Monthly Archive for October, 2008

Matt Williams: Texas Tech Kicker

Published on October 26, 2008 in Texas Tech University. 1 Comment

Texas Tech football has been having one of the best years in the history of the school. We are ranked in the top ten, and thus far we are undefeated. We beat the “sister kissn’ Fighting Texas Aggies” at Kyle Field (never a small task). We scored 63 points, and tripled the score of the University of Kansas while booting them out of the top 25 this weekend. Winning 63 to 21 is always fun, but, the focus of this post will be the 9 points that our new kicker, Matt Williams, scored one at a time.

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What’s the big deal? Well, first of all Tech has historically had problems with kicking, and this year we have pretty much sucked. This year so far we have missed six extra point opportunities and only made only 4 of 8 field goal attempts. Enter Matt Williams. Matt was a fan at a game a few weeks ago when he went out on the field for a chance to win a months free rent by kicking a 30 yard field goal between quarters. It would seem Matt punched the ball right through the posts, and did well enough to win the free rent. He he ended up turning down his winnings when Mike Leach offered him a spot on the team. That’s right, our kicker won a contest at a game half way into the season, and earned a spot on the team. This week he suited up, and since Tech’s rockn’ office scored 9 touchdowns, Matt had plenty of opportunities to take his test on the field. He didn’t miss a single attempt.

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HOWEVER….Leach only had him kicking extra points, and not field goals (baby steps?), and our other kicker missed one from about 40 yards. Leach, if Matt is 9 for 9 on extra points, and he got noticed kicking a 30 yarder….why not let him try field goals? We are below 50% on them so far this year, so what do we have to lose?

As for the rest of the season for the Red Raiders, we have a difficult road ahead. I would love to be full of bravado and say we are going to go undefeated and win it all this year, but that will be an accomplishment that won’t come easy. Our next 4 games:

Texas- Currently ranked number one in the nation, undefeated, and took out OU (who was number 1 at the time). Fortunately we play them in Lubbock, but even when UT isn’t ranked number one, they always play us well. This game should be a battle; I will be at this game and will report back.

OSU (Oklahoma State for all of you non Big 12 folks)- Currently ranked number 9, and they just gave number 1 UT a run for their money in a game where a turnover near the goal line may have changed everything.

Oklahoma- Even with a loss, they are still ranked number 4 and we have to play them in Norman.

Baylor- Well….it’s just Baylor, but they are not the whipping boy they used to be.

October Luve Music Picks (part 2)

Published on October 22, 2008 in Dallas Area Live Music. 0 Comments

Now, on to part two! Typically when I write these I try to mix up the locations and venues, but for the end of October I am going to have to give the Granada Theater the trifecta for my live music picks. What can I say? Good stuff is good stuff!

Cas Haley and Woodbelly- October 23rd Granada Theater-

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With the Campaign and Dubconscious opening for them, this show should be fantastic. Cas Haley is our local TV phenom who made it into the national spotlight on America’s Got Talent. Cas has a one of a kind voice with tremendous range and power. The music is Reggae, that at time is mixed with a little bit of Pop or Rock to create a great fusion. I bet he could do some sweet Sublime if he was feeling froggy. I’ve never seen Dubconscious play before, but The Campaign puts on a fantastic set that is full of vein popping, keyboard pounding energy. I know the show is a little cheesy, but check out Cas in the clip below; look past the Hoff, Osborn, and the wanna be Simon guy, and focus on the music! You will probably like what you hear.

Ian Moore October 25th at Granada Theater-
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Ian Moore kicks ass. I could probably sum up everything you need to know about Ian in that one simple sentence. I have lost count of how many times I have seen him play, but without a doubt I can tell you that he is my favorite live performer. His style and sound has evolved over the years to include everything from southern rock, light acoustic, to vocal. His skill as a musician and a songwriter are top notch, and his stage presence and audience interaction insure that even someone who has never seen or heard of Ian before will enjoy the show. It is not uncommon, even at larger venues like the Granada, for Ian to unplug from the sound system and walk out into the audience to sing a few songs. You can’t hide any imperfections, weaknesses or flaws when you are out there naked with just your voice and un-amplified guitar. I’m telling you, he will raise the bar and elevate your expectations of what great live music is. I’m not sure if this will be a full band show (they tend to be more rock and roll) or a duo show with Kullen Fuchs. I’ll see if I can do some recon and find that out. Either way, this will be a show that you won’t want to miss.

Fallon Franklin- October 26th at Granada Theater-

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Fallon rounds out the Granada trifecta on the 26th. Fallon puts on a show that is as fun to watch, as her smile is beautiful. I’ve seen her play with her cousin Blake (as Blake and Fallon) and I was impressed with the acoustic Pop that they played individually and with each other. Following Fallon will be two other great acts. First will be Carie Rodriguez, followed by Sarah Bettens of K’s Choice fame. That will give you three great female artists in one night; this has to be better than anything you had (or didn’t have) planned for Sunday night. Oh yea, I almost forgot: Fallon was also on America’s Got Tallent. This time you wili have to look past the Hoff, the strange fat guys in wigs at the end, and the cheesy Whitney “kiss my ass” Houston music, and check out Fallon.
Actually… I think that’s Mariah Carey (but I”m leaving Whit in there because her clip is too fun to take out :) ).

Cricket Taylor and friends at AllGood Cafe

Published on October 17, 2008 in Dallas Area Live Music. 0 Comments

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Ladies and gentlemen, I have a confession to make to each of you. While I have been a Cricket Taylor fan for a little while now, until tonight I have never had the pleasure of seeing her play on stage. A friend of mine turned me on to her music a few months ago, and I was fortunate (extremely Lucky would be more accurate) enough to meet Cricket and hear her rehearse for a show at Lyndah G’s casa. The private rehearsal knocked my socks off, and even though it wasn’t a “show”, it was a performance I’ll never forget. Unfortunately, the last few times she has played in Dallas, I was either out of town, too old, lame and/or not man enough to make it out to a late show.

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All that is behind me now! Tonight, AllGood Cafe hosted Cricket Taylor, Donnie Ray Ford, and Justin Kipker; this time I didn’t weenie out and miss the show. I’m not sure how anyone could not enjoy themselves at a show like this one at a sweet venue and with great music from three talented musicians. The AllGood Cafe is a great live music spot with friendly staff, great food, and reasonable drink prices. The three artists on stage took turns singing their own songs, a few fun covers, and played to a full cafe for about two hours.

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As I expected, Cricket sounded every bit as good as she looked up on stage. She is clearly a musician who is comfortable and capable performing in front of a crowd. Her set list was all of her own original music, including some new tunes. She stopped a few chords into her final song, and with a coy grin announced to the crowd that she felt like playing the Blues. The crowed cheered, and the rockn’ Blues that followed had the whole place fired up. I’ve seen several female artist with big voices that hide in little bodies, but none of them could even come close to the Blues that Miss Cricket played tonight. Cricket is playing with her new band, The Electro-Magnetics at the City Tavern on October 25th. I would defiantly recommend checking out that show!