Alabama's #1 Redneck

by: Janet Kynard, Founder/President It Happens in Alabama

janet@ithappensinalabama.com, http://facebook.com/IHIA2012, http://ithappensinalabama.com/blog

 

Wade Jones, 42 years old, of Ourtown, Alabama is not just the winner of $100,000 and the Winner of Redneck Island a CMT reality show, but a true representation of an Alabama redneck. While some people may take offense to being called a redneck and some may use the word redneck as an insult to others. My view and the view of many southern girls, of a redneck is a hard worker who takes care of their family and is a best friend to many. A redneck is there for you when times are bad and you didn’t even have to ask. A redneck is there when times are good and usually they were part of making those times more memorable and story worthy. So in my eyes, yes, Wade Jones is a true redneck.

I came to know more about Wade, when telling my husband, Steve, (Kynard….Not Steve Austin, Ha, Ha) about the new season of Redneck Island. You see, I have to keep him up to date on these type shows because he never watches them. While telling him of the first episode, he stopped me and asked about a contestant named Wade. Oh yes, he is one of my favorites and he is from Alabama, I told him. That’s when he let me know that Wade was one of his customers and just that day had found out that he was on the show. I pulled so hard for Wade the whole season, not just because he is a fellow Alabamian, or that my husband knew him, but because of his personality and character.  

I called and spoke with Wade, before the show had ended. It was one of those conversations that was as if I had picked up the phone and called and old friend. We talked about hunting, his growing up and his love of music and a little about the show. 

After the show was over, I went up to OurTown which is a crook in the road on Hwy 63, just north of Kowliga and met with Wade at OurTown Grocery. I could tell Wade loves his job there and cared about all the customers that came in, most of whom he knew by name. On this particular day, the new Lake Martin Living magazine had just arrived with Wade’s picture on the cover. The title was Ourtown’s $100,000 Redneck! Of course I got my copy and he even signed it for me! 

 We talked for over an hour and again, it was as if I had known him forever. Hollywood has not changed our redneck. The story of how he came to apply for the show was quite interesting. One night he was sat down to watch TV with his daughter, Hope and girlfriend Jan who he calls “My Beautiful Queen”. They were watching Redneck Island on CMT. Wade will admit real quickly that he is not a reality show watcher and does not watch CMT because he likes Southern Rock and Old Country. He told the two of them that he thought he should be on the show because he was a better redneck than any of them. I love Jan’s comment “you’re not going on that show and embarrass us!” Well, after they went to bed, Wade who admits he barely knows more than how to cut on a computer fumbled around and found the website and as a joke, applied. You see, Wade is one of those guy’s that if you tell him he can’t, he’ll show you just where he can.

In about a week, he got a call. He had to fill out a 50 page application and release forms, send in a home video and Skype an interview. He made it to the final 25 in LA and was in better shape than people in their 20’s and 30’s who got sent home because they couldn’t pass the physical. He credits his health to walking 5 miles a day, in the woods during deer hunting season. Humm, I’m thinking I need to try some of that woods walking! 

The group of 14 contestants left straight from LA to Mexico where he spent 25 days competing in challenges against the other contestants, 5 of which were also from Alabama. I played armchair redneck through out the season trying to call the best eliminations. The final 5 went down in the order I had called. I asked Wade how he was able to keep such a clear vision and not get caught up in the fishbowl. He told me that he and Justin Campbell, from RaglandAl, who was his best friend on the show and came in 2nd, kept each other straight and on course. He told me the secret was not being the strongest, the weakest or most annoying. He said “you want to fly under the radar line but not so far that your belly drags the ground.” 

Wade is not looking for a TV deal or anything after his commitment for appearances with CMT which will end around September, 2013. He loves his life as it is.   

Congratulations to Wade on winning and having the opportunity for such a great experience and congratulations to all who know him, you have got one of the best Rednecks on your side.

Wade Jones and Janet Kynard

 

USYKA goes Hunting and makes a Stand!

By: Brock Lacy and Steve Kynard/Pictures by: Brock Lacy

Edited by: Janet Kynard janet@ithappensinalabama.com http://facebook.com/IHIA2012, http://ithappensinalabama.com/hunting-fishing

 

(Brock Lacy)

Here is the question for you...Can U.S. Yoshukai Karate training help you while hunting whitetail deer?
 

     Well it was a warm...no scratch that...Hot weekend for hunting deer at 76 deg. on Jan. 12, 2013 but diehard hunters go anyway! So my good friend and hunting buddy Steve Kynard and I took another friend, who also is my karate instructor, Soshu David Koda, US Director of USYKA in Montgomery Alabama, deer hunting for a chance at his first whitetail. 

     The morning of the 12th we met up at the camp around 5:45 am in Highland Home Al. While sipping coffee, we talked out the plans for the morning hunt. We decide to put Sensei, which is “teacher” in Japanese, in a stand we call “The Pizza Hut” (when you see the picture you’ll understand why) because it had produced deer earlier in the season and we had good trailcam pictures of recent activity.

      After about 3 1/2 hours and no deer activity we decide to head back to camp, grab a bite to eat and make some plans to do some man drives. Steve and I talked, scratched some plans in the dirt while explaining to Sensei what we were going to do. We all put on our hunters safety orange, grabbed the guns and headed out again in search of the big buck!  With me as the driver/walker and Steve and Sensei being the standers/shooters, I push through several hundred yards of tall pines, scrub oaks and some of the biggest saw briars in Crenshaw County. As luck would have it, not a single deer wanted join the hunt. While heading back to camp, to re-hydrate from the nice warm walk through the woods, I was wishing I could have worn shorts! Knowing of the "Saber tooth gotcha vines" or as my dad would have called them a "wait uh minute bush", that was not an option. If anyone has ever met one of these, you know what I am talking about! It will stop you in your tracks and it takes a minute to get all the stickers off of you, so you can find the next one you won't see!

     Back at camp, cooling off and taking a break, mind you we have been on foot through all of these hunts, no ATV's or vehicles, I contacted a friend of mine who lives down the road a couple of miles. He has several hundred acres that he manages and I arranged the afternoon hunt.   

     We meet up around 2 pm and talk for a few minutes, before he took everyone to their stands. I went along with Sensei, on this hunt, just feeling good about the chance of having to recover a deer that evening. We were in the stand and settled in by 3 pm.  

     About 45 minutes had passed and we stood to stretch our legs. The stool, Sensei was sitting on, made too loud of a noise to allow deer to get close, so he decided he needed to stand instead. I mentioned we might be there a while, but he responded "I will be okay". Looking out the back window of the stand Sensei whispered "Don't move". Which means - Oh boy we got deer, to me! Apparently, while whispering and stretching our legs, a small buck came out of the wood line behind us, walked right by the base of the ladder to the stand, walked around it and jumped into the edge of the woods, to the right of the front of the stand. This stand is a 4x8 shooting house, roughly 8 feet above the ground. So, the little buck steps out of the wood line, a couple of minutes later, at 4:15 pm. Sensei is standing there with the forearm of the rifle resting on the window seal, while holding the stock, his feet further than shoulder width apart and his knees bent, so he could look out the scope and not be seen moving too much, being the window was too high to drop to one knee.

     Another small buck makes his way to the edge of the food plot and joins the first one at 30 yards away. By the way, I forgot to tell you that the window was oversized and we were standing directly in front of it, from stretching our legs and not wanting to squeak chairs. There was not a drop of wind blowing. Thirty five minutes had passed and Sensei had hardly moved, except for his left hand and a foot ever so slightly. As I slowly reached for my small binoculars, I noticed the stance Sensei was standing in. He was in what all USYKA members refer to as “Shikodachi” also referred to as a "straddle stance".

     Crunch...Crunch...another one steps out! This one was bigger than the first two, but we notice that it was a small buck, with about 3 inch spikes. Sensei and I had eyes peeled and worried about the other six eyes looking back at us. Suddenly, another snap and a crunch and out steps a larger deer. I was looking to make sure it wasn’t a spike buck and Sensei asked me “What is it?” I told him "It’s a large doe". By now, it’s been 45 minutes since the first deer came out and we were watching our daylight fade to darkness. Sensei asked "Should I shoot it?" I replied whispering "We are losing light fast and if you want a shot at your first whitetail, you best take it. She is a big doe." So he settles lower in his stance, snugs the rifle into his shoulder and wouldn't you know it, one of the smaller deer walks between us and the large doe! "Sensei, wait until she is by herself so we don't injure one of the small bucks" I said softly, crossing my fingers it wouldn't get dark on us too fast. 

     Finally she got partially clear and I told Sensei "Take the shot she is clear." Sensei settled in again and then she turns walking away. Finally, she turned back broadside - "BOOM!" Sensei drops the hammer! The deer did the all famous high kick and bolted into the edge of the woods, ran back out and around the corner of the field and out of site. Sensei asked "Did I get her?" I replied "Yes sir, you got her." We high fived and he said "Now what?'' I said "Let’s go get her!"

     Steve showed up, after a few minutes and helped us track the deer. We found her about 65-70 yards away and from that moment Steve and I knew the feelings Sensei was having. All of us whitetail hunters have had that feeling, when we got our first deer. But one thing I will never forget is this:  I… Brock Lacy… stood in that stand, on that afternoon, and watched Soshu David Koda, stand patiently, with his feet spread apart and his head lowered 6-8 inches, by bending his knees, while holding the majority of the weight of the back end of the rifle, for 50 minutes and not move Nothing, but slowly changing his hand and ankle positions, after a long day of hunting and walking. That was a Shikodachi stance I won’t forget.

So, yes! US Yoshukai can make you a better hunter and there is no limit as to what all it can help anyone accomplish. 

(Steve Kynard)

      It is customary when a hunter takes their first deer that someone takes some of the blood of that deer and puts it on the shooter’s face. Some of the “Putters” like to put a lot of blood on the hunter and some will just put a symbolic mark or dab.  

     A group of the hunters, who were hunting this area with us, said that they were going to blood up David’s face really good. In a very calm voice, David replied “I know a 7^th degree Black Belt that says that ain’t gonna happen.” I’m still laughing!

     Later on, back at our camp, when we were about to dress out the deer, David told me that since it was tradition, I could put blood on him. I know how tradition plays a huge part in the martial arts and this has been a long time hunter’s tradition.  I was honored he asked me to do it. I knew he trusted me enough to know that I would not paint his whole face, but just add a little “Indian War Paint”. I did the 2 finger dab on each check. After we had cleaned the deer, I offered to get him some water to wash up and David said, “Hell No. I’m wearing this home!”

 

David Koda, Owner of Us yoshukai Karate, Montgomery, Alabama

 

National Football Champions Flock to Montgomey, AL

The inaugural Raycom College Football All-Star Classic will a have a championship when the teams take the field at the Cramton Bowl on Saturday. The Stripes Team, coached by nine-time Super Bowl participant Dan Reeves, will dress six players who won a national championship in college this season.
Alabama (14-1) defeated Notre Dame 42-14 for the BCS National Championship on Jan. 7. The Crimson Tide has won three national titles in the last four years, including back-to-back championships in 2011 and 2012.
The Crimson Tide will dress four players for Saturday’s game, including defensive end Quinton Dial, tight end Kelly Johnson, kicker Jeremy Shelley and snapper Carson Tinker.
“It’s really hasn’t sunk in yet,” Shelley said of the Tide’s third national title in four years. “I know we won, but it’s just unreal to win three. It is a great feeling.”
Shelley and Tinker are among nine UA seniors who have won a school record three national titles.
“It means we have a lot of guys that know how to win,” Tinker said. “It has not sunk in yet. It’s not a dream; we put too much hard work into this to know it’s not a dream. It’s real. We earned it.”
Valdosta State captured the Division II National Championship with a win 35-7 win over Winston-Salem State in Florence, Ala., on Dec. 15. It was the school’s third national championship, all since the 2004 season.
VSU offensive lineman Ryan Schraeder is excited about the opportunity to play with the Alabama players. “There are a lot of good players,” It’s cool to play with the big dogs and the national champions and you realize real quick that you fit in with everybody.”
Schraeder also said he and the Crimson Tide players have talked about what their rings will look like.
“I had a chance to visit with (Shelley),” he added. “The Alabama guys are all laid back and we have talked about how big the rings are going to be and how much they will shine.”
On Saturday, all six national champions hope to shine one last time on the college football stage.
This has been a very exciting week at the Raycom All-Stars! Fan Fest was a very big success on Friday. Thanks Raycom Media team.

Raycom College Football All-Star Coaching Line-Up

Coaching line-up for the Stars and the Stripes.
RaycomCollege Football ALL-Star Game
January 19, 2013, 2:00 PM Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, AL
The game will be televised on the CBS Network. And will feature 100 of the Nations top Senior Athletes. Follow updates on http://ithappensinalabama.com/news and http://facebook.com/IHIA2012

ItHappensinAlabama‘s insight:

STARS HEAD COACH JIM BATES:
An outstanding defensive coach, Bates’ defensive scheme uses the defensive tackles to plug the middle, with the defensive ends pressuring the quarterback. Special emphasis is on the linebackers, as short, speedy LB’s are especially fitted for this format. Linebacker Zach Thomas and defensive end Jason Taylor are among the players Bates developed inMiami. Bates is well liked among players for being a fiery, energetic, demanding, yet fair and hands-on coach. He spent 17 years in the NFL withCleveland,Atlanta,Dallas,Miami,Green Bay,DenverandTampaBay. He was the interim head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2004. Bates began his NFL coaching career with the Cleveland Browns as defensive line coach in 1991. He then moved on to the Atlanta Falcons to serve as defensive coordinator in 1994, his first time at this position. It would only last one year, however, and Bates returned to the Browns to coach their secondary in 1995. In 1996, Bates was hired by the Dallas Cowboys as linebacker coach and was promoted to assistant coach/defensive line in 1998. In 2000, the Miami Dolphins tabbed Bates as defensive coordinator. Under Bates, the Dolphins defense finished no lower than 10th in the NFL in yards allowed from 2000-04. His first head coaching job in the NFL came in 2004 when he was named interim head coach for the Miami Dolphins following the resignation of Dave Wannstedt. He went 3-4 (including a Monday Night victory over the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots). He finished his NFL career with the Denver Broncos (2007) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009).

Before embarking on his highly successful NFL career, Bates was an assistant coach atTennessee,Southern Mississippi,Villanova,KansasState,West Virginia, Texas Tech andFlorida. He was the defensive coordinator on Steve Spurrier’s firstFloridafootball team that won theSECChampionship.

Both of his sons are involved in football. Jeremy was once the Offensive Coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks. James played linebacker at Floridaand was on the Gators 1996 National Championship team. James is currently a play-by-play announcer for the CBS Sports Network.

STARS ASSISTANT COACHING STAFF

Neil Callaway – Offensive Line Coach:
A long-time college assistant coach and head coach, Neil Callaway will serve as offensive line coach for the Stars squad at this year’s Raycom College All-Star Classic … He played for the University of Alabama from 1974-77, where he was a part of three Southeastern Conference Championship teams in 1974, 1975 and 1977 … After a standout playing career for legendary head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, Callaway spent time as an assistant coach at East Carolina, Wyoming, Auburn, Houston, Alabama and Georgia … He began his coaching career on Pat Dye’s staff at East Carolina (1979) and then followed Dye to Wyoming (1980) for one season … He then joined Dye’s staff at Auburn (1981-92) and helped the Tigers to one of the most successful 10-year periods in school history … In his 12 years on The Plains, Auburn won or shared fourSECChampionships, including three in-a-row from 1987-89 … He coached four All-American offensive linemen … He won a Conference USA title at Houston and threeSECChampionships at Alabama (1999) and Georgia while serving as offensive coordinator … He recently served as head coach at UAB.

Steve Crosby – Running Backs/Special Teams:
Steve Crosby, who retired as a player with the New York Giants after a serious knee injury, began his career as a scout with the Miami Dolphins before accepting a coaching position under the legendary Don Shula … The Dolphins went to Super Bowl XVII in 1982 … Crosby went on to have stints with Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles … In 1985 with the Browns, Crosby was the running backs coach that oversaw both Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack both gain 1,000 yards … Crosby joined the Chargers in 2002 as special teams coach under their new incoming head coach, Marty Schottenheimer … Crosby was honored as the 2007 NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year by Professional Kicking Services … His kickoff strategy with the Chargers emphasized placement of the ball—forcing the return team to one side of the field—as a tradeoff for the distance of the kick. During his Chargers tenure, four special team players were selected to the Pro Bowl including cover man Kassim Osgood (3-time selection) and Hanik Milligan, kicker Nate Kaeding (2-times) and long snapper David Binn … Kaeding, who started his NFL career under Crosby, was the NFL’s most accurate kicker of all-time as of the end of the 2010 season, converting 86.5 percent of his field goals attempts … Crosby played collegiately for Fort Hayes, where he was an AP Little All-American in 1973.

Kevin Garver – Offensive Assistant:
Garver just completed his sixth season on the University of Alabama football staff … He works closely with the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator and staff … He spent three seasons as a student assistant coach and two seasons as a graduate assistant coach … Last year, he worked as an offensive analyst … Alabama ranked second in the SECand 12th among FBS teams in scoring (38.71) this season … The Crimson Tide ranked fourth in the league and 16th nationally in rushing (227.50) and fourth in the SEC and 31st nationally in total offense (445.50) … Garver has been a part of threeBCS National Championship Teams at Alabama, including 2009, 2011 and 2012.

Charlie Jackson- Defensive Backs:
Charlie Jackson began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at UCLA (2002–2003) … In 2004 he coached the defensive backs coach and was recruiting coordinator at his alma mater, Air Force and in 2005 was a defensive assistant and in charge quality control for Green Bay … In 2006, he was named defensive coordinator at the University at Buffalo … At 29 years of age at the time, he was one of the youngest coordinators in Division I football …. He was later named special assistant to the head coach atUtahState…Jacksoncoached inDenverfrom 2007-08 and spent four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. .

Joe Kines – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers:
Joe Kines coaching career spans from 1976-2009, spending much of his career as an assistant coach. His career began in at his alma mater Jacksonville State in 1976 (defensive coordinator) followed stints at Clemson University (1977-79; linebackers), Florida (1979-1981; LBs/DC), Alabama (1985-86/DC/ILB), Tampa Bay (1987-1990, LBs), Arkansas (1993-94,AHC/DC), Georgia (1994-98; DC), Florida State (2000-2002; LB), Alabama (2003-2006; DC), before for his final job at Texas A&M (2008-2009; DC). Kines served as interim head atArkansasin 1992 andAlabamain the 2006 Independence Bowl.

Ed King – Offensive Line:
Ed King has been the offensive and defensive line coach and a computer instructor forGlenwoodHigh SchoolinColumbus,Ga., since 2010. He is also the line. During his time inColumbus, King was an assistant coach for two seasons for the Columbus Lions of the PIFL, mostly directing the clubs offensive and defensive lines. He coached the offensive line and taught Algebra Central Phenix City from 2008-2009. King played both collegiately and professionally with the Auburn Tigers and Cleveland Browns, respectively. Following his playing career, the Phenix City, Ala., native a realtor for Shephard Brokers from 2006-2007. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management fromAuburnin 1991.

John Levra – Defensive Line:
John Levra coached 44 years that included seven years in high school, 14 years at the college level, and his last 23 years in the pros, one year in the Canadian Football League and the rest in the National Football League. The Arma, Kan., native started in the NFL as running backs coach under Burn Phillips in New Orleans where he spent five seasons. He was defensive line coach with the Chicago Bears and Mike Ditka for seven seasons, capping the 1988 season by coaching in the Pro Bowl. He was offensive line coach for the 1993 and 1994 seasons with the Denver Broncos, again under Phillips. Levra was defensive line coach under Denny Green inMinnesotafor three seasons, and coached the Buffalo Bills defensive line under Wade Phillips from 1998 – 2000 season and coached under Greg Williams for 2001 and 2002, his final two seasons. He had the No. 1 defense in the NFL in 1999, and the No. 3 defense in the 2000 season.

Richard Mann – Wide Receivers:
A long time NFL assistant coach, Richard Mann will serve as the wide receivers coach for the Stars team at the inaugural Raycom College Football All-Star Classic … He has previously served as wide receivers coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002-08), Washington Redskins (2001), Kansas City Chiefs (1999-2000), Baltimore Ravens (1997-98), New York Jets (1994-95), Cleveland Browns (1985-1993), Indianapolis Colts (1984) and the Baltimore Colts (1982-83) … He also spent eight years as a college assistant coach with the Louisville Cardinals (1980-81) and Arizona State Sun Devils (1974-79) … He played tight end and receiver for the Sun Devils from 1966-68 … He was inducted into the Beaver County (Penn.) Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.

Russ Riederer – Strength and Conditioning Coach:
Riederer serves on the Advisory Board for the Raycom College Football All-Star Classic … He will also serve as the strength and conditioning coach for both teams at the Raycom College Football All-Star Classic … Riederer started his coaching career with stints at Kansas State and Purdue before making the jump to the NFL, briefly with the Green Bay Packers and then 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears … He played football at Kansas State.

STRIPES HEAD COACH DAN REEVES:
Dan Reeves will serve as head coach of the “Stripes” team in the inaugural RAYCOM College Football All-Star Game. Reeves participated in more Super Bowls than any other person in NFL history. As a player, assistant coach and head coach, Reeves has nine Super Bowls to his credit. He played in two Super Bowls (Super Bowl V and Super Bowl VI) and was also an assistant coach in three more (Super Bowl X, Super Bowl XII and Super Bowl XIII), and was head coach in four more Super Bowls with Denver (Super Bowl XXI, XXII and XXIV) and Atlanta (XXXIII). Reeves, a protégé of Tom Landry, became the youngest head coach in the NFL when he joined the Denver Broncos in 1981 as Vice President and Head Coach. After acquiring quarterback John Elway in a trade, Reeves guided the Broncos to six post-season appearances, five divisional titles, threeAFCchampionships and three Super Bowl appearances (Super Bowl XXI, XXII and XXIV) during his 12-year tenure. Reeves was fired after the 1992 season and replaced by his protégé and friend Wade Phillips.

He was the onlyAFCcoach in the decade of the 1980s to lead his team to consecutive Super Bowl berths and his Broncos appeared in the Super Bowl three times during a span of four years. He compiled a 190-165-2 record as NFL head coach. He also won four conference championships.

Reeves served as New York Giants head coach from 1993-1996. In his first season he led the Giants to an 11–5 record and a berth in the playoffs. Reeves’ 1993 season record is the best ever for a first-year Giants coach. Reeves was named the 1993 Associated Press Coach of the Year after helping the Giants improve from a 6-10 record in 1992. Reeves was fired again after the Giants went 5–11 in 1995 and 6–10 in 1996.

In 1997 Reeves was named the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. After going 7-9 his first season, Reeves tookAtlantato the greatest season in franchise history. The Falcons went 14–2 in 1998, going on to capture their first NFC championship. Reeves coached the Falcons to a 12–2 record before being hospitalized for the final two regular season games to undergo quadruple-bypass heart surgery in December. Reeves managed to return to the sidelines just three weeks later to lead the Falcons to victory in their first NFC Championship. Reeves’ Falcons were pitched against the Denver Broncos and lost Super Bowl XXXIII 34-19. In the process, Reeves earned the NFL’s top coaching awards as he was named the 1998 NFL Coach of the Year.

Reeves played with the Dallas Cowboys from 1965-72. He totaled almost 4,000 yards rushing and receiving and scored 42 TDs inDallas. He also played quarterback atSouth Carolinafrom 1962-64.

STRIPES ASSISTANT COACHING STAFF

Steve Atwater – Defensive Backs:
Steve Atwater spent most of his career playing free safety for the Denver Broncos from 1989-1998 before playing his final season for the New York Jets in 1999 … Named to the NFL’s initial list of Pro Football Hall of Fame candidates earlier this month … Atwater and Dennis Smith made up a Broncos secondary that was known for their ferocious hits on opposing players … He was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and led Denver to wins in Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII … Atwater was a two-time First-Team All-Pro (1991 and 1992) and was selected to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.

Steve Hagen – Tight Ends/ Running Backs:
Steve Hagen has coached seven seasons for the Cleveland Browns and his third as part of his second tour of duty with the club … Before re-joining the team in 2009 as tight ends coach, he was a member of the staff from 2001-04 … In his first stint with Cleveland, Hagen spent time as both the tight ends coach (2001-03) and quarterbacks coach (2004) … Prior to his work in the NFL, Hagen was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at California from 1999-2000 … He spent two seasons at San Jose State University as offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator (1997-98) … He previously served as the head coach at Wartburg (Iowa) College in 1996 … Hagen started as a graduate assistant at the University of Illinois in 1984 and served in the same role at the University of Kansas (1985-86), before getting his first full-time position, as receivers and tight ends coach at Northern Arizona (1987-88) … He had stops at the University of Notre Dame (1989-90), Kent State University (1991), the University of Nevada-Reno (1992-93) and the University Nevada-Las Vegas (1990, 1994-95).

Billy “White Shoes” Johnson- Special Teams:
Billy “White Shoes” Johnson played 14 years in the National Football League and is known for being one of the first players to display elaborate celebrations in the end zone … Johnson earned his famous nickname while at Chichester High School in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania, where he dyed his shoes as part of a dare … He played at Division IIIWidener College and was taken in the 15th round of the 1974 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers … A three-time Pro Bowl Selection and 1975 Pro Bowl MVP, White played in the NFL from 1974-88 … He amassed 6,258 kick return yards and eight touchdowns … He had 3,317 punt return yards and 2,941 kickoff return yards … He also caught 337 passes for 4,211 yards and 25 TDs … He spent the 1981 season with the Montreal Allouettes in the CFL … He had 1,060 receiving yards and five TDs in his lone season in the CFL … He played for the Houston Oilers (1974-80), Atlanta Falcons (1982-87) and Washington Redskins (1988).

Keenan McCardle – Wide Receivers:
Keenan McCardle was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and won two Super Bowl rings with the Redskins in 1991 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002 … He also played for the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Diego Chargers and Houston Texans … He coached the West squad wide receivers in the 2011 East-West Shrine Game, McCardle was hired by the Washington Redskins to coach their wide receivers, where coached from 2010-2011.

Pat Morris – Offensive Line:
Pat Morris has coached professionally for the Minnesota Vikings (2006-2010), San Francisco 49ers (1990-2003) Detroit Lions (2004-2005) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997-1998 and 2011), and at the college football level at the University of Southern California, Northern Arizona, the University of Minnesota, Michigan State and Stanford … Morris played collegiately at for USC.

Tom Olivadotti – Defensive Line:
Tom Olivadotti spent 40 years coaching football at the high school, college, and professional levels, the latter consisting of 21 years as a defensive coach for NFL teams such as the Cleveland Browns (1985–1986), the Miami Dolphins (1987–1995), the Minnesota Vikings (1996–1999), the New York Giants (2000–2003), and the Houston Texans (2004–2005) … His son, Kirk, is the inside linebackers coach at the University of Georgia.

Pat Perles – Offensive Line:
Pat Perles recently served as the assistant offensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs … He is the son of former Michigan State head coach George Perles … In 2010, the Chiefs led the NFL by averaging 154.2 rushing yards per game … It was just the second time the club had paced the league in rushing in team history … Running backs Thomas Jones (896) and Jamaal Charles (1,467) combined for 2,363 rushing yards in 2010, the fourth-highest total in NFL history by teammates with at least 500 yards each. Perles joined the Chiefs after nine seasons in the collegiate ranks … He also owns six years of experience in the Canadian Football League after beginning his pro coaching career with the L.A. Rams … He joined the Chiefs after spending six seasons at North Dakota State (2003-08) … He served as offensive coordinator during his final four campaigns … In 2008, Perles oversaw a North Dakota State offensive unit that averaged 29.9 points per game and 384.3 yards per game. Perles spent three seasons as the tight ends coach atMichiganState(2000-02) and also served as the club’s co-special teams coach in 2000. He was instrumental in the development of TE Chris Baker, who established school career records for tight ends in receptions (133), receiving yards (1,705) and touchdowns (13). The younger Perles served as a linebacker for the Spartans. He was a member of Spartans teams that played in the ’84 Cherry Bowl and the ’85 Hall of Fame Bowl.

Russ Riederer – Strength and Conditioning Coach:
Riederer serves on the Advisory Board for the Raycom College Football All-Star Classic … He will also serve as the strength and conditioning coach for both teams at the Raycom College Football All-Star Classic … Riederer started his coaching career with stints at Kansas State and Purdue before making the jump to the NFL, briefly with the Green Bay Packers and then 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears … He played football at Kansas State.

Chuck Smith – Defensive Line:
Chuck Smith is a former defensive line coach at Tennessee (2010-11) under Derek Dooley … While a player at Tennessee, Smith played in both the Sugar Bowl and Fiesta Bowl and earned MVP honors at the Senior Bowl … He was selected in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons … In eight seasons in Atlanta (1992-99), Smith established himself as an All-Pro defensive end and led the Falcons to Super Bowl XXXIII … In 2000, Smith left Atlanta to join the Carolina Panthers, where he played one season. After football, Smith worked as a radio host with V103 inAtlantaand works as a personal trainer for other football players. OnFebruary 5, 2010, Smith accepted a position as defensive line coach at his alma mater, theUniversityofTennessee, leaving the Vols coaching staff in Feb., 2011.

Thanks Raycom Media team for the greatd report! Follow up tomorrow for a line up of the players. Follow on http://facebook.com/IHIA2012 for extra updates.

See on ithappensinalabama.com

 

 

 

 

Raycom College All-Star Classic Week of Events

We are now just 4 days from the Raycom College All-Star Classic. This game will be a sight to see! Do you remember the Old Crampton Bowl? It looked like a high school stadium. The new stadium is state of the art, gorgeous and rivals other college stadiums in the state. We use to have the Blue Gray game which was played Christmas Day, before the bowl games, so it was hard to get the best players. But with the All-Star Classic being played after the BSC and all bowl games, except the Senior Bowl, the best of the best have been invited to play. There are players from all over the state of Alabama and the USA. In my next posting, tomorrow, I will begin giving you the roaster. To follow updates on promotions, like my fan page on Facebook

!!!!! Check your local grocery stores and pharmacies for Coke products with All-Star Neck hangers. You can get 2 FREE children's tickets with the purchase of one (1) Adult!!!!!!

Here is the schedule of events for the remainder of the week:

Wednesday, Jan. 16

9:30 AM STARS Practice (Cramton Bowl)

10:45 AM STARS Assistant Coaches and Players Available (Cramton Bowl)

1:45 PM STRIPES Practice (Cramton Bowl)

3:15 PM STRIPES Assistant Coaches and Players Available (Cramton Bowl)

Thursday, Jan. 17

9:30 AM STARS Practice (Cramton Bowl)

10:45 AM STARS Assistant Coaches and Players Available (Cramton Bowl)

1:45 PM STRIPES Practice (Cramton Bowl)

3:15 PM STRIPES Assistant Coaches and Players Available (Cramton Bowl)

Friday, Jan. 18

9:30 AM Hospital Visit (Selected Players) (TBA)

Noon LEXUS All-Star Luncheon (RSA Activity Center)

3:00 PM STARS Practice

4:00 PM STRIPES Practice

3:00 PM Coca-Cola FanFest

3:00 PM STRIPES Autograph Session at FanFest

4:00 PM STARS Autograph Session at FanFest

Saturday, Jan. 19

2 PM Raycom College Football All-Star Game Kickoff

Post game Head Coaches, Offensive MVP and Defensive MVP on podium at stadium

 

 

 

 

I Saw the Light...With Hank Williams

 by: Janet Kynard, Founder/President It Happens in Alabama
Hank Williams Sr, born Hiram King Williams , who had a big influence on Country & Western music and may, in fact, be the most influential of all times, is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama. Hank’s gravesite was voted as a Top Must-See place in Alabama by the followers of It Happens in Alabama. 

 

 

Following the release of I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive, at the young age of 29, Hank passed away, in the back seat of a baby blue Cadillac, somewhere between Bristol and Oak Hill, Tennessee on New Year’s Day, 1953, on his way to play a concert in Ohio. It was reported he died of heart failure, possibly brought on by his use of morphine and alcohol to ease his life long pain from scoliosis. Because of his back, Hank was physically unfit to serve in World War II, when his entire band “Drifting Cowboys” was drafted. 
 
His funeral was held at the Montgomery Civic Center Auditorium with an estimated 25,000 people crowding around the building outside listening as Roy Acuff, Red Foley and Ernest Tubb sing at the service. (click on Funeral to listen to the 1953 funeral service)

Hank was originally buried on January 4, 1953 in the main part of Oakwood Cemetery, but his body was moved to its current location on January 17, 1953 to a spot that would later be big enough to accommodate the burial of other family members. The move had to be made during the night because there were so many visitors to the gravesite.

 



The gravesite features two white and gray Georgia marble monuments. Hank’s stands in front of a marble replica of his cowboy hat and is inscribed with many of his hit songs – A Mansion on the Hill, Lovesick Blues, I can’t help it, Hey Good Lookin’, Jambalya, Cold Cold Heart, and more. Three of his biggest hits were released after his death: Take these Chains from my Heart, Kaw-liga, and Your Cheatin’ Heart. At the top of the monument is his song I Saw the Light which is also referred to as Hank Williams Funeral Song. On the back of Hank’s monument is a letter from Audrey. 
 
The other grave belongs to Hank’s ex-wife, Audrey Sheppard Williams, who died on November 4, 1975. Audrey was not originally buried next to Hank. In 1983, Hank Williams Jr. and Lycrecia Williams (Hank’s stepdaughter), had Audrey’s body exhumed and buried in it’s current location, next to Hank. The back of Audrey’s monument is inscribed with notes from Lycrecia and Hank Williams, Jr.

Hank’s mother Lillian is buried between Hank and his older sister, Irene who passed away in her sleep, March 23, 1995 at the age of 73. Irene served as the original ‘Drifting Cowboys’ first booking agent.

Fans and tourists from all over the world stop by the gravesite every year, and many people attend ceremonies that are regularly held on the official anniversary of Hank Williams’ death January 1st, as well as on his birthday, September 17th.

Country singer and songwriter, Alan Jackson wrote a tribute to Hank, called Midnight in Montgomery, which tells a tale of a memorable visit to Hank’s gravesite.
‘Cause it’s midnight in Montgomery
Just hear that whippoorwill
See the stars light up the purple sky
Feel that lonesome chill
When the wind it’s right, you’ll hear his songs
Smell whiskey in the air
Midnight in Montgomery
He’s always singing there


Because of this song, many fans and locals visit the grave around midnight. It is not unusual for cemetery custodians to find beer cans and liquor bottles, both empty and full, by the gravesite in the morning.

Hank Williams Music is inspiring singer and songwriters to this day. The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams EPK by Columbia Records was created from writings left behind. The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams premieres the first-ever performances of 12 previously unheard Hank Williams lyric compositions newly set to music by 13 artists including Bob Dylan, Jack White, Alan Jackson, Norah Jones, Lucinda Williams, Vince Gill, Sheryl Crow, Merle Haggard, Patty Loveless, Rodney Crowell and others.
If you like this article, please click “like” at the top of the page and share with your friends. Please feel free to leave your comments. 

Things I love About ALABAMA

Summer Wild Hogs in Titus, Alabama

This video is of pictures of wild hogs caught on our tree cam in Titus, Alabama, during the summer of 2012. At first we would only see one or two at a time, then the herd showed up. We were never able to put a pattern together of when they would show up, so we were not able to get one for the freezer, but we will be back after deer season. Like us on www.facebook.com/ihia2012  Music by Sons of the Pioneers Whoopee Ti Yi Yo - FreeMusicArchives.org (Loyalty Free Music)

Cahaba River Camping

This is our camp site on the Cahaba River, near Selma Alabama. We stayed for 2 nights. There was a high pressure so the fishing was not that great on this trip, but the camp site was heaven!