Thank you, John Broeske

Tomorrow marks the end of an era in my life.

The only boss I've ever had in my 21 years working at KMJ Radio is officially retiring tomorrow.

John Broeske is being remembered by his peers and associates in the radio business as one of the most successful radio programmers in the nation, and justifiably so, for keeping KMJ among the top rated news/talk radio stations during the 26 years he has been at the station.

But that's only a small part of the reason I will remember him fondly, and never forget him.

The major reason is that he gave this boy from Kerman, who always wanted to be on the radio, his lifelong dream.

I came to KMJ in 1986 while I was still a midday on-air personality at a big band station across town. There was actually no opening at KMJ when I was hired, but John was impressed enough by what he heard of me to put me on call at Fresno's heritage radio station.

Another fellow got the job I was applying for(he's still there now, as one of the staff's engineers).

But because so many of the employees got lots of vacation time, I got plenty of work at that time filling in...and I learned radio really fast working at KMJ's feverish pace.

In fact, it wasn't long before I got some plum on air assignments of my own. Thanks to those(and KMJ's large audience)I became a well-known area air personality as a result of being featured on the air there. And John made all that happen for me, by taking a chance on me, because he believed in me.

I became well-known for hosting one of the station's most venerable shows, a garage sale type program known as Radio Tradio. So many people listened and participated in that program that it seemed everywhere I went, people recognized my name and my voice.

John also noticed my interest in sports, and in the early 1990s, he chose me to be the host of the postgame edition of "Dog Talk"...a call in show to follow our exclusive coverage of Fresno State football and basketball. That show earned me even more recognition, and John rewarded me for my success at that show by making me the afternoon drive sports reporter(and fill-in host)on the station's PM drive news.

In fact, John had me doing every on air job on the station, including news anchor, traffic reporter, farm show host, and relief talk show host(on holidays). People are still fondly talking about my 4th of July and Thanksgiving shows, and I wish I still did them.

So thank you John, for letting me do that for you(and KMJ).

But that's not all.

In 2002, I suffered a stroke which still impacts my speech to this day. In most radio stations, that would mean pink slip time(radio is a cruel business sometimes).

But not with John Broeske.

He realized that I knew the KMJ operation as well or better than anyone else, and that I could still do everything else I had been doing there at that time. So he just changed my duties. I didn't get demoted, nor did I get a pay cut...I've just gone on, doing the very same things I've been doing for all these years, minus the on-air duties.

I miss those terribly. I would give nearly anything if I could regain them. At this point, I feel(and so do MANY others)that I am more then able to resume those duties. But John has not allowed me to do that, and he is convinced I'm not ready. I have pleaded my case many times over the past five years in vain to get them back, but John has been adamant, and I am still limited to mostly behind the scenes work.

But at least I'm working...and the window remains to reclaim my dream if the opportunity should arise...not everyone can say that. And certainly not many in the radio business have that opportunity.

(John has graciously allowed me to continue co-hosting our legendary gospel music program...so I'm still able to be involved in what I love most).

Lest you think I'm complaining, nothing can be farther from the truth. John has always been nothing less than fair and honest, not only with me, but with everyone at KMJ. As much as he may admire my spirit and determination to regain my duties, he knows what he's paid for to do at KMJ. And he rightly refuses to let his personal feelings interfere with his professional judgment...and his judgment has proven to be more correct than not in 26 years, which is why he's been here so long.

So I also say thank you John, for the opportunities...and allowing me to stay in the field I've always loved. And thank you for treating me like anyone else in the process.

Unlike many in radio, John is unfailingly honest and straightforward. If you want to know what he thinks, simply ask him...he will always tell you the truth...as he sees it.

These are the types of people I respect the most.

Most of what I believe about doing radio, I learned from John. Like talk shows...their quality is not determined by the amount of phone calls you get, but on your content, and how well you present it. I've always followed John's advice and passed it on to others...when you prepare for a two-hour talk show, prepare two hours worth of material. Prepare as if you'll get no calls whatsoever. This is why our talk shows sound good by comparison to 90% of what's on the air elsewhere.

John has earned his retirement after 26 years...and while I'll always miss him here, he deserves to enjoy the time he has left to enjoy.

So John, for the chances, the opportunities, the confidence and belief in me you've showed, and for being fair, honest, and insisting that I do my best at all times, thank you.

The next KMJ PD has some mighty big shoes to fill...good luck, Skip Essick.

Down Memory Lane

One of the most rewarding part of being a fan of the Couriers is that over their long career, they made different types of gospel albums musically so, depending on what you wanted to hear at a given moment, they would have something in their catalog for you.

For example, whenever I wanted to hear straight gospel quartet singing, I could pull out "The Love Of God"(Hymntone 3085)...if I wanted the style that that had morphed into by the mid 1960s, I could listen to "The Sensational Sounding Couriers Quartet"(Canaan 9608)...and if I wanted creative novelty styled gospel , there was "We Gotta Sing"(Warner Bros. 1547)...and if I wanted exuberant pop-styled gospel at its' best, there was(and always is)their famous classic "Nothing But...The Gospel Truth"(Warner Bros. 1514).

And if want classy, high church styled quartet singing, there is their final quartet album, 1966's "Down Memory Lane"(Hymntone 7142)...perhaps as elegant and classy an album as a gospel quartet ever recorded. With the combination of the piano artistry of Bryan Jones(used earlier by the group on their marvelous "Dedicated To The Hymns" album[Hymntone 3082])and the organ of Harry Rowland, the accompaniment sounds as much like that of a church service than on any gospel(or "sacred")album I've ever heard. It creates such a mood of dignity I can only listen to it when I'm suitably attired for church! I daresay I've never encountered a more dignified gospel quartet album!

The album was recorded during a transitional phase for the group...when their direction was turning away from the gospel "business", so to speak, to a more mission and ministry orientation which they would fully embrace within two years. Nonetheless, the vocal lineup of tenor Duane Nicholson, lead Neil Enloe, baritone Phil Enloe(Neil's brother), and bass Dave Kyllonen was one of their finest lineups in the Couriers' long history. And on this album, their dynamics and blend throughout complete the beautiful, dignified atmosphere the songs and backing seek to convey.

The title song, "Down Memory Lane" features a memorable recitation by Kyllonen(notice his reference to "chugholes")and beautiful harmony from the group...and "Ivory Palaces" features fine two-part harmony between Nicholson and Phil Enloe(one of the most underrated singers in gospel history)...and Neil Enloe's arrangement is so lovely, the Blackwood Brothers would copy it a year later when they recorded the song(and why not? Their pianist at the time, Dave Weston, was an alum of the very Bible College the Couriers went to), The Blackwoods were also moving into a "churchy" phase musically at that time...so the move made sense for them.

Then comes "How Tedious And Tasteless The Hours", a lovely old hymn given a suitably dignified rendering by the quartet. Even the following song, the relatively uptempo "Camping In Canaan's Land", is given a dignified rendering, thanks to Jones' classy piano and Phil Enloe's reading of the lyrics.

Next comes a classy arrangement of Fanny Crosby's "He Hideth My Soul". which Tommy Fairchild(always a big Couriers fan)would adapt for the Blackwoods in the 1970s. "The Ark Was Coming Up The Road" energetically concludes the album's first half.

Jones' brilliant piano technique is best illustrated on "What A Glad Day When Jesus Found Me"(which kicks off Side 2). Then comes perhaps the most beautiful song on the entire album. "Don't Turn Him Away"(NOT the LD Young song they'd done two years prior)is a heartfelt plea to come to Jesus, and Nicholson's brilliant tenor voice really brings out the power in the lyrics.

The group then gives us a quick verse of the hymn "My Redeemer", then does a suitably energetic version of "We'll Work 'Til Jesus Comes". the Couriers close this album with a wonderful rendering of "Cleanse Me" followed by a most diginified version of "Hallelujah, What A Savior".

This album is so dignified and reverent I can't even bring myself to carry on conversation with anyone while it is playing(you don't talk in church, after all!). If you like church-type music sung by a quartet, you can't get it better than on the Couriers' "Down Memory Lane", a true classic.

The alnum was a bittersweet release for me, because after the album, Phil Enloe chose to leave the group. He would return some 17 years later, but the remainder of the group opted to carry on without a replacement, marking the end of the Couriers Quartet..but as simply the Couriers, the trio would go on to their biggest commercial and ministerial success in the 1970s. So it was good for the group...but I never stopped missing the Couriers Quartet....nor did many of their longtime fans, who like me, learned to appreciate the trio for what it was and became.

Full of joy

Well, after my brief foray into baseball(and why not? After all, my life involves much more than just gospel music!), I'm returning to gospel music tonight, inspired by an LP review(what???)by my fellow blogger and friend Daniel Mount.

Daniel's review of the Cathedral Quartet(you'll NEVER see or hear me call them "the Cats"!)'s 1979 table album "Keep On Singing" is quite well-done, and written with a good historical perspective as well. Check out his blog and see for yourself.

As for me, I have no LP to review tonight(that'll come later), but I wonder how many of you have heard a certain song, and for a period of a few days, can't listen to anything else? I get that feeling all the time. And I'm going to tell you tonight about the latest such song to hit my musical consciousness in such a manner.

For many years, the Couriers' 1968 album "Coming And Going" has sat on my shelves, appreciated but not fully...until this week.

When getting it out to play once more to hear Neil Enloe's fine solo rendering of "Pity The Man", I happened on cut 2 on side 1, and finally discovered why that song has been such a favorite of Couriers' fans over the years.

Of course, I'm speaking of the Couriers' classic "Joy, Joy"...a song done so powerfully that my friend Herb Henry was proud to buy "Coming And Going" from Harold Timmons at the Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival last year...he wanted it just for that song.

I don't know why it took me over 20 years to figure out why it was so good...I guess I'm slow sometimes!

Anyway, I put it on, and was mesmerized by Enloe''s tremendous lead vocal(one of his all-time best)and the piano artistry of none other than Bill Purcell, a rare secular star musician who played piano on the album sessions.

If Purcell's name is familiar to some of you, it's undoubtedly because his 1963 hit instrumental "Our Winter Love" is one of the most beautiful pop instrumentals of that time period.

Purcell's piano fills any holes in the instrumental backing there might be, and really colors the song. Along with the guitarist(whose name escapes me as I type, their support of Neil and the group(Duane Nicholson and Dave Kyllonen join Enloe halfway into the song)makes "Joy, Joy" possibly the closest thing the Couriers ever did to making a pop record hit(though it may have been a bit long for the radio)!

The unusual but effective vocal harmonies, characterstic of the Couriers, only give the hopeful lyrics more distinctiveness...and the effect of the song to a listener on a quiet night is nothing short of spellbinding. But isn't great gospel music supposed to be like that?

For all the talk today about so-called "progressive" southern gospel, the Couriers' "Joy, Joy" is arguably the closest thing gospel music has had to a truly progressive musical statement. Music like that combined with the greatest message of hope in the world is what gospel music should always strive to attain.

Granted, not every song or arrangement achieves that lofty goal. But when a song like "Joy, Joy", sung by dedicated singers(and NOT aspiring hitmakers)like the Couriers comes so close to achieving the perfect musical mood for a gospel song, it should be celebrated by lovers of gospel music everywhere. And so, belatedly, tonight I am.

Sorry it took me so long, fellas.

Leave Bonds alone

Departing from gospel music briefly to address another burning issue in another pastime of mine, sports...

The time is drawing closer when another long time, hallowed sports record is about to be broken.

Namely, the baseball record for all-time home runs, officially held by one of baseball's undisputed all time greats, Hank Aaron.

It may be the all-time major league record, but it is not the alltime professional record.

That would be held by Japan's Sadaharu Oh, who hit over 800 home runs in his long career in the land of the Rising Sun.

But the records held in the American major leagues are the accepted standard for players to shoot at. And besides, neither Aaron nor Barry Bonds ever played in Japanese professional leagues.

No, I'm speaking of Bonds' chase of Aaron's record, which heading into this weekend he is only two shy of tying and three away from breaking.

Under normal circumstances, the majority of the nation's baseball fans would be rooting madly for Bonds to smash the record ASAP.

But these are not normal circumstances. Why?

Because of a widely held belief, propped up by most sports media who have personal axes to grind with Bonds, that Bonds is a "cheater"...i.e., that he hasn't gotten to where he is fairly.

Why is that? Because Bonds is almost a media poster boy for excessive steroid use. People look at the young Bonds of the early 1990s with the Pittsburgh Pirates, young and relatively lean and not putting up huge home run numbers, and compare him to the Bonds of today, considerably larger and probably stronger, and certainly a player that has hit with unprecedented power totals for the last decade or so, and conclude that to hit home runs the way he has of late, that he must have done something unethical or illegal to do so.

Is there proof of that? Unless you cite some leaked testimony to a grand jury where Bonds admitted to having used two brands of steroids(although claiming to not know what they did or were for), which CANNOT be admitted as evidence in a court of law, there is none. Bonds has yet to fail a drug test.

Besides, even if one concedes that he did use steroids at that time, there's still no proof of Bonds "cheating" even then. Consider....

1. That at that time, steroids were not illegal in baseball. They and other supplements were all over the place...just ask Mark McGwire.

2. Most baseball experts say that the major reason Bonds hits for such power is his quick swing, and his unparalleled eye/hand coordination....neither of which are benefitted by the use of steroids. You'd think if Bonds were trying to "cheat", he'd use something that would directly help him hit home runs.

3. All the games Bonds has played in were under the governing rules of baseball at the time they were played. If there was a real rule violation, opposing managers would have played those games under protest, and a ruling would have been made on the protest according to the rules of baseball. No manager or opposing team official ever tried to get games that Bonds played in forfeited. Therefore, the home runs Bonds hit in those games are legitimate, and deserve to be recognized as such.

4. It is not unusual at all for players to hit for far more power as they age. In the case of Hank Aaron, his most productive home run years were after he reached the age of 35. It is more common than not for older players to hit for more power after their other skills go away with age. Another example...Reggie Jackson, who, when he was young, not only hit for power, but had dazzling speed, and was a first-rate outfielder. By the time Jackson ended his career with the Angels, all he could do was hit the occasional home run.

So how did Bonds cheat, exactly?

I don't know...and if Bonds' vociferous critics were honest, they'd admit they don't know either. Like many of us who grew up with an earlier generation of players, their successors just weren't as good as the people we like.(This line of reasoning stretches into gospel music as well!). I grew up with the likes of Aaron, Willie Mays, and Mickey Mantle...and what you hear from many is that if Bonds had to play baseball under the conditions that those other men did, he would not even be close to their achievements.

Maybe...maybe not. But we can't know that, can we? What we do know is that Bonds is playing now, and that now he is only two short of Aaron's record.

There is a lot of personal resentment of Bonds...based on his surly and rude attitude toward some of those in the media whose job it is to report on him, and to some fans as well on occasion. I can't argue with that, or defend Bonds for being unnecessarily rude.

But you know what? Bonds has lots of predecessors in that regard. Babe Ruth was often loud, profane, tacky, and drunk! The great Ted Williams hated sportswriters...I wish I could quote the joke he told about them once, but I can't use those kinds of words in this blog...and I don't normally use them anyway. Ty Cobb was a racist and a thug during games, sometimes trying to injure players deliberately to win games.

So Bonds gets annoyed sometimes when sports reporters press him for answers about his steroid use, or why he's not more friendly. Don't WE do that sometimes? I don't know about you, but I admit I do!

Let's face it...Barry Bonds is an all-too-human being who is good at hitting home runs, and has hit more of them than any major league baseball player except for Hank Aaron, and that will change before this season is over.

Many baseball fans don't like that, but guess what...life is full of things we don't like.

As for Barry Bonds, until it is PROVEN that he has "cheated", accept his accomplishments, and deal with it!

Random thoughts about gospel music

I don't really have one single theme for this entry...tonight, I'll just share some random observations about gospel music...and see what you might think.

First of all, I'm heartened by the response from my last two entries. It's great that some of you share my enthusiasm for some special songs to me....and to Dean Adkins I say, I liked the Rebels' version of "The Joy Of Knowing Jesus" too, as well as the Oak Ridge Boys' hit version(the first version I heard)...which ought to make Terry smile when he reads this..

But my favorite version remains a toss-up between the Couriers' original version and Neil Enloe's own solo version from his 1980 album "Personal"(a rare gospel classic, especially for those who like to hear the writer sing his own classic songs).

It's amazing how certain songs get a hold on us, and "hook" us to a genre. For me and gospel music, it all started with the Blackwood Brothers version of "I've Got To Walk That Lonesome Road" featuring JD Sumner....I'd never heard anyone sing bass like that, and it grabbed me.


Other songs that "hooked" me on quartet style gospel music included "He Means All The World To Me"(the Blackwood concert song where the baby cried), "Sing A Little Song" by the Rebels, "Nicodemus" by the Statesmen, "Sing Your Blues Away" by the Blackwoods, and even "Rock In The Storm" by the Couriers Quartet(the first song I really liked by the Couriers...go figure...I was a kid!).


From there, it was on to songs like "Happy Tracks" by the Florida Boys, "Wayfaring Stranger" and "Leaning On The Arms Of Jesus" by the Stamps, and even the "Fa So La Song" by the Inspirations. I was moved by how good the singers were, and how they seemed to have so much fun singing quartet harmony. Oh yeah, the message was good, too.

There was no other music like it to me...so joyful and accomplished, and also so filled with enthusiasm...it moved me just as much as the far more popular rock n' roll of the day. To me, much of that pure enthusiasm is not only missing in today's pop music, but even in the gospel music now(as more artists take it away stylistically from its' quartet roots and toward a "pop" style that is sometimes mistakenly labeled "progressive"). But I was lucky to be around when that enthusiasm and spirit were there in abundance...and it shaped and blessed my life.

One more miscellaneous, nonconnected observation before I stop...one pet peeve of mine then(and now to a lesser degree)was when there was a reference to gospel music in the broader pop culture, it was equated with "black", as if gospel music was limited to the black gospel genre. Not only was that musically incorrect, it showed a lack of recognition and perhaps respect to the many other varities of gospel music, including the kind I liked best.

But when one considers the influence that groups like the Blackwoods and Statesmen had on some of the more successful artists of the day(Elvis Presley, for one), one can't help but be proud to be a fan of quartet styled gospel music, for it was a music that did(and still does)grab audiences wherever it's presented.

The Joy Of Knowing Jesus

Last night, I printed the lyrics to a song that seems to sum up how my life has gone in many ways.

While doing so, I pointed out that it was not the song that defines my life the most, but that a Neil Enloe classic did that...and quite nicely, thank you.

So tonight, in the interests of equal time, and with the hope that these lyrics will bless you as they've blessed me for over 30 years, I present the following for your perusal.

Here are the lyrics to Neil Enloe's "The Joy Of Knowing Jesus"(hope it's OK to do this, Neil...). Those who know me will know why this song mirrors what's inside my heart and soul.

All the angels rejoiced when my soul made the choice
To kneel down in prayer and find Jesus there.
Then my name was inscribed in the Lamb's Book of Life
And since that day I've been in His care.

(Chorus)
Oh, the joy of knowing Jesus
And to walk in His love divine
When in death I must cross over Jordan's banks
I shall cross with His hand in mine.

As the spirit now pleads, take account of your deeds
Can you really say you are happy today?
If this Savior you'll find, you will have peace of mind
For Jesus bore all our sins that day.(repeat chorus)

I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times

I'm sure that if each of us sits down and really thinks about it, we can think of a song(or two, or three, or more)that truly sums up what we're all about personally.

In my case, the very first song that leaps to my mind is Neil Enloe's "The Joy Of Knowing Jesus", a song that I essentially adopted as my anthem in October 1975, when I chose to allow Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Savior of my life, That song sums up what I'm about as well as any song does.

But there are songs of a more secular nature that can define us as well. And in my case, I often hark back to this one...a song written in 1966 by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and lyricist Tony Asher, one that appeared on the Beach Boys' groundbreaking "Pet Sounds" album.

Even though I've long ago adopted the joy of knowing Jesus, this following song still describes the way I feel often down deep inside myself.

It is called "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times", and I'll share the lyrics of it here.

I Just Wasn't Made For These Times(Beach Boys)


(Brian Wilson/Tony Asher)
I keep looking for a place to fit
Where I can speak my mind
I've been trying hard to find the people
That I won't leave behind

They say I got brains
But they ain't doing me no good
I wish they could

Each time things start to happen again
I think I got something good goin' for myself
But what goes wrong

Sometimes I feel very sad
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can't find nothin' I can put my heart and soul into)
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can't find nothin' I can put my heart and soul into)

I guess I just wasn't made for these times

Every time I get the inspiration
To go change things around
No one wants to help me look for places
Where new things might be found

Where can I turn when my fair weather friends cop out
What's it all about

Each time things start to happen again
I think I got something good goin' for myself
But what goes wrong

Sometimes I feel very sad
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can't find nothin' I can put my heart and soul into)
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can't find nothin' I can put my heart and soul into)

I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times
I guess I just wasn't made for these times

The last line of the song IS repeated over and over in the Beach Boys' recording of the song.

Even though I often wonder why I'm here now on this earth, it's because of that joy of knowing Jesus I have that allows me to rejoice in the fact that I'm here now...and alive and well.

Any of you have songs that just really hit home like that?

I Have Returned

It's good to be back home.

Home? Where did you go?, you might ask me.

For the past three months or so, I'd been chasing a dream...a rather elusive one, as it were.

Along the way, I was able to touch the life of someone in a very positive way...and in the process, I learned a lot about myself...how far I'd come in some ways, and how far I needed to go in others. I came oh, so close to fulfilling that precious dream.

Then, as happens so often to so many, it seemed to vanish suddenly into thin air...and I was left alone, shaken, and demoralized....without my dream, and seemingly without anything else that meant anything to me.

Of course, that wasn't the case...I still had everything I cherished most in life...my friends, my health, my job, my music, and most of all, my Lord...who showed me His love in this case by allowing me to freefall, so I'd come home to Him, where He knew I beloinged.

And as in many times like this in the past, He gradually restored things to my life that I had temporarily forsaken, yet He knew meant the world to me. One by one, the above mentioned things resumed their places in my life.

My friends comforted me as they always had...then I reached back into my considerable collection of gospel music, and heard songs I'd heard many times before, yet the inspired lyrics spoke to me in whole new ways...and they reminded me of my own worth to God, and my own place in His kingdom, which was never threatened in the least during the pursuit of my elusive dream.

I've written here before of the power that music has in the life of a person, and I felt that power anew in my life...just when I needed it.

Then my good friend Daniel Mount told me about a review he had done of the newest recording by the Couriers(the current ones, not the classic ones)...it was a good review of a good album by a good group of dedicated servants, and as Daniel hoped, it cheered me considerably.

Tonight, my good friend Cliff Cerce called me to update me on how he was, and how his fine family group was doing..he eagerly shared sound clips of them with me, and in so doing, reminded me how pure, spontaneous gospel music could stir and thrill the soul like nothing else. Cliff's fellowship has brought me a lot of joy during the past two or three years, and it did once again tonight.

That again inspired me to listen anew to more songs that have given me inspiration and strength over the years, and I felt the power of the words and music combining to communicate that special message I never get tired of hearing.

So I'm on my way back to what I know best...I've not given up on my elusive dream, but I think I know that once again, I must wait for the right time for it to be fulfilled.

I'll be around here more often, talking about this music that has done so much to bless and shape my life.

Have you been where I was? Are you still there now? I hope that this little reflection inspires you to bring it back home...and embrace anew what has always been nearest and dearest for you, too.

And maybe...you'll see that elusive dream of yours come true!

See you back here real soon.

Why gospel singers are special

Hmmm...looking at that title, it would be easy to come to the conclusion that I think gospel singers are special in ways that other singers might not be. And I don't think that at ALL...ALL singers are special in their own way.

I just mean that gospel singers relate to their audiences in ways that most other singers in other musical genres don't.

Gospel singers have always been closer to their fans...perhaps it's because of the way the business developed over the years...or maybe because there's not much space removed from singers to their fans due to the origins of the singers themselves, but regardless, there is a special relationship between gospel singers and their fans that is unique in the music business.

What made me reflect on this tonight is what happened to me at the Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival last year and this year.

One of gospel's most underrated groups is the Herb Henry Family out of Modesto, CA consisting of Herb, his wife, and his three children. Herb is a longtime fan and performer of gospel music, and at this point in his life, he is perhaps most proud of the fact that his entire family has devoted themselves to spreading the gospel in song. Herb has been a minister for many years, and he remains that first and foremost, devoted the most to living the Word in his life and his music.

Herb's group is now one of the best mixed gospel groups in the nation, and were they touring nationally full-time, the country would know that. But for now, the group is now a not-so-well-kept secret out here in the West and to those who own their recordings.

Anyway, at last year's event, I noticed that Herb's group did a cover of an old Couriers Quartet song, "I Know He Cares", a delightful doo-wop style song that their then-pianist, "Little" David Young, wrote for them. Seeing this, I asked Herb(a longtime friend of mine)if they would perform the song at the event that year. Herb told me that the group was not ready to stage the song, but he promised me that the group would perform it the following year.

Well, wouldn't you know that when I arrived at this year's event, when I saw Herb, he told me to listen to the third song that evening...and after he winked at me, I knew why he said that. The group was ready to sing "I Know He Cares"...and that was Herb's way of saying that he remembered his promise.

Sure enough, come song three, Herb dedicated the song to me, right there on the stage. Now many of the people in the audience knew me from our show, and they applauded vigorously when they finished the song. I was wandering around in the hallways, but I heard every note...and my eyes got wet with gratitude.

Now really, do any of you think that Paul McCartney or Madonna, or even Faith Hill or Travis Tritt would remember a promise they made for a fan a year before, and fulfill it a year later?

Well, they might....but it's not likely. But because Herb is first and foremost grounded in his faith, and is a caring friend, his group did...and few things I've experienced touched me as much.

And I think a lot of gospel singers(at least in the SG genre)would do just what Herb did, for friends of theirs as well. Gospel singers, after all, are not that far removed from their fans.

They ARE special people.

More about “the David Stein”

I learned something about the person I cited in my last entry, Los Angeles-based radio host David Stein, the host of perhaps the most unique show on radio today, his "Celebrating Life Through Sports", airing weeknights on the Sporting News Radio Network.

Stein's constant theme is how being a sports fan can enrich one's life....and he constantly encourages his listeners to "get off the bench and get into the game" of life. He requires all his callers to tell him one good thing going on in their lives before continuing with conversation.

He has done quite a few good things himself for his listeners at various times, and he has gotten scores of testimony from listeners who credit Stein's show with helping them live better lives. What more can a radio program...or anything else...do for someone?

When reading Stein's MySpace profile, I learned that Stein's favorite books include the Bible and My Utmost For His Highest. Why am I not surprised by that?

So to you, David Stein, a "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" to you, for keeping real radio alive in this day and age.

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