So Many Things I Want To Say, & All I Can Manage Is: Why?

The title of this post pretty much sums up what's going on inside of me right now.

I woke up Monday, October 2, 2017 to the story of the mass shooting in Las Vegas at the Highway 91 Music Festival, in front of the Mandalay Bay Casino.  Within the hour, the death toll had risen high enough for the shooting to be dubbed "the worst mass shooting in American history".  It was only 4 am here on the West Coast.

As the day went on, I knew I  was going to end up writing a blog post about the day's events. So many thoughts and emotions were running through me as I heard people on the radio, and saw the various Facebook posts and tweets from friends, strangers, and celebrities.  

I was shocked that this had happened at a country music concert.  Even at the rowdiest country music concert, I guess I just wouldn't expect this type of thing to happen.  

I was deeply saddened and almost in tears hearing about how many people had died, some while trying to save others from being hurt.

I was happy to hear that the artists who had been performing that night were safe and accounted for.  On a local note, I was also happy for the people at the radio station I listen to, 98.7 The Bull, in Portland, Oregon.  The station had an intern who was in Vegas for her birthday; she was actually across the street at a Big & Rich show when the shooting began.  

The station had also had a contest to win tickets to the Highway 91 Music Festival, and when news of the shooting broke, the station made every effort to find out if the contest winners were alright.  They were, and had actually ended up helping other concert goers who had been hurt.  You could hear it in the woman's voice, she was still in a bit of shock, as would be expected.

Unfortunately, though a former street team member of the station was also safe, (having flown home early), her brother and his girlfriend had stayed for the last day of the concert.  The girl's brother, in an attempt to shield his girlfriend, wound up being shot, though fortunately, he's still alive.

Along with those emotions came anger, not just at what had happened, but people as well.  First and foremost, was anger at the shooter.  How dare he, for whatever reason he had, take the lives of innocent people, and shatter the lives of those who survived.  He didn't know them, so what was the purpose?

Other tinges of anger came out at one of the witnesses.  A woman who had been a vendor at the concert at least partially blamed a lack of security for the shooting.  I realize the woman was probably still in shock over what had happened, and that the whole story hadn't developed yet, but it still bothered me a bit.  This is because the shooter wasn't part of the concert crowd; he was a guest of the hotel, who was shooting from the 32nd floor of the hotel.

There was also some anger at people who accused Jason Aldean of leaving the stage to seek shelter when the rampage started.  What was he supposed to do?  Stay and possibly get shot also?  Tell me one person who wouldn't have done the same thing in that situation. 

Another form of anger I have about this is feeling hopeless; not because I feel like I can't do anything to help.  No, I feel hopelessness that this world will never be a happy place ever again. This incident isn't the first of it's kind, and I'm pretty sure it won't be the last. 

All those emotions, and more are still swirling around inside me, and though this is approximately  my fifteenth attempt at writing this post, it's STILL not what I was trying to convey.  

Maybe it's because others I know have expressed how I feel, and what I want to say, better than I have.  

For example, my friend, Kim Blue, posted this on Facebook:  

"How scummy do have to be to blame loss of life on someone who had a spotlight on them up above everyone else on a stage for running for their life when some yells into the ear monitors that there is an active shooter and get off the stage? Which he did to get his very pregnant wife out of harms way. Thats not what I want to say, but my phone will autocorrect that kind of language. Bad reporter!"

 99.9% of the time, reporters are spot on with their stories.  Every once in awhile though, you get someone who does, or says something out of line.  I realize, reporters are human too, we all make mistakes, but honestly, this upset me.

My friend, Jake Byron, a DJ at 98.7 The Bull, posted the following on his station blog. When he posted to Facebook, he said he's just being honest, he's not proud of it.  I identify completely with what he's written; I just feel deflated after today. 

Feel Like Giving Up?

I certainly do.

Admittedly, I’ve been having a tough time lately.  There’s just so much wrong with the world, and so much hate & criticism about everything, that I’m just getting weary.  I have always prided myself as being somebody who fights for what I believe in, and stands up to what I see as injustice.  But I’m straight running out of gas.

The thing is…  with this shooter in Las Vegas…  there’s no next step.  There’s no response worth encouraging, there’s no justice to be found, and there’s no getting back those we lost.  This was simply a tragedy, and the best we can do is try to support those left behind, and that’s…  it.

I’ve just had it.  I could hide my head in the sand, and to be honest, that sounds the most appealing right now.

This is what hate does.  It wins.  I have such love and respect for those who are preaching the “love conquers all” message this morning.  You keep fighting the good fight.  But you’ve lost a allied soldier today.

I hope I bounce back.

~Jake from 98.7 The Bullpo

My friend, KD  Karin Carroll, posted a great, upbeat, reply to Jake's Facebook post. Thankfully KD is one of those people who's there to try to cheer the rest of us up when we get down:

KD Karin Carroll Kiddo it is how we all feel but hold on to your faith. Do not let the evil win. You cannot stop living because of hate. Keep your joy, love and kindness in tact we all will need this Arsenal nowc 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿❤️❤️❤️

KD, and others who have posted similar things are right, we can't let evil win.  We think it's bad now, imagine what it would be like if evil truly did take over! 

For now though, even after writing this post, I'm still as big a bundle of confusion, and raw emotion as I was before I wrote it.  They say time heals all wounds.  I hope so, not for myself, but for all those in Vegas, and anywhere, that has had to endure such senseless violence.  And I'm still left with that burning question, about this happening:  Why?

He May Not Miss Us, But We're Sure Gonna Miss Him...

Both rock 'n' roll heaven and that Grand Ol' Opry in the sky gained an angel today; singer/songwriting legend, Glen Campbell has died at the age of 81.

Glen was best known for his string of  country crossover hits in the mid 60's through the 70's, though his career actually started in 1960 when he moved to Los Angeles.

 Before making it as a solo artist, Campbell was best known for being a member of The Champs for about a year, then, after leaving the group, he spent time touring with The Beach Boys, filling in for member, Brian Wilson.

During his early years in L.A., while not on the road, Campbell made a name for himself as a studio musician, his talent shining brightly enough to earn him status as part of the elite group of studio session members known as The Wrecking Crew.  These studio musicians were known for being the best of the best, and were highly sought after by all the top singers of the day.

If Campbell wasn't busy enough touring and recording in the studio, he was also trying to make a name for himself as a solo artist.  By the mid 60's Campbell had already been signed by two record companies, appeared on several TV shows, and  released a handful of singles to radio.  As with most artists looking for fame though, Campbell kept reaching for the stars, with limited success.

That all changed in 1967 however.  That year Campbell had a breakthrough hit with "Gentle On My Mind".  This hit was followed by "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", penned by prolific songwriter, Jimmy Webb.

Webb has had hits with the who's who of music, including Whitney Houston, The 5th Dimension, and the iconic, "MacArthur's Park", by Rod McKuen.

During Glen Campbell's career, he scored several hits written by Webb, including "Galveston", "Wichita Lineman", and "Honey Come Back", to name a few.

These songs,(as well as other hits), were not only country gold, garnering Campbell several awards,  they catapulted the singer into the realm of crossover artist.  No matter what genre a radio station played, chances were they'd be playing at least one Glen Campbell hit.

If being a major singer/songwriter and musician wasn't enough, in January 1969, CBS debuted "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour".  Like other variety shows of the day, the program offered music, comedy and big name guest stars.

Additionally, Campbell's show helped bring country music to the forefront during what could be considered the heyday of the ever changing rock and roll scene.

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It wasn't just the small screen that Campbell invaded that year.  On the big screen Campbell made his acting debut, opposite none other than John Wayne.  Campbell played "La Boeuf" opposite Wayne's "Rooster Cogburn", in the movie, "True Grit".


Even while honing his acting chops, Campbell didn't stray too far from his musical roots.  In addition to acting in "True Grit", Campbell sang the theme song to the movie.

Glen Campbell's hits continued into the 70's, though his personal life was taking a downward turn.

While Campbell will always be known for his hits in the 60's, probably the most well known song of all his hits is "Rhinestone Cowboy".  As big as his other hits were, even those tunes aren't as widely recognized as that song, released in 1975.

The high of "Rhinestone Cowboy" in 1975 was tempered by the crumbling of Campbell's marriage to second wife, Billie Jean Nunley in 1976, after 17 years.

Campbell didn't stay single long however.  That same year, he married Sarah Berg, the former wife of singer/songwriter/actor, Mac Davis.   The two remained married until just after the birth of their son in 1980.

With the 70's, and his marriage to Sarah, behind him, Campbell entered into what might have been the most tumultuous period of his life.  From 1980, through 1982, Campbell dated fellow country singer, Tanya Tucker.  Half Campbell's age, with a fiery temper, Tucker seemed, at least to outsiders, to be a bit more than Campbell could handle.  This period in Campbell's life saw him delve into drink and drugs, and what seemed to be constant public bickering with Tucker.  After their split in 1982, both Campbell and Tucker refused to speak of their relationship.

Single once again, Campbell married his fourth wife, Kim Woolen, in 1982, and life seemed to return to normal for the singer.

While the early 80's seems to be when Glen Campbell's heyday peaked, it wasn't a period of slowing down for the him.  Campbell continued to tour extensively, and recorded a new album almost every year.

At least one of Campbell's children from a previous marriage, Debby Campbell, toured and sang with her father;  while Ashley Campbell, one of Glen's children with Kim, is an up and coming country singer/songwriter.

 Life seemed to quiet down for Campbell, while still remaining consistent in regards to his career.  Unlike a lot of celebrities, Campbell appeared to be gracefully entering his senior years.

Then came the news in 2011, Glen Campbell, the man who had spent almost five decades entertaining fans in song and on screen, had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.  The news was made public in conjunction with the announcement that Campbell would be embarking on his final tour.

In 2012 Campbell added to his awards, being honored with a Grammy LIfetime Achievement award.

2013-2014 saw the release of a documentary about Campbell's life, career, and struggle with Alzheimer's.  A song from this film, "I'm Not Gonna Miss You", was also released to radio at the time.  Though not written by Campbell, it's a poignant song that captures what the man was going through while dealing with the disease.

  Earlier this year, Glen Campbell's final studio album, "Adios", was released.  It's a compilation of songs the singer had always wanted to record, but never did.  Though just released, the album was actually recorded in 2012.

 Then today, August 8, 2017, came the sad news, Glen Campbell passed away, losing his battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Over the past six years Campbell's family has kept his fans abreast of how the singer was doing, and were staunch advocates of finding a cure for Alzheimer's.  Though Campbell has now passed, the family has said they'd continue to help find a cure.

Usually when I write a post, it reflects a part of me; and this time is no exception.  Before getting to that though, I felt that Glen Campbell deserved to have his life and accomplishments mentioned; he's definitely a country music/crossover legend after all.

My love of, and connection as a fan to Glen Campbell began when I was a little girl.  Glen Campbell was my mom's favorite singer, and she played his music all the time in our house.

Campbell's concert, when I was little, was the first concert I remember going to.  I remember that my brother, who is totally deaf, even liked the show, because he could feel the rhythm of the music through the floor of the auditorium.  That concert instilled a love of music in him, because though he couldn't hear it, he learned to enjoy it through the vibrations it made.

Though Campbell had a huge list of hits to his credit, my favorite song was one that not many remember, "Dreams of the Everyday Housewife".  I don't know what it is about the song, but it's just always been my favorite of all of Campbell's songs.

In later years, my connection with Glen Campbell continued, through his having Alzheimer's Disease, something that my mom also has.  I found it ironic to be keeping track of Campbell's struggles, (because my mom insisted on being kept up to date on how he was doing), while watching my mom go through the same thing at the same time.  It was sad to have to tell her today that Campbell had died. 

Being such a huge fan of all types of music, it's always hard when any artist passes, especially one that's such an icon in the industry.  Though I didn't know him personally, I think the reason Glen Campbell's passing is so sad for me is because of his having Alzheimer's, as well as being my mom's favorite singer.  It hits a little too close to home for me, I guess.  So, I guess this post is as much for my mom as it is for me, because I know my mom is sad to hear about Campbell's death.  I hope I've made both of them proud with what I've written here. 

Remembering Carlo "Carl" Driggs

 Though the name Carlo Driggs may not stand out in the music world as much as other artists, it's not for lack of talent.

Carlo was born in Cuba, with music in his blood, and over the course of his career, racked up a string of major accomplishments.

I've witnessed this talent at many concerts, for which I feel fortunate to have been able to do. This is especially true since learning of Carlo's untimely death on May 31, 2017 of a massive heart attack.

Though I didn't know Carlo personally, when I heard the news of his passing I was shocked and saddened.  My first thought was that Rock n Roll heaven had claimed another angel for it's band.  I then thought of Paul Revere, from Paul Revere and the Raiders, and knew Carlo was now reunited with his former boss of 21 years, (1983-2004).

It was with Paul Revere and the Raiders that I first heard the name Carl Driggs, (he'd dropped the "o" at that time), and experienced the talent and showmanship the man possessed.

His voice could be rough and raspy sounding one minute, and the next be soft and sultry.  No matter the song, Carl could take it and make it his own, all while moving around the stage with a force of energy that was contagious; spreading through the gathered crowds of concert goers on a regular basis.

Off stage, when signing autographs, Carl was always kind and polite to every fan wanting a photo or signature.  He treated everyone equally and with respect, and was a true gentleman in every sense of the word.

For me, though Mark Lindsay is the voice on the Raiders' hits, Carl was the face and voice of the post Mark era Raiders.

Having been a Paul Revere and the Raiders fan almost my entire life, I've always had a passion for looking up all the trivial info I can find about the band and it's members.  This same passion is what led me to discover that Carlo had been in at least two other bands, prior to the Raiders, that had released albums in the United States.

The first band was called Kracker, and the other was Foxy.

It was with Foxy that Carlo co-wrote the song, "Get Off", which landed the band at #9 on the Billboard charts and #1 on the R&B charts in 1978.

 For those who may not recognize the name of the band, or the song, I've included it in this post.

As stated earlier in this post, Carlo was with  Paul Revere and the Raiders for 21 years, 1983 to 2004.  After leaving the Raiders, Carlo went on to entertain audiences as a solo artist in Las Vegas.

Though I was never fortunate to see Carlo's solo performance, I've  heard from others that it was a well polished show, where he covered a diverse range of musical genres and artists, from Frank Sinatra, to the Rolling Stones and everything in between.

Being friends with many Raider fans on Facebook, I've seen numerous posts praising Carlo Driggs' talents, and mourning his loss.  Because there have been so many, I debated whether I should post something as well.  At first I wasn't going to, but I just kept thinking of all these different things I wanted to say, so with this post, I've now added my contribution to the others honoring the memory of Carlo Driggs.

 Thank you Carlo for all the great memories you've given so many of us all these years.