Tuesday, November 29, 2016

30 Days Hath Movember....

 The Movember Movement started 13 years ago when men were invited to grow a mustache as a sign of support for a fund raiser to help men's health.

I recall when Rob Fowler, a local weather forecaster, announced he would shave OFF his mustache to support the cause.

Meteorologists are funny that way - do the opposite, sort of like the weather often  turns out.

That was a few years ago and I see that Rob grew his dark, thick upper lip ornament in about 4-5 days.

Well, this year I decided I too would grow a sign of support but, with a full beard.

How hard could that be?

I wore a full beard for 5 years and that was only, uh, about 30 years ago.

Hmm. I remember it being more of a blonde color.

It was just going to be a 30-day beard. No big whoop.

Not like the elaborate one featured by a local brewery to honor Charleston.

Or, as we natives sometimes call it - Chucktown.

There is a sad story about that particular man, his beard, the beer can and its corporate image.

Although he never wore it styled like that, his bosses at a Christian college fired this adjunct professor or suspended him.

The thinking on campus was something about it "seemed" like he was  supporting the idea of getting slicked up and drinking beer.

I mean, look at the picture. He's NOT drinking a beer. He would have had foam on his 'stache.

It is possible to not have a time limit on how long you'll have a beard nor how long it can grow.

A band named ZZ TOP has quite a trademark with its two frontmen.

And they've been doing this for about 45 years!

Billy and Dusty - same two hairy guys for almost half a century.

The drummer does not have a fuzzy face but, his name is Frank Beard.

 And, it looks like he has a mustache.

I saw this fellow checking his phone on the deck at The Windjammer last year.

By the time I got my camera up to my eye, he had finished texting or checking his email and had turned it off.

When I asked him to turn it back on, I had to explain how it looked from a distance.

He seemed puzzled.

I took a few shots and showed him how it looked. He asked me to email it to him so I did.

I also congratulated him on his full beard. He said it was 6-years old.

Then I noticed the symbol on his shirt and we talked a bit about his brewery.

Beer and beards. Yet another connection!

I see a lot of beards when I travel overseas.

Can't remember if this fellow was in Berlin, Prague or Slovakia.

Whichever it was, he kept it trimmed neatly across the bottom.

I didn't mention it of course but, at first glance, I thought he was holding a mop.

He had an umbrella with a handle hooked over his left arm.

Some people  just let them loose to grow however long, wide, rounded off or scraggly.

For mine, it's too soon to tell.

It's filling in pretty good and I keep a close eye on it but, so far, it hasn't turned blonde yet.

Saw this fellow in San Antonio, Texas at  a Mardi Gras celebration on the banks of the Riverwalk.

I had flown there for my grandson's graduation from basic training in the U.S. Air Force.

Every week there is a new class of graduates and families so the city has a ready crowd of tourists, eager to see the Alamo and other sights.

I actually spotted this guy's white beard before I even noticed his colorful shirt.

Who knew that before the year was out, I would be sporting my own "newbie" beard.

Gauging how slowly mine is taking shape, he has had this carefully groomed look for quite a while.

Little more mustache wax and he'd be ready to be pictured on a can of Lone Star.

Only a few days left to decide if I'll shave or keep it for a while.

It IS kind of nice not to have to shave every day. And it's not as prickly as it was at first.

(Click on the images and photos for more details.)

Thanks for stopping by. Maybe I'll still have this on my face next Movember.









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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Glenn Frey, one of the original EAGLES, has died

 I am fortunate to have seen The Eagles in concert twice.

Found this nice breakout shot of co-founder Glenn Frey, taken during a February 24, 2014 concert in Atlanta.

Had seen them perform almost 10  years earlier here in Charleston at the Coliseum, on March 5, 2005.

Checking details, I found that Frey collaborated with Jackson Brown in writing their first big hit in 1972 - "Take It Easy."

Frey is in the center of this 2014 concert shot.

As it happens, I had just a few days ago seen Jackson Browne in concert at the Performing Arts Center and he played that hit he co-wrote with Frey.

Some sources credit Frey with contributing the classic line about being in Winslow, Arizona when "a girl, my Lord,  in a flatbed Ford, slows down to take a look at me."

Wonder if the Winslow Chamber of Commerce ever sent a thank you note to the band?

Talk of songs that give one a good vibe, I think some more praise is due for a thirsty well made "Tequila Sunrise?"

Lovers of a 'Rita cheer no doubt and raise a salt-on-the-rim glass in salute.

Speaking of older, classic performers, I saw the Rolling Stones twice last year, once in Atlanta and then again three weeks later, in Raleigh.

First time I saw B.B. King was in September 1997 at Brittlebank Park, where he headlined a free concert that also featured J. Giels, Tower of Power and Robert Cray.

He apologized when he sat down on a stool after about 15 minutes. We didn't mind as thousands of us sat on blankets next to the Ashley River on a balmy evening.

Did I mention it was a free show?

This mural of B.B. was one of several at the old Plex. Wonder if it was saved when the place was torn down?

Saw him many times over the years. Several times I was in the front row, leaning on the stage railing at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach.

He even handed me one of his guitar picks.

Another long-time blues star I've enjoyed live is Buddy Guy.

Yep, he handed me a pick too.

This trip down the musical memory road started with the Eagles.

I hope to see many more more notables.

ZZ  TOP qualifies. Saw them at the PAC (center seat in the front row).

Next week will see guitarist Billy Gibbons at the Charleston Music Hall (CMH).

I just noticed the zipper pull is a miniature handcuff. Haha.

Sit close and your camera captures such fine points.

(Click on the pictures and the links for more details.)

Did I also mention I really, really like live music.

Please support it!



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