November 17, 2014 elvagreen123

An Update and a little Background

Yesterday, November 14, I attended my first writer’s convention of Old Time Radio (OTR) fans. Basically, I went because a writer friend was putting on a presentation that included information on my father, Eddie Green. My friend surprised me by introducing me and suggesting that people get my card (I will have another post on how I almost did not have any cards) in case they could help me with my research for the book I am writing about my father. After the presentation, I was invited to participate in a future interview on an internet radio program! Talk about being blown away (of course I didn’t show it). It was just the boost I needed.

My father, Eddie Green, was the man who coined the term and wrote the song “A Good Man Is Hard To Find” in 1917. He was 21 years old (supposedly). He had come from an extremely poor background in Baltimore where he was born in 1896 or 1891 depending on which documents I have uncovered. Though he became a well-known entertainer and entrepreneur from the east to the west coast, he has since faded into obscurity. Some people do, however, remember Eddie from his ten year career as “Eddie, the Waiter” on the “Duffy’s Tavern” radio program from which he retired due to ill health in 1950. The book about my father is to, hopefully, inspire others to the pursuit of achievement despite obstacles.

My Father:

November 14, 2014November 14, 2014 elvagreen123

Screaming Police Sirens Can Be Inspiring

Recently I came across an article written by my father in 1949. In the article he talks about how, in 1929, he came to realize that he had become “somebody” in his chosen career. My father was an actor/comedian and was at that time doing every available theatrical job he could find and was also doing some song writing on the side.

During this time my father was chosen to appear on a radio program. The problem was he was doing a show on Broadway the same evening of the radio show. Long story short, the local police department solved the problem by giving him a ride up Broadway on the wrong side of the street with sirens screaming. He called it a “wild ride”. This “wild ride” served also to provide inspiration to my father who stated in the article, “Yes, I began asking for more money”.

Thanks for stopping by.

November 12, 2014 elvagreen123

Can’t Is Not In My Vocabulary

Bestsellng author, Dean Koontz said, “I really believe that everyone has a talent, ability or skill that he can mine to support himself and to succeed in life.”

I found this quote while doing some research for a book I will eventually complete. I began my research in about 1998 because my then small grandson’s favorite words seemed to be “I can’t”. Usually in regard to why he did not finish his homework. His homework was always too hard. I came up with the bright idea to enlighten him on what a person can accomplish by telling him about, and by writing a book for him about my father, his grandfather, who was a black man born in poverty in 1896 and who rose to prominence despite many obstacles.

While doing this research I discovered much more than I could have known, not just about my father’s rise, but also about what motivates people, and about determination and how much work actually goes into achieving one’s goals, and how that work can be extremely rewarding. What I hoped to impart to my grandson morphed into a desire to share inspiration to any person who feels they “can’t”.

What motivates us? How do we determine that skill or ability we possess? What does it mean to succeed in life? These are questions I am going to explore in this blog through personal anecdotes, poetry and discussion. I want this experience to be as uplifting and inspirational as possible to those who could use a boost. Please visit again, I gotta go eat.