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Storms...A Chaplain's Song...Hotel Gator

BILL BLOG

Thursday June 19, 2025

 

Thursday morning, and I’m getting ready to roll home to Nashville from Heyworth, Illinois. 83 for the high today here in Heyworth. Back home in Nashville, it will hit 85 with more rain. Storms rolled through Nashville last night, and there were power outages again. Don’t ask me how I know.

 

Last night, here in Heyworth, there were tornadoes spotted not that far away. Through the central part of the country, and especially in the Ohio Valley region, a total of half a million people were hit with power outages.

 

YESTERDAY

I sat with retired Army Chaplain Carl Johnston, who served for over 23 years before retiring. He’s now a pastor at a church in Heyworth. A man of God and a man with a sense of humor. His great Uncle died in Normandy in the Army as part of that World War II battle that we all know about. He was stationed all over the world and touched many lives through his ministry. He saw a lot. Counseled so many soldiers dealing with PTSD.

 

After listening and taking a lot of notes, his song is titled Cross On The Collar, as he wore one during that time. Some of the lyrics are:

 

Guess you could say I heard God calling

I served in wars, I served in peace

I laid hands on a body bag that I still can’t unsee

With a cross on my collar, I did more than just preach

 

LAST NIGHT

I performed that song last night with Carl sitting beside me. Turns out, he wrote a “church rap” that I had him perform after I played his song to honor him. Pretty much brought the house down at the American Legion.



 

Four other songwriters did the same, each song honoring the veteran they wrote about, while the lyrics to each song were put up on a giant screen so the crowd could follow the lyrics as those songs were being performed.


 


 Thank you to the town of Heyworth, who really turn out to honor their hometown heroes. They treated us like royalty and made us feel so welcome.



 

Another one in the books. The next Freedom Sings Songwriter event will be in Shiloh, Illinois August 1 and 2.

 

SONG OF THE DAY

Today’s song is “Blue Ain’t Just A Color,” that Kristy Cox recorded on Billy Blue Records. One that I wrote by myself one day. This is on that’s a regular part of Kristy’s set list when she’s travelling the world performing. So glad she loved this song. 

 

 HEALTH NOTES

Microplastics have been linked to higher diabetes and stroke risk in coastal communities, according to a new study.

 

Chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals sold at Kroger and Walmart have been recalled after illnesses and deaths from listeria.

 

Researchers say that regular exercise can lower the risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancer.

 

HERE’S YOUR SIGN


 A worthy cause. Please, give as much as you can.


THE PRICE OF HOOPS

The iconic NBA basketball team that is the LA Lakers just sold. Mark Walter is the new owner. How much did he pay? 10 BILLION dollars. That’s the most ever for any sports team. He also owns the majority interest in the LA Dodgers as well as some other sports franchises.

 

In 1979, Jerry Buss bought the Lakers for 67.5 million. And his daughter Jenny just sold it for 10 BILLION. Thank you Daddy for buying the team!

 

PADUCAH

Paducah, Kentucky, would like for you to move to their city. So much so that they are offering $6,500 in benefits for those willing to move there. And though that might sound tempting…keep in mind that the town of Jacksonville, Illinois, will give you $9,300 to do the same, AND…they’re offering FREE teeth whitening!

 

Honey, call the movers. I need whiter teeth.

 

THINGS YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE

That would be an alligator just outside your hotel room door. This guy, in Tampa, Florida, must have been looking for the ice machine…I guess.



 

TODAY’S HEADLINE

An Australian Army Vehicle Has Gone Missing After Being Painted In Camo. (Stands to reason)

 

 

TODAY

Back home to Music City USA today after another memorable trip writing with our veterans. Those veterans that we write with ALWAYS thank us. No, thank you for your service and for sharing your amazing stories with us.

 

Have a great Thursday!

 

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