Nashville Flood 2010

My 4 days in Vegas were incredible. It was time with my brothers that just meant the world to me. More on that and some pictures later.

More importantly, Nashville is in trouble. We need prayers for everyone here. We are ok and our house is ok. My mom went back to her house this morning and she is ok. But there are thousands who are in shelters and devastated by this flood.


Right now downtown Nashville is under water. It’s unreal. The Cumberland River which stands normally at 19ft is currently at 52 ft. People are being rescued from hotels, etc. The Nashville Symphony Center has over 8-10ft of water and has now reported that the beautiful $2.5 million organ has been destroyed. Opryland Hotel is completely flooded with 8-10 feet of water in the lobbies…over 1500 people evacuated from there. The Grand Ole Opry is now taking on water. SO SAD! The Wyndham Resort had to move people to upper floors who are now being rescued. Everything is shut down...schools universities...everything. The death count stands at 15 according to news sources. So sad. The water just rose so fast that people found themselves stuck on interstates with no way out. many were jumping from car to car trying to escape. We have friends who literally had to swim to safety.

Here are some pictures to give you an idea of what's happening here.

sadly ironic sign at a school in south Nashville

Interstate 24...people just got stuck.

Evacuation of Field Stone Farms neighborhood

downtown Nashville...notice the cars under water

Downtown Nashville

Cars just stacked up

Shot of the front of the Grand Ole Opry. Gary Musick Productions created these banners for their 85th anniversary. The banners seem to have weathered the storm. The Opry building, however, was completely devastated...a total loss of equipment, set...everything.

Backstage at the Grand Ole Opry

View of the Opry stage. This one makes me want to cry.

Inside the Bridgestone Arean...home of our NHL Hockey team--The Predators.

Opryland Hotel Delta Lobby....notice the exit sign...that's how high the water is.

Cascade Lobby at Opryland Hotel. Devastating.

some video of flood devastation...

This big red sculpture that sits downtown is now down. It was called "Ghost Ballet". It couldn't withstand the power of the Cumberland River. SO SAD


This is video footage taken yesterday. I just cried watching it...it's really just a preface to what we've seen today as the Cumberland River has expanded into most of downtown. The river is set to crest tonight.

This was earlier today before the water spread to the Titan's stadium. It's worse now than what you see here.


Horrific video footage of what happened on interstate 24 in Nashville...High School portable building floats down the interstate.

Please pray. So many people experiencing loss.

Viva Las Legas!

Stephen Bailey, Chris Doggett and Craig Fisher have been some of the best friends a guy could have. We're goin' on 22 years of friendship now. We all lived together at ACU on Westheimer and had more crazy experiences than we could ever recount.

There were several important fixtures in our house that have lived on. Craig's glass sculptured heads affectionately named "Glassy and Glossy". Those were passed down to Sam Souder (Craig's nephew and our good friend) who will graduate from ACU this May. Who knows where they'll end up after that. There was also a safari hat that was deemed "sick hat" (to be worn when ill). Then there was the blow up skeleton that we got one Halloween who was named "Boner". "Boner" sat on the couch in our living room for a long time. (Sorry. We were in college. What can I say?) There was the electric piano that played a pre-programmed song that we named "The Good Night Song". Craig had a special dance he made up that went along with it...and if it was an extra special occasion, Doggett would blow bubbles in the air behind him.

There were several other notable characters...one was Daisy. Daisy was Clint Fendley's dachshund. Daisy hated Stephen (and the feeling was mutual). She would go and poop or pee under Stephen's bed. We look back lovingly on Daisy.

Another was the shopping cart that lived on our front porch every now and then. I still have video of late night races down Westheimer in that shopping cart. I am holding it for ransom. (Craig...you know what I mean.)

It seems like just yesterday that we were sitting in our living room watching "Saved By The Bell". Over the years, we've married, had kids and shared life...the good and the bad. This year represents a big change for each of the 4 of us. The big 4-0. So, we're doing our "City Slickers" cattle drive...Vegas style.

Tomorrow I will fly to Vegas with Stephen, Chris and Craig where we will sit and laugh and talk about how old we are for several days. It is the best gift I could have gotten. I can't wait to be with those guys! If you have a chance, you might want to offer up a prayer for us. We might need it. :) Thank you to our wives for loving us enough to let us go away together for the weekend. It's going to be a blast!

Here are some pics through the years...

Siggie golf social circa 1989

ACU graduation 1992

ACU Homecoming 2007

Taken at Craig and Beth Ann Fisher's in 2007.

America's Most Awkward Photos...take 2

Now...this is all meant in good fun. Just to prove it, I've thrown some of my OWN awkward photos into the mix (while also dragging down a few friends!). I have my own captions for these...but feel free to comment and leave your own captions. :) Enjoy!

I like to call this one.... MA'AM, PLEASE STEP AWAY FROM THE BRONZER!

This is actually me in a show at Casa Manana in Ft Worth...I think I'm mad that someone tried to take my gold purse. Or at least that's how it appears... and although I'm playing a space alien, something about this screams Bea Arthur.

Sing Song 1992? Orrrrr.....J.C. Penny 1989?

Bless. He wants to disappear into the grey wall. But no, Bruce is back on his skates and ready for the rink.

A parrot and a semi-automatic weapon. A perfect gift for the perfect couple.

This one killed me...it took me forever to see. The caption is..."Has anyone seen Aunt Sue?" Wait for it..... (hint...look at the mother's leg)

He took back the ring. An apple will do, thanks.

Maw-Maw's trip to the beauty parlor.

I like to call this one "Brother of Chucky"

We love Granny. It's her gas problem that's a real issue on our vacations.

2004 Chicken Queen and her royal court.

Family portrait turned carnival, (nice knitted booties, Grandma). I love the guy in the brown and green...he is NOT going to look away from that camera. No he's not.

Every bride's dream...a CAMO WEDDING! interestingly, only 3 guests could find the wedding party.

Ladies anddddddd gentlemennnnnn......the BACON BROTHERS!

Amazing. Chess King robbery solved.

For unto us...a dog is born. Merry Christmas, everyone.

Lanette turned 14...but she still sees dead people

Honey, I thought you said everyone was coming as lion tamers... (sorry Audra!)

How to Train Your Dragon

It was a perfectly soggy day. Tornado watches, thunderstorms, dark clouds...the perfect movie day. Plus, it was "Saturdaddy". Sheryl worked today for Big Events (owed by our friends Malcolm and Martha Greenwood). http://www.bigeventswedding.com They do incredible work and are very dear friends. Malcolm has been a shepherding mentor to me over the last couple of years. Sheryl fits right in with the creative geniuses there. I'm so glad she works with them.

So, as Sheryl was out today, we had "Saturdaddy". We went to see "How to Train Your Dragon" and it was incredible. I didn't know what to expect really. But I am now definitely a fan. If you haven't seen it, go! All 4 of us enjoyed it.

I hope your Saturday was good and that you got to do something that brought you joy. Worship tomorrow with the fam, the Batsons, Lauren and my cousin Ang. I love Sundays!

Gary Music Productions Video Showcase

Check out this video showcasing 2 of our most popular corporate shows, "The Magic of Broadway" and "Bandstand". Featured in these clips are several of our current and former entertainers including Travis Cloer (now starring as Frankie in Jersey Boys in Las Vegas) and Marcus Collins (from the Texas Tenors).

Gary Musick - Broadway from GMP on Vimeo.

Dean Martin and the Texas Tenors

There's a great internationally known festival up in Clarksville called "Rivers and Spires". It brings in thousands of visitors each year. As part of the festival, F&M Bank had a banquet called "Vino and Dino" (Dino...short for Dean Martin). I produced a show for them of a jazz trio and Travis Turpin as Dean Martin (and also Sammy Davis Jr and Frank Sinatra). Travis nailed it and the band led by Steve Kummer was incredible!

One fun serendipity of the night was that on the main stage down at the festival that night the Texas Tenors were singing. Two of them...Marcus and J.C. have worked for Gary Musick Productions and it was a great reunion. We all had dinner before the show and enjoyed catching up on life and hearing about their experience on "America's Got Talent". I enjoyed getting caught up on Marcus and his crazy life.

Marcus Collins, BST and Travis Turpin

Travis with the Texas Tenor guys

Travis has worked for us for many years. I got to teach one of his casts. He makes me laugh so hard every time I'm around him. He is now headlining on ships doing his own one man show. I hope to get to promote and book more of his shows for some of our corporate clients. He does a great job!

When he put on the hat and sunglasses, it was uncanny how Sammy Davis Jr. just seemed to come to life! CRAZY!

Sammy Davis Junior

Closing the night as Frank Sinatra...a crowd favorite

After the show I got to take in a few minutes of Marcus and J.C.'s group. It was fun to see them do their thing. Great job, guys!

Travis as Dean Martin

Travis as Sammy Davis Junior singing "Mr. Bojangles"

Travis as Frank Sinatra singing "New York, New York"

Birthday Dinner For Sheryl

Pictured here: L-R: Anna Berry, Lauren Gingles, Jill Batson and Sheryl

Tonight we had a great birthday dinner for Sheryl at our traditional birthday party place... Casa Fiesta. Kiki and Kevin and my mom were all there too but had to leave before this pic was taken. Sweet friends...sweet night of celebrating a life that touches and changes so many others. I'm so grateful for Sheryl and the Life that emits from her heart.

Happy Birthday, Sheryl!

Happy birthday today to my lovely wife! She is a true gift to all of us. Her heart, her grace, her beauty, and her voice bless me every single day. I am grateful for such a gift. May God shower His love and mercies over her in this new year of her life.

I Love Live TV!

Live TV...sometimes you wonder if it really exists in this day of pre-recorded everything. Monday night the kids and I watched our buddy Beverley on Dancing With the Stars. Bev and I had fun texting during commercials. She kept us posted on when she was singing next. Each week the singers are introduced. The girls waited with baited breath to see Bev and she gave a little wave. Maddie was convinced she was waving to her. :) Great job, Bev...you sounded great!

American Idol continues...to be insane. Big Mike had the lowest votes??? Really, America?? For...the...LOVE! My Idol Schmidol scores are completely ruined this week. I just don't get the voting this year. Thankfully the judges decided to keep Big Mike for another week.

For those of you who don't care about Idol...for the first time in years, I hear ya knockin'.

He Is Risen!

Christ is Risen! His promise is at the core of my existence. I am so thankful for the things I've learned from Him this weekend.

This morning we had a great time of worship at Fellowship. Jill Batson took this picture outside on the lawn.

I love that Rob Howard and the arts staff at Fellowship put thought into even the visual elements. It was a beautiful morning!

My mom came with us to church and afterwards we headed to her house for Easter lunch and egg hunting. It was so much fun!

Sam

Maddie and Ella

Love this picture of the kids with my mom. We are so grateful for the love we share and the blood of Jesus that covers us! Happy Easter, blog family!