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| February 14, 2005 A few days ago I posted a picture of two of America's finest on the "Friends" page of this website. Their names are Kristen and John, they are serving in the USAF and are currently stationed in Iraq. Several months ago my beautiful granddaughter Eryn was diagnosed with Leukemia. Eryn is 3 years old and is being treated at Wilford Hall Hospital, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. Kristen and John were two of the many care givers at Wilford Hall assigned to treating Eryn and others. During the Christmas Holiday Season Kristen and John paid a visit to my daughter's home in San Antonio. They brought Eryn a gift and visited with Eryn an hour or so. I was there at the time and witnessed the out pouring of love and compassion from Kristen and John to Eryn and her family. I have seen the lasting and positive effect it has had on us all since their holiday visit. The love and compassion they displayed during that visit was far above and beyond the call of duty. Eryn is responding very favorably to the treatments she receives at Wilford Hall. Her future looks bright .... thanks to the many care givers there. Shortly after the holidays Kristen and John were sent to Iraq. I do not know how long they will be there or where they will be sent next but rest assured that they will be in our thoughts and prayers where ever they are. I am proud to call them my friends. They are HEROES.... just ask Eryn! ********************** I'm off to Branson, Mo in a few days. I'll perform for the "Pipeliner's Convention" and I'm really looking forward to seeing them all again. I performed for this group last year in San Antonio.... We had a blast! My friend Nubbin will go along with me to help out on the driving. We plan to take in a show or two while we're there, relax and enjoy the weekend. I'll have a full report with pictures when I return home to Bandera. ********************** I played at the Comfort Café (formerly Mimi's Café) in Comfort this past Saturday. It rained all day but didn't seem to keep folks from coming out for a good lunch, there was a full house. If you haven't eaten at the new Comfort Café, I highly recommend that you do. Nick, Wendy and the gang are serving up some of the best vittles around. I had a Reuben sandwich, go figure. Remember.... Friday nights are "STEAK NIGHT" at the Comfort Café but I suggest that you make a reservation. You'll enjoy a great steak and "LIVE" music by the best local performing artists. I hope I see you there. *********************** I'm back in the studio today recording a new song (demo) to be sent to my publisher in Nashville. Joe Reidy will be there to add jews harp to a tune or two. Dub Robinson will engineer the session and play guitar. The new song is titled "I Never Meant To Love You Anyway". I wrote the song in November of last year. ************************ February 16, 2005 My friend Weldon Myrick sent me the sad news a few days ago that country music had lost yet another great talent. Sammi Smith passed away on Saturday, February 12, 2005. Her funeral service was held today in Oklahoma City, OK. Her mega hit was "Help Me Make It Through The Night", my personal favorite was "When Michael Calls". Sammi contributed many great songs throughout her career and will be missed. ************************* February 28, 2005 We returned home on Sunday night from our Branson, Missouri trip and what a trip it was. Nubbin and I had a BLAST... thanks to the Pipeliners. We stayed at the Lodge of the Ozarks across the street from the Jim Stafford Theater. We arrived in Branson a day ahead of my scheduled performance for the Pipeliners so we had the opportunity to meet and mingle with some of the nicest folks we've met in a long while. I was amazed at how Branson had grown since my last visit there in 1988. Theaters have sprung up everywhere and although most of the shows won't open for their new season until March, there was still plenty to keep us entertained. The Pipeliners provided in-house entertainment such as a hospitality room, gift shop, bingo, awards luncheon with a Country Singer and door prizes galore, Thursday Night Show with "yours truly" and a dance on Saturday night. Most of us took in the Jim Stafford Show on Friday Night. Jim is a funny, funny man and the show was excellent. Jim spotlighted his two young children on the show. The Stafford children are multi talented and very entertaining. After the Jim Stafford Show a few of us met back at the lodge for an unplugged pickin' and grinnin' inside the Vegas Club. We even got to watch the San Antonio Spurs beat the Houston Rockets from my room there only to hear them get beat by the Memphis Grizzlies on our drive back home. I want to thank H. G. Wells, his lovely wife and all those who made it possible for me to be with them in Branson for the Pipeliners 15th annual reunion. I look forward to the next time with these friends. ************************** I stopped by Bossier City, LA and called Tillman Franks. We visited by phone and he brought me up to date on a few things. For one, I didn't know Tillman has a website. You can see it at www.TillmanFranks.com At age 86 Tillman is still going strong, he has written a book called "I Was There When It Happened", you can purchase his book at his website and also hear the new Claude King song. Throughout his life Tillman has mananged many Country Greats such as Johnny Horton, Webb Pierce, Farron Young, David Houston and several others. Tillman was a pioneer for The Louisiana Hayride where he helped Elvis and others get their early start. He has stories that no one but he can tell... he really was there when it happened. I encourage you to visit Tillman's website, buy the book and make sure to sign his guest book. ********************** Easter Sunday, March 27th, 2005 I was invited to attend a Sunrise Service at John & Lanette Penell's and had full intentions of being there but cold, wet weather and unusual gusty winds kept me in. I played at the Mayan Dude Ranch during the Cowboy Breakfast for a group of 100 or more spring breakers. An Easter egg hunt for the kids followed. The cold, wet weather and chilling winds didn't seem to bother the kids much. I was treated to my very first Spurs Basketball Game. Janet, Kellie, Robert and Chase took me to the SBC Center in San Antonio to see the Spurs take on the Houston Rockets. It was a good game and even though Tim Duncan and Devin Brown didn't play (due to injuries), Spurs pulled it off.... final score... 83 - 70. Good luck to both teams as the head in to the play offs ! Also took a few moments during the day to reflect on my Risen Savior Jesus Christ and all He is to me. I am grateful that I am not restricted of mentioning such things on my website. As Americans we still enjoy a few freedoms and we should not take these for granted. As the day progressed the weather turned simply beautiful, a near perfect spring day. I had a great late lunch followed by a Grizzly Bear nap.... it was one for the record books... Thanks Lord! *************************** May, Friday 13, 2005 I've been neglecting my duties at the computer due to a pinched nerve (severe neck and shoulder pain), however I am much better now and will try to catch up a little. I've been getting reports (emails) from all over the world that my current single "If You Were Mine", is making many of the playlists and doing quite well. This is a direct result of the wonderful promoting skills of Mr. Don Bradley. Many thanks to you Sir. Doyle Hoggard and I wrote the song back in 1997 and it has been a favorite to my audiences from the beginning. A great big THANK YOU to Doyle Hoggard for all his help on this particular project. I also thank all the DJ's around the world for playing it and more is on the way soon. Hey... have you heard? The Caberet in Bandera, Texas will open under new ownership on May 27th! This is great news for Bandera and anyone who loves to doe se' doe. The Caberet has been a Texas Dancehall Ledgend almost since the horse and buggy days...... Welcome back old friend! **************************** May 25th, 2005 Several good friends have asked about my granddaughter Eryn lately. Eryn and her mother Adrian are doing very well, thanks to all who have sent out prayers and best wishes. Here are recent pictures taken at Wilford Hall Hospital in San Antonio. |
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