Tony on the Mic

The senior night speeches from the team in the boys' own voices! 

Here we go with part two of the awkward meets the awesome weekend! The grown up “cool” Tony revisits the stomping ground of clumsy, evolving Tony. We meet the legends Gail and Kimmie face-to-face. Kelly Dufford’s light still shines as bright as it did in high school. I come to terms with my preconceived notions of Summerville versus the reality. I have a new nemesis – Randy Ward – he thought he was so cool on the dance floor… My wife rents me out to anyone who doesn’t have a dance partner, and much much more about people you probably don’t know! We pick up after me, a racially mixed kid moved from an all black Chicago neighborhood to a more segregated South Carolina in the late 70s. I had a huge chip on my shoulder, like most high school kids. I felt invisible, like most high school kids - dealt with divorce, crushes, insecurities and triumphs. We talked last time about the trip and the events leading up to the first night gathering. If you missed part one, go back and check it out as it sets the stage for the 40 year reunion on Summerville high school! If you are listening to this live (or semi live, it is a podcast) Summerville takes on Fort Dorchester high school THIS Friday night, October 8th at Summerville! Lets go Green Wave!

The long-awaited reunion episode! Part one! So many memories it is a 2 parter! With my brother BJ as co-pilot I talk about how this summer, the wittiest person in the class of 1981 (750+ graduates) went to my 40 year high school reunion in Summerville SC. Everyone was so much older than I was! And I was so much cooler than they all remembered. I talk about how teenage Tony processed the south and how the grown up Tony reconciled it. I pay tribute the holy trinity of high school crushes, invite the most well know alum of that year – Perry Cuda – to come on the podcast. I was also crowned king of the dance floor. Talk about shark’s teeth, grits, and southern hospitality – which is a real thing! Shout outs to Jamie at Waffle House, Blake at Hyman’s and congrats to Bryn and Nigel – a couple we met in the lobby after their wedding, they all get mentions in this episode. I went on a diet, bought some Rogaine and wrinkle cream and held my stomach in for a 48 hour trip down memory lane! 

Today I sit down with Scott Atwood, recovering alcoholic. He has not a drink in 17 years, but still has to focus day to day and considers himself “recovering.” He talks about his days of hiding vodka bottles in snowbanks and nights of drinking alone. He has sponsored several people, why some were successful, and some weren’t. We also talk about some of his youthful shenanigans, his go to deep dish pizza joint, his faith in mankind – moving to new regions without a job. And his great leap to San Diego for Love – and the ultimatum that made him face his demons and make a choice. 

On this episode I sit down with Valory J Lawrence and she opens up about her struggle with weight, injuries and pain. She is battling depression, injuries and immobility.  We launch a contest to name her crippling bitch of an inner voice, and hatch a plan to kill it. We talk about her comedy touring days and how that was. We also try to look forward and lay out a plan to mobility and health.

Can I get an Amen? Today I talk to the God Squad  - shout out to Keeping the Faith – Ordained Reverends Tom Owen-Towle and Richard Lawrence met in the stands of a little league field watching their grandkids play. They enjoyed each other’s company and talked about sports, life and Religion. Then years later, they discovered they both participated with Martin Luther King, John Lewis etc. and marched from Selma to Montgomery for voting rights for black people. They came from Chicago and California and helped clean fields prepare sleep areas for the famous multiday march. Here their tales about the march, their view of the progress over the last 50 years and what we can do today to keep doing God’s good work. We mix in some gospel music and spread the word and my dad talks a little about … Kale? 

Brian is a 26 year-old Engineer with a great job, a wife, new baby and just bought a house. Then, during Covid, he was diagnosed with Lymphoma. He shares how he tried to make sense of it all and how he coped with it. He is in the middle of his Chemo schedule and the prognosis is good! We also talk about his days as a science nerd, band nerd and just all-around nerd. We talk about the time he saved a 2 year old from drowning in a neighborhood pool, his scenic proposal to his wife, he tells me what songs “slap” and more!

On this episode I get to know Chris Holmes, the new head coach of the Grossmont High school football team. He talks about his history coaching high school football here in east county, much of it with Foothiller rivals. Chris credits his coaching influences and mentors, some of his favorite teammates, players and moments and his goals with the team. We talk about student transfers, 7 on 7s, and other high school football topics. We learn he is a SpongeBob guy, a big Tupac fan – that took a turn – and we discuss which John Wick was the best of the trilogy. 

My guest today is Jonathon Evison, New York Times best selling author. Adult content, lots of candor and I stopped beeping about 1/3 of the way through… Jonathon wrote All about Lulu and Lawn Boy, both of which I read and recommend, and he just released Legends of the North Cascades, which I have bought, but not read yet, its on the list! He has another half dozen books and his latest, small world, is due out next year. We talk about his process and inspirations, generational parenting and do a deep dive into Seattle Music and some Seattle sports. He sings his rejected original jingle for the Seattle chamber of commerce. He once kicked someone out of his band, who later help form, and is still a member of Pearl Jam… I guess it worked out for both of them. 

A little "adult" language, and less than perfect sound due to the zoom - but a fun, nonstop ride! 

I sat down with Dalton in the spring when there was talk of some schools playing football in the spring. Utah played a (semi) regular schedule, so I waited until he started camp at Utah to release it. Dalton talks Division 1 football and the transfer portal. He talks about the Utes and the season outlook, his favorite teammates at Utah and at USD. Why he transferred and how that all came down. We also talk about his lost loves, first crushes, his “agile, birthing hips,” and day 8 hazing at USD. WE compare old school music versus new school music, and he stabs me in the heart with what he considers “old school” – spoiler alert, most of it I think is pretty current… We also go on a surprising Taylor Swift deep dive and I learn the new way to dunk an Oreo!