Baby Boomer Blog

Baby Boomer Blog

I’m a Baby Boomer born in the mid 50’s. In fact, I think Elvis had his first hit record the year I was born.

I have been highly influenced by television, music, and culture.

In my lifetime I’ve experienced the launch of the Space Program, the first man to walk on the moon, Vietnam War, the protest movement, the hippie movement, the Jesus movement, Nixon resigning, Clinton working with interns in the oval office, a former movie star becomes POTUS, and the first African-American was elected president.

All of these events were covered and broadcast on my television set.

In my young years my dad worked for an oil company in south Texas. He would get home about 3:30 every day. By 5:00 he was ready for the supper that mom had prepared.

We would watch The Evening News with Walter Cronkite many times while we ate.

We also had favorite shows we would watch as a family. I remember on Sunday nights watching a young Carol Burnett on the Gary Moore Show. We also loved to laugh as we watched Candid Camera.

The musical variety shows were also a big hit. I remember The Red Skelton Show, The Dean Martin Show, The Andy Williams Show and so many more.

Of course, a Baby Boomer Blog must include something about Saturday morning TV.

Watching Saturday morning TV was one of the things I did as a child. I would not only watch the shows, but also insert myself into the action using my vivid imagination.

Hopalong Cassidy, The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers, Sky King and others filled our television screen. And how I loved it!

Many times I would jump on the arm of the sofa and ride along with Hoppy or Roy as they chased the bad men on their horses. Man,  that was fun!

And Saturday movies were great. I was introduced to the old black & white [well, we had a black & white TV], movies of the 30’s and 40’s.

I fell in love with Jane, Cheetah and of course Tarzan the Ape Man.

I was also scared to death by Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney, and Boris Karloff in the classic horror movies they made.

On many occasions after viewing a movie, a TV show, or hearing a song, I wanted to be that person or at least emulate what they were doing.

After watching The Great Imposter that starred Tony Curtis I went around the house and neighborhood saying my name was Tony.

Seeing Batman or Superman on the small screen made me get a towel from the bathroom and use it as a cape. That happened more than once. But the highest I ever jumped off in order to fly was the front steps. Pretty safe.

Listening to the Beatles and the Monkees made entertainers out of me and some of my friends. I remember serenading some young 6th grade girls outside the school during a lunch break. They loved it and we did too.

And of course, Elvis. When I was five I was already shaking my hips and trying to sing Hound Dog. I loved the attention the adults would give me when I made them laugh.

In sports I played Little League baseball in our small town. I was on a team called The Braves and I was #7. Someone told me it was Mickey Mantle’s number. Well, guess who I wanted to be then?

I could be anybody and anything I wanted to be.

I could use the invisible tools I had on my Batman tool belt. I could shoot a web just like Spiderman.

I played air guitar using a tennis racket and used a tent peg as a microphone. I would play the 78 and 45 rpm records singing along with Blue Suede Shoes or Long Tall Sally.

So, where's this Baby Boomer Blog heading?

The influence of television, music and culture helped to shape me into what I am today. 

Did it just happen?  No.  I worked at it.  I took piano lessons for 10+ years. I taught myself how to play guitar. I practiced. I studied music in college.  I gave myself to music.

Instead of going into pop or rock music I followed my heart and my religious training and went into the ministry as a music pastor.

Since the early 70's I've been privileged to play some of the best Christian based pop, rock, folk and country that's ever been written.

I've traveled around the United States playing and ministering in churches, coffee houses, parking lots, public parks, on flatbed trailers, in malls, on TV, and in conventions.

I still love all kinds of music and I regularly get to play piano at the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City.

I'm happy to say I survived the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and on up to today.  I'm a blessed Baby Boomer.

And that's just one that I call a Baby Boomer Blog!

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