Friday Football

Well, here are my picks for this week in the NFL. I must say that I'm not crazy about all my teams having a bye week so early in the season ... makes for a very boring Sunday. (But, no fear! I am going to the Phillies game with Willow tomorrow ... that should be a blast!)

Minnesota vs Tennessee
Denver vs Kansas City
San Francisco vs New Orleans
Arizona vs NY Jets
Green Bay vs Tampa Bay
Atlanta vs Carolina
Houston vs Jacksonville
Cleveland vs Cincinnati
San Diego vs Oakland
Buffalo vs St. Louis
Washington vs Dallas
Philadelphia vs Chicago
Baltimore vs Pittsburgh

I have been fighting a nasty cold, thus my negligence in posting over the last few days. I will be back on track next week.

I Guess Good Things Don't Change ...

Tuesday Trivia #2

Question: Tommy and Gina are named in three songs ... Living on a Prayer, Its My Life and _________? (post your answer below)


I didn't want to say it in this way
I didn't want to see the day
I'd say these words to you.
I didn't want have to explain,
Sometimes heroes have to lose...

Everybody knows the promise of the river.
Everybody goes with the fire in their eyes.
Everybody knows you can lead a horse to water.
But there's nothing anybody can do,
Rivers run dry.

Bon Jovi - 100 Million Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong
listen to the song

What a great line ... everybody goes with the fire in their eyes. This is one of those "why the hell didn't it make the record songs" for me. I loved it from the first moment I heard it and it continues to be one of my faves.

My Music Monday

People are always surprised that I'm a classically trained musician, considering the music I tend to listen to and the concerts I attend. So, I thought I'd take Mondays to focus on some of the music that has shaped my life and continues to inspire and excite me. And, surprise surprise, it is not ALL Bon Jovi - though today's album does actually have a Jovi connection (more on that later.)

You were standing at the station
That rainy night I left
You looked so fine, baby

I couldn't catch my breath.

Once I started running,

I never asked the cost.

Too many years and miles

To find out what I'd lost.

Some things can't be bought.

Everybody's colder now

lt's everywhere I go

I'm getting tired of living

In a world that's got no soul.

Coming Back

Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes
Often referred to as the Grandfather of the "New Jersey sound", Southside Johnny has been a staple in my listening library for longer than I can remember. What makes this band so great ... a few things -- the songs are timeless, Southside's voice and that horn section. I love Southside's voice ... its that "been around the block - seen it all" roughness that gets me. And I must repeat THAT HORN SECTION. Oh what I would give to play bari sax in that band!!

It is no surprise that Jon Bon Jovi was so influenced by SSJ and you can see it in Jon's performances - not imitation, but certainly influence. I highly recommend seeing the Jukes if they are performing in your area. Lots of energy. A little craziness and a sound you won't forget.

SSJ's "Better Days" album is one of my all-time favorites as well as "Reach Up and Touch the Sky" which has live tracks of all the classic Jukes tunes. For you Jovinuts, Jon makes an appearance on two tracks on "Better Days" including singing harmony on the absolutely fantastic "Soul's on Fire."

After three decades, the band is still doing shows and making records. Southside is just as crusty as ever (it really is part of his charm) and the musicians in the band are of incredible quality (maybe that's why Jon keeps stealing them ... LOL.)

For more, visit http://www.southsidejohnny.com/.

LET'S GET SIRIUS! SIGN UP HERE!

The radio saved my life tonight
The old song that the DJ played
Made me feel alright...

Driving down that lonesome highway
Just me and my dashboard light
The radio saved my life tonight.

The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
Bon Jovi


Sirius Radio announced that there will be an AC/DC channel .. yep, those crazy guys 24/7. Now, I have nothing against the Aussie rock powerhouse, but when-oh-when will we get Bon Jovi radio?!

(For those who aren't already aware, there is a great internet radio station out of Poland that does probably 90% Jovi ... they do play some wonderful rare and live tracks ... you can find them here .. simply click on the speaker icon on the right side under where you see Always-BJ Radio)

We need Sirius to step up and create a station for the boys ... so here's your chance to allow your voice to be heard ...

NFL Week 3 Picks

Kansas City vs Atlanta
Oakland vs Buffalo
Tampa Bay vs Chicago
Carolina vs Minnesota
Miami vs New England
Cincinnati vs NY Giants
Houston vs Tennessee
Arizona vs Washington
Detroit vs San Francisco
St. Louis vs Seattle
New Orleans vs Denver - sorry FM, you know I love ya and the Saints, but Cutler is hot this year
Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia
Jacksonville vs Indianapolis
Cleveland vs Baltimore
Dallas vs Green Bay - ok, it kills me to have to pick Dallas, but I am not convinved Rodgers is gonna stay as strong as he started
NY Jets vs San Diego

Jon Nominated to NJ Hall of Fame

TRENTON, N.J. — Actor Jack Nicholson, rocker Jon Bon Jovi and NBA star Shaquille O'Neal are among 30 nominees to the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

Members of the public will help select the 10 inductees for the hall's second class by voting online through Nov. 30.

"As with our first class of nominees presented in 2007, this assemblage of New Jersey Hall of Fame nominees is indeed impressive," Bart Oates, chairman of the hall's board of commissioners, said Tuesday in announcing the nominees.

The nominees are from the fields of arts and entertainment, sports, history and enterprise. Only people who lived in the Garden State for at least five years are eligible, though current residency is not required, hall spokesman Don Smith said.

Last year, the hall inducted 15 members into its inaugural class, including Bruce Springsteen, Yogi Berra and Frank Sinatra.

(Associated Press)

Tuesday Trivia

I drove all night down streets that wouldn't bend.
But somehow they drove me back here once again.
To the place I lost at love, the place I lost my soul,
I wish I'd just burn down this place that we called home.

Its Hard Letting You Go
Bon Jovi - These Days


TRIVIA QUESTION: What movie inspired Jon to write this song?

(ain't that just a breathtaking picture ... ahhhhhhhhhh)

These Days. Damn, I love that whole album. Easily, another of my "if stranded on a desert island" records ... ha ha Island Records ... okay ... not funny ... well maybe just a little funny ... c'mon! (For my non-Jovi friends, that is the label the band currently records on ... actually, the same company they've always recorded for ... just the name has been changed more times than anyone can keep track of ... some combination of the words Mercury and Polygram and Island.)

In any case, its Tuesday so that's trivia day (see question above.) That also means that football for the week has come to an end ... in this case except the Texans game which will be played sometime later in some place with some people.

MMQ (Part 2)
Record for Week 2: 10 of 15 ... should have been higher ... Saints should have won. And I knew I was taking a chance picking the Eagles, but you gotta support your home team, right? (Well, okay, maybe not if you're living in Oakland - ha ha ha) I must say, though, the Eagles/Cowboys game WAS something. Lots of long bombs. Moronic moves. Exciting turnovers.

So the Yankees have decided to finally start winning ... ummm ... hello ... couldn't have done this two months ago?!?

"In the Studio" with Jon and Richie

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary (can you believe it?!?) of their New Jersey album, Jon and Richie were guests on "In the Studio" to speak about the writing and recording of this spectacular record.

In my opinion, this album - which sold over 18 million copies worldwide and spawned hits like Bad Medicine, Lay Your Hands on Me and I'll Be There for You - solidified their place forever in rock-n-roll history, showing that their previous record (a little one named Slippery When Wet), was not a flash in the pan.

Bon Jovi on "In the Studio"

once you are on the site, click on Bon Jovi in the list at the left

MMQ - Week 2 (part 1)

Greetings friends! I am taking coffee intravenously trying to wake up after watching 10 hours of football yesterday. See ... the pain I go thru just for this blog ... LOL

So ...where do we even start with MMQ? (for those non-football people, that stands for Monday Morning Quarterback)

CRAZY PLAY OF THE DAY
By far, the game of the day to talk about is ... believe it or not .. Denver vs San Diego. OMG - the last two minutes were like an arena game - complete with bad officiating (you are sure to hear more on that once we hit Soul season...) In any case, so the blown call. The two-point conversion. The almost successful "hail Mary" pass. Dang!

HARD HITS
The hardest hit of football this weekend wasn't on the field ... it was on the sidelines. If you have a weak stomach, don't watch the video of Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis getting taken out on Saturday during the game against Michigan. Result? Torn ACL and MCL ... now he and his buddy Tom Brady can get a group discount on a physical therapist.

OTHER WEEKEND NEWS
So, my beloved Yankees are not going to make the post-season. That stinks particularly because I'd like to have a reason to watch TBS ... of course, its a Jovi thing ...

New Bon Jovi Baseball Video

How great that they used footage from the Central Park concert in July. Mistress, Willow and Hath ... yes, I have watched it repeatedly trying to see us.

MY PICKS
So .. how'd I do ... more on that later ...