fish sticks. Tim plays his drums naked while looking at pictures from National Geographic and Kyle has a thing for eating turkey sandwiches in the dark while scratching lotto tickets.
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
Thats easy. Mary Ann because she’s Mary Ann and someone needs to make something happen before the professor makes a move.
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so, what was it?
Yes. Michael Jackson Thriller
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the first night in his sleep or what?
Nope. I’ll keep him around. I’m going to need some help getting things set up for myself on the island. That means a lot of work and manual labor. Thats what I’ll have Bieber taking care of. Once he has my hut built and all of the food situation handled I”ll probably just eat him for Thanksgiving or something.
What is your opinion of Miley Cyrus?
I really have no thoughts on Miley because to be honest I just don’t care. I wouldn’t even know who she is if she hadn’t been force fed to us all.
Which would you rather hear in concert? Lip synching or real vocals?
Real vocals Check out Seasons After Vid▶ SEASONS AFTER – “LIGHTS OUT”
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
To be honest I don’t pay to much attention to THE NEXT BIG THING type stuff. I’m to busy trying to keep my little thing a float.
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is…
Phil Collins
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
I pick my nose at the bottom and top of every hour.
Favorite movie of all time and why.
Spaceballs. I love Mel Brooks. His Humor is so raw and stupid. I love it.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s were you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
My shout out for this go round could be anything I guess, but today I would like to think about a subject that is near and dear to my heart. This is something that has been eating on me for quite some time. You guessed it… Subway changed their ranch and it’s just not the same! Why in the world would subway change something that is so incredibly important out for this new generic flavored ranch they have decided to switch too. I taste more like mayo than ranch! Come on Subway. I just don’t understand. I hope that Jared reads this and takes it into consideration. That is all.
“The Gospel of John” “The Naked Adam Show Podcast”
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This week Tony continues his studies in the Book of John! A great message along with a great selection of moving music! Enjoy the podcast! The Naked Adam show is fast approaching 1000 plays! Give it a listen, be blessed and help Tony reach that 1000th play.! Please share 🙂
“Mobile device users please click <HERE> to listen to the podcast”
Categories: General Tags: God, grace, heaven, henderson ky, independence day, inspirational, july 4th, podcast, religious, the naked adam show, WSON radio
Some Bands’ sale T-Shirts, Hot Sauce, Whiskey and now these?!!
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et’s face it. Record companies no longer exist. The ones that do, don’t really support the bands anymore. No more large recording budgets or large touring budgets unless you’re already a large band with a large catalog and fan base. There are no bucks in music. The little that’s there is spread thin. So what do bands do to supplement their income?
They make money on soft sales. Every band has t-shirts, baby dolls, and other swag for sale. But some go further than that. For instance, Michael Anthony has his own hot sauce. Jesse James from “Jackyl” has his own bourbon whiskey brand. As a band, you have to do what you have to do. Most bands sell packages of different levels to increase sales.
And now, setting the bar much higher by using her head and her “assets”, Veronica Freeman. The voice of “Benedictum” and her just released solo album on Frontier records called “Now or Never”. Her website features different memberships and subscription levels too. From autographed Cd’s to T-shirts and, well…This special package for 50 bucks!
NOW OR NEVER…SEALED WITH A KISS Package!
Autographed Veronica Freeman Bra with actual lipstick “kiss” from “The V”. Autographed copy of “The V” Veronica Freeman’s new CD, NOW OR NEVER. Autographed 5″x7″ photo of “The V”, Veronica Freeman. “The V” sticker.
If by chance you think she is just all boobs and flash, check out her pipes here!
She can hang with any metal guy!
Categories: General Tags: benedictum, female singer, frontier records, metal, new release, now or never, sealed with a kiss, soft sales, swag, veronica freeman
