An ACP on Local TV

Greg From Cincinnati, Associated Content producer from... well... Cincinnati, appeared on the local Fox affiliate's morning show on September 30. He was scheduled to perform a political rap number, a fusion of his Hip-Hop tributes to presidential candidates, Obama and McCain. After his performance, he was supposed to sit down to talk about how he came to be on the show; but it didn't go exactly that way.

Laura, phenomenal Associated Content staff member, set up the appearance last week. In accordance with her arrangements, Greg arrived at the station at 8:00 AM and sat in the green room waiting for his segment in their critically timed show schedule. Hamilton County's Board of Elections director came on at 8:15 to talk about Ohio Early Voting Procedures. Author, Omar Tyree, went on at 8:30 to promote his newest novel and book signing. Greg From Cincinnti was scheduled to go on at 8:45 after a local news segment.

Time To Go On The Air-

He and his wife Dawnyell (also an AC producer) who does Greg's back up in fine operatic style, followed Helen, the show's producer, to the set. I was there too, with little Daniel, their nine month old son. We stood just outside the studio as Rob, the host, explained where they should stand and what they should do. Sheila, the hostess sat at the desk smiling. I got excited watching a digital studio clock tick away the seconds 'til 'On-Air'; and just as it got to 0 seconds to go, President Bush appeared on the monitor, upstaging Greg with an agenda of his own.

Thinking When I Should Have Been Listening-

We are a nation in economic crises; I understand that fully. As a concerned citizen I should have been hanging on his every word; instead I held little Daniel, watched the studio clock tick away the minutes and thought about Greg in high school, staying up all night to write rap lyrics instead of going to bed. At seventeen, he performed at local events and talent shows he produced himself, rapping about peace and love and success inspired by his favorite book, "Think And Grow Rich."

Greg loved Hip Hop and got good at it, enough to do a promotional video for the local Utility company. As he aged, he decided Hip Hop was something best left behind with other youthful inclinations; but Barack Obama and his incredible rise to Democratic presidential candidate inspired him to pick up his mike again. When he created, filmed and posted his Obama Rap to an online site; CNN, their affiliate, liked it so much they started calling it the 'CNN Obama Rap' and interviewed Greg on CNN International. A radio talk jock in New Jersey heard his rap and challenged him to do one for McCain, which he did; but I'm digressing.

Meanwhile, Back In The Studio-

I got restless watching Greg and Dawnyell standing in the middle of that fake, morning show living room with the host, hostess and their camera crew waiting patiently. I should have been thinking serious thoughts about the economy, but all I could think of was, why? Why is the president on television at 8:45 in the morning? What does he hope to accomplish? I was thinking how I had called all my relatives to watch Greg at 8:45, so would he please just hurry and let my son go on the air. (Oh, I didn't mention that? Greg From Cincinnati is my son)

And then, as though my thoughts had the authority to make it happen, President Bush walked away from the microphone without saying another word. The screen went black, the Morning Show host and hostess said a few appropriate words, then announced Greg Reese, The Political Rapper.

Three Minutes Was Enough-

I supposed it was necessary for President Bush to use up most of Greg's On-Air time. By the time he finished, there were only three minutes left until the close of the show; so the host zipped right into questions about Greg's appearances on CNN, his wife, Dawnyell, and his Success Raps about Obama, McCain, Palin and Warren Buffet. Greg claimed a few seconds to thank Laura at AssociatedContent.Com for arranging his appearance. Then he rolled right into his performance and I stood there smiling and thinking how much I love Associated Content.

I Love Associated Content-

Yesterday morning gave me one more reason to love AssociatedContent.Com. Money for writing, exposure, a television appearance for my son and his family, what more could a mother want? Thanks AC.

If you want to take a look at Greg From Cincinnati's appearance on the Fox19 Morning show, go to http://www.fox19.com/ Click on 'The Big Red Box' then scroll down until you see 'Greg Reese.'