Jimmy Herring at Minglewood Hall

Man, 

It's Tuesday night in Memphis and the Tigers just lost to Kansas. What to do? Luckily, Jimmy Herring the lead guitarist for Widespread Panic, Aquarium Rescue Unit, Jazz is Dead and others just happened to be playing with his fusion band at Minglewood.  

The opening band featured local guitarist, James Ray, the big guy wrestling the acoustic below. I knew him from way back in the day and he was always one of those guys who just gets it. He can sing through the guitar. Talked to him after the show and he was still the same ol' James Ray. His band is called The Devil's Own, and they are a tight bluegrass band.  

James Ray with The Devil's Own

Jimmy Herring with Jeff Stipe

Fusion Jazz is not Dead

It's good to know that people will go see Fusion Jazz still today. Most of the kids were WSP heads, but there were some older people there as well. It seemed like everyone got the vibe except for a few of the tweakers. The vibe was low key, it was a tuesday and it was about the music, for me at least. Pretty sure he played an old Al Dimeola tune - hip stuff. And just to mention, Jeff Stipe is a bad MoFo. He was rocking the 6 string bass and at times, if I closed my eyes it was like being at a Weather Report show, or at least what I would have imagined it would have been like. Save for the keyboard player, who didn't have the greatest sound and seemed to be trying too hard. He played a lot of percussion style solos on the organs and the sound was no hammond B3. I have to say that he was the weak link in the chain, but it is all about Jimmy and Jeff anyway, they just need to keep him in the background more. That is my humble opinion.

Most of the time I get to see Jazz fusion, there are only about two other people in the audience. Good to see people out on a Tuesday night digging the tunes. Maybe there is still hope for musical music.

St. Jude Marathon Expo

Working Stiff

No matter how hard I try to get away from money and society, it creeps up on me and I have to do someone else's bidding for a little spending money. With the holidays coming up, I figured that I needed to make some X-mas present money for my family. I found a perfect gig doing charity work for St. Jude Hospital here in Memphis. They do a marathon, half marathon and 5k walk to raise money for the kids at St. Jude every year. I have always loved that Memphis is the home of the best children's cancer hospital. I couldn't think of a better cause.

I helped out the National Running supply, selling shoes and running accessories. I also took the op to pass out a few CoverFit cards. Can't beat free advertising. 

This show was right up my alley with the retail sales background. I killed it with the sales for this company. They had no idea what they were getting off of Craigslist. They even gave me a little bonus and much praise for the good work. It was a lot of fun and I met some really cool people while stuffing my pocket for the week and helping out a great cause. All in all, well worth the experience.

The funniest thing I saw was this booth across from us. They were selling the power balance bracelets. Now, I'm not sure if you are familiar with this item, but they claim that when you put on this magical bracelet, your balance improves. WTF?!? I watched this demo several times and this lady's expression says it all.

I expected them to break out a bottle marked xxx with snake oil in it at the end of each demo.

The Lion's Science

Chris Hundley and Jason Gray,

Thank you for a great show boys. Loved the version of "Hash Pipe" and the Ween for Chuck! 

The Lion's Science at the Buccaneer

Belichick via Memphis

Billy's Creek

On the way out of Oklahoma, I had some locations mapped and tagged as "spots to hit" I had tagged them on the way in and figured that one day I might be able to hit them up. Driving back, I googled them on my iPhone. Billy's Creek seemed like a nice spot, and it didn't disappoint.

Off the beaten path, Billy's Creek is not easy to find. There were very few signs giving directions once you got off the main road. Driving past several old homes and mobile homes, I began to wonder if I was going the right direction, then I hit the gravel road with markers de-marking the national forest. The campsite has 12 primitive sites; each with a lamp hanger, picnic table, fire pit and grill.  I was the only person in the campsite, so I got the pick of the litter. I chose the spot overlooking the creek, where you could hear the bubbling brook below. This was the view from the side doors of the van.

Yonav is a water fiend and headed straight for the creek. 

The peace of camping solo with a dog is an awesome experience. I felt as free as I ever have. At any moment, I felt as if I could do whatever I wanted. It was almost too much freedom. I found myself looking at the sky and the trees and the creek and wondering what to do. Then I realized that this was Nirvana. If I felt like hiking, I could just pack up the dog and head out. I could make food. I could do nothing. I could listen to music. "This is my house today," I kept saying. My yard was a fall masterpiece filled with birds and trees and cliffs. King for a day. There was nowhere to be and nothing to do. The world was my oyster. The simple task of starting up the fire and cooking the food on the open flame was so fulfilling, much more so than selling a stupid piece of fitness equipment so some stupid waiter could serve me some food. That night, I drank and smoked a cigar with Nocello, and feasted on smokey chicken drummies.  I finished cooking just as the rain began to fall. The cleansing and the freedom was like taking a cold shower. The guy seemed to have a good night as well. Here, he illustrates my time in the darkness.

The next morning, I awoke to the sound of the dribbling stream and decided to explore the trails in the national forest. This was the first one I found and would love to go back and check out the others. Most of these trails were made for horses as well.

  

      

Can you find Yonav's print?

Saddle up

Vultures Overhead

        

I found it hard to leave, but I had some golf to play back in Hot Springs Village. Ah the life of a Gypsy Roller.

Camping is OK

OK,

No really. Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Oklahoma. 

My first real camping experience was thanks to the Reese family. Eric and his parents took me and Charles to their land near Daisy, Oklahoma. A great lake, Sardis, is in the area. We spent several hours there, one day, fishing and goofing off with Yonav. But before you start any camping trip, you have to have an Italian dinner right? So, we set up camp right at dusk, well those guys did. I just had to park the van. So, I helped Chuck set up his tent in the dark. Much cussing ensued. Yonav watched, but I digress. On to the Italian restaurant. Pete's Place in Daisy, Oklahoma. (www.petes.org) This place brews their own beer, called Choc beer, (named after the Choctaw Indians that they encountered when they settled the area)  Most of the tables were set in private rooms. Pete's is truly old school Northern Italian cuisine. All the entrees were good, but the white sauces were the best. They constantly bring out meatballs, spaghetti, bread, olives and ravioli just to keep food on the table at all times. We ate family style where everyone ordered something different: Lasagna, Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Alfredo, Lamb Fries, and Shrimp Parmesan. I stole most of the Chicken Alfredo from Eric's mom. Thanks, Mrs. Reese. Eric's dad ordered Lamb fries (aka fried Lamb balls) -- I know -- but the shit was good. We stuffed ourselves before heading back to the campsite and I bought a six pack of their home brew for the road.

    

Ah Italiano

Pablo Escobar (aka Eric Reese) with Charles

The first full day, we went to Sardis lake and tried to do some fishing, but it was too cold and Yonav was in the water the entire time. He had a much better shot at spearing the fish.

I got this

Bringing it

The hills surrounding the lake were gorgeous, laden with colors of Fall.

Toyota Commercial?

White Falcons flew overhead

There was even fine dining

The fowl in the area ruled the roost.

The Pier

Swallows' nests

Fishing hole

Now, you see here...

Ready to roll


Ah the smell of burning wood.

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The Guy took great interest in his chef duties

The campsite was at the base of a rolling hill. We were near the tallest hill in America. In order for a hill to become a mountain, it must surpass the 2000 foot mark. This hill was 1999.99 feet. The walk up the hill was not without excitement. Loose boulders were abound. Eric stepped on a rock/boulder that rolled down the hill toward Yonav, who dodged it unfazed.

Did you see that?!?

Why you trying to kill me dude?

Da boys

Some cooter's house from a long time ago...Atkins' in ten years?

Back at camp, we drank, ate, and enjoyed the finer things in life, like Nocello with cigars.

The spot was spectacular and we even had a visit from a neighbor, who told us stories of wild boars and bears in the area. His best line was, "I don't go anywhere 'round here without my .45."

All I had was a Glock knock off .22 cal, made by ISSC, which jammed almost every time I shot it. I obviously don't recommend it. I will be returning it this week. Gonna pick up a Taurus .45 maybe or a .357 Magnum. Also, looking at a Walther 308, but can't really hunt with that. Luckily, we didn't need the guns for protection or hunting. We did some serious damage to Dr. Pepper and Coke cans however.

This was the end for Charles and the Reese family, but I stayed in Oklahoma and found Billy's Creek...