Good stuff coming out this week

Been a while so I figured I would update a little. First off, I have two articles coming out this week that I was able to put in the "finished bin" yesterday. I took a trip to Nashville and did something really cool that you will just have to read about. My other story is real cool also. I met a world famous fashion designer and spent some great time with a lot of close friends and even some new friends. As for the Parkinson's. The new medication is working great, but don't expect me to blog often or anything. Blogs are too much of a hassle, every word you say can result in a lawsuit and that is just so stressful. The flip side is if you play it safe and always talk about yourself it is boring. I truly think a blog can drain you. Soo, I update this blog from time to time. I personally love Nashville. I get to get away from all the churn of politics and recharge and get balance. Politics and politicians and political races are exciting but it is a lot like a marathon race. It is long and grueling and in the end makes you stronger but it takes a lot out of you. Politics can be confusing at times. Truthfully, with the exception of a select few, you don't know who your friends are, who you can trust, and it can be very humbling. You can speak to someone for an hour straight and walk away from the table thinking your a close good friend and then a day later have someone tell you something that makes you realize you were lied to the whole time, your not trusted and are absolutely clueless to what is really going on and maybe it was just a manipulation game. Like I said it can be very humbling. But at the end of the day, when you have two killer articles, one with a major positive impact on society, and one that has a positive impact the hopes and dreams of a small group of people...it makes it all worth it. Please note. The statements listed immediately above are the sole opinion of the noted writer of the above document.The information should be construed as an open opinion and information contained in this document represents facts to the best of the writers knowledge and should not be viewed as permanent certified fact but that as the way the information is interpreted by the opinion of the author.

Book review

Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath by Mimi Alford OK for those that don't know one of my hobbies is researching JFK. Well when I came across this book I was blown away. Not just because of the information with juicy details but how it relates to Knoxville politics in an indirect way. The book shows how Kennedy used his power and was able to bend the rules. How he had people looking out for him so he could have affairs. Well in a round about way the same thing occurred during Black Wednesday. We have a lot of scandals we can choose from. Well they all boil down to "a feeling of entitlement." This book is a great "get into the mind of a politician book." Yes, it is JFK, the ultimate politician but you really can learn a lot. As for the book itself, it is awesome if your into JFK. Please note. The statements listed immediately above are the sole opinion of the noted writer of the above document.The information should be construed as an open opinion and information contained in this document represents facts to the best of the writers knowledge and should not be viewed as permanent certified fact but that as the way the information is interpreted by the opinion of the author.

Who will step up in the Democratic Party

I been meaning to blog about this and got some free time. At the Boyd Cloud Club meeting for the Democrats on Saturday it was mentioned a number of times that the Knox Dems need new people to grow the party. Case in point, the only elected Democrat at the meeting was Sam McKenzie a county commissioner. Now I find it mind blowing that one of the strongest clubs in the Democratic Party of Knoxville did not have a single City government official. Throughout the meeting the old timers were talking about the glory days. Sort of like this... Now, I am not in the business of naming names but there are a lot of newly elected Democrats, the Mayor's office has people making good coin and now more then ever the Democrats should be out in full force at these meetings telling their supporters all the great things they are doing. They should be destroying stereo types of being tax and spend and should be in the field rallying their soldiers. Politics is not a 9 to 5 job. It is a 24/7 job plain and simple. Please note. The statements listed immediately above are the sole opinion of the noted writer of the above document.The information should be construed as an open opinion and information contained in this document represents facts to the best of the writers knowledge and should not be viewed as permanent certified fact but that as the way the information is interpreted by the opinion of the author.

The problem with blogging

So a blogger breaks wide open the Gloria Ray scandal and what happens? Everyone else takes credit. Kudos to BH he got recognized by Mad Dog Mike Donila and nobody else. I mean in my honest opinion it is like someone using your music without giving you credit. I thought about busting out some gossip last night but then I thought, why? So lazy tv journalists can steal from the bloggers and act like they are Woodward and Bernstein? Blog watchers are wondering what BH is going to do now that he has a family member working for a local tv station. I mean seriously he is in a catch 22. Blog about big stories and have other stations take credit like the Gloria Ray scenario...or pump the info he gets to his family member's TV station and pump up the TV ratings. As for my blog, my meds for Parkinson's have a good 3 hour window in the morning. When I first wake up I can take my meds and type for about three hours. I like blogging but don't like not getting credit and the majority of headaches that comes with blogging. So I got no clue what the heck I am going to do. Please note. The statements listed immediately above are the sole opinion of the noted writer of the above document.The information should be construed as an open opinion and information contained in this document represents facts to the best of the writers knowledge and should not be viewed as permanent certified fact but that as the way the information is interpreted by the opinion of the author.

Boy bands are back

They made their US Television premiere last night and are currently charting on itunes...sadly I have yet to hear them on Knoxville radio. Please note. The statements listed immediately above are the sole opinion of the noted writer of the above document.The information should be construed as an open opinion and information contained in this document represents facts to the best of the writers knowledge and should not be viewed as permanent certified fact but that as the way the information is interpreted by the opinion of the author.

On the cutting edge. From the White House to American Idol.

Big things are happening in the world of leverage this week. First off "Anyone But Mitt."

Interesting back story to the photo of me with surging U.S. Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum. My good friend Antonio had me racing all over town getting stories and he was like lets go to the Tennessee Right to Life dinner. So we got their after it ended and Rick was still answering questions. It was October 21, 2010. He was very nice, his people didn't throw me out like Romney's people did who wanted no press in the building. I had a feeling he might go far. So I snapped some photos and wished him luck. Moral of the story, always hustle and always get the photo!

OK, now this is where I am really excited. My good friend Jordyn Mallory http://www.jordynmusic.com/ has made it to the Hollywood round of American Idol! I did a feature story in The Focus on Jordyn back in June of last year! I recently attended the Country Music Association official after party with her. I really feel she has a strong future. Speaking of parties, the official Nashville Grammy Awards party happens Sunday and I am so excited to be attending as a member of the Grammys! OK, the one thing that has really been taking up my time is http://www.teenhoot.com/ It is pretty close to being sold out. Last Teen Hoot was such a global phenomenon that it trended #3 world wide on twitter for over four hours. It was real exciting for me to be part of a new social media strategy that is taking music to the next level. Our goal is to rock the world with the #1 spot. We got new contests that I believe can help us pull it off! It is an awesome feeling being a part of something so huge that it involves literally the whole world. Again, I bought into the vision of revolutionary iconic record producer David Malloy when this event was being held in a small studio. It has since grown to an international level. If you find local political races interesting, then imagine going from trying to persuade 8,000 voters to trying to persuade 100,000,000 twitter users to tweet your concert. We will pull it off! I don't plan on going to The Bistro anytime soon. Look, it made international headlines and to be honest me going to that restaurant is like me going to a restaurant where an ex-girlfriend dumped me. The food and service are great but the reality is it just does not feel right being their. the end- Dan Please note. The statements listed immediately above are the sole opinion of the noted writer of the above document.The information should be construed as an open opinion and information contained in this document represents facts to the best of the writers knowledge and should not be viewed as permanent certified fact but that as the way the information is interpreted by the opinion of the author.

Why Stacey Campfield Wins...

Great quote Saturday morning at the Boyd Cloud Club Democratic Meeting held at 8 am at Shoney’s on Western Avenue. One veteran Democrat stated an example on why Stacey is tough to beat. He said that during one election every time the Democratic candidate knocked on a door the person answering said that they already promised Stacey their vote because he had already been to their house 4 times! He was very serious. Please note. The statements listed immediately above are the sole opinion of the noted writer of the above document.The information should be construed as an open opinion and information contained in this document represents facts to the best of the writers knowledge and should not be viewed as permanent certified fact but that as the way the information is interpreted by the opinion of the author.