We’re fast approaching the end of 2023. It was a great year in some ways. I felt the Lord’s provision and direction in a lot of different areas this year. I got to work with some great clients. Really helped some people along the way. Made new friends and new clients. Experienced God’s goodness and mercy in many areas.
A lot of people are making plans and resolutions for the new year. And while we can and should work towards goals each year and hope and pray for good things to happen. We also have to be obedient and listen to God’s leading. I’m not suggesting that we should pray for bad things, but I promise you this, God’s blessings are not always health, wealth, and prosperity. I find real blessings are more often direction changes that test and strengthen our faith in his good and perfect will for the lives of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.
The economy is tough. A lot of things are not as we would like them to be in the world. There have been many times this year when I wasn’t sure where my next project would come from, yet he provided over and above what I needed. And he allowed me to capture some of his majesty on display in the process. That’s such a blessing.
The first image in the video below is of a wren that nested in a gourd behind my house. A good friend of my dad’s grew them last year. I cleaned a few of them up and hung them here and there. This little chain of events led up to this photo. God used us to provide for this little defenseless wren. And in Matthew 6:26 we’re told, “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
Ponder that a little bit.
We’re certainly responsible for our actions and are to work hard and make wise decisions. But we’re not called to work harder and be smarter on our own. We’re to seek wisdom from the Lord and his righteousness and then the king who owns the cattle on a thousand hills is sure to give us all that we need. And when our heart’s highest desire is for him then we are sure to find what we’re after. That means we’re called to live by faith and be holy as he is holy. We’re called to be the light in a dark world. The economy is crazy and life is full of twists and turns. But we are to let our light so shine before men that they may see our good deeds and honor our Father in heaven. Matthew 15:16.
So with that in mind, I hope you have a fantastic 2024. Look forward to working with you in 2024!!!
I’ve been to Nashville a handful of times over the years. Last week though, I got the opportunity to hang out in Nashville at Banjo Ben‘s Nashville Experience.
“Banjo” Ben Clark is a talented musician from Kilgore, TX who has played professionally for several years with acts like Craig Morgan, Josh Gracin in his early days in Nashville. In 2007 though, Ben was called on to help an up and coming young artist who was just getting started skyrocket to fame you may have heard of named Taylor Swift. They set out on tour that year with the king of country, George Strait and country music legend Ronnie Millsap. The rest as they say is history, but according to Ben, after a few years of playing 300+ nights on the road, he was burned out. He left the arena sized crowds to begin doing what Ben seems to really have a passion for and that’s teaching others to play banjo, guitar, and mandolin through online courses.
As his youtube channel and online business began to grow, Ben stared doing what he calls “Cabin Camps”. Here, musicians from beginner to advanced, come from all over to hone their skills as musicians. At these camps, he along with his equally talented sisters of a popular Gospel Bluegrass group called “The Purple Hulls“, Katy Lou Clark and Penny Lea Clark Gimble teach in-depth music lessons.
Last week was a little different though. I believe this was the first “Nashville Experience” Cabin Camp. This time, the goal wasn’t so much instrument focused about learning how to become a better musician, but rather, what it’s like on the inside of the Nashville music industry. Everyone got to experience the music industry in a much deeper way than just a normal sight seeing trip to Nashville.
After a quick lunch at Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, We started off on music row by going to Sony Music Publishing’s Studio A where we got an inside look at how songs are cut and produced. Here I knew it was going to be good when we didn’t go in through the front door lobby. Entering through the artist’s entrance would be a theme for the two day event.
Then we moved down the road to Gruhn Guitars where we met with George Gruhn. George is the largest Martin guitar dealer and THE expert aficionado on all things guitars. Here, once again, we may have entered the front door, but we were quickly taken up to the second floor which is not open to the general walking public. Never before have I seen or heard a $300,000 guitar before or an equally valuable and rare mandolin. Watching a group of young musicians get to play them and play them well was amazing and a testament to the things that they have learned from Banjo Ben’s online guitar lessons and lessons at other banjo camps. Sitting there listening to them play amongst thousands of rare and valuable instruments is cool. Casualy Looking over during a conversation at an unassuming guitar sitting there in an open case and seeing the luggage tag on it that says “E. Scruggs” was interesting, to say the least. And yes that is the Earl Scruggs as verified by a certificate of authenticity from George and it can be yours. It’s on sale currently on the Gruhn Guitars website for $100,000.
Later we went to dinner at Ole Red downtown before heading to Springer Mountain Farms bluegrass nights at the Ryman where we went backstage to visit with Rhonda Vincent before the show. Something tells me it wasn’t just chance that we met her in the alley between the Ryman and Tootsies. However, that happened, It was a welcome surprise and a cool chance to meet the artist. Once again, entering the Ryman from the back alley instead of the main public entrance proved this wasn’t your ordinary family vacation trip to Nashville. The show itself was one of the only things we did that the average Nashville visitor could participate in.
The following day, we met up at Storytellers in Bon Aqua, TN. This seems like an unassuming building but it is a historic general store building where Johnny Cash and others performed years ago. More on that later.
There we of course got to hear Ben and The Purple Hulls perform and hear Ben’s full story. We also got to hear from people like Radio legend Kyle Cantrell as his career has moved from Broadcasting on WSM, to Satellite radio and his latest endeavor to start BanjoRadio.com Later we heard two time IBMA Guitar player of the year Kenny Smith and his wife Amanda play and share their story.
I don’t know if it was intentional or not but one thing that I loved and that stuck out in all of the stories that were told is how pieces of the Gospel couldn’t help but be woven into their stories. How God’s sovereign and providential will moved these people all from humble beginnings to where they are in their careers and lives today and where they are headed in the future. It was a testament to not just the work of God in their lives but character building and the quality of character found in pretty much all of the people working with Ben.
I mentioned before that Johnny Cash was involved in the history of the building now know as the “Storytellers”. Well, there is a little more to that story. Right down the road from Storytellers, a hand hewn log cabin sits on a 100 acer farm that Johnny once owned. The property is now known as Hideaway Farm. It got it’s name because this is the place Johnny and June chose to hideaway from their life of fame. The home is still filled with many of Johnny’s things almost as he left it including the “one piece at a time car”.
Obviously I’ve left out tons of details here but, if you are a budding musician or if you just picked up a guitar, mandolin, or Banjo, Banjo Ben is the guy you need to get in contact with. I’m not a musician myself. I can play the radio but sometimes it has a little static in it. But I think you’ll be hard pressed to find a more qualified expert than Banjo Ben Clark and his team. If you ever get the chance to go to one of his Cabin Camps, I think you should jump on the opportunity.
You can find Ben online at www.banjobenclark.com. There, you’ll find all of his latest lessons, how to subscribe as well as upcoming events. Or Like, Follow and subscribe on all the major social media channels. There is a lot of crazy stuff on there sure to keep you laughing as well as the latest tutorials and some great music.
In 2020, The Corona Virus, Covid-19, The China Virus, The Rona, what ever you want to call it, it rocked the world. Personally, I’ve been very blessed to have seen very few effects from it. I haven not caught it and no one in my family has had it. I’m a bit of a home body anyway so it really didn’t affect me in the dramatic fashion that it changed other peoples lives. One way it did affect me though is it totally ruined my 2020 turkey season.
I’ve been filming for T.P. Outdoors Adventures for several years now and each year, we usually end up in Texas, chasing Rio Grand Turkeys. They sure are fun to hunt and make quite the movie stars. However, as The Rona lockdowns took effect, Louisiana’s per capita infection rates were very high which prompted Texas to close its borders to Louisiana Residents. Being from Arkansas, It technically didn’t affect me at the time but everyone else in our group was from Louisiana so that really canceled our trip.
I also had a personal hunting trip to Kansas planned with another friend. Right before our trip, Kansas stopped selling out of state hunting licenses so that was out. Although I did get a little Arkansas turkey hunting in, with very few turkeys in arkansas and fewer places to hunt, my opportunities to kill a turkey in my home state were pretty slim. Other than one unsuccessful youth hunt and an unsuccessful hunt with a friend, My 2020 turkey season was nothing to write home about.
This year, our annual turkey trip entourage would consist of Bill Petrus, Brad Bell, Paul Miller, and Mike Mulhern. With the exception of Brad Bell, all are seasoned hunters. As for Brad, this would be his first time turkey hunting and he was in for an experience.
We’d be hunting about half way between Abilene and Sweet Water Texas. As you travel west along I-20 its amazing how the geography and ecology of the surroundings change. From the swamps of Louisiana, to the Pines of East Texas, you then drop off into rocky mesquite county near Dallas ripe with rattle snakes, Jack rabbits and Rio Grand Turkeys.
For all intents and purposes, there are four distinct sub species of wild turkey in the US. The Eastern’s which we have here at home. Rio Grands located in Texas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. Scattered through other parts of the western US, you’ll find Miriam. And only in Florida can Osceola turkeys be found. A very limited number of Gould turkeys inhabit parts of southern Arizona/New Mexico, but thay are predominantly found in central Mexico so most people at least in my circle don’t really consider those part of the Grand Slam of turkey hunting.
NWTF Turkey Distribution Map
Not to say that Rio Grand turkeys are specifically easy to hunt but they sure make a fun hunt. If I were to relate them to deer hunting, it’s been my experience that hunting Rios is kinda like hunting 2 year old white tails. Not the hardest critter in the woods to hunt. Now Eastern Wild turkeys I’d say are more like hunting mature 4-5 year old white tails. Many hunters can take a 2 or three year old white tail but very few have the ability successfully harvest keen eyed and wood smart mature bucks year after year. Turkeys are the same way. An Eastern wild turkey will make a fool out of you if you aren’t careful but Rio Grand turkeys can make even a novice turkey hunter feel like they are the best turkey caller in the world. They make excellent movie stars though.
First Hunt
As a photographer/videographer, I do 99% of my hunting with a camera. I still love to hunt though but documenting the hunt is my job. Therefore my hunting usually has to wait until others have filled their tags. The first hunt would go to Bill Petrus and Brad Bell.
Bill Petrus and Brad Bell head out on the first morning hunt.
The day we arrived, in west texas, it was nearly 90 degrees. I hoped it wasn’t going to be this warm all week. If so, I had too many warm clothes in my bag. Thankfully, it was cool and crisp as we headed out for our first mornings hunt. A distant coyote howled before sunrise as we got our gear out of the truck. A gobbler fired off an answer. He was roosted about 400 yards away in a fairly narrow wood line bordering a planted winter wheat field.
Our outfitter was right. He had told us that he’d been seeing turkeys along the edge of the field. Sure enough, He was right where we were headed.
We settled into a blind and it wasn’t long before a few hens funneled out onto a dirt road and spilled out into the field. Two gobblers silently followed along. Silent strutters displayed their tail fans to the ladies who seemed more interested in finding a grasshopper or some other morsel to eat.
For me, When wildlife come out like this, two things happen. Your heart jumps a beat when you first see them. Often, my first, thought or words usually come out like, “there they are”. I enjoy the opportunity to view and watch the behavior of such awesome wildlife. We talk about turkey hunting and read about new products and new methods to take the game we chase but to actually get to watch them may only last for a few minutes. Now is the time to soak that in. For me though I’ve got to do what I can to get the photos/video needed and without spooking them.
Secondly, we are here to do some grocery shopping. This is the second thought that comes to mind. Turkeys are very keen eyed. I swear sometimes a blink of an eye can give your position away but now you have to raise a gun to aim without multiple birds seeing you move. It’s a good thing we had a blind because with two gobblers, Bill and Brad hoped to pull off a double.
The stars aligned and sure enough, Both birds separated and broke strut giving each a clear shot. After a quick check with each other and a brief 321. Both birds barreled over. Not only did Bill get his bird, Brad Bell had his first turkey.
Bill Petrus and Brad Bell Doubled for Brad’s First TurkeyBrad Bell’s First Wild Turkey
It was my turn
After snapping some photos and dealing with their birds, we grabbed some lunch.
With one pair of tags filled, Bill offered to take over camera duty and it was my turn to try to take a bird.
We headed out to a different property we had permission to hunt and have taken birds from in years past. as we drove past, I looked to the right side of the vehicle and….
“There They ARE!”
Three gobblers surround by cows, gobbled at us in a pasture adjoining the property we were hunting. On top of that, they looked like they were headed to our side of the road.
We drove a couple hundred yards around a corner and quickly gathered our gear to attempt to cut them off. Every move we made here after was calculated.
This is what I love about turkey hunting. Its a cat and mouse game. You use your knowledge of the area and turkey behavior patterns to make an educated guess at what they are going to do and how they are going to react to plan your movements and actions. This Is Turkey Hunting.
We kept mesquite brush between us and where we assumed the turkeys would be traveling as we walked at a brisk pace into location. We found a good hiding spot under some larger mesquite trees and set up to do some calling. Instantly, the three turkeys gobbled. They were on our side of the road for sure but they had already gotten past us and were heading away.
We made a move to narrow the distance and set up again. Not wanting to seem to terribly interested I made a few light clucks and purrs on my Slate Call. They responded with a gobble each time. However, they weren’t coming. Purrs and clucks were getting a response but no real movement in our direction from the birds.
They were on a slight hill above us. I’ve always been taught that you want the high ground. Even though it wasn’t much of a hill, they had the higher ground and moving on them again was out of the question.
After a few minutes, I could see the three gobblers moving from our right to left a couple hundred yards out. they were responding to a call with gobbles but not coming closer. It was time to change tactics.
I began to make a series of excited yelps, clucks and some excited purrs. This stopped them in their tracks as they were looking intent in our direction now. We had two decoys out and I’m sure they could see those now. This also gave them a good view of Bill Petrus holding the fan of his turkey he’d taken earlier that morning.
Now for the record; fanning turkeys can be extremely dangerous, but It works. Each year, you hear horror stories of turkey hunters accidentally getting shot so I don’t recommend anyone fanning turkeys like this on public land where another hunter could mistake you for a turkey. But in this instance, we were the only people with permission to hunt this property and we were all but certain that no other hunters were around.
Between the excited calling, and the turkey fan, all three turkeys began to close the distance. Bit red white and blue heads bobbed through the mesquite trees as they came closer. You could hear one of them drumming as they strutted in.
They were well within range of a 12 ga by this point. However, I was hunting with my Great Grand fathers Winchester model 42 shotgun made in 1943. Thats before World War II if anyone is keeping a record. This gun was passed down from my great grand father Bruce Lester Porter to my dad when he was a little boy. The story my dad told me was that he was squirrel hunting with his grand father and only had a single shot 22. As squirrels began to run through the trees, his 22 just wasn’t cutting the mustard so he gave this 410 shotgun to him as a little boy. He killed many squirrels with it as a kid and then when I came along as his first son, I got to take the gun on my first dove hunt and first squirrel hunt with my grand father.
Bruce Porter (right) was an avid outdoorsman. Here he helps hold a stringer of bass
I was shooting Apex Ammunitions TSS 410 Turkey Ninja loads. Based on my patterning, I really needed the turkey to be within 30 yards. A modern 410 with modern choke tubes is deadly at 40 yards and maybe even a little further, but I was comfortable within 30 yards. I also wanted Brad to get the best show from these three gobblers and we were filming for a TV show so we also wanted to get as much video as possible so I tried to get them as close as possible.
The back two birds were beginning to catch on to the game though. I watched as the back birds head went grey then the middle bird paused and started to turn around but the lead bird was still hot to trot so both birds tagged along cautiously. Brad was sitting to my right and I knew the gig was almost up. The lead bid broke his strut and raised his head. I don’t know if he’d seen movement or heard brad and I but This was it. I called the shot and Brad took his bird but by this time, All three birds had turned and started to run. Brads bird fell but mine was shot on the run and I had to take a body shot. We both took off after him and dispatched the bird.
What a thrill
To be a able to harvest a turkey is exciting stuff. To have two good hunts in one day is awesome. To have not one but three birds play the game is such an experience. To share that experience with good friends amplifies the whole thing to another level. Then to be able to do it with my great grandfather’s shotgun and fulfill a goal that was two years in the making was such and awesome thing. I love it when a plan comes together.
Punched my Texas 2021 Turkey Tag
God has been so good to me. I’ve been blessed with great friends, and an amazing job to get to film some of the things I’ve done and witness his Majesty on display in the outdoors. I truly hope each of you can experience things like this hunt and not just share it with others but invite someone else to share it with.
Like I mentioned, this was Brad Bell’s first turkey hunt. He didn’t really hunt before marriying Bill’s Daughter Emalee. I got as much thrill out of helping teach Brad how to hunt as anything and share some laughs together. I don’t claim to be the worlds greatest turkey hunter but as the birds were coming in, I was able to whisper to brad the whole time, what I was seeing and what i was doing. Just like with my great grand dad’s shotgun that was passed down from him to my dad and then to me, teaching others and passing on knowledge is what makes a hunt. If we all just hunted by ourselves and didn’t share the hunt or share a meal together from the game we harvested, would hunting traditions continue? Would we even still have wild turkey populations in the US without hunters?
Whether its turkey hunting or any other sport, I hope this story of my hunt in texas with some friends and my great grandfather’s shotgun will inspire you to get out and experience God’s goodness and his blessings in the outdoors with your own friends and family and pass it on to the next generation.
Are you a real estate agent looking to sell property in the South Arkansas, North Louisiana Area? Need high quality photos or video? Look no further.
From basic photos to fully produced walk through videos, Riverbank Products can help you sell your next home with professional, high quality images and even web design to better market your company as well as individual listings.
We designed and maintain the website for SRG Realty located in El Dorado, AR and who recently expanded to Camden, AR
Or ask real estate agent Netasha Williamson with Jan’s Realty. Jan’s Realty has been a trusted real estate broker in south Arkansas for years and Netasha entrusted Riverbank Products to capture eye catching photography and professional walkthrough videos of some of highest valued and highest quality home listings.
Check out some of our sample work below
170 N St Andrews El Dorado, Arkansas
List Price: $799,000 (5-4-2021)
This gorgeous architectural detailing & impeccable craftsmanship creates this one-of-a-kind home built in 2016. With almost 5000 square feet and located on an Estate lot that is a little over 3 acres in the Mystic Creek subdivision this home is the “Dream Home” you have been looking for. Luxury is the only word that can describe this appealing floor designed to maximize wide-open views. This craftsman home with an updated country farmhouse flair features graceful arches with gable bracket detailing. The exterior of the home has a metal roof and cottage architectural shingles, and the porch is lined with columns and has a covered deck that overlooks a private wooded backyard. The house was built & landscaped using Arkansas rock. This 4-bedroom 3 bath home impresses you as you step foot inside the foyer with its barrel-vaulted ceilings & cement columns, octagon dining room, with an oversized great room with cathedral ceilings. The left wing of the home includes an enormous gourmet kitchen, breakfast area, open family room, & sunroom with a fireplace, that creates one large entertaining space. Two secondary bedrooms with a bath are tucked away on the opposite side. The opposite wing holds the decadent master suite with a ceiling that will take your breath away. The custom master closet has a marble island and master bath has dual marble vanities, soaking tub, with a separate shower, that will not disappoint. The guest room has its on private bath which will be perfect for guests. Extras – Ice machine, double oven has a warming drawer, soft close drawers, automatic lights, loft, & separate office or man cave.
Please call Netasha at 870-866-9958 to book your private showing.
*Must have a bank preapproval letter to view this home.
Photos
Real Estate Walkthrough Vidoe
3600 Calion Rd El Dorado, Arkansas
List Price: $999,999 (5-4-2021)
Exquisitely designed and master crafted in 2006 by TG Conley and Glenn Owens, this stunning custom home awaits its new owner. Built using handmade bricks from Williamsport, Maryland, molding throughout downstairs is wrapped 13 times to get the right look, the staircase and chandeliers set the tone of elegance when you walk through the door. Situated on over 4 acres this 7182 square foot home is perfect for everyday living & entertaining with a formal living & dining room, full size eat in kitchen, den, sunporch, & patio area. Chef’s kitchen with Viking appliances, extra-large island, 3 ovens, warming drawer, ice maker, butler’s pantry, additional pantry with wine storage, cloth lined silverware drawers,sitting/breakfast area with gorgeous view out of the greenhouse style window.
Inviting main level Owner Suite with sitting area, his and her full marble baths, with custom closets, private office, with an additional room that can be used as a nursery or work-out room.
Upstairs includes a 2nd Master suite, 2 bedrooms with attached baths, fully lined cedar closet, 2 walk in floored attic storage spaces.
Additional amenities: 4 car garage, custom window treatments, 5 inside fireplaces, 2 outdoor fireplaces, full house sound system, state of the art security and lighting system, Pella doors, generator, sprinkler system, safe room, Cypress screened porch, 3 on-demand hot water heaters, 5 AC units for zone heating/cooling, all custom cabinets and built-ins, outdoor lighting -copper lanterns, gutters, downspouts and flashing (copper), ornamental iron fence, fountain, crawl space foam sprayed on underside. Many more upgrades and amenities that will be provided with a private appointment.
Must have bank pre-approval or sufficient funds letter to view this home.
Please call Netasha at 870-866-9958 to see this home.
Spring means one thing for seniors. School is almost over.
Over the next couple of weeks, we will be wrapping up the last of our senior photo sessions for this year. If you have not gotten on the schedule and need a couple more last minute shots contact me and let’s get together sooner rather than later. If I can help you with your photo order I’m happy to help you anytime.
Below are just a few shoots from this year’s senior sessions.
Taylor GreerColt JonesBrice Jerry Julia GoodwinJason Flournoy
