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One of the best lessons I ever learned was from a guy who is doing 5 to 10 years in federal prison for stealing from his friends and business partners. But, alas, he did give me good advice. “Never look into another mans pockets.” In other words, never feel jealousy over a person that is better at negotiating than you. Never hate a person for making more than you. Also, never cover another’s success with your jealous poison.

Being 50 is so strange. There are times when I feel like I am still trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. There are times when I feel like I am 25 with the world is still in front of me. Then, I look in the mirror and the lines on my face and the extra weight around my waist tell me the truth. I am now headed out of the woods. I am on the latter part of my life. I feel like I left so much on the table. I feel like, well, is this it? Is this all there is?

Then, I look at my 3 daughters and realize that I have already accomplished all of my dreams. I am a father and there is nothing better. My goal is to be here as long as they need me. To be a father as long as possible. I am actually living the dream.

Yeah, it’s a melodramatic post. But, it’s my reality and I love it. Is there anything better than being a mother or a father, I think not. I am still fighting for goals, making records, playing shows, writing and fighting to be better. But the dream, my ultimate goal, that was accomplished the day I became a father.

I am so glad I got to spend time with this amazing man. Eddie did a lot in his life, one he never stopped living. Longtime Atlanta-based pianist, vocalist, and Atlanta blues and jazz mainstay Eddie Tigner has died. Tigner was born in Macon, Georgia in 1926, and raised in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. On August […]

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I have dealt with depression my whole life and the last few months have been particularly rough. Maybe it’s what I went thru with my daughter this summer that’s finally taking it’s toll. Maybe it’s the after effects of the breakup with my long time girlfriend. Maybe it’s just the fact that my chemical makeup […]

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Well, this has been my most trying year as a father. So many times I felt like I had failed. I’ve always said, parenting is about consistency. 1 – Consistently being a good role model. I have 3 daughters, so my challenge is to treat them they way I want their husbands to treat them…that […]

To know me enough to really get me you need to listen to the following 5 albums:

  • Welcome to my Nightmare – Alice Cooper
  • Gordon – Barenaked Ladies
  • Bitches Brew – Miles Davis
  • The Meantime – Randall Bramblett
  • God Shuffled His Feet – Crash Test Dummies

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If I wore a red MAGA hat, would you hate me? If I told you that I voted for Hillary and thought Trump was an illegitimate president, would you block or unfriend me? If I was steadfast Pro-Life, would you wish me dead? What if I was gay, would you see me different, so different […]

I can’t really say this too much but my three daughters are amazing. I am so proud of them always. During the ups they show their character by always being humble. During the downs they show their character by being strong and always persevering. All three of them have spent time helping the homeless and children with special needs. Sometimes, when I feel like the world is getting the best of me, they give me strength. The greatest thing I’ve ever known is being a father.

I love you;
I’m here for you;
And you are worth it!

Jordan Barry Recording Session

A great day at Brighter Shade Studio with Jordan Barry and team. Jordan is talented beyond her years. — with Mike Rizzi, Greg Lee, Mark Dannells,Jordan Barry, Mark Bencuya and Jacob Walter. She is my niece and she is amazing. A brilliant singer and songwriter, watch out world, she is coming for you!

I am working on something big…really really big. I can’t tell you what it is…but I will tell you at a distant time in the future, that will actually never come. But, my gracious big things are in the works. I’m not a big deal yet…but…you might as well start treating me like I am because what’s about to happen, this thing in the works, that I can’t mention, is epic. Also, Prayers Please. I can’t tell you any details, but it’s for a friend, I can’t tell you their name…or even their preferred pronoun…but please pray…in great generalities for a person that doesn’t exist…I mean that does exist but needs prayer. I am posting this request because I want everyone to know what a great empathetic person I am. Also, and you know who you are, I will never forgive you. You can fool me once, or twice, or thrice, or even frice, but never more than frice. Forgiveness is for those who seek it….and I’m waiting. Until then you evil straw-man, forever be gone.

This post has been brought to you by overly dramatic attention seeking facebook guy.

My First Tattoo

I celebrated my 50th birthday by getting my first tattoo. I always wanted to get my daughters initials tattooed on my arm. Erika, Sommer and Mary Margaret (ESM). Mary Margaret and I were at dinner kicking around the idea and were talking about what font to use. Ariel, nope too plain. Comic sans, kind of tired and done. Times new Roman maybe, nope. How about some Chinese letters, but who the heck knows what that’s going to really spell. Then, she asked me what my favorite font was, and I said, “Oh that’s easy… Wing Dings.” So there you have it.
“E S M” in wing dings. A tribute to the three loves of my life!

A picture of my first Tattoo

After suffering a massive stroke earlier this year Sean Demery has died. My buddy Steve Craig said it best – 

Words cannot adequately express the love & gratitude I have for Sean Demery. For 40 years, he’s been my best friend, best man, mentor, career counselor, confidant and so much more. He taught me what unconditional friendship really is.

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A Lost Shameful Person

Last night on my way home from the airport I stopped by Publix for a few things. When I walked into the line to check out, my favorite bagger was crying. He is a tall lanky special needs sweetheart of a guy in his early 20s. I always go to his line because he greets me, and everyone with a warm jubilant smile. We always crack jokes and just kind of act silly. The manager came over and took him to the back. The cashier was also crying and closed her line. I asked her what happened and she said that a young girl had called him stupid. She apparently didn’t like the way he looked at her. Yep, that’s it, he looked at her with what she call a “stupid goofy smile.” She then looked at the cashier and said that he was “creeping me the fu** out.”

My heart is broken for my buddy. I hope this bitter young lady with the darkest of hearts wakes up one day and finds her way because right now she is a broken lost shameful person.

Despite the horrific trek from my house to the office this morning, 3.5 minutes of sheer terror, I made it. I was hit by many drops of hurricane juice and almost immediately upon leaving my car was smacked ever so gently by Irma’s ill-intentioned breath. Or, as people outside this delicate city would say, “it rained slightly and sometimes the wind would blow a little.” Not that I’m a hurricane denier or anything, but so far this has been a bit of a let down.

Anyway, all kidding aside, I pray that everyone is safe and that our good fortune continues!!

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In 2008 I was managing The Beggars’ Guild and booked a gig in south Georgia. The bar, the name escapes me, was a small town soldier bar and seemed right up our alley. “This”, as I emphatically stated with waving arms and supercharged emotion to the band, “was the perfect bar for TBG. This could be our home away from home!” Well, not so fast there Tits McGhee.