For a man who has been through so much (see comment below) it was great to see him on the stage last night doing what he loves to do. Perform. Ray Griff has been performing for 50 plus years and still going strong. This man dominated the Canadian country charts in 70’s and paved the way for todays stars. I “spun” a lot of Ray Griff  in my career.

Ray is the most recorded and awarded artist/songwriter in Canadian music history. Ray has written well over 2000 songs. Wow……..that is a lot of music!

Griff’s success as a songwriter, however, has always overshadowed his recording work with over 760 songs recorded……. including the major hits “Canadian Pacific” for Hank Snow and George Hamilton the 4th, ”Who’s Gonna Play This Old Piano” for Jerry Lee Lewis and “Baby” for Wilma Burgess. Others who have had major hit record with Griff songs include Faron Young, Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton, Bob Luman,Gene Watson, Johnny Duncan, and others.

I love the song “The Morning After Baby Let Me Down” and “If I let Her Come In”  both of which he sang last night. I had numerous flashbacks when those songs were played. That’s the beauty of music, it kicks in the memory that you associate with a certain song.    

Talking with Ray backstage he said he’s been playing at the Casino’s in Alberta and this was his only Saskatchewan stop. He is now going home to rest a bit and then head off to the CCMA’s in Edmonton. 

I pray for Ray and hope we cross paths again with the CCMA Hall Of Fame & CCMA Hall of Honour recipient. 

Dear Fans & Friends of Ray Griff,

On April 2^nd, 2008 Ray was diagnosed was throat cancer and endured heavy radiation treatment.

It’s been a rough road, with still a lot of twists and turns to come, but through the grace of God and never giving up Rays singing voice is coming back.

Your prayers have been a huge part of this and Ray and I sincerely thank you.

Trudy Griff

Were You at the Ray Griff show??

What did you think??

Leave some comments

The Lounge

Have you ever been stung??? I have, on numerous occasions! The worst being back home on the farm when Iwas about 15. I just got off the tractor and was sweating bad. Iwas suppose to catch a ride to town with some friends of ours, that had bee hives on our property. Well just my luck! a garter snake had made it’s way into the hives and stirred the bee’s up. They were in attack mode! As soon as I reached the hives I had a swarm of bee’s on my head. (I still get chills just thinking about it) When all was said and done they pulled at least 12 stingers out of my head. Running my fingers through my hair felt like I had a pile of marbles stuck in there!

This time of the year Wasps, Hornets, Yellow Jackets and Bees are busy. They are lightning quick and suddenly in your face, circling your head and forcing you to do a crazy dance like some gunslinger is shooting at your feet. Everybody tells you stand perfectly still. Easier said than done as they buzz in your ear.

The problem this time of year is that they love the sweets. Try leaving a can of opened pop on your picnic table. What I don’t like is that they feed off the dead bugs on the grill of my car and as soon as I open the door, one or two find their way in. Time to wash my car.

Thank goodness I’m not allergic to them. I can’t imagine the fear of some people who are.

Hang in there one good frost and they are gone.(buzz kill)

The Lounge

The Children’s Wish Foundation Home Lottery is a unique fundraiser that provides funding to grant children with a high risk illness their special wish. Your purchase of a ticket gives you a chance to win some fabulous prizes, and a child a chance to have their wish come true.

For 25 years they have been providing once in a lifetime dreams come true, bringing smiles to the faces of children. With the support of people like you they have granted over 650 wishes to children representing every corner of the province. Currently they are crafting together the complexities of 65 wishes and we are asking for your help.

Here’s my chat with Carla Loney-Tindall Chapter Director of the Childrens Wish Foundation

Early Bird Deadline: Thursday, September 16, 2010

All draws will be made on Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Lottery Licences L10-0110, L10-0111, L10-0112

Total Tickets available: 22,000

How to Order Your Ticket

I always tell students that school will be the best days of their life. I enjoyed school,  I wasn’t good at it , but I enjoyed it. 

When I was going to school I don’t remember what was “Cool” and what was not! We got our supplies and went to school. I’m not sure who decides what is cool and what isn’t, but it is written in stone for kids. They don’t say things like “well I  don’t know……That might not be cool”. Today’s kids know what is and isn’t cool. The big question that faces parents is where do you draw the line between what is cool and what is practical and functional. Remember when back packs were cool……now it’s over the shoulder bags, that could harm your child’s back.. what do you do??  Have your child look cool for their classmates and friends or be concerned for their back muscles???   

  For the last couple of weeks I’ve been, using my time wisely by getting reacquainted with my easy chair. I did manage however to get productive on several occasions. I cleaned up my mess in the storage shed and gave Cashopolis, Legends and Vintage Vinyl some great memories that I couldn’t make room for anymore. As I was cleaning out the storage shed, all I could think about was that song by Willie Nelson “Who’ll Buy My Memories”. At one point I got very sentimental and had to stop for a bit. Then I remembered that it was just “stuff”. I also made it back home to Broadview and picked up some more stuff from the farm that had to be removed. So basically I replaced stuff with more stuff. It’s a vicious cycle that never ends until you do. It’s my own fault, I should of bought a house way back when so I could of kept my memories. I dygress…………

Donnie and I did manage to get out of town for a nice little jaunt to Avonlea. It started out as a storm chasing day and ended up as a great little trip to…. perhaps… Riderville?? I had heard a lot of buzz about this small town so it was time to check it out. I’ve been there before but never with my green colored glasses on. I’m always amazed at the community spirit of the little towns. Now, I’ll be honest, I was biased towards my home town when they were still in the running to become Riderville, but when they were not selected in the final votes, I thought another small community should pick up the flag. In comes Avonlea. Just so were on the same page, you have to know that I have no idea what the other communities have done to deserve the win, but I do know Avonlea has invested a lot of their heart and soul into what they set out to accomplish. Whenever we travel I take along the camera because you never know when Bigfoot will run across your path.

You’ve probably already seen some of these shots but these came from my one good eye……….

Didn’t realize how many Getzlaf’s there were in Avonlea

there’s always one that has to be different!!!

A trip to Avonlea wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the Blue Hills Motor Inn

Nice little establishment with new owners

The Pirate (John Seewalt…. behind the bar) is co-owner of the place. They have been there for just over 2 months now. They wanted to buy their fathers bar, he built, in Meadow Lake, but the price was not right, so when they heard the Blue Hills was for sale they jumped at it. 

From our conversation with the “Pirate” it sounded like they have big plans for the place, including an actual pirate ship hanging from the ceiling and remodelling the entire interior into a “swashbuckling” good time. You should also note, that come labour day they will have a pile of draws for some great prizes and are looking to bring in live entertainment after the game (send in your resume if you have a band…. he’s looking). Apparently watching football in there is a memorable event, as everybody wants to be there to share the energy with each other.  Did I mention that there are several big screen TV’s and lots of Rider Fans there. You’ll probably even talk some football with a Getzlaf or some relative of thiers.

I don’t know who should win the title of Riderville, but I do know Avonlea has come to play!!!

The Lounge

   I had the privilege of driving the 620 CKRM Country Cruiser this year as we collected money for ACT Fund. I brought my camera to take photo’s. If you were at the parade maybe I got one of you or somebody you know….

Here are my drivers Jerrod and Lonnie along with Kim

Here’s the 620 CKRM Rider Pep Band warming up

This is one of bins of money you donated to

nice to see that the parade has not become extinct.

Hope you enjoy my photo’s!

The Lounge

Well the Dog Days of summer are approaching! and its hard to believe, but a lot of reports are made to the city police and the regina Humane Society about idiots, who have left their pets locked up in their vehicles!!! Why????

We had our fair share of dogs out on the farm and not one of them didn’t want to jump in the back of the truck to go for a ride. Whether to cool off or catch a new scent, they loved it. I would never take one of our dogs into town and leave it in the vehicle. 

I spoke with Don Simmons of the Regina Humane Society about it and he too is shocked by the number of people who do it!

Check out our chat……  Dons Simmons on leaving your pets in the car

I took these shots back in June, during holidays, at our farm south of  Broadview. It was quite the afternoon! At times there were 3 or 4 funnel clouds at one time. The curious side of me wanted a full blown tornado. Donnie and I have talked about going on a tornado tour down in tornado alley. I hear it’s expensive and you are not guaranteed a tornado. Have you done it? leave some comments.

Did you get your Fantuz Flakes ?

I’ll have to go to EBay if I want a box!  

The cereal is described as an “oatmeal nut cluster with almonds. Proceeds from sales will be donated to the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

When Fantuz Flakes sells out — which is expected to happen — it will have generated nearly $96,000 in sales.

Who and what is next?? Maybe Rob cheese “Bagg -els”  or double D braziers…..The  sky’s the limit!!!

Do you have one? leave a comment!!

The Lounge

Looking for something to do this weekend?? Take a scenic drive and head out to Willow Bunch.

Willow Bunch, established in 1870, is one of Saskatchewan’s oldest settlements. The town is located on highway 36 south of the Trans Canada highway, forty minutes from the Canada-U.S. boundary near the Big Muddy Badlands in Southern Saskatchewan.

Willow Bunch is celebrating their 140 Birthday this weekend. Here’s my interview with Sharleine Eger…..Willow Bunch 140 year Celebration this Sunday 

My friend, Doris O’Reilly, sent me this email earlier in the week.