I had been looking forward to this trip for a long time. Not only would it be the first time I attended a Chicago Cubs sprint training game, I would also complete my quest to sing the National Anthem at all of the current Cubs’ ballparks. Growing up in Rockford, Illinois and listening to Cubs games on WGN Radio on 720 AM, or watching the Cubs … [Read more...]

What would you do to show the world you are a Cubs fan? For many decades, being a Cubs fan meant keeping the faith, perhaps saying a prayer, and cheering for our lovable losers, despite the endless disappointments. Lately, especially after the Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series, being a Cub fan means continuing to strive to be your best, … [Read more...]

A week after the long drive and faulty singing for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, I was flying across the country to the West Coast. Looking down from 30,000 feet above the plains of eastern Texas, I saw a landscape outlined by 90-degree man-made roads. These roads intersected around checkerboard squares, large swaths of wind farms, and crop circles … [Read more...]

It took me longer to sing in Myrtle Beach than I expected. I was scheduled to sing the National Anthem in July, 2016 for the Pelicans. My flight was booked on Southwest Airlines, the hotel room was reserved, and I was packed to leave in about five hours, the day before I was to sing. Then I got the text from the airlines that my flight was … [Read more...]

As part of my preparations to sing the National Anthem at Wrigley Field in two months (in 2004), I needed a live performance to sharpen my performance and calm my nerves. Since the AA affiliate of the Cubs was in Jackson, Tennessee, just a few hours west on I-40, I contacted the club and checked on an opening to sing. I was glad to hear that the … [Read more...]

When I set out to sing the National Anthem at all of the ballparks in the Chicago Cubs organization, I never thought I would travel to Indiana. I also didn’t think I would have to “redo” two of the Anthems at new ballparks. In the winter of 2014, the Chicago Cubs announced that they were moving three of their minor league affiliates: The … [Read more...]

The trip to Des Moines to sing for the Cubs’ AAA affiliate was extra special with lots of family members joining me, second only to singing at Wrigley Field. The performance coincided with my brother Rick’s visit to the United States from his home near Manchester, England. He traveled to the States with his two lovely daughters Claudia and … [Read more...]