WHAT A WEEK!

This week...was a week. And, the strange thing is I can’t talk about it. But, there were a few different things that happened over the past few days that have kind of shocked me. Since I was nine or ten, I have always had kind of an idea about what I wanted to do when I grew up – after one gets past wanting to be President! That’s all I studied about when I was a teenager – music. I bought every book, cassette, magazine I could. I even got in trouble when I was in eighth grade for reading a certain magazine when I was in English class. The magazine? Billboard.

It’s because of things like that, and shadowing Hairl Hensley at WSM for my ninth-grade General Business class that I consider myself very blessed to do what I do. I am not the best radio person in the world. My voice never reached that magic “low” that a lot of the top on-air voices have. I am not the best writer. At media events, I see writers who are smarter and a lot more brilliant than I could ever hope to be. That all being said, the one thing that I will say that I have is that nobody – past or present – takes what they do as seriously or with as much passion as I do. I want my readers / listeners to know about...the new Dailey & Vincent, Lady Antebellum, or Darius Rucker disc. I want them to know that it’s a travesty (IMHO) that Buddy Killen isn’t in the Country Music Hall of Fame or that Larry Gatlin isn’t in the NSAI Hall of Fame, or that Don Rich might have been the best guitarist to ever pick up a silver Fender Telecaster. I love what I do...and getting to tell you about it.

At the same time, a lot of the career highs in my life have come when things were going off the track in other areas. My career, some of the opportunities it has given me, and getting back involved in Church has at least given me some hope that life gets better. And, it has. But, there are times you wonder....if maybe if you’d taken a right here, or a left there, where you would be. Then one night this past winter, as I was on the bed writing in front of the small heater in the room, that yes, things could be different. But, I was doing the one thing in the world that I knew I was good at...and also the one thing that made the nights a little more fuller....and happier. So, since then, I have tried to trust a little more...

Then, a week like this one happens. A couple of opportunities came my way today that shocked, humbled, and honored me. It was one of those days that made me realize that I am where I am supposed to be. I just had to share my emotions with you...though I can’t share the info just yet...but I will. I guess we all need those days where we need to know we’re on the right track. Not planning to move to Martha’s Vineyard or anything like that, and to be honest, these opportunities aren’t exactly money-related per se, but I am excited about the future. Just have to keep working at it. I’ve even been able to deal with the term “single” again. God will take care of that too. Faith – it’s a novel concept – and one I’m still trying to grasp!

Farewell, Mr. Jones!

Over the past few days, there have been countless mentions and memories mentioned concerning the passing of George Glenn Jones. Of course, my job required that I write what has amounted to several stories so far on the legacy of the artist known as “The Possum.” I can only hope and pray that I have done him justice.

But, long before I was writing or on-air for a living, I was a George Jones fan. As I have written before, I was a strange kid. I was listening to Country Music exclusively until I was fourteen, and one of those artists was George Jones. Now, I am not going to say that I was a major fan from the first listen. But, when I was about eleven years old, he released a song called “The One I Loved Back Then.” That hooked me, and as I got older, I began to research more and more of his music. By the time I was fifteen, I had many of the classics he had recorded some thirty years before in my collection.

As a teenager in the age of Jackson (Michael or Janet) and Guns ‘N’ Roses, what was it about his music that appealed to me so? In his songs, Jones sounded like the ultimate underdog. He wailed like he was down to his last dime – or almost his last breath. He sang about pain and heartbreak like nobody else. People talk about Johnny Cash or Merle Haggard being (quote) “bad ass,” well, maybe. But, did either one of them take a Tennessee State Trooper – and WSMV Channel 4 – down Interstate 65 in the middle of the Six O’Clock news? Not saying it was a moment he was proud of twenty years later, but it also proved that if he was going to go down, he was doing it in Rock & Roll style!

But, thankfully, he didn’t. Due to the love of a woman named Nancy, he rebounded strongly, and though there were still some struggles, the George Jones of 1995 was better than 1985, and his 1999 SUV crash seemed to end his long struggle with his demons. Over the past couple of days, it has been mentioned how sad it is that George Jones – the greatest living Country singer – had passed away. And, I’m not disagreeing. But, the true sadness is that Nancy Jones lost her husband. Georgette – and his other children lost their father, and others lost their grandfather, brother, or friend. But, at 81, more than any artist the term “cat with nine lives” fittingly described Jones to a tee. In those eight plus decades, Jones lived a life that few of us will ever come close to approaching. How many times do you think the Tennessean or the Nashville Banner had the Jones obituary written and waiting from 1978 or so on? In 1994, maybe, when Jones had heart surgery that turned out to be very serious? And, the 1999 crash – though he did bounce back quickly, was a lot more serious than most knew. The fact that Nancy had stood by her man and helped him to quieten his inner demons made the announcement of his passing Friday morning.....surprising. He had toned down his act so well that we thought he would live forever.

As a fan, he touched my life many times over. Whether it was professing his undying love in “When The Grass Grows Over Me,” hoping for another chance at love in “Someday My Day Will Come,” or singing about the wrong turns in life that one takes in Billy Yates’ masterfully written “Choices,” he gave us so many classic recordings that will live forever. My favorite? That’s almost impossible to say, but one that would have to place high upon my list would be “Where Does A Little Tear Come From,” a # 10 hit from 1964. Brilliant yet simple. Seek it out. The only thing is, that search might take you to “I’ll Follow You Up To Our Cloud,” “These Days I Barely Get By” or “Wine Colored Roses,” and then, there are the album cuts......Don’t get me strarted!

So, tonight as I sip my Pepsi Max (a “bad ass” I am not), and listen to his recordings while I write this.....I think about the lyrics of one of my favorite cuts – a song he recorded with the Sweethearts Of The Rodeo back in 1991....

How Many Times Have I Stumbled Or Lost My Way Again

Bitter Tears Have I Cried Even Knowing Deep Inside

How Much Sweeter The Journey’s End....

Let Me Face The Road I Must Travel

Let Me Feel The Cold And Heat

Let Me Walk In The Sun Till My Journey Is Done

Let Me Taste The Bitter With The Sweet.

You want poetry? It doesn’t get any better. Rest in peace, Possum! Your music will live on!

A Cliffhanger of a Monday!

Escapism is a great thing. It’s always good to be able to forget your troubles for a few minutes. For me, I am happy that my escapism also means work. If I don’t feel well, or something is bothering me – it’s not usually on my mind while on air, doing an interview, or covering a ball game.

Aside from work, television is probably my greatest “out.” If I need to recharge my batteries, I can usually do so by taking a trip to rural Waltons Mountain, Virginia for a jaunt back in time to CBS Thursday nights circa 1977. I think I have seen every episode of the “Waltons” at least once, and (un-macho moment) have cried through many of them a few times – particularly “The Achievement,” an episode from 1977 where John Boy leaves the mountain to follow his dream as a writer in New York City.

But, as much as I love that show, I have to admit that nothing engrosses me or captivates my attention as a viewer as that big white ranch outside of Plano, Texas. The series “Dallas” - both in CBS original and TNT reboot form – is my form of Novocaine. I don’t think during that hour. For some reason, the show has always captivated me like no other.

Of course, the series revolves around the oil tycoon family known as the Ewings. At the helm of the family was Larry Hagman as the conniving yet lovable John Ross Ewing, Jr, aka “JR.” He pretty much swindled everyone he met, but did so with a smile. In fact, he wasn’t really a nice person at all. But, Hagman played the role like a child at play – and for fourteen seasons, that role became one that I almost thought human throughout my school years. Along with a family named Duke from Georgia, it made Friday nights all the more worth looking forward to!

Flash forward to 2012. TNT announced plans to bring the show back. It premiered in June of last year, and I was somewhat skeptical. And, to be honest, the first season was uneven, ending with a season finale that just kind of laid there. But, it was ‘Dallas’ after all, so I would be there in season two.

Of course, before the second (or sixteenth, as I like to call it) season began in January, tragedy struck with the passing of Larry Hagman. Many of the viewers wondered how the show would fare without him. The tribute episode to him, which aired last month, was absolutely brilliant. And, as crazy as it is to believe, the show has stepped it up a notch since then.

It’s still the JR character that drives the shows, as the centerpiece of the series is a plan called “JR’s Masterpiece.” Devised to defeat a pair of the biggest enemies of the Ewing clan, the plot has included more twists than a country road, with pieces of the puzzle falling into place. Only Bobby, his good-guy brother, played superbly by Patrick Duffy in this plotline, knows how it all fits – via a letter written by JR before his mysterious death. Somehow, this plot ties into the disappearance of Bobby’s first wife, Pamela, in 1987, and also into some business sub-plots that have since happened – making you wonder how much JR had actually planned. You have to leave reality at the door, but it’s truly engrossing stuff. Duffy is showing a little bit of a dark side, and Josh Henderson and Julie Gonzalo – as John Ross Ewing, III and his new bride, Pamela Barnes Ewing (Yes, that name has been used before!) are the stars of this new “Dallas.” Henderson studied Hagman’s mannerisims, but yet adds his own style to the youngest John Ross – while Gonzalo – after a whiny first season, has stepped up her game as well. Starting off the season as a evil villianess, she has developed a little more of a softer side as the season goes on – especially after losing her twins she was pregnant with in an accident planned by her own father – Cliff Barnes – to nail the Ewings to the wall.

Well, tonight is season finale night. In a two-hour episode, we find out “who killed JR,” “Where is Pam,” and just how the ‘masterpiece’ plays out. I have tried to figure out where this is going, even visiting the excellent Dallas fan board, www.OilBaronsClub.com, from time to time, but I guess I am going to be guessing until the very end. I hope it results in a Ewing victory. It’s been too long. Either way, I’ll be there tonight just like it’s 1986 all over again!

From A Grateful Man In Vegas.....

Pardon me on this blog if I sound like a small-town country boy who doesn’t get out of the woods that much. There’s a reason for that. I really don’t get out a lot. Much of the past five days for me has been spent in Las Vegas, Nevada – the city that never sleeps. I think that description defines it pretty well.

Whatever your vice in life, food, gambling, drink, or the opposite gender, you can find it here. It’s almost like a 24-hour carnival of everything. There are certain aspects of the city that have made me miss Centerville just a little bit. The pace is so hectic...maybe even more so than the Big Apple. That’s not a bad thing....or a good thing....just a reflection. The waitresses at the casinos sure dress different than Papa Kayjoe’s or Breece’s (As that wise old philosopher known as Gump once said - ‘That’s all I have to say about that!).

Oh, yeah, the reason I have been here. I am out covering the 48^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. I have to tell you that the past few days have been some of the most fun of my career. It makes me very grateful for the opportunities I have been blessed with. I say ‘blessed,’ because while I feel I do have the talent to do what I do, the opportunity doesn’t come from me. There was a day about two years ago where I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. And, to some degrees I still don’t. But, I have a deeper faith than ever before that I am going to get to where I am meant to be – if that makes any sense. It does to me, that’s all I know.

Probably the highlight of the weekend was Sunday. Covering the Red Carpet for Billboard was the biggest thing I have ever got to do in my career. The Band Perry, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, San Francisco QB Colin Kapernick, and Kacey Musgraves all came through the line. Ashley Monroe thanked me for writing of the articles I have done on her lately – thanked me? That was cool. I guess the biggest thrill for me was interviewing Craig Morgan. Back in the day, Craig used to bring his guitar by the studios of WDKN and play live on my morning show there. Now, he’s a star....and again, I’m just thankful to be there, as Minnie Pearl would say. Then, John Fogerty? Seriously? Of CCR? That was cool. To say I was in awe was an understatment.

That might surprise some of my friends inside the industry. But, while I do try to consider myself a professional, I am in the business because there was a six year old kid who took a Kenny Rogers album to school for “Show and Tell” in second grade. He also gave several long-winded speeches as a sophomore in Randy Sullivan’s speech class at DCHS about the history of Country Music. Yes, I was different at the time! Then, later that year, I started a radio career that I still tinker around with some today. Pretty much every decision in my life – good or bad – stems from the fact that I love doing what I do. It’s cost me at times, but the payback has been far greater. I just hope it continues.

Some of those decisions have not served me well. And, while I am not going to dwell on that, other than to say I wish I had a couple back, I feel like if I can just stay focused...it’s all going to work out. I hope that I can make some better personal and financial decisions than I have made, though some I had to for survival. But, that is the future.....I just didn’t want these couple of hours at a crowded airport to go by without me saying how much I love what I get to do. And, to those who have had any part in it – from my father all the way to people who have extended the olive branch to me that I didn’t even know, let me say thank you. I hope I haven’t or don’t let you down!

By the way, did I mention I got to interview John Fogerty?

MUSINGS FROM AN APRIL FOOL....

Hope everyone had a great Easter! It was a slow weekend – the way it should be sometimes. A lot to talk about, so I’ll break it down....

VEGAS

In just a few days, I will be taking my first trip to Las Vegas, NV to cover the Academy of Country Music Awards for Billboard. I am very excited about this, as it will be my first trip to Vegas. It’s going to be a working trip, but hope to see some of the town while I am there. Should be a fun time! I have been exceedingly blessed over the past couple of years in my career. I don’t take any of it lightly.

THE SHOW THIS WEEK

If you get a chance, tune into Kix 96 for the weekly installment of “Crazy Chucky’s Classic Country Corner” this Wednesday. My guest will be one of the greatest singers to have ever graced a microphone, BJ Thomas. We talk about his new album, The Living Room Sessions, which includes duets with some of music’s top stars. One song that has a particular impact on me is “Rock & Roll Lullaby.” This is one of those songs that - to quote Ms. Charlene Darling, “always makes me cry.” I have written before about taking many a Saturday morning trip to 100 Oaks Mall with my mother as a child. On the way there, I remember so many hits of the day on the radio – some Country, but also several pop hits from acts like Dionne Warwick, Debby Boone, Neil Diamond, and yes, BJ Thomas. Some of those songs do take me back a few years, and the older I get---the more they are like lullabies!

TONY ROMO

This week, it was announced that Tony Romo received a contract extension from the Dallas Cowboys that – if played out – will earn him more than Ravens QB Joe Flacco. Really? Take the Super Bowl win away from Flacco, and I would still shake my head in astonishment. Have you seen Flacco’s playoff record? Have you seen Romo’s? Better yet, have you seen Romo’s record in games that would get the Dallas Cowboys into the playoffs? (Uttered in my best Jim Mora impersonation) I am a Cowboys fan, and the struggles the past few years have not all been Romo’s fault, but Jerry Jones, I need a car. That almost would have been money better spent!

NO HOME COOKIN’ LIKE DAD’S

Somewhere over the years, my father perfected the art of making what is called a “Low Country Boil.” It consists of crab meat, sausage, potatoes, shrimp, corn on the cob, and a few other things I am leaving out. When I say “perfected,” think a 1982 episode of “Dallas,” Marilyn Monroe in a white dress, or 72 and sunny on the beach. A few weeks ago, he and Marcia made one for my birthday. Then, while I was in Nashville a few days later, I stopped at a restaurant chain that advertised one on their menu. Not even close. Won’t name names, but suffice to say, there was no comparison...

COINCIDENCE? I THINK NOT!

The past couple of weeks have seen some interesting things happen in my life. (You’re thinking---another rant about being single, right?...Come on, admit it!) None of them bad, but each has given me pause to think and reflect. Some really cool things and people have come into my life as of late. As time goes on, you meet people who impact your life for a reason. It’s neat how God can take on the figure of many people, or at least that’s how I look at it. Whether it be one of the biggest-hearted people in Madison County, who last year urged me to leave it in the Hatchie (she knows who I’m talking about, and I’m still trying), or a couple of people I met last week who reminded me about how God introduces like-minded people together – sometimes in eerie fashion, I think it’s safe to surmise that these things don’t just happen. I used to shy away from thinking that shows like “Touched By An Angel” or songs like “The Christmas Guest” are real....but why not? More often than not, that explanation makes a lot more sense than saying “That’s just fate.” And, to think, we sometimes feel he doesn’t answer us.....See, I didn’t mention anything about my being single....Oops....Well, those are my thoughts for April Fools’ Day......Going to get ready for ‘Dallas’ tonight...two more weeks after today! More on that later.....

Those Cars Fly Fast!

The other night, I had tickets to see Randy Travis at the Schermerhorn Center. I arrived downtown a little early, so I had time to eat a bite. With that said, I got to indulge myself in one of my favorite restaurants – the Old Spaghetti Factory. There is nothing better than the browned spaghetti (either there or at Demos’), and it was a great meal. After that, it was time to make the walk to the Schemerhorn.

As I was walking through downtown, I saw a dog running around on Broadway. Obviously, the dog had gotten lost as it seemed to be wandering around aimlessly through the Nashville streets during rish hour. Fortunately, the dog made it through Broadway, and proceeded up one of the streets. Hopefully, it knew where it was going.

On the way home, the image of that dog stayed with me. Broadway at 5:30pm in Nashville is a scary enough proposition for humans – I can only imagine what an animal thinks when trying to navigate through it. But, something occurred to me – yes, Dauphin is doing his best Jack Handey right now with a “Deep Thought.” At times, we are nothing more than one of those animals. The busy street that we are trying to get through is life itself.

How do we, as humans, find our way across that proverbial highway? There are a lot of ways, but I am going to tell you what has worked for me. First and foremost, I realize I have not been by myself in that walk. God has been there since February 17,1974. Now, it has only been the past few years, sadly, that I realize how close he has been by my side. It’s taken a few professional and personal knocks along the way that have made me aware of this. My life is a lot different now than it was five years ago – and I’ve got to say that I am grateful for that. I didn’t design some of the things that have happened to me. I didn’t plan on being single again as I approach 40. I have written about that struggle before, but I do believe that someday that void will be taken care of, and I will be able to look back and say ‘I understand why this had to happen for this to happen.’

I also didn’t plan on some of the career steps that I have been blessed to take the past few years. And, I am trying to take full advantage of each and every one of them. I look back on some times in my life where things weren’t moving as fast as I would have liked, and I definitely can say that ‘I understand why this had to happen.’ I try to remind myself of that when the speed of life is 123mph, as it sometimes gets!

So, what is the point of these ramblings? I guess what I am trying to say is how thankful I am for everything that has happened in my life. The good, the bad, and the ugly. The past five years have been crazy, but they have shaped me. Some things that I thought were so important aren’t, and some that I lost sight of are even more so. I’m blessed with family, friends, a Church family that cares about me, and a job...well, jobs....that I love. “Juliet?” Well, she’s not there right now, but hopefully. Am I advertising? LOL...I’ve thought of it, but maybe tomorrow. (I do have Alan Jackson tickets on the 20^th...) To quote Kershaw or McGraw, ‘I ain’t as good as I’m gonna get, but I’m better than I used to be.’ And, hopefully, I just might do things better!

But, don’t take that sentence as me bragging. There were many days of tears, doubt, and sadness that led me to this point. I guess what the morale of all this is – at times, we’re all just looking to find our way across the street. The cars, and trucks move fast – a lot faster than I moved ten years ago, let alone now. But, there was someone leading me across that street. And, even though I still get caught up with “me” at times, and my eye tends to wander more than most, I know who has led this dog thus far....and I just want to say thank you!

Valentine's Day - It's All About The Love!

Today is that day that any self-respecting single person wishes would go by very quickly – Valentine’s Day. I was venting this afternoon when one of by best friends, Sheila Vest, said something that got me to thinking. On a day where we celebrate love and beauty, there’s a lot of other things that aren’t exactly male-female related. I came up with ten. Maybe these will put a smile on your face and a beat in your heart – even if the romance level in your life on this February 14 might be low. LOL...You’re not alone...

• A Grandparent’s Love – Over the past few months, I have noticed this first hand with a lot of grandparents. But, I have to say that there’s one in particular that always makes me smile just a bit. I’m not going to name names, as I don’t know him that well. But, there’s a gentleman who goes to Church where I do, and on those occasions where he has his grandson with him, it’s pretty heartwarming to see this man become a kid all over again himself. It’s a sight to see, especially when the grandson tries to move his hands like the songleader. Grandpa’s smile says it all.
• Friends – I mentioned that it was a friends’ comment today that led to this post. Though I currently don’t have a Juliet, I am exceedingly blessed to have many friends in my life who would do anything for me – and have great faith in me. Love doesn’t always have to be a romantic thing, and I am grateful for that
• Music – With me, it’s not just something that I do for a living. I don’t know if I could exist without the thrill of hearing an artist or a CD for the first time, or getting to play a song that someone hasn’t heard in years. It’s something that is as much a part of me as oxygen, and that’s no cliché. I know that I couldn’t have made it through the past few years without it.
• Sunshine – This is simple. Think of how good it feels to be out in the sun after a few days of coldness and cloud cover. Your excitement level is so much higher. Light is a good thing.
• A Small Town On A Friday Night – Since 1995, one of the most enjoyable parts of what I do is getting to cover High School football. There is something special about pulling into a town about six o’clock on a Friday afternoon. 95% of the time you don’t even have to ask directions to the stadium if you don’t know where it is. And, when they turn the lights on, it’s an excitement level that you can’t deny. Play ball!
• Animals – Since I was three years old, and my Uncle gave me my first dog – a collie named Lassie, animals have been very close to my heart. There’s a joke that people say sometimes about loving their animals more than some humans. I can’t say that’s not true sometimes. An animal loves you regardless of what you have done or haven’t done – and it can’t be bought. There was a book called Last Bus To Albuquerque by one of my favorite authors, Lewis Grizzard, after his death in 1994. On the back of the sleeve, it had an illustration of him walking up to the pearly gates, and all of his pets coming to greet him. I don’t know what Heaven is or isn’t going to be, but that sounds very nice.
• The Land / Whether it be rural areas in Tennessee or Kentucky, the urban areas of places like New York, or mountainous areas in Virginia, or driving down the Pacific Coast Highway – this Land, which coincidentally, is your land....is a very beautiful place to be!
• Children – Kids are very different creatures. They can do things that adults just can’t get away with. Tonight, at Church, we had a dinner before. One of the kids came up to their parents wanting dessert. His father told him ‘You just ate Macaroni. You gotta eat something more.’ The child didn’t get his dessert, but he held true to his convictions – he didn’t eat anything else either. Children are something special, and what comes out of their mouths and hearts is priceless – and it causes us as parents to conjure up the sayings of one Bill Cosby – though we are not as funny.
• Teachers – Typically, we only have a teacher for just a few months of our lives. That doesn’t mean they don’t stop caring about us. Over the holidays, I found this to be true as I received a card from one of my favorite teachers wondering how I had been doing over the past year. That meant a lot. And, so many of my teachers that I have had over the years – I still learn from to this day.
• God’s Love – I am not going to get preachy here, but also I did want to let this be known. Do you know of anyone who is going to love and care about you regardless of what you do or say? That’s God for you. I can say that in the past four years, there have been some ups and some downs. I know that I wouldn’t have made it this far without him. I also know that I can’t make it to where I am headed...without him, either.

So...Happy Valentines’ Day to all who are in love this year, and for those who aren’t, hey, it happens when you least expect it, right? So, I am not going to expect it tomorrow...is that cheating?

MORE RANDOMNESS FROM A RANDOM MIND

Well...the first month of the year is into the history books. I have to say that it has been a quick January, and February looks like it is going to be even more of a blur. There’s no real rhyme or theme to this blog, as I am just going to muse about a few different things.....

SUPER BOWL – I thought it was one of the most entertaining games we have had in a while. Was it the best? I don’t know, but congratulations to the Ravens, who held off a pesky SF team to send Ray Lewis out a winner. San Francisco, don’t get too down, as I think you’re going to be around for a while. You just might have the best QB in the conference. And, what about that halftime show? Beyonce might be the most charismatic female performer of the past twenty years. Beauty and talent....and she knows how to make an impression!

DALLAS – The second season of TNT’s reboot of the classic drama is off and running. I have been thoroughly impressed with the show this season. I do have to admit that the best scenes have been the ones featuring the late Larry Hagman, leaving me wondering how it will be post-March 11, when the funeral for JR Ewing will be held. But, I like what I have seen from Josh Henderson and Julie Gonzalo as John Ross and Rebecca. A Ewing and a Barnes. Sound familiar? Hopefully, it continues to flow as well as the oil under Southfork Ranch.

MUSIC – I guess I could always say this, as there are few things I love more than good music, but there is so much out there right now. Gary Allan’s new disc is outstanding, and Tim McGraw might have just released the best album of his career. Off the mainstream path, Holly Williams (daughter of Bocephus) has just released a new album, and keep an eye out for the Blue Sky Riders – a new trio consisting of Kenny Loggins (yep, “Footloose”), and highly respected writers Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr. Their disc is so good that it is scary---that’s a good thing. Re-issue wise, Omnivore Recordings has just unearthed the only solo album ever recorded by Don Rich – the leader of the Buckaroos. Titled Don Rich Sings George Jones, it’s a superb representation of what a talent he was – whether he was singing harmony or lead. And....had a chance today to interview the new Arista family trio The Henningsens. Between them and the new Ashley Monroe CD on Warner Brothers, the music is in good hands! I consider myself very blessed and honored to be able to share the good stuff with you!

CRUSHES FROM DAYS GONE BY: No, I’m not going to tell you who I thought was the prettiest girl in Dickson County in 1986...or 1990...lol, but I had a conversation with a friend of mine the other night that was quite nostalgic. Do you remember back when television comprised of three networks and PBS? People would get bored with that nowadays, but it was a magical time. As my friend and I talked about some of the biggest shows of days gone by, we began to discuss who some of the most attractive female stars of that time were. There was mentions of who you’d expect – Farrah Fawcett, Catherine Bach, Valerie Bertinelli, Linda Gray (was, is, and always will be a Sue Ellen fan!), but a few names came up that I hadn’t thought of in years....Erin Gray...Markie Post...Marilu Henner...at the end of the conversation, it made me realize how much I haven’t watched much episodic television the past five years....and how the old was better than the new....Ok, sounds like I’m becoming my father.....lol...Even the “Friends” cast is getting older....but then again, I guess I am too.....Courtney Cox, take me to ‘Cougar Town!” That’s a wrap, until next time...Stay classy, San Diego!

Giving Thanks...In January!

Though we are in the latter part of January, it definitely feels like there is a lot going on right now. The Super Bowl is all set, with Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh. Personally, I am hoping for a Ravens victory. That doesn’t always set well with many Titans fans around here, but my allegiance to them ended when they parted ways with Jeff Fisher. And, some will always look down upon Ray Lewis, but I am cheering him on for his final game. It would have been good to see a team from Arlington there, but that’s going to be awhile, I think.

The weather has been very cold at times this winter. Thank God for this electric heater my father and his wife gave me a couple of months ago. It keeps things warm during this time of the year. Still, when you don’t have central, you kind of hope that winter isn’t quite as long.

Sometimes, I’ve often said these blogs tend to write themselves. This week is no exception. The past couple weeks have been about the busiest I have ever been in my career. I give thanks for that blessing. There have been some great career opportunities that have come my way, and a few that could be around the corner. I say that in no way boasting, because God has blessed me to be able to do the only thing I know to do. I truly love getting to interview artists about their music and getting to communicate that love of their art is something I am very humbled and honored to do. Since I was twelve years old, and my father, brother, and I were killing time walking at the Opryland Hotel before a Hank Williams, Jr. concert, I knew what I wanted to do. It was that night I first saw the WSM Studios at the Magnoila Lobby there.

Since then, I was hooked. I don’t know how well I would do with any other vocation besides music – or something connected with it. Maybe I could have, but I know my knowledge about other things is quite limited. Or, that’s the way it has always seemed to me. I told someone at Church recently that I could mess up the art of hammer and nails. I was somewhat exaggerating, but at the same time, not really.

So, hopefully 2013 is going to be a good year. The past couple have seen some incredibile career moments. I hope that continues this year. It seems like it is. I would love to travel a little bit this year, should there be a work reason for it. I have always wanted to go to Kansas City, Minneapolis, and places such as that. And, I would love to knock a few artists off my interview bucket list. I look at the list of people I have been granted the privilege of interviewing, and that list has thinned a lot over the past year or so. There are a couple of Okies I would love to talk to – one from Yukon, and one from Stringtown. (Do your research!), and there’s this guy from Texas who is one of the greatest straight-country singers of all time (I know, very subtle, huh?)...so we will see where the year takes us!

It’s not all about career, however. I am trying to grow in my spiritual walk and faith in a stronger manner. I am in a better place than I have ever been, but I need to be better. I am trying. There are times that I still hold the past against me – but I am getting better. And, I would like to fall in love again....notice I said “fall,” and not “find.” What I mean by that is I spent so many years where the quest for that special relationship defined me as a person. While I want it – as much as ever – I’m not at Walmart every night, hoping that she will come around the frozen food or CD aisle. I’m not perfect, but for the right person, I think I could be good, even though it didn’t work out the first time. I’m just not spending every second thinking it’s coming today. Let it surprise me. But, I do have a pair of tickets to Alan Jackson’s March 20 show at the Ryman. If you’re interes....Nope, LOL...not gonna do that...yet!

I say all of that to say that 2013 has the potential to be a great year – not just for me, but for us all....That’s my wish...for all of us!

My Wide World Of Sports

2013 is a couple of weeks old now. I’ve got to admit this year has been tough to get into for me. But, God provided all of my needs and helped me through 2012, and I trust that he will do the same in the new year. I don’t make things easy on myself sometimes, and I need to make some smarter decisions. But, that’s not what this blog is about. I’m sure I’ll write something uber-personal before too much longer. However, this may be the greatest time of year to be a sports fan....A lot of stuff going on.....I’ll take a few stories one by one....

NHL – I don’t follow hockey. I don’t understand it. The closest I can get to it is that Mike Fisher has got to have one of the prettiest wives in the NHL. That being said, one of my best friends in the whole world lives and breathes Nashville Predators. And, for the sake of one Rosie Bradford, I am glad the league ended their lockout. I just hope they make it up to fans such as her. The fans definitely deserve it.

The Dallas Cowboys – Another season, another end-of-season swoon. Is Tony Romo the answer? I don’t know. I’m not sure of anything at Valley Ranch anymore. The team has just hired Monte Kiffin as DC. He’s 72 years old, but is similar to Dick LeBeau in Pittsburgh. But, all I see with the Cowboys are stats. Maybe that changes. Either way, it’s the Garrett and Romo show for one more year...so maybe it gets better. If I was a fan during 1-15, I will remain one now.

Tennessee Titans – It’s not going to get any better. Mike Munchak just fired Alan Lowry – Special Teams Coach. He was the one who designed the “Music City Miracle” play in January 2000, but his unit had performed well this season – getting a pair of touchdowns in the finale against Jacksonville. That win possibly saved Munchak’s job. Mike Munchak is a NFL legend. A great player, and a great line coach. But, he is not a head coach. He can fire all the people that Bud tells him to, but it’s not going to make a difference. And, the coach who is hired in January 2014 isn’t going to have it much easier either. Nashville is simply not a sexy city – NFL wise. We do have Faith Hill and the cast of ABC’s “Nashville,” though.

NFL Playoffs – My hat is off to the Ravens, who showed everyone they could beat Goliath this weekend by knocking off the Broncos in what might very well go down as one of the most spectacular games in playoff history. Nobody gave them a chance, and yet they hung with Manning and Company all the way through. I don’t think they can make it against Brady and the Pats, but I am pulling for them. In the NFC, I hope the Falcons can handle the 49ers and move on to their second Super Bowl. I think Tony Gonzalez deserves to go out with a ring. I like New England and Atlanta, though I would be pleased with a Ravens – Falcons showdown.

Coaching Carousel – It’s sad of me to say so, but the day after the NFL regular season ends is always one of the most intriguing – as it’s the day where underachieving teams part ways with their coaches. Hey, quite a few times, they do so with years still on their contracts, so the coaches are well taken care of. This year has been interesting. I like the Andy Reid hire in Kansas City. As far as the rest of the hires, time will tell. What is the most interesting factor this year is how many of the most sought-after coaches have turned away interest. Chip Kelly. Brian Kelly. Heck, Nick Saban doesn’t even answer his phone. Jon Gruden is practicing his smile for ESPN this fall, and Bill Cowher hasn’t floated his name for any job this season. So, I say to any NFL teams with interest...I am available. I have seventeen years of experience doing color commentary for high school sports, and on Tecmo Bowl on Super Nintendo way back when, I engineered a 77-6 victory for the Cowboys over the Bills. (I even played QB.) So, I feel qualified. I just need to be able to continue my music writing career, as well as my weekly radio show. After all, I don’t want to burn out like so many have. You have to ease into these things. I can assemble a staff on short notice. My son is a pro at PS3, and has beaten Madden several times. What about a 14-year old offensive coordinator? I better get off here quick. I think my phone is going to ring. Where do I want to coach? Let’s see. Been to Jacksonville before. Not interested.....Chicago? Too cold, but great pizza....Arizona...too hot. Philadelphia?....nope, not in a million years. Too many crazy people there. They booed Santa Claus...and Jimmy Johnson...I still don’t know which one is worse....San Diego? The weather is almost perfect, and the QB is pretty good in Rivers. Dean Spanos, give me a call. Everyone else is going to ask you for at least $3M. I can be had for $2.5M and three trips to Nashville each week....The deal of the century. It’s up to you!

It's Christmas Time Again!

It has been a few weeks since my last post. I know – you haven’t been able to function without them, right? Well, part of the reason for that is I will get an idea of something to write, and then my filter will kick in. What’s that, you ask? Chuck Dauphin has a filter? It might surprise you to know that. For that matter, it surprises me too!

But, as December prepares to glide down the home stretch, it’s a time for reflection. To be honest, if you had asked me two or three months ago how I would be at the holiday season, I would reply “Bah, Humbug!” It was going to be my first Christmas single again – at least technically. But, over the past few weeks, I have found myself drawn into the festive time of year like I haven’t been in years. I even bought Christmas cards tonight, which is something I didn’t think I would be doing this year.

Some of you might frown upon my reasons for that, but nothing brings out the child in me like going to the store during the holidays and – if nothing else, looking. This year, I haven’t been able to do as much Christmas shopping as I used to, but that’s ok. Hopefully, I’ll be a little more on my feet in the future. God has taken care of me abundantly in 2012, and I trust in him for the future. I mentioned God and Christmas Shopping in the same paragraph? If that offends any, I apologize. But, so many of my memories of Christmas stem from being out in the hustle and bustle of the season. The lights, the colors, the wonder. It is truly the most wonderful time of the year. And, personally, I think God is ok with that line of thinking. After all, when you think about it, he blesses us 365 days a year. 

 

Today, I had a chance to be out and about most of the day. I had a couple of work-related appointments that were scheduled hours apart from each other, so I had a chance to hit some stores. It’s amazing what that did for me. More than anything, it took me back to a time when things were a lot simpler. These are some of the places I went back to today in my head. Some are still there, while some have faded into obscurity like Stratton’s in Ashland City – and their jukebox!, and Twinkies!aybe, you might have a memory of this as well.

MALLS – Many of you hate these places. And, to be honest, I couldn’t tell you the last time I have been to a mall. However, as a child, so many of my memories go back to those nights spent at the mall. Whether it be the beautiful decoration displays at Hickory Hollow or Rivergate, or how big 100 Oaks Mall looked to a 3-4 year old, those were some great memories. I remember a talking tree that used to amaze me at Columbia’s Shady Brook Mall, and my first musical memory was being three years old at Two Rivers Mall in Clarksville, and hearing “You Light Up My Life” everywhere we went. As crazy as it sounds, I still think of it as a semi-Christmas song to this day.

BREECE’S 5&10 – For the past five years, I have lived in Centerville, TN. But, the town has held a special place in my heart for many years prior. In fact, one of the last “Five and Dimes” I remember was located in the county seat of Hickman County. I can’t tell you that I ever bought anything there, but those type stores are a part of America’s history – one that I doubt we will see again.

ROSE’S DEPARTMENT STORE – A good friend of mine brought this department store chain up on Facebook last week. For those of you who don’t remember it, it was a neat place. Before Wal-Mart became super, and took over the retail world, you could find plenty of these in Middle Tennessee. I don’t know how to describe them, other than to say that it was a little more scattered than Wal-Mart. I don’t mean that in a bad way, but it just didn’t feel as organized. You could walk from one aisle to the other, and not really know what to expect. Roses’ still exists, though mainly in Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Some – like the one in Somerset, KY, still even has a luncheonette – which is like a trip back in time.

TWITTY CITY – For a few years, my family would go see the lights at Conway Twitty’s home place. As large and as elaborate as Opryland Hotel was / is, as a kid, I don’t think it had anything on the Hendersonville showplace of one of Country’s most enduring legends. It’s a place I truly miss.

TIME / TEMPERATURE LINES – OK, work with me on this one. I don’t know if they do now or not, but every city used to have a phone number you could call to get the current time or temp. In Dickson, it was 446-5111. I remember at Christmas time, the voice of Santa Claus would greet you when you called wishing you a “Merry Christmas” from whoever was sponsoring the phone line. In Centerville, it was First National Bank. I couldn’t tell you how many times I called – day or night – I actually thought Santa Claus was there, and I’m not convinced he wasn’t.

MUSIC – We all have our favorite Christmas albums or songs, and for me, it’s not the holidays without Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton’s A Christmas To Remember, any Elvis Presley compilation, Lorrie Morgan’s Merry Christmas From London, Patty Loveless’s Blue Grass, White Snow, or Conway Twitty’s Merry Twismas From Conway Twitty & His Friends. One disc that could join that list from this year is Sammy Kershaw’s great new disc A Sammy Klaus Christmas. It is one of the most fun holiday discs I have heard in some time.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS – Of course, the holiday season brings out the Clark Griswold in a lot of people. I can think of many displays that have struck a chord in my mind, but two stand out. There’s a house in Burns on Highway 96 that always was lit up in basic blue – nothing fancy, just simple blue lights that I always thought was very elegant in its’ simplicity, and in Camden, TN – not too far from the intersection of Highway 70 by-pass and Highway 641. The family there took a lot of pride in how they decorated, and it showed...and if you’ve ever traveled to Grand Rivers, KY – Patti’s 1880s Settlement. Wow. That sums it up.

ERNEST TUBB RECORD SHOP – This one might sound odd. But, especially back in my days of doing radio full-time, people would give me gift certificates to the legendary record store. For me, it’s the ultimate candy store or toy store. It’s still one of the most fun places on Earth for me to kill time it – or a gift certificate. Hint, Hint, Santa!

FOOD – And, finally, who doesn’t think of food over the holidays? When I think of culinary statements of the season that I love, I think of peanut butter fudge from my Mama Kimbro, my cousin Mattie’s Shoepeg Corn, and many of the various friends and listeners that would have me into their homes for dinner. I think a lot of a woman named Mary Baker, who had me to her house on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and many other occasions. Her family became my family, just like many of the people I have gotten to know through radio. I’m not the biggest potato fan in the world, but at her house, I ate my fill – and then some. But, my greatest memory of food over the holidays remains the “Nuts & Bolts” that my parents would make. Bascially, their version of Chex Mix was what others would make, but a little heavy on the Worcestershire Sauce than most. That’s not a complaint, though...I’d gladly eat another batch of it again!

So, that wraps up this week....Who knows, I might even blog again this year! To be continued....Santa Claus, I’ve been good...at times!

Farewell, Larry Hagman.....

I hope that everyone has had a great Thanksgiving. I ate more than I should have, started my Christmas shopping, and spent time with family and friends. I also had my cell phone stolen, but enough about that.

It’s strange what enters your mind sometimes. Thanksgiving morning, I was watching the CBS coverage of the parade from New York. For some reason, memories of watching the telecast as a child came up, and for quite a few years, the hosts were Linda Gray – and the man who played her TV husband on “Dallas,” Larry Hagman.

Then, Friday evening, my phone rang. It was Sheila Vest, who I work with at Kix 96 asking me if I heard the news. I told her I had not. Larry Hagman – legendary for his portrayal of J.R. Ewing, had died at age 81. You could have knocked me over with a feather.

Just like with many children of the late 1970s and 80s, Friday nights were big around the Dauphin household growing up. Usually, about 7:45pm, pizzas would go into the oven – because in fifteen minutes...it was “Dallas” time. For fourteen seasons, he was the man you loved to hate. But, most of us never did. Hagman played the ruthless tycoon with such a sense of humor that you actually had a soft spot for him. In the hands of another actor, the character would have been a (fill in the blank), but with his talent, Hagman chewed up the scenery in a way that few actors do.

And, while I will be the first to say that the character named Ewing would not be someone you would have wanted your daughter to marry – or teach your kids in Sunday School, there was something about the character that I latched onto early. I think it was the “Me against the world” mentality that he played JR with. In any life or career, there are always people that want to tell you no or that you can’t do something. For the first twelve seasons of the series, the character won – and won often. In the last couple years, it really went downhill, but his character always served as an inspiration to me. Granted, Hagman had writers that ensured his victories....maybe I need to hire some!

I will be the first to admit this blog is a little bit random for me. I am writing off the cuff tonight. I’ve been blessed to have met many of my heroes from music and entertainment, and actually got to interview and meet Linda Gray this past summer, but I never did get to meet Larry Hagman. But more than any other TV or movie actor, he was my favorite. As strange as it is to say about someone you never talked to, he was family....and I’m not alone. From 1980-1985, the show was either # 1 or # 2 in the ratings. That impact was felt by many others, I know.

Though he was in “I Dream Of Jeannie,” as well as the films Nixon and Primary Colors, he will always be remembered as JR Ewing. When TNT came up with the idea to reboot the show this year, as usual – he played hard to get, and won his asking price. Though some have debated the quality of the writing at times, I felt the show definitely had more pros than cons. The biggest pro was Hagman. Though the show was right to focus on Josh Henderson as JR and Sue Ellen’s son, when JR was on screen, school was out. He was simply incredible to watch in his role of a lifetime.

Mr. Hagman, we never met. But, I want to take a moment to say thank you for all the Friday nights during my childhood. Before cable came to Beechwood Road, there was only three or four channels, and once that theme song started, it was truly an hour of escapism. While it might be more of a goal to have a life like those lived by people in the likewise fictional towns of Mayberry or Waltons Mountain, who wouldn’t have loved to have been JR Ewing for a day? (Even without the love scenes with Linda Gray, though they were a plus!) To the man who earned moniker “The Mad Monk Of Malibu” due to his somewhat irreverent ways, I simply say “Thanks for the memories.” Rest in Peace!

Welcome To You Tube-Ville!

Again, trying to keep it light with the blog. It has been a rough week for a lot of people that I know very well, so I do want to ask you for a few unspoken prayer requests. Between Sandy and life’s ups and downs, a lot of people are hurting – in ways that I cannot imagine. My heart goes out to them.


That being said, I found myself with a little bit of time on my hands over the weekend. I had time, but not a lot of money. Bills and trying to plan for Christmas had me on the low end....so I reverted to that great addiction that we all have – though some never admit it – YouTube!


For me, YouTube serves a couple of ways to get lost on a weekend afternoon. The music video clips are endless. You can see anything from Britney Spears on the MTV Music Awards from any year to Buck Owens doing “Queen Of The Silver Dollar.” (Yes, I like them both...I have always been a strange one!)


I also love YouTube for it’s seemingly endless collection of TV and Movie clips. You can type in almost any TV show or movie title, and there’s a clip from it. So, I got lost in my youth a little bit. With that said, and not that anyone will care, LOL – Here are ten TV or Movie characters that I would love to be – for a half-hour, hour, or three hours, depending on the medium.


TELEVISION

1. JR Ewing – You know how in “You’ve Got Mail,” Meg Ryan’s character was lamenting the fact that most men looked up to “The Godfather?” Not me! The baron of Southfork Ranch, played by Larry Hagman, would be my TV hero. Some see the character as pure evil, and there are elements of him that I would not want to be like...but the character was a lot more complex than that. There have been times where you feel like it’s “Me Against The World,” and the fact that I can quote Dallas script so quickly proves the character made an impact.
   
2. James Rockford – Without a doubt, the coolest private detective that ever lived in a trailer by the sea. James Garner was such a lovable con artist, and to be able to get away with some of that would be nice.
   
3. Steve McGarrett – Critics of the original “Hawaii Five-O” have called Jack Lord’s acting stiff. Maybe, but he was one the sharpest-dressed policemen that has ever booked anyone. Oh, wait a minute, that was “Danno.” But, what about that hair? Come on, as someone who doesn’t have much....Jack Lord had the coolest hair ever.
   
4. John Boy Walton – I guess if I could watch one show from here to eternity, it would be the “Waltons.” And, to be able to write and think as eloquently as Richard Thomas did in that role would be a feat I don’t know if I could ever accomplish. Granted, I know those words were coming from the typewriter of one Earl Hamner, Jr., who created one of the classics of all time with this show. My chance to do so might have passed me by, but if I could be like any TV father, I would also have to put John Walton on this list, as well.
   
5. Patrick Jane – Among today’s TV shows, there is no character as well-written or well-acted as the lead character on the “Mentalist.” Simon Baker – who, in reality, sounds nothing like you think, seems to take great delight in being an absolute smart-aleck. Do you see a trend?
   HONORABLE MENTION: Darrin Stephens – It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about Dick York or Dick Sargent. To do love scenes with quite possibly the most beautiful actress ever on television, Elizabeth Montgomery – even by tame 1960s standards, would be a the perfect job to have!
   

MOVIES

1. Bo Darville – I should leave it right there. Most probably would have no clue. But, Burt Reynolds provided such a childlike enthusiasm to the role of the “Bandit,” the character would have to make this list. To drive the most famous Trans Am in history with Sally Field in the passenger seat---wasn’t that the fantasy of most men in the 1970s.
   
2. The Joker – Whenever I have interviewed an actor, they usually talk about how much more fun it is to play the heavy. In 1989, I bet Jack Nicholson felt the same way, playing the role of Batman’s biggest thorn. He was bad, but light.
   
3. Ron Burgundy – OK, Rhett Butler was available, and I choose Will Ferrell’s role in Anchorman? Sad, but true. Maybe, it’s a broadcasting thing, but Ferrell was so clever in the role. And, Christina Applegate fell for it. Enough said.
   
4. Danny Ocean – George Clooney in Ocean’s Eleven defined the word “Cool.” Women want him. Guys want to be him. No matter how many times I have tried to repeat the same lines, it never comes off as cool!
   
5. J.B. Books – You could put just about any John Wayne role on this list, but his role in The Shootist - his final film – from 1976, stands as one of my favorites. Staring death in the face, Wayne delivered some of the best lines he had ever been written, and went out the way he wanted to go.
   

All things said, I’m pretty glad to be myself these days. But, escapism is a good thing, don’t you think?