Rhyme and Reason

The good ol’ American can do attitude. Remember that? If you’re only a couple of decades old (or less), you might not. But it’s what truly made America a force to be reckoned with. Because when you have a nation of people who believe most anything, do-able, is possible, watch out. That’s why it’s so sad, to me, to look around and see so many people so scared of life....

At some point of the year in 1990 or 91, my wife and I lived in Tulsa Time for a couple of weeks. Tulsa, Oklahoma to be exact. And that’s because I was booked in a snazzy hotel to provide live music. It was a very pleasant stay. Because the people were so nice to us. In fact, there was a nice, retired couple, Tom and Norma, who came in several nights, during the booking, and danced. And they...

I’m able to change my mind. And you read that and probably think something like, “Wow. That’s so deep, Tony.” But it IS deep. Because it means I’m not a robot. There’s no one pushing buttons making me do what I do each day. Good stuff or bad. I can choose to do bad. And then turn right around and choose not to. Whichever way I go, it’s my choice. And you c...

“I don’t wanna deal with reality. In fact, I hate reality.” I was just talking with a good friend who said a person he knows told him that. And my wife said a coworker told her something like that, too. So, it would seem there are some people out there who prefer their own little imaginary worlds. And they don’t wanna come out of them. But you gotta deal with reality whethe...

I remember, even way back in the 20th century when I was a kid, how pastors could get fire-and-brimstone fired up. And how they’d want some feedback. So, a lot of them would say something with particular emphasis and ask, “Can I get an Amen?” And somebody (or multiple somebodies) would shout, “Amen!” Of course, as a little kid, I just thought those adults were playing...

I’ve talked about how my parents split up when I was around 4. And I’ve talked about how my younger brother and I lived mainly with my grandparents (on Dad’s side) for a couple of years after that. But I’ve never mentioned how my Grandmother forced me to work all hours of the day and night. And how she made me snap green beans till my fingers bled. But that’s only bec...

Just think if you lived back in the days of gladiators. And imagine if you had to go out and fight for your king with an invisible suit of armor. Sure, it would be much lighter. So, it would be so much easier to stand up than if you wore that heavy metal armor they had back then. But do you think you’d feel powerful and safe? I bet you’d be more likely to feel vulnerable. Right? But wh...

Time flies. And time drags. And yet it’s all the same 24 hours every day. But circumstances are what can make those hours feel like they last forever. Or pass by in the blink of an eye. And events can happen to help you remember the day. Or cast it out of your head forever. It was 12 years ago, today, a little two year old girl lost her battle with cancer. And I didn’t know her. Didn&#...

Almost 6 years ago I shared a story about a bad experience I had in Erie, Pennsylvania. ( Check out that story ) And I talked about how it made me mad and how that inspired a song, Never Neverland. One of the lines says, “I wonder why can’t we all be friends…live and let live and share the dream.” But I didn’t pose that question because I didn’t know the answer....

Laughter and love. Could there be anything better than those two things? And that’s a rhetorical question of course. Because they both are awesome examples of human connection to God. But before you click away, or stop reading and listening to what I’m talking about, try this… 15 seconds of laughter…and love how it feels. But don’t do it in public. You’ll look l...

Kiss babies. Shake hands. And eat at mom and pop restaurants that exude Americana. OK, what do those statements make you think of? Bam! That’s right. Politicians. And let’s not leave out all that talk they do about division and unity. Division bad. Unity good. Sound familiar? But let’s think about division and unity a little more. Shall we? And let’s do a quick glance at Am...

I’m sure you’ve noticed, if you’ve lived more than a couple of decades, how we continue to suffer through a climate crisis. Every year it’s the same thing. You can’t depend on seasons because they consistently (oops, should I say “consistently”) change. And every 90 days or so (oops, should I say “every”) the weather takes another turn. What ar...

Anyone who knows me knows I’ve always been a big admirer of women. I appreciate ’em so much, in fact, that I married one 31 years ago. But, as usual, women are at the heart of a Yuge problem. And many of them, if not most, don’t seem to care to even try to fix it. Of course, by now, I’m sure you’ve guessed what that problem is. Right? Yeah, if we don’t get more...

Some time, around the middle decades of the twentieth century, a 16 year old girl discovered she was pregnant. Of course, she knew how it happened. And this was at a time in American history when young people were supposed to “do the right thing” and get married. So, she married the 19 year old young man (soon to be 20), who also knew the moral norms, and they started figuring things o...

Infinitely creative. That’s the way you might imagine somebody who could conjure up designs for the universe and everything in it. And if you found out that the same person could get it all built in only six days , you might start to think, “This is no ordinary person.” And that would be the understatement of all time. Because there’s one who can be infinitely creative. Sur...

An old friend of mine, from back in my days as a full time musician in Texas, loved REO Speedwagon. And I think she even got to meet them one time. I wasn’t a fan. But there’s no denying they were a pretty successful band. They had hits like Can’t Fight This Feeling, Keep On Loving You, and Take it On the Run. But their hit song, Ridin’ the Storm Out came up in my head when...

If you’ve spent even a little bit of time online, you’ve probably noticed a common “item” in the world of internet marketing. And you might have taken advantage of it more than once. I have. In fact, I have one of these on the opening page of TonyFunderburk.com. Of course I’m talking about the almost ubiquitous free offer. And marketers use it all the time for one sim...

I was a fan of Chicago (the band, not the city) when I was in high school. And for years after. I’m not sure what they’ve done in recent years. But some of that early stuff with horns, strings, double drummers…it was slammin’ jammin’. And if you’re a fan of drums, percussion, and bass arrangements, check out I’m A Man. Bam! Awesome drum solo. But another s...

OK, kids. Gather ’round. Because I’m gonna tell you a story that’s true, even though it sounds like a fairy tale. “Once upon a time, when I was a kid, my whole family would sit down in the same room and watch television shows together. That’s right, the same shows…together.” Yeah, that sounds like a fairy tale these days. But it was true. And a news story...

“Hey! Shut up! Don’t lie to me. You think I’m blind. But I’ve got eyes to see.” Yeah, a lot of what’s going on in America reminds me of those first couple of lines from Bonnie Raitt’s song “Have a Heart.” And I know it’s not a direct correlation, but it’s how my Rhyme and Reason brain works. It connects that rhyme and those lyrics w...

Each and every time America goes through an election cycle there’s a bunch of what I call strange change. And it’s rarely, if ever, for the good. But the presidential election of 2020-2021 goes down as one of the strangest. I suggest you hold on for the ride. And don’t just look for a place to hide till it’s all over. Yeah, hold on for the ride on a bronc named Consequences...

Social media. That term or description or title…whatever you wanna call it…has become an oxymoron. Because the biggest social media platforms have turned into bloated, antisocial, propaganda propagators. They’ve increased their agendas toward repressing, suppressing, and even shutting down anyone who disagrees with their worldview. But their actions have provided an ironic blessi...

It’s funny (not ha-ha funny) how people with the worst possible ideas always want everybody else to have open minds. Have you ever noticed that? And cheaters tend to want everybody to get along and “unify” once they get “in charge.” But those supposedly open-minded deceivers never seem to think any of that applies to them. Or at least that’s how they live out th...

You and I live in an atmosphere full of germs. And it’s been that way on good ol’ planet Earth for your whole life. Doesn’t matter how old you are. Bacteria, viruses, and all their little germ cousins are everywhere. And here’s a real kicker. They’re even setting up homes in your mask of death. “Whoa, mask of death?! That sounds like a conspiracy theory.”...

A woman I know (a friend of mine) has a 17 year old son who just experienced the suicide of one of his best friends. And her son had already shown bouts of depression and anxiety with his life. Keep in mind, my friend is a successful business woman who’s been raising three kids, on her own, for most of their lives. And she’s provided a nice house in a great place…with all the mod...