RADIO BREAK & PRAYER FOR SULLIVAN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

This afternoon I had Mark Hall, the lead singer of Casting Crowns on my show praying for the students, faculty and staff of Sullivan Central High School. I produced the radio break and prayer and also included part of Casting Crowns song "If You've Ever Needed Me."

ROLLER SKATING

You gotta check this video out!!!

AND THE WINNER IS ...

Kasey Marler from 11 Connects - WJHL TV was the winner of the Dancing With The Tri Cities Stars contest this past Saturday at the Johnson city Country Club.

I had a wonderful evening. We didn't win but I had a great time. The one judge who was a professional dancer really gave me high marks, a 10 for the West Coast Swing and a 9 for the Rhumba. But that wasn't enough to top Kasey Marler from 11 Connects, as he was the recipient of the mirror ball trophy. Congratulations Kasey, you did an awesome job.
I'll post some video as soon I receive it.

The real winner of the night was the boys from SteppenStone Youth Treatment Facility. The event was a fundraiser for them. And I met some of the boys from SteppinStone and it really made me proud that I was part of this event to help these kids.

Anyway, it was fun and an experience I will never forget. I'm grateful the Lord opened this door to allow me to be a small part in helping the ministry of SteppinStone. I have truly been blessed. Thanks to you, the WCQR staff and all of our listeners for their prayers.

Blessings,

Mike Riddles

2 DAYS LEFT

It's hard to believe - only 2 days until the Dancing With the Tri Cities Stars contest. Tonight will be my last night of practice. Tomorrow we'll have dress rehearsals at the Johnson City Country Club. Then, on Saturday, it's Showtime!

AMY LYNN DAYTIME TRI CITIES AT WCQR

It begins at the 4:26 mark in the video.

DWTS DANCE ORDER

The Dancing With The Tri Cities Stars met at the Johnson City Country Club on Monday to draw numbers for what order we'll dance. There are 10 contestants (5 men, 5 women) with 2 rounds of dancing. As I slowly, opened my envelope for the first round I saw the number 10 which means I get to go last - that was a sigh of relief. Then, I opened the second envelope which revealed the number 8, so I'll be dancing 8th in the second round. I don't think it could've been much better.

It's hard to believe there's only 4 days left until the contest - it's this Saturday! I'm starting to get a little nervous, so I would be most grateful for your prayers.

Bible vs Cell Phone

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?
What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?

Think about how much you use your cell phone and your bible. Which one gets the most of your time?

THE COUNTDOWN

T - 10 - The countdown has begun. There's only 10 days left until the Dancing With the Tri Cities Stars contest. This has been an interesting journey, and it's hard to believe that the event is next Saturday. I certainly appreciate your prayers as we hit the final stretch.

The Dance Floor

Yesterday, I had my first practice at the Johnson City Country Club. It's where the Dancing With The Tri Cities Stars contest will be held. We usually practice at Adler dance studio, however, dance instructors Mike and Kim Adler wanted each of the contestants to experience the country clubs dance floor. They told me it was much slower compared to the one in their studio. Say what? Some dance floors are fast and some slow - I had never heard anything like this before. I kinda of laughed it off, thinking well they're pros they can easily recognize any dissimilarity, but for someone like me who's an amateur there's no way I would notice. But, boy did I learn real quick what they said is very true. There is a huge difference. At the Adler dance studio it's so easy to move, it's like you can almost glide. At the country club, when it was time for me to spin, I could barely do it. Thank goodness for Mike and Kim's expertise, being the pros they are, they knew we would have some difficulty moving on the slower dance floor - so get this they bring dance wax to rub on the bottom of your shoes to help speed you up. It was amazing - and it really worked.

The competition is Saturday, May 22. For ticket info, call 423-257-7500.

DWTS UPDATE

It was a very busy day of practice. I had two sessions - one at lunch and the other last night. I'm starting to get more comfortable with the West Coast Swing routine, however, I realize I've got a long way to go before I get it where it needs to be for the competition.

Also, last night we worked on the choreography for the Rhumba (my second dance for the Dancing With the Tri Cities Stars contest). So far - it's not been as difficult as the West Coast Swing. Oh by the way, I can't remember if I told you or not, but I will performing the Rhumba to the song "While I'm waiting" by John Waller.

CHOREOGRAPHY UPDATE

I'm ecstatic! -the choreography for the West Coast Swing is finished. Dance instructors Mike and Kim have done a tremendous job in putting this routine together. Now, I'll really be excited if I can just learn it. lol

CHOREOGRAPHY

Now that I've selected a song for the DWTS contest, we have started working on choreography for the West Coast Swing. This is a very time consuming process as I didn't leave the dance studio until 11 o'clock last night. Even though my body was exhausted, I walked out of the studio with a big smile on my face - because the first 45 seconds of choreography are complete. Somebody say yipee :)

The Dancing With The Tri Cities Stars contest is May 22 at the Johnson City Country Club. The event is a fundraiser for Steppenstone Youth Treatment Facility. For ticket info call 423-257-8600

SHACKLES

Congrats to Brianna Hamby of Kingsport. She was the winner of Name That Tune and will receive 4 passes to Letters To God at Carmike Cinemas in Johnson City. She correctly identified the song that I chose to use for the West Coast Swing in the Dancing With Tri Cities Stars contest. The song is Shackles by Mary Mary.

Hope you have a great time at the movies, Brianna.

PRACTICE & THE SONG

Today, I had a really good practice at the Adler dance studio. We worked on some new moves for the West Coast Swing. One in particular is the Right Side Push. It seems simple but it's not. On the third step you have to pivot and for some reason my body doesn't want to cooperate. lol

I finally decided on a song for my first dance, and I think you'll really like it. However, I can't tell you what it is right now - later today we're going to play name that tune. The first person that correctly guesses the song wins tickets to see Letters To God at Carmike Cinemas in Johnson City.

It's hard to believe we're only 43 days away from the Dancing With the Tri Cities Stars contest. Please continue to keep me in prayer.

PHOTO SHOOT

Dancing With The Tri Cities Stars - Recently, we had a photo shoot at the David Clapp studio in Kingsport. Before the shoot began, dance instructor Kim Adler snapped this pic of the male contestants.

This is an interesting crew, and I've really enjoyed getting to know each of them. They're super nice guys!

DANCING WITH TRI CITIES STARS CONTESTANTS

This morning at the Johnson City Country Club, a press conference was held to reveal the full list of contestants for Dancing With The Tri Cities Stars. There will be 5 men and 5 women. See the list below. The competition is a benefit fundraiser for Steppen Stones Youth Treatment Facility, a non profit organization who assists boys 12-18 years of age. The event will be at the JC Country Club on May 22. For ticket info call 423-257-8600.

Contestants
Dr. Eva Pickler
Amy Lynn
Linda Bowman
Nancy Hope Major
Deborah Hudgins
Kasey Marler
Paul Johnson
Mike Riddles
Jerry Pelphrey
Michael White

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK GALA

This past Saturday, I was invited to attend the Second Harvest Food Bank Gala. It was a great evening with wonderful food provided by many restaurants in the Tri Cities. A few of the items on my plate included Bison, NY Strip and an edible flower.

The event was a fundraiser for Second Harvest and their efforts to end hunger in the Tri Cities.

THE 2ND DANCE

As a contestant on Dancing With The Tri Cities Stars, I had to pick two dances. The first dance I selected was the West Coast Swing which I'm still trying to learn. But, I am doing much better with the Left Side Tuck and the Sugar Tuck, so I've moved on to the next steps of the dance. The Closed and Basket Whip, and they're very difficult for me. It's going to take some time to get these down.

Since the competition is in May, my instructors had me start working on my second dance which is the Rhumba. It begins with a Box Step, 4 moves inside a square. Please keep the prayers going...I need and appreciate each of them :)

Pic - Me and world champion dancer Kim Adler (instructor) at the station practicing in front of the WCQR staff.

DANCING WITH THE TRI CITIES STARS UPDATE

Have you ever agreed to do something you thought would be fairly easy? Later, you realized it was much more difficult than you thought. When I accepted the invitation to be a contestant on Dancing With The Tri Cities Stars, I never imagined there would be so many steps to learn in a ballroom dance. I'm currently learning the West Coast Swing which I have discovered is one of the most difficult dances to perform. The first basic step is called the Sugar Push. I actually thought that was the dance, but soon found out it's the first basic step. Basic Step? Are you kidding me? My calves and body would have to disagree.

The next step I learned was the Right Side Pass which wasn't too bad. I moved on to the Left Side Pass and I believe it's been the easiest step yet. After that, it was the Left Side Tuck and let's just say I still need little practice with that one. And speaking of practice, tomorrow my instructors, world dance champions Mike and Kim Adler are coming to the station to give me a lesson in front of the WCQR staff. I'm sure some of it will posted on our website...because the guys from Breakfast Radio said they've already got the camcorder ready to go. Please keep me in your prayers :)

By the way, I've listed the steps to the Sugar Push below.

Left foot back, right foot back and left foot back, a triple step, left foot forward and right foot forward, and a triple step.

DANCING WITH THE TRI CITIES STARS

Have you ever received a phone call that completely caught you off guard? Last week, I received a call from a lady asking me if I'd like to be on Dancing With The Tri Cities Stars. Boy, was I surprised. The lady obviously has never seen me dance, or maybe she has and that's why they invited me. lol The event will be at the Johnson City Country Club on May 22. It's a benefit fundraiser for Steppin Stone Youth Treatment Facility for young men ages 12-18. So, it's for a good cause.

After talking it over with my wife, I agreed to participate. So, it's official I'm going to be on Dancing With The Tri Cities Stars...that is if I can make it through the training. Last night we had our first practice - and let me tell you ballroom dancing is tough. Not only was I exhausted but somewhat confused as well. Right foot here, left foot there and turn this way and that way, etc. In case you're wondering, I'm trying to learn the sugar push. That's really a great name for it because I could've used a little sugar during practice because I had no energy left. And then I had to go home to 3 kids...let's just say last night will be a night I remember for awhile or at least until my body recuperates. And that better be soon because my next practice is Thursday.

CARTER COUNTY SCHOOL NEEDS YOUR HELP

Range Elementary School in Watauga, TN has entered Acer computers contest for a library makeover. The school really needs the makeover and you can help make it a reality by voting for them. Please click the link below. The contest ends March 31.

Please share this info with your friends and family.


Vote for Range https://usspringpromo.acer.com/Campaign/SchoolLibraryMakeover/index.htm?LS=Intel

PLEASE HELP

The folks in Haiti need your prayers and donations. After suffering through a 7.0 earthquake, the country is in desperate need of help. If you'd like to make a contribution, visit http://www.wcqr.org/ for a list of ministries and organizations.

NEED A JOB

Many people in the Tri Cities are without work. So, if you or someone you know needs a job then you may want to click on the link below. The U.S. Census office in Johnson City is looking to hire around 1200 people. The positions are temporary and expected to last 8-12 weeks. The jobs pay $12 an hour.

http://2010.census.gov/2010census/how/about-the-form.php