Firestarter Funnies
Since March of 2020 Drake and his band, The Big Fire, have been performing free live concerts every Wednesday on Facebook & YouTube. Drake calls it his Wednesday Night Therapy and Gena and I haven't missed one yet. In fact, we've come to measure our weeks from Wednesday to Wednesday.
It's hard to describe Drake's music. He's country, sure. But he's also Southern Rock, Gospel and Folk. He's 50's Soul and classic Rock 'n Roll. If you don't find yourself tapping your toes, you should check your pulse.
If you haven't already, you have to check him out. Here's the complete playlist of Wednesday Night Therapy on You Tube: Wednesday Night Therapy Playlist
If you enjoy these, you should join us in the Firestarter's Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/firestarterfamily
Drake enjoys his whiskey and occasionally he and the boys go off the rails a bit. Generally that leads to hilarious flubs and freestyle riffs. When that happens, I turn 'em into cartoons. Here's what I've drawn so far, I hope you enjoy 'em. -John
Alabama Dirt Road
This was inspired by Hokes Bluff native, Lori Walden. Check out her gorgeous work: https://www.flickr.com/people/waterfallhunter
The scene is framed by a silhouette of whitewoodhollow. Home of the Barn Gangsters.
And of course, Drake White and his prized Bronco was photographed by none other than our own, Hammer'a with a Camera, Zack Knudsen: https://zackknudsenphotography.com/
I'm still moving my past cartoons into my new FB page and I also post sneak peeks of works in progress there so check it out, FirestarterFunnies.
Ay Carumba!
Drake offered hand-lettered lyric sheets in his Merch Shop and sold about 100. He underestimated the amount of effort that would take. He compared the experience to being back in school and having to write something 100 times on the blackboard as punishment. Zack Thought that would make a good cartoon, I agree.
Squirrel In Pieces
Drake often cuts loose with some stream-of-consciousness freestyle which can result in some pretty hilarious lyrics. His dog, Maple, barked at something during a show and Drake broke into a parody of his hit song "Girl In Pieces".
Tequila & Jesus
Most of you know that I'd like to see something with my art in the Merch shop making some money for the band. I'm hopeful that this may be the one. What do you think? Would you like to see this in Drake's Merch Shop?
Happy Birthday/Retirement Deb
On May 8th, we celebrated the birthday and retirement of the Firestarter's Chief Instigator / Party Planner. We enjoyed delicious cake made by Alex White herself. we had a great concert with Carl Wockner and then capped it all off with an amazing Drake White Concert. Good Times!
Yeppah!
When Drake's really in the groove and feelin' it, he'll inevitably let loose with a "Yeppah!"
The Asshole Song
One of my all-time favorite Drake White songs.
My favorite version of this song has Drake butchering the song towards the end. He explains that he was drunk the night of the story so he can't remember the lyrics. See it on You Tube here: Drake White - Asshole
If you don't know who the asshole is, well buddy it's probably you!
Dylan (Swiss Army Knife) Jones
In week 52 (One Year), Drake referred to Dylan as "A Swiss Army Knife"
See it here: Week 52 - YouTube
He certainly is a multitalented guy. That's his one-year old puppy, Cato watching daddy play.
Grumpy Old Drake
Drake and Devin just did a funny TikTok skit from the movie, "Grumpy Old Men". See it here:
I've resisted TikTok successfully until now. I finally caved and signed up, just so I could see these Drake videos more easily.
Wednesday Night Thera-pies!
Wednesday, March 17th marks ONE YEAR of WNT.
What can I say, I'm a dad. I love dad jokes.
Firestarter One Year Badges
Wednesday, March 17th marks ONE YEAR of WNT.
Change your profile picture to one of these badges to show your support and appreciation during the show!
Click here to see all the Firestarter Badges
Same Barn Time - Same Barn Channel
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah - Barn Time!
Sorcerer of Sound
Allow me to introduce...
The Master of the Mix.
the Devil on the Level.
The Sensation of Equalization.
Mr. Taylor "Red" Antle.. The Sorcerer of Sound!
The Wizard of KNOZ
The Man with a Plan!
The Hammer'a with a Camera!
Sending the Fire down the Wire..
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present, Zack Knudsen - The Wizard of KNOZ!
Firestarter 50 Week Badges
Wednesday, March 3rd marks 50 weeks of WNT.
Change your profile picture to one of these badges to show your support and appreciation during the show!
Click here to see all the Firestarter Badges
Inquisitive Minds Want to Know
If you can't believe what you read in the Inquisitor, well then what can you believe?
Wednesday, March 3rd marks 50 weeks of WNT.
On the night of the 50th week many of us will be "Tipping the band" $50; $1 for each week of WNT. If you can, please tip the band whatever you can afford. Drake will tell you, even a dollar makes a difference
Make It Rain
Wednesday, March 3rd marks 50 weeks of WNT.
Drake White – “For me and my fans…well, we have built an escape”.
On the night of the 50th week many of us will be "Tipping the band" $50; $1 for each week of WNT. If you can, please tip the band whatever you can afford. Drake will tell you, even a dollar makes a difference
50 States / 50 Weeks
50 Great States in the USA - 50 Great Weeks of WNT!
Wednesday, March 3rd marks 50 weeks of WNT.
On the night of the 50th week many of us will be "Tipping the band" $50; $1 for each week of WNT. If you can, please tip the band whatever you can afford. Drake will tell you, even a dollar makes a difference
Fifty Fifty
50/50 isn't very good odds. However fifty weeks of Wednesday Night Therapy is amazing.
Wednesday, March 3rd will mark 50 weeks of WNT. Drake's commitment to all of us has been exceptional, they've even played for us through a snowstorm that shut down most of Nashville.
On the night of the 50th week many of us will be "Tipping the band" $50 to show our appreciation. If you can, please tip the band whatever you can afford. Drake will tell you, even a dollar makes a difference.
Whiskey Business
In Week 48, Drake discusses how he asked the fans to choose the bottle style for the new Whiskey he's going to produce. He was trying to decide between a tall bottle and a short one. The fans chose the short one.
Sounds like some "Whiskey Business" to me...
Check it out: WNT Week 48
Firestarter of The Week
If you watched Drake White last night (week 48) you may have heard a loud pop at about the one hour mark. That was just my mind blowing when he showed my latest cartoon!
Check it out: WNT Week 48
WNT often gets 12k+ viewers! I'm famous. But I promise you peasants I won't let it go to my head.
Hump Day!
Hey Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike. Guess what day it is Mike!.. Nope, not Hump Day.
It's Wednesday Night Therapy Day!
WNT Eve
It's not Tuesday, It's Wednesday Night Therapy Eve!
Norina Vs. Nashville
Hey Y'all Firestarters, have you heard? On New Years' Eve, 2021, our very own Norina Applegate is turning the big 5-0! We're throwing her a birthday bash in Nashville and you're invited!
Deb Hecht got us some great rates at a hotel that's walking distance to Music Row. Deb also has some great live music lined up (This is Nashville after all).
As of Feb 12, we already have 32 rooms booked! Rooms over New Years' sell out fast in Nashville. If you're interested get in touch with Deb Hecht, she's the organizer extraordinaire.
More details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/156595399581011
When Tractors Fly..
Well, inspiration struck again. Last week (week 46), Drake was joined by the very talented Mr. Dillon Carmichael. Dillon sang about getting back together with an ex (or in this case, not). You can check out last week's show here: WNT Week 46
Tomorrow night WNT is going back to it's roots, Just Dylan and Drake; acoustic. Gena and I will be watching from the Tiki-Tonk as always. Join us on Facebook, 5pm Left Coast time.
Hot Tub In The Hayloft
In week 33 of Wednesday Night Therapy, Drake and his band welcome their first live audience to the barn. Drake goes into a little freestyle about puttin' a "Hot Tub In The Hayloft" which inspired me to draw this cartoon, Cheez Curls included. Watch it here: WNT Week 33
Join Gena and me tonight at 5pm Pacific as we mix up some Margaritas in the Tiki-Tonk and watch Drake and his band on Facebook for the 45th Wednesday Night Therapy.
Barn Gangsta
In week 27 of Wednesday Night Therapy, Drake and his band were joined by Carl Wockner. Carl came up with the phrase "Barn Gangsters" which became a big hit among the Firestarters and inspired me to draw this cartoon. Watch Drake and Carl here: WNT Week 27
Elephants In The Closet
This was the first Firestarter Funny and it's actually the first cartoon I've drawn for fun in decades. This one requires a little context to understand.
In week 36, it was just Drake and his Piano/Guitar player Dylan, and they had been enjoying their whiskey. Yeppah! That night Drake flubbed the lines to several of his songs and the results were hilarious. Watch the video and you'll understand the cartoon: WNT Week 36
The complete WNT playlist: WNT Complete Playlist
Heaven Must Be Listenin'
Drake suffered an AVM stroke and spent a great deal of time in the hospital. He tells the story of his wife, Alex, praying for angels to protect him. That inspired this drawing. This one has been a sketch for months now. My "style" isn't well suited for such serious matters. I just can't seem to capture it. Maybe someday.
So, that's all so far. I hope you enjoyed 'em and I hope you'll check Drake out.
Whether you enjoyed my doodles or you enjoyed the music, I'd really appreciate it if you'd tip the band and help keep WNT alive:
If you enjoy these, you should join us in the Firestarter's Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/firestarterfamily
Thanks for visiting. Tell yer friends, tell yer neighbors, tell yer dogs.
-John
