2018: The Last Hurrah

CWF BATTLECADE XIX is in the books and history was made with three champions being crowned and a long-time champion retaining his title against an army of All Stars.  The building sold out two days before the event and it was wall-to-wall.  I got to spend some time with my two favorite dolls, Chasity and Christie, probably made an ass out of myself with guest announcer Brian Hughes and found out a long-time friend was making his last appearance that very night.  I totally understand his decision, I back whatever he chooses to do, but it's not like he's suddenly decided he didn't like to wrestle any longer.  He's adulting, and I really hope to see his smiling face again soon.  Gonna be a big hole there where he usually is.  Miss him already.  Glad I thought to get a photo before we left...This bright young man is a rock.  He's steady.  He's capable and willing.  He will excel at ANYTHING he goes for.  And you just thought he was a sneaky All Star!

Tommy and I recorded the Beatles' "She Loves You" on Thursday, I've yet to hear a rough mix, surprisingly.  Seems Tommy has re-recorded a few of his backing vocals and may have re-did yet another guitar part in the never-ending search for freakin' Beatles PERFECTION!  We're thinking "A Hard Day's Night" next and even knocking around "Nowhere Man" and talking about "She Said She Said".  So basically, I did tell him "let's do them ALL!"  Really.  I did.  It's how I roll.  #RoxX  Oh, and enjoy the fashion of the day below on the record sleeve!

And that's the way it was, in 2018.  The year that spent more time on the highway barely crawling than driving the posted speed limit.  The year some clown thought he could smash into my car and drive off without consequence.  The year that I was attacked by two HPU executives and two different city lawyers on the newspaper opinion page.  The year I witnessed Karen stand up to our landlord and flat tell her to her face "this is B---S---!"  The year I have been conditioned to think that it's normal for my nearly 30 pound cat to jump on me to wake me up at least once a night from a deep sleep.  The year your GPS is nowhere near current with highway construction projects.  I could go on.  But I would probably get depressed!

Be safe ya'll.  It's full-blown idiot season on the roads today, remember to drive defensively.  Also, if you drink, please don't drive, the life you save may be MINE!  Have a safe and HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!

Newsprint, Enunciation & Christmas!

It's been a crazy few weeks, Karen's on severe retail schedule and I'm on a one week break from rasslin'.  Awoke this morning (Sunday) around 6am by Karen who's telling me from downstairs that the High Point Enterprise had published their interview with our French "exchange student" Ulysse Demos.  Great article, more than a full page including photos with an advertisement on page one pointing to the feature page.  And lo and behold, that's ME they interview about our friend Ulysse.  [That's how they justify doing the story, a connection to High Point!]  I have been immersed in NFL football the past couple of days (again) and working on a collaboration project with Tommy and a couple of British musicians.

Guitarist Phil McWalter and drummer Rick Medlock came on board for a collaboration with myself and Tommy covering Stevie Wonder's iconic "Superstition".  I thought I was finished with my vocals in studio but our British friends noticed something I had not, the fact I was dragging out some lines in the song where Wonder is precise and concise in his delivery.  I don't think there's much to actually change, as I recorded most of my lines with the original playing in my headphones.  I sang along with Stevie for hours!  We're back to work on vocals Wednesday or Thursday of this week, more studio time!

Had a young lady who works at a breakfast/lunch counter I frequent tell me "I've seen you sing here in High Point before, I know I have."  I'm kind of taken aback, so I ask, "When have you been in my shower?"  I'm thinking "No way she was at the City Lake for that one Nathan Hunt gig."  She continues by saying she sings, plays guitar and mandolin and if we needed a chick singer, let her know.  Funny, there IS a young woman working in the same place I've told Tommy about, a sweetie who has sang gospel in a family group.  She keeps asking me to bring her something so she can hear what we do.  I probably will after Christmas.  

Wishing you all some PEACE in your lives.  Have a Merry Christmas, be safe and we'll see you at ringside again on the 29th for CWF Battlecade XIX!

Back At It...RoxX & Rasslin'

Went back into studio this past Saturday and recorded vocals for new original "Smoke And Mirrors", received same song's first mix and I'm blown away with it!  Another almost 50's style crooner's tune, sang very softly.  You know, a tear-jerker!  Also got the latest mix of "There's A Place" and it's almost perfection.  Third mix of "Message In A Bottle" makes me think that will be the cover Tommy releases Saturday...Still having a blast being #RoxX although we have discussed considering an actual "band name".  He's also been considering how we could pull a live (with tape) performance and the problems with running sound and the equipment required to execute such a project.  His thoughts include playing different instruments on different songs as well as him singing backup.  I think the possibilities are endless.

Really gonna miss my new friend Ulysse "OPA" Demos when he flies home Sunday to France.  His country is in turmoil and flames while he proved himself to be one of the most sincere and coolest customers I've met in years.  Should he ever get the honor, he would make a wonderful Ambassador to the United States on behalf of France, but I would expect a branch embassy to be erected in Gibsonville NC.  Know whut I mean?  I'm sure Ulysse will be an instant celebrity at home after spending time in the US and training with American wrestlers.  As a group, we've made sure his time in America will be unforgettable and that we'll always be family in our lifetimes.  I just wonder how badly some of those who are much closer to Ulysse than I are going to take his departure?  I saw eyes getting misty weeks ago planning for his last night in town...

Wrestling memories?  I can't and will never forget Kameron Jenkins.  The look in his eyes when he got to talk to his favorite wrestlers, the excitement in his voice when he was remembered by name.  That young man treated me like I was special even when he was incredible pain.  I loved having a few minutes with him at ringside, he always shared what he'd like to see, who he'd like to see wrestle and what he liked about the last event.  He was so very smart and nothing got past him.  But the way he looked at me, like he admired me or what I stood for.  I am still humbled to have been his friend.  I'll see you again young man!