Good Morning and here's hoping worms don't eat my work!

One thing I regret is I never really learned how to play a musical instrument. Sure, I had chances. When I was real young, my parents brought a guitar into the house. My younger brother took lessons, but I just strummed. After all, there were too many baseball games to keep track.
As a high school freshman, I took a piano class. Having never read music or touched a piano before the first day of class, it was a difficult transition. I learned a little (very little), then abandoned it the next year.
Now, just by ear, I can fake through a few songs, but mostly it's just banging. I can play a mean drum set on the back of the couch.
So, when the oldest boy in the house had the opportunity (through school) to learn the violin, we were very happy when he took the chance. Sure, it takes work and he may never be a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra, but it's a good skill to have.
Last night was the annual spring music night at the school. There were some outstanding performances (the girls playing 'Eleanor Rigby' on the violin had the crowd in awe), some humorous moments (first graders doing anything are funny) and some interesting song interpretations ('Yellow Submarine' on the Xylophone?).
There was only one worth watching from the second row (and I'm sure from the first row, next row, all the way to the back for some).
I know it's hard. I know it's a pain to practice. I know it might not sound 'professional,' but thanks, Liam, for trying.
Meanwhile, since it is April Fool's Day, here's a funny one:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning and welcome to Friday!

So, we really are into the Hollywood Award Season. We have the Oscars in a couple of weeks (only saw Wall-E among the nominees) and this Sunday is the Grammy's (never heard one of the nominated songs).
OK, so pop culture may not be my thing, so, you can CLICK HERE to get a preview of Sunday's event
More interesting from this side of the world, though, is how those running the Grammy Awards are trying to be a little bit of everything.
Here is a partial list of the performers for Sunday's show: Neil Diamond, B.B. King, John Mayer, M.I.A., Smokey Robinson, Keith Urban, Stevie Wonder, Estelle and Kanye West; Jennifer Hudson; Jonas Brothers; Kid Rock; Lil Wayne; Paul McCartney (with special guest drummer Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters); Katy Perry; Robert Plant & Alison Krauss; Radiohead; Rihanna; Sugarland; Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift; T.I. and Justin Timberlake.
So, we have a mix of old school and new 'music.' It's purely an attempt to get those over the age of 21 to tune into the show.
Look, I understand music changes over the years. It evolves like everything else, but the Grammy's never really made much sense. Your favorite song may not be your friend's favorite song. You can't quantify the best when it's up to your own ears to decide what's best.
Unlike movies (where everybody knows the difference from a good one and a Keanu Reeves one), music is personal.
How about dumping the award portion and just show the performances. Or, better yet, just put them all on iTunes and everybody can decide.
Then again, where else can you get this:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Good Morning and welcome the the yo-yo world!

It's finally official: I have no idea what everybody is listening to these days.
Years ago, mainstream music started to become static to my ears. The songs all sounded the same and there was no new ground being broken.
Now, after seeing some of the Grammy's Live announcement last night, I'm starting to wonder about all the noise.
Here is the list of nominees:
Record of the Year: "Chasing Pavements," Adele; "Viva La Vida," Coldplay; "Bleeding Love," Leona Lewis; "Paper Planes," M.I.A; "Please Read The Letter," Robert Plant & Alison Krauss.
Album of the Year: "Raising Sand," Robert Plant & Alison Krauss"; "Viva La Vida," Coldplay; "Tha Carter III," Lil Wayne; "Year of the Gentleman," Ne-Yo; "In Rainbows," Radiohead.
Song of the Year: "American Boy," William Adams, Keith Harris, Josh Lopez, Caleb Speir, John Stephens, Estelle Swaray & Kanye West (Estelle Featuring Kanye West); "Chasing Pavements," Adele Adkins & Eg White (Adele); "I'm Yours," Jason Mraz; "Love Song," Sara Bareilles; "Viva La Vida," Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, & Chris Martin (Coldplay).
New Artist: Adele, Duffy, The Jonas Brothers, Lady Antebellum, Jazmine Sullivan.
OK, now, except for Robert Plant, I don't think I've really heard any of these 'singers.' Not being much of a fan of Led Zeppelin, you can take Robert Plant as well.
Adele? Coldplay? Leona Lewis? M.I.A? Are these all on the next episode of American Idol?
All of our music is now digitalized and re-mixed to the point that the singers don't even sing any more. Sure, there are a few, but there's no warbling of Jim Morrison or John Lennon. Heck, when was the last time anybody heard from Chris Robinson or Adam Duritz. Whatever happened to the Fugees?
Now, I'm sure that's what parents were saying in the 1950s when that 'Devil Music' started being played out of the radios. Maybe times do change. Maybe your ears and brain don't work together all the time. Maybe it's just a bad streak for the music biz.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

Now that the political candidates have left Pennsylvania to focus on other areas of the country, think they'll be back?
They'll probably make their way through during the next campaign, but, I wonder if they will actually return for vacation or whatever.
Then again, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama each have enough money to head to some island in the Pacific to decompress when this is all over.
Meanwhile, we'll be paying $4 for gas just to get to work and start the week all over again.
Just curious, though, how did Mike Huckabee or Ron Paul get any votes in the GOP side of the primary? Is it some kind of Republican statement against John McCain, who had the nomination wrapped up weeks ago?
Why not just write in Ronald Reagan or George Washington? They have as much a chance as any of the other candidates at this point.
Here's an idea, vote for the Charmin Bears in the general election in November.
Meanwhile, the rest of the world went on as usual during the big Primary day.
American Idol and Dancing with the Stars dominated the television world.
The Flyers beat the Capitals (avoiding the choke) and the Phillies came back to beat the Rockies.
By the by, does beating Colorado this week somehow make up for that pitiful playoff perfomance by Pat Burrell and Co. last fall? Uh, probably not.
For those who couldn't score a ticket, the Third Grade Night of Music, in front of a standing-room-only crowd at Garrettford School, went off without a hitch. The violins were especially good.
Here is some unedited video:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

Well, today is the big day. The buildup has been impressive. The pressure on some is out of hand. The work has been done. Except for a few things today, everything is ready to roll. The shirts are ready, the pamphlets are printed. There's no doubt the lines getting into the doors will be long and, of course, there will be more than a few annoying people.
That's right, it's time for the 'Third Grade Night of Music' at Garrettford Elementary School.
In this day and age when our President has made it virtually impossible to actually teach children and broaden their horizons, there is a little beacon of hope in the middle of it all.
Being not too musically inclined (although I know I can sing better than Axl Rose), it is nice to see children trying out music. After all, working to get better at an instrument will only lead to something better later in life.
Learning music can be just as daunting a task for some as learning a new language or trying baked tofu for lunch.
In the end, it's better for you. So, until 'No Child Left Behind' takes away all activities from students, it will be fun to listen to some voilins tonight.
By the way, heard this catchy tune over the weekend. It's an odd song, but, warning, once you listen it won't leave your head:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY.
Think Barak Obama will make his way to Springfield tonight? If he does, will he do some shopping at Bliss Avenue?

I must admit, to steal a line from Jack McCaffery, I don't get 'American Idol.'
Maybe my taste in music is different or whatever, but I haven't found one of the 'winners' so far the least bit talented. There are probably more talented singers hitting the bars on the weekends than making it to Fox.
I think I watched about five minutes of one show over the course of its run. There is a funny take on the Shrek 2 DVD, but the show just doesn't cut it. Now, the only taste of 'American Idol' I get is the highlights they show on morning TV.
This morning, I've seen three absolutely horrible covers of Beatles songs that John Lennon must be ready to rise from the grave to take revenge.
The worst thing is the highlights shows the judging panel actually like the versions. They absolutely loved some goofy looking guy's cover of Eleanor Rigby
that nearly made me spit out my coffee.
They also showed a Let it Be cover and one for Eight Days a Week.
I get the gimmicks. They have to keep everybody interested, especially those who are bored by the stupid comments by Paula Abdul.
So, for those who only get their music from TV, listen to this:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them to onlinedelco@gmail.com