Ain’t it funny how time slips away?

Yes… yes, I used an Elvis song title to start this post because it’s totally applicable! First of all, this post is about music and at the very same time it’s about time. Not like, “Geez, it’s about time!” as if someone is late. More like, “This post is concerning music that was produced and released a long time ago but I’ve just heard it for the first time.” So in a way, I AM late because I can think of many examples where music has been around for a long time, but I am unaware of it. The most recent is music from a band called LCD Soundsystem (@LCDSoundsystem). I recently heard a song of theirs called “I Can Change.”

I thought to myself how great this new song is. But I was wrong. Well, yes it IS great, but it’s NOT new. It’s over 11 years old! What!? Where was I and what was I doing in 2010 that kept me from hearing this great song, and discovering this awesome band?

I have since discovered another song I like of theirs, “All My Friends”…

So the question remains, and I can’t come up with a good answer. How is it that sometimes years or even decades go by before a person hears an amazing song?

Sometimes it’s just youth. When you’re 10 years old you haven’t been around long enough to know what you’re missing. But when you’re 30, 40, 50+ years old, you’d think you would have heard all the great music by then, right?

It amazes me when this happens in my life and while it bamboozles my mind, I’m also grateful at the same time that at least I hear the music no matter how late I am to the party.

Does this happen to you? If so, share your experience in the comments below!

-Out of the Wilderness

I love writing. Lately it’s been about commercials.

When I decided in December 2019 that I was going to write every day for a year, I didn’t really have a theme in mind. I just knew it was a goal I couldn’t dismiss. Up to that point, I’d had this blog for about 9 years. I’d also written for television, and written two children’s books. (Big and Small, God Made Them All and The Brave Bamboo). Shout out to two amazingly gifted illustrators Laura Watson and Teresa Ramos, hiyooo!

Anyway, the blog. Sometimes I posted a few per week, other times it was one every few weeks. There was no rhyme. There was no reason. It also should be mentioned that where I was working for half of the last 11 years included a lot of writing. I know you thought I used to be a male stripper, didn’t you? Nope. So from writing (not twerking) every day at work, there was probably definitely (does that even make sense?) an element of exhaustion when I got home each night, not wanting to write more.

So what are the topics I choose, you might be asking? Well, when you’re writing every day, sometimes (a lot of times!) it takes a bit of creative thinking. Like this one. Other times, they might be about things I never thought I’d write about — *ahem* peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Among stuff I’ve discovered during the whole process of writing for a year, and now doing the same thing in 2021, is that I enjoy researching and writing about commercials. Sometimes it’s one I’ll see on TV, other times it’s an ad during a streaming show through Hulu or other apps. Usually what grabs my attention is the music; it seems to be the case that ads with great (memorable, nostalgic, catchy, emotional, etc) songs are searched for the most by viewers around the country.

Within the joy of writing these types of posts is the contacts and connections I make when doing the research. I’ve conversed with some of the nicest people who have gone out of their way to help me. Ohhh, I’m reminded of something else, so a quick side note is this: I sometimes write about music videos and come across a bunch of kind people there, too. People that don’t really need to stop what they’re doing to help out a guy with a blog he does as a hobby, but they do. And that guy is so appreciative (it’s me, I’m that guy)!

With all that said, now might be a good time to mention which commercials seem to be searched for the most in Google and other sites. Check out the list below and as a bonus– I’ll wrap this post up with a video of my sister’s dog peeing for over 2 minutes. It’s potty time, but at the same time, it’s marvelous.

DoorDash Dash Pass and the Cute Basset Hound

Amazon Prime’s Rapunzel Ad

Allstate’s Dancing Crabs

SKYRIZI Goes Country

Zillow’s Susan Ad

Where ya at, people who measure Guinness World Records?

-Out of the Wilderness

Pensacola beach tour

This weekend a few family members and I were in Pensacola for a another family member’s high school soccer games.

We travelled in a Gulf Stream Vintage travel trailer and had the best time. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of pictures because taking photos was sort of a forgotten thought…but!! There are a few.

The list of beaches we visited are as follows: Pensacola Beach by the pier, Pensacola Dog Beach, and Opal Beach.

And here are a few pictures.

If you have a chance to visit these beaches, do it! Even on chilly days they’re well worth it.

-Out of the Wilderness

Songs that get stuck in your head

What are some songs that get stuck in your head? For me, yesterday it was definitely “Islands in the Stream,” (because of this post) I was singing it enough that my brother-in-law had it in his head, too. A few others I can think of are “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers”…

“Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley…

I’m sorry for this next one, but the hit from a few years back, “Friday” by Rebecca Black.

Let me know which songs you can’t shake away in the comments below. Thanks for stopping by!

-Out of the Wilderness

Dolly Parton, the legend

I lived in Nashville, Tennessee for just about 16 years and it took about a day of living there to realize how respected Dolly is in the state. In fact, my dad and I were just talking about something that happened regarding her legacy there in Nashville. Some government officials wanted to make a statue of her in her honor somewhere around downtown. They’ve done it with other iconic entertainers, as you’ll see if you visit Nashville.

I distinctly remember hearing about this honorary statue proposal while I was watching the news one day. I thought, “Well, of course she deserves it, but we have the real thing, why a statue at this point in time?” Then not a few weeks later Dolly herself asked them not to.

Absolute legend.

I already loved her but after hearing that, her reputation in my book went through the roof. How many celebrities would turn down having a statue built in their likeness, in their honor?

So to say Dolly is beloved in the state of Tennessee (and I’m sure the affection is stronger the further east you go), is a big understatement. Even me saying it’s a big understatement is probably agreed upon by everyone everywhere.

She’s just cool.

I was working at CMT around the time she came in for an interview. I think she was putting out a duets album of some sort so the office was buzzing with excitement. It’s not every day Dolly comes by. I tried to keep my cool and because of this overcompensation of “a young kid trying to act professional” I didn’t get a picture with her or shake her hand, but I wish I had. But it was really cool to be in the same room with her during her time at the CMT studios.

But this wasn’t my first Dolly encounter. That goes all the way back to my childhood listening to the radio. One of my favorite songs as a young kid was her duet with Kenny Rogers, so I’ll end this post with that great song, “Islands in the Stream.”

Thanks for stopping by y’all! 😉

-Out of the Wilderness