10. Alarming increase in horse hair weave flash fires.

9. Better bootleg fireworks display on the East side then the official Jack London Square extravaganza.

8. Official start of the “Who makes the best potato salad?” Citywide bragging competition.

7. People pistol whipped citizens are expected to see “stars and stripes” and not “birds and begonias”.

6. Wealthy politicos attend union picnics in cheap suits pretending to be normal, to win votes.

5. Enough left over BBQ rib bones to re construct a herd of Dinosaurs.

4. This year hope to launch a Homie to the moon from Lake Merritt.

3. Anyone dressed like Uncle Sam gets a free lap dance.

2. Raider Nation tailgaters test out new laser bun warming technology.

1. Finding Jose and ask him what he saw by the dawns early light.

10. Ask web master Philly Brian to photo shop 10 Gallon cowboy hat on Doc.

9. Eating fried baloney developing a warm beer and oily corn dog tolerance.

8. Management is text messaging bearded lady so there are no conflicting dates.

7. Work on super secret 5 Alarm Oakland Chili recipes, guaranteed to make you move a colon, to enter into competition.

6. Line dance instead of free form during KYSO.

5. Sensitivity training for newer players Sal and Jerry who may fear Carney’s.

4. New contracts without a “cash or cattle” provision as payment.

3. Remembering that 4 H doesn’t mean; Ho’s, Harleys, Harlots, and Herbs.

2. Forget the “Guess the Fan Weight” segment of the show.

1. Procuring Industrial strength bald dude sun block lotion.

Roger Smith with Robert Thomas

I always enjoy it when I’m surprised to hear young musicians that play real instruments, and that have an obvious passion for what they are doing.  This was the case earlier this month when we heard singer & guitarist Robert Thomas.  Tower Of Power was the featured artist at one of the summer concerts held at the Rodney Strong Vineyard in Healdsburg CA this past June 16th.  Also on the Bill, was smooth jazz artist Craig Chaquico (also of Starship fame).  Yes my wife and I decided to catch yet another Tower Of Power show (ok, so we are stalkers).  Opening the show was Robert and his band.

Robert performed for about forty-five minutes mixing rock standards, with a couple of original of his own.  What so impressed me was the ease to which he worked the crowd, as if he has been doing this a long time (as I understand this was his first major show).  Robert’s guitar work was very impressive (some nice soloing) and his vocals were spot on as well.  Backed by a solid group of musicians, Robert got the audience fired up for the rest of the show.

I got a chance to talk to Robert’s mentor and producer Roger Smith (Keyboardist with Tower Of Power) to give me some insight into Robert.  As it turns out Robert is of High School age from the Healdsburg area, and he also plays drums and keyboards.  He has been playing for seven or eight years, and during the summers he has attend Jazz camps.  He has a vocal coach, and a guitar teacher (who happened to be in the back up band for the show).  I asked Roger what impressed him most about Robert.  Roger’s response was “Well for a young guy, he uses very sophisticated techniques when composing and arranging songs, techniques that are well beyond his years”.  And Roger wrapped up our conversation with “He has excellent potential, to do well in this business”.

I think Robert is someone we may all need to keep an eye on.