Like many, although more intelligently than most, Tom Barnard has never been one to be too filtered when forging forward into info. And he wanted something more into creativity (yes I know that’s an overused word even at ten letters).
So after decades with KQRS Radio as the mainstay of their top-ranked national morning show, Tommy B stepped down a few months ago, but now has revived his act with things like a podcast, flailing at family, and billing himself as (even more?) uncensored. (And what about Bob S?) What little I know of this new effort, begun in spring, was on a bathroom wall at Agave Kitchen on their rotating ad sign. But for a few weeks it has circled forward no more next to that sink, so I don’t know if his amped-up new offering caught fire.
— In this day, how can we honor our veterans; I was struck by the horror and subsequent baggage inflicted, when hearing the story of a local veteran, with as is unfortunately often the case multiple traumas, but not from him, as to not complain, but also by listening to songs with war as the theme. Both forms of info end up being told in brief, which is a shame. (A post on that soon, and its not all what you think). To wit: That vet I know was slated to pay off the rest of a loan, $70 as the last installment, but now has lost his apartment and may be essentially homeless. Like so many. And when you are missing most of a leg …
I had planned to do something for him right away next month, set him up with some groceries, for the second time. Food for thought, tit for tat, as it might put him in a better frame of mind to repay me sooner rather than later. That is extremely selfish to have as even a partial motive. I found there was a hitch in these plans, and naturally I took a deep breath and chin-drop for a moment.
But there can still be part of that niche, with my plan. After all, we’re only talking seven times 10 dollars. Put your money where your mouth is Joe, and follow through with the meals donation and maybe get him some comfort food too. And he deserves dessert. Cook some of it up for him in advance, if its one of those days where the remainder of that leg is very sore. Add a care package for later?
A small way to help, those who have given so much more, if only one person and one time. But enough tiny things eventually become much bigger things. Light one candle.
My advice. And plea. Keep your eyes open and recognize ways to help in a creative manner, when they present themselves. Turns out my money is short for me right now, so a whole hog donation would be difficult. But get a balloon payment on The First, so maybe I can do more, even if later? When given time, most things just work out.
But one thing we all can do right now, to support a related cause. Offer to build a new VFW facility and they will come, especially on Monday afternoon. Take in the Sailor Jerri, and yes she’s a veteran, family-friendly concert in Lakefront Park in Hudson on Memorial Day. All aft, and showcasing many music styles but not much in the form of alt, and pushing onward until 7 p.m. This concert rings of all-star status, as she’s joined by a couple of longtime luminaries of the local and regional music scene, Tim Sigler and Josh Lassi, and also Jake Nelson. Sometimes the vocals rule.
(For more on the concert, when previewed at length, check out the coverage I gave on my website last year at about this time). —
The first time I knew someone Barnard interviewed, the subject matter was much colder. He had to ask, at length with his questions, the captain of the tourism-and-winter-recreation-fueled, promotional Bikini Ice Fishing Team why she thought there should be a reconsideration of them be frozen out of a scheduled major trade show appearance. The allegation was made that such attire, in a gratuitous sense, was not good role model material for young girls. So would my deep-dark-haired and darkly complected French model friend Bree get blasted, as its unofficial spokesperson? (It could be asked why you are wearing something so skimpy to go ice fishing in the Minnesota version of the frozen tundra, when parking)? So snap just a few quick photos, then hit the warming house? There’s got to be one in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. I still have an old photo, showing Bree working an ice auger in said bikini while the ice around her was anything but melting. A counterpoint is a snapshot of all the teammates, together, in a big sweaty spa.
(Another, but then-blonde-tinged, model friend by the same name was photographed in a runway shoot, right here in downtown Hudson at the old Dibbo’s club and raised-up all the way down the dance floor, by none other than myself. But the local newspaper editor who was supposed to give me a full-page photo spread, dweedled it down to just three small photos and a copy block, so the second Ms. B lost out on her attempt at pix for her portfolio, something she teased me about. Especially as she was walking away from an open mic jam at that, again, old Twisted Grille with its proprietor, the late Jeff Johnson, turning her head back as we viewed the head-turner crossing the main street. Sorry about the lapse on my part and the fact you had to point it out before I realized, as this backup-blues-tinged event by an up-and-comer was one of the biggest extravaganzas to ever hit Hudson. If only my editor had a clue about entertainment reporting — although he usually just gave me free reign to just go for it. But this time he actually made the comparison of some of the very-amateur local ladies doing their best to preen at a fundraiser for the local hospital, although granted it’s a mega-hospital.)
Anyway, the replacement for Barnard was not a member of The Replacements, rather Dave Gorman, former drummer for The Black Crowes. I regaled a New Richmond nightclub owner with such stories the other day, and he said that for a brief while a full 30 years ago his bar cranked the Barnard-based KQ rather than the jukebox. This was good while it lasted, but then the copyright police also made their presence felt.
As we talked, one of the old Black Crowes tunes came on over the PA, its Angel song. Gorman was at his best, with his classic rock fills between vocal lines.