This man is celebrating a birthday - a milestone birthday, for sure. My earliest recollection of him was a tall, gangly, yet purposeful person who embraced every day of his life with nothing but enthusiasm. He was always tough, yet fair.....always challenging, yet charitable.....intense, yet fun....and stern, yet loving. I learned, from him, that a job is never DONE until it is COMPLETE. You can paint a whole house but the job isn't done until everything is back in its place and you can admire the work in its normal environment. That type of work ethic is part of my DNA.
He taught me how to swing a bat, pass a football and shoot a basket, among other things. When I was a starter on my high school football team, he was there for every game, ready with encouragement and some constructive criticism when the game was over.
He is the main reason for my love of music. From earliest memory, I could always hear music in our house, whether it be a radio, a stereo or him, strumming his guitar and singing to me. And, yes, put the guitar on the list of things he taught me.
I am who I am today due to his guidance, strength and love. He is celebrating 90 years of life on this earth and starting way back on a summer night at age 6, in an emergency room when I heard "Don't worry, Daddy is right here", he has been ever since.
Dad, thanks for being "right here" from day one. I hope that I turn out to be half the human being you have turned out to be. Happy 90th Birthday!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
A Thankful Week
This is the week wheh it all really starts - the Holiday Season (cue the music!). This is when I start thinking about the past year...past years....what's ahead....all of that. Most of all, in the spirit of the week of giving thanks, it's my turn. I consider myself one very lucky person. I've had the opportunity to meet some big stars....see some bigger ones in concert...and become friends with some even bigger ones. I've had experiences in one year in this business that some don't get to have in a lifetime!!! Needless to say, I am thankful for my profession - as consolidated and homogenized as it has become in some places, it is still the only job I care to want or have, ever!
I am truly thankful to work for a company who believes in the phrase "live and local" and they live it every day. I am thankful for an outstanding boss who challenges me daily and makes me feel 20 years younger. I am extremely grateful to work WITH a staff who share the same passion for this business, for music, for radio. I am extremely thankful for all of those who I've had the pleasure of working along side at various radio stations in various cities.
I am thankful for a father who still mentors me to this day in his own inimitable way and a brother and sister who I know have had my back every day of my life.
I am thankful for a grown daughter and son-in-law who have always made me feel special and blessed me with three wonderful grandchildren. I am also thankful that I got another shot at being a Dad a few years back and now am the parent of a beuatiful, smart, gregarious 13-year old daughter. Thanks for keeping me on my toes every day!!!
I am thankful for the woman who makes each day seem so special. She makes my arrival home seem as if it's the highlight of her day. It doesn't get any better than that.
Most of all, I am thankful that I have Someone in my corner Who lets me know what the real priorities are. Thank you, God, for being there every minute. Believe me, I know You are there!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
I am truly thankful to work for a company who believes in the phrase "live and local" and they live it every day. I am thankful for an outstanding boss who challenges me daily and makes me feel 20 years younger. I am extremely grateful to work WITH a staff who share the same passion for this business, for music, for radio. I am extremely thankful for all of those who I've had the pleasure of working along side at various radio stations in various cities.
I am thankful for a father who still mentors me to this day in his own inimitable way and a brother and sister who I know have had my back every day of my life.
I am thankful for a grown daughter and son-in-law who have always made me feel special and blessed me with three wonderful grandchildren. I am also thankful that I got another shot at being a Dad a few years back and now am the parent of a beuatiful, smart, gregarious 13-year old daughter. Thanks for keeping me on my toes every day!!!
I am thankful for the woman who makes each day seem so special. She makes my arrival home seem as if it's the highlight of her day. It doesn't get any better than that.
Most of all, I am thankful that I have Someone in my corner Who lets me know what the real priorities are. Thank you, God, for being there every minute. Believe me, I know You are there!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
Saturday, November 12, 2011
A Win for the Student Body
Some of you may know that I'm a graduate of Penn State - a very, PROUD alumnus I might add. I've worn the Penn State colors for years.....been a proud fan of any Nittany Lions' sport, particularly football. While at Penn State, I never really had the opportunity to meet Coach Paterno but I did idolize him, regardless. It wasn't until 4 years ago, on a non-publicized visit to Granby High School, that I did finally get a chance to meet him and spend a little time(I have some associations with that school which enabled me to meet him.). After that, the pedestal was higher than ever for Coach and PSU!.......THEN the events of this past week unfolded and I felt as if I had been punched right in the stomach... betrayed by own father. You see, that's JoePa to any Penn Stater. He is like a father to anyone who has ever attended that school. As this week progressed, my pride began to turn to embarassment, anger and disgust. How did all of this happen at such a great place??? To add insult to injury, I watched a misguided group of students cause even more embarassment for Penn State Wednesday night after Coach Paterno's dismissal was announced.
After all of this, I had decided that showing any Penn State colors, logos, etc. in the future would not be in any of my wardrobe plans. The man I admired more than most and the university I was proud to have attended had let me down and it would be quite some time, I thought, before that would ever change.
I actually wasn't sure whether I even wanted to watch the Penn State-Nebraska game but then I was made aware of two things - a student candlelight vigil last night(with some of the players)and a proposed student "Blue-Out" for the game to remember the victims and their families. That was just the tip of the so-called iceberg. As the game telecast began, I watched the team come in from the tunnel arm-in-arm, shoulder-to-shoulder, surrounded by cheerleaders and NUMEROUS former Penn State players. I saw a totally BLUE stadium. I saw Penn State AND Nebraska football teams meet at midfield and pray together for these victims and their families and those who have yet to come forward. I saw a student body unified for a cause....a cause this country knew existed but now realizes how big of a problem it really is.
The game was a good one. Both teams showed a tremendous amount of resiliency and heart but the Nittany Lions fell short by 3 points. How did the student body in that stadium react? A standing ovation for both teams!!! Once again, the teams met at midfield and prayed as did the entire crowd.
This may have been a loss for the Penn State football team but it was a huge victory for the Penn State student body who showed the world that no coach, no game, no school holds more importance than the innocence of a child. You can count on seeing me, from here on, in my Penn State blue and white....but, for a very different reason!
After all of this, I had decided that showing any Penn State colors, logos, etc. in the future would not be in any of my wardrobe plans. The man I admired more than most and the university I was proud to have attended had let me down and it would be quite some time, I thought, before that would ever change.
I actually wasn't sure whether I even wanted to watch the Penn State-Nebraska game but then I was made aware of two things - a student candlelight vigil last night(with some of the players)and a proposed student "Blue-Out" for the game to remember the victims and their families. That was just the tip of the so-called iceberg. As the game telecast began, I watched the team come in from the tunnel arm-in-arm, shoulder-to-shoulder, surrounded by cheerleaders and NUMEROUS former Penn State players. I saw a totally BLUE stadium. I saw Penn State AND Nebraska football teams meet at midfield and pray together for these victims and their families and those who have yet to come forward. I saw a student body unified for a cause....a cause this country knew existed but now realizes how big of a problem it really is.
The game was a good one. Both teams showed a tremendous amount of resiliency and heart but the Nittany Lions fell short by 3 points. How did the student body in that stadium react? A standing ovation for both teams!!! Once again, the teams met at midfield and prayed as did the entire crowd.
This may have been a loss for the Penn State football team but it was a huge victory for the Penn State student body who showed the world that no coach, no game, no school holds more importance than the innocence of a child. You can count on seeing me, from here on, in my Penn State blue and white....but, for a very different reason!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
A Night of Mixed Emotions
It was party time.......oh yes...CMA Awards Night!! We started at our hotel where we hung out with the Eli Young Band for a bit. I told lead singer Mike Eli that next year they would be hitting the red carpet. In their typical, low-key, Texas style, Mike echoed the bands sentiments in that they were enjoying their "anonymity" this year and satisfied to celebrate their firs number 1 song which happened during CMA week. That was enough attention as far as Mike was concerned.
The show was one of the better ones kicked off with that rousing Blake Shelton/Kenny Loggins "Footloose" (wasn't it good to hear Kenny sing that again?). Brad and Carrie were great together and Zac Brown just nailed it with Greg Allman and that rendition of "Georgia On My Mind".
Really excited for The Band Perry, who just 2 years ago were watching American Idol in my office after a short St. Jude Radiothon appearance for us. Blake and Miranda win...as expected in my mind. Lady A pick up another one and Taylor gets the big one. If you were at one of Taylor's stadium shows, you understand why she got the award.
In the middle of all this, I get the news of a firing of a long time college footbal coach. I'm a Penn State grad and Joe Paterno has always been one of my idols....so the night began to take on a bittersweet flavor. (I'll address all that in a future blog, for sure).
The big, post-award parties were going.....Warner Brothers (Blake's label) was the best, in my mind, with a rockin' soul band and an energetic crowd. We hung out with Nick, Damien and Krista of The Farm and, somehow, you could tell that they would be an honored band in the future.
At the Capitol party, Luke Bryan was holding court and just happy that he didn't mess up his performance on the show.
The Big Machine party (Taylor's label) was a little too high-tech for me and the rumors of the label being sold (for 200 million, mind you!) permeated that event.
So, the week is done....what a great week....hope we added a little more CMA Awards flavor to your life this week. Hope you enjoyed the videos, the pictures, the blog, etc. As we leave this morning, I am thankful for several things - a boss who allows me to be gone this long; a wonderful format that keeps cranking out great artists and great music; a work partner (Mark McKay) who is relentless in his pursuit of information and entertainment and my lovely wife, who, if it's possible, enjoys this all even more than I do and makes it even more fun to experience. Until next time......
The show was one of the better ones kicked off with that rousing Blake Shelton/Kenny Loggins "Footloose" (wasn't it good to hear Kenny sing that again?). Brad and Carrie were great together and Zac Brown just nailed it with Greg Allman and that rendition of "Georgia On My Mind".
Really excited for The Band Perry, who just 2 years ago were watching American Idol in my office after a short St. Jude Radiothon appearance for us. Blake and Miranda win...as expected in my mind. Lady A pick up another one and Taylor gets the big one. If you were at one of Taylor's stadium shows, you understand why she got the award.
In the middle of all this, I get the news of a firing of a long time college footbal coach. I'm a Penn State grad and Joe Paterno has always been one of my idols....so the night began to take on a bittersweet flavor. (I'll address all that in a future blog, for sure).
The big, post-award parties were going.....Warner Brothers (Blake's label) was the best, in my mind, with a rockin' soul band and an energetic crowd. We hung out with Nick, Damien and Krista of The Farm and, somehow, you could tell that they would be an honored band in the future.
At the Capitol party, Luke Bryan was holding court and just happy that he didn't mess up his performance on the show.
The Big Machine party (Taylor's label) was a little too high-tech for me and the rumors of the label being sold (for 200 million, mind you!) permeated that event.
So, the week is done....what a great week....hope we added a little more CMA Awards flavor to your life this week. Hope you enjoyed the videos, the pictures, the blog, etc. As we leave this morning, I am thankful for several things - a boss who allows me to be gone this long; a wonderful format that keeps cranking out great artists and great music; a work partner (Mark McKay) who is relentless in his pursuit of information and entertainment and my lovely wife, who, if it's possible, enjoys this all even more than I do and makes it even more fun to experience. Until next time......
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
THE Day is Here!!!
What a week this has been and it's only Wednesday morning!! Lots going on now that we are approaching awards day. Yesterday morning, most of us in the hotel were rousted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood playing outdoors next door to us for ABC's "Good Morning, America". Got a chance to visit more with Faith Hill at our braodcast booth who was amazed we would play her new song so much (every 97 minutes today).I will say this.....Faith could use a donut or two. That is one beautiful, THIN woman.
Great video interview with Mark about her new song. Kiefer and Shauna - Thompson Square stopped by and they talked about how exciting it's been to get their first CMA nomination, especially after they were tending bar right down the street, while trying to make ends meet, just 18 months ago.
Last night, we had the pleasure of attending a party hosted by their label.....who, also, have some guy named Jason Aldean. He received a special #1 album plaque last nightfrom the head of the label. Label mate James Wesley performed and they announced the signing of one of our favorites (and the man with one of the best laughs of all time) Randy Houser.....now married to Chesapeake native, Alicia Yantz. Lots of fun....but this is just the beginning. Post-awards parties are tonight and we will be blogging away about that tomorrow. Until then........
Great video interview with Mark about her new song. Kiefer and Shauna - Thompson Square stopped by and they talked about how exciting it's been to get their first CMA nomination, especially after they were tending bar right down the street, while trying to make ends meet, just 18 months ago.
Last night, we had the pleasure of attending a party hosted by their label.....who, also, have some guy named Jason Aldean. He received a special #1 album plaque last nightfrom the head of the label. Label mate James Wesley performed and they announced the signing of one of our favorites (and the man with one of the best laughs of all time) Randy Houser.....now married to Chesapeake native, Alicia Yantz. Lots of fun....but this is just the beginning. Post-awards parties are tonight and we will be blogging away about that tomorrow. Until then........
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Our House is Your House
What a day this second one of the CMA week turned out to be. We had the chance to se and talk to some big names. Taylor Swift stopped by and couldn't stop talking about her new kitten named "Meredith" (who my little one thinks is names after her, by the way!). Jennifer and Christian, Sugarland, gave us a neat, little scoop telling us that they will debut a new song on the CMA's that we will play for you Thursday morning. Jennifer promised that it is VERY "steamy". Vince Gill, in his "Make Biscuits, Not War" hat was as personable as ever and Steve Holy refined his standup routine with us later in the day. You can see and hear all of those interviews, and more, right here: http://www.eagle97.com/pages/11387381.php.
Last night, we had the pleasure of being taken out to Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's house (pictures on our Eagle Facebook page) for a really, cool, relaxed get together with several hundred of their friends. The house is one once owned by Hank Williams Sr. so that was cool enough all by itself.
Spoke to Faith about her single "Come Home" (her first in 5 years) that you'll hear first on The Eagle tomorrow starting at 6:45am. She's really excited about it and hinted that she and Tim would be visiting Hampton Roads some time next year. (And she looked awesome, of course).
Tim was glad to be without a cane and was walking fine alhough he told me he's waiting until after the new year to start back to his jogging routine.
It was a fun night and more to come today. Hope we're helping you enjoy it aall with us.
Last night, we had the pleasure of being taken out to Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's house (pictures on our Eagle Facebook page) for a really, cool, relaxed get together with several hundred of their friends. The house is one once owned by Hank Williams Sr. so that was cool enough all by itself.
Spoke to Faith about her single "Come Home" (her first in 5 years) that you'll hear first on The Eagle tomorrow starting at 6:45am. She's really excited about it and hinted that she and Tim would be visiting Hampton Roads some time next year. (And she looked awesome, of course).
Tim was glad to be without a cane and was walking fine alhough he told me he's waiting until after the new year to start back to his jogging routine.
It was a fun night and more to come today. Hope we're helping you enjoy it aall with us.
Monday, November 7, 2011
First Day at CMA Week
I guess you can it's the calm before the storm. We did get to talk to the boys in the Eli Young Band as they were finding out that they achieved gtheir first number one song with "Crazy Girl". If you think it doesn't mean alot to these folks check out Mark McKay's interview with them here:
http://www.eagle97.com/pages/11387381.php.
Several artists on the comeback trail, in particular, Ty Herndon, who has some excellent new music out as we talked about getting him to the Eagle's Nest for a show.
You can feel the excitement starting to build. The city is starting to "fill up" with folks and the artists begin to really hit the interview trail with us today......Band Perry, Taylor Swift, Chris Young and Hunter Hayes to name just a few.
The big news yesterday was in Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood's press conference as Brad confessecd that oldest son Huck no longer has a "thing" for Carrie. He has now turned his attention to Kimberly of The Band Perry.
We also have a special Eagle Winterblast "tease", so to speak, from one of the bands that you can catch on the interview page, too.
Finally, we hear that 70's/80's icon Kenny Loggins may be coming through today. In case you hadn't heard, he and Blake Shelton will be opening the CMA Awards show with a special version of "Footloose".
Tonight we go to Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's house for a small "gathering". I'll have something on that for you this time tomorrow.
http://www.eagle97.com/pages/11387381.php.
Several artists on the comeback trail, in particular, Ty Herndon, who has some excellent new music out as we talked about getting him to the Eagle's Nest for a show.
You can feel the excitement starting to build. The city is starting to "fill up" with folks and the artists begin to really hit the interview trail with us today......Band Perry, Taylor Swift, Chris Young and Hunter Hayes to name just a few.
The big news yesterday was in Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood's press conference as Brad confessecd that oldest son Huck no longer has a "thing" for Carrie. He has now turned his attention to Kimberly of The Band Perry.
We also have a special Eagle Winterblast "tease", so to speak, from one of the bands that you can catch on the interview page, too.
Finally, we hear that 70's/80's icon Kenny Loggins may be coming through today. In case you hadn't heard, he and Blake Shelton will be opening the CMA Awards show with a special version of "Footloose".
Tonight we go to Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's house for a small "gathering". I'll have something on that for you this time tomorrow.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
In Music City for the CMA Awards
Well, we have arrived. Mark McKay and I are here in Nashville for the next 5 days for CMA Awards week. Check this blog every day/morning or an update as to what we've seen, heard and learned. We'll be visiting with lots of stars and you'll be able to catch those conversations on our special CMA page on the Eagle web site. This won't be a blog abou how much fun we're having or who we have eaten with, etc. This is for the purpose of getting YOU inside the CMA awards. Who was seen with who.....what have we heard about any future tours, artists, etc. We'll pass it all on right here and, if there is something you want to know, let us know on our Facebook fan page and we'll do our best to find out for you. We are here for you so be ready to be a part of the CMA Awards.
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