By Eddie Dubinsky

Here we are again, another year older and another year wiser. Needless to say, we're another year more venomous and bitterer. We've made a lot of good friends in our second year, tripled our advertising, doubled our page count, and burned several bridges. All in the name of entertaining our readers! So, once again, we've created a list of our favorite moments of our second year in print, 2002-2003. (Of course, in no particular order!)

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS
1) Charlie Daniels Ð It's not everyday that you get to pick the mind of a performer with 40-plus years in the music business, but Daniels gave us some practical advice to taking the first steps to establishing a career in the biz.
2) Ted Nugent Ð The Motor City Madman let it all hang out in our interview from his dream home that he was in the process of vacating due to black mold. He challenged us all to "Defy Gravity," Uncle Ted's way. Long live The Nuge, that crazy sommbitch!
3) George Clinton Ð The Funkmaster spent over 45 minutes on the phone droppin' knowledge on life, music, and gettin' down just for the funk of it.
4) Charlie Hunter Ð This 8-string guitar musical genius was one of the most stimulating and inspiring interviews to date. Hunter's approach to music is as intellectual as it is spiritual, engaging mind, body, and soul.
5) Jason Wade of Lifehouse Ð The brains behind this DreamWorks Records double-platinum sensation gave the pros and cons of an extended major label deal. Between you and me, it seemed as if the cons won in a landslide.
6) Scott Russo of Unwritten Law Ð We interrupted a songwriting session in a "Hollyweird Hotel." Russo was supercharged frighteningly candid.
7) Scotty Morris of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Ð Morris gave some great advice as far as making it in a larger-than-normal band in the business: everyone gets equal respect, equal say and "feature" time, and equal pay. It also helps if everyone has a great sense of humor and doesn't take themselves too seriously.
8) Aaron Neville's Mole Ð It was stupid and childish, but we laughed our asses off.
9) Mato Nanji of Indigenous Ð It was hard to believe that the same low-keyed, soft spoken, and humble American Indian on the phone was the same guy who electrified the stage and tore shit up at the NorVa. (By the way, Indigenous is coming back to town this month. Check our calendar!)
10) Alan Gorrie of The Average White Band Ð There was nothing average about this Scottish funkster who encouraged bands to work through break-ups and lost band members.

LOCAL YOCALS
1) The Rhythm Pigs Ð After giving Mike Arlo and 106.9 the Fox a verbal spanking, The Pigs had to eat crow and admit that they were wrong all along about the station's lack of support.
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Playing out on our pages, SPLASH was glad to see the links between the two's webpages, proving that the fences were mended.
0But, here's some breaking news about the Pigs: Dave Hlubek, founder of Molly Hatchet and co-writer of their classics, has joined the band. Now, The Rhythm Pigs are as high-powered and geared-up as any Harley in town.
2) Driven Ð When "Little Muffy" blew us off for a cover, we vented by blasting the primadonna-like behavior in a toxic-laden rant that shocked even ourselves. Although we received unprecedented fan mail for this article, we would love to make amends and bury this hatchet. Take this as a public apology, Driven, and forgive us.
3) Epoxy Ð We loved the tenacity and bite of this aggressive band that defies categorization. Obviously, everyone else is diggin' on them too because the band, backed by Jagemeister and Red Bull has blown up full-scale.
4) Some Odd Sense Ð This was a no-nonsense, informative, and insightful interview about a band who is efficiently getting "it" done and making a name for its self.
5) Ocean Ð When the bassist threatened to kick our editor's ass in a drunken stupor at 8:30 in the evening BEFORE they even played their first note, we couldn't resist but slam the guy. Little did we know that we were doing the band and the bassist a service because the last time we met up with the band again, "The Lush," as we nicknamed him, cleaned up his act, and they all thanked US.
6) Tom Randles Ð This one-man-band is producing some of (if not THE) best jazz in the area. Forget that he's a "head" on the evening news, and take in his smooth jazz. Playing any instrument that you put in his hands, Randles enlightened us on being a soloist and the state of local jazz scene.
7) Blind Toona Ð The man and the band that inspired us to write "The Ballad of Tim Toona." The one and only poem that we've ever printed.
8) The Mitch Foust Band Ð The two sides of Mitch Foust Ð the one who can be seen on any given night wowing loyal local fans, and the one who dons make-up to be Paul in SSIK, the KISS Tribute band that plays nationally.
9) The Garage Band Column Ð All the bands featured in this column take you back to a time when music mattered more than press kits and promo packs. Not only was the line up of teen bands a grateful brood, getting a charge out of seeing themselves in a music mag, but they are our area's future. And, we are proud to say that our future looks very bright!
10) The Nudie Cowboys - We simply can't say enough good things about this band that is getting regular spins and turning heads with its single "Let Myself Go."
If you missed any of these wonderful moments, check them out on our website...www.splashmag.org. Hit "features" and peruse our back issues month by month.
It is fun to look back, but we are having more fun looking ahead. We have a lot in store for you: hosting a TV show, going bi-weekly, covering more sports, more national acts, and tons of local bands!