Cash Bash Is a Total Smash!

To say the 3rd annual Johnny Cash Birthday Bash held February 27th at the Continental Club in Austin was a success would be an understatement of epic proportions. It was a total blowout from the word go and it goes to prove that if there's one person in Austin who knows how to throw a party, that would be Martin "Rowdy" Tijmes of 91.7 Koop Radio. I knew from the moment I parked and walked up to the Continental and saw that line stretched from the front door of the club all the way around the block that this was going to be something special. Hundreds of people, all dressed in black, waiting to get in to join the hundreds that were already inside to help celebrate the birthday of one of the true music giants of the 20th century, Johnny Cash. With over 13 bands scheduled and numerous special guests, this was a night to remember for quite a long time.

And I've got to say the Continental Club can really take a beating because not only was it packed with wall to wall people, there was a mammoth amount of sound coming off the stage as well filling the place with an amazing energy from the front to the back of the club where there was a silent auction featuring numerous items up for bid.

With a Barnum Bailey atmosphere, Rowdy Tijmes kept the machine moving at a quick pace with barely a moment to breathe while never missing a beat and making sure all the bands and equipment got on and off the stage.

Raising tons of money, putting on a great show and throwing a party that I'm sure would have brought a smile to the face of the Man himself, it was definitely one of the best shows of the year and I'm already looking forward to next year.

Thanks Rowdy.

Goodbye, Paul Harvey

As I read the news that Paul Harvey had passed away I was surprised at how sad I really felt, as if I had lost a member of my family and then it came to me, I actually had. For as long as I can remember, there has been a Paul Harvey on the radio. Growing up in Wichita Falls, we got Paul Harvey on KTRN and I was struck even as a child at the humor and interesting stories that he told in that familiar voice and it was comforting to me. And as the years passed, while stations came and went, and tv shows came and went, there was always the unwavering fact that there was Paul Harvey, steadily progressing along through the years with his familiar views and opinions.

Growing up in the 60's and 70's, I took for granted just how much talent there was around me on the tv and radio. The comedians I grew up with were the standard bearers in the business and will go down in history as the finest of this century. There was Johnny Carson, Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason, Red Skelton, and my all time favorite, Jonathan Winters. Not to mention Carol Burnet, Bob Newhart and many others of the era that we took for granted.

With Paul Harvey we had that midwest view of things and the wonderful way he used the language with colorful descriptions and warm candor. I don't think there will ever be another like him and he will be sorely missed. With radio in the condition it is in today with cutbacks, working skeleton crews and just trying to keep bases covered, there's just not a place for a Paul Harvey to be discovered. And his shoes would be too big to fill anyway.

Thank you Mr. Harvey for all the wonderful memories you gave us