Author: Brian Allen

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Updating My Blues Collection

I decided to expand my blues collection, which is sorely lacking. I knew that I needed to focus on the classics so I started looking for who are the must haves.

I came up with a number of names, but these three stuck out: Sonny Boy Williamson [II], Elmore James, and Muddy Waters. Once I decided on who I was adding to my collection, I needed to decide what albums I was going to purchase. I searched iTunes and Amazon. After looking forever, I decided a collect was the right answer.

I decided on the Chess 50th Anniversary Collections of Sonny Boy Williamson and Muddy Waters. For Elmore James, I selected The Sky is Crying: The History of Elmore James collection.

While doing all of this searching, I ran across a number of good collection album in the “Milliennium Collection” series. I just couldn't pass on the “The Best of Blues Guitar” and “The Best of Blues Rock Songbook“.

Here are links to the albums on iTunes:

His Best : Sonny Boy Williamson [II]

The Sky is Crying : Elmore James

The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection: Muddy Waters – His Best, 1947 to 1955

20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Blues Guitar

20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Blues Rock Songbook

Now, I can turn my focus onto more current blues talent like Sue Foley.

– Brian Allen

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My Dad Purchased a Bar

Well, my dad has been talking about purchasing a bar for years. He up and did it today!

He had been talking with the own of the business and the owner of the property. In the end, he decided to just purchase the business. But, the property owner is still interested in selling the property.

It is a neighborhood bar located at 3305 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville, Alabama.

It has been operating under the name “The Nook”, but the name had legally been “Paddy's Pub”. The own had just changed the sign out front without notifying the state Alcohol Beverage Control Board.

My dad has a number of plans for the place. The first of which is to change the bar to non-smoking.

More to come …

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Alabama Getting Closer to Better Beer!

The Alabama House Travel and Tourism Committee unanimously passed the bill to change the definition of beer to include beer with 14.9 percent alcohol. Presently, it is defined as having no more than 6 percent.

Now, the bill moves to the floor of the House.

You can read more at the following:

Huntsville Times

Birmingham News

A Bama Blog

The actual bill in question can be read here:

Alabama House Bill: HB195

The Alabama House of Representative bill has been put on the calendar for a floor vote this Tuesday, April 3rd.

We need the phone calls and emails from supporters of HB195. The following link will help you identify who your Representative is:
http://www.legislature.state.al.us/house/house_zipsearch.html

– Brian Allen

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Holy Family School's 2007 Silent Auction

This weekend is the Holy Family School's Silent Auction. Karen and I have purchased a number of the Draw Down tickets. The big prize is $10,000.

The theme is Western so they are decorating the place to look like the wild west. I have grown a mustache and long sideburns to give me a western look. Karen and I still need to come up with outfits for the event.

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Moving to Colorado Springs May Be Easier

Karen said it this morning. I am heading back to Colorado Springs. But, the weather is going to be better on this trip.

Our system is still crashing so we are heading back to show a good effort on our part. And, you never know maybe we will get it fixed. It is getting hopeless.

I am scheduled to be out here until next Friday. But, Karen heads out of town when I get back, which I think will be good for her.