“And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out… “
Dateline: Speaking French in the French Quarter
Bobby wants to be a journalist.
His aunt told me so. Said Bobby was about to graduate from journalism school, but said he was afraid, worried that he can write stories, but not so sure about writing news.
Bobby wants to be a journalist.
So his aunt asks me to talk to Bobby, talk about being a journalist and writing about news, and I tell Bobby this, be a storyteller, because the news of the car accident isn’t about the cars.
It’s about the people within the cars, Bobby.
The 2011 Bassmaster Classic is not about the delta, it’s not about the weather, it’s not about how far the bass boats are going to run looking for fish.
Bobby, it’s not even about the fish. It’s about those who fish.
The Bassmaster Classic is about the men in the boats. All news, all stories are about the human drama, the three act play of our lives.
The Bassmaster Classic is about tears and fears, it’s about courage, it’s about honor, it’s about gut feelings, it’s about holding the trophy in your hands or burying your face in your hands.
The challenge lies not in the sea, the challenge lies within, the anglers. The decisions those people make, will make or break those people.
That’s the glory of journalism, telling the story of us. We are all members of the same tribe. We get each other if we are told the stories of each other. When Ike lays down on his side and reaches into the Delta and grabs a fish and starts screaming and yelling, Bobby dude, that’s joy, that’s a human emotion.
We all feel that way, the first time the lady who would be my wife told me she loved me, when I left and got in my car… THAT’S WHAT I DID. I screamed, and I fist pumped and I cried and I was alive, and anyone out there who has ever been in love, knows that story.
That’s the story of the Bassmaster Classic.
A couple years ago when Skeet Reese lost the AOY race, as he was walking through the crowd, he did so holding his daughters in his arms, and I came up to him and we hugged he had tears running down his cheeks in absolute despair.
When my daughter packed up a Uhaul and drove off to live in Texas I stood at the end of my driveway in the middle of my street and cried like a baby because my baby was leaving me, despair gutted my body.
That’s the story of the Bassmaster Classic.
It is a story of emotions. It is a story of highs, and lows, of cheers and tears, of smiles and frowns. Of the glory that men do.
Bobby wants to be a journalist.
Be a storyteller Bobby, the greatest part of journalism is chronicling the stories of people.
Because the story of the men in the boats, is the story of us. Life at first safe light.
Be a storyteller Bobby.
Come here, and tell the story of the men in the boats of the Bassmaster Classic.
Because when the Classic trophy is raised, it will not be raised by a fish holding it.
It will not be raised by a crankbait.
It will be raised by you.
And me.
By the tribe.
Because we relate and understand each other through our shared experience.
Through the one thing that makes us all alike.
Emotion.
Bobby wants to be a journalist.
Then come here, to a fishing tournament.
And write about the people.
“There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it.”
Head Full Of Doubt, Road Full Of Promise
The Avett Brothers
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