The Hardest Working Man in Hockeytown
December 3, 2007 by Matt
A few years back, the top-notch Wings forum at letsgowings.com featured a thread that graded the team at the halfway point of the season. Entries featured the classic blind loyalty of straight A+ grades, to the equally classic bashing of the favourite whipping boys at the time (names like Boyd Deveraux and Robert Lang come to mind).
While nobody went as far as to give a grade to Karen Newman, there was a scathing grade given to a key member of the organization. The “JLA Music Guy” was given an F. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t be the first to give Matt Ellis an A+ based on his moxy, but an F is pretty harsh for the music guy.
Here is a guy who puts some thought into his work. Yes.. I know that every rink plays the Dragnet clip after a penalty.. but JLA Music Guy goes far beyond this tired cliche. I mean faaaaar beyond. Most Wings fans will forever be in love with the Irish Jig, otherwise known as the “Irish Washer Woman”, that echoed throughout the Joe after a Shanny goal.
The astute listener will catch a wift of “Feels Like the First Time” after a first goal in a career. This obviously requires some basic advanced scouting. Who can forget the Tyson Nash treatment? “Signs” by the Three Five Man Electrical band reminded Mr. Nash that “long haired freaky looking people need not apply”. Fair enough. JLA Music Guy not only loves classic rock, but evidently yearns for the pop-hip-hop styles of the early 90’s. Draper goals are followed by a plea from Kriss-Kross to “warm it up Kris”. No word yet on whether Draper has replied with a frustrated “I’M ABOUT TO!”.
Other favourites include “He’s So Fine (Doo Lang)” for Lang goals and “I Can See Clearly Now” for Cleary goals. “Wide Open Spaces” reminds opposing teams that they have pulled their goalie. Saturday night games feature the predictable “Piano Man” at exactly 9:00, because its “9:00 on a Saturday”… you get the idea.
But the hall of fame moment came earlier this year. This tidbit comes via my brother, who was at the game and swears that he did not make this up. With eight seconds left in overtime, JLA Music guy played “Over My Head”.. featuring the line “Eight seconds left in Overtime”. Digest that for a second. That is top quality work. The moment presented itself.. perhaps for the first or second time in this guy’s career.. and he seized it.
My friends.. JLA music guy is the definition of A+. Matt Ellis.. eat your heart out.
I like how you point out some of the finer moments but you neglect to speak of the 100000000 times he’s played “What’s Going On?”, “I’m An Innocent Man” or “Open Up Your Eyes” every time the Wings get a penalty.
Or how about “Hooked on a Feeling” or “Hold me, hold me!” when the other team gets a hooking or holding call?
Or what about “One is the loneliest number” when the opposition gets their first goal?
I could go on and on about all the overplayed and ‘relevant’ songs he plays during certain moments in the game. Go to the Joe and try to remember the music. Then go again a year from now and you’ll hear the exact same songs at the exact same moments. My friends and I actually bet beers of when a certain song will come up.
Trust me when I say that “What’s Going On?” is the first one we all jump on when a Wings penalty is called. That’s usually good for 4-5 beers.
These songs were slightly humorous the first time I heard them, but it’s been 15 years. It’s not funny or cute anymore. Please, please, please, get some new songs.
No wonder the Joe is empty these days. The place needs some serious renovations and the music selection hasn’t changed since it opened up.
Don’t be a JLA Music Guy hater. One day, when you least expect it, he’ll catch you with a witty song choice. All I ask is that you tip your cap when that happens.
NEVER!