blah, blah, blah - and happy mother's day mom!!

It seems there is a lot of catching up to do. More than a month's worth of weeks have come and gone since I've had more than a passing opportunity to say hello and share my fondness for you. Thank you for your patience.

If you visited the web site as recently as a couple of weeks ago, you've noticed the new web site look and layout already. We did a lot of research and designed several looks before settling on the one we are using now. I hope you enjoy the new look and feel.

Happy Mother's Day!! I'm a few days late, but I need to let the world (or at least those who read these words) know how beautiful, strong and supportive my mom is. Shirley Bishop has known blessings, grief, anger, happiness, fights and picnics. She excels and remains calm in every situation. I pray for her resolve and understanding in life.

I applaud, support, pray for and admire every person who has taken up the challenge to defend and protect the interests and people of the United States. You are our heroes. You are our pride. You are our weapons in combat and our shields in war. The day we've set aside to honor those who gave ultimately is also a day that we recognize your priceless contribution to liberty and freedom.

Most people who are not horse people do not understand the magnificence or enormity of the Kentucky Derby. If you never even knew which horse won on that first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, you couldn't help but know Barbaro's story a couple of weeks later when he broke his hind leg in front of millions on television. Those of us who cared cringed, and some even cried. It made a day at the most exciting two minutes in sports even more magic for those of us who saw a magnificent horse's last competitive ride.

The new record is ready to be heard. It was exciting and intimidating to stand in the ballroom of the Governor's Mansion in Frankfort, Kentucky to sing the songs that reveal more of my heart than anything I've ever recorded. My worlds collided when my political friends, my personal friends and my Gospel music friends all gathered to help me celebrate this first solo release in over ten years. Please help me pray these songs, more importantly the messages, reach the hearts and targets that God intends.