What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm going in a little different direction this week. There will still be music, but there's other stuff that needs to be addressed.

I love how Curt Schilling called out the twidiots (twitter idiots) after they started in on his daughter. I don't revel in anyone losing their job, but one of the most egregious offenders did. I can't say that he didn't deserve it. You can read Schilling's blog post here.

We all know how Ronda Rousey destroyed Cat Zingano in fourteen seconds in latest fight. This very well-written piece for ESPNw on Zingano was penned before the fight. Very compelling. Very heartbreaking. Very enlightening. If you like a good story and good writing, check it out.

I love that we do now live in a world of social media that calls people out on their ridiculous statements. Such was the case when Gary Overton, CEO of some big Nashville music label said the following. "If you're not on country radio, you don't exist." Imagine my disdain when I found out that most of the music I like and listen to does not exist. I felt duped. Google that phrase and Gary Overton and you will find many scathing comebacks. My favorite was from Texas/Red Dirt artist Aaron Watson who said in an interview with Saving Country Music, "My name is Aaron Watson. I'm not played on country radio. And I have the number one record in country music this week. I do exist."

Now on to some music.

The Black Star Riders are made up of some the original members of classic rock staples Thin Lizzy. They've been kicking around ever since the death of frontman and bassist Phil Lynott, playing shows of Thin Lizzy's classic music. When they decided to put out a record of new music, they didn't want to put it out under the Thin Lizzy moniker out of respect to the late Lynott. If you're a fan of Thin Lizzy, the Black Star Riders' latest release is great. Here's the title track, "The Killer Instinct".



The next song is a few years old, but it's worth sharing. This is Corey Smith with "Twenty One".

RIP Richard Durrett

The internet in general and social media specifically can be a very cruel place. It's very easy to hide in the anonymity it provides.

It also can be very uplifting. And tear-inducing. And poignant. And good.

Richard Durrett passed away today of a brain aneurysm. He's younger than I am. He leaves behind two young children and a wife.

I never knew Richard Durrett personally. He was a baseball writer, covering my Texas Rangers. All I knew about him was from his writing and appearances on radio. Until tonight.

Of course I follow many baseball writers and DFW sports people on twitter. With the news of Durrett's passing, there has been a flood of tweets about him. Not one negative word has been written. You wouldn't expect anything negative to be said so soon, but these were glowing remembrances of the man. Of the father. Of the colleague. Of the acquaintance.

Yes, there are times when I hate what social media does. Then there is tonight.

RIP, Richard Durrett. And prayers for those loved ones left behind.