BILL BLOG
Thursday, February 12, 2026
And a good Thursday morning to you from Greensburg, Indiana. 39 degrees for the high temperature here today.
YESTERDAY
Myself and 4 other songwriters from Nashville and I made the 5-hour trip up to Greensburg, Indiana, for a Freedom Sings USA songwriter retreat with veterans from this area.
They had a lot more snow here than we had in Nashville. They got the snow, we got the ice. Our first stop was at the local fairgrounds to take a look at where we will be playing the songs we write with veterans today.
I love a stage with a big American flag!
Then we drove into downtown Greensburg for dinner at a place called “The Beach”.
Great food, and they set up a stage for us to play 2 songs apiece to some of the veterans and locals who had gathered.
Wil Nance, Bill DiLuigi, Bobby Tomberlin, Steve Dean, and I did 2 songs apiece, and a couple of songs we’ve written with veterans during past trips were performed, giving them a taste of what’s to come today and tonight when we gather with those vets.
BONUS
My friend Brent Lee came by, whom I’ve not seen in years. Brent was the producer of the morning show I was part of years ago at WFMS Radio in nearby Indianapolis. These days, he OWNS 7 radio stations scattered across Indiana and Illinois. Including one in Batesville, Indiana, which is just a few miles from Greensburg. And he lives just a block from “The Beach” where we played last night. So it was a great bonus to see him and catch up on his busy, successful life these days.
LAST NIGHT
After we finished our little show, they drove us about 30 miles out into the countryside to the Jawacdah Farms to bed down.
Beautiful resort with all the amenities one could ask for. It’s peaceful and quiet, and I would highly recommend spending a few nights here. So you can see they are taking great care of our group.
SONG OF THE DAY
This is another song written with a veteran named Terry Haynes in Montrose, Colorado, with Freedom Sings, USA. Terry’s song is titled “One of McNamara’s Millions”. It’s quite the story, as all of these songs with veterans are. He was one of a million men that the Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara called up to serve. He was on a bus before he knew it, headed to basic training, and wound up in Vietnam. He was wounded in action and was a Purple Heart recipient.
When they paired me up to write with Terry, the organizers warned me that he might be writing with. So much so, they told me if I chose not to write with him, that was okay. I said “yes”, and I’m glad I did. When we sat down, I just asked a few questions and let him talk. He opened right up and told me his story. And he cried when I played him his song.
We lost Terry a few years ago. And at the VA Center in Montrose, there’s a case with some of his Army memorabilia and his Purple Heart on display.
I was proud to become his friend. Click the link above to hear his song.
HEALTH NOTES
Sad to see that actor James Van Der Beek lost his battle to colorectal cancer after fighting it for years. Man, I hate cancer.
You can now purchase a “smart” toothbrush that works in 20 seconds and can detect the presence of liver disease or diabetes.
The CDC has listed seven states in the “worst tier” for the flu right now. They are Oregon, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
HERE’S YOUR SIGN
Make sure you pull the right handle.
VALENTINE
It’s this Saturday. I think I’ve figured out the “smart” gift to give her. A mattress. Think about it. Valentine’s Day is Saturday, President’s Day is Monday, and they already have mattresses on sale—two lovebirds with one stone. Wait till I drag one of these bad boys home for her Valentine’s gift. She is SO gonna love me.
SPEAKING OF ROMANTIC
Google Trends reveals that the most romantic state is Alabama. Don’t ask me why.
South Carolina, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Louisiana complete the Top 5. Tennessee? We rank 8th most romantic.
I get that for Tennessee. You treat a girl in Tennessee to a biscuit and gravy dinner with moonshine to drink with the song “Rocky Top” playing in the background? That’s pretty danged romantic now.
THE OLYMPICS
Be careful if you choose downhill skiing as a sport. Lindsey Vonn, who had that horrible crash, has now had not 1, not 2, but 3 surgeries.
She’s doing well, but I think I’m going to choose to join a curling team to be part of if I choose to go for a gold medal.
SUPER BOWL COMMERCIALS
According to the Ad Meter, the best 5 Super Bowl commercials this year were:
5…Michelob Ultra “The Ultra Instructor”
4…Dunkin-‘Good Will Dunkin’
3…Pepsi…The Choice
2…Lay’s-‘Last Harvest
And Budweiser-American Icons was the best. And I wouldn’t argue with that too much. Great ad.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
From W.C. Fields:
"If I had my life to live over, I’d live over a saloon.”
TODAY
I’ll be writing with a veteran this morning here in Greensburg, Indiana. Then tonight, the 4 other songwriters from Nashville will sing these songs in concert to honor our veterans. These are always unforgettable concerts.
Have a great Thursday.
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