I know it's been 2 weeks since I last blogged. Not much to say. Recharging the batteries. Just wanted to let you know I'm still alive. Take care. Later, Butch

Sorry there was no blog yesterday. When I started writing this 10 months ago my goal was to blog everyday. That was tough, not only in finding what to write about, but in finding time to put my thoughts together and then actually writing them down. I decided I would go to a Monday through Friday schedule. At first it went fine. Then as the year ended and my band life became frazzled then focused and hectic, it became tougher time-wise, thought-wise, and even emotionally to put out the kind of consistant blog I feel is worthy of asking people to take time out of their busy day to read. When I use the word emotion I mean my goal is to really communicate a feeling within the blog. It's like writing a song. If you're going to ask folks to read or listen, it better be the best that you can do. It's got to feel, and feel right and real. Now I know that I don't always hit a home run, but my goal is to really share something worthwhile, whether it's serious, thought provoking, funny, informative, etc., etc. If I can shed some light into what it's like to be doing what I do, then my goal has been reached. Anyhow, what all this means is that I will blog when I feel I have something to offer. I will no longer keep an exact schedule. I won't blog just to blog. Besides the band life, my personal life is complex, busy, and as tricky as anyone else's. To those who read frequently, thank you, and don't worry. Anyone who knows me knows I've always got something to say. I appreciate the support. Keep checking the site daily. You never know what's going to happen in Butch World. God knows I don't. Take care. Later, Butch

Silence is golden. Isn't that what they say before a movie at the theatre? I guess it is there. And when you're having a hectic day, or you have a headache. But sometimes, when you need escape from the everyday, when you need relief from the thoughts that trouble you, the thoughts you just can't seem to get out of your head, then silence is not golden. It is an abyss, a vacuum, a void that offers no refuge. I think that's why you feel good after you talk to someone, or you do something outside. Is it so much the sunshine or rather the fact that you're stimulating your brain, taking it away from "thinking" for awhile. Excersize, endorphines, etc., etc. I also think that music can play a big part in all this. It, too, can take you away, help you cope with not only your problems, but the day to day monotony our lives at times become. Springsteen's "Born to Run" cranked up to high volume can really help the morning drive to work, you know what I mean? So where does this blog end up? Hey, silence isn't always golden. Sometimes you need an electric guitar. Did I mention I play an electric guitar? Take care. Later, Butch

The presentation. The build up. The hype. That's show biz. I thought about all of this last night as I watched magician/illusionist/dare devil David Blaine try to hold his breath for nine minutes under water after being in water for a week. Huh? Where does a magic "trick" mix with trying to mess with death? It doesn't BUT it works for DB due to the presentaton, the build up, the hype. It's show biz, entertainment. There was a quote from Houdini on there that said it best: "I don't care what they write about me as long as they spell my name right." Show biz, baby, entertainment. By the way, DB didn't make it. I mean, the record. Don't worry, he's alive and breathing, finally. He held his breath for ONLY 7:05. Wimp! Seriously, nobody cared that he didn't make it. Why? C'mon, you know by now, the presentation, the build up, the hype. Take care. Later, Butch

Question. In the song, "I've Been Everywhere", which has gained fame from those Motel 6 commercials, is your town named? It was a cover Johnny Cash recorded once Rick Rubin signed him to his label and told him he could record whatever he wanted. Kudos to Rubin, by the way, for giving a legend his due. Anyway, eventhough he didn't write it, does the man in black mention your town? He does mine. Yep, says Tampa. How 'bout that. That and fifty cents will get you a can of Pepsi from a machine. Speaking of Pepsi, happy birthday Coca-Cola. Coke was invented on this day in 1886 by a pharm in the A-T-L. How 'bout that. Wow, what a killer blog, huh? Hey, even a juiced up Barry Bonds can't hit a home run every at bat. Have a heart, gimme some slack. Summer is almost here. My mind is a wonderin'. Take care. Later, Butch

Keith Richards, 63, was released from a hospital in Fiji this week after suffering a concusion. Seems he fell out of a tree and hit his head. What? Did I mention he's 63? I discussed this with my literary friend C. Baxter Carter (those who live in North Tampa will know him as editor of The Link magazine). Maybe it's all the drug use from the past, maybe he's nuts, or maybe it's just a killer attitude, a rock and roll youthful 'tude that had The Rolling Stones guitarists in a tree (maybe he was in the mood for a coconut), either way, wow! To be climbing trees at 63 (although, I know, he fell out) says something about your outlook on things... forever young. Or he's as nutty as a squirel turd. I don't know, I just think if you think young, you stay young. And at 63, he's still rockin' and rollin'. Good for Keith. Sorry about the headache. Spit happens. Have a nice weekend. Take care. Later, Butch

Tom Petty, the guy whose songs and lyrics have always made so much sense to me, once penned, "I don't think pain is so romantic." Man, is that true. Personal issues of adult life (which I won't go into detail with here) can leave you emotionally worn beyond all recognition. I can't blog today. Sorry. My brain and gut need a rest, they're both wrenched. I need to chill and then focus, but not today. I can't. Take care. Later, Butch

The medley can be both a friend or foe. Let me explain. If you've waited to see a band since 1978 and then they just do medleys of all your favorite tunes, that would be a bummer. The veggie medley at participating restaurants is cool, as is doing a medley to kill time when you play Gate B at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games so you can make money to play your own tunes in the UK. (Sorry for the run on, it's autobiographical.) THE Jeff Wood, drummer man, came up with a cool medley idea to kill time: The Kinks. Tonight we'll run thru "All Day and All of the Night", which falls into "You Really Got Me", which leads to "Destroyer" (which is very similar to "All Day"). As medleys go, this one sounds cool. I've always dug The Kinks. Very R-N-R. I hope it works out. As I've gone over it by myself, it seems to work, but you never know. Even if it works at rehearsal, sometimes it still goes over like a turd in a punchbowl in front of a live audience, so you cast it aside. We'll see. Take care. Later, Butch

What a bummer this morning. As I awoke, I clearly thought it was Saturday. I mean, I was sure of it. Then reality struck. Qua-quaa-quaaa-quaaaa...! Damn. I realized it was only flippin' Tuesday. What a cruel joke to play on myself. I don't remember dreaming but I guess my dream told me it was the weekend. Sweet dreams are made of that: weekends not workdays. But, for some unknown reason, I was quite mature. I got up and accepted it. Why fight it? I can't change the day of the week. Acceptance was the best solution, infact, as the morning went on I forgot my cruel joke. Change what you can, accept what you can't. I guess that could hold true for many things. Make the best out of each situation. If you're given lemons, be realistic. You ain't making OJ. Make lemonade, and accept it. At least some classic rock station is playing Tuesday twofers. Take care. Later, Butch

Mundane. Yep, raised the lawn mower wheels up a few notches. Mowed this weekend. Makes the lawn look like a carpet. Neighbor gave me the tip. It does make a difference. Looks good. Mundane. Sometimes, when life is hectic and wacky, it's a good thing. Helps to ease the mind. Other times, when you're bored, it adds to the restlessness. A thin line for sure, a delicate balance. I get anxious when not much is happening, I get anxious when I'm overloaded. Finding the in-between is magic. It happens but while it's happening you tend to take it for granted. I need to get comfortable dealing with the mundane, allow myself to relax, just as I've learned that when things are hectic, it's best to focus on the task at hand. The realization that the task can and will be completed gets me through. It's just a constant learning process. Learning how to deal, figuring yourself out so you can reach contentment. As Aerosmith sang, "Life's a journey, not a destination." It just helps when you know how to enjoy the ride. Take care. Later, Butch