Photo Contest - 1st Place Winner!

This pic won 1st place in the Lake Caroline photo contest this year.  Prize, $100 gift certificate.
Taken at the 2010 Lake Caroline 4th of July festival.

Thirsty Gringos - Behind the Music

Two young rugged men. 

Guitars strapped on our backs. 

Ready to Rock!

This is our "Behind the Music" and Where it all began!

Terry and I met in 1990 at Mississippi State Univserity in the Department of Landscape Architecture.  Music was being played on various radios all throughout the different design studios as we and our colleagues spilled our creative juices all over the drawing tables 24 hours a day. 

Terry and I began talking music and guitars. 

I had only played and owned electric guitars at the time.  My dad always wanted me to play an acoustic since I had tortured him through my teenage years with the low grumbles of distortion that came from my amps through the bedroom walls.  One weekend of going home to see my folks, my family made a trip to Jackson, MS.  We stopped by Morrison Brothers Music, which was on Highway 80 at the time, so I could go in and check out the guitars.  Since my dad was there, I ammused him by looking and playing some of their acoustics.  I had played some acoustics in the past but never really found one that I enjoyed the feel or sound.  I did find an Ovation Elite fat bottom that really got my attention, but I had no intention of getting a guitar that day.  I returned back to school that following week and decided to go home to see my parents again the following weekend.  Much to my surprise, what was laying on my bed?  The acoustic Ovation!  My dad had returned back to the store earlier that week and purchased my first acoustic as a surprise gift.  To this day, I still really appreciate that, Dad.

After going back to school with my new 6 string, I invited Terry over to bring his guitar and show him my newly acquired axe.  We started learning a few tunes, mainly just playing around for fun.  We had a colleague named Bill Epstein that played acoustic gigs with a guy named Von Sumrall.  Bill had invited Terry and I to come down to JC Garcias one night to listen to them play.  Bill and Von had a great dynamic.  We went to listen to them play on many occassions.  After getting to know those guys better, they asked us to work up a few songs so we could play during their breaks between sets.  So that's is what we did.  WOW!  We got a good response from the crowd and owner of the restaurant.  We were asked to put together a few sets and come back and play our very own first gig!

These pics are from that night at JC Garcias on Highway 51 in Starkville, MS (now Mexico Tipico).

That guy on the left is Bill Epstein.  He and Von came to support us as we did them so many nights. 

After playing our first gig, we played around at a few various unplugged parties as well as playing in Terry's sister's wedding at their Memphis ranch.  But one of the most memorable gigs we played was in a small barn in West Memphis, Arkansas.  I still don't know Terry's connection that got us that private party, but it was a BLAST!  They had a stage built for us in the barn and it was Hallloween night and COLD!  I also remember it snowing a little later that night which was odd for being that cold that time of the year.  We played while people danced on the sawdust and drank in a barn packed with people.  We thought the only people there were the people we could see inside, until they removed the tarp over the barn door to unveil 10 times as many people outside around the bonfire they had built. 

This pic is from that memorable night.

After graduating college, we both got busy with our professional careers and starting our families.  Terry has been very successful with his company Powell Place, Inc.  I have also stayed busy with my firm, McCrory & Associates.

After the 16 year hiatus, we are again playing some great music.

Check us out.  http://www.thirstygringos.com/

Thirsty Gringos - Acoustic Gig

Kristo's of Madison
Acoustic Gig

Thanks to the band photographer, Hannah McCrory.

A Friggin' Sweet Suite....

We arrived in Maui and checked into our humble oceanfront cottage.  Opened the blinds and bam!  People outside our cottage patio laying out by the pool between us and the ocean.  Not only was our view blocked by the skin cancer magnets, there was a huge hedge that ran the length of the property.  Boooo!

Time to upgrade.  The lady at the front desk was awesome.  She hooked us up with one of the nicest rooms in the tower.  A "friggin' sweet suite".  When we opened the door and saw this unobstructed view to this sunset, the mood changed.  This was the balcony view from the living room.

The views from the master bedroom balcony(s) wasn't so bad either.

It was at this point of our honeymoon, the pace of our running and ripping just became a little slower.  You can see the island of Lanai on the horizon.   

This is the island of Molokai in the distance.

Finally....En Route....

Flying from Kauai to Maui, you fly over Oahu.  Here is a pic of Diamondhead crater.

Waikiki Beach from a few thousand feet.

Leaving Kauai heading to Maui...

One thing we have learned from island hopping in Hawaii is to only fly Hawaiian Air.  We learned our lesson from the numerous flight delays and cancellations from the other unnamed airlines we used.   Booooo!

My New Best Friend....

Talk about Hawaiian hospitality!  Gennifer and I had a great time visiting with Cosme Amulacion, Jr. (Michelle Cook's Dad).  He treated us to Dinner at Da Imu Hut and invited us over to his house the following night for dinner with his family.  What a spread of food!  Thanks Jr. for the hospitality....

Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge

 

I Wasn't Kidding About The Chickens, Chickens Everywhere Comment.....

We pulled over to get a quick pick of the eastern shore of Kauai and were accosted by a band of gypsy chickens.

Wailua Cruise To The Fern Grotto

To get to the fern grotto, you have to take a boat ride up the Wailua River on Kauai.  This river is known as the "only navigable river in all Hawaii".  During the trip you will be given hula lessons while being serenaded.

Once arriving to the landing, you take a short walk through the rain forest to the grotto.

The ferns grow upside down from the roof of the grotto.

Bubba's Burgers

Gennifer and I were in the mood just for a good old burger.  That's what Bubba had.  A good old burger.  There was a sign above the bar that said, "Bubba's refused to sell a hamburger that cost less than a can of dogfood."  I like their thinking.

Kamokila Hawaiian Village and 'Opaeka'a Falls, Kauai

East Coast of Kauai

Below are are few pics and places we stopped strolling up the east coast of Kauai.

Lydgate Park