Lagniappe Mobile Blog

For all of those who didn’t know, we have been posting videos to YouTube for the past couple of months.  You can check them out here.  Enjoy.

cheers -Dan Anderson

I recently had the pleasure ofinterviewing Kristian Bush of country’s hottest band Sugarland. Let me say that I am not a fan of Sugarland or their brand of country. It’s not that I think they’re a shitty band; they’re just not a band that I would run out and buy their albums. After reading up on them and interviewing Bush, I must say that I have quite a respect and appreciation for this band for one simple reason: THEY ARE A COUNTRY BAND THAT WRITES THEIR OWN SONGS! Bush and his partner Jennifer Nettles are quite aware that they are breaking a Nashville cardinal rule that dictates that they must employ a songwriter to compose their music, but it doesn’t really matter to them because they claim Atlanta and even recorded their last album in their hometown. Everyone from Vince Gill to Waylon Jennings to Brad Paisley to Montgomery Gentry pay and have paid a lot of money to songwriters, while Sugarland is doing it themselves and finding oodles of success in the process.

Pressure on both sides of the offshore oil question is building dramatically, particularly because of the presidential campaign. The column addresses the reality from an environmental perspective - perhaps surprising to many. The real problem with increased drilling is the temporary distraction that it provides in the necessity for developing hydrocarbon independence.

The Order of Myths premiere at the Saenger was as well attended as the film was received.   

Of the film itself, I don’t know how it could have been better. A true work of art, it is far more subtle and layered than many will understand after only one viewing. I’d love to see what was cut in editing.  

Sadly, I also feel the blinders many locals assume in regard to local culture and sociology will prevent the film from having any true impact on Mobile.  Some superficialities may emerge, yet deeper and more resolute change isn’t so easy. 

Sportsfolk all over the country love the Bass Pro Shops for their supplies and the spectacular displays that have made them tourist attractions for non-sportsters. But the newest edition at Spanish Fort demonstrates zero regard for any concept of conservation of habitat - and it further insults our intelligence by hiding behind a cloak of new urban planning by trying to disguise itself as a “town center”. The Mobile Bay community should boycott their opening party to send them a message! Yeah - right - like that will happen!

Which I recently did here from the back of a bike, I also bang my head to metal music . . can you believe it? Well, more like started a social network called MetalMusic.com, where I’ve recently posted about world hunger and the insanity and Satanism of metal music . . it’s a young network but already members from all over so if you are into the genre stop by - of course it’s free and you can even play voyeur but it’s more fun to join . . .

Don’t ask about my bloggin site - and hey, for the few of you who followed a recent flame-posting war between Jeff Poor myself - we finally met at the Lagniappe Nappie Awards last week. I spotted him walking along Dauphin Street, cell phone in hand, as it was dark, no one around it occurred to me I could knock him over the head and no one would know . . .but I chickened out and we actually got along pretty well for enemies . . (Hey Jeff, was that really Tom Brady at your table, I mean I didn’t know, I barely know what a football is . . ) And the after-party at Joe Cain’s was super but one problem with after-parties of course, is the day after . . Rob appeared on stage at Joe Cain’s strumming guitar and singing quite well, and Ashley was so nined-up she appeared as a Russian Czarina to me in her black chiffon dress, or maybe that was one to many Stella Artois in my hands . . . I hung with best local artist of the year Devlin Wilson, who it turns out I’ve known for many years, met when he painted only doors and walls . . well, enough for now, stop by my mental - I mean metal site, check out the group on solving world hunger, maybe you have one of the keys to solving it . . . P.S. Stevie Cen -, nice seeing you at the party, remember to send a few local metal bands to the site . . . I’m looking into a webcast event for early next year . . .

The column tries to argue that we must abandon water disposal of waste because we are overwhelming the capacity of the natural system and progressively destroying our second-most necessary resource (after air)

CNBC’s is reporting Defense Secretary Robert Gates has decided the Air Force will rebid the tanker contract between Northrop Grumman/EADS and Boeing.

This isn’t unexpected, but the official announcement is set for 1 p.m. Eastern at the Pentagon. Boeing was trading higher on the news, Northrop slightly lower.

Sen. Patty Murray’s (D-Wash.) office told CNBC the decision is expected

Developing…

Hey everybody.  I got to shoot the Tom Waits show at the Saenger last night.  It was one of the better concerts I’ve seen in my life. I don’t think I captured it in my images though.  I was restricted to the VIP section of the Saenger on the second floor and was not able to move around and get the variety of images I usually prefer from an assignment.  I also was not able to really capture much of the stage decor from my angle.  Most of my shots are resticted to tight shots of Tom’s face, although I added a sepia tone to several photos just because.

Anyway, double click the pictures and let me know what you think Mobile.

cheers -Dan Anderson

Almost no one reported the quote from Dr. James Hansen last week but hours were dedicated to the “pregnancy pact”. Meanwhile people continue to listen to Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh lionize the rare scientist that continues to challenge specific aspects of the climate change controversy! My brother-in-law who listens incessantly to both made my day by proudly announcing that Rush had just signed a $400M broadcasting deal - that should keep him in painkillers and adequately deluded.