BILL BLOG
Friday, August 7, 2026
And we’ve made it to Friday morning—a hot 91-degree day in Nashville is on tap.
YESTERDAY
I had a great and very fun writing appointment with Belinda Smith yesterday at my publishing company. Belinda has had a LOT of her songs recorded in the gospel world, but she can write anything. Yesterday we tackled more of a “country” idea I brought with me.
This is one of the gospel songs Belinda wrote that Jeff and Sheri Easter recorded, “Over and Over.”
In Nashville, most songwriters have another real job that helps pay the bill, since songwriter dollars with streaming and such have shrunk the earnings for anyone trying to make a living rhyming words and making up melodies. In Belinda’s case, she spent several years working in the Social Security office before moving over to the VA to work with veterans and helping them receive benefits, disability pay, etc. That led to a discussion about our veterans, and filling her in about how I write songs with veterans all the time for the Freedom Sings USA organization.
I could not believe it had been more than two years since the last time we had written. We’ll be writing a lot more in the future.
SPEAKING OF FREEDOM SINGS USA
My next trip with them will take me back to Paris, Kentucky. A few weeks ago, Freedom Sings sent me to the house of Albert Wess, a 103-year-old World War II veteran who drove a truck for the “Red Ball Express” group.
They drove dangerous roads to supply Patton with whatever he needed on the front lines. A dangerous job, but Albert lived to tell the story, and still is. It’s going to be great to see him again, and honor him in front of a crowd when they play him his song, also titled “Red Ball Express.”
HERE COMES THE SUN
And this is a little clip of the French Family Band singing “Here Comes The Sun Again” in a new video the Australian family posted yesterday featuring Stuie, Camille, and their talented son Sonny. Sonny and I wrote this single along with our friend Angus Gill, and the song is celebrating being #1 for 4 weeks in a row now on the Australian Country Chart. Check out this informal acoustic version of our hit at the link above.
SONG OF THE DAY
Let's stick with the French Family Band. This is another song on their new album "Huon To Hickory" titled "Empty House" that I wrote with Stuie French, the Dad in this family group, featuring Camille on the lead. This is one of my favorite country songs I've ever written, and this PERFORMANCE of that song on the Grand Ole Opry stage gives me goosebumps every time I watch it.
HEALTH NOTES
The FDA has approved the first-ever mRNA flu vaccine for millions of older Americans.
According to researchers, a deadly superbug has been confirmed in 23 states that can hide in your hair follicles and rewire your immune system.
A court has ordered Instagram and Facebook’s Meta to pay $567 million to address kids’ mental health online.
HERE’S YOUR SIGN
A much-needed law, I’m sure.
MICHAEL 2
Word is that filming is about to begin for the “Michael” sequel. The original film was the first ever biopic to make over a BILLION dollars. If you’ve not seen it, I highly recommend it. I’m interested to see where the sequel takes us.
Here’s a VIDEO of one of my favorite moments in the original film, as we see Michael Jackson in the “Thriller” scene. His awareness of how his “feet” needed to be seen in the dance segment is remarkable.
Can’t wait for the sequel.
A FUNNY MEME
My friend Joe Rucker posted this on his Facebook page yesterday; it made me laugh.
CAREFUL IN YOUR ZOOM MEETING
This politician was in a video meeting but forgot, or didn’t care, that her underwear was drying right behind her.
And make sure your camera is pointed upwards if you’re going to Zoom in your boxers.
VOTING TIME
Folks were hitting the local voting booths yesterday. I’m always glad when any election is over, because they stop running the constant political commercials.
Being a politician can be tough. Those who are into it hang on their every word, I guess. Some politicians’ words come back to haunt them
Ronald Reagan once said, “Facts are stupid things.”
Richard Nixon once said, “You know, I’ve always wondered about the taping equipment. But I’m damn glad we have it.”
And Joe Biden said, “You cannot go to a 7-11 or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent…I’m not joking.”
Don’t forget to vote.
GREAT BOBBLEHEAD
Last night, the Atlanta Braves gave away a very cool bobblehead doll.
I’d take one of those. Alan Jackson wrote “Chattahoochee” with my friend and co-writer Jim McBride. Alan and Jim had several big Alan Jackson hits together. We lost Jim not too long ago. I’m sure he would have loved this bobble head of Georgia native Alan Jackson as well.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
From Deb Caletti:
“That’s what people do who love you. They put their arms around you and love you when you’re not so lovable.”
TODAY
I have a free day today, and I’m going to enjoy that, and the same goes for this weekend.
My wife Kathy is going to be busy with another book signing here in town tomorrow at a very cool place.
It’s great hearing from more and more folks who have bought the book and go out of their way to say how much they love it. If you have not yet picked up a copy, it’s available wherever you buy yours.
Have a great weekend!
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