Blitz September 2015 by Blitz Weekly

High Expectations for

JASON GARRETT and the

DALLAS COWBOYS What’s Next for

RONDA ROUSEY?

The Beginning of the End for

FLOYD MAYWEATHER A Look Back at the

SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE {FASHION} It’s All in the Details

SEPTEMBER 2015

SMARTER, SHARPER MEN

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SEPTEMBER 2015

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SEPTEMBER 2015

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2015

SE PTE MBE R

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INTELLIGENCE

6 High Expectations After last season’s success, Jason Garrett knows he needs to lead the Dallas Cowboys to the Super Bowl. 8 Southwest Conference A lot of pride led to its success and a lot of pride also brought it down. 10 The Fight for Perfection Is this the beginning of the end for Floyd Mayweather or is there a plan in place to continue his legacy? 11 It’s All in the Details Gentlemen, it’s time to improve your look and confidence without breaking the bank. 14 Cowboys Club at DFW Airport Our very own jetsetter Jay Betsill spent some time in Terminal A to learn about its newest addition. 22 The World of Hip Hop The genre has changed over the years but has hip hop lost its identity?

Publisher and Editor Staff Photographers Kelly G. Reed John Breen, Dominic Ceraldi, Jarrod Fresquez, Michael Kolch, Features Director Rick Leal, Sandy McAnally Amber LaFrance Staff Writers Pop Culture Editor Peter Gerstenzang, Frank LaCosta, Ethan Harmon Lance LeVan, Chris Sick Sports Editor Contributing Photographers/Artists Lance Rinker Daniel Carvalho, Bruce Chandler, Copy Chief Ross Halfin, Takahiro Kyono, Mark Miller Brian Reading, 92YTribeca, 6amcrisis

Contributing Writers Creative Director Jay Betsill, Paul A. Esquivel, Jette Stephens Andrew J. Hewett, Kendrick Johnson, Photo Editor Kendra Kinion, Jared Macduff, Darryl Briggs Lew Patton, Alan Sculley

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P.O. Box 295293, Lewisville, TX 75029 • www.blitzweekly.com Copyright 2015 YK Publishing, LLC. No portion of BLITZ Weekly may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the Publisher. BLITZ Weekly is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. BLITZ Weekly may be distributed only by BLITZ Weekly’s authorized independent contractors or BLITZ Weekly’s authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of BLITZ Weekly, take more than one copy of each BLITZ Weekly issue. Articles printed in this publication may express opinions or views not necessarily the opinions of BLITZ Weekly. The BLITZ Weekly is not responsible for the content or claims of advertisements or editorial in this publication. Story reprints are available for $1 plus postage; call the office at 214-529-7370 to place an order or check our archives at www.blitzweekly.com.

Jarrod Fresquez Model: Erika Make-Up: J ai Okoli – Makeup Junkies, INC. Hair: George Graham – Makeup Junkies, INC.

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SEPTEMBER 2015

Being Smart with Your Smart Device Can Help Avoid Accidents During Football Season

WHY ROUSEY NEEDS CYBORG

6amcrisis

BY MARK MILLER – @MARKMYWORDSTEX

nother football season is upon us which of course means plenty of food and beverage being consumed, people celebrating their favorite teams by painting their faces and wearing home jerseys, families sitting in different rooms in their own homes, and of course, following your fantasy league players. In today’s ever-expanding technology world, the beginning of the 2015 college and National Football League campaigns also translates to an ever-growing place for fans to use their mobile devices. Whether at home, at a friend’s house or bar, on the way to the game, in the parking lot, or in the stadium, as more people become even more digitally connected, there’s even more places to use your cellphone, mobile device, or computerized wrist watch. Don’t believe it? Then consider these statistics mentioned in an article in the Miami Herald: • A study by Flurry, Yahoo’s mobile analytics firm, showed use of sports apps soared by 210 percent between August 2013 and August 2014. • Flurry said sports app users are 12.8 times more likely to be football fans, 2.3 times more likely to be single and 2.3 times more likely to be business travelers. • A 2014 study by Perform Sports Media found that 26 percent of U.S. fans use social-media platforms to follow their favorite sport, up from 15 percent in 2011. • One-third said they use Twitter to follow sports, trailing Facebook (89 percent) and YouTube (65 percent). • Twitter says the numbers are higher than that, citing its own study that six out of 10 sports fans say Twitter is a main source of news. • From the start of last year’s Super Bowl to 30 minutes after it ended, there were 43.4 million tweets about the game. That means 65 million people communicated about the game on Facebook, with 265 million posts.

With such increased usage comes an increased risk of something going wrong with that favorite technology gadget. One recent survey put the number at 77 percent for college students alone. “People can drop their phones from the upper deck, into the barbecue, or beverages can spill on them,” said Stacey Vogler, U.S. managing director for Protect Your Bubble, an Atlanta -based company that sells insurance policies protecting people against device accidents. “It’s not realistic to suggest you leave your phone behind because we’re so connected. People just can’t imagine being without their phones for very long. You hear about studies that say people can’t even go a day without their phone.” Top mobile device problems by far according to Vogler are cracked screens, power button and other mechanical breakdowns, and water and other liquid damage. Who knew letting the world know where you are and how much fun you are having can end up costing you so much. People use their devices to check out-of-town scores and individual player stats, keep up with what their friends are doing, Tweeting, posting, and of course taking and posting “selfies” of themselves at the events. College and pro teams are even enhancing the social media experience by creating Twitter hashtags, developing new apps, and having their athletes interact with fans (ideally not during games, though). It’s part of an effort to engage fans in new ways, most of which require the latest technology device. Vogler said most of her company’s customers fall within the 25-45 age range, evenly split between males and females. They tend to be more technology savvy than the average person. They also trend toward business travelers who use their devices well beyond the sports field. Yes, increased consumption means more chance for something bad to happen to your mobile devices while enjoying the games. But being smart now when using your smart device can save headaches later. “The first line of defense is just being wise when you are using it,” Vogler said.

BY LANCE LEVAN – @LANCELEVAN1

In August 2014, I wrote an article about Ronda Rousey. I felt it was a fairly objective article about how people had started referring to her as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time). Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey is the current (and so far, the only) Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s bantamweight (135 pounds) champion. For those of you out there who do not know her resume, here it is:

• She is a very highly-decorated Olympic-caliber Judoka. • She has had 15 Mixed Martial Arts fights, 12 of them have been professional bouts. • She has been fighting in MMA for five years and is 15-0 (12-0 professionally). • In every single fight she has been in, she has finished the fight. • Of her 15 wins, 12 have been by her signature move, the armbar. • The other three victories were TKO/KOs. • All but one of her 15 bouts have been finished in the first round.

She has finished 100 percent of her opponents. She has won 100 percent of her fights. These are not my opinions or things that other sports writers have embellished. These are facts, and they are undisputed. She is on a completely different level than her current “peers.” You can’t really call them her peers, because they are NOT. In her short tenure, she has burned through the gambit of opponents in her weight class and barely broke a sweat. Now, she’s getting ready to have to fight Holly Holm on Jan. 2. Holm is a former boxer and kickboxer as a welterweight. Though this match will be a bantamweight bout. Holm will definitely bring a different approach to the Octagon but in my opinion, the result will be the same. Rousey is just that good and really needs a fighter who will challenge her. With that being said, there are rumors and speculation that Rousey and Cris “Cyborg” Justino could fight sometime in the near future. There are so many rumors and articles about this, I have no idea what to believe and what not to believe. I hear rumors that Cyborg wants to fight at a catch-weight. I hear other rumors Ronda doesn’t want to fight her. I hear rumors that Cyborg is still juicing (using anabolic steroids) to enhance her performance. Let me give my .02 cents worth on these rumors, and remember that these are MY opinions: 1. R onda should not fight a catch-weight fight. She is the champion. If you want to fight her, cut weight and make it to 135 pounds. In Cyborg’s last fight, she cut down to 144.6 pounds. Another nine pounds is quite a bit of weight. 2. I can’t speak for Ronda, but I do not believe that she is scared of ANY woman in MMA. I do believe that IF Cyborg can make it to 135 pounds; it will be a sincere test of Ronda’s ability. Cyborg is a serious threat. 3. I believe that all fighters should be tested for PEDs before and after every fight, ESPECIALLY if you have already been busted taking steroids. In my last article, I said that I thought Ronda was the greatest female fighter of all time. But I did not think that she was the pound-for-pound GOAT. I am slowly changing my mind. I am thinking of a number. If she gets to this number (of wins), then I am going to publically retract my statement and start referring to her as the GOAT. She has fought twice since my last article and both of those fights lasted a total of 48 seconds. LESS THAN ONE MINUTE! FOR TWO FIGHTS! It’s like watching vintage Mike Tyson fights. You KNEW he was going to KO his opponent, but you bought the PPV and watched his fights because you wanted to see how incredible he was. It is the same thing with Ms. Rousey. Every time that she fights, I purchase the PPV and I tune in to see how insanely dominant she is in the Octagon. WWW.BLITZWEEKLY.COM

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Can Jason Garrett Lead the Dallas Cowboys to the Super Bowl? teams were salivating over it seemed, and while Phillips’ first season with the Cowboys was a success – going 13-3 and making a playoff appearance – the team still had not won a playoff game since 1996 at that point. After missing the playoffs altogether in 2009, speculation once again ramped up that Phillips would be fired and Garrett would replace him. Fast-forward to 2010 and it finally happened after a 1-7 start. Garrett promptly took over and guided the Cowboys to a 5-3 record the rest of the way – finishing 6-10 overall.

BY LANCE RINKER – @LANCEMRINKER What a long, strange journey it has been for Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett. From a career backup quarterback with several teams, the Cowboys included, and a pair of Super Bowl rings on his mantle, courtesy of the Cowboys super teams of the 90s, to the head coach of one of the most hated and beloved teams in the National Football League. No talk can take place about whether Garrett is the right man to lead the Cowboys to a Super Bowl victory without a short history lesson first.

How the Garrett Era Came to Be He was highly desirable following the 2007 season when as offensive coordinator he led the Cowboys offense to second best in the NFL. After losing out on the St. Louis Rams head coaching gig he decided to remain with the Cowboys – and wound up the highest paid assistant coach at the time in the process. Speculation that Garrett would be Wade Phillips’ likely successor began in earnest after that 2007 season, though Phillips was still under contract. Garrett was the hot young commodity other

There were rumors swirling that the Cowboys’ offense was inconsistent during the first half of the season because Garrett was actively gunning for the head coach position, and wasn’t always calling the best plays to score points or advance the ball on every down. During those first eight games the Cowboys offense averaged 20 points per game and in the second half, under Garrett’s direction, the offense averaged 29 with Garrett calling plays the entire season. Regardless of whether you believe Garrett took advantage of the Phillips’ poor situation or not, he was handed the keys to the franchise midway through the 2010 season and Jerry Jones hasn’t wavered in his support of him since.

Early Results Weren’t Screaming Success Expectations were high entering the 2011 season – Garrett had a strong showing in his debut the last half of the previous season, and a healthy Tony Romo had fans believing in a playoff berth at the very least. Instead, Garrett went in a different direction and began the exodus of players with troubled pasts or were viewed as more trouble than they were worth in the locker room to get guys on the team who were the “right kind of guys,” according to Garrett. However, NFL teams don’t win Super Bowls with a bunch of choirboys sitting around roasting marshmallows and singing “Kumbaya My Lord.”

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The rebuild of the roster seemed to mostly focus on jettisoning players who didn’t fit the Jason Garrett mold, though keeping the core of the roster intact. From 2011-13, Garrett kept nearly 40 percent of the core roster together which included Romo, Dez Bryant, Tyron Smith, Jason Witten, DeMarco Murray, and a slew of other guys drafted or signed to be a “Garrett Guy.” Unfortunately, going with that style of rebuild led to three straight 8-8 seasons with the Cowboys having the opportunity to secure a playoff spot in the last games of those seasons. Each time the team came up woefully short and you could lay a portion of the blame of that on Garrett still learning on the job. He made quite a few blunders from not managing the play clock effectively enough to icing his own kicker, which cost the Cowboys a previous victory during the 2012 season – they fell just one game shy of making the playoffs that season.

Patience Pays Off After three straight mediocre seasons in which fans, Cowboys bloggers, and some members of the national and local media began calling for the outright dismissal of Garrett before the 2014 season, or stated the 2014 season should be his last if he can’t at least guide the team to the playoffs – Garrett and the team finally answered the call. The Cowboys offense scored 467 points last season, the most since the 1983 season when the team scored 479 under Tom Landry. Even the defense played respectably enough throughout the season to finish middle of the pack and give the team a shot to win every week. More important, however, was the fact the Cowboys not only won the NFC East but also won their first playoff game since 1996 – beating a physical Detroit Lions team 24-20 in the Wild Card round on Jan. 4. They went on to play Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round, but ultimately lost a close one 26-21.

But the point was made with Garrett, and ultimately Jones, that patience had paid off – patience in allowing Garrett to take his lumps learning how to be an effective head coach. Patience in allowing Garrett to get the “right kind of guys” into the locker room before taking chances on players with checkered pasts. Now, of course, where do he and the team go from here?

What Does the Future Hold? The Cowboys roster certainly is stacked with players who either are Pro Bowlers or have that kind of talent. The fact that Romo isn’t even the best player on his team anymore bodes well for them overall. The offensive line is one of the best in the NFL; the defense should be improved over last year’s squad with the addition of defensive end Greg Hardy and a now healthy linebacker Sean Lee. The cast of characters behind the very best on the roster include one of the most improved players over last year in DeMarcus Lawrence and others such as Byron Jones, Terrance Williams, and Cole Beasley who all have the ability to make magic happen on the field. If Garrett and Jones have proven anything over the previous four seasons it is the “Garrett Way” has worked and there’s no reason to doubt the man in charge going forward. And let’s be clear, the man in charge actually is Garrett – he has had more autonomy with this organization than any coach not named Bill Parcells or Jimmy Johnson during the Jones ownership era. While the NFL is full of parity and a dozen teams have a shot at a Super Bowl appearance each season, Garrett has the talent on the roster and the ability to manage his locker room well enough to get the most out of everyone in it. Combine his ability to lead the team with the talent on it and I’d say he has just as good of a shot at winning a Super Bowl title this season as the likes of the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, or even the Seattle Seahawks.

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SEPTEMBER 2015

YEAR 2 College Football Playoff

BY JARED MACDUFF – @MACDUFF25

he College Football Playoff was designed to be a similar setup to the National Football League playoff system to improve on the shortcomings of the Bowl Championship Series format. Four college football teams were selected based on their ranking by the CFP selection committee at the end of the regular season. These four teams would play each other in a pair of singleelimination games to decide who would move onto the national title game. The year 2014 was the first year that the College Football Playoff was introduced and the idea was that this would be a “trial run” to see if the system would be a success or a failure. The four teams selected in 2014 were Ohio State, Alabama, Florida State, and Oregon. These teams playing each other made for some exciting and highlywatched games. In the end, Ohio State played Oregon in the title game, and as the underdog, the Buckeyes shocked the world and won thus becoming the first College Football Playoff champion. What made this even more amazing was that Ohio State won with its third-string quarterback, Cardale Jones.

Pros and Cons There were some things that went right and some things that went wrong with the new CFP system. Among the things that went well were the games themselves. The committee set it up to where the No. 1-ranked team played the No. 4 team and the No. 2 team played the No. 3 team. While some games were exciting, some were grind-out games and some were shootouts.

While this was an overall success, there are some improvements that can be made to the system for the coming season. In my opinion one of these shortcomings was that there were teams that were in the Top 10 that were more than deserving of getting a chance to play for a national championship, such as TCU and Baylor. However, with five power conferences in college football and only four teams selected, one or more conferences always will be left out. Last season it was the Big 12. Perhaps an improvement will be made to add more teams to the playoff format. This is not something that will happen in the next few years, but adding more teams down the road will make the playoff process not only more fair but also more competitive. A gray area that most fans would agree upon is that there needs to be a more transparent explanation as to what weighs the most in the selection process – win-loss records, strength of schedule, conference championships won, headto-head records, or records against common opponents. The head-to-head aspect caused problems for TCU and Baylor when Baylor beat TCU in Waco last season. The Horned Frogs were ranked ahead of the Bears despite the two teams having the same record. This should have been specified from the beginning that head-to-head games would be considered as the last factor. Another area of improvement would be if the committee stayed consistent with its posted rankings instead of waiting until late to post the final rankings. There should also be more quantifiable formulas such as how one set of criteria will impact the other, such as if one team loses, how will that affect the team. Another improvement is that individual committee members need to be more accountable. The committee needs to have the rankings similar to what is seen in the AP and Coaches polls. We need to be able to see an exact tally of the rankings by each committee member. Not only

should each member be held more accountable, but each needs to explain why each has teams ranked a particular way.

Still the Same? For now, the College Football Playoff process will be the same. There won’t be any changes. Some of the commissioners said there should be fewer than seven weekly rankings released. I think that factors such as head-to-head matchups, conference championships, and win-loss records need to be looked at more closely. This season look for most of the same teams fighting for playoff spots once again, but there may be some surprise teams that will enter the conversation and cause chaos in the college football world just as there is every year. One or more power conference teams will be left out. It’s pretty much a fact that if a team loses early in the season, the committee will not be as hard on them when it comes to the final selection seeding.

Buckeyes to Repeat? Fans should expect this year to be another exciting college football season and there will be some drama as always. My pick to win the national championship this year is that Ohio State will repeat. The Buckeyes lost nine players to the 2015 NFL Draft and some were important weapons, but like the rest of the college football world they’ll be able to fill those holes. The Buckeyes have become even more dangerous with Braxton Miller switching from quarterback to wide receiver. Ohio State has defensive end Joey Bosa, Ezekiel Elliott and of course Cardale Jones along with a healthy J.T. Barrett. The

Buckeyes have been able to keep their core together despite the loss of wide receivers Devin Smith and Evan Spencer, and defensive tackle Michael Bennett, just to name a few. The College Football Playoff will continue to be used along with the regular bowl games. There were things that went right and there also are improvements that can be made to the system for the coming years. There also may be a repeat champion this year. All in all, the College Football Playoff made for an exciting end to another crazy college football season.

TOP 10 GAMES TO WATCH So mark your calendars now! 10) Alabama vs. Wisconsin A great way to open the season!

Sept. 5

9) Notre Dame vs. Clemson Toughest road game for the Irish.

Oct. 3

8) USC vs. Oregon A preview to the Pac-12 title game?

Nov. 21

7) Florida State vs. Georgia Tech How will the Seminoles fare without Jameis Winston?

Oct. 24

6) Alabama vs. Auburn The Iron Bowl could decide the SEC West champion.

Nov. 28

5) Oklahoma vs. Texas We admit we’re homers. Still one helluva weekend!

Oct. 10

4) Oregon vs. Michigan State Sparty will have revenge on his mind. 3) Michigan State vs. Ohio State Perhaps the Buckeyes toughest opponent this season. 2) Arizona State vs. Texas A&M Pac-12 vs SEC battle in Houston opening weekend. Nuff said.

Sept. 12

Nov. 21

Sept. 5

1) Baylor vs. TCU Nov. 27 Both could be unbeaten at this point and playing for the Big 12 title. WWW.BLITZWEEKLY.COM

SEPTEMBER 2015

LIFE WAS GOOD IN THE OLD

SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE BY LEW PATTON @LEWP

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So here is a topic that revolves around age. How many of you remember the old Southwest Conference? For those of us who do, there was a ton of pride in a league that primarily revolved around one powerful state, Texas. If you thought the people of Texas bragged about football to the rest of the country, the Southwest Conference was probably why. Seriously, how many other states could claim seven powerful college football teams in one state? Throw in the Arkansas Razorbacks and you had an entire conference of great football teams that were above and beyond many other conferences in the country, and the conference was primarily in one state. If you don’t remember that old conference, you have to wonder what it was like when that conference was alive and kicking. What caused it to succeed year after year? What caused its demise?

Southwest Conference Membership The Southwest Conference was organized in 1914. Charter members included the University of Texas, Texas A&M University, Baylor University, the University of Arkansas, the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) University, Southwestern University of Georgetown and Rice University. Southern Methodist University joined the conference in 1918; Texas Christian University was added in 1923; Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech University) joined in 1958; and the University of Houston was accepted for membership in 1971. Phillips University of Enid, Okla., participated in the conference in 1920. Oklahoma and Oklahoma A&M dropped out in the mid-20s, and Southwestern quit after 1916.

The Championships and the Champions Football, the premier sport from start to finish, produced seven national champions: SMU, 1935; TCU, 1938; Texas A&M, 1939; Arkansas, 1964; and Texas, 1963, 1969 and 1970. Those three UT national titles were the gems of Darrell Royal’s 20 years as the Longhorns coach, a career which saw him post the SWC’s best winning percentage of .774 (167-47-5). D.X. Bible, who hired Royal to restore UT’s football glory just before he retired as the school’s athletic director, also earned a unique place in SWC history. He was the only man who served as head coach at A&M and UT, the conference’s fiercest rivals. Bible was 72-19-9 in 11 years at A&M (1917, 1919-28) and returned to the SWC after eight years at Nebraska to coach Texas to a 63-31-3 record in 10 years, 1937-46. Bible’s 21-year SWC coaching record was .716. The Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s most outstanding player, was won by five SWC stars: TCU’s Davey O’Brien, 1938; SMU’s Doak Walker, 1948; A&M’s John David Crow, 1957; Texas’ Earl Campbell, 1977; and Houston’s Andre Ware, SMARTER, SHARPER MEN

1989. The league also produced five winners of the Outland Trophy, which salutes the nation’s outstanding lineman: Arkansas’ Bud Brooks, 1954; Texas’ Scott Appleton, 1963; Texas’ Tommy Nobis, 1965; Arkansas’ Loyd Phillips, 1966; and Texas’ Brad Shearer, 1977. In other sports, SWC schools won a total of 55 national championships. Most notable were Texas’ winning the NCAA College World Series four times (1949, 1950, 1975, 1983) and two outstanding women’s basketball champions: Texas (34-0) in 1986 and Texas Tech, led by Player of the Year Sheryl Swoopes, in 1993. The SWC boasted more than 350 first-team All-America athletes in football, basketball and baseball alone. Its track-and-field stars included three historic Olympians. Baylor’s Michael Johnson scored the rarest of doubles in 1996, winning both the 200 and 400 at the Atlanta Games to cap a career-best year in which he set world records in both races. In 1984, Houston’s Carl Lewis became the first Olympian to win four gold medals at the games since Jesse Owens in 1936 and added five more gold medals in the 1988, 1992 and 1996 Olympics. Texas A&M shot putter Randy Matson, the first ever to throw past 70 feet, won the gold in 1968 and held the world record longer than anyone in history. In the fall of 1996, the final eight SWC members scattered to their new conferences. The football season lacked excellence on all fronts until Texas, winner of a mediocre South Division, faced two-time national champion Nebraska in the first-ever Big 12 championship game at St. Louis. The Longhorns, 20½-point underdogs, stunned the Cornhuskers with their imaginative, gambling style of play to win, 37-27. Anyone who remembered the excitement of the SWC at its best sure got their kicks that day.

So What Happened to the Southwest Conference? There have been many theories as to what happened to bring down one of the best conferences ever. A premiere football conference

with legendary coaches and Heisman Trophy winners, the SWC produced national champions in the 1930s, 1960s, and 1970s. Despite having some of the best college athletes and ranking as a football powerhouse, the SWC fell apart when the desire to win overshadowed ethics and teams began using almost any means necessary to succeed. Though not the only conference to engage in recruitment violations, the SWC ranked as one of the worst offenders. Constant sanctions levied on the member universities by the National Collegiate Athletic Association partly led to the break-up of the SWC. Already at a disadvantage with its small regional television market, the conference’s bigger universities had their games blacked out because of NCAA violations that landed them on probation. Individual alumni boosters at some SWC universities felt that the NCAA rules did not apply to them because they had not agreed to the NCAA’s terms. These boosters paid studentathletes under the table to attend their alma maters and for their on-field performance. At one point the Southwest Conference had seven of its nine teams serving some sort of NCAA sanction that included loss of scholarships, loss of television broadcast rights, and bowl game bans. The lack of institutional control by the presidents and athletic directors kept the cheating going, and the problem went all the way to the office of the governor of Texas, Bill Clements. With the recruiting scandals and NCAA probations for cheating that cut television revenues, the conference’s athletic departments could not meet their multimillion-dollar budgets. Every year, universities compete to obtain the best high school football talent on national signing day. The process involves finding the blue-chip student-athlete who will sign a football scholarship with the hope of improving the school’s football program and winning a national championship. National signing day also concludes the recruiting process for that year’s

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class, and universities anxiously await their chance to find and attract the nation’s best athletes. In the 1970s and 1980s, the SWC was notorious around college football for repeat recruitment violations by giving athletes money to sign. Persuading teenagers to commit to an athletic scholarship at a particular university is difficult with other universities also vying for those athletes’ services. Former SMU coach Ron Meyer said, “It’s just the damnedest thing with high school kids. You never know what they’re going to decide.” SWC alumni boosters who sought to circumvent the system found out that money spoke louder than any recruiter ever could. The Southwest Conference was made up of the “haves” and the “have-nots.” The private universities such as SMU, TCU, Baylor, and Rice could not compete with the powerhouse public universities like The University of Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and Arkansas that had an advantage from their names alone. The smaller universities had to find a way to balance the recruiting playing field. Many boosters attempted to do this by paying the better athletes to sign with the boosters’ school in hopes of winning a national championship and bragging rights. Operating with misguided loyalty, wealthy alumni who contributed to this scheme at times became important, though unofficial and unacknowledged, parts of their universities’ athletic programs.

The Death Penalty In the most extreme case, SMU suffered the “death penalty” for repeated NCAA violations. But even though “a program could be shut down if it was found guilty of major violations twice within a five-year period,” it continued cheating while on probation because it felt an obligation to honor its “contracts” with athletes already on campus – and perhaps also because it assumed no one would suspect a sanctioned university to continue its wrongdoings. Such defiance illustrates how under-the-table competition in the battle for signing football players had become a way of life in some SWC schools.

SEPTEMBER 2015

The pride of alumni drove them to employ assistant coaches in their plan to recruit classes of athletes who would produce on the field. As Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle remarked about the SMU case, “It wasn’t just that one assistant coach knew. A whole slew of them knew, some of them stuffing envelopes with cash.”

While the boosters and schools hoped that paying players would improve their chances of winning a championship, the plan backfired because their schools lost the chance to compete in the championship bowl games they so desperately wanted. In addition to limited media exposure caused by sanctions, the schools were not always the only game in town. TCU and SMU stood within an hour of the Dallas Cowboys; Rice and the University of Houston pulled from the same fan base as the Houston Oilers. Over the decades, the emergence of the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Oilers robbed the SWC’s four schools in Dallas/ Fort Worth and Houston of their game-attending fan base.

SMU was the most penalized university in the SWC, with a total of 14 sanctions, most of them due to behind-the-scene dealings of boosters. Dallas, home to SMU, became the new hotbed for real estate and oil in the 1970s. Most of the high-powered lawyers and bankers had gone to SMU and grown tired of their university coming in last in the conference. The biggest booster was Sherwood Blount, a Dallas real estate developer, who had played football at SMU from 1959 to 1961. He was linked to a slush fund that paid 13 SMU football players $61,000 over two seasons, and the NCAA banned him for life from any association with the SMU athletic department.

The End and a New Beginning

The NCAA had plenty of reason to disassemble the entire conference and make each university independent with no conference affiliation. With the NCAA Committee for Infractions constantly monitoring repeat offenders in over half the conference, the public came to see it as an almost normal event. The constant cycle of probation and sanction against SWC universities limited television exposure and made it difficult for the NCAA to market the schools. UH Professor and General Counsel Eric Bentley stated, “It is very hard to brand a university that isn’t in the public eye as much as they can be.”

After Arkansas departed, the revenue that each SWC university averaged fell by about $1 million compared to the SEC. The diminishing revenue stream caused attendance to continue to fall and weakened performance on the field. Although the SWC had strong teams until the end, none of the schools remained in the national championship hunt. The final seven SWC champions from 1989 to 1995 failed to win their bowl games, which added to the conference’s losses.

Most of the sanctions prevented schools from playing in post-season bowl games with the exception of the Cotton Bowl, which always included a SWC team. This cost the sanctioned universities and the SWC a lot of money because the payouts that would have gone to the SWC were redirected to other universities in other conferences.

One of the major reasons for the break-up of the conference was the departure of the University of Arkansas to the Southeastern Conference in 1991. Arkansas’ departure meant the SWC lost its only media market outside of Texas. The allTexas conference drew only regional interest and smaller crowds, which limited the schools and the SWC’s media contract negotiations.

In 1996, the SWC officially disbanded and the teams dispersed and their fans followed. The University of Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, and Texas Tech joined the schools in the Big Eight to form the Big 12 Conference. SMU, TCU, and Rice joined the Western Athletic Conference. The University of Houston became a charter member of Conference USA, which formed with the merger of the Metro Conference and Great Midwest Conference. Since then, these conferences, too, have realigned multiple times leaving one to wonder if the long-standing powerhouse conferences are a thing of the past. Payments to student athletes were rampant in the SWC, and the NCAA was ineffective in stopping the illegal activity. The problem became difficult to contain and too big to fix. Schools and conferences have yet to find a way to distribute or share the revenues generated by sports programs to level the playing field with regard to recruitment for small and large or public and private institutions.

The game ball from the 1995 Bayou Bucket Classic, the last football game in Southwest Conference history.

Brian Reading

Today one need look no further than the Longhorn Network to see the inequities created by the massive sums available to universities with large media markets. Although not the only conference to break the rules, the SWC remains a symbol of the problems with NCAA football.

Eric Dickerson and Craig James SMU

Sammy Baugh TCU

Eric Dickerson SMU

Doak Walker SMU

Davey O’Brien TCU

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SEPTEMBER 2015

VOL. 8 - ISSUE 8

THE FIGHT FOR PERFECTION Floyd Mayweather Looks to Leave the Ring the Way He Entered It: Standing

BY KENDRICK JOHNSON – @KENDRICKJOHNSO After making nearly $300 million dollars for 36 minutes of work already this year, what is one to do for an encore? If you’re Floyd “Money” Mayweather the answer is simple, keep fighting and making history and the money will follow.

“Come Sept. 12, this is our last opportunity to see Floyd Mayweather. I know many people doubt that, but trust me,” Ellerbe said. “This gentleman to my right, you better take a look at him, because the things he’s accomplished in this sport, you will never, ever see again.”

On Sept. 12, Mayweather, the world’s best poundfor-pound boxer, will make his grand return to the ring for the first time since embarrassing Manny Pacquiao in May. Mayweather will try to match the iconic 49-0 career record of Rocky Marciano against fellow American Andre Berto in a bout where he will be putting his pound-forpound crown on the line. “Two decades at the top of the sport, but you know what’s most impressive? Is his work ethic,” said Stephen Espinoza, executive vice president and general manager for Showtime Sports. “Almost 20 years of a work ethic that is unmatched in the sport of boxing. Never in his 19 years has Floyd showed up less than 100 percent prepared, 19 years of unwavering discipline. Once he got to the top, the work ethic didn’t change. That will be the legacy of Floyd in this sport, it is something I will likely never see again in my lifetime.” Mayweather, 38, has won 12 world titles over five weight divisions and has defeated 22 world champions in his career on his way to becoming the world’s highest-paid athlete under the TV deal he signed in 2013. Unlike Pacquiao, Berto is not a future hall of famer and is looked at as B or C level fight at best in most boxing circles. With quality contenders like Amir Khan, Shawn “Showtime” Porter and my personal favorite Keith “One Time” Thurman eager and willing to get in the ring with Mayweather, why is Berto the guy to punch the million dollar ticket? “Andre Berto is a tough competitor, a former world champion,” said Mayweather, who is 48-0. “Every time he goes out there, he gives it 100 percent. I chose Berto because he’s very exciting and is going to push Floyd Mayweather to the limit. That’s one thing I do know.” In what Mayweather claims might be his final fight, and what is the last bout on his rich sixfight Showtime television deal, the reigning World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council champion will risk his crowns against a two-time world champion who has lost three of his past six fights. In promoting the bout, Leonard Ellerbe, president of Mayweather Promotions, wasn’t slow to mention that this might just be the last time the boxer steps into a ring. SMARTER, SHARPER MEN

Many boxing experts including myself plan on the “Money” man returning to ring in May 2016 despite all the talk about retirement. Because there’s just too much Mayweather would leave on the table and that’s simply not his style. If Mayweather were to retire, he would be leaving another $100 million dollar pay day on the table and would still be in a tie with Marciano for the most career wins for a champion who retired undefeated.

THE TALE OF THE TAPE Floyd Mayweather Jr

REAL NAME

Andre Berto

Pretty Boy

NICKNAME

The Beast

Super Featherweight Lightweight Light Welterweight Welterweight Light Middleweight

RATED AT

Welterweight

5 ft. 8 in.

HEIGHT

5 ft. 8 1/2 in.

72 in.

REACH

70 1/2 in.

February 24, 1977

BORN

September 7, 1983

Orthodox

STANCE

Orthodox

TOTAL FIGHTS

WINS

WINS BY KO

LOSSES

DRAWS

NO CONTESTS

One thing boxing purists know, Mayweather is all about his money and his legacy and lacing them up one more time probably will be too much to pass up. The conspiracy theorists which include me, believe this is nothing more than a ploy to milk his contract finale and to try to convince people to watch (pay for) a fight just because it is supposedly the end of Mayweather’s career – before the comeback, of course! The MGM is building a new 20,000-seat arena on the Las Vegas Strip that is due to open in April 2016. Executives there would love nothing more than to throw a ton of money at Mayweather for him to help open the building with, say, a spring rematch against Pacquiao, which, no matter how upset the public was (and still is) about that $100-pay-per-view boondoggle in May, still generated more than $500 million. If a rematch generated half that, it would be the secondhighest grossing fight ever. All this could be a moot point if Berto were to someway somehow replicate Buster Douglas’s win over Mike Tyson – the biggest upset in boxing history, which took place 25 years ago at the Tokyo Dome. “I bring that rare combination of speed, power and explosiveness to the table,” Berto said. “The last person he fought with that combination was Zab Judah. I’m younger, I’m hungry, and I’m strong and fast. I’m focused on what I’m coming to get.” Despite the rare chance of that happening in the sport of the sweet science you never know what is going to happen until the gloves comes off.

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IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

SEPTEMBER 2015

It can be hard to keep up with the latest fashion trends, we know. Fads are ever-changing, confusing and downright ridiculous at times. Don’t fret. If you’re looking to spice up your daily grind, here are a few details your closet might be missing:

BY KENDRA KINION – @THEKENDRAKINION ROLLING SLEEVES

This detail may not seem very important but if you’re going to roll up your sleeves you might as well do it accurately. Different occasions call for different sleeve-rolling techniques. When you’re going for a casual look, it’s hot outside or you want to have the “working-man” style you definitely should roll your sleeves. It can be tedious, but there is an element of fun when deciding which technique is best for the ensemble.

PRINTED SOCK EXPOSURE I have to admit this trend definitely is catching on. A man could be wearing the most basic suit but when you look down and see his printed socks, the outfit becomes his. If you’re going for a more modern look, coordinating your socks with your suit is a must.

POCKET SQUARES I know you may be thinking pocket squares are just a useless piece of clothing with no functionality, but if you’re looking to pull your outfit together nothing will get this done better than a dapper pocket square. This trendy item will help you express your personality as well as escape the ordinary ensemble.

SUIT FIT AND STYLE

FABRIC

It’s irritating when a man does not have his suit tailored to his body. Alterations almost always have to be made after purchasing from the store. Men also must think about which suit style is best for them. There are many different styles of suits to choose from (i.e., modern slim, tailored, classic, etc.). No style is right or wrong, it’s all about preference. Keep in mind that suit trends vary with the seasons. For example, a cotton summer suit paired with bright colors won’t fly in winter. Which brings me to the next men’s fashion detail…

After you find the perfect suit style, it’s time to pick a fabric that fits your needs. If you’re a fan of modern suits you’ll be wearing suits made of wool. This fabric is good all year long. For other suit styles, you might find flannel also is a nice option. This fabric doesn’t breathe so you might get a little toasty while wearing this suit, making it a perfect option for the winter season. Next, there is cotton. Who doesn’t love cotton? Lastly, there’s linen. Linen suits work best during the warmer seasons. #YOLO!

CUFF LINKS Like pocket squares, cuff links can be worn to convey your personality. This detail can go unnoticed by some but this tiny feature can make any outfit pop. To up your cuff link game, figure out which style best suits your attire. There are about seven different styles of cuff links for different occasions.

COLOR BALANCE Creating color balance in an outfit is essential. Accessories will bring your outfit together. While you’re at it, don’t forget about the shoes. A man could have on the best outfit, but if his shoes are a disaster, it can ruin the entire look. Remember, the right accessories can take your outfit to the next level.

Are you ready? Trust me, you are sure to impress with these small adjustments. There’s nothing better than looking and feeling your best! WWW.BLITZWEEKLY.COM

SEPTEMBER 2015

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THREE BOUT A S G THIN IFUL T U A E AB N WOMA

ERIKA What’s your sign and does it describe you? Sagittarius and it is pretty spot on. I am always up for spontaneous adventures, last-minute plans, trying new things and of course Sags are a fire sign – and that is accurate as well.

OUR PEDIGREE D MAGAZINE READERS CHOICE “BEST HOT DOG” 2014 BLITZ WEEKLY BLITZIE AWARD “BEST HAMBURGER” 2014 URBAN SPOON “MOST POPULAR HOT DOG” 2013 D MAGAZINE READERS CHOICE “BEST HOT DOG” 2013 BLITZ WEEKLY BLITZIE AWARD ‘BEST HOT WINGS” 2013 DALLAS OBSERVER READERS CHOICE “BEST HOT DOG” 2013 DALLAS MORNING NEWS “BEST BURGER IN DFW” 2013 BLITZ WEEKLY “BEST SPOTS TO WATCH THE SUPER BOWL” 2013 HOW ABOUT WE “TOP DALLAS DATE SPOT” 2013 CRAVE DFW “BEST DOGS OF DALLAS” 2012 DALLAS MORNING NEWS “BEST BURGER IN DFW” 2012 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST BURGER” 2010 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST GREASY SPOON” 2009 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST NACHOS” 2009 D MAGAZINE “D-BEST HAMBURGER” 2006 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST BURGER” 2006 AOL CITY GUIDE “BEST CHEAP EATS” 2006 AOL CITY GUIDE “BEST LATE NIGHT DINING” 2005 AVID GOLFER MAGAZINE “BEST WINGS” 2004 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST HANGOVR THERAPY” 2003 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST HOT DOG” 2002 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST HAMBURGER” 2002 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST PLACE TO BUY A DOG” 2001 D MAGAZINE “BEST HANGOVER HELPER” 2001 THE MET “BEST BAR FOOD” 2000 D MAGAZINE “BEST WINGS” 2000 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST WINGS” 1998 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST HOT DOG” 1994 DALLAS OBSERVER “BEST WNGS” 1992

We want to ask you out on a date, how do we approach you? Have confidence, be original and have a game plan. If you are witty, you will probably get my attention. If you can’t handle sarcastic jokes – don’t bother. Have the ability to laugh, no matter the situation you find yourself in. Favorite sports team and why… A lot of you will probably hate me for this, but the Crimson Tide football team will be my team till I die. All of my degrees came from Bama and I bleed Crimson and White (Roll Tide).

Jarrod Fresquez Model: Erika Make-Up: J ai Okoli – Makeup Junkies, INC. Hair: George Graham – Makeup Junkies, INC. SMARTER, SHARPER MEN

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SEPTEMBER 2015

VOL. 8 - ISSUE 8

Upscale

‘DALLAS COWBOYS CLUB’ Opens at DFW Airport

BY JAY BETSILL – @THEFAMOUSJAY

The Dallas Cowboys Club, a new full-service dining venue by global restaurateur HMSHost, is now open in the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, offering travelers an upscale Dallas Cowboys experience featuring advanced Texas-inspired cuisine and a modern-feeling venue. Only 5 percent of National Football League fans will ever get to experience a game live in person and this restaurant brings the AT&T Stadium atmosphere to those fans traveling through DFW. “We’re excited to provide a taste of the Dallas Cowboys experience with the opening of the Dallas Cowboys Club,” Dallas Cowboys Chief Operating Officer Stephen Jones said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It is an honor to partner with such quality brands as HMSHost and DFW Airport, who are both known for their excellent consumer service, to bring the Cowboys club environment to airport patrons on the go.” This is not the first professional sports-themed airport restaurant that HMSHost has been involved with as it currently has similar locales with the San Jose Sharks, Kansas City Royals and Chicago Blackhawks. The company also has the Iceman Gervin’s Sports Bar in San Antonio’s International Airport and Shula Burger inspired by NFL Hall of Fame coach Don Shula and his Shula’s Steak House brand at Fort LauderdaleHollywood (Fla.) International Airport.

The atmosphere resembles the exclusive Legends Club inside AT&T Stadium

Football is a prominent theme inside and can be seen and appreciated through subtle, classy décor cues and the larger-than-usual televisions hanging over top of the stadiumshaped bar. The TV above the bar actually is a smaller version of the massive HD video board that hangs above the playing field at AT&T

SMARTER, SHARPER MEN

Stadium and can be split into four smaller screens or one large screen on the side and is complemented by a plethora of flat screens that wrap around the restaurant. The seating capacity for the new spot is 108 people with various options including the bar, tables and lounge areas complete with leather seats. “With clear local importance, and appeal to a broad fan-base that stretches all over the world, there is no better brand to represent the Dallas area in the airport than the famous Dallas Cowboys football team,” said HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Anthony Alessi. “We are absolutely thrilled to be working with the Cowboys and the Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport, two great organizations, to offer travelers a true clublevel VIP experience right inside the terminal.”

Bruce Chandler experience at DFW Airport while offering customers a great taste of Texas tradition,” said Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport CEO Sean Donohue. “The restaurant also enhances the longstanding partnership DFW Airport has enjoyed with the Dallas Cowboys, which includes three Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop stores in the terminals and a major merchandising warehouse.” Bruce Chandler

eggs, choice of thick cut smoked bacon, ham steak, pork or turkey sausage, choice of redskin potatoes or grits and choice of biscuit, whole grain or sourdough toast. There’s also a broad selection of wine and beers on tap and in bottles and cans. In addition to Miller Lite (which you know you will find at any destination the Dallas Cowboys are associated with), they are rotating on a quarterly basis with local breweries and are currently featuring Deep Ellum Brewing Co. Cocktails include Grey Goose, Ketel One and Absolut Vodka, Malibu and Captain Morgan rum, Patron Silver tequila, Crown Royal and Jack Daniel’s whiskey and Johnny Walker Black scotch. The Dallas Cowboys Club opens daily at 5 a.m. and is located in DFW Airport’s Terminal A to the left of the A20 security checkpoint entrance.

The atmosphere resembles the exclusive Legends Club inside AT&T Stadium with its upscale feel and football-shaped light fixtures as you will not find a Planet Hollywood/Hard Rock Cafe for Cowboys fans covered in neon lights and America’s Team memorabilia. While this is a great spot to relax for travelers at the world’s third-busiest airport, there also is a togo window for those who are on tighter time schedules to catch their flight featuring the full menu located to the left of the main entrance. “Opening the Dallas Cowboys Club creates an exciting way we can elevate the customer

Menu options include game-day food with an upscale twist including chicken tenders, naked wings, shrimp skewers, BBQ brisket sandwich, chicken sandwich and Texas burgers featuring half-pound, Texas grass fed beef burgers. Health-conscious diners will be happy to find items like the Local Farm Crudité or the Legend’s Jalapeno Caesar salad made with grilled jalapeno-lime chicken. Being located in the airport, the club also serves breakfast until 10:30 a.m. with options including a big stack of buttermilk pancakes, biscuits and gravy and the Classic with two

Bruce Chandler

VOL. 8 - ISSUE 8

SEPTEMBER 2015

LIVE MUS N IC O CO FRID AY & VER SA NIG TURDA HT! Y

KITCHEN OPEN LATE! MEET BEFORE OR AFTER a CONCERT OR GAME! LARGE PARTIES WELCOME! FOOD SO DELICIOUS YOU CAN EAT IT!

2211 N. LAMAR sT. DALLAS, Tx 75202

214-747-0001

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VOL. 8 - ISSUE 8

Completing ZZ Top’s Latest Album Proved Challenging BY ALAN SCULLEY – ALANLASTWORD@GMAIL.COM

INTERVIEW

Our favorite tres hombres from the Houston area are back on tour and will perform at Fair Park on Sept. 4. They’ve remained true to themselves since they started back in 1969. With 15 studio albums under their belt and closing in on half a century of creating new music, this has been no easy task for ZZ Top as frontman Billy Gibbons explains. If there was one word that became meaningful during the extended time it took ZZ Top to complete its most recent album, La Futura, it was patience. The project took several years to complete, and plenty of fans were eager to hear what the “Li’l Ol’ Band from Texas” had been up to in the studio by the time La Futura was released in September 2012 – a scant nine years after ZZ Top’s previous studio album, 2003’s Mescalero. But singer/guitarist Gibbons was fully on board with the exacting standards of the album’s producer, Rick Rubin, which helped extend the wait for La Futura. “I believe that it would be safe to say one of the most admirable traits that has endeared our band with Rick is his remarkable sense of patience,” Gibbons said in a recent interview. “Rick is in no way going to get set into motion where it may be hasty or hurried. He really is sincere when he works with any artist, of which there have been many. And he said ‘Let’s keep working on it until it’s right.’ “It’s funny, you may find yourself returning to a particular track, it may be months tucked away in the can, and you say ‘Oh yeah, I remember that. Let’s come back to that.’ So I really think Rick is one of the rare individuals who is willing to let the material develop and reach a logical zenith. “That’s what I like and it’s also what a lot of people find kind of aggravating. (Bands say) ‘Gee whiz, we’ve already finished this.’ And he says well, ‘Maybe.’ Then you stop and think about it for a second, and you say maybe is the word. So with that in mind, I enjoy the process and I particularly, I just treasure the moments that Rick and I get to hang out together. We’ve been pals for 25 years.” As Gibbons sees it, Rubin’s approach is for the artist’s own good. SMARTER, SHARPER MEN

Ross Halfin

“He’s providing a really great service to the artist,” said Gibbons, who will release his first-ever solo album, Perfectamundo, on Oct. 23. “It is tempting to want to rush right out and show the world what you’ve got. But it’s also a great value to have another opinion in the mix.” The process of making the new album began in 2008, when Rubin, engineer Dave Sardy and the band went into the studio for some initial recording. “We assembled about 20 rough song ideas from those sessions,” Gibbons said. “We (the band) pulled stakes to hit the touring trail, and I was able to drag those rough ideas along as we made our way through Europe. When I returned, I met Rick in Santa Monica (Calif.), and we were enjoying an evening walk down on the Santa Monica Pier, and he encouraged me to take the rough ideas and reassemble the band and he wanted me to go ahead and produce whatever we could sift out of the original song ideas.” So Gibbons took the band (which also includes bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard) into the studio and produced another session in which the song ideas were developed further and recorded with ZZ Top’s long-time engineering team of Joe Hardy and G.L. Moon. Gibbons said the task of narrowing the selection of songs and refining the winners was a demanding and very detail-oriented process. “The scariest part is when you completely tear a song down and are nearly starting it over,” Gibbons said. “We had done some rewriting. A lot of the lyrics were massaged into place. Even some of the guitar tracks enjoyed getting a chance to try a different direction. So it’s been a real labor of love with, and I like that word, a dedicated focus. “It can be challenging to sit and listen to a song, the same song, for two hours and then you say

ZZ Top, from left, Frank Beard, Billy Gibbons, and Dusty Hill. ‘Gee whiz, let me sing that top to bottom. I want to go sing it again.’ Then you do that and then you say ‘Gee whiz, would this word be better here? Let me sing it again.’ After a full day, you’re just toast.” The time that went into La Futura may have tested the patience of ZZ Top fans – as well as the band itself. But the effort was worth it.

“It can be challenging to sit and listen to a song, the same song, for two hours and then you say ‘Gee whiz, let me sing that top to bottom. I want to go sing it again.”

It is one of the band’s strongest albums, with a raw and gritty guitar sound that recalls ZZ Top’s earliest albums, such as 1973’s Tres Hombres (which featured the boogying hit “La Grange”), 1975’s Fandango (which included another early hit, “Tush”) and 1976’s Tejas.

Gibbons hinted that ZZ Top may return in far less than nine years with another studio album because the band left behind a good number of songs during the La Futura sessions that, with some fine tuning, could form the basis of a new album.

The group enjoyed considerable success through the 1970s, but hit even greater heights after retooling its sound on 1983’s Eliminator. That album saw the group blending synthesizer and other poppier modern sounds with its patented blues-rock sound, and singles like “Legs,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’” (with the sly and sexy videos that accompanied those songs) turned ZZ Top into one of the world’s biggest bands.

“We’re still looking at a lot of the material that remains unreleased that was created during those sessions with Rick,” he said. “Who knows, there’s a lot of good stuff laying around.”

The next two albums, 1985’s Afterburner and 1990’s Recycler further explored that slicker sound and continuing the band’s run of radio hits and multi-million album sales.

In the meantime, fans also have a recent greatest hits package to check out called The Baddest of ZZ Top. The collection was released to coincide with a planned co-headlining tour last summer with Jeff Beck. But several dates into the outing, ZZ Top had to cancel the remaining tour dates – and a fall run of headlining shows – when Hill had health problems.

After that, though, ZZ Top began returning to its rougher, guitar-based sound on the 1994 album Antenna, and La Futura represents the most stripped down, back-to-basics effort from the band in more than 30 years.

The greatest hits set comes in single disc and two-disc versions, and spans the career of ZZ Top through Mescalero. Gibbons had wanted to also include material from La Futura, but circumstances prevented that from happening. This necessitated a change of plans with the set’s title.

With Gibbons’ guitar putting a sting into the sound and Beard’s rock-solid drumming powering the songs, the band features several first-rate Texas rocking boogie gems, including “I Gotsta Get Paid,” “Lose Lose You” and “Chartreuse,” which even uses a slightly rejiggered version of the signature riff from “Tush.”

“It was initially to be referred to as The Complete Collection, Gibbons said. “However, I got behind and was unable to compare notes with Rick Rubin (producer of La Futura) and the (greatest hits) project was forging ahead. And I said ‘Well, it’s really not complete without the La Futura session.’ ”

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NEIL BEFORE ME The Tribulations of Being a Fan of Mr. Young

Takahiro Kyono

BY PETER GERSTENZANG – @HAPPYSPAPPY

eing a Neil Young fan is one of life’s most painfully ambivalent experiences. Like being told that Sean Hannity has just fatally crashed his car into the side of your house. Neil’s one of rock’s greatest songwriters, most unforgettable guitarists and definitely his own man. But he’s also really tried our patience over the years. He has made albums so awful, Helen Keller would’ve broken them over her knee. He’s taken epic stands on issues as urgent as boxers or briefs? He’s supported Ronald Reagan! In other words, the dude is harder to follow than the plot of Finnegan’s Wake. Here are some of Neil’s loopiest moves:

Buffalo Springfield Again Neil quit, then crawled back to his first band so many times, he actually rewrote the laws of quantum physics. Meaning, one day, he left and returned to Springfield in such a brief period of time he actually bumped into himself. Profound but disturbing. Like Neil himself.

Time Fades Away Young is a guy who believes in one-take spontaneity. Hence some of his best albums sound like an armored car division driving off your roof...and landing on another armored car division. But he’s never released Time Fades Away, his live 1973 album, on CD. Calling it, “The worst album I ever made.” Neil Young saying a record is too terrible to re-release, is like Donald Trump joining the National Organization for Women. It means The Rapture is near. Dogs will soon be running counterclockwise on your lawn. The sun will set at 7 a.m. and never rise again. Most disturbing? Domino’s Pizza will be your last meal…and it’ll be delicious.

He Supported Reagan Neil seemed to misinterpret Reagan’s heartless philosophy, ‘You’re on your own,’ as a way of making people stronger and more self-reliant. SMARTER, SHARPER MEN

Young then went off to a recording session. But not before kicking Tiny Tim’s crutch out from under him.

GMO...GM SCHMO I’d be the first to tell you I know little of social issues. So when I saw Neil Young’s name and the acronym GMO linked together, I thought it stood for Gimme More Opioids. Several people corrected me. Then walked away, slapping their foreheads. Apparently GMO’s are synthetic organisms added to food. Neil’s new record is devoted to this topic. A concept album almost as exciting as one about the discovery of the ball point pen. Why is this rocker so concerned about GMO’s and their effects on the growth of your children? I think it’s great that a kid could come to breakfast one day as a toddler, and the next, be 6 feet tall, ready to leave home. Okay, so maybe he’ll also have nicer breasts than your wife. Life is about taking the good with the bad.

Pono Bitching about the current sound of music, Young’s developed and released Pono, a digital music player that presents songs “as they first sound during studio recording sessions.” Unfortunately, that also includes Neil’s newest album-the one all about GMO’s. Oh, the irony!

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SEPTEMBER 2015

BUSH

CHRISTIE

TRUMP

CRUZ

PERRY

BY CHRIS SICK – @CHRISSICK

H H H

By the time this sees print, the media will be gearing up for the second Republican presidential primary debate of a mind-boggling 11 already scheduled. Writing now, against an early August deadline, most of the political news I’m reading still is teasing out who “won” the Aug. 6 debate, and expending a lot of energy hoping the loser is Donald Trump. Trump’s fight with Fox News anchor and debate moderator Megyn Kelly is garnering a lot of attention, but affected his poll numbers, which continue to show a massive lead over his competition. By the time you read this, Trump may have finally gone too far and flamed out. Or he may retain his lead and become the presumptive nominee. Or he may get struck my lightening tomorrow and render all of this moot. Political predictions are an inherently dumb game. There exists a class of professional pundits who earn a good living being professionally and consistently wrong. This class is best represented by former Clinton advisor turned Fox News talking head Dick Morris, so frequently wrong he even gets it wrong when apologizing for getting it wrong. As alternately amusing and depressing as Morris might be, he’s emblematic of the problems of the way modern media covers elections. Comparing political coverage to sports is a handy and well-worn analogy that encompasses the failure of media to deliver substantive coverage of policy differences between the parties, but it falls short in understanding the depth of the failure. Modern political coverage is like hiring Pete Rose to offer commentary on baseball games he’s umpiring. You know he knows what he’s talking about, because he’s played the game himself. But at the same time, you know you can’t really trust him: He’s probably laying down action on the game, while influencing it from the inside. The interesting upshot of the first GOP debate was not whether Trump will apologize to Kelly for implying that she was on her period. Rather, I was fascinated by the tensions apparent both between wings of the Republican Party and Fox News as a

journalistic institution. There have been reports of an internal dispute at Fox between CEO Roger Ailes and News Corp (Fox’s parent company) owner Rupert Murdoch over the issue of how to cover Trump. Fox News is stuck between those two goals, promoting Trump on opinion shows like Hannity or Fox & Friends; while its serious journalists attack him as debate moderators. Following the debate, the moderators were praised for asking tough questions and not going easy on Republicans, and – the most important – probing candidates’ individual weaknesses to toughen them up for the general election. In part, that’s simply a function of where we’re at in the race. Primaries exist to winnow out a large pool down to a single candidate who not just best represents the party, but also has the best chance of winning in the general election. The tension between these frequently-opposing needs has produced GOP standard-bearers in the last two elections that left the party base underwhelmed. The argument goes that Fox’s moderators were tough on the candidates because the mainstream press will be, and tough questioning makes better candidates. It’s a good theory, but it’s worth noting that it relies on journalists to help candidates develop campaign strategies, and turns Fox News into an arm of GOP electioneering, just as Democrats incorporate friendly platforms like MSNBC and The Daily Show into their media strategies. For my part, this isn’t my first political rodeo. Back in 2012, I had the distinction of “covering” the presidential election for softcore/alt-porn site SuicideGirls. What the experience taught me, more than anything, was the difficulty of offering substantive insight into meaningful policy differences between the candidates. Writing an in-depth analysis of the deep philosophical differences embodied by the policy proposals of the presidential candidates that manages to rise above the turgid is hard work. Writing a thousand words twice a week about how ridiculous Mitt Romney’s attempts to connect with ordinary people are and off-handedly dismissing his VP candidate’s budget proposals as a fantasy is comparatively easy.

Anyone who still is reading this column after half a year might have noticed that I generally try to concern myself more with the form of argument in controversial issues, rather than contents. That is to say, I care a lot less about what people think than I do how they think. Focusing on the latter over the former allows me – hopefully – to find a way to understand and debate people I disagree with, instead of writing them off as stupid and suggesting they go die in a fire. Most political coverage – and I read more of it than could possibly be described as healthy – is interested in neither. Instead, the lessons of most recent elections are that there’s money to be made in wall-to-wall election coverage that focuses on the strategic game of politics. That is, a metacommentary that treats issues less like important policy debates voters need explained to inform their votes and more about how they’ll play with targeted fractions of the electorate. And it’s not limited to either “side” of the political spectrum. I focus on Fox, here, because they’re in the news, and because Trump is an easy punchline. But it was CNN that thought the height of political coverage in 2008 was holograms. And the coverage works for them, Fox recorded 24 million viewers for the first debate. And then cut to Frank “Death Panel” Luntz’s focus group. H.L. Mencken, famed polemical journalist, spun out a lot of witty quotes over the years, including the famous chestnut that “Democracy is the theory that common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.” The modern political media has discovered that there’s a hungry audience that doesn’t care about the policy that affects their lives, so much as it cares about politics as sport. And it’ll keep providing that coverage, until the audience stops tuning in.

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SEPTEMBER 2015

Bits of Wisdom…Amy Schumer I think you can go from being not very funny to working really hard for 10 years and figuring out how to make a living on the road, but I don’t think you can rise much above that. I’ll never forget the day I realized I wasn’t quite the Ford model I thought I was. There’s nothing more awkward than going to the first birthday party of a little girl when you told her mom to get rid of her – because the kid can tell. You know what the worst part about my drinking is? When I’m drunk I slur. You know, like I say racial slurs. Wow, nobody likes that at a barbeque. 92YTribeca

He was really into family... He’d never come on the road with me on the weekends ‘cause he wanted to spend time with his wife.

Virgo: August 23-September 22 Those broken eggs you walked past in the street weren’t from the store. Get ready for a hands on experience of “The Birds.”

Andrew J. Hewett chewednews.blogspot.com AGAIN, JUSTICE IS AMBIGUOUS After 10 years sitting on Texas’ death row, Alfred Dewayne Brown, now 33, is free, given another chance to prove his innocence. What gave his life back? A homicide investigator in the case was cleaning out his garage, when he found telephone records justifying a new trial.

Sagittarius: November 22-December 21 There’s a fine line between having a best friend and dressing up as them and trying to kill them to steal their identity.

Libra: September 23-October 22 Waking up in a tub of ice after a wild night out suddenly makes all of your date’s Cosby jokes unfunny.

Capricorn: December 22-January 19 Keep wasting your life thinking about how much of your life you’ve wasted.

Scorpio: October 23-November 21 Getting told it’s too early for Halloween takes its toll on your self-image yet again.

Aquarius: January 20-February 18 They say there are no stupid questions, but you somehow always prove them wrong.

A TAX DEDUCTION ANYONE? Authorities in Georgia say they received more than 100 calls about an ad on Craigslist: “6 months pregnant, don’t want it. Willing to trade it for $ or drugs. Guaranteed white, so don’t come at me cheap, serious offers only.” Last heard, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was still trying to learn whether the ad was a prank.

WHAT A WAY TO GO! Donna Marie Lange, 50, was right on top of things inside the mobile home she and her boyfriend shared in Everett, Wash., when he died. That’s because, with very large breasts, she’d sprawled on him during an argument until he suffocated to death.

Pisces: February 19-March 20 Fourth party in a row you got invited to that happen to get cancelled. Keep your head up though, they might stop inviting you all together after the fifth time... Aries: March 21-April 19 Your dance skills cause many to think the seizures you suffer is a poor attempt to bring back the Harlem Shake. Taurus: April 20-May 20 People only love your trusting nature so they can keep taking advantage of you.

Gemini: May 21-June 21 Here’s your PSA: A friend is a gift you give yourself. Unless they didn’t want to be your friend, then it’s just kidnapping. Cancer: June 22-July 22 In the future, hope they make it mandatory for your Facebook friends list to attend your funeral. That’s the only way anyone will show up. Leo: July 23-August 22 You’re not attractive enough for your personality to be considered quirky, so you just come across as creepy. WWW.BLITZWEEKLY.COM

SEPTEMBER 2015

VOL. 8 - ISSUE 8

The Ongoing Battle of Hip Hop BY PAUL A. ESQUIVEL – @SOAPMANSUPREME Do you ever hear how hip hop isn’t at par or on the level it use to be? Or maybe you’ve heard how it sucks, it’s always sucked and it isn’t real music. We all know those people.

Daniel Carvalho

Every decade or so, fans become more cynical. Talks of how the genre is declining, it’s sold out, or straight up dead, get thrown around when speaking about the current state. Remember the phase when making up a dance seemed almost mandatory to put out a radio single? That wasn’t too long ago. Maybe you agree the genre is softer and lighter? Or maybe it seems people always have a reason to say why hip hop is decaying?

Like any other music genre, hip hop has people involved in it who just want to get the biggest piece of the pie they can. People who use the culture to gain from hip hop, but not give back, cough, Iggy Azalea, but that plagues every art form. Not every song on the radio is going to be poetry, but “Pop Hop” doesn’t define hip hop. Even here in Texas the local radio stations hardly play local hip hop from Dallas unless the artist becomes nationally known, with great acts like -Topic, Dustin Cavazos, Raw Elementz, and A.Dd+ receiving no airtime. The trend is for hits first that grab a quick spotlight for artists like Fetty Wap and Makonnen. Enthusiasts complain that many fans are guilty of liking hip hop based on other factors more than the actual musical quality of the song. The masses feel political rap is too soap boxy and the fact that BET had a memo once that said NOT to play political rap videos because it was too intelligent for its audiences only proves the point. Still while all of this is true, it doesn’t automatically mean hip hop has stopped expanding in creative directions. Hip hop’s capacity for creativity is more powerful than ever with unlimited potential. Social media and technology bring artists, who would otherwise not receive radio play for being more experimental, to listeners’ ears who desire different sounds. Artists like Danny Brown, Childish Gambino, Big K.R.I.T. and Lil B use social media to gain a following and build large fan bases. This allowed some to get the attention of the music labels or bypass them altogether. Rappers like Kendrick Lamar are bringing the competitive nature back into the spotlight while at the same time writing protest songs keeping conscious alive in the genre.

Currently some say it’s over the commercialization of hip hop, and glam rap artists who dominate the airwaves that’s holding hip hop back from being better or taken seriously. Some credit the current diss of Meek Mills by Drake this past month as proof that hip hop is in a state of crisis. Enthusiasts argue that disses and feuds aren’t nearly as intense as they use to be, saying only casual listeners find it entertaining. Some argue that the court of public opinion’s verdict on Meek and Drake is proof “that gangsta shit is dead.” blitz-sept15.pdf 1 8/21/2015 5:05:17 PM

Did A$AP Rocky have a point when back in April he said “rap is the new wrestling,” calling out rappers for saying bizarre and weird stuff to make money? Isn’t that kind of ironic though when you think about it? What about Yasiin Bey a.k.a. Mos Def calling everyone in the industry out on YouTube, only to say “battling doesn’t excite me” when Lupe Fiasco accepted his challenge? Since when can one do that and not face ridicule? But does all this really show that there is any remaining hope for hip hop? Has it been destroyed? Does it show that hip hop might be dead? No, it doesn’t at all. First off, hip hop never had pop culture ambitions. One cannot judge the state of hip hop by what’s played on the radio. Since its start, the genre was never welcomed, many thought it was just a passing phase. But looking around today there is no denying the impression it has made worldwide, and that may be the same reason it’s overlooked. Almost nothing is immune to falling victim of the “it’s popular, now it sucks” cycle, but there seems to be a double-standard for hip hop.

Since its rise in popularity circa 1988, the genre has been the perfect scapegoat for the media, almost 30 years now. The same hate that isolated it from pop culture also sent the genre on its way to the mainstream spotlight.

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While the majority of media saw controversy, hip hop as a whole saw itself reach wider audiences and evolve. Songs like “Cop Killer” by Ice-T, and almost anything Eminem made, were hated by moral guardians. Any positive message most artists in hip hop tried to convey were ignored in favor of having designated bad guys.

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Yet, through all this, hip hop’s influence spread across music’s landscape, creating an incredible amount of sub-genre’s, innovation and diversity, breaking stereotypes and conventional molds. It seems hip hop slowly fell into bad habits after the 2000s, which lasted up until late 2010. Before the new tens executive meddling, censorship, and profit over substance gave “glam” and “swag” rap center stage. Suits not thinking alternative/conscious hip hop artists were profitable unless they were packaged to be radio friendly, like The Black Eyed Peas and Kanye West.

Hip hop always will have its hacks, its fakes, its yuppies that claim not to listen to anything past The Score by The Fugees, but it also will always have its gems, geniuses and biggest of all, its impact. What used to be seen as nothing more than crude language promoting violence, is now as American as blues, jazz and country like it or not. Hip hop always has been at odds externally and internally, but its energy rages on. Collaborations between talent from old and new school like Ghostface and Bad BadBadNotGood serve as more proof how the genre withstands the test of time. If anything needs to be addressed in hip hop, it’s the fact that the female MCs are not receiving the respect they deserve, rather they are judged on how they look versus their skill. The likes of Lizzo, Jean Grae and Snow remain obscure and sexism in the game is all too relevant. Nicki Minaj is queen, but female rappers do not receive near the amount of exposure as their male counter parts.

That doesn’t mean hip hop isn’t alive though, the MCs I listed are breaking barriers now. The beautiful movement that started hip hop isn’t dead. In fact hip hop will never die, but you will.

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