I recently replaced an '05 generation IPOD for the new IPOD "TOUCH" and when transferring my library of around 800 favorite song titles to the newer gizmo, couldn't help but laugh at the crazy assortment and musical styles I listen to so often.

I became fascinated with music - listening to dee-jays on that little transistor pocket radio in the 1960's.  I would dream of sitting behind a radio microphone and "spinning" records - I even created a make-believe radio station in my family's garage.  That cardboard control panel with it's fake dials and my little record player gave me a taste of what would later become reality when a friend of my Dad's invited me up to the local radio station to witness "the real deal".    One visit inside that control room, one exposure to the excitement of sitting behind a real control board and radio microphone and I was "hooked"!

At 16, I convinced my Dad to drive me to Houston where I took the test for an FCC Third Class broadcasting license.  Much to both our dismay, I failed it the first time, so we drove back home and I got the book back out and studied harder.  Promising my Dad that the next trip would be worth all the trouble, we hit the road again, and this time the results were better.  I passed!

By my sophomore year in high school, I had wrangled my way into a part time job as a weekend late night dee-jay at KTXN, the local FM radio station.  A dream realized!   That eventually lead to a job offer to leave my hometown of Victoria and Victoria Junior College and head for the big city of Corpus Christi where I spent 8 years fulfilling a dream.  Music was, and still is a passion...but the styles and play lists have certainly changed!   I love my career in TV, but I listen to the "jocks" of today, and well...I still think I could "out talk and out play 'em" on that radio dial. 

So, what are my favorite tunes on the IPOD?  Well, they are a strange and eclectic blend.  I must confess that I am not too crazy about "hip-hop" - although being the father of a 17 year old, I am exposed to it frequently.   Truth be told, I DO have one or two in my personal play list.  My selections range from the gangsta rapper, SLIM THUG to the Florida based country music yodeler, SLIM WHITMAN.   My all time favorite singer/songwriters are JAMES TAYLOR, CAT STEVENS and GORDON LIGHTFOOT.   But there's nothing that motivates me to tackle yard work or clean the garage than ZEPPELIN'S "The Ocean", "Gallows Pole", "Goin' To California" and my favorite LED ZEPPELIN tune, "Ramble On".

With the "shuffle" feature on the IPOD, I might next hear "Nessun Dorma" a great operatic standard by PAVAROTTI, more recently made a hit on YOU TUBE by former cell phone salesman PAUL POTTS.  Ahhh, and I love my old school country.   No two sounded better together than the late CONWAY and lovely LORETTA!   Lord knows I've listened to hours of DAVID ALLEN COE, CHARLEY PRIDE, WILLIE NELSON, "Mighty" MERLE HAGGARD, 'ol possum GEORGE JONES, WAYLON, JOHNNY CASH, GENE WATSON - to name just a few!  

I'd be curious to know if you find equal pleasure in the strains of certain songs and if RAY CHARLES belting out a soulful classic stirs you like he does me!   Come on!  Share those IPOD "favs" with the rest of us.  Gotta go now...I hear JETHRO TULL'S "Locomotive Breath" crankin' up in the living room....