My New Year's trip to San Diego has been an adventure, even before I get there tonight.

My friend, Shark, was supposed to have joined me to broadcast two Platteville Pioneers men's basketball games, but was unable to make the trip.

Then, my mom, who was going to drive over to see her sister, went into the hospital on Christmas Eve and almost forced me to cancel the trip altogether. Thankfully, she was released yesterday and insisted I fly over and enjoy myself.

However, the part of the trip I'm really looking forward to, besides watching the Packers on Sunday at yet another Hooter's, is having dinner at a special restaurant and jazz club featuring the music of a famous late musician, run by his widow. I plan to write a full review of the music and food when I return, but to tantalize your curiosity, I will withhold the name of the establishment until then.

The only clues I will afford are:
1. She was a member of The Rumrunners.
2. He attended Villanova University.
3. They moved to San Diego in August 1973.
4. He died in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Number 4 should be the one that gives up his identity. I'm confident that someone (Shark, jb, Jeff or another music expert) will correctly guess the name of this South Philly native. Did I just give another hint?

Have a Happy New Year!

As I was thinking about Christmas this year, my mind wandered to my record collection and I remembered an album my parents gave me called "The Great Songs of Christmas." This vinyl classic is circa 1967 and number eight of a nine record set. It features 14 great artists, including Andy Williams, Robert Goulet and Carol Lawrence, Tony Bennett, and The New Christy Minstrels. I thought it would be a nice gift to track it and share it with you. Merry Christmas!

R.I.P. Dan Fogelberg. You will be missed.

About a week ago, one of my employees asked me to make her a cd of music. Her list was filled with urban hip/hop and r&b. I knew most of the artists, but few of the songs. After I listened to the tunes, I really got into it and decided to make a podcast out of it. I call it Alicia's Mix.

BTW, I think R. Kelly has the right idea on "Double Up." ;)------

The Material Girl is about to become a Hall of Famer. The ever-evolving Madonna was announced as a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee on Thursday along with John Mellencamp, The Ventures, Leonard Cohen and The Dave Clark Five. A panel of 600 industry figures selected the five acts to be inducted at the annual ceremony, to be held March 10 in New York.

Breaking news...Ike Turner is dead. Tina can sleep better at night. More info as it becomes available.

Last night, I tuned into WWE RAW for the first time in a very long time. I used to be a huge wrestling fan. The three reasons I watched were: Stone Cold Steve Austin, Trish Stratus, and Sunny.

I can't say enough about Sunny. She has been away from the WWE for almost a decade, but Tammy Lynn Sytch, her real name, just celebrated her 35th birthday and scorched my TV screen in her brief appearance.

If the WWE brought back Sunny, Trish or Stone Cold full time, I might return as a fan.

Check out the Edison Music Research company's list of most- and least-liked Christmas tunes:

Most
1. The Christmas Song / Nat King Cole
2. White Christmas / Bing Crosby
3. Do You Hear What I Hear / Johnny Mathis
4. Holly Jolly Christmas / Burl Ives
5. Little Drummer Boy / Harry Simeone Chorale

Least
1. Jingle Bells / Singing Dogs
2. O Holy Night / Cartman
3. Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer / Elmo & Patsy
4. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town / Jackson 5
5. Jingle Bells / Barbra Streisand

Feel free to leave a comment about your thoughts on Christmas music.

Between work and school, I'm taking online courses to complete my Business degree at UW-Platteville, my schedule has prevented me from posting more often. After watching part of Christmas Vacation yesterday, I knew I couldn't go through the holiday season without at least one offering of songs. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, whatever trips your trigger. Remember, this isn't your parents' Christmas music. Or is it?

If you'd like to enjoy last year again, here's Christmas 2006.

(A quick note about "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch." It was recorded by Thurl Ravenscroft, better known to many as the voice of Kellogg's Corn Flakes icon Tony the Tiger. The late Ravenscroft was also an active member of The Johnny Mann Singers.)