A Eulogy For Tony Soprano

Tone,
First of all, dis ain’t easy. But you were the Boss, and the only guy I would do one of deez tings for. Most of all, you were my goomba, and a good leader.

Yes, there were times when you had to take out a person or six, but hey - it was business, right? And You even had to make a couple of family members disappear, but you and I, Paulie, Sil and the rest knew it had to be done. Christopher was out of control. So was your cousin, God rest their souls. Now, I am not counting that cunt Adrienne as family. What she did was.... WOAH! That puttana. Well, Silvio took care of business because you ordered the job done. Bada Bing. Fucking bitch, working with da Feds. 

And of course, even our own guys were not above corruption. Which is why Big Pussy sleeps with the fishes, and Ralphy boy Cifaretto lost his head. Sfacime! Pussy was always a good earner, but a wire? C’mon, Puss. 

Tony, when I think about you, I don’t think about the waste management business. I think about food. All the great food and wine we enjoyed over the years. Gracia. Carmella is quite the cook. Rigatoni, cavatelli, the best ever calzones and your favorite, the baked ziti. Salute! 

Speaking of Carm, Tony truly loved Carmella. I am sure Dr. Melfi an attest to that fact.Treated her like a principessa. He put her on a pedestal. Sure he had an indiscretion here and there, but did he ever not provide? Fuhgeddaboutit! 

Tony leaves behind a beautiful family.Carmella and their children, Meadow and Anthony Junior. And of course, us, his extended family. 

We will miss you big guy. Salute a cent’anno!

(In loving memory of a great actor and gentle giant, James Gandolfini. June 19, 2013)

From the often disturbed mind of Michael Buffalo Smith

Some words taken from "The Sopranos: A Viewer's Glossery"

A good example of James's acting skills.




The End....

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Music and Life

I Like What I Like

One of my friends commented on a post I had made on my Facebook page about The Voice. Actually, he was referring to my recent blog about the finale of The Voice, and my thoughts on Cher's comeback. He was appalled that I would watch such a television show, and even made a few comments about the talent - or lack thereof- on these shows. To this end, all I can say is “I like what I like.” If I like a 16-year old future country-pop star, so be it. After all, my iTunes account is loaded with everything from KISS to Taylor Swift, The Allman Brothers Band, Jimmy Buffet, Bob Dylan, Of Monsters and Men, Fall Out Boy, Charlie Daniels Band,  U2, Alice Cooper, Kate Bush, John Williams

Danielle Bradbery

Orchestra, Merle Haggard, Lightnin’ Hopkins, everything Springsteen ever recorded, Kelly Clarkson, Metallica, The Beatles, even some Cher- from the ‘70’s, of course.

I have always been tis way. Even back in high school, “You listen to David Bowie? He’s a freak! And he’s gay! And...” Save it. I do not care either way. I am all about the music, and I love most everything Ziggy Stardust ever recorded.

So, The Voice. This was indeed my first season watching it. I had watched several seasons of American Idol, but now, I may never go back again. Simply because The Voice is so much better. First of all, the initial judging is done without the judges even seeing what the singer looks like. They have to choose based on vocals alone. If they spin their char around and see Danielle Bradbery’s adoreable 16-year old face, it’s just gravy. It was great watching as Blake, Usher and Adam spun around to see that huge voice coming from this cute little kid. I decided then and there that she was going to win. Of course, I was struggling with a couple of others that I liked, especially my friend Shawna P, but after a couple of weeks, my room mate and I both decided it would come down to Danielle, Michelle and the Swon boys- and it did.

I also like the way the judges become coaches, and give so much of their time and experience to their contestants. Much more encouraging than Idol, where you can have your heart ripped out and shoved up your arse if you ain’t careful.

Today I heard that two days after winning, Danielle has signed with Big Engine Records, the label that gave us Taylor Swift. That is so cool. The winners on American Idol are kind of owned by the corporate folks and Clive Davis, God bless him he’s great, decides what you record and how you will present your image. Kelly Clarkson has been very vocal about this. Bo Bice came in second to Carrie Underwood a few years ago, and the decidedly southern rock star was reimagined by the suits for his first album, who made into a “pretty boy” and

Clones? Danielle and Taylor.

handed him a fistful of “formula” country songs to record. The difference between his debut and albums he would record after his contract was up is so great, it’s hard to believe it’s even the same guy.

Also, the obviously staged Idol auditions have grown old. If you believe that every one of these folks came in off the street, straight to Randy Jackson and friends and started making a noise like a garbage truck filled with beer cans, then you probably believe Cher was singing “live” on The Voice the other night, and Tom Cruise is tall. (I met the little feller, so I know!) The awful “auditions” are just a way to pull in viewers. Guess that’s all that matters. At least with The Voice, the blind auditions are not filled with obviously staged crapolla.

Okay. Enough about all that. Danielle Bradbery has one of the most pleasing voices I have ever heard. If she is this good at 16, watch out world. And Big Engine Records. Get this, a few years back the indie label sent me all sorts of advance press on a new artist they were pushing caller Taylor Swift. Did I want to do an interview? Did I want copies of her debut album signed to give away in a contest? No thanks. I passed without even hearing her. I kicked my own arse for a couple of years- which is not an easy thing to do, by the way. (Wondering how to kick your own butt? You have to stand in a chair.)

So now, I have my eyes wide open. I am waiting for a call-back even as I type. I need to corral this kid and do an interview. After all, I can see the writing on the wall. She is headed straight to that same dream spot that Taylor Swift now occupies. Mark my words. And anyone who has something to say about ol’ Buffalo liking a young, commercial country chick singer, you can kiss my grits.

-Michael Buffalo Smith

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The Voice: Cher, and Cher Alike

After watching my first full season of The Voice, I see why American Idol is starting to fall by the wayside. The way the competition is set up on The Voice seems to me a lot more fair, especially since singers are not initially judged by their outward appearance, but by singing voice alone. Wonder what the judges would have said about Cher’s season finale performance, had the chairs been turned the other way?

Looking back at the video, one can see the “deer caught in headlights” expression on Usher’s mug, and Shakira had a look like she had just ingested a bad clam. Adam was bopping, albeit gratuitous bopping. And I don’t think they cut to Blake. He was probably taking another nip from his ever-present stash- I know I would have.

So here is Cher, and her first televised performance in over a decade. She shows up wearing an outfit that is part Mad Max/Road Warrior and part “rejected ideas for 1980’s KISS costumes.” One look at her wig, and I discovered where the Angry Birds all go when they die. Sure, the ensemble was unfortunate, but this is Cher- the performance will be stellar, right?

If what you mean by stellar is trodding the stage like Ozzy Osbourne with a vagina and lip syncing - often badly (see the video at the :43 mark) to a rave dance number, then... At this point, I felt sure Sonny Bono was glad he was dead.

C’mon, Cher. We all know you were always “edgy,” like the 80’s video on the Navy ship with the see-thru number- but as you approach the big 7-0, please consider toning it down a bit, and for the love of Pete, please avoid lip-synching and auto tuning at all costs. Remember, after all these decades, we love you. You no longer need to shock us into submission.

My public plea to Mr. Chaz Bono: “Chaz, please, please, please let your Mom know that we love her, and most of us hate a media whore.

Oh... uh.. never mind.

-Michael Buffalo Smith

Our winner, 16-year-old Danielle Bradbery and Cher, 67,
who changed outfits and wigs for the after-party.
Here she rocks the almost Grandmotherly "Tina Turner meets
David Bowie on Labyrinth" head piece.

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Real Radio: Steve McCoy and The WORD Years

I still find it hard to believe that I am broadcasting my KUDZOO Radio Hour from a laptop computer. I mean, I am from the old school of radio. When I started out. AM radio ruled the airwaves, and the only decent thing on FM was Monty Dupuy’s morning show on WFBC-FM out of Greenville. (Yes, the very same Mr. Monty that was a part of many of our childhoods with his “Monty’s Rascals” TV program.)

Steve McCoy arriving at WORD.

I know I said in my book that my biggest influence that made me want to be a “disc jockey” was a Spartanburg, SC jock named Danny Dyer. It’s true, Danny had a great country show on WASC “Top Gun” 1530, and when he invited me over to give me some pointers at the age of 16, I was amazed to find that he was blind. I got bit by the radio bug that day, but I must admit, there was another guy who made me and my old friend Tony Pearson decide to pursue the broadcasting dream - Steve McCoy.

Steve's Mustang 

Steve was the morning man at WORD 91 radio here in Spartanburg when I was in high school. Tony and I both joined the Junior Achievement Radio Club and we did a live show every Saturday morning at the station under the watchful eye of Steve.  It was great fun, to be sure.

I became a real fan of Steve. He was the first DJ I ever heard that did a “character” on the air. A voice he called Fred. For the longest time we thought Fred was really another person. Well, what can I say.

I guess I really was 17 once. Me doing the DJ thing.

I have nothing but fond memories of WORD over the years - Ronnie Ronnie Brandon, Billy Mac, Allen Bolten (Big Al), Sgt. Rick McAlister, Bill Christie. Always fun. I had one of the Panasonic radios that was shaped like a ball. It was blue and came with ‘70s flower, smiles, footprint, etc stickers to plaster all over it. Oh yeah. Real hip. But I heard all the new music on that radio via WORD. Everything from “The Joker” to “Frankenstein.” In full, glorious AM mono!

Steve was really kind to us, and Tony and I watched as most of the JA radio club dwindled while he and I stayed the course. All the while, we were doing a weekly show downtown at WSPA with Mel Black, and Tony and I were the last ones standing after a couple of months there as well. We really wanted it.

My old pal Tony (RIP) hammin at WORD. We sat in Steve's
seat and took pics while he was in the bathroom.  Shhh! Don't tell him.

Both of us ended up working in radio. Him more than me, as I also went into newspapers and magazines and later music.

I remember when McCoy was doing this charity thing where he sat outside Westgate Mall in a camper and didn’t sleep for several days. We visited him several times, and after four days or so of sleep deprivation he looked truly wired. I was amazed he could still make sense when speaking. It was a great promotion though, and gained a lot of interest.

Steve McCoy.

Over the years, I lost track of Steve him until I saw him on Facebook a few weeks ago, and decided to dig out these pictures I took back in the day. I also borrowed one from Steve’s Facebook page.

Great memories. Great fun.

-Michael Buffalo Smith

The WORD Staff I remember, pose with "one hit wonder"
Cledus Maggard. Steve in the middle, Billy Mac beside
him to his left, then Ronnie Brandon and Big Al.
(From Ron Brandon's FB Page)

As If I Didn't Already Have Enough Writing To Do Already

Hey y'all.
On a whim, I decided to start another blog. Of course, I already have The Universal Music Tribe blog called "Buffalo Zone," as well as the KUDZOO

Magazine, among all the other writings, but I wanted a place where I could (primarily, but not exclusively) write about memories and experiences that didn't make it into my memoir Prisoner of Southern Rock.

To see everything I am working on, past, present, and future, visit michaelbuffalo.net. Be sure to visit the "Links" page. I sincerely hope you will bookmark this blog, or add the RSS feed to your home page. I plan to keep it hoppin.'

For now, let's get this party started. Best Fishes. Michael B.,  aka: "Buffalo"