I'm Gonna Gitchya Gitchya GitchYa GitchYa.....

One Way, Or Another...... Blondies song made it's Top 40 debut this day (6/30) in1979. this was only Blondies 2nd Top 40, after March of '79s smash "Heart Of Glass". It's kind of a shame, since their best music (IMHO) is on the 3 previous albums, "Blondie" and "Plastic Letters" and "Parallel Lines". "One Way Or The Other" peaked at #24.

Wheels!

Driving though Glen Carbon’s “old Town” last Sunday, I came across a batch of 8-10 motorcycles parked outside the local watering hole. They all seemed to have different front wheel designs…. Nikon D70

You Get Up Every Morning From the Alarm Clock's Warning, Take the 8:15 into the City.......

Bachman Turner Overdrive's "Takin' Care Of Business" hit the Top 40 today (6/29) in 1974. This one peaked at #12, and remains one of my favorite songs about the workaday world.

"and if your train's on time you can get to work by 9, and start your slavin' job to get your pay...."

Reason & Faith

”In the woods, we return to reason and faith” RW Emerson.

To me, the trees represent Reason, and the space between represents Faith.

Nickel Plate Bike Trail

We've seen a real explosion in bike/hike trails out here since we voted in a 1/2cent sales tax increase for rails-to-trails. Its getting to be a great network, well worth the investment.

Lazing On A Summer Afternoon

The creek was low, and hardly moving, the air was still, and a bit thick with humidity, temperature in the mid-high nineties..... Perfect time for a walk with my son. We crossed the creek in Miner's Park, and went a way up the Nickleplate bike trail. He had fun looking for "Clues". We saw Garsshoppers (green, grey and yellow), a dead mole (which the boy insisted was a rat), some dog poo, a running rabbit, and, most impressively, a badger (I think) scrambling into its lair at the base of the tree shown above. And then peeking out to see if we were still there!

To The Place I Belong...

John Denver's ode to West Virginia, "Take Me Home, Country Roads" made it's Top 40 debut today (6/26) in 1971. This was just seven months after the family had moved to Pittsburgh, from WV... this song has always struck home for me. It was a big hit with everyone else, too, reaching #2.

In The Loop..

Playing in Photoshop Elements.....

No More Teachers' Dirty Looks.......

Alice Cooper's summer anthem "School's Out" hit the Top 40 on this date (6/14) in 1972. It made it all the way to #7. Funny, I'd've expected this one a month earlier...

Standing Tall

I pass this tree every day on the way to work, it's probably 1/4 mile off the interstate, in the middle of some farmland. I took a side trip to get a close up.....

May winners at BP!!

Better Photo has announced the Finalists, and Winners, for their May 2005 photo contest. I got 2 finalists, Pink Dogwood Blossoms and Lighted Jars. Lots of great photos in the pool!

Don't Give me that Do Goody Good .......

Pink Floyd's "Money" made it's debut on the Top 40 today (6/23) back in 1973. This was Pink Floyd's only Top 40 song in the 70's, although they dominated AOR, and sold billions of records. "According to the December 1, 2001 issue of Billboard, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon had been on the charts for an astounding 1,285 weeks. That's just under 25 years! Its closest rival is James Taylor's Greatest Hits, checking in at 573 weeks on the chart. James can expect to reach Pink Floyd's record number in about 13 1/2 years. "

Evesdropping....

At my daughter's recent graduation, I noticed the lady in front of me composing a shot with her LCD display. I shot this over her shoulder, she remained unaware....

Brenda Lee, Comin' On Strong......

"Radar Love", the classic rock hit from Golden Earring made it's Top 40 debut on this day (6/22) back in 1974. This one made it to #13, the only hit from this band from the Netherlands. Not a bad song, but very high on the overplayed list....

Late in the Day

The near-setting sun, striking the Maple tree in the front yard, on a perfect day.

Just Shoot Me #552

On this date (6/21) back in 1975, Olivia Newton John debutted on the charts with yet another Top 5 hit. "Please Mr Please" peaked at #3, one of 8 Top 5's for ONJ in the 70's (out of 16 Top 40 hits). Sing along now:

Please, Mister, please, don't play B-17, It was our song, it was his song, but it's over....
Please, Mister, please, if you know what I mean, I don't ever wanna hear that song again

Rural Ohio

What's round on the ends and high in the middle?? O-HI-O!!!

BOOM Shaka Laka Laka!

On this date (6/20) back in 1970, Sly and the Family Stone cracked the Top 40, with their song "I Want To Take You Higher". An infectious little romp!

Breakfast with the King

During my first trip to Memphis (several years ago), we wandered down to Beal St. on a Sunday morning (from the Marriott at the convention center). We were amazed at the line for the brunch at "Elvis Presley's Memphis" restaurant, which wound all the way around the building. On a later trip, we had dinner here, which was good, and (of course) accompanied by an Elvis cover-band.

You Just Call Out My Name, And You Know Wherever I Am...

Seems like a good song for Father's Day: James Taylor hit the top 40 this day (6/19) in 1971 with the eventual #1 single: "You've Got A Friend"

Happy Father's Day!

The best gift for a Dad is to see your son or daughter having fun. My son, enjoying an at bat in T-ball...

I understand about indecision.....

On this date (6/18) back in 1977, Boston had the 3rd single debut from their groundbreaking 1st album. "Peace Of Mind" only made it to #38. Its kind of surprising that this album only spawned 3 top 40 hits. "The album that virtually defined '70s FM rock" Donna DiChario, The All-Music Guide to Rock, 1995

Sprite!

At my daughter's graduation party, we had this big plastic bucket, filled with soda pop on ice. Afterwards, all that was left was 1/2 dozen Sprites. I liked the "pop" of the pop against the bright orange bucket. A rare photo for me, featuring Flash.

10,000 Hits!!!

Wow!! Thanks to all of y'all out there, I've eclipsed 10,000 hits today! Not bad for 9.5 months, way better than my previous forum. I'll keep it up as long as people keep lookin'!! THANKS AGAIN!!

I'm begging, darling please....

One of the best songs in the history of rock made it's Top 40 debut today (6/17) in 1970. Derek and the Domino's "Layla" would peak at #10 and provide one of the most recognizable "hooks" in rock. Eric Clapton's song about George Harrison's wife anchored the album "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs", which remains my all time favorite album . Layla only ranked #27 on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the top 500 songs of all times, but it probably gets marked down a bit for being too popular.

Worn Out

Driving around south-central Ohio, I turned down an unmarked side road, for a short explore. This is what I found! Nikon D70

Rock Your Baby Boat.....

OK, 2 songs released today (6/15), back in 1974. Both went to #1. Which one is worse?
Rock The Boat by Hughes Corporation
Rock Your Baby by George MacRae

Have a drink on me!

For the semi-monthly Photo theme. The theme this time: "Fountains"....

One Of These Nights......

The Eagles had another of their mega-hits make its debut today (6/14) back in 1975, with "One Of These Nights". This was the second consecutive #1, at the front end of a 27 month string that included 4 number 1 songs, a #2 and a #4. A pretty impressive run, snapped by "Life In The Fast Lane", which could only make it to #11.

Water's Edge

I saw this leaf at the water's edge out while I was hanging out by the stream. Hocking Hills SP, OH. Nikon D70

Do Ya Know What I Mean??

On this day (6/13), way back in 1970, the band Mountain made their Top 40 debut with "Mississippi Queen". One of the classics of classic rock, this song only made it to #21 on the pop charts.

Downhill Trail

Rocks to the left of me, drop off to the right, here I am......... Nikon D70

Easy Like Sunday Morning.......

Keith Carradine's hit "I'm Easy" made it's chart debut today (6/12) back in 1976. This song, from the movie "Nashville" won an Oscar, and made it to #17 on the Top 40. I always liked the guitar solo in this song, but tend to still confuse Keith with his brother David, of Kung Fu fame....

Woodland Afternoon

In the woods at Hocking Hills State Park, OH. Bright sun splashs through the deep shadows, lighting up the quiet banks of the stream..... Nikon D70, effects courtesy of Buzz Simplifier.

Archetectual Detail #2

Another shot from the spring trip to Disney World, this is on the bridge to Tomorrowland. This is a rare shot where I used flash, I generally avoid it... Nikon D70

Abba!

6/9/79, Abba had their penultimate hit of their 70's run, with "Does Your Mother Know", from the "Voulez-Vous" album. This was the 11th of Abba's dozen (US) Top 40 hits in the last 6 years of the decade. What does it say that I have both the picture-sleeve 45 and the album???? I guess I just have a weakness for all things Sweedish! This song peaked at #19 on the charts.

Pipes!!

Up and down, left and right...... Nikon D70
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I never read it in a book, I never saw it on a show....

On this day (6/8) back in 1974, the Ozarm Mountain Daredevils hit the Top 40 with their Classic Rock single "If You Wanna Get To Heaven". I bought their album for this song, and discovered that it is NOT representative of their overall sound. But, after a few listens, I was sold, and remain a fan of both the band and the song!!

Steeple.....

A side view of the steeple at our church... The wood wall in the foreground will be eliminated as part of our pending expansion.....

Hey you ! You say you wanna change the world.....

On this date (6/7) in 1975, Bachman Turner Overdrive's hit "Hey You" made its chart debut. This one was probably past BTO's peak, and it peaked at #21. BTO would only have 1 more top 40 hit after this, and went through many and major personnel changes.

Feeling Gravity's Pull

Yet another from the Hocking Hills excursion, one of the waterfalls around. I think this is the lower falls at Old Man Cave area. The bright sun and deep shadow weren't best for photography, but it was still a great place to spend some time. Nikon D70

That Ain't The Way To Have Fun......

Three Dog Night's hit "Mama Told Me Not To Come" hit the charts today (6/6) back in 1970. This song, written by Randy Newman, made it all the way to #1.

Fade To Green

Dead tree, turning green. Nikon D70

Just Shoot Me #299

"Thinkin' of you's workin' up my appetite,
Looking forward to a little afternoon delight
Rubbin' sticks and stones together makes the sparks ingite,
And the thought of lovin' you is getting so exciting
Sky rockets in flight....Afternoon delight"

Making its chart debut today (6/5), 1976: the eventual #1 hit by Starland Vocal Band, "Afternoon Delight". Need I say more?

What In Blue Blazes???

Well, no blue blazes here, just red and yellow. But blue blazes were nearby, marking Ohio's Buckeye Trail. Hocking Hills, OH. Nikon D70

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Graduation!!

Congratulations to all the 2005 Graduates!! Especially my oldest daughter, who graduated from Edwardsville High today!!

Happy Birthday, John Paul Jones

1946 - Bassist John Paul Jones (John Baldwin) of Led Zeppelin is born in Sidcup, England.

Steeple

The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral was across the street from my hotel in Columbus, OH. This photo was taken from my window, as the sun set just off camera (left). Nikon D70

3..2..1!

A great trio of great songs made their chart debuts today (6/2) back in 1973. They eventually ended up peaking at 1 2 and 3...

Reached #1 - Bad Bad Leroy Brown - Jim Croce
Reached #2 - Kodachrome - Paul Simon
Reached #3 - Shambala - Three Dog Night

Solitude

This was a perfect spot to sit a spell....... so I did!! So I Hocking Hills SP, Ohio. Nikon D70

New Entry at Photgraphy Unlimited

I just had a new photograph accepted for the contest at Photography Unlimited. You can view/vote HERE. This is a re-working of a shot posted on the blog 5/18. Trying to make it more eye-catching.....

Why is it life turns out that way?

Making its chart debut today (6/1) back in 1974, "Another Park, Another Sunday" by the Doobie Brothers. This was the first Top 40 song from the album "What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits", one of the more verbose titles in rock.

Early Morning Blues and Greens....

Ok, I admit... This shot was taken closer to noon. But I thought the title fits, call it artistic license! The title, of course, is from one of my favorite Monkees songs, from the Headquarters album.