Neal McCoy and Friends in Concert

Saturday night I came to Longview to cover the Neal McCoy and Friends in Concert at the Longview Lobo Coliseum. As many of you are aware the concert is a benefit concert for the East Texas Angel Network (ETAN), who Neal and his wife Melinda started. The ETAN was created to enhance the lives of families that have children whose child or children may be suffering from a serious or life-threatening illness or disease. The concert brings in major singers and artists such as Tracy Byrd, Charley Pride, Troy Aikman, Nolan Ryan, Jack Hanna, Bo Derek, Wayne Newton, Bob Kingsley, Tracy Lawrence and many others. All of the artists and sports figures DONATE their time for the ETAN. Locate hotels, restaurants and merchants donate rooms, dinner and many other items to these artist for their visit to Longview.

The weekend includes a golf tournament on Friday, a corporate dinner Friday evening and Saturday a meet and greet with the children that are apart of the ETAN. Last year, I covered the whole weekend of events and it really touched a part of my soul. Being around these kids last year really made me look at my life and really appreciate life. Because not everyone is privileged to a healthy life. Covering the weekend events was a really hard task for me because I had never been around these kids before. But by the end of it I had made friends and began to know the kids and their families. Coming back this year was a real treat for me. Being able to see many of the same kids brought a joy to my life.

The ETAN has been in existence for fourteen years and has nearly raised four million dollars and has assisted over 400 families in the East Texas area. The network is currently supporting 120 families with financial assistance. I encourage you if you have never been to one of the concerts, go to one not only to see that great show but also to help support such a wonderful organization that is in the heart of East Texas. Check out the ETAN for more information or to donate at www.easttexasangelnetwork.com. Below are image from the show Saturday night with guests Gloria Barron, former Miss Texas; Blake Shelton, country music singer and yours truly Neal McCoy.

Danny from the KYKX's Danny & Dru
morning show shoots t-shirts into
the crowd.

Gloria Barron, former Miss Texas

Gloria Barron dresses Neal McCoy up as 'Baby Neal'

Dru, from the Danny and Dru show introduces
country star Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton performs

Blake Shelton weaves by to the crowd

Jack Hanna, the animal guy, brings live
animals to the stage

The famous penguin that walked down
the red carpet at the opening night of
"Happy Feet"

Jack Hanna introduces
Entertainer of the Year Neal McCoy

Neal McCoy enters the stage greeting
the locals with a big smile

During the concert, locals bring money to
the stage to help support the ETAN

Neal McCoy and one of the Angels Trevor on stage

Neal McCoy moisens his lips for his anual kiss

Neal McCoy kiss long time patron of the
Neal & Friends in Concert. Every year, she comes to
the edge of the stage for her kiss from Neal McCoy

Neal McCoy thanks the crowd for coming out and
supporting the ETAN

Neal McCoy waves bye to the crowd on Saturday night

I truly enjoyed covering the concert Saturday night. Before the concert started I was able to talk and get to know Blake Shelton, who is truly a down to earth guy. He played all of his songs acustically and was truly an amazing performance by Shelton. Neal McCoy of course put on a good show and even brought his brother on stage to sing "Some Where Over The Rainbow." But me coming to this show was not about the artists that were there, but was because of the kids and the support they need. I look forward to covering the event next year, hopefully I will be able to cover the whole weekend as I did before.

Enough for now

Old Photographs

Here are some images that I scanned that belong to my grandmother (my mom's mother). They are of my grandfather, who is no longer with us, and one of my grandmother. I had to scan all these images and really do a lot retouching because of the condition that they are in. Only one or two of them have dates on them. I hope to be going through some more photographs that my mom and grandmother have when I am home next weekend.

Rusty Poe - 1969

Smith 'Rusty' Jackson Poe - July 4, 1928 - January 9, 1996
My favorite photograph of my grandfather
Date stamped on back of photo: January 2, 1954

Smith 'Rusty' Jackson Poe
&
Helen Beatrice Poe
Married April 4, 1952

Silver wings shinning in the sunlight,
roaring engines headed somewhere in flight.
Their taking you away, leaving me lonely,
Silver wings slowly fading out of sight.
Don't leave me I cry, don't take that airplane ride.
But you locked me out of your mind.
Left me standing here behind.
Silver wings shining in the sunlight,
Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight
Their taking you away, leaving me lonely.
Silver wings slowly fading out of sight.
Silver wings shining in the sunlight,
Roaring engines headed somewhere in flight,
Their taking you away. Leaving me lonely.
Silver wings slowly fading out of sight.
Slowly fading out of sight.

Another evening at the Stockyards

So I enjoyed another night at the Stockyards and made a couple of images tonight. Hope you enjoy.

Love sitting on the top and watching the band on one side and the crowd in the street.

One of my favorite hang-outs, also was my grandfathers!

In The Shadows

Once upon a time there was this girl who had four boyfriends. She loved the 4th boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes
and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.

She also loved the 3rd boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.

She also loved her 2nd boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this
girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.

The girls 1st boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply,
she hardly took notice of him.

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone.

Thus, she asked the 4th boyfriend, I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'No way!', replied the 4th boyfriend, and he walked away without another word. His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her
heart.

The sad girl then asked the 3rd boyfriend, 'I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'No!', replied the 3rd boyfriend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!' Her heart sank and turned cold.

She then asked the 2nd boyfriend, 'I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!', replied the 2nd boyfriend.
'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.' His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.

Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter
where you go.'

The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of
you when I had the chance!'

In truth, you have 4 boyfriends in your lives:

Your 4th boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you
die.

Your 3rd boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth.
When you die, it will all go to others.

Your 2nd boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you
is up to the grave.

And your 1st boyfriend is your Soul, often neglected in
pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, your Soul is the only thing that will follow you where ever you go.
Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity.

Thought for the day: Remember, when the world pushes you to
your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.

Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections.

Author Unknown

Another Evening in Downtown Ft. Worth

Rocky Horror Picture Show

So Friday night, I took an assignment for the Shorthorn to cover the Rocky Horror Picture Show movie that EXCEL was hosting on campus. Well it was not just a normal showing of this movie, and if you have seen it you will probably get the images but if you have never seen it then I would recommend watching, even though I'm sure that you probably wont like it. So I get to the theater and was instantly greeted by Transies, transvestites along with Frank - N - Furter and Janet. Students began to show up, some of whom had dressed up for the costume contest and some just to come see the show. The first hour or so I was there the Shadow-cast members from Los Bastardos dance and greeted the crowd and pulled students up on stage to dance. Each student was given a survival guide and a prop pack. In the prop pack included a water gun, rubber glove, roll of tolilet paper, piece of toast, newspaper, noisemaker, party hat, several playing cards. All these items where to be used by students during scenes of the movie to have interaction for the crowds. Well I will have to say that I enjoyed the little part of the show before having to leave early (had to be at work at 6:30am) and it was still going on at midnight! So if you are ever looking for a once in a life time experience and are in Ft. Worth you should check out Ridgmar Movie Tavern and watch Los Bastardos - DFW's premier Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast live. They perform every Saturday night at midnight. If you are interested in more details check out their website at http://www.losbastardos.com. Enjoy the images!