Barone’s view of Classic registration

With age and comfort within the skin you are wrapped in you learn a couple of things, one is…it ain’t all about you.  You learn it’s also, VERY ALSO about those who love you, like you, help you along the way.  You learn it’s also about telling them those things while you can, thanking them while you can…and this is what this photo essay thing is all about, simply recognizing those who are here at the Classic who I want you to see helped me get to where I’m at while at the same time thanking them.  Please know this if I have managed to accomplish anything in this gig these are some of the folks that made that possible, no man/woman stands alone and these are the folks who stood behind me, and made all that has come my way here, possible.  Here they are…
With age and comfort within the skin you are wrapped in you learn a couple of things, one is…it ain’t all about you. You learn it’s also, VERY ALSO about those who love you, like you, help you along the way. You learn it’s also about telling them those things while you can, thanking them while you can…and this is what this photo essay thing is all about, simply recognizing those who are here at the Classic who I want you to see helped me get to where I’m at while at the same time thanking them. Please know this if I have managed to accomplish anything in this gig these are some of the folks that made that possible, no man/woman stands alone and these are the folks who stood behind me, and made all that has come my way here, possible. Here they are…
Steve Bowman and his wife Barb.  If there is one person on this planet who made this happen it is that man standing there, he believed in me when there was nothing to believe in and gave me my first shot at the outdoors.  Steve is in a couple Hall of Fames, deservedly so, but he is also in my Hall of Fame, this entire decade is dedicated to him.
Steve Bowman and his wife Barb. If there is one person on this planet who made this happen it is that man standing there, he believed in me when there was nothing to believe in and gave me my first shot at the outdoors. Steve is in a couple Hall of Fames, deservedly so, but he is also in my Hall of Fame, this entire decade is dedicated to him.
Dave Precht (BTW most of these folks had no idea I was taking their photos so some are good some are blurry and some are going to get me yelled at)  I have to be honest, I’m not sure Dave knew what to make of me when I first got him, and I felt the same way back, sort of began like oil and water, but over the years we have become good friends and close and to me I cherish that accomplishment, Dave is great at what he does and he pushed me to be as good as I could doing what I was an absolute rookie at: fishing & the outdoors.  I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way and I thank him for doing it that way.
Dave Precht (BTW most of these folks had no idea I was taking their photos so some are good some are blurry and some are going to get me yelled at) I have to be honest, I’m not sure Dave knew what to make of me when I first got him, and I felt the same way back, sort of began like oil and water, but over the years we have become good friends and close and to me I cherish that accomplishment, Dave is great at what he does and he pushed me to be as good as I could doing what I was an absolute rookie at: fishing & the outdoors. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way and I thank him for doing it that way.
Alton Jones won the first Classic I ever covered, won something I didn’t know existed the week before I was standing in it.  I remember him standing on stage holding the trophy up high and all the confetti falling but the memory of that first Classic I cherish the most is when all six finalists were sitting on stools on the stage and talking and congratulating each other.  It was the moment I thought to myself, “don’t know exactly what this sport is but I dig the respect I’m seeing.”  Still do.
Alton Jones won the first Classic I ever covered, won something I didn’t know existed the week before I was standing in it. I remember him standing on stage holding the trophy up high and all the confetti falling but the memory of that first Classic I cherish the most is when all six finalists were sitting on stools on the stage and talking and congratulating each other. It was the moment I thought to myself, “don’t know exactly what this sport is but I dig the respect I’m seeing.” Still do.
JAY-OH…Overstreet…so much with this dude…he taught me how to speak “wafflehousesse,” introduced me to Sweet Tea, several thousand variations of fried things, some sayings I use today even though I’m not real sure what they mean because when he explains them to me sometimes/many times I don’t know what he means.  JAY-OH is a back throat talker that sounds like he’s in a drum with some grits stuck in his throat.  JAY-OH also is flat out one of the best photographers I’ve ever been around.  Someday now we are going to put a book together, his pictures, my words…something I will cherish, like his friendship, forever.
JAY-OH…Overstreet…so much with this dude…he taught me how to speak “wafflehousesse,” introduced me to Sweet Tea, several thousand variations of fried things, some sayings I use today even though I’m not real sure what they mean because when he explains them to me sometimes/many times I don’t know what he means. JAY-OH is a back throat talker that sounds like he’s in a drum with some grits stuck in his throat. JAY-OH also is flat out one of the best photographers I’ve ever been around. Someday now we are going to put a book together, his pictures, my words…something I will cherish, like his friendship, forever.
The one standing I knew when he was two years old, the one sitting since he was 6…Laker & Oakley Howell…true story and I’m leaving out the names of who did what because they are minors…I used to camp in a RC and at every campground one of the boys would come over and pick up my trash bag and take it to the dump and I would give him $1 to do  it…well one day his brother came over, knocked on the door and said, “Mr. db…I’ll take your trash out for 50-cents…dude undercut his brother…loved them both ever since.
The one standing I knew when he was two years old, the one sitting since he was 6…Laker & Oakley Howell…true story and I’m leaving out the names of who did what because they are minors…I used to camp in a RC and at every campground one of the boys would come over and pick up my trash bag and take it to the dump and I would give him $1 to do it…well one day his brother came over, knocked on the door and said, “Mr. db…I’ll take your trash out for 50-cents…dude undercut his brother…loved them both ever since.
This is Robin Howell Laker & Oakley’s mom, we’ve been friends almost since day one, close, close enough that when she asks me how I am and I tell her she keeps staring at me until I stop lying and tell her the truth…that’s how close.
This is Robin Howell Laker & Oakley’s mom, we’ve been friends almost since day one, close, close enough that when she asks me how I am and I tell her she keeps staring at me until I stop lying and tell her the truth…that’s how close.
 The two closest people to me now that Kevin and Kerry Short are gone, Steve and Julia Kennedy, I have better lit shots of them but this tells you all you need to know of their love as a couple…and this…
The two closest people to me now that Kevin and Kerry Short are gone, Steve and Julia Kennedy, I have better lit shots of them but this tells you all you need to know of their love as a couple…and this…
…tells you all you need to know that Julia is basically like a sister to me as I do the older brother thing of “would you please take the shot already…”  Two shots that perfectly capture them and our friendship that will last a lifetime.
…tells you all you need to know that Julia is basically like a sister to me as I do the older brother thing of “would you please take the shot already…” Two shots that perfectly capture them and our friendship that will last a lifetime.
Dannette, another personal Fav, not sure exactly what she does either but again we have been together years on the road, and once again one of the cogs in the wheel that keeps the wheel moving…can’t count how often she has been there for me.
Dannette, another personal Fav, not sure exactly what she does either but again we have been together years on the road, and once again one of the cogs in the wheel that keeps the wheel moving…can’t count how often she has been there for me.
Gretchen (which only recently many of us found out isn’t her real legal like name) amazing ability to keep this gig going and BTW you may think you see a pretty young lady there but you don’t, technically she doesn’t really exist because she isn’t on ANY SOCIAL MEDIA OF ANY KIND… I love her too but always worry she might just disappear in front of my eyes…
Gretchen (which only recently many of us found out isn’t her real legal like name) amazing ability to keep this gig going and BTW you may think you see a pretty young lady there but you don’t, technically she doesn’t really exist because she isn’t on ANY SOCIAL MEDIA OF ANY KIND… I love her too but always worry she might just disappear in front of my eyes…
Matt our computer guru and x-ESPN’er like me, Matt was exposed to B.A.S.S. while at ESPN and when ESPN sold B.A.S.S. he, like me chose to stay, again someone you may never see but who is the dude that keeps us up on the world-wide-web thing.
Matt our computer guru and x-ESPN’er like me, Matt was exposed to B.A.S.S. while at ESPN and when ESPN sold B.A.S.S. he, like me chose to stay, again someone you may never see but who is the dude that keeps us up on the world-wide-web thing.
Alan is the guy who bumps (don’t know why we call it BUMP since we are very gentle with the fish) the fish backstage right after driving the stage and putting it all up with the rest of the crew…in my heart I am a Roadie even if the Roadies here never let me touch anything not out of fear I will break it but that it will break me.  My wife thanks them for that.
Alan is the guy who bumps (don’t know why we call it BUMP since we are very gentle with the fish) the fish backstage right after driving the stage and putting it all up with the rest of the crew…in my heart I am a Roadie even if the Roadies here never let me touch anything not out of fear I will break it but that it will break me. My wife thanks them for that.
Jon on your left, Chris on your right.  Jon is the Nation Director who came out of the Nation, is one of my best friends, hugs me every time he sees me, we’ve been at a lot of gigs together, he’s the kind of guy that makes all those around them, better.  Chris on your right is the Opens Tournament Director and a fellow New Yorker who now thinks for some reason that he can’t drive in two inches of snow since moving to Florida.  Smart, kind and for some reason only seems to eat chicken wings while on the road, wants to paint his house his color and not the associations approved color, and did I say only seems to know ow to order chicken wings on the road.
Jon on your left, Chris on your right. Jon is the Nation Director who came out of the Nation, is one of my best friends, hugs me every time he sees me, we’ve been at a lot of gigs together, he’s the kind of guy that makes all those around them, better. Chris on your right is the Opens Tournament Director and a fellow New Yorker who now thinks for some reason that he can’t drive in two inches of snow since moving to Florida. Smart, kind and for some reason only seems to eat chicken wings while on the road, wants to paint his house his color and not the associations approved color, and did I say only seems to know ow to order chicken wings on the road.
Chuck…20 year Army National Guard (retired), more about that here later I think.  Great great friend who is retiring after this year. I’ll say more about Chuck when the story is all his, but many of us will miss this quiet gentleman when he boogies but no one more so than…
Chuck…20 year Army National Guard (retired), more about that here later I think. Great great friend who is retiring after this year. I’ll say more about Chuck when the story is all his, but many of us will miss this quiet gentleman when he boogies but no one more so than…
…this guy, Tournament Director Trip, who BTW the first time he weighs a fish on the Classic stage on Friday will become the longest tournament director of The Classic in B.A.S.S. history.  Best friend…
…this guy, Tournament Director Trip, who BTW the first time he weighs a fish on the Classic stage on Friday will become the longest tournament director of The Classic in B.A.S.S. history. Best friend…
 Jim Sexton, buddy and a boss, let’s me be me, has my back, best boss of my career, hands down as does…
Jim Sexton, buddy and a boss, let’s me be me, has my back, best boss of my career, hands down as does…
…this guy Chris.  Follow him this internet thing we have will explode with his creativity, great friend, great new Daddy, Chris and his team are going to be pulling out some new fancy stuff, just wait.
…this guy Chris. Follow him this internet thing we have will explode with his creativity, great friend, great new Daddy, Chris and his team are going to be pulling out some new fancy stuff, just wait.
Skeet, the man behind Tackle The Storm Foundation who has put thousands of kids back on the water, one of my closest friends and the one who talks me off the ledge many times.  The brother I never had.
Skeet, the man behind Tackle The Storm Foundation who has put thousands of kids back on the water, one of my closest friends and the one who talks me off the ledge many times. The brother I never had.
Brandon, my road kid, one gift given me this past decade has been watching young anglers grow into stars, and this dude is one of the brightest, know this when he gets married I will have a seat way up front (and you better do it quick dude).
Brandon, my road kid, one gift given me this past decade has been watching young anglers grow into stars, and this dude is one of the brightest, know this when he gets married I will have a seat way up front (and you better do it quick dude).
Kay Vee Dee  Close friend, talk a bunch by phone, Christmas cards, birthday cakes, but know this, how do I rank him as an athlete on the same level as Jeter, Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning, Money Ball when all is on the line, focus of Ali while jabbing, end game of Tyson.  Goofy as a friend which is my favorite.
Kay Vee Dee Close friend, talk a bunch by phone, Christmas cards, birthday cakes, but know this, how do I rank him as an athlete on the same level as Jeter, Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning, Money Ball when all is on the line, focus of Ali while jabbing, end game of Tyson. Goofy as a friend which is my favorite.
Sherri VanDam, a quick story I’ll tell you that she will kill me for, several years back I was hospitalized in critical condition for awhile, my 1st gig back was a Classic, as I came down the elevator as she was checking in she saw me, put her bag down and came over to hug me and started crying…you wonder if we are not close like family out here, that’s a true story and shows how much we care.
Sherri VanDam, a quick story I’ll tell you that she will kill me for, several years back I was hospitalized in critical condition for awhile, my 1st gig back was a Classic, as I came down the elevator as she was checking in she saw me, put her bag down and came over to hug me and started crying…you wonder if we are not close like family out here, that’s a true story and shows how much we care.
Aaron, The Natural with a rod and reel instead of a bat.  Aaron, Steve Kennedy and other great friend Rick Clunn by far the greatest pure fishing minds on this planet, sit with them some day and just listen, you’ll learn that fishing encompasses much more than a line and a lure, genius level in how they think about it…and might as well tell you, something Aaron and I have been talking about for years will start this year…I’m going to sit with my friend and Aaron is going to teach kids how to fish, Aaron 101, and I’m pumped to do it with him, he has told me what he wants to cover and it will BE SPECIAL, special as he is.
Aaron, The Natural with a rod and reel instead of a bat. Aaron, Steve Kennedy and other great friend Rick Clunn by far the greatest pure fishing minds on this planet, sit with them some day and just listen, you’ll learn that fishing encompasses much more than a line and a lure, genius level in how they think about it…and might as well tell you, something Aaron and I have been talking about for years will start this year…I’m going to sit with my friend and Aaron is going to teach kids how to fish, Aaron 101, and I’m pumped to do it with him, he has told me what he wants to cover and it will BE SPECIAL, special as he is.
Photo by Julia Kennedy, taken today after weigh-in…none of these children of the Elite were alive when I came here, they are like grandchildren to me now, I choke up just looking at it.  Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to meet my friends and some folks you never normally see.  Life and love is a gift, here’s just 20 some of the gifts I’ve been given, there are many more not here and who I miss.  Tell those you love, you love them while they can still hear it.  Tell those who helped you along the way thank you while they can still hear it.  You are in your time, and your place on this planet, take a moment for kindness, for gratitude, for love.  Moments are all we’ve got.
Photo by Julia Kennedy, taken today after weigh-in…none of these children of the Elite were alive when I came here, they are like grandchildren to me now, I choke up just looking at it. Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to meet my friends and some folks you never normally see. Life and love is a gift, here’s just 20 some of the gifts I’ve been given, there are many more not here and who I miss. Tell those you love, you love them while they can still hear it. Tell those who helped you along the way thank you while they can still hear it. You are in your time, and your place on this planet, take a moment for kindness, for gratitude, for love. Moments are all we’ve got.