You are a recent immigrant from Zambia and never heard of Chrysler before.

You never heard about Chrysler transmissions.

You come from Kazakistan and Chrysler is a status symbol.

You believe in the lifetime powertrain warranty.

Because you’ve owned nothing but Chrysler products for some unknown reason or you’re a moron.

Way cool! I used to photograph the music scene in Chicago late at night hanging out with my friend Jol of Hamer guitars, at various clubs and venues, and hung with many great people. (Buddy Guy, Steve Stevens of Billy Idol group, all the guys in Mellencamps band, and so on..even ran into the Styx guys from time to time.) I had a lapse of many years after moving away and then recently hooked up with Jol again, went to his factory where they also build Guild acoustics, Ovations, and so on. Even got a Hamer myself!

But the really cool thing is I was looking at the friends on his Facebook page and it reads like a whos-who of the recording and music industry. There’s greatness amongst us!

My father has a 5 platinum set that Journey gave to him for debuting their Escape album. It’s hanging in his office now, and it’s definitely the coolest looking of all the gold and platinum sets he has. That 5 platinum set is not the only set he has from them, but it’s the biggest. Also on his wall, he has an autographed poster of Barbara Streisand (not my favorite), an autographed drawing of Karl Malden, an autographed gold record from Billy Joel, and a picture of him with Bill Cosby. Up in his attic, he has the Beatles White album, in white vinyl, and all kinds of novelty albums from all sorts of artists. He also has a ton of other stuff, including a mandolin signed by Dennis DeYoung and the other Styx members.

He was a radio programming director at that time, and now he owns two of his own radio stations here in Las Vegas. He’s been in radio since Vietnam (where he got his start in Okinawa). Ever since I can remember, I’ve been going with him to concerts and events to meet all of these artists. It’s definitely a different lifestyle, one that I didn’t choose to follow, although I easily could have since I take after him so much. However, I have some very fond memories of when I was young, and I love music. My dad makes me very proud.

I just thought you guys would like that a bit.

Thank you!

________________

JohnnyCanuck:

Hick Hop by the Asylum Street Spankers
and
Boneyard (the Dick Tracy Theme) by the Blasters (to be played while driving in a car that is on its last legs, and then gathers up a little steam right before it dies)

Both are available on iTunes.
________________
Mark

Journey “Don’t Stop Believin”

‘Generals gathered in their masses
Just like witches at black masses
Evil minds that plot destruction
Sorcerers of deaths construction’

Black Sabbath “War Pigs”

Mark, if you have a little piece of Outlaw Country that you deem appropriate I promise to add it to my next ‘memories of Mopar’ mix tape.