AN is the artist-in-reverence at Buon Natalie Music.

Erie, PA: it's great on the lake.

I am on staycation through Monday while our Moms are visiting from Erie, PA.

My wife Kathy & I grew up in Erie, got married & had 3 of our 4 kids there before moving to Nashville (1982) & then Stamford, CT (1984). Both of those moves were music career-related and resulted in opportunities that are simply not available in a smaller metropolis.

I often wonder what life would've been like had we stayed in Erie. Erie will never be mistaken for a music center but I have many musician friends there who have managed to carve out happy lives for themselves. Most have "grown-up" day jobs and are still playing though gigs for live bands have dropped dramatically over the last 25 years thanks to DJs & karaoke.

I guess I'll never know the full ramifications of my decisions until my personal judgement when the archangel cues up the video of my life & hits the play button.  

The Pope's UK tour.

It comes as no surprise that British atheists are cheesed-off over the Pope's UK visit.

"If there were no God, there would be no atheists," said G. K. Chesterton.

Lift high the cross.

I could be ashamed about many things. The cross of Jesus is not one of them.
http://ping.fm/ebaKH

Winning Big.

I have decided to take the Publisher's Clearing House winnings in annual payments as opposed to a lump sum. (Trying to learn from MC Hammer's mistakes.)

Nine years later.

"Those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say." Pope John Paul II

Pizza Fridays

Growing up in Erie, PA's Little Italy, I could always count on Mom's home-made pizza on Fridays. Years later the Friday/pizza association remains. When I was very young there were no meat toppings because of the Friday abstinence. I loved anchovy pizza. And as strong as it is, the smell of anchovies in a Caesar salad takes me all the way back.

Falling flat.

I saw this in a recording studio thread: "A producer stopped a BGV [back-ground vocal] session and said in the talk-back mic, "Who's singing this note right here?" He said all of those words while singing the note that was bugging him. The BGV singer, to be funny, replied singing the same note, 'I am.' The producer said, singing the same note, 'You're fired.'"

Jewish-Italian Recipe.

I wishes my Jewish friends a "happy & sweet new year".

In hope we were saved.

Hope is the neglected middle child between faith & love.

I am grateful for gainful employment & pray for economic justice & hope for the underemployed. Restful Labor Day to you!

I love to hear the ladies speak Italiano in the check-out lane at the grocery store. La bella lingua.