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My first – and last – visit to the “Herd Rock Band Bracket”

Wednesday evening is ‘church night’ for some of us, and you’ll find me attending “The Gathering” at First Prez-Midland each Wednesday night, enjoying a shared meal, fellowship and a variety of activities … sometimes choir practice, sometimes Bible study, sometimes a worship service … and sometimes, an intense discussion of contenders for the title “Best Rock Band” … e-vuh!

I think it was Greg Pysh – who heads music ministry at FPC-M, and is an adjunct professor of music at Midland College – who raised the topic of “The Herd Rock Band Bracket” where, we are told “Colin Cowherd and The Herd with Colin Cowherd staff need your help crowning the best rock band.” There were a number of us who had listened to at least a little rock over the years – many of us spinning 45s on a turntable, way back when – and we soon had the liveliest table talk in the fellowship hall.

Hmmmm … what WOULD Jesus listen to?

This morning, I finally got around to visiting the bracket’s website, and started ticking-off my votes in each of the 32 match-ups. Some were pretty easy … I picked the Rolling Stones over Blink 182, and U2 over Korn. Others were harder… well, at least for me, they were … I had a hard time deciding between The Jimi Hendrix Experience, which opened my eyes to new paths that rock might take, and Electric Light Orchestra, which produced my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE cover of “Roll Over, Beethoven.”

So far, so good … until I had gotten to the end of the selections and realized that MY personal favorite rock band – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – was missing from the list. What the … ?!?!?!

Let me explain why this upset me … I don’t necessarily think they would win the contest. I mean, look at the four #1 seeds … the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, U2, Led Zeppelin … all of whom I consider strong – or stronger – contenders. I guess what upset me the most was that Springsteen’s band didn’t even make it into the initial field of 64 …

It ain’t right, man!

And that’s why I’ve paid my first – and last – visit to the “Herd Rock Band Bracket.”

There's a saying around here, something like, "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!" That's me. I'm a 'dang Yankee from back-east' who settled in the Lone Star State after some extended stays in the eastern U.S., and New Mexico. I worked as an archaeologist for a few years before dusting off my second major in English, and embarking on a 25-year career in journalism. Since then, I've embraced the dark side of the force, and now work in PR for a community college in Midland, Texas.

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One Response to “My first – and last – visit to the “Herd Rock Band Bracket””

  1. I agree, Jeff. It’s crap. Bruce should be there. The fact that Nickelback and Creed are on there shows the lack of thought that went into selecting the bands.

    And I would put Bruce above U2 or the Stones. I know the Stones have a lot of fans, but I have never understood it at all. I find the embarrassing to watch. I don’t get it.

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