Myrick, now well known songwriter April 27, 2009

            Living in a suburb of Music City USA, one is bound to come across a country music singer or maybe even a songwriter.  Everybody knows the name Taylor Swift but how about the name, Danny Myrick?

            Myrick resides in Gallatin with his wife and two sons.  In 1992, Myrick was part of a band called Western Flyer and after the band broke up, he joined well known songwriter, Jeffrey Steel at 3 Ring Circus Music.  While working alongside Steele, and Shane Minor, Myrick helped write “International Harvester” recorded by Craig Morgan.

            At the BMI Country Awards last month, Myrick was rewarded for his hard work over the years.  “It’s thrilling,” said Myrick about the song, “it’s recognition of hard work.”

            “We were working on another song and in the process of writing the first verse, I made a comment about a farmer with an old international harvester sitting out on the farm,” said Myrick on developing the idea for the song, “then Jeffrey said, ‘that’s what we ought to write!’”

            Although “International Harvester” is his best known single, Myrick has another song currently climbing the charts, “She’s Country” recorded by Jason Aldean.  Myrick teamed up with Bridget Tatum and says the song is an autobiography about her.  “She (Tatum) came up with the first verse finished, but no ‘hook’,” said Myrick, “As we discussed the lyrics I said this girl is just ‘country’ in every way.” 

            Myrick didn’t know who would end up recording the song until his friend, Sarah Wood, who used to be with 3 Ring Music Circus, helped him pitch the song to Michael Knox, Aldean’s producer in December of 2007.  “Michael loved the song and felt that it was a ‘Jason song’. Jason agreed and they ended up recoding it in September,” said Myrick.

            Aldean performed the song on the CMA Awards on November 12 and also released the song as his next single on the same day.  Myrick and Tatum found out about the plans for the song a few weeks before the show.  “Michael called me and said ‘Hey bro, are you sitting down?’  He told me they decided to perform the song and release it out to country radio stations the same day.”

            Myrick said that Aldean is the perfect artist for the song and he (Myrick) is so excited about it.  “I am hoping it will be a big hit at radio,” said Myrick, “Guess we will know soon!”

Energy drink dangers April 27, 2009

Increased risk of stroke, heart attack and other cardiovascular problems, sounds like the side affects of a new drug.  Actually, all the health risks stated above are the affects of energy drinks.

Red Bull, Rockstar, Monster, Full Throttle, and Amp are the most popular brands of those drinks. Red Bull, introduced to the United States in 1997, is the most popular drink but it comes with a red flag.  The Austria based company warns consumers not to drink more than two cans a day but doesn’t state why.  According to researchers in Australia, Red Bull can be deadly when combined with stress or high blood pressure, impairing blood vessel functions and increasing the risk of blood clots.

It is mainly advertised towards young people because it is known to give them “wings”.  The so-called, “wings” occur when the blood becomes sticky which is a sign of cardiovascular problems.  The “wings” is a catchy marketing campaign and attracts athletes, “’Wings’ represent action, taking off,” said Dylan Snowden, senior football player at Station Camp High School, “so it gives you the ability to ‘fly off’.”

Originally, Red Bull was targeted for adults and along the way it attracted minors, high school athletes in general.  “I get a Red Bull whenever I am going to have fun with my friends,” said Snowden, “just to let loose.”

According to redbull.com, it states that Red Bull “can be drunk in virtually any situation: at work, while driving, during leisure activities, and while playing sports.”

 Because of all the caffeine in the drink, it will actually dehydrate the drinker, according to recent scientific studies. It doesn’t replenish anything lost while exercising like sports drinks such as Gatorade.

Currently, Kentucky, Idaho, New Hampshire, Maine, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Florida have all proposed bills to ban the sale of energy drinks to minors.

 It is banned in Norway, Denmark, Uruguay, and was banned in France for 12 years until July 15, 2008, due to the health risks that it carries.  In Canada, Red Bull is forced to put warnings on their products stating the high caffeine content.

            Caffeine is a bitter alkaloid found in coffee and tea that is responsible for stimulating the nervous system, according to the dictionary.  Two of the herbs that help make caffeine are, Guarana and Ephedrine.  Both are known as substances and are banned by the IOC (International Olympic Committee), the NFL (National Football League), and the NCAA.

            The NCAA states that an athlete cannot have more than 15 micrograms of caffeine in his/her system or else a drug test will come out positive.  Even though the NCAA does not drug test until the championship, a team’s fate could lie in the hands of one test. 

“Our trainers wouldn’t let us drink Red Bull during the post season,” said Kenzie Roark, softball pitcher for Virginia Tech University.  The Hokies finished third at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City this past season.  “I’m not sure why,” said Roark, “they just told us not to drink them.”

In a span of two years, 41 deaths and nine red lines were reported due to energy drinks such as Red Bull.  So just remember, Red Bull may give you “wings” but it could fly you in a different direction.

 

Station Camp High School leaps 4A, dives head first into 5A April 27, 2009

Station Camp High School has quite a reputation as being strong competition in athletics, and next year TSSAA has decided to move the Bison up to the largest class in the state and one of the toughest districts.  The Bison will move into a district with Hendersonville, Beech, Gallatin, Wilson Central, Mt. Juliet and Lebanon High School.

“We knew this was coming,” said Mike Hayes, the athletic director here at Station Camp, “we are one of the bigger schools in our area (district) and it’s about time that we moved up.”

The Bison have won back to back district championships in girl’s basketball, the girls and boys soccer teams have been to the state tournament, baseball, boy’s basketball have all had sub state matchups and track has had a few runners win events at the state meet and golf has been represented as well. 

            “Soccer, cross country, and basketball will be fine,” said Hayes, “baseball and softball could struggle but I think they will be fine too.  Overall we will be fine.” 

            In the fall, Fridays are used for football and the Bison football program is making the jump to Class 5A next season.  “I’m looking forward to it,” said Shaun Hollinsworth, the head football coach, “it will be a great challenge for us.”  The Bison will be one of the smaller programs in the state and will be playing against schools that have more than 2,000 students.  “It’s a bit scary, but exciting,” said Hollinsworth. 

With moving up comes the creation of new rivalries.  The Bison will be playing teams close to home but those teams have established reputations in class 5A.  Week in and week out the Bison will be playing tough competition and the players know that they have to be prepared every week.  “Every game means something,” said Brandon Porch, an upcoming senior on the football team, “we have to be prepared to play good teams every week.”

People will fill the stands every Friday night, no matter where the Bison are playing.  Porch started his first varsity game last season against Hendersonville High School, “The amount of people in the stands was overwhelming,” said Porch, “and it worries me with the guys who haven’t played before and haven’t gotten on the field. 

Basketball will face the same tough competition as well.  This past season the Bison played many underclassmen and will have plenty of experience going into next season.  “We can look at one or two ways,” said Seth Massey, head basketball coach, “and we have chosen to look forward to it.”

The Bison will be playing in the largest division in the state and it will be a challenge.  “It’s a big challenge and won’t come easily overnight,” said Massey.  Massey expects the team to grow into their new district just like the last one and it might take some time.  “We know we can be competitive but the next level is being competitive in 9AAA and getting into the top half of the district,” said Massey. 

The girl’s basketball program has gone 24-0 in district play over the past two seasons.  “It will be hard for them to be the best but they will still be good,” said Ellyn Unger, who was a four year starter on the team.  The Lady Bison played Mt. Juliet in a Christmas tournament last season and lost by six.

The senior athletic class this past season has always wanted to play the local teams but never have had the opportunity.  “Now they have the opportunity to prove that they are the best in the county and they will get the chance to prove it,” said Unger.

The Bison will be playing teams that they have wanted to play for years and now the opportunity has presented itself.  All Station Camp has to do is prove that they belong there.  “That’s what playing is about, going out there and winning games, entertaining the people in the stands and winning for those people who cheer for you,” said Porch.