Also, I may drink a milkshake at some point.

Can you believe it? SxSW is now less than two weeks away. Check this space for updates on the many Shore Fire artists playing showcases and parties at the festival. But Matt's post got me thinking, so in the meantime here's a little graphic I threw together to get into the spirit of the season:

Behold, The Scramble Dog

So, I went to Columbus, GA, last weekend for my soon-to-be-brother-in-law's bachelor party. I was excited to get the invite, and not just for the prospect of a two day hangover. Here's why.

Aside from being the ancestral home of Shore Fire's own Mark Satlof, Columbus' other claim to fame is the scramble dog (or, alternately, the scrambled dog). This is one of the most storied hot dogs in America. Though the recipe dates back nearly a century, the scramble dog was perfected by one Lieutenant Stevens (his real name), who's been serving them up at Dinglewood Pharmacy in Columbus for over 60 years!

So what's in a scramble dog? Well, you start with a tandoori-red hot dog of questionable origin. Then pile on a generous portion of chili, cubed velveeta cheese, pickles, onions, and - the piece de resistance - oyster crackers.

It may look and sound like a gutbuster, but I downed mine in a matter of minutes and was in good enough shape to pile on two plates of barbecue at a cookout for my brother-in-law a mere two hours later.

Next time I'll order two.

There Will Be Oscar

I threw an Oscar party last night, and this was the menu:

• The “Corporate Ambition” cocktail (Prosecco and St. Germain elderflower liqueur), in honor of Michael Clayton
• Tidbits fried in oil, in honor of There Will Be Blood
• Blood-red beet hummus, in honor of Sweeney Todd
• Texas turkey chili, in honor of No Country For Old Men
• Green salad with oil-based dressing, in honor of There Will Be Blood
• English trifle in honor of Atonement
• “Sunny-D” and bitter chocolate sorbets, in honor of Juno

Prizes were given out for winning, losing and most writerly Oscar ballots, and a fine time was had by all. But my favorite moments were these, with Shore Fire clients Glen and Markéta of Once. Apparently no one's ever been brought back out before to finish a speech, but what Markéta said was worth hearing. Both speeches are in this clip:



Plus, Matt and I co-won the Oscar office pool!

Blues Traveling

So it was off to Memphis and Mississippi last week for some bbq, some blues and some friends. I had a great time and saw a whole lot in a short period of time. Even got patches of sun while I was down there! Here are a few highlights:

This is Elmore James' grave, in Ebenezer, MS. He first learned how to amplify his guitar in nearby Canton, MS and went on to make some of the best slide guitar recordings I've ever heard. It doesn't get better than "Wild About You, Woman" and "Dust My Broom."

The best soul food in Jackson, MS, or so we were told. Some scrumptious fried chicken, yams, cornbread and turnip greens.

This is a guitar made by and belonging to Clarksdale, MS bluesman Super Chikan. I want one!

Here I am on Mississippi John Hurt's porch in Avalon, MS. "Avalon's my hometown, always on my mind. Pretty womens in Avalon want me there all the time," he sang.

Here's a blues mural, with a closeup of Eddie Cusic, who played some of the best live Delta blues I've ever heard and told us some amazing stories about the old days. Cusic taught Little Milton how to play and how to be a bluesman.
DJ "Sunshine" Sonny Payne has hosted The King Biscuit Flower Hour for over 15,000 shows from Helena, AR.

Here I am at Memphis' venerable bar/ex-brothel Ernestine & Hazel's examining a jukebox that may or may not still be functional.

Can't wait to go back!

Prehistoric musical theater

Day of the Underdogs: Herbie Hancock on The View

Herbie Hancock performed "River" from his GRAMMY Album of the Year on The View this morning. Here he poses with co-host Sherri Shepherd.


As I snapped this photo of Herbie with other View guests Amani Toomer and Michael Strahan of the The NY Giants, Herbie shouted "The underdogs!"

Tune in for another Hancock performance on The Tonight Show this Friday, Feb 22nd.

YouTube Friday

Continuing the theme of high-tech music from yesterday's Herbie Hancock post, check out this laser harp. What will Joanna Newsom fans think?

Herbie Can Teach Us All Something

Herbie Hancock shows Tatiana Ali and other children how a synthesizer works, in a clip from the '70s. He's still showing us all how to use technology creatively.

Back to School

It was back to school for me today as I got to visit my youngest son Eli at his school in honor of his being Person of The Week (alphabetical, not merit based!), followed by sitting in at my other son Leo's lunch period. Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to stay for Rest Period. In the lunchroom I had a flashback to my school days 30 years ago... I got in trouble from Leo's teacher for showing my table how to pretend to stick a strip of red pepper up your nose.

In Eli's class, I was there to read to the class and then play Eli's favorite music (Ralph's World)

Here's me and Eli (and notice the matching outfits, down to the Blundstone boots).


Eli, grooving to Ralph's World's classic "Surfing in My Imagination"


The pre-k mosh pit during "Surfing in My Imagination"



Then it was off to Ethical Culture on the upper west side for lunch with Leo:


Me and Leo at the lunch table.


Leo challenged me to a vegetable eating contest, which he actually won fair and square. Later he was proud that he "tricked me" into exercising by walking him up two flights of stairs to his classroom.

And now, for something completely different.

Here's a great non-sequitur, in honor of the day. Behold, the ferrets of love:


And there's no need to apologize for it, no matter what this guy says. Happy Valentine's!

Quiz: Real Indie Rock Band Name or Fake?

Inspired by Reverent Entertainment , a web site that has a number of snob-busting culture quizzes ( for example, True art or a fake? Try to tell if a picture is a masterpiece of abstract art, or not), we've come up with "Real Indie Rock Band Name or Fake?" The real band names are current, nothing too old. Mostly bands whos album's I've downloaded from eMusic in the past few weeks. Post your answers in the comments section (which is moderated), with a yes or no next to a number. And no cheating.

1) The Everyday Visuals

2) itsnotyouitsme

3) The Same Thing To Me

4) Islands

5) Foxtail Somersault

6) Weak 5

7) November Module

8) I Am Cooler Than You

9) UHUstic

10) Mono in VCF

11) Black Moth Super Rainbow

12) Purple Fly Action Men

Will you be my Palentine?

Yup, tomorrow is February 14th, which is Palentine’s Day! Woohoo! Palentine’s Day is all about celebrating the fact that lots of people love you every day of the year. It’s also about cupcakes, stars and paper planes. So give a high five to your amigos tomorrow, pals!

http://www.bemypalentine.com/

The Last Words at the Grammys: Thanks Shore Fire

We were so excited that Herbie Hancock took home album of the year last night, and excited and gratified as well that he thanked us during his acceptance speech. In fact, after Hancock thanked all the musicians on 'River: The Joni Letters', the last words on the entire broadcast were.."...Shore Fire. Thank you so much, thank you thank you." Watch and listen here:

D'Angelo's TV Moment

Here's my favorite shot from last night's Grammy Awards, where Shore Fire clients took home 11 wins....Diana D'Agnelo (center, over Herbie Hancock's left shoulder) escorting the soon-to- be multiple winner down the red carpet. This stop at the E! station was captured by Diana's sister.

Diana's GRAMMY Photo Blog

Diana D'Angelo and Phil Ramone just before the MusiCares Gala honoring Aretha Franklin on 2/8. Phil put together a killer line up with performances by Ledisi, Herbie Hancock, Anthony Hamilton, John Legend, Fantasia, and many more.










Ledisi being interviewed by The Washington Post's Josh du Lac. One of the first stories Josh wrote was a piece on Ledisi for Vibe. Ledisi didn't come away with Best New Artist but she's still a star on the rise.










Phil caught up with some tech publications backstage during rehearsals.










Phil on the GRAMMY red carpet catches up with Late, Late Show corespondents whom he's worked with on a few Jim Henson projects.










Jessica Hancock (Herbie's daughter) and manager Melinda Murphy await backstage at the Grammys.









Herbie and Stevie Wonder honor Berry Gordy after the Grammys.










Herbie with Amir Questlove Thompson of the Roots at the Universal Music Group after party.

And in case you missed it...

This is the best recap I've seen so far.

TakeGreatPictures talks to E! Today

Richard Rabinowitz, Editor-in-Chief of the comprehensive photography reference siteTakeGreatPictures.com, talks with E! Entertainment Television today about the site’s popular “Celebrities Who Shoot” gallery of photos taken by celebs. The site, sponsored by PMDA, is the premier online resource for photographers of all ages and skill levels, with tips, techniques, articles by master photographers, and Ben Folds is the most recent celeb to have his photos published, while past contributors include ?uestlove of The Roots, Kenny Rogers, Brendan Frazier, and Carmen Electra.

Shore Fire Style

In honor of New York's Fashion Week, we're providing these fashion tips for men as a public service from some of Shore Fire's nattiest employees. Watch and learn.

1. Grow a beard. It goes with everything.
2. Stripes, stripes, stripes.
3. Untucked shirts rule.
4. Folded arms are the new black.
4. When you're smiling, when you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you.
5. Accessorize with the beer of your choice.

From left: Nick Loss-Eaton, Chris Thieke, Chris Taillie and "The" Rob Krauser, scoring style points at Shore Fire's holiday party.

Allison Rocks National Arts Club

Bandleader/bassist/composer Ben Allison hosted an overflow crowd last night at the historic National Arts Club on Grammercy Park. The space was amazing, the Gothic Gilded Age former Samuel Tilden mansion, its 15 foot tall walls covered with museum's worth of impressive paintings. A celebration of the release of Allison's new and lauded album Little Things Run The World, the performance and pre-show reception attracted numerous journalists including reps from a near-sweep of New York City daily papers - Post, Times, Daily News and Sun, not to mention Associated Press, Sirius/NPR, Relix, Global Rhythm and others, and a NY 1 tv reporter who stayed the night. The space was tre recherche, and so were the hors d'oeuvres in my mind...the abundant fare included pigs in blankets, potato puffs, mini crab cakes, mini egg rolls, bacon wrapped dates. Well you get the picture.

Entrance to the National Arts Club.


Allison is prepped for an interview with NY 1 by intrepid one-woman-show reporter Stephanie Simon.



The scrum at the pre-event reception.


NY Daily News' Jim Farber talking to Ben Allison.

NY Posts' Bill Hoffman and Georgett Roberts.


L-R - Relix' Mike Greenhaus, Shore Fire's Rebecca Shapiro and Brendan Gilmartin, Global Rhythm's Tad Hendrickson.

Yes He Can

Our client Herbie Hancock is featured in this video, which after only three days has been viewed more than 1.6 million times on YouTube. You'll also see him on the Grammys, playing Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" with Lang Lang.



If you live in a Super Tuesday state and haven't voted yet for the candidate of your choice, please do! Need to find your polling place? Go here.

Up Early and Out Late with the Blind Boys

The Blind Boys of Alabama kept us busy last week, in town promoting their new album ‘Down in New Orleans’ on Time Life. Among other things, they performed on Imus in the Morning, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and gave a knock-out live performance from the Cutting Room in Manhattan that aired live on WFUV.

Here’s a shot snapped just after the WFUV gig with, from left to right: WFUV’s Rita Houston, Blind Boys Joey Williams and Jimmy Carter, Time Life’s Bas Hartong, Blind Boys drummer Ricky McKinnie, me, and BBs bassist Tracy Pierce.

You can’t really tell from the photo, but Jimmy Carter’s cap reads “Jimster.” He is the coolest septuagenarian I know.

Wow!

It's been quite a week for Mr. Rob Krauser. I saw Joanna Newsom at BAM on Thursday night (which was mesmerizing), saw past Shore Fire client Neko Case at the beautiful Calvin Theatre in Northampton, MA on Saturday night (stunning voice in a great setting) and I settled on a menu for my wedding rehearsal dinner (chicken and fish, WOO!), but the best thing I saw all week was THE GIANTS SUPER BOWL VICTORY LAST NIGHT!

What a freakin game. If you like sports in any way, shape or form, that has to sit atop your top 10 games ever (more likely top 5, and for me numero uno right now). I take back all the bad words I ever said about Eli Manning over the past 4 years (and there were many). I still can't believe the Giants pulled off the biggest upset in the history of sports last night. Just ridiculous.

Rare Stairway to Heaven, Part 2

The Beatlesque version of Stairway to Heaven was recently unearthed...now comes an even rarer performance of the song by the Doors...