Sep

2

Going to work - in 1908

Filed Under Downtowns, GoTriCities, Kingsport, Kingsport History, Photographs | Leave a Comment 

I was outbid on Ebay after a $30.00 bid for this old postcard featuring our downtown offices in 1908. According the description of the seller, this is a picture postcard that features the old Bank of Kingsport on the corner of Main and Broad.

One of my friends tells me this is a rare photo because it shows the downtown building with no adjacent buildings. I like it too because of the car out front and my only question is whether the local parking police had a two-hour limit?

Nevertheless, this is a great picture of this old historic building.

Aug

2

Coach Clark delivers on screen performance with “The Tribe”

Filed Under Advertising, GoTriCities, Influences, Kingsport, People, Personal, Tri-Cities Business, Video, Web | Leave a Comment 

For anyone who’s ever met Graham Clarke, you know you’re in the presence of an inspiring man that has empowered many of Kingsport’s youth as coach of the Dobyns-Bennett Indians Football team.

Did you know that Graham also sings a mean James Brown and is now a local television star in a new commercial with Diane Hills? Read more

Jul

26

Happy Birthday Francis!

Filed Under Family, Memories, People, Personal | 2 Comments 

Francis BassShe would have been 90 years old today if she were still with us.

This is one of my first pictures I took with my Iphone. Still there today and this is the day she turned 89 last July 26th.

She loved especially enjoyed birthdays, flowers and Fun Fest too.

We miss you Granny. You sure added a lot of color to this world.

Jul

20

The days of wine and Ridgefields - Fun Fest event better than ever

Filed Under Kingsport, Libation, Music Journal, Parties | 1 Comment 

Fun Fest is over with and time to catch up on a few thanks and memories of this year’s summer festival.

I didn’t participate a lot this year because we’re simply covered up at work. But there were a few things I really enjoyed – especially the Wine Tasting Seminar at Ridgefields Country Club.

In the past, Fun Fest has consumed my time every Summer. I’m not complaining, but our organization has worked with this city-wide festival for several years now and we’re glad to see it continue to be successful.

This year we’re making some changes with our brand and covered up with plenty of interesting projects. We were short on time and resources and took a break this year as a sponsor. This decision allowed me to enjoy one of the events I always missed each year.

Several weeks ago, Pam Cox with Accuforce Staffing Services called to hire my services as background entertainment for the wine tasting at Ridgefields. This was an exciting opportunity for me because these small party/chamber gigs are always one of my favorites because they allow for more improvisation on the piano and the wine makes everyone a bit more forgiving. Read more

Jul

20

Friendly Updates

Filed Under People, Personal | Leave a Comment 

There was good news and blasts from the past last week as a handful of old friends made contact with me and updated me on their whereabouts and what’s happening.

I’m guilty as anyone for falling out of touch, but it’s always warm to have one of my old buds bubble up from the day to day.

First of all…Scott Cameron is going to be a daddy. He sent me email earlier in the week and his life keeps unfolding several new chapters including a the loss of his mother this past year and a recent relocation to England. Now he shares that he and Patty will be having a baby in November and I couldn’t be happier for them both.

Steve Thompson finally writes from Nicarauga. He must have taken lots of time with his email too because he caught me up on several adventures since he left from Kingsport to Nicarauga to Saudi Arabia and now back in another thied world country. Sure wish he was back here for a beer.

Finally, Craig Augenstien updates me on Friar Joseph (formerly Eric Augenstein) who used to play drums with us back in the ninites with “The Watch.” Eric had a distinct spiritual experience and has been living at the Holy Cross Hermitage monastary in West Virginia. He keeps up his drumming though and Craig (who works for Lamar Advertising) sent this You Tube video of Eric (Fr. Joseph) ringing the bells before prayer.

I need to spend some time and get back with these friends because that’s an inventory of treasures that gives me the greatest pleasure in life and will admit now that I don’t take enough time to slow down and enjoy those friendships, but I’m working on it.

Jul

19

New TriCityWheels Commercials - Billboards coming soon

Filed Under Advertising, GoTriCities, People, Photographs, Video | Leave a Comment 

Jared, Vanessa and Adalaine Bentley

This past week, our guys finished editing round two of the TriCityWheels.com commercials.

At the first shoot, we made a few mistakes. Most notably, we didn’t take any high-rez pictures during the shoot and that made it difficult for us to translate this program to outdoor and print advertising.

A couple of weeks ago, Paul Bishop was once again a real gentleman downtown and he let us borrow his photography studio once again. We brought down a new cast of characters and had fun in front of the video cameras, the lights and yes…the photos.

Personally, I had a great time and fell in love with light. What I mean by that is the way a real studio and a great lighting rig makes a huge difference in our work. Paul had a remote flash that attached to the front of my Nikon that gave me some of the best photos to ever come from my Nikon D-80.

Above is the photo of the Bentley family. Vanessa and baby Adalaine Bentley. A gorgeous shot of this beautiful new family. You can see all the photos here.

Special thanks to the following folks who helped create our new commercials too. These new billboards will look great as they begin to appear August 1 in the Tri-Cities.

Here are the new spots featuring Kyra Dykstra and Lyndsey with the Kingsport Chamber and our champ Mark Fusco and Vanessa. Thanks to everyone for a truly professional and creative experience.

Lyndsey and Vanessa

Kyra and Mark

Jul

17

There really is One Stop in Johnson City – Now online…

Filed Under Advertising, Business, Johnson City, Libation, Tri-Cities Business, Web | Comments Off 

One Stop WinesOur consulting group has enjoyed an incredible summer as we are preparing to engage some of our most intriguing Internet projects from here in Kingsport, TN.

We have the privilidge of working with customers all over the Tri-Cities and we couldn’t be happier to work with One Stop Wines in Johnson City. These folks run probably one of the finest businesses in the region with decades of praise – now in their second generation.

Last week, we launched the new One Stop Wines website and congratulate alot of folks who participated on this production. It’s a local idea which forges complete online content management and a special wine pairing tool that automagically suggests what would go best with tonight’s prime rib or whatever you like.

We also worked with these folks to create customized software so they may communicate with their customers via email and special online sales which we plan to work together on as the months proceed.

Of course, I have a special interest with this business for a number of reasons. It used to be most notably the wine, but I also appreciate my new friends who continue to be amused by our efforts. We loved working with them and had a great time on Boone Lake a few months back with Mel, Josh and the lovely Kelley who share the secrets of Wine Tasting 101 - all online.

Thanks again to my staff and our new friends at One Stop. We look forward to watching your traffic grow.

Visit One Stop Online.

Jul

17

I changed my sexuality on Facebook today

Filed Under Family, Personal, This and That, Web | 5 Comments 

That’s right. I was laughing all over my keyboard too.

On July 4th, Mom had a serious look on her face over the dinner table.

She said, “Your brother told me about somewhere on the Net where it said you preferred men.”

After my initial “WTF” mind freeze, I quickly answered, because if anyone knows me, my mother surely does. We’ve been extra-close for 45 years and it really puzzled me why she would ask such a thing.

Well, the story has finally unfolded and the audience on Facebook now see that I have officially changed my sexuality. Attention Facebook citizens – I’m straight! Always have been. Read more

Jul

6

Enabling the dreams of others with The Last Lecture

Filed Under Books, Influences, People, Philosophy | 2 Comments 

YouTube stars rarely have any staying power. Here today, gone tomorrow most of the stunts and embarrassing moments pass by like weekly fashion statements.

“The Last Lecture” is an exception to the rule and this video and introduction to this unique author may stay with me for the rest of my life.

Randy Pausch first came to my attention via You Tube but he’s dieing from pancreatic cancer.

He’s 47… with a wife and two young children. He has a successful career and suffering from a disease which has only a 4% survival rate. My own friend Teddy Francisco passed away from this malady a few years ago.

A computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, Pausch delivers what he calls his “last lecture” with a stirring breath of intellect, humility and sensitivity that deserves admiration. What he leaves his friends and family is a wonderful testament to a life well–lived too – another lesson for us all.


Read more

Jul

4

Happy 4th and Good Luck Mike!

Filed Under GoTriCities, Influences, People, Web | Leave a Comment 

I can’t think of a better day to launch a new website for Mike Faulk.

Mike’s a great client and a good friend and one of the few politicians and lawyers who has my complete respect and admiration. Today, we launched his new website and since he’s gonna be so busy today with politics, it seemed appropriate to wish him well.

Three years ago, he shared with me his vision for the future. Specifically, we discussed his law firm as he began to focus on a specialized area of law referred to as “Dram Shop” law.

This is a unique Tennessee law that permits victims of drunk drivers to seek damages from not just the driver, but the business establishments that serve alcohol to people who’ve simply had too much.

This new website is a redefinition of that specialty and serves as a stable business platform that will continue to serve Mike as he works toward a bright new political career in Tennessee.

When Mike outlined his future in law and politics and law many years ago, it surprised me to hear such distinct goals. He inspired me, because It was surprising for me to hear anyone look out into their future with that much intent, but everything he told me - is true today.

Faulk LawFaulk is running for State Senate in the 4th district of Tennessee which include  Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, and Union counties. He describes himself as a “country lawyer” and although he certainly knows how to wear a pair of overalls and warm up to anyone in a pickup truck, Faulk is a determined businessman with a heart for public service.

The guys in our office usually scoff at any Republican candidate and at best, many would describe my staff as uber-liberal, but not Mike. Everyone has a great feeling about Mike. He has a presence, patience and spirit that makes me feel priviledged to know him. He’s a handsome man who tells great family stories, loves the outdoors and a true native son of East Tennessee.

He’s got a busy road ahead and yesterday we were looking over the final elements in his website and I asked him about his July 4th schedule. It’s a doozy too and probably typical for a successful politican in Tennessee. He said he had three parades, four barbecues, plenty of hand-shaking, baby kissing and everything you might expect here in the Mountain South.

Good luck Mike and Happy 4th! Glad to know people like you have a heart to serve.

Click more to see Mike’s announcement we videotaped in Rogersville earlier in the year.
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