“Keep me in your thoughts while I’m away. Remember how it was and the words we thought to say” - Keep Me In Your Thoughts
Well, I suppose this is a day I knew might come eventually. I’m a 35 year old man and I can’t believe how sad this makes me. Your music has made me laugh over the past decade. It’s made me cry too. I’ve sat alone and dissected every line of every song and I’ve stood with thousands of strangers in the middle of the ocean singing with you at the top of my lungs.
On my desk there are two things framed, a photo from my wedding day and “4th of July” lyrics, handwritten and signed by SK. I danced to your songs at my wedding and they’ve comforted in times when I’ve lost loved ones. To say that Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers have been and will always be a huge part of my life is an understatement. Today’s news came as a shock and I’m completely unable to follow the 5 stages of grief. I keep bouncing between denial and acceptance. There’s the part of me that knows that keeping me apart from my best friends would be impossible. The adult in me is accepting this, because it’s what we do – we move on.
The very reason that I’m so connected with SK6ers is the very reason for a hiatus. I’ve always respected SK’s songwriting, and his willingness to talk so openly about his family and what they mean to him. Just two days ago, I saw SK bring his daughter on stage so she could dance to “Gravity.” We all feel that way about our families, but it’s nice to see a musician so sincere. Little things like that make your fans love you more than you can imagine – and I think we all respect your decision to live life for a while.
So, whatever it is that you guys choose to do in the future, individually or collectively, count me in.
Look. I love you man. There were very few days as a kid when I didn’t hear a Willie song. Your new album, Heroes, is amazing and I can’t believe you somehow pulled off a duet with Kris Kristofferson and Snoop Dogg. You’re nearly 80 years old and still have more energy than people 6 decades younger than you. And I’m pretty sure you’re immortal. Bottom line, you’re one of my favorites.
I do however, have a bit of a complaint. I am going to need you to record an album full of nothing but covers of rock songs. Your versions of “The Scientist” (on the new album) and “Time After Time” have shown that your signature style fits perfectly with just about any genre. You’ve worked with Ryan Adams in the past, and I’d love to hear your take on an RA tune. I’d also love to hear you do something like “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” I need this to happen Willie. The way I see it, you’ve only got about 120 good years left, so the sooner the better.
Thanks in advance-
Ben
In case you need a reason to buy Heroes, here’s Willie with his son, Lukas, covering one of my favorite Pearl Jam songs.
“I made a mess of me. I want to spend the rest of my life alive” – Mess of Me
Dear Switchfoot,
I owe you guys an apology. You’re an old faithful friend and I’ve lost touch. I admit it, I mean to spin through The Beautiful Letdown or Nothing is Sound – maybe even go really old school and rock out to New Way To Be Human, but I never do, and I’m sorry. I became a Switchfoot fan over Christmas break 1998 when I first heard “Concrete Girl.” We’ve sort of grown up together since then you know. Upon looking at the “last played” column on my iTunes last night, I realized that I’d not heard a SF song (at least on my own iPod) since late 2009. Over the last decade, your music has been a soundtrack to my life, making bad days far more tolerable and great days even greater. So it’s been a Switchfoot day around here. I’ve nearly made it through the entire catalog today, and it’s reminding me just how far we’ve come. So there’s my apology. Sorry for neglecting you guys – it won’t happen again.
“There’s nothing we haven’t burned but still this fire makes no light, and no heat.” – Werewolves
Dear Alex Dezen,
Keep kicking ass. That’s about the only thing I can say. I’m sitting in my office, trying to lock down a top 25 for 2010, and all I can do is listen to “Werewolves.” I’t's not that uncommon for me to spend a day with Air Stereo and I’ve never gone more than a week without spinning One Last Century but this new album has me so excited I can’t sit still. I pledged immediately and can’t wait to see my name in the album credits. Hell, I might ask for donations so I can afford to have you guys record one of my songs – not that I write songs, but you get it. Anyway, I will keep this one short and sweet. Thanks for providing the great majority of my life’s soundtrack.
Ben
*If you haven’t yet pledged, you’re missing out. There are some killer tracks available only to pledgers. Also, if you want to give Alex and the guys your email, you can get a copy of “She Goes Around” for free.
I love NPR. Love it. The one thing I need from them though, is more tiny desk concerts. If you’re unfamiliar, the fine folks at NPR have bands come in and literally perform at the desk of All Songs Considered host, Bob Boilen. They are always amazing – amazing may not even justify what these [...]
“I can carry this only so far and then something must give way” – Slow Down In 2000, Birmingham’s Wayne released a fantastic album called Music on Plastic. I literally listened to this CD on repeat more than nearly every CD I owned. Then, the album was re-released in 2002 with two extra songs and [...]
This week, I wanted so badly to get my hands on the Tired Pony CD, that I honestly couldn’t write about anything else. I thoroughly enjoy writing about and (maybe) introducing you to new bands, but I feel like I am missing something. A close friend asked me to make him some themed playlists and [...]
“Just count to ten she said and you won’t miss a thing” – Hills & Manhattan Dear Matt – Look pal, here’s the deal. I love that you’re working with Eve 6. I really enjoyed some of the Bandcamp tunes, but I have to admit, I am a little upset with you right now. I [...]
Dear Mike Eli and Ryan James- I’ll admit it, I am not a huge fan of country music. I do however, love TEXAS country. It’s completely different and I thank you guys for supplying me with great examples of what country music can be. But this post isn’t to tell you how great you are. [...]
Dear Boots – Your upcoming album ‘Part or Execution’ is my most anticipated album of the year so far. That actually says quite a lot, because another of my favorite bands is releasing an album on the same day. So Boots, I’ve been thinking – since you have not yet released a track listing, why [...]
“If you don’t love music, almost next to family, if you don’t love it enough to want it regardless of what it does to you, don’t get into it." - Dave Brubeck
"Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is the best." -Frank Zappa
“To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable.” - Aaron Copeland
Music Policy
This blog is like a Japanese restaurant in the mall. These songs are much like the bourbon chicken on a toothpick. You take a sample and if you like it, you buy - but it's not cool to just fill up on bourbon chicken for free my friend. So, if you like the music, support the artist. Buy a CD, buy a shirt or better yet, go see them live.
Any artist or representative of an artist can contact me at bfhendricks@gmail.com if you'd like me to take a song off the site.
Also, recommendations and tips are always appreciated via email.
Well, I suppose this is a day I knew might come eventually. I’m a 35 year old man and I can’t believe how sad this makes me. Your music has made me laugh over the past decade. It’s made me cry too. I’ve sat alone and dissected every line of every song and I’ve stood with thousands of strangers in the middle of the ocean singing with you at the top of my lungs.
