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HAPPY HOLIDAYS, Y'ALL! Here are some of the Chatroom regulars with the band and their helpers. L-R: Cowboy Keith, Gay Wahpecome, Shaw Wilson (note the denim shirt! -- it will be an imporant clue later on), Donnie Herron, Diane Baskey, Gary Bennett, Jay McDowell, Teresa Tyndall and Merchandise Mark!
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SHOCKING -- MAN GROWS FINGERS AT THE BACK OF HIS HEAD!
In what could have been a really nice photo, someone wearing a denim cowboy shirt, cool boots and sporting a mustache decided that Donnie needed some ears.
All I can say is, Shaw Wilson, watch your back! The next finger ears could be YOURN!
By the way, that's Donnie, Gary and Kathy Chi.
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Some of you might confuse Donnie with Matt Damon....and it's obvious to us why! Look at the hat! It screams coolness! We were so proud to see Donnie opening another movie, Billy Bob Thornton's All The Pretty Horses. After all, he was SO GOOD in The Talented Mr. Ripley! It's only a matter of time before Donnie has a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood!
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 It's Time To BOWL!
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It's the first annual BR5-49 Bowl-A-Rama, where fans from across the globe gathered to bowl with each other and some of the members of the band. Come see what we done did! |
| Before we begin, our bowling goddess, Pro Bowler Patty Costello will lead us through our warm-up exercises.
Patty's picture was all over the Sam's Town Bowling Lanes, as it is the home of the Ladies Pro Bowlers Tour Hall of Fame. Ms. Costello was inducted into the hall in 1995.
Here, she sports a groovy polyester mini, pukka shells and kicking shag do. How can you NOT win looking that good?
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| Gay and Diane steady themselves before the big match. Both Chuck and Jay joined the bowlers, in addition to wonderful Merchandise Mark. Loree and Leo (Donnie's folks) and Chuck and Lois (that Mead Boy's parents). Gay made her bowling shirt especially for the occasion. The pink sparkly material was very dazzling, and you could just imagine a whole Gary Bennett outfit made in a similar splash. |
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JAY MCDOWELL INDUCTED INTO THE SAM'S TOWN BOWLERS HALL OF FAME
Las Vegas, NV -- December 20, 2025 -- Jay McDowell, musician and pro bowler, was inducted into Sam's Town Bowler's Hall of Fame. "Not only could he play bass, he was a dang flashy bowler," said Jess Luck, the Hall's director. "When I remember that day he first bowled on our lanes, it makes me weep." This historic photo shows not only the lane prowess of McDowell, but also his ability to thrill the crowds with his trademark approach. "You gotta give a smile back to the fans, even if you're hurling a bowling ball down the lanes," said Jay.
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 MERCHANDISE MAN MARK -- WHY IT'S ALWAYS MY BIRTHDAY
Mark, our favorite band merchandise guy is a man of many talents. While it took him a little while to warm up, he eventually started hitting strike after strike. We wondered if something cosmic was up -- because Mark confessed that he "ain't no bowler."
One thing we were interested to find out about Mark, was that he sells rare books. He has many fine first editions of titles like "Dune" by Frank Herbert and any number of Stephen King and Anne Rice books.
We didn't ask him about any other Science Fiction or Fantasy titles -- but I suspect he reads them all. Wasn't there a Harlan Ellison story about a man who had a birthday every gig? Hmm....
One other thing you must do when you see him after a gig -- get him talking so you can experience his cool New England accent. You'll swear he's right out of that "Perfect Storm" movie or maybe even Stephen King's "Storm of the Century."
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Chuck and Chuck -- Yet Another Story in Courage
Chuck Jr. and Chuck senior are a pretty good match -- and enjoy spending time together doing sports stuff. Either on the links or in the bowling alley -- these guys play for keeps!
That cold look in Chuck Jr.'s eyes tells me that Dad better watch his bowling back....cos' Junior's moving in!
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| KAI-EEE-LEE!**
Chuck sends the ball down the lane. Note his pro bowler like form. As Patty Costello notes in her tell-all book about bowling:
"Before you release the ball, your slide foot should have come to a complete stop 2 to 3 inches from the foul line. The other foot should be behind you, acting as a support. You should be stable and completely on balance."
By Jove, I think he's got it!!
**Beatle Reference -- See The Movie "Help" -- Kai-Ee-Lee is the Goddess who has eight arms to hold you
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| CRUISE DIRECTOR YOLANDA PAUL -- KITTEN ON A ROLL!
Many of you know Yolanda from the Chat room as Darkmadonna -- but that's just her hair color now! She is one fabulous kitten. She and her family recently moved from San Diego to San Antonio and things are working out well for them.
Yolanda is also expecting a second addition to her family -- and she could be found bowling anyway! She also found time to organize the bowling event AND the White Elephant Christmas party. Both events (as you can see) were both great successes.
Roll on, DM!
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| EVERYBODY LOVES A WINNER!
Chuck Mead, Senior was the overall winner of the bowling tournament. I'm sure that Bowling goddess Patty Costello would have been crying over his extremely good form and follow-through. We didn't poll him on whether he was spot bowling or just had really good aim....but here he is with his trophy. Mrs. Lois Mead is holding the Devil Ducky that was given to him for the most strikes in a game.
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Gay and Coach Mead
"Can I have your autograph?"
"Sure."
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| SuSu (bowling under the name Beulah) was awarded the coveted SKUNK award for her low score. She even bowled in her jammies -- which we think is really cool!
Coach Mead most likely has his trophy on display in Lawrence, Kansas. Call ahead for viewing hours!
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| If they were handing out cute couple awards, they'd have to give one to Mark and Ellyn Stephens. Mark was the third place winner overall -- and Ellyn won a cool lunchbox to signify her ever-decreasing score. Yolanda takes on the media, making sure those ESPN guys behave themselves. |
