This is the first posting for my journal page. I am not sure how often I will use this, or who will want to read it, but here it is anyway.

It is May 10, 2010 and we are still in Memphis (actually Cordova) waiting for the closing on our home. We were supposed to close no later than April 30th, but that didn't happen, then we signed an extension for a closing date of May 7th. Again, that didn't happen, now we are waiting on May 14th. We shall see!

Other than that, we are doing fine. We have put most of our possessions in storage, so we are still in our house with our TV on a TV tray, our bed, refrigerator, minimal pots and pans, and dishes. Just the bare necessities. You know, beer and food!

We have bought (but not closed) a house in Farmington, Arkansas that is under construction scheduled to be finished May 25th. We are so much looking forward to spending time with our family. Maybe this week it will happen.

In the meantime Lisa is going on a week long trip to Aruba with a dear friend of ours from Fayetteville. Our friend, Robin, retired from her job of 20 years and the company she worked for gave her two tickets to Aruba, and she invited Lisa to join her. That should be fun.

I am working out of my home for a company in North Carolina called Inter-Continental Hardwoods. ICH, does about the same thing as Craig Lumber. All imported hardwoods. This has been a great opportunity for us. So far, I am enjoying working from home. I do miss the camaraderie we had at Craig, and I miss the friends I made at that job, but with the new job comes new friends and, I get to move back home after 27 years.

I will be playing more music than ever when I get to Fayetteville. David Tucker has been a dear friend for 30 years, and he is now playing drums for me. He did all the artwork on both of my CD's. He is a very talented musician and artist. Tommy Payton who I have known and been friends with since Ramey Junior High School. Tommy is also a very talented multi instrumentalist  and  will be playing bass for the band. Steve Vogler is a friend from Little Rock who has been playing piano/keyboards with me for a couple of years now. Bob Myers (guitar player extraordanaire) will be playing guitar in the band. So, come out and support these fine musicians. I will keep everyone informed as to the playing engagements.

Until next time, all the best. Jim

5-31-10 May 29th on the deck at Cajun's Wharf in Little Rock started off beautifully, with perfect weather and a nice breeze. It was the day after mine and Lisa's 38th anniversary and the day after Susan's (my granddaughter) 21st birthday. Susan came down for Fayetteville to celebrate her birthday with her friend Ashley. Susan (reluctantly) got up and sang on "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand" by Paul Thorn. And I think she had a good time. She can really sing, but she has stage freight. I will work on that when we move back to Fayetteville.

Riverfest was going on by the river (just down stream from where we were at Cajun's), so there were a lot of things happening in Little Rock last weekend. Earth Wind and Fire, Cross Canadian Ragweed, The Black Crows and a host of other great acts.

Back at Cajun's I had Tommy Payton playing bass, David Tucker on drums, Steve Vogler keys, Cal Jackson on guitar, and Cherry Brooks set-in and sang on several songs. We were well into the first set and everything seemed to moving along nicely, the band was sounding really good when the bottom fell out and it started pouring down rain. The crowd starting grabbing equipment and taking it inside (no water damage). Thank you all so much for your help! We would been soaked without it.

We moved inside for the rest of the show. Once inside and set-up we started again. This band is getting better with each gig. I am so much looking forward to moving back home and playing with these fine people on a much more regular basis, where we can actually have rehearsals and work tunes up. One of the Sax players from Cody Belew and the Mercers (who happen to be playing main stage after our gig) sat-in most of the last set with us and it was awesome!! Thank you David, you ROCK! If you haven't seen Cody and the Mercers, catch them, they are an great band. Solid as a rock. Cody can sing his ass off. Does an outstanding job with Al Green. Damn he's good! Check him out at www.Codybelew.com

It was another great evening at Cajun's Wharf. If you can make this gig sometime, I promise you will have a great time.

All the best, Jim

7-13-10 We have had two days of rain. I don't remember anything like this since we have lived in Memphis. Yesterday we had 4 inches and it continued in to the night, and was still raining when I got up this morning. This was a much needed rain.

Things haven't changed much, we are still in Memphis with very few lookers on the house selling front. We have moved most of our furniture back into the house, but not all of it. We are still occupying our storage building with the baby grand (and a lot of other stuff).

The new job is going well. I am enjoying the people I work with, and am happy with the product we produce, I am just getting home sick and can't wait to be back in Fayetteville with my family and friends. We went to Fayetteville weekend before last for a 4th of July party at our friends Butch and Robin's, and really had a blast. I had 4 out of 5 granddaughters with me and they swam and played, and just had a great time. They are all sooo much fun. I remember how fleeting the moment are with raising kids, time just disappears. I do not want to miss any more of my granddaughters growing up.

I will be at Cajun's this weekend. Playing with David, Tommy and Steve, has been a blast this year. It is sounding better each gig. That's it for now! all the best, Jim

July 21st, 2010 This last weekend was a lot of fun. Saturday evening was spent at Cajun's with my friends and family, and musician partners. We celebrated Steve Vogler's 58th. The band just keeps sounding better and better. Things are coming together nicely. I am very much looking forward to getting up to Fayetteville where we can really get down to business of making this a great working band. Sunday I was invited to Brady Mountain on Lake Ouachita near Hot Springs. My friend Danny Petty brought his boat and we were able to take advantage of this beautiful Lake. It was awesome. Butch Kimbrell was the one who put the gig together and we had a blast. Daniel Petty helped me do a gig at the Neon Armadillo. Daniel had spent the weekend in Nashville auditioning for American Idol. He didn't make the first cut, but man what a pressure cooker that must be. Can you imagine, " you have 10 seconds to impress us". That would be tough. But Daniel is a trooper, and took it all in stride. It was a great weekend! My next gig will be August 27th at Restaurant On the Corner in Fayetteville. Can't wait!!!

NovvIns