Today I’m starting a new blog feature called Classic Hits 94.1 KQK “Behind the Scenes”.  That is truly what this feature will do.  Take you behind the scenes by featuring the unsung heros at the radio station who aren’t on-the-air.  Our first edition features the #1 unsung person at our radio station:  Becky Barber, front desk receptionist, and all around great person!

Becky is the first person that prize winners, clients, and everyone who works at the radio station sees (unless they go in the back door).  Her wonderful attitude and smile is always a welcoming feeling to everyone who visits the radio group here. 

Becky was the first person I met when I interviewed in Memphis 6 years ago.  It’s funny how every place I’ve worked there is always that one person who is the “glue” that connects people.  Almost like family.  In the case of Becky, I’ll never forget when my son Jake was born.  Becky took the time to knit a pair of blue baby booties.  We still have them on top of his dresser.  She’s always energetic, and is great at what she does. 

1-on-1

Brad:  How long have you worked at the radio station?

Becky:  11 years. 

Brad:  What’s your favorite thing about working @ the radio station?

Becky:  I really enjoy the people.

Brad:  What do you enjoy about Memphis?

Becky:  I grew up here.  I enjoy spending time with my family.  It’s home.  (I don’t like the humidity though.)  I really like the people.  “Southern people.” 

Brad:  Tell me about your family.

Becky:  I’ve been married to my husband, Don, for 40 years.  We have 2 children, and a baby grandson.

This will be the 6th year I’ve hosted the Special Kids and Families Fun Run & Bunny Walk with Newschannel 3’s Jim Jaggers, and I’d love for YOU to join me!  Here’s the sign-up website & info place:  http://www.bunnyrun.racesonline.com/

Event:  2010 Fun Run & Bunny Walk

For:  Special Kids and Families (see my quick tour/facility interview here*) 

When:  Saturday, April 3, 2010 @ 9:00 a.m.

Where:  Audubon Park @ Oak Court Mall (parking lot next to Macy’s)

Hosts:  Jim Jaggers & Brad Carson

*The kids are in the background because I didn’t want to disturb their activities!

I just told someone at the office that I had the best weekend of the year, so far!  What did we do that was so fun?  Well, we spent time with my family.  I truly believe you can never go wrong doing that. 

First, it started out at my niece Shelby’s 16th Birthday Party at Strike Zone in Southaven!   We had a great time.  My wife, Stacy, was part responsible for making the plans on a limo trip journey of teenagers that included the bowling stop at the end.  Great bowling alley, clean, with nice people.

Saturday, it was a day at the house playing with my son Jake.  Grandma and grandpa from Illinois were with us Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday night was a  night on the town at two of my favorite Arlington, TN. hometown establishments including the one and only El Mezcal.  Here they predict what you’re going to eat and have it waiting for you, it’s so fast!  Sunday evening my mom watched our son, Jake, and we headed to good ole’ Rizzi’s Paradiso Pub to listen to music and watch basketball with our friends Randy and Tonya, & my dad.  Good times!

Sunday, my dad and I went to Soup Sunday while my son went with mom and grandma to The Memphis Children’s Museum. 

Jake is now sliding on his own!

I thought this was hilarious.  My wife and I were discussing the virtues of Olympic curling while watching the Vancouver Winter Olympics over the weekend.  Clearly, these are not fine tuned athletic machines participating (have you seen them?)*.  Also, their prime age rises well above their ’20s.  In fact, I would argue bowling is even MORE of a sport than curling. 

However, when I just read that now a Danish curler is complaining that she screwed up due to wicked crazy Canadian fans distracting her, that was the last straw! 

Denmark skip Madeleine Dupont missed two potentially game-winning shots and tearfully blamed the fans for it afterward. Canada won the match 5-4 in an extra end.

I’m so tired of athletes who blame everyone but themselves.  First of all, it’s a freaking competition!  It’s not the end of the world.  I get that it’s the olympics.  I get that it only happens every four years.  But it drives me insane when I hear about this young lady, or even the Russian figure skater who blames the judges and says you can’t have a figure skating gold medalist (referring to the US skater who won gold this year) who doesn’t perform the “quad”. 

Lesson for life.  Take it like a man…don’t take it like a curler. 

*Granted, you could argue that some of the bobsledders have beer guts.

I announced this on the radio show the other day…

The West Memphis High School Classes of 1960-69 will celebrate “The Decade of the 60″s Class Reunion”. Please help us find more of our classmates.

Contact Gary Taylor for more information 870-739-3928

, or mail inquiries to the address.

From…

the West Memphis High School 60’s Reunion Committee

Just congratulated Tigers guard Willie Kemp on his game against UCF.  Believe it or not, he was just getting some new tires, while I was also getting a repair, at the Firestone on Highland and Poplar!

What up Willie?

After a swell night of football, apparently all the meterologists were drunk or weren’t concerned with competing for weather related TV ratings last night because WE JUST GOT BLASTED! 

As you know, everything is closed today…including my sons daycare.  My wife, Stacy, so nicely stayed at home today due to the fact that I’ve got the live and local radio show on 94.1 KQK right now and this afternoon I’ll be producing the ESPN Gary Parrish show on 92.9FM from 4-6pm CST.

That said, I didn’t take my life into my own hands by taking the following photos.  It was literally CRAWLING when I snapped these shots so you can get a look at why everything closes…

The trip started with a full tank of gas at the Arlington Exit:

Next, I-40…  Tennessee has ONE salt and push truck, and I witnessed it’s work!  Why isn’t the plow touching the ground?

Next, I saw the roadside media center dedicated to discussing the fact there is actually snow and slush on the flyover.  Melissa Moon must still be sitting in the van.

And, after a call-in report to Conley and Karen, the final leg of my adventure ends on Perkins.  It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

I’m so excited, there’s a group of us who have been invited to host a trip to the Master’s on April 6th for the first practice round, and you’re invited to come along!!!!  If you’d like to go, call 831-4564.  The cost is $1,200… Limited availability.  And that’s only for 94.1 KQK/92.9 ESPN listeners like you!

It’s FOR A GOOD CAUSE!!! CBU Fundraiser…Plus, it includes everything – private charter flight to and from Augusta, food, admission, ground trans, everything!!!

I’m very excited, and it’s a great dream gift for your son, daughter, valentine, or for YOU!!!  It’s a once in a lifetime, truly.  And I can’t wait!
Again, if you’re thinking about it… (901) 831-4564

Well, Monday afternoon I was able to sneak away from the radio ranch for a second because the office was pretty much closed for the holiday.  So I went to wash my car really quick at Poplar and Mendenhall.  As I’m waiting, I see THERE IT IS!!!  The AT&T store.  I don’t know what came over me, because I HATE monthly fees and phone payments.  I don’ t so much mind the one time phone cost, or even signing a contract, it’s the larger monthly bill that’s always prevented me from buying a better phone… like, yes… AN IPHONE!

Well, since I had time to waste while waiting on my car… I went into the store.  My wife has been on hers quite a bit playing games and stuff since her work purchased hers.  However, I was never convinced.   This, until Sheila the AT&T rep started showing me what hers does.  Music music music.  94.1 KQK on my Iphone! Yes.  My contacts?…no problem.  All your e-mail groups both work and home, easy to do.  Sports updates, weather, GPS.  Free aps.  SOLD!   (After I negotiated the best possible rate since I was already on AT&T.) 

It’s the greatest thing I’ve purchase since my wife’s wedding ring and my childs first crib. 
This is the most perfect thing anyone who loves their family, music and sports could get… Luckily, I love all 3!     I will say this:  For as much hype as it’s received, the Pandora is highly overrated due to the fact that you can only fast forward through so many songs (like 3) before their license fee problem doesn’t let you do it any longer.  Get flycast and listen more on yours (if you get one) to 94.1 KQK!

I know somewhere in a very dark uninhabited corner of my attic there is surely a few of my old school yearbooks.  Ahhh… high school.  I was one of those lucky people WHO LOVED HIGH SCHOOL.  I was also lucky enough to go to the very same elementary, junior high, high school in the same very small town in southern Illinois all the way through. 

I graduated with the majority of the kids I started out with.  In my case, the school was small enough that it was actually attached by a single hall way through the entire complex (ok, not small like a one room school or something) Kindergarten all the way up to the high school building.  My high school graduating class at Mount Olive High School was 42 people. 

This picture is of three of best friends from school…. (L to R) Matt Ruemmler, Mike Markezich, Tim Vogt, and me.   Two striking fashion trends:  mega tuck job on the shirts (at least those that weren’t in rock bands like Tim) & the faded streak blue jeans…  There’s a few others!

Two of them were in my wedding (Matt and Mike).  Tim was my neighbor and I taught him how to ride a bike at the age of 2 (I loved riding bikes, even at 3!).  His dad, Bill Vogt, was my first little league baseball coach. 

So, here’s to high school… It’s amazing that one picture can bring a thousand memories.  I thank God that mine are all good ones.