Lloyd Thaxton's MOUSE CLIQUE

It's A Small World After All ...

2012-03-14T09:51:00.001-07:00

As most of you know, we've been hit with some heavy-duty grief in the rock world over the past month-and-some: Whitney Houston, Davy Jones (of Monkee fame) and Ronnie Montrose (famed guitarist who worked with Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs and others) to name but a few.

Now, the guy up there in the photo may not be as familiar, but he was just as important. Though he wrote the hit You're Sixteen for Johnny Burnette (later covered by Ringo Starr), did work on Mary Poppins, The Parent Trap and Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang, he's probably best-known for one specific song that has been on kids' lips for years.
And why kids?? Why, didn't you know??

It's A Small World (After All)

But Bob's death came only days after the loss of a highly-popular and intensely funny comedian -- one who became known as Mr. President because he was a double, both in face, expression and looks, of George W. Bush!
We'd seen Steve Bridges more often on late-night talk shows like The Tonight Show and The Late Show with Craig Ferguson , and were blown away by his accuracy in portraying the former Commander-In-Chief (especially that Bush "laugh", when he'd hunch his shoulders ...).
Once, he was able to address then-President Bush himself ... and -- well, here's what happened!

Stay tuned ...

But ... Where Are They NOW??

2012-03-10T15:04:00.000-08:00

A reader from Schenet ... Scenectod ... Schenectad ... Long Island, NY, remarked that he and his friends dug the following post. Thought some of our newer readers would get a kick out of it. Soooooo ... here ya go:

Let's face it, Mousers: some bands make it, some don't ...

and, while Uncle Lloyd gave plenty of exposure to some of the day's top bands, it was no guarantee they'd make as big a splash as The Beatles, beards and boppers of that "British Invasion." In fact (and although they never made it to the guestlist of Thaxton's show), there's only one member of that band up there (known as Chameleon Church) who actually broke through the ranks and hit the proverbial jackpot! And it wasn't as a musician ...

It was the drummer -- a chap named Chevy Chase.

The point is (as the point was, as the point will be. Wait -- what was the point again?? Oh ... I remember now ...) that our generation influenced everything from great comedy (Chase) to great politics (okay, it's a stretch, but let's go with it for now ...) like Reps. John Hall [guitarist, Orleans . Remember [You're] Still the One?) and the late Sonny Bono, to movie dudes like Billy Bob Thornton and Tommy Chong (of Cheech and ...). They all cut their public teeth on the music!! Remember when I mentioned how baby-boomers seem to be "snubbed" these days (readallabouddit here)?
Well, courtesy our gee-tar slingin', longhair generation, seems we're still making a noticeable impact on society! Whether it's in the music or in the Capitol rotunda, you just can't get away from us!
And you never will ... (maniacal laughter follows while, in background of our dark cave-of-a-laboratory, volatile chemicals bubble and steam in vials ... who knows what we have planned next??)

Here are some shots of bands that didn't quite make the national cut back in the day ... but ... there's ... someone ... we ... know ... in these groups. Can you figure it out??
First, there's Tico and The Triumphs. Together, these kids had a great act -- but Tico, himself, had a very unique style about him (he's the dude at the top).

Why, you could almost call it ... the sounds of silence! (awww, do I haveta spell out his real name for ya??)

The country-rock of a little band called CARP admittedly didn't thrill a lot of fans.

But their drummer (left rear in pic. I mean, he's on the left, in the back row. When finished, his rear left with him ...) did okay for himself. Though a little gonzo now, he would've gotten Buddy Holly's respect a few years ago (c'mon ... guess the acto ... er, guy ...)

Now, Mouskiteers if ya don't get this one right, ya get the required 40 with a wet noodle!
Though both Bobby Taylor and his Vancouvers enjoyed limited success, can you imagine what coulda happened to the band if they'd gotten a gig on Uncle Lloyd's show?
Especially that ... that guitarist on the left (in the pic). I ... I can't ... quite make out the features, man! It's like my vision's kinda covered with a purple haze or something ...

Was that too subtle??

WEIGHT A MINUTE!!!

There are so many people now looking for dietary aids, especially in view of recent reports that state we've become a very heavy nation!! Of course, the fact that Spring is just around the corner and shorts, bathing suits, etc. will be coming out makes them even more necessary!
Now, one of the most successful weight-loss products still causes people to ask is apidextra safe?
Well, let's just say that it's the top dietary product of 2012, has clinically-proven ingredients and also has many testimonials about its effectiveness and safety. You'll also have a chance to choose which form of apidextra you'll feel most convenient for you!
And by clicking the link I just gave you, you'll also find where to get them online and at the best prices!!
So get your body ready for the great season to come ... and, all you have to do to make that happen is click the link you just passed!
Believe me, when you see the results, you'll be completely

Hot-Rod "Buzz" Thaxton

2012-03-10T14:21:00.001-08:00

One thing that Uncle Lloyd shared with me was the thrill he felt when he was presented an old "kandy-apple red Hot Rod". That was pretty evident when he emailed me the story and signed it "Buzz" Thaxton. Now, somebody's got his pride-and-joy sittin' in his garage (or hung up on a wall) somewhere! Maybe YOU know whodunnit ...
Here's the story:

CLIQUERS!! HAVE YOU SEEN Lloyd's candy-apple red Hot Rod??

Let me quote the Chief from his April 15, 2006 post:

"Now this wasn’t just any old HOT ROD. This was a hot rod built and designed by famed custom car designer and builder George Barris. Barris designed the 'Batmobile' for the Batman TV series, 'The Munster’s Koach,' and hundreds of other fantastic custom cars for movies. He is 'The King of Kustom.'

The George Barris designed Lloyd Thaxton Hot Rod was a 1930 Model A, using a big Buick engine with MT manifold and carbs. The Body was channeled 10" over the frame for lower effect. It was painted with a kandy apple red paint job with black leather interior. It was really 'boss.'"

During one of his early shows ('62 or '63, pre-LTS. It was a 90-minute show he did for KCOP in L.A.), he awarded the car to some lucky winner (LL didn't know who it was, but, man, was he [or she] luck-EEEEE!!)

So, Cliquers, if you know or can find out who won the Lloyd Thaxton Hot Rod, let me know. He'd been searching for that HOT (forgive me, Paris Hilton, but I hadta use that word!), Kandy-Apple Red number for years. As he said, "I just hope the guy who won it is still driving it or, at the least, has it mounted on his bedroom wall (I wanted to do that with my bike but I didn’t have the nerve)."

BALLARD STREET BLUES

When Lloyd sent me a couple of 'toons by Jerry Van Amerongen (Ballard Street was his favorite), I couldn't help laughing. Not just because they were funny (which they were) or that the dude actually had me pegged (except for the wisp of hair, the weight and the age), but because, at the time he sent them, I was actually living on Ballard Street in Ashland, Kentucky!!

Someday, I hope to live up to the character shown in the pic on the right ...

STEEL A GOOD IDEA!

For any of us who have a lot of "stuff" to save, a garage is a "must-have". Not only does it protect our belongings but also our old Bolt-Bucket Deluxe (ie, "car") from the elements.
And the best type to buy are metal buildings that can withstand the wind, rain and harsh weather.
Of course, if you find them in a store, you know you're going to pay a pretty penny for them ... providing they carry the type that you want!
But did you know you can get just the type you want, from a certified factory -- and save big money in the process? It's true, and all you need to do to get things rolling is click the link I gave you a moment ago!
Not only are these the most reliable of metal buildings, but they tell you that all you need is a few weekends with your buddies (hey ... that sounds good!) and you can have it together before you know it! Sturdy, great-looking, roomy and accommodating -- and at a great price!
Who could ask for more??
So click on that link today ... and have a building you can be proud of in just a couple of weeks!

Michael Clarke's Amazing Gift (PLEASE READ!!)

2012-03-07T17:20:00.000-08:00

Since so many emails have come in with requests for the PSA I mentioned (as well as his pic), I'm running it, in its entirety, here. WARNING: What you're about to read is graphic and VERY strong! But let your kids read it ANYWAY; it was Mike's wish, and is the STRONGEST message I've EVER read about the pitfalls of drinking:

"Dear Young Friends,

You don't know me, but I am in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame. I was the drummer for "The Byrds." We were almost as popular as "The Beatles." Back in the 60's everyone knew who we were. Your parents will remember, I was a famous rock 'n roll superstar. My band performed for millions all over the world. Our songs, "Mr. Tambourine Man," "Eight Miles High" and "Turn, Turn, Turn" are still played constantly on the radio. Our concerts were often sold out. I made a lot of money and had everything going for me including a problem I want to share with you. I was a drunk. Alcohol killed me on December 19,1993 when I was only 47 years old. It's embarrassing to have to share with you my stupidity that resulted in my death. But you need to know that what happened to me can happen to you. Honest to God, it can. Dying of alcoholism is not an easy death. You have a right to know the truth. Really, you need to know the whole truth.

Don't stop reading my letter yet. What I am about to tell you is real serious. It is no lie. It is time for you to be told the facts of drinking too much beer, wine or distilled spirits. You need to know the facts about the horrible death I suffered and the excruciating pain and embarrassment I went through at the end. I did not die of too many drugs like coke or pot. I died of too much alcohol which is really the most lethal drug of all. Trust me, this is no jokel

When I died I weighed only about 75 pounds. I had been a great looking teen and handsome man who was 6'2" and my normal weight was 175 pounds. I was a real lady's man and women loved me when I was healthy, but right before I died I was a horrible mess. My face was unrecognizable to my family and friends. You would have shuddered from the sight of me, I looked like a walking skeleton. I was so weak, I couldn't even smile.

I started drinking alcohol when I was 14 years old and until two weeks before I died, I could hardly remember ever being sober again. Sometimes when I was drunk I was mean. I am sure some of my friends could no longer stand me. I am lucky I did not kill anyone driving drunk and wind up in prison. For years, I would drink a 2 litre bottle of vodka almost every day and while I was performing I would drink beer on stage in between songs. When I was young I did not care about what would happen when I got older and just kept drinking, but believe me, when you grow up you want to live a full life. I know I did, but I robbed myself of about 30 years that I could have had fun with my fame and money and I cheated my son out of having his father. Please believe me when I say, "I wish I had never taken the first drink. I wish I was alive today."

I got hooked, that's right hooked on alcohol. It is addictive just like crack cocaine and many people like myself find it impossible to stop. We are called "alcoholics." And for people who start and get hooked and cannot stop, it is a fatal disease and can lead to other serious problems like teenage pregnancy, child abuse, crime and premature accidental death. For a young person alcohol is an illegal drug. Alcohol is more harmful than all the other illegal drugs combined. I know you can get it easily; I did. But don't be stupid like me. Too many beers or other alcoholic beverages can ruin your life. If you get hooked you may not finish school and get a good job, you may lose your health and friends and family. I did other drugs too, but none like alcohol. Alcohol is so addictive that I warn you if you get hooked you may not be able to stop by yourself or even if you get help. It is that powerful.

Right before I died, my liver disintegrated inside my body. You could see pieces of it breaking off in my guts with a special type of x-ray picture taken called a sonogram. When I died my liver was the size of a dime. My pancreas and kidneys were also affected by my drinking. Because I destroyed my liver with alcohol, my wastes had no way to leave my body and as a result my testicles swelled up to the size of a basketball. You can't even imagine how painful they were. It was like someone took a sledge hammer and hit them about 1000 times and wouldn't stop. My chest, stomach and legs swelled up so huge I was the size of a summa wrestler. I could hardly move. My eyes turned yellow and my skin was discolored from the toxic wastes in my body. I had to go to the hospital so the doctors could drain the poisonous fluid from my abdomen to keep me from exploding. They inserted a catheter into my bladder through my urethra to draw off the urine into a plastic bag attached to my leg with an elastic strap. I screamed with the pain. I lost all my dignity and there was nothing more they could do to save me, so they sent me home to face death.

All of my vital organs stopped functioning and my body started to shrivel from the inside. The pain was so unbearable that even the morphine they gave me didn't help. I couldn't eat and I felt nauseated all the time. They gave me suppositories for the nausea but they did no good at all. I knew I was soon going to die. Believe me when the end comes, it is not like you think. I didn't want to go. Two weeks later I died. Before I died I made my soulmate, Susan Paul, promise me to get this message to you. Please, please I say to you with tears in my eyes, say no to alcohol the worst drug of all and if you already have a problem with it, plead with your parents, your doctor or friends to get you help.

If you are drinking at your age you are abusing alcohol. Let me warn you that you face a crisis in your life. You might live to be 47 like me and then die a nightmarish death like I did, or you could be killed or disfigured today in an alcohol related crash. And if you drink too much alcohol in one sitting, alcohol poisoning will shut down your breathing and you will die.

Alcohol is a bad drug and a bad trip. Please think about what I have told you. Look what it did to me. It could happen to you too. So if you drink, stop! If you can't stop do everything in your power to get help. If you haven't started drinking yet, don't even take the first drink. My first drink eventually killed me. I don't want to see what happened to me happen to any of you. Trust me, you don't want to suffer like I did, really, it's no joke.

God Bless you all,

With all my love,
Michael Clarke
Drummer for The Byrds"

Now, most of you remember the Mike Clarke in the first photo, taken when he was with The Byrds. The middle one, I understand, was taken when he was in his late thirties.
The last one ... was taken a little over an hour before his death.
It's this writer's hope that, somehow, Michael's message gets through to EVERY young person. If you or yours are fortunate enough NOT to have a drinking problem, please SHARE his message with someone! Thanks ...

WELCOME BACK, COTTER ...

As everyone who's ever driven a car, fixed a water pump, or worked with any large machine can tell you, a cotter pin is extremely essential to their smooth operations. These strong and dependable fasteners are sturdier and more dependable than any others on the market!

Now, there are a number of hardware stores that stock these, but, more often than not, their selections are limited. You should be able to find just the pin you want for your project ... and, by clicking the link you just passed, you'll find not only the widest selection available but also the diameter, coating, type and length you want! You'll also appreciate the wallet-friendly prices ...
So why not click on that link right now, before you start your next project?? You'll be glad you did!!

Sync A Song, Uncle Lloyd

2012-02-26T13:07:00.000-08:00

Long before there was Ashlee Simpson or Milli Vanilli, there was Action Thaxton, King of the Lip Sync.

There was no hit record that was immune to Uncle LL's "special" treatment. From Roger William's Summer Wind to Dylan's lonnnng, commercial-interrupted Desolation Row, he could take the most serious song, unravel its melodic threads and re-weave it into a hilarious musical quilt (I was gonna say "Afghan," but that's too controversial these days. So I plead quilty).

One of his most popular was a fully-costumed sync of Jay and The American's hit, Cara Mia. Outfitted in complete operatic regalia (helmet with long horns and tunic, two items borrowed from the Warner Bros. lot after Elmer Fudd's Looney Tunes™ opera scene with Bugs Bunny), he mouthed Jay Black's vocals perfectly -- even the lonnnnnng, high note that Jay hit in the last full verse.

After that "performance", you can say what you will: Whether it's with Raynor, Black or the new "Jay (Reneike), Uncle LL will still be the soul behind "Cara Mia".

NOW ... FOR THOSE WHO ASKED ALREADY (and we've been on just a coupla days now):

We've got a few new Mouskiteers from Rock-Talk and Facebook, and they wanted to see a vid of the Head Cheese in action. Therefore, from a 1966 episode, I present to you:

'Nuff said?

Advice From The Chief ...

2012-02-19T21:13:00.000-08:00

I was recently asked to re-post this by some avid LT fans ... and I'm more than happy to do it:

It's a play on the old Henny Youngman joke from years ago, but, in a way, the wordplay isn't that far off ...

Y'see, Lloyd was a big believer in people-potential ... and was particularly proud of the baby-boomer generation. The teens who danced their frugs and watusis on his show were of the very same class that brought equal rights, more understanding and even stopped a terrible war (and don't hand me that line that a government did it; it was the overwhelming voice of the youth ...).

Now here it is, decades later. Those kids have turned from solo acts to parents to grandparents. They're tax-payin', bill-juggling, hardworkin' sons-of-a-gun who are trying to make a decent life for themselves and their families ...

and they still have a voice!!

Unfortunately, it seems the suits in Washington (and all the way down to the local yokels) think that, now, we're too old to complain about the newest war, latest scandal or biggest deficit. They certainly don't think we can do anything about it anymore. In their ways of thinking, we ought to just sit back, enjoy our Geritol and re-runs of "The Andy Griffith Show" (btw, love that program!).

But there's one guy who never, ever let this "age" nonsense get in the way of this thing called "life". He was active on so many levels, and had such influence (I think the kids today call it "stroke") that, over a year after his passing, he's still touching lives and hearts around the known world. If your name begins or ends with a consonant or vowel, you know who I'm talkin' about:

It's all in how you see us. I mean, look at Uncle Lloyd in those two pics. Yes, they're 40 years apart. Sure, he got a little grayer. But, man, look at his face ... it exuded life ... joy ... hope!! You just knew that Lloyd Thaxton was still the same optimistic, witty and creative person that inhabited the set of his show way back then.
In other words, he still "had it" (whatever "it" was, he definitely had it in spades ...).

And so do many of us! Just because there's some crazy new number that each year tacks onto our age doesn't mean we've got to give up the spunk and spark that we had back when we were young.
And we know how to handle a lot of the "Stuff" that goes on in our country right now. We know the game, because we've been there, played that . We have ideas that work ...

So the Washington bureaucrats (notice the last three letters of the word?? Might as well take out the "c" from it, 'cause many of those rats can't "c", right?? That leaves "bureaurats". And what would you do if you found rats in your bureau drawers?? Uh-huh ...) better take notice: If they wanna get some good insight on how to handle the troubles this old world is facing, just let them ASK US!

I'm reminded of what Uncle LL said in one of his blog posts:

"You baby boomers were the greatest. Yet no body seems to want your advice on what is wrong with the world today. But, you can be thankful that you were there and done that. No one can take that away. You can be proud that you ran a good ship. Hopefully, the young people of the world will wake up and be true to their age, as much as you are being true to yours. You are still the greatest."

Stay tuned ...

Mouse In The House!!

2012-02-15T12:36:00.000-08:00

Before we really get into this post, I want to share an email I received a number of clicks ago:

One of the faithful campers on my Beyond The Rock blog is also a faithful Thaxtonian! James D. wrote: "I have read about Mr. Thaxton on your blog and am greatful (sic) that his club is back. I watched him when I was a teen-ager and he was like the guys on Whose Line? mixed with Craig (Ferguson) and the Beatles all in one. He had it all together. I want to join the cellebration (sic) of his life by joining the mouse team."

Hey ... who'd argue with that? Welcome aboard, James -- and be sure to tell all your friends, okay??

We'll be back in a minute -- but, first, a word from our sponsor:

Do you worry about unwelcome hackers, slackers and trackers following you when you enter the Mouse House?? Use the secret application that'll stop these creeping, crawling vermin right in their tracks! Introducing the amazing MOUSER'S DOWSER -- now with Secret Ingredient "X":
(ahem!) Now ... let's move on:
This amazing invention will stop intruders on a dime* ... so you can enjoy your visit with that "safe and secure" feeling.
(The Clique will extend credit to anyone who does not have a dime readily available. The cat pictured is for promotional purposes only. All cats are welcome in the House as long as they are 'hep' ...)

Awhile back on NBC Nightly News, there was a segment showing President Obama in his campaign days. He sounded for all the world like a high-strung evangelist when he urged voters to call, visit or "knock on doors" to get the message out.

Well, I thought it'd be a boss idea to include here. Since we have room for everyone who wants to wear the Sacred Mouse Ears, and if we, the faithful Mousies, can do some internet "door-knocking", we can increase this merry little bunch of cheese-munchers and, as LL said, "Spread the word -- not that other 'Stuff'!"
Ya with me, Mouskiteers?? Let's DO it then ... in honor of The Chief!
I'll order more cheese ...

stay tuned ...

The Thaxton Effect (reprint by request) 2

2012-02-09T14:43:00.000-08:00

In January, 2003, a neat little book hit the market. From a distance (without glasses), looked like just another self-help novel, wrapped in a cheery red-on-white cover.

Then, as you got closer, you saw the authors' names at the bottom -- and just knew that this wasn't going to be just any book. It had ... Lloyd Thaxton as a co-writer!
I'd already gotten a copy of Stuff Happens (full name: "Stuff Happens [and then you fix it!"] 9 Reality Rules to Steer Your Life Back in the Right Direction" See, they still had some blank space on the cover ...) and within a few months it was already worn out. Not only did I read it from cover to cover but took notes, shared it with friends, then got on the interweb and told others about it!
Anyway, it was so worn-out that Uncle Lloyd sent me a brand new, autographed copy -- and now its pages are getting dog-eared (nothing against dogs, by the way. If they're reading this, they'll understand ...).
It's a mix of some great inspiration and ideas and that inimitable Thaxton style of writing (he always wrote like he talked-- in such a casual, upbeat, positive style, as if the reader/listener were his closest friend). My favorite sections? To Change Your Life (Change Your Mind) and Choose: The Power to Choose Comes From Within immediately come to mind ...
Now, if I were to count the number of people he and John (Alston, co-writer) helped through this book, we'd be here for the next year or two, at least. I toldja the man really knew how to make a positive impact.

Lloyd Thaxton, the blogger, was no different from LT the teen host, producer or writer. He was personable, alive with ideas, witty, and completely, 100% authentic (a quality rarely seen in personal pages these days).
Now, if you have a blog or site, you'll know there's a page editor called a WYSIWYG, meaning What You See Is What You Get. In other words, "the real deal".
That was Lloyd. What we "saw" on our monitor screen was the actual, bonafide man himself. No additives, no artificial color or flavor. And each of his posts were actually riveting. Not only was the man an excellent word-weaver, but each entry was so interesting that we couldn't wait to see what he'd write next!
He was a true friend to all his readers (again, the impact!), and told me once that, if one had a problem, loss or worry, he felt it. He'd even make a point to personally email some of them, as well. Talk about an authentic heart ... Uncle Lloyd had it ...

Soon, the Chief decided to make even more of his growing blog ("growing". As in "leaps and (no)bound(arie)s") by introducing a unique and fun webside kaffeklatsche we eventually called The Mouse Clique (in honor, I worked up that little logo you saw at the top of this segment).
Here's what Lloyd said in an email from April 2, 2006:

"I want to keep the dialogue going. Though there are already
4,567,532,936,001 bloggers on the web. I've decided to make it
4,567,532,936,002 by starting up my own exclusive group. Based on 'The
Frank Sinatra-Dean Martin-Sammy Davis Jr, RAT PACK' of the 60s, I've
named my little ensemble 'The Lloyd Thaxton MOUSE PACK'"

A little later, he figured, out of respect for Frank, Dean, Sammy, Peter and Joey, he'd rename our little confab "The Mouse Clique" instead. Besides, what do you do but click a mouse, right? (provided it's the computer type. Otherwise, it can get messy ...)
And many came, from near and far, to hear the words of the wise one. Then they'd stop by the Clique and enjoy themselves ...
Today, it's an honor to continue the Mouse Clique in Uncle Lloyd's memory. As Cliquers begin to return to the fold (and tell others about the blog! From social groups and email addresses to MySpace to Twitter and Facebook, send out the invites, mousers!), we can keep Lloyd's words, thoughts and persona alive for many clicks (not "-ques". That's ours!) to come!
A special thanks to the lovely Barbara Thaxton and my main man Gary Belich for their help and inspiration in getting TMC online.
Lloyd Thaxton was more than a friend, more than a writer, more than a producer or TV host.
Thaxton ... was a man who had more positive IMPACT than we ever imagined! And the world's all the better for it ...

Stay tuned ...

The Thaxton Effect (reprint by request)

2012-02-08T09:23:00.001-08:00

Recently, a reader messaged me on Facebook® and said he'd heard me talk about Lloyd Thaxton. Well, since he's only in this thirties and Uncle Lloyd was my mentor and best friend until he passed, I thought I'd bring a couple of articles out of the archives for his, and others', enjoyment. RIP, Chief ... we all still miss you!:

Awwww ... who wouldn't just love to have that little, streetwise kid come stay with you?
Of course, it was just Uncle Lloyd, dressed to the nines (okay ... to the threes, then) and on calloused knees, cutting up as always.
And it was that type of zaniness, combined with the most awesome emceeing in teen showdom, that won everybody -- from studio to TV and radio audiences -- over.

Recently, I did a little snoopin ... er, researching around and found something that doesn't really surprise any of us long-time fans and friends (but it might to some of the newbies who read this): Lloyd Thaxton has had a tremendous impact on our society -- then and now!!

Okay, the Show was one -- and, if you wanna know how impactive, let me share a comment received by Mouskiteer David just today:
"I found Lloyd again just a little more than a year before he left us...There was so much more i wanted to know...I was just a little kid 6-8 years old when i watched his show...Seeing the fun he had changed me...I wanted to be like him...And years later...When i was in high school...Lloyd Thaxton was still on my mind...Pictures in my high school yearbook of a skit done in the high school gym testify to the influence of someone i should have been much too young to really remember...I wanted to be fearlessly fun...Not afraid to let it all hang out...And the essence of Lloyd Thaxton brought that out in me...

For a long time i wondered where he had gone...Then the internet gave me a chance to briefly interact with the man who made me wanna be a DJ...I'll never forget him."

The bold type was mine, mousers -- but the words and soul of that note was strictly David's.

Here's an article from Met News. It just brings it home a little more ...

That "fearless fun" took TV to new limits with the 200 segments he produced for the Today Show from 1985 to 2008 (check out his IMDb profile for more on his accomplishments) and Fight Back! with David Horowitz, a consumer-oriented show that included legendary wrestler Prof. Toru Tanaka testing Timex watches!

So many of us made our shopping choices and learned a lot thanks to LL's superb productions -- and we're still applying them today! It made us a bit more consumer-conscious ..

But Lloyd wasn't done yet:

He turned millions of kids on to reading the teen magazines, rather than just watching the tube! His Tiger Beat!® magazine kept everyone up-to-date on the teen idols of the day, and was chock-full of interviews, insider stuff and, of course, those dreamy pics!
I believe the first part of that pic was the Chief's second issue. The other half of the photo is of Tiger Beat! today. Between us, mousers, it's not even close to Lloyd's quality writeup! Mostly, you've just got glossy pages full of photos and a few words scattered throughout. Definitely not the original's style ...

Now, I haven't begun to touch on one book that Lloyd, along with his friend and colleague John Alston, put together. I'll get to that in the next post (strangely enough, called "Pt. 2"!). But it was/is that book that changed/is changing thought patterns and improving lives around the world! So ...

stay tuned.

It's A Family Affair ...

2012-02-02T12:48:00.001-08:00

People, you've heard me talk about 'em here ... you've heard him as core member of Paul Revere and the Raiders ... you've heard his WIFE on radio and "Where The Action Is" ... their new band has members of OTHER well-known groups in it ...
Now ... add their lovely, harmonizing daughters to the mix and what have you GOT??

"Now, LLLLadiesss an' CHENTlemennnn ... RRRRRRIGHT here, on are ... VERRRRRY SHHHHTAGE (like my Sullivan impression?? Oh .. okay. I'll stop ...) ..."
FANG AND FAMILY AQUARIUS HOTEL,
LAUGHLIN NEVADA 31 DEC 2011

WHO'S Groovin'??

2012-01-30T13:15:00.000-08:00

In this post, let's explore a little of the WHOOooooDlums in the '60s rock world. Nawww, I don't mean bad dudes ... I'm talkin' about the quidzillionz of acts that used those three letters in their name to get some swag!

Let's see ... ya had ... well, ya had "The WHO", the UK's famous screaminig, guitar-bashing, windmill-chopping, mike-swinging group with a wildcat drummer. They set the stage for My Generation.

Then, others jumped on board. The Guess Who (with Chad Allan) got us Shakin' All Over, while the Wonder Who? did a falsetto, uptown version of Dylan's Don't Think Twice.

'Course, that last group of Whosers were actually a leeeeeetleknown,teeeeninsey act called the Four Seasons (it was an attempt to see if they could churn out a hit anononononymously (Geez ... there I go again!)

AAAAAHHH! But then ya had a REAL no-namer ... a group calling itself You Know Who, who made a near-scratch with the rocker Roses Are Red (not the Bobby Vinton classic!). These guys were garbed in masks, capes ... and they weren't even superheroes (though one did look suspiciously like Robin, The Boy Wonder ...)
One of my faves, though, was a local group down in hometown Charlotte -- in fact, it was a rival for in-town gigs (though they kinda/sorta ... well, dragged ... in performance). They called themselves The WHAT?. Why? When I found out who they were, how they got together, and where they jammed, I sat in a few times outta curiosity (HEY!! I just got all six major questions in that one sentence!!) I think they retired their "music" when they found out Shoney's was hiring dishwashers ...

Well, that's it for this edition. If you remember any other WHOsiers, lemme know. They can be local, regional, national, or a play on names. But they've gotta be, or have been, real!

CELLING OUT!!

Let's face it ... everybody and his brother has a cell phone these days. You can call, text, send pics, play games (NEVER as you're driving, okay?). Of course, one of the most popular of these is the LG brand; great reception, convenience and dependability.
But you'll need to know where to go for your lg phone batteries ... and you can do that by clicking the link you just passed.
You'll get great prices on batteries but also a price-match guarantee! So why wait for your phone to die out on you? Click that link today!

FACTS AND FIGURATIVES

2012-01-23T13:41:00.000-08:00

Now, this is interesting (and, I’ve gotta say, refreshing!):
60 per cent of 16-24 year olds would rather go without sex than music for a week, and the numbers increased to 70 per cent for 16-19 year olds!
Marrakesh Records and Human Capital surveyed 1,000 15-24 year-olds highlighting how important music is to young people.
In a three-month period, 75 per cent have watched a music video online, 70 per cent bought a CD, 62 per cent played music on their phone, 52 per cent had paid for a music download and 45 per cent had played music on their games console.

Radio is still the favourite medium for hearing about new bands (this is according to 67 percent of those surveyed. 63 percent said they listened to recommendations from friends and 49 preferred music channels like MTV (rather, like MTV was. Lately, it’s turned more to “reality” shows and less videos).

YouTube is obviously the most popular site to find new music, according to 38 percent of the age group that was studied. In 2008, MySpace followed at 15 percent. Next was Facebook at 8 percent with NME and Last.fm rounding out the sites at just 4 percent. But here it is, four years later, and MySpace is virtually EmptySpace as far as visitors go, whilst Facebook has made remarkable gains.

But getting back to those first couple of lines up there: It sort of shoots down that notion that "modern music's bad for ya, doesn't it? I mean, the music is changing kids' morality ... not a bunch of government regulations! But the fact that the music's a catalyst for changin' for young people's moral actions -- well, it kinda feels good, doesn't it??

GIVING BUSINESS THE BOOST IT NEEDS

If you're in a business that processes credit-card sales but are waiting for the cash generated from those -- and need it now to keep everything running smoothly around the shop, then your wait is over!
Just by clicking on the following link, you'll find the quickest and most reliable business cash advances on the market!
You see, if you've been in business for at least six months, process Visa® and MasterCard® and you have $5,000 a month in credit card sales, you can qualify for these advances. No fuss, no frustration, no lonnnnng wait!
And these folks have a 98% success rate, so you know they're going to work for you!
So click that link you just passed now ... and get the money you need to take your business to the next level!

Okay … that’s it for this edition, but stay tuned; there’ll be more in less than 24! Soooo …
I’ll see ya on the flip side …

A Few Links Not Missing ...

2012-01-19T12:22:00.000-08:00

Before we get into the new stuff (beginning Monday), I wanna share, with all you readers (WAIT! If you're not reading this, how would you know?? And why am I talking to you if you're not reading? Geez ... c'mon, Chuck ... pull it allll together, now)

Anyway, I just wanted to share some cool links that some of you have sent in. It'll keep ya busy until Monday (and you'll enjoy them too, I'll bet!!):

Here's one on "disappointing facts about popular music"! Listen ... take this with a grain of salt, alright?? "Facts" are one thing -- but music is what ya feel inside, so don't let the stuff from this Buzzfeed get you down, k?

So ya think you're smart? Try this test! (Again, remember that it's not really accurate; after all, there's a lot more needed than these quick-and-easy-pen-and-paper tests to check "I.Q." In fact, it's a fact that your true intelligence quotient couldn't be measured unless someone was measuring you in every circumstance you encountered, and for a full year (at least!)!

Hey ... remember the cool sounds of 1966? Well, here ya go with a few of 'em!

Now, who out there likes the Big Band sounds that came outta the 1940's, with Miller, Goodman and the bunch? Now ... reminisce with a few of them.

Or maybe your taste is for the old television shows, so just click here (sorry ... remote not included ...)

Born in the 1950's, like the Electric Eagle? Then maybe you'll remember these

Of course, what were the Fifties without those classic Westerns, right?

Introducing Charlotte, NC's first "hard-rock" band, circa 1966 (now reunited) The Young Ages! (first "hard-rock" band in Charlotte, 1966)

Now, for all you who dig cookies and want recipes for your favourite, here ya go: You'll have cookies 'til the cows come home! (but don't worry, just let 'em graze ... cows don't like cookies, so you're safe! lol)

Now, I'm gonna switch over and simulcast this on the other blog, so until we get together this Monday-if-not-earlier-and-there's-no-breaking-news WHEW!!)

Stay tuned ...

The Best Guitar Lesson ...

2012-01-17T19:38:00.000-08:00

I ran this post a long while back, but I've been asked to repeat it here and on Beyond The Rock. And whilst I'm compiling new material for the blogs, I thought it'd be a good way to officially start the 2012 edition of both blogs:

Years ago, when I was just barely into my teens, my dad came home from work carrying a battered, old guitar. He knew I wanted to learn to play one – I’d seen folk groups, country acts – even some new group called “The Beatles” playing them, and it looked like so much fun. In fact, while these performers were on TV, I’d watch carefully for the close-up shots, and (using a baseball bat as a “guitar”) I’d mimic their fingering, position of the chords and timing. (PS Thanks to ultracool Kenny Hogan for the use of the pic on your left. Other than the shirt, hair and face, the kid looks just like me! lol)

When he gave me the acoustic guitar, I sat down and, propping it up on my knee, began to position my fingers on the neck, just as I had seen the performers do. Certainly, I was going to be the next Elvis. But he did something that I’ll remember to my dying day: He took a big, calloused hand, put it over the fingerboard and stopped me from playing! Then he said, “Son, wait a minute. Let me tell you a little story:

You see, Life’s a lot like that old guitar you’ve got, especially when it’s time to pay your dues. And, just like the sounds you can make on that guitar, the ones you make in life is entirely up to you. We can’t stop you from framming away at it like an off-tune madman any more than we can stop you from playing beautiful music. When you get to be an adult, it’s going to be the same thing when you’re ‘out there’ in the real world. Nobody can stop you; it’s your choice as to what type of ‘music’ you give them.

Now, you see those strings, and how you’re holding them down with your fingertips? Each note is meant to create harmony with each other. That's your goal in life, son … learn to place each thing you do …each step you take … so it’ll be in harmony with mankind. Otherwise, just like with the guitar, you’re gonna make such a noise that nobody’ll want to hear you. ”I listened intently; this was good stuff! Then he continued,“ And, by and by, you’ll learn how to sing with that guitar – maybe even write a few tunes yourself.

When you do, remember that a simple tune does better when the words are from the heart. Make them easy for people to learn … to keep in their mind. And you’re painting a picture with each one. Son, remember to do the same thing in your everyday doings, and you’ll make friends and be happier than you ever thought.

And that ‘song’ that you sing … the one you show everyday in your actions … will be the one that’ll go ‘number one’ with your friends and others. Just leave the lyrics open to your brother’s and sister’s point of view, and they’ll be humming that song long after you’ve gone.

Now … let’s hear you play …”

How To Wake Up A Teenager

2012-01-11T05:21:00.000-08:00

NOTE: This post originally ran in one of my other blogs, but is repeated here by request of some fab LL fans who just happen to be parents of some very sleepy teenagers:

Okay, I'll admit it: I've been partly responsible for the duplication of male Hinsonites on this planet, as was my father before me.

These small creatures move about within the female as they form and, upon their first appearance on their planet, come complete with extension cord (I think doctors call them umbilical these days, but who are they fooling? Everybody knows that babies are still attached to their mums until they reach 35). As one new parent told me back in '97, it would've been nice if God had added an instruction book along with the newborn ...
and it would've been nice if there'd been a chapter, later on in the book, on how to wake up a teenager who refuses to get up when called!

But there are some parents who, realising that there's no such book, can still find ways of making that happen. My daddy was no exception ... in fact he was the master of wake-up calls. So, for you who read this, take notes: I'm about to share some of his strategies for forcing us mini-Hinsons to face the morning:

(1) First, the teens have to be asleep. It's hard to awaken anyone who isn't asleep.

(2) Be sure you have the following equipment:
A glass of ice water.
Your dog (withhold food from him for at least 24 hours to achieve maximum effect).
A neurotic cat.
A stock of ribbon (aka Chinese) firecrackers.
Last but not least, your neighbour's Great Dane.

These should be applied accordingly, and in sequence as necessary (not all at once. You want the child to wake up ... not have a heart attack):

(1) Pick up glass of ice water, place in pitching position. Provide fair warning to awaken. Then s-l-o-w-l-y count to three and, if they're still in bed, pitch just enough water on them to get their attention (NOTE: not the ice. You don't want to knock them out accidentally. That would defeat your purpose ...)

(2) Mornings later, as they begin to catch on and pull the covers over their heads, pitch dog and cat on the bed. For added effect, smear cat with bacon grease ...
If said dog and cat can not be found and child has new stereo headphones and iPad, he has probably gotten advance notice of your plan and sold both pets ...

(3) Should that not work or if you don't have a dog or cat, take ribbon firecrackers, light quickly, then throw them on the foot of his bed. Stand back.
When firecrackers are done and smoke clears, come back into the room. Bring toilet paper with you ... the kid just might need it ...

(4) Should all else fail, lead neighbour's Great Dane quietly into the bedroom (now, I know that sounds impossible, but go with me on this ...). Place dog at the head of your teen's bed, next to the pillow, with its muzzle directly pointing at the teen's face. Yell "YOUR GIRLFRIEND'S (or "BOYFRIEND", depending on teen's gender) ON THE PHONE!" ... and watch the fun!
This works even better if the teen has a nasty hangover ...

*In (3) and (4), you'll possibly find your child becoming closer to God than ever before, as he asks Him to condemn you (well, not in that exact word, but ... well, you get the idea ...). Please overlook this ... it's just a reflex action that the child loses once he's old enough to ask for money or car keys.

Hey ... how do ya think I got into the habit of waking up at 6:30 AM, huh??

(NOTE: In the mid-'60s, these were actual methods that my dad used to wake us up. The cat was "Willie", a lean-and-mean Siamese; the dog was "Putt-Putt", our tail-less terrier; the ribbon firecrackers -- well, we never did know where he got those; the Great Dane belonged to our neighbours across the street, the Satterfields.
And before anybody gets the notion that daddy was 'cruel', let me say that he ALWAYS made sure everything was safe and non-toxic. And these were only used if we REFUSED to get up (and until we got wise and started sleeping in the basement with the doors locked! lol)
In truth, Eola Hinson was the most loving dad a kid could ever have -- BUT ... he was a practical joker. We were NEVER harmed with these, and, in fact, joined in the laughter [after the initial shock wore off]. And we now cherish those memories ...)

Stay tuned ... more in about 24 ...

Give The Cats A Hand!

2012-01-06T17:50:00.000-08:00

Since, in the last post, I talked about cats ...
God bless Kabuki. If the rest of my cats were the Real McCoys, he was "Grandpappy Amos". Sadly, he's no longer with me ... but that Fateful Day could've been a lot earlier in his illustrious life

Y'see, a few years ago, I had a panful of boiling grease -- the result of frying up a package of bacon . As I was transferring the grease to a trap at the side of the sink, he ran in front of me. Now, the handle of the pan was kinda loose, and was just about to come off -- and I knew the entire, scalding-hot mess would douse K-Cat!

So, instead of seeing him fatally burned, I pushed the handle down in a snap, and took the entire load of it on my left hand!

Now, I'm not gonna say it hurt, but it was at that very moment that I found I could dance a very mean Watusi. In fact, the steps weren't duplicated again until years later, when I slipped on some cat poop ...

I ran to the fridge, jerked open the freezer door with my good hand and stuck the parboiled one in a big bag of ice. Then I took the bag out, poured it into a pot I had on the stove and carried it to the coffee-table in the living room (yes, I had to take my already-swollen paw outta the ice to do it. My reaction to the immense pain resulted in five new curse words added to the Merriam-Webster® dictionary ...). I laid down on the sofa and stuck my hand in the pot. The relief was overwhelming -- and I shortly fell asleep.
But ...
two hours later, I awoke (hand still in the ice) to find my cats had gathered around on the sofa and table -- staring at my crotch (I could swear that the smallest were giggling. K-Cat and the others just shook their heads in disbelief ...).
So it's not just warm water that loosens the ol' bladder, eh?? Gotta make a note ...

Two Tylenol®, a bottle of peroxide (poured, not drank) and an ace-bandage later, the pain was still so bad that I went to the local ER to be checked out. Two hours passed -- I was down to the last two buttons of my shirt. I'd already chewed the rest of them off -- and the doctor came to look at it.
"You need to have somebody take a look at it," he said. He meant someone called a reconstructive surgeon. I was just hoping he'd have come back with a hatchet and cut the darn thing off.

Instead, I drove to the pharmacy (he did prescribe medication to ease the pain. What, exactly, is "arsenic", anyway? ...), and they gave me a jar of some kind of cream to put on it as well. Of course, I was to keep it bandaged afterward ...

The next few days were ... well, eventful. Now, I also had two dogs who were very well-trained. All I had to do is give a simple command like sit, stay, flush and they'd do it.

But, once, I walked into the computer room to try my hand (literally!) on the Compaq®, when I accidentally hit my bandaged-but-still-throbbing hand against the doorsill.
Now, I'm not gonna repeat what I said (and, yes, I did ask forgiveness) -- but it was too late; the dogs had heard me and, when I turned around, the hall was filled with little brown poops!

NOTE: Whilst the second-and-third degree burns apparently had done enough damage to warrant reconstruction, I chose against it. It healed perfectly, and today I have total use of the hand. Miracle?? Therapy?? The "miracle" was courtesy the Great Physician, but the best therapy I received was from loving cats gently rubbing against the bandaged hand, purring ... and tender doggy-licks from deep brown eyes that gazed up at me as if to say, Daddy, you're gonna be alright ...
and, by the way: thanks for smearing the back of your bandage with peanut-butter!

Stay tuned for more in 24 ...

The Great Bath of 2012

2012-01-05T06:27:00.000-08:00

I've gotta admit that, next to pouring a pan of boiling bacon grease over my hand, there's nothing I love more than bathing one of my cats. And, recently, I had the privilege of providing a de-gooing to the Great Persian Powerhouse, Val. After all, I'd given other cats their royal dunking before, so it couldn't be that hard. Besides, Valiant has style ... he has personality ...

he has claws that would make Freddie Kreuger's look harmless.

So I ran the water, got the shampoo ready, then grabbed the forklift to pick up the Big Kehuna. When we got to the bathroom, I picked him up and gently put him back feet in the water.
Then, I went outside, climbed on the roof, grabbed and took him back to the bathroom for just a couple of minutes whilst I ran downstairs for a few other supplies.

Long, thick coat. Check. Construction-workers' gloves. Check. Insurance policy. Check. Band-Aids, Styptic Pencil, Cell Phone with 911 on Speed Dial. Check. Everything's set.
So I pulled the Darth Vader mask over my face and picked him up to go into the tub.
He didn't want to go -- in fact, he jumped up on my head, knocked off that handy mask I had on and, as heavy as he was, knocked me into the tub, head-first!
Embarrassed, I pulled myself out -- and noticed I apparently had a Jheri-curl on my forehead! I couldn't believe it!
I looked into the mirror to admire it ... only to find out it was the cat, sitting on the top of my head, with his tail hanging over my forehead. He did not want that bath!!
(Incidentally, if you're wondering what the Persian Powerhouse looks like: That's him in the pic on your right ...)

Anyway: Finally -- after a lot of last-minute yell ... er, negotiations, some sneaky shampoo work, and five Band-Aids® applied when he pulled my glove off in the water (and two where he hung into my scalp), I finished the job and started to dry him off. To help with the drying (and to get some fresh air in the bathroom), I opened the door.
Then, I went outside, climbed on the roof, and ... wait. He could dry better there, I guess ...
Naaaaah!
So I picked him up, took him back inside, went back upstairs to put another roll of toilet paper on the dispenser (the other was scattered around me, some with my blood), fix the bathroom curtain. replace the shower curtain ... and clean up the piles of poop (after all that, I'm still not sure whether it was his or mine ...).

Then, mission accomplished, I went back downstairs, took off my gear, and just settled back to watch the 11 PM News ...

(PS Yes, I did stretch the truth a little up there ... well, with the exception of the scratches ... and my own "dunking" ... and he only got as far as the front door ... but, if it brought a few smiles or a chuckle, then it served its purpose.
Now ... for the rest of 2012, just remember how those smiles/chuckles felt, and remember to repeat them regularly throughout the year, okay?? And Happy Twenty-Dozen (2012)!!)

MAKING IT BIG IN THE C.D.

If you're a performer, you know the value of having good CDs of your music for promotion, demos -- or to duplicate and share amongst your friends. And, if you're starting your own label and want your music publicized and promoted on spots like Amazon, iTunes or whatever, you'll need to get as many of these duped so you can meet the orders coming in!
But, of course, that takes a lot of cash though, right?? Besides, you've got to find a company you can depend on to make the quality you deserve.
Well, now you can have top quality bulk cd duplication without the humongous price-tag!
By clicking the link you just passed, you'll be able to get your CD's duplicated with one color or full-color thermal printing, a three-day turnaround, and much more -- and all at prices that'll make your budget relax a bit!!
So, to get your music off-the-ground, how about giving these folks a visit today?? You'll be glad you did!

Happy 2012, Everybody!

2012-01-01T05:35:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are in a brand new year (I think everybody's covered now, right? East Coast to West? UK? Podunk. Good ... we're set, then ...) so, for those who don't have a terrific hangover on this first day of January 2012, let's get started (the rest of you can get somebody to read it to you -- softly!):

CHANGES TO BOTH BLOGS

Remember the "resolutions" that everybody makes-and-breaks-eventually on the Big Day? Well, we're no exception -- except we won't be breaking ours (besides, y'all-add-Santa-Claus are watching me, so I've gotta be good to my word, right?).
And what "resolutions" we have to work with! First of all:

We're going to gear up both blogs up reflect the music, issues and happenings of that little group known as baby-boomers ... BUT ... we'll also be talking about stuff that all generations can use. So, if you have something you'd like to see discussed here, the lines are open (MAN, I wish I could hear that at Wal-Mart® ... just once!) -- just email me here, okay? Be sure to include an SASE for quicker response ...
Of course, we're not going to forget what brought us to the dance, right? On the TMC channel (wait ... gotta sidestep the copyrighters: "TMC" means "The Mouse Clique" blog), you'll still be reading the wit and wisdom shared with us by Uncle Lloyd, as well as new material gleaned from our emails and more; on the new "Behind The Rock" (formerly "Rock, Rhythm and Rimshots") we'll still be covering the classic rock news and memories, including vids from days-gone-by that you (yes, you!) get to choose.
The blog posts, themselves, will be much more frequent -- in fact, we're borrowing a popular brand name here and resolve to get online to write, er, one a day (get it?? Good ... sidestepped the copyright, then ...).
And, of course, there's going to be our trademark zaniness (or reasonable facsimile thereof ...). I mean, what's life without humor, right? In fact, what's the Ice Cream without humor? Good (something)? Or that show, The Big Bang Theory (lots of [something] packed into 22 minutes)? So we'll continue it here ...

Anyway ... now that 2012 is here, let's all make the best of it, and return here in a couple of days to kick this off properly, alright??

See ya on the flip side ... so stay tuned ...

The "Flower Child" circa 2011

2011-12-29T19:34:00.000-08:00

This is a continuation of the post on our sister site, Beyond The Rock

Now it's winter of 2011. Forty years after-the-fact, we have a war in Afghanistan. People are starving, tortured and/or murdered in various countries and under other regimes. Gas prices are still at an amazing high. Power and personal freedoms are being wrested from the hands of the people by a Congress they've learned not to trust.
Yet, the baby-boomers - this same group that so valiantly championed the cause of peace and equality forty years before, and of which I am a member - have become largely silent, seeming to stick their heads in the sand and hide from our present national and world situations in hope that they'll go way.

What happened to the once-resonating voices of peace? Have large families, larger paychecks and the responsibility that comes with maintaining material security taken the edge off our active and vocal protest of the wolves at peace's door? At one time, we could - and did - change the political fabric of America. Yet, today, most of the protesters of yore are content to "let it slide" or have someone else do it for them.
We were willing to put it all on the line for peace - including facing arrests and jail-time. Now, at a time when our country - our world, for that matter - needs us to speak up, we've become strangely silent.
We have the greatest buying power, the most political pull, and the highest demographic of any other age group in the nation. Years ago, we had longed for the day when we would have the authority - the power - to change the world. Now that we have it, though, we're not using it. Has our spunk given in to complacency? Do we believe that, despite our values as young people, what's happening in this world is of no consequence to us?
Again, I ask the question: What happened to the voices of peace? Have we surrendered to the establishment at long last? Are we afraid - or, worst of all, so involved with ourselves and the money-machine feeding us that we just don't care?

It's time for every person who was ever a "child of peace" to answer that question.

COMPOSTING

One thing that baby-boomers gleaned from the Sixties was a profound respect for the earth ... and that included making their own compost for their gardens. Did you know you can take grass clippings, leaves -- and even kitchen scraps -- and make your own organic compost? It's true! And, in order to do it right, you need a good, solid and dependable composter . And, by clicking the link you just saw, you'll find a fantastic selection of the best! Not only that, but you'll also find some great links to learn more about composting!
So, before the spring planting season comes up, how about going organic this time and get a good, solid composter for your garden??

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2011-12-24T15:10:00.001-08:00

Listen ... I'll be back next week with new posts ... and, beginning in the 12, more frequent visits. But today is a special time for the triple-F factor: food, family and friends (not necessarily in that order). Soooooo ...

C ya then ... on the flip side!!

Uncle Lloyd's Greatest Message (Rewind)

2011-12-14T11:53:00.000-08:00

NOTE: Recently, I was asked, via Facebook® message, if we could repeat this post. Somehow, it held a little sentimental value for the FB friend (unh-unh ... I don't give names unless authorised by the writer! Besides, he's bigger than me ...). So, it's with pleasure that we do this special "Rewind":
For years, we of the Clique-and-beyond looked forward to getting home from work so we could get the latest thoughts from Uncle Lloyd and his blog. Whether we agreed 100% with him on everything or not (and disagreements were rarer than Vitalis™ in a headbanger's dressing room!), we loved every minute we "visited" with him.

Then, of course, we had his book (Stuff Happens, of course) to keep us company. Through it, we felt as though he really was our favorite uncle, showing us better ways to deal with life's challenges.

Yes, there were those of us who remember his segments on both The Today Show and Fight Back! In the latter, he gave us a lotta boss info on all kinds of goodies to make our Wal-Mart® shopping easier (if we'd had the store back then. As far as shopping there -- and with apologies to Clark Howard -- I still have to ask myself "Why??").

It goes without saying that his most memorable achievement to many boomers was The Lloyd Thaxton Show (now, why'd I say that?? Didn't I say it "goes without saying"?? Oh, NOW I remember ... we do have post-boomer mousers on board here). He brought the message of good times and rock-and-roll to our homes every weekday at 5 PM.

But the greatest message that Uncle Lloyd conveyed wasn't in his show, or in his book, or in his other shows.

It was found in the soul and heart that he shared with each and every one of us. When he had something bearing on his mind, or when he really felt great about something, when he was reminiscing -- or even when he was "up against the wall" with cancer -- he was still the epitome of hope, smiles, and an attitude that just grinned a big "Everything's gonna be all right. C'mon ... let's have some fun while we're here ..."

A cautious optimism? Confidence? A habit of being upbeat?? Let's face it: Lloyd Thaxton just had a tremendous love of life and all that was in it! And, in his too-short time with us, he tried showing us, through his words and actions, that "Hey ... it isn't gonna BITE ya! ENJOY life!! It really ROCKS!!"

Chief, we're still learning ... but, then again, we had a great teacher ...

WELD-DONE!

I've noticed that, here in Ashland, the college is putting up a new cosmetology building. Amongst all the workers are about three or four that are doing some serious welding on the building! Now, obviously, these guys are going to need to maintain the best welding supplies possible, along with jackets, gloves (it is getting cold out there, gang!) and anything else that will keep them safe! On my way in to work this morning, I pointed them in one direction ...
And, by clicking on the link I gave them (you just passed it a second ago), you can get exactly the same quality, value and service as the professionals! You'll also find great discounts, free shipping on some items, and a whole lot more!
So click there now for the best in welding supplies and equipment. You'll be glad you did!!

Ruffled Feathers ...

2011-12-09T11:58:00.000-08:00

IT'S TIME TO FLY AGAIN 2012 is just a few weeks away and, waiting silently on the edge of his perch high atop Melody Mountain here in beautiful downtown Ashland, KY., an eagle is ready to try out his newly-healed wings ...

I was first called that 25 years ago by a third-grade student at Pineville (NC) Elementary, where I had volunteered as a teacher's aide and tutored. It became my pen name whilst a syndicated columnist, and lasted until 2005, when The Rock Relic emerged.

Over time, the Relic character grew (and, for that, I thank you), but the person of Chuck Hinson began having a few ... well, let's say "troubles".
Those began to multiply, and it affected both my health and my work (thus, the finances). But this Relic still trudged on, all the while knowing it was in my power to control the situations ... rather than have them control me.

A few days ago, I was checking out my archives when I ran across a challenging email from my late mentor and friend, Lloyd Thaxton (aka "Lloyd Thaxton"). When I'd told him, back in '06, about the old "Eagle" monitor, he sent these words in one of his emails: "You're an Eagle. Then, FLY, EAGLE, FLY!"
Those words sent chills down my spine. Uncle Lloyd's been entertaining a heavenly audience since 2008 ...
(By the way: That earlier "aka" bit? That's how LL signed one of his first emails to me. Just included that as a tribute ...)

Then a very wonderful reader included, on her Facebook® page, one of my favourite Biblical verses (Isaiah 40:31):
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
At the very same time I read this, the radio was playing a song by one of my all-time favourite country artistes: The late Waylon Jennings.
The song??
The Eagle.

NOW ya see why the bird's gonna be the word again??

Now, on the rock side of life, I'm adding a little to the mix: I'm reviving the Electric Eagle (many thanks to Spencer Hannabuss, my British mate from The 286 and, formerly, The Fore, for this idea). For all other writes, it'll be non-"Electric". For you who don't like eagles ... well, just be sure to carry a good, strong umbrella ('cause we know what to do!) ... lol

So, come 1 January 2012, "The Rock Relic" will become just that: A relic from days gone by. But the Eagle ... gonna be flyin' high once again!
(here's the vid ... listen to the word. It's my declaration for 2012)

A High I.Q., Huh??

2011-12-06T13:55:00.000-08:00

Y'know, it always amazes me when I hear someone bragging about his (or her) I. Q. Yesterday, whilst I was on lunch, I heard a young man doing just that. He said he was known to have a "160" -- more than (in his words) "most of these losers in here!"

WOW!! Einstein had a "160" (see above pic)! So he ...

he works at a local telemarketing firm (note: not a rocket scientist as I first imagined whilst in "awe" of this genius ... [not to knock anyone who does it if they need a job, btw])

Look ...

Whoever brags about this "I.Q." stuff's got it all wrong, anyway! You take a battery of tests (most of them on paper), then they're gauged and determined by whoever has administered them.
But, man, there's more to determining your "intelligence quotient" than what you put into a paper-pushing session:

You need to have learned from your life experiences -- and applied those lessons wisely as an integral part of your life. These would have to be gauged over years and your testers would have to watch you every waking moment to be sure they've got the whole picture!

And THEN ... expect to pay the same amount for food, coffee or gas that everybody else pays! You can look forward to putting your pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us. In fact, when the time comes, you'll be in the same place as we all will be eventually -- rich/poor, black/white, average/high "IQ".

So don't try to impress me with your "smarts", okay?? I'd rather talk to the real intelligent people, like those who put in a hard day's work at a Wal-Mart or other job, then come home to feed their families, love and tend to their kids, pay their bills, clean their houses -- then start the whole thing over the next day and never lose their smile and hope.
They know how to balance it all properly, where the whole family benefits. They don't care about impressing anyone ...
that, my friends, is intelligence personified ... and, coupled with wisdom, love and perseverence, it's unbeatable ...

(PS For those who are wondering: I was tested in April, 1970 by the Department of the Army as having an I.Q. of 145. But don't hold me to that today, okay? It's just good for a laugh, IMHO ...)

And The Holiday Season Begins ...

2011-12-01T11:05:00.000-08:00

Okay ... if you had a great Thanksgiving this past Thursday, raise your giblets!

Actually, it's nearly a ... well, it is a week after Thanksgiving, and time that I did some catching up here:

Now, I know about how turkeys meet their demise and end up on our dinner tables ... but I'm convinced that the one that (the cats and) I (and the dogs) noshed on actually died of dehydration ... a year before Thanksgiving! I mean, it was so tough that, for a moment, I considered getting out the needle and thread and sewing a new jacket out of it (or has Lady GaGa copyrighted that move??).
Thankfully, there is peanut-butter and jelly ... if you can find a small jar that costs less than a gallon of gas these days ...

THE WAL-DORK HYSTERIA

Of course, what's Thanksgiving Day without its ensuing counterpart, "Black Friday", which started on Thursday night at Wal-Mart®?
There must be some hidden ingredient in holiday turkey that causes some consumers to dress like drunken, color-blind circus performers -- all to converge on Wally-World at this one particular time of the year!
It was either that, or they've revived the Hinson family reunion after all these years ...
And, for all it's played up to be, it's strange that the shoppers who attend this magical event called "Black Friday" never seem to leave the store with the smiles and optimism they enter with.
Blood? Yes. Sweat? Uh-huh. Tears? You bet. But "smiles and optimism"? Naaah ...

POST-THANKSGIVING WEEK

Let's see ... after a weekend of Alka-Seltzers®, leftover turkey in every conceivably-edible form and the end of the football game that began on Thursday evening (even if I liked the game, I couldn't've watched; I was busy sewing a new jacket ...), came Cyber-Monday, Take-It-Back-It's-The-Wrong-Size Tuesday and Why'd-You-Get-That? Wednesday.
I can hardly wait to see what the rest of the week brings ...

CAUGHT IN THE WEB?

I know we have a lot of readers deep in the heart of Texas -- especially in and around the Houston area; and I also know that some of you are wanting to get a solid shot at producing your own material on the web.
The problem is (and this is common), you don't really know how ...

Well, if you're needing help with your web presence, it's just a click away! You see, for the best and most affordable web design Houston has to offer, the folks at Softway Solutions can help you with custom web designs, mobile apps, flash animation (in 3D, no less!) and even business applications -- all at prices that won't dent your wallet!
With their years of experience, reputation for producing top-quality work while staying under-budget, and some world-renowned clientele, you can rest assured that you'll have the best developers on your side!
So give them a call today! You'll be glad you did ...

A Visit From St. Nick (circa 2011)

2011-11-28T06:53:00.001-08:00

Okay … gotta ‘fess up here: I first produced and published this piece a few years ago … but, considerin’ the Christmas season is here again (and what an ingenius idea it was, time-stamping it to refresh every 365 days! WOW!!), I thought it’d be apro … apropri … cool to play it again today for yer readin’ pleasure. So, enjoy if ya can:

Hey, little rockaholics … how ’bout gatherin’ ’round and let Uncle Relic read y’all a real good Christmas story, okay??

It’s called … well, it usedta be called The Night Before Christmas but, ummmm, I … well, I sorta added a few, er, afterthoughts to it.

Awwww, c’monnn … let’s try it out, and see whatcha think:

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (skeptic’s version)
(NOTE: These remarks are, in no way, a reflection of this writer’s feelings. As far as I know. Well, maybe …)
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
(so they have MICE? THAT’S UNSANITARY! Why can't they go down to the hardware store and get some D-Con™ traps?)

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
(Geez ... these poor folks don’t even have a working washer-dryer!)
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
(Hmmm ... maybe the last name of the washer repairman?)

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
(Awww. while MOST kids go to sleep thinkin’ of CARS, GAMES or SEX, they’re thinkin’ FOOD! Tsk … poor, starving waifs …)

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,
(Suuuure: Man and wife, kids in bed, naked except for kerchief and cap. To sleep. Uh-huh …)

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
(Probably just a stray dog. Why be so PARANOID?? Oh … that’s right: They’re, uh, “SLEEPing”! Besides: "spring"? Hmph ... his WIFE probably kicked his butt out to see what it was ...)

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
(Well, if he hadn’t eaten the sash to begin with … poor nutrition habits! [Huh? I dunno ... I guess it's imitation JAPANESE food or somethin' ... obviously, the KIDS didn't eat it. They're STARVING!])

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
(Now, why “breast”? Why not “mantle” or “lawn”? Sounds sexist to me! Oh, wait … they were “SLEEPING” … so I guess his mind was on … er, SLEEP. Yeah! Sounds about right …)

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
(Yeah … right. “Little old” drivers are rarely “lively and quick”. Seen the HIGHWAYS lately?)
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
(Gotta admit ... it's the strangest entrance I've ever seen for a washer repairman!)
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
(what exactly IS a "COURSER?")
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
(Awww, geez ... he’s gonna wake up the KIDS, who are dreaming of “sugar plums” …)

Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
("now" WHAT?!?)
On, Comet! On Cupid! On, Donder and Blitzen!
("ON" what??)
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
(Now, WHY doesn’t he use the DRIVEWAY like everyone ELSE?)

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!
(Dash away all of what? That bearded bozo better leave my stuff alone and get to fixin’ that washin’ machine!)

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
(Umm … dude, it’s snowing! How’dya know if there ARE leaves??)
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
(can anyone explain this line?)
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew
(I ask ya again: what’s a friggin’ COURSER?? Thoughtcha had REINdeer, bubba …)
with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
(sounds like ol’ SC was an afterthought! Oh … and forget the toys; let’s fricasee those REINDEER! Should taste better than “sash”!)
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
(Come ONNNN! They’re gonna wake the kids, I tell ya! An’ who’s gonna replace those SHINGLES??)
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
(was he drawin’ it back to BUST that dude for makin’ all that racket?)

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
(waitaminnit. Isn’t that “entering without breaking”? And why was he carrying a “bound”? Is that North Pole “street cred” for a WEAPON or somethin’??)
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
(Awwww, CRAP! There goes the clean CARPET! Well, with the exception of the mouse droppings … )
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
(It’s late … strange dude looks like a peddler, breaking in through chimney … yep: five to ten at San Quentin at least!)
His eyes — how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
(WHOA! Sounds like daddy was gettin’ turned ON by the dude in red!)
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
(Man, this cat’s gonna set off the SMOKE DETECTOR!! An’ if the man’s WIFE hears that, she’s gonna hit the ROOF… and THAT'LL knock off all those tiny REINDEER! And then PETA will be on THEIR backs and …)
He had a broad face and a little round belly
that shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
(almost sounds like some bizarre PORNOGRAPHY, doesn’t it??)
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
(like HECK it didn’t … didn’t Linda Blair do the same thing in “Exorcist”?)
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
and filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
(WAIT!! What … what was the “jerk” doing with him? When’d HE come into the picture?)
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
(HE’S GONNA BLOW A BOOGER!! HE’S A REDNECK! I KNEW IT!!)
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
(oh …)
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
(hmph — earlier he called 'em by name. Now he just whistles for ‘em?)
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
(what the heck?? Since when does a thistle have DOWN??)
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

(AWWW, WOULDN'T YA KNOW? HE WOKE UP THE KIDS WITH ALL THAT CLATTER! NOW, ALONG WITH SCARED YOUNG'UNS, THE OWNER’S GOT

A CHIMNEY TO CLEAN
SOOTY FOOTPRINTS TO VACUUM
LYSOL TO SPRAY, TO GET THAT FRIGGIN' PIPE SMOKE OUTTA THE ROOM
THE KIDS TO CALM DOWN and get back to (ahem!) “sugarplum-land”.
AN UNSATISFIED NEARLY-NEKKID WIFE WHO DOESN’T KNOW HE WAS MAKIN’ EYES AT SANTA …
A POSSIBLE POLICE REPORT TO FILE

EDITOR’S NOTE: So, here, we have the tragic story of an impoverished, fairly uneducated family who lives in unsanitary conditions. Then, one night, upon lying down after a questionable meal — and with his precious children so hungry they’re dreaming of food — the man of the house comes face-to-face with an intruder. The perp made his way into the house in unconventional fashion, and proceeds to make a mess. Strangely, the man becomes attracted to him … and doesn’t stop him or his accomplice (aka “a jerk”) from their crime.
Pity, isn’t it??
Awww, the heck with it … MERPYSONS CHRISTOLIDINGS! (Well, it’s now 2011, and we’ve gotta be careful with our greeting, kids … so I've combined them all into one!)

ROCKNOTE: The above greeting was one coined as a collaboration between The Relic and Lloyd Thaxton in 2006. As so many “politically correct” people wanna downplay the “CHRISTmas” thing, and others don’t see it as a HOLIDAY, we just combined “Merry Christmas”, “Happy Holidays” and “Season’s Greetings” all in one.
See ya on the flip side, when we get back to norml … normle ... ummm, something like that ...