When it comes to movie trailers, are you getting too much information?

A couple of weeks ago, I sat in Shifty’s with some good friends waiting for the band Trainwreck to start playing. The talk turned to movies. Movie trailers, to be more specific. And Steven T. Winston, noted bass player and singer around Syracuse whose main gig is with terrific roots band Los Blancos, had a…

As skunk season returns, I begin to wrinkle my nose and fret

As soon as I opened the back door to let Ellie B out to the backyard to do her morning thing, the scent hit me. Faint, this time. But as distinct in my mind as a slap to the face. Skunks are back in my Syracuse city neighborhood. Or maybe a skunk, singular. I surely…

I get the digital postcard and remember when it took a stamp and days of waiting

Remember the golden age of postcards? Somebody you loved traveled to a faraway place. It could be an hour down the road by car. It could be at the end of days of travel by plane. The physical distance wasn’t the thing. It was the emotional separation that sparked the words scribbled on the back…

With the big man himself on stage, consider Toby Keith’s Syracuse joint officially opened

The beer and whiskey has been flowing, bologna frying, guitars twanging at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill at Destiny USA in Syracuse since spring. The official opening was at 4 p.m. today, Aug. 23. The big man himself strode from the wings, accompanying guitarist in tow, to perform three songs at His…

Maka Rouge discovers she’s got another round of ‘The Song Is Born’ in her future

When last we caught up with Maka Rouge, it was late July. The singer, songwriter and guitarist from Syracuse was preparing for her trip to Manhattan to take part in “The Song Is Born” competition. A month later she’s back home, still working hard on her words and music. At 5 p.m. this Tuesday, Aug.…

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals move the New York State Fair crowd to a joyful dance

Grace Potter had the big crowd singing and dancing with her Thursday night at the New York State Fair. Ooh-La-La, indeed. The singer, guitarist and keyboard player from Vermont led her oh-so-tight Nocturnals through a soaring set that hit all the right notes. The packed Chevy Court crowd was treated to a couple hours of…

This ‘Come on Down’ moment features a wild surf through the crowd’s hands

Here’s a big, new entry into my you-know-you’re-getting-old file. Yes, it tops the fact that last time through the Mickey D’s drive-in during breakfast hours, I ordered oatmeal. A morning news show just broadcast a YouTube clip from venerable game show “The Price Is Right” that’s gaining much traction. It was so shocking that I…

It’s New York State Fair time, love it or hate it. I’m going opening night

You don’t find many people who live around Syracuse that put their hands palm up to gesture take-it-or-leave-it come New York State Fair time. The citizens of Central New York more likely fall into two distinct groups when the 12 days of midway, music, exhibitions, animals, food and drink descend upon the fairgrounds in Geddes,…

At Dick’s Sporting Goods Open, families enjoy the atmosphere of Champions

There was a time that I worried about the future of professional golf on the southern tier of upstate New York. Sure, the PGA Tour had a long history at En-Joie Golf Course in Endicott, with a tour stop that started in 1971 as the Broome County Open. It changed its name to the much-catchier…

From the mailbag: Code Red rocks like it’s still the ’70s and ’80s

The guys in Syracuse rock band Code Red love the stage. So front man Gary Dunes and mates Chris Russo, Ed Steele and Steve Steele decided to put out a live CD. Dunes thoughtfuly dropped one in the mail for me. The self-titled production was recorded at various shows around Central New York by Live…