I got a 108. I am not ashamed.

News from 12/11/03

Ahem. Less than 7 days to Return of the King. Just in case you didn't know. Just felt I should point that out.

Not much new to report today. Between taking both cats to the vet, watching the Browns almost pull off a huge comeback on national television, absorbing the first issue of Anti-Up, and dealing with all the snow and school closings at work, I've been feeling a bit swamped.

But not so much that I didn't want to make a couple clarifications. I should note that although The Oklahoma Music Guide doesn't include a full bio entry on Red Dirt hero Tom Skinner, there IS a nice chunk of the 'Red Dirt Music' entry devoted to him. And a great picture from back when he was playing in a band with that guy you see on VH1 sometimes. Although Tom's modest enough that he'd probably try to convince you that the guy in the old pictures is a different Tom Skinner.

As far as this site is concerned, I should have a few more X-Rays and some new NFATB content up soon, so keep checking back for that.

And, more importantly, start making plans to come to the show on December 21st at All Souls. I promise you'll be surprised by this one. Judging by the set list I've got in mind, it's gonna be a different kind of Acoustic Ross show than you've seen before, and you'll hear songs you've never heard me play.

Unless, of course, you've installed spy cameras in my house.

-- R

News from 12/4/03

Hey, thanks for the last-minute votes in the OklahomaRock.com 2003 Music Awards. I think I still came in last, but it's an honor just to be nominated.

Speaking of nominations, Fountains of Wayne -- one of my personal favorites -- picked up a Grammy nomination.

In the category "Best New Artist."

Seven years after their first album came out.

Congratulations, recording industry! Between this year's Grammy nominations and the ongoing lawsuits against twelve-year-olds, you've finally become even more out-of-touch than the film industry! ("Forest? What forest? I can't see any forests with all these stupid trees in the way!")

But seriously, I wonder which network is going to try first to get this guy to be on a reality show. ("This week on an all-new 'Fear Factor' -- a twist you have to see to believe! Over the lips and past the gums -- look out stomach, here several of the other contestants come!")

Oh yeah, so anyway, I wanted to mention the informative new book The Oklahoma Music Guide. It's kind of an Oklahoma-only version of Rolling Stone's rock encyclopedias, and it's pretty extensive for a first edition. Two hundred artists get detailed bios, including folks you'd expect like Bob Wills & Woody Guthrie, but also modern types like Admiral Twin & Tony Romanello. There's some other cool stuff too, and it kinda comes off as a more or less complete history of music in here in Sooner country. (Yes, even Hanson made the cut.)

One cool feature is the list of about 2000 more artists that are being considered for inclusion in the 2007 'centennial edition' of the book. (Including some guy named Acoustic Ross, categorized as having been 'formed' in Tulsa, which I guess is a nice way to put it.) I'm sure not everyone will agree with who got bio-d and who didn't (no individual entry for Tom Skinner outside the afore-mentioned appendix?), but maybe they'll make the cut next time. (Hint hint.) Anyway, there's nothing else out there like this, and it sure would make a unique holiday gift for someone who's into local music around these so-called parts. Can't wait for the revised edition to come out four years hence.

Which hopefully will also include a full bio on the Starlight Mints. 'Cause they're extra superfine.

-- R