How one chooses to celebrate Easter is a personal decision. Some people will surround themselves with Easter Lilies, load up on candy, go on Easter Egg Hunts (sounds unnecessarily violent, if you ask me), get together with family for a traditional ham dinner, and many will go to religious services. There are countless options. Naturally, … Continue reading Top Five Easter Tunes, Mitch!
Rest in power, Barry Crimmins
I woke up this morning to the very sad news of Barry Crimmins’ passing yesterday. When I first met Barry in the mid to late 80s, I was an intern putting together 3-5 minute comedy segments to air on WFNX’s morning show and he was running comedy nights at the legendary Ding Ho in Harvard … Continue reading Rest in power, Barry Crimmins
Happy (Un)Valentine’s Day 2018
I'm thrilled to have signed on to be a contributing blogger to The Ash Gray Proclamation entertainment blog and this is my first piece for them. Instead of a dozen roses, I give you a dozen Anti Valentine's Day songs! Happy Valentine's Day! Or not. https://theashgrayproclamation.com/2018/02/14/playlist-anti-valentines-day/
The Duke’s Ten Halloween Tunes to Die For
I live in the bewitching City of Salem, the self-proclaimed capital of all things hallowed. Haunted Happenings delight visitors to the city for the entire month of October but for residents, at times, it can get a bit much. If self-preservation is an instinct one possesses, one needs to embrace the tunes! There are so … Continue reading The Duke’s Ten Halloween Tunes to Die For
International Overdose Awareness Day
It’s been a while since I posted a new blog entry and will do my best to change that over the next few weeks/months. Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. I have known many friends and loved ones who have battled addiction in all its ugliness and it seems to be so much more prevalent … Continue reading International Overdose Awareness Day
Music Therapy
Call it an occupational hazard from nearly twenty years of working in the music and radio biz but I often think in terms of song lyrics. Sometimes the most mundane conversations can trigger a lyrical response in my head. “Americans love their baseball.” Because I’m an American who is bored to tears by baseball I … Continue reading Music Therapy
Fairytale of Boston – Introducing Shane MacGowan onstage
When it comes to Christmas classics few songs warm the cockles of this cynical old heart like the Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York.” It’s simply the best! The song is almost 30 years old and still speaks volumes to many of us irreverent revelers. Too many Christmas Carols are just too damn sappy. I love … Continue reading Fairytale of Boston – Introducing Shane MacGowan onstage
Dad’s Letters Home from WWII – Volume 18 (The End)
This has been an incredible journey discovering and sharing all these letters. I have so many questions that I wish I found them when my Mom was still alive. However, this is the last letter I have and, fittingly, it’s not complete. The last page is missing. As I said before I never got to … Continue reading Dad’s Letters Home from WWII – Volume 18 (The End)
Dad’s Letters Home from WWII – Volume 17
Posting this letter on the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor seems so appropriate to me. That was such a defining moment for my Dad's generation and a catalyst for countless who joined the Armed Forces during WWII in the same way that those who joined the service post-9/11. FDR stated that it was a day that … Continue reading Dad’s Letters Home from WWII – Volume 17
Dad’s Letters Home from WWII – Volume 16
This letter came six months after the last one I posted, I’m guessing there were others but they seemed to have gotten lost over the past 70 years. My Dad was back in the states and hitting his folks up for cash. It’s interesting to think about how these servicemen moved around and the chaos … Continue reading Dad’s Letters Home from WWII – Volume 16
Duke of Dead Air 