What happens when you hit "SHUFFLE ALL SONGS"

The past couple of mornings, I decided to hit "shuffle all songs" on my way into work. This can be a bit dangerous as my musical taste covers a wide range of genres- from classical to metal and beyond, but I was stuck in traffic so I thought, "What the hey." I can't remember the songs that popped up yesterday, but this morning, I actually scribbled them down as they came on, because my memory is not what it used to be. (I blame "exrtra-curricular activities" in my 20s - or maybe too many hits to the head. Choose whichever explanation makes you feel most comfortable).

So, without further ado- this morning's "Shuffle Commute Playlist:"

1. "With You" - Pippin Soundtrack
2. "Jump" - Van Halen
3. "The Hill" - Once Soundtrack
4. "The Prayer" - Josh Groban & Charlotte Church
5. "Rosalie" - Thin Lizzy
6. "Something's Got To Give" - Beastie Boys
7. "Heroes" - David Bowie
8. "Night" - Bruce Springsteen
9. "Dracula" - Bruce Dickinson
10. "Giving" - Collective Soul
11. "Mr. Self Destruct" - Nine Inch Nails
12. "Only You" - KISS
13. "The Scientist" - Coldplay
14. "Lust or Love" - Scorpions
15. "Ready for Love" - Gary Moore

So... my challenge to you: Tomorrow, set your Zune (or iPod or whatever brand of MP3 player you've got) on "SHUFFLE ALL SONGS." Then sit back and enjoy your eclectic (or not so eclectic) playlist. And don't forget to share them with us here.

Happy Listening! \m/

"Steel Goddesses": A novel about the 80's, heavy metal, and groupies

Last month, I saw a lifelong dream come true when I became a published author. The road to publication was not as traditional as most authors', but the result turned out the same way. "Steel Goddesses" is available for sale on Amazon.com and I'm working to get it into bookshops around the Seattle area.

"Steel Goddesses" focuses primarily on three women and the paths they took to achieve their dreams during the early 80's, when heavy metal was in full swing and L'Amour was THE preeminent rock club for up and coming metal bands to play in the New York City area, and possibly, the US. White Lion was a fixture on the stage at the time. So was a little band called Metallica. Raven, Anthrax, TALAS (Billy Sheehan's first band), Exciter, Anvil, Yngwie Malmsteen, Loudness, Blue Oyster Cult (as "Soft White Underbelly"), Stryper. The list goes on and on. Bands that were big at the time (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motley Crue) didn't play at L'Amour, but bandmembers sure hung out there.

I was lucky to be part of the scene during that time and took in my share of bands, some more than others (I've seen Metallica so many times, I've lost count). I also met my fair share of "interesting" people, including some of the most hardcore groupies I've ever seen. I've taken all of those experiences and rolled them into a novel that is aimed at being both nostalgic and entertaining.

"Toni" is kind of like a Queen of the Groupies. I introduce a pimp-like character called Marius Man, who runs a sort of "heavy metal harem". As their leader, Toni pretty much gets her choice of any guy who plays at L'Amour. Business being what it is, Marius orders Toni to recruit more groupies, in order to spend one night with a man who has been out of her reach - a hunky guitarist named "Don". This is where the fun begins.

Toni begins grooming "Rusty", whose sole dream is to land a rich rock star as a boyfriend. Naive and extremely stacked, Rusty makes it a point to follow Toni's every instruction to a "T", with bittersweet results. Toni also tries to groom "Kris", a legal secretary trying to pursue a dream to be a rock journalist. But Kris has no intention of becoming a groupie, even as she harbors a secret crush on "Marty", singer for one of the biggest metal bands around.

Toni schemes desperately to get both girls on board, but seems to hit obstacles everywhere and each girl ends up taking a life-changing detour.

If you want to read more, here is the link to "Steel Goddesses" on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Steel-Goddesses-Ann-Brandt/dp/1434858553/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_2

Enjoy.
Su