Archive for September, 2009
The “You Can Be A Star In Navarre” Grand Finale
It was a beautiful late summer evening at Navarre Park. The weather, the band and all the singers were AWESOME! What a show! There was a total 24 singers! And, I’d guess, 1,000 people in the crowd. All enjoyed a wonderfully unique venue, and some incredible God-given talent. I didn’t take notes, but I can tell you one thing~Eric Dupree was the winner! I overheard him say he was ’stunned’ when asked by a reporter how he felt. Well, Eric, my friend, your performance was stunning! It was a nice, laid-back, well-dressed, voice-prominent performance. He sang his rendition of Lady, by Kenny Rogers. It was perfect! I’ve been listening to Eric sing for a very long time. I think the first time was at Wanda’s 98 West or at the incredible Barracuda’s on Navarre Beach. That was a fun place to sing! I wish we had it back! Eric’s been crafting his delivery, look and singing since then, and before. I’d like to say to you, Eric, you brought it all together last night. I extend a heartfelt congratulations to you and hope you enjoyed the evening as much as I did. Oh, and your lovely wife, Sherie, did a wonderful job of kicking off the evening with her song, Harper Valley, P.T.A. She had told me she’d drawn the first number. And, wasn’t happy about it. But, she set the stage for all who followed. Great job, Sherie! For myself, who placed 16th, I want to thank all those who sponsored last night’s show, especially the great people at Johnny Huston’s and TCs! It was one of few spectacles we enjoy here. Aside from the gorgeous views, of course. I’d also like to thank those who attended who were there for the shear enjoyment of the evening and the love of music. I’d like to suggest to you that maybe we should have shows like these more often. Maybe weekly? Or, monthly? I felt a oneness with all of you, there. Thank you! There sure was a lot of smiling going on! I loved it~and know if you were there, you loved it, too. Thank you all so much for a great memory! Thank you to the incomparable Tom and Jan from Island Time Karaoke. I appreciate YOU! That show was so cool!
Well folks, months of preliminary rounds have been accomplished. Now, it’s time for the first ever “You Can Be A Star In Navarrre” contest sponsored by the Greater Navarre Beach Arts Association, Islandtime Entertainment, Johnny Huston’s Grille and Bar, TC’s Front Porch, Santa Rosa Mall, The Gulfarium, Boogies Boats, Wali Sabi Spa, Karate America, Curves, The Club at Hidden Creek, Artist Cynthia Caruso and Northwest Creations.
Tom and Jan have been adding people to the 24 person list of finalists for a couple months, through normally scheduled shows at Johnny Huston’s and TCs. It’s been a ball. There’s so much talent here in our little town!
The contest will take place September 10th, 2009, beginning at 6:00 p.m. There will be an opening cermeony conducted, in memory of those lost during the awful events of September 11, 2001. The American Legion Post 382 will present. Also, there’ll be a performance by the band, “Petty Cash”.
Get your family and friends together and let’s all head out to the park on Thursday! It will be a wonderful time to enjoy the sun, the moon, the water, the views, the music and the love of them all.
Since my early days growing up in Jonesboro, Georgia, I’ve loved the University of Alabama Crimson Tide.
I was born in Bessemer, Alabama on April 12th, 1960. My family lived there until I was 4, when we moved to Los Angeles, California!? I’ve never really understood that move.
But, one year later, and before I began school~they apparently didn’t have kindergarten back then~we moved, again. This time, to Hapeville, Georgia. We lived on Meadow Road. The road that is right behind the first ever Chick-fil-A restaurant. The very first “Dwarf House”. I remember, as a boy, walking through that little door in the front. Thank you, Mr. Cathey, for all those memories. And, for always standing up for what is right. You are one of my personal inspirations!
We lived in Hapeville for about two years, and then, moved to my families’ final ’growing up’ spot, Jonesboro. It’s about 20 miles south of Atlanta. And, the home of the Jonesboro Cardinals. I ‘lived’ for football, then.
I remember waking up on Saturdays and being so excited to go and play a game for the little league Jonesboro Yellow Jackets. I have vivid memories of those days. We’d go play, wherever it was, and we’d be back in time to watch Alabama play on T.V. That was the best!
I remember loving to watch Johnny Musso run and play the game. He was the first guy to wear a cutoff jersey #22. They can’t do that, now. But, back then, it was cool. My uncle, Larry Sims, who lives in Bessemer now, is what made me what I am concerning Alabama football. He ‘breathes’ it. He knows everything about it. And, has been a walking Alabama recollection reel his entire life. He is passionate when it comes to the Tide! That’s where my love for them began. And, continues today.
How about last week? I was a little leary going in against Virginia Tech. I didn’t really know what to expect. But, while it wasn’t too pretty~if you watched you know what I mean~our guys got it done.
It was a little disconcerting to see Greg McElroy with a ’deer in headlights’ look in the first half. But, equally encouraging to see him make adjustments, and improve his performance in the second. I guess we could call it trial by fire. All in all, I think he did a Great Job of rallying his team. And, getting it done, when he had to. Great Job, Brother!
I’d like to make a point here. Alabama could have chosen a team like “Charleston Southern” for it’s first opponent. Or, any one of a number of teams that are not football competitive, but it didn’t.
The University of Alabama, and it’s coach, Mr. Saban, are a class act. I’m happy to be aligned with them in their pursuit of perfection. Please let me know what you think, and who your favorite teams are in the comment section. Heck, please include your name, email and, where you are. So, I can gloat when the time comes. Because it IS coming! Roll……Tide……Roll!
Hey, everybody! I’ve wanted to explore the phenomenon that is karaoke for a very long time. I have experienced it from a participant’s perspective since around 1995. It’s been about 15 years since my family and I stumbled upon our very first karaoke show. It was, and still is in my mind, a tremendous concept. To be able to sing songs with the exact same musical accompaniment the original artists had! For a person like me, who’s sung his entire life, mimicking the radio, also with original music, karaoke is a dream come true! I have, at various times, and in various places, gotten ’lost’ in songs. I absolutely love to sing. And, so do many of you! Karaoke, and the spectacle it creates, are very alluring. In this blog, I’ll include things I hope you enjoy. I’m going to try to present the first nationwide ‘karaoke show schedule’. It will take a lot of patience and cooperation from those of you out there who live, breathe and love singing the way I do. If it’s scheduled around you, and you want people to know about it, please take time to identify the venues, KJs and other information you think pertinent. The people who live around you will appreciate it and I’ll just about guarantee they’ll attend more shows! You and I know that can only add to the enjoyment for everyone! God Bless You All! Steve // –>