a costume unless the person wearing it plans on being in a contest. I just want to remind everyone that tonight at midnight Jill Moon and I will be guest judges for Bossanova’s Halloween costume contest — first place is $100 — plus there will be a special category for Fab Femmes, which the prize will be a gift certificate for a downtown boutique.

So if you’re out and about and all dressed up with no place to go, why not come and watch Alton’s Halloween parade and then join us at Bossanova’s for some Fab Fun.

I’m always excited when I get a chance to listen to new music. I like all kinds of sounds and the latest tunes I listened to are by artist Lawernce “Lipbone” Redding.

I spoke to Lipbone today and found him to be a true artist whose heart and soul is in his music. If you like jazz, blues or soul, you will most definitely like Lipbone. His new CD “Party on the Fire Escape” crosses several sounds, but to me it’s mixes the spicy jazz and blues sounds of New Orleans, Memphis and New York City all in one.

When asked Lipbone said he favorite song on the new release is “Ghetto Girl.” He said although he enjoys the other tunes its something about the sounds in that particular song that he likes.

What I found most remarkable is that what I thought was trombone/trumpet in his songs was actually Lipbone himself. He’s the jazz, blues, jam and soul version of a human beat-box. Hence the nickname “Lipbone” from the unique sounds he makes with his lips as a voicetrumentalist. He does more than imitate instruments. He is also an accomplished soloist, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer.

Lipbone says his musical influences include everything from disco, beatboxing, hip hop, punk, country, 70′s soul to today’s new wave.

“I’ve got a very broad range in music,” he said.

He said his No. 1 goal in life was to play music and get paid for it.

“Who doesn’t want to make money at doing something they love,” he said.

Although he liked to make musical sounds as a kid growing up in North Carolina, the first “real instrument” he played was the clarinet, but after getting bullied for carrying a “pocketbook” to school he learned guitar during his teen years. He currently is playing a Gretsch.

Lipbone moved to the Bronx and became a subway musician. Following 9/11 however he traveled the world and when he released his first CD “Hop the Fence” in 2007 the musical influences of the places he traveled were apparent.

Check out a few of his songs and let me know what you think.

Lipbone and the Lipbone Orchestra will be in St. Louis on Friday. At noon he will be at Whole Foods, 1160 Town and Country Crossing Dr. and at 8 p.m. he will play at BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups, 700 S. Broadway. For more information call (636)- 527-1160 or (314) 436-5222.

Since I am the parent of teenager who dreams of becoming a professional musician I asked him if his parents were supportive. He said at first they didn’t understand and told him that he should have another career he could fall back on. just in case. He said however the advice he was ever given was when someone told him that “the best thing you can fall back on is your ass.”

“You’ve got to walk the walk if you want to make you dreams come true,” he said.

Interested in learning more about Lipbone visit him at MySpace.

Is there ever a time you wish you could runaway? No, I’m not having a bad day, but I’ve got an itch to go somewhere.

I took my last vacation in July and now that cooler weather is here I’m dreaming of a warmer place. I’ve been reading a book and the setting takes place in California, which could be the reason I want to go somewhere.

Whenever I read a good book I always day dream about taking a vacation. But isn’t that the purpose of a good book. It allows you to envision far off places or recreates the past or presents a possible future.

My son is getting ready to read The Odyssey in is English class. He likes mythology and I know he will enjoy it. He is also reading a biography about The Rolling Stones. He enjoys stories about people whereas I prefer fiction in the likes of “chic lit” and crime/drama.

I really don’t think it matters what you like to read so long as you’re reading. I only have a few pages left in my current text, but I’m sure by tonight I’ll be picking up another and get lost all over again.

So let me know what you’re reading and maybe I could check it out.

…no not the Election, halloween I mean. I’m looking forward to this years festivities and for Fab Femmes Jill Moon and I went to Robert Schmidt Costumes/Memory Lane in Wood River and Baxter’s in Alton in search of some fabulous costumes for females to wear. It was fun. We tried on a few outfits and pulled together some great looks we think women will like.

I’m looking forward to Alton’s Halloween parade and then a costume contest a Bossanova’s, which there will be a Fab Femmes category. So what does it mean to be a Fab Femmes at Halloween? For one it means no guts or gore. Yes, we want you to look you best even in a costume. Jill and I will be dressed as two famous women with style from past decades. Sorry but that’s the only hint you’re getting. If you want to see who we go dressed as then come and check us out on Friday night. Judging will start at midnight following the live performance by Swingset. Come all and let’s have some fun.

when your parents attended the parent teacher conference and then came home to let you know everything that was said about you and although they told you the good, you only seemed to heard the bad.

Today I attended my son’s parent teacher conference. I took him along with me so he could hear exactly what was being said because I think that is important. It made me feel good to hear the kind words they had about Cole, but I already the one thing that would work against him. He doesn’t always turn in his assignments so he is not working up to his full potential. He got all A and B’s but his teachers believe he could make all A’s. I agree. I think he gets bored or he is more concerned about being social, but then again he is a 15 year old. The thing is I wanted him to hear it what I heard that way we could talk about it. I know sometimes he isn’t living up to his full potential and that is frustrating even for me.

I am proud of him though. He is doing well for his first year of high school and his grades are far better than mine ever were. I didn’t work up to my potential until my junior year. It was then that I had a teacher who encouraged me and let me know that I could do anything I set my mind to.

I think that girls often excel in grade school, but by the time they reach middle school there are other factors that get in the way, but it’s exemplified when there are teachers who simply don’t care about helping students. I had one of those for math and afterward I hated the subject.

High school seemed to get better, but it wasn’t until I took Cynthia Bidlack’s English class that I really seemed to care about my studies. I went from C’s to straight A’s the last two years of school. I worked my butt off and I wish I could thank her, but she died many years ago after losing her battle with cancer. Anyway thanks Mrs. Bidlack for believing in me.

If you don’t think teachers can make a difference — think again. Parents tell their children all the time how great they are, but often times it’s the kind words from a teacher that makes all the difference.

Recently I received a copy of a CD from new musical artist Sharon Little. Since her music started hitting the airwaves earlier this year she’s received numerous accolades and her music has even been heard on A&E’s “The Cleaner” and FX’s “Son’s of Anarchy.”

I like her sound and I thought I would share a little of her music with you because she will be in concert Sunday at Fubar Venue & Lounge at 3108 Locust in St. Louis. If you can go and check her out.

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. I know I enjoyed mine, even though it’s not quite over yet.

On Friday night my son and his friend Kevin hosted a party at our house. There were around 30 teenagers who showed up and let me tell you they were a group of well-behaved kids. There were four of us who played played chaperone – Kevin’s mother, Robin, my parents and myself. Not once did we have to say anything to the kids other than to tell them there was food outside. For the most part they played Rock Band and listened to music and they were all gone by 11 p.m.

The majority of the teens at my house had to rise early for Saturday’s Marching 100 competition at Francis Howell Central High School in Cottleville, Mo. I want to tell you they “kicked ass.” They came home with four awards – best music and best visual in their class in the preliminary event and best visual in the final and took second place for the overall competition.

Here are the drum majors with the trophies the band earned.

Congratulations kids you did a great job. If you haven’t had the chance to see the Marching 100 perform this year they will be at West Elementary School on Tuesday night. Come and check them out.

on my son’s head. I cannot believe it, but my son cut off all his lovely locks. I think him getting his hair cut hurt me more than when he was little and got his first one. He had such beautiful hair anyway check it out for yourself.

At what point does a teenagers attire become obnoxious?

I want to say that during a recent half-time performance by a high school dance team the clothing worn by the members was way over the top. I don’t know why the coach or school district would allow such a “costume” when the girls are not even allowed to wear that type of clothing to school. I think the whole purpose of having a dress code is so that students will not dress risque or attract any unwanted attention. If the young girls don’t think what they wore was inappropriate, the adults in charge had to have known.

I heard all types of comments from people watching their performance including a grown man comment, “I’d like me some of that,” as he watched one of the girls. It was not a high school boy, but rather an adult who should know better.

I understand many young women are influenced by pop stars, but they shouldn’t be forced to wear clothing that makes them looked like they stepped out of “strip club.”

It’s not just dance teams either. Many of the cheerleaders wear skirts that could stand to be an inch longer, but at least they’re an actual uniform. There is such a thing as modesty and that is why so many schools have gone to students wearing uniforms daily and maybe one day they will look into the attire worn at athletic or extracurricular activities that is well “obnoxious.”

OK, here is the John Waite video I shot on Oct. 3 at the Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo. He is singing my all time favorite song too.