WHAT’S BEHIND THE MUSIC – FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO GOT THE 2008 CHRISTMAS CD
(For those of you who didn’t, but want it, send me an e-mail at johnyoungren@mac.com)
By JOHN YOUNGREN
I used to do all this stuff in the CD’s packaging. I used to try to keep the songs a “secret” and explain their mystery meanings within the packet. But it’s been 16 years and a lot of people are not attuned to that part of the whole thing. Which is fine.
SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! (Bail now if you don't want to hear more about the songs themselves at this point.)
But there are many who have been on this list (and keep receiving them, or have started receiving them) for years. So I owe it to you folks to try to give you some idea (in most case, no deep meaning) of why I was mixing the songs that I did on this year’s John Youngren’s Christmas 2008 CD. Sometimes, the reasons are just musical or whimsical. Sometimes, one sound leads to another. Sometimes, they “mean” something. In this case:
1. “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” by Faith Hill. For the past five or six years, I’ve led off the “Christmas” CD with an actual “Christmas” song. This year, Faith made the grade – mostly because she recorded a new Christmas CD and is my ritual to watch every Sunday at 6:15 p.m., when NBC’s “Football Night In America” becomes NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.” Faith in those jeans and those boots? She’s my girl. (Don’t tell Tim. Though I’m sure he’d feel secure.)
2. “(Just Like) Starting Over” by John Lennon. I became obsessed with using this song when I read the new biography of Lennon by Phillip Norman. The “starting” theme worked for both the mix CD and the New Year ahead, which is often what I’m thinking of when I do these Christmas mixes. I like the chimes that start it off. And I wanted Lennon – chosen by 4 of 6 text messagers (with no context) I contacted in a random poll of whether I should “lead off” (after the obligatory Christmas song) the 2008 Christmas CD with either “(Just Like) Starting Over” or the Beatles’ “Come Together.” Either would have worked. The fans spoke.
3. “Honky Tonk Woman” by the Rolling Stones. Nothing more than a good riff, and the sound of the cowbell working to lead off the song right after the Lennon masterpiece. Palmer P. makes it come together, so to speak.
4. “Second Hand News” by Fleetwood Mac. One of my favorite songs of all time, and one of the great “mix” songs of all time – this is one I have used on a number of previous personal CD mixes (but never Christmas!) because of its bounce and viability. Just a good, energetic song to inject into the front of any mix. That’s why it leads off “Rumors,” which is one of the most popular albums of all time.
5. “All Summer Long” by Kid Rock. Never a question. This one is batting clean-up (if you skip past the Christmas song at No. 1) on the disc, mainly because it’s such a Youngren Mix song – encompassing rock, roll, country, classic and feel-good lyrics and themes all at once. This is Mellencamp, Springsteen, Chesney and McCartney rolled into one. This one is the 2008 franchise.
6. “Won’t Go Home Without You” by Maroon 5. I chose this song after seeing the group perform on “Regis & Kelly” a number of months ago. Great song, great performance … pop leads to country.
7. “You Can’t Do That” by The Beatles. I love Beatles songs from this era, and use one nearly every year. This is classic “I’m A Loser”-style Beatles, and a great sing-along I heard at a Columbus Day (Italian League) dinner this year. Had to be in there, following the old “Youngren Christmas Mix” rules. Plus, a song I love and one that could transition the disc into country. Which is where we go now…
8. “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” by Darius Rucker. Well, for three or four years nine or 10 years ago, I had Darius Rucker (with his day band, Hootie & The Blowfish) on the Christmas mix nearly every year. Now that’s he’s recorded new music in the country vein, how could I not include him? Plus, he looks like me. Plus, it’s a cool song. And it doesn’t really count as country, critics, because it’s Hootie. Get it?
9. “I Do” by Jewel. I can’t remember the last time I became so attracted to a singer since Jewel went country. She’s such a sassy hot chick in her videos and performances, and she did this song at the “CMA Music Festival” and on Jimmy Kimmel and I went nuts. So, God. So hot in those boots and little dresses. And this song rocks better live than on disc.
10. “Johnny & June” by Heidi Newfield. Heidi’s long been a country favorite – and at the risk of falling for yet another cute country blonde (see above, and below), I included this one simply for its scope and lyrics. “I want to love like Johnny and June.” Well, who the hell wouldn’t? If you don’t get it, go see “Walk The Line.” And keep an eye on Heidi. She used to be with Trick Pony. And she’s been on Youngren Christmas mixes before.
11. “Gone, Gone, Gone (Been Gone So Long)” by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Great song with a fun shuffle. Threw it on a personal mix or two earlier this year but needed to use it on The Franchise Christmas mix. Also liked it in honor of my Dad – who met Alison Krauss and liked her.
12. “Just Got Started Loving You” by James Otto. The most quintessential “country” song of this year’s mix, this one came about because Otto is pals with Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson (two of my “Music Mafia” favorites, none of which appear on the disc this year) and had a good straightforward, memorable song. Nothing more here.
13. “All-American Girl” by Carrie Underwood. I loved this song and video. I felt like I discovered it. I love me a little Carrie. I saw Carrie in concert in Salt Lake City a few weeks ago. With the exception of “All Summer Long,” this song was the most sure thing on this mix. And when I settled on the Presidential Theme that permeates the cover and liner notes, I knew this was locked.
14. “Come On Over” by Jessica Simpson. Well, I’ll just admit: One guilty pleasure. Did you see her in those boots and shorts in this video? Did you? Then stop asking.
15. “Love Story” by Taylor Swift. This was the most controversial song on the CD – and in the end, it aced out The Killers and Coldplay. So I’m sorry, fans of each. I think it’s a really clever song, built on a great conceit by a talented songwriter. Would I have put it on previous discs? My sister insisted “yes” – and talked me into not pandering to the Killers/Coldplay crowd. Me, 43-year-old John, is listening to 18-year-old Taylor? Well, yes. And that’s what the CD has supposedly been all about. Maybe sad. But I'm OK.
16. “Ride My See-Saw” by The Moody Blues. Just a song that’s been bouncing around my head (and potential mix lists) for years. Like "Second Hand News." Great sound, great start, great way to transition back into the pop sounds from the last several country tunes. And we do go country – notice – for the rest of the disc.
17. “Baby Come Back” by Player. I’ve kind of touched on this in the past few years – there was “She’s A Rainbow” by the Rolling Stones (used by Apple a few years ago) and last year’s “Rock Me Gently” (used in that commercial for I think Jeep where the bird flies through the sunroof and is swallowed by the coyote as they all sing like idiots). This year, I was highly amused by the commercials for the duster thing that allows you to replace your mop and broom. And that was “Baby Come Back.” Clever ad campaign. Leads to a Christmas mix. What can I say? It's what I do. For a living.
18. “Just The Same Way” by Journey. I knew I had to do Journey again – it’s in my wheelhouse, and a few of the 20-something kids I know love the Journey the way I loved The Beatles. So, what to do? I’ve used most of the hits. But “Just The Same Way” (while absolutely a hit) is a little off the beaten path; the “Fool On The Hill” (Beatles reference) of the Journey oeuvre. So, enjoy, Dom and Babe.
19. “Slide” by The Goo Goo Dolls. No deep meaning. Just a Goos song I always have liked and found – to my surprise – that I hadn’t used on an official Christmas mix before. So, there you go.
20. “The Kids Are Alright” by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs. I’ve used this duo and their covers of favorite songs for three years straight now – and why should this year be different? I’ve always loved The Who original; I’ve always loved Matthew Sweet (just ask TC or Kate M) and I’ve loved Susanna Hoffs since “Walk Like An Egyptian.” In this form, it’s pure pop and a great late-mix song.
21. “Home” by Daughtry. This is a modern-day classic, and the second “American Idol” on the disc. Why? Just always liked the song – and it feels like the big “tah-dah!” false ending I was looking for. This would be the Sinatra song in the Christmas mix of a few years ago – is it over yet? No.
22. “Long Trip Alone” by Dierks Bentley. I go back for country one last time, but this is more about the song than the genre. I’m not the president of Dierks Bentley’s fan club, or anything, but I do like his music quite a bit and I loved the “it’s a long trip alone” lyric in this song, which I think is the kind of “life goes on” message I always like to end the Christmas mix on. See “Bitter End” by Dixie Chicks last year. Same thing.
That’s it, fans! Hope you enjoyed the insight. It’s like the audio commentary on a DVD.
For the rest of the gang, see you later. Happy New Year, everyone!
# # #
ON THE DOT: Now back in business (with a modified rating system) the “John Youngren Dot Com” blog (once known as “Pop Stew”) should be updated regularly. And remember, as always, this is just an exhibition; it is not a competition – so please, no wagering. To contact John, e-mail johnyoungren@mac.com
Friday, December 12, 2008
FACE DANCES TONIGHT – THE ODD FACEBOOK PHENOMENON
By JOHN YOUNGREN
So, what are you doing – RIGHT NOW?
And, while we’re at it, I have 213 Facebook friends. How many do you have?
I’m 43 years old and have long since passed the point when I should say, be worried about me and who likes me. Certainly, I shouldn’t care how many friends I have.
But this Facebook stuff? I can’t get enough – literally.
I check it like 37 times a day. I check it for status updates and new notifications and new friends requests and new causes. I check it because sometimes I’m just sitting there at my computer, anyway, waiting for a phone call or an e-mail from some client or co-worker and what else am I supposed to do? I check it again.
I tell people I got into Facebook because of my job – because “a bunch of the kids” at my office were doing it and convinced me to do the same a year or so ago. I tell people I got into it because I work in advertising and public relations and we need to know what’s going on in this social networking world. I tell people it’s not that I’m into it – but it’s just a way of communication with many people at once. I tell people all these things, but I know: At first, I tried MySpace, which I still maintain, but a couple of the college kids interning for me told me that it was a non-starter. They were the first to point me to Facebook, and now nearly everyone I know is there or experimenting with it and I watch with amazement.
Here’s what’s cool about Facebook: Reconnecting with friends, both young and old, whom you may or may not have spoken to in a decade. Everyone’s aged, everyone’s scattered, but now we have the central kind of town hall where we can come together and reconnect, whether it’s been a day, a month or a decade ago.
Here’s what’s weird about Facebook: Connecting with people in your current life who happen to be part of your Facebook “what’s my status?” orbit. I see a colleague on Monday and I know that they were “Drunk and partying!” all weekend. I catch up with a friend personally, but am well aware that they’re feeling “Hungover, Dude!” at Monday’s dawn. It’s like being in a parallel universe. I am somewhat aware of how you feel and what you want, but you haven’t told me these things directly – but oh, yes, I was aware of your status updates over the past 48 hours.
“Hi, Facebook friend,” is what I say when I see a “live” person in which I’m having a “Facebook relationship.”
Since I started Facebooking, I’ve launched three groups – one for my high school graduating class, one for my current place of employment and one for Spuds MacKenzie Fans, because I thought such a group needed to exist. But, really? I can see why my high school and office crews might want to stay in touch, but the partying Bud Light dog of the mid-80s? I’ll even admit it: I started this group because I could.
So, what else? I’ve connected with ex-girlfriends, bosses, clients, enemies and frenemies. I count local celebrities in my group. I stare everyday at the “what are you doing now?” box and try to come up with something pithy, something borrowed, something blue. It’s like doing a one-joke stand-up routine in front of, in my case, 213 friends, some of whom may or may not connect with my comments enough to offer approval, applause and/or ascension.
The strangest thing that can happen is running into someone who is following your Facebook profile and updates and chooses to confront you about it off-line, as in, “I saw you didn’t get lunch today,’ or, “What happened after that meeting didn't go so well?”
Facebook is, undoubtedly, a 2008 phenomenon. My guess is, it will only continue to grow. And, in an original draft of this little essay, I tried to become all ponderous and make up some bogus philosophy about the parallel universe that is Facebook. But then I became distracted. Because I'm up to 223 friends (I realize -- it's not a competition, just an exhibition.)
But still, what do you think about that?
# # #
ON THE DOT: Now back in business (with a modified rating system) the “John Youngren Dot Com” blog (once known as “Pop Stew”) should be updated regularly. And remember, as always, this is just an exhibition; it is not a competition – so please, no wagering. To contact John, e-mail johnyoungren@mac.com
By JOHN YOUNGREN
So, what are you doing – RIGHT NOW?
And, while we’re at it, I have 213 Facebook friends. How many do you have?
I’m 43 years old and have long since passed the point when I should say, be worried about me and who likes me. Certainly, I shouldn’t care how many friends I have.
But this Facebook stuff? I can’t get enough – literally.
I check it like 37 times a day. I check it for status updates and new notifications and new friends requests and new causes. I check it because sometimes I’m just sitting there at my computer, anyway, waiting for a phone call or an e-mail from some client or co-worker and what else am I supposed to do? I check it again.
I tell people I got into Facebook because of my job – because “a bunch of the kids” at my office were doing it and convinced me to do the same a year or so ago. I tell people I got into it because I work in advertising and public relations and we need to know what’s going on in this social networking world. I tell people it’s not that I’m into it – but it’s just a way of communication with many people at once. I tell people all these things, but I know: At first, I tried MySpace, which I still maintain, but a couple of the college kids interning for me told me that it was a non-starter. They were the first to point me to Facebook, and now nearly everyone I know is there or experimenting with it and I watch with amazement.
Here’s what’s cool about Facebook: Reconnecting with friends, both young and old, whom you may or may not have spoken to in a decade. Everyone’s aged, everyone’s scattered, but now we have the central kind of town hall where we can come together and reconnect, whether it’s been a day, a month or a decade ago.
Here’s what’s weird about Facebook: Connecting with people in your current life who happen to be part of your Facebook “what’s my status?” orbit. I see a colleague on Monday and I know that they were “Drunk and partying!” all weekend. I catch up with a friend personally, but am well aware that they’re feeling “Hungover, Dude!” at Monday’s dawn. It’s like being in a parallel universe. I am somewhat aware of how you feel and what you want, but you haven’t told me these things directly – but oh, yes, I was aware of your status updates over the past 48 hours.
“Hi, Facebook friend,” is what I say when I see a “live” person in which I’m having a “Facebook relationship.”
Since I started Facebooking, I’ve launched three groups – one for my high school graduating class, one for my current place of employment and one for Spuds MacKenzie Fans, because I thought such a group needed to exist. But, really? I can see why my high school and office crews might want to stay in touch, but the partying Bud Light dog of the mid-80s? I’ll even admit it: I started this group because I could.
So, what else? I’ve connected with ex-girlfriends, bosses, clients, enemies and frenemies. I count local celebrities in my group. I stare everyday at the “what are you doing now?” box and try to come up with something pithy, something borrowed, something blue. It’s like doing a one-joke stand-up routine in front of, in my case, 213 friends, some of whom may or may not connect with my comments enough to offer approval, applause and/or ascension.
The strangest thing that can happen is running into someone who is following your Facebook profile and updates and chooses to confront you about it off-line, as in, “I saw you didn’t get lunch today,’ or, “What happened after that meeting didn't go so well?”
Facebook is, undoubtedly, a 2008 phenomenon. My guess is, it will only continue to grow. And, in an original draft of this little essay, I tried to become all ponderous and make up some bogus philosophy about the parallel universe that is Facebook. But then I became distracted. Because I'm up to 223 friends (I realize -- it's not a competition, just an exhibition.)
But still, what do you think about that?
# # #
ON THE DOT: Now back in business (with a modified rating system) the “John Youngren Dot Com” blog (once known as “Pop Stew”) should be updated regularly. And remember, as always, this is just an exhibition; it is not a competition – so please, no wagering. To contact John, e-mail johnyoungren@mac.com
Monday, December 01, 2008
BACK TO THE FUTURE FOR SPUDS MACKENZIE: A DISPATCH FROM A SIMPLER TIME
By JOHN YOUNGREN
Author’s Note: As part of my research on all things Spuds, I went back and found a column I wrote more than 20 years ago – April 21, 1987, to be precise – for the Daily Utah Chronicle, the campus paper at the University of Utah. This was at the height of Spuds’ popularity, and my obsession with him. (I always thought Spuds was a brilliant advertising idea, and henceforth have tried to work fun animals into my clients’ campaigns whenever given the chance.)
A few things spring to mind re-reading the column two decades later: One, it was long – about 1,000 words – which I was producing three or four days a week. It’s too long. You can tell I’m straining to overwork some of these transitions and examples, and I milk every bit out of the interview I do get to lengthen it up. I was heavily influenced by the Bob Greene (longtime Chicago newspaper columnist who also used to write for Esquire) “slice-of-life” style, which was reflected in a lot of my work at the time.
Second, as a fellow PR practitioner myself now in a later life, I stand humbled and amazed at the conceit of Mr. Stolberg staying “in character” throughout the interview. Though he was being interviewed constantly about Spuds MacKenzie, he certainly has his answers down pat, and all of them are clever and amusing.
Finally, it’s amazing to think about doing something like this in the pre-Internet age. I couldn’t just Google Spuds and see what came up – in those days, it was hit-and-miss calls to big corporate switchboards and explaining myself time and again to receptionists and assistants. All these years later, I’m still stunned I got someone like Mr. Stolberg to call me back; these experiences were true brushes with greatness (especially considering he had 38 other media types to respond to) for this kid while in college.
That leads to one last point: The Bangles reference aside, could you imagine Spuds today? The Internet would be his primary vehicle; there’d be Spuds fan clubs and blogs and viral videos and it’d all exist in this virtual world. The campaign would be much bigger these days, I’d bet. And not as quick to burn out. Ah, but it was a simpler day.
For now, as originally headlined (and without anything corrected):
Every Day Is A Party With This Potato
Sure, it’s not the most earth-shattering news I’ve ever delivered. It’s not keeping me up all night. It may not even be true. In fact, what I’m going to describe in the space below isn’t likely to really startle anyone else, either.
Nevertheless, the news I had did get the following responses Monday:
“That just takes all the macho fun out of drinking beer,” said one person.
“I want to see him without his T-shirt now,” said another.
“I think it will disappoint girls the most, but other than that – no problem,” said one U. student.
“I think his sexual preferences are his own business,” said another.
The Question: What’s got everyone so worked up? Why have we just heard references to sex, liquor and nudity?
The Answer, Part I: Do you know Spuds MacKenzie? He’s the “Original Party Animal” from the Bud Light beer commercials. He’s made his fame and fortune as a stud who knows how to party; as an animal who’s made a name pourin’ down Bud with bikini-clad babes.
The Answer, Part II: He’s a she.
The Qualifier: We think.
HOT POTATO
Spuds is featured prominently in a full-page advertisement in the May 7 issue of Rolling Stone magazine.
The ad is truly representative of Spuds’ image. “Spuds knows there’s no better way to party than with an ice cold Bud Light,” it reads. “So get up. Get down. Get funky. And party right with Bud Light.”
In the ad, Spuds is surrounded by a variety of colorful streamers and balloons. In front of him there’s a big, foamy glass of Bud Light beer; to one side is an empty bottle of Bud Light. He’s wearing – in addition to his multi-colored party hat and his black patch over one eye – a dark green sweatshirt with the Greek letters Delta Omicron Gamma on the front. That says it all: DOG.
Spuds has been too hot to leash ever since his first national television appearance nearly three months ago, when he appeared on a Bud Light commercial during the Denver Broncos-New York Giants Super Bowl. In the time since, Spuds has been on television shows around the country; has recorded five different TV commercials; has appeared in numerous national magazines and has written an autobiography “in his own words.”
But, most recently, Spuds’ image has been tarnished somewhat. Several of those supermarket tabloids have revealed that (according to sources who “know”) Spuds, the beer-drinkin’, babe-lovin’ stud, is really female. No macho fellow here.
DEAR SIR OR MADAM
So I stopped quizzing people around the U. and went directly to someone who might actually know. I posed my question to a man named Bill Stolberg in St. Louis, Mo. Bill works for a public relations firm that handles the Bud Light account. In other words, he’s a Spuds spokesman.
“Spuds really just lets me hang out with him,” Stolberg says. “I take some of his calls for him. He’s in Hollywood doing a photo shoot today.”
Stolberg has heard my is-he-or-isn’t-she question before. “Some of the tabloids printed that a while ago,” he said. “But Spuds is cool about it. He figures when somebody rises to stardom, people are always going to take pot shots. He says, ‘don’t worry about it – that’s cool’.”
Stolberg said it hasn’t come up beyond that. “I’ve never asked (Spuds) any more about it,” he says. “I’d be embarrassed to, if you want to know the truth. Do you ask people you know what gender they are?”
Good point.
“Spuds MacKenzie,” he said. “The individual that transcends gender.”
Stolberg said there’s a lot about Spuds that remains a mystery. “He’s real private about a lot of stuff,” he said.
Stolberg did know that Spuds began his career with Budweiser about three years ago, when he was hired as a – wait for it – Senior Party Consultant for Bud Light beer. In the beginning, his television spots ran only regionally – in California, and later Texas. While his print advertisements were more widespread, it wasn’t until after this year’s Super Bowl that, in Stolberg’s words, “all hell broke loose.”
“He’s on fire, there’s no doubt about that,” says Stolberg of Spuds. “He’s got his own line of clothes; he’s producing a couple of oldies albums. He’s always a big hit.”
So big, in fact, that Stolberg said he had 39 phone messages from media types looking for the word on Spuds last Friday alone. The Animal’s fan mail comes in “by the bundles,” and he’s constantly being invited to parties across the country, many times for homecoming or graduation events. “Everybody wants him,” says Stolberg.
Including the Bangles. The all-female rock band invited Spuds to a party in Los Angeles the night before the Grammy Awards. “It was fantastic,” says Stolberg, who accompanied Spuds on the trip. “We had Spuds and the Spudettes there. And we got to ride in a big limo and meet the rock stars and celebrities. Spuds is a unique individual. He’s a partyin’ dude.”
Or “dudette,” as the case may be. But I guess that’s an answer we may never have.
HIDDEN IDENTITY
There are other questions surrounding Spuds, but Stolberg didn’t have many answers. He didn’t know how old the Animal really is, for example. “I would guess he’s in his late 20s or early 30s,” Stolberg surmises.
Spuds has an answer for such age questions, by the way: “Fun knows no age,” he says. “But it does have a legal minimum.”
Much of the information regarding Spuds’ personal life is that which Stolberg has discerned over the long haul. “He speaks his own language,” Stolberg said. “It’s a language understood only by other party animals. One shake of an eyebrow might be good for 200 English words.”
These days, one of Spuds’ other worries centers on some of the more provocative offers he gets from around the country. Stolberg had a letter on his desk Monday from Miami, Fla., where a family sent some “cheesecake pictures of their English Bull Terrier Sara, whom they thought Spuds might be interested in.”
Which leads us, then, to a final point. What kind of dog is Spuds, exactly?
“We don’t say that ‘D-word’ around here,” Stolberg says. “Spuds is an Original Party Animal, that’s all. But he was asked once what he would be if he couldn’t be an Original Party Animal, and he said he would want to be an English Bull Terrier.”
Of course. Need we say more?
Except for maybe, as Spuds would, “Party often – but party cool.”
# # #
ON THE DOT: Now back in business (with a modified rating system) the “John Youngren Dot Com” blog (once known as “Pop Stew”) should be updated regularly. And remember, as always, this is just an exhibition; it is not a competition – so please, no wagering. To contact John, e-mail johnyoungren@mac.com
By JOHN YOUNGREN
Author’s Note: As part of my research on all things Spuds, I went back and found a column I wrote more than 20 years ago – April 21, 1987, to be precise – for the Daily Utah Chronicle, the campus paper at the University of Utah. This was at the height of Spuds’ popularity, and my obsession with him. (I always thought Spuds was a brilliant advertising idea, and henceforth have tried to work fun animals into my clients’ campaigns whenever given the chance.)
A few things spring to mind re-reading the column two decades later: One, it was long – about 1,000 words – which I was producing three or four days a week. It’s too long. You can tell I’m straining to overwork some of these transitions and examples, and I milk every bit out of the interview I do get to lengthen it up. I was heavily influenced by the Bob Greene (longtime Chicago newspaper columnist who also used to write for Esquire) “slice-of-life” style, which was reflected in a lot of my work at the time.
Second, as a fellow PR practitioner myself now in a later life, I stand humbled and amazed at the conceit of Mr. Stolberg staying “in character” throughout the interview. Though he was being interviewed constantly about Spuds MacKenzie, he certainly has his answers down pat, and all of them are clever and amusing.
Finally, it’s amazing to think about doing something like this in the pre-Internet age. I couldn’t just Google Spuds and see what came up – in those days, it was hit-and-miss calls to big corporate switchboards and explaining myself time and again to receptionists and assistants. All these years later, I’m still stunned I got someone like Mr. Stolberg to call me back; these experiences were true brushes with greatness (especially considering he had 38 other media types to respond to) for this kid while in college.
That leads to one last point: The Bangles reference aside, could you imagine Spuds today? The Internet would be his primary vehicle; there’d be Spuds fan clubs and blogs and viral videos and it’d all exist in this virtual world. The campaign would be much bigger these days, I’d bet. And not as quick to burn out. Ah, but it was a simpler day.
For now, as originally headlined (and without anything corrected):
Every Day Is A Party With This Potato
Sure, it’s not the most earth-shattering news I’ve ever delivered. It’s not keeping me up all night. It may not even be true. In fact, what I’m going to describe in the space below isn’t likely to really startle anyone else, either.
Nevertheless, the news I had did get the following responses Monday:
“That just takes all the macho fun out of drinking beer,” said one person.
“I want to see him without his T-shirt now,” said another.
“I think it will disappoint girls the most, but other than that – no problem,” said one U. student.
“I think his sexual preferences are his own business,” said another.
The Question: What’s got everyone so worked up? Why have we just heard references to sex, liquor and nudity?
The Answer, Part I: Do you know Spuds MacKenzie? He’s the “Original Party Animal” from the Bud Light beer commercials. He’s made his fame and fortune as a stud who knows how to party; as an animal who’s made a name pourin’ down Bud with bikini-clad babes.
The Answer, Part II: He’s a she.
The Qualifier: We think.
HOT POTATO
Spuds is featured prominently in a full-page advertisement in the May 7 issue of Rolling Stone magazine.
The ad is truly representative of Spuds’ image. “Spuds knows there’s no better way to party than with an ice cold Bud Light,” it reads. “So get up. Get down. Get funky. And party right with Bud Light.”
In the ad, Spuds is surrounded by a variety of colorful streamers and balloons. In front of him there’s a big, foamy glass of Bud Light beer; to one side is an empty bottle of Bud Light. He’s wearing – in addition to his multi-colored party hat and his black patch over one eye – a dark green sweatshirt with the Greek letters Delta Omicron Gamma on the front. That says it all: DOG.
Spuds has been too hot to leash ever since his first national television appearance nearly three months ago, when he appeared on a Bud Light commercial during the Denver Broncos-New York Giants Super Bowl. In the time since, Spuds has been on television shows around the country; has recorded five different TV commercials; has appeared in numerous national magazines and has written an autobiography “in his own words.”
But, most recently, Spuds’ image has been tarnished somewhat. Several of those supermarket tabloids have revealed that (according to sources who “know”) Spuds, the beer-drinkin’, babe-lovin’ stud, is really female. No macho fellow here.
DEAR SIR OR MADAM
So I stopped quizzing people around the U. and went directly to someone who might actually know. I posed my question to a man named Bill Stolberg in St. Louis, Mo. Bill works for a public relations firm that handles the Bud Light account. In other words, he’s a Spuds spokesman.
“Spuds really just lets me hang out with him,” Stolberg says. “I take some of his calls for him. He’s in Hollywood doing a photo shoot today.”
Stolberg has heard my is-he-or-isn’t-she question before. “Some of the tabloids printed that a while ago,” he said. “But Spuds is cool about it. He figures when somebody rises to stardom, people are always going to take pot shots. He says, ‘don’t worry about it – that’s cool’.”
Stolberg said it hasn’t come up beyond that. “I’ve never asked (Spuds) any more about it,” he says. “I’d be embarrassed to, if you want to know the truth. Do you ask people you know what gender they are?”
Good point.
“Spuds MacKenzie,” he said. “The individual that transcends gender.”
Stolberg said there’s a lot about Spuds that remains a mystery. “He’s real private about a lot of stuff,” he said.
Stolberg did know that Spuds began his career with Budweiser about three years ago, when he was hired as a – wait for it – Senior Party Consultant for Bud Light beer. In the beginning, his television spots ran only regionally – in California, and later Texas. While his print advertisements were more widespread, it wasn’t until after this year’s Super Bowl that, in Stolberg’s words, “all hell broke loose.”
“He’s on fire, there’s no doubt about that,” says Stolberg of Spuds. “He’s got his own line of clothes; he’s producing a couple of oldies albums. He’s always a big hit.”
So big, in fact, that Stolberg said he had 39 phone messages from media types looking for the word on Spuds last Friday alone. The Animal’s fan mail comes in “by the bundles,” and he’s constantly being invited to parties across the country, many times for homecoming or graduation events. “Everybody wants him,” says Stolberg.
Including the Bangles. The all-female rock band invited Spuds to a party in Los Angeles the night before the Grammy Awards. “It was fantastic,” says Stolberg, who accompanied Spuds on the trip. “We had Spuds and the Spudettes there. And we got to ride in a big limo and meet the rock stars and celebrities. Spuds is a unique individual. He’s a partyin’ dude.”
Or “dudette,” as the case may be. But I guess that’s an answer we may never have.
HIDDEN IDENTITY
There are other questions surrounding Spuds, but Stolberg didn’t have many answers. He didn’t know how old the Animal really is, for example. “I would guess he’s in his late 20s or early 30s,” Stolberg surmises.
Spuds has an answer for such age questions, by the way: “Fun knows no age,” he says. “But it does have a legal minimum.”
Much of the information regarding Spuds’ personal life is that which Stolberg has discerned over the long haul. “He speaks his own language,” Stolberg said. “It’s a language understood only by other party animals. One shake of an eyebrow might be good for 200 English words.”
These days, one of Spuds’ other worries centers on some of the more provocative offers he gets from around the country. Stolberg had a letter on his desk Monday from Miami, Fla., where a family sent some “cheesecake pictures of their English Bull Terrier Sara, whom they thought Spuds might be interested in.”
Which leads us, then, to a final point. What kind of dog is Spuds, exactly?
“We don’t say that ‘D-word’ around here,” Stolberg says. “Spuds is an Original Party Animal, that’s all. But he was asked once what he would be if he couldn’t be an Original Party Animal, and he said he would want to be an English Bull Terrier.”
Of course. Need we say more?
Except for maybe, as Spuds would, “Party often – but party cool.”
# # #
ON THE DOT: Now back in business (with a modified rating system) the “John Youngren Dot Com” blog (once known as “Pop Stew”) should be updated regularly. And remember, as always, this is just an exhibition; it is not a competition – so please, no wagering. To contact John, e-mail johnyoungren@mac.com
Friday, October 31, 2008
LET’S GET SERIOUS: ALL THIS EARLY VOTING MAY LEAD TO MISCOUNTS
By JOHN YOUNGREN
SALT LAKE CITY—OK, OK, OK, so I get it.
And tonight I voted, too.
What the hell is it with this “Early Voting” bullshit this year? A friend of mine said it: “Do early votes count twice, or something?”
Serious question. Do they?
I haven’t understood for the last 2-3 weeks, even as nearly anyone I work with or anyone I know has come in with the proverbial “I Voted” stickers on their breasts. Or breast. Or, what the hell? When did this become all the rage?
In Utah, apparently, they came up with this new law in 2006 that said people could vote early. I didn’t pay any attention to it at the time, so I was somewhat caught off-guard this year. Nevertheless, I’m convinced it still wouldn’t have mattered that much if not for the phenom (phenomenon) that is Barack Obama, and a Democratic Party that told people to start voting early (and often; hey I’ll be here all week – tip your waitresses). Why? So as not to run into any of those “disenfranchising” problems that have happened in years past (propagated by the fucking Republican Party, of which, I believe, nearly anything is possible since its out-and-out highway robbery of the 2000 Election, but don’t get me started).
So, if you’re worried they’re not going to take your I.D. or they’re going to question your middle initial or they’re going to turn you away for some other vacuous reason? Vote early. Fuck them. If they say “no,” you can always go back and get some help or even an attorney and have time to do it before they turn out the lights in Florida. (Never mind the fact that after doing this for a few years, if someone at my polling location was questioning my ability to vote I would tell them “fuck you” and call the news media even if it was Election Day. We sheep are just lucky to get the chance to vote, you "masters of the country," so we won’t make much in the way of trouble unless we’re given a day or so to do so.)
But whatever, “Early Voting” has become all the rage – and it dips into your consciousness, whether or not you believe everyone should start eating turkey and cranberry sauce 10 days before Thanksgiving. Don’t be disenfranchised. Don’t be misled. Don’t be turned away. Don’t be miscounted. Screw Election Day. Vote now. Before they get you.
It gets in your head. Even after spending the past three weeks telling everyone I know I had no intention of voting before the official – and one and only – Election Day, I began to worry about 10 days ago that maybe everyone else had a point, and I was wrong. So I tried to go “early vote” at the University of Utah a few days ago, only to be turned away because it wasn’t 12 noon yet (which was when voting began).
And then, traditions and customs be damned (and I know something about customs, because I just watched that HBO mini-series about John Adams with Paul Giamati as the star on DVD), I went up again, tonight, at around 4:50 (voting supposedly closed at 5) to the U of U’s Union Building. There I stood, in a long line for about an hour – with old guys and young women (and more young women; I’ve got to get back on campus more often) and weird dudes and nerdy people. And we were all waiting to vote.
The line wrapped up the stairs of the Union Building and all through where the vending machines and bowling alley used to be, back in the day. It went way down the hall, where all of us stood in line like they used to gang up for “Star Wars IV” on opening night at the movies.
Everyone was pretty good-spirited, despite the fact that it was a Friday and it was Halloween and it was after 5 p.m. and it was – what? – four days until Election Day, which implicitly means we would have another chance to vote on what, the actual Election Day?
No matter. We shared pens and sodas and let each other get in and out of line to buy snacks or use the ATM and smiled and good naturedly nodded about our common plight in life: We are “Early Voters.” We like each other. We will support one another. We are all here a week before it matters to vote for the black guy that we all like so as not to be disenfranchised or taken for granted. And the fact that we’re all so scared we may be disenfranchised or taken for granted may be the most frightening aspect of all.
And that’s my last point, despite the fact that when it came down to it, I went along too. If you’ve ever read a book about Florida during that incredible Gore-Bush 2000 decision (and I’ve read a book or two about it), then you know that no matter how incredibly low or cheating you can believe the Republicans could have been in 2000, chances are they went lower or cheated more. I mean it. If you’re one of those people (like me) who always gives the benefit of the doubt and basically thinks people are going to do the right thing, you’re screwed. In 2000, in Florida, the fucking Republicans didn’t do anything that would be considered “right,” other than they were “right” in terms of their strategy for fucking over Democrats, especially Al Gore and his men – who were stunned by the audaciousness of the Republicans, too.
So I was thinking, if this is the case – and it jolly well could be, in Utah, the reddest of the red states – then we are fucked. Because the Republicans have us. They’ve got all of us little stargazing Bambi-eyed Democrats running out early to vote (“Because that’s what we do! Come on! You love Obama, don't you? So do I!”) and get all excited about Obama. And then come Election Day, they’ll say, “you know what? We can’t find any of those Early Votes. And they don’t count. And you voted out of your district? Should have just voted on Election Day.”
Republicans are funny, come Election Day. I can believe they won’t count my vote. Especially in Utah. In fucking Utah? Come on. They don’t count my vote here, anyway.
But it’s all moot now. We’ll see what happens, brothers and sisters. For today, I broke the stance and voted early. Early Voting. And now I’m with you, one way or another, if for whatever reason our votes are taken for those of fools. Or early birds.
I guess for a change I got the worm.
I just hope I don’t get screwed.
# # #
ON THE DOT: Now back in business (with a modified rating system) the “John Youngren Dot Com” blog (once known as “Pop Stew”) should be updated regularly. And remember, as always, this is just an exhibition; it is not a competition – so please, no wagering. To contact John, e-mail johnyoungren@mac.com
By JOHN YOUNGREN
SALT LAKE CITY—OK, OK, OK, so I get it.
And tonight I voted, too.
What the hell is it with this “Early Voting” bullshit this year? A friend of mine said it: “Do early votes count twice, or something?”
Serious question. Do they?
I haven’t understood for the last 2-3 weeks, even as nearly anyone I work with or anyone I know has come in with the proverbial “I Voted” stickers on their breasts. Or breast. Or, what the hell? When did this become all the rage?
In Utah, apparently, they came up with this new law in 2006 that said people could vote early. I didn’t pay any attention to it at the time, so I was somewhat caught off-guard this year. Nevertheless, I’m convinced it still wouldn’t have mattered that much if not for the phenom (phenomenon) that is Barack Obama, and a Democratic Party that told people to start voting early (and often; hey I’ll be here all week – tip your waitresses). Why? So as not to run into any of those “disenfranchising” problems that have happened in years past (propagated by the fucking Republican Party, of which, I believe, nearly anything is possible since its out-and-out highway robbery of the 2000 Election, but don’t get me started).
So, if you’re worried they’re not going to take your I.D. or they’re going to question your middle initial or they’re going to turn you away for some other vacuous reason? Vote early. Fuck them. If they say “no,” you can always go back and get some help or even an attorney and have time to do it before they turn out the lights in Florida. (Never mind the fact that after doing this for a few years, if someone at my polling location was questioning my ability to vote I would tell them “fuck you” and call the news media even if it was Election Day. We sheep are just lucky to get the chance to vote, you "masters of the country," so we won’t make much in the way of trouble unless we’re given a day or so to do so.)
But whatever, “Early Voting” has become all the rage – and it dips into your consciousness, whether or not you believe everyone should start eating turkey and cranberry sauce 10 days before Thanksgiving. Don’t be disenfranchised. Don’t be misled. Don’t be turned away. Don’t be miscounted. Screw Election Day. Vote now. Before they get you.
It gets in your head. Even after spending the past three weeks telling everyone I know I had no intention of voting before the official – and one and only – Election Day, I began to worry about 10 days ago that maybe everyone else had a point, and I was wrong. So I tried to go “early vote” at the University of Utah a few days ago, only to be turned away because it wasn’t 12 noon yet (which was when voting began).
And then, traditions and customs be damned (and I know something about customs, because I just watched that HBO mini-series about John Adams with Paul Giamati as the star on DVD), I went up again, tonight, at around 4:50 (voting supposedly closed at 5) to the U of U’s Union Building. There I stood, in a long line for about an hour – with old guys and young women (and more young women; I’ve got to get back on campus more often) and weird dudes and nerdy people. And we were all waiting to vote.
The line wrapped up the stairs of the Union Building and all through where the vending machines and bowling alley used to be, back in the day. It went way down the hall, where all of us stood in line like they used to gang up for “Star Wars IV” on opening night at the movies.
Everyone was pretty good-spirited, despite the fact that it was a Friday and it was Halloween and it was after 5 p.m. and it was – what? – four days until Election Day, which implicitly means we would have another chance to vote on what, the actual Election Day?
No matter. We shared pens and sodas and let each other get in and out of line to buy snacks or use the ATM and smiled and good naturedly nodded about our common plight in life: We are “Early Voters.” We like each other. We will support one another. We are all here a week before it matters to vote for the black guy that we all like so as not to be disenfranchised or taken for granted. And the fact that we’re all so scared we may be disenfranchised or taken for granted may be the most frightening aspect of all.
And that’s my last point, despite the fact that when it came down to it, I went along too. If you’ve ever read a book about Florida during that incredible Gore-Bush 2000 decision (and I’ve read a book or two about it), then you know that no matter how incredibly low or cheating you can believe the Republicans could have been in 2000, chances are they went lower or cheated more. I mean it. If you’re one of those people (like me) who always gives the benefit of the doubt and basically thinks people are going to do the right thing, you’re screwed. In 2000, in Florida, the fucking Republicans didn’t do anything that would be considered “right,” other than they were “right” in terms of their strategy for fucking over Democrats, especially Al Gore and his men – who were stunned by the audaciousness of the Republicans, too.
So I was thinking, if this is the case – and it jolly well could be, in Utah, the reddest of the red states – then we are fucked. Because the Republicans have us. They’ve got all of us little stargazing Bambi-eyed Democrats running out early to vote (“Because that’s what we do! Come on! You love Obama, don't you? So do I!”) and get all excited about Obama. And then come Election Day, they’ll say, “you know what? We can’t find any of those Early Votes. And they don’t count. And you voted out of your district? Should have just voted on Election Day.”
Republicans are funny, come Election Day. I can believe they won’t count my vote. Especially in Utah. In fucking Utah? Come on. They don’t count my vote here, anyway.
But it’s all moot now. We’ll see what happens, brothers and sisters. For today, I broke the stance and voted early. Early Voting. And now I’m with you, one way or another, if for whatever reason our votes are taken for those of fools. Or early birds.
I guess for a change I got the worm.
I just hope I don’t get screwed.
# # #
ON THE DOT: Now back in business (with a modified rating system) the “John Youngren Dot Com” blog (once known as “Pop Stew”) should be updated regularly. And remember, as always, this is just an exhibition; it is not a competition – so please, no wagering. To contact John, e-mail johnyoungren@mac.com
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)