RandyD's Blog

I realize that we are a little over two weeks away for my Easter but I want a prediction anyway. Last year Cindy Fizgibbon was right on the money for me. I asked. She answered me and I was able to prepare accordingly. That was a couple of weeks ahead last year too.

So again, Cindy, please give me and my family some good news. Am I putting up another circus tent in my back yard this year or will we all need sunscreen? I know we'll all need TUMS and and a good dentist after my cooking but a great forecast would be wonderful.

That's right....I'm putting a lamb on a spit, cooking it and eating it.

Anyone else curious?

Randy D

Without an over-written and over-stated tribute to one of the greatest writers in Rock music I want to encourage Kinks fans and British Rock fans alike to give this great album a listen.

Since recovering from his gunshot wound Ray has wonderfully captured a fresh sound to his music and added a little Kinks flavor to his third solo album "Working Man's Cafe (New West Records). The opening track "Vietnam Cowboys" characterizes the economy in classic whimsical flair with more of an upbeat tempo compared to his angry "Low Budget" of the 70's. The title track "Working Man's Cafe" is undoubtedly the shining star of the album while "Morphine Song" gives the listener a vivid account of his recovery in intensive care following his shooting.

The album's 12 tracks (plus 3 bonus) does not have any disappointments. It is poignantly written with as much candor and superb arrangement as any of The Kinks better albums. You can check it out at www.myspace.com/raydaviesofficial

Ray Davies will be performing at The Orpheum Theater in Boston this Sunday, April 6th at 7:30pm. You better believe I will be there.

Enjoy!

Randy

Last Thanksgiving my daugher mentioned that she wanted to volunteer at The Pine Street Inn during Christmas. She was serious! I was semi-shocked and proud of her at the same time. I raised my hand and said "count me in too". My other daughter also wanted to get involved. Before we knew it we were signed up to help out in the kitchen on Christmas Eve.

I have never been involved with The Pine Street Inn (although I have definitely put in my time in kitchens) but the learning curve was easy. The difficulty was seeing the reality of where good citizens have ended up due to financial hardships, addiction, or illness. While waiting to be assigned that day my daughters and I watched countless homeless people awakening smiling and happy. In spite of the situation they were in they were happy it was Christmas. While carrying all their possessions in plastic bags they wished each other Merry Christmas. They had faith! There is nothing stronger than the human spirit.

I was only too happy to spend the next five hours preparing delicous meals for them while working along side other PSI volunteers committed to making a difference. To make the event more special we had a visit from the Archbishop! I also caught a glimpse of my fellow crewmembers on a segment airing on FOX25 last night.

I can't tell you how pround I am of my daughters for making this happen. Looks like it will be an annual family tradition.

Check out my photos and find out how you can help out any day of the year. Even in the Summer. All it takes is a few hours of your time. You can find out more info at www.pinestreetinn.org

Merry Christmas everyone!

Randy D and family.

O.K so I love tribute bands (see my earlier post "ATTENTION AGING ROCKERS!).....

Sunday night. 12/23/07 at the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston SlipKid will be taking the stage and giving Who fans a blast of rock past. Gary Cherone (formerly of Extreme, Van Halen) fronts this amazing band with his talented brother (guitarist) Marcus.

Do they look like The Who? Nope. But the music is amazing. Gary and the band put on an amazing show. Apparently the show is ALL AGES!

In the spirit of the Holidays a portion of the ticket sales ($10.00 ea.) will benefit Global Angels. www.globalangels.org

For more information please check out the band website http://www.myspace.com/slipkidband

For tickets                                                
        http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/event/EventListings?orgId=
15107

Or just check out the Boston Hard Rock Cafe website and look under events.

See you there!

Randy

A few years ago while taking in one of our favorite local bands my wife and I met a wonderful person named Monica Massaro. We were instantly smitten with her personality and grace. We kept in contact with her long after and have seen a few rock acts together. Monica lived for having a great time with friends and family as well as her favorite bands. Less than a month ago a mutual friend of ours called me up and informed me that while Monica came home from work a killer was waiting for her inside her home. The killer savagely took her life stabbing her multiple times and cutting her throat. We were dumbfounded. We couldn't imagine why this would happen to her. The local police had no suspects or motives at the time. The murder was a mystery...until now.

I want to thank you Bob for airing that segment about Adam Lane earlier this week and providing some closure for Monica's friends up here in Mass. She was a truly beautiful person who was just beginning a new chapter in her life as she started her very own cleaning business. I have added some of my pictures of Monica to my albums. You can also get to know Monica at her at www.myspace.com/njragdoll

It is the heartfelt and concise journalism of reporters like Bob Ward that make Fox 25 my preferred news station. On behalf of Monica's friends up here in Mass thanks again!

Rest in peace Monica.

Randy

I have always been a fan of live rock music. The harder, the bluesier, the better right? The problem is that the great acts that I grew up to know and love have either faded away (Zeppelin, Who) or force you to remortgage your house to buy a ticket (Stones, Aerosmith, Police).

I  scratch my "oldies rock itch" by catching some great local tribute bands who do a fantastic job of capturing the magic of the real deal. I thought I would pass along such pertinent information to others afflicted by this condition.

Love Aerosmith but you don't have $400.00 to see them at the Tweeter Center next month? You should check out Draw The Line. This band does a superb job at bringing you back to the better years of the "Bad Boys from Boston". Draw The Line is the official Aerosmith tribute band and perform with Steven Tyler's blessing. They perform across the country but focus on playing locally here on the South Shore. These guys pack every venue they play. www.drawtheline.net

I can never get enough Zeppelin. Tonight I will be catching Kashmir performing in Newport, RI. It will be my 3rd time seeing them perform and I am blown away everytime. The singer is a dead ringer for Robert Plant and even sings better. You heard me. What is your fave Zeppelin song? Yeah they play that...yes and that one too...yes..yes...  www.kashmirrocks.com

Angus Young rocks the house and brings the party vis-a-vis Dirty Deeds. There is no better tribute band that brings high energy and insists on audience participation. Band members will drag you up onstage to join them, "Angus" will jump into the audience throughout the show, and they'll pump you up with the best from the Bon Scott and Brian Johnson years. www.dirtydeedstributeband.com

So how does a 40-something married parent have fun while still affording college tuition for the kids? Check these guys out. I'll be the aging 6'3" air guitarist scaring the band while sipping cranberry and soda.

RD

I want to thank you again for the "heads up" on Easter Sunday. You were right on the money (of course). I uploaded a few pics of the circus tent, the lamb, and the roasted marshmallow bunnies. Hopefully they are on the website by now.

Looks like people will be running the Marathon wearing Timberlands.

Thanks again!

Randy

Cindy please help me out.

I know you said cooler temps on Sunday. Tell me that there is absolutely no chance of:

• Wind
• Rain
• Snow

Please save my big fat Greek Easter. I promise you a toasted marshmello bunny if you do (unless you want some lamb too).

Thanks again!

Randy D

Ok...I don't mean to complain but.......

I will.

Every Easter Sunday I have the honor of getting up at 6am to roast a whole spring lamb on a large spit in my backyard (take it easy vegetarians). My wife and I cook for roughly 35 to 50 guests every year for this awesome holiday tradition.

This year Easter has crept up early on us. Sure the lamb is ordered. Yeah the people will show up at our house. You bet the Ouzo and Rezina will flow with wild abandon. Can the Fox meteorologists guarantee some sunshine? Please?

The way I figure it is that since April 8th is way too close to March for my comfort, and March has been cold, wet, rainy, snowy, etc I will most likely be roasting the lamb either covered in snow or soaked to the bone. Every tent and tarp that I mess around with ends up on the ground faster than you can say "ska tah". The Spring winds are unkind to my open backyard. Two years ago the wind blew our pop up canopy into our neighbors back yard. Wah wah wah..I know.

Kevin and Cindy if you read this please give me some hope. Until then I will contact the Ringling Brothers for the most trustworthy tent possible.

Randy D