As a kid I watched way too much television. I studied it. I was lonely, alienated, and honestly bored. I can't believe I'm saying this today, but young James found comfort in TV news. That's when I encountered Charles Osgood, when he hosted CBS Sunday Morning for more than two decades.
I was shocked and wondered how is this possible?
This is a news show after all.
But it wasn't the colorful bow ties, the songs, the poems and that reassuring tone that made me fall in love with his work.
It was stumbling upon the podcast of his radio show about 15 years ago.
Charles Osgood in his Osgood file wasn't like anything else.
He spoke slowly, melodically with a command that I think about just about every time I turn on a microphone.
I keep three dog-eared copies of his books on my desk, one of his writing tips, another a collection of his newspaper column, and the third a series of transcription of the Osgood file.
These brief heartfelt news-ish radio segments watered a seed in my head.
Eventually the seed blossomed becoming the show you're listening to right now.
Thank you, Charles.
He was 91.
Man is mortal.
This is true, and that applies to women too.
To each of us, to those we love, and to our dearest friends, at some point, human life begins, and at some point, it ends.
We don't know when.
Life is dispensed in differing amounts.
But it is not how long we've lived.
It's how we've lived that counts.
Death, like life, is natural and not to be afraid of.
If you love life, guard well your time.
For time's the stuff life's made of.
Charles Osgood
What do you think? Who is your inspiration for your work?
Tell me in a comment at jamesbrowntv.substack.com or email me at jamesbrowntv@gmail.com.
You can also leave me a message at 585-484-0339.
On that note, I'm James Brown, and as always, be well.
Share this post