The first muscle car pushed rock and roll music into the mainstream — I was at a car show recently and saw an Oldsmobile Rocket 88. I immediately thought about the song “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston. Many people, me included, think this was the first rock and roll record. Many early rock and roll songs are about cars, and the love affair…

Part of the excitement of the Walnut Valley Festival is getting your camping spot — It’s the calm before the storm at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS. It kicks into high gear tomorrow morning with four stages cranking out bluegrass and folk music from early in the morning to late at night. There are also some national and international competitions in the mix. …

Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper spirit live on — On a cold, snowy night 63 years ago, three of the early stars of rock and roll were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper were all killed instantly when the pilot lost control, and the plane crashed into a…

When you are breaking down barriers that separate people, it is a good thing — No one has more fun on stage than Bing Futch. He is a joy to watch. He is a fine musician, but what makes it even more enjoyable is the energy and enthusiasm that he exudes in his performance. You might enjoy his show, but you won't enjoy it as…

You never know the significance, even when it looks like a horrendous failure — Fifty-three years ago today, Aug. 18, Woodstock was going strong and still had a day to go. I was 12 years old and was just starting to think rock and roll music was cool. The grown-ups didn’t like it, so that was a bonus. I don't remember hearing anything about…

A different kind of travel story — I could not help but think about ancient Mayan cultures when I was wandering around Arches National Park in Utah. That was the first park we visited, and we liked it the best. The rock formations and the general landscape have a magical, mysterious feel to them. I found myself…

The national media is lying about what is happening in Kansas — I had just finished a story for a local news website about the wheat crop that was just harvested locally. I went to the gym to work out after sending the story. You can imagine my shock when I saw on the TV screen how there had been a massive…