Danny Snow is the host of Satellite's "Live in the Living Room" concert series. Not only was he the perfect M.C., but he was also the sound man, recording engineer, front of house manager, and lighting. He does it all. And, the "LITLR" series was his idea from the start. It's amazing how one person's idea can not only create a wonderful evening for so many people but could potentially help ABQ's untapped wealth of great musical acts.

They had me set up on a kind of raised platform built into the wall. I was a little scared that it might collapse. I mean, every performer wants to bring the house down and all, but c'mon...

Anyways, the stage held and everthing went great. The whole incident was recorded and will be podcasted soon. I'll be sure everone gets the word when it's available.

See ya',

Jason

I get that a lot.  It’s a legitimate question.  But, one I still have trouble answering.

Everyone likes to say “I like all kinds of music,” but we don’t necessarily, do we?  In high school, your clique affiliation could be determined by your musical preference.  Stomps, Rockers, Freakers, Punks, and the most dangerous social sub sect of all…New Wavers (that’s what they were called before the term Goth was invented).

When I’m talking to someone new on a plane, at a friend’s party, or at an underground fight club in an abandoned warehouse, I fumble for words to describe my music.

“Well-it’s kinda like a folk sort of thing ‘cause I play acoustic guitar in coffeehouses, but there’s a lot of rock’n’roll and country influences, too.  Plus, when it rains, my guitar goes out of tune so I go off into a dissonant, cacophonous style.”

This seems to confuse the person.  They usually shrug, and say “well that’s very nice.  Too bad I’m out of town a lot and won’t be able to catch one of your little shows.”

But, if I’m talking to a real music hipster (you know the type, black turtleneck, black beret, French cigarettes), then there’s one word I use.  One word to explain exactly who I am and what I do with a six string.

Americana.

Now, I first heard the term Americana in the 90’s from a custodian at Disneyland.  Seriously.  I had just gotten off that evil Dumbo ride and saw the dude in his clean white uniform sweeping a faux Rockwell-esque sidewalk.  I noticed he had the barest hint of sideburns that the Disneyland Employee Code of Hygiene would allow.  I have a nose for my own kind and started talking to him about the local music scene.  He seemed to like all the same tunes I did.  He told me it’s called Americana.  I figured he was from California so he must know what cooks more than me.  You know, cause I’m from Burque.

For a time, I started identifying myself as a singer/songwriter practitioner of Americana.

Now, instead of confusion, people thought I played gigs at places like Disneyland dressed up in overalls and straw hats with singing bears.

At least I had a genre.

But, all that ends today.

The good folks at Merriam-Webster have included the musical definition of Americana in their latest Collegiate Dictionary.

“a genre of American music having roots in early folk and country.”

Not bad, huh.  Of course, now the reader has to look up the definition of early folk.  And, they left out the rock’n’roll.  But, then again, I’ve always considered rock’n’roll to be primitive folk music.

I am now legit, baby!  So, if you see me on the street or at a theme park or in a coffeehouse, ask me what kind of music I play.  Go ‘head, ask me.

I will proudly tell you something or other. 

Jason Riggs is a singer/songwriter from New Mexico who plays Americana music.  He can  next be seen performing publicly at the Cherry Hills Library in Albuquerque, NM at 5:30pm, Tuesday Sept. 13, 2011.  He will be playing songs from his two albums that are sort of like a folk rock kind of thing.

Okay.  My last blog entry was over a year ago.  That's sad.  But, on the other hand, it seems like apologizing for not blogging is kind of the cool thing to do these days.  So, I blame perpetual coolness.  Also, I've been a little busy with life.  In a six month period, I got married, got a dog, and got a house.   

So, you'd think I'd have a lot to blog about.  Well, I got romantic songs to cover my illicit love affair and subsequent marriage.  I don't want to blog about my dog because there's nothing worse than someone with no children constantly talking about their canine's habits and diet.  And, I can't blog about my cool new rock star pad, because there is nothing rock'n'roll about sprinkler heads and accent walls.

Can you understand my conundrum?

According to all the big star blogs I read, you're supposed to tell the people what books you've read, what movies you've seen, what you think of Charlie Sheen, etc. 

So here goes... 

Books:

I haven’t read anything lately, but stuff on raising German Shepherds.  I can always tell when it has been too long between books because I can feel my IQ dropping.

Movies:

I saw the “King’s Speech,” finally.  It was brilliant.

Music:

I’ve been listening to Lucinda Williams’ latest album.  It’s great.  “Buttercup” is catchy as hell.  I also liked the latest Social Distortion record, too.

TV:

I watched the “Kennedys” mini-series on the Reelz network.  Reelz is a little known channel, but they film here in Albuquerque, so I’m giving them props.  I’ve been annoying family and friends with my Bobby Kennedy imitation.

As far as Mr. Sheen, well, I really liked him in Ferris Bueler.

There you have it.  I'll try to blog more in the coming year.  And, if you hail from the land of enchantment, catch my show this Friday.

When:  This Friday, April 15th, 7:30pm

What:  Jason Riggs w/special guest Alicia Ultan

Where:  Saxby's Coffee (8810 Holly Ave. NE, just west of the Trader Joes on Paseo del Norte, 828-3757)

I hope you had a good time.

Second, I must acknowledge Hayley from Salt Lake City.  She won the ‘reply' contest.  She was the fifth 

person to respond to last week's BINGO Recordings Newsletter.  Consequently, this post is dedicated to 

her!

Now, what I am about to say here will cause some waves.  Some people are going to be incensed.  I am 

fully prepared for a wild eyed, torch bearing mob to come after me.  Nonetheless, I must do what I think is

right.  I must speak up for some of us that just do not go with the status quo.

Are you ready?  Got your hounds on the leash and your pitch forks ready?

I am just going to say it.

Grease 2 is superior to Grease 1.

There.  I said it.

Okay now.  Everyone take a breath.  I shall back up my statement.

I am not saying either film is better than “Citizen Kane” or “Casablanca” or even “Planet of the Apes.”  

But, 2 rules!  

In the 80’s, for reasons unknown, Grease 2 was on TV everyday after school.  My sister and I must have 

seen it 72 times before my Dad got rid of cable.  Roger Jameson and I once blew off a final project in 

college opting instead to watch Grease 2 and eat tacos.  (We soon dropped out.)

But, sentimentality and warm childhood memories aside, I humbly submit my reasoning.

Realism

In the prequel, the teenage characters are played by actors in their 30's.  In Grease 2, the teenage 

characters are played by actors in their late 20's.  This creates a much more realistic depiction of the 

American high school experience.

In the prequel, the T-Bird Gang arms themselves with squirt guns and don't even have their shit together 

enough to afford a car.

In Grease 2, the T-Birds have a comb stiletto and each member has his own motorcycle.  

(Except that one guy who has to ride in the side car.)

Social Relevance

In the prequel, the worst catastrophe than can befall a teenager is either a 'click' identity crisis, or 

possibly, Rizzo’s false alarm.  Who wants to hear the blues of spoiled, privileged youth?

In Grease 2, the gang has REAL problems.  Louis DiMucci is trying to convince Sharon to come to terms 

with 'nucleoid war!'  2 takes place in the early sixties.  The T-Birds aren't dealing with an identity crisis; 

they are dealing with the Cuban Missile Crisis.  The Bay of Pigs invasion is weighing down hard on these 

kids, yo!

Exestentialism

The prequel is a simple high school musical.  End of story.  But, Grease 2 has deeper meaning.  

Michael Carrington is not just trying go ‘jock’ to please a Pink Lady, the dude is going through some 

serious existential charades.  It is Shakespearean in it’s scope.  To thy own self be true.  But, who is he?

Is he the studious, British foreign exchange student or is he the Cool Rider, scourge of the Scorpions?  

Is he the nice guy who plays piano for the weird twins or is the leather clad mystery man who only comes

out at night?  (His struggle is something that I particularly related to at many a dayjob.)

Composition

Okay, okay.  The music from the prequel is now iconic in the pop culture realm.  In a contest of musical 

performance, Grease 2 is hopelessly outgunned.  Every high school in America has tormented us with 

“Summer Lovin’” and “Greased Lightning.”

But, I will trade you any of the prequel’s songs for one minute of “Reproduction.”  Not only is 

“Reproduction” catchy in a brain invasion way, it teaches us so much.   Thanks to Grease 2, I didn’t need 

sex-ed in High School.  I already knew what a photo periodic reaction was and I knew how life can be 

turned into a circus of debauchery.

Final Arguments

Ladies and Gentlemen of the guilty pleasure jury, you have heard the evidence. Perhaps our society is 

too prejudiced from the charm of a young Travolta and the innocence of Newton-John to ever accept 2.

Perhaps, a Grease lacking the Broadway legacy will never find honor in celluloid.  But, before I let this 

polemic rest, I submit one closing shot.

The prequel may have Stockard Channing singing “There Are Worse Things I Could Do.”  

The prequel may have Frankie Avalon’s immortal “Beauty School Drop Out.”  And, yes, the prequel may showcase Travolta lament of loss

“Stranded at the Drive In.”

Any of these examples alone could make a case for the Prequel’s supremacy in motion picture history.

But, Grease 2 features MICHELLE PFEIFFER PEFORMING COOL RIDER.

Do you get the picture?

MICHELLE PFEIFFER PEFORMING COOL RIDER.

Check mate.  Jason out.

PS.

Not many people know this, but “Reproduction” and “Cool Rider” were both written by Dennis Linde.  

Linde wrote songs for Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, and many others.  Most notably, he wrote 

“Burnin’ Love” for Elvis and “Goodbye Earle” for the Dixie Chicks.

I love Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens.  I've always loved 50's rock'n'roll anyway.  But, when I was a teenager, the movie La Bamba came out.  I've heard that it did not get a wide release around the country.  But, it was in theaters in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

It is still one of my personal favorites.  Esai Morales is great in it.  (Morales is a criminally underated actor.)  For me and some of my friends, it was cultural/spiritual/rock'n'roll awakening.  And, Los Lobos put out a great soundtrack.  Dialogue from the movie became part of my permanent vocabulary.

After watching the movie, I walked right in to a music store next to the theater and picked up some Eddie Cochran, some Ritchie Valens, and some Buddy Holly.

So, every February, I try to slip some Buddy and Ritchie songs into my shows.  My own little tribute to the Day the Music Died if you will.

So, I had this gig booked and had practiced my 'Peggy Sue.'  My guitar and amp were loaded in the car, had my boots on, and I was ready to roll.  Suddenly, I get word that the show is cancelled due to building renovations.

I'm all dressed up and everything.

Sigh.

No 2010 February Tribute.  Once again, fate has stopped me in my tracks.

Well, fate can stop me.  But, it can't stop the rock'n'roll!

I'll be playing a show at Saxby's Coffee on Friday March 5th at 7:00pm.  I'll be playing my old stuff, some new songs, and maybe, baby...I'll have to throw in some choice covers.

You catch my snow drift?  The word is go.