2016 – Looking Back

Yea, I realize Facebook is doing a look back for us, but I really wanted to create my own! I realize there are still 22 more days left in 2016 but it has been such a great year I really wanted to do my “look back” now!  🙂 First off, let me just say how much I love my wife of 19 1/2 years Carolyn.  It has been my mission to travel less and spend more time with my best friend in the whole world.  And 2016 was the beginning of that new chapter.  It started with a really fun New Years Eve celebration at Ralphie’s Fun Center in Glasgow, KY where we bowled, laughed and sang in January 2016!

But it wasn’t long until I was back on the road for a short time directing and acting in “Moonlight and Magnolias” at Jenny Wiley Theatre in Pikeville, KY. Even though the audiences weren’t what any of us hoped for I had the distinct privilege of directing and sharing the stage with some incredible actors.

Paul and Don I’m so honored you decided to join me in what will be one of my favorite stage experiences! We had a lot of fun didn’t we? I also got to share the stage with one of the most wonderful young women in all of Eastern Kentucky, Shannon Kirkpatrick Daniels.  She was fantastic!

Plus, she had to clean up this mess every night! It was a crazy experience that included missing a performance or two because of Old Man Winter.

In early February I headed back home to Glasgow, and moved in to our new home on “the farm”! What a joy it was finding this place, owned by two wonderful people Kerry and Karen! It has become our peaceful haven for sure!

After getting acclimated to our new place and spending some quality time with the love of my life, I did head back out on the road to my ‘home away from home’ Tyrone, GA to start a new journey in the country.  “Into the Woods” to be exact. I started in late March and continued there until early May.  What an incredible experience it was to finally do a s Sondheim piece! And boy was it a great show!

While there doing “Into the Woods” I also had the honor of playing the wicked witch “Lotte” in the Legacy Theatre children’s production of “Hansel & Gretel”

I came back home for a few weeks and thoroughly enjoyed my little break, complete with a little fire and some guitar behind our new house!

In June I was back down in Tyrone, GA at the Legacy Theatre to do the beautiful musical, “Mary Poppins”.  My goodness what a thrill it was each night playing George Banks. And the cast was outstanding!

One of the most wonderful things that happened while I was doing “Mary Poppins” was reuniting with my best friend from high school Warren!  It was like we just talked yesterday!

The show ended in early August and I was able to come home for a nice long respite! I can’t remember the last time I spent over two months at home.  I know that might be weird for some of you but it’s the nature of being a traveling actor and director. But boy was it great being home with my sweetheart for awhile!  Plus, in addition to my “kids” Neo and Jack there was now a new addition to the family, George!

What a great cat!  🙂 And he seems to get a long with great with his brothers! He sure is lovey!  And as if being home with a new addition wasn’t enough, my oldest sister Carla flew in from Pennsylvania and spent two wonderful weeks with Carolyn and me!  Boy we did have fun!  Whether we were in Nashville…

visiting historical landmarks…

Or just sitting on the back porch enjoying the South Central Kentucky landscape…

It was so wonderful having her visit us!  And honestly, I can’t wait for she and my other sister Fanny to come visit in 2017!

Another highlight of my 2 1/2 months home with Carolyn was the addition to a few goats on the farm!  They were great! Unless of course you walk outside in the morning and they’re no longer penned up!  No worries when you have Carolyn around.  Watching my favorite goat whisperer lead these fellas to safety was hysterical!

That was October, shortly before I flew down to Fort Myers, Florida to do my final show of 2016 here at the Off-Broadway Palm Theatre. It will be my last “traveling show” for awhile because I have some serious plans to set down some roots for awhile!  🙂 But before that happens I will finish up the year playing “The Guy”, my current character in “Another Night Before Christmas”.  My goodness what a heartwarming, rewarding show this has been! This two-person show also has me working with the ultra-talented Melissa who really shouldn’t be missed.  It sure is a wonderful way to close out 2016.

Well, this bearded guy has a lot to be thankful for in 2016!  But I’m most thankful for the time I spend with the love of my life, Carolyn.  Let’s have a great 2017 shall we?!!  Happy Holidays everyone!