Little Motown, Lotta Blues

Watching the grammys last week I heard a couple of amazing songs performed by this crazy looking girl. She appeared to be a screaming punk rocker, but she sounded like janis joplin. I'm haunted by her music now, bought her CD at meijer and keep playing the video on youtube. Apparently she has substance abuse issues; which is a shame. Wonder why this happens to talented people? Also read she writes most of the music and lyrics. There's a little motown beat, her voice is pure blues, and lots of horns! I told my drummer boy he should learn her songs. Take a listen to Amy Winehouse.

My Role Model

I finally had a chance to meet my hero, the queen who started it all, Jill Conner Browne, THE Sweet Potato Queen. And don't you know she's in town the ONE day I'm busy - on a MONDAY for heaven's sake. Jill was in Birmingham at Borders and I drove over there after class. It was nearly 10 at night, blowing snow and freezing cold. But the Big Ass Bus was still in the parking lot. I parked my car so the lights shined on the bus, propped my camera on the roof of the car, set the time and ran over for the first picture. Inside the store the clerks told me to knock on the door, that she was probably inside. Sure enough. I knocked on the door of the Big Ass Bus and out comes the cutest boy in the world saying "Well there you are, we've been waiting for you." Jill's husband has been well-schooled in how to make a wind-blown tired middle aged woman feel all warm and welcome. He gave me a HUGE hug before I even got up the steps! Inside Jill was making sandwiches, and asked me if I wanted one. Of course I said no, but just wanted a couple of pictures when she was done. Kyle took the pictures and Jill gave me a pair of her signature sunglasses. Now, here I am ON THE SWEET POTATO QUEEN WEBSITE! It just doesn't get any better than this.