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Ohio.

Hello my friends. It's time for us to hit the road. I'm hoping for lots of fun stories and great music. Before we get started, I am going to take a moment to let you in on a few things that I've done this year. (Don't worry, no air travel stories...yet! :-D ).

The first thing that I want to share happened the week of May 14th. Working with Bruce has opened all kinds of doors for me. One of them being public speaking. That's right sports fans. Your boy is now open for all types of speaking engagements;-) I mean the sky is the limit. Malls, kid parties, business functions. I might even speak at a political event (What! It could happen).

Okay! Now back to reality.

I was ask by a Professor from the University of Ohio Southern if I would be interested in speaking at an event for the university. This is to be a speech for their Diversity Task Force Spring Quarter program. As many of you know, I am a very shy person;-) I prefer staying in the background. It takes a lot to get me to the front of the stage:-) But after thinking about it for about oh!! 10 seconds, I jumped at the chance. Okay! for real.

I thought to myself "why not', here is a chance to really make a difference. I have been blessed. I am doing what I've always dreamed of. And I want to pass that on and give others hope in following their dreams.

After speaking again with Professor Jarrett, we come up with a plan. Now keep this in mind. I have never stood in front of an audience alone before in my entire life. And on top of that I am going to speak to a room full of kids. I am petrified. This will be the hardest thing that I have ever tackled. It's easy to be on stage playing behind Bruce or another artist. But when all eyes are on you. This is another thing all together. I have no plan. The best way for me to handle this, is to not have a prepared speech. I will pull this speech from my experiences in life. (Heaven help me):-). I will either fly like an eagle (song reference) or crash and burn. But, you will not know what you can do unless you try. (That's my theme)

Professor Jarrett and I came up with a plan. We would get together the day before the first program to go over ideas. We wanted to make sure of being on the same page. But, of course Delta Airlines did not attend the meeting (this is a whole other story).

So, the day that Professor and I were suppose to meet to discuss the event. I am sitting in a Holiday Inn, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Yikes! I am starting to rethink this whole public speaking thing.

My flight is on time the next morning (thanks Delta). I finally meet Professor Jarrett, we hit it off from the start. we talk about the program. I am informed that I will not only speak to College students, but high school and middle school students as well. This is a very big deal....:-)

The program will include a little jam session with the students, professors and myself. Now at this point. I had told myself that this was no big deal. You can do it with no problem. But, after doing a quick soundcheck and checking out the university. I am now ready to run for the hills. My palms are sweating. It is all I can do to stand still. I have a new respect for anyone that can stand in front of a group of people and speak, perform or teach. You guys have a really hard job.

It is now showtime. Professor Jarrett is the master of ceremonies. I am standing in the rear of the room as students, parents and teachers beging to fill the Riffe Center.

It now becomes very clear to me that this is a big deal. There are newspaper reporters. There is a reporter and camera crew from a local tv station. And there is little old me (what was I thinking?) And then I hear my name. It is showtime.........

I head to the stage and strap on my bass. I am going to play a few solo things to break the ice. (I need it to relax me) Music has always had a calming effect on my life. And I really need to calm myself down at this moment. Just like always, music does the trick. And now it is time for me to start talking. Professor Jarrett and I had a plan that if at anytime in the speech, if I started sinking, I would give him a signal and he would come to the stage and we would do this as a team.

We would never need this plan. I don't know how or where the words came from. But once I started speaking, things just fell into place. I can still see the faces of the people in the audience. I wanted to make sure that these kids knew that whatever success I have achieved came with hard work and a love of my craft. And I wanted them to know that they could have the same and more. I hoped to inspire people to trust life and to make better choices.

I was supposed to put on a one hour program. The time went by so fast. It seemed like only 15 minutes. I have since received emails thanking me for coming to Ohio University Southern.

I have to thank the University and the community for having me. I now think of myself as being part of the community. This is my adoptive home. The kids were great. I had the great honor of meeting some wonderful people. Thanks for your time and energy. I am very humbled and thankful that you allowed me into your lives. And I want to let you know that you have had a profound effect on mine.

Professor Charles Jarrett and the whole Ohio University Southern staff and students, I would like to thank you for having the vision and courage to put on such a program. Your commitment to the area is inspiring. I am truly honored to have been a part of this program. I feel such a connection to your University. Please feel free to call on me for anything.

We are now talking about doing it again next year. I cannot wait. I hope to see you all there.

Peace,
JV

PS, To all of the students.. You can do whatever you want to. I will see you soon. If you send me an email I will answer each one. Don't forget to follow your dreams:-)