The Voice – Final Chapter
Published by Rick on Tagged UncategorizedObviously, because I’m writing about it, my audition for “The Voice UK 2016” didn’t yield anything more than a “Thank you” and a long speech about “not giving up on your dreams.” Had I passed the audition, I’d have had to sign all sorts of contracts that would make me essentially their property until I’m […]
I’m Now Almost Scared to Voice an Opinion
Published by Rick on Tagged UncategorizedI don’t know how some of my Facebook friends do it! Especially my liberal ones. I see almost daily a post espousing what I believe a sensible (OK, liberal!) point of view, and on its thread will be not just disagreements, but invective of some of the most vile and insulting one can imagine. It’s […]
Not Much Has Changed
Published by Rick on Tagged UncategorizedAs part of my last extended US road trip in May of 2001, I got to perform one night at a club in Myrtle Beach, SC. This gig in itself was tedious to get to, as my driver/opening act, who met me at Atlanta Airport, was stopped just past Atlanta city limits for talking on […]
I Absolutely Sucked At Basketball
Published by Rick on Tagged UncategorizedBut I’m certainly pleased to see the Bay Area’s basketball team, the Golden State Warriors, win their first National Basketball Association championship in 40 years. This is a team that in those 39 years in between, only made the playoffs nine times (16 teams out of 30 qualify each year), and only made it past […]
It Was Two Years Ago Today
Published by Rick on Tagged UncategorizedYes, two years ago today I finally said goodbye to Dagenham, Essex, after spending most of the previous 10 years there. And what did I learn in those ten years? Not much, other than the further proof that suburban life really never appealed to me. Especially if you’re in show business, or intend to stay […]
Another One Gone, Another Namedrop Story
Published by Rick on Tagged UncategorizedIt was sad to hear the news of the comedienne/actress Anne Meara’s passing yesterday at age 85. She and her husband Jerry Stiller were the quintessential husband-wife comedy team in the 70’s, plus their marriage lasted over 60 years. Not to mention the success in film of their son Ben Stiller, who would have been […]
Yep, met him!
Published by Rick on Tagged UncategorizedWith the passing of B.B. King yesterday at age 89, it now leaves Chuck Berry as the oldest living R&B legend (I think), as he’ll reach that same age in October this year. And because I actually got to shake BB’s hand and share more than one or two sentences with him when I was […]
No Need To Panic Just Yet
Published by Rick on Tagged UncategorizedYesterday’s election didn’t turn out the way I and 99% of my UK friends would have liked it to go, but I’m not sure we need to despair for the time being. Sure, the idea of a totally Conservative government in charge of my adopted country has me a bit worried about what they’re going […]
Dude Made it to 78, Not to Mention the Three Oscars
Published by Rick on Tagged UncategorizedOkay, so it’s Name Drop Time again. But reading about Jack Nicholson’s 78th birthday, then also seeing the disparaging press lining up to take a shot at how his life of excess has taken its toll, I think yeah, he doesn’t look the sex god he might have looked not so long ago, but so […]
Honesty and The C-Word
Published by Rick on Tagged UncategorizedI tweeted a few days ago that in the near 15 years since I first came to UK, I’ve been directly called the c-word by only three people. I should clarify for American readers that don’t know, the word can apply to either gender over here. Since it has such a negative connotation anyway, I […]