Just Call Me A Workaholic !

I've been right busy this past week. I booked a few shows in the Richmond area. Then Wednesday night we had choir practice at church, followed by band practice Thursday night. We got a lot of new material covered both for my November 8th show and the post Wedding show we are doing (and getting paid for!). My test presses for the 45s arrived from Nashville and I played them for the group after practice. Even on my little portable it sounds so rich and vibrant! Im so excited to release something on vinyl- as its been my dream to hear my voice on record. I will still have compact discs of course, for those not in the know. The rains came down heavy on Thursday night. Following practice, I went with Larry the drummer and Ron the bass player to McDonald's on Broad St. We usually go there some times. I dont eat much- I only got a 4 piece chicken mcnuggets.

We were kicked out soon enough though because they close at 11 PM. As we were leaving the rain was right heavy- a fellow asked for a ride home. He lived downtown. Since I live closest, I volunteered. He seemed nice, but it was a bit scary haveing a complete stranger in my car. Also because it was raining and all- you hear horror stories of people giving rides in the rain. He had long hair and it was a bit greasy, so I assumed he played in a Hardcore band. He said he had to leave Richmond soon and get to California. He came out from Austin, TX to see his friend who was on leave from the Army. Anyways, He lived right downtown- and at least there were cars and such around. I dropped him off the alleyway on 3rd and Broad St. As I left, Ron pulled up- Im glad he followed me. I don't think he would do anything, but you just never know.

Friday I had to come in early to work. I had to make at least 30 Smoothies, Im sure of that. I worked about 5 hours- one of my longer shifts. I think this girl at work is pregnant so she can't come in as much. She is 8 weeks along. After work I came home and made some posters for my show at The Great Big Flea Market which will be October 11th. The band and I still have several rehearsals- then we're bringing a great fiddle player by the name of Dennis Elliott for the November 8th show. He played on my record as well and he does mandolin and guitar. I'm trying to market my new single to several markets in Virginia- Northern Virginia, Richmond, Williamsburg, and The Shenandoah Valley. So far I have Richmond and the Valley covered. I think I managed to book a show up in Loudoun County- this one at a coffeeshop in Purcellville.

Doin' Time For Patsy Cline .

So I FINALLY watched this movie last night on DVD. People were saying it wasnt a very good movie. I was really surprised! It wasnt half bad. The moral of the film is about sacrifice. A young Aussie Country singer wants to get to Nashville and he runs into this couple- kind of on the shady side of the law. Well one things leads to another, and he winds up in jail for a short time because he took the blame . While the film runs, it shows an Alternate reality of what would have happened if he had made it that time to Nashville- really not what he thought it would be . The acting was really good-featured Richard Roxborough of Moulin Rouge fame- very pretty redhead who played "Patsy"- she could have easily been played by Nicole Kidman.
They played a few Patsy Cline tunes during the film one was "Life's Railway To Heaven" and "If I Could Only Stay Asleep". I was greatful for that, because she sang so many more songs than just "Crazy". I actually like her more remote songs. Those were some of her best. They didn't over kill it though. I'll watch any film that has Patsy Cline as part of the Sound Track. Her voice is like magic.


The band and I are getting ready for this big show we're doing in October for this couple that just got married. We have a lot of new material we have to rehearse. Also, we need to get my November 8th record release party set ready. Im doing 10 of my original songs- and 10 of the songs we do already as a band. I think it should be neat. Im gonna promote this single really well- trying to get on as many Indie radio shows as I possibly can. Screw Nashville! (The industry, not the town) I have my own way of doing things, and I think with the Lord's help I'll be in high cotton soon!

Just a few words about what Richmond means to me...

Richmond -the home to 12 generations of my fine old family. I feel so irked when people put her down.

Let me tell Y'all about MY Richmond.

My Richmond is a city that is full of potential and opportunity, and has come along way in many years. The expanision of the VCU campus to an otherwise dead W. Broad St- has increased businesses, decreased crime, and had more creative outlets such as Art Walk Fridays and live music venues.

The National which just opened up on Broad Street too- is Richmond's first nice music venue since The Mosque (oh, excuse me, "Landmark Theater") The people in Richmond while not perfect, are much friendlier than most parts of the country. The weather here is great- you dont get all that much snow in the winter. You have nice long hot summers. You have BEAUTIFUL AND STUNNING architecture. The houses in The Fan are without match


The beauty of Monument Ave with its dogwoods and magnolia trees and statues of Lee, Stuart, Jackson, and all the rest. The great MANY restaurants we have- Southern favorites right next to Thai Food. Where else can you get that?

Yes, Richmond is not without its faults, but its nowhere near the Hell-Hole that some people have made it out to be. We are within easy driving distance to the Deeper South- and large Northeast Cities (if you must) And the beaches, mountains, all within easy reach. We're not plastic like Charlotte, Atlanta, and Nashville. Those cities have no soul. How I love to walk my dog Mosby through Richmond' streets and smell the air and hear the birds singing in the trees. I have to sigh to myself to be blessed to live in such a wonderful city that ever was.

Richmond is A-OKAY!

Calgon- take me away !

Remember those commercials with the beautiful woman lying in a bathtub with soap? Thats what I need right now. Well, yes both the woman and the soap. But something to take me away!!!!!!!!!

These past few days I have been feelin' kinda blue. I guts its a run down from the NC trip. I am going up to Reston Saturday though. Yesterday I slept all day long. I didnt have to work at least. I had to go to Ukrop's and get a piece of chocolate cake. I needed a release! I also got some blow pops to suck on. We had choir practice tonight. Hard to believe its almost Fall again. Today I took a walk through Byrd Park. Some girl asked me what I thought of VCU. She was doing a survey. I guess she probably thought I was a student. Then someone asked me how to get to Maymont Park. I can see how they would be confused. On the map it looks like its where Byrd Park is. But its kinda in the back part of it. I really ate bad yesterday. I had a piece of chocolate cake, 2 zone bards, 2 ice cream bars, 4 chocolate chip cookies, 2 tunafish sandwiches, and 2 bowls of Kellog's Frosted Mini wheats. I guess I always eat when I get the blues.

Live from Burlington !

I played at The Burlington Farmer's Market in Burlington, North Carolina. It was located in an old shopping mall that has been lovingly restored to its former glory! The turn out wasnt too big- but that was to be expected The weather being in the 90s, and gas prices from Hurricane "Ike" probably kept most at home. Those that did come out, seemed to enjoy it, though. It was my 2nd performance in North Carolina. My first was in Rocky Mount- which was a lot closer to home. I did enjoy the drive though. Its about 3 hours South by West of Richmond- 30 miles west of Durham, and it enters the edge of Middle North Carolina- merging with the Western part of the state. I stayed overnight so I didnt have to drive then play because that would be too much. I stayed at The Hampton Inn and watched a Marathon of National Lampoon's Vacation! The actual town of Burlington is right much like a town in the Shenandoah Valley- looked eeriely similar to Harrisonburg, in fact. I was very excited but very tired by the time I finished. Then I just packed up and headed home. I do like North Carolina- the people are so nice, and it can be beautiful. But to be honest, there's not much distinctive about the state. Don't get me wrong- its a nice place to visit, but I was so happy to get back to 'ol Virginny. North Carolina doesnt quite have as much personality. Next time I go, Ill have to play Asheville. My name should be a household one across the entire South!

Bathin' Beauty !

We went to Virginia Beach today- had a marvelous time. The weather was perfect, and it wasn't too crowded. We ate at Rudee's Inlet too. They dont have the soft shelled crab sandwich I was so craving- but they did have a nice buffalo chicken sandwich which was nice with a glass of sweet tea. Gretchen took pictures of me on the beach. She didn't want to be photographed. It was a nice getaway

My Skinny Parents....

Its a bit hard to imagine someone as "robust" as myself, could come from a couple so thin. My parents really were skinny- my mom at her lowest weight was 5'8 and 108 lbs. When dad went into the Army in 1956 , he was 5'11 and 160 lbs. I wonder why I didn't get their genes? As a young baby, I did have a severe case of gastro-interitis. I was put in the hospital for 3 days. My mother stayed with me the whole time. My Dr. told me in theory, that could have destroyed my metabolism. Its funny how people assume that because Im overweight that I shovel food in every chance I get. While I admit, for awhile, I did love food and never really watched what I ate, I never ate to excessive amounts. I just ate a little more here, and a little more there, and then BOOM! Yer a tubby. Thats how it was. In fact, I remember as a teenager,I ate less than most of the other kids at school. I never understood the concept. But I realized, I never ate breakfast, and I waited hours in between meals- often sometimes being so hungry I'd stuff myself when I got home. I think thats what I did to ruin myself. Over the past 3 years, however, the Lord has given me the tools to rebuild and restore my health. I have lost 60 lbs (highest weight was 301 lbs in April, 2005)- and I have managed to keep it off. Thats roughly only 20 lbs a year, but I have changed my whole lifestyle with food

I count every calorie- which seemed awful at first. But now its so 2nd nature, I dont even think about it. I bike ride and walk every day- I allow myself to have some treats but in moderation. I even limit my sweet tea intake. Yes, its a sacrifice, but I'm much healthier. Some people say after 30, our metabolisms will slow down. I dont think thats true. I think its because people usually are married and then they change their more youtful lifestyle and age prematurely. I am going in the opposite direction. Next year at 30, I will more like 20! While others who have stayed thin all along, will probably start to lose that edge and gain their weight.
I hope to get down to 220 lbs by Christmas. I'm only 5'10 and 1/2 but I think that 200 lbs or 190 is my ideal weight.