Everybody's Got to Fight to be Free: A Tribute to Tom Petty  

I originally published this in 2006. Seems fitting to republish it now:

So it's my birthday today and I can say whatever I want. I've decided to use my blog space for a little Tribute to Tom Petty. You might say I'm doing a little "Free-Fallin'."

Why Tom Petty all of a sudden, you ask? His music was playing while I was enjoying a free meal courtesy of Austin Grill, which sends me a coupon for my birthday every year, God bless 'em, and I was thinking about how much I love Tom Petty and his music.

Did I mention how much I love Tom Petty?
OK, now let me tell you why. First of all, the music's damn good. Great from-the-gut guitar riffs and fine, singable melodies that I have belted out solo on many a highway. Good old-fashioned rock-and-roll. The lyrics are straightforward, no-nonsense, straight from the heart, great stories, no frills, honest, lots of hard-won wisdom. Some people say he's ugly but I always thought he was the coolest.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the first Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers album, according to Billboard. Here are some other good reasons to love Tom Petty. And here is his official Web site.

"You don't have to live like a refugee." Happy Birthday To Me. Goodnight, Tom, wherever you are, and thanks for the music.