We Are The Same....

The past two weeks have been among the most exhilarating of my career. This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of my job at Billboard Magazine. I give God all the credit on that one. What a week to celebrate it with a one-on-one with Lisa Marie Presley backstage after her Opry debut this past Tuesday night. I am blessed. There’s no doubt about it, and I don’t take it for granted!

A few people have asked me how she was. She’s very quiet and unassuming. People have said before how shy Elvis was, and I see where she gets it. Of course, she gets her charisma and looks naturally. Between her father – as well as her mother, she’s one of the most stunning people I ever have been around. It was truly a night that I won’t forget anytime soon.

There have been a lot of those moments lately. A little bit of nostalgia mixed with a wave of the future. Last week, I became heavily interested in a Facebook group that included my fellow classmates from DCHS, Class of 1992. My 20^th class reunion is coming up in a few weeks, and unless a business trip takes me out of state, I am planning on going. That is a big step for me.

It’s not that High School was a bad time in my life. Truth be told, I wasn’t really there. There is a record of me being a student from 1989-1992, but I tried to get through those three years as quietly as I could. I spent more time studying the music business than I did anything else. That’s where my passion was even then. I remember in eighth grade English class, I got into trouble for reading a magazine in class during something else I should have been doing. The magazine? It starts with a B. I say that not to boast. If your car breaks down, I am useless. Plumbing around your house? A call to me would be a wasted one. But, I just have always been drawn to music – even then.

You see, this isn’t about what I did or what I do now. It’s something that I have learned over the past two weeks. Some of the things that my fellow classmates have written have made me realize that we are more the same than I ever thought before. There were a few comments that stated they were just trying to get by day-to-day, or talking about how other people’s words made them feel inadequate. And, the ones saying these things surprised me. Some of them were on top of the world during those years – in my eyes. Good times – or bad times – are not always what it seems.

I thought I was the only one who was scared of getting made fun of. Turns out I wasn’t. Don’t get me wrong, while nobody is ever liked by everybody, I only had a problem with three people during my days on Cougar Hill. Now, neither of those three have made those comments, but I bet those years weren’t as careless and fun for them, either.

I guess what I am saying is that I see a lot of things (and people) differently than I ever have before. And, that’s very refreshing. You never know how you are looked upon – then or now. People have thought I was a snob at times, I am sure. I – even to this day, am so scared that someone is going to reject who I am or what I do that if I don’t know you, I am going to be very quiet. But, if I ever have offended anyone as being aloof or snobbish. I do apologize. I didn’t mean to. I was simply insecure. Even twenty years later, I still am to some extent. Though I had plenty of friends back then, I wish I had been more extroverted. Might have been a lot of fun! If anyone reads this who is in High School, I say not to worry about what others think because (as my Sociology teacher Emma Hall once tried to teach us) – the people who you think are thinking about you more than likely – aren’t. But, also get to know people – deep down, they are not as intimidating as they seem to be!

I want to close with a preview of what my next blog will be about – LOL...you’re on pins and needles right now, aren’t you? I want your advice on something that I have had a few discussions with people about lately....the off switch. Being connected all the time.....good thing or bad thing? Would love to hear from you on this......Have a good week, everyone!

Goodbye, 106 East College Street

I got the phone call today, and it kind of surprised me for a minute. It was from Cory Williams, who I worked with at WDKN from 1995-1998. He wanted to ask me what was going on at the station. I had to think for a minute, as I hadn’t been employed there since March of 2009. Then, it occurred to me. Many have asked me over the past few weeks about the station’s decision to move from the current location at 106 East College Street to the other side of Main Street.

OK...Before I get underway with this, I know that it’s common knowledge that after the closing of the station under the former owners three years ago, I fell into a deep depression. There, I’ve said that. But, in 2012 – the station has done well without me...and likewise. They have made a lot of great decisions since then, and they’ve got a good staff.

But, this isn’t about now. This is about then. The moving of the station has made me feel a little bit nostalgic. And, though a few of you might be saying “Here we go again,” I feel that there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s a part of my past, and still a part of me.

I remember when I first walked into the station in the spring of 1991. It was under the guise of an Explorer Post – an off shoot of the Boy Scouts. Many people from High School met for a few weeks to learn about radio. The post didn’t last, but two of us, James Garton and myself, kept coming back and badgering the staff there until we both had jobs. I remember sitting in Jackie Rhodes’ office for my job interview. I was wearing shorts. I was told not to do that much....though she didn’t patrol that much. I have to say that if it weren’t for Jackie, maybe I would have still found my way to do what I do now, but I still owe it to her.

So many memories of that building. James Garton and I playing soccer in the hallway during Cougars games. Sitting and hearing the wit and wisdom of the station’s PD, Gordon Rhodes. I can’t quote everything...but I did learn a valuable career lesson from him – don’t sweat it. You need to take your job seriously, but there are some nights that it’s just not going to be your day. And, that is true. I remember Marcia Campbell coming into my half-office back in 1995 wanting to start a Bluegrass show. She’s done quite well for herself, I would say, as the nighttime host at WSM. Kristy Owings, one of the best friends I have ever had. A lot of laughs took place when the mic was turned off....the phone call....she knows who it wasn’t!

In 1996, I remember this guy from Arkansas coming into the station for the first time. Since then, I don’t know if there is a better example of how to conduct yourself as a professional than Ken Loggains. Class doesn’t even come close to describing him. Joe Webster. Jim Hudson. Warren Medley. Randy Tidwell, The “Mayors,” “The Rat Pack,” “Big D and The Dickson Mafia,” the memories are still there and a huge part of me.

There are several other memories there that I keep to myself. My first kiss took place right there, at 106 East College Street. I’m not alone in that. I’m sure if you asked anyone who worked there from 1991-2009, there would be a few memories that they won’t divulge. It was a place where I grew up – and I cherish each and every year I had at that building – even with the cords hanging from the wall.

I hope nobody gets the wrong idea about this. I’m not waxing melancholy about change. I wish the station nothing but success. The last person I hired is still there, and so is Warren Medley. People like Robert Freeman and Dale Turner are doing a great job making the station work. I have no idea how history will record any of us that worked there at 106 East College Street – and I’m more concerned with making the future better than living in the past.....but it was a great time in a lot of people’s lives. I just wonder if the “Ghosts” upstairs – who always seemed to prowl around between 5am and 6:30 are still there......

JUST AROUND THE CORNER!

Checking in today from the hometown of one Minnie Pearl, Centerville, TN......This is where I live, so I don’t know why I introduced this blog like that – but it sounded cool. Today is just one of those days that you know that God has created. It’s sunny, and the view off of Kayjoe’s Hill is spectacular. At least four people have commented about the weather today. Today is one of those that lets you know that Autumn is just around the corner. And, I am always excited about that!

Of course, another aspect to this time of the year is that you begin to see a lot of more clothing on people reflecting their choice of athletic teams. Here, that means Hickman, East Hickman, Dickson County, or Creek Wood, all of which kick off their 2012 seasons next week. Besides high schools, college football looms large. While being a native of Dickson County, I never really thought of Hickman County as being too “Southern,” it’s interesting to note that there seems to be a lot more Crimson Tide fans here than in Cougars country. Don’t get me wrong, as long as Ed Sheley and Shane Buchanan are still kicking, there will be Alabama fans in Dickson County, but it seems a lot more even here.

That’s not to say that you don’t see a lot of orange and white. I have to admit that I have never been a huge UT fan – aside from cheering on the Lady Vols under former Coach Pat Summitt, but living in the Volunteer State – it is a way of life, and people live it. I think that UT polo shirts sometimes are the default attire for Church or going to Wal-Mart – and you see a lot more of it this time of year. And, that’s a good thing. The arguments are starting to heat up on sports talk about who’s the best in the SEC and NFL, George Plaster is back, it is indeed Football Time In Tennessee.

While my NFL heart will always beat to the rhythm of the Dallas Cowboys, (though I find myself fascinated by the New York Jets and Rex Ryan), I have no allegiance in the college world. If I travel somewhere that has a team, I do try to buy a T-Shirt, but I tend to go more for the quarterbacks than a team. I was a Barker Alabama fan, a Manning UT fan, as well as a Couch UK fan. Nowadays, I don’t even have a favorite player, but watching a college game is different. There’s a certain extent of pomp and circumstance that goes along with the college game that you don’t get with the NFL. I still prefer pro, but the excitement level is a lot different.

Anyway, this blog really has no point to make. I don’t have an ax to grind with anyone. I haven’t had a lot of time to study teams and figure out who’s going to be good. I don’t even know if I can make a prediction about the Super Bowl or the SEC (How bout this – New England and the Giants in the former, and the winner of the Alabama – LSU game takes all? That’s a stretch, huh?), but I am just going to enjoy it as much as I can this year! After all, it’s just around the corner!

AN INTERVIEW BUCKET LIST

I was going through a box of discs the other day as I was trying to locate an interview I needed for an article. I started to go through them, and I realized just how blessed I have been in my career. Jones. Haggard. Lynn. Parton, so many legends in Country Music that I have been privileged to talk to. There also have been superstars with names like Shelton, Lambert, and Underwood. Occasionally, there have been a few from outside music – such as Georgia coach Mark Richt, “Dallas” star Linda Gray, or “Waltons” creator Earl Hamner, Jr.....So, I started to think about people I would love to cross off the interview list. I came up with twelve, some from the music community, and a few who aren’t. If anyone is out there who can help me with any of these, I would take it!

Music

Garth Brooks – He’s the biggest selling artist in American music, but it goes deeper for me. As I have said before, it was Garth that made Country not only cool, but as respected as any other form of music. Also, his catalog only gets better with time, including my personal favorite Brooks tune, 1992’s “What She’s Doin’ Now.”

Amy Grant – As someone who has grown up in Nashville, Mrs. Vince Gill is one of the city’s biggest goodwill ambassadors. I’ve always been a fan of her music, especially songs like “Baby Baby” and the tender “I Will Lead You Home,” and she’s still one of the most beautiful women – inside and out that Nashville has ever seen!

Faith Hill – I’m going to confess. Once upon a time, I was a member of the Faith Hill fan club. Whether that is professional for me to admit or not is besides the point. But, it would be really neat to come full circle from fan to interviewer. And, I’m still a huge fan of her music. When she’s on, she’s on!

Reba McEntire – In my opinion, she’s the biggest star that I have not interviewed. She embodies class, perseverance, and hard work. Again, I was buying her music when I was a teenager, and those albums still rank as some of my absolute favorites.

Barbara Mandrell – Ok, I have talked to Barbara before. Back in 2006, when RCA released a tribute album to the singer, but this is one that I would love to do a long-form interview about the entire gamut of her career. She started touring when she was eleven, and has seen so much during her career. One of these days...

Lionel Richie – His music was the soundtrack of my life growing up, as evidenced by the Tuskegee disc that has become one of the years’ best sellers. After all of these years, the guy has still got it. I would love to ask him about some of the stories behind his great records, and those who covered him long before it was cool to do so, like Conway Twitty.

Acting

Larry Hagman – As many who know me can attest, I was a “Dallas” fan when I was six years old. I think his portrayal of JR Ewing is one of television’s all time greatest characters. So many people think of the oilman as a ruthless evil (fill in the blank), but there was (and is) more to the character than that. Even at 80, he’s stiil ruling the Southfork roost on the TNT reboot.

Sports

Terry Bradshaw – I am not a Steelers fan. But, with Terry, you don’t really have to be. I have read his books over the years, and have so much respect for the way Bradshaw is able to laugh at life – and himself.

Jimmy Johnson – If I had to choose one coach to lead my team – college or pro – it would be Johnson. I think he is nothing short of a genius. I don’t know if I would be able to ask him anything that potent, because I think – more than anyone else on this list – I would simply be in awe.

Politicians

Lamar Alexander – From a Tennessee state level, no politician – save Ned Ray McWherter fascinates me more. Alexander rose to prominence during the 1970s, one of the state’s most turbulent times. He lost to, and then replaced one of the most controversial leaders the state has ever had in Ray Blanton, and carved out one of the most legendary careers in Tennessee history. And, he could play a mean piano on “Hee Haw.”

Bill Clinton – From a charisma standpoint, I don’t know if anyone could match the former governor of Arkansas. He could be equally at home at a high school football game as he could at the United Nations. And, though I have voted on the other side of the ticket more, I actually believe that he felt in his heart that he was making a difference in people’s lives – more so than any other president we’ve ever had.

Colin Powell – I close with a man who really isn’t a politician. Both parties have tried to lasso him in, and he hasn’t bit. I had a chance to hear him speak last fall, and it became apparent to me how much America is the weaker for him not electing to run for office. He’s simply one of the most brilliant people I have ever heard. By far, he would make a great choice for the nation’s top office – or any office he so chose!

So, I’ll update this one in a few years, and let you know how I did!

BACK IN THE SOUTHFORK SADDLE!

Some of my best friends were starting to wonder if I had slipped out of myself the past few weeks. I’ll be the first to admit that I have had some mood swings the last few years, but some people have been very concerned since June 13.

That was the day that TNT premiered the new ‘Dallas.’ Of course, I need not remind you about the legendary CBS series, which ran for fourteen seasons before ending back in 1991. I was very excited about the fact that TNT was going to bring the series back. And, I was excited beyond measure when I got to interview Linda Gray and Josh Henderson during their visit to Music City last month during the CMA Music Festival. But, somewhere after the first episode, I kind of got lost just a little bit.

For starters, life is a little bit more involved than it was back during the 80s. I was a little bit younger after all, and knew not what a deadline was. Two, the show is on Wednesday night, and I have been trying to make more of a commitment to Church on that night. And, the best way for me to watch the show is by buying it on iTunes the day after it runs, so I have to admit it hasn’t been as much of a priority as it was, say in 1987.

Also, the show moves fast – lightning speed, actually. They only filmed ten episodes this season, so you have to hang on tight. For a few episodes, it seemed that every character was out to put it to each other, which wasn’t too terribly different from the glory days of the original. Larry Hagman was getting some great lines, and Henderson found his way as John Ross, but it just seemed like there was no rhyme or reason. J.R., though known as the man viewers loved to hate, had always been a sympathetic character to me for a lot of reasons. No matter what he did, you felt he was doing so out of (maybe a sometimes misguided, but still) love of family. That hadn’t been there.

But, last week’s episode changed most of that. The Ewings bonded together against a common enemy, which was always the show’s strength. They could fight with each other brilliantly, but go after any one of them...and beware of the whole brood. Bobby – now the emotional patriarch of the family, came to the defense of nephew John Ross – who has spent the first seven episodes battling, and stood up to evil businessman Vincente – who has made life rough on the Ewings as of late.

There’s just two more episodes before the show takes a hiatus. Of course, the season finale was always a benchmark of the original, and it’s going to be tough to top. However, there looks to be plenty of emotion. Bobby has been fighting a possibly fatal disease this season, and it looks like he and J.R are going to have some very emotional moments in the final two episodes this season. I have a feeling that I am going to be on the edge of my seat for these episodes.

Overall, I would say the series deserves a B-minus for the first season. Of the original characters, Hagman and Ken Kercheval (Cliff Barnes) don’t seem to have missed a beat, Duffy had a slow start, but has gotten more interesting, and Sue Ellen is just kind of there – but I have a feeling that will change in season two. Of the newcomers, Josh Henderson is the star. He makes the John Ross character vulnerable enough that you have to like him – just like Larry Hagman did with J.R. I also like the character of Harris, the ex-husband of Ann, Bobby’s wife (need a scorecard?) He’s not a nice guy at all, and he’s actually kind of creepy – but Mitch Pileggi, the actor who plays him, makes the character one that you have to snicker at. Will this ‘Dallas’ last fourteen seasons? Who knows, but I’ve got to say that I am starting to get impressed with what I am seeing....just don’t tell me what happens until Thursday afternoon. Thank God for iTunes!

TOMATO OR NO TOMATO, THAT IS THE QUESTION!

Have you ever had one of those days where you just got so busy That you forgot to pull aside and do the little things – like eat? LOL...That happened to me today. Had the usual schedule, a couple of interviews and work-related things, and about 4pm, it dawned on me. I hadn’t eaten yet, and I was feeling it.

As it turned out, I just happened to be within a few miles of a Nashville landmark – the Loveless Cafe. So, I pulled in to regain my state of mind. I was sitting at my table, and a woman was talking to her children about some of the food on their menu when her daughter asked her a question, “Mama, what do fried green tomatoes taste like?” The mother replied, “Oh, honey, they are the most delicious things you have ever eaten,” she said.

You know, to that woman, she may have been telling the truth. But, my thought at the time was ‘Why does a mother lie to her child like that?’ Ok, to each his own, I know. But, one of the biggest traditions in the south is slicing a tomato, putting salt on it, and telling everyone how good it is. Really?

Somewhere in the Bible, I think there is an explanation about tomatoes. “And the Lord said, thou cut up the tomato in 4,040 pieces (40 is a big number in the Bible, after all), and put in Chili. The other way you should consume a tomato is on a Cheeseburger – provided you have it buried under all the other toppings.”

Am I being a little harsh? Alas, maybe. There may be something enjoyable about tomatoes by themselves. I am still trying to search for that answer. If you like the vegetable, I humbly apologize. But, yuck! Chili would not be chili without tomatoes, though cheeseburgers would still have their shine. Now, I guess a BLT would only be 1/3 as good, but a BT would probably settle a little easier on my stomach.

Well, that so ends my tirade on tomatoes. I have nothing against tomato eaters. We all have our crosses to bear, I guess. Hey, give me credit.....this blog was meant to make you chuckle, laugh, or think I’m crazy....rather than be anything heavy. And, that was (and is) the goal!

HARD ONE TO WRITE

Greetings from Oklahoma! I have had a wonderful holiday here covering the Oil Patch Festival in Drumright. Thanks to Myrna and Rick Sellers and Clif Doyal for having me out here. I may never eat again!

I wanted to also say thanks for the comments regarding Tuesday’s blog concerning the passing of Andy Griffith. I think – more than any other entertainment figure – he was one that transcended cultural lines.

Today, I am going to write about something a little more personal than you might be used to, and truth be told – you might have better things to read today than what I am about to write. But, in talking with some friends of mine, I decided to put these thoughts to paper – or online. Who knows, it might help to type it down – and it might help someone out there to not go down the same path.

As many of you know, I have underwent some life changes over the past….thirty-eight years. I say it like that because from the moment we are born – life is an ever constant world of change. Though I tend to dwell on the past two or three years, change has swirled since the evening of February 17, 1974. And, it will swirl until there’s a date after the dash.

That being said, right now, I am in a place that is a little bit scary and different for me. I never intended to be starting over in life at 38. But, as Forrest Gump – that wise old philosopher once said – “It happens.” That trek in life includes a battle with depression. (I know – we all have been there at some point or another, and I’m not truly comfortable writing about this – but I was told I might feel better after writing this….so here goes!)

We all have self-esteem issues. I can’t pinpoint when mine started. But, I do know when I started to feel different as a human being. It was my eighth grade year in school. I had just started attending Dickson Junior High, and it seemed that a few weeks into that year – everyone’s attention was focused on who their date was for the annual Dickson County Fair. I didn’t have one. What’s worse was I got turned down when I asked somebody. This may really sound stupid or trite to some, as we all get turned down for something at one point of another, but that was one of those moments that shaped me.

I began to judge myself and self-basis on whether I was dating anyone or not. LOL…Which meant in school, I was pretty much non-existent because I didn’t date until after graduating. I could have asked someone, but get turned down again? Not on your life!

I would love to tell you that my self-esteem issues ended when I reached my twenties. Wrong. I still judged my sense of being on whether I was with anyone or not. If I was, life was ok. If I wasn’t, I was not. Looking back, that wrong decision has affected my life in so many ways.

For starters, I find that I never really started to develop my personality as a human being until the past ten years or so. As a result of feeling rejected or the fear of rejection, I backed away from getting to know people. Some might have even looked at me as a snob – I don’t know. Truth is, I was (and still am, around people I don’t know) painfully shy. The moment you might think I was a little bit different is when I would have shrunk back into my little hole. I see where that was wrong.

Once I did begin to date, well, let’s just say I was twenty-one going on sixteen. I didn’t have the experience of relating to someone else so I made some mistakes. Some I don’t regret…and maybe a couple I do…

But, the past is the past, right? Well, that’s what I keep telling myself. At 38, I have finally realized that it’s ok to be….alone. Now, understand, I don’t like it that way. But, there’s a saying that nobody can love you if you don’t love yourself. Have I spent years running from that one. If you are reading this and you think differently – think again, please. You will save yourself a lot of bad decisions and heartache. Work on YOU. It’s easier doing it now….than later.

At this point in my life, I am trying to pick up the pieces of not doing this earlier. I am trying to get more involved in Church and other activities – not because I am the son of Charles and Paulette Dauphin, and that’s what I do – but rather, that’s where I need to be. I am trying to be a little more assertive and confident in my career, and that has paid off more than I can tell you. At times, my career has been a cocoon for me. If something wasn’t going right in life or a relationship, instead of standing up for what I might have felt was right – I shifted my energies to what I knew I could do – an interview, an article, a football game. I’m not saying I was wrong or right, because sometimes that was the best thing to do. But, looking back, might there have been times where that was a mistake? Maybe.

I hope this blog post doesn’t come across as arrogant as I think it might. We all go through valleys – emotionally, spiritually, or financially. I am no different than anyone else, and I guarantee you that someone will read this who has it a lot worse than I do. I have family, friends, two Church homes that I love and appreciate very much, and a career that I thank God for every day. Chuck Dauphin has it pretty good right now, overall. But, I am working on each of those three areas. Some are a little easier than others, but I pray I get there.

So, in closing….(which you are probably grateful for), let me just say to take time for you. Learn to be still….even if life and others make you feel that you need to be a certain way – and let me say that I am not putting my mistakes in life off on anyone but myself – but nobody knows YOU better than YOU. Never be ashamed or think lower of yourself because you might not be where you think you want to be.

OK, that’s enough of the self-examination. This is Chuck Dauphin – signing off from the windy state known as Oklahoma – alone (for now) and ok with it – for today!

ANDY GRIFFITH, WHAT WAS YOUR HURRY?

I am writing this from a hotel room in Oklahoma, as I am on assignment for work this week. I flew out of Nashville this morning, and when the plane landed in Denver about 9 today, I immediately checked my cell phone for email as well as the latest news. I saw the headline "Andy Griffith Dies At 86." I was saddened, but I guess it was one of those obituaries that you know is going to come at some point. After all, most of the other cast members of the show have passed, so it wasn't the world's biggest shock. But, suddenly, the world felt a little different.

Since October 3, 1960 - "The Andy Griffith Show" has become one of America's most enduring and beloved TV series. There was something about that mythical town of Mayberry that no matter what was wrong in the world - everything was as simple as Goober airing up the tires, or going over to Mt. Pilot for the blue plate special, and hoping you would run into the "Fun Girls." I think we all have seen each of the 249 episodes time in and time out. What was your favorite? I'll tell you mine in a minute!

I immediately began to think about Andy Griffith the actor. There were so many sides to him other than Andy Taylor. If you ever saw him opposite Patricia Neal in 1957's "A Face In The Crowd," I think you would stand amazed at his skills. He was nothing like the easy going Andy on TAGS, nothing at all. He was vicious, cold, and downright cruel - and excellent at it. Ditto that for 1983's "Murder In Coweta County," where he gave a chilling portrayal of Georgia tycoon John Wallace, who killed one of his employees on his farm. Truth be told, I don't know if I ever saw a Griffith performance any stronger than either one of these. He also was superb in Billy Bob Thornton's "Daddy And Them," which may not be for everybody - but he was over the top in it. 

Then, there is the legacy of Mayberry. Think about this, folks. There have been Churches that use the morals of the plotlines in the show for their lessons. You can't say that about any other fictitious series. I am going to one of those Churches right now, and I can't wait to see these lessons at work. That, my friends, is leaving a mark. 

Ok, my favorite episode. Do you remember "Man In A Hurry." A man ends up stranded in Mayberry, and the slow pace of the town makes him madder and madder for a while - until he ends up charmed like the rest of us. I guess today we might be asking Andy Griffith what his hurry was. However, 86 years is nothing to sneeze at. And, I can imagine there's a fishing tournament at Myers Lake this weekend....and Aunt Bee is cooking something really good....and Barney is on the phone to Juanita singing right about now...I have a feeling that someone is about to join in....Yes, Andy Griffith may be gone, but I can imagine the heavens sound full! 

Hickory Hollow, R.I.P.

Friday afternoon was somewhat of a sad day for me. I was driving around in Nashville from appointment to appointment when I heard on the radio that Hickory Hollow Mall was going to be closing in thirty days. The news took me aback just a little bit. I knew the mall business had gone downhill some over the years. In fact, I couldn’t tell you the last time I had gotten off Exit 60 off of Interstate 24. At one time, the mall was so big that it had its’ own exit. Now, in less than an month – it will cease to exist

Sometimes, whenever I write posts about the past, I always reflect on 100 Oaks Mall. And, granted – as a young kid, I have so many memories of going there with my mother and grandmother on Saturday mornings. But, I have an equal amount of thoughts about Hickory Hollow Mall. For starters, Cain Sloan always used to have their annual Breakfast with Santa, which was always a highlight of the Christmas season. Sears had their snack bar, where you could always find some delicious candy and nuts. And, in the fall of 1988, I remember my mother buying me a couple of pair of stone-washed jeans – the rage of the age – and me thinking I was going to be popular. LOL… But, as a pre-teen and teenager, it was the stores in the mall that really were special to me.

Camelot Music – Located next to JC Penney, this was the record store that I would spend my allowance at more than any other. I remember buying George Strait’s If You Ain’t Lovin, You Ain’t Livin’  and Conway Twitty’s Still In Your Dreams on the same day. But, the purchases there I have the best memories of was the clearances the store had on vinyl. Many classic (at least to me) records on sale for $1.97.

Hickory Hollow Theater – I remember being fifteen and seeing the original “Batman” – well the modern day ‘original.’

Sports Seasons – Back when the Dallas Cowboys won. Yeah, there was a time, believe it or not. I would buy Cowboys stuff as quickly as it could go on sale.

Wonderful Waterbeds – My first question about this is ‘Why.’ Do people still have waterbeds? I remember my parents getting me one for my birthday about twenty-five years ago. My biggest memory of it was it leaking all over the floor. But, I remember many times going in, lying on the bed, and wishing. It was definitely a case of not being what you thought it would be.

B. Dalton Booksellers – Even more than the record store, until I was old enough to venture around the mall on my own, I spent a lot of time in book stores with my mother. There were music history books and ones about the history of television that I would look at. And, there was this magazine that used to intrigue the heck out of a ten to twelve year old kid. I had no inkling that this magazine that I would beg my mother to buy me – and would keep me silent on the way home – would change my life in the way it has. Billboard  Magazine.

So, Hickory Hollow Mall fades into the dustbins of history at the end of the month. My car made the drive across town, and turned into the parking lot to see it one more time. It looked a lot different. I thought about going in there, and if I thought I could have found that ten year old kid and his mother – who knows, maybe I would have. But, I just kept on toward Bell Road. The times keep a’changin, they say…

Back To The Well

Tonight was an emotional night. Heck, they've all been somewhat emotional lately. The past two weeks have definitely qualified as the most balanced of my life. There have been highs, some great highs. And, a couple of lows. The good still outweighs the bad, but sometimes you wonder. You start to assess things a little. Why does one do the things they do? Whether it be radio, writing, working on cars, or horses, passions consume us. Is it too much?

I have asked myself that question a lot over the past few months due to some of life's changes. Tonight was one of those nights where I, for better or worse, received the answer. Kenny Rogers played the Hall Of Fame tonight as part of the Artist-In-Residence series. I will tell you that - though I do consider myself to be a writer and a professional, I am also a fan. I grew up on Country Music. If I didn't have friends to play with growing up, I was listening to the radio, watching TV, or reading Billboard Magazine. (Even at age eleven, believe it or not!) That music, but particularly Kenny Rogers, helped to define my childhood. One of my earliest memories was watching the clouds go around and around as his records would play on my record player growing up. Family trips - either to Illinois or to Hickman County - usually featured one of his 8-track tapes or cassettes in the car deck - sometimes frustrating my parents. You didn't take a Rogers tape out. It was not a pretty sight!

Well, back to tonight. Kenny took fans on a trip through his many musical twists and turns. The psychadelic sound of "Just Dropped In"....the classic story songs of "Lucille," "Coward Of The County," and "The Gambler"....the romantic ballads of "Lady" and "Morning Desire." But, the song that got me the most tonight was one he doesn't do in concert too much anymore - "Twenty Years Ago," a hit from 1987. It took me back a ways to that kid who was studying the charts more than he was his school work. To that kid who made up his own imaginary radio station growing up - WBRQ (W-Burns-Q)....And, now it's been twenty-five years since that song. A lot of changes since then. Many decisions I wish I had back. Some I wouldn't change. I guess life is what you make it...not what it was. If that makes any sense at all.

Listening to many of these songs brought back memories tonight, and reminded me that it is worth it. God has blessed me with a career that has seen more highs than anything else, and I am grateful. I have about five or six different jobs right now, and though there are nights I wish I was asleep at 12 midnight, I wouldn't change a thing. Getting to communicate my love of a song, an album, or the excitement of a high school sports game - I love it with all my heart. I am a very fortunate person to get to do what I do.

There's an old saying about going 'Back To The Well.' Tonight, that's what I did. I may not be the best at anything I do....but I can tell you this...nobody loves all of what they do any more than the person who is writing this. Though there's a lot of uncertainity right now about other sections of my life, I got a reminder tonight of why I do it. Thanks for reading tonight!

WHAT A BURGER!

Ok. I will be a little bit lighter this time out. It's said that you tend to write what is on your mind, and mine has been heavy as of late. Change is never easy, but you have to put your faith in God, and he will lead you to where you need to be....That being said, the title of this blog might let you know that I'm not going to be delving into the deep dark waters this week.

One of my favorite places anywhere is Centerville, Tennessee. The people are super-friendly there and have always made me feel at home since 2007. I am very fortunate to be associated with Kix 96 there, whose manager, Steve Turner is one of the best "radio guys" I have ever met. There are some quirks to the town that gave us Minnie Pearl. Three of the town's best restaurants aren't open on Mondays, but the new Chinese restaurant there makes up for that!

This past Friday, I had a chance to eat lunch at Papa Kayjoe's. Owned and operated by Devin Pickard, it's one of the best BBQ places you'll find anywhere. Great food, and some of the best Sweet Tea - and Sweet BBQ sauce you'll find anywhere.

Devin is a good guy, salt of the earth. He is a restaurant owner, a Church of Christ preacher, and a sometimes sports announced for Kix 96. (I've learned that one must appreciate multi-taskers!) In addition to all that, he posts on Facebook as much as I do. You have to have your priorities in life!

So, to the point. A few weeks ago, Devin posts a picture of their latest creation - the "Papa Porkburger." I wish I could find the picture, but trust me when I say it was huge. I had been tempted to order this mammoth size menu item many a time when I was in town working at the station - or when I was simply bored and wanted to make sure that Sheila had less candy in the bottomless candy bowl at Kix 96.

It just so happened that I was in town this past Friday to do an interview with Josh Turner. After it was over, I had a lot of work to do, but didn't have to return to Nashville at any certain point, so I stayed in the land of the Bulldogs. I decided I would go to Papa K's for lunch. I looked at the menu, and the description "Pork, Hamburger, Cheese, Bacon." I hadn't eaten all day, so I figured "Why Not."

Then, they brought the burger out to me. You can look at me and you know that I like to eat. But, this was one of the biggest burger I have ever ordered. A pair of hands couldn't pick it up! It took a while, but I ate it. I don't know if I have been more stuffed in years. You know what? If you leave off the bread, it's actually nutritious. I mean, meat, cheese, and vegetables. If you believe the Atkins way, you can lose weight eating it. (Yes, I don't need to be told about the word 'Proportions.)

OK, maybe that stretches the truth a little, but if you want something a little different, make the drive to Centerville. If you do so on a Wednesday before 12 or after 3, I will let you buy me one....(Begging is in the 'I Want To Be In Radio' handbook. It's in the same section as asking for concert tickets from the promotion department.)

But, trust me, it's worth the drive. If you're not a glutton like the person typing this, you can box it up and take it home. Just make sure you allow yourself a little bit of time for a nap afterwards...It's good stuff...Indeed!

The Future....A scary thought

I am going to try to be a little more regular when it comes to blogging. Things have been crazy as of late. This blog is going to be one of the most personal I have ever written. It’s one that I’ve started and stopped writing about a million times – well, maybe that’s an exaggeration. But, in talking with a couple of my closest friends this week, I was advised that sometimes being honest is the only way you can really cleanse yourself.

I am in the process of “starting over.” At age 38, it’s not where I envisioned myself being. But, it is what it is. (Whatever that statement means, I don’t know, but it gets used a lot!) The why or when isn’t important. Life is, as Kris Kristofferson once wrote, ‘two stories wide,’ and I recognize that. I guess the most important thing is “What,” in terms of what’s next. After all, that’s the only thing I can control, right?

A few years ago, I went through a major life change. One that I didn’t see coming. Again, if you know me well, you know. But, there’s no need rehashing it. I didn’t handle a career setback like I wish I had. Part of that stemmed from the fact that I never really exuded a lot of confidence. I always viewed myself as someone who just ‘backed into’ what I did for a living. Looking back, that’s not entirely true.

I have never been the wildest color of the crayon box. I always was a little different. But, the one thing that set me apart was that I loved music. I have never been blessed with the ability to sing – but I remember going to the library with my mother, and picking out books that dealt with….the history of the music business. I was more at home at a record store – Tower Records or Ernest Tubb Record Shop – than I was anywhere else as a kid. While most my age were listening to Y107, I was a WSM child – pure and simple. My father burned a lot of miles on Briley Parkway driving over to the radio station office to pick up prizes that I won.

I didn’t realize it then, but I was blessed. Blessed to have discovered my passion so early. But, it wasn’t the standard way to go. I wanted to be in radio or the music business, but sometimes people would say “But, what do you want to DO with your life?” I always thought that of what I did as a hobby, and not something legitimate. But, that was my identity.

Then, I was faced with that “identity” not being there anymore. That led to a bout with depression. There were some decisions that I wish I had back. But, you don’t get those wishes. So, the future is now. I am blessed with a job – no, make that several jobs, that I love doing. Granted, there are nights that I am up at 1:30 am trying to come up with an adjective that I’ve never used before to talk about an album that I think you need to know about, but I am a man who is fortunate. Whether it’s interviewing a new artist, a legend, or broadcasting a high school softball team, I love what I do. I hope that shows.

Still, the future is scary. I am in a “Put up or shut up” mode right now. I’ve got to work as hard as I ever have in my life from here on out. Like ‘The Little Engine That Could,’ I think I can, I think I can! Every time I have had a doubt about something, it all works out. I guess you could say that I am in better hands than Allstate. I know I am. It’s all going to work out. The interesting question is “How,” but I have faith!

In talking with one of my friends this week, there was some concern that I might need to set some goals for myself – if nothing else, to give me something to shoot for besides the next game, show, or interview. So, in no particular order, here’s my seven things on the bucket list – at least for now. I’ll let you know how I do.

1. At some point, I would love to take another trip to California. I love Los Angeles, and seeing the beach here is so beautiful. I also want to go to Bakersfield, and go to the Crystal Palace again. Maybe, even eat the Don Rich Steak there…..Who knows, maybe work will lead me out there…

2. I want to be a better person. Sometimes, because my self-esteem wasn’t the best, I wasn’t the best I could be. I can change that, I think! That includes not shying away from people if I get down….that’s when I need to do the opposite.

3. Though I am starting over, I have been very blessed to have had two children come into my life a few years ago. I’m grateful for those relationships, and pray they continue….

4. I want to take a cruise at some point. I had a chance to do so a few months ago, but I had a prior commitment…..Just something I’ve never done…

5. I want to write an article for somebody that is outside of my comfort zone. Don’t know how good it would be, but would love to try.

6. Three letters…..If you know me at all, you know which three letters those are. (Hint….Read this again. You’ll find them!) I don't know whether I am good enough or not, but nobody loves them more!

7. And, though it’s not the focal point of my life today, the next time…..I want to do it right!

I'll let you know how I do......And, if anyone knows where they can get a good deal on a laptop, my backspace button is about to go out.....(Is that # 8?)

Miranda Lambert: "On Fire" In Alabama!

I will start out this blog by saying what a week last one was – from a professional level. As someone who grew up wanting to be a part of this business, I consider myself very blessed and very fortunate to be able to do what it is that I do. Whether it be covering a high school basketball game, or interviewing artists, I am blessed. The things that I have been able to do as of late I do not take for granted. While I have worked at it for years, I think there is a higher power at work.

Last Thursday, I had a chance, along with some other writers, to go to Huntsville, Alabama to see Miranda Lambert’s “On Fire” tour. I had seen Lambert’s show one time prior – in Pikeville, KY about four years ago with Blake. This was the first time I had seen her as a solo headliner. Her opening acts were Jerrod Niemann and Chris Young.

Jerrod is not your average Country performer. He’s a little quirky, a little left of center. But, that certainly works in his favor. His breakthrough hit from a couple of years ago, “Lover, Lover,” is one of the most infectious songs that has been on the airwaves in quite some time. The business is so hard to predict….but I think Niemann is positioning himself to be an act that will be around for the long haul.

Speaking of predictions, here’s one for you. Right now, Blake Shelton owns the Male Vocalist trophies on the various award shows. But, when his time is up – a couple of years away as the usual cycle goes, I have a good idea who might unseat him. Chris Young has built his career the slow and steady way – a la Chesney – and five number ones in a row later, the man owns the crowd. But, it’s not just airplay numbers or sales related. Have you actually listened to him sing? The guy has got it. Look for a move to the “A-List” very soon.

Then, there’s Miranda. Lambert is one artist that has many sides from an artistic standpoint. She can be a wild-child, but also sweetly sentimental. She showed all sides in concert. There was the bravado of songs like “Gunpowder and Lead,” the emotion of “Over You,” the out-and-out sensual nature of “Fine Tune” – which works so well in front of a crowd. Make that very well! But, the moment that sold me on Miranda Lambert was one that showed just how much emotions were still a part of the music.

Let me explain. You know that VH-1 show “The Best Week Ever?” Well, Lambert hasn’t been on it the past few weeks. Her father-in-law passed away a couple of weeks ago, then she received word that one of her oldest friends had died in a tragic accident. Add to that list that one of her beloved dogs died last week, and nobody would have blamed the singer if she had rescheduled the show.

As the saying goes, however, “the show must go on.” All of these emotions seemed to come to fruition when Lambert performed her career song (so far), “The House That Built Me.” A song that is so much about reflecting on one’s past, Lambert handled the first verse and part of the chorus as superbly as ever. Then, the emotions came to the forefront. Understandably so, she paused for a moment. What happened next was one of the most amazing concert experiences I have ever been a part of.

The audience at the Von Braun Center took the song over – singing Tom Douglas’s deeply moving lyrics back to the singer. Artists sometimes try to get the crowd to sing the lyrics of their songs back to them, and you can’t really tell what is going on. There was no mistake about it, as the audience was heard loud and clear.

Country Music is so often described as a genre that is “Real.” If that term is true, it didn’t get more “Real” than the other night. The bond between artist and fan was never more clear to this observer. Lambert finished the show with her usual aplomb, but to me, that “Crazy Ex-Girfriend” who you might not trust with a can of “Kerosene,” showed her true hand as an artist. It was one of the best concerts I have ever seen.

People in this industry talk about the term “the next level.” I think I mentioned that earlier myself. But, make no mistake about it, Lambert is there. I have a feeling that the “On Fire” tour might put her name on the nominations list for Entertainer of the Year in 2012 – or at least it should. After Thursday night, I can’t imagine anyone doing it any better!

A PROBLEM THAT WON'T GO AWAY

For a lot of reasons, I have been thinking about the past this week. I found – scattered among the many boxes that I have been putting away – my eleventh grade journal. Mrs. Emma Hall, my English teacher then, made us keep a journal throughout the year. Looking back, I’m really glad she did.

One thing is for sure….I was a weird one. There was information about who my dream girl was during my high school years – I named names then…lol…not going to do that now! There was also quite a few blogs---oops…they weren’t blogs then….entries about music. For instance, my dream job was not a policeman….a lawyer….or a doctor….it was “General Manager of RCA Records.” I also wrote about my family, pets, my ten favorite songs, and how I felt to be a teenager. You know what they say about hindsight?

I say that because one of my best friends in the business has been affected by a recent suicide in his community. The child decided to take his own life largely because he felt bullied because he was different. I guess looking back into my past this week was sort of timely, as I revisited a lot of my past thoughts about myself.

Now, I will be the first to say that I had a fairly normal childhood. I can’t say that I really got made fun of too much in school. I was unique that I could give speeches on Eddy Arnold, Buck Owens, and the Dallas Cowboys – which was a very extinct football team during my youth – much like they are now. I was different. And, to be honest, I tried to hide how different I was. I didn’t have any interest in cars---still don’t. As long as they run, I’m happy. I could care less about what the latest fashion styles were – and haven’t changed too much today, to hear my well-meaning friends put it…..But, actually, there’s a record of me being a student at Dickson County High School from 1989-1992, but that’s about all. I wasn’t really there, as I was buried inside of a Billboard Magazine or working at the radio station.

But, bullying does happen, and it does leave an impact. My Junior High years were not fun, and I was at that school recently to cover a basketball game. I looked down the row from me, and I found myself wanting to burst from the top. There was a guy with his wife and two children who were watching the game. And, suddenly I was taken back. Back to the bus I rode growing up. Back to the comments he would always make about me. Back to feeling like I had to hide who I was for the sake of not being ridiculed.

Those feelings lasted the rest of the evening for me. The person in question likely wouldn’t know me from Adam, and has got other things on his mind like we all do – such as how he’s going to pay the bills each month. We all grow up, and we move on. I’m not still mad at the guy who took my lunch money, the one who threw a spitball at me in middle school, or the guy who told me I was going to Hell because I listened to Country Music. Honestly, I’m not.

But, I understand. I can sympathize with anyone who felt like they missed out on their teenage years because they didn’t feel like they could be themselves because of fear of being made fun of. I wish, looking back, I would have just been me – quirks and all. I was so scared of rejection that I took no chances, such as asking girls out, until after graduating high school. If I did think someone was special, I didn’t tell them. After all, why would they think it back?

All that said, I made it through it – pretty much unscarred. But in thinking about bullying, I wish I could offer an answer or a solution. In school, standing up for yourself gets you in as much trouble than if you were picked on. Many systems talk about their “No Bullying” policy. I am a Christian, but pardon me, that is a bunch of utter Bulls…. If a kid goes to a teacher, his day is pretty much done. The other kids are going to tear him up – maybe even worse. I don’t know what to say to my friend, who was upset that people didn’t really want to talk about it. We all have our own past, and maybe that’s it.

Still, there should be a solution. A teenager shouldn’t have to feel that ending their life is the only thing they can do when they are different. You can make it through, no matter how long those nights are when you dread going to school the next day.

If you need inspiration, think of Laura. Now, that’s not her real name. But, in elementary school, we – and I do mean me, as in this writer, all made fun of Laura in first and second grade because she was different. Interestingly enough, I bet none of us ‘cool’ second graders could even remember what that difference was. I haven’t seen Laura in over 30 years. She moved away during those early years of school. But, I hear tell she became a professional model. I hope she did, because she deserved it…

I have written one of the most in-depth and personal blogs that I have ever done. Some might disagree with every word I have written, and It might take some of you back to an awkward time. Sadly, I know that it’s not going to do a damn thing about the problem. And, for all the talk in the world, that is the tragedy. Well, next week, another music blog. That is something I can control……

LARRY BUTLER, R,I.P.

Reporting from New York....(I've always wanted to say that!)

Some sad news to report with this blog......Larry Butler passed away this week. Chances are, if you weren't in - or hadn't studied the business, you might not know who Larry Butler was. He was one of the great record producers in Nashville history. It was Butler's records that he made with Kenny Rogers from 1975-1980 that made me first love this business.

Though there were certain early memories I have of music - "Sunshine On My Shoulders," "Sleeping Single In A Double Bed," and others of the era, it was the music of Kenny Rogers that made me a music fan from an early age. I remember going into Nashville each weekend with my mother to 100 Oaks Mall, and I would drive her, my father, grandmother, and whoever else could hear, crazy by repeating each track on 8-track tapes like TEN YEARS OF GOLD, THE GAMBLER, and LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE IT. I also remember my mother bringing me home records of Kenny's from that same era. The United Artists logo with the clouds going around in circles as the record turned. Those were the days. It's funny that most people talk about Kenny being a master of the love song, and make no mistake about it----he and Butler cut some classics....but if you listen to those albums, there were some of Nashville's best moments of the 1970s....Mickey Newbury's "San Francisco Mable Joy," "King Of Oak Street," "While I Play The Fiddle," and a song that I would love to hear someone re-cut today, "Buried Treasure." These two men cut some great Southern Gothic records, that covered everything from prostitutes to voo-doo queens. Of course, the singles Butler cut on Rogers were classics too...."Lucille," "The Gambler," "Coward Of The County," plus all of those classics with Dottie West. He also cut records on artists like B.J. Thomas and Jean Shepard. Butler might not get mentioned in the same breath as Atkins or Bradley, but to this child of the 70s, his creations had no less impact. Thanks, Larry, for the memories! I am the better for them!

Remembering "Gentleman Jim"

I recently had the chance to talk with Larry Jordan, who wrote the incredible new biography on Jim Reeves. In reading the book Jim Reeves: His Untold Story, it took me back a ways to much simpler time in life.

Though Jim Reeves passed away a decade before my birth in 1974, his music was still very much a part of Country Radio during the late 1970s and 1980s. I remembered his electronically engineered duets with Deborah Allen and Patsy Cline in the 1980s, which were very much radio hits - even during the "Urban Cowboy" period of the era.

However, I can pinpoint the night that I first became acquainted with the music of Jim Reeves. My family and I had been visiting relatives in Columbia, TN and stopped at the Shady Brook Mall. Even as a eight or nine year old, it was record stores that served as my toy shops. And, Columbia had one - Sound Shop. On the racks was a cassette copy of The Best Of Jim Reeves, Volume One. Released just a few months before the plane crash that took his life, there was something about that voice that intrigued me somewhat.

Even to a child, there was something about the songs - "He'll Have To Go," "Blue Boy," "I'm Gettin' Better," and a couple that had a profound impact on me - "The Blizzard" and "Stand At Your Window." The latter was not even a top ten hit, but when I think of Reeves and his music - that's one of my first thoughts. And, the former might very well be one of my favorite compositions from the late Harlan Howard. Still, when I listen to this recording fifty years later - I can still see the character and his trusted pony roaming the plains trying to beat the frigid conditions home. Alas, they didn't as they were only a "hundred yards from Mary Anne."

I might have been the only kid at Burns Elementary School who listened to Jim Reeves as much as I did Thriller by Michael Jackson. I guess that makes me somewhat of an odd ball, but in the past few years I have learned to embrace my oddness. I continued to listen to the man and his music, and am proud to say that I have most of the music he recorded.

As a biographer, Jordan does a brilliant job in capturing Reeves the artist - as well as Reeves the man. The artist was one of the smoothest voices that has ever lived, someone who could sing just about anything and do it well. The man, well, that is a complicated story. One of the things i had long heard about Reeves was how insecure he was about his talents. How he didn't really see what others saw in him. There were other demons and insecurities, as well. But, as I have found out in the years since I was that little kid coming back from Columbia listening to music from twenty years prior, we all do. I wholeheartedly recommend you to pick up a copy of this book. It's a lengthy read, but a mesmerizing one, at that.

Thanks, Larry, for a trip back in time. I truly enjoyed the book. I know it was a labor of love, and it shows!

For more information on the book, log on to http://www.jimreevesbook.com/

Saturday Night (Sunday Morning) On Music Valley

Yes, I am back writing a blog. There's a lot of reasons that I haven't been on here in a while, but the biggest is that with the new job...and the old jobs, I have been burning the candle at both ends as of late. Some of you have inquired, so I thought I would try to be a little more regular on this thing again.

Tonight was a neat experience for me. Aside from a year in Georgia, I have lived in Tennessee all my life. That being said, there are a few things I have never done. Two Rivers or Belle Meade Mansion? Never been. RCA Studio B? Never Been. The Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree? Well, I have been once. About ten years ago, when Rhonda Vincent hosted. I don't get to the Jamboree that often. For starters, it's at Midnight. I have never been a big late night owl, so usually when Jennifer Herron is talking about the Jimmie Rodgers record of the week, I am adrift somewhere in sleep.

Another reason is....it's at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop. Wait a minute, don't misunderstand me. More than any business anywhere, there's no other place I like shopping more. But, I have walked into the store, and came out with enough CD's to almost tear one of the plastic bags the cashier puts them in! It's truly somewhere I love going.

Anyway, earlier this week, I saw that Mel Tillis was going to be the host this week. I have been blessed to have seen Jones, Haggard, Owens, and many of the biggest legends in the format. About the only classic country artists from my lifetime that I have missed are Conway Twitty, Waylon Jennings, and Mel Tillis. Nothing against the first two, but I can wait a little while to see them where they are playing. But, Mel Tillis? I sort of planned all week to go....

Then, Saturday came. Between this and that, I wound up with a case of the "I Don't Give A ____." But, around 11:15 or so, I decided "Why not." I'm glad I did!

At age 79, Tillis is still in fine vocal form, and his comedy bits are as funny as ever. I was totally mesmerized the entire hour. Mel is from that "Old School." He and his band, the equally legendary Statesiders, dress in suits, there's not a lot of lights, and he doesn't move around on stage too much. And, there's not a darn thing wrong with that. Don't get me wrong. I love much of today's music and stage shows, but "Old School" is still a pretty good way to be!

An hour and a half, and he played one hit after the other. "Sawmill," "Burning Memories," and "What Did I Promise Her Last Night," among them. He also did my two favorite songs of his "Send Me Down To Tuscon," and "Mental Rcvenge." It was a great night (or morning?) of music.

I did escape the record shop without a purchase, but hopefully a gift certificate to the store will find its' way to me. It is the holidays, after all, and I heard three albums tonight that I would love to have, and saw two or three books, a DVD, and a WSM T-Shirt.....

If you've never been to the Jamboree, I urge you to check it out. It's definitely a piece of Country Music history. Maybe, being just two miles away from it right now, I won't let another decade pass between visits....

THE OPIUM EQUATION

It was an interesting Saturday afternoon for me. I was invited by one of my good friends, Lisa Wysocky, to attend the book release party for her book The Opium Equation. There were several reasons for my invitation. First, Lisa has been one of Nashville’s top publicists for many years, and I have interviewed many of her clients over the years. I worked under Lisa at a label for a time, and we’ve remained very good friends over the years.

And, there’s one more reason! One of the characters in The Opium Equation is a Dickson, TN journalist named…..Chuck Dauphin. Now, while my namesake doesn’t have a major role in the book, it’s still cool seeing your name in print as a character. And, plus, one of my two scenes in the book has me standing next to Morgan Fairchild. That’s not a bad place to be, I don’t think!

At the book signing, Lisa introduced me to the crowd that was there as a “Character,” before alluding to the fact that I was a character in the book. Someone turned around and asked me “Just what kind of character are you?”

Hmmm…how do I answer that. I have to admit that it made me think a little ‘What kind of character would I be?” Would I be the dashing hero? No, I don’t think that would be me. I’m not the cool one, though it might be fun to be George Clooney or Kevin Costner for a minute. I wasn’t blessed with the swagger. Would I be the brooding mysterious man with a deep dark secret? That might work. But, as many who know me can attest, I don’t really keep secrets that well, so the mystery wouldn't be that well kept!

The stereo-typical smart-aleck Southern redneck. Possibly. I grew up a fan of the Atlanta-based writer Lewis Grizzard, and I’m sure that has affected many of the pieces I have written over the years. But, I’ve never been “mudding,” and though some of my political and spiritual views are very “Southern,” I would be the weakest link at an all-night party in a barn. Heck, I even fell asleep at a Bachelor Party one night, if that tells you anything!

I guess I just need to come to the realization that I’m just me. Though, if I could pick one character to be, it might be Simon Baker’s Patrick Jane from The Mentalist. It would be so cool to have that attitude, and to get away with the cockiness. But, that’s not me, either.

So, Lisa, I appreciate the opportunity to be a “character.” I urge anyone reading this to pick up a copy of The Opium Equation. It’s a very well-written book. But, maybe in the sequel, maybe “Chuck Dauphin” could get a little closer to “Morgan Fairchild.” After all, it doesn’t hurt to ask, does it?

For more information on Lisa's book, log on to http://www.lisawysocky.com/theopiumequation.htm

One More For The Hall!

In the past few weeks, I have written about the merits of Jerry Reed Hubbard and Richard Lee Skaggs as 2012 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Today, I am going to take a look at the third person I hope gets some consideration for this high honor. I have been talking about the "Year of the Picker," and since the rotating category for 2012 is "Musician," I didn't have to think long about who my pick would be....Donald Eugene Ulrich.

Of course, he's better known to the world as "Dangerous" Don Rich, right hand man for Buck Owens and the Buckaroos from 1959 until his tragic death in July 1974. This is a big statement, but here goes, just as Chet Atkins' strings echoed Nashville, Don Rich's Telecaster licks defined the California sound. Buck Owens said it often.....He would not have been near as successful had he not had Don behind him. Plus, it didn't end there. His harmonies gave some of Buck's records a haunting side that would have been much different without him, and there was his fiddling. As great of a guitarist as he was, he was an equally good fiddler. If you need proof, take a listen to his playing on "Uncle Pen" from Owens' 1971 album Ruby (And Other Bluegrass Specials). It may be the best piece of fiddling that I have ever heard. And, his playing influenced a generation.

Nashville is slow sometimes to recognize the accomplishments of the West Coast musicians. But, before they induct a deserving session player from Nashville, let's give some credit to one of the best musicians that ever lived. Don Rich. Jerry Reed. Ricky Skaggs. Three reasons why 2012 should be the "Year of the Picker."

One More For The Hall

OK...Everyone..I am still choosing my words carefully on the next blog, because I know I am going to make certain members of a political party irate, but it's my opinion, isn't it?....But, that's coming up......Today, I wanted to offer some more thoughts about why 2012 should be the "Year of The Pickers" at the Country Music Hall Of Fame. Last week, I made a case for Jerry Reed in the pre-1980 category. And,I received a few emails agreeing with me, but also asking why not The Wilburn Brothers, Connie Smith, the Oak Ridge Boys, and / or Dottie West? All of you are right, they need to be there....but so does Jerry Reed.

Another artist who deserves enshrinement in the Hall is one that is largely responsible for bringing awareness to a classic musical art form---not once, but twice. In the 1980s, it was he, along with Hall of Famers Reba McEntire and George Strait who helped usher in a wave of traditionalism. He made songs by Flatt & Scruggs, Mel Tillis, and Ray Price cool again.

Then, following the death of Bill Monroe in 1996, he helped to raise awareness of Bluegrass Music with his great singing and playing, even starting his own successful Bluegrass label. There are quite a few in the post-1980 category that deserve to be in the Hall, but I can't think of anyone more in this category than Ricky Skaggs....

Next week, since the Hall has made the "Musician Category" the revolving one for 2012, I will give you my thoughts about a guitarist / fiddler whose professional career only lasted about fifteen years. But, Nobody was more responsible for one artist's overall sound, and henceforth, a whole sub-genre of Country Music than him. Who is he, you ask? Jim West, if you're reading this....you know! I'll tell you my thoughts on the musician category for 2012 concerning the Hall next week!

BURIED TREASURES

OK, Just so you know I am a little mad tonight over something I read. Maybe, more than a little....I am going to blog on it, but I don't need to do it tonight....but maybe next week....Still, I have some creative energy I need to burn off so, I go back to the well. There is a great Country Classics station in Alma, GA - 104.3 FM, and every now and then, they play things that I think Eddie Stubbs, Ken Loggains, Marcia Campbell and I have heard of. So, for this blog, I thought I would shine the spotlight on twenty records that you have maybe never heard---none of these records were a top ten, but they are truly "Deep Catalog," as Professor Stubbs would say.....

"Someday My Day Will Come," George Jones # 22 / 1979
He wasn't in the best of physical shape here, but maybe that's the point. In all the darkness, the "Possum" still had an ounce of hope.

"Back To Bein' Me," George Strait Album Cut / 1988
You can't really find a Strait non-hit, so I chose this one from his 1988 If You Ain't Lovin album. He's had so many great album cuts, you could do a box set on them alone.

"I Will Rock And Roll With You," Johnny Cash # 21 / 1979
Recorded as the "Man In Black" was celebrating a quarter-century in the spotlight, this one hearkened back to that Sun era like few of his records from the 70s and 80s did.


FINAL TOUCHES, Conway Twitty, 1993
My closest friends will tire of my love affair of this album, which proved to be Conway's last. And, while there may be a little bit of emotion tied to it, this disc was as current and as vital as anything anyone else was doing at the time, and I think could have yielded a few more hits - even during the age of the "Boot Scooters."

"Out Among The Stars," Merle Haggard, # 21 / 1986
Though I personally think Waylon had just as strong of a cut on this one, Haggard's version of a young man who can't escape his heritage is one of his unsung classics.

"The River Unbroken," Dolly Parton, # 63 / 1988
Her first single for Columbia after a two-decade partnership with RCA, this one was very Pop---even then, but the lyrics were strong then....and blow me away now.

"I'm Not Trying To Forget You," Willie Nelson # 21 / 1986
WSM-AM was what I listened to growing up, and they played the heck out of this one, so I assumed it was a bigger hit. Still, a great performance.

"When I Loved Her," Ray Price
Historians will debate how Price's lush recordings stacked up to his 50s Traditional ones. I say put anything he's ever done - 50s through today - against anyone. He may be the best singer to ever grace the Country format. From his late 60s / early 70s years, this one could teach lessons today.

"You're Gonna Be (Always Loved By Me)", Reba # 33 / 2005
This song about a mother's love still gets me. I remember the first time I heard it - coming back from a long trip in a procession to Centerville, TN in October of 2005. That's all I will say about that.

"Our Old Mansion," Buck Owens, # 91 / 1977
A lot of people just assume that Buck Owens never cut anything great after the death of Don Rich. That's not exactly true. While nobody appreciates Don as much as me, there were still a few moments of brilliance - though nobody heard this one. I will say that if Don were on this one, it could have been maybe the best recording Buck ever made...

"Tulsa," Waylon Jennings, 1971
Hear ye, hillbilly bad-ass wannabes! Being an "Outlaw" is a lot more than how much tobacco and dirt roads you sing about. Taken from the perspective of an ex who goes after the man his lover left him for after he leaves her pregnant, well...I wouldn't want Jennings on my trail.

"Getting Over You," Hank Williams, Jr, 1974?
Written after a suicide attempt, this might be one of the most grittiest things Bocephus ever cut. Kid Rock could knock a remake of this one all the way to Grammy contention

"Goodbye" / Alabama, 1990
They've had so many hits, but this one never was released as a single. From their Pass It On Down album, this was Randy Owen at his best.

"Oh, How I Miss You Tonight," / Jim Reeves
Though an electronically engineered duet with Deborah Allen made it to the top ten in 1980, I am still surprised that Chet Atkins didn't release the original. It could have been a smash of the magnitude of "He'll Have To Go."

"Have I Got Some Blues For You," Charley Pride / # 14, 1987
After over two decades with RCA, Pride made a comeback in the late 80s with this one. It was a big hit, but a lot better than # 14!

"L.A. To The Moon," Ronnie Milsap / # 45, 1992
Milsap was in the process of leaving RCA when this lame duck single was released----but there was nothing second rate about the quality of it. This is one of those songs that is out there, hanging around for someone, I guarantee it!

"Goin' Back To Alabama" Kenny Rogers / 1981
Kenny Rogers has had success with many styles over the years. This may be one of his best-written songs of all time, produced by frequent collaborator Lionel Richie. And, if you are fortunate to find the Share Your Love album from whence it came, listen to that harmony.....from Michael Jackson, no less.

"Talkin' To Myself Again," Tammy Wynette / # 16, 1988
This song was part of a comeback for Tammy during her Higher Ground phase, but I would put this in a list of her top five records---a lot higher than it made it on the charts.

"Double S," Bill Anderson / # 30, 1978
From the disco-oriented Ladies' Choice album, I've always admired how Anderson tied so many words and names together.

"The Man In The Mirror, Jim Glaser / # 17, 1983
Simply put, one of the best songs by one of the best singers. Ever. Period. And, that's how I feel!

Well, writing about these songs made me feel better. Still mad, though. You'll hear about that next week. Let's just say that experts are a dime a dozen.....and some aren't even worth that much!