1956 was quite the banner year for music and culture. Rock was really starting to grab the public at large and the bottom was falling out of the swing and big band genre. People like Harry James, who were treated the way rock stars are today, suddenly couldn't get bookings or draw audiences the way … Continue reading The (Fictional) Birth of Rock
Fifteen “Gilmore Girls” Songs
It's hard to believe Gilmore Girls is turning twenty-five this year. The show is going strong on Netflix and just recently appeared on Hulu as well, plus people are still asking for a second reunion show nine years and counting following 2016's A Year In the Life. It's pretty safe to say Stars Hollow isn't going … Continue reading Fifteen “Gilmore Girls” Songs
It’s A Wash
We're most definitely in the thick of fall now, and I say that because Placer County is typically late with the fall weather--as I've said before, we generally don't cool off too much until mid-October--but now we're getting rain and wind and all that stuff. Coziness...woo hoo! Naturally, the movies are starting to reflect Award … Continue reading It’s A Wash
You’re A Really Good Songwriter, John
A John Denver biopic? Far out! Oh, wait... Ah, biopics. As we all know, no one is really safe, especially musicians. Oh no. Songs and creative bursts make great filler, not to mention great fodder for montages. And we also all know that sometimes the results come out better than others. The 2000 TV movie, … Continue reading You’re A Really Good Songwriter, John
We’re All In This Together
I've heard things about Sunday School Musical, and when I found it on Tubi, curiousity got the better of me, not that there's much to ruin about the movie. Simply put, it is both a nostalgia hit and a train wreck, so averting the eyes is impossible, and anyway, it's an Asylum movie, so we … Continue reading We’re All In This Together
Supercilious Aliens From Alpha Centauri
Elvis has been getting a lot of well-deserved buzz lately, what with the Baz Luhrmann film being poised to win armloads of awards (see a complete list of nominations and wins here), not to mention the sad, untimely death of Lisa Marie Presley, so it's no shock that a lot of streaming services are running … Continue reading Supercilious Aliens From Alpha Centauri
Happy Again and Again: The Filmography of “Singin’ In the Rain”
The sun's in my heart and I'm ready for love... Who can forget Singin' In the Rain? Who can forget Gene Kelly dancing down the street singing the title song? It is magic. Pure film and pure magic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAI6hhsDNxc The 1952 movie is far from the only time the song has been featured on the … Continue reading Happy Again and Again: The Filmography of “Singin’ In the Rain”
Music Is A Dangerous Business
Performance is a tricky thing. Once upon a time I knew what that was like, which is why I was eager to see the 2019 film, Coda. Not to be confused with the 2021 Coda starring Marlee Matlin, this Coda follows the story of Henry Cole (Patrick Stewart), a famous concert pianist crippled by stage fright after the … Continue reading Music Is A Dangerous Business
The Toppermost of the Poppermost
Those of you who have read my Origins posts probably saw that I did a bit about the 2019 film, Yesterday. Since then, I've not only seen it in the theater, but when I was in South Dakota I bought it on Blu-ray at Target. I thought it would be one of those movies I'd let … Continue reading The Toppermost of the Poppermost
Reading Rarities: 100 Greatest Songs In Christian Music
At one time, contemporary Christian music was the fastest growing subgenre in the industry, and the years between 1969 and the year 2000 seem to be its golden period. Artists covered all genres and appealed to all age groups, making the secular side of the music business sit up and take notice. 2006's 100 Greatest … Continue reading Reading Rarities: 100 Greatest Songs In Christian Music
Reading Rarities: John Lennon In His Own Write
If he were alive today, John Lennon would be turning eighty this year. It's also the fortieth anniversary of his death. Kind of amazing, isn't it? Gee whiz, time flies. Once the Beatles had a number one song in America, lives that were already on fast-forward went into hyperspace. In 1964 alone, the group toured … Continue reading Reading Rarities: John Lennon In His Own Write
Taking Off the Mask
Time to rock out, all... It's always interesting when Christian artists (or any musicians) dabble in moviemaking, and 2008's The Imposter sports not one artist, but three: dc Talk alum Kevin Max, Kerry Livgren of Kansas, and Jeff Deyo, formerly of Sonicflood. Not to be confused with the Gary Sinise film, The Imposter follows Johnny … Continue reading Taking Off the Mask
Out of the Vault (At Last)
You guys. I'm going to see TobyMac tomorrow. My brother, sister-in-law, my nieces, my son, and my dad are going to be there too, because though a funny "Gift of the Magi"-ish coincidence, we all bought tickets. Oh. My. Word. Can we say, "LIT," or is that too last-decade? I've been a fan of TobyMac's … Continue reading Out of the Vault (At Last)
Be God’s
On September 20, 1997, I was at home reading my e-mail and saw Danl Blackwood's name pop up. My mouse cursor jumped to open it. I was on Danl's Rich Mullins mailing list, where he kept fans up to date on Rich news, interviews, concert schedules, and so on. Danl always had something fun for … Continue reading Be God’s
Origins: Yesterday
We've all heard of the Beatles. That goes without saying. Today's bands have to be some kind of something to be compared to them, and even if they're not, it's not uncommon to bask in Beatle glow (Bay City Rollers, anyone?). But what if someone woke up in a world where no one had heard … Continue reading Origins: Yesterday
Remembering Rick Elias
This past Tuesday Rick Elias passed away from glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was sixty-four. I grew up on his music, mainly through his work with one of my all-time favorite songwriters, the late Rich Mullins. Elias made numerous contributions to contemporary Christian music, or CCM, as it's called. Elias didn't release … Continue reading Remembering Rick Elias
Getting Through
Well, here we are... What if you discovered you or your child had a disability? How would you respond? As humans, we're used to making plans. We like to be in control of what's going to happen next. When those plans get derailed, it feels like the universe is coming apart. Then what? 1995's Mr. Holland's … Continue reading Getting Through
Taking Up Room 