-
“The Last Outlaw: My 50 Years In Southern Rock & Country” By Henry Paul w/Gary Hertz Book Review
“The Last Outlaw: My 50 Years In Southern Rock & Country” by Henry Paul (The Outlaws, The Henry Paul Band, Blackhawk) w/Gary Hertz, was released in 2025.
This is a fantastic book.
Henry talks about growing up, ultimately forming The Outlaws, and later The Henry Paul Band and Blackhawk, and many stories involving those bands.
My only complaint is that I wish it was longer.
Again, a fantastic book and I cannot recommend this enough, especially for fans of Henry and his music.
This book ROCKS!!
And thanks Henry for signing it (courtesy of TalkShopLive)!!
-
“Shirtless In Hollywood”, “Shadow Affairs” and “Hit Hard-Die Last When Action Was Real” by Matthias Hues Book Reviews
Action movie star Matthias Hues (I Come In Peace/Dark Angel, No Retreat No Surrender 2, Cage, Kickboxer 2: The Road Back, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, TC 2000, Digital Man, The Last Kumite, just to name a few) has written three books as of this typing.
The first is his autobiography called “Shirtless In Hollywood”. It traces the steps of how he ultimately ended up in the movie business and many adventures and relationships he has had over the decades.
His book “Shadow Affairs” could easily be an action movie, in which a military and CIA sniper is left for dead, but ultimately survives and ends up being hunted because he knows something that he shouldn’t. If he ever does this movie, I would definitely like to see it.
And his book “Hit Hard-Die Last: When Action Was Real” is a little more in-depth on his acting career and many stories about certain movies and shows he has done over the decades.
If you are a fan of action and/or of Matthias, or even just a fan of the underdog or of someone who chased a dream and is still chasing and living it, then you should check out Matthias Hues’ books.
-
“The Bride” Movie Review
I saw the movie “The Bride” about a week after it was released.
Like most movies this year so far, it sadly has not done extremely well at the box office.
However, that does not mean that it is not a good movie.
I enjoyed it very much.
It’s sort of a combination of The Bride Of Frankenstein and Bonnie And Clyde.
Frankenstein (played by Christian Bale), wants a bride. Well, he and a doctor played by Annette Bening, dig up a woman (played by Jessie Buckley) who had been killed, but who was also possessed by Mary Shelley (Frankenstein author), and the doctor re-animates her.
After that, some interesting adventures ensue.
The cast of Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Annette Benning, and everyone else is very good.
Written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, I highly recommend this movie, especially if you are a fan of The Bride Of Frankenstein and Bonnie And Clyde.
-
My First Concert of 2026: Brother Cane
- Date of Concert: Thursday, March 12, 2026
- Location of Concert: The King Of Clubs in Columbus, OH
- Openers: Nova Buzz, Dressed In Electric, Charlie Bonnett III & The Folkin' Gasholes
Thanks to my friend Kevin, I was able to see my first concert of 2026.
It was the band Brother Cane, featuring the lead singer, co-lead guitarist, co-main songwriter and leader of the band Damon Johnson (also in Lynyrd Skynyrd, played in Black Star Riders, Alice Cooper’s band, and Damn Yankees, as well as a solo artist).
Along with Johnson, Brother Cane also includes original bassist Glenn Maxey, as well as guitarist Tony Higbee, drummer Jarred Pope, and keyboardist Buck Johnson, although Buck was not playing at this show.
I had never seen Brother Cane before, so this was a treat.
They are a very solid, rocking band, all great musicians, and Damon sings very well also.
They played songs from their whole catalog, including songs from their new album which will be released in April of this year.
Thanks Kevin for the free ticket!!
Thanks to all the local openers who started the night off well.
Thanks to The King Of Clubs, who celebrated their 5th anniversary this night since opening their doors (here is to many more years!!). And thanks to Brother Cane, for starting my concert year off in a rocking way.
Rock on everyone. And thanks also to Damon for responding to me on Facebook in regards to a question I asked him.
Brother Cane Set List:
- Breadmaker
- That Don’t Satisfy Me
- If This Means War (New Song)
- 20/20 Faith
- Blinded By The Sun (New Song)
- Lie In The Bed I Make
- Take A Chance (New Song)
- Hard Act To Follow
- Make Your Play
- Nothing To Lose (New Song)
- Hung On A Rope
- And Fools Shine On
- Machete
- Got No Shame
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
-
Overkill Album Rankings
I’ve been a fan of the band Overkill for 25 years.
They have remained consistently great at what they do, both on album and live, since they formed in 1981.
When you listen to an Overkill album, you pretty much know what to expect. And if you’re a fan, that’s a great thing.
They have had many line up changes, but the singer Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth and bassist/backing vocalist D.D. Verni have been there since day one and have flown the Overkill flag high.
Why this band is not bigger I don’t know.
It’s hard to rank their discography because I can honestly say it’s all great.
But here it goes:
- Ironbound
- The Electric Age
- Feel The Fire
- Taking Over
- W.F.O.
- The Years Of Decay
- Killbox 13
- Under The Influence
- ReliXIV
- Immortalis
- Wrecking Everything (Live Album)
- The Grinding Wheel
- The Wings Of War
- Scorched
- Coverkill (Covers Album)
- Bloodletting
- I Hear Black
- From The Underground And Below
- The Killing Kind
- White Devil Armory
- Necroshine
- Wrecking Your Neck (Double Live Album)
- Live In Overhausen (Live Album/DVD)
- Power In Black (1st demo)
- Fuck You And Then Some (featuring one new song, live stuff, and their self titled demo)
Like most of these rankings, I could easily change them because again, they’re all great.
And they may have a new album out this year 2026. Hope so. I know they’re working on one.
Once it’s out, I’ll add it to my rankings.
Overkill rules!!
-
Eddie Trunk Rocks!!
I got to see my favorite radio DJ in the world, Eddie Trunk, at a speaking engagement at a club called Tuck N Reds in Yellow Springs, Ohio on Saturday, May 7th, of 2026.
Several local bands opened the show, and they were all good, but I was there to see Eddie.
I’ve been a fan of his since 1999.
I don’t always agree with him and he sometimes annoys me, but I also think he is cool, knows a lot, and I consider him to be the luckiest music fan in the world.
He has interviewed and/or knows many of my musical heroes.
At this event, Eddie talked about his history (43 years in radio, executive at Megaforce Records, worked at VH1 Classic as a VJ and co-host of That Metal Show, emcees many events, and an author) and told many different stories, including about my favorite guitarist Ace Frehley (Rest in Peace).
He told a story of how he and Ace went bowling and when Eddie went to get bowling shoes, Ace, who had never bowled, was throwing bowling balls like you would a soccer ball or most balls.
He was also drunk. Cops were going to be called, but when Eddie told the guy that that was Ace, the guy said if Ace signed a bowling pin, he would not call the cops.
Eddie said he was thinking about writing a book of just his Ace stories. For those that don’t know, Eddie was not only a fan of Ace’s, but he also helped get Ace signed to his first solo record deal. And they remained friends until Ace’s passing in 2025.
Eddie has written two books about some of his favorite bands and is working on what I believe is his autobiography now, as well as a documentary about his life and career.
Eddie also took questions from the audience, and I asked him about one of our mutual favorites Overkill. You can check out his answer in one of the videos below.
I even got to “Stump The Trunk” (if you know his former TV Show That Metal Show, you know what I’m talking about). As a prize, he signed my books, took a picture with me, and gave me a bottle of water.
He actually met everyone that wanted to meet him for free once the show was over.
He was super cool with everyone and it was just a fun time.
I’m glad I was able to properly meet him.
Thank you Eddie for everything you do. You rock!!
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
-
Will I Ever Stop Going To Concerts? I Believe So, But Not Just Yet
Will I ever stop going to concerts? I think I will, but not just yet.
I’ve been saying it since at least 2014 or 2015 that I need to slow down, and in 2025, I think I did slow down a little.
However, I do know that most of my heroes are nearing the ends of their careers, and even though I’m hopeful about the music scene as I type this, I don’t expect to see any great new bands multiple times over the course of decades like I have.
Plus, I’m tired of the traveling, ticket prices are going up more, and frankly, my body is telling me it does not want to do this as much.
Having said that, this year looks pretty good, in terms of shows and I’m not done yet.
Unlike everyone who does “farewell tours” and changes their minds, I’ll know when to say when.
But that time has not happened yet.
In a few years, though, I think it will.
Until then, though, I still am hopeful that I’ll see some more of my heroes. Several of which I still have not seen and will see a fair amount of them in 2026.
You can look at my concert page, but here are some of those I’ve never seen that I’m seeing this year:
Brother Cane
Uli Jon Roth
Triumph
Iggy Pop
Starz
Sepultura
Biohazard
Soulfly
The Marshall Tucker Band
Paul Simon
GWAR
Some of these are on the same bill together, and I hope for more I’ve not seen, but that’s just some of my itinerary for this year.
There are also ones I have seen before that I am seeing at least one more time, such as Angel and Motley Crue.
The year is still young. Here are some others I’d love to see but who knows if I ever will:
Jimmy Page
David Gilmour
Mark Knopfler
Blackmore’s Night
Chris Holmes
The Cult
Britny Fox
Jim Dandy’s Black Oak Arkansas
Metal Church
Savatage/Trans-Siberian Orchestra
The Godz
Original Misfits
The Guess Who
Manowar
The Outlaws
My list is getting shorter, and after 2026, will be much shorter.
So, I think the chances of me stopping going to shows is good.
I still enjoy it, obviously, but I know the time is coming for me to stop.
But not yet.
For anyone who reads these posts of mine, thank you.
They are mostly for me, and even if I do stop going to shows, I don’t want to give up the site.
I love having this platform to express myself in ways I can’t anywhere else.
Rock on everyone.
-
Robert Duvall (1931-2026)
One of the best at what he did, Robert Duvall, passed away on February 15, 2026, at the age of 95.
I’ve not seen all of his work, but everything I’ve seen him in (which is a lot) he was always great.
He truly is the definition of an amazing professional actor. He also became a very good director.
He did it all in the entertainment business, and dare I say, he always did it perfectly.
It did not matter if he was the main star, supporting star, or cameo, he always delivered.
I’m so glad I was alive in his time to see his greatness.
All the best to his family, friends, and fans.
I’m going to list some of his enormous body of work, and again, I can tell you he was amazing in all of it. Here it is:
To Kill A Mockingbird
The Outer Limits “The Chameleon” episode. He truly was a chameleon actor.
The Outer Limits “The Inheritors” two-part episode
Countdown
True Grit
THX-1138
The Godfather
Joe Kidd
The Godfather Part II
The Killer Elite
Breakout
Network
Apocalypse Now
The Great Santini
Tender Mercies
The Natural
Colors
Days Of Thunder
Lonesome Dove
Falling Down
Geronimo: An American Legend
The Paper
Phenomenon
The Apostle
Deep Impact
Gone In 60 Seconds
The 6th Day
Joh Q
Assassination Tango
Gods And Generals
Secondhand Lions
Open Range
Broken Trail
Crazy Heart
The Judge
That’s just a small portion of his mastery.
Seek them all out.
Rest In Peace sir.
-
Megadeth Album Review
Megadeth’s self-titled 17th full length studio album was released on January 23rd of 2026.
Billed as their “final album”, it is another masterpiece, in my opinion.
I have not stopped listening to it for days.
I bought the album three times because other versions (Target and digital) had exclusive bonus tracks. And I bought a signed copy from TalkShopLive.
Worth every cent.
I’ve been a Megadeth fan since 1999 and love all their albums. Some more than others, but I think they’re all great. And this is definitely one of the best ones.
And as of this typing, it is the Number One album on the Billboard Top 200. That is AMAZING!!
I don’t know if it’s the last album, but either way, Dave Mustaine and co. have made another PHENOMENAL album.
Thank you Dave for all the music and I hope to see you and the band again.
Rock on!!
-
The Justice Riders/A Threat To Justice by Chuck Norris, Ken Abraham, Aaron Norris, & Tim Grayem Book Reviews
One of my favorite actors Chuck Norris, along with his brother Aaron, Ken Abraham, and Tim Grayem wrote two western books and released them in 2006 and 2007.
The first is called The Justice Riders. It tells the story of Ezra Justice and his group of six men who have been assigned by General William T. Sherman to do special assignments during The Civil War and other adventures they were involved in right after the war.
The second book, A Threat To Justice, picks up where The Justice Riders left off, in which the group go their separate ways but ultimately come back together when one of them is in trouble.
Both of these books are really good western books, with some religious overtones to them.
Both are really good stories and both should be movies, in my opinion.
My girlfriend and website partner Mariah bought both of these books for me for Christmas.
Great gifts for sure.
I love both books and I highly recommend them.
