Look, I was born in 1981. If I could pick my birth year, it would have been around 1950. That way I would have actually experienced The Beatles and The Summer of Love and Woodstock and even Disco.

But I am a child of the ’80s, and while I’m totally cool with that, and thankful for it, there are countless albums, movies, books, etc. that I am still trying to catch up on. It’s a lot of work.

Although I’m quite familiar with a good number of the songs on this album, I’m not sure I’ve sat and listened to it from front to back.

Sometimes I get annoyed by reissues and remasters, but this is one of those cases where I am very thankful for it.

And thanks to Bowie’s camp and NME for streaming it ahead of its Monday, 6/4/12 release.

Pattie was married to George Harrison and Eric Clapton. You know she has stories.

I’m currently reading the chapter where she has just met George and they have begun dating. The year is 1964. It is remarkable.

Upon completion, I am certain I will have plenty of thoughts to share in response.

While writing my first book, I was fully reminded of just how much work goes in to a creative endeavor, and it is remarkable. From concept to motivation to execution – it takes a lot to complete a book, or an album, or a movie, etc.

Now I’m fully learning how much effort and attention goes into marketing a product with my name on it, and how important it is to try and do really great interviews.

It is easy to make fun of people being interviewed on your local news, or even professionals on national media who seem to be fumbling through an answer. But keep in mind – it takes work. First, you actually have to fully listen to the person talking to you (unusual for most of us). Second, you have to have answers ready – and/or be able to come up with something intelligent and relevant on the spot.

I’ve prepped a lot of people for interviews, but being on the other side of the mic is an altogether different experience.

Either way, being interviewed is a mostly new experience for me. I am very thankful to have the opportunity to be on this side of the mic, and I’m thankful that media people would want to take the time to talk with me about my book and the ideas I’m putting forth.

Please check out this band. They are hilarious and play great music that is actually fun and awesome all at the same time.

If you take yourself too seriously, and/or aren’t into piano players that crowd surf (stomach down) with their keyboard, or lead singers that climb the stage rigging, or songs with hooks like, “That’s the biggest black ass I’ve ever seen, and I like it,” you probably won’t like Foxy Shazam. For you, continue to not have fun.

For the rest of you, enjoy the music video for Foxy Shazam’s “Oh Lord.”

Why? Multiple reasons. But the more I think about it, it had a lot to do with the overall atmosphere of the evening, mostly things I have little control of coordinating: who I was with, where I was, how people around me were treating others, the music, the band, my nostalgic love for half of the set-list, my new love for the other half, etc.

When I think of other shows in my lifetime, and I’ve seen some good ones – The Police, Billy Joel, Tom Petty, Elton John, Radiohead, Metallica, Pearl Jam, Ben Folds, Foo Fighters, Spin Doctors, U2, to name some personal highlights – yes, it all revolves around the music, but what’s going on around you plays a pivotal role in how you remember that actual event.

I’ve seen some of the aforementioned artists several times, including Counting Crows, but something was different this past Saturday. I’m still considering why I feel so strongly about this show.

Honestly, it probably has a lot to do with the fact that this particular Counting Crows show was our first post-Sarah’s brain tumor removal time to hang with Adam and crew for an evening.

Either way, enjoy such moments that stand out to you as such. Who knows when they may return.

Here is video of the night’s opener, “Round Here,” from Counting Crows’ masterpiece August and Everything After.

Whether you will like all of the songs or not, I can’t say. But I can say that if you are at all interested in the types of music that continually inspire me – especially what inspired me while writing this book – you will find them in this (currently) 138-track, 10-hour playlist.

Every artist and/or song on this list is intentionally selected to show motivation behind the book, add to the book, further prove the points I’m trying to make in the book, make you stop and think about your life, or simply make you want to freaking rock out.

From Foxy Shazam to Brenda Lee to Chuck Berry to L.A. Guns to Ben Folds, I hope you enjoy the playlist.

From 2-4 PM CT, at the Eldorado Memorial Public Library, in Eldorado, Illinois, my new/first book – The Music Industry Doesn’t Have To Kill You – will be available for purchase on-site, and I will be there to sign copies.

I hope to see you there.