Running My First Half-Marathon

Jog for 60 seconds.  Walk for 90 seconds.  Repeat for 20 minutes.  That was my very first week of training with the Couch to 5K program.  That’s how all of this craziness began 18 months ago.  Up to that point in my life I honestly do not think that I ever ran a mile consecutively without stopping.  I trained for a 5K and had fun.  It was my intro to running.  Never at any moment during that time did I consider myself a runner nor foresee ever becoming a runner.  It just wasn’t for me.  Now, I’m part of the club.  On September 27, 2014, I ran the Akron Marathon.  Here are the random thoughts that were running through my head at every step during that race:

Prior to race start:

Waiting in Corral C @ the starting line.

• Damn, there's a lot of people here.

• Can I even finish this race?  After tearing my right calf muscle, I only “ran” one mile in the two weeks leading up to the race.  I can’t quite call it a run; it was more like an elderly shuffle.  If I was on a NFL injury report, I’d be listed as Questionable.

• Did I pee enough?  No explanation needed.  I'm dead set on not stopping to go on the course.  If nature called, I’ll pull a Harry Dunne and just go…man.

I'm doing MUCH better than the poor girl in front of me.

• This is going to be the hardest thing that I’ve ever done in my life.

Mile 1:

• Let everybody pass you.  There is no need to start quick.  You injured your leg and you have a buttload of miles to go.  Slow and steady wins the race finishes with a very mediocre time.

Mile 2:

•  Hey look – there are my parents!  This is the most un-Simcox thing to ever happen in my family.  I don’t know if the looks on their faces are showing pride or complete befuddlement as they wonder why their son would ever willingly run without somebody chasing him.  I'm glad they're here, it helps to have support.

• My calf is starting to warm up and I am getting into my groove.  Hopefully this keeps up.

•  I hope I don’t get shot as I make this left turn on Tallmadge Avenue.
•   Side story:  I went to school in North Akron at St. Anthony on this block that I am running.  Every day we had to walk across the parking lot and into the church basement to get to the cafeteria.  One day there was a blown drug deal across the street from the school in which somebody got shot and then stumbled on to the school property bleeding heavily.  The shooter was on the run and not detained.  Needless to say, we didn’t get lunch that day.  Love me some Akron.

Mile 3:

•  Man, the Y-Bridge is longer than I thought – it’s probably not going to be fun running across this again 9 miles from now.  Spoiler alert…..it wasn’t.

•  Oh wait, crap.  Now I have to run all the way to Firestone Park and back?  That’s pretty far.  It sure would help if I didn’t know this city like the back of my hand.

• But….I just ran 5K.  18 months ago, this was the biggest running accomplishment I would ever hope to achieve – now I’ve upped the game.  Let’s get this.

Mile 4:

• Hey look! – there is my sister Stephanie and my wife Eileen!  Warning, emotional stuff ahead:



My #1 Fan

• There were moments during this race that were super emotional.  The strongest of these moments was when I saw Eileen and her 8 month pregnant belly cheering me on.  I stopped to give her a kiss and then proceeded to cry buckets for the next half mile.  I’m not afraid or embarrassed to admit this; it was one of the most emotional moments of my life.  I lost it when I saw her.  The emotions of running my first race, seeing my proud wife, and becoming a dad for the first time collided right there on the corner of Exchange and High Streets. There are many reasons why I started running seriously.  A few are quite selfish.  But the biggest reason was for Eileen and our baby.  I want to live a healthy lifestyle and always be there for them – and I want to be the absolute best and happiest version of me.  Running allows that to happen.

Mile 5:

•  I kind of hope that an official race photographer snapped a few photos of Weeping Ryan.  If there is something I enjoy more than breathing, it’s willingly throwing myself under the bus.  I’d share that picture everywhere.  Please Mr. Photographer, please be in the right spot.

Mile 6:

• Is that guy walking faster than I am running?  Yes, yes he is.  There is a man, easily in his 70's that is “mall walking” faster than almost everybody else around him is running.  He is also running (or walking?) the half marathon and all I keep thinking is, “I better beat this guy across the finish line”.  I am not allowing Elderly Mall Walking Guy to beat me. No way.

Mile 7:

•  Halfway home!  At mile 6½ I am halfway finished, and still very far away from Canal Park.  I am now 1 hour and 15 minutes into my run and I don’t feel like I’m completely dying.  I have that going for me....which is nice.

Mile 8:

• Hey look! – It’s Elderly Mall Walking Guy!  Let’s pass this guy and put him in the rear view mirror for good.  By now, I am slightly concerned with my level of competitiveness and also my revised goal for the marathon.  Before I got injured, I wanted to run a sub 2 hour race - a goal that was ridiculously lofty considering that it was my first race, but one that I felt obtainable based on my splits during training.  Now, I am puffing out my chest with pride in passing a 70 year-old man that is walking.  Read that again.  Yes, it’s pathetic.

Mile 9:

• You’re entering the toughest part of this race.  There is a decent elevation change ahead of you and you're mentally starting to doubt yourself, just keep going.  Trust in your training.  Again, you totally can do this.

Mile 10:

•  I’m back in downtown Akron.  Only 4 more miles to go.  At this point of the race, I begin breaking down the remaining miles into more manageable goals.  Just get to the next mile.

• Wait…..I’m back in downtown Akron? How the hell did that happen – I was just in a neighborhood in Firestone Park, right?  The most mentally draining part of the race is now before me.  The next 3 miles echo the first 3 of the race….meaning that I have to run the Y-Bridge again.  Remember when you thought that kind of sucked the first time?  Well it’s not getting any easier now.

•  I just ran under a Welcome Home LeBron banner hanging from a walking bridge.  I'm so happy that my favorite player is home playing for my favorite team again.  I wonder how David Blatt is going to handle the rotation?  Is Dion Waiters going to be a wrecking ball to team chemistry?  Do I spray champagne in my baby's face this year if the Cavs win the championship?  These are all of the things running through my head under that bridge.  For a moment I'm not thinking about the pain - thanks LeBron.

Mile 11:

• My. Calf. Is. Killing.  Do not be ashamed of yourself for walking, you are still finishing a half-marathon.  I had to absolutely stop and walk for a minute to mentally reset myself and give my leg a short break.  I read in a blog to listen to your body when it is hurting and do whatever it takes to fully run that last mile of the race.  Walking is the only option here.  Whomp, whomp.

Mile 12: 

• Just made a left onto Mosser Place and ran past St. Anthony church.  I know that it’s a big racing no-no and I will never do it again, but I stopped for a second and took a selfie in front of the same steps that I walked up to get my first communion and the same steps that I walked my grandfather’s casket down.  Many, many memories in that church.  I’m not going to pretend that my grandfather would have even began to comprehend why I was running a marathon, but I do know that he would have been proud of me anyways.  I miss him and felt a little closer to him as I was running past the church he loved so dearly.  Emotional Ryan in full force.

St. Anthony selfie.

• Crap, my phone died.  That’s what I get for taking a selfie during a race – I deserved that.  No more music.  That’s okay though, I want to hear the crowd as I run the home stretch anyways.

•  My. Calves. Are. Killing. Plural.  I physically hit a wall within the past 5 minutes.  Not being able to complete my last two weeks of training was getting to me.  I stop on the Y-Bridge and stretch for 2-3 minutes.  Anything to feel better.  I’ll be damned if I’m not running that last mile.

Mile 13:

• One more mile to go! This is my victory lap in a long, 16 weeks of training.

•  Hey look!  There is my Uncle Brian in his police uniform and on duty.  I give him a high five and he assured me that there is one more mile to go.  I text Eileen and let her know that I would be arriving in the stadium within the next 10 minutes.  

The last 10^th of a Mile:

• I bleeping did it!  Except the real word came out of my mouth, Ralphie style.  I can’t believe that this is happening.  One more left turn – I see the back of the outfield wall!

• The finish line is ahead, I am in the stadium – Hey look! – There is Eileen again!  I raise my arms up and point to show her that I see her.  We're both sporting the biggest grins in the history of grins.  What a rush!  I cannot explain this feeling.  I envisioned the finishing line every single day during my 16 weeks of training.  I did all of my long runs down at Sand Run and my “finish line” was always the intersection of Portage Path and Sand Run.  I kept pushing the end of training until I hit that intersection.  Now this is the real deal.

• Arms up.  Fists pumping. Finish Line!  I am officially a marathon runner.  02:28:49. A slow marathon runner, but a marathon runner nevertheless.

Proud owner of a Half-Marathon Finishing Medal

The feeling that you get when crossing a finish line is like no other.  It’s a definitive end.  It’s a validation that all of the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice that went into training were worth it.  All of the aches, the pains, the awful digestion problems (you runners know what I mean!) were worth it.  Most of all, it’s an overwhelming confirmation that you can do anything that you put your mind towards.  It’s an important life lesson that I always heard, but never truly learned until last week – and one that I look forward to teaching my child as they grow older.  I can officially call myself a runner - it's a great obsession, one that I would encourage everybody to try.  13.1 – it’s more than a number or a sticker on the back of a car, it’s a way of life.  I'm proud that I am in the club - when's the next race?

Thoughts on Being a First Time Dad

There are many things that I have enjoyed writing about over the past few years.  Cleveland sports and music are usually my go-to topics - especially when I’m in a writing rut, which is pretty much every time I try to write.  Now, I have a new, thrilling part of my life to be able to share with those who are bored enough to be reading these ramblings.  I'm pretty sure that I won't find myself in writing ruts much longer.

I’m going to be a dad.  

Those six words have been floating in my head ever since the evening of February 20^th, when Eileen came rushing into our house holding a baby onesie to share her news.  It was hands-down the most exhilarating moment of my life. 

I'm going to be a dad.  

I just keep repeating those short and simple, yet extremely challenging words over and over in my head.

Before I share my thoughts on being a dad (a pretty kick-ass dad, by the way), I need to write about the Byner to my Mack, the Springsteen to my E-Street, the Bertman’s Stadium Mustard to my brat – okay, too far?  Well, you know what I mean and who I’m talking about.  It’s impossible not to talk about Eileen and how amazing she has been through her entire pregnancy; not to mention the events that she stood extremely tall through (all five feet of her) even before getting pregnant.  If I’m going to be a great dad, it’s going to be because I have a great mom right by my side.  

As a first-time parent, I admittedly know very little about the journey that I am about to embark upon.  I think I know how it's going to play out, but I don't truly know what parenting means until I'm in the trenches.  What I am 100% sure of though, is that I have one of the best by my sides.  Together, Eileen and I are going to be undisputed Tag-Team champs.  We're going to rock this - and I can't wait to hit the ground running with her.

We do not know the sex of the baby, we're going old school and want to be surprised.  Does the sex of the baby matter in my plans on being a kick-ass dad?  Not at all.  I'm a pretty versatile guy.  I know that a baby boy brings a lifetime of rooting for Cleveland sports, golfing, burps, fart jokes, Playstation and whatever else comes with living the life of a boy.  I've got that covered.  At the age of 30, I am still well-versed in all that was listed.  

On the flip side, I understand that a baby girl brings a lifetime of princesses, glitter, dance recitals, bubblegum pop music, and Easy-Bake ovens.  Not a problem at all, I've got that covered as well.  I won't say that I'm equally as versed in those topics, but compared to the average male, I definitely rate high in understanding these categories.  I'll just chalk up the last 5 years of obsessively listening to Taylor Swift songs as "practice" for having a daughter.  At least that's what I'll keep telling myself to still be a card-carrying male.

Oh yeah, I'm forgetting one thing....In addition to having a fantastic mother and father, Baby Simcox is going to have one-hell of a best friend.  Well, hopefully Baby likes our dog Clancy.  If I had an old lady with smelly hair and horrendous breath in my face, I might think otherwise of calling them my friend, let alone slapping the Besties tag in front.

I know that on or near October 31st (Eileen's due date), I will be forever changed for the better. I will give this kid my entire heart. Being a dad is kind of a big deal.  It's going to be the hardest thing I've ever done, but also the most rewarding.  Like I said, Eileen and I are going to rock this.  Only 2 more months - bring it on!

A Trip Unlike Any Other - The Masters

As I sit here writing this on the plane ride home from Georgia, there are tears in my eyes and goosebumps all over.  They just won't go away.  The emotion is palpable – is this real?

The Masters.  Augusta National.  Right from the moment that I walked into the gates, my already high expectations were shattered. "Welcome to The Masters". Four words that I never thought would be spoken to me.  The security guard greeted every patron with these words along the walkway, a St. Peter of sorts. 

I am forever grateful to my friend, Mick for inviting me along on this trip.  Mick is the biggest golf fan that I know and has an incredible encyclopedic knowledge of the game.  When he asked me to come along I didn’t even have to think twice - it was an automatic yes.  Mick had won the practice round lottery, which in some cases is better than winning the actual lottery.  I mean, this is Augusta National.

It was 7:45 am and the sun was shining perfectly over the clubhouse and onto the practice facility, where a few players, including Luke Donald and PGA Champion Keegan Bradley were warming up for the day.  As I strolled through the practice facility I was in awe.  Practice green and bunkers, driving range, all perfect.  Once on the course, the attention to detail was immediately noticed.  Nowhere else on earth will you find greener grass, not even in Ireland.  Every blade was perfectly manicured, as if they were artistically placed blade by blade.  It almost seemed as if I was walking on carpet because grass cannot be this perfect.

I walked the course hole by hole, starting with number 1.  What you don't see on television is the intense elevation changes, especially on number 1.  The fairway is a long, uphill climb – one that would be a perfect sled-riding hill, if only it were placed in Northeast Ohio.  Not much of an issue for professional golfers, as the landing area to the left of the fairway bunkers is relatively flat, but it would be a horror show of a hill for somebody such as myself to deal with.

As I circled around the first green and got a first look at the long, dogleg left beauty of number 2, it finally hit me.  This is the first of many “holy crap” moments.  Looking through the fairway towards the green with the same viewpoint that Louis Oosthuizen had that beautiful Easter Sunday as he double eagled was breathtaking.  It’s a long, downhill walk, with tall pines and the white scoreboard serving as a perfect backdrop.

As I kept walking through the middle of the first nine, I caught myself glancing over at the southeast corner of the course.  I knew that Amen Corner was waiting and wanted to jet immediately over to that portion of the course.  Perhaps if I weren’t with Mick, I would have.  But Mick helped me stay the course.  He convinced me that by skipping holes and looking forward to what was to come, I would be shortchanging the beauty of what was in front of me.  Much like the actual game of golf, patience was key.

As I walked up the side of the fairway of number 9, a dogleg left with an uphill approach to the green, all I kept thinking about was the second nine.  How would it look in person? It couldn't possibly be more brilliant than the first nine that we just walked, right?  The first nine is certainly world class, but the second nine is stuff of legends.

The Bubba Shot

It started with number 10.  We picked up a couple of groups on the second nine, watching Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, and Masters champion Adam Scott roll through.  As I strolled down the right side of number 10, I found myself in the same pine straw that Bubba Watson had unfortunately found himself in two years earlier in a playoff with Louis Oosthuizen.  What looked like an impossibility on television was even more impressive in person.  Somehow, television makes that miraculous 40-yard hook shot to 15 feet from the pin look easy.  When standing in the exact spot, I don't know how he did it.  To hit that shot, with that pressure, in that moment was incredible.  

Speaking of incredible, the three most special holes in all of golf were waiting just around the corner.  I watched Jordan Spieth hit some putts on the 10th green, turned to the right, and there it was.  Amen Corner.  Words cannot express its beauty.  As soon as I stood behind the 11th tee box, I noticed that birds began to chirp. Perhaps they have been chirping all day, I imagine that is the case, but I did not notice until now.  It almost felt too perfect, like there are hidden speakers in the trees.  The 11^th hole is traditionally one of the most difficult holes in golf, with an average score over par.  After walking the hole, I came to the conclusion that I could play the hole 100 times and walk away all 100 with at least a bogey.  It is that tough.

Golden Bell - The 12th hole at Augusta National

My next, and biggest “holy crap” moment was here, the 12th hole, Golden Bell.  It’s as if I walked into a painting.  It is the most photographed hole in all of golf, and perhaps the most famous.  I can only think of a few that could give it a run for it’s money.  Hogan’s Bridge and Rae’s Creek were right there in front of me – there was one moment where I actually pinched myself.  As I sat in the grandstands behind the tee box I kept thinking about all of the times that I have seen this hole on television, paintings, photographs, and video games.  Now, I’m seeing it in person.  Sometimes, when you see something so famous and renowned, it looks different in person.  Maybe it’s smaller or larger than you’ve seen on television, or something is just a little off about what you’re looking at.  This is not the case with the 12^th hole at Augusta National.  The 155-yard par 3 looks exactly like it does on television and in photographs – unforgettable beauty.  I could have spent the entire day at that hole, but there was much more to see – and eat.

When talking about concessions, you won’t find anything less expensive at any other sporting event, or cafeteria for that matter.  The $1.50 egg salad sandwich is one of the most famous of offerings.  It was the best 150 pennies that I have ever spent.  To be honest, it didn’t really hold a candle to Eileen’s egg salad (which is my absolute favorite), but it was amazing nevertheless.  From potato chips and crackers, to beer and soft drinks, there are no brand names on any of the food or drinks, only The Masters logo.  Enough of the food though, there was the last hole of Amen Corner to still see.

Jordan Spieth on the famous 18th hole.

Walking up the 13^th hole, I could not get a great look at the green based on where the gallery is pushed back.  If I would say that there was any bit of disappointment in the day, this would be it.  The 13^th green is arguably the most beautiful of them all, with all of the azalea bushes behind the green.  To not get a great vantage point was kind of a bummer.

There were only a few more holes to see before heading over to the par 3 course.  As far as single shots in Masters history, for me, nothing will ever eclipse Tiger Woods’ incredible chip in from the back of the 16^th green.  As I sat at the 16^th hole, I kept thinking about that shot as well as Jack's near ace in 1986 – incredible.  

To close out the second nine, as almost all Masters champions have done, I walked up the steep slope of the 18th fairway and around the back of the green, completing my walk of Augusta.  It took exactly 4 hours  It was a walk that I will never forget, and one that I am extremely lucky to have taken.  Every year, I watch Masters Sunday in it's entirety.  From Tiger's record-breaking win in 1997, to Phil finally getting the Majors monkey off of his back in 2004, the 18th green has played host to many of my favorite memories throughout the years.  Seeing it in person was very, very special.

Par 3 Champion Ryan Moore's wife and son

After walking the course from start to finish, I headed over to the par 3 contest, which is played on a course adjacent to the 10^th hole.  The par 3 contest is family oriented, laid back, and fun.  Many of the player’s wives, girlfriends, and children caddy for them during these 9 holes.  The most unforgettable part of the par 3 contest was watching Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player play the 7th hole on the ropes.  It was a surreal moment.  I was too young to watch these guys play, but to see the "Big Three" and their combined 13 green jackets a near 15 feet away was the most special moment of a day filled with unforgettable moments.  

The King - Arnold Palmer

And just like that, it was over.  As I was walking out I did not want to leave.  Like a child upset that he has to go to bed, I almost had to be dragged out through the gates.  Who knows if I'll ever return.  There are some that have been trying to get to The Masters for over 30 years with no luck.  Most people will never get the chance to visit, so I'm counting my blessings.  I took every second in with the utmost appreciation.  It is truly that special – the way that Augusta National wants it to be. The customer service was top notch. Not one bad attitude or even half a frown.  From security, to cashiers, bathroom attendants, and course ushers, every single person had a smile on their face and greeted you as if you were a past Masters champion yourself.

In a way, this experience has ruined me.  I will never look at any sporting event, golf tournament, or customer service model the same ever again.  The one word that I keep going back to sum it all up is experience.  You don't go to the tournament, you experience it.  You don't just simply walk the course.  You are transformed into the champions of past, an experience you will never get at any other course.  It’s hallowed ground, a heaven of sorts.  A tradition unlike any other. An experience that I will never forget.  These goosebumps will stay with me forever.

My New Hobby

Last weekend Eileen and I picked up our first DSLR camera - something that I have wanted for years, but never got around to purchasing.  I am a self-confessed tech geek and I've had a DSLR on my radar for a while.  I live on cnet.com and everyday read about the new technologies that I so desperately would love to own.  But in the real world of Adult Land, "boring", yet essential products such as furnaces, air conditioners and water softeners take priority over the likes of a Playstation 4, MacBook Air, Samsung Galaxy products, smart watch, and yes.....a DSLR digital camera.  So Eileen and I saved all of our Christmas and birthday money to buy my latest tech obsession, the Canon T3i digital camera.

What this means is that in addition to playing guitar, golfing, and blogging, I now have a new hobby....photography.  The last two go together perfectly and I cannot wait to share my progress as I begin the transition from point-and-shooter to a more creative approach to picture-taking.

One of my favorite inspirational writers, Seth Godin, recently wrote a blog post about playing the clarinet.  Seth tells a story about how he tried to learn the instrument for eight years and ultimately quit playing due to not putting enough effort and time into learning.  He goes on to say that people, as well as companies should focus on their strengths and be really good at one or two things instead of being mediocre at many things.  Seth ends his post with, "We opt for more instead of better", but "better is better than more".

While I agree with Seth's overall sentiment of "better is better than more",  I think that being mediocre at a few things is not horrible - as long as those few things are focused and add up to a greater good.  My hobbies all fall under the umbrella of creativity.  Whether I express myself through words, music, or now - images, I think that a whole bunch of mediocre adds up in the end and makes me a stronger, more rounded (and hopefully, more
creative) person.  The important part is to keep learning new things, keep expanding creativity, and never settle on mediocrity.  I'm going to try my hardest to be really good at this photography stuff.  Just as I try to be a better blogger and guitar player.  Get a little better every day.

It's amazing how still she will sit when tempted with a treat.

So plan to see many more pictures of my dog Clancy, she is the perfect subject for an amateur photographer.  Old, lazy, and doesn't move much; you couldn't ask for an easier assignment while learning the basics.  She runs my life anyways, so I might as well document her's through photography.  This is going to be fun.  I won't be learning this all by myself either.  Eileen has showed great interest in learning as well, so who knows, 5 years from now we might be running a full service wedding cake/photography studio.  This camera isn't just another gadget in our house, it's a conduit for creativity and memory preservation and I cannot wait to begin.

2014 Grammy Predictions

I'm gearing up for one of my favorite nights of the year....The Grammy Awards.  Next to Cleveland sports misery, music is my next biggest obsession.  In fact, if I had to choose one over the other I think that I would go with music.  At least music hasn't disappointed me every Sunday for the past 15 years.  I cannot imagine my life without it.  So without further ado, here are my 2014 Grammy predictions.  I am listing who I think should win, and who will really win based on my mediocre knowledge of the industry:

Record Of The Year


» "Get Lucky" - Daft Punk ft. Pharrell


» "Radioactive" - Imagine Dragons


» "Royals" - Lorde


» "Locked Out Of Heaven" - Bruno Mars


» "Blurred Lines" - Robin Thicke ft. T.I. and Pharrell

Should Win: Get Lucky

Will Win: Royals


Daft Punk's album Random Access Memories was one of the year's best.  Get Lucky is one of those songs that both hipsters and top 40 listeners like at the same time.  I can't remember a recent song that hit so many people, so I think the Academy should give this one to the French weirdos that don't show their faces.  All 5 songs are strong in this category this year.  2 of the last 3 years, Song of the Year and Record of the Year were awarded together with Lady Antebellum's Need You Now and Adele's Rolling in the Deep taking both categories.  Because of this, I think that Lorde will take this award (although I think she gets robbed on the next one).

Song Of The Year


» "Just Give Me A Reason" - Pink ft. Nate Ruess


» "Locked Out Of Heaven" - Bruno Mars


» "Roar" - Katy Perry


» "Royals" - Lorde


» "Same Love" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Should Win: Royals

Will Win: Same Love


2013 was the year of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.  I think that the Academy is going to reward them with more awards than they should win.  In the past, rappers have received very little consideration in these types of awards.  Jay Z and Eminem have never won a Grammy outside of a rap category and no rap song has ever won Song of the Year....until this year.  Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have many things going for them in the eyes of the Academy.  Yes, Eminem may have been the first great white rapper, but his themes of violence, homophobia, family issues, and drug use were black eyes in the Academy's view.  Macklemore raps about social issues and cheap clothing and is accessible to almost everybody.  For the message, I think that Same Love takes home this award, because if there's anything the Academy likes more than a catchy pop tune, it's a catchy pop tune with a message that is parallel with their social and political beliefs. 




I would choose Royals here in this spot.  This one is a songwriter’s award and I think that Royals is brilliant.  As much love as I have for Katy Perry, I hope she doesn't win this award because: 1) She is dating John Mayer.....ewwwww.  And 2) She totally ripped the melody off of Sara Bareilles, one of my favorite artists ever.  

Best Pop Solo Performance


» "Brave" - Sara Bareilles


» "Royals" - Lorde


» "When I Was Your Man" - Bruno Mars


» "Roar" - Katy Perry


» "Mirrors" - Justin Timberlake

Should Win: Brave

Will Win: Royals

Speaking of Ms. Bareilles, I hope she takes home her first Grammy for her hit song Brave.  I've had an obsession with Sara's music ever since her album Little Voice in 2007.  In a world of auto tune, over production, and having others write your songs, it would be refreshing to see such a talented songwriter get rewarded.  I'm not going to spend the time to look this up, but this has to be the first time in history in which a song that was ripped off is going up against the song that was the ripper-offer (pardon my technical jargon) right?  It would be a travesty if Katy Perry somehow wins this award.  

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance


» "Get Lucky" - Daft Punk ft. Pharrell


» "Just Give Me A Reason" - P!nk ft. Nate Ruess


» "Stay" - Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko


» "Blurred Lines" - Robin Thicke ft. T.I. and Pharrell


» "Suit & Tie" - Justin Timberlake ft. Jay Z

Should Win: Get Lucky

Will Win: Just Give Me A Reason


I think that Daft Punk takes home a crazy amount of awards this year including this one.  However, the Academy has a love for Nate Ruess and I think that he follows up his stellar 2013 Grammy haul with another award this year.  I'm good with any of these songs winning this year as long as it's not named Blurred Lines.  I still cannot get the Miley Cyrus stench off of this song.  Completely over played and a completely overrated.

Album Of The Year


» The Blessed Unrest - Sara Bareilles


» Random Access Memories - Daft Punk


» good kid, m.A.A.d city - Kendrick Lamar


» The Heist - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis


» Red - Taylor Swift

Should Win: Red

Will Win: Red

I've listened to all of these albums tons of times throughout this past year, here are just some of my thoughts on each:

The Blessed Unrest - Sara Bareilles has a song on this album called Manhattan.  It is the only song in the history of recorded music that has made me cry.  I pretty much tear up every single time I hear it.  Am I ashamed to admit that?  Yeah, kind of, but if you know me well enough then you know that I don't really care what people think.  The song is written from the perspective of a woman losing the love of her life to the big city, one that she knows she cannot contend with.  It's a superbly well-written song just as many others are on this album.  I’m hoping for a miracle that this one wins, as it is by far my favorite of the five, but it’s a long shot.




Random Access Memories - This album has helped me during many workouts over the past year.  The electronic beats are great to get you going on a run.  Perhaps my favorite song on this album is Doing It Right, a song that features Panda Bear from Animal Collective.  It is set as my alarm in the morning and completely scares my wife every time it comes on, so that's awesome.  Also, anytime somebody takes Paul Williams and makes him relevant in 2013, then they should win some sort of award….just not this one.




good kid m.A.A.d city - Best rap album I've heard all year, Kendrick brings something different than the other rappers. Yeezus and Magna Carta were good, but Kendrick's debut was better.  For as good as good kid m.A.A.d city was, Kendrick’s best moment came on a verse that wasn’t even on the album.  It’s almost worth giving him Album of the Year for his verse on Big Sean’s Control.  Crazy stuff.

The Heist - I have a bad feeling that this one is winning it all.  First rap album win Album of the Year since Oukast in 2004.....it's happening.  There are a few good songs on this album, but I can't stand the self-importance of Macklemore. The guy is a walking, talking cliche whenever he gives an interview.  Watch out for the douchiest acceptance speech of all time if this album wins. In fact, I hope they do just so I can get an extreme case of the chills.  I will have my coat ready.




Red – Embarrassing self-admitted truth #2….I am a giant Taylor Swift fan.  Do I think that Red was the best album of 2013?  Depends what you base it on.  Artistically, you could argue that Red is the weakest on this list.  But when it comes to popularity, nobody had a bigger 2013 in music than Taylor Swift.  Justin Timberlake is the only other artist that could give her a run.  More chart topping hits that anybody else on this list combined with the fact that two rap albums should cancel some votes out tells me

that she’s winning this award.  Also, I just don’t see a dance album winning Album of the Year (Random Access Memories), and nobody is going to give love to Sara Bareilles (although in my opinion she is the most talented on this list).  It’s not the Grammy’s without Taylor giving the ol’ aww shucks acceptance speech.

So there you have it – if I get half of these predictions right then it would be a miracle.  The rest of my predictions are below.  Have fun watching The Grammys!

Best Country Album


» Night Train - Jason Aldean


» Two Lanes of Freedom - Tim McGraw


» Same Trailer Different Park - Kacey Musgraves


» Based On A True Story - Blake Shelton
» Red - Taylor Swift

Should Win: Red

Will Win: Same Trailer Different Park

Best New Artist


» James Blake


» Kendrick Lamar


» Macklemore & Ryan Lewis


» Kasey Musgraves


» Ed Sheeran

Should Win: Kendrick Lamar

Will Win: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Best Pop Vocal Album


» Paradise - Lana Del Rey


» Pure Heroine - Lorde


» Unorthodox Jukebox - Bruno Mars


» Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke


» The 20/20 Experience - The Complete Experience - Justin Timberlake

Should Win: The 20/20 Experience

Will Win: Pure Heroine

Best Rock Album


» 13 - Black Sabbath


» The Next Day - David Bowie


» Mechanical Bull - Kings Of Leon


» Celebration Day - Led Zeppelin


» ...Like Clockwork - Queens Of The Stone Age


» Psychedelic Pill - Neil Young With Crazy Horse

Should Win: ...Like Clockwork

Will Win: 13

Best Rap Album


» Nothing Was The Same - Drake


» Magna Carta...Holy Grail - Jay Z


» Good Kid, M.A.A.D City - Kendrick Lamar


» The Heist - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis


» Yeezus - Kanye West

Should Win: Good Kid, m.A.A.D City

Will Win: The Heist