All American

What defines all-American?

Is it apple pie? Is it basketball? Is it baseball? Is it a Chevy? How about surfing?

If you think about America today is there a defining trend or style that is blatantly American? A question to ponder. I don’t know if we have anything that is definitive as American any more. I didn’t grow up in the 50s, nor the 60s, nor the 70s, etc.. But I have seen videos that document those times. The one thing they all had was a style. A style that defined America for that time. Hell, even the Old West defined America for its time.

When did we lose our flare for style?

So much of our Commerce is now created overseas. The last bastion of definitive of American clothing is no longer made in America. Do you know what brand that is? I’ll give you one guess. Come on, do you know? Okay. Levis.

That’s right, Levis are no longer made in America! Sadly un-American.

One of the things that remains American is the Beach Boys. Their sound helped to define an era. Their vibe was a style. A style that screamed Southern California and surf and America.

I was asked to help create a Beach Boys tribute band about a year ago. A friend of mine wanted me to play lead guitar and be the lead singer. I said sure. We figured out four songs to get started with. We had a second guitarist, a bassist, a drummer, but we were looking for a keyboard player. I had learned all four songs including: Sail on Sailor, California Girls, Surfing USA, and Good Vibrations. It was fun to do. Unfortunately it never got off the ground.

That doesn’t mean that I don’t respect the music. The mastermind behind the music, Brian Wilson is and was considered to be a genius. Chances are you know this song. Chances are you probably already have this song. If not, how can you possibly miss out on this slice of America?

(** Disclaimer: If the Beach Boys label decides to forget sending out Good Vibrations, I’ll have to shake the audio right of the server like a bad earthquake. The post will remain to show that we’re missing a truly American vibe. **)