WTIT: The Blog

Saturday 9: Mine Would Be You
(recommended by Kathy W)

If you’re not familiar with today’s song, you can hear it here.

1) The lyrics mention his respect for “90 proof and Marlboro Red.” What was your most recent drink? When was your last cigarette? I had a drink earlier tonight. It’s Friday night. As far as smoking cigarettes, smoking and I broke up in the fall of 2004.

2) They also reference “singing like crazy fools.” What’s the last song you sang? In public? I sang “Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right” a Dylan song best sung by anyone else but me. I was out with my dad at his favorite club of the time “Jakes” in Wallingford. It was probably five years ago, only because they closed the piano bar. My last trip out with my dad for him to sing was this past December at Max’s Downtown. It was sad because I knew at the time it would be our last. That’s after 20 some years hearing him sing.

3) Blake Shelton won a Grammy for his performance of this song. Crazy Sam won the award for “most improved bowler” when she was in third grade, and it’s now in a closet somewhere. Do you have any trophies? If so, where are they? I have two from football which I played from, 8 to 18. I have one from coaching basketball and many (lots) from coaching baseball.

4) Blake is currently on tour. The merchandise sold at concerts brings in big money for the artist. Do you have any tour memorabilia (like a poster or t-shirt)? Nothing that I’ve bought. My brother gave me a ton of McCartney stuff that a supplier gave him when they saw him in Boston in 2002. Little did I know that they’d decide to add Hartford on their tour and my son James and I went. That Christmas my son-in-law bought me a bootleg of that concert in Hartford. That just recently led me to see if there was a bootleg of the concert he did in Boston from the “Wings Over Boston” tour in 1976. I worked for the Boston Garden (that night only) in security. The GM said, “Bud I heard that you are the biggest Beatles fan ever. I shrugged. He said “You watch center stage.” I was a tad stunned. I asked, “What do I do?” He laughed and added, “You get to watch the concert for free, center stage. If the shit ever hits the fan, just get your ass outta here and let the police handle it.”

5) In addition to The Voice, Shelton is on TV a lot with his Pizza Hut commercials. What chain restaurant is nearest your home? Do you eat there? They are all about the same. Our town has two CT highways where most of the town’s strip malls and big mall are located. It’s a great plan. Everything is together so there’s just a few mall strip malls in other parts of town. To answer, I’ll go with McDonalds, Taco Bell, Burger King, & The Country Diner (OK so it’s not a chain. It’s a great spot for breakfast.)

6) Shelton has a million-seller CD called Cheers! It’s Christmas! What’s the first Christmas carol to pop into your head this hot summer Saturday? “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” by John & Yoko.

7) Shelton and Miranda Lambert were married in front of 550 guests. Do you enjoy weddings? Depends on the couple and the guest list. But not the number of people or the ritziest venue.

8) The wedding took place on a big Texas ranch. Have you spent much time on a farm or a ranch? Close your eyes. What do you see?

9) In 2013 he helped organize a relief benefit concert for victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes. Tell us about a charity you support. Charity begins at home. My siblings and I have supported our parents.

My dad moved to the Boston this week. He told my brother he’d have his “conditions”. I’ve heard of the conditions. One includes buying him a Cadillac. I think I told you my brother (who in fairness has supported my dad beyond social security for eight years or so) told me that it was up to me where he lived. But I must promise him daily visitors if I want him here. I passed. I said, “I work for your company from 9 to 5. (Not that our paths cross at all. They do not.) I have no interest in 24/7″. So my brother has put my dad in a nursing home next to where one of his offices is. So the “every day thing” was to be a bit easier than where he put him in Connecticut.

Hope all is well with you. Sad about Robin, no? Wow. Who knew? My oldest child – my “princess” – turns 40 in September. Yes I was 12 when she was born…