Check it out! My first ever video. This one's about finding poetry written by my father that I never knew he had written. A poet? I certainly didn't know it! He never told me. So ten years later, World Audience Publishers in New York City liked the poems and published them in the book To the Prairie and to God by Harold L. Gray and co-edited by Kevin Gray and M. Stefan Strozier.
Music
Why Bruce? There's more to this than "He's the Boss!" Just enjoy the videos! Otherwise, I'm not about to list every single band/artist I listen to. I grew up a Beatles/Beach Boys/Stones fanatic, but my listening went much farther. Starting with my first two 45s (yeah remember those little black "disks"?), I found Ricky Nelson and Elvis Presley. From there, the videos tell the story. Enjoy. In not particular chronological order except for the Ricky (first record I bought) and Elvis (my second record). I was about 10.
Yeah, this photo is for real, although a bit grainy and worn. After all, it's 38 years old. Bruce Springsteen is at the left with long hair and Vini "Little Stevie" Van Zant (The Sopranos) had just joined the band, Steel Mill, for this pre E-Street Band gig at the Hullabaloo Club in Richmond, Virginia in 1970, when I took this photograph.
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg,KS
Graduated: 1976
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Major: English
Minor: Journalism
Clubs: The Collegio
1971 to 1976
Freeman High
Richmond,VA
Graduated: 1971
Student status: Alumni
Degree: High School Diploma
About me: MySpace Backgrounds
People keep telling me that MySpace is for young people; Facebook is for adults or something like that. What? Young people are people, too! I'm a retired (I call it "chose to get out") English/journalism teacher from a small Kansas high school. I happened to care about my "kids" and had a great rapore with them. I still say the only good thing about teaching is/was, "the kids!" But rather than continue clashing with the powers over education philosophy, I deemed it wiser to get out and pursue those very same things I wanted to do with kids -- but do them for myself and my family.
My life now is busy. I'm not sure how I used to get it all done. My wife, a former kindergarten teacher, takes care of twin girls (just turned two), which means I help a lot with them. They're so much fun, a lot of work, but so much fun and this gives me a chance to continue working with kids -- this time with counting and colors and so many other skills those little brains are soaking up.
As for me, I spend the other part of each day writing, marketing and building. Before leaving teaching, I had already completed a master's degree in Creative Nonfiction from Antioch University. My thesis, a memoir, will publish later in 2008 thanks to World Audience Publishers at worldaudience.org. I spent the fall of 2007 in a final rewrite. There will probably be one more rewrite to trim.
I also published a book of poetry (posthumously)that my father had written between 1936-1941. I never knew about this poetry until after my Dad's passing in 1997. See the book To the Prairie and to God by Harold L. Gray at totheprairieandtogod.com. I also have created colorful posters using my photography and Dad's poems. Check'em out at totheprairieandtogod.com. The To The Prairie website has just been revamped, so for that reason check it out right away. Now, I'm anxious to meet new people, young and old alike, and to promote Dad's poems of youthful optimism mixed with a realization of his pre World War II mortality (hey -- he was in his teens when he wrote most of his poetry!). And, then, there's my own book, titles Waking Up in the Studebaker. This one takes the reader to Richmond, Virginia, where I grew up. Like I say on my book cover, "There was more to the 1960s than sex, drugs, and rock and roll." Oh yeah, the sex, drugs, and rock and roll are a part of this book, but "Man" it took more to live those days than a reliance on those three things. Much more! Waking Up, though, is an a coming of age story that runs from 1952 to 1968. Let's put it this way, "If I could survive the hurdles those days threw at me, anyone can do it!" So go ahead and check out the poetry book website and be looking for more on Waking Up in the Studemaker. And be patient. This MySpace site isn't the easiest thing to construct. But,then, this is another one of those things I didn't have time to deal with back as a high school teacher. How I wanted to take the high school paper and yearbook to an online format. How I foresaw creating an online newspaper and magazine, doing something unique online with the yearbook...but more on this and so much more later. This is why I don't understand what the big deal is about young and old and MySpace and Facebook. We're all people. My kids called me Gray or KGray. Simple enough. My father had been Mr. Gray. Not me! No way. Hope you like my mug shot this page. That's not my real hair, just a wig, but this seemed to fit the slot. Just havin' fun. But isn't that the point? Gotta go.
Check these out! I'm making posters. My Kansas/prairie
photography and Dad's poems. At totheprairieandtogod.com, you can see how much and how to order. And as I get more time, I'll be making more posters.
Thank you so much Kevin for honoring us with your precious friendship.... We hope that you are having a wonderful morning and that the adventures of your Life feel like a ride on the mystery train of Pure Joy.....Thanks again......
We’re very excited to tell you that soon you can see ‘When I Find the Ocean’ on the big screen!
Starting on May 11, 2009, Carmike Cinemas will be showing ‘When I Find the Ocean’ on over 90 screens nationwide. Check out our blog to see exactly where and to find out more info.
What a trip reconnecting...man the cobwebs came off and I was remembering so many old friends and good times. So glad you're digging the songs. Just remember....you can never pull the plug on Bruce!
Kevin, how wonderful to hear from you! You're not the only guilty one here--I've been horrible about getting on the computer at home and keeping in touch with everyone. Just hate to get on it when I've been on a computer all day at work.
Glad to hear you're keeping busy. I'm very excited for you about your house--how long will all the rennovations take?
I hope you and Diane have a wonderful Christmas, and I hope the New Year holds many fantastic surprises for you! Take care!
Hey Kevin, Once again we were witnesses to history. I believe the 2008 election and it's result is the most important political event I have participated in.
I was hopefull when we elected Doug Wilder our Governor, but electing Barack Obama President changes everything. This is a transcendent moment.
Personal note: I posted a review of "Waking Up in the Studebaker", on Amazon. com. I thoroughly enjoyed your book and encourage others to take the ride with you.
If you can use my humble opinion in your marketing, please feel free to do so.
Hey Kevin, I just finished reading "Studebaker" and I can feel the pebbles under my bicycle tires, smell the leaves burning in the fall and taste my first Black Label. Great job my friend.
Hello Kevin, Posting a comment to tell you that I am thoroughly enjoying my ride with you, as I cruise along in the Studebaker.
I enjoy your easy going story telling. This is a must read for any West-End Richmond kid from the neighborhood. Hell, I still live in the neighborhood and it's a real trip down memory lane; but so much more. Thanks for sharing your life experiences with us. I'm reading slowly and carefully savoring each adventure.
Went to your website--love it! Just can't wait to see more.
You like the hair? I went to a website called yearbookyourself. com and came up with this. You can put your face into "year book" photos from 1950 to 2000. I chose the year 1966. Seemed alright to me. But I would've looked good in '74 too!
After all those emails you and I wrote back & forth about Steel Mill, I can't believe you referred to this guy only as "Vinni. " Dang! It's the Sopranos' Sil! I'm still in shock! :-D
This is way too much fun! Yes I do remember Kay, I didn't remember Schmidt but reading her full name knocked down the "brain block" for me, thanks.
I thought I remembered you hanging with Tom and David. I think Tom is behind the Beex space, so check him out. I haven't had time to research David yet, let me know if you find him.
I checked out Kay's space, and she is still a very free spirit; way cool.
I live in the Westhampton neighborhood near St. Christopher's school, and so I'm familiar with Bookpeople. Let me know if you get the books in there, I'll support you locally. I have enjoyed reading your Dad's poetry. I have always enjoyed poetry and wrote a bit as a youngster, and still do if you count lyrics.
Check out my new picture adds, a broad sample of my work. Let me know what you think...
Hey Kevin, What's Shakin? Nice Pics from the Paola Roots Festival '08. Great energy in those shots.
I was recently talking with my mandolin teacher, Jimmy Payne, an old friend since 5th grade. The topic of old High School music aquaintences came up. We rememberd lots of cats including Mike McAdam. Not surprised to see him on your page. Mike's page had a friend I also know, Beex a Richmond act featuring Tom Applegate and his wife, the late Chris Gibson. Did you know Tom? He was also at Freeman. Thinking of Beex reminds me of another mutual music friend, David Stover. Man it's a small world.
My old pal Jimmy is currently in a Celtic group, and I went to a rehearsal with them yesterday. I was honored to be invited. Jimmy and his friends could play with anybody, all top notch players.
I'm still working to get my chops back, and having the time of my life doing it too! I'm really focused on the Mandolin now, but also playing some Bass and Irish Bazouki, and a little Bodhran.
Your new pictures really do capture the essence of the artists energy. Nice work Kevin!
I'd love to get press access to some of the shows I go to. As it is, I have to work with the audience view, except in the occaisional small venue. I must add some more work to my page.
Ahhhhh.... Mike's page! That's pretty much what I figured, although I'm still surprised you bothered to look at that hideous face above the name "Meemoo." haha. But every now and then, I change my picture to one more NoRmAL.
I saw Keith in your friends list. Took me a few minutes, but I DO remember him now. Small world. As for facebook, my son spends more time over there than on myspace. In fact, many of the "older" kids (college age and beyond) are heading in that direction. Myspace is fun and has plenty of musicians, etc., but those more seriously into finding old classmates & friends are at facebook now. I don't have an account there, and probably won't get one any time soon. The couple of websites I check in to daily are already more than I can handle.
Good to see you here, Kevin! And thanks for the compliments on my family. They ARE sweeties. :-)
Check these out! I'm making posters. My Kansas/prairie
photography and Dad's poems. At totheprairieandtogod.com, you can see how much and how to order. And as I get more time, I'll be making more posters.
