What a crazy ride it's been

Sorry for the lack of “On My Minds”, had a major personal problem, I had to deal with. I’ll save that for last.

The 2007 Central PA Music Awards are really cranking in the votes. We’re only half way done with the voting and already we have more votes than were cast last year. Yes over 5,000 legit votes have been made as of Oct. 14th. I’m really impressed with the multi votes being cast. Last year we go a lot of what I called 1 voters. They would vote for their favorite in that category and that was it. This year about 80% of the voters are placing more votes than just for their favorites. I guess that’s why all categories are still very close in the votes. Only one category is starting to break away from the pack.

I’m also surprised the cheating has been practically none existent this year. Last year it seemed like everyday I had to send out “warnings”. This year, less than a handful were sent and most of them were honest mistakes.

Another surprise to me was that people were asking for tickets to the Awards Ceremony before we even announced the bands playing the show. That is freakin incredible!!! I guess I’ll take that as a compliment. I don’t want to give to much away about this year’s Awards Ceremony except that it will be like nothing ever seen in this area.

Last year it was just me and Summer putting the show together and having to do something that was never done before. This year I’ve assembled a team of people to assist in this historical event in the making. We will be taking full advantage of what Dragonfly has to offer for the Awards Ceremony on Nov. 15th. Larger room, TV screens all over the place, bigger stage and sound system, plus a few extra perks. Add in some late breaking developments and this show is going to FUCKIN ROCK!!!

Did you see the band line up for the show? Herbie, Serving the Industry, Deja Vudoo, Until We Rise, The Lookies and Martini Bros.!!! Plus a special band that I hope to make public very soon. We could easily charge $10.00 for a ticket to this show. Instead because we want to expose the achievements of Central PA’s local music scene to as many people as possible, advance tickets are still only $5.00. I can’t stress enough, to purchase advance tickets to this show. We have yet to set the day of show price for tickets. This price will be set based upon the number of advance tickets sold. So do yourself a favor and get the advance tickets. You can purchase tickets from Dragonfly, most of the band playing (in a few days) or online. Click here for the Awards Ceremony page and to purchase advance tickets online.

I’d like to wrap this up by stating the Awards Ceremony is still a work in progress. Be sure to check back often for the most recent updates. Just like last year, this event will be the largest gathering of musician’s, industry and local music fans gathered under one roof!!!! BE THERE!!!

Shit almost forgot, because of what we have planned this year, this show is going to cost a pretty penny to put on. We are looking for sponsors to help offset some of the expenses. So if you would like to be a show sponsor or know of someone who would, send me an email to jimo@hbgonline.com Special thanks to our sponsors to date: Dragonfly, Bud Light, Affordable Sound, Seventh Wave Studios, Wraven Designs, Origivation and Help You Sell Stuff.com

Next topic, Deja Vudoo. I mentioned a few months ago that Deja Vudoo was a band to watch. Well since then, they have recorded a full length CD that will be released this weekend, Oct. 20th at Gullifty’s. I’ve been privileged to a few songs from the CD and can say, no matter what you’re musical taste, you will enjoy Deja Vudoo. Their sound is very unique and is pleasing to the ear. But don’t take my word for it, see for yourself. Joining Deja Vudoo are special guest Dahli (Ben of Hierosonic) and Serving the Industry (another band I said to watch). Deja will play in the middle and they are also encouraging attendees to wear costumes. Prizes will be given out for the best in certain categories. I should also mention, HBGOnline will be there gathering footage for our video pieces to be shown at the Awards Ceremony. Click here for more info and to purchase advance tickets for only $5.00.

OK now for some personal stuff. So if you’re not interested, thanks for reading this far. Make sure you get your advance tickets for the 2007 Central PA Music Awards now by clicking here.

This year in a nutshell has sucked!!! In May I got some bad news about my health. Worked on it and I’m doing fine now. As soon as I’m feeling better my girlfriend’s Chron's disease flares up. If you don’t know what this is, do a Google search. To make matters worse, the drugs she was taken made her get pancreatitis. So a call to 911 one night landed her in Hershey Med’s ER for 3 days, Acute care for 4 days and a normal room for 2 days, only to return home with a feeding tube up her nose. After about 2 1/2 weeks she actually pulled the feeding tube out herself. GROSS!!!! During the whole time of this ordeal, I thought for sure this would be the end. She went from a 125 pound “hottie” to under 100 skin and bones. Less than 100 pounds on a 5’8” frame, all she needed was some flies flying around her face to look like one of those infomercials you see on TV for the starving in Africa.

Add to this starting a new job, taking care of her daughter and everything else life throws at you and it has been a wild ride. I’m happy to report she is doing much better now and things are slowly getting back to normal here at HBGOnline Headquarters.

They say things happen for a reason. With everything that went down this year, I’m still trying to figure that one out. We were both close to not being here anymore and perhaps it was just a test from above. I’m fortunate, after a messy divorce, to have found someone that can not only be a lover, but also be a best friend. Many times I came home from a night out smelling like I just came from a French Whore House. Most females would be outraged, on smell alone. But for me I just had to tell the truth and said who was givin’ the hugs that night. Being out with me, she has witnessed first hand girls just coming up and wrappin me up with a big ole hug. She trust me and I trust her.

She doesn’t come to the website that much anymore, because she’s “seen it, heard it, or doesn’t care anymore”. So just in case let me say, “I love you and I’m so glad things are finally looking better for the both of us. Thank you for allowing me to be me and I look forward to sharing a brighter future together”

Well that’s all for now folks. Make sure you vote everyday and be sure to get your advance tickets to the BIGGEST show in Central PA!!!!

Lator Gators - BigJim