Monday, April 7, 2008

What a weekend!

Crazy storms. Long lines. Incredible people.

After 5 tornadoes ripped through our area on Friday, I think the biggest story to come out of the weekend were the amazing people that stepped up and showed their true colors. How can we express our thanks to the linemen and women who are still working around the clock to restore power? How about the patience and smiles shown by restaurant staff in just about every place up and down Lakeland Drive over the weekend. Incredible!

I was at my kindergarten son's school when the instruction came to "assume the position" in the hallway. I never really realized how severe weather affects the little ones. I just wanted to hug the whole hallway.

After seeing some of the damage caused in some areas I'm amazed that there was no loss of life. Major credit should go to the National Weather Service for a great warning time buffer. More than 10 minutes before it affected the metro!

I know it will take a while to pick up the pieces -- but we've done this before. This is the time when you find out who your real friends are. Let us know if you need anything from us. -- we're here to help.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Nice guys do win.

Starting off this morning -- congratulations to the guy running for Congress who ran the NICE campaign. The one who didn't call my house 3 times a day. The one who didn't plaster my neighborhood with signs. The one who stopped by my wife's office and was genuinely a pleasant person to speak with. Anyhow...enough about that.

Hey did you see what Hillary Clinton did while campaigning in Philadelphia, PA yesterday? She compared herself to Rocky! You remember that's where the legendary movie Rocky was filmed all those years ago. I was kinda confused because I didn't know which Rocky she was comparing herself to -- the boxer or the cartoon flying squirrel?

Got the nicest email yesterday about our April Fools prank...

Good morning! Your April Fools joke was a good one. For a split second I was reminded of the folks who had the morning show before the two of you and I was sad. Then almost immediately, I told my son this has to be your April Fools joke. I am soooooo glad I was right. You guys make the morning commute an hour and a half enjoyable. Keep up the good work! Scott, don't worry, you don't fit the angry guy mold well at all! Thanks for making a rainy morning a ride of laughter. Enjoy the day! Karen Daniel

Email scott@us963.com

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

April Fools!

Gotcha! Karen and I staged a fight on the air this morning for April Fools Day. That had to be one of the harder things I've ever tried to pull off in my 18 years in radio. By nature I'm not a fighter. I had to script out the entire thing while trying not to look at Karen (or laugh) while we were on the air!

It turned out that most of the calls we got spotted the prank immediately. We did get several folks upset who we eventually let in on the joke. Especially the one mother who suggested that her daughter's image of me was diminished by the way I treated Miss Karen.

Honestly, I would never treat anyone like that. I really enjoy working with Karen every morning. We're like brother and sister in the studio every morning. We finish each other's thoughts, and sometimes even talk "in stereo" saying the same thing at the same time. Thanks for all the calls about leaving the microphone on while we were on the air. The only thing we're really serious about every morning is having fun!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Half Way To Kissin' A Cow!

Just got off the phone with Michelle Beck from the 113th Family Support Group. As of 3pm, our total for Operation Kiss A Cow is $1,236!! If we reach our goal of $2,500 by Friday at Noon I will honor my promise to kiss a cow.

US 96.3 is helping the Family Support Unit of the 113th Military Police Company from Brandon, MS. Our goal is to ship a truckload of creature comforts overseas to our men and women serving in the 113th. These goodies are already stockpiled at the National Guard Armory. Your donations will be used to purchase boxes, tape, shipping supplies, and offset shipping costs.

Donations are being accepted at any Trustmark Bank branch. Donate under the account name 113th Family Support Fund. If you have any questions please call us at 601-995-9600 or email scott@us963.com. As always, thank you for your support!

Throwing A Fit

Thanks for all the feedback about the story on the radio yesterday about throwing a fit at Wal Mart. I always knew our listeners had strong opinions and I got some on both sides yesterday. One lady I ran into at daycare pickup was agreeing wholeheartedly with everything I said.

On the flipside, I got an email from a listener who thought I should apologize to that poor woman at the deli counter. She felt that the woman had worked all day on Easter and was just trying to get home to her family a little sooner. Now if you're really lost -- the lady at the deli counter wouldn't slice any lunch meat for me at 8:30pm after telling me she gets off at 10:00 and needed to finish her cleanup routine.

The best comment came from my wife's best friend last night at dinner. She said that I was totally in the right to throw a fit. Here's the quote: "Scott...you go ahead and throw your fit. I can't imagine what I would've done at that deli counter...especially if I was PMSing." Now that's a fit worth seeing on a security cam.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Does Anyone Want To Work?

What is the deal with people not wanting to work these days? My favorite salami slicer from the deli counter at Wally World did it again last night. She told me (with an attitude) that she couldn't slice any meat for me because they were closed. At 8:30pm. Riiiiight. I caused a scene in the middle of Wal Mart last night that almost got me arrested. Fortunately the manager came around to my way of thinking and my kids have lunch meat today.

Seriously -- what is the deal with people not wanting to work anymore? That girl at the deli counter last night should've just told me the truth -- "Sir, look...I really don't want to be here, I really don't want to work, I just want to be on welfare."

My wife runs into the same thing constantly from another point of view. As a small business owner she goes through part-time employees like changing clothes. The ability to hire good people has come to a grinding halt. I believe that good employees start in the home. I was brought up that if I wanted to succeed in life I had to go to work. Period.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Price Of Gas Around The World

Oslo, Norway $6.82

London, UK $5.96


Hong Kong $6.25
Rome, Italy $5.80

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia $0.91

Kuwait $0.78

Laurel, Mississippi. Who Cares?! Not going anywhere.




Thursday, March 13, 2008

Heart Of A Champion

In case you're wondering, Karen is off today and tomorrow. She's representing US 96.3 at the Children's Miracle Network Convention in Orlando, Florida. Also attending the convention is the pride of Brandon, MS -- Colby Barrett. Colby is 10 years old and is proud to boast that he "kicked cancer's butt." BTW, Colby is my new hero.

Colby is the 2008 Children's Miracle Network Champion! Colby gets to represent the Children's Miracle Network in Orlando and Washington, D.C. where he will get to meet President George W. Bush. Colby says he will ask the president for more funding for cancer research in Mississippi.

I recently had a chance to spend some time with Colby. You may ask, what do you do if you get to spend some quality time with your hero? Play Games!! We closed down Gatti Town Pizza a couple of weeks ago. Colby is an incredible gamer! He even beat me at the sledge hammer game where you whack the sledgehammer on the pad and see how high the lights go. Not even close. I guess that game is based on spiritual strength and not physical strength 'cause he whooped me.

Have a great time in Orlando Colby! Wishing you all the best in your journeys -- just take it easy on me in the gameroom dude.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Then & Now


I thought this was a really cool picture. Thanks to Janet Smith for sending this to me. It's a picture of Capitol Street in the 1950's. A real tragedy now if you ask me...


Friday, February 29, 2008

Godspeed to our soldiers

Got this in my email today from a chaplain serving in Iraq. Thought you would enjoy reading it.

For those who are unaware, at a military theater, the National Anthem is played before every movieFrom a Chaplain in Iraq: I recently attended a showing of "Superman 3," here at LSA Anaconda. We have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and other large gatherings. As is the custom back in the States, we stood and snapped to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature. All was going as planned until about three-quarters of the way through The National Anthem the music stopped.Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a f ew rude comments; and everyone would sit down and call for a movie. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place. Here, the 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again. The Soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. And again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect to happen?Even here I would imagine laughter, as everyone finally sat down and expected the movie to start. But here, you could have heard a pin drop. Every Soldier continued to stand at attention. Suddenly there was a lone voice, then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off:" And the rockets red glare, The bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night That our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O'er the land of the free And the home of the brave"It was the most inspiring moment I have had here in Iraq. I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you here. Remember them as they fight for you! Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. For many have already paid the ultimate price.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

I.N.S. Staff Needs Deporting

I'd like to order a one week deportation of all the members of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Did you see the story in the paper this morning about the 6 guys arrested for "Illegal Fishing" in Madison yesterday? These gents are not only not residents of Madison's prestigious Reunion -- they're not even residents of the good ol' U S of A.

Six guys fishing in the lake at Reunion who ain't from around here get arrested for illegal fishing. They're booked in the Madison County Jail and promptly released because our hard working law enforcement officers can't do anything with them. Can't get any money for their fine, can't send them back across the border. Now they're free and probably fishing right now at Reunion.

After talking to sources close to the arrest yesterday on condition of anonymity, they claim that the INS will not do anything to help. Recently Rankin County had a similar situation where a crime of violence was committed in a neighborhood full of folks that ain't from around here. (That's p.c. right?) Notice how about 20 or so fellers were carted away from the trailer park in handcuffs. Notice how they're all right back there today? Where's the INS and what good are they to my tax dollars? What a waste. Aaaight. Talk to ya later.

Customer Service Is A Lost Art

Sadly, I've been mistreated again by someone in customer service. Over the last 48 hours I've been continually shaking my head about how bad customer service has gotten in this redneck of the woods.

Here's the latest ordeal. I'm in the grocery store in a fairly cheerful mood pushing my two small boys around in the grocery cart. The lady at the deli counter greets me with a blast that was colder than three winters in Siberia. Nice to see you too. I smile. She doesn't. I order. She finishes with the first part of my order and tosses my bag of salami 4 feet to the counter in front of me. She immediately turns to the lady next to me and says "Whut 'chu want?" Um...excuse me but I'm not finished with my order. "Um hummm..." and turns right back to the lady beside me to proceed with her order. I guess I am done.

This follows about a 2 week battle with the cable company trying to get them to figure out why my converter box isn't working properly. Their answer? We'll send somebody out between now and Easter. Grrrreat!

What is it going to take for people to realize that if they're in a job they don't like -- QUIT! Nothing says you have to stay somewhere you're unhappy. If you need the money that badly there is a whole section in the newspaper everyday full of jobs.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Gas Rant

Just had one of my co-workers tell me that she paid $3.09/gallon for gas this morning. I noticed yesterday that my neighborhood station was dangerously close to the $3.00 mark for the cheap stuff. Let's back up and look at the root of the problem. The problem with high prices does not lie with the company that owns your neighborhood gas station. It's not the guy who drives the truck that delivers the gas to your neighborhood gas station. It's the oil companies!

Exxon had a record 4th Quarter profit in 2007 and record profits for the year overall. 40 B..b...billion dollars profit! What gets me steamed is that the price of oil in the USA has absolutely nothing to do with the price of oil per barrel that you see on the news everyday. The price of oil is set by American oil companies. Americans ripping off Americans in the most legal of fashions. If you want to know why this country is in danger of dropping into a recession -- that's why. Own oil stock? You should feel ashamed of yourself. You're ripping off your neighbor.

Are you ready to get back at the oil companies? The singlemost effective way to stop the highway robbery is to not buy anything when you get gas. The gas station owner makes a few pennies off each gallon of gas. The oil companies make the big margin. The gas station owner makes a few pennies off inside sales. The oil company makes a killing on that bag of chips and candy bar you're thinking about buying. Don't do it! Put down the candy bar and move away from the counter. That candy bar helps big oil get rich!

It sure would be nice to see Farmer Johnson figure out a way to make that corn and soy bean crop work to make my truck run. I can't wait for the day when we have a solution to being held hostage by big oil.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

It's A Miracle!

I'm one of those parents that have fortunately never had to have an experience with Blair E. Batson Hospital For Children. Until this past Saturday.

My wife and I were startled at 4:10am by our youngest son (Collin, 2) who woke up wheezing. Gasping for air. We get him to down some cough medicine and wait for a few minutes. Wheezing continues and mild panic ensues. I page our pediatrician and get an immediate response from the on-call nurse at children's hospital. Twenty minutes later we're at triage at Blair E. Batson.

Turns out that the little guy just had the croupe (sp?) but it sure scared the daylights out of us. Did you know that they now make a decadron (sp?) shot in liquid form for kids? Turns out the cherry flavor goes down like a champ. Half an hour later I have a new child. Neither of my other children had the croupe, so we had no idea how to treat Collin. Now I know and I'm happy to share with you that there are a few things you can do in the event your child ever wakes up gasping for air.

1. If it's cold outside, walk outside with the child. According to the ER docs at Batson Hospital, the change in the air temp, consistency, and humidity can help immediately.

2. Get in a steamy shower with the little one. The steam will help to loosen their bronchial passages. I know...can you believe I can spell bronchial but not croupe?

3. Open the freezer door and hold your child's head in the freezer for a few seconds. Usually the change in the air temp and moisture level alone will work wonders.

With that said, please sign up today to become a Miracle Worker for our annual Mississippi Miracles Radiothon coming up March 5-7, 2008. Help out by raising $100 dollars for us. Details here. Thanks again for all you do and have a great day!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Kids Say Anything

Classic moment over the weekend. My 5 year old son asked my 70ish aunt Dottie "Was my Poppy born with gray hair?" What do you say to that?

We talked to Jason Michael Carrol this morning. He has 4 kids! He was sharing with us that he sang at his kids school a couple of times. One time the teacher wouldn't let him sing because the kids in the class were being bad. Jason says the teacher didn't want to reinforce bad behavior with a treat.

There are still tickets available to see Jason Michael tonight at the Coliseum box office and on our website. Check out Jason Michael's new do! He cut his hair a few weeks ago. Seeya tonight!

Thursday, February 7, 2008

New MySpace Page!

We're finally high tech rednecks. Due to your overwhelming requests for audio from our show -- we bit the bullet and started a MySpace page.

We're in the process of posting audio from our show in addition to alot of other funny stuff y'all send us. It's a good thing Karen knows what she's doing on the computer because I'm a complete idiot when it comes to that stuff.

Dixie National Ticket Update: There are still tickets available for Craig Morgan tonight. The Little Big Town show for tomorrow night has single tickets available. If you want to get in the coliseum tomorrow night you need to get your tickets today. Go to www.us963.com to buy your tickets online with a credit card.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Cowboy Up!

Heeeere we go! The Dixie National Rodeo cranks up tomorrow. Karen and I went to the Rodeo Sponsor's reception last night at Bass Pro Shops. We found out that the Dixie National Rodeo is the 5th largest rodeo in North America and the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi!

Ticket update: Friday night tickets are all but sold out. Just a few seats remaining for Little Big Town. Get your tickets today if you want to be there Friday night.

How funny was Gladys Hardy this morning! A spry 88 year old from Austin Texas. She said we could call her anytime, so stay tuned for more "Aunt Gladys."