You gotta read this. This is a USA Today online article that is as absurd as it is noble. Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards recently accepted something that resembles a sponsorship deal with Louis Vuitton. If there was ever a real-life event that defines the term absurd, then this is it. The management at Louis Vuitton really believes that they are going to sell to rock ‘n’ rollers - real rock ‘n’ rollers - expensive luggage or even a guitar case? No. They are just blowing random corporate liquid assets.

But, by the grace of God, Keith Richards was not only coherent, but sober enough to realize this and make a noble decision to send those wasted corporate dollars to Al Gore’s, The Climate Project. Well done. The irony here - wait - I mean the comedy is that Keith Richards, of all people, is making Louis Vittuion look like its run by greedy capitalist pigs.

Nonetheless, I’m ecstatic that Keith Richards’ filtered their bad financial spending to a good cause. He also simultaneously proved that an old drug-addled real Rock-n-Roller is capable of making smarter financial decisions than Louis Vuttion’s brilliant marketing staff.

We need The Climate Project to get kicked into high gear and make a meaningful contribution to living and not dying. We can’t depend on Keith Richards making these financial donations for to long. He is Keith Richards. The poor guy has obviously got one foot in the grave.

On the other hand, the focus should be the fact current government has no regard for our environment unless it comes with a big price tag. Of course, you’re excluded Mr. Gore. As matter of fact, I say Mr. Gore should just be Obama’s running mate in order to keep the Clintons’ out of the White House. Then again, why can’t Gore just run with McCain? We need to tear down some of the walls of recent political traditions that are rooted in sustainable capitalism. Karl Marx once said that “History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.” We shouldn’t have to wait around to learn this fate.

Ok. I’m shutting up now while my editor ponders my writing career.

ash_ent@yahoo.com

The Courier Journal’s Jefferey Lee Puckett posted a nice review on Kid Rock’s “Rock-n-Roll Revival Tour” which made a stop into Freedom Hall. Hopefully it left a blessing in The Hall for our Louisville Cardinals as we head into the NCAA tournament.

I would have liked to have gone to this show for my own coverage, but procrastinated a little to long on asking for tickets. From Puckett’s review, it sounds like I missed out on one incredible show. Damn it.

ash_ent@yahoo.com

(intheclear) announced a lengthy tour across the eastern seaboard recently on their myspace site. Of course the tour begins and ends in the good ole’ city of Louisville, Kentucky.

ash_ent@yahoo.com

As my editor has already pointed out in his blog, Louisville natives My Morning Jacket got rave reviews by a slew of national media giants on a recent performance in Austin, TX. You can read what they had to say and catch video performance clips at The New York Times, and also on MTV.com, and the mighty Rolling Stone.

My Morning Jacket debuted a few new songs off their new album “Evil Urges,” which is slated for a June release. Word has it this album is slightly more popish than previous releases. One of the new songs, “Highly Suspicious” is laden with sultry funk, yet remains highly energetic with Jim James signature tenor. It has put me in a frenzy to hear the rest of the album, which I definitely will get my hands on sooner rather than later. But, once I do you can probably expect a review to follow.

Also, thanks to MMJ’s management for the recent link on their site.

ash_ent@yahoo.com

This weekend was a busy one in the Louisville music scene with more live events happening than what you could expect all the supportive fans to attend. I have always wished that all the Louisville based promoters and concert organizers could somehow communicate with each other on their show dates to hopefully minimize the overlap and splitting of crowds at each of their shows. But, I’m sure the logistics of making that happen is the reason why it doesn’t already happen to begin with. Oh well, onto my rambling.

The Good

I started off Friday night with The Louisville Music Showcase at Phoenix Hill Tavern where I saw Heaven Hill, Chamberflow, and (intheclear) who officially introduced a new member to the stage, Sean Shelton, formerly of Subrosa. Also playing that night was Nova Red, Subrosa, Never The Man, One Giant Leap, amongst others, but unfortunately I only stayed to see Heaven Hill and (intheclear). All I can say is this: “For the love of God, Heaven Hill, release your damn album that everyone has been so patiently awaiting for. And what the hell is all the record labels waiting for with signing (intheclear) to a record deal. Its bull**** that these guys still have a gas money collection going on at their merch booth.”

I also stopped in on Saturday night for the Doug Florio benefit show at Dutch’s Tavern. Poor ole’ Doug needed some help with some post surgery medical bills so everyone packed the house at Dutch’s to make sure he got some financial relief from the Healthcare Gestapo. I asked Doug what he thought about everyone chipping in and having a benefit for him, and this is what he had to say:

“I couldn’t help but to think sometimes ‘I’m not a good enough person for God to put these great people in my life. Those who know me know I have a giant ego and wouldn’t say that if it weren’t true to me. There are so many things you think, but mainly I’m so honored to have so many friends. Its funny because my family is in New York and I almost never get their. Me and my momma talk on the phone and are very close and my dad is a workaholic who doesn’t take off to visit me. I’m the same way. We both run our own businesses. He had half a lung removed for cancer, and I had my spinal cord injury at the same time, and were both back to work and smoking again. The point is, I play here on Christmas and all the holidays. Its how I spend time with my family. All these people in Louisville, and Kimmet and her husband Craig are my family. I just hope I can be there for these many Louisville loved ones like they were for me. I’m very humbled. Thank you for saving my life. You cant be out of work and not become homeless when you run your own business. I owe you all my life. I’d better go practice now!”

The lineup that night featured music from Jefferson Tarc Bus, Kimmet and Doug, Todd Whitener (of Interchange, Tantric) and Sloppy Joe. Without a doubt the highlight of the night came from the best female vocal chords in the city, which are still owned and operated by Miss Kimmet herself. Also, making his return to the Louisville music scene was the unforgettable Dave Moody, who has been out on the road as Billy Ray Cyrus’s bass player. Moody strapped on his twelve string acoustic guitar and jammed out with his former band, Jefferson Tarc Bus. I could feel the swaying of the old wood floor planks under my feet as everyone chanted along with The Tarc Bus, of course with the amplified energy that Moody brought back with his presence. It was definitely a good time for a good cause. Good luck to Doug and glad to see he can still play out and not miss a note!

The Bad

I really hate this part of my writing process, but since I am committed to telling it “like it is” - from my point of view, of course - here goes.

The Beechwood Jamfest at Louisville Gardens appeared to be a complete flop due to the anticipated large crowd that never showed up. There was a ton of talent on that bill, so that is not to blame. It was just the wrong venue. That was definitely meant to be at Headliners or Tailgaters. Had it been at one of those venues, it would have definitely seemed better than it was. The other issue was that there were too many Chiefs and not enough Indians. Translation: a security staff with over inflated egos. The number of working staff seemed to be proportionate to the number of fans attending. At the back door I was asked to go in through the front door very rudely by a security guard who claimed to be a Louisville Police Officer, but had no badge or business card to prove it. On top of that he had never heard of Louisville Music News. Then at the front door I was reminded that if I went back out that (front) door after entering, I was not allowed to come back in. Hey, no problems there buddy, my work is done here!

Back to Friday night’s Louisville Music Showcase. Better yet, don’t even get me started on Chamberflow.

The Ugly

Even worse then “The Bad” category, comes this. I’ll keep this short and just make my point of view known. Quit reading now if you think I’m being arrogant because that’s not my intent.

Back in the October 2007 edition of scuttlebutt (scroll down and read) I did a venue review on Phoenix Hill Tavern. I made it pretty clear that while PHT is one of Louisville’s premiere music venues, they still have some downright rude staff members. I didn’t mention any names back then but this time it has to be done. There was a bartender named Sara in the roof garden on Friday night who became very irate and rude over a repeated drink order that I thought she didn’t hear the first time I said it. So, I asked again to make sure. She threw some kind of female-fit and from that point on she refused to serve me. I mean, God forbid, someone trying to order a drink from a bartender. Is that all it takes with her? Really? No big deal. Her bar-tending days are numbered with that type of mentality, especially if she is going to pick her fights with a writer like me.

ash_ent@yahoo.com