I WISH

Laugh all you like - these are my wishes. They are all beyond any reasonable miracle, which is why I call them a wish.  I have no expectations of any of these to happen.

So, just for fun, here are my TOP 10 wishes! 

1. At LIFE 100.3, I wish we could book an Air Raid artist, without going through weeks and months of delays, such as "the band isn't sure", "the band is breaking up", "the band is going to wait and see."  Just once, if we could book a band, sign the contract, and actually count on the band to not change their minds?!
2. I want to meet Mick Jagger. I just need a "Hi Scott", or a hand shake. That's it. I'm not fussy.  And although I have many industry contacts, I don't have any that connect to my rock and roll hero.
3. I wish I could be given a tour of the Rolling Stones stage, the morning of a show, by the Stage Manager. I just like to know stage secrets, like where are Keith's guitar pedals? And exactly what is on the table behind the drum kit? And, how many people are on security staff at a show?
4. I want to meet Sylvester Stallone. He's iconic. He's lost his fortune and got it back. I just wish I could say "hi" - and see how tall or short he really is.
5. I wish LIFE 100.3 could have a New Year's Eve Dance Party with balloons and confetti and a band and....a dance, without the backlash of "it's a dance and a Christian radio station can't do that."  
6. I want to go back on the air. Every day. Two hours a day. (My depression makes me unreliable,. I wish I could, but I can't.)
7. I wish I was 169 pounds, again. Strictly for vanity reasons.
8. I wish that all my dogs would live to the age of 20 or more. I don't have enough tears for anything shorter.
9. I wish everyone in Barrie had a bed. It's terrible that people don't have a place to sleep. I'm doing my part to correct it, but I can't fix it all.
10. I have several minor health ailments and I can live with them all EXCEPT the Restless Leg Syndrome. It's really annoying and I know it annoys the people I'm with. I wish it would go away.

There you have it - my 2017 Wish List, with no expectations that any will actually happen. But that's ok, because I've been blessed with many other amazing situations, events, gifts, jobs, pets and a few good people in my life.

Happy new year.

2017 - A Year in Pictures

Here are a few highlights of 2017. I am very lucky, blessed, whatever you want to call it. I have a good life with many activities, with many people, in many various locations. I know I'm lucky. There isn't a day that goes by when I don't feel grateful.

It would appear that music is a huge part of my life, as you will see.

One of the two artists I manage is Luke Langman from Elmvale. I encouraged Luke
to get back in the studio and record new songs. Here he is recording "Bridges" which
was nominated for Song Of The Year at the 2018 Covenant Awards.

February - San Juan

Jason and me - arriving home after his 20 months in jail. Visited him every week
in Penetang and drove to Kingston 8 times to encourage him. Matthew 25:36.

Thanks to Facebook, I was able to locate and visit Jackie Smith. Jackie was the singer in
Little Sister - my first band. I started managing them in Kingston. It was a good foundation
 for the artist management job I developed again in 2012.

Me and Debbie Feeley met up in Kingston. Great to reconnect with the lead singer of
Stagger - the second band I managed while living in Kingston, about 1984.

LIFE 100.3's nearly annual "Heart of Worship" concert series, this time held in
Orillia - Luke Langman whom I manage is on the left.

Air Raid 26 - Rapture Rukus at HiWay Church in Barrie.

After the Breakfast Club came to a close with the departure of Tim Maassarany, we debuted
The Get Up And Go Show by hiring Steve Bradley to co-host with Todd Gale

LIFE 100.3 staff Bootcamp at Elim Lodge with Brant Hansen. Training and lots of
radio stories.

Spending some time in the "SJ Home Gym and Athletic Centre". It's something to do."

I also started skipping.

Studio recording of "Let It Go" - the first single by All Rescued Children.
Jared Groenewegen laying down vocals. The song was played nationally across
Canada. "Take A Step With Me" followed, and reached number one.

All Rescued Children - the band I managed from April through December when
the singer chose to "go in a  new direction".

My wife Janice got into public speaking this year with her story of growing up
in Toronto, our life together and some other stuff that makes her cry.

When Anthem For Today liquidated their stage gear, I was able to snag
the stage carpet. It reminds me of 150 amazing shows together, the songs that
were sung and the messages shared - all on this carpet.

Me and Janice - i love this pic.

Jerry Lee Lewis in NYC - his 82 birthday. Highlight of the year!

While in New York, me and Mike hanging out on the Bowery at John Varvatos Men's Clothing
store, my favourite store for funky fashions, which also happens to be the same venue once used as the premiere
punk club in NYC - CBGB.

While in NYC, we attended a concert by 3 Dog Night.

NYC - Mike and me walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.

NYC - the New World Trade Centre Building - 102 stories.

New York City - meeting Carlos Montanez and Broadway Bill Lee
at WCBS-FM.

Playing cajon at Living For Jesus

My 60th birthday - with Ian Eskelin and Dave Clo. 

The only thing better than hearing your favourite song on the radio, is being in the band for a day.
"Thank You Goodnight" - All Star United - on my patio for my birthday.

Biking in Ottawa. I go once a year to ride along the Rideau bike path, hang out
at Hog's Back and let my brain buffer.

Many rides with Tom Roe, another artist I manage. Tom plays Country Gospel music.
I never thought I would be a fan of this style, let alone be Tom's percussionist!

Biking with Janice.

I conceptualized the gathering of Canadian singers all singing O Canada
and releasing it to Christian radio. The song was nominated for a Covenant
Award for Artist Collaboration Of The Year. (front row is Luke Langman, whom I have
managed since 2014.)

Lulu - "To Sir With Love" in Gravenhurst - seats were ringside. One special song
that tugs on my heart.

Still on the radio. Still lovin' it. The Retro Show on LIFE 100.3
Saturday mornings and Amherst Island Radio 92.1 Tuesday
nights at 9pm.