I am at my mama house, and Saturday it's really goin' down

Oh man, I never had any will whatsoever to go to a school reunion. Besides, with Facebook, who needs it. Every blivit that ever shared a beaker with you in chemistry class can be found right there. Oftentimes they find YOU. But um, this here reunion of sorts is gonna be a great time. And well, I could use a good time right about now!



Yeah man, I'm out here in my hometown of Erie, PA. One of the Rust Belts finest towns. I was planning on coming up for a long weekend, but that turned into a much longer trip due to some circumstances that don't need to be blogged about (nothing horrible, just family needed some help) and well I have to say that this past week being here, at my mama house, has really upped my excitement levels for this show.

Going back to my roots and such.

It's so real though. Most of y'all know me as some dude who knows a lot of rappers from Texas, and rides for the music of said artists pretty tough. But reality is, I am and always have been a punk rocker who likes all types of music. I learned back in those days - uh, the 80's - that being a punk rocker meant being able to do whatever you wanted to do, with no regard for any, um, well for lack of a better word, HATERS. The DIY (Do it Yourself) philosophy always appealed to me. Especially when it comes to music and the arts.

And that's what really appealled to me about Houston rap. From the Rap-A-Lot / South Park Coalition early days, to today, the independent spirit that runs through Houston is just amazing. The energy that comes from that cities hip-hop scene is unparalleled, and when I moved there in 1989, I felt it immediately.

Anyway, the show on the flyer above was conceived by me, and put together and executed and promoted by a wonderful group of folks who all hold those days at the Continental Ballroom near and dear. More shouts to them later when I run photos from the event.

That little run down spot on 20th and Peach, in Erie, Pennsylvania, meant so much to so many. I am a firm believer that one of the biggest problems in our world is that so often the youth have nothing positive to do. Not everyone wants to play basketball, go to shooting ranges, join the scouts, go to church, or whatever. Some of us grew up with a raging passion for music and art and never had a place to really experience such culture at its purest. The Continental Ballroom opened its doors to bands and promoters, many of whom including myself were under 18, and that opened the door to poster designers, radio shows, wanna be independent journalists, dancers, and more.

The effect that place had on my city was enormous and much needed and I just want to make sure that it's remembered. And I'd like to inspire young people, in cities that may seem like Nowheresville, USA to a 17 year old, to get inspired like I did and to create a place for themselves and their communities to come together and thrive. A gallery, a music hall, a sports center, a gathering place. All this shit is important.

Anyway, 99.9% of you reading this won't be able to attend, but I'll post some photos. Should be quite fun.