Yesterday was one of those perfect days that you hear and/or read about when it comes to Southern California. It was 78 degrees out and not a cloud in the sky. It was a worthwhile invitation to get the mountain bike out of the shed and hit the trail. But before I did that I had to play an April Fools on some unsuspecting myspace friends. I ended up sending a few people a comment saying that I was the new lead guitarist for Maroon 5. Heh, some actually fell for it. Oh well.
I like to be active and mountain biking is certainly one of the many things I like to do outdoors. Sun beating down on me with a slight breeze to keep it within reason. There’s a certain joy to getting out into the hills and seeing how far you can push yourself. One bummer was that my bike needs a little adjusting. I wasn’t able to get through all my gears. Mental note, I need to do a tune up on the bike.
Did you know that getting dirty, or playing in dirt can actually make you happy? A surprising article from the BBC website taught me that after I got back from the ride yesterday. I didn’t get down into the dirt and rub it all over myself, but I know I got some dirt flung on me going through a small stream. Have I hit nirvana? No. Though I would say I felt pretty good for my day.
I’m sure a lot of people got out and moved around the LA area yesterday. I’m betting John Stowers did too. I’ve happened to have shared the stage with John a few times in the past couple of years. Like me, John is a pretty tall lean dude. Stylistically we’re fairly different. John has unique tendency to wear his influences right on his sleeve. It’s not a bad thing. He writes some catchy and thoughtful stuff. I ended up choosing this song because I feel that it’s probably the closest to being John without those normal influences.
Hear (I would normally use the ‘see’ venacular, but I’m branching out to other senses), John has lots of stuff that feels like it comes straight out of a Beatles play book. Mind you I was taught when you want to steal, steal from the best, but don’t loot one store. John isn’t looting one store and I know I’m easily entertained by his performing and ability to set up a song before he plays it. That’s a great quality to have as an artist. It’s something I strive to work on. I encourage you to visit his site and listen, I bet you find some familiar sounds wrapped in his tunes. That’s the kind of thing that makes you feel like you’ve heard it before, yet your not quite sure. So you feel comfortable with it.
Hopefully I’ll get to share the stage with John again in the future. It’s always a good time. Give him some lovin’ if you can’t see him in person.