Heros and People I Admire
Musicians who gave us timeless music like Bad Leroy brown, Operator, Photographs and memories and Time in a Bottle. They only recorded for 3 albums, but theyre music still sells strong nearly 30 years later. I learned to play guitar after listening to their records. Tragically, they were killed in a small plane crash leaving a concert. The world lost a better part of itself that day. See my tribute pages for more on them.
Jim Croce & Maury Muehlheisen
Preacher and Civil rights leader. King was spat on, arrested, beaten and had dogs put upon him and through it all lifted not one finger against those who persecuted him. A firm believer in political change through peaceful means he was in stark contrast to Malcolm X and his "by any means neccessary" approach. Kings "I have a dream" speech inspires all people to this day in its hope for a better tomorrow for people of all colors. I do not believe that I would have had the strength or convictions to have remained a man of peace if the same things had been done to me. Truly one of the great leaders of all time, and a strong advocate of non-violence King once said, "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, leaves alot of blind toothless people in the world". Dr King is one of the most inspiring, eloquent and often quoted speakers of all time. His assassination by James Earl Ray on his motel room balcony, remains extremely controversial even today.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
Thats Ray on the left (with beard) and me on the right. A contemporary Gospel singer and writer of phenomenal proportions. Songs like "The Anchor holds", "Thank You", "I Pledge Allegiance " and "I've Come To Serve" keep Ray selling out auditoriums around the world and wining a multitude of awards as well as gold and platinum records. Before Mother Theresa died she asked that only one song be played at her funeral, that song was "Thank You" by Ray Boltz, which he performed personally for her on the occasion of her death. Perhaps the greatest thing about Boltz is his "reachability" by the fans. On the night I met him there were over 10,000 people in line to meet him after a concert. I was 2nd in line. The line was literally down the hallway and out into the parkinglot and partly around the auditorium. Ray told me that he was going to stay until anyone who wanted to see him would get to meet him. He took the time to sign 3 autographs and take his picture with my wife and I, and all after giving a 3 hour concert.
(Ray on the left & me on the right)
Ray Boltz
Product of biracial grandparents and himself a black Jew, Greenberg arose to become Chief of police of a large city in the deep south, not just any city, Charleston SC the very deep south. Chief greenberg created the "Take back the streets" philosiphy of community policing. He instituted numerous inovational programs to reverse the crime trend in Charleston His greatest acheivement in life according to him is "completing High School" and even with 2 advanced degrees he still wears his high school class ring as a reminder of his greatest accomplishment . Chief greenberg can more often than not be found in his vehicle answering patrol calls, he believes in hands on managing. In his words " I enjoy grabbing a criminal by the scruff of the neck as hes beating some poor person, handcuffing him and presenting him in court". When Hurricane HUGO came to Charleston, Chief greenberg got on local TV and said, "we have fires, wires down and the like. If you catch someone looting, beat him just short of death and let him go". A novel approach spoken by a true legal warrior who's not caught up in politics and the fear of lawsuits.
Reuben Greenberg
Sheriff Hege of the Davidson County North Carolina Sheriffs Dept. 15 Minutes after being sworn in, had all the TVs in the jail removed. at 8 AM all inmates pillows and mattresses are removed and inmates are not allowed to sit on their bunks until 5 PM. Inmates are dressed like Dr Seuss characters or black and white stipes, underwear is dyed pink and inmates work. When he was sworn in, it was done on the rooftop of the jail because of a reservation conflict concerning a courtroom. Heges patrol vehicle is a Black, SS Impala painted with a spider web and a large black widow spider on it. He was once clocked at over 135 mph road testing it. Hege renamed his deputires "Deputy Troopers" and replaced uniforms with Camoflaged combat fatigues. Hege is often seen wearing mirrored glasses and carrying a large wooden club. He had the jail painted powder puff pink, the floors, the walls, the bed frames, everything pink, with blue teddy bears all over it. While you may not agree with everything he does, his novel approaches toward criminals are worth noting. It will take creative thinking and programs to have the desired effect on crime and criminals, a willingness to learn from people like Hege and Greenberg is needed. Obviously coddling criminals as we have been in the past is not working. My favorite quote? "This aint Mayberry, and I aint Andy."
Keith Hege
34 year Naval Veteran and Senator of Alabama from 1981-87. Denton was shot down in July 1965. Denton first came to public attention when an interview was arranged by the North Vietnamese. Denton was tortured and threatened with more torture if he failed to answer properly or politely. During the interview, Dento acted as if the bright lights were bothering his vision. In truth Denton was not "just" blinking, he was blinking in morse code the same word, over...and over again...T-O-R-T-U-R-E. This was the first confirmation of torture by the Vietnamese.When POWs were released at the end of the war Denton (the senior POW) was told that he would probably be asked to say something upon landing. Denton would have the attention of the entire world, he would choose his words carefully. Denton landed in the Philippines saluted the flag and turned to the microphone...millions of people were watching. Jeremiah Denton was not only the senior POW and besides the horrible torture he had recieved almost daily.....Jeremiah Denton had been held in captivity longer than any serviceman in US history.....7 years and 7 months. If anyone had a right to be angry, he did. Denton turned to the microphone and said..."We are honored to have had the opportunity to serve our country under difficult circumstances. We are profoundly grateful to our Commander-in-Chief and to our nation for this day. God Bless America." One of my other heros, Ray Boltz (above) has a song about Denton called "An Honor To Serve" I recommend it highly to you. These are the heros that make America great. Anyone want to ask Jeremiah Denton about burning the flag?
Jeremiah Denton
Yeah, I know theyre not exactly people, but who can deny the impact around the world of Sesame Street and Schoolhouse Rock. Sesame St has educated children in everything from the alphabet to death and dying, churning out books, a TV show, movies and toys, all teaching valuable life lessons for children of all ages. Schoolhouse Rock started playing short skits between commercials on cartoon mornings, teaching everything from how a bill becomes a law to the multiplication of numbers and the basics of the English language. Using songs such as "Conjunction Junction" kids learned the meaning of nouns, verbs, adjectives and the like as well as math skills. These 2 programs have provided an invaluable education to generations of children world-wide and we had so much fun watching, we never even knew it was good for us!
Schoolhouse Rock
Sinbad! In todays world of fast rising "superstars" and even faster "falling stars" the name Sinbad stands alone. A young black comedian of modest background,(his father was a preacher), Sinbad has proven that you dont need profanity, or graphic depictions of drugs and sex to be a success in showbusiness. Sinbad got his first major break by winning Ed McMahons' "Star Search" TV show. Since that time he has gone from stand-up to sitcoms to movies. In a world full of idols and very few role models Sinbad has risen like the proverbial cream to the top of his profession. How? By being genuinely funny. If you have not seen him, I reccommend highly that you do. His parents still attend many of his performances throughout the year and can often be seen wincing humorously from the audience as Sinbad makes some reference to his childhood. Sinbad proves that in order to be a success in show business, one need not sacrifice his character. Its good to see humor that can be enjoyed by persons of all ages and flavors and retold in the most respected of company. In a world where the youth often seem to be in chaos, Sinbad shows that morals and decency can still prevail. And as is so often the case, it all started with values and morals taught in the home. Lessons of life for us all! So be sure to watch Sinbad, but be prepared, you ll laugh till it hurts.
Sinbad
Perot says because of his parents, he was born rich. Perot was born into modest means and attended public school in Texas. Perot began working at age 7, everything from selling newspapers to breaking horses. Perot graduated from Anapolis Naval Academy in 1953 after serving as Class president, Battalion Commander and Chairman of the Honor Committee. Perot then served 4 years on a Destroyer and Aircraft Carrier. In 1956 Perot married his wife of over 45 years, Margot. In 1957 Perot went to work for IBM as a salesman, Margot was a schoolteacher. In 1962 perot borrowed $1000 from margots savings account and started a one-man data processing company called Electronic Data Systems, (EDS). Today, EDS is a multi-BILLION dollar corporation employing over 70,000 people. In 1969 the US Government asked Perots' advice and assistance in improving the brutal treatment of American POWs in Viet Nam. Perot worked the project for 4 years, until the POW release in 1972. Perot often placed his own family at great personal risk during this time. Perot was awarded the Dist Public Service medal, the highest civilian award, from the Defense Dept. In 1979, two of perots employees were taken hostage in Iran, Perot personaly hired, funded, trained, armed and equipped, an elite group of men. Perot then flew with the men and accompanied them into Iran on a successful raid and rescued his employees from the Iranian terrorists. Whether or not you agree with perots political agenda you have to respect a man of perots courage, honesty and impeccable character. Famous for his blunt truths, Perot is often mimicked for his southern drawl and his use of quirky, almost redneck sayings. But in the world today, Perots plain talk, his word and his honor are sacred, and his patriotism and moral integrity remain beyond reproach. Agree or not, this is a man to admire!
H. Ross Perot