Paul McCartney at Dallas Cowboys Stadium

For those of us who cut our musical teeth listening to Sergeant Pepper's, The White Album, and Abbey Road, the thought of one of the four Beatles playing to packed houses is a little strange. At least to me.

But play Paul McCartney will, on August 19th, at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

The final, full-cast Beatles' concert was in 1966. If the Beatles had had a concert, in say, 1969, at the time of the Abbey Road release, attendance would have been unmanageable and higher prices would have not kept the crowds from attempting to get in. They were that good and that popular.

The Beatles were over as a concert band years before their last albums; their friendships had ended and Yoko was on the scene, as was the the Maharashi. Their long-time manager, Bryan Epstein, died in 1969, and the thing just ended bad -- which would have made a concert, with all present, even more popular. 500,000 in attendance would not have been impossible, I hypothesize. If they had performed at Woodstock the numbers would have doubled.

The only other entertainers in my lifetime as influential and popular were Sinatra and Elvis, and possibly, Michael Jackson. The only current pop musician with the talent is Dave Matthews and Band. (Granted, I'm not exactly up to date, nor do I want to be after having seeing the Lady Gaga train wreck on American Idol).

I wish Paul McCartney well. I suppose the attendance will be 50,000 plus, I will not be one of them. When I'm 64 is not that far off for me.
--------------------------------------------------
My favorite Beatles song? It changes over the years, but probably Harrison's, While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Let It Be, would have been at one time. Back in the USSR, is probably my favorite satirical one, Blackbirds, my favorite anti-establishment song. There were very few I disliked.

Your favorite?
--------------------------------------------------
More information: http://www.dallasnews.com

Lili's Owner Opening New Restaurant . . .

Fort Worth Business Press reports today that Vance Martin, owner of Lili's, is opening a new restaurant on Magnolia named the Cat City Grill. The restaurant will feature “signature sandwiches, steak and seafood,” according to a statement. The plans call for 2500 square feet and seating for about 90.

A representative of the new Grill said, "Cat City Grill’s creative sandwich menu will highlight famous sandwiches from favorite American restaurants, such as a cheese steak from Pat or Geno’s in Philadelphia . . . "

Great idea and knowing Vance the food will be good.

My only suggestion is to use Tony Luke's in Philly as the high water mark of cheesesteaks and not Ginos or Pats. I can walk to both places from where I am right now -- and don't. The best cheesesteak roll in the world is at Sarcone's Bakery, which supplies the better cheesesteak sandwich shops in Philly. The rolls at Pats and Ginos are pretty wimpy. (Vance: just had to get my 2-cents in)

Regardless, good luck to the folks at Lili's, I love the idea and the location. Magnolia is still my favorite street in Fort Worth, and Lili's my favorite place on Magnolia (well, St. Mary's is my favorite place, but that's not a restaurant).

http://www.fwbusinesspress.com

The Best Burger Contest at DFW.com

DFW.com is having a best hamburger contest. I really never tire of the debate. Not that I pay that much attention to the winner. As they say, my mind is made up, don't confuse me with the facts.

If you have visited all the best burger places in Fort Worth, you have your favorite. As do I. As does everyone, and that is as it should be.

Mine is still Kinkaid's, which has something to do with the ease of ordering, the location, the seating, the price, etc. I just like the way the place works and I always get a good burger.

I need to try the Love Shack burger with the egg. That looks good.

My favorite in the Metroplex will always be Coppell Deli. Their double burger is unbelievable.

If you are interested in voting:
http://www.dfw.com/118

It's Summertime, and that means . . .

Baseball. . . the great game.



At some point every summer, when the heat rises to a certain level and the smell of a fresh mown lawn blows my way, I think of baseball.

The game of summer. The game of skill, and strategy, and luck, and endurance. The game of failure.

The slow moving game with occasional seconds of excitement. Like life, itself.

I think of beer and hot dogs and mustard and peanuts. Of Col'beer here, Cooolers, and Hotdaaaawwgs, as the concessionaires used to say.

I think of the sound of the wood bat meeting the leather skinned ball and seeing that connection before hearing it.

I think of handsome Johnny Callison, Cookie Rojas, Tony Taylor, Richie Ashburn, Pete Incaviglia, Nolan Ryan, Julio-Julio, and Charlie Hough, who would catch a smoke between innings back when a knuckle ball pitcher could do such things.

I think of the red-capped Phillies, and Connie Mack stadium. I think of Willie Mays, and Say-Hey, and basket catches.

When summer hits, and the air is still, I'll hear a distant radio and the baritone-voiced announcer calling balls and strikes, and I will think of the nights at the ballpark watching the Texas Rangers with my boys, my daughter, and my wife. And the Pony League games, and hitting ground balls to the boys in the front yard and . . . there is no end of baseball memory.

God, I loved that game.

Palin - tology

I am amazed at the continued national interest in Governor Sarah Palin. I am amazed at my interest in Sarah Palin. But for some reason she gets our attention. After 4 days of non-stop news coverage I have just one word. GiveThatWomanABreakForCryingOutLoud.

Here's my opinion on why she is quitting the Alaska governorship before the end of her session:

Put your hand in front of you, 5 fingers extended, palm towards you. Take the first finger to the right and bend it palmwards, thumb holding it down, now take the two fingers to the left and again bend them over . . . what you have left is what she is telling the news media, and maybe you and me, and can you blame her? After 16 lawsuits, 15 of them dropped, and the 16th soon to be dropped? Not to mention the ridicule her daughters received.

Do I care for her home spun, soccer-mom-in-Alaska personna? Not really. Is she the sharpest knife in the drawer? No, again. Do I respect her? Yes, I do. Do the cannibalistic media drive me crazy with their holier than thou, what is the dumb broad thinking attitude? Yes, more than I can say here.

I hope she runs for President and wins just to piss them off.

Governor Palin, whatever you do, you are alright by me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrelated Cartoon of the Day:

Recession by Paul Zanetti, Australia