CMA Awards 2011 give tribute to Glen Campbell

I grew up listening to Glen Campbell and Bobby Gentry. Our family would get together with our cousins and pile up in our station wagons and mom and dad would play their music. Remembering those days brings back many smiles from the fun, fighting (yes 6 to 8 kids piled in a car makes for a few tantrums) but most of all I remember the places we went and how it all turned out just fine. Glen Campbell was a big part of calming us kids down, well me at least... the hyper one who talked a lot and stuttered (singing would help calm me down and stop me from stuttering).

This year at the Country Music Awards they gave a beautiful tribute to Glen Campbell featuring Vince Gill, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley. My personal thanks to Glen Campbell for his music and the wonderful memories he has given to me.

My Hero...

For my Uncle Leonard...
 

I haven't seen or heard from my Uncle Leonard in years and I miss him very much. He is my hero, just like the man in Big & Rich's video, "The 8th Of November". Why? There are lots of reasons, but the main one is because my Uncle came from a small farm in Minnesota and when his number came up in the Vietnam draft he chose the front line for one year. A true Norwegian... strong and mighty, yet humble and loving, he went with full honor, as the Norwegians I know would do. I have no idea what he must have experienced in the time he spent in Vietnam, but this video seems to pull me close to what I can only imagine he went through.

So, this goes out to my Uncle Leonard. I love you and want you to know that you are and always will be my hero...

Tribute to Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash and his music was the one thing my family never argued about.  We listened to a lot of country music growing up and I still love it.  Especially when I see the smile on my mom's face when his music plays. This is a tribute to a man who now lays to rest with the best.

To Johnny Cash... my belated "Thank You"

A long overdue "Thank You"

The following is a letter I wrote to Johnny Cash to thank him for the picture I have of him and and his wife with my son. Unfortunately, the day I finished and was going to mail the letter, he died.  My mom told me to mail it anyways, but I didn't. I felt so sad and so bad that I didn't send it sooner... way sooner. Lesson learned.
I sent a copy of the letter and picture to Roseanne Cash and she gave me permission to post it. (Thank you, Roseanne!) So, here is my long overdue "Thank You" to a man I will NEVER forget.

September 1, 2003

Dear Mr. Cash,

I have waited much too long to write you this "Thank you" letter. I'm not one to write letters and I am very sorry it took me so long to write this one. It's hard to put into words what I have to say, but I know it's more important to say something than to have said nothing at all.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for graciously accepting my request for a picture of you and your wife at the Salt Lake City Airport Thanksgiving weekend of 1989. The picture has been on my family's piano ever since. My 18 month old son was upset and crying from a long plane ride and I was scared and surprised when you kindly responded to my request for your picture by saying, "With the baby, of course!" Nervously, I placed him in your lap and immediately he calmed down. Wow! Thank you for that, as well! My son Cody, is now 16 years old and continues to amaze me with his wholesome, admirable character and calm spirituality.

My condolences go out to you and your family for the loss of your beautiful wife. I can only imagine how much you miss her. If it's of any help, I remember the day my close friend, Candy, passed away and what she said to my son, who was only five years old at the time. She said to him, "Please don't be sad. Soon I will have my wings and I will be with you always, watching over you forever."

Mr. Cash, I can not tell you how much your music has carried me through life. I feel honored and blessed for having met you and your wife. Thank you for giving me a memory I will cherish forever.