Wish Me Well (Go To Hell): Ronan Keating, Bouncing Souls, Kenny Wayne Shepherd

"SHE BELIEVES IN ME"    RONAN KEATING

Yes, it's a cover of Kenny Rogers.  Yes, the original is as corny and sentimental as anything laid to vinyl in the 70's but Ronan Keating's version feels "fresh", original yet nostalgic, soulful.   Ronan Keating is Irish and best known for his song "When You Say Nothing At All" from the Julia Roberts film, Notting Hill.    Ronan is one of those artists who's a huge U.K. star (a host on X-Factor, multi-award winner, former boyband member) who is virtually unknown in the U.S.  You can find this song  on his 2003 "Turn It On" CD.

"WISH ME WELL (GO TO HELL)"   BOUNCING SOULS

One of the greatest kiss-off songs of all-time!    The interchange between guest vocalist Kara Weathington and Greg Attonito are hysterical! Here's one exchange:  "Love is supposed to make us happy, supposed to make us grow, but I just wanna punch you in your face, I Love You, I guess I needed space, Oh well, another time, another place".   Incidentally, Bouncing Souls refers to their Doc Martens shoes.

"BLUE ON BLACK"   KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD

The longest running CD on the Billboard Blues chart of all-time, 1995's Kenny Wayne Shepherd CD, "Trouble Is".   Think of all of the amazing blues artists who he surpassed!   "Blue On Black" is his masterpiece, his legacy.   The song was voted the #1 rock song on 1998 and the slide guitar requires you to crank up the volume and play air guitar along with Kenny.   It's a breakup song but Kenny realizing what's done is done, time to move on. 

April 23rd, 1994: A Day I'll Never Forget: Kenny Rogers, Tesla, R. Kelly

"THERE LIES THE DIFFERENCE"   KENNY ROGERS

The power of a 3 minute song is undeniable.    Hearing the opening few notes here takes me back twenty years to a moment that changed my life forever.   No regrets, youthful innocence, true love, and eternal dreams.  This will ALWAYS be my favorite Kenny Rogers song and a memory that will forever bring a smile to my face.
AUDIO LINK for Kenny Rogers: There-Lies-The-Difference 

"LOVE SONG"      TESLA

A classical guitar introduction paves the way to one of the grandest power ballads of the Hair Band Era.   Jeff Keith nailed the vocals on this song and the buildup to the chorus is dramatic, lighters filled arenas during this one!   "Love is all around you, Love is knocking outside your door, waiting for you, this love made just for two, Keep An Open Heart and You'll Find Love Again, I KNOW!"  

"BUMP & GRIND (Remix)"   R. KELLY

New Jack Swing, soulful R&B, retro laidback soul, club bangers, it doesn't get better than R. Kelly's 1994 masterpiece, "12 Play".    This cassette was wore out by me on a roadtrip to Key West, FL.    This was R. Kelly's breakthrough and it's an incredible introduction to his musical creativity and genius.    "12 Play" is sexually charged, intense slow jams that will "rock your world" and classic 90's hip hop that might sound a little dated today but for those who remember those days, this was the JAM!  1994, what a great memory!!