Goodbye Mo

I would like to leave one last thought from the 2009 Training Camp.

Few people in our lives actually leave a lasting impression on us, but when they do the loss of that person affects us deeply.
Charlie "Mo" was one of those people; I have worked the Training Camp for fourteen years and except for one summer Mo was there with me the whole way.
Who was Mo? He was a gentleman of the South who liked you or didn't like you with nothing in between.We started off on the wrong foot and had a fifteen minute heated verbal exchange between us, our different ethnic backgrounds and our very similar tempers for that moment got the better of us.
For the rest of the camp we had a tenuous relationship at best, Mo did his job but kept his distance. All I could think of was how much "fun" it was going to be next year.
Eleven months later when I returned to start setting up for camp there was Mo, I went over to him thinking this could be a long few weeks. Much to my surprise Mo came over and gave me a hug and said "great to see you Boss, what needs to be done?"
For the years that followed Mo was always there, he was my lead evening cook, the steaks were his to grill. When the food was under control he made sure the dishes were stacked and washed.
A few months ago Charlie "Mo" passed away, I did not have a chance to say goodbye and I missed the hug of friendship and respect.
Mo they say you go to a better place, for you I hope so as you always seemed to enjoy life.
Your name was mentioned many times at camp this year, we put that small steak that you always loved on the corner of the grill. We slowly and gently cooked it for the hour or so that you would have taken. I also think we used less watermelon and salt than usual, did you really eat that much?

But most of all I missed the seven o'clock, "is that it Boss?" Then before he left the hug and handshake were our way of saying dinner was over, great job, thank you and good night.

Charlie "Mo" thank you for being my friend and for pushing me when I needed to be pushed. I hope they are letting you drink that beer while waiting for the fish to bite.

Charlie "Mo"..... goodbye.

Rock and Roll

Well after I had published my idea for the Rock and Roll "Hall of Fame" for the British Invasion bands who will never make it to Cleveland. I was told the ideas were good but we did not live there then and have no idea who was around.
So I have expanded my list a little and threw in a few tid bits as well.

Bands on the bubble for the first non Cleveland "Hall of Fame" are:

T Rex (Bang a Gong and Ride a White Swan)

Slade (Cum on feel the noiz and other "big hair band songs)

Gerry and the Pacemakers (who can forget Ferry across the Mersey, the fifty thousand plus who go to watch Liverpool play Football make sure we don't)

Mott the Hoople (Mick Ralphs went to Bad Company, and yes it was Ian Hunter who wrote Cleveland Rocks and not Drew Carey)

The Pretty Things (they are for you to discover, I grew up with Viv Prince the drummer. They were billed as the next coming of the Rolling Stones)

The Family (Rick Grech left to become the bass player in Blind Faith)

Spencer Davis Group (I'm a man, yes i am. At fifteen Stevie Winwood was blowing the doors off the charts)

Brian Augur Trinity featuring Julie Driscoll (another one for you to research)

Donovan (Mello Yellow is one of the great songs used in advertising, and yes we are still looking for Atlantis.

Stay tuned more to come.

Restaurant review

Had a great meal in Spartanburg, SC on Saturday 15 August at 2 (11) Samuels on East Henry Street.
Sammy Ridgeway and his wife Tina who are old friends of ours showed why he is so respected in the local restaurant community.
Lisa had the petite filet, thank heavens there was not a "regular" size one on the menu. They must grow them big in Spartanburg.
I had the rack of lamb and we both had salads, everything was excellent and with a bottle of Sass Pinot Noir a perfect meal.
Kudos to the Ridgeways, keep up the good work and you will keep being successful.

Rock and Roll

Hello everyone,

For a little fun I will be creating my own Rock and Roll hall of fame, I will be aiming at the British Invasion bands (different boats). It will be groups who had profound effects on my life but were not deemed to be good enough for the wonderful city of Cleveland.

It will be by categories:

Rock'n Roll
Heavy Metal
Pop
Folk.

So just think about it, I will be looking at bands like Mott the Hoople, The Pretty Things, Family and others.

Remember they have to be British bands and have to have recorded for the first time prior to 1974. We have to stick to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guidelines.

So as you think of them let me know, the first induction will be 15 September, so all nominations have to be in by 01 September.

Remember life without music does not exist, it does not always have to be the sound or the noise just the feeling.

Go vote and let me know.

Carolina Panthers Training Camp

Well only one week to go here in Spartanburg, SC. Next Thursday we pack the cars, load the trucks and head North on Interstate 85 for another year.
It has been a crazy week and a half here, between radio stations including Al, Stacy and Jim with WBT, and 99.9 the fan out of Raleigh coming for the first time.
Then of course the players themselves, the great thing about running the Cafeteria during camp is getting to know and talk to the real side of the football players, not the one perceived by the general public
Of course it rained like crazy yesterday and the question came up about the last time there was rain during the whole practice, I was told it was when George Seifert was coach.

Remember the one and fifteen season, I am sure he does..

Well have fun everyone, we have to go clean up after breakfast.

Oh yea one other thing watch out for me on Fox Sports (TV) in Charlotte talking to you live from camp on the early news show, Monday 17 August.