Late Night Music Part 5..............90's R & B

Well, its that time again, and this time, something special for you "grown folks". I have spent most of the night after "Grey's Anatomy" once again finding lost treasures on youtube of musical "masterpieces" and kept coming back to soul hits from my growing up days of the 1990's. I do apologize if some of these songs are before your time, this is back when r & b was still r & b, and back when I still had a LITTLE bit of soul.

"Poison" - Bell Biv Devoe- These 3 former members of New Edition had to open the 90's with this hit, and I have to admit that until about 5 years ago I had NO IDEA what the words were. I mean seriously, did Michael Bivens really expect us to take "never trust a big butt and a smile" seriously? Wow, well enjoy this video, the song is almost as good as their clothes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdF2zqs1bxQ

"Motownphilly" - Boyz II Men- Interesting facts about this video. First, I feel like I'm watching the opening credits of "A Different World" on this video- the frames go the opposite direction, but tell me I'm not alone in this observation. Second, doesn't Shawn Stockman look alot shorter now that his hair isn't 2 feet high? I mean his hair is seriously UNREAL in this video. Also, Michael Bivens really is kinda like a P. Diddy wannabe in this video- pretty stupid. Also, why are all the no name East Coast Family groups shown in this video? Other than Another Bad Creation, has ANYONE heard of those groups? Boyz II Men is actually still alive and kicking and have some pretty good new material. Until then, enjoy the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHzkICG47LU

"Before I Let You Go" - Blackstreet. WOW what a great song! This 1994 slow jam is still one of my favorite songs to lip sync in the mirror to. Dave Hollister shows just how awesomely soulful he really is in this video, but how STUPID do the brothers Teddy and Markell Riley look? It looks like they are on a casting call for "Dead Presidents" as Chris Tucker's stand in.....OUCH! Also, question- who is the actress in this video with the ever so talented Omar Epps? How did they get him to be in this video? Also, please explain to me the 1990's music video theme of little kids in videos- what does it have to do with ANYTHING?????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waBrCjMp81E

"Lately" - Divine- This 1998 one hit wonder just grows cheesier by the day. First of all, this is some of the WORST choreography I've EVER seen in a video- what a GOOFY dance! These 3 girls are pretty, but I think they could have done a lot better job showing off their features. I just remember the goofy white kids at school singing this song like it was their own- man the power of girl groups.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uOzZRgJsX8

"I Can't Wait Another Minute" - Hi Five- These 5 kids out of Waco, Texas and Tulsa, Oklahoma stole skating rink sweethearts all over America with this 1990 hit. Unfortunately I can't find the amazingly bad video, but these guys were about 18, 15 at the youngest at the time of this song......do they sound that old? However, I do own this CD. Watch and see for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY12nCVGGk8

"Give Me You" - Mary J. Blige- My favorite Mary song EVER! This video isn't Mary's best look ever, but the cameo appearance by a then retired Michael Jordan I thought was a classy touch. Most people don't know Eric Clapton is playing the guitar on this song. This was one of Mary's last songs as a crackhead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PF5K6Rissc

"Run to the Arms of the One Who Loves You" - Xscape- Ok another guilty pleasure girl group of mine. I still do NOT get the theme of this video. Are we at a wedding or at the symphony? Not enough of the beautiful Xscape member Kandi Burris in this video. However, I DID buy this CD in high school and still have it. This is an absolutely beautiful song actually written by Diane Warren.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytUKwHeGvoA

"Baby I'm Yours" - Shai- I see this Washington, DC quartet from time to time and I wonder how they ever became even semi big. First of all, they aren't even a real quartet. Second, the "cool" member of the group who went by "Groove" is wearing a Naughty By Nature hoody in the video- are you serious? I remember when these guys had a cameo appearance on "Family Matters" in 1993, these were 4 of the biggest goobers ever. With all that being said, good song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSoxcIfZwGA

"When Can I See You Again"- Babyface- Watch closely- two great things about this video. Babyface is a lefthanded guitar player. Second, the hot asian waitress behind the bar. Wow I wonder who that is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m4UWZt_ldE

"Lately" - Jodeci- This Stevie Wonder cover isn't as good as the live version, but still good nonetheless. Why did Jodeci never make a comeback? Man they were a good band! This was Jodeci's first real mainstream hit. Check the video out, but check out the live version too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2ddj5uKbpY

Never trust a big butt and a smile

Why do none of their hats match?

Definitely......off the hook!

Places Every Sports Fan Should Go - Part 1

While I have always been one of those guys who goes on "sports trips", where the whole purpose of the trip no matter how short or far it is, the whole trip revolves around a sporting event. Sometimes, the sporting event is a team I am a fan of (Saints, LSU, Southern Miss, Cubs), but other times, it is merely my pure love of the game and the atmosphere that drives me to take in a game there. So, let me make a list here of places EVERY sports fan should go.

- Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois -

I have been to 3 games here. Once in 1999 and two recently this season in 2008. Besides being one of the oldest sports venues in the world, this stadium is literally a "neighborhood ballpark" surrounded by bars, restaurants, shops, and houses. Many of the Cubs players live within walking distance of the stadium and walk to and from games. Not to mention the rooftop seats across the street as well as the UNREAL concessions at the stadium. The playing field at Wrigley Field is damn near flawless and when you're there you seriously wonder how you could be at a better stadium. For any sports fan, this is the Holy Grail of baseball. Below is a picture I took of Wrigley during my trip there this past July.


- Tiger Stadium - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Ok I promise this isn't a "homer pick". The magic you feel when the lights come on in that stadium is literally unbelievable. I have been to six games in the hallowed grounds, 4 of which were night games, and 3 of which went to overtime (including the famous 3 OT game against Arkansas in 2007). The pre game atmosphere of tailgating, great cajun food, followed by a phenomenal band and over 92,000 screaming fans is just something made for legends. personally, I have never met a single person who said going to Death Valley was a bad experience. Again, Tiger Stadium is a MUST for every college football fan.....LSU fan or not.


- Neyland Stadium- Knoxville, Tennessee

My first trip here this past season for the UT/Alabama game really opened my eyes. I have to admit- I have NEVER been a fan of Tennessee. I mean, I never was a UT "hater", but I had no reason to be a fan. I still can't call myself a fan, but the experience at Neyland Stadium is tough to be matched on any level. The Vol Walk, the playing of "Rocky Top", and the 100,000+ seats turn this stadium into a cathedral. Make a trip to Neyland at some point, UT fan or not, you won't regret it! This picture here was taken by me at Neyland Stadium in 2008. The only bad thing is that this picture really doesn't capture the magic of the stadium once the lights go out in the Volunteer state.


- Madison Square Garden- New York City

Can you beat basketball in the Big Apple? I had the opportunity to see the Knicks and Pistons play in the "World's Most Famous Arena" in February 2002. Not only was the New York Big City atmosphere fantastic, but the tradition that filled the arena was obvious. All the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals that the building has seen, not to mention concerts, WWE, boxing, and the annual Big East and NIT Tournaments in NCAA Basketball. It's amazing to me how a building in such a busy spot in a busy city can be so used. Located an easy walk from Times Square, Madison Square Garden is a MUST for any visitor to New York. Whether its to catch the Knicks, Rangers, or a college game, there is no way going to the Garden can NOT be a bad decision!

Late Night Music Part 4.....................Bad Crossover Acts

We all know about the successful "crossover acts" in recent years. These have included Beyonce, Tupac Shakur, Janet Jackson, Usher, Will Smith, Tim McGraw, John Cena, and even Donnie Wahlberg and Rick Springfield. However, sometimes there are celebrities who are successful in one area that try to venture into music for one reason or another. While the previously mentioned are some of the few that have been successful in more than one field, I spent tonight scouring youtube for some examples of celebrities that had a bright idea to try their hand at music. However, with all of these, it should have stayed just that..........an idea.

Also receiving votes in this category were- George Strait trying to act in "Pure Country", Bo Jackson on screen and then being credited with an acting role in "The Chamber", Ray Allen being cast next to Denzel Washington in "He Got Game", the plethora of NBA players in "Eddie", any celebrity turned into an animated character, and any NBA idiot who tried to copy Shaq with a rap album.

Deion Sanders- "Must Be The Money". Deion Sanders is one of the best NFL players of all time, and was a formidable baseball player as well. He had speed, charisma, athleticism, leadership, and the intelligence that is seldom found in either the NFL or the MLB. "Prime Time" is also still the only person to ever appear in the World Series AND play in a Super Bowl. However, with his 1994 venture into rap music, you really just had to scratch your head. This video here is so bad, and was even less well known that you have to wonder why no one said anything when Nelly came out with a song of the exact same title about 10 years later.......that's easy- no one had ever heard Deion's!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlSv0ZD0ps8

Eddie Murphy- "How Could It Be". You have to give Eddie Murphy credit here. He actually is a pretty good singer. However, after you've been a star on SNL and just released two box office smashes in "48 hours" and "Beverly Hills Cop", why would you completely go against your entire comedic demeanor to make this sappy album? Doesn't make much sense to me. I am a huge Eddie Murphy fan, but after seeing this video of this title track from his album, you have to wonder about the "real" Eddie Murphy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJdA9iFMdmI

Shaquille O'Neal featuring Method Man and Rakeem- "No Hook". Shaq just didn't know when to quit. Being a fellow LSU Tiger and one of the best basketball players to ever walk the face of the earth, I love Shaq. However, this video, along with his "blockbusters" "Blue Chips", "Diesel", "Kazaam" among others just shows how Shaq would have been MUCH more suited to just stick to the basketball court. Seriously, two observations from this video- 1- what in the HECK are they saying? 2- does Shaq have any rhythm? 3- what in the world is a "hook" anyway?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG7g4a7s_8w

Paris Hilton- "Stars Are Blind". Oh yeah, I forgot you have to actually be a celebrity before being included on this list. My bad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gO3mGPXeSE&feature=related

Patrick Swayze- "She's Like The Wind". I have to admire this guy. His inspirational bout with colon cancer is epic. He has also been one tough hombre in movies like "The Outsiders", "Road House", "Red Dawn", "Point Break", and "Black Dog". However, his famous chick flick appearance in "Dirty Dancing" is what makes him, at least to women, famous. Like some of the other guys mentioned on this list, when establishing your persona at the time as a celebrity, why do you want to do a complete about face with a song like this? However, I can't knock the guy's talent- he's an exceptional singer, but does it HAVE to be so girly?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVi4PUx8bXk&feature=related

Jack Wagner- "All I Need". This "General Hospital" heartthrob who would later go on to be on "Melrose Place" and eventually star in Broadway's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" had this chart topper in 1984/1985. However, in this video, maybe it's just me, but he doesn't look like he's really playing the guitar and none of the background singers really look like they're really singing. Did Jack Wagner really record this song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXO3zOafBYg

Fozzy (Chris Jericho)- "With the Fire". Chris Jericho left the WWE in 2005 to pursue his musical career with the band Fozzy. Yeah, Y2J is back in the WWE. Good idea Chris.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjrTPNF1Y4c

1985 Chicago Bears- "The Super Bowl Shuffle". Walter Payton is one of my heroes (see "Goodbye, Deuce"). However, he along with the rest of the 1985 Chicago Bears look BEYOND ridiculous in this actual song and music video from that season. Interesting fact- the players in this video didn't tell coach Mike Ditka they were skipping practice that day to film the video. These guys were THAT good and THAT cocky, but man they can't dance!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev6AAgZGaPs

Too bad Deion didn't just stick to this..........

From WWE World Heavyweight Champion to really bad Canadian hair band front man- great move.

I like to forget that this album ever existed.

Lady Govs Win OVC Title, but Still Fight for Respect

"It's just not exciting", "I can't get into it", "they don't dunk", "they don't play with passion of men". These are all excuses I hear from students and the Clarksville community as to why they can't "lower themselves" to watch women's basketball. I have to admit my bias being at LSU during two Women's Final Four teams got me just a LITTLE bit spoiled, but I find it hard to acknowledge someone as a true fan of the game if they can't learn to respect and appreciate a well played and well coached game, no matter the gender of the people who play or coach it.

Yes, the men's game is filled with larger, faster, stronger athletes and of course has the game "above the rim" which is missed from virtually all women's games, but the passion, heart, execution, and drive to win is not only matched, but sometimes exceeded on the women's side just because those ladies have to fight for so much respect from these "fans" who demand so much.

The complete lack of respect and exposure given to this season’s Austin Peay Lady Govs basketball team not only proved to be one of the motivating factors behind the team’s success, but also wound up robbing a lot of people of a story of an inspirational basketball team.

No supporter of Austin Peay, or anyone who even TRIES to call themselves a basketball fan, can say that the performance put on by the Lady Govs in this year's OVC Women's tournament was anything short of magical. Sure, I am support the men as well, and I was very sad to see their season end on Saturday night against Morehead State in the OVC Championship Game. Seriously though, let’s be honest. Did the men really have to FIGHT for respect? They returned a fantastic group of core seniors that have lived up to their billing for the most part this season, played in five nationally televised games, and were just one win away from a repeat OVC tournament championship.

13 ladies. 1 senior. 1 junior. 11 other freshmen and sophomores on a team that not only graduated 4 seniors last season, but went 6-23 with only 2 conference wins and failed to qualify for the OVC Tournament. Written off by virtually everyone (including AP students and the Clarksville community), the Lady Governors beat Eastern Illinois to win the OVC tournament and qualify for the NCAA Women's Tournament. In the process, the Lady Govs managed a road win against #4 seed Morehead State, and then a win against conference favorite and #1 seed Murray State before their win in the championship game.

I can't remember the last time I was this proud of a basketball team that I cheer for. The way that Coaches Carrie Daniels, Laphelia Doss, Marcus Payne, and Charlotte Marshall led this team back to prominence is an achievement that should be appreciated by everyone in the APSU community. Not just because of the success, but because of their eloquent and unwavering leadership they gave their team.

The University and the city of Clarksville should be proud of the 13 ladies that wear the Red and White with our school across their chest, and should honor the fact that they not only proved every women's college basketball preseason publication wrong this season, but the fact they proved just about everyone who follows AP athletics wrong this season. It is important to remember that these ladies lay it on the line to not only represent themselves and their families, but they represent our entire community. They did all of this with most people either laughing in their face, or not even paying attention at all. Their dedication to winning not only requires, but demands respect.

Every person involved with Austin Peay Women's basketball should realize that not only did they set a milestone in the history of the University, but just how inspirational that milestone was. Thank you all for showing everyone that with hard work, motivation, teamwork, belief and passion that DREAMS COME TRUE! I am so glad we will get to watch you all finally play on the national stage that you so much deserve.

Coach Carrie Daniels said after the win that “I couldn’t be prouder”. Neither can I, Coach.

Take a bow ladies, it's time to dance!