Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Retro: Kimmer

Retro: Kimmer

Link to Retro: Kimmer

RETROKIMMER INTERVIEWS DENNIS MACHINEGUN THOMPSON

Posted: 11 Oct 2011 10:02 PM PDT


Dennis "Machinegun" Thompson

Last Friday I was in Wyandotte, MI shooting photos of Rikki St James outside the Wyandotte Museum. My cell went off and Dennis Thompson called to tell me that he wanted to interview for Retro: Kimmer and that he was on his way to meet me downtown.

Dennis didn't know that Rikki was with me and this was so exciting as Dennis and Rikki are band mates from the Motor City Bad Boys. They hadn't seen each other in decades.



When Den arrived I saw they sidewalk tables were still up outside the Cigar Bar. Grabbed my cameras jotted a few quick notes and got the guys seated outside for some impromptu conversation on video. Take a look at these three friends having fun on a sunny day!









MGT and Kimmer

RETROKIMMER AND RIKKI ST JAMES:VISIT THE WYANDOTTE MUSEUM

Posted: 11 Oct 2011 10:54 AM PDT


The Wyandotte Museum

The Wyandotte Museum is dedicated to inspiring and fostering public awareness, interest, understanding and appreciation of the unique history of the city of Wyandotte and its relationship to the Downriver region.




Rikki St James and I went to the Wyandotte Museum last Friday afternoon and for some unknown reason they happened to close early...

Since it was such a gorgeous day and I had my cameras, I grabbed some shots of Rsj on the fabulous wrap around porch at the Ford-MacNichol Home.

We had planned to do a story on the Museum many times but something always interfered with our plans. I was most interested in the Detroit Purple Gang as a lot of them did rum running business, died, and were buried in Wyandotte.


Rikki St James

So when we arrived and I saw the terrific Halloween decorations everywhere I thought that this was an even better story for October.


Antique Halloween Post Card

So the next day (Saturday) Rikki and I went back to the Museum and they were open! We walked up the steps and our guide Shirley opened the door and asked us to come inside. The museum is completely dressed for Halloween and a 1900 Funeral...


1900 Funeral

Rikki and I just loved our tour guide Shirley... Rikki even had suspicions that she might be one of the ghostly original inhabitants (LOL) of the home... She knew that much about the place! Shirley was the perfect person for that job. She had a truly ghoulish sense of humor as do Rsj and Kimmer...



Shirley describes how back at the turn of the 20th century, people had funerals in their own homes. In fact that is where the term Funeral "Parlor" came from. Both Rsj and I were stunned to find out about embalming being done inside people's homes, basements, garages, and back yards! Watch the video above for Shirley's explanation.


Beautiful roses on top of an adolescent casket


Adolescent Casket

Couldn't get over how skinny this casket was... Had to be for a really young child. Shirley explained about babies having all white decorations because they were "pure". Adolescents had black and white as they were a little of both. Adults had pure black.. sinners that adults are.


Kimmer playing in a bathroom


Beautiful still life scene in the kitchen


More from the kitchen


Rikki and Shirley



The Museum is decorated with a great deal of glee and dark humor. Ravens are on every wall hanging... Just a really fun place to visit for Halloween!


Lots of great crepe paper decorations


What a cool postcard!!!

I love black cats so this postcard really caught my attention. The woman with a broom and the funny cats trick or treating with the pumpkins and dunce caps on their heads... If you look at the top left you see Rsj and Kimmer behind the scene...


Great upright piano


Very cool Raven...


Kimmer Rsj and Shirley...


Wyandotte Museum on Facebook

Thank you so much Rikki and Shirley!

MICHAEL ALLMAN: IT IS WHAT IT IS...

Posted: 11 Oct 2011 09:52 AM PDT


Michael Sean Allman

Michael Allman is the first son of Southern Rock Legend Gregg Allman. . Michael grew up in Daytona Beach, Florida. His mother went to high school with Duane and Gregg in Daytona. They were very young and The Allman brothers band was just taking off. So like many other children of rock n roll legends Michael grew up with a father that lived on the road.



Michael led the "Michael Allman Band" throughout most of the 1990's before he traded it in for the serenity of domestic life.



Had a really nice chat today with Michael Allman. Michael is the oldest son of Gregg Allman of the Legendary Allman Brothers Band. He is in town for a gig tonight at the Green Door in Lansing Michigan. Friday Michael is performing at Udetroit Cafe this Friday October 14 on air at 3pm.



Spent a lot of time listening to Michael's music and I love it. It is great to know that Michael can carry on the family traditions. Yes he does sound a bit like his pop but he has his own unique Allman signature vocal. There is no mistaking the voice Michael possesses...



Asked Michael today who his favorite musician was and without missing a beat he told me, "My DAD!" That was fresh considering most children of rock stars shun the family connections and want to carve their own career.. I just loved the fact that Michael really respects his father's music and career.

Last week I wrote a story about the album "Laid Back" by Gregg Allman. When this story was mentioned Michael told me that album was the soundtrack of his life. He was about 9 years old when that LP came out and he listened to it and believed his father was speaking directly to him through those songs. What a beautiful thought... and as Michael says... "It is What it Is" Stay tuned for more on Michael later this week....


Poor Elijah Foundation

Michael is affiliated with the Poor Elijah Foundation along with Michelle Bramlett daughter of Delany Bramlett (RIP)

Poor Elijah Foundation is dedicated to assisting musicians in need develop strong business ethics within the music industry. Through mentoring, workshops and seminars, PEF will take the working musician and educate them in various aspects of the music industry, e.g. engineering, management, publishing, money management, contract negotiations, and musical education to elevate the art of the artist fostering skills to become more proficient in their craft. PEF also provides financial relief to the working musician.

Duane Allman Story

IGGY STOOGES DKT/MC5 PHOTOS GUITARE EN SCENE FESTIVAL 2011 MORE PHOTOS

Posted: 11 Oct 2011 09:18 AM PDT



Christian Lacroix (THANK YOU !) just sent me the link to some fabulous photos from the Guitare en Scene Festival from July 2011. They are beautiful photos and I wish Sandra had shot a lot more.... Sandra Bariller Photographer

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