Pam Sims Rutledge

My Bride
08/19/11

A New Chapter In My Life

Pam and John Rutledge

August 19,2011

The Mid Night Sun 1977

J Rutledge

Voo Doo

DanielGregory

Johnny Lathem

Truck Jeter

Thomp Thompson

Phil Blackwell

I Love This Picture By Ricki Foster

Before the show shot of the snare and sticks.

A Special Night On Stage

Excited about playing songs by High Cotton

Rehearsal Time Out To Take A Picture

John

David

Lee

Nancy

Jeff

The Years Are Flying By

My First Bike Since A Teenager

A gift from Pam for my 53rd birthday and my first Triathlon.

Every Picture Tells A Story

1977 Taken at the Midnight Sun Spartanburg,SC

Your Carolina Show 08/06/2010

Travis Smith

John Rutledge

Dana Bradley

Todd McGowan

Fund Raiser June 18,2011 Union,SC

Travis Smith

John Rutledge

Todd McGowan

A Six Year Journey

Four Mile Branch Pool

A great pool to work on my swimming and to hang out with Pam.

Distinguished Toastmaster Award July 6,2011

Distinguished Toastmaster recognition is the greatest honor that can be earned by a member of Toastmasters International. The DTM award is given only to those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and communication skills and who have used these skills to help others in their self-development efforts.

Leukemia Attacks One Of My Fitness Brothers

Saturday July 23,2011 Clyde Norris was diagnosed with Leukemia. Clyde is one of the hardest working men in the fitness business. He is a friend and inspiration to all his clients and Gym members. My thoughts and prayers are with Clyde and his family.

Four Mile Branch Drum Studio

I am fortunate to have a beautiful place to practice. This is a long way from the woodshed.

June 4th 2011 My First Sprint Triathlon

Swimming was a weakness so I hired a coach. Peter Kotland is the Triathlon Coach at The Y in Duncan,SC

My Father In The Late 50's

Never Forget Where You Came From

This is a picture of me with my mother in the early sixties.

The 70's Big Hair and Oversized Drums

Playing drums, jumping rope and jogging to stay in shape. This picture was taken in the woodshed at my grandparents house.

Learning From One Of The Best

1994 Smith's Music Spartanburg
David Garibaldi Drum Clinic

I first heard him play on the 1972
Bump City LP
The hit song was You're Still A
Young Man

1998 R&R Hall Of Fame Lennon's Rolls Royce

This was taken at a corporate event in Cleveland OH. I was working with State Chemical Co.

Saturday Market

The Saturday Market Downtown Greenville,South Carolina

Summer 2010. The Travis Smith Project

Summer 2010

The Travis Smith Project Downtown Greenville

South Carolina - Summer 2010

Thank You For Joining My Blog

Life is good, I have no complaints. Thank you for joining my site. There is much more to come.

The Early Eighties Look

This is a rare picture of my grandparents together. I lived with them the first twenty-one years of my life.

Fourty Years Ago In The Woodshed

This was taken in1970-71 at my Grandparents.
I was blessed to have them as parents. They supported me by giving me a roof over my head
and a place to play the drums.

Chicago 10-10-10 Marathon

Liz and I trained together for this marathon. We ran twenty miles at a good pace and I started to struggle. Liz finished strong and I was several minutes behind her. What a wonderful marathon to call my last 26.2

My First TV Performance Your Carolina 2010

Todd McGowan and I laid down the groove to the song Childhood by Travis Smith.

On Your Carolina 2010 The Travis Smith Project

The summer of 2010 was a great one. I enjoyed working with Todd McGowan on Bass, Dana Bradley -Vocals and Travis Smith Lead Vocals and Guitar

Good Memories From The Eighties

Memories from the eighties on stage with Neal Schon and Richie Compton. High Point,NC 1986

Journey was playing in Greensboro the next night. The Raised On Radio Tour

Relaxing Is Important

Pam and I together in Mexico on vacation last year. 2010 was a busy year for us. This trip was exactly what we needed.

Chicago 10-10-10 Marathon

This picture was taken early. Things changed at mile twenty. I had to regroup to finish the marathon. That is the reason they call it a marathon and not a sprint.

Leading An Inspired Life

The late Jim Rohn and me. This was taken at a seminar in 1997 Jim was one of my favorite authors and speakers. I still read the journal I wrote at this seminar.

Public Speaking Is A Mental Exercise

We work a different part of the brain when giving a speech. Toastmasters International has a program that offers a positive environment for learning the art of communication and leadership.
A Toastmasters Club gives you a chance to exercise your mental muscle by thinking on your feet. For six years I've been a member of this great organization....Check out a club near you!

Having A Craft Is Great For Your Health

Playing drums for forty one years has been a wonderful experience. Sometimes I get the opportunity to play a show and get paid or I'll play a benefit for a cause that I believe in.

"It's a craft that keeps me young at heart."

Spring Festivals Are Only A few Weeks Away

Last year The Travis Smith Project played several shows in Greenville,SC

This photo was taken at the Peace Center Amphitheater 2010

Constant Energy

The best way to have constant energy is positive self- talk. We all talk to our self in negative or positive way. When the little voice is telling us that we can't do something it causes us to choke.

Read the book What To Say When You Talk To Yourself by Shad Helmstetter,PhD
I read this book decades ago and it changed my self -talk.

Enjoying Life Is Good For Your Health

I went to a luncheon today in Greenville,SC at the Embassy Suites.

The Keynote Speaker was Chuck Leavell pianist for The Rolling Stones.

The first time I saw him perform in 1974 was with the Allman Brothers Band at the August Jam in Charlotte,NC

Thanks to Angela Viney for inviting me to the event and for introducing me to Chuck.

Thinking Power

I just finished reading the "Power of Positive Thinking" by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
It's amazing how you can read a book over and over and always find something useful.

Amazing What Being Outside Will Do For You

Getting a good dose of sunshine and walking five miles cleared my head. The only thing it cost was one hour and fifteen minutes.

Sunshine Therophy

Enjoying a break from the winter weather. Walking four miles a day with Pam.

Emme Rose by Lee Bogan

Easy Power

Master the art of easy power and watch your world change automagically. Become a student of the take it easy attitude. Take it in stride...Easy baby!

Unhealthy Thoughts

Substitute unhealthy thoughts with vital thoughts and watch the change in your attitude. Unhealthy thoughts will cause you to fall into a funk and mess with your mind.

Mental Fitness

Yesterday I passed the South Carolina Property Management Exam...Flexed my mental muscle a bit.

Daily Mental Muscle

Toastmasters Club meeting this morning. Club 48 Speaking Out at the Y is a great way to start each Thursday morning. It's a wonderful Leadership and communication lab.

2011 Is A Half Marathon Year

Reading Go Magazine looking for half marathons that are close to home. Last year Chicago was huge and it was a hassle getting there. I've decided to run a few half marathons instead of a 26.2

Jack Lalanne Exercise Guru Dead at 96

laLanne rocked the fitness industry with his fitness philosophy and lifestyle. He was a huge influence in the old school fitness business.

"The only way you can hurt the body is not use it"
LaLanne said.

Time To Chillax

A friend and I ran this morning at 7:30 It was 22 degrees outside and sunny. It's a perfect way to clear the head. The Bears and the Packers meet in postseason for the first time since the '40s.
I'm going to chillax and watch the game.

Think Summer When It's Winter

I've never understood why some people wait until spring to get in shape. Thinking about summer all winter will help you make better decisions.

No New Fundalmentals

If you are skinny , eat and lift weights. If you are fat , run, lift weights, and eat less. Choose your foods wisely and drink plenty of water. Get help if you can't do it on your on!

Snow Day In Spartanburg

Going for a walk in the snow t0 get some exercise and enjoy the event. Spartanburg is having it's worst storm in ten years. " A good day to play drums and work inside."

Treadmill and Jump Rope

Cold weather blues can be cured with a treadmill and jump rope. I love running outside but sometimes the cold gets old. A thirty to forty minute cardiovascular workout mixing these exercises will get the job done!

Hair Of The Dog Run New Years Day 2011

It's always tough getting up and going for a run on New Years Day. When I see all of the runners waiting to begin, and everyone is wishing you a great year my attitude changes.

The weather was perfect for running 47 and cloudy. I finished the ten miles in 1:36
What a great way to start the new year!