Urban with retirement plans? Keys to stopping the UM offense? Baver Answers Colin's Questions - *ichigan Week (Pt 1 of 2)

Colin: I’m writing this on my phone at a bar about 2 hours after that crazy Maryland game ended. Before diving into that hot mess, let’s open with a Michigan question. 

Say what you want about Urban Meyer, but his record in tight games is pretty amazing. When he loses, it’s usually one sided (Iowa, Clemson, Purdue, Oklahoma). If you let his team hang around all bets are off. Michigan knows this better than anybody. Well, except maybe Penn State. The question is this: If you are a Michigan fan, what kind of score in the 4th quarter of “the game” would make you very nervous? 

Baver: I’m not sure people realize how often Urban wins these tight games. At OSU, he is 22-3 in games decided by 7 points or less, and 6-0 in OT games. Unheard of. As for the getting nervous thing, if you are unfortunate enough to be a Michigan fan? Don Brown is undoubtedly one of the best D-coordinators in CFB and a big reason why Michigan is as good as they are this year (#1 nationally in total D). But Brown’s defenses have had some big late game collapses. The last two OSU-UM games come to mind and of course the mother of all collapses against South Carolina in last year’s Outback Bowl. UM also was down only 21-13 at the half against Penn St last year and ended up losing 42-13. It also goes without saying that Harbaugh has fared poorly at UM in high profile games. If I were a Michigan fan, I definitely wouldn’t feel comfortable until the clock hit 0:00 at end of the 4th qtr and showed that UM was ahead.

Colin: Where does that Maryland v OSU game rank on the all-time crazy game rankings? 

Baver: Unfortunately, that wasn’t the kind of excitement I was looking for this past Saturday. But, I’d say it’s probably top-five in craziness. Off the top of my head, I’ll throw 4 others in....in no specific order: OSU-Illinois in ‘84 (OSU was down 24-0 & came back to win), OSU-Miami ’02 title gm (most emotional thing I can remember), OSU-Mich ’13 (OSU won 42-41 after stopping UM’s 2-point try to end the gm), and OSU-Mich ’16 (Hooker’s pick-6, JT’s 4th down measurement, Curtis Samuel’s gm winner...it was one for the ages). 

Colin: JK Dobbins had a workmanlike game against MD, but at this point in his career is he just a slightly above average Big Ten back? 

Baver: There is probably some truth to that, but the kid has picked it up a notch lately. He is elusive and somewhat powerful for his size, but lacks top-end speed. Mike Weber has had the better year of the two I think, although you can’t forget the big plays JK has made as a receiver out of the backfield. If a Penn St fan is reading this, he is cringing right now. 

Colin: Back to Urban....so Colin Cowherd says (in the link HERE) that he has two separate sources that are high up the food chain stating Meyer will retire after this season citing health reasons. As of mid-week in the lead up to The Game...what say you?

Baver: I’d now say the chances are better than 50% that Urban does indeed step down after this season. Too much smoke here. Former Sports Illustrated and current Yahoo! Sports columnist Pete Thamel is Urban’s right-hand man in the media. Thamel’s piece Sunday (linked HERE) some think was written per Urban’s request, and it seems to set the stage for Urban retiring. Again, we shall see, but so many signs now point to Urban getting out of the game.

Colin: We can’t stop the run. We can’t stop the pass. How do we stop Michigan? 

Baver: It’s going to be tough. Michigan is only 5th in the B10 in total offense, but are 2nd in scoring - they get pts out of their drives. Shea Patterson has made all the difference in the world. I will say again what I have been saying about this OSU D for a while now...the key is their D-line. That’s because the upside is so big if those guys are healthy and motivated. Dre’Mont can change a game or hit the snooze button. Chase Young’s potential is off the charts but he’s been overly quiet for much of the season. These guys have to come up big Saturday in the ‘Shoe to keep Michigan’s offense in check.

Colin: We cannot reliably pick up one yard on the ground and Michigan has the best pass defense in the country. What kind of performance does Haskins need to turn in to keep us in this game? 

Baver: The short-yardage problems for the OSU offense against the Terps make the Sparty game look like a mirage. Haskins has to come up big against UM or OSU loses to UM for the first time under Meyer. I tend to think Haskins won’t run nearly as much this week, as the OSU coaches have now made Michigan and Don Brown spend more time preparing for the QB run. OSU should have more success attacking Michigan through the air than they will on the ground, despite UM’s elite pass D numbers. But OSU doesn’t win this game if Dwayne has to chuck it 60+ times.

Part 2 of 2 coming Friday morning.

I Like the Dead Schembechlers Too, But Why Do They Have to Swear So Much? - by Jeff Hassler

This story originally ran November 22, 2014. The Dead Schembechlers have a new coloring book @ Deadschembechlers.com

Hey everybody! It's great to be back blogging at Pencilstorm! Well, it is "Hate" week here in Columbus, so everybody is talking about Ohio State vs "That Team Up North" which happens this Saturday at noon in the "Big House."

As usual, I will be getting together with Colin, Brian, Ricki C., Johnny and all the other guys for our annual "Beat Michigan" Pencilstorm party. And unfortunately, I will no doubt be subjected to hours of Dead Schembechlers songs at ear-splitting volumes.

Listen, I am a pretty big Bucks fan myself and I like to think I can handle a joke, but sometimes it just seems like the Dead Schembechlers take it a little too far. I'll be the first to admit that the whole concept is pretty clever and the "Conspiracy" page at DeadSchembechlers.com is damn near the greatest thing ever posted on the internet, but still, as big as they are, think how much bigger they could have been without all the bad language.

I mean, songs like "Bomb Ann Arbor Now," "The Ballad of Mike Lantry," and "I'm So Bored With the SEC" are really cool and you can play them in mixed company. The same cannot be said for, "I'm Not Gay But I Want to F*#k Brutus Buckeye," "Rich Rodriguez Can Suck My D*#k," and "USC, You S**K C**k." 

They even take a sacred classic Buckeye anthem like "Hang On Sloopy" and change the words to "Hey F**K Lloyd Carr, Lloyd Carr F**K You!" I could go on and on, but I think my point is obvious. Frankly, I think if the Dead S. could act more professional, they could even has been as successful as the Danger Brothers. 

"Hassler, you are such a dickhead," is usually what Johnny DiLoretto always says before he goes off on one of his long-winded, whiskey-fueled rants explaining why I am always wrong. 

"The ONLY thing that makes the Schembechlers work is that they are truly crazy. They go way over the line because Bo Biafra doesn't know or care where the line is. Shit, Hassler, they are easily the biggest punk band to ever come out of Columbus. Bigger than the New Bomb Turks, Great Plains and Gaunt all put together. They have had millions of web hits and features about them in Sports Illustrated, Esquire, ESPN and the New York Times. That HBO movie "The Rivalry" literally starts with Bo Biafra. He comes on-screen before freaking Bo or Woody themselves. I'm pretty sure they don't need advice from some dude who works in a call center on how to become bigger than the Danger Brothers. Hell, last week their video for "Chad Henne is a Motherf***ing Joke" went over 400,000 YouTube views. And the Dead S played most their career BEFORE the internet even existed."

But I explained to Johnny he had made my point for me: "Not so fast J.D., (he hates when I call him that) what if the title of the song had been changed to "Chad Henne is a Motherscratching Joke?" Still funny, but now children, grandparents and Danger Brothers fans could all enjoy the song without all the salty language. I bet it would be over a million views. Just sayin....."

As usual, Johnny got short with me, "Hassler, you have seen the band live and should know what this is all about. Now, shut the fuck up and get me another fuckin' beer. And not one of yours, one of mine." Johnny isn't exactly known for keeping the "bandito talk" south of the border himself, if you know what I mean. 

It is true the band is pretty intense live If you can get past the sailor talk, sporadic violence and bone-rattling volume. I got turned onto them early when I was roommates with Brian and Colin at 65 East Patterson, so I got to check them out when Watershed opened for them at Little Brothers. The next year Watershed opened again at a sold out Newport Music Hall show. Colin never admits it, but I think it bothers him that a joke band like the Dead Schembechlers are way bigger than his band Watershed will ever be. I think that is why he drinks so much at those gigs. He claims it's because he truly hates Michigan and likes to drink. Yeah, right. 

The last time I saw them was at Skully's on High Street. The show was also sold out. In fact, all seven shows they have ever played have been sold out. Anyway, my now ex-wife Kim and I had just started dating so I invited her to the gig. She asked if it would be cool if she wore a U-M Charles Woodson jersey and I figured since I sort of knew some of the guys in the band, if there was a problem, we could take care of it with Security.

I guess she became a Michigan fan because a guy she dated in high school went on to to play tennis in Ann Arbor and it just kind of stuck. And I have to admit, she looked pretty hot in that Charles Woodson jersey. I, of course, wore my vintage Jim Karsatos jersey from 1986. Pretty sweet. I thought we made a cute couple. I used to anyway.....

Because of our divorce, I'm not legally allowed to share exactly what happened next, but let's just say I'm forever thankful to Ricki C. for helping Kim wipe off all the Wolverine blood that Bo Biafra vomited on her during "Michigan Stadium is a Pile of S**T." I guess now I know why bands demand a pile of fresh towels backstage before every show. Sometimes they do come in handy!!! Anyway, thanks for reading my blog and Go Bucks! Muck Fichigan! (Ha!)   - Jeff Hassler

Jeff Hassler is a blogger at Pencilstorm. You can e-mail him at jeffwonthassleru@gmail.com 

Below. 1) Rare footage of Dead Schembechlers legendary sold-out Hate Michigan rally 2006 at the Newport Music Hall. 2)  An inside look at the recording of the single "Rich Rodriguez Can Suck My D**k."

Dead Schembechlers Doing I HATE MICHIGAN at The Newport Music Hall 2006 Rally. November 17th 2006

After all but breaking up following their 2006 Hate Michigan Rally, Rich "The Weasel" Rodriguez and USC have the Dead Schembechlers back, and more f*ckin' obnoxious than ever. Watch a higher quality version of this video here: http://www.palestra.net/music/videos/15215

Ten Albums That Changed My Life - by JCE

Not my ten favorite albums, not my “desert island discs,” but the ten albums that CHANGED MY LIFE. Don’t get me wrong, none of these records got me off of a ledge or anything. It’s just that rock and roll music, after family, means more to me than anything. So, certain records that impact how I feel and what I listen to, really do change my day-to-day life on occasion. Here we go:

1. Paul Revere and the Raiders / Greatest Hits – My first LP record. I had purchased quite a few 45 rpm’s, but this was my first full length album. I bought it for their cover of “Louie, Louie” which I could not find on a 45 but I had to have it. My Mom took me to Korvettes department store and I paid for it with nickels and dimes. When I got it home, I discovered that most every song on it was great, especially “Kicks.” And so began my full-on rock n roll addiction. This was released in 1967, but I know I must’ve been more than four years old when I got it, but I’m not sure how old. It’s very fitting that “many now see it as a bold 1960’s rock n roll record with a defiant punk edge” according to one review I just read.

2. The Beach Boys / Endless Summer – I played this double-LP in my room and day-dreamed about girls for hours and hours on end. I had a little all-in-one stereo that I absolutely loved, and I think my true love for vinyl records began with this one. It had a gatefold cover and great artwork. It was released in 1974. I loved the song “Wendy.” I would have been eleven or twelve years old when I got it. Yep, that sounds about right.

3. The Cars – My sister Molly went to Boston University (we lived in Virginia). She discovered a local band there called The Cars, right before they broke it big. When their debut came out in 1978, I got a copy on her advice and I loved every song on it from the first day. I had been listening non-stop to the first Van Halen record, which I also loved, and which had been released a few months before The Cars record. The Cars were the band that somehow sent me down the path to punk rock. R.I.P. Molly, I miss you.

4. The Clash – I probably got this record having never heard any songs on it. It was already older (1977) than the Cars record, but I didn’t learn about The Clash and the Sex Pistols and punk rock until after. I will always love everything about this record. It led me on a direct path to The Damned, The Stranglers, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Buzzcocks, 999, Stiff Little Fingers, Generation X and on and on…. HUGE impact on my life.

5. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers / Damn the Torpedoes – This record just couldn’t be any better. In high school, being a punk and a skater made me somewhat of an outcast. Damn the Torpedoes was one record I could play that I was pretty sure everyone could agree was pure genius. “Here Comes My Girl” was a song that ran a shiver up my back every time I heard it, still does. The record was released late in 1979. I would have been a junior. The record got me through some of those times when I felt a little alone, maybe a little too much like a loner. I don’t know why, it just spoke to me. It still does.

6. X / Los Angeles – After about a year listening to punk mostly from across the big pond, this record came out and re-energized me. I found it to be scary and dangerous and urgent. It is truly one of my favorite records and one I feel is very important. I consider the Dead Kennedy’s “Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables” almost equal to this X record, but I got the X record first, so it gets on my list. Both records came out in 1980.

7. Government Issue / Joy Ride – With my musical tastes firmly entrenched in punk rock, I found myself immersed in the punk scene which was percolating in the city in which I was born, Washington, D.C. The HarD.C.ore scene was very exciting to me, but being honest, I felt that quite a bit of the music itself was not up to par with other stuff I was listening to. Initially, I found it hard to truly enjoy the super-speed, play-as-fast-as-you-can style coming from the D.C. hardcore punk scene. Then I discovered Government Issue. John Stabb (R.I.P.) was spectacular live. This 1984 release had a song on it called “Understand” that really got a hold of me, although every song on the record is great. From this record, I embraced HarD.C.ore and I still listen to a steady diet of it today. I have many fond memories of the scene in its heyday.

8. The Neighborhoods / The High Hard One – There was a guy in the music scene in Charlottesville, VA, where I went to college, by the name of Maynard. Maynard played in some great bands and he promoted some shows. He started putting up fliers all over town one day that said “Fire Is Coming.” I didn’t know what it meant at first, until I found out it was the name of an EP by a band from Boston called The Neighborhoods. I got very close to a bunch of amazing people in Charlottesville, including, eventually, my wife. We all saw tons of great shows, went to every gig played by our friends in a band called 98 Colours (some of those opening for the ‘Hoods)—it was a great time in my life. Everyone I knew absolutely loved The Neighborhoods upon the release of “The High Hard One.” I must’ve played “WUSA” ten thousand times. This record, for me, was the soundtrack for one of the happiest times of my life. I actually like the “Reptile Men” record even better, but this was the record (1986) that I associate with discovering so many new things and new people and so much new music.

9. Enuff Z’Nuff – From the hair metal, Sunset Strip, glam and sleaze era, a few bands emerged that were so much more and so far above many bands from that genre. Every song on it is excellent and because of this record, I began listening to some different bands that I may have previously blown off as “not punk enough.” On the more metal side, I discovered The Hangmen. On the pop side, I went back and rediscovered my love of Cheap Trick. I started dating the beautiful woman that has now been my wife for 27 years in 1990. This Enuff Z’Nuff record, released in 1989, was played damn near every single day for the first few months of our relationship. We saw the band at The Bayou in Georgetown as they toured in support of this record. We have a handful of “our songs” but this is definitely “our record.”

10. Social Distortion – This self-titled release came out in 1990. The album “Mommy’s Little Monster” was released in 1983 and I have been a Social Distortion fan since that time. There are a number of reasons why this record is on my list. This record came out the year I started dating my wife, and like the Enuff Z’Nuff record, it was a record we loved together. The song “Ball and Chain” is one of my all-time favorites, and my wife adores the Johnny Cash cover, “Ring of Fire.” The record also includes “Sick Boy” and “Story of My Life,” which are both classics. My wife and I gave up alcohol for about twelve years, during the time that we conceived our daughter and during the formative years after she was born. We also saw very little live music during that period of time. Upon taking up beer and wine drinking after a long hiatus, the first show we went to see was Social Distortion at the 9:30 Club in D.C. in October 2010. It was so frigging awesome that we have been to see an average of more than a show per month from that day to the present. I recently got my first tattoo, to honor my sister who I lost, and during the process, at my request, the artist played the Social Distortion Pandora radio station. I can’t express how truly integral music is to my daily life, and this very personal experience was definitely enhanced by the soundtrack that accompanied it. This band has meant a great deal to me since 1983. This particular record is the most representative of the impact they have had

This list is in chronological order.  I cannot guarantee that the list wouldn’t change if I thought about it longer, but I think I’m pretty happy with it.  You might notice there is nothing on the list newer than 1990.  That may be a mistake, as I love and continue to collect music now just as much or even more than ever.  I love music more than ever, but there probably just aren’t that many instances where it can change my life at this point.  My list is heavy on the 1977-1980 releases, but I think that’s natural because when you’re 15 years old, your life is just starting to take shape.  This is a list of records that truly left their mark. - JCE

(editor’s note: JCE thinks it might be cool if some/all of the other Pencilstorm writers - Colin, Ricki C, Anne Marie, Scott Carr, etc. write up THEIR life-changing disc picks. For that matter, it might be nice if we could figure a way for READERS of Pencilstorm to chip in and send their two cents worth on the matter, participatory journalism at its best.)

Will it ever end with McMurphy and could there be more to come? Baver Answers Colin's Question - Terp Week

Colin: Was it just me or did Urban look more like his old self last Saturday in East Lansing? Did I see some swagger?

Baver: The one-two combo punch on the sideline (seen on Twitter HERE) was vintage Meyer....wasn’t it? Yeah, I think he was much more at ease than he has been...not exactly sure why. And the Buckeyes landed two verbal commitments last week. This may indicate that the chances of Urban bailing after this season aren’t so great after all. We shall see.

Colin: I’m not sure it will ever end with Brett McMurphy. Is there anything at all behind McMurphy’s latest piece where Buckeye Nation should fear that there’s more to come? At least Urban handled himself pretty well this time around.

Baver: McMurphy outdid himself with this one. His #1 source is an admitted drug dealer that has had two domestic violence charges filed against him within the last 8 years, with both of the cases being dismissed. This....after McMurphy crucified Zach Smith for strikingly similar charges and nearly identical legal outcomes. You can’t make this s--- up. So far, this has backfired on McMurphy, and has lessened his credibility on the national spectrum. 

As far as a fear of more to come...many think Trevon actually did make the claim that Zach Smith called him a “bitch ass n-----", but few believe it ever happened. As for Urban taking his trip to Florida to deal with the racial slur accusation, that wouldn’t shock me. If Trevon did make the claim, but made it up, it would make sense to me why Urban would want to deal with the issue immediately....and obviously privately. Going down there to try to quiet a family whose son had been called a bitch ass n----- by one of his assistants would be career suicide for Meyer, and makes no sense. So, there may be more to come, but I tend to think OSU is okay here.

Colin: The Buckeyes looked better but without the heroic effort from Drue Chrisman I’m not sure Ohio State comes away with the win. How do you view OSU’s performance in East Lansing? And as an aside...has any team ever started 6 consecutive drives inside their 6-yard line?

Baver: You make a good point about Chrisman possibly saving the Buckeyes in this one, but I think this win was huge for Ohio St. And the word is that the Buckeye locker room was quite the scene in the post-game. The Bucks definitely needed some self-assurance and got a big confidence-shot in the arm. There was progress with the running game again, and this time it was against the nation’s #1 rated rush defense. And the fundamentals on defense were without a doubt the best we’ve seen all year. 

6 straight punts downed inside the 6...is that what it was with Chrisman and the punt coverage unit? Unheard of....gotta be some kind of record.

Colin: Ohio State as a 4-point favorite beats a ranked Michigan St team in East Lansing by 20 points and falls in the coaches and AP polls while making up no ground in the playoff rankings. What gives? And what are OSU’s chances of making the playoff with the win in East Lansing not moving the needle for these voters? 

Baver: Actually dropping in the polls made me chuckle a bit....seems a bit absurd. But like I have said I think about every year at this time....let’s see how things play out over the last few weeks before we decide whether OSU was slotted fairly by the committee. I tend to think if they win out, OSU is probably in, but it’s not a given that winning out gets them in. And while I’ll admit the chances of OSU winning out are less than 50%, I will tell you that those chances are definitely better than the 0% that I hear some OSU fans and naysayers claiming.

Colin: Other Maryland type teams like Minnesota, Indiana and Nebraska have hung tough with Ohio State for much of the games or for the entire games. And if a game ever fit the definition of a trap-game it would be one that was sandwiched between Michigan State and Michigan. Can the Terps upset Ohio State...and how do you see this one playing out?

Baver: It’s indeed a losable game if OSU plays like they did in the games you mentioned. They will need to play good D again, as acting Maryland head coach Matt Canada knows a thing or two about coaching an offense. And if there is a look-ahead to the showdown against team up north, OSU is in for a struggle against the Terps. But I finally see this Buckeye team gaining some steam after the 26-6 win in East Lansing. Maryland lost by 21 to both Michigan and Michigan St, while losing to Iowa by 23. Their success in Big Ten play occurred in games against the bottom feeders. And to boot, the Terps may be about out of gas. I’ve got the Buckeyes winning and think the Bucks are a strong play laying 14½ pts. I’ve got Ohio State 41 Maryland 20 in what should be pretty good weather in College Park, Md for mid-November.

Restaurant coffee in the 1960's tasted like swill - by David Martin

What was on the mind of the writers and editors of the San Francisco Chronicle in 1963? The shitty coffee being served in the city's restaurants.

Chronicle culture writer Peter Hartlaub today marked the 50th anniversary of the paper's war on dismal coffee. The three-part (!) series featured the magical headline "A Great City's People Forced to Drink Swill."

Sample passage:

San Francisco restaurants buy more than three million pounds of coffee every year from processors who profess to instruct them meticulously in its proper preparation.

Yet for all the money the restaurants spend, and for all the effort the coffee companies put forth to make their product palatable, most of it tastes as though it came from some vast common reservoir up behind Twin Peaks in which it had been brewed by the three scrofulous witches in Macbeth.

Now that's public journalism!

Hartlaub's story reminded me of a passage from David Owen's profile of George Meyer, one of the driving forces behind The Simpsons. In the piece, Owen explains that Meyer was hired to work on show largely on the strength of a small humor magazine he published called Army Man.

Despite its modest appearance, Army Man attracted a surprisingly broad and loyal following. It made Rolling Stone's Hot List in 1989, and for years it circulated in samizdat on college campuses. "The only rule was that the stuff had to be funny and pretty short," Meyer told me. "To me, the quintessential Army Man joke was one of John Swartzwelder's: 'They can kill the Kennedys. Why can't they make a cup of coffee that tastes good?' It's a horrifying idea juxtaposed with something really banal — and yet there's a kind of logic to it. It's illuminating because it's kind of how Americans see things: Life's a big jumble, but somehow it leads to something I can consume. I love that."

By the way, the guy who took the pictures for the Chronicle's series on coffee is the same guy who took the picture of the Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima.

Little Steven Van Zandt is Playing at the Newport THIS Wednesday Night, and You Should Go - by Ricki C.

Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul will be appearing at the Newport Music Hall Wednesday, November 14th. Doors are at 7 pm, details available here: Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul.

I didn’t see Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band for the first time until April 5th, 1976, at the Ohio Theater here in Columbus, Ohio on the Born To Run tour.  Consequently, I never saw the E Street Band when it did not contain Little Steven Van Zandt – or “Miami Steve” as he was nicknamed in those days – on lead guitar & harmony vocals.  Despite everything I read back then in the rock press of the 1970’s before that 1976 tour – about the legendary prowess of Bruce Springsteen as a live performance force of nature from the very beginnings of his career – I cannot believe the E Street Band was EVER as good WITHOUT Steven Van Zandt as they were WITH him.   

People tend to forget that Bruce didn’t play much lead guitar until the Darkness On The Edge Of Town tour in 1978.  That first night at the Ohio Theater, and the next show I saw, in 1977 at Veteran’s Memorial in Columbus (the so-called “Lawsuit Tour” when the E Street Band were scrabbling out a living on the road after being sued by original manager Mike Appel), Little Steven carried the lion’s share of the lead guitar duties in the soul-smashing E Street Band. 

And make no mistake, though Big Man Clarence Clemons on saxophone was undoubtedly Springsteen’s main onstage foil in those mid-period E Street Band days – and I LOVED Clemons’ stage presence & superlative playing – it was Van Zandt who was the Keith Richards to Bruce’s Jagger, that sure and steady hand on the rock & roll rudder that kept everything locked TIGHT and rocking. 

So did it break my heart a little when Van Zandt left the E Street Band in the 1980’s to go solo?  Yeah, I admit it did.  And do I believe for one minute that any of Steven’s “replacements” in the E Street Band – Nils Lofgren, Tom Morello – could (or should) follow five paces behind Little Steven and carry his guitar case, great as they are in their own way?  No, I really don’t.  

And don’t even get me started on Steven’s sartorial style or the verbal brilliance he deploys on his Underground Garage Sirius radio channel.

Anyway, I could go on gushing like a 15-year old girl all night, but here’s the point: If you can’t get yourself out to New York City and the Great White Way to witness Bruce Springsteen On Broadway, at least get yourself over to The Newport on Wednesday night and see some rock & roll the way it should be done.  It can’t hurt ya.  – Ricki C. / November 13th, 2018 

At the NJ Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Asbury Park NJ on May 6, 2018