Howdy From Muy Fabulosa East Dallas, Texas,

I think that I'm just going to change the title of these writings to "Update." I want to try to keep ya'll occupied even when we're not touring. It still may change yet, but for now, it's "Update."

Tonight I'm listening to Los Straitjackets. So, what else is new?

Last night I saw a play called "A Tuna Christmas." It was very funny. Now I have to see "Greater Tuna".

I don't remember much from the last few Reverend Horton Heat gigs except that it was very good to see some old friends.

Oh yeah, all that stuff about friendly people in Oklahoma. Let's get one thing straight. There are jerks everywhere. And, some of the nicest people in the world are up north.

Today I want to talk about MTV. They have a little antitrust suit against them for forcing record companies -- poor bastards -- to place their artists' videos exclusively with MTV.

I have a few other questions. Do this mean that the labels and MTV are in collusion? Does this mean that MTV and the labels have deals worked out before us, the public, can decide if it's worthy or not? Does this mean that, in other words, the labels pay MTV, in one form or another, to play their videos?

We all knew it was happening. They strung Alan Freed up by his nuts back in the fifties for taking payola. I'd like to see the same thing happen here. Except there's one problem, MTV doesn't have any nuts!

I remember about two years ago, MTV sent this memo to all of the record companies saying, in effect, "MTV is no longer taking any unsolicited videos from any label, so, don't waste your time submitting new videos to MTV." Kind of the don't call us, we'll call you, thing.

By the way, if any of you know anything about that memo, or better yet, can obtain a copy of it, e-mail us.

Anyway, the memo should have said, "MTV is no longer accepting any videos that we do not have exclusive rights to." Friends, that's receiving something for airplay. That's payola.  We all could tell that it was happening. That channel sucks anyway. They just have shows with real kids complaining. Not much music anymore.

OK. Time for today's buys and sells -

Buy - Hootenanny

Sell - SUVs

Buy - spring reverb -- that's a musical effect that uses springs in a chamber. See Dick Dale, Duane Eddy.

Sell - Taking a sample of some great riff from some old recording and making it your so-called "whole new song" by adding some "fresh beats."

Buy - Mike Ness

Sell - "Who wants to be a millionaire?"

Buy - White to yellow, to orange, to red hotrod flames

Sell - Gold wheels - but I have to admit, even those catch my eye

Buy - Alan Freed - thanks for the gig.

Until whenever,

Jim "Reverend Horton" Heath

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