Finding My Voice at 63: Karaoke, Grief, and the Healing Power of a Song

Grief shows up in strange ways. It sneaks into the quiet hours of a morning walk, it lingers in church pews, and it settles in the empty chair at the dinner table. After my wife Patty passed away from Parkinson’s this past May, the silence in my home felt heavier than ever. Even with my good dog, Mr. Jude, padding around the house, the rooms echoed with memories. Somewhere inside that silence—somewhere in the middle of trying to keep going, trying to find rhythm in a world that felt off-beat—I discovered something unexpected: I started singing. Now, let’s be honest. I’m 63 years old. I’ve lived through classic rock, disco, New Wave, and all the wild and wonderful noise of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. But despite all that music around me, I never once had the confidence to sing in public—or even in church. I was the guy who mouthed the hymns and hoped nobody noticed. But grief has a strange way of rearranging your fears. When you’ve lived through something as heavy as watching the love of your life battle Parkinson’s, the fear of singing a little off-key suddenly feels pretty small. So one day, in the quiet of my living room, I cued up a karaoke track and started to sing. It wasn’t pretty at first. Mr. Jude promptly walked out of the room—probably wondering why his dad suddenly sounded like a one-man rock opera. Dogs hear music differently, so maybe all he caught was my voice bouncing off the walls like a siren. I told him he didn’t have to be my biggest fan today. (He still isn’t.) But something happened inside me. I felt lighter. I felt a little freer. I felt, for the first time in a long time, like I could breathe again. What started as one song became two… then ten… then dozens. Classic rock ballads, soft rock, the songs that shaped my young adulthood—and the ones Patty and I used to hear on long drives together. At some point, without really planning it, I began posting the videos on my social media accounts under Galen’sWorldBG. And here’s the surprising part: People watched. People listened. People responded with encouragement. What started as a private moment of healing turned into a small community of folks cheering me on. Some were friends. Some were strangers. But the more I sang, the more I felt myself slowly stitching together pieces of a heart that grief had torn open. Singing has become my therapy. It’s become my companion. And it’s become a reminder that even after loss, life still invites us to create. I’m not trying to win a Grammy. I’m not trying to be the next YouTube sensation. I’m just a widower in Kentucky, singing rock classics in his living room, finding comfort in the stories and melodies that helped shape who I am. Patty may not be here to hear me sing, but I like to think she’d smile at the idea. Maybe she’d shake her head a little, laugh the way she used to, and say, “Galen, sing your heart out.” And that’s exactly what I plan to do. So here’s to late-in-life beginnings. Here’s to music that heals old wounds. And here’s to singing—even when the dog leaves the room. Below are a few of my recent karaoke covers. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.

The Dad Rocks Podcast: Episode 143: Foreigner’s “Head Games" & Lars Ulrich Vs. Napster

         Hello everybody!  I apologize, but it's been a couple of week since I have made a blog entry regarding "The Dad Rocks Podcast."  https://anchor.fm/galen-smith3  I have been busy like always especially at work.  I am trying to wrap a few things up before my upcoming retirement from this one particular career that I have been working in for the last 27 years.  I am getting ready to move into the next phase of my life.  I call it my "working retirement years."  I am moving to a new career which is something totally different compared to what I have been doing these last 27 years of my life.  But anyway, wish me luck!  It won't begin until at the end of October of this year which is next month btw!

         Anyway, on today's podcast I talk about the Bowling Green and Southcentral weather of course, the private Facebook group, "Dad Rocks" where we now have over 2,050 members.  The group just keeps on growing and growing!  We have a great thing going on in the group with lots of positivity! We're a FB group all about the music and no fighting, arguing or bs.  This a FB group where everybody gets along and that's what we like.  Also, I'd like to thank my co-administrator, Britt Moore of North Mississippi.  He is responsible for helping to bring a lot new members from the Mid-South area and we appreciate all his  hard work and efforts! Thanks again, Britt!

        In today's "A Rock Album Inquiry" segment, I talk about Foreigner's "Head Games" album which came out in 1979.  It's a great album and it's on of my favorite all-time favorite Foreigner albums list and I bought a copy of it in 1979 when it first came out when I was seventeen years-old. I played it all the time on my Hi-Fi Pioneer component stereo system in my dad's lake house basement.  And boy, did it sound awesome especially when played loud!  But the good news is, I still have a copy of the album today and of course, you can listen it on Spotify, Apple and all of the other major music apps on your phone or you can probably order it online or find it at your local record store too.

  

      And finally, but not least.  I talk about "This Day In Rock History," when Metallica's Lara Ulrich fights for an untarnished image by granting an interview with Rolling Magazine in 2008 regarding he and his band sued Napster, the music sharing app.  I was never a big Metallica fan but nevertheless, I have always liked their music.  The are big with a big sound, a big stage production and presence with a massive audience.  And everybody in the world of rock&roll knows who is Metallica is.   

Well folks, that's it for this week, we'll see you next week on "The Dad Rocks Podcast."  And thanks for reading this blog and listening to the podcast.  Remember, keep your chin up, keep working hard, stay positive and stay safe out there! Goodbye, Galen

The Popular Facebook Group, "Dad Rocks" Is All About The Music And Building A Positive Community On Social Media

      Covid-19 had hit pretty us hard here in Bowling Green and Southcentral Kentucky during the Spring and Summer of 2020 with everything basically shutdown.  Public gatherings such as churches, weddings, parties, concerts and movie theaters came to a standstill with a limited amount of seating at restaurants and bars here in Kentucky as well as other places across the country.

      In order for me to cope with the sense of isolation when I was not working at my job as an "essential worker," I ended up spending a lot of time on my backyard deck grilling out and listening to rock music on my JBL bluetooth speaker during those cool spring evenings and hot summer nights. I had also developed an original playlist on my Apple Music app of rock songs which I played quite often while grilling out.  And I played the music loud during those decent hours of the early evenings of course where it did not disturb my neighbors.  If it did, I never heard any complaints out of anyone.     In the meantime, while I was looking at my Facebook app on my iPhone, I noticed that some of my friends like to do the same thing I was doing too. They were also grilling out on their backyard decks and patios and listening to music by themselves or with small groups of people.  Mainly, they would be with their own family members and of course their dogs and cats too while outside. And I would always have my Australian Shepherd, "Jude" with me and sometimes my wife and son also.

Then the idea occurred to me one evening while grilling out that I should create a private Facebook group where all my friends can join in and we can post of favorite rock videos, pics, stories and share memories in order to communicate with each in regards to our mutual love for rock music.  And we would only have one main rule: "No fighting, no arguing or no bullshit." Now, we have over 1,000 group members since I created the group in April of this year. The key to the fast growth of our group is because I have a great co-admin, Britt Moore of North Mississippi, who is a former classmate of mine from Hernando High School in Hernando, Miss., where I graduated in the early 80's and because everybody is tired of all the bullshit going on in the world especially on social media. Such as the 2020 presidential election and all of this Covid-19 crap. Then this awesome documentary on Netflix comes along called, "The Social Dilemma."  It's about the flip side of this wonderful modern invention called the "internet' and all of the social media sites such as Facebook, Google, Twitter, Instagram among many others. The creators and inventors of some of these sites are interviewed and they talk about the dark side or the flip side of social media and how it's created a lot of chaos in the world and divisions among groups of people whether it was intentional or not.  However, they claim that it was not to suppose be this way originally.  But it just grew and grew into this monstrous thing so quickly with millions and millions of people jumping on board which has become all about money and the collection of data.  Nowadays, the social media companies are some of the wealthiest companies out there in the world because they are selling "targeted, precise and direct advertising," to their clients.  Also these social media companies such as Facebook and Google have collected tons and tons of info on their users through the years and have even created profiles on them using computer algorithms in order to target ads for their clients.  They know what we like and what we hate that's for damn sure.

So with my new profound knowledge from watching this documentary on Netflix, I decided to take our private Facebook group one step even further and start proclaiming that we are "bucking the trend of negativity on social media and Facebook where there is no fighting, arguing or bullshit."  Dad Rocks is a happy and safe place where you can go to relax and post your favorites songs, videos and share your personal stories and memories without the worry of criticism while grilling out on the backyard deck or patio or sitting inside in your own home during the wintertime by the fireplace.  Or no matter where you are at in the world during the current moment. Dad Rocks helps you escape what happening in the world today especially during this very nasty election year along with all the Covid-19 worries. And I encourage all of our members to keep inviting their friends and family member too on daily basis and remind everyone what our group is about on my monthly podcast that I created over a month ago also called, "Dad Rocks."  In the Netflix documentary, it said that human beings since their evolution have always had that innate desire to have communication with each other and create communities.  So with the invention of the internet and social media apps and websites, we are now riding that wave of the future by building a better social media community that is positive, fun and safe.  We are looking forward to continue to build our social media rock music community and create new friendships where nobody is criticize for their taste in their music or rock videos. Because we all realize that music is a very powerful thing that touches every human being in a positive way, one way or another.  Mainly, we all know too well that music heals the human soul also! Which is an awesome thing!
 

A Tribute To the Late Bob Kelley, Mid-South Concerts And The Memphis Rock Scene

There's a new Facebook group out there and I think it's great! I thank Scott Schaeffer for creating it. Scott and I have never met before in person but we share a lot of common ground and interests.

We have known each other for about 10 years now on FB. Mainly, we have the Mid-South Coliseum in common. Years ago, he started the “Save The Mid-South Coliseum” FB page and I started the “Fans of the Mid-South Coliseum” FB page. I think the biggest thing that we all have in common in this new group is that we loved the Memphis rock music scene from the 70’s and 80’s and its history. We were all part of this one big mammoth rock scene that spread its wings throughout five states thanks to Memphis radio stations such Rock 103, our flagship rock station at the time. We were entertained by some of the biggest rock bands in the world during those years ushered in by them late Bob Kelley and Mid-South Concerts.


Memphis had a reputation among rock musicians and bands that we were loud and raucous. And it was true! We were also known for the home of Elvis and the Blues. I think every rock band or musician who made a stop in Memphis was intrigued by that. However, I didn’t know Mr. Kelley personally or even knew that he existed, but I do remember my first Mid-South Concerts rock show experience. I saw the Doobie Brothers at the Mid-South Coliseum (MSC) in the summer of 1977 with Henry Gross opening for them.

I attended many concerts at the MSC, the Memphis auditorium, the Mid-South fairgrounds and even some Memphis music halls or bars during a five year span (1977-1982) of my life from age 15-20 years-old (18 years-old was the drinking age back then) mainly during my teenage formative years. My last concert at the MSC was Rush in fall of 1982 during freshman year at Ole Miss.

For many of us, between going to school, working odd jobs around the house to earn money (For me: doing electrical work for my brother, hauling hay for local farmers and working at Sonic in Hernando Miss.) or allowances from our parents, we somehow managed to purchase a Mid-South Concert ticket to head out to a rock show with our friends. There was nothing like the thrill of the anticipation of a Mid-South Concert rock show coming up. We marked our calendars and we could not wait! We had no iPhones, smart TV’s or internet like we have these days. Then after the show was over with, we proudly wore our concert t-shirts to school like a badge of honor the next day and our ears rang for the next three days! Lol.

For most of us those who attended high school or even college, we became cultured in campus life and activities and etc. And for those of us who were lucky enough to be a part of the Memphis rock scene back in those days and who attended Mid-South Concerts, we were cultured in ways that many people on earth will never get to experience. And we will never forgot it for the rest of our lives either whether still have our old ticket stubs, old concerts t-shirts or by watching Youtube video footage of old concerts clips, looking at pics from concerts or reading old newspaper clips about the shows. They were some of the best times of our young lives. It was all good friends, good vibes and lots of partying.


Mainly, we have our best memories. And our best memories live on in our minds, hearts and souls and this what this page is about. Thank you, the late Bob Kelley and Mid-South Concerts and to the Memphis rock scene that still lives on forever which still exists that takes many shapes and forms these days. And mainly, thank you, Scott, my good FB friend!

"Beautiful Boy" Is A Story About "Everything"

"Close your eyes
Have no fear
The monster's gone
He's on the run and your daddy's here

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy"

"Double Fantasy" John Lennon, 1980

By Patty Smith
Bowling Green, Ky.

A book and movie review

About three years ago I read David Sheff's book, "Beautiful Boy" about his son, Nic, and his addiction to drugs and alcohol.   The book was so intense and amazing, I read it three more times.

On Facebook one day, I met David and we chatted.  His Facebook page is awesome, too, with stories about many, many parents who have been through similar episodes of alcohol and drugs with their children, though not always ending as happily as Nic's story.  (Nic is now "clean and sober" for ten years.) 

As we chatted one day, I asked David if he would please autograph my book if I sent it to him.  Instead, he sent me a signed copy of "Clean," his latest book that deals with ways and means for children and adults alike to overcome addiction.

As soon as I heard about the movie coming out, I anxiously awaited it to come to Bowling Green, Ky., my hometown.  It hit our theaters last weekend and my husband and I viewed the movie at The Great Escape 12 on Saturday afternoon.

The movie followed along much as the book, and the characters that were chosen to play David and Nic (Steve Carrell and  Timothee Chalamel ) really fit right into the bill.

Although I don't have any addicts in my immediate family, I do have some friends who are.  However, in 1989 after a very messy divorce from my first husband, three years earlier,  I turned to alcohol when the pain of losing my two daughters was too hard to bear.  Alcohol did the ease the pain WHILE I was drinking, but harsh reality finally would set in, along with guilt and shame and other negative emotions alcohol does cause afterward.

Nic Sheff was also from a divorced family, and hated when he had to travel to and from his home outside Los Angeles. (Inverness) to New York, to see his mother,  to fulfill conditions of the shared custody arrangement.  When he was growing up he and his father really had quite the bond.  When no more words would come when David would be trying to express how deep his love was, he resorted to one word "everything." So when the father and son would often say "everything" they both knew that their love was so deep and so beyond words that "everything" would let each know that depth.

Many people found this movie very hard to watch as Nic's disease progressed from marijuana to alcohol to other more serious drugs like heroin and meth.  It is hard to see him and his girlfriend in her living room with spoon filled with crystal meth and shooting it into each other veins after it was "cooked" in the spoon.  The most terrifying intense scene was when his girlfriend overdosed and he was desperately trying to bring her back to life, as he did, just as the emergency ambulance arrived.  She recovered and was taken to the a hospital for treatment.

David had remarried and his family consisted also of his wife Karen, and his son and Jasper and Daisy his daughter.  The brotherly love these children had for their older brother was evident from the start, even before his addiction began.  Wife Karen supported David throughout their marriage when David lay awake many nights wondering where Nic was and if he was alive or dead, calling hospitals to see if he had been admitted.  David often drove around looking for Nic and would sometimes find him hanging out with other addicts.  Many many attempts at rehabilitation had failed and Nic would again attempt to get clean and sober.

Finally alone in a bathroom in New York visiting his mom, in his aloneness and despair, Nic shot up one more time.  He is seen kicking out what could have been his final life on that cold bathroom floor.  But he was found in time and David was called to come to New York.  The doctor said he didn't know how Nic had survived with the amount of drugs in his body, but thankfully he did. in the final scene father and son, arms around each other, holding each other up, leave the hospital temporarily to sit outside in the sunshine and just "be together".

I had pondered over this movie and book many times. Was "Beautiful Boy" about David struggle to help his son or was it more about the addict Nic who struggled so long to get clean?  The movie is also about always having hope, never giving up on your child or your addict or alcoholic. It's about hanging in there.

In conclusion, I quote David from his latest book, "Clean," when he says,  "... most drug use is not really about the drugs...it's about LIFE."  So when my husband said after watching the movie that the movie was really not about the drugs but about the non-dying, non-failing love between a father and son.  Through this unfailing love, David didn't give up and saw his son through his final recovery.  So what is "Beautiful Boy" really about?  The love beyond compare that no one can describe....it's just "Everything."

Patty Smith and her "Beautiful Boy" and son, "Tony"

Patty Smith is retired and is a former correspondent for Western Kentucky Catholic.  She is also an avid reader, movie fan, crossword puzzle champion and Jeopardy fan.  She lives in Bowling Green with her husband, Galen, and their Australian Shepherd named "Jude."  Patty and Galen's son, "Tony" is a graphic artist, a musician, a songwriter, producer and studio sound reccording engineer who lives in Nashville.

The "Facebook War Of Words": 10 Things You Can Do To Avoid From Getting Into One

     In December of this year, I will be on Facebook for 10 years now.  Yes, I know, Facebook is a love hate/thing in most everybody's lives these days.

     Let's admit it, Facebook is an addiction.  It has become a part of our daily lives.  When we wake up in the morning and drink our coffee, we are looking at it.  When we take our lunch break, we are looking at it.  And when we get off work, we are looking at it.  And when we are off work on the weekends, we are looking at it.  This is how we keep up with our current friends, former classmates, acquaintances in the community and our friends from the past that we no longer see.  And course, there are the family members too.  And most of us are even getting the latest news and what's happening in the world too from Facebook.

   But nowadays, because the world has become so divided on issues in politics, religion and lifestyles that a lot people have grown to argue on Facebook and have become very good at it.  I have to admit that I have fallen for it a couple of times through the years especially during the 2016 Presidential Election and regarding a recent incident at my Alma Mater at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).  Yes, I got into a "Facebook War of Words" argument. 

    It's been proven by scientists, psychiatrists and psychologists because our brains are wired genetically that goes back in our ancestry to the mainstream instinct of a survival mode.  It is known as one of the basic operations or primal instincts of our minds.  We are always on constant alert for danger in our lives and these are the two main mechanism in our brain that us navigate in this area of our lives.  It's called the "flight or fight" mode.

 

With Facebook, while sitting behind a desktop computer or iPhone in the comfort of our own home or car, we can easily jump into a "Facebook War of Words" without feeling physically threatened or being physically attacked by not having the "flight" mode of our brains kick in.  Only the "fight" mode of our brains are in the works to where we just dig a hole deeper and deeper and it snowballs to a point that you start to feel sick and nauseated from the arguing with total strangers on Facebook. Usually, I end up being personally attacked with words, called names and labelled something by total strangers that I never even met before.  And vice versa. I'm guilty of it too. So, I hope to never to get involved into another war of words on Facebook again.  It's senseless and stupid! Just stop it!  You're not doing yourself or anyone else any favors by it and you are just wasting your time and energy.  Use Facebook to keep up with friends and family. Just try to keep your time spent on Facebook light and if possible.  It's a social network, remember? With that being said, here's 10 things can do to avoid jumping into a "Facebook War of Words." Good luck my friends!

1.)  Just scroll past controversial subjects on your newsfeed and don't post a comment.  Or just ignore it completely by not even reading the post.

2.) If the controversial subjects persists, "unfollow" the poster.  Or you can at least "Hide" the poster for 30 days.

3.)  If the poster, keeps on posting these controversial subjects, just completely "block" him or her.

4.) If someone attacks you for posting a comment on a subject, you can "unfollow" them.

5.) If someone attacks keeps attacking you even after you "unfollow" them or if it's a total stranger from out of the blue, then just "block" them.

6.) Post lots of pictures of trips and vacations.  Everybody likes looking at those!

7.) Post lots pictures and videos of puppies and doggies (Everybody loves puppies and doggies these days too!)

8.) Take off the news outlets or sources on your Facebook page so that you won't be tempted to post a controversial subject.  However, you will still get the local and national news because your friends will still post these things.

9.) Post funny videos. (Everybody loves a good laugh!)

10.)  Just observe and don't comment.  If you're gut instinct, tells you that f you post something negative or controversial it will start a Facebook War of Words, then just don't do it.  Save yourself a lot of time and energy but not being negative.  Try to be positive at all times while on Facebook.  Let it been something of value in your life rather than being a detriment in your life.

"Bobaflex," Is Introduced To The World Through Their Social Media Sensational Video Cover of Pink Floyd's "Hey You"

     To to you the truth, I had never heard of "Bobaflex," before in my life, an Appalachian regional heavy hardcore rock band from West Virginia, until a couple of weeks ago when I woke up and got on Facebook early one morning. I was half awake, drinking my first sip of coffee and I was scrolling down my timeline when I saw where someone had posted a music video of this band with guys with long, dark hair, had done a cover of Pink Floyd's "Hey You."

      Pink Floyd's "The Wall" is one of my all time favorite classic albums and I still listen to it on CD just about every week in my work truck. So I clicked on the music video and "wow," I was blown away immediately by these guys! I was drawn into the video like watching a scary movie or something and then I reposted the video as soon as I watched it. Also, I went ahead "Liked" their band page and Googled them on Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobaflex They have quite an interesting history and Bobaflex has been around since the 90's and they appear to be a hard working-class, heavy hardcore rock band with some dark undertones. It seems they have gone through some personnel changes and small record label deals but apparently have the ability to stick with their pursuit of happiness and success and making a living off their music through all the ups and downs. I read where they were also involved in some litigation with one of their former record labels. Also, all the band members have a dark appearance with black or brown hair and it appears that some of the guys wear black eyeliner, leather jackets and clothing such as black jeans with white T-shirts and etc. I also read on Wikipedia that a couple of the band members, Shaun and Marty McCoy, are related to the infamous "Hatfield and McCoy" feud families in which I thought was pretty intriguing.   I noticed that they have put out several albums through the years and some of their other videos I watched appear to touch of the social ills of society such as drug addiction to meth which seems is to be a major problem in the Appalachian region as well as other parts of the country according to news media outlets and law enforcement stats. On the video, their sound is impeccable and it is filmed in a creepy empty, outdoor  amphitheater out in the woods somewhere which appears to be taking place in the fall season too.
     Just recently, Bobaflex posted on their Facebook page that their music video cover of "Hey You" had reached a half million views in the first week! I thought that was incredible news for the band and I can really see how social media can help propel a group like like this that has worked so hard through the years and maybe help them perhaps get a big break with a major label record deal when they have a sensational music video phenomenon which occurred on social media.  Hopefully, because this band has been so persistent and worked so hard through the years, maybe a major record label will offer them a solid, hefty financial deal so they can step up to the world's music stage. I hope so because I think Bobaflex deserves it from all appearances on this music video! (Bobaflex will be on tour this Spring and Summer according to their official web-site.  Check out their tour dates!) https://www.theofficialbobaflex.com/

Jude, The Australian Shepherd From Bowling Green, Ky.

     He's wild, energetic, spunky and crazy!

He's Jude, the Australian Shepherd from Bowling Green, Ky!  He even has his own Facebook page. Check it out at https://www.facebook.com/judetheaussie/  Patty and I took Jude, an American Kennel Club Australian Shepherd dog into our pack in May of this year. Currently, he is eight months-old and he is a beautiful Red Merle Aussie with awesome markings.  This is our third Aussie to own.  The first two were Foster, a male, a National Stock Dog Registry Aussie, and Katie Red-Dog, also from the National Stock Dog Registry, who was Foster's mate.  They had two litter of puppies together and gave us many years of pleasure and happiness until they both passed away of health complications at 12 and 13 years-old, about the average life span of Australian Shepherds. Besides Jude's wild side, he has a sweet, calm side. He loves to have his belly scratched and songs sang to him in his ear while holding him on your lap and on his back.  He loves to play with his toys in the backyard especially any kind of game of fetch with a ball or frisbee and he loves to go for long walks while he is on the lease in our neighborhood and on the Greenway which is a wide, concrete bike/walkway path located down the street from our house next to the CSX railroad tracks.  But mainly Jude is a great  friend and protector and gives us lots of love and affection. He is very loyal and protects our home letting us know when strangers come onto the property or ring the doorbell, day or night.  

   

 Most of all, Jude loves going to the "Bark Park," located in our City of Bowling Green on old Cave Mill Road next to Lost River Cave.  There, Jude gets to socialize with other dogs and Patty and I have learned that dog people are crazy just like us!  Many people in our city, regardless of skin color, political background, sexual orientation or social or income status love dogs!  We are very fortunate to have a "Bark Park" in Bowling Green a.k.a. a "dog park" where dogs can socialize and mingle with other dogs in a fenced in area while the dog owners talk amongst themselves about their favorite pet or pets. It's amazing how a dog can neutralize any political affiliation or social status amongst humans where nothing negative in conversation hardly ever comes up because everybody in Bowling Green loves dogs it seems!

Happy New Year, From Yours Truly!

"I am looking forward to the New Year and the good things to come. Regardless of the challenges (personal, business or spiritual) that await us in 2016, (the hills and valleys), we are all on this journey together called "life" and we are all interconnected one way or another by the past, present and future. I am glad that I know you and have you as my friend whether I have ever met you in person or not. Peace and Happy New Year to you and your family!"-Galen A. Smith Sr. (A recent Facebook post).

Remembering Those 70's Hit Songs As If It Was Yesterday

Time and space may change things, but on the inside (your conscienceness and awareness) you're always the same.

      That's why I think God gave us a memory so that we can reflect on those past seasons of our lives in retrospect in order to remember the good times. And I think one way that we can achieve activating those good memories is through listening those happy songs from the 70's especially for us "Baby-Boomers."  Listening to those happy songs from the 70's always brings back good memories for me.  Especially those songs of my youthful days of those endless summers when school used to start after Labor Day growing up in East Memphis, Tenn., and North Mississippi.  Nowadays with the event of the internet age, it's easy to go back in time. We are able to tap into those songs by jogging our memory with such internet tools such as YouTube, Spotify or Pandora.  I recently created a new Facebook page geared to our generation (Baby-Boomers) called, "Those 70's Hit Songs That You Can't Resist." https://www.facebook.com/pages/Those-70s-Hit-Songs-That-You-Cant-Resist/1518065575150089

    So if you want to take a walk down memory lane, just go on the internet and do a little research on one of favorite songs or videos and look for your top 70's favorite hit and post it on my new Facebook page.  Thanks and enjoy!

Kiss' Paul Stanley Brings People Out Of The Woodwork From Bowling Green and Southcentral Kentucky At His Book Signing

When I first heard the news from D93 Rock DJ Tommy Starr on Facebook that Kiss' front-man Paul Stanley was coming to Bowling Green for a book signing of his new autobiography, "Paul Stanley: Face The Music, A Life Exposed," I was a little skeptical at first.  I don't think I quite believed it.  "The Paul Stanley from Kiss is coming to good ole little Bowling Green? No way!" I thought.  So I put it on the back burner on my mind because the book signing date was still several weeks away.

However, when the day came this past Thursday, I realized it was a reality.  I started seeing postings about it on Facebook again. I posted on Facebook a couple of negative comments concerning that I hated large crowds, long lines and I didn't like standing out in the cold rain waiting. I could feel my middle age seeping in on my positive attitude towards rock legends of the days of my youth.  Then, I thought, "Hey, wait a minute, this is my chance to meet Paul Stanley in person and get his autograph. Hell yes, I'm going!"  Even my childhood friend, Ricky Williams from Memphis also posted on Facebook, "You've got to go, man. It's Paul Stanley!"

I'm glad I went.  Yes, it was crowded. There were probably about a 1,000 people from everywhere there at the Warren County Public Library-Bob Kirby Branch on Scottsville Road just off Exit 22 next to the Ramada Inn.  Lots of people had even traveled from out of town such as Evansville, Ind., and Ohio.  So people had been waiting all day too. My number was No. 267.  You had to buy the $30 book at 4 p.m. and if you lived in town like I did, you could go home for dinner and come back at 6:30 p.m. in get your place in line.  I asked the organizer of the event, Jayne Pelaski, "How did you all managed to land Paul Stanley here?"  She said, "It was a lot of hard work and it took a lot of finagling."  Of course, Paul showed up on time and you could hear the applause, hooting and hollering for him when he arrived.  How it worked is that he did not sign any

memorabilia. Only his books.  Once you got in line in this big room, the staff brought a cart around with pre-signed copies of his new books and they exchanged them for the unsigned books that you had purchased earlier in the day.  Then when you got up there to meet Paul, the staff would take you picture with him with your camera.  When it was my turned,  I approached him and introduced myself to him and tried to shake his hand.  He gave me the fist bump instead.  He was nice about it though.  He posed for picture with me and I told him that I was going to the Kiss concert at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on July 16th.  He said, "We'll see you there!" and smiled. Then, I walked out the backdoor and starting posting my pic with him on Facebook immediately. 

Warren County Public Library to Host KISS Frontman Paul Stanley

The Warren County Public Library will host Paul Stanley for a book signing on Thursday, May 15. Stanley will sign copies of his memoir Face the Music:  A Life Exposed.

In Face the Music, Paul Stanley—the co-founder and famous “Starchild” of KISS—reveals for the first time the incredible highs and equally incredible lows in his life both inside and outside the band. Face the Music is the shocking, funny, smart, inspirational story of one of rock’s most enduring icons and the group he helped create, define, and immortalize.

The event will be held at the Bob Kirby Branch on Thursday, May 15^th at 7:00 p.m.  Doors open at 4:00, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early to reserve their space in line. Book signing only – no memorabilia will be signed. Books will be available for purchase on site starting at 4:00. For more information, call 270-782-0252 or email Jayne Pelaski at jaynep@warrenpl.org.

Sinkhole at The National Corvette Museum In Bowling Green, Ky., That Causes Floor To Collapse Becomes A Global News Phenomenal

     I am amazed how the story of a floor collapse underneath the Big Yellow Dome at Bowling Green's National Corvette Museum that swallowed eight Corvettes in Bowling Green early this morning has become world-wide news phenomenal.

      The story has spread like wild fire thanks to social media and other news media outlets like cable television news and radio.  I have even posted and retweeted things about it on Facebook and Twitter just about all day myself.  There were news reports from USA Today, CNN, Fox, NBC, CBS, NPR, BBC, New York Times

and LA Times just to name a few.  I posted a Tweet today that said, "Who broke the story? WBKO news? (Our local television station.  That's where I first saw it on Facebook.)  However, one of my friends stated that she figured Joe Imel, the digital media director at the Bowling Green Daily News, most likely broke the story.  I agreed with her.  Joe Imel or joeimel@joeimel on Twitter has 16,400 followers.  He constantly listens to the police scanner and is usually the first to break all types of police and disaster news in the Bowling Green and Southcentral Kentucky communities.  He is a very dedicated photographer and journalist. Looking back on Joe's Twitter account today, it looks like he received an early morning Tweet from Bowling Green fireman, Matt Helms@fireman2915 "Floor collaspe at the big yellow dome at the national Corvette museum @joeimel."  Then Joe, retweeted, "BGFD staged at NCM for sink hole that swallowed up 6#Corvette on display in dome area More at bgdailynews.com on this breaking story."  Apparently, Matt and Joe broke the story which has now become a global news story. Great job guys!

Sun Club Will Shine Its Light On Rocky's Bar In Downtown Bowling Green, Ky., Thursday Night, Nov. 14th.

   Since the Bowling Green Music Scene has gained national and international attention these last couple of years thanks to alternative rock bands with major record deals and touring schedules such as Cage The Elephant and Sleeper Agent, Bowling Green has become a destination point for other lesser known groups to play shows.
   One of those such bands is "Sun Club" from Baltimore, MD. and they will perform at Rocky's Bar located on Main Street in downtown Bowling Green, Thursday night, Nov. 14th. According to band member, Shane Justice McCord, said they have been playing for a while.
   "We formed out of the ashes of another band in 2012. Last year we toured down to SXSW, passing through Bowling Green and lots of other cities on the way. We've been constantly touring since and are releasing our debut EP in early January," McCord said.
   On their Bandcamp web-site they describe themselves as "Sun Club is a group of buddies playing happy music." You can also hear two songs of theirs called, "Beauty Meat" and "Language Juice, " on the site. To find out more about Sun Club, go to their Bandcamp or Facebook pages at www.sunclubband.com and www.facebook.com/sunclubband
:

Miley Cyrus' Free "Peep Show" Exposed To Millions

Since everybody has been on the bandwagon and beating a dead horse since Monday on Facebook, Twitter and on the national and local news about Miley Cyrus' sexed crazed song and dance (twerk, I mean) routine on MTV's Sunday night video awards, I thought that I would beat the dead horse a little more on this blog and then hopefully I can put it to rest. I even complained on Facebook last night about it. "Ok, ok, enough about Miley. I'm burnt out already." But here's my last two cents worth on the free Miley "Peep Show" from some of my Facebook comments on one of my friend's post this morning.

" I thought it was embarrassing for her and her family. There's a place for these type of performances such as venues for mature audiences like paid admittance to theaters or shows and for paid cable channels like HBO. But not for non-premium channels like MTV. Think of the message that she sent to preteen girls. If I was the father of a preteen girl right now and she saw that, I think I would be a little concern. I think American has to try to maintain some of its values and dignity with our preteens."

"Sex sells and always has. But shock value seems the name of the game now in the cable channel wars. Like PT Barnum said, "There is a sucker born every minute." And I'm a sucker."


"It's all about the ratings these days with the cable channels which means survival and dollars in their bank accounts and for their stock holders. Anything goes now and they will stoop to new lows in the freak show business. The Mileys, Katys and Lady Gagas will all come and go just like the Madonnas did of our day in the eighties and nineties. No telling what the future holds. I heard on the radio this morning that there is a group or society of women who are petitioning that they should have the right to go topless just like men whenever they feel like it. I suppose I could live with that if they feel so free to do so."

"I agree. Just saying Madonna was a trail blazer for using her talent and sexiness to sell her millions of records and sold out concerts as a young pop star back then as and even as an older one these days. She tapped into that market-sex sells and shock value. (Like A Virgin, Papa Don't Preach and etc.)


" Not sure about Madonna being a role model though. Maybe on how to make tons of money."

And here is some of my posts on Monday about it.


"Usually big news events that are smeared in controversy like the O.J. Simpson trial can last for months or even a year or two. But I give the Miley MTV Video awards controversy less than a week."

"Katy Perry - Roar (Live VMA 2013)I have to admit that Katy Perry has a lot more class compared to some of the other pop stars."

"It's amazing how some young pop stars will stoop low for that shock value attention. I understand Miley even made an amateur porn video too a while back in order to keep up with the Joneses."

"Three words. 0h my god."

Tea Party Baby Boomers Hip To New Social Media Technology During 2010 Mid-Term Election

As I waited for newly elect U.S. Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul to appear with his family, I was standing right under the podium on the floor in front of the stage. I was among some of the most skilled journalists and photographers from some of the greatest publications and media outlets from all over the world-Time Magazine, the New York Times, the Wall-Street Journal, the Christian Science Monitor, the Bowling Green Daily News and Western Kentucky University's College Heights Herald, just to name a few. Behind me, on another stage, was some of the greatest broadcast media outlets in the world,-ABC News, Fox News, CNN News, NBC News, CBS News and Bowling Green's WBKO News, among many others. I was in the epic center of "All The World's A Stage," for one moment for one day in one month in one year for one moment in history.

Here I was, a former journalist, a former newspaper reporter and a former journalism student, standing there just as confident and comfortable with my surrounding as the others who heaved large cameras on their shoulders while shooting photo after photo with one in their hand. Although, I have journalism skills, however, I had no note pad or pen with me. And I did not have a microphone either. I was not there to do an interview. I was only there to see my friend, Dr. Rand Paul accept his victory over Democrat Jack Conway and I was there to record history with my little Kodak Digital camera, making a couple of short video clips to broadcast on my Youtube channel. (To view the victory speech of Rand Paul, click here.) http://youtube.com/galenasmithsr1 That, I did indeed do. I suppose you could call me an amateur journalist, a Youtuber and a blogger, (this site) while I work a regular full-time job. Too me, it's easy and it's not intrusive. This type of journalistic endeavors does not require an appointment, credentials or even much knowledge about your subject. Of course, there's no pay involved either.

I think the biggest difference in the election of 2010 compared to the election of 2008 of President Obama's victory, is that us "Baby Boomers" were not in tune with the new technology of social media, social networking and other mega-popular sites such as Facebook and Youtube, back then. Most of us were not on Facebook yet and most of us did not have the high tech cell phones, iphones, Blackberries or a G4-phone where you can get your e-mail, texting, streaming video, movies, television or a video phone with "applications (apps-as it's commonly known) on on one unit. Because Baby Boomers and most Americans have low concentration skills this day and age because we are bombarded with television, radio, print publications, cell phones, internet and etc., it's hard to grab our attention. Each form of media is now desperately competing for our attention. However, the most popular social networking site, Facebook (millions and millions of users) among Baby Boomers took off in December of 2008, and we have been going full-swing ever since. And with this election, we were able to post videos, blogs and articles on Facebook and blogs on blogging sites that pertained to a particular candidate that we supported along with comments and messages that we were stating to our friends and readers on these site. Perhaps, some of our friends or readers did not agree with our postings but I found very few hostile rebuttals on the sites. I would say most exchanges of information or ideas were civil among friends and readers in my opinion. I would also say, most who did not agree with me, probably just ignored my postings or blogs.

All I can say after this "Tea Party Tidal Wave,"-the biggest win for Conservative Republicans in our American government (Congress, State Governors, State Legislators and etc.) since the 1930's is that the playing field is now even. No longer does the younger generation and the liberal, left-wing Democrats have the cutting edge on us. Now, Conservative Republicans and Tea Party, Baby Boomers are on the bandwagon with social media, social networking and high tech communication technology.