Wednesday, September 17, 2008

ROUNDHOUSE ROUND-UP: MORE ELECTION NEWS

During his New Mexico visit today, Barack Obama plans to do more than charge up a few thousand folks at a rally in EspaƱola. He also will make time to raise a little cash.
OBAMA IN THE WINDOW
A few hours after his speech on EspaƱola’s plaza, Obama is scheduled to appear at an Albuquerque fundraiser at the home of Kandace and Paul Blanchard. Paul Blanchard is a racetrack and casino owner and major contributor to Gov. Bill Richardson.

The cost to get into the “general reception” at the Blanchards’ is a mere $2,500 a person. Once they clear out those low-rent folks, the real fun begins with a “host reception,” for which the price tag is $28,500 a person. This event includes a party favor — a photo with the candidate.

I’m not sure why the invitations include the contribution price. I thought the rule was “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it.”

Under federal campaign finance laws, individuals can give a maximum of $2,300 to a candidate per election. But the limit is $28,500 for contributions to national party committees.

Republicans have tried to score populism points by drawing attention to Obama’s high-dollar fundraisers. On Tuesday — in response to an expensive Hollywood fundraiser that night headlined by Barbra Streisand — state Republicans invited volunteers to a phone bank party in Albuquerque with entertainment by celebrity impersonators, including a local version of Marilyn Monroe.

Of course, GOP candidate John McCain on Monday attended a $50,000-a-plate fundraiser in Miami. I don’t know whether anyone sang.

New Mexico gives: Speaking of campaign contributions, New Mexicans have dropped millions on this presidential race.

According to the latest figures available on OpenSecrets.org, the Web site of the Center for Responsive Politics, Obama has collected $1,408,314 from New Mexicans while McCain has received $593,324. As far as New Mexico bucks go, the Republican also trails Democratic runner-up Hillary Clinton, who raised $599,876.

But all of them trail another Democratic candidate — Gov. Bill Richardson, who ended his candidacy in January. New Mexicans gave the Richardson campaign $6,282,503.

As far as Santa Fe residents go, people in this city have given Richardson $1,624,504; Obama $792,173; Clinton $202,844; and McCain $118,787. All these numbers, according to OpenSecrets.org, are based on Federal Election Commission data released electronically Sept. 2.

Poll-a-rama: Two new polls of New Mexico voters show Obama taking the lead in this battleground state. The results in the new polls were nearly identical.

According to a SurveyUSA/KOB-TV poll released Wednesday evening, Obama leads McCain by 8 percentage points, 52 percent to 44 percent.

That poll, based on automated calls to 671 likely voters from Sunday through Tuesday, showed Obama leading among Hispanic voters 69 percent to 70 percent. Earlier this week, Richardson told Santa Fe Democrats that Obama needs to get 65-70 percent of the Hispanic vote here to win the state’s five electoral votes. The margin of error is 3.9 percent.

Also on Wednesday, the New Hampshire-based American Research Group reported Obama ahead in New Mexico 51 percent to 44 percent. That poll of 600 likely voters was taken during the same period earlier this week. The margin of error is 4 percentage points.

Both polls show a gender gap, with men preferring McCain and women preferring Obama.
New Mexico poll numbers have been shifting. Recent polls by Mason-Dixon and Rasmussen showed McCain with a thin lead, though a CNN/Time poll in late August showed Obama up by 13 percentage points here.

Blog Bonus: After I filed this column for the print edition, a new SurveyUSA poll on the New Mexico Senate race came in. It shows Democrat Tom Udall ahead of Republican Steve Pearce 56 percent to 41 percent. That's 15 points, more than twice the spread of the recent Rasmussen poll that showed Pearce trailing by just seven points. And it's pretty close to a poll commissioned by the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee , which I was going to ignore because I try to ignore campaign-commissioned polls on both sides,

How did you vote, Tom? As a longtime political junkie with a love-hate attitude toward campaign commercials, I have to say I kind of like Senate candidate Pearce’s recent series of 15-second spots.

First of all, they’re only 15 seconds.

And while they’re definitely attack ads, they’re definitely issue-oriented and not personal. In the ads, Pearce never comes out and says his Democratic opponent Tom Udall is a bad guy and a threat to our way of life. Pearce just says how he voted for or against something, then asks “How did you vote, Tom?” — implying, of course that Udall voted the “wrong” way on whatever the issue is — energy, taxes, “partial-birth” abortion or whatever.

Most of the ads are fairly straightforward — although there are complexities and nuances in most legislation that can’t be fully explained in 15 seconds. But one of the spots truly needs more explanation.

“I’m Steve Pearce and I approve this message to let you know where I stand,” it begins. “Raising taxes on middle-class families to pay for benefits for undocumented workers is just plain wrong. How did you vote Tom?”

Could Udall really have voted in favor of the Raise Taxes on Middle Class Families to Pay for Benefits for Undocumented Workers Act?

Actually, I didn’t remember this piece of legislation, so I consulted the fact sheet on Pearce’s Web site.
TOM UDALL
The bill, HR 3963, is better known as the State Child Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP.

Not only did Udall vote for it in the House last year, so did 43 House Republicans, including New Mexico’s Rep. Heather Wilson. In the Senate, it was supported by Republican Pete Domenici.

The bill passed Congress but was vetoed by President Bush. Both Udall and Wilson voted to override the veto (Pearce was opposed to the override), but the bill failed.

Colorado bound: Richardson continues his role as an Obama surrogate this weekend. He said during a Wednesday news conference he will campaign in the Colorado towns of Greeley, Alamosa and Pueblo.

Monday, September 15, 2008

MEANWHILE, ON THE SECOND COMING FRONT ...

So this guy, Dr. Jose Luis De Jesus Miranda, says he's Jesus and has his followers tattoo themselves with "666." Haven't I read about this somewhere before?

These folks keep sending me their press releases. Here's the latest:


Mexican Natives Get Marked With 666

CHIAPAS, MEXICO - More than 600 natives from Chiapas, Mexico, including young children and adults alike, proudly tatooed themselves with the 666 and SSS on their bodies as a sign of love for Dr. Jose Luis De Jesus who is the man Christ Jesus here on Earth.

Their shocking video speaks for itself: (I'll be a nice guy and just embed this )




The world is awakening to the fact that God is amongst us and they are honoring the number of His name: 666. Investigate: http://www.666news.com/

Media Contacts:

Mexico: Donaldo Flores Tel. (00521) 55 39274916
prensamexico@creciendoengracia.com
International: Axel Poessy Tel. (718) 713-8075
pr@creciendoengracia.com

The Government of God on Earth:

Ministerio Internacional Creciendo en Gracia
World Headquarters - 8000 NW 25 ST. Miami, FL 33122
Tel: (305) 994-9194 Fax: (305) 994-9195
http://www.creciendoengracia.com/


# # #

Sunday, September 14, 2008

TERRELL'S SOUND WORLD PLAYLIST

Sunday, September 14, 2008
KSFR, Santa Fe, N.M.
Webcasting!
10 p.m. to midnight Sundays Mountain Time
Host: Steve Terrell

101.1 FM
email me during the show! terrell@ksfr.org

OPENING THEME: Let it Out (Let it All Hang Out) by The Hombres
Baby Who Mutilated Everybody's Heart by Thee Mighty Ceasars
Faster Pussycat by The Cramps
What Do You Look Like by Hipbone Slim & The Knee Tremblers with Holly Golightly
Dead Moon Night by Dead Moon
Scream by Los Peyotes
Medication by The Standells
As Long As I Have You by The Detroit Cobras
Take a Good Look by The Fleshtones
CIA Man by The Fugs

Liked it a Lot by Charlie Pickett And
A Natural Man by The Dirtbombs
Dig Me a Hole by Little Freddie King
Starry Eyes by Roky Erikson
Police on My Back by The Clash
Bird Guy by Quan & The Chinese Takeouts
It's OK by The Come 'n' Go
Prison Shank by Deadbolt
Batman by John Zorn

STEVE TERRELL'S POLKA PARTY
The Happy Wanderer by Brave Combo
The Pimps of Polka by The Polkaholics
Who'd You Like to Love You by Li'l Wally
Chciago is a Polka Town by Stas Golonka & The Chicago Masters
Big City Polka by The Wallets
Who Stole the Kishka by Frankie Yankovic
Jammin' Polkas by The Steve Meisner Band
Raisin Nut Polka by Nancy Hlad
Weiner Dog Polka by Polkacide

Backwater Blues by B.B. King
I Can Make You Happy by Taj Mahal
Beware the Man (With Candy in His Hand)/The Devil is Dope by The Dramatics
There's Someone Waiting to See You by Simon Stokes
Southern California by Brian Wilson
CLOSING THEME: Over the Rainbow by Jerry Lee Lewis

Friday, September 12, 2008

THE SANTA FE OPRY PLAYLIST

Friday, September 12, 2008
KSFR, Santa Fe, NM
Webcasting!
10 p.m. to midnight Fridays Mountain Time
Host: Steve Terrell

101.1 FM
email me during the show! terrell@ksfr.org

OPENING THEME: Buckaroo by Buck Owens & The Buckaroos
Steal It All Day by C.C. Adcock
You'd Better Dig It by Billy Johnson
Sag, Drag and Fall by Sid King & The Five Strings
Killer Came From Space by The Dragtones
Shortnin' Bread by The Cramps
Frankie & Johnny by Charlie Feathers
I'm So Blue by Jo Miller & Her Burley Roughnecks
Peroxide Blonde by Deke Dikerson
Countin' the Years by Yuichi & The Hilltones
Wild Trip by Flat Duo Jets

Party by The Collins Kids
Hot Rod Boogie Woogie Days by Bobby Wayne
Rawhide by Link Wray
Sugar Diet by Charlie Adams
Wild Man by Hasil Adkins
She's a Bad 'Un by Ronnie Dawson
College Man by Bill Justis
Ain't I'm a Dog by Ronnie Self
Color Me Blue, Paint Me Pink by The Legendary Stardust Cowboy
Fannie Mae by Dizzy Elmer

Father Time and Gravity by Jerry Reed
Amos Moses by Primus
Guitar Man by Junior Brown
Horny by Zeno Tornado & The Boney Google Brothers
Drunk by Desert Radio
Right or Wrong by Merle Haggard
Dixie Cannonball by The Pine Valley Cosmonauts
Hittin' It Hard by Jim Lauderdale
I Love You Honey But I Hate Your Band by The New Duncan Imperials

Chevy Headed West by Jim Stringer & The AM Band
Tiger Beer by Gann Brewer
In the Matter of Me and You by Miss Leslie
Are They Gonna Make Us Outlaws Again by Hazel Dickens
Be A Little Quiter by Porter Wagoner
Galveston by Jimmy Webb
Shanty by The Mekons
CLOSING THEME: Comin' Down by The Meat Puppets

Steve Terrell is proud to report to the monthly Freeform American Roots Radio list

Thursday, September 11, 2008

TERRELL'S TUNE-UP: NEW COUNTRY GOLD

A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican
September 12, 2008


Although I’ve made it a personal tradition to always begin a road trip by blasting a Ramones CD — and my recent drive to Denver for the Democratic National Convention was no exception — most of the other CDs I took along were new, or relatively new, country albums with which I wanted to spend more time. Here’s a look at some of them.

* Triskaidekaphilia by Jim Stringer and the AM Band. Stringer is an Austin stalwart, a hotshot guitar picker, and a lover of good basic honky-tonk and Western swing. His latest album is full of all those things that have made his past albums enjoyable.

There are some cool instrumentals, especially the opening tune, a souped-up version of Duane Eddy’s “Rebel Rouser,” to which Stringer adds snatches of television themes — including those from The Andy Griffith Show and The Simpsons. And there are some funny country numbers, like “Here’s the River” (which is about psyching out your opponents in pool, poker, and life); sentimental country songs, like “He Love Music”; and a country cover of an old Top 40 song — Jay and the Americans’ “Come a Little Bit Closer” (which I always considered a rewrite of Marty Robbins’ “El Paso”).

But there are a couple of standout originals here that showcase Stringer’s talents as a songwriter and frankly make this his best album.

“Chevy Headed West” is a bittersweet song about a couple of young guys on a road trip to California in 1968, worrying about Vietnam and learning about the assassination of Bobby Kennedy on their car radio. It’s quite a moving little number, and, as far as I’m concerned, it gets extra points for name-dropping KOMA, a renowned 50,000-watt AM radio station blasting out of my hometown of Oklahoma City across the Great Plains every night (“from Texas to Chicago,” Stringer sings, but lots of folks have told me it was a hit on teenagers’ car radios out here in New Mexico when the sun went down).

And then there’s “I Saw Them Together.” I’ve always been a sucker for a good clean murder ballad, and this sweet waltz about a bad case of mistaken identity immediately warmed my twisted heart.

* Ramblin' Man by Zeno Tornado and the Boney Google Brothers. Switzerland’s Voodoo Rhythm Records has given us Eurotrash/punk versions of rockabilly (Hipbone Slim and the Knee Tremblers, Jerry J. Nixon), Cajun (The Watzloves, Mama Rosin), blues (The Juke Joint Pimps and others), and garage rock (The Monsters and way too many others to mention).

But its greatest contribution to country music has to be Zeno Tornado.

Tornado is a native of Switzerland. His lyrics are full of humor, and the twang in his voice obviously isn’t natural. But this music shouldn’t be considered parody. He understands and appreciates good old American country-western. Tornado and band play it with aplomb, mixing in elements of rockabilly (dig that cool slap bass, especially in the song “She’s My Neighbor”) and bluegrass (there’s some nice fiddle and banjo in “Sober,” “Bone White Moon,” and others).

He also jumps head-on intoitional country themes — sex, violence, and intoxication. He’s far more explicit than most country stars, reminding me somewhat of Hank Williams III. “I’m a little lonely but very, very horny. ... I wonder under which girl I’m going to land tonight,” he sings in “Horny,” a jumpy little acoustic hillbilly song with fiddle and mandolin.

Then in “Bullet in My Mind,” he sings, “I killed her a thousand times.” It turns out to be a fantasy, but a disturbing one indeed.

Sometimes Zeno’s lyrics are slightly bizarre. “Here I am sittin’, drinkin’ my own blood,” is how he starts out the song “Blood.” Perhaps “Waiting Room” could be considered Euro-country emo. “Life’s a waiting room for death,” he sings. “Maybe I drown in icy water/Or get killed by a religious brother/I don’t care as long as I die.”

But most of this record is pretty joyful. Any vocalist who can pull off a tongue twister like, “It’s a struggle in the puddle at the bottom of a bottle, oh yeah” at breakneck speed shows he’s not completely consumed with despair.

* Honey Songs by Jim Lauderdale & The Dream Players. An underappreciated country artist, Lauderdale has been cranking out fine albums full of well-crafted and thoroughly enjoyable songs on a regular basis. (A couple of years ago, he released two albums, both pretty decent, at the same time: Country Super Hits, Vol. 1, and Bluegrass.)

He has played in Lucinda Williams’ band, done duet albums with Ralph Stanley, and had songs covered by lots of mainstream country singers like Vince Gill, George Strait, and even George Jones.

And he’s not kidding when he calls the musicians on Honey Songs “the Dream Players.” He has some members from Elvis Presley’s old touring band, including the great guitarist James Burton and drummer Ron Tutt. He has Glenn D. Hardin on piano and Al Perkins on steel — both of whom have credits far too extensive to mention — and backup singers that include Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, Patty Loveless, and Bloodshot Records princess Kelly Hogan.

There’s not song on this album. Any one of these tracks would immediately raise the level of artistic integrity of the country station that plays it. The only trouble is, there aren’t any great songs here either — nothing really stands out or twists your head. Basically, Honey Songs shows far more competence than it does inspiration.

TERRELL'S SOUND WORLD PLAYLIST

Sunday, June 15, 2025 KSFR, Santa Fe, NM, 101.1 FM  Webcasting! 10 p.m. to midnight Sundays Mountain Time Host: Steve Terrell Ema...