Video Killed the Radio Star

Awesome! It’s only been 3 months since I last posted. I’m sure you’ll all see this post cuz you’ve been checking my blog every day for the last 90 days is eager anticipation. Well, something has happened in my life that I just have to write about.

So, one day my wife sends me an ad from Craig’s List. A production company is looking to cast a “Kevin James-type” person to be the lead man for an upcoming country music video. Now, when it comes to country music I am ignorant. So, I didn’t even know the singer – Jason Michael Carroll (JMC). My wife did, but I sure didn’t. So, I said, “What the heck?” I sent in an e-mail with my picture… didn’t hear a thing for about 3 weeks.

Then I get an e-mail saying I’ve been chosen to attend the casting for the role. So, on a Wednesday evening I auditioned and by Friday the part was mine! We shot the video the following Wednesday and Thursday.

Here is the gist of the video: I play the dork in accounting at the office. JMC plays the cool guy from the mail room. He has a band and they’re playing at a local bar all week. I have somehow connected with him, and he has dragged me to the bar every night that week. So, I’m kind of torn between wanting to be cool (which I’m not) and still trying to climb the corporate ladder.

So, the video shows the band guys dropping me off at my house every morning – here you will see several shots of me getting nailed in the face by a newspaper. There are also shots of me at the office struggling to stay awake. Then there are shots of me at the bar with the band – and girls hanging with me because they know I know Jason.

Without giving too much detail, that’s the idea. It was a great experience! I enjoyed it thoroughly… although, it wore me out… a lot of hurry up and wait and standing around. Jineen came on the second day to play an extra in the bar scenes.

The video should be out in the next 2-3 weeks. I will let you know for sure. So, if you have CMT and/or GAC, be looking out for it. Oh, I was also interviewed on the set by CMT Insider… pretty funny. Jason mentioned to me as I left the set that it would be funny to bring me to a few concerts and bring me on stage once the video is out… we’ll see.

Jineen and I went to the Grand Ole Opry last night… Jason was performing. He got us backstage passes, so it was pretty cool. We saw him, Jewel, Joe Nichols, Jason Aldean, John Anderson, John Ricn and several others. Hanging with the fellas in Jason’s dressing room was probably the highlight for me. Jason is the real deal… a really kind, genuine guy. Well, I’ll keep you posted on when the video is out.

Greatest Story in Music

So, I just came across one of the greatest stories in the music industry that I’ve heard in a long time. I’m an 80’s kid. I lived most of my childhood and into early adolescence in that decade. So, my early music influences were bands like Chicago, Journey, etc. I grew up on bands that were defined by their lead singer. So, when Chicago lost Peter Cetera and Journey lost Steve Perry that was pretty much it for me. These bands have replaced their lead singers with really great vocalists, but they just don’t compare to the originals… until now!

The story goes like this… Arnel Pineda has been a musician in Asia for 25 years. (Sidebar: he’s 40!!! He looks like he’s 20.  I couldn’t believe it when I found that out.) His most recent stint was with a band called “The Zoo.” They did some original music but mostly covered Journey, Van Halen, Air Supply and others. Journey had once again lost their lead singer. Neil Schon (the only original Journey member) is quoted this way on Journey’s website, “I was frustrated about not having a singer, so I went on YouTube for a couple of days and just sat on it for hours. I was starting to think I was never going to find anybody. But then I found The Zoo and I watched a bunch of different video clips that they had posted. After watching the videos over and over again, I had to walk away from the computer and let what I heard sink in because it sounded too good to be true. I thought, ‘he can’t be that good.’ But he is that good, he’s the real deal and so tremendously talented. Arnel doesn’t sound synthetic and he’s not emulating anyone. I tried to get a hold of him through YouTube and I finally heard from him that night, but it took some convincing to get him to believe that it really was me and not an imposter.”

What an incredible story! Here is a clip of “The Zoo.” You are not going to believe your ears!

GOOD V. EVIL

So, I’m going to write this post and just ignore the fact that I haven’t posted in like 2 months. I’ve read so many blogs that start out, “I’m really sorry. Life got hectic. I know it’s been a while…” blah… blah… blah. So, I’m going to ignore it and assume you understand.

I just had to bring attention to this. To this point, I have not blogged on sports. I’m a pretty big sports fan, but I’ve stayed away from it because it tends to polarize my audience. I’ve always blogged with the vision of appealing to all people. Plus, I’m constantly trying to gain approval from my wife, and for the most part she couldn’t care less about sports. However, this story has to get out.

I am originally from the Indianapolis area (born and raised). Therefore, since 1984 when the Colts arrived from Baltimore, I’ve been a huge Colts fan. As you can imagine, last year was the most exciting year of my life as a sports fan! (I’m not exaggerating… consider the fact that I’m also a Cubs and Pacers fan.) Over the past several years I have developed a severe hatred for the New England Patriots… mostly because they’ve been really good and until last year appeared to have the Colts’ number.

This year these teams are the only undefeated teams in the NFL. However, it is the Patriots who have gotten all the “run” in the media. I guess you hear more about them because they have the big stars and are blowing teams out – in sports jargon the Patriots are the “sexier team.” So, November 4th they play each other in Indianapolis. Assuming they both win this Sunday, they’ll come into the contest undefeated.

I said all that to say this… regardless of where you are on your journey to severe and utter hatred of the Patriots, you must read this article. It will help you see that this is not a contest to see who the best team is in the NFL. This is a battle of GOOD & EVIL. The moral balance of the universe is at stake. Not a sports fan? Great!!! This is your chance to stand for all that is right and good in this world! Read this article and tell me you are not moved!

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/071023&sportCat=nfl

Feeling Despair???

So, having grown up in church, been involved in youth group and attended a “Christian” college… I have seen my fair share of dramas set to music. I’ve even performed in several. I just saw this drama and it really gripped my heart. I saw it at work, and I almost started sobbing at the end of it. It’s very similar to many dramas that I have seen… it might even be a conglomerate of a few dramas. So, even though it was familiar to me, it totally gripped me… or should I say… convicted me. Take a look…

Maps Will Save Our Children!!!

Thanks to the Miss Teen USA Pageant this past weekend, I found out that a recent study shows that 1/5 of Americans cannot locate the United States on a world map. Is this possible? This question was posed to Miss South Carolina… “why do you think that is?” My initial reaction was that education in our country is jacked up, and we need to do something about the level of academia we’re putting out there… maybe even expect more from our kids!!! But I was so wrong!!! Miss South Carolina’s answer absolutely rocked my world. You can watch for yourself here…

If this is what we can expect from pageants in the future, you can be sure I’ll be tuning in! This pretty much quiets all the critics who say pageants are superficial… all about judging the outward appearance… etc. I mean seriously… put that one in your pipe!!! You critics might say, “You’re proving our point! You saw the interview and she still came in 4th!!! It’s clearly about looks!” to which I would respond, “No, you saw the interview and she came in 4th. Just think about how amazing the other 3 interviews must have been. She gave us the remedy for our education woes and was still beat out by 3 brilliant women.”

Here’s the sad part: is anyone out there really surprised that this display of “intelligence” occurred at a beauty pageant? What’s wrong with this picture? Why have pageants gotten this rap? I’ll tell you why… because it is a contest to see who is the prettiest… NOTHING MORE NOTHING LESS! Over the years they have added talent and interview portions to ease our consciences because judging people on their outward appearances would be shallow!

So, let’s give the girl a break. She’s there to be judged on her looks. She’s being forced to answer these difficult questions so that our culture feels better about holding such contests. This is just a bridge to greater things for her… speaking engagements with the Girl Scouts, photo ops at golf outings… and then later on even greater opportunities… college scholarship, Playboy centerfolds, etc.

Here’s the deal… I have no issues with girls entering pageants. If that’s something you really like to do… go for it! There are definitely some great benefits of winning. I just think we’re kidding ourselves if we think it’s based on anything but outward appearance. If you have a different point of view, I’d love to hear it!

Regardless of your opinion on beauty pageants… you have to admit that Miss South Carolina has struck a nerve and we are now obligated to get world maps into every home in this country in order to be able to educate South Africa, Iraq and Asian countries! What?

Christian Comedians

Wow! It’s been almost a month since I posted. I know… that’s ridiculous. So, if you’re reading this, thank you for not giving up on checking it out over the last 4 weeks. My problem is I struggle with just sitting down to blog without a thought prompting me to do so. Several times over the last month I’ve logged on to my blog and just sat there. I began typing a few times, and it just wasn’t worthy. So, here we go…

So I’m at a company event last night and the opening entertainment was a “Christian comedian” named Jeff Allen . He was absolutely hilarious! I’ll be honest, I was a little concerned when I heard the phrase “Christian comedian.” I am a Christian… I love Jesus. However, my experience with Christian comics (and there have been many) has been forgettable. Seriously, the denominational jokes just aren’t funny… “If you’re a Baptist here tonight raise your hand… it’ll be the first time you raised your hand in church I know.” WHAT A RIOT! The bulletin and church sign jokes are tired… “Welcome to the First Baptist Church. If you’re here for the weight loss class, please use the DOUBLE DOORS around the side of the building.” HILARIOUS! Needless to say, I’m pretty jaded by Christian comedy.

However, my confidence in Christian comics was partially restored last night. This guy was hysterical! If you ever have an opportunity… Christian or not… to check this guy out, I suggest you do it!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BABE!

Today is our 9th anniversary!  My wife has put up with a lot of crap out of me.  I love her very much.  I thought I’d use my little plot on the web to express my love for her and wish her a Happy Anniversary.

To quote one of our favorite comedians… “Getting married is not taking a leap of faith.  When you’re getting married you think everything is going to be great.  The leap of faith comes years later when she’s like, ‘Wow, he’s fat and it’s not gonna change’… and he’s like, ‘She ain’t gettin’ any nicer’… but you still vow to love one another.”

So true!  I love you, Jineen.

The Ultimate To Do List

BDubs started a conversation about your ultimate to do list… what are the things you HAVE to do before you bite it.  So, if you’re reading this, feel free to blog on it and connect to this link.

My Ultimate To Do List:

1. Play golf at Augusta National (or other prestigious course).

2. Travel to Italy.

3. Get to my ideal weight… around 190.

4. See the Cubs win the World Series.

5. Be in a comedy… movie or sit-com.

What does your ultimate to do list look like?

I Don’t Get It…

Banks charging you for insufficient funds. So, they’re basically saying, “Hey, you don’t have any money! We’re going to charge your account… the account with no money!” What? I don’t get it!

Cashiers with NO basic math skills. I’m not knocking the cashier… I just don’t get why they aren’t working in other departments. It’s Target and Wal-Mart management that needs to step up. There are no math skills required to man the dressing rooms… or a sample stand… or to walk around in your blue vest pretending to talk on the walkie-talkie. Just please stay away from the cash register. Luckily, most modern registers are computerized so that the change that you owe the customer is figured for you. However, have you ever had a bill of say… $8.76? So you give them a $10 bill… they type “10.00″ and their screen tells them to give you back $1.24. Then you realize you have penny so you give it to them so you can get a quarter back. You have just completely thrown them off of everything they just read in the Employee Manual . Trust me… take the penny back and let them give you the two dimes and four pennies! It’s not worth it!

My favorite is when the bill is $10.76, so I give them a $20 bill, a $1 bill and a penny which would give me a $10 bill and a quarter as change. Instead, I hear this from the cashier, “Here, you gave me too much” along with a big smile like he/she is doing me a big favor – followed by him/her giving me the $1 bill and penny back. Again, don’t bother… just take the $5 bill, four $1 bills, two dimes and four pennies and be done with it. Again, I’m not bashing the cashiers… I’m just saying I don’t get how K-Mart thought this was a good fit!

Shane & Jineen Glover

Shane & Jineen Glover

Originally uploaded by shaneglover

Seriously, my wife is gorgeous!!!