Happy Birthday Nancy!

Today I celebrate the first of both of my sisters' birthdays this month. I'll skip he age jokes and just say that Nancy was the first of the three of us to appear on the planet.

Nancy is a great sister and I am lucky to have her in my life. She's always there to encourage, console, help and celebrate with me. Of course, she's also quite capable and willing to give me a quick verbal jab.

Nancy has even chased down a few celebrities with me. One of the most recent happened last year, when she accompanied me to a lecture by radio legend Kevin Matthews. I know Nanc doesn't necessarily care about the celebs or the events, but she goes along for me. It's just one of so many things she does.

Life isn't just about things though. I can have a great time just sitting around joking and talking with her. Nanc isn't just my sister. She's my friend. She is one of the two rocks in my life.

I love you, Nanc. Have a birthday as great a you are!

Nancy Blais, Kevin Matthews and me in Rolling Meadows, IL-Fall 2018.

Kevin Matthews Loves Johngy's Beat

Earlier this year, we interviewed Chicago radio legend Kevin Matthews. Kev talked to us about his career, his battle with MS, the Broken Mary project and much more. You can watch the 2 part interview at HeroTV 2018 Episode 5: Kevin Matthews Part 1 and HeroTV 2018 Episode 6: Kevin Matthews Part 2.

I was a regular listener to Kev and a confirmed KevHead. I enjoyed his show and his comic appearances around the area. Kev has had a great career, but unfortunately radio changed. He eventually moved back to Grand Rapids, Michigan and has keep busy. His life took a sad turn when he was diagnosed with MS, but it took a beautiful turn when he found the Broken Mary, which would be such a huge part of his life since.

I really appreciate Kev for his time and his years of entertainment. You can learn more about Kev at BrokenMary.com and on the Kevin Matthews page on Steve Dahl's site.

On the Beat With Kevin Matthews for HeroTV

The May episode of HeroTV is now airing on Comcast in the Chicago area and also on the HeroTV YouTube channel. It features radio legend Kevin Matthews.

I was a KevHead from his very first days on Chicago radio. Johnny B., Kevin and Steve and Garry got me through the day. Kev was always my favorite one though. I loved his radio program and also his work in comedy clubs, where I saw him several times. He was just so talented.

Fast forward 30+ years and the Loop is no more. Radio has changed so much. It's barely tolerable these days.

I had read a little about Kev and "The Broken Mary" project and it was a remarkable story. Earlier this year, I saw him speak at a church near me. I was brought to tears by his story.

It's better to hear it directly from Kev, but in short, he developed MC about 10 years ago. Raised a Catholic, Kev was also on a bit of a spiritual journey. It all started to come together when he found a broken statue of Mary at a flower shop, that he was guided to visit. Since then, Broken Mary has changed Kevin's life and the lives of so many. It's a powerful story that needs to be spread.

I told PL about Kevin and Broken Mary and he immediately agreed that we needed to interview him for HeroTV. I contacted Kevin and he eagerly agreed to meet us at St. Anthony's, where the Broken Mary usually resides. (In all honesty, Kevin also offered to meet us in Chicago at some point, but we thought it would be even more poignant to do it there).

Kevin couldn't have been nicer or more gracious. The quick wit is still there, but so is a real calmness. He talked so lovingly about Mary and his experiences. He eschewed talk that it is his story, instead putting the spotlight on Mary. I respectfully disagreed a bit, saying the story was really both of theirs. Kevin might also say it is everyone's story to share.

I can't tell you what this experience meant to me. Listening to Kev for so long and meeting him and having a lengthy interview with him about a topic so important, was a bit surreal, but completely wonderful.

I appreciate Kev for the many years of awesome entertainment. I hope everyone checks out BrokenMary.com to learn more about the Broken Mary Project.

Check out our interview at HeroTV2018 Kevin Matthews Part 1. Stay tuned for HeroTV 2018 Kevin Matthews Part 2 in June.

PL Myers, Kevin Matthews and me in Grand Rapids, MI-April 2018.

Kevin Matthews and Broken Mary

Like so many Chicagoans, I was a huge fan of WLUP back in my youth.  In the middle of the Loop lineup was Kevin Matthews (and Jim Shorts) and I was definitely a KevHead.

All good things come to an end and Jonathan Brandmeier, Steve Dahl, Garry Meier and Kevin eventually left the Loop and have gone on to various other projects.  Coincidentally, WLUP was recently sold and is now a Christian station, really ending the era.

I have kept up with the ex-Loop folks as much as possible.  Kevin was the least visible though.  I knew he was back in Michigan and unfortunately was suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.  I really didn't know much more, but when I heard he would be speaking at a church near me, I went to see him.  Although my original main goal was to get a picture with Kev, I got so much more out of the encounter.

Kevin talked for about an hour about his journey through life.  That path led him to Mary.  His spiritual journey was already forming, when he came upon a broken statue of the Virgin Mary.  What followed was an awakening in Kev.

As he spoke to the packed church, you could feel and hear his emotion.  His voice quivered several times as he told his story.  Tears welled in my eyes and I was not alone.  Many people broke down and cried.  There was no shame in any of this emotion.

Since that day, I have thought often about Kevin, Broken Mary and my own spiritual journey.  I don't exactly know where I am, but I know I am on a mission to learn and understand more.

Along those lines, I have carefully read Broken Mary, the book written by Kevin.  While I heard some fo the stories during Kevin's talk, some were new and the others were more detailed.  It was a wonderful, peaceful journey.  I looked forward to reading bits each day and I stretched it out to make it last longer.

I wanted to learn more about Broken Mary and Kevin's message.  I also wanted to spread the word.  HeroTV would be the perfect avenue for both.  My co-host PL Myers and I are trying to work it out with Kevin for an interview to discuss all of this.  It will happen, hopefully sooner than later.

Until then, check out BrokenMary.com to learn more about the Broken Mary Project.  You can also follow Broken Mary on Facebook.

Kevin Matthews and me in Chicago, IL-March 2018.