The votes are in, and a champion has been crowned in the Weather Channel’s Weather Song Tournament!

• The Beatles: “Here Comes The Sun“

While it would have cheered me to see an older song win (in the classical world, “New Music” sometimes refers to anything written in the last 100 years!), I am reasonably content with this outcome. It’s a very nice wake-up song, for one thing. Let’s have a listen:

The Beatles: Here Comes The Sun

Here, by the way, is another sun-related Beatles song that didn’t make the bracket. I’ve always liked this one:

The Beatles: I’ll Follow The Sun

Let’s keep in touch!
Follow MMN on Twitter!
Like MMN on Facebook!

This it it, music nerds! The final two contenders in the Weather Channel’s Weather Song Tournament go verse-to-verse and chorus-to-chorus today! Go here to cast your vote before 5am EDT tomorrow!

I am still carrying a torch for Gene Kelly, and disappointed that “Singin’ in the Rain“ didn’t advance to the final round. But the competitors who did advance are certainly worthy. Let’s take a look!

• The Beatles: “Here Comes The Sun” vs. Bing Crosby: “White Christmas“

Not to get all philosophical on you, but… Christmas comes but once a year, but we look forward to the sun rising every day (and somehow, it never gets old!). I think as Weather Songs go, it’s hard to get more quintessential.

MMN’s pick: The Beatles: “Here Comes The Sun”

I’ve had fun revisiting all of these great classic songs. I’m glad I just happened to look at the Weather Channel’s home page on the day the tournament started, or I would have been oblivious to it. I suppose I have McDoc to thank for that, since he is a full-on weather nerd, and it has rubbed off on me a little bit!

What’s your pick, music nerds?

Let’s keep in touch!
Follow MMN on Twitter!
Like MMN on Facebook!

Things are really heating up in the Weather Channel’s Weather Song Tournament! Voting is open now in the Rain & Seasons regions, and the competition is stiff! Vote (for Gene Kelly!!) before 5 am EDT tomorrow!

• Bing Crosby: “White Christmas” vs. Gene Kelly: “Singin’ in the Rain“

Man, it’s like having to choose between cake and ice cream, isn’t it?

I’ve always had a huge soft spot for Gene Kelly, though. As a teenager, I would watch An American in Paris and Singin’ in the Rain over and over (nerdiness is not exactly a new thing for me!), and I still think they’re two of the best films of all time. Plus, how could you not admire someone who shot a scene like this while running a fever?

Singin’ in the Rain dance sequence:

So, I’m rooting heavily for my pick here… I fear I won’t be on the winning side, as it’s hard to beat Christmas… COME ON, PEOPLE! Vote now!!

MMN’s pick: Gene Kelly: “Singin’ in the Rain”

But today, vote for Gene, music nerds!!!

Let’s keep in touch!
Follow MMN on Twitter!
Like MMN on Facebook!

I was very happy to see that 3 out of 4 of my picks advanced to the Final Four round of the Weather Channel’s Weather Song Tournament! And really, I picked Bill Withers over the Beatles just to be contrary, so I’m pleased with 100% of the results.

We have four very strong contenders — all classics. I’m not sure if that’s due to the overall good taste and wisdom of the voters, or if it’s simply a reflection of their age range (i.e., kids these days don’t bother with weather forecasts!), but either way, I’ll take it!

Voting is open today, Tuesday March 27, in the Sun and Elements regions. Cast your vote before 5 am EDT tomorrow!

• The Beatles: “Here Comes The Sun” vs. Judy Garland: “Over the Rainbow“

Ooh, this is difficult. I’m sure many of your music nerds are big Wizard of Oz fans and have a soft spot for “Over the Rainbow.” I’m going with the Beatles, though, because that’s a song that never fails to cheer a person up, and that’s a pretty essential thing in this ever-changing world in which we live in!

MMN’s pick: The Beatles: “Here Comes The Sun”

Tomorrow, voting opens for the matchup between the Rain and Seasons winners!

What’s your pick, music nerds?

Let’s keep in touch!
Follow MMN on Twitter!
Like MMN on Facebook!

Today’s edition of Friday Nerdy Music Links will be brief, because Miss Music Nerd has been running herself ragged this week working on a project to be announced at a later date. (Part of my extramusical adventures, though not nearly as exciting or glamorous as that may sound!)

Where in the World is Miss Music Nerd?

I’ve been in Pittsburgh all week, so you know I was looking for new Keyboards of the World to snap! ‘Cause that’s what I do, on top of finding pianos to practice on!

I was lucky enough to pass by Calvary Episcopal Church, where the folks minding the store kindly let me loose in the sanctuary. Here’s the piano:

The director of music, Alan Lewis, graciously took a few minutes to chat with me, and sent me a better photo of the organ console than I could get with my phone:

They also have a small continuo organ:

Specifications, more great photos, and sound clips from these instruments can be found on this page. (Check out the beautiful carving on the front of the continuo organ!)

The Week in Funny Music Pictures:
We’ve always known he was ahead of his time!

The Viola Joke of the Week: click here!

What’s new in your music nerdosphere this week?

Let’s keep in touch!
Follow MMN on Twitter!
Like MMN on Facebook!

We’ve arrived at the Elite 8 round of the Weather Channel’s Weather Song Tournament! Voting is still open in the Rain and Seasons regions, but it has already closed in the Sun and Elements regions (click links to see results). Here are my four picks — let’s see if I picked the winning teams!

• The Beatles: “Here Comes The Sun” vs. Bill Withers: “Ain’t No Sunshine“

This is a toughie; I’ve been a big booster for Bill Withers all along, but then, the Beatles song is a classic. I’m gonna be contrarian and go for Bill Withers here.

MMN’s pick: Bill Withers: “Ain’t No Sunshine”

• Dean Martin: “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” vs. Judy Garland: “Over the Rainbow“

Okay, here’s a goofy little story I’ve been wanting to tell ever since this tournament started. Every time I think of “Over the Rainbow,” I’m reminded of the small a capella choir I sang in as a high schooler. We had rehearsed a rather lovely arrangement of the song that featured a solo voice accompanied by oohs and ahhs by the rest of the choir, beginning at the words, “Someday I’ll wish upon a star.”

During a performance, our wonderful soloist had one of those moments that musicians have nightmares about, where you can’t remember your part even though you know it like the back of your hand. When he got to the line, “Where troubles melt like lemon drops…” he hesitated right before “troubles,” and instead sang, “Where turnips melt like lemon drops…” But what was really funny was how the rest of us struggled to continue singing our harmonies in tune, while stifling our mirth! Memories like those are priceless…

That said, I’m voting for Dean!

MMN’s pick: Dean Martin: “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow”

• Gene Kelly: “Singin’ in the Rain” vs. Creedence Clearwater Revival: “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?“

At this moment as I write this, Gene Kelly is only leading CCR by 1 point. COME ON, PEOPLE!!

MMN’s pick: Gene Kelly: “Singin’ in the Rain”

• Bing Crosby: “White Christmas” vs. The Lovin’ Spoonful: “Summer in the City“

I’m glad to see the old standards doing so well in this tournament. I want to see that continue!

MMN’s pick: Bing Crosby: “White Christmas”

What are your picks, music nerds?

Let’s keep in touch!
Follow MMN on Twitter!
Like MMN on Facebook!

Today is the second day of voting in the Sweet Sixteen Round of the Weather Channel’s Weather Song Tournament! Time for two matchups each in the Rain & Seasons regions!

• Gene Kelly: “Singin’ in the Rain” vs. B.J. Thomas: “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head“

I advocated for this very matchup last week! Still, it’s really no contest.(I was sad to see the Eurhythmics eliminated, I must say!)

MMN’s pick: Gene Kelly: “Singin’ in the Rain”

• James Taylor: “Fire and Rain” vs. Creedence Clearwater Revival: “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?“

This is a “meh” matchup for me. I voted against both in the previous round, and don’t feel particularly enthused about either. But I like the James Taylor slightly better.

MMN’s pick: James Taylor: “Fire and Rain”

• Bing Crosby: “White Christmas” vs. Don Henley: “The Boys of Summer“

Sorry, Boys — you’re out of your league!

MMN’s pick: Bing Crosby: “White Christmas”

• Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Armstrong: “Summertime” vs. The Lovin’ Spoonful: “Summer in the City“

Another lopsided matchup — the Ella & Louis juggernaut continues!

MMN’s pick: Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Armstrong: “Summertime”

Remember to vote before 5am EDT tomorrow!

What are your picks, music nerds?

Let’s keep in touch!
Follow MMN on Twitter!
Like MMN on Facebook!

• The Beatles: “Here Comes The Sun” vs. The Animals: “House of the Rising Sun“

I’m smarting a bit over the elimination of Stevie, but that’s showbiz, I guess! Both of these are classics, but I think the Beatles’ song is essential here.

MMN’s pick: The Beatles: “Here Comes The Sun”

• Bill Withers: “Ain’t No Sunshine” vs. Elton John: “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”

No contest, as far as I’m concerned!

MMN’s pick: Bill Withers: “Ain’t No Sunshine”

• Dean Martin: “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” vs. Bob Dylan: “Blowin’ In The Wind“

Dean Martin has been steamrolling easily so far, but this is a tougher matchup. “Let It Snow” starts to seem frivolous next to Bob Dylan’s earnest folkiness (or is it folksy earnestness?). Still, I’m sticking with Martin’s crooning over Dylan’s, um, idiosyncratic vocal stylings.

MMN’s pick: Dean Martin: “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow”

• Judy Garland: “Over the Rainbow” vs. The Doors: “Riders On The Storm“

I’m disappointed that “Get Off of My Cloud” didn’t go up against “Over the Rainbow” — that would’ve been an amusingly oddball pairing. Well, this one is oddball too, but far less competitive, to me.

MMN’s pick: Judy Garland: “Over the Rainbow”

Tune in tomorrow for the Sweet Sixteen Round in the Rain and Seasons regions!

What are your picks, music nerds?

Let’s keep in touch!
Follow MMN on Twitter!
Like MMN on Facebook!

I’m back in Boston, home from my piano-practicing adventures in Denver! As of Monday morning, I’ve been preoccupied with Music Nerd March Madness — more about that below — but I’ve been meaning to tell you about a fellow musical traveler I happened upon in Boulder, Colo. on Saturday. He deserves his very own post, which is forthcoming, but here’s a sneak preview of That Harp Guy!

That Harp Guy: Santa Lucia

Now, about this March Madness business!

I’m on the record admitting that I don’t follow sports (not that there’s anything wrong with it!), but when I came across the Weather Channel’s Weather Songs Tournament on Monday, I said, “That’s my kinda bracket!”

So I’ve been playing along and commentatin’ on my picks, which The Weather Channel’s Jonathan Erdman called “solid” (I’m still curious about what’s up with his bracket!). Second round voting ends tomorrow, so you can still get in on this! Then the Sweet Sixteen round starts on Tuesday.

In other news of street performers, I don’t know how got this far in life without learning about the Unipiper before now. But this video just makes me ridiculously happy:

Darth Piper

(I’d like to know how he can possibly see where he’s going, though. But at least he’s wearing a helmet, unlike some of the lunatic bicyclists I see around here!)

If you have any 4th-year medical students in your life, you probably know that today is Match Day, the day they all find out where they’re headed after graduation. I accompanied McDoc to his Match Day ceremony — I can’t believe it was five years ago! Here’s my reminiscence of that day, plus a collection of medicine-related music to mark this day, including this classic:

Weird Al Yankovic – Like A Surgeon

Speaking of medicine, you have to click through for this week’s Viola Joke of the Week, brought to you by Jenn at Ain’t Baroque — sometimes it’s the way she titles the posts that really makes the jokes, er, sing!

Image by Ain't Baroque

Q. Two violists are sitting in a car. Who’s driving?

A. The policeman.

Getting serious for a moment — and as long as we’re connecting music with other fields — here’s a nice graphic that’s been going around. The Mozart Effect may not have been clinically verified, but I don’t think there’s any doubt that music education is beneficial!

Today’s nerdy music links are brought to you by Miss Music Nerd’s magnets and keychains, available NOW in the Miss Music Nerd store! You know you want one!

What’s new in your music nerdosphere this week?

Let’s keep in touch!
Follow MMN on Twitter!
Like MMN on Facebook!

Three years ago, on a cool and cloudy day in Irvine, California, I accompanied McDoc, then a fourth year medical student, to his Match Day Ceremony. Every year in the third week of March, soon-to-be MDs across the country find out where they’ll be doing their residency training. And many schools hold a ceremony where students can open their magic envelope and announce their assignment in front of gathered classmates, family and friends. Because med school isn’t stressful enough without a little public humiliation thrown in! (Reading one’s match results aloud is optional, I’m told.)

When McDoc’s turn came, he strode to the mic and cheerfully announced that he had matched to the Emergency Medicine program at Detroit Receiving Hospital (his first choice), the expressions on the faces of those Southern California kids was quite a sight to behold!

Well, it turns out that Emergency Medicine did not actually match McDoc, which is why we are no longer in Detroit; when he decided to switch to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the best open position he found was here in Boston. And I’m thrilled to bits to be here, though I don’t regret our two years in Detroit. But that’s another story.

Anyway, fourth year med students all over are breathing a sigh of relief today, hopefully, for even if they didn’t get their first choice of residency assignments, at least the nerve-wracking wait is over. Oh, just wait til you start your intern year, kiddoes — you don’t know from stress!

They say that music soothes the savage breast, and I think that applies to the stressed out one, too. I know it soothes the stressed out McDoc, anyway! So here are some medical-themed tunes for today, some of which are devoted to particular medical specialties!

Surgery:
Weird Al Yankovic – Like A Surgeon

Anesthesiology:
Amateur Transplants – Anaesthetist’s Hymn

New residents have only limited medical licenses, but they can write you one of these:
Iko-Iko – Prescription for The Blues

Don’t get too attached to your doctor — you might get sick!
Robert Palmer – Bad Case Of Lovin’ You (Doctor, Doctor)

As it turns out, musicians seek medical advice on a regular basis:
Iron Maiden – Doctor Doctor

Thompson Twins – Doctor Doctor

Your turn, music nerds — know of any medical music? What music cures what ails you?

Let’s keep in touch!
Follow MMN on Twitter!
Like MMN on Facebook!