August 5, 2013: Hang on Sloopy.

Today is Assistance Dog Day. There is a lot of work that goes into preparing an assistance dog that can help an otherwise hindered human live a full and happy wife. I have never seen an assistance dog being trained at Walt Disney World but I have seen them several times at Dollywood. The trainers take them to public places, like amusement parks, to train them to ignore the distractions of a crowd and focus on their defined duties. This brings new meaning to man’s best friend. Let’s visit with Pluto, a mouse’s best friend.

Today is National Underwear Day. Just wear some, okay? If you don’t have any go to Mouse Gear, World of Disney, and the other, hey we sell everything, stores at Walt Disney World.

Neil Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio in 1930. We’ve discussed Neil in this blog before, particularly on the day that Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon. Even though Buzz contributed his famous name to our hero who goes “to infinity and beyond,” Neil was the first man to step on the moon. In July 2005, Neil joined in the re-opening of Space Mountain at Disneyland. This is a no brainer, get to The Magic Kingdom, ride Space Mountain, repeat.

There were several rock and roll events of note for today but I had to pick one of my favorites. Back in the early 70’s there was a group of musicians that played a blend of rock and blues with a number of guitar slingers in the mix, names like Johnny Winter and his brother Edgar, Ronnie Montrose and the man who was born on this day in 1947 in Fort Recovery, Ohio, Rick Derringer. When Rick was 17, he formed a band, The McCoys, who recorded a number one song, “Hang on Sloopy,” which was knocked out of number one by the Beatles’ “Yesterday.” “Hang on Sloopy” is the only song that I know of that has been voted the official rock and roll song of a state (Ohio). In 1966, The McCoys opened for The Rolling Stones on their American Tour.  Derringer worked with Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Todd Rundgren, Steely Dan, Alice Cooper and opened for Led Zeppelin on their last American tour in 1977. He also had a Rock / Pop hit with “Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo.” In the 80’s he worked with the WWF, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Mason Ruffner, Kiss and Cyndi Lauper. Today, Derringer continues his career as a Christian musician performing with his wife Jenda Derringer Hall. Let’s ride the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster to honor a true rocker.

Remember, your best excuse is always: waiting for your dreams to come true.