A hip-hop past helps solidify Sound Garden’s Syracuse future.

It took a talented politician to step in an help broker the deal that hopefully will keep The Sound Garden in Syracuse. The Most Talented, in fact. News outlets started reporting yesterday that another compromise of the bill that caused store owner Bryan Burkert to declare he was done with the city will move to…

Benny Mardones to play BBQ Bash Benefit at Sharkey’s, and the love affair with Syracuse rages on

Benny Mardones is coming back to town. Fans will rejoice. People will sing along to “Into the Night.” Women of all ages will jump on stage and dance mightily to “Sheila C.” Mardones and his Syracuse band, the Hurricanes, rocking out for “Benny’s Backyard BBQ Bash,” Aug. 3 at Sharkey’s, on Oswego Road in Liverpool.…

Hobo Graffiti offers a sampling of rough cuts, just perfect for Taste of Syracuse weekend

Hobo Graffiti has been recording an EP, reports drummer Kevin Dean. The intense band was born from one hard-rocking daddy, Brand New Sin. Dean, guitarist-singer Kris Wiechmann, lead guitarist Tommy Matkowski and bassist Chuck Kahl added singer-guitarist Heather Jones and headed off in the direction of rootsy Americana. Dean sent over three rough mixes. “Way…

Thanks for the car wash. Now keep your hands off my seat controls. What’s your beef these days?

This car, I decided, I’ll stick with the dealer for routine maintenance. I bought the little beauty from the folks at Driver’s Village, very happy with the deal. They gave me the first oil change for free. Treated me well. Sent me some service coupons in the mail. Then the Chevy franchise that used to…

Some singing show thoughts on ‘The Voice’ and ‘American Idol’ and an idea for a new original show

It’s been a while since I’ve shared about our singing shows. It seems like “The Voice” has morphed into “Nashville Star.” Country music was close to ruling by pure math, for sure, since we were left with six singers this week, and three of them are on country star Blake Shelton’s team. Shelton unabashedly declared…

Generations of women share in Stacy Duger-Huntington’s battle

When I walked into the Lakeside Fire Hall with my dear wife Karen and a handful of friends on Sunday afternoon, the scene overwhelmed me. Hundreds of people were standing in line for a delicious-looking buffet, eating at long and full tables, looking over hundreds of raffle prizes. Socializing. Sharing stories. Fueling hope. Helping. The…

Our pretty peony gets June off to a gorgeous start

On this first day of June, my dear wife Karen just came in from our front yard in Eastwood with one very pretty picture. The growth burst from the peony in the corner of the front garden has been prodigious these past few weeks. Year three for this plant has been a great one. Its…

Mets sweep the Yankees, said for the first time

Seconds after the final strike in the bottom of the ninth last night at Yankee Stadium, in came the text from my great friend and pinstripes fan Kingpin. “You may now gloat.” Put it in the history books. The Mets have swept the season series from the Yankees for the first time. Ever. It may…

Three Fat Guys plumps up with food, music

The thought struck when the platter of chicken tenders and fries was put in front of me. The trio behind the bar named Three Fat Guys may well have been three skinny guys until they started eating the food so well put together in the kitchen in the green bar at 3898 New Court Avenue…

A new site for my movie blogs, with the Syracuse New Times

There’s a new click in the world to discover what I think about movies. A couple times a week, I’ll write about the big, silver screen. I’ll give you an inkling about what you might like to see. I’ll share thoughts about what I’ve seen. Hello, syracusenewtimes.com. I’m the new movie blogger for our city’s…