BLOG.LAKELIZARDMUSIC.COM

RIP Duck Dunn & Doug Dillard

2012-05-18T13:45:56Z

A couple of legends moved on this week...first Donald 'Duck' Dunn, one of THE bass players we grew up with in our musical world. Most folks will probably remember him as the guy in the Blues Brothers thumpin' the bass while smokin' a pipe firmly clenched in his teeth. Too many contributions to list here, google him...you'll find connections to Booker T & the MG's, Steve Cropper, and on and on. If nothing else, go to ITunes and get yourself a copy of 'Melting Pot' by Booker T & the MG's...try to sit your ass still with that bass line grooving....that's Duck Dunn!

Also, banjo playing down to earth character Doug Dillard passed away a couple of days ago. If you've seen the Andy Griffith show, you've seen Doug as the banjo playing Darling boy. If you've wandered around Nashville, you've probably met Doug like I did, playing banjo and sipping Budweiser at the Station Inn or at one of the festivals like Full Moon. As I recall, he had a habit of keeping an extra Bud in his back pocket...and could play the hell out of the banjo.

hbsongs 948 over and out

lakelizardturtles

2012-05-18T13:31:10Z

The Jamaican Lounge ... a work in progress...

...the after hours club at lakelizardmusic.

Ok...so I'm sitting on the smoking deck this morning, drinking coffee and watching a turtle crawl up the hill from the lake...which is usually good for a day. Next thing I know, I can't find the turtle...seriously, the turtle lost me. Either, 1) I'm getting old 2)I need to change brands of coffee or 3) that was a racer turtle. Finally I spot the turtle again, only because he's being escorted up the hill by one of the yard cats...turns out the little rascal was squatting down so I couldn't see him...tricky bastards, turtles.

hbsongs 948 over and out

lakelizard studios... and little lizards...

2012-05-15T03:02:44Z

Lakelizardstudios...state of the art recording facilities on the shores of Old Hickory Lake/Cumberland River......hahahahahahahahahaha......birthplace of the lakelizard classics!

Sometimes you'll find an old lakelizard trying out new equipment and writin' the hits....

...and then there's Colt45, lakelizard in training...he's already got the cool...

...but don't forget Deucie, she's a little lakelizard too....rock on' Deucie!

That's right...I'm a GREAT uncle...it's a fact, Jack!

hbsongs 948 over and out

The Reggae Lounge, St Lawrence Gap, Barbados

2012-05-15T02:49:51Z

The first night I landed in Barbados around 9pm, taxied to the hotel, threw my luggage in the room and started exploring. My new friend the security guard, walked me down the street to show me where the beer store was, as long as I'd buy him one. I then headed to the heart of St Lawrence Gap, past several bars and restaurants to where the music was capturing that Barbados rhythm that never stops, The Reggae Lounge. Being white and American, I found myself quite the minority, but proceeded to have a very large time into the wee hours with the Bajans and Jamaicans who were jammin' into the night. Indeed the rest of this trip around the island, I continuously ran into friends I made this night...on a subsequent trip, some 3 years later, while walking down the Gap upon arriving, I ran into several folks who remembered me from my previous trip. In the bright sun and daylight of Barbardos the morning after, The Reggae Lounge, pictured below, looked more like a burned out building than the happening night spot it had appeared on my arrival. Respect, man, respect...

The Reggae Lounge in St Lawrence Gap, Barbados...I survived, did you?

hbsongs 948 overandout

Flashback to Barbados

2012-05-15T02:32:37Z

This sweet ride took me from coast to coast on Barbados a few years ago on my first Bajan adventure. It was a cool trip, discovering cutters, rum houses, and flying fish...making new friends from around the world and picking up local hitchhikers, trying to find my way back to where I came from (...in this case, St Lawrence Gap.)

...a flash from the island past..

hbsongs 948 overandout

Randall 'Tex' Cobb ... the lakelizard connection

2012-04-23T03:02:22Z

I was just watching something on tv...don't remember what now, but the movie, "Ace Ventura--Pet Detective" came on after and I watched the opening scene. Ace delivers a broken package to this guy, who in real life is Randall 'Tex' Cobb. Tex as I knew him...I hadn't thought about Tex in a while. Everybody knows who Tex is...even if you don't know you do, you know Tex from his many movie scenes like the one mentioned earlier in Ace Ventura. He's probably best known for his character in ' Raising Arizona.' I met Tex when he was in Nashville in '88 to fight Leon Spinx. Tex was a super nice guy and was pretty much in day to day life like he was in the movies. Cruisin' round in a purple Cadillac...a man who seemed like a gentle giant, but if you've seen or heard of him, you know he had a tough side. Wonder where you are today Tex? If you make it back to Wilson County, or read this, let me know how you're doing...

Meanwhile, back to the present...one of my babies...

blues on the porch...

1976 Univox Les Paul Lawsuit Copy...one of the guitars I'll never get rid of...this baby was given to me by my brother and sister when I graduated from high school.

I am now the proud owner of a Gon Bops cajon...besides being a work of art, it is a nice percussive instrument, and a nice pickin' chair for an old guitar player. Maybe I'll be a drummer...why should Scott Kirk and Don Kendrick get all the glory and women?

Medicinal marijuana vial from The Farmacy in Venice, Ca...hey, I'm in the business!

Days of my life...

Half moon?

On tap...Hap n' Harry's Lynchburg Lager by Yazoo brewery in Nashville...good stuff...light, but not too light..flavoricious....Lakelizard approved.

Music on tap: Jack Johnson, Oli Brown, Curtis Salgado, Mary Stallings, Incognito, Snarky Puppy, VanHalen---ALL NEW STUFF...and some Django Reinhardt...buy all of these, and you will have the start of a nice music collection. Man, I been busy busy around here.

Peace and love .... hbsongs 948 over and out.....

Good lakelizard Friday...and beyond

2012-04-09T00:24:04Z

Good Friday...

me and menonniteMalcolm...

springtime on the lakelizard deck...

some says they're not really Redneck Windchimes, what with the Mich Ultra cans and whatnot...

Grasslevel.....

Lots of wildlife down there in the grass...

Sittin' under the apple tree...lakeside...nice spot

Bad picture, but good music...3 Bean Soup...sure was good to see Don Kendrick and Patio Daddio and CJ Vaughn...they make a lot of good music for 2 old blues guys and one of those young guys you just wanta hate cause he's so good! Seriously, these guys are the real deal...go see 'em if you get the chance. Rumor has it Don's on the edge of a big kazillion seller song and we're all going on the road...just waitin' on the call, man, just waitin' on the call!

hbsongs 948 overandout

I got nothing...

2012-03-29T13:39:19Z

Snakefarm...lakelizardstyle...

1976 Univox LesPaul lawsuit copy---Opp rattlesnake strap--Danelectro amp--Rocky Mountain Slide--TyeDye Mary tshirt---oh yeah, it's a look!

This pic didn't really capture what I saw...it was like a piece of rainbow hanging in the sky...people were pulling over to take pictures of it...not me, click and ride.

Sun up

Sun down

hbsongs 948 overandout

jonnyCakes & the Crayfish

2012-03-23T11:36:58Z

This just in from lakelizardmusic headline news reporters:

Dateline Anguilla:

After being detained for several days by Anguillan customs authorities, jonnyCakes & the Crayfish have finally been released to return to the states. The group of 1 man and 3 women, part of the lakelizardmusic annual board meeting 2012, were apparently trying to stay on island beyond the 30 day permit , and had taken up residence in the old deserted Pyrat building in the Sandy Ground area. There were several complaints from around the island regarding the unlawful taking of goat milk directly from the animals, and all investigations led straight back to jonnyCakes. Upon landing in Atlanta, jonnyCakes had this to say about his ordeal, "Rum punch, rum punch, rum punch...call Bankie."

jonnyCakes just before taking the stage in Anguilla

hbsongs 948 overandout

Anguilla food--lakelizard style

2012-03-20T00:21:59Z

I don't always experience some of the finer foods on the island, but I ate like a pig on this trip. Every island has at least one spot that has the BEST cheeseburger, and Anguilla is no exception. New spot to eat, A Burger---their specialty, burgers. But their fries kick ass and some of the cheaper beers around for a restaurant. Lakelizard approved!

Bakeries, lots of time out of homes, are popular on islands--especially breads. But oh my God, Le Bon Pain, pictured below, a hole in the wall out of the way dive bakery that you probably wouldn't find if somebody didn't say 'hey you gotta eat at this bakery' was above and beyond as you can guess by the pastries and baguette pictured above...words don't do justice...

...but don't you go to the islands for the seafood? what about that uncleH?

Holy moly...Anguillan Crayfish...somewhere between prawns and lobster AND...on the weekends, ON DA'ROCKS has'm for $5 apiece...pictured here is a plate of 4 crayfish split in half, grilled and served with fries, salad and a cold Carib...about 10 feet from the caribbean.

Oh my...chicken, ribs, rice n peas, and curry fries...from the PitStop...a family run roadside dive...THE BEST...I love you folks....thanks much for the hospitality...hope you make it to lakelizard.com.... good rum punch too!

The Arawak Inn...good breakfast with quite the entertaining service by the English owners.

Back home ain't bad...a blackend blue Zalad with a cold Calfkiller J Henry draft!...lakeside of course...

Presidente hasn't been available in the middle TN area for a while now, so when you can get 'em, don't hold back...case of quarts--an to complement the beverage selection, Barbados' own Banks Beer!

hbsongs 948 overandout

lakelizardmusic 2012 stockholder meeting Anguilla

2012-03-18T16:04:24Z

Hear's what we're listening to @ lakelizardmusic:

Todd Snider-Agnostic Hymns...new cd...good stuff, as usual...

Janiva Magness-Stronger for It...new cd...I think this is my 3rd or 4th Janiva cd...love it

Guthrie Kennard-Matchbox...just found this guy, but he's been around for years...as of late hanging with Ray Wylie...yeah, that's what I'm saying!

Shelby Lynne-...you know me, always love me some Shelby...anything

Mishka, Tribal Seeds, Dennis Brown, Bankie Banx....island music, island state of mind...

...and speaking of an island state of mind...here's some pics from lakelizardmusic annual stockholder/board of director meeting held in Anguilla March 2012. Thanks to the participants for flying in from around the world...good meeting.

...believe it or not, Elvis is alive!...and owns a cool bar in Sandy Ground, Anguilla

...look close and you might spot Bankie Banx, owner of the #1 Beach Bar in the Caribbean, Dune Preserve...oh, did I forget to mention that Moonsplash 2012 was going on also?

...meanwhile, around the island...

One of the top beaches in the world, Shoal Bay East...

sunset, Shoal Bay East, Anguilla

moon rise, Shoal Bay East, Anguilla

...hanging out at Dune Preserve, #1 beach bar in the world...

...upstairs at the Dune Preserve...

...Elvis' Beach Bar, Sandy Ground, Angulla....pretty cool, much like Elvis himself...

no caption, come up with your own...

....hbsongs 948 overandout

Todd Snider, Dave Alvin, Madeleine Peyroux, Laguardo Sunset

2012-03-03T14:01:04Z

First up, we're missing another lakelizard this week...RIP Wild Bill....we'll miss you brother!

Let's get right to the music...what's going through our ears hear in lizardland...

Dave Alvin--Eleven Eleven

Todd Snider-East Nashville Skyline

The White Buffalo-Once Upon a Time in the West

Madeleine Peyroux-ITunes Mix

Marc Cohn-The Rainy Season

Amos Lee-As the Crow Flies

As usual, there's something in this mix for everybody...BUY some music today--try something new and try something local. Better yet, make your own music....MAKIN' HISTORY & WRITIN' SONGS.

If you read my last entry, and why wouldn't you have, I made mention that I nearly burned down my house preparing sausages/kielbasa for the mennonites, but didn't understand what I'd done to start this blaze. When I googled grill fires, the make and model of my grill popped up first thing...turns out there was a recall regarding the degradation of the gas line, resulting in explosions and fires. Apparently, they didn't notify the people who bought the grills, and so many fires and injuries resulted. I was one of the lucky ones...I saved my house and stuff. Yes, you boaters will notice that the anchor was unharmed and probably saved the deck...you non-boaters will say, 'why is there an anchor on the deck?' Because I live on the lake...the same reason there is palm trees, a gas blender, and a life jacket on the other deck...geeezzzzz.

lakelizard botanical gardens...'Here Comes the Sun'...

I just take the pictures, I don't ask...comin' into Smithville, on the way to realWork...

Big Storms in March...they had pretty much passed as this point leaving the angry skies over the lake.

...just another day winding up here in lakelizardland.

...and another..

Laguardo Sunset, river moon on the rise....this is almost an exact duplicate of the original Laguardo sunset photo taken some 20 years ago...just no geese flying through...

hbsongs 948 overandout

Lincoln Durham, Mennonites and grill fires

2012-02-20T02:11:26Z

Interesting weekend around here in lakelizard land...played a cool gig up in the backwoods of Kentucky in Mennonite country. Good music, good food, good friends and only one run in with the authorities....thanks for the invite.

On a downside, I nearly burned down my house...although I still have no idea exactly how the fire started, other than some grill related situtation...those of you familiar with me know that grilling is a way of life around here, so this isn't some rookie mistake. Be aware, it can apparently happen to anybody, and it happens VERY VERY QUICK. By the skin of my teeth and some divine intervention, I caught it just in time and was able to extinguish it with a hose, with just minor damage other than the death of the grill...RIP Silver...you was a good one!

And what are we listening to around lakelizard studios these days:

-Lincoln Durham

-Amos Lee (new stuff)

-The Time Jumpers (live from Station Inn)

-Bankie Banx (trying to get an island state of mind)

-Tedeschi Trucks Band

-Joe Ely

-and a little ZZTOP, just to keep the blood pumping!

If you're not familiar with the above, give'em a try...they are lakelizard approved after all.

You need at least one of everything...

...'cause you just never know what kind of mood you're gonna wake up in...make yourself smile, make music.

Just lyin' on my back...hammock time on a warm day in February...

...wishin' I was on that plane leaving Nashville, headed to somewhere warm and hang out with my island friends for a few days. Anguilla soon come...save my place Bankie!

Another beautiful Laguardo Sunset

'Laguardo Sunset, river moon on the rise'

I get a lot of nice comments about the pictures I take on my commute to realWork,

...it is a beautiful ride!

Yep...amazing views...I really like this one.

Sometimes all it takes is something simple,

like a ZebraCake....to make you smile.

You know you're working in God's country,

when you get paid in eggs....makes for a good payday!

Sure is nice to have a warm day in February...makes an old lakelizard push his troubles to the side, and enjoy the day outside. Lakelizardmusic is a long time supporter of Grolsch!

hbsongs 9 4 8 overandout

Stacie Collins,Bankie Banx Dion & more laguardo sunsets

2012-01-28T15:16:57Z

I know, I know....badLizard...sometimes you just don't feel it...and it's been a while...

What are we listening to here at lakelizardmusic? Oh my, where do I start...so much good music, so little time...:

Stacie Collins--blues rockin' harmonica playin' lady--besides being a killer vocalist/musician in her own right she hangs out with the likes of Jason and the Scorchers and Dan Baird, who in turn, hang out on her albums. The result is ...well, use your imagination...better yet, give it a listen, then buy it.

Bankie Banx--the owner of the #1 beach bar in the world, Dune Preserve in Anguilla has just released a new cd, Just Cool...the title says it all. Bankie has his own sound--it ain't just another reggae island cd...he has a growlin' voice backed with top musicians, a little soul and a little rockandroll...and some island sounds too. See you soon Bankie!

YellowJackets--everybody needs a little jazz every now and then, and I love these guys...the group that first exposed me to Robben Ford way back when...who still sits in on their cd's...just buy it, play it, enjoy it.

Chris Knight--songwriter who says what you wanted to say, but you didn't know how, or you ain't lived it yet...no smooth nashville production, just good songs...or should I say, not ruined by smooth nashville production?...I've got several of his cd's...

Stoney LaRue--if you've followed me for awhile, you know I'm a big fan of the late Cross Canadian Ragweed and Cody Canada...from what I understand, Stoney and Cody are cut from the same music mold and have similar sounds from out in Oklahoma...I had this on the stereo yesterday, and had 2 people comment, "who is this, I really like this music."

Kathleen Edwards--I don't know why, but I like it...this is a fairly new cd and is the second one of hers I have...kinda that old singer songwriter sound but not as sparse...i guess more ...I've heard her on the coffeehouse station on xm and on outlaw country also.

Dion--that's right Dion, as in Dion and the Belmonts, Runaround Sue, the Wanderer, etc...this guy is still around and playing a pretty nice version of the blues. Every now and then, a musician survives...ain't that something!

---hbsongs 948 overandout

RIP Mark Armstrong-2012 Smile on us Please

2012-01-05T13:50:02Z

The end of 2011 saw the passing of bluesman Mark Armstrong, pictured in the middle of the below picture. This was the only chance I had to jam with Mark, but it was a blast at the first Watertown Blues Jam. Mark believed in the pure blues, lots of slide, and the key of D. At this jam and our only meeting, Mark was playing away on a song and I thought, what the hell, I'll throw in a slide lick or two, which good or bad, I'm known to do. The stars must've been lined up right, 'cause when I hit those licks on my Gibson acoustic and a glass slide, playing through the pa system, they came out just right and cut through the mix. Mark looked down at his guitar, then looked around and saw me with the slide, nodded and smiled.

Good jam...nice guy...I'm so glad I got to have this experience of playing with Mark.

Google Mark Armstrong and you'll find his background and several videos...it's worth your time.

If you don't have an Ipod, what's wrong with you? You can have your music everywhere! Check out this speaker system the lizardKid got for Christmas from her sis...collapses to about the size of an egg...sounds decent too!

A lakelizard specialty, moonpie casserole...prepared for NewYearsEve festivities in the neighborhood.

Sun up...

Air traffic over Smithville?...plane up or plane down?

...same shot, different day....

...can you ever have too many Laguardo Sunsets?...

...laguardo sunsets are nice, but I sure need an island fix....I'm glad to see 2011 go...there's been some really high points, and some really low ones...come on 2012, make us all smile....please....

hbsongs 948 over and out

a lakelizard christmas

2011-12-27T17:15:19Z

Christmas 2011...lakelizard style....

Blue Springs Sunset over my uncles ponds...

Uncle Poley...one of the original Blue Springs Boys....with lizardkid

One of the original Blue Springs girls....Bossy...with lizardkid...

Next generation Blue Springs Boys...JimmyD...with lizardkid...

Why can't I come in?...I got the screen out!

Blue Springs barn...converted for the Harrell annual Christmas party...

hbsongs 948 overandout

Happy things @ lakelizardmusic

2011-12-18T15:11:48Z

I met this lady on 7 mile beach in Negril...the mango lady...that basket probably weights 50 lbs or so and is full of fresh bananas, mangos, coconuts, and other goodies. This photo is from Caribbean Travel & Life magazine this month. Put me right back there.

This lovely girl is my right hand @ realWork. She makes my life livable on a daily basis (well, 3 or 4 days a week anyway)....and as you can tell, she's also a trendsetter...not really sure that hat is gonna catch on, but what do I know? Thanks for all you do, Kdawg!

hbsongs 948 overandout

music city star

2011-12-14T10:06:41Z

music city star

(hbsongs@lakelizardmusic)

she pulled out of mobile, before the fog left the bay

past the bars, the cars, and the oyster shells

piled up on the causeway

headin' east and makin' time

lookin' for that lonesome sign

tryin' just to make a getaway

she pulled out of mobile, before the fog had left the bay

she switched off to the north, through the red clay and the pines

lookin' for redemption

just lookin' for a sign

she pulled into montgomery, let that lonesome whistle blow

an old friend hopped aboard, still tryin' to make that show

she switched off to the north, through the red clay and the pines

she didn't slow down in birmingham, or when she hit the tennessee line

she needed all the steam she had,

just to make that climb

right up lacon mountain, through lynchburg pass

running from the night, like a devil from the past

she didn't slow down in birmingham, or when she hit the tennessee line

she hit her brakes in nashville, screaching like a tortured soul

found out that the tracks

they don't go to music row

like so many before her, she just wanted to taste fame

to be a music city star, and play the game

yeah, she hit her brakes in nashville, screaching like a tortured soul

now she's waiting tables, tending bar

takin' people back and forth....

hbsongs 948 overandout

Merry Christmas From Me (an anti-commercial ad)

2011-12-09T14:20:16Z

Merry Christmas From Me

(hbsongs@lakelizardmusic.com)

Merry Christmas from me

Hope you get a lil' something underneath your tree

I love Christmas lights and Christmas smells

Santa Claus and Jingle Bells

But if you got something to sell

You can go to hell

...Merry Christmas from me

The telephone is ringing again

Somebody wantn' to know where I am or where I've been

I just shot the cat out of the Christmas tree

Ain't a real good time to be messin' with me

And if you got something to sell

You can go to hell

Merry Christmas from me

Time to start having Happy lakelizard Holidays!

2011-12-09T13:48:47Z

Haven't done any river surfing (standup paddleboarding) these days 'cause I'm a wuss and it's cold. Yeah, my rock-hard abs are probably melting back into the way they were pre -SUP, but I'll be back....HA! Life itself seems to be like riding a wave these days-up, down and all around...sometimes you're on top of the wave, sometimes you're bouncing off the bottom, scraped from head to toe from the sand and rocks. Now that I think about it, life's always been like that...I may've had a breakthrough! Enjoy the peaks, learn from the scrapes...Life is Good!

Nothing like a big ol' moon on a freezing cold night to start your mind running...

Finally got the tree up!...special thanks to Charlie Brown for the assist!

...and if you're a reader here, you know I look at the sky a lot on the ride to realWork. What's hard to capture here is the fog/cloud bank that hangs over the area as you come into Smithville...the sunrise here isn't actually on the horizon, it's on the edge of that fog/cloud bank. In about 2 minutes, it was almost dark because I was inside of it...no sign of sun at all!

...just a nice framing for the sunrise...

What am I listening to these days? I don't know...a little of everything. I haven't bought any music in the last week or so...I've had XM on Classic Vinyl channel on the way to work and been enjoying the flash backs. Started the car yesterday and Whuppin' Post came on...followed by Back in the USSR...followed by Low Sparks of High Heeled Boys...and Bad Company. That will almost get me to work...and in a good mood!

If you've gotta little extra these days, help out a neighbor, a friend, or somebody you don't know. Your choice...I'm partial to the Second Harvest Food Bank here in Middle Tn.

Time to start having Happy Holidays!

hbsongs 948 overandout