Madison in May
What A Fool Believes, Madison Meals, Jimmy LaFave, Jalen Brunson, Gaping Gators
Welcome to my weekly newsletter. This issue includes top Taliesin tableaux, a St. Louis singer/songwriter’s story, meals on our Wisconsin weekend, a singer/songwriter who moved from Texas to Oklahoma and back to Texas, a nifty New York Knick, and hikers and bikers who may be grabbed by gators. I hope you like the picks and pics.
My siblings and I got together over the weekend, along with our spouses, in Madison, Wisconsin. We celebrated my sister Joan’s 75th birthday in the town where she earned her undergraduate degree. We managed to pick the week when the midges were swarming, but aside from swallowing a few lake flies, we had a wonderful time together. We visited Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin home, took long walks, enjoyed great meals, shared stories, and laughed a lot together.
If you live in the metro Detroit area, I encourage you to attend our June 7 house concert with DuPont Phillips.
On Thursday I was interviewed for a webinar hosted by Emily Harburg, CEO of PairUp:
On Sunday I thanked my 17,000th follower on Linkedin:
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Fave Five 137: Madison in May
Mike’s Memoir (What A Fool Believes), Madison Meals (Cento, Wisconsin Riverside, Tornado, Fair Trade Coffee House, Stray Dog), Texoma Talent (Jimmy LaFave), Clutch Closer (Jalen Brunson), and Gaping Gators.
Fave Five List: Five Favorite Photos from Taliesin
Taliesin is the birthplace of organic architecture, demonstrating Frank Lloyd Wright’s creative genius, where his ideas for life and living came to fruition. A world where architecture isn’t confined by walls but integrates seamlessly with nature. Some even refer to it as “living poetry.” We refer to it as “choreographing the invisible.” At Taliesin you immerse yourself in the birthplace of organic architecture where Wright, America’s architect, designed over 1,100 buildings of which 532 were built — more than any other American architect to this day.
A farm kid from Wisconsin with humble beginnings, Wright had a vision for the world. In pursuit of this vision, he encountered successes and challenges and yet, always persevered. Taliesin is the culmination of his vision and greatness—his autobiography in three dimensions—integrating wood, stone, light, air and nature itself.
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Inside
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Book Best Bet
What A Fool Believes: A Memoir by Michael McDonald and Paul Reiser
Barb and I are big fans of Michael McDonald, and my brother has recorded with him multiple times. If Michael had not dropped out, he would have graduated from McCluer High School in St. Louis in 1971, the same year that Barb and I graduated from Clayton High School, also in St. Louis. I liked reading the book, with its references to St. Louis and many LA musician friends of my brother. As a lover of Michael’s work with Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, as a duet singer, and as a solo artist, I liked learning the stories behind the music.
From Amazon: A sweeping and evocative memoir from the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Grammy Award–winning, platinum selling singer-songwriter Michael McDonald, written with his friend, Emmy Award–nominated actor, comedian, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Paul Reiser.
Doobie Brothers. Steely Dan. Chart topping soloist. Across a half-century of American music, Michael McDonald’s unmistakably smooth baritone voice defined an era of rock and R&B with hit records like “What A Fool Believes,” “Takin’ It to the Streets,” “I Keep Forgettin’,” “Peg,” “It Keeps You Running,” “You Belong to Me,” and “Yah Mo B There.”
In his candid, freewheeling memoir, written with his friend, the Emmy Award-nominated actor and comedian Paul Reiser, Michael tells the story of his life and music. A high school dropout from Ferguson, Missouri, Michael chased his dreams in 1970’s California, a heady moment of rock opportunity and excess. As a rising session musician and backing vocalist, a series of encounters would send him on a wild ride around the world and to the heights of rock stardom—from joining Steely Dan and becoming a defining member of The Doobie Brothers to forging a path as a breakout solo R&B artist.
Interwoven with the unforgettable tales of the music, Michael tells a deeply affecting story of losing and finding himself as a man. He reckons with the unshakeable insecurities that drove him, the drug and alcohol addictions that plagued him, and the highs and lows of popularity. Along the way he relays the lessons he’s learned, and that if he’s learned anything at all it’s that there’s often little correlation between what you get and what you deserve.
Filled with unbelievable stories and a matchless cast of music greats including James Taylor, Ray Charles, Carly Simon, and Quincy Jones, What a Fool Believes is a moving and entertaining memoir that is sure to be a classic.
Restaurant Recommendations
Madison Meals
When I get together with my siblings, we always make a point of eating well. This time was no exception.
Cento 122 W Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703
Saturday was prom night in Madison, so we saw many high schoolers dressed to the nines. The food here was good, but the restaurant was very noisy.
Bucatini alla Carbonara: confit guanciale, pecorino Romano, cracked black pepper
Wisconsin Riverside Restaurant S13220 Shifflet Rd, Spring Green, WI 53588
After touring Taliesin, we drove to this nearby spot that was part of a resort, and we had a great meal with very reasonable prices. After the crowd left, we had the place to ourselves and enjoyed talking at our table for six.
Philly Cheese Steak: Tender prime rib shaved thin & topped with sautéed peppers, onions & mozzarella cheese. Served with a side of Au Jus
Garlic Parmesan Fries: Lightly breaded French fries drizzled with a garlic parmesan sauce
Tornado Steak House 116 S Hamilton St, Madison, WI 53703
Barb and I split a filet mignon, and we were the only ones at our table to order steak. Joan had frog legs, Michael chose shrimp, David ordered walleye, and Ann went with pork tenderloin, which was the winner. The giant hash browns, baked into a large potato pancake, were very good.
Pork Tenderloin: Pan fried with tart cherry sauce
Hash Browns
Fair Trade Coffee House 418 State St, Madison, WI 53703
We had breakfast here Sunday and Monday. I asked to have my almond croissant heated up, and that put it over the top.
Almond croissant
The Stray Dog Bar & Grill 245 N. Whittaker Street, New Buffalo, MI 49117
On our drive home, Ann, Barb, and I stopped here for a late lunch. Barb and I had dined at this waterfront spot before, and everything here was done very nicely. Ann ordered a Stewart’s root beer, but gave it to me when I pointed out the Solstice Spritz on the zero proof menu, which she immediately ordered and enjoyed.
Grilled Shrimp Po' Boy: lettuce, tomato, cabbage mix, Cajun remoulade, telera roll & lemon
Solstice Spritz: sparkling water, elderflower, orange, lemon, lime, rosemary, mint
Marvelous Musician
On this date in 2017, Jimmy passed away. I read about him in a flyer from Canadian River Music (a Texas folk music mail order company) and became a fan. I saw Jimmy perform twice at The Ark in Ann Arbor. I love many of his songs and Dylan covers.
From Wikipedia: Jimmy LaFave (born July 12, 1955 in Wills Point, Texas; died May 21, 2017 in Austin) was an American singer-songwriter and folk musician. After moving to Stillwater, Oklahoma, LaFave became a supporter of Woody Guthrie. He later became an Advisory Board member and regular performer at the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival. In 1996 LaFave received the Kerrville Folk Festival songwriter of the year award and appeared on the TV show Austin City Limits. He recorded 15 albums and his 2007 release, Cimarron Manifesto, reached the No. 1 mark on the Americana Music Association album chart. In his review of LaFave's Cimarron Manifesto (2007) for the FolkWax E-Zine, Arthur Wood calls LaFave "one of the finest Dylan interpreters ever."
Austin City Limits 1996
Measuring Words
How It Must Remain
Desperate Men, Do Desperate Things
Only One Angel
Bob Dylan's Positively 4th Street
My Playlist
Bonus Playlist: Jimmy Covers Dylan
Sports Star
Tonight Jalen will start his quest to lead the New York Knicks to the NBA Finals. First the Knicks have to get past the Indiana Pacers. As a former Knicks fan in the 60s and 70s, I will root for them this year to win the championship for the first time in 52 years.
I wrote about Jalen in two previous issues: Philly Pros and NBA Playoff Scoring Leaders. I marvel at his ability to shake off a slow start and win close games down the stretch by getting to the hoop and making tough threes. I think the Dallas Mavericks would like to reverse time and sign him to a long-term contract rather than letting him walk in free agency to sign with New York.
I was there when Jalen helped win two NCAA championships for Villanova. in 2016 in Houston, they beat North Carolina on a Kris Jenkins buzzer-beater. In 2018 in San Antonio, my Michigan Wolverines lost to them in the championship game.
In 12 playoff games so far this year, Jalen is averaging 39.0 minutes, 44.0% shooting, 36.3% on threes, 81.9% on free throws, 3.9 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 0.4 steals, 2.6 turnovers, and 28.8 points. He is the recipient of the Jerry West Trophy as the 2024-25 NBA Clutch Player of the Year. The award honors the NBA player who best comes through for his teammates late in close games. He has continued doing so in the playoffs, including eliminating my Detroit Pistons and the defending champion Boston Celtics.
From Wikipedia: Jalen Marquis Brunson (born August 31, 1996 in New Brunswick, New Jersey) is an American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was drafted with the 33rd overall selection of the 2018 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks and played his first four seasons in the NBA with them. He played college basketball for the Villanova Wildcats, earning national player of the year honors as a junior and winning two national championships.
Brunson participated in the 2015 McDonald's All-American Boys Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit. He led Stevenson to the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 4A championship. He won Illinois Mr. Basketball and earned the MVP of the 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Cup. Brunson was a role player for the championship season of the 2015–16 Villanova Wildcats and named the national player of the year and a consensus first-team 2018 All-American for the championship season of the 2017–18 Wildcats.
Brunson played four years for the Dallas Mavericks. After helping the Mavericks reach the Western Conference finals, he signed with the New York Knicks as a free agent in 2022. With the Knicks, he became an NBA All-Star and received an All-NBA Team selection for the first time in 2024. He set the NBA record for most three point shots made in a half without a miss (8) and tied the NBA record for most three point shots made in a single-game without a miss (9). In 2025, he led the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years.
Jalen Brunson Is Averaging 28.8 PPG This Playoff Run
Picture Pun
This message brought to you by your friendly gator aid.
