As most of you have gathered by now, today (12/22) is my birthday. Been around for a while but I seem to remember most or all of them and what happened during each. BUT - one birthday, for obvious reasons, is, absolutely, the most memorable. The year - 2003 - was not a particularly good one. The early part of that year I lost my mom to Alzheimer's and later in the year my marriage of 17 years came to an abrupt end. Going into Christmas of 2003, I was not exactly the happiest person.
Now, to set the rest of this all up, I have to take you back to the mid-70's when I was an impressionable young DJ in South Georgia. My mom and dad would occasionally come to visit and my dad and I would usually manage to squeeze in a golf game. On this particular day, it was very humid so I would always remove my college ring for fear of my fingers swelling when I played in that type of weather. That day, I placed the ring in the gold cart's open glove compartment. After we completed the round and started gathering our belongings, I noticed the ring was missing. My dad and I searched and searched, retracing step after step, but to no avail. I left a message at the front desk of the pro shop just in case the ring was found. This was my college graduation ring complete with fraternity insignia on the stone. I would have to say it was one of my most prized possessions. Unfortnately, nothing came back to the pro shop (or, at least, we thought) so my ring was gone for good. For close to 10 years, my sweet mother tried to get the ring replaced as a birthday gift but the expsne was just too much because it was a ring that had to made. None from 1972 were in stock. At one point, mom told me that she had tried but had to give up so I guess I just moved on from there and the ring became just am memory to me. Now, mond you, mom always.....and, I mean, ALWAYS, had to make sure I had a great birthday, as close to Christmas as it is.
Fast forward to early December 2003. I was single again, living alone. I come home from work one night to find a letter in my mailbox from the Penn State (my alma mater) Registrar's office. My first thought was that I owed the school money somehow. I opened the letter and noticed a handwritten note attached to an official letter from the registar which said "We think this ring may be yours. The inscription described in the attached letter closely resembles your name from that graduation year." Imagine my anticipation!!!.....after all these years!! I read the handwritten note from a man who lives in Rome, Georgia who says he found this ring and he wanted to get it back to the rightful owner. Now, the anticipation was turning into sheer joy. I knew I needed to find this person right away. The next morning I was able to get a phone number from information and I called and this very man answered. Turns out he lived next to the golf pro of the golf course in that South Georgia town back then. The gold pro found the ring on the course and saw that it was a Penn State ring. Well, his neighbor (this man) was a Penn State grad, so he brought it to him thinking he would be able to find the owner in a much, quicker fashion. The man held on to the ring and vowed to find the owner for quite some time but, then, life happened, and the ring wound up in a box for 18 years and 3 moves. Then, in the fall of 2003, while watching a special news story about a Vietnam veteran who was reunited with his fiance due to a found engagement ring, he decided to find the rightful owner of the class ring. Which brings us to the day we talked. He promised he would mail the ring that day (December 15th to be exact) and he did. 5 days later, I arrived at home to find a box in my mailbox postmarked Rome, Georgia. I couldn't get that box open fast enough. There it was - my 1972 Penn State class ring and my name inscribed on the inside. I tried it on and it fit as if I'd never lost it. I had my ring back - this time for good.
As I reflected on the events of the past week, I began to realize something which hit me, like a hurricane, head on. My mom always wanted me to have that ring as a birthday present and, here I am, just a day and a half before my birthday and I have the ring.......on the first birthday I won't share with my mother. But, knowing this four-foot-eleven, one-hundred-pound dynamo, I'm guessing that her first order of business with God was to make sure I got that ring on my birthday. Mom continued to make my birthday as special as ever. I believe that as how it happened and always will. Too many coincidences....too many events relating to it.
So, if you've lost someone close to you recently, or for that matter, ever, rest assured, you haven't "lost" them. They are there with you, watching over you, helping guide you through life. Since that day, I have felt my mother's presence on a daily basis. MY guardian angel. Who is yours?
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Can We Just Play The Game?
Over the past several weeks, I have gotten, increasingly, annoyed with the athletic "celebrations" I have viewed with various sporting events - primarly, football, but not confined to that sport.
I have always been of the "act like you've been there before" attitude when a player scores a touchdown on the football field BUT I will give them a general pass because I know that's the ultimate for any football player. What really gets to me are the celebrations after minor, almost miniscule, accomplishments. I see a player tackle another after a 1-yard gain and that player dances around as if he'd found gold. That's similar to a mechanic opening the hood of an automobile and high fiving everyone in the shop for doing that. I see this type of celebration over and over.
Then, there's the trash talk. The incomplete pass in football is, pretty much, a non-event once it happens but how often do I see opposing players "jawing" at each other on the way back to their respective huddles. Can we just play the game, folks?
All of this celebrating and trash talking came to head, in my mind, with an unbelieveably embarassing baskteball games last night between Xavier and Cincinnati Universities. Unnecessary celebrations....unnecessary words with opponents. The game has to end with 9 seconds left because both teams were so out of control. It was a street brawl....not a basketball game. This is what we've been reduced to and I believe my profession is somewhat responsible for it. What highlights do we see these days? The slam dunk in basketball.....the excessive end zone celebration in football....the major league baseball player standing an admiring his homerun instead of just circling the bases. Do ratings mean that much? I'd ask the coaches to get control of things but some of them are just as guilty. Ever watch a college baketball game and the "theatrics" of the head coach? Can we just play the game?
Then....I sense some hope from one individual. How refreshing was it to hear the speech of the 2011 Heimsan Tropy Winner for college football? It wasn't about him. It was about his school...his teammates. It had to be one of the most inspirational award acceptance speeches I've heard in quite some time. Robert Griffin III, you give me a reason to believe that the future may be brighter. You play the game!!!
I have always been of the "act like you've been there before" attitude when a player scores a touchdown on the football field BUT I will give them a general pass because I know that's the ultimate for any football player. What really gets to me are the celebrations after minor, almost miniscule, accomplishments. I see a player tackle another after a 1-yard gain and that player dances around as if he'd found gold. That's similar to a mechanic opening the hood of an automobile and high fiving everyone in the shop for doing that. I see this type of celebration over and over.
Then, there's the trash talk. The incomplete pass in football is, pretty much, a non-event once it happens but how often do I see opposing players "jawing" at each other on the way back to their respective huddles. Can we just play the game, folks?
All of this celebrating and trash talking came to head, in my mind, with an unbelieveably embarassing baskteball games last night between Xavier and Cincinnati Universities. Unnecessary celebrations....unnecessary words with opponents. The game has to end with 9 seconds left because both teams were so out of control. It was a street brawl....not a basketball game. This is what we've been reduced to and I believe my profession is somewhat responsible for it. What highlights do we see these days? The slam dunk in basketball.....the excessive end zone celebration in football....the major league baseball player standing an admiring his homerun instead of just circling the bases. Do ratings mean that much? I'd ask the coaches to get control of things but some of them are just as guilty. Ever watch a college baketball game and the "theatrics" of the head coach? Can we just play the game?
Then....I sense some hope from one individual. How refreshing was it to hear the speech of the 2011 Heimsan Tropy Winner for college football? It wasn't about him. It was about his school...his teammates. It had to be one of the most inspirational award acceptance speeches I've heard in quite some time. Robert Griffin III, you give me a reason to believe that the future may be brighter. You play the game!!!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
I Owe This Man My Life
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!
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!
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........
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