Hitting the right notes

By JOE L. HUGHES II
The Gaffney Ledger
joe@gaffneyledger.com

A house rarely is built in a day, needing as many people and tools available to ensure the safety and comfort of those planning to make the structure their home.
In their quest to find the perfect tune, bands also will employ the use of an array of instruments and talents, wanting to provide audiences with quality entertainment and something to "groove" to.
Monday was not your typical business day at a Logan Street barber shop, as the sound of clippers and chatter were replaced by that of drums, the strumming of guitars and voices of several local talents.
"3 ... 2 ... 1..., let's go!," yelled bassist Earl Vernon to members of Tha Band, signaling the beginning of a musical journey whipping listeners back to the soulful sounds of the 1960s and '70s, playing the tunes of artists like Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross and the Commodores, eventually taking on the more recent tunes of Erykah Badu, Musiq Soulchild and Jill Scott.
"We're trying to cover all the bases," said Michael Logan, keyboardist/bassist for Tha Band. "It's a goal of ours to appeal to both the young and the old."
Music is a way of life for the group, which includes Vernon, Logan, saxaphonist Lamar Peeler, vocalists Ike Bridges, Shaun "Terri" Hall, Melody Harris and Jamarcus Littlejohn, bassist Ben Gaffney, drummer Vince Hambright, keyboardist Josh McDowell and guitarist Kendall Kirby.
Tha Band was formed four years ago, a collection of ministers of music, lead musicians and vocalists from local churches and music groups.
"We all have our own thing going on, but always come back together to make good music," Bridges said. "A lot of us have been good friends for a long time, and it's only right for good people to make good music together. (Music) is what we do."
A love rooted from their days as youths sitting in pews listening to choirs at local places of worship, the group has taken its act around the Upstate.
Tha Band will be jammin' for a cause Saturday, performing at the M&I Productions Christmas Ball in Blacksburg with proceeds going to help the Cherokee Children's Home.
For the past 20 years, the private, nonprofit organization has served as an emergency shelter for abused, abandoned and neglected children up to 17 years of age.
"It's all a part of trying to do something good this Christmas season," Bridges said.
Also scheduled to perform at the Christmas Ball are Floyd's Passion, Meechie and Letroune Allen, Kent Oglesby and DJ Snowball.
Soul food will be available at the event and drawings for door prizes will be held.
The Christmas Ball will take place at Iron City Place, located on South John Street in Blacksburg.
Festivities begin at 9 p.m.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the event.
For more information, call Logan at (864) 425-6675, Bridges at (864) 202-2907, or Vernon at (864) 425-3998.

Second chances

First time, shame on me; the second time, shame on you.

It’s a statement so many of us have heard in times past, leading some to believe that they can mess up once yet get another chance to redeem themselves.

In our society however, such could not be further from the truth. Single moments are opportunities and rarely are they given twice.

Positive thoughts about hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy above his head after kicking a 47-yard field goal through the uprights was likely the only thing on the mind of Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood in Super Bowl XXV nearly 20 years ago. Unfortunately for him, the way he envisioned things took a twist as the ball ended up to the right of the intended target.

A moment that lives in infamy for Bills fans across the country, the shame and feeling of guilt for not coming through in the clutch is a burden Norwood has shouldered since that late January day in 1991. As good as he was during his 7-year NFL career, making more than 72 percent of his field goal attempts (133 of 184), someone so reliable to his team is unjustly associated with failure.

At least he was able to get another opportunity to give his confidence a boost, shaking off past missteps and kicking the ball through the uprights. For a lot of others, one mistake can put you behind for years, some for life.

Marriage vows are an example of this, a verbal and written contract by two people dedicating themselves to that certain significant other for the rest of their lives. A relationship that sometimes took many years to build can crumble quickly however, and be put on display for the world to see.

But after catching their significant other with pie on their face, how many would be strong enough to stick with that person? There aren’t many who would.

A lot of people cannot stand Hillary Clinton, or in particular, her politics. But it took a lot for her to stick with her husband, former president Bill Clinton, after his muchpublicized troubles.

While painful, the two of them were able to put the past behind them and build for the future, one in which she has risen to one of the nation’s highest posts as Secretary of State.

In the Bible, we’re reminded that there is punishment for sin, but God is willing and just to forgive us of our missteps, casting them as far as the east is from the west. Why can’t we do the same?

I have always admired longtime Florida State Head Football Coach Bobby Bowden. Everyone likes a winner, but there is more to him than his accomplishments on the field.

Always willing to share his Christian values with his coaching staff and players, he has earned their respect by backing up his words with actions.

Ten years ago, Bowden was faced with a difficult choice after one of his best players, Peter Warrick, and a teammate allegedly purchased clothes valued at more than $400 for $21.40, a discount so large it is considered shoplifting in the state of Florida. The Seminoles were one of the top teams in the country that year, and Warrick in the upper echelon of players, being highly considered for the Heisman Trophy.

Most coaches would have done away with Warrick at that moment, deciding the student-athlete’s actions made him no longer worthy of a scholarship from the institution — a just punishment considering the alleged incident. Others may have done nothing, giving the player preferential treatment due to how much he meant to the team.

Though not popular at the time, Bowden maneuvered between both options, deciding to suspend Warrick two games and all but ending the talented athlete’s Heisman dreams. But it earned the coach the trust of his players, being looked at as a father-figure, feeling a sense of guilt if they were to disappoint him.

Florida State would wind up undefeated that season, claiming the national title in the 2000 Sugar Bowl. Warrick also played a part in the contest, accounting for 160 yards and three touchdowns en route to being named the game’s most valuable player.

For the both of them, I can almost bet it was sweet redemption after having their names dragged through the dirt months earlier.

I’m not saying that we should clean out the jails in the name of second chances. They are doing that behind bars, earning that opportunity through good behavior and morale.

But more stories like that of Warrick and Oregon running back Lagarrette Blount need to be told, letting children know that one mistake does not equate to failure.

Blount, who earlier this season was suspended by the university following a post-game fracas in which he punched a Boise State football player, was recently reinstated by head coach Chip Kelly.

The move allowed the senior running back to join teammates for the remaining games on their schedule, including the Ducks’ “Civil War” matchup with rival Oregon State.

Blount would score a touchdown in the contest, playing a vital role in helping the team win its conference and advance to the 2010 Rose Bowl.

More importantly however, he is getting the opportunity to restore his name.

I see it everyday, especially in this line of work, instances in which people’s missteps are aired out to a mass audience. Their intentions may have been innocent, but something along the way didn’t go as expected.

I can think of dozens of friends, family or acquaintances that wish certain moments of their life could be done differently. A perfect picture, it’s unlikely they would like the movie of their life to include times of embarrassment or hurt.

But if everything is so sunny and bright, when can we appreciate the rain that washes away grudges and missteps we incur along the way?

Mistakes can and will happen, and all of us fail at some point. It’s how we pick ourselves up from those errors in judgment that are a true measure of character.

All they want is another chance to prove themselves worthy of our trust; are you willing to let them do so?

Man calls 911 ... tells officers to arrest him!

Usually I don't take much pleasure in other's issues. But for this guy, he asked for it ... seriously. Dude wanted a free trip to jail, and he got it.

By TIM GULLA
The Gaffney Ledger

A 49-year-old Gaffney man, who allegedly called E-9-1-1 five times on Oct. 13, telling an operator he wanted to go to jail, apparently got what he wanted.
The Gaffney Police Department served an arrest warrant against Dennis Charles Gregory, of Carlisle Street, charging him with unlawful use of an emergency 9-1-1 number.
According to a police report, Gregory called Cherokee County E-9-1-1 five times between 1 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. without an emergency. Police claimed Gregory was intoxicated and was telling an E-9-1-1 operator that he wanted to go to jail.
By calling E-9-1-1 without an emergency, police contend Gregory was tying up an emergency dispatcher.
Police initially booked Gregory on charges of unlawful use of 9-1-1 and public drunkenness. He remained lodged at the Cherokee County Detention Center as of Thursday afternoon in lieu of $1,000 bond.
Dispatch Captain Reggie Petty said Cherokee County E-9-1-1occasionally gets non-emergency calls, such as people asking for directions. While most of the non-emergency calls are harmless in nature, Petty said, "It's tying up 9-1-1 lines when there might be a real emergency."

It's not a smart idea, but Rush has the right to try

It's ironic that under the definition of controversy in Webster's Dictionary there is no sight of Rush Limbaugh or his likeness.
After all, for much of the past two decades the political talk show host has been the voice of those on the right side of the aisle and conservative America.
I'm not here to argue anyone's political beliefs and ambitions, that's your business and should be respected as such. However, Limbaugh has been more than willing to stir the pot a little during his time on television and radio, raising eyebrows for his comments about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donavon McNabb.
Limbaugh, at the time employed by ESPN and part of its Sunday NFL Countdown show, said "the media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well,''and "there is a little hope invested in McNabb," getting a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve.
It's fine to be controversial every once in a while, everyone is not going to be 100 percent in your corner during this lifetime. But when you make it to where people — specifically people of certain races — are uncomfortable, some tend raise red flags and take a few steps back.
During his career, the political talk show host has referred to the NFL as "a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons," and said rather insensitive words about the institution of slavery, saying America's and specifically the South's century long infatuation with the business was not necessarily a bad thing, serving as a catalyst for this region's growth.
After saying such statements it should come as no surprise that people are in an uproar about Limbaugh being part of an ownership group interested in buying the St. Louis Rams.
The Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have already raised their voice about the matter, with Jackson saying the right to own a NFL franchise is a privilege, one Limbaugh forfeited due to previous words and actions.
"The National Football League has set high standards for racial justice and inclusion," Jackson said. "He should not have the privilege of owning an NFL franchise -- and it is a privilege."
During Jackson's statement, he reiterated that owning an NFL franchise is a privilege, and I agree.
But he also must take a look at the track record of the players he and other civil rights leaders claim to represent. I've said it many times that "Men lie, women lie, but numbers don't."
Being able to suit up in a NFL uniform and play a sport that became the apple of their eye at a young age is a "privilege." If Jackson's assessment of Limbaugh is right, a healthy population of NFL players also have forfeited their right to earn millions of dollars and the recognition that goes with being a professional athlete.
Close to 60 players were arrested last year, with 25 getting bracelets put around the wrists they had not bargained for.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has done his part to crack down on this problem, with this year's numbers significantly lower than those from 2008 (though the year still has two full months of life). Not wanting to anger players, owners or sponsors, Goodell spoke up about the Limbaugh situation a few days ago, basically stating the NFL does not want divisive entities owning franchises in the organization.
Though I hope Limbaugh's attempt to own a NFL team is unsuccessful, he is within his right of trying to do so. But I beg a series of questions both to players and fans:
— If Limbaugh was given the green light to own the St. Louis Rams, what would you do about it? how much would your protests accomplish?
— Players: If Limbaugh's name is the one signed on a check, would you turn it down?
The NFL in its past has had divisive characters, such as former Washington Redskins owner George Marshall, who for a long time swore to never have a Black player on his team. Even to this day, the Redskins' fight song, "Hail to the Redskins," is a knock off of the team's original theme of "Fight for Old Dixie."
Time will tell how this shakes out, but Limbaugh's dream looks like it will take quite a bit of persuading, no matter his opinion.

The lifestyle changes once you say ‘I do’

“If you tell the truth, it will always be in your past. If you tell a lie, it’ll continue to be part of your future.
— former NFL coach Tony Dungy

If your life is anything like mine, there are moments you wish you could press a rewind button, rethink exactly what you were doing and then proceed with life as if nothing had happened in the first place.
Unfortunately, a small icon does not magically appear above our heads anytime we please.
By the way, if such gadgets and tools existed, our lives would never end, primarily because we hit the rewind button dozens of times in an effort to find whether said event would somehow have a different outcome.
For some reason, we have heard a lot of people wishing they could turn back the hands of time, usually after their private indiscretions were placed in the public eye for all to judge and scrutinize.
In sports, no one likely received more heat for his actions than New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez.
After stating on national television that he had never used steroids or some type of human growth hormone (HGH), Rodriguez’s lies eventually caught up with him with help of a 2003 report that listed his name as one of the 104 Major League Baseball (MLB) players that tested positive for some sort of banned substance.
Day after day it seemed the Yankees’ third baseman received some sort of heat from the New York media as well as sports fans around the world. Though he lied, his apology opened the door for healing.
Rodriguez made the most of his opportunity, batting .286, hitting 30 home runs and 100 runs batted in during the 2009 season. Success sure makes people forget about past faults.
We’ve also seen our public servants scrutinized for their transgressions behind closed doors. Our own Gov. Mark Sanford spilled the details of an affair he was having with an Argentine woman after it was learned the Palmetto State’s chief executive was not in the country.
Among those that were in line to throw jabs at Sanford during his time of weakness was “Late Night Show” host David Letterman, adding him to a list of disgraced public figures whose missteps became the subject of jokes during segments of the broadcast.
Sanford’s ordeal put his marriage in peril and virtually ended any aspirations he had of potentially running for president in 2012. Meanwhile, Letterman’s show continued to achieve high ratings, much to the dismay of those he insulted in the moments they were most vulnerable.
I tell you, karma is something else.
A few months after taking shots at Sanford for his extramarital affairs, Letterman would make portions of his own private life public, revealing he had a relationship with an employee of the “Late Night Show.”
It’s a shame that these people, put on a pedestal with the help of voters or through fans viewing their shows on a regular basis, fell prey to their own lust. Even worse, their faults were unveiled in front of a national and international audience.
I pray each of these men can repair their images, being that I don’t wish the worst for anyone despite how I may feel for them or how they live their lives.
But these men succumbing to the sin of adultery only sheds light on a bigger problem in America, as it seems many couples no longer take their vows seriously.
Married adults now divorce more than twice as often as adults did 20 years ago and four times as often as they did 50 years ago, according to a 2005 study on families and intimate relationships. It is also estimated between 40 and 60 percent of all new marriages will end in divorce.
In my opinion, you have some who like the notion of being in love, but not ready for a lifelong commitment. However, they choose to embark on a journey together, not knowing the seriousness of the vows spoken on their wedding day.
Unfortunately, they are victims of the moment, not knowing their lives will change the moment they say “I do.” Living in the moment also makes one prone to mistakes, with many being made trying to scoop another cookie out the jar.
The single life is gone and two lives are meshed together as one, making the long nights out and hanging out with the “friends” of the opposite sex at inappropriate times of night a no-go.
Yes, temptation will always be there to try to throw a monkey wrench in a person’s goal of staying faithful to their mate. Though the merchandise may be very enticing, does it fill a void, or take care of your short and long term needs?
If not, it might be best to leave those goodies on the shelf … trust me, you won’t have to make up an excuse later.

Oregon RB Blount may get second chance

Yes, it was quite a cowardly act, but we live in a world where people receive second chances — some of whom make the most of the opportunity and others that find new ways to screw things up.
You would hate for this young man's final game to be remembered for sucker punching a fellow student-athlete and going after fans following a loss. Hopefully, Blount will get another chance to prove himself to the University of Oregon and pundits around the country.
The senior running back is one heck of an athlete, it would be a shame for his NFL career to have been wiped out because of a moment of weakness.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP)—Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount could be reinstated later this season, according to a report on ESPN.com.

Ducks coach Chip Kelly planned to speak with the media after practice Friday “to discuss elements of his plan that has been in place with senior running back LeGarrette Blount that could include Blount’s potential reinstatement prior to the conclusion of the 2009 season,” the school said in a statement.

Further details were not immediately available.

Blount, who punched Boise State’s Byron Hout after a season-opening loss, had been suspended by the school for the rest of the season. He could be reinstated provided Blount continues to follow a plan set in place after the first game, a source told ESPN. That would not happen until Oregon’s bye week on Oct. 17 at the earliest.

It’s believed Oregon athletic director Mike Bellotti and school president Richard Lariviere have agreed to a possible reinstatement. On Thursday, the Oregon school newspaper published an apology from Blount, who recently became a new father.

Blount has also called Hout and Boise State coach Chris Petersen to apologize for the punch, which was captured by national television cameras. Although he was suspended, Blount remains on scholarship and has been allowed to practice with the team.

The No. 16 Ducks host Washington State on Saturday.

It Only Takes One

If you don't learn something new each day, you're not living at all.

Though most of us will never stay awake for 24 hours at a time, it's amazing that someone can make an impact in another person's life through simply a smile, a spoken word or a simple gesture.

Just as easily, we humans can turn off our fellow man through being rude and obnoxious, not caring much about how their actions may offend their neighbor.

The first time we see a new face, we are enlightened to new information, given a brief moment to peer into another person's life. This small amount of time allows us to formulate an opinion — good or bad — and work with that until your paths cross again or you have a change of heart.

Unfortunately, as is the case with most first impressions, they are also the last and rarely do these chance meetings end well.

I've kind of figured out why people go through a midlife crisis. After people reach that 25th birthday and are no longer "at-risk" drivers until they reach the ripe age of 65 and the opportunity to reap the fruits of retirement, little attention is paid to you.

It's because we are either trying to learn as many lessons from our older citizens before they are no longer here, or doing our best to teach the next generation how to live a successful life, hopefully free of the stresses and cares of this world seeming to bog even the best of us down.

Why 25?

By that time most of us have finally left our childish ways developed during our teenage years behind; you know, when we felt invincible and had our whole life in front of us. Usually we have somewhat established what role we want to play in this world, a spot reserved only for one person — yourself.

Also, if you went to college (which for most comes before the age of 25), you know a lot of bad habits are picked up the day you arrive on campus.

For the first quarter of our lives, we are molded and shaped into an identity fitting only one person. During this process, we are influenced by many people — parents, siblings, cousins, teachers, friends, and so on.

As is the case with anyone, it doesn't take long to find out who someone has been hanging with, and how their behavior has influenced others in one way or another.

Too often these days, our youths are the ones falling for peer pressure, sometimes being led toward a life of crime and eventually an early grave.

Not too much older than students now going through high school, I still remember when people's first impression of me and my friends were that we were up to nothing but trouble. While nothing could have been further from the truth, the fact that we were young black males in America didn't help the way society perceived me.

It took hard work and the willingness for people to see the good in me for them to change their view of me, and hopefully that of my fellow African-American brothers.

Being able to watch this next generation of Black males grow up kind of worries me, partly because a lot of the things that me and past generations experienced no longer hold importance or relevance to them.

So many of my brothers have no respect for females, and could care less if this particular woman was/is the mother of his child. If that's how they treat her, think of how they'll treat the child.

We no longer have respect for our elders; parents and grandparents simply are aiming to be friends, no longer placing a fear of God in children and a discipline to make it in a world where work must be done to meet dreams.

Part of the blame goes to our lifestyle, which through the avenues of television, music and Internet teaches children to treat women like prostitutes, promote violence and behavior that does nothing but pull them closer to tragedy.

The job of being an example rests in our hands, Black men willing to make a difference in the lives of our young men.

And when a breakthrough is made, boy does it take root.

Take for example last week, after Gaffney defeated Woodruff 20-13 at the American Community Bank Cherokee County Jamboree, I had the opportunity to speak with one of the players.

We spoke for a few minutes, during which I commended him for his play during the game. Before I could utter another word, the young man asked me "You want to know why I was able to do that?"

Still in reporter mode, I quickly whipped back, "Why is that?," thinking I would get back an answer like harder training, more focus or better attention to detail.

He said, "I simply got closer to God ... He's the only reason I'm here and able to do this, and all my blessings and ability come from Him."

It was easy to see this kid has surrounded himself with good people, from the people at home to his coaches while on the football field.

It's always good to see our youths with a good head on their shoulders, doing what is right. At a time when our focus is on all the wrong they do, his example gives me hope others can follow a similar path.

All it takes is one, after all.