Saturday night at Byxbee's was great. I saw a lot of folks I haven't seen in awhile - people from the old Funny Bone, etc. It is always nice to see old friends!

However, just when I least expect it, something weird always happens. I'm never sure when people are trying to pull my leg or if it is just a strange situation.

So, here is the story. I had just finished my first set, when a man walked up to me. He asked me if I knew who Johnny Paycheck was. Of course, I do. First, I love music history. I may not remember trash day, but I can remember anything strange or small about music (This actually also applies to the Civil War as well.) In addition, my parents loved country music. I can remember my mom and dad singing along to it on the radio.

Back to my story...I tell the guy some of the songs by Johnny Paycheck. This guy begins to tell me about the story that landed Johnny Paycheck in jail.

In case you aren't familiar, Johnny Paycheck is from Greenfield, Ohio. My band played there a few years ago. It is a sleepy little town in southern Ohio. (Very nice people!)

In the mid-1980s, Johnny Paycheck was back home visiting family. A bar fight broke out and in the end, Johnny Paycheck fired a gun. He grazed a guy in the head. A few years later, Johnny was convicted and sent to the Chillicothe Correctional Facility. He served two years.

Flash back to Saturday night. This guy standing at the bar tells me he is the guy Johnny Paycheck shot.

True? Who knows. But, it was very entertaining!

I can't believe it! I was watching TV and just saw the new Macy's ad. If you listen to the song, it is "Everyday" by Buddy Holly. The song plays in the background, but sung by a woman. It is just one more example of how his music lives on.

Every so often, someone will ask me "Why do you play such old music?" Well, I think the answer is obvious. Whether it is in a commercial or a movie or sampled by a hip-hop/rap artist, these songs are timeless. Eventually, there will be no more "oldies."

I get a little laugh every time someone asks for the new song by so and so. It is usually...a remake of an old song.

I hope you get as much enjoyment out of these songs as I do playing them. Just remember, that new song, may not be so new!

This week, I have a blog posting with video.  However, to view it, please click on the link! 

http://omgilts.blogspot.com/2009/03/spring-is-almost-here.html

Bill

As I’ve mentioned, I have the privilege of a job that allows me to travel. This weekend, I was in Memphis, Tennessee for two shows at the Avenue A. I love opportunities to travel for shows like this…it is the best way to see America. This trip was no different.

Saturday, I found myself at Sun Studios. While I’ve been to the store in Nashville, visiting the Memphis site was a dream come true. I stood in the room where Elvis first recorded. Where Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and countless others came to record and be discovered.

There is so much more to the story. Marion Keisker was the first woman in Memphis to have a radio show. Her story is incredible, but she is often referred to as Sam Phillips secretary. She is just as important to the story, even if she is often overlooked.

Speaking of Sam Phillips…He is a complicated man. However, he knew what he wanted…a sound that was different than what everyone else was recording. While the music was already there, he enabled it to be shared with many more. It spread from a regional sound to the national and international marketplace.

Even more incredible was this site could have been lost to history. Sam outgrew the facility and moved to another location in 1959. The building stood empty, except as a storage site, for 25 years. It was used, at one time, as radiator storage. Thankfully, Memphis came to its senses and saved this building. Now, you too can visit the room where so much history was made. The same sound tiles are still there. If you listen closely, you might hear their story, as well. If only they could really talk!

Memphis has a lot to offer. You can have a really good time and probably drink as much as you can hold. However, there is more to the story. If you have the chance to travel to this city, don’t miss out on learning about this part of early rock and roll history!

I love to travel!  I love getting in the car and just driving!

My mom used to tell me that I needed to find something I love and make money doing it.  Well, I love music and I love to travel.  I am very blessed to be able to do what I do.  While I am very serious about each performance and I'm a perfectionist, I still can't call this a job because I love it so much.

In the next few weeks, I will have been in West Virginia, French Lick, IN and Memphis.  While this may not be your dream of a grand vacation, it is so fun to meet people and see...things.

When I tell people where I'm performing, they sometimes say, "that's really far away."  However, I want to live each day to it's fullest and enjoy the opportunities I get.  Although I've never been to French Lick, IN, I can't wait to see it and to spend time with my wife.

Watch for another post.  I'll let you know what it's like!