SJ

FERRIS BUELLER IS BACK!

2012-01-30T16:38:00.000-08:00

I can't believe Matthew Broderick did this! He said he'd never play Ferris again! Well, he did. Maybe it's only two and a half minutes, but Ferris is back in 2012! (Proof that people can be bought! But so what.)

Whosarmy in Cannington

2012-01-28T11:08:00.000-08:00

They won the CBC reality show "Cover Me Canada" - Whosarmy.

Cover Me Canada is a fresh, creative show, featuring relatively unknown Canada bands, that compete for a $100,000 prize with Universal Records. I like the concept. I've always been a fan of young bands, with a vision, who work hard - and have talent. I guess that's why, in a previous life, I managed and booked three young cover bands. But that was a long time ago.

The Friday night show was part of the weekend annual Cannington Dog Sled Races.

It was awesome to hear a combination of well known Canadian songs which they performed on CBC, original songs they are currently recording, and songs from their 2011 cd release. With the right people behind them, Whosarmy could be major Canadian rock stars.

SETLIST

Maggie's Alright
Automatic Baby
American Woman
Hole In My Heart
Glory Bound
Someday
No Mystery
Revolution Girl
Alive
Birthday
THe World Is Ending
Lonely Boy
Can't Live Without You

Here's a brief clip from the chorus of "Alive".

Dog Rescue (dog is fine)

2012-01-20T13:34:00.000-08:00

I can't watch this without crying. I love dogs.

Watch Christian Videos and Read the Online Bible at GodVine.com

Blessings

2012-01-17T21:28:00.000-08:00

The song everyone is talking about - "Blessings" by Laura Story. Here's the story behind the song, in her own words.

Brett & Crystal

2012-01-12T15:58:00.001-08:00

At 8:30 this morning, my son Brett and his wife Gretyl, began their long drive home to Nashville, away from the sleet and ice pelts we got today!

For the last four weeks Brett has been visiting me and Janice, here at our new house in the Oro Station Super City Centre, relaxing, working on music, catching up on Prison Break, snowboarding and BBQ-ing our steaks. Haha - a good month!

As a teenager Brett was a total home-body. No longing to be anywhere else but with his family. But after going to BC for Bible School, (and finding his future wife), things changed. He's lived in Gnashville (yes, I'm spelling it with a "G" and you know why!), he's toured Canada as the recording artist Handsome and Gretyl and honeymooned in Paris.

On the other hand, my daughter Crystal IS a world traveller. I can't count how many countries she's flown to, how many States she's visited, either with AJ or on a missions trip! She's been east/west and everywhere - but she resides in Barrie!

I guess the holiday season is officially over. Brett's en route.

Next visit...? Brett - when? Not til summer? Arrrrrrrrg! Thanks for the Prison Breaks!

The Three Stooges

2012-01-08T10:42:00.000-08:00

Are you ready for this? THE THREE STOOGES - 2012 movie! Man this looks funny!

Cheating Death

2012-01-03T18:21:00.001-08:00

These "close-call" accidents are incredible. Each one more outrageous than the next. Skip the first 40 seconds - FYI.

Djembe (pronounced JEM-bay)

2012-01-03T12:32:00.000-08:00

I bought a dejembe. It's a drum, like a conga, that you sit down and straddle and play with your hands - no sticks. Kinda tribal.

A month ago I was at a dinner-thing and a friend of mine played a djembe with the band. I liked the rawness of it. Kinda rootsy and casual, and maybe a bit eclectic, which is odd for a top 40 music guy like me!

I picked up an egg-shaker, too. So I shake it with my right hand and hit the skin with my left.

Last weekend I play publicly for the first time. "Maybe I've not practiced enough to play publicly?", I thought. Well I did anyway. Our set was 8 songs - I played the djembe on two soft, reflective songs. It added a nice flavour to the set.

My friend, the guy who got me hooked but doesn't realize it, was playing, as I recall, a small crash cymbal. I liked that too. Hmmmm. Maybe I'll pick one up!

JANUARY 1, 2012 SETLIST
(Living For Jesus Outreach Ministries)

Power in the Blood
Mercy is Falling
We Bring The Sacrifice of Praise
Mighty To Save
How Great is Our God
Consuming Fire
Refiners Fire

We Are The World - 2010

2011-12-30T13:06:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure how I missed this but I'm glad I found it. It's a remake of the classic "We Are The World". Recorded in the same studio as the original, 25 years later and Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones are back directing the stars and mixing the audio.

To be honest, I don't recognize alot of the artists. Put Christian artists in the group and I could tag them all!

There's two things I don't like. First, the length. It's about 3 minutes longer than the original and for me that's 3 minutes too long. Secondly, Michael Jackson's chorus is edited in and it's unnecessary. The starpower of the group is more than enough.

It's a fabulous group of people and some of the original artists are back - Diana Ross, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles. Newcomers like Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Randy Jackson and Usher are mixed in with the legends. Celine Dion takes on Cindi Lauper's classic line and it's awesome. I think I even spotted Al Jardine from the Beach Boys in the chorus.

My favourite part is Jamie Foxx singing Ray Charles' lyric line! He absolutely nails it!

Enjoy!

The Dentist

2011-12-22T16:31:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my first "cleaning" in 14 months. Is that too long? My dentist says I should be coming every 4 months. Who wants to go to the dentist that often? Plus the follow-up appointments for fillings and crowns. It's no wonder our benefits cost so much! Every four months, yeeeesh!

So, I'm in the chair and she's poking me with sharp objects to make my gums bleed. "Scott, your gums are bleeding!" No kidding. "Maybe if you didn't jab your spear into my gums they wouldn't!"

Next is the seminar about flossing. I have dozens and dozens of these cute little sample floss packs stuffed in the bathroom drawer next to the mosquito repellent. Maybe one day I'll put them on e-bay and make some money. She asks, "How's your flossing, Scott?" I tell her - "it's consistent". Well - that's the truth.

Then, she lectures me about my negligent cleaning appointments. "If you don't come every four months you will have many health problems."

"Oh really" I said and rolled my eyes. Here we go.

"Without good periodontal health you could have a stroke..." A stroke? Are you kidding me? I'll have a stroke if I don't get a cleaning every four months?! She continues, "You can get respiratory infections, heart disease and uncontrolled diabetes."

I couldn't keep my yap shut, partly because I was chocking on her elbow which was halfway down my throat. Somehow I managed to mumble - "all you doctors use scare tactics to get us back in the office. I'll pass".

"Well, you need to make a decision today. Every four months or every nine months. It's a big decision and I'm telling you for the good of your health. You can't take this lightly."

Whatever.

"Consider your options and make the best decision."

I said, "Huh, listen lady, I'm not buying a car! It's just teeth cleaning!" Yeeeesh!

After all the chemicals and pokers and xrays I left to pay my enormous bill. The secretary took my visa card and pleasantly asked me - "so, have you made a decision?"

A decision? Like accepting the Lord to be my Saviour? Come on - it's just teeth for crying out loud! "Yes I have made the big decision - it's gonna be every 36 months - goodbye!"

It's time for a new dentist.

LIFE 100.3 Staff Christmas Party

2011-12-18T21:56:00.000-08:00

Another spectacular LIFE 100.3 Christmas Party with the staff. A magic performance by Sawyer Bullock, music by Handsome and Gretyl, "The Price Is Right" game by Crystal Summers, "The 12 Days of Christmas" video by AJ the Wonderdog and lots of turkey! Here are a few photo memories.

Treasure House owner and Trust Communications Director Bob Fitzgibbon, with Joy Fitzgibbon and LIFE's Steve Jones.

Magician Sawyer Bullock amazing us with card tricks, rope knots and slight of hand. Nice!

Rozz Maassarany, Maria Lopez, Tim Maassarany, Gabrielle VanDyk and "The Price Is Right" hostess Crystal Summers.

Emile Dugard with LIFE's Jordan Cruz.

Office Manager Janice Baird and husband/Station Manager Scott Jackson.

Handsome and Gretyl performing "Darlin'"

Artist Chris Bray with his wife Katie, Street Team volunteer Billy Chase and Slam Host Evan Duran.

Brian Cathline and his wife/Receptionist Marliene.

Breakfast Club host Ben Davy and his wife Rachelle.

"Ask The Pastor" host Andrew Roberston, with AJ The Wondedog and producer Tim VanDyk.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Video Blog - Top 50

2011-12-15T07:47:00.000-08:00

A video blog for today!

End Of The Year Favourites

2011-12-13T13:37:00.001-08:00

I love the Top 50 countdown! Maybe this is a bit obsessive, but I've been listening to end-of the-year radio countdowns since I was about 11 years old. Seriously. I would listen every new year's eve to 1050 CHUM as they played back their top 100 hits and I would tape the whole 8 hour show on cassettes.

Then when I got into radio. The tradition continues but it was my turn to produce a hit list. And - I get to be the host!

Be listening December 31 at Noon to LIFE 100.3!

Here are some of my favourites from 2011:

Background/Lecrae
Safe To Say/To Tell
Up Down/The Ambassador
So Far Away/House Of Heroes
Only You/Dan Bremnes
Blessings/Laura Story
Broken Glass/Silverline
Knockin' On My Door/B. Reith
I Refuse/Josh Wilson
More Each Day/Chris Bray

Show Stopper/Deitrick Haddon
Loud/George Moss

Rollercoaster

2011-12-09T13:13:00.001-08:00

Here's the new ride coming to Wonderland next summer! Wooooo.....

Another Christian Movie with Randy Wayne?

2011-12-06T07:30:00.000-08:00

There's a new movie you might be interested in. "Hardflip". It stars Randy Wayne who played Jake in "To Save A Life" and his co-star is Sean Michael Afable who played his friend Jonny (the kid drops his ice cream cone). John Schneider also stars.

It looks like a Christian movie. It would be nice to see Randy Wayne back in a good wholesome movie after some of the junk he's done recently.

I was in Los Angeles last year, at this skate park off Santa Monica pier during the filming. I didn't see these stars - just the skater pros doing tricks and the film crew.

Peter Furler and Building 429

2011-12-02T21:56:00.000-08:00

If you follow Christian music, you probably know that Peter Furler is no longer with the Newsboys, although he still writes songs and remains connected with the business side.
As a soloist, he is on tour and made a stop tonight in Barrie, at Mapleview Church. The show was a surprise to me. Peter Furler singing in a church? Isn't he more of a arena or stadium performer? I guess not.

Tonight's show was big. Big lights, big sound. In fact the sound was fabulous!

I missed Me In Motion - the opening act. Building 429 was excellent. Great songs about faith.

Singer Jason Roy spent alot of time talking to the crowd, enjoying the crowd, bouncing from stage right to stage left. Their set concluded with a pitch for World Vision by Jason, who is truly a dynamic speaker. He talked about how he never wanted to sponsor a kid because the pitch from the speaker seemed manipulative to get people to respond. That is until he saw first hand kids in third world countries and how a sponsorship can make big changes. Jason is a great ambassador for World Vision and a gifted speaker. Even my pastor said so!

After a long intermission (so we could spend lots of money on merch) Peter Furler came out with a small 3-piece band. Thanks to the Nashville music track and gang vocals, the sound was big. I'm not sure if the audience never noticed the incredible back-up vocals that weren't coming from the stage - or maybe they don't care. I also think it's funny.

The setlist was half solo material and half Newsboys. It was well-balanced. "Way Beyond Myself" was a treat to hear.

Peter, still with the guyliner and dressing in black, still giving that sinister expression like he might snap at any moment.

What is truly funny is the audience was mostly 30-40 year olds. And nobody seems to notice the guyliner on the 40-year old bald performer.

The show rocked! I can't believe it was in a church, not an arena.

The Dance Machine

2011-11-29T20:58:00.001-08:00

I'm making a photo album for my Dad for Christmas and combing through old photo albums.

I was a DJ in Kingston at CKLC from 1978 til 1985. Mostly really good years. The most fun came from the “Dance Machine”.

(L-R - Joe, Charlie Watts, Jim Elyot, me and Bruce Anfossie)

The CKLC jocks hosted the show. Sometimes Charlie Watts hosted. (Charlie did the overnight show and was a full-time Queens U student during the day.) Other dances were hosted by Jim Elyot, or Chris Ryan, or Steev Jordan, or “the Dude” Bob Keys, or me. It was common that one of the DJs would make a guest appearance at another jock's dance just for fun. Jim and I would air-guitar to AC/DC songs and dance around like goons, sometimes cracking open the mic to singing along.

What began as a couple of turntables and a DJ turned into a silly, egotistical, possibly outstanding roadshow with lighting, fog and free pop.

(L-R Jim Elyot and me, rockin' out to the Knack or the Stones)

When we peaked around 1983/84 we had four guys as roadies. Bruce our sound guy would oversee the logistics of the show. John our bodyguard wore a beat up leather jacket and sported a long Motley Crue haircut to look tough. There was Joe our lighting tech and a couple of other guys who came and went. Plus the CKLC groupies.

Being a the big Rolling Stones fan that I was, I tried to use any 1981 Stones tour idea I could, mostly in the wardrobe department. (The football pants were my favourite I think although the Platinum Blonde black and white spandex were kinda cool, too!) If CKLC management had provided a budget for set design I would have really gone nuts!

One of the contests I ran on stage was awarding a disco album - to a guy, who absolutely hated disco. (It would be the equivalent of giving a teen guy a Justin Bieber record now.) Once he got the album in his hands I would taunt him until he tore the album jacket in half, for which the crowd would go nuts!

(I bought this jacket from a kid for $10. It was ready to be given to good-will but I thought it had some life left in it!)

We’d take two or three vehicles in a convoy to the schools, most of which were in K-town, but other times we’d visit “Gan”, Sharbot Lake, Sydenham, and Snap-a-nachee! As I recall, Regi (the Catholic school) was the most enthusiastic. Frontenac was the school that other schools hated cuz they won all the football games - and Frontenac gigs made me nervous. I guess I thought Frontenac was the pinnacle of doing dances.

Good times.

This is the best I can recall it. It’s been nearly 25 years. Some of the facts may be somewhat embellished.

X Factor Predictions

2011-11-26T09:46:00.000-08:00

X Factor is awesome! I'm lovin' all the "upgrades" beyond American Idol. The judges acting as mentors has added so much passion. We can see the judges rooting for their proteges.

PREDICTED WINNER - JOSH KRAJCIK

I'm also loving the sets. Each song has it's own lighting and set design. I wonder how much work that is! It sure adds to each performance.

X Factor is everything great from American Idol, on a bigger scale, plus some new ideas. Who would have thought you could out-do the number one show?! Both X Factor and American Idol have done something unique - they are both shows that the whole family can watch.

A quick review of Facebook and you see all aged people comment on their favourites.

2ND PLACE - MELANIE AMARO

I was sad to see Leroy Bell leave the show. I think we all hope we would look that good at his age! (60) Great attitude, great vocals!

Who's going to win? Here are my picks.

WINNER - Josh Krajcik
RUNNER UP - Melanie Amaro
THIRD PLACE - Astro

How do you follow that up? Easy - "American Idol"!

3RD PLACE - ASTRO

Toronto update!

2011-11-24T21:55:00.000-08:00

It's been a long, tedious project assembling an application to acquire 88.1FM in Toronto for a new radio station.

For 12 years listeners have asked us to start a Christian station in Toronto and until now it has not been possible. Why? Because the FM dial is jammed. There are no places on the dial for even one more station. But with Ryerson losing their license, (so sad!), now 88.1 is available! Woo hoo!

The application I have been working on feels like "the application that will never end".

I have hired two consulting companies to provide factual data to back-up my ideas. Two engineers have consulted us on the technical feasibility. I have formed an Advisory Committee that consists of artists, media, technicians and event planners to help contribute to the development of the new station.

And the LIFE staff has backed me in prayer every week.

Last week, additional, last minute information was added.

This week, "the application that will never end" grew again as I enhanced it with another idea that I believe will appeal to the CRTC's concept of "the best application".

One non-Christian consultant told me he would not help us with this application, even if we paid him a million dollars because "that's how sure I am you will not be successful to get the license". That's ok. I have a secret weapon.

So - listen! I am 100% excited about this project. It is a NEW station, not a repeater station of LIFE. It is designed specifically for the GTA and has a new name that won't be revealed for a while. Already a couple of potential employees are on the "hire me" list!

I can hardly wait!

Louder

2011-11-22T20:43:00.000-08:00

This song by Dominic Balli is in high rotation in my iPod. LOVE IT!

Devo - Getting Through Today

2011-11-18T06:14:00.000-08:00

Today I am not burdened. I have time to do devotions, think about what I am reading, meditate on it. When there's alot of distractions blowing through my mind, only the first part happens and it's not a quality job either.

The devotional I am using is "Live Loved" by Max Lucada. The devotions are two pages each, a different topic each day and several verses to support it. Today I'm reading about God giving us our daily bread; which means providing for us one day at a time. One of the examples is about God giving Moses the strategy, not the whole plan at once. The people saw dry land and problems and God showed them provision for that one day. (Exodus 16:4)

I tend to look at my "to do" list and see all of it at once. I thought that was a good thing - sizing up the list and going for it. I'm a fairly good organizer. But now I'm thinking, I need to take that list, select the assignment for today and ask God to help me with it. Ask God to give me strength for it today, and whatever is left over to do tomorrow, then I ask him to get me through that tomorrow.

Same thing with the junk (on-going sins) that bugs me. I'm going to just focus on getting through ONE DAY and not whether or not I'll get through two or three days without messing up.

I don't know if this plan will work - praying over the daily steps rather than the whole deal. I'm going to give it a try. If nothing else, I will be able to see everything in smaller portions.

My iPod

2011-11-15T17:55:00.000-08:00

The iPod is amazing! In the 80's when I worked at CKLC, I would haul a bunch of vinyl albums to the after-hours production studio and, using two turntables in the production studio, I would create a "mix" tape, that had all my favourite songs from the month. Songs were mixed together. Of course if I made a lousy mix, then I would have to either a) just accept it, or b) re-record the entire tape over.

My mix tape only appealed to me. Friends would wonder how I could enjoy a diverse selection of Sly and The Family Stone with John Cougar and Bon Jovi. Ah, but it was a good mix!

Then came the CD, although I didn't make too many "mix" cds. Then came the iPod. The flexibility of adding and deleting songs, changing playlists, shuffling or not, the digital quality - not to mention the convenience of the iPod shuffle...! Wow! I love it!

My iPod gets primary play at the gym and secondary useage at bedtime.

At night, as I go to sleep, I will listen to "Sleepless Nights" - an instrumental soft recording of popular worship songs. Or maybe some 80's Vineyard "Psalms".

Or, "Ram" by Paul McCartney. Love the variety of sounds and ridiculous lyrics! ("Monkberry Moon Delight"!?

Still my favourite "go to sleep" album is "Coram Deo" - a collection of Christian artists, their original songs, produced by Charlie Peacock specifically assembled for this project. It's one of those albums you can put on and listen straight through. It's a "desert island" album on my list.

In my "November new mix" playlist, here's what's shuffling this week!

Up Down/The Ambassador
Simple Days/B. Reith
You Lie/The Band Perry
Never Wanna Lose/Dan Bremnes
Crawling Back To You/Daughtry
People Know You By Your First Name/Dean Brody
Breakdown/Group 1 Crew
Darling/Handsome and Gretyl (my son)
Blessings/Laura Story
I'm Gonna Love You Through It/Martina McBride
Start Somewhere/Toby Mac
How He Loves/David Crowder
Not So Average/V. Rose
and - just added... "Alive" by Whosarmy.

It's quite a mix-mash of stuff. Ah but - I like it.

My Dog Watches TV

2011-11-13T13:22:00.001-08:00

My dog loves to watch TV! (dogs cannot see 2D!) Well mine can. She likes other animals, loves Animal Planet, loves the MGM lion, any football game and action movies! Favourite movie is 8 Below. Don't believe my dog watches TV?

Funny Wedding Proposal

2011-11-11T18:19:00.001-08:00

The Oro Station Super City Centre Casino and Resort

2011-11-05T21:39:00.000-07:00

Shout-out to and from Scott Carpenter

2011-11-01T19:40:00.001-07:00

You're reading my blog. By the way, thanks. I hope you find it entertaining, or informative, or whatever it is supposed to be.

Meanwhile, I'm reading the other blog by the LIFE 100.3 jocks. And - I'm reading Scott Carpenter's blog. Scott Carpenter is the CHUM radio DJ from the 70's whom I not only idolized when I was a teen, but he was the catalyst for me choosing radio as a career.

Today I read Scott's blog titled "The Birth Of The Boogieman" - and to my surprise I got a shout-out! How cool!

Thanks Scott!

Click here for Scott Carpenter's blog.

GMA Calgary

2011-10-30T10:45:00.000-07:00

Just woke up. Good sleep. Silly that a two hour time zone change would give me jet lag. Maybe not. Maybe I'm just plain tired.

Spend three days in Calgary at GMA Canada - gospel music association - hooking up with Canadian artists and radio peeps. Schmoozing is the main activity, although some seminars were also good!

While radio is my job and my hobby, my other hobby is working with artists. I'm not sure what my position might be; perhaps Professional Encourager. In a previous lifetime, I managed artists and I think I have a good sense of performance observation. Some people seem to agree and came to my seminar at GMA called "Why Some Artists Make It And Others Don't". I love giving that message and didn't get off stage without 20 questions.

Steve Taylor gave a session about the production of Sixpence's song "Kiss Me". He is a very colourful, animated, clever artist but unfortunately, after viewing the new movie "Blue Like Jazz", I wouldn't recommend it to a Christian audience. Way over the line of good taste for me.

My hero and first artist I heard playing Christian music, and thus my journey into the Christian radio industry - Geoff Moore - hosted a luncheon and sharing his experience as an artist. Geoff is ALWAYS great and an American who understands Canada and encourages us.

Hanging with my good friends Chris Bray, Dan Bremnes, Sean Dayton and Zach Havens was awesome. All of these guys are class acts. Then meeting new friends was cool - including Ash Militsala in "From Love To Forfeit" from Edmonton and David Millar from Cities Under Fire from North Battleford.

Friday night was the Covenant Awards - our version of the Grammy's. Most winning artists were not there to accept their award. Sidebar - most of my favourites did not evan win, despite substantial radio airplay. Zach Havens from To Tell dined with me and performed "Safe To Say" with the house band. Evan Duran from LIFE 100.3 presented an award at the Covenant Awards.

I took a side trip to CJAY and Virgin Radio (secular) and brought back some new radio ideas for LIFE 100.3. CJAY is owned by Astral with a great radio history in the market.

Gleaning ideas from their operation will certainly make LIFE back home a slicker product. After CJAY, my buddy Ryan took Evan and me to a burger joint, that is a walk-up/drive-thru, with NO INDOOR TABLES! So we sat outside at the picnic table, freezing and eating! Haha! Great time!

I suppose I've left out some of the best parts of the trip - thanks everyone who I connected with and chaffeured me around town!

Roger Hodgson

2011-10-21T21:44:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I scored amazing tickets to see Roger Hodgson, one of the two main singer/songwriters in Supertramp. The seats were unbelievably close -6th row. Perfect view of Roger on keyboards.

A 30-piece orchestra and 24-person choir backed up Roger and his 3-piece band. Sound-wise I don't think I've heard a better live mix!

Roger played thru most of the Supertramp songs that he wrote and sang on - like "The Logical Song", "Take the Long Way Home" and "School". The crowd aged 40 plus gobbled it up.

Supertramp is not a Christian band but lyrcially, "Fool's Overture" sounds very much like he's singing about Jesus. Is he?

Called the man a fool, stripped him of his pride
Everyone was laughing up until the day he died
And though the wound went deep
Still he's calling us out of our sleep
My friends, we're not alone
He waits in silence to lead us all home

Well, I don't know for sure, but Roger said "God is getting a bad rap from this world. He gives me hope and the most important thing is love". He also played the song "Lord Is It Mine". Interesting!

I don't think I've seen a singer look so happy performing! Here's a piece of the show.

Everybody Cut....

2011-10-19T21:15:00.000-07:00

My friends gave it a thumbs up. Maybe they won’t be my friends after they read my review of the movie.

It was - just ok. If you haven’t seen the original version, the new Footloose will probably pass.

The characters are all the same. Much of the script is word for word from the original but none of it is performed as well. Dennis Quaid plays Pastor Shaw Moore, and while the character is an important part of the film, Dennis Quaid fails in believability.

Zac Efron was the original star but he declined - I think he would have pulled it off better than Kenny Wormald. Not that he was bad but since the majority of his lines were identical to those of Kevin Bacon, the comparison is inevitable.

The big scene in the court room where Ren goes before council is acted without passion. It's almost like they were trying to hard.

The new “Footloose” was the same; it was not better, maybe the unneccessary profanities discouraged me. Certainly where there is something magical about the original, there is none of it on the re-make.

If you choose to see "Footloose", be aware that the PG rating is under-rated.

Daughtry in Toronto

2011-10-18T12:07:00.001-07:00

Chris Daughtry - he didn't win American Idol but is certainly the proof that being #4 is a great honour. Who won that year? Taylor Hicks. Who? Exactly.

Daughtry recorded a string of hits immediately after Idol finished and he's proved to be a great songwriter. Last night in Toronto at the Phoenix Concert Hall we rocked our faces off to "Home", "It's Not Over", "Over You", "Feels Like Tonight", "Crashed" - all hits coming off his debut album!

"No Surprise" and "September" from the second album sounded great in concert.

But it was the four song acoustic set in the middle - just Chris, pouring it out with passion and finese. "Rocket Man", the Elton John song really scored last night!

The boys in the band were tight, they rocked, they loved all over Toronto. The mostly 30's and 40's crowd scored a zillion iPhone photos! (I'd post my iPhone photo but the quality level is about two notches below my old instamatic!)

Ya nice.

Stellar Kart - To Tell - rockin' Queensway!

2011-10-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

Stellar Kart - pop-punk band with a slew of great songs! Friday night they performed at Change Conference in Toronto. The conference age was pretty young - 13-17 age, maybe? So, I posed as a youth leader in order to fit in and enjoy the music. (Enjoying the music is easy - fitting in is more of a challenge.)

(right - Adam Agee singing "Me and Jesus")

Stellar Kart surprised me. Adam Agee was the only original guy in the trio. Whaaat? A trio? When they played in Barrie there was four of 'em. Where's Cody? (ripped guitarist),Jordan (in photos he usually has a finger up his nose) and Bryan (geeky but master of the stratocaster). Those boys are gone? Who are these two replacements?

The trio played ok and the recorded tracks kept it from sonically falling apart but there wasn't much of "a show". (I like a show!) Visually SK looked like an opening act with a lousy light show and no stage movement. But singer Adam Agee was a great encourager and communicator and the SK songs were, of course, great. "Me and Jesus", "Activate", "Shine Like Stars" and Bon Jovi's "Living On A Prayer".

Opening the show, (which was running late), was To Tell. I love these guys. In three years I've seen at least 20 shows and never have I seen them do a bad show. Always a great performance. Zach Haven's, the lead singer, is mature beyond his years. He says all the right stuff and instinctively knows what to do on stage to keep the show exciting. Backing him up are Nate, Justyn and Mike who all rock it out!

(left - Zach Haven's kicking out "Safe To Say")

It is my hope that next year To Tell would be the headlining act at Change Conference next year. It's a waste for To Tell to only play five songs and they can easily pull it off.

I love SK but it would be fair to say - To Tell stole the show.

AIR RAID 20 - THE BIG ONE

2011-10-13T12:39:00.000-07:00

LIFE 100.3 presents "Air Raid 20"! Is it a dc Talk reunion show? No, we could only hope. Is it the Newsboys? Uh no. I'm still dreaming about that.

HEADLINER - HOUSE OF HEROES
SUPPORT ACTS - MANIC DRIVE, V ROSE

We're bringing the video screens, the bat-lights outside, food, prizes and all the bells and whistles!

February 25, 2012 - Timothy Christian School in Barrie.

Love the songs:

HOUSE OF HEROES - Buckets For Bullet Wounds, The Invisible Hook, Mercedes Baby, God Save Us The Foolish Kings, So Far Away, Elevator

MANIC DRIVE - Blue, Walls, Music, Rain

V ROSE - Oh My Ah, Not So Average, Battery, Girl What U Lookin' At?

Longboarding

2011-10-08T18:48:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving Saturday. AJ brought his longboard over for a tour on Lake Simcoe. After his ride he offered it to me. I paddled a very short distance!

Cover Me Canada - Whosarmy

2011-10-05T21:04:00.001-07:00

Another reality show - "Cover Me Canada".

Selected Canadian bands take the stage each week and are each given a Canadian classic song to cover, their way.

My favourite band is Whosarmy. (say "who's army") The first week they covered "Raise a Little Hell" by Trooper - it was great! (Well, it's Trooper!) The next week they played "American Woman" and last week it was Nick Gilder's "Hot Child In The City" - a fabulous performance.

These guys are great! I know nothing about them - I'm just lovin' their performance.

Here's the funny thing, as is the case with most "all Canadian shows" - it's infiltrated by Americans - of course. The 3 judges are Jordan Knight (new kids on the block), Deborah Cox (canadian urban artist, probably the only...) and Ron Fair (A&R guy from California). Why is it funny? Well we all know how much Americans know about Canada. Haha! So here's Jordan and Ron on a Canadian show, listening to Canadian bands, cover Canadian classics, which they probably don't know anyway. Except "American Woman", which is anti-American. Funny.

Anyway, I love the show. Great production. All Canadian (almost...) and Whosarmy!

Twitter

2011-10-02T13:11:00.001-07:00

Thought this was pretty funny.

Basement Flood

2011-09-30T16:16:00.000-07:00

As you may know, we are applying for new station in Toronto. Applications are a monster of a project - quiet time to think and focus is critical so I took the day off yesterday to bring it all together.

And then -

I was down in the basement and noticed water creeping around my drums. Then more water. Oh crap we have a mild flood!

The sump-pump stopped working! There was an inch of water in the front half of the basement, and since we are still unpacking from the move, there are boxes and boxes everywhere, sitting in water -including my record collection! (The last time this happened was 20 years ago and it was an oil spill - I lost my whole album collection!)

I figured out that the hose from the dehumidifier had jammed the float switch, causing the water to rise.

Frantically I'm trying to lift up soagy boxes before the cardboard bottoms fell out. And figure out which boxes had my 45 record collection, while I'm walking around in a low ceiling basement, wading thru water, in the near dark.

Here's what's funny - I'm feeling blessed. I caught it in time before the whole basement filled up and we lost everything. By chance, when I touched the hose the floater started working. When the plumber came he recognized that it was working fine and it was a simple case of misfortunate that the hose got in the way. He could have sold me a whole new unit and I wouldn't have known the difference.

So, I'm praising God that it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

I wonder why I happened to go in the basement in the first place? Hmmm! Thank you, God!

Meantime, I lost a day of working on the Toronto application. Well, I wasn't in the mood anyway!

Better Than Freddie!

2011-09-27T06:08:00.001-07:00

Marc Martel of the Canadian Christian band DOWNHERE, has the most awesome voice! Downhere have two lead vocalists, (with Jason Germain) and Marc is the higher pitched of the two.

You might recognize "Little Is Much", "Hope Is Rising", "Let Me Rediscover You" or "My Last Amen" as a few of their many radio hits.

Last time I saw Downhere I thought - this guy's voice is like Freddie Mercury's. High, powerful, gutsy - a rock killer! I wonder what he'd sound like singing "Bohemian Rhapsody". Well, now we know.

Watch this! Especially after the the instrumental break where he comes back with "...so you think you can stone me and spit in my eye." It's the climax of the song and Marc sings it effortlessly.

And I think - better than Freddie.

Living For Jesus!

2011-09-25T16:56:00.000-07:00

This morning Tom Roe invited me to join the band for the worship set at Living For Jesus Outreach in Orillia.

This place is A-MAZING! Pastor Jim Woolcott not only oversess Sunday church but LFJ also prepares meals for 70 people every day! Wow - 70! Donations of food, clothing and cash run the charity. This is Jesus Christ in action - sharing the gospel, feeding and clothing the needy!

LFJ is also kind of rare because it's not part of a denomination - you could feel it. (They may be part of a greater organization that I'm not aware of). The vibe wasn't pentecostal or baptist or luthern or vineyard - just a room full of people who follow Jesus, read the Word, sing his praises and often hurting. No announcements, no churchy programs - just Jesus. Nothing fancy.

I'm going back on October 23. Come check it out at 11am.

Setlist:
Awesome God
Glorious One
Amazing Love
Let There Be Joy
Majesty (improv)
I will Give Him Glory
How Marvellous

Riding The Ferris Wheel

2011-09-24T15:17:00.001-07:00

Ben Davy on the ferris wheel for 49 hours - I took a 5 minute spin!

Hazel - Mayor of Mississauga. Inspiring!

2011-09-21T20:56:00.000-07:00

The Mayor of Mississauga - Hazel McCallion. Watch this video - you'll be inspired! Especially, "Hot Child In The City". Woo hoo!

Go Hazel!

Oro World's Fair

2011-09-17T15:56:00.000-07:00

Today was exciting here in the Oro Station Super City Centre. It was the annual ORO WORLD'S FAIR!

Can you say - WOW! Words cannot describe the excitement so I thought I would post photos with captions. Consider this your invitation to come next year!

Me and a heffer. I'm not getting any closer. Robert, the owner, sold her for $45,000. I'm in the wrong business.

Janice and the pony rides.

Apparently there are prizes if you add "art" to your hay stacks. Yes, they hand out red ribbons for the finest. Ok.

What are these things? And why are we compelled to shove our faces in and snap a goofy photo. Why? IDK.

Ok, now this just gets weird. There are rows and rows and rows of chickens and roosters and geese - with first place ribbons. Yes, I'm a city boy. I don't get this. How do you decide which is "the best chicken"? And aren't you going to eat it anyway? Ribbons and awards for poultry? Maybe if I continue to live in Oro I'll learn to accept it. Maybe I'll enter my chicken, if I get one. Where do you get one?

The Demolition Derby. This was huge. The audience seating area was packed out. Ok, so maybe there's no rock stars playing at Casino Rama and this is the only entertainment around. But cars smashing into cars? Cars that are already a right-off? Smashing? I'm from the city - this is an average day on the DVP. Move on.

What's a World's Fair without music, right? Here are The Rugby Boys - a little country, bluegrass and gospel. I sat on a haystack with the other five people in the audience and enjoyed the show. It's a bit small-time but, like I said, another year living in Oro and I'll probably be managing these big boys!

The Oro World's Fair - everything I expected - AND MORE!

Newsboys STILL rock!

2011-09-16T22:14:00.000-07:00

Ok, I've been apprehensive about the Newsboys. I saw their show a couple of years ago in Toronto, just after Tait joined. It was good. HE was good, but the band was different. I figured Tait would finish the tour and that would be it.

I was wrong. Again.

Tonight was "Maple Noise 2011" in Toronto, part of the 10 city cross-Canada tour. Several Canadian bands were on the bill - my friends in To Tell, Jodi King, Greg Sczebel, Jon Bauer, Manic Drive, Manafest, TFK - and Newsboys.

When Newsboys hit the stage, they SCHOOLED everyone else! Michael, Jody, Jeff and Duncan were wearing skinny, cool suits and even on these 40 year olds, they were stylin'. While a great deal of the music was tracked, it only enhanced the sound. (It's hard to jump around stage, play an instrument and not be pitchy.)

(Michael Tait on left, Jeff Frankenstein bent over behind the keyboard.)

A long catwalk poked out into the crowd, quite a distance and Tait made great use of it. As he strutted the catwalk, singing the songs we know well when sung by Peter Furler, Tait gave it a richness that is - different. Tait is probably a better vocalist whereas Furler is a personality waiting to go off the deep end. Both great performers.

But Tait and the boys are "a new Newsboys". They should probably change the name of the band - it just isn't the same. Not better, not worse, just different. And very, very pro.

"Way Beyond Myself" sounded awesome. All songs sounded awesome, but better than the music was Tait's preaching. He is sincere, truthful, relatable and makes you feel like "you can do this Jesus thing if you just give it more effort." That was the message I got.

What a night! Newsboys rocked it! (Now, how do we get them to play Barrie...?)

Reflecting on my first day in Barrie - 1997.

2011-09-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all your comments on today's Facebook status. It’s been 15 years since I moved to Nashville and 14 years since my relocation to Barrie. I’m not sure why I’m so reflective on this event today more so than the last decade. Maybe I'm supposed to write this blog - for someone else.

The last dozen years of my life have been the most exciting. Working in Nashville at WAY-FM was my dream job. The day I left Nashville I cried like a girl. It was a great city; I had made good friends; it was an exciting place to live; O'Charley's Restaurant, Cool Springs Mall - arrrrg - I could go on and on.

In September 2997, it was like God was dragging me out of the country with me kicking and screaming. And I was very verbal about it! As I crossed the border from Tennessee to Kentucky I felt like I was leaving everything that was good, behind. It was a horrible, long drive back to Canada. I had no idea that WAY-FM would be the catalyst for LIFE 100.3.

I moved to Barrie for one reason only - I had nowhere else to live. I spent all my money in the U.S. avoiding coming home to Canada. My parents brought me and my family to Barrie to live with them. It was a humbling time - having a wife and kids, no job, no prospects of a job and having to live off my parents.

I remember picking up three part-time jobs and grossing $12,000 in 1998! I could put gas in my car and pay my insurance.

This was a valley in my life. I was fed up with secular radio and the sexy rude music. It was evidently more offensive having come from a Christian format where the lyrics proclaim virtues like trust, honour, purity and love. While living with my parents in their basement I continued to attend church, pray, seek God and ask people for advice.

One day I was leaving my parents house to go to my part-time weekend job and my Dad was in the driveway. I was totally forlorn at my hopeless situation. I stared at my Dad, my eyes welled up and I grabbed him for a hug. He patted me on the back, like a father and told me everything would be alright. I know he felt my pain.

Living with my parents in their basement lasted a year a half. I often was angry at my parents about my situation. As if it was their fault that I got fired. I am embarrassed to say that I was ungrateful for their generosity and hospitality, blind to the fact that they fed me, clothed me, paid my dentist bills while I searched for the next chapter in my life.

Most people think that starting a Christian radio station was my lifelong dream. It wasn’t. It just happened. The CRTC had changed the broadcast rules and were awarding licenses to full-time Christian stations and I wondered what might happen if I combined my faith and experience. So, I sent in a pitiful application that not only won me the license for LIFE 100.3, but skipped the entire hearing process.
Now LIFE 100.3 is here. Today I continue to lead this radio ministry and realize that wherever God has you, that's the best place to be.

The advice I got along the way:

Pastor Ian McLean told me “you have to give up your idols before God will reveal the next plan”. What’s your idol? Figure it out and surrender it.

Rebecca St. James told me “God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called.” While I had a substanial amount of radio experience, it was God who led me to the people who cheered on my vision and supported me.

Kevin Bushey told me “God gives grace to the stupid”. I interpret that as meaning, I knew programming but not business, not engineering and not fundraising and so God gave me a shortcut before I gave up.

Bob Augsburg, the head of WAY-FM told me “To whom much is given, much is required”.

If you’re stuck in a valley - seek God. He will bring you out of it.

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A Happy Ending?

2011-09-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

Because we’re Christians, and God is for us not against us, I think we have the impression that everything will work out in our favour because we ask God to do it. But, God doesn’t promise us a happy ending to our lives. People die; we grieve; it’s not happy.

I wonder what the disciples thought at the Last Supper when Jesus passed around the wine and said - "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

Wouldn’t that be freaky? Imagine if, today, someone told us they were “the new covenant” - would we nod our heads “ya ok, I get it”. Or would we think “uh, I don’t know about that, man”. It must have been hard for the disciples to accept those words.

Then, Jesus was betrayed by Judas and his buddy Peter pretended he didn’t even know Jesus. Jesus was beaten to bits and hung as a bloody mess on a cross as the soldiers made fun of him. That’s not a happy ending. (Yes, I know the resurrection is a happy ending.)

We have the Bible to give us the whole story, but in Jesus day, they didn’t have the whole book. So what was happening then was a current event. Imagine that. Being there with Jesus, watching the miracles and watching him die. Wow.

My point is that our lives may not end happily. Am I getting it?

View From Ashore

2011-09-09T22:01:00.000-07:00

The views from the new house are amazing!

A few nights ago there was an amazing sunset. We were watching TV and out of the corner of my eye I saw the oranges clouds. We dashed outside. My dad and Janice were the first ones on the dock while I pulled out my iPhone to grab this photo. The sky really looked like this. I like how the left side and the right side of the rainbow are distinctly different. And the reflection on Lake Simcoe is pretty cool.

The next night we were taking a walk and it was dusk. The sun was bouncing off the lake but the park was getting dark. The moon was fully visible in the bright sky. The moon, the sunset, the water, the park - it was like a painting.

For a few nights the waves have been much more than I expected. How rough could Lake Simcoe be? Well, now I know why everyone puts their boats on a lift - it's to prevent the waves from bashing it to bits against the dock! Wish I could get a photo of the waves but it's at night.

Then, if that wasn't enough, we woke up early yesterday. Our renovator was on the way over to build a gate and some other stuff.

As we turned off the alarm we noticed the sunrise and ran outside to enjoy it, and snap a picture.

It takes alot to get me out of bed in the morning, but this time it was easy!

I am so blessed to live here. It's absolutely awesome!

New Music by To Tell!

2011-09-07T11:01:00.001-07:00

One of my favourite Canadian artists is To Tell, based in London, Ontario. Their new song is "In Your Eyes", which you can hear on LIFE 100.3 in Barrie.

Here's the audio. No video available.

Moved

2011-09-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

At last, with the end of summer, we've moved from Barrie, about 15 minutes north. Moving is stressful, exciting, rewarding!

With early excitement for our new house, Janice and I laid a couple of patio mattresses on our bedroom floor and had "a sleepover" - in our new house. Fun idea, nothing but mattress and a toothbrush - but our backs were siezed up in the morning!

Friday was the move-out and move-in. Having spent a few days packing up each room we thought we were ready but the amount of "yet to be packed" stuff was unbelievable. Thankfully my brother stopped by for assistance. Then, a 5-man moving company came in, threw boxes on their packs like they weighed nothing and hauled them out to the van. By 4pm, we were moved in, more or less!

After a quick dinner, we dropped by an art gallery on Maple Street in Barrie to see Brett's band (Handsome and Gretyl) perform for 75+ people. A great night of music and a nice break from unpacking.

Saturday, a bunch of friends came to help unpack boxes. AJ sanded down the balcony, Jon unpacked books and photo albums and clothes, John hauled boxes up and down to the basement, Betty Jean and Crystal organized the kitchen. A good team!

Sunday morning I was scheduled to speak at Trinity Community Church in Oro. I was lucky to find a shirt and pants that weren't wrinkled!!

For the last three days we've been climbing over boxes, searching for various pieces of clothes and flashlights, moving around couches for the best fit and mopping duck poop off the dock.

Last night there was an amazing rainbow that shone over Lake Simcoe. From the sky to the water and the colourful reflection on the water - quite awesome! Quite the glorious sight.

Today, everything is where it should be - more or less. Each room sounds like a bathroom until we put up wall photos, etc. But we're settling in and there's still time to blog.

I'm Going Hip Hop. Tell Your Friends.

2011-08-25T20:01:00.000-07:00

Sup!

The whole world has gone hip hop. And ya know, I kinda like it! I'm diggin' the new beats by LeCrae, The Ambassador, V Rose. Sometimes I go old school with John Reuben. Getting ready to lay down them funky beats on my first hip hop CD!

Aw yeee.

Me - Scott Jackson - going hip hop! Am I 730?!

Listen peeps. It's bout the music, y'all. I ain't talkin' no mean-muggin'. I wanna bring it to dah shtreets in the east end of Barrie. Lay it down on my 808. That's dope, Randy.

Gonna ask my main man Horrocks to keep it tight. Record it - go to number one on the charts. Make my pockets fat. Ya man.

Beats so fly we off the chain.

Photo 1 - I think the wall plug brings out the ambience. Photo 2 - blue screen effect. So I can drop in my hommies in the hood.

Ok, for now it's bout the cd jacket. Got two choices. I like both. Real fly, fo 'Shizzle. Which one for the cover? Gotta get the cover done. Worry bout the music later.

Much later. Gotta bounce.

Peace out.

So Far Away - lyrics and video

2011-08-24T10:49:00.001-07:00

I love this song! I thought I was done with it, then I saw House of Heroes perform it at Kingdom Bound. The boys are headlining Air Raid 20 February 25. Here's their biggest song in 2011.

SO FAR AWAY

We gotta hold onto hope
In this heartless world, we gotta hope
We gotta let it go
Or it will eat us alive, we gotta let it go

Do you know me?
Do you trust me?
Can you find me?
Do you love me?

What if I told you we were so far away?
What if I told you would you go with me anyway?
What if I told you we were so far, so far away?

You gotta tell me the truth
If they take that too, then we have nothing to lose.
You gotta let me through
I can make a way if you light the fuse

I know you see me
I know you need me
If you believe me
Then I can be me

What if I told you we were so far away?
What if I told you would you go with me anyway?
What if I told you we were so far, so far away?

Enjoy!

Album Covers and Lyrics

2011-08-22T12:29:00.000-07:00

My apologizes to my artist friends. Ok? I'm not talking about YOU! I'm talking about someone else. (ahem)

Why are so many album covers by Christian artists, always a guy, standing on the top of a mountain with his arms outstretched to the sky?

Or, the other cover - the same guy (!!), standing overlooking an ocean, with his arms outstretched? You know what I mean? It's the same scene you see on the church screen with worship lyrics over it.

I guess the view from majestic mountains and seas with no limits remind us of the awesomeness of God. But - it's the same photos re-captured over and over. It's so unoriginal. Right now I can think of four artists with that same cover.

Now let's talk about lyrics. Why are so many Christian songs, (I'm not talking about rock songs, but the nice, contemporary songs), a rip-off of scripture? Yes, scripture is wonderful and singing scripture out loud is edifying, but as a commercial artist isn't it plagiarism to copy the Bible and claim them as "your lyrics". They aren't.

One of my favourite Christian songs is "Meant To Live" by Switchfoot because it's Jon Foreman's commentary, not a transcribed Psalm. There's lots of songs that a commentary, but there too many other newly released songs with unoriginal lyrics.

You artists are creative, abstract people. Please write more Christian songs that reflect your thoughts, your love, your observations, instead of stealing what David wrote and we've already sung a hundred times before.

Stupid People

2011-08-19T17:06:00.001-07:00

Friday afternoon, attempting to relax and enjoy the sun at Johnsons Beach.

Buddy brought his dog to the beach. Sign says "No dogs on beach". The Barrie lifeguards are in zombieland, paying no attention. The dog was off the leash running around, sniffing people and peeing. The owner made a feeble attempt to call back his dog. This went on for half an hour. (No the peeing, just the chasing around).

Why do people bring their dog to the beach? It's kinda hot. I'm sure the dog isn't happy. For sure the beach people don't want a dog sniffing their faces. So the only person enjoying "the dog at the beach" is the owner. Swell.

HEY YOU - LEAVE YOUR NICE DOG AT HOME, WHERE IT'S COMFORTABLE.

Why do people feed seagulls? We all agree the birds are "trash-birds". They eat garbage. They fly in flocks and they poop all over. ALL OVER!

Random people are tossing cheesies out on the sand, feeding an army of scavenger seagulls, that take massive dumps during take-off. That must be why people bring tents to the beach.

HEY YOU - STOP FEEDING YOUR FAT FOOD TO THE GULLS!

What a lovely day. Squalking, fat seagulls eating and pooping; dogs running rampant sniffing and peeing and the Barrie lifeguards are - well, doing nothing. Thanks for enforcing the rules so we can all have a nice day.

Nice.

PAULA, SIMON, RANDY AND RYAN - THE BOOK

2011-08-17T08:54:00.001-07:00

Yes, I build my winter week nights around “American Idol”. I’ll pause here while you super-spiritual college grads judge me - "Scott, you are too worldly". Shhhhhh.....

Behind the music and the hype there is a story to be told that is great reading for any Idol fan. I love finding out how things work. I wanna see the man behind the curtain and hear the untold story.

The story I want to hear is, at what point does a contestant sign a contract that requires them to always be available for six months, or more. What's in the contract? Do the Idols get paid? Do they quit their day jobs to be on the show and when they get axed, are they booted off the set? Who pays for all the flights for all the friends and family members in the audience. Is Ryan Seacrest just the face or does he run the show? And what about all those Christian singers - they must represent nearly half of the auditions.

The book is out! “American Idol - the Untold Story” by Richard Rushfield.

The first half of the book is all about the "British Idol" and the story that will never end about Simon Fuller, Simon Cowell and Nigel Lythgoe - their egos that try to out do each other. That whole section is lame and boring.

The second half of the book gets into the Christian aspect. In fact a chapter is called “The Pastor” and it’s about connecting the singers with church, bible study during non-working hours and other neat stuff. Lots of quotes by the Christian Idols. The last couple of chapters solidify how big this show really is.

I would have like to have known more about “living as an Idol”. I could care less about how much Simon and Paul earn.

Critics like to say “the heyday is over” but when Idol remains the number one watched show on TV I don’t think they heyday is anywhere near over.

So, I know what I’m doing on a cold Wednesday night this February!

The Stage Collapsed

2011-08-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

The stage collapsed in Indiana! The same thing happened in Ottawa this summer at Bluesfest!

Cruisin' In Peterburger

2011-08-09T21:33:00.000-07:00

Another Sunset Cruise - another awesome night spent with LIFE listeners who lock their radios on 89.3 - our repeater station in the Kawarthas!

We departed from Lock 19 in Peterborough. Rozz and Terry were our Street Team Promo Crew, taking care of hanging LIFE banners, distributing LIFE info, organizing our performers and connecting with the boat caterers.

Handsome and Gretyl (Gretyl and Brett Baird)

While it rained during our ride into Peterborough, the sun came out just as we pushed off shore from Lock 19. Handsome and Gretyl (my son Brett and his wife) were on first, entertaining us with a few songs from their EP "Hold On Tight Love". Man, they sold a mitfull of CDs! Then, LIFE 100.3 Karaoke Superstar Winner Andy Taylor took the mic, playing his radio hits, some worship and a couple of new songs he's written. A heartfelt performance!

Hanging with listeners builds the relationship. A boat cruise, on the glass-like Otonabee River, was a peaceful, relaxed ride, with the sound of worship music carrying us down the river. The last time we did this was with Greg Sczebel and I remember the power on the boat went out! No such bad luck this time!

The chicken dinner was great! In fact, the whole staff on Liftlock Cruises was great! We gave away a pair of front row tickets to the Hillsong concert this weekend in Toronto. And best of all - nobody fell overboard!

Andy Taylor (left) performing "Good And Faithful One".

Thanks Peterborough! We gotta do this again next year!

Spiderman 2012

2011-08-01T20:33:00.000-07:00

Here's the preview trailer. Looks great!

Journaling

2011-07-28T22:30:00.000-07:00

I’ve been journaling the details of my spiritual walk with Jesus since 1995. Ya, I know it’s a girly thing to do, but I don’t care.

My journal is a collection of entries. Most entries are written in four parts, starting with - 1) Stuff I’m thinking about; 2) The song I’ve been listening to recently; 3) The book and/or devotional I’m reading, and 4) Prayer requests with a scripture verse that I’ve just read. I usually write the verse in red so it pops out.

Other entries sometimes include short notes from church, or statement I heard on the radio (usually from Walk in the Word), or from a friend, or a photocopy of a paragraph I read in a magazine or something.

All of it is a snapshot of where my mind is at on that day.

Not everything in my journal is spiritual because not everything I think or do is spiritual. Buying the new house or seeing a movie isn’t spiritual but if it was an important part of my day, I’ll make note of the activity and how I felt about it. Sometimes the activity leads me to my spiritual side.

Two great things come from journaling.

Firstly, I can look back and see where I came from. The depressing, desperate and angry entries sound like they were written by someone else. I don't hold back and sometimes my language is unChrist-like. Haha! But the positive, praising, loving entries remind me that there will always be another good day, and even when I’m feeling lost and crappy, the sun will come out.

Secondly, there is something about journaling that frees me. I guess I’m facing fears and encouraging myself when I put it in writing.

The journal becomes “a greatest hits reflection” of my spiritual life - the highs and lows.

What I've learned most about myself is that I will always have crappy days. I see the repetition of an angry attitude, impure thoughts, and the lousy routine of sin-confess-sin-confess and how stupid I feel because of it. But the Psalmist had the same thoughts as me, and the Psalmist wrote down his thoughts and prayers just like me! We are the same - just people, making notes, talking to God and trying to figure it all out.

Journaling is pretty cool. You should do it and see if it accelerates your Walk.

We Gave You a Show, Now Give Us Our Money

2011-07-26T20:54:00.000-07:00

Tonight, KISS played at Casino Rama. This is one classic rock band I have not been able to shake since discovering Christian music. Maybe I have fond memories because it's "the music of my youth". Maybe it's the amazing circus-like light show, the pyro, the rising platforms, the fireworks shooting out of Tommy Thayer's guitar, or the confetti finale - ya, it's probably all that!

Before the show, two guys dressed like Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley stopped for photos with fans.

The costumes were great. And they never fell off their 7-inch leather heels once! The light show was as amazing as ever. The fans were wild, well ok - "moderately wild". The average age was 50. And the house was packed. 5,000 and everyone but me and my wife were wearing KISS tshirts at $40 a pop. (I would have worn mine but my wife shrunk it and threw it out in 1983.

Paul Stanley's voice - uh, not great. A bit pitchy! His chatter between the songs - super cheezy. I dunno - it worked in 1985 just fine. Oh wait - hold on. It was 1975! Right!

Paul dissed the crowd by telling us how quiet we were. "You guys are sitting down like you're watching TV! Stand up - it's a rock show!" So we stood up - and halfway thru the next song, everyone in our section was sitting down again. Maybe it IS an age thing.

The cheesy "which side of the venue can yell louder" is so 70's. I've always hated it, and bands still do it. I guess their imagination is limited and they know it will get a noise.

"Beth" sung by Eric Carr, uh, not good.

A minute of "Won't Get Fooled Again" in the end of "Rock and Roll All Nite" - not good.

Paul Stanley improving the only Canadian song he knew, which happens to be called "American Woman" - - real bad. He didn't know the words and he made a mess of a Canadian classic. Sometimes Paul was just awful.

It's ok to get older and not have the same beefy voice you did in your 20's. It's ok to run the same schtik if that's what the fans want. I'm a die-hard fan but I felt like Gene and Paul were saying - "ok we gave you a big fat show, now "give us our money".

If you have never seen KISS, you need to see them. See what a big pyro show is all about. You probably won't get the same value at a Christian show.

Comparatively, the all-Canadian band Trooper - no big lights, no effects, none. Just great songs, sung by a guy who is the same age but easily hits every note. (I mean it, Ra!)

Ottawa

2011-07-24T21:24:00.000-07:00

I love Ottawa. I love it, love it. It's a city that I always wished I could have worked in, in radio, of course. What bugs me is that I had three changes to go on-air there and I never pursued them. I remember the first time I was there, visiting a friend in radio, (1440 CFGO), seeing Super-Ex, the joggers on the path around the Rideau, the Byward Market, the Canal - it's a beautiful city.

Do I regret not pursuing one of those jobs? Ya. I will never know what might have been. Not that that my radio life has not been good, and perhaps had I moved to Ottawa it would not have gone as well as my imagination leads me to believe.

That's ok. Ottawa is only five hours away. I visit once a year and spend a few days listening to radio, riding the bike path, walking thru the market and relaxing.

This summer's visit was based around a friend's wedding and piggybacked with the usual bike rides, only this time Janice came with me.

My favourite ride is the loop from Hog's Back, along the Canal to the Rideau Centre and back. It's about 20km - I do it several times. Today Janice and I rode from the Parliament Buildings to Britannia Park, along the River. Great view, great weather!
Pinning down the best thing about Ottawa is impossible, but I will say this: the City of Ottawa takes care of it's sites. The grass is always green. In Barrie - blah! Along Kempenfelt Bay, it's all dry brown grass all summer. What doesn't the City of Barrie water the grass? It's not like there isn't any water nearby! Well, I still love living in Barrie - but it sure ain't Ottawa!

Just reflecting .... one time we had backstage passes to hangout with Rod Stewart. The record company rep took a group of us, including contest winner, to the green room before the show. Rod came into the room from the far side, where the buffet was. The 50 of us all quietly whispered - wow - there he is!" And my wife says, unfortunately a little too loudly, "oooh - he looks so old!" GASP! The record rep came over to tell us the meet-and-greet had been cancelled! Yikes!

Anyway...I have alot of Ottawa rock star stories.

Friday night we ended up at Parliament Hill just in time to see "Mosaika" - a sound and light show, projected across the front of the Parliament Buildings. It's a 30 minute imaginative story-telling spectacle of Canada's history and famous people. The free show happens every night all summer, after sunset. Bring a blanket, sit on the grass and enjoy. It's worth the drive to Ottawa, even if you don't bike on the Rideau! I'm telling you - go see it! AMAZING!

Ottawa - I love you!

Bono and The Edge on Letterman - July 19, 2011

2011-07-19T21:09:00.000-07:00

Who Is Jesus?

2011-07-14T20:04:00.001-07:00

Enjoy this video as everyday people tell us who Jesus is to them.

Worship Weekend With Friends

2011-07-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

A crazy, busy weekend. It started with the birth of Kyler Jace Martin - my daughter's and AJ the Wonderdog's first son! I guess that makes me a grand-dad. Really? Is that how it works? Kyler on right - one hour old.

Then it was the "Heart Of Worship" concert presented by LIFE 100.3 - two days with bands - Sean Dayton, Dan Bremnes, Chris Bray and Dan Macaulay. Two shows - Huntsville Saturday and Barrie on Sunday. We had great crowds and enjoyed amazing songs by gifted songwriters and performers.

Pastor Lawrence Crews at Calvary in Barrie hosted the Dan Bremnes Band Sunday morning.

I know Chris, Sean, Dan and the other Dan are reading this blog and if I don't post all the great photos I'll leave someone out. So I will share one big highlight of the last three days. Meeting Tour de France cyclist Tyler Farrar! Wha-a-at? He's in the band?
Haha! Not really, but Devon Leyenhorst sure looks like Tyler Farrar to me! I called him "Tyler" for a day until I saw his fist clenched and then I figured the joke was getting old.

The real Tyler Farrar (pro-rider) on left; Lookalike Devon Leyenhorst (band drummer) on right;

In Huntsville, Dan, Chris and Sean met the Dan Bremnes Band who acted as the house band to back them up. The band learned the songs over the Internet in Vancouver so the Huntsville rehearsal was the first time they had played together, ever. Wow! These guys are so talented!

Two days of music, many miles, much food, late nights, an exquiste after-party with Alicia, rubber boots and milk, the beach, shirts too tight, double-stroke rolls, merch, merch and more merch, an extra bedroom, roast beef, iPhones, iPhones and more iPhones! Did I leave anything out?

Right - me and Chris Bray.

I'm tired. But it's all so good! Bless you guys! Be good!

"Everyday I love my Jesus, more and more and more each day!"

I'm Tired. I Can't Find The Prize

2011-07-06T14:14:00.000-07:00

Devotions. I'm reading a book called "Live Loved" by Max Lucado. It's like a "Daily Bread" devo - short, two pages, scripture, prayer and thought. It's relevant and I often dig beyond the actual devo.

Today was a God moment. Before I cracked it open, I started journaling my thoughts. "It's so hard to be a Christian", I wrote. Hmmm. I've been a Christian for almost 25 years - shouldn't it be easier, not harder?

Maybe because I know more about God, the bar keeps going up. Or maybe I'm just tired of trying. Not trying to be a Christian - I am a Christian. I'm tired of fighting off the junk, only to have another moment of junk jump in front of me, day after day.

Then I read the devo, which talked about giving up, life is hard, the prize is too far away, I can't make it, etc.

Sometimes it seems as if we have more struggles than strength and are temped to quit.

When that happens, and the pity party is done, I gotta try again. Give grace one more time. Be generous one more time. Encourage one more soul.

Philippians 3:13 - I press toward the goal for the prize of the call of God.

Jim Morrison's Grave

2011-07-03T21:36:00.000-07:00

Today/Sunday July 3 is the 40th anniversary of the death of Jim Morrison. He died in Paris; a drug overdose at age 27.

I am a bit of a Doors fan. I don't know all their songs but I find the life of Jim Morrison, during the years as the lead singer of the band, to be more than interesting. I suppose after a celebrity passes away, the facts of their lives are exaggerated, and their iconic legend becomes bigger than ever.

Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, James Dean. Their fame is greater now than when they were alive.

Tonight, I read a posting on a website thread about Morrison. The writer said:

Been to his grave site in the Pere Lachaise twice. Once in 1985 and the next year... Both visits were rather memorable... In 85, I sipped wine and ate cucumber sandwiches with some kid's from Britain... So may people from all over the world... One guy playing and singing Door's songs...The next year what I had written on a tomb was gone...the whole area around his site is constantly white washed to remove graffiti.
When I read this I thought, that is just creepy. This guy who posted was sipping wine at the feet of a corpse that was dead for 20 years! He didn't even know Morrison and he's embraced the memory like - well like, a family member! That's sick.

Well, I confess, I too, am fascinated with Jim Morrison. Can I blame it on Steve Taylor and his song "Jim Morrison's Grave"? Like the guy who posted, I've been to Morrison's gravesite in Paris. It was five years ago - and I wasn't alone! And, I traveled four hours to Cleveland in the winter to see a Doors exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was cool being surrounded by their by stage gear, flashing back to 1969 with the concert videos playing on the walls, and seeing Morrison's personal effects - it made this rock star, more real, even in death.

Maybe it's because I was too young in 1969 to know who the Doors were and an exhibit and a gravesite are as close as I can get. "Light My Fire" will probably still be relevant 10 or 20 years from now.

I started this post to criticize the creepy guy who sips wine at a gravesite of a dead guy. And then I realized, I'm no different.

Go Ryder!

2011-06-30T23:14:00.000-07:00

The Tour de France starts Saturday! From July 2nd to Sunday July 24th 2011, the 98th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,430.5 kilometres.

Team Leopard-Trek's star is Andy Schleck. He was only 39 seconds out of first place last year. 39 seconds after 21 days! We like Andy. And Fabian Cancellara is also on the team. Leopard is a new team, first year in the race.

The Canadian guy I root for is Ryder Hesjedal from Vancouver. He's 30 this year and has been on Team Garmin-Cervelo for a few years. The TV commentators don't mention him which puts him a bit under the radar, unfortunately.

Ivan Basso is back. He's leading Team Liquigas. He hasn't raced in "The Tour" for a few years. Drugs. He's the pretty boy of the Tour.

Lance Armstrong was on Team Radio Shack. His coach/manager is still there - Johan Bruyneel. And the team has some great riders with experience.

There's only one guy we DON'T want to win - Alberto Contador. He's a weasel. Not a team player. Sorry - we don't want Alberto in the race!

The Heart of Worship

2011-06-28T16:23:00.000-07:00

I'm getting excited about LIFE 100.3's "Heart of Worship" concerts. July 9 in Huntsville and July 10 in Barrie.

We're bringing in four of our favourite Canadian contemporary worship leaders. All four guys have hits on the radio.

The best news is - the concert is free! Do you think you should pay to worship God? Of course not. No cost. No passing the plate. Just come, sing, worship, enjoy!

Will you be there?

PHOTOS - top left - Dan Macaulay, top right - Dan Bremnes; middle - Sean Dayton; bottom - Chris Bray.

Planet Of The Apes

2011-06-25T16:52:00.000-07:00

"Re-boot" is the movie term for a movie that is well known, like Spiderman or Batman, but when it's a "re-boot" it means the new movie is not a sequel but a new storyline. Same concept, same characters but as if the story happened differently.

The newest re-boot is "Planet of the Apes".

We all know the original with Charleton Heston. Then, about 10 years ago there was the version starring Mark Wahlberg. Now we have the re-boot, starring James Franco.

The movie was filmed in Vancouver. Toby MacGuire was originally the main star but there was a change of plans. (Maybe the director realized that Toby can't act. Well, it's true!) James Franco - great actor. Interesting person. Box office gold.

The re-boot comes out August 5. I can't wait!

The "Rise of the Planet of the Apes".

My Memories of the Tour de France - 2005

2011-06-21T18:40:00.001-07:00

The Tour de France starts July 2. I’ve watched every year since 2004 when I got the biking bug. Funny that I’m not a sports guy, but I follow this event.

Photo of the famed street sign in Paris.

Lance Armstrong certainly made the sport relevant to North America, from what was originally a European sport. It’s cool to see a couple of Canadians on international teams, compete for the yellow jersey. I love it!

But, it isn’t the same since Lance retired. Lance was hype, buzz, starpower and the miraculous winner seven times in a row! Big deal...? It's like doing 21 marathon in a row, day after day! Now, without Lance, the “rock star” atmosphere is gone. True, there are still great bikers who ride just as fast and as hard as Lance but they don’t bring that compelling excitement before the tour that makes you want to watch.

Photo of Lance signing in on the final leg of the tour that took him to first place by the end of the day.

Since Lance retired, I have really come to treasure my photos from the Tour in 2005. It was Lance's last year (at the time) and his remarkable 7th consecutive win. I stood on the Champs-Elysees, near the Arc, where the riders turned the corner for their Victory Laps, giving me an immediate up and down view as they flew past, knowing Lance was in the pack making history!

Photo of Lance somewhere in the peleton, riding at such a pace that even my Nikon couldn’t catch him in action!

Will I watch this year? Probably. Maybe Andy Schleck will win! Or Canadian rider Ryder Hesjedal!

Sunday In Peterborough

2011-06-19T19:53:00.001-07:00

Sunday morning me and the LIFE 100.3 Street Team were in Peterborough, visiting Christian Victory Church. CVC is one of our regular hot spots in Peterborough. Pastor Mark Murack and Mike Walker LOVE Christian music and are big supporters of LIFE. We should probably make them co-presidents of the 89.3 LIFE Booster Club!

The people at CVC are great for interaction. They know when to laugh at my goofy jokes and if they don't, then I prod them - and they respond well! On behalf of LIFE, thank you CVC for the love offering which will keep our ministry advancing!

After the service there was some schmoozing in the lobby during which time we recorded some listener comments for use on the air. It's always great to hear positive feedback and some unbelievable stories about how someone's life has been altered because of a song on the radio.

After CVC we visited Gotta Havva Pizza on Lansdowne. Awesome pizza! It really is! We love those guys!

Then Janice and I jumped on our bikes. Our afternoon ride began at Little Lake and rode thru the Trent U campus. While Janice took a break at Lock 22, I rode on to Lakefield and back.

What a day! Sun, the Trent Canal, bikes, wife, pizza! Mmmm!

Lovin' These Songs!

2011-06-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

In my iPod, here's what in high rotation:

Galaxies - Owl City
Knockin' On My Door - B. Reith
More Each Day - Chris Bray
Background - Lecrae
Only You - Dan Bremnes
Felt Good On My Lips - Tim McGraw
Are I The Walrus? - Furthermore

We were purging the music categories and I said, "Hey why aren't we playing 'Are You The Walrus' and I got some goofy looks! No worries - it's in my iPod so my personal choice won't burden LIFE listeners! Ha!

I Hate It When THIS Happens!

2011-06-13T18:10:00.001-07:00

Today, I was minding my own business, sitting in my office, working on my computer with my back to the window, and BOOM!

I scrambled to look out the window to see what had happened and there I see a van unusually close to window and the front of the van is out of my view - kinda like it's inside the wall!

I ran outside - sure enough, the van has driven into the wall! Mostly the door!

The van plowed into the cement wall, the glass door shattered and was hanging on its hinges with the nose of the van stuffed into the corridor! The driver told me he hit the brakes but the van jumped forward. Uh huh. Maybe... he hit the gas by mistake?

Fortunately, no one was hurt. No one was walking out the door at the time, thankfully. The driver was an elderly man and he and his wife got out on their own. Everyone came. The cops. The paramedics. The firetruck. Everyone except A Channel.
I'm feeling like, wow, God really protected me. Had the van crashed six feet to the left, it would be parked in my office - and I probably would be dead.

And to quote Air Raid 19 artist B. Reith - "No, I'm not ready, yet".

The Wizard Of Oz

2011-06-11T20:30:00.000-07:00

Just got home from Penetanguishene, home of the King's Wharf Playhouse, where we saw the stage production of "The Wizard of Oz".

Of the dozen or shows I've seen there, I've only seen one bad one; the rest were excellent! Acting, sets, songs - always a great night out!

"The Wizard of Oz" is a family favourite. Janice and I never get tired of the movie. We watch it on TV or video every year so by now we know the songs inside and out. We know the dialogue. ("I'll get choo my pretty - and your little dog too!") It's a classic.

Imagining how it would work on stage - the tornado, the house caught in the cyclone, the blasts of fire from the wicked witch to the scarecrow - how could they do it? Well, they did - very creatively! What about The Wizard - his big head, the billows of smoke and "the man behind the curtain"? Yup! And of course the best scene where the wicked witch is "liquidated" by Dorothy? Yes, that too! In fact when she melted (into the floor) everyone in the theatre cheered! I think all wondered "ok, is she going to slip thru a trap door? Will they do that?" And they did!

Great show! Great songs! And a live dog played Toto! Go see it!

"Lions and tigers and bears! Oh my!"

Wednesday Stuff

2011-06-08T12:02:00.000-07:00

Listening To: Hawk Nelson “Your Love Is A Mystery”; B. Reith “Knockin’ On My Door”; Tim McGraw “Felt Good On My Lips”.

Thinking About: the numbness in my arm. Waiting til September for MRI. Maybe surgery? Continue shock therapy? Can’t wait to see “The Wizard of Oz” this weekend at King’s Wharf Playhouse in Penetanguishene.

Praying For: Application to CRTC for a power increase to 90.1 in Owen Sound; more holiness; 3 people I care about - Lance, Ra & my dad.

Reading: American Idol - The Untold Story by Richard Rushfield

This Guy Will Live Anywhere, Eat Anything and Sleep on Whatever

2011-06-02T16:15:00.001-07:00

Many years ago, I think it was (rubbing my chin in reflection...), about 2000. And LIFE 100.3 held it's first focus group. A crazy guy from Owen Sound drove to Barrie just to be part of it. There, I met Ben.

Ben is a different kind of kid. He's adventurous. If there's a chance to walk, sleep or play in the wilderness, he's there. If there's no running water or normal food, he's happy. Ben will eat anything and sleep anywhere.

Oh ya, he loves his car and he will drive any distance for fun and satisfaction. I can't imagine how many miles are logged on that piece of junk he drives. He's also heavily into ministry. Especially ministry. Changing hearts in kids for Christ is what makes him tick. He's a sold-out Christian, he's not cheesy and he remains cool. (I should be writing a reference letter! Ah well - he can use this!)

Ben loves music. Like Skillet. He proudly promotes Christian music with bumper stickers on his car. His car is so jam-packed and stuffed with bumper stickers that it is probably the adhesive on the sticker than holds this high-mileage car in one piece. (If this thing passed an inspection I would be surprised.)

Now he's probably 27 - my guess. In April Ben came to visit me at LIFE. I hadn't seen him for a few years, although we've keep in touch thru fb. All I can say is this: if I were 25 years younger, I'd want this guy to be my best friend. I know my Walk would be stronger just through my association with him. He'd introduce me to more weird people and we'd do fun things. He is one of the most amazing people I've met.

Love ya, Ben. Thanks for loving LIFE, and me.

Day 4 - Winnipeg

2011-05-27T13:39:00.000-07:00

Alarm. Snooze. More Zzzz’s. The jet lag and variations on sleep and meals are wearing so thankfully our visit to CHVN/IGNITE 107 wasn’t until 11am.

We met Maria Enqvist - LIFE’s Music Director at our hotel and Kyle Rudge from IGNITE picked us up. He and I had only met over emails so the face to face meeting was fun. Kyle runs both stations - music, programming, announcers, website and a bunch of other things. He’s an amazing guy - totally ministry-driven.

The tour was great. Nice digs, good people. Dana, Brent, Rob, Adrienna. I spent time with Jeff Funk in sales and Station Manager Els Fenton, gleaning revenue information and ideas that can help LIFE back home.

After the tour, and with hunger pains rattling our tummies, we took a moment before lunch to visit Portage and Main - the “so called” windy-est streets in Canada. It was raining - and of course windy!

Great day in Winnipeg! Now, it’s home!

Another Day, Another Series of Radio Stations

2011-05-26T22:44:00.001-07:00

The alarm went off at 7:30am. I rolled over and snoozed some more. At 8:30, Steve was shaking me! “We’re gonna be late for the Newcap radio tour.” No, I will not miss a tour of a radio station! Never!

We taxied to the West Edmonton Mall, home of Newcap Broadcasting, where they have four stations under one roof. And it’s a big roof! We toured CFCW - a country/farming station; Capital-FM - a hybrid-classic hits station and the rocker - K97. Additionally, there was another station not owned by Newcap but living in their suite - HOT 107.

I’ve seen a lot of radio stations and recently toured some very modern stations where millions of dollars were sunk into studios and asthetics but this operation was not only spacous and functional but it's showpiece of colour and character, unlike any other, anywhere.

There, on-air at Capital-FM were morning guys Rob Christie and Audie Lynds - a legendary duo in Edmonton. Rob was one of my radio heroes in the mid-80s. In fact, a friend of mine living in Edmonton regularly recorded Rob on the air at CHED and sent me cassette tapes of his show so I could hear a flamethrowing radio pro in action! But, the morning show at Capital was over and he was long gone!

At 10am, Steve Moore was on-air, whom I listened to in the 70's when I grew up in Toronto. It was a surprise to see him! He's now 59 years old, looking healthy and having fun. I was encouraged to see Steve in action and actually, that quick verbal exchange was the highlight of the western radio tour. Thanks to our Newcap radio escort - Dean Thorpe.

I should have left my wallet in the car. Guy’s clothes stores are a magnet for my wallet and Steve did nothing to save my Visa from being abused at Coliseum! Ha! After Coliseum, I saw "Ascension". Oh my goodness - that was the name of the band I drummed for a couple of years ago with Charles, Nancy, Pauli, Ted and Adam. Hiliarious! Ascension at the West Edmonton Mall!

Next up, a visit to Sonic and the Bounce and then SHINE-FM - the Christian station in Edmonton where many of our friends work. Sales Manager Topher Braithwaite showed us around and introduced us to one of the on-air guys Jon Ramer. SHINE is probably “the” Christian radio station in Canada - and my first visit to their Edmonton facility.

A good day of radio surveillance. Then before we knew it we were pulling off our belts and shoes in the Edmonton airport and boarding the plane for Winnipeg, where we are now, catching up on emails, Facebook and - writing blogs. (Photo L-R Topher, Jon, me and Steve.)

Tomorrow - CHVN and IGNITE 107 - both Christian stations, and a flight home.

How The West Was Won - By Us!

2011-05-25T21:15:00.001-07:00

Day two of “Scott and Steve’s Great Tour of the West”.

Our buddy Terry Van Veen from 96.3 SHINE-FM in Grande Prairie chaffeured us around town all day as we enjoyed the wonderful sulphur-free, wild-fire-free air! Haha!

After a quick stop in the hotel gym - and aren’t those hotel gyms well maintained? Ahem - Terry took us to ROCK 97 to visit with Kevin Decker. The station with the “best rock and killer classics” was awesome! It’s a great facility and I think we made a new radio friend with KevinSHINE-FM “is” Christian radio in Alberta - with stations in Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer. The GP operation has been on-air for three years. It’s well-designed and well-equipped.

After departing the Swan City (do they really call it that?) we took the 59-minute flight to Edmonton where we were greeted by Wakeup Starlight’s Caleb Cummings and Chris Noble.

LIFE 100.3 played the song “One Step Away”and the boys loaded us up with copies of their CD “The Breakdown”. Listen to LIFE for their new single "This Place Is Empty". Their cool guys and they really know a lot about the music business! Very refreshing!
(Me, Chris, Caleb and Steve.)

I’m not sure how rock stars manage a schedule like this - performing and flying from town to town everyday, sleeping in a different hotel every night. I’m tellin’ ya - it’s really exhausting!

Tomorrow, we conquer Edmonton radio with a stop at SHINE-FM.

West Coast Radio Tour - Day 1

2011-05-25T00:14:00.001-07:00

Steve Jones and me are on our “rock star west coast rock and roll christian radio tour”. It’s a major tour of connecting flights, fast livin’ and hangin’ with Djs and other random people, touching down in Alberta to hang out in lovely land of oil sands - Fort McMurray, ramblin’ Grande Prairie, the City of Champions - Edmonton and the final stop in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

(photo - me, Program Director Jonathan Andrews and KAOS morning star Stuart McIntosh)

Last night we landed in Fort McMurray and hastily breathed in the fresh aroma of sulphur and burning forest fires.

KAOS radio president Rick Kirschner hosted a fabulous day for us so we could meet the KAOS crew, share a bit of LIFE with them, and unbeknownst to them - steal some of their ideas to bring home to LIFE. Rick kept us busy and fed us well. KAOS is doing some great community work in Fort Mac.

After a fast ride to the Fort Mac airport, we dropped in Edmonton long enough to scarf some S&V potato chips and then gassed up for a one hour trailblazing flight into Grande Prairie - where we are now.

The hotel pool was a nice touch, but now a rest so we are fresh and ready to visit my buddy Terry Van Veen at 96.3 SHINE-FM tomorrow.

I'm Now Specialized

2011-05-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

The bike has arrived! It was a long wait for the order to come in but with the lousy biking weather this season, I don't think I missed out on good weather days.

The new bike is made by Specialized, an American company, whose bikes have been used by world class cycling teams in the Tour de France. Alberto Contador and Team Astana love Specialized. In my case, I'm riding the Roubaix style, which is designed for comfort over speed.
And this new frame is a bit smaller than my old Fuji bike. When I rode the demo, I tried the smaller frame and it felt better. Less of a reach. (Thanks to Morgan Lemen and the crew at Bikeland in Barrie for finding a good fit.)

What's the difference? Aside from the newness, it's smoother, quieter, and a pound or two lighter. I haven't weighed it but I'm guessing at 17 pounds.

My old bike - the Fuji Roubaix - is in good hands - my brother bought it from me so he has a better ride, too.

Thanks to the lousy weather I'm already far behind my mileage from last year and it's doubtful I can catch up. If I can reach 3,000 km this season I will be thrilled.

Anyone wanna ride with me?

Alice

2011-05-21T07:06:00.000-07:00

As long as I’ve loved music, there are two mainstream artists whom I have seen in concert almost every year - Trooper and Alice Cooper.

Last night Alice Cooper played at Casino Rama. To say I’m a fan, would be an understatement. I started following him in 1975 at the time of “Welcome to my Nightmare” when the theatrics married rock and roll. It is that combination, (and intense marketing), that I find compelling about rock stars. Maybe more than the actual music.

Classic rock is part of me. I can’t shake my love for it. I’m even digging country music! Yikes!

Here’s last night’s setlist and some thoughts.

The Black Widow - introduced by Vincent Price. Set the tone.
Brutal Planet - tough, angry, industrial song and I never realized how Alice exposes the darkness of Satan’s control.
18 - when people talk about timeless lyrics, I think of this. “I’m in the middle without any plans, I’m a boy and I’m a man”.
Under My Wheels - fun.
Billion Dollar Babies - intro drum beats are amazing!
No More Mr. Nice Guy - my fave Cooper song. “I went to church incognito...”! Ha! When he wrote the song he wasn’t a Christian, which makes the line even more amusing now!
Is it My Body - with the snake. My wife was freaking out.
Halo of Flies - old song. I don’t get it.
I’ll Bite Your Face Off - new song from a new album that sounds more like the Stones than the Stones! Great guitar riffs. It's a keeper. Keef would be proud.
Muscle of Love - no comment
Only Women Bleed - always a pretty song filled with many unfortunate truths
Cold Ethyl - Great music, bad lyrics. I wish he did not sing this song anymore
Feed My Frankenstein - a 12-foot monster was chasing the band around - it was outrageous drama!
Clones - haha! Like Devo. Like new wave. Very un-Alice but fun.
Poison - written just after he became a Christian and it probably goes over the heads of the audience who think "poison" is cool.
Wicked Young Man - interesting what happens to someone who falls into the hands of Satan.
I Love The Dead - theatrical for sure, but I wish he didn’t sing this song.
School’s Out - it may be cliche after all these years, but in concert, it is a killer climax. You can’t sit down! It concludes with Alice flinging his top hat up to the drummer who catches it on his drum stick - and I have never seen him miss!
Elected - He paraded a Canadian flag, and changed the words a bit to be pro-Canadian without mispronouncing the names of our Canadian cities. Nice.
Fire - Jimi Hendrix song. The “character Alice” came off and his huge smile let everyone know, “it’s an act”.

Can’t wait til next year!

I Love "Safe"

2011-05-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

Last night, Friday May 13, To Tell played a show at Good Shepherd Community Church in Toronto.

To Tell have become one of "LIFE's artists", as have a number of other Canadian performers that we have a relationship with. I'm not sure when my loyalty started; if I'm a fan of To Tell because they write such catchy songs, or if it's because of the vision to be great that has made me more loyal. Maybe it doesn't matter. Just keep writing the hits!

During LIFE 100.3's Sharathon last March, To Tell's singer/songwriter, Zach Havens, visited LIFE to perform a couple of songs. It was a magical moment. Anytime an artist can transfer their studio recorded songs to just one instrument, in Zach's case, piano, it's a testament to their musical polish. I mean, when it's just you and one instrument without layers of production to buff it out, and it's live on the radio, you gotta be confident!

I've had many, many memorable, "special moments" at LIFE; sometimes behind the mic, sometimes behind the scenes or on location. When Zach played "Safe To Say" in the studio, it became "my favourite moment" at LIFE. It's the song, it's Zach, himself whom I've really connected with. Maybe because of our ages, he reminds me of my son.

During those three little minutes in the studio I envisioned To Tell's career taking off, and the "what if" possibility that maybe next year, I could be watching To Tell play that song on the Letterman show. Why not?

Reflecting on that "what if", and enjoying this intimate, stripped down performance of a song that I absolutely love, was .... a moment that I will cherish for many years. I don't think Zach knows that.

Ok, back to the purpose of this blog. From last night, here is a video I shot on my iPhone, capturing a portion of "Safe To Say".

Break Free!

2011-05-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

Last night was a BLAST! Willow Creek Baptist Church - me, sitting behind the kit with HookT and Inferno. It all happened with 24 hours, thanks to a little social media action hooking up Tyler Knegt and me. Whew! First time I’ve played with a youth group and very cool playing worship songs with a bit of muscle!

Amped Up Setlist:

I Am Free - Newsboys
Break Free - Hillsong
All Because Of Jesus - Fee
Glory To God - Fee
I Exalt Thee - Jesus Culture
Saviour King - Hillsong

Tyler was leading worship - awesome song choices. Awesome vocals. Matt Visser and Tanner Mills on guitars, not sure who else was in the band but great job. (Tag yourself, please!) Felt good playing on an acoustic kit for a change. I’ve forgotten how solid the kick drum feels when it booms in the drum cage! Mmm! It just rattles your ribs!

Pre-show home-style bbq catering by Mr. Knegt! Message by Youth Pastor Will Walker - photo on right.

Great hooking up with y’all!

Background

2011-05-05T10:42:00.000-07:00

I love this song - SO MUCH!

My Movie Filter

2011-05-03T04:10:00.000-07:00

Yes, I watch a lot of movies. And yes, I have a filter for my choices.

Many years ago I met Pastor Lawrence Crews. He was speaking at church about movies and how our culture makes “going to the movies” a big part of our lives. He was very concerned about the content in the movies we watch.

He said, “would you invite your pastor to see that movie”? And then he said, “bring that movie to church, we’ll show it on the screen and YOU can introduce it!”

It was time to give greater thought to the movies I watch.

I want to be a Christian all the time. “It’s a lifestyle” we tell people. But it seems like we hang up our Christian morals when it comes to watching movies. The Phillipians filter is a good one - “whatever is pure, whatever is right.” Using that as a filter will reduce your movie choices to, say about - zero!

I love movies! So I put a couple of filters in place for myself to weed out the junk that I don't want to see.

First I read the Plugged In Movie Review. The latest movies are posted with a breakdown of sexual content, violence, negative themes, the plot, the positive, etc. I don't always agree with the review, but at least I have their alert to consider.

Next I look at movie trailer. If the trailer makes me feel that guns dominate the movie, then I won’t see it. I don’t like revenge movies. They leave me with a feeling of emptiness, rather than fulfilled entertainment.

Then I will read what Wikipedia has to say.

Lastly, if Wes Farrell or Adam Sandler are in the movie I will NOT watch it. Those guys are usually rude and play roles that are “stupid.”

I’ll confess that I do watch movies with some junk. One of my favourite movies is “Rock Star” with Mark Wahlberg but I wish there was a cleaner version.

So, those are my filters. I wonder if Pastor Lawrence would approve? What are your’s?

A Day Of Rest (in the saddle)

2011-05-01T13:24:00.000-07:00

Too tired to write a blog. Here's a vid.

It’s Kind Of A Funny Story

2011-04-26T15:45:00.000-07:00

I was browsing the videos at the store and stumbled upon another movie by accident, that turned out to be good.

“It’s Kind Of A Funny Story”. It’s a little weak in starpower but the characters make up for it.

The movie centers around a 16-year old guy named Craig. He has depression and is stressed out by family relationships and school. He checks himself into a psychiatric hospital for five days where he befriends five patients each of whom have various mental disorders. He builds a relationship with each and by the end of the movie all the patients begin to overcome their stresses.

The highlight of the movie is the song “Under Pressure”. The patients are in a group session and each is asked to play a musical instrument. Most have no musical abilities, including Craig. The doctor asks Craig to come to the front of the class to sing! The scene switches to Craig’s imagination, where all the patients are dressed like extreme rock stars, performing the David Bowie/Queen song under the lights, all rockin’ out, in their right minds. It’s brilliant!

On the down side, there’s a bit of language junk in the movie. Most movies have profanity or sex scenes that are over the line for me and usually those scenes could have been toned down without breaking the continuity of the story. Such is the case here.

However, the character development makes up for the junk. Each of the personalities are enjoyable people and their mental disorders are obvious, real and handled with respect.

As someone with depression, which is a mental illness, this movie spoke to me differently than it might have, had I not acquired this disease. Maybe that’s why I like it so much.

Here’s the trailer.

My Easter Ride

2011-04-23T21:23:00.000-07:00

Here's how I spent my easter Saturday.

Toronto - Here We Come!

2011-04-20T08:34:00.000-07:00

If you have not heard, Trust Communications Ministries, which owns LIFE 100.3, is applying for a license to broadcast a new Christian station in Toronto. Exciting? Oh ya!

I’m working with two consultants and both tell me that our application is “a long shot”, however God is bigger than a long shot! Please pray for favour with the CRTC.

The details are here!

Judging Without A License

2011-04-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

On Friday, my devotional was about ‘judging others’.

The devo commented that there are two types of judgements we should not make. The first is judging a person’s motives. The reason why someone did what they did, or said what the said. Unless we ask them “why”, we don’t know why. Only God knows their heart.

The second judgement is based on appearances. I’m not thinking of skin colour, but the house they live in, the car they drive, or the job they have. If they live in a big house then we think they must make a lot of money. If it’s more than we make, it must be too much!

I’ve heard the saying, “you are the car you drive.” That’s a guy thing. How do we know that the car they have wasn’t a gift? Or maybe the result of an insurance claim or the blessing of an inheritance? Do we have all the facts? And - is it really any of our business?

The most serious judgement is whether or not someone is a Christian. I think this is a really dangerous conversation. “Is so-and-so really a Christian? They don’t act like it.” Act like what? Like, if they aren't gentle, kind, self-controlled or patient then their faith is fake? LOL - in my case, I flounder on all of those characteristics - but I do know who my Lord is. I’m trying to work on the list - and it ain’t easy. Gimme a break, ok? Tomorrow I get another chance.

“Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others , you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)

I take it quite hard when people who are wiser than me, more learned than me or (gasp) have been to Bible College (!) make judgemental comments. I’ve confronted them, only to have them cleverly say, “I’m not judging”. But they are. And if these people are in a leadership position, they seem to think that they have the license to always be right. Why do I look up to people who are looking down on others?

All of us who profess our faith are working out our faith. Sometimes we get it right. Other times we mess it up. But we’re working it out as best we can.

Only God can judge. Everyone else needs to take a chill pill.

Me and "SCC"

2011-04-14T07:21:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night I was the guest speaker for Full Gospel Business Group in Owen Sound. Had an absolutely awesome time! Great food! Great fellowship. Tom Roe from the LIFE sales department was leading worship and I took along my drum kit - the two of us jammed out, together! Great fun!

I ran into a guy who looks like Steven Curtis Chapman - the "new" SCC. The SCC with the gottee and glasses. I said to him, "so do you think everyone looks like someone?" And he says, "ya". "I think you look like Steven Curtis Chapman" and he tells me that he's had a couple of people say that.

So, here's the photo of me, with the extremely talented and famous Steven Curtis Chapman, also known as Nathan Crawford.

Who Wins Idol? I know!

2011-04-12T08:51:00.000-07:00

Who’s your pick to win American Idol? Now that we have less than ten, the end is in sight. Who’s going home this week? They’re all good. They all have style. And eventually, everyone but one is going home. It’s no shame to be disqualified when you’re in the top 10.

The real winner is no longer on the show. Robbie Rosen. He didn’t make the top 24. Big mistake. I hope he comes back next year, or better yet, that a record exec took notice and Robbie gets a break without Idol.

Here’s my top choices:

#3 - James. He’s got a great scream and an enthusiastic excitable performance style, but I can’t hear him “screaming” on a top 40 radio song. Once a week on Idol - ok. Every four hours on the radio? No thanks. He’s number 3 - and yes I think he’s amazing.

#2 - Lauren. I’ve liked her since she and Steven Tyler sang “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” on the first show. Recently she’s been up and down. Some weeks are better than others. That’s cool. That’s what makes for an unpredictable show.

#1 - winner - Scotty, the country guy. Let’s face it, the kid has a great voice. He sounds like a pro already. How he can be so good and not already have a recording contract is unbelievable. Recently I’ve been digging cross-over country artists like Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and Lee Brice. Ya, I like Scotty, too! He’s my pick to win.

Now for the judges. Next year, Randy and Jennifer are back. Steven - he’s gone. He’s been outrageous and breathed new life into the show. But I think he’s bored.

Idol! Can’t wait for Wednesday!

Soul Surfer

2011-04-08T05:56:00.000-07:00

New movie - LIFE 100.3 presents “Soul Surfer”. It’s the true story of a teenage surfer who loses her arm in a shark attack. Crazy, I know!

Carrie Underwood plays the church youth leader. Dennis Quaid is the dad - and I hear that his Christian faith was restored after having played the role.

It opens tonight/Friday in Peterborough, Newmarket and Barrie. Gonna flash my media pass and see it! Let me know if you like it!

Here’s the trailer!

The Current Hits

2011-04-06T07:19:00.000-07:00

Here is what's burning up my iPod in heavy rotation.

B. Reith - Knockin’ On My Door
Keith Urban - I Put You In A Song
Geoff Moore - I Believe
The Light Division - Fear and Fortune
Lecrae - Background
Grits and Jade - Neverland
Chris Bray - More Each Day
To Tell - Safe To Say
Taylor Swift - Men
Easton Corbin - A Little More Country Than That

For a guy who has programmed radio stations, this list is quite a messed up format! But, it works.

The First Ride

2011-04-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

Sunday. 9 degrees and sunny. Good enough. As a recovering asthmatic, the cold is hard on my lungs, but I couldn’t let today pass by with my Fuji Roubaix in the basement.

Yes, I’ve bought a new bike - a Specialized Roubaix. It’s on order so the Fuji will have to do for a couple of weeks. That's ok - the Fuji is a great bike.

My new Axiom biking pants what a great investment! Snuggly warm! And the Activa biking jacket is everything-proof. Wind, rain and probably nuclear blast. Nothing gets thru it. So, the cool day was a pleasant day in the saddle after all.

I love biking! Let the odometer logging begin!

My Great Adventure

2011-03-28T06:43:00.001-07:00

Saturday evening a small group of us ventured off to see Steven Curtis Chapman and Geoff Moore in Toronto.

The opening act was Caleb, named after SCC’s eldest son. Thankfully it was a short set. While the threesome played well, the songs were a bit eclectic. I suppose Steven’s “hit writing gene” did not transfer to the children.

SCC has not had a major radio hit for a few years. Certainly nothing that rivals “The Great Adventure”or “Dive”. Still Queensway was packed out - there were a few seats in the nose bleed section.

Not being a loyal SCC fan, I found it refreshing to hear all the hits performed in a mostly unplugged format. And since a number of songs were co-written with Geoff Moore, it was a blast having Geoff sing those songs with SCC.

“The Great Adventure”, “Speechless (SCC hits) and “A Friend Like U” and “Listen To Our Hearts” (Geoff hits) were great performances, enhanced as a duet
If only someone would tell Steven to cut the song introductions down to five minutes, his shows would have a much better flow. But then who is going to tell SCC that he talks too much? Haha!.

"All Because Of Jesus"

2011-03-24T20:25:00.001-07:00

The theme was “All Because Of Jesus”. Truly, it sums up what it’s all about. It’s why LIFE 100.3 exists. And, it’s why we’ve chosen to be Christians.

Sharathon is the one time of the year when we talk about finances. After all, we’re listener supported and in two days more than $400,000 was pledged by 1,600 listeners.

Thanks to the artists who shared their music with us, in some live studio performances.Andy Taylor’s “Good and Faithful One”, Miranda Fox “I Run To You”, To Tell’s “Safe To Say”, Jody Cross’s “Show Us Your Glory” and Levi denBok’s “Hallelujah”. Each performance was captured on video and saved on the LIFE 100.3 website.

Thanks to the churches who visited to take pledges in Phone Central. Especially those who traveled from out of town.

Thanks to listeners everywhere in Central Ontario who pledged to keep LIFE 100.3 strong, stable and active for another year of radio ministry.
Because of your donations we can rebuild our production studio and replace tired equipment. We’ll get a phone app so you can listen to LIFE on your iPhone. We’ll buy a jumbo inflatable mascot to take on location. And 50% of the purchase of a new Street Team vehicle is banked with the other 50% on next year’s Sharathon vision list.

LIFE 100.3 is a remarkable station. Maybe it’s our staff - skilled, passionate and talented. Certainly it’s the LIFE listeners who share the vision.
And, for reasons I cannot explain, God provides for our needs - and then some!

The totals:

Monthly Goal: $23,000
102.9%
$23,667 pledged

One-Time Goal: $100,000
126%
$126,077

Thanks all! Bless you! Alright!

(Photos - Jody, Levi, Miranda, Janice and me)

Confession

2011-03-21T07:03:00.000-07:00

I like reading other people’s devotions. It’s interesting to see how God is impacting someone else's life. When I "do" their devotion, I learn something new and possibly experience what they have discovered.

Last week, I read a blog from Carey Nieuwhof at Connexus Church in Barrie. He shared a cool devotion about “Confession”. Basically, he says, we neglect to confess our sins, we blame each other and judge each other. As Leaders, if we blame, we are a) poisoning our culture; b) demotivating our team and c) stunting progress of our workplace.

Therefore, Carey says, we should humble ourselves and make confession a regular part of prayer.

My prayer requests:

* My leadership at LIFE 100.3 - wisdom, concentration and faithfulness.
* LIFE’s Sharathon this week - those who pledge would remember to give
* I have numbness in my left index finger and it is now shooting up my entire left arm. I’m concerned. Yes, I’ve had xrays.
* A friend of mine has depression and it’s not under control.
* A non-radio project I am trying to develop in my spare time.

Have a great week!

Bixi Bikes in Toronto!

2011-03-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

Two years ago I was in Barcelona, Spain. The city has an awesome biking city whereby you go to a bike “station”, (like a bus stop) and you swipe your card and get a “city bike” and bike to your destination. You drop off your bike at the nearest “bike station”. I love it!

Now Toronto is doing it!

The City of Toronto and the Public Bike System Company are launching the BIXI Toronto program - 1,000 bikes, 80 BIXI stations. Last year after City Council approved the program, 1,000 people bought memberships to use the system.

The program is intended for people in Toronto who bike less than 30 minutes in which case the bike rental is free. If you ride longer than 30 minutes you pay a user fee. The program launches this May.

What a great idea! Possibly fewer cars and a healthy way to travel. Man, I hope there’s bikes in Heaven!

Beastly

2011-03-15T19:54:00.000-07:00

A few days ago we went to see the movie "Beastly". It's a modern day version of "Beauty and the Beast".

Alex Pettyfer is the male star, an egotistical high school guy, who loves his looks and money and thinks those qualities are the most important things, and ugly people are worthless. Vanessa Hudgens is the girl who plays the beauty. Neil Patrick Smith plays a blind tutor to Alex's character, the Beast.

I suppose the moviemakers are targeting a young audience so there's some high school "junk" in the movie - just so you know. But the overall message is good - it's not what you see on the outside but what's on the inside that really matters. And that message is conveyed clearly.

For another point of view, check out Plugged In.

Idol, Marilyn and the Griffith

2011-03-11T10:21:00.001-08:00

It happened at the last minute - I got studio tickets to see American Idol! Thanks to Jen Melanson at LIFE 100.3. (She is very resourcesful!)

Idol is held at CBS Television City, in Hollywood. Wait - isn't this a FOX-TV show? Uh...ok. Inside, after 30 minutes of sound checks with the audience, the show began. There were no second takes - everything rolled out just as you see it on TV. Being in the audience was cool, but I didn't see anything behind the scenes - like singer soundchecks or re-takes or flubs. Nothing. During the commercial breaks, Ryan Seacrest visited Randy, Jennifer and Steven. Four bodyguards surrounded the judges table.

I wish I had photos as a souvenir but we weren't allowed to take photos - so all I have is a ticket stub as a souvenir. The really odd thing is that "American Idol, live!" was actually recorded. It was live to tape, but played back on TV the following night. Hmm!

American Idol has been on my "bucket list" for a few years, never thinking it would happen. Also on the bucket list, for 30 years, has been a visit to Marilyn Monroes grave/crypt. She died in 1962 so the closest I can get, is near the grave. She is buried at Westwood Memorial Park in Westwood, west of Los Angeles. It cost $140 to taxi around, trying to find it, going to the wrong place, driving in circles, etc. That's what happens when you try to do your own tour, instead of hooking up with a professional tour.

After visiting the crypt, I went to her house, just two miles away, where she was found dead. Couldn't see much because the gates conceal the property. It's small, in a residential section of Brentwood. The woman across the street I spoke with knew it "was Marilyn Monroe's house".

One thing is for sure - Hollywood is for movie stars and Marilyn Monroe still rules Hollywood. Everywhere you look.

Another thing off the bucket list!

Lastly, a trip to the Griffith Observatory, in the Hollywood Hills, just east of the famous Hollywood sign. We ran out of time during the day, so we taxied up at night. Most people probably go to see "science stuff" - like moon rocks, and asteriods, etc. Me- ? I went to see the location for the fight scene in "Rebel Without A Cause", starring James Dean.

The location wasn't hard to find. Well - I've seen the movie enough to know. It was cool and a bit haunting to be on the exact spot of a famous movie scene.

The other stuff in L.A. - the Whisky a Go Go, Venice Beach, KIIS-FM - it was all a bonus to Idol, Marilyn and the Griffith!

The (LIFE 100.3) Chev Aveo

2011-03-04T10:01:00.000-08:00

Since my Mom and Dad moved to Barrie from Toronto years ago, they loved being near the Bay. I think it reminds them of the cottage we had in Peterborough. Often in the summer they would take a leisurely ride around Centennial Park and stop for a while at Minet’s Point and watch the windsurfers crash through the water.

My Dad would avoid driving on busy roads and city driving. He told me the only time he would go back to Toronto is in a wooden box! He doesn’t like the 400 and when I pick him up, I try to take a side road or Highway 11.

Dad always trades for a new car. He doesn’t want someone else’s car problems. And when he trades, the car has embarrassing low mileage!
He’s almost proud of how little he uses the car!.Last month Dad told me he wanted to get rid of the car. I tried to talk him out of it by reminding him of how much he likes to drive around the Bay in the summer. He doesn’t have to drive the car every day. Just knowing the convenience of the car is available is nice, but he disagreed. Maybe the decision to stop driving, because of age, was bothering me more than him. He has no health issues. His mind is sharp. He’s on top of all current events. Why lose the convenience of driving?
.
“I want to get rid of it,” he said. And, without ask my asking, he offered to donate it to LIFE 100.3. It's practically new. It has less than 5,000km on it! But I can see that getting rid of the car has given him peace of mind.

So, LIFE 100.3 is the beneficiary of Dad's Chev Aveo. Jen Melanson had it wrapped with the LIFE logo and other fun graphics so it matches our other vehicles "in the fleet"! Watch for us on location! Ask me about my Dad's donation.

Thanks Dad!