Slingshot Records Blog

1st Installation -

Oh… this should be a hoot… Moi comparing Liberalism and Conservatism. A comparison from my goofy (read: disfunctional) mid-American, semi-Caucasian (with non-caucasian family members), and a slightly political transformed vantage point. Wait… I’m lost… OK, I’m back.

I decree that this shall be my first major, epic, yet humorous examination from my somewhat limited scope of the massive political divide in American. Hey, BOZO… please expect me to resolve NOTHING politically. And, in my own quaint way piss off folks from all political stripes - or, maybe not… you decide. Keep that in mind, and you should enjoy some fun reading.

Personally, this blog is being written mainly to define conservatism… since no one seems to know what it is in 2009 (Powell? or Limbaugh?). Don’t get me wrong, Liberalism is a currently a little foggy too. But. most folks are fine with any definition as long as it appears opposite to “W.”

Before we begin, let me start by stating that when I think of Liberalism I think of “Freedom”… In short: Liberal = Freedom… By that definition who can argue Liberalism as a bad thing? Hey, I’ve been set free (liberated) by the Son of God… ‘tait nothin’ grander!

OK, so when I think of Conservatism I think of “Conservation”… holding onto what is tried, tested, and true… quality/value and PROVEN TO BE GOOD… By that definition who can argue that Conservatism is a bad thing?

SIDEBAR — Yikes!!! As I write this in the background I’m hearing “Ms. Conservatism”, Peggy Noonan say that (para) she thinks that the US Government works best when Liberals are in charge of one branch of government, and Conservatives are in charge of another…
ie: “checks and balance.”

Let’s test my theory - See you in Installation #2

By the way, I’ve asked Stephen Lowe to assist my efforts in the next blog. Stephen is the author of an amazing new fiction book called “Rasputin.” Stephen’s new book covers much of what I’ve mentioned above… and for the most part, resolves NOTHING (his words). Join me in hoping that he’ll be a part of this fun politically defining journey. Besides, I need a sharp mind in this endeavor.

Recently, my brother joined his 7 yr old son on field trip with some other parents/children to a farm. They were all looking at a cow when the farmer began describing (paraphrase): “This cow is an dairy cow. She gets milked twice per day. She has 4 stomachs. She weighs XX lbs.”

Just then, to everyone’s horror one of my nephews schoolmates yells “THAT’S MY KINDA LADY!!”

Sort of like this:

Pretend that I’m am the mayor of our city. And, I have told you constantly that I was 100% behind your Rood Construction business. You always donate to help my re-election. Yet, year after year my main concern is replacing current modes of transportation with a monorail system. I campaign constantly that monorails are the way of the future… environmentally clean, safer than cars, no dead rubber trees, etc…. no need for roads. Wouldn’t I be undermining your business?

Isn’t that basically what Washington is doing to the car companies/auto unions year after year??

Washington says: “The US can’t do without GM, etc.” They take union money year after year. Yet, they refusing to allow oil drilling in the US. And, by using questionable global warming info they are trying to push through Cap and Trade legislation that will tax the “bad, bad” gas powered engine into history?… Detroit’s (and the Auto Union’s) #1 product. Do the union bosses not see this? How many regulation hoops are the unions going to allow Washington to make them jump through??

And, couldn’t we have skipped the whole Auto Bailout since they have declared bankruptcy ANY FREAKING WAY??

Odd times we’re witnessing.

Ever spoke or behaved in a way that you regretted a short time later?

Ever seen something that you thought was just “too cool” and soon it turned your stomach because you knew you had to speak the truth about it?

Ever thought that you were in the precise place for your advantage and nothing happened?

Ever swore that you knew for sure the truth only to find that you were dead wrong?

Ever wrapped your arms around what you thought was your “pot of gold” only to find it was just another old, black soup pot?

Ever said to yourself “finally, my ship…” and months later it hasn’t moved?

Ever sat down to a feast that turned out to be rancid?

Ever cringed and waited for a horrible impact…

only to be engulfed by a gentle, warm flood of uncontainable blessing?

“Weeping may endure for a night. But, joy comes in the morning.”

Last Saturday my oldest daughter was watching her favorite cartoon - Dinosaur King. She doesn’t watch a lot of TV on Sat mornings, but this is the one show that she hates to miss. She’s been a fan of it for over a year. Anyway, I was in the another room when I heard her exclaim: “Hey!!! All these dinosaurs do is fight.” As if she’s been glued to this show for over a year hoping one day the dino’s would all go ice skating… or to a concert or something… too funny.

I have a new found respect for President Obama. When I stumbled on this YouTube video of Obama belting out “Looking For Love” with Kings X… the man has pipes… and, he thumps some mean bass. Hey, the studio version is even better - Ha!

Dug who???? Keegan Michael Key better watch out… Dug Pinnick might steal his job as an Obama impersonator.

Somebody tell me what other blogger has found such a whacky connection???

Check out:

So what does one do with a minor 3rd?? I guess if you’re smart… you earn a buck.

Goodness… look at how that silly C to A chord movement from the 70’s, 80’s, etc has generated income.

Let’s look at some of the artists who used the A to C, & C to A (minor 3rd) movement in recent history:

AC/DC - Kicked In The Teeth Again
Nugent - Cat Scratch Fever
REO Speedwagon - Ridin’ The Storm Out
Pat Travers - Snortin’ Whisky
Van Halen - Somebody Get Me A Doctor
Van Halen - Mean Streets
Van Halen - Hot For Teacher
(Get the idea?.. Oh, yes.. I’m a fan of Edward and his minor 3rd interpretations.)
Black Sabbath - The Mob Rules
ZZ Top - Heard It On The X
Guns & Roses - Night Train
Motley Crue - Kickstart My Heart

Throw a D one top and who rears their head?
AC/DC - Whole Lotta Rosie
Journey - Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’

Can you suggest any others?

Aspen Grove Christian Church, (formerly the W Building in Cool Springs) in conjunction with Slingshot Records, announce the launch of “Writer’s Night at the Grove”. AGCC aka “The Grove”, located at 274 Mallory Station Rd, will open up their Cafe once a month to allow Christian songwriters a place to share their material, techniques and inspiration. The kick-off will start during GMA Week on April 19th at 6:30pm with a free featured performance from David Levi. David, an accomplished writer and graduate of Belmont University, is promoting his new CD “Lift Up Your Head.” Beginning in May, “Writer’s Night at the Grove” will continue on the 4th Sunday of each month at 6:30pm. Writer’s Nights at the Grove are free and open to the public. Interested songwriters should e-mail inquiries to: bookanartist@slingshotrecords.org

01/14/09 Gee, I hate having to write political blogs… I’m a musician… what do I know? And, I can certainly agree that all Presidents make BAD decisions. But, I can’t take anymore Bush bashing about Iraq. So here’s the deal - I’m flipping by Boston Legal tonight and I hear some military General friend of the Denny Crane character say: “So, he lied… do you think it’s the 1st time a President has lied to get us into a war.”

Enough already!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so tired of hearing that false mantra.

I will now explain how/why it is IMPOSSIBLE that Bush lied about WMD to get us into war. Did you hear that? IMPOSSIBLE. Besides the fact that concern over WMD was only one of the many reasons listed for invading Iraq. And, please be understand that I’m quite unhappy with many aspects of W’s Presidency… mainly, the time betweem Katrina to the ultra-unnecessary Bailout… and the fact that he rarely defended his own decisions. BUT, the Afghanistan and Iraq wars are among the few quality decisions that I think the man ever made. Keep in mind that part of the strategy (or should I say “Strategerie”) was/is to drain terrorist resources on foreign soil so the homeland (America) remains battle-free. SO FAR, SO GOOD.

Here’s why the statement “Bush lied about WMD” is simple ignorance or just a plain LIE itself:
* The 1st Gulf War was never finished… we were in a cease fire. And, Iraq had begun shooting at US aircraft again — Catch that? Violating the cease fire. Thus, begging for a fight… By 1999 USAF pilots were reporting Triple A smoke from ground positions. Not to mention Saddam’s plan to assassinate Bush 1. My point is we’d BEEN AT WAR WITH IRAQ SINCE THE GULF WAR…. AND WE WERE STILL AT WAR WHEN WE INVADED… which Saddam could’ve stopped at any time.

* EVERY (again, that’s “EVERY”) Government on the planet including leading US political figures like: Bill, Hillary, Gore, and Kerry believed that Saddam had WMD - (re-read this one and let it soak in, won’t you.) Oh… and, Saddam could’ve come clean at any time… thus, stopping the madness at any time.

* Saddam ignored Umpteen UN mandates to come clean about his WMD programs. (This shows foolish moxie on Saddam’s part). BTW - David Kay’s report showed he still had the capacity to produce WMD. Wouldn’t it be best “connect the dots” before a tragedy occurs? Meaning: the “Tragedy” that WE all thought would happen any day after 9-11.

* Saddam was given a year to clean house before we invaded… A YEAR! Did I mention that at any point he could’ve stopped the madness?

* Uh - oh, let’s all remember that Saddam used WMD on the Kurds, and Iranians… murdering the innocent. Don’t those innocents deserve the same respect as the innocent in Darfur, Bosnia, etc? Doesn’t that fact that Saddam used WMD constitute his capacity to have and use… well.. WMD? Hey… side note, didn’t US troops find large numbers of anti-chemical suits and chemical warfare medicine early in the invasion?

* Now, follow me here… Remember in all the “bad cop” police dramas the bad cop always does what?… hmmm… PLANTS a weapon at the scene of the crime to create suspicion and try to make the crime scene appear valid. Wouldn’t Bush have the military plant WMD in Iraq to save him the badgering and embarrassment that would surely commence if no WMD was found?

* Finally, those who vehemently HATE Bush often infer (or out right say) that “he’s a stupid idiot.” Sorry, but it’s just not possible to be an evil genius who tricks the world into war by claiming WMD, and an idiot at the same time.

What’s my point? Bush, Congress, and the rest of the world made a mistake. No lying… just a mistake about WMD… (can you say “Syria”?) and, I would say wisely erring on the side of caution… TO DRAIN TERRORIST RESOURCES ON FOREIGN SOIL. Bin Laden calls Iraq the “central front of the war on the infidels.” So, by keeping the war overseas and the homeland free of terrorist attacks for the last 7 years I’d say: “Mission Accomplished”

Imagine the sheer outrage if Bush hadn’t done anything and we were attacked again soon after 9-11 (as EVERYONE expected)… I believe impeachment would’ve been the least of his worries.

Am I wrong here….?

Cue the music and the somewhat hefty female vocalist.

Jan, 2009 - Slingshot Records is excited to announce the signing of Christian Pop/R&B artist Tommy Job to their roster for live bookings. Tommy first came to the attention of Slingshot Records through his manager, Brenda Cline who owns the artist management and development company NashRock Entertainment. With a powerfully soulful voice that has been compared to Michael McDonald and Michael Bolton, Tommy has touched the hearts of thousands with his melodious mix of Pop, R&B, and Gospel for an amazing Adult Contemporary sound. Everyone involved is expecting Tommy’s musical career to grow quickly based on his amazingly soulful voice, musical and songwriting talents, and his kind heart. Check out samples of Tommy’s new release, “New Song Of Praise” at his website www.tommyjob.com