Are We Listening, Church?

It's hard to believe, but it's been over 18 months since a Music Monday post has hit this blog. Since I've been hearing today's featured song more and more over the last several months, I felt like today was it's turn. 

I'm in my 50s, have been attending church since 9 months before I was born, and every time I hear this song, it makes me think. In fact, it makes me think a lot about how every day, we "Christians" throw stones at the rest of the world about how it lives and behaves. The truth is that we live in glass houses ourselves, and we desperately need to get them in order before we can effectively share the love of Jesus with others and see the world change. Until WE do, WE are hypocrites.

Casting Crowns, in their 1st appearance here on a Music Monday, deals with this very issue in "Start Right Here". The music video is embedded below and can also be enjoyed here. 

 This song is truthful, so Church, I gotta ask - are we listening?

In Memory of Ric Ocasek

Last week, Ric Ocasek, lead singer of The Cars passed away. As a teenager growing up in the '80s, I listened to the band's music frequently. Their 1984 album Heartbeat City was one of the first albums I ever owned. I added it to my cassette tape collection very soon after it's release.

Courtesy : Wikipedia

Today's Music Monday video is "You Might Think" from Heartbeat City. The song was the band's first #1 single on the Mainstream Rock Chart. It also won MTV's very first "Video of the Year Award". Additionally, it won 5 awards at the 1984 Billboard Video Music Awards and 4 more at the 1985 Monitor Awards. 

Ric Ocasek left us a ton of good music. He will be missed. Today's Music Monday is dedicated to him. Video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here.

 

Heart Month Music Monday

February is designated as Heart Month each year. It is also the month I received my heart transplant of which I celebrated the 12th anniversary of last week. So, it is a special month for me.

Back in 2012, I posted a Music Monday series featuring Heart and a number of their most popular tunes. It was also in 2012 that Heart gave a special performance of "Stairway to Heaven" at the Kennedy Center Honors for Led Zeppelin. In my opinion, it was an unforgettable, legendary performance of one of rock 'n roll's iconic tunes by one of my favorite bands. It will be hard for anyone to ever top it.

I read somewhere after Heart's performance that usually the members of Led Zeppelin do not like it when their music is performed by other bands. However, in this case, they really enjoyed it. I think that is evident in the video.

If you have not scene it, today's your chance. It is embedded below or can be viewed by clicking here. Enjoy. I sure did.
 
Heart "Stairway to Heaven" (Live) from Hamilton Post Production on Vimeo.

Think Twice In 2019

One day last week, when I had SiriusXM playing in my truck, I heard today's Music Monday song for the first time in several years. It got me to thinking - thinking about how we Americans treat each other. There's way too much arguing, and yelling and screaming over politics, sports, how our food is or is not prepared when we go out to eat, over how poorly someone else drives, and so many other things that, as my mom used to say, "don't amount to a hill of beans".  It also led to me wondering, "what if we tried doing things differently in 2019?"

Today's Music Monday is Phil Collins' "Another Day In Paradise" from his 1989 album ... But Seriously? Interestingly, both the song and the album went to #1. 

The song is about the plight of the homeless, but as I listened to it the other day, the lyrics got me to thinking about it's application to other hardships. For instance:

The woman who is a victim of domestic violence.
Just another day in paradise.
The man who's just been diagnosed with terminal stage 4 cancer.
Just another day in paradise. 
The soldier's wife whose husband just left for a year-long deployment.
Just another day in paradise.
The woman whose husband of 50 years just passed away.
Just another day in paradise.
The man who's been outta work for 6 months and is in danger of losing his home and being unable to feed his family.
Just another day in paradise.
The lonely teenager who needs a friend.
Just another day in paradise.
The one who's in the hospital running out of time waiting on a life-saving organ transplant.
Just another day in paradise.

I could go on and on with this, because nearly every one is struggling with something. So, let's put aside all the anger, selfishness, and hostility and try helping someone(s) in 2019, because what we've been doing simply ain't working. What would daily life in the U.S. look like if we did?

2019 and our chance to "think twice" and do something different that makes a difference begins tomorrow. We hear talk about "change" all the time. For once, let's make a change that actually does some good. Shall we?

The music video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here. 

 

Happy New Year everyone!!

Music Monday's A Breeze

It's been a little while since The Sheepdog posted, and today I'm in a music kinda mood. Specifically - a Southern rock kinda mood, and you can't talk about Southern rock without using the words Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Skynyrd announced earlier this year that they would be headed out on the road one last time in 2018 for their Farewell Tour. I feel like Southern rock as a genre is taking a hit this year with both Skynyrd and Third Day on such tours. However, their music will live on forever.

So, for today's Music Monday, let's journey back to 1976 for some live Skynyrd with "Call Me The Breeze". Video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here.

Thanks for the music and memories, guys. You will be missed.

An Ode to the Nashville Transit System

credit

WOW!!

I'm kinda shocked. On May 1st, the people of Nashville crushed the proposed $9 Billion transit plan. The margin of vote was 65% against the project which would have taken a decade or so to build and would ultimately do nothing to cure the city's traffic ills.

The people rising up against the power brokers who were looking to line their pockets from the plan was a thing of beauty. The Sheepdog's first reaction was, in the words of Tyler Perry's Madea, "Hallelujer!!", because the plan would have exacerbated the traffic problems while under construction. 

Plus, considering how much debt the city's last 3 mayors have piled on the city's taxpayers, I think it's possible bankruptcy might have been looming in the city's future, if the project had been approved. Having a number of friends who work for the city, that would not have been good for them.

So, today, in my 1st post back, I offer "An Ode to the Nashville Transit Plan" via AC/DC's classic "Shot Down In Flames", which is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here.

Power to the people!! Hallelujer!!

Thanks Jan

"Vixen" album cover - via Wikipedia user Weatherman90 (here)

In 2012, the original members of Vixen, Jan Kuehnemund, Janet Gardner, Roxy Petrucci, and Share Pedersen (now Ross), were in the final stages of a planned band reunion. Then, in January 2013 just days before they were going to make an official announcement, Jan, the band's founder, was diagnosed with cancer. She fought the disease for nearly a year, but unfortunately passed away October 10, 2013, 4 years ago tomorrow, and the band's and its fans dreams of a complete reunion of it's original lineup never came to fruition.

Today's Music Monday is in memory of Jan and the great music she left us with. Told that an all-female heavy metal band would never make it, she and her bandmates were determined to prove the naysayers wrong, and man, did they ever.

Both of today's music videos are of songs from the bands debut self-titled album, Vixen, released in 1988. They both feature Jan's guitar playing and provide some great memories for her fans, including me, of her doing what she loved - playing her guitar. She was a talented guitarist.

Video #1 is of "Love Made Me" (embedded below or can be enjoyed here). Video #2 is of "Cryin' " which was filmed live at MTV's 1989 New Years Eve special (embedded below or enjoy it here).

What If Today Was Your Last Day?

What if today was your last day?

September 11th. Today, we're remembering that dreadful day. It's likely that at some point today, you've thought about what you were doing when you heard the news. I know I have. I remember it like it was yesterday.

I was still working full-time and was about halfway through my battle with heart disease. I arrived at work a few minutes before 8 a.m. and was just settling in. The report came over my radio that a small plane had flown into the World Trade Center. Next report said, no - it was an airliner. So, I thought, "How does an airliner accidentally fly into a building that tall? How could the pilot not see it?" Then, the shock, disbelief, and horror set in when the next report said it had been done intentionally. It was terrorism.

What if today was your last day?

CNN breaking the news of a plane crash at the World Trade Center (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Just like myself, millions of Americans went to work that day like any other weekday. We expected to come home to our families that night, have dinner, watch some TV, go to bed, and get up and do it again the following day. Unfortunately, several thousand of them did not have that opportunity, because of the hate within 19 evil men.

What if today was your last day?

The thousands who perished in the towers, the Pentagon, or serving as first responders and crew members on those planes had no idea what their day had in store for them. Neither did their families who saw their worlds changed forever in the blink of an eye, as did millions of us watching on TV. We will never be the same even though it happened 16 years ago.

Today's Music Monday is a special one as we remember. It has the opportunity to be the most powerful, positive, motivational, life-changing post I've ever been inspired to do on this blog, if we let it. My hope is that it makes you think and changes us all in a good way.

What if today was your last day?

Nickelback has received a lot of criticism over the years, much of it deserved, due to the racy music lyrics in some of their songs. However, "If Today Was Your Last Day" contains none of that. The band absolutely nailed it with the lyrics in this song. If you've never heard it, you are in for a treat. You may even want to share it with friends and family.

The song should make us think about what's really important. If you've heard some of the band's criticism, I encourage you to put it aside and take the time to watch today's music video. Listen carefully to the lyrics and think about what the band is saying. I think you'll find that even an ol' rock band can provide some thoughtful insight and wisdom every now and then. Don't write it off just because it's Nickelback. You'll be cheating yourself if you do. It could be the best 4 minutes of your day. Don't judge a book by it's cover or a song by the name of the band.

One other thing - watch the video all the way through. At the beginning, you may think, "This doesn't look good. This is gonna end badly." I thought the same thing and got a pleasant surprise. You will, too. Just trust The Sheepdog on this one. You'll thank me later.

Video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here.


To the families of all who lost loved ones that day, my prayers continue to go out to you. To all the military families who have lost loved ones fighting the war against terrorism, thank you for your sacrifice.

To the rest of us, I'll ask again - what if today was your last day?

Thanks Chris

When I moved to Middle Tennessee in 1993, Nashville had the best rock station on the face of the planet - WKDF. It didn't matter when you listened or what song was on, it was good stuff. Their song rotation ranged from hard rock, to '70s classic rock, to southern rock, to '80s hair / glam metal, and even grunge. It was awesome. Then, one day around 1 p.m., I returned to the office from lunch and found that it was over - WKDF had switched to country. It went from awesome to totally sucking. I wanted to loose my lunch. I hate country music. It hurts my ears. It's like fingernails screeching across a chalkboard.

Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Audioslave (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I'm sure that like everything else, it was about money, but ever since, Nashville has been without a good radio station. If you're a rocker, your choices are Jack FM or The Rock. I guess Jack is ok if you like having a song by Guns 'N Roses, Metallica, or .38 Special followed by Michael Jackson or Madonna. Yuck. I guess The Rock is ok if you want to hear The Beatles, The Clash, Rush, or Led Zeppelin every third song, but I don't. However, a critique of Nashville rock radio is not the purpose of this post.

It was on WKDF where I first heard Soundgarden and frontman Chris Cornell during the grunge explosion of the early to mid-'90s. Mixing that band and Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, and Alice In Chains in with the other rock genres mentioned above was the norm. In fact, nearly 5 years ago, I posted a Music Monday double shot of my two favorite Soundgarden hits - "Black Hole Sun" and "Fell On Black Days" (here). Loved those songs in the '90s and still do today. Arguably, the 2 best ballads to come out of the grunge era.

Back in May, we lost Chris Cornell. He was a talented musician. In the time since, I've read several articles surrounding his death. Some were done in good taste and some in poor. There are many who knew him well and miss him dearly, and it is my belief that the rest of us should remember Chris for the music he left us with, instead of the way he left us.

Therefore, as a memorial to Chris, today's Music Monday is Soundgarden's "Spoonman", which is about a street performer who plays spoons - not a guitar or drums, but spoons. The song's music video can be watched by clicking here and is also embedded below.

Thanks for the music, Chris.

Related articles

• LISTEN: 10 Chris Cornell songs you need to hear (rappler.com)

A Double Dose of Rebellion on Music Monday

English: Flag of the Assembly of Tennessee (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Sheepdog is rather perturbed. In fact, I've had it with the Republican-controlled Tennessee Legislature and Governor "Slick Billy" Haslam. Since they've taken power, they've insisted on telling Tennesseans how much allergy medication we can buy, where we can and can't carry our guns, where we can take a selfie, and more. I could go on and on. That's not freedom, and it needs to stop.

So, today, I'm musically expressing my continued displeasure with these bums, and I'll start with a music video from Monster Truck. Their song "Don't Tell Me How To Live" is a good way to start this double shot of music on the 2nd Monday in May. The video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here.

Hang on, though, this video is like the "warm-up band" at a rock concert. The Sheepdog's just getting started. The best, "the headliner", is below.



The previous grievances I've had with the Tennessee Legislature and the governor are not my biggest problem with them, though. Recently, these so-called "conservatives" rammed through what will turn out to be the biggest tax increase on Tennesseans in my lifetime. These liars, with the help of the media and fuzzy math, conned many Tennesseans into believing it is "The Largest Tax Cut in Tennessee History".

Nothing could be further from the truth, because the few taxes that are cut in the legislation will only benefit a few, mainly the wealthy, and the cut in the sales tax on food will be far outweighed by the increase in the gas tax and the diesel fuel tax. In fact, the increase in the diesel fuel tax will force up prices on ALL products sold in Tennessee as transportation and shipping costs will go up across the board and be passed on to consumers. It's basic Economics 101 no matter what the politicians tell you.

So, to thoroughly express my outrage with the Tennessee liars' con-job, "the headliner" on this edition of double-shot music Monday is Nickelback with their #1 hit "Edge Of A Revolution". It's perfect here with images of school kids turning from conformists going along with the status quo into nonconformists refusing to take it anymore.

Until Tennesseans do the same thing and stop voting the same Tennessee politicians back into office every single election, nothing will change. They will continue to do whatever they want to us. Video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here.



Due to some of the images in the video, I know someone's thinking,"Wow. The Sheepdog's gone full-Commie on us." Absolutely not. Neither am I encouraging rioting in Tennessee. All I'm saying by sharing this video is don't buy into the Tennessee GOP's "mass delusion" that the fuel tax increase will actually be a tax cut, because "they're depending on mass confusion". "Don't lay down and accept this fate." Instead, be revolutionaries with your vote on Election Day 2018 by voting every single, sorry Tennessee incumbent out of office regardless of party.

Don't be a sheep. Be a sheepdog. Let your vote be your teeth. I promise you I will.

Music and a Milestone

On February 20, 2007, two Tennessee men were desperate, suffering, fighting for their lives, and needing a miracle - a miracle in the form of a life-saving organ transplant. One needed a liver, and the other a heart. One would lose his battle, but in the process, he would save the life of the other. Medical records will show that the one man died that night, but I will assert that, in a way, he did not - he lives on through the gift of his heart to me.

Kent, my donor

Today makes 10 years since I received the call that a heart was available for transplant for me. Tomorrow will be the actual 10 year anniversary of my transplant. The last 10 years have rushed by fast. I am thankful for each day. Those days would not have been possible without my heart donor, Kent. I do not take a day for granted. Without him, my wife and I would not have celebrated our 20th anniversary. We would not have been to Hawaii together. I wouldn't have shot my 1st, or 2nd, trophy buck. I wouldn't have ever harvested my 1st turkey, or seen my nephews grow into teenagers. I am grateful for all of those memories and many others. None of them possible without Kent.

Today's a Music Monday, and I had a tough time coming up with a song for today. Then, I remembered one of Skillet's more recent releases - "Not Gonna Die". The song was released on the band's 2013 record titled Rise. From what I understand, the song is actually about not letting sin overtake and consume you. However, to me today it has another meaning.

The video and the lyrics are a little dark, but when I think about what both Kent and I were going through 10 years ago today, the struggle, the emotions, the feeling of helplessness - they are the perfect artistic rendering of what we were experiencing.

Neither of us wanted to die that night - and, in a way, neither of us did. We're walking this earth together. Kent also saved others that night 10 years ago by donating other organs. He improved the lives of many others, too, through tissue donation. He left a legacy of life and giving to others. So, he lives on not just in me, but in many others, too. He is a hero to many of us and our families.

Thanks again, Kent.

The video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here.



If you are not presently registered as an organ and tissue donor, you can learn more, and even learn how to register in the state where you live, by clicking here.

Music for the Super Bowl Blues

Atlanta Falcons logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Like much of the country, I was pulling for the Atlanta Falcons last night. Still can't believe they couldn't hold onto a 25 point lead and secure their 1st Super Bowl title. They did every thing right for the first 3 quarters - they were aggressive offensively, and their defense was able to get pressure on Tom Brady regularly. Coach Dan Quinn nailed the game plan. It just seemed like his team ran out of gas in the 4th quarter and the Patriots pounced.

The loss was a heartbreaker for the Falcons, their fans, and anyone who lost money on the game. However, The Sheepdog is here with the cure for what ails you as I roll out the first Music Monday of 2017.

In 2014, AC/DC released their Rock or Bust album. One of the singles on that album is "Rock the Blues Away". It's received a lot of airplay on satellite radio and various music apps, and in my opinion, it's one of the band's best. So, if the Falcons loss has left you feeling a little low, crank up the volume and rock those blues away with a dose of AC/DC. I'm confident that no matter how bad you feel, this will get your foot tappin' and pick up your spirits.

The video is embedded below or can be viewed by clicking here.

An Ode to Hillary on Music Monday

Finally. It's over. The Clinton Regime is done. We Conservatives endured 8 years of the liberal, military gutting, law enforcement hating, gun control loving, couldn't keep it in his pants, Clinton presidency. Then, we endured Hillary's progressive tenure in the U.S. Senate. Next, we endured her embarrassing, leftist foreign policy initiatives as Secretary of State. Lastly, we endured her stint as the Democratic nominee for president. Now, thank God, all of that is over.

Through all of it and unlike when things don't go The Lunatic Left's way, we conservatives didn't break and burn things, nor did we riot. Heck, we didn't even threaten to leave the country like a bunch of babies. We endured it and made the best of it.

Now, we only ask for one, simple thing - Hillary, please "Don't Go Away Mad, Just Go Away." So, on this post-2016 election edition of Music Monday, this one's dedicated to Hillary Clinton. It's Motley Crue with "Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)" from their 1989 #1 record, Dr. Feelgood (click here).

Unleashed Adrenaline

Skillet is set to release it's 9th album, Unleashed, in August. The band has already produced and released the music video for the album's first single, "Feel Invincible", and The Sheepdog likes it ..... a whole freakin' lot.

Skillet in Concert (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Skillet's last record Rise just didn't do it for me. It seemed that the band got away from the lyrics and sound that made Skillet, ... well Skillet. Some of the lyrics dove into the political realm, which I didn't like, because I'd rather a band stay out of politics and stick to doing what they do best - music. In Skillet's case that means hard-driving, adrenaline fueled Christian rock and metal.

If what I see and hear in the video for "Feel Invincible" is a sample of what Unleashed has in store for the band's fans, then, Skillet is back, and they're back with plenty of volume and adrenaline. You know, the way The Sheepdog likes it.

So, check it out for yourself. The video is embedded below or you can watch it on Skillet's Youtube channel by clicking here. The only other thing I have to say is, when does the tour start??

Flag Day Music Monday

I'm not an NBA fan, but I am a Metallica fan. So, when I ran across today's video of Metallica playing "The Star Spangled Banner" prior to last night's NBA Finals Game 5, I knew it was perfect for today's Music Monday, which happens to be Flag Day.

I've embedded the video below or you can watch it by clicking here. Crank up the volume, because the National Anthem never sounded so good.

Occasionally, I'm asked, "Sheepdog, why a metal fan?" This is why. There's just something about the sound of a screaming 6-string. 

8 Years .... and Counting

A couple of weeks ago, I celebrated the 8th anniversary of my heart transplant. It amazes me how fast the last 8 years have flown by. It seems more like only 8 days. However, I'm thankful for every one of the last 2900+ days. I haven't taken any of them for granted.

The last 8 years have given me an opportunity to spend additional time with my wife, friends and family, and more time doing the things I enjoy. It has now dawned on me that I am not alive today because of anything I have done. I'm still here because of the love of friends and family who supported and prayed for me during my long battle with heart disease. I'm alive because God is gracious and merciful, and because a man I never met chose to care enough to be an organ donor. In other words, I'm still alive because of what others did for me.

It's been awhile since there was a Music Monday on this blog, and I felt like today was as good a time as any to get them started back up. I've decided to feature a song that has been one of my favorites for many years, because it expresses how I feel about the blessing of the last 8 years, and it does it so much better than any words I can type on this page.

Today's feature is a live video of Avalon's "Testify to Love". I've embedded it below or it can be watched by clicking here. Enjoy, and if you're not yet registered as an organ and tissue donor, please do so today by clicking here.

A Different Approach

It's been interesting the last few weeks listening to folks talk about this Fifty Shades of Grey movie. My fellow Christians and other groups are calling for boycotts for various reasons. From what I've heard the movie contains explicit sexual situations and promotes violence against women. Personally, I cannot speak to any of this as I have not seen the movie and have no intentions of doing so. I'm more of an action and sci-fi movie guy. For my $10-$11 movie admission I want to see shooting and stuff getting blown up.

I think the folks who are clamoring for boycotts of the movie are taking the wrong approach. During my lifetime, I've noticed that time and time again when Christians and others call out something in the entertainment industry as being bad, it peaks the public's curiosity. Next thing you know, everyone has the attitude of, "Let's see what all the fuss is about." So they go buy the controversial record or go see the movie, and the artist or producer makes millions because of it. Consider the following examples to make my point.

Moon over Miami (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

First, back in the '80s, there was a rap/hip-hop group from Miami called 2 Live Crew. Remember them and their record As Nasty As They Wanna Be?

They released their first record in 1986. At the time, their fan base mainly grew through word of mouth. Then, 1989 rolls around and they release As Nasty As They Wanna Be with the cover photo of the backs of women in thong bikinis. The lyrics to the so-called songs on the record are sexually explicit, so Christians, the American Family Association, and others went nuts. Curiosity was peaked and people wanted to know what all the fuss was about leading to the album selling over 2 million copies.

These rappers went on to release a total of 11 albums over their 12-year career with the last one being in 1998. Let that sink in for a moment - a raunchy rap group released 11 albums, selling millions of copies of them, and making millions of dollars. It is my opinion that if Christians and others had not raised so much cain about the filthy lyrics, this "band" would have not received the notoriety it did, flopped, and just went away after a couple of records. The free press they received made them rich and successful.

Second, back in the early '80s, the hair/glam metal craze swept the country. My favorite band, Motley Crue, was right in the middle of it. The band formed in 1981 and released its first record Too Fast for Love. Too Fast really did not see much success at first. It didn't break the Billboard 200 until 1983 after the band released album #2 - Shout at the Devil. Now, why was that?

Shout at the Devil (song) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It's simple. Shortly after Devil's release, Christians, conservatives, and other groups jumped all over Motley Crue, because in their opinion, the band was promoting satanism with it's use of pentagrams. Once again, curiosity peaked, people had to see what all the fuss was about, and all the attention led to Devil selling 4 million copies (quadruple platinum status). The Crue's career took off. Additionally, Devil's success led to more people going back and purchasing Too Fast and it shot into the Billboard 200 album chart reaching #77 and going platinum (selling over a million copies).

Motley Crue's career has now spanned 3 decades, 30 years, 9 studio albums, and they've sold over 100 million records. As I've said, they're my favorite band. I never agreed with their wild lifestyle, but I've loved much of their music. However, if you listen to their early records, Too Fast and Devil, they were really not that good. I always felt like they really didn't hit their stride until 1985's Theatre of Pain was released.

If it had not been for all the attention and controversy surrounding Shout at the Devil, I'm not convinced The Crue would have lasted more than a few albums. 30 years? No way. In my opinion, it's likely they, too, would have flamed out after a couple of records, but thanks to all the negative PR they got over Devil, they hit it big. Were they satanic? I don't think so. I think all the pentagrams, etc. were a brilliant PR stunt that left Motley Crue laughing all the way to the bank.

So, what's my point with all this? I think that when controversial stuff comes out of the entertainment industry that Christians and other conservative groups find offensive, most of the time we deal with it the wrong way. Think about it this way - when a child is told not to do something or that they can't have such-and-such, what is the the first thing they do? Exactly. They go and do just what they were just told not to. It's natural. Adults do it to. When someone, or some group, starts clamoring about how immoral or wrong something is, our natural reaction is to be curious and want to see what all the fuss is about. Well ....... STOP IT!!!!!!!

Just like 2 Live Crew and Motley Crue ended up having long, successful, and profitable careers after controversies surrounding their music, continued wailing about Fifty Shades of Grey is gonna push people to want to see the movie. Hollywood will make millions, allow it to run for weeks and weeks, and then make similar movies in the future due to the success of this one.

So, try a different approach for once - just fuhgeddaboutit and shut up. Then, it might just go away when it stops making money due to a lack of interest. Right now, all the negative attention is making Hollywood money.

Christians and conservatives are currently doing exactly what Hollywood wants them to in regards to Fifty Shades of Grey. They're being played, and just like Motley Crue did, Hollywood's laughing all the way to the bank.

Related articles

• Motley Crue to retire as a touring band New Year's Eve 2015. #MotleyCrue #Music (muzicmagazine.com)
• AFA: 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Glamorizes Abuse, Degrades Women (grumpyelder.com)
• Fifty Shades of Grey Sets Box Office Record! (kontrolgirl.com)

Music for Memorial Day

Today, we Americans honor and thank the ones who have died fighting to protect us, our freedom, and the American way of life. Our military men and women, and their families, sacrifice time and time again for us, and it doesn't seem to me that one day a year is enough to honor them.

A friend of mine forwarded today's music video to me several months back. I feel like today is the right time to share it with you.

Today's song and music video is "Bad Company." It was originally recorded by the band Bad Company in 1974 becoming one of the band's biggest hits. However, today's video is a cover of the Bad Company original by Five Finger Death Punch recorded while they visited with American troops during the band's 2010 tour of Iraq.

The video seems perfect for today as America's enemies everywhere know that when American fighting men and women are sent in after them, it means some bad company is coming. The video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here.


Five Finger Death Punch - Bad Company by FiveFingerDeathPunch-Official

Once again, The Sheepdog says a HUGE thank you to all who have fought and died for him, their families, and to the ones who are still on the field of battle.

Related articles

• FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Honored As "Best International Group" At Sweden's Bandit Rock Awards; Video Streaming (bravewords.com)
• Win a Guitar Signed by Five Finger Death Punch and a 'Wrong Side of Heaven' Platinum Bundle! (loudwire.com)
• The Best Way to Honor the Military on Memorial Day (usnews.com)

Music Monday In Living Colour

Wow. It's been over two months since we had Music Monday on The Sheepdog. That changes now, and we are going back to 1988 with a rocker of a tune in order to do so.

Today's band, Living Colour, makes it's first appearance on my Music Monday series. The tune and video I'm featuring is the band's best known song, "Cult of Personality." When Living Colour released the song on its 1988 debut album Vivid, it experienced instance success as the song shot straight up the charts.

Living Colour won a Grammy for "Best Hard Rock Performance" in 1990 and two MTV Music Video Awards, "Best Group Video" and "Best New Artist," for the song. Without further delay, the "Cult of Personality" music video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here.

Related articles

• Living Colour's rocking return (utsandiego.com)
• 25 Years Ago: Living Colour's 'Vivid' Album Released (ultimateclassicrock.com)
• Living Colour celebrating 25 years of 'Vivid' on tour (dates), also playing NYC benefit with 24-7 Spyz (brooklynvegan.com)
• Friday's One Hit Wonder (931jackfm.cbslocal.com)

KickStart Your Week With Music Monday

Ten days ago, I celebrated my 7-Year heart transplant anniversary. In the days since, the newest Dodge Ram commercial has started airing featuring my favorite Motley Crue song - "Kickstart My Heart."

It gave me an idea. During my 11-year battle with heart disease, prior to my transplant, my heart had to be "kickstarted" about a dozen times. It was no fun. By contrast, Motley Crue's "Kickstart My Heart" music video, filled with images of drag racing, stock car racing, motorcycles, and skydiving, is a straight up adrenaline packed 5 minutes of pure fun. So, considering what I just celebrated, I felt like it was perfect for this Music Monday. So, I'm gonna feature the song's video today.

Dr. Feelgood (album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

"KickStart My Heart" appeared on the band's 1989 Dr. Feelgood record. The record went to #1, and is in the opinion of many music critics, and this music fan, the band's best record. One quick warning, though, in regards to today's video. I always try to keep The Sheepdog blog as "family friendly" as possible. However, just past the 3 minute mark of "Kickstart," when the tempo slows down, the lyrics contain 2 references to the 3-letter word for "butt." If that offends you, then don't watch the video. However, if you need a little shot of energy to start the week off, today's video is a Crue Classic and might just be the ticket for getting your week going.

So, crank the volume up, and "kickstart" your week with a dose of Motley Crue. The video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here. I'm sure my fellow CrueHeads out there will enjoy this one.

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