BOTB RESULTS: 2023, MARCH 1 (Or, JESSI COLTER VS. TONY RICE)

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My most recent Battle Of The Bands contest took place HERE. The song was 'Why You Been Gone So Long?' and the competitors were Jessi Colter (a.k.a. "Waylon's Widow") and Mister Tony Rice.
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It was a pretty decent Battle that was actually tied 5 to 5 right up until very late in the voting. That's when Jessi grabbed the final 3 "botes", including mine, to win this BOTB installment:
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FINAL TALLY
Jessi Colter = 8 votes
Tony Rice = 5 votes
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I liked Mister Tony Rice's recording real well, but Jessi had that "Outlaw" bass sound rumbling through her song, and that's what sealed the deal for me.
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Anyone who has ever attempted BOTB knows that it's a tricky thing. Unless you don't mind shutouts and blowouts, you need to try to step outside of yourself and attempt to hear potential BOTB songs the way others might hear them (minus your own personal bias), and it's not always easy. In fact, I would even say it's a kind of skill, and maybe even an "art". Contemplating all the possibilities can even drive a dogg or doggette a wee bit o' crazy.
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My original idea for this Battle was to use Jessi against a different male competitor, and I thought it looked like an exceptional match-up. But then when I re-listened to both recordings again, about a month later, I suddenly thought: Oh, this guy'll DESTROY Jessi in this Battle! 

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So, at the last minute, I switched to Mister Tony Rice as a competitor, thinking it would probably make for a closer contest. And although it WAS a good match-up, Jessi won by 3 votes, which is a fairly comfortable margin.
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So now I'm thinking about maybe revisiting this song sometime in the future, and going with my original idea of 'Jessi versus ____', to see if he really would destroy her in a Battle, or if it would actually be much, much closer than I imagined.
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BOTB can be a lot of fun. There's definitely a creative component to concocting good, competitive match-ups. It can also sometimes be a bit frustrating or exasperating. But SURPRISING is the one thing that it ALWAYS is!
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My sincere thanks to all y'all who participated in this Battle, and I hope to see y'all here again on April Fool's Day, when I'll have something quite different for you to consider and vote on. Until then...
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Bless And Be Blessed!!
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~ STMcC

BATTLE OF THE BANDS: MARCH 1, 2023 (Or, JESSI COLTER VERSUS TONY RICE)

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I am pleased as spiked punch to announce that Debbie D'Doglady has rejoined our 'Battle Of The Bands' family! (Debbie, 'Why You Been Gone So Long?') You'll find her brand new BOTB blog located HERE and also in my sidebar list of participants. Y'all please BE SURE to visit her BOTB installment and add her to your own list of BOTB family members!
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Because I don't want everyone getting sick 'n' tired of hearing Dr. John's song 'Right Place, Wrong Time', I've decided to temporarily put my $ilver Dollar $aloon $ong Challenge on pause for this month and next month. But, God willing, it will return to this site on May 1st.
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Right now, I want to show a little love to a musical genre that doesn't get enough attention at 'Battle Of The Bands'. No, I DON'T mean RAP. I said "musical" genre. I'm talking about Country-Western music.
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Alright, let's get on it. Let's get ON this thing!
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First up is Lisa. No, wait. She's not Lisa, her name is Jessi - Jessi Colter. Also known as Mrs. Waylon Jennings. Take it away, Julie-- er, I mean, Jessi!
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Why You Been Gone So Long - Jessi Colter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaieoS6sPpI

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Next up for your consideration is Tony Rice. That's MISTER Tony Rice, to you!
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Why You Been Gone So Long - Tony Rice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVThnFcBKtY

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Please vote for your preferred version of this song in the comment section, and then put yer two cents into the BOTB installments of all the other BOTBers. Thanks!
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I will return here on or about March 8th to cast my own BOTB "bote" and learn y'all who won.
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Much Love & Smiley Faces!

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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
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BOTB RESULTS: 2023, FEB. 1 (Or, DR. JOHN VERSUS GREG & STEVE)

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So, the results are in. But first of all, my sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to participate in my latest Battle Of The Bands contest which played out HERE.

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It was Round 3 in my ongoing $ilver Dollar $aloon $ong Challenge, and it featured Dr. John's 'Right Place, Wrong Time' against Greg & Steve's 'Three Little Pigs' Blues.

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This one was really just for kicks. Having heard 'Three Little Pigs' Blues for the first time being played in a BAR, I found it so ticklesome (did I just invent a word?) that I couldn't resist putting it up against Dr. John's song. However, The Good Doctor's victory was a foregone conclusion in my mind.

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Like most other voters, I too gave my "bote" to our currently reigning champion, Dr. John. But it tickles me that the three Little Pigs acquired three little votes:

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FINAL TALLY

Dr. John = 10 votes

Greg & Steve = 3 votes

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Let's close this out with one more listen to the 'Three Little Pigs' Blues, this time with some fun & enthusiastic audience participation:

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Please join me again on March 1st for another installment of the Song Challenge from the $aloon where "Dogs are welcome, and People are tolerated".

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~ Stephen T. McCarthy

BATTLE OF THE BANDS: 2023, FEB. 1 (Or, DR. JOHN VERSUS GREG & STEVE)

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Welcome to Round 3 of 'The $ilver Dollar $aloon $ong Challenge'. To recap:

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Round 1

Dr. John: 'Right Place, Wrong Time' - 11 votes

Average White Band: 'Pick Up The Pieces' - 4 votes

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Round 2

Dr. John: 'Right Place, Wrong Time' - 9 votes

Jonny Lang: 'Rack 'Em Up' - 4 votes
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There is ONLY 1 RULE in this contest, and the rule is that I am only allowed to use songs that I have heard played at the $ilver Dollar $aloon in Virginia City, Nevada!

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The $ilver Dollar $aloon is one of the quirkiest bars I've ever been in. (Their slogan is: "Dogs Welcome; People Tolerated".) So, as you can imagine, some of the music played in the saloon can be rather unusual. And such is the case with today's challenger.

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Have you ever heard of Greg & Steve? Yeah, I hadn't either, until a December day in 2019 when one of their songs came booming through the $ilver Dollar $aloon's speakers. Greg & Steve play music to educate & entertain children, and their story is pretty interesting:

[link> Greg & Steve @ Wackypedia

[link> Greg & Steve Official Website

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I'll never forget that day when I heard Greg & Steve's 'THREE LITTLE PIGS' BLUES cranked up to eleven at The $ilver Dollar $aloon. I thought: What the helck is THIS?! As I nearly fell off my barstool... from laughing.

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Will Dr. John successfully defend his #1 position? Or will Greg, Steve, and their Three Little Pigs dethrone the current Champ?

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Alright, let's get on it. Let's get ON this thing!
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Dr. JOHN: 'Right Place, Wrong Time'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4PjWgiH-LQ

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GREG & STEVE: 'Three Little Pigs' Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCJ461ynufk&t=3s

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After voting here, please visit the other 'Battle Of The Bands' participants and let your two cents be counted there as well.

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I'll return here on or about February 8th to cast my own "bote" and announce the winner.

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~ Stephen T. McCarthy

BOTB RESULTS: 2023, JAN. 1 (Or, DR. JOHN VERSUS JONNY LANG)

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A hearty & sincere 'Thank You' to everyone of youz who participated in my 'Margarita Day' Battle Of The Bands installment. I hope your 2023 is off to a good start!
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The Battle took place HERE and it was in essence the second installment of 'The $ilver Dollar $aloon $ong Challenge'. Dr. John & his song 'Right Place, Wrong Time' was defending it's #1 position against a young underdog named Jonny Lang & his song 'Rack 'Em Up'. Most people seemed to really dig both songs, so I feel the Battle was actually closer than the vote tally indicates.
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Like most of the BOTB "boters", I really liked both songs, but I have to toss my two cents The Good Doctor's way. That song is just too funkin' funky! As a matter of fact, glancing at the upcoming challengers, I think there's a possibility that Dr. John could run the table in this contest.
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FINAL TALLY
Doctor John = 9 votes
Jonny Lang = 4 votes
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For you who boted for Jonny Lang, be consoled by the fact that the kid is going to get a rematch against The Doctor. Because it just so happens that I've heard one other Jonny Lang song at The $ilver Dollar $aloon in Virginia City, Nevada, and I think it's worthy of a shot at the title. So, I AM planning a Dr. John / Jonny Lang rematch in the future. But I think in my February 1st Battle, I'll first give another artist a shot to take down The Doc.
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Thanks again, all y'all, for participating! And I hope to see ya back here again on or about February 1st.
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~ STMcC
DogGtor of Alcohology &
King of Inebriation Nation

BATTLE OF THE BANDS: JAN. 1, 2023 (Or, DR. JOHN VERSUS JONNY LANG)

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First of all...

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HAPPY MARGARITA DAY!

"A Tradition Since 1986, Except For 1994." 

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No, the sign isn't just a joke. See the fella at the left side of the bar in this next photo!...

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I wasn't really sure which direction I wanted to go in with my 'Battle Of The Bands'. But then on December 20th, my Brother and I visited Virginia City. I took a couple of "dog" pictures which reappeared in my mind while I was trying to go to sleep a few nights later, and my BOTB direction became clear...
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Recently, our BOTB friends Cathy & Mary have been doing BOTB Song Challenges ('James Bond songs' & 'Phone Number songs', respectively). I was reminded of my BOTB contest of Feb. 1, 2022, HERE.
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In that blog bit, I wrote this:
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Virginia City, Nevada, is my favorite place whole the world, and it's only a 30-minute drive up the mountain from where I live.
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Today, there are about 14 saloons in V.C. All but two are mostly too touristy for my tastes. The two I really like are local hangouts, The Corner Bar & The Silver Dollar Saloon. Because of the music they play, my favorite is the latter.
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As luck would have it, I've kept a list of some songs I've heard played in 'The $ilver Dollar $aloon' in Virginia City. And I thought: Why not create a 'Song Challenge', pitting these songs I've heard at the $ilver Dollar $aloon against each other?
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And because I couldn't come up with a good reason NOT to do this,... I'm doing it. This will probably take me through at least June of 2023.
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On Feb. 1, 2022, I put Dr. John's song 'Right Place, Wrong Time' against The Average White Band's song 'Pick Up The Pieces' (both songs I'd heard being played at The $ilver Dollar $aloon), and Dr. John won 11 to 4. So, this means that Dr. John's 'Right Place, Wrong Time' is currently the reigning champion in 'The $ilver Dollar $aloon Song Challenge'.
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Alright, let's get on it. Let's get ON this thing! 

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Let's move on to 2023's first challenger:
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On Sunday, December 8, 2019, Stephanie (the owner of 'The Silver Dollar Saloon'), introduced me to a young, White, Blues music prodigy named Jonny Lang. See which song you like better, Dr. John's 'Right Place, Wrong Time' or Jonny Lang's 'Rack 'Em Up'.
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RIGHT PLACE, WRONG TIME -- Dr. John
Link for sound adjustment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT4RainY-lY&list=PLNBztZRTnDxAiPPs4gg-fDpr8r_nYuQJ3&index=1

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RACK 'EM UP -- Jonny Lang
Link for sound adjustment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HkSkjnBJNQ&list=PLNBztZRTnDxAiPPs4gg-fDpr8r_nYuQJ3&index=2

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Please check out the other BOTB participants' blogs 

(over there somewheres --->)

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I will be back to announce the winner of this $ilver Dollar $aloon $ong Challenge on or about January 8th.
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
DogGtor of Alcohology &
King of Inebriation Nation

BOTB RESULTS: DEC. 1, 2022 (Or, JOHNNY MATHIS VERSUS JOSH GROBAN)

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I thank each and every one of you who took time this Christmas season to participate in my Battle Of The Bands (BOTB) contest which took place HERE. The song was the classic 'O Holy Night' and the two excellent versions of it were by Johnny Mathis and Josh Groban. Funny thing is that I created this match-up with the idea that Groban was going into it as the underdog, but he quickly amassed a 6-1 lead over Mathis. Groban definitely wasn't any underdog!
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I think the Groban version is one of the best I've ever heard, but my vote went with Mathis because his rendition sounds so genuinely reverential and because the way he sings that last word "Divine", it really does sound Divine to me. Groban definitely has a tremendous voice, but personally I feel that he is "showboating" it a wee li'l bit. That is to say that I feel Johnny's version is more about humbly worshipping Jesus. But that's just me.
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Despite Groban's early and large lead, this turned into quite a good BOTB installment"
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FINAL TALLY:
Johnnny Mathis = 5 votes
Josh Groban = 7 votes
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As always, I appreciated everyone's participation. My friends, I hope you all have a Wonderful Christmas and a Merry New Year. Stay safe and let's do this thing again on January 1st, 2023, eh?
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Oh, and one more thing... On Christmas Day, please don't forget to drop a coin into a body of water (even a glass of H20 will do) and Make A Wish For Tiny Tim. We're asking that he somehow manage to get one more Top 40 hit song before "this world" comes to an end.
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Take it away, Tiny!...

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SILENT NIGHT (Tiny Tim) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY8_BuNpBIc

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May You Bless & Be Blessed!!
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy

BATTLE OF THE BANDS: DEC. 1, 2022 (Or, JOHNNY MATHIS VERSUS JOSH GROBAN)

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Yes, it's Christmastime, 

and, yes, it's also time for.....

Battle Of The Bands (BOTB).
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Shoop-Shooby –
Shooby-duh-Dooby-Doop-Dooby-Dooby-Doo-Wah –
Buh-Doo-Wah!
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In doing a little personal research attempting to decide what Holiday song to use this year, I was doggone shocked to discover that in over 8 years of BOTB, I have never once used Johnny Mathis in a contest. So, I'm going to fix that right now.
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Alright, let's get on it. Let's get ON this thing!
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Below are two really excellent versions of the classic 'O HOLY NIGHT' for you to *close your eyes and listen* to, and then vote on. And when you're done voting here, please visit the other BOTB participants and cast a vote in their Battles as well.

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And by all means, get you a Merry Christmas & Happy Holiday!

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I'll return on or about December 8th to add my vote and announce the winner.
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Johnny Mathis - O Holy Night
Link> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S5mMg15228

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Josh Groban - O Holy Night [with lyrics]
Link> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17kiIIxSdC0

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My Friends, Bless And Be Blessed!!
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy

BOTB RESULTS: 2022, NOV. 1 (Or, GLENN MILLER VS. THE DOORS VS. CHRIS BOTTI)

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HOKEY-SMOKE! STMcC is in the ho-owww-se, but I'm days late!
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Well, you see, what happened was... I'm way late because I got waylaid and then mislaid and then my fee had to be paid and the cops made a raid and... and... and the dog ate my homework.
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I thank everyone who took the time to visit li'l ol' me and my blog and cast a vote in this 3-Way Battle Of The Bands installment. We had three different tunes titled 'INDIAN SUMMER' -- Glenn Miller versus The Doors versus Chris Botti -- and the Battle took place HERE.
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It turned out to be an excellent BOTB match-up as evidenced by the close finish:
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FINAL TALLY
Glenn Miller = 3 votes
The Doors = 4 votes
Chris Botti = 5 votes
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My own vote for Chris Botti was the deciding factor. I enjoy hearing all three of these tunes but for me it was really between Miller & Botti. Here's why I "boted" for Botti:
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[Some Notes From My 'Morning Music With Joe' competition...]
For about fourteen months (April, 2018 to May 31, 2019) in two different cities, I was on a personal quest to determine what was the ultimate music album in my collection to listen to first thing in the morning while waking up with my cups o' coffee. I call this MMWJ (or, 'Morning Music With Joe'). The album had to be pleasant to hear in the early morning hours; it had to have some life to it but not be too loud and jarring.
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'Kind Of Blue' by Miles Davis was the first album I came across which I was able to proclaim as "Ideal MMWJ". This was my first great find, which set the bar for everything that followed. I hadn't listened to it for several months, because I deemed that it had nuttin' else to prove. And that's why I was quite shocked to find that Chris Botti (seeded at #6) beat Miles Davis (seeded #4) relatively easily. ... I still think 'Kind Of Blue' is great MMWJ. But 'A Thousand Kisses Deep' is even better. The first track is 'Indian Summer', and it begins with some "chiming" notes. Every time I hear them, I have this thought: 'The Morning is ringing my doorbell'. And then there's just a kind of "groove" that most of these songs ride which is simply perfect with coffee first thing in the morning. Wow! This is the real deal! I never imagined that Chris might bump off Miles.
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So, I really dig Chris Botti's 'Indian Summer', especially first thing in the morning when I'm drinking my coffee and preparing to go out and meet the day. If anyone's interested in the MMWJ playlists I put together after the 14-month contest ended, below are two links you can check out:
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[Link> MMWJ - Morning Music With Joe - Part 1 of 2: Primarily Instrumentals
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[Link> MMWJ - Morning Music With Joe - Part 2 of 2: Primarily Vocals
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Well, thanks again, all y'all, for participating in my November BOTB contest. I'll be back here again on December 1st, and I hope YOU will be, too!
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~ Stephen T. McCarthy

BATTLE OF THE BANDS: NOV. 1, 2022 (Or, GLENN MILLER VERSUS THE DOORS VERSUS CHRIS BOTTI)

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[*Painting by my good friend "Doc" Cherdo*]
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HAPPY ALL SAINTS' DAY, Y'ALL!
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First of all, I want to remind you that dear dIEDRE has joined our Battle Of The Bands club. So, please be sure to visit her Battle installment [link> HERE, and please make certain to add her blog, StreamPebbles, to your blog's list of current BOTB participants {https://streampebbles.com/}. Thanks!!
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Alright, let's get on it. Let's get ON this thing!
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In part, Almanac.com says this:
The term “Indian Summer” has been around for centuries. What is an Indian Summer or Second Summer? ... it’s a period of abnormally warm weather occurring in late autumn between St. Martin’s Day (November 11) and November 20 with generally clear skies, sunny but hazy days, and cool nights.
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And The Cambridge Dictionary includes the following as a definition of Indian Summer:
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...a pleasant or successful time almost at the end of someone's life, job, or other period.
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I like that. I like that a lot! Because now, in my 63rd year, and the start of my second year of official retirement, I feel like I've been blessed by God to have finally been directed to a place that really feels like "home". I've lived in "Willoughberry", Nevada, for nearly four years now, and I love it as much today as when I first moved here.
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So, this being November, and me enjoying "a pleasant time almost at the end of my life", I'm giving you three completely different tunes titled 'INDIAN SUMMER' to hear and vote on. Please vote for your favorite 'Indian Summer' and tell me why you done that.
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I'll be back on or around November 8th to cast my own BOTB "bote" and announce the winner. Thanks for playing, my friends!
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Indian Summer -- Glenn Miller Orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa_faILW6MQ

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Indian Summer -- The Doors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19pdkQfaAt4

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Indian Summer -- Chris Botti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8nTYNcrh4I

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~ Stephen T. McCarthy
DogGtor of Alcohology &
King of Inebriation Nation