It was a cloudless October day, and I found myself at the small Barkley Lake Airport, eagerly waiting for a private jet to arrive. After a short wait, I spotted a dot in the sky that gradually grew larger as the jet approached the runway, executing a smooth landing. My buddy Tim the pilot, greeted me as I prepared to load my camera gear onto the aircraft. The excitement was high as we were embarking on another elk hunt out west.
With all the gear safely stowed, I took my place in the co-pilot seat next to Tim. We had a quick and smooth take-off on this sunny afternoon as we made our way to Lexington to pick up an additional passenger. Upon arrival, we were met with a warm welcome at the General Aviation terminal, where they literally rolled out the red carpet for us. Our passenger turned out to be none other than country music singer, John Michael Montgomery. I had met him briefly before, but this time we were going to have a chance to” shoot the bull” We loaded up John’s hunting gear and prepared for our flight to Panama City, Florida.
During the journey down, I sat in the back with John, exchanging hunting stories and enjoying the camaraderie. John had a concert scheduled in Panama City that night before we were to depart for New Mexico. The two-hour flight to Panama City was pleasant, and upon landing things started to roll.
Within 30 seconds, a white van pulled up to our jet, and John’s manager stepped out. In no time, Tim, John, and I swiftly loaded up, all set to go. As we passed through the gate at the private aviation terminal, we paused briefly, waiting for about a minute. Then, to my astonishment, a police car pulled up, its blue lights flashing, ready to escort us through downtown Panama City to the fairgrounds. With the police clearing the way, we never even had to stop at a single red light. Understand this was back when John was at the height of his career and was putting out number ones on the radio. The experience was surreal; I felt like I was accompanying the president on a journey to the White House.
Pulling into the venue, my eyes caught sight of two silver eagle buses – one designated for the band and the other serving as John’s dressing room. As we stepped onto the bus, John headed to the back to change, while Tim and I settled in I cracked open a cold beer to relax. It felt strangely enjoyable, pretending this luxurious bus was mine, with people eagerly waiting on me to take the stage.
The moment of awe came as John transformed from the shorts, t-shirt, and cap he had on five minutes ago to his dazzling stage costume, complete with a stylish cowboy hat. His change was truly impressive and I could see the fire in his eyes for his fans. After he was ready, he graciously invited us to join him on stage during the concert. When we entered backstage Johns’s manager pointed to the side of the stage at two chairs for us to sit in. From that vantage point, we witnessed the electrifying energy of the crowd coming alive, creating an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere was nothing short of magical, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the incredible opportunity to be a part of it all.
After the concert, we hurried back to the jet, where we settled in for the flight to New Mexico. On the six-passenger private jet, with only John and me in the back, there was an abundance of space to stretch out. Despite having flown on this jet numerous times for hunts with Knight and Hale, as well as vacations with Tim and our wives to Naples, Florida, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the opportunity and luxury once again.
While John and I relaxed, Tim handled the cockpit duties before taxiing out on the runway, It was then that I remembered I needed to call my wife because it was her birthday. John kindly offered to sing “Happy Birthday” to her, and she was thrilled beyond words. We had a smooth flight to New Mexico and were picked up by our outfitter, ready for the elk hunt.
Although we didn’t manage to get an elk within range, the five days in the mountains were wild and exhilarating. We spent mornings and evenings hunting and took time to fish during the middle of the day.
During the hunt, John extended an invitation to his farm in Kentucky to film a deer hunt. I eagerly accepted, and in November, I headed to his farm. On the way, he called me on my cell and suggested taking a back route due to a flooded road. We both got stuck while trying to climb a hill in the rain, and we ended up walking in the rain to the cabin to fetch a tractor. John found humor in the situation, laughing all the way, but I was less amused. Once we sorted everything out and dried off, we settled in for a five-day hunt in the Kentucky hills.
The little cabin lacked conventional electricity, but with a generator to power a few lightbulbs, we managed just fine. Although we didn’t bag any deer, the nights were filled with grilling, sipping whiskey, and John’s fantastic guitar skills as he played his hits. It was just another unforgettable journey in the life of a country boy from Todd County…
The point of my story is not about boasting, but about proving that dreams, when clung to tenaciously, can undoubtedly come true. After leaving high school, I found myself hopping from one job to another, an unquenchable thirst for more fueling my every move. Perhaps I lacked the stability, as some even said I couldn’t hold a job for more than six months, but that didn’t faze me, for I nurtured a dream deep within my heart.
You see, my dream was to be a photographer, and that vision kept me going. The turning point came when I wandered into TV 43 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and boldly asked to meet someone in charge of hiring. Destiny guided me to a meeting with a man named Bill. When he inquired about my experience in videography, I responded with a hint of uncertainty, admitting that I had a VHS camera and a keen eye for still photography. He chuckled at my response, but what I said next astonished him.
Without hesitation, I offered to work for six months without any pay if he would give me a chance. At that moment, Bill seemed to peer into my very soul, and in a display of faith, he hired me on the spot with a full salary. He said he saw the fire within me, the determination that set me apart. And so, my journey began.
With unwavering dedication, I immersed myself in the craft day and night. After my shifts, I labored on my own time to learn the art of editing, for I was willing to go to any lengths to become somebody in this field. I started filming commercials and soon became a news videographer, earning numerous first-place Associated Press awards in videography.
Opportunities from major stations in Nashville and Louisville came knocking, but I humbly declined. You see, I was a country boy from Todd County, and I enjoyed country life and I knew I wouldn’t be happy in a city. Instead, a couple of years later I embarked on a new adventure, working for the renowned Knight and Hale television show as a producer and videographer, exploring the world through my lens.
Looking back, it all started with a dream that I clung to steadfastly, unwavering even in the face of challenges and uncertainty. So, let my journey be a testament to the power of dreams and determination. If you hold on to your dreams and pursue them with all your heart, they will come true, just as they did for me.