Papa John's Place *

Music Boat 2008..."the final frontier" (Britt Nicole, Matthew West, Nate Sallie)

2008-09-22T14:35:00.002-04:00

The final night of the Music Boat...

Everybody gathered in one accord...

Britt Nicole just radiating Christ!

Intense!

After Britt Nicole really set the spirit and mood for the evening...

Matthew West showed up center stage...

(now from this point on I beg your... uh..indulgence a little, OK?)

But while Matthew was getting warmed up...

"Matthew"..."pssst"..."hey Matthew"

There was one little distraction...

a tall, older gentleman with a good-looking wife beside him kept trying to

get an autograph...

Matthew, realizing this gentleman won't give up...

finally stopped singing and gave in!

Apparently got the attention of Nate Sallie from NEWSONG ...

Nate takes the mic...Hey, Let's get down to business!

But then there's that little voice again...

"Pssssst...." "Nate"...."Hey Nate....it's me!"

Now folks this is getting a little out of hand! (LOL)

But hey...wait a minute...I think I know this guy...

"Aren't you the BFJ 'Superglue-on-the-lip-guy'?"

(Yeah, Nate, you got a great memory...

I was kinda hoping you'd forget about that trip to BFJ!)

F_L_A_S_H_B_A_C_K a few months...

(Here's the picture... but wait!

For the complete story...check the blog link below... it's not quite what you think!)

http://john893.blogspot.com/2007/06/blog-post.html

But since we are on the subject of "not quite what you think"...

"Judy seems to think I have stretched the truth here in this blog a little.."

W-E-L-L... would you believe... a whole lot!

But one thing that we're both a 100% on...

We love this guy...

We'll always remember his warm smile and kind spirit!

And we'll always remember the Custom Officer

almost confiscating my camera for taking this picture in a "NO PHOTO" area...

And who could forget that exciting flight home

after all these days of non-stop food and INTENSE excitement!

Hey, now that we've rested up a little...

we're ready for Music Boat 2009... Have you signed up yet?

Notes: Thanks to WBFJ and Premier Cruises for letting Judy and I be a part of this great outreach and ministry...it really was the cruise of a lifetime. We really had a great but we weren't acting goofy all the time...(LOL). Next time I'll take a better camera and get you more pictures and better close-ups... just to keep the record straight I had to borrow the first two pictures from the 2007 Music Boat Slide Show...it was the same worship experience this year but I didn't get the good shots. The Music Boat is everything you heard and more...I hope you can go next time!

Breaker, Breaker 1-9...Building 429 is 10-23 Good Buddy..

2008-09-19T17:15:00.006-04:00

OK...

So I was supposed to finish my Music Boat 2008 Blogs

before going on to another idea... but "Hey Good Buddy"

Building 429 popped in to WBFJ this afternoon so...

Breaker...Breaker 1-9...the other blog goes on hold...

Building 4-2-9 is in the house!

Singing a cut from their new album

coming soon!

Hear it now... www.building429.com!

Thanks guys for stopping by!

Pardon my "Breaker...Breaker" and

Stay tuned for my final "Music Boat 2008" wrap that got interrupted...

coming soon (er or later)

Toby Mac... "SMOKES" the Music Boat 2008

2008-07-19T19:31:00.008-04:00

Actually... it was Ayiesha Woods that definitely warmed things up...

if there is anyone who can almost "Out -Tobb" the Mac it is definitely Ayiesha!

This lady was something else!

But when Toby hit the stage...

the Music Boat went from "warm" to outright hands up "Smokin'"

With every song... the temperature was a rising!

Meanwhile...Bob and Larry were backstage in a panic...

"Lar...we're next...and we're going to be stir fry...

Toby has got this place cookin!

What are we going to do?"

I know what you mean guys... we're feelin' it too!

Papa needs some fresh air...

OK... pure oxygen will work!

O-O-O the Spa... that would be great too!

Ok... we finally cooled off...

Down the Music Boat "roller coaster?"

and it's off to bed for our departure tomorrow...

(but the Music Boat didn't have a roller coaster...

must have dreamed that! LOL)

Hey..but it's not over yet...

stay tuned for the finale concert with Britt Nicole, Matthew West, New Song

and more!

(I will finish this blog before The Music Boat 2009 sets sail!)

Music Boat 2008... This Ain't yo Daddy's Taco Bell!

2008-06-20T15:56:00.011-04:00

Ok...the Music Boat arrives in Mexico... but is it going to be the Ruins...Jungle...Shopping....Beach?

Normally shopping would have won out but that picture of the beachside barbecue won out!

Plus I saw that Mark Harris and a lot of other people were opting for the beach

so we decide to go for it!

OK..I admit, for a cruise we spent a lot of time on buses

but it was always cool and always with a lot of Music Boat artists around...

Being a secure male and accompanied by a real honey I was able to wear my pink WBFJ tee-shirt with no intimidation!

I just can't tell you how nice this place was but maybe the pictures will

give you a little feel for the place... NICE!

I felt like a real "Gringo"...

the sign was in english and I still couldn't read it!

But the Hammock gave me time to gather my thoughts...ha ha!

(as good as a la-z-boy!)

I actually took off my pink shirt and went in the water for awhile...

I'm thankful there are no known pictures of that event!

True story: There was a wedding setting up

for later in the day... nice place to say "I Do"!

Really the place looked like a postcard...

the water really was that "blue"...

When it came time to meet the bus to go back to the ship

my ego was really boosted when I heard someone whistle

at me Turned out to be a false alarm!

OK...bird, which way to the bus?

OOOH...got to get back in time for dinner...

and a full night of concerts and then the midnight Mexican Buffet!

One of the non-artists on the boat was Mike Williams...funny...

real FUNNY GUY!

Mike is best know for his Commercial Jingles like...

Mazda's "Zoom...Zoom...Zoom" and

Oscar Myer's "My Balogne has a first name..." jingle

Hey, it's already after 10 O'clockbut the night has just begun...

Judy and I were eating pizza at 1:30 in the morning and other fun stuff.

Sorry, I would show you the rest of the evening....but my camera just ran out of film...

Right, Judy?!!

(Guess who takes the stage tomorrow night)

Music Boat Key West: The Mermaid and The Big Bling!

2008-06-03T11:53:00.027-04:00

(Maybe the beginning of the now infamous: Big Bling Theory!)

Early Tuesday morning...Day 2...The "Music Boat" docks in Key West...beautiful day!

And my first really good look at the ship in the sunlight compels me say to myself, "Lord, this is one beautiful Ark!"

(I imagined the Lord answwering, "Thanks Noah...and be careful where you step!")

Once we all arrived in Key West, everyone pretty much went their on way... so much to see and do! Many took the little train tours around the city...

A Few of us who arrived in Florida early Sunday and missed church decided to attend the Tuesday morning service at the cool Key West "Motorscooter Church"...

Unfortunately, the church was just about empty...

Later found out most Key West people are LUNATARIANS (only meet on Mondays)...oh, well!

Ernest Hemingway's house seem to be one of the "Must Sees" on about everybody's list...but Judy and I were longing to just settle down and meet the locals...and feed the chickens that seemed to be runnning loose everywhere!

Our first try at chatting with the locals was a little un-nerving... the first guy we met was a giant! and really stiff... I told Judy maybe we should move on and try someone else.

I looked over toward the waterfront and saw a colorful old sailor...

now this is the type of Keywester (Shortens to keester) I've heard about!

This was so exciting! ... for a moment... down deep inside... I was experiencing one of those warm Forest Gump moments as this old wind tossed lover of the sea scratched his beard as he reminised about his many encounters with pirates and sea creatures and such...

(Also noticed Papa john's four meals aday on the boat are beginning to show a little!)

I asked the old sailor where we could charter a boat for cheap... he pointed down to the water and suggested we try the "Jolly Rover"

In Key West there are boats everywhere but after a few minutes we finally came across the "Jolly Rover"

Judy decided she would just go swimming nearby while the Captain and I would throw the nets overboard for a little in-harbor fishing. He told me we probably wouldn't catch much with the nets so close-in but at least I wouldn't have to thread any hooks with worms... and he wouldn't have to charge me the regular price for actually going far out to sea.

Sounded cool to me.

We threw the nets overboard and waited a few minutes.

While we were on deck just cooling it a little , Captain Jonah and I talked about how times had changed... how he used to encounter pirates at sea but as the old pirates aged out they had come back to land and set up shop.

Right when I was going to ask him what he meant by that, we heard this loud rustling noise coming from our nets...

WOW... I believe we got a big one this time!

I was literally beside myself as we pulled the nets in...

"Oh my," the Captain yelled out..."By gally, we've caught ourselves a real mermaid! And she's a beauty!"

"UH...Captain Jonah...which way to Ninevah?"

"Uh...uh..Judy sweetheart I am so sorry...uh..I didn't know you were swimming that close to the boat...uh..here, let me help you of that old net...uh...honey...you know I'd never ever let anything like this happen on purpose! Never!."

(Note: john in deep seaweed... needs to exercise some quick thinking pronto!)

"Sweetie...please don't be mad at me... When we get back to town I'm going to buy you that nice, big necklace set you've been wanting!

Promise!"

(While that seemed to calm Judy down a little...it didn't help me much. My heart was a fluttering as I wondered in my head where in the world will the money would come from for "The Big Bling" I promised)

Now...take a deep breath...because...

you're not going to believe this...(and you probably shouldn't)...

just as we got back in town I looked over and saw this beautiful chain, locket and giant matching earring set just hanging on this old building!

God is so good!

A perfect fit! And Judy absolutely loved it!

8 solid pounds of "Made in-the-USA" bling!

Truly a treasure at the end of the rainbow!

And as Mathew West says..."it's not the end but almost the end..."

"I'm singing this song ... And this really is the ...!"

When you are at mile marker zero and your next exit is Cuba, you know it's time to head back to the boat for "Formal Dining Night".

Just a little side note... it was neat to see the US Coast Guard escort us back out to sea..must be because of all those aged out pirates Captain Jonah referred to...LOL

OK... it's "Formal Dining Night" and the question lingers... Big Bling or no bling?

We left our love for bling back in Key West! LOL. But it was nice to dress up eventhough the Music Boat folk assured us Sunday Jeans would work as long as our running shoes were spit-shinned...no T-Shirts, though.

It was also neat to hear our waiters attempt to do Toby Mac's "Made to Love" in Spanish and several other languages all at once...It was so wild I thought the "Tooty Ta" might break out but no such luck! Still...A Great Night!

Formal Night was a great time for photos... I think Judy was flashing back from our Key West adventure... I gotta ask her about that.

Sara and Becky were a part of our local crew..I caught a quick pic as they headed down "The Red Carpet" for the evening... on our way to Leeland and Casting Crowns...

The Music Boat snow storm that suddenly appeared was a nice effect, too...LOL

Everybody loved Mark and Casting Crowns as usual.

Packed house...everybody on their feet!

Other concerts of the evening included Leeland, Joy Williams, Ayiesha Woods, Rush of Fools, Britt Nicole and Newsong on the Lido Deck under the stars...

And as usual....after the "Late night under-the-stars concert"... EVERYBODY made a mad dash to the 24 hour pizzaria or the late night buffet....

Had to race this young lady for the pizza... can't tell you who won...

Don't know about you but I'm ready to throw in the towel moo moo for the evening and kiss the cow goodnight! Hey....where's the chocolate? Oh... slipped under the cow... sorry!

Stay with me...tomorrow... less dramatic but a beautiful day in Calica, Mexico and Toby joins the boat...

(Blogger fine print: no feelings were hurt and no towels received permanent damage during the making of this blog...some events not effecting the outcome of our Music Boat experience were prerecorded, prefabricated or altered to fit the blogger format... blah, blah, blah, blah....hopefully you get the idea.LOL)

Music Boat 2008..."Welcome to Hollywood!"

2008-05-28T18:31:00.018-04:00

OK, Ok Already...so it's Florida and not LA... but the Hollywood-Ft. Lauderdale Airport was our first stop on the way to the Music Boat...

Everything was pretty smooth except for a little "extra baggage" issue. Most people were PULLING their luggage around the airport...

WE HAD TO PUSH OURS!

(I told Judy 10 pair of shoes were a plenty...of course my toolkit added a few pounds also).

Then there was that neat bus ride from the airport to the "FASCINATION"...as I checked my rear view I saw Eddie from Newsong, Britt Nicole and other Music Boaters. But I was still nervous about getting to the boat, finding my way around and meeting the WBFJ guest crew on time. I had carried all the T-shirts and stuff on the plane with me for them and was thinking how disappointed I would be if I missed our reception.

Although our first look at the "FASCINATION" was in the rain, through a window and at a distance I still thought to myself ..."This is going to be fun if we can just get checked in and situated ASAP!)

After we actually hurried onto the boat and did a quick look around our "Stateroom" as they call it , we made a mad dash for the WBFJ Reception in the "Piano Louge".

I thought we knew where we were going until we realized all the decks don't go all the way through...you have to go up, around and back down! After asking a dozen people, I made it just after 4:30! (had to leave Judy behind to find it on her own...I was literally running by then...LOL)

Fortunately the WBFJ CREW made it ok and after I caught my breath, we had a little time of greeting around the "piano" and passing out the WBFJ goodies (yellow , lime green and a light up thingy)...can't tell you any more than that....lol)

It was really neat to have our hometown crew on the boat and see you enjoying the concerts and having fun.

OK...now that my heart has stopped racing...and can actually find my way back to the room...it's time to primp up a little and head for that famous Music Boat dining experience I have heard so much about..."The Hill's...table 145." ...yeah baby, now this is service!

NOTE:

(Judy was way too eager to share with our dinner guests some of my "shortcomings" of the day. "OK, Judy...sweetheart...that'll do for now!")

Good thing Doyle (and Nancy) our dinner mates were concentrating on taking a picture and ordering... they missed most of Judy's account of how many times I had gotten us lost in one day. LOL.

Doyle and Nancy are from the House FM in Oklahoma and are one of the big blessings we received on the Music Boat. It was so neat to have fellowship with them each day during the evening meal. Doyle even shared some of his pics me so I would have a good picture of Toby mac to bring back and put on my blog...ha ha!

After Dinner we just had to settle down a minute and catch our first Music Boat sunset. Each beautiful sunrise and sunset remined all of us on the boat just how beautiful God's creation really is and just how good God is...Beautiful!

After supper and sunset each evening... the indoor and outdoor concerts were just awesome... From Mark Hall and Casting crowns to Leeland, Newsong, Mark Harris, Hawk Nelson, Matthew West, The Afters, Britt Nicole and the whole Music Boat lineup... it all made for non-stop music and fun every night!

(more concert pics coming in later blogs)

You gotta love praising God in the great outdoors in the moonlight!

And did I mention....there was that 24 Hour round-the-clock

Soft Serve Ice Cream machine...

I had to push some of our local crew away from there...LOL

OOPS...I found out later that Wesley and Lisa were actually headed for the midnight buffet...sorry , I thought you were heading for the ice cream machine!

Ok...guys...it's about 2 in the morning... time to head back from the "Pizza -Steak room" to the "Stateroom" and get a little sleep before heading out to Key West...and then onto Mexico!

So Good night little music boat towel teddy bear... thanks for the chocolates and a wonderful day...God bless you and the crew!

Stay tuned...

Next stop: Key West!

(you don't want to miss this one...encounter with a real Mermaid!!!! lol)

AND then off to ... M-E-X-I-C-O !

PLUS...lots of concerts pics PLUS...

"Toby Mac Smokes the boat!" and more!

The MUSIC BOAT 2008 is back A-N-D...

2008-05-25T21:57:00.007-04:00

Boy, do we have a show for you!

(it's a miracle...Bob and Larry grew arms while on the music boat!)

We saw a portion of the new Veggie Tale movie, too!

Stay tuned for:

"Toby Mac smokes the Music Boat"

"Welcome to Hollywood!"

"The WBFJ Crew"

"John and Judy over-pack"

"Britt Nicole, Mark Hall, Mark Harris, Todd Agnew, Newsong, Matthew West"

"Fishing in Key West ... catching a murmaid!"

(Stay tuned... as soon as we get unpacked I'll share more!)

(This is a shot of the giant Atrium area in the middle of the boat...that banner was huge!)

THE MUSIC BOAT 2008-last minute deals?

2008-05-09T12:38:00.007-04:00

Hey...

with the Music Boat sailing in just a few days

I thought I'd use some coupons

to get a few last minute deals

on cool gadgets for our trip next week...

But Apparently...

SOMEBODY... beat me to it.

T-A-M-I !!!!!!

PRESIDENT...Who to vote for????????

2008-03-14T18:55:00.004-04:00

This election thingy is just eatin' my lunch!

I just can't decide on who to vote for!

One minute I lean toward...

uh..you know...

But with everybody talking "CHANGE"...

maybe a popular illegal alien

is the best choice...

But to be honest... right now

I have a more pressing problem...

I'm out of gas

and I see the "87" and "89" pumps...

but for the life of me

I can't find the "710" pump!

Maybe the next President can do something about this!

Sanctus Real Video : Hanes Mall Winston-Salem

2008-02-16T16:46:00.001-05:00

Click here for what you're looking for...

Santus Real Hanes Mall Winston-Salem: Great concert B-U-T...

2008-02-15T14:50:00.015-05:00

There were a few...uh... "I S S U E S"

COMPLAINT:

#1-A Chris from Sanctus Real:

"Wally, what's with all these old pictures of us

you've been passing around!

Come on man! Makes us look like the Brady Bunch!

#1-B Chris:

"and Wally... DO YOU REALLY expect me to do your "Itsy-Bitsy-Spider" routine on stage in front of all these fans?!"(see my last year blogs for details of Wally's IBS thingy)

(Verne: "I'm going shopping if you do!")

#2Mark from Sanctus Real:

"Cinnabon ok for a preconcert snack but...

we were hoping for a dozen or two Krispy Creme doughnuts before we leave Winston-Salem!"

#3 Confused (Anyomous) Fan:

"I love these cool Coke bathroom scales

but I just don't get it!

Like where is that little window thingy

where you read your weight???"

#4 Kurt:
"Great Concert....
but it's hard to enjoy it
with a headless woman and 'a giant Steven Curtis Chapman' looking over my shoulder!"

#5 Bonnie (WBFJ Volunteer Coordinator):
"Great concert...but
So many peoeple...Can't find my husband or my pocketbook!"

#6 Fred C:

"Wonderful concert but...

Hard to enjoy it standing beside a man carrying an Agner Bag!"

#7 Ron H:

"Loved the concert but...

"Hard to pay attention with a guy

incessantly trying to photograph your bag!

#8 Daysi (fan):

"Loved the concert but...

Would have been better

if Wally had let me and my Compact Gucci Fender Bag Guitar

on stage to electrify the crowd!"

#9 Kendra (another fan):

"Nice concert but...

would've sounded better if you would have let me actually PLUG this thing IN!

Woulda been rockin' dude!"

# 10 Brent and Brittany (more fans):

"Great concert... but hard to pay attention with Uncle Fred telling all those stories about the cool stuff he has dug out of the dumpster!"

#11 Unknown Concert Attendee (friend of #3 "Confused Fan"):

"Like wow man...Great concert but I just couldn't focus...
it was like a big distraction dude when

right in the middle of the concert that giant Gotham City

spider web thingy suddenly appeared on the ceiling!

It like freaked me out BATMAN!"

#12 Wally:

"Now we're sunk....

NO CD's sales at the Merchandise Table...the ATM is down!"

(Don't worry Wally... WBFJ listeners do carry a little cash occasionally!)

#13 Verne Hill:

"Concert not loud enough...but what I heard sounded good down at J Jill, JC Penny and Radio Shack!"

# 14 Shaun (Time Warner):

"outstanding concert but...

next time can you make at 1:14 during my lunch so Ican actually be there?

#15 Papa John:

"Not really a complaint...just basically in the dark the whole time

(for what it's worth)....but good!"

And finally:

One small

"Unspoken"...

(Really was a Great Concert..one our best Mall Concerts ever! NO COMPLAINTS! LOL...Who's coming next? Stay tuned!)

America's Most Famous Sheriff Hangs with Papa John...

2008-02-11T14:55:00.000-05:00

Even more famous than Gerald Hege!

YES!....

The one and only!

The only problem, WOODY...

Papa falls out at 11!!!!

"Just make your self at home..."

You are on your own!

Just let yourself out when you're through...

and as you always say...

"You're my favorite Deputy!"

See you later "pard-ner!"

Happy Thanksgiving and don't forget the WBFJ "elves"!

2007-11-21T12:10:00.000-05:00

"Happy Thanksgiving"... I'm So Thankful...

Thankful for God's unconditional love...and all HIS promises... they are fresh and new every morning...

For my wife Judy and all our family and their conditional love...

The Father had a great idea when HE putus in families.

Grandchildren high on the list...lol.

For all my friends...and hundreds of others who have shown so much love...

unconditionally...

For all those C-R-A-Z-Y *** people in my wbfj family

past and present that are so loving and willing to give of themselves to others...

*** Click to see just how crazy! (You got to see this!)

(WBFJ DAY SHIFTS): http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9565382364

(WBFJ MORNINGS): http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9558419579

(WBFJ AM): http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9565437622

AND for You...whichever group you fall into... LOL.As you sit down to your Thanksgiving spread, I hope you too will stop and realize just how blessed you are. It's been a busy month and it's good just to lay the mike down and then lay the body down for a little r and r. I hope you get your share of horizontal time in your La-z-boy... Happy Thanksgiving!

"Noodle Soup for the Soul" ...

2007-11-19T18:33:00.001-05:00

Wally is always getting cool stuff in the mail...

books, cd's, macadamia nuts, chocolate, plaques, pictures...

you name it...

Wally gets it!

Wally is so special...

Wally's stuff comes well-packed...

in pretty boxes...

Wally's stuff is always personalized and monogrammed...

(Only Wally get's custom "W" shaped packing noodles!)

Simon says...odd or even...

2007-09-12T00:03:00.000-04:00

Me and "Motocycle Mama" were fooling around on "Webbie's" bike when MM suddenly cranked up the Honda and took us tearing into the wind...

As my eyes were blinking in the rush of fresh air I reminded MM that we didn't have helmets...

MM said..."we're heading to "Hollywood at the Beach" ... you don't need 'em"

Well, we weren't in South Carolina then but at the rate MM was gassing it... we'd be there soon (LOL)

By the time we hit Myrtle the weather was great...

and it was BIKER WEEK!

It was really hazy, though... must have been all the smoke.

Did I mention it was BIKERS WEEK!

I suggested we find my sister's place and chill for the night. I didn't have a clue where she lived but apparently the local bikers knew "The Tree House"...

I didn't quite understand the "Tree" thing but we followed anyway.

"Oh, the tree house"... I get it it.

I forgot my sister's place had trees with mugs

Just in time for dinner... hot dogs and corn on the cob...

BUT...

My bottom was still vibrating from the bike ride...

I just had to stand up and chill for a minute...

Ooh, para- sailing... now that looks relaxing...

Fly-over billboards... now this is the Myrtle Beach I remember!

OK...time to sit down and finish my dog...

yum...yum!

We were all wiping our faces and just about ready for dessert

when my brother-in-law pointed to his cob and quietly mumbled...

"the rows of corn are always even"

Judy didn't say anything...

but her face SAID what I was thinking...

"poor Frank is one kernel sort of a full cob..."

My sister Nancy didn't say much but methodically started to count her rows...

(I didn't say anything but I was thinking...

"poor sis...whatever Frank has... she has it too!)

"Frank...you're on to something!"

"I'm counting 18 rows again...

Let's call "E" (our other sister) over and check this out..."

Well, after "E" came up with even rows...

I decided I got to go check this out for myself...

BUT it took awhile...

Do you have any idea how far I had to drive to find a corn field at Myrtle Beach!!!!!

And can you believe it...

every ear I checked had 18 or 20 rows...

"even number" every time!

"Shazam...Uncle Frank...you're A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!"

"Colton...keeping it real...sorry to burst your bubble... BUT...Frank...

this whole "corn row routine" of yours is something like you'd hear in any cheap hotel comedy lounge in Iowa...

I'm totally not impressed...

it's DOLLYWOOD and not Hollywood for you guys"...

"SORRY!!!"

HEY GUYS... NO PROBLEM..."Chill"...it's just an ear of corn...

Hey, it wasn't Hollywood but it was beachie keen!

Overall... a good relaxing trip... a little ear-ee... but good. LOL!

oh, almost forgot..check the corn thing out for yourself..it's true!

Britt Nicole "on top of things" at wbfj! "Say it"...we now play it!

2007-06-26T11:50:00.001-04:00

EMI new recording artist Britt Nicole dropped by the station to visit and bring us a few copies of her new CD "Say it"...

While Britt was hugging everbody... Josh , Brian, and Andrea from EMI's radio promotion team got Wally off to one side and pleaded...

"Wally...you're a hard man... you play our artists Toby Mac and Mandissa... what's it going to take to get Britt's new cd on the air?"

While the guys were talking outside...Andrea slipped into the station and did a number on the control room dry erase board...(with a permanent marker to make her point indelible)

(after all...even Wally should be moved by some good flattery...I mean, he IS a radio guy, right?)

But nothing worked... until Britt shocked us all...

and began climbing onto the station van...

"Wally... I'm going to camp out on the WBFJ van until you play my song!"

"And I'm not going to move until you add it!"

People were driving by and pointing...

Poor Deke was getting so embarrased... and yelled out...

"Wally... please play it! I'm having a panic attack!"

That did it...

Wally gave the thumbs up ... Deke breathed a sigh of relief ... Darren helped Britt down froom the van...

another potential PR crisis sucessfully avoided!

Yes....Britt's new cd is "Say it" and we really do "Play it!"...LOL!

(First release...the song "YOU")

Click on Britt's website... (she's from North Carolina, too!)

http://www.brittnicole.com/

Nate Sallie sings...papa john comes unglued!

2007-06-19T14:25:00.000-04:00

I knew Nate Sallie and his side-kick Kyle were coming to the station later in the afternoon for a little preview of Nate's new CD on Curb Records but I thought...

hey, I've got time to glue this little crack on my airplane...

it'll only take a second.

Grabbed the glue and carefully removed the cap... Judy told me this is the stuff doctors glue skin together with...BE Careful!

Put on my double magnifiers to see closeup...

No problem... this stuff is S-U-P-E-R! Works great!

Woah...Papa john !!!

do you really don't want to do that

with those double magnifiers on ???

OOPS... too late ...

but no big deal... I'm sure it'll wear off before Nate gets here this afternoon...

Guess I better get ready to go in to work...

I'm sure the glue will be letting go anytime now...

I really think it's loosening up as I brush...

Well... I made it to work in time for Nate's arrival but "it" was still hanging on!

Poor Nate was too embarassed to say anything but his "look" says it all!

Kyle had that "the emperor has a new suit" look but he didn't say anything either.

And when Nate got warmed up singing his latest...

he just couldn't bear to look at me... but

I started getting real happy!

And I felt "it" start to let go from my lip...HALLELUJAH!!!!!!

after a couple of more verses...

I'm FREE!

I don't know where it went but

I'm FREE!!!!!!!

"one day on the lips...

forever on the hips!"

Thanks Nate and Kyle for coming our way...

We're looking foreward to the new CD coming soon!

(And papa john... stick to the "Tooty Ta" and stay out of the superglue... they don't call it "superglue" for nothing! LOL!)

Hill Bros...Tooty-Ta breaks out at Union Cross Elementary...

2007-05-30T14:12:00.000-04:00

12:15 pm, Wednesday, May 30, 2007...

everything began as usual...

Hill Brothers arrive at Union Cross Elementary

for the final stop on the WBFJ CiCi's Pizza Pledge...

Right from the start...

the Pledge of Allegiance with the kids went really well...

And the CiCi's Pizza was a big hit!

Everything was normal

until...

Papa john spied this guitar sitting over on the table...

and got this sudden "burst" of inspiration...

And let loose with his Johnny Cash thing...

Teachers Ms. Roberson and Ms. McLean...

after a little "shock and awe" reaction ...

seem to approve it all...

so a few seconds later...

not to be outdone...

Verne Hill decided it was time for the other Hill Brother

to make his mark

and to do the Toby Mac thing...

As you can see by the front row reaction...
By now the kids were beginning to get that stunned "Shock and Awe" look...

I thought to myself, "they're going to throw us out of here..."

and then...

to our complete surprise...

Teacher turned on the stereo...

and the whole class suddenly came alive!...

and began dancing something called

the "Tooty-Ta"

Even Verne got in on the action!

IT WAS GREAT!!!

Unfortunately...

Poor Papa john just couldn't "Tooty-Ta"...

though he did try hard...LOL

Thankfully it was time to go before Papa john broke anything onboard

(or in the classroom)...LOL

Thanks guys for a great party!

U.C.E. Rocks!

Blog after thought:

Great trip Verne... but I'm feeling a little guilty... those kids are going to be let down tomorrow when they realize their playground gazeebo is missing...

Next time... NO Souvenirs!!! LOL.

S-T-R-A-N-G-E Pictures...

2007-05-29T15:35:00.000-04:00

Of Tami and Deke

have been showing up lately

in the WBFJ Break Room

COOL!

(Cry outrageously out loud....ha ha!)

Tami... walk softly...

2007-05-25T14:23:00.000-04:00

And carry a big bat!

I don't think Wally knows how to deal

with the NEW Bat-weilding Tami...

We all just like to remember the young Tami...

before the struggles of early morning radio set in...LOL

what could be better!

2007-05-23T18:36:00.000-04:00

...than a personal chat, sharing time and concert with INO Recording artists (and good Christian Brothers )... 33MILES

Between the chip, dip, and chocolate chips...

Jason, Chris, and Collin treated us to a live version of their lastest....

"What Could Be Better!"

(By the way..that's Chris on guitar and Not Verne Hill )

Wally, Mary and Cindy seemed to really enjoy a little break from their busy routines...

Of course, I don't have a "routine"... everyday is different...LOL

after 4... I just watched through the window

and listened...

it was moving!

Thanks, guys, for coming our way...

and we agree...

"What Could Be Better"...

"than seeing Jesus face-to-face!"

"Baby" has a name... UPDATE!

2007-05-22T10:48:00.000-04:00

I talked with Hannah (Baby's new surrogate mom) yesterday

and she said Baby was doing fine

and "Baby" now has a name...

"SELAH"... just like in the book of Psalms.

If you are new to Papajohnsplace...

Baby...now Selah apparently fell out of her nest in my magnolia tree

and into my truck....

And she rode to work with me...

and she started getting hungry by nightfall...

and the cat and the lawnmower almost got her...

and THEN:

Hannah agreed to take Baby and raise her

with two other wild birds she was raising...

Well..that was a few days ago...(above)

look at her now! (Below)

Isn't she bea-u-ti-ful!

She's even beginning to look like a Robin! LOL.

baby delivered... update

2007-05-18T15:01:00.001-04:00

Right now Baby has a new home...

yesterday a nice lady named Hannah agreed to meet me on the way home

and take and care for Baby...

BUT...

There's a lot more to the story since yesterday's entry at 6:45pm...

Today I reviewed the Station Security Video to help me with my time line...

At 7:01 pm the camera revealed a neighorhood cat was sizing up Baby but fortunately something scared him off...

I had already talked to Hannah on the phone... she was nursing two other similar birds and has the correct formula to feed them... I was to meet her in Rural Hall at about 7:40 or so to pick up Baby...

The only problem....Baby had "jumped ship" again (she can flutter but not fly) and was no where to be found. I couldn't call Hannah to tell her I couldn't find Baby because she didn't have a cell phone with her. I panicked since I have never met Hannah and didn't want her to come and go not knowing what was going on... so I called my wife and asked her to go meet Hannah and explain what was happening!

To complicate matters Cordova Lawn had come to do the weekely lawn work... I told them to be careful as Baby was loose and no where to be found...

I was getting depressed but was praying for the Lord to help me find her or whatever He wanted...

So I was very happy when the mower stopped

and the operator pointed up to the back of the station..

I RAN up to the spot and put Baby in a box and quickly ran back to the truck...

So by about 8 o'clock (Thursday) I met Hannah and Judy and handed over Baby to Hannah's care... By then I was an emotional wreck... by now this little hitch hiker bird had become a part of my life and I had become emotionally attached... hopefully there will be be goodnews ahead!

Stay Tuned.

my new baby...

2007-05-17T17:03:00.000-04:00

When I got to work today....

I was going to put a box on the back of my truck...

and this little head bobbed up...

apparently a baby robin

that must have fallen out of my magnolia tree at home....

and rode ten miles sto work with me.

She's a sweetie... but she can't fly.

What should I do?

Email: john@papajohnsplace.com

Here's the 6:45 Update...

lots of calls coming in to the radio station...

right now looks like Wildlife Rehab might be the answer...

they rescue and nurse animals back to health...

just checked on her... she's moving around on the back of my truck...

toby mac sighting????

2007-05-16T14:36:00.000-04:00

False Alarm: It's "Pop Mac" instead...

The real Toby is still in Nashville...

and on the cover of CCM...

Pop Mac... well, he's still here at WBFJ...LOL

Dave Wong Shu shows up for Sharathon...

2007-05-15T11:47:00.000-04:00

Poor Brother Dave from CROSSROAD Radio...

shows up for Sharathon with...

a non-match... LOL

(Confusius say: Man who wear wrong shoe usually half sleep)

Sharathon was HOT! Right, Darren?

2007-05-11T22:56:00.000-04:00

(To truly appreciate... you Got to

Click on the pics to enlarge and see the big drops of sweat! lol)

Darren was working "Phone Central" the last hour of Sharathon

and as you can see...

he got worked hard and put up wet...LOL

But all the sweat paid off...

God moved...

you called...

and by 6 o'clock...

it was over...

and we were over...

by $14,000+

And we celebrated!

Thanks again!

Sharathon day 3...and then toby mac ...

2007-05-11T14:11:00.000-04:00

things going pretty well but we got stuck at 92%...

even Bonnie got frozen in her steps...

Sherri did get one call...

but that was about it...

Dana...in her element... taking advantage of the lull to balance her check book...

someone please call!

So quiet..let's break for lunch...

Dek will catch the phone...

Yeh...Dek will catch the phone... AND FINALLY we do get a call...

Dek's wife reminding him to wake up for the next station break!!!

Stephanie walking by Wally's office a minute ago... saw DEK snoozing'... and then went into tell WALLY..."This place is asleep... no calls...Wally... you all got to do something!!!!"

Quick thinking Wally quickly put on Toby Mac's "Made To Love" to jump-start Bonnie...

Then Jenn got it....

Then... Cindy and Dana... would you believe?

Stef was back at her desk but couldn't keep it in!

Stef you got Tobbed!!!!

And yes... Papa John finally got it!!!

(a little scarey!)

Sharathon 2007...

is hot!!!

Stay tuned...

just a few more hours and we'll see how it all turns out...

God is good...

so we know it will be just right!

the road to sharathon...2007

2007-05-09T14:23:00.000-04:00

Bonnie's driving...

because Bonnie is MS. Sharathon...

and...

Bonnie knows the way?

Right Deke and Cindy?

Bonnie... this is Derrick's Studio... not THE STUDIO!

O.K....this is looking a little more like home...

Now we're cookin'...

Kurt and John Brock in THE Studio...

Dek in the production room...

Now THIS is Sharathon...

Smiling Sharathon Volunteers....

Everything's "thumbs up" so far!

Cindy is enjoying entering all your faith promises....

And Lori is not real big on me interrupting her...

Sorry, Lori... but look at the Totals so far!

And let's not forget last night's Prayer and Praise Concert with Avalon...

and the introduction of the hot new WBFJ display courtesy of RAM Fambrication on Rural Hall...

WBFJ Sharathon 2007 is off to a booming start...

thanks to all volunteers...and all who will be making faith promises and praying for us...

let's see what the Lord will do this week...

stay tuned!

William Hung Up in North Carolina

2007-05-02T16:53:00.000-04:00

Well... i have to admit I like to watch American Idol...
the only thing is I don't care for the word "Idol"...
for two reasons.

One. The expression "Idol" as in "Teen Idol " is left over from the "50's so let's get hip and call it something else... this is 2007!

Two. The real reason I don't care for the word "Idol"... used literally it is something worshipped other than the true God. .. And no one on the show is that good!

Anyway, call it something else but the concept of this show just grabs my attention. And when I started following some of the Christians on the show, I became a regular (when possible)... which brings me to my story...

Last night Phil did fine but I have always felt like he needed a little extra push so he's one of the few I've actually taken the time to call in and vote for....

I put the number in my last number dialed on my cellphone. When the time came, I began rapid fire voting... call, hang-up when you hear the voice and then redial... and so on. I keep the phone in hand ... you can hear enough from the earpiece to know you got through.

I noticed it was a different voice on the other end... I thought "How nice...they got a ladies voice now"...

After about 50 sucessful calls (votes) I gave up for the evening and watched the news...

I didn't realize Judy had called mema last night on my phone to tell her American Idol was on...

So it was a little funny today when Judy talked with her mother...
Mema: "Judy I am so worn out from last night... I went to bed after watching American Idol and this person kept calling me over-and-over and hanging up... It about drove me crazy!"
O-O-p-s!
Maybe now we know a little how William Hung felt when he found out he wasn't going to Hollywood... good intentions aren't quite good enough!

L-O-L!

(This really could happen... so be careful when you dial..LOL)

PS... That's a cellphone in Mema's Hand... she's been known to do a little fancy dialing herself on occasion!

Michael W. Smith added to Music City Walk of Fame...

2007-04-23T19:18:00.000-04:00

To be honest I kinda stumbled onto this whole thing while at Music Week at the Gospel Music Association in Nashville... I had heard Wally mention something about the event but didn't eally put it all together until I wandered around and saw the crowd sitting out in the Nashville sun...

I looked on stage and saw Michael W. Smith so I staked out a spot and started taking a few pictures. Since I didn't know anyone else on stage I started paying attention and realized this was more than a Michael W. Smith event.

Buddy Holly's band, "The Crickets" was the first group honored and then their star on the "Music City Walk of Fame" was uncovered.

Emmylou Harris was also honored and her star uncovered.

(For a complete list of Honorees check the blog account near the end...)

When it came time to introduce Michael W. Smith this somewhat somber guy stood up...

and to my surprise it was Jim Caviezel, the actor Mel Gibson chose to play Christ in the movie, Passion of the Christ.

Jim told the story about the gruelling and sometimes dangerous times during the filming of the movie...

While Jim was out in the cold hanging on the cross he separated his shoulder... he was also once struck by lightning...

All in all it was a touching story but the tie-in to Michael W. Smith was that during his long "wait time" during shooting while he hung there in pain... someone slipped Jim a walkman and earplugs up to him playing Michael's song ABOVE ALL ELSE and if you remember the words you can see why this song profoundly change Jim's life and why the two became good friends.

Michael thanked God for all the blessings in his life... especially his wife and family... and for the city of Nashville for being good to him.

It was a very moving ceremony and I was glad I was there to see it all...

It was also good to see Michael W. Smith's dad who was able to be there to witness the occasion.

Another moving moment was the comments by Wynoona Judd. I have not kept up with her career but remember her from being on the TV program Touched by an Angel singing Testify to Love.

I could tell by her sincere comments and humble demeanor that life had been hard at times for her but I could also tell the Lord had been good to her and she in no uncertain terms made that very clear. I was very moved by it all.

I really don't know who all was in the VIP audience... look around. You might see someone you recognize...

Don't know who this little fellow was but he was quick to check out the star!

(And so was I and everyone else there!)

I tought the whole event was cool! And I was so happy to see the Lord publically honored too, through the testimony of Michael W. and some of the others. I have to admit my "Judy side" (LOL) came out a little as I brushed away a few tears from time to time...

I saved the rest of my shots for a little slide show...

take time to read the complete report of the event

borrowed from a fellow blogger ...

Remember you can also view all the pictures in the slide show individually... just click on "View All" and click on each to enlarge.

Michael W. Smith to Join Music City Walk of Fame Honorees

Christian music superstar Michael W. Smith will join an elite group of music industry figures this weekend when he is inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame.The induction ceremony takes place at the Hall of Fame Park in downtown Nashville on Apr. 22.

The 2007 class of inductees for the Music City Walk of Fame also includes country legend Emmylou Harris, Americana mainstay John Hiatt, country powerhouse Wynonna Judd, seminal rock ‘n’ roll combo The Crickets, and long-time BMI president/CEO Frances Preston.

Smith comments, “I’m thrilled to share this day with Emmylou, John, Wynonna, The Crickets and Frances. I was surprised when I found out, and am humbled by the honor.”

Jim Caviezel, who portrayed Jesus in the 2005 film “The Passion of the Christ,” is a friend of Smith’s and will serve as his presenter into the Music City Walk of Fame.

The Music City Walk of Fame is an official project of Music City Inc, the charitable foundation of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the 2007 class represents the second group of honorees inducted.

"This class of inductees continues to showcase the diversity of the music that thrives in this city,” said Butch Spyridon, President of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“Each honoree has left an indelible mark on music worldwide and on our city’s musical heritage. We’re privileged to pay homage to their great success.”

The Music City Walk of Fame ceremony kicks off a busy Gospel Music Week 2007 for Smith. He will be a presenter at the 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House next Wednesday, Apr. 25.Thanks to Kevin Donovan

Hey...is that who I think it is?

More Music Week Coverage...

Live from Nashville... next time at papajohns place.

"In the house"....with Toby Mac...Ayiesha Woods.

2007-04-21T23:35:00.001-04:00

WRONG House, Verne!

We're looking for "The house of Toby"

Not "The House of Representatives"

(I really thought the House of Representatives was larger

and was in Washington, DC?

Something a little spacie going on here!)

Actually we did get a little" in-the-house time " with Toby Mac and Ayiesha Woods courtesy of Gotee Records.

Notice Toby giving me the hand signal to check out Verne's blond hair extension hanging off the back of his head...

AND...As I was getting a little non-posed shot of Ayiesha ...

We got "Tobbed" as Toby was passing through...

and it really made for a cool picture...

we dedicate this one to intern Mary at WBFJ...

"PAPA JOHN!"...

"You're standing on my foot!"

SORRY!

Ayiesha is one nice lady...

Big smile and cool down-to-earth way ...

Her single "HAPPY" (you make me happy) fits her to a "T"!

Verne and Ayiesha were able to compare smiles...

I guess it's basically a tie!

Verne and Gotee's "Story Side B" compared hair

and Verne shared some of his spiking gel techniques.

(Verne...I don't see anyone taking notes )

On our way back from being "in the house" with Toby and the gang ...we had to stop in at the house of Tubb. (Ernest Tubb)

(Click on the pic to enlarge... this is my favorite sign in Nashville!)

And parenthetically...while we're talking Nashville favorites...

the "BAT Building" is my favorite landmark by day...

But by night I think it becomes a magnet for all the Alien Star Trek ish Space ships and stuff we've been seeing since we got here...

See what I mean?

Here comes another one!

And it's the dreaded one-horned "Unicorn Flying saucer"...

they're the ones that carry the greenest aliens!

B-L-O-G F-L-A-S-H!

Amore down to earth note:

Michael W. Smith's star added to Nashville's "Walk of Fame"...along with Emmylou Harris , Winona Judd, and more...

Papajohn's Place was there... stay tuned for great pictures and full coverage...

Coming soon to Papajohn's Place!

Nashville invaded by space ship...E.T. phone left at home?

2007-04-21T01:26:00.000-04:00

WOW... You're not going to believe this Sci-fi beginning to GMA week!

But let's back up a little...

Friday...Wally, Verne and I left Charlotte Airport

for the Gospel Music Association in Nashville.

First thing after we arrived at our Nashville hotel

Wally went online to find out why the airlines had no record of our plane reservations to Nashville...

That's right.. a few hours earlier at the Charlotte airport...

they had no reservations for us!

Wally later determined the reservations were made on April 1st

and apparently they thought he was joking.. LOL-not.

And while Wally was figuring out what went wrong with the reservations...

I was cogitating on where my cell phone was.

When it came time to go through the Charlotte airport security

I suddenly realized my cell phone was no longer in my pocket...

While Wally and I were trying to solve our mysteries...

Verne was looking out the window at our hotel...

and noticed a large crowd gathering and looking up...

All of a sudden Verne said

"Look...it's a space ship coming in there at the left..."

"And it's landing on top of the building next door!"

Sure enough... when Wally and I looked out...

there it was!

And this giant inflatable alien had come out of the ship

and people were all around checking it out.

Verne ran down to get an exclusive interview

to call into Tami and Darren on the morning show

But he was too late!

By the time he got down the sky turned dark

and the ship was on it's way out...

He did recover a few of these little speckled eggs

the alien visitors apparently left behind.

But there is some good news:

We had a wonderful time later in the evening listening to Nate Sallie and Plumb...

Nate brought the roof down!

Plumb just out-of-site also...

There is one little bit of bad news...(LOL)

Wally told me to dress western since we were going to Nashville...

well I think it got me in hot water with the locals... I think I made the paper!

Here's the scoop:

For fun when I walked into a karaoke thing to do a version of the late johnny cash's

"ring of fire "... they booed me off the stage...

apparently thought I was that "I-guy..." (LOL)

but you know papa john isn't like that...

(And you know I'm pulling your leg...lol)

(Thanks -I think-to Deke and PHOTOSHOP for the birth of this picture creation... that child is dangerous with a computer...LOL!)

Well that's day one...including a little extra "stuff" thrown in...ha ha!

There will be more!

Live from Nashville... Music Week at The Gospel Music Association.

Our pharmacy LOL

Mad Science meets mall madness...

2007-04-16T15:27:00.000-04:00

Great time with Mad Science at the Mall last Saturday...

We got winners!

(check out more pictures at wbfj.fm )

Wait...Grandma...

2007-04-11T19:07:00.000-04:00

Pleeeeeezzzzzz....

Don't!

Please don't ...Grandma..

I might turn into a frog!

Oops...

Audrie...

It's worse than you thought...

You both got ape'd!!!

I warned you girls not to be messing around like that...

Shoulda listened to papa!

PS...Grandma Judy, I like your bling. LOL.

"and it was only puppy love..."

2007-04-08T17:15:00.000-04:00

We had a lot

in common...

big ears...

brown eyes...

both wearing tan

fuzz above the snout

and hair growing from the ears...

So...

no wonder it was love at first bite...

it's no secret...papa loves puppies.

(for the record... her name is "Dixie" and I had to give her back after this glamour shot)

BPS: Papa john's place welcomes the DAVIS Cup to Winston-Salem...

Pos-i-tiv-e-ly Tami...color update

2007-04-05T11:45:00.000-04:00

Pos-i-tively Tami...

2007-04-04T13:40:00.000-04:00

If you've ever been in the WBFJ Kitchen

(the give-me-a-break room)

you know we use the cabinets as our billbord....

From time to time Papajohnsplace brings you the close-up on some of the note-worthy postings and often with commentary...

BUT...

Today's needs no commentary... it speaks for itself..LOL.

(Sorry Joel... Tami is an only child... )

Nightmare on Trade...

2007-04-02T18:04:00.000-04:00

Now that things have settled down around here a little...

a few more pics and details of last weeks

events at WBFJ (3/19, 3/23 and 3/24)...

You know...

I've looked at the security video so much

I almost feel like I know this guy...

Yep...

I've got the block that went through the window

on early Monday morning a week ago...

(you know me.. I save everything..lol)

After the Monday break in I put up a temporary window

and then we had this temporary wooden window installed

to slow down any further breakin attempts...

we have two of these wooden windows

and they have served their purpose well...

especially since neither I or the morning show do windows...LOL.

One of our intruder's visits was apparently an attempt to paint the town white...

I guess the logic is

if you run out of cement blocks and bricks...

I guess you go for the paint can out back and use it bang the glass!!!

The good news is the police have a suspect ....

Click on the link below for the latest on the case.....

http://www.wsjs.com/pages/329406.php?contentType=4&contentId=393312

hope we've heard the last...

2007-03-28T18:57:00.000-04:00

Of Ernest T. Bass!

(No, that's not Tami trying to breakin in...

she has a key..LOL)

Barney...we have an infraction!

You better get that one Mayberry bullet out here real fast!

(actual security shots of the second Break in attempt)

Hey by now you've probably figure out that something's been up...

This is the longest time I've ever gone without checking into

Papajohn's Place...

We had one breakin last week at the radio station and two more attempts within days of each other...

It was a tiring and WILD week...

The good news is the police think they have our man and he is temporarily

off the streets...

That gives us enough time to replace two or three windows,

add more cameras,

more lighting and a few other things...

In just 90 seconds start- to -finish this thief broke in

and took a laptop, 2 cd players, a digital camera, a backpack

and a coat... and then was out of here.

It was all very quick.

That's why Jesus uses the thief as the example

when He warns us to be ready for HIS return...

He himself told us He will come quickly....as a thief in the night...

and we'll be out of here...

Don't pinch me...I'm wearing green!

2007-03-16T19:13:00.000-04:00

MAMA....

L-O-O-K-E-E...

papa john just got his W-I-S-D-U-M-B tooth!

Thanks, Josh!

Happy

Saint

Patrick's

Day!

Verne's party...the day the music died

2007-03-13T01:45:00.000-04:00

The day we all waited for... Bro. Verne's birthday at Fudd's...

everything just right...

Our birthday boy was the center of attention...

At least it started that way!

We need to pause right now and bring you newer blog viewers up to speed on the party S-O-P (STANDARD OVERATING PROCEEDURE)

So... join uncle Wally...close your eyes...

And flash back with us to the fall of 2006...

It was at a staff meeting...

Wally introduced us to his I-B-S routine...

Out of the clear blue Wally invited us to all join him in singing "Itsey-Bitsey-Spider" complete with all the hand motions... ("Itsey-bitsey-spider went up the water spout" and all that ... )

You probably know the song.

And as you may have heard... the routine was really cool...the whole thing really caught on big time!

We even heard rumors that Wally was even going to do his I-B-S routine on "America's Got Talent" but Diane discouraged him ..."Wally , what if you

mess up bigtime and forget the words!"

(Don't worry Diane...there's always "Not as smart as a 5th grader" to fall back on...)

Now you've got the background...

You now understand why Verne asked ..."Wally will you get things rolling with your highly entertaining I-B-S routine?"

Poor Wally he tried... but everyone could see he was embarassed by his lip zit that had just popped up out of nowhere...

so Verne quickly asked wife Paula to take over...

Only thing... it might have gone a little quicker Verne if you'd warned Paula to be a little more I-B-S prepared...

"Now Wally...Do I roll the fingers over-under or under-over? "

"Like this...

over-under...

one finger at a time...

and accent the first syllable of each work..."

"And be sure to keep a one inch clearance between fingers at all times to comply with the fire code" ...Tami was explaining...

when Wally suddenly pointed up to the tv... "Look at that!"

(Apparently startled Verne's baby also...lol)

Darren then looked up at the other tv and said..."Yeh... they're talking about Tami on this one, too."

"Just because she is eating a cookie ?" We ask?

"NO ... because of her cookie business at work..." darren comments...

"Ever notice that Tami's Girl Scout Cookie prices tend to fluctuate

with the price of gas!" LOL

Obviously the heat and embarassment was building for Tami...

So quick thinking Wally to the rescue!

(I Couldn't believe my eyes!)

Wally nervously whips out a half-sized harmonica out of his shirt pocket... and lets it rip!

Wally began belting out a verse of "She'll be coming around the Mountain when she comes..."

and the whole place went wild!

Our hands were a clapping and our happy knees were shaking the table ...

BUT Poor Wally...

by the time he hit verse three , he got a real case of "Happy Knees"

and spilled Tami's water all over her and everything between...

THE MUSIC DIED!

And the clean-up began! LOL!

Thankfully Bailey had the Hill Family Puppets ready to take to the stage in a moments notice... (Dad is the short one with all the hair gel...)

just G-R-E-A-T ... brought dad to laughing tears...

a fit ending for a great party!

Ok... Verne... this was supposed to be your birthday... your party... all about you...

and everybody else stole the show...

I'm so sorry... and to make it up I have put together the HILL Family Slideshow just for you...

hope you enjoy it...

H-A-P-P-Y B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y!

(BLOGGER OUTTAKES)

VIRUS Alert: "WORK"... it may be too late!

2007-03-12T11:36:00.000-04:00

Ok...while I'm putting together my exciting coverage of Verne's Birthday party... here is a Monday morning thingy to occupy you for a few minutes while I work on the Verne blog... and do my serious WORK for today ...LOL.

There is a new virus going around called WORK. If you receive
any sort of WORK, whether via e-mail, Internet, or simply
handed to you by a colleague, do not open it. Those who have
opened WORK have found that their social life is deleted and
their brain ceases to function properly.

If you do encounter WORK via e-mail or are faced with any
WORK at all, purge the virus by sending an e-mail to your
boss with the words 'This is too much for me, I'm going out for
a soda. This better not be here when I get back.'

Your brain should automatically delete the WORK. If you
receive WORK in paper document form, simply lift the
document and drag the WORK to your trash can.

Send this message to all your friends in your address book. If
you do not have anyone in your address book, then the
WORK virus has already corrupted your life!

Preview... Verne's B-day Party...

2007-03-06T22:29:00.000-05:00

The whole thing was like a dream...
(a nightmare for one?)

there's more...

full coverage ahead...

stay tuned!

LOL.

"Got Salts...huh????"

2007-03-05T14:48:00.000-05:00

Si' amigo...

apparently I got the "salts"...

while going for the "leche"...

I should have known something was wrong... there were no pictures on the carton!

I guess I got to be more careful putting up the groceries... just trying to help.

BUT...

Having said all that...

For the life of me... I can't figure why anyone would package this stuff in a milk

carton!

Must be some kind of conspiracy!

OOPS...

pardon me...

finish later...

GOTTA GO.

Whoa...Papa!

"a friend like you"....Geoff comes a callin'

2007-02-28T11:00:00.000-05:00

You GOT to LOVE this job!

Where else could you be listening to a cd one minute

and the next be out in the WBFJ lobby listening to a live mini-concert

with the much loved GEOFF MOORE...

Geoff didn't do his "Snoopy and Charlie" song ( "A Friend Like You") or "HOMERUN"...

But with the help of sidekick Dana... Geoff did do a beautiful job with his classic

"LISTEN TO OUR HEARTS"... and several other moving praise songs.

A bit out of character for Wally but he pointed his finger right at Geoff and said...

"We're looking for a new record from you soon, Buddy!"

{Wally, I think they call them CD's now..lol)

Tami did the pointing finger thing and agreed... (and eventhough Erock was in a

Building 429 mood yesterday, he was really excited to see Geoff and join the

group hug).

AND..Papa John as always likes to show off his big tummy to all visiting dignitaries....(lol)

Geoff Moore..you made our day! Can't wait to hear the new CD.

Check out Geoff's website... http://www.geoffmoore.com/

You got to love this job!

Spelling Dilemma...

2007-02-22T15:57:00.000-05:00

Kurt asked me if the word "DILEM_A" had one "m" or two... I told him it actually had a "m" and an "n"... I thought it was "d-i-l-e-m-n-a" and the "n" is silent like in "autumn"...

"But to be sure, let's look it up in the dictionary..." says me...

"D-I-L-E-M-M-A" says the dictionary! Must be a misprint!

I suddenly felt like I had ... in a moment of time... been thrust into the "TWILIGHT ZONE!"

This just can't be...

GOOGLE...please come to my rescue... I know I was taught to spell this word with an "n" and not two "m's"!

Yes... over 20,000 pages with the word "dilemna" (spelled with an "n"!) But unfortunately

no page would say that it was a legitimate spelling for the word!

But could 20,00 of us Googlers have been mispelling this word for all these years????????

Part of a whole generation (including ME) has been mispelling the word "DILEMMA" !!!!!

"No matter how you cut it... papajohn... you are in a dilemon"

(thanks Colton...I think you're right again, buddy) LOL.

Email me if you can tell me the origin of this mispelling... is it just me?john@papajohnsplace.com

Tami and Papa John deliver the pizza...

2007-02-21T14:34:00.000-05:00

But unfortunately...NOT ON TIME!

We got lost making our way to Southwood Elementary in Lexington.

(Mrs. Pennino's Third Grade Class helped us with our WBFJ CiCi's Pizza Pledge this morning

with Tami, Verne and Darren so tami and I were making the big delivery of pizzas to the class).

We were supposed to be at the classroom at Noon so our starving students could be fed...

but at 12:10 pm we were still going around in circles (ever used mapquest?) so we were diligently praying for help...

Thankfully this "HAND" appeared and pressed the right buttons on the computer navigation to

bring up a usuable screen to help us find our way...

FINALLY... after a little navigational help we arrived at the school at 12:25...

And after Tami grabbed the pizzas, we headed inside...

We reported immediately to the lost and found to report in... they were glad we made it!

After one more little detour we made it to the classroom of empty tummies waiting on us...

We had so many great conversations I decided to pool them into one slide show so you wouldn't miss any of it....

"Papa John... time to leave that comfy rocking chair behind!"

Great Group Group!

You guys at Southwood Elementary (that means girls, too)

YOU R-O-C-K !

Thanks for having us...

Verne's most memorable date...???

2007-02-20T18:58:00.000-05:00

Uncle Verne... Mama says you need to check the date on your Peter Pan...

Before you eat it!

Or else you might get those samon yellows all over you...

OOPS... me thinks it's too late uncle Verne...

(I feel your pain....sorta)

BUT Don't worry Uncle Verne...

after a few days it'll all wear off

and you'll be your OLD SELF again...

LOL!

(APPLAUSE)... "and the wii-ners ARE..."

2007-02-19T12:16:00.000-05:00

Deke brought his dad's Wii in for a test drive while Wally was out to lunch.

Cindy apparently is a secret wii-er. When she saw the wii she was all over it!

"Gimme that paddle! " READY...
SET...
GO!!!
This is all cool you guys but just remember...even though Wally isn't watching... someone else is and this whole thing could have some far reaching consequences Decemeber 25...

Something to chew on...wii's-guys! LOL.

me thinks

2007-02-19T12:14:00.000-05:00

Probably the smartest guy in the whole station...
Applachian graduate... math major... fluent en espanol...
but poor guy hates computers and technology...

But he got stuck where he HAD to file a claim by fax...

So Erock comes into the FM control room....

after fumbling a little...

finally breaks down and asks "How do I work this thing?".

I tell him to follow the simple instructions on the fax machine... "just remember face down..."

After a minute or so I hear a muffled "I think I got it!"

"WHEW... Me thinks Uncle Eric took those instructions way too serious! "

I'm with you, Colton. LOL!

PS: check out the new AM website www.stereo1550.com

Feb 14th...Page 2

2007-02-14T18:51:00.000-05:00

When I woke up... I noticed My Sweetie was already up and was meandering through the house with

this fresh and noticibly

LOUD Red lipstick...

it just isn't like her to put lipstick on so early...

plus it definitely was not her regular color.

What in the world is she up to?

She handed me my Valentines Card and I had this feeling I was going to find out about the Hot

Red Lipstick real soon...

And...

sure enough...

suddenly it all made sense...

instead of lip stickers...

I got the real thing on my card!

Yep... there was even enough left over for Papa's cheek! LOL

Again "HAPPY VALENTINE's"...

oh yeh...something happened WBFJ today I got to tell you about.

Papa-razzi caught some good pictures but I gotta save them for later when Wally isn't looking... LOL.

February 14... plans go up in smoke...

2007-02-13T12:50:00.000-05:00

As you remember from past posts... I am a romantic at heart BUT I flub a lot of special occasions... especially romantic ones.

So this Valentines Day I am trying to redeem myself...

Along with this beautiful HALLMARK Original I am preparing a romantic fire in our fireplace... I planned this weeks ago when I spotted this box containing a phoney but supposedly easy to light fire log at a yardsale for nothing...sign said "box FREE for the taking"... so I took it...

I though this should be a cinch...but the log just didn't look like the picture...

But quick and free is a hard combination to beat...

PLUS... "MORE FLAMES TO FALL IN LOVE WITH" really grabbed me...

And they are easier to light...

And they burn clean....

And they are even UL approved...I thought that was for appliances!

BUT the doggone thing was a dud...never could get it lit... smoked a lot, though! HA! HA!

Yard sale deals..YOU GOTTA LOVE 'EM!

Happy Valentine's Day...

from "Honest John" and "Honest Judy"!

PS: if you need REAL phoney logs... we suggest Wallmart... theirs are easier to light...

LOL!

memories of bonnies birthday

2007-02-09T23:31:00.000-05:00

Too bad I left my camera at home for Bonnie's birthday... oh well... I'll have to do this one from memory...

OK...

Best I can remember Bonnie arrrived at the party and made a big splash in her new birthday suit...

BUT it was Tami that tried to steal the show and imitate Wally's little "Itsy-Bitsy-Spider" thingy...

Best I can remember that move took Wally totally by surprise... I think it even made him pucker a little...
Since Tami's first attempt to get the party moving was a bit under par... Wally asked her to do her "Jeanie-in-a-bottle" routine...

OK... BUT Things really started to get moving when Tami invited Deke to a arm wrestling contest...

Poor Deke... his heart just wasn't in it until ...

Bonnie yelled out, "WINNER GETS ONE OF MY FAMOUS HOMEMADE PIZZAS..."

"Your choice... Spicey Armadilla Skin Roadkill... "

"OR... my pineapple upside-down pizza!"

Y-U-C-K!

I saw a food fight was about to break out so I grabbed some ice from the chest and started a snowball fight...

Pretty cool..the whole thing made Bonnie CROSS-EYED trying to dodge the snowballs...

All-in-all...pretty good party...

at least I remember it that way.

Next time I'm going to take pictures so I can get it right for sure...

my memory isn't what it used to be...LOL!

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY" Bonnie!

Uncle Erock's in the bfj "Hoosgow"...

2007-02-06T18:43:00.000-05:00

Yep Colton...partner, it's true! Uncle Erock, our afternoon traffice master on WBFJ AM is in the new WBFJ HOOSGOW...

Don't know what EROCK did but apparently Sheriff Wally threw him in the HOOSGOW today...

Though I have to admit... Uncle Eric seems quite content in there... we just might leave him in there for awhile...LOL!
OK..the jig is up. We're actually expanding the AM Control Room with a new door into the adjoining closet which will become an auxillary production room.

By tomorrow afternoon the "wooden bars" will be gone and there'll be a doorway there in the back.

So I was pulling your leg...

but it did give you a chance to meet Colton my grandnephew (I guess that's the right word) and to see the progress in the WBFJ Total Makeover...

Also introduced you younger folk to the term "hoosegow"... i hope you figured it out...lol

I wanna LIVE!

2007-02-06T11:58:00.000-05:00

Scientific Evidence that a Hug-a-Day Can Save Your Life

"Scientists are increasingly interested in the possibility that positive emotions can be good for your health. This study has reinforced research findings that support from a partner, in this case a hug from a loved one, can have beneficial effects on heart health."
Dr. Manny Alvarez/AH (Feb. 5th, 2007)

In a FOXNews report by Dr. Manny Alvarez, statistics are revealed from a study that shows the physical benefits of hugging another person, especially a spouse or partner. With the approach of Valentine's Day, Dr. Alvarez begins his report with a summary of just who St. Valentine really was, and how that relates to the research on hugs.

Says Alvarez, "Besides being a martyr for love, Valentine was actually one of the first to understand the psychology of human emotions. This young priest knew that men who were about to face danger and possible death could only be brave hearts if they went off to war with a hug from the girl they left behind."

Hugs—it turns out—really are advantageous to the health of our bodies, not just because they may "feel good," but also in light of the recent study done by the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

The first part of the research, conducted by Psychologist Karen Grewen, involved 100 adults with spouses or long-term partners. The couples held hands while viewing an "enjoyable" 10-minute video. Then they were asked to hug for 20 seconds. Meanwhile, another group of 85 rested and waited, without any contact or their partners.

Eventually all the participants were brought together, and while being medically monitored, each one took turns telling about a stressful, or upsetting event from their lives. The researchers found that the blood pressure "soared" in those telling of the event—who had been deprived of contact with their loved one...their systolic reading climbing 24 points—double that of the couples who hugged.

In addition, the heart rate increase in the deprived-of-contact participants was also double that of those who hugged.

The study went on to reveal more of the mysterious benefits of hugging. For example: hugging releases oxytocin, the "bonding" hormone, in the blood. Oxytocin has been found to trigger a "caring response" in both men and women. Oxytocin is also the hormone which stimulates labor contractions and the release of milk during breast feeding. Finally, in all the women studied, researchers found a lower level of cortisol after hugging. Cortisol being the hormone the body releases when dealing with stress.

Alvarez concludes his report with a statement from a BBC News quote, by Dr. Charmaine Griffiths of the British Heart Foundation, who said, "Scientists are increasingly interested in the possibility that positive emotions can be good for your health. This study has reinforced research findings that support from a partner, in this case a hug from a loved one, can have beneficial effects on heart health."

Source: FOXNews.com

A Papa John's Place "Thank-You" to "B" for bringing this new and amazing news to my attention.

Snow reveals "Happy Feet" ...

2007-02-01T14:50:00.000-05:00

Snow tracks of Normal Feet...

The snow tracks of "Happy Feet"...

And since they lead to Darren's car... we deduce Darren had a case of "Happy Feet" this morning...
Glad somebody was happy..I was bumbed out by this non-snow event.

Sorry...just being honest.

Do not pass go...POOR Verne!

2007-01-31T14:47:00.000-05:00

Great Christian Skatenight lastnight in Kernersville...

"Center of the Universe"...

lots of fun with Tami and Verne...
skating and playing...

"Rollerblade Mobile MONOPLY"...

Poor Verne... First thing...he landed on "Go directly to Jail... DO NOT PASS GO..." and he left his "Get out of jail free card" at home...

Preview of coming contests:

Most interesting or unusual hair style... "HOW DO U DO?"

still got to run this one by Wally but start working on your unusual "DO" now and email to john@papajohnsplace.com. (Verne ur not eligible... you wouldn't look right with a rotating disco mirror ball woven in ur gel...lol)

Holey Dualing Doughnuts, Batman...anyone kremed?

2007-01-29T16:04:00.000-05:00

I heard this rustling sound coming from the station kitchen...
I rushed in not knowing what I'd find...

Would you believe ... two empty doughnut boxes bumping each other.. I thought it was funny but how can this be happening...

must be a mouse!
As I got closer the KK box popped the DD box like they were "boxing".... surely Tami or Deke are controlling this with strings or something..this is weird!

WOW! The KK box went in for a sucker punch.. the DD box started showing a little distress... I yelled out,"You guys gotta cut this out before one of you gets really crushed!"

The DD box rebounded like you wouldn't believe and popped the KK box right in the Trade Mark!
"Oh, no... you guys are destroying each other!

Who started this anyway?"

"HE DID... he called me a holey crumb bisquit!"

"Yeah...after HE called me a carpetbagging coffee soaker"

Ok...guys ... before you completely TRASH each other...I'm doing it for you...LOL!

PS..there was a winner in this match in my opinion but I'm partial to one so I won't reveal it just yet...Krispy Kreme or Duncan Doughnuts????

Note: no doughnuts were harmed during this blog (morning show already polished them off)...however one of the boxes was crushed big time but can't say which one!

is it fair?

2007-01-28T22:16:00.000-05:00

Just ain't right...

to make a person

who is fasting

look at us

scarfing down

loads of chips

AND

delicious

Chick-fil-a sandwiches...

(click on picture to appreciate)

Sorry, Bonnie... hope we didn't make you drool!

The State of the Onion...

2007-01-24T11:41:00.000-05:00

As a special service to our viewers... Papa John's Place gives you special coverage of the President's State of the Union Messsage and the Democratic response. The papajohn approach is non-partisan and light on content... the focus will be on flow, expression and reaction... I'll leave the heavy commentary to Cambell Brown, Tim Russert et. al....

Everything got off to a good start and everyone was wide awake and excited....
especially during the warm-up exercise...

I thought it was neat how the President had everyone to turn their heads "left" and then quickly turn their heads "right"... some had trouble keeping up but it was a nice touch.

Another neat thing was the honoring of the late Johnny Cash with a special section reserved for the "Men in Black"...

The chamber was a little hot and stuffy which apparently made the room very conducive to a moment of "meditation"...

The Vice-President led the way with the first "nod"...

The senator from Arizona was next... (someone aptly defined meditation as man's way of chewing of the cud"... maybe explains the senators tongue-in-cheek look)

Senator Obama and Senator Kennedy apparently got hit with the bug and slid off...

Unfortunately ... everybody on the platform took a little nod at the same time... it's ok..no one snored or did anything like that...

NEXT...

THE REACTION: the men... obviously mixed....

(Something struck a special cord with Senator Leahy... )

NEXT:
The LADIES Reaction... not necessarily happy campers...

AND FINALLY:
The Democratic Response...

After this commercial about something...

The Official Democratic Response was given by Senator Webb of Virginia...

All in all a good night in America...

If I were giving the State of the Union ADDRESS I would be tempted to say..."The whole world is in a mess right now BUT with God's help and nationwide repentence we'll triumph! God Bless America as SHE Blesses Him!"

And that's all I got to say about that...pj

O Mary, did you know...

2007-01-22T14:36:00.001-05:00

It's that time of the year again for the WBFJ "Sweetheart Surprise"... and as before we solicited the help of our intern MARY to prepare the collection boxes to put in the Lowes stores all around the area to collect your Valentine Cards for the Senior Citizens in our area retirement homes.

Getting the boxes ready is not all that hard once you get them put together and the holes cut on top. The final step is to spray the giant labels with adhesive and stick to the boxes.

Hence : THE PROBLEM!

We started noticing that as Mary got a little more evangelistic with the spray, Cindy at her desk behind the project was becoming a little more antimated and vocal than normal...

then we noticed Cindy's hands were sticking to the keyboard... (a picture is worth a 1000 words here...Cindy usually has a smile on her face).

The good news we are still wiping down our walls, monitors, and keyboards and little-by-little it is all coming clean.

And Mary, thanks for your help... sorry this was your last day...we'll miss you. AND...

O Mary did you know...that if you use hairspray at school that you should go outside to do it...

intern Nolan might disagree but...

the rest of us think you and spraycans are not safe in the normal enclosed world we live in!

And everybody...

Don't forget to drop off your Valentines real soon at Lowes's Foods and think about "Suffering Cindy" when you do! ha ha...

NOTE: No interns were harmed while doing this blog though we did consider the torture options for a split second...lol.

A day in the life of...

2007-01-17T11:22:00.000-05:00

Our Missionary to Africa....Carol. You met Carol a few blogs back but I felt like we need to go into a little more detail about her life and service. So I emailed Carol and asked her to send some more pictures so I could do a more detailed blog.

I just heard back with a new set of pictures but unfortunately no commentary. So Carol, I hope you don't mind as I create Papa John's Place's review of a day in the life of missionary Carol.

Apparently everyday starts with eating. But Somebody had to fix all that tasty looking food. And that means Carol had to first make a trip to the grocery store...

I guess the drive-thru wasn't open today...

Apparently this is Carol's neighbors fixing a little tomato and rice dish... you think there'll be enough to go around? that sure would be good with a little chicken...
or with a LOTTA CHICKEN! LOL... maybe the COLONEL ought to take a hint and change his bucket to a barrel deal.

Speaking of chicken... apparently a VERNE HILL look-alike is doing the "CHICKEN Dance" with the kids while the ladies prepare this big spread of food for the evening...

Apparently the "Chicken Dance" was a bummer for this little guy...I mean if you can't walk, you sure can't do the "Chicken Dance", right...little guy?

What's wrong with this picture? The ladies are fixing this hughmongous chicken and rice meal and here you guys are licking on lolly pops! Don't you know that's going to spoil your supper!
I guess kids are the same everywhere you go.

Thanks Carol for the update..if I misunderstood any of the pictures just drop me an email...
PS.... I don't want to be a Mr. Smarty Pants but I couldn't help notice you got that look like you're heading back to the grocery store... forget that drive-thru... apparently it's only open on special occasions! LOL!

PS2: EAT MORE CHICKEN!

Not your grandpa's church...

2007-01-15T15:45:00.000-05:00

It's a wonderful life... at least for 30 seconds!

2007-01-11T19:58:00.000-05:00

For a 30 second version of George Bailey

who didn't jump off the bridge... in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" ?

click HERE... (once at the site..double click on "BEGIN")

"Lord, HELP...we have a TWEENager!"

2007-01-08T19:55:00.000-05:00

"Lord, it seems like only a year or two since I held this tiny one-hour old grandbaby in my arms and prayed you would bless her in a special way and prosper her and use her in a mighty way to do your will. And now look at her!"

Our Hannah is a TWEEN-ager!

I must be getting old too cause I just can't write this without my eyes tearing a bit.

To be honest we started celebrating right after Christmas... that means more presents! One good thing about getting older, clothes and jewelry are no longer boring gifts... lol.

I picked out this "12" Angel... it's a little unusual... but hey, papa looks out for the unusual...lol

Happy Birthday, HANNAH "B"...

YOU ROCK!

*************************************************************

NOW... if you are new to Papa John's Place, before you go, there are more grandchildren to celebrate...

Joshua David... my main man... looks like he might be a radio guy someday... (looks like Josh would fit right in on our morning show)

Josh will be our next "TWEENager" in a year or so... I know Josh... that was also my reaction when I suddenly realized I was getting old... but that's ok...LOL.

Audrie Michelle..."my belle"... never met a stranger. she gets that from her dad and her Grandma Judy...

And our newest arrival... she was born in the "Build-A-Bear" bearternity ward... we were there at the miraculous moment when she was stuffed, fluffed, and clothed in a matter of moments! She hasn't begun to talk yet but any day now!

So whether you are regular to pj's place or a newcomer you are now up-to-date on the grandchildren!

Thanks for letting me be a little indulgent... if you'd like to know more, Grandma Judy and I would be glad to come over and show you all our thousands of pictures and tell you a lot of long stories... just let us know. LOL.

"Ain't no drag...papa's got a brand new..."

2007-01-08T00:18:00.000-05:00

You see that computer screen at my left with all the colored blocks...

That's our "Super Ipod" (LOL)... it's one of the 6 computers that contain all the music, announcements and just about everything you hear everyday on WBFJ AM and FM...

Before you yawn out on me there is a reason I'm telling you all this.

This week we'll be transferring hours of music and data from these computers to new replacements and we would seriously appreciate your prayers.

Goofing this up would be something like crashing your Ipod and losing your 900 songs you downloaded one-by-one. Not exactly a perfect comparison but hopefully you get my point.

AND hopefully you won't hear many glitches on air but just know there will be alot going on this week behind the scenes at WBFJ. Please pray by Friday everything will be updated and we'll be set for another 7 years without a major redo.

Thanks.

Give me a break...

2007-01-07T22:30:00.000-05:00

Nolan our intern... THEN
and NOW...

Which I suppose goes to show...raise up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. "True That"

Donna spottings from all over... but FINALLY!

2007-01-05T18:48:00.000-05:00

The last few hours we have received word of "DONNA" sightings from all over the place...

emails... calls... you name it!

We never realized how well-known the Roseannes are...

We received one picture taken by a young lady in Rocky Mount of "Donna" in the Mall...

Turned out to be Tami's cousin VINNY-etta... a blonde... but not THE blonde!

Baby and I decided to stay on our original track and
we made a second trip back to Donna's "agent" office...

and there she was!

After telling about all Baby and I had done to find her and the family she was elated.

Donna confirmed...the rumor is true. The Roseannes have moved back to Chatham County!

This was an emotional moment for all of us... Judy (Baby) and I could hardly speak... about all I could get out of my mouth was a little pithiness... "Donna, just remember chickens come home to roost" and "apples usually drop close to the tree... and that's OK."

I'm not exactly sure what all that meant but it seemed to hit a cord with Donna.

After Donna filled us in on all the family news, Baby and I had to bid Donna goodbye.

I know you want to hear more but...

Too much to tell here but maybe more later after they get settled in good.

It is true... Rosie and the gang are back!

Case closed!

PS...Donna confirmed that CHIA keyboard was a Christmas gift from husband John. We told her how much we loved it. Verne Hill likes his a lot too.

Still on the trail...Rosie's CHIA spotted...it won't be long now!

2007-01-04T18:34:00.000-05:00

One of the big challenges of the holidays was trying to track down former morning show personality Donna Roseanne and family.

The first trip to the capital city of Chatham county a few days ago got us closer than we realized.

My assistant Judy (Baby Baby) had left notes and business cards all over the place in hopes someone would call us if they knew the whereabouts of the Roseannes.

Well, it payed off!

By the time we had returned home there was an anonymous message on our machine stating Donna and John were "Agents" in Chatham county and gave us an address.

Next day at dawn's first light Baby and I got in the van and rushed down I40 to 64... we were so excited to solve this mystery.

It took us over and hour... we pulled up to a medium sized office building just like the message had stated and sure enough...a small sign on the door..."ROSEANNE ________ AGENT".

No one was in the office but after I explained it all to the maintenance guy he thought it would be ok for us to go in and wait.

It was a wild office with post-it notes all over the place. Baby commented, "THIS HAS TO BE DONNA"S OFFICE!"

After I spotted Donna's "CHIA Keyboard" I added, "You're probably right...only Donna and Verne Hill have CHIA Keyboards"!

BUT then came the clincher!

As we checked out the adjoining office
all doubt was removed. When I spotted John Roseanne's silver-lined "Spartan" NASA approved, clean room office with dual monitors, I knew we had found them! YEAH!

So close yet so far away... we waited for hours and still no Donna...I guess some things never change..LOL.

I liked Baby's suggestion..."Let's go shopping in Siler City and continue this later".

It won't be long now...Roseannes... we are hot on your trail!

In search of Donna Rosanne...

2006-12-31T14:27:00.000-05:00

From time to time you have asked..."Where is Donna Rosanne from the morning show a few years ago?"

and until now my answer has been..."Donna, husband and girls have moved to Augusta."

but rumors floating around say Donna, John and the family have moved back home to North Carolina.

You know papa john's place does not put any faith in rumor so my assistant (Judy-code name Baby Baby) and I set on a search for the truth...

Where in the world is Donna Rosanne?

First clue:

We received this Christmas card from "Rosie" and the family..nice pictures of the girls...they are all grownup and have repented from hiding my shoes when they were little girls hanging around the station. A zipcode on the postmark gives us a beginning for our search.

My assistant Judy did a search on anywho.com and determined we should head to the capital of Chatham county...

Baby Baby hooked up her GPS and directed me to Highway 64...

After an hour or so we saw exit 386...I started getting really happy..."THis is going to be a piece a cake!"

Heading into town I spied some limos and decide to stop and see if they ever heard of the Roseannes since they are known to be formal party people...

BUMMER! Turned out to be the funeral parlor... my countenance fell!

As we hit the city limits my excitement returned... the speed limit sign was leaning... I shouted out ..."PAYDIRT!

Bet Donna did that trying to dodge one of the many wild deer in the area. Yeah!"...

A few more minutes and we were in the heart of the capital city...beautiful courthouse filled with lots of helfpful info about the Roseannes but unfortunately for us..."CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS".

This is going to be a little harder than I expected!
.

One block up we had a breakthrough... I spotted the Nationwide agent.

Surely they would know Donna... with her driving record and all. "CLOSED for holiday"...MAN!

Now getting desperate...Judy suggested I go next door and check out the Ladies Fitness Center.

They had heard of Donna... some of the girls even remembered Donna as a bit of a trouble maker in Sunday School as a teen when she tried to convince the pastor to add "KUM BA YAH" and other contemporary tunes to the hymnbook...

but none knew where she was now.

They suggested I try the "Y".

Sure enough... the "Y" had some Roseannes on file and gave me a few numbers I could try...

I was getting frazzled! I tried several numbers but nothing... until the last one.

got a wrong number and ended up talking to someone at Glosson's Chicken Ranch. They knew of Donna and said they heard she lived on one of the major highways near the city. I thanked them and headed back downtown.

Only one problem... we quickly learned there are major highway going in every direction! And those little round blue "Evacuation Route" signs everywhere bothered me. Is there something they're not telling us?

It was getting late and I was giving up fast. Donna where are you?!!!

Judy came up with a great idea as usual...

"Let's go down the road to Siler City... maybe we can find Aunt Bea's homeplace. We can look for Donna later when we have more time."

Turned out to be a great idea... first thing, I spoted a thrift store and a "MIGHTY DOLLAR" dollar store...

"S-H-O-P-P-I-N-G now..
.
S-L-E-U-T-H-I-N-G later!"

See you next year!

Santa says...if not the gold...you get the...

2006-12-30T19:42:00.000-05:00

TO: john@papajohnsplace.com
FROM: Santa@juno.northpole.org

Dear John:
just remember...
if you're not going for the gold...
you're going for the coal.

and as I told Forrest Gump many Christmases ago..."That's all I got to say about that!"

Your friend...Santa.

Santa...just one more...before jan 1

2006-12-30T13:28:00.000-05:00

TO: santa@juno.northpole.org

FROM: john@papajohnsplace.com

dear santa...hope your N and N list starts on january 1 cause i just found one more picture of tami with her now famous "teeth out" look. couldn't resist.

your friend...john

see you at the pole!

ps...santa..i've just learned to crop pics...what u think? j