Booze for Thought: Aimed at You!!

As most youngsters growing up in a hard working middle class family, I wasn't handed money to spend. Once I got to a certain age and needed (or so I thought) things, I would bug the crap out of my parents, and most of the time their defenses were strong. So, typical Matt Ballengee, instead of going without I started to hatch a plan on how I could make some cashola.

I did several jobs, put up hay (twice...and that was enough), ran the clock for basketball games or kept the books for the slow pitch softball games (thanks Coach Boothe!)...but the one occupation I did regularly was mow lawns. So on the hunt I went...in search of the lawn to be mowed.

So, a cousin's hubby, we'll call him...uhm...well how about Ed...lol...he took a chance and gave me the job of mowing his yard. Now mind you, this wasn't a very big lot...not even half an acre...maybe not even 1/3 of an acre...but that wasn't the selling point for me...the selling point?? Self Propelled baby!! Easy $$.

I mowed a couple times and Ed paid me, and then one day I was in his living room, after working the mower, and he said, "ya know what you need?? Turn around there and pick a CD...that can be your payment..." I turned around and man O man, there had to be a thousand CD's!!! I was like, "holy Cow...CDs!! These are better than tapes!!" I thought for sure Ed was rich. So I was looking and looking, keep in mind still fresh and developing my musical tastes...so I really didn't know what I wanted...or should take. After several minutes, Ed goes, "Here...hell it ain't that hard...this is the one you need!!!"

Now granted, he could've handed me Madonna...Vern Gosden...or Run DMC...but nope...he handed me a CD that I quote as a definite influence on myself as a musician...

PANTERA "COWBOYS FROM HELL"

I remember going home and blasting that baby enough to where my parents thought I was gonna burn the house down and start a cult...they had never heard anything like this, my dad's like, "boy this ain't The Freebirds of Southern Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd!!!" But something just kept me playing it...I can't explain it.

And that my friends is how you know you got it. When you can reach out across the country and infect people's lives, hearts, and minds with your music. And regardless of what kind've music you're making (in my book as long as YOU are making it...be it with a guitar...a banjo...a trumpet...any INSTRUMENT)if your music does that...it's better than gold.

"Better than gold?? Matt you're crazier than a shit house rat!!!" <---that's probably what you're thinking...well actually that's exactly what I am :). However...

This body is just a vessel and will carry us as far as it can...then we will move on...but the music...the music my friends will last for ever...whether there be an ear to hear it or not...it will never die.

Today is the day Dimebag Darrell died, and even though I never met Dime...he reached out and touched my life, changed my life, blew my speakers, and gave me something to strive for.

For that I am very thankful.

So crank the Dimebag of your choice folks, scare the parents a bit (it's good for them), sling a black tooth grin if you so choose...and remember....

WE'RE TAKING OVER THIS TOWN