Livin' it up in St. Louis

I just got done watching the new Sammy Hagar DVD, Livin It Up in St. Louis. I had a blast. First of all, I missed the tour in 2006 for the first time since 1995. I always catch Sammy when he comes to Minnesota or Wisconsin. After watching this, I decided I will catch the winter tour this year. It was great to hear the new tunes off Livin' it Up as well as the old stand-by's.

And it was really great to hear The Other Half do some old 5150 tunes that I have never heard live. Good Enough and Summer Nights were great. Vic Johnson must have really practiced his EVH cloning, as he sounded GREAT.

Also, nice hearing Vic's guitar composition of Right Now. Great stuff dude.

All in all it was a great watch.

Blaney gets Toyota's First Nextel Cup Pole

Dave Blaney got Toyota's first pole in Nextel Cup history Friday and New Hampshire Speedway.

It was also Blaneys first pole in several years in the Cup Series.

Toyota entered the Nextel Cup series earlier this year and to date, had yet to score a pole.

EVH at Phoenix NASCAR race

Eddie Van Halen was on hand at the Phoenix NASCAR race. I was at the race, but never had a chance to see him.

Sammy Hagar

Video of Sammy Hagar singing I Can't Drive 55 before the NASCAR race at California Speedway.

The dynamic duo get penalized

The 24 and 48 teams were each penalized 100 driver and owner points, $100,000.00 ,and crew chiefs Steve Letarte and Chad Knause were each suspended for 6 races on Tuesday.

I was wondering if they would get the same treatment as Dale Jr. got earlier in this year and they did. I'm glad. I'm not a Jr. fan, or a Gordon/Johnson fan, but I was just cringing at what the Jr. nation would have to say if the penalties were not the same.

Money is not an issue for these teams, and the 100 points didn't really hurt either team. Gordan is still first in the standings and Johnson moved to 4th. They each have 4 wins so they each get more bonus points than the rest of the field when the chase starts. So really, where is the penalty. Johnson won twice last year when Knaus was suspended for 4 races. Gordan should be able to still do well.

I was watching NASCAR Now tonight and heard an interesting stat - Knause was suspended for 2 races in 2005, 4 in 2006 and now 6 and 2008. Maybe next year he will go for 8 in 08. Holla back.

Johnny Montoya gets his first Nextel Cup win

Juan Pablo Montoya got his first Nextel Cup win on Sunday at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. It's just his first season in NASCAR and he has already scored one Busch and one Cup win. Both wins were at road courses, which is what he ran in F1 and CART, so it wasn't a surprise.

Will just have to wait and see now if he can get a win on an oval track. He has had some good runs at 1.5 mile speedways already, so it could be coming. It was good to see the Gannassi team back in victory lane after a long dry spell.

Overall the race was kind of stupid with too much emphasis being placed on fuel mileage. I just wish they could have gone out and raced like normal

Sir Charles puts his foot in his mouth

Charles Barkley made a similar comment to the one that got Don Imus fired earlier this year. During TNT's broadcast of an NBA game, they ran a commercial for NASCAR on TNT. The commercial showed a couple pretty girls among other things.

After the commercial, Barkley says that is false advertising because the women in the video had they own teeth, were clean and had nice hair. He then said they don't have those type of damn women in NASCAR. One of his co-horts then says, "hey Charles, Not Good."

Will Chuck get the same treatment as Don Imus? I think not, as it has already been a couple weeks since the comment was made.

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi-0arfUdYY

Aric Almirola gets first Busch win, while watching from the pits

No it wasn't an out of body experience, but I bet Aric Almirola thought he was having one at Saturday night's Busch Series race at the Milwaukee Mile. I try and explain the best I can:

Denny Hamilin (the 20 car's primary driver) and a few other's were doing double duty this weekend. This means you are racing in the Nextel Cup and Busch races in the same weekend. Most weekends, both races are at the same track, so it is no big deal. On a few weekends a season, the Busch series and Cup series are at different tracks. This weekend, the Busch series was in Milwuakee, WI and the Cup series was in Sonoma, CA.

So here is what happened. Most Busch teams will have a secondary driver on these weekends to practice and qualify the car. Then the primary driver flys in and races the car, but has to start at the back of the pack.

Denny Hamilin's Saturday started off bad. He had a snafu with time and missed part of the morning's Cup practice. He decided to stay late in Sonoma, but with enough time to make it to Milwaukee to hop in the car just before the race started. In the meantime, back in Milwaukee, Aric Almirola qualifies the car and puts it on the pole (for the second year in a row).

As the pre-race show was underway and driver introductions were done, ESPN shows a helicopter hovering in the air and says that Denny Hamlin is in the helicopter. Apparantly they can't land as people have parked cars on the tracks helicopter landing pad. The track will not allow the helicopter to land on the track itself. Denny then has to go back to the airport and get a police escort to the track. By this time, the pre-race ceremonies have ended and Joe Gibbs racing has decided to let Aric Almirola race the car he qualified on the pole.

Denny finally arrives at the track a few laps into the race. The finally get a camera and mic in his face and he is standing in Stephen Wallace's pit. He says that Wallace has the flu and they have asked him to stand by as a back up driver. Almirola was previously tagged for this job, but now was actually in the race. Denny says on camera that he does not think they should pull Almirola out of his car at this point and that it would be disrespectful to him.

Almirola goes on to lead a bunch of laps and appears he can win the race. Great. On lap 60, they come in for pit stops under caution and next thing you know they are pulling Almirola out of the car and putting Denny in. They go a lap down.

The play by play booth goes nuts and start to talk about the car's sponsor, Rockwell Automation, being based out of Milwaukee so they told the team they wan't Denny in the car. They pay to see Denny win and want him in the car when they race in thier own backyard.

Denny Hamlin ends up coming from a lap down and wins the race. This is the first time a releif driver has won a race in the Busch series. According to NASCAR rules, the driver that starts the race, gets credit for the win, so Almirola gets his first ever Busch win, without even being in the car when it crosses the finish line. Almirola was not in victory lane, Denny had a strange look on his face during his victory lane interview. Almirola has declined comment on the whole deal. What a crazy deal...

BUSTED!

On Friday the 24 and 48 cars of Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson failed inspection before qualifying practice. Apparantly they were working in the gray area on the front fenders and NASCAR said no way. Both cars were parked for the day and not allowed to practice or qualify. They were placed in the back of the field for thier starting postions.

NASCAR usually announces it's penalties on Tuesday or Wednesday the following week. It will be interesting to see what happens. Earlier this year, NASCAR set a precidence by penalizing the 8 team of Dale Earnhardt, Jr $100,000, 100 driver and owner points and suspending Dales crew cheif, Tony Eury Jr, for 6 races. We should expect nothing less than this as NASCAR has made it clear that you DO NOT mess with the Car of Tommorrow. We are talking about Hedrick Motorsports though, so don't be surprised if the penalty is lighter.

Gordon's crew cheif, Steve Letarte, is basically a first time offender, but Johnson's crew cheif, Chad Knause is on about his 3rd strike. I wouldn't be surprised if Knaus' penalties are worse.

Edwards wins at Michigan after 52 race dry spell

Carl Edwards finally made it back to victory lane on Sunday at Michigan International Speedway after 52 races with no Nextel Cup wins. He held off Martin Truex Jr. to take the checkered flag after dominating the later part of the race.

He celebrated with his signature back-flip on the start/finish line, then made his way to victory lane where he took a pair of scissers to team member Tom Giacchi's beard. Giacchi had vowed to not shave his beard until Edwards got another cup win. Over a year later, he finally gets to shave. They will do the complete shave on Speed Channel's Trackside next Friday night. I'm sure it will be some sort of Gilette Young Gun promotion.

Other noteable stories - Tony Stewart started 41st after a bad qualifying attempt and damaging the #20 Home Depot car in Saturday's practice. Stewart brought his car to a a 3rd place finish. Tony said that when the green flag dropped, he purposely fell back to 43rd so that he could say he came from dead last to whatever place he finished.

JJ Yelley sat on the pole, but was passed by 5-6 cars on the first lap and ended up finishing off the lead lap. I really thought this team had turned things around, but they obviously did not hit on the right set-up for this race.

Michael Waltrip not only qualified for the race, but finished in 10th place. That's pretty amazing after only qualifying for 3 races so far this year. Maybe they finally have things turned around. I doubt it.

Jimmie Johnson ran out of gas with 7 laps to go. His second bad finish in as many weeks.

Watch the video:

Final laps of the race and Carl doing his back-flip:

http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2007/06/17/cup.mic.final.nascar/frameset.exclude.html?MostPopular

Carl taking the sheers to his motorcoach driver's beard:

http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2007/06/17/cup.mic.winner.nascar/frameset.exclude.html?MostPopular

Leicht gets first Busch win at Kentucky

Steven Leicht got his first Busch win Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway. Kentucky is becoming know for first time winners after the unknown David Gilliland won last year. Some are calling the race the "Upportunity 300" given not many full time cup drivers are entering this race.

Leicht passed and held off his best freind Brad Coleman and veteran Scott Wimmer towards the end of the race.

The race wasn't without controversy. On a restart, Stephen Wallace took out leader Carl Edwards. Edwards had dominated the race up until that point, but apparantly Wallace did not like that. At least Carl bounced back into Wallace after hitting the wall, ending his night as well. I bet the old man (Rusty Wallace) sits the boy down and has a heart to heart with him.

Watch the video:

http://www.nascar.com/video/busch/2007/06/16/bg.ken.final.nascar/frameset.exclude.html?MostPopular

New Home Page

I have a new website. It is still under construction, but you can check it out at:

http:/www.freewebs.com/dahlyvh

Stewart Sounds off on Dale Jr. Moving to Hendrick

Tony Stewart gave his two cents on Dale Earnhardt Jr. making the move to Hedrick Motorsports on his weekly Sirius Satelite radio show on Tuesday Night:

http://www.nascar.com/video/audio/2007/06/14/sirius_stewart_junior_hendrick.PRN/frameset.exclude.html?NewReleases

JJ Yeley gets his first Nextel Cup Pole

Yey, Yey, JJ.... Today we finally see the Interstate Batteries #18 on the pole again at Michigan International Speedway. We havn't seen this since my boy Bobby Labonte was in the car. I've been a Yeley fan since he was in the Busch series and heard about the great he was in USAC. Tony Stewart talked him up and got him a job at Joe Gibbs Racing. When Bobby Labonte left the team, JJ moved up into my favorite car of all time.

JJ has been having a rough time at it, but this year there are signs of improvment. Today we put a period on that statement. A couple of weeks ago, he got a top five at the Coca Cola 600. I'm really pulling for this guy. He's got the stones, he's funny and just an all around good guy. Congratulations JJ on your first ever pole. Let's follow it up with a great finish at Michigan on Father's Day.

Watch the video:

http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2007/06/15/cup.mic.pole.nascar/frameset.exclude.html?MostPopular

Concert List

The following is a list of concerts I have been to over the years (to the best of my recollection). I am a music freak and have been to a bunch. Someone asked me how many shows I have been too once, so I started compiling a list and have kept a running tally on my computer. I've also saved all my concert and sporting event tickets since the mid-90's. It's funny how my music tastes have changed over the years. Some of my tastes of not changed though. Anyway - here is the list:

Petra – Beat the System Tour – 1985, Met Stadium
U2 – Joshua TreeTour, 1987, St. Paul Civic Center
BoDeans – Opening act for U2 Joshua Tree Tour, 1987
Belinda Carlisle – 1988, MN State Fair
BoDeans – 1988 Riverfest, St. Paul, MN
The Jets – 1988, MN State Fai
INXS – Kick Tour – 1988, Met Stadium
Steel Pulse - Opened for INXS – 1988, Met Stadium
New Edition – 1988, Met Stadium
Bobby Brown – 1988, Met Staduim
Bobby Brown – 1989, Met Stadium
Levert, - 1989, Met Stadium, opened for Bobby Brown
Janet Jackson, Rythem Nation Tour 1989 – Met Stadium
De La Soul – UW- Stout Field house, 1990
Voivod – UW - Stout Great Hall, 1990
Soundgarden – UW – Stout Great Hall, 1990
Faith No More – UW - Stout Great Hall, 1990
Skid Row – Slave to the Grind Tour - Roy Wilkins Auditorium, 1991
Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger Tour – Roy Wilkins Auditorim, 1991 – Opened for Skid Row
U2 – Zoo TV Tour – 1993 – Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI
Kiss – Revenge Tour – St. Paul Civic Center, 1993
Great White – Opened for Kiss, 1993
Trixter – Opened for Kiss, 1993
Kansas – Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI
Soundgarden – Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI
Alabama – 1993, MN State Fair
Trisha Yearwood – 1993, MN State Fair – opened for Alabama
Van Halen – Balance Tour, 1995, Target Center
Lalapalooza – 1996, Des Moines, IA. Metallica, Soundgarden, Waylen Jennings, Ramones, Rancid, Ramones
Metallica – Load Tour - 1997, Ames IA
Sammy Hagar – – Marching to Mars Tour - 1997, Des Moines, IA , Civic Center
U2 – Pop-Mart tour – 1997, HHH Metrodome, Mpls, MN
Sammy Hagar – Marching to Mars tour - 1997, Fargo, ND
Garth Brooks – 1998, Target Center
Motley Crue – Greatest Hits Tour - 1998, Roy Wilkins Auditorium
Kiss -, Psycho Circus Tour - Target Center,
Sammy Hagar – Red Voodoo Tour , 1999, Aquatenial Block Party, Mpls, MN
Junior Brown – 1999, Bunkers, Mpls, MN
Jack Knife and the Sharps – 1999, Bunkers, Mpls, MN – opened for Junior Brown
Brooks and Dunn – 1999, MN State Fair
Jack Knife and the Sharps – 1999, MN State Fair Bandshell
Metallica – 2000, Target Center
Kid Rock - 2000, Target Center
Sevendust - 2000, Target Center
BoDeans – 2000, Basilica Block Party
Styx – 2000, MN State Fair
REO Speedwagon – 2000, MN State Fair
BoDeans – 2000, Orpheum Theatre
Petra – 2001, Nortwestern College
Joel Hansen – 2001, Northwestern College
U2 – Elevation Tour 2001, Target Center
PJ Harvey – 2001, Target Center – Opened for U2
David Lee Roth – 2001 – Hairball at the Rock, Maplewood, MN
Jackyl - 2001 – Hairball at the Rock, Maplewood, MN
Warrant - 2001 – Hairball at the Rock, Maplewood, MN
Blue Oyster Cult - 2001 – Hairball at the Rock, Maplewood, MN
Kentucky Headhunters – 2001, Brewbakers, N. St. Paul, MN
Jack Knife and the Sharps – 2001, Brewbakers, N. St. Paul, MN – opened for Kentucky Headhunters
Alabama – 2001, MN State Fair
Kansas – 2001 – Wango Tango, Canterbury Downs, Shakopee, MN
Styx - 2001 – Wango Tango, Canterbury Downs, Shakopee, MN
Eddie Money - 2001 – Wango Tango, Canterbury Downs, Shakopee, MN
Loverboy - 2001 – Wango Tango, Canterbury Downs, Shakopee, MN
BoDeans – 2001 – Concert in the Park, Canterbury Downs, Shakopee, MN
Soul Asylum - 2001 – Concert in the Park, Canterbury Downs, Shakopee, MN
Jayhawks - 2001 – Concert in the Park, Canterbury Downs, Shakopee, MN
Martin Zeller - 2001 – Concert in the Park, Canterbury Downs, Shakopee, MN
REO Speedwagon, 2001 – Free Show, Lumberjack Days, Stillwater, MN
Vince Neil – 2001 – The Rock, Maplewood, MN
The Reverand Hortan Heat – 2001, First Avenue, Mpls, MN
Sammy Hagar – 2002, Alpine Valley, WI – Sam and Dave tour
David Lee Roth – 2002, Alpine Valley, WI – Sam and Dave tour
Tim McGraw – 2003, Xcel Energy Center
Ret Hot Chili Peppers – 2003, Xcel Energy Center
Queens of the Stone Age – 2003, Xcel Energy Center
REO Speedwagon – 2003, Xcel Energy Center
Styx - 2003, Xcel Energy Center
Journey - 2003, Xcel Energy Center
Metallica – 2003, HHH Metrodome, Mpls, MN
Linkin Park - 2003, HHH Metrodome, Mpls, MN
Limp Bizkit - 2003, HHH Metrodome, Mpls, MN
Mudvayne - 2003, HHH Metrodome, Mpls, MN
Sammy Hagar – 2003, Mystic Lake Casino, Prior Lake, MN
Alabama – 2003, Xcel Energy Center – Farewell Tour
Jack Knife and the Sharps – 2004 – Bunkers, Mpls, MN
BoDeans – 2004, Downtown Mpls – Aquatenial Block Party
Van Halen – 2004 – Xcel Energy Center - Best of Both Worlds Tour
Shinedog - – 2004 – Xcel Energy Center - Best of Both Worlds Tour
Van Halen – 2004, Resch Center, Green Bay, WI - Best of Both Worlds Tour
Shinedog - – 2004, Resch Center, Green Bay, WI - Best of Both Worlds
Jack Knife and the Sharps – 2005 – Some Ballroom in White Bear Lake
Jack Knife and the Sharps – February, 2005 Bunkers, Mpls, MN
Boogie Wonderland – April 29, 2005 – Diamonds, Ramsey, MN
Sammy Hagar and the Waboritas – May 10, 2005 – Onieda Casino, Green Bay, WI
INXS – May 2006, Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis, MN – Sean and Shawn Pade
BoDeans with Gear Daddies – Sept 2, 2006, MN State Fair
BoDeans – Spring, 2007, Mystic Lake Casino - Dawn

Dale Jr. Announces he has signed with Hendrick Motorsports

On Wednesday morning, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rick Hendrick announced that Jr. will drive for Hendrick Mortorsports next year. The rumors have been flying for a while and pretty much solidified yesterday, but now it is official. No word yet on the car number or sponsor.

It will be weird to see Jr. Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson on the same team. One writer compared it to the last member of the Hatfields joining the McCoys.

Watch the video: http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2007/06/13/junior.presser.open.nascar/frameset.exclude.html?MostPopular

Dale Jr. defects to Hendrick

Well, it looks like all the pieces are in place for the biggest move in modern day NASCAR history. Dale Jr. has scheduled a press conference later this morning. He is expected to announce that he will be moving to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008. It appears Kyle Busch will be the odd man out. You saw that coming with the way he has handled himself this season.

Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Dale Jr. all on the same team? The world as we know it is about to end. Cats and Dogs will start to get along. Monkeys will fly out of my butt.

The Jr. Nation is not going to know who to throw beer cans at anymore.

On top of all that, the rumor is that Kyle Busch will replace Jr. in the DEI number 8 car. Just think how many 8 Budweiser shirts will be thrown away if that happens.

Jeff Gordon wins rain shortened race at Pocano

Jeffy got another lucky win today at Pocono Speeway in Pennsylvania. After waiting out the rain most of the afternoon, the Nextel Cup boys finally took the track and ran for a couple of hours.

A NASCAR race is official once it reaches the halfway point. As it got close to halfway, pit stratagies started to play out and once again, we found Boy Wonder in the lead. As the rain started to fall, Ryan Newman dove low and almost passed Gordon just as the caution flag came out.

On top of all that, Jeff was having break problems and would not have won the race if it had gone the entire length.

Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin had the cars to beat all day. They still all ended up with top 10 finishes.

It just seems like Gordan has luck on his side again this year. Usually when things go this way for Jeffy, he ends up winning the championship. Hopefully things change once the Chase For the Championship starts at Richmond this fall.

Carl Edwards Wins Nashville Busch Race

Cousin Carl Continues to dominate the Busch series with another win on Saturday night at Nashville Speedway. He celebrated in victory lane with his third Gibson Les Paul trophy, but not before doing his signature back flip on the start/finish line.

The trophy at Nashville has got to me about the coolest trophy on the circuit. Carl showed what gentleman he was, when he gave the trophy to David Ragan's brother in victory lane.

Carl is a fan favorite and all around nice guy. He truly worked his way up from the short tracks of Missouri, passing out business cards that said "driver for hire" until he finally got noticed.

On the Nextel cup side, he has been winless for over a year and his motorcoach driver's beard shows just how long that has been. He said he would not shave again until Carl got another win, that was over a year ago. I'll try and find a photo of that to post sometime.

Here is the video of Carl's back flip:

http://www.nascar.com/video/busch/2007/06/09/bg.nas.final.nascar/frameset.exclude.html?MostPopular

Here is the victory lane celebration and interview:

http://www.nascar.com/video/busch/2007/06/09/bg.nas.winner.nascar/frameset.exclude.html?NewReleases

Kurt Busch loses 100 points and $100k

It was announced today that Kurt Busch got fined $100,000 and lost 100 driver and owner points for almost taking out one of Tony Stewarts crew members on Monday at Dover. Dude got of lightly if you ask me. NASCAR should have parked is Howdy Doody butt for a couple races.

Best Of's

OK, my freind Justin threw out a challenge on his blog to make a best of list of one of your favorite bands. I kicked it up a notch and did three. The next three posts are my best of's for my favorite performers, BoDeans, Sammy Hagar, and U2. Have fun with it and let me know what you think. Also, give me a best of list for one or two of your favorite bands. Holla Back.

BoDeans Best Of

Brian’s Best of List - BoDeans

Here is my list of my favorite BoDeans songs. These are songs that are my favorites and some that are fan favorites. Not all the fan favorites are mine, but they are catchy to the new fan and probably helped me get hooked initially. I would venture to say that the BoDeans are my favorite band right now and highly recommend them to anyone. Everyone that I have introduced them too, or taken to a live show has become a fan. The BoDeans are fronted by Sam Llanas and Kurt Neumann. Two lead singers whose voices really complement each other. They are from Waukesha, WI and are mainly a Midwestern known band. They have had some national exposure including the theme to the TV show “Party of Five.”

I recommend seeing them live. Those that live in MN or WI usually have several chances to see them a year, especially in the summer. Definitely a band that is better at an outdoor venue, but anywhere will do. Most people are surprised that they know a few of their songs, but just never knew who sang them.

1. Still The Night, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams: This is the BoDeans song a lot of people know, but don’t know who sings it. It is a fan favorite and, as Kurt puts it at every show, “this is a sing along song.”
2. Dreams, Outside Looking In: My all time favorite BoDeans song. I remember hearing it first when they opened for U2 on The Joshua Tree tour. They opened the show with this song and I’ve liked it ever since.
3. Only Love, Outside Looking In: The first BoDeans song I heard on the radio. I still remember I was driving somewhere in Minneapolis and the radio announced the BoDeans were named as the opening act for the upcoming U2 show (previously mentioned) and they played this cut. I liked it from the get go.
4. Say About Love, Outside Looking In: No story, just a good song.
5. No One, Home: I recently started liking this song, after hearing it live. I had always skipped over it before. It tells the story of a downtrodden alcoholic woman that can be found on the same bar stool every night. Great lyrics, great melody.
6. Good Work, Home: Another in concert fan favorite. Reminds me of an old 50’s rockabilly style song.
7. Naked, Black and White: One of my favorites. The song is about laying it all on the line with someone you love. Telling all. Kurt adds a great counter-melody to Sam’s lead vocal at the end of the song.
8. True Devotion, Black and White: Not sure what this song is about, but I’ve liked it for a long time. When I read the liner notes I think it is about an addict of some sort…
9. Good Things, Black and White: Probably the biggest “in concert” fan favorite. Another sing along song. The band could play the music and just let the crowd sing and a lyric wouldn’t be missed. Huge energy when the band plays this live. Usually the encore/last song of the show.
10. Paradise, Black and White: Interesting lyrics about having the good life when others don’t have it so good.
11. Idaho, Go Slow Down: I never knew what this song was about until Kurt explained it at a recent show I was at. He said he and Sam were on tour driving a van across Montana and broke down. They walked into a bar where they stood out and felt very out of place.
12. Closer to Free, Go Slow Down: The theme song to the TV show “Party of Five”. A fan favorite. Not one I listen to a lot, but it’s fun to watch the crowd get into it at a live show.
13. The Other Side, Go Slow Down: A song about suicide. Pretty dark song, but also kind of catchy. One of my best friends tried to kill himself and had the lyrics written out as his note. (I counted the pills 6 times, there’s 72).
14. Feed the Fire, Go Slow Down: Catchy, harder, fast tune.
15. (We Can) Live, Resolution: New song that I have grown to like. No real meaning to me.
16. Crazy, Resolution: See prior note
17. Hopes, Kurt Neumann - Shy Dog: A song about hopes and dreams from Kurt’s solo effort.
18. Words, Kurt Neumann – Shy Dog: Another cut off Kurt’s solo effort I enjoy.
19. Good Day to Die, Absinthe - A Good Day to Die: A song from Sam’s solo effort about his brother running away during his childhood. They found him dead in California. Not sure if it is true, but he uses his own name in the lyrics. Pretty Dark song.
20. Bully on the Corner, Absinthe – A Good Day to Die: A song about Sam getting beat up daily by a bully on the way home from Kindergarten. Not sure if it is true, but he uses his own name again. Another dark song.

Sammy Hagar Best Of

Brian’s Best of List – Sammy Hagar

This is a list of my favorite Sammy Hagar songs. I had to include Van Halen songs in order to make it complete for me. I don’t have much of the old Hagar stuff, as I don’t really like much of it. I don’t have all the “hits” or “singles” listed as they don’t always mean much to me. Also, many of the “in-concert” essentials are not included as I only like them live and in the moment, but skip through them when I am listening to the records. (Heavy Metal, I Can’t Drive 55, Mas Tequila, etc.). These are my personal favorites and nothing further. It would be cool if this list got you to listen to tracks they might usually skip over, or more than that, become a fan. Long live the Redrocker!

1. I’ll Fall in Love Again, Standing Hampton: One of my favorite old school Hagar Songs. I like the way it sounds very modern, but is 16 years old.
2. Winner Takes All, Over the Top Soundtrack: I always like this song, even before I became a true Hagar fan.
3. When the Hammer Falls, I Never Said Goodbye: I remember hearing this song soon after Hagar joined Van Halen. I’m not sure if this record was released before or after 5150 came out. I remember thinking that this song just really rocked. Another song that I liked before becoming a true Hagar fan.
4. Returning Home, I Never Said Goodbye: Just a song that I found likeable from the first listen.
5. Eagles Fly, I Never Said Goodbye: Great inspirational song, and always a good sing along song at a Hagar show.
6. Little White Lie, Marching To Mars: Hearing this song for the first time on the radio when I was living in Des Moines, IA was a big moment for me. It was the first post-Van Halen cut and it was different hearing Sam’s voice without Ed’s guitar and Mikey’s background vox. I was never a Hagar fan pre-Van Halen, so this was different for me. It also reminds me of my friend Justin driving down to Des Moines to see Hagar live on this tour.
7. Both Sides Now, Marching To Mars: Just a great song. When I think of my favorite Hagar songs, this usually doesn’t come up, but when I hear it, I always think, “This has got to be my favorite Hagar tune.”
8. Would You Do it For Free?, Marching To Mars: I liked the groove to this song from the first time I heard it. I also thought it was cool that Bootsy Collins played bass on this cut.
9. Red Voodoo, Red Voodoo: A song that sums up the Redhead lifestyle.
10. The Love, Red Voodoo: One of those songs I usually skipped over when I listened to the record. Honestly, I didn’t even know what record it was on until my friends Justin and Amy played it for their first dance at their wedding. I thought that was the coolest thing I had ever seen at a wedding. I pulled out my CD’s and found it and it soon became one of my favorites. Nothing better than a love song that actually rocks.
11. Dreams, 5150: One of the first songs I liked after I accepted Sammy as the new Lead singer for Van Halen.
12. Best of Both Worlds, 5150: When I think of a Van Halen concert, I think of this song. Also, when I hear this song now, I have the picture permanently burned in my mind of Justin doing the VH strut across the handicapped balcony at the Resch center on the reunion tour.
13. Love Walks In, 5150: Solid ballad. Apparently this song has something to do with Sam and an alien abduction.
14. Feels So Good, OU812: When I first heard this, I thought it was very different than Van Halen’s normal style. I have loved this song for years.
15. Mine All Mine, OU812: Again, something different from the normal VH style. Just a unique song that I have come to like in recent years.
16. When It’s Love, OU812: Another solid ballad.
17. The Dream is Over, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge: One of those non-hit songs that I have always liked.
18. The Seventh Seal, Balance: When Balance came out, I still wasn’t sold on Hagar. I still thought Roth was true VH. I bought this record and didn’t listen much. I was on an Alternative rock kick at the time. I saw VH live on this tour and thought this song rocked when they opened the show with it (after a long intro chant from the Tibetan Monks). Days after, I started listening to balance and thought his song just rocked.
19. Can’t Stop Lovin’ You, Balance: Great melodic rock song, great music video too.
20. Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do), Balance: Looking back, this song was a sign of things to come as far as the way Ed was taking his playing style. This song could fit on Van Halen 3. I know this has nothing to do with Hagar, but just a thought.
21. Take Me Back (Déjà Vu), Balance: I heard this song on radio when I first moved to Des Moines, IA. They had a station that played deep cuts and songs that were not hits. I had the Balance record, but wasn’t listening to it much. I was a great song at an uncertain time in my life – new city, no job yet.
22. Humans Being, Twister Soundtrack: This song rocks. I’d venture to say one of Hagar/VH’s hardest songs. Totally different. I remember when this came out; the future of VH was up in the air. It also reminds me heading from Des Moines, IA to UW-Stout for homecoming weekend. It was the weekend Mike and I snuck Justin’s Eddie Van Halen Standup out of the package and took pictures with Ed.
23. Deeper Kind of Love, Ten 13: Kind of a different sounding Hagar cut, but I always liked it. I also enjoyed hearing it live and stripped down during Sam’s solo time on the VH reunion tour a couple of years ago.
24. The Message, Ten 13: I love the mixture of piano and some hard rocking licks, mixed with some great background vox from Mona on this track.
25. Things’ve Changed, Not For Sale: A great low-key song. It also made me think, “wow – things have changed for Hagar over the years.”

U2 Best of

Here is my Best of List for U2. It is long, and I had a hard time shortening it. These songs are ones I consider my favorites, as well as some hits. These are songs I would suggest for a first time listener that is interested in the band. For someone just starting to listen to the band, I would suggest the Best of CD’s (80-90 and 90-2000). They are very comprehensive and include B-sides. I would say the U2 Best of CD’s are about the best put together I have ever seen for a compilation CD.

I started listening to U2 in the late 80’s when I was in high school and was going through a “new wave” (or as they call it now – alternative) kick. I was into bands like The Cure, INXS, Suburbs and many others. I had heard U2 on the radio before, but never really got into them until I heard The Unfogettable Fire and War records. I became an instant fan. Soon after, The Joshua Tree was released. I saw them on the Joshua Tree tour and never turned back. Since then, I saw them on every tour except the recent Vertigo tour.

1. I Will Follow, Boy: This song was U2 first single that I know of. It is off their first record. I got into U2 later in their career, but soon backtracked and found this record. Good tune, from the era when they were a Christian rock band crossing over to secular music.
2. Sunday Bloody Sunday, War: A song about the religious wars in Ireland. As Bono says, “this song is not a rebel song.” Always a popular tune in concert.
3. New Years Day, War: I remember seeing this video on New Years Eve one time on Friday Night Videos. Remember that show? A U2 standby.
4. Bad, Unforgettable Fire/Wide Awake In America: Great song, was one of them that got me interested in U2. The live version off Wide Awake in American is actually the one that has gotten more airplay over the years.
5. Three Sunrises, Wide Awake in America: A song I stumbled upon when I bought Wide Away. I always loved the music and background vocals.
6. A Sort of Homecoming, The Unforgettable Fire/Wide Awake in America: To the best of my knowledge this song is about the Vietnam Vets coming home and not getting any respect.
7. Pride (In the Name of Love), The Unforgettable Fire: The old standby about Dr. Martin Luther King. Was always my favorite U2 song growing up. Still love hearing it today.
8. The Unforgettable Fire, The Unforgettable Fire: Not much to say about this song, but a catchy tune.
9. Wire, The Unforgettable Fire: Another catchy tune.
10. Where the Streets Have No Name, The Joshua Tree: A great live song. When this song comes on in concert it just has a certain power. It ‘s one of those songs that builds and builds and than Bam! They usually enhance it with the light show. It was done best on the Zoo TV (Achtung Baby) tour. The stage show was like no other back then. Also, the performance after 911 at the superbowl was unforgettable. The names of all the 911 victims scrolling down behind the band. Wow.
11. With or Without You, The Joshua Tree: One of those songs you don’t think is that great, but if you are in the right state of mind or mood, it is unreal.
12. In God’s Country, The Joshua Tree: Very Catchy tune. I remember instantly loving it when I bought The Joshua Tree.
13. Bullet the Blue Sky, The Joshua Tree: Great song, especially in concert. This is one that Bono usually goes on one of his rants and draws out a speech and extends the song. Usually cool imagery done in the live show. One of U2’s harder rock songs.
14. Running to Stand Still, The Joshua Tree: A song about a drug addict. Another good live song.
15. Silver and Gold, Where the Streets Have No Name B-Side: I remember buying the B-side during the Joshua Tree era and wondering why this song didn’t make it on the record.
16. Spanish Eyes, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking for B-Side: See #15
17. Desire, Rattle and Hum: I remember when I first heard this song, I was amazed at how different it sounded from the U2 I was used to. I remember thinking when Rattle and Hum came out that U2 was really getting big. I mean, Rattle and Hum was being aired in movie theatres. I remember going to see it when it came out and being blown away. At that time seeing a movie/live show about your favorite band was unheard of on the big screen. I had no idea that this was just the start of something much bigger.
18. Angel of Harlem, Rattle and Hum: One of the hits from the Rattle and Hum era. Something different again.
19. Zoo Station, Achtung Baby: Great album opener and great live show opener. For a U2 fan, I again thought this was different than anything they had ever done, but that became a pattern over the years. I remember Bono elevating up from under the stage with all the big TV screens showing different images when I saw this tour at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI.
20. The Fly, Achtung Baby: Another different song for the time, but a great rockin song.
21. Even Better than the Real Thing, Achtung Baby: Great tune, a different video for it’s time.
22. Until The End of the World, Achtung Baby: Another great tune.
23. One, Achtung Baby: Well known slower tune that now shares the same name with Bono’s One Campaign. I remember thinking it was odd that the band made several different versions of the music video to this song. Every time I hear this, I think of watching Beavis and Butthead with Paul and saying, “Aunie, uno, uni, weanie.”
24. Mysterious Ways, Achtung Baby: A big hit from the Zoo TV era. The band had a belly dancer on stage for this song. The Edge ended up marrying her and they are still happily married today.
25. Beautiful Day, All That You Can’t Leave Behind: One of my favorite songs from the band. It just makes you feel good when you hear it. I gem hidden in a record that I never really latched onto.
26. City of Blinding Lights, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb: I would say this is my favorite U2 song right now. It’s modern, but also sounds a lot like the U2 era when I first got into them (Wide Awake/Unforgettable Fire). I highly recommend this song.
27. All Because of You, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb: A different style U2 song. Heavy distortion in the guitar – not much like the usual sound The Edge creates.

Edwards Wins Nextel Prelude to the Dream

Cousin Carl Edwards won the 3rd annual NEXTEL Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway Wednesday night. Eldora Speedway is owned by NASCAR driver Tony Stewart. Each year, Tony puts on this charity event to raise money for Kyle Petty's Victory Junction Gang Camp, that helps terminally ill kids.

This year, the race was available for purchase on Pay Per View. I bought the event and it was well worth it. What a great race. About 25 NASCAR drivers racing on dirt, along with a couple of NHRA drivers and the legendary 74 year old Red Farmer.

The feature race was exciting with Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch fighting to the last lap for the wind. Carl held them off and did his famous back flip at the start finish line when it was all over.

The fist heat race was exciting, with Ryan Newman and Bill Elliot flipping at the start finish line. Elliot wound up on his roof, while Newman landed back on all four wheels.

Kyle Busch made a bonehead move during the feature, causing a 4 car wreck, taking out Stewart and Bobby Labonte. Busch was able to keep going as was Kasey Kahne.

It's great to see these guys out there raising money for charity. None of the drivers were paid. They all volunteered there time, money and in some cases cars to appear at this race.

Watch the video: http://video.msn.com/v/us/dw.htm?p=33&g=2c40ee3b-5124-4647-a2fb-0a8ce361249c&m=us&pl=

Fun with Danica

I won't usually report on the Indy Racing League, but I couldn't pass this up. On Sunday, the Indy cars ran at the Milwaukee Mile. I like this track and usually go each summer for the NASCAR Busch and Truck races.

There was an on-track incident between Danica Patrick and Dan Weldon. I don't really care who was at fault, but wanted to comment on what happened after the race.

Danica approached Dan in the pits and shoved and grabbed him. What do you do if you are Dan Weldon? You can't push back. He kind of shooed her away like a fly. Pretty uncomfortable. It's kind of funny to watch. Especially after some of the other fits Danica has thrown in the last couple of years. Below is the video from Milwaukee.



After the race: http://www.todaystmj4.com/sports/local/7815917.html?video=YHI&t=a

The incident during the race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n0TMvEHwcY

Since I was posting video, I had to post Danica singing "Take me out to the ballgame" at Wrigley Field last year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8ZKJJQpgYg

Kurt Busch needs to be parked

Kurt Busch made another bonehead move during the Dover race on Monday. After taking out Tony Stewart, he decided it would be a good idea to come down pit road and hit Stewarts car while the crew was making repairs. In doing so, he almost took out one of Stewarts crew members, Jason Lee (no connection to Earl). Lee had to jump out of the way, or he would have been hit by the blue deuce.

NASCAR parked Kurt for the rest of the day and called him to the NASCAR trailer to discuss his actions. I'd love to have been a fly on the wall for that conversation.

There is no excuse for drivers taking out thier frustration on pit road. It puts crew members in danger. A driver has a 3500 pounds of steel around them, a crew member has a helmet and a fire suit. NASCAR needs to step up and park Busch for a couple of races. Penalties are usually issued on Tuesday or Wednesday, so we'll have to wait and see what happens.

When will the Busch brothers learn. They are probably the most hated 2 drivers by the fans and they keep pulling stupid moves on the track. A couple of weeks ago, Kurt and and his younger brother Kyle took each other out during the Nextel All Star Challenge. They were racing for a Million Dollars, but still. Mr. and Mrs. Busch have got to be proud of thier sons.

Watch the video: http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2007/06/04/cup.dov.two.nascar/frameset.exclude.html?MostPopular

Truex gets first win - a day late

The Dover race was rained out yesterday, but that didn't stop Martin Truex Jr. from dominating the field on Monday and getting his first Nextel Cup win.

He's not my favorite, but always fun to see someone get there first win. And it was at his home track as well.

One can only wonder if Truex will step up and become the number one driver at DEI now that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has announce he will not return to drive for DEI next year.

His win was overshadowed by the passing of NASCAR Vice President, Bill France Jr. Bill died peacefully today after a long battle with illness.

Watch the video: http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2007/06/04/cup.dov.winner.nascar/frameset.exclude.html?MostPopular

A good blog

The following link is my freind's blog. It hits on entertainment, music and things like that. I read it daily. http://www.teameck.blogspot.com/

It's me again

I'm going to try and enter posts again on my blog. I used to, and got lazy. A freind of mine has been doing regular posts on his and it has got me back into the groove (hopefully).