As usual, here I am - right on time as promised - give or take a day or two. Sorry for the delay, busy weekend and was trying to recover from my Bucky Covington show - plus trying to figure out how fast I can get to the next one. Morris IL's Grundy Corn Festival was on my "places I wanted to be" list, but it just didn't happen. Fortunately I still got to take in the Storyteller's show, so got my dose of Bucky along with the added perks of John Michael Montgomery and Joe Nichols. I have to say - John Michael Montgomery has been through hell and back a couple of times over - and his music is no worse for the wear. He played some great songs, including the emotional "Letters From Home" which he dedicated to Joshua Michael Scott who had flown helicopter overseas and was killed in the line of duty. It was quite emotional for the audience, as Joshua's uncle mentioned the song and told John how much the song meant, so John promised he would play it and dedicate it to the family and memory of Joshua.
Edited to include link to the video clip where John Michael Montgomery listens to the story about Joshua Michael Scott
YouTube - Joe Nichols & John Michael Montgomery @ Q106 Storytellers Jam 6
It really brought to light the current situation overseas, and while I do not know anyone serving presently - if I talk to one or two people, one of them WILL know someone who is or has fought. I want them home, all of them. This war has gone on too long for there to be no end in site. I don't want another killed in the line of duty, or shot down during missions - or even taken prisoner. I am tired of it and I want it over. I cannot begin to thank ALL of the country artists who have contributed songs to the cause, dedicated to the troops or to family - Trace Adkin's Arlington is
another one that will tug right at your heart strings and bring you smack down to earth where you can think about things. So to all the songwriters and the artists - thank you for putting words and music behind our thoughts and sharing them with the world. I can't begin to guess how many lives those songs have affected, but I am sure it is in the 10s of millions.As I mentioned, Joe Nichols was the other artist at the show. He has a gorgeous voice that cuts the air like silk. If I could hear angels sing, they might well sound like Joe. He has had some issues over the years too but has come out a better man both personally and muscially. He told the story of his first #1 song on the radio - he went to get gas to go to the #1 party - and all he had was 84 cents in his ash tray - he put that in and went to the party, then borrowed $20 from his manager. So there he is, #1 song - and has a whopping 84 cents. Things are looking up though, he and the Mrs. recently purchased Vespa type scooters - they can go alot further now on that 84 cents.
And of course - the main purpose of this blog, Bucky. Bucky was fantastic, as has been shown on a live video posted over on YouTube - his I'll Walk performance was one for the record books. Definitely worthy of the standing ovation it received, and worth your time to head over to YouTube and google "Storytellers". There are a number of clips from the show, but that was an amazing moment and it is all captured on digital.
Also had a chance to talk with Bucky after the show which was great - nothing like spending 10 or so minutes just chatting about this, that, and the other thing. Talked to him about St. Judes, and we had a chance to bring up the account that has been set up in his name for Country Cares. He is very excited about this and hopefully we can get this together. If you have not already, take a visit over to St Judes Fan Club Challenge and give what you can in Bucky's name. Looks like he is on the bottom right. All donations in his name will be tallied and the artist will be updated periodically. This is an ongoing account, but we are hoping to present him with his first "tally" near the holidays.
Enough for now - hope your week goes great!
