Open Mike Night --- Remembering My Singing Days (Boy Could Garrick Play)

I woke up this morning in South Boston, VA (still staying at the SoBo Inn for a bit longer) and went right to my Facebook account, a common practice. Not sure why it's the first thing I check in the morning; perhaps it validates that nothing too crazy happened overnight and there is still a semblance of normalcy in the world. Back to South Boston and why I'm here -- the new job is still going very well and I'll be re-opening the school in a couple of weeks. Just waiting on some computer cable to be installed and my admissions/job placement process to be completed.

Back to the point. First thing I noticed on Facebook this morning were wedding reception pictures posted by a W&M classmate, specifically author Sean Heuvel. Live from the Officers Club at Fort Belvoir. I had to laugh and make a pithy comment -- "hey an old karaoke haunt from LONG ago!"

Probably about 18 years for anyone keeping time.

I have tried over the years to obtain footage (mostly by my sister Carrie) that was taken of me singing - anything - just to prove that I did it once upon a time. Any footage is on VHS and I only know that it's at my parents house somewhere.

The funniest thing is that my singing comrades during the 90's might be surprised to learn that it has become a thing of the past for me. Never found a great spot in Newport News, although Elizabeth and I liked Chadwick's at Point Plaza back when we lived a stone's throw away. Many of my fellow songsters, have gone on to sing in bands (Five by Five comes to mind..ahem..Vicki! Billy Clemens is also rocking along, keeping the spirit of Cash and Haggard alive.) Some of my singing buddies are no longer with us - actually, more than I can count on one hand, possibly two.

With time to think tonight, and every night here, I took a trip down Memory Lane and ended up on the wooden platform of GW's in Old Town Alexandria. Back in the day, GW's was the open mike spot for country and our place to go on Sunday nights. Sunny usually won or placed high in the contests. She passed away a few years ago. Tommy was the classic country singer, complete with a ten gallon hat and stage name. He has moved back to the Ohio side of the Ohio/West Virginia line. We lost GW, also known as Gary Wayne Miller, last year. Heck, GW's is now the Rockit Grill. Point being, we'll never be able to relive this time, but it was SO MUCH FUN. After singing with the various bands, karaoke suddenly lost its luster, and it's little surprise that I essentially gave it up within a couple of years.

Some favorite moments included singing an eight minute rendition of "Mustang Sally" with Benny Dean and Southern Rain one New Year's Eve (1998?), a version complete with extended solos. Other memorable times for me included sitting in with a few of the bands at various honky tonks up and down Route 1.

During that time, my favorite guitarist to sing with was a dude named Garrick Alden. He played with City Slicker, and a couple of other bands. Didn't matter if you brought your voice to the stage or not -- when Garrick was playing, you were always going to sound good cause he rocked the house.

I found a recent video of Garrick and it's posted on the right. Just a minute long jam that gives one an idea of how talented he is. And yes, he has been a session player in Nashville. There's no way he'd remember me, but his playing popped up in my head this morning so I went looking for him tonight. Just glad to see that the old boy is still grinding his axe -- well!! Rock On Garrick!

Bateman Inducted into World Karate Hall of Fame

Adding another accolade to a long list of achievements, Jeff Bateman, the lifelong Hampton (VA) resident, karate instructor and owner of the Isshinkan Academy of Martial Arts, was recently inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame.

Kyoshi Bateman (far right) with a group of medal
winning students at last year's Commonwealth Games

Over his long and illustrious career, Bateman has earned numerous awards and titles, while rising to the ranks of 8^th Degree black belt in karate and 7^th Degree black belt in Zen Okinawan Kobudo. Much of his training has been conducted under the guidance and tutelage of Master Tadashi Yamashita, with whom he has been affiliated since 1988.

While entering a Hall of Fame is not unusual for the 54-year old Bateman (he is already recognized as a Hall of Famer by 12 different sanctions), there were a couple of noteworthy twists at the most recent ceremony, which was held in Tannersville, PA this past June.

The first surprise for Bateman came when he saw the list of inductees.

“If you have ever seen the (1988) movie “Bloodsport,” the character that Jean-Claude Van Damme plays is a guy named Frank Dux. The movie is based on the true story of Dux (pronounced Dukes), who infiltrated the underground (and illegal) Kumite matches of Hong Kong, while gaining notoriety as a fighter for things like scoring the quickest knockout.”

At the World Karate Union ceremony, Dux was inducted next to Bateman (“he was one and I was two”), as both men were awarded the Golden Lifetime Achievement Award of Honor in testament to their 30-plus years of martial arts instruction.

The second special event came in the form of two more Hall of Fame inductions, to Bateman’s students, turned fledgling teachers, Nathan Luckado and Brandon Kolipano.

“That was the neatest thing,” said Bateman. “Martial arts is all about respect, dedication and loyalty. They make time out of their busy schedules to come out from Virginia Beach and Whaleysville volunteering to teach and help me. Both have been with me for over ten years.” Luckado and Kolipano were nominated by their mentor and inducted as Associate Instructors of the Year.

In the past year, Bateman has closed his dojo on North King St., but is now working in conjunction with the Hampton Parks and Recreation Department and operating his school on Tuesday and Thursday nights at the Fort Monroe Community Center.

After over a year of peaceful negotiations, the city and the teacher came to an agreement that appears at face value to be symbiotic.

“They (Hampton Parks and Rec) wanted me to teach, and I wanted to be on Fort Monroe.”

 While the early membership numbers are low, Bateman retains optimism.

“Our student base is not there yet,” admits the kyoshi. “Some of our students from the old school came over. But the economy is tight, and it can be hard to ask someone to pay money for karate lessons when they might need it for...well, food!”

Speaking of the other positive aspects to be gained, Bateman continues. “I want to make lessons affordable for people. Our classes are right on the water, overlooking the Hampton River. The scenery is beautiful. The facility is beautiful. And the instruction is top notch.”

The Hampton dojo for Jeff Bateman’s Isshinkan Academy of Martial Arts has moved to the Ft. Monroe Community Center, which is located on the former Army base at 100 Stirwell Rd. Current classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30-8:00. For more information, call their phone number at 757-544-KICK (5425), while the website can be found at www.jbkarate.com.

Remembering Joy Meyer - Update - 5K Race in Newport News (Mariners Museum on Sat. Aug. 17)

In Joy Meyer's memory, the Menchville cross-country team will be participating in the Smart Smiles 5K race next Saturday. It's at Mariners Museum park across from Warwick H.S. on August 17th. Check in is at 7, race starts at 8. High school students get in for $10, and for everyone else it's $20.

From teammate Sarah Scott - "After Joy passed away, our team decided we wanted to have a race to honor her. Because it's quite difficult to book a race this late in the season, we contacted the Smart Smiles Race directors to see if we could sort of use their race to gather together a bunch of teams and run for Joy. They said of course so now we are trying to spread the word. The Smart Smiles Race seems appropriate because everyone remembers Joy by her fantastic smile So if you can, please come out to run next Saturday, August 17th at 8 am, in honor of a remarkable girl. Teams are most welcome! We want as many people there to run with Joy as possible! Thank you!"

I have been fighting myself for the past few days. After the saddest event in my 16-plus year coaching career, I have wanted to write something about the passing of Joy Meyer, a 14-year old incoming freshman who briefly ran for our Menchville H.S. cross-country team before collapsing at practice and passing away last Thursday. When  I accepted this new position teaching for the Department of Corrections three weeks ago, I had to give up coaching the team, which was a tough decision, and one which has been noted here recently. 

In a million years, I never would have expected such a tragic event to occur. In the end it was nobody's fault, but rather one of those unfortunate and unavoidable events, the kind that we hear about happening (to somebody else) every few years -- the kind that makes you go -- wow, there was a person who was so full of life. In the short time I knew her, let there be no mistake. That person was Joy.

Being out of town, I missed Menchville's first day of practice after Joy's passing, which was yesterday. I'll also be hard pressed to be able to attend the service on Wednesday evening and funeral on Thursday. Thankfully, I was promised that if I wrote a statement recalling my time with Joy, it would be read at the team gathering. I did and it was. 

I probably have to apologize to a few people. Posting this does stand the risk of stepping on the privacy of the family and the sanctity of the team bond. Which is why I have been fighting myself. But there are still many positives which can occur because of Joy's life. One of them is the Memorial Fund, noted here from the Facebook page created in her memory. Please read and contribute if you are able. Below the Facebook section is what I had to write about my remembrance of Joy Meyer. Of course she left us too soon. Teammate Christian Gray, who at 17 is far beyond his years as a leader, role model and team co-captain had some wonderful things to say about Joy. But the best quote I have read so far came from her Gildersleeve Middle School classmate, Danielle Richard, who said.. "Imagine if you were looking at a pile of diamonds. Wouldn't you take the biggest and brightest one first?"

Makes sense when you think about it. And the Menchville team will continue to run with Joy.

R.I.P Joy Meyer We Love You

7 hours ago near Newport News

There is a Joy Meyer Memorial Fund that donations can be made to at the Riverside Health System Employees Credit Union. I believe all donations go there directly. I will not be handling donations of any kind. I'm sorry for the confusion. ~Danielle Richard

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  Glenn Woodell Donations can be made at the Riverside Health System Employees Credit Union or at the Hampton Roads Neurology office: 12200 Warwick Boulevard, Suite 110, Newport News, VA 23601. (757) 534-5100. The POC is Julie Rejzer (pronounced like 'razor').

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***

It’s amazing when someone is only a part of your life for a short time, yet leaves such a large impact. Like many of us, I only knew Joy for a couple of months, but her memory will stay with me for a very long time.

I remember our first meeting well, just because it was so memorable.

Back in June, a few of us visited Gildersleeve to promote our team. It was a great day as David, Sarah and Stephanie spoke to the 8^th graders about how great it was to be on the cross-country team. Following one of the presentations, we went to our table and were followed by quite a few students. In fact, about 42 people signed up that day, but the only name I remembered was that of the young lady who marched right up to me and announced – “Hi Coach, I’m Joy and I want to run.”

For about 10 minutes we had a nice talk. No, she had never run and wanted to know if it was hard. I told her, honestly, yes, but if you join, I promised her it would be fun. She enthusiastically signed up.

On the first day of conditioning, once again, she made a beeline right up to me. “Do you remember me?” Now, I am terrible with recalling names, but I wasn’t going to get cornered. “Yes I do. You’re Joy!” She was so happy to see that I did indeed know who she was and I was quite relieved to not get stumped.

I was only able to see practice for three weeks, but do recall the enthusiasm that Joy had for running. As the coaches have mentioned, she really lived up to her name. Her smile could light up a room and it looks like she was a great friend and enlightening presence to many. Although her time with us was short, I truly believe that her memory will last in our minds and hearts. My prayers are with Joy’s family, and I would like to make one request – that our team and Menchville cross-country family will dedicate this season to Joy’s memory. I’ll miss her greatly, but know that she has become a brighter light in a fantastic place.