Farewell Paul Harvey

“Stand by for Newwws! …and now for the rest of the story.” Two lines from Paul Harvey. With his death last week came a flood of nostalgia. You wouldn’t think that a bunch of high school boys were Paul Harvey fans, but that’s the way it was for our lunch hour back in 1970-71. We were Sophomores at Capitol Hill, and no one was driving yet, so we grabbed our lunch at the fast line and headed for Garnand’s house, a five block jog. Off we went – me, Garnand, Terry, and Donnie. Donnie was the biggest and we new we were safe when he was with us. The last thing you wanted was to be caught by yourself.

We escaped the campus because it was the best way to stay out of trouble. Racism and fighting were at a rampant. It was “Remember the Titans” without the victories. Our high school football team went totally defeated for five years. We made the NBC today show when our losing streak hit 45. Lunch time was a likely time for a fight or two in the cafeteria or hallway leading to it. All we wanted was to avoid getting hurt, so we did what all the sane kids did, we left the campus. We didn’t want anything to do with switchblades, chains, and tire irons – the weapons of choice in those days.

We’d get to Garnand’s unwrap our sandwiches just time to here that familiar voice, “Stand by for Newwws!” Maybe it was his voice, and the daily ritual that kept our sanity. And every day I always had the same lunch: Barbecue Sandwich (never new what the meat was / didn’t care), Fritos, and a school cafeteria cinnamon roll(the best ever!), and no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies. Maybe it was the cinnamon roll and chocolate that got us through.

Paul Harvey kept us in touch with the quirky news. We’d here about the stupid criminal mistakes, the unsung heroes, and of course – “the rest of the story”. Then right back for afternoon class. Occasionally I would hear that voice driving across town. I’d wonder where the guys are now. I’ve lost touch with the lunch bunch gang, didn’t even see them at the 30 year class reunion. But wherever they were, I’d hope they’d hear, “Stand by for Newwws!”

Farewell Paul Harvey!

with a song in my heart,
SoulSongWriter

Looking for the Music

Two keyboards and there they sit silent, one in my office and one at home. I've tinkered just a few times since I've come back to work. Makes last Fall all the more special. I just cannot find the time for music. I miss it, truly I do. Mayhaps a break will come.

Music is there, even new music. One of the songwriters I met in Nashville is releasing a new country album, her debut album. She has had success with others singing her songs. Sara Evans sang Saints and Angels. Jessica Simpson sang Come On Over. Now she has recorded her own. If you like country, check it out at http://www.VictoriaBanks.net She's a fresh a voice and good country music.

At least there is always time to listen to the music. The season is changing. There's more music in the air. Listen. I can listen. Even if there's not time to play. I'll listen.

With a song in my heart,
SoulSongWriter