My son in Egypt

The word that he was going to Cairo Egypt just about floored his mother. The first word that came to her mind was "kidnapping terrorists". Okay that's two,(sue me) but when is he going to have a chance to do this..when he's married with kids? I don't think so. Judging by this, I think he's OK.

What a Football Game

I stayed up WAY too late last night to watch..college football. My Hawkeyes lost (with the help of the officials), Mizzou won on the back of Brad Smith. I usually root for the underdog, even if it means...holding my nose...and rooting for Texas. USC had won too many, it was time for someone else. WOW! What an ending and what a game. After the game, Pete Carroll, coach of USC was humble and gracious in his praise for Texas. He showed me why so many kids want to play for him. He showed great class. On the other hand, Keith Jackson
who is by far better at calling college football than anyone before or in the future was just lost. It was like seeing Willie Mays playing for the Mets or Joe Namath playing for the Rams. There comes a time to go, and at 77, he deserves to go when he wants to, but Keith, it's over, you made absolutely no sense last night. I counted in one play, six mistakes. You were the greatest and I want to remember you like that, not like last night.

Yuks from my friend Jay...

It's happened already

Unbelievable! Not even two days into the New Year and we have lost people we know and care about. My cousin, Karl McNew Jr. died of throat cancer yesterday. Second from left with the McNew boys. It was very unexpected. He was the oldest man in my generation of relatives and probably my late brothers best friend. They joined the Army together. He was staying with us when the Beatles played on Ed Sullivan on 2/9/64. He was in the room when it came on. I will miss him dearly.He was 58. Leo Chears, one of the great names in St. Louis broadcasting passed yesterday, too. Everyone in the radio business in St. Louis knew of Leo. "The Man In The Red Vest" was 72. My daughter lost a friend yesterday too as he died in a car accident. He was NOT wearing a seatbelt. Let this be a lesson to all that we are here for just a short time. Make it count. Do not hesitate to tell the people you love that you love them. You never know when your time is up. I ask for your prayers and blessings in this already disappointing year.

Goodbye Dick and thanks

When I lived in KC for about a year and a half, I got to reacquaint myself with my friend Lisa, who works for the Chiefs. Lisa and I have been friends for years and she is one of the sweetest people I know. One night (knowing the huge Chiefs fan I am), she asked me to go to "Dick's party". Apparently, once a year, Dick Vermeil throws a party for his coaches and the people in the office. Dick also owns a vineyard and makes his own wine. After a wonderful meal and a lot of wine, I was sitting at a table, thinkin how surreal it was that I was eating and drinking with Gunter Cunningham, Al Saunders and feeling that I really didn't belong there. At that time, Carol Vermeil sat down next to me and said, "so, Randy, what's your story?". I reminded her that I had interviewed her once when I was at the Rock in St. Louis during the championship season. She remembered that the studios were downtown and it was a pleasant experience. We chatted for a bit, I told her how grateful St. Louis was for guys like her husband and Kurt Warner and the whole championship season. About ten minutes after that, Dick Vermeil walks over, sits down, puts his arm around me and says, "Randy, Carol and I are SO pleased you are here with us. Thanks so much for coming, any friend of Lisa's is great in our book, we are so happy you are here, can I get you anything?" Wha? Dick friggin Vermeil is asking me if he can get anything for me? Wha? I said, thanks Dick, you have given me so much. Then he hugged me. First class in every way.
Although I loved seeing you like this...

I always remember this...

Thanks Dick for everything you gave the state of Missouri. Enjoy your retirement.

Happy New Year

I pray this will be a great one for family and friends. RIP those close to me that I lost last year..Jason Calvin, Kyle Riley, JC Hall, Abigail Pollay and Cindy Kelly. I hope there are no names next year.

First Interview Ever

was with this guy...

Ronnie
Van Zandt






(picture taken by me @1973)
I helped put together our radio station in high school and one of my duties was to write to all of the record companies and ask them for service. One who did give us service was MCA. In 1973, these long haired southern guys released their first album and we got a copy. If I am not mistaken, we also got copies of "The Groundhogs","Mose Jones" and "Wishbone Ash", all were on MCA. In September of 1973, Lynyrd Skynyrd opened for ZZ Top in Davenport and the MCA record guy at the time got me backstage with Ronnie. I asked him why he was barefoot onstage and he said it was because he wanted to feel the stage burn. I remember thinking how young he was, not much older than me. I wish I still had that interview today. The sad thing is, I really don't remember when I lost it. After opening for ZZ Top, the Who asked them to open on their American tour, not bad.From that day forward, I was a fan and I genuinely hurt the day the plane went down. One of those days that I will always remember where I was when I heard the news. Yes, I know they were rednecks, but damn, they could really play. With all of that in mind, I present my top five Skynyrd songs:
"I Never Dreamed"
"Seasons"
"I Know A Little"
"I Need You"
"That Smell"
I thought "Street Survivors" was their masterpiece and then they were done.

My Last Weigh In of 2005...

was at the Y after playing basketball today...198 pounds. Good Lord, at the beginning of this year I weighed 183. So, my first New Years resolution is to lose 25 next year. Let's see how I do, it's only a half a pound a week. No sweat, right? Right.

Brush With Greatness Part Deux

Yes, that would be Gene Simmons and myself at the Hooters on Craig Road in St. Louis. That was when I did mornings with Smash at KSHE and our producer on the show used to be their manager or something like that. This was 1992 I believe. We used to do morning shows on the road. He seemed like a good guy, liked to laugh a lot. Well...duh, who wouldn't in his shoes?

I WISH I WAS THERE!!!

I have lived in Denver when it has snowed like this. Give me a house about 9,000 feet up somewhere around Estes or Breckinridge, some tunes, wine, some Rossingnol 140s and watch me be thrilled.
It really doesn't get any better than that.

A week of nothing..a nothing week.

But, it's alright. I wanted to do nothing so the time off would last longer. It's the way I think. I have played basketball three times (and am I really sore)and watched the local holiday high school tournaments. I love going to them and like to do that each year between Christmas and New Year.
On Tuesday I saw two games, and I did last night too. I am always comforted to know that just about anyone under the sun comes to see these games. Last night, I saw white guys hugging black guys, black guys hugging white guys, tall guys, short women, young girls, old guys and midgets. I am rooting for two teams, big bad Webster Groves (the rival from the suburb next door)and Kirkwood (our boys). Webster is the favorite and the final four has Kirkwood in it. The farm boys from Troy Mo are there along with a Hazelwood school. Other than that,I went to the bank, out to eat and been a slug sleeping in. It's good for the soul to sometimes do nothing except be with the family.

Post Number 150!

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."-Teddy Roosevelt

My house...in the middle of the street

From the satellite, here's my house. Cool, huh?

Post number 148

"You are never too old to become younger"-Mae West

February 9th 1964

All my father could do was shake his head.

My Yoko shots..almost

Yoko came to St. Louis in August of 1986 to promote a showing of John's art work at the Joann Perse Gallery in Chesterfield. One of the first things I did when I got to KSHE was to establish myself as "The Beatles" guy. Rick Balis allowed me to do a show called "The Afternoon Beatles". Each day at 4pm, we would play a song or two with some actualities or facts thrown in. Apparently, Joann liked the show and when the opportunity arose to promote,she chose my show.
Yoko and me at the premiere
Unfortunately, it was one of the worst interviews I have ever done. I was incredibly nervous and it showed. What a time to get a case of the yips. I interviewed her at the Doubletree Hotel in Chesterfield and this is a shot from that day:


I found her to be very cool, calm and yes somewhat attractive. I have a special autographed souvenir provided by the guy who took the photo of Yoko, Mark Gilliland.
I have a picture of Yoko and me sitting on the couch together but I can't...find...it. I will post when I do.

Damn Kids...

A couple of postings ago, I was really frustrated about getting my internet connection to work. I brought back this perfectly good computer from KC and it has sat idle since I got back more than a year and a half ago. Had it ready to rock and could not for the life of me figure how to keep an internet connection. It would connect and then poof, gone. My son got back from Notre Dame last week and I asked him to look at it. Two nights ago, he had time, so I said.."here's the instructions and here's the software, and good luck"! Eight minutes...eight friggin minutes was all he needed. How embarrassing! All he did was type in the code to the place where you are supposed to type in the code. Then, later in the evening, for doing his sonly duty, he wanted to be compensated. Another $20 gone with the wind. $20 for eight minutes. I used to make that kind of dough. Double Arrrggghhh! Now, I think my printer's shot because it doesn't work either but then you have clogged jets and stuff. I wonder how long it will take him to figure it out. the over under is 6 minutes.

THE best Calvin and Hobbes Christmas Cartoons

I love Calvin and Hobbes and these are the best cartoons dealing with winter ever. Enjoy!

My favorite Non Traditional Christmas Songs

I love the classics.."God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen","O Come All Ye Faithful" and such but here are my top five non traditional songs
"Easier Said Than Done"-Jon Anderson
"Happy Xmas"-John and Yoko
"2000 Miles"-The Pretenders
"Please Come Home For Christmas"-The Eagles
"I Believe In Father Christmas"-Greg Lake

Guaranteed to put all in a good mood.

So, this is Christmas

Maybe one of the better Christmases in the family. I love my job and am blessed to have it. I still have this radio paranoia where I am waiting for the other show to drop, maybe I'll get over it, maybe not. I think that drives me to succeed. I have nice co-workers and really enjoy being there. My family is healthy and happy, although I wish ALL of us could be together, but I think Jess is spending time with someone she enjoys. I am healthy (thank God) and I am blessed for that. I have a nice house where I am comfortable and a part time gig that is really sweet. This is all I need, the rest is just icing on the cake. It's a sweet cake this year, definately better than last year and all in all, one of the better ones. Would I be too greedy to ask for seconds?

The Top 200 Albums of 2005...ugh!

Here is the list of the top 200 best selling albums of 2005 according to Billboard magazine
This is further proof that most of the stuff classified as music these days pretty much sucks.
The list

This place is gonna make me fat

Good Lord, what a place at Learfield around the holidays. Cookies here, fudge there, caramel, bit-o-honeys, cake,...etc. I love these guys but man, I'm afraid that...I'll end up like this...
"But sir....it is wafer-thin."
Notice that I am posting on my lunch hour?(it's either this or eat)

The Top Ten Science Stories of 2005

In school, I loved science, weather, the solar system, etc. I followed the Gemini and Apollo programs with great interest. Too bad I snoozed through high school or else I could have been an astronaut or an agronomist or a zoologist or a botonist or a scientist or whatever.
Here are the top ten Science Stories of 2005 according to Live Science. Enjoy, all you frustrated chemists

Post 138

"Youngsters need good models more than they need critics. It is one of a parent's greatest responsiblities and opportunities."-John Wooden

Ted Habeck

As I was getting ready to go on the air at the Arch earlier today, I had a conversation with Ted Habeck, the guy on the air preceding me. For those who didn't grow up in St. Louis, Ted worked at KSHE95 from 1973-1979. I realized how many people Ted turned me on to. Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, Robert Palmer, and Boz Scaggs everyone knows; but also Wishbone Ash, Be Bop Deluxe, Climax Blues Band, Rory Gallagher...and that's just the tip of the iceberg. When I lived in Quad Cities, I had relatives that lived in St. Charles and two or three times a year, we would ride or drive back and forth. More than once, I would bring down my Wollensak 8 track recorder and just run tape after tape of KSHE. It's funny, at this ripe age, I don't have many people left in the business that I really look up to. Ted is one and a real good guy too. Thanks, Ted.

Post Number 136

We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact
that each moment of life is a miracle and mystery.
-- H. G. Wells

Huge Football Game

I got home from my weeklong trek through Wisconsin (where it snowed every day)just in time to order some Chinese food, sit in front of the tube, turn on ESPN2 and watch my daughter's school, The University of Northern Iowa Panthers take on the fighting hillbillies from Appalachian State (they might be the grizzlies or whatever) in the 1-AA college CHAMPIONSHIP!
As I mentioned in a previous post, do not allow me to root for your team. UNI lost on a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in the fourth quarter 21-16.
Not only do my teams lose (see last week's game with the Chiefs) but they lose in a heartwrenching, dramatic way.

Hey, This Is Fun

Death by CaffeineSo, it will take 235.77 bottles of Diet Mountain Dew to kill me.BBBBuuuttttt atttt lleeassst, III wwwilll diieee witth a wweeiirdd ttasstee innn mymymy mmmoouuttthh...

The top 100?

Maybe.
Here is what they are today..

1. "Layla"-Derek and the Dominoes
2. "He Is Sailing"-Jon and Vangelis
3. "What's Goin On"-Marvin Gaye
4. "Baker Street"-Gerry Rafferty
5. "In My Life"-Beatles
6. "Brown Sugar"-Stones
7. "Born To Run"-Bruce Springsteen
8. "Thunder Road"-Bruce Springsteen
9. "Into The Mystic"-Van Morrison
10."Superstition"-Stevie Wonder
11."Every Kinda People"-Robert Palmer
12."Cryin"-Roy Orbison
13."Good Vibrations"-Beach Boys
14."Strawberry Fields Forever"-Beatles
15."Reminiscing"-Little River Band
16."Tangled Up In Blue"-Bob Dylan
17."South City Midnight Lady"-Doobies
18."Till It Shines"-Bob Seger
19."Bluebird"-Leon Russell
20."Carolina In The Pines"-Micheal Murphey
21."While My Guitar Gently Weeps"-Beatles
22."Hitch A Ride"-Boston
23."Scenes From An Italian Restaurant"-Billy Joel
24."When The Levee Breaks"-Led Zeppelin
25."Ripplin Waters"-Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
26."Whiter Shade of Pale"-Procul Harum
27."Mercy, Mercy Me"-Marvin Gaye
28."Hollywood Nights"-Bob Seger
29."Comfortably Numb"-Pink Floyd
30."I've Seen That Movie Too"-Elton John
31."Deacon Blues"-Steely Dan
32."Secret of Life"-James Taylor
32."Cherish"-The Association
33."Silver, Blue and Gold"-Bad Company
34."Cowgirl In The Sand"-Neil Young
35."God Only Knows"-Beach Boys
36."Riders On The Storm"-Doors
37."One of These Nights"-Eagles
38."Bell Bottom Blues"-Derek and the Dominoes
39."Just My Imagination"-Temptations
40."Oye Como Va"-Santana
41."Hotel California"-The Eagles
42."Year of the Cat"-Al Stewart
43."Behind Blue Eyes"-The Who
44."Angel"-Jimi Hendrix
45."I Robot/I Wouldn't Want.."-Alan Parsons
46."For A Dancer"-Jackson Browne
47."All Along The Watchtower"-Dave Mason
48."The Court of The Crimson King"-King Crimson
50."Drift Away"-Dobie Gray
51."Question"-Moody Blues
52."Carry On"-CSNY
53."Lowdown"-Boz Scaggs
54."Then Came the Last Days of May"-Blue Oyster Cult
55."What Is Hip?"-Tower of Power
56."Here Comes The Sun"-Beatles
57."Misty Mountain Hop"-Led Zeppelin
58."Avalon"-Roxy Music
59."Highway Star"-Deep Purple"
60."Heart of The Night"-Poco
61."As Long As I Can See The Light"-CCR
62."Last Chance"-Shooting Star
63."Lido Shuffle"-Boz Scaggs
64."Bridge Over Troubled Waters"-Simon and Garfunkel
65."Hot Fun In The Summertime"-Sly and the Family Stone
66."Angel From Montgomery"-Bonnie Raitt
67."The Boxer"-Simon and Garfunkel
68."Shining Star"-Earth Wind and Fire
69."No Surrender"-Bruce Springsteen
70."Oh Yeah"-Roxy Music
71."Can't You Hear Me Knockin"-Rolling Stones
72."At Last"-Etta James
73."I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home"-Grand Funk
74."Heroes"-David Bowie
75."Thank You"-Sly and the Family Stone
76."Dialogue"-Chicago
77."Back To The Island"-Leon Russell
78."Hypnotised"-Fleetwood Mac
79."Return To Sender"-Elvis Presley
80."The Fuse"-Jackson Browne
81."It Makes No Difference"-The Band
82."My Home Ain't In The Hall of Fame"-Jonathan Edwards
83."So Very Hard To Go"-Tower of Power
84."Ridgetop"-Jesse Colin Young
85."That's The Way Of The World"-Earth Wind and Fire
86."My Old School"-Steely Dan
87."Father and Son"-Cat Stevens
88."Time Waits For No One"-Rolling Stones
89."Endless Nights"-Eddie Money
90."Roundabout"-Yes
91."The Changeling"-The Doors
92."Space Truckin"-Deep Purple
93."Rocky Mountain Way"-Joe Walsh
94."My Brother"-The Bluejays
95."Another Day"-Norton Buffalo
96."Cause We've Ended As Lovers"-Jeff Beck
97."Phone Booth"-Robert Cray
98."Georgy Porgy"-Toto
99."What Is Life?"-George Harrison
100."Seven Year Ache"-Rosanne Cash




for this day 12/23/05 these are the top 100. I am getting there but not done yet. The official top 100 should appear about the first of the year...and the official top 100...will probably look different.
Only one rule..no more than four songs from any band

Bummer..

I checked into my hotel in my hometown tonight...good old Quad Cities. Pretty young thing behind the counter...I asked if they had a room, she asked for my AARP card and called me sir.
Thanks.