The Week Is Almost Over.....

When I was much younger, there was a famous commercial that featured a beautiful woman getting into a hot tun uttering the immortal phrase “Calgon, Take Me Away.” Well, I don’t know if I need the bath, the Calgon...or the beautiful blonde, but I need to escape this week. It has been a very emotional past few days.

First of all, like a lot of people here in Hickman County, I was saddened to learn of the passing of Marshall Leathers on Monday. Since I moved back to Hickman County a couple of years ago, I had gotten to know him and his wife Louise at Church. He and I had several conversations about old-time music, particularly folk artists like Pete Seeger and Bradley Kincaid. He was fine at Church Sunday night, and gone twenty-four hours later. You never know.

Wednesday, I received word that one of my family members was ill in the hospital. Not going into the details right now, but things don’t look good. So, I went to the hospital to see them. It was an emotional night, to say the least. Say a prayer for God’s will for this person. They are very special to me, and represent a lot of who I am and where I come from. So, if the week had ended at 7:15pm on Wednesday night with me somewhere between Waverly and McEwen, that would have been fine with me. But, the phone rang once more. It was Donnie Craig, one of my best friends in the world – who happens to be a Baptist preacher. The reason I qualified his profession is that you don’t expect to hear from preachers at 7:15 on Bible Study night. And, just like longtime DCHS coach Jerry Pearson told me about hearing the phone ring at 1am, when you do, the news isn’t usually good.

And, it wasn’t. He had called to inform me of the passing of Warren Medley. If you’re not from Middle Tennessee, you might not know the name. But, from 1956 until just a few months ago, Warren could be heard each week on the airwaves of WDKN in Dickson. I had the privilege of working with Warren from 1991-2009, and kept in close contact with him since then. He personified all that WDKN was to me, but more important, he was a good friend and influence on how to live your life. In his 91 years and 50 weeks, the impact that he had on Dickson County and the surrounding area can’t be underestimated. His radio career stretched from the days of AM only to broadcasting on the Internet, and from Eisenhower to Obama. That’s a pretty impressive feat, but more impressive was the man himself. Saturday mornings in Dickson County won’t be the same.

So, it has been an emotional week. Work has been as busy as it always is, and I’m grateful. Though sometimes the work load is heavy, it gets my mind off of things, and I needed that a lot – especially this week. More coming up this weekend, including the definition of success - it might surprise you!

Six Days Till 40....

Well....Six Days Till' 40.

This week has been one of those soul-searching weeks. Next Monday will be the big 4-0. What is known as mid-life. It’s funny. Even though time stands still for nobody, we still think of ourselves as young and vibrant – even in the face of aches and pains we didn’t have at 20 years old.

But, time does go by. I told myself that I wasn’t going to let it get to me too much. And, I have done pretty good with that line of thinking. Being 40 doesn’t represent the beginning of the end for me. That being said, it does make you think.

I write a lot about some of the struggles I go through sometimes. Some of those are financial, some are emotional, and some – well, they are a little bit of my own doing. But, over the past few weeks, I have been reminded that they are nothing compared what several in the community I am living in are going through. And, as I have gotten older, faith has kicked in a bit. God leads you and provides when you don’t see it coming – if you believe. He is good. I believe in him, so it’s going to be ok.

This week was a great example of life in my world. Monday was an incredible day. I had a chance to visit with Paul Martin, who plays in the Fabulous Superlatives band of Marty Stuart. It was a great interview, and was a reminder of why I love what I do. I will never say I am the best writer, radio person, or anything else I do, but nobody appreciates it any more than me. I was literally on cloud nine when I left. Then, I met a couple friends of mine for a few minutes in Hendersonville before I started home. I am not naming names, other than to say that if you would have told me I would have an afternoon like that ten or fifteen years ago, I would have laughed. Whether it be a recording artist, or an 80 year old farmer in Burns with a big nose and overalls that goes by the name of “Haystack,” I am blessed to have the relationships I do. But, I was on a high. And, then....I looked at the phone. There was nobody to tell about it. I mean, sure, I could have called quite a few friends. But, that special someone who knows what the day meant...isn’t there. That’s not to say that she won’t ever be. Again, it’s faith. LOL...I have a little bit more faith that my money needs will be met than finding love again, but I haven’t given up – totally. I hope that I am in a phase right now of totally realizing that you can be whole without someone. I’m closer than I was a year ago, which is a good sign.

That’s not to say that there haven’t been chances the past few years. It’s just that I don’t want to date just to date for show, or to prove to myself I can date someone. To quote the title of one of Jo Dee Messina’s biggest hits, I want to “Burn,” and I’ve only felt that way three times. The first time, I didn’t know what it was and it spooked me. The second time, well...just wasn’t meant to be, and the third time, I was a little scared, and there were a few obstacles – like about ten hours. But, it felt great to feel that spark again – even if it never caught a total fire. It taught me that it is possible.

But, I am not looking for anyone to feel sorry for me. I have a lot of friends – male and female – who aren’t with their Romeo or Juliet – and I don’t think any less of them, so I’m ok. More than anything else, I just wanted someone to know that this week has been a great one. From a 25 minute interview that turned into a three hour conversation to an interview today with one of rock music’s legends to discovering a new talent for the very first time, it’s all a reminder of why I love what I am so blessed to do. Granted, I may have my days of moodiness about life – Valentines’ Day is coming up, after all...but life at 40 isn’t bad at all. And, since I really didn’t start living until I was in my late 20s, who knows what’s around the corner?

Just a few deep thoughts from a shallow (at times!) mind. Good night from here!