Panama City Beach! We came, We saw and We’re heading back!
This past week my wife and I had a much needed week off so we went to Panama City Beach. We went with my cousin Kathy and her husband Bill. We split the tab on a nice condo at the Gulf Crest Condominiums. A nice 2 bedroom condo on the 23rd floor to be more exact. However, I did notice while on the elevator that there wasn’t a 13th floor. So in reality, its only 22 floors up. The missing floor must have been because of that one Twilight Zone episode or something… But I was secretly hoping to stop on the 13th floor and explore it but the elevator never opened up on it.
When we arrived in Florida early Saturday morning the weather was already nice. The Florida sunshine stayed with us all week. A few rain clouds here and there but for the most part, lots and lots of beautiful SUNSHINE! Back home in the great State of Kentucky it had been raining there almost daily for about two months. We were all way over the rain and needed a break. Kentucky was starting to look like Seattle! We thought we might have to start building a second ark, or is it the 3rd ark? I dunno. But the Florida trip opened up so we packed up and rolled out. BTW, I can pack in 5 minutes. My wife takes a while longer and takes more things. Like a huge 50 lb. carrying bag/tote thingy. My cousin Kathy however, Mrs. Howell is all I am saying! There was no room left in her Durango after she stuffed her luggage in there! Never again will I complain about how much stuff my wife packs! After I got off work Friday afternoon, Bill drove all night to get us there.We arrived early Saturday morning and thankfully it wasn’t during Spring Break so the traffic wasn’t bad and everyone was calm on the beach. Nothing wrong with being young and having fun but I was needing to gear down and just enjoy life for a few.
We were within walking distance to most places we wanted to visit. The other places we wanted to explore Bill took us. We don’t have an itinerary when we go on vacation. We just kind of wing it and play it all by ear. If we see something that looks interesting, we stop and check it out. My wife loves the beach. There was plenty of beach so that part was taken care of. You could walk out the condo, thru the pool area and voila, the beach! She and Kathy purchased some beach chairs and spent most days down by the water’s edge. Kathy’s husband Bill offered to teach me how to snorkel. I can honestly say it was fun but tiring! I was trying to concentrate on breathing under water without panicking. Swimming while floating on my stomach and trying to keep the waves from going over the top of the snorkel! I did see some fish and some jellyfish too! Bill snorkeled way on out into the deeper water. I think he said it was about 20ft deep where he was at and he stayed out there for a couple of hours. I need more experience and maybe a boat crew before I venture out that far! I barely swam back to the beach swearing I was going to finally get into shape and not the shape I am in!
One day as we were driving down to St. Andrews State park Bill spotted a converted red cargo trailer sitting in a parking lot. The side of the trailer had “Chicago Style Hotdogs”. Bill just had to have one so we whipped into the parking lot. The cargo trailer was permanently sitting in the parking lot on two flat dry rotted tires and converted into a kitchen. It’s a place I wouldn’t normally even stop at but with all the permits and stickers it looked legit enough so Bill and I both bought one. It was a pretty dog gone good Chicago styled hot dog too! So I learned a lesson there. Never judge a cook by his trailer…
Another place we saw was the Salt Lick Tavern. 8021 Thomas Drive to be exact. It’s located on the main drag but in the PCB county part of Thomas Drive. The thing that caught our eye was the relaxing deck area out in front. The first time we stopped in there it hadn’t opened for the day yet. It was pretty early in the morning so we made a note to come back later in the day after they were open. A few hours later we went back and went in. The place was a nice tavern. It had a hand made horse shoe shaped bar that a local guy had built for them. The beer was extra cold too! Just how I like it! My wife was impressed with the atmosphere and one of the owners was there running the tavern. Her name was Angela. She was exceptionally friendly and gave us a brief history of the place. They even have a grill/deli area too! My wife had the cheese sticks! The prices were just right and my cousin even bought a shirt there! We liked the place so much we went back a couple of times before we left. Granted we visited in the day time but you can’t but like Salt Lick’s friendly atmosphere and they also give discounts to all Military personnel (active and retired.) So if you are in the PCB area, be sure and stop in and say hello to Angela and tell her Chuck, Denise, Bill and Kathy sent ya!
Enclosing, PCB was a great place to hang and hang with Bill and Kathy! It’s good to let life’s stressful days ease past you for a few days and recharge the batteries.We are already planning our next trip! (In October!)
chuck
Categories: General Tags: panama city beach, PCB, salt lick tavern, trip advisor, vacation
KickActs interviews “Apollo Under Fire”!
Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and were you can be found online.
*For More Information Please Visit:* www.apollounderfireband.com http://www.cavigoldrecords.com/apollopreorder www.facebook.com/apollounderfire
DC: All social media outlets and digital retailers including iTunes.com
Who are your musical heroes and influences? Why?
DC: Vocally it would be Chris Cornell. I just love his character, note selection and lyrical canvas. He has only grown as an inspiration for me. Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Live, all influences **for me. Love me some Sarah McLaughlin too.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music business?
DC: There is no “Best”, there is only “you”. Never stop learning and create from the heart.
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
DC: Not sure, I learned most everything the hard way haha.
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to share?
DC: I’ve had some tough nights up there where it seemed everything was going wrong. Technical difficulties are the worst, as a performer there is nothing you can do about it. One show we (Eye Empire) were playing in Houston, the guitar rig went out 3 notes into the first song. We had to finish the song with just drum, bass and vocal. Talk about being left out in the open haha.
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
DC: I love baseball. That’s not really a hobby but I keep up with it like a hobby. I’m a stat guy.
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
DC: I’m not sure, I mean, some of it’s good and some of it’s ridiculous. That’s nothing new, what’s new is the way it’s covered. We will always find ourselves at a growing point…a moment in history where we have to make a decision on what the future will hold. We’re experiencing that now and there are some growing pains that come along with it. I am one with the struggle, living it now, so fight on!
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X factor and The Voice have helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
DC: It’s definitely a unique platform. Personally it’s just another example of how our society likes to build it’s heroes up to tear them down. Many great voices out there, tons of talent but so many more intangibles that go into making a “great” that will never be measured in that environment. It’s the road that makes the artist. You can’t fast track that. You have to live it.
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
DC: If you still show up for the live show, buy a ticket, pick up a shirt, burn away.
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear.
DC: Peter is a Chip freak. Tom absolutely despises Mayonnaise. Jimmy works for a company that designs digital weapons training systems and Stu used to sell Police gear to local Police Departments.
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so, what was it?
DC: Yes I do and I actually prefer vinyl! Last I purchased was an original pressing of “Master of Puppets”.
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the first night in his sleep or what?
DC: I’m probably going to be too busy trying to figure out how the hell I ended up with Justin Bieber in the first place.
What is your opinion of Miley Cyrus?
DC: Stopped paying attention a long time ago and to be honest never really did pay attention to begin with.
Which would you rather hear in concert? Lip synching or real vocals?
DC: It’s sad that this would even be a question. Real vocals.
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
DC: So many talented artists out there. I am all over 21 pilots right now but they’ve been around for a bit.
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is…
DC: Soundgarden
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
DC: I am Bipolar and it is something that I work on everyday of my life.
Favorite movie of all time and why.
DC: Impossible to answer. All time favorite story line would be Star Wars, all movies. It just has a spiritual overtone that speaks to my core. It inspires me and is something that I share deeply with my sons.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s were you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
DC: APOLLO UNDER FIRE BY APOLLO UNDER FIRE IS OUT NOW!! GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY!! iTunes.com* *”Gotta Believe”* – The 1st single from the self-titled debut record out NOW on iTunes and all other digital outlets!! https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/apollo-under-fire/id1120675442 Official
Lyric Video for *“Gotta Believe”
Vocals: Donald Carpenter (Eye Empire/Submersed)
Guitars: Peter Klett (Candlebox/Lotus)
Guitars: Jimmy Kwong (SoulSwitch)
Drums: Tom Costanza
Bass: Stu Cox
Categories: General Tags: Apollo Under Fire, candlebox, eye empire, left me far behind, Shauna O'Donnell/ Publicist, SoulSwitch, Sound Garden
VBlog, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, and Ozzie?
#over40 #videoblog #Esquire #ClintEastwood https://t.co/JHqNDhVoMA pic.twitter.com/4Lmx5Iguxf
— Kick Acts (@kickacts) August 9, 2016
Recently Ozzy has come forward and now reporting that not only is he a recovering alcoholic, and drug addict. He can also add to that list..WAIT FOR IT…..a recovering sex addict..LMAO!! How ridiculous is that? Sex addiction is real but come on OZZY really? From watching your sitcom you can hardly walk across a floor or speak coherently..Sex addiction is real of course. I don’t know Ozzy but from his public persona I would simply guess he was looking for affection/attention and not from an over bearing woman that his wife appears to be…
Here is the link. The Mirror.Uk
Clint Eastwood and his son recently sat down with Esquire Magazine. Clint looks back at some of his movies, his decisions in life that drive him. His work ethics and the now “Pussy Generation” we live in. Its a great read and words of wisdom from a man that is 86 years old and still gets up and goes to work everyday.
Here is the link: Esquire
Categories: General Tags: clint eastwood, dirty harry, kickacts, over 40, ozzy osbourne, The Esquire magazine, The Mirror, twitter, video blog
Check this out! An old man in a Mosh Pit??? And much more!
KickActs Last night concert #NonPoint report! Ages of Rock podcasts and a old guy still Moshing??#WTF pic.twitter.com/ktkfTAV3FU
— Kick Acts (@kickacts) August 5, 2016
Do you feel you’re too old to rock and have a life? Click here if you think you are: >Too Old To Rock<
NonPoint’s Facebook page: NonPoint
Episode 036 – A Conversation with Tommy Paris of Britny Fox
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq6JvfDtiuM
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ages-of-rock-podcast/id1053552684Libsyn: http://agesofrock.libsyn.com/episode-036-a-conversation-with-tommy-paris-of-britny-fox
Categories: General Tags: 103WGBF, ages of rock, KC's Time Out lounge, kickacts, nonpoint, twitter
KickActs Video Blog! Ac/Dc, Chicken Legs and a Personal request!
— Kick Acts (@kickacts) August 4, 2016
CLICK:
‘It can look a bit strange – ‘Who’s this old guy in a school suit?’ ” says 61-year-old AC/DC guitarist Angus Young. “Somebody once commented, ‘From a distance, he looks quite youthful.’ It’s only when you get up close that you can see the weathered look.” That wear and tear are real for Young as he leads AC/DC through their toughest and possibly final world tour, which ends September 20th in Philadelphia.
To leave a kind message for Tracey and her family: Tracey L Crawford-Owens
Please keep my friend Tracey L Crawford-Owens and her family in your prayers for today God called home this handsome little Angel Justin… He also called home Tracey’s sister yesterday as well, so this family actually lost 2 loved ones back to back an need all the prayers we can give them right now in this difficult time, May they both R.I.H now ??????
Categories: General Tags: ac/dc, facebook, kickacts, prayer requests, twitter, video blog
What’s New at KickActs? Check this out!
What’s new at KickActs! #share #VIDEO #News pic.twitter.com/XVAuNrh2sR
— Kick Acts (@kickacts) August 3, 2016
Categories: General Tags: kickacts, less print more video, new, twitter, video blog
MTV turns 35! Where were you?
The band Saxon had a semi metal hit way back in the day that had an opening line that went like this…”Where were you in 79′ when the dam began to burst?” Collectively speaking, the same thing happened in 1981 when a new Music Channel signed on for the first time. Who would have known back then that it would permanently change the way we “look” at music. I remember MTV coming to the Evansville/Henderson area and was being “pitched”. I used to have one of “Flair” stick pin buttons that was given away while they were in town.
When I lived at home, my brother and I had MTV on 24 hours a day…We watched the KISS “Unmasking” live. We also watched Iron Maiden’s Debut of “Two Minutes to Midnight” that first aired at two minutes to midnight”. Go figure! Michael Jackson”s mini horror music video “Thriller” too. Which seemed to air every hour on the hour. It was an exciting time not knowing which video was next to air! It could be a metal band like “W.A.S.P. or an 80’s pop band like “Wham!”. You young kids have no idea what you missed. The hairstyles, the music, the clothes,the girls, the culture. It was an awakening! Just like when the 60’s revolution started! Did you “Catch the wave!”
Check out original VJ Martha Quinn as she looks back on that historical event!
YAHOO MUSIC: MARTHA QUINN
This was the first video to air on MTV. They had no idea how prophetic at the time it would turn out to be.
Categories: General Tags: alan hunter, mark goodman, martha qiunn, mtv, music videos, nina blackwood