BILL BLOG
Thursday, May 28, 2026
And a good Thursday morning to you from Elmhurst, Illinois.
YESTERDAY
I had an 11 AM flight to Chicago on Southwest.
Myself and 4 other songwriters loaded, with no fanfare, and made it to O’Hare. Early. At TSA, an agent took my guitar and made me take everything out of it. But, before she did, she said, “Sir, I’m going to take good care of your guitar. I don’t think that’s ever happened. Thank you!
And then all five of us got to our gate with guitars on our backs, and the gate attendant came up to us and told us he would make sure we were on early, to make sure all 5 guitars got in the overhead bins. Another first!
And then we boarded, and I got this particular cup that completely flattered me. Thank you, Southwest, for such a great flight!
LAST NIGHT
We gathered for a little VIP sponsor to meet the sponsors of the event, as well as the veterans we’re writing with tomorrow. Mine is an Army female veteran who was an MP for a few years, so her story should be interesting to write this morning.
The blonde with the ballcap in that picture is Cathy Richardson, who is a Chicago native and is a member of the current rock band Jefferson Starship that had gigantic hits like “We Built This City.” This is a “live” clip of her singing “Somebody To Love”.
She also toured with Janis Joplin’s old band for several years, singing all those Janis songs like “Take Another Piece of My Heart” and “Bobby McGee.” Wow. And she was so nice. A bonus for this trip. This is her posing with songwriter Bobby Tomberlin.
After shaking hands, we did a little songwriter round, each writer performing 2 songs each.
It was a very fun evening, capped with that intimate songwriter show.
SONG OF THE DAY
I’m choosing “Love Me Like Hell,” which I wrote with Ayla Brown and her husband, Rob Bellamy, who live out in the Boston area now, but were in Nashville for several years. We wrote several songs, some them the two recorded like the one I chose today. This is a “live” version of the song. They included a few years ago on their duet album, but it’s really cool to see them singing it “live” with a band in this VIDEO.
HEALTH NOTES
Doctors are pushing new blood tests for colon cancer as cases have surged in younger adults.
Researchers say there is a new urine test that could diagnose autism in children.
And…that there’s a nasal spray that not only could improve memory, but it can also reverse aging.
HERE’S YOUR SIGN
Quite the personal ad there.
HELLO DOLLY
The Dolly Parton Travel Center is set to open in a few days at a location that’s about 60 miles south of Nashville.
Big enough to rival Buc-ee’s, they say, complete with barbecue, a dog park, you can get a cup of “Dolly’s Ambition” coffee, and yes, there’s a stage for entertainment. Dolly’s empire just keeps growing.
NEW TREND?
Young people’s plastic surgery parties for real, or uh, fake. Friends gather to celebrate someone’s recent plastic surgery, and they are the first to see the new lips, boobs, face, or their new plastic nose.
Proving that one can party for almost any reason.
GRAB A BURGER
Because today is National Hamburger Day. Yep. And you can get some deals on a burger at some places, like Burger King. I like my plain. Restaurants don’t always get that, so when I order, I always say, “I’d like a plain double-cheeseburger, just burger, cheese, and bun, nothing else. And STILL, now and then, a pickle, or lettuce, or a danged tomato will show up on my order. Geez.
Now, the late Jimmy Buffett liked his with pretty much everything on it. Listen to his classic Cheeseburger In Paradise.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
From Erich Segal:
“True love comes quietly, without banners or flashing lights. If you hear bells, get your ears checked."
TODAY
This morning, our group of 5 songwriters will gather with 5 veterans and turn their amazing stories into songs that we will sing later tonight. This never gets old.
Have a great Thursday!
Comments
Post a Comment