January 20th is National DJ Day

 

Pilot of the Airwaves by Charlie Dore is the obvious song to feature on National DJ Day.  Sadly, radio personalities don't have the same impact today as they did years ago.  Many radio stations go jockless or voice-track the DJs. Almost all of the "Sweet Talking Guys" from WMCA, WABC, and WCBS-FM have passed away.

Cousin Bruce Morrow, at age 90, still does a show Saturday nights on WABC.

Thoughts about MLB on a Snowy Morning in January

• The salaries that are being offered to free agents are outrageous.  Kyle Tucker, who is certainly not a potential Hall of Famer, is getting $60 million/year while Bo Bichette will be getting $42 million/year.  Aron Judge who signed a 9-year contract, is getting a measly $40 million/year.  Maybe he should renegotiate.
• Many of these players have opt-out clauses so they can renegotiate after a good season.  However, if the player performs poorly, the team can't terminate the contract.
• If the owners insist on a salary cap, there will be a strike or lockout before the 2027 season.  Didn't everyone learn from the consequences of the 1994-95 lockout?  Tons of money will be lost.
• The Mets have given Bo Bichette $126 million, but did they try to match the offer the Orioles gave to Pete Alonso?
• With the acquisition of Bo Bichette, the Mets have too many infielders.  Will one of them be traded for a pitcher?
• Will the Mets' top prospects be ready to be effective major leaguers?
• I think if the Mets don't improve on last year's record, David Stearns should be fired.

 

Bob Weir Covers Dylan's When I Paint My Masterpiece

 

I think that when the Rough and Rowdy Ways tour resumes in the spring, Dylan will cover a Bob Weir song.

Dylan Covers Bob Weir's Only a River

 Bob Weir, a founding member of the Grateful Dead, passed away last week at age 78.  After the group disbanded in 1995, he performed as a solo artist and with former members of the group. Only a River by Bob Weir was written in collaboration with Josh Ritter and Josh Kaufman. The song is the first single from his third solo album, Blue Mountain.

Dylan performed Only a River on April 20, 2023, in Nagoya, Japan, as part of the Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour.

2026 Marks the 60th Anniversary of the Release of Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde Album

 

After all these years Just Like a Woman is my favorite track from the album.  I remember that since Blonde on Blonde was a double album, the cost was twice as much.  I worked in my father's store that hot July Saturday in 1966 and came home to buy it at Alexander's record department.

To celebrate the 60th Anniversary, the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa is holding a concert with several artists covering the songs on the album.  I wish they were doing this in NYC.

Too Many Fish in the Sea - Mitch Ryder - The Marvelettes

 

These versions are very different.

Happy 85th Birthday to Joan Baez

 

This was Joan's biggest hit as it reached #3 on the Billboard singles chart in 1971.  You can check out her website at http://www.joanbaez.com/.  May she stay forever young.

2025 at the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa

 

Steve Jenkins, the Director of the Bob Dylan Center, narrates this video that outlines the activities of the past year.  Lee and I visited in July 2022, which is already 3 1/2 years ago.  One of these days, we will have to make a return visit, as many artifacts in the museum have changed.

Every Day is Trivia Day for Me

 

I didn't realize it, but yesterday, January 4th, is designated National Trivia Day. It was founded in 1980 by Robert Birch of Pun Corps, the company that produced and released the family favorite Trivial Pursuit board game. 

On many Tuesdays, there is a trivia game at the Older Adult Center in Bayside.  Everyone attending has an equal chance of participating. It is not competitive, and everyone attending enjoys it.

I have watched Jeopardy on TV since its inception in 1964, when Art Fleming was the host. Every day, I play J6 found on Jeopardy.com. There is a version of Trivial Pursuit that is seen in NYC on PIX-11 hosted by Levar Burton.  Over the years, there have been numerous quiz shows that have come and gone.

Twice a day, I get trivia questions from TriviaToday.com.

I just can't get enough trivia.

Some Weird Facts About Shea Stadium

 

I found this video by accident while I was accessing YouTube.  I thought my readers who are Mets fans would be interested.  It is hard to believe that is 17 years since Shea Stadium was demolished.

Random Thoughts on New Year's Day 2026

 

• A Happy and Healthy New Year to all readers of Bruce's Journal.
• My first resolution for the new year is no more dating apps.  I just wasn't successful in meeting any women through my interactions with a few of them.  I say to limit matches to women within 25 miles, but I get people from hundreds of miles away.  Long-distance relationships rarely work out.  My attempts to return to dating have just created some anxiety for me.
• I am waiting to see what moves the Mets will make before spring training.  I was disappointed to see Alonso, Diaz, McNeil, and Nimmo leave.  Now, the roster will not be competitive, but there is still time for free agency signings and trades.