2020 - FIND THE GOOD MEMORIES FROM A LOUSY YEAR

2020 was about wearing a mask to avoid spreading the Coronavirus. It was also about arguing with friends over conspiracy theories, government lockdown decisions, and, well, that's about it. Covid-19 dominated all of our lives.

I'm trying to find some good memories from 2020 and really that wasn't hard. These memories did not include cruising the seas as we love to do or attending a major concert, but two things I've learned are:

1) I can do with less. I've had to.  

2) Companionship and feeling social is my love language. 

Now, here are 15 things I want to remember from 2020. Maybe it wasn't really that bad after all. 

I stepped down from my role as Station Manager at LIFE 100.3.  It was 21 years in that position and I was just tired of doing the same things. I guess I am in semi-retirement because I still have duties at LIFE 100.3. I still believe in the ministry and am grateful for the impact the radio station has had on the lives of listeners in Central Ontario.

This process of removing my horribly yellow and decayed upper teeth and replacing them with new teeth took nearly two years. The "all on four in one day" (meaning  all your teeth are replaced with four pins in your jaw in one long surgery) didn't happen as planned. It ended up being all on six over 18 months. I needed bone reconstruction before the pins went in. It was a ridiculously long process and many more dental appointments than you would believe. It's done. I'm happy. But, I'm not sure if I would encourage anyone else to do this.

This is my friend Paul from North Bay. Throughout 2020 our friendship got richer as we visited each other nearly every month, with Covid's permission. We had planned on travelling to London, England in September and those plans got derailed. Sure hope we can do it in 2021.

My best friend is a Kangaroo. He bikes with me, he roadies for me, he cracks my back when it's all seized up. He doesn't need things to keep him happy. He isn't materialistic.  He never holds a grudge. Andrew is the nicest person I know.

Several times a year Janice and I throw house parties. We bring in a band to rock the house and we typically invited about 40 people to squeeze in, enjoy the view over Lake Simcoe and enjoy a rockin' band. In February, we were blessed to have Jason Dunn who is the original lead singer with Hawk Nelson come and perform. His story-telling was awesome. And his last minute percussionist played just fine.

The SJ Home Gym & Athletic Centre has been busy all year. I am fortunate to have a bunch of guys who like to work out and enjoy hanging out with me through the week. My buddy Bobby installed some cool lighting and a sound system and Todd installed giant mirrors. I'm grateful at age 63 that I can do this and sometimes keep up with my younger friends - like Professor Jordon.

For half of 2019, I was churchless. Living For Jesus Outreach Ministries ceased it's Sunday services so I began attending Bethel Community Church because they needed a percussionist. After a year of Sundays, I decided to make Bethel my home church. Pastor Stephan seems to think I have good ideas and is eager to make changes. I think God has me in the right place at this time.

I've managed many artists, played with them, booked them, guided them and funded them. In November, I became the artist!  I recorded a song with me on vocals. This is a bucket list project of 3 songs. The first one is nearly done. "Blame It On Cain".  I don't have plans for sales or radio airplay - it's just the process I want to experience for myself, with a profession producer.

One of my good friends is Chris Bray. We met professionally as he is a recording artist, we became friends, and then good friends. We chat almost daily, talking about his music projects (and he has many), talking about our fitness goals and family stuff.  In September, Chris brought his family to the Oro Station Super City Centre to hang out for the day.

This is Jeff Catto. He is a new recording artist based in Waterloo. We met professionally, and then became friends. He's invited to play percussion with his band - and his band rocks! I am a huge fan of Jeff because he sings with passion! His vocals are powerful and they cover you.  Because of Covid, many shows were cancelled but we squeezed in a youth event in November. All he needs is a manager.

My weekly radio show on CJAI "Amherst Island Radio" is now four years old. I host "The Scott Jackson Show" on this community radio station near Kingston, where I began my on-air career 40 years ago. On this show, I play the classic rock songs I played back then when they were new on CKLC, plus some new material. And I have a team of people in the studio. Some of these people are Todd, Steve, the Kangaroo and Crystal. Others have come to fill in from time to time.

Ottawa is my favourite city. It's the one city I wish my radio career had taken me to. Since it didn't, I take a 3-day vacation every year, ride my bike along the Rideau Canal bike path, shop for clothes at the Rideau Centre and tell myself "this is my city."

Last but not least is my wife Janice. In 2021 we will celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. We met in grade 7 and have been together ever since. We have travelled and cruised the world, loved and buried our dogs, founded a ministry and support each other as our health changes and age demands choices. Still going strong. 

NOT A BAD YEAR, WHEN YOU CONSIDER A GLOBAL PANDEMIC!

MEMORIES AND REGRETS

I'm a radio broadcaster. I'm a musician. I'm an artist manager.  Going through old photo albums I've relived some memories and I thought I would share my the best and worst, of those I can still remember, as they pertain to being a radio guy, a percussionist and an artist manager.

AS A RADIO GUY

CAREER HIGHLIGHT -  The launch of LIFE 100.3 - August 15, 1999.

* Runner-up - there is nothing close.

BEST MOMENT -  A visit by Geoff Moore to LIFE.  While Steve Jones was the DJ, together Steve and Geoff counted down the "Top 5 Geoff  Songs" personally picked by me, for him to talk about. I sat on the floor behind the DJ - watching, listening to personal song testimony by the artist who introduced me to all of Christian music. (Geoff second left)

* Runner-up - LIFE Sharathon 2019 - we didn't hit the financial goals, but it was fun, organized and I felt our announcers presentation was as close to perfect as it could ever be.

CAREER LOW POINT -  Getting fired at WAY-FM in Nashville in 1997. Losing my dream job. Leaving the house we loved and an amazing city behind, driving my family back to Canada. Photo below, moments before departure.

*Runner-up- Getting verbally berated by the boss at a radio station. 1986.
* 2nd Runner-up - Lying to my staff and working for an unethical owner. 1997.

PROUD MOMENT - Listening to Junky Rhodes on LIFE one night, enthusiastically taking listener phone calls. I phoned him to say "you sound great" but he didn't answer the phone. The next day I found out that the show was recorded, including the listener calls, and after 35 years in radio, I couldn't tell the difference. 2014.

* Runner-up - Rod O'Brien (aka Chris Cooper) doing afternoon drive at AM/58 in Kapuskasing. I was Rod's boss. It was a milestone moment, one afternoon on the air when he found his smile. This is the actual show, below 1987.

AS MUSICIAN - PERCUSSIONIST 

BEST MOMENT - Playing "La La Land" with All Star United (Ian Eskelin and Dave Clo) on my patio for my 60th birthday. 2017.





* Runner-up - Playing "Avalanche" in my house on New Year's Eve with Handsome and Gretyl.  While dying to jump in and play along, it was their moment, until Brett said - "We're going to need some percussion here, Daddy."  2017.  Three minutes of musical emotion. It'll probably never happen again. It'll never come close. Brett and Gretyl have no clue.

BEST SHOW - Playing percussion for Brian Doerksen in concert while he sang "Faithful One" 2019. I rehearsed my part for two weeks so I would know the songs intimately. Brian is Canada's most beloved worship songwriter.

AS A MANAGER

PROUDEST MOMENT - Watching Anthem For Today play "Earthquake" as a new Canadian artist at the Covenant Awards and then winning and their acceptance of the Covenant Award for Modern Rock Song of the Year in 2013 presented by the Gospel Music Assocation.




* Runner-up - The Handsome and Gretyl Summer Tour 2016,  I was walking the sidewalk in downtown Los Angeles, looking for the venue- The Mint nightclub where we were performing that evening.  A club, in L.A., baby!  BOOM!

SHINING MOMENT - Arranging the Travel Agenda (arrangements for air travel, ground travel, activities, connections, songwriting, meals, hotel, money and city tour) for a trip to Nashville  on behalf of Luke Langman so he could record "Let's Go Christmas Caroling" with Ian Eskelin.

* Runner-up - My artist Luke Langman opening for Brian Doerksen in Peterborough in 2019. I made connection to have Brian sing a verse of Luke's song "Every Word You Say".  Just like on the record.

BEST CONCERT - Anthem For Today playing at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Barrie for the youth group. The best audience, ever!   The youth pastor yells to a kid "put your shirt back on!"  The girls were going crazy for the band. It was an exhilarating show.  Unfortunately, it ended with a kill-joy by the youth pastor but  my memory of the audience and that show - was amazing.

BEST WORK -  "Worthy" by All Rescued Children. Arranging the studio recording session, vetoing a track so our new members could record a part, the eventual release and national promotion; the video shoot, the guest appearance by Francois Gouderault Jr., the photoshoot, hospitality and cheerleading.   This project was the culmination of all I had learned as a manager.

* Runner-up - The CD release for Tom Roe. He had no part in the arrangement of the event, only the stage performance with the musicians and setlist. The radio promotion and details of the event was envisioned by me. It was a milestone moment to honour Tom.

WORST SHOW - Anthem For Today, early in our work together, the boys were opening a show in Ottawa.  Our drummer couldn't go so we hired a fill-in (talented) drummer whom we had never met or played with. We had lousy sound, and some other bad stuff. Then, we all had a near-death experience in an elevator.

* Runner-up - A recent show that was unrehearsed, not soundchecked and just plain sloppy.

REGRETS - Leaving after the first leg of the 2016 Handsome and Gretyl North American Tour. There was junk bothering me but I should have pushed through it. I gave in.  Now, I live with haunting regret of not completing the final leg.

* Runner-up - I miss road managing AFT so bad - it hurts.  (photo below is a mini-reunion)

New Year's Resolutions

I think New Year’s resolutions are a good idea. It’s a new year. We have a new mindset so why not set some goals for self-improvement?

Many people don’t. They think they’ll break them so what’s the point?  The point is - you try. And if you fail, you try again. Being afraid to fail is being afraid of life.

I attended a Wealth Management Expo two years ago. Not because I want to be wealthy, but because - Sylvester Stallone was there and I really wanted to see him in person. He is a self-made success story but, the other six speakers all had great stories of having nothing and making something of themselves. The line that was repeated was, “I failed nine times, but the tenth time was a success.” Most people don’t have the energy or faith to try again or start over. Maybe they're embarrassed. Or lazy? Or something.

The “failing nine times” is inspiring to me. If the greats fail, then I shouldn’t be afraid to fail.

So, I set my resolution goals with that in mind. If I fail, I won’t give up - I'll start again. What’s the alternative?  To never improve? I don’t want to be that guy.

Here are the things I resolve to work on this year.

I’m going to check my list every couple of months to see how I’m doing. If I’m not doing as well as I hope to, then I’ll get a bit more serious about the “delay”.

Happy new year!