By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
The Clean Cut: Jason Aldean honors Las Vegas victims, Tom Petty on SNL
4178ac1e2b2d51bc1ea2a9545873ac7a2dcc42d30c22a52965dd285310f375b1
Jason Aldean, who was performing in Las Vegas during the deadly mass shooting Oct. 1, performs a cover of the late Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" on "Saturday Night Live." - photo by Caresa Alexander Randall
"No, we won't back down," sang Jason Aldean as part of his tribute to Las Vegas shooting victims.

Aldean and his band opened "Saturday Night Live" on Oct. 7 with a cover of Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down." Petty died of cardiac arrest on Oct. 2.

On Oct. 1, Aldean was performing at an outdoor concert in Las Vegas when a gunman opened fire into the crowd, killing at least 58 people and injuring hundreds more.

In what he called one of the worst tragedies in America, Aldean told the SNL crowd that, like many, he was struggling to understand what happened and how to pick up the pieces and start to heal.

"So many people are hurting and theyre our children, parents, brothers, sisters, friends," Aldean said. "Theyre all part of our family.

I want to say to them, we hurt for you and we hurt with you, he added. You can be sure were going to walk through these tough times together, every step of the way. Because when America is at its best, our bond and our spirit, its unbreakable.

Take a look at the touching tribute posted on YouTube here.
Sign up for our E-Newsletters
Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
638421_Screenshot_1.png
Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Street musician killing it on clarinet

She must have lungs of iron! Its inspiring hearing the upper registers being played so well.

Posted by Clarinet Life on Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
Latest Obituaries