Sunday, September 30, 2007

The Pointer Sisters Excite Maysville


It's always a treat working in Maysville on the Rosemary Clooney Festival weekend. Last night the fabulous Pointer Sisters brought their high energy show to town. The impressive and powerful sound system allowed the familiar melody lines of "I'm So Excited", "Jump", and "Fire" to be heard throughout the whole downtown area.

Each year many celebrities attend the festival. I enjoyed talking again with Nick Clooney, Steve Henry, Attorney General Greg Stumbo, 2000 Miss America Heather French and many other neat people.


Former Cincinnati Bengal star Ickey Woods was in attendance this year. I had a great time talking Bengals football with him. I found him to be a delightful guy. He was one of my favorite players during that great Bengals Super Bowl season.


After the big concert, I performed solo for The Pointer Sisters and their band. Later it was fun hanging out with them talking about music.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

The Pointer Sisters Performing At Rosemary Clooney Festival


I'M SO EXCITED to be playing in Maysville again this year during the Rosemary Clooney Festival. I'm looking forward to meeting The Pointer Sisters, who will be performing at the festival at 8:00 this Saturday night.

From The Maysville Ledger Independent, by Misty Maynard:

Area residents may find themselves "so excited" when they learn who is set to headline at the Rosemary Clooney Concert this year.

Here's a hint: the grammy-winning trio has crossed genres with hits ranging from country to pop to R&B to soul, and have won numerous accolades during a musical career spanning three decades.

Their hits have included the grammy-winning songs "Fairytale," "Jump" and "Automatic," as well as the well-known hit "I'm So Excited," which was featured in the film "Beverly Hills Cop" starring Eddie Murphy.

Come Sept. 29, The Pointer Sisters will perform in Maysville, joining the ranks of such heralded past performers as Neil Sedaka, and paying homage to Maysville's own Rosemary Clooney.

According to Abby Dobson, with Lundy's Special Events, the decision to bring The Pointer Sisters to Maysville was made because the group was a good fit for the town. According to Dobson, the sister act has many of the same qualities Clooney had.

From humble beginnings, The Pointer Sisters sought musical success, and always sought it on their own terms. Through the years, Dobson said the women stayed true to their beliefs, and to themselves.

According to the biography on the group's Web site, The Pointer Sisters began their formal vocal training in their father's church, The Church of God in California.

The sisters have spoken of their strict upbringing by parents who forbid jewelry, makeup, dancing, movies and rock music. However, as they aged, the sisters' interest in music expanded. When Ruth Pointer brought her first record into the home, Elvis Presley's "All Shook Up," she was surprised to be allowed to play it. The only reason permission was granted, the sisters have said, was because their mother liked "Crying in the Chapel," on the other side of the record.

After high school, two sisters first formed Pointers -- A Pair, before the two other sisters joined the group.

The career of The Pointer Sisters met success after success. They were the first black females to ever perform at the Grand Ole Opry for their country hit "Fairytale," later covered by Elvis, and the group was the first pop act to perform at the San Francisco Opera House.

Other hits by The Pointer Sisters include "He's So Shy," and "Jump (For My Love)."

For those who have never attended the Rosemary Clooney Concert before, Ashley Lundergan, who is assisting with the event, said they can expect a "wonderful night of entertainment" with a "wonderful dinner."

The night will, as always, be focused on Rosemary Clooney and her efforts to continue music in her hometown.

Opening for The Pointer Sisters at the Rosemary Clooney Concert, Lundergan said, will be the Louisville Male Choir.

The Rosemary Clooney Concert will take place Sept. 29, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. The Louisville Male Choir will perform at 6 p.m. throughout dinner. The Pointer Sisters will take the stage at 8 p.m. for a 90-minute performance.

Tables are available at four levels: Premier, $2,500 per table or $250 a seat; Gold, $2,000 per table or $200 a seat; Silver, $1,800 per table or $180 per seat; and Bronze at $900 per table, $90 per seat. The Bronze table does not have the full butler-served meal as the other levels, but instead offers the popular Rosie Baskets, Dobson said. Other sponsorship options are available, Dobson said.

Call 1-800-785-8639 to order tickets. Credit cards and checks are accepted.

Contact Misty Maynard at misty.maynard@lee.net or 606-564-9091, ext. 274.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Our Bengals Room


When the Bengals play on the road, we watch the game from our Bengals room. Though it's not quite as awesome as being at Paul Brown Stadium for a game, it is a great.



Who Dey! Go Bengals!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Happy Birthday, Melody


We were certainly happy to see Melody yesterday when she came home from UK to visit for a couple of hours. We celebrated her upcoming birthday.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Bengals Pressure


Putting The Heat On Air McNair

Monday evening the Bengal defense was very athletic and aggressive applying great pressure on Steve McNair and the Ravens. Channel 12 analyst Steve Garth believes the Bengals defense hit harder and played tougher than he can ever remember.

One of my favorite defensive players is Robert Geathers. In Monday's game he had a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, two quarterback hurries, two batted passes, an interception and four tackles. If the defense continues this type of great play, the Bengals should be playoff bound. Who Dey!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Remembering Richard "Dick" Borchardt


Mr. Borchardt was my private clarinet teacher from elementary school to college. For many years he was the most in-demand clarinet instructor in Lexington. He was a talented instructor that produced many fine players and teachers. I looked forward to going to my lesson every week. We have lost a fine person and he will be greatly missed.

From the Lexington Herald Leader:

Richard Borchardt, 78, passed away on Sep 3, 2007 at his residence. He is the son of the late George and Lillian McCulloch Borchardt and is preceded in death by a son, Carl Richard Borchardt. He served in the 6th Armoured Div. Band of the US Army from 1953-1955 receiving the Good Conduct Medal. He was a member of KMEA, Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha, ASBDA, and Arlington Christian Church. He retired from Fayette Co. Schools in 1984 and served as Band Director for Henry Clay High School from 1955-1973. He received a Masters Degree from UK in 1953 and several awards including The Outstanding Music Educator Award of KY. from Phi Beta Mu and The Outstanding Band Director from Fayette Co. Schools in 1983. He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara (nee-Akers) Borchardt and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial gathering will be held on Thu Sep 6, 2007 at the W.R. Milward Mortuary-Broadway. from 5-7pm A memorial service will be held at 7pm on Thu with the Reverend Kris Bentley officiating. Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to the Morton Middle School Band Scholarship Fund, 1225 Tates Creek Rd. or Arlington Christian Church, 1206 N. Limestone, Lexington, KY 40505.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

A Blast At The Bengals' Opener

What a pregame! What a game! What a postgame! Steve Garth and I met funk legend Bootsy Collins before the game. We also hung out with the BenGal cheerleaders, checked out football greats Steve Young and Emmitt Smith on the ESPN set, did a television news interview for Channel 12, watched a great game, and then celebrated afterwards by participating in numerous Who-Dey chants with the overflow crowd. The Bengals put it on the Ravens last night and Steve and I had a blast.


Funk Artist Bootsy Collins And Me


TV Channel 12 Sought Out Steve's Expertise


Steve Talking X's & O's With The Reporterette Babe


ESPN Pregame With Stu, Steve Young & Emmitt Smith


Steve Was Ready To Pull For Our Bengals

Friday, September 07, 2007

David Hall Playing At Signature Club Of Lansdowne


The Signature Club of Lansdowne is widely regarded as one of the finest supper club facilities in this area. Signature Club management heard me playing sax the other night at Giuseppe's, enjoyed my music, and then offered me the opportunity to play a series of gigs for them. I will be playing on the patio at the club on Tuesday evenings over the next month. They will have me move inside to play if the weather does not cooperate.

I am certainly looking forward to these gigs. I have not played at this beautiful facility in many years. I fondly remember playing private parties here back when the facility was known as The Lansdowne Club. I played wedding receptions, anniversary parties, corporate parties, club functions, and the annual Big Blue Bash. They have undergone a great deal of renovation and have the facility looking fabulous. These new gigs should be fun.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Trip To Natural Bridge State Park



Michelle, Matthew, Kim Harrod and I visited Natural Bridge State Park on Labor Day. We had a ball hiking up to the bridge and checking out several nice scenic overlooks.


Michelle and Matthew enjoyed riding the the skylift back down from the bridge. Matthew sometimes has a hard time keeping his shoes on his feet. I'm glad he didn't lose one while on the skylift, as I'm sure it would be hard to recover.


Matthew, Me and Michelle


Kim Harrod

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Lexington Saxophonist/Trumpeter George Gentry Dies


Mr. Gentry and I talked often about music, especially jazz and saxophone. I always enjoyed his insight and feel that I learned a great deal about the music business from him.

The last time I talked with him was several months ago by phone. When asked how he was doing, he explained that he was thankful for satellite jazz on his television and that he listened to the jazz channel for hours each day. He was not doing well physically and not able to get around, so the music helped him make it through the day.

I have played at Giuseppe's for many years, thanks to Mr. Gentry having recommended me for the gig. He had many fans and they continue to come out to the restaurant where he played for nearly a decade. Sometimes I'll get a request such as "Would you play "Misty" the way George did for me?" I always give it my best shot.

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From The Lexington Herald Leader, by Valarie Honeycutt Spears:

George Gentry was jazz for generations of his Lexington fans, his name synonymous with warm, mellow saxophone sounds.

Mr. Gentry, who died Saturday at 67, played for almost a decade at Giuseppe's Ristorante Italiano on Nicholasville Road and at dozens of venues all over town before that.

"People know when they come to hear me, they come to hear jazz," Gentry said in a 2002 Herald-Leader interview. "I play off my own emotions, and I feel good every night."

Giuseppe's customers bought his CDs along with the pasta primavera.

Four years after an illness forced him to stop working, "people still come in and ask for him all the time," said the restaurant's assistant manager, Sherri Kirk.

In the 2002 interview, Gentry said his earliest musical memories were of singing with his grandmother, who played the piano at the old movie house in Stanford in the days before movies had sound.

Lucy Hart Smith, one of the first principals at the old Booker T. Washington elementary school, saw to it that he had a new trumpet and music lessons.

He never forgot what the educator did for him, and often visited Lexington schools to encourage students.

"Every family should insist their children take music lessons -- it's good for the culture and instills discipline, " he told a Herald-Leader reporter in 2003.

Mr. Gentry also played the flugelhorn and the trumpet, which he studied at Lexington's old Dunbar High School, where he graduated in 1958.

The '60s were dawning, and "that put me in the era of rock 'n' roll," Gentry said in 2002. "Everybody was looking for a saxophone player, so I went down and got me a saxophone at a pawn shop for $125 ... came back the same night and played a gig and made $15."

He spent some years playing with Ike Turner, Otis Redding and other rhythm and blues artists before he began "drifting more to jazz," he said.

Gentry's first solo job was at the American Legion on Georgetown Street. His wife of 47 years, Janice, said he played with groups called Jim Dandy and the Gaytones and the House Rockers.

Alonza Robinson, who played with Gentry in the House Rockers, said that Gentry was respected not only for his music, but for his morals.

"He didn't drink or carouse like a lot of musicians did. He went home at night," Robinson said.

"He drank virgin strawberry daiquiris," said Kirk, who worked with Gentry for years. "Customers would want to buy him drinks, but he would only drink the virgin daiquiris."

Mr. Gentry was a member of Quinn Chapel AME.

Despite an accomplished musical career and plenty of bookings at weddings and parties, Mr. Gentry always kept his day job: "He dedicated his life to taking care of his family," Robinson said.

Gentry retired in 1990 from IBM, where he worked for 28 years as an equipment repairman. In the 1990s, Gentry owned a beauty supply house to complement Janice Gentry's career as a hairdresser.

In addition to his wife, Gentry is survived by four children, George Gentry Jr., Janine Gentry, Clifford Brown Gentry, and Rhonda Standard.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Fender Funeral Directors.

George Gentry 1940-2007