It all began in Winnipeg
but we moved around a lot
Melbourne and Sydney
were only a couple
of our many stops.

After two years in Australia
it was off to Vancouver
Then, back to the prairies
to a town called Swan River.

That’s where my sister died
at four years of age.
Measles took Sandra
and filled me with rage.

I’ve few memories
of much after that
But I do recall
My mom was growing fat.

Returned to Winnipeg
for the birth of my brother
and lived in Grandpa’s house
till my folks bought another.

Met a friend named Barry
and we played some ball
Loved his sister’s
strange music
plus, she was a doll

We bought a new house
in a burb called Transcona
I went to TCI there
and began dating Lana.

 Unfortunately, wearing shades
in the classroom
and writing tunes
Appears to have gone over
like big lead balloons.

Played a little football
for the Transcona Nationals
But me turning pro
seemed a little irrational.

Had to do something
’cause my grades were so low
Hey, maybe becoming a Rock Star
was the way to go

Mr. ‘D’ gave me an “A.”
but it wasn’t enough
Time to leave TCI,
so I packed up my stuff.

Bought me a “Strat.”
and put it in tune
Started singing with the “Devines.”
the next afternoon.

Talked my friend Rolly,
into playing Bass
Added Pete Fade and Gordy
as we picked up the pace.

Became the Rebel Raiders
a rockin’ band
Then we morphed
into the Phantoms
who had a lot more fans.

Played a lot of gigs
but we partied too much
The Phantoms were over
cuz we were out of touch.

The times were a-changing
it was plain to see
So I got Bruce Ray and Terry
to join Rolly and me.

Became The Jury
with a whole new sound
Cut a few hit records
and toured more towns.

With our #1 record
still on the charts,
My baby girl Candis,
grabbed hold of my heart.

Time to grow up
and be a man
But I still kinda miss
being a kid in a band.

I was destined
to be a radio guy
And most of what I do now
I learned at old CKY.

Had a boss named Jimmy
who let me run
And to this day
we’re still having fun.

When the Americans left
I felt hung out to dry
I had to get out of KY
or my career would soon die

Packed up the family
and headed for Saskatoon
But had to promise
we’d return real soon.

Realized upon arrival
I needed my own team,
If this move was ever gonna
kick start my dream.

My first radio hire
was a hippie named Gar
He helped me a lot
as we gathered our stars.

Sebastian and Woody
where part of the gang
When we added Alfie and Doc
we came on with a bang!

Headed to Sudbury
for a four-month stand
But Ottawa came calling
and changed all my plans.

Learned to get ratings
which we got in abundance
Up until then
I just played my hunches.

Arrived in Ottawa
a family of three
Which consisted  of Lana, Candis
and me.

But a Man needs a son
so we wanted one more
We hit the “Bigs,”
a proud family of four.

Ted Rogers and Keith Dancy
tried to lure me away
But I had little interest
till they doubled my pay.

CFTR in Toronto
was the start of it all
They made me the manager
but America called

We’d created a format
which became the new way
It turned out so good
it still works today.

Roger Sharon and Keith
helped move the station along
But alas, too soon
twas the end of that song.

Headed for the States
and a brand new life,
But the move wasn’t popular
with Lana, my Wife.

Crossing the border
was a terrifying thing
But there’s no turning back
so this can’t be no fling.

What a great life
Indy turned out to be
But all that’s left now
is Fulton’s documentary.

10-70 and the Buzzard
were big back then
Wish me and Moto
could do it again.

Great seeing Cris
inducted into the Hall of Fame
Loved being back in Indy
and seeing Little Linny again.

Hung out with Chapman
at K-V-I-L
We made magic in Dallas
and gave ’em all hell.

Kay-Ville used to be
the best in the nation
Now; sadly, she’s just
another boring radio station.

Had a whole lot of fun
at F 1-0-5,
Where Austin in Boston
made the town come alive.

Show us a sign
you want some free money
RKO went talk …
they weren’t no dummies.

Launched WRMF
in sunny Palm Beach
It had a monster signal
with a hell of a reach.

Morley’s crew
showed little fear
#1 in South Florida
in less than a year.

Had a lot of successes
and was living well
But approaching 40
started ringing my bell.

California Dreaming
was the name of my game
Time for me to
chase fortune and fame.

Celebrated my 40th
in the Polo Lounge
Lots of my friends
all came round.

Even my wife, Lana
decided to show,
But her moving to Cali
was still a no-go.

Loved living
in San Diego
Hey, what’s not to like
When you’re doing great, radio.

Had an operations guy
by the name of Reid Reker
McCoy had  pre-hipped me
that he was a keeper.

We spent a lotta time
looking for muses
In dark, dingy bars
filled with losers.

He was my guy
cuz he wrote things down
Otherwise, we’d have nothing
to show for our nights on the town.

Loved Coronado,
which I did with “CLASS.”
Soon there were 40
and they all came with cash.

Time to buy stations
and be “The Man.”
Which was a hell of a long way
from being a kid in a band.

Partnered with my Brother
and CFO Bill Yde
he raised a lot of money,
but it sure wasn’t free.

We bought K103
in Portland
where we had some fun,
we tore the town up
and it’s still #1

Travel more travel
don’t know what I feel
As I sit high above Wall Street
doing a huge deal

Took a break from it all
aboard the Orient Express
When I got back
it was all in a mess.

No company, no marriage
just me on my own
But I’m kinda happy
even though I’m alone.

Did another tour
of Boston Mass
Ran on the Charles
and became quite fast.

Had some good times
with Bobby and Tim
And it felt good to be
back working with Jim.

Started dating Lesley
who worked at the station
But fate jumped in
while I was on vacation.

It was in Palm Beach
where I met the girl
Who’d soon put an end
to my New England world.

Kari lived in Florida
so that’s where I’ll be
Jim had some stations there
which was lucky for me

Things heated up
and we got a little crazy
And before we knew it
she was having my baby.

Never got married
wasn’t meant to be
But the fun years with Cami
made it all worth it to me.

She’s a beautiful young lady
who I see all the time
We travel, we laugh
and I’m so glad she’s mine.

She went to College
at USF
Where she studied psychology
and signing to the deaf.

The next lady of interest
was young and wise
Unfortunately, I was mesmerized
by her lying eyes.

The Hunny Bunny
was much too young
But all I remember
was our breathtaking fun.

Cami graduated
and now lives with me
But I’m hoping she becomes
what she’s destined to be

Getting her Masters
is next on her list
Wow another graduation
I’m not gonna miss 

Now it’s come full circle
as I return
Back to the place
where I began to learn

An overdue reunion
at old CKY
And probably our last chance
to say our goodbyes

Saw Deno Corrie
who’d MC’d for my bands
Warren and Embree
were also on hand

Unfortunately, we’d waited
too long
Cuz most of the 1st team
were already gone.

Caught up with Hennessy
and we talked about ‘B.’
Got to hang
with Bruce and Terry
and reminisced about
being the Jury

Good to see Burton Cummings
and Ray St. Germain
They sang a few of their tunes
but Burt was in pain.

His mother wouldn’t make it
through the night
But he was by her side
when she gave up the fight.

My reunion continued
in an enjoyable way
With a surprising lunch
the very next day.

Quail put it together
with Mr. ‘D.’
The only TCI teacher
who gave a damn about me.

Inducted Chapman
into the Hall Of Fame
Did it on National TV
which ain’t my game.

Now I’m blogging
and writing three books
Hoping to finish
before God gives me the hook.

It’s been a bizarre trip
that’s gone by too fast
I’m just hoping these words
won’t be my last.

Not done yet
Got more chapters to go
Like stuff about my Grandson
whom I’m getting to know.

Not sure where I’ll be
years from now
Does a woman or a place
get my final vow.

I’ve got an urge to teach
which may lead somewhere
But where that is
I don’t really care.

My life continues
with bucket list trips
like taking the train coast-to-coast
which was cool and hip

Nathaniel and I visited
Stanford and Berkeley,
then rode the rails to Seattle,
which was a hell of a journey    

 Next on our list was
Harvard and Boston College
Then off to Princeton and Georgetown
to gather more knowledge

Me and Reg did
a trip across Canada
and had a blast.
Got off in Winnipeg
to do some drinks
with folks from our past

Made it to LA
for N’s graduation
Now he’s going to Brown
one of the best
in the nation

(to be continued)

GEORGE A. JOHNS