Hey Guys,
Sorry about the time between posts but it has been one of them months. My computer crashed, and I lost everything, and then the loaner died. Then I got the creeping crud from Typhoid Stevens and spent the holidays coughing my head off, and then .... well you get the picture.
I do have a lot of things that I am thankful for though. First, Ann and I are getting over this crud. You don't know how much you hate coughing until you have a coughing spasm and shart yourself. Not telling who did this but I really hate when this happens. This stuff ruins your rest, your meals, your family time, even work. I will be glad when it is totally gone!!!
2008 has been a year of ups and downs. Family wise, things are good. Ann and I celebrated our 31st wedding aniversity. I don't know where the time went but it sure doesn't seem that long. I will tell you a little secret, if it wasn't for Ann I would be long gone from this old world. She straightened this wild child out and for that I am eternally grateful. I am thankful for my sons. They have grown up to be two pretty good young men, and some damn good musicians. 2009 should be a big year for them and Days Off Screen. Hopefully the folks in the music industry that are starting to ask for info about them will make the move and sign this bunch of talented young men to a contract. My extended family is fairly healthy, and my radio station family is doing good. At the first of the year, we were all worried about Rev. Sims because he had just had his heart surgery but he has completely recovered and I am grateful for that. Brother Wyatt also had a few weeks of scary health problems when they found out he had the sugars, but his wonderful wife Katie has made sure that he has gotten it under control. Emil didn't nearly kill himself climbing down into the Grand Canyon this year, Randy has not wrecked his motorcycle, and John has had a few scary moments on some of his flights as he followed the Blue Hose for us, but he has come through it ok.
The economy has got everyone concerned, but thankfully our local leaders have worked real hard and we are seeing real development start to spring up all over the county. When all these projects come to fruition our county will never be the same.
Oh' well, it's time to watch the ball drop and welcome in the new year!!! We will pick this up in another day or two. I hope that it is a safe and prosperous New Year for all of us!!!
God Bless,
The Big One
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Not what now, what next!!!
Hey guys,
It's been a couple of weeks since I updated my blog and there is a good reason for it, I have been busy trying to straighten up one mess after another. My computer is on the fritz, and this loaner is stubborn. I hate to sound like an old geezer but it just does not operate like my old one does and I am having a hard time figuring it out. The keys are smaller and the letters are rubbed off some of the keys and I type by sight. (I never learned the keyboard in typing, I guess that is why I never got over 40 words a minute.)
Anyway, then I has cellulitis and missed a couple of days work, the dog ate our trim work in the wash room, you name it, it has happened. On the plua side, a lot of good things have happened. the Raiders had a great season! Hey, 11 and 3 is a record 99 % of the high schools in the state would kill for. Thaanksgiving was great because as usual, we went to my Aunties house in Clinton and it was ALL ABOUT ME!!!!!!
Brother Wyatt and I had a great time doing the Christmas parades on WLBG. All three were great, and all three were unique. The Clinton Parade is a more kid oriented parade. There are more kids at the parade than Carter has little liver pills. The Gray Court parade has a country feel to it. The Laurens Parade has a more elegant feel to it because it is at night and all the floats are lit up.
Hopefully my computer will be back from the shop soon and things will get back to normal.
Til next time, God Bless!!!
The Big One
It's been a couple of weeks since I updated my blog and there is a good reason for it, I have been busy trying to straighten up one mess after another. My computer is on the fritz, and this loaner is stubborn. I hate to sound like an old geezer but it just does not operate like my old one does and I am having a hard time figuring it out. The keys are smaller and the letters are rubbed off some of the keys and I type by sight. (I never learned the keyboard in typing, I guess that is why I never got over 40 words a minute.)
Anyway, then I has cellulitis and missed a couple of days work, the dog ate our trim work in the wash room, you name it, it has happened. On the plua side, a lot of good things have happened. the Raiders had a great season! Hey, 11 and 3 is a record 99 % of the high schools in the state would kill for. Thaanksgiving was great because as usual, we went to my Aunties house in Clinton and it was ALL ABOUT ME!!!!!!
Brother Wyatt and I had a great time doing the Christmas parades on WLBG. All three were great, and all three were unique. The Clinton Parade is a more kid oriented parade. There are more kids at the parade than Carter has little liver pills. The Gray Court parade has a country feel to it. The Laurens Parade has a more elegant feel to it because it is at night and all the floats are lit up.
Hopefully my computer will be back from the shop soon and things will get back to normal.
Til next time, God Bless!!!
The Big One
Sunday, November 23, 2008
How About Those Raiders!!!!!!
How About Those Raiders!!!!
The Big Ones Blog
November 23, 2008
Well Raider fans, Friday night was great wasn’t it. For the first time in many, many years the Raiders are advancing to the football upperstate championships by virtue of their huge 10 to 3 win over Conway.
First off’ let’s talk a little bit about the game. The Raiders had to face many Giants Friday night in order to earn the right to play for the Upperstate championship this week. The Raiders had all kinds of things go wrong on the way to the game. First there was an hour delay when one of the charter busses lost a lug nut. A three and a half hour trip to Conway turned into a nearly five hour trip. Then the grill malfunctioned for their pregame meal. It was cold, and the Conway team was big and fast and suppose to be a lot better than the Raiders. Most pundits were prediction a Conway blowout. Why even Elmo predicted that Conway would win by three touchdowns! Everyone believed this except the Raiders, their coaches, and their fans. Bottom line, the Raiders stifle a high powered Tiger offense, our offense ate up huge gobs of the clock, our defense bent a little but never broke, the Raider faithful were the 12th man, yelling and stomping their feet and made Conway’s stadium a satellite of K. C. Hanna Stadium and the Raiders come away with a 10 to 3 win!!!
This win is a cornerstone win for the Raider program. First off they were not supposed to win. Everybody knows that the Raiders can’t win the big one. Give them time they will beat themselves. Well, other teams can’t make that statement any more. The Raiders can win the big one, and they proved this at Conway. For years the program has been mired in the lower echelon of 4-A football. The team did not expect to win; the town did not expect to win. Politics entered into the program as people outside the program tried to exert pressure to play this player or that one even if they were not the best at the position. It was a program mired in the muck of mediocrity.
To turn around a program is difficult, but not impossible. The right guy has got to be given that opportunity and be given a free reign to make changes without having to worry who may not like it. He’s got to be a person who knows football, and most importantly know what success is, what it means to be a member of a championship program. Someone who came to the program to build it, not to build their retirement.
In Greg Lawson we got this person. He has coached under such great coaches as Shell Dula, Phil Strickland, and Mike Anthony. All coaches who have built state championship programs. He has been involved with multiple championship seasons at Gaffney and Union. He knows how to win.
Next he assembled a staff dedicated to win. Some stayed over from past coaching staffs, and some were brought in. All wanted to win, and worked their butts off coaching to help the Raiders get this far.
While we are at it, we can’t forget the support staff. The folks at the District office and school board, Athletic Director Bill Boroff, Head trainer extraordinaire Barry Atkinson, the late John Hendricks, our new principal Wayne McIntosh, the list goes on and on, and all were dedicated to seeing the program succeed. It has been a team effort, and this team has given their best effort to see the Raiders succeed.
Finally there are two groups that we can’t overlook. First the players. These young men bought into the new program that Coach Lawson and staff have put in place. They have worked hard in the weight and conditioning room in the off season and spent hours and hours on the practice field. They have worked hard to keep their grades up and keep themselves eligible to play. They have bonded as brothers, and they have become winners. There is no quit in these young men, there is no back-up. They want to win; they have a hunger building in them that makes them give that extra effort. They never give up. They are determined to give their best effort for only their best effort will do. They have become winners.
Lastly let’s not forget the Raider fans. They have got behind the team and have become their 12th man. They have reveled in the teams wins, and encouraged them in their losses. They have been there and it means a lot for the team to have them behind them 100 percent. Believe me, you can hear the fans cheering on the field, and it, makes you reach down for that little bit of extra effort, and this is what builds championships. Well done Raider fans!!!!!
This win over Conway is what I call a cornerstone win. It is one that success can be built on. It is the dawn of a new era. In 1972, Clinton got their cornerstone win and the program thrives to this day. In 1972 the Red Devils faced Woodruff in the first game of the season. It was Keith Richardson’s fourth year at head coach of the Red Devils. The program had steadily improved but still had not won the big game, the game to build a program on. Clinton had not defeated Woodruff in 10 seasons. Well, Clinton did defeat Woodruff 20 to 0 back in 1972, and people started to believe. The team won the state championship that year and won six more in the next 15 years. The program is still successful, and the roots of the winning tradition can be traced back to that September evening many years ago.
This is Laurens cornerstone win. Can I guarantee that the Raiders will beat South Pointe this Friday night? No, but I can guarantee that the Raiders will head to Rock Hill and give their best effort, the South Pointe team will have a fight on their hands like they have not had so far because the Raiders are on the way, and they are winners!!!
God Bless!!!
The Big One
The Big Ones Blog
November 23, 2008
Well Raider fans, Friday night was great wasn’t it. For the first time in many, many years the Raiders are advancing to the football upperstate championships by virtue of their huge 10 to 3 win over Conway.
First off’ let’s talk a little bit about the game. The Raiders had to face many Giants Friday night in order to earn the right to play for the Upperstate championship this week. The Raiders had all kinds of things go wrong on the way to the game. First there was an hour delay when one of the charter busses lost a lug nut. A three and a half hour trip to Conway turned into a nearly five hour trip. Then the grill malfunctioned for their pregame meal. It was cold, and the Conway team was big and fast and suppose to be a lot better than the Raiders. Most pundits were prediction a Conway blowout. Why even Elmo predicted that Conway would win by three touchdowns! Everyone believed this except the Raiders, their coaches, and their fans. Bottom line, the Raiders stifle a high powered Tiger offense, our offense ate up huge gobs of the clock, our defense bent a little but never broke, the Raider faithful were the 12th man, yelling and stomping their feet and made Conway’s stadium a satellite of K. C. Hanna Stadium and the Raiders come away with a 10 to 3 win!!!
This win is a cornerstone win for the Raider program. First off they were not supposed to win. Everybody knows that the Raiders can’t win the big one. Give them time they will beat themselves. Well, other teams can’t make that statement any more. The Raiders can win the big one, and they proved this at Conway. For years the program has been mired in the lower echelon of 4-A football. The team did not expect to win; the town did not expect to win. Politics entered into the program as people outside the program tried to exert pressure to play this player or that one even if they were not the best at the position. It was a program mired in the muck of mediocrity.
To turn around a program is difficult, but not impossible. The right guy has got to be given that opportunity and be given a free reign to make changes without having to worry who may not like it. He’s got to be a person who knows football, and most importantly know what success is, what it means to be a member of a championship program. Someone who came to the program to build it, not to build their retirement.
In Greg Lawson we got this person. He has coached under such great coaches as Shell Dula, Phil Strickland, and Mike Anthony. All coaches who have built state championship programs. He has been involved with multiple championship seasons at Gaffney and Union. He knows how to win.
Next he assembled a staff dedicated to win. Some stayed over from past coaching staffs, and some were brought in. All wanted to win, and worked their butts off coaching to help the Raiders get this far.
While we are at it, we can’t forget the support staff. The folks at the District office and school board, Athletic Director Bill Boroff, Head trainer extraordinaire Barry Atkinson, the late John Hendricks, our new principal Wayne McIntosh, the list goes on and on, and all were dedicated to seeing the program succeed. It has been a team effort, and this team has given their best effort to see the Raiders succeed.
Finally there are two groups that we can’t overlook. First the players. These young men bought into the new program that Coach Lawson and staff have put in place. They have worked hard in the weight and conditioning room in the off season and spent hours and hours on the practice field. They have worked hard to keep their grades up and keep themselves eligible to play. They have bonded as brothers, and they have become winners. There is no quit in these young men, there is no back-up. They want to win; they have a hunger building in them that makes them give that extra effort. They never give up. They are determined to give their best effort for only their best effort will do. They have become winners.
Lastly let’s not forget the Raider fans. They have got behind the team and have become their 12th man. They have reveled in the teams wins, and encouraged them in their losses. They have been there and it means a lot for the team to have them behind them 100 percent. Believe me, you can hear the fans cheering on the field, and it, makes you reach down for that little bit of extra effort, and this is what builds championships. Well done Raider fans!!!!!
This win over Conway is what I call a cornerstone win. It is one that success can be built on. It is the dawn of a new era. In 1972, Clinton got their cornerstone win and the program thrives to this day. In 1972 the Red Devils faced Woodruff in the first game of the season. It was Keith Richardson’s fourth year at head coach of the Red Devils. The program had steadily improved but still had not won the big game, the game to build a program on. Clinton had not defeated Woodruff in 10 seasons. Well, Clinton did defeat Woodruff 20 to 0 back in 1972, and people started to believe. The team won the state championship that year and won six more in the next 15 years. The program is still successful, and the roots of the winning tradition can be traced back to that September evening many years ago.
This is Laurens cornerstone win. Can I guarantee that the Raiders will beat South Pointe this Friday night? No, but I can guarantee that the Raiders will head to Rock Hill and give their best effort, the South Pointe team will have a fight on their hands like they have not had so far because the Raiders are on the way, and they are winners!!!
God Bless!!!
The Big One
Sunday, November 16, 2008
What a Week for Laurens County!!!!!!
The Big One’s Blog
November 16, 2008
Well, what a week we have had in Laurens County. We have truly been blessed several different ways. Where do I begin…….
First, how about the big announcement about American Titanium coming to Laurens. Man, 320 jobs paying 20 bucks plus an hour. Talk about turning around the county’s economy. Plus, we have heard that there will be several other related industries coming to the county to be close to the titanium plant. This is something that will change the face of Laurens County forever. You know it’s strange but the rest of the country is suffering through a recession, but we seem to be on the verge of economic development in our county the likes of which we have never seen before.
Next, how about those Raiders and Red Devils. Laurens took it to North Augusta Friday night in conditions that would be more suitable for a setting for a horror flick. First fog so thick you could cut it with a bread knife, and then the monsoon came. Good news is the Raiders adapted well to the adverse condition and win their first playoff game in many a moon. Next up Conway at Conway.
Saturday Night the Red Devils took a whipping stick to Greenville High School. With the win, the Red Devils head to the third round of the playoffs as they take on Chester in Chester.
Finally, how about the huge announcements at PC. The Blue Hose will be taking on Clemson in football in 2010. You know, the Blue Hose used to play the Tigers every year, and have actually beat them a three times, who knows, look what happened to Michigan last season!!!
That’s it for now folks, more later!!!
God Bless,
The Big One
November 16, 2008
Well, what a week we have had in Laurens County. We have truly been blessed several different ways. Where do I begin…….
First, how about the big announcement about American Titanium coming to Laurens. Man, 320 jobs paying 20 bucks plus an hour. Talk about turning around the county’s economy. Plus, we have heard that there will be several other related industries coming to the county to be close to the titanium plant. This is something that will change the face of Laurens County forever. You know it’s strange but the rest of the country is suffering through a recession, but we seem to be on the verge of economic development in our county the likes of which we have never seen before.
Next, how about those Raiders and Red Devils. Laurens took it to North Augusta Friday night in conditions that would be more suitable for a setting for a horror flick. First fog so thick you could cut it with a bread knife, and then the monsoon came. Good news is the Raiders adapted well to the adverse condition and win their first playoff game in many a moon. Next up Conway at Conway.
Saturday Night the Red Devils took a whipping stick to Greenville High School. With the win, the Red Devils head to the third round of the playoffs as they take on Chester in Chester.
Finally, how about the huge announcements at PC. The Blue Hose will be taking on Clemson in football in 2010. You know, the Blue Hose used to play the Tigers every year, and have actually beat them a three times, who knows, look what happened to Michigan last season!!!
That’s it for now folks, more later!!!
God Bless,
The Big One
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Random Thoughts from a Random Mind; Part III
The Big One’s Blog
November 8, 2008
Well, things didn’t work out like we hoped they would Friday as the Raiders lost to Greenwood, but when you consider what a great season the team has had so far, them things are not as bad as you think. At the first of the season I write down my predictions for the Raiders and this year I had predicted 6 and 5, possibly 7 and 4. The team ended up 9 and 2, and will host a first round play-off game. This is the first home play-off game in ten or eleven years. That ain’t bad by anyone’s standards.
I am also seeing a turn-around in the Raider fan’s attitude. In the past, many fans seemed to accept mediocre teams, and were not all that surprised when the team lost. It was like a losing mentality had taken over and the fans expected to lose. Well, Head Coach Greg Lawson and his coaching staff have turned that attitude around both with the players and the fans. Used to, a loss was a loss, no big deal. These days a loss hurts, people don’t like the feeling. They expect to win, and this a good thing. Believe it or not, a winning football team can turn the attitude around in a team in a hurry!!!
Go Raiders, Beat North Augusta!!!
This week could be one of the biggest in the history of the City of Laurens, and in Laurens County. The Greenville County Council kind of let the cat out of the bag last week, and it looks like that this may be the big week. Special thanks go out to all those who were involved in recruiting our newest corporate citizen to our area. It’s funny, but when the rest of the country was experiencing good times, Laurens County was suffering. We lost our textile plants, the Glass Plant, Torrington; the list goes on and on. Now, the rest of the country is seeing some hard times, and it looks like Laurens County is beginning to see some boom times.
Don’t forget the Hall of Hero’s ceremony Tuesday at the High School. There are going to be some amazing military equipment on display, some hero’s welcomed home from Afghanistan, and some hero’s honored for their sacrifice in defending our country in wars and conflicts past.
This past week our country elected a new leader. Most folks took it for granted, we had an election, we voted, and one guy won, and the other candidates lost. No big deal, right? Well in many nations, it would be a huge deal. We have freedoms that other nations dream about. We are able to cast our ballot in secret, without fearing for intimidation from the party in power. No matter if your candidate won or lost, we are blessed to live in a country we are free to elect our leaders without fear.
Speaking of the election, our newly elected president, Baraak Obama said something over the weekend that made me pause to consider what he said, and the magnitude of it. When asked about the dog he promised his girls when they moved into the White House, he said, “that he was thinking about getting a dog from a pound, but that would “be a mutt like me.” You know, you got to appreciate a guy who can poke fun at himself.
That’s about it gang, hope all have a great week!!!!!!
God Bless,
The Big One
November 8, 2008
Well, things didn’t work out like we hoped they would Friday as the Raiders lost to Greenwood, but when you consider what a great season the team has had so far, them things are not as bad as you think. At the first of the season I write down my predictions for the Raiders and this year I had predicted 6 and 5, possibly 7 and 4. The team ended up 9 and 2, and will host a first round play-off game. This is the first home play-off game in ten or eleven years. That ain’t bad by anyone’s standards.
I am also seeing a turn-around in the Raider fan’s attitude. In the past, many fans seemed to accept mediocre teams, and were not all that surprised when the team lost. It was like a losing mentality had taken over and the fans expected to lose. Well, Head Coach Greg Lawson and his coaching staff have turned that attitude around both with the players and the fans. Used to, a loss was a loss, no big deal. These days a loss hurts, people don’t like the feeling. They expect to win, and this a good thing. Believe it or not, a winning football team can turn the attitude around in a team in a hurry!!!
Go Raiders, Beat North Augusta!!!
This week could be one of the biggest in the history of the City of Laurens, and in Laurens County. The Greenville County Council kind of let the cat out of the bag last week, and it looks like that this may be the big week. Special thanks go out to all those who were involved in recruiting our newest corporate citizen to our area. It’s funny, but when the rest of the country was experiencing good times, Laurens County was suffering. We lost our textile plants, the Glass Plant, Torrington; the list goes on and on. Now, the rest of the country is seeing some hard times, and it looks like Laurens County is beginning to see some boom times.
Don’t forget the Hall of Hero’s ceremony Tuesday at the High School. There are going to be some amazing military equipment on display, some hero’s welcomed home from Afghanistan, and some hero’s honored for their sacrifice in defending our country in wars and conflicts past.
This past week our country elected a new leader. Most folks took it for granted, we had an election, we voted, and one guy won, and the other candidates lost. No big deal, right? Well in many nations, it would be a huge deal. We have freedoms that other nations dream about. We are able to cast our ballot in secret, without fearing for intimidation from the party in power. No matter if your candidate won or lost, we are blessed to live in a country we are free to elect our leaders without fear.
Speaking of the election, our newly elected president, Baraak Obama said something over the weekend that made me pause to consider what he said, and the magnitude of it. When asked about the dog he promised his girls when they moved into the White House, he said, “that he was thinking about getting a dog from a pound, but that would “be a mutt like me.” You know, you got to appreciate a guy who can poke fun at himself.
That’s about it gang, hope all have a great week!!!!!!
God Bless,
The Big One
Sunday, November 2, 2008
My 2008 Presidential Endorsement goes to............
The Big Un’s Blog
November 2, 2008
My 2008 Presidential Endorsement
Dear Friends,
As you know, tomorrow is Election Day, a day where Americans will go to the polls and cast their vote for the person that will lead our great nation for the next four years. This person will lead our nation through some very turbulent times, both economically and on the world front. These are dangerous times that we are in now. Our economy is weak and our citizens are suffering from high unemployment and the constant specter of recession hangs over us. Uncertainty in the banking industry and the stock market seems to just get worse and worse.
The world itself is a dangerous place for Americans now. Terrorists target us for their dastardly deeds and rogue nations support their efforts with both money and a steady supply of maniacs to fill their ranks. China has become our banker and can make us dance like a puppet when they tighten up our money supply. Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, the USSR, our enemies are many. While we are at it lets not forget the good folks in the Middle East with OPEC.
Our next president is going to have to be tough, a man of action not afraid to make the hard decisions. Someone who loves our country and will surround himself with the best and brightest that will work tirelessly to bring our country back to greatness. Than is why I have decided to give my endorsement for President of the United States to a great man, a super patriot, and man who loves his God, his country, and his family……….. Ladies and gentlemen, my endorsement goes to:
Hank Hill
There are so many reasons for my endorsement of Mr. Hill for President, but I have decided to give you my top ten.
Top 10 Reasons that I have Decided to Endorse Hank Hill for President.
10. Tax Breaks for all businesses who either use or sell propane and propane accessories.
9. Don’t look for a Hill Administration to give any handouts, you either work or in President Hill’s own words, I’m Gonna Kick your ass!!!
8. As President, Hank Hill would know how to deal with third world countries. After all he’s lived next to Kahn Supanuspa for several years, and he’s from Cambodia.
7. President Hill would solve the country’s problems of illegal immigration real quick. In his own words his solution is and I quote, “Either y’all all go back to where you came from or I’m gonna kick your ass!!!”
6. Huge tax breaks for all individuals who use propane, and for those who don’t we will give them an incentive to begin. In President Hill’s own words, “Either you folks begin using propane, or I’m gonna kick your ass.”
5. President Hill would name Bill his Secretary of Defense, and if he caught a defense contractor trying to sell the government a hundred dollar hammer or a three thousand dollar toilet, to correct the problem in President Hill’s own words, either straighten out your business practices and quit trying to cheat the government, or I’m Gonna Kick your ass!!!
4. President Hill would name his wife Peggy his Secretary of Education, and her first act would be to put prayer back in school, and for any pantywaist liberal commie atheist who tried to prevent this, in President Hill’s own words, say your prayers mister, because I’m Gonna Kick your ass!!!
3. President Hill would name Boomhower as the head of the country’s United Nations Delegation, and to anyone in the UN who didn’t like it, in President Hill’s own words, “Back Off you UN America hating Commies, or I’m Gonna Kick your ass!!!
2. President Hill would keep all those tax and spend liberals in congress in line, First time they started this “Lets raise taxes so we can spend more money, he’d head over to capital hill, go before a joint session of congress, look them all in the eye, and in President Hill’s own words, “Back off those tax increases you socialists or I’m Gonna Kick your ass!!!
1. You’d be surprised how quick President Hill could deal with these rogue terrorist harboring nations. He’d call the dictator or premier or whoever ran the country into the oval office, look them in the eye, and in President Hill’s own words would say, “Either cut this terrorist stuff out or I’m Gonna Kick your ass!!!
Seriously folks, tomorrow is Election Day, don’t waste your vote by not voting!!!! I am not going to tell you who to vote for, that is for us all to decide, however I do urge you to cast your ballot. After all, if you don’t vote, you don’t have any reason to complain.
God Bless,
The Big One
November 2, 2008
My 2008 Presidential Endorsement
Dear Friends,
As you know, tomorrow is Election Day, a day where Americans will go to the polls and cast their vote for the person that will lead our great nation for the next four years. This person will lead our nation through some very turbulent times, both economically and on the world front. These are dangerous times that we are in now. Our economy is weak and our citizens are suffering from high unemployment and the constant specter of recession hangs over us. Uncertainty in the banking industry and the stock market seems to just get worse and worse.
The world itself is a dangerous place for Americans now. Terrorists target us for their dastardly deeds and rogue nations support their efforts with both money and a steady supply of maniacs to fill their ranks. China has become our banker and can make us dance like a puppet when they tighten up our money supply. Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, the USSR, our enemies are many. While we are at it lets not forget the good folks in the Middle East with OPEC.
Our next president is going to have to be tough, a man of action not afraid to make the hard decisions. Someone who loves our country and will surround himself with the best and brightest that will work tirelessly to bring our country back to greatness. Than is why I have decided to give my endorsement for President of the United States to a great man, a super patriot, and man who loves his God, his country, and his family……….. Ladies and gentlemen, my endorsement goes to:
Hank Hill
There are so many reasons for my endorsement of Mr. Hill for President, but I have decided to give you my top ten.
Top 10 Reasons that I have Decided to Endorse Hank Hill for President.
10. Tax Breaks for all businesses who either use or sell propane and propane accessories.
9. Don’t look for a Hill Administration to give any handouts, you either work or in President Hill’s own words, I’m Gonna Kick your ass!!!
8. As President, Hank Hill would know how to deal with third world countries. After all he’s lived next to Kahn Supanuspa for several years, and he’s from Cambodia.
7. President Hill would solve the country’s problems of illegal immigration real quick. In his own words his solution is and I quote, “Either y’all all go back to where you came from or I’m gonna kick your ass!!!”
6. Huge tax breaks for all individuals who use propane, and for those who don’t we will give them an incentive to begin. In President Hill’s own words, “Either you folks begin using propane, or I’m gonna kick your ass.”
5. President Hill would name Bill his Secretary of Defense, and if he caught a defense contractor trying to sell the government a hundred dollar hammer or a three thousand dollar toilet, to correct the problem in President Hill’s own words, either straighten out your business practices and quit trying to cheat the government, or I’m Gonna Kick your ass!!!
4. President Hill would name his wife Peggy his Secretary of Education, and her first act would be to put prayer back in school, and for any pantywaist liberal commie atheist who tried to prevent this, in President Hill’s own words, say your prayers mister, because I’m Gonna Kick your ass!!!
3. President Hill would name Boomhower as the head of the country’s United Nations Delegation, and to anyone in the UN who didn’t like it, in President Hill’s own words, “Back Off you UN America hating Commies, or I’m Gonna Kick your ass!!!
2. President Hill would keep all those tax and spend liberals in congress in line, First time they started this “Lets raise taxes so we can spend more money, he’d head over to capital hill, go before a joint session of congress, look them all in the eye, and in President Hill’s own words, “Back off those tax increases you socialists or I’m Gonna Kick your ass!!!
1. You’d be surprised how quick President Hill could deal with these rogue terrorist harboring nations. He’d call the dictator or premier or whoever ran the country into the oval office, look them in the eye, and in President Hill’s own words would say, “Either cut this terrorist stuff out or I’m Gonna Kick your ass!!!
Seriously folks, tomorrow is Election Day, don’t waste your vote by not voting!!!! I am not going to tell you who to vote for, that is for us all to decide, however I do urge you to cast your ballot. After all, if you don’t vote, you don’t have any reason to complain.
God Bless,
The Big One
Monday, October 27, 2008
Random Thoughts from a Random Mind... Part II
The Big One’s Blog
October 27, 2008
For the past few days whenever I go out I have people coming up to me and fussing about having politicians on Good Morning Up Country. You know, I can understand them wanting to be entertained but this is probably one of the most important functions of WLBG and Good Morning Up Country, and that is to present the candidates to the voters so they can make a decision based on information that they hear on these political interviews. The day of just voting a straight party ticket are over. We are blessed to have good candidates running in both parties and to make a good decision on whom to vote we need information on their views, their ideas, and their goals. So the next time you hear a politician on GMUC just remember that we are blessed to live in a country where for now we are still free to bring you programs like these. Plus, it’s only for a few days, it’s not like it is weeks upon weeks of non-stop politicians.
Friday Night is a huge night for Raider fans. The dreaded evil empire is coming to town and I still remember the SOLO cups. We need a huge crowd at K. C. Hanna Stadium cheering the Raiders as they try to wrap up a home play-off game. Be there, wear your green and gold, yell and stomp your feet, and be the 12th Raider. These guys are in the midst of a very special season and we need to do all we can to encourage them as they work hard to return the Raider football program to greatness.
Sometimes we take things for granted that we shouldn’t. Thursday the City of Laurens Recreation Department will be putting on “Boo in the Park.” It will be a safe haven for children to come trick or treat in a safe environment at an event sponsored by local businesses and orginizations. Maybe you have not thought about it, but trick or treating is a hazardous activity. Kids can pull away from parents and run into the street, some pervert may be hiding behind a door waiting for a lone child to knock on their door, the list goes on and on. With “Boo in the Park” our kids are safe, and will get more than enough candy to give them bellyaches for several days. Kudo’s to the city Fathers, (And city mothers, you know we have a lady mayor and two city councilwomen), the City of Laurens Recreation Department headed by Jason Pridgeon, his assistants, PRTC for being the name sponsor, and to all the businesses and civic organizations that support “Boo in the Park.”
Finally, I am so excited so excited about the upcoming Hall of Hero’s ceremony on November 11th at the High School. The folks at the veteran’s affairs office are doing a bang-up job organizing this year’s event. You got to Cary Bolt and his staff, every year has topped the prior years, and this year will not be any different. I am not giving away any secrets, but I can tell you I am gonna be there!!!
Lastly, Don’t forget to Vote next week! No matter who you support, if you don’t vote you have no right to complain. While you are at it, pray that whoever gets elected will be led by God to lead our nation through these difficult times. No matter who is elected next Tuesday, beginning January 20th they are our president and need and deserve our prayers.
That’s it for now, God Bless!!!
The Big One
October 27, 2008
For the past few days whenever I go out I have people coming up to me and fussing about having politicians on Good Morning Up Country. You know, I can understand them wanting to be entertained but this is probably one of the most important functions of WLBG and Good Morning Up Country, and that is to present the candidates to the voters so they can make a decision based on information that they hear on these political interviews. The day of just voting a straight party ticket are over. We are blessed to have good candidates running in both parties and to make a good decision on whom to vote we need information on their views, their ideas, and their goals. So the next time you hear a politician on GMUC just remember that we are blessed to live in a country where for now we are still free to bring you programs like these. Plus, it’s only for a few days, it’s not like it is weeks upon weeks of non-stop politicians.
Friday Night is a huge night for Raider fans. The dreaded evil empire is coming to town and I still remember the SOLO cups. We need a huge crowd at K. C. Hanna Stadium cheering the Raiders as they try to wrap up a home play-off game. Be there, wear your green and gold, yell and stomp your feet, and be the 12th Raider. These guys are in the midst of a very special season and we need to do all we can to encourage them as they work hard to return the Raider football program to greatness.
Sometimes we take things for granted that we shouldn’t. Thursday the City of Laurens Recreation Department will be putting on “Boo in the Park.” It will be a safe haven for children to come trick or treat in a safe environment at an event sponsored by local businesses and orginizations. Maybe you have not thought about it, but trick or treating is a hazardous activity. Kids can pull away from parents and run into the street, some pervert may be hiding behind a door waiting for a lone child to knock on their door, the list goes on and on. With “Boo in the Park” our kids are safe, and will get more than enough candy to give them bellyaches for several days. Kudo’s to the city Fathers, (And city mothers, you know we have a lady mayor and two city councilwomen), the City of Laurens Recreation Department headed by Jason Pridgeon, his assistants, PRTC for being the name sponsor, and to all the businesses and civic organizations that support “Boo in the Park.”
Finally, I am so excited so excited about the upcoming Hall of Hero’s ceremony on November 11th at the High School. The folks at the veteran’s affairs office are doing a bang-up job organizing this year’s event. You got to Cary Bolt and his staff, every year has topped the prior years, and this year will not be any different. I am not giving away any secrets, but I can tell you I am gonna be there!!!
Lastly, Don’t forget to Vote next week! No matter who you support, if you don’t vote you have no right to complain. While you are at it, pray that whoever gets elected will be led by God to lead our nation through these difficult times. No matter who is elected next Tuesday, beginning January 20th they are our president and need and deserve our prayers.
That’s it for now, God Bless!!!
The Big One
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Laurens County folks help our own!!!
The Big One’s Blog
October 19, 2008
This past weekend a good thing happened in Laurens. Just as I have witnessed over and over and over, Laurens County folks came together to help one of their own. Laurens County folks may fuss and fret with each other about just about anything but when one of our own needs help, we get to work on helping them out anyway we can.
Saturday at the Little River Amphitheater several Sunday School classes of Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church put on a benefit to help out one of our younger residents and her family. Lucy Wilbanks was born with a heart defect and have to have open heart surgery before she was even a month old. Thank God that her condition was diagnosed and she successfully underwent the operation and now is on the way to being a healthy, happy toddler. That’s the good news! The bad news, her family was swamped with medical expenses. Here is where the good folks at Chestnut Ridge stepped up.
Beginning at 1:00 p. m. and throughout the afternoon into the evening the good folks worked their rear ends off raising funds for little Lucy and her family. They had jump castles and slides, cake walks, sold hot dogs, cakes, cotton candy and had a fun time entertaining all the large crowd that came out to help the cause.
They also had a full afternoon of entertainment for the folks too!!! A local dance troop came out and entertained the folks, Gerald Douglas and his trio entertained the folks with a collection of both beach and gospel music. Days Off Screen appeared and performed a couple of new songs they have been working on as well as some crowd favorites. To wrap up the entertainment, The Chase from Seneca wrapped up the evening with a great set. One of the members was a cousin to little Lucy. All in all a good time was had by all.
I know that I have not named hardly anyone that helped put this event on, but you could tell it was a team effort. The Chestnut Ridge folks worked hard to pull this together. Many local businesses donated a whole slew of prizes to give away, many dear ladies cooked their hearts out making cakes to sell and give away for the cake walks. Folks were pressed into duty as hot dog makers and cotton candy sellers; the list goes on and on. All in all it was an amazing event. A lot of people had a great time and a lot of money was raised to help a little girl and her family. It don’t get no better than that!
Just like I have told people time and time again with pride, I am from Laurens County, where people may fuss a little at each other about the silliest things, but when the chips are down and one of our own needs help, we will rise to the occasion and do what it takes to help them out.
It’s pretty cool to live in a place like Laurens County isn’t it!
God Bless,
The Big One
October 19, 2008
This past weekend a good thing happened in Laurens. Just as I have witnessed over and over and over, Laurens County folks came together to help one of their own. Laurens County folks may fuss and fret with each other about just about anything but when one of our own needs help, we get to work on helping them out anyway we can.
Saturday at the Little River Amphitheater several Sunday School classes of Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church put on a benefit to help out one of our younger residents and her family. Lucy Wilbanks was born with a heart defect and have to have open heart surgery before she was even a month old. Thank God that her condition was diagnosed and she successfully underwent the operation and now is on the way to being a healthy, happy toddler. That’s the good news! The bad news, her family was swamped with medical expenses. Here is where the good folks at Chestnut Ridge stepped up.
Beginning at 1:00 p. m. and throughout the afternoon into the evening the good folks worked their rear ends off raising funds for little Lucy and her family. They had jump castles and slides, cake walks, sold hot dogs, cakes, cotton candy and had a fun time entertaining all the large crowd that came out to help the cause.
They also had a full afternoon of entertainment for the folks too!!! A local dance troop came out and entertained the folks, Gerald Douglas and his trio entertained the folks with a collection of both beach and gospel music. Days Off Screen appeared and performed a couple of new songs they have been working on as well as some crowd favorites. To wrap up the entertainment, The Chase from Seneca wrapped up the evening with a great set. One of the members was a cousin to little Lucy. All in all a good time was had by all.
I know that I have not named hardly anyone that helped put this event on, but you could tell it was a team effort. The Chestnut Ridge folks worked hard to pull this together. Many local businesses donated a whole slew of prizes to give away, many dear ladies cooked their hearts out making cakes to sell and give away for the cake walks. Folks were pressed into duty as hot dog makers and cotton candy sellers; the list goes on and on. All in all it was an amazing event. A lot of people had a great time and a lot of money was raised to help a little girl and her family. It don’t get no better than that!
Just like I have told people time and time again with pride, I am from Laurens County, where people may fuss a little at each other about the silliest things, but when the chips are down and one of our own needs help, we will rise to the occasion and do what it takes to help them out.
It’s pretty cool to live in a place like Laurens County isn’t it!
God Bless,
The Big One
Monday, October 13, 2008
A Good Man is Canned!!!!!!
The Big One’s Blog
Oct. 13, 2007
Sometimes just being a good man is not enough. Former Clemson Head Football Coach Tommy Bowden could be described as a good man. He is a devout Christian and not afraid to talk about his faith. Many players and their families have stated that one of the main reasons that they went to Clemson was because of their coaches, and the staff’s faith. He even got on the ACLU’s bad side because he had a annual team lets all go to my church this Sunday day where all the players on the team were invited to attend church with Coach Bowden.
However, just being a good man is not enough in the high stakes world of college football. The mantra is still win, win, win, and some schools would do whatever it takes to win. Look at some of the schools that have had success in the past and look at the troubled athletes that were members of their team. Take Miami for example, back several years ago their players stayed in so much trouble they were nicknamed Thugville U. Even at in-state schools like South Carolina under Lou “Granny Clampett” Holtz many troubled athletes were recruited and you see the results. Steve Spurrier has had to weed out some of the bad apples, and change the attitudes on others. And no, he is not perfect in his recruiting; he has had a few discipline problems too.
To his credit, Tommy Bowden did not have near the problems that most schools do. He has had a few problem players but they are few and far between. He just seemed to have a natural sense of who would be a good kid as well as a good recruit.
Unfortunately, that does not always win football games. This year the Clemson faithful had their heart set on an ACC and then a National Championship, all wrapped up in an undefeated season. Clemson had loads of talent, and then the injury but bit and bit hard, and suddenly the Tigers are three and three and sporting a two game losing streak in the ACC. All the dreams of the fat cat donors were dashed and only a sacrifice would suffice to keep them happy and their money flowing to the program, and you know the rest of the story…… Bowden is fired and the Clemson football program begins yet another rebuilding process.
Tommy Bowden is not mad, maybe a little upset, but not mad at Clemson. He is a good man who loves his players, and loves Clemson. Plus he has three and a half million reasons not to be mad. He will go gently into retirement and join the list of Coaches who could not measure up to the lofty goals of the fat cat donors at Clemson. Sorry guys, but there is only one Danny Ford, and he don’t want to come out of retirement for any amount of money. That’s my opinion, but what do I know, I’m just the fat guy.
God Bless,
The Big One
Oct. 13, 2007
Sometimes just being a good man is not enough. Former Clemson Head Football Coach Tommy Bowden could be described as a good man. He is a devout Christian and not afraid to talk about his faith. Many players and their families have stated that one of the main reasons that they went to Clemson was because of their coaches, and the staff’s faith. He even got on the ACLU’s bad side because he had a annual team lets all go to my church this Sunday day where all the players on the team were invited to attend church with Coach Bowden.
However, just being a good man is not enough in the high stakes world of college football. The mantra is still win, win, win, and some schools would do whatever it takes to win. Look at some of the schools that have had success in the past and look at the troubled athletes that were members of their team. Take Miami for example, back several years ago their players stayed in so much trouble they were nicknamed Thugville U. Even at in-state schools like South Carolina under Lou “Granny Clampett” Holtz many troubled athletes were recruited and you see the results. Steve Spurrier has had to weed out some of the bad apples, and change the attitudes on others. And no, he is not perfect in his recruiting; he has had a few discipline problems too.
To his credit, Tommy Bowden did not have near the problems that most schools do. He has had a few problem players but they are few and far between. He just seemed to have a natural sense of who would be a good kid as well as a good recruit.
Unfortunately, that does not always win football games. This year the Clemson faithful had their heart set on an ACC and then a National Championship, all wrapped up in an undefeated season. Clemson had loads of talent, and then the injury but bit and bit hard, and suddenly the Tigers are three and three and sporting a two game losing streak in the ACC. All the dreams of the fat cat donors were dashed and only a sacrifice would suffice to keep them happy and their money flowing to the program, and you know the rest of the story…… Bowden is fired and the Clemson football program begins yet another rebuilding process.
Tommy Bowden is not mad, maybe a little upset, but not mad at Clemson. He is a good man who loves his players, and loves Clemson. Plus he has three and a half million reasons not to be mad. He will go gently into retirement and join the list of Coaches who could not measure up to the lofty goals of the fat cat donors at Clemson. Sorry guys, but there is only one Danny Ford, and he don’t want to come out of retirement for any amount of money. That’s my opinion, but what do I know, I’m just the fat guy.
God Bless,
The Big One
Monday, October 6, 2008
Random thoughts from a Random Mind!!!
The Big One’s Blog
Oct. 6, 2008
Well, how is everyone? I trust that you are all well. Where do I start? How about some random thoughts.
I talked to my brother John Sunday about the price of gas in his hometown of Canton, Ohio and got a shock. Regular unleaded is $3.11 a gallon, $.69 cents cheaper than our prices! That ain’t right, somebody is performing an act of sado-buggerism on us when it comes to gas prices around here!!!
The fireworks at Squellin’ on the Square were great!!! I can’t see how they will ever top them next year, but you just wait, I bet the committee will figure out a way to make them ever bigger and better than this years show.
The Raiders are gonna be fine. We just have to keep the faith and keep supporting them. I mean really, at the first of the season if someone had told you that Laurens would be 5 and 1 going into the region wouldn’t you be tickled pink.
Rev. Sims and Rev. Aiken’s Gospel talk show on Saturday Morning is one of my favorite shows on WLBG. Those guys are great together, and man when they get after each other it is wild. These guys are something else. If you are not a regular listener, tune into their show on Saturday Morning and you will see what I mean.
A sandwich is a sandwich, but a Manwich is a meal!!! Ha Ha Ha!!!!!! Just seeing if you were still paying attention.
It’s almost the holiday season, I wonder when we will get our second request to play “White Christmas” by the Temptations? Our first request was left on the answering machine in early August.
We used to play a lot of Gospel story songs like “A Childs Blood,” Hattie Mae’s Daughter,” and “When I Need Him Most,” or as I call it the turkey song, you know it’s the one where the poor widow lady and her kids are starving at Thanksgiving and she prays to the Lord for help and right then there is a knock at the door and it’s the deacons and they have brought a load of food. There were hams and turkeys, and somebody brought a vat of Ice Tea. Man, I love those songs, we have got to get Brother Wyatt to get them on the new system so we can start playing them again.
Where did the time go? It just seems like Ann and I were bringing our sons home from the hospital and they are grown men starting to make their way in the music world. I can’t believe the time has gone by so quickly. Man. Sometimes I feel so old!
Speaking of time flying, my ten year anniversary at WLBG came and went on September 20th. Where did all that time go?
Well, that’s it for the Big One’s random thoughts blog, I hope it gave you some food for thought.
Til next time, God Bless!!!
Big Gene
Oct. 6, 2008
Well, how is everyone? I trust that you are all well. Where do I start? How about some random thoughts.
I talked to my brother John Sunday about the price of gas in his hometown of Canton, Ohio and got a shock. Regular unleaded is $3.11 a gallon, $.69 cents cheaper than our prices! That ain’t right, somebody is performing an act of sado-buggerism on us when it comes to gas prices around here!!!
The fireworks at Squellin’ on the Square were great!!! I can’t see how they will ever top them next year, but you just wait, I bet the committee will figure out a way to make them ever bigger and better than this years show.
The Raiders are gonna be fine. We just have to keep the faith and keep supporting them. I mean really, at the first of the season if someone had told you that Laurens would be 5 and 1 going into the region wouldn’t you be tickled pink.
Rev. Sims and Rev. Aiken’s Gospel talk show on Saturday Morning is one of my favorite shows on WLBG. Those guys are great together, and man when they get after each other it is wild. These guys are something else. If you are not a regular listener, tune into their show on Saturday Morning and you will see what I mean.
A sandwich is a sandwich, but a Manwich is a meal!!! Ha Ha Ha!!!!!! Just seeing if you were still paying attention.
It’s almost the holiday season, I wonder when we will get our second request to play “White Christmas” by the Temptations? Our first request was left on the answering machine in early August.
We used to play a lot of Gospel story songs like “A Childs Blood,” Hattie Mae’s Daughter,” and “When I Need Him Most,” or as I call it the turkey song, you know it’s the one where the poor widow lady and her kids are starving at Thanksgiving and she prays to the Lord for help and right then there is a knock at the door and it’s the deacons and they have brought a load of food. There were hams and turkeys, and somebody brought a vat of Ice Tea. Man, I love those songs, we have got to get Brother Wyatt to get them on the new system so we can start playing them again.
Where did the time go? It just seems like Ann and I were bringing our sons home from the hospital and they are grown men starting to make their way in the music world. I can’t believe the time has gone by so quickly. Man. Sometimes I feel so old!
Speaking of time flying, my ten year anniversary at WLBG came and went on September 20th. Where did all that time go?
Well, that’s it for the Big One’s random thoughts blog, I hope it gave you some food for thought.
Til next time, God Bless!!!
Big Gene
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Where is the Gas??????
The Big One’s Blog
September 28, 2008
Saturday afternoon Ann and I left our house about at about five p. m. to head to Greenville where the Guys were doing a show at the Channel. The guys had pulled out in the bus about an hour earlier and Ann and I were gonna have a leisurely drive up the road and show up right before the show………… we thought. As we pulled out of the driveway, Ann said that we needed some gas, we were on empty. See, I was trying to wait out the gas price reduction and save a few dollars, except it didn’t work out quite like I wanted it to. We headed to six different gas stations before we found and, and then all they had was premium. What a bummer, I never thought I would see the day where I would pay over four bucks a gallon for gas, but I did.
You know, it just doesn’t make sense, the wholesale price of crude oil as well as gas has dropped off by a third this past month, and our gas is still high. Why hasn’t the price dropped? I know that Hurricane Ike has slowed down production some, but why is it the southeast is the only area of the country that is experiencing shortages. Are they shipping our share of gas up north to them damn Yankees, or worse yet to those fruits and nuts on the west coast? I don’t know, but something seems odd about it.
That’s my fussy blog for now, I promise that I will post one later in the week when I am not so P!$$*@ off at the gas companies.
God Bless,
The Big One
September 28, 2008
Saturday afternoon Ann and I left our house about at about five p. m. to head to Greenville where the Guys were doing a show at the Channel. The guys had pulled out in the bus about an hour earlier and Ann and I were gonna have a leisurely drive up the road and show up right before the show………… we thought. As we pulled out of the driveway, Ann said that we needed some gas, we were on empty. See, I was trying to wait out the gas price reduction and save a few dollars, except it didn’t work out quite like I wanted it to. We headed to six different gas stations before we found and, and then all they had was premium. What a bummer, I never thought I would see the day where I would pay over four bucks a gallon for gas, but I did.
You know, it just doesn’t make sense, the wholesale price of crude oil as well as gas has dropped off by a third this past month, and our gas is still high. Why hasn’t the price dropped? I know that Hurricane Ike has slowed down production some, but why is it the southeast is the only area of the country that is experiencing shortages. Are they shipping our share of gas up north to them damn Yankees, or worse yet to those fruits and nuts on the west coast? I don’t know, but something seems odd about it.
That’s my fussy blog for now, I promise that I will post one later in the week when I am not so P!$$*@ off at the gas companies.
God Bless,
The Big One
Sunday, September 21, 2008
When Country heads even farther to the country!!!
The Big Un’s Blog
Sept. 21, 2008
Hey folks, I promised you a fun filled blog and I think I can deliver on that promise with this blog. Saturday. Days Off Screen played in the North Carolina Battle of the Bands in North Wilkesboro and I had the fun and exciting task of escorting nine teenagers, a fully loaded equipment trailer, and myself on a round trip that was suppose to be about 340 miles, but ended up closer to 380 there and back due to a couple of wrong turns.
On the surface this doesn’t seem so tough, but the catch is that there are no easy ways to get to North Wilkesboro from here. Sure, the first 100 miles are either interstate or four lane roads; it’s the last 75 miles that are rough. Winding two lane roads around and over mountains and through valleys, through little settlements that Joanna look like Greenville, and a couple of towns, Taylorsville and Conover, that must have had their street layout done by a drunken sailor on a three day drunk. In Taylorsville Hwy 18 makes a left turn, goes down a block, makes a right turn, goes down a block, take another right, and then go down a block and make a left turn, and you are back on the same street you were originally on, just a block farther down. Needless to say, this was an adventure in the making.
Note: Big One’s Advise!!! Never trust mapquest! At a key intersection mapquest told us to turn left, and it should have been right. Twelve miles later we realize our mistake and double back and get back on track. You know you are way back in the country when people mowing their yard or farmers on tractors in the field stop and wave as you go by. Don’t take much to amuse them I guess!
Now there is Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro, and mapquest has a hard time telling them apart. We ended up at the correct address, but in Wilkesboro instead of North Wilkesboro. Twenty minutes later, and three stops for directions we pulled up in North Wilkesboro at our destination.
The Battle of the Bands itself is held on top of a two story parking garage that was built in the late 1960’s and it has not aged real good. When people would jump up and down, or run by, the garage would shake. When I walked around I just scrubbed my feet along, I did not want to take any chances with stepping down real hard and the whole thing collapsing.
The Battle was a great show though. There were 16 bands there and Days off Screen tied for second with two other bands, one point behind the winning band, who just happened to be from……Drum Roll please……….. North Wilkesboro! Hummmmmmmm.
Anyway the guys played great, made a lot of new fans and friends, and had a great time. There was a guy there selling hot dogs, and they rivaled the old Red’s Burgermasters Hot Dogs that my Buddy Ron Page and I used to serve up. Them dogs were great!!!
Anyway, we start home about 12:15 a. m. tired, sleepy, and ready to get home. Good news, we didn’t get lost but twice trying to get back on the two lane road back toward Taylorsville and Conover. Bad news, there was some of the thickest fog I have ever seen for about ten miles.
Other highlights of the trip home, we went through a drunk driving checkpoint at 1:30 a. m. near Conover and had a nice lady deputy tell us a shortcut that would save us a few miles and a few minutes. We saw a drunk staggering around on the side of the road heading toward the checkpoint about a quarter of a mile down the road. I bet it was interesting when he staggered up to them. Heading down I-85 we were passed by a truck full of cows with the scours, and my truck, poor ol’ Big Red, will never be the same.
We rolled back into Laurens at 4:15 a. m., tired, sleepy, hungry, and ready for bed. Man, I went to sleep when I reached out to get my radio’s earpiece to check and see if we were on the air and woke up three hours later still holding it in my hand, and my arm asleep from hanging off the bed.
All in all it was a good time. I really enjoyed spending 20 hours with them. There ain’t a bad one in the bunch. I am proud of the way the guys and their girlfriends represented Laurens at the Battle of the Bands, and to the people of North Wilkesboro. Time after time I had folks that were in charge of the event tell me what a great bunch of kids they were. Now that made me swell up with pride like a big ol’ toad frog.
Anyway, that’s it for me folks. I told you that this would be an interesting and funny blog!
Til next time, God Bless!!!
The Big One
Sept. 21, 2008
Hey folks, I promised you a fun filled blog and I think I can deliver on that promise with this blog. Saturday. Days Off Screen played in the North Carolina Battle of the Bands in North Wilkesboro and I had the fun and exciting task of escorting nine teenagers, a fully loaded equipment trailer, and myself on a round trip that was suppose to be about 340 miles, but ended up closer to 380 there and back due to a couple of wrong turns.
On the surface this doesn’t seem so tough, but the catch is that there are no easy ways to get to North Wilkesboro from here. Sure, the first 100 miles are either interstate or four lane roads; it’s the last 75 miles that are rough. Winding two lane roads around and over mountains and through valleys, through little settlements that Joanna look like Greenville, and a couple of towns, Taylorsville and Conover, that must have had their street layout done by a drunken sailor on a three day drunk. In Taylorsville Hwy 18 makes a left turn, goes down a block, makes a right turn, goes down a block, take another right, and then go down a block and make a left turn, and you are back on the same street you were originally on, just a block farther down. Needless to say, this was an adventure in the making.
Note: Big One’s Advise!!! Never trust mapquest! At a key intersection mapquest told us to turn left, and it should have been right. Twelve miles later we realize our mistake and double back and get back on track. You know you are way back in the country when people mowing their yard or farmers on tractors in the field stop and wave as you go by. Don’t take much to amuse them I guess!
Now there is Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro, and mapquest has a hard time telling them apart. We ended up at the correct address, but in Wilkesboro instead of North Wilkesboro. Twenty minutes later, and three stops for directions we pulled up in North Wilkesboro at our destination.
The Battle of the Bands itself is held on top of a two story parking garage that was built in the late 1960’s and it has not aged real good. When people would jump up and down, or run by, the garage would shake. When I walked around I just scrubbed my feet along, I did not want to take any chances with stepping down real hard and the whole thing collapsing.
The Battle was a great show though. There were 16 bands there and Days off Screen tied for second with two other bands, one point behind the winning band, who just happened to be from……Drum Roll please……….. North Wilkesboro! Hummmmmmmm.
Anyway the guys played great, made a lot of new fans and friends, and had a great time. There was a guy there selling hot dogs, and they rivaled the old Red’s Burgermasters Hot Dogs that my Buddy Ron Page and I used to serve up. Them dogs were great!!!
Anyway, we start home about 12:15 a. m. tired, sleepy, and ready to get home. Good news, we didn’t get lost but twice trying to get back on the two lane road back toward Taylorsville and Conover. Bad news, there was some of the thickest fog I have ever seen for about ten miles.
Other highlights of the trip home, we went through a drunk driving checkpoint at 1:30 a. m. near Conover and had a nice lady deputy tell us a shortcut that would save us a few miles and a few minutes. We saw a drunk staggering around on the side of the road heading toward the checkpoint about a quarter of a mile down the road. I bet it was interesting when he staggered up to them. Heading down I-85 we were passed by a truck full of cows with the scours, and my truck, poor ol’ Big Red, will never be the same.
We rolled back into Laurens at 4:15 a. m., tired, sleepy, hungry, and ready for bed. Man, I went to sleep when I reached out to get my radio’s earpiece to check and see if we were on the air and woke up three hours later still holding it in my hand, and my arm asleep from hanging off the bed.
All in all it was a good time. I really enjoyed spending 20 hours with them. There ain’t a bad one in the bunch. I am proud of the way the guys and their girlfriends represented Laurens at the Battle of the Bands, and to the people of North Wilkesboro. Time after time I had folks that were in charge of the event tell me what a great bunch of kids they were. Now that made me swell up with pride like a big ol’ toad frog.
Anyway, that’s it for me folks. I told you that this would be an interesting and funny blog!
Til next time, God Bless!!!
The Big One
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The game is over, it's time for us to get back to work!!!
The Big One’s Blog
September 13, 2008
Well, it’s the day after the Laurens County Championship that the Raiders won defeating the Red Devils 35 to 0. Guess what, today the sun came up in Laurens the same way as it did in Clinton, and the challenges that faced us as a county before the football game still exist.
The folks in Laurens are happy, the folks in Clinton are not so happy, but in the end for all of us it was just a football game, a nice diversion from the real issues facing us now.
Sure, for a week folks from Laurens and Clinton can declare how much we hate each other. It’s our way v/s their way of life. The game takes precedence over everything else. We are not friends, we are rivals. We can’t stand them, and they can’t stand us.
Well the game is over, but what about us? What about the challenges facing our county? The same problems still exist in our county. We need jobs, we need a land use plan (Zoning) to protect us from having unwanted businesses like another dump locate in our county, and we need to work together to achieve both.
The elected officials from the cities of Laurens, Clinton, and Gray Court, as well as Laurens county officials, the Laurens County Development Corporation, and our state delegation are working hard to bring us jobs, and I for one think that we are about to see the fruits of their labors, and boy are we going to be pleased. We are on the verge of unprecedented growth in Laurens County, and no matter where it is located; it helps all of us out.
It’s time for us to become Laurens County residents again. Sure, we can continue to root for the Raiders or Red Devils, but we need to root for our county now. Holding on to petty differences or defending our “Home” turf by opposing what helps out another part of the county works against progress. Let’s present a united front to folks coming into our county looking to locate their industry or business here. Whether it’s a company locating in the Industrial park in Owings or a plant out on the interstate in Clinton or Laurens, it helps out everyone in Laurens County.
Well, I have said my piece. I promise to climb down from my soapbox and write a funny blog next time.
'Til next time, God Bless all!!!
The Big One
September 13, 2008
Well, it’s the day after the Laurens County Championship that the Raiders won defeating the Red Devils 35 to 0. Guess what, today the sun came up in Laurens the same way as it did in Clinton, and the challenges that faced us as a county before the football game still exist.
The folks in Laurens are happy, the folks in Clinton are not so happy, but in the end for all of us it was just a football game, a nice diversion from the real issues facing us now.
Sure, for a week folks from Laurens and Clinton can declare how much we hate each other. It’s our way v/s their way of life. The game takes precedence over everything else. We are not friends, we are rivals. We can’t stand them, and they can’t stand us.
Well the game is over, but what about us? What about the challenges facing our county? The same problems still exist in our county. We need jobs, we need a land use plan (Zoning) to protect us from having unwanted businesses like another dump locate in our county, and we need to work together to achieve both.
The elected officials from the cities of Laurens, Clinton, and Gray Court, as well as Laurens county officials, the Laurens County Development Corporation, and our state delegation are working hard to bring us jobs, and I for one think that we are about to see the fruits of their labors, and boy are we going to be pleased. We are on the verge of unprecedented growth in Laurens County, and no matter where it is located; it helps all of us out.
It’s time for us to become Laurens County residents again. Sure, we can continue to root for the Raiders or Red Devils, but we need to root for our county now. Holding on to petty differences or defending our “Home” turf by opposing what helps out another part of the county works against progress. Let’s present a united front to folks coming into our county looking to locate their industry or business here. Whether it’s a company locating in the Industrial park in Owings or a plant out on the interstate in Clinton or Laurens, it helps out everyone in Laurens County.
Well, I have said my piece. I promise to climb down from my soapbox and write a funny blog next time.
'Til next time, God Bless all!!!
The Big One
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Football, Football, Football!!!!!!
The Big “Un’s Blog
September 9, 2009
Well, well, well, how are all you fellow rednecks? Good I hope! Lets see, where to begin. First off this is the Laurens County Championship week as Laurens travels to Clinton to face the Red Devils. This is always a real donnybrook and this year will be no exception. Clinton is smarting after coming off a tough loss to Woodruff. Laurens is coming off a hard-fought win over Hillcrest. Better go on and buy those tickets in advance so you don’t have to stand in line for a while at the stadium.
This is also a happy week for me. We do our first middle school football broadcast this week as the district’s four middle schools will be holding their annual jamboree. Middle school sports are kinda my baby at the station, as I was there for our first middle school broadcast when Laurens played Sanders the first year Sanders became a middle school. And have done every football game we have broadcasted since. I believe we are the only radio station in the state that broadcasts a weekly middle school game of the week. I wish more would.
Thursday we will have the Laurens / Clinton 9th grade and JV games on the air. That brings the total of football games up to four this week and that isn’t counting the P. C. game Saturday.
The judge has handed down a ruling in the Mileback Speedway case. The track owners and his lawyers are looking into what they need to do to comply with the judges order. Hopefully the track will be back in action this week. It amazes me how we have no zoning in Laurens County but the track owners have still been damn near put out of business by a few folks that wouldn’t be satisfied if they were the taster in the Little Debbie snack cake factory. I can hear then now, “ Uh uh, I don’t wanna taste them honey buns, I want a choco-jell!” And yes, we do need zoning. We are sitting on a ticking time bomb. Without protection one of these days instead of a construction landfield it may be a hazardous waste dump being shoved down our throats.
Well. That’s about it for now, enjoy the ball games, and don’t forget to take those headset radios with you!
Til next time, God Bless!!!
The Big One
September 9, 2009
Well, well, well, how are all you fellow rednecks? Good I hope! Lets see, where to begin. First off this is the Laurens County Championship week as Laurens travels to Clinton to face the Red Devils. This is always a real donnybrook and this year will be no exception. Clinton is smarting after coming off a tough loss to Woodruff. Laurens is coming off a hard-fought win over Hillcrest. Better go on and buy those tickets in advance so you don’t have to stand in line for a while at the stadium.
This is also a happy week for me. We do our first middle school football broadcast this week as the district’s four middle schools will be holding their annual jamboree. Middle school sports are kinda my baby at the station, as I was there for our first middle school broadcast when Laurens played Sanders the first year Sanders became a middle school. And have done every football game we have broadcasted since. I believe we are the only radio station in the state that broadcasts a weekly middle school game of the week. I wish more would.
Thursday we will have the Laurens / Clinton 9th grade and JV games on the air. That brings the total of football games up to four this week and that isn’t counting the P. C. game Saturday.
The judge has handed down a ruling in the Mileback Speedway case. The track owners and his lawyers are looking into what they need to do to comply with the judges order. Hopefully the track will be back in action this week. It amazes me how we have no zoning in Laurens County but the track owners have still been damn near put out of business by a few folks that wouldn’t be satisfied if they were the taster in the Little Debbie snack cake factory. I can hear then now, “ Uh uh, I don’t wanna taste them honey buns, I want a choco-jell!” And yes, we do need zoning. We are sitting on a ticking time bomb. Without protection one of these days instead of a construction landfield it may be a hazardous waste dump being shoved down our throats.
Well. That’s about it for now, enjoy the ball games, and don’t forget to take those headset radios with you!
Til next time, God Bless!!!
The Big One
Monday, September 1, 2008
Big Un' the Roadie!!!
The Big Un’s Blog
September 1, 2008
Hey guys,
Sorry my blog is a day late, but it has been a long Labor Day Holiday. As most of you know I have two sons in “Days Off Screen” along with three other guys that I consider sons. This past weekend they had three shows in two days and I had the privilege to be the designated trailer puller and it turned into an all weekend road trip.
Saturday morning the gang pulled out bright and early on the way to the Rockin’ Rib Off and Balloon Festival in Anderson. The guys played from 1:00 p. m. until 1:45 p. m. and even though the heat was rough they had a good show. Afterwards they toured the exhibitions and even road a couple of rides.
Wait, random thought…. Why is it when we see someone do something dumb we automatically laugh at them when they screw up. You know you have done it. A perfect example, Saturday we saw a guy run towards a golf cart and jump onto it and have his flip flops slide and he slammed his head into the top of the cart and fell flat on his butt, knocked nearly out. He laid there a minute and started to get up and by the time we and several others got to him he was standing up rubbing his head. All of a sudden one person starts to laugh, and then we all are laughing at the unlucky soul. I just wonder why that happens.
Later that night they headed over to the Upper State fair and played a show at 9:00 p. m. Since we got in free we cruised the midway. It reminded me a little of how the Laurens County Fair used to be when I was growing up. Lots of rides, lots of games, and lots of shows. We watched a tiger show where the star of it was a huge white tiger that looked big enough for me to ride. Then it was on to the elephants. Right before Days Off Screen began their set, they had the last Elephant show of the night. The elephants did several stunts like playing basketball and playing a harmonica, but the most amazing stunt, at least to a six or seven year old boy was totally unscripted. As the elephant walked past him the Elephant decided to drop a load, and I do mean a load. The little fellow was so excited he yelled at the top of his voice, “Hey Ma, that elephant just $#!% all over the place!” Mom looked like she could kill him, and about a hundred or so other folks laughed long and hard about what the little darling had said. Sometimes life can get you a chuckle in the most unusual places.
Sunday was back to Anderson for day two of the Rockin’ Rib Off. The guys really enjoyed playing there. The folks that organized the Festival did an amazing job with the event and went out of their way to make the bands comfortable.
Anyway, that is enough of my ramblings for today, but I can guarantee you one thing, I ain’t about to take no kids to see an elephant show anytime soon!!!!
God Bless!!!
The Big One
September 1, 2008
Hey guys,
Sorry my blog is a day late, but it has been a long Labor Day Holiday. As most of you know I have two sons in “Days Off Screen” along with three other guys that I consider sons. This past weekend they had three shows in two days and I had the privilege to be the designated trailer puller and it turned into an all weekend road trip.
Saturday morning the gang pulled out bright and early on the way to the Rockin’ Rib Off and Balloon Festival in Anderson. The guys played from 1:00 p. m. until 1:45 p. m. and even though the heat was rough they had a good show. Afterwards they toured the exhibitions and even road a couple of rides.
Wait, random thought…. Why is it when we see someone do something dumb we automatically laugh at them when they screw up. You know you have done it. A perfect example, Saturday we saw a guy run towards a golf cart and jump onto it and have his flip flops slide and he slammed his head into the top of the cart and fell flat on his butt, knocked nearly out. He laid there a minute and started to get up and by the time we and several others got to him he was standing up rubbing his head. All of a sudden one person starts to laugh, and then we all are laughing at the unlucky soul. I just wonder why that happens.
Later that night they headed over to the Upper State fair and played a show at 9:00 p. m. Since we got in free we cruised the midway. It reminded me a little of how the Laurens County Fair used to be when I was growing up. Lots of rides, lots of games, and lots of shows. We watched a tiger show where the star of it was a huge white tiger that looked big enough for me to ride. Then it was on to the elephants. Right before Days Off Screen began their set, they had the last Elephant show of the night. The elephants did several stunts like playing basketball and playing a harmonica, but the most amazing stunt, at least to a six or seven year old boy was totally unscripted. As the elephant walked past him the Elephant decided to drop a load, and I do mean a load. The little fellow was so excited he yelled at the top of his voice, “Hey Ma, that elephant just $#!% all over the place!” Mom looked like she could kill him, and about a hundred or so other folks laughed long and hard about what the little darling had said. Sometimes life can get you a chuckle in the most unusual places.
Sunday was back to Anderson for day two of the Rockin’ Rib Off. The guys really enjoyed playing there. The folks that organized the Festival did an amazing job with the event and went out of their way to make the bands comfortable.
Anyway, that is enough of my ramblings for today, but I can guarantee you one thing, I ain’t about to take no kids to see an elephant show anytime soon!!!!
God Bless!!!
The Big One
Monday, August 25, 2008
What do I write this blog on!?!?!?
The Big One’s Blog
August 25, 2008
Well, here I sit at my computer trying to figure out what to write about in my latest blog and I have no idea what I want to write a blog about. It’s not that I am having a severe episode of writers block, because I am not. I am ready to write, I am willing to write, and I am able to write, the trouble me trying to make up my mind on a particular subject to write a blog on. This is a good news, bad news type situation. The good news, there are a lot of things I could write about, the start of football season, baseball, the rise of the Cubbies, the fall of the squaws, doooooh sorry folks, I meant the hapless Braves, politics, zoning (yes I said Zoning, I wasn’t dumb enough to vote to keep my mouth shut on the subject), the latest NASCAR feud, the WWE, Cheeseburgers, our crazy dog Missy, who thinks she is human, and acts like it sometimes, the list is nearly endless on things that I could write a blog on. I could spend an hour or so talking about all of these subjects and even more. The bad news is none of them are really jumping out at me and demanding that I spend some time writing about them. I just can’t make my mind up on what I want to write a blog on today.
You know, life is like that sometimes. You have plenty of stuff going on in your life, some good, some not so good, but none of them important enough to merit your complete attention. You just skirt around them, dealing with the problems when you have to, and enjoying the good stuff when it moves to the forefront of your life. You know, I think that our lives would be a lot less complicated if we dealt with the good and bad about the same way. Never get too excited when something real good happens, and never get too down when you hit a bump in the road. Just hang in there and just roll with the flow.
Well, I was stuck on trying to decide on a subject to write a blog on, but as I look at the computer screen I see that I have written a blog and didn’t realize that I was writing one. Oh well, I guess I will save all the ideas that I mentioned earlier for another day, and another blog!!!
God Bless Guys,
The Big One
August 25, 2008
Well, here I sit at my computer trying to figure out what to write about in my latest blog and I have no idea what I want to write a blog about. It’s not that I am having a severe episode of writers block, because I am not. I am ready to write, I am willing to write, and I am able to write, the trouble me trying to make up my mind on a particular subject to write a blog on. This is a good news, bad news type situation. The good news, there are a lot of things I could write about, the start of football season, baseball, the rise of the Cubbies, the fall of the squaws, doooooh sorry folks, I meant the hapless Braves, politics, zoning (yes I said Zoning, I wasn’t dumb enough to vote to keep my mouth shut on the subject), the latest NASCAR feud, the WWE, Cheeseburgers, our crazy dog Missy, who thinks she is human, and acts like it sometimes, the list is nearly endless on things that I could write a blog on. I could spend an hour or so talking about all of these subjects and even more. The bad news is none of them are really jumping out at me and demanding that I spend some time writing about them. I just can’t make my mind up on what I want to write a blog on today.
You know, life is like that sometimes. You have plenty of stuff going on in your life, some good, some not so good, but none of them important enough to merit your complete attention. You just skirt around them, dealing with the problems when you have to, and enjoying the good stuff when it moves to the forefront of your life. You know, I think that our lives would be a lot less complicated if we dealt with the good and bad about the same way. Never get too excited when something real good happens, and never get too down when you hit a bump in the road. Just hang in there and just roll with the flow.
Well, I was stuck on trying to decide on a subject to write a blog on, but as I look at the computer screen I see that I have written a blog and didn’t realize that I was writing one. Oh well, I guess I will save all the ideas that I mentioned earlier for another day, and another blog!!!
God Bless Guys,
The Big One
Monday, August 18, 2008
Busy Week ahead for Laurens County Folks!!!!!!
The Big ‘Un’s Blog
August 17, 2008
Hey Guys,
It’s going to be a busy week with a whole lot of stuff going on. First Tuesday Gaffney comes to town to face the Raiders in a game type scrimmage. The scrimmage starts at 6:00 p. m. and you can listen to it on WLBG as you sit in the beautiful confines of K. C. Hanna Stadium and watch it firsthand. Of course, I am gonna sit on my side porch and watch it!
Thursday in Clinton the City of Clinton will have their “Back to School Bash” at the Depot in Downtown Clinton. The community will get to meet and greet the 2008 Clinton High School football team and coaches, cheerleaders, and the Clinton Devil Regiment Marching band. Also the Power team will be on hand performing some amazing demonstrations of strength, and no one of them will not be bench pressing me!
To wrap the evening up, Days Off Screen will entertain everyone with their unique brand of Christian Pop/Punk / Rock music.
Friday the Raiders head to Gaffney for the Gaffney Jambioree. Due to the press box not being ready at the new Reservation the game will not be on WLBG. However, that’s no reason not to attend. You can be in Gaffney in an hour.
Saturday evening beginning at 6:30 p. m, the City of Laurens Recreation Department will be hosting the Back to School Bash II at the Amphitheater. This is gonna be a show to end all shows. Six bands from across the southeast will perform. Bands scheduled are BridgeIcesBeforeRoad from York, Almost an Epic and Standout from Greenville, The Decade from Lexington, EMI recording stars, Philmont, from Charlotte, and Laurens County’s own Days off Screen. Real Radio 860 WLBG’s own Wyatt Mattison will be the MC and Friendship Presbyterian Church of Hickory Tavern’s Pastor Robert Cathcart will give the invocation.
Best of all both these events are free! Too many times we here there just isn’t anything for the kids to do around here, but the City’s of Clinton and Laurens are stepping up and offering the kids some great entertainment for free!!! Our city leaders should be applauded for being pro-active in providing the kids with events like these to attend.
Make your plans to attend the events, it’s going to be a lot of fun, and it gives the kids safe places to go.
Til next time, God Bless!!!
The Big ‘Un
August 17, 2008
Hey Guys,
It’s going to be a busy week with a whole lot of stuff going on. First Tuesday Gaffney comes to town to face the Raiders in a game type scrimmage. The scrimmage starts at 6:00 p. m. and you can listen to it on WLBG as you sit in the beautiful confines of K. C. Hanna Stadium and watch it firsthand. Of course, I am gonna sit on my side porch and watch it!
Thursday in Clinton the City of Clinton will have their “Back to School Bash” at the Depot in Downtown Clinton. The community will get to meet and greet the 2008 Clinton High School football team and coaches, cheerleaders, and the Clinton Devil Regiment Marching band. Also the Power team will be on hand performing some amazing demonstrations of strength, and no one of them will not be bench pressing me!
To wrap the evening up, Days Off Screen will entertain everyone with their unique brand of Christian Pop/Punk / Rock music.
Friday the Raiders head to Gaffney for the Gaffney Jambioree. Due to the press box not being ready at the new Reservation the game will not be on WLBG. However, that’s no reason not to attend. You can be in Gaffney in an hour.
Saturday evening beginning at 6:30 p. m, the City of Laurens Recreation Department will be hosting the Back to School Bash II at the Amphitheater. This is gonna be a show to end all shows. Six bands from across the southeast will perform. Bands scheduled are BridgeIcesBeforeRoad from York, Almost an Epic and Standout from Greenville, The Decade from Lexington, EMI recording stars, Philmont, from Charlotte, and Laurens County’s own Days off Screen. Real Radio 860 WLBG’s own Wyatt Mattison will be the MC and Friendship Presbyterian Church of Hickory Tavern’s Pastor Robert Cathcart will give the invocation.
Best of all both these events are free! Too many times we here there just isn’t anything for the kids to do around here, but the City’s of Clinton and Laurens are stepping up and offering the kids some great entertainment for free!!! Our city leaders should be applauded for being pro-active in providing the kids with events like these to attend.
Make your plans to attend the events, it’s going to be a lot of fun, and it gives the kids safe places to go.
Til next time, God Bless!!!
The Big ‘Un
Sunday, August 10, 2008
New Sports Report
As you beloved listeners have noticed, my daily sports report has changed dramatically this past week, Many have asked “What’s going on, why are you just doing racin’, rasslin’, and fightin’? Well quite simply because that is what needs to be done. Let’s face it, I ain’t nothing but a big ol’ country boy who loves his southern sports, just like most of y’all.
In an effort to have something for everyone, Emil decided he wanted more diversity in sports, more tennis, golf, and other sports of that nature. I have no problem with that, however, in my opinion, for the most part they are not high on the local sports fans priority list. However, in this case my opinion about what is important sports news and a buck will buy you a cold soda water and that’s about it.
When I was doing my prior sports report. I had two minutes and twenty five seconds to squeeze in local sports, college sports, major league baseball, and yes the Braves do suck, the NFL, racing, and an occasional weird sports news. I really did not have time for “Diversity in Sports” as Emil referred to it. We were at an impasse, I did not feel I had time to do much diversity in sports, and Emil wanted them. Something had to give, and in the end it was me. I got promoted, or demoted, or maybe I just slid out of the way, I ain’t real sure.
Emil asked John to do a diversity in sports report in addition to my sports. Which I theory is great, but in practice is not real practical. There is only so much golf and tennis and stuff like that to talk about. John and I began to talk and I realized that we could have the best of both worlds. Emil could have his diversity in sports with John taking over the general sports news except racin’, rasslin’, and fightin’, which I would now be able to expand coverage on. Instead of getting thirty or forty seconds about our southern sports, you get two full reports each day of real important sports news. Plus John will do two sports reports on all the pro, college, and high school sports, We all win, John gets to report on regular sports news, I get to report the really important sports news, and Emil gets his putty butt sports reported on also.
Hope you all enjoy the new additions to the website like the news on demand, the sports on demand, and our blogs. Many other updates are in the wings that I know you all will enjoy. Things are a changin’ around here.
Anyway, that’s about it sports fans. If you like the new sports reports, if you like the new features on the website, and if you are glad high school football is finally here, then give me a good ol’ Stone Cold Steve Austin “Oh Hell Yeah!!!”
God Bless guys,
The Big Un’
In an effort to have something for everyone, Emil decided he wanted more diversity in sports, more tennis, golf, and other sports of that nature. I have no problem with that, however, in my opinion, for the most part they are not high on the local sports fans priority list. However, in this case my opinion about what is important sports news and a buck will buy you a cold soda water and that’s about it.
When I was doing my prior sports report. I had two minutes and twenty five seconds to squeeze in local sports, college sports, major league baseball, and yes the Braves do suck, the NFL, racing, and an occasional weird sports news. I really did not have time for “Diversity in Sports” as Emil referred to it. We were at an impasse, I did not feel I had time to do much diversity in sports, and Emil wanted them. Something had to give, and in the end it was me. I got promoted, or demoted, or maybe I just slid out of the way, I ain’t real sure.
Emil asked John to do a diversity in sports report in addition to my sports. Which I theory is great, but in practice is not real practical. There is only so much golf and tennis and stuff like that to talk about. John and I began to talk and I realized that we could have the best of both worlds. Emil could have his diversity in sports with John taking over the general sports news except racin’, rasslin’, and fightin’, which I would now be able to expand coverage on. Instead of getting thirty or forty seconds about our southern sports, you get two full reports each day of real important sports news. Plus John will do two sports reports on all the pro, college, and high school sports, We all win, John gets to report on regular sports news, I get to report the really important sports news, and Emil gets his putty butt sports reported on also.
Hope you all enjoy the new additions to the website like the news on demand, the sports on demand, and our blogs. Many other updates are in the wings that I know you all will enjoy. Things are a changin’ around here.
Anyway, that’s about it sports fans. If you like the new sports reports, if you like the new features on the website, and if you are glad high school football is finally here, then give me a good ol’ Stone Cold Steve Austin “Oh Hell Yeah!!!”
God Bless guys,
The Big Un’
Monday, August 4, 2008
Football Lessons
Today is the first day of practice for the 2008 high school football season and on this monumental day I reflect back to my high school playing days. I think back to 1972. My gosh, can it be that it’s been 36 years since I was one of these young warriors, full of piss and vinegar and ready to take on the world. It seems like it was yesterday. Sometimes it seems like it was another lifetime ago.
I was lucky enough to play for Keith Richardson, who in my and a lot of other people’s opinion was one of the greatest high school football coaches ever in the history of high school football in South Carolina. Coach Richardson made us good football players, but he made us better men. Sure, he taught us how to win football games, but more importantly, he taught us about life. My teammates and I learned that nothing is impossible, that together as a whole we were stronger than individuals, to love your teammate like a brother, to play hard but to play fair, and to never give up.
Throughout my life when I have hit roadblocks I have called on the lessons that I learned from Coach Richardson, and time and time again these lessons have given me the encouragement that I needed to go on. Many of my teammates have told me the same thing.
Keith Richardson taught us how to be men, and for that myself and 31 other guys that made up the 1972 state champion Clinton Red Devils will forever be indebted to him.
To the young men making up this year’s Raiders, Red Devils, Crusaders, Hornets football teams, I urge you, listen to your coaches. Now they might seem a little to hard, or mean, or ever wrong, but I promise you the lessons that they are teaching you will serve you the rest of your life.
In closing, thank you Coach Richardson for the lessons of life you taught to all the players that were lucky enough to play for you. You meant more to us than you will ever know, and for that we will forever be indebted to you.
‘Til next time, I’m the Big’Un, God Bless all!!!
I was lucky enough to play for Keith Richardson, who in my and a lot of other people’s opinion was one of the greatest high school football coaches ever in the history of high school football in South Carolina. Coach Richardson made us good football players, but he made us better men. Sure, he taught us how to win football games, but more importantly, he taught us about life. My teammates and I learned that nothing is impossible, that together as a whole we were stronger than individuals, to love your teammate like a brother, to play hard but to play fair, and to never give up.
Throughout my life when I have hit roadblocks I have called on the lessons that I learned from Coach Richardson, and time and time again these lessons have given me the encouragement that I needed to go on. Many of my teammates have told me the same thing.
Keith Richardson taught us how to be men, and for that myself and 31 other guys that made up the 1972 state champion Clinton Red Devils will forever be indebted to him.
To the young men making up this year’s Raiders, Red Devils, Crusaders, Hornets football teams, I urge you, listen to your coaches. Now they might seem a little to hard, or mean, or ever wrong, but I promise you the lessons that they are teaching you will serve you the rest of your life.
In closing, thank you Coach Richardson for the lessons of life you taught to all the players that were lucky enough to play for you. You meant more to us than you will ever know, and for that we will forever be indebted to you.
‘Til next time, I’m the Big’Un, God Bless all!!!
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