A moment Martin Atkins will never forget (Sun-Times photo by Andrew A. Nelles)

Life is a collection of unique moments.
A great kiss. A real last call. The first rock concert.

For many British musicians, the moment comes with the first bite of a Vienna pure beef Chicago hot dog. This rite of passage happens at Wrigleysville Dogs, 3730 N. Clark, across the street from the iconic Metro music club. Oasis dropped in at Wrigleysville several years ago. Former Public Image Ltd. and Nine Inch Nails drummer Martin Atkins, takes his English mates to the stand.
Atkins remembers the first moment he bit into a Wrigleysville dog.....

When you set out to do a Kenny Rogers tribute, what era is your money shot?

There's the psychedelic beginnings of the First Edition where Kenny "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Is In)" as well as the compelling cover of Mel Tillis' "Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town." Then there's the best known Country Kenny.

Lastly, you have post-facelift Kenny where he looks like the Most Interesting Man in the World.
The great Neil Diamond tribute artist Denny Diamond dropped me a line to say his friend Marty Edwards will be performing his "Kinda Kenny" tribute to Kenny Rogers at 11:30 a.m. May 10th at White Fence Farm, 1376 Joliet Rd. (old Route 66) in Romeoville, Il. That is not a typo.
It is a Branson-like morning start.......

You can find philosophy posted in the strangest places.
Earlier this week I was driving home on I-57 from Northern Mississippi. I began to feel tired as I approached Carbondale, Ill. I had been driving for six or seven hours.

The skies were cobalt blue and the temperature on my car dashboard read 73 degrees.
I pulled off into a rest stop. I took out my Michael Jordan beach blanket and laid down on the freshly mowed grass. A cool breeze washed across my face. I closed my eyes and thought of road trips into the sunset. I was lost in the moment.......

Eddie Holstein, 1997 (Sun-Times photo)

Many friends who played an embryonic role in my cultural reporting have recently taken the long walk to the other side.
I'm starting to feel a little lonely.

And Chicago singer-songwriter Eddie Holstein, who was also my enabler at O'Rourke's tavern, was close to the edge. But I'm happy to report he took a lickin' and kept on tickin.'.
Here's part of a nice little e-mail I got last night from Eddie.....

My everlasting image of Artie "Blues Boy" White did not come from a down home set I saw at the dimly lit East of the Ryan nightclub or hearing a dusty '45 that was in heavy rotation at the Checkerboard Lounge on East 43rd St.

It was served 'round midnight in the the spring of 1998 in the Malaco Records recording studio in Jackson, Miss.
Mr. White died April 20 in a Harvey hospice from complications of pneumonia. He was 76.

The long time Chicago resident had engaging Southern Soul hits like "Leaning Tree," "Don't Pet My Dog" and "My Dessert."
Mr. White had just finished a recording session in the spring of 1998.........

Bad lookin' Badfinger, 1972.

One universal theme of music is how it becomes so personal.
We all have our inside pleasures. I'm geared up about seeing The Iguanas for the umpteenth time this weekend at Rock n' Bowl in New Orleans.

Award winning Chicago filmmaker John Anderson really goes off the chain with "Joey Molland: Liverpool to Memphis," which makes its world premiere at 1 p.m. April 21 as part of CIMMFest No. 5 (Chicago International Movies & Music Festival) a the Logan Theatre 4, 2646 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Molland, 65, is the last surviving member of Badfinger, the vintage era 1970-74......