One of the best intros in music. The rest of the track ain’t bad either. “Whip It” and “Hot Spot” were two of their more popular songs.

Spring 1989.  I was a much younger man of a certain younger age.  For my first brand new car I decided on the above pictured Mazda MX6. The Ford Mustang GT was my first choice but the accompanying $400 monthly insurance premium was NOT!

I loved my MX6.  It lasted for sixteen years and 247,000 miles. It still ran and looked great when I sold it!

We had a lot of fun together. Went to many places. Met a lot of pretty faces. And listened to a bunch  of great songs, usually at a pleasingly loud volume with the sunroof open.  Good times man.

Around the same time I bought the car Deon Estus released the song “Spell” which became my “late summer night clandestine mission driving song”………it did not disappoint: I usually reached my target once acquired.

Listen to the song. It is an under appreciated classic from the era. Who knows? It just might help you put someone under your spell. Or someone  may put one on you…..

Music for the mood.

Music and thoughts for August 2026.

Great time had by all. Talkin’ so much I didn’t get as many photos as intended.

See ya next year family!

Saturday August 15, 2026. 8:30am. My father’s hometown is having a community day. That community happens to be Accomack, Virginia. I know I know.  You probably haven’t heard of Accomack, Virginia. Just so you’ll know it is a small county connected to Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Whenever I would tell my friends that I was going to Accomack and I had to go over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge they’d look at me and say, “That’s not how you go to virginia.” LOL! 

The town and county have very interesting history. Look it up if you’re so inclined. Not to brag on my relatives, but the people from there are some of the most humble, friendly, kind, giving and decent people you’ll ever meet. They possess a dignified humility that you’d have to experience to understand. Truly personable and sincerly loving. No pretense at all.

I’m about to hit the road for a three hour drive. I’ll tell you how it went. Enjoy your weekend!

Saturday August 8, 2026. 7am. I’ve been awake since 5:30. Just one of those mornings where you want to get started early. Plus I had a task at hand. A family member and fellow bass player asked if I could set up his bass guitar. This is something that I have done hundreds of times for many bassists but have not done it in about twenty five years or so. Let’s see if I still got it…..

I usually eat breakfast at home but not today. Chick-Fil-A minis to the rescue as I did not have the desire to cook breakfast. Breakfast is finished and all tools are gathered by eight o’clock. Let the work begin.

The customer says the strings are buzzing against his fretboard when he tries to play making an undesirable sound. This should be an easy fix. However, there are several factors that can contribute to this condition of the bass. Improper neck alignment, nut adjustment or saddle height are the usual suspects. I measure the neck alignment and it seems to be fine. Next, I inspect the saddle height and determine that they are inconsistently adjusted. The C-string and G-string saddles are too low so they are raised to the appropriate height based on the manufacturers suggestions. The sound improved, but not up to my standard. So I set all strings to the manufacturers suggested height and then reinspect the neck. The pickups were then adjusted accordingly. Again, improved but not quite where I needed it to be. So…..

I inspect the nut and realize that it has been cut too low for the higher strings on the guitar. One final adjustment and I think we’re there. Now it sounds like a bass guitar should sound! My work is done and the customer is called by 10am. I think he’ll like it.

And I think I still got it……. Who’s next?