Well, it’s been kind of a wild and weird week and a half for me.  Things tend to start spinning with me personally when I don’t feel 100% because I have other duties here at the radio station behind the scenes.  I also produce a radio show on our sister station, 92.9 FM ESPN (The Gary Parrish Show), & I’m the program manager for 92.9 FM ESPN.  Combine that with trying to be a good husband and functioning father of a 3 year old, and I don’t do well when I’m not 100% healthy.  So it’s been going around our building, the daycare, and likely where you are reading this from.  My doctor says this years “Sinus/Viral/Flu” spring ailment that is going around might be one of the worst strains in recent times.  It’s taken 2 weeks for me not to have a head full of conjestion, no headache, and able to keep it together.  I’m not complaining, just “blogging”. 

I couldn’t even fool my dad, who spent a couple days with me last week in St. Louis for the St. Louis Cardinals “Affiliate Days”.  Even the weather kind of played with that event forcing the team to schedule a doubleheader last Wed., cancelling some of our “Meet and greets”.  Still, the Cardinals are 1st class, put us up at a nice hotel, and provided a winner!  We met former Cardinals pitcher and one of the guys who now does their Fox Sports TV broadcast, Cal Eldred.

My wife also purchased a nice summer package to see the Cardinals later this summer, so I’m looking forward to going back.  I’m a fan, for sure.

While we’re talking sports, the Grizzlies have made what I’d say is the biggest sports impact I’VE EVER SEEN HERE IN MEMPHIS.  Tonight they have a chance to clinch and move on to the next round of the NBA playoffs.  It’s been cool seeing our team and our city presented nationally on this stage!

And more sports…As part of our annual “Special Kids & Families Fun Run & Bunny Walk” at the Oak Court Mall over the weekend.  I really appreciate everyone for coming out (over 1,000 runners).  We had celebrities running, including Memphis Tigers Forward Wesley Witherspoon!

 3 days of solid terrible weather, just in time for “Memphis in May”.  This weekend, I’ll probably at some point cruise by my local hometown event, Arlington in April.  I’m looking forward to my folks from Illinois visiting as well.   Between all the sports, work, family (today is my son Jake’s 3rd birthday!), and events…there’s the weather!  Bad memories for those folks up toward Caruthersville, MO and Pine Bluff….but now closer to home Millington, the Naval Base, etc. all facing flooding.  STOP!  Yes, even the old field by Kroger in Arlington again.

Here’s last week’s Top 5 @ Noon Review:

Mon. 4/18 –  Memphis Made @ Stax – #5. Sam & Dave – Soul Man #4. Otis Redding – Sitting on the Dock of the Bay #3. Staple Singers – I’ll Take You There #2. Eddie Floyd – Knock on Wood #1. Isaac Hayes – Theme from Shaft

Tues. 4/19 – You’re Breaking My Heart – #5. Hall & Oates – She’s Gone #4. Simon & Garfunkel – Cecilia #3. Quarterflash – Harden my Heart #2. Meat Loaf – Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad #1. Elton John/Kiki Dee – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart

Wed. 4/20 – Use Ta Be’s, But Ain’t No More’s – #5. O’Jays – Use to Be My Girl #4. Michael McDonald – I Keep Forgettin’ #3. Chi-Lites – Have You Seen Her #2. Chicago – Old Days #1. Supremes – Reflections

Thurs. 4/21 – Comings & Goings – #5. Three Dog Night – Mama Told Me (Not to Come) #4. Styx – Come Sail Away #3. Supremes – Come See About Me #2. Paul McCartney/Wings – Coming Up #1. Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way

Fri. 4/22 – Top 5 on April 22, 1977 #5. Atlanta Rhythm Section – So Into You #4. Hall & Oates – Rich Girl #3. 10cc – The Things We Do For Love #2. Eagles – Hotel California #1. Thelma Houston – Don’t Leave Me This Way

In memory…

Also, I must write that my thoughts are in heaven today as my lovely 104-year-old Aunt Beulah passed away this week.  What a life!  I loved her because she was fun, had a great energy, and was great to be around in church or wherever.  You know how certain people don’t need to say things to be “fun”.  That was her!  As I celebrate my three-year-old son Jake’s birthday today, I remember everything she must have seen!  From horse and buggy, to airplane/media advancements, etc.  Truly amazing.  My mom said something I thought was really neat.  She’s having a party in heaven with her family, finally. 

~Brad

Yummy! Time for our annual talk on pizza! National survey talking about pizza chains (Pizza Hut a national  fave) so we decided to talk LOCAL pizza!

Where do you enjoy a slice…..or whole pizza?! Here are the suggestions we got for eateries all around the Mid South from our listeners at Classic Hits 94.1 KQK.

Trolley Stop Market (on Madison)

Café Piazza in Collierville

Little Italy (downtown/med center area)

Exline’s Pizza

Lonnie Tant’s Italia in Desoto county

Colletta’s

High Point Pizza

Wise Guys in Horn Lake

Avellino’s in Southaven

Broadway Pizza

Luigi’s in Byhalia
 
Thanks for all the calls!!

So it was a big weekend in Memphis, for me.  I’m nursing my family back to health.  The Grizzlies won a BIG #1 in the playoffs at San Antonio, and the entire city was watching or following along!  All three of us in my house have kind of been hit with “something viral” which is code for “another daycare illness”.  Seems like everything was back to normal this morning.  I did have to bribe my son to go to “school” with a trip to the donut shop.  It worked!  Still, it was an adventurous weekend as I celebrated “another” birthday while hosting WKNO’s Action Auction with Karen Perrin.

My most embarrasing moment was probably when I had to do the famous “overbid dance” or when I started describing an item from the Humane Society thinking it was a doggie camp, when it was actually a kids camp to learn about working with dogs.  The copy was at the very bottom of the page.  Uh, ok!  Had a great time thanks to Teri and everyone over at WKNO, and it’s always a pleasure to help support great local/specialized TV programming.

Sunday it was the annual “City Auto Rajun Cajun” Festival downtown.  I had a chance to hang out with Memphis’ Webb Dalton (band).  He’s got a great band, and a strong version of BB King’s “The Thrill is Gone.”  In between sets, I called “play-by-play” of the annual crawfish race for kids.  Yes, I’ve done baseball play-by-play and even called combine demolition derby’s, but this was the first crawfish race!

Once again, another great cause on Sunday (Porter Leath).  This coming weekend, make sure to help me support the kids at Special Kids and Families at the Annual Fun Run and Bunny Walk at Oak Court on Saturday morning.  You can sign up here: http://www.bunnyrun.racesonline.com/

Here’s last week’s Top 5 @ Noon Review:

Monday, April 11 – Top Songs April, 11th:  #5. Dave Edmunds – I Hear You Knockin’, #4. Floaters – Float On, #3. B.W. Stevenson – My Maria, #2. Pilot – Magic, and #1. Lipps Inc. – Funkytown

Tuesday, April 12 – Sky High (Sky, High or both in the Title): #5. Beatles – Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, #4. Survivor – High on You, #3. Alan Parsons Project – Eye in the Sky, #2. Diana Ross – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, and #1. Jigsaw – Sky High

Wed., April 13 – Boogie Down (Boogie in the Title):  #5. Stevie Wonder – Boogie on Reggae Woman, #4. KC & the Sunshine Band – Boogie Shoes, #3. Earth, Wind and Fire – Boogie Wonderland, #2. Johnny Rivers – Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu, #1. Eddie Kendrick – Boogie Down

Thurs., April 14 – The Roots of Crosby, Still, Nash, and Young: #5. Byrds – Mr. Tambourine Man, #4. Buffalo Springfield – For What It’s Worth, #3. Hollies – Bus Stop, #2. Neil Young – Heart of Gold, and #1. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young – Woodstock

Friday, April 15 – Top 5 from April 15, 1980: #5. Queen – Crazy Little Thing Called Love, #4. Christopher Cross – Ride Like The Wind, #3. Spinners – Working My Way Back to You, #2. Pink Floyd – Another Brick in the Wall, and #1. Blondie – Call Me

~bc

  Reality S%#@…:-) Money for the RICH – ‘REALITY” for the rest of us!

  How did they know I’m always ‘meditating’ surrounded by hot dogs?!?

  A vast conspiracy from Bic Pens Inc., ya think?

  Even my cat lies on FB! Eu Tu Brute’ er, Kittie’?…:-)

Countdown to SPRING! Redbirds Baseball, Griz Playoffs, etc! HOT TIME on the radio today! See you at 2.

Memphis is certainly a city that locals describe as a place reluctant to get too excited for fear of letdown, which it’s experienced in it’s rich sports history.  That said, folks are coming out of their shell for this Memphis Grizzlies team.  This weekend the Grizz clinched a spot in the difficult Western Conference playoff race.  It’s very exciting!  I’ve got Grizz fever, and the city seems to be supporting and jumping on board!  The characters on this team, including Tony Allen and Zach Randolph combined with local favorites like Shane Battier, make it that much more enjoyable.  Get info and Grizz goodies here: www.grizzlies.com

Go Grizz!  Personally, I think they’ll win their first round series the way they are playing right now.

Here’s last weeks Top 5 @ Noon Review:

4/4/11: O Canada!  – 5 Canadian Classics – #5. BTO – Let it Ride, #4. Gordon Lightfoot – Sundown, #3. Andy Kim – Rock Me Gently, #2. Stampeders – Sweet City Woman, and #1. Guess Who – American Woman

4/5/11 “Jumped Ship” (were members of more than one group) #5. Santana – Evil Ways, #4. Buffalo Springfield – For What It’s Worth, #3. Ides of March – Vehicle, #2. Paul McCartney – Silly Love Songs, #1. Strawberry Alarm Clock – Incense & Peppermints

4/6/11 “All Hail the Kings” (all King names) #5. Kingsmen – Louie Louie, #4. Carole King – So Far Away, #3. King Harvest – Dancing in the Moonlight, #2. Ben E. King – Stand By Me, and #1. Evelyn “Champagne” King – Shame

4/7/11 Top 5 on April 7, 1978: #5. Samantha Sang – Emotion, #4. Barry Manilow – Can’t Smile Without You, #3. Eric Clapton – Lay Down Sally, #2. Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive, and #1. Bee Gees – Night Fever

4/8/11 Top 5 “Wet” Songs #5. Sittin on the Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding, #4. Fire & Rain – James Taylor, #3. Love is Thicker than Water – Andy Gibb, #2. Black Water – Doobie Brothers, and #1. River Deep/Mountain High – Supremes/Four Tops

We had a wonderful time at my folks farm in Southern Illinois over the weekend thanks to my company’s new modular studio I brought along!  We also were able to attend Opening Day in St. Louis!  Yes, I’m a huge St. Louis Cardinals Fan.  Oh the site of Stan Musial and all the Hall of Famers, the Clydesdales, the pagaentry & atmosphere make for the only sports thing that nearly brings a tear to my eye.  This is my 2nd Opening Day.  I was actually in St. Louis for Opening Day 2006, the year they opened New Busch Stadium and won the World Series.  Great view too…check it:

While in the area, we spent time on my dad’s farm.  It’s pretty cool with all the horses.  My son Jake is now getting to the age where it’s like a trip to the ZOO!  He never wants to leave.

As I’ve explained in earlier blogs, my dad has been working on a new cabin for a year or two.  He’s quite an engineer, builder, and all around technically gifted person.  His idea for a “cabin” snowballed from what I’d call a “KOA campground shack” to becoming an unbelievable camping palace!  Here’s the inside taking shape.  It’s amazing how they can now make paste board look like real wood.  Awesome.

And yes…there will be a sink, bathroom, and all the trimmings.  Truly roughing it!  My son won’t have to deal with the stuff I put my dad through (complaining about beds, mice, etc.).

I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a weekend!

Anyway, here’s last week’s Top 5 in Review:

Monday, March 28th: Top 5 from 3/28/1983 – Cars – Shake it Up, Stevie Wonder – That Girl, J. Geils Band – Centerfold, Journey – Open Arms, Joan Jett – I Love Rock n’ Roll

Tuesday, March 29th:  “This & That” (________&________ titles) #5.  Three Dog Night – Black & White #4. Tommy James – Crimson & Clover #3. Huey Lewis – Heart & Soul #2. Heatwave – Always & Forever #1. Beatles – Twist & Shout

Wed., March 3oth:  “Dance” (in the title)  #5.  Irene Cara – Flashdance #4. King Harvest – Dancing in the Moonlight #3.  David Bowie – Let’s Dance #2. Van Morrison – Moondance #1. Donna Summer – Last Dance

Thurs., March 31st: Bankrupt! (5 Acts That Went Broke) #5. Marvin Gaye – Mercy Mercy Me #4. Meat Loaf – Two out of Three Ain’t Bad #3. Isaac Hayes – Theme from Shaft #2. Billy Joel – It’s Still Rock n’ Roll to Me #1. Isley Bros. – That Lady (pt. 1)

Friday, April 1st:  April Fools (5 Songs with Fool in the titles) #5.  Aretha Franklin – Chain of Fools #4. Chris Rea - Fool #3. Main Ingredient – Everybody Plays the Fool #2. Beatles – Fool on the Hill #1.  Doobie Brothers – What a Fool Believes

While I’m covering random stuff, I’d like to sendout my condolences to the entire “Tiger” family with the loss of Larry Finch this past weekend.  I wasn’t around during his tenure, but many of my friends here have made me realize his impact.  He truly was a Memphis icon, and he will be missed.  ~bc

RIP Larry

Sorry - had to invoke the name of Charles Sheen one more time. Hey! Ole Charles is helping take our minds off of Tigers, Grizzlies, school mergers and Meatloaf’s big meltdown on Celebrity Apprentice (Oh the humanity…:-)

And to accentuate the ‘positive’ – give THANKS you’re not in any of the below:

News you DO want to KNOW! Tickets for Chicago in concert, every morning at 8:10 with Conley and Karen! Good Luck – and see you on the radio at 2!

Hello! A special hello to those of you reading my blog on your iphone/ipad app. I thought I’d blog today and take a little pressure off Brad who seems to update his blog way more often that Steve or me.

I am writing today to make sure you know about a ticket giveaway on Classic Hits 94.1 KQK this week on the Conley and Karen morning show. You have a chance to win front row tickets to see Chicago at the Harrah’s Event Center later this month. You only need to text enter. Send the word CHICAGO to 47183 and you are entered into the contest. (Only one entry per person and you do need to be at least 21.) You have until this Friday morning 4/8 at about 7:59am to enter. And then, at 8:10am everyday thru Thursday on the air with Conley and Karen you have more chances to win…this time 4th, 3rd and 2nd row seats.

Good luck and thanks for listening