April 9, 2013: What's the Frequency, Dennis?

My favorite Dennis Quaid movie is Frequency. Quaid plays a man who contacts his dead father on a shortwave radio during a freak occurrence during the high point of the sunspot cycle. It’s an awesome movie for anyone who has ever lost his or her dad and would love just one more chance.

My second favorite Dennis Quaid movie is The Rookie. I love true stories of how people get that one last chance at success when they really didn’t see it coming. The scene where he is throwing a baseball at a roadside speed sign and doesn’t realize the sign is messed up and he is actually throwing the ball much, much faster than it reads is the stuff that dreams are made of.

Dennis Quaid was born on this day in 1954. He also starred in Disney’s remake of The Parent Trap and Touchstone pictures, The Alamo and Cold Creek Manor. It’s baseball season, so let’s honor Quaid with some hotdogs from Casey’s in the Magic Kingdom. HMMMMMMMM.

We have talked before about my love for the drums and on this date in 1945, legendary drummer Steve Gadd was born. Gadd has played with dozen of famous acts as a studio drummer: Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Eric Clapton are just a few. But, when only eleven-years-old, Steve appeared as a guest, tap-dancing and drumming on The Mickey Mouse Club in the 1956-57 season. Let’s go to the Japanese pavilion and listen to the awesome drummers that ply their trade in the open air of the World Showcase. It’s a drummer’s delight.

On this day in 1939, Marian Anderson sang before 75,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial. The following synopsis of how this came about is quoted from the website of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is a testament to their effort to right an old wrong and honor this great American singer:

The Daughters of the American Revolution proudly practices a non-discrimination policy and encourages and celebrates diversity in our organization. However, in 1939, opera singer Marian Anderson was denied the opportunity to perform in DAR Constitution Hall because of her race. She subsequently performed an historic concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to a crowd of 75,000 people. Afterwards, the DAR recognized the need for change and Marian Anderson sang at Constitution Hall on a number of occasions. This page provides information on the relationship between Marian Anderson and the DAR, and our organization's on-going efforts to honor her memory.

Marian Anderson and the DAR

Let’s go watch The American Adventure at EPCOT’s World Showcase and celebrate the growth and freedom that America represents.

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