Hatch Show Print
The clean up hitter of the holiday batting order with out question is Christmas. With a bag full of unmistakable symbols such as the Christmas tree, festive and extremely flammable lighting strewn on houses and the mind numbing amount of Zales and Jarred commercials that begin to pollute your NFL Sunday’s in mid- December, one thing is for certain. Plain as day, the Rose Bowl of days of observance everyone instantly recognizes. 
Since opening in 1879, Nashville’s Hatch Show Print has carried the same kind of immediate acknowledgement. When you lay eyes on one of their old school letterpress show posters, not just in Nashville, in art and music culture around the country. You KNOW that it is a Hatch Show Print. Just like you know instinctively to stay the hell away from the holiday fruitcake. No doubt about it. 
Located amid the Music City souvenir shops that clutter the lower Broadway area resides this historic benchmark that offers a look back at many legendary performances and events around the country, specializing in country music. The colorful documentation coming by way of the traditional handmade, wood block meets paper style printing process. Making a Hatch print one of the most unique and recognizable event posters out there mainly because this type of printing is almost extinct. And a must see when visiting or living in Music City. What is additionally unique is the array of different events Hatch has created prints for including circus, vaudeville shows, state fairs and most famously music happenings. Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Elvis, and a host of others in all styles of music have been represented by Hatch. Some serious reissues are available at the shop for purchase. Take a serious look at this link showcasing some past show prints: http://www.gigposters.com/designer/33935_Hatch_Show_Print.html
The Hatch Print Shop provides this welcome look back at the happenings of past culture and events in a very engaging way. Each poster has a little different character and history behind it. Aside from being simply the coolest damn print shop of all time, without question. Hatch Print has been a part of advertising and commemorating a staggering amount of historic performances with its ink and paper while helping conserve history in a way. Hatch is now a division of The Country Music Hall Of Fame as it should be. But it has not changed things. A visit to the shop will print a lasting impression in your mind registering anytime you see the familiar block letter styling of a Hatch print. Similar to instantly recognizing Rudolph and his red nose out and around during the holiday season. In addition, the shop has a very cool retail selection of prints, shirts, postcards and books that make a great memory, gift or nice addition to the wall. I must warn you. You will buy something. The employees at HSP are friendly and can break you off a good deal of knowledge about the operation. If you’re on lower Broadway look for the doorway under the red neon sign, if not, we will send a postcard and you can look here for more: http://countrymusichalloffame.org/our-work/
A couple from the miles in between........
Bottom left: Focus on the wire: shot outside Nowhere, New Mexico. Top left: Franks Coffee Shop: Authentic diner in Burbank California with none of the frills of LA. A virtual landmark in the 818 and home of the turkey salad sandwich which might stop your heart but worth the the experience. Direction: Photo taken in West Texas close to Amarillo. Seems like a whole lot of choices all going nowhere. West Texas has a very distant feel.
Emerald Burn
If there is something we feel strongly about here at EM, among others, is the art of the chicken wing and the passion associated with the hunt for the perfect wing city by city. Very much like a wine taster looking for the perfect glass of Merlot in the Sonoma Valley of California. Well, letting you know the valley of grapes in the chicken wing world is in Seattle.
A play on names with the imploded Seattle landmark, The Kingdome, The Wing Dome, with locations in Greenwood and now in the West Seattle Junction again and again proves to be close to the perfect wing. They do have a variety of different flavors but the real show is in the traditional buffalo style ordered by the number according to the heat level. For example a 1 would be tame, a 4 would be really getting there and the 7 is something that you have to sign a waiver to try, releasing the establishment from anything if you fall out right then and there. The atmosphere is very casual and they have a solid selection of tall cold ones to ease the burn. Having been a regular of this shrine of the hot sauce on and off for over a decade I have to say the “Dome” (local slang) remains consistent in flavor with the same bite and kick it did when they first introduced the now famous .25 cent wing night 15 years ago.
Make it a point to get here on your next visit to the Emerald City if you desire the burn like we do. http://www.thewingdome.com/index_mm.cfm
Cadillac..
I was wrong. There is something on Interstate 40 in Texas worth stopping for. Surprised by the fact that the bus was stopping at all let alone to see something, I knew it was going to have to be good. And it was damn good. And damn original. Not to mention a place you won’t soon forget even though there is not much there.
Cadillac Ranch located on Route 66 (I-40) West of Amarillo is not a jacked up tourist spot trying to sell you a woven blanket from 90 miles out. It is more the opposite it’s almost the anti-tourist spot keeping the affair proper with no real parking, restroom or paved surface. So what makes it special? Well, the 10 Cadillac’s in a straight line to the West buried nose down in the dirt with an armor of decades of spray paint is a good place to start. The bases of the cars littered with empty paint cans combined with the West Texas desolation and breeze gives off a type of vibe worthy of the Repo Man soundtrack playing. What other attraction have you been to lately that you can say that about? The Cadillac Ranch is worth the experience and the photo potential is proper. Sometimes everything does not have to be big in Texas.
Break off a little background on the Cadillac Ranch.
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2220
From time to time you have an experience that sincerely is a kick ass blaster all the way around. Not just half kick ass, a full on ass kicker of a good time. Seeing Ryan Bingham and Dead Horses at Levitt Pavillion was just that. Reasons you may ask as to what made this into the kick ass category? The show was free which alleviates the gates, fences and other means of corralling humans not to mention having to stand in a line to give someone your ticket or have your bag checked. The pavilion located within Memorial Park is a simple, yet perfect place to see a show without the masses and hysteria. Not to mention a summer evening in Pasadena is a good place to be to even if you are watching the 6th reincarnation of Three Dog Night let alone a Grammy winning artist. Bingham and the Dead Horses went on stage at exactly 8:00 p.m. and from chord one played an energized, soulful and extremely tight set. One of the many highlights of his performance included a couple new tracks from his upcoming album “Junky Star” with the best one titled “Depression”. Bingham and the Horses brought it with the perfect tempo with plenty of musical ups and downs not to mention engaging with the crowd like they were family throughout the show. Bingham was even gracious to the Pasadena Police officer that came on stage and reminded him there was no drinking in the park as he was having a pull from a bottle of red wine an audience member handed the band. A humble, solid and energy filled 95 minutes RB & DH handed the lucky 700 or so on in attendance on a perfect Pasadena evening. Just happened to be one of those nights to remember.
The D.C. Legend: Ben's Chili Bowl
What is a visit to our nations capitol, the mighty Washington D.C. without a stop at some type of historic location right? On this quick visit to “The District” I took it upon myself to visit one of the more memorable eating locations in the city. Ben’s Chili Bowl is a little slice of D.C. that is a short walk, but a long way from the suits of the White House. For 50 years strong Ben’s has been slinging the burgers, seafood and some kick ass chili. Serving it all to some pretty notable faces along the way, from area politicians to musicians such as Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitagerald. Not to mention visitors from all over the world
The atmosphere is perfect for the location at 1213 U Street NW. It is busy, loud and by all means vibrant. Not to mention busy at all times of the day. EVERYTHING on the menu looked great so I narrowed in down to the turkey burger and of course a cup of chili. Damn good meal with a sinister feeling of guilt accompanied by the local flavor of Ben’s made this a new favorite spot over at the Exit Mile. In addition the location has a great gift shop and the chance to learn something about the history of Washington D.C.
Do yourself a favor if in “The District” Visit Ben’s Chili Bowl and get your burn on.
Digest the link below to get a better idea of the joint.
Hotel Helix: A little West in the East
Staying at any number of hotels along the way, many just fall into the category of forgettable. However, some places really do stand out. The Hotel Helix in Washington D.C. is one that does. It is just a solid, but relaxed spot with rooms more like a Hollywood apartment than your sterile, run of the mill white on brown comforter style thing.
The location near Dupont Circle is perfect. Close to everything the city has to offer and much of which in walking distance. Another reason to stay here is they have a free happy hour reception with beer and wine during the week. Late night spot’s up the block and a 24 hour 7-11 50 yards away.
Learn something a thing or two about it at:
Rock N' Roll is Always In Fashion
From the Rose City of Portland comes a rock band. A good rock band that has a van. Western Aerial have been handing out a helping of good the stuff, in Northwest and beyond for a few years now. With their 6th self released disc "Try To Keep Up" the Aerial comes through with once again a catchy, well written, solid rock and roll record. It will make you eager for happy hour and a tall cool one. Not to mention these guys have played at the Oregon State Penitentiary on a regular basis. Like a swift kick in the teeth they are gone. ... on to another show. Look for Western Aerial in a city near you.
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