I found My "getaroundtoit" LOL

WOW, I am actually updating my blog. We played at pinedale tonight. We were a little off tonight. R.E. was not feeling well at all. I am really worried about his health situation. We played for about 1 1/2 hours. Maybe next week at Lindley we will all feel better. I cant get rid of this awful cough. The picture is in Sun Studios Memphis. That's is where the world of music was turned upside down. The legends started Rock & Roll there a few years back. LOL Elvis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Sonny Burgess, Jerry Lee and many others. A real historical landmark. If you go to Memphis,Tn this a must see..... I saw Sonny Burgess last week playing the Silver Moon in Newport,Ar. He is still rockin'. He sounds great. Man he can tear up that guitar. My good friends have had the opportunity to play with him in the past. I hope someday I will get the chance even if it is just sitting around just pickin'. He is a living legend.
Well we have water everywhere here in Jackson county. The river is supposed to crest at 34 feet tomorrow. To say it is bad is an understatement. I feel for the farmers around here. It is going to be a bad year for them. While I am complaining, the gas prices are outrageous. Today the price is 3.29/gal . That is criminal. We are being robbed. The rich get richer and and the poor will get poorer. This country is going to destroy itself economically. We ordinary citizens will not be able to live on our mediocre salaries. Who will be able to afford to buy when the prices keep going up on everything and the wages stay the same. You can forget about retirement we will have to work till they carry us out under a sheet........ Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm till next time. I will try to post more than every other month.......LOLOL

Music,Music,Music

Here it is, another entry finally lol. We recieved 6" of snow today. A miracle for us Arkansans... I have not played sax in 11 years. Here is a shot at it.The song is known as Danny Boy or Londonderry Air, or He looked Beyond My Faults. Which ever you wish to apply. I prefer Danny boy................. An Irish Tune. Hope everyone likes it.

WOW An Entry

Well here it is. A new entry finally. We just returned yesterday from Rockford,Il. I am absolutely beat. It took us 9.5 hours to get home. The roads were clear, but there was alot of wind. This was an unplanned trip back home. Granny Hawks passed away after a brave fight with cancer. Granny was 87. Granny faced it knowing that it would triumph over her in this life, but the life that it leads her to would be eternal. She had faith in God unlike anyone I have ever known. She buried her husband and 4 children, yet her faith in God remained. Granny was a lady of ladies. Dignified and graceful. We went to see her in july and she always was smiling. She didn't let you go without telling you she loved you. Someday we will join her in heaven. The funeral was very nice and went well. I don't like these things, but I know where Granny Hawks is. Granny , we will miss you here, but we will meet again.

The weather was awful. Northern IL recieved 14+ inches of snow weds. We left Arkansas weds. after work and traveled all night long. The last 50 miles I could only drive 25-30 mph the roads were snow packed and iced over. The car was very difficult to handle. We made it to rockford safe at around 3:30am whew. My nerves were shot. I have not driven in that stuff in 6 years. We came home sunday morning. While packing the car the temp. was -5 and wind chill factor was -35 brrrrrrrrrrrr........ And people with any common sense at all ask me why I moved south. Go figure. We do get some cold days but not like that. Luke said "I dont ever want to see snow again". That was after a night out sledding. Smart boy. I would never go back to Illinois if my folks didnt live there. The picture is from our trip. Enjoy. There Susan I finally did it. A new entry. I do hope you are proud of me. LOLOLOL I promise I will try to do better in the future.

Just catching up with the times.

My my,

Time goes by too fast. My vacation is already over. Mom and Dad have left to back north. All good things must come to an end I guess. We had a really good showing for our friday evening gig. Rebekah sang Heartaches by the Number with us. She did a fantastic job. My folks really enjoyed hearing us play. We are getting better all the time. All of my family was there . Luke doesnt like crowds, but he endured. I told told him he needs to sing with us and he said "no way". LOLOL Jimmy and R.E were sounding fantastic. They always do. I cant believe how good my dad is doing learning that bass guitar. He is reallly coming along just fine.

It's back to work tomorrow. I am not looking forward to that. The kids will be starting all over just like the first day of school again. Except we know what we have coming. Hmmmph.

The School year is halfway over now i guess thats is a positive outlook. LOLOL We really do have a good group of kids. They sometimes can get a little wild, but all kids do. I am going to try to keep up better with my blogs. I just run out of time to do everything. Well it's off to the playoffs. NFL. I love my football. Go Cowboys although they won play till next week. I hope they go all the way, and beat the Patriots. Ya'll have a wonderful day and we will catch you next time..........

Christmas

I always get excited this time of year. I guess I will always be a kid at heart. I love the lights and decorations that are put out. There is always something just magical about this season. The innocence of children. The real reason for the season must never be forgotten. I am thankful that I know the true Chistmas Story. I am so thankful that God sent His Son just for me. Many people dont have hope beyond what they can attain in this life. Some folks only know the commercial side of Christmas. I think that too much emphasis is put on how much you give and how much you recieve, and not enough is spent on the true meaning. Take time and reflect on the real meaning . Peace,Love, Joy and most of all HOPE.

REBEKAH AND LUKE, I AM BLESSED TO BE YOUR DADDY. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU AND SHARE THE MAGIC OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON WITH YOU. I PROMISE TO ALWAYS TEACH YOU THE REAL REASON FOR CHRISTMAS.

THIS IS MY WONDERFUL WIFE ANITA. AS OF NOV. 16 WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED 16 YEARS. SHE IS THE ABSOLUTE CENTER OF MY LIFE. I KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT, MY LIFE WOULD BE MEANINGLESS WITHOUT HER. I AM SO PROUD OF HER. SHE HAS WORKED SO HARD TO ACCOMPLISH HER DREAM OF BECOMING A TEACHER. SHE GRADUATED FROM ARKANSAS STATE WITH HONORS ON AUGUST 8th. SHE TEACHES 2nd GRADE AND ABSOLUTELY LOVES IT. WE BOTH WORK AT THE SAME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHICH IS ALSO A BLESSING. BABY I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART AND I HOPE THAT YOU CAN PUT UP WITH ME FOR ANOTHER 16 YEARS......... SO CAN I GET THAT GIBSON GUITAR NOW ? LOLOLOL JUST KIDDING

R.E Gates (center) Jimmy ST.John (left) Tom Samaniego (right)

Our group AR14. We play Gospel, Country,Bluegrass,Early Rock.

R.E. and Jimmy have both been playing music for years. I have only been playing guitar for about 4 years. Most of what I have learned, I have learned from these two very accomplished musicians. Both R.E and Jimmy have played music with Sonny Burgess, the legendary sun recording studio artist. R.E plays bass guitar, steel guitar, lead guitar. Jimmy plays lead guitar, fiddle, acoustic rhythm, harmonica, piano, viola, mandolin, and whatever else he can get his hands on. It truly is a great privilege and honor to have these two men as friends, and get to play music with them. Both of these men are great Christian men and so much fun to be around.