Paying The Cost

“I’m payin’ the cost to be the boss”

Those are some of the lyrics used by Riley B. King (or better known as B.B. King) in his hit song “Paying The Cost to be The Boss” as well as the title of the album.  This album was loaded with songs that have become blue classics and worldwide treasures including “The Thrill is Gone and You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now”… to just name a few.  Remarkably his life story and how he rose to become an international music legend, prolific songwriter, singer and one of the greatest guitarists of all time is simply amazing and inspiring.  

If you read his life story, it does not take long to begin admiring what B.B. King has been able to achieve given his circumstances in dealing with obstacles, setbacks, a dysfunctional family, divorce, sickness and Type II Diabetes.   However, it has been his love for music, playing the guitar and singing about what he felt that has become his hallmark signature.  Additionally, his music and outlet has enabled him to touch countless lives over the decades.  His music has connected people, regardless of their background, heritage, and faith in many ways and has inspired others to push on beyond their limitations and to rebound from disappointments.          

He has been recognized with numerous accolades that are hard to count and continues to grow as he at one time performed over 300 shows each year for over 30+ years.  Some of his honors include Grammy Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Awards; inducted into the Blues, Rock & Roll Hall of Fames; Kennedy Center Honors, Royal Swedish Academy of Music Award, an honorary Doctorate in music by Brown University and in 2006 the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush. 

B.B. Kings tours have carried him around the world, including visits by the heads of state of many countries, played and recoded with other music legends and has even done a gig at the White House and singing with President Obama in 2012.  That is not bad for a little kid who grew up in Indianola, MS and who now has a museum in Indianola, several Blues clubs and restaurants in major cities and amusement parks.  His life did not start out this way; he did not inheritage a silver or golden spoon, but used what he had… “a desire, dream and gift.”  By the way, let us not forget about…“Lucille”… you got it! … the guitar.  Of course that is another story all by itself.    

What price are you willing to pay to help turn around urban Milwaukee?         

Staying In Shape

“You’re in pretty good shape for the shape you are in”

Those were the words of Theodor Seuss Geisel or better known as Dr. Seuss in his book called “You’re Only Old Once!”  It was published in 1986 and with a subtitle “A Book for Obsolete Children."  It was a book that focused about aging which chronicles an old man’s journey through a clinic.  Since 1957, many generations of both young and old have enjoyed reading his books.   Who can forget some of the classics… “Cat In The Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Horton Hears a Who!” to just name a few.  Many of his works have become basic reading for kids and include 11 television specials, four feature films, a Broadway musical and four television series.  

As a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1925, he found his love in being a writer, poet and cartoonist.  In all, he published 46 children’s books and often characterized them by using imaginative characters, bright colors and unforgettable rhymes.  He also wrote a pair of books for adults and one for graduating students… “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!.  Dr. Seuss in his own way touched on a number of subjects including life, war, growing up and politics.   Throughout his extraordinary career, he used his gifts and talents to help shape and reshape our lives in unique ways.   

Similarly today, there is a great need for people to rise up and use their God given gifts and talents to bring about positive change in our neighborhoods and to inspire a new generation to live a quality life.  We perhaps cannot do it the way Dr. Seuss did it, through his writing, cartoons, books, television and films, but we can do something that makes a difference.   We all can make a difference in what we say, how we conduct ourselves and through our actions.  This can be accomplished by setting goals, staying focus, believing in a mission and following a vision for a better world.  “In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves.  The process is never endings until we die.  And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.”  Elenor Roosevelt, First Lady of United States (1933-45).   The question is… what kind of share are you in?