TWENTY YEARS IS NOT AS LONG AS IT USED TO BE

Yesterday, about 4:30 in the afternoon, I remembered what day it was. So, I picked up the phone.

After a couple of rings, this deep voice answered. "Hello?"

Out of my mouth came the words 'Happy Birthday. How does it feel to be twenty?"

"Pretty good, I guess," said the person at the end of the line.

Good. Good? GOOD, you said. "You know what, it makes me feel old," I said half-mockingly. I stress the word half.

A little backstory is required here. Twenty years and one day ago, Blake was born in Tennessee. His grandparents and I went to the same Church, and after a little while, I ended up toting him around, putting him on my shoulders, and being big brother / uncle. It was a role that I truly cherished. I had been around babies before, but this was the first time that I can say that I was around one from the beginning. I even got to announce his playing in a couple high school football games, and referred to him as his nickname, "Bacon." But, it was really a neat experience. I'm not trying to claim myself as a father figure---his grandpa, Kenny Gibbs does quite well in that regard----both to him and me,as a second or third father. But it was with mixed emotions that I recognized that milestone yesterday. Being 20 is better than not being, but does that mean I am (doing the math) 37 instead of 17 now? I guess that it does!

Time is an interesting thing. Growing up a fan of TV, I was always amazed by the 20-year run of Gunsmoke, which ran on CBS from 1955-1975. My mother was barely a teenager, and my father only ten when the show debuted, and when Matt Dillon knocked off the last villian in Dodge City, they had a child of their own----who's typing these words now......I used to think two decades was a very long time......Now, I am rethinking that process. In a couple months from now, Blake--the 20 year old---will walk down the aisle. Big Brother, Uncle Chuck, whatever I am......I hope that I'm there on May 14 to see it. But you know what, time will catch up. Before he knows it, he'll be celebrating twenty years as a husband, And, by that time I'll be 5.....Well, friends and neighbors, it's about time to wrap this one up!

R.I.P. ELIZABETH TAYLOR

Unless you live in a cave, then you know that Elizabeth Taylor, one of Hollywood's greatest stars of all time passed away early Wednesday morning at the age of 79.Much has been made of both her beauty and her legend in the days since. Her beauty? Well, that speaks for itself. Though I have only seen one of her movies all the way through, that was apparent enough. Those eyes and that dark hair...I can understand why many feel she was the most beautiful movie star of all time, even surpassing Marilyn Monroe.

Because of my being born in 1974, I grew up not really thinking of Elizabeth Taylor as a movie star, but more of a pop culture icon---more famous for her marriages than her acting. In reality, though she made movies until the early part of this decade off and on, she cut back considerably on acting in major films during her marriages to Richard Burton and John Warner. So, her better films were made before I was born, and though I do like a lot of classic films,I just never really got into the mainstream Hollywood classics.

But, then....about ten years ago or so, my good friend and long-time co-worker Ken Loggains were discussing major news of the day while at work----like 'What's on TV tonight.' And I mentioned that TBS or TNT or TCM....one of the Turner channels was showing "Giant" that night. One of the first things that Ken and I bonded over was the fact that we were fans of the TV show "Dallas." He seemed shocked that I had never seen "Giant." I remember him telling me 'If you love 'Dallas,' you will love "Giant."

So, that night, I went back to 1955, and watched the story of former friends Rock Hudson and James Dean, and how it came to a bitter end over.....Elizabeth Taylor. Sound familiar, "Dallas" fans......Jock...Digger....Ellie....Well, though it takes a lot to get me to not change the channel, I didn't through any of "Giant." And along with it, I fully understood why Elizabeth Taylor was revered so much. She had one of those dynamic presences that you only see once in a while. Now, I won't claim to say that I have seen all her movies since then, as I haven't.....and though her beauty was legendary.....among starlets of that era....Ann-Margret was more my cup of tea.......but after seeing "Giant," I understood why Elizabeth Taylor was a star. May she rest in peace....

Maybe I will get around to watching "Butterfield 8," "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof," and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," but I definitely want to see some of the Taylor-Burton collaborations. I had never really gotten the infatuation with the two of them as a couple, until now. Looking at all the photo galleries of the two that have been online the past few days, I get it. Some have called them the "Brangelina" of their time. I don't think Pitt and Jolie have half the chemistry of these two. That takes nothing away from them, as Angelina Jolie is one of the most beautiful women in the world......but Richard Burton (who was one of the most uniquely handsome men I have ever seen) and Elizabeth Taylor were one of the most dynamic couples Tinseltown has ever seen....on screen and off!

A SALUTE TO A GOOD MAN...MAKE THAT TWO!

There is some degree of truth in this statement...lol....Radio engineers have a mindset all their own. So do radio station owners. They simply think different than on-air talent or Music Directors. However, in my twenty years of doing radio.....there are a few exceptions to the rule.


Steve Turner is one such person. He's been involved in radio at Centerville, TN since Marconi delivered the first radio to Hickman County some time ago.....But, seriously...whether on-air, sales, management, or ownership....he's one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet.....and he "gets" radio. If you have to ask if an owner "gets" it, you've got your answer to what that means!

I've known Steve for about twenty years. I actually interviewed with him for a job back in 1993. As it turned out, I didn't get it. But that's ok.....a few years later I ended up working for him at Kix 96, and I can honestly say that I have had few better work experiences in my career. Well, this weekend is going to be a big one for that radio voice formerly known as "Little Stevie Turner." He's going to be roasted by several in Centerville to benefit the Charlie Garner Foundation. It should be fun, because Hickman County has some legendary smart alecks----I mean that with the utmost of sincerity, as I myself am a smart aleck!


I had been planning to make the trip up this weekend to be at the roast for Steve. But, last week, I was washing dishes, and the phone rang. It was Steve, and he asked me not to come......Ok, I had to say it like that.....Actually, there's a big remote going on in Linden Saturday, and with the full-time staff at the station all being tied up, he asked me to work....which I gladly consented to. In any case, I will say to my fellow Hickman Countians to not burn him too bad. He's too good a man for it!. Plus, he had the sense to marry Wanda, and that shows his smarts, as well!


There's another good man that I have to bring up right now...He turns 76....Oops...getting ahead of myself...another number with a 6 in it on Sunday....Happy Birthday, Dad! I love you.....Hey, I'm preparing early!

FROM SCHUYLER TO FACEBOOK

I hadn't planned on blogging today. But, something caught my eye that I just had to comment on. As anyone who knows me can attest, I have a deep love for pop culture from the 70s and 80s. OK, maybe Country culture more so than Pop, but this has nothing to do with music. A lot of my favorite memories growing up centered around the television. I was blessed to grow up in the days of three networks and PBS----long before cable, satellite, and DVR. In the late 70s, you actually had to watch the show when it came on.

I've written before of my love of CBS Friday night staples The Dukes of Hazzard and Dallas. But, Thursday nights were also special on the network. I'm sure that many of you remember the classic series The Waltons. Many a Thursday night at 7pm central, one would find me in front of the 19" TV at the Dauphin home in Burns watching the warm and tender stories of a family pulling together during the Great Depression. Through DVD, it's still one of my favorites, and my children have gotten in on it,as well. I've been to Schuyler, Va (The real life Waltons' Mountain) on several occasions, and hope to take the kids there at the end of the school year. I've got a Waltons Lunch Box, the Waltons' Christmas Record, and even interviewed Jon Walmsley (Jason) and Earl Hamner, Jr. (the creator, narrator, and of course, the real life "John Boy) before. As far as interviews go, the two times I have interviewed Mr. Hamner might be my favorite ones ever.

It's due to Mr. Hamner that I am writing this blog tonight. Every now and then, I check out the great website dedicated to the series, www.the-waltons.com, and there is a link to a fan forum. I look at this from time to time, and saw a subject heaading that caught my eye---EARL HAMNER, JR. LOOKING FOR FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK......Wow....That one threw me for a loop.

Mr. Hamner, now 87 years young, is still writing and living in California. So, the fact that he is still active didn't surprise me. But, I thought it was kind of cool that the man who grew up in the 1930s, served his country in WW2, gave his family life in books and on the screen, is out there on the web. I mean, there's not many from that era on Facebook. You know, I just wonder what his TV prototype, John-Boy Walton, who published the first newspaper in Jefferson County---THE BLUE RIDGE CHRONICLE would think.....I bet he'd be impressed as well! Here's the link.......

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=5532659077

I'm not even on Facebook yet, but have heard from several in the past few weeks that have suggested it. But, you know, if it's good enough for "John-Boy," it's good enough for the rest of us. Good night, Grandpa!

LINE BY LINE, IT'S STILL THE GREATEST ONE EVER!

With CRS going on, I haven't had a chance to comment yet on the recent 2011 Hall of Fame class. Well done, CMA! Jean Shepard is a choice that has been overlooked for way too long, and with both Alabama and George Strait in, you had to figure that Reba would attain her rightful induction. But the one that I wanted to comment on was Bobby Braddock. As part of the "Songwriter" class that will be inducted every three years, Braddock has written some classics over the years..."D-I-V-O-R-C-E," and "I Wanna Talk About Me" among them. But there's one that probably outshines the rest among his compositions. It was a song that Johnny Russell recorded in the late 1970s, but couldn't get played, so a guy by the name of George Jones recorded it. The legend has it that Jones bet Billy Sherrill, his producer, $100 that nobody would (quote) "buy that morbid son of a bitch." Needless to say, the Possum was wrong.....You know the song I'm talking about....but imagine for a minute that it was March of 1980 and you heard the song for the first time----which was what I tried to do the other day. There is a reason why 95% of Country artists and fans recognize this as the greatest Country song of all time. This is going to be different for me blog-wise, but I'm gonna give you my thoughts on this song---line by line---as if I were a listener for the first time....

"He Said I'll Love You Till I Die"---(What a sweet thought.)
"She Told Him 'You'll Forget In Time'---(How cold of her.)
"As The Years Went Slowly By, She Still Preyed Upon His Mind"
(Some people you never forget. I wonder if he's singing about Tammy.)

"He Kept Her Picture By His Bed"---(This guy never gives up.)
"Went Half Crazy Now And Then"-----(We all have, so don't judge.)
"He Still Loved Her Through It All"----(Tammy?)
"Hoping She'd Come Back Again"-----(If you have faith, it can happen.)

"Kept Some Letters By His Bed, Dated 1962"---(He's a sentimental one.)
"He had underlined in red, every single 'I Love You"---(Well, there's always one.....but shouldn't you move on?)
"I Went To See Him Just Today"---(Good for you. You gotta get him out of the house)
"Oh, But I Didn't See No Tears"---(He's finally able to talk about her without breaking down)
"All Dressed Up To Go Away"----(A date, perhaps?)
"First Time I'd Seen Him Smile In Years" (Finally, after all this time!)

"He Stopped Loving Her Today"----(As well he should!)
"They Placed A Wreath Upon His Door"----(Placed a wreath...Uh.)
"And Soon They'll Carry Him Away"----(No...you don't mean that...)
"He Stopped Loving Her Today"----(In my best Lewis Grizzard. 'Oh, my Gawd!"

"You Know She Came To See Him One Last Time" (I bet she did, that...)
"We All Wondered If She Would"----(I bet the funeral home fell in.)
"And It Kept Running Through My Mind"----(What? Tell me!)
"This Time, He's Over Her For Good"-----(Silence...What can you say?)

"He Stopped Loving Her Today"----(Wow! What a line!)
"They Placed A Wreath Upon His Door"----(Rest that poor man's soul.)
"And Soon, They'll Carry Him Away"----(George Jones is the greatest)
"He Stopped Loving Her Today"------(Where's the Kleenex, and can you play that one again?)

Throw in Sherrill's amazing production, with the strings and the haunting background singers, and folks, it's no cliche. This is the greatest Country song of all time. Congratulations, Mr. Braddock. You and Curley Putnam wrote a classic! Now, next year a picker goes in....Who votes for Don Rich?

TEN THINGS I LEARNED AT CRS 2011

If you are in the Country Music industry, last week was a pretty big deal. The Country Radio Seminar was held in Nashville at the Nashville Convention Center. Over 2,000 industry professionals converged upon downtown to mix and mingle with the stars, and take advantage of some very informational seminars that deal with all facets of radio. During quite a bit of the week, I was in the CRS Media Room for the most part, doing a record (for me) 62 interviews during the week.....but just like the groundhog, I did stick my head outside a little.....Here are ten things I came away with from CRS WEEK....

1. I know that the scheduling of CRS is usually set years in advance, but with the SEC Tournament taking place at the same time, did it seem to anyone that the parking prices were a little much? Granted, most stayed in hotels, but if you were paying to park....that was about $100 for the week...right there.

2. There was a lot of great musical talent at CRS this year, but three names to watch out for include Lucy Angel, Due West, and Eric Lee Beddingfield. Each of these acts possesses the coveted "it" factor.

3. It's a known fact, but Ronnie Dunn can outsing most anyone in the business....Not bad for a "new act."

4. I always wondered what it would feel like to be atop the Sheraton's spinning Pinnacle Restaurant....which used to be the Hyatt Regency....and it was cool finding out!

5. You get older and your appetite changes. I ate more salads at CRS this year than just about anything else....except for the night of Eric Lee Beddingfield's showcase, where his promotion team took a few radio / records people out to the luxurious Arby's of West End......You had to be there....Drive-through service and all!

6. Of all of the people in the industry that I have been blessed to meet, the one I that I have yet to is former Sony chief Joe Galante. I wrote him a letter when I was a ninth-grade General Business student when we were assigned to write a letter to someone whose job we wanted to have when we grew up.....I've interviewed him on the phone a few times, but have always gotten a little intimidated when I had a chance to meet him, and chickened out....One day, I will.

7. It's often said that the people who are the real big shots in the business are the ones that you could never tell by their attitude. That being said, people like Larry Daniels, Mike Borchetta, and his wife Martha shine a little brighter than most!

8. Good things happen to good people....who do good things,like the Grascals' Jamie Johnson, who has written one of the best songs out there right now with "I Am Strong."

9. I'm going to take some shots for this opinion, but....Aren't you tired of songs that proclaim how "Country" one is? Several of the performers at CRS filled their stage show with them. Time for some new ideas.....

10. After 62 interviews (and only asking once the crutch question "Where are you from?") one tends to long for a never-ending Pepsi Maz machine to be my constant friend....that, and a plate of Jack's BBQ Ribs. As Grandpa Jones would say, Yum! Yum!