Extrausual

November 9, 2018, I experienced a series of wonderful surprises. I had the extraordinary opportunity to sit down and interview Ian Moore for my podcast in the Green Room of the Kessler Theater before his show. Let me say that again, I interviewed Ian Moore, in the Green Room of the Kessler Theater, before his show. How cool is that? I just like saying it. Let me back up. Recently I starting sending emails to some entertainers, authors, and other persons of interest that I would like to interview for my podcast. I would check Prekindle and other event sites, and reach out to the people that look interesting. People that I think are extrausual and that I would love to sit down and question. Being new to the podcasting medium, I had no expectation on what the response might be to my emails. I mentioned in my emails that the interviewee would have to travel to Waxahachie for the interview. Ian Moore emailed back and said that he would do the podcast if I traveled to the Kessler. Wow! Surprise number one. This caused me a huge dilemma. I could not pass up this opportunity but I have never tried to interview a person outside of my office. I went to Office Depot and bought a rolling computer/briefcase, and said yes. I stuck with my commitment to saying yes. I came home and crammed all of my stuff into the one new briefcase/rolling bag and started researching Ian Moore. Wow! Surprise number two. I was just floored by Ian's career and life story. Ian grew up in Austin where he was a child prodigy on the violin. Because of an incident in his teens, which is described in the podcast, he cut the tendons in his left hand. After the incident, he couldn't play the violin anymore and started playing guitar. Ian played the Honky Tonks and Bars of Austin in the late 80's and 90's. In 1993, he released his first record, self-titled - Ian Moore. As Wikipedia describes the record and his career, "The success of this album spawned multiple radio hits, TV appearances, and tours with artists such as Bob Dylan, ZZ Top, Paul Weller, and the Rolling Stones. His second record, Modernday Folklore, was voted one of the greatest art moments in Art of America, and led to more high level touring through the US and Europe, as well as his top charting song, Muddy Jesus, which made it into the top 5 AOR rock radio charts... ...Though mostly busy with his solo releases and touring, he has scored film and TV, as well as stints as a sidemen with artists as diverse as Jason Mraz and Roky Erickson. He has been on late night shows (Letterman), morning shows (Today show). He has collaborated with Ice Cube, Prince B, Spiral Stairs, and more. His ambition and drive keep him operating at a breakneck pace, releasing records and touring throughout the US and Europe. 2016 has found him touring the US 5 times, releasing a new soul covers EP, The Noble Art, starting a charity, SMASH, which assists Seattle musicians with health care, and becoming a Grammy Governor. 2017 will see the release of his next album, Strange Days and quite a bit more touring, recording, and collaborating." Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, Jason Moranz, and Ice Cube, these people are not normally associated with me. I was immediately intimidated. I do not have a musical bone in my body. So, I recruited my little brother, Jarrett to do the podcast with me. He is the Hinds' Family Musician. I definitely needed back up. The more I read about Ian, the more intrigued I became. This is not just a musician, but a man that gives back to the art. SMASH is mentioned in the Wikipedia article, Seattle Musicians Access to Sustainable Healthcare. After leaving Austin, Ian moved to an island off the coast of Washington near Seattle. To help the local musicians, Ian started this charity to get healthcare for musicians in the Seattle area. The charity's idea is based on a similar type of entity in Austin. Ian replicated the charity in Seattle for the benefit of the local...

I talked my childhood friend, Kyle Fuller and his wife Lorraine Fuller, into a podcast after our Saturday night party of our 35th High School Reunion. Kyle grew up on the same street in Waxahachie as I did, Grand Avenue. We both lived on this street while attending Waxahachie Independent School District schools for twelve years. This means that Kyle and I were in the same school for 12 years. In the early days, we would walk home together. We had a crew of friends that all walked home together. Back in those days, we played all of the sports, each with its own season. We played football together through graduation from high school. Our senior year, Kyle was the starting left guard on the line, and I was the starting right guard. Kyle was always brilliant in school but very quiet. A man of few words.

After high school, we parted ways and never stayed in touch. Kyle played football for the University of Texas at Arlington. Kyle was on the last team ever fielded by this university. They shut the team down after Kyle's junior year. Coincidence? They say there are no coincidences. Kyle "The Football Program Killer" Fuller graduated from UTA and went on to work all over the world. His extracurricular activities included weightlifting, competing in the Scottish Highland Games, and working the Byron Nelson Golf Tournament. Through Facebook, I have come to really admire and appreciate his humor, wit, and intelligence. Kyle's Facebook posts are something to behold. This man is truly an intellectual, gentle, giant with a great sense of humor. He even lets Lorraine dress him up for any occasion. It was great getting the opportunity to sit down and catch up with Kyle. I would venture to bet that the words in the podcast added together may total more than all of the words in the conversations we had from first through twelfth grade. It was beautiful.

In October of this year, I attended my 35th High School Reunion. I graduated from Waxahachie High School in May of 1983. Time flies when you are having fun. I love seeing my classmates at the reunion. There are always some surprises. This year one of the surprises was John Mansell. I saw him at the football game Friday night for the first time in over twenty years. After the football game, the Class of 1983 went to Buffalo Wild Wings and caught up. It is always great to see my classmates. With my newfound podcasting venture, I decided to commit John to do the podcast on Saturday the following morning. I wanted to record his life since high school. After meeting John at the Smoothie Factory for a breakfast smoothie (I think this was all his stomach could handle at the time), we came back to my house and strapped him into the chair for an interview. At the Saturday night party, I was able to talk another classmate to come in on Sunday, Kyle Fuller. Recording these two classmates got me to thinking. I decided to do a series called, "WHS Class of 1983, Where Are They Now?" I want to interview everyone in my high school class, or at least as many that I can talk into doing it. The series would be a snapshot of a whole classes' life after 35 years. Welcome to the first podcast of the series, WHS Class of 1983, Where Are They Now?

I first met John in elementary school. His family moved in down the street from the house I grew up in. We went through school together. We both played all of the sports as a kid. We both played football in high school. For nine to ten years of my adolescent life, John was always around. I remember going to Dallas Cowboy games with his family and always competing against him in sports. I remember he had a pinball machine in his house. I thought that was the coolest thing. After high school, we drifted apart and never stayed in touch. I had to stick him in the chair and pick his brain about life after high school. What I found out is that John was successful in business and athletic ventures after high school. A family business John and his father started to track stolen vehicles was very lucrative. John has owned and or started many other businesses, including a high-end ski production company. Athletically, John got into bodybuilding, mountain climbing, and competitive bike riding. John competes to this day in many different types of bicycle races. He has held records and hopes to set some more. John is competing with the best in the world at this age group, and sometimes in any age group. John also coaches and trains other cyclists. It was a podcast of many surprises and memory spurring. I hope you enjoy the podcast as much as I did. I enjoyed it so much, I decided to try and interview my whole class.

I give you, WHS Class of 1983, Where Are They Now? - Series Episode 1 - John Mansell - Tour De Boulder. Class of 1983 you are on notice, your day in the chair is coming.

Harper Lee in her book, To Kill A Mockingbird, gave the world the quintessential depiction of a lawyer.  Harper Lee gave us Atticus Finch.  Lee's fictional character became the gold standard to which lawyers are compared.  Atticus Finch was a virtuous man, fighting against all odds to do what was right.  Finch's intelligence, moral compass, and conviction for the rule of law were beyond reproach.  This is what it means to me to be a lawyer.

Growing up in a family of lawyers, the book and the movie are revered.  In fact, the 1999 Dodge pickup that all three of my kids' drove as their first car was named Atticus.  My middle daughter's 2010 Ford Fusion is named Scout.  Harper Lee's book had a profound effect on three generations of my family.

This brings me up to my podcast's interviewee this week, Jason Willett.  He is a local attorney here in Ellis County.  He has practiced law for twenty plus years and made a living in the pit fighting for his clients.  Jason has done it with virtue, ethics, and humility.  Jason is probably the best civil lawyer and comes closest to the embodiment of a real Atticus Finch here in Ellis County.  I jumped at the opportunity to interview Jason.

Outside of the practice of law, Jason also has a topic of great interest to me.  Jason is a gear head and has driven some great cars.  For the last year and a half, he has owned a Tesla.  Jason is the only person I know that owns a Tesla.  I picked his brain about the car, its ownership, maintenance, and travel.  After the podcast, Jason took Mary and me for a ride in the car.  Wow, what an automobile!

I hope you enjoy this podcast as much as Mary and I enjoyed doing it.  Jason opened up his heart about the law, its practice, and its effects on a person.  He also went into detail about his Tesla.

When I first started practicing law with my dad, I can't tell you how many times lawyers on the other side of the case would tell me that my dad was old school and a gentleman lawyer.  If he gave you his word, you could take it to the bank.  These types of lawyers are few and far between today.  I think one of the greatest compliments you can give a lawyer is to call him a gentleman lawyer.  Therefore, I give you Jason Willett, the Gentleman Lawyer, and Tesla Owner.

Vance Hinds

This week on the podcast, I interviewed Colonel Ben Danner, retired Colonel of the United States Army.  Otherwise known as, Coach Ben Danner, the most overqualified and distinguished coach and teacher of Jarrell Middle School in the history of the world.  But I get ahead of myself.  Ben's story starts in Bonham, Texas (I am skipping the non-Texas roots); then detours through Austin College in Sherman, Texas (where my tentative connection with Ben originates); through Westpoint; through Europe and the Middle East; through the command of a tank division in Kuwait; to being awarded the Bronze Star; to Alaska; to College Station where the Army paid for Ben to obtain a Master's in Philosophy; to teaching philosophy at West Point for three years; to Florida where the Army paid for Ben to obtain a Master's in Public Relations; to many other places where Ben was in charge of the press corps for the Army; to Fort Hood where Ben was in charge of the media relations when Nidel Hasan fatally shot 13 people and wounded 30 others; to being a Military Analyst at KCEN-TV; and finally to coaching junior high athletics and teaching English to the teenage boys and girls of Jarrell Middle School.  This little summary does not nearly touch everything this man has accomplished.  You need to listen to this podcast.  During the interview, I felt that Colonel Danner was minimizing his accomplishments and being humble.  Yet, I will say again, Ben Danner, the most overqualified and distinguished coach and teacher of Jarrell Middle School in the history of the world.

My path crossed Ben's this past summer at my college fraternity retreat.  I had never attended this annual event but decided to do so with my newfound journey and philosophy on life.  Upon meeting Danner, I was fascinated with his life.  I had never heard of the Army paying for anyone to get a master's in philosophy, much less met someone that taught philosophy at West Point.  I learned that I missed Ben by one year at Austin College.  He was there the year before I got there.  I learned that he pledged Beta Chi Omega (my fraternity) and has the distinction as being the only sole maggot to complete the difficult process, the others in his class quit.  He accomplished this feat knowing he was transferring to West Point the next year.  This is crazy.  After meeting him at the retreat, I knew I had to get this man on my podcast.  It is with great honor that I present to you, my interview with Colonel Ben Danner, Retired United States Army.

"Retired Army Colonel just trying to enjoy this thing we call life... and do right by others."

~Colonel Ben Danner, Retired U.S. Army and 8th Grade English Teacher

I had the pleasure of interviewing Crazy Chuy Hernandez. In the Tejano Music World, Chuy Hernandez is a superstar. In 2003, Chuy was inducted into the Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Hall of Fame. In May of 1998, Chuy received the "Living Legend Award" at the 3rd Annual Tejano Connection's Music Awards. Chuy began his professional musical career in 1963 at the age of 12 as a drummer with his brother Refugio n a Rock & Roll band. In 1966, influenced by the Tex-Mex sounds of the Legends, Little Joe and Sunny Ozuna, Chuy joined the Sun-Lites (Tex-Mex Orquestra) and has never looked back.

His career spans more than 45 years as a musician with Los Latinos, Chayo Luna Y Sus Tres Reales, The Organization Band Band, The Laymen Gospel Quartet, and many more. He has, on numerous occasions, performed as a special guest drummer with grupos such as Fandango U.S.A., Texas Latino, Johnny Bustamante & L.A. Band, Conjunto Villarreal, plus many more.

In 1977, still very active as a musician, Crazy Chuy also became a broadcaster beginning his radio career at KXCL 108.5 FM with his Chicano Express Show where he played Chicano and Tejano music until 1979, and then again from 1982 through 1984.

In the 1980s, due to legal blindness, Chuy left playing with bands and became a radio announcer with KUQQ 1540 AM in Ft, Worth, Texas where he earned his radio name of Crazy Chuy for his humor and wild antics on the airwaves. In 1983-84, he produced and hosted The Chicano Express on cable television in Dallas. In 1985 he came to KEBC and produced the radio show, Chicano Express, where he promoted Tejano music of the present and Chicano classics of the past until 1996.

In 1988, Crazy Chuy presented Selena with her first Female Entertainer of the Year Award at the 8th Annual Tejano Music Awards in San Antonio, Texas. From 1994 through 1996, Crazy Chuy co-produced and hosted Tejano music videos in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Chuy also worked with another living legend, Super Loop Figueroa at KNON 89.3 in Dallas.

Numerous awards adorn his office wall such as the Tejano Connection's Living Legend Award from 1998, the Hispanic Broadcaster's Association Most Promising Deejay Award from 1992, and most recently he was inducted into the prestigious Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Hall of Fame in 2003. There are also many awards from civic organizations, bands, and car clubs for his contributions on working to raise funds for scholarships, and youth gang preventions.

In November of 2007, Crazy Chuy was presented with a Proclamation from the State of Texas Senate for his longevity, love, and devotion to Tejano Music.

Presently, Crazy Chuy is still very involved in the music world with his Chicano Express Radio Show, the first Tejano Music radio formatted program on the internet, coming online in 1999, and still broadcasting great Tejano and Chicano Music at:

www.chicanoexpress.com

Check it out, you'll be glad you did.

CRAZY CHUY, STILL CRAZY ABOUT TEJANO MUSIC AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!

In January of 2013, Chief Felony Prosecutor for Kaufman County, Mark Hasse was gunned down between his car and the courthouse.  Two months later, the elected Kaufman County Criminal District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife were gunned down in their home.  There was speculation that the killers could be the Aryan Brotherhood or others.  It was a turbulent time in Kaufman County.  Governor Rick Perry had to appoint a person to take the helm of the Kaufman County Criminal District Attorney's Office within 21 days.  Erleigh Norville Wiley stepped up to the challenge.  Judge Wiley, the sitting Kaufman County Court at Law Judge, volunteered to step down from the bench and take control of the office. She did this knowing the killer was still on the loose.

In this podcast, Judge Wiley discusses her life growing up in Kaufman.  She discusses her career in the legal profession: from law school at the University of Texas to the Dallas County's District Attorney's Office to the County Court at Law Judge in Kaufman County, and to become the First African-American Criminal District Attorney in the State of Texas.  Judge Wiley discusses the 24-hour Homeland Security protection and life in Kaufman County after the killings.  Judge Wiley also talks about being next on the killer's list and testifying at his trial.  This is an awesome podcast.  I can't describe how excited I am to bring this one to you.  You need to hear to this story straight from Judge Wiley.

You can also read about the murders and their aftermath, in Judge Wiley's book: A Target on my Back: A Prosecutor's Terrifying Tale of Life on a Hit List.  The book is available from Amazon.

Picture Les Mills Body Pump, 5:15 a.m. in the morning, Gold's Gym in Waxahachie.  Then picture a mid-twenties, super positive, bubbly ball of energy, coaching the class at 5:15 a.m. on a Wednesday morning.  This was my introduction to Marisa Sibley.  A high school classmate of mine said I should try the class.  I had recently committed myself to say yes and try things out of my comfort zone.  Therefore, I showed up at Gold's Gym at 5:15 a.m.

For those that don't know, Les Mills Body Pump is a special kind of modern day torture.  You take very light weights, the size of which are embarrassing to be seen with anywhere in the gym, then you lift them over and over and over and over and over again.  All the while listening to pop music with ladies throughout the room, both younger and older than you, making it look easy.  It is a special kind of torture at 5:15 a.m. on a Wednesday morning. Marisa did this to me.

I kept going back for more torture with her.  As I did, I got to know Marisa.  I found a super intelligent, uber positive, hardworking young lady that is definitely extrausual.  Not only was she teaching Body Pump at 5:15 a.m. twice a week, she taught classes at 5:30 p.m. twice a week, and 10:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings.  All the while, working a full-time job at ClinPoint Trials in clinical research and pursuing her Master's Degree in Clinical Reseach Management.  Just thinking about this makes me tired.  I learned that she battled a binge eating disorder and that therapy, education, hard work, and programs at her church keep her demons at bay.

Marisa challenges herself daily.  We titled this episode, Dare to Be Brave.  This is a nod toward her favorite program's motto, Les Mills.  But it is very appropriate for Marisa.   She is extremely brave, honest, transparent, and open.  She came to my podcast and let me open her life up like a book.  Not many people are that brave.  Check out Marisa's interview.  She will make your effort in your twenties feel inadequate.  Don't miss the opportunity to get to know this young, beautiful, overachieving lady.  Be careful though, she may make you lift 2 pounds, 750 times in a row, to pop music you have never heard before.

Howard Stern, Mick Jagger, Charlie Sheen, and Vance Hinds, what do we have in common?  Dr. Natasha Janina Valdez Solomon.  Can you believe I said those names in the same sentence as mine?  Our guest on the podcast this week is a published author, a syndicated radio show host, and a nationally recognized expert in her field.  Dr. Natasha is a successful sex therapist, clinical sexologist, and former radio host who has counseled thousands of couples over the years through her own radio show and appeared on programs like The Howard Stern Show. She has written for many national publications and has sold more than 100,000 copies of her instructional sex DVDs.  Dr. Natasha has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Texas, a Masters Degree in Clinical Sexology from the Institute for Advance Study of Human Sexuality, and a Doctorate Degree in Education for Human Sexuality from the Institute for Advance Study of Human Sexuality.  She is Board Certified by the American College of Sexologists.

Dr. Natasha has published two books:

A Little Bit Kinky.  A Couples' Guide to Rediscovering the Thrill of Sex.

Vitamin O: Why Orgasms are Vital to a Woman's Health and Happiness - and How to Have Them Every Time!

 Dr. Natasha is this generation's, Dr. Ruth.  She's owned a couples-oriented sex shop in Austin, Texas: 365 Days 365 Ways.  She's dated, Charlie Sheen and Mick Jagger.  She's been featured in Playboy magazine and designated by Playboy as a Vixen of the Internet.  I have to say, I was a little bit intimidated by interviewing Dr. Natasha.  But Mary, Wynne, and I had an absolute blast with her.  Wynne Stallcop filled in for Kevin for this interview.  You will remember Wynne from Episode #1.  Dr. Natasha made us feel at ease and accepted our amateur podcast ways.  I promise you do not want to miss this podcast.  We discuss everything mentioned here, as well as how motherhood has changed her opinion of her life's passion.  It was a great interview.

Sometimes I wallow in self-pity.  After interviewing Seherzada, I don't know if I have that luxury anymore.  Sherry Burris was born Seherzada Kantarevic in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the breakup of Yugoslavia.  She was born during the Bosnian War.  The Kantarevics were Bosnian Muslims and fought against the Serbians.  Sherry describes this as a civil war between Muslims and Christianity.  Her family was on the losing side.  The Kantarevics fled the country.  For three years of Sherry's young life, age 3-6, she lived in Bosnian Refugee Tent Camps.  It was this experience that shaped the focus and direction of her life.  Sherry remembers the individuals that would come and meet with the refugees, the lawyers.  Sherry remembers that these individuals were there to help them.  She knew she wanted to be a lawyer when she grows up.

He family immigrated to the United States.  The Kantarevics settled around the Garland area of Texas.  Sherry grew up a Muslim in Texas.  Sherry was in middle school during the 9/11 attacks.  Her family lived through the anti-muslim sentiment in Texas and the United States following the 9/11 attacks.  When Sherry became an adult, she made the bold choice to convert to Christianity.  Her family abandoned her.   A friend's mother adopted her as an adult and she changed her name to Sherry Burris.  She continued to pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer, putting herself through college and law school.  Now a newly licensed lawyer in the State of Texas, she is currently working at the Ellis County and District Attorney's Office.  She obtained her dream of becoming a prosecutor.  Her passion is to eventually prosecute crimes against children.  Sherry has not forgotten where she came from.

When I learned of Sherry's history, I knew I needed to interview her for my podcast.  This is a serious, passionate, dedicated, young lady.  She is a superstar lawyer in the making.  We all can learn from her dedication, hard work, and passion.  Check out her story.