This Thursday night will be our final performance for the “WGNA Rising Stars Concert Series” at Proctors. We will be ending the series for 2013 with a BANG. “The Farm” will be showcased and this is one show you really do NOT want to miss.

“The Farm” is a great trio featuring, Nick Hoffman, who was Kenny Chesney’s fiddle player for years, Damien Horne a multi-talented guy who has performed country, R&B and even Alternative rock, and Krista Marie.

I have to tell you I’m a pretty big fan of Krista Marie, I had a chance to meet her in Memphis when I went down to tour St. Jude. I had no idea who she was when she held the hotel door for me. We made some small talk and she said that she had just started with a new band and she would make sure they send me a CD to listen to. A week after I got back it was at the station. Not only did I love the CD, I just love it when you meet someone who is just a nice, real person. She was that.

I may have left out that she is definitely not hard to look at. You could assume that this is the reason she has found herself and her friends with this record deal. You would be mistaken. There is plenty of talent with all three members of the band.

The truth about Krista Marie is after you meet her, the good looks just become an afterthought, a bonus if you will. I found out that night that she was also from the great state of New York, her hometown is  Batavia which is between Rochester and Buffalo. This could indeed bring another misconception to mind. A pretty girl from N.Y. couldn’t possible be really “Country”. Wrong again.

This girl would surprise you. She is probably more comfortable with a wrench in her hand than a microphone. I think the best way to explain it is with some pictures of Krista that are very different than the one you saw at the beginning of the article. the girl definitely takes “Tomboy” to a whole new level.

(photos courtesy of Facebook)

Although I almost lost something very precious on our trip, we just finished taking a cruise on Royal Caribbean.  This was pretty much an all-inclusive holiday.  The ship was the 14 story “Independence of the Seas“, and is the second largest in the world.  There were 4000 people on board. The ship had an ice skating rink, mini shopping mall, 20 bars, miniature golf course, art gallery, beautiful  theater with two shows a night, and food to feed a small European nation.  Let me show you around first, and then I’ll tell you how much it cost to do it

The Ship

Activities for the kids

A boat with an indoor skating rink.   Go Figure!

The pools, sunshine and bikinis- I mean… nice people

                                           The Classy Dining Rooms

                            It even has an indoor mini-shopping mall

Oh, and now let’s talk food, food and more food.  Did I mention food?

Extra:  A Video of the “shopping mall” with my good friend Dr. Alex Tenenboym

Now how much would you pay?  I’m not kidding here -we paid $750/person for 8 days.  Off course, airfare was not included here, but regardless – you can get all of this and much, much more for less than $100/nite. If you want to look into it, here’s a random travel site that I found featuring Royal Caribbean.  They’re offering a 3 day cruise for $79 a nite.

This was an amazing time -plus it stopped on 4 Caribbean Islands as well.  Check it out. Don’t be a-scared.  You won’t have to sleep on the deck in a tent – don’t worry.

We had the choice of everything from organic beer to beer with coffee in it. Peak Organic had a spectacular Hop Noir, which is an black IPA. We went back for seconds on this one – not sure if we were supposed to but it was good enough to break the rules for this one.

Another highlight for us were some of the offerings from our own back yard – the Adirondack Brewing Company had a Coffee ESB (Extra Special Bitter) and a barrel aged brown with ‘cocca nibs’. It was hard to leave their table but we had many others to sample too.

Beer week isn’t over yet – there is still a New York State of Mind event featuring New York beers and a Billy Joel tribute band (2/22) and also the Beer Summit is on Saturday 2/23. We always have some awesome beer in the area but we never have THIS MUCH AWESOME BEER in one place at the same time, so our suggestion – don’t miss it!

Saratoga Beer Week happens from February 19th through 23rd in Saratoga Springs, NY. Prices to various events vary and are available online. If you love beer and a week of nothing but beer sounds good to you, then the Saratoga Beer Week is your kind of a week. It’s worth using up that rollover vacation time from last year, if you have it. Or just come for one day. Or two. Or the entire week – it’s entirely up to you.

Among the samples was a keg that was actually a cake shaped like a keg that was also a keg. Make sense? You should have been there – it was one of the most glorious things ever because it’s cake that gives you beer. Yes – that dream came true and you missed it. Among the beers we sampled and loved were Brown’s IPA, Ithaca Flower Power IPA, Saranac Red IPA, Lake Placid Ubu Ale, and Davidson Bros IPA.
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Saratoga Beer Week happens from February 19th through 23rd in Saratoga Springs, NY. Prices to various events vary and are available online. If you love beer and a week of nothing but beer sounds good to you, then the Saratoga Beer Week is your kind of a week. It’s worth using up that rollover vacation time from last year, if you have it. Or just come for one day. Or two. Or the entire week – it’s entirely up to you.

                                                 No,Taylor.   I said not this time!

This guy was, however.  ( I mean the guy on the right, not Bob Shieffer)

Jamie’s “Living For A Song, A tribute to Hank Cochran” is called by the magazine “the year’s best hootenanny”.  I hate when rock publications say things like that. I don’t know whether to take that as a compliment or not, but i guess they liked it!

I actually think that they like this album the best according to the article.   They call it a perfect balance of throwback twang and contemporary sheen.

Yes, Lionel Richie. He is always had a country influence and he’s back and stronger than ever. This album I could review because I own it. It’s called Tuskeegee and it is fabulous.  There are great duets on it, and in many cases there a new arrangements of his old classics.

Now do you agree? Do you have a favorite? If you do leave it in the comment section. In the meantime you can read the full article here

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/best-country-albums-of-2012-20121207#ixzz2Eb6aMnV1
F

We decided to take a little trip to the Carolina’s recently.  While there we looked up an old friend and colleague, Dick Stark.  Remember Dick?  He had a VERY popular show for many years on ‘GNA.  He was the infamous “Dick Stark After Dark” during the late ’80s and through the ’90′s  He then moved on to our Director of Marketing, and did a great job there too.  We used to have brainstorming meetings with the morning show that included a jam session with guitar, keyboard and desk tapping for percussion.  Lots of great memories.

Where is he now?  He and his family moved to the Charlotte, North Carolina area in a beautiful home.  He now has a big job with Time Warner Cable in their East Coast headquarters.

The weather down there? Gorgeous.  Property taxes? Ridiculously low.  We figured that he pays 1/9th of what we pay in Niskayuna.   The Starks made a great move, and it was fantastic to see them.

They showed us all around Charlotte.  It was like having an actual tour guide.  We had a fantastic time, and thanks to the Starks for putting us up at their” hotel! ”   Here’s the Charlotte Motor Speedway.  HUUUUUUGGGE!!

Sports reigns supreme in Charlotte.  It’s all over the place.  They’re even building a new baseball stadium there.  So If you want a great vacation spot, head to Charlotte.

By the way, I mean Charlotte, North Carolina.  There are alot of Charlottes!

Another Richie plays “Amazed” on Richie’s keyboard while Richie looks on.

Lonestar with old WGNA morning show with Richie (second from left), Sean (center), old producer Scott Reardon, and Lisa Reilly.

Bonus- Here they are playing live on the air (including a song that I don’t believe tthey had released at the time  -”Unusually Unusual“.)

mp3 version

By the way, we saw about 30 school buses driving back from Seaside Heights.  We didn’t know what that was for.  We thought it might be for laborers to be transported in and out .

I guess not.  It’s for the residents to go and view their homes!  What a mess.

Don’t get me wrong – I wasn’t disappointed that I wasn’t allowed to see devastation, but i guess it’s just human nature to be curious after hearing so much about it up here.

However, I did see this kind of stuff as I walked around my in laws’ neighborhood.

I’d say at least 1/3 of the houses had fallen trees like this.  The problem that arises is that you have people on fixed incomes having to have these trees removed at their own expense, and it’s difficult to get people to do the work right now because the damage is so  vase.

However I will say that they were lucky in that the power did not go out for too long there. So in the scheme of things they had a lot to be thankful for.   Hope this gives you an idea of what’s going on down there, and good luck to EVERYONE who was affected .

Through the power of the almighty Facebook, I’ve been able to keep up with her posts.  Robin recently married and moved to Glen Cove, Long Island. She and her family has been a victim of this horrible storm.  We caught up with her on the air.  Stop what you’re doing and listen to the interview below.  (She also sent pictures)

mp3 version

Those things are supposed to be on your roof, not the ground!

The Nor’easter that came thru Long Island and NY right afterwards.  Like they need MORE problems

and this is just fallen ONE tree on ONE street in ONE Long Island neighborhood.  Unreal.

OK, I lied.  Here’s yet another tree.  Look at the power lines.   How can that be left that way?  Wouldn’t that be enough to make you nervous?

It’s heartbreaking and no immediate fix in sight.  If you haven’t already, we ask you to make a donation large or small to the Red Cross relief effort.   And thanks to Robin and her family for sharing the photos and her story.

Before we start,  have you heard the song about Fonda Fultonville?  

How about the song from the kids at the school?  Please take a listen, and leave some nice comments for the kids.  They’re STARS now!!   OK – on with the events

And coming up at the VFW 942 on Rte 30a in Fonda :

11/10. Veteran’s Day Dance.  Veterans get in free !  Music from the Country Line Rebels

11/11. Vets Day Pancake Breakfast with pancakes, French toast, sausage, ham and eggs

Adults $8.00 and basket raffle to benefit Veteran Joe who has mobility issues.   They are raising funds to build him a smart house .

Please support these events, and thanks for having us in Fonda/Fultonville!

Also thanks to the Lost Cantina Band for letting me sit in, and to the crowd who definitely knows how to follow along with “Piano Man”.  Great singing, guys!

You know those emails that circulate once in awhile saying “If you were born after 1980, you never knew what a rotary phone was”.   Well, I tried one of these myself at the suggestion of our station digital guru, Bryen Bushner.  Here are the top 5 things  that I’m older than.

McDonalds  1954

Play-doh 1956 (originally a wallpaper cleaner)

The Barbie Doll  - 1959

The Modern Computer

and now one thing I’m ALMOST as old as, but not quite.   Can you guess?  Go ahead……  OK, now scroll down

Yes, dirt.  (There.  I beat you to it)

I forgot to mention that I was born in 1953.  You can do the math on your own.

[FIFTIES WEB]

I was born on April 24th, 1953 in case you’re wondering.  Do the math -yes, I’m 59.  (OMG!!)

That makes me more ancient than:

The First McDonald’s Restaurant (1954)

The Hoola Hoop – (1957)

(I’m also older than Michele Obama, but that doesn’t count)

Barbie Dolls (Mattel -1959)

Playdoh – Yes, Playdoh

And now for the number one thing that I am chronologically older than :

Yes, I beat DIRT by 3 years

I’m also older than every invention in the ’60s, ’70s, ’80′s, ’90s and bla bla bla.  I have to go now.  My psychiatrist appointment is in 30 minutes.  (He’s 40 years younger than me too)

Amazingly enough, this was taken with my iPhone using an app called Autostitch Panorama.  It’s only a couple of bucks, and it’s amazing as you can see.  It takes three or more sh shots and it stitches them together by itself.  And now, here

Here are the individual shots that made up the panorama so you can see yourselves better

There you have it.  Smile!  You’re on the ‘GNA candid camera.  Hope you had a good time.

I’m usually oblivious to things like this, but I decided to try to look at things in a different way as I drove around town today.  I kept seeing really nice landscaping and flower arrangements all over the place, so out came the camera.   Here were my top pics.

Clare Bridge Senior Living Center always does a really nice job.  Hey, the seniors need nice surroundings.

Martin, Harding and Mazzotti on Route 7 has a nice entrance. Looks like the

heavy hitters did it again

Well, it’s a woman’s center.  What do you expect other than a gorgeous sign and entrance?

This place went all out.  (Oh, wait a minute – this is a farm stand. They sell them.  Duhhhh)

And the award for biggest head turner?  The Sunoco that I go to all the time.  Only in Niskayuna would they have a manicured gas station!

Anyone up for the challenge?  Do you think your town is prettier?  Send me some photos.  Let the Horticultural Olympics begin.

According to an article I read on Newser.com :
” Researchers at Stanford University say that people who have “awesome” experiences, like seeing the Grand Canyon or the Northern Lights, get fixed on the present moment and feel time slowing down. They become more patient, less focused on material things, and more willing to spend time helping others, the Independentreports.

Instead of being my pigheaded self, I tried this.  I thought back to a few “awesome” events in my own life to see if it made my mood a little better on this Monday morning

I went through some random shots on my hard drive.  This is in no particular order of importance.

This was my once-in-a-lifetime chance to actually walk on Abbey Road in England, where the Beatles staged their eternally famous album cover.       Ok.  This was Awweeeeesome.

This was my son many years ago when we went to the Grand Canyon.  The pilot let him ride “shotgun” in a helicopter,  while we sat in the back clinging for dear life.      Definite Aweeeesomeness.  And what Dorrie, Ben and I saw when we entered the canyon was even MORE awesome.

Our trip to Las Vegas was very, very, very awesome.  To actually see the Vegas strip in person was kind of surreal.  Plus, seeing an Elton John concert there was very, very, very, very (add 5 more very’s) and then the word “awesome “.

Another amazingly awesome moment was the day that Kenny Rogers visited the station, stood next to me and asked me to play a Kenny Rogers hit while he sang two inches away from me.  My hands shook so violently that I couldn’t form a chord.

So put yourself in a better state of mind today.  Yell “awesome” at the top of your lungs.  Think awesome thoughts from past or present.  Boy, with all the news out there lately, we need it!

What were YOUR awesome moments?  Would love to know in the comment section.

Here are a smattering of shots.  Maybe you can pick yourselves out of the crowd.  Some of these were taken from right in front of the stage on the floor behind the barrier, so I got some good ones of the first few rows anyway.  We had a blast joking around with those folks, and you know who you are!

Apologies to Josh Thompson.  I have no shots of him, but if you would like to contribute any that you have, I will gladly update this.    (by the way, at the bottom of this article, there is an important announcement, so please read – you’re gonna love it)   Now on to the pix.

Joe Nichols

Eric Church

If you can recognize who’s arm that is, you’re pretty good, but give it a try!

Thanks to all who came.  And for you folks who really REALLY wanted an outdoor concert only, ‘GNA is here for you, SURPRISE!   We have yet another event planned.

We’ll see you Saturday, July 7, 2012 at GNA’s Countryfest 2012.

I feel like this is a scene from Forrest Gump in a way.  It looks like trick photography, but this is actually me in between Montgomery and Gentry.  Surreal isn’t it?  This is from 2005.

Good old, or shall I say young, Dierks Bentley.  I couldn’t even pronounce his first name back then.

This is me giving Trace Adkins one of my crushing handshakes.  You can see him wincing in pain here.

Trace on stage.  Isn’t this getting you psyched for Countryfest 2012?

One big celebrity , ABC News 10′s Steve Caporizzo, and a rising star  - introducing NUMBER 3, from Niskayuna NY – my son Ben, proving once again how time REALLY flies, considering he’s 21 now.

Have you had enough?  I don’t want to be THAT guy that bores you to death with all my old slides, but I thought I’d give you a little sample of the files and files and files of photos I have.  Now it’s YOUR turn.  Get your tickets to Countryfest 2012 and make your OWN memories.  See you there!.