Goodbye, 2013!

In just a few short hours, 2013 will be nothing but a page in the history books. I guess like most years, you could say it was a mixed bag. Don’t get me wrong, there was a lot of good in 2013. I got to erase a few names from my interview bucket list. Got to talk and do stories on Kenny Rogers, Reba McEntire – two of my all-time favorites. One day, I found myself at the home of Vince Gill and then, an hour and a half later, Steve Wariner. Talk about an unforgettable day! The job took me to some pretty cool places – Vegas to cover the ACM’s, Oklahoma to see Roy Clark on the 4th of July, back to Vegas to see Faith and Tim, and Chicago to see Trace Adkins. I consider myself to be very blessed to get to do what I do. As someone who kept to himself in his bedroom reading Country history books and Billboard Magazine – I am humbled and don’t take one day, one trip, one single interview for granted. I love what I do. I need music in the same way I need oxygen. That sounds like a dramatic statement, but it’s the truth. To be able to communicate my love of it – whether it be through writing about it, talking about it on the air, or a simple conversation, I consider that to be the one thing I know that I know how to do. There’s others that are better, but nobody loves what they do anymore. I have also been able to keep in close contact with a lot of my friends in 2013, and to even develop a few more friendships. That’s not an easy thing for me, given my tendency to shy away and be a loner, but I am glad I have done it when I have. 

On the flip side, there’s been the health. Seven days in a hospital in May / June was not how I planned to spend CMA Fest Week. And, I have nobody I can pin that on other than myself. I had to look at myself in the mirror over that one. There were reasons, sure, but I realized – or am still realizing that depression is something that I am going to have to deal with until I have front row seats to the George Jones / Conway Twitty / Patsy Cline show. One thing I have learned is that I’m not the only one. So many of you deal with your own issues, and as the old song says, “Some Days Are Diamonds, Some Days Are Stone.” The only way I am going to stick this thing out, and come out on the other side – is by taking care of myself. And, I’m trying. It’s day by day. But, the good outweighs the bad. 

So, 2014. It’s human nature this time of year to say “I’m going to do this differently. I resolve to do this more or do this less.” But, by January 15 – we’re usually back to who we are. I HOPE I can get ahead a little bit financially. Though, you do what you have to do to get through with each day – whether Dave Ramsey agrees or not. I HOPE I can be a little more positive and forward in my thinking – though I tend to curl up like a ball sometimes if the least thing goes wrong. I will tell you that just like 2013, I plan on working – a lot. I hope I write as much next year as I did last year. I want to knock a few more names off my “Dream Interviews” list. I hope that my job (s) will allow me to travel more. There’s still nineteen states I haven’t visited. And – I haven’t been to Southern California since 2005.....or Dallas – except for a layover since 1998. I plan on trying to take advantage of every career possibility I am presented with that I can do...and I want to grow as a Christian. 2013 was one of growth for me. I have learned that God has a way, and if you trust in him, it will all be okay. Would love to fall in love again in 2014....(or heck, 2013 – there’s still a few hours left), but that’s actually not something you can control. It just “happens.” I don’t understand why it’s slower for me to happen than others, but I guess it will be worth it in the end. Not going to swear off Chinese food – totally, though I have cut down, the Dallas Cowboys, or anything like that.....Plan on trying to be a better person, son, father, pet owner, “Dallas” watcher than I was this year – and that’s all I can promise.....Hope all of you have a great New Years!......See you in ‘14!