Day 23 Nashville T.N. song: City Boy - Keb Mo

This morning I was supposed to speak to a radio persona at Flinn broadcasting. He must have forgotten about the appointment because he left early. No worries, I left him my material and I will hope for the best. I can't wait in this area in any longer, I must keep moving.

I drove through the lush state of Tennessee. I stoped for gas in a tiny little truckstop town and I noticed a billboard saying "Loretta Lynn's Dude ranch... 5 miles ahead. I thought to myself, what the heck, why not. I drove out to see it and I am glad I did. I discovered what may be the most beautiful peace of land in existence. Easily the most precious land on this trip. The rolling hills couldn't have been painted better, the trees would make Bob Ross weep, and the little lakes and creeks were mouth watering. I never really knew what I imagined heaven to look like, but now I think it looks like that. Now, I am not the kind of guy who goes all spiritual when I see an impressive sight of nature, I usually just think, "Cool" and move on. But this place almost made me emotional, and there was nobody in sight, it was like I had it all to myself. I half expected to turn around and see Johnny Cash sitting on a stump dressed in white singing, and welcoming me to the kingdom.
I checked the camping rates out there and they were cheap. I heavily considered it, but I decided I am way late on this trip as it is, I must keep going forward, but I will return someday.

I rolled into Nashville KOA and I felt like Micheal Douglas in Falling Down, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN 38 DOLLARS FOR A SINGLE CAMPGROUND!!!" The woman said, "because we lawk yoo, were gunna cut choo a deal. We have a storage area you can camp on foh 27 dollars, but cha don't get access to much, would cha lawk thaat?" I didn't have much choice at this point, my place to stay in this town didn't pan out. But the camp site sucked out loud. It was on basically a gravel pile only 5o yards from the freeway over pass. Lesson learned, Never go to the Nashville KOA ever again. Tomorrow I will find another way.

I went to the Main drag of nashville. Because I spent so much money on KOA, I didn't have money for anything else on todays budget. So I found the club where Cross Canadian Ragweed was playing. I love them, and I have never seen them. But I didn't have 15 bucks. So I sat out side and listened to them. Then I found another place across town where GWAR was playing. This was a bit more affordable. But I have a theory about GWAR. You should never watch GWAR a second time. (I saw them ten years ago, and I loved it). So I hit broadway in Nashville. I had a similar feeling that I had in Memphis, I don't know how I loved it so much in the past. Instead of Juke Joints, it was honky tonks. Accept, the Honky Tonks don't play as good music as the Juke Joints. I had no interest in hanging out at the bars. Which is funny because when I lived there at 18 years old, thats all I wanted to do. Nashville seemed like It was one seedy bar after the next with pop country cover bands and women who have an ironic way of dealing with low self-esteem.

So I walked on the river front. The riverfront is awesome. This is the place where I met the girl who gave me my first kiss. So I once had some good luck on this spot. But, then I remembered, it was the girl who wound up with Jim Carrey.
So I met some musicians out there trying to write in their solitude. They were trying to absorb the lonliness and channel it into corny pop country. I would have subtley made fun of them, but then I thought of my own plight and decided I wasn't in a position to make fun.

Anywho, I made some connections that I am going to explore tomorrow..... Thats All I got

Scripture: Romans 9: 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction.

Day 22 Tupelo M.S. song: Pink Houses - John Melencamp

You're gonna want to read this one.

I spent most of the day sleeping. I thought today would be completely uneventful. I have been trying to recover from my cold and trying to sleep it to death. Which seemed to be working. Since I was feeling fine, I decided to go to the Elvis museum in Tupelo M.S. where he was born. The museum was pretty cool, a lot of fun. But I got to go in his house, which was only two rooms, and tiny. He lived in a very humble little home in Tupelo, he barey had anything, not even a bathroom. But he seemed to make due. One thing always tripps me out about Elvis is that the people loved him litterally to death. I think he went a bit crazy in the end for a lot of reasons but one is that everyone was so obsessed with every nook and cranny of his life. Yet people don't give up. He makes more dead than I think he did when he was alive. However, there is one thing I have to love about everything is that he is the Ultimate example of the American Dream. He went litterally from rags to riches. And he earned it, and definately paid the price for sucess.

I was also intrigued by the little old woman Gwen who was the lady who waits you're arrival at his house. She was sweet and told me anything about Elvis. She works there simply to be close to the history, she loves it. She loves her job, and thats all there is too it, even though it probably doesn't pay very good, she gets to sit in Elvis's home all day long.

I walked around the back area where there was a park Elvis played at, I hung out there and played my guitar and sang some Elvis my self. I was absorbing the mojo in the air.

I then went back to Memphis, because I have a lead I need to follow there in the morining at a radio station. Also Because, I wanted to watch the Dempseys play. The Dempseys are a rockabilly trio. You hear it from me the musical snob, THEY ARE THE MOST TALENTED BAND I HAVE EVER SEEN NEXT TO VAN HALEN. They litterally have mastered their craft. They are far superior musicians than anybody I have ever seen, I had to take my hat off in their presence. They have an intensity that I can't even fathom, they are the greatest examples of dudes doing what they love for a living, I have ever imagined.

I spoke with them in between sets at the blues city resturaunt. I told them the last time I saw them was when Jim Carrey walked in. (if you don't know the Jim Carrey story, ask me sometime) As soon as I jogged their memory, I had their attention. They wondered about that night. They were amazed to hear me tell the story. The bassist said, "Oh I remember that, you mustuf felt like hail." I suddenly had a wedding singer moment.

They played on through the night and they played willy Nelson's "On the Road Again" for me and the guitarist threw me his pick. I put it in my MoJo bag. Then they decided to bring me up on stage and tell everyone the story."Everybody, this Randy Peterson from SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA, he's the best looking guy in this place tonight, but does he have some bad luck with the women, he has one great story to tell y'all. And we can vouch this stories authenticity because, we were there."
Mind you.... this was a huge crowd. They set up the story for me and had me tell it and the crowd ATE IT UP. I had so much dang practice telling that story that I had gotten real good at it.
"Better luck this time in Memphis, dang! Its not that he's better lookin' than yoo, its jus that hees got more money. Don't be offended by it. But choo a nice guy with a nice smile, y'oull find someone. Hey everybody, he's SINGLE!." the crowd thundered with laughter, claps and whistles from both women and men. And a multitude of older single women came from nowhere and arose from their tables to get a better shot at me.

One gift I have always had has been the ability to laugh at my own bad luck. Which I guess is a good thing.

scripture 2nd corinthians 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you:I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

Day 21 Clarksdale M.S. song: Crossroads - Robert Johnson

I came out of the camp feeling terrible. Now I am worried about this cold. Its gettin' bad. I am going to need more than some nyquil.

This morning I had a sit down chat with Argo the morningshow host of the Elvis Radio station on XM radio. He said to me, "your air check is great. You have an adequate resume.....Your ready. I'll tell ya, five years ago, what you got would have given you a job. But now.... I don't know how anyone could break into radio. I started 25 years ago doing over night shifts. Now that position doesn't exist anymore anywhere. Season vets are losing their jobs becuase of the economy, internet radio, i pods etc... I don't know if and when it will go back to normal. radio will always be around and they will always need jocks, but the supply and demand will change. Radio is being forced to evolve. As you know it helps to be versatile, which you are, but thats hard knowing you have done it all and there still isn't anything out there. You may have a better shot doing you're own podcast. But you're doing the right thing, you're exploring the country and doing your homework. You come prepared and knowing what to say. I think you are smart and will find something. If I could do what you're doing, I would. But i got a wife and kid. Parties over. One thing you need to ask yourself when you continue your searh is...Why am I doing this? Is it because I want to be a celebrity? or is it because I have something to say?"

I left feeling good that I may be a day late, but it doesn't seem that I am a dollar short. Argo was the first guy to listen to my air check while I was present. He liked it alot. At least I am coming to battle armed.

I moved on the Clarksdale Mississipi on Highway 61, the blues highway. I found where 61 meets 54. This is the crossroads where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for the ability to play guitar. I found out later that this never happend, it was only a rumour he started so people would pack in the clubs he was playing, which it worked like a charm. But I was in for the first time the deep south. I was in the delta. I was possibly the only white guy in this town. I loved it. I was finally in a place that hadn't been turned into a giant white tourist trap that still had history. This is where blues was born. All that stood left of the old town was the remains of a defeated culture that seemed to still be searching for something. You would think I was still in the fifties in this town. Blues was alive and well in the Juke Joints. For those of you who don't know what a juke joint is, its the Black equivelent to a Honky Tonk. Accept, these Juke Joints, were not tourist friendly, they were locals friendly.

They had a little Delta Blues museum. It was the greatest museum I had ever seen. I was moved by it. One thing about the blues you must know is, its the sound of hope. Its the sound that marked the will of the Black communities of the delta, the forgotten people. It was never about whining, it was about saying, I'll be back tomorrow. I will still be standing. Perhaps its why its still alive and kicking. Blues never goes away. Pop comes and goes, but the blues stand for something so much more sacred, a legend, and a legend never dies.

I ate at a soul food place with some real southern sass. The owner Marvin spoke to me, "Don't choo kill 'dem flies... if you do... a thousand of his friends will come for the funeral. You from Sacrameno huh? You long way from home. We take good cair of you heer. you musician? Well you look like one, or an actor. You look like you from hollywood. Eat chyour eggsandwich befoh it goes baad. And good luck on yoh quest, I'm sure you'll find somthin'.

I spoke to the folks at WROX, the first station to ever play just blues. The Programmer Lawrence spoke to me, "Well Keed, I ain't got nothin' foh ya. But choo goud, you goud. Ryte now we do alota voicetrackin' and automashin. We are skeleton staffed, but if I cuud, I would hier you. Don't give up, don't give up, that what seperates the good from the bad. Its foh da love of da music. Radio will alllways be aroun', so don't give up too easy, its been tough on all of us."

I thanked him for his time and moved on. I really liked the town, its unfortunate that its been so dead. I found a clothing store i loved. Its where all the Black folk come to look good on a night on the town. Its the best clothing store, I have ever seen. Its fancy blues clothes. Its called "Super Soul Shop." I guess Elvis Costello and Brian Setzer sometimes shop there. It was owned by two friendly syrian folks who have been selling clothes there for 30 years. They were funny.

Later on that day I decided to find the closest bishop which was close to memphis again to ask for a blessing to get rid of my cold. I think its really helped out. Better luck tomorrow, Tupelo Mississippi.

scripture: TBD

Day 20 Memphis T.N. song: Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley

This morning I woke up to some bad cold symptoms. I have been fighting this ever since I got to Little Rock. Now it began to worry me. Perhaps its the Swine Flu. If thats what it is, this will make an interesting twist on the story. Now its time for drugs and for me to swallow some pride and take some airborne.

My agenda today was to hit the ground runnin' like Van Halen. I had a lead on three radio stations that Eric Hasseltine gave me that I was going to hit up since clear Channel was no longer an option. Unfortunately one thing about the south, the people are very hospitibul, but when it comes to business, they act just as busy as anyone else. Nobody had time to talk to me today. Maybe another time. EVERY DARN STATION.

Since Memphis from front to back seem to have nothing for me, I thought maybe this is just not the place for me. Since I was here, I thought that I would hit up Graceland. Also I was going to camp behind Graceland, with a bunch of rich white Elvis fans with Winnobegos. Unfortunately no one told Coloner Tom Parker and Elvis that we are in a recession. Graceland cost 30 dollars for the cheapest tour. Not in my budget. So I went to Sun Record Studio where Rock n' Roll was born, the price of the tour was affordable, and this is where my day got interesting.

I stood in the very room where Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Billy Lee Riley all recorded music. It was like the delivery room for rock n' roll where the infant came out. It had so much mojo that I had to take off my hat. Such amazing history took place that I was nearly speechless. However, my reverence was attenuated upon the observing the Tour guide.

The tour guide was a petite spunky girl from the deep south with sass and wit. Very cute. She knew her facts and was a very gifted tour guide. Which is funny, because I half way went in their to seek a job, but I don't know that I can match her standards. Now, I am old enough to know better than love at first sight, But I know that I got that feeling inside that people get when they confuse that feeling as I watched this chic. She seemed to know more about rock history than I do. And she could play guitar. I felt like I had met my match. I was intimidated, she went from being the girl next door to Cindy Crawford in my head in seconds. I spoke to her for a while and she is a dancer and a dreamer. I know there is no point to think about women on this trip, that is certainly why I am out here, but what the heck. I had nothing left on my agenda for the day, and I have nothing to lose. As scared as I was, I always felt my one skill with girls was never my wit, charm or body language, but my courage to attack, so I just went straight for it and asked. She gave me that look like I had half way made her day, and said, "I really can't, my boyfriend would not be pleased, but thank you soo much for asking."
I left with my shoulders high and grinning. I didn't care in the slightest that I got shot down. I was happy that I got the words out of my mouth. It was like a little moral victory for me to kill the bunny. I felt completely reenergized and ready to get back to work. I know it doesn't make sense, but I really just needed to know that I had the guts to do it. I can still take it. I remembered the quote from Rocky, "Its not about how hard you hit, its about how hard you can get hit, and keep movin' forward, how much you can take and keep moving forward. Thats how winning is done." Besides, I didn't have much in my budget for a mini-date anyway.

I found a little shop in the dark outskirts of Memphis where its crawling with dudes who talk to themselves very volatile like. On occasion I would want to break it up, but I didn't know where to stand. The shop was seedy and it was run but a mean old black man. He asked me about what I am looking for and where I am from. When I told him where I am from I asked him about him. He said, "My name is JOHNSON." He followed that by an awkward pause and an ominous look. I asked him if he sold MoJo. He said, "Yeah we got Mojo. What you need it foh?" I replied immediately with, "I am a drifter looking for a home." He grinnned and sold me a little bag full of roots and herbs and gave me the proper instruction. He then sold me some voodoo oils called "love potion number nine, Cross Roads and Find me a Job." "This should help ya fynd what yo lookin' foh. I got a feelin' 'bout you, you gonna do real goud. Don't settle for anything that don't make ya happey." I thanked Johnson and went on my way. I really don't have much faith in voodoo, but carrying some MoJo in my left pocket won't hurt any, I actually think it gave me some street cred, and seperated me from the rich white tourists.

I thought a lot about Elvis and Johnny Cash as I walked the streets of Memphis. They were no overnight sensation at all. Much like Buddy Holly, they had a lot of hard nights of hopelessness. But they never let up or gave up hope. They were talented yes, but not everyone was able to see that. I really think at the end of the day, what seperated Elvis and Johnny Cash from everyone else is heart. They had more heart than anybody, they believed in themselves, because if they didn't, no one else would. Their passion led them to greatness. I felt their ambition and spirit as I absorbed the atmosphere in Memphis.

I capped the night back at the campground right behind Graceland and the Heartbreak hotel in a little pic nic area that constantly plays Elvis music. Its awesome. I then recieved an e-mail from the program director in from the Classic Rock station in Little Rock. He was very impressed with my demo reel. He was sorry to inform me, he had nothing to offer me. But he wanted to let me know if he does get any opening, he promises to let me know. All in all, I thougt it was a great day. I look forward to facing my fear and working one more day in Memphis. Tomorrow is another day.

scripture 1st Corinthians 9:10

Day 19 Memphis T.N. song: Home of the Blues - Johnny Cash

This has thus far been the hardest part of the trip. The place I was most excited to see of anywhere in the country, has been the place where I have most felt like I just need to pack up and move on.

Perhaps its the fact that I hadn't seen the sun since I entered east texas that is getting to me, but I get bad vibes from the Memphis area oddly enough. Maybe it is the memories of when met Jim Carrey here six years ago that haunt me.

Today I really wanted to be with my mother for Mother's Day. I really feel like I need to be a better son to her. She of course wants me to call her everyday. That is a bit much for me, but, she gave me life and lots of support, I only hope I can make this one up to her.

Tonight I was going to watch a band play in downtown Memphis called the Dempsey's. The greatest rockabilly band I have ever seen. This is my one chance to see them. However, its sunday, I know that if I walked in that cafe where they are playing, I would then truley be alone. Its hard enough as it is right now. I don't need that, the memories I have of the band will have to be enough for me.

I went to the singles branch of church a little out of town. I was recognized by a couple of fellow byu students as "the Johnny Cash guy". I told my situation to the priesthood brethren asking for a place to stay, (I didn't want to where out my welcome at the last place, besides, it may not have been the best place for a Mormon boy). Not only was I given a great place to stay with a couple of really nice and hospitibul guys, but I also got a connection to the morning show host of the number one radio station in Memphis.

I got words with the radio host Mr. Tew, and he said, "This is as bad as I have ever seen it. The radio business is shriveling up. I have just watched some very talented and experienced men lose their jobs. This is the worst time. Plus this market doesn't pay well. (which is actually what the voice of the Memphis Grizzlies told me as well). You might want to think of another profession." Hearing that after all I have worked for, for so many years is hard, but I knew what was ahead of me when I took this trip. I bought the land, I will accept the Indians. I told him, "I know, I have heard that for several months, and in person for nearly three weeks almost daily. But if I'm going out, I am going out swinging." He replied with, "I like you're attitude, I think you may actually find your way, I got a hunch." We left it at that.

Today I felt something I have never felt before on this trip. Fear. I felt real humility and heartache. This is the first time thus far I have felt the need to dig down and really motivate myself to keep on going strong. But this is what I wanted, to be tested. Unfortunately for me, I have never really been that tested to find a job. I have gotten every job I have ever had with absolute ease. Managing Jackie Greene, CBS Radio, Guitar Instructor, News Director, these are incredible jobs that I didn't deserve but I found my way into for some reason. I am deciding to give Memphis one more day, to see Sun Studio and maybe Graceland and really push my way into the door in radio and T.V.
Like I told the host of the Country morning show, and like Gene Groupa said to Benny Goodman at the carnegie hall, "If I'm going out, I'm going out swinging."

scripture: 1st Nephi 2: 4

Day 18 Memphis T.N. song: Thunderstorms and Neon Signs - Wayne Hancock

Today Matt took me to see an the old mill that was used in "Gone with the Wind". Its amazing, it almost looks as if Disney created it, only its real, its there right next to a lagoon with bridges made of concrete trees. If your ever in Little Rock, you gotta visit that.

I left Little Rock reluctantly. I had a pretty stable place to sleep, not that others hadn't offered that, but Matt and Robyn where the only people I knew the home owners ahead of time, and who knows when i will see them again.

But, little Rock is really bad for my allergies. I used to be a little impatient with peoples allergies in Sacramento. Now I understand what it is like. All the green and blossoming that goes on in the Natural State is enough to kill someone. Part of me was relieved to leave.

Cruzin' into Memphis was like comin' home..... Sort of. I immediately hit up Beale street where all the magic happens and it was PACKED. I have never seen Memphis so alive as I did this saturday. With great bands filling up every club and a ton of bands right outside the clubs. The street was bumpin. There was the most roughed up soulful blues sextet outside the Rum-Boogie cafe that I just dug. I really don't know how to describe their southern backwater authenticity, but they had some serious JuJu on their side. I danced the blues with an older woman named Yolanda, who while we were dancing loved to shout out arbitrarily things like, " Say YEAAAHHH" (which I responded with "yeeeeh) and she also would say, "Dance it White boy" and "You betta be cairful or I'ma gonna take you home wit me, heh HAAAAGGHHH". I rather enjoyed myself.

I capped off the night by watching a band called "Appetite for Destruction" an authentic Guns n' Roses tribute act. They sounded perfect. They nailed every note and every look and motion that is Guns n' Roses...... Accept they didn't feel as dangerous as Gn'R. Almost like they don't come from the same sewer, and maybe they have day jobs. Never the less, they rocked.

As good as a time it was out there, I noticed something funny. I didn't like it as much as I did when I was 19 years old. What seemed like my personal disney land was now much more in resemblance of the great and spacious building that has no foundation. It wasn't as much like coming home as I once hoped it would be.

Oddly enough I stayed with a well known Radio celebrity around these parts. The voice of the memphis grizzlies. He is a really nice guy and pretty hospitibul.

Scripture: 1st Nephi 8:30

Day 17 Little Rock A.R. song: We Want the Airwaves - The Ramones

Matt and his wife Robyn took me to the famous Peabody Hotel in downtown Little Rock. They have these ducks that they bring into their large fountain. Everymorning at 11:00 a.m. they ceremoniusly bring them out to the pond. Led by a man who is dressed like he is Prince William's PR guy. These ducks follow him along the red carpet into the nice fountain. I was surrounded by a multitude of senior citezens in tourist clothes where I heard them murmur, "Isn' that somthin'?" and "My wife finally trained me to be like that." I had to hold my laughter in, because for some reason, I wanted to burst into loud laughter.

Immediately afterwards, we joined a massive gathering of locals to greet a welcome home to hometown celebrity Kris Allen from American Idol, one of the 3 finalist so far in American Idol. The locals went crazy for him, chanting his name as he came out on stage and sang us a couple of tunes. He is probably the biggest celebrity from Arkansas since Bill Clinton.

Covering the Event was every local news station. I went and spoke to the reporter for channel 7. She gave me about 25 seconds of her time and told me, "It's all about bein' at the raught place at the raught time." As I was walking away timidly, Robyn encouraged me to talk to one more station. I was too shy, but she reminded me of why I came out and told me it will be o.k. So I approached the Cute, blonde reporter Ashley from channel 11 news. She gave me as much time as I wanted. She spoke with me and told me, "You're doin' the raught thang. It's just soooo haard to break in this businuss. But its really a great job, and once you're ENN, YOU'RE ENN. I'll watch your reel and I'll e-mail you what I think. Good luck on your trip, you're livin' the dream."

I have found it funny how I have heard much of the same lines over and over again. But I know she meant them. If it wouldn't have cheapened me, I would have asked her if I could buy her dinner, but I smiled and shook her hand. And told her thanks for her kindness. Aside from Ben's cousin, thats the only person in T.V. that would talk to me.

We then tagged a couple more radio stations. One where the Program Director would have met with me, but he had a seven hour on air shift ever since Clear Channel went on a firing spree. He didn't really have much time for me. But, the classic rock station once again seemed intrigued. The receptionist whispered to me that the night time jock position may be opening real soon. They seemed real excited to give me some feed back and maybe more. It's been real fun seeing how everyone I meet seems to be behind me all the way with my journey.

We capped the night off with a double A baseball game. The Little Rock Travelers vs. The Tulsa Drillers. The ball park was awesome it has a perfect view of the city in the background, the weather was absolutely perfect, in fact, it was girlfriend weather. Except I was with Matt, which was just fine with me. But there is just something about a baseball game at night that is like nothing else, I wish I was a real writer so I could encapsulate my true feelings of the sights and smells and exitement of a professional baseball game. At the end of the game we walked out and they cranked on the speakers Bob Dylan singing, "Like a Rollingstone". With the night air being amazing I felt like a million bucks.

Little Rock is a great town to raise a family in, it seems to hold a certain value that other big cities just seemed to lose sight in. I don't know what it is like for a single guy, but it seems very family oriented.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:4-5