The Official Michael McIntire Web Site

Welcome. But try and ignore the mess as we gather our material content and make plans to display it in some logical and consistent fashion.
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First, since they are new -- and we want to find the best way to present them -- here is a menu listing of some sound files (MP3s) that were performed by The 55 Chevy Band at Schwagstock 31 . Recording source and other credits are included.
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(NOTES: Your browser should invoke its default MP3 Player) (Close pop-up windows to return here) Here are the four songs in MP3 format: Listen to "Nobody's Knockin'" in a new window -- Listen to "Love Light" in a new window -- Listen to "Red House" in a new window -- Listen to "Imagine" in a new window .
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An article about my book was published on June 14, 2006 and appeared in our local newspaper, the Shannon County Current Wave. The Headline was: "Local Pens Bio of..." Then there's a photo of the cover of the book. The headline is arranged so that it corresponds to the main title of the book as it's shown on the photo. Thus it actually reads, Local Pens Bio of "Blind Man Running." The caption beneath the photo reads: Shannon County musician Mike McIntire is shown jogging down a country road on the cover of his recently released book -- Blind Man Running. The text of the article follows: Autobiographical Book Shares Visions of Blind Man's Journey.
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Already known as an accomplished guitarist, singer and songwriter, Michael McIntire is now a published author as well, with his autobiographical Blind Man Running in print. Published this year by the Indiana firm authorhouse, the 120-page paperback is his latest creative endeavor in which he "adds another perspective to his life as a blind musician, not only telling his story with song, but with the written word."

McIntire, 56, was born in St. Louis but came to Eminence at age 12, when his family moved here. The book offers memories and anecdotes of his teenage years in Shannon County, where he now lives in the woods between Eminence and Winona, as well as photos and humorous tales of his travels across the country from Springfield, MO to California as a professional musician and self-proclaimed "hillbilly hippie."

"For many years people have made the assertion that I should write a book containing a perspective of my life as a blind person," McIntire writes. "In retrospect, I realize that I was hesitant because, knowing a book on this subject may be informative; I questioned its value as entertainment. I soon found that my reservations were unwarranted."

In Chapter One, he notes that he is grateful to God because when He bestowed blindness upon him, He also gave him the gift of spirit, adding one of his favorite sayings, "I may be blind but I have vision." His adventures and insights into his experiences throughout the book prove that while his vision was slipping away, he never lost any of his sense of humor, all the way to the final chapter, entitled "Blind Jokes."

"It has never been my intention to be provocative, but I know this book would be considered politically incorrect in today's world," he says. "Please don't tell the moral police, but I tell it like it is, in my own words. I hope this book is informative, humorous, and emotionally stimulating, but most important, after reading this book, it is my sincere hope, you will be left with a greater understanding of the life of this blind man."

At least one reviewer felt McIntire succeeded in accomplishing just that, calling the book "a journey that includes moments of personal darkness and episodes of surreal hilarity. For a man losing his sight, Michael had a clarity of vision that others may lack."

Blind Man Running - A Product of the Ozark Mountains - The Story of a Blind Man's Quest for the Joy of Life is available in local stores for $15 per copy as well as at McIntire's live performances. Photos and more information can also be found on his website blind-cat.com.

Well, the very next week the Current Wave published a sixtieth Anniverary picture set of my Dad and Mom, Don and Nina McIntire. The text beneath two photos (...one of my Mom about the time of their marriage on the left and a current picture of them together) was: "60th Wedding Anniversary Celebration -- Don and Nina McIntire were married on May 18, 1946 and on May 18, 2006 in Columbia, Missouri at the home of Marsha McIntire, there was a celebration of family and friends. Which included five grandchildren."

Pertinent to my website, your comments and critiques are appreciated. An e-mail link is provided for that purpose, or if you just want to talk, or maybe to find out how you can purchase one of my albums on compact disc, as well as a copy of my book.

Anyway, the byline for my online persona is stated as, "The Music of Michael McIntire." Of course it is also more than that. I am not without the human tendency to want to share myself and my life. Who knows? Somebody might learn something. I hope that's as true about my accomplishments as it is my mistakes.

With my Lady Sandie, I live in the beautiful Ozark Mountains in south-central Missouri, a place famous for its hospitality and infamous for its lack of commercial opportunity and enterprise, other than the tourist business. On the other hand, that's what keeps it so pristine and sparsely inhabited. Some people like it that way, including yours truly.

As for my blindness, it has not diminished my sense of adventure. My music has taken me throughout the United States. For the last 40 years I have entertained people with blues, country, rock, bebop and bluegrass music. I'm still doing that and also invite you to explore my world here online. I hope you enjoy my writings, music, pictures, and share my joyous outlook on life. Whether you stay and check me out or leave, thanks for visiting. I hope you come again soon.

Select any link from the list below to get a feel for the surroundings. In most cases those will take you to another place within this document. Others may open in a new instance of your browser. You can use your reader's back up feature to return to this main page or go the next item on the links menu.

The Music Page (The Albums I've recorded. Also provides a way to listen to sound clips)

The Long Ride Home (This piece is about an experience that changed by life, and almost killed me. The title of the story is "The Long Ride Home.")

About my Book (It was published the first of the month of June, 2006. It is about my life experiences as a blind person. If you are interested in considering the perspective of a blind man running, think of all the ways a blind man can run. In fact, that's the Title of the book; "Blind Man Running." Being blind can give rise to its own particular kind of wisdom and I wanted to write it all down. It's full of humorous anecdotes and other of my experiences. I will try and share some of it here as time permits. But the information has to be transcribed to text from scanned graphical images. Bear with me.

Michael's Rock'n Roll Angel (This is about Sandie, the lady in my life. I call her "Michael's Rock'n Roll Angel." Since it is a pictorial the best I can do here is mention her. So there needs to be a short story written about our relationship. Please stand by. This place is reserved for that information.)

Fun Stuff (These pages are mostly jokes. Included are some blind jokes. If you are easily offended by that kind of humor, please consider that others find them refreshing.

The Scrapbook (The Scrapbook Page is a work in progress. I have several newspaper clippings that I'd like to share. For this wing of the web site those will have to be transcribed into a readable format instead of presented as scanned images. In any case I'll include this page here anyway while we try and find a way to present the information or else decide it's more prudent to just leave it out.)

I first picked up a guitar in Eminence, Missouri in 1964. I tried to learn anything I could from the local guitar players in the area, Sherman Shedd, Stanley Smith, and my cousin Randy O'Dell. They were all country pickers. I was first influenced by The Ventures. Around 1966 I was in a band called The Vibrations, With Robert Deel on guitar and vocals and John Counts on drums. In 1968 I moved to Springfield, Missouri to attend SMSU. For the next two years I jammed with local musicians among them members of a band called The Family Tree, which would later become the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Then in 1970 I met Belinda Bruner and we formed a band called Flesh, With Allen Pearson on drums and Kenny Mongar on bass. Around this time Belinda and I were kidnapped by some musicians we knew who were living in Clovis, New Mexico. They were in the Air Force. We formed a band called Calamity Jane, Which consisted of Kermit Brown on bass, Carl Fluharty on rhythm guitar and vocals and Joe Kelly (Grandson of the famous clown Emmit Kelly) on drums. Calamity Jane did their last concert at the Shrine Mosque in Springfield, Missouri in 1971. Ironically, our warm up act was John Dillon and his wife. John was the founder of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils who would a few years later become nationally known.

I hung around Springfield for the next few years once again jamming with local musicians. In 1974 myself and Belinda, Carl, Kermit and Joe Kelly got together once again to form a band called Mordecai. This lasted for about a year. This was the beginning of my bluegrass phase. Around 1973 I had started experimenting with the banjo. I spent the later part of the seventies going to bluegrass festivals in Winfield, Kansas and surrounding areas. I sat along the banks of the Current and Jack's Fork Rivers and around campfires with my acoustic guitar and banjo learning old traditional songs such as Cripple Creek, Sally Goodwin, Foggie Mountain Breakdown, and Dueling Banjos etc. In 1979 Roger Sanders and I took off traveling around the country in my 55 Chevy. Roger played acoustic guitar and sang. I played the acoustic guitar and banjo. We were heavy into bluegrass, Crosby Stills Nash, etc. We were called Sanders and McIntire. This went on for about a year until we wound up in Fort Collins, Colorado, Where in 1980 I met Bebe Bryant. A while after that Roger moved on and Bebe started singing with me. We kept the name Sanders and McIntire for the next three years. During this time we were blessed with twin daughters, Dillon Margot and Dane Michael. They still live in Fort Collins to this day. We also made a rock and roll album called Runnin Wild. Needless to say by this time I had gotten my electric guitar out of the closet once again.

In 1983 I moved back to Springfield, Missouri where I joined the Donny Snow Band. It was my first country band. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot. Donny was a good band leader. I was in a couple of other bands after that but only for a short time. One was The Terry McCurdy Band with Terry on drums and Allen Roberts on bass. The other was McIntire, Roberts and Griggs, with Allen Roberts on bass and Scott Griggs on drums. Around this time I was fortunate enough to be the warm up act for Roy Buchanan the legendary blues guitarist. I also went to Hawaii for three months where I played on the north shore of Oahu at the Hilton with a band composed of native-born Hawaiians. That was quite an experience for a hillbilly from the Midwest. Then in 1987 I made another quantum leap for the first time I started a band using my name. It was called Michael McIntire and The Blues Project. This only lasted for a few months. Then I dropped The Blues Project and just went with The Michael McIntire Band. I did not want to be pigeon holed into one kind of music. I love many kinds of music and I like to play many kinds of music. Not to mention you have a wider venue. Over the next few years I went through countless drummers and bass players trying to hold things together. Then around 1991 I made another quantum leap, I purchased a synthesizer and spent one whole winter laying down my own rhythm tracks. For the first time I was my own bass player, drummer, keyboards, sax, etc. I convinced my lady at the time, Debbie Hediger, to join me as a duo. At which time The McIntires was formed. And for the next four and a half years that's the way it was. We played around the Springfield area. Then on October 15, 1995 it all came to an end when we were hit head on by a drunk driver on Kansas Expressway in Springfield, Missouri. Debbie was killed and I was very nearly killed. I spent months recuperating at home. I had to learn to play guitar all over again. I wasn't sure if I would ever play music again. Then some friends of mine foremost among them Paul Bodenhammer and his wife Violet pulled me out into the music world again. They took me around to jam sessions which I realized right away was what I needed. They also helped me to form another band. The bass player was Dale Webb, Steve Graham was the drummer and Taci Rooker was on the keyboards. It was the best band and the most fun that I had had for years. One of the highlights of this time was when we were the warm up band for Lynard Skynard. This lasted for about a year.

Then once again I took another step. A lady by the name of Barbara Hoskin and I took off on our own. We had the rhythm tracks that I had spent hours recording put on mini disk and we also got other background music from other sources. We started from scratch rehearsing at my home. We played music around Springfield for a couple of years. Then on June 7, 1998 I did one of the most exciting things I have ever done in my life. Barbara hooked my twenty-five foot travel trailer up to her vehicle and we took off on the road. For three years we roamed the west, The Lake Tahoe area in Nevada, the Palm Springs area in southern California (where we spent two winters), the Tombstone area in Arizona, also Bullhead. We spent nine months in the western Washington State area. During this time I incorporated the banjo, harmonica, and fiddle into the act. I supposed this was a culmination of years of experimenting with different styles and types of music.

In April of 2001 I returned to Eminence Mo. Where it all began, I had come full circle. For a year I lived with my parents, writing a few songs about the local area. Sometimes I am fortunate enough to sit in with a local rock band "B.C. Express" with Wayne Brewer on drums, Scott Taylor on lead guitar and vocals, Reuben Sanders playing rhythm guitar and vocals, and my old and dear friend Gary Alcorn who was a year behind me in high school and was one of those who used to run from me because my musical abilities at that time were quite capable of calling up every cat in the neighborhood, holds down the bottom with a bass guitar.

On April 8, 2003 I finally moved into a house in the woods. We have a little group called "The Squawl'n Dogs". Sometimes we sit out on the deck and pick. You never know who's going to drop by.

In late 2003, I would begin the process of recording the C.D. "Back to Current River," a collection of original compositions spanning 30 years. I would also release 3 additional C.D.'s, "Runn'n Wild," "Live 2000," and "Live at Ramone's," a collection of music from my past. In early 2004, I would meet the love of my life, Sandie Zemblidge. She would inspire me to once again reinvent myself. I would begin a solo acoustic career, playing guitar, harmonica, banjo, and singing mostly originals.

Stay tuned.

I have recorded four compact discs, which are the subject of this page. What will be presented here is the text from the album cover backs and sound clips from each song. Note that the song titles themselves will be the links to that song's sound clip page. It will open in a new window with a link to close it.

Here is the text from the back of the c. d. cover for the current album, Back to Current River:

1. Back to Current River: is dedicated to my father (Donald McIntire.) I wrote this song on a rainy day in 1999. My dad was seriously ill at the time and this song was a way to show my love and appreciation of him. I am happy to report that in this year of 2004 he is approaching his 80th birthday and we still have a little nip now and then.
2. 55 Chevy: This song was written in 1973 in dedication to the many drag races
across the bridge at the Jack’s Fork river in Eminence Missouri.
3. Missouri Lady: This song was written around 1985 and it goes out to all those beautiful Missouri women -- and they know who they are.
4. My Old Coat and My Hat: This song is dedicated to (China Cat). He was kind enough to put me up for a while in the mid-70’s when my only shelter was my coat and hat. He has since passed on to rock n’ roll heaven.
5. Nina Juanita: This song is dedicated to my mother (Nina Juanita McIntire). Like many people in the Ozarks, as a youth she moved to St. Louis, Mo. to find work and was successful at this, but she also found my father and together they danced through the night.
6. Old Man Bunch: I wrote this song in the mid 1970’s. My great grandmother (Iowa Ellerman) told the story of my great great grandfather (David Bunch.) He killed a man on Current River over a mule. The lyrics of the song are almost entirely her words. I was told the story many times as a child.
7. Old Familiar Places: This song was written for Shannon County, Missouri, sometimes known as "Booger County".
8. Mother Oh Mother: Is about my way of showing my appreciation to my dear mother for standing by me.
9. You Never Treat Me Right: I wrote this song in Colorado in 1982.
10. Nobody Knock’n: Jose Quervo and myself wrote this song in 1976. It was inspired by my first love (Roxanne).

Title: Back to Current River. Engineered and recorded at Roberts Recording in West Plains Missouri 2004. Music written, arranged, and produced by Michael McIntire. Vocals: Michael McIntire. Rhythm guitar: Michael McIntire. Lead guitar: Michael McIntire. Banjo: Michael McIntire. Harmonica: Michael McIntire. Percussion: Michael McIntire. My special thanks to Nick Thorp for sitting in (unrehearsed) with his dobro.

In 2002, Having had my fill of the fast lane, I returned to Shannon County.
I have come full circle and it's good to be home. In the solitude of these beautiful hills, during the last two years, I have written five songs, four of which are on my new c.d. "Back to Current River."
I wrote two songs for my mother, Her name is Nina Juanita McIntire. One song is titled "Nina Juanita" and the second song is a moving tribute titled, "Mother Oh Mother."
The title song of the c.d. "Back to Current River," was written for my father,"Donald McIntire," This would be quite appropriate, since he has spent the better part of his life on Current River.
"Old Familiar Places," says it all. It's good to be home.
The song "55 Chevy" was inspired by the many drag-races across the Eminence bridge in the 60's.
"Old Man Bunch," was written about 30 years ago. As a child, my great grandmother, "Iowa Ellerman," would tell of my great great grandfather, "David Bunch," killing my other great great grandfather, over a mule on Current River.
There are ten songs, and six are directly related to this area.
I promise I didn't plan it that way, but I'm glad it happened. I must have had "Booger County" on my mind.

Showing only the song list, here is the text from the back of the c. d. cover for the album, Runn'n Wild:

Runn'n Wild
Long Conversation
Blues Thang
Punk Infatuation
Rockette
Hot Stuff
Angel of the Devil
The Wailer
Fallin
Night Life

The album "Runn'n Wild" was recorded in 1982, at Fort Collins, Colorado. The featured vocalist (Bebe Bryant), is the mother of my twin daughters (Dillan and Dane)
All material was written by yours truly, with the exception of "Punk Infatuation," "The Wailer," and "Long Conversation. As I listen to the music, I am reminded of the 60's and how that era had a profound influence on my music.
It took 17 months and many sleepless nights to record this album, and it is important to note that this c.d. should be played as loud as you can stand it. Enjoy!

Showing only the song list, here is the text from the back of the c. d. cover for the album, Live at Ramone's:

Tore Down
The House is Rock'n
High Cost of Love'n
Stormy Monday
Pride and Joy
Margaritaville
Satisfaction
Honkytonk Woman
Barbara Ann
Bad Moon Rise'n
Brown Eye'd Girl
L.A. Woman

This c. d. was recorded at Ramone's in Springfield Mo. in 1996. It was the most popular rock'n roll club in town. I had always wanted to play there and after 25 years, I was given the opportunity.
However, by this time I was 46 and was not so eager, but I guess things happen for a reason, because I was prepared. I was a seasoned musician and that night in the club, there were around 300 people, and we proceeded to rock the house

Showing an acknowledgement and the song list, here is the text from the back of the c. d. cover for the album, Live 2000:

The Michael McIntire Duo wishes to acknowledge: The Frisco Tap Room in Springfield, Missouri, Greg Ponder who recorded and put up with us during our mix down, AND All the fans who make it possible!

01. Take'n Care of Business.
02. Margaritaville.
03. Fulsom Prison Blues.
04. How Mountain Girls Can Love.
05. Five Long Years.
06. The Hop.
07. All Shook Up.
08. Always on my Mind.
09. Old Joe Clark.
10. The Sky is Cry'n.
11. Amarillo by Morning.
12. Old Slewfoot.
13. Tore Down.
14. Tonight the Bottle let me Down.
15. Blueberry Hill.
16. Hoochie Coochie Man.
17. Swing'n Doors.
18. Walk Don't Run.
19. The Lion's Song.
20. Honky Tonk Woman.
21. D-I-V-O-R-C-E.
22. Rock Around the Clock.
23. Rocky Top.
24. Shake Rattle and Roll.
25. Orange Blossom Special.

In 2000, Barbara Hoskin and myself were touring the country playing music. This c.d. was recorded at Frisco's in Springfield Mo. It contains 25 songs. There's something for everyone, including bluegrass, rock, country, blues, and bebop.
I would like to add, that at the time of this recording, I had been playing the fiddle for only 2 years,and it was my first time to be recorded playing this instrument.
We toured for 3 years, had a great time, and met some fine folks. I hope you enjoy the music.

The list below, contains songs I have performed at various times in my life of music. Unable to use a cheat-sheet, everything must be memorized, such as lyrics, arrangements, etc.. On occasion I will open my mouth to sing a line and I draw a blank. When this happens I do the only thing I can do. I simply make something up. (smiles)

After Midnight -- A
Ain’t That A Shame -- B
All My Rowdy Friends -- A
All Shook Up -- A
Always On My Mind -- D
Amarillo By Morning -- D
Back Door Man -- G
Bad To The Bone -- G
Bad Moon A Risin -- C
Barbara Ann -- C
Beatles Birthday -- C
Be Bop -- E
Before You Accuse Me -- E
Big Boss Man -- A
Big City -- E
Blue Christmas -- E
Blue Eyes Cry’n In The Rain -- E
Blueberry Hill -- C
Bluejean Blues -- Am
Blue Suede Shoes -- A
Bobbie Mcgee -- D
Born To Be Wild -- E
Born To Lose -- E
Born Under A Bad Sign -- G
Brown Eyed Girl -- G
Brown Sugar -- C
Cat Scratch Fever -- A
Checking Up On My Baby -- A
Cocaine -- E
Cold Cold Heart -- D
Cold Shot -- Am
Country Roads -- A
Crazy -- C
Crossfire -- E
Crossroads -- A
Cryin -- D
Crystal Chandeliers -- G
Devil With A Blue Dress On -- C
Don’t Be Cruel -- E
Don’t Close Your Eyes -- G
Don’t Rock The Jukebox -- G
Dream -- E
Dream Baby -- C
Drift’n Blues -- A
Dumas Walker -- G
Feelin Alright -- C
Feels So Right -- E
Five Long Years -- A
Folsom Prison Blues -- G
Further On Up The Road -- E
Get Back -- G
Ghost Riders In The Sky -- Em
Give Me 3 Steps -- D
Gloria -- E
Going Away Baby -- G
Good Hearted Woman -- G
Great Balls Of Fire -- C
He Stopped Lovin Her Today -- G
Heard It Through The Grapevine -- Am
Heartaches By The Number -- A
Heart Break Hotel -- E
Hello I Love You -- A
Hello Mary Lou -- A
Help Me -- Gm
Help Me Rhonda -- A
Here’s A Quarter -- G
Hey Bartender -- A
Hey Good Lookin -- C
Hey Joe -- A
High Cost Of Lovin -- G
Hit The Road Jack -- Em
Honky Tonk Man -- E
Honky Tonk Woman -- C
Hoochie Coochie Man -- A
Hound Dog -- E
House Of The Risin Sun -- Am
How Many More Years -- Gm
I Can’t Help It -- E
I Feel Good -- D
I Got Friends In Low Places -- A
I’ll Always Love You -- A
I Saw Her Standing There -- A
I Shot The Sheriff -- Gm
I’m A Believer -- G
I’m So Lonesome -- G
I’m Walkin -- A
I’m Walkin The Floor Over You -- D
Imagine -- C
Jambalaya -- C
Johnny B Good -- A
Joy To The World -- C
Jumpin Jack Flash -- A
Kansas City/Sweet Home -- C
Kawlyja -- Em
Keeper Of The Stars -- D
Knock On Wood -- E
Knocking On Heaven’s Door -- D
L.A. Woman -- A
Last Kiss -- E
Leave My Girl Alone -- A
Leroy Brown -- A
Let Me Love You Babe -- E
Light My Fire -- Am
Little Sister -- E
Live For Today -- Am
Long Haired Country Boy -- G
Look What Followed Me Home -- A
Lost Highway -- E
Louie Louie -- G
Love Me Darlin -- G
Love Me Tender -- G
Love Me 2 Times Babe -- D
Love Potion #9 -- Am
Love Sick Blues -- G
Lyin Eyes -- G
Magic Carpet Ride -- D
Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys -- D
Margaritaville -- D
Memphis -- E
Messing With The Kid -- A
Mojo -- E
Mony Mony -- E
Mr Tambourine Man -- D
My Girl -- C
Natural High -- G
Never Ending Love -- C
Oh Lonesome Me -- E
Old Man Down The Road -- Em
Only The Lonely -- F
On The Road Again -- E
Old Time Rock And Roll -- C
One More Shot -- G
One Way Out -- A
People Are Strange -- Em
Peter Gunn -- Em
Pipeline -- Em
Pretty Woman -- A
Pride And Joy -- E
Proud Mary -- C
Purple Haze -- E
Put Another Log On The Fire -- G
Put Your Head On My Shoulder -- E
Red House -- A
Riders On The Storm -- Em
Road House Blues -- E
Rock Around The Clock -- A
Run Around Sue -- D
Runaway -- Am
Satisfaction -- E
Satisfied Mind -- E
Secret Agent Man -- E
Seven Spanish Angels -- F
Shake Rattle And Roll -- E
Silver Wings -- E
Singing The Blues -- E
Sittin On The Dock Of The Bay -- G
Six Days On The Road -- A
Sky Is Crying -- Em
Sleep Walk -- C
Smoke On The Water -- Gm
Smokin Gun -- Em
Someday Someway -- A
Spooky -- Em
Stand By Me -- A
Stormy Monday -- A
Sunshine Of Your Love -- D
Suzy Q -- E
Sweet Home Alabama -- D
Sweet Home Chicago/Kansas City -- C
Swingin Doors -- G
Take This Job And Shove It -- E
Take’n Care Of Business -- C
Talk Back Trembling Lips -- G
Teach Your Children -- D
Tears In Heaven -- A
Teddy Bear -- C
Texas Flood -- E
That’s All Right Mama -- G
The Bottle Let Me Down -- D
The Hop -- A
The House Is Rock’n -- C
The Letter -- C
The Twist -- E
Things I Used To Do -- A
Thinkin Problem -- C
Today I Started Lovin You Again -- G
Tore Down -- C
Thrill Is Gone -- Bm
Travelin Band -- E
Treat Her Right -- A
Turn The Page -- Em
Tush -- D
Twist And Shout -- D
Unchained Melody -- C
Under The Boardwalk -- E
Voodoo Child -- E
Walk’n After Midnight -- C
Walk Don’t Run -- C
Walk Softly -- Am
Walkin The Dog -- E
Wanderer -- D
Watchtower -- Cm
What I Say -- E
When A Man Loves A Woman -- G
Whiskey Bent -- A
Whole Lotta Shaking Goin On -- C
Why Don’t We Get Drunk And Screw -- D
Wild Thing -- A
Wind Beneath My Wings -- E
Wipe Out -- C
Wonderful Tonight -- G
You Really Got Me -- A
You Win Again -- E
Your Cheatin Heart -- C

Battle Of New Orleans -- A
Bells Of St Mary’s -- G
Beverly Hillbillies -- G
Clinch Mountain Backstep -- G
Cotton Eyed Joe -- A
Cripple Creek -- G
Duel’n Banjo’s -- G
Faded Love -- D
Foggy Mountain Breakdown -- G
Fraulin -- G
Home Sweet Home -- G
How Mountain Girls Can Love -- G
I Hear That Train A Comin -- G
I Saw The Light -- G
I Wonder Where You Are Tonight -- G
If I Lose -- G
Jesse James -- A
John Hardy -- G
John Henry -- G
Let Me Rest -- G
Little Maggie -- G
Lomesome Road Blues -- G
Long Black Veil -- G
Man Of Constant Sorrow -- E
May I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister -- G
Mr Spaceman -- G
Old Joe Clark -- A
Old Slewfoot -- G
Orange Blossom Special -- E
Rank Strangers -- G
Rocky Top -- G
Sally Goodwin -- A
She’s More To Be Pitied -- D
Soldier’s Joy -- D Or C
Stay All Night -- G
Tennessee Waltz -- D
Think Of What You’ve Done -- G
Truck Drive’n Man -- G
Will The Circle Be Unbroken -- G
Wildwood Flower -- C

The Way That You Do -- Am
Blues Thang -- Dm
Runn’n Wild -- Am
Nightlife -- Gm
Angel Of The Devil -- E
Back To Current River -- G
Hey Mother -- E
Footprints -- A
Mother Oh Mother -- G
Old Familiar Places -- G
55 Chevy -- E
Old Man Bunch -- G
Park’n Lot -- G
The Promised Land -- G
The Pumpkin Song -- G
Nina Juanita -- A
Slow Rain -- G
You Never Treat Me Right -- A
As You Cross My Mind -- G
Rollin -- G
My Old Coat And My Hat -- A
The Mouth Of Brushie -- G
Missouri Lady -- E
Lady On Fire -- Am
Pass My Way -- G
Still Your Memory Lingers On -- D
Debbie’s Blues -- A
Loves Her Man -- E
The Visitor -- Am
Nobody Knock’n -- E
Hot Stuff -- E
Fallin -- Am
Rockette -- Em
Nasty Patty -- Em
You Got To Know I Love You -- Em
Pick’n My Life Away -- E
Sandie Girl -- G
Island Paradise -- G
Cajun Sound -- D

Love Light -- A
Kiss Him While I Can -- C
White Snake Blues -- Bm
Lover Man -- Gm
Blind Recognition -- G
Glad He’s Gone -- A

The Picture -- G
I Got You Babe -- E
Let The Tear Drops Fall -- G
I Fall To Pieces -- Bb
Walk’in After Midnight -- C
Jackson

We were riding along just casually talking after a long weekend of playing music. We were exhausted. We had played Friday night in Shell Knob and Saturday night in Springfield. We had worked our second night and were on our way home. Debbie was Southbound on Kansas and was preparing to make a left turn on Grand. We were just a few minutes from home. She had put the turn signal on and was slowing down. The van was running about 30 miles per hour.

There were no headlights, no screaming tires, nothing to prepare us for what was to happen next.

I believe that time slows down because your mind accelerates. The first thought I remember having been "My God they have finally hit us." Then I thought it might have been a train that hit us, but I knew this was not possible since there were no railroad tracks in the area. When the noise finally subsided my six foot and one-half inch frame occupied a small space in the floor board.

I found it hard to believe that I was still alive. Instinctively I knew Debbie and I should get out of the van immediately. I remember calling Debbie s name many times, but there was no answer. I was like a small child trying to speak. I was unaware that my teeth were hanging out of the side of my face, my upper jaw was broken in eight places, my lower jaw in one place, my sinuses were crushed and that my nose was broken.

When I finally repositioned myself in the passenger seat I immediately tried to unlock the door. Unaware that my right arm was crushed at the biceps and was attached to my body only by a piece of skin. I started to reach with my left hand to open the door when suddenly I heard a voice say "Come on man." By this time a small crowd of about 15 or 20 people had congregated and were gazing in horror at the burning vehicles. I can understand why a person would not want to risk his or her life to save a busted up, blind musician trying to grope his way out of a burning van, but I am certainly forever grateful that the brave Mr. Duane Brainard was in that crowd.

He pulled me from the van and I hit the ground like a sack of potatoes. I was a rag doll. Along with my other injuries I had a broken hip, three broken ribs with a collapsed lung, and cuts and bruises from one end of my body to the other. Duane grabbed my belt in back and my collar at the back of my neck and began to drag me away from the van before it exploded. People rushed to help Duane drag my body along the ground. I was in shock, I felt no pain. The only time that I recall experiencing pain was when one of the people helping Duane took my arm that was hanging by skin and tried to drag me. Needless to say, he soon found another approach.

During this time I repeatedly told them that Debbie was in the van and that they needed to get her out. I would not let my mind think the worst. I thought, “I am alive so she must be alive.” When they finally stopped dragging me someone covered me with a coat. A woman took my hand and was trying to comfort me. I now know what it feels like to die because I could feel the life slipping away from me. I was gasping for air. I told my angel of mercy that the ambulance had better get here soon. It finally arrived, but it seemed like an eternity. I was conscious the whole time, even in the emergency room. I kept begging for information about Debbie but I knew the truth. Finally, a nurse told me that Debbie was no longer with me. At first life meant nothing to me. It was when my mother walked into the emergency room and I saw the fear and pain and concern in her eyes that only a mother could have that I knew I should at least continue on for the sake of my loved ones.

It has been almost two years since the morning of October 15, 1995. I am much stronger now but the person I once was no longer exists. He is gone forever.

When Joe Willis Wright made the decision to get behind the wheel of the Corvette and put the pedal to the floor board and run between 100 and 130 miles per hour on a city street while he was blasted out of his mind, he could never know that the horrible events that would be set in motion would effect the lives of hundreds of people from out of state as well as locally.

Our roads are turning into a war zone and if we do not fight back we will continue to lose our loved ones because of those idiots behind the wheel who make the wrong choice.

I will never know why Debbie was taken and I was spared. I do know that she was a good person and that she touched many lives. My life was blessed just for having known and loved her, and as long as Michael McIntire is alive she will not be forgotten nor will her death be in vain.

For many years people have made the assertion that I should write a book containing a perspective of my life as a blind person. In retrospect, I realize that I was hesitant because knowing that a book on this subject may be informative, I questioned it's value as entertainment. I soon found that my reservations were unwarranted.

As I began to write, I sent installments of the book to people across the country, old friends as well as new acquaintances. Several people told me that once they started reading, they couldn't stop. Maxine West of St. Louis, Missouri, said she was cooking dinner for her son when she began to read the book. She ordered pizza.

I couldn't understand this, so I took another look at myself and the book. Number one, I know from experience that people are fascinated with blindness. It scares the hell out of them and rightfully so. Number two, they are amazed by my close calls with death or serious injury. They would say things like “I can't believe you're still alive,” and number three, last but not least, they thought the book was funny. A lady told me she read the book while at work in her office and she was concerned her co-workers would hear her laughter.

It has never been my intention to be provocative, but I know this book would be considered politically incorrect, in today's world. Please don't tell the moral police, but I tell it like it is and in my own words.

I hope this book will inform you, make you laugh, and sometimes bring tears to your eyes, but most important, after reading this book, it is my sincere hope, that you are left with a deeper understanding of the life of a blind person.

Read on to see my publisher's response to an e-mail from me, the text of both as follows:

Original Message. From: Michael McIntire. Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2004 4:28 PM. To: Ron Bowles. Subject: prologue:

Original Message. From: Ron Bowles. To: Michael McIntire. Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2004 3:06 PM. Subject: RE: prologue.

Mike,

This prolog is indicative to all of your writings. You have a wonderful way of immediately putting your reader at ease by writing your true feelings. There is 100% Michael in this work. Nothing sugar coated or intentionally added to make us think that you are more than what you are. I liked what I read because it captured a human beings life good and bad...this is the good stuff.

I think after reading the prolog the reader is going to know exactly what they are getting into and will be expecting more of the same in the following pages. Keep this style and you will have a winning book that the reader will not be able to put down even if they are supposed to make dinner.

Take care my friend,

Ron Bowles
Author Services Consultant
authorHouse
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
http://www.authorhouse.com
[Personal e-mail address omitted by webmaster]
Toll Free: 1-888-519-5121 ext. 250
Fax: 1-812-961-1023

Being blind and living alone in the Ozark mountains, also being 53 years young, I concluded that if I didn't want to end my days alone, I would have to do something drastic. With the help of my daughter Dillan, I joined an on-line dating service. As the new year of 2004 began, I received an e-mail which would change my life forever.

Having been a streetwise musician, and a man of the world for over 35 years, I knew class and taste when I had the good fortune to be confronted with it. After having read but a few paragraphs of the e-mail sent to me, I became a lifelong fan of Sandie Zemblidge. On January 4th, 2004, with trembling fingers, I dialed the phone. We now freely acknowledge that after our first conversation, which lasted 3 hours, we were madly, and hopelessly in love.

The next weekend Sandie would visit me at "Spaceland." She has since returned every weekend.

My life was wonderful before I knew Sandie, but now it is pure heaven. Some of you in cyberspace have known me for 40 years and you know I am not a person to fall in love easily, nor do I take it lightly. She loves music and nature. Both of these, plus the peace and quiet of Spaceland, make a great haven for the two of us. She is such a positive force in my life; she is my pillar of support.

You have now entered Sandie's domain, and soon you will understand why I was completely captivated by my Rock'n Roll girl.

As Michael told you I am Sandie and we did meet on a dating service. We both feel it was the best $20.00 we ever spent. On September 10th, 2004 we celebrated our 8 months anniversary and it has been the most exciting and loving 8 months of my life.

Michael and I both have lost loved ones (visit the Long Ride Home for Michael's story) and I lost my husband of almost 19 years, 6 years ago to cancer. With this in common we know how important it is to cherish each day and now that we have found one another we take nothing for granted, especially our love. We feel that we are soul mates and have been looking for each other all of our lives.

Although we lived full lives before meeting, Michael has beautiful twin daughters whom you can see on this site and I have a beautiful 19 year old daughter (Beth) and a very handsome 21 year son (Matt) whom I hope to post photos of soon, we feel the best part of our lives is still ahead of us.

Michael is not only a brilliant singer/songwriter and musician, he is a man of great passion, compassion and has a generous, caring heart. I hope you can feel that in his music. Michael has given me the chance to fulfill my dreams of being half of a couple that truly cares for and about one another. We look forward to a beautiful life together and if you will let us we will be happy (to a certain extent of course!) to share it with you. Thank you for visiting and please drop by soon for updates and new photos!

A decision will be made at some point about what needs to go here. It isn't easy to translate photo images.