BILL BLOG
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Tuesday morning in Nashville. Some more rain today, with flooding expected in many areas. A high of 83 today.
YESTERDAY
I had the day off for the most part, and got reset for a busy week that will include four songwriting sessions, an album showcase party, and a trip to Cincinnati to catch a little baseball. I’m keeping my eyes on the Cincinnati forecast, hoping the rain stays away for both of the afternoon games I’m seeing.
ON THE CHART
The song “Moonshine on the Still” went #1 on one bluegrass chart recently, the song I wrote with Laura Leigh Jones that Dailey & Vincent recorded.
And now it’s sitting at #2 on the Bluegrass Today chart. Fingers crossed. It would be very cool to have it go to the top spot on two separate music charts.
SAD NEWS
Calvin Scott is a wonderful veteran from Marion, Illinois, whose story I wrote into song a couple of years ago titled “Back to Vietnam.” Yesterday I got the sad news that Calvin had passed away.
I am certainly saddened to hear that news, as Calvin was a bright light. And not just to me, but to many in southern Illinois. He was well known in that region and loved.
A few weeks ago, I traveled back to Marion for an “Honor Flight Ceremony” at the Marion Airport. He had been in the hospital, and I was told that he wanted to see his songwriter. I was going to drop by the hospital to see him, but somehow he got out for the day and did come to see me, and hear me sing his song one more time.
I’m told that they are going to play that song I wrote with him at his funeral. What a wonderful man, who served our country and made others feel good by being in his presence.
SONG OF THE DAY
So with that, I’m going to make Calvin Scott’s song the song of the day. His song was recorded, but not in a form that I can share here on the Blog. But…here are the lyrics to “Back to Vietnam”. Calvin Scott’s story.
Verse 1
Drafted at 21, answered the call
Fort Wood, Fort Sills, I had no choice at all
Learned to load a 105 with artillery shells
And got shipped off to a jungle in the middle of hell
Hey, good morning Vietnam
Thought I’d never go back to Vietnam
Verse 2
Most of the time, I was behind the lines
No doubt, I was scared most of the time
Praying that our lookouts wouldn’t fall asleep
Praying to the Lord for my soul to keep
Scared to death in Vietnam
Never thought I’d ever go back to Vietnam
Verse 3
One morning I was supposed to go out on patrol
Last second, my Sergeant said I didn’t have to go
But he went out and answered that call
Couple years ago I saw his name on the wall
And I was back in Vietnam
Back again in Vietnam
Verse 4
Last year, my cousin and I took a trip
I saw those tunnels where the Viet Cong hid
Saigon looked different, full of fancy hotels
And I could see myself loading those artillery shells
Back again in Vietnam
I was back again in Vietnam
Verse 5
I didn’t get spit on when I came home
But some of my buddies did, now it’s nice to know
That the country treats us better than it did back then
And if I get the chance, I’d go back again
Back again to Vietnam
I’d go back again to Viet Nam
Last
They say you can’t go back but I know that’s wrong
Cause I went back to Viet Nam
HEALTH NOTES
A report claims more of us are dropping processed foods of dates. Dates have been around since ancient times, and sales are booming for them.
Good and bad news. More Americans than ever are surviving cancer. The bad news is that the psychological impacts can persist for years.
The CDC is warning that the Ebola outbreak could exceed 200,000 cases.
HERE’S YOUR SIGN
This is true, this is very true.
SHAMELESS DAUGHTER BRAGGING
My daughter Heather is a total “creative” person. I have no idea where that came from. Over the past few years, she’s just gotten better, and better, and better at sewing and making dresses and other fashion items. Check out the latest creation.
I have no idea how anyone does that.
She and her husband, Casey, are now just a few weeks away from their move back to the States from Germany, where they’ve been for way too long to suit their Dad and Mom. We are surely looking forward to having them back in the USA.
Pretty sure we’ll be making numerous trips to see them in Yuma, Arizona.
DON’T DO THIS!
Just what it looks like. A Father is using his son like a “Claw Machine” trying to retrieve a baseball that got stuck just over the home run wall in St. Louis this past Sunday in a game between the Reds and Cards. Security rushed down and ended that in short order. C’mon Dad, don't "dangle" your kid.
AND DON’T DO THIS EITHER
A guy in Brazil jumps into the rapids trying to retrieve the cell phone that he dropped. The phone was gone, and this guy was lucky he pulled himself out alive.
These kinds of stories, like the two above, are the reason my friend Brent Burns and I wrote a song titled “I Don’t Want to Die That Way", that will be on Brent’s next album.
THEM AND US
Actress Meg Ryan is selling the little getaway home she owns in the Hamptons for just 15.25 million.
That may sound like a lot, but the home comes equipped with a hot and cold DOG shower. Uh huh. That alone makes one want to buy it. Right?
QUOTE OF THE DAY
From the late Yankees manager Casey Stengel:
“The key to being a good manager is keeping the people who hate you away from those who are still undecided.”
TODAY
My co-writing friend Rick Lang, who lives out east, is in town this week to
write songs, and I’ll be joining him this morning at my publishing company to
chase a new song to add to our growing catalog.
TONIGHT
I’m looking forward to being at the Station Inn in Nashville tonight as this great family group plays songs from their new album, and I have three songs on it, including their brand new single “Here Comes theSun Again” that I wrote with young Sonny French from the group, and our friend Angus Gill. Should be great fun.
Have a great Tuesday!
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