BILL BLOG
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Hello, “Hump Day” Wednesday. And it’s going to be a little more comfortable in Nashville today with a high of just 85.
YESTERDAY
I sure had fun writing with Lauren Mascitti and Lee Black at Lauren’s new publishing company here in town, North Chapel Music. Lee has had a ton of Southern Gospel hits, but he wants to write a country hit, as we all do. So he brought a very fun, quirky country song idea that we had a blast writing.
And to hear Lauren singing the song was a bonus.
The three of us will most surely be writing some more songs together down the road.
BACK ON THE CHARTS
Now this was a nice surprise. The song, “Blue Collar Gospel,” recorded by Jerry Salley & The Oak Ridge Boys, showed up on this Gospel-Bluegrass chart in the #4 slot…after all this time! (Hard to see...but it's there!
The song has been out for almost a couple of years, and they are still playing the heck out of it in some circles. Thank you!
That song was written with Jerry Salley & Rick Lang, and was up for gospel-bluegrass song of the year last year, at the Bluegrass Convention and Awards show, which Steve Martin hosted. We did not win, but I’m sure happy the song is still hanging around.
MORE COUNTRY THAN YOU
Alex Miller and Emily Ann Roberts recorded the fun duet that the three of us wrote, “More Country Than You.”
The song has had a lot of views, and then this VIDEO popped up yesterday of a Father and his daughter belting out our song while they were driving down the road. Ya gotta love that! This song is also the title track for Alex's new album that's out now.
BAREFOOTIN'
I mentioned here yesterday at my friend Becky Denton has released a summer song that we wrote together, "Barefootin', and she's making a video to go with it. She's asked her friend and followers to send her their "barefoot" videos, and will be using some of those in the video.
Here's the first VIDEO to come in. Too cute.
SONG OF THE DAY
Something funny today from my friend Brent Burns, “Double Wide in the Sky,” that we wrote together several years ago. Brent gets the crowd singing along to “Double Wide”…” In The Sky” every time he sings this song. Enjoy.
HEALTH NOTES
Dr. Oz is warning that Medicare scammers are stealing billions, and your personal information is at risk. Beware.
A study found that unsweetened decaf green tea lowers cholesterol, and that it’s especially effective if consumed after dinner. Drinking enough of it can lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke by 26% and death from all causes by 16%.
A survey reveals that Gen Z eats nearly twice as many snacks as boomers, with experts warning that they are replacing meals.
HERE’S YOUR SIGN
I think they want you to hit the brakes.
ROUND MOUND OF REBOUND
Ya gotta love Charles Barkley. He speaks his mind, pulls no punches, and he is legit funny. Sir Charles turned down an invitation to go to Taylor Swift’s wedding. His reason? “I don’t go to weddings or funerals.” And, he doesn’t have to.
He added, “It’s just too much. I just want to hang out and play golf, and I don’t want to dress up.”
I’m voting for Charles Barkley for President.
KRISPY KREME
How about these new donuts?
Girl Scout cookie flavors have been added to the Krispy Kreme Donuts. You can get “Thin Mint”, “Coconut Carmel,” and “Lemon Up.” One influencer has declared the “Lemon Up” donut is one of her top donut flavors of all time.
Still waiting for the Krispy Kreme Kraft Mac n Cheese flavored myself.
GARTH IS BACK
Garth Brooks announced a new tour, the “Blame It All On My Roots” tour. And it’s been a while since he’s been out on tour.
The tour’s first stop will be in Indianapolis.
I always enjoyed being around or interviewing Garth when I was on the radio.
He’s very quick on his feet and can be really funny. I interviewed his wife, Trisha Yearwood once when I was on air for WUBE in Cincinnati, and she told us how Garth would fold her underwear after they had been laundered.
A week after Trisha told my radio partner and me that, we had Garth on the air and asked if that was true. He said, " You can’t believe anything that lying woman says.” We laughed so hard.
CENTRAL PARK
And when I was on air for WMIL Radio in Milwaukee, they sent me and my morning show to New York to cover Garth’s Central Park Concert, which was huge.
We checked out the area where the concert was going to be held and decided we did not want to stand in that mass of humanity. So his record label, Capitol Records, took our party to dinner at an authentic Italian Restaurant, knowing the concert would be on all the TV screens. And it was.
Now the staff was authentic as well. Italians. And while Garth was playing and doing his thing on the TV, the waiters could not have cared less. But when Garth announced asked New Yorker Billy Joel to join him on the stage, they all let up a cheer. “Billy!”
It will be interesting to see how ticket sales go for his new tour.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
From the late UCLA basketball coach John Wooden:
“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?”
TODAY
My writing appointment was moved to another date, so I’ve got the day free. Tomorrow I’ve got a little road trip to Cincinnati with my wife, Kathy, for her book signing on Saturday.
We are looking forward to seeing some old friends there.
I’m hoping to catch a Reds game while I’m there, but storms are in the forecast. Fingers crossed that their prediction changes.
Have a great Wednesday!
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