Random Thoughts and Run-ins with Famous People

OK, OK, not just famous people, but Joey Kramer. JOEY KRAMER! I was one step away (ala Kevin Bacon steps) from Joe Perry. Joey bought $113 worth of CD's from me today. How awesome is that? I'm actually glad Joe was not with him, because there is no telling what I would have done. They would have had to peel me from the walls or something.

I got him to sign a CD for me because I am a geek.

Last week, twice, I met Stephanie Seymour, of Victorias Secret/November Rain video fame. She was achingly beautiful in a natural way and very sweet in a shy, delicate sort of way. She forgot her wallet, so she paid with a check. I asked her to please call me once she found her wallet so I could write her drivers license # on it. Sure enough, half an hour later, this soft voice is on the phone" "Amy? It's Stephanie! Here is my drivers license number!" I got home and Matt had dug up his Playboy with her on the cover. I'm brave, but NOT brave enough to ask her to sign that. "Hey Stephanie, here is you buck naked! Can you sign it for me?" Uhhh....no.

The week before that, I met Sean Astin, of Lord Of The Rings fame. He was very cool. He signed a copy of The Fellowship for Matt. He even put a smiley face on it.

Who would have thunk that Barnes and Noble in West Palm Beach would attract so many famous people?

OH, and here is my random thought...

I just finished the most AMAZING book. It's called Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, by Jonathan Safran Foer. At certain points, I was actually weeping. It's a poignant, gorgeous, off-beat and crazily inventive book about a little boy who's father died in the Trade Center. He finds clues his father left him a year after his death and goes on a quest all over New York City to try to solve the puzzle. It was sometimes painful to read because of the 9/11 aspect, but it was worth it.

It was so worth it.

I really want to write to the author but I can't seem to find his address anywhere. Any ideas on how to track him down other than sending a letter to the publisher?

DON'T MESS WITH A ROCKCHICK!

I LOVE SATELLITE RADIO.

Here is part of the reason why. This is an email I sent the CRAPPY local radio station. They play nothing but the same 20 songs over and over, day after day, with zillions of commercials in between. They have NO BALLS.

So, I sent an email telling them how bummed out I was, because I've been listening to the station for 10 years. BUT...There is a REASON why I made the switch. Read my email to the dickheads at WPBZ in West Palm Beach, Florida:

Dear (dickhead),

I'm not sure if you are the person to say this to or not, or even if it matters what I think, but here goes.

I've been listening to the Buzz for ten years. I've been loyal. But lately, I've noticed a decline. It started with the loss of the Morning Buzz team, but that was the tip of the iceberg. The Buzz takes no chances anymore. For example, I called the other night to request a song by a very talented up-and-coming band, Louis XIV. They were named one of Rolling Stone's 10 Bands To Watch in 2005 and they have been featured in commercials, on television, in ads and video games, and all over the place. I called to request their single and was told that since it did not do well
on "Dropping Trou," it was dropped from the play list. I can't express to you how angry that made me. The Buzz uses Dropping Trou to judge whether or not a band is worthy of air time? Don't you think that is flawed? I didn't hear it, no one I know heard it, or else we would have called to say we love the song and we love the band.

Due to that experience, I decided to give up listening to the Buzz. I bought satellite radio, along with a group of people I know who were also furious with the Buzz for its lack of balls, for lack of a better term. Wouldn't you know it, one of the first songs I heard when I tuned in to Sirius, was Finding Out True Love Is Blind by Louis XIV.

Figures, doesn't it?

Corporate Radio will die if it doesn't start taking chances. I would much rather pay for radio and hear new and interesting things minus the endless stream of commercials than listen to the same 20 songs over and over again.

You guys are losing listeners left and right. I don't know if you realize it or not. Take some advice from someone who used to be loyal and do something. quick. Expand your Buzz Junior segment...just let those artists into the main airplay! You will find that people will LOVE hearing new things and saying they heard it before anyone else did. I'm sad! I used to love the Buzz, but because you had no real reason not to play one of my favorite bands, I'm done with Corporate Radio. Infinity needs to wake up.

Sincerely,
Amy Bower

NOW, HERE IS THE DICKHEAD'S RESPONSE:

Thanks for noticing the decline...we've been working really hard on
it...enjoy the satellite...
How much are you paying a month for radio that could care less about you? Just for the heck of it, the reason we didn't play Louis XIV is because the song sucked...no one tells us what to play. We make our own decisions! Lastly when you write an email to someone telling them how much they suck don't expect a friendly reply...
signed, dickhead ...and yes our listeners matter...the ones who care to write constructive criticisms......

Isn't that mature and professional?
THIS IS WHY I LOVE SATELLITE RADIO! BECAUSE UNLIKE WHAT DICKHEAD SAYS, THEY CARE ENOUGH TO PLAY EVERYTHING THEIR SUBSCRIBERS WANT. THEY PLAY UP AND COMING ARTISTS. THEY ***DON'T DO PAYOLA***

SCREW CORPORATE RADIO.
SCREW THE FCC.

LONG LIVE GOOD MUSIC. I AM PAYING FOR RADIO JUST FOR THE CHANCE TO HEAR IT ON A REGULAR BASIS.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Ames

VISIT THE BUZZ'S WEBSITE AND TELL THEM THAT THEY SUCK AND THAT THEY SHOULD PLAY LOUIS AND OTHER FLEDGLING BANDS

Even though it took 3 years... it was worth the wait!

Louis XIV at The Loft in Atlanta, GA
We finally met Mark! (Sorry, we don't have a pic with him, will post an old one later with further show details.) Hanging out with Brian was awesome... probably as good as the show itself! If these guys play a show anywhere near you, GO! They are amazing. Thanks guys, for being so damn cool with us... again!