Let's Hope It's A Good One...

Happy 2009 everybody! Not too long ago I was asked a great question by a beautiful woman. "What was your favorite present you received and favorite present you gave this year?" Feel free to post your answer to that question as a comment to this blog. I'd be interested to check out your response! Personally, my favorite gift this year I have yet to actually see. It's a framed silk-screened poster from my very first solo performance with my backing band from this past Spring at the Beat Kitchen in Chicago. It's especially awesome because another friend had gotten the Spitalfield finale performance poster framed for me for my birthday last Summer. So these two will look great side by side, don't ya think? My favorite gift that I gave this year was a giant "Gale Sayers: 1965 NFL Rookie of the Year" banner, personalized and signed by Gale himself. I met him at Yorktown Mall a few weeks before Christmas in a sports memorabilia store. Too bad the 2008 Chicago Bears couldn't even make the playoffs. I even attended two (freezing cold) games this year! What gives, Bears? I did my part.

I've been writing so much material lately, it's been great. I can't wait to get into the studio so you guys can hear some of the new songs! I played Metro a little over a week ago, and it felt really good. I've always loved that stage, and I think I always will. Check out this YouTube video of my cover of "In The Air Tonight" by Phil Collins live from the Metro:





The holidays were really special this year. With Dan Man (my younger brother) around on his winter break, we've been able to spend some quality time together. It's been pretty fantastic. If we look back at the past two weeks, one thing we can truly say we accomplished is beating both The Lion King (pictured below) & Donkey Kong Country for Super Nintendo. That is pretty big time.

If you had asked me a couple years ago what my thoughts were on eating sushi, you'd probably have not gotten much of a verbal response- but more of an facial expression that says "Um, hey thanks, but no thanks". How foolish I was! Here is a photo of one of my finest meals to date:

Listening to lately:

Ray Lamontagne - If you haven't heard anything from him yet, you will. It's kind of like Van Morrison and David Gray birthed a child artist who was really into Wes Anderson films. Make sense? Probably not. Suggested track: You Are The Best Thing

D'Angelo - Yes, yes- the ripped black singer who was naked in that video from the mid-90's. But more importantly, one of the best "Neo-Soul" artists I've ever heard. When I think of the term "groove", I think of him. Suggested track to get down to: I Found My Smile Again

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! 2009 is going to be a good one, I know it.

xoxoxo

Mark