The Knights of the Auto Order Proudly Present: The Auto Body Estimate: Vol. II, #102, December 2010
We don't watch TV at our house. We enjoy videos, but that's it: no cable, no antenna. Because of this deprivation, when we go someplace where a TV is on, we're completely immobilized. "Deer in the headlights" doesn't begin to describe the phenomenon; it's more like dinosaurs in tar pits.
Erik (aged 5) and I seem most vulnerable; we're completely hypnotized (even though I am often simultaneously repulsed). It's sure to happen this holiday season when we visit family. I suspect I'll likely watch some football, which I never do any other time of the year. This works out pretty well as every time I hear the NFL theme music all I can think of is the "Giddy up giddy up" bridge of the classic Christmas song "Sleigh Bells." I'm not the first to notice this resemblance: click here to visit a website that offers audio samples of each.
There is a long tradition of stealing Christmas melodies. When I hear the beginning notes of "Here Comes Santa Claus," I can't help but think of the "Dashing through the snow" part of "Jingle Bells." Apparently the original version of "Jingle Bells" had a slightly different chorus melody, more closely resembling that of Pachelbel's Canon (as do "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" and countless non-holiday songs). You get the idea.
But Christmas means more than copyright theft and receiving things. Christmas is also about giving. We recently told Erik that we were headed to the Salvation Army to make a donation. Erik replied, "We're going to get another dog? With spots?" He was disappointed to learn that wasn't the case, but even more disappointed with he learned that this army doesn't have ANY weapons.
In keeping with the theme of giving, now is a great time to give Auto Body Experience CDs as gifts. A list of places you can purchase them appears here. As an alternative, if you contact me directly in the next few days we might arrange a local handoff.
Not only can we help you with gifts for your loved ones, we also have a gift for you!
Do you own our CD "A Tribute to Carhenge?" If so, it contains your holiday present from us! To hear it, begin playing the first track, and then hold down the Rewind (not the Previous) button to scroll back BEFORE the first tune. There you'll find a "zero track" tune called "That Sexy Thing You Do," written by yours truly, and sung by my soul-singing neighbor, Bill Scherer. Check it out!
As if that wasn't enough, we have some additional Auto Body "gifts" of similarly dubious value. On October 29th I was interviewed by some nice folks on KDEC FM 100.5 in Decorah, IA. Although you could have listened on-line at www.kdecradio.com at that time, you probably had something better to do at 8 AM, so we've posted the audio on our YouTube Channel, where you can also see some video of the band in action.
Finally, on Friday, Feb 4, we'll return to the Minneapolis Eagles Club #34, for one night only. Provided I don't get sucked into the game on one of the bar's TVs, we'll play two sets starting at 8 PM, including some brand new songs, so please mark your calendar if you do that sort of thing.
In any event I wish you and your loved ones the best for the holidays and the New Year!
Scott Yoho, Grand Pooh Bah, Knights of the Auto Order
More details and links at www.autobodyexperience.com