Music Questions...

Some random music thoughts. Why does music effect us the way it does? Why can a "sound" make me cry? No lyrics, no story but yet I'm moved. I dont know why.

What does listening to a certain type of music say about you or me? If I listen to country, what does that say about me? Is it less of a art form? I don't think so. Many do. The reverse is also true. Some classical is great, but many would deny that, with a passion and I dont understand why.

I think its interesting to find out who the artists I like listen to and enjoyed. The Beatles liked Elvis, Elvis liked Dean Martin, Dean Martin liked Bing Crosby. It goes on. I think if I admire Bono of U2, maybe I should respect who influenced him.

Does not playing an instrument effect my enjoyment of music? I cant imagine I could enjoy music more, but maybe. I don't know.

Have you ever listened to a song that sounded so beautiful, so romantic, but when you listened closer. Really listened to the lyrics it was so counter to the music. Stings "Every Breath You Take" I think is a good example. People have used this song in their weddings! Take another listen. Its creepy. Sting says so himself, he doesnt understand why people tell him how romantic it is. We need to really listen. Still a good song no matter what.

Bob Gibson my teacher

I don’t always plan on writing about baseball, but I was thinking, thank goodness for baseball. I wonder if I would have read as early as I did if it wasn’t for baseball. I wanted to know what was up with the Cardinals. The Peoria Journal Star & Sports Illustrated and Baseball Digest were my lifeline. What little math I understand comes from the box score. I had to learn how to compute ERAs, Batting averages and Whips. Look it up, I did and learned. Thanks Bob Gibson, Lou Brock & Hank Aaron for my education!

James...A Cardinal Fan

I love baseball. I was raised in Washington, Illinois a St. Louis Cardinal fan by my Dad. That’s who he liked so that’s who we listened to. At the time my Dad grew up, in southern Illinois, the Cardinals were the most western major league team playing in the United States. The radio station that broadcast the Cardinals was KMOX out of St. Louis. They had a huge following. At the time I was growing up the announcers were Harry Caray and Jack Buck. Younger Cub fans may be surprised to hear that Harry Caray was with the St. Louis Cardinals for 25 years, his longest tenure with any sports team, the Cubs included.


I was born in 1959 and I remember the Cardinals playing in the World Series in 1964 against the New York Yankees. Some of the players I remember were, Bob Gibson, Julián Javier and Lou Brock, who the Cardinals had just traded for that season. Lou Brock came from the Chicago Cubs in a trade for Ernie Broglio that is still considered one of the most lopsided of all time. At the time of the trade, the Cardinals were 28–31, in eighth place in the National League, trailing even the Cubs, who were 27–27 and in sixth place. Four months to the day later, the Cardinals would win the 1964 World Series in seven games over the favored New York Yankees, who were appearing in their fourteenth World Series in sixteen years (and their last until a dozen years later), helped in part by Brock's rejuvenated bat. Meanwhile, Broglio won only seven games for the Chicago Cubs before retiring from baseball after the 1966 season.

Long story short, in my life the Cardinals have made many trips to the World Series. They went to the World Series in 1964, 1967, 1968, 1982, 2004 and 2006, winning four times. I’ll take that and hope for more.

James at 50...

This is a blog I'm writing for school. I hope to be able to pass along what I’ve picked up during my journey of 50 years on this earth. I expect my audience will be my teacher, my wife and kids, and some family. All will kindly offer their advice I expect…