I understand that shortly after the writing of this piece,  the Tower Record Store sign located at the closed chains Watt and El Camino store location will be coming down.  While I do not know how long the sign has been there, the store apparently opened in 1960.  The sign will be donated to local officials as a vital piece of history, eventially to be part of the Sacramento History Museum in Old Town Sac.  Alas this reminder triggers yet another sentimental trip down the infamous "Memory Lane".  While I have no pictures to share, maybe some reading this do.  I do know Tower Records over the years was the recipient of many of my hard earned dollars, dollars that these days most often go t

I am not sure what the Mayor of Sacramento is doing on the legislative side of things.  Nor am I sure what concrete plans he has to help the struggling business climate in "his" city and the surrounding region.   What I do know, is that for the first 100 days or so the Mayor has spent the majority of his time in very media freindly meetings, round tables, summits and otherwise talking.  He has also taken a couple trips back to Washington DC, with another soon on the horizon.  His short tenure in office, has sure been interesting to watch, but at the same time a little worrisome to this observer.  In a recent article, the Mayor commented on his celebrity relationships and the doors that ha

Thanks to my 14 year old son Patrick's pleading & my passion to partake in live music, he my wife & I headed down to San Francisco last Saturday (2/28) to take in a show featuring Hank III (The grandson of the late great Hank Williams), along with openers "Those Poor Bastards".  What a great evening of fun, family & live music!  The show was held at a new venue to me;  the Regency Grand Ballroom, which is a wonderful spot near the Civic Center area, on Van Ness Avenue.  The hall is one of those old school S.F treasures, a beautiful room, wood floors, high onamental ceilings & walls,  chandeliers & a warm feeling that is hard to explain, but immediatly understood.  There is a perimeter bal

Who has a copy of Kate Gaffney at The Torch Club?  Where can I hear the Dead's 1981 New Years Shows?  Blockbuster doesn't carry my favorite movie "Attack of the Killer Leeches" where do I go?  Quick where can I find a copy of Householders and Landers paper "Mathematical biophysics of the central nervous system"?  These are questions one might find themselves asking themselves, and thanks to the "Internet Archives" ( www.archive.org ) there is now a one stop location that answers these questions and countless more.  Questions you didn't even know you needed to ask! This is what the Archives have to say about themselves: "The Internet Archive is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was founded to bu

 I recently wrote a piece on the "Death of the Record Store." I was very impressed by the amount of feedback that the article received, be it in the Sacramento Press, via email or in person. Inevitably the conversation led to fond memories about fun times and good music. I was reminded particularly of the live music experiences I've had. Along with the demise of too many record stores, I contend there is a serious lacking in the quality and quantity of live music available today, especially in the smaller to mid-size venues, and towns. While the experience of a big Grateful Dead show in Oakland was always a fun time, the smaller, more intimate performances of a Jerry Garcia Band show at

Those who know me know that one way or another I love to share music. As such, for Christmas and other occasions I try to give the gift of music, these days typically in the form of a CD. Thus the other day I went in search of an album by the famous Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, (he’s the big guy who does the great version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"). Alas, my favorite local "record" store "Off the Record" here in Auburn, is no longer, having recently succumbed to the economic pressures independent retailers face these days. Not to fear, the new Best Buy must have a CD of this popular artist, but no, I glanced over to the local K-Mart, possibly they would have it, nope. What to do? My last h