music

Addicted To That Rush

| Chris

It’s been pretty tense around the world lately so I thought I’d lighten up the mood a bit. So, what’s on my mind today? Well… Rush, actually. The rock band, that is!

Rush is one of my all-time favorite bands and I’ve seen them 5 times. They’re going back on tour this summer with a new drummer and I’m sad I’ll miss it as ticket prices have gone out the lunch! Though as much as I’m a fan of them, or any group for that matter, I was never a fanatic. I appreciate music from a distance, and that gives me a lot of freedom.

I remember the second time I saw Rush. It was the summer of 1990 at Irvine Meadows in CA (first time was in ‘88). Another band I really admired, Mr. Big, opened for them. Alex and Geddy even came out to do backing vocals with them on their song, Addicted to that Rush. So cool!

But the interesting part was this… a friend of mine won backstage pre-show passes to this gig from a radio show and decided to tag me along. So we went and were there 3 hours before the show started. Backstage! It was a party and you get to hang with the entire crew for a few hours. This was before smartphones so people actually interacted instead of taking selfies. I saw my friend chatting with Alex Lifeson from a distance. But me? Well, I was busy helping myself to some fancy vittles on the buffet. Then, I remember some dude with long blond hair approaching me as I dropped a hunk of rib eye on my plate. And since I’m a nice guy, lol, I decided to put my plate down for a sec to shake his hand. Then, he introduced himself… I’m Pat Torpey. Nice guy. He probably won passes too, I thought.

Ace of Space

| Chris

It was the summer of ‘88 at the Palace theater in Hollywood, I saw Ace Frehley (his band Frehley’s Comet, actually) in concert. I was front and center! Yes!! Resting my elbows on the stage platform, I could smell the smoke coming out from his guitar. It was surreal for a kid who grew up on all things KISS.

Surprisingly, for the encore, he brought out Peter Criss to play drums on Deuce. Anton Fig graciously got up his throne to make way for him. He even offered his sticks but he declined. Peter motioned that he was going to use his own.

At the end of the song, Peter, the rock star that he is, catapulted his sticks towards the audience… classic! They eventually reach their destination, but not before hitting a couple stage lights along the way. Whizzzzz!!! Bang!!! Bang!!! Buzz!!!! Buzz!!! Lights out! Ace looks back at him smiling like the proud brother that he is.

Meanwhile, us in the front of the SRO ballroom all took cover lest shards of glass from the bulbs landed on our heads. Good thing it was all clear. Whew!

Now, what goes up must come down. And the sticks promptly fell back down to Earth (see what I did there? Wink wink!). Lucky me, I caught one of them like a falling meteor (sorry!).

Looking back now, the Ace of Space could have tossed his smoking Les Paul instead. That would’ve been much more appreciated and… outta this world (oopsie!)!

Oh well… that’s my Ace Frehley story.

My Place is of the Sun

| Chris

One summer night back in the early 90’s, I was performing a solo acoustic guitar set at a coffee house in Venice, CA. One of the songs on my set list is Prince of Darkness by the Indigo Girls.

As I was playing and singing the line “My place is of the sun…”, I noticed a few young kids come in for coffee. Judging by their garb, it was a bit early for Halloween, I thought. After all, they were drenched in black from head to toe. Once I finished my set, I sat among these Goths to chat. Turns out they were Satanists. Or so they claimed.

One kid complimented me on my performance. We talked about everything from music to Satan to God. One of them articulated that Satanism is simply about questioning things. I replied… well, God might just be the answer to your questions, if that’s what you’re after. I must’ve piqued his curiosity as he paused briefly before bravely uttering… tell me more about this God of yours.

I thought he was just being facetious but the conversation actually lasted longer than I wanted. Next thing I remember, it was four in the morning and I had to go to work soon.

How Cool is That?

| Chris

Wow, what an incredible surprise! I just found out that my song Me and My Samsonite was included on the official 2025 Wyoming Road Trip Playlist curated by the Wyoming Arts Council and Wyoming Humanities. I honestly can’t put into words how honored and excited I am.

As an artist, you always hope your music will connect with people, but to know that my song will be part of the soundtrack for so many travelers exploring the beauty of Wyoming this summer is truly special. I love the idea that Me and My Samsonite (#21 on the playlist) might be playing as someone drives through mountain passes, stops at a historic site, or just soaks in the wide-open sky. After all, traveling is what the song is about.

My heartfelt thanks goes to the Wyoming Arts Council and everyone involved in putting this playlist together. It means the world to be recognized alongside so many talented Wyoming creatives. I mean, really… how cool is that?

So, if you’re hitting the road this summer, I hope my song, along with the rest of the playlist, adds a little extra joy to your adventure. Safe travels, and happy listening!

Turning Point

| Chris

It was the last day of April, 1992. In the thick of the LA riots, I had acquired my first Bible. As the city burned outside my Hollywood apartment, I diligently read the Scripture for the first time in my life. Soon after that pivotal moment, I made a decision to be baptized. Yet the years that followed brought unexpected spiritual hurdles. The truth has an uncanny way of doing that to you, I suppose.

Eleven years later, in 2003, God woke me up. Guilt and remorse began to engulf my conscience. Religiosity unraveled. Friends drifted away, some passed on, and my first marriage began to falter. It was a dark time, for sure.

Around that period, I felt compelled to write a song where every line was a jagged little pill. It took three years to finish it. Though it remains the hardest song I’ve ever written, it gave me relief. My soul could somewhat breathe again after. Today, well, I’m still a work in progress, but grateful for the lessons I’ve learned since. God is good!

Like Father Like Son

| Chris

On May 26th, it will have been my dad’s 84th birthday.

Time. Wow! Time can be so merciless. I can still vividly remember him taking me to the barber. And I hated it every time! Perhaps, I’ve always wanted my hair long.

I realize how undeserving of God’s kindness I am. He’s been so good to me all my life. And I am complete today because of him.

Yet, if there was one regret I have in life, it would be that I failed to forge a meaningful relationship with my earthly father. A dreadful iniquity on my part. And the aftermath will no doubt continue to weigh on me for as long as I live.

This song I wrote is not so much a tribute as it is a confession. A longing. A moment in sackcloth and ashes, if you will. It was a difficult one to write, for sure.

I wish I could tell my dad, for both the first and last time, that I love him. Because I truly did! But it’s a bit too late now, isn’t it? I was given countless chances and I blew them all.

Indeed, time’s up.

Meat or Manna

| Chris

Today’s contemplation…

“If only we had meat to eat! … But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” ~Numbers 11:4,6

Discontentment. Ingratitude. If we’re truly honest, we’ll admit we all have these in us to some degree. They can be elusive, invisible or incognito even. A bit hard to spot at times. I don’t know about you but I struggle against it just about everyday. Even when I try not to show it, I can be a grouch deep inside.

Sometimes, our choice between meat or manna can be a matter of life and death. It’s a tough battle. Choose wisely.

@2002 Chris Alma Jose

Someday

| Chris

Heaven.

It seems distant, yet it’s near. It feels far away, yet it’s here.

It’s a promise. It’s my hope.

And hope does not disappoint.

It will come.

Windows Section Panaorama

Someday.


Change these colors of blue and grey
I can’t stand it anymore
The sun keeps rising on the wrong side of town
Don’t you walk out that door
I can’t breath, I can’t see
I call out your name
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
I will be home someday

Have you been there, my friend
Searching high and low
Imagine closely a painless world
How can you say no

Don’t you run, don’t you hide
Don’t turn your back away
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
Oh please come home someday

Let me take you to a land
With no castles in the sand
While there is still time
Won’t we do it today
Let me carry you away
From the scene of the crime

Take this rainbow away from the dark
Clear these clouds away
Let me smell your roses again
Send forth the light of day
I can’t breath, I can’t see
I call out your name
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
I will be home someday

©2000 Chris Alma Jose