Wiley standing with David Reutimann and the crew at the National Anthem.
Oct 28, 2008
It was a GREAT Race Weekend!!!!!!!
Folks, it's hard to describe how great our weekend was. Everybody had a blast. The people of Michael Waltrip Racing are amazing. Aaron's Rents, again, they are amazing. Josh Wise, David Reutimann, Jerry Baxter, Julie Song, THE WHOLE CREW!! Everyone of them went beyond what could have been wished for and made the weekend even more special than last year. The crew was so kind to Wiley. We got to sit in the pits for the race. We felt like a part of them. To us, they are OUR NASCAR family.
The chassis they raced this weekend has been named "Wiley." You can only name a chassis after it has won. And this one has. David took it to Victory Lane last year with Wiley's paint scheme. This year we got caught by a yellow flag and went two laps down. David was able to make up the 2 laps and finish second. With one more lap, he could have won, again! We felt so bad for the #99 team. They built the best car. They had the best setup. They had the best drivers. (By the way, Josh Wise did the setup and qualifying. He put third on the grid. You WILL be seeing him on Sunday in the future!)
We love David so much. But, watchin' the way he finished Saturday's race makes me respect him even more. David races everyone clean. Had the rolls been reversed, Carl would have punted him. Shoot for what it's worth, I would have punted him. But, David has the integrity to win clean. (I guess i don't cause I'd punted him.) David took a lot of time with Wiley at pre-race. I was amazed. He is the best!
The Crew - Wow! Those guys are unreal. They are at it, full tilt, from the time their plane hits the ground till the hauler doors are closed and they are heading back to the plane! And the guys at the shop are at it too. We saw them getting after it last year. If it had not been for some bad luck this year, this team would be in the title hunt. Saturday was the season in a microcosm. The got 2 laps down and finished second. They just ran out of laps. And we will just run out of season. The baddest hotrod on the track Saturday was WILEY - no doubt! and they have had BAD hotrods all year. This is the best team - period! We are thrilled to call them family.
Julie Song of Aaron's is another person that is amazing. She took her weekend to hang out with us and show us around. Not to mention, she is a hoot! we laughed all weekend. And work! let me tell you this lady was hard at it too. She was taking notes listening to the race traffic radio, and trying to keep the crew in line. **grin** She is a part of the crew! And you can watch her interact with the team and see she is a part of the family. She looked good all weekend. She was also the only one there with a pen color coordinated to the outfit.
I am so glad Ryan Kurek had the vision last year to do the special paint schemes for St. Jude. Without his vision, none of this would have happened. He and Meghan Stantan put a lot, an awful lot, of effort into making this happen. Well, Meghan put a lot of effort into it. I'm sure Ryan helped. At least, he said he helped. I'm givin' Ryan a hard time. This whole thing - Design a Dream - has been vital to Wiley's mental health. Wiley has many bad days. And for us, a bad day is very rough. Wiley has lost so much over the last three years. This is the area of his life we can point to, relive, and talk about to change the day. Ryan had the vision and the drive to make it happen.
And I want to congratulate Jackie Decker and Kevin Money of ESPN. The story on David and Wiley is (or was) up for an Emmy. The work they did was awesome. And to think how quick they pulled it together is astounding. It was wonderful seeing them again this weekend.
I'm sure i will have even more to write about this event in the days a head.
The chassis they raced this weekend has been named "Wiley." You can only name a chassis after it has won. And this one has. David took it to Victory Lane last year with Wiley's paint scheme. This year we got caught by a yellow flag and went two laps down. David was able to make up the 2 laps and finish second. With one more lap, he could have won, again! We felt so bad for the #99 team. They built the best car. They had the best setup. They had the best drivers. (By the way, Josh Wise did the setup and qualifying. He put third on the grid. You WILL be seeing him on Sunday in the future!)
We love David so much. But, watchin' the way he finished Saturday's race makes me respect him even more. David races everyone clean. Had the rolls been reversed, Carl would have punted him. Shoot for what it's worth, I would have punted him. But, David has the integrity to win clean. (I guess i don't cause I'd punted him.) David took a lot of time with Wiley at pre-race. I was amazed. He is the best!
The Crew - Wow! Those guys are unreal. They are at it, full tilt, from the time their plane hits the ground till the hauler doors are closed and they are heading back to the plane! And the guys at the shop are at it too. We saw them getting after it last year. If it had not been for some bad luck this year, this team would be in the title hunt. Saturday was the season in a microcosm. The got 2 laps down and finished second. They just ran out of laps. And we will just run out of season. The baddest hotrod on the track Saturday was WILEY - no doubt! and they have had BAD hotrods all year. This is the best team - period! We are thrilled to call them family.
Julie Song of Aaron's is another person that is amazing. She took her weekend to hang out with us and show us around. Not to mention, she is a hoot! we laughed all weekend. And work! let me tell you this lady was hard at it too. She was taking notes listening to the race traffic radio, and trying to keep the crew in line. **grin** She is a part of the crew! And you can watch her interact with the team and see she is a part of the family. She looked good all weekend. She was also the only one there with a pen color coordinated to the outfit.
I am so glad Ryan Kurek had the vision last year to do the special paint schemes for St. Jude. Without his vision, none of this would have happened. He and Meghan Stantan put a lot, an awful lot, of effort into making this happen. Well, Meghan put a lot of effort into it. I'm sure Ryan helped. At least, he said he helped. I'm givin' Ryan a hard time. This whole thing - Design a Dream - has been vital to Wiley's mental health. Wiley has many bad days. And for us, a bad day is very rough. Wiley has lost so much over the last three years. This is the area of his life we can point to, relive, and talk about to change the day. Ryan had the vision and the drive to make it happen.
And I want to congratulate Jackie Decker and Kevin Money of ESPN. The story on David and Wiley is (or was) up for an Emmy. The work they did was awesome. And to think how quick they pulled it together is astounding. It was wonderful seeing them again this weekend.
I'm sure i will have even more to write about this event in the days a head.
Oct 23, 2008
You Just Can't Beat a Night of Playing Music!
There are days in life that are tough. The first of this week has been one of those days for me personally. I have a great friend struggling with a problem that I can not imagine. I have been physically sick for my brother.
Last night, God gave me a break. Our band had rehearsal. The music is my release. We crank the PA up to where pictures move on the walls. Then give that little extra BAM! I have been BLESSED! I have been BLESSED beyond measure! I wish everyone could experience the release of playing music with great brothers. There is a chemistry and connection we have with each other. We know when someone is struggling. You can hear when somebody is hurting in their playing. As the focus moves from the problems to the music the tone changes, the grove tightens up, and then the band lock together. Everybody gets lost in the music. You quit thinking about the outside world, you hear yourself in concert with three other musicians. And it becomes one sound. Before you realize it, three hours have past. It's that "runner's high." You feel refreshed. Now I have to be honest, You're baked physically. It's a workout. But the best workout you can get in my opinion.
Thank God for the blessings of great brothers and music. And for me, those aren't the greatest blessings in my life. But, they are VERY close to the top of my list.
Last night, God gave me a break. Our band had rehearsal. The music is my release. We crank the PA up to where pictures move on the walls. Then give that little extra BAM! I have been BLESSED! I have been BLESSED beyond measure! I wish everyone could experience the release of playing music with great brothers. There is a chemistry and connection we have with each other. We know when someone is struggling. You can hear when somebody is hurting in their playing. As the focus moves from the problems to the music the tone changes, the grove tightens up, and then the band lock together. Everybody gets lost in the music. You quit thinking about the outside world, you hear yourself in concert with three other musicians. And it becomes one sound. Before you realize it, three hours have past. It's that "runner's high." You feel refreshed. Now I have to be honest, You're baked physically. It's a workout. But the best workout you can get in my opinion.
Thank God for the blessings of great brothers and music. And for me, those aren't the greatest blessings in my life. But, they are VERY close to the top of my list.
Oct 22, 2008
The Price of Sin
We are devastated at our house. I dear friend has been accused of a very severe error in judgment. I do not know the details. I don't want to. Am I naive? No. I just know that it will not change my opinion of this brother. And more importantly, I will not let it effect the way I love him or his family.
What is the price of sin? We don't know. It's a hidden fee that is required after we have indulged the sin. As my momma always told me, "If you break your arm sinnin', God will forgive the sin. But, you still have a broken arm." If we were presented the price of our sin up front, we would be less apt to sin. If you knew one more drink would cause the wreck and cost a life, would you have one more? If going to lunch with your secretary would lead to an affair that causes the breakup of two families, would it be worth the moments of pleasure? Probably not. You can be very sure that all sin has a consequence. You may feel like you have escaped punishment, but it will affect you. I remember as a kid racing down Sylvan Trail. It was a kick in an MGB - curves, hills, and speed. Lots of speed. I passed a police officer with my speedometer pegged. Without thinking, I ran. I did not get caught. I'm not sure why. But for the next few months, every time the phone rang, there was a knock at the door, or a police officer pulled in behind me, fear would set in. Had I been caught? Would I get arrested? Are they looking for me?
Sin has a price. And we still sin. We are sinful by nature. But, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. We only have to confess them and repent (or turn away from) our sin.
We are saved by grace through our faith in Christ Jesus.
What is the price of sin? We don't know. It's a hidden fee that is required after we have indulged the sin. As my momma always told me, "If you break your arm sinnin', God will forgive the sin. But, you still have a broken arm." If we were presented the price of our sin up front, we would be less apt to sin. If you knew one more drink would cause the wreck and cost a life, would you have one more? If going to lunch with your secretary would lead to an affair that causes the breakup of two families, would it be worth the moments of pleasure? Probably not. You can be very sure that all sin has a consequence. You may feel like you have escaped punishment, but it will affect you. I remember as a kid racing down Sylvan Trail. It was a kick in an MGB - curves, hills, and speed. Lots of speed. I passed a police officer with my speedometer pegged. Without thinking, I ran. I did not get caught. I'm not sure why. But for the next few months, every time the phone rang, there was a knock at the door, or a police officer pulled in behind me, fear would set in. Had I been caught? Would I get arrested? Are they looking for me?
Sin has a price. And we still sin. We are sinful by nature. But, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. We only have to confess them and repent (or turn away from) our sin.
We are saved by grace through our faith in Christ Jesus.
Oct 21, 2008
The Price of Success
I wrote an email to a new friend this morning. He and I have a mutual friend in the music industry who has been VERY successful. Our friend worked his way up from a session and road drummer to recording engineer to studio executive. He has every musician's dream of success. But, in his case, it came with a heavy price. It cost him a marriage, and the life of his teenage son to suicide. Could he have been successful without that cost? Could he have paid that price and not been successful? I don't know. I do know you can find examples of those that have lost and failed and those who have not lost ans succeeded.
Did success demand that high a price? I don't know. But, in the music industry, to be the best requires hours and hours of time learning, practicing, and trying to perfect something that is so subjective. Look at the top 40 songs in any genre, they change every week. The songs that were popular a year ago don't get airplay today. There are some classics, but they are very few and there is no objective criteria for what makes a classic. The bottom line is this, music is never perfected. You will always learn a new riff, sound, or something? It requires a level of effort you must be wiling to invest. You practice and explore daily. But, you have to do that in balance with the other priorities of life - faith, family, health, finances . . . you know your priorities. Unfortunately, there is no good formula. I believe it was the great golfer Jack Nicholas who came the closest to a formula. But his formula is for golf, he said, "The proper score for a businessman golfer is 90. If he is better than that he is neglecting his business. If he's worse, he's neglecting his golf." Now, how do we translate that to other areas of our life?
Did success demand that high a price? I don't know. But, in the music industry, to be the best requires hours and hours of time learning, practicing, and trying to perfect something that is so subjective. Look at the top 40 songs in any genre, they change every week. The songs that were popular a year ago don't get airplay today. There are some classics, but they are very few and there is no objective criteria for what makes a classic. The bottom line is this, music is never perfected. You will always learn a new riff, sound, or something? It requires a level of effort you must be wiling to invest. You practice and explore daily. But, you have to do that in balance with the other priorities of life - faith, family, health, finances . . . you know your priorities. Unfortunately, there is no good formula. I believe it was the great golfer Jack Nicholas who came the closest to a formula. But his formula is for golf, he said, "The proper score for a businessman golfer is 90. If he is better than that he is neglecting his business. If he's worse, he's neglecting his golf." Now, how do we translate that to other areas of our life?
Oct 20, 2008
Practice, Practice, Practice (Repeat Daily)
They say, "If you do something the same way for 31 straight days it moves from memory to muscle memory." First of all, I have no idea who "they" are. This is info i got from a friend from Guitar Institute of Technology. And lets face it, if it came from MIT not GIT no one would ask.
Well, back to the premise "practice." Does practice make perfect? Or, does perfect practice make perfect? From my experience, it's the latter. There is nothing worse than learning something the wrong way. I think you are better off not even learning it. I have spent many hours trying to unlearn something bad by replacing it with the correct. And, it seems that in a panic situation the original muscle memory takes over. I guess I need to practice even more.
Well, back to the premise "practice." Does practice make perfect? Or, does perfect practice make perfect? From my experience, it's the latter. There is nothing worse than learning something the wrong way. I think you are better off not even learning it. I have spent many hours trying to unlearn something bad by replacing it with the correct. And, it seems that in a panic situation the original muscle memory takes over. I guess I need to practice even more.
Oct 19, 2008
It's Official - I Do NOT like C#
I have been fighting C# all day. I live in a binary world. Everything I write is about moving bits and bytes. I think in assembly code.
Well, C# id the PITS!!!!! (I can't write how I really feel!) Let's just say bamboo in under the fingernails sounds more enjoyable.
ARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!
Quick, Hand me a guitar . . . . .
Well, C# id the PITS!!!!! (I can't write how I really feel!) Let's just say bamboo in under the fingernails sounds more enjoyable.
ARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!
Quick, Hand me a guitar . . . . .
It's been A Busy Summer and Fall
Wow - It's been a blur. We started recording in May now we are close to having a CD. We had planned on a simple "demo" cd. But with the help of Ken Halford, we have a great album. Ken has found diamonds in our dirt.
For you musicians, Ken is the Chief Producer / Engineer for Bob Kingsley's Country Top 40. More than the skill and ear he brought to the project, he is a great brother.
Our guitar player, John Wilson, is headed back to college. We are so proud of him for doing that. It's a lot of time and commitment to do it. Not to mention the boy is haulin a 4.0 so far. John is the smartest one in the band. (My wife Stacy is also back at MC. She is doing great. She is the HOTTEST mom in college!)
Tim and Garret have been busy as well.
Well, the summer is over and the fall is here. John has finished the first semester so the band is back playin.
We had our first practice, well serious practice, gettin ready for the fall and winter gigs. We have added a few new blues songs. We are working on writing some more tunes also. We had so much fun on the EP, look for an album of originals next year.
For you musicians, Ken is the Chief Producer / Engineer for Bob Kingsley's Country Top 40. More than the skill and ear he brought to the project, he is a great brother.
Our guitar player, John Wilson, is headed back to college. We are so proud of him for doing that. It's a lot of time and commitment to do it. Not to mention the boy is haulin a 4.0 so far. John is the smartest one in the band. (My wife Stacy is also back at MC. She is doing great. She is the HOTTEST mom in college!)
Tim and Garret have been busy as well.
Well, the summer is over and the fall is here. John has finished the first semester so the band is back playin.
We had our first practice, well serious practice, gettin ready for the fall and winter gigs. We have added a few new blues songs. We are working on writing some more tunes also. We had so much fun on the EP, look for an album of originals next year.
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