Fourth of July, 2004

Early on the 4th here in Ohio, having my first cup of coffee, looking out the window and a not too bad day, no sun yet, muggy out, so there could be some rain. I have a show to do today in Delaware, Aidells Sausage at a Kroger store. Really not looking forward to that. An hour drive, an hour set up, probably a slow day, then the drive home, and an hour to clean everything up. Happy FOURTH.

I need some advice. I like southern gospel music, as you can tell from my site. Been listening to and watching it for a long time. But, I have to wonder if there is something wrong with me. Last night, I was watching Gaither, while drinking MGD, Miller Genuine Draft Beer.

And, I admit, beer or not, I cry a lot when I watch it. David Phelps did one last night ... wow .... cried through it all, and when he hit a high one .... wham, on my feet reaching. There were a couple that really had the tears flowing. I've watched the videos so much I know a little about what maybe was going on at the time it was being recorded.

Danny Gaither sang one, at that time he was diagnosed, and dying, not a dry eye in the house. And when David sings, and without question, he has the sincerest, finest, purest voice I have ever heard ... when they do shots of his peers .. they are in awe of his voice.

Back to my problem, I am not sure if I should listen and drink beer at the same time. Any help will be appreciated.

Back to Gospel Music. Terry Blackwood sang one last night, one he backed up Elvis, when he recorded it. It was Elvis's favorite hymn. I think JD Sumner was also still around. Elvis loved him, that deep base voice, not to compare with it. And Jake Hess was there, he was the favorite singer of ... Elvis. There are so many threads woven between Elvis and Gospel music.

Check your TV listing, or, I think ... ours can search and find, if I knew how to do it ... Gaither is generally on Saturday night, one show at 6 and one at 7. Much of what you see, and many of those you see ... the old timers are gone. I for one am glad that Bill started this whole thing, and got some of this on tape before it was too late. Bill is a Hoosier, not too far from where my family was in Marion, Indiana. And I think, I recall that my Aunt, Eva Shannon, who was a piano teacher in Marion, crossed paths with Bill and Gloria early in their careers. Not sure, but Eva had some of their early records, and it seems I recall hearing her tell of some association with them. Played piano, or did something.

And then of course, Dean is a big name in our family. My father was Ralph Dean, brother Dean Shannon, cousin Merrill Dean, his sister is Willadean (sp?) actually my son in NJ is Dean. My Grandfather Caleb Dooley, who lived in Marion, as they did in those days, spent Saturday night, and a lot of other time, in the County Seat, which was Marion. The Dean family, from Fairmount, Indiana ... well, anyway, that is the Dean family of James Dean (the actor) ... anyway, that association .... is where Caleb got the Dean from ....

I just got an email from Merrill, and he had been visiting in Marion, and stopped by the cemetery ... Lucy Bradford Dooley and Caleb are buried there. I unfortunately never knew any of my grandparents. They had all passed when I was born. Not many living today can say ... "My Grandfather served in the Civil War." I hope that means that we all live long lives in this family.

Happy Fourth to all, have to start packing up for my trek to sell sausage ... no one will be there today, all out having fun, if they do come in to the store it will be to get something real fast ... last minute stuff .. not a good day for sampling...

Check the flag link on my site .. seeyouatthehouse.com , have your own fireworks display ........ jbd