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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.
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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.
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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!!
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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.
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Heroes And Friends: Pro Wrestling Remembrances By Jim Cornette Book Review
Wrestling manager/booker/author/podcaster/historian Jim Cornette released his book Heroes And Friends: Pro Wrestling Remembrances in 2025.
I bought it on his website jimcornette.com.
It features stories and background about some of Jim’s favorite wrestlers, managers, and announcers.
Some include Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Bruno Sammartino, Lance Russell, The Original Sheik, Vader, Paul Bearer (Percy Pringle), Ray Stevens, and more.
If you are a fan of wrestling, this book is for you.
And thanks Jim for signing it for me.
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My Favorite Albums of 2025
It’s February of 2026 as I type this, but I wanted to mention my favorite albums of 2025.
There are still 2025 albums I’ve not yet purchased and listened to, but there were a lot of great ones that came out that year.
My top 3 are:
38 Special Milestone-This is 38 Special’s first studio album since 2004 and boy was it worth the wait. Every song is great and singer/co-guitarist/founding member Don Barnes is as great as ever. Also thanks to the band and TalkShopLive for the signed copy!!
Two-Wolf-This is the debut album from the band Two-Wolf, which features Blackfoot founding member/bassist Greg T. Walker. Such a great album from start to finish. I got Greg to sign my CD booklet when I saw the band in 2025. Check out Two-Wolf.
Peter Criss-This is KISS founding member/drummer Peter Criss’ first solo album since 2007. It’s a masterpiece from start to finish. I love this album sooooooo much. Aside from his 1978 solo album, this is my favorite of his solo albums. It’s so incredible. Check it out.
OK the rest are in no particular order of favorite, so I’ll just list them as they are in the pictures I took of them:
Dream Theater Parasomnia-Another amazing album from DT. Founding member/drummer Mike Portnoy is back!!
Judas Priest/Ozzy Osbourne War Pigs Charity Single-Yes this is a single, but what a great one. Featuring already recorded vocals from Ozzy Osbourne (RIP), this is Judas Priest paying respect to Black Sabbath. Phenomenal version of this classic song.
Styx Circling From Above-Another really good album from Styx. They quit making albums for a long time, but for past roughly decade, they’ve been very consistent with putting out really good albums. Again, this is another really good one.
Michael Schenker Group Don’t Sell Your Soul-Another solid effort from the amazing guitarist Michael Schenker.
The Doobie Brothers Walk This Road-Very good album from one of my favorite bands. Michael McDonald now back in the band!! He, Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons, John McFee and co. are still amazing. I got a signed copy from their website. Thanks guys!!!!
Billy Idol Dream Into It-Solid effort from Billy and his guitarist/collaborator Steve Stevens. My copy is signed by Billy. Thanks Billy and TalkShopLive!!
Biohazard Divided We Fall-Their first album since 2012, Biohazard are as awesome as ever.
Mammoth The End-Another great album from Wolfgang Van Halen. Like his other two albums before this, he sings, writes, and plays everything. Phenomenal talent.
Bryan Adams Roll With The Punches-Another really good album from Bryan Adams. Thanks again to TalkShopLive and Bryan for the signed CD.
Glenn Hughes Chosen-Glenn is one of the greatest singers/bassists ever. He continues that way with this really solid album. Again, thanks TalkShopLive and Glenn for the signed picture that came with the CD.
Cheap Trick All Washed Up-Cheap Trick have really been on a roll since their Bang Zoom Crazy Hello album came out in 2016. One great album after another. This is another really good one. Thanks to the band and TalkShopLive for the signed CD.
LA Guns Leopard Skin-Like Cheap Trick, LA Guns have really been on a roll since releasing their 2017 album The Missing Peace. Every album they’ve released since then (The Missing Peace, The Devil You Know, Checkered Past, Black Diamonds, and now Leopard Skin) are great. Get all of them.
Jimmy Page And The Black Crowes Live At The Greek-This is a re-release of a phenomenal live album originally released in 2000. This version has a lot more songs on it, as well as the ones on the original release. Again, PHENOMENAL.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Celebrating 50 Years Live At The Ryman-This is a double live album and DVD set. This is also sadly founding member/guitarist Gary Rossington’s final show with the band. The show is great, though. Seek it out.
OK I know there are more great 2025 releases, but that’s my list.
Onward to 2026. I’ve already bought 3 awesome albums released in 2026. Check them out in separate reviews and/or my 2026 Album List in 2027.
Until then, Rock On!!
