Merry Christmas to All ...

With my beautiful (inside and out) daughters visiting their mother until Christmas morning, I have taken some time to reflect over the past year.

One year ago, I was running like a madman to Jewel/Osco Stores, 7-11's, Best Buy's and White Hen Pantry's delivering "Bear Fight Songs," a Chicago Bears tribute and a collection of old and newly written praises for our beloved Chicago Bears. The idea was the brainchild of my producer, John Steele, he handed if off to me, I took it for a few yards, pitched it, and Bill Archer brought it in for a touchdown! It was amazing how we couldn't keep up the CD sales as stores were selling approximately 1,500 CD's per day in the final two weeks before the Super Bowl. Alas, the Bears lost and CD sales abruptly halted.

Thanks to Jim Van Natta, we've kept the website up and since last February we have sold an average of 40 CD's per month to Bears fans in every State of the Union. The CD's went on sale again this past September in Jewel/Osco Stores and because the Bears have had a less-than-successful season we have only sold about 2,500 to date this year. For interested Chicagoans; it's makes the perfect stocking stuffer priced at $9.99.
I was shocked yesterday when a 20-year old kid who works out at the same health club as I do asked me to autograph a copy for his die-hard-Bears-fan father. That made my day.

Last February, Jon Brant and I performed at the Hearts of Valor Ball for my friends Roy and Georgette Frank. Inspired by the life of their Marine son, Phillip Frank, USMC (KIA, Iraq 4/04) over 300 people attended the semi-formal event. This coming February 16th, the event expects to draw at least 400+. From my experience, it's incredible to be at an event, surrounded by people from all walks of life, who think like I do. (I know that's a frightfully scary thought for some of you! lol) Join us this year Click here: The Heart of a Marine Foundation.

In March of last year, band rehearsals were in full bloom as the 101st Rock Division prepared for another concert series. We had revamped the entire show, adding Bogi and Sundre to the band and actually putting the girls with Sarnai, up front and featuring them on about 6 tunes. That idea went over so well, that we ended up with a new core of younger fans.

Last March also marked a dinner I'll never forget. Eric Jazak, USMC gunny; his brother and blog contributer Ryan, and their mom and dad invited me to dinner when Eric landed at Chicago's Midway International Airport, on his way home to Milwaukee to spend a few days with his family before he was deployed to Iraq for a second time. The word "honored" doesn't seem to fit the description of my feelings, being invited as a family member, to break bread with this awesome warrior and his family. Once deployed, Eric kept us informed as to how the troop surge was working, (Details can be found in postings on this blog titled "Letters From The Frontline") long before reports came from Capitol Hill. This blogs readers knew it was a success long before Harry Reid apparently knew.

In June, our show debuted at the Illinois District Exchange Club Convention in Joliet, Illinois to a thunderous response, ... yes there were still some bug and changes to be worked out, but by July we had made most of the changes we thought needed to be made. (Thanks Dave Wentz!) I also had the honor of being the keynote speaker at that convention. I must say, Exchangeites are the great audience; they believe in America and are incredible patriots.

July 4th was such a great experience as I entertained real troops as we paraded down Main Street in Barrington, Illinois on a float sponsored by "We Do Care." I sang and played my guitar and the troops waved. As I announced to the thousands on the parade route, "let's hear it for the troops," the crowd cheered at the top of their lungs. The Barrington crowds could not have been more patriotic, giving the troops a standing ovation throughout the entire parade.

A few weeks later we found out that the "We Do Care" float won "first prize!" No doubt it was the presence of greatness ... our great troops, that overwhelmed the judges. 

In August we headed back to St. Germain, Wisconsin and the Third Annual "Pigs in the Pines Ribfest" with the new show. It was also the very first time my cousin Joey Cantafio, wife Bobbie and my young cousin Tony (Ryan's kid-brother) heard "Brave Warrior" live, the song inspired by Ryan's life and death in Iraq in 2004. (Details of that show can be found in an August posting on this blog titled "A Concert in God's Country.) Tim Scruggs also introduced the new "Trick Drums," drum kit at that show. Ryan's photo is proudly displayed on the "Marine" drum.

The day we returned from Wisconsin, I was honored to join "Jake and Elwood" for their 25 Anniversary Show. I had the honor of standing on stage; playing my guitar and singing with Bill Archer's Big Fun Band, Chicago blues-legends Lonnie Brooks and Koko Taylor and a host of others. The show lasted 2 1/2 hours and I loved every minute of it!

In early August, American war hero and now, rock star, (and since then, proud new papa,) Darrin Domko flew into Chicago and joined us at St. Zachary's Augustfest. Darrin's fans, from all over the US, drove or flew in to greet Darrin and his beautiful wife Kerri as Darrin delivered at showtime. Darrin spent the entire night on stage as a back-up singer and blew the crowd away when he took center stage and soloed. That soldier has an open invitation to sing with us, any time, any place, in the future!

The Backlot Bash had it's inaugural season in Skokie, Illinois. Oakton Street was closed and the 101st Rock Division performed one of our most unusual shows. Col. Dennis Arinello and bride Carleen Gwinn, were married on stage before our show, as a promise I kept. The promise was made a reality thanks to Randy Miles, (The Village Inn Pizza) The Skokie Park District, The Village of Skokie and every member of the Independent Merchants of Downtown Skokie. The show rocked and we all beamed as "Barbie" married "G.I. Joe," NOT Ken! 

With guests in from all over the world, and with the hospitality shown by all Skokie residents, the party/festival/wedding went deep into the morning and lasted 3-days. I will never forget that weekend!

September marked a few changes for the band. Chinbaa and I collaborated on an original song. As a Buddhist, Chinbaa's deep beliefs are that war is wrong. Although Chinbaa believes in America stopping terrorism in its tracks and taking the war over to them, he wanted to express his prayers for world peace through his music. He came to me and explained what he was trying to express. Every single Soldier, Sailor, Airman and Marine I have ever met, that have seen action, hates war; so I wrote some very simple lyrics to help convey Chinbaa's message. The girls, Chinbaa and I went into the recording studio in January to record "A Prayer For All The World," but in September, I decided, it was time to perform the song live and to feature the musical talents of Chinbaa. We also want to let people know that we support the troops 100%, and we also want peace on earth, ... under "our" terms.

We debuted the song at "Freedom Fest" in Barrington, and the crowd seemed to loved it. After the show I went to breakfast with five of our troops (Brandi Schiff, Jim Bob Roth, Jammin J Johnson, Wendy Johnson and Allison Kitzerow) and they all commented on how much they loved the song and the message. Hear a bit of "A Prayer For All The World" by visiting Chinbaa's website. - Click here: Chinbaa.com - The Official Website of Chinbaa

In Mid September we represent USO Illinois at a show in our Illinois state capitol city, Springfield, for the Army Illinois National Guard Leadership Conference. We were the "surprise." Jon Brant joined the band for that show, subbing for Mike Gorman. As it sometimes happens, we were billed as "The 101st Airborne Division Big Band," (Ohhh nooooo) ... not the sort of thing modern-troops seem to want to hear these days. I got the band on stage do a sound-check as fast, and as long as possible; to give the troops that were hanging around a taste of what they would really hear.

We had their undivided attention once the girls strutted onto the stage, but "Bohemian Rhapsody," " Don't Cha," and the backside (or "second-half" for you youngsters) of "The Beatles Abby Road Album" seemed to get their attention. We had a great crowd for the show and we rocked for about 3-hours straight.

Later in September I had the honor, with my friend Rick Kolomay, to produce the very first "Gear Up Convention." Over $1,000,000.00 in gear (including fire engines) were collected for disbursement to under-privileged fire departments here in the USA and throughout the world. Plans are underway for another firefighter expo and training seminar next September.

One of the greatest moments of that particular weekend was watching FDNY Battalion Chief Don Hayde (head of Ground Zero operations in September of 2001 - May of 2002,) FDNY firefighters Chris Reynolds, Fred Ill ... Chicago firefighters Lt. Pat Lynch, Chief's Bobby Hoff and Steve Chikerotis and Schaumburg Fire Captain Rick Kolomay open up a new world of fire rescue techniques to foreign and domestic firefighters. I like to think that we had a small hand in protecting and saving lives worldwide with that event.

Special thanks goes out to Joe Pinto and the entire staff at Pheasant Run Resort and Spa in St. Charles, Illinois and the Downtown Naperville Rotary Club (Stephanie Pennick and Nancy Quigley, I love you girls!) Visit Pheasant Run soon, and maybe I'll see you there! Click here: Pheasant Run Resort and Spa Hotel in St. Charles Illinois.

On October 28th, I was the guest of Col. Jack Amberg, the Chicago Army Office of Public Affairs and the Chicago Bears for the "Bears VS Detroit Lions" game at Soldier Field. I have to admit that I felt like a kid again, standing on the field, (can you believe that!!!!,) talking with Bears President Ted Phillips, Brian Urlacher, Devin Hester and Robbie Gould before the game. I was moved when General Crawford pinned a Purple Heart on the chest of Lavelle Johnson, US Army at center field before the game. (Click here: Army Community Relations)

During the game I sat in a sky-box donated to over 100 troops by The Bears. It came complete with every kind of drink, snack, food and dessert available. The Bears didn't repeat a playoff performance this season, but they are #1 when it comes to supporting and honoring the troops! Click here: Official Website - Chicago Bears

In November Brandi Schiff and Chris Gray of Army Public Affairs asked me to represent them at the Northwestern University VS Arkansas State men's basketball game at NU in Evanston, Illinois. I will admit I was a slightly nervous, singing the National Anthem over WGN-radio, but I loved doing it and I loved representing the Army.

In December, Bob Kolling and I continued our Forgotten Heroes concert series at Hines VA Hospital with plans to take the "show on the road" next year, to VA Hospitals across the country. The feeling that goes through me, looking out at former warriors, who at one time rushed up Omaha Beach on D-Day, or who fought in Japan, Korea, Vietnam or Baghdad and Afghanistan, warms me deep inside. It's moments like those that learning to play the guitar really paid off, especially when I see them singing along or tapping their feet to the music.

This year we welcomed home Eric Jazak and Aric Hackler from the frontlines, ... we read a fathers account of what happens to a Marine family when their child enlists. The story takes us through the days when L/Cpl Steven May, USMC and other American heroes were blown up on a bridge in Iraq. If you missed that story, it is also featured on this blog under the titles "A Marines Story - part 1, part 2 and part 3."

Steven's father, Michael May, who I had the pleasure of meeting at Col Arinello's wedding, sent me a recent up date that was featured in the Dallas Morning News. All American survived the blast, with only the terrorist dying.

 

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