the 20th Big Texas Toy Run

They told me that last year there were 40,000 folks who made the run from all over the Metroplex to the convention center in Arlington, TX...but I had to see the hole in the palms for myself!

I'm told over 50,000 like-minded souls braved an early morning chill that eventually turned into just another beautiful day in paradise for a ride that benefitted some who'll never be able to understand the generosity and sacrifice people have made on their behalf for 20 years in Texas. Sunday was one of those days when you said a little thank you to God for inventing leather and long-johns!

The cool thing for me was how I was welcomed into this riding community, and accepted as an equal and a brother. Plus...all of those KZPS Biker Nights gave me a chance to meet people who also support these events eagerly.

I can't begin to tell you how jazzed I am about the 2006 riding season in Dallas/Fort Worth. Just from the folks I met on the Big Texas Toy Run, I know that it'll be a great year.

A Lost Soul

This should have ended differently, but it didn't.

I got an e-mail yesterday from a woman I had never known until she told me that her brother had lost the long hard struggle that he waged against his own body for several years. Glen Caccamise's sister spoke of how the cancer had riddled him, and made day-to-day hard becasue of the severe pain he was in. Here's the deal. You would have never known it.

Glen-O was one of those guys that you always see "around" radio. But, he contributed in such a great way that you don't often see. The guy was selfless. What do you need? What can I do? How can I help? He'd work the setup crew for any show we did just so that he might get a handshake from Don Dokken, or an autograph from Rob Halford on his Priest poster. Jumpin' Jesus...show me a street crewman making minimum wage that goes as far as he did.

I was honored to be a co-guest of honor with Glen at a backyard party in West Seneca last summer that was attended by some of the most talented guys currently working in Buffalo radio. Proud to spend the afternoon laughing, joking and telling whoppers with that group and to be there with Glen to watch him enjoy the night too. I'm happy that he enjoyed himself that night. This will sound callous, but I'm happy that he's gone now too. I know the pain he had.

However, I'm also very sad that he's not here anymore. There's a hole in my soul now where he was, because it was never about "me" with him. We all need people like that in our lives. He loved what we do. So many of his contemporaries that read, ignore or contribute to this board know exactly what I mean. Glen just loved being amongst us.

Will we miss him?

"Absolutely!"

The Funeral of Specialist Ernest Dallas

I am a veteran of a foreign war also, and some of the folks that listen to me regularly know that. I was contacted via e-mail about the service for this young man from Denton, Texas by a couple of different veterans that ride. I posted information on our radio station website about the call for guys to ride that day (Friday 8/5), and I mentioned it on the air and at an event we held the night before on Belt Line Road. I was glad to see the response at his service from the military, the Denton police and fire departments and the riders who showed that morning to pay their respects and accompnay that boy for his last ride to his resting place. Approximately 50 or so motorcycles showed up for the service.

I tried my best to describe the events of the day and the scene as I saw it, so that folks listening to my radio program would have a sense of happens when one of our boys and girls comes home.

It WAS quite a sight to see. The Denton fire Department had two of their aerial trucks parked on either side of the road with their ladders outstretched to a point and draped an American flag between the two. Our procession passed under that as we left the church headed for the National Cemetery south of Dallas. The men of the police and fire departments in their dress uniforms...saluting.

The sight of "just folks," young and old alike, lining the street as we left Denton was quite stiring, including a Viet Nam vet who wore his Air Cav hat and stood with a snappy salute as the motorcade drove by. A couple of old gals from the elementary school took time to walk to the edge of the street and wave their flags as we passed.

I don't know how many saw him, but there was a man all by himself...looked to be old Marine Corps... standing on a overpass above I-35 near Belt Line as we drove under, who stood at attention with a large American flag in one hand...saluting with the other. Gave some of us who saw him goosebumps.

The full service at the gravesite for the family and for an American hero who gave all he had to give. It touches you.

We need to honor every one of our boys and girls that have honored us by their sacrifice...politics be damned.

Raphael Palmeiro

Congress is going to investigate whether perjury was committed…Here’s what stinks about the Raphael Palmeiro deal…he won’t be remembered for hitting 500 plus homers or 3,000 plus hits or anything else. He’ll be remembered for having stuff in his pee. If he didn't have anything to gain in his final season, as he claimed, then why take anything? Apparently for the Viagra man…size does matter.

Hey, when Courtney Love points at the guy and says, "That dude's messed up," he might as well start walking. At least for 12 steps.

Vacation

I've just returned to work after a 10-day r & r session that had me shifting from the couch to the floor of my bedroom (that's where my Playstaion 2 is located). I'll admit that I probably spent too much loot on upgrading my hardware and my software (Madden Football...BTW...the new one comes out August 9th), but I'll justify it with this...I didn't think about work the entire time. Man, you just have to unplug!

I have been going 102 since I hit the ground running here in Dallas back in February, but it's stuff that had to be done. I call it beating the bushes for "tenths." Shaking hands and kissing babies. I'm one of the best guys in this business at doing that...it's my oxygen. But I know my limits.

I enjoyed some greasy things too. Changing the oil in my truck, my Harley and getting some steak grease under my nails from the grill. Just riding around town on my bike. Feeling the place.

I was so amped up when I hit it again this past Monday. And then the ratings came out on the 26th in Dallas and we were huge. I'm biding my time until more listeners get to know me and trust me, because I'll need them for something I want to do for cancer patients here in early November.

So worth it.

Willie's Family Picnic - July 5th, 2005 Fort Worth, Texas

This was a day I'll long remember. I met some incredible people and some numbskulls, but you separate the wheat from the chaff and you go on. Bob Dylan's stage manager will one day learn that he's a guest here...not the other way around.

The people from Billy Bob's were wonderful. Robert, Bear and Pam Minnick...the former Mesquite Rodeo queen...I'm telling you that gal is still fetching! Lots of players and lots of fakers too. It was fun knowing that there was more bullsh*tting going on backstage then what you'd get Sunday night at fishing camp.

A day for the mental scrapbook...a keeper!

The Doobies had those folks singing and dancing from the get.

Willie at night. 

Some of the 50,000 who showed up for Willie's bash in the Stockyards of Fort Worth, Texas. 

Remember...Leon Russell was in his prime with the Mad Dogs and Englishmen...and that was 35 years ago! 

I had the opportunity of a lifetime to introduce Leon Russell, the Doobie Brothers and Bob Dylan on this day. I waited till just before the Bob Dylan set...after the Doobie Brothers these folks were ready. "The stars at night are big and bright..." and the crowd responded heartily, "Deep in the heart of Texas."

Excellent!

Willie having a good time with the boys in Ray Price's band.

On the "Honeysuckle Rose III" with Willie.
David Allen Coe and Ray Price were sitting behind
me during this interview. What a busfull of 'sperience them boys have!

Eddy Money comes to North Texas

Eddy was fun to talk to back stage before the event in Allen, Texas on Saturday, June 25th. Eddy Money...I know what you're thinking, but after a few songs it was...Wow, I forgot about that one. That went on until everyone had had their fill. Eddy still does a good job...at least he did on this starry night.

The family event also included a very cool set from former Babies and Bad English lead singer, John Waite. I told John, "Old hippies never die, we just smell that way!" We both laughed at that.

American Chopper at Texas Motor Speedway

This past Saturday (June 11) I was witness to the popularity of American Chopper when a crowd of 100,000 greeted the Teutels at Texas Motor Speedway prior to the start of the Indy Racing League event. The boys from Orange County Chopper were commissioned to design a motorcycle for the Bombardier Learjet folks, and had the unveiling at the track.

Paul Sr. Addressed the crowd first...then Jr. talked a little about the motorcycle they designed and then Mikey got his turn. Very cool moment.

Then my personal highlight was to ride up front with the OCC boys on my 1992 Heritage Softail with a flag from the radio station (KZPS) unfurled from the back of the bike in front of that huge crowd. Pretty special.

Michael Jackson

Not guilty on all charges...

Creeping people out since the 2nd surgery...NOT GUILTY.

Being close friends with the Home Alone Kid...NOT GUILTY.

Even thinking about stuff with the monkey...NOT GUILTY.

He was this close <--> to being found guilty of banging Elvis' daughter for about a year.

Route 66 Trip

Me and my East Tennessee boys. It's a long way to the Santa Monica Pier from here. Route 66 trip - June 2002.

There's a reason it's called the Grand Canyon. 

Standin' on the corner in Winslow Arizona. Sing the Eagles song and you'll get it. 

Rusty Wallace

Interviewing Rusty Wallace at one of the dealerships he owns in Tennessee. We played "5 Questions" with Rusty Wallace, where all the answers rhymed with Rusty. He knew right away who Elmer Fudd's favorite driver was.

Back stage in Music City

Volunteer Jam 2000 in Nashville with Moon Mullins (former road Manager for the Marshall Tucker Band and Toy Caldwell) his wife Nessie and Bonnie Bramlett. What a time! I found out why it takes Charlie Daniels so long to get to the stage from his dressing room...he's got to get a hug and a kiss from every woman during the trip.

The Silver Fox

My buddy David Pearson. He turned 70 last December
and is still racing and beating young boys on the dirt in South Carolina.

What the Hell

Is it just me or is the hanky-fest known as Extreme Makeover Home Edition run it's course with you yet?

They've gotten to the point where there is just so much to fix that they just run a couple of Caterpillars through the living room, drag it all away and build a $600K palace in the baddest part of Dog Patch.

I'll bethca all of those plasma TV's aren't around in a couple of years either, because little Louie had to have a set of wheels and tires for his Accord and sister Marsha was going through EPT's like Metamucil through an old goose.

I don't want to whine here, but in some cases it just looks like lazy people getting over.