Monday, October 11, 2010

Solomon Burke 1940-2010

Solomon Burke passed away at age 70 in Amsterdam's Schipol Airport. He was there to perform a sold out concert with a local soul/R&B band. He never got the due of some of her peers, maybe due to the peripatetic nature of her career. He could do gospel,soul, blues and even country in an authentic way that took the material out of any one genre. As good a singer as he was, he had an even bigger heart. Rest in peace.



Everybody Needs Somebody to Love from Top of the Pops 2003.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Betsey Johnson/Steve Madden

Betsey Johnson



Women's Wear Daily reporting that Steve Madden has increased his stake in Betsey Johnson from a $48.8 million loan to ownership of the brand’s intellectual property. Through licensing deals with Betsey Johnson LLC, Madden will get royalties from Johnson’s firm and its other licensees.

It's not clear to me if Betsey has been struggling in the current  retail environment or was just looking to partner up with a deep pocketed backer. Have to suspect the former if the relationship went from loan to equity stake. Hopefully, it will be a positive for both parties, but hoping the new relationship doesn't suck the creativity out of her designs. I know Steve Madden knows retail but selling apparel a bit different game, n'est-pas?

Steve Madden

2010 Illinois State Fair Hog Calling Contest

I've lived in cities or suburbs my whole life. I love country music, lakes and all that stuff but have never lived on a farm. Watching this video made me feel like an anthropologist who just discovered a tribe of Sasquatches. Amazing!



Thanks and a tip of the trucker's hat to Trading for the Masses