San Francisco Has a World Series Anthem

Two years ago, mega-fan Ashkon Davaran's rendition of "Don't Stop Believin'" became the San Francisco Giants official anthem as they went on to win the World Series.

As thanks, the team rewarded him with a place in their championship parade through San Francisco.

And now that they've won again...dude is back with another song and video.  Check it out.

5 Days of Christmas: Ashkon

You're going to be reading a ton of Christmas-related posts during this, the week leading up to the anniversary of the birth of the baby Jesus...and this site is no different.

All this week, The Hall is presenting the "Five Days of Christmas". That's right, five straight days of one of The Hall's most popular features...the "Friday 5".

Hooray!

And in case you were in the need for some suggestions on what to listen to...our favorite San Francisco Giants fan (and a decent singer in his own right) Ashkon Davaran has some suggestions.

Jingle Bell Rock
Ashkon says:  A timeless classic.

Little Drummer Boy

Ashkon says:  It's just so...epic.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Ashkon says:  Always loved Rudolph as a kid.  Great underdog story.

Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

Ashkon says:  I had to get Lennon up in here.

All I Want for Christmas is You

Ashkon says:  Mariah.  Guilty Pleasure.

But if you really want a modern holiday classic...you've gotta check out Ashkon's "Shake it Like a Snowglobe".

Ashkon is "Feeling Like a Giant"

If I had to pick a favorite San Francisco-based rapper, I mean, gun to my head, HAD to pick one…I’d go with Ashkon.

Sure, I’m biased. Dude is a good friend of this site, is mad serious about his love of baseball (and his World Champion Giants) and, last fall, agreed to an interview.

But all that aside, the guy can flow and he’s back to reset the clock on his fifteen minutes of fame with a new video paying homage to his beloved Black and Orange.

Oh, and this time…he brought a buddy.

And in case you’ve been in the dark and not one of millions to have watched Ashkon’s first foray into team anthems…feel free to check out “Don’t Stop Believin’”.

***A tip of the cap to 22gigantes.com for the "Feeling Like a Giant" music video.***

A Year of Talkin' Baseball

'tis the season for plenty of things...returning Christmas presents, going back to work and, of course, year-enders!

The Hall of Very Good is no different.

Next week, following the Hall of Fame announcement (read as: I'm too busy/lazy to do it now), come on back for the Top Ten Stories of the Year.

Today...it's a year of "Talkin' Baseball".  That's right, the best of what has become my favorite part of doing this site...talkin' baseball with whoever will respond to the request.  Click the BOLD text to read the entire piece!

GAR RYNESS, aka "Batting Stance Guy" (February)

Manny (Ramirez) is great to me. I’ve done pre-game shows for visiting teams at Dodgers Stadium and Manny will always scream and whistle across the field while I’m filming. “Do Ethier! Do Ethier!” I’ll then hold up a finger, as if to say, “Hold on Manny, I’ll come over there after this.” The first time that happened the Cardinals TV staff said, “wait, do you know Manny?” That’s when it hit me how weird the last two years have been.

"Diamond King" DICK PEREZ (February)

As far back as I can remember, I had a desire to draw. On the margins around my school notebooks there were caricatures of school mates and images from my imagination. After I realized that there was no way I would ever achieve my real dream of becoming a professional baseball player, I concluded that I had to choose a real life career. I chose art.

Hall of Famer GARY CARTER (May)

The loss of my Mom was a huge impact on my life as we were a very loving family that went to church regularly. I didn’t understand why a loving God would take someone away as dear as her. It helped me to understand how fragile life is.

Author GEORGE CASTLE (May), Talkin' Andre Dawson (July) and Lou Piniella (September)

Sammy (Sosa) is still too raw for Cubs fans. Worse than alleged steroid use, he walked out on the team on the last day of the 2004 season. However, I don’t feel Sammy will be regarded in the same breath as Banks, Williams, Santo, Jenkins, Sandberg. His ego exploded as he got successful, and that will stain him forever.

Talkin' Ken Griffey Jr. with KEN GRIFFEY SR., JEFF MONTGOMERY and C.J. WILSON (June)

After announcing that I would retire at the end of the 1999 season, Junior asked me if I would give him a signed jersey…which I did. The next day in our clubhouse was an autographed Griffey jersey.

Competitive Eater PAT BERTOLETTI (July)

I usually spend most of the game wandering around trying to eat at all the food stands. I think the White Sox have the best food in the league. I would only go to a Cubs game if there were free tickets and Old Style involved.

Reality Show "All Stars" JONNY FAIRPLAY (September), ROB CESTERNINO (September) and RUSSELL KOOK (December)

If I were going to start an alliance with any past Mets, first on the list would be former (and hopefully future) manager Bobby Valentine. I also am very partial to both Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez and think they do a great job calling the game and are both really interesting guys and have great baseball IQ.. And Keith, on day one, would have the greatest mustache in "Survivor" history. Unquestioned.

Outspoken Pitcher JEFF JUDEN (October)

I would still like (a 1999 Yankees World Series ring) if they have any spare change left. I have room on my middle finger for it.

Former O.J. Simpson, nevermind...it's KATO KAELIN (November)

Airline ticket to Milwaukee…$450.00. Car rental…$150.00. Tickets to game…$55.00. Sitting next to Shawn from The Hall of Very Good…PRICELESS.

San Francisco Giants' Biggest Fan ASHKON DAVARAN (December)

I had a chance to meet Steve (Perry) before the World Series Parade, and he seemed to be pretty cool with it. I thanked him for writing one of the best songs of all time…he said thanks and that I did a good job with it.

All in all...a great year for talkin' baseball.  Sure, I'm biased and I wish I could add more of my favorites (for example DANIEL NAVA, GARRETT WITTELS and MATHER ZICKEL from "The Bronx is Burning"), but since most lists are "Top Ten" lists...I decided to keep it at ten.

Which was your favorite?  Please let me know below!

Shake it Like a Snowglobe...the Video

Earlier in the week, The Hall posted Ashkon Davaran's new Christmas single.  You'll remember Ashkon as the guy who brought you the San Francisco's Giants playoff anthem "Don't Stop Believin'" a couple of months ago.

Now, two million YouTube views later...here's his new video.



Well...what do you think?  And since you're already here, why not check out the interview Ashkon did with The Hall of Very Good HERE.

Shake it Like a Snowglobe

The Hall has been following Ashkon Davaran's every move since he broke out his re-working of the Journey classic "Don't Stop Believing" a couple of months ago.

Well, dude is back with a holiday tune for everyone to enjoy.  This...from his facebook page:

Last week, YouTube announced that Ashkon's "Don’t Stop Believin" was the Bay Area’s most viewed video of 2010. When asked if his new video would be able to match the hype of it’s predecessor, Ashkon had this to say: “Last time out I was going for an anthem. This time I just want to see everyone out there shake it like a snow globe.”

Enjoy the tune...it's kinda catchy.  Be sure you check back soon, because when the video drops...The Hall will have it.



And since you're already here, why not check out the interview Ashkon did with The Hall of Very Good HERE.

Giants Playoff Anthem Officially Surpasses Two Million Views

Sometime in the past week, good friend of The Hall Ashkon Davaran's San Francisco Giants playoff anthem "Don't Stop Believin'" surpassed two million views over on YouTube.

Well, dude is at it again and he needs your help this time.

First comes the "thank you" and after that...a simple request. So...watch the video and help a brother out.



And since you're already here, why not check out the interview Ashkon did with The Hall of Very Good HERE.

Fear the Bird!

Almost two weeks after the fact, I finally realized what was lacking from my Thanksgiving this year.

Ashkon!

Best.  Family.  Ever.



And in case you missed it...check out The Hall's exclusive interview with Ashkon Davaran...the dude who recorded the San Francisco Giants' playoff anthem.

Talkin' Baseball with Ashkon

Last month, the Bay Area welcomed their Giants home with an epic parade through the streets of San Francisco.

Atop their respective floats and cable cars were Giants manager Bruce Bochy, World Series heroes Tim Lincecum and Edgar Renteria, popular closer Brian Wilson and Ashkon Davaran.

Ashkon Davaran?

Prior to San Francisco’s run through the National League playoffs, the self-proclaimed “Bay area rap cat” put together what became the team’s official anthem of the 2010 postseason.

Close to two million YouTube hits later, Ashkon’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” was a viral hit and his beloved Giants were, indeed, World Series champions.

I had a chance to catch up with the musician to find out what’s next.

HOVG: Alright, right out the gate, I’ve gotta know…what possessed you to remake “Don’t Stop Believin’”? And how long did it take you to pen your version?

ASHKON: Some buddies of mine were working on a web series called White Collar Brawler and they had seen an old video of mine for a song called “Hot Tubbin’ (On the Late Night)” and wanted to collaborate. When the Giants clinched we decided to make a Giants playoff anthem. Initially I wanted to do a rap song... I tried for a couple days to sample Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” and turn it into a rap anthem, but it wasn’t working. The day before we were set to shoot, I was listening to the original and heard the line “Everybody wants a thrill” and it reminded me of my favorite Giant growing up, Will “The Thrill” Clark. It was that moment that I decided to do a remake of the song with new lyrics. The writing process itself took a few days...The song was essentially conceived between the last day of the regular season and the first day of the NLDS. We shot the whole video in two hours out front of Pac Bell Park before Game 1.

HOVG: Do you worry that every team is going to bust out a team song? I mean…the Florida Marlins trotted out this piece of crap prior to last season.

ASHKON: Yeah, it does worry me quite a bit…but what can I do? When you’re a trendsetter, these sorts of worries come with the territory. (Laughs) I’m just messing around. If someone feels inspired to rep their team with a song…so be it. The fact is, no one will really be listening unless it’s somewhat enjoyable. Either that or so bad that it’s hilarious.

HOVG: You’re closing in on two million views on YouTube. What has meant more to you…the viral fame, being invited to take part in the Giants victory parade or the World Series victory itself?

ASHKON: It’s all sort of blended into the same thing...one huge ball of happiness and gratitude. It’s hard work paying off...dreams fulfilled. The essence of accomplishment.

HOVG: We all know that Steve Perry is a huge Giants fan. Have you heard from the former Journey frontman? If so…what has he said about your rendition?

ASHKON: I had a chance to meet Steve before the World Series Parade, and he seemed to be pretty cool with it. I thanked him for writing one of the best songs of all time…he said thanks and that I did a good job with it.

HOVG: Back to “The Thrill” for a second. Good friend of The Hall Gar Ryness (aka “The Batting Stance Guy”) critiqued your Will Clark for me. He said “Ashkon, knows his stuff. The arm twirl is easy. He added the face. He's got it.” Thoughts?

ASHKON: (Laughs) That guy is amazing. He has the pre-pitch bat wave down, but I think I may have him with the game face though. (Laughs)

HOVG: A few weeks ago, Giants catcher Buster Posey took home the National League Rookie of the Year award. Of course, you predicted it…what’s next for Ashkon? You know…if you can predict that too.

ASHKON: I have a new album in the works...should be out early next year. There’s definitely gonna be more videos...maybe another Giants-themed video to start off next season.

HOVG: Thanks, dude. I know you’ve made yourself available on both Facebook and Twitter…but where can we hear more of your music?

ASHKON: I have a new hip-hop mixtape available for free download HERE.  It features the Giants Anthem, and more.