CarusoBlog

The Osmonds and the Carusos Were the First Boy Bands

Composed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana--

The Osmond family is celebrating 50 years in show business.   They've had  dozens of gold records and are still red-hot in the United Kingdom, having recently sold out Wembley Stadium in 24 hours. 

Everyone knows that Marie Osmond was on last season's Dancing With the Stars.  Donnie, I'm told, is close to signing a long-term deal to perform in Las Vegas.

You may know that my brothers and I emulated the Osmond brothers in our early years as the Caruso brother band.  We thought we were hipper than the Mormon family, but who didn't?  Anyway, the sibling connection wasn't lost on us.  The media loved the angle and we got tons of local and regional press.

I'm sure that all the time I spent in front of rock 'n' roll audiences helped prepare me for a career in the speaking business.  What do you think?

My brothers and I informally sing together once in a while.  Dave, Rob and I had some musical fun over the holidays at Rob's beautiful waterfront home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Veni, Vidi, ?

Posted from Royal Oak, Michigan--

One of the best e-zines I receive is from Dan Poynter.  As a writer, I find Dan's information timely and refreshing.  He's an expert on book publishing and a mentor.  I've only met him once, but Mr. Poynter continues to inspire and educate. 

A recent issue of his e-zine offered a funny nugget from Charles Boyle.

The following phrases are adopted from the old saying, "Veni, vidi, vici . . . I came, I saw, I conquered."  I punched up a few of them.

• Veni, vidi, velcro . . . I came, I saw, I stuck around
• Veni, vidi, vino . . . I came, I saw, I got drunk
• Veni, vidi, visa . . . I came, I saw, I charged it
• Veni, vidi, viagra . . . I came, I saw, I rose to the occasion
• Veni, vidi, vinyl . . . I came, I saw, I sided the house

• Veni, vidi, venereal . . . I came, I saw, I caught  something
• Veni, vidi, volvo . . . I came, I saw, I drove safely
• Veni, vidi, veggie . . . I came, I saw, I ate healthy

I Ride Along in NASCAR style with Mike Guerity

Posted from Royal Oak, Michigan--

     I recently keynoted a conference for some talented software developers and their customers in Charlotte, North Carolina.  We were treated to a thrilling ride-along in a stock car at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

     I took three laps around the 1.5 mile track at 160 miles per hour with Mike Guerity, a friendly, polite and confident young man.  Mike is one step away from joining the superstar ranks of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR).  His proud mother, Linda took some of the photos here.    

     All NASCAR drivers and passengers must where helmets.  The foam on the inside of my helmet was soaking wet with perspiration from previous passengers.

     The car is an 850 horsepower, Nextel cup car that weighs 3,400 pounds.  A Ford Escort has 110 horsepower and a Dodge Viper has 450.  An Escort weighs 2,470 lbs. and the Viper weighs 3,320 lbs.

     The ride-along was fun, even though it wasn't an actual race.  The turns were pitched at 24 degrees and roar of the engine sure kept me awake.  As one conference attendee put it, "At 160 miles per hour, you don't go toward things as much as things come toward you."

     Our race day was exciting, but I'll bet a full house of 167,000 fans on race day  really makes the track rock!

     Thanks to Bob Arndt at Integral and Mike Guerity for another great adventure!