Ted

In everyone's life there are people who inspire you or people you look up to. Sometimes they are famous people, actors, authors, activists, musicians or religious leaders. Sometimes they are your older brother, friends from school or any body really. I was reminded this week of one of the people I admired in High School and he probably didn't even know it (until know)

Ted Champlin was the life of the party and coolest guy I think I knew in High School. He was two years older than me so that made him even cooler. He could entertain a crowd and seemed like he was liked by everyone. One night when I was in 8th grade I snuck out with some friends (from another friends house sorry Mom) and went to a house party. We got hassled by people getting in, when we got to the gate a guy wanted $5 for a keg cup for beer, we didn't have it, they told us to take off. We went around the side of the house and jumped the fence. I didn't see a lot of people i knew but I saw Ted playing in a band under a gazebo, they were covering "17" by Winger and I thought this was the coolest thing ever seen. They were rocking , about 30 seconds into watching we were quickly caught and escorted out and told if we didn't take off we would get our asses kicked.

After that I knew I wanted to play music. I wanted to get the party going and entertain people.Ted and I hung out for one guitar lesson when I was in high school. I remember every second of it and he taught me how to play "ain't talkin bout love" by Van Halen. I still remember the lesson and how to play the song. Thanks for taking the time to hang out with a dorky freshman!

This weekend Ted asked my band to play a party at his house and that is probably the best compliment I could have ever received! Thanks Ted I look forward to hanging out again.



Then



now