FreelanceBeth

Today, our words are courtesy of my dad (Dado to the kids). The original post can be found HERE.

Comets – Rams – Eagles – US Navy – and now, Longhorns!

It was a beautiful and sunny southern autumnal day in Buford, GA for the 2024 GA Marching Band Classic – Buford Edition. You could say we had seen this movie before. The marching band, the hot sun, high school, my parents sitting in the stands for at least the thousandth time. First, they watched my brother and me as we marched with the MIghty Comets of South Gwinnett back in the 1980’s. Then, it was the two eldest grandsons who began their marching band careers at Grayson High School in the mid-twentyteens – just a few miles from mom’s alma mater. The eldest moved on to GA Southern and competed internationally with drum corps. The second eldest marched into the Navy and played his own Pass-in-Review (graduation). One has to wonder what is in store for their cousin who is marching with the Lanier Longhorns Bands, but that will have to wait. In standing with family tradition, the freshman has scored another role – basketball. And for the grandparents from Indiana, basketball is among the OG family traditions – this proud aunt is gonna need some new swag so she can be mad lit and not skibidi Ohio!

The first fella pictured wearing an AWESOME DINOS ROCK shirt, clutching a BIG TRUCKS book, and dreaming of rock stardom is the 2024 recipient of a magic toy drum. The middle photo is my son at about the same age with the look of absolute joy on his face with the same drum a “few” years ago. The last photo is of that same son, Drew, as a professional drummer in a variety of projects. One of his bands, @florencecardigan hails from The University of Georgia in Athens, GA. They have played throughout the southeast and will be featured at AthFest 2024! Another one of Drew’s other projects is The While – also out of Athens – as much outstanding music is… And, it all started with a toy drum. There is much more to come from my drummer son – including some solo creativity and multi-genre collaborations. With that kind of magic packed into one toy drum, one has to wonder what is in store for the little fella wearing yellow. I hope he finds a love of learning music and with that love and a magic toy drum – the beat goes on. To hear more from Florence Cardigan, check them out on Spotify!

Just a few of “My kids” visiting the @11Alive News Studios.

Sometimes you just can’t get away to the coast. You know it will heal what is ailin’ you, but there just isn’t enough time.

The answer? Plug in the “Sailing”, “Margaritaville Radio”, or “Yachty Music” playlists and grab a frothy-fruity beverage, close your eyes and sail away on sound. But, if you really want to sail away while still on southern ground, find the next stop southeastern tour of The Yacht Club show!

Based in Charleston, SC, The Yacht Club has assembled an ensemble of some very talented folks. Not unlike many of the really great tribute or cover bands, The Yacht Club has gathered experienced talent that only has to glance at one another to make the music flow like the sounds we used to hear on the radio. It’s a cool thing to experience in action. It’s the kind of thing I look for when reviewing and promoting. It’s the kind of thing that doesn’t happen in all bands. It’s the kind of thing that makes The Yacht Club sail smoothly into the night.

The Yacht Club’s nightly Master of Ceremonies is the highly entertaining and energetic lead singer, Lane Doss. Watching Lane work his magic on the stage is the key to letting things go. How can you take yourself seriously when the band is playing Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long” or Toto’s “Rosanna”? You just have to get lost on the soundwaves.

Oh! And you really MUST come to the show in your very best yacht togs and buy a captain’s hat so that when the crowd is collectively bobbing their heads to Eddie Money’s “Two Tickets to Paradise”, you won’t feel like you were left on the docks.

When it’s time to settle into a smokey groove, concert-goers will find the vocals of Tammy “Tunes” Rice Rentz. She can convince you to harden your heart, believe in magic, or in a lotta love. Fans fall in love with her every night. And this girl has the moves that turns the show completely ON!

The entire crew of The Yacht Club is uniquely talented and multifaceted! The “Doc of Rock”, Dr. Bernie Miller is licensed to prescribe a giant dose of your favorite tunes as a cure for your landlubber blues. Plus, he can adjust your spine for dance-floor action!

Kevin O’Quinn, “KevO”, also hails from Charleston and played during his high school days with Doc. Strumming for his church, KevO put out some feelers for music ministry support. Captain Lane, who is also a middle school music teacher, answered the call. KevO introduced Doc to Lane and The Yacht Club was formed.

Andy Lyons, ​”The Speaker of the Yacht” offers up all the fabulous keys sounds that draw a strong performance together. A former journalist, Andy really is the “Speaker of the Yacht”. Andy’s talents are echoed by John “JR” RHODES who supports the band with his melodic bass lines meant to keep the dancers sailing right along. Pulling the entire smooth sailing sound together is “Rhythm Master”, Jim “Ratt” Ratcliffe. Hailing from Oahu, Jim sailed and played his way through a variety of waters while in the US Navy. He even played a gig with KevO way back in 1979! In the music business, you just never know why you meet certain people, but the outcome is often a winner!

In the case of Charleston’s The Yacht Club, it is the audience who wins! Whether they are playing in their hometown of Charleston, or across the southeast, The Yacht Club brings the best of smooth-sailing rock to the stage. Check them out on social media and don’t miss the next show. Smooth-sailing is the cure for what’s ailling!

It’s fair to wonder about the name. Google it and you get, well…photos of my mom. Like many grandparents, Ditdo received her moniker via the eldest grandchild. When kids start naming people and things in their universe, they can be very insistent. My grandmother became “Grape Grandma” and my great aunt became, “GG”, my dad became, “Dado”, and my mom became “Ditdo”. While the first three made some sense to adults ears, Ditdo remains a mystery to this day. It may well have been an early indicator of Drew’s creative nature as he is, to this day, a worker of words, a lyricist, a musician.

With her unique name firmly ensconced in the lexicon of the eldest and youngest lad, Ditdo soon had a fan club outside of the house. Living in the South comes with a level of familiar courtesy such as, “Ms. Beth” or “Mr. Eric”, but that level of address was not for my mom. She is Ditdo. And my dad is Dado. The kids in the neighborhood, preschool, soccer team, swim team, hockey team, classroom, bandroom…well, you can see where this is going. Over the years, I reckon somewhere upwards of 500 kids have probably called my Parents “Ditdo” and “Dado”.

She and Dado both celebrate birthdays this week and, if the social media indicators are to be believed, they have been well-loved! The kids and their parents who know my parents all call them Ditdo and Dado. There is not a”Mr.” or “Ms.” among the acknowledgements. No, for these octogenarians, Ditdo and Dado suit them just fine!

Happy Birthday to you both! Love, B