Death Of A Legend

Well, I'm back. This blog has a way of getting pushed to the side because of other priorities, but I promise I'll do better! Unless you've been under a rock, you know by now that Michael Jackson passed away yesterday. If you've listened to the Vinyl Years, which I hope you do, then you've heard Rocky and I both say how much we appreciate the artistry of MJ. Say whatever you want to about him, but his talent will never be up for debate. I have always leaned a little to the heavier side when it comes to music, but I know good stuff when I see it or hear it and I have liked Michael and his brothers since I was very young. I loved Off the Wall when I was in Jr. High and I loved Thriller when I was in High School. I saw Michael and his brothers on the Victory tour in '84 at Arrowhead Stadium and I've always said it was one of the best I've ever seen. It wasn't just a concert, it was an event. I'm sad that we lost Michael when he apparently was getting ready to stage a comeback. I'm also sad that an entire generation only knows the Michael that was tabloid fodder and a punchline for comedians. I'm not here to debate whether he brought a lot of it on himself or the "weirdness factor" that seemed to become his life. I've read several comments over the past 24 hours and it's just sad that people have forgotten what an incredible performer he was. If you want to debate anything else about his life, please take it somewhere else. I guess I'm just sad. I don't know that this really has a point other than the music world lost a legend and I hope now that maybe Michael gets the peace and privacy that he didn't get here. I also hope that a younger generation will rediscover some of the Jackson 5's earlier stuff, along with Off the Wall and Thriller and find out what my generation has known all along.............that Michael was and always will be the King Of Pop. RIP Michael, we'll miss you.

Birthday Bass

Well, once again, I haven't been here in awhile. I knew what I wanted to blog about, but I wanted to wait. I think I have talked earlier about my dream of rock stardom, that I am now living through my friends, Jeremy Huff and Shannan Wright. By the way, thanks guys for letting me hang out! I'll blog about them another time, so stay tuned; that's all I'll say for now!! Anyway, I started playing trumpet when I was 8 and actually, became quite good at it. Good enough to play in Stardusters for 4 years and then do a temporary duty with the USAF Drum and Bugle Corps. That was a great way to get out of "real" work!! I have tried to teach myself guitar a couple of times, but outside of a few power chords and the intro to several Scorpions and Ted Nugent songs, I suck! I picked up a bass guitar when I was 19 and tried to teach myself to play. I became "ok" at it and was able to play in a couple of garage bands while in the Air Force. For whatever reason, I sold my two basses in 1988 and moved on to "grown up" dreams; whatever the hell that is! Well, fast forward to my 43rd birthday about a month ago and I found myself with a little extra cash. Thanks, Mom! So, you guessed it, I went out and bought a bass guitar and a 50 watt amp. I was surprised to find that I remember alot of what I taught myself over 20 years ago, but what I have loved most is the way that I lose myself for hours while playing along with some of my old vinyl. So why have I not blogged about it until now? Because I wanted to make sure I could still play and I wanted to make sure that the love for it was still there! I can and it is! I don't have any unrealistic dreams of rock stardom anymore, but everytime I pick that bass up, the room goes dark, the strobes come on and the crowd goes wild! Thank you Clay Center and good night!!!!!

The Connection

My job is cool for alot of reasons, but one of the things I love most are the people that I meet through the radio station. I do interviews on Up Close and get a few e-mails about the Vinyl Years, and I've made a few friends through both. Jeremy Huff started e-mailing about the Vinyl Years right after we started the show. Shortly after he started e-mailing, I found out he was a drummer and had rubbed shoulders with some fairly big names during his time in California, so, I got him on Up Close. He and I developed a friendship, through our mutual interest in all things music and that led to an interview with Shannan Wright, the lead singer and guitarist in the band the Wright Brothers, which has it's roots in Concordia. Anyway.............................Jeremy called me last Sunday and said Shannan was at his house and they were jamming and I should come over. I knew they had been talking for a few months about getting together and "possibly" putting some material together and maybe performing again. Needless to say, I couldn't get there fast enough. What an experience! I stayed for about 2 hours and heard some of the most incredible sounds I've ever heard from two very talented musicians. These guys hadn't played together in 9 years, but had I not known that, I would have guessed they were still playing and recording together. Even more amazing than their playing was the connection they seemed to have. A look, a riff or a beat and one would play off the other. No cover tunes either; all original stuff! Stay tuned, because I would bet you'll be able to catch these guys playing somewhere in the near future and I promise you won't be disappointed!

Rock and Politics

I've been caught up in all the inauguration festivities, just like most of America over the past week. Regardless of how you voted or who you supported, it's tough not to feel hope and that a change for the better is dawning over this country. This isn't a political blog, so I'll keep my views to myself! If you want to know, ask me in person; I'm not shy about giving my opinion!! It's been alot of fun and sometimes very emotional watching some of the people that lived through the segregation and turbulence of the 60's as they now watch an African-American become President of the United States. I've watched interviews with Stevie Wonder andAretha Franklin; who by the way, was incredible singing America the Beautiful. It was very moving to listen to them talk about events that they went through just 40 plus years ago. I started thinking about music and how it's sometimes blends together with politics and events of the time. I think it really started in the 60's with Dylan, Joplin, Hendrix and the Dead just to name a few. Singers then spoke to a generation and got them to act and get noticed. Musicians also encouraged people to get involved, to speak up and vote; and that's a good thing! It's still going on today. Musicians often are very outspoken for whatever cause they might support or candidate that they back; and I think that's fine. If I was able to be in front of 10,000 people every night and had their attention, I would probably get plugs in from time to time. It usually doesn't change my opinion of the music or the musician. I don't totally agree with Ted Nugent's right-wing politics and I sure don't agree with the Eagles liberal slant, but I love their music. And, I'll usually listen if a musician I like is talking about a point of view that I may not agree with. Sometimes if you pay attention, someone might say something that makes sense, that you never thought about! And alot of times it makes for some great songs!

Radio For Grownups (but I can still work there!)

I listen to the radio for a living and it's a great job! I love radio and I always have. From a very early age, I can remember wanting to be a DJ when I grew up. I still do; want to grow up, I mean!! Anyway, when I was 12, my Grandparents got me a turntable/DJ set. Microphone, record board, the whole works. It was one of the best gifts I can remember receiving and I played with it until it was no more. I also wanted to be a cop, because I grew up around cops, so that never really left me. I went into law enforcement after a tour in the USAF and stayed with that for awhile. After a good career, I was just done with it. Rocky Downing, who has been a good friend of mine for over 15 years, gave me the chance to get into radio about 10 years ago doing color commentary for the Clay Center Tigers, and I was hooked. About 5 years after that, Jamie Bloom came to me with an idea for a 70's music show that I would host and Flip Thru the 70's was born! That worked into a full-time gig with KCLY, which is where I am now. It was a round-a-bout way to get here, but hey; I'm here and I love it! Where am I going with this? Who the hell knows! That's the cool thing about blogging; I don't have to go anywhere!!

I started listening to radio at a very early age. I can remember listening to KSAL 1150am when they played music. They're mostly talk now, as most AM stations are. 94.5 used to be rock/pop along with WIBW 97. 99KG out of Salina was also rock, but they played America's Top 40 on Sunday afternoons, so I listened to them alot. I think they're country now.

This will be a shock, but even though I work at KCLY, I do listen to other stations! I really liked 92.7 the Zoo from Salina, but I was shocked this past week when I found out they were dropping their classic rock format and going to all sports talk. I'll withhold judgement, but whatever! I also tune in to K-Rock out of Manhattan. Harder edged and more current than 92.7 was, but it gives me a chance to hear new bands and old bands that have put out new stuff. That said, I do listen to KCLY alot. Heck, I listen all day for that matter! I'm also tuned in most of the time between 6:00pm and 6:00am during the week and then all weekend. That's my job; I'm responsible for after hours programming, so I pay attention to what's going on! (hear that Rocky!!!!) In case you haven't been listening, and shame on you if you're not, KCLY has undergone some changes in the past few years. For a long time, the station played mostly country and contemporary Christian music. You'll still hear that, and on Sunday, it's all Christian music. But, when Jamie Bloom was program director, she started to mix in more "mainstream" music, once in awhile. She also started adding 70's and 80's music to the mix. As everyone knows, Jamie's photography business took off and she's no longer at KCLY. The changes that she started are still taking place and I think they're good ones. In fact, if you go up and down the dial, you won't find a better mix of programming anywhere. I know, I work there, I'm biased; but, from an un-biased view, I really believe that. I heard someone say recently, "where else can I tune in in the morning and buy a couch; hear Dobson at noon, and Detroit Rock City at night?" I love that line!

If you haven't tuned in lately, give us a listen! We're Radio For Grownups, but you can still listen and I can still work there!

The Soundtrack of Your Life

Hey, I'm back! I started this blog with the best of intentions, but................anyway; you know how that goes!!!! The other thing is, the Vinyl Years have been hit and miss lately because of holidays, vactions, etc., etc., so my e-mails about the show have been limited; hint, hint!!!!
I've always loved music, I think that has been established, and as I've grown older, I've started to realize how everyone has a soundtrack that is their life. So, I'm going to try and give you mine.

I was born in 1966 but my earliest memories of music were, obviously, a little later than that. I remember at a very early age, I had a radio in my bedroom because I couldn't sleep without it. It was always tuned to KSAL 1150AM on your dial back when AM radio used to play pretty good music! Anyway, I digress.......as usual! The first song on my soundtrack is from 1966 and it's the Winnie the Pooh song! I had a Pooh bear that played that song, (I still have the bear) and I vividly remember it always being with me. I'll also put in Strangers In the Night by Frank Sinatra, because that was the biggest hit of that year! Next we move on to the 70's, which was when I started really paying attention to music and buying 45's. Seasons In the Sun by Terry Jacks is the first record I remember buying and everytime I hear it, I think of that. Down By the Lazy River by the Osmond Brothers, If You Love Me by Olivia Newton John, and Tie a Yellow Ribbon by Tony Orlando and Dawn are next. Those are the first live concerts I ever saw and I've been hooked ever since. Next we have Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees because that's the first album I remember buying and I still have it. How Deep Is Your Love is on there because of Jr. High dances. Alot of my belt buckles were polished to that song! Shadow Dancing by Andy Gibb is on there. I used to listen to America's Top 40 with Casey Kasem with a good friend who died way too young. I always think of her when I hear Andy Gibb. On to the 80's and High School Years. Love Is Like A Rock by Donnie Iris, Magic Power by Triumph, and Beautiful Girls by Van Halen start things off. I'm a huge Van Halen fan, (with Dave not Sammy) and I listened to Van HalenII non stop in the cassette player of my El Camino! I could pick any VH song, but I'll go with that one! You've Got Another Thing Comin' by Judas Priest is next. I never knew Rob Halford was gay, I just thought he was a cool British guy that liked leather! Cum On Feel the Noise by Quiet Riot, Clones by Alice Cooper and Sister Christian by Night Ranger are also on this soundtrack. I graduated in 1984 and went into the Air Force. I'll skip ahead a few years now because things got a little hazy for me for a few years but I have to add Life In the Fast Lane by the Eagles along with Take It To the Limit, also by the Eagles and That Smell by Skynyrd. If you know the lyrics, then you know; but that's another blog. In 1992 I met Jolie Anderson and my life turned around. If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks and I Love You by The Climax Blues Band are two songs that describe how I feel about her. In 1995 we got married and in 1998, Jace came along. Cats In the Cradle by Harry Chapin, because Harry; I know what you were talking about now! I also like Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith, because that's what Jolie used to sing to him when he wouldn't go to sleep; which was pretty much all the time! In 2000, my daughter Jalyn was born. I'll go with My Little Girl by Tim McGraw and In My Daughter's Eyes by Martina McBride for Jbaby. Jolie used to sing Martina to Jalyn and she would go to sleep with her little head on Jolie's shoulder. Now that's a memory!!

So now, here we are. I think I'll end this soundtrack with two of my most recent favorites that describe my life today. Live Like You Were Dyin' by Tim McGraw and Don't Blink by Kenny Chesney. I'm a rocker by trade, but I love those two songs. They are great songs to live by and we would all do well to remember those lyrics.

So there you have it. That's the soundtrack of my life! What's yours?

Live In Concert

I love live music. Since I was 7, I have literally seen hundreds of concerts in both large and small venues. The first concert I ever saw was 1973 at the Kansas State Fair when I saw The Osmonds; all of them! Either that same year, or the next, I saw Tony Orlando and Dawn in the same place. I've been hooked ever since. I prefer small venues such as bars to see live acts. It doesn't matter if I've heard of them or not, I'll still go see them. Locally there are 3 bands that I think are fantastic. The Soul Preachers, The Benders and Russell Sawyer and the Lost Cause. You can catch these guys all the time, you just have to look for them. Russell Sawyer recently opened for Cross Canadian Ragweed in Hays! I wish I would have seen that! I saw Journey in 83 on the Frontiers tour; Bryan Adams opened that one. I've seen Van Halen with Dave and with Sammy and I've seen Sammy and Dave by themselves. I saw Kid Rock last February in KC, for the third time, this time with Dickey Betts and Rev. Run. I saw Bon Jovi with Cinderella on the Slippery When Wet Tour; Ozzy Osbourne with Queensryche and I saw Social Distortion at the Beaumont in KC. I've seen Shooting Star 6 or 7 times, Quiet Riot with Whitesnake as the opener and ZZ Top with the late, great Jeff Healey. I've seen Elton John twice; once with just him and once with Billy Joel; two of the best shows I've ever seen. I've seen Dio, Twisted Sister, the Jacksons, Hall and Oates, Donnie Iris, Kansas about 6 times, J. Geils Band, the Eagles, Loverboy 3 times, Santana, Boston, Aerosmith, Dokken twice, Def Leppard and Blue Oyster Cult. And it's not just live rock that I love. I've also seen Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks twice, Little Texas, Travis Tritt and Trisha Yearwood and I would go see them all again. I was also fortunate enough to hear Doc Severinsen perform and got to spend some time with him while he rehearsed. My old music teacher set that up for me and it was priceless! I was able to see BB King at TPAC just a few weeks after he turned 80. What an experience that was! 80 years old and he can still make Lucille squeal!! I also saw Jonny Lang at TPAC. He's a blues guitar prodigy and I saw him while he was still playing blues/rock but was also starting to slide into some gospel work. Another incredible show. I still want to see Neil Diamond, Bruce Springsteen and Eric Clapton before I, or they, die. Neil Diamond is in KC next month, but I'm going to have to hit my boss up for a raise! Maybe he'll read this!!