The Doobies Still Going Strong

The Doobies Still Going Strong

By

Mike Scinto

                When my wife Kathy and I saw the Doobie Brothers in 1976 at Hemisfair Arena in San Antonio, Texas little did we know we’d be sitting on an early autumn evening at The Rose Music Center in Huber Heights, Ohio 41 years later enjoying many of the same classic tunes performed as well, or even better, by the band that seems as though it hasn’t missed a beat; The Doobie Brothers. Before I talk about the flawless, in fact nearly perfect show by the headliners, I want to tell you about the great pairing of the Doobies with the opening band for the night, J D and the Straight Shot.

                I’ve never been one to label a performer, or buy the labels attached to them. I know many of you choose what you listen to based on those labels so as best as I can do it the group is a mix of blues, classic/new rock and a dash of folk/storytelling thrown in. Kathy and I loved the show and both thought it was a perfect match and opening for the Doobie Brothers.  J D and the Straight Shot, new to both of us, featured some of their standards interspersed with new entries from their just-released album, “Good Luck and Good Night”.  Some of the tunes they shared from the new album were “The Ballad of Jacob Marley” (a different focus on the deceased business partner of Scrooge), “I know You Know I Know” and a revisit of the Three Dog Night classic “Shambala”. This band could easily be a headliner in a venue like The Rose. Because of my role as a talk show host I tend to listen to news on the radio in my travels and only occasionally to music. The greatest compliment I can pay J D and the Straight Shot: the next day I bought the new album and have lost myself in the music all the way through when I’m on the road!

                As we awaited the Doobie Brothers to take the stage we chatted with the couple sitting next to us. To say they were fans of the group would be quite an understatement. You see, they drove from St. Louis to catch the show and were turning around and heading back right after; and that’s quite a drive for one concert! And to make their story even more unique, this was the 35^th time they had taken in the Doobies! Oh, and of all they venues they had visited, they liked The Rose Music Center best.  The couple sitting directly in front of us overheard us sharing our 1976 San Antonio story and turned around and told us they saw the band on that same tour, same year, together right here in Dayton.

                There’s very little I can say here about the legendary band that hasn’t been seen, heard or experienced many times over its nearly half-century existence. As I’ve already noted the classics came one after the other all evening. The crowd was on its feet, singing along and moving to the beat. The shopping list of titles like “Jesus is Just Alright”, “Long Train Runnin”, “Takin’ It To The Streets”, “Take Me in Your Arms” and of course “China Grove” were followed by the encore of “Listen to The Music”. This wasn’t a concert, it was venturing into living history. On a side note, after the 1976 show we took a short drive “down around San Anton” and saw the real China Grove.

                How fortunate we are in the Miami Valley to have a venue like The Rose Music Center in which to fully enjoy historic shows like this as well as new artists who, in coming years, we can say that we saw them at The Rose “back when”. For any information about shows, tickets or directions visit http://www.rosemusiccenter.com/.

Nashville In Concert

By

Mike Scinto

                Music is a medium that, like no other, binds us together, reflects our joy and pain and transports us to another place and time just by hearing a few verses; no matter what else we’re doing. Every once in a while a TV show  captures those emotions and feelings and gives us a look inside the music as well as inside those who write, produce and perform it. “Nashville” on the CMT Network is one such show. It’s captured the hearts of millions, including Kathy’s and mine. We don’t miss an episode.  When we heard the cast was touring we knew we had to be a part of this event.

                Having been in radio and TV for four decades, I was more than aware of the façade actors are capable of showing us when performing on stage, or digitally on a show.  So, while I love the show “Nashville” I wasn’t sure what to expect on stage. I was aware that one of the unique aspects of the show from the beginning was that the actors were actually performing the songs they delivered.  So how would that translate to a live concert? And the characters portrayed seemed very real to us. What should we expect from the “actors” portraying them that night? I took my seat at the Rose Music Center in Huber Heights, Ohio expecting a decent show. What actually happened was that I was blown away! As you can imagine, I’ve been to many concerts over the years. The production, delivery and artistry of this show were almost unparalleled!  The actors (performers) were as real as they appeared on the show. There appeared to be no pretense about them. I went expecting to see actors attempting to come off as musicians and what I saw was musicians who were more than able to share their lives, and skills, through their acting.

                Charles Esten (Deacon), Jonathan Jackson (Avery) and Chris Carmack (Will) grabbed those of us in the audience and didn’t let go! The only thing missing was that Clare Bowen (Scarlett) was ill that night and couldn’t make it and, while we certainly missed her, the show was still outstanding! It was seriously very difficult to separate the actor from the character. Deacon, Will and Avery gave their hearts and souls to the music (which it was clear they loved) as well as to the fans. And it was equally clear they adored the fans as much as we appreciated them. They were real. The show was real and those attending on that beautiful, starlit late summer night got their money’s worth and more. We also came away realizing when we turn on “Nashville” from now on, we’re watching more than actors playing roles. We’re watching a (unrelated) family getting pure pleasure and joy from sharing their lives, real and scripted, with all of us kicking back in our family rooms watching.

As I mentioned, it was a perfect summer night with a cool breeze, in the open air at a fabulous venue that is unbelievably crowd-friendly, The Rose Music Center. You realize that the performers are top notch but the venue, by design, makes you feel like it was designed for your convenience in the plan. The helpful Rose staff, from the parking lot attendants to the ticket takers and ushers, makes you feel totally welcome.  The concessions and patio tables make you forget you’re at a stadium and feel more like a neighborhood festival and the parking is easy-in and easy-out with cooperation between the team and Huber Heights police. Oh, and there literally isn’t a bad seat in the house! I’ve been asked that time and time again by readers who’ve seen my reviews. Every seat is fantastic! There are still great concerts at The Rose this season and there are huge names from yesterday and today for your enjoyment. Don’t miss two classic members of Fleetwood Mac together on stage performing their classics and future classics from their new album entitled “Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie” when the duo takes the stage August 8, 2017. Go to http://www.rosemusiccenter.com/ and be a part of it all!

Mike Scinto is a 40 year veteran radio and TV talk show host and Osman C. Hooper award-winning columnist. He’s served as a contributor for Fox News Channel, local and national radio and TV talk show host and is a proud disabled American Veteran of the USAF. Mike has been married for 41 years and has two wonderful adult children. Reach Mike on Twitter @mikescintoshow, Facebook at facebook.com/mikescintoshow or email mikescintoshow@gmail.com

Just Call Me "Clinton", Please

               Beginning today if you see me out and about and would like to get my attention, just shout out “Hey, Clinton”! You see I’ve decided to officially change my name. The name Clinton has some magical power that keeps the owner of that name from ever facing consequences for misdeeds, planned or accidental. In other words, in Monopoly terms, it’s a perpetual “Get out of jail free” card.

                I began to suspect as much decades ago when then President Bill Clinton escaped unscathed when female after female suggested alleged inappropriate advances from the then Arkansas Governor and later President; everything from perverted comments to full-on attempted assaults. Those allegations ended, as far as we know, with the now-infamous under the desk, cigar-manipulating dalliances in the Oval Office. All he seemed to extract from those adventures was increased popularity among liberals, and outrageous speaking fee demands after leaving office.

                Keeping it in the family, wife Hillary has escaped more often than Houdini in his prime! I’m not even sure where to start with the presumptive 2016 Democrat Presidential nominee. I’ll pick her greatest hits. Let’s start with the Whitewater scam that for many younger voters is too far back to recall. Let’s just say if things had been handled properly way back then, she’d likely just be getting released from prison today rather than calling the furniture movers to slide back into the White House.

                Let’s move forward to the Benghazi tragedy. Four brave Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens lost their lives after reportedly asking for additional security hundreds of times only to fall on deaf ears in the State Department, headed by Secretary Hillary Clinton. To the untrained eye this could range from neglect to incompetence. Regardless of the label, those four souls still lost their lives. The Clinton magic worked again. She skated.

                Then I sat eagerly and watched FBI Director James Comey lay out a very convincing case against Hillary for use of a private server to share Top Secret emails that, as he explained, was a felonious act; whether intentional or accidental. She should have known better, as he stated numerous times. He methodically challenged how she dropped the ball and could, and likely did, allow critical information to leak out via the Internet. His comments would have made convincing prosecutorial opening and closing remarks at her trial. I listened to that for 14 minutes of a 17 minute press conference. I thought to myself “Justice, finally”! Then the other shoe dropped. In the concluding 3 minutes he explained why she should not be prosecuted. With the timing, delivery, washing of the hands of the Attorney General in the process it looked and sounded like a well-orchestrated draft of a Hollywood script. To be honest it stinks!

                There is still a chance, remote as it might be, there could be a challenge of the handling, or laundering, of money through the Clinton Foundation. But as I said, it’s a mere dream at this point.

                So “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” would apply here. I’m filing to officially change my name to Clinton so that anything past, present or future that I’m accused of that might be viewed as immoral, illegal or unethical will simply be swept under the carpet. On a serious note, that anybody could even think about casting a ballot for this woman who not only performed in this manner, but lied repeatedly and publicly to shield herself from it, to me is also immoral and unethical. If you choose this kind of individual for POTUS it shows a total lack of moral fiber in you. Look in the mirror.

Academy Awards; Shadow of Its Former Self

by

 Mike Scinto

As it appeared in Civitas Community Newspapers including

The Weekly Herald Record and the Xenia Gazette March 1, 2015

Do bigger-than-life Hollywood stars have an obligation to speak out in order to bring about change, or should they suppress their notoriety and stick to reading well-written scripts? Which do you admire more? And do you even pay attention when a movie star, purely by working on the big screen, addresses complex political issues as if they hold a doctorate in the field?

The Academy Awards have always been a platform for some political speech. I remember two of the most noteworthy in my lifetime. George C. Scott was the first actor to refuse the Academy Award for Best Actor (for “Patton” in 1970) after he alerted the Academy that he would refuse it on philosophical grounds saying "The whole thing is a goddamn meat parade. I don't want any part of it." Actually, while the refusal was rather flamboyant, it might not be so far from the truth. And that is especially true today. The other was actor Marlon Brando. In 1973 Brando refused to accept the Oscar for his performance in “The Godfather”. Native American Sacheen Littlefeather represented him at the ceremony. She appeared in full Apache attire and stated that because of the "poor treatment of Native Americans in the film industry" Brando would not accept the award. 

At this years’ ceremony there was a reference decrying the perceived lack of equal pay for women. Ironically that charge was leveled by actress Patricia Arquette whose net worth, estimated by busy bodies who collect that kind of data, is about $24 million.

Latin Director Alejandro González Iñárritu won Best Director for “Birdman” this year. With respect to Mexicans living in the United States (millions of whom are here illegally) he said: “I just pray they can be treated with the same dignity and respect of the ones that came before and built this incredible, immigrant nation.'' Of course he failed to acknowledge the years of waiting to come to this country through LEGAL channels for many of those earlier immigrants.

Springfield native John Legend, winning the Oscar for “Glory” for the film “Selma” along with co-recipient Common (who made an eloquent non-racial acceptance speech) added "Selma is now, because the struggle for justice is right now, continuing "There are more black men under correctional control today than were under slavery in 1850." Should that remark be focused, as it apparently is, at white America or rather used to open exploration to find out if that disproportionate number has other root causes?

The political speeches, along with what I call irreverence on the part of Neil Patrick Harris appearing (with reference to the infamous “Birdman” scene) in his tighty-whities at the microphone has brought the once-glamorous ceremony to a new low. As a side note, the viewership was the lowest in the past 6 Oscar presentations.

Kathy and I have always enjoyed watching the Academy Awards together but, speaking only for us, we’ll likely be tuning in to reruns of “The Big Bang Theory” next year. It will probably be much more relevant!

The Ferguson Riots; Is this 2014 or 1964?

 By Mike Scinto

As seen in 

The Civitas Media Newspapers Group

Prior to this month had I asked you about Ferguson, Missouri I’d be willing to bet most of you would have to whip out your smartphone and Google it. Today you’d likely to be able to tell me it is (or was) a suburb of St. Louis. I used “was” because much of that community has been battered after rioting over the deadly shooting, by police, of 22 year old Michael Brown.

There’s always a danger with a columnist commenting on an ongoing story that’s as fluid as this one because by the time you’re opening the newspaper at your dinner table, or reading it on-line, things could change. But what I’m addressing with this column is something that hasn’t changed since I was a young boy in Memphis in the 1960s; and I’m convinced now may never change in America.

I’ve yet to understand why, when a black American is shot or restrained by the police, or loses their job, the blame by civil “rights” leaders goes straight to the whites who are connected to the incident. Before any investigation takes place, and regardless of anecdotal and even eye-witness evidence, community based race-baiters and the national “Team Reverend” starring Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson start pointing the finger at the “white power” and “racist” bosses. Don’t blind them with the facts. There’s no money in that. Jackson and Sharpton, and their local counterparts, translate camera and microphone time to dollar signs.

Let me state before I go another paragraph that ever since those boyhood days in the turbulent 60s in Tennessee and Georgia, where I lived, I’ve been around relatives and friends who didn’t see color as a dividing line for race or society. At the risk of offering up a cliché, some of my best friends then and now happen to be black. Let me also say the huge majority of blacks have always been very reasonable and responsible and don’t like or agree with the jump to judgment any more than the whites around them.

I understand the hurt and anger of the family; even if the evidence tends to point to the “victim” being wrong. These are their friends and families. I get it! What I don’t get, and will never get, is how smashing a store window, stealing a flat screen TV or computer, fleeing only to come back and loot some more is helping anything. The looting, lining up in the street and defying police and throwing rocks and bottles at those cops doesn’t help the investigation which could actually uncover any injustice that may have occurred. It also creates a terrible image that is projected on TVs around the globe of the blacks in that community.

If Reverend Sharpton and Reverend Jackson truly want to do a service for the black community they claim to represent, they would come into an area like Ferguson and demand that all law-breaking stop immediately, that parents and citizens in the area, some of whom just stand by and watch it happen, take back Ferguson. And by take back I mean control the lawbreakers so a meaningful and fair investigation can take place. If the violent energy in the streets could be channeled into training in coping mechanisms within racial mixed communities, this kind of thing could truly be relegated to the dusty pages of history books. I’d sure love to see that for the generations that will follow us.

The “Obama Show” Script

 By Mike Scinto

As seen in 

The Civitas Media Newspapers Group

 

If it had been written as a Saturday Night Live skit it would be funny. Unfortunately there’s nothing comedic about the real events as they continue to unfold for President Barack Hussein Obama and the American people.

As word reached America about Iraq collapsing at the hands of Sunni militants and city after city falling in the march to Baghdad, where was our Commander-in-chief? Was he in the war room with the Joint Chiefs Staff? Was he consulting with Congressional leaders on our next moves? Was he on the phone with world leaders contemplating a strategy as the nation where so many Americans spilled their blood and so many billions were spent in a war to liberate the country was falling to insurgents? No, at that particular moment he was walking to a nearby coffee shop in Washington commenting to some school children about the colors of their M&Ms, using the moment as a photo op with some of those kids then scurrying back to catch Air Force One to fly to Palm Springs for a four day golf outing.

To be sure, Mr. Obama did instruct his staff to come up with some solutions to this crisis unfolding more every minute; with instructions not to interrupt his game unless absolutely necessary. As the leader of the strongest nation in the world was teeing up on #15, Iraqi soldiers, military leaders and civilians were being beheaded, their bodies stacked in the streets and militants taking control of virtually every part of Iraq. I suppose if he were interrupted during a shot he could take a mulligan.

I’ve honestly tried not to politicize my comments on this President giving him some benefit of the doubt that his inexperience was guiding, or misguiding his actions. But I’ve come to the realization that he doesn’t get it, doesn’t care to get it and if anything he takes on doesn’t glorify him, why bother.

Just when I think he can’t do anything else unthinkable, he writes a new chapter. Comedy shows like Saturday Night Live and sitcoms usually fold up shop for one reason; they run out of ideas for bizarre scripts. I guess if this presidency were a comedy show it would never go off the air. The star of the show always seems to outdo his previous “episode”. The only problem is that nobody’s laughing any more.

A Solution to School Violence in our Sights

By Mike Scinto

As seen in 

The Weekly Record Herald

and other fine Civitas Media Newspapers

I vividly remember the shock and horror as America watched the slaughter at Columbine High School unfold in 1999.  I’m sure all of us recall that day and the media analysis post-Columbine. That event really became the example used when those types of incidents occurred in the months and years that followed. We don’t really call them “Columbine-like” any longer. There are so many from which to choose, we don’t need that standard. Two more shootings in recent days, as the school years were winding down, has brought out the usual calls for dismantling the Second Amendment; as if that frightening solution would put to rest this kind of school violence.

I feel like I’m in the movie “Groundhog Day” as I address this. In that film star Bill Murray relives that end-of-winter forecast day over and over again. As I point out the lunacy of suggesting banning guns would be a fix to the school violence issue, I feel like I’ve said it over and over again on the radio, TV and in my column; and I have!

Guns are not the problem. People are the problem. I went to grade school and high school from 1958-1970. There were no Columbines. Now it’s rare to find a two week span where there isn’t a case of school violence. What’s changed?

Guns are MORE controlled than ever before today. I recall at the age of 10 living in suburban Memphis and owning a 12 gauge shotgun and a 22 caliber rifle. Even in grade school during hunting season we (students) would bring our guns into school and store them in our lockers so we could head out to the woods after the school day to hunt. I knew proper use of, and care of, my weapons and was not afraid but rather respected guns even at that young age. It didn’t promote violence.

Of course today if a student of any age, and at any school, brought their hunting weapon into school there would be SWAT teams and a sea of live vans for the networks on the campus as the student was strip-searched, cuffed and thrown in the police van.

The end of the nuclear family as we knew it is the reason for the problem. “Parents” more focused on career than parenting is at the root of this disease. We are given the gift of children not to “have” but to “nurture”. When parents decided to let their kids “do their own thing” is when this happened.

When parents are held criminally accountable for anything illegal their child does that’s when you'll find a solution; forced though it may be. I was a helicopter parent for our son. I can tell you where he was, who he was with and what he was doing 97% of the time until he was 18. And while he has made a few small bad decisions, we are very proud of him. If he said at 16 he was going to be at some location, I would be there (covertly) at some point to verify it. If he was NOT there, he was in his room for some number of days. If he had done or said something he shouldn't, it would happen one time only. It kept me burning candles at both ends but in my mind there is nothing more important for 18 years than the child we have been blessed with. That is our job, not a hobby. I learned that from my parents who handled me the same way.

Young people know they can threaten; threats of lawsuits, seeking emancipation, investigation by child social services are used all the time. Rather than “parent”, these adults allow their children all the freedom they want. And this is the result.

If I ever got in trouble in school I knew when I got home my father would punish me four times over; often using a belt on my bottom into my teens. He never drew blood or bruised me but it hurt. Today he’d go to jail for that. I thank God he did it!

No, the solution isn’t in disarming America and stripping away our Second Amendment rights it’s demanding that parents do what God intended for them to do in the first place; BE parents! There are obvious signs of issues with children that, if observed, can be seen. Kids who wear black trench coats to school on hot summer days, don’t participate outside the classroom with peers, have a fascination with weird Internet sites or hang posters of Charles Manson on their bedroom walls MIGHT need a little closer scrutiny.

Guns will never disappear, nor should they. I wish I could say the same about good parenting.