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 48th
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?
