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Listener Request October 24 |
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Hi. My name is Janice Chase and I'm a single mother of three grown boys. Well, my story goes back fourteen years. I was living in Santa Cruz, it was the summer of 1995, and that was when I met a man named Keith. Keith was not only an umpire at my son's little league games, he was also the deejay at the local country radio station.
At the time, I was going through a divorce and getting out of an abusive relationship. It was the low point of my life… and the future… well, I had three boys I knew I was going to have to raise alone.
Still, Keith had the best sense of humor I have ever encountered. And just made me smile and laugh! He also taught me something really special: to look at music from a beautiful point of view, his eyes. There was nothing romantic between Keith and me… turned out, we knew one another fairly briefly… but our friendship was unique.
Nonetheless, in that awful time after the divorce, I just couldn't hold it all together… and had a (mental) breakdown. I had to move away to a town where my family lived… and I was hospitized three times before this dark chapter was over. But all along, I couldn't forget Keith or this new found appreciation of music. I would listen to the radio non-stop… and over time, I began to heal.
I believe the music helped save my life. I like to think that God sends angels… in our darkest hour… and believe that Keith was an angel, sent to me. And, to this day, I don't think he has any idea. Now, I sit and listen to the music and smile and laugh, knowing the boys and I made it.
Would you please play Garth Brooks', “She's Gonna Make It”… from me to Keith… and tell him… “thank you”? I hope he's listening.
Sincerely,
Janice Chase,
Fair Oaks, California
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Hi, my name is Cody and I'm a freshman in college. I love to spend time with my family and friends… especially watching football games on Sunday afternoons. And though it's hard to admit sometimes, I am a pretty big Buffalo Bills fan.
Anyway… I enjoy all kinds of music too… but country really hits home. And the one song that means more and more to me… with every stage of my life is Brad Paisley's, “Letter to Me”.
A couple years ago, in my junior year of high school, everything was going good. I was on the football team… and I was just enjoying life! But a few weeks into the school year, I got into some trouble at school… the result -- I was off the football team and suspended from school for a week.
That Friday night was the worst feeling… sitting home… wanting to be at the game… but instead, I listened alone from my front porch… because the school was just a few blocks away. I felt like my life was over. There's a line in brad's song that goes, “but I know at 17, it's hard to see past Friday night”. And another that goes “and you should thank Mrs. Brinkman, she spends so much extra time”.
Well, when all that happened, I really hated everything. But it all worked out… because my family was behind me and they know who I and and what my values are. And I can't forget the teachers that gave me so much extra time, particularly Miss Collis.
I was later put back on the football team and i finished out my junior year with everything going good. Thank you to everybody (friends, family and teachers) who was there for me, and believed in me. Also to Brad Paisley… for writing music that someone like me can truly relate to.
Signed,
Cody Wilkins,
Akron, New York |
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After more than ten years, working full time and raising two kids, boy, it seems like a long road. But I feel like I did a fabulous job. My son was a special needs student… with a learning disability. With lots of support, he’s living on his own and working full time at a grocery store. My daughter has also struggled some with learning, but with the proper love and support, she’s attending community college studying nursing. As my kids became independent, the biggest part of my job was done… and I needed to do something for me. I was very nervous about it but I recently took my first trip alone, to the coast, and it was fabulous. I would hope that many single moms or dads don’t forget to take time out for themselves. I waited until my kids were grown, but I did it… and have a new-found freedom. I hope to someday find my soulmate… but for now, i am building courage and confidence. Please play “Is There Life Out There”. I’ve long wondered if I would have any energy left after raising my kids. Sincerely yours,
Melissa Morehouse,
Terrebone, Oregon
I think an appropriate song for my special request would be Tanya Tucker’s “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane”. You see, as of this summer, I have been married to the love of my life for 22 years…and we have been together 26 years (altogether). But when we first got together, all our friends said we would never stay together, let alone be married. I guess we fooled them.
I have been with John since I was 15 and I am 41 today. I would not know life without him. So, for some of you out there…when people tell you things won’t work out, don’t always listen, because if I would have listened to all those people years ago, I wouldn’t be with the love of my life today..or…have these 4 beautiful children. Listen to your heart! Nancy Doucette,
Summerside, Prince Edward Island |
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My name is 'Daniel' and I'm a young married man with three children, ages 9, 7, and 6. We recently relocated from the big city to a small town in order to give our children a better life. I started having kids early in life, being 18 when my first child was born and because I'd been working since age 14, providing for children didn't seem like much of an issue. But after my wife and I had two more babies, I found myself unemployed for while! There was only one thing to do. Melissa and I decided the most practical thing to do would be if I stayed home with the kids. We weren't about to pay a nanny or a babysitter. Of course, I thought this would be a piece of cake. Boy, I was wrong. Whenever I hear Lonestar's song "Mr. Mom" I look back at that time and smile. Working most weekends, I now listen to the Countdown at work, and hearing that song on your show would sure make my day at the job! Thank you. Daniel Flynn, Glasgow, Missouri. – Hi. My name is Charlene and I am an 8th grade student in Lansing, MI. My family has fallen on some hard times since my mom lost her job. She’s very stressed because her unemployment is going to run out soon, and she’s been applying for jobs left and right but without a master’s degree, she is at a disadvantage. She really needs a job. I was hoping you could play “Shuttin’ Detroit Down” by John Rich for me and my mom. That song really speaks to me and not just because I’m from Michigan – I think a lot of people can relate and it says what a lot of people - at least where i’m from- are afraid to say. That would really make my day. Sincerely, Charlene Kalis,
Lansing, MI |
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A year ago, my life wasn’t the best. My family had moved to Canada… so I was without them still living in England and stuck with a boyfriend I didn’t love and a job I hated. Well, toward the end of the summer I was finally able to travel to see my family and in those two weeks, I met a boy. We shared a special bond. Alex could make me smile with only a subtle glance. My heart pounded everytime he’d talk to me and I couldn’t wait to be around him. Of course, all good things come to an end but I wasn’t ready to give up this taste of happiness! I went back to England, tied up loose ends, and moved to Canada!! Though it was a big gamble, you only live once and this was worth it! The only thing that didn’t fit with me and Alex was our taste in music. He loved country and I’d never been exposed to it. But Alex threw me head-first into its beautiful music and lyrics. (and I listened!) Please play “These Days” by Rascal Flatts… it’s the first country song he introduced me to. I know Alex will always be there for me and I am so proud and grateful to say he’s mine. Gina Mortimer, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada – My husband is in the US Air Force and I'm a transplanted Canadian living in the states with my husband and son. I grew up on country music and even though I'm only 30, my favorite of all are the hits from the late ‘70s and the ‘80s. In fact, I'm exposing our six year old son Owen to as much music as I can. It must be working because he likes most country songs and lots of other types of music, too. Anyway, the song I was hoping you could play is "Meet Me in Montana" by Dan Seals and Marie Osmond. My husband Brad and I met and married in Great Falls, Montana while he was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base and while I was attending the local university. We consider that to be "our song". We both loved our time living in Montana…and we got to see Dan Seals in concert shortly before we moved away. Recently, we were deeply saddened to learn of his passing. Country music lost one of it's best. Please play our song…it brings back many happy memories for my husband and me. Thank you. Angie Sumter, Colorado Springs, CO |
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