“A day at the zoo” can be used as a phrase to describe an easy-going, fun day. But a day at the zoo is not always a day at the zoo…when everything goes wrong for a cute little kid.

Geoffrey was upset little girls seemed to control the day’s agenda. He did NOT want to go see the “gentle animals.”

Watch and enjoy. And just be glad video cameras weren’t around when I was a kid. My rants were a bit more violent.

All of us were a little embarrassed of our parents when we were kids.  It’s just the way it works.  Perhaps your dad comes to pick you up from a party and says something corny or maybe your mom makes a fuss about you wearing a coat and she does it in front of your friends.

We all grow out of it and eventually appreciate our folks and realize they were doing whatever it was for our own good.

However, a kid in Georgia has the right to be embarrassed by his dad…forever.  There’s a town called Warner Robins and the mascot is a demon.   The kid has a dad who is a pastor.

Can you see where this is going?

You got it.   The dad doesn’t want his son cheering for the DEMONS!!!!

Really?  Is it that bad?  Does he think his son’s head will start spinning around a la Linda Blair in The Exorcist? 

I’m all for changing mascots that represent Native Americans because I do believe those can be disrespectful to a real group of people, but a demon?

This Saturday the 2000 and 2100 blocks of Atwood Avenue (in front of the Barrymore Theatre) will be rockin’ with great live music on two stages…that’s right, it’s Atwood Summerfest time again.

It’s one of the city’s best neighborhood festivals..with yummy ethnic food, icy cold beer..and fun for the kids too with face painting, arts and crafts, and those inflatable jump-around thingies!

The festival raises money for the Goodman Community Center (formerly known as the Atwood Community Center), so you can get a little wild, and feel good about yourself at the same time.

Here’s the line-up: 

Harmony Bar/Capital Brewery Blues Stage

12:00-12:50 pm Kristy Larson Honky Tonk Band: A little country music never hurt you! The Kristy Larson Trio won a couple of Madison Area Music Awards in 2009..and it looks like she’ll bring a few more musicians this time around!

1:10-2:00 pm  Piper Road Spring Band: How about some bluegrass? The Piper Road Spring Band has been playing together for more than 35 years, with bluegrass that’s far from traditional. They’ve been known to weave in some Grateful Dead inspired jams!

2:20-3:10 pm  The Alex Wilson Band: Alex grew up immersed in the Milwaukee/Chicago blues scene and picked up the guitar at the age of 5. He’s a little older now and ready to impress you with everything from Beale Street blues to Chicago swing.

3:30-4:20 pm  The Midwesterners: At the border of classic rock and country–that’s where you’ll find the Midwesterners. Led by veteran Madison musician Richard Weigel, it also features the highly charged guitar of Ernie Connor from the Rousers.

4:40-5:30 pm Altered 5: This Milwaukee based blues band takes pop and rock songs and “bluesifies” them! This is one of Gabby Parsons’ favorite area bands.

5:50-7:00 pm  Jim Schwall/Andy Ewen Band: What a combo! Jim Schwall was half of the famed Siegel-Schwall Band that played places like the Fillmore..sharing the bill with folks like Janis Joplin and the Doors. And Andy is the seemingly ageless guitar player and singer for the band Honor Among Thieves. Sparks have got to fly when these guys get together.

Maximum Ink / Ale Asylum Rock Stage
times not listed, but this is the schedule in order

The Shtetlblasters: Madison’s very own electronic klezmer band.

The Kingtown Rockers : Madison band described as reggae with a touch of metal.

VO5 : They want you to party like it’s 1978! A funk/disco/dance band from Madison.

Soul Shaker: Blues band from Madison. ..self-described as “dirty blues rock for yo dirty minds.” Influences include  Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, Humble Pie, and Muddy Waters.

Beatallica:  Beatles meet Metallica. ‘Nuff said.

UPDATE 8/2/10: The concert has been confirmed!

As Mr. Willie Nelson’s website explains, there has been a “Willie-leak.”  Earlier today Willie Nelson had a slip of the tongue while on The Bill Mack Show on XM radio (Willie’s Place is Willie’s XM channel) when he revealed that the location for Farm Aid 25 will be Milwaukee, WI.  The date of Farm Aid is reportedly October 2, 2010, but few details beside a date have been revealed.  More details will be officially released Monday August 2, 2010.

Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the original Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the decline of family farms.  Farm Aid was established to prevent family farms from losing their land while providing financial aid to local farmers.  Last year Farm Aid was held in St. Louis, Missouri and featured a great lineup of artists including Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews Band, Wilco and many more.  For more information about Farm Aid musicians and other general inquiries, head over to the Farm Aid site and check it out.

As more details about this amazing event are released, Triple M will make sure you are informed.  Until then, check out Willie and Neil rocking Farm Aid 2009!

John Eddie with The Rowdy Prairie Dogs

Saturday July 31, 9pm, 21+

High Noon Saloon, more info

American folk-rock singer John Eddie will be taking the stage Saturday night at the High Noon Saloon in Madison, WI.  Eddie is a skilled guitarist and songwriter who has plays rock ‘n’ roll with folk country influences.  Originally from Virginia, Eddie moved to New Jersey to progress his music career in the 1970s where he became friends with Bruce Springsteen and signed with a major record label.  Many critics compared the young John Eddie to Bruce Springsteen, but the comparisons fell short due to Eddie’s country music inspired sound.

John Eddie is a wonderful songwriter and musician who has released a handful of records both studio and live throughout the last two decades.  This skilled musician’s first album, self-titled John Eddie, reached number 83 on the Billboard album charts in 1986.

Joining John Eddie at the High Noon Saloon are Madison’s own The Rowdy Prairie Dogs.  The band focuses on Americana and southern rock music and have won 6 Madison Area Music Awards, including Best Country Album and Best Americana Song.

So, if you are free Saturday and looking for a fun night filled with great Americana-Folk music, head to the High Noon Saloon for John Eddie and The Rowdy Prairie Dogs!  For more information and ticket information, head over to True Endeavors.

In preparation for the show, check out the official video from John Eddie’s 1986 hit “Jungle Boy”

Around 130 riders started off this morning on the ACT 8 Aids Ride from Olin Park in Madison and are on their way to Baraboo where they’ll spend the night.

The 4-day  300-mile ride also has overnight stops in Spring Green and Albany before thy end up back in Madison for the emotional closing ceremony on Sunday.

The riders will be going through a lot of other little towns too..and you’re encouraged to cheer the riders on.

Click here to find a list of cheering stations..and the approximate times the riders will be arriving.

Proceeds from the ride benefit the Aids Network in Madison. Last night more than $300,000 was raised!

Another free summer music sampler is available to you Triple M fans and listeners!  Vanguard Records has released a free .mp3 sampler that includes some great tracks from an eclectic assortment of artists.  Fans can head over to Amazon and download the entire Sounds of Summer mix free of charge.

Sounds of Summer includes:

1. Blue Giant – Blue Sunshine

2. Jesca Hoop – Feast Of the Heart

3. Isobel Campbell – Come Undone

4. Stacy Clark – Don’t Take What’s Mine

5. Trevor Hall – The Lime Tree

6. Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers – 4th of July (Live)

7. Indigo Girls – Shame On You

8. The Robert Cray Band – Chicken In The Kitchen

As I prepare for my next couple of adventures- The Centurion Bicycle Race and the Chicago Marathon, I’m reminded of another really cool active sports event that is happening in Madison this weekend…it’s the U.S. Transplant Games!

I was asked to be the race announce for the bicycle races on Sunday.  I don’t have a lot of experience as a race announcer, but I couldn’t say no to this.  Here’s how the games were described to me (stealing now from the e-mail I recieved)…

“I promise that this will be a very special experience for you.  All participants in the race have received a life-saving organ transplant.  And, cheering them on will be their own families who came so close to losing them, as well as living donors and the donor families in attendance at the Games.  These donor families have lost a loved one and, at one of the most difficult points in their lives, chose to donate the organs of their loved one so other individuals could live. 

The Games is all about the celebration of life!”

The U.S. Transplant Games open on Friday and run through Wednesday, August 4- if you would like to more about the games- go here.

OK, I’m the first to admit it. I’m not a big sports fan. In fact, I used to say my TV had an “S” Chip… no sports! But I live with not just a Packers fan, but a CUBS fan! Anyway, this has nothing to do with baseball or American football.

I’m sure you’ve seen videos from weddings where the bridal party dances down the aisle or the first dance is choreographed. Well, just see what some soccer players did after a goal!

What would you pay???

You know I had to be a little jealous when I heard about the guy who bought a bunch of Ansel Adams negatives at a yard sale for $45 and now finds out they’re worth $200 million.

I’ve been going to yard/rummage/garage/thrift sales for years..and my problem is that I buy stuff thinking that it’s worth money and then I do one of two things: 1)put it on a shelf to gather dust; or 2)put it in a box on a shelf in the basement and never look at it again.

Quite often I buy something just because I think it’s a good deal and have seen similar items at antique stores for much higher prices. Sometimes these are not even things I necessarily like.

Here’s a list of just some of the items…I think I still have all of these somewhere..but I’m too lazy to go through the boxes.

1. Adam-12 thermos. I don’t have the matching lunchbox, but if I ever find it, then I will put them both in a box somewhere and boy will they be worth a lot of money if and when I would ever sell it.

2. Dawn dolls with carrying case. Dawn dolls came out in the early 70’s and were smaller, skinnier Barbie type dolls. I spent $4 for a couple of dolls, clothes, and the case. Steal of a deal. Would you like to buy them?

3. Patty Duke Board Game. I am actually too young to remember this TV show, but can sing you the theme song. I do have this game on display in my living room, and yes, it’ s dusty.

4. Box of straws. This was actually from an estate sale. A vintage box of paper flexy straws, with a clown on the box. This is on display on a high cupboard in my kitchen. It’s got to be worth more than the 75 cents I paid.

5. Charlie the Tuna Doll. Probably the showpiece of my collection. It’s a talking Charlie the Tuna from 1968, in the original packaging. Problem is, it doesn’t talk.  I paid 50 cents for it, and  actually had it appraised by Gary Sohmers from Antiques Roadshow at $85. It’s in a box in the closet of my spare bedroom. I can find it quickly if you’d like to make me an offer.