My Life In A Moment - Favorite Work of Art

Impression, Sunrise (Monet)

Bruce Needs a Ride

FREEHOLD AMERICAN LEGION - MONMOUTH POST 54/FACEBOOK
The Boss needs a lift.

A group of men from the Freehold American Legion in New Jersey were riding their motorcycles after a Veterans Day event Friday when Dan Barkalow says he saw a biker pulled over on the side of the road with a broken vehicle. As he neared the motorcyclist, he realized it was none other than music legend Bruce Springsteen.

“I just pulled over and got off the bike and said, ‘Hey, I think I know you,'” Barkalow told the Asbury Park Press.


Barkalow and his two pals tried to get Springsteen’s bike running again. The dead battery on the 67-year-old rocker’s vehicle wouldn’t charge, so Springsteen hitched a ride on the back of Ryan Bailey’s bike to a nearby restaurant. The group grabbed a round of drinks while waiting for his ride, for which Springsteen picked up the tab.

Barkalow said they chatted about growing up in Freehold, bands and motorcycles.

“It was nice to help out,” said Bailey. “One Freehold person helping out another.”

We Are the World - One of Bruce's Finest Moments

2:14 Bruce Springsteen steps up to the microphone and with his eyes closed, belts out the chorus. Springsteen fans don’t usually think of his voice as one of his principal assets, but landing on the song like a tractor-trailer full of gravel, he demonstrates here that it’s a powerful instrument. In early 1985, the Boss was at his commercial peak, halfway through his record-tying streak of seven Top 10 singles from a single album (Born in the U.S.A.). The night before, he had played a four-hour concert at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. While most of the stars arrived in limousines, accompanied by security guards, Springsteen drove himself in a pickup truck, parked it nearby in a grocery-store lot, and walked into the studio by himself.

4:54 The single’s most thrilling section, the duet between Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen, wasn’t planned before the session — or really, at all. After Dylan finished his section, Jones summoned Springsteen to the microphone. Jones remembered, “God must have tapped me on the shoulder to save the record by suggesting that I ask Bruce Springsteen — for no logical reason at all — to supply solo answers to the choir melody on the title choruses because of the textures and intensity of his truly unique vocal equipment, especially in this register.”

“You sounded fantastic, Dylan,” Springsteen told him as he got ready to sing. Dylan stayed in the room to listen to Springsteen. Jones instructed him, “It’s like being a cheerleader of the chorus.”

“I’ll give it a shot,” Springsteen said, stuck his sheet music in a back pocket, and nailed it. “Broke in a genuine sweat,” he said after his take, and soon headed out the door, walking past a half-dozen limos on his way to his pickup truck. By 8 a.m., everyone had called it a night.

When he woke up, Jones listened to the tapes and realized he didn’t have enough material: “The energy I needed to conclude had dissipated earlier than I had anticipated. The power of the choir had peaked after two choruses and one change of key.” Then he realized he could use the Springsteen vocals — and give them some extra kick by replacing the choir with Stevie Wonder. So he summoned Wonder back to the studio (he’s wearing a multicolored patchwork shirt in this section, not the blue-and-black sweater he sported on the night of January 28th), had him record the chorus, and patched it all together “with the vocal intensity of these two master artists.” Their call-and-response earned almost a full minute of the single’s running time.

The single sold over 8 million copies in the United States (some sources claim as many 20 million copies worldwide), while the accompanying album (which included the track Prince had promised, “4 the Tears in Your Eyes,” plus the Canadian all-star song from Northern Lights, “Tears Are Not Enough,” but not the heavy-metal famine benefit group called Hear’n Aid) sold over 4 million more. USA for Africa raised more than $75 million for famine relief; “We Are the World” still earns money today.

Although distributing food in Ethiopia was a logistical and political nightmare, and some of the money raised was squandered, the song did a lot of good in the world. Stone may not have been turned into bread, but music was turned into rescued lives. “We Are the World” had a faint messianic aroma and a self-congratulatory aftertaste, but the hearts of its participants were fundamentally in the right place. As Springsteen said that night, “Anytime somebody asks you to take one night of your time to stop people starving to death, it’s pretty hard — you can’t say no.”

Bruce best FIRE... 1986

Bridge School Lineup I, Oct. 13, 1986

“I have been to quite a few of the Bridge shows, but nothing beats the first one. First, not knowing what to expect was one thing, but the lineup was just incredible! Don Henley, Tom Petty, a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young reunion, Robin Williams and Bruce Springsteen. Back then, no one did acoustic sets like they do now."

The Henley set started with great version of ‘Boys of Summer’ and included ‘New Kid in Town’ with J.D. Souther. Petty played a strong set. CSN&Y reunited for only their second show in 14 years. Springsteen was awesome.

Best version of FIRE ever done. He had planned another song first, but as he walked out changed his mind and started with FIRE.

Jackson Browne and Bruuuuuuuuuce

"When I first met Bruce, his first album wasn’t out yet. I had just released my first album. The way I’d hear about his early records — it wasn’t on the radio. It was my wife: “You gotta hear this guy.” I think it was “Incident on 57th Street.” He made those first two albums before he really blew up and everybody knew him. He’s an artist that has had many major turns and awakenings. A lot of surprising stuff has happened along the way.

“I’m on Fire” is one of his most intimate songs. And it’s not claiming any high ground. It’s about fundamental deep-seated desire. The drums are played with a cross stick [on the snare]. He says, “I’m on fire,” but he lets all this muscular playing fall away. The performance has its own power. It’s something that exists in him. It’s just there. And it’s astonishing to see somebody who relied that much on physical power to let the music and his voice be understated like this. It’s a great moment."

The Categories of Hurricanes

ASTROS!!!!!!

Houston won their division and then swept Cleveland to advance to their bid for back to back Champions!! It hasn't happened since the Yankees in 98, 99 and 00!! #GoStros

9/11 - 17 years ago!!

Holy smokes!!! The day that changed us more than anything since Pearl Harbor. I'll not forget my location, my kids, my pluresy, my fear, my confidence, my prayers, my nation, my God.

Most Retweeted Photo Ever - Oscars 2014

(Left to Right) Jared Leto, Jennifer Lawrence, Channing Tatum, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Bradley Cooper, Brad Pitt, Lupita Nyong'O, Peter N'yongO and Angelina Jolie.

Ellen said.. "If only Bradley's arm was longer." hahaha

First Photo Permanent Ever

Niépce set up a device called a camera obscura, which captured and projected scenes illuminated by sunlight, and trained it on the view outside his studio window in eastern France. The scene was cast on a treated pewter plate that, after many hours, retained a crude copy of the buildings and rooftops outside. The result was the first known permanent photograph.

View From The Window At Le Gras, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, 1826

Ted Williams is 100 (Frozen in Time)...

Ted Williams is probably the greatest hitter of all time. I rank him just behind Barry Bonds as the greatest LF of all time.

Houston.. "My Hometown"

I love this city and thank God for bringing me here in 2004.

She's a Good Woman

This was the very quote from my colleague when I described how Trina put pictures up of me, and especially my kids, around the house. She did this even before the wedding in July!! She is kind, faithful, considerate, generous, and bee-you-ti-full!!! Check this post out 8 years ago..

Friday, November 19, 2010 Dating: In Search of... At our Staff Retreat last weekend, I made a statement about my "lame" dating life. I said to Pastor Richey, Michelle, and Margaret..."I need to find a woman I can lead and be the more dominant person in the relationship." He replied, "No, I don't think you have to be more dominant...it's not in your genes. You need a woman who will love you for who you are." Wow...I turned away and wept a little, as they continued talking about something else. I heard nothing for the next few minutes.

I love her and stoked to walk with her the rest of my life.

Let Freedom Ring...

There are so many types of bondage: chains of tyranny, slavery, sin, fear, etc. Yet, when we breathe the word "freedom." We all know what this means. No matter what the prison, you are walking out.. today! I love songs that mention freedom.

Independence Day by Martina McBride sings about leaving an abusive marriage. Independence Day by Bruce Springsteen tells about leaving home and spreading your wings into the sea of adulthood. Death Was Arrested by North Point Inside Out says this: "Released from my chains I'm a prisoner no more. My shame was a ransom He faithfully bore. He cancelled my debt and He called me His friend. When death was arrested and my life began!"

FREE, FREE, FOREVER WE'RE FREE!!!

The Kid, Teenager, Man

He left today for the Navy Seals program and training. I can still see him riding his bike at 6, doing tricks like letting go of the handlebars and pedals. I can still see his concentration as he caught a pass from me, in the driveway. The first time I realized he can catch now. I can still see him hiking the ball on the flag football team to the quarterback. He was the only one on the team who could hike it shotgun and get it to the quarterback. I can still see his excitement when he got his BB gun for Christmas. I can still see him making a double-play in T-Ball. No one made double plays! I can still see him getting the All-Star Game Game Ball for playing great, at 3B. He never played third before. I can still see him serving the kids at Field of Dreams. I can still see him take care of the elderly at church. I can still see him work hard for 3.5 years at Discount Tire. I am proud.

New Favorite Voices of Eve

These young 20-somethings are tearing it up on the radio!! Great songs too!! Lauren Daigle, Ella Henderson, Christina Perri

Abby and the Scriptures

Abby made me proud this week! On her way to the 8th grade basketball game, she was taking notes from her Bible app, on the school bus!!

New Again.. Sara Evans & Brad Paisley

(Brad Paisley) Mother - do not cry for me All of this is exactly how it's supposed to be (Sara Evans) I'm right here. Can you hear my voice? My life, my love, my Lord....my baby boy (Brad Paisley) As they nail me to this tree Just know my Father waits for me (Sara Evans) God how can this be your will? To have your son and my son killed? (Brad Paisley) Whatever happens...whatever you see... Whatever your eyes tell you has become of me This is not... Not the end... I am making all things new again (Sara Evans) I remember when you were born In that manger where I first held You in my arms So many miracles and lives you've changed And this world repays you how? With all this pain (Both) Whatever happens(Whatever happens)...whatever you see(I don't wanna see)... Whatever your eyes tell you has become of me This is not... Not the end... I am making all things new again

From Clifford to Classics

Clifford the Big Red Dog was one of my kids' favorite book series and TV Cartoons in the late 90's and early 00's. The stories taught values of friendship, loyalty, the love of pets, family ties, and honoring your word. My son will be graduating high school in a few months, and he will have traveled from Clifford to Potter to Tolkein to the classics he will read in college. I pray that he develops habits much better than he has shown in high school. There will be reading beyond what he has ever faced. God, give him wisdom and determination to do what it takes to get it done.

Barry Larkin: A Great SS and Man

Barry Larkin is waiting for the MLB Hall of Fame to call him today.. the announcement is at 1:30 my time!

YES!! He made it in on 86% vote!! Nice work, writers!!!