Hams Crave Attention?
Feb 24, 2021 14:10:50 #
I wish to raise a question or conjecture about whether there are certain genes in a family that cause an occasional member of that family to crave or seek attention in some form or style?
For myself, I wasn’t aware of this until I had retired and became interested in storytelling. My wife and I noticed an article about a storytelling convention in 2018 being held in Denton, TX. Well, since we were not otherwise tied up, we decided to attend. Ever since, I have been involved in some fashion. I have now served a three-year term as a board member of the Tejas Storytelling Association as Guild Liaison. I also have been a member of the Houston Guild for this same period. Along the way, I have encouraged and coached our great nephew, Jeremiah David Tilley to get involved in various aspects of storytelling.
This has been one where I have had a vicarious thrill in helping and watching Jeremiah grow and develop as a young storyteller. For one, he wrote and submitted a story about our going on a couple of fishing trips to the local public broadcasting system station here in Houston. He was a $25 prize for his effort. We also performed on stage in the Saint Jo Picture Show in October of 2020, presenting a skit of two cowboys and Jeremiah was seeking his stolen horses.
Another performer with the Samples name was Alvin Samples, better known as Junior Samples, became a star on Heehaw T.V. He came to that position because of a story he told about catching a very large catfish and winning a first prize for his story and narration of it. He performed on Heehaw for several years. He was born April 11, 1926 and died November 13, 1983. While he appears on stage as a true country bumpkin, he was an expert fisherman, wealthy and a consummate comedian.
Finally, as a star of exotic dance, Candy Samples, was one at the top of her trade. She was born on April 12, 1928 in Kansas City Mo. And died on September 23, 2019. She was 91 at the time of her passing. I am at loss how to accurately describe her stardom other than she was a porn star and recognized as a top performer.
How does an individual find their way to being involved in such activity on stage, screen, radio or TV? I recognize that in Junior’s case it was by accident, I do not know how Candy got her start. I do not assume that I have now or ever will have the recognition, attention, or draw that either of my Samples cohorts achieved. But I am intrigued as to just how this gene is activated.
I have over my lifetime held several responsible jobs and been given in them a lot of responsibility. How I got there, whether by chance or Devine Intervention, I do not know. It could be that I was simply used as a catalyst to have the desired action be performed. Such as the Republican precinct meeting for this precinct after the loss of the presidential election of George G.W. Bush to Slick Willie, there was a general and almost universal feeling of doom and gloom.
The chairman said at the opening, he was moving out of the precinct and wanted someone else to chair this meeting. No one looked up, all eyes were looking at the floor, and the mood was one of despair. Since no one else would even look up, I said “I nominate David, he is an attorney and certainly knows parliamentary procedure and Roberts Rules of Order, he would do a good job and our chairman! It was accepted without a single negative vote.
However, about a week later the departing chairman called and asked if he could come and visit. I said sure. What he wanted was for me to take the precinct chair since David was also moving out of the area. I had little experience in the field but had no real aversion of accepting the role. It was just that I had popped off at the meeting that got me appointed as precinct chairman. I won two future elections at this position and served over ten years.
I do not have any information about either Junior or Candy’s formal education, it is obvious they have been financially successful without any college. On the other hand, with two college degrees I have not attained their financial success by a long shot. I have, on the other hand made my clients a lot of money and saved them from losing money over the years. I was credited with holding a lot of heads above water in trying times. Just Sayin…RJS
For myself, I wasn’t aware of this until I had retired and became interested in storytelling. My wife and I noticed an article about a storytelling convention in 2018 being held in Denton, TX. Well, since we were not otherwise tied up, we decided to attend. Ever since, I have been involved in some fashion. I have now served a three-year term as a board member of the Tejas Storytelling Association as Guild Liaison. I also have been a member of the Houston Guild for this same period. Along the way, I have encouraged and coached our great nephew, Jeremiah David Tilley to get involved in various aspects of storytelling.
This has been one where I have had a vicarious thrill in helping and watching Jeremiah grow and develop as a young storyteller. For one, he wrote and submitted a story about our going on a couple of fishing trips to the local public broadcasting system station here in Houston. He was a $25 prize for his effort. We also performed on stage in the Saint Jo Picture Show in October of 2020, presenting a skit of two cowboys and Jeremiah was seeking his stolen horses.
Another performer with the Samples name was Alvin Samples, better known as Junior Samples, became a star on Heehaw T.V. He came to that position because of a story he told about catching a very large catfish and winning a first prize for his story and narration of it. He performed on Heehaw for several years. He was born April 11, 1926 and died November 13, 1983. While he appears on stage as a true country bumpkin, he was an expert fisherman, wealthy and a consummate comedian.
Finally, as a star of exotic dance, Candy Samples, was one at the top of her trade. She was born on April 12, 1928 in Kansas City Mo. And died on September 23, 2019. She was 91 at the time of her passing. I am at loss how to accurately describe her stardom other than she was a porn star and recognized as a top performer.
How does an individual find their way to being involved in such activity on stage, screen, radio or TV? I recognize that in Junior’s case it was by accident, I do not know how Candy got her start. I do not assume that I have now or ever will have the recognition, attention, or draw that either of my Samples cohorts achieved. But I am intrigued as to just how this gene is activated.
I have over my lifetime held several responsible jobs and been given in them a lot of responsibility. How I got there, whether by chance or Devine Intervention, I do not know. It could be that I was simply used as a catalyst to have the desired action be performed. Such as the Republican precinct meeting for this precinct after the loss of the presidential election of George G.W. Bush to Slick Willie, there was a general and almost universal feeling of doom and gloom.
The chairman said at the opening, he was moving out of the precinct and wanted someone else to chair this meeting. No one looked up, all eyes were looking at the floor, and the mood was one of despair. Since no one else would even look up, I said “I nominate David, he is an attorney and certainly knows parliamentary procedure and Roberts Rules of Order, he would do a good job and our chairman! It was accepted without a single negative vote.
However, about a week later the departing chairman called and asked if he could come and visit. I said sure. What he wanted was for me to take the precinct chair since David was also moving out of the area. I had little experience in the field but had no real aversion of accepting the role. It was just that I had popped off at the meeting that got me appointed as precinct chairman. I won two future elections at this position and served over ten years.
I do not have any information about either Junior or Candy’s formal education, it is obvious they have been financially successful without any college. On the other hand, with two college degrees I have not attained their financial success by a long shot. I have, on the other hand made my clients a lot of money and saved them from losing money over the years. I was credited with holding a lot of heads above water in trying times. Just Sayin…RJS
Feb 24, 2021 17:52:07 #
Go ahead and fire away! You won't hurt my feelings! Just Sayin...RJS
Feb 25, 2021 22:49:17 #
Mauwehu
Loc: Norwalk Ct
Interesting lineage RJ. Some people are born with an entertainment gene and feel responsible for everyone’s good time. Some like to be the center of attention. Others like to hear themselves talk, ad nauseam.Some just fall into their destiny like the porn star. Ive been guilty of telling jokes at gatherings. Might have mentioned before that my wife always laughed and “ wouldn’t leave me hanging” But more than once on the ride home warned — if you ever tell that joke again I’m not laughing.
I remember Junior Samples. I guess I’m catching up to you.
I remember Junior Samples. I guess I’m catching up to you.
Feb 25, 2021 23:56:43 #
Mauwehu: Well, I never knew anything about Candy until I was posting stories on the Stage and someone else mentined her name. I went to the internet and Googled her and was surprised.
There was also a colored football player I think with the N.Y. Jets who was named Samples, but I do not remember his firs name. There was a joke passing around about him.
it seems that he was walking in Manhattan and there was a high rise apartment bjuilding on fire. A woman and her baby were trapped up many stories high and could not get out due to this fire.
The football player said throw the baby down and I'll catch it, and save it's life. The woman at first refuses, but finally decides it is the only chance the baby has of living and agrees.
She carefully drops her baby over the side and the football player, who is a receiver catches thebaby, but after he does, he from force of habit, turns around and "spikes" the baby! Just Sayin...RJS
There was also a colored football player I think with the N.Y. Jets who was named Samples, but I do not remember his firs name. There was a joke passing around about him.
it seems that he was walking in Manhattan and there was a high rise apartment bjuilding on fire. A woman and her baby were trapped up many stories high and could not get out due to this fire.
The football player said throw the baby down and I'll catch it, and save it's life. The woman at first refuses, but finally decides it is the only chance the baby has of living and agrees.
She carefully drops her baby over the side and the football player, who is a receiver catches thebaby, but after he does, he from force of habit, turns around and "spikes" the baby! Just Sayin...RJS
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